REMOTE RAKAHANGA

Posted on 2011-07-18

Introducing Rakahanga. Unlike the relatively populous Raratonga, Rakahanga is a lesser known and incredibly remote member of the Cook Islands that is begging to be discovered…and soon. As one of the most low-lying islands of the South Pacific, there are fears over how long this little place will be open to visitors so the time really is now.

Lying 42 kilometres south of sister island Manihiki, Rakahanga is encircled by stunning coral reef and shallow lagoons. Largely due to its inaccessibility, this little piece of bliss holds the elusive ‘hard to get’ crown of all the Cook Islands. But, it’s worth the boat ride.

Australian author and long-time inhabitant Julian Hillas summed up Rakahanga perfectly when he wrote “where today is forever and tomorrow never comes”. It truly is an otherworldly place of extreme remoteness that is hard for our western minds to fathom. Challenge the senses with a demanding but rewarding trip to this little drop in the ocean. On reaching Rakahanga – enjoy the warm welcome from the locals to any traveller that manages to step foot on its elusive shores. And here’s a tip – the local delicacy of coconut crab is a must.

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

   Tweet

CAYMAN BRAC

Posted on 2011-07-11

The Cayman Islands aren’t just white sand beaches and palm trees (although there’s plenty of that). Unlike its two sisters, the third island of Cayman Brac is celebrated for its rocky bluff that runs right along the centre of the island. The limestone outcrop begins at the west end of the island and runs the 14 miles to the opposite end, growing to a 140ft tall at its eastern tip, making it a prime spot for climbers from all over the world but also superb for hiking, bird watching and spectacular views across the Caribbean Sea.

For divers and snorkelers, a sunken Russian destroyer now named Keith Tibbett’s Wreck is teeming with turtles, squid, lobsters and rays, as well as the occasional shark or dolphin. Brac’s craggy limestone outcrop holds a maze of alluring caves in its underbelly. Get in close quarters with the bats that call the caves their home… Even if bats aren’t your thing, the caves are rumoured to still contain pirate gold from the days that Cayman was used as a launching point for pirates to rob ships carrying cargo to and from the Caribbean and the New World. So keep an eye out for a glint of gold, or even a piece of Caymanite, a rare stone found only on the Cayman Islands.

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

   Tweet

THE MOUNTAINS OF THE SIERRA GORDA

Posted on 2011-07-04

The mountains of the Sierra Gorda, in Xilitla are where the poet and artist Sir Edward James sculpted his surrealist exotic garden.
Such was the power of Mexico’s rainforests that James succumbed to something of a prolific Romantic building spell; prompting him to construct towering surrealist sculptures among approximately 80 acres of cold natural waterfalls and moulded pools. Yep, Tijuana this isn’t. All of James’ follies, palaces, temples and pagodas, (there’s over 30 of them), are spread across boundless beds full of tropical plants, including the succinctly named ‘House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six’.The vast panoramic views of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains surpasses any blank gallery space we’ve yet come across.

For more on our bespoke experiences and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call 020 7426 9888

   Tweet

ESCAPE TO NEW YORK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Posted on 2011-06-27

Hitting US shores for the very first time from 4th to 7th August, Escape to New York is a music festival set to impress. With a line up including the best of international music from the likes of Patty Smith, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros to Grafitti Six, there’s a music tent, tepee or patch of grass ready for anyone’s dancing shoes.
This pioneering musical extravaganza, put on by the ingenious gent behind the British Secret Garden Party (SGP), is taking place in the Hamptons (NY) for the very first time at the start of August. The SGP was a highlight of the past couple of summer’s festival seasons and now you can head over to New York to partake in a new highlight to the year’s musical calendar.

Head to the Shinnecock Reservation in the Hamptons – this is the very first time that any public event has been staged on the Reservation and by the looks of the amazing lineup, it is set to be a truly memorable
This event is set to be ground breaking and may well change the face of the US festival scene, make sure you don’t miss out.

For more on our bespoke experiences and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call 020 7426 9888

   Tweet

ROME BUILT, FLORENCE BUILT WORLD

Posted on 2011-02-28

Founded by the great Julius Caesar in 59 BC and modeled after an army camp, Florence (then Florentia) was born for the Renaissance – an old warrior turned philosopher, one day returning to its roots to reshape the World according to its own marvelous mantra. MAKE ART NOT WAR rang the beautiful battle cry, the new generals bore palettes not shields; brushes were their broadswords.

The architectural influences of Rome and Florence have shaped the world’s great cities, but, though the cultural copycats are many, none have come close to matching the splendor of Italy’s Dolce Duo. We like to think of ourselves as the vanguard of a renaissance in travel, turning the world you know on its head like the great masters of old. This Spring, we’re bringing you back to Italy for an alternative take on this tale of two cities.
From after-hours access to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, to the heart of the Tuscan countryside for a stay at one of Italy’s most exclusive hotels. Interested? Click here to find out more.

For more on our bespoke experiences and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call 020 7426 9888

   Tweet

MIAMI MI AMORE : DELANO

Posted on 2011-02-21

Philippe Starck’s tantalizing brand of New Design has sent a gorgeous shiver through the status quo of what is expected from a boutique hotel.
What Starck has achieved at SoBe’s Delano is something else. A temple to warped minimalism, this gorgeous Art Deco mistress is the statuesque glamour puss of the South Beach brigade.
Under the southern sun, the gorgeous pool lounges like a liquid catwalk, the rooms an albino elegy. And with Master Chef Claude Troisgros at the helm in Delano’s Blue Door Fish restaurant, this looker packs a fair punch when it comes to fine-dining.
Starck has pulled off stark but sprinkled it with stardust.

The pièce de la resistance however has to be The Florida Room. The gleaming lovechild of Morgans Hotel Group and Kravitz Design (Lenny, to be precise) this schizophrenic space is homage to Miami’s goodtime girl ethic, and the ideal backdrop to the slow-shot Wong Kar-Wai epic that never was.
 
Here at Black Tomato we’re in the mood for love. And for Delano, we are unashamedly head over heels.

For more on our beach holidays and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call 020 7426 9888

   Tweet