It's amazing, and distressing at the time, to discover in the western world you can feel desperately removed and wanting the comforts of domestic heating, lighting, and something, anything that reminds you of being in a house. Deciding to go to Devon by train on a camping holiday in mid March was easy. It was doing it that proved difficult. Arriving the first night, I found myself inside a tent, while outside was nothing but a howling gale. The idea that I would be here for four more days terrified me. I really, really wanted to not be there.
The inclement weather was unrelenting in the morning. There was no car to warm myself in. I hobbled out of the tent in the clothes I had slept in - it was too cold to change. Although I was with three friends who repeatedly told me they loved and cared about me, I felt the need to leave for civilisation immediately. My train booking was unalterable; my mobile phone was out of signal. I did have next months rent in my bank account that I briefly considered spending on a taxi home.
Amidst biting rain and driving winds I staggered out of the forlorn looking campsite to a payphone and meekly called my sister. 'Please text me as much information as possible to do with getting out of Devon,' were the essence of my demands.
A series of woeful texts ensued, all with sad and miserable news about £200 flights, cancelled trains, and flooded roads. I felt stranded. Utterly and miserably alone. The final text was simple: ‘Find a pub, get drunk, crawl into tent and sleep.’
No. I was going to fight for my salvation; not give in to the false promise of alcohol. Unlike my attitude to the weather forecast, the idea of topping all this crap with a hangover was enough for me to continue in my quest to get the hell out of Devon.
Yes, I was going to improve my situation and look for some Devon Hotels to stay in. Devon accommodation should be plentiful and easy to find. It’s where people go on holidays; the weather was appalling so there should be plenty of rooms available.
The trouble was I was already in the middle of nowhere, and barely had the energy to get anywhere or do anything because I was already consumed with rage at my stupid decision to be here in the first place.
I walked for a couple of hours before realising finding a Devon hotel and then paying for it would be difficult and regrettable. An hour later I arrived at a pub. It was warm and the beer tasted good. I felt good. My Devon accommodation in the form of a tent felt good. As I tipsily walked out into the softening winds, I remembered my friends back at the campsite. My sister’s kindly advice was beginning to make sense.
Paris has dozens of partner cities throughout the world, but only one other qualifies as its ‘sister city’ and that’s Rome. The two have a saying, ‘Only Paris is worthy of Rome, only Rome is worthy of Paris.’
It all sounds very chummy, but now that spring in Europe is grudgingly making its appearance, these two great cities will be in competition for the attention of the short-break tourist.
Paris has always traditionally been the passionate heart of Europe, but lovers emerging from winter hibernation shouldn’t discount the Eternal City, as Rome is fondly nicknamed. After all, who could forget such classic romantic movies as Three Coins In The Fountain and Roman Holiday?
I came across a provocative and tongue-in-cheek blog the other day that suggested Rome far outstripped Paris in terms of a pleasant European experience. Oddly, the writer is actually a resident of Paris, so perhaps the honeymoon period passes when you start living somewhere. There were about two dozen pro-Rome statements proffered, although one of these was ‘the ocean is nearby’ (it’s actually about 17 miles away at the last count).
Needless to say, the blog elicited some fervent comments for and against. Said one: “How can Paris be better than Rome in any sense? Paris is just marketing, the French are masters in self-promotion from food to fashion. Just look at Paris’s main symbol – it’s a bunch of steel rods! Can this even be compared to the Colosseum?” A bit harsh on the iconic and beautiful Eiffel Tower and on a city that can also boast the Arc de Triomphe, the cathedral of Notre Dame and the Mona Lisa!
Perhaps the best and most diplomatic summing-up was this: “Why should one be better than the other? They’re different, that’s all.”
Too true - and the answer is, of course, that if you have time, visit both. There are regular flights between Paris and Rome or an overnight sleeper rail service that takes around fourteen and a half hours.
Shop around on the web and you’ll find some of the best design, boutique and luxury hotels in Paris and Rome as well as city guides with advice about what to see and how best to get around.
Isn’t it incredible that flying is cheaper than the railways? And driving is cheaper than the railways? It used to do exasperate, frustrate and infuriate me that a journey from the UK to most cities in Europe was so difficult to arrange by train, and so ridiculously simple to organise by flying. I’ve no anger left on this subject, just a weary resignation that we’re living in a culture far removed from energy efficiency and respect for the Earth’s resources, together with a Green movement so hysterically charged and preachy that for the common man there is no middle ground.
It’s not just that flying is cheaper; it’s easier to sort out. There is a range of web sites that offers information on rail travel in the UK and throughout Europe. Apart from fares to Ireland, rail travel prices are hugely expensive compared to flying, and working out the times and connections are fiddly, complicated and unreliable. You pay tons more for high speed services across Europe, and the cheaper trains mean a seemingly simple trip from, say, London to Prague, takes over 36 hours, including an overnight stay on a freezing cold platform somewhere in North West Germany. A flight takes a few hours and on a budget airline, works out around 90 percent cheaper.
Right now I’m booking a trip to Ireland to go landboarding around the coast of Donegal. Although an overnight rail-ferry-rail trip to Ireland works out cheaper than a train from London to Manchester, there are no railway stations in Donegal – the Irish neglected their rail infrastructure as much as the British, despite both countries’ efforts to revitalise services.
I can’t even take the train to the airport. The train times don’t match the time of the flight, so I’ve got to drive to Heathrow, parking my car their. Heathrow airport parking adds to the overall cost of the trip considerably, so I do a search online to see if there are any budget airport parking companies.
There’s Belfast airport parking but I’m not taking the car on the plane so that’s not necessary though I do need to hire a car from there. Bristol airport parking looks cheap but I can’t fly from there to where I want in Ireland because there they’re booked up.
Birmingham airport parking looks good until I realise I’m wasting time trying to save money on parking my car at the airport but not considering that the convenience of Heathrow airport parking might possibly outweigh the cost seeing as it’s nearer and therefore will save me on fuel.
Then there’s the luggage – a landboard and a couple of large foil kites wont count as hand luggage and I know some airlines charge lots for surfboards and a landboard (looks like a large skateboard but with big air filled tyres on it) is fairly bulky.
I spend an entire afternoon drudging through different flight times, different airports, different airlines, and different airport parking. For some reason Edinburgh airport parking is free while meet and greet parking is available at some airports, whatever that is, though I guess it means you pay extra for some kind of concierge service.
Stansted airport parking looks reasonable if I book a budget flight, but the airline at Heathrow airport is more reliable than most of those cheap airlines. I decide to buy a special bag for my landboard, just in case whatever airport I fly from has some weird ban on skateboards. The bag is made from tough nylon and could pass for a conventional holdall.
Maybe I could get a bus to the airport? That would do away with the hassle of airport parking and the often high charges associated with it. But coaches take ages, and stop all over the place, and get stuck in traffic just like cars. I look at the prices and unless you book really early it works out more than buying petrol for the equivalent distance in the car.
I decide on Heathrow airport, as the Heathrow airport parking facilities seem reasonable enough, and it is the nearest airport to me. Why would I want to drive to Teesside airport, parking my car there just to save a few quid? Though Cardiff airport is, I suddenly remember, nearer to me, and Cardiff airport parking has got to be easier – smaller airport, fewer cars, equals less fuss? I don’t count on it though. I imagine: these massive airport parking lots; thousands of identikit cars in which somewhere is yours; where you spend half a day looking for it.
The long sandy beaches of Donegal beckon, and the wind and tide forecasts are just right for a great 3 days of kiting and being blown around by Mother Nature.
In the event Heathrow airport parking proved less stressful than I imagined, but on the flight over my anger over why I couldn’t simply have got a rail-ferry ticket over to Ireland resumed. This constant limitation on transport and promotion of flying has left the railways and ferry companies unable to compete, with the possible exception of certain types of freight.
I suppose I could have got the rail-ferry ticket to Dublin, then a train as far up the west coast as I could, and then hired a car. Maybe next time I will. I just have these haunting memories of previous attempts to negotiate Ireland by public transport then at the point where I needed to hire a car found everything closed because everyone had gone to the races or the pub or something.
Landboarding and kiting in Ireland is great fun by the way. The sport is still in its youth there, which means less people and more space on the sands. In fact you can find some beaches, especially around Kerry, that are utterly empty. 5-mile long beaches. Completely, blissfully, beautifully deserted!
Now that’s worth the stresses of flying and driving and airport parking – surely?
She just had to choose a remote Scottish island to visit a friend; who couldn’t put us up because there wasn’t enough space; who lived so far from the only hotel that without a car it’d be tricky to be able to meet up. Since we couldn’t afford to take the car on the ferry (parking at the port was still incredibly expensive) and her friend didn’t have one then it was unlikely we would meet up without incurring further expenses from hiring taxis. And that’s if there were any. We were venturing into the unknown, an unknown friend in an unknown set of circumstances. The only thing we were sure of that the only place to stay was a ridiculously luxury hotel that had eaten four-fifths of our budget.
I suggested calling the whole thing off. This proved to be a strategic error. She kicked off - you just couldn’t let your friends down apparently. I could see she had her doubts but she was using my lack of timing to channel that into a general cumulative stress release that resulted in me feeling remarkably foolish, followed by a keen desire to be quiet and never give any type of opinion likely to cause even the slightest conflict. We were definitely going to a remote Scottish island large enough to need a car to get around but with out a car and therefore no reasonable means of actually meeting her friend.
Even if it meant spending our entire time waiting around in a large luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the sea to catch a glimpse of this elusive friend.
The irony was I had always wanted to visit a Scottish island. The mountainous scenery and rocky shores and wildlife seemed unattainable – a far away place that if I’d gone to I would have never returned.
But this visit’s background emotional context seemed to throw my desire to engage in the culture and geographical splendour of this ancient land and seascape, it seemed to hammer it down into the base gravel of her road, her interests, her unshakeable determination to visit a friend who hardly seemed in need of a visit.
The weather must have changed a thousand times as we drove north. Weather fronts swung in, sun, rain, wind, hitting us each time with a different flavour of feeling. Engaging with nature this way was mesmerising and cathartic. Crossing the border and winding our way through the Scottish mountains sent our spirits up a level.
We weren’t heading for a luxury hotel in Paris or a luxury hotel in New York, but a rather pompous sounding one in a land that didn’t need to shout or self-congratulate itself. The wilds of Scotland hardly needed to speak for themselves. It was like a dream.
600 miles from home, a tiny ferry chugged us across a strip of sea to the Island. My thoughts of despair at not having the security blanket of a car disappeared as a soft Atlantic breeze caught our hair as we took our first footsteps on the quay.
Then a cute little trailer truck train thingy pulled up and offered us a free lift to the one and only hotel on the Island! Immediately we felt welcomed to what I had previously thought would be a hostile foreboding place. 10 miles long and five miles wide, the Island was sparsely populated and it turned out we were at the other end from her friend’s place. At least we were getting a lift to the hotel.
The exterior of the hotel was grand and imposing, like a castle. Maybe it was a castle. Oh, it is a castle, that’s used as a hotel. Fine. She smiled as the sun briefly shone through the clouds that were now shooting across the sky in the increasing breeze. This may not have been a luxury hotel in Rome but there was something uniquely romantic about this place.
The trailer truck trundled through the large oak gates and into a cobbled courtyard; we entered the main hotel doors, and found ourselves in a large lobby reception area, a real wood fire crackling away at one end. The warmth of this large, high ceiling room felt a continuity of the islands welcome.
It was now 7 hours and 30 minutes since I last felt any trepidation or gloom about going away on a seemingly pointless and expensive holiday just for the sake of meeting a friend who wasn’t even sure they could meet us.
But when it turned out her friend didn’t even know where we were staying and wasn’t answering the telephone I sulked in the grandiose bedroom that was costing us considerably more than the outstanding bills on the kitchen table back home.
I rarely think about the future, because if I add up everything from the present and multiply by it by my expectations then look back and see if that’s happened in the previous two years it doesn’t change, just goes on as a constant. Even if I dispense with my expectations so as to avoid disappointment I’m still struggling to maintain the constant.
In the 1960’s a man walked on the moon and people dreamed of a free and progressive future. Today it seems all this has resulted in is our ability to use computers to switch electricity suppliers. Fascinating.
Our room is on the third floor, it feels and indeed is, high up. I look out across the Atlantic Ocean; white horses appear and disappear on the swell. The weather is edging towards a storm. Rain starts to patter against the tiny windows. Just yards from the castle grounds a long sandy beach trails away round a small headland.
When I reach it I revel in the fact that I am the only person on the beach. I run, walk, stop, change direction, and I’m getting soaking wet. She’s gone to see her friend, courtesy of the chugging trailer truck thingy. I can’t afford to stay forever in a large luxury hotel, but I’m going
We were driving from Dorset to North Wales, possibly heading for Ireland, it depended, on how we felt, on how much time we could afford away from the farm; we had cover but it was costing us hundreds by the day, and weren’t sure even as we left whether we would cut it short or long. By the time we saw the mountains of Snowdonia we knew it could be a week. We have stayed in Snowdonia many times before and one particular Snowdonia Hotel called Dolseau Hall Hotel which is a romantic hotel is a stunning setting. We got engaged there.
But as for this trip, we hadn’t booked anything, and for the first time ever, we felt like taking the best luxury hotel we could see. We found a mountainside hotel 10 miles from Bangor, it had views, but was lacking in luxury. An evening stroll, a reasonable meal, a good night’s sleep and the next morning we found ourselves at sea, heading for Dublin.
When we worked in London, we’d often be abroad, staying in luxury hotels in Paris, luxury hotels in New York, and had gotten so used to the high standards and ultra-professional service it became the norm, but never something you could quite take for granted. Although it would always go on the company’s expense account, it still felt like an expense, a treat of sorts.
It was a late, sun-kissed afternoon that graced Dublin’s inspiring, ‘on the move’ ambience. We chose a hotel near Phoenix Park, and while the views were just about satisfactory, the interior and atmosphere was perfect; it allowed us to completely escape and inhabit a world far away from the daily life on the farm, although I sensed that by the end of the week, we would miss our home, despite our relaxing and welcoming surroundings.
Apart from Paris and New York, I couldn’t exactly compare our hotel to a Florence luxury hotel or even a luxury hotel in London, as our city jobs didn’t really focus on Europe. This was only my second trip to Ireland and it was so far, very unlike the previous stay in an remote holiday cottage in Cork. The paintings, classical interior decoration, and beautifully presented gardens, together with certain aspects of the Dublin skyline, was enough to make you think you were in a luxury hotel in Rome.
The food was served with impeccable courtesy and looked expensive, tasted expensive, and was expensive. It wasn’t worth it of course, but then holidays are often a surreal time, when money takes on a different value and you almost are resigned to going over budget.
In the event we stayed just three, yet pleasant and rejuvenating days. A luxury hotel almost tires you out with it’s abundance of staff, facilities, and gadgets constantly there to save you time and energy and nearly any type of hassle you’d usually take for granted.
As we headed back for the ferry and then the rolling hills of Dorset I remembered how little I really noticed when staying in luxury hotels in New York or Paris, and how much more I
Walking around the art galleries of Paris seemed an extraordinary, unnecessary and pointless ordeal. It’s not that I don’t like art, or her friends, but if I didn’t go then I’d only be at home sat around feeling miserable and missing her. My girlfriend of the past 6 months didn’t deserve a loner antisocial boyfriend, so I decided to do my best and walk around some cultural landmarks of France feeling miserable and missing home.
Another downside of this most definitely nightmare journey was the melee of friends she was bringing. Jane from Cardiff, Sarah from Glasgow, Chloe from Leeds, Jess from Bristol, Emma from... whatever happened to just having friends from across the road? Surely there could be some kind of friend swap system online, it would make things a whole lot easier on the environment.
Then there was the monetary cost. Ok, so she offered to pay for my flight from Heathrow Airport, parking included possibly, on a non-budget airline, which means I should be able to get a coffee without doubling the price of my plane ticket, but what about getting to Heathrow? She was flying from Leeds-Bradford airport, parking her car there. So I was to drive 2 hours to Heathrow, parking my car there. How much would fuel and airport parking cost? It seemed there was a whole mini-industry around these airports determined to fleece you every step of the way.
I sat there and looked out across the valley and thought why bother? The apparent futility of looking at pictures that I could just see in a book or online seemed a picnic compared to the stress and financial decimation of a 5 hour ‘journey’ consisting of traffic jams, plane rage and getting jostled by screaming hordes of tourists in Paris.
Instead of trying to look on the bright side – baguettes, cheap wine, the vague amusement of looking at things on buildings but it being spelt in a foreign language – I then worked out how much this whole trip was going to cost everybody and what more meaningful alternative was available.
Oh I forgot, that busybody Mary who I sincerely believe hates me for ever having the audacity to associate with her friend is flying from Newcastle airport, parking her car there. I’m losing count on the number of friends, was there a Ruthy or Amy? What’s that one with the back combed blonde hair that always seems to be on her way somewhere else when she’s just arrived at a social gathering? Ok, to go on the side of caution I make it seven of us, then multiply that by what I imagine the costs for each will be, and it comes to a number which, given the lack of proper research, I give incredible and faith and respect to.
It’s a vague and possibly wild guess at the cost of flights, airport parking, drinks and meals, but I arrive at a vague and possibly wild figure that amazingly comes to the exact amount needed to buy me a 250cc Vespa scooter and a full tank of petrol to allow me to drive off into the distance and never be seen again.
I grow less enthusiastic at this prospect as it dawns on me that I eventually would meet someone new in some far off place beyond the mountains and lakes that I would merrily drive by, and then be coerced again into trips to art exhibitions and museums.
Its not that I don’t appreciate culture, or even going abroad, I’m just not particularly partial to spending prolonged periods of time in the company of my girlfriend’s friends while they get all excited over some drawings. I like to shoot through galleries, you could call it speed-culture, and others might just call immaturity and impatience. I should learn some virtue, but I feel I would need it in the first place to get more of it.
Outside it’s a bright sunny day, and this supposedly ideal holiday weather translates to me the hideous concept of sitting in traffic jams with searing heat and choking smog. I add another hour to my drive time to the airport parking lot to allow for the inevitable delays, wrong turns and motorway tailbacks.
It’s nearly time to book my ticket and arrange the Heathrow airport parking online, so I call her to check the weekend break is still on and there hasn’t been some sort of collective despondency and desolation akin to mine on the part of her friends... and of course there isn’t. I try one last polite, understated course of evasive action by implying that since all her friends would be flying from different airports it might be tricky all meeting up. She replies firmly that that wouldn’t be happening since we’d all been booked into the same hotel. She cheerily adds: ‘I’ll be using the Edinburgh airport parking, it’s simple and straightforward, why don’t you use the meet and greet parking at Heathrow?’
I sense a faint glimmer of hope in this seemingly disastrous escapade – yes I suppose I could pay more money to make travelling less inconvenient, even though I could save a lot more simply by not going away at all.
Yet I find it difficult to find a reason not to agree, which makes me feel miserable and helpless as it increasingly becomes apparent that I am fixed on a path to art gallery and theatre going oblivion. I look again for a bright side, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a fluorescent energy saving light bulb that hangs over a watercolour by Monet.
She detects, or guesses, an element of discouragement in me, so then encouragingly adds: ‘It’ll be a great experience baby.’
‘That’s what scares me,’ I think to myself.
After I put the telephone down I consider why I’m actually going. I guess whatever it is we’d be doing together, it’s not the hassle of flying and finding the East Midlands airport parking or whatever, it’s being with her that really counts.
Purple Parking are currently working on a new website which will go live in March 2008. I have been given access to review the site and here is the video:
Rome is called the Eternal City and is truly a city with eternal delights. Do you bear a love for history? Are you interested in ancient architecture and temples? If so then you need to explore the ancient lands of Rome.
Rome's palaces, museums and ancient historical monuments are so countless that even Rome’s locals have not seen all of its many treasures. As one of the world's most historic and ancient cities, Rome plays host to millions of tourists each year. From the old world opulence of the Roman Forum and the Catacombs to the serene natural beauty of Villa Borghese, Rome oozes grandeur.
The central attractions of Rome are the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Via Del Corso is located north from the Forum to Piazza Del Popolo, accompanied by Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain on the east. The Vatican is situated northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber in Rome.
The Colosseum is a reigning symbol of Ancient Rome and one of the city's flagship monuments. One must view the Colosseum not just as a hallmark of Roman architectural prowess but also as the venue of lavish public spectacles and gladiatorial combat. For nearly 500 years, the Colosseum was used as the site of gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts, dramas based on Classical mythology and executions - maintaining its status as a prime feature of the greatness of the Roman Empire and an enduring symbol of the power of the Emperor.
Another Roman ruin that draws the fascination of thousands of tourists every year is the Baths of Caracalla. The baths incorporate a complex that covers approximately 13 hectares and could accommodate up to 1600 bathers in its prime - more of a luxury leisure complex than a simple series of baths. As well as a range of temperature controlled bathing rooms and pool areas, the Baths of Caracalla also incorporates a public library and a shopping centre - indicative of the Baths' status as one of Rome's most indulgent hotspots.
The abundance of Renaissance and Baroque architecture in Rome is also a prominent indicator of its affluent heritage, with the Piazza del Campidoglio often cited as the most impressive example of Renaissance creation in the city. Designed by Michelangelo, the piazza was initially constructed as a symbol of the new Rome in 1538, in order to impress Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.
Other marks of Rome's grand Renaissance period include the Palazzo del Quirinale (now the seat of the President of Italy) the Palazzo Venezia and the Palazzo Farnese - all of which were opulent palaces built by Rome's most famous aristocratic families. Additionally, the Fontana di Trevi acts as Rome's most enduring representation of Baroque architecture, and is one of the city's most cherished monuments by residents and travelers alike.
For a true taste of Rome’s grandeur and luxurious past, there are plenty of luxury hotels and boutique hotels to choose from located in the heart of this historic city. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of high quality accommodation while exploring the magnificence of the city's most famous sights at the same time - the perfect recipe for a true understanding of Roman luxury!
The term boutique hotel originates from North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments but what specific attributes qualify a hotel for the term ‘boutique hotel’ and what makes one hotel a boutique while another is not?
There are a few distinct characteristics that contribute to qualifying to be a boutique hotel and these are as follows:
1. The first factor is size and a boutique hotel should have no more than 100 rooms.
2. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation, services and facilities.
3. Boutique hotels often have a theme or style of their own.
4. Room amenities include Flat screen TV’s with cable/Pay TV, telephone and Wi-fi Internet connections and honesty bars.
5. 24 hour guest services by hotel staff.
6. On site dining facilities, and the majority offer attractive bars as well as lounges which may also be open to the general public.
Atmosphere is considered the sum total of the physical facilities and all the intangibles that comprise a memorable hotel experience. This above all things will set the hotel apart from a normal hotel and will include interior decoration, hotel ambience, customer service and the attitude and professionalism of management and staff. All these ingredients must be combined to create a genuine sense of intimacy.
Where there is an atmosphere of intimacy without familiarity then the hotel is on to a winner and is well along its way to be claimed a boutique hotel. What do we mean by intimacy when we talk about hotels? We define intimacy as caring, warm, personalised, yet totally professional. Familiarity involves using guests’ first name, friendly hugs and hand shakes and other physical contact.
The boutique environment also includes anticipating guests’ needs and desires rather than simply responding to a request. Knowing what a guest wants, when they want it, and how they want it is a major difference between good service and great service. The goal of any fine hotel, boutique or otherwise must be great service but as with many intangibles, boutique hotels like beauty may be in the eye of the beholder.
Love is in the air and it doesn’t get much more romantic than spending Valentine’s Day in a beautiful hotel. The luxury and boutique hotels booking site, Luxique, chooses its Top 5.
On a Valentine’s Day getaway, a loved one expects nothing but the best - and that includes the hotel. With that in mind, the boutique and luxury hotel booking site Luxique has selected its top five romantic destinations for 2008.
Every survey insists that Paris remains Europe’s most romantic city and the Hotel de Crillon, a palace commissioned by Louis XV, is among the crème de la crème of luxury hotels in the French capital. Its previous guests include Prime Ministers, Presidents and pop stars, so discretion is guaranteed.
Many cities in India have a romantic aura, but perhaps the pick is Udaipur in Rajasthan. The 18th century Taj Lake Palace is a fairytale of white marble and mosaic that shimmers over four acres on the calm waters of Lake Pichola. Staff dressed in 
immaculate tunics make guests feel like maharajahs.
Many Americans like to head down to the Hawaiian islands if romance is on their mind, and the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has a paradise setting with amazing places to share views of the ocean and the sunset. There’s also a world class spa and an impressive art collection.
The Burj Al Arab in Dubai has been called an ‘Arabian Nights Fantasy.’ With its famous design resembling a billowing sail, it’s surrounded by choreographed colour sculptures of water and fire. 
The duplex suites all feature remotely-controlled lighting, curtains and air conditioning … and a choice of thirteen pillows!
For those looking for absolute romantic seclusion, there’s Le Taha’a, an exclusive hideaway in
French Polynesia on what’s often called ‘the Vanilla Island.’ The resort hotel has 48 over-water suites and 12 beach villas and offers a special programme called ‘Romantic Rendezvous.’
Luxique’s Chief Executive, Alex Brey, commented: “These are some of the best hotels money can buy. They all have something special about them and we’re confident guests at any of these will have an unforgettably romantic experience.”
Travelling can be a stressful event for many of us and airplane travel is top on the list of the stressors that we experience on what is supposed to be an exciting and fun event. A few simple steps can remove most of the stress of air travel.
Make a checklist
Make a checklist of all the things you want to check to secure your home before you leave. Walk through your home checking off each item. Do this at least an hour before you leave your house.
Doing this will make sure that you don’t have that awful feeling when you get to the airport of “did I lock the back door?” or any of the other little nagging worries you might have while on your travel.
Pets
Be sure your pets are taken care of. Make any kennel reservations well in advance of your trip to be sure you have a reserved spot at a kennel you trust. This is very important during the holiday seasons.
Fly in the morning
Morning flights are often the best. Most people do not want to wake up early for a flight so you will more often than not find the plane and airport less crowded and more spaces available in the Airport Parking lot.
A good idea is to book into a hotel close to the airport the night before so you can get to the airport early enough.
Avoid peak flight times
Even if you are unable to get on the earliest flight, it is recommended that you avoid peak flight times as this is when the flights, Airport Parking and the airport itself are most crowded.
Additionally, security will be heightened during peak times making longer queues.
Use online check-in
Many airlines offer online check-in and this will save you time otherwise wasted standing in line to check-in at the airport - time that can be better spent at home or in the airport lounge. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to utilise this feature unless you are traveling without luggage that needs to be checked-in.
Pack your bags
Make sure all your packing is done at least the night before and that you have all your bags in one central location for easy and complete loading into your car or taxi. Have all your travel paperwork organized and in one central location.
Get there early
Arrive at the airport as early as possible. Call the airport and airline the day before to see how early the recommend you should arrive for a smooth, stress free check in. If they tell you to arrive three hours early and you arrive just 30 minutes early, you will probably feel great stresses about missing your flight. While 5 hours ahead of time might be a bit too far in advance, you never know what could go wrong on the way to the airport or while you are there. Also ask if there are any parking restrictions you should be aware of. Airport Security check-in takes longer these days, and many airlines are recommending arrival 3 hours prior to flight time.
You’ll feel far more relaxed if you are not rushing to get to your plane and can enjoy a drink in the airport bar or some duty-free shopping instead. If you have trouble arriving early, think about staying in an airport hotel the night before.
Book non-stop flights
Non-stop flights will save you a lot of time. Non-stop flights usually cost more, but they can be worth it if you want to have a more relaxing journey.
Make sure there’s enough time for connections
If you can’t get a non-stop flight, make sure your agent books connections with ample time for plane changes. Even if you get your boarding pass ahead of time and your luggage is checked through to your final destination, it could be a long hike to the gate once you are in the transit lounge. Additionally, if your first flight is late, you risk missing the next flight without a good buffer zone.
Fight Jet Lag
You can prevent jet lag by drinking water instead of alcohol on the flight, keeping your body well hydrated. It’s also wise to walk around the plane and stretch while in your seat so you keep your blood circulating. Sleep according to the time zone of the location you are heading to, and if you get there in the daytime, do not sleep until the night!
By following these simple steps, you will find that your stress levels from your air travels will be much less. A well planned trip agenda ensures that those little stress points stay little stress points and don't balloon into a full blown crisis.
Try it any you will be amazed how just a small amount of up front planning dramatically improves the enjoyment of your travel.
Obviously, traveling business or first class is going to be more relaxing. Here are a few steps that will improve your chances of getting a free flight upgrade:
Be polite and friendly
Upgrades are usually at the discretion of check-in staff so a bit of flirtatious charm can go a long way.
Be subtle and discreet
Staff are unlikely to upgrade you if other customers are within earshot. “Have you got seats anywhere else on the plane?” is a rather nice way of asking for an upgrade, or alternatively request “an aisle seat next to the window!” – think about it!
Scrub up well
Staff will prioritise customers who look the part, so that rules out any jeans and beach wear - however much you're in the mood for a tropical holiday! There's no need to wear a full suit as this can be uncomfortable on long flights; smart trousers and a shirt should do it.
Join a frequent flier programme
If you're a frequent flier, then you should definitely consider becoming a member. After all, they're completely free to sign up to and usually you'll be given priority over low fare economy ticket holders when upgrades are available or necessary.
Get friendly with staff
Having friends or family who work for the airline will always help. Also, if you regularly fly on the same route, get to know the staff and they'll be more likely to keep you in mind.
Avoid regular business hours
Flying during the working day obviously means more business people taking up seats and less opportunity for you to fill them. If possible, fly at the weekend or unusual hours to increase your chances.
Fly on planes with larger first class sections
It goes without saying the more first class seats there are, the more likely it is you'll get one. You can either check the airline's website or use a site like Seat Guru to investigate a specific plane's layout.
Get bumped off
Companies often over-book flights, especially in busy times like school holidays, and hope people will cancel or not turn up. Then they'll ask passengers to voluntarily fly on the next available flight and more than likely offer you an upgrade as well as compensation for the inconvenience.
Celebrate in style
If you're celebrating a special occasion like your honeymoon always let the staff know. A good tip is to take your marriage certificate with you so you can prove it. You never know, you may get lucky!
Use Frequent Flyer Miles
If you prefer a guaranteed way to travel in comfort without shelling out, you can always use your Frequent Flyer miles to top up the flight.
Ditch the family!
It's easier to get upgrades when you're traveling on your own. Families and groups aren't likely to be offered them.
Chat up the travel agent
Try and get the travel agent to annotate your booking with SFU (suitable for upgrade) or CIP (commercially important passenger), while it won't assure an upgrade, it should increase your chances. Marry a pilot! It speaks for itself!
And what not to do…….
Be demanding
While it might work for celebrities, having an attitude isn't going to warm the staff to you and they'll be less inclined to give you an upgrade.
Undersell yourself
While this won't definitely secure you an upgrade, if you're a Doctor or Reverend, make sure you book with this on the ticket. Some peoples' experiences suggest this will help you on your way to getting a luxury seat.
The next best…….
If you don't rate your chances of getting an upgrade, there are ways to improve the likelihood of getting those much sought-after bulkhead seats with the big leg room. While airlines say these seats are only allocated on the day of flying, frequent flyers may actually be able to pre-book them.
If not, why not try checking in online? As well as saving time, you might be able to grab aisle or bulkhead seats this way. If you've a back injury, get a certificate from your doctor to help persuade staff at check-in. Be aware, though, to sit by an emergency exit you have to be deemed ‘physically fit'.
Also use the airline's website or an online guide to airline seating to compare the amount of leg room you get. For example, Air New Zealand offers their lucky passengers three inches more leg-room as standard compared to BA.
When thinking of a hotel in
Padstow, a working fishing port and well heeled tourist magnet, is massively enjoyable out of season. You get everything you would at the busy times, with dark mizzley nights as a kind of payment, or depending on the way you look at it, authentic Cornish weather. There is a certain ambience that comes from not having to side step the summertime hordes of sightseers. This soulful, dreamy atmosphere kind of soothes you, and when you get in from your early evening stroll and take your place at the table of what must be one of the best fish restaurants in the world, you really feel like this could be the only thing in the world.
Although it would never have occurred to us that you could actually stay at a Rick Stein hotel in Padstow, it does seem quite an obvious business model for the Stein formula of using the best of ingredients for outstanding results.
Situated behind the Seafood Restaurant is one of Padstow’s most impressively elegant guest houses – St Edmund’s – one of six hotels and holiday cottages in Padstow owned by Rick Stein. With oak flooring and great views across the beautiful Camel estuary, St Edmunds boasts the latest in chic modern features combined with a classic, colonial decor.
How many of you have struggled to find a car park space at a UK airport adding to the misery on what should be an exiting start to your holidays? If you are lucky enough to fight your way to a free parking space and dragged your luggage to your terminal, your holiday is almost certainly off on the wrong foot.
There is a very easy way to cut out this stress entirely by using an airport parking booking agency online to book your airport parking well in advance.
The main UK airport parking companies include Purple Parking, Park and Save and Bluedog Parking.
These types of preferential airport parking are becoming increasingly popular as they cut out the stress of finding a space plus they offer substantial savings. Finding convenient airport parking close to an airport at prices that do not pinch the purse has now become a reality and all you need to do is go online and find services that offer airport parking.
Booking airport parking online is very safe and easy with benefits that include:
- Best Value - Saving you money
Booking online can save you over 60% compared to paying on the day at the airport.
- Stress Less – Peace of mind
Cut out the stress of finding a space on the day by booking your airport parking that suits you and plan your journey in advance. Everything is booked and arranged in advance. You just turn up, park and fly.
- Compare prices for the best deal
There are many websites that compare airport parking prices for you and show you the total cost so you can choose the parking that best suits your needs and pocket.
You will find that there are no hidden costs so there will be no surprises in store for you. There are many sites offering attractive promotions like hotel and parking combinations, meet and greet or chauffeur services or breakfast offers.
Visit the following websites to find the best UK airport parking deals and save yourself money, time and take some of the stress out of parking:
Purple Parking
Holiday Extras
Parking 4 Less
Travel Supermarket
Blue Dog Parking
Easy Jet Parking
FHR Parking
Booking a hotel online without using a travel agent can save you big bucks compared to high street prices, but what happens if a problem occurs with your hotel? The following steps will make the process of booking a hotel online is as safe and stress free as possible:
First off, spend some time doing some thorough research by taking a look at not just one or two hotel websites but a selection before you book. This way you can compare what each hotel website has to offer and see what you can get for your budget.
Visit the hotel's own website and email or telephone the hotel to ask for their best rate. They may have a special offer running which makes it worth booking direct. Establishing a personal contact this way also makes it easier to request a quiet room, an upgrade, late check-out or other extras.
Here’s a selection of some excellent hotel booking websites:
Luxique
Has access to over 2000 unique luxury hotels & villas from around the world with no booking fees and unbiased advice.
Hotel Connect
A specialist which features properties in cities and resorts, mostly in Europe.
Hotel Club
15,000 hotels in 71 countries and posts customers' reviews online.
Late Rooms
Late hotel deals at more than 50,000 hotels in the UK, Europe, North America, Australasia and India.
Low Cost Beds
Offers hotels in cities and resorts across Europe and the USA, plus ski resorts throughout the Alps and North America.
Med Hotels
Now part of Lastminute.com; a specialist in mainstream summer sun destinations across the Mediterranean.
Octopus Travel
Hotels in more than 100 countries; also promises to match any lower price you can find elsewhere on the internet.
Priceline
45,000 hotels worldwide plus reviews written by customers.
Most websites now offer brochures or newsletters which you can register for online and will be posted to your address so you can get a better idea of what’s available.
Another great tip is to use price comparison websites which will compile a list of hotel prices from a range of websites and hotel chains. However, their prices may not be as up to date as the prices offered by sites that deal direct with the hotels, and which have direct links to the hotels' reservations systems.
The following websites are recommended to use for comparing hotel prices:
Cheap Accommodation
Hotels Comparison
Kelkoo
Travel Jungle
Trip Advisor
Once you have found a hotel that suits your budget and individual needs, it's worth looking for unbiased reviews posted by other people on websites such as www.tripadvisor.co.uk
These reviews are from people who have actually stayed at hotels and are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being a terrible hotel stay and 5 being a perfect stay. However, you should also bear in mind that it is human nature that most people are motivated to post a comment only if they have really loved or really hated a place.
It's also recommended that you check your hotel out by consulting guidebooks.
Resort hotels and apartments
Over the past five years, holiday giants such as Thomson, First Choice and Cosmos, have woken up to fact that many of us now like to put our own holidays together, buying hotel, flight and car hire separately without being tied in to a tour operator's package. So they have all hopped on the bandwagon and started selling hotel rooms and villas without forcing us to buy their flights or other services too.
There are several pluses about booking through a big tour operator. Their buying power in the key summer sun resorts is huge, so you are likely to get good prices, and you will be able to access hotels that other online retailers cannot offer, because the big operators often buy up all the rooms in some of the best resort hotels for an entire season. But you may find that their selections are heavily weighted towards the popular summer and winter sun resorts, rather than cities.
How safe is my booking?
Booking a hotel over the internet can be risky. If you buy a package holiday (including, say, hotel, flight and car hire) you are financially protected, for example by an Abta or Atol bond. But if you buy a single element of a holiday by itself, such as a hotel room, the company selling the accommodation may not necessarily be bonded (though some are - Octopus Travel and Hotel Connect, for example, are both Abta bonded).
Does this matter? In practical terms, if you are unhappy with your hotel and your purchase was not financially protected, it means you will probably have to fight it out with the overseas hotelier, which can be a hassle. And if the company selling the hotel rooms goes bust, you will probably lose out.
To make sure your booking is as safe as possible, follow these tips:
- Take a look on the website for "about us" section and make sure that they clearly have a phone number and address for queries. Give them a call to make sure this is correct.
- Look at the bottom of the site or in the "about us" section to find out if the company holds a bond. If you are not clear whether your booking is financially protected then you should phone them up and ask.
- Understand that if the company is based overseas, it will be harder to sort out any problems than if they are based in the UK
- Read reviews of your hotel, online and in guidebooks
- Always pay by credit card
- Carry a print out of any email reference you are sent
- After you've booked a hotel through an online agency, phone the hotel before you set off to check your booking is in their system
- If you encounter a problem, raise it with both the hotel and the booking site promptly, and in writing. If you wait until you get home to complain you may find your complaint is dismissed
In the movie 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days', magazine writer Andie Anderson sets out purposely to offload a new boyfriend by committing the worst possible dating sins. She buys matching clothes for the two of them, phones up his mother and asks for his baby photos, crashes his poker game and starts moving her toiletries into his bathroom.
The moral of the story is that romantic gestures should take into account the stage of the relationship. In the first flush, you should avoid anything that implies you are thinking too far into the future. Men can make the same mistake, too, by buying outrageously sexy underwear in those early courting days or, at the other extreme, being too comfortable with a woman and taking her to a football game with his buddies on Valentine’s Day.
For the guys, even some of the reliable Valentine’s stand-bys might be suspect. Flowers? (maybe she’s allergic); candy? (probably on a diet); a CD? (are you absolutely certain she likes Meatloaf?). The fail-safe is always, always the romantic (and, ideally secret) getaway. Boutique Hotels expert Luxique.com can help you choose a luxury hotel or a boutique hotel – something right out of the ordinary. Picture it – cocktails in a shared spa bath, his and hers fluffy white bathrobes, rose petals on the pillows.
So … think Valentine’s Day, think Paris. Or is that a cliché these days? Apparently not. Every survey you read insists that it remains Europe’s most romantic city by a distance. You probably did the 2-star pension in your student days, so head for the luxury of the Hotel de Crillon, a palace commissioned in 1758 by Louis XV. Let’s face it, if it was good enough for Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna among others, you might like it there too. One lucky lady from south-east England whose boyfriend proposed to her there on Valentine’s Day said: “The Crillon treated us like royalty and went out of their way to make the two days absolutely unforgettable.”
There can be no more romantic gesture than Shah Jahan’s 17th century 20-year labour of love to his beloved late wife Mumtaz – the magnificent Taj Mahal. Many cities in India have a romantic aura, but perhaps the pick is Udaipur in Rajasthan. If you’ve more than a weekend to spare, you’ll love the 18th century Taj Lake Palace, a fairytale of white marble and mosaic that shimmers over four acres on the calm waters of Lake Pichola. Parts of the James Bond film, Octopussy, were filmed there. You can have dinner on a ceremonial barge and be pampered by staff dressed in immaculate tunics who will treat you like a maharajah. “An exquisitely exotic spot,” said a New Yorker. “It should be on your ‘before I die’ list.”
New York itself may be bright and brash, but it has its romantic side – for instance, a picnic in Central Park, a walk hand-in-hand over the Brooklyn Bridge or ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center. But many Americans, it seems, would prefer to head down to the Hawaiian islands if love’s on their mind. Who could blame them when you have a paradise such as the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea? Rooms are furnished in a contemporary Hawaiian design and there are amazing places to share views of the ocean and the sunset. Apart from the facilities and services you’d expect from a top name like Four Seasons, there’s a world class spa and an impressive art collection. “Wow, this was a truly memorable stay – the personal attention was impeccable,” said a visitor from Atlanta.
OK, I’ve whetted your appetite, just one more suggestion before I let you loose on our luxury hotel website to make your choice. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai has been called an ‘Arabian Nights Fantasy.’ With its famous design resembling a billowing sail, it’s surrounded by choreographed colour sculptures of water and fire.
There are 202 duplex suites, the largest a substantial 780 square metres and all featuring remotely-controlled lighting, curtains and air conditioning.
You get a 42-inch plasma screen, a choice of 13 pillows and, if you and your credit card are up to it, a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce shopping experience. Nick from Seattle said: “They say this is the only 7-star hotel in the world and now I know why!”
There have been many surveys about what makes a romantic trip a success. Ocean views, big comfy bed, great food and discreet service usually make the top ten. But up there at number one is generally: ‘quality time with the one I love.’ Enjoy!
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