Summer Essentials - What You Need When you Hit The Beach in Thailand

It's not everyday you wake up and have the beach all to yourselves, unless you are in, maybe Phuket. This little Thai island is just paradise! I wish I could have stayed forever. I guess in a way I now understand why people stay on and live in Thailand. You could certainly live there and not miss any "Western comforts". You want shopping, Bangkok is filled with shopping malls from designer boutiques to purse-friendly stores. When it comes to the weather, let's just say the London summers are blown right out of the water!

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Where to Stay In Paris | Parisian Weekends with Views of Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe

Usually I complain about not visiting Paris as much as I should considering its only an hour and a half on the EuroStar. This year I have managed to rack up quite a few trips to the popular capital. One memorible trip from the visits was a weekend visit and staying on Champs Elysées, just before I left for Australia. Nothing bits an apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower, but even better is having a hotel room with not only a view of the Eiffel Tower but a view Arc de Triomphe from outside two of your private balconies.

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A Private Paradise | Are These Luxury Villas Phuket's Best Kept Secret?

It simply doesn't get any better than this!!! Considering my birthday falls right at the end of the year when I am a little more reflective which means I opt for more relaxed celebrations. For my birthday, December last year I opted for a month long celebration which saw my boyfriend and I travel from Budapest to Beijing and then to Cambodia's Siem Reap to Bangkok, before landing in Phuket. For my actual birthday, the day before, the birthday and the day after I just wanted peace and quiet, no tours, no crazy activities, just pure indulgence! What the lady wishes for, so she must have and I did get, by way of a private paradise at Renaissance Phuket.

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Mandarin Oriental | Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers are Kuala Lumpur's most famous landmarks in Malaysia, if not the whole of Southeast Asia. When I was planning our visit to Kuala Lumpur I was also on the hunt for hotels in Kuala Lumpur city center as almost everything that I planned was close if not within the main part of the city center. We checked into Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, which not only sits pretty with views of Malaysia's business district but comes with a bonus of being right next to Petronas Towers and the ridiculously HUGE Suria KLCC shopping mall. The location makes it some much easier to get started on the list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur as KLCC and Petronas Tower Bridge Tour Experience are right at your door!

The luxury hotel boasts 10 restaurants serving up Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and other international cuisines. Gastronomy to the max! Kuala Lumpur is already a multi-cultural city but I love that the hotel is already offering you a piece of the world in all its international flavours without even having to leave the premises. With all the city's tourist sights we had on the cards, first on the list was a bit of R&R on the rooftop's infinity pool. Considering we had just spent a few days temple running through Cambodia's Angkorian Temples, it was time to relax by the pool with a cocktail before exploring began. A few days ago I also shared some pictures from our culinary tour through Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.

Budget - Wise

Obviously, Mandarin Oriental is in the luxury category so expect to pay a premium for that, but it was well worth every penny or dollar that we paid. We had a room that was looking out to Petronas Towers, again those rooms charge a bit more. Others not facing the towers are slightly less. I will be posting more on the hotel. It was a birthday treat so totally justified, I guess. For a list of hotels in Kuala Lumpur head over to this list of hotels in KL.

Location Location Location

Location of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur doesn't get any better!  You are bang in the middle of it all. If you are after a hotel near KLCC then this is the place for you! Firstly you have the 10 restaurants inside the hotel, then the major Suria Mall within Petronas Towers next door. You have stores from luxury to sensibly priced stores. So from your Gucci, Fendi, Chanel to H&M and all the gadgets shops like the Microsoft, Samsung and Apple stores. I couldn't resist, I managed to come back to London with a gold and shiny Samsung A8. Exclusive to Asia, so I feel pretty chuffed that only a few people in the UK might have it. The hotel is perfectly located with plenty of sights are your finger tips. Also, perfect for anyone short on time but wanting to get the most out of your stay. You won't have to go very far to see the sights.

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Santorini Sailing | The Coolest Way To Beach Hop Around The Greek Island

My young sister posing for the camera.

I am not sure about you but the current weather situation in London has me wishing I was somewhere sunny. Luckily, I still have more pictures from sunny escapes over the summer. One being my trip to Greece in July which saw my sister, one of her closest friends and I visit Greece, passing through Athens(posts to come) and Santorini.

As popular as Santorini is for weekend getaways, honeymoons, beach vacations for the lads and the girl's getaway, it's also small enough to get lost and have moments of peace and quiet without hordes of tourists in your path.  Leaving London in search of sun, sea and sand we were three girls hungry for shots of serotonin and what better place to dose up than beach hoping around the island of Santorini?!

Beaches packed with volcanic minerals, from red sand beaches, black sand, white sand and your usual golden sand beaches. Santorini beaches have it all! The coolest way to beach hop, of course is by way of sailing around Santorini. There are several options when it comes to what is on offer. The choice simply depends on your budget and comfort requirements.

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Amsterdam's Best Food Experience You Must Try | High Wine At The Dylan

In my last post I shared with you pictures from the anniversary celebrations that involved touring Amsterdam while indulging in all the delightful foods the city has to offer while doing the Amsterdam Food Tour. Well, the anniversary weekend celebrations continued the theme around food as we ramped up the romance. This time were headed to The Dylan Hotel. They do a High Wine experience which as you may have guessed was born from its relationship to high tea experience. I have tried many an afternoon or high tea experiences, they don't know compare. This is on its own level. Dylan Hotel is housed in a townhouse with a rich history and located on one of the most famous areas of Amsterdam; Nine Streets. A fashionable and unique shopping district with a mix of designer boutiques, from vintage to modern fashion, chic little cafes and restaurants in what is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Quite befitting of a place to house a stylish and luxury hotel that is the Dylan. 

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Exploring Victoria Falls | Lunch on Livingstone Island Surrounded By Victoria Falls

"So lovely, it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight" - David Livingstone

Although the first known Europeans to visit Zambia were the Portuguese, it is thought that David Livingstone was the first Brit to explore the Zambezi River (and gaze upon the Victoria Falls), which gives life to Mosi-oa-Tunya. This translates to The Smoke that Thunders. You might know this as Victoria Falls, renamed by David Livingstone in 1855 in honour of Queen Victoria as he stood on what is now know as Livingstone Island. In high season you wouldn't be able to stand here as it is completely submerged in sheets of water. Most Zambians and Zimbabweans still use its original name and Zimbabwe went as far as officially renaming the falls back to "Mosi-oa-Tunya" last year.

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Tongabezi | Luxury On The Zambezi River - Part II

"The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa- for he has so much to look forward to" - Richard Mullin

The second installment on my stay at Tongabezi, on the river banks of the Zambezi. A subtropical idyll with thatched roofed exclusive lodges all but one with views of the Zambezi and little cheeky monkeys cavorting the surroundings. That's in addition to the Hippos that lazily float before you. People and animals respect each other’s distance here. With a big tub run for you to take a dip under the star lit African sky and champagne waiting on the side. Please take me back to Tongabezi this instant! How about I stop drooling over the thought of going back and tell you what’s on offer when you visit. Once you settle in you also get a chance to sit down with the activities coordinator to run through activities you would like to part take in. All included in the price of the  stay. While my boyfriend opted for the guided bike ride within the national park in the hope of also spotting some animals, I visited the local school funded by Tongabezi. We also choose to do a morning game drive and the Devils pool, which sits on the edge of the Victoria Falls (not for the faint-heart and not included in the price). Also available is candlelight dinner on the Zambezi and many more but sadly we didn’t have time to do them all.

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Tongabezi - Private Luxury On The Zambezi I

“When you go, choose your companions wisely. Africa is not to be wasted,” - Ernest Hemingway

There are romantic hideaways and then there is Tongabezi. Where better to enjoy a back-to-nature romance with a bit of luxury thrown in than to base yourself right on the banks of the Zambezi. If that name sounds familiar, you will no doubt know that it is the very river that gives birth to the mighty Victoria Falls - more on that to come. Tongabezi is hidden among the shadows of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. We were certainly in the mood to spoil ourselves while in Livingstone, and this place is definitely one that will spoil your mind, body, and soul - in a good way of course. Our one splurge on our 17-day tour of Southern Africa which started from Lusaka. You only live one! Livingstone was the second stop having started off in Lusaka days earlier. All the lodges at Tonagbezi have views of the Zambezi, apart from our Garden House Lodge. What it lacked in views of the river, it made up handsomely in the exclusively private pool we had to ourselves.  All the lodges are secluded offering guests privacy and comfort as if you were chillaxing in your own home and a luxury not experienced in many hotels or lodges. There are only nine lodges which mean guests are catered to with undivided attention from staff.  Have I mentioned that from the moment we arrived we were made to feel like little stars?  Oh, I did I not mention, each lodge is allocated its very own butler so to speak anything you need 24/7! Staff available exclusively to your lodge, I had died and gone to heaven...A knock on the lodge entrance brought me back to health as our breakfast arrived to be enjoyed in the comfort of our Garden House.

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Intercontinental | Capital Pleasures In Lusaka

There is a certain allure to the notion of traveling in Africa with many associating Africa with just safaris,  but there is more to this continent than just exploring national parks in search of the big five.  While a safari was certainly on our itinerary, we were going to be exploring the capital's hot spots first before the big 5. To really experience a destination you have to meet the locals, check out their hangouts and that was the main plan for the first few days in the country.  Thats exactly what I had in mind for my travel partner.

Arriving right in the middle of the hot Zambian summer(and month of independence day celebrations - hence the flags) we were immediately welcomed with a cool breeze from the whispers of water flowing from the fountains as we stepped out of the car onto the entrance of Intercontinental.  I planned a 17-day trip around Southern Africa which would cover Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia and involving several modes of transportation. This was also going to be the first time my boyfriend was visiting my home country as the first part of this year was dedicated to introducing me to his home country in Israel, which we explored in much of April.  With our journey through southern African starting in Lusaka, Zambia's capital I opted to book us into Intercontinental Hotel. 

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Spitbank Fort | Secrets of The Solent

The shores of Southsea on Portsea Island can be somewhat chemeleonic. Being part of the UK it does not escape from the ever changing weather, its the transporting views on a beautiful coastline that stretches of for miles that I immediately fell in love with back in 2003. I guess you can say it was love at first sight. The following year I moved to Portsmouth on Portsea Island, Southern coast of England. On long summer days I could easily spend the day out on the seafront watching sailboats play catch with the wind, ferries transporting islanders to Calais in France or watch cruise liners pass through with passengers hoping for a short break from cabin fever. The beauty that comes with living so close to the sea side and a break from the concrete jungle of London life is what inspired the move to Portsmouth.

My visit back to Portsmouth this time was for a Sunday lunch date on the Spitbank Fort. Not many people know about this place. On the coastline of Portsea Island lies the secrets of The Solent. I got to spend the day exploring one of the secrets. Spitbank Fort is one of four forts that was originally constructed to defend the British from Napoleon's army in the 18th century. Days of fighting have long gone and these abandoned forts have now been renovated, with one turned into a museum, one is solely owned, with the other two turned into luxury hotels. One of which is the Spitbank Fort and the other twice as big, opening its doors this Autumn.

One can only get to the forts by boat, so transportation was from the Royal Clarence Marina on Gosport. Floating passed the beautiful Spinnaker tower and sailors no doubt testing out their boats in readiness for Cowes week this coming summer. With a tricky entry onto the fort due to rough seas, on arrival we were met with glasses of wine and canapes. Then a tour of the fort with a little historical detail of the living conditions of the soldiers that guarded the seas from within the fort. You cannot help but admire the old generation for building such a fantastic structure in the sea, with the little the technology they had compared to what we can achieve today, and it still stands today. There is so much history within the walls. Touring the fort and watching ferries and speed boats sail passed we had worked up an appetite, so it was time to retreat to the dining room for lunch served with a side of Spit water! An interesting name for sure, but I assure you its not literal. There is a spring running 401 feet beneath the fort so you can quench your thirst with Spitbank(shortened to Spit) water, freshly bottled on site too. With conversations effortlessly flowing with other guests at the table and dessert beautifully caressing each and every taste bud you could be forgiven for your mind drifting off into a dreamy state filled with all things sweet and nice.

The fort was beautifully transformed from a neglected sea fort, to one that has a luxurious coziness to it with a mix of a nautical theme and some original furniture items for its hay day. A relaxing lounge, recreation room, outdoor heated pool with stunning sea views, a fire pit to cozy up to and a bar to toast the night away you would wish never to leave the fort. After much needed Sunday rest and relaxation on the fort it was time to head home and leave the overnight guest to enjoy enjoy their humble aboard.

The secret is now out of the bag. If you have not head of the forts on The Solent then you need get your fingers busy on Google so you can get you and your special someone over to Spitbank Fort stat! You will thank me for it. In the meantime some pictures from my exploration of the fort...

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Victoria Harbor Views | Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Still pinching myself at the experience I have had in Kong Kong. My humble aboard for the week in Hong Kong was to be the Marriott Hotel on the main island of Hong Kong. Sitting pretty on the north shore of downtown's bustling area. The Marriott guest services start off from the Airport. I quickly located shuttle desk for my hotel at the arrivals exit gate and checked in for the shuttle bus to the hotel.

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