The Logbook. April 2019. by TheLostExecutive

THE LOGBOOK A P R I L

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Contents

Editors note...................................................................... 4

Whitsunday Holidays................................................ 48

From Capsule Hotels to Tiny Houses and Boats…....................................................................... 6

Emerald Ridge.............................................................. 50 Miners Nest.................................................................. 53

The “Heads Up” for potential glamping suppliers...........................................................................11

Erica Caravan Park.................................................... 54

Nomad Shelters............................................................14

Cepha’s Inn.................................................................... 60

Lushna Glamping.........................................................19

Ruhija Rest Camp........................................................61

Outstanding Tents......................................................23

Shah Tours......................................................................62

Thetford..........................................................................27

Serengeti Balloon Safaris........................................ 64

Mobile Solar Chargers Ltd......................................28

Namaste Yoga Safaris............................................... 66

Alpe Cimbra.................................................................. 30

Zikomo Safari............................................................... 68

Tree Hotel...................................................................... 36

Cabañas Alfonsina.......................................................72

Indigo Safaris................................................................ 38

Ruta de Arte y Vino Glamping...............................74

Daylesford Country Retreats................................42

Amazon Tupana Lodge..............................................75

17 Pounds. Shillings and Pence............................ 44

Raiz Chile.........................................................................76

The Luxe......................................................................... 46

Bananal EcoLodge.......................................................78

Madafocus..................................................................... 58

Editors note

This is our tenth issue and it is a whopper. We have always striven to bring the most inspiring businesses to our readers, connecting them with the best destinations and for those interested in business, the best businesses to work with. In our tenth issue, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve highlighted businesses in both destinations and suppliers in South America, UK, the United States, Mexico, Australia, Africa and Madagascar. Travel and hospitality is an industry as diverse and complex as any, with a vast spread of businesses feeding into it and as such we are also excited to mention that in addition to The Logbook, we will soon be launching an additional monthly magazine which will be specifically focussed at businesses involved in this vast and ever changing landscape. Looking at not only how people travel for leisure but how they travel for business and what business and business travel means today. It is a very exciting time and it is very exciting to be able to offer it to you all.

Stay safe. Travel well. Be good.

The Team Published by The Lost Executive LTD Co-founder and Creative and Editorial Director Don Campbell Co-founder Jerome Smith Head Writer Donnie Rust Copy proofreader Daemon Sands Magazine Designer Louise Smith

Working with Glampinghub.com

FROM CAPSULE HOTELS TO TINY HOUSES AND BOATS… Booking.com presents the ultimate guide to unique property types that travellers won’t want to miss… From modern reinventions of camping classics to space-age pods providing a comfortable place to rest, travellers today have more options than ever when it comes to booking their next getaway. As the global leader in connecting travellers with the most diverse range of unique places to stay, Booking.com offers access to alternative accommodations all around the world. Recent research conducted by Booking shows that over half of global travellers (51%)* reveal they would like to visit somewhere that’s unique and that none of their friends have been to. Additionally, over a quarter of global travellers (26%) like statement accommodation that is unique, so they can seem like trendsetters or different from the crowd. SO, here is the definitive guide to some of the most talked about and on the rise accommodation types around the world.

CAPSULE HOTELS From one small stay to another, capsule hotels offer perfectly formed accommodation options for budgetconscious travellers. These extremely small “rooms” are often found in more casual accommodation offerings and are stacked high, side-by-side with steps for access and is also one of the fastest growing categories of accommodation on Booking.com. Where to stay: Capsule hotels first appeared as a low-budget option in Japan, and the country remains ahead of the trend, offering increasingly chic and high-tech pod options. The Capsule Hotel Astil Dotonbori offers the perfect experience in Osaka. All capsules come fully equipped, with a mobile phone charger, USB port and even nightwear, towels and slippers for their guests.

TINY HOUSES The tiny house movement sees people embracing a smaller and simpler existence. A property that’s less than 500 feet would technically constitute a tiny house and these small dwellings are popping up for travellers across the globe to provide a peek into the trendy and eco-conscious way of living that’s simple, uncomplicated and cosy.

Where to stay: Tiny House Siesta in Florida may be small but proves a big hit with visitors. Travellers can stay in self-catering tiny houses situated at the holiday park not far from Siesta Key Beach. Open floorplans connect a dining area, seating area, and sleeping area. Some of the bookable tiny houses at Tiny House Siesta even offer have two levels and an outdoor shower.

BOATS While staying off-shore may not be a new travel trend, accommodation options that are permanently moored offer visitors a unique place to stay while taking in their chosen destination. Booking.com currently offers is now home to over more than 1,700 boat properties across the globe. Where to stay: The floating superyacht The Sunbourn is found in Royal Victoria Dock and offers a uniquely luxurious base from which to explore London. Less than a minute›s walk from ExCeL London, this boat stay is also primed for business travellers to the area looking for something a little different, with meeting rooms available, the latest communications technology and a centralised multimedia system.

LUXURY TENT

For some, camping instils fond childhood memories and presents an opportunity to embrace the great outdoors. For others, it means the dread of an outdoor toilet and a rough night’s sleep. Driven by the desire to make camping a more enjoyable experience for everyone, recent years have seen a significant increase in interest for glamourous camping – or glamping – with almost a third of global travellers (31%)* stating that they prefer unique and quirky accommodations while on vacation, such as luxury tents. Indeed luxury tents are amongst the fastest rising in relative popularity of accommodation types on Booking.com*, connecting travellers with the great outdoors without having to give up modern luxuries. Where to stay: Identified as one of 2019’s emerging destinations, Wadi Rum, Jordan, is also home to Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. These luxury tents offer the perfect balance of opulence and outdoors, situated in the heart of the desert for incredible landscapes and scenery. The camp features a restaurant, barbecue facilities, a garden and a terrace. This is camping like you’ve never experienced it before.

HOLIDAY HOMES While traveling is often about branching out and seeing new places, some of us still look for a few home comforts. For many travellers a holiday home offers the best of both worlds and the opportunity truly embrace their chosen destination. Almost a third (30%)** of travellers will be looking for a holiday home or villa for their 2019 getaway, both of which are amongst the fastest rising in relative popularity of accommodation types on Booking.com. Where to stay: They say home is where the heart is, but when you’re venturing away from yours on your travels, why not head to Spain, which is one of the top destinations for holiday homes with over 27,000 property options on Booking.com. In Granada the Mirador De San Cristóbal holiday home offers tastefully decorated accommodation in the charming Albaicín neighbourhood of Granada, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with impressive views of the city near the famous Alhambra.

CHALET As picture perfect as a souvenir postcard, a chalet offers an alternative alpine accommodation. The wooden houses with overhanging eaves often form part of skiing resorts. In fact, cabins and chalets are the desired accommodation for almost a fifth (16%)* of global travellers and are also amongst the fastest rising in relative popularity of accommodation types on Booking.com.

Where to stay: Ticking off two of the ski resort essentials, hot tub and ski storage, the Chalets de la Ferme de Belline is perfectly located in Briançon in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region for your next trip down the slopes. The property offers a range of chalet sizes, with some featuring a dining area or terrace for guests to enjoy après-ski.

APARTMENTS With 30%* of travellers planning to stay in an apartment in 2019 and one of the fastest growing accommodation types being booked by global travellers on Booking.com*, it’s clear they are as popular as ever. These self contained units often provide the perfect balance of escape and home comforts for city living. Where to stay: As one of the most iconic skylines in the world, why not experience the bustle of New York City from an apartment right in the midst of it. Located walking distance from the Rockefeller Centre, Radio City Apartments offer rooms equipped with a kitchenette and cable TV.

RIAD Stemming from the Arabian term for garden, a riad is a type of traditional Moroccan house or palace built around an interior courtyard. These palatial stays offer beauty in their architectural and floral design. Booking.com has over 1,200 riads available, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when looking for a place to spend those Arabian nights. Where to stay: Being the riad’s origin, Morocco is a must stay place when planning a stay. Riad Al Makan is one of the top picks in Fès and offers the perfect base to explore the bustling nearby street markets and attractions such as the Blue Gate. This beautifully designed property also boasts a terrace overlooking the old Medina.

WWW.NOMADSHELTER.COM

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THE “HEADS UP” FOR POTENTIAL GLAMPING SUPPLIERS By Donnie Rust Interviewee: Laura Golding

Having said that, it’s tempting to think this makes

Following on from our recent feature regarding standardization within glamping we looked to The Glamping Show for answers. Considered to be the voice of the industry by site owners and suppliers they discussed with us the considerations potential and current suppliers may have for this market. Laura Golding is Conference Producer for both The Glamping Show in the UK and The Global Glamping Summit in the US. The Glamping Show has built up its network of exhibitors over the last 4 years, allowing the Show team a first-hand view on how suppliers are faring. Laura, therefor, has an insight to what approaches bring success in the industry and which emerging trends are shaping it.

the glamping market an easy one to break into. In reality, you won’t get very far by bringing a new product to market just to be edgy and turn heads. My first tip is to remember that your customers are looking for a product that solves a real problem or meets a genuine need for their glampsite.

TLE: In your experience what should a business consider before becoming a supplier to glamping?

Secondly, creativity and thinking outside the box are a must. Glampsites offer a wide variety of travel experiences. It is totally unlike the hotel industry where there are standard sized rooms, standard facility lists and set visitor expectations. As a glamping supplier, your ability to innovate and create a novel solution or enhancement for the visitor experience is what will set your product apart from the rest.

Laura: The exciting thing about the glamping industry is the pace at which it’s expanding. As demand grows from guests for unique and individual glamping experiences, we’re also now seeing incredible diversification in the supplier space. There is no standard format for glamping and so many elements are involved in creating a memorable guest experience. So, in many ways the sky really is the limit for suppliers!

Thirdly, glamping is entirely defined by the visitor experience and that filters straight through to glamping suppliers. As a supplier you need to be invested in the success of their site, not simply making your sale. In practical terms, your product design needs to be spot on, you need to be willing to guide your customers to make the right choice for their specific site and you have to have a plan for dealing with aftersales and maintenance issues.

TLE: Judging by The Glamping Show, what lengths do suppliers go to so they can accommodate the requirements of their clients? Laura: At The Glamping Show we see many suppliers taking time to talk to one another, as well as to potential customers. A surprising number of partnerships come out of these discussions and, in my view, this is what makes glamping a fresh and creative industry to work in. With a constant dialogue between products and the community, there are no shortage of problems to solve and ways to solve them!

TLE: Are there any statistics available on how long glamping sites stick with their chosen suppliers? In which case is the relationship still closer to a “cottage industry” rather than mainstream hospitality? Laura: I would say that the glamping industry is very different from mainstream hospitality. In the UK it has always been surprisingly well connected and collaborative – much more about community than competition. I was curious to know if this is also true of glamping outside the UK and our experiences with events in the US show that it is.

A single supplier will always be part of a bigger puzzle. Heating and lighting solutions for example, have to work within the structures already on glampsites and already on the market. If you have a heating or lighting product installed within the material of the structure you’ll clearly need to do your research and talk to other suppliers to get the product right. As a result, supplier and customer relationships tend to last. It depends somewhat on the product, for example structures, sanitation solutions and booking software are a big investment and difficult to replace. Smaller items or accessories with a shorter lifespan are clearly less set in stone. In practice, an operator will tend to stick with a supplier until there’s a problem.

Visitor safety is also paramount and is as critical a consideration for suppliers as for glampsite operators. One severe safety incident could irreparably harm the entire industry and, understandably, glampsite operators are keen to know the safety credentials of any purchase they’re researching.

TLE: As the industry is still a young one, are suppliers generally on the same page as glamping sites with regards to goals and long-term ambitions?

It’s worth noting that when there are problems with a particular supplier, you can expect the community to share! Reputation and trust are so important in this industry and you can be sure word will get around.

Laura: We all want this emerging industry to realise its full potential and that point is still way off on the horizon. Suppliers and glampsite operators need to be on the same page in terms of goals and long term ambitions for us to get there.

outdoor accommodation. Accommodation and structures, heating, kitchens, bathrooms and waste management immediately come to mind and they are key players in realizing the full potential of this industry.

TLE: What have you found has been the biggest challenges for suppliers to help this industry realise its full potential?

Yet the industry is maturing to a point where there’s room for a raft of other suppliers who have established elsewhere, but want to test the outdoor accommodation market. Creating a unique and memorable visitor experience is key for glamping operators over the next few years and the smaller products, the finishing touches like cooking equipment, interior décor, outside furniture and outdoor play equipment are going to be increasingly important.

Laura: The most pressing challenges faced by glamping suppliers fall into the following categories: health and safety for visitors and those working on glampsites; sourcing sustainable materials; building a reputation with the customer base and pricing appropriately for the market.

TLE: What can suppliers do as a first step to build themselves up?

All glamping suppliers face their fair share of challenges. It’s not easy to build a beautiful product, ensure it meets all the safety regulations, use sustainable materials, maintain flexibility to work with varied locations, weather conditions, spaces and still come in at a price the market is willing to pay. Then you still have to face the challenge of building a reputation and trust in a tight knit community.

Laura: Building partnerships with other suppliers is an excellent way to stay ahead of the curve and reach new customer audiences without compromising your particular expertise. We’ve seen a lot of this among The Glamping Show supplier community in the last 12 months or so. The key thing for suppliers in the glamping industry is keeping up with it as it evolves and being flexible enough to keep up with your customer’s businesses as they evolve with it.

Clearly those suppliers who are invested most heavily in the glamping industry are those whose products are most specialized for glamping and

NOMAD SHELTERS Living in a Round Founded in 1995 by Lee and Jess Tenhoff, Nomad

“It is the personal side of the business that keeps us going,” Jess says, “As well as having the reputation for being the leading yurt designers. We love working with people and discussing their plans and dreams and doing our bit to shape them.”

Shelter is not only one of the most authentic yurt manufacturers, but one of the most authentic businesses in America. From living and working in their yurt to giving other people the opportunity to do the same, we spoke with co-founder Jess Tenhoff regarding their business. “This has been a lifelong passion for us,” she says, “Lee and I moved into a yurt of our own design in 1987 and what started as a small family business now ships handcrafted yurts across the world for a variety of different uses and a range of different environments.”

As they are handmade from scratch, the creation of each yurt requires their full attention, experience and skill to create something that the client will fall in love with. As anyone who has worked with wood will tell you, there is a knowhow involved in creating such structures that counts for everything.

NOMAD SHELTER

“You don’t make wood do anything, you negotiate with it,” Jess says.

Even though Lee and Jess have been building yurts for over twenty years, they still have the capacity to look at every yurt they manufacture as a bespoke, stand-alone project. Overseeing each phase of design and construction they work closely with clients to personalize and individually craft each one.

YURT USES Over the last twenty years, Nomad Shelter have perfected the steps needed to create the perfect personalized nomadic abode. In recent years, thanks to the explosive popularity of glamping things have gotten very busy. With current and up-and-coming destinations vying to offer the

“For the owner of the site it is a personal extension of themselves and for the guest it is an experience of that.” This sentiment goes further than just the hospitality industry, as it is becoming ever more apparent that people do not need to invest in bricks and mortar as a home and that nomadic, standalone accommodations can be perfect for many different environments. coolest and most luxurious accommodation some businesses have abandoned their roots and turned to automation and commercialisation to capitalise on the demand. Lee and Jess have gone the other way and, instead, have focused even harder on the individual customer’s needs and desires.

“It is so important that people think outside the box to explore all the options,” Jess says, “And give themselves the chance to visualize what it is they want, and how living in a round home without walls could transform their relationship between them and their environment whether the yurt is for personal or commercial use.”

“No matter how big and diverse the hospitality industry becomes it is still a deeply personal thing,” Jess reveals,

FOR A BUSINESS Going well beyond merely accommodation for a glamping site, hotel group or safari, yurts offer a greater flexibility and uniqueness to any business. If a business requires a versatile, cost effective

and captivating structure, as many businesses do, the yurt presents a richly inviting and economical space.

“As it can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the size of the yurt, materials, location and builder.”

“Low impact designs, easy set-up and a range of sizes means that a yurt can provide an effective space be it for a hospitality purpose or to create an inviting and mesmerizing office space to work out of,” Jess says.

Yurts have an 8-16 week turn-around time and all yurts have a borough tax of $37.50.

LIVING IN THE ROUND There is such a security and calmness to be found in a yurt that this could explain why it is such a popular accommodation choice across so many different nations. And, while the detailed design and manufacture may differ from country to country depending on the materials available, the layout, that of a round accommodation without walls has proved to be popular throughout history. And there is evidence to suggest psychological benefits of living in a round room instead of a walled-up compartment.

Ultimately, when you combine the yurt’s natural adaptability and Nomad Shelter’s willingness to work with each customer you come to a scenario where whatever can be imagined can probably be built.

WHAT CAN CLIENTS EXPECT? Jess says that taking the time to communicate with a client is an essential part of their process. Before Nomad Shelter begins working, they need to know exactly what the customer wants. Once design and manufacturing have taken place the yurt parts are assembled in their factory and can be shipped internationally to be assembled. With this in mind the stove and the yurt platform are not included in their service but a list of materials, a platform diagram and dimensions for the stove are provided as well as a setup manual and phone support.

“It is a genuine pleasure to be able to introduce people to the benefits of living in a yurt,” Jess says, “We wouldn’t have been doing it for two decades if we didn’t love it.”

“The yurt platform and not just the deck, should be factored into client’s overall budget,” Jess says,

WHAT MAKES A YURT? The yurt is comprised of several different layers that make it the cosy, weather proof shelter that has served nomadic tribes in many different countries for centuries. While the external appearance of a Nomad Shelter yurt is traditional, the manufacturing process uses modern materials that are built to last. This includes a Duro-last roofing membrane made of 40ml polyvinyl as the first layer of the cover. This is used over the entire yurt for the standard cost. The reason being is that it doesn’t mildew or degrade in sunlight or exposure and it is completely flame retardant.

are also layers thicker and a full foot wider on each size than any other design. These robustly engineered rings ensure the compression from the rafter connection translates into an incredibly strong roof, while also serving as a beautiful design feature.

Drafts and leaks are prevented with additional layers and the lattice which gives the yurt its shape is made of either white spruce or Douglas fir. This is held together with aluminium rivets with support columns and rafters to provide added strength for the larger tents. Strength and durability are very important.

What follows is insulation and Nomad Shelter only uses the insulation that they know works the best. It includes reflectix double foil backed bubble wrap and this is lined with a polyester mildew and fireresistant fabric.

“The Nomad Shelter lattice is structurally engineered with this added dimensional strength to support the rafters,” she adds, “It can handle a great deal of snow and winds of up to 100 mph without the need of vertical supporting posts.”

“There are many people in Alaska living with the Nomad Shelter liner as insulation for their primary residences,” Jess points out, “We use it in our own residents in Homer, Alaska.”

Rafters have wooden connections to the central compression ring which are designed to insert in directly for extra strength. As there are no pin connections there is no torsion or twist in the frame. Nomad Shelter central compression rings

WEBSITE: www.nomadshelter.com TELEPHONE: 001 907-235-0132

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LUSHNA GLAMPING Bringing out the Spirit of Glamping “Glamping is more than just having a nice accommodation and every tourist destination must have its own character,” Jaka says, “So, one of the first things we do is explore the natural wonders and local riches of a location in order to define what makes that destination distinctive.”

Whether you are a first-time developer bringing life to a dream, or a seasoned destination owner looking to further develop a catalogue of sites, when it comes to glamping there is a spirit and sensitivity that needs to be considered. Speaking with CMO and partner of Lushna Glamping Jaka Azman, it is clear that to find real success in glamping you must tap into this spirit and understand what it means to you. Lushna Glamping have become one of the go-to businesses for interests in glamping. Reputable and experienced and with a catalogue of successful businesses as clients they know how to plant the seed of a glamping creation and nurture its healthy growth. Jaka explains that any successful site begins with knowing what unique characteristics lie in the area.

FOR THE CLIENT Creating destinations that are in harmony with nature is fundamental for Lushna who believe that sustainable glamping is ineffective without it. According to Jaka true glamour can only be found in the great outdoors and they follow the same principle when developing every Lushna destination. In order to create unforgettable co-natural resorts, glamping sites and lodges, Lushna work closely with clients and provide complete destination development services and unique ecocabins if needed. they want a luxurious five-star experience within a unique and interesting environment that they can touch, smell, see and hear.”

“We focus on creating a symbiotic relationship between our clients and the environment surrounding their site and to build inspiring experiences on this,” Jaka says, “This principle is a key to our lodging solutions design and influences what we suggest for a client’s own unique hospitality services, touristic offer and activity programs.”

This is one of the biggest differences between glamping and hotels, or bed and breakfasts, in those places it is just a place to lay your head. In contrast glamping is at its core a sensual experience that places a great deal of importance on other values, such as privacy and the freedom to socialise. These are immutable parts of this industry that stem from glamping’s more rugged ancestor, camping.

“Camping’s allure has always been the immersion in nature and how this can entice and interact with all of your senses,” Jaka explains, “Glamping is no different, it’s camping but with more glamour, better pillows and more frequent laundry. ”

WHAT CAN A CLIENT EXPECT? Lushna follow a set of principles which have been written based on their research into the market. They have then combined these principles with their understanding of the various ingredients needed to make a superb and successful glamping site and this is what the client receives.

THE LEGENDARY

Jaka explains that for each client they seek to seamlessly frame the nature and the available history and story of a location with what is beautiful and unique about it. With this they then work together with the client to create a co-natural design that enhances all of it as a marketable package.

There are more than just the five senses to enrapture too. There are other sensibilities that help create the sort of experience that will have guests returning again and again. For example, there is the responsibility of glamping site owners to make use of sustainable construction methods and natural materials on their sites. To be culturally aware and conscious of

“You absolutely have to capture and engage all of the senses,” he adds, “People go glamping because

promoting the local economy and protecting the natural resources of their location. These are part and parcel of effective glamping sites because it creates a legend and a community for a guest.

one of the most beautiful and ambitious glamping projects to date. Based in Maribor, Slovenia along the Maribor lake in Limbus, right next to the factory of the fastgrowing chocolate brand Teta Frida, the Chocolate Village Glamping Resort will soon be created. A luxury glamping resort featuring 12 Lushna houses, in which everything will be based around chocolate, from chocolate breakfasts, chocolate workshops, chocolate cosmetics to chocolate massages. A heaven for chocolate lovers.

“Our Lushna Natural Resort concept is a perfect way to grow a business for start-ups in the hospitality industry. Especially landowners of beautiful natural venues, owners of vineyards, farms, B&B or restaurants,” Jaka says, “Through it a client can revitalize, boost image and increase the value of existing tourist destinations like campgrounds, eco hotels, golf courses, wellness or spa resorts.” A Natural Resort or Glamping site is suitable also for ambitious investors or municipalities who see ecotourism destinations as an opportunity for green investment and a way to generate fast profits and returns on investment.

INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT It is clear that research is important to Lushna. Understanding that many first-time investors may be looking at it from the outside in, they have used their inside knowledge to create an ROI Calculator for new comers to make use of which will create a realistic estimate to what a person can expect to require in terms of investment.

Jaka reveals that the investors chose their most glamorous units, the Lushna Suite Mezzanine and Lushna Petites which were redesigned to fit into the luxury chocolate story. The major upgrades required are a premium exterior and interior cladding materials in darker tones, dimmed panoramic glass walls, premium interior finishing materials and upscale accessories with integrated Smart technologies for remote control and energy efficiency. Lushna Petites with newly designed saunas will offer even better views over the gorgeous river Drava.

“A successful business always starts by identifying your objections and knowing the costs to achieve them,” Jaka explains, “The more this is done the more accurate it becomes and the faster it can be achieved.”

PUT INTO PRACTICE There is a catalogue of glamping sites that owe their success to the insightful guidance of Lushna Glamping. There are three projects however that stand out amongst the crowd as the greatest examples of what happens when you follow the principals of this great business.

“The resort will operate throughout the year,” he adds, “Each house will be well insulated, and offer full air conditioning. Beyond the obvious allure of chocolate, guests will also find wine tastings as well as a sauna on the tree with a Jacuzzi.”

CHOCOLATE VILLAGE BY THE RIVER, SLOVENIA.

There is obvious excitement for the project as with its fantastic position close to the city, the nearby ski centre and directly along the Drava Biking Trail it creates a destination with many opportunities. Great opportunities for great chocolate, luxurious relaxation and leisure cycling!

Accommodation: Lushna Shadow line Lushna’s home country Slovenia, stands as one of the most developed glamping countries in the world. And since they have been doing the majority of their projects abroad for the past few years, they were thrilled to be selected to build

GATHE GREENE, CATSKILLS, NY

“We were particularly proud to be able to finally plant our flag in the United Kingdom,” Jaka reveals, “Making use of our Lushna Suites and Petites this is our most glamorous site to date, combining upper end comfort and luxury with the soft sea breeze of St. Osyth, United Kingdom.”

Accommodation: Lushna Petite Reflect Cabins

The help of incredibly sunny British weather, the four Suites and eight Petites were set up in a record 15 days. The Suites include all of their versions including Lux, Glass and Mezzanine and with the petites complementing the existing lodgings Jaka reveals Lee Wick Farm Cottages and Glamping is also one of their most diverse glamping destinations. “Our Lushna cabins are rugged on the outside but offer great comfort inside and brilliant views. This is achieved thanks to a floor to ceiling glass window that maximises the panoramic coastal views,” he says, “And St. Osyth is known for its massive skies and the relaxing sea breeze.”

Seventeen cabins were used to create this respite from the city. Creating a place to escape hectic lifestyles and to connect with nature, to bond with friends and family and to feel at one with nature. “It was a privilege to be involved in this nature retreat located in the beautiful Hudson Valley,” Jaka says, “Gathe Green is a new event venue and nature retreat only two hours north of New York City and sits upon a backdrop of one hundred acres of Green County rolling hills.”

To keep glamping simple but comfortable, each Lushna is designed to be like a home away from home but with better views. As such there is an internal loo, shower, small kitchen area and storage space including wardrobe. “Outside on the deck of each Lushna there is also a barbecue, table and chairs, fire pit and some even have log fired hot tubs,” Jaka says, “What more do you need to relax?”

Each of the seventeen Lushna Petite Reflect cabins comes with an outside deck, a king size bed, bathroom, closet with large mirror, mini fridge and a coffee maker. With a grand picture window, the guest feels like their out in nature, but with air conditioning, heating, and warm showers, you will be able to enjoy it like never before.

LUSHNA’S GUARANTEE It would not be a bad idea if you are thinking about becoming the next success story in glamping, to spend a weekend at one of the sites who have worked with Lushna to get a feel for it.

LEE WICK FARM COTTAGES AND GLAMPING

“We encourage this,” Jaka says, “Glamping is such a personal thing it is important to get as much of a feel for it as possible.”

Accommodation: Lushna Suites and Petites

To find out where to go, you should visit their website without delay and book something today. PRICE: see website WEBSITE: www.glamping-lushna.com TELEPHONE: 00386 30440330 EMAIL: on site

OUTSTANDING TENTS How to live up to your name

Deeply passionate about their product, innovative with their design and forward thinking with their marketing and development, Outstanding Tents is one of the newest tent manufacturers to spring out of Europe from their native home in the Netherlands.

year’s tent sales Erik was keen to repeat it and had ordered two containers the second time. “The second containers had even more sales,” Robin says, “However he wasn’t satisfied with the quality because clients were complaining that the tents had become mouldy and rusty over the course of a year. Also, there were delays on the second container which arrived half way through the season.”

We were fortunate enough to speak with one of their founders Robin van Kooten. In charge of advice and sales he stands at the forefront of the business, seeing changes and developments in both brand and client tastes ahead of others.

The website he was running at the time (www. safaritenten.com) was generating a great deal of interest and Erik, concerned about the quality of his tents severed ties with the Pakistani company and found better and more reliable suppliers for his growing pool of clients.

HOW IT BEGAN Officially, Outstanding Tents launched in 2014, but Robin explains that to really understand the roots of the business we need to look at the year 2009. This was the year when the man who would become his co-founder started importing tents from Pakistan. Erik already had a couple of businesses under his belt, and after a single container of tents sold out faster than he expected he knew there was a definite demand for the product.

“Right at the start quality was and remains the most important element of our business,” Robin says, “Our clients have to be 100% satisfied and that soon became the foundation of everything that we are built on.”

BUSINESS GROWTH Erik started expanding and working with different companies and the demand on his website continued to grow. Naturally, as would be the case

The pair of them do motocross together and it was during an after-ride beer that Robin heard the full story himself. After the success of the first

SUSTAINABILITY A millennial company in every sense of the word, keeping Outstanding Tent present and relevant in the digital media has come naturally. Combine this natural instinct of social connection and communication with the perfectly timed flood of Glamping Mania, and, as Robin puts it, “Things have gone crazy.”

with any serial entrepreneur, he soon became interested in expanding the business and this was largely what the famous beer after the motocross was about. “He wanted someone to help him expand the company and grow the quality,” Robin says, “I was interested because I had been working for five years in a family owned business revolving around the sales of vans and trucks and I wanted a change.

In the first year they grew 400% and since then have grown regularly by 100% each year. Employing ten full time staff members with an additional forty coming in each season to help with the peaks. But such expansive growth does come with its own problems. “Our demand went beyond our capacity to keep up,” Robin admits. He goes on to reveal that while this is always a good problem to have to deal with, it did present them with the dilemma of businesses versus quality. “Our clients come from one of the most publicized and media facing sectors in the world, hospitality,” he says, “We have to factor in that a client’s satisfaction is based on the awe and appreciation of their guests. Because of this we have to do whatever it takes to reach our standards of quality.” To ensure that the hotels, the glamping and camping sites and the many other businesses relying on Outstanding Tents are never disappointed, Robin explains that they have decided to only aim for a 35% growth this year. This forms part of a plan to move to a new facility and grow their backend to support the front.

So, I quit my job and we founded Outstanding Tents at the end of 2014.” Treating the new business like an entirely new entity they started developing new products that were mainly produced in Southern or Central Europe, and they began developing their own tents.

HOW FAR SHOULD YOU TAKE A QUALITY GUARANTEE?

“It was an exciting time starting from scratch,” Robin says, “New designs, new exteriors and new looks. We were able to start doing our own things, getting bits and pieces ourselves and assembling them in the Netherlands.”

So, what would be the outcome if a client wasn’t 100% satisfied with a product? Robin had a simple answer for that, “When we say that we put our

quality guarantee ahead of everything we really do mean it,” he says, “If a customer isn’t 100% happy with a product and if it cannot be improved upon, let’s say with repair or redesign, we will take the tent back and refund them their money.” He admits that this approach has been problematic in the past and sometimes, in the early chapters of their business, it cost them a lot of money but the prevailing philosophy in the business has always done them better in the end. “We don’t want any unsatisfied customers,” he says, “Not one. We work with clients needing permanent tent structures and this is what we want to offer, permanent quality.”

fellow directors is to keep a current eye on new developments and being realistic about their own chances in the market. “Ultimately it can be a bit of a guess, but it is so important to take chances and try new things,” he says, “Part of making this work is listening to the various sales agents we have in seven countries. Those markets are really interesting, and we pay attention to them and have done exhibitions in most those countries.”

2019 This year they are introducing insulated safari tents which can be used all year round. It isn’t easy to achieve though as highly insulated tent fabrics tend to get mouldy due to condensation. After a lengthy period of intensive research and development to find the most cost-effective means of doing so, they decided to start a concept redesign. This included introducing elements of rustic cabins to the tent. Ergo, the inner tent is made of wooden panels allowing for reliable insulation and stability while the exterior remains a tent.

He highlights that listening to the agents has been so useful because they are the front line of their business in these areas. Also, they are very active and keen to help the business progress further just like their other staff. “It’s really a pleasure to work with them and to discuss in an open manner what the growth potential for our business is,” Robin says, “Ultimately, we want to make sure that we always live up to our brand’s name and this is how we do it.” WEBSITE: www.outstandingtent.com EMAIL: info@outstandingtent.com TELEPHONE: +31 318 575 056

Over and above that they are also designing a new range of modern interiors for their tents which are being worked on now and will be introduced in 2020. This new development will fit in well with their one-stop-shop approach where they take care of all the details. From the moment they approach the business for advice to the moment the installation is complete.

BUSINESS ACUMEN With remarkable success in the early years of the business, one of the philosophies of Robin and his

You are running out of time to see the world

THETFORD QUALITY REASSURANCE

The Thetford story goes back to 1963 in Michigan in the USA when Mr. Frank Sargent invented a camping toilet that would be the base of Thetford’s world-famous Porta Potti. Since then, Thetford has become a global leader in RV Refrigeration, Cooking Appliances, Service Doors and Toilet Care Products.

It is a relief to know that Thetford’s got your back as well when it comes to offering the best advice and support. Offering a standard three year warranty on all of their products, they’re already ahead of their competition.

THE INSPIRATION The inspiration as to why a company would invent a brand of toilet should be pretty obvious, however it should be pointed out that until Thetford’s original invention there was no standard of sanitation for mobile toilets. The contributions that this company has brought to convenience and quality of portable sanitation has been appreciated by all of us at some point.

Their service network consists of more than 250 Service Agents that provide guidance and support all over Australia. And they work with almost all Australian RV Manufacturers, so people will see their product in most of the vehicles on the road when Down Under.

2019 This year Thetford have just introduced an amazing induction hob for inside RV’s, the Topline 902. This highly innovative induction hob is a remarkably elegant and timeless 2 burner Induction stove that perfectly matches the increasing demand for home-like cooking. The sleek and easy to use unit can be installed both horizontally and vertically and will impress every RV owner.

THE BUSINESS The scope of Thetford’s products seems almost without end and with a notoriety for pioneering products. As an example they were the first manufacturer and inventor of the Cassette Toilet, which is now being used in 90% of the RV’s worldwide. With their international headquarters in Ann Arbor USA and their European headquarters in Etten-Leur in the Netherlands they also have production facilities in the United States, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and China.

STAFF Thetford now has 1000 employees world-wide, including 15 in Australia where they supply to most of the Australian manufacturers from their local warehouse in Melbourne. The training they offer is second to none. You see, high quality products are one thing, installing, servicing and using a product is another. That is why the company offers training to both direct and indirect customers.

COMPANY NAME: Thetford Australia TELEPHONE: 03 9358 0700 EMAIL: infoaus@thetford.com.au

They are also present during all major Industry shows in Australia, where end users can talk to the experts to learn more about their products.

WEBSITE: www.thetford.com.au

REVIEW

MOBILE SOLAR CHARGERS LTD Mobile Solar Chargers Ltd was founded in April 2012 after the founder, Tim Smerdon and his family crossed the Sahara Desert in an old Peugeot. During this time, which also saw Tim setting up a Fairtrade business with the Women’s Groups in Uganda, he saw the need for reliable power sources that were off grid. “A little bit of power goes a long way,” he explains, “Especially when business and education are involved. The infrastructure in some of these locations is not great but they still require power.” He explains, “Our Expedition packages have improved the safety and connectivity of climbers during multiple trips to Everest and in 2018 three different teams used them.”

AN ESSENTIAL TOOL The Mobile Solar Charger is a fit for purpose portable power charger suitable for all scenarios, whether it is for back up or full out-country travel. While this is an ideal tool for any traveler whether you’re an executive or a backpacker, Tim has had the chance to test them against the most incredible environments.

Some of the other expeditions that have been powered by Mobile Solar Chargers Ltd include some of the most hostile places including, ExIcemaiden, Expedition 5, Challenge Antarctica, 65Degrees North and Uphill Battle. “After the Nepalese Earthquake, we also designed the ‘Solar Charging Can’ to give immediate power such as SatComms and medical lighting in disaster and refugee camp scenarios,” he reveals, “We hope we can use them to reduce the loss of life that these natural disasters cause, not only during but afterwards when people are left stranded.”

ESSENTIAL POWER We live in a world where having power is essential for communication, safety and even navigation. At www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk there are products to improve the general quality of travel. Carefully selected and tested items ranging from the kind you would use on a stop-over in an airport to the sort that your life could depend on in the middle of an Antarctic blizzard. You can trust that all of them have been tested and will not let you down when you need the light on. WEBSITE: www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk EMAIL: enquiries@mobilesolarchargers.co.uk

ALPE CIMBRA The Perfect All-Year Holiday Destination Alpre Cimbra is famous for its uncontaminated natural beauty and its profound history. Attracting lovers of winter and summer activities it offers an all year-round destination attracting international visitors, sport travellers, families, singleton adventurers and business executives. Speaking with Daniela Vecchiato, director of the Alpe Cimbra Tourism Board, we uncovered some of the reasons why this location should be at the top of your bucket list of places to visit.

Winter visitors enjoy 100 km of slopes for alpine skiing and 80 km for Nordic skiing. During summer months, although these are also available during winter, there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors including biking, golfing, trekking and climbing.

ABOUT THE LOCATION There are over 100 businesses including restaurants, hotels and residences operating at Alpre Cimbra who count the 700,000 yearly visitors as customers or guests. Throughout the year the location is popular for its various and copious activities that keep people returning throughout the summer and winter months.

And for the days where you want to give the legs a bit of a rest, the restaurants provide the finest Italian cuisine with gourmet chefs preparing the most sumptuous dishes and the finest wines. Also, there is a wealth of fascinating history dating back as far as the First and Second World Wars where

this region played an important part.

hard to keep the flow of the 700,000 arrivals a year as smooth as possible as well as managing all the areas of tourism including marketing and promotion.

THE TEAM KEEPING EVERYTHING RUNNING

“Visitors tend to stay for about five days,” she says, “And in both summer and winter we see as many families, school groups and senior groups as we do sportive and athletic packs.”

Daniela has a degree in business management and as director of the Alpe Cimbra Tourism Board, she works with a team of three to collaborate daily with the local businesses. The team work

And, to keep things moving as smoothly as possible, part of Daniela’s role is to avoid or overcome any challenges facing the location that may hinder the enjoyment of their many visitors. These can include small challenges such as keeping up with the demands of social media and digital growth and the larger, more industry wide challenges, of climate change.

there is a certain standard that you can expect in such a prestigious tourist destination. Naturally, the ski slopes are very popular during the winter, but there are plenty of activities such as fat biking, dog sledding, sledding, snow tubing or tobogganing, indoor and outdoor ice-skating, ice karting and baby parks with air games.

“You need all your data and research to be able to see potential challenges when they are still on the horizon and then you can prepare for them,” she says. For such things as digital growth, the answer was simply to employ a highly capable full time professional who could proactively nurture their growth and development. For larger issues such as climate change Daniela saw the necessity to plan ahead. “Climate change has not yet affected us here,” she says, “But it has affected other destinations, especially those relying on skiing opportunities. To guarantee skiing for our visitors throughout the season on 100% of our slopes we make use of the latest technology in snowmaking systems.”

Nordic walking is another widely practiced activity, even in winter, and it is possible to attend courses for beginners and guided excursions. During the summer season, visitors enjoy trekking and mountain biking on the many trails, bathing in Lake Lavarone or visiting the many historic sites. The Après-Ski bars are close to the slopes and there is a fair share of wine bars, mountain huts and restaurants around town, offering the flavours of Trentino and typical delicacies of the region. Some of these include the cheese “Vezzena”, speck, mountain honey, wines from the finest Trentino wineries and the Cimbrian cuisine of the tiny and charming German-Cimbrian community of Lusérn.

ACCOMMODATION AND ATTRACTIONS There is a selection of accommodation available at Alpe Cimbra with many focussed around the activities available. For skiers there are hotels right on the slopes and for cyclers or hikers there are hotels nearest the best routes with small additional details to make your stay easier. Some of these can be little things like convenient storage for your equipment or places to park your bicycles. On Alpe Cimbra’s website these hotels are kindly categorised for easy searching.

FORT BELVEDERE-GSCHWENT

With roughly 3000 beds available, the average price starts from €60.00 per night per person and

This entire region played a significant role in the First World War as it was directly on the front lines between Austria-Hungary and Italy. A feature

of this involvement and one of several fortresses within Trentino, Fort Belvedere-Gschwent is one of the largest Austro-Hungarian mountain fortresses.

enchantment of some historical and literary works recited by two female voices.

LAKE LAVARONE (THE CLEANEST LAKE IN ITALY)

Featuring impressive architecture, it is perfectly preserved thanks to the loving attention by the businesses devoted to retaining the history of this area. Inside it includes an updated exhibition dedicated to the local and international repercussions of the First World War. Making use of multi-media tools and an interactive path, a tour of the fort ensures an engaging experience for patrons. Through different sounds and pictures, the interactive path illustrates the daily life in the fort, making detailed reference to soldiers’ experience of living and fighting together.

Surrounded by forests and meadows at an altitude of 1,080 metres above sea level on a high plateau in Chiesa, Lake Lavarone is beautiful and captivating. A popular spot for bathers and water sports enthusiasts thanks to it being 400 meters long, 250 metres wide and 17 metres deep at its deepest point. During winter there is skating on its surface and diving courses are available to take you into the hidden depths under the ice. Here you can even visit the eerie remains of an ancient spruce tree at the lake bed.

“A great amount of thought has been put into engaging patrons while on the fort tour,” Daniela reveals, “The history of this region is very relevant, and visitors are able to learn more about what it has endured. In a way, the horror of the past makes the present beauty even more valuable.”

Lake Lavarone has in fact held the Blue Flag award for its water quality for many years and is often referred to as the cleanest lake in Italy. In the early part of the 20th century it was one of the favourite walking routes for the famous, if often misquoted, Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who spent several vacations in Lavarone.

The tour provides an insight into the realities of war and the daily life of the soldiers. Through the use of animated displays, voice overs, full length silhouettes and authentic howitzers visitors are able to better appreciate the conditions of soldiers over a hundred years ago. Some of these are focussed on the daily routines, while others such as the Diaries of Machine Guns paints a picture of a witness during a conflict. While a voice-over narrates pieces of letters and diaries, backlit bright flashes of light simulate blazes of the machine guns accompanied with the background sound of a series of gunshots.

MOUNTAIN BIKING Folgaria, Lavarone and Lusern in Trentino are the ideal places for mountain biking, E-Biking and racing bike holidays. With a wealth of trails and routes riders are spoilt for choice, but a recommended start would be the challenging downhill trails of Bike Park Lavarone where there are a range of difficulties to satisfy every biker. For passionate road bikers, the uphill of Passo Coe, leg of the Giro d’Italia would be a good one to try, just remember to take water. Alternatively, if visitors are not well- trained, it’s a great chance to discover the magic of the Alpe Cimbra Alps on one of the E-bikes.

Others touch on the beauties that were experienced at the time such as the Angel of The Italian Alpine Trooper, which is a unique perceptual experience combining the natural beauty of the landscape of the Val Astico and the poetical

E-bikes are particularly popular and with good reason. Even for cycling enthusiasts, the leisurely pace of E-biking up the mountain, with several rechargeable areas along the way, has its attraction. Convenient stopping points for lunch are available up the route, perfect for a treat of refreshing drinks and delicious Trentino cuisine. “E-biking is a unique and picturesque way to see the sights of Alpe Cimbra,” Daniela reflects, “It also can be enjoyed at a pace that will allow visitors to discover the rich biodiversity of Alpa Cimbra that thrives around the lakes and across the mountains.”

COMING TO ALPE CIMBRA As Alpe Cimbra is an all year-round destination it does attract an ever growing number of visitors. Both from groups who have never visited before and those who return each season to enjoy the different activities and luxuries on offer. As such it is advisable to book accommodation and activities well in advance. Fortunately, www.alpecimbra.it allows you to easily navigate the options and book through their website with tremendous ease. “We are always on hand to help,” Daniela says, “There are many options available here, so we are always happy to lend a hand to visitors needing assistance planning their perfect trip.” PRICE/NIGHT: from € 60,00 COMPANY ADDRESS: via Roma 64 – 38064 Folgaria (Tn) TELEPHONE: 0039 464 724100 EMAIL: direttore@alpecimbra.it

You are running out of time to see the world 35 Photo by Tobias BjĂ¸rkli from Pexels

REVIEW

TREE HOTEL Founded by Kent Lindvall and Britta JonssonLindvall, the Treehotel offers a wonderfully unique and awe-inspiring accommodation which has enjoyed royalty as guests and been the focus of breakout documentaries. A landscape hotel, as in a hotel that relies on the landscape to influence its design, the Treehotel welcomes everyone like family and promises to take away the stresses and demands of everyday life.

THE LOCATION

experience something even more unusual than staying in a treehouse. A childhood dream with a touch of luxury and flair.

Harads, in Northern Sweden is a striking location with magnificent surroundings. The village has a population of about 600 and is roughly 100 km from the Luleå airport. Possessing of a sublime peacefulness it also has a wondrous view of the Lule River valley, including miles of forest and the river itself.

THE TREEROOMS The treerooms combine wonderful creativity and style while still supporting the natural feel of the location. There is the Mirrorcube, The Birdsnest, The 7th Room, the Cabin, The UFO, Dragonfly, The Blue Cone and the Guest House. Each room has its own unique style and design, each one a marvellous work of art that merges with the aesthetic of the forest. It achieves this with such ease that wildlife occasionally wanders around and under the Treerooms without hesitation.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Treehotel is also the perfect place to experience the captivating northern lights phenomenon. Guests can see them from the rooms, especially

If you weren’t expecting it, the setting of the Treehotel, set in the tall pine forest trees, could be a bit of a surprise. To see a giant Mirrored Cube that could almost disappear into the branches, or a UFO or the Birdsnest might bring to mind that you’ve stumbled into an artist’s outdoor studio, and in a way you would be correct. These are the amazing designs of the accommodations of the Treehotel which have accommodated members of the international press and designer aficionados from all over the world. Appearing on many bucketlists the Treehotel has attracted everyone, from international celebrities, designers and fashion magazines, to ordinary people wanting to

from the 7th Room, with its panoramic view of the night sky. It can also be witnessed from the ice dining room, the jacuzzi and whilst out on a snowmobile. The best time to see these magical cosmic lights are on clear evenings and nights from September to March. Treehotel offer guided northern lights tours. Once guests are well fed at the restaurant, they travel by snowmobile through the fairytale, snow-covered woods. Then, while snacking on Swedish fika and drinking hot beverages they wait for the epic, cosmic show to begin. Photography focused tours are also available. PRICE: see website TELEPHONE: +46 (0)928-103 00 WEBSITE: treehotel.se E-MAIL: booking@treehotel.se:

REVIEW

INDIGO SAFARIS Indigo Safaris have been creating specialized excursions for international clients since 2009. Opening opportunities for adventure in a host of locations including Africa, Indonesia, the Caribbean and Oceania. Established with the aim of creating dream holidays for divers and wildlife enthusiasts and giving back to the communities and ecosystems their clients are sent to.

This sort of first-hand experience lends an authenticity that clients have come to trust. Indigo Safaris often use lesser-known lodges and camps that don’t have the marketing reach of the bigname players but who provide excellent value for money from entry to deluxe level.

Founder Christopher Bartlett, an ex-field guide and underwater photojournalist, works with a small and talented team of people with extensive backgrounds in tourism, safaris and a passion for travel. On this foundation, Indigo Safaris have become the go-to resource for people and groups seeking outstanding experiences.

The trips and tours are constantly updated to keep them as relevant and accurate as possible. While the Indigo Safaris team may be small, their reach is very impressive, and they send clients on unbeatably-priced trips to swim with Sperm whales in Dominica and Humpback whales in the Turks and Caicos. Their clients have dived and snorkelled with adult Whale sharks from St Helena and spent time exploring the highlands and jungles of Papua New Guinea.

THE SAFARIS

GIVING BACK Christopher says “tourism isn’t just about having a good time in someone else’s country. It is about learning, fostering understanding, concern, and compassion.” They see it as their responsibility to do something about preserving and safe-keeping the environment. “We choose suppliers and service providers that act responsibly, with the best interests of the local people and wildlife at heart. These suppliers are meticulously selected and we need to be sure that they will do the best job of providing an insight into not only the beauty of where our clients are on holiday, but the threats and dangers facing it” he underlines.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH The trips last generally between 3 days and 3 weeks depending on the client’s needs and availability. Almost every lodge, hotel, camp, or dive resort that they send their clients to has been seen by at least one member of the Indigo Safaris team. In fact, Christopher spends around 8 months of the year on the road, visiting current suppliers, meeting potential new ones, and escorting unique trips. As a qualified guide, he looks for an optimum wildlife experience, and as a parent he looks at suitability for families. Meanwhile his partner Ines looks at lodges with a keen eye for aesthetics and hospitality, and together they ensure the trips created are tried and tested with first-hand experience.

A number of important causes, charities and organisations receive financial support from the company, with 30% of profits given back. From providing meals for children in South Africa through the Peninsula School Feeding Association, sheltering those made homeless due to natural disasters through Shelterbox, supporting the Maa Trust in the Masai Mara region, and assisting research and conservation of marine and terrestrial species. Check out their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Giving Backâ&#x20AC;? page for a full list.

2019 2019 sees some new packages coming out that are guaranteed to impress, including a Bali Adventure Safari, the second edition of their St Helena trips (early 2020) and additions to their top-end Zimbabwe and Botswana safari portfolios. PRICE: $150 USD to $1500 USD a night, depending where and when. TELEPHONE:+447713342729 EMAIL: cb@indigosafaris.com WEBSITE: www.indigosafaris.com

Australia

REVIEW

DAYLESFORD COUNTRY RETREATS

MANAGEMENT

After moving from Melbourne Australia to Daylesford in an effort to escape the traffic and experience the country life, Troy and Brendan launched Dayburn Property Management in April 2017 and followed this a year later with their accommodation website Daylesford Country Retreats in April 2018.

An office team of three people and various subcontractors manage the 43 properties in their portfolio, and all are located within Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Applying their well-honed processes and procedures to each of their properties and tweaking them wherever necessary for the benefit of the owners, Troy and Brendan have the motto, “We care for your property as if it’s our own.”

TROY AND BRENDAN Both of the founders herald from fast paced corporate backgrounds. Troy has a twenty-year career managing award winning hotels across Melbourne, while Brendan comes from twentyfive years of managing fast paced consumer goods working with many well-known Australian brands.

It isn’t just a tag line either, the team put forward the best recommendations to owners based on keen market research and are sure to help the owners adapt, change and update their properties to keep as relevant and marketable as possible. This communication and dedication are simply how they run their business, putting their relationship with their owners in front of everything.

Both of them had interests in property, buying, renovating and selling them across Melbourne and this has continued in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Daylesford Country Retreats provides Brendan and Troy with the opportunity to further develop their interest in property, while utilising their management and customer service skills in the local community.

ESSENTIALS There are some essentials that the pair have found are required in every house, a necessary

standard for what the modern resident is looking for irrespective of their purpose for visiting. These include the given things like comfortable beds, great bathrooms and kitchens and a surgical cleanliness. Relaxing garden views are important too, fires in winter and being able to offer connectivity is a must, including WIFI and Netflix.

romantic weekend getaways. Making the check in process as seamless as possible and ensuring the houses are ready for guests is critical. So, all of their properties at Daylesford Country Retreats are self-check in, meaning guests don’t have to arrive at an office by a set time to get the keys. Properties have a lock box with a unique code and all guests walk into a lit home with the heating or cooling on for them. If needed, assistance is available 24/7 and is just a call away.

While some of these are unlikely to change, trends do shift focusses and tastes and each new season brings something new and useful for their owners to capitalise on. These could be small style amendments, or opportunities to appear on new platforms or simply making owners aware of new events.

2019 This year, Daylesford Country Retreats have ten new properties coming on board and there will be more in the future as this location has so much to offer. Daylesford is an easy 90-minute drive from the central business district of Melbourne and only 75 minutes from Melbourne International Airport.

CUSTOMER SERVICE The relationship with their owners is key to everything that Daylesford Country Retreats do, and it has influenced how Brendan and Troy have structured their business. “Troy and I manage all aspects of the relationship from property setup, cleaners, and the maintenance team,” Brendan says, “We work overtime with the owners who have a big investment and who need to rely and trust that their properties are in safe hands.”

Renowned for its natural healing mineral springs, galleries, massages and the iconic Hepburn bathhouse the area also hosts festivals all year around. These include the ChillOut Festival, which is Australia’s biggest LGBT country Pride event, drawing over 15,000 people to the area.

Daylesford is a location that many guests come to for special occasions, weddings, birthdays or

PRICE: $250 - $350 a NIGHT TELEPHONE: 0407 810 576 EMAIL: reservations@dayburn. com.au WEBSITE: www. daylesfordcountryretreats.com.au

REVIEW

17 POUNDS. SHILLINGS AND PENCE (A Dayburn Property)

Founded in 2018 Janine Granger & Alan Smith, the retired directors of an international footwear company opened Shillings and Pence as part of a plan to share their beautiful part of the world with visitors.

the Four Rivers Run Forest Track or just sit back and enjoy the various aspects of the beautiful 6.5 hectare property. The charming cottage features a cosy lounge with flat screen television and a selection of movies, open fire and reverse cycle air conditioning. In the bedroom there is a queen size bed complete with fluffy pillows and doona. Luxury bath towels, robes and toiletries await you in the bathroom and the fully equipped kitchen is complemented by a Delonghi coffee machine and everything else you need to feel right at home.

The luxury accommodation, right on the edge of a forest enchants guests with the sounds and perfumes of nature, with the freshest air, the most prolific birdlife and Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite animals wallabies, wombats and koalas.

THE ACCOMMODATION Nestled on the edge of the historic Wombat State Forest the cottage offers peace and tranquillity. Guests can enjoy a ramble along a bushwalk or

17 POUNDS. SHILLINGS AND PENCE. The name 17 Pounds came about after Janine

and Alan fell in love with the property and bought it. After looking through the early titles they discovered that it had been sold 110 years earlier for the princely sum of seventeen pounds! It is situated between Daylesford and Trentham and backs directly onto the Wombat State Forest right on top of the Great Dividing Range, about 800m above sea level. Surrounded by tall forest trees and ferns it has a private creek which feeds into four major water catchment regions, to the south the Werribee and Lerderderg Rivers, and to the north the Loddon and Coliban Rivers. Originally a potato farm it was later used as a cow paddock and finally a residential conversion. When Janine and Alan bought it in 2012 the farm was quite neglected and hadn’t had fertilizer on it for over three decades. Today, their rich soil provides them with 90% of their organically grown vegetables.

are encouraged to take a stroll through and select some of the freshly laid eggs. And, outside in the extensive garden is a BBQ and a firepit for evening chillaxing. COMPANY ADDRESS: “17 Pounds” 59 Leonards Hill – South Bullarto Road, Bullarto South Victoria 3461

PERSONAL TOUCHES

TELEPHONE: 0407 810 576

In the fridge guests will find regional breakfast produce along with a complementary bottle of wine to enjoy. There is a kitchen garden and guests

EMAIL: info@17pounds.com WEBSITE: www.17pounds.com www.17pounds.com/accommodation.html Bookings at: www.daylesfordcountryretreats. com.au/shillings-pence/

REVIEW

THE LUXE (A Daylesford Country Retreat Property)

rear entertaining deck provides the perfect spot for taking in the Daylesford sunsets.

Under the shade of tall trees, The Luxe, a Daylesford Country Retreat Property, provides a postcard opportunity for escape. Matching the finest in modern décor including carefully planned colours, textures and styles and deep comfort and luxury.

ROOMS The style of decoration is Classic French and it gives a wonderful ease and comfort with the colours used which work perfectly with the plush linen, the fine textures and spacing. The Luxe is a beautiful and upper-class area of comfort capturing a snapshot of the “ideal” luxury home.

This opulent four-bedroom, two bathroom renovated Victorian home is in a class of its own. Meticulously decorated, this stunning home leaves nothing to be desired.

With good use of natural lighting and open space the interior design needs to be as credited as the natural views found outside. This is an awesome retreat that would be perfect for a vacation that was activity or leisure driven.

Master bedroom with a king size bed, ensuite and walk in robe. Three additional queen size bedrooms and a central bathroom. The casual living area with a separate reading room leads to an impressive entertaining kitchen with Bosch appliances and natural sunlight from its vaulted ceiling. The dining room and living area features a wall of glass opening onto a separate outdoor space, which is ideal for entertaining. A wood fire is just another feature of this impressive home. The

Everything in the house has been designed to support consideration. The kitchen is spacious and well planned to support a professional gourmet chef while at the same time not intimate

an amateur cook. The double rainfall showers in the double sized cubicle are perfect for long languid showers and the bath is deep and luxurious, demanding to be filled to the brim. Surrounded by gleaming white tiles, sparkling chrome and towels so thick they could be used as blankets.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND All the amenities are catered for including a full kitchen, well maintained heating and cooling, BBQ on the decking, a great outdoor entertainment area, WIFI, coffee and tea. No pets allowed and the minimum stay is 2 nights because one night wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it justice.

Laurie Sullivan Reserve - 2.8 mi / 4.4 km Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm - 5.4 mi / 8.7 km Mt Franklin - 7.9 mi / 12.8 km Trentham Golf Club - 13.9 mi / 22.3 km WEBSITE: https://daylesfordcountryretreats.com. au/the-luxe-daylesford

Lake Daylesford is 1.4 miles from the villa, while Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens is 1.6 miles from the property. The nearest airport is Melbourne Airport, 60.3 miles from The Luxe @ Daylesford.

PRICE/NIGHT: from $500 a night TELEPHONE: 0407 810 576

Lake Daylesford (29-minute walk) Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre (18-minute walk) Daylesford Museum and Cultural Centre (18-minute walk) Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens (24-minute walk) Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa (36-minute walk) Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve (37-minute walk) Hepburn Springs Golf Course (38-minute walk)

REVIEW

WHITSUNDAY HOLIDAYS

Kristie Kaighhin worked in the Melbourne corporate world in project management for ages before seeing the light.

them to provide excellent local knowledge when helping their guests choose the best option for them.

A passion for travel and a change in lifestyle led her to focus on holidaying and then making the most of the information she gathered. She fell in love with Hamilton Island and decided to make the Whitsundays her new home.

Their team at Whitsunday Holidays is always developing their knowledge for the area, especially Hamilton island. Having all lived and worked in the stunning Whitsundays they have viewed every single Hamilton Island property on the website. And, on many of them they’ve spent a bit of extra time, sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine and taken in the stunning Whitsunday water views.

Thus, the beginning of Whitsunday Holidays which Kristie and her husband Leigh founded in 2003. Their reputation of complete commitment to first class customer service quickly grew, as did their belief in offering a unique luxury product in and around the Whitsundays and in particular, Hamilton Island.

“All in the name of research!” Kristie assures us.

UNIQUE LOCATION The Whitsundays comprise of over 74 tropical, sun-drenched islands ideally located off the east coast of Queensland. There are so many holiday options and so much to do in the Whitsundays that it can be difficult to know where to start when planning your holiday. This is where Whitsunday Holidays can help offering clients first-hand local

THE TEAM Working with four reservations consultants, some of which have lived on Hamilton Island for several years and know the area inside and out, Kirstie believes firmly in a first-hand service. This allows

CHANGING TRENDS Hamilton Island is an all year-round holiday destination and its popularity has been consistent over the sixteen years that Kristie has run her business. The island is the perfect choice for families, couples and groups wanting an island getaway. There is so much to do and see, although choosing to do nothing but lazing by the pool is also completely allowed.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Kristie is very proud of their first-class customer service and her team are available seven days a week to offer their first-hand experience and local knowledge.

knowledge and unbiased advice so that they can be assured they will be booking the ultimate holiday experience that is completely suited to their goals.

The newest product is the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hidden Coveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; development on Hamilton Island where they have a luxury two-bedroom option available in the development that will offer new and current clients an even better selections of places to stay.

ACCOMMODATIONS They have 60 privately owned properties ranging from 1 bedroom through to 5-bedroom luxury homes.

PRICE: From $330 to $6000 per night. Depending on the accommodation.

The 2-bedroom options are very popular as they cater for the average family of 2 adults and 2 children. The beach front apartments, Hibiscus, Lagoon and Frangipani are popular as well as the Shorelines stays.

TELEPHONE: 1300653 997 EMAIL: bookings@whitsundayholidays.com.au WEBSITE: www.whitsundayholidays.com.au

REVIEW

EMERALD RIDGE Set in a ten-acre hobby farm in the Victorian Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne in Australia, is Emerald Ridge Bed and Breakfast. Run and owned by Rebecca Milson and her husband, it is a stylish, fully equipped twobedroom cottage that is completely self-contained and benefits from an open plan living and neutral dĂŠcor.

rail. White goods such as washing machine, laundry trough and ironing board are also provided.

The stunning views and the comforting tones of the location have made Emerald Ridge a favourite for couples seeking a romantic weekend away, or those seeking a relaxing game of golf or visitors to the Emerald Village.

THE ACCOMMODATION The Cottage has two comfortable bedrooms, both with Queen sized beds fitted with crisp 100% cotton white sheets. The rooms can sleep up to six people as a single trundle and mattress can be added to the floor.

The kitchen is fully equipped and suitable for amateur cooks and professional chefs, benefitting from oven, stove, dishwasher and microwave. The lounge is cosy and heated with a warm gas flame log fire (with air-conditioning for the summer), a flat screen TV, books, magazine, games, music and WIFI.

The bathroom is spacious and modern with a double shower, double vanity and a heated towel

RATES: 2 Bedroom Self Contained Unit (2 Queen beds) Monday to Thursday - $230 p/night Friday to Sunday - $275 p/night Public Holidays - $275 p/night Guest Room (1 King Bed) Monday to Thursday - $205 p/night Friday to Sunday - $250 p/night Public Holidays - $250 p/night COMPANY DDRESS: 4 Jarmina Way, Emerald, VIC, Australia 3782 Outside there is a rear deck where guests can find the BBQ, and this is accessible from both rooms and allows the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views and watch the animals in the Valley.

TELEPHONE: 0061 438 688 114 EMAIL: Info@ Emeraldridge.Com.Au

The private Guest Room offers a King size bed also fitted with 100% cotton quality sheets and sleeps two. It comes with its own spacious lounge area which has a pair of winged-back armchairs, coffee table and large flat screen TV. The kitchenette includes a coffee pod machine, kettle, toaster and bar fridge. The spacious ensuite comes with a double shower and a spa.

WEBSITE: www. emeraldridge.com.au

Rebecca welcomes every guest personally and all stays include a breakfast hamper consisting of fruit, cereal, yoghurt, bread, bacon and an optional selection of free-range eggs. Espresso pod coffee and a range of teas are also available.

LOCATION AND ATTRACTIONS With close proximity to a number of noteworthy wedding venues, Emerald Ridge Bed and Breakfast have been host for a number of brides and grooms and their families before tying the knot. The bed and breakfast is very near such venues as Avalon Castle, Mont du soleil and The Log Cabin Ranch and Poets Lane. Other local attractions include the Puffing Billy, which is between Belgrave and Gembrook, Emerald Lake and the Australia Rainbow Trout Farm and the Emerald Green Golf and Country Resort. Incy Wincy is a brand-new store in Emerald which serves great coffee and the Emerald Village Bakery really must be visited.

You are running out of time to see the world

REVIEW

MINERS NEST A warm and welcoming home which can sleep up to nine guests, Miner’s Nest is set within the former gold mining town of Barrys Reef, less than 90 kilometres from Melbourne. A fully equipped three-bedroom home benefitting from a touch of art décor glamour and heaps of vintage knickknacks it’s set on half a hectare of gardens with the Wombat State Forest as the backdrop.

The main bathroom is complete with stunning claw footed bath, double vanity and toilet, and the laundry contains a shower and second toilet. As well as a Coonara wood fire, the house has a reverse-cycle airconditioning and heating unit in the main living room, fixed heaters in each bedroom as well as electric blankets on all 5 beds and loads of warm blankets to ensure all guests are comfortable in the cooler months. Outside, for the children there is the trampoline and swing set, a cubby house and loads of trees to climb across the expansive grounds. For everyone else, they have the chance to roast marshmallows in the fire pit or search the neighbouring forest for evidence of the town’s gold rush history.

A RARE CHANCE TO RELAX A rare chance to relax, reconnect with friends, family and nature you won’t find a TV in the living room. Instead you’ll find couches and arm chairs to bask in the morning sun and watch the wildlife through the large lounge room windows. Cupboards stocked with board games, an assortment of books and an extensive record collection to enjoy whilst sitting by the Coonara fire. You might as well just leave your devices in the luggage.

THE ACCOMMODATION

PRICE: Nightly rates from. Off-peak - $149

The Miner’s Nest comes with a fully equipped, modern kitchen with stove, oven, coffee machine, microwave, fridge and dishwasher. Allowing guests, the choice of preparing a home cooked meal or dining out. The house not only has a sunny decked area and a front verandah but also a paved back patio area with a BBQ and outdoor dining table.

Minimum stay is 2 nights. A $500 refundable security bond, $135 cleaning fee and $50 booking fee applies to all bookings.

Of the home’s 3 bedrooms, 2 offer queen sized beds with Art Deco wardrobes, and the third bedroom is set up as a children’s room, with 3 single beds, a DVD player, books and toys to keep the younger guests amused.

EMAIL: rmgoffin@ yahoo.com.au TELEPHONE: 0061 435 002 927

REVIEW

ERICA CARAVAN PARK

maintenance man with experience in ground keeping and Bec is an accountant with a love for doing stuff in the outdoors. It was a perfect fit.

The origins of Erica Caravan Park are a bit of a mystery that leads into a wonderful story. Originally the Erica Train Station in the early 1900s was converted to a caravan park which Bec and Trevor bought in 2018. At the time it was run down and neglected and took months of hard work to get the standard to a level that the couple were happy with. This being said it’s clear that such a place has an evolving story of its own with things being constantly built, added, redesigned, refunctioned and reused.

With mascot Scooby Doo, the resident sharpiecross-rescue dog along for the ride, and their family including children Boston and Tuscani supporting their decision, it has been an incredible 14 months. The locals of Baw Baw Shire have been overwhelmingly supportive which has helped. To keep within the community, they run a cricket match annually to raise funds for the local CFA and other charities known as, “Campers v Locals.”

THE STORY The modern chapter of this beautiful boutique caravan and camping location’s story begins when Bec and Trevor decided that they were no longer satisfied with the ground-hog-day of life. Wanting more of a reason to get out of bed each day their original plan was to do relief work and travel Australia. Instead, they decided to give Erica’s Caravan Park a go. Trevor is the perfect

CUSTOMER SERVICE Guests to a caravan park mostly will entertain themselves, but both Bec and Trev believe that it is vital that there is open communication as this creates and cements a relationship ensuring that each guest will return or recommend.

According to them, to achieve this is about being friendly, keeping the park clean and inviting. And above all being “More Can Do than Cannot do”.

ACCOMMODATION There are twenty-five powered and twenty-five unpowered sites, along with six cabins sleeping thirty people in total. There is also a single, onebedroom cabin, a pair of two-bedroom cabins with two double beds (one of these has a single bunk above), and three family cabins with double beds in the main room and four single bunks.

ACTIVITIES

2019

Activities include bush walking, 4x4, hiking, skiing, mountain and motor biking, sight-seeing, bird watching and fishing to name a few within this region.

New BBQ area which has a new gas cook top, as nothing beats a BBQ in the sun and a new fire pit to keep the flames going into the night.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Bec says, “The last fuel stop before the camp is Moe or Tyers.” PRICE: Unpowered $25.00 – 35.00 Powered $35.00 – 45.00 Cabins - $110 – 120.00 Extra adults $ 10 per person COMPANY ADDRESS: 2-14 Station Street Erica 3825 TELEPHONE: 5165 3315 / 0400 999 236 / 0418 352 352 EMAIL: ericacaravanpark@westnet.com.au WEBSITE: www.ericacaravanpark.com.au FB: Erica Caravan Park INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/ ericacaravanpark

Africa

REVIEW

MADAFOCUS

THE TOURS

Madagascar is an island unlike any other. Possessed of seemingly magical and otherworldly creatures and vegetation it offers a vast abundance of life. And too many adventures to choose from. In 2011 Frank Janssens founded a company to meet the growing needs of travellers to have a holiday designed and implemented for them.

At the helm of this great enterprise is Frank Janssens, a highly experienced and passionate tour leader himself who insists that each of his guides and drivers are trained to a specific standard. Thanks to this, MADAFOCUS is known to be one of the most reliable and enjoyable tour operators available. Each year they organise workshops and courses to further train their staff and they also provide schooling for local youngsters aspiring to have a career in tourism.

MADAFOCUS, has been bringing travellers from the Lowlands in Europe to the Great Red Island of Madagascar since then and has grown on the tide of reviews and recommendations received.

Smaller groups of two to six people are accompanied by either a French or Englishspeaking driver/guide while bigger groups, who may travel in multiple vehicles or a bus are accompanied by an extra tour leader. In addition to French and English, on request a Dutch-speaking tour guide can be made available.

Covering Dutch, Flemish, German and English speakers the business works not only with individual clients but also travel agents seeking a ready-made circuit. Working from its base camp in Antsirabe it reveals in manageable and highly engaging tours the beauties of this ancient and wild island. An island, that thanks to its unique isolation over the last 150 million years, is considered by many to be one of the most important evolutionary experiments in natural history.

Many good relationships have been built up by Frank with the parks, villages, cities and beaches that feature on MADAFOCUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; itineraries. These relationships have proved to be lifelong and

valuable as it has enabled them to continue to work with the best experts in the business for various different tours.

ACCOMMODATION There is a long-standing tradition of great accommodation in Madagascar. Many a grand hotel was built during the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colonial period and often these were nearby spas or natural hot springs. In more recent years Frank has seen a trend of boutique hotels springing up that pay great attention to clothing and gastronomy. He has also seen that the more pocket friendly end of the spectrum has been growing steadily so there is a wide range of places for the intrepid adventurer to stay. Many of these boutique locations include tents and huts built in a local style to offer a genuine feel.

ADVENTURE AND COMFORT According to Frank, while on tours they always opt for luxurious hotels where a lot of care is taken to make the individual comfortable. With the adventurous side of the tour it is beneficial to juxtapose this with very comfortable accommodation. However, just because it is comfortable does not mean it lacks that authentic Madagascar feel which visitors travel to experience.

PRICE: see website WEBSITE: www.madafocus.be/ EMAIL: frank@madafocus.be TELEPHONE: +261 (0) 32 05 087 51

REVIEW

CEPHA’S INN beds and airy rooms. King sized beds, white walls, crisp white linen, tables, chairs and balconies adorn each room. The design was intended to be neat, spacious, convenient and effective.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Understanding that Cepha’s Inn would inevitably become an ambassador for its country, it was incredibly important that relationships with guests be one of the most notable and important parts of the business. Great efforts have been made to foster this, including competitions, prizes and awards to keep this all-important communication moving.

Located in the Kabale district in southwestern Uganda a location very well known for its unrivalled beauty and famous mountain gorillas. Cepha’s Inn is on Makanga hill and borders the famous Kabale golf course. From here guests can enjoy the unrivalled views of Kabale which has been referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa”. Boasting superb accommodation facilities, the hotel offers guests numerous rooms ranging from singles all the way through to executive suites. And on the ground floor is an on-site bar and restaurant, gardens, swimming pool and health club. Kabale town is 5minutes drive away from Cepha’s Inn while Lake Bunyonyi is 12 km from the property.

2019 Cepha’s Inn is currently undertaking a project to upgrade its sauna, steam bath and conference facilities.

THE STORY In 2007, an advocate of the High Court of Uganda and a Managing Partner of Birungyi Barata and Associates, a tax consultancy and commercial law firm, Birungyi Cephas Kagyenda founded Cepha’s Inn because he wanted to bring an upscale service to his home town.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: It is best to allow management to hire your transport for you so that you are guaranteed to reach your destination on time. PRICE: USD 8 – USD 67 (Ugx 30,000 – UGX 250,000)

With 50 locals employed and carefully trained staff, Cepha’s Inn provides a comfortable atmosphere and environmenttwo hours rive from Mgahinga National Park which is the habitat of the mountain gorilla and only 15 minutes from the second deepest lake in Africa Lake Bunyonyi. Forty-five rooms decorated in a modern style and boasted all the requirements of the modern traveller including WIFI, fabulously comfortable

COMPANY ADDRESS: PLOT 7-9 Archer Road, Makanga, Kabale- Uganda TELEPHONE: +256774038521 EMAIL: info@cephasinn.com WEBSITE: www.cephasinn.com

REVIEW

RUHIJA REST CAMP and highlighting their habits so that guests can get a full appreciation of these wonderful airborne animals in their natural surroundings. A nature walk is available in camp, where guests can see the many different species of animal and plants that exist in this vibrant and foaming expanse of vegetation. Mythic looking animals like the three horned chameleon, various birds of paradise species and great flocks of butterflies among others can be seen.

Located in Ruhija Village adjacent to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Ruhija Rest Camp is a gorgeous community based, self-sustainable enclosure just at the edge of a forest famous for its gorilla trekking.

Then, at their restaurant, different dishes are prepared including local food for their guests. Meals cost between $5 to $10 and the restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

ROOMS Located deep in the forest of Bwindi, guests will be happily satisfied with the services at the accommodation. Water for showers is heated with firewood, and there is electricity and running water. The cabins overlook the valley which provides an enviable view of the forest and there is also a camping ground available for those wishing to sleep under the stars.

CHILDRENS PROJECT Currently the camp is hosting a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project for environmental protection. They have a trees and fruits nursery bed which are to be distributed in schools to help raise environmental conservation awareness. It is a proven fact that the future of our world rests squarely on the appreciation that the younger generations have for nature. Here, thanks to the admirable work done by Ruhija Community Rest Camp, these children will grow up with a respect and love for nature and all of its wonderful beauty.

THE ACTIVITIES While it is an ideal location to stay while trekking the mountain gorillas of Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro, it is also a great place for bird lovers. Birders are offered an ideal accommodation in a campsite where more than seven endemic species of birds along libertine Rift Valley are regularly viewed.

PRICE: $50 US per night WEBSITE: www.ruhijarestcamp.com EMAIL: ruhijac@gmail.com

They have trained birders who can take guests around Bwindi National Park in the Ruhija Tourism Zone, making sure to point out all the species

TELEPHONE: 256 771846635 256 777464221

REVIEW

SHAH TOURS

THE STAFF AND SAFARIS

Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations and is home to some of the most famous and best national parks in the world. These include the Serengeti and the famous Ngorongoro Crater as well as Africa’s highest mountain; Mt. Kilimanjaro. From a small budget to a luxury trip, Shah Tours safaris are flexible for anyone’s budget.

Working with twenty locally employed and trained staff members Shah Tours offer both custom and tailor made tours for their clients. This includes short and long safaris that can last from one day to fifteen. Each are guided by safari drivers in specially modified 4x4 cruisers who have been working in the industry for over 21 years.

A family business, Shah Tours was founded in 1984 by Mr. Harshit Shah, Mrs. Fulvanti Shah and Mr. Harakhchand Shah.

There is also a number of options with regards to accommodation including camping and hotels, depending on what the client is looking for.

Having lived in the Kilimanjaro region from an early age, Mr. Harshit Shah was always inspired by the mountain and was a regular climber to the lower altitudes when the initial mountain huts were being constructed on the Marangu trail. It led him to begin the business with his wife and grandfather and they were one of the first businesses in the country to showcase Kilimanjaro internationally as a climbing destination giving him the name ‘Mr. Kilimanjaro’ around the world.

Although destinations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron and many others are always available, Shah Tours always tailor their itineraries to the season of travel. Weather and nature conditions can affect the chances of spotting the wildlife and scenery that Tanzania is famous for and they never want unsatisfied clients.

GIVING BACK For sustainability on Kilimanjaro, Shah Tours are qualified KPAP members. As the exploitation and mistreatment of porters can be a troubling challenge in the climbing industry, all Kilimanjaro companies are invited to participate with the Partner for Responsible Travel Program. Shah Tours voluntarily cooperate with KPAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monitoring activities and allow KPAP to evaluate the treatment of their porters on all of their climbs to ensure fair salaries are being paid. They also contribute to a wonderful organization known as Share Tanzania. A monthly contribution with the help of their business partners and customers helps children with special needs in the region.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

2019

It is noteworthy that the relationships that Shah Tours have built with their clients has led to at least 30% of their yearly business coming from recommendations and word of mouth.

Tanzania is an exciting destination which has an excellent tourist circuit in the North and a developing circuit in the South. Other areas are still unexplored or lack the infrastructure to take clients there, however each day new activities and lodges are opening offering exciting new possibilities for future Shah Tours products.

Building relationships externally is just as important as building relationships internally. Therefore, they encourage staff to join team building activities such as office barbecues and office tour trips so staff can have a friendly working environment that they can commit to for their career. Thanks to this, some of their staff have worked with them for more than 30 years and have become part of their extended family.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: Although Tanzania is considered one of the safest destinations in Africa to travel, clients should respect the local customs and culture and follow the guidelines offered by our company or their own governments recommendation.

This same approach is used with clients to understand their needs and offer appropriate products. By providing exceptional client services they have become a trusted partner that makes their clients feel safe and comfortable all the way through their holidays.

PRICE: see website TELEPHONE: +255 627060504 EMAIL: info@shah-tours.com WEBSITE: www.shah-tours.com

REVIEW

SERENGETI BALLOON SAFARIS

Coincidence brought a pair of like-minded adventurers together in 1984 who shared a loved for adventure and balloon flying. Colin McKinnon and Tony Pascoe founded Serengeti Balloon Safaris in 1989 and the rest is majestic safari history.

THE STORY Colin was a pioneer of commercial ballooning in the UK and an early hot air balloon pilot in Kenya’s Maasai Mara who wanted to fly balloons over the Serengeti. Tony Pascoe was experienced in the running and management of luxury camps and a safari business in East Africa. In 1984 ballooning was completely new to Tanzania, and it took five years for Colin and Tony, together with their wives Sally and Marijka and their new Tanzanian partner, Jimmy Mkwawa, to get all the permissions and licences in place. They finally placed an order for their first 8-passenger balloon from Cameron Balloons, the world’s leading balloon manufacturer. In 1991 the first balloon took to the skies above the vast plains of the Serengeti. Those first years were tough as visitors to the Park were few; there was only one safari lodge and a handful of camps fed by infrequent flights to the park. It also took time to win over the sceptics and demonstrate the company’s commitment and environmental responsibility, which it did thereby winning the unwavering support of tour operators and conservationists alike.

experienced balloon safari company it is the skills and know-how that are applied to each safari that keeps the balloons aloft as much as the hot air. To operate safe, high quality balloon safaris in this environment is a challenge but it is also the most magical environment in which to experience a balloon safari.

COMMUNICATION As a B2B operator, the tourism trade is a vital part of Serengeti Balloon Safaris’ business model. To meet the demand, communication not only with their clients but with the authorities involved in local tourism is vital. As such they maintain regular communications with all, keeping themselves abreast of all the movements of their industry.

NOTABLE MENTIONS The Serengeti Balloon Safaris are also involved in several important projects within Tanzania including the Serengeti De-snaring Project which protects animals and local peoples from snares left by poachers. Plaster House, ALMC Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, Focus on Tanzanian Communities and other important charities and projects.

2019 There are plans to have Serengeti Balloon Safaris operating in Ruaha National Park from June to October 2019. There is still time to get involved.

SAFARIS BY AIR

PRICE/NIGHT: $599

With 80 locally employed staff working on the ground and in the air each safari lasts approximately five hours with one hour spent in the air. As Tanzania’s pioneering and most

TELEPHONE: +255 754 688 806 WEBSITE: www.ballooonsafaris.com EMAIL: info@balloonsafaris.com

REVIEW

NAMASTE YOGA SAFARIS

The world needs more places like Namaste Yoga Safaris. Founded in 2016 by Marcel Vosloo after she spent many years exploring exotic locations as a diving instructor and was then drawn to yoga for the same intrinsic reasons.

way to accommodate the spirit of the retreats including providing the most delicious vegan and vegetarian meals, something you don’t often get at most African lodges.

Marcel’s story is an inspirational one, having worked and travelled abroad for over fifteen years she returned to Namibia to set up her business. With the aim of giving people the opportunity to enjoy not only the physical benefits of yoga but also the beautiful, natural heritage of Namibia.

WHAT CAN A GUEST EXPECT? Each safari lasts about 7 days and 6 nights, with an option to visit Victoria Falls before or after the retreat. People usually go on safaris and by the end of it, you always hear that they feel tired from all the activities, game drives and unhealthy food. In contrast the aim of Namaste Yoga Retreats is that guests still get to experience a safari, but feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and healthier after a week.

NAMBWA TENTED LODGE Nwamba is the only lodge in the Bwabwata National Park and is used exclusively for Marcel’s retreat. The setting helps the guests be really mindful on and off the mat and apply the yoga lessons to their daily lives when returning home.

SCHEDULES: Morning yoga followed by free time or optional spa treatments, lunch, an afternoon activity and then afternoon yoga and dinner.

The staff at the lodge are very supportive of the retreats, making guests and instructors feel like they are family and at home. They go out of their

2019 Marcel is busy working on one or two Yoga Retreats with Overlanders that starts in South Africa, then visiting Namibia, Botswana, Vic Falls, Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. These tours will most likely be running in 2020. She will also be launching an online platform in mid-April offering wellness retreats, African venues and adventure travel. As many online platforms mainly focus on Europe, Asia and the USA, her vision is to only advertise Africa including all Indian Ocean Islands and help people find the right retreat for them.

Most meals for their retreats at Nambwa are vegan and vegetarian and cater for special diet requirements too. Each morning before and after yoga there are also detox drinks and smoothies. Breakfast and lunches consist of buffets and the dinners are four course meals.

RELATIONSHIPS Marcel explains that a lot of her guests join the retreats not only for the safari experience, but because they feel the need for change in their lives. She has several repeat clients and often receives referrals from previous retreat guests. This is all possible because of good communications between her, her clients and her colleagues.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: Have an open mind, taking in your daily experiences, allowing yourself the time away from your typical doings to truly immerse yourself in being present in the yoga, the activities and in your free time. Enjoy the camp. PRICE/NIGHT: Starting from €4699 (Retreats at Nambwa Tented Lodge) COMPANY ADDRESS: F2000 Taleni Etosha Village, Farm Montebellow, Outjo, P.O.Box 707, 21005 TELEPHONE: +267 81 761 7882

“We make sure they feel welcomed, not as a guest, but as friends and on a retreat, they experience the mindexpanding benefits of both the yoga and safari,” Marcel says.

EMAIL: contact@namasteyogasafari.com WEBSITE: www.namasteyogasafari.com

REVIEW

ZIKOMO SAFARI

Islands. During this three-week romantic journey, they fell in love. Both share a love for the outdoors, nature, animals and travel. It was this passion that encouraged them, after a trip to the South Luangwa Valley, to create Zikomo Safari with their son Demian. Their son, who sadly passed away in March 2018, was integral in building Zikomo Safari. Not only did Demian play an important role in the running of the business, he also legendarily won a wrestling match with Chief Nsefu in order to get the Chief’s approval to lease the land to Zikomo Safari Zambia!

After falling in love with the Southern African countries in 2005, Victoria and David Wallace decided to build and run a bush camp. Zikomo “Thank you” Safari was created on the banks of the Luangwa River.

THE CAMP Thanks to the Luangwa River, Zikomo Safari bush camp resides under the shade of a deep cluster of native trees. Also, due to the presence of the river many animals from the surrounding plains come to the water to drink and relax allowing guests an unbridled opportunity to watch and admire them from the comfort of the camp.

Tony Hunstiger, is a part-owner and joined the business to help the Wallaces turn their ambitious project into a reality. Through time spent in the Nsefu sector and in support of Zikomo Safari he has become an active and indominable advocate against wildlife trafficking, fighting to preserve the safety and habitats of endangered species.

THE FOUNDERS Victoria and David Wallace both grew up in the USA and met on the Aranui, a working freighter on a journey between Tahiti and the Marquises

Imagine the opportunity to paint or photograph one of the most magnificent and animal rich locations in the world. Guided by some of the best professionals available this opportunity seeks to capture not only the sights, but the spirit of the place as well.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Booking well ahead is essential to avoid disappointment and while guests are at Zikomo Safari bush camp, they are requested to act with consideration to the wild, four legged neighbours. PRICE: see website TELEPHONE: 260 216 246 202 +260 216 246 201

THE SAFARIS

WEBSITE: www.zikomosafari.com

Zikomo Safari advocates the benefits and importance of hunting. As long as it is with a camera. To this end they provide guests and clients the chance to spend time in the wild working with artists and photographers such as Michael Rosenblatt, Peter Geraerdts and Ed Selfe.

EMAIL: zikomosafari@gmail.com

South America

REVIEW

CABAÑAS ALFONSINA La Alfonsina was originally founded by Fidel, Marian and their three children. Their family have always been lovers of nature and adventure, and the location is of personal significance as it is where Fidel was born.

There are also a range of interesting and picturesque villages available to visit such as Baños Morales, San José de Maipo and Melosas to name a few.

A genuine connoisseur of the area, Fidel spent his childhood riding through the Cajón del Maipo mountains on horseback and his early adult life travelling through South America. These adventures led him to meet his wife, Mariana in Ecuador. It was a mutual decision to start a new life in the Andes mountain and La Alfonsina owes its name to the town where it is located, San Alfonso. La Alfonsina is the female version of the name and highlights the fact that although the whole family participate, it is the women who run the business.

ACCOMMODATION At Cabañas Alfonsina there are three cabins for two people and one cabin that can receive up to four. These cabins form part of the National Register of Tourism Providers of SERNATUR (Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism of Chile). The cabin styles are rustic and handcrafted, including furniture and textiles manufactured by the family and handmade by artists from the community.

LOCATION Located in the picturesque town of San Alfonso, in the middle of the high Andes Mountain Range and only a two-hour drive from Santiago airport. The area is well visited for adventure tourism including skiing, trekking, rafting, canyoning, canopy, horseback riding, mountain biking and much more.

All construction was handled by Fidel and Marian, and the materials they selected were locally sourced wood, rocks and other materials. These and the designs of the cabins themselves were chosen for their low impact on the environment and the interior decoration includes many products produced by the talented artisans of the area as well.

It is also very well known for its international food, craft breweries and wine tastings. From Cabañas la Alfonsina you can reach several tourist attractions, including El Morado National Monument which is in the process of declaring itself a national park, the Yeso Reservoir, the Lead Springs or the mountainous hot springs of the Colina Baths (Baños Colina).

While designed to be rustic, each cabin still has the necessary amenities to enjoy their stay in comfort including heating, WIFI, utensils, appliances and a swimming pool.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

acquired agreements with tourism providers to allow their guests preferential options to travel the area. Enabling their guests greater freedom to travel to locations unseen by other travellers.

Great effort is made to ensure that guests feel comfortable during the stay and can enjoy the local landscapes. Fidel and Marian are also interested in knowing the guest’s opinion of what is on offer and maintain a guestbook for such input. The reservation system that is used also allows guests to send satisfaction surveys after the stay. Marian explains this is important as it helps them know what makes their customers happy and what aspects could be approved upon.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND: Comfortable shoes and clothes are essential, and all guests should bring some cash in the national currency of Chilean pesos. Regarding other payments, in their cabins national and international cash and PayPal payments are accepted and very soon payments will be able to be made with credit cards.

2019 Over and above a soon to be installed outdoor hot tub situated in the middle of the mountain that will provide guests an ideal place to contemplate nature and relax, Fidel and Marian have also

PRICE: The value for cabins for two people is 50,000 Chilean pesos The value per cabin for 4 people is 70,000 Chilean pesos COMPANY ADDRESS: Camino al Volcán 30.076San José de Maipo- Santiago- Chile TELEPHONE: +56997362504 +56968200390 56228612018 EMAIL: info@laalfonsina.cl WEBSITE: www.laalfonsina.cl

REVIEW

RUTA DE ARTE Y VINO GLAMPING If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors of Mexico, why not try it with a touch of class and camp in an Airstream in the middle of the valley of Guadalupe?

There is a great deal of mental healing that can take place when one is able to just sit and enjoy the simplicity of things. The beautiful joy of sitting outside a stylish, beautifully restored Airstream while watching the fire dance in the barbecue and drinking a beer and just relaxing cannot be overvalued.

THE BUSINESS Cesar Ibara began things with his Airstream Project. Which can be seen on Youtube here. Originally working in law Cesar decided to start the project during a motorcycle ride through Guadalupe, which was his favourite way of relaxing and destressing. When he noticed a number of Airstreams parked along the side of the road, he eventually knocked on one of them and asked if they would be interested in selling it to him.

AIRBNB LISTED All of Cesar’s Airstreams are listed on Airbnb, allowing not only quick and efficient booking of the accommodation but a quick exploration of what other people’s experiences have been. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive with many happy travellers mentioning how calming and peaceful the location is. The beauty of the sunsets and sunrises and how refreshed and invigorated they felt after.

The rest is hospitality history.

ACCOMMODATION In total there are thirteen Airstreams from the 50s, 60s and 70s on the site. The Airstreams have been completely and lovingly restored and customized, creating a unique, vintage glamping accommodation that is super cosy and very stylish. There is an area for outdoor barbecuing, an acoustic guitar, a telescope (the night skies are a sight to behold) and places to store bikes.

It is a definite must visit. PRICE: see website TELEPHONE: +52 1(646)1853352 or +52 1(646)1602300 WEBSITE: https://rutadearteyvino.wixsite.com/ rutadearteyvino

They also have a new park Tent Valley City & Parking Spot for travel cars, two acres of nomadic campground for regular camping in tents and for parking of RVs.

THE LOCATION Guadalupe, in Mexico, is a vast area with a great deal to offer travellers of every level. Tuk Tuk tours can show you the landscape and the historic sites and there is a winery down the road that is definitely worth a visit. It is the peaceful quiet of this area that is particularly appealing to so many and Ruta de Arte y Vino Glamping receives visitors from as many locals as from the international community.

REVIEW

AMAZON TUPANA LODGE Amazon Tupana Lodge was founded in 2007 by Conceição Khattab, who grew up in a little town in the Jurua River about 780 km from Manaus. Having been born in an area that manufactured rubber latex, he grew up surrounded by nature and gained a deep appreciation for all aspects of the jungle and the river. Which have been incorporated into the beautiful and quite singular Amazon Tupana Lodge.

THE LODGE Working with a team of fifteen locally employed and highly trained staff the lodge has sixteen rooms with a rustic decoration inspired by the jungle aesthetic. Each accommodation is constructed using the same architecture, techniques and materials used by the natives and each offers the basic comforts. Because the differential here is not to offer luxury in accommodation but luxury in the ever present and surrounding forest.

while relaxing on holiday are more mosquitoes. Fewer insects also means fewer animals sneaking into the lodge for late night buffets, so unlike other jungle lodges, guests are unlikely to wake up with part of the jungle crawling across their floor!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND The trip to the hotel starts with an adventure through the Meeting of The Waters of Rio Negro and Solimoes which are the two largest rivers of the amazon and form the great Amazon River. Then, a 178km road trip. The transportation shifts between vans and speedboats with every safety precaution taken, but this is definitely an off-grid adventure.

THE STAFF The team working at Amazon Tupana Lodge are primarily natives of the Rio Tupana region and the village of Caeiro Castanho. The presence of the lodge helps several families directly and indirectly with projects and social programmes that are included in some activities. For example, the fruits and vegetables offered at the lodge are provided by the native’s plantation.

The lodge has a very positive energy and part of this is a restriction of access to TV, cellular connection and the internet which increases the contact to nature and attracts more animals to the lodge’s perimeter. It encourages communication and introductions between other guests and friendships to be struck up.

THE LOCATION Amazon Tupana Lodge rests in a hidden area of the river where the calm waters are very dark and reflective like a mirror. Quite remote, the guests feel completely enveloped in the jungle and totally off grid. It is entrancing to be surrounded on all sides by an endless chorus of jungle noises, from the movement of the waters and trees and the myriad of animals that thrive along its banks.

PRICE: 30,000 Reais /per night COMPANY ADDRESS: KM 178 – BR 319 – MANAUS - AMAZONAS TELEPHONE: 92 992215499

Interestingly, the PH level of the mirrored black waters of the Tupana River inhibits the proliferation of insects which makes this an even more unique jungle location. A relief to any traveller, as one thing that nobody has ever wanted

EMAIL: reservas@amazontupana.com WEBSITE: www.amazontupana.com

REVIEW

RAIZ CHILE

THE TOURS

The biggest event of the year is the eclipse 2019 in valle elqui chile.

There are plenty of tours that will be available during the daylight hours. Each one usually includes up to thirty passengers and there is a variety available to suit all interests.

From the 30th June to the 4th July, Raiz Chile have 150 luxury tents that have been totally equipped to offer the best view of this live experience. The event will be attended by the likes of Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic Group as well as other VIP guests keen to see this rare spectacle in all its glory. This is one of the first of many astro-tourism events that will be gaining popularity as the possibility of seeing the stars from beyond the Earth becomes a reality.

The most popular destinations at the moment are San Pedro de Atacama and Rapanui in Chile, salar de uyuni and Patagonia. A high number of international visitors are very interested to learn more about these unique locations and the ancient history there. There are typically two different packages.

RAIZ CHILE

1. A genda: these are packaged tours that come with a date and a list of activities specified by the designers. They take place within a certain number of locations and have defined details to support the general interests of a group.

Founded in 2015 by Sergio Arrau who has been working in the field of tourism for over a decade, Raiz Chile was created to raise awareness for the environment by highlighting both its beauty and our place in it. The camp is completely mobile, and this is why it has been able to take such a differential and powerful approach to the upcoming astro-tourism event, because they have been able to install their tents in the best location.

2. Tailor Made: Working with the expertise of Raiz Chile, the passengers and the guides define the dates, places, activities and details based on the specific tastes and desires of the client.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

These packages are updated once a year and when creating a tour, the team take into consideration the market research and the customer needs. Knowing all the details is essential to planning something worthwhile and meaningful.

Due to the high demand of this event and the number of visitors who will arrive to VicuĂąa and its surroundings, Raiz Chile have planned their glamping experience to avoid the chaos of the other areas and to look after their clients.

CUSTOMER BY CUSTOMER

Movement and travel during this period are expected to be difficult as the streets are quite small. Another important point to consider is that the local places, such as restaurants, vineyards and others, may not be able to receive so many people in a single day as they have limited capacity.

Building and maintaining relationships is very important since they focus on the needs of the client to deliver the best service. Sergioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach to this is to have open communication with the tour operators during the camps and to engage with people on and face to face basis. Experience and adventure are things that require a personable touch after all.

Therefore, Tailor Made packages are recommended during this period, allowing greater flexibility and guaranteeing a once in a lifetime memorable event. PRICE/NIGHT: USD $650.00 per night (NOMADE ECLIPSE GLAMP 2019) EMAIL: coctacto@raizchile.com vanessalopez@raizchile.com WEBSITE: www.raizchile.com COMPANY ADDRESS: santa rosa 575 0f 31 Puerto varas chile TELEPHONE: + 569 53051605 +56989263138

REVIEW

BANANAL ECOLODGE originated the line of amenities used in the Ecolodge. With her knowledge in permaculture she was responsible for planning the sustainable techniques at Bananal Ecolodge. Together with Alexandre Haberkorn, who is a geographer and farmer responsible for the management of agroforestry systems, the couple was also responsible for implementing the sustainability plan of the Spaventura Ecolodge (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=e2jrWnGU_Ts&t=50s). Bananal Ecolodge was founded by Luciana de SĂĄ Nogueira in 2016. However, the journey actually began eight years earlier in 2008 with the planning and construction of Spaventura Ecolodge (spaventura.com.br). Bananal Ecolodge is considered to be the crowning achievement.

THE INSPIRATION Working with nine registered employees of which seven are locals, the aim of the lodges has always been to practice sustainable techniques so that guests could experience, learn and replicate this knowledge in their lives. Luciana and Alexandreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to transform people through the contact and conservation of nature.

Luciana, who is an environmental manager trained in sustainability education, has a particular interest in the production of essential oils, which

THE LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

Located within the Ubatumirim wilderness which is a region off the usual tourist trail that enjoys abundant natural, cultural and ethnic diversity, the accommodation area has ten suites with a private terrace. Surrounded by a beautiful landscaped garden filled with tropical species, each suite has accommodation for three people, with the possibility of an extra bed.

This is a preserved piece of rainforest, and guests are able to experience the environment, the food and local culture authentically. Guests are asked to be considerate to each other and enjoy themselves in the correct spirit.

The entire Bananal Ecolodge infrastructure was planned to be harmoniously integrated into the landscape. The facilities use natural construction techniques and are designed to promote activities that encourage the region’s protection and collaboration with the sustainable development of the community.

COMPANY ADDRESS: Estrada do Pasto Grande, 2145 – Ubatumirim – Ubatuba – São Paulo

PRICE: R$500,00 per night for, double room, low season, includes breakfast.

TELEPHONE: +55 12 996002145 EMAIL: reservas@ecobananal.com.br WEBSITE: www.ecobananal.com.br

WHAT CAN GUESTS EXPECT The owners believe that strong relationships need to be cultivated to have guests returning year on year. They build them by enchanting guests with their hospitality, their delicious food, relaxing environment and friendly services. Relationships with likeminded people is the best way to promote a sustainable, harmonious lifestyle.