Wellbeing Booster at Macdonald Monchique Portugal From £345pp

This privately run hotel is surrounded by mountainous forests and nature in the Algarve and offers an idyllic setting to relax and unwind. It is modern in style with soft tones and clean lines and there is plenty of space to enjoy the stunning surroundings.

The transfer time from Faro International Airport is about 50 minutes.

Accommodation

There are 190 bright and airy suites with separate living rooms. Each has a balcony with mountain or coastal views and a private bathroom with exclusive Monchique toiletries, bathrobe and slippers. The living room has a small kitchenette with refrigerator and tea and coffee-making facilities. The suites are contemporary in quiet tones with floor-to-ceiling windows. Facilities include two HD flat-screen televisions, an interactive TV system, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Dining

There are four restaurants that serve amazing food, with lots of healthy choices and a range of tempting dishes to tantalize your taste buds. The elegant Mon-chic serves seasonal specialities from the region. The O Mercado Culinario serves national and international dishes, a tapas-style restaurant and Pizzaria da Serra with an outdoor terrace with authentic Neapolitan cuisine. There is a pool bar for light snacks and a cocktail bar.

Spa

The luxurious spa is called a “sensory” spa and is inspired by the natural resources of the Algarve and the beauty of the surrounding mountains to offer an experience of pure rejuvenation and relaxation. It uses the luxury brand ESPA as well as own Monchique products, which contain local thermal water.

The luxurious spa area for adults is equipped with 8 treatment rooms as well as a sauna with Himalayan stone salt wall, aroma steam room, aromakabine, hydro-pool, foot baths, tropical massage jugs, igloos, marble baths and 2 resting rooms

Helpful Tips

• Try the Monchique Mountain bottle of spring water, which is proudly the most alkaline water in Portugal
• The hotel was reopened only in 2016 after an expensive renovation, making it shiny and new with great spa facilities.
• Go to the nearby historic village of Monchique with its typical Algarve houses, cobbled streets and natural thermal waters.

Wellbeing Booster Includes:

Minium stay of 3 nights
Wellness/Spa Consultation
1 x Full Body Massage (60 mins)
1 x Foot OR Head Massage (45 mins)
1 x Private Yoga OR Private Pilates OR Private Personal Training Session (60 min)
1 x FREE Salt & Oil Body Scrub (30 mins, worth €40) – for stays until 31 March 17
FREE daily access to the spa facilities & gym (worth approx €20 a day)
Daily access to complimentary group fitness classes
Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast Daily (Half Board & Full Board are available at a supplement)
Free shuttle to the beach is runs  6 days a week between April and October 17

NB: The £345.00 does not include flights, if you would like a price with flights then please ask.

To Book or Enquire Call Jackie on 0114 3273436 or email jackief@travel-pa.com

Bodyholiday St Lucia From £1919.00 pp

BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia – Your Detox Heaven

BodyHoliday is a dream destination offering the most comprehensive wellness experience in the Caribbean. Guests staying at this beautiful beachfront resort are promised an energizing, revitalising and soothing stay, making the most of superb watersports, outdoor activities and personalised exercise classes, all included. Perfect for spa lovers, sporty types and single travellers, at BodyHoliday you will enjoy complimentary water aerobics, scuba diving training and fantastic dining options – on that basis alone, we are sold – but it’s the 50-minute spa treatments each day that make this an exceptional wellness experience.

BodyHoliday – September Solos

The ‘September Solos’ retreat at BodyHoliday is perfect for single travellers or groups of friends looking to enjoy an active holiday where you are bound to meet like-minded people. We have access to exclusive offers for Single Garden Rooms at BodyHoliday, which are perfect for these retreats. Here are our top reasons to escape to Saint Lucia for your very own September Solos getaway:

– The social atmosphere is great and easy to get involved in, whilst indulging in a combination of sport, spa and relaxation.

– You can do as much or as little as you like, and if you’re in search of an inspiring destination to kick-start your health drive, Saint Lucia’s mountains, rainforest and sandy beaches are unbeatable.

– Your days can be filled with yoga, zip-line tours, watersports and fun sports tournaments, all with outstanding trainers who will work with you directly to achieve your goals.

– You can focus on health and well-being with a personalised schedule of spa treatments and holistic exercise classes, to get the pampering you’ve been looking for.

– In the evenings the atmosphere is fun and relaxed, guests get to know each other over sunset cruises and group dinners, and you’ll come home feeling like a whole new person. As our friends from diplomarbeit schreiben lassen say – new acquaintances lead to an easier and faster acceptance of oneself, to inner harmony.

7 nights from £1,939 per person.
Based on 1 adult staying in a Standard Garden View Room
 All-Inclusive

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner daily
Unlimited premium brand drinks, selected wines and Champagne by the glass
Personalised schedule of daily spa treatments
All watersports and land sports including tuition
All holistic and exercise classes
Hosted cocktail party at Cariblue Pool
Weekly hosted dinner in Cariblue
Weekly hosted dinner in TAO
Master classes
Fun sports
Tournaments
Group fitness classes
Group Pilates classes
Weekly sunset cruise

PERFECT FOR
SINGLE TRAVELLERS
SPORTY TYPES
SPA LOVERS
WATER BABES

ACCOMMODATION:

There are 155 air-conditioned rooms and suites. All are well featured with a four-poster bed, iPod docking station and complimentary WiFi, and most do have a private balcony or terrace. Standard Garden Rooms are perfect for solo travellers whilst Luxury Rooms are larger and overlook the main building and gardens. Luxury Ocean View Rooms have full or partial sea views, Luxury Ocean Front Rooms are beside the sea and Grand Luxury Ocean Front Rooms and Suites are located right on the magnificent water’s edge.

To Book or Enquire Email jackief@travel-pa.com or Call: 0114 3273436

Tour of Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz

Tour of Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz

5 days

Overview

This is a fascinating, historic and varied tour to two great European cities, Berlin and Dresden. The Berlin Wall fell over 20 years ago and Berlin now is a city full of life whilst Dresden after severe bomb damage during World War II has been almost completely restored to it’s former status as one of Germany’s most beautiful cities.

You will also visit a number of Germany’s smaller towns, see rolling countryside and visit medieval Meissen, famous for beautiful hand crafted porcelain. Lastly you will visit Colditz Castle, which was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.

Highlights

Selected departures from April to October 2017

Experience lively Berlin and beautiful Dresden on this varied escorted tour to the heart of Germany. Our friends and fellow Berliners ghostwriter klausur recommend visiting this incredible city.

Included

Return flights

Four nights superior four-star hotel accommodation with breakfast

Tour of Berlin, a vibrant city which is home to some of the world’s finest archaeological and fine art museums as well as having amazing historical significance.

Tour of Dresden on foot covering great art collections and insights into the re-building following bomb damage.

See the famous Meissen porcelain studio

Trip to the world famous Colditz Castle – Second World War prison camp.

Escorted by experienced tour manager

Kundalini Yoga is so different to any other type of yoga!

I was fortunate enough to take part in a Kundalini Yoga Retreat last weekend in Sheffield, my home town so it meant that I could go home at night and chill out with my dog rather than staying in a hotel room.

Having never done Kundalini yoga before I really wasn’t sure what to expect and had been hearing from people how different it was to any other type of yoga.

I was the first to arrive and the studio looked so beautiful with the fairy lights on the floor and the walls hand painted with colourful mandalas. It gave me a chance to blend with the energies of the place before everyone else started arriving and also for me to meet Grace who was our yoga teacher for the retreat.

The Friday evening was the opening of the retreat ready for two full days of kundalini yoga, meditation, journal writing and group exercises.

Grace explained to us more in detail about what kundalini yoga is and how it differs from any other type of yoga

What is Kundalini Yoga
The technology of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is a science of the mind and body, to elevate the spirit, which has no boundaries, no discrimination. Therefore it is for everyone, universal and nondenominational. Kundalini Yoga is thus a dynamic form of yoga that awakens our own awareness. It uses sets of physical postures and movements (asana), meditation, breathing exercises (pranayama), and chanting (mantra). As it is a physical practice which encompasses a meditative focus, it not only strengthens the health and well being of our physical body, it is also useful in balancing our emotional state, our mental clarity, and in the relief of stress. If you feel overwhelmed with emotions and stress, you may buy cannabis products from https://d8superstore.com/category/thca that may help calm your mind.

If you want to share anti-stress products to others, then Aquaholic Gifts branded stress balls are perfect for engaging and memorable promotional giveaways.

In the quest for mental well-being, mindfulness emerges as a powerful ally, offering a sanctuary for the mind amidst life’s tumultuous currents. If you constantly experience symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety, stress or depression, you may consider using cannabis products from indacloud.

Much like Kundalini Yoga, which harnesses the synergy of body and spirit, mindfulness cultivates a state of present-moment awareness that transcends boundaries and embraces all seekers.

Enter Calm Cove Blog, a digital oasis where seekers of serenity converge to explore the transformative potential of mindfulness. Just as Kundalini Yoga serves as a conduit for self-awareness and elevation, this blog illuminates pathways to mental clarity and emotional equilibrium. Through the practice of mindfulness meditation, breathwork, and introspective reflection, readers embark on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the labyrinth of the mind with grace and intention. In the gentle embrace of mindfulness, the boundaries between body, mind, and spirit dissolve, paving the way for holistic healing and profound inner harmony.

How does Kundalini Yoga differ from other Yoga
Kundalini Yoga contains the elements of all forms of Yoga; Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga, Shakti, Tantra, Raj, et cetera. Kundalini Yoga helps to purify, stimulate and strengthen all the systems of the body by unlocking your inner, creative energy to get the most out of life. Your Kundalini Yoga teacher does not make up exercises or sets of movements, but uses prescribed sets of exercises (kriyas) which focus upon specific areas of the body. It is taught in its pure and complete form.

We then went into our first kriya and to tune in you have to chant which was a little weird at first but you soon understand how powerful it becomes when a group of 9 women are all chanting together.

The powerful phrase of the retreat was Sat Nam which means “The truth is my identity” this is chanted to close a kriya.

One of the main differences that I observed was that all of the movements are done with your eyes closed so that we are focusing inwards although there are kriyas where eyes are open. I did struggle trying to sit with my legs crossed for the first evening and into the next day but by the end of the retreat I could sit with them crossed for up to 20 minutes at a time, for me this felt like such an achievement and actually made me quite emotional.

The next two days were spent moving through the different kriyas and learning new and some quite challenging poses and movements. One of which is called Breath of Fire – boy did I have some problems trying to master this! You have to inhale and expand your naval point and exhale and pull in your naval point and do this movement very quickly while breathing in and out of your nose. I soon discovered that this was not my forte especially when surrounded by some much younger women who were breathing in and out at an extremely rapid rate that I am sure I would have hyperventilated if I had carried on at that speed, so I found my own slower pace which worked well for me.

On both days we had a lovely vegan lunch and on the Sunday we were treated to vegan snicker bars – these were awesome and tasted divine. You can find the recipe here if you would like to try making them for yourself.

We also did some group exercises of which one was where we had to make a Labyrinth using the items that we had in the room, we then would walk through the Labyrinth one by one and perform a gratitude ceremony in the middle. If you are a true yoga lover or want to try something new, Seminararbeit schreiben lassen recommend attending local group classes. You will feel your body relax and all blocks will go away, and your state of mind will find peace.

Me walking through the labyrinth

We did a Gratitude exercise of writing down things that we are grateful for and also affirmations starting with I AM.

I absolutely loved the retreat and I am so glad that I took part in it. It was a very emotional journey for me because I found that I could move my body much more than I thought I could and was actually much more flexible too.

My heartfelt thank you goes to Grace who was an amazing teacher with such great patience and wonderful aura. I will certainly be booking on other yoga retreats that Grace will be doing in the future.

Grace Kaya is a certified aquarian kundalini level 1 teacher , Certified RYT500 Yoga Instructor specialising in the styles of Restorative, Hatha & Vinyasa; with experience teaching Chakra Flow, Pre & Postnatal Yoga & Yoga for children. She is presently attending a 220hr Kundalini Aquarian Level 1 Teacher Training.  Grace has enjoyed working with students of varying ages and abilities including special needs groups and seniors.

The Kundalini Yoga Retreat took place at Instinctive Health Sheffield 

Sat Nam

Jackie

Yoga Holidays in Jamaica

Yoga Holidays in Sri Lanka

Longevity Cleansing Juice Detox at Vilalara Portugal From £1536 pp

Last year I was lucky enough to go on a fabulous 3 day cleansing juice detox Retreat at Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa Retreat in Portugal.

I really wasn’t  sure what I was expecting it to be like but it certainly surpassed my expectations.

We were greeted on arrival by one of the spa team who had a little paper carrier bag with what I thought were nice little oils or body lotions for us to use during our stay.  Nope! Got that very wrong, it was a detox liquid to put in our  PH 9.5 water that was provided in our rooms and an Enema to use that night!

We were then taken to our room which was a lovely junior suite, very spacious with nice seating area and lovely big bed.  The bathroom was very large with twin sinks and separate toilet and the good old weighing scales in the bathroom so I can check how much weight I have lost during the liquid diet. Luckily for me my suite was right next to the spa and as we were spending most of our time there it meant I didn’t have far to walk.

On the first day we were on a low calorie healthy diet so had minestrone soup and chicken stuffed with spinach and sundried tomatoes, it was absolutely delicious. Was very impressed that the waitress knew who we were without us having to tell her.  We were only offered water to drink and were politely told that there was no pudding much to my disappointment.

At 3.30 pm we headed to the spa ready for our first appointments. We sat outside the spa near the heated pool to enjoy our mid afternoon snack of carrot, beet and parsley juice. As juices go it was very nice.

The first test was a bio physical test which measures your body fat, metabolic age, weight, BMI, lifestyle analysis.  This was a real eye opener for me as it highlighted some quite serious issues that I wasn’t aware of.

This was then followed by the osteopath session which was absolutely awesome. He was such a knowledgeable man who talked to me about Chinese medicine and Eastern philosophy which I loved. He told me the reasons behind me having fibromyalgia which basically all stems from the liver. Childhood illness weakened my immune system which in turn put pressure on the liver and since then really it hasn’t been operating properly. I found all of this absolutely fascinating and enlightening, to speak to someone who understood what was going on with my body. I could have spoken with him for hours. He did torment me with the fact that he was going to relax in the evening with a bottle of wine whilst I would be on a very different type of liquid.

He concentrated most of the session on trying to help my liver to drain and work better. Structurally it isn’t right so it needed some manipulation. The session lasted an hour and half which ran over time but it was fantastic. It was worth the flight over just for this session alone without all of the other wonderful things we would experience.

We headed down for dinner later that night and had aubergine to start and then fish with vegetables which was all delicious – again no dessert but we did have fresh mint tea which was very nice. I’ve had peppermint tea before but not fresh mint. I liked it that much that I ordered a teapot with infuser from Amazon as soon as I got back to the room so that I could make my own fresh mint tea when I got home.

The next day we had full on treatments and check ups scheduled in all day. This was also the start of the 2 day liquid diet.  So basically we have a juice or soup every two hours from 9am to 9pm. It was a mixture of juices and soups all of which I have to say were lovely. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was expecting to hate all the juices as they would all be green and slimy but no I enjoyed the majority of them and also the soups. I took notes of what the ingredients were so that I could make them when I got home. Also been drinking detox tea which was provided in the rooms. If you have a busy schedule or find it challenging to prepare and consume enough vegetables and greens daily, a greens powder can be a quick and easy solution to supplement your diet. You can read this review at https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/athletic-greens-ag1-review-is-it-worth-the-hype-or-superfood-don-t-buy-until-you-read-this-news-301982/ if you’re interested.

First couple of appointments were to have blood pressure checked, blood tests to check cholesterol and a heavy metals test to see what trace minerals and heavy metals we had in the body.
Then all of the information from the tests was sent to the Doctor with whom I then had an appointment with. She gave me very good Health and Fitness advice to follow and explained that my liver was intoxicated due to childhood problems and never giving chance for it to heal properly. She also said all the travelling that I do doesn’t help it either with the change of diet and drinking alcohol along with the stress of travelling.  One of the biggest surprises for me was the Heavy Metal Testing results as they showed up very high levels of Aluminium, Mercury and Silver. I was aware of the dangers of heavy metals but wasnt expecting to have such high quantities in my system. Time for a proper detox when I get back to help my liver and also to rid my body of the high metals.  I had other issues come up – in particular that I have high cholesterol which I wasn’t aware of and would probably never have had checked. I was advised that Omega 3 capsules are very good at helping to reduce cholesterol, so yes I was ordering those when I got back to the room later that day.

Then met with the nutritionist who gave me tips on how to detox my liver and what foods are best to eat with what combinations of protein and carbohydrates to consume and when. I did take lots of notes during the session but all of it is sent out to you by email a couple of weeks after you return.

I also had an invigorating body peel which made my skin feel so soft and glowing.

Later in the afternoon we had a yoga session with meditation and singing bowls. Wow !! It  was so relaxing and the singing bowls were just amazing. I have a singing bowl but don’t really use it that much but I will start too when I get home. The sound they make is beautiful and great to mediate with. I very nearly didn’t go as I was very tired but I am so glad that I did as I would have been very disappointed to have missed it.

The final day started with a multi jet bath that was relaxing and invigorating at the same time. You sit in a warm bath while jets of water target areas of your body that need the most work. Mostly my stomach then!

This was followed by pressotherapy which I had never heard of let alone knew what it was supposed to do. You have to climb into what I can only describe as something that resembled a space suit and then lay down on the couch while straps are put across your body that are linked up to the machine. You lay for 20 minutes while the machine goes to work on reducing water retention and cellulite. It felt like I was having my blood pressure taken all the way along my legs, hips and stomach. You do have to remember to breath into the lungs when the machine is working on your stomach as it does feel like you can’t breathe otherwise. Quite a strange experience but not unpleasant.

My final treatment was a Lympathic Drainage Massage, again something I have never had before. This type of massage helps to clear and unblock the lymphatic system and drain away the excess fluid. This was so relaxing and gave a feeling as if I was floating on air. I would definitely have one of these wonderful massages again.

We headed down for our what I would normally be saying was dinner but as you have probably guessed it was for our final soup and juice. We talked about how wonderful the few days had been and how life changing an opportunity it was and how we would implement our new found knowledge into our everyday lives moving forward.

Conclusion:

This has to have been one of the most enlightening, invigorating and life changing experiences of my life. I can’t thank Wellbeing Escapes and Aspire Travel Magazine enough for allowing me to take part in it. I would love to go back next year and do all the tests again and see how I have turned my health and life around

To Book or Enquire about this Wellbeing Break Call Jackie on 0114 3273436 or Email: jackief@travel-pa.com

Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka From £1161.00 pp

VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 20 BEST YOGA RETREATS IN THE WORLD BY THE TIMES

Sen Wellness Sanctuary, tucked away in Rekawa Nature Reserve coasting the Indian Ocean, is a peaceful Sri Lankan get away. Swap the hectic buzz of city traffic and interfering mod cons with chirps from neighbouring feathered friends and the sea shingle being brushed by the rolling waves. With four beautifully designed cabanas accommodating a maximum of 16 guests we can ensure your stay will be quiet, peaceful and private.

Sen Wellness Sanctuary promises unique, personalised retreats. Our experienced team brings together world-class osteopaths and yoga teachers as well as local therapists, skillful chefs and knowledgeable Ayurvedic doctors – amid the unspoiled natural beauty of Sri Lanka.

***Health Rejuvenation at Sen Wellness Sanctuary***

In a space of complete peace, Sen Wellness Sanctuary provides many tools to help unlock your full potential while ensuring you enjoy a restful, genuinely rejuvenating break. Receive personalised treatments including Ayurvedic and oesteopathy plus daily yoga sessions along with meditation. You will come back feeling reviltilsed and energised with a completeness of wellbeing.

Included:

• Minimum of 7 Nights
• Buffet Full Board
• Initial Ayurvedic Medical Consultation
• Daily Personalised Ayurvedic Treatment (30-90 mins as prescribed by the doctor. such as 1 longer or 2 shorter treatments)
• 1 x Osteopathy Session (45 mins)
• 1 x FREE Additional Osteopathy Session (45 mins) – min stay 7 nights
• Daily Group Yoga Session such as Kundalini, Hatha & Yin (twice a day, 90-120 mins each)
• Daily Meditation Sessions (30 mins)
• Complimentary Group Excursions (such as food markets & turtle-watching, 2 – 3 times a week)
• Access to Complimentary Workshops, Talks & Activities (subject to availability)
• Group Cooking Master Classes (once a week)
• Farewell Ayurvedic Medical Consultation
• Free Wi-Fi (in common areas only)
• Complimentary Pre & Post Skype calls with the wellness team – min stay 14 nights
• Unlimited Herbal Teas & Drinking Water
• FREE Return Colombo International Airport Transfer (worth £160, may be private or shared, depending on arrivals)

Club Med Sandpiper Florida

About the Hotel

Located next to a warm sandy beach so you can enjoy a cocktail with a little straw hat, Sandpiper Bay is the definition of an ideal US tourist resort. For those who want to come and enjoy an exceptional view and a wonderful location with plenty to see and take in.

Not only is this going to make your holiday much easier in general, but it’s going to make it much easier to stay on track with regards to having the perfect time away here at Sandpiper Bay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7l6HZo3zdo

Hotel Accommodation

Hotel accommodation ensures that you get an easy and decisive level of comfort, with plenty of facilities making sure you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you come as a family you’ll find that there is a Club Med experience, and a quality childcare and club facility selection to pick from.

This makes relaxing in this venue much easier, with dedicated areas for specific venues and staff ready to help out at a moments notice.

Hotel Restaurants

Another major element of Sandpiper Bay is that the hotel provides you with awesome restaurant accommodation. With a Ultra All Inclusive waiting for you during the day that includes beautiful lunches and dinners from across the world, you’ll have absolutely no problem finding a luxurious bite to eat here at the hotel.

From The Market Place that provides wonderful Asian, Italian Mexican and American cuisines to the Le Soleil that makes it easy to get beautiful meals prepared daily by the chefs, you’ll find it easy to get a bite to eat there that covers everything the family would have been hoping for from the venue.

Hotel Bars

The hotel bars are another great way to have some fun when you first come here, with the likes of The Slice waiting for you. This is situated between the main bar and the theatre, as well as the Resort nightclub being placed nearby for easy and effective access.

The Slice, though, makes it easy for couples and families to have a few drinks and just relax for once. The sports bar is open most of the day alongside the lounge area for the kids, meaning that the whole family can easily find somewhere to just relax a little.

Hotel Facilities

There are plenty of great facilities waiting for you here, with the likes of pools and hot tubs to water parks and lounges for sitting around and mingling in with other guests. Plenty of sports activities exist, too, so that you can all enjoy everything from a bit of fitness in the training room to enjoying the sailing school and the AquaZumba fitness courses.

Whatever you want to do, you’ll find that you have access to all that you need. From going on power walks to a Volleyball Academy, this is the perfect place to have fun and enjoy some leisure, too!

In Summary

Sandpiper Bay is a great place to spend your time, as it makes it easy for you to enjoy the depth of positivity and welcome feeling that awaits you in this little piece of paradise. From the beautiful view of the St Lucie River to high-end products just making sure you can live like royalty, this is the ideal part of US paradise to enjoy.

Club Med Palmiye

About the Hotel

Based in a wonderfully scenic position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains, Club Med Palmiye is a great place to come and stay. It offers a wonderful venue with an 800m beach nearby to relax on as well as pools in the hotel to enjoy. Likewise, you can enjoy numerous events such as tennis on 12 different courts, flying trapeze events and even a CARITA spa to enjoy whilst you are here!

As far as luxury goes, this makes sure families can truly enjoy Turkey.

Hotel Accommodation

Like any hotel you would wish to stay at, the quality of the accommodation is brilliant. With 724 rooms in total with both hotel and bungalow sections to pick from, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere that ticks every box. With the bungalows in five semi-circular rows around the resort with stunning gardens adding to their feel, you can definitely feel at home in the accommodation here.

Each suite and club is going to give you a wonderful view of the world around you, making sure you can look out on the sea with ease.

Hotel Restaurants

Trying to find a bite to eat? Then Club Med Palmiye has you covered. The Phaselis is one of the main restaurants here and provides you with meals during the day at any time from breakfast to dinner. It’s got low-caloric selections for those who want to avoid going overboard.

You also get wonderful restaurants like The Topkapi, a restaurant that sells awesome roasted and grilled meats. Le Bosphore is another good choice with breakfast and lunch choices galore. Come back at night and you’ll get some amazing local cuisine to try.

Hotel Bars

If you fancy a little refreshment during the day, then the Tulip Bar is the place to start off. It can fit as many as 100 people and it has everything from pool games to kids sections so you can all stay together. The Turkuaz is another great place to go and check out, giving you a wonderful view of the site and the chance to try some excellent Turkish cocktail drinks.

Lastly, the Efes bar is another major place to check out here. With excellent cocktails and a more low-key atmosphere this is a good place to sit if you want to try and avoid too much chaos around you when having a drink.

Hotel Facilities

From table tennis and swimming pools to lounges and kayaking, you can enjoy so many different features and activities here thanks to the wonderful selection. You can even join a fitness school, or take up archery! Just don’t forget to bring all the essentials like that replacement bowstring.

The people who run this hotel have done a wonderful job of making sure it’s highly inclusive. There’s even a facility for babies up to 23 months old, meaning that you can have the youngest looked after whilst you relax a little.

Childcare is first rate here, and alongside the excellent bars, venues, sporting locations and social sections you’ll find this hotel captures everything you may have expected to see.

For anyone wanting to find a scenic view in Turkey that delivers on quality and consistency, Club Med Palmiye is the place to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz_Pn5XetCM

In summary:

Club Med Palmiye is a truly amazing resort and the team of staff from the GO’s to the waiters and chefs are second to none. There are at least 250 GO’s (guest organisers) in the resort.
There is so much included in the price of the holiday with lots of sports and watersports including:

Tennis
Power Walking
Aquarobics
Football
Beach Volleyball
Ping pong tables
Fitness Room
Pilates
Archery
Zumba
Sailing lessons
Windsurfing
Kayaks
Paddle Boards
Snorkelling
Water Ski-ing

Read all about my stay at Club Med Palmiye and My Visit to Club Med Palmiye

If you would like more information on Club Med or To Book Then Please Call: 0114 3273436 or Email: jackief@travel-pa.com

UK Rock The Boat Cruise

Ship: Eclipse
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Departures: 30 September 2016
Duration: 3 nights
Ports: Southampton, Zeebrugge, Cherbourg, CRUISECO CHARTER
Airport gateway (Arrival) :Southampton
Airport gateway (Departure) :Southampton

After 5 hugely successful years rocking the waters of Australia – Rock The Boat has arrived in the UK for the very first time! Boasting a star studded line-up like no other ever assembled on water. The very best British legends of rock are coming together onboard Celebrity Eclipse for 3 glorious nights of pure Rock & Roll. Join us onboard for the most iconic music festival at sea and let’s Rock The Boat!

The Rock the Boat Cruise Experience Includes:

• 3 night cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse
• Ports of call include: Southampton, Zeebrugge, (for Bruges) Belgium, Cherbourg, (for Saint Mont Michel), France
• All meals(exclu. specialty restaurants), entertainment and gratuities onboard (excluding drinks)
• Port charges and government taxes

The Stars

Gerry and The Pacemakers

The Searchers

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

Brian Poole & Chip Hawkes

The Troggs

The Merseybeats

The Fortunes

Antonio & Kate Villano

The Fourmost

Captain Howdy

The Dakotas

Plus many more!

The Entertainment

• Live performances from the very best in British Rock ‘n’ Roll artists
• Daily Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing lessons and performances
• Artist signing/ meet & greet
• Fortunes Casino
• Piano Bar
• Poolside

My Tour Around the Seychelles April 2016

Our journey to the Seychelles started at Heathrow where we had booked the Skyteam Lounge in Terminal 4. Very impressed with the lounge which is on two levels. There was a hot and cold buffet on offer along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which you can just help yourself too.

We then flew on Ethiad Airways to Abu Dhabi which is around a 7-hour flight. This was on the new A380 Airbus so a huge aircraft with bigger than average seats. We went for a look in business class with the full flat bed seats and then into First Class which has compartment seating and looked so comfortable and expensive ! There is also a Residence onboard which is catered for two people at around £18000 return – very nice

We had around a two-hour connection in Abu Dhabi which was just long enough to look around the Duty-Free and then onboard for the flight to Mahe. This flight was around 4 hours 45 minutes, it is amazing how quick the flights seemed to be, I think the break in journey helped a lot

On arrival at Mahe we were met by the Rep from Masons Travel and transferred to our first hotel of our five night stay.

Banyan Tree on Praslin – We were taken straight to our Beachfront Pool villa. Wow! what a beautiful villa in a beautiful setting. You walk in through the front door where there is a massive double bed which looks straight out onto the private pool. To ensure that the double bed is soft, options from the Bear Mattress Reviews may have been chosen. The bathroom is at the back of the villa with a separate shower cubicle and a walk in wardrobe. Slippers and bathrobes are provided for your comfort. The villa feels very spacious with a seat on one side and dressing table and chair on the other side.

Outside there is the private pool which is a great size for two people with a covered seating area with sofa and table just to the left of it. There is alos an outside Jacuzzi and outside shower if you want to try al fresco washing.

There are two sun loungers in the garden and the best bit is that you can walk right onto the beach from the garden. The beach is absolutely stunning with crystal clear water and perfect white sand. There was an absence of sun loungers on the beach but we found out later that the law in the Seychelles prevents hoteliers from having them on the beach due to the high tides and to preserve the ambiance of a beautiful beach.

We spent a couple of hours on the beach and in the sea although the sea was very rough and you couldn’t swim in it. There was a storm in Madagascar which was causing some very high waves and rough sea in the Seychelles.

In the evening, we had a hosted dinner in the Saffron restaurant  which is Thai Cuisine in a very Asian-inspired setting. We were served a three-course Thai menu with a mixture of different dishes which went went down very well with everyone, some were a little hotter than others and I had to gulp some water down a few times during the night. The wine glasses were huge!!
After dinner we went to the hotel bar for a night cap before bed. The average price for a glass of wine was around 230 Rupees which works out to around £10 and a cocktail was around 300 Rupees which is approx. £15

 Banyan Tree Opinion –

First impressions was that the Banyan Tree is really for people who want to get away from it all and to do absolutely nothing. According to the manager of the hotel a lot of people choose to stay in their accommodations rather than venture out.

To get around the resort as quite spread out,there are little golf buggies to take you and there is a variety of accommodation to choose from.

There are a few dining options here together with in villa dining options. After dinner we sat in an area overlooking the fabulous beach whereby you could have a good variety of drinks to choose from whether hot or cold. After having visited some other hotels after the Banyan we did pick up that it is more expensive drink wise at this hotel.

There is also a dive centre nearby if you wish to go on boat trips, snorkel or dive.

The Banyan Tree is only recommended for people who want an extremely quiet hotel and would recommend it for a few nights combined with another hotel. They confirmed that most customers stay on average 3 to 5 nights.

We transferred over to the Four Seasons Hotel for a site inspection. This is a very impressive hotel and fairly large.

Four Seasons – Mahe

First impressions were that this resort is very spread out with the accommodation dotted around on the hillside. At the top the views are stunning with total greenery and the turquoise blue sea lifting the colours of the land and a white sandy beach. The only way to get around is the golf buggies as it is extremely hilly. There are all types of villa and suite accommodation all very spacious and some with infinity pools. The views from the rooms will not disappoint.
The beach offers snorkelling, surfing and stand up paddle boarding these are just some of things available. Not forgetting families as the hotel caters well for children and there are programmes for children aged 4 to 12 and also aged from 9 to 15 years. The area is also great for walkers and joggers .
There are a couple of restaurants here offering fine dining/ international cuisine and cocktails.
The spa offers all sort of treatments even a night spa is possible . It’s location overlooks all the greenery.
To conclude this hotel is very much all about the views. We did not stay here but it looked like it had more going on than Banyan Tree.

We left the Four Seasons resort and hit quite a downpour of rain, when it rains in the Seychelles it rains!

Then we went for lunch on Eden Island to the Bravo Restaurant. This sits on the edge of the marina with fabulous views across the bridge and the island of Mahe.

The restaurant is very casual and has a great lunch menu. The portion sizes were huge and very reasonably priced too.

Then we had a tour around Victoria the Capital city and went to look at the local market where they sell fish and spices and fruit and veg. Not as big as I was expecting – nothing like the markets back home.

H Resort Hotel

Our room was a Junior Suite with views of the garden. It had a large balcony with big table and chairs and a sofa. Twin four poster beds with drapes. Lovely sized bathroom with his and her sinks, large shower and bath tub.

We had drinks in the garden of the H Resort before having dinner in the buffet restaurant. There was so much to choose from including freshly cooked pizza. The small portion size little desserts were lovely.
After dinner we went to Traders Restaurant which is on site of the hotel and had drinks and listened to the live Cuban band. Great place to have drinks and a boogie.

The H Resort Conclusion

Situated about 10 min’s drive from Victoria, and situated just off the main road, the entrance to the hotel is over a wooded walk way to the main reception area, which is a large open area, which also has the lobby bar, and walk out to the pool & beach area.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, but please remember the bathroom in not enclosed the toilet & shower have glass semi frosted doors, and the bath tub is open, although a French shutter style blind can be used between the bath tub & beds.
The balcony has table & chairs and a large day bed to lounge on
Jnr Suite Rooms are situated in block and offer garden view rooms, although sea facing none are advertised with sea view due to trees obstructing view. Villas are more to the beach and have their own pool, but not private.
All rooms have Tea & Coffee facilities which are complimentary, Mini Bar payable
There are lots of choices of restaurants& Bars (7 in total) offering a mixture of cuisines, even to private dining where the Chef cooks what you want to eat !
Mainly booked on Bed-Breakfast with an HB upgrade, HB can be used in A la Carte restaurants, where you will get a credit towards meals (drinks not included)
Trader Vic’s opens until 1am and becomes a music bar (Cuban ) if you want a little entertainment and a late cocktail
Children Club & Spa available at hotel This hotel is would be great for families or couples which still like a little something happening in the evening, it is reasonably priced and the bar prices are similar to London prices in my opinion

To Enquire or Book Your Trip To The Seychelles Call: 0114 3273436

My Stay at Club Med Palmiye Turkey JUNE 2016

Slept well and they have black out Curtains too so you forget that is morning when you wake up.
Went down for breakfast in the main hotel buffet restaurant. Which opens from 7.30am to 10.45am or you can go to the Bosphore Restaurant for waiter service late breakfast 10.30am to 12pm. There was a very good selection of hot and cold food. Plus a drinks machine for hot drinks. Sat at a table on my own. Wasn’t sure if they would sit me with other people but no I sat very nicely on my own with a view of the pool and sea.
Someone did try to sit at my table but then realised I was there. When I saw her later she said I looked very sophisticated, far too sophisticated to be English! I said she wouldn’t have said that if she’d seen me in the bar last night lol

Went to have a look at the Zen pool in the main hotel. Absolutely stunning but the beds were all in the shade at around 10am so I went round the main hotel pool which faces the sea. It is was a lovely 24 degrees at the start of the trip but towards the end of the week after a day of rain,  it went up to around 36 degrees.

Around 12ish they serve little pastries and sandwiches near all the pool areas – nice little snack

Then lunch at the Olympus Buffett restaurant in the village part of the hotel. Fantastic choice of food – really really impressed. The desserts were so good. Lunch is served here every day from 12.30pm to 02.45pm or you can have a late lunch in the Bosphore Restuarant.

Then we had site inspection of the hotel. It’s such a massive complex. Went to see a suite in the main hotel which has a separate living area and two balconies. Plus a bath and shower in the bathroom

We had a go at tennis and I surprised myself by actually getting the ball over the net!! There are free tennis lessons every day for beginners and intermediate, or you can just  go and use a court whenever you wanted too.

We were then taken to the archery courts – I really enjoyed this but hard work. Managed to hit the board so was quite pleased with myself. Your arm would arm if you did it more than a few times so that’s my excuse for not doing it again. Again you can go along whenever you like to practise and it is all included in the price.

In the evening they always have a dress code which is not compulsory but it adds a nice feel to the evening. Again you can either eat in the main hotel restaurant or you can book a reservation at the Bosphore Restaurant for an a la carte meal, which 4 of us did one night.

Went to the Efes nightclub most nights and it was always busy with guests and GO’s. There was a beach party one night with fires on the beach and dancing.

Went on the snorkelling boat trip from the hotel which is included and goes twice a day at 10am and 3pm. Around a 30 minute journey which was nice and smooth and quite relaxing. Then anchored up for an hour to do snorkelling. The sea was a bit rough so not much to see in terms of fish but it was good to go out and about for a couple of hours.

Ate in the specialty restaurant Bosforus which was really lovely. Had a Turkish mezze and then pumpkin soup – didn’t really taste of pumpkin soup which was good as I don’t actually like pumpkins. Then had shrimps in an asparagus sauce omg they were delicious. Then had beef and roasted vegetables that came out on a steaming hot skillet. Followed by chocolate fondue – the presentation was fabulous with a little spoon shape sprinkled out on the side. The chef came out to see us, to check if we had enjoyed our meal and to find out what the service was like.  It was a nice change from eating in the Buffett restaurant.  We had forgotten to make the reservation so one of the GO’s who we speaking to the previous night in the club booked it for us.

A few of us went into Kemer to watch the football in a local pub. Kemer is lovely with lots of shops and bars with a market once a week. It is a shame it is so quiet as so many tourists are staying away from Turkey.

When we came back to the hotel I noticed how good the security is. You had to walk through a scanner to get back into the hotel if by taxi. If a coach was dropping guests off then they check under the car with mirrors. It is the same at Antalya Airport too the bags go through scanning machines twice and you have to go through two lots of passport control.

On the last night the theme was White night – amazing.  Displays of fruit and vegetables cut out to look like flowers. There was a violin band playing. It looked absolutely stunning as they saw this first at nt-instruments.com cecilio electric violin and brought them at affordable price. All of the tables had been moved around the pool area and covered with white cloths and white center table decoriations.

Dinner as always was fantastic, I have never stayed anywhere with so much choice of food. They really do work so hard in the kitchens. There is always such an array of desserts on offer, every night I made the decision not to have any until I walked past the dessert table and then of course it would have been rude not too.

After the white night dinner there was a firework display which had me filling up as it was so emotional with it being the end of the trip and how much trouble they had gone too to make it so wonderful for us

We then went down to the Amphtheatre where they have a show every night and we watched the Michael Jackson concert which was the best show I’ve ever seen. Every one singing along and so professional. Again the entertainment staff and GO’s work so hard to put these shows on for people.

As if that wasnt enough we then went to the Efes nightclub and one of the pople on the trip  had booked the VIP area in the club with champagne. It was fabulous and made a real finish to the whole wonderful trip. The club look superb with everyone in the club dressed in white.

In summary:

Club Med Palmiye is a truly amazing resort and the team of staff from the GO’s to the waiters and chefs are second to none. There are at least 250 GO’s (guest organisers) in the resort.
There is so much included in the price of the holiday with lots of sports and watersports including:

Tennis
Power Walking
Aquarobics
Football
Beach Volleyball
Ping pong tables
Fitness Room
Pilates
Archery
Zumba
Sailing lessons
Windsurfing
Kayaks
Paddle Boards
Snorkelling
Water Ski-ing

The food is 5* with so much choice and fantastic quality. You get breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and a kebab place is open from 10pm to 1.30am

There are 4 pools in total: Two Zen pools, one in the main hotel and the other at the village side. The party pool is in the village, this is where the animation team are based to get people joining into the activities.

You can ask for any drink you want including cocktails (champagne is extra) and if you are in the restaurant and ask for a glass of wine they will bring you the bottle.

The setting is out of this world with the most stunning views and it has such a great ambience in the whole of the resort

The kids club are fantastic and run throughout the day with lots of things to keep the little ones busy.

You can do as little or as much as you want at Club Med Palmiye, the choice is completely up to you.

I have left a little piece of my heart at Club Med Palmiye

 To book your stay at Club Med Palmiye please call 0114 3273436

My Visit to Club Med Palmiye – Turkey

Arrived at Birmingham airport for the meet and greet service about 5.30am.
This is not what I would class as meet and greet. You Park in the car park  opposite the terminal after you have drove around to find which bit you are supposed to be in. You then leave your car there and walk across the car park to the terminal.

The terminal was very busy. There were two queues for Thomas cook, one for bag drops and the other to check in. A word of advice would be to make sure you check in online the day before as the queue for bag drop was much smaller than the check in queue. At 5.50am there was a chap who was flying at 7am and was in the check in queue. He would have struggled to get his flight

There was a big queue for passport control but it did go down very quickly. You can also buy a fast track ticket for this to get through quicker. There were machines for this just before you go through security

Quite a choice of shops in the terminal including a champagne bar. Got my boots meal deal for the flight. Much cheaper than buying a meal on the flight

It’s 6.40am now and I’m tired already lol. Will see if I can kip on the flight, forgotten my ear phones for my phone !!

Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK so will land 1450 local time.

Flight took off pretty much on time. Looked through the duty free magazine and decided to treat myself to a two pair set of prescription sunglasses to replace my good old primark ones. So on the flight I was picturing myself wearing these stylish glasses round the pool while reading the new book “Me before you ” that I bought at the airport which I have now read nearly half way through it on the flight,  only to find that the duty free magazine I was looking at was for one that you preorder for the return flight home !!! What ?! So the fabulous sunglasses I would not be able to wear until I got back to the UK!! Suddenly the appeal of them diminished as quickly as I slammed the magazine shut. Will just have to make do with my primark ones for now.
The stewardess just announced its a nice 26 degrees in Antalya. Lovely…

Flight arrived on time and we were greeted by Club Med staff for our transfer to Club Med Palmiye which took about 40 minutes. When you walk into the foyer the view is stunning.

My Deluxe Sea View Room is on the first floor in the main hotel section and the view is amazing. You can see the pool and the sea too very panoramic.  Couldn’t have wished for a better view. The room is a good size with a double bed which could harmonize with products like the customize blanket with In2Green. Plenty of wardrobe space with dressing gowns and slippers. Bathroom is on the small side but does have a very big shower. All in all it is a lovely room that I will be happy to stay in for the next 7 nights

As we didn’t get here until around 5pm I was very hungry so went to find somewhere to eat. There is a restaurant called Bospherous which is just to the left of the main hotel. It is waiter service and I had a lovely kofta kebab and a delicious cheesecake dessert. I asked for a glass of wine and they gave me the whole bottle !!

So now back to room to get ready for tonight. Very tired so I am expecting an early night but who knows.  Went down to the main bar which is in the hotel part of the resort and got talking to some of the other people who are on the trip. The main hotel bar closes at 12am and if you want to carry on drinking you can carry on to Efes nightclub which opens until 2am

It was a lovely night and fairly cool too as the hotel is north facing,  the staff come round with blankets in case you get cold on an evening which is a nice touch.

Went to bed around 12.30 ready for a good nights sleep

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Norway and Northern Lights Cruise for 12 Nights

Set Sail on an exciting and scenic quest with Oriana and search for the amazing Northern Lights.

Your first call is Andalsnes, where the Romsdal Alps meet Romsdalsfjord. Visit the dramatic Trollveggen (Troll Wall), the highest alpine drop in northern Europe at nearly 1,200 metres.

Then sail north above the Arctic Circle in search of the mystical natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights.

Tromso lies just under 250 miles inside the Arctic Circle. For great views of the city take the cable car to the top of Mount Storsteinen, or if your pursuit of the mystical Lights proves taxing, grab a cocktail – Tromso has more bars than anywhere else in Norway!

Alta is next, ‘The Town of the Northern Lights’. It’s home to the world’s first Northern Light observatory, and you’ll get a fantastic insight into this spectacular phenomenon. Don’t miss the Neolithic carvings and paintings at Hjemmeluft.
Your final port is Stavanger, the ‘Cradle of the Vikings’. This historic town boasts a charming old town and the imposing Three Swords monument. And, as the gateway to Norway’s fjordland, this is a fitting place from which to bid farewell to the spectacular fjords, before returning to Southampton.

Oriana is an Adult only mid-sized ship. Oriana elegantly combines classic design features such as teak decks and a tiered stern with delightful Art Deco touches. She exudes refinement and luxury. One of the signature features is the stunning atrium with a Tiffany glass ceiling and her panoramic Crow’s Nest bar.
The broad teak promenade and lido decks are great for sun bathing and watching the world go by. While away the hours in the card room and wood panelled library where you can relax. The bars which include the Lord’s Tavern sports bar and the iconic Anderson’s bar and places where you can go and enjoy a drink or cocktail. Holidays should be relaxing and Oriana is the perfect place to relax with the beautiful Oasis Spa and salon. However, if you prefer to be a little more active whilst on holiday, you’ll find a state of the art gym, sports courts and golf nets.
Evenings could feature dinner in Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu and a dazzling show in the theatre. From the moment you step on board, you’ll know you are on a very special ship and in the best possible company to explore new destinations.

To Book or Enquire Please Call: 0114 3273436 or email Jackief@travel-pa.com

Jewels of Japan 11 Day Tour

Book this tour and upgrade to the world’s best Business Class from only £99pp! One Way. Limited availability. Offer ends 29 Feb 2016

Immerse yourself in the unique and fascinating culture of Japan. Encompassing the essentials with futuristic cities, imperial heritage and magnificent nature, this tour incorporates a number of experiences that give your holiday a truly authentic edge.

Places Visited
UK – Tokyo (3N) – Fuji Five Lakes (2N) – Kyoto (4N) – UK

Tour Highlights

Witness the fusion of modernity and tradition on a Tokyo city tour
Ascend the iconic and inspirational Mount Fuji
Experience the moving and surprisingly forward thinking city of Hiroshima
Watch as water laps over the iconic Itsukushima Shrine
Discover the stunning white facade of the feudal Himeji Castle
Explore the quintessential Japanese town of Kyoto

Days 1-2 Fly to Tokyo
Fly overnight to the dazzling metropolis of Tokyo, Japan’s capital city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3 Discover Tokyo
Today’s city tour starts on the observation deck of the 634-metre Skytree, the world’s tallest tower, before seeking out the tranquility of the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple. Glimpse Tokyo’s historical heritage at the Edo-Tokyo Museum and explore Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. This evening take a relaxed dinner cruise on the Sumida River for some excellent city vistas.

Day 4 Meiji Shrine
The city tour continues with a relaxed morning wandering around the classical landscapes of the Hamarikyu Garden. Explore the huge evergreen forest that encompasses the Shinto Meiji Shrine. The afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish.

Day 5 Fuji Five Lakes
Journey through the foothills of the iconic Mt Fuji to its base where we find the Fuji Five Lakes. The region is spectacular with the calm waters of the five lakes, formed by past eruptions, reflecting Fuji’s picture-perfect cone. Try your hand at making traditional Japanese soba noodles before tucking in to your creations. Continue to Oshino Hakkai, a scenic area of ponds full of crystal clear spring water created by Fuji’s melting snow, where there is also a small museum.

Day 6 Mt Fuji
Ascend Mt Fuji to the 5th Station. Return to the beautiful Five Lakes region and explore Iyashi no Sato. Destroyed by a landslide in 1966, the remaining thatched-roofed houses of this old Japanese village have been transformed into an open-air museum and craft village, exhibiting plenty of local, and traditional handicrafts

Day 7 Bullet train to Kyoto
Transfer to the station at Mishima. Sit back and relax in the cool comfort of a bullet train as you speed across the country to Kyoto. An enchanting city, Kyoto was capital for a thousand years; today it is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 8 Explore Kyoto
Spend the day soaking up some of Kyoto’s delightful sights, starting at Kinkakuji Temple, known as the Golden Pavilion. Continue to Ryoanji, a Zen temple with an excellent example of a dry landscape garden, and Kiyomizu Temple, a 16th century Buddhist temple. This afternoon visit a restored wooden townhouse to learn the traditional Japanese arts of origami and calligraphy, witness Ikebana and enjoy a tea ceremony.

Day 9 Himeji
Jump on the bullet train again today for a day visit to Himeji. The feudal era fort, one of the most impressive in Japan, towers over the city recognisable as the backdrop to several major films. Return to Kyoto. The geisha is both an intriguing and integral part of Japanese history – enjoy tea with either a maiko (apprentice geisha) or geisha at a typical teahouse.

Day 10 Hiroshima and Miyajima
Take a day trip by bullet train to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Hiroshima needs no introduction. The city today is vibrant and modern with a forward-thinking, sunny outlook. Find a moment to reflect at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Hopping on a ferry, make the short trip to the holy island of Miyajima. Visit the Itsukushima Shrine. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most recognisable, it rises majestically out of the waters of the inland sea.

Day 11 Fly Osaka to UK
Transfer to Osaka and fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

To Enquire of Book Call : 0114 3273436 or email Jackief@travel-pa.com