Tag: "Mauritius Holidays"

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.

Taste the Flavours of Mauritius in Grandma’s Kitchen!

The beautiful Shanti Maurice in Mauritius is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens with breathtaking views of the hills and the Indian Ocean. In addition to the rejuvenating  amenities of this fantastic five-star resort, Shanti Maurice is also known for the unique culinary experiences it offers. Ingredients come fresh from the ocean, the resort’s gardens or nearby farms, so fresh local produce and imaginative menu choices are the order of the day.

Always at the forefront of innovation in hospitality, Shanti Maurice has recently introduced a new eatery concept which combines home-cooked meals with the essence of a five-star dining palate. On November 2011, Shanti Maurice was also awarded with the prestigious ‘Best Initiative in Clients Experience’ Award by Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2011, for the ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ experience.

This culinary option invites guest to dine with one of the resort’s favourite team members who prepares and serves her own individual creations of decadence. “Grandma”, is the grandmother of Rimala, the General Manager Paul Van Frank’s assistant, and the venue where Grandma cooks and receives the guest is at their family home.

As a lover of the art of food, Grandma handpicks fresh ingredients daily, guaranteeing that you will have the healthiest, but tastiest selection of options.

Grandma Purchasing Fruits & Vegetables

Her specialities encompass a wide variety of dishes including a fish curry, honey lamb with cinnamon, and a thick soy and ginger sauce. If guests are in the mood for a refreshing sweet treat, she will offer you a pineapple bomb consisting of locally grown fruit, sugar and eggs topped with cream.

Grandma Cooking Food

The importance of Grandma’s Kitchen as a culinary experience is not simply about the food, but also about creating an ‘at home’ atmosphere. During dinner, guests sit around a communal table as Grandma shares stories about her life and passion for cooking.

Grandma's Family & Guests

At the end of the meal, you will receive a mini cookbook that includes some of Grandma’s handwritten recipes and secret cooking tips.

Although your holiday in Mauritius will eventually end, this unique memory of dining in Grandma’s kitchen on your luxurious Mauritius holiday will without a doubt last a lifetime.

Worlds Most Difficult Jigsaw Puzzles

Everyone has one of those embarrassing hobbies that they don’t like people to find out about, varying from collecting random items to doing jigsaw puzzles (don’t deny it!). Speaking of jigsaw puzzles, did you know that they are used to help find balance in the mind and to bring a sense of control back to an overworked brain? Is this one of the reasons why you go on holiday? Well, how about taking a puzzle on holiday so that you can bring a sense of relief to life’s many challenges to help pass your time or keep the children entertained.

With this in mind it made me wonder…what is the largest jigsaw puzzle out there? It turns out there is a 32,000 piece puzzle which was released in September 2010 that has broken the recorded, which when completed is approx 17.8ft by 6.2ft and shown below. I think that it may drive people mad and most wouldn’t have the space for something that big!

32,000 Piece Puzzle

Image by Ravensburger

I must admit, I don’t find that image the most inspiring. But I did wonder about the most difficult scenery you could have as a puzzle? Just because they are huge, doesn’t necessarily make them as difficult and time consuming, whereas maybe an image of sand or possibly even snow could be more difficult. I am yet to see one of these but do you think you could complete this? Would you ever go on holiday, take a photograph and make a huge puzzle out of it?

How about take a photograph of the golden sand under your feet whilst you are watching the sun set on a deserted beach on a Mauritius holiday?

Golden Sand

A photograph of fresh snow on the ground whilst skiing in the Alps?

Cool Blue Snow

Plain colours will be far too boring but I’m sure very difficult!  I’m sure there are some incredible photographs which you could take of terraced rice fields on a Bali holiday or paddy fields in India. Imagine trying to get your head around this puzzle::

Lush Green Rice Field

How about a puzzle of the longest river and the largest tropical rainforest in the world?

The Amazon Rainforest

Some may perceive it as a slightly geeky thing to do, but if it’s good for the brain I’m not going to complain!

What do you think would be the most difficult puzzle to do?