Symphony World Travel

Polysensorial Puglia

Fri, 31 May 2019 15:23:00 GMT

We stayed in a beautiful villa located near Spongano a region in the province of Lecce for a week in May.

Abundant olive trees within the gardens and surrounding a large and delightful infinity pool.

After having a couple of days to settle into the villa, we went on a guided walking tour along the coastal paths, an area around Otranto, taking in the scenic views up high on the cliffs of the coast and spotting the amazing wild flowers including the oriental orange poppies. We explored round the Torre Sant’Emiliano enroute to a visit a dairy factory, overlooking the lighthouse of Punta Palascia in the eastern point of Italy.

At the Masseria we were shown the production of Ricotta cheese and tasted a variety of Ricottas particularly sheep Ricotta which I thought had a very milky and creamy texture. By the end of the tour we were completely “cheesed out” and had a long route back to burn off the calories!! En route back we explored an ancient abandoned Masseria taking in the scenic views from the top of the crumbling stairs!

We enjoyed a full and eventful day on the L’Astore Masseria, a family run house and farm where we explored the underground mill used long ago to produce the olive oil.

We also took a tour around the wine cellar to see the wines aging in the barrels. We tasted the olive oil from the region, followed by a demonstration, on making fresh pasta.

The post Polysensorial Puglia appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

GRIZZLIES, EAGLES AND ORCAS A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA.

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:55:00 GMT

I would like to share the most amazing experience I have ever had, this was in British Columbia Canada this June.
We landed at Vancouver, and were whisked to Stanley Park to see the Capilano Suspension Bridge and walked across up and over, all in the tree canopy, lovely and refreshing as it was a boiling hot day.

We were given a tour around Vancouver, taking in the famous historic Gastown with the steaming mini Big Ben clock, Yaletown and Chinatown all on the way to Canada Place and the Habour Walk to Vancouver’s newest attraction ‘Flyover Canada’, this is a must experience (tickets purchased in advance is advisable) it’s a virtual audio visual ride across Canada, fabulous, it lasts approximately 30mins.

Next day off to the Harbour and the Seaplane terminal for a flight over to Vancouver Island, Nanaimo where we had a Nanaimo Bar tour (no not alcohol) but famous chocolate tasting. Lunch today was at a place called ‘Cuckoo’, in Coombs a Trattoria and Pizzeria, fantastic food and a lovely atmosphere. On the way to the Comfort Inn Hotel for our one night stay, before the exciting floatplane trip, we stopped en route at Horne Lake and the Caves, popped into Shelter Point Distillery for Whiskey tasting and a hair raising ride by jeep around the estate, all this on top of very potent Whisky. Ooooh!
(Just to add I don’t drink the stuff) Pinot or Sauvignon Blanc is my favourite tipple!

Following morning small soft bag packed and off to the Floatplane which will take us to Knight Inlet.
I can definitely say I’ve been to see the BEARS, Grizzlies and Black, both with their cubs, how cute are they watching them eat mussels from semi submerged jetty posts, sedge grass and berries, all was fascinating, Bald Eagles swooping around and fishing to feed their young ones, which we all witnessed, amazing. Pods of Ocra Whales, awesome. In August when the Salmon start running, apparently this is a must not to be missed, not just the fish fighting to get up stream but the bears trying to catch them and of course the cubs having to learn the technic as well.

We arrived at this very special, Knights Inlet Lodge, (Harrison Ford eat your heart out) by the 12 x seater floatplane, there is no other way in or out it, it takes approximately 25mins flying over stunning scenery from Tyee Spit the ‘floatplane base’, Campbell River. Knight Inlet is a unique floating lodge, located in the region of British Columbia known as the Great Bear Rainforest. You can borrow wellies, binoculars, walking poles, life jackets or vests, windproof jackets all sizes available and all included in the cost. The food is delicious, there is a free bottle of wine on your table every night both red and white, the dining is buffet style and home cooked on the premises there are a choice of three dishes every night and the same for lunch, a quiet room where, on some evenings after dinner there are talks on varying tropical wildlife.

On our return to Victoria by coach we stopped at some wonderful properties en route. Butchart Gardens is a must visit, not just for the avid gardener but for the ambience and the fragrances that fill the air. The Tea Room for your afternoon tea is simply lovely.

On leaving Victoria Island we took the car Ferry back to Tsawwassenmain Ferry Terminal on the main land. The scenery is breath takingly beautiful as we pass mountains and inlets, spot Sea Lions popping their heads up, you have to be quick, they are very fast, also birds of prey circling freely to catch a fish.

Last day, going back to the UK now, so sad to be leaving this wonderful Country.

Bye, Bye British Columbia and thank you.

Contact Jan@symphonyworld travel.com

The post GRIZZLIES, EAGLES AND ORCAS A WILDLIFE ADVENTURE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA. appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Croatia

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:50:00 GMT

Our very own June travelled to Croatia on her own holiday and May and loved it – here’s what she had to say…

Arrived in Split for 3 nights, lovely city. Also did day trip to the Kika National Park which was stunning. You can walk across the boardwalks over streams and watch the cascading waterfalls. A truly beautiful day our finished with a relaxing boat ride.

On the way to Dubrovnik we crossed the border into Bosnia to tie in a visit to Mostar. Wonderful old town with lots of history attached. Continued onto our base for 4 nights just a few kilometres outside the old city of Dubrovnik on the Babinkuk Peninsula. A lovely haven at the end of a day of sightseeing and you can hop on a bus which will take you into the old town in 10 minutes. Finished off the week with a lovely short boat ride to Cartat and a day trip into beautiful Montenegro.

The only regret is not having visited this beautiful area before. You won’t be disappointed.

The post Croatia appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Japan

Wed, 10 May 2017 12:54:00 GMT

My journey began in Tokyo, the most exciting metropolis in Asia where traditions from centuries past exist side by side with the ever –moving elements of the latest in urban culture that radiate their own special heat and energy. Most of the clichés are true. Tokyo in my impression is neon-wrapped, a hectic playground where trains are never late, vending machines are everywhere and food doesn’t always lie still on your plate, but amid the bright signs and adverts there is also a Zen-like calm, often just a few steps away from the chaos.

It only took me just under 3 hours on the 200 mph bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan an area spared from the air raids of WW2. On my journey, I visited Hakone, an area of natural beauty and a UNESCO site, and then enjoyed the spectacular view of Mt Fuji, Japan’s spiritual home from Hakone ropeway. The mountain is covered in snow most of the year, with the official climbing season limited from early July to mid September. The climb was worthwhile but not easy, as a saying goes “There are two kinds of fools, those that never climb Fuji and those that climb it twice.”

Later that day, I reached Kyoto, the ancient capital for 1,200 years. Kyoto has numerous shrines, temples, palaces and villas, repositories of Japan’s long history, while up in the low mountains that enclose the city small villages huddle under forested slopes, offering fascinating glimpses of rural life. You can still find geishas in the old Gion district, kimono weavers, sake breweries and numerous craftsmen and storekeepers who are still carefully maintaining the old ways and keeping alive the flame of Japan’s traditional culture.

While I was in Kyoto, I also took a trip to Nara, visiting its scenic parks, historic temples and museums. As a solo traveller, I felt really safe, including all my journeys on the highly efficient public transport. It was not unusual to see children riding alone on the subway and trains, some would even use this time to catch some sleep. I also learnt that when belongings were lost, they were returned intact the very next day.

As I travelled further south I found myself in Hiroshima, a city remerged from the atomic bombing, the peace flame burns in front of the memorial cenotaph, never to be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are abolished. A short distance from Hiroshima is the beautiful island of Miyajima, home to the Itsukushima shrine a must see for all, standing alone in the sea. This Shinto shrine is a world heritage site and is known as one of the ‘three views of Japan’.

Miyajima Island is a romantic place, as many couples enjoyed staying the night at one of the islands’ ryokans, a traditional Japanese Inn. Numerous superb hot spring resorts, known as ‘onsens’ are in fact ryokans built on the site of a hot spring. There are about 55,000 ryokans in Japan, a standard room in a ryokan, like the one I stayed in, will usually contain an undivided room floored with tatami matting, while sleeping on a ‘futon’ bedding laid out by maids. I was served with a traditional evening meal and breakfast to set me up for the day ahead.

My final stop was time spent on the beautiful island of Okinawa, where I took the opportunity to relax on one of its many beautiful beaches, and snorkel to see the sub tropical coral reefs under the clear emerald sea. There are more than 150 islands stretching a chain of 250 miles in the Ryukyu Islands. Environmental awareness is extremely important to these islands. During my time on Okinawa I saw no litter or bins as litter is taken home to process. This is an exact example of the remarkable social cohesion that Japan enjoys intertwined with its heart warming hospitality and makes it such a pleasant place to live and to visit. Japan awaits you…

Japan
Just in case if you are curious about the geeky information about Japan, here some facts I learnt from this trip.
Open a world map and you will see the extensive Asia/ Pacific region. Almost at the very centre you will see the Japanese archipelago stretching north to south along the edge of the Asian continent. Japan has lured untold number of adventurers since Marco Polo first introduced it to the world back in the 13th century as “Zipangu- the Land of Gold”.
Though the Japan of today may not be a land of gold, the “Neo Zipangu” does possess powerful and magnet-like attractions: great cultural variety, colourful and inspiring natural attractions beautifully interwoven by four distinct seasonal changes, not to mention the overflowing hospitality of its people.

As such Japan has recovered from the natural disasters of 2011 and is vigorously gaining in popularity as a tourist destination again which anyone can enjoy on a reasonable budget and with a sense of complete security.
This is where the past literally greets the future. This is where they both mingle. Japan has a long history of absorbing advanced cultures from ancient times through the middle ages. Later it began to assimilate elements of western civilisation from the latter half of the 19th century. Though these influences, the country has added rich new dimensions and depth to its indigenous culture. This marvellous harmony between the refinements of everything ‘Oriental’ blended with leading edge technology and the urban lifestyle you find in Japan today is truly proof of its long and eloquent history.

How is the weather like in Japan?
No other country has the contrasting seasons that Japan enjoys.
If you are undecided when to visit Japan, spring is spectacular when the plum and cherry blossom trees burst into bloom, from the first days of February when the plum blossoms debut in Okinawa to the last days of May, when the last cherry blossoms fall from the trees of northern Japan. Spring is a time of rebirth in the name of nature and human celebration throughout the land with numerous flower festivals being held everywhere. Spring is one of the most popular times to travel and planning and booking early is imperative.

Summer is the playtime in the land of nature, a season of rice planting and total greenery. Summer is a season for visiting Mt Fuji, enjoying the fireworks almost every night and the large scale festivals that will linger through into September, but by October Japan is enjoying the crisp cooler days of its distinct autumn. Autumn brings swirls of changing leaves, vivid hues of crimson, gold, bronze and yellow that paint the hills and mountainsides in carpets of colour, a wonderful time to visit. The Momji maple tree turning a blazing red is not to be missed. Winter offers not only snowfall a skier’s paradise but sunshine and blue skies as well as cheaper prices and a quieter time to travel.

The post Japan appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Cuba a country that steals your soul!

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:09:00 GMT

This September our family took a fascinating trip to a country steeped in history and somewhat stuck in a time warp, the Caribbean island of Cuba.

Havana Cuba’s capital city is vibrant, exciting and chaotic. We spent 2 nights right in the centre in one of the city’s oldest colonial hotels. On arrival we were immediately drawn to a salsa/jazz group of beautiful women, entertaining the hotel guests at the lobby bar. Fantastic! This theme of live music was with us throughout our stay in Cuba. In fact everywhere we went, every lunch and dinner there was a mariachi band to entertain us. The music was so good, and the performers all so charming, we came back with quite a few CD’s!

Havana is a cultural melting pot, fascinating in its colonial grandeur, beautiful architecture and in the diversity of its citizen.Every street seems to have a story to tell and of course there are those gorgeous cars of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Rows of parked Cadillacs, Chevrolets and other models, for hire as taxis, create a rainbow of colour at street level, a sight that any lover of classic cars will not forget.

Trinidad, our next stopover, is beautiful colonial town steeped in grandeur, with many of its buildings adorned with French chandeliers and Italian frescoes. We stayed in a beautifully restored colonial palace, situated on the Plaza Major and from our balcony we had clear view over the square and Cuban life being played out there. A visit to the We took a drive in a 1957 Fairlane Convertible to a public beach not far from Trinidad and enjoyed the best Mojito whilst strolling along this lovely stretch of soft sand.

The port city of Cienfuegos was next for one night. Having been occupied by French immigrants from Bordeaux and Louisiana, it felt more ‘French’ than ‘Spanish’ with its sprawling boulevards. But once again there is beautiful architecture to behold. We especially loved the Tomas Terry Theatre National Monument right in the centre of the city.

Our final stop was in Viñales, to the far west of Cuba. Viñales, a traditional Cuban town has a warm and friendly vibe about it, staying in a Casa Particular (Cuba’s equivalent to a B & B) we felt totally at home. From here we visited the Indian caves, a wonderful large network of caves, with great stalagmites and stalactites, and an Indian Village. Sad to be leaving we spent our last evening in a small bar across the street from our residence. With its exposed dance floor in the centre, this bar produced the most potent Mojitos,and wonderful entertainment. We listened to some amazing live music, watched some beautiful dancers and when invited to join them, I was in Salsa heaven!

Cuba is an intoxicating place, just can’t wait to go back again!

By Lucia Raffaini

The post Cuba a country that steals your soul! appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

“Brilliant, we finally get to see the Colosseum”

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 14:32:00 GMT

“Rome!” The children chorused when we told them where we were going on our summer holiday. “Brilliant, we finally get to see the Colosseum”. At the tender ages of eleven and nine, our two were finally going to fulfill a lifelong ambition to visit the eternal city and one of the greatest archeological and historical sites in the world. They don’t know how lucky they are.

We stayed at the four star Ariston Hotel, which is located opposite it’s more traditional sister, Hotel Morgana, and near Rome’s main Termini railway station. The area is busy and vibrant and whilst not the most beautiful area of Rome is ideally situated to enable walking to every main site in the city. Vatican City, however, is a short taxi ride away across the river. The Ariston and Morgana belong to the same group as The Inn at the Spanish Steps and the Inn at the Roman Forum – as such the element of excellent service runs through both hotels and nothing is too much trouble for the friendly and accommodating staff. A cosy bar and the breakfast restaurant serve the hotel perfectly and many of Rome’s abundant restaurants are a hop, skip and a jump away. The rooms at the Ariston are contemporary and roomy – we had a family room with accommodation split by the bathroom. It was perfect for a family stay in a city centre hotel allowing the whole family to be together but with enough space to ensure we weren’t on top of each other.

We wanted to cram in as much in as we could during our two days in Rome so we did not stop and the city did not disappoint as a cultural and fun family destination. We knew we had a week by Lake Bracciano, just north of the city, to enjoy some r and r after our city break so we made the most of our time. First stop, Vatican City!

We knew the Vatican would be a lot to take in for our two children so we decided to book a private tour guide. We were recommended and recruited the expertise of Nicole Ciceroni – a native Roman, historian and archaeologist. She is amazing – not only did she pace the tour perfectly, gauging everyone’s interest and energy levels (on a searing hot day) she pulled out every interesting fact possible to engage and interest the children and even stopped for a drink exactly at the right moment! The Vatican is fascinating – an historic and archeological masterpiece – and you could spend hours there. Nicole guided us perfectly and enabled us to make the most of our Vatican experience. Did you know that Michelangelo had a little dog that he painted into many of his frescos, including some in the Sistine Chapel?

The Colosseum did not disappoint and after a self guided tour with handy handsets and lots of discussion about some of the more gruesome of historic facts we moved onto the Roman Forum. From up above it was fascinating to see the layout of the old city and to imagine the hustle and bustle that went on there 1000s of years ago. For the first time, the children were able to visualise history and gauge some idea of the magnitude of the Roman civilisation.

Rome is a great walking city so we enjoyed wandering through the tiny, and larger, streets taking in the architecture, the buzz and of course, many gelatos! Our daughter’s favourite spot was the Trevi Fountain and we were all in awe of the Pantheon and the fact it is still standing – a feat of ancient architecture indeed. We strolled through the Borghese Gardens but weren’t brave enough to let ourselves loose on a Segway! We peeked at the Inn at the Spanish Steps and its boutique Via de Condotti location – sadly there was no room for us but retreating back to the tranquillity of the Ariston was extremely welcome after a long, hot day of exploration.

Rome is a fabulous city for any age to explore – we did not cover everything although we certainly tried our best and would certainly love to return. For more information on any of the hotels or visiting Rome, please get in touch.

Useful links:
www.workham.com
http://www.nicolerometours.com/

The post “Brilliant, we finally get to see the Colosseum” appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

An amazing break, in the sun

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:40:00 GMT

I travelled with my family to Marrakech for a 4 night sunshine break. The friendly airport Staff, including the cleaners, made us feels very welcome. Which dismissed all worries of such a different culture to ours?

Our bags arrived quickly and the driver was waiting.

After 10 minutes in the car we arrived at the hotel, it was so beautiful and clean and spacious. The staff spoke perfect English and helped all our needs. Our first vision was the amazing large pool in the shape of a crescent with beds immersed in the water, with easy slopes to access it.

The following day we hired a guide who took us around four Temples, a market and the amazing gardens of Yves Saint Laurent, the president’s house and where his 4 legal wives lived.

All the floors were of colourful tiles with their wooden ceilings carved out in very intricate detail. The visit to the market and souks were so fascinating and colourful. We had a talk about how they make Argon oil and all the herbs and their needs. We would never need a Doctor again. We visited a carpet weaver where we saw beautiful rugs in all sizes.

We strolled through parks with Mosques and all the beauty of flowers and shrubs.

As we walked around the market amongst the sellers, the snake charmers and the Henna stall. The sun shone all the time with clear Blue clear Sky.

On the way back to the hotel we noticed many lovely hotels and restaurants along the road, including the Buddha Bar, a fantastic bar and night club.

All the restaurants had shades protecting you from sunlight and water sprays for cooling you down. The selection of non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails were mouth-watering.

The sun always shines in Marrakech.

By Sue Dow

The post An amazing break, in the sun appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Our visit to Portugal

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 08:57:00 GMT

This year for a change from the more traditional summer destination of the Algarve, we decided to visit the north of Portugal.

We booked to stay in Viana do Castelo, an elegant seaside resort situated at the mouth of the River Lima. It is 1/2 hr from Porto and only 3.5hrs from Lisbon. Santiago de Compostela is only 2hrs drive away, which is ideal for a day trip.

Set high in the hills overlooking the town is the Basilica de Santa Luzia and just behind it is the Pousada Viana do Castelo a very elegant hotel. Our room had stunning views of the city, the estuary and far beyond. I think on a clear day you could possibly see Porto!

We had a lovely time, food and drinks are definitely not to be missed and neither is the white port!! Synonymous with Portugal!!

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a different type of holiday away from the madding crowd.

One thing that struck us most is how clean the place is and how friendly the people are.

The post Our visit to Portugal appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

I have been to the Top of The World – well very nearly.

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 08:54:00 GMT

I have been to the Top of The World – well very nearly.

My journey began at Heathrow terminal 3 flying out to Kathmandu ‘Nepal’ with Qatar Airways via Doha, a comfortable flight on a fantastic Airline.

Whilst the airport at Nepal is rather chaotic, the ground handlers were pleasant and efficient and I was duly whisked away to my first hotel, The Himalaya, for one night stopover, for a much needed good night’s sleep.

The next day we made our way to the Chitwan National Park, via the Manakamana Cable Car. Fabulous views from this cable car ride, with a wonderful surprise at the top. Stepping out into a buzzing, very colourful, incense burning air filled village. And the honey coated waffles from the street seller were delicious. After our descent we went on to Tiger Lodge for two nights.

The Lodge is on the edge of the forest, it’s accommodation, although basic, (with occasional hit and miss electrics,) the home cooked food was fantastic. The safari was wonderful, but unfortunately I didn’t see a Tiger. The Nepalese say of the Tigers ‘you may not have seen me, but you can be sure I’ve seen you’!

I was sad to leave the peace and quiet of this tranquil place, but my next stop, Pokhara was beckoning me.
Our journey was rather long and arduous due to Nepal’s dusty chaotic unmade roads (not unlike some of our potholed riddled roads here in Mole Valley!) After a while we reached a good surfaced road which took us straight into the heart of Pokhara.
It was a clear day with no clouds covering the Annapurna mountain range, part of the Himalayas, which seemed to just pop up straight in front of us, WOW! What a sight.

I arrived at the most beautiful boutique Hotel, The Atithi Resort, for a two nights stay. After checking in I was taken to Lake Phewa, for a very much needed relaxing boat ride, with magnificent views all round.

Early to bed that night as I had 3.45am wake up call the next day ready to go off to World Peace Stupa,. This was a real hike with phenomenal amount of steps to negotiate. But it was definitely worth all the effort, to see the sun pop up behind the Himalayas, is spectacular. Back at the Hotel for breakfast, a lovely young guy washing the hotel floors said to me,”Excuse me, where from you”, I said, “UK” . “Ahhh, Tanzania” he replied. “ No, England” I insisted. “Aahhh, Tanzania”, he said. “Er no, London, England, UK”, said I once more. “Ok, ok, Tanzania,” I gave up and politely excused myself, and headed for breakfast, now with more of an appetite than before! Off again, this time a sightseeing tour of Pokhara city and a surprise for me the manager of Fish Tail Lodge has invited us for lunch. Now this very prestigious Hotel is built on a peninsula, and is situated on the lake with a forest behind, the only access to it is by rope ferry across the Lake. This is where Princess Diana and Prince Charles stayed, the Hotel is featured in the book 1000 places one must see before you die. It really is devastatingly beautiful, the calm waters of the lake mirror the Himalayan Matterhorns. The food and service was exceptionally good as well.

Next day refreshed, we indulged in more sightseeing. This time to Seti Gorge with the underground tunnels, Devi’s falls and caves, I could tell you all about it but it, but this blog would never end, and I could never really do it justice. You need to see it for yourself to really appreciate it all. So come in and see us about booking this wonderful trip.
The next day involved a short drive to Pokhara Domestic Airport to catch the Buddha Air flight back to Kathmandu. This was only a 30 minute flight and an easy transit compared with International arrivals.

The Radisson was my Hotel for the next two nights.

After a fabulous breakfast the next morning, I was taken to visit to the famous Durbar Square and a special visit to Kumari Ghar House, to take a blessing from Kumari the living goddess. She didn’t make an appearance at the window of her house, even after calling for her. She is only 9yrs of age, but seriously protected. Quite fascinating. Then onto a rickety rickshaw ride through Kathmandu streets to Thamel, not for the faint hearted, with motorised vehicles everywhere, coming at you in all directions, although rather exciting!

Kathmandu, is a very colourful, vibrant city with fantastic, pashminas, scarves, bracelets, woollen hats etc, all at great prices.

On the last night I was taken out for a traditional evening meal with folk dancing, wonderful.
Back to the Hotel to pack because after breakfast it’s time to say my goodbye’s and back to the International Airport terminal, homeward bound.

Sadly the effects of last year’s dreadful earthquake are still very much apparent, the clearing up and salvaging of ancient bricks and artefacts are on-going. These happy, polite, very resilient people were a pure delight to have met.

The post I have been to the Top of The World – well very nearly. appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

A stylish stay in Capri!

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 08:41:00 GMT

From the moment we arrived in Capri, it was clear that the weekend would be one of luxury and style. Firstly there was a private yacht waiting to transport us across the bay of Naples, with a taxi waiting on arrival at Capri to take us up to the Piazzetta.

Secondly we did not have to handle our luggage at all. Once we had been met by the company handler at Naples, the luggage was taken by boat and straight to our hotel. Even if you take the funicular railway up from the Marina Grande to the Piazzetta your luggage will still be taken care of for you. Leaving you free to enjoy the trip and views as you travel to the town above.

From the piazza we meandered through the streets passing many gorgeous shops trying very hard not to ‘shop’ before we had even unpacked. A few minutes later we arrived at our destination, the sumptuous 5 star Tiberio Palace Hotel, where we were greeted by smiling, helpful staff.

As soon as you step into The Tiberio Palace you cannot help but be struck by the eclectic décor even the staff are beautifully coordinated in their smart outfits.

The whole place has been lovingly put together and each time you walk around you notice another sculpture or picture that may not have caught sight of the first time. Each of the suites are individually decorated and themed. We were lucky to stay in the Pan Am suite and the top suite plays homage to Sofia Loren.

In keeping with the beautiful surroundings there is a wonderfully relaxing spa with all manner of terrific treatments on offer and the indoor pool with its magnificent sea view is hard to resist. So if you are unlucky with the weather as we were, you can still have a great time by making the most of the hotel and its facilities. The food served in the restaurant is, as you would expect at this luxurious establishment. The menu is filled with interesting and delicious dishes that you will savour and remember for very long time.

As the location of the hotel is so central, it is very easy to wander round the myriad of beautiful shops around the main town of Piazzetta. The only difficulty you may have is in deciding which shops to enter and what to buy. This we can relate from experience as our luggage was delayed for over 36 hours and as we only had our passports and money with us it was an absolute necessity to go shopping! What a delectable chore, in such a delightful setting.

Capri is a magical island with much to see, such as the Grotto Azzurra (Blue Grotto), however due to inclement weather we were unable to sightsee other than visit the town. So another visit to Capri and the Tiberio Palace is a definite must. Hopefully the next time we will have some sunshine and our luggage, although a case half empty so that we can indulge in our love of beautiful Italian designs, and not just of the textile variety.

The post A stylish stay in Capri! appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Latest travel magazine

Thu, 12 May 2016 09:24:00 GMT

Welcome to the latest issue of our regular travel magazine where we hope to entice you with a varied selection of worldwide holiday ideas and destinations. So, why not treat yourself, partner, family or a group of friends to a well-earned break.

Luxury Brochure

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:11:00 GMT

Read our previous Winter 2015 Luxury Magazine – Escape to our favourite places.

Welcome to the latest issue of our regular travel magazine where we hope to entice you with a varied selection of worldwide holiday ideas and destinations to treat yourself, partner, family or a group of friends to a well-earned break.

Click here to read our Winter 2015 Luxury Magazine

You can read our latest Luxury Magazine here

The post Luxury Brochure appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

ROAD TRIP TO VERBIER

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:21:00 GMT

Don’t just fly…take the car and drive!

Our trip began with driving through France on great roads through beautiful countryside. We broke our journey by stopping in
sumptuous Chateaux, drank good bottles of wine and ate delicious meals, the perfect way to relax into the journey to Verbier.
The mountains of Verbier offered us the best walks of our lives. Following a mountain stream from one side of the mountain to another, we watched the water from this babbling stream fall over the edge of a stunning mountain range.

During our walk we were ‘serenaded’ by Swiss cow bells and we ate the best cheese fondue ‘alfresco,’ in the mountain air, this was definitely living!

When our legs couldn’t take us any further, we called the Lodge and a very welcome car and driver came and picked us up. Once back in the beautifully crafted accommodation, the team ensured that we are recharged, both in body and soul, with the best food and refreshed with a wonderful cocktail or glass of Champagne.

We also made the most of the facilities at the Lodge, enjoying Mojito’s in the hot tub, having our aching legs soothed by a great massage, getting hot and even hotter in the steam room and sauna, then cooling off a little in the indoor pool and Jacuzzi.

Let’s not forget how important our sleep is to all of us. Well we had the best night’s sleep! The beds and pillows are so
comfortable they will entice even an insomniac to drift off into a peaceful slumber.
Each morning during breakfast there was much discussion as to what we would do with our day. Verbier offers so much. Lots of fun in the sun, with paragliding, mountain biking, eating and our favourite, driving on those amazing mountain roads!

Don’t just fly….take the car and drive!

■ Anthony Raffaini, Symphony World Travel
Tel: 01737 36 26 26
www.symphonyworldtravel.com

The post ROAD TRIP TO VERBIER appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Sri Lanka

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:15:00 GMT

The journey from Colombo was so interesting, although we were tired from travelling there was so much to see that we did not want to miss a thing by dozing off!

We were being driven in relative comfort in an air conditioned vehicle by our guide who was assigned to us for the duration of our trip. He was so knowledgeable and was continually giving us information on what we saw and he knew every bird of Sri Lanka! We were in awe of the busy capital and the fact that everyone was out shopping at 8pm, the towns and roads were so busy it was like London in rush hour!

Once into the countryside it became quieter and greener. We climbed up into the hills until we reached Kegalle and the beautiful tea plantation that was to be our home for the next 3 nights. Breakfast was not only welcomed by our taste buds but our eyes had a feast of their own, for we had found ourselves in the midst of lush green hills and stunning scenery. The accommodation was great and the staff went out of their way to make us feel at home and tend to our every need. This we discovered is part of the Sri Lankan DNA; they are naturally helpful and gentle.

Our first day’s adventure took us to Kandy, which was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. On route we visited the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, where there are some 4,000 different species of plants, and 10,000 or so trees. All of Sri Lanka’s flora and representative species from around the tropical world are showcased here. Our next stop was the Temple of the Tooth. We arrived in time to witness last ceremony of the day when temple comes to life with pilgrims who come to see Sacred Tooth Relic of the Budda which is held in a small casket within caskets in a special room of this temple.

Our second day was spent at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage first established by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation in 1975 for feeding and providing care and sanctuary to orphaned baby elephants that were found in the wild. Here you get the opportunity to touch and feed baby elephants and you can follow them as they are taken down to the river to bathe. This was both moving and sad as the elephants are shackled but they are well cared for and if left in the wild would have perished. From here we ventured further into the heart of the country and went to Minneria Wildlike Park. The ranger took us around the park for about 4 hours and in this time we saw many wild elephants, deer, birdlife, and a large sloth bear, which we followed for 15 minutes, it was his path after all, why should he make way for us!

The next leg of our journey took us further north to Sigiriya Rock. One of the most valuable and historical monuments of Sri Lanka, the locals look upon it as the Eighth Wonder of the World. A rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level which we climbed, and stood in awe at the magnificent views over Dambulla and Habarane. After an exhausting but magical day we spent the night in a beautiful colonial villa and had dinner outside under the stars. Up early the next day to travel to the Golden Temple and the sacred caves at Dambulla. This is a monastery and temple complex dating back to the 1st century BC, and the first cave is practically that of a 14- metre statue of the Buddha, hewn out of the rock. This has to be seen to be believed. Climbing up to visit these caves we were accompanied by many monkeys, many with babies. It was fun watching them playing and sparing with one another and feeding them with some of the 12 different varieties of bananas that grow in Sri Lanka.

Our final adventure was to be our best. We were taken to Wilpattu National Park near Anuradhapura. This was a smaller and more beautiful, with its lakes and beautiful landscape. It was here that upon entering the park our ranger could see that a baby elephant had been born that night. Within minutes of him discovering this we were fortunate to see this baby elephant, just a few hours old with its mother and other members of the herd. We watched for a while until they slowly hid amongst the trees. As we continued our safari we saw flocks of pelicans and storks at the lakes and in the distance across from the lake we could make out a large herd of elephants at least 150 strong. Making our way back out of the park we came across the baby elephant once again, not too far from before, not able to walk very well, the distance travelled was very short. The poor herd would not be visiting the water hole to cool themselves any time soon.

Sadly the next day we departed for the airport and it began to rain. We had not had any rain and it had been a constant 30 degrees during our stay. However we were happy to see the rain as it meant that the little baby elephant and its family would feel so much better. That cheered us up as we were sad to leave especially as we had not been lucky enough to see a leopard on either safari trip.

Well you know what they say….we shall just have to go back!
■ Anthony, Symphony World Travel

Tel: 01737 36 26 26 www.symphonyworldtravel.com

The post Sri Lanka appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Dangers of internet bookings

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:30:00 GMT

A couple of weeks ago I was planning to visit Sri Lanka on business and mentioned to my husband ‘What are you going to do whilst I am away?’ ‘Why don’t you book somewhere with your friends?’ and left him to it. He and his friends booked a week in Florida ‘a really good deal’ on the internet!

Not surprisingly on his return he told me of his tales of woe. Virgin flights were fine but on arrival at the hotel they did not have the rooms supposedly booked available – it was half term and they wasted half a day finding alternative accommodation!

On finding an alternative hotel themselves after numerous calls, they had to pay the hotel directly and they are still awaiting a refund from the original internet booking!

To make matters worse it was not until a few days later that they realised that their flights were booked for an eight night holiday when they thought they had booked a seven night trip. So more time had to be taken to sort out an extra night as the hotel they were in could not accommodate them and on they moved again.

I can only say that I felt quite smug listening to his tale of woe, and this would never have happened if they had booked through a travel specialist such as myself and the services of Symphony World Travel. To conclude they lost at least at least two days holiday, they may have found themselves on the street the last night, websites cannot be trusted, Symphony World Travel can. I have had a big smile on my face all week!

Next month I will report on my most successful fact finding trip to Sri Lanka.

■ Sherrie, Symphony World Travel Tel: 01737 36 26 26 www.symphonyworldtravel.com

The post Dangers of internet bookings appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Finding Nemo

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:26:00 GMT

The invitation to visit the Red Sea for a few days accompanied by an encouraging “you’ll love it, when you enter the water there are all kinds of colourful fish swimming around you” came on a very rainy, dull day. Instantly four exciting words came to mind “SUN, HEAT, WARM SEAS!” Before I got home I had already started packing!

It all became real when we stepped out of the aircraft in Taba into the dry heat and brilliant sunshine. The scenery on the drive down to Taba Heights through a dry river bed was simply stunning. The weirdly shaped rock and sand formations that we spotted on the way were spectacular.

Taba Heights enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains and the azure waters of the Red Sea. It is perfect for families and golfers who would enjoy playing the 18 hole Championship course at some very favourable rates.

Whilst staying at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel I remembered the advice about the friendly fish and when I could pull myself away from my lovely terrace with the view of the lagoon, I could be found on the pier playing a “Spot the fish!” game or in the sea trying to adjust to the feel of fish swimming around me, they were all over the place! All colours of the rainbow and more! In particular I was approached by a rather large fish with a grey and yellow body and an electric blue very long tail. I was told it is called Sweet Lips! I am still not sure whether that was a joke but in any case it did look like a fish with the effect of Botox!

The drive down to Sharm was very interesting indeed as it showed us a little more of this unusual country. The occasional wild camel crossing the road in front of the coach or just standing there by the side of the road chewing away totally unperturbed added to the atmosphere. Having been told that Sharm has some of the very best beaches for fish spotting I decided to put it to the test as quickly as possible and went back to the beach. In no time at all I spotted a small ray swimming beside me only disturbed by a small deep blue fish with a bright yellow tail. Suddenly it reminded of the most famous fish of them all `NEMO” I really wanted to see a clown fish, when two small flashes of orange shot out from under some coral! I stopped instantly not daring to make the slightest movement and willing them to reappear, suddenly, there were two little clown fish! I was surprised at how small they were. They swam around for a moment and then disappeared. Feeling rather pleased with myself and the world I wondered back to my room at the fabulous Savoy Hotel which I thoroughly recommend. Our evening out was spent in Soho Square. This square is a delightful area of shops, restaurants, ice cream bars and so like the atmosphere of our own Covent Garden!

On sadly leaving this stunning destination, the flight home was spent reflecting the weather, the temperature and the friendliness of the locals. It made me start making plans for a future visit especially as I discovered to my delight that to meet the aquatic locals I don’t even need to take up diving!!

The post Finding Nemo appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

In search of Paddington Bear

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:22:00 GMT

I have been in search of Paddington Bear in deepest darkest Peru of course he’s here in the UK with the Browns’. What I did find though was a fabulous diverse country with heaps of History and of course the famous Inca trail.

We arrived in Lima, which is a big City on the edge of the sea, the City has a lot of History and plenty of restaurants and open spaces, and we stayed in the Miraflores area, which takes approx 45mins from the airport.
A flight to Cusco, set high in the Andes mountains, it has the most beautiful old Spanish colonial buildings, a must to visit is the Monasterio Hotel, all the rooms are different and it is set around a beautiful court yard, visit after dark and the Hotel has a magical ambience.

A full day travelling through the Sacred Valley, following the Urubamba River that meanders through the Andes, we visited the Indian market at Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo.

Train from Ollante to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, it has to be said the scenery is breathtaking, it changes every second as the mountains disappear behind the clouds, the archaeological site is steeped in history, so it is very important one travels with a good Travel Company such as Bales who only employ the very best of guides, and Bales offer the best accommodations to suit ones needs.

Back to Cusco and an overnight stay for an early start by train to Puno, the train the Andean Explorer takes approx 10hrs, not to worry though as the time passes quickly and stops once on route, they have entertainment and excellent food on board, the landscape passing by is wonderful and the amazement of the train passing through the middle of villages with their houses on either side of the tracks.

Lake Titicaca, at Puno is at a higher altitude above sea level than Machu Picchu, weird sensation at this height; the indigenous people of the higher altitudes have one litre more blood in their bodies and larger hearts. The Urus people who live on the floating Islands on Lake Titicaca are extremely friendly, we were shown how the Islands are made out of reeds, incredible how they float. These people wear the national dress all the time, very colourful costumes.

Flight back to Lima and home via Amsterdam

The post In search of Paddington Bear appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

The amazing Northern Lights

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:16:00 GMT

So much more than just a volcano!

I never thought I’d say it but I want to go back!

I have just spent 2nts with Regent Holidays in the most amazing place I have ever visited. Iceland has so much to offer. Of course if you want sunshine, beaches and exotic open air restaurants then I wouldn’t recommend it but if you want the thrill of off road jeep safaris, amazing waterfalls, geo-thermal springs and what I just can’t get over – the spectacular Northern Lights then Iceland is the place for you.

Don’t get me wrong, there are also great restaurants and plenty of nightlife in the way of bars and clubs (the Icelandic’s do know how to party) and I was surprised at how little everything costs. Drinks and meals are similar cost to that of bars and restaurants here in London. People ‘not in the know’ warned me that everything was so expensive so it came as a nice surprise that actually, I could afford to enjoy myself!

Whilst having a meal out on our first night in a lovely Icelandic restaurant in Reykjavik with the tour guide that was taking us out the next day he was informed by his colleagues who had just returned from the glacier that the ‘lights’ were really shining and in full colour that night so Ragner our guide decided to take us up to the glacier by jeep (just a 15 mile journey) to see them.

So, dressed in high heels we all piled into the jeep and off we went. I must admit I was a little sceptical on the journey as I’ve heard all these stories of people hunting for days to see these famous lights and coming away disappointed. By now it’s midnight, I’d been up since 5am to get the flight and I was thinking all I want to do is snuggle up in bed. The driver was so enthusiastic and certain that we were about to witness something amazing!

The post The amazing Northern Lights appeared first on Symphony World Travel .

Tauck River Cruise

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 11:22:00 GMT

Over Easter I went with a friend on a Tauck River Cruise on the Seine from Paris to the D-Day Beaches and back.

It was so easy, Eurostar from St Pancras and met from the Gare Du Nord by a lovely really ‘dishy’ Frenchman and transferred to the Pullman Hotel, which is situated at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Perfect location for two adventurous ladies. That evening dinner was by your own arrangement, so we set off looking for an eatery. We stumbled upon a fabulous little French Restaurant, heaven knows where but it was everything we expected from a Parisian Bistro.

The next day we had a choice to either visit Versailles or Montmartre before boarding the boat, we choose Montmartre as we had both been to Versailles.That afternoon we embarked MS Swiss Sapphire, our home for the next 7 nights.

On board we were shown our cabin which was super and completely exceeded our expectations of a cabin on a River boat. A large floor to ceiling picture window and a French balcony, the perfect spot to sit and watch the countryside roll past in a comfy dressing gown. The bathroom was larger than we imagined with lots of storage space, always needed when two ladies travel and the wonderful Molton Brown products which were replenished daily.

For my friend and I the benefits of All Inclusive far exceeded what we imagined. All drink including, fine wines from the local regions, every spirit you can imagine and my favourite, a cold glass of champagne were all available at any time of the day. To enjoy dinner without the awkwardness of who would be buying the wine made for a very sociable time. One of many nice little touches was the Sommelier offering recommended wines to compliment the evening meals.

I have to admit we were hard pushed to spend money on anything, other than the little keep sakes to take back to the Grandchildren! All of the excursions including our highlight; a private dinner in one of the most beautifully appointed Chateaus I have ever seen, were all included as were the gratuities for all staff and guides. The ship had a number of bikes which any guest could use. I dragged my friend out on one in Rouen, the footpath is quite long so of course once you’re off you forget you have to come back, well the next day I felt awful my friend couldn’t move or get out of bed, poor soul. The staff were great fun and amazingly remembered what your favourite drinks were. Nothing was too much trouble and the service was fantastic. The knowledge, passion and experience offered by the staff and guides was extraordinary.

We had a great time and I would have no hesitation in recommending Tauck Tours, this is an ideal way of visiting more than one destination at once. To find out more about Tauck and Crystal Cruises please call us for complimentary tickets to our Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 2nd June at Juniper Hall, situated at the foot of Boxhill between 3-5pm.

■ Sao, Symphony World Travel
Tel: 01737 36 26 26
www.symphonyworldtravel.com

The post Tauck River Cruise appeared first on Symphony World Travel .