Tag: "City Breaks"

From Las Vegas to White Stallion Ranch

Rachael Wilford from Designer Travel writes about her fantastic experience on a fam trip with Western & Oriental.

I have just returned from the most incredible fam trip with Western & Oriental.  Our small group met at the Virgin ticket desk and were ushered into the Virgin Business lounge where we all immediately bonded – you would have thought we had known each other for years and it was so relaxed!  Relaxed is how the trip remained and that was all down to Donna, Western & Oriental’s Head of Operations, who arranged everything and wanted us to have a true experience of Las Vegas as well as enjoy the most amazing ranch in Tucson Arizona.

We had two fabulous nights in Las Vegas and packed so much in from gambling, dining out and shopping to seeing  the most wonderful show at the Wynn Hotel – Le Reve – The Dream, which I will personally never forget.  We stayed at the five star Mandarin Oriental Hotel which was in a great location at the top of the strip with superb staff but no casino!

We then flew on to Tucson for 3 nights and stayed at The White Stallion Ranch. When we arrived it was just breathtaking.  The ranch was situated in a beautiful location on the edge of a desert at the foot of the mountains surrounded by cacti.  We were given a warm welcome by this family-run ranch and we had the most wonderful time riding as much as we liked and  relaxing as much as we wanted by the pool.

All the guests staying there were so friendly and the ranch was so well run and  superbly organised.  The horses were really well cared for and so good natured.  We met one lady from California who had fallen in love with one of the horses and she returns 12 days every month to spend time with him ……… that says it all!

I have to say this trip was the most wonderful experience and spending five wonderful days with such a lovely group of ladies was just amazing!

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

The Dream Downtown in New York

New York City is forever coming out with quirkier and more unique hotels with hoteliers trying desperately to outdo one another with flair and character. The Dream Downtown is one of those hotels.

Located on West 16^th Street, only a few blocks from Union Square and the fashionable West Village, the Dream Downtown’s most unusual feature is the large oversized porthole windows left over from when the building used to be maritime offices. It gives a feeling of being on a boat or a submarine if it wasn’t for the spectacular views of the city. These views are at their best from the rooftop lounge, PHD which serves delicious cocktails like Linda’s Lemonade and Dream Girl with bits and bites. The bar opens at 5pm making it a perfect viewing point for the sunset and becomes the place to party as the night progresses.

The opening of the High Line last year and its much anticipated expansion is making this area of Manhattan the up and coming neighbourhood to be in and as the local park, you can often find many New Yorkers relaxing on one of the architecturally designed benches that blend discreetly into the design.

Away from the tourist hotspots of Times Square, the neighbourhood is pulsating with New Yorkers going about their day to day lives. Fashionable shops keep the streets active during the day while popular restaurants and bars cause the streets to come alive at night with activity. See our selection of New York city breaks here.

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:

CLOSED: Enter Our Family Photo Competition

We are pleased to announce the winners of our photo competition:

Grand Prize-Kenny Mackie

My son building sandcastle on Balmedie Beach, Aberdee. Uploaded by Kenny Mackie

Runner-up – Lorna Garratt

A fun day out with my family visiting the local sights. Uploaded by Lorna Garratt

Runner-up – Krisztina  Lencses

Me and my family enjoyed a few days in a beautiful place in the Easter holidays. Uploaded by Krisztina Lencses

Congratulations our winners and thanks to everyone for your participation!

CLOSED: Win an 8 night family holiday for four to amazing Thailand

Thailand is the ideal location for a fun-filled, active and cultural luxury family holiday with plenty to do for children (and parents!) of all ages, and Western & Oriental have teamed up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Four Seasons Resorts and Thai Airways to bring you an exciting photo competition for your chance to win a first prize of an outstanding family holiday! The prize includes four nights stay at the 5* Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and four nights at the 5* Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui for two adults and two children, including flights with Thai Airways. Two runners up will each win a special prize from one of our family specialist partners.

How To Enter?

For your chance to win, enter our photo competition by emailing us your best family holiday photos to blog@wandotravel.com  and include your name, address, telephone number and a description of your family photo. You can send us anything from the kids building sand castles, splashing in the pool, to photos of you all trekking through a jungle or even riding on camels. The list is endless! We will then upload your photos here and onto our Facebook page so that you can view your photo along side other pictures in the competition.

Western & Oriental and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will choose the best family holiday photos and announce the winners within seven days of the closing date of the competition. The competition closes at 16:00 GMT on 18th November 2011; open to UK and Eire residents only. Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply (see below). Good luck!

View our latest competition photos below & good luck!

My son Andrew spots me taking his picture as he watches the ocean.Uploaded by Charlotte Norman

 

My wife and son Christopher swing across the adventure canyon in the hot sun. Uploaded by Michael Mayer

 

My nephew steven enjoys the bouncy ball course on a breezy afternoon. Uploaded by Sarah O'Neill

 

My three kids leading each other to the shoreline for a look at the waves. Uploaded by Edwin Lee.

 

The most spectacular sunset. Mavisehir, Didim. Turkey. Uploaded by Catherine Simms

 

MY TWO LOVELY BOYS ARE JOINED AT THE HIP AND LOVED PLAYING TOGETHER ON OURHOLIDAY TO SHARM IN EGYPT. Uploaded by Hazel Anna Rigazio

 

This was our last family holiday together good times. Uploaded by Wendy Dalby

 

When we went to the wizarding world of harry potter this summer we just had to stop for some butterbeer. It was delicious.Uploaded by Britnee Hager

 

Me and my children infront of the beach on an evening...whilst the sun was setting. Uploaded by Carla Morris.

 

This picture of my daughter, her friend and my son was taken when the fair travelled into our hometown of Bexhill. Uploaded by Carrie Hanrahan

 

Here is me, mum and my 7 year old son Rhys. We had a fantastic time in Euro Disney and this picture proves you are never too old for the magic Disney offers.Uploaded by Lisa Williams

 

Have fun in Florida with the Dolphins. Uploaded by Ryan Turner.

 

This was taken a few weeks back on the Island of Dominica where my sister in now studying medicine at Ross University School of Medicine. It was taken in Portsmouth, Dominica on our last night together as a family.Uploaded by Sumeet Sharma.

 

At Gatorland in Florida. Uploaded by Glenn Hutton

 

Our 1st trip to the beach, he wasnt too keen on the pebbles but loved the sea. Uploaded by Suneil Bhatia

 

My daughter having fun on the beach. Uploaded by Luisa Connor.

 

This is me and my family swimming with dolphins in Florida a coupld of years ago. It was amazing, even if it was freezing that day! Uploaded by Samantha Byrne

 

Having time of our life on our California holiday and visit in Universal Studios LA!!. Uploaded by Michaela Williams

 

Alice and Lucy enjoying the sunset in Naples, Florida, and watching the Pelicans fly to roost at the pier.

 

My girlfriend feeding the elephants at a waterfall in Koh Samui.Uploaded by Feargal Norton

Having Fun with the Penguins! Uploaded by Mya Turner

My son meets a dolphin. By Lena Payne.

My little girl is flying a kite on her own for the first time. Uploaded by Lena Payne.

My children are having fun together at the beach. Uploaded by Lena Payne.

6 Phrases to remember for a day in Havana

Having been lucky enough to spend a few days in the fascinating Havana, here are the sentences I would recommend to any traveller. With them, you will be sorted from morning until late.

Cuban friend

“Thanks for the tips, mate”

9am: Jamon y queso por favor! (“Ham & Cheese please!”)

To me, these are the best ingredients to add to your scrambled eggs to kick start the day. Most of the hotels actually offer great breakfasts to their guests and with this typical grill, you will easily have enough energy to wonder around Havana until lunchtime.

11am: No fumo, gracias (“I don’t smoke, thanks”)

Even after that, the (never aggressive) person who’s trying to sell you Cohibas, Romeo y Juliettas or any other famous Cuban cigars might insist for you to buy some as a gift, but this will help you smoothly getting rid of at least half of them! Unless you really know about cigars (and fake ones) the safest purchase is at a official retail store (hotel, airport…).

1pm: Donde esta el Malecon? (Where’s the Malecon?)

Don’t miss a stop to see the typical image of Havana with its interesting buildings and monuments, all along the sea, an essential part of your Cuba city break. Get some street food (bocadillos – sandwiches – or pizzas) in the nearby vibrant streets for a quick lunch under the sun and relax later on the terrace of the massive Nacional Hotel, for an after lunch coffee, or cocktail of course.

5pm: Donde esta la terraza? (“Where’s the terrace?”)

To a hotel receptionist.  To get the best views in Havana, roof terraces are the best spots by far. A few hotels in Old Havana offer a bar on top of them (such as Parque Central and Saratoga) from where you can admire the Capital, the Cathedral and all the wonders of the Cuban unique architecture, plus the sea, all of this while enjoying a drink and/or a meal!

8pm.  La Guarida por favor (“La Guarida please”)

To a taxi driver, to be taken to one of the top paladares (family – no state – owned restaurant) in Havana. Dishes are fine, wine is good, and the pictures of celebrities decorating the patio walls let you know the place has to be taken seriously! Dining isn’t that cheap here, but still affordable (at least for tourists). A great dining experience, which is rare in Cuba, in a great atmosphere: not to be missed!

11pm. La misma! (“The same!”)

Head to the Floridita bar, one of  Ernest Hemingway’s favourites , and indulge yourself with a few (or more) expert made cocktails, from the classic Daiquiri, frappé or not, toThe old man and the sea writer ‘s own creation, the well-named Papa Hemingway. Cigars are also available to complete the experience!

Do you recommend any phrases?