OV
OCEAN VIEW TRAVEL
OCEAN VIEW 3 LIFESTYLE • SAILING • DESTINATION • LUXURY • RECIPES
Issue 07 Volume 15 2015
An Island Paradise WHERE THE WILDLIFE COMES TO YOU
Book your cruise to the Falkland Islands with One Ocean Expeditions and experience the adventure of a lifetime by visiting our website www.oneoceanexpeditions.com
www.falklandislands.com
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THERE IS ONLY ONE OCEAN www.oneoceanexpeditions.com
Welcome This month’s OV Travel is bursting with not only holiday inspirations for 2016, but some of the best advice on how to celebrate the coming of the new year in style. Christmas goes by in a flash, and so another year is here, so why not go somewhere a bit different? Perhaps 2016 has a luxury holiday in store for you and your family. This month, we feature the Best of Barbados, letting you, the reader in on the island’s many secrets and wonders. The dreary winter months are certainly enough to make you want to sit on a beach in 30 degree heat and sip a cocktail, soaking up the Caribbean vibe!
The OV team reviews two destinations for you this month, including Cornwall and Bulgaria. I go on a long weekend adventure to the coast of Torpoint, riding waves, exploring the scenery, eating some tasty meals and staying in a beautiful bungalow on the cliffs of Whitsand Bay with Blue Chip Holidays. MD, Lee Mansfield takes his family on a holiday to Bulgaria - not somewhere you may have thought of before, but you will after reading. We also give the low-down on how to make the most of a city break in Madrid, and appreciate Barcelona’s huge art culture. Although, if you’re looking for an activity to do within a city closer to home, why not choose London? We list some of the wackiest experiences to be had in our capital, including eating blind and unlocking locked doors and solving clues.
Barbados, page 22
Bulgaria, page 6
The ski season has just started! Read this month for an overview of some of the most important things to keep in mind when booking your next ski holiday, and guest contributor, Andy Castle advises on some of the most luxurious chalets to stay in too.
Have a very merry Christmas and see you in the New Year!
Jenny Ardagh Editor
Luxury Chalets, page 56
OCEAN VIEW 3
ISSUE 07, VOLUME 15 2015
OV
CONTENTS
OCEAN VIEW TRAVEL
OCEAN VIEW 3 LIFESTYLE • SAILING • DESTINATION • LUXURY • RECIPES
Issue 07 Volume 15 2015
Cover Image: Columbia Hotels & Resorts www.columbiaresort.com Ocean View Magazine Managing Director/Publisher: Lee Mansfield lee@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Director: Simon Skinner simon@lifemediagroup.co.uk Operations Director Clare Fermor clare@lifemediagroup.co.uk Commercial Manager Elliott Mansfield elliott@lifemediagroup.co.uk Editor: Jenny Ardagh jenny@lifemediagroup.co.uk Production Manager: Harriet Weston harriet@lifemediagroup.co.uk Production Designer Amy Watson amy@lifemediagroup.co.uk Accounts: Amelia Wellings: amelia@lifemediagroup.co.uk Subscriptions: Linda Grace linda@lifemediagroup.co.uk Published by: LMG SE LTD Unit 1, Swan Barn Business Centre Old Swan Lane, Hailsham, BN27 2BY Printed by: Berforts 17 Burgess Road, Ivyhouse Lane Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 4NR 01424 722733 www.berforts.co.uk
All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in Ocean View Magazine do not necessarily represent the view of Life Media Group LTD. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers of Ocean View Magazine assume no reponsibilty for any damage, loss or injury arising from the participation in any offers, competitions or advertisment contained within Ocean View Magazine. All prices featured in Ocean View Magazine are correct at the time of going to press. Copyright Life Media Group 2015 ©
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6. 10. 14. 17. 22. 32. 34. 38. 43. 51. 56. 60.
Bulgaria: Lee Mansfield takes his family to Santa Marina Holiday Village in Bulgaria for an end-of-summer holiday, and discovers its touristic potential. Spending It: We select our favourite home essentials from Brewers Home. Cornwall: OV Travel enjoys a long weekend on the beautiful Cornwall Coast with Blue Chip Holidays. Recipes: In Eleanor Ozich’s presents over 100 wonderfully simple, nourishing and wholesome recipes that can be loved and prepared by the whole family. Barbados: What makes us to love the idea of the Caribbean? OV focuses on what brings so many year after year to this idyllic part of the world. Cover Feature - Columbia Hotel Resort: A luxurious all-suite hideaway on the south west coast of Cyprus. New Year: In London you’ll find a range of weird and wonderful experiences to keep you entertained, and some you simply cannot even visualise. Madrid: Here is an overview of how to fill your day so to make the most of your time in Madrid. Barcelona: The cultural and creative centre of Spain awaits you. Embark on a journey through the history of art, architecture, religion and food in this wonderful city. Perfect End to the Year: OV brings you a range of original ideas; with so much to choose from in this world, we’re sure you will find your ideal getaway. Luxury Chalets: Andy Castle gives the low down on his thoughts and feelings on the industry development and this winter-perfect accommodation. Skiing:The snow season is here and ready to be enjoyed, so why not book yourself an exhilarating and adrenaline-inducing ski holiday?
CLASSIC CRUISE 5* BERLIN & ICONIC TRAINS
NO FLYING – EXCLUSIVE - ESCORTED Departure Date: 31 May 2016 5 nights from £2,899pp
• 2 nights on-board Queen Elizabeth sailing from Southampton to Hamburg with all meals and entertainment on board the ship • Transfer from Hamburg to Berlin • 2 nights stay on a bed and breakfast basis in the 5* Hotel Regent Berlin • “Highlights of Berlin” guided tour • Overnight journey on-board the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with exquisite three-course lunch, afternoon tea, four-course dinner, breakfast and brunch served. • Belmond British Pullman with traditional afternoon tea • Services of a Prestige Holidays tour manager Telephone: 01425 480600 Website: www.toursprestigeholidays.co.uk
Full booking conditions apply. Based on twin occupancy on an interior stateroom IF category. Further grades available.
OCEAN OCEANVIEW VIEW 15
Bulgaria A First Timer’s Review
Lee Mansfield takes his family to Santa Marina Holiday Village in Bulgaria for an end-of-summer holiday, and discovers its touristic potential Bulgaria, known as the crossroads between Europe and Asia, is a country that perhaps most families wouldn’t think of first as a holiday destination. My idea of a family holiday is like most other people’s: a comfortable room in a resort with plenty of facilities for all ages, and good food on offer for a good price. With two young children, an all-inclusive, resort-style holiday is always the easiest option – my wife and I don’t need to worry about the children being entertained, and the costs are dealt with right at the beginning, meaning an overall more relaxing experience. Bulgaria seemingly offered this, just as any other country in Europe, and we had a wonderful time 6 OCEAN VIEW
despite a few differences between what we expected and what we got. Bulgaria is situated closer to the Equator than the pole, luckily for us, so it was a good temperature, especially when compared to the dismal British summer we were having. My family and I headed out at the end of August for 10 days, enjoying averages of around 25 to 27 degrees Celsius – clear blue skies dominated every day of our holiday, making it all the more perfect! The natural landscape of Bulgaria is diverse, which we appreciated on our way in on the plane, consisting of lowlands, plains, foothills and plateaus, river valleys, basins, and mountains of varying elevations.
The journey took just over 3 hours, which I felt was the perfect amount of time to feel like we were getting away, but without the children getting restless. The Santa Marina Holiday Village was one of the better choices of resorts I could have made when booking to go to Bulgaria. It’s not right in the tourist-hub of the country, yet it’s not isolated either, set upon a mound formation overlooking the Black Sea, which incidentally couldn’t have been more blue. The resort itself is located near the town of Sozopol, and is situated next to a long stretch of beach. It wasn’t a hotel by any means - the complex comprised of 100 apartment-style villas, a bar, five
restaurants and shops, with five swimming pools – but the combination of self catered accommodation and all-inclusive style facilities made it ideal. Additional facilities included a library and fitness centre, numerous restaurants, an array of pools to choose your bed next to, and entertainment for children. Our two-bedroom apartment, which looked out over the Black Sea and the pool in the resort, was very spacious and felt fairly luxurious. The position of the rooms made for a lovely evening view, which we appreciated with a glass of wine in hand on many an evening. The rooms had perfectly good amenities for the family for a 10-day stay: it was all very clean and tidy, with a good shower and air conditioning, and comfortable beds too. There were a variety of lovely restaurants within the complex itself. But with the selfcatering aspect of the accommodation, it wasn’t actually necessary, some days, to eat out at all if we had so wished. Unfortunately,
we booked the resort’s half board option, which ended up being essentially their version of full board, including breakfast and dinner for each member of my family and I. Although this wasn’t in any way expensive for us to add on to our package, we realised it may have been more logical, and perhaps just as cheap if not cheaper, to have simply made breakfast in our apartment and paid for our dinner out. The food everywhere was delicious, with wonderful things such as calamari, lobster, all kinds of fish, and meat, all well presented and of good quality. However, it was perhaps a little boring after 10 days, and we ended up not using our half board ‘perks’ to their fullest - in hindsight, taking this option was a bit of a waste. Whenever we did go out, the food and service was excellent – although it was a very different type of service to what you’d find in the UK. Everywhere we went, we found our food served at odd times, out of sync with
others on the table. For instance, starters and mains often came at the same time, with some people receiving their meal within 10 minutes and others only after 45 minutes. We found this all very strange indeed, but presumed it was just a different custom to what we were used to. Despite this, the Bulgarian waiters and waitresses were all delightful, always serving with a smile and attending to us very diligently. There was certainly plenty for our children to do, with a sports playground, a play area and a mini club, among other things. The pools were spotlessly clean, of ample size, and safe. There were, in fact, 5 or 6 pools, none ever too busy, which made a nice change from other European holiday resorts in the height of summer. We didn’t ever have to worry about safety either, with each pool set with a lifeguard. We could sit by, watching the goings on, and relax with a drink in hand and even something to eat from the numerous bars surrounding the pool areas. OCEAN VIEW 7
We weren’t, however, entirely happy with the extra facilities promised to us adults on this holiday. The gym was sparse, to say the least, with very out-of-date and worn-down facilities, and the overall feel of the hotel was perhaps a little behind other holiday resort destinations. But that was to be expected, as Bulgaria is fairly new to the holiday scene! There were also two beaches nearby: one of which technically belonged to the hotel, and the other was public, just next door. Sitting on either of the beaches gave us a feeling that we could easily be anywhere in the world, looking out over the bright blue sea towards the horizon and enjoying the sand between our toes. There weren’t any water sports facilities on the resort’s beach. However, there was plenty to do on the public beach, such as waterskiing, 8 OCEAN VIEW
donut rides, parascending and jet-skiing. We all decided to go parascending, which was fantastic fun – although my wife, who is afraid of heights, wasn’t too enthralled by the experience – and very cheap compared to other parts of the world. Everything was fantastic value for money; I don’t think I’ve ever been on another holiday where I spent as little as I did here, without feeling like a Scrooge. A warning, however: this time of year brings a huge amount of jellyfish with it, so beware when in the water. We had, in fact, rented a car at the airport for our holiday, so we managed to venture out a few times. We first wandered into Sozopol itself, which was a very traditional Bulgarian town, with cobbled streets and quaint shops and restaurants, and entertainment on offer in every other square. Restaurants hung over the cliff edge in the
town centre, creating a wonderful place to have an evening meal with a view. I would recommend getting some trustworthy advice on where to go restaurant-wise before you take a seat though – there is a vast chasm between good and bad here, so you don’t want to get caught out with some dodgy fish or meat. Our longest journey by car brought a few revelations with it. Driving in Bulgaria is a little precarious. The roads are far from the smooth, well-signed, safe and wide roads we’re used to here in England, or in fact in most countries in Europe. The state of the roads is pretty abysmal, but I must point out that even, whilst we were there, this was being improved, and may well be perfected within the next couple of years. At this point in time, though, I would recommend not driving. Taxis are very cheap in Bulgaria
“Sitting on either of the beaches gave us a feeling that we could easily be anywhere in the world, looking out over the bright blue sea” and, overall, fairly reliable. However, again, I would take advice from locals or experts on which taxis to choose. It’s often not just the roads that are precarious for us inexperienced tourists, but the drivers also! The journey took us to Nessebar, an ancient town and one of the major seaside resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, located in Burgas Province. I thought Nessebar was in fact a bit nicer than Sozopol, yet perhaps a bit too busy for a more relaxing holiday. Once again, here, there’s plenty for children to get involved in and explore, and a wonderfully ‘local’ atmosphere. One of the reasons we chose Bulgaria was that we were invited to a wedding there, and we went along to it not expecting much but were proved wrong: it was a fantastic wedding, set in a Bulgarian ruin in the centre of town. There was dancing, lots of drinking and plenty of eating. It was a traditional and wholly enjoyable wedding. The only downside was that I got bitten alive by mosquitoes, which wasn’t a problem at the resort due to them spraying repellent as a daily ritual. So, my top tip is that if you go to Nessebar, especially at night, wear insect repellent. Overall, this was a great holiday for my family, with enough to keep us occupied whilst still providing a relaxing atmosphere. The culture, although very different to ours in some aspects, is a delight to be privy to, with extremely kind locals and a warm welcome for tourists. I’d say Bulgaria may not be up on the top ten list of places to go for a summer holiday, but I’d bet money on it being just that within the next 3 to 5 years. It’s up and coming, and certainly a place to watch! OCEAN VIEW 9
Create Your Space Make your house feel like home, with interest free finance on key furniture items
Lighting
Accessories
LAYER SINGLE LIGHT TABLE LAMP LARGE
DARJEELING TEA TOWEL INDIGO
An unusual single light table lamp with an artichoke shaped base in a lovely distressed cream finish. £150.
Add a vibrant splash of colour to your kitchen with the Darjeeling tea towel from the bright and mighty Mini Moderns. £12.
BUBBLE FLOOR LAMP Metal base in polished chrome finish – 1390mm high. Lampshade: 40cm drum; colour Kallianthi Grasses fabric 120019 – 270mm high. Supplied as a set. Co-ordinating table lamp available. £330.
MR FOX SET OF 4 ESPRESSO CUPS Brighten up your coffee break with a set of 4 quirky espresso cups featuring the popular Mr Fox motif. £30.
DYNAMO SINGLE SWITCH WALL LIGHT FITTING CHROME
CALAGGIO CUSHIONS - APPLE, TURQUOISE, PEONY
A retro style, high gloss chrome wall light fitting. This product is complete with a toggle switch situated on the wall plate. £83.40
Treat yourself to a stunning, ornate velvet cushion featuring gathered leaves. Reverse side shows tonal velvet stripes and both sides are trimmed with striped silk. £80.
10 OCEAN VIEW Brewers Home, Birch Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6PL. www.brewershome.co.uk
MILLER BED PEWTER The Miller bed is perfect for achieving a contemporary and luxury look. The curved shape of the headboard adds to the modern feel and is perfect for creating a stylish focal point in a bedroom space. £969.
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Furniture CLEMENT 4+2 CHEST OF DRAWERS OAK & CHARCOAL A six drawer chest of drawers in an charcoal finish and metal cup handles. This beautifully crafted, British made chest of drawers is ideal storage for any style interior. Supplied fully assembled. £480.
A sleek and contemporary wooden bar stool in a beautiful solid American oak sourced from sustainable forests in the USA. This bar stool would be perfect in both a modern and more traditional interior. £100.
CLEMENT 6’ BOOKCASE OAK & TRUFFLE A 6ft bookcase with 3 shelves and 2 drawers in a contemporary truffle finish and metal cup handles. £515.
HOPKINS SOFA AUBERGINE Treat yourself to a luxurious sofa in a beautiful aubergine velvet. The rich, soft fabric makes this sofa irresistibly comfortable and would look gorgeous in either a traditional or contemporary interior. £1,529. OCEAN VIEW 11 Contact Brewers Home on: Telephone +44 (0)1323 436180 or Email help@brewershome.co.uk
Cornwall A Long Weekend In
OV Travel enjoys a long weekend on the beautiful Cornwall Coast with Blue Chip Holidays
The south coast has always left me stunned at its beauty; how the light shifting across the sea, the cliff edges and the land beyond it can change the landscape so dramatically. On a sunny day, there’s nowhere I would rather be due to its calming nature, and on a stormy day, I wonder at the sea’s tumultuous power, the vulnerability of the coastline itself and admire nature at its best. The coast is somewhere I’ve always loved to take long walks, or just sit and watch the world go by. I had the wonderful opportunity to discover the Cornish coast, in an area not far from Plymouth City Centre, but seemingly worlds apart from anywhere I had been before. After travelling in the car for many hours from my humble livings in East Sussex, my partner and I arrived at Torpoint, to The Dell: a house scooped into the Cliffside in between towns, Cawsand, Rame and Millbrook. We headed down the steep steps of the Dell after precariously parking the car next to what felt like a sheer drop, and were met by a spectacular view over Whitsand Bay. The dramatic scenery that faced us was characterised by long stretches of rocky and sandy beach, a wide expanse of calm blue water, and curved around the edge, Rame Head and on the opposite side, what we could only guess was the rest of Cornwall leading eventually to the mystery that is land’s end. My first instinct was to just sit and look. The Dell, as a self-catered bungalow, has outdoor seating in the form of a round wooden bench table, plus two sun loungers. Heading into the bungalow itself, we were met with a lovely hamper left by owner, Matthew Dodds, filled with Cornish jam, chutney, biscuits and apple juice – all locally produced and wonderfully presented for our arrival. We immediately felt very welcome and at home. The bungalow is open plan, with a spacious living area, decorated thoughtfully with coastal themed colours and furniture. The sofa was comfortable, with plenty of blankets provided for more chilly evenings, the bedroom décor extremely pleasing to the eye, and the kitchen area pristine. Blue Chip Holidays had provided a handbook with all OCEAN VIEW 13
the information we needed, which we read from cover to cover to make sure we made the most of our time, and we were even left an iPhone to control the heating with should we need to. Other facilities included: television (complete with freeview), a fridge-freezer, microwave, kettle, oven, bath and beach towels, extra sheets, and even some handy binoculars. We were delighted to also see that tea bags and coffee were left for our use. Our long journey had left us too tired to venture out, so we spent an evening in, picking up supplies from the nearest local shop in Millbrook (a 5 minute drive from the bungalow with easy parking) ready for our big day of exploration. The next day, we headed out bright and early to explore the local area. We first walked down to the beach. This was a very steep and quite 14 OCEAN VIEW
a strenuous walk, with steps gradually becoming more and more non-existent, and the cliff edge becoming quite precarious. This took around 10-15 minutes, with stops to admire the view, past the cliff-top café, and down to the beach café joined onto a surfing school/shop. Once on the beach, we felt incredibly secure and closed-in, with just the sea-air and sand between our toes to enjoy. We were very lucky that it was warm and sunny whilst there, but even on a slightly less lovely day, the bay keeps the weather from beating too hard against the cliffs. Having soaked up the sun on the beach for an hour or so, and checking out the surfing options for the next day, we headed back up the steep rock face, right up to the top in order to enjoy a lunch at The View Restaurant, which had been recommended to us by the owner himself.
The View is just a 10 minute walk from The Dell, and serves a range of locally sourced meat and fish dishes, plus locally produced drinks, such as elderflower cordial and fresh lemonade – not even close to a distant relative or what restaurants usually serve as lemonade. My partner and I both indulged in the catch of the day, the baked cod, which was light and tasty. In the afternoon, we headed to Cawsand, a lovely, quaint seaside town that feels as if you’ve been thrown suddenly into a fishing village in the South of France. The small houses line the streets, into squares filled with character. We happened to come across some Morris dancers, and watched their performance whilst enjoying a must-have whilst in Cornwall, traditional Cornish ice-cream. Cawsand also has easy access to parking facilities, and is an ideal place
“We headed to Cawsand, a lovely, quaint seaside town that feels as if you’ve been thrown suddenly into a fishing village in the South of France” to stroll the day away with a loved-one, friends or family. Whilst here, we spotted a few possible places to eat on our last evening there, including The Halfway Inn Pub and Restaurant. We came back here the next evening, having drooled over the menu and were glad we did – the best fish pie and roast beef we’ve ever had. I highly recommend it. As it was such a beautiful day, we made the most of both the weather and having our car, and headed to Rame Head, which we had looked out on for the past day. The views were beyond spectacular from here, the coastal headland looking out over both Whitsand Bay and the Rame Head Heritage Coast. Atop the headland lies a derelict chapel, surrounded by Dartmoor ponies who graze the grass area, making for some fantastic photo opportunities, and just generally a great lookout point. For our next, and last full day in Cornwall, we took advantage of the waves, and hired out a couple of surf-boards and wetsuits. It was unfortunately a bit colder and cloudier than the previous day, but we braved the 14 degree cold water, and managed to stand up all of one or two times. If you are keen to do some hardcore surfing, this is perhaps not the place to do so, but this is an ideal area to have a go for the first or second time. They offer surfing lessons, either 1-1 or in groups – you just need to catch the surf school on a day that it’s open. The culture in this area of the
country dictates that shops, restaurants, cafes and even whole towns may be closed, depending on both the weather and the tourist population. This makes for an extremely laid back atmosphere everywhere you go, but may prove difficult if you come here in winter. As a summer destination, however, this place is magical, especially if you share it with a loved-one. Reading through the guest book in The Dell, I was filled with warm feelings as most visitors were spending either their anniversary, a special occasion or even their honeymoons here. Some even explained how they were
proposed to on The Dell decking itself. This perfectly portrays how romantic a place this is, and what a wonderful long weekend away this can be for a couple. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with my experience in The Dell, and also hugely satisfied with the whole Blue Chip Holidays service. I would love to go back someday. As of September, Blue Chip Holidays is offering 3 nights at The Dell in Cornwall from £428 on a self catering basis.www. bluechipholidays.co.uk / 0333 3317 326. OCEAN VIEW 15
Tenerife - La Caleta to Las Americas
KITCHEN GOODIES
Encore Basket, £120. www.in-spaces.com
SMART Master Bullet Kitchen Blender Set, £79.99. www.design55online.co.uk
Foodie Accessories
MUST HAVES
Newgate Cola Bottle Wall Clock, £32. www.redcandy.co.uk
LSA Polka Tealight Holders Set of 4, £19. www.redcandy.co.uk
Sage by Heston Blumenthal the Smart Grinder Pro, £199.95. www.johnlewis.com
Just Slate Oil and Vinegar Dipping Set on Slate Base, £30. www.design55online.co.uk/
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Egg skelter black, £23.95. www.annabeljames.co.uk
ESSENTIAL RECIPES
My Family Table
In Eleanor Ozich’s second book, My Family Table, she presents over 100 wonderfully simple, nourishing and wholesome recipes that can be loved and prepared by the whole family
Simple Savoury Muffins Savoury muffins are a great opportunity to pack nutritious vegetables into a tasty bake. Here is my favourite gluten-free base recipe — beautifully light, fluffy and moist. I have added baby English spinach, basil and tomato, although almost any grated vegetables would be equally delicious. MAKES 12 GF, DF, VEG 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) coconut cream 125 ml (41/2 fl oz/1/2 cup) olive oil 3 free-range eggs 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 200 g (7 oz/2 cups) almond meal 160 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) rice flour, or 150 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) gluten-free flour a handful of baby English spinach or shredded kale a handful of basil leaves 2 tomatoes, sliced into 12 thin rounds Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F). Grease 12 holes of a standard muffin tin, or line with paper cases. Add all the ingredients, except the tomato, to a food processor or blender. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then blend until smooth. Pour the batter into the muffin holes, then top each with a tomato slice. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins will keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 2 days, and can be frozen for up to 1 month.
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ESSENTIAL RECIPES
Potato Bake With Rosemary & Cheddar We love this warming winter potato bake, layered with sharp vintage cheddar cheese. It is topped with one of my favourite herbs, aromatic and earthy rosemary, which goes gorgeously crisp in the oven. This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. It also makes a scrumptious breakfast served with poached eggs and wilted English spinach; I like to add a little more cheese, and a good drizzle of olive oil, then grill it in a hot pan.
“This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. It also makes a scrumptious breakfast served with poached eggs and wilted English spinach”
SERVES 5–6 AS A SIDE OR LIGHT MEAL GF, VEG 6–8 large roasting potatoes; agria work well 250 g (9 oz/2 cups) grated cheddar cheese 8 free-range eggs 60 ml (2 fl oz/1/4 cup) milk a large handful of fresh rosemary leaves a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Scrub the potatoes, then slice into rounds about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Place in a saucepan of salted water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Drain the water, then immediately fill the pan with cold water to stop the potato cooking any further. Once the potato slices have cooled, arrange a layer of them in a baking dish, completely covering the bottom. Sprinkle with a small handful of the cheese, then repeat two or three times until you have used all the potato slices, reserving a little cheese for topping. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and a large pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the egg mixture on top of the potato slices. Sprinkle with the rosemary, then drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the potato is tender and the cheese is golden brown. Serve warm.
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Right: Potato Bake With Rosemary & Cheddar
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ESSENTIAL RECIPES
Moist Banana & Nut-Butter Bread At our cafe in Auckland, called Mondays, this banana bread recipe is requested often. Gorgeously moist, naturally sweet and insanely delicious, it is perfection when toasted. It also keeps really well, and tastes even better when it is a day or two old. MAKES 1 LOAF GF (if no oat flour used), DF (if no butter used), VEG 3 ripe bananas, peeled 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 75 g (21/2 oz/1/2 cup) rapadura, muscovado or coconut sugar 4 free-range eggs 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 125 g (41/2 oz/1/2 cup) nut butter (I like almond butter) 60 g (21/4 oz/1/4 cup) coconut oil or butter 160 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) rice flour, 130 g (41/2 oz/1 cup) buckwheat flour, or 90 g (31/4 oz/1 cup)
For the topping: 2 bananas, sliced lengthways, for topping. Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F). Find a loaf (bar) tin that is about 12 cm (41/2 inches) wide, 23 cm (9 inches) long, and 7 cm (23/4 inches) deep. Line it with baking paper. Add all the ingredients, except the bananas for the topping, to a food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour the batter into the loaf tin, then top with the sliced bananas. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from the oven and turn out onto a wire rack. Leave to cool completely, then cut into thick slices to serve. The bread will keep for 4–5 days in an airtight container, and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
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My Family Table by Eleanor Ozich (Murdoch Books, £18.99). Photography by Eleanor Ozich.
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COL AD general 255x190 mm.indd 1
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Caribbean Sea Escape What makes us to love the idea of the Caribbean? OV focuses on what brings so many year after year to this idyllic part of the world To many, the thought of reclining on pristine white sands, soaking up the sunshine with a cool drink in hand and the sound of clear waters lapping in the background is heaven on earth. Such balmy bliss is synonymous with the Caribbean. Famed for its palmlined beaches and bright blue skies, the Caribbean has even inspired song. But it has so much more to offer. Sitting close—though not too close—to the equator, southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and just a stone’s throw from the North American mainland, the Caribbean forms a part of the larger West Indies grouping. It consists of the Caribbean Sea, hundreds of islands, islets and reefs, and the surrounding coasts, across which there is huge diversity. Flat, coral reefs are mixed in with mountainous volcanic islands that reach to over 3,000 metres above sea level; trade winds create starkly contrasting areas of rainforest and semi-desert, including a desert depression that sits 40 meters below sea level on Hispaniola; and the shallow turquoise waters that ebb and flow around cays drop into the Puerto Rico trench—the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean. The range of habitats supports an
astounding array of life, both terrestrial and marine. In fact, this magical part of the world is classified as one of Conservation International’s biodiversity hotspots. The Caribbean Sea boasts 8% (by surface area) of the world’s coral reefs, with 70 different types of hard coral, and extensive seagrass meadows. And these rich habitats teem with around 600 species of reef-associated fish, accompanied by leatherback turtles and bottlenose dolphins. On land, you can visit cloud forests to spot the Resplendent Quetzal, whose ruby red and emerald green markings flow into its stunningly long tail, or admire the vibrant colours of elegant orchids. Alternatively, the mycologists among you can become acquainted with an enchanting population of fungi that includes more than 11,000 species, and those who are more interested in pomology can venture into the cactus scrublands to hunt down prickly pears. One island that exemplifies the diversity of the Caribbean is the popular Barbados. This small coral island is part of the Lesser Antilles island arc and was originally two landmasses that have gradually merged, creating a paradise that can’t be faulted… OCEAN VIEW 23 Photo by Nacho Pintos ©
The Beauty of Barbados After 50 years of independence, Barbados is the most idyllic holiday destination, and one that ticks all the right boxes for a fun, interesting and relaxing experience in paradise
The origin of the name ‘Barbados’ is something of a mystery. It is derived from a Spanish or Portuguese word that means ‘the bearded ones’, but it is unclear who the bearded ones were. Perhaps it refers to the bearded fig trees that grow there, or maybe the bearded inhabitants? Or, more romantically, it could allude to the ‘beard’ of sea foam generated by wave action on the reefs. If the sea foam is this heavenly island’s beard, then the coral shore beaches of golden sand on the west coast are its halo. They slope gently into a warm, blue-green sea where snorkelers and scuba divers are sure to find their paradise. This is an ideal holiday 24 OCEAN VIEW
setting for people both young and old, for families and for loved-up couples alike. But watch out for the nesting turtles! Barbados has everything: white sand beaches, luxurious resorts, sunshine and heat all year round, calm seas, a rugged and interesting topography, friendly locals, plenty to explore on land and at sea, and a rich history to be discovered. Located in the East of the Caribbean, Barbados is easily accessible, and benefits from a cooling northeast Trade Wind to stifle the 30 degree plus heat all year round. The Caribbean year is divided into two seasons: ‘wet’ and ‘dry’. From June to November, there is a risk of hurricanes, but ideally
Barbados sits comfortably outside the hurricane belt, which arcs to the northwest of the island. With a population of approximately 285,000, this is one of the most populated Caribbean islands, along with Aruba and Cuba. On its west coast, coral reefs line the fine white sand beaches, colouring the water a beautiful blue-green, and tempting divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. The east coast provides lively surf supplied by the strong winds and a rocky, dramatic shoreline, offering an interesting geography and room for adventure. Head more towards the mainland and you’ll find an array of beautiful flora and fauna, rolling hills,
Photo by Jean-Marc Astesana ©
tropical trees and wildlife, and deep ridges and gullies, among the vibrant cities and towns. Here, hills culminate in Barbados’ highest point: Mount Hillaby. Geologically, Barbados is unique, being actually two landmasses that merged together over the years to form a now 21-mile-long and 14-mile-wide island. This, and other anomalies, makes this Caribbean island quite phenomenal, and there are geological structures that you will find only in Barbados. The Big Anniversary November 30th is a special day every year in Barbados, and a great time to visit, but
2016 is made all the more special as it’s the 50th anniversary of their independence. Barbados remained a British colony after the first English settlement in Holetown until this day in 1966, when they achieved their independence. Since then, Barbadians from all over the island have celebrated annually, raising their national flag and celebrating the first play of their national anthem all those years ago. Independence Day on the island is celebrated throughout the month of November with sporting competitions, fairs, community events, religious services and, of course, a grand parade at the site of the original ceremony: Garrison Savannah. This year will be even bigger and better
than previous years with such a huge milestone! Colour is everywhere for this special celebration, with decorative lighting on the Parliament Buildings (the third oldest parliament in the world), in Independence Square, surrounding the Independence Arch and blue and gold coloured bulbs – the national colours – everywhere to be seen. The people are equally celebrated at this special time with the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), which showcases the artistic talents of Barbadians, in such fields as: music, singing, dance, drama, writing, fine art, photography and arts and crafts. OCEAN VIEW 25
Tenerife - La Caleta to Las Americas
Photo by Brook Ward © Photo by alfback2003 ©
A Bit of History Holetown, where the British first made settlement, was originally named Jamestown, after its benefactor, King James I of England. It then acquired the name Holetown due to the offloading and cleaning of ships in the small channel of the town itself. This town is now a hub of activity, with a local festival filling the streets each February, shops showcasing local arts, crafts and fashion, and several popular beachside restaurants. Bridgetown, the capital and commercial centre of Barbados, has a population of approximately 110,000 and is the largest and arguably most vibrant city on the island. This wonderful, cultural and exciting city reflects all that Barbados has to offer: the old and the new. It hosts a range of historic sites and buildings, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as 26 OCEAN VIEW
large, modern multi-story commercial buildings and shopping malls. With the tremulous Atlantic Ocean and calm Caribbean Sea surrounding the island, the water is a large part of life, and the amount of yachts, catamarans and fishing boats that dock in the heart of the city proves just that – not to mention one of the most popular cruise ship stops. Just wandering around the streets of Barbados will allow you to sense the life that seeps out of every corner of this island, with street vendors selling all kinds of local produce, always with a smile, and locals making the most of the shopping and sights and going about their everyday lives. Barbadians, or Bajans, have consistently been recognised as extremely friendly in their nature, with visitors labeling it as one of the island’s greatest assets. This may explain the large repeat visitor rate!
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Recently the family got together for Jimmy’s 90th birthday
40 YEARS
for the Best of Barbados!
Sue Trew, now owner of the Best of Barbados Gift Shops in Barbados, tells their family’s story of how their unique shops came to be, and what the future holds It is with a great sense of pride that our family looks back over the last forty years and remembers the early beginnings of our chain of unique gifts shops. It was the vision of my parents, Jill and Jimmy Walker who, with no retail experience, decided to try a new concept – a shop that would sell items all made in Barbados. My Father met my Mother after he was posted to Guyana in 1954 by the British Government (then British Guiana) for a period of three months to advise on the setting up of a low cost housing programme, and after which he was offered a two year contract as Architect for the project: Jimmy Walker says: “I was one of two lucky 28 OCEAN VIEW
bachelors invited to dinner by friends to meet a young lady who was arriving by freighter from England that morning as their guest. I soon discovered this lady, Jill, was a wonderful artist. After Hurricane Janet hit Barbados in September 1955, I was asked to go up to the island to give urgent architectural help. Jill followed me there and soon became my wife. “When the time came to return to the UK, instead of returning by regular ocean liner we decided to take three months visiting as many of the Caribbean islands as possible as it was unlikely that we would ever be back again. “While in Antigua, Jill displayed three
of her pen and wash paintings of the Caribbean in the hope of selling them. She was successful and soon got offered several commissions from an architect called Robertson ‘Happy’ Ward, who also offered me a partnership with a fixed salary for the first two years!” In 1975, my father was turning fifty and decided on a change of direction. He resigned from Robertson Ward Associates, the firm of architects in which he’d been a partner for seventeen years, deciding to join his business acumen with my mother’s artistic talents. Their friends, Budge and Cynthia O’Hara of Coral Reef Club, had offered them a shop at the Sandpiper Inn.
BEST OF BARBADOS
Jill in her early 20s
Father, Jimmy Walker says: “I had always felt that the extraordinary artistic talent of my wife was massively underused. She had continued her beautiful oil painting and had already recorded in pen and wash a large number of the traditional buildings in Antigua and Barbados, successfully selling prints of them. Could we build a business on that?” Yes they could. And it was there at the Sandpiper Inn, in November 1975 that the doors first opened to what was to become a hugely successful family business, important to both the island’s many visitors and talented craft persons. In Barbados at that time, local handicraft was very limited and unemployment high, so their plan was to encourage local craft and bring about employment while doing something that they loved. Some advised them against it. How could you stock a whole shop with items all made in Barbados and make a success of it? As they found, it wasn’t easy and it took a lot of hard work, but today we are delighted they were not dissuaded. My parents were a little surprised - but of course delighted - by the success of their first shop and soon began to expand into other locations. One of the main attractions for visitors was the wall of Jill Walker pen and wash prints. Mum had a way of
Daughter Holly Trew drawing her new placemat and napkin designs
Screen printing turtle pillowcases by Sue Trew
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BEST OF BARBADOS
Swimming with turtles
One of Sue Trew’s paintings of turtles called Clear Waters
capturing the people and the architecture of her adopted homeland that was unique. They sold by the thousands! These prints continue to be taken all over the world, advertising Barbados wherever they go and in many cases are now a record of the changes that have taken place on the island in the past forty years. Designing busily in her studio every day, my Mum soon realised that her popular Jill Walker designs were being limited by what could be produced on the island, so they expanded the range to be ‘made or designed in Barbados.’ This opened the doors to a much wider line of gifts, but which were still unique to the island. My Dad dreamt of having the second generation all working in the business and so it has turned out, though maybe not quite as he planned. My sisters’ paths eventually led them elsewhere and it was in February 1990 that my husband Chris and I were invited by my parents to join the business. We all worked well together, managing what had become a large and thriving business with up to fourteen locations plus wholesale and export. Looking back, I can’t believe how we did it! Of course our staff have been amazing, working hard to keep up the standards set – all of us being adamant 30 OCEAN VIEW
“We worked well together, managing what had become a large and thriving business”
Sue and Chris Trew
that we are the ‘Best of Barbados’ not the ‘Second Best of Barbados’! When my parents retired in 1997 - and in the interest of sanity - Chris and I gradually changed the business to incorporate the five key locations we have today. We continue to market Barbados, inviting our customers to ‘shop for sunshine’ by buying art and gifts for their home to remind them of our magic isle until they come back again. Happily, we often meet customers who say their homes are filled with Jill Walker! What will the future hold? Who knows exactly, but we do know that Best of Barbados Gift Shops has played an important part in Barbados these past 40 years, something that was recognised in the year 2000 when my Mum was one of 100 persons awarded the Barbados Centennial Honour (BCH) for her contribution to art and business. She was very honoured to be recognised in this way by her adopted country.
Bring Barbados Home...
with our sunny range of quality merchandise created by many talented Barbadians. A family run business, featuring three generations of art! The Chattel Village, Holetown Quayside Centre, Rockley, Southern Palms Hotel, The Gap Airport Departure Lounge Bridgetown Cruise Terminal
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Columbia Beach Resort A luxurious all-suite hideaway on the south west coast of Cyprus
The five star Columbia Beach Resort is established as one of the most exclusive hotels in Cyprus, boasting a stunning secluded location on the 2km Blue Flag beach of Pissouri Bay. This award-winning hotel* is one of only two on this panoramic bay, both owned by the Columbia Hotels & Resorts group. The distinctive architecture of the Resort is inspired by local Cypriot buildings featuring low rise buildings in local stone. Reclaimed terracotta tiles, shutters on the windows and an abundance of natural wood give the Resort a discreetly aged and traditional look, landscaped so that old and new blend together. The 95 suites in this allsuite hotel are arranged in ‘villas’ clustered around the 80m infinity pool surrounded by 32 OCEAN VIEW
rugged cliffs and acres of vineyards in the valley behind. The atmosphere is calm, luxurious, away from everyday life. Guests enjoy cool marble floors and quality furnishings in natural colours in harmony with the landscape. Some suites have their own plunge pools, all boast the latest technology. Bathrooms are large with double sinks, enormous baths and separate showers. Visitors to the Columbia Beach Resort enjoy Molton Brown guest amenities in all rooms. This is the ultimate in discreet opulence. The Resort has an award-winning spa called Hébe (after the mythical goddess of youth) offering the anti-ageing beauty and luxury British spa and skincare brand Elemis, and now, the one and only spa in
Cyprus to possess the ELEMIS BIOTEC machine, Hébe Spa’s fully-trained and conscientious therapists can now deliver 8 new highly-effective, super-charged facial treatments to re-boot cellular performance, enhancing the skin’s ability to repair, renew and re-tone. This intimate and stylish spa also offers a Medi-Spa range that mimics cosmetic surgery without invasive needles or chemicals. Along with their own bespoke Signature Treatments based on Cyprus’s finest natural ingredients. The spa facilities include six treatment rooms, a spa bath, a plunge pool, sauna and steam room as well as a hair salon. The seasonally heated swimming pool that dominates this elegant spa flows into the outdoor pool and inside is flanked by the
Temple Lounge with numerous relaxation beds. A separate consultation area is draped for privacy. This is a paradise for the body and for the soul. For a more active break there are two squash courts and flood-lit tennis courts on site, a first class gym and an aerobics hall with regular fitness sessions, Pilates and yoga classes. A great range of water-sports is available in the bay including Windsurfing and Hobie Cat sailing where regular mid strength winds and warm clear waters make exceptional conditions for learning these activities. For cycling enthusiasts, a professional cycling centre is on site, under the direction of 2 time former Swiss cycling champion, Thomas Wegmüller, offering mechanical, guided and rental-services. Golfers benefit from the island’s yearround mild climate and the challenge of four championship courses in the vicinity. Eating well is part of the luxury experience at Columbia Beach Resort. Speciality local cuisine is available in the Apollo Taverna, including the Cypriot meze and gourmet Italian restaurant Bacchus offers delicacies from Michelin star trained Executive Chef Ioannis Giakoumides.
The Resort features four bars; the Eros bar, perfect for pre-dinner drinks looking out over Cape Aspro, the Apollo Ouzeri for more traditional refreshment, the Pool Bar for those who can’t leave the superb lagoon pool and a Beach Bar overlooking the Mediterranean from the lawns of the Resort. Nestling into the grounds of the Resort is the All Saints Chapel decorated by a local artist, now an exclusive place to be married looking out to the Bay of Pissouri. The Columbia Beach Resort offers advice and guidance for guests of all denominations wishing to marry in the chapel and for all the celebrations afterwards. Business guests use the Columbia Beach Resort for elegant conferences and management seminars.
“The spa facilities include six treatment rooms, a spa bath, a plunge pool, sauna and steam room as well as a hair salon”
*(Mediterranean’s Leading Spa Resort 2015 & 2009, Cyprus Leading Resort 2013-14, and Cyprus’ Leading Spa Resort 2012, 2011 and 2008, all from World Travel AwardsTripadvisors Travelers’ Choice® awards Top Hotel & Top Luxury Hotel 2015 and 2014, International Hotel Awards Best Spa HotelCyprus 2012-13) www.columbiaresort.com OCEAN VIEW 33
A Unique Day Out Looking for something different to do with friends, family or a loved one in the New Year? In London you’ll find a range of weird and wonderful experiences to keep you entertained, and some you simply cannot over visualise As a Christmas gift to my partner one year, I decided that I needed to get something really unusual. I’m not a fan of expected presents; I’m more of a surprise-lover and my partner is too. So, where’s the best place to look for the weird and whacky in this world? London comes pretty high up on the list, and has a huge amount of online facilities for looking-up what’s on and where to go. Our capital city has become renowned for the unexpected, and for its diversity, with every area of London stamped with a unique feel and independent shops, cafes and restaurants and new ideas popping up on every street corner. 34 OCEAN VIEW
Dining in the Dark I came across one of the most different restaurants I had ever seen: Dans Le Noir. This is certainly not a place for fussy eaters, or those scared of the dark, as the name suggests. Eating in complete darkness, this restaurant offers a true gastronomical and taste sensation adventure. It’s a sensory journey, with a side of social conviviality that will sweep you off your feet (hopefully not literally) and is simply the most unusual way of eating – perfect for a first date and more than ideal as a gift! Sitting in a pitch black room with no way of knowing who is next to you, who is opposite you, how
big the room is, what the floor or the walls look like, and most importantly, where your cutlery or glasses are truly pushes the boundaries of your perceptions, allowing you an insight into the world of the blind, who guide you through the process: walk you in, sit you down, serve you and accommodate your needs. Not being able to see completely heightens your senses to what you’re eating – at least when you’re able to actually get your food in your mouth and not around it. This evening starts with a briefing on what it’s going to be like in the dining room. It’s odd writing this, considering I
still don’t know what the room looked like, how big it was, or how many other people were in there – if any. You then meet your waiter or waitress for the evening, who is blind themselves, who instructs you to put your hand on their shoulder and follow them carefully down some stairs and into your seat. Like a toddler learning the ropes, you are taught how to pour your own glass of wine – not that much like a toddler – and informed as to the whereabouts of your cutlery. In all honesty, I ended up using my hands much more than my fork because nine times out of ten, I would think I was cutting something up to be delicately placed on my fork, but when I received it there was no food to be found. I felt my way
around the plate like a Neanderthal, and it was fantastic! My partner and I both were constantly guessing at what we were eating, even at things like what colour the food was; a strange concept to get our heads around when you’re so used to simply automatically, almost robotically registering the colour of your food. Once the three beautiful courses are done with (or two should you choose that), you are escorted out of the pitch-black room, back to where the evening began. You’re met with a slightly smug looking host, who proceeds to test you on what you thought you ate. Luckily, neither of us was too far wrong, but there were still a huge amount of surprises when we saw the real pictures of OCEAN VIEW 35
our imagined plates. By the end of the night, I had learned so much about my perception of food, and just every day life: how easy it is for us to pour wine, to aim food into our mouths, to find our seat without even thinking. I found myself considering whether the congenitally blind even had a scope of imagination, and how they learn to visualize stimuli around them – it’s amazing really. Price: The restaurant offers 4 different Surprise Menus at £46 for 2 courses, £54 for 3 courses, and varying more expensive packages to include champagne, cocktails or matching wines: White Menu (Chef’s surprise), Red Menu (for meat lovers), Blue Menu (for seafood lovers) and Green Menu (for vegetarians). Address: 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, EC1R 0DU The Escape Rooms Escape Rooms are the new thing – yes, you can do this everywhere, but some of the best ones are in London. I have only done one myself, but there is a vast range of different escape room experiences you can undertake, and all have their own quirks and adventure twists. This was, again, a gift idea (I do like to be different), but I can’t claim to have had it myself. My friend actually was taken on a first date to an escape room. Now I know what you’re thinking, this doesn’t sound overly ‘PC’, but I assure you it is. The Escape Room experience, as it’s traditionally known, is essentially a game involving you and a group of friends – usually from 3 to 5 people – solving some form of mystery or logic puzzle. If you like games, puzzles, quizzes, conundrums, riddles, adventure, then this is for you. My experience took place in Lady Chastity’s Reserve. This was, in fact a story based around a brothel owner, but it was in a very salubrious venue: the Four Thieves Pub in Clapham, London. The pub itself is a wonderful place, with huge brewery pipes lining the walls, a tank behind a huge glass cabinet and a gin garden. No, not a beer garden, a gin garden. Here you can taste 36 OCEAN VIEW
their very own gin, flavoured with all kinds of herbs and spices, all served along with the perfect tonic. Lady Chastity’s Reserve is an immersive group gaming experience that lasts an hour. This is one of the few escape room experiences that can be done with just two people – that’s what I did, and it worked extremely well. We met our creepy, humorous and brilliantly expert actor-comegame-host, Gabriel next to the bar, who led us into a darkened corridor, down some stairs to be asked some simple riddles. He told us the back-story of Lady Chastity and then the game began – we had to answer a riddle to unlock the door to get into the room. Once inside, we were thrown into the game, solving clue after clue, unlocking chests, finding clues out of pieces of paper, using UV lights: the works. This experience, as with most of the ‘escape rooms’ across the country is designed for more than 2 players, but my friend and I both agreed that it would have felt a little cramped, and also gotten confused with more than two, and certainly more than 3. I believe this one was, however
an up-and-coming escape room, with more popular or well-attended ones perhaps having more room to solve the mysteries. There are also different types of mysteries to solve: some offer more of a logical puzzle, and others more of a murder mystery vibe. Either way, I highly recommend doing one. Price: Varies. Lady Chastity’s Reserve, run by Handmade Mysteries, cost £19 each (Peak) or £15.50 (Off-Peak). Others vary from £21 each up to £28. Address: Lady Chastity’s Reserve at The Four Thieves Pub: 51 Lavender Gardens, London SW11 1DJ. This has more recently also opened in Brighton, at the Black Lion pub: 14 Black Lion St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1ND. Some other top picks of unusual experiences in London that I would recommend, as either a gift or a day out for yourself with a group of friends or family, are: 1. The Cat Café 2. The Puppet Barge Theatre 3. The Sky Garden
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Madrid A Day in
One day is certainly not enough in this wonderfully cultural, modern and cosmopolitan city, but if you do just have a limited time, here is an overview of how to fill your day so to make the most of it
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Spanish culture is something to be admired. Walking through the streets of Madrid, the cosmopolitan centre of Spain, you get a feel for the laid-back, calm but also passionate atmosphere. The people of Madrid are – much to my delight – passionate about good Spanish food. The first thing I wanted to do was to find a Plaza somewhere, and eat tapas with ‘una cerveza’. I managed to remember some Spanish whilst out there, and this proved very useful; locals, unlike in most other major European countries, prefer to speak their home language than English. This is always something that has frustrated me in other countries – the guilt of not being fluent in Italian, French or German has always bothered me enough to buy a book of phrases and try my best to perfect the mother tongue. In Czechoslovakia, these attempts were to no avail, and I wandered the streets, guessing at words. I knew a small amount of Spanish, but hadn’t used it 40 OCEAN VIEW
in years, however I very much enjoyed the challenge of trying to remember and speak the language – plus I could see the gratitude in the locals’ eyes for my attempts, even if they fell flat after a confused look and a: “Que?” I very easily found an ideal place to relax, sit and watch the world go by whilst I ate my first serving of tapas in Plaza Santa Ana. Plaza Santa Ana is a popular area in the city for just what I was using it for, and also, I learned for its nightlife with lots of great bars and restaurants and small surrounding streets, which make the square itself feel almost like a cubby hole. Where I was sat was on one big terrace filled with tables and seats, making for a great atmosphere. I had what they called ‘toast’, but it was, in reality two lovely slices of bread with fresh cheese and prosciutto ham. I drank my local beer and headed onto the next stop on my whistle stop tour, winding my way through
the streets, through Puerta Del Sol to La Plaza Mayor. This is perhaps the most grand of Madrid’s plazas. This popular city square is enclosed by buildings with nine entrance archways – which made map-reading a bit of a chore when trying to meander my way through to my next destination. The square itself is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, with a bronze statue of King Philip III on a horse as its centrepiece. Wandering from plaza to plaza, you find the most extraordinary sights and, in particular some fantastic food markets! The Mercado San Miguel is a foodie’s heaven on earth. I was lucky to come across it on my travels as I was not only keen to experience true Spanish food and culture that encompasses Madrid, but I was also on a search for the perfect Paella – which I’m happy to say I found. Within the Mercado, there are rows and rows of food stalls with cheeses, wines, beers, shellfish, antipasti and ice cream, all with opportunities for passers by to try. I had a bowl of delicious paella with a glass of red wine and carried on wandering the market. The colours and smells were overwhelmingly vibrant and potent, with a real feel that every customer and dealer in that market was bound by their love of food. Once my eyes had outgrown my stomach, I headed onwards to the Catedral de la Almundena – a fairly simplistic looking building next to the grand Palace, yet when you step inside, it’s an entirely different story. The height of the ceiling, the detail in the decoration and the beautiful stone walls filled with wooden pews made for a wonderful sight. Just a short walk from here is the Royal Palace, and it’s hard to miss in its vastness and colonial dominance. This is Madrid’s largest, and arguably most beautiful building, located next to the Plaza de Oriente and hosting lovely gardens, called the Campo del Moro, which are simply perfect to stroll around on a warm and sunny afternoon. The gardens are very peaceful, and extremely well cared for, with elaborate bush cuttings and fountains. The Royal Palace itself demands a small fee to enter, and contains furniture, tapestries, paintings and ceramics as well
“This is not a place to enjoy nature, but is somewhere to wonder at the diverse architecture and cultural influences of the city”
as a range of other important works of art by Velázquez and Goya. It received over 1 million visitors each year, and is therefore one of Europe’s most important museums. Just a short walk from the Palace lies the Plaza de España. This is a large and popular square with tourists, located bang in the centre of Madrid at the end of the Gran Via. This is a lovely place to relax in, between tourist stops, with its prominent monument of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, bordered by two of Madrid’s largest skyscrapers. This is not a place to enjoy nature, but is somewhere to wonder at the diverse architecture and cultural influences of the city. Luckily, everything you wish to see in Madrid is either a simple walk through wonderfully quaint and scenic alleyways and plazas, or a quick stop on the Metro. It took me perhaps three journeys on the underground Metro to get my bearings, after which point it was as easy as catching a bus. The underground is also a far more sophisticated place than, for example, the London underground, with enough space to ponder on where to go next without getting barged into, and a generally calmer atmosphere. The trains themselves are even more spacious and cleaner. This is a city that simply can’t be disliked. It’s got something for everyone, and each corner you turn holds a new attraction, new monument, and new piece of history or culture. OCEAN VIEW 41
The Colours of Barcelona
The cultural and creative centre of Spain awaits you. Embark on a journey through the history of art, architecture, religion and food in this wonderful city
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Famed for being Gaudi’s playground, where his fantastical dreams of candy-topped scoops and curves have been (and still are being) turned into magnificent realities, Barcelona is a jewel in the cultural crown of Spain. It sits perched on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea with the Collserola mountains as a backdrop, and has done since Roman times. The city is a layering of histories, whose various strata poke up from the Roman ruins underfoot as an extravagant display of architectural forms. Over the centuries, different waves of Christians, Jews, and Muslims have woven a beautiful patchwork of buildings. Strolling down the broad, sunny boulevards and the cobblestone lanes, you will find yourself mesmerized by intricate Catalan Gothic embellishments, admiring Art Nouveau details, and peering up at Modernist splendour. From hilltop castles and Gaudi cathedrals to Postmodern towers and Olympic stadiums, Barcelona boasts them all. It is lacking in none. Perhaps owing to its makeup, the Catalonian capital has a strong cosmopolitan feel. And despite political tensions with the rest of Spain, all cultures are embraced and celebrated here. The spires of the Sagrada Família stand proudly above a city that is peppered with museums dedicated to Miró, Picasso, contemporary art, design… and the list goes on. But there is one new player who has stepped onto the scene, promising to make a significant contribution to the enrichment and expansion of Barcelona’s cultural fabric. Fundación Mapfre has opened an exhibition hall at the heart of the city, in its ‘Ensanche’ district. Their programme of major exhibitions, focused on the birth of Modernism, 20th century masters of photography, and internationally acclaimed artists, will be sure to have you returning time and again to Barcelona. The building, ‘Casa Garriga-Nogués’, is an iconic Modernist structure that is an attraction in itself. It has been renovated under the guidance of acclaimed architect Jordi Garcés, who remodelled the Barcelona Picasso Museum. Through the entrance, a grand and sweeping marble staircase twists up towards 44 OCEAN VIEW
the stained glass roof by which it is lit. And with your gaze turned upward, you will notice elaborately decorated ceilings whose patterns spill out over the cornices. Moving down the hall and into the exhibition, ‘The Triumph of Colour: From Van Gogh to Matisse’, small bursts of colour gleam against a deep, purpleblue background. These paintings of water, chosen by the curator to mirror Barcelona’s close affinity with the sea, are the masterpieces that marked the beginning of the move away from Impressionism and towards the avant-garde. Or at least a selection of them, on loan from the Musée D’Orsay—it is the first time the museum has held an exhibition in Barcelona. The works on display are divided into four sections that take you on a journey through this radically transformative period in European art. Beginning with Scientific Colour, we see how the NeoImpressionists, informed by recent scientific studies, were inspired to use a technique
called Pointillism. Points of colour were juxtaposed on the canvas to intensify their richness, in a sort of ‘pixelation’ of the image. Seurat’s work stands as a prime example. The next room is dedicated to Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School. Here, a group of striking pictures represents the strides made by Gauguin and Bernard in their efforts to develop a new form of painting: Synthetism. Evolving out of Neo-Impressionism, their characteristic use of silhouetted outlines and flat, symbolic colours makes for dramatic imagery. From Synthetism, we move on to The Nabis, prophets of a new art, which opens with a painted panel, ‘Talisman’, humble in size. This colourful piece represents a “[liberation] from all the yokes that the idea of copying brought to painters’ instincts” (Maurice Denis). The break away from imitation opened up a world of interpretation, and the string of small artworks in this section has a markedly
mysterious tone. The focus is turned inward rather than outward. And finally, we have Free Colour. By the early 20th century, artists were using pure, vibrant hues without restraint. And what better way to demonstrate this than with works by Monet, Picasso, and Matisse? You can feel the joy they found in playfully creating free and flowing works, in which colour was applied with abandon. Fundación Mapfre has landed in Barcelona with a bang—or certainly with a colourful splash. At a time when the Spanish government has recently increased its tax on culture almost three-fold, the Foundation’s dedication to arts and culture is made clear by the fact that it is one of very few museums in Barcelona to offer free entry. So, be sure to get along to Casa GarrigaNogués, if not in time for this exhibition, then for one of their future shows. It is guaranteed to be a highlight of your time in the beautiful Barcelona. OCEAN VIEW 45
Top 10 Delicacies
from Around the World A compilation of some of the top delicacies across the globe to add to consider sampling
Huitlacoche A food for which credit is owed to the Aztecs, Huitlacoche—also known as Corn Smut—is fungus that grows on maize. It forms galls that grow on all aboveground parts of the plant, which Mexicans then harvest and use as a filling in tortilla-based foods to give them a sweet, woody, mushroom-like flavour.
Creative Commons - By kattebelletje
46 OCEAN VIEW Creative Commons - By Kirk K
Century Eggs The name given to this Chinese culinary creation is a little misleading because the duck, chicken or quail egg is in fact preserved in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls for just a few months. But that is long enough to turn the yolk a dark green and the white into a translucent, brown jelly. Despite the intensified odour of sulphur and ammonia, it tastes just the same as a regular egg.
Creative
Habu Snake The venomous habu snake belongs to the pit viper family and is native to Southeast Asia and a number of large island groups nearby. In Okinawa, Japanese winemakers drown the snake in awamori, a clear alcoholic liquid with herbs and honey, causing the snake to release its venom. Once aged, the resulting beverage is said to have medicinal properties that enhance the male libido.
Smalahove Traditionally eaten by impoverished Norwegians before Christmas, Smalahove is now a delicacy. A lamb’s head has its skin and fleece torched and brain removed before being salted and dried. It is then boiled for three hours and usually served with potatoes.
Creative Commons - By fjords
Creative Commons - By John Brian Silverio
Balut Originating in the Philippines and now a common street food throughout Southeast Asia, balut is the fertilised egg of a duck OCEAN VIEW 47 (with developing embryo inside) boiled and eaten, shell and all. This popular delicacy is often served with beer to wash it down— and perhaps to help fog the consumer’s memory of it!
Fried Tarantula Not one for the arachnophobes among us, this Cambodian delight has grown in popularity in recent years, becoming something of a tourist attraction—no doubt more for the fact that it is a spider than for its bland flavour. The special species of tarantula, which are about the size of a person’s palm, are bred in holes in the ground in villages close to the busy market town of Skuon, or foraged for in nearby forestland. They are then fried in oil until the legs are crispy.
Creative Commons - By Cristiano Oliveira
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Escamoles Could be macaroni cheese, could be buttery beans, it’s not, it’s the larvae of ants that are found on the tequila plant. This Mexican delicacy is sometimes known as insect caviar, yum. First consumed by the Aztecs, this unassuming dish consists of the edible larvae and pupae of Liometopum ants. Harvesting them from the roots of tequila and maguey plants is no mean feat, though, because the ants themselves are giant, aggressive critters with venomous bites. But this serves to add a zing of excitement to the nutty, buttery flavour of the ‘insect caviar’.
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A PERFECT
End To The Year
Say farewell to 2015 and hello of 2016! The Christmas and New Year deserve a little tribute, and how better to greet the New Year than with a truly unique travel experience? OV brings you a range of original ideas; with so much to choose from in this world, we’re sure you will find your ideal getaway. Aurora borealis in the Norwegian fjords
For more than a century ships have plied the wild coast of Europe under the midnight sun in summer and through the polar nights of winter. The Coastal Express is not a cruise; it is a regular service which sails under the flag of the postal service. And yet there are thousands of travellers every year who climb aboard these ships to take the northern route. On board, your time is spent living the life of a traveller, your aim to get excited at the isolated northern communities and to marvel under the rugged peaks of
the Arctic. Here there are neither luxurious cabins, nor cinemas, casinos, discos; no unnecessary services distracting you from the magnificent adventure. The boat crosses the world’s most beautiful coastline where you can take a night safari on snowmobiles, and see the aurora borealis or Northern Cape to welcome the New Year with fireworks. Passengers aboard some of the more popular cruises, for instance on the Hurtigruten, will enjoy culinary Norwegian Christmas traditions like Julekake, a sweet Christmas bread with raisins, candied lemon peel, nuts and cardamom, houses made of gingerbread
or the traditional ‘Julegrot’ Norwegian, Christmas porridge.
Dismiss the year eating lentils in Sicily
Italian tradition says that if you want a very happy New Year, on the night of 31st December, forget the past and look to the future by eating grapes and lentils. The more you eat, the better the year. If you want to follow the Italian tradition, one of the best places to do this is in Sicily, the island of Baroque, Greek temples, Roman villas, Norman cathedrals, sailors of Mediterranean OCEAN VIEW 51
PERFECT END TO THE YEAR gastronomy, intricate geography and much more. The nature seems to have intended this land all its wonders: mountains, hills and especially the sea, with its incredible colours, water clarity and beauty of its seabed making it unique. In this land, the Mediterranean offers scenery, scents and intense flavours that only unspoiled nature can offer.
Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia Herzegovina
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is definitely the pearl of the Croatian Adriatic. Founded by refugees from Epidaurus in Greece, the medieval Dubrovnik was the most important city-state after Greece. The Old Town, Stari Grad, retains a lot of monuments in memory of the time, and has a wonderful town that invites the traveller to travel back in time with it and feel the warmth of the people who live there with marble-paved squares, cobblestone streets, monasteries, churches, fountains and museums, all built with the same light-coloured stone, like the impressive wall that surrounds it.
The New Year with a dip in Dutch waters
What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a dip in the icy waters of the North Sea, Wadden Sea or Lake IJssel? In 1959, the tradition began: A New Year’s dip in the Netherlands summoned 28 people on the beach in Zandvoort, near Amsterdam. At present, there are now 45,000 people who gather in this town to dive in its almost frozen waters in January. Today, 89 locations in the Netherlands offer the chance to enjoy this fun activity. Beaches like those of Scheveningen, The Hague and Bloemendaal, near Amsterdam; some of the Frisian islands such as Texel, Vlieland and Ameland; localities and lakeside IJssel, as Hoorn or Medemblik, provide brave individuals the opportunity to welcome the new year with a dip in icy waters. The experience is also open to those who practice nudism, since there are three events organised for this group on the beach at Zandvoort in
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PERFECT END TO THE YEAR the other charms of the Czech Republic. The attractive combination of Gothic and Baroque architecture, art nouveau and cubist, grandiose squares and romantic alleys, solitary and a quiet living environment has made it one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Prague is a city full of monuments; it’s a monument in itself. You have to appreciate as a whole, but also enjoy every single detail. One of the most attractive trips are ones with the musical component that allows you to enjoy the great musical range of the Czech capital.
Forget the world in Antarctica
Oostzaan Twiske and Leeuwarden. Despite shivering in the cold, in these events, companionship and complicity breathes among the participants, who dedicate their dip to a good cause - the money raised by each entrant is always given to charity.
A different Christmas in Iceland
Christmas in Iceland starts in early December, when many begin to decorate their houses except the tree, which is decorated on 23rd December - and the same lights are on when the bells of the churches disrupt celebrations 6 pm on Christmas Eve. Iceland does not have the same tradition as in other countries such as Santa Claus. Here it is said that 13 naughty trolls called “Yulemen”, from 12th to 24th December descend on Bláfjöll Blue Mountain, located around Reykjavik, and do pranks on children who have misbehaved, whilst letting those who have been good have small gifts or sweets at home. There is a special meal for each day: the 23rd December, or St. Thorlakur’s Day, includes a fermented fish, on December 24th, Hamborgahryggur,
pig or roast lamb is cooked, or grouse or turkey. On December 25th, or Jóladagur hangikjöt, lightly smoked ham or warm lamb with potatoes, peas, and red cabbage is eaten. Finally on December 26th, or Annar Jóladagur, locals eat what is left from the previous day. If you do travel here around this time, you should endeavour to see the beautiful glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón and discover the Vatnajökull National Park in eastern Iceland. There you can visit a unique ice cave, which very few people have visited. At night you go out to hunt for the legendary aurora borealis. You’ll also see waterfalls, geysers erupting, glaciers, black sand beaches, and you can relax in the famous Blue Lagoon (Laguna Azul).
“The highlight of Christmas and New Year in Madeira is the spectacular fireworks display on the night of December 31st”
End the year musically in Prague
Czechs often refer to their capital as Maticka Praha, “little mother Prague”, because largely it has been born and grown throughout the country’s culture and its inordinate beauty has eclipsed
This is no ordinary trip, only for very determined people with money to spare. Antarctica is the least familiar territory in the world, a place of adventurers’ and explorers’ dreams that will captivate you with its wild nature and wildlife. See whales, penguins, seals and more in one of the most remote, coldest and most inhospitable places on earth. Through a foray of ice, you will find sights you never thought possible, on Livingston Island, Aitcho Island and Deception Island, where you have to go into a crater flooded by the sea. In Neptune’s Bellows is where, if time permits, you can enjoy a thermal bath in hot water. Through Paradise Bay and Port Lockroy, after crossing the Strait of Lemaire will reach the “Site Kodak” at Petermann Island, named for its photogenic quality. If you want some epic pictures and stories to tell for the new year, this is the thing to do.
Retreat to Morocco
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself immersed in a dream place, surrounded by peace and tranquility, where the cares of everyday life are thousands of kilometres away. Leave everything to dedicate yourself to the care of your body and mind through exercise, meditation and contact with nature. For all this, we suggest a retreat trip to Morocco, the country of fascinating contrasts. You go over unusual landscapes, such as the “route of the thousand Kasbahs” and contemplate immense valleys, oases and palm groves. OCEAN VIEW 53
“ a
PERFECT END TO THE YEAR Visit “the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou” and enjoy an unforgettable stay in the desert of Merzouga, where you can perform many activities, such as yoga, meditation, reiki, or dance. In addition, you have the opportunity here to sleep under the stars in a traditional “bvouac” or ride a camel through the big dunes of Erg-Chebbi, under the unusual setting of this unique place in the world, the Sahara Desert: A peaceful and harmonious environment.
In Li – en O sh m w
Explore Paradise in The Seychelles
The Seychelles is a paradise on earth, with more than a hundred islands of which only a third are inhabited. Scattered and lost in the Indian Ocean, this is a special place, thanks to its climate, its landscape and exceptional flora and fauna. What is more surprising is its geography, with alternating flat coral islands, plus the colour of its waters with coral reef and mountainous terrain. Other than its tiny capital, Victoria, located on the largest of the islands, the landscape is unspoilt, with low buildings, granite formations sculpted by the waves, lush vegetation, bays, coves and wonderful beaches. The crown jewel is an intense blue sky that the sun turns red and yellow. As earthly paradise islands are the best that can be found in our blue planet, if relaxation is your goal, you have chosen one of the correct destinations.
M R su
Enjoy the most beautiful fireworks in the world in Madeira
The highlight of Christmas and New Year in Madeira is the spectacular fireworks display on the night of December 31st. It’s officially recognis ed by the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 as the largest fireworks show in the world, and the program begins in December with the official opening of the Christmas lights in the streets of downtown Funchal. These parties include a rich and extensive program of cultural, religious, ethnographic and artistic displays extending throughout the month of December and ending with the celebration of Epiphany. The 54 OCEAN VIEW
A fireworks show lasts about eight minutes and is distributed in various capacities and places: in the amphitheater of Funchal, on the seaward shore and the city centre, on the sea and one on the island Porto Santo. Another of its peculiarities is called “Missas do Parto” or Childbirth Masses, beginning on December 16th and ending on Christmas Eve with midnight mass. These masses are celebrated at dawn. After Mass, the faithful gather in the atrium of the church to hear the chants, accompanied by string groups,
accordions and castanets, playing sounds that include many traditional songs called “despiques”. At the end, some traditional drinks and sweets, known as the “matabicho”, liqueurs, cookies and cakes are tasted. If you’re looking for a completely different way of celebrating this time of year, this is it.
Written by Enrique Sancho
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A Luxury Chalet Experience
Andy Castle, Founder of two of the most recognised and reputable luxury ski agencies in the world, Ski In Luxury and Ultimate Luxury Chalets, is here to give us the low down on his thoughts and feelings on the industry development, along with some of the key movers and shakers for this coming winter The majority of ski goers report chalets to be overwhelmingly more inviting than a hotel, and there’s good reason too. Across Europe, you can get some very affordable and ultra luxurious chalets to stay in; some self catered and others catered for ease. This opens up the realms of imagination when it comes to thinking of your ideal ski break – dream your perfect chalet with opulent alpine furnishings, spectacular spa 56 OCEAN VIEW
facilities, gourmet food on offer, expert professional staff on hand, a roaring fire with a fur rug in the front room, and a spectacular view over whichever mountain range you choose. This may sound like a far-fetched dream, but it can be your reality very easily - luxury ski chalets seem to reach a whole new level of opulence and grandeur, as well as attainment with each and every ski season.
When I first launched Ski In Luxury in 2005 a luxury ski chalet could be classified as such if the property had fully en-suite bedrooms. Nowadays there is a whole new benchmark being set season after season that now provide guests of the most sought after luxury ski resorts in the Alps with a whole new level of sumptuousness. Private swimming pools, hot tubs, massage and wellness centres, and extravagant
home cinemas are now a standard wish list inclusion of our discerning clients. It seems that in the key resorts of Courchevel, Megeve, Val d’Isere, Verbier and Zermatt, new chalets are popping up each year that simply try to out-do the older chalets by offering more lavish facilities and much larger living spaces. In Courchevel for example, the previous “top dog” in terms of size was the vast Chalet Edelweiss at 3,000m². This season sees the introduction of the Chalet Apopka, a chalet that will span 4,000m² and include a 26m swimming pool, an additional indoor/outdoor swimming pool to the master bedroom, and a plethora of facilities even including a golf driving range! Things just got silly!! Although a number of international
markets are down in their touristic visits of resorts such as Courchevel, particularly on the Russian side, there is a new wave of visitors with a huge demand for the resort coming from the United Arab Emirates and South America. The lure of Courchevel is obvious: pristine piste maintenance, a vast ski area covering approx. 600km of runs, a huge choice of pistes offering great skiing for all abilities and with plenty of opportunities for beginners and early intermediates to learn or to master their parallel turns. Couple these ski related pluses with the fact that the Three Valleys is now home to 12 Michelin starred restaurants, and shopping boutiques in Courchevel offering all of the latest ranges from Fendi, Gucci, Chanel, Bognor,
Moncler and many more, it is easy to see why Courchevel still remains the number one ski destination in many people’s eyes. When discussing the best properties available to rent in Courchevel we would without doubt have to include the aforementioned Chalet Edelweiss, spread over 6 levels and with 8 luxuriously appointed bedrooms. The chalet has a huge area dedicated to wellness with a 13m pool, hot tub, sauna, Jacuzzi and a superbly equipped gym. For those that like to entertain or simply want to carry on partying after the nightclubs in resort close their doors for the night, there is even an in-house personal nightclub with DJ booth! A personal favourite in our portfolio has to be the Chalet White Dream. Immaculately OCEAN VIEW 57
finished and white washed, the chalet gives off an aura that encourages you to believe that you are staying in a fairytale chalet, tucked away in your own winter wonderland. It’s not the largest or the most grand chalet in Courchevel but it offers a charming location for its guests to enjoy a celebration or gathering of friends and family in the mountains. A resort that has in the past 5 or so years seen more chalet development and additions to the rental market that any other is Verbier. Located in the 4 Vallees ski region of Switzerland, Verbier is easily accessible from the private
airport of Sion and just a couple of hours’ transfer from Geneva. It is very much one of the most sought after destinations for corporate groups looking to take their clients or staff on rewarding breaks for their ongoing business, or for team building. Verbier is home to some stunning ski chalets, with the largest on the rental market being the Chalet Truffe Blanche, spanning 3,000m². The chalet has not one but 9 treatment rooms dedicated to pampering the 18 guests that it can occupy. Chalet Truffe Blanche’s entertainment on offer is so vast that you will struggle to comprehend finding the time
“As with all of the top end chalets the obvious inclusions are the indoor swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, private nightclub and cinema”
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to head out onto the mountain. The chalet features a state-of-the-art private cinema, a sushi and vodka bar, chic private nightclub, pool table, an impressive wine cellar, and a huge private gymnasium, all topped off with a 15m indoor swimming pool, a Turkish hammam and an authentic Finnish sauna! As Verbier is such a desired corporate destination, over recent years there has been a significant increase in properties set up to cater for these company groups and to establish themselves as the coolest chalet for clients to be “wowed”. The Chalet No. 14 is one of the undoubted contenders for this mantle, equipped with 13 bedrooms sleeping a total of 26 guests. The chalet is, as standard, equipped with a 10m indoor pool, a wonderfully cosy cinema, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and offering a team of 16 dedicated staff who will wait on the guests and address their every whim. Then there comes the choice of those
looking for a more discreet location, one of the most charming and authentic ski resorts in the Alps. Where fine dining and boutique shopping are in abundance, and with a refined elegance that captivates its visitors. We are talking obviously about the resort of Megeve, just an hours’ transfer from Geneva airport. Megeve has always been a complicated resort for us to establish ourselves in due to the vast number of in-resort agencies who all seem to deal with the same properties but with each of them calling the chalets a different name! It was a resort that we avoided including too significantly in our portfolios but without doubt now it’s a hard resort to ignore! The standard of chalets in the resort rivals any other in Europe, and this season has seen a barrage of new properties being constructed and brought onto the rental market. Two of the most impressive newcomers to
our portfolio are the incredibly extravagant but still somewhat understated Chalet Opulence (how very aptly named!) and the Chalet Ma Datcha. Opulence is situated on the legendary Rothschild hillside of Mont d’Arbois with stunning views of the surrounding mountains of Megeve. It spans 1,350m² of living space and sleeps up to 26 guests in unrestrained luxury. As with all of the top end chalets the obvious inclusions are the indoor swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, private nightclub and cinema. The chalet’s attention to detail is impeccable and it is most definitely one of my top 10 chalets in our ever expanding collection. The Chalet Ma Datcha holds a location that is very hard to find and impossible to beat in Megeve. Being a free standing chalet sleeping up to 14 people in 7 bedrooms, the chalet is situated just a short stroll from the centre of Megeve and the central lift station
of Rochebrune. The chalet has a picture postcard outdoor swimming pool with neighbouring hot tub on the vast terrace. Inside it oozes sophisticated luxury yet with a very traditionally styled décor. The chalet will be a very popular destination amongst our clients for the 2016 season. Quite simply, I could go on and on about the wonderful chalets that are on offer in the Alps but it’s a case of where do I stop?! The Ultimate Luxury Chalets website features our top 100 properties taken from our Ski In Luxury portfolio, changing each season to incorporate the latest and greatest chalets coming onto the rental market. We provide our clients with an unbiased opinion and search facility to help them to find the best luxury ski holiday solution for their needs. We are always available to chat through your plans on +44 (0)1202 203653 or drop us an email to ask@ ultimateluxurychalets.com OCEAN VIEW 59
Winter Wonderland The snow season is here and ready to be enjoyed, so why not book yourself an exhilarating and adrenaline-inducing ski holiday?
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Whether you’re a hardcore skier or a firsttime slider, nobody can deny the crisp, white beauty of a snow-covered mountain – especially if you’re viewing it from a luxury chalet, wrapped up warm with a cup of hot chocolate. ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ couldn’t be more true and doable in a ski resort. Brits make up the greatest proportion of bookings at ski resorts, namely in both France and Switzerland, with most booking from November to March. During this season, the choice of booking a holiday such as this is often dictated by price: this is top of the list on most holidaybookers’ priorities, among other aspects such as location, facilities, service, food quality and transfer time. Price makes the top of the list for a very good reason; skiing doesn’t come cheap. But with most embarking on this adventure just once a year, you can afford to splash out! France and Switzerland are top picks in Europe for a ski adventure, and one of the most popular resorts in France is Val d’Isere, almost equally as popular as Courchevel and Meribel. In Switzerland, top resorts include Verbier and Zermatt. Elsewhere in the world, Canada is a fantastic choice for a ski holiday a little further afield, with vast areas of snowy mountains. The team at OV wanted to get the ‘lowdown’ on what to look for in a ski resort, for people of all abilities, likes and dislikes, and for families, individuals and couples alike. So what came top of the list for our holidaygoers? Here is a list of things you should keep in mind before booking your muchawaited ski holiday for 2016: 1. Proximity to the slopes To get the most out of your ski experience, it’s hugely important to stay in close proximity to where you’re going to be spending your days: the slopes. You’ve woken up to magnificent snow-covered mountains, opening your curtains to see snowflakes drifting from the sky. You get dressed in all your gear (making sure you put sun cream on too), head down to the enticing breakfast, only to have the prospect
hit you that you must drag yourself miles away from your cosy chalet to the slopes above. This is far from ideal. Access to a ski lift right outside your door is what you want. This way, you’ll be far more inclined to get going, out into the cold, knowing there’s only a short ride to an adrenaline-packed morning or afternoon of skiing. 2. Transfers Getting to the resorts can sometimes be a little frustrating. If you fly, there’s often a long transfer from the flat planes, which you landed on, to the hilly snow-scape you aim to get to. Driving can be all the more arduous, with often dangerous conditions and a long, sleep-deprived journey there and back. Eurostar offer the perfect option for getting to the Alps from the UK, or from anywhere along the way. Known as the ‘Ski Train’, this journey takes you from St. Pancras International, through Ashford International, Lille, Lyon and all the way through to Bourg St. Maurice. This direct route takes you close to Les Deux Alpes, Alpes d’Huez and Chamrousse, with one train a week from 8 November until March 2016, then three trains a week until July next year. Tickets cost around £89 for a return, so not only is it extremely easy and efficient, it’s not too expensive either. Ski and snowboarding gear also can come along with you free! 3. North - or south-facing It’s a good idea to look at the proportion of slopes that face north or south at a ski resort of your choosing. There’s not necessarily a good or a bad option, but north-facing slopes don’t tend to get very much sunlight, meaning less rays for your tan but also less opportunity for melted snow. North-facing slopes often provide more ski time for more of the year, with less grassy areas popping up on a warm day, or later in the afternoons. The worst thing is to not be able to ski to your heart’s content due to a lack of snow, or even worse, icy conditions rather than the soft powder you desire. Many resorts, however, have snow canons, which replenish the snow if it’s in danger of melting away OCEAN VIEW 61
– this is something to check too, as it offers a safer ski experience as well as a more enjoyable one! 4. Restaurant location and quality This may not sound overly important but, just for a second, imagine the scenario: you’ve been skiing for a couple of hours and are in need of a drink and something to boost your energy. The freezing cold conditions have seeped through your gloves and boots, making you shiver. You wish for nothing more than a warm, hearty meal to invigorate that warmth you once had in your bones, and a cup of hot chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth and replenish your muscular energy. Where do you get that from? Well, the most perfect place to relax with an apple strudel and watch the clouds go by whilst heating up is on the mountain itself – so you’ve got to make sure there are the facilities to do this! You don’t want to have to trundle back down the slopes, miles away, with all your gear just to satisfy your hunger or thirst; you want it there and then in the beautiful setting that surrounds you. Stepping straight off the slope into a gloriously warm, wooden interior, greeted by the smells of fantastic, hearty food, rich ales and warm drinks will be a heavenly sensory experience, and a much-needed reward. 5. Après Ski Some of your party may not be on the watch list for the next Winter Olympics. Most may be far from that, and just up for the side-action that comes with a ski holiday – the après ski. This is the time to chill (or party) with friends and family after a day of great skiing, usually between 3 and 7pm. Some of the more luxurious resorts offer the full works: outdoor and indoor pools, spa facilities, bars, restaurants and entertainment. See what your resort offers, and whether everything is within walking distance. An outdoor pool is one of the major luxuries that you may want to aim for – sitting in a warm, bath-like-temperate pool alongside a vast landscape of icy powder, slowly steaming the atmosphere as you move through the water, is an experience 62 OCEAN VIEW
like no other. Most resorts will offer music, themed parties and daily specials, which make a fantastic addition to an already fantastic holiday. 6. Family friendliness If you’re going skiing with your children, it’s a good idea to look at what facilities there are for them. Skiing can be tiring for both you and your children, so you don’t want to be stuck parenting exhausted children whilst you want nothing more than to sit in the spa, or to get back on those slopes! Many resorts offer ski schools for
the younger skiers of the group, which provide a whole day of ski instruction and supervision by staff at the resort. Your children can be in safe hands and thoroughly entertained all day without the parents worrying. Something to bare in mind when going with a larger group, or younger children who may easily stray on the mountain, is how will you communicate? Where’s the meeting point, and when? A top tip here is to bring walkie-talkies with you – they’re a great form of free communication, especially as there’s rarely signal in the mountain ranges, so mobile phones are out.
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