Tag: "Beaches"

Best ways to spend a Bali holiday

Exotic Bali consistently receives plaudits as one of the world’s favourite island destinations, and for good reason. The beautiful island lies just south of the equator and is home to majestic mountains, lush rainforest, and amazingly friendly people. The Indonesian island offers cultural attractions and spectacular scenery that cannot be duplicated anywhere on earth. With so much to see and do in Bali, visitors with limited time there must plan their Bali holidays strategically.

Bali: A Cultural Smorgasbord
While the Kuta region of Bali provides some lively tourist action with its assortment of shops and restaurants, Bali’s Ubud region is commonly known as the island’s cultural capital. Ubud located in central Bali is famous for its performing arts. Unique cultural dances of the Balinese are both expressive and beautifully performed. Traditionally, Balinese dancers performed for a variety of occasions to include social events and ceremonies. Today, they adapt their storytelling dances for tourist audiences. To make the most of their Bali holidays, visitors often pair Balinese dance shows with amazing dinners like the tasty culinary fare found at Café Lotus. This restaurant features a wide range of Indonesian and Western-styled entrées likely to please the entire dinner party.

The Traditional Dress of a Balinese Dancer

Bali is known as the “Island of Love,” and its one-of-a-kind scenery makes it an exquisite place for wedding parties. The Tegenungan waterfall is a great place to visit while on a Bali honeymoon. The free flowing waterfall surrounded by lush tropical foliage drops into an aquamarine lagoon making it the perfect photo opportunity for couples on a Bali honeymoon.

Tegenungan

Agriculture is a huge part of the Bali culture, and the way Balinese farmers cultivate their rice fields exhibits this fact. The rice terraces of Jatiwulih in western Bali are a tribute to excellent farming techniques united with a keen sense of environmental stewardship. For instance, local Jatiwulih farmers designed and constructed a communal water system to irrigate the verdant rice fields contoured to prevent soil erosion.

Bali Rice Terraces

Bali Adventure Holiday
One of the best ways to see Bali up close and personal is by bike. Mountain biking tours are available for couples who want to take an authentic journey of the island while on their Bali honeymoon. These adventure tours are not for the faint of heart. However, those up to the physical challenge may see stunning views of the Bali countryside, rice fields, and quaint villages.

No Bali holiday would be complete without a visit to one of its breathtaking beaches, and there are many from which to choose. The island uniquely is home to white, black, and golden sand beaches. The quintessentially tropical, white sand beaches are by far the most popular ones visited by those on their Bali holiday. However, the black sand beaches offer a rare contrast set against the backdrop of a turquoise ocean. Additionally, the Nusa Dua region provides visitors an ideal snorkelling spot. Nusa Dua is also known for its ultra luxury accommodations that have the relaxing amenities required by visitors maximising their time while in Bali.

A Bali Beach

Postcards from our staff…Insight & Inspiration Included

Here at Western & Oriental, we sell luxury holidays based on personal experience and passion! Below are some postcards from our staff describing their recent holiday adventures, their favourite hotels and top tips for the best sunset locations, sea-view dining spots and spectacular sights to see! Perhaps you will be inspired as you read on…

Far East Product Manager Gemma Wilson visited SANTORINI

Santorini is quite unlike any other Greek island I’ve visited. The views from the west coast are genuinely awe-inspiring and the white washed buildings with the blue domed roofs were stunning. The best places to view the gorgeous sunset is from one of the seafood restaurants on the Oia harbourside or whilst sipping a cocktail at the poolside bar at my hotel. I stayed at The Grace Santorini, which was very chic and minimalist. I loved the champagne breakfast and the unobstructed ocean views from the rooms, the main infinity pool and the restaurant. And that’s without even mentioning the unwavering high level of service, which was very personalised.

Infinity Pool at Grace Santorini

Ha Long Bay at sunset

Travel Specialist Vicki King travelled to VIETNAM

From the moment you arrive in Vietnam you feel this is not going be the average beach holiday. We engulfed ourselves in Vietnamese culture, from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s French Quarter to a cruise around Halong Bay and witnessing the floating villages’ traditional way of life. I stayed at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay – the moment you step off the boat it feels like you are on a desert island. The crystal clear waters were ideal for snorkeling. The perfect end to our stay was a beach BBQ while we watched the sunset over the bay with a cocktail.

Buddhist pilgrimage site of Swayambhunath, the monkey temple

Travel Specialist Amit Dhoj Khadka visited NEPAL

Although I was born in Nepal, I haven’t been there for a while so I was really excited to go back and see the family, but also take in the amazing sights that make Nepal so popular. After a dose of World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, including the Monkey Temple, I headed south to the plains of Chitwan for elephant safari and canoe rides. Finally, I ended my trip amongst spectacular views and beautiful lakes in the Himalayas – needless to say, I can’t wait to return!

Marketing Executive Natasha Priddy flew to SAINT LUCIA

My highlights in Saint Lucia included sailing around the west coast on a catamaran, sulphur mud baths which gave me super soft skin and the beautiful beach at Rodney Bay. Dinner at Cap Maison was a luxury experience. From the unobstructed views of the sea where you can see the sparkling lights of Martinique, to the soulful voices of the singers, not to mention the vibrant cocktails. My time at The Hotel Chocolat has left me with fantastic family memories. Making chocolate from scratch was fantastic and meals that all incorporated chocolate – a cocoa dip with my starter and a cocoa dusted burger were treats my siblings loved!

View of the dramatic Pitons and the town of Soufrière, Saint Lucia

Villa Las Palmeras at Gran Bahia del Duque

Travel Specialist Dhiren Shah visited the CANARY ISLANDS

A great place for December or February is the Canary Islands, an all-year round warm destination with over 300 days of sunshine on average. One of my favourite resorts is the Gran Hotel Bahia Del Duque in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. The location is perfect, by a promenade with a lovely sandy beach. The promenade offers choices of restaurants and bars – you can even hire roller blades or bikes to explore it. All the staff are dressed in authentic Canarian outfits and there’s a fantastic kids club.

Travel Specialist Nikhil Chhibber travelled to INDIA…again

I travel to India 3-5 times in a year to enhance my ability to design unique India experiences. I personally feel India is best done overland which provide great opportunities to see and experience countryside and real India. For people with limited time, India offers luxury trains like Palace on Wheels,  Maharajas’ Express and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. I have been on all the luxury trains in India and was very fortunate to go on the inaugural journey of Maharaja Express in March 2010. India is not just a destination, it is a passion.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Water feature at Domes of Elounda

Group Head of Product David Pointer flew to GREECE

I was so fed up with The Great British Summer that I decided to take a late break to Crete. The Greeks are as friendly, welcoming and generous as ever. Crete is outstandingly beautiful with breathtaking coastal and mountain drives, deserted beaches and my favourite day trip is to the uninhabited Chrissi Island 8 miles off the south coast. I stayed at Domes of Elounda, where each guest can enjoy their own Jacuzzi or private pool, and fantastic views of Spinalonga Island. Best of all, it was 35′C!

Po Nagar Cham Temple Towers in Nha Trang

Travel Specialist Sarah Frankish visited VIETNAM

I spent 10 days travelling the central and southern regions of Vietnam, visiting Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Con Dao Island and the cosmopolitan city of Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam is my favourite South East Asian country. I never tire of the landscaped views, the delicious food (where you’re still able to buy a meal for only a couple of pounds) and the unique Vietnamese traditions and culture. When I do go back, a trip up north to Ha Giang (to visit the most remote tribes) and a cruise along the deeper realms of the Mekong Delta remain top of my list!

Travel Specialist Julie Mathews flew to the MALDIVES

I have recently returned from an amazing five night trip to the Maldives where I spent a different night on each island. The whole experience was absolutely wonderful – the only downside was I didn’t have enough time! I’m already planning to go back and see some of the other islands. My highlight has to be the fascinating marine life; on one snorkelling trip I was lucky enough to see a whale shark! All the other snorkelling was fantastic – and it’s a must for divers. The trip was a great mix of luxury hotels, fabulous food and beautiful beaches. My two favourite hotels were Kanuhura and Coco Palm Bodu Hithi.

The idyllic beach and water villas at Kanuhura

Pilgrimage Temple Pura Tanah Lot

General Manager Matthew Rushbrooke travelled to BALI

I’ve just been to Bali for the fourth time, and I decided not only to take my daughter but the in-laws too! Everyone had a fantastic time because there was so much to do and the weather was gorgeous. My highlights were zip-wiring through the jungle at the Bali Treetops Adventure Park and gazing at the lovely Tanah Lot temple at sunset, it simply stunning (and very romantic!) – also don’t miss seeing the traditional Kecak dance in Uluwatu.

Travel Specialist Ricky Coates visited BORNEO

From the moment I arrived on the island of Borneo, I knew I’d arrived somewhere different. It has a really unique blend of culture, history and modern life. The whole island is rugged and remote, and a real must-see is the orang-utan rehabilitation centre at Shangri-La Rasa Ria. I also really enjoyed bartering in the night market in Kota Kinabalu and looking around the fish market on a Sunday.

Orang Utan in Borneo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Strictly Come Dancings Bruno Tonioli’s Perfect Holiday with Western & Oriental

On the day his book, My Story, launches our favourite Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli tells us about what makes his perfect holiday.

Freshly tanned, having just returned from a holiday in Mauritius with Western & Oriental and with his autobiography My Story hitting the shelves this week, we caught up with Strictly judge Bruno.  Just a few weeks ago Bruno was kicking back at one of our favourite spots in Mauritius, taking some time out before the launch of his book and before he jumps back onto the crazy schedule of appearing on Strictly and it’s US equivalent in Los Angeles – Dancing with the Stars.

Bruno stayed at the dreamy Lux* Le Morne in Mauritius where he indulged in his love of tropical islands and understated luxury.

What elements of a holiday score highly with you?

Although I spend much of the year jumping on planes between London and Los Angeles I only jet off for a holiday twice a year – at Christmas and in August normally. So I absolutely love arriving somewhere knowing I have more than a few days there. To wake up in a tropical place where I can crawl to a white sand beach backed by palm trees, eat good food and have everything available in a relaxed setting is my idea of a holiday. Lux* Le Morne was perfect and I will definitely be returning. It ticked so many boxes – the service was spot on, I don’t like being fussed over and for me a hotel that looks after you without you actually noticing that you are being looked after, gets my vote. I enjoyed the layout of the hotel – it provided privacy and peace yet offered access to facilities I enjoy – a gym for my morning work out, free WIFI (this alone gives a hotel six stars in my book. It is outrageous that any hotels still have the cheek to charge!), a huge wide screen TV in my room, professional and friendly staff and treats such as massages.

The dreamy Lux Le Morne in Mauritius

White sand beach backed by palm trees

As a man who divides his time between London and LA do you have any tips to minimise jet lag?

Not new advice but one that works for me – as soon as you take off adjust your watch to the time of your destination. When I am flying west (to LA) I prefer a day flight and to sleep on arrival. Flying east I find a night flight works better and sleep all the way from Los Angeles to London.

Where would you like to go next – any dream destinations?

I have always fancied the South Pacific – Bora Bora, Tahiti, Hawaii (Len tells me it is lovely) with a stop off to look around New Zealand perhaps.

When you crave a bit of culture where do you head?

For city buzz I am lucky in that I get to call London my home and LA my second home. I don’t think you can beat London for culture and shopping.  However Bologna, the area I am from in Northern Italy and Paris are rich in culture and places I love to spend time. To indulge my love of food and history it has to be Scilly – the Grand Hotel Taormina is one of my absolute favourites – the location is spectacular and it is another place that gets the balance of great service with a really relaxed welcoming feeling just right.

Bruno Tonioli - My Story

Bruno Tonioli’s new book My Story is out today, published by Headline with a RRP of £20.

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.