HOLIDAYMAG
  • Home
  • Mike's Blog
  • Meet the team
  • About Mike
  • Write for us

ELBA

28/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Brits go to Tuscany in the summer; the Italians go to Elba. 

Looks like the Italians are on to a good thing!

One of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets, the Tuscan island of Elba is the perfect destination for an Autumn walking holiday, as the summer crowds have long departed and the temperature has dropped to a comfortable level. It is also when the Tuscany Walking Festival takes places allowing participants to discover the natural and historic treasures of the island free (or, in some cases, a few Euros).

If visitors travel in September and October, they have the chance to join one of the Tuscany Walking Festival events, whether it’s a hike to the English Fort built in 1700, a moonlit silent walk appreciating “mindfully” the late night smells and sounds of Marciana, watching the annual bird migration or keeping fit with Elba No Limits as they take participants on a walk incorporating an open-air gym session, there really is something for visitors with every kind of interest.

Picture
There is much to discover on Elba: ancient trails & mule tracks, which are well-maintained on account of the island being part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, lead to a wide range of encounters, from the picturesque coastline to mountains reaching 1000 metres, Etruscan fortresses, architectural remnants from Napoleon’s residency and untouched hamlets to geological landmarks such as copper mines.
​

And walking is probably the best way to discover Elba's true beauty, as it takes visitors off the beaten track and allows them to enjoy the extraordinary richness of its landscape that makes it a unique destination in Tuscany. High granite cliffs and sandy beaches alternate along the rugged coastline, with each inlet different from the last. Inland, footpaths take walkers through shady forests up to high peaks and ridges with 360° views across the island and down across the bird-rich maquis to the Mediterranean Sea.

Visitors will experience an old-fashioned, unmanaged peace; it really is for those who enjoy the simpler pleasures in life, and it's a 
cheaper alternative to neighbouring Sardinia or Corsica, with the same attractions (great beaches, climate & food), as well as history.

Picture
Where to stay

Hotel Ilio has a long association with wine; it was built above the winery of Maurizio’s grandfather and today Maurizio continues the tradition of winemaking with a local group of producers.

Though the main building is 150 years old, the hotel has been completely modernised, with – for example – solar panels and the heat generated by the kitchen both being used to produce the hot water used by guests; innovations introduced by Maurizio, a tourism specialist who lectures in the off-season, who likes to keep abreast of the latest industry developments.

0 Comments

Windjammer Landing, St Lucia

21/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Click on any image to enlarge it
Picture
​‘It’s like a Mediterranean village’, I said as the taxi passed through the entrance to Windjammer Landing, the unique resort hotel in St Lucia, and I spotted the Mediterranean roof-tiled buildings. Indeed, that is how its designer wanted it to look and it certainly worked.
 
Situated at Labrelotte Bay on the north west coast of St Lucia, stunning Windjammer Landing is built on the side of a hill on an island where peaks rise to over three thousand feet, It’s a delightful mix of hotel room and villa accommodation offering guests the option of self catering with breakfast, or all-inclusive. The A I package covers all meals at its five restaurants, wines by the glass as well as cocktails and premium spirits. It also includes motorised and non-motorised water sports as well as kids’ clubs and tennis clinics.
​Home for my stay was a gorgeous two-bedroom villa at the top of the hill with stunning views out to sea from the patio and pool. The villa included two bathrooms, a large and comfortably-furnished lounge and a huge kitchen-diner with American-size cooker, microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble drier, a comprehensive range of kitchen appliances and loads of crockery and cutlery. I could easily have moved in on a permanent basis!
Picture
​A fleet of air-conditioned shuttle vehicles is available on demand to save guests negotiating the steep roads leading down to reception and the beach. Next to reception is a sun-lounger area and pools for those that don’t want a dip in the sea.
 
Lining the beach are a number of restaurants. Light and airy Dragonfly is where breakfast is served as well as dinner and, on Tuesdays a great Caribbean buffet, whilst Jammer’s offers casual lunch and dinner as well as a welcome and shady bar. Along the beach past the ice-cream parlour I discovered Embers.  It’s a great place for lunch in the shade and offers a menu ranging from light bites to substantial meals. 

​Another great discovery was 96 degrees, a circular bar just along the beach from Embers and ideal for guests looking for a quiet drink and a break from the hot sun. It’s one of those friendly bars where guests quickly fall into conversation with others whilst enjoying a cool beer or cocktail. 
Picture
Just up the hill from reception I enjoyed an authentic Italian dinner at Papa Don’s, rightly popular with guests and again served by the ubiquitous air-conditioned shuttles.
 
In the unlikely event that it decides to rain for longer than a few minutes, the hotel has a comfortable seating area and a library stocked with good books. There’s also a shop, Windmart, where guests can stock up on things they need to save leaving the resort. 
With a spa, gym, tennis courts, water sports and kids’ club, there’s plenty to keep guests of all ages occupied, and a range of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. What more could you want!
0 Comments

    Welcome

    Hi, I'm Mike, an award-winning journalist and photographer. I write for newspapers and magazines and edit this site. You can see more details here  Also check out the reviews from great writers around the world.

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    Entertainment
    Food & Drink
    On Land
    On Water

Follow us on Twitter
Follow @Theholidaymag
Site created by Mike Pickup (toptraveller)
Follow @toptraveller
CONTACT: mike.pickup@live.co.uk