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Winter sun with Harden Holidays
TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT - MUST-DO TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: KEEP YOUR HOLIDAY DREAMS IN SIGHT AND PLAN SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL FOR 2022
By Harden Holidays
We believe it’s the unique, must-see places and must-live travel experiences that turn a great holiday into an unforgettable one. Throughout the pandemic, travel plans have been put on hold but the dream of an incredible holiday can very much be kept in sight. Many are now looking ahead to 2022 and beyond to get something extra special in their calendar to look forward to, and make up for lost time. So, this month we share with you some special holiday moments, for you to consider including as part of your next trip. Craft your own chocolate in St Lucia Chocolate lover or not, Hotel Chocolat’s St Lucia chocolate making experience is one not to miss. Tour the 140-acre Rabot Estate (St Lucia’s oldest plantation) and admire jaw dropping views of the rainforest canopy and Piton Mountains. Once you’ve picked your cocoa beans, just add a blend of sugar, butter and spices to craft your very own and completely unique chocolate bar. Cruise around the Croatian Islands Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once commented that ‘those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik’. Our eight-day island hopping cruises take in crystal clear waters, countless coves and sparkling bays for leisurely swimming and sun worshiping. Sight-seeing highlights include UNESCO listed Dubrovnik, the stunning Mljet national park and the famously beautiful Zlatni Rat beach. Admire Moorish design at Alhambra Palace, Granada The Alhambra Palace in Granada is the swansong of the Moor’s sophisticated civilisation. Home to sultans, royals and a young Catherine of Aragon, it impresses with its skillful geometric architecture, intricate, thoughtful aesthetics and beautiful ceramics and plasterwork. Walls carved with stunning Arabic calligraphy and pristine gardens with undisturbed pools
and gentle fountains, add to the charm and splendour. Catch a sunset in Santorini Santorini sunsets are spectacular and regarded as some of the finest to be seen anywhere in the world; villages that seem to cascade down hillsides and volcanic cliffs make for a fine backdrop. As the sun starts to sink below the horizon, the white washed houses and blue domed roofs are bathed in the characteristic glow of a Mediterranean evening that will linger long in your mind’s eye. Feel like a Hollywood Star on a water limousine tour of Lake Como Camera ready, wide lens set, you’re ready to take in the views of stunning lakeside mountains, exquisite villas and idyllic villages as you cruise the Lake Como shoreline by water limousine or traditional ferry. Optional extras include a 3-course dinner, a visit to the picturesque waterfront village of Bellagio, or a private tour around the lake: the lake’s your oyster! Discover Eden on earth at Plitvice Lakes National Park It’s difficult to put the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park into words. Winding footpaths lead the way through 16 crystalline lakes connected by cascading waterfalls. As you meander through the myriad greens and blues, butterflies and colourful flowers paint a pretty picture indeed. Top tip – You can visit all year round, but Autumn can be particularly beautiful with red and rose hues taking centre stage. Experience an open air opera in Verona The ancient Roman amphitheatre in Verona delivers outstanding acoustics, and the annual Arena Opera Festival features unique and sensational opera, ballet and concert events. As the sun sets, 15000 audience members will be dazzled by the scale, design and energy of the productions. Next year sees an acclaimed Carmen as well as Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, set in ancient Egypt. Get home inspiration in the souks of Marrakech A trip to the souks of Marrakech is certainly a feast for the senses; the smell of spices, the whistles of the snake charmers, and the ancient tales of the Berber storytellers. Winding through its labyrinthine streets you’ll find ornate lanterns, plush rugs and the finest quality leathers for a price that is next to nothing – if you’re willing to haggle. With its bold colours, unique patterns and warming effect, it’s no surprise that Moroccan décor has found its way into many of our homes. Thailand’s floating markets A journey brimming with the colours, sights and sounds of the Far East. Offering the perfect escape from the urban streetscape, board a longtail boat and sail along the longest canal in Thailand, Damnoen Saduak, to see the floating markets of farmer’s fare and flowers and sample the finest flavours of Thailand with lunch in a local restaurant. Visit railway bridge number 277, otherwise known as the Bridge on the River Kwai. Travel in style and luxury aboard the Belmond Simplon-OrientExpress Treat yourself to a truly decadent adventure. The wonderful way to celebrate any occasion, the Simplon-Orient-Express offers passengers the chance to travel in unparalleled luxury. Exceptional service, lavish furnishings and sublime views over majestic countryside, combine to make your journey an outstanding work of art. The Orient Express can be taken between London and Venice, Verona or Vienna. Desert safaris The untouched sand dunes of the United Arab Emirates provide the perfect boundless playground for a multitude of desert safaris. There are traditional rides on camels and displays of falconry. There are the rollercoaster antics of dune-bashing in 4×4 Land Cruisers, as well as motorised quad bikes and pedal-power mountain bikes with very fat tyres to tackle the desert landscape. However you intend to travel in 2022, whether something extra special or just a few days in the sun, give us a call or visit us in Dartford town centre. We can’t do the packing for you but we have everything else covered. -Testing - Entry Forms (foreign and UK) - Visas - Check-in - Documents From all of us at Harden Holidays we wish you a wonderful festive season and we look forward to see you once the tinsel is packed away.