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Special feature: Elounda Solfez Villas, Elounda, Crete

By Paul Johnson on Jan 08, 2010 in Accommodation, Europe, Family Travel, Greece, Leisure Travel, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

Last October we were honoured to be the first guests ever to stay at the newly opened Elounda Solfez Villas. Situated high upon a hillside overlooking Elounda, this small group of properties raises the bar on self-catering accommodation to an entirely new level and comes with a stunning view over the whole of the Bay

Special feature: Blue Palace Resort & Spa, Crete

By Paul Johnson on Dec 19, 2009 in Accommodation, Bars, Business Travel, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Greece, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

In October we had the pleasure of staying at the Blue Palace Resort & Spa near Elounda on the Greek island of Crete. Since we arrived quite late in the evening, it wasn’t until morning that we could appreciate the full beauty of the resort’s position with its stunning view of the island of Spinalonga,

Special feature: Gwel an Mor, Cornwall, UK

By Paul Johnson on Dec 18, 2009 in Accommodation, Attractions, Bars, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

Last summer we enjoyed a very relaxing week at the five star Gwel an Mor resort on the outskirts of Portreath in mid Cornwall. After a pleasant welcome, we settled into lodge number 40, also known as ‘Tehidy’. All the lodges are named after the local area and Tehidy Country Park is a 250-acre estate

Special feature: Le Grand Cirque Fantazie

By Paul Johnson on Jun 06, 2009 in Europe, Events, Regions, Special Features, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Videos, Western Europe

This afternoon we went to the Liverpool Empire Theatre to see the acrobatic production, Le Grand Cirque Fantazie. It was billed as one of the most exciting shows we will ever see, and we certainly weren’t disappointed. Le Grand Cirque has had sold-out shows all over the world and has played to over 10 million

Special feature: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, South Africa

By Judy Johnson on Mar 17, 2009 in Accommodation, Africa, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Special Features, Travel Miscellany

My husband and I were indeed fortunate and privileged to stay for three nights at Bushmans Kloof. I had been hankering to stay there for many years as I had heard much about it and it certainly did not disappoint us in any way. The beauty of the site is breathtaking – so

Special feature: The Travelwrap

By Paul Johnson on Mar 12, 2009 in Accessories, Clothing, Special Features, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Equipment, Travel Miscellany

The Travelwrap from The Travelwrap Company arrived at A Luxury Travel Blog HQ this week. This company offers the perfect travelling companion in the form of their original, contemporary, Scottish-knitted cashmere Travelwraps. So soft and luxurious, they are made from the finest cashmere: the company spent a long time finding the right mill to do

Special feature: Royal Garden Villas, La Caleta, Tenerife

By Paul Johnson on Mar 05, 2009 in Accommodation, Europe, Family Travel, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Spain, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Vacation Rentals, Western Europe

I am just back from a one-week stay with my family at the fabulous Royal Garden Villas situated on the outskirts of Adeje, Tenerife. Even before our visit, I knew this place would be special; afterall, you don’t achieve a #1 Tripadvisor status across the entire island without good reason. The property is owned

Special feature: Lato Boutique Hotel, Heraklion, Crete

By Paul Johnson on Jan 15, 2009 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Greece, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

We stayed in Room 503 on the top floor of the Lato Boutique Hotel in Heraklion, Crete. Being sited on the corner of the building, it offers views in two directions from a generous L-shaped balcony with ample space for sun loungers. From here you have the best views of the port and

Special feature: St. Nicolas Bay Resort, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

By Paul Johnson on Nov 20, 2008 in Accommodation, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Greece, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

We had the pleasure of spending 4 nights at St. Nicolas Bay Resort a few weeks ago. The focal point of this beautiful resort – approximately 2 kilometres from Agios Nikolaos – is undoubtedly the central pool area. This consists of the main infinity pool, a children’s pool, an abundance of sunbeds and a breakfast/dining

Special feature: Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda De Luxe Resort and Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete

By Paul Johnson on Nov 15, 2008 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Family Travel, Going Out, Greece, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

I had the privilege of visiting these three very different hotels in the north-east of Crete last month. The brainchild of owner-architect Spyros Kokotos, they are all situated on the same complex and are therefore able to share facilities such as the Six Senses Spa, the 9-hole golf course, the Children’s Ark, private

Special feature: Sheraton Bilbao Hotel, Bilbao, Spain

By Judy Johnson on Sep 29, 2008 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Restaurants, Spain, Spas & Pampering, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Bilbao is a vibrant city being brought back to life by the reconstruction of old shipyards into areas alive with walkways, parks and stunning architecture and sculptures. Nestled amongst this redevelopment is the Sheraton Bilbao Hotel – itself an individual piece of architecture – which was designed by the father and son team of architects

Special feature: Sony PRS-505 Reader

By Paul Johnson on Sep 08, 2008 in Accessories, Books, Gadgets, Special Features, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Travel Miscellany

I’ve managed to get my hands on a Sony PRS-505 Reader which has been out in the US for a while now, but has only recently become available in the UK through the High Street retailer Waterstones (priced at £199). As soon as I opened the box, I was immediately struck by the look

Special feature: The Wensleydale Heifer, Yorkshire Dales

By Paul Johnson on Jul 23, 2008 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Special Features, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

This was our second stay at The Wensleydale Heifer in the peaceful village of West Witton in the Yorkshire Dales. Last time we made the mistake of having both lunch and dinner here (and ended up being uncomfortably full!) so this time we opted for just dinner, after a brief stop for a light

Special feature: The Lowry Hotel, Manchester, UK

By Paul Johnson on Mar 06, 2008 in Accommodation, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Special Features, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of staying at Manchester’s only 5-star hotel, The Lowry. Branded as one of The Rocco Forte Collection, The Lowry Hotel is located on the banks of the River Irwell, in the Chapel Wharf area between Manchester city centre and Salford. Being on the fringe of the

Special feature: Costa Adeje Gran Hotel, Tenerife

By Paul Johnson on Oct 04, 2007 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Spain, Special Features, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

I stayed 7 nights at the Costa Adeje Gran Hotel in Costa Adeje, Tenerife earlier this year and must admit to visiting with a small degree of trepidation due to the very mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. One of the common statements within those reviews is that “it isn’t a five star hotel”. Well,

Special feature: Lausanne Palace & Spa, Switzerland

By Paul Johnson on Aug 24, 2007 in Accommodation, Business Travel, Europe, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Switzerland, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

In the heart of the Olympic capital of Lausanne, Lausanne Palace & Spa exudes elegance and class. It is perfectly situated – just 500 metres from the railway station and a mere 40 minutes from Geneva Airport, by car or train. As it happened, though, we reached Lausanne by ferry, having ventured across Lake

Category: Special Features