SEA, SURFING AND SAMBA IN BRAZIL

Posted on 2009-12-14

We know you love the adventure experiences you book with us, but don’t forget that we can also provide something for travellers who simply want to sit on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
There are times that call for some serious chilling out, like honeymoons, for example. After the chaos of wedding planning, we can’t blame you for wanting to spend some peaceful downtime with your new other half.
However, if you’re struggling to come up with somewhere beautiful but also off the beaten track, may we suggest the Bahia area of Brazil?
This region has some of the best uninterrupted stretches of golden sand in the world and could easily be confused with paradise; such is its effect on visitors (including us).
Itacare is one of our favourite destinations thanks to its picture perfect blue skies, beaches and palm trees, but this certainly doesn’t mean that there’s nothing else to do. Try your hand at surfing in the crystal-clear waters, or feel humbled as you watch baby turtles begin their long seaward journey from the nearby turtle sanctuary.

Just thinking about it has got us feeling relaxed, so imagine what it’s like when you’re actually there.

For more information about Brazil and to book, have a look at www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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BEIRUT – HISTORICAL, CULTURAL AND FULL OF ADVENTURE

Posted on 2009-12-07

It may have experienced more than its fair share of political strife over the years, but a trip to Beirut is sure to leave you feeling as though it’s a city that has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes.
We can’t speak highly enough of this cultural gem, which is the largest metropolis in Lebanon and sits on a peninsula, dipping the toes of its coastline into the Mediterranean Sea.
Part of its allure for us is its extensive history, with the first reference to Beirut made on documents dating back to the 15th century BC. There’s also its diversity, with Muslim, Catholic, Greek and Armenian influences all jostling for position among Roman and Phoenician monuments.
Culture vultures will love wandering Beirut’s markets and streets, taking in the glorious architecture and sampling some fantastic food.
However, another interesting thing about this amazing country is the fact that travellers can be enjoying ski lessons on the slopes of the mountains for part of the day and sipping a cool drink on the beach for the next – we can see why the New York Times tipped it a must-visit.

Please don’t be tempted to judge Beirut by its past. We want you to fall in love with it like we did, so we put together our Beirut experience – give us a call and we can have a chat and maybe even organise your own Lebanese adventure.

For more information about Beirut and to book, have a look at www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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FROM DESERT TO MOUNTAINS: MOROCCO

Posted on 2009-11-30

Morocco is easily one of our favourite holiday destinations. It’s the equivalent of sensory overload, and combines African, Middle Eastern and European culture flawlessly.
From Tangier to Marrakech, the sights, sounds and smells of Morocco add to the buzzing atmosphere that makes a holiday there a magical experience.
And it’s the latter, Marrakech, that has been under the celebrity spotlight of late. In fact, two of A-lister Brad Pitt’s exes have spent some time in the city to celebrate the re-opening of the La Mamounia Hotel (we can organise your stay of course) – which is the pinnacle of luxury in the city.
Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow were joined by Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr and Salma Hayek at the opening, which comes after a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Lauding the hotel’s luxurious credentials, French decorator Jacques Garcia said the secret to the palace’s success is “elegance, elegance and elegance”.

So if you thought Morocco was not on our luxury-holiday radar, you’d be wrong. But we won’t ignore the adventurous side of the country either, so Morocco really is the ultimate getaway for those wanting to combine luxury and excitement.

For more information about Morocco and to book, have a look at www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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FINE WINES AND LUXURY DOWN UNDER

Posted on 2009-11-23

Australia is an exceptional place to go wine tasting – and it’s not just the grapes that make it stand out from the crowd.

The country’s Tyrian and Taminga grapes (to name just a couple of the hundreds on offer) are undoubtedly fantastic and the endless varieties of fine wine will leave you feeling a little confused unless you’re an expert (we’re happy to give you a few pointers). But it’s the luxurious accommodation, the incredible scenery and the fantastic Aussie hospitality that makes wine tasting Down Under such an enjoyable experience. You’ll be hard pushed to match this anywhere else in the world.

And you don’t have to confine yourself to one small part of Australia. There are vineyards all over the country from Western Australia, through Victoria and well up into northern Queensland on the east coast.
Our favourite wine-sampling hangout has got to be Margaret River in Western Australia, which is found south of Bunbury and is home to the Leeuwin Estate and Vasse Felix. Having said that, Margaret River is just one of many incredible places in Australia to sup the finest New World wines.

There’s Coriole in the McLaren Vale (South Australia), De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley (Victoria), Bimbadgen Estate in Hunter Valley (New South Wales), Sirromet at Mount Cotton (Queensland) and the Moorilla Estate in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley to name just a few.
In other words, no matter where you are in Australia good grapes will never be far away.

For more information about Australia and to book, have a look at www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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PANAMA PROMOTES SURFING

Posted on 2009-11-16

We love Panama. It’s a multi-faceted place with something for everyone.
If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Spanish conquistadors, Panama is a fantastic place to start. Don’t be fooled by the gleaming skyscrapers of Panama City, once you get under the skin of this spectacular country you’ll see that history is around every corner.
Then there’s the wonderful mountainous regions in the east, as you approach the border with Colombia (definitely for all the nature lovers out there). We think Panama has some of the few untouched wildernesses that are left in the world, and they’re a perfect place for you to spot tropical birds and go in search of magnificent waterfalls.
But the thing that’s being pushed by Panama’s tourist board at the moment is surfing.

The country is trying to boost the number of boarders heading its way by offering fee-free luggage transport for people flying to Panama from a large number of countries.
And with 1,500 miles of coastline, it’s easy to see why Panama is being touted as a top surfing destination (Playa Santa Catalina is one of the best beaches for breakers in the whole of the Americas).
So whatever takes your fancy, Panama can deliver, but if you’ve just got to grips with surfing and want to head to where the waves are, we recommend a holiday to Panama.

For more information about Panama and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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SRI LANKA VIES TO BECOME SECOND HOME OF ADVENTURE TRAVELLERS

Posted on 2009-11-09

Sri Lanka is the perfect place for budding adventurers looking for somewhere fresh to set foot. The country’s incredible geographical diversity is what makes it ideal for practically every kind of adventure sport going.
Heading from Sri Lanka’s golden beaches to the country’s imposing mountains can be done in a single day and it is possible to pack in diving, surfing, climbing and mountain biking en route (to name just a few).

Recently, Sri Lanka’s desire to push adventure holidays under the spotlight has seen the country host the Raid Amazones 2009 competition – an adventure sports event for women.
The competition, which kicked off in Dambulla, was spread over the course of five days and pushed competitors to the limit with a series of gruelling tasks including mountain trekking, a canoeing race in the Kandlama reservoir and a 15 kilometre dash to Kaludiya Pokuna, an ancient pond in the country’s Cultural Triangle.
And it got us thinking, with the best spots for extreme sports in Sri Lanka so close to the country’s heritage sites, it’s easy to combine the two, even on a shorter getaway.
This makes Sri Lanka the ideal destination for those of you who are pressed for time.

For more information about Sri-lanka and to book, have a look at www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

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