TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

Posted on 2010-11-29

Thankfully, the Tropical North of Queensland was spared the deluge during the recent flooding that swept through the region and continues to shine as bright as ever. This is the coast that spans Mackay to the tip of Cape York.
So, with disaster safely averted and paradise spared, read on.

For many, North Queensland is but a byword for the submarine splendour of the Great Barrier Reef. A pretty coral feather in the cap, but, truth be told, the majority of Australia’s North East remains unexplored. Here at Black Tomato, we’re lifting the lid on this region’s alternative icons. (This means beaches, steel lizards and tropical rainforests.)
Test your Midas touch in the Palmer Goldfields and head to Split Rock to catch the ancient Aboriginal Rock Art on these stony walls. From Mareeba’s Tropical Wetlands to the Robinson Crusoe dream of Haggerstone Island – we’ve crafted a series of mind-blowing experiences to turn your image of North Queensland on its (very photogenic) head.

Opposite – Norman River Floodplain, Karumba

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

  

UNIQLO X BLACK TOMATO

Posted on 2010-11-22

Yes, it’s cold here in London right now. But it’s boring to rant on about being chilly. We’re all chilly. Some of us, however, are less cold than others because we’re wearing HeatTech: that’s the strand of the Japanese super brand UNIQLO that everybody seems to be fond of.
UNIQLO’s style is unmistakable. Functional, minimal and playful; the high-tech ministry of warmth that keeps the high-street snug will now be embarking on its very own mini-series of very exciting all-terrain winter adventures with us here at Black Tomato.
Inspired by UNIQLO’s scientifically-advanced warming winter styles we’ve pulled together four of our favourite unique winter trips that kiss goodbye to the stress of packing for the elements…

Introducing the Black Tomato way to enjoy the benefits of the big freeze (without feeling the chill) with tailor-made trips to the world’s greatest snow-scapes of Iceland, Norway, Canada and Japan.
For more information on Black Tomato’s wintery destinations visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call +44 0207 426 9888

  

TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, NEIST POINT

Posted on 2010-11-15

With icy blizzards currently coating the majority of the UK’s upper echelons in a hazardous layer of thick white snow, it would be cruel to advise anyone to brave the journey to the northern most reaches of our green and pleasant land right at this particular moment in time. But. Instead we’re looking towards spring. To sandy beaches no longer whipped by winter’s burly winds, where palm trees sway gently against wrap-around blue skies. Scottish skies. All is private, calm and still, and emerging to be exceedingly fashionable.

In springtime, before the primping of summer begins we like to drift to lesser-known enclaves that conceal great portions of tranquillity for reassurance that, amidst our fast-changing world, there is elemental continuity. This is Scotland’s Isle of Skye, where the Talisker Distillery pours out warming flasks of flowing chestnut gold and savage beauty reign supreme. And all is but a train ride away from London…

For more information on our unusual holidays or inspiration on where to visit in 2011, visit us online or call on 020 7426 9888.

  

MALAYSIA

Posted on 2010-11-08

Living is easy with eyes closed. But it isn’t really that fun.

With the recent release of the Beatles’ entire back-catalogue on iTunes, our eye for unusual destinations drifted somewhat towards the psychedelic (Sgt. Peppers was arguably the best album?)

In our hunt for cellophane flowers of yellow and green to tower over our heads, we landed in Malaysia. The Belum jungle to be precise. Where one of the world’s largest flowers, the giant, rubbery (seemingly very fake, but 100% pure petal) Rafflesia grows.
Incidentally, Malaysia is also home to endless Strawberry Fields. Up in the Cameron Highlands the weather is a little more temperate than the tropical heat that slow bakes Malaysia’s flawless sun-bleached coastline. Which means from these cooler climes you can witness an impressionist’s vista of lipstick-red dots that do appear to go on Forever.

For more information on Malaysia, or for inspiration to travel to any one of our hand-plucked unusual holidays visit us online or call on 020 7426 9888.

  

GOING, GOING, BACK, BACK TO CALI, CALI

Posted on 2010-11-01

It’s been a hectic month in the world of American politics. To soothe the sweating brows of frustrated Senators we have devised our new guide to the dressed-down destination, California.
Yup, loosen your ties, we’ve given the Golden State a spit and shine with our latest Under The Skin project. It’s been a while since we started unravelling the little nooks and crannies of this spacious state, so we thought it was about time we unveiled our inside guide on the more unusual aspects of all-smiling Cali.

Drop anchor at your chosen parking spot along 365 miles of untouched shoreline of Lake Shasta for a private party with a difference – you’ve got a whole house boat to play with.

Or, for the (better) way to do Napa, experience a wine renaissance in Sonoma.

Finally, our tip for the ultimate dose of laissez-faire vibe: California’s emerging arts hub, San Diego. Loll about in La Jolla’s new wave of swinging bars and you won’t want to go home.

Want to find out more? We’ll fix it up.

For more information on Black Tomato’s unusual holidays to California visit us online or call on 020 7426 9888.

  

BLUE & MOROCCO

Posted on 2010-10-25

A deeper shade of blue?
Yves saint Laurent was so enamoured by the blue tinted Moroccan retreat of French painter Jacques Majorelle that he had to have it.
We know the feeling.
Recently we slid under the skin of Morocco to the lesser known town of Chefchaouen in the calmer Northern wilds of the Western Kingdom, a city where a chalky wash of Klein International Blue powders endless sloping stone passageways.
In the air between the jagged escarpment of the Rif Mountains and these spotless dreamlike streets hangs the memorable scent of Aragon oils.

Take a deep breath and go into the blue.

For more information on Black Tomato’s alternative experiences in Morocco visit us online or call on 020 7426 9888.