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By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande June 10, 2018 in Bahamas, Destination: Caribbean, Destinations, Experiences, Family Travel, Honeymoon destinations No Comments

Postcards from The Exumas

When I first visited The Exumas in 2015, I did not know what to expect. Holidaymakers I met once in Turks & Caicos told me I was setting my bar very high and that no other Caribbean Island was as beautiful as Turks&Caicos. Well, I can prove those holidaymakers wrong as I was blown away by the beauty of Exuma. A tropical paradise surrounded by sapphire-blue water and footprint-free fine white sandy beaches. The Exumas are an archipelago of no less than 365 cays and islands, located 35 miles southeast

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande May 29, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Destinations, Family Travel, Travel Tips No Comments

Postcards from the island of Schiermonnikoog

Greetings from Schiermonnikoog, the unpronounceable Dutch Frisian island, a sort of “Dutch Hamptons”. Literally its name can be translated into “Grey Monk Island” . The island’s first known inhabitants were the monks of Klaarkamp Abbey, a Cistercian monastery near Rinsumageest, on the mainland. “Monnik” means “monk”, “schier” is an archaic word meaning “grey”, referring to the colour of the monks’ habits, and “oog” translates as “island”. A National Park of breathtaking natural beauty, the island, 16 Km long and 4 Km wide, can only be reached on foot or by

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande April 30, 2018 in Destination: Italy, Destinations, Gift Ideas, Shopping, Travel Tips No Comments

5 Souvenirs to Take Back Home from Puglia

Are you one of those travellers who always likes to take souvenirs back from your trips? Anything from a fridge magnet of the Tower of Pisa to a carpet from Marrakech? Let us help you with some ideas should you visit the wonderful and captivating region of Puglia, the heel of Italy.   1 – CERAMICS FROM FASANO CERAMICHE IN GROTTAGLIE The city of Grottaglie in the province of Taranto is has since the 17th century known for the production of plates, vases, ornaments, cups, tiles, ceramics. The Fasanos have

By Phileas French March 6, 2018 in Destination: family-friendly villas, Destination: Italy, Family Travel No Comments

Five of the Best Masserie in Puglia

Masserie are characteristically Puglian manor houses which formed the heart of rural estates. Today, many of them have been converted to luxury residences, but they retain their timeless charm as a feature of the countryside in this very special part of Italy. They once housed local nobility and their guests, but were also part of working farms, with arable land, gardens, stables and staff living quarters. The most sympathetically restored masserie have retained some of these evocative features, whilst also offering the highest spec modern comforts. Masseria Della Croce enjoys

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande February 19, 2018 in Corporate Venues, Destination: Spain, Destinations, Experiences, Food and Drink No Comments

Seven Personal Chefs at your Bidding

Enjoy a Different Gastronomic Adventure Every Day of the Week at El Carligto – Luxury Retreat in Andalusia NEW FOR SPRING 2018 Andalusia boasts a richness of gastronomy and celebrates world-class cuisine ranging from hearty mountain food and Moorish-inspired rice dishes, to delicate seafood and dainty tapas. One could spend an entire week-long holiday exploring the food markets and fine restaurants here in Southern Spain… But wouldn’t it be nice to pass your time as you wish and then enjoy an exquisite and varied cuisine each night without having to

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