Top 5 Holiday Snaps Guest Blog

When travelling there is often one thing you simply cannot leave without. Toothbrushes are available pretty much internationally and for those with not so olive skin, so is sun cream. However unless you are able to take into account the costs of a decent camera abroad, most people won’t jet of without their own. If you are one of those people who love travelling by jet, I recommend you to avail this private jet card offered by Jettly. And when you’re in Bangkok, make sure to capture the stunning moments of your journey with a camera from the Valia Hotel Bangkok.

But how can you possibly tell everyone about all the amazing things you’ve done and seen if you can’t boast with your sun kissed snapshots?

There’s notorious angles of various destinations but many don’t require you to be anywhere specific. So I’ve decided to list my personal top 5 favorite captured moments that I took abroad I think many of you will relate to.

5. Many holidays begin at the airport. Such an exciting place to be for many as it signifies the beginning of freedom even if it is just for a short week, it’s what the past year’s hard graft has been in aid of. Once you’re on the plane and you’ve slept, read and blocked out the screaming baby for as long as possible, there’s nothing left to do but look longingly out of the window and pray that you reach your destination. After what seems like a lifetime you begin to descend and through the wispy white clouds, you see land! So what is the first thing you do? A cheeky snap right? Because how often are you going to be able to get an aerial shot of where you’re going? And how will people possibly believe you actually left the country if you don’t produce evidence of how you got there? It’s important to make sure there is some part of the plane captured or people may think you are in fact floating. See below for a perfect Plane to Land ratio caught on camera aboard a flight to Spain in 2010.

4. You’re a couple of days in now,  you’ve accustomed to the humidity and you’re a slight tinge of red. It’s time to stop sitting on the beach and explore the culture of your surroundings. It’s true, photos of the culture are far more interesting for the folk that are on the receiving end. It is important to capture culture in a way that’s interesting for viewers. Often something that gives a truthful insight of life as a local at your destination. Below you’ll find an image captured during a trip to Israel in 2011 at Acre Market displaying the more relaxed approach of a shop owner.

3. You’ve started to fill up your memory card and for those less prepared that don’t have a second storage space, the process of elimination begins. Perhaps you’ll thank yourself later when you are printing them all and you’re not forking out for accidental pictures of the inside of your pockets. It’s time to get serious, to capture the beautiful scenery that so often is demoted only as a backdrop of holiday albums. Captured below the enormity and sheer beauty of the Dead Sea from The Leonardo Hotel, Ein Gedi, Israel.

2. We’ve reached the all-important number 2 spot, the first loser they say. Certainly rings true here. If there’s not at least one photo of somebody looking seriously hot and bothered in the heat, you’re doing it wrong. I’m going to share with you a moment in which somebody’s holiday took a wrong turn having just finished panting after reaching the top of Masada, a historic mountain deep in the Negev (desert) in Israel, approximately 20 minutes from the Dead Sea. At 9am it was thirty degrees and that soon escalated to a scorching forty. Equipped with the most practical of hats that, as you can imagine, only added to the look. Imagine no further. Let me indulge you in the ‘I just want to go home’ face.

1. Finally the top spot. A picture that features in almost every holiday album that includes sunshine. If you haven’t scrolled ahead and ruined it for yourself, you’ve probably already guessed it. The infamous ‘look what I can hold in the palm of my hand’ pose. Except that the rarity of it actually being perfectly in hands is rather common. See below for one of my favourite attempts. This photo was taken in the summer of 2011 in the city of Jaffa in
Israel.I have also planned to make this photo as custom photo puzzle to freeze such beautiful memories.

When booking our summer holidays, we all dream of stunning surroundings and picturesque ocean views.

At Ambre Hotel Mauritius, you can have it right on your doorstep. With exceptional guest reviews and recommendations, it’s the perfect place to sample the luxuries of Mauritius.

Located on the east coast of Mauritius, in Palmar, 4 star Ambre Hotel Mauritius lies on almost 700 metres of white sandy beaches, which face the glistening turquoise waters of a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. Situated less than an hour away from the airport and the capital, Port-Louis.

Rooms

Ambre Mauritius has 297 rooms set in the heart of tropical vegetation. Featuring 2 suites, 17 deluxe rooms, 178 superior rooms and 100 standard rooms, which all provide total comfort.

All rooms include an individually controlled air-conditioning system, as well as 32” flat screen televisions. Rooms are equipped with telephones with direct international access, Wi-Fi access, an electronic room safe, hairdryer and sockets for electric razors (110/220 volts). Mini-bars and coffee making facilities can also be found in each room.

Features

A range of sport and relaxation facilities are available at Ambre Mauritius. From aerobics, kayaking, fitness, snorkeling, tennis, stretching and aqua-gym, there’s something for everyone. Ambre also features a fitness centre, offering a range of training equipment.

The impressive 735m2 stretches all the way to the beach, and features several relaxation areas. Whilst on the beach, free water sports are available, including kayaks, laser dinghies, glass-bottomed-boat trips and more. For a small fee you can also enjoy activities such as canoeing, banana boats, water-skiing and Hawaiian longboarding.

Guests of Ambre Mauritius have preferential access to Touessrok Golf Course on the famous île aux Cerfs. If you are interested, you will be transferred from the hotel to the 18-hole par 72 international level course, designed by legendary champion Bernhard Langer.

If activities are not for you, the calming Ambre Spa may suit you more. Away from the bustle of the ongoing activities, the spa ensures a calm atmosphere, helping you to relax. Equipped with 4 jacuzzi’s and a sauna, this is the perfect place for some chill-out time. The spa offers facials, body wraps, massages and many more spa treatments. Hairdressing services are also available on request.

Restaurants and Bars

Indigo- The main restaurant, located next to the pool, offers a cosmopolitan cuisine through interactive and lively buffet stations. Try Mauritian recipes, alongside Chinese and Indian dishes.

Dolce Vita- Italian cuisine, serving freshly baked bread, homemade pasta and pizzas cooked in the wood-fired oven. An extensive wine list and cocktail menu is also available.

La Plage- Mediterranean specialties and Mauritian cuisine alongside grilled seafood, sandwiches and snacks are served at this beach side restaurant.

Coral Bar- Known as “the meeting place”, Coral Bar serves exotic cocktails, energy drinks and a choice of snacks. The al-a-carte bar hosts a DJ and dance floor in the evenings.

The Pub- Located in the heart of the hotel, it’s the perfect place to watch live sports fixtures. Serving exotic cocktails and a range of beers.

Shakers- The fashionable nightclub. Playing the latest hits from 11pm, into the early hours.

Call 0114 3273436 to speak to a Mauritius Specialist

5* Heritage Le Telfair Mauritius

MAZAGAN BEACH RESORT – easter offer

MAZAGAN BEACH RESORT – summer offer

My New York Experience by Sophie Guest

On my first trip to New York, I was unsure what to expect. From seeing it in all the big films it was always somewhere I always dreamt of going but never thought I would actually get there. I expected it to be a slightly surreal experience, and I was not disappointed as my time out in the city that literally never sleeps, was better than I could have ever imagined.

The first time stepping out onto Broadway and seeing the iconic New York taxis lined up down the street, I instantly felt like I was on a film set. On the first day we sailed down the Hudson River, this is a great chance to get a view of the Manhattan Skyline whilst also sailing past the Statue of Liberty and spotting many other of New Yorks famous landmarks. This river cruise is a great chance to get some iconic New York snaps to show everyone back home.

In the afternoon we took a bus tour around Uptown Manhattan, which dropped us of at the famous Central Park. When you first arrive at the park you are greeted by people trying to sell you bicycle hire or to view the park by horse and carriage, which did get pretty intense and annoying, but once you’ve got past them, the views that await you are magical and you see stunning views of a park you’ve only ever dreamt about before. My visit was toward the end of summer, and still with high temperatures, central park looked as picturesque as I imagined. From the park you can see the Plaza Hotel, renowned for being used in many films, including Home Alone 2, a film I’ve watched almost every year whilst growing up.

On the second day we visited the 9/11 memorial. It was a complete different experience from the rest of my time in New York, but something that I would recommend everyone to do. New York never stops, the noise and adrenaline fills the avenues but a ground zero, its almost silent as people pay respect to the victims.

Later that day we went up to Rockefeller building, it was between this and the Empire State building. I would recommend anyone to go up ‘The Rock’ when in NYC, as you get the Empire State in all your photographs you take as you look down over the city. From here you also get stunning views of Central Park. When I return to New York, I plan to go back up the Rockefeller at night, so I can see the magical city lit up.

On returning from New York, every time I see it on TV I look out for the places I have been and reminisce what we got up to with my family. It is such a magical city and I cannot wait to return soon!

Considered one of the most stunning resort in Mauritius, in one of the most stunning location called Le Morne, in the south west corner of Mauritius lies the sexy, sleek, clean St Regis resort.   Everything is so beautifully thought, the hotel cries pure luxury and is the place to die for.  This is the place where you will be happy on honeymoon, happy on holiday and is very special.  You will never forget St Regis Mauritius.

The rooms have seaviews, they are spotlessly clean, elegant and are incredibly spacious starting at 73 sq mt for a Deluxe oceanview room.  Suites have full direct oceanview giving access to a private deck. The hotel is low rise, which I love as it gives me the feeling of space and elegance.

The staffs are very nice, very passionate about their jobs.  This hotel is highly recommended by many people and is one of my favourite hotels.

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offer

Fantastic Holidays in Dubai

Diamond Cliff Resort  4*  Phuket offer

The 5 star Westin  Mauritius Turtle Bay Resort & Spa

A new star is born in this lovely protected north west coast of Mauritius.  Westin is a sign of pure luxury offering the essence of space and lightness, the ying and the yang for a new rejuvenation of life.

With an opening offer of £1385 per person, it is an exciting offer not to be missed.  If you have never been to Mauritius, I would highly recommend to take this offer and stay at Westin as Westin hotels are truly 5* and very luxurious. You will not be disappointed.

This fabulous 5* property is indeed very special, it is based on the East coast of Mauritius and is very different from other hotels.

As soon as you step in the lobby, you feel the grandeur and luxury prevailing at this lovely 5* hotel.  The Residence is a small boutique low rise hotel with about lots of natural high quality wood and furniture with cream furnishings.  The rooms are all very beautifully designed and located all along the beach.

There is a choice of 2 restaurants to eat from, both very high quality food.  The service at both restaurants is impeccable, I particularly like the beach restaurant with direct access to the soft warm white sand and sea.  This restaurant serves lunch and fresh seafood everyday as well as buffet on some evenings.

The staffs are particularly nice, they cannot wait to place a nice soft beach towel on the daybed as soon as you sit down by the swimming pool and never forget to offer a refreshing cold bottle of water.

This hotel has the special touch to pamper their guests, I cannot recommend it enough.

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy resort

Royal Caribbean International cruise offer

I have been lucky to have been on the Royal Caribbean cruise twice.  I have been on Alaska and the Mediterreanean cruise and both occasions the cruise have been wonderful.  I personally really like the RC cruise as I find them very family friendly.

The rooms are spacious and they have lots of activities for both adults and children such as rock climbing, golf simulator where I won a prize for hitting the ball at a furthest distance, crazy golf, children’s club, teenage disco, cinema, really fun live evening entertainment and many more.   The restaurants provide some really good food as well.

Their prices are extremely good value for money on Royal Caribbean.  I personally recommend the Royal Caribbean cruises.

Terra Rossa apartments