Libby, Managing Editor of You and Your Wedding and her new hubbie, recently honeymooned in the Magical Maldives, testing the very best Per AQUUM hotels…Huvafen Fushi, Tom Cruise’s honeymoon spot and NIYAMA, the ultra-cool new kid on the block which everyone is raving about!

We couldn’t resist but get in touch to find out the gossip when she got back!

• NIYAMA and Huvafen are both beautiful hotels, did you find it difficult moving from one to the other?

Not at all. Although sad to leave our beautiful beach bungalow and stunning stretch of sand at Niyama, we were excited to experience the elegance of Huvafen Fushi. And efficient transfers made crossing the archipelago a breeze.

• Did you have a favourite?

It’s impossible to choose. Both properties complemented each other – the effortless, laid-back beauty of Niyama coupled with Huvafen Fushi’s hidden day beds on private corners of the island.

• NIYAMA is 2013’s hotspot for honeymoons, complete with floating restaurant and underwater bar.  What did you think?

The whole experience is A-list, from the white-leather-seated speedboat arrival, to sipping chilli mojitos in the open-sided bar and watching manta rays glide past as you dance into the night. Once-in-a-lifetime wow.

• Some clients may worry that because of the ‘club’ the island is very young and ‘happening’ in terms of atmosphere, are there plenty of chill out areas?

The island is one big chill-out. The club is small and sophisticated, but it’s also completely self-contained – being 500m off-shore – and does not impinge on island life at all. The pace at Niyama is so laid-back, we barely left our sun loungers.

• Spill the gossip on the overwater bungalows…

The lagoon bungalows at Huvafen Fushi  are perfectly private – think champagne toasts on wooden steps that lead into the sea. Inside, they are beautifully luxurious – the bed is enormous and the bath overlooks the ocean. And the shallow waters surrounding them are teaming with amazing sealife – sharks and sting rays cruise beneath you!

• What did you think of the food and drink? Were the prices reasonable?

All the buffet options and signature restaurants served interesting, colourful, flavoursome cuisine from Africa, Arabia, India and even the Mediterranean. It’s obviously not cheap – but you’re dining in paradise! And it more than delivers on taste. The half-board package is good value.

• Service in the Maldives is so important and of such a high standard, was it the same at the Per AQUUM hotels?

The service at Niyama and Huvafen Fushi is exceptional. Not too intrusive and one hundred percent accommodating. All the staff we met were absolutely charming.

• We certainly hope you managed to get to the underwater Spa at Huvafen, would you recommend it to friends?

Yes! During the treatment, the therapists place a mirror on the floor which reflects the marine life as it glides by. Imagine a massage in a giant (exotic!) goldfish bowl. Super soothing.

• Did you get to do any excursions at either resort that you would recommend to our honeymooners?

The blissful evening cruise at Niyama. We lay on giant mattresses atop an old Maldivian dhoni sipping chilled champagne as the sun set…

• Finally, what would your biggest piece of advice be for future honeymoon couples looking to go to the Maldives?

Just go!

For more inforamtion on either of these beautiful properties, please contact our team today on 01494 678400 or visit our dedicated Per AQUUM hotels page

NIYAMA or Huvafen Fushi….why not both? is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

1. For most honeymoons – Bikini’s/swimming trunks, or your chosen swimwear is a vital element in the packing process…girls, make sure you think through the all-important strap lines and boys – definitely go for a garish colour or floral patterns, the perfect accompaniment to that honeymoon tan!

2. We advise gentlemen to travel in some form of jacket. Not necessarily a very formal one, but useful for carrying wallets and tickets and smart enough to try for that upgrade at the airport which a hoody would simply cancel out! Unless you want to take one, there should be no need for a tie – leave work at home and undo that top button!

3. A good camera is imperative to catch those romantic moments, stunning sunsets and magical memories which are so easily forgotten when you get home. If you are into your photography and going on safari, it’s well worth ensuring you have good telescopic lens and a high resolution camera to capture nature at it’s very best. Some of the lodges do provide cameras, so check with your consultant before buying a brand new one!

4. Here at Turquoise we are great believers in squishy bags rather than hard the shelled suitcases. Although the later have advantages in security and sometimes capacity, the flexibility and weight saving (generally) of a soft bag make them the ideal travelling companion. However, whatever your choice of luggage, please ensure you check weight limits on both international and domestic flights – they can differ and airport staff are not easy nuts to crack, even when on honeymoon!

5. A good book, Kindle or some form of reading matter is a must. Although it’s your honeymoon and the main activity is spending time together, the privilege of having time to read a book in our busy lives is limited and if ever delayed a good book is a great way to kill some time. If you’re interested in travel stories…ask our team for their recommendations!

6. Potions, lotions, sunscreens and after suns are notoriously expensive in resorts so girls… visit boots before you leave to save some pennies. Choose a factor higher than you would normally if travelling to a tropical country and take and one which has as few as possible additives – certainly not one that is perfumed as you may find the local insect life loves the smell.

7. Talking about insects…although many resorts do their best to control mosquito numbers…a good repellent is a must for those romantic starlit evenings or walks along the beach at sunset. Ankles are always a target for ladies in dresses and men in shorts!

8. On safari – although the myth is to wear the complete safari collection, there is no specific ‘dress code’ to stick to… natural greens and browns are the most camouflaged but being comfortable and warm/cool (weather dependant) is the most important thing as well as comfortable footwear.

9. You’ve got to have one killer outfit…whether it’s the one you leave the reception in to get to the airport or the new shirt/maxi dress for the push the boat out dinner on a sandbank island…you deserve to look a million dollars! New underwear for boys and girls  also a recommendation…!

10. Finally…if you are planning a multi-centre honeymoon, our initial advice would be not to pack too much in…In our opinion there is nothing more unromantic than packing and unpacking every other day. However, if you are visiting a lot of different places within a short time frame, please make sure your luggage is light and easy to pack. The most used items need to be easy access!

What to pack on your honeymoon? is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

£1000 per person – unfortunately we will struggle to help you. Consider a honeymoon closer to home so airfares don’t eat up the all the budget.

£1100 – £1400  per person – we will find you a beautiful spot in Asia for a week to ten days

£1500 – £2000 per person – will bring you ten nights in Mauritius or some of the smaller or less know Maldivian Islands, which if booked in the right time period, could include half board or amazing honeymoon extras.

£2100 -£2500 per person - The world opens open to the more exotic and far flung Islands of the Indian Ocean & The Caribbean, perhaps a city and beach combination over 10 days?

£2600 -£3000  per person – Think about twin-centre honeymoons & Island hopping, but remember your money will be used up quickly through additional travel costs involved – speak to an expert to get the best rates.

£3100- £3500 per person – How about a Safari Beach combination…THE hottest honeymoon trend for 2013…earn your luxury with early game drives and luxury tented living before a week in five star Mauritius.

£3600- £4000 per person – The pearls of the Pacific are on offer to you… Tahiti & her Islands, Fiji & the Cooks should be considered for the ultimate romantic adventure

£4100- £4500 per person – Fly business to the Seychelles for a split stay between Male & Praslin…this where I would spend my money for ten nights bliss.

£4600- £5000 per person – How long can you take off work?? Start planning for a multi-centre honeymoon around South East Asia staying at the very best hotels, or a South Pacific/Indian Ocean island hopping journey?

£5100 -£5400 per person - The best safari camps in Botswana and Tanzania are definitely in range – remember the remoter the camp, the less luxurious the camp….yet higher the price BUT the ultimate game experience…

£5500 -£6000 per person – Start thinking Business Class and combine something exotic… Indian Tigers or Sri Lankan sun with the best of the best in the Maldives

£6100-£6500 per person – Combine overwater living with Tahiti & her Islands with New Zealand or Australia…and for the sports mad why not catch a Lions game or think about the cricket… if your wife to be will let you!

£6600- £7000 per person – Your own Private Island in the Pacific… Wadigi Island, Fiji combined with a city Suite overlooking Hong Kong harbour.

£7100 -£7500 per person – Yacht Charter in the British Virgin Islands combined with a week on dry land at the idyllic Peter Island

£7600-£8000 per person – Once in a lifetime Australia surf in Bryon Bay, a suite overlooking Sydney Harbour, one of our truly remote outback stations & a few days chilling on Lizard Island for the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience.

£8100-£8500 per person – Ultimate barefoot luxury on Pemba Island just off the coast of Zanzibar, combined with Tanzanian safari – for that head mix of Crusoe meets Tarzan.

£8600-£9100 per person – A round the world honeymoon to ten countries in three weeks…see the world and live the luxuries, rooms with views and a private cruise!

£9200-£9600 per person – The newest modern wonder of the world – the East African wildebeest migration… private guides, light aircraft charters and a touch of white mischief

£10100-£10600 per person – The Cost of a Royal Honeymoon on North Island just for week

Beyond these budgets… Private island beckon, seaplanes await, butlers are on standby… we are here to help.

Please note prices vary vastly depending on season, number of night & class of travel, please only use the above guide as a very rough guide for ideas and inspiration

How much will my honeymoon cost? A gentlemans guide… is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

 The Turquoise Honeymoon Sale starts today,
So many fantastic deals heading your way,
Don’t hold back and don’t miss out,
Now is the time to book without a doubt!
Our team are ready with fantastic advice…
Inspiration and ideas for the trip of your life!

Exclusive offers worldwide just for you,
Tahiti, Bali, Australia, to name a few,
We’re here to help make your honeymoon dreams,
From overwater bungalows to safari scenes,
Forest Trekking, snorkelling, scuba dives,
Exploring local vineyards, helicopter rides,
The list is endless, now where to start,
Have a look at the offers, follow your heart.

One more thing that we’ve got for you,
Is a selection of gifts from which you can choose,
Gorgeous bikinis, a half case of wine,
Sony cameras…its honeymoon time!
So wait no longer and do not fear,
The Turquoise Honeymoon Sale is here!

www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/honeymoonsale

The Turquoise Honeymoon Sale 2013 is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

A gentlemans guide to booking your honeymoon is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

I visited some of the resorts that we work with in August this year to try look into this – and I can happily report that you really can visit the Maldives at any time of the year! June/July and August are generally regarded as the wettest months in the Maldives due to the South West monsoon, and there was plenty of evidence of this on arrival and during our seaplane flight to Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. I had that all too familiar sinking feeling that the whole holiday was going to be a washout as we landed in the ocean, and were transferred to the resort by boat.

The next day, we woke to clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine and I could immediately see why so many people visit the Maldives every year. Turquoise skies, ocean and stunning sandy beaches? Check!50 metre swimming pool to myself? Check. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has a stunning location inside the Baa Atoll– and a day by the pool was topped off nicely with the amazing Lobster night that the resort arranged.

I came to learn that weather forecasts are generally ignored as the weather can vary dramatically from one part of the Maldives to another, throughout the year. We experienced several days of warm, dry and sunny weather, with about 3 days of rain during a 12 day trip. There were often afternoon and overnight tropical showers which were well over by the morning – some of these were quite dramatic and all part of visiting the tropics and the reason that the islands are so lush and beautiful.

So if you are planning your holiday or honeymoon for summer 2013 then don’t let the thought of monsoon weather put you off – and even if it is wet for a couple of days the rain really is liquid sunshine and much warmer than the cold, hard rain we have been having here this week!

Can we visit the Maldives in the wet season?…Yes! is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

Diving with the Great Whites

The shark diving centre is about a 35 minute drive away from Birkenhead House in a lovely little
bay called Gansbaai.  After a quick briefing about what to expect (including being told to not try and stroke the sharks through the cage…!) we headed off on a boat, out to a spot where the sharks would circle around us. We slipped into our wetsuits whilst fish heads where hooked onto the bait line to attract the sharks… before the moment came to climb into the cage and face our fears! The biggest shock was how cold the water was considering the outside temperature… but the adrenaline blanket soon kicked in! Within minutes, the bait had worked and we had several ‘Jaws’ swimming around us, the biggest was 4.3 meters   There was something very surreal about being at eye level with a great white fin and despite the fear factor, they are such beautiful creatures and we were totally mesmerised throughout.  To have the opportunity to get that close to such feared animals was a real highlight of the trip. And… you’ll be pleased to hear that we still have all our fingers and toes.

Table Mountain….from the top!

Our next thrill seeking excursion was climbing Table Mountain. After a couple of days doing the normal sightseeing in and around Cape Town, we discovered that you can climb up the mountain (one of two routes) and then just catch the cable car down, as long as the weather is ok.  Standing at over 3500ft and visible from pretty much anywhere in Cape Town Table Mountain dominates the skyline. You have to make sure that the weather is good enough before you go for it; the clouds roll in very quickly and the cable car often shuts down until the clouds have lifted. I’m not going to lie, it was hard work but the sense of achievement made it all worthwhile.  Make sure you’re prepared before you embark on this climb with plenty of water and jumpers (its cold at the top!) but definitely give it go if you’re an active person…it is well worth it for the stunning views (and cold beers) from the top! We chose the shorter of two routes which took 2 ½ hours which he starts of at a nice, leisurely incline and we chatted our way up for about 2/3rds of the route. Then it got serious…..the conversation stopped as the incline suddenly got very steep! It was safe and being relatively fit, we both managed fine, but it’s definitely not a trip for the feint hearted!

Heavenly Horse Riding
We spent the final few nights of our trip in the Wine lands close to Franschhoek. Life is so laid back here and it’s a wonderful contrast to the busy pace of city life in Cape Town…  Sky scrapers are replaced by rolling vineyards, and rush hour traffic is swapped with tractors and horses! The scenery was absolutely breath taking and you find yourself surrounded by mountains that constantly appear to change shape as the sun rises and sets.  And when you’re in the wine lands, the best thing to do of course, is to go wine tasting, and rather than the conventional routine of heading off to a vineyard and staying there for a couple of hours, why not jump on the back of a horse and experience it that way!? Don’t be afraid! Lara and I were both complete beginners and hadn’t ridden horses since we were children… but the Paradise Stables, who arrange the trips, work with all levels of riders from beginner’s right up to experts. We started off with an hour trek to the first tasting session and we sampled about 4 delicious wines. We then hopped back on our horses and headed off to another vineyard, again tasting about 4 wines. They really were small amounts of wine so we felt very safe in charge of horses and didn’t attempt a jump or a gallop once! Seeing the wine lands by horseback was a really lovely experience. That part of the country is just so beautiful and to ride around it was not only very relaxing, but so much fun and an amazing way to see the surrounding landscapes… I shall certainly remember it for a very long time to come!

Our Top Three South African Adventures is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

 Just a scenic 30 minute drive from Cape Town, this is a fabulous six room boutique guest house located right on the beach in the picturesque lobster-fishing village of Kommetjie. This is one of a handful of hideaways where the sea is right on your doorstep …..and the beach boasts eight kilometres of fine white powdery sand! This is one of the Western Cape’s best kept secrets where you can walk, ride horses, surf orjust laze in the sun! Characterised by a sweeping curve, Kommetjie’s unspoiled grandeur is at its most striking when seen on the descent from Chapman’s Peak en route to the Cape of Good Hope! This little bay or ‘kom’, a traditional crayfishing spot, offers a simple, uncomplicated existence away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town. In season, you can watch whales frolic a few hundred metres off shores and also in season, you can catch your own lobster and request it for dinner! Kommetjie is one of the premier surfing and marine birding hotspots in South Africa and has the country’s tallest cast iron lighthouse open to the public! Each room is ultra-stylish – seaside chic with great sea views! Breakfasts are a speciality – and guests are encouraged to try local restaurants for lunch and dinner (an in-house chauffeur service is available for transfer to restaurants and tailored visits to the highlights of Cape Town). The Long beach can also be booked on an exclusive use basis for you to share with friends and family – thus it becomes the ideal beach house! Just gaze out across the Atlantic and breathe the fresh ocean scent, or watch seagulls swoop for food above the sparkling sands of Kommetjie’s famous Long Beach. Step off the pool-deck straight onto the white sand and walk for miles along the pristine and undiscovered beach. The nearby historic Imhoff Farm is great for kids (it is also steeped in a rich and eventful history).

 Prices in February 2013 from £159 per person per night on a bed & breakfast basis …..Call our specialists today to plan your South African adventure. 01494 678400

The Best of the South African Beach Houses – Part 1 is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The lodge accommodates maximum 20 guests and each of the 10 suites is slightly different from the next, some with private plunge pools, guaranteeing your Ol Donyo experience to be both intimate and unique. From families to honeymooners to multi-generational groups there is something to occupy and entertain everyone. The lodge staff are all from the local communities and are trained to a world class level ensuring the very best service and assistance to all.

Ride Kenya

For real adventure lovers we highly recommend either a half/full day or multi day mobile horse safari with Ride Kenya, departing from Ol Donyo lodge. Boasting access to one of the largest expanses of Africa to discover, join Nicola, Patrick and Kimani, the ultimate horseback guides and explore the magic of Kenya’s wilderness in true style. For keen riders the experience of a multiple day safari would be hard to beat. At the end of a day’s ride, arrive into camp and enjoy a hot shower, cocktail and sumptuous dinner cooked over the fire by Kimani, accompanied by tales of the plains…. before a well-deserved rest.

Read more about Ride Kenya and the amazing itineraries from the doorstep of Ol Donyo here… http://www.greatplainsconservation.com/rk/experience.html or call one of the Turquoise specialists for a true insight into this once in a lifetime experience.

Prices for 5 nights in a suite at Ol Donyo Lodge on an all-inclusive basis including international flights, domestic flights and transfers, from £3095 per person (based on two people travelling in March 2013). Ol Donyo is the perfect addition to a stay in the Mara or a twin centre with Zanzibar for the ultimate ‘Safari Beach’ experience. For more information please contact the Africa team today on 01494 678400.

http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/

Experience Ol Donyo…the ultimate safari experience is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

To the Kiwi food and wine lover, ‘Cuisine’ Magazine is our bible, with a tantalizing array of meals and menus on display every alternate month along with wine recommendations and their prestigious NZ Restaurant of the Year Award.

This year two of our favourite NZ Winery Restaurants topped the scales and won Best Winery Restaurant – Pegasus Bay in the Waipara District of Canterbury;  and Runner Up –Terrôir at Craggy Range in the Hawkes Bay.

Pegasus Bay Vineyard is located in the WaiparaValley just 40 minutes drive north of Christchurch and a couple of hours drive south of Kaikoura.  This picturesque valley is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand with over 80 vineyards.  Whilst Craggy Range is one of the Hawkes Bay most famous vineyards.

If you wish to stay in either of these wonderful areas and sample what the region and these restaurants have to offer Turquoise can arrange luxury retreats in either Dry Paddocks in Waipara, or The Factory in Kaikoura; and Toms Cottages, or  Millar Road in the Hawkes Bay region. For more information, please contact our specialist New Zealand consultants on 01494 678400.

New Zealand’s Best Winery Restaurants is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.