Twin-centre holidays are proving popular with travellers
Each with an urban stopover for fabulous shopping and city indulging, combine a few nights in Rome, New York, Dubai or Las Vegas with beach chilling or Wild West ranching for a winning combination of switching on and switching off breaks.
The Full Monti: Shop Rome’s hip neighbourhood then recline on the Amalfi Coast
This seven-night trip to Amalfi with a shopover in Rome combines boutique shopping with a glamorous coastal escape. Spend three nights in Italy’s capital at Hotel Boscolo Exedra, and four nights at the recently opened Monastero Santa Rosa, on the Amalfi Coast.
The Boscolo Exedra Rome is a 19th century white marble palazzo with rooms overlooking the Monti neighbourhood, a shoppers’ paradise with chic boutiques, gourmet stores, cool bars and restaurants. Back at the hotel, guests can indulge in pampering treatments at the spa or relax on the rooftop terrace with Italy’s iconic cocktail, the Negroni.
The new 17th century Monastero Santa Rosa, perched high on the mountainside on the Amalfi Coast was bought by a lady who fell in love with the monastery whilst sailing along the coast. She has spent the last decade restoring it so guests can now enjoy breathtaking views of the Bay of Salerno, terraced gardens, an infinity edge swimming pool, and the hotel’s restaurant Dining al Fresco.
Price: From £1,925 per adult, based on two sharing. This includes all flights and transfers, three nights accommodation at Boscolo Exedra Roma in a Superior Room, four nights accommodation at Monastero Santa Rosa in a Superior Room, and all breakfasts.
For more information or bookings go to www.wandotravel.com
Big Tropical Apple: Shop New York’s Upper East Side then relax at Jalousie Plantation, St Lucia
This has to be ultimate shopping trip with three nights at The Mark Hotel, New York, followed by seven nights at the idyllic Jalousie Plantation on one of the Caribbean’s verdant islands.
The Mark combines French style décor and modern technologies, and is the perfect base for shoppers, located in the heart of the Upper East Side. Not only is it set on the corner of Madison Avenue and just one block away from Central Park, it has designer boutiques and bars right on its doorstep. Guests can spend their nights at The Mark restaurant, complete with a world class menu by award-winning Jean-Georges, before indulging in a Lychee Raspberry Bellini at the hotel’s chic bar.
After all that shopping, a flight of just a few hours will land you at what is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sites in the world, The Jalousie Plantation, set in the Valley of The Pitons, an area listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Recently renovated each of the Luxury Sugar Mill Rooms feature a private walled garden with plunge pool and interiors are crisp white colonial plantation style. There is a beach concierge and a dine anywhere policy.
Price: From £2,411 per adult, based on two sharing a room. This includes all flights plus transfers in Saint Lucia, three nights’ accommodation at The Mark, and seven nights’ accommodation at The Jalousie Plantation.
For more information or bookings go to www.wandotravel.com
Best of Both Worlds: Shop Dubai’s mighty malls then chill in Sri Lanka
Spend three days shopping in Dubai, before relaxing for seven nights in Sri Lanka. Desert Palm Retreat Dubai (part of the Per Aquum portfolio of luxury contemporary hotels), combines Arabian charm with chic luxury, spacious villas and suites and an infinity pool. ‘Rare’, the award-winning restaurant overlooks the polo fields where lessons and horse riding are available.
The hotel is located just 20 minutes from the airport with easy access to Dubai’s world renowned malls. Dubai even has its own shopping festival (Jan & Feb) with huge discounts, and fireworks. Dubai Summer Surprises is a similar replication of the festival, taking place in the summer holidays.
After leaving Dubai, stay at Serene Pavilions, on the West coast of Sri Lanka, and just 2 hours from the airport at Colombo. Located on the beach within a seven-acre coconut grove, this boutique hotel is an ideal place to wind-down with a sea-facing bar perfect for sunset cocktails and a restaurant complete with sea views, as well as a large pool, gym, and tennis courts.
Price: From £1,297 for 10 nights per adult, based on 2 sharing. This includes all flights and transfers, 3 nights’ accommodation at Desert Palm Retreat, 4 nights at Serene Pavilions, and all breakfasts.
For more information or bookings go to www.wandotravel.com
Saddle Up Shop Down(town): Shop Vegas then go Wild West ranching
Combining a Wild West ranch trip before a shop-over in Las Vegas, start your holiday with seven nights at Tanque Verde Ranch - an old-time cattle and guest ranch. Set on 640 acres in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains, the ranch offers miles of scenic riding and hiking trails to explore the Sonoran Desert. With 180 horses, guests can ride every day enjoying breakfast rides out into the desert as well as idyllic sunset rides. Lessons are also available for all levels including beginners. Guests can also take to one of the ranch’s tennis courts, relax by the pool and Jacuzzi, or try their luck at fishing.
For part two fly to Las Vegas, staying for 3 nights at The Cosmopolitan. Located on the centre of ‘The Strip’, the luxury hotel has infinity pools, poolside cabanas, restaurants with cuisines from across the globe, and chic rooms complete with views of the city and all the latest technologies. What’s really special though is the close proximity to Town Square, an open air mall packed with an eclectic mix of designer shops and restaurants. Here, guests can shop till they drop, before indulging in pampering treatments at the hotel’s Sahra Spa and spending their evenings at the hotel’s grand casino.
Price: From £1,975 per adult for 10 nights, based on two sharing. This includes all flights, seven nights’ accommodation at Tanque Verde Ranch on a full board basis, daily horse riding, and 3 nights at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
For more information or bookings go to www.wandotravel.com
Arabian & Indian (shopping) Nights: Shop gold and carpets in Abu Dhabi’s then hit the markets of Mumbai
Six nights in two world-class capitals where shopping is a national pastime and shops and markets open late is not everyone’s idea of a holiday. But when combined with days spent lounging in luxury hotels and the nights saved for bargain hunting it all begins to sound more fun! What’s more a local guide from both cities will be at hand to offer all of the insider shopping tips.
Spend the first three nights at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, a luxurious hotel complete with gold leaf and marble interiors. Days here can be spent indulging at the spa and relaxing on the private beach before heading out in the evening to the Marina Shopping Mall, just 5 minutes away.
The last three nights are spent at Taj Mahal Mumbai Tower Wing which offers panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, and a fine choice of restaurants and bars. With easy access to the buzzing shopping areas of Mumbai and a knowledgeable guide this is your passport to a city well known for its trendy boutiques, shopping malls and buzzing markets.
Price: From £1,475 per adult for six nights, based on two sharing. This includes all flights and transfers, three nights’ accommodation at Emirates Palace and three nights’ at Taj Mahal Mumbai Tower Wing with breakfast, and guided excursions (one half day in each city).
For more information or bookings go to www.wandotravel.com
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst_UK
Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM
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