Staying on Board Scarlett Lady…

I always knew I wanted to get married abroad, it was just narrowing down the perfect destination. Once we’d stayed at Sandals Royal Barbados, there was no doubt that this was the one! We’d absolutely fell in love with it..

We stepped off the plane to the hot air hitting our faces, grabbed our luggage and was shortly greeted by a Sandals representative who showed us to our transfer. A short 15 minutes later and we had arrived.

Stepping out to a gorgeous open air reception area, Rolls Royce parked up outside, we were shown to the club lounge for our private check in. Those staying in a Butler room would be greeted by their Butler and taken to the Butler lounge. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, we instantly felt right at home. All checked in, we were escorted to our room. A brief tour of the resort along the way, we couldn’t wait to explore the resort further.

The door opened and Ohh my life it was the most beautiful room I had ever seen! So clean and modern, simply stylish and spacious. We both looked at each other in awe. We couldn’t wait to get unpacked and settled in. As if this is our home for the next week!

With 5 pools to choose from, including a rooftop pool! A bowling alley, games area, piano bar, there was no way we were going to get bored in this place. With 17 restaurants, we didn’t manage to get round to them all but my favourite had to be Butch’s Chophouse (on Sandals Barbados side). The crab cakes were to die for, followed by a perfectly cooked fillet steak, we didn’t have quite enough room for desert! Bombay restaurant had to be a close second and then not to forget the French cafe that served the best white chocolate chip cookies, and the glazed donuts from Sweet n Salty’s!

Each night we had a gorgeous meal, the standard was just exceptional. Followed by premium alcohol, cocktails, champagne, there was plenty to choose from.

Why we chose to Honeymoon at Ozen by Atmosphere, Maldives…

Firstly the Maldives.. one word = paradise!!

For anyone that’s been, would agree that there is no place like it. Pure white sands, crystal clear waters and relaxation like you’ve never felt. For those that haven’t been.. you need to. Trust me!

We saved this destination for our honeymoon and soooo glad we did! It was 100% the right decision and now, if I could only go back to one destination, over and over and over and over again.. it would be here.

These islands in the Maldives all vary in size, standards, price and distance from the capital of Male and as Indian Ocean and Honeymoon Specialists, our job is to help narrow down the best one for you.

However in this blog, I’m focusing on Ozen by Atmosphere, known as the Best Luxury All Inclusive Resort in the Maldives!!

Just a 40 minute speedboat trip from Male, you step off onto the pier over the ocean, where you are greeted by the staff and your personal Butler. This moment is where you breath is taken away, for the first time of many throughout your stay. Why? Because there is simply no way to explain the true beauty before your eyes.

It doesn’t stop there, once you’ve been shown around the island on a golf buggy, and sunk your toes into the talcum powder sand, you are then escorted to your villa..

Your journey begins now… The Wind Villa with Pool. Your 112 sqm of pure heaven, over the water. The second time your breathe is taken away…

A large modern villa, glass bottom floors, open plan bathroom, soaking tub overlooking the Indian Ocean and finally.. your private pool (an 8m infinity pool!). No words, just a photo to explain what is before your eyes.

Every morning, every afternoon and every evening you cannot get enough of the views. We spent 90% of our valued time together as newlyweds in our villa and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The endless Tattinger & Moët Champagne, twice a day refilled minibar (including snacks) certainly helped!

The only time we left was to eat, dive and obtain a massage! Each time was worth it!

The food and drinks were incredible! Fresh fish, meat and vegetables, live cooking stations and more cocktails and champagne awaited us. All included on the All Inclusive package!

A main buffet restaurant for lunch, a snack bar at the main pool and a healthy bar were choices for lunch. The evening- a main restaurant which plenty of choice, an Indian restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and finally – the iconic underwater restaurant – H20. WOW!

The diving .. I’ll leave for another blog. As quite frankly.. it’s jaw dropping and deserves its own section!

For those of you that do not dive, do not fear, you will not miss out on the wide array of Marine life. We saw endless baby sharks, stingrays and a colourful range of fish around the villas and the beach. Take a dip in the ocean with your snorkel gear (included in your package), to get up close …

Every morning like this..

Each evening like this…

.. the most beautiful sunset we have ever seen.

How could anyone say no to this?

How to get there –

Direct flights from London Gatwick with British Airways (November-March).

Almost daily regional flights with one stop connections; Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Oman Air, Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Eva Air, Thai Airways

Why not do a Multi Centre?

Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Qatar
Oman
Singapore
Hong Kong
Sri Lanka
Istanbul, Turkey
Bangkok
Paris, France
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Feel free to contact us with any questions and for your personalised quote.

Emily

Why stay at a Club Med Resort in Mauritius?

Known as the “sunset coast”, on the west side of the island of Mauritius is where we stayed at Club Med La Plantation D’Albion.

A luxury All-Inclusive family resort, although great for couples and honeymooners with it’s adults only Zen area with Infinity Pool and quiet spots along the beach for pure tranquility. Enjoy breakfast at the al a carte restaurant looking out at the ocean and the crashing waves.

Feeling adventurous? The resort has plenty of activities on offer such as kayaking, archery, snorkelling and a flying trapeze if you’re feeling brave!

Indulge on gourmet cuisine with a variety of different liver cooking stations to keep your tastebuds excited at every meal. From freshly cooked pasta dishes, stirfrys, tagines, curries and more.

After dinner, head to the bar to grab a glass of champagne whilst you wait for the show to start. From Peter Pan to Footloose to a White Party with acrobatics, the night doesn’t end there. Head to the dance floor where almost everybody joins in and you’ll pick up the famous Club Med dance routine. It’s rather catchy!

Of course, you can’t go to Mauritius without exploring the beautiful island itself. Take advantage of the excursions such as “Ile aux Cerfs”, where we took a speedboat across the crystal turquoise waters to a private island in the largest lagoon in Mauritius. On route we drove by stunning waterfalls and wild monkeys. Next stop we visited a lighthouse on a small island, “Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse” with breathtaking views.

There’s so much to do and see on this idyllic island of paradise, I will definitely be returning that’s for sure!

Feel free to contact us with any questions and for your personalised quote.

Hannah

Exploring Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast

I’ve wanted to travel to see the beautiful sights of Italy including Sorrento & the Amalfi Coast for a while now.. so when I was invited on a FAM Trip (Familiarisation Trip) by one of our suppliers – Citalia. I jumped at the chance – Literally!

A team of 20 of us flew out from Gatwick (getting the train, underground and Gatwick express was interesting! Haha).

At the airport, I met a great team of like minded travel agents and we began our trip together..

A direct two and a half hour flight across the Mediterranean ocean, led us to Naples, where we arrived to meet our guide Becky. She had lived in Sorrento for over 20 years, so what she didn’t know about Sorrento, wasn’t worth knowing.

We collected our luggage and the drive began towards Sorrento. On the way, we stopped at the incredible Pizza A Metro Da Gigino L’Università della Pizza – the University of Pizza and WOW it lived up to our expectations (with metre long sharing pizzas). There, the Pizza obsession began..

The transfer overall was around 60-90 minutes (due to traffic and the crazy Italian drivers!). We checked into Hilton Sorrento Palace for three nights.

This hotel is in an incredible location, just a short 10-15 minutes to the centre, shops and restaurants. Oh and you begin your day, eating breakfast, overlooking Mount Vesuvius – it’s pretty spectacular! The lobby is very spacious and grand, the staff were very friendly and inviting and the bar and fireside seating area was very special too. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, some great authentic restaurants and an executive club lounge also (with a rooftop bar and pool) which I would highly advise upgrading too!

After breakfast, we went for a walk around Sorrento. What is there to do in Sorrento? Other than drinking endless of the local authentic Limocello?

Well..

Simply walking around the edge of the old town Piazza Tasso offers lots to see, including the Basiica of Sant’ Antonino (with live music in the courtyard in the summer).

You can head to the Public Gardens and Port of Sorrento where there are bathing platforms/decking for sunbathing overlooking the incredible colours of the ocean blue. Here, you can board a boat to Naples, Capri, Amalfi, Positano and Ischia! Such a great location to offer more and more beauty, to maximise your trip.

Then lunch at Fauno Notte Club – an authentic Italian restaurant in the central square of Sorrento (Piazza Tasso). Hand made Pasta… need I say anymore? The BEST pasta I have ever eaten.

Following lunch, we visited the incredible Pompeii. Just a 30 minute drive to a heart quenching experience. For those of you that don’t know.. Pompeii is an archeological site of a Roman city which was covered in ash and was excavated following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

It’s an incredible Unesco World Heritage Site and a must see when travelling to Italy. From the houses, to the baths, theatre and casts of those to unfortunately lost their lives.

Day Two;

My favourite day! Positano & the Amalfi Coast. You know when you try and think of words to explain what it is you really saw? But the photos can never quite do the place justice?

In one word – Picturesque.

It was around a 60 minute drive Positano from Sorrento, driving along the coast and up to very high points only availed more beauty. Positano is a Cliffside village along the Amalfi Coast with many buildings and homes built in every colour of the rainbow.

Here there are boutique hotels, family run shops and cafes all layered with beautiful flowers.

We went in November so the weather wasn’t sunbathing weather however you could see the beach at the bottom, where you could relax and soak it all in, in the summer months (June-September).

Another 40 minutes and we had arrived in the centre of Amalfi. More pasta (and Pistachio ice cream) later.. we explored around more shops and the iconic Cathedral Steps.

Hotels along the coast overlooking every colour of blue, the beaches to relax and maybe even board a board to Capri (with the most spectacular beaches and vibrant nightlife too!). Also head to the top, to view the heights of Ravello, for even more beauty to the naked eye!

Day Three & Four; see blog (Exploring Rome)

Hotels recommended by us at Guru Travel Group – 

Sorrento –
Hilton Sorrento Palace
Imperial Hotel Tramontano

Positano –
Eden Roc Hotel
Hotel Marincanto

Amalfi Coast –
Santa Catarina
Hotel Marina Riviera

I hope this gives you an insight to the incredible beauty that these areas of Italy have to offer..

I would definitely recommend a Multi-Centre trip to ensure you visit all of the main attractions.

Feel free to contact us with any questions and for your personalised quote.

Emily