If you have been following me on Instagram, you will know about my recent trip to Swellendam. I also wrote about my remarkable discovery of a wonderful hidden gem, Stonehill River Lodge. Today I am expanding on the area a bit more and sharing my Top Reasons To Visit Swellendam. [Read more…]
Top Travel Destinations 2015
You may have seen a post recently on social media via Cheap Flights, where I shared, along with a few awesome South African Bloggers, my Top Travel Destinations 2015. I thought I would share my Top Travel Destinations featured in the post.
Atlantis The Palm Dubai Win a Trip for Two
Atlantis The Palm
On Monday I was invited to Vida e Caffe in Cape Town, to a media morning, to find out about the exciting Atlantis, The Palm resort, in Dubai! Dubai is definitely on my Travel Wishlist, so I was excited to find out more about it.
After all the guests had placed their coffee orders, a very necessary caffeine fix for a Monday morning, the formalities got underway. We were welcomed and bought up to speed on Atlantis, The Palm and all the stunning resort has to offer.Then came the rather exciting announcement! Atlantis, The Palm, in partnership with Vida e Caffè and Dubai Tourism has just launched a very exciting competition! You stand a chance to win a luxurious five night stay at the stunning resort!
Got you excited yet? The exciting prize includes return economy air tickets on Emirates for two people, sponsored by Dubai Tourism. You will enjoy a five-night stay for two in a Deluxe Room at Atlantis The Palm, inclusive of breakfast and dinner for 2 people. You will also have unlimited access to Aquaventure Waterpark and the mythical Lost Chambers Aquarium. The winners are sure to be entertained and treated like royalty.
Please click here to enter and win this amazing holiday! All I know, is that I would love to win a holiday to Atlantis, it looks and sounds amazing.
Atlantis really is the perfect destination, whether it is a romantic trip for two or a family holiday, they have it all! From beautiful accommodation, who would not want to experience an under-water suite, to top restaurants and great activities for the whole family, you really could not ask for more.
More about Atlantis:
Atlantis, the flagship resort on The Palm, was the first resort to open its doors on Dubai’s revolutionary island. Created by Kerzner International Holdings Limited, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts. The stunning resort welcomed its first guests on 24 September 2008.
With its enviable location atop the crescent of The Palm, the opening of Atlantis was a landmark event. It redefined tourism in Dubai, as the first truly integrated entertainment destination resort.
The resort encompasses a 46 hectare site, with 17 hectares of water themed amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark. There are extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-aired marine habitat second only to Mother Nature and a seemingly endless stretch of beach.
You will also find luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices, which include three world-renowned chefs restaurants.The resort also offers exciting nightlife, award-winning ShuiQi Spa & Fitness and 5,600 square metres of meeting and function space.
Dubai is the perfect destination for South African holidaymakers, from families to couples to friends. Not only does it provide endless options for sport and leisure activities, shopping and dining but is easily accessible with daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg too.
“Once people experience our city, our home, they inevitably fall in love with it and want to come back,” ~ Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
To find out more about this amazing resort and book a trip visit the Atlantis, The Palm website.
Disclosure Ranking:1
Romantic Staycation at 15 On Orange
As a married couple, with children, I like to try to plan a night away, with my man, at least once a month! I think it is so important to reconnect, as a couple and spend some quality time together! We love staying in the Winelands but often that can be a bit too far for one night, so recently we have been opting for an overnight “Staycation” in the heart of Cape Town. There are so many fabulous Hotels, B&B’s and Apartments to choose from! A recent Romantic “Staycation” found us at 15 on Orange, in the heart of the CBD, which is part of the African Pride group of hotels.
15 On Orange
I have attended events at 15 on Orange but this was the first overnight experience for us. I had heard nothing but great things about the hotel and the Spa has recently changed hands and had a revamp, so I was delighted to receive and invitation to stay over and experience it for myself.
When we first arrived at the hotel our room was not ready yet, so we decided to hit Long Street for a bite of lunch. After lunch we were escorted up to our suite, by a very friendly porter! What awaited us was a rather stunning Suite, with lovely views over the city.
The interior decor is one of my favourite things about the hotels common areas and the suite was as stunning, with muted grey’s, pops of bright blue and metallic accents. Under-stated modern, elegance at its best!
As with the suite the bathroom was gorgeous – simple yet elegant, with the most stunning black marble tiles on the walls. I simply could not wait to take a long relaxing bath but first we had a trip to the Suntra Spa planned.
I could not resist a pic of my Black & White Mani against the bathroom tiles 🙂
As I mentioned the Suntra Spa, at 15 On Orange, recently changed hands and under went a revamp to make it bigger and more in line, with the rest of the hotels facilities. The Spa offers a range of specialty facial treatments by Guinot and Dermalogica, as well as an extensive array of body massages, exfoliation treatments, wraps and grooming essentials.
We were booked in for a back and neck massage. Once we had completed our customer cards we were shown to a couples treatment room, where we enjoyed a wonder half hour massage. We both sit at our computers, for most of the day during the week and I tend to carry all my stress in my neck, so this was complete bliss!
The staff at the Spa were knowledgeable, professional but above all really friendly. The treatment room was lovely and spacious but unfortunately a bit too dark to take any decent photographs!
Before heading back to our room we decided to take a look at the hotel rooftop pool, which is situated on the 7th Floor next to the spa. It was a bit cold and gloomy outside and definitely not swimming weather but what a view!
Once back in our suite we ordered a lovely, chilled glass of wine and I wasted no time at all, submerging myself into a hot bath!
Before dinner we popped into the Murano Bar, for a quick pre-dinner drink – I absolutely love the decor in the bar.
Dinner was lovely – a rather quiet romantic affair, just what we needed! A few of The highlights of the meal, for me, were the Salt and Pepper Fried Calamari, with Avocado salsa and squid-ink aioli and the Roasted Gemsbok Loin, with potato rösti, spiced red cabbage and black berry jus. Naturally, although really full by this stage, we could not resist at least sharing a desert, we opted for the Molten Valhrona Chocolate Fondant, with Blue berry frozen yoghurt. What arrived was a beautiful, edible work of art – which looked almost too pretty to eat!
It was definitely time to make our way back to our room and settle in for the night! One of my main worries with staying in the CBD is the noise, we have had a few bad nights away and been unable to sleep because of the street noise. Whether it was the extremely comfortable bed or excellent soundproofing – we both slept like babies.
Thank you 15 on Orange for a wonderful, pampered Romantic “Staycation” in the heart of Town – it was a real treat, definitely to be repeated!
Contact Details
Location: Corner Grey’s Pass and Orange Street, Mill Street, Cape Town. Telephone: 27 (21) 469 8000
CENTRAL RESERVATIONS: 0861 50 50 50, +27 21 430 5302 email: [email protected]
Disclosure Ranking: 2
On My Travel Wishlist Réunion Island
As you know, I am an avid traveller, but I do not get to travel nearly as much as I would like! I have found the best way to curb my wanderlust, is to have a Travel Wishlist. Last year I shared an article on My Top Dream Destinations, I have already ticked Thailand off the list, which we visited last year and I am hoping to be able to explore Italy later this year! A destination not too from home I am dying to explore is Réunion Island. [Read more…]