The Seychelles…sun, sea, pristine beaches, magnificent granite boulders, idyllic private islands, endemic flora and fauna, endangered bird species and giant Coco de Mer nuts…Cox & Kings’ Alix King drew the short straw and visited this April.
In April I had the privilege of travelling to a part of the world that is renowned for its warm azure waters, pristine white beaches, spectacular natural beauty and friendly inhabitants; The Seychelles, an otherworldly archipelago of 115 idyllic islands in the Indian Ocean. Whilst the Seychelles is synonymous with honeymooners it is worth noting that many of the hotels have now opened themselves up to the family market as well.
The Seychelles islands are blessed with pleasant temperatures throughout the year, rarely dropping below 24°C or exceeding 32°c. Tropical rains fall more frequently in January and February with July and August being the driest months. Although the islands are only a few degrees south of the equator, the pleasant winter (UK summer) breeze means that the heat is less taxing, making this an ideal destination during the months when many couples get married and children are on school holidays. Read More
The excellent-value 
Online Marketing Manager Michael Pullman recently travelled to Japan and was surprised by the country’s natural beauty. Here he talks about the highlights of his trip.
Just 5 hours flying time from London, and only a 2 hour time difference means Beirut is perfect for a short break in search of some sunshine. For a country that takes just 3 hours to drive from north to south, the amount of diversity is remarkable. As the marketing people say, without exaggeration, geographically it is possible to be skiing on the slopes of Mount Lebanon in the morning and swimming on the shores of the Mediterranean in the afternoon.
Argentina: The Andean Northwest
Katie Parsons recently travelled to the Salta province in the northwest of Argentina and discovered a region of stunning canyons, high altitude vineyards and beautiful colonial architecture.
After a couple of days exploring Buenos Aires and the obligatory visit to the Iguazú Falls, most tourists head south to Patagonia or west to the Lake District. Instead, I flew 2 hours north to Salta, one of Argentina’s few remaining colonial cities and home of the empanada: a small pasty-like snack filled with mince, ham or cheese and potato and they won’t be found better anywhere else!
The main highlights of Salta are the rather pink cathedral on one side of Plaza 9 de Julio and the Cabildo on the opposite. The beautifully painted San Francisco church is another example of the colonial architecture the Spanish left behind. Its bright, deep red and yellow exterior makes it one of Salta’s most photographed buildings. Read More »