http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/ en Thu, 23 May 2013 13:32:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.luxurylink.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/wedding-venice-1014/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:25:15 GMT Venice: La Serenissima Venice in November? Getting married in Venice in November ?! Arranging it all in 4 weeks?!!! The task was set! My GF... Venice: La Serenissima


Venice in November? Getting married in Venice in November ?! Arranging it all in 4 weeks?!!!

The task was set! My GF and I had decided we wanted awedding just for the two of us. Venice is my favourite city in the world, I wasluckily enough to have studied there for 6 weeks 25 years ago, and have neveryet been
disappointed by its beauty.

The paperwork was reasonably easy to negotiate with helpfrom the British Consul and the rather wonderful Matteo at the Town Hall in Veniceso, rather quickly, the date was set 11am on the 19th November. Whythe rush? Well, wed always wanted to go to the Biennale and it would be endingthat weekend so a combination of matrimonial duties and contemporary art seemedjust the ticket.

Of course, first place to look for great accommodation isLL.Wed had our eye on Ca Segredo for quite a while and now seemed the perfectopportunity to stay in a place on the Grand Canal.We booked a three night stayin a Panoramic Suite through LL and booked one extra night too the one extranight costing as much as the great offer for THREE nights with LL!).

A short flight to Venice Marco Polo and we were there.
This had to be the time to arrive in style so we took awater taxi which speeded across the lagoon in the darkness at top speed andthen winded its way slowly through some back canals, onto the Grand Canal andright to the steps of Ca Segredo.It was good to be home.

We were taken to our room, a lovely LARGE bed, sitting room,marble bathroom and a bottle of Champagne waiting.
Opened our windows to see the Grand Canal with thevaporettos passing by. It felt SO right!
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The Ca Segredo was quiet (as was all of Venice) and thoughnot cosy, far too grand for that, it was a perfect place for us. Superb location,right beside a vaporetto stop, in a lovely area, Strada Novo, with so manylovely local restaurants and shops. It was delight to sit and watch the eveningpassegiato: families shopping, lovers kissing, children playing and workmengoing about their business.

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Breakfasts were a buffet affair with very friendly serviceand really set us up for a day of walking and exploring. Venice is a walkersparadise: no cars and within 45 mins you can walk from one end to another.
The next few days were spent eating at fabulous little localrestaurants (Im lucky to have a friend who works in Venice a lot and who hadgiven us great recommendations) with not a tourist in sight and remarkably goodvalue. The food was divine, the service friendly and relaxed. In our firstlunch venue, the restaurant was stuffed with gondoliers enjoying a ratherleisurely lunch break!

One of the best was La Vedova just two minutes from our hotel :mmmmmmmmmmm!!!

The Biennale lived up to expectations.

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We spent one dayexploring the national pavilions in the Giardini, a bit of
national comparisons,oh,Denmark didnt try very hard
Wow, wasnt Russia great?!
Another day we went to the Arsenale (the old ship yards)[img]/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/28iFDA6574DA98B4B15/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1[/img]
which was the perfect venue for some astounding work (andsome rubbish too).

Another added bonus is that the Biennale also spreads itstentacles into the rest of Venice with churches and palazzos hosting othernations. It was quite something to visit a beautiful church with sheet metal onthe floor and walls AND be encouraged to bash around as loud as possible!

A bit of history and culture? Had to be a visit to theDoges palace and the Secret Itinerary tour!
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A guided tour showing off secret passages, torture chamberand Casanovas jail. Then time to explore the rest of this astounding palace.The art! The art!

Even managed to bump into a couple of 16th Centuryladies(from Australia?!):

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November? Well, we suffered no rain at all, the temperaturewas comfortable and so few tourists were the perfect combo.

What I love about Venice is that it never really changes.
With little difficulty I was able to find my old studentlodgings beside a lovely little canal.
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I had changed in 25 years but this hadnot. Memories flooded back, of friends, pizzas and beer and so much more

Our wedding was only a 10 min walk from the hotel. Aphotographer friend from Scotland had offered to come across to do some photos,which was great. We arrived
At the Palazzo Cavalli just near the Rialto Bridge

and aftera lovely intimate ceremony (which concentrated on the importance of the familyand children, SO Italian), the deed was done. A rather nice surprise was a giftof a beautiful Murano glass vase, now sitting proudly in our living room.

The rest of the day was spent casually walking around theCannaregio area being photographed in the most beautiful of locations, stoppingfor espressos and another great lunch in a local restaurant. Just perfect!
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As dusk fell, a combination of darkness/slippy boots/marblesteps and moss led to my fall from grace.
Yes, I fell into a Venice canal on my wedding day in fullwedding get up! It just made the day more memorable although I dont think thathe German concierge at Ca Segredo was too impressed by my rather smelly return.


In the evening, we had our dinner (included in the LLpackage) at Ca Segredo. A beautiful refined four-course affair includingoysters, foie gras, and fabulous roast beef. Afterwards we went out to thejetty and place two Chinese floating lanterns into the Grand Canal and watchedas they floated out into the darkness flickering gently in the the water.Ahhhhhhhh!

All too soon, it was the next day and a late check out, aquick 20-minute speed across the lagoon and we were gone.

I just hope its not another 25 years till I return to thiswonderful, graceful city.

[img]/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/36iB6AEB20DCAC9C70E/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1[/img] ]]> snapyou http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/wedding-venice-1014/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/phinda-perfect-holiday-1007/ Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:41:58 GMT The PERFECT Holiday My GF and I were lucky enough to spend four nights in Phinda Mountain Lodge followed by four nights in Phinda Forest Lodge... The PERFECT Holiday


My GF and I were lucky enough to spend four nights in Phinda Mountain Lodge followed by four nights in Phinda Forest Lodge (we won 2 four night auctions and combined them) in May this year.

We flew overnight from Heathrow with BA to Johannesburg where we stayed at The DOreale Grande for a night. The hotel was running an American Express Card Holders promotion so we were picked up on arrival by a limo and taken to the hotel (only a 5 min ride). Although, we arrived in the morning the front desk were very friendly and helpful and offered us our room immediately. We spent the day in the lovely gardens round the pool relaxing and excited for our trip to Phinda the next day.



The following morning we were driven to the Fed Air desk. Without doubt, FedAir is the BEST airline Ive ever travelled on for stress-free check in. We were driven to Fed Airs own check in facility over on the other side of the airport where there was free drinks/snacks available and a lovely little outdoor seating area.



Dead on time our flight was called, so it was literally a case of just walking a few yards on to the small plane. Including us there were only four other passengers. The flight was around an hour and then we were in Phinda! (Well after an aborted landing due to warthogs on the landing strip). We were met by our guide and taken to Phinda Mountain Lodge in about 40 minutes.

The lodge is beautiful: hidden into to the landscape with astounding views of the countryside. The lounge and dining areas are impressive but comfy and relaxing too.
The suites are dotted all over the lodge hidden away among the trees



so although there are 24 suites you do feel hidden away. As you walk to your suite, look out for the curious antelopes that roam freely around the lodge.


Our suite was pure perfection: traditional African roof, GIANT bed, seating area, HUGE bathroom with a freestanding bath and shower (lovely toiletries too).
Also, a large outdoors terrace with loungers and magnificent views where we spotted giraffes. The terrace is also perfect at night to appreciate the black African sky the stars and the sounds of Phinda.

That afternoon we went on our first game drive after meeting our wonderful guide (Richard) and almost immediately saw lions and cubs.





The thrill of a lion walking past you is something to experience. In our time at Phinda, we got close to elephants,



giraffes, warthogs, cheetahs and cubs,



buffalo, black rhino, white rhino and even leopards!



The beauty of Phinda is that there are so many different landscapes in a small area so one minute you can be in savannah, the next in forest, the next beside a river and so on.



Each game drive was an experience where you never knew quite where you were going or what you might see. Night would fall around 5pm and seeing the animals in the dark (with the help of a red light so as not to disturb them) was special especially when three LARGE male lions walked past us then began roaring.

We were also fortunate enough to go canoeing on the river looking for hippos and crocs.
ALL meals were great in both lodges: dining in the restaurant, Boma and dinner in the Bush illuminated by lanterns!

Our stay in Forest Lodge was even better: beautiful glass walled suite on stilts in the middle of a gorgeous Sand Forest from where we could view baboons, Ngala, Water Buffalo and, in the dining area, the rather cheeky monkeys whod make raids on the diners.



One day the whole place filled with noise from the animals as a lion passed through. Another night, we heard a strange noise and were told the next day a leopard had walked through camp.

Again, game drives were excellent and a special thanks to Walter (our guide) for taking me on a drive to see the local community. I must also mention Nicola, the camp manager, and Barry in the dining room: so nice, friendly and helpful.

On departure we were driven to the airstrip where Walter raced us along the landing plane. Then within minutes we were airborne again, saying good-bye to Phinda with tears in my eyes. Fingers crossed, we return there one day.

Thanks Luxury Link and andBeyond !



]]> snapyou http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/phinda-perfect-holiday-1007/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/zanzibar-kempinski-1006/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:50:10 GMT I thought it was about time I shared more of my trip to Zanzibar in February. I was there for two weeks with my girlfriend staying in three... I thought it was about time I shared more of my trip to Zanzibar in February.
I was there for two weeks with my girlfriend staying in three completely different areas/hotels. I have already blogged on one of them here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...chipelago.html

But now for my experience of the LL property we used :Zanzibar Kempinski which we stayed in for five nights.

I was a bit wary of this one due to some negative reports on Trip Adviser and also that it was more of a resort hotel cut off from the real Zanzibar.

The hotel is set in its own huge green grounds full of beautiful trees and plants (how they manage to keep them SO must be quite a job in the long hot dry season).

On arrival,we were easily checked in and given a Terrace Room.All the rooms are in little blocks of around 6/8 rooms in separate buildings spread out through the grounds. Our block was the furthest away from the main reception area/restaurant/pool BUT right beside the lovely spa with its own infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.It was a 2min walk away from our room and we were the only people ever to use it whilst there ! So,in effect,we had our own infinity pool!

The room itself was lovely:huge 4 poster bed with lovely linen,great bathroom with big bath,indoor shower and outdoor shower,a small balcony AND steps up to a roof top terrace.

We used room service for dining a few times:service was quick and polite and the food was good too(and reasonable prices).Breakfast was a buffet affair in the main restaurant: huge selection of items. You could sit indoors or in the courtyard area .

The reception area had a nice pool table and free broadband internet access. The main pool
was huge,clean and quiet too.

There is a beautiful jetty out to the sea where,once again,the food was gorgeous and the views were delightful. At night they had lights on the water so you could see the tuna fish feeding.
When the tide was out it was easy to go exploring around the rocks and little bays,watching the local kids play with their handmade boats or fishing. The hotel is atop a cliff and there are lovely landscaped walks all along. We seemed to be the only ones ever using it,never seeing other guests and only the occasional guard who wed have a chat with and practice our Swahili.
I got the impression that not many other guests even spoke to the staff.

Just near our room was a gorgeous beach:truly magical which AGAIN,no one else used!
The hotel does have a private beach about 20 mins walk or 5 mins in one of their golf carts.
Its a nice beach but we preferred our little beach.

We also enjoyed two spa treatments from the nice Thai ladies there:so relaxing!

For us,the best part of The Kempinski was the staff and the sheer beauty of the surroundings.
Ok,Its not the real Zanzibar (though you can easily go on trips from the hotel to explore Zanzibar) but for beauty and relaxed indulgence,its hard to beat !


[img][/img] ]]> snapyou http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/snapyou/zanzibar-kempinski-1006/