Boutique cruises in the Cat Ba Archipelago

ALREADY operating in Vietnam’s Nha Trang Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, under the five-star Emperor Cruises brand name, Heritage Cruises, a member of the Lux Group, will launch its first boutique cruise in the Cat Ba Archipelago in the Tonkin Gulf under the brand name of Heritage Cruises. 

The company announces the launching of its website and first cruise photos at www.heritagecruises.com and promotion through various travel trade shows and roads shows in Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America.

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Prestigious Travel Award for The Women's Travel Group

THE Women's Travel Group has again won a prestigious travel award from Travel Weekly Magazine. The Silver Magellan Award for 2018 honors the company's outreach to solo women looking for a travel group to join.

The Women's Travel Group has offered small group quality tours for women for 26 years and often chooses new and unusual destinations for women who have already traveled a great deal: Iran, Namibia, S Africa, India, Albania etc. Hotels are 4 star, meals in restaurants and guides are trained to cater to the intellectual needs of women travelers. Trips sometimes have speakers and always have unique visits.

The market for women's travel is barely touched by the large travel corporations; this boutique tour operator tries to fill that gap while providing hand holding for those taking their first trip. Some of the trips are co-organized by Sita World Tours of Encino CA, who have worked with The Group for many years.


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Its a breeze

THE boutique Seabreeze Resort, Samoa has won “Samoa’s Leading Hotel” for the sixth consecutive year, at the 25th annual World Travel Awards held recently in Hong Kong. 

The award winning Seabreeze Resort is gently nestled into a private secluded bay on Samoa’s famous south-east coast of Upolu. The first “Genuine Adults Only” resort in Samoa for guests 18 years and over, Seabreeze provides the ideal romantic getaway for honeymooners and couples or those seeking luxury and intimacy. Since its re-opening in 2011, Seabreeze, has become one of the most sought-after resorts for total exclusivity in Samoa, winning accolades around the world.  

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Water way to relax

HOTEL barge cruising specialist European Waterways announced the completion of its recent upgrade and refurbishing program across the company's fleet as it prepares to launch its 2018 season.

Hotel Barging is a boutique, unique experience which offers an immersive, all inclusive "gentle voyage of discovery" that focuses upon the culture, history, fine wine and gourmet cuisine of the region. 

With a 6 to 20 person capacity and 1:2 crew to guest ratio, European Waterways are able to provide an impeccable level of on board service and can transport their guests on the intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels. This fascinating network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity and ample opportunity to hop off and explore the beautiful surroundings via bicycle or on foot. 

In addition to this there are daily chauffeured excursions "off the beaten track" to a wide variety of enthralling locations, from exquisite wine tastings to private tours of stately homes. With over 40 years' experience and a fleet that spans nine countries it is the largest luxury hotel #barging company in #Europe.

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Club Med opens 8th retail outlet in Australia

ICONIC holiday operator Club Med opened its first Queensland in-store boutique at Snowscene in Woolloongabba. The holiday boutique is just Club Med’s 8th such retail outlet in #Australia. 

Snowscene’s General Manager, Emily Foy, described the partnership as “a perfect alignment of a pair of iconic holiday brands. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Club Med into our retail space, and look forward to delivering an authentic Club Med experience to our customers in store”, continued Ms Foy. 

Club Med’s boutique deepens a long term relationship between the two businesses. At a recent Club Med VIP conference in Bintan, Snowscene was recognised for delivering the ‘Highest Ski Growth’ for Club Med from Australia.

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Taking South African Spas to a new level

FAIRLAWNS Boutique Hotel and Spa, tucked away in the leafy residential outskirts of Sandton, Johannesburg, #SouthAfrica already has numerous awards under its belt for its breath-taking Balinese-style spa with exotic gardens. Now it is set to raise the benchmark yet again – as the hotel has purchased an adjoining property and will be launching its new green space extension early next year - yet another milestone on the R25-million reinvention journey of this stylish boutique hotel. 

At an incredible 1.5 acres, it will be the largest and most exclusive spa and wellness space in all of Johannesburg - where guests can truly retreat from the daily grind and just unwind, digitally disconnect - and reconnect with nature to revitalise body and soul. The new extension will include an undercover heated hydro pool, rim flow Jacuzzi, Sentō bath (Japanese style herbal bath), relaxation lounges and salas, a private dining sala for 12 guests.

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Snorkel your way to a holiday in the Maldives

IN the joyous spirit of Christmas and to celebrate the season of giving, Coco Collection is offering the opportunity to play an online game for the chance to win a holiday in the #Maldives. 

Designed to follow the journey of a guest who is out snorkelling at a reef and is keen to leave the ocean debris free, the game encourages you to help the guest pick up marine debris floating around the reef, and dispose of them so that they do not harm the marine life. Once the reef is clean, a friend will show up to guide you to enter the raffle and win a stay at the luxurious boutique resort, Coco Bodu Hithi.

The raffle will be closed for entries on 27th November 2018 and the winner will be announced through our social media platforms on 29th November 2018. The lucky winner stands a chance to visit Coco Bodu Hithi for 7 nights with full board meal plan and return speedboat transfers, and stay in an Island Villa. 

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Picture credit: pintrest

Stay, play and learn in Thailand with Akaryn Hotel Group

THE innovative Thailand-based hospitality group AKARYN Hotel Group who specialise in boutique experiences, is offering unique stay, play and learn packages created especially for independent women travellers. Following the rise of the female traveller, four of the Hotel Group properties in #Thailand are giving women the opportunity to enjoy an array of engaging experiences and learn new skills during a 4 Day, 3 Night stay known as the Deluxe Doyenne package.

akyra Beach Club Phuket, learn surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, or develop basic DJ skills with the resort’s resident DJ using a special smartphone app.

akyra Manor Chiang Mai, absorb the hotel’s design driven surroundings and pick up a brush to learn the art of painting from a local artist.

Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa, learn the basics of Thai massage, yoga or Thai boxing from experienced instructors.

Aleenta Hua Hin Resort & Spa, visit the resort’s own organic farm, learn about Thai herbs and their benefits, then see how they are used at the Aleenta kitchen and Ayurah Spa.

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Boutique Adventure on the Irrawaddy Delta

BOUTIQUE river cruise company Pandaw Expeditions has announced the launch of a brand-new expedition, sailing into the heart of the vibrant and varied landscape of the Irrawaddy Delta, exploring its maze of tributaries which remain untouched by tourism. 

‘The Great Irrawaddy Delta’ itinerary will set sail from and return to Rangoon, weaving through the complex labyrinth of waterways on a fascinating seven-night river cruise. Explore the contrasts of indigenous village life, markets, ancient trading ports, temples, churches and mosques, and have the chance to spot a plethora of birdlife and wildlife. On the waterways, fishermen and turtle egg hunters ply their ancient business, while exotic migratory water birds paddle in the shallows.

This expedition is truly a step back into a bygone era. Since the Raj, life in the Delta has seen little change, although British civil engineering increased the cultivatable land through dykes and barriers, connecting the Delta with the Yangon River. 

In the heyday of the Raj, the Delta’s rice production fed vast swathes of the British Empire. In the early 1900’s The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company operated over 100 creek steamers across the Delta connecting these rice towns and villages when there were neither roads nor bridges.

Departures start from 10 March 2018. Prices are from US$2,117pp (currently £1,695pp), based on sharing a twin cabin.

For more information go to www.pandaw.com


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Picture Credit: jenlung.a 75212875@N02/34052202633 Irrawaddy River via photopin

New Travel Website on Northeast India

GREENER Pastures, a boutique #eco-travel outfit based in the remote region of Northeast India has recently relaunched its website. The relaunch of the website comes at a crucial time as more and more travelers both from India and around the world have started to visit Northeast India in increasing numbers. Many who travel the region find it difficult to deal with the lack of information on destinations along with the developing infrastructure.

Co-founder Vaivhav Todi talks about some of the highlights "We really wanted to create something unique with the website that could portray our love for Northeast India. It is disappointing to see that such a breathtaking place has less information available online and that most websites are still to utilize the latest trends in web designing and development. Keeping this as a focus, we have done our best to keep the website light, user friendly and minimal, combining it with journalistic driven content, breathtaking photography and equally fascinating illustrations and colors."

Right from the homepage the website is heavy on beautiful imagery. A section on destinations is present to introduce visitors to the seven different states of Northeast #India, with information on cultures, environment, history, festivals and climate. 

Experiences have been well categorized making it easy for travelers to find the right tour or adventure of their choice. Further, there are numerous beautiful illustrated travel maps that were commissioned to illustrators that portray the geography and feel of the region and the various activities available.

Visit the new website at www.thegreenerpastures.com

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230 year old warrior fort to re-open as boutique resort

IN Rajasthan is Fort Bishangarh - a 230-year-old defensive fortress which has been seven years in restoration and transformation, Alila Fort Bishangarh will open in February 2017.

Found in the Aravalli hills between Delhi and Jaipur and Fort Bishangarh is thought to be one of the only warrior forts of its kind to be converted into a unique heritage resort of this stature. It has a remarkable presence, sitting up high on a granite hill with staggering 360-degree views of the Rajasthani landscape, surrounded by hills and dotted with havelis, villages and temples. A tiny village skirts its base and adds to the rural charm.

Bishangarh Village in the Arvalli hills is in the Jaipur district. It is a three-hour drive from New Delhi and an hour’s drive from Jaipur. It is ideally located to explore the charm and beauty of rural Rajasthan.

www.alilahotels.com

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Top tips for travel in Costa Rica

COSTA Rican Vacations (CRV), a local travel agency specializing in personalized, boutique vacations to #CostaRica since 1999 has created a list of helpful tips for travel to Costa Rica in the New Year.

1.  Capital city flights can be an advantage

Flights to San Jose can often be cheaper than Liberia, the popular Guanacaste beach locale. Costa Rica’s capital is the most connected locale in the country, making it easy to connect via domestic flights to all major destinations. San Jose is also a great jumping off point for the most visited site in the country – the Arenal Volcano. Most importantly if you do see a well-priced airfare - jump on it right away as they don’t usually last long.

2.  Go off the beaten path 

Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in Central America. Veer off touristy locales. Authenticity abounds in places like Drake Bay, Orosi Valley and Tortuguero. 

3.  Dust Off your Spanish

Interact with locals! Costa Ricans, affectionately known as “Ticos,” are the warmest, friendliest people on earth! CNN.com labeled this humble country the “happiest place on earth” for a reason. Learn a few words in Spanish and you just may forge valuable relationships.

4.  Visit no less than two locations

Costa Rica has much to offer – beach, volcanoes, wildlife and more. Don’t limit your first-time visit to just one region! It is easy to fit in two different, but equally exciting destinations while on a trip to Costa Rica!

5.  Rely on local travel experts

Reading through too much content online can be overwhelming and frustrating. Costa Rican Vacation travel experts live locally and visit properties every week. They make it their mission to know everything about the country and can best pick the resorts and experiences that will suit each individual traveler needs.

6.  Sample the local food

Costa Rican cuisine is a wonderful way to connect with locals and get a true “flavor” for the culture! Pura Vida Mae -- try the gallo pinto!

7.  Talk to your hotel staff and drivers

This is the best way to get insider information that you won’t find in a book or online. Some of the best experiences are found through the locals that live in the area.

8.  Bring the family

Costa Rica is super family-friendly and there are activities for children of all ages.


A travel guide with even more great tips for vacations to Costa Rica, can be found online at http://www.vacationscostarica.com/travel-guide/travel-tips

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New Hotel for South Beach to open in the Spring

Spring 2017, the South Beach neighborhood in #SanFrancisco will welcome Hotel VIA, a luxury 159-room hotel that goes beyond boutique. Hotel VIA is dedicated to technology, the environment, and the highest level of personalized hospitality and service.

Hotel VIA's location offers guests easy access to Caltrain, Muni, ferry and water taxis.It is also across the street from AT&T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants. In addition Hotel VIA offers a breakfast café with the only scenic rooftop hotel bar with 360-degree views of the city.

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Picture Credit: Guner Gulyesil flickr.com/photos/76786399@N07/27900517552 via photopin

Cornish cottage specialist launches Poldark trail

BOUTIQUE Cornish accommodation specialist Milly & Martha has launched a brand #Poldark Trail across the county.

Created as a downloadable guide, the visual trail reveals where fans can find locations made famous by the BBC television series, complete with descriptions, addresses, and tips on what to do at each location.

The guide in printed form will be given to self-catering guests at their Milly & Martha holiday homes, and it can be downloaded for all to see and use here: www.millyandmartha.com/library/News/Poldark_Trail.pdf

‘Poldark did wonders for showing off some of the county’s most beautiful hidden gems,’ explains Martha Burnyeat, co-founder of Milly & Martha. ‘But visitors often miss out on the more under-the-radar locations the county has to offer, so we wanted to produce a trail that would not only give Poldark fans the chance to see the landscapes and places made famous by the series, but also help them discover beautiful off the beaten track locations to get a feel for the real #Cornwall.’

Milly & Martha’s Poldark Trail covers eight filming locations across the county, including:

• Porthgwarra Beach 

• St Agnes Head 

• Porthcothan Bay 

• Poldark Mine 

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Cyprus launch for Your Nice Apartment

BOUTIQUE holiday accommodation specialists Your Nice Apartment has added #Cyprus to its portfolio.

‘For years, the accommodation options in Cyprus were limited,’ says Simon Walker, the agency’s co-founder. ‘You either travelled there for a traditional fly-and-flop holiday in large, often dated high rise apartments in coastal resorts or you headed for the foothills and interior, where accommodation often resembled a holiday home your Grandma had styled.

‘In the 15 years since the launch of agri-tourism, though, the accommodation offering has matured. What we wanted to do was curate a property collection which captured the zeitgeist, offering stunning beach front apartments – a slice of California cool – but also work with a new wave of holiday home owners in traditional villages, those who have understood the need to transform historic homes into seriously stylish holiday retreats to attract the UK holiday market.’

The company expects to see a rise in tourists during September and October, when Cyprus is one of the best places in the Mediterranean to catch late summer sun.

‘Nowhere in the Med is warmer or more reliably sunny than Cyprus in September and October,” says Mr Walker, ‘with nine hours of sunshine a day and temperatures of up to 28C. The sea, having been warmed by the searing heat during July and August is like a warm bath.’

Properties range from Delphinium, a £32 per night apartment in Larnaca sleeping four, to the Beach House in Konnos Bay sleeping six from £142 a night.

The agency, which also has properties in southern France and Ireland, will be launching a range of add-ons such as walking, cycling, and wine tours.

Its Cyprus launch coincides with the introduction of UK-Cyprus flights by budget airline Cobalt Air.

www.yourniceapartment.com

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More choice with Milly & Martha

BOUTIQUE #Cornish cottage specialist Milly & Martha has expanded its portfolio of #holiday properties across the county. From a couple’s escape near the Hayle Estuary to a family-friendly townhouse in the heart of #StIves, there are new additions to suit staycationers. 

Coast House Cottage, St Ives – A three-storey townhouse sleeping up to 5 in the heart of St Ives, within walking distance of Porthminster Beach. From £650 for a week.

Station Cottage, Hayle – Sleeping two, Station Cottage has a living/dining area, compact kitchen, spacious bedroom, and a small courtyard. From £275 for a week.

Tregothal, Goldsithney (near Marazion) – In a valley close to the village of Goldsithney, Tregothal is a four-bedroomed cottage, recommended for families or group get-aways. Outside is a garden and BBQ are. From £995 for a week.

Thyme Cottage, St Ives – Thyme Cottage, a two-bedroomed hideaway for up to four guests – is a walk from Cornwall’s northern coastal path. The cottage has wood floors and whitewashed walls. From £395 for a week.

The Milly & Martha agency was formed by friends Milly Parker and Martha Burnyeat, both Cornish residents, in 2012.

www.millyandmartha.com

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