Travelling | Charlotte's VVeb

Discover Austria’s Hidden Treasures

08/07/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Austria is much more than just skiing, après-ski and the Sound of Music. However, because everyone is familiar with Austria in winter, most do not consider taking a trip to this beautiful land during the spring and summer months. So what does Austria boast in summer? More mountains, pastures and luscious lakes than you could possibly imagine, that’s what!

To inspire you, the Austrian Tourist Board has produced a definitive video collection of insider tips on Austria’s Hidden Treasures and must-do activities. The USP of Austria is top-notch service and the perfect combination of culture, nature and local and organic cuisine.

Have a peek, then enjoy the reality!

Austria’s Hidden Treasures Video Collection

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The New Westin Hotel in Hamburg

24/06/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will introduce its wellness brand, Westin Hotels & Resorts to Hamburg, Germany’s vibrant cultural centre with the new Westin Hamburg Hotel, scheduled to open in 2010. Westin Hamburg will be part of a landmark development, including the highly-anticipated Elbe Philharmonic Hall. The hotel will be designed by world-renowned Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron as part of the highly anticipated Elbe Philharmonic complex, Europe’s most ambitious development projects.

Expected to become a cultural and architectural landmark, this urban development will also include luxury residences and a multitude of culinary, cultural and nightlife options all set in the heart of upscale HafenCity. Tailored to both business and leisure travelers, the ultra-modern 10-storey Westin Hamburg Hotel will feature 244 guest rooms including 39 suites, all with the iconic Westin Heavenly Bed, a restaurant, a cafe, destination bar, lounge and a spa including a Westin WorkOut fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel will comprise close to 9,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space equipped with cutting-edge technology, including eight meeting rooms and a ballroom.

With over 1.8 million inhabitants, Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city. It is one of the most popular leisure destinations in Europe and recognised as a cultural and commercial centre, with stunning architecture and a vast array of entertainment and shopping options. Through a joint venture with Arabella Hospitality Group, Starwood currently operates more than 30 hotels in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Mallorca and South Africa under its Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and Four Points by Sheraton brands.

Westin is currently represented by five hotels in Germany, including The Westin Grand Frankfurt, The Westin Grand Munich Arabellapark, The Westin Grand Hotel in Berlin, The Westin Bellevue in Dresden and The Westin Leipzig.

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Highlights from Lithuania’s Curonian Spit

08/06/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Last week I visited Lithuania with several other British journalists. First we visited the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site Nida on the Curonian Spit, then the industrial town of Klaipeda. Check out highlights and sights from the trip here…

Curonian Spit Church

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Curonian Spit Church

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Zoom with a View – Dubrovnik Cable Car

27/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

This June Dubrovnik will see the opening of a new cable car up Mount Srd, which towers behind the medieval walled city. Two carriages, carrying 30 passengers each, will make the ascent in just three minutes. The upper station is 405 metres above sea-level and offers incredible views over the city and beyond. On clear days the visibility from Mount Srđ is around 60 kilometres. There are telescopes on a viewing platform plus a bar, restaurant, 250-seat amphitheatre and shop.

The new cable car replaces a cable car that ran the same route from 1969 to the 1990s, and carried 2.5 million passengers each year. A winding walk known as ‘The Serpentine’ also climbs the sage-covered hillside where sheep graze; the views at the top are the reward.

And don’t forget, Croatia’s oldest cultural event, the 61st Dubrovnik Summer Festival, runs from 10 July until 25 August and offers opera, theatre, music and dance in more than 70 open air venues across the city. For the festival programme, visit www.dubrovnik-festival.hr

Cable Car Opening 1 June 2010

Croatian National Tourist Office www.croatia.hr

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Naturidyll Hotels – Austria Doing Good

24/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Respecting nature and working tirelessly to preserve harmony between man and its surroundings is the main aim of Naturidyll Hotels; not just aiming for, but committing to sustainable tourism development.

The Austrian hotel network Naturidyll Hotels, a fusion of 27 independent family-run hotels, are at the forefront of ecologically-sound holidays in Austria. The name says it all, Naturidyll is devoted to sustainability. A promise of sincere care, as respect for natural resources is committed at every turn. All hotels have been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel since 2009, a guarantee for implemented environmental efforts, and are quality monitored every second year.

Since the repositioning of the brand last year, a significant increase in enquiries has been recorded. Quality characteristics such as authenticity, hospitality, comfort, beautiful landscapes and a healthy climate, play a key role. Guided nature walks or bike tours, culinary highlights of regional specialties and delicacies of their respective cultural destinations. “Practice makes perfect” is the motto, ensuring visitors have a unique experience of nature, which then lingers on in memories.

Naturidyll Holidays – individual, authentic and pure
Whether spending a holiday quietly relaxing or busily adventuring, nature is your constant companion at the Naturidyll Hotels, and gives energy for your daily routing.

However, the hotels are also family friendly, offering spacious apartments, baby sitting with structured play for children, and specialist leisure activities parents from the hotel door.

A Naturidyll holiday is not just a place to refresh the mind, it is also a place to refresh the body. Almost all hotels boast in-house health spas, beauty treatments and massages. The culinary delicacies come from local producers and our breakfast buffets include a bunch of regional products. Have a lie-in and enjoy breakfast in bed, sample a glass of wine or dine outdoors beside a moonlit Austrian lake.

Most importantly a holiday at Naturidyll is the ultimate refuge for everyone who wants to escape the stresses and strains of daily life by getting out into fresh air. If a view alone is not enough, experience the meadows, woods and mountains first hand. All hotels provide comprehensive information and detailed maps covering walks, marked hiking routes and the best Nordic walking trails, as well as day-by-day weather reports.

This year the group announced the opening of Hotel St. Oswald in St. Oswald / Bad Kleinkirchheim in Carinthia. Nestled amidst the gentle landscapes of the Nockberge, a holiday paradise awaits. Be it spring, summer, autumn or winter, here at 1,400 metres above sea level, an oasis greets you that will far surpass every expectation. Open yourself to the enchantment of pristine countryside, healing thermal waters, the clean air and people who couldn’t be more endearing. St. Oswald is an 800-year-old village with wooden houses and traditional farmhouses featuring their own unique architecture, located above Bad Kleinkirchheim. The Nockberge, with their glorious high meadows and gardens of alpine flowers, encircle this idyllic town – one of the most beautiful areas in all of Austria. The sunny plateau provides year-round holiday paradise with virtually boundless opportunities for active holiday makers, such as mountain biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, golf, horseback riding, … and it’s also a great place simply to relax and unwind. The Hotel St. Oswald offers spa fans featuring a large indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, hot tub, plunge pool, tanning beds and a Kneipp spa.

www.naturidyll.com

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The Golden Valley of the Alps

06/05/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Considering a rural, mountain adventure, packed full of natural beauty and rich history?

The Rauris Valley could be for you.

Salzburg’s Hohe Tauern National Park boasts many special spots, but the Rauris Valley is a secret golden jewel. Shaped by a rich history, it offers today’s visitor a holiday that is relaxing and exhilarating. At 1,800 km², the valley is the largest national park in the Alps, and boasts a rich variety of unique and natural treasures.

It is also home to tales of time gone by, of gold mining and mule packing. Its natural history attractions include the Tauern Window and the Valley of Vultures – a fantastic wildlife viewing habitat… Make your way up from the far end of the Rauris Valley to the glacial regions and you’ll stroll through every climate zone and habitat you would encounter if you were travelling from Central Europe to the Arctic.

Whether walking across these high-alpine pastures or following the footsteps of the mule packers, watching the bearded vultures, exploring one of the many self-guided trails, such as those in the Rauris Virgin Forest or at the foot of the Sonnblick Glacier, you’re sure to experience fascinating encounters leaving lasting memories.

In 1986, the Rauris Valley was selected as the primary site in the Alps for the reintroduction of bearded vultures (this year will see the final release of bearded vultures into the wild). Since then, it has been possible to observe these impressive animals and their cousins, the griffon and golden eagle, in the wild, along with marmots and chamois.

The valley is not only one of the most beautiful but also the largest natural hiking playground in the Hohe Tauern National Park. From tranquil trekking through glorious countryside to mountain tours leading up to glaciers. In just a few minutes, the Rauris Hochalm Lifts whisk nature lovers to the heart of the Hochalm hiking area. With over 295 km of superbly marked hiking paths and alpine trails, the Rauris Valley is one of the most adventure-filled hiking areas in Europe.

During the summer months, around forty farms and mountain huts are staffed and fling open their doors to visitors. “Gold Fever” breaks out in Rauris every summer, as treasure hunters chance their luck as they pan the river for fine platelets of pure metallic gold. Though commercial gold-mining ceased in the last century, to this day there are still three beautiful gold-panning sites for locals and visitors to enjoy. Under the watchful eye of a local expert, become a real treasure hunter and, with a little bit of luck, find your very own pot of gold.

Traditions and folk culture is alive and kicking in the Rauris Valley, still practised in their original, authentic form. As the saying goes, “we don’t just give guests a place to stay, but let them share in our traditional lifestyle”.

www.raurisertal.at

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UTracks: Explore Eastern Europe

29/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

I recently came across the company UTracks who offer active walking, trekking and cycling tours throughout Europe, including Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Romania and Transylvania. There are tours suitable for all capabilities from those seeking something of an introductory level, all through to those seeking something a little more challenging; yet all offer unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries-old culture, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. In short, they’re flexible, unique adventures of undiscovered corners, offering you a great deal of independence yet providing support when you need it. Best of all, they start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want.

The six-day Transylvania Castles and Mountains tour includes a trip to Bran Castle to learn about the legends of Dracula, time for discovering unique villages, a walk along limestone ridges to take in the stunning landscapes of Piatra Craiului and plenty of cultural exchanges with local people.

The tour itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive Bucharest, train to Brasov and transfer to Zărneşti
Day 2 – Walk in Piatra Craiului (Royal Stone) through the Zărneşti Gorge (5hrs, 15km +800m, -600m)
Day 3 – Continue on foot through Piatra Craiului mountains and rural villages (4hrs, 13km +450m, -450m)
Day 4 – Walk to Bran Castle home to the origin of the character known as “Dracula” (4hrs, 12km, +350m, -600m)
Day 5 – Ascend the Bucegi Mountains with stunning views (6 hrs, 18km, +650m, – 900m)
Day 6 – Transfer from Bran to Brasov where you take the train to Bucharest. Trip concludes on arrival in Bucharest.

During the trip you will be accommodated in rural pensions which are rated as 3 stars in Romania. These are traditional guesthouses which while simple, provide a unique dimension to the cultural experience of travelling in the region.

This May UTRACKS are launching a new trip through Slovenia lasting 10 days. Slovenia encompasses a wealth of stunning natural features: this self guided cycle journey takes in all of the highlights while allowing for time to appreciate the unique culture and culinary delights. From Lake Bohinj and the delightful lakeside town of Bled, the cycle continues around the Julian Alps, with a white water rafting experience on the vivid blue waters of the Soca River! In the wine growing region of Brda enjoy a special dinner and wine tasting before heading to the massive Skocjan Caves with its underground gorge. Ending in the capital city of Ljubljana, there is time to explore the old town and sample the local cuisine. Departs: Every Monday from May to September 2010. Price: £1,190 per person

To book a UTRACKS trip, complete the booking form which can be downloaded from their website www.utracks.com

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Learn to Sail in Romantic Rovinj, Croatia

12/04/201022/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Discover your sea legs and romantic Rovinj this year, with a luxurious sailing break in Western Istria, Croatia. The recently opened five-star Monte Mulini is offering couples the chance to learn a new skill, and more about each other, during a five-night stay which includes a 3-day sailing excursion along the lively coast of Rovinj.

Western Istria is a sailor’s paradise with crystal-clear waters and huge variety of flora and fauna make this coastline a natural paradise. For three days you can explore the 22 islands and islets on your own personal sailboat, complete with English-speaking skipper to coach you through the sailing basics. By the end of the trip you will know how to lift, lower and trim the sales and honed your skill at other essentials, including simple manoeuvres and weighing and slipping anchor.

At the end of a long day on the water, the Hotel Monte Mulini is a luxurious haven for couples. The true romance of its location is evident immediately on arrival, as its dramatic glass wall over three levels greets guests as they check-in with undisturbed views of the sea. The remaining public areas are similarly designed to maximise natural light and all guest rooms benefit from balconies offering fantastic views of the chic pool area and the surrounding bay and nature reserve.

For a bit of well-earned pampering, spend some time in the Hotel Monte Mulini’s spa. Set over two levels with reception and treatment rooms on the upper level, above the pool and sauna area, the Monte Mulini Wellness Centre includes a VIP Salon with zones which can be booked by individuals or couples for individually designed treatments which last for up to four hours.

Gourmet couples are well catered for at Hotel Monte Mulini. Mediterraneo is the hotel’s à la carte restaurant with 54 seats in a spacious terraced area for alfresco dining and relaxation on warmer days. While guests sample delicious Mediterranean fusion cuisine they can enjoy fine views of the pool area, the bay and romantic sunsets. On cooler evenings a further 118 covers are available inside, but guests still benefit from the views.

The traditional Croatian Wine Vault restaurant on the lowest level is a fine dining restaurant with 60 seats serving French delicacies, with an extensive wine list including the best labels from Croatian and around the world.

Rovinj itself is Croatia’s Blue Pearl of the Adriatic with its cobbled streets, Venetian architecture, natural forest parks and beautiful churches and chapels is a short stroll along the marina from the hotel and offers endless opportunities for aimless wandering. One of the most picturesque towns in the Mediterranean, the old town is perched on a narrow peninsula high up on a hill, crowded with terracotta-roofed houses and crowned by the 18th century Church of St Euphemia, the bell tower of which dominates Rovinj’s skyline. A central square is edged with lively cafés and restaurants spreading out on to a charming harbour crammed with sailing and fishing boats – all in all perfect for watching the world go by.

The Hotel Monte Mulini’s luxury sailing break is available between 15th May and 11th June and costs €2,750.00 for two people. Included are five-nights accommodation in a deluxe room, with a full buffet breakfast, and a 3-day charter of a private yacht and skipper.

www.montemulinihotel.com

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Take a Walk in Istanbul

18/03/201019/10/2016 by Charlotte J

I make no secret that the first time I visited Istanbul I was not anticipating to be particularly enamoured. However, I was very wrong indeed and it is easily one of my favourite cities. So when I came across this offer I couldn’t help but shout from the rooftops about it because I believe everyone can enjoy a little magic in this year’s European Capital of Culture.

The UK’s leading guided walking holidays’ operator, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, is offering an 8 day tour of Istanbul. Sightseeing, mostly on foot, embraces both the Turkish and European quarters of the City where one can mingle in one of the greatest market places in the world, discover Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Hippodrome, The Valens Aqueduct, the Basilica Cistern and the Theodosian City Walls. In the city itself, one walks alongside the Golden Horn, the river dividing the two European parts of Istanbul into the old city and Beyoglu. Geographically, historically and culturally, this European City of Culture is like no other on the planet.

Highlights include, cultural treasures like, Aya Sofya, the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque; boat trips across the Bosphorus to Asia and the Princes Islands.

Price from £779 includes flights, transfers, half-board accommodation and the services of a dedicated tour leader.

RamblersHolidays.co.uk
Tel: 01707 33 11 33

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Slovenia – Be In It To Win It: Holiday Offer for British Tourists

16/03/201019/10/2016 by Charlotte J

Slovenia Ambassador to London Launches Slovenia... — Iztok Jarc, Slovenia Ambassador to Great Britiain Launches Slovenia… Bet You’ll Love It Campaign, The Colonies Pub, London

I would normally shy away from discussing all things sport related (certainly football related) but last week I was invited to The Colonies pub in Victoria, London to celebrate the launch of Slovenia’s goals for hols promotion. Slovenia’s World Cup footballers have set a goal of attracting thousands of British fans with the kick-off of a holiday giveaway campaign.

Drawn in the same tournament group as England, the plucky Slovenian squad wants to encourage British holidaymakers to head for their home country in this unique promotion. Travellers will be given back part of the cost of their planned trip as Slovenia progress in South Africa – culminating in a full refund if the side carries off the trophy.

Under the Slovenia… Bet You’ll Love It campaign, travellers booking Slovenia holidays between 10 March and 10 June with participating holiday companies and travelling before June 2011 qualify for the cash-back offer. Should Slovenia reach the quarter finals, those with qualifying bookings get back 25 per cent of the cost of their holiday. If the team gets to the semi-finals, a 50 per cent refund is paid. Should the Slovenia team win the World Cup final the full cost of the holiday is paid back!

Captained by West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren, Slovenia have been drawn in the tournament’s Group C, together with England, USA and Algeria. Slovenia’s opening match is against Algeria on 13 June and they play England on 23 June.