Category: Family

Top European Holiday Destinations for the Whole Family

There are many European destinations that are perfect for luxury family holidays, and several of these destinations offer all inclusive options. European destinations like Spain, Turkey, the Algarve, Greece, Italy and more offer luxury accommodation combined with family friendly attractions to create an unforgettable family holiday.

Spain

Luxury family holidays to Spain allow travellers to enjoy the relaxed yet elegant lifestyle of this fascinating country. Things seem to move at a slower pace and siestas are encouraged as you explore the history and culture of this land. With beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountains, and sweeping desert areas, the landscape is enticing. Luxury accommodation and all-inclusive resorts provide the perfect escape for adults and children seeking all inclusive family holidays.

Turkey

The exotic nation of Turkey is graced with beautiful ruins and tasty national cuisine. Turkish hotels are known for their service and hospitality. While on luxury family holidays to Turkey, visitors can see sites like the Hippodrome with its colourful history, aged and charming statues, and Sirince, where the entire village is a historic preservation site and at night the restaurants and wineries open their doors and offer elegant dining options.

The Algarve

All inclusive family holidays to the Algarve, in the south of Portugal are a luxurious option for a family holiday. With luscious landscapes and long and beautiful long stretches of beach, the Algarve is a fitting choice for luxury family holidays. The Algarve is known round the world for its championship golf courses, and grand water-sport facilities. Families can find a variety of activities and accommodation where they can relax and entertain themselves in this lush paradise.

Greece

Greece, the beautiful land of history and myth, has several locations that are well-suited for all inclusive family holidays. The slow moving island life of Greece is steeped in luxury with a plethora of ancient sites to visit and endless stretches of lush beaches to enjoy, this island invites travellers to get away from it all. Parents and children alike will want to visit the ancient ruins and beautiful beaches and read the local legends.

Italy

Italy is a family-oriented land and perfect for luxury family holidays. Italy’s volcanic past has created dramatic landscapes with peaks, cliffs and beaches. Luxury hotels and resorts wait to cater to families needs. Coupled with family attractions like water-parks, puppet shows and play centres, beaches and lovely aquariums Italy is a good option for visitors of all ages.  Not to mention the food; always a favourite for all the family!  Who can resist an authentic local pizza or bowl of steaming pasta?

Where will you be going in 2013?

Why Martinhal is the perfect place for a luxury family holiday

Following an unforgettable week in Portugal with her young family, Western & Oriental’s Claire Watling explains why that when it comes to trouble-free luxury family holidays, Martinhal is hard to beat…

“After a long, long saga of changing nappies, weaning, teething, walking then finally tantrums within the Watling family, we decided that we all needed a holiday. It didn’t take long for us to realise that this holiday was going to be quite different to our last (our honeymoon in the Maldives, which seemed a lifetime away).  However, I knew that there were a few things that would make the holiday enjoyable for the whole family and our lives much easier.

To start with, there was no way I wanted to fly for over 4 hours with a 19-month-year-old on my lap. She doesn’t sit still for 5 minutes at home so why should she on a plane?  We decided on Portugal; 2 and a half hours from London and plenty of airlines flying out at different times of the day so that we could choose one that fit our routine. We also didn’t want it to be too hot and Portgual had perfect weather in May.

Try to minimise flight time when flying with young kids

Next was location. We wanted to be close to a village so we could go for a walk in the afternoon or evening, it also needed to be pretty and not too far from the airport. The Martinhal Beach Resort in the Western Algarve fitted these requirements perfectly. It’s 1 and half hours from the airport (forward facing car seats included in the transfers) and only 15 minutes along the beach from the historic town of Sagres.

Marching on the beach

Set within a national park area, the Martinhal is surrounded by rolling wild grasses and c0lourful flowers. Walks, mountain biking and marine excursions can be arranged from the hotel for those who are in need of activity.

I realised that, for best part of a year, my little one had had her own room -she was used to that and certainly so were we.  However, with its 1-3 bedroom houses, this really was a home from home where we never had to compromise on our child’s comfort. Each house has its own living room and full kitchen (including washing machine, fridge, oven, microwave) meaning you can be flexible when it comes to the needs of a young child. We ate breakfast early in the kitchen if she woke before 8 and were able to keep snacks, milk etc. in the fridge. The supermarket stocked everything we needed: nappies, wipes, swim nappies, milk and all the essential food items.

A home from home ensures comfort and convenience

If the little one was having an “off” day we would have lunch in our house while she napped in peace. We could still use the balconies and living room in the day and night without disturbing her. I wondered how she would sleep in a strange bed in new surroundings but I needn’t have worried.  All the bedrooms have black out blinds so she didn’t wake too early, and we had a few lie ins past 8 o’clock!

We also made sure there was a stairgate and highchair in the house (complimentary), a godsend at home. We didn’t bother with the door jam, changing mat or steriliser but these can all be provided.

Great facilities were a must and the Martinhal has these in spades,  including 5 swimming pools, tennis courts, a fantastic beach, village square with supermarket, a kids club and creche, 3 restaurants and something that a working mum always needs – a spa!

Excellent facilities are a must

There were two main pools we used most days: one down by the beach which featured a massive sand play area, and one nearer to the village which was partly under cover – ideal for some respite from the sun. The sandy beach is renowned for windsurfing and it can get quite breezy in the summer months but for us it was perfect. What more can a child want than a bucket and spade and to run in and out if the sea!

The eating habits of young ones are predictably unpredictable so flexible dining options are always welcome. We loved eating out at O Dunas restaurant where dinner started at 5pm, which was extremely convenient if we needed an early night. The Italian restaurant in the village square is fantastic for those special occasions when the kids are with the babysitter. The food was delicious, excellent value for money and they even offer takeaway. Children are well catered for in the main restaurant with their own plastic beakers, plates, spoons and forks. They have 3 sizes of high chair and in high season they even have a kids club member on hand to entertain them whilst you are finishing your breakfast.

A wide choice of dining options allows more flexibility

Of course, you’ll want some assistance in keeping the kids occupied, and although we didn’t use the kids club at the Martinhal due to wanting to spend as much time as possible together as a family, the range of facilities on offer was fantastic. The baby room was filled with baby gyms, soft matting etc. while the the toddler room was massive with fantastic role play toys. The kids club was chargeable and all the activities was tailored to the children’s ages. Toddlers at Raposinhos can try their hand at face painting or join an outdoor treasure hunt. There is also a Blue Room which offers table tennis, pool, computers and movie screenings. There is also creatively designed children’s playground featuring a helicopter as its centerpiece!

Keep the young ones busy with a kids club

Older kids can join the Explorers and Adventure Club where among other things they can learn to windsurf, go dolphin watching and take a junior lifeguard course. The Martinhal also features football and tennis academies where kids can hone their sporting skills or learn new techniques from fully trained instructors.

The kids shouldn’t be the only ones getting pampered on a family holiday and it’s important to allow some quality time for yourself. If there was one thing I was looking forward to most it was a massage and facial in the spa –  something I would never be able to fit in at home. The spa was lovely,  a wonderful oasis of calm with a tranquil chill-out area to relax in before and after my treatments. My last massage was on the day before we came home, it was so pleasant to be able to gather my thoughts and reflect on what a wonderful holiday we’d had.

Don't forget to treat yourself to some "me time"

The past 19 months had been a rollercoaster but now we were relaxed, rested and looking forward to the next 19 months. I have a feeling we’ll be back to the Martinhal again… it’s exactly what we wanted and needed. An amazing, memorable luxury family holiday.”

See the world in under 5 minutes – with 6237 photographs

Fancy speeding around the world in under 5 minutes? Kien Lam, a keen photographer, has made this possible with his stunning time-lapse video taken whilst spending nearly a year adventuring around the world on a journey that took him through 17 different countries over 343 days. Whilst doing so, he took 6,237 photographs which he has pieced together as several beautiful fast-paced montages.

Kien wanted to capture the spirit of his journey and took time-lapse photos at every city that he travelled to. Each two-second scene comprises approximately 40-60 photographs.

The countries showcased within the video and on his 25,000 mile journey include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Egypt, England, France, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay and the United States. Kien also visited popular landmarks such as Stonehenge, the Louvre, Times Square, Mt. Sinai, Pier 39 and the Alhambra. He rode on 58 buses, 18 boats and 19 airplanes over the course of the entire trip.

Which of these cities will you be putting onto your list of places to visit? Watch the video here:

Elephant Hills in Thailand Announces Birth of Baby Ha Ha

After waiting 22 months for the birth, Elephant Hills is proud to announce the birth of Ha Ha the baby elephant, born to Tor Por late last Sunday night on the 12^th of February 2012. It is Tor Por’s first baby and both mother and baby are doing well in the confines of their herd. The matriarch Khun Di-Be-Le is especially pleased with the new arrival and was a witness to her smooth birth.  She measures in at 90cm high with a healthy weight of approximately 100kgs and will keep Tor Por busy for the next few years.

Asian elephants were classed as endangered in 1986 and according to the WWF, their numbers are still dwindling in Thailand where they are domesticated and in some cases mistreated. This birth is a huge success for Elephant Hills and they are hoping that Ha Ha will have a brother or sister in the next five years.

Elephant Hills is nestled deep in Thailand’s Khao Sok rainforest and gives its visitors a luxury camping experience amongst the wildlife. Visitors can either choose to stay at the luxury floating camp or the tented camp and are treated to campfires and canoe excursions among many other activities. With the addition of Ha Ha, Elephant Hills will further ensure that they create a lifetime of memories for visiting guests, and continue to work with the local community to improve conservation in the area.

We wish the excellent team at Elephant Hills good luck and look forward to hearing how Ha Ha is doing in the future. Watch baby Ha Ha playing and see her photos below.

What’s Your Favourite Destination In The World?

From a very young age I always knew I would travel the world, and at the age of 18 I flew the nest and was off on my first long haul trip on my own, Australia. Four years later I had racked up three ‘ Round The World’ travel experiences visiting destinations such as India, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil.

Upon  returning from the third trip I decided it was time to look for a career that would allow me to continue my passion for travel, so I downed my carpentry tools and at the age of 21 I started a career in the travel industry. Twenty years later I am still in the industry and still travelling as much as I can, so the one question I am frequently asked is :

 ‘Where is your favourite destination in the world’?.

A question almost impossible to answer as everywhere is unique and has its own special qualities!  However after returning this week to one place I have not been to for over twenty years I am now reminded of one of the most incredible and spectacular sights in the world, the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls.

The sheer size of Iguazu Falls is mesmerising, with 275 separate falls or drops, the highest at 82 metres, and an average of 1756 cubic metres of water flowing over the edge every second.

One exhilarating way to experience Iguazu Falls close up is to board a speedboat that takes you right up to the base of the falls. Be prepared to get very wet (swimsuits recommended!).

They look even better up close. Photo by David Pointer

There are three main areas of the falls to visit but I would recommend you visit the Devil’s Throat first. Ignore the remains of the nearby boardwalk that was swept away in 1992, it will only make you more nervous that you are about to stand right on the edge of one of the most powerful and largest waterfalls in the world!

Perfect at every glimpse. Photo by David Pointer

This was my second visit to the falls and it is more developed than my first visit back in 1991 but for the better, as there are now more vantage points available and more ways to experience the falls. Iguazu Falls it is still the most spectacular and remarkable place I have ever been.

This time though, what made this visit even more special was being able to experience it with my partner’s father who had up until this point never left his home country of Ecuador.

The expression on his face when he first saw the falls was a picture in itself, he was totally mesmerised by this natural wonder.

My partner and his dad in awe of the view. Photo by David Pointer

It is at times like this that reminds me why we are so privileged to work in such a fantastic industry, giving us the opportunity to make people’s dreams come true and organising such wonderful experiences for our clients, as well as being able to experience them for ourselves too.

Written by David Pointer, Head of Product at Western & Oriental.

Emirates – A Flying Experience Unlike Any Other

With a fleet of over 150 airplanes flying to more than 100 destinations in 66 countries all over the world, Emirates carried a staggering 31.4 million passengers between 2010/11 in its state-of-the-art fleet.

When flying with Emirates, you will be able to recline your seat and enter a world of your own. Every cabin takes millions of passengers every year to a higher level of luxury with Emirates’ award-winning service at every turn, making you feel less like a passenger and more like a guest. From a vast selection of in-flight entertainment to its very comfortable seats, Emirates’ professional and multilingual cabin crew try to anticipate your every need, whether you are flying alone, as a couple or as a family.

On Emirates, you will be able to indulge in some of the finest, most delicious meals and choose from a wide selection of fine wines. In Business Class, Emirates provide passengers the tools to be productive or kick back and relax in your comfortable lie-flat seats. In First Class, passengers can even close their own electronic doors to create their own private suite, or take advantage of the in-fight shower spas.

For a sneak peek of what you can expect when flying with Emirates, see below.

Relaxing on board Emirates in Business Class

Private individual seats in First Class

Freshen up in the Spa Shower onboard the luxurious A380 airliner

Emirates' stylish interior in Economy Class

Hours of fun and entertainment via the award wining in-flight entertainment system

A refreshing beverages during the flight

David Cameron to take a luxury family holiday to Tuscany

David Cameron and his family will be flying out to an 18th-Century luxury villa situated in the lush Italian hills in Tuscany for a two-week luxury family holiday. The Italian holiday will be the PM’s first foreign holiday since the general election last year. The luxury villa is on the outskirts of Mercatale Valdarno, close to the converted hunting lodge which is owned by the famous pop singer Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler.

The Cameron’s family and two other families will be flying out on a budget airline and be sharing a £10,000 a week mansion on the Petrolo Estate. The estate is surrounded by olive groves and lush vineyards, as well as oak woods which contain roaming wild boar, and there are also fishing lakes on the estate.

Yesterday Luca Sanjust, owner of the Petrolo Estate, said, “They have exclusive use of a pool and tennis courts and there is some beautiful countryside as well as the historic cities of Florence and Siena nearby.”

Tuscany holds a special place in both David & Samantha Cameron’s hearts as it is where the couple first laid eyes on each other back in 1992 on holiday. David Cameron set his eyes on Samantha whilst playing tennis together when she was on a family holiday. We wish them a fantastic and relaxing luxury family holiday whilst in Tuscany.

Source: Number10.gov.uk

Wonderful Experience in Sani Asterias Suites – Winners of TripAdvisor Award of Excellence 2011

I was delighted to hear that the Sani Asterias Suites Resort had won a TripAdvisor Award of Excellence, having just come back from the resort myself, I feel that this award was well deserved.

Sani Asterias Suites Pool

A luxury hotel resort was the highest priority on our list, and secondly of course was the children. In order for us to have a good holiday, we wanted the children to enjoy themselves and be occupied, this is how we came to settle on the Sani Asterias Suites as the hotel of our choice, and I am very grateful that we did.

We arrived at the door and we were greeted by a group of friendly faces, whom took our bags, handed us refreshment and escorted us to the reception desk. After a quick check- in with no time for the children to get bored, we strolled to our individual luxury suite, complete with private lounge, dining area and spectacular beach front views. I felt like we had landed in paradise, the ideal place for us to spend our two week family holiday.

Sani Asterias Suites Bedroom

We quickly freshened up and went in search of a place to eat, and found the ‘Water Restaurant,’ overlooking the Sani Marina. We were astounded by the breathtaking views, and the beautiful al fresco setting especially because we had only arrived a matter of hours earlier! Then came the star of the show, the food. The Michelin starred chefs cooked some delicious dishes and we knew we were in good hands. The wine was flowing and the children were happy enjoying the splendour of the dishes before them. What one might call, the perfect evening! We went back to the room for the night, after the exquisite dinner and the soft King Size bed looked so inviting.  Off for a good nights sleep!

Waking up at about ten o’clock we ambled to the breakfast room, and enjoyed a full selection of a continental and hot breakfast. After having a bite to eat, we were ready for the day, the children scampered off to the Kids’ Club, and my husband and I decided on a stroll along the beautiful white sandy beach.

After some lunch with the children, the spa seemed to be the next obvious destination to visit and we decided to book an In-Suite Spa Service where we enjoyed a few treatments from the spa menu. We felt completely revitalised, and it was the perfect setting in which to be pampered, in your own room, with calm and complete serenity.

I will now fast forward to the last evening of our holiday when we decided to have dinner on our terrace, with stunning sea views, and the beautiful sound of the waves hitting the shore. My family and I were able to sit and enjoy each other’s company, a rarity these days with my husband working long hours. The children ate their favourite meals which were specially cooked by the chef on request and my husband and I enjoyed some of the most exquisite wines and champagne which Sani Asterias Suites Resort had on offer.

Now that we’re back in the UK, we already booked our next luxury family holiday to return to San Asterias Suites for next summer.  There was plenty for the children to do, which meant that my husband and I were able to spend some time together, being pampered and enjoying fine wine. It is reassuring to know that the kids were in a safe environment and also enjoying themselves. I would recommend San Asterias Suites to anyone whether you are booking it for your honeymoon or looking to book a luxury family holiday.