The glorious sunshine here in the UK is being enjoyed by us all and has only seemed to encourage our trusty tribe of travellers to double-down on their future holiday plans to keep the good times rolling.
Popular destinations being requested by our clients for upcoming trips include Western Canada, the ‘Deep South’ of America, New Zealand, Patagonia, Kenya’s Masai Mara, Nepal and Uzbekistan.
Returning clients meanwhile have enjoyed what has been for many their first journey abroad since before the pandemic. It has been a great joy to see people getting so excited about their return to travelling!
Here’s our latest selection of travel news and views to keep you up to date with ideas and special offers for future trips. We’ve also included further below the recipe for a tasty Asian salad courtesy of our friends at Bamboo Travel, to help you keep cool during these balmy times …
Kefalonia
If you’re searching for an authentic Greek villa holiday that will leave a lasting impression look no further than Kefalonia, where you can wake up to breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and enjoy a relaxing day by your private pool with a refreshing drink in hand.
Kefalonia is not only the largest of the Ionian islands, but also one of the most stunning, with well-connected roads for easy exploration offering opportunities to discover pristine beaches, charming fishing villages, and lush vineyards.
Our villa specialists at GIC recommend exploring its charming, timeless villages by foot, such as the trail connecting Drakopoulata, Themata Monastery, and Makriotika. Also visit the picturesque Agia Efimia, a horseshoe-shaped harbour village with various tavernas, bars, and shops to grab a drink or bite to eat while taking in the sights. And of course, cool off by swimming in the crystal-clear sea after each day’s exploration.
Ask us for details of the latest villa availability and offers.
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Staying with Greece for a moment, our Mediterranean accommodation specialists Exsus are currently offering great value stays at Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas in north-eastern Crete.
Nestled in a tranquil waterfront setting with two private sandy beaches, Elounda is an enchanting realm of ultra-stylish rooms, suites, villas, and bungalows spread across two stunning buildings. Each of the rooms come with their own private balcony or terrace overlooking the tranquil bay or lush gardens. For dining, you can indulge in Mediterranean flavours at the candlelit Dionysos, authentic Greek delicacies at Kafenion, or Japanese and Peruvian cuisine at the Blue Lagoon.
Unwind at the penthouse spa, take a refreshing dip in one of the inviting pools, or bask in the golden sands of the secluded beach. For the more adventurous, an array of activities beckons, from tennis and football to basketball and watersports. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, embracing the thrill of snorkelling and diving. And as the sun sets, sip on tantalising cocktails at the glamorous Veghera Bar, surrounded by the tranquil Grecian waters.
Exclusive offer with Exsus: 7-night stay from £1405 per person
European walking holidays with Inghams
Our clients give us great feedback on their European walking holidays arranged with Inghams and here are a couple of selected choices from their portfolio of chosen properties bookable now for summer 2024 at leading prices:
Derby Swiss Quality Hotel, Grindelwald, Switzerland
29/05/24 for 4 nights
Based on 2 sharing
Half board
Two guided walks included with a local guide
Swiss Half Fare Card included with up to 50% off local transport
Central location by the train station
Top floor terrace with Eiger views
Fly from Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh or Manchester from £909 per person
Hotel Cristina, Limone, Lake Garda, Italy
05/06/24 7 nights
Based on 3 sharing
Half board
Two guided walks included with a local guide
Resort card included with discounts on attractions & ferries
Pool with lake views
Free use of private beach & indoor pool at Hotel Leonard da Vinci
Fly from Gatwick, Edinburgh or Bristol from £1219 per person
JLA release new group tours for 2024
Journey Latin America have now launched their new group tour programme for 2024 including their brand-new ‘Jabirú: Wildlife, Wine and Jesuit Missions’ escorted group tour which explores Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
Included is a walking tour of Buenos Aires, crossing the River Plate to Colonia in Uruguay, an exploration of Montevideo, a walking tour of Asuncion and wildlife-watching in the Ibera wetlands.
14 days from £4788 per person based on 2 people sharing and excluding flights.
Bhutan – ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’
Save £1000 on Bhutan Festival group tours with Undiscovered Destinations
Starting and ending in Paro one of the many highlights of this tour is the opportunity to attend one of the interesting cultural Bhutanese festivals where you will be able to interact with the local people and experience age old customs and traditions. And of course, any visit to Bhutan must also include the stunning Tiger’s Nest Monastery too.
Choose your preferred departure date to celebrate one of the many festivals held throughout the year in Bhutan:
February/March includes the Punakha Festival (Tsechu)
April/May includes the small and local Ura Festival in the Bumthang region.
September includes the Tangbi Mani Festival in the Bumthang region
November includes the Black Necked Crane Festival in the stunning Phobjikha Valley.
Book before 30th June to save on group departures for 2023 and 2024
China is back & new high-speed train to Laos
After a three-year closure during the pandemic, China has finally reopened its doors to international tourism. Visitors can once again set foot on the iconic Great Wall, come face-to-face with a Giant Panda, slurp down noodles in Xi’an’s bustling Muslim Quarter, and village-hop through the beautiful southern countryside.
China has not been idle in the last few years, and the high-speed train network has been expanded further, making comfortable flight-free long-distance travel easier than ever. The new high-speed train line into Laos has very recently made its first journey across the border, finally connecting Yunnan’s pleasant city of Kunming with the Laotian capital Vientiane. The 1,000km journey passes through some stunning scenery in both countries, and opens up hugely exciting opportunities for multi-country trips in China and Southeast Asia.
Whether you are a first-time visitor, or you have been patiently waiting for the chance for a return trip to get deeper under the skin of this endlessly fascinating and ever-changing country, we can offer a range of bespoke itineraries.
And finally, as promised …
Keep it cool with an ‘Asian Style Salad’!
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, 1 tbsp runny honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, grated zest & juice of 1 lime, 1 carrot (finely sliced), 1 cucumber (finely sliced lengthways), 4 baby pak choi (shredded), 1 red chilli (finely sliced), 1tbsp groundnut oil, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, handful of fresh coriander, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, extra lime to serve (optional)
Method
1. Place half the honey, soy sauce and lime zest in a bowl with the chicken breasts and leave to marinate for 10 minutes.
2. Place the prepared vegetables and chilli in another bowl and mix together. Heat the groundnut oil in a frying pan and fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until cooked through. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.
3. Whisk the lime juice with the remaining honey, soy sauce and sesame oil. Slice the chicken, then add to the veg with the dressing and toss together. Sprinkle over the coriander and sesame seeds and serve.
4. Serve with either jasmine rice or rice noodles and replace the chicken with tofu if preferred.
Happy tasting!