Choeng Mon - on the tranquil side of Ko Samui

The wonderful thing about Choeng Mon is the fact that it is not that well known. This means that this glorious resort which resembles a perfect picture postcard with its soft white sand, palm trees and blue sea, is one of the coolest places to be if you want to be far from the madding crowd. On the north coast of the Thai island of Ko Samui, Choeng Mon is built around a series of bays of soft, clean, sandy beaches with beautiful rock formations, and there is even a small islet that you can paddle, swim or kayak out to!

The hotels in the area are all top quality, with four to five star hotels predominating, and they lay on some excellent cultural evenings with Thai dancing and folk music. Many of the hotels also have spas where you can be pampered with facials and massages to make for the ultimate relaxing break.

Around the bays there is plenty of snorkelling, scuba diving and other water sports available, so there is loads to do if you enjoy an active holiday.

The nightlife here tends to be relaxing rather than noisy, and there are plenty of boutique-style restaurants and cafés throughout the area. Particularly good are the many beach restaurants where you can watch the sun set over the bay, while enjoying a wonderfully spicy and delicious Thai meal. There is also plenty of international cuisine available, so you are sure to find something that you like.

With its fine beaches, good food, and its tranquility, Choeng Mon makes for the perfect laid-back holiday.


Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...

The Rome Cavalieri - the hotel for those who love fine art

It is good news for those who love art that the Rome Cavalieri, which houses one of the most prestigious and beautiful art collections ever held by a hotel, will be arranging special access for guests to some of Rome’s most wonderful private palaces and residences. Not only that, but these tours will be led by the hotel’s very own art historian. The Cavalieri will be offering its guests a private tour of two of the most exclusive palaces in the city, which are both still the family homes of the Pallavicini and Colonna families.

The Palazzo Colonna contains paintings by artists such as Poussin, Tintoretto, Veronese and Carracci, that are only rarely seen by the public. There are also family portraits that include Vittoria Colonna, the poet who was a friend of Michelangelo, and Marcantonio Colonna, one of the victorious admirals at the Battle of Lepanto.

From the Palazzo Colonna, it’s just a short journey up the Quirinal Hill to the Casino dell’Aurora, which is a fine pavilion built in the hidden gardens of the Palazzo Pallavicini, opposite the Italian Presidential Palace. The outer walls have detailed relief panels from ancient sarcophagi, and inside you can see the famous ceiling fresco which was executed by Guido Reni. In the evening, as the sun sets, there is the most dramatic view over Rome from the pavilion.

The Rome Cavalieri also arranges private tours to the Sistine Chapel, allowing visitors the time and the space to savour the frescoes and the unique atmosphere of this magnificent chapel created by Michelangelo.

The Cavalieri is much loved by its regular guests for its art, and it has the type of collection normally found in an art museum. It also has French antiques, rare tapestries and great sculpture, with over 1,000 artworks on display throughout the hotel. There is a crib that was ordered by Napoleon for his baby son, a coiffeuse table that was created for Marie Antoinette, and even a commode made for the King of Poland. In the lobby are the famous Beauvais tapestries, the only other examples on public display being at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. A private tour of the hotel collection can be arranged with the hotel’s art historian.


Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...

There's no coastline like The Algarve!

In the very south of Portugal lies the beautiful rocky coastal region known as The Algarve. It has all the charm of the Mediterranean, but is actually on the Atlantic giving it a summer climate that is significantly cooler than the Med, and making it ideal for midsummer holidays if you don’t like the searing heat.

People have headed to The Algarve for holidays for decades, enjoying its wonderfully clean beaches, impressive rock formations all along the coast, along with limestone caves, and its azure sea. Add to that some magnificent fish dishes, good wine and pleasant nightlife, and you have all the makings of the perfect holiday.

One of the popular coastal resorts is Albufeira, with its whitewashed houses decorated with pretty ceramic tiles, and its narrow streets. There are modern hotels too, a marina and also a number of golf courses nearby that the Algarve is so famous for. A night out in Albufeira is relaxing and fun, with a mix of bars and restaurants that range from those offering traditional Algarve fish dishes to international eateries.

If you are into history then take a look at the small city of Lagos which dates back to Carthaginian times. There is a fort here, and The Church of St Anthony attracts visitors every year with its detailed and beautiful interior. Tavira, which was founded by the Phoenicians, has stunning architecture too. If you love beaches then take a look at Quarteira which has 2km of Blue Flag Beach, making it the perfect place for sea swimming. Or if you really go for exclusivity, then try Vilamoura, which is a private and highly rated resort, offering high standards of accommodation, food and service.

Other good resorts on the Algarve include Portimao, Armacao de Pera, Monte Gordo, and Lagoa which has a really good beach known as Praia da Marinha.

The Algarve tends to be fairly hilly, and if you enjoy a bit of a hike while you are on holiday here you will find some really good walks.

The Algarve is served by Faro Airport, and there are plenty of reasonably priced packages available, so if you fancy lovely beaches, fish dishes and pretty towns, then The Algarve could offer just the holiday you are looking for.


Spread the Word: Share/Submit or Bookmark this Post...