Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

Jane Mountain Chocolate Festival – St Lucia

Beth — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:13:14 +0000

It is a little known fact that St Lucia has a history of chocolate that dates back to the 1700’s. Cacao trees are plentiful on the island, with over 1000 established in both Anse Mamin Plantation and in Emerald Estate and locals have been harvesting and producing cacao beans for generations so the people of St Lucia know a thing or two about the sweet stuff!

Chocolate-lovers visiting St Lucia in December might be pleased to hear that the Jade Mountain Estate has an annual chocolate festival taking place from 4 – 6 December which involves special talks and demonstrations as well as tours of the Emerald Estate Cocoa Plantation where visitors can give pod-picking and fermentation a go. Perhaps most importantly though there are plenty of opportunities to gorge on chocolate-inspired canapes, iced chocolate chai and even a chocolate ‘breakfast in bed’.

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Cheryl Cole Endorses Thailand

Beth — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:10:00 +0000

It’s just been reported that Cheryl Cole’s ideal holiday is in a villa in Thailand and with that added kudos does anyone need another excuse not to visit? The country is already bursting at the seams with idyllic beaches, millpond seas, exotic cuisine and bronzing opportunities, and now Thailand is on the pop star’s long list of endorsements! There are so many different experiences to be had in Thailand, whether you want to trek through the rainforests in the north, shop till you drop in Bangkok, enjoy the nightlife in Pattaya or soak up the sun on one of the many islands, which include Koh Samui, Koh Samed and the Phi Phi Islands. However with so many places to explore, if you want a chance of seeing Cheryl its probably best to switch on the TV on a Saturday night!

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Walking to the Caribbean! (Part Two!)

MarkC — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:55:06 +0000

First you need Transport, we can’t walk across the sea, so lets look at the time line to build new routes to get to the Caribbean (Jamaica)!

• The Channel Tunnel is 31.4 miles long
• It took 6 years to build!
• To Build to Jamaica would take 808 years!

Ok then so what about a bridge?

• The Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco is 1.7 miles long
• It took 4 years to build
• On Average it would take around 9950 years to complete to Jamaica

Here is an actual Scale model of the Bridge (we expect people to have huge cars!):

Walking may be out of the question for a while, and driving, and taking the train. Caribbean holidays still require flying, at least for the next 800 years! Taking the Cruise ship would more than likely destroy the planet in months!

Also: Thinking of taking a Cab? Think again! The cost - Taxi!

• Your average taxi in London costs about £6.50 a mile.
• Your cheapest Barbados holiday (all inclusive holiday at a 4 star hotel, flights included) £1229.
• Taxi total cost to the Caribbean with a London Cab: £27488.50, no accommodation included, or dinner!

The Cost – The Bridge:

• The Golden Gate bridge cost $35 million dollars (£21 million)
• To Build it today and across 4229 miles! (and with inflation, this is what it would cost today)
• $2,958,176,470,588 or $2.9 Trillion (£1.7 Trillion), that’s 5.3% of the entire world’s economy (54.6 Trillion dollars)!!

That’s almost three of these bad boys (a real note!):

Stats Taken from:
• Tropical Sky (Holiday Price)
• UK Government (Taxi Fares)
• Highways Agency (UK)
• Wikipedia (Average Flight speed of Commercial Jets, Golden Gate Bridge + Channel Tunnel)
• Google Maps (Distance from London to Jamaica)
• Golden gate Research Library

For a Greener environment Walking would be the best option! But for that to happen we would more than likely destroy the planet with the amount of C02 created by the construction of the bridge, and we would plunge the world into an economic disaster, so stick with flying!

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Run To The Sun This Christmas

Beth — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:24:38 +0000

With so many great deals available at the moment to Barbados and St Lucia, those wanting value for money and true escapism this Christmas should leave the ski’s at home and head for the Caribbean sun. The Caribbean offers a vibrant and exciting Christmas holiday. Not only is the weather warm and comfortable, but the locals make almost more of the festive season than us Brits!

December in St Lucia is a month-long festival, revolving around National Day celebrations and the Christmas season, whilst throughout December in Barbados, trucks are dressed-up with lights and Christmas decorations and form a parade through the streets of Bridgetown and the outskirts of the city. What’s more, with unbeatable prices available from Tropical Sky, the only pounds guests will be adding is on their hips!

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New Zealand Sky Launched

Beth — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:20:06 +0000

Now that the days are getting shorter and the summer is rapidly becoming a distant memory, long-haul tour operator, Tropical Sky has added yet another new brand to its growing portfolio. Launched this month, New Zealand Sky offers competitively priced holidays from self-drive and escorted tours across the North and South Island, city stays and luxury lodges to Antarctica cruises from Invercargill, special interest or activity-based holidays and extensive motorhome tours complete with full itinerary and pre-booked campsites.

Heading up the venture is Chris Hawkins, director of Australian Sky which launched last month, and Tropical Sky’s established Asia division. Chris says, “New Zealand Sky is our latest venture and, like Tropical Sky and Australian Sky, our experienced team offers first-hand, expert knowledge to ensure an itinerary meets a person’s requirements. We have also negotiated excellent rates with airlines and hotels to offer true value-for-money to our clients.”

Similar to its Australian counterpart, the easy-to-navigate website offers a ‘Top Trips guide’ with plenty of suggested ideas and itineraries. The sunny southern hemisphere is merely a click away…

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Celebrity Spotting Christmas

Beth — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:54:32 +0000

Why not spend your Christmas or New Year in St Lucia this year? One of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean, St Lucia offers mountainous landscapes, rainforests and wonderful beaches. Not only that, but it was the island that Amy Winehouse chose to make her home last year, getting her body and voice back in to shape at The Body Holiday at Le Sport.

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Britney Spears Relaxes In Mexico

Beth — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:52:08 +0000

Britney’s done it again. Whilst on holiday last week in Mexico with her boyfriend, dad and children in tow, the singer who’s just finished shooting a music video showed off her fabulous new figure in a black bikini and tweeted over the weekend “I can’t wait till you see the video!” Whilst it was just another day at the beach for the pop princess, it’s a great time for us mere mortals to visit, with October being one of the hottest months of the year.

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Go Green By Walking to the Caribbean? (Part 1)

MarkC — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:54:50 +0000

Here is something fun that we, at Tropical Sky have written for our Readers!

What would it be like if you couldn’t fly to the Caribbean? If you had to take another form of transport, which of these would be the most efficient, which would be the most effective, and which would be least damaging to the environment?

Here is a benchmark for how much C02 is used each year by each person in the USA - 2.3 Tonnes of C02!

An entire acre of trees can on average only store 2.4 tonnes of C02 per Annum!

Flying is important to us because:

Carbon Crisis Meter

To get from London to the Caribbean (Jamaica) takes about 10 hours in a plane And its 4229 miles (6806 kilometres) Average speed: 429 MPH Carbon Footprint Per Passenger: 1.37 Tonnes C02 each flight!
What about by boat then? On your normal Cruise ship: Average Speed: 30mph (20 knots) Time to reach Jamaica from London: 140 hours (5.8 days) Carbon Footprint Per Passenger: 8.9 Tonnes C02 each journey!
So how long would it take by the Average top speed of the Channel Tunnel Train: Average Speed: 100 MPH Time to reach Jamaica 41 hours (or 1.75 days) Carbon Footprint Per Passenger: 0.42 Tonnes C02 each journey!
How about by car, and the average speed of a car on the Motorway: Average Speed: 70 MPH Time to Reach Jamaica 60 hours (or 2.5 days, with no sleeping) Carbon Footprint Per Passenger: 1.47 Tonnes C02 each journey!
So how long would it take to walk, non stop, at a constant average speed: Average walking speed: 3.3 MPH Time to Reach Jamaica 1281 hours (or 53.1 days) That’s 70 miles a day, no stopping! To put it into perspective, it would be the same as walking up and down Everest 384 times! Carbon Footprint Per Passenger: 0.000001 Tonnes C02 each journey!

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Think You’ve Got The X-Factor? Sing In Singapore

Beth — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:05:44 +0000

Singapore is a small, sophisticated, strange country which is difficult to define. Whilst by day it is unbelievably clean and ordered, almost like a surreal, Eastern version of the Truman show, the night brings its alter ego to life and in some areas of the city it’s almost impossible to find anywhere to swing by for a quiet beer that’s not filled with crazed locals singing awful Celine Dion covers (with absolutely no irony)

Off-putting as this might sound, if you are into karaoke and secretly take your passion quite seriously, there really is no better place than the dark streets of down-town Singapore to lose your British reserve and belt out that George Michael track like you mean it! Who knows, it might inspire you to become next year’s King or Queen of the X-Factor!

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Bali – A Water Wonderland

Beth — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:27:24 +0000

Whether you are there for the amazing choice of beaches or the stunning interior scenery, there’s no getting away from water in all its forms. One of Indonesia’s most peaceful and spiritual countries, Bali offers honeymoon-perfect white sand and millpond sea, rugged surf beaches and even volcanic, black sand beaches. Roam further inland and you might think you’d start suffering in the 30 ºC heat, but when there’s the opportunity for a dip in a mystical hot spring or a shower under a 100ft icy waterfall, there’s always chance to refresh yourself!

The one great thing about being in Bali, is that when you want to stay dry - you can! I visited in January which is typically Bali’s wettest month, but it only rained once for about 10 minutes! And there’s something quite special about warm, wet rain breaking through clouds and revealing a blue sky you could only find in Bali.

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Experience The Naga Fireballs In Thailand This October

Beth — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:33:37 +0000

The Naga Fireballs are a phenomenon seen all along the Mekong river in Thailand, in which glowing red and pink egg-sized fire balls rise from depths into the sky, before disappearing. Although this strange spectacle has been seen for centuries, it has been most often reported at the beginning of the full moon around the night of Wan Awk Pansa – the end of the Buddhist lent in October, although displays have also been reported in March, April, May, June, and September.

The fire balls can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom and, according to local belief, belong to a great serpent of the underwater world that lives in the river. Whilst this belief is about as satisfying as the story of the Loch Ness monster, the scientific cause of the phenomenon is still unclear and is yet to be determined.

Whilst Thai people have always enjoyed this mystifying spectacle, the event has now become a key event in many visitor’s calendars, with many making the pilgrimage along with thousands of Thai’s celebrating the end of lent with religious offerings, candles and flowers.

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Julia Roberts Finds A Spiritual Retreat Whilst Filming In India

Hayley — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:49:39 +0000

A-list Hollywood actress, Julia Roberts has been spotted in traditional dress, visiting the Hari Mandir Ashram, a Hindu hermitage near Delhi, whilst filming scenes for her new film ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ in India.

Delhi is a fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern. A melting pot of cultures and religions makes Delhi a diverse place to explore. Delhi has been the capital of India from the mythological days and thanks to ancient rulers leaving their stamp on the city through architecture, there are a number of monuments and landmarks scattered across the city for visitors to discover.

Tropical Sky has a number of Indian tours which take in Delhi. Call 0845 543 2187 for details.

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The Dominican Republic Is A Hot Spot For 2010

Jennifer - — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:09:06 +0000

Zoetry Resort

Has anyone heard the rumour? The Dominican Republic is shrugging off its ‘poor man’s Caribbean’ image and is set to be THE place to be in 2010. Previously associated with mass market tourism and low-budget package holidays, much has changed in recent years to counter this impression. Numerous luxury resorts have opened, particularly in and around Punta Cana to the east of the island, transforming the accommodation choices available. So say goodbye to blamange-style buffet food and hello to á la carte dining and top notch facilities!

What’s more, British Airways is offering a new direct twice-weekly scheduled service from London Gatwick to Punta Cana from 26 October 2009 with flights on Monday and Thursday. The arrival of BA opens the Dominican Republic to a whole new set of travellers attracted by its new luxury facilities and diverse experiences.

This now means that people can discover the Dominican Republic’s treasures in style. They include a whole host of UNESCO World Heritage sites, award-winning championship golf courses, blue flag beaches, rolling sand dunes, mangrove swamps and an incredible biodiversity both on land and in the water where humpback whales come to breed every year.

Of the new hotels opening, word on the street is that Zoetry Agua Punta Cana Wellness Resort & Spa is going to be a hard one to beat. The boutique all-suite hotel, which opens in November, will take the all-inclusive concept to the next level with its ‘Endless Privileges’. Up for grabs will be à la carte dining in three gourmet restaurants or 24-hour in-suite dining, a complimentary bottle of Champagne daily (I could get used to this!) and a welcome bottle of rum. In addition, there’s complimentary worldwide telephone calls (time to call the family in Australia!), Bvlgari bathroom amenities, a pillow menu, a relaxing massage per guest and excellent activities to name but a few. Pretty impressive!

For more information about the Dominican Republic or the new Zoetry Resort, contact Tropical Sky.

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Tropical Sky’s 2009 Trends and Top Tips For 2010

Hayley — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:33 +0000

As 2009 becomes the year of the credit-crunched traveller, specialist long-haul tour operator, Tropical Sky, has seen some interesting changes to the habits and trends of customers.Tropical Sky’s commercial director, Steve Garley reports, “Everyone wants a bargain. Whether it’s money-off, free room nights or a room upgrade, it’s clear that they are very happy to book as long as they know they are getting a great deal and good value-for money!

“The effects of the recession will continue into 2010 with bookings mainly being made last minute. There will undoubtedly be a windfall of deals from airlines and hotels, and tour operators like Tropical Sky will flourish as we are fast on our feet and can snap up these bargains in order to pass on to the consumer.”

Tropical Sky’s Top Tips for 2010 are:

Maldives: With new resorts opening each month, the islands are being overloaded with five-star, glitzy hotels that are not full, even in high season. The ones to watch are the longer-standing four-star hotels who have built-up their clientele and are able to compete on price and value.

Sri Lanka: As the country emerges from its political troubles its tourist industry will boom. Affordable accommodation in small boutique hotels, cheap airfares and with new areas opening up, Sri Lanka will come into its own in 2010.

Long-Haul Cruising Boom: Cruising is no longer just for the elite. With food, entertainment and accommodation included, there are some exceptionally priced holidays available. In particular, great value cruise and stay programmes with Costa and luxury cruises on smaller ships such as Windstar Cruises.

Dominican Republic: With the introduction of scheduled flights from BA and many new boutique five-star spa hotels opening this winter, Dominican Republic is shrugging off its ‘poor man’s Caribbean‘ image. On comparison with its Caribbean sisters, it is set to offer all the frills for a fraction of the price.

Barbados: Recognising that 2009 has been a difficult year for travellers, the Barbados Tourism Authority has stepped up its game with enticing offers. It remains a key favourite amongst Tropical Sky’s clients and will continue to flourish into the next decade.

Thailand: After the political issues and unrest of the last year, a tourism revival will take Thailand by storm. From city breaks to specialist spa hotels, Thailand offers a diversity to suit any traveller.

Australia: No longer just for that once-in-a-lifetime trip, cheap airfares are opening Australia up as a package destination. With some wacky alternatives to the standard tours from the newly launched Australian Sky, those visiting again or for the first time can have their imagination stretched to venture well beyond the well trodden routes.

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Dubai Launches World’s Longest Driverless Metro System!

LisaEverson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:24:05 +0000

Dubai’s dream project metro became a reality when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, flagged off the first metro train from the Mall of the Emirates to Al Rashidiya late Wednesday night.

Sheikh Mohammed, after declaring the metro open, boarded the train with VIP guests and media representatives.

At exactly 9:09 p.m, Sheikh Mohammed swiped the metro’s first ticket and was joined in the trip by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai’s deputy ruler and UAE’s minister of finance, and several other dignitaries.

The $7.6 billion Dubai Metro, when running at full capacity, will be the world’s longest driverless train system.

The project, executed in a record time, has 10 stations on the Red Line Al Rashidiya, Airport Terminal 3, City Center, Al Rigga, Union Square, Khalid bin Al Waleed, Jafliah and Financial Center, Mall of the Emirates, Nakheel and Tower Stations. The remaining 19 stations on the Red Line will be opened in phases by February 2010.

The rapid transit line has been slotted together at breakneck speed, much like the often traffic-clogged city it aims to serve. In true Dubai style, it even promises a VIP section for higher-paying customers who don’t want to mix with the rest of the public using the public transport line!

For many of Dubai’s foreign guest workers, the rail project could mean far quicker commutes in a sprawling city-state where shared taxis, packed vans and creaky wooden boats are among the most visible forms of public transportation. Driverless, remote-controlled trains will whisk passengers along an elevated line that snakes over and under numerous bridges crisscrossing the city’s main multilane highway before heading underground in the city center.

A screen between passengers and the track itself allows stations to be air-conditioned not an insignificant consideration given that temperatures routinely top 110 degrees Fahrenheit and the summer humidity is oppressive. Wireless Internet is being promised throughout.

Each five-car train has a separate compartment reserved for women and children, much like the Arab world’s only other metro in Cairo. Women will be able to sit in other cars as well.

And, in a nod to Dubai’s premium tastes, every train will reserve the front for big spenders willing to pay double for leather seats in the system’s “gold class” section.

The elite seats, like the Internet and the chilled stations, are an effort to coax at least some of Dubai’s SUV-loving residents off the roads.

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Escape For Christmas

Beth — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:22:23 +0000

If your Christmas’s are anything like ours then going away somewhere hot may be the best idea you ever had!!

We did it last year and are seriously considering doing it again. It is a case of weighing up the family fall out versus actually having some time off, because let’s face it Christmas at home is anything but relaxing.

If you cannot bring yourself to actually miss Christmas day at home with all of the family feuds and over-eating, then you could always go away after Christmas. And with it falling on a Friday this year, there is a full week before going back to work after New Year.

I am hoping to be on a beach in the Caribbean, as there are some fantastic offers out there if you book early. We tend to use www.tropicalsky.co.uk as they seem to be competitive and you always get a real person on the end of the phone who actually cares about your holiday.

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Caribbean Christmas

Beth — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:43:03 +0000

Promising guaranteed balmy weather, beautiful beaches and a jovial atmosphere, the Caribbean islands are a great choice for those wanting to spend Christmas in the sun. Two of the most popular islands to celebrate are Barbados and St Lucia, both of which offer fun-filled, seasonal festivals.

Christmas in Barbados is celebrated with a festival in December. Each year trucks are dressed-up with lights and Christmas decorations and form a parade through the streets of Bridgetown and the outskirts of the city. Hundreds of Barbadians line the route, especially little children, to watch the parade and to be greeted by Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and their favourite cartoon characters - some of whom dispense a few treats along the way!

December in St. Lucia is a month-long festival, revolving around National Day celebrations and the Christmas season. The focus on National Day is building pride in the country with sporting, cultural, religious, social, and commercial activities, such as the Festival of Lights, featuring a lantern-making competition and the decoration of towns and villages with lights. Other events include the National festival of choirs, a festival of bands and a market festival akin to the market vendors feast day.

With a wealth of good value, family friendly resorts available to choose from, Christmas in the Caribbean should ‘wrap up’ nicely!

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Book With Tropical Sky For A Christmas Bargain

Beth — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:31:13 +0000

Summer may have been a wash-out, but is that a reason to start contemplating the Christmas break already? Most of us end up spending a week or so off, enjoying marathon sessions of DVD box sets and chocolate-face-stuffing, dreaming about the summer that never was with our fingers crossed for the next one.

However, Tropical Sky has just announced that they might just be able to make all of our Christmas wishes come true – by offering to send us somewhere exotic for Christmas for a fraction of the price we’d expect!

By arranging special charter flights with Monarch and matching it with greatly reduced hotel rates, ABTA and ATOL-bonded Tropical Sky is promising the best Christmas deals to the Caribbean this winter, with packages from just £999 per person and total savings for two people travelling exceeding £2,256.

Steve Garley, Tropical Sky’s commercial director says, “We have seen a huge demand in people seeking holiday bargains. The Christmas holidays period is renowned for being an expensive time to travel, so those wishing to escape for the festivities will need to book quickly as these offers won’t last long! In essence, for the price of a scheduled flight you can get a holiday.”

With three to five-star options available in destinations including St Lucia and Barbados, Santa is going to have to increase his air miles this year!

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F1 ROCKS™ Singapore

Beth — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:30:39 +0000

Fusing the world’s most popular annual sporting series with the most iconic music stars, the inaugural F1 ROCKS™ event is set to take place at the 2009 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX later this year, with a star-studded music line-up headlined by global superstars the Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce. Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, pocket-sized Singapore has often been referred to as the bridge between the East and the West, so it’s fitting that it is the first of many race locations across the world where this multi-artist live music event will take place.

In partnership with LG, this glamorous event will span three days of the night-time race weekend, from September 24-26 and be broadcast worldwide. In addition, there will be two TV shows produced, giving viewers unrivalled access into the world of Formula One racing with A-List celebrity interviews, TV stunts, unique performances and aspirational and lifestyle features. The second will be a high-octane music special showcasing the best live music performances and interviews.

Other artists confirmed for the concerts in Singapore’s Fort Canning Park are ZZ Top, Simple Minds, N*E*R*D and Chinese pop legend Jacky Cheung. The show will also feature guest appearances from top Formula One drivers and celebrities.

Tickets went on sale last week. Catch one if you can

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Brits focus on long haul travel …..

LisaEverson — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:21:01 +0000

British holidaymakers are rejecting European short breaks in favour of a single, ‘premium’ trip this year.

That’s according to the inaugural American Express Global Foreign Exchange Services Currency Index, which found 15 of the 25 best-selling currencies in the UK during the first half of 2009 were for long-haul destinations.Currencies to see an increase in demand compared with the same period last year included the Thai baht, up to ninth most popular from eleventh, the Kenyan shilling (20th from 39th), the Jamaican dollar (22nd from 27th) and the Barbados dollar (24th from 26th).

In contrast, the Czech koruna slipped from eighth to 13th and the Polish zloty from 14th to 17th most popular.

Terry Perrin, director of trading and business development at American Express Global Foreign Exchange Services, commented: ‘We have seen a significant decline in demand for currencies linked to destinations such as Prague (Czech Republic koruna) and Krakow (Polish zloty).

‘Also reflecting the trend is the fall of the Hungarian forint for destinations such as Budapest - since this time last year the forint has dropped a huge seven places and out of our ‘Top Twenty-Five World Currencies’ league table.

‘The uplift in currencies for long-haul destinations and the demise of the ‘mini-break’ currencies suggest that whilst many Brits are opting for more premium holiday destinations, they are in fact reining in their overall annual spend and forgoing mini-breaks in order to ‘push the boat out’ for their main annual holiday.’

The H1N1 swine flu outbreak, meanwhile, appears not to have dampened the British appetite for Mexico, with demand for the peso lifting it from 12th most popular in H108 to tenth this time.

Perrin said: ‘Whilst demand initially dipped, causing the peso to drop by eight places in May, overall figures suggest that swine flu was merely a short lived deterrent for travellers.’

The euro, US dollar, Turkish lira and Egyptian pound remained the four most popular currencies.

‘Over the last few years American Express has seen a year-on-year increase in demand for both the Turkish lira and the Egyptian pound,’ Perrin continued.

‘This year their popularity has been further bolstered by the weaker sterling-to-euro exchange rate, as UK travellers specifically look outside the eurozone to make their spending money go further.

‘In just twelve months we have seen demand for the Egyptian pound nearly double and demand for the Turkish lira increase by more than a third, both of which are at the direct expense of the euro.’

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Rick Stein Tastes The Far East

Beth — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:34:45 +0000

He’s eaten his way around seven countries and advocated the joys of fish sauce at every corner of South East Asia, so if the BBC series Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey hasn’t made you hungry, you must have watched in black and white with the sound turned down. Even without the whole five senses, Rick’s roaming around the markets of Thailand and the kitchens of Kampot were enough to make me hungry while I was sat there eating!

Of course, his book is out now, so we are all able to recreate the tastes and smells of the warm tropics at home, but for those who really want to taste the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Far East, there is nothing like the real thing! Make sure you pick a resort or hotel that offers a cookery course, and get out and about and eat the most authentic way for next to nothing, at the street stalls and food markets. It is also really tricky to find genuine ingredients like palm sugar and fresh turmeric in the UK so be sure to leave room in your suitcase for such goodies.

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Rio Carnival Fever In February

Beth — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:51:57 +0000

The second biggest city in Brazil and South America and the former capital of the Portuguese empire, Rio De Janeiro or River Of January in English is famous for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, Samba music, football and of course it’s carnival. Given the nickname A Cidade Maravilhosa, or The Marvelous City, Rio has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World. The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, it is also a benchmark against which every other carnival is compared and one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe.

This four-day celebration usually happens in February, the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Rio summer is at its peak, with foreign visitors to it alone amounting to around 500,000 every year.

Taking place just before Lent, the carnival takes over the whole city with partying, music and dancing, bringing organised chaos to the streets and squares, bars, clubs and all other venues across Rio and culminating in the Rio Carnival Parade also known as the Samba Parade.

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Paradise Lost – Climate Change And The Maldives

Beth — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:24:28 +0000

As well as being synonymous with white sandy beaches, sparkling, crystal clear lagoons and the honeymoon set, the Maldives is increasingly receiving international attention and headlines from an environmental perspective, as rising seas caused by climate change threaten to engulf the low-lying archipelago within this century.

Rarely being more than six feet above sea level, the coral based islands are protected by atoll reefs. However, they are all susceptible to erosion, flooding and extreme weather. Indeed, the Maldives was one of the worst casualties of the 2004 Tsunami. If, as some scientists predict, the sea level continues to rise as a result of global warming, then Maldives, with its ancient and unique culture, may all be swept away within fifty years.

As a precautionary step the government has built a breakwater on Male’s southern reef and the islands have started to enjoy more protection from natural calamities than they have ever done before. However, for those wanting to experience a glimpse of this idyllic paradise whilst they still can, there is no time like the present!

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Exotic Wedding Destinations With Tropical Sky

Hayley — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:31:35 +0000

With years of experience arranging these momentous occasions, Tropical Sky’s wedding co-ordinators offer expert advice and the personal attention that is needed for the most memorable day of your life. Here are just a few of Tropical Sky’s favourite destinations for saying ‘I do’:

BARBADOS… Best For Bargain Hunters
White sand beaches, gourmet cuisine and lush gardens of bamboo and fruit trees make the Almond Casuarina Beach Resort in Barbados an All-Inclusive escape like no other. Set in ten acres of tropical gardens and on the sands of Dover Beach, the resort combining elegant natural settings with sophistication is perfect for wedding couples and their guests. The Almond Casuarina Beach Resort’s wedding package is FREE with certain bookings and includes the services of a wedding co-ordinator, required government fees, clergyman or magistrate, decorated garden or wedding site, witnesses, bridal bouquet and matching buttonhole, wedding cake, bottle of champagne and all taxes.

KENYA… Best For A Private Affair
With the Indian Ocean lapping onto a stunning white beach whilst chanting Maasai warriors escort the bride through floral archways to the wedding dais on the Kenyan shore, a wedding at the four-star Pinewood Village is exclusive and personal with no other weddings taking place on the same day. The Pinewood Wedding Package includes a His and Hers massage, manicure and pedicure for the bride, pinhole and bridal bouquet, wedding cake, decorated beach area including bridal archway, cocktail for guests and sparkling wine for bridal couple, optional reception in Peponi Beach Restaurant, sparkling wine on ice in room, all expenses for registration fees, registrar and wedding certificate and even an escort by Maasai warriors.

ST LUCIA… Best For Large Wedding Parties
Friendly and relaxed, the Almond Morgan Bay Resort in St Lucia boasts four pools, four tennis courts, four restaurants and bars and all the watersports and land activities you would expect from an Almond Resort. With service second to none and a superb setting, you could not ask for a more fabulous wedding location. The Almond Morgan Bay’s wedding package includes the services of a wedding co-ordinator, required government fees, clergyman or magistrate, decorated garden or wedding site, witnesses, bridal bouquet and matching buttonhole, wedding cake, bottle of champagne and all taxes.

BALI… Best For Ultimate Island Luxury
Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Spa in Bali is set amidst lush tropical gardens on the golden sands of Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, and home to some of the island’s best watersports facilities. Combining the traditions of Balinese architecture and furnishings with arguably one of the best beaches on the island, this exotic location is the perfect setting to take vows. When three rooms are booked for ten days the wedding package is FREE and includes a beach venue for wedding celebration, flower decoration at wedding beach, bridal bouquet, groom’s buttonhole, flower petals, a bottle of sparkling wine, wedding cake, commemorative ceremonial certificate, music and even a wedding gift from the hotel!

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

Visit The Botanical Gardens Near Kandy, Sri Lanka

Jennifer - — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:06:43 +0000

The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens were a surprising highlight of my trip to Sri Lanka. You don’t have to be Alan Titchmarsh to enjoy this haven of peace and tranquillity. I’d recommend it for a picnic or maybe a gentle stroll in the early morning or late afternoon (it would be a great place to run for those who have the energy!).

In my case, I got lost. But it didn’t matter. In a way, I think it’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much – stumbling across different areas of the park and not knowing what I’d see next. The whole place was enchanting and I had my ipod to amuse me.

The place is huge, covering 150 acres in all. It is home to some amazing trees and vines, a picturesque lake, clumps of gigantic bamboo, large lawns and pathways flanked by graceful looking palm trees. Plus there’s the usual greenhouses with collections of orchids, various flowers and other plants that I had never seen before.

The university is close by so there were quite a few students relaxing with their books. I also saw a couple having their wedding photos taken there. Not surprising as it really is visually stunning.

All-in-all, it’s a great place to wander around for a few hours

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

The Beckhams in the Seychelles …

LisaEverson — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:26:16 +0000

The Beckhams’ £100,000-private hire of eco-retreat North Island in the Seychelles has given the destination a much-welcomed publicity boost.

Arriving back last week, the famous couple hired North Island to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

The Seychelles is a popular destination for high profile celebs due to its remoteness and privacy!

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

‘Staycation’ or ‘Tropication’ ……

Steve Garley - Commercial Director — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:32:16 +0000

US publisher Merriam Webster has announced several new words for its Collegiate Dictionary….

‘Staycation’ is a vacation spent at home or nearby. Due to the current economic climate there has been much press about people doing that this summer.

Here at Tropical Sky, we have invented a new word - ‘Tropication’ (not yet in the dictionary) To define, this is a holiday spent in the tropics at short notice, that cannot be turned down because the price is so great!!

Examples of ‘Tropication’ Include:

7 Nights at Discovery Bay, Barbados. All Inclusive Board Basis. From £689. September departures. Price includes, Flights, Transfers, Accommodation, Taxes and Surcharges. *Saving £300pp*
6 Nights at the 5* Shangri La Oman in August costs only £609 on BB. Flights are with Oman Air, Transfers, All taxes and surcharges included. *Saving £250pp*
7 Nights in the 4.5* LaSource, Grenada. Just £1269. Saving *£500*. This holiday includes free daily scuba diving, waterskiing, daily spa treatment. On top of the usual activities if you arrive in September you will recieve a free bottle of wine and couplse massage!

Another new word in the Merriam Webster dictionary is ‘waterboarding’ - they define it as an interrogation technique inducing the sensation of drowning.

Tropical Sky on the other hand, believe it is what you do on a boogie board on the south coast of Barbados!!

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

Cap Maison, St Lucia - Hot Just Got Hotter!! Saving up to $2,000 a couple!

LisaEverson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:37:00 +0000

We have just heard from Cap Maison in St Lucia who have advised us of a spectacular new offer!

They have released a FREE meal programme to encourage guests to experience their fantastic new resort.

So, as well as full breakfast daily and 2 course lunch …. a 3 course dinner is also included at the popular Cliff at Cap restaurant.

As if this wasn’t enough, a beverage credit worth US$550 per room per 7 night stay can be put against your drinks bill!

Guests are also entitled to a one category room upgrade and welcome spa treatment!

Conde Nast features Cap Maison in their top 140 Hot List of new hotels worldwide, and is one of only 3 in the Caribbean.

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

On the road in Barbados….

Steve Garley - Commercial Director — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:53:25 +0000

A day in the car in Barbados:

We were staying at the Crane, just north of the airport. We drove first to Silver Sands Beach to see the kite-surfers. We had breakfast in a new boutique hotel called Silver Point. Sitting on the beachfront we had a grandstand view of the kite-surfers jumping and turning in the waves.

We then drove south to the Gap and wandered around the bars and shops for an hour or so. This is the main night spot of Barbados, We walked along the new boardwalk that has just been built. This is a super promenade that takes you away from the busy road. We then drove into Bridgetown for a mooch around the bigger shops. There is not much to buy or see but it is fun. We loved the locally branded “portaloos”!
Then it was up to the west coast- the platinum coast - This is the leeside of the island with no waves. It is ideal to try your hand at waterskiing or rent a jet-ski. We stopped for lunch in a bar in Holetown and we drove around Sandy Lanes extensive grounds pretending we were staying there.
We then drove on to Speighstown where Almond Beach Village hotel stands just to the north of the town. We bumped into Kevin who sold us a tour to see the turtles. We went to a site nearby in a glass bottom boat. We were given snorkels and jumped in. No turtles. The driver threw in fish, we changed locations but there were stil no turtles! Typically when we got back in to the boat they arrived - two medium sized green turtles. They swam lazily around the boat for 15 minutes taking the fish they were thrown. Such graceful creatures, they were lovely to watch.
It was then round the dual carriageway home stopping at Oistins for fish on the way.

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky

LaSource, Grenada. September Spectacular!!

LisaEverson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:51:59 +0000

For new bookings arriving in September, all guests staying at LaSource will automatically receive the following:

Couples Massage
Bottle of Champagne on arrival
Single Travellers - One Extra spa treatment from the A La Carte Menu
Room Upgrade - Subject to availability.

So hurry, book your next holiday to LaSource, Grenada now!!!! ……………

Post from: Luxury Holiday Blog - Tropical Sky