Luxury Holiday to Bhutan - Tailor Made Holiday to Bhutan

eNews Far+Away: Bhutan_April 2010

'I was so at peace when I got back to work that several clients thought I had a face-lift.'

In conversation with Suzanne Mehmet, it became clear to Laura Jeffrey (who heads up our Asia division) that here was a client looking for more than the normal from Bhutan.

The stays in world class hotels such as Uma Paro certainly delivered on one level but it was the night in an altar room in a private homestay, lit only by butter candles and woken by the monks’ horns in a nearby monastery that truly hit the spot.

Football with monks, hairdressing lessons for the ladies of the house, putting together a rock band and finally, the ultimate for a practising Buddhist from England, a full conversion in a family altar room with four witnesses and the local Lama officiating.

‘It was everything I'd wanted from the trip and much, much more. It was more than a holiday, it was a life-changing experience. Thank you.’

Read more on Bhutan

Photographs by c+l clients Suzanne Mehmet (left/right) and Hans Dieter John (top).


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The Iguacu Falls, Brazil

September, in between the wet and dry seasons, is an excellent month to view these magnificent falls, which stretch along a 3km rim and straddle the borders of both Argentina & Brazil.

The important thing is to try and enjoy them with the least number of people (they are now ranked as the ninth wonder of the world).

The secret is to stay on the Brazilian side at the newly acquired Orient Express hotel - Das Cataratas - in the park (this allows early private access to the falls before the tourists arrive) and finish on the Argentine side (Devil's Throat) before relaxing at a nearby colonial rainforest lodge overlooking the River Parana.

The area is stunning in itself - and not just for the falls. So if you have the time, allow us to plan a trip, which includes other areas of the North East of Argentina.

Cape Town, South Africa

November/December brings typically warm, sunny days to South Africa’s Cape and those with a love of good food and excellent wine would be hard pushed to find any place better to indulge at this time of year – the Cape has fabulous restaurants and boutique wineries galore, all of which, refreshingly, represent amazing value for money.

We recommend hiring a car to allow you the freedom to discover this wonderful part of the country at your own pace – from Table Mountain to the townships, and Robben Island to the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Town is an easy flight from the UK, and makes a fantastic and original long weekend, as well as providing welcome pre/post-safari relaxation as part of an extended itinerary.

Kerala, India

The diverse and wonderful landscapes of Kerala are best visited from November when the monsoon has finished and it is less humid. This destination makes a great relaxed, yet interesting, trip, complimented by its beautiful scenery, peaceful environment and friendly attitude.

There is a mixture of fantastic homestays and character boutique hotels from which to explore this region. Many offer some of the best cuisine in India, where the chef can teach you how to recreate sumptuous dishes from recipes passed down through generations.

From the classic dusty city of Cochin steeped in history, to the serene backwaters; the lush and dramatic scenery of the Western Ghats, to the relaxing coastal beaches, this really is a holiday not to be missed!

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The Albatross – courtship & flying lessons on Hood Island, Galapagos

Visit the Galapagos Islands and see the young albatross before they migrate. They only nest on Espanola (Hood Island) and live/mate there from late March through to early January before the warm waters arrive.

Between October and December you will witness the spectacular sight of the sub adults learning to fly. Due to their large size, these desperate birds have just one chance to take off the cliffs near Punta Suarez.

Travel between April and June, and you will see the courtship ritual of the waved albatross. Their courtship is an elaborate set of bill fencing and cues that resemble the sound of horns heard all over the island.

A trip to the Galapagos is a once in a lifetime experience and you want to make sure you go with a responsible cruise company with high standard vessels and top guides. We tend to favour the smaller vessels for a more personal experience and more interaction with the guides.

Whale Festival, South Africa

The Hermanus Whale festival runs from the 24th September to 28th September 2010 and is organised to coincide with the arrival of the whales in Walker Bay.

Just over an hour from Cape Town, the seaside town of Hermanus comes alive for the festival with the cliffs surrounding the bay offering spectacular views of the whales.

As well as whale watching, there are a host of other activities including jazz and blues concerts, cabaret, comedy, food stalls, art, and lively markets … you are spoiled for choice.

The whales tend to arrive in August and drift off towards the end of November, so even if you can’t make the festival you still have a very good chance of seeing whales in these months.

Bali Arts Festival, Indonesia

The Bali Arts Festival runs from 12th June to July 10th bringing the whole island alive with a buzz of activity with daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and commercial activities.

It all starts in the villages where seka (cultural groups) compete against each other to win a place in the festival. Groups come from all over Bali to Denpasar to present their offerings of dance, music and beauty.

Many of the performances are held in the amphitheatre with much ceremony. With a range of ancient village dances, classical palace dances and trances from the remote mountain slopes, the festival is a window into the rarer aspects of traditional culture – a rare treat for tourists, who are warmly welcomed.

You will also encounter food, offering contests, music, appearances by Balinese stars of the stage, and performances of contemporary choreography by dance companies from Indonesia and abroad.

It is a unique opportunity to see local village culture and is the cultural event of the year in the region.

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