What’s Hot this Winter

You want to escape the British weather or try something new this winter but don’t know which destinations have the best experiences and hottest weather to offer? Below is our collection of ideas of where to head to from November to April, from breathtaking safaris in Botswana, festive Christmas markets in Germany and meeting Orang Utans in Borneo to an introduction to the vibrant land of India, we know where to go and when.

November

Oman Desert, Beach & Culture 7 nights from £909 per person inc flights, breakfast and transfers

Immerse yourself in Arabic beauty, tradition and sights. World Heritage sites to explore include the 13th century Bahla Fort and the fascinating protohistoric site of Bat. A must-do activity is spending a couple of nights under the stars after a desert drive along the sand dunes, of course followed by camel riding or falconry! Not to mention the glorious beaches and warm hospitality. 020 7666 1220

The beach at Al Waha, Shangri-La Bar al Jissah Resort, Oman

Or…

Chile North to South 15 days from £3645 per person including flights

Stretching from the red sands of the Atacama Desert in the extreme north, to the glaciers and dramatic granite pillars of the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, this two week private tour takes in Chile’s most impressive highlights. Ideal for November travel, this trip includes a cruise through the Chilean fjords and two days in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aries. 020 7666 1261

December

Christmas Markets of Germany 5 days from £780 per person including flights, transfers and meals as per itinerary

Get into the Christmas spirit with this magical tour, taking in the country’s best traditional Christmas markets including Leipzig, Dresden, Annaberg and Bamberg. Tuck into a delicious Bratwurst and warm your cockles with some spiced Gluehwein as you stroll the stalls of handcrafted Christmas gifts from each region. 020 7666 1299

Beautiful traditional German Christmas Market

Or…

Best of Far East – Hong Kong & Borneo 10 nights from £1895 per person including flights

Spend 7 nights at Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, set on the edge of the rainforest nature reserve and a beautiful white sandy beach, making it the perfect location for both idyllic relaxation and wildlife exploration. From your own hotel enjoy the Jungle Walk and Orang Utan Canopy Walkway! Then spend 3 nights in the heart of breathtaking Hong Kong. 020 7666 1220

January

Thailand City & Coast 10 nights from £1459 per person including breakfast, flights and transfers

Experience both sides of tantalising Thailand, from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Staying in fabulous Anantara hotels you will be set to explore the contrast of old and new in Bangkok from the modern malls to centuries-old architecture. Then enjoy a week of blissful island life. 020 7666 1220

Traditional long tail boat, Thailand

Or…

Riviera Maya Beach & Culture  9 days from £2200 per person

Spend January in the picture-perfect Riviera Maya. Combine your passions by reclining on the beach and snorkeling in crystal clear waters before exploring the spectacular Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza, the archaeological site of Ek Balam and the charming town of Merida. 020 7666 1261

February

Green Season safari in Botswana 6 nights from £3640 per person including flights, meals, local drinks and transfers

Take advantage of the Green Season and travel to some of Africa’s most iconic wildernesses for less. The bush is at its most verdant, with abundant birdlife and plenty of young animals. This six-night lodge-based private tour visits the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari. 020 7666 1261

The gorgeous view from your camp at Xigera, Botswana

Or…

The Maldives 7 nights from £1435 per person including flights, breakfast and transfers

The feeling of entering an exclusive paradise starts with your seaplane journey. Once you touch down on your Atoll, the glistening clear blue waters, untouched sandy beaches and lush vegetation will be all you can see. With the trend being just one luxury hotel per island, you will have privacy, peace and personalised service to enjoy. 020 7666 1220

Reykjavik City Break 4 nights from £735 per person including flights, breakfast and transfers

Reykjavik offers both a proud heritage with a modern spirit. Here you will find world-class restaurants, art and history museums, as well as stylish bars, all against the snowy mountain backdrop. Combine this with attractions such as Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and spectacular Northern Lights, as well as time spent in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, and you have a break you will never forget! 020 7666 1299

March

Heritage Golden Triangle 9 days from £1399 per person including flights, transfers and meals as per itinerary

Get a magical introduction to India on our tour of the Golden Triangle. Take in the vibrant colours and scents of the land, from the bustling markets and rickshaws on the Chandni Chowk, the pink city of Jaipur to the glistening majestic Taj Mahal. Perfect timing for the elephant festival! 020 7666 1220

Sunset at the Taj Mahal from the Yamuna River

Or…

Dubrovnik City Break 3 nights from £340 per person  inc flights, breakfast and transfers

Dubrovnik has a fantastic cultural charm. This medieval city is perched on the Dalmation Coast, encircled by 2 km of walls and turrets. Old Town is the perfect place to amble around whilst admiring the baroque architecture, before visiting the Dominican Monastery; perfect if you are an art-lover. 020 7666 1299

Northern Tanzania Under Canvas 8 days from £2150 per person inc flights, transfers, safari and meals as per itinerary

Get as close as possible to nature by sleeping under domed canvas tents with this small group tour to northern Tanzania. Start with the backdrop of Kilimanjaro at Arusha, from which you will explore the Serengeti plains and Lake Manyara National Park by four-wheel drive. If there are already 4 people in your party, this turns into a private tour! 020 7666 1261

April

Classic Inca Trail 10 days from £999 per person

Spend 10 days exploring the best of Peru. Take the guided trail from Cuzco along the Urubamba River to the archeological site of Llaqtapata and Sayacmarca and the rural town of Huayllabamba. Enjoy the vibrant landscapes along the trail, following the orinigal Inca trail. The pinnacle is reaching the iconic site of Machupicchu. 020 7666 1261

The iconic sight of Machu Picchu

Or…

Bratislava City Break 3 nights from £270 per person including flights, transfers and breakfast

Join Slovakia in celebrating 20 years of independence. Compact and cosmopolitan, Bratislava’s cobbled streets are easy to explore on foot. Admire the superbly restored Old Town and it’s elegant Baroque architecture, take time to peruse the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, and join the fun at a traditional Slovak beer hall. 020 7666 1299

Top 5 Picks of USA City Breaks

For a collection of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world, you only have to look in the US of A. Whether you are an avid arts-lover, shopaholic, historic sights-hunter, or celebrator of gastronomy, our top 5 picks for city breaks in America will not disappoint. From the city that never sleeps (New York), The Cradle of Liberty (Boston), The Windy City (Chicago) and The Magic City (Miami) to the city with the tag-line ‘What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas’, there is a city break designed for you.

New York City Breaks

Put your tourist hat on and explore everything from the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. Soon enough you feel like a real New Yorker, after taking in a Broadway show, cheering on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Gardens and shopping along Madison Avenue.

View of Brooklyn Bridge

The ideal spot for a cocktail on the Upper East Side - Mark Bar

Sleep in luxury in The Lowell's King Room

5* The Mark

From £895 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Superior Courtyard King on a room only basis. Price valid between 25 – 31 March 2013.

5* The Lowell

From £1,129 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Deluxe King Room on a bed & breakfast  basis. Price valid until 14 December 2012.

Miami City Breaks

Glamour, opulence and playfulness best describe Miami. Feel like a star on South Beach, turn back time walking past Art Deco buildings, dine in an open air café on Ocean Drive, experiment with roller-blading before dancing the night away.

Miami sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay

The Deck at The Betsy

4*+ The Betsy

From £1,199 per person

2 adults stay 5 nights sharing a Classic King on a room only basis. Price valid between 27 May – 23 June 2013.

The pool at W South Beach

5* W South Beach

From £1,695 per person

2 adults stay 5 nights sharing a Wonderful Studio on a room only basis. Price valid between 25 March – 30 April 2013.

Boston City Breaks

There is so much culture to soak up in Boston. Highlights include the Museum of Afro-American History and Faneuil Hall, part of the famous Freedom Trail. Boston also boasts a fantastic range of cuisine to try, as well as beautiful parkland to enjoy. Nearby Harvard is not to be missed!

A perfect autumnal view of Boston and Charles River

The opulent W Lounge

4* W Boston

From £719 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Wonderful Room on a room only basis. Price valid between 25 December 2012 – 24 March 2013.

XV Beacon's stylish and cozy Classic Room

4*+ XV Beacon

From £765 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights in Classic Accommodation on a room only basis. Price valid between 5 December 2012 – 24 March 2013.

Las Vegas City Breaks

Get ready for a wild ride in Las Vegas. Fill your days with luxury shopping, awe-inspiring Cirque de Soleil shows, playing on pristine golf courses, and of course placing a bet in one of the opulent casinos and enjoying the infamous night life. There is also the option to take a helicopter ride over the nearby desert landscape.

Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada

Boulevard Pool, one of The Cosmopolitan's 3 pools

5* The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

From £855 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a City Room on a room only basis. Price valid between 13 – 17 January 2013.

The Bellagio Hotel's own Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

5* Bellagio

From £905 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Resort Deluxe on a room only basis. Price valid between 11 – 14 February 2013.

Chicago City Breaks

Take in the view from the 103rd floor of Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower, or the 94th floor of the Hancock Observatory to get a feel for this vibrant city. Millennium Park is perfect for ice-skating in the winter or getting close to the celebrate Cloud Gate structure. Local pride is strong here, which you will see when you catch the Chicago Bears in a game or try a deep-dish pizza.

The famous Cloud Gate sculpture in the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park

The Monaco Hotel's luxe Tranquility Suite

4* Monaco Hotel

From £769 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Run of House Room on a room only basis. Price valid between 01 January – 24 March 2013.

Deluxe King River View at the Trump

5* Trump International Hotel and Tower

From £939 per person

2 adults stay 3 nights sharing a Deluxe King City View Room on a room only basis. Price valid between 01 January – 24 March 2013.

For more information about city breaks in the USA, speak to one of our friendly, passionate and knowledgeable travel specialists on 020 7666 1217 of visit our website at wandotravel.com/country/city-breaks/united-states/

Top Diving Spots in the World

Our team of luxury travel specialists have have put together a collection of the best diving spots in the world. Whether you want to swim amongst sharks, see manta rays in their natural environment, get up close and personal with coral or just lie back and enjoy drift diving, take a look below to find your perfect diving holiday destination.

Maldives

The Maldives are renowned as a diving destination because of the sheer variety of species you can spot. If you are a keen diver, Maldives holidays allow you to be able to swim amongst manta rays, turtles, parrot fish, snappers, sweetlips, grouper, bat fish, whale sharks and barracudas, not to mention vibrantly coloured sponges. There are also fascinating caves and caverns to explore at Fotteyo Kandu and Banana Reef. You can also experience drift diving, letting the current that sweeps through the chain of islands carry you along.

A diver sizes up to a whale shark in the Maldives

 South Africa

Kwazulu-Natal is the ultimate destination for diving in Africa. Divers could experience the rush of spotting anything from tiger, whale or spotted sand sharks, not to mention manta rays and one of many of Aliwal Shoals’ resident bottle-nose dolphins. Sodwana Bay is home to over a thousand species of tropical fish, as well as sea turtles and a plethora of sharks, attracted by the migration of millions of sardines – an unmistakably once-in-a-lifetime experience!

A sea turtle swimming near Gili Meno Island

Bali & Lombok

The Gili Islands have a renowned reputation for being the turtle capital, such as green and hawksbill turtles, but there is a lot more to discover here. With over twenty dive sits to explore, from underwater canyons and walls, as well as cuttle fish, lion fish, bump head parrot fish, blue ringed octopus and frogfish, as well as white tipped sharks. While on your Bali holiday, we also recommend that you head to Manta Point to see the gently sloping reef covered in corals, reef sharks, octopus and, of course, manta rays!

Mexico

Experience the fantastic feeling of drift diving in the Gulf Stream, a powerful Atlantic current. If you want to see hammerhead sharks, head to El Bajo and for grey whales, Magdalena Bay is for you. A wonderful experience can be found at Los Isoltes, where captivating Californian sea lions will be curious enough to approach you underwater.

Egypt

Not many people know this when they are on their Egypt holiday, but Egypt is home to one of the most renowned wreck dives on the planet. In 1941 the British SS Thistlegorm sunk in the Red Sea on its voyage transporting supplies to soldiers stationed in Alexandria. Sitting on the ocean floor are rifles, jeeps, radios and boots, as well as the ship. The hole left by the German bomb is visible! To add to the drama, look out for crocodile fish! Also on the Sinai Peninsula is Ras Mohammed National Park with the stunning Yolanda and Shark Reefs.

Underwater photography in the Red Sea

A green turtle swimming at Sipadan Island, Malaysia

Malaysia

The Sabah province is Malaysia’s diving haven. Head to Sipadan Island to see green and hawksbill turtles; there is even a turtle tomb, 22m underwater. Highlights include facing down a school of barracuda and the renowned Drop Off, where the ocean floor dramatically drops 600m! Malaysia holidays will also give you the chance to encounter hammerhead sharks at Layang Layang, whilst admiring its beautiful coral.

Thailand

In the Andaman Sea lie the paradise islands named Surin and Similan, where divers are likely to spot magical manta rays and leopard sharks. Close-by is Richelieu Rock, the place to head to if you fancy swimming alongside a whale shark. These gentle giants are like gold dust, yet sightings here are common. The rock is coral-encrusted, with glistening giant trevallies and dogtooth tuna whizzing past – a gem of a dive!

Turquoise waters at Surin Island National Park, Thailand

Costa Rica

Cocos Island, a marine national park, is a world-renowned diving site. Set in the Golden Triangle and 300 miles from mainland, it takes commitment to visit but is well worth it! Divers will find over twenty sites to dive, from never-ending vertical walls to drift diving spots. Magnificent silvertip, hammerhead and guitar sharks, manta rays, eels and can all be found here, as well as deep sea creatures such as red-lipped Cocos batfish!

Divers exploring Providenciales reef, Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos

Famous for being the third largest reef on the planet, the Turks & Caicos islands are a fantastic diving destination. With a 7,000ft drop in its ocean bed, wall diving here is incredible. The walls are covered in colourful corals and sponges. Providenciales, Grand Turk and Salt Cay host the top diving spots, with great visibility so you can spot the marine life.

Myanmar (Burma)

Diving in Myanmar’s waters near secluded islands feels delightfully off the beaten track. Divers could be swimming amongst dogtooth tuna, manta rays and unicorn fish. At Shark Cave you will also find grey reef sharks as well as yellow sponges and corals. Added to this there is a plethora of crustaceans, varying from lobster to shrimp and crab, alongside fascinating octopus and cuttlefish. Explore Black and Tower Rocks’ steep walls and submerged boulders too!

To see and experience some of these amazing diving spots, speak with our travel specialists on 020 7666 1234 and let us tailor-make your next luxury holiday.

Charity Bike Ride, 900 Miles, 5 Days & Extreme Weather

On 20th September 2012, Western & Orientals’ David Pointer set off on his cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. He cycled over 900 miles in 5 days in the name of raising money for MacMillan Cancer Care, and endured extreme weather conditions, pain, rode past some of Britain’s beautiful cycle routes, saw a comet disintegrating in the in the sky and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! We followed him on his journey on an earlier blog and seeing as pictures tell a thousand words, and we’ve put together a comic strip to showcase David’s hard work and commitment to raising money for a good cause. Show your support by donating today.

Together, we can all make a difference: http://www.justgiving.com/David-Pointer

David pointer Charity Bike Ride

Show your support here: http://www.justgiving.com/David-Pointer

Western & Oriental’s David Pointer to cycle across the UK in four days

Scroll down to follow David’s daily update

It’s not long till I will be getting comfy on my cycle seat and that is where I will stay for four days as I cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End, 880 miles in 4 days (I hope as I can’t stand the thought of it taking any longer!). I will be setting off at 4am from John O’Groats on 20^th September 2012 and will be cycling on average 14–16 hours per day depending on weather conditions, this doesn’t include lunch stops and alike, so with that in mind I will be surviving on about 4 hours of sleep a day if I am lucky!

I have been amazed with everyone’s generosity so far and have already raised £2170 and counting, so I thank you all for supporting me and MacMillan Cancer Care.

To donate for this good cause, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/David-Pointer

David Pointer & MacMillan Cancer Care

Mon 24/09/2012 15:32 – Cornish pasty in Cornwall

Only 60 miles to go to the end!!!!

Mon 24/09/2012 07:06 - Severe Weather Warnings

Severe weather warnings for Devon and Cornwall was the first thing I heard when I switched the TV on this morning!!! Let’s hope it is a tail wind and it blows me to Lands End quickly, must remember to change my brake pads again to make sure I stop and don’t get blown over the ‘End of the Land’

Sun 23/09/2012 21:26 - So near, but too far

Due to getting to Shrewsbury at midnight I didn’t wake until 6am so left at 7am. If I knew then what was going to happen today with weather I would have left earlier. I made good progress and was in Hereford by midday. Vicky’s (one of my support team) parents came and met us there with pasties and to show their support. It had started to rain by then and boy did it rain. The next 16 miles were hills after hills before reaching the River Wye and following the valley to Chepstow, a beautiful, I must remember to go back in the summer. Across the Severn Bridge, wet and windy was an understatement. We went through Bristol and headed south on the A38. This was tough work, these are real hills, and to make things worse it was windy and pouring with rain. I was soaked through, shivering, my left knee had packed up and had lost all feeling in my left hand, so that’s when I decided to call it a day and go and get myself fit and ready to complete the ride on Monday.

You won’t believe my disappointment that I didn’t complete the ride in 4 days. If I had had perfect conditions, some idiot hadn’t locked my bike away when he knew I needed it at 4am, I would have been able to do it.

Has been an emotional roller coaster again today especially due to not completing the ride In the time frame I had said, really sorry guys, but – am sure you agree 5 days still isn’t bad, maybe next time  (never will I email Kerry again on a drunken evening and set myself up with something so ridiculous, this has taught me one big lesson) Can I thank you all for your amazing support, emails, texts and comments on Facebook, it has been those that have kept me going throughout Lands End see you sometime Monday

Thanks

Nutter

Sun 23/09/2012 21:06 – Saturday – The best day so far

An early start again at 5am. Freezing cold but stunning sunrise as I started heading south, although obviously the lack of sleep and numerous pain killers must have kicked as I thought I was going the wrong way thinking the sun should rise on my right hand side so why was it on my left. I had also  started to hallucinate too so maybe it was the pain killers.

A frosty start but as soon as the sun came up it was the first time I could get rid of the thermal top and wind cheater and I could show off the Western & Oriental branded cycling kit!!!!

I conquered the Shap with ease and took in the amazing scenery down the other side coming into Kendal, a stunning area (Even Stalin is a convert, saying its not that bad up north).

Continued through Lancaster, my flat mate came and gave me support in Preston (her home town) and then through Wigan (scary town) and arrived in Shrewsbury at midnight. All in all a successful day of riding but still not far enough to get me to Land’s End on Sunday

Sat 22/09/2012 09:22 - The Shap

For those that don’t know it. Its where the countries highest motorway passes through and I am now about to ride over it.

New brake pads fitted ready for the ride down the other side.

Feeling the pain today and getting tired as surviving of 3 hrs sleep a night.

Sat 22/09/2012 07:17 - Cumbria

Hills hills and more hills are all I. Can see

Sat 22/09/2012 00:40 - Night Rider & Comets

I was going to call today ‘The easiest day became the hardest’.

It should have been easy. Fairly flat or downhill most the way. Riding through spectacular countryside, beside icy cold rivers and through quaint little Scottish villages, BUT the day started badly when the hotel manager had locked my bike away and I couldn’t get it until 06:30 so was 2.5 hours late leaving, and already 1.5hrs behind schedule after not reaching Perth Thursday night. (Hen followed a puncture, one so bad I had to get Vicky and Stalin to come and deliver a new inner tube. Try cycling around the ring road of Edinburgh was almost impossible and took and hour longer than planned.

At this point I could have broke down and cried as I didn’t want to let every down by not making it in time.

The day then improved with a stunning ride across to Abington and then heading south along one of the best cycle routes I have ridden all the way to Carlisle, hit a top speed of 39 mph and average of 23mph.

Did my good Samaritan bit after finding a motor cyclist and his daughter pushing their bike as they ran out of fuel. I called Vicky and Stalin for help and they came along with a supply of fuel so they could be on their way.

Stopped in Lockerbie for Steak and Chips which gave me the energy boost I needed for the next 30 miles in pitch blackness. Along the way I saw something quite remarkable. A Comet flying through the sky it looked quite low and was disintegrating along the way.

I am still slightly behind schedule. But if I have a good day Saturday I think I can still make it.

David

Fri 21/09/2012 09:53 - Not a great start

The frigging hotel manager decided to lock the garage last night when we were told it would be left open so didn’t get my bike till 6:30. Oh well gave me another 2 hours sleep but means I’ll be cycling till about 11pm as need to try and reach Kendal. Weather is glorious this morning, so that’s one good thing. Currently in Milnathort and heading for the Edinburgh Ring Road and then cut across country to Carlisle and onwards. Still confident I can do it in 4 days, arriving Lands End late night Sunday.

Will keep you updated

Thu 20/09/2012 22:29 - What an emotional day

Early morning – Joy that I was on my bike doing what I love, especially at sunrise, a spectacular sight.

Midday – Happiness that I was on schedule and still feeling Ok considering I had already cycled over 100 miles.

2PM – Anxious as I was running late due to the number of hideous hills in my way

4PM – Pride after reading all the comments from those that are following me on Facebook and replies to my emails.

6PM – Horror at the thought of riding for 2hrs in freezing rain, uphill while cycling over the Pass of Drumochter.

8PM – Disappointed that I didn’t quite reach Perth but the A9 was dangerous enough during the day so didn’t want to risk riding it in the dark and fog so stopped 26 miles Short at Pitlochry.

Arrived soaked through, freezing cold and aching. Let’s hope I can move when I wake up at 3am.

Thu 20/09/2012 11:02 - Just outside Inverness

Half of today’s ride almost over. Cold and wet start but just had a change of clothes and ready for the next 120 miles to Perth!

Unforgettable Bequia Beach Hotel for the last ‘hoorah’

Thank you to Kate Land, one of Western & Orientals’ clients,  for sending us this fantastic blog about her holiday to the 4* Bequia Beach Hotel in St. Vincent & Grenadines.

We went to Bequia Beach Hotel for a last ‘hoorah’ before our baby arrives in September 2012, and it was just what we needed! A very relaxed, fun, and beautiful place.

We had breakfast every morning looking out at the lovely Friendship Bay, where we also enjoyed snorkelling – right in front of our beach front suite at the 4* Bequia Beach Hotel. There are some reefs on either side of the bay, and we got to see lots of fish, crabs, eels and coral.

The Lovely Friendship Bay

We also loved Princess Margaret Beach that was a short taxi ride away. The water on this side of the island was calmer because it faces the Caribbean rather than the Atlantic. And right on the beach is Jack’s Bar, which does a great BBQ with a couple of guys covering some classic tunes.

A highlight of our trip was a visit to the turtle sanctury and Firefly Hotel. These are at the North end of the island (but again, only a short ride away), and the Firefly grows a lot of the produce that they cook in their restaurant.

We took a tour of the grounds with their very informative gardener, and we got to eat mangoes off the tree, and drink fresh coconut water, and fill up our bag with waxed apples. But we still had room for an awesome lunch afterwards. At this point the heavens opened, but that didn’t matter – we looked out on the rain from the comfort of the restaurant before heading back to our lovely beach hotel for a swim in the pool (and more food!).

Relaxing at the pool

Lovely Beach Hotel & Pool

All the restaurants we went to were excellent – and a lot of them also cook BBQ buffets on one night of the week, with some sort of live music playing in the background. And The Frangipani in Port Elizabeth put on a great spread, with an awesome steel band – very Caribbean!

Bequia Beach Hotel Restaurant

But one of our favourite afternoons was when we went to watch a cricket match in town – we’d made friends with our taxi driver, who was playing that afternoon and had invited us a long. There was a local league, with 8 teams from Bequia alone (not bad for such a small island!), but this time, one of them was playing a team from another island. It was a great atmosphere (Bequia won!), and a nice thing to do on a lazy afternoon with a few beers.

Bequia Stadium Bleachers

Cricket Match in Bequia

The pizza from the local ‘Pizza Hut’ wasn’t bad either!

Local Pizza Hut

Bequia Beach Hotel gave us an unforgettable holiday, and surpassed all expectations. We can’t wait to return one day, with our expanded family.

Kool & The Gang Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pine Cliffs Resort

They’ve sold over 70 million records world wide, won two Grammy awards, provided the soundtrack to the 60s and 70s – and now they’re set to bring some R&B funk to 4+* Sheraton Algarve & 4+* Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal.

Kool & the Gang are headlining the resort’s fun-packed summer gala, and are sure to get every guest dancing with their floor-filling hits such as ‘Celebration’, ‘Ladies Night’ and ‘Summer Madness’. All generations know and love their music, so the whole family will enjoy this ultimate summer holiday gala. The band formed in 1964 and went through several musical stages, progressing though jazz, soul, R&B, and electro-pop. However their iconic uplifting sound and party spirit has never wavered, as was demonstrated when the band performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last month. Audiences have always loved Kool & The Gang as they always bring the party and leave you feeling both Kool, and part of the Gang!

In fact  the whole evening taking place on 3^rd August at Sheraton Algarve is a celebration as it’s the resort’s 20^th anniversary. To mark the occasion they’re really laying on the extravagance with a gourmet dinner for guests by Chef Fabien Martinez, welcome cocktails and an after-party. It really is shaping up to be Portugal’s event of the year – don’t miss your chance to ‘Get Down On It’!

Kool & The Gang - Pine Cliffs Resort Summer Gala 2012

Salsa dancing in the Caribbean paradise of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a lot more to offer than just stunning beaches. Its music – and in particular salsa – is enough to make even the least rhythmic get on their feet. Flamboyant, fun and easy for beginners, it’s no wonder salsa dancing is so popular. The upbeat music can be heard across the island, giving the perfect soundtrack to your holiday setting of rolling mountains and white, sandy beaches.

It’s so popular that Puerto Rico even has a National Salsa Day, filling the streets with singing, trumpet playing and – of course – lots of salsa! So why should you try salsa? The music is infectious, and the steps are relatively simple. The social side is brilliant as you’re bound to meet new people, swap partners or even turn up without a partner! It’s considered rude to refuse a dance without good reason – which can be a good or bad thing!

To make the most out of salsa dancing in the original – and the best – setting, book a place on Western & Oriental’s ultimate salsa dancing holiday, including  salsa lessons, sightseeing and a momentous gala dinner where you can show off your moves. Best of all, guests will have a chance to meet Sir Bruce Forsyth and his wife Wilnelia Forsyth, long-time Puerto Rico fans, part-time residents and salsa experts! For more information click here or call 020 7666 1203.