The Village Hotel in Farnborough is part of the De Vere group and is one of their premier properties. The design of the building is amazing and it is just behind Farnborough  Airport.

On walking into the property, you have the restaurant to the left and Starbucks and the “pub” to the right. The main selling point of the hotel is the leisure facilities and the over sized pool and Jacuzzi, steam room and Sauna. Kids are allowed in the pool at certain times, but these timings are very generous over the weekend.

Rooms are not massive but this is due to the oversized king bed. All come with Ipod docks and flat screen TVs. The bathrooms are modern but compact and as far as I understand none of the rooms has a bath, just walk in showers.

Food in the pub I would say is sub-standard, however you have a choice of restaurants only a short drive away in either Farnborough or Fleet.

The hotel gets very busy in the week with corporate guests, so rates tend to be high, however if you book early we can get you some excellent prices. There are so many attractions that can be reached from the hotel within a 30 minute drive, that it makes it an ideal 2 night break with children.

Prices start from £ 70 per room per night. Please contact us on 0844 854 6674 or email us.

It even has an Ice Bar!!!!

The Ice Hotel is constructed from scratch every year, beginning in mid November and completed about three weeks later with artists, designers, sculptors, architects and snow builders from all over the world creating a new and unique hotel for the coming season.

The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland is the world’s largest hotel of ice and snow, and this year will be its twenty- second incarnation. The beautifully clear ice is taken in blocks from the nearby River Torneand is stored in a nearby production hall with room for over 10,000 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of snow. Everything is made from ice, from the chandeliers to the beds to the glasses in the Ice Bar.

You can choose from several different room types. The Art Suites are fantastically designed rooms with sculptures and furniture and are lit by ultraviolet lights. You sleep on (or in) a carved bed of ice, covered with reindeer skins. The Ice Rooms are furnished with carved ice furniture and again, have an ice bed. Snow Rooms are simple and snug, just housing an ice bed. Despite the temperatures outside, the Ice Hotel maintains an inside temperature of between -5 and -8 degrees. There is also the Ice Bar serving cocktails and soft drinks.

So, how do you prepare for your night ‘under ice’? When you arrive, you have the option of a guided tour of the hotel which includes tips for sleeping in the cold, as well as a brief history of the hotel. On the night of your stay, there is a log cabin abutting the Ice Hotel where you can have a shower or sauna and you are given a key for a locker to store your bags and any clothing (if you are staying in a suite, you have access to a small changing room). You can take bags in with you, but they will freeze overnight! You are given a thermal sleeping bag and a thinner internal sleeping bag and the advice is to sleep in thermals, including long johns and a woollen hat. I slept fully clothed and kept my boots at the bottom of my outer sleeping bag.

If you need to get up during the night, you can use the bathrooms in the abutting log cabin, but this can prove very chilly if you do not build up some warmth in your sleeping bag! Doors are simply curtains pulled across the entrance to the room, but the ice is very thick so you are unlikely to hear your neighbours! You will be woken by one of the staff at around 7.30am with a glass of hot lingonberry juice by your bed.

You usually stay for just one night in the Ice Hotel, so if you choose, you may stay in one of the beautiful log cabins dotted around the grounds. You can take advantage of a range of activities, from dog sledding, snow mobile safaris, guided walks, watching the Northern Lights to a quick plunge through an ice hole into the River Torne, if you dare!!

The Ice Hotel closes at the end of April, and the hotel sinks back into the waters of the River Torne until the following winter.

2012 is expected to be the best year for a long time to view the Northern Lights. For further information on the Norther lights, read our blog.

For further information and prices please contact us on 0844 854 6674 or email us.

In our search for unique cities, we have stumbled across the German city of Oberstdorf.

Oberstdorf is a small town in the Allgau region of Southern Germany. It is very popular with winter sports enthusiasts, but it is mainly tourists from Germany itself and the surrounding countries you will find here; it does seem to be off the radar for most UK tourists who head for the larger French, Swiss and Austrian resorts.

It is a three hour train journey from Munich airport and depending on what time you arrive, you may have to make 2 or 3 changes to make your way to the resort.

We stayed at the 4* Hotel Oberstdorf which is in the small village of Reute, about 5 minutes by car from the train station and town Centre. It takes about half an hour to walk to town from the hotel and takes a little longer on the way back due to the hilly terrain. The hotel will send a car to the station to pick you up and will also arrange to take you back to the station at the end of your stay.

The rooms at the hotel are very comfortable and most have great views over the mountains. The facilities include a spa and a small outdoor pool which is great to use in the winter when the snow is all around and you have aching muscles from your day skiing or walking – the jets will ease your aches away.

The breakfast buffet is a wonderful start to the day and has a wide selection of cold meats and cheeses, cereals, fruit, yoghurt, delicious breads and they will cook your eggs to order.

Oberstdorf itself is a vibrant town with a very good selection of shops selling everything for your hiking and skiing needs, as well as a good range of gift shops selling locally produced wooden figures and local honey and cheeses.

There are many kilometres of walking options that should keep you busy for a week’s stay, including walking to the smaller villages in the area such as Rubi or to  Lakes Christelsee and Freibergsee. The tourist information office, which is located opposite the station, will be happy to provide you with some sample walks and provide any further information you may require.

The resort has an ice stadium or Eissportzentrum where you can try your hand at ice skating and also you will find this is the place where future stars of the figure skating world do their training; you never know, you may be lucky enough to see the next Robin Cousins or Jayne Torvill practicing their craft.

Evenings in Oberstdorf are great fun with many restaurants to choose from serving local and international cuisine. I would recommend the Dampfbierbrauerei which has a great atmosphere and frequently has live music, and also the Wirtschaft Zum Schmied which serves delicious local cuisine.

A 5 night package staying at the 4 star Oberstdorf starts from £ 525 per person based on a twin share and flights fro Heathrow. Please contact us on 0844 854 6674 or email us.

A big thank you to all at Triangle Travel, Wallingford

Just want to say thank you so much for all the effort put into our Xmas holiday.  We really do appreciate all the research, thought and many phone calls/emails that went in to this holiday. With regard to the holiday itself, a few days in Dubai either side of an amazing 10 days in the Maldives, all our connections and transfers went without a hitch.  I am the type of person that will go through everything with a fine tooth comb, just in case something may go wrong, but I needn't of worried, everything had been thought of.

Thanks again and looking forward to the next one !!!

Mr. & Mrs. Williams

Green Travel? Where do you start? How do you travel to destinations by transport and still lower your carbon foot print?

Over the next coming months we will be examing the many aspects of green travel and how we as Travel agents and you as a traveller can help the enviroment on your travels and be a responsible tourist.

The first of our blogs is an insight into some of the key innotiatives taking place in industry and hotels that main "ethos" is towards Green Travel.

Earlier this year Thomson Airways launched the UK’s first flight powered by a mixture of standard fuel and biofuel made from waste cooking oil, while Virgin recently announced plans to use low-carbon aviation fuel on selected routes by 2014.

Responsible tourism has to be a key driver in the travel industry in the 21^st Century.

The following eco-friendly hotels are responsibly designed, luxurious retreats allowing you to relax, knowing they meet the highest levels of sustainable tourism; each goes the extra mile with fair employment, environmental training and educating communities to creating bio-gas plants and self sufficient water supplies

 Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili - Maldives

 Six Senses Yao Noi -  Thailand

Jungle Bay – West Indies – Dominica

Grootbos Nature Reserve – South Africa

Governors Main Camp- Kenya  – Massai Mara

Kasbah Du Toubkal –Morocco – Atlas Mountains

Neeleshwar Hermitage – India – Kerala

Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa – Portugal – Algarve

Ranweli Holiday Village – Sri Lanka – South West Coast

The Pacuare Jungle Lodge – Costa Rica

Yacutinga Eco Lodge – Argentina

We do not believe we have all the answers, however we feel it is important that we as a business train our staff to be able to assist clients in helping them travel as green as possible.

Floriade is a World Horticultural Exposition that has been taking place in the Netherlands roughly every 10 years since 1960 and 2012 it will be taking place in Veno.

Floriade 2012 is the 6^th Exposition to take place.

1960 – Rotterdam

1972 – Amsterdam

1982 – Amsterdam

1992 – Zoetermeer

2002 – Haarlemmermeer

2012 – Venlo

More than 100 exhibitors will together pay tribute to horticulture. The park consists of five unique worlds with themed zones within each world connected by wooded areas. Worlds in which you will see, feel and experience nature in a constantly changing way.

Each day features a cultural program of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world.  Sustainable and pioneering eye catching architectural exhibits will be shown for the first time at Floriade 2012. Walk along thematic routes together with a guide or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the park from the 30 metre high cable car system, there is so much to see and do.  Floriade 2012 is a spectacular educational voyage of discovery for children too.

You can visit Floriade 2012 with Triangle Travel from £199 per person with departure dates between April and October. Price includes executive coach travel from a local departure point, 3 nights bed and breakfast and a full day’s entrance to Floriade 2012.

Nearest pick up points for our Three Branches: –

Pangbourne – Reading

Mortimer – Reading or Basingstoke

Wallingford – Didcot or Oxford

If you would like further information, please call 0844 854 6674 or email us.

Vienna Radisson Blu – A Client Review

As certain review sites are not “policed”, good independent travel agents will try not to use these sites as they do not reflect a balanced review. So our knowledge depends on visiting hotels and resorts, but obviously this is not always possible, so we rely on feedback from our clients.

The review below was written by a client who booked through Triangle Travel in Pangbourne and he took time to write his thoughts.

“Hotel Radisson Blu is situated on Park Ring. We had a excellent room on the 08th Floor and although the view was limited,it was large with a sitting and sleeping area.

The staff were pleasant and helpful staff which made for a nice stay.

The food and beverage was very expensive.

Public transport from the airport to Wien Mitte worked well, by S-Bahn not CAT. The latter is much quicker into the city and is non-stop, but very much more costly. The ticket machines are easy to operate, and in several languages.

Almost everywhere English is spoken, and English appears alongside the German wherever one looks.”

Fusion Maia Resort, Vietnam is claiming to be Asia’s 1st All-inclusive spa resort, so when a colleague visited the hotel we could not wait to hear her thoughts and share them with you in the below blog; -

“I really loved Fusion Maia Resort and spent time getting to know the property, the concept as well as the competitors in the area. I spent over a week here and I have to say, I did not want to leave!  I really loved the resort and the staff, and got to understand all the little touches and thought that makes Fusion Maia so unique!

On arriving at Fusion Maia Resort, my initial thoughts were that it was very contemporary and had a relaxed ‘zen’ like feel to it.  I didn’t feel that the brochure and images did it justice.  The villas are fabulous – very contemporary and spacious with all modern facilities (including ipods and ipads in some villas). What’s more, all the villas have their own private pool and garden.  In fact, we have now decided to rename the pool suites as pool villas as they are as large and luxurious as many other pool villa properties in Asia and are equipped to a high and very modern standard.

The general manager, Michelle  Ford is excellent and a lovely person too She has developed a team that are encouraged to be creative and interact with guests. As a result, the staff have a happy approach to their work which reflects on how they are with guests.  She has a great team behind her (including 5 Europeans) and they all seem to love their jobs! All guests are assigned a Care Manager on arrival, otherwise known as Fusionists…someone who can be your main point of contact during your stay.

The real key selling point at Fusion Maia Resort is that all the spa treatments are included in the price!! Guests are guaranteed a minimum of two treatments per day each…and up to five pending availability. Amazing value for  a luxury villa property!  Also, breakfast can be taken anytime, anywhere at the resort…

They also have a 7 day natural living program which is organised by colour, theme, and aroma…  even the staff wear a different scarf according to the  theme of the day. (Feel Free * Eat Well * Be Social * Act Mindfully * Enjoy Nature * Be Active * Open Your Mind)

They also offer ideas meant to inspire new perspectives and activities to help you get in touch with yourself and the rich culture and nature around you.  Each day there are different activities offered  which may include a visit to the market, a cooking demonstration, a visit to a local orphanage or perhaps even a  lunch out with your Fusionist or another member of staff.  So, even if it rains, there are always various activities going on at Fusion Maia Resort every day. There is also a regular  free shuttle bus going to and from Hoi An which is only 20 minutes away. The Fusion Maia Resort also have now opened Fusion Lounge which is a restaurant located in Hoi An so great as a base for guests too. Even breakfast can be taken here!

I visited all the other 5* hotels  between Danang and Hoi An and whilst some were very nice my overall thoughts were that there is not  really anything that compares to Fusion Mai Resort in terms of the style, ethos and concept of inclusive spa treatments.

Fusion Maia Resort is the first opening of this exciting  luxury lifestyle brand in Vietnam. There will be two further properties opening up next year  under the second concept  – Alya. Fusion Alya, will focus on offering guests a gourmet experience and where all the food and gourmet experiences will be included in the price. There will also be a third concept launched – Fusion Zana which will focus on lifestyle and fashion.  In total, there are plans to open 7 or 8 Fusion Resorts throughout Vietnam over the next 3 years – each will be one of the three lifestyle concepts of Maia, Alya or Zana”.

Prices start from £ 1,229 per person traveling in low season and £ 2039 per person in high season. Price Includes Return scheduled flights to Danang,7 nights accommodation in a Pool Suite inclusive of breakfast daily,2 x Daily spa treatments & return private airport transfers.

     How about combining Fusion Maia Resort with our Vietnam highlights tour which includes a night on a Junk boat.      If you would like to discuss Fusion Maia Resort with us or any other travel arrangements to Vietnam, please contact us on 0844 854 6674 or email us.
          

In our search to find the best ‘ Boutique hotels around the World ‘ we sent Sarah from Triangle Travel in Wallingford to Grenada to check out if the Calabash is one of the best ‘ Boutique hotels around the World ‘.

“It was mid- October, 31degrees, blue sky and sunny with fluffy white clouds and a warm breeze and I was on the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada. Wow, how green the island looks with its abundance of spice and nutmeg plantations; it’s little wonder Grenada is known as the Spice Island of the Caribbean.

The island is 21 miles long and 12 miles wide and provides the perfect contrast to cosmopolitan Barbados. It’s also an excellent base in which to spend time after sailing through the Grenadines.

It’s an English speaking country and takes about 10 hours to get to via Barbados with BA or Virgin. At the moment ( Winter 2011) Monarch have a direct flight from Gatwick every Wednesday.

The journey from the airport to the Calabash took about 15 minutes by taxi. We were met on arrival by the extremely hospitable Manager Clive Barnes (the Barnes Beach Bar is named after him) and given a welcome drink. The rum punch was the best ever and went down well sitting in the rustic beach bar on L’Anse Aux Epines Beach.  We sat and watched the yachts in Prickly Bay and the guests having their diving lessons at the Calabash’s PADI dive Centre, ScubaTech. The Calabash offers their guests free non motorized water sports and their sunset boat trip to Clover Island is a must!

Calabash

 

The Calabash is a boutique hotel with the rooms set out in a horseshoe shape overlooking magnificent gardens and the beautiful L’Anse Aux Epines Beach. There are 30 suites in ten 2 storey cottages, offering contemporary luxury in a relaxed atmosphere. I had a Jacuzzi suite – a spacious modern room with all the luxuries you can imagine, as well as a very private terrace with my own plunge pool. I had a comfortable living room decorated in a clean contemporary style with all the latest technology, including a selection of DVDs and books. Double doors opened up into the bedroom which leads on to the bathroom with a large whirlpool bath. The terrace with the plunge pool had beautiful furniture and comfortable sun loungers and the high walls gave a real feeling of privacy.

The Calabash is renowned for its service and personal touches. I will always remember being served breakfast on my terrace overlooking the gardens and the Bay (all suites have two terraces, front and back). Breakfast is chosen the night before and your own personal maid then makes it and brings it to you on your private terrace. The canapés at sundown were also a lovely touch, delivered straight to your room every day. Complimentary afternoon tea is also served between 3pm and 5pm. Of course the big culinary highlight of a stay at the Calabash is eating in the Rhodes Restaurant which is overseen by Chef Gary Rhodes. This is a large open sided restaurant with silver service, candle lit tables and beautiful hanging flowers, using seasonal local produce to deliver world class meals. Not to be missed!

The Heaven and Earth Spa is a lovely way to spend a few hours, whether you have a massage or a tailor made therapy. The treatment rooms have floor to ceiling doors that open up over Prickly Bay and the turquoise Caribbean Sea, giving you complete relaxation.

Gary Rhodes Restaurant

 

The Calabash is a hotel for those wanting a refined but relaxed atmosphere where nothing is too much trouble – everything is about the service. I would say that Calabash is definitely one of the best ” Boutique hotels around the World “.

Prices start from £ 1,349 per person in low season and £ 2,399 in high season, based on 2 adults sharing a west side suite, including breakfast, return scheduled flights and private transfers.

Sarah from Triangle Travel in Wallingford, visited Grenada in October 2011. If you would like further information please call 0844 854 6674 or email us.

Does Cap Maison in St Lucia give the Calabash a run for its monies in the category of best ” Boutique hotels around the World “? Why not read our report and make your own mind up.