Photo by danielyeow.com

Opened in 1995 by self-taught chef Heston Blumenthal’s unusual fascination with the science of flavors and cooking, The Fat Duck Restaurant soon became very popular among the locals and international travelers alike. The chef initially served classic French bistro cuisine, but an interest in the ‘Psychology of flavor’ led to experimentation and the development of innovative dishes featuring unusual combinations of ingredients and tastes. Today, The Fat Duck offers a unique menu with dishes including salmon in licorice jelly, snail porridge with Joselito ham and toast flavored ice cream to name but a few that have hit the headlines.

Photo by weareprivate.net

Unlike other Michelin-star restaurants that feature beautiful exterior and interior designs, The Fat Duck Restaurant looks like a converted pub or country inn. Housed in a building that is over two hundred years old, the dining room is quite small with low ceilings, simple furnishing, and what concerns the atmosphere and service, The Fat Duck provides relaxing environment and top-not service sure to entice even the most discerning visitors.

Photo credits to chickeninacherrysauce.blogspot.com

The Tasting Menu

The tasting menu at The Fat Duck Restaurant is a sequence of dishes, each served about the same size and at approximately the same intervals, to not only capture an exciting range of flavors, but also bring multisensory appeal and a sense of theater to the dining experience. The menu can be updated for most dietary requirement, so make sure to notify the reservations department of any special requests upon making reservation.

Photo credits to globalvillagedirectory.info

Some of the highlights of the menu include:

Nitro-poached Green Tea & Lime Mousse

This is an amazing start to you meal. A server will approach your table with a cart, on it a container, a vat of liquid nitrogen, a pressurized canister of egg whites and a bag full of flavorings. The liquid nitrogen was poured into the container and then some of the egg white was shot into the nitrogen. And after the extreme cold turns the egg into a mousse, it’s placed on your plate and the flavoring of green tea and lime is dabbed on. Sounds very interesting, doesn’t it?

Photo by holmcooked.com

Mustard Ice Cream & Red Cabbage Gazpacho

One of the first appetizers at The Fat Duck Restaurant is the savory Mustard Ice-cream served with a tiny spoonful of red cabbage gazpacho. Red cabbage gazpacho is prepared by juicing red cabbage and adding bread.

Photo by everepicurious.com

Snail Porridge

In essence it is just snails with garlic and parsley butter, as well as Joselito ham and shaved fennel. The snail meat is served very simply on top of bright green porridge or sauce and many say it’s actually very tasty. Snail porridge is a prime example of the restaurant’s multi-sensory relationship to food, with sounds, color, smell and even words contributing to the chef’s perfection of food.

Roast Foie Gras

One of the best dishes people always appreciate while having dinner at The Fat Duck is the roast foie gras, presented very artfully as you can see in the picture. The tiny jelly squares may have been the chamomile listed on the menu, while the white swirl is probably the almond.

Photo by thebigfatundertaking.wordpress.com

Note that menu prices start from £180 per person for both Lunch and Dinner, plus an optional 12.5% service charge will be added to the bill.

Listen to waves crashing on the beach on an iPod as you eat ‘Sound of the Sea’ and savor the earthy aroma of oak moss while you enjoy quail jelly with ice cream of langoustine and parfait of foie gras. Many say that dining here is ‘like a journey through Alice in Wonderland.’

Photo by theponderinggourmet.com

Save money to plan a dinner at The Fat Duck Restaurant that with its scientific approach to gastronomy and cooking has been highly influential in the molecular gastronomy movements!

]]> http://www.travelvivi.com/the-fat-duck-restaurant-in-berkshire/feed/ 0 http://www.travelvivi.com/visiting-valencia/ http://www.travelvivi.com/visiting-valencia/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 10:47:10 +0000 Anna http://www.travelvivi.com/?p=6759 The third largest city in Spain and one of the country’s most vibrant and extraordinarily rewarding cities to visit, Valencia is a dreamscape tourist destination with lively nightlife, great shopping and dining opportunities, stunning attractions to rival Europe’s finest, and even more, much more. Whether you are looking for exciting cultural, tourist and sporting activities or a relaxing city break in the backdrop of the sunny Mediterranean, Valencia is the place to be. From the traditional old city charm in the Carmen area to the world-famous Las Fallas Festival to the stunning beauty of the Albufera to the Mercado Central, packed with locals and fresh food and delicacies, Valencia will leave you with nothing but memories and the desire to come back!

Photo by toptravellists.net

Valencia Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions

Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencia

The work of the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that attracts 4 million annual visitors, Valencia’s iconic City of Arts and Science with its futuristic design is a monumental, avant-garde cultural and architectural complex that is a relatively new addition to the city inaugurated in only 1998. One of the main reasons to go to Valencia, it houses a Planetarium and a huge IMAX Cinema, showcasing science and geography related documentaries; interactive Science Museum (El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe), containing displays of the latest high technology; a fascinating water world (L’Oceanographic), favorite with kids; and the Palace of Arts (El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia), made up of auditoriums for the performance of plays, opera and music in conjunction with all the latest technology.

Photo by Javier Yaya Tur C.A.C.S.A.

Valencia Cathedral

With its central location on the Plaza de la Reina, the Cathedral of Valencia is another visited tourist attraction in the city, dedicated to the worship of God the Father. The Cathedra itself is an impressive structure boasting a variety of architectural styles, including baroque, Romanesque and gothic. First founded on the site of a Roman temple in the 13thc century, then it was turned into a mosque and until the 17th century it underwent a series of minor changes. The Cathedral has numerous objects on display, one of them being the relic of the Holy Grail, a goblet from the 1st century AD and others.

Photo by travelwithloredana.blogspot.com

Turia Gardens

When in 1957 Valencia was awfully flooded by the River Turia, the authorities decided to divert the course of the water to stop the same thing from happening again. The former river bed was turned into a wonderfully landscaped park, stretching for 9 kilometers around the north and east of the city. One of the main highlights of the park is the picture-perfect Gulliver playground kids truly appreciate.

Photo by leftbankerpics.blogspot.com

Eat & Drink

Valencia is not only famous for its delicious oranges, but the dish called ‘Paella’ – usually made with rice, chicken or rabbit as well as vegetables such as peas and peppers. Traditionally cooked over a wood fire using a flat shallow dish, known as a paella pan, from which the classic dish takes its name, paella has become a favorite dish not only for the people living in Valencia but for foreigners too. Another well-known dish from Valencia is the ‘Fideua,’ made with noodles and seafood and is typical of the region of La Safor.

Make sure to also try local delicacy horchata, a drink made from sugar, ice and tiger nuts at one of the city’s many fine horchaterias, the most famous of which found opposite the Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina in the corner of Plaza de la Reina.

Festivals

If you are visiting Valencia in March, be sure not to miss the huge festival of Las Fallas (between 15 and 19) with its parades and burning of satirical effigies. It all started back in the Middle Ages and is dedicated to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Visit the museum of Las Fallas, located on Plaza Monteolivete 4 that houses  a huge collection of ‘ninots:’ little wood and cardboard figures that have been salvaged from the ravishing fires of the night of Saint Joseph over the years.

Photo by globedia.com

Another famous traditional festival in Valencia is July Fair or Feria de Julio, the time when Valecians celebrate the hot summer days and warm summer nights of Valencia with various cultural and entertainment events, including classical and rock concerts, bullfights and theatrical events and sports and fireworks displays on the beach. The peak of the July Fair, however, is the Flower Battle, when on the last Sunday of July majestic horse carriages decorated with natural flower artworks parade along Paseo de la Alameda, each carrying a few Valencians dressed in the theme of a float and after all, winners are announced.  Typical to Valencia is the festival of La Tomatina in Buñol.

Photo by pintesipalets.blogspot.com

Flights to Valencia

In recent years, more and more direct flights are arriving to this wonderful city from different parts of the world, making it one of the most popular and afforded holiday destinations all over Spain. Most airlines offer cheap airline tickets and one of the best low-cost search engines to compare and book discount flights on more than 300 traditional airlines, including flights to Valencia is undoubtedly bravofly.com. A good number of airlines fly to Valencia from the UK, including Ryanair that offers direct services from Bristol, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Stansted.

Shopping in Valencia

Valencia is definitely one of the best shopping venues in Spain, blessed with endless shopping possibilities to cater every taste and preference. The streets of Valencia are filled with shop windows and there are many fine shopping centers both in the city center and in the suburbs, selling everything from clothing to jewelry to souvenirs and more. But if you want to combine shopping with history and tourism, head for the 1920s Mercado Central on the Plaza de Mercado in the heart of the city, which is a bright modernistic building embellished with stained glass and fanciful ceramic mosaics.

Photo by invlc.com

Nightlife

Valencia enjoys one of the liveliest nightlives in Spain and for good reason. Travelers say people in Valencia party from Monday to Sunday and nightlife here is specific, spread over several zones, each with their own character. The Barrio del Carmen has enough late-night bars, cafes and pubs to keep visitors amused and entertained. It is the bohemian quarter of Valencia, which at the weekends is teeming with party goers looking for a good night out. Places worth a mention include Café Bolseria, Café Negrito and Radio City. Other places where there is sparkling nightlife include: the bars and clubs of Calle Juan Llorens and its surroundings with a fine selection of music; the Beach featuring many popular open-air discos and bars; as well as the University Area with some of the best clubs, bars and restaurants and beautiful gardens and parks. The big discotheques in the city can be found in the outskirts and tend to open their doors late to the public and go on until early the next morning.

Photo by picturethistravels.wordpress.com

The building is one kilometer in length and includes: 114 domes, of which Grand Atrium finished in silver and gold mosaic tiles and topped by a 20kg solid golden finial is of great interest; the Emirates Palace Archway, covered in Italian stone, over a thousand Swarovski crystal chandeliers; 200 fountains amid 600 acres of exotic park grounds, where there are over eight thousand trees, 2 extensive landscaped pools; 128 kitchens and pantries and 140 elevators. The décor is simply fascinating and the state-of the-art comforts and facilities are sure to delight even the most discerning travelers. Throughout the entire palace, roses abound, with 20,000 used every day. In a nutshell, this is a place to be seen to be believed!

Dining Information & Amenities

Dining at the hotel is a truly breathtaking experience in itself. With no fewer than 15 in-house dining options, the hotel offers a myriad of opportunities to tempt any palate. Most restaurants are set in locations that will give you stunning views of the bay and the city. For a breathtaking dinner check out one of the following restaurants at Emirates Palace that never fail to amaze with their interior and food served.

Etoiles

Whether you are looking for a quiet and sophisticated dinner with friends or business associates, check out the Etoiles restaurant – a gourmet adventure that is sure to satisfy the most discerning palates. The restaurants stands out in Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene, using simple philosophy with good fresh seasonal produce and innovative ingredients crafted together to bring the finest to your table. Guests can choose from the stunning a la carte menu that includes dishes like Shellfish and Saffron Cream Soup, Wild mushroom tortellini, Beef Carpaccio, and Duck Foie Gras and salads like Caesar Salad, Classic Waldorf and Goodness Salad, or else join for a special set menu. Corporate lunch bookings can also be arranged by contacting the restaurant. If you want low-key dining options, you will be pleased to find barbecue grills and a coffee shop/cafe.

Sayad

With elegant interior decorated in cool blues and pristine whites, Sayad Restaurant offers an extravagant dining delight. Here guests can try delectable seafood prepared by experienced cooks and enjoy wonderful views of the beach and marina.

Mezzaluna Restaurant

With indoor (80 seats) & outdoor (40 seats) dining options, add to this two private dining rooms accommodating up to 16 guests and each with dramatic sea views, the fabulous Mezzaluna Restaurant serves Mediterranean kitchen with a collection of flavors from Italy. Venetian murals and motifs create an Italian ambiance for your memorable dining experience.

Le Vendôme Brasserie

Open for all day dining from 6:30am until 11:30pm, Le Vendôme Brasserie offers sumptuous renowned international Buffet menu sure to delight. Al fresco dining is available during fine weather.

Mezlai

Another fantastic venue for an unforgettable dinner, Mezlai, meaning the old lock of the door, is created to provide guests with unique atmosphere and top-notch service. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries. Meat and rice are also highly recommended. Popular beverages at Mezlai are coffee and tea supplemented with saffron or cardamom to give them a distinct flavor. The restaurant also features three private dining rooms, each accommodating four guests.

BBQ Al Qasr

Ideally positioned between the hotel’s dining terrace and the peaceful Arabian Sea, BBQ Al Qasr blends an idyllic beachside setting with wonderful cuisine, quality service and live entertainment to ensure guests’ pleasant and memorable dining experience. The restaurant, open during the summer months only, welcomes both in-house guests and members of the public with reservations.

Las Brisas

Offering outdoor dining underneath palm trees beside the East Wing Relaxation Pool, Las Brisas is one of the highly preferred restaurants for in-house resident guests and beach club members. This restaurant offers freshly prepared salads and grilled dishes.

Anar Restaurant

It serves award-winning regional cuisine and comes with splendid views over the Persian Gulf.

Yacht Dining

And if you want something more interesting and spectacular to enjoy, the hotel caters for a perfect yacht dining with delicious meals fully prepared and served by the experienced Emirates Palace Hotel banqueting department. Larger events and cocktail parties can also be arranged onshore, on dock or on deck gatherings.

Those who plan their stay at Emirates Palace Hotel during the Christmas, should keep in mind that the New Year’s Eve Dinner is compulsory for every guest and the dress code is black tie only (dinner jacket and no jeans for men, evening dress for women).

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4, 5,6

Indian Pacific, Australia

This railway connecting Sydney and Perth has the longest straight stretch of track in the world across the Nullarbor Plain. It goes 478km without a bend!

Img: FlyinRoo

 West Highland Line, Scotland

Voted the top rail journey in the world by Wanderlust readers in 2009, trains on the rugged West Highland Line traverse the Glenfinnan Viaduct between Fort William and Mallaig. Sound familiar? You’ll probably know it already from the Harry Potter movies.

Img: Nicolas17

 Rocky Mountineer, Canada

Ride the Rocky Mountineer through the Canadian Rockies to take in the amazing sight of the Hell’s Gate white water rapids and Fraser Canyon.

Img: Ahisgett

 Qingzang Railway, China

The journey from Xining to Lhasa on China’s Qingzang Railway traverses theTanggula Pass at over 16000 ft in the air – making this the highest-elevated railway in the world.

Img: Wikimedia

Devil’s Nose railway, Ecuador

Sometimes it’s possible to sit on the roof of the train to better appreciate this epic journey between Riobamba to Sibambe in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Img: Jungle Boy

Wanna take an epic train journey? Win a pair of 10-day European rail passes every day between 9th – 18th May on the HostelBookers Facebook page.

The Dolder Grand

Situated in an elevated location above the city of Zurich, directly adjacent to pristine natural surroundings is the stunning Dolder Grand is a holidaymaker’s dream to come true. Only eight kilometers from Flughafen Zurich Airport, this luxurious getaway has been reinvented to form a luxury-class city resort. Reopened in 2008 after a four-year transformation by famous ‘architect’ Sir Norman Foster, the Dolder Grand now offers the original grand hotel building and two circular, sleekly modern new wings.

Guestrooms in this hotel are very comfortable, with white walls and modern furnishings, all well-equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and facilities. Other hotel facilities include: a Michelin-starred restaurant, lounge, poolside snackbar, beauty shop, high-speed internet access and valet parking.

Of great importance is the Spa that features a pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, a steam bath, a ‘snow-paradise’ cool-off area, nineteen massage and treatment rooms, a full gymnasium, health-food bar and a meditation room, much of this available for additional charge. For business travelers there is a modern business center. Corporate travelers will find The Dolder Grand Hotel’s Ballroom and Banqueting very helpful. Stay and enjoy. Prices rate from €527 per night.

Baur au Lac

Ideally nestled in a beautiful large garden in front of the majestic Zurich Lake at the upper end of the outstanding Bahnhofstrasse – Zurich’s famous shopping and business district, the five-star Baur au Lac is one of the top choices while choosing a luxury getaway in the city. Its gorgeous lakeside location and a dedication to elegance, comfort and service have made it the preferred Zurich destination of artists and aristocrats for over 165 years. There are 83 rooms and 42 suites to choose from, all exclusively and individually designed to satisfy the needs of even the most discerning travelers.

One of the hotel’s highlight is the glassed-in pavilion in the park, housing a magnificent palm court-style restaurant, ideal for romantic dinners. Other worth a visit restaurant in this hotel include: Le Hall, River Gauche and Rive Gauche Terrasse. The fairytale setting of this hotel offers amazing views of the surroundings and is very close to the city center attractions.

Other recommended luxury getaways in Zurich include Park Hyatt Zurich, Grand Hotel Quellenhof Bad Ragaz, Alden Hotel Splugenschloss and Movenpick Hotel Zurich Airport, each with its own charm, quality accommodation and high-end service.

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,5,6

Towering an impressive 604 meters (1982 feet) in near vertical drop over the Lysefjord – the southernmost major fjord in Norway, Preikestolen is a natural rock formation as if cut out with a knife that was most likely formed by melting glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, some ten thousand years ago. When famous French writer Victor Hugo visited the fjords, he referred to them as ‘the most terrifying of the ocean reefs.’

The name Preikestolen is sometimes misspelled as Prekestolen. Translated from Norwegian to English, Preikestolen means Pulpit Rock, but before it was named Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock was known by its original name as Hyvlatonnå, meaning ‘planed tooth.’ The most famous tourist attraction in Ryfylke and one of the most photographed sites, in 2011 Pulpit Rock was listed as one of the world’s most dramatic views and natural attractions by Lonely Planet and CNN GO travel magazine. It’s interesting to note that a granite sculpture of the cliff was erected in Forsand’s twin town, Langeskov in Denmark.

Preikestolen Accommodation

For those who wish to stay close to this awe-inspiring natural wonder, there are several accommodation options to suit any budget. Pulpit Rock Mountain Lodge is one of the best choices, located on route 13, the main road running through the area that promises stunning scenery, as well as great fishing and camping opportunities. The lodge has 28 guestrooms, a café, a restaurant and a conference room and can be reached by car or, in the summer months by bus from Tau.

Hiking

The access to this wonderful touristic spot is not an easy task. So make sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots for hiking. The hike to Preikestolen starts at Preikestolen fjellstue (mountain lodge) and takes about two hours. Get ready to climb up through a varied of boglands, screes and boulder fields and over bare rock. Everyone gets to climb 330 meters to get the top. Along the trail there are picnic areas and excellent bathing spots so make sure to bring a packed lunch. Best season for hiking is between April and October.

BASE Jumping

Pulpit Rock is aslo very popular with BASE jumpers and as far as BASE jumping is legal in this area, many jumping enthusiasts flock here to indulge in this extreme and one of the riskiest adrenaline sports in existence. Give yourself the pleasure of this exhilarating experience and pay Norway a visit.

Lysefjord Cruise

If climbing up the hike to Preikestolen does not interest you due to health concerns, another option to enjoy wondrous views of the Pulpit Rock is Lysefjord Cruise – a completely different adventure with one-of-a-kind experience. Seeing this magnificent vertical cliff from the ocean below is as breathtaking as seeing the fjord from up there.

Helicopter Flightseeing Trip

For a special celebration, or once-in-a-lifetime experience, if you can afford it, of course, why not take a helicopter flightseeing trip – a unique opportunity to see this majestic natural wonder. You can choose from 30 minute, 1 hour, or longer custom-made flights.

Other exciting things to do in the Pulpit Rock area include swimming, fishing, scrambling among huge mossy boulders, visiting wartime hiding places and above all going walking. Visitors will find exciting trails in mysterious woods and discover unique species of flora and fauna.

Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock is a place to be seen to be believed!

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

The smaller of the two main islands of New Zealand, and as its name indicates the northernmost of the two islands, North Island is a truly dreamscape tourist destination that never fails to amaze. Here we have piled up some of the most popular ‘to see’ and ‘to do’ things in North Island that promise holidaymakers unforgettable memories and endless discovering opportunities. Explore North Island with car hire service, which will give you the unique opportunity to experience all this special getaway has to offer in your own time and at your own pace!

Auckland

Spanning a vast area from Pakiri in the north to Bombay in the south and known as the ‘City of Sails,’ Auckland is a city of breathtaking scenery, enchanting holiday islands, authentic food and wine, vibrant shopping and exciting nightlife. As the site of the major international airport, Auckland is most visitors’ starting point of the country and though the downtown area is relatively small, there is so much to see and do that a day or two won’t cover them all.

To get under Auckland’s skin, make sure to visit Auckland Museum, featuring a regularly changing program of exhibitions and events; sail on the Waitemata Harbor; enjoy a dinner in the Viaduct; plan a trip to the stunning pristine Great Barrier Island; catch an iconic Auckland event; surf at Piha and this is just the beginning. Well worth a visit are also the luxurious Skycity Tower and Casino, offering spectacular views of the city and nearby islands; the scenic Waitekare Ranges National Park; and the exhilarating Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World ideal for those who are holidaying with kids.

Bay of Islands

Another top holiday destination in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands combines great outdoor experiences with some of the country’s most significant historic sites. Considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as a bi-cultural nation, that is when the Maori and Europeans arrived to the region, the Bay of Islands is also one of the finest sub-tropical maritime parks, blessed with 144 islands and abundant marine and bird life. Whether you want to keep your feet on the ground or explore the picture-perfect underwater wonders, the Bay of Islands offers plenty recreational activities to keep you busy all day long. The Bay with its pristine natural environment is also the gathering place in the South Pacific for overseas sailing yachts on world cruises, as well as for golfers and diving fans.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a place that provides an entirely different experience. Aside from the spectacularly beautiful landscapes of this volcanic-shaped wonderland, the 16 amazing lakes in the region and the wide range of native flora, Rotorua is a geothermal haven of skyrocketing geysers, hot springs and boiling mud pools and the cultural heartland of Maori. It is also a big trout fishing area that attracts many visitors from around the world. Within a few minutes of the city one can fine Rotorua’s best loved attraction – the genuine Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, nestled in a beautiful native bush. Relax and enjoy the freshness of this exclusively maintained park as you stroll along the superb walkaways, which are wheelchair accessible. Visit the geothermal areas for a truly majestic display of the natural wonders of this region.

Not to be missed are also Tongariro National Park, Wellington – New Zealand’s capital built around the harbor with dynamic theater scene and superb café ad bar culture; White Island, the country’s only active marine volcano and Waitomo Caves, promising ultimate caving adventures.

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,5,6

Owned by the famous Cunliffe-Lister family since 1880s and standing in 200 acres of parkland, the Swinton Park Hotel is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton that has been awarded with 4 Red Stars and 3 Rossettes by the AA for excellent facilities. The area surrounding the castle is blessed with many attractions, including amazing rivers and reservoirs, lakes and gardens, moorland, dales and beautiful countryside bordering the Yorkshire.

This stunning hideaway that is the highest rated hotel in Yorkshire is more like a lavish home than a hotel, promising an authentic stately home experience. The 31 spacious bedrooms in this 19th –century Gothic castle are furnished with antiques and family portraits, and all come equipped with two direct dial telephones, satellite TV, a modern point, CD player, tea/coffee making facilities and drinks tray. Each bedroom is individually designed with a view of either the gardens and lakes or the parkland and gatehouse.

Award winning cuisine is served in the elegantly designed Samuel’s Restaurant, with an emphasis on the seasonal products sourced from the hotel’s 4-acre walled garden and surrounding estate. The restaurant has been awarded membership of the esteemed Chaine de Rotisseurs association and is listed as a ‘Top Scorer.’ Breakfast is served from 7:30 until 10:00am, lunch from 12:30 until 2:00 pm and dinner from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. For those who truly appreciate food and everything concerning it, a celebrity chef, Rosemary Shrager hosts an on-site cookery school that is strongly recommended.

The recently refurbished Spa boasts a sauna, hot tub and relaxation zone and offers five treatment rooms with a wide choice of face, body, beauty and complementary therapies. Make your stay complete with special activities such as falconry, off-road driving, fishing, pony trekking, golf and shooting. There is also an extensive walking available both in the grounds and on the surrounding estate, plus a nice garden with over sixty varieties of fruit, herbs and vegetable grown for the hotel and cookery school kitchens.

For those wishing to celebrate their wedding or once-in-a-life-experience in this glorious setting, Swinton Park Hotel offers a civil license for weddings. For business travelers there are 5 function rooms, all with modern equipment for meetings, conferences and presentations.

 Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,

The following is a list of popular activities that are not to be missed while vacationing in Madagascar.

Meet Mother Nature’s most Curious Creatures

With some of the highest biodiversity on the planet, including two hundred thousand known species, of which about 150,000 are endemic, i.e. they exist nowhere else, Madagascar offers superb opportunities to encounter over ninety types of lemurs and 283 species of birds (more than 100 are endemic). Lemur’s Park is one of the best places to see 9 species of Lemur and a wonderful variety of other animals and plant life. The park was created to allow animal enthusiasts and nature lovers to discover all about these amazing animals.

Another interesting creature you should not miss out in Madagascar is the Fossa – a carnivorous animal, looking like a cross between a puma and a dog, with widespread population, completely unique to the island. Fossas can be seen in many of the island’s forested regions and are active both in trees and on the ground. Other curious habitats include dwarf chameleons, giant rats, tomato frogs and hedgehog-like tenrecs.

Hiking & Walks at Andringitra National Park

Located in the South of the Tsaranoro, against the backdrop of the imposing Andringitra mountain range, a granite massif of a surface of 31,160 ha, Andringitra National Park, often called Madagascar’s most scenic park, is a nature lover’s dream, the tourist interest of which comes from activities like hiking, trekking, discovery, climbing and splendid views from the top. Visitors will discover many dramatic peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and unusual landscape, plus diverse biodiversity from reptiles to mammals to birds and plants. The park has well accessible footpaths. One can climb Pic Boby (2,876 m) during a walk of around 17 kilometers (some 12 hours) to enjoy a beautiful view of the amazing granite formation. Another wonderful hike is Diavolana, called the moon landscape because of its view on only rocky formation and rocky landscape including the Camp Catta. During this hike visitors will see the two sacred waterfalls of ‘Riandahy’ and ‘Riambavy,’ as well as lemurs and unique plants species, including varieties of orchids blooming in February and March.

Whale Watching

Another exclusive activity to indulge in Madagascar is definitely whale watching. This can be done close to the eastern coast of Madagascar in the picturesque Sainte Marie Island, famous for its huge coral, beautiful creeks and vegetation. More than 10 years ago the island started to develop its economy based on whale watching activities and now attracts over 5,000 travelers from around the world who come to encounter humpback whales of Antarctica that from June to September migrate to the warmer waters off the east coast of Madagascar to breed. This is the best place where you do not need any luck to see these giant mammals in the world that can grow up to 15 meters in length and weigh 45 tons. Whales can also be spotted in Maroantsetra, where the trips are more expensive due to the less demand, as well as in the Comore Islands and Mayote Island from Ifaty on the Southwestern coast.

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,5

Maldives is blessed with a wide range of stunning accommodation, all luxuriously designed and well-equipped, but what you are going to experience in the award-winning Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort is something truly different and extraordinary. Ideally nestled in the stunning Alif Dhall Atoll of the Maldives, on two private islands among miles of fabulous white-sand beach and unspoiled reef, this luxurious resort, twice voted ‘Best Hotel in the World’ and ‘Best Resort’ for several times, is renowned for its unique accommodation, top notching service and authentic cuisine not to mention the abundance of leisure facilities.

Villas

The resort boasts 50 luxurious water villas, 79 exotic beach villas and 21 fascinating spa water villas, all beautifully furnished and with all the conveniences you will expect from a 5-star hotel.

Water Villa

Water villas are elegant self-contained spacious getaways, each with a magnificent living area with wooden interiors and Phillipe Starck fittings, a private sun deck, open-view bath, separate shower and bath and bulgari amenities, plus minibar and high-speed Internet access.

Superior and Deluxe Water Villas are more luxurious and spacious with romantic four-poter bed, Jacuzzi on the deck and flat-screen DVD player. Special touches include a personal island host, bathrobe, fruit and bottled water.

Beach Villa

Combining an elegant fusion of luxury and natural harmony in a contemporary Maldivian style, all Beach Villas in the Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort come with perfect beachfront locations, offering splendid sea views, outdoor terrace, private courtyard, and outdoor bathroom with bathing pavilion. Guests will also find minibar and tea/coffee making facility.

Guests can also stay in Deluxe Beach Villas, which are the largest and the finest of their kind in Maldives, offering up to 300 sq m of private living space with an airy bedroom and living area, plus a private courtyard with fountain; state-of-the-art outdoor shower and separate bathing pavilion. Each villa features a plunge pool set in lush gardens that lead to the beach.

Spa Water Villa

A new addition to Conrad Maldives Resort is the Spa Village built over the lagoon on the tip of Rangali Island, a resort within resort, where each Spa Water Villa is complete with its own in-villa treatment room and private sun deck.

Dining

Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort is also recognized for its fantastic international cuisine and wine selection served in a spectacular Maldivian beach and undersea setting. There are seven world-class restaurants and four bars to choose from, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. The highlight of the resort’s restaurants is the unique Ithaaa Undersea Restaurant – the first all-glass undersea restaurant in the world, set 16 feet below sea level, where you can have 180° views of coral and marine life.

Of special interest are also Koko Grill, providing intimate dining in an idyllic beachfront setting; Vilu Restaurant, offering a delectable fusion of Euro-Asian cuisine; Mandhoo Spa Restaurant, boasting innovative and enjoyable spa cuisine; and Atoll Market Place Restaurant with its 8 different show kitchens, each offering a different type of food.

Recreation

Recreational activities at the gorgeous Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort suit all tastes and preferences. For those that feel energetic, the hotel offers an excellent two-storey gymnasium, designed by internationally famed life-coach Peter Crone. For water sport enthusiasts, the resort organizes superb diving, snorkeling safaris, windsurfing, big game fishing, catamaran sailing and cruising aboard the resort’s luxury yacht. And if you are more than adventurous, you can indulge in island hopping, discovering the best-kept secrets this unique island has to offer.

Find a world of peace in the resort’s exclusive Spa and rejuvenate you mind, body and soul by the help of a tantalizing array of treatments and therapies. The picturesque surroundings of the Spa will awaken your senses at the same time allowing you to experience inner serenity and peace.

Weddings

Besides being a popular leisure holiday destination, Conrad Hiltpn Maldives Resort is also an idyllic getaway for weddings, honeymoons, romantic breaks and special occasions, promising the ultimate in terms of services, quality and pleasure. Wedding couples can choose from a selection of wedding ceremonies, from the traditional to the unique and tailor-made and all followed by a private sunset cruise on a romantic dhoni. One of the most genuine ceremonies is perhaps the Underwater Ceremony, a novel and unique ceremony, where the celebration takes place in the heart of a stunning coral reef and the bride and groom dive into the deep blue Indian Ocean to say ‘I do.’ Newlyweds can stay in a specially designed underwater room with visible views of the wondrous underwater kingdom.

Cocoon yourselves in the sound of the lapping waves and the warmth of the sun. Walk along the beach and get coral sand between your toes, enjoying your time alone together. Experience the realm of dreams where indulgence and beauty is of a level unsurpassed. This and much more are waiting for you in the majestic Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort.

Keep in mind that Conrad Hilton Maldives Resort is definitely one of the top choices in Maldives accommodation, encouraging visitors to relax, unwind and enjoy the charms of the island.

Photo credits to 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10