London's Claridges hotel has teamed up with iconic fashion house, Christian Dior, to offer guests staying in the hotel's Linley and Claridge's Suites the "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" experience.

The Dior Dressing Table is a bringing to life of the bygone boudoir era of 1930's and 40's Hollywood. Expect all the classic Dior fragrances on your art-deco dressing table, plus a Dior beauty kit of compacts, powders and ruby red lipstick and nail varnish.

You can float to your Dior dressing table in a cream silk Claridge's dressing gown personalised with your initials, high heeled marabou mule slippers and a rose pink cashmere eye mask (which might be better left for bed if you want to match the likes of Rita Hayworth and Greta Garbo in the style stakes).

As you make yourself up you can sip 1930s inspired cocktails served in Lalique glasses from Claridge's Fumoir Bar and listen to a playlist of songs from Josephine Baker and Fred Astaire.

If Mr. Right is running late novels by Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford should distract you.

The "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" will be available in Linley / Claridge's suites at an additional price of £300 to the quoted room rate. The price includes all Four Dior fragrances, beauty gifts – lipstick / nail varnish / powder, personalised silk dressing gown, an Evelyn Waugh book, CD and cocktails from the Fumoir. For reservations, call +44 (0)20 7629 8860 or visit www.claridges.co.uk.

Hong Kong is not short of Spanish restaurants. It is short however on the buzz, the chatter and the vibrancy that characterizes tapas bars across Spain. So welcome Uno Más. Four months old and already its tables are full and its atmosphere animated, even on a Tuesday night.

The restaurant aims to recreate the Barcelona tapas experience for Iberia-philes in Hong Kong. The modern, monochrome interior looks like many a trendy Barcelona bar, and the chef has been imported from Spain too, for added culinary authenticity.

The menu offers both tapas and main courses. We chose a selection of tapas including Ensalada de la Casa (a mixed salad topped with thinly sliced Manchego cheese), Cetas Mixtas al Jerez (sautéed mushrooms with sherry), Escalivada (roasted peppers, onions and aubergines), Albóndigas con Tomate (meatballs in a tomato sauce) and the Tortilla de Patata (potato and onion omlette served with alioli). The best, by far, was the tortilla with the meatballs coming in a close second. The salad was good – fresh and drizzled with deliciously rich balsamic vinegar – the mushrooms and escalivada very eatable, not outstandingly good.

I asked the General Manager for his recommendations and he quickly rattled off Gambas, Calamare, Bacalao a la Llauna (pan fried cod with red peppers and garlic), Croquetas de Jamón, Tortilla de Patata y Chorizo and Manzana Rellena (stuffed baked apple with pork, raisins and pine nuts). The paella also came highly recommended. We should have asked before we ordered!

The wine list was decent, the highlight being Pedro Ximénez (sweet, dark, dessert sherry) by the glass (HK$75).

Uno Más is an exciting addition to Hong Kong's Spanish restaurant scene, and is absolutely worth a visit. Go with a group of friends for a relaxed, informal dinner or as a couple for an intimate meal in a lively atmosphere. We sat inside on a high table, but the covered balcony (with air-con) looked like the best spot to be.

A meal for two, including wine, costs about HK$1,000.

Uno Más, 1/F, 54 – 62 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2527 9111. Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday, 12pm – 2am; Friday and Saturday: 12pm – 3am.

By Andy Hayes

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, doubles in size come August as tourists descend from all over the world to enjoy the Edinburgh Fringe (7 - 31 August 2009), dubbed the world's largest arts festival. With so many people pouring down the steep slopes of the city's streets, the old world vibe of Edinburgh can start to feel distinctly crowded. Here are some top tips for surviving:

1. Book Your Tickets in Advance

Not only do many popular shows sell out, but by buying in advance you'll avoid the sometimes lengthy queues at the Fringe box office (180 High Street, Edinburgh; +44 (0)131 226 0026). If you do want to buy something later on see if you can get tickets at the venue itself – it might save you the extra trip and save time. You can buy tickets online at the Edinburgh Fringe website but get a paper copy of the entire programme (it's easier to read), then go online to search and buy.

2. Eat Early

Restaurants become a real problem during the Edinburgh Festival – few if any take reservations and the numbers of people coming through all but break many kitchens. The staff at most places do a great job coping (after all, it's a yearly event) but you'll have to wait. To ease the pain, try eating early. Otherwise, look for a restaurant further away from the city centre – great food can be found near Haymarket and Stockbridge, where there are fewer Fringe venues and subsequently fewer tourists.

3. Spend some time away from the Fringe

It's easy to come to Edinburgh and get caught up in the excitement of the event, but don't forget Edinburgh is a city full of other sights and plenty of outdoor activities. Get some fresh air up on Arthur's Seat, the highest point in the city, or check out the monuments on top of Calton Hill at the end of Princes Street. Head down to Leith and check out the harbour area. When you get back to the crowded Fringe venues, you'll feel refreshed.

There's no use hoping that your Fringe visit will not be crowded; it's part of the experience. So relax, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy Edinburgh's transformation into an arts and theatre wonderland – there's nothing like it.

Photo Credits: Crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe by freefotouk, Edinburgh desde Calton Hill by estorde via Flickr (Creative Commons).

The holiday is booked and the swimwear has come out of hibernation, but one key question remains... how are you going to get into buff beach shape before it's time to strut your half-naked stuff?

We caught up with Nathan Solia, founder and trainer at Bootcamp Hong Kong, to get a fitness expert's top 10 tips on how to get fit and into scorching hot shape for your travels this summer.

1. Eat small meals and eat regularly: Eating small, regular meals aids in weight loss by keeping your metabolism and blood sugar levels up so you crave food less frequently.

2. Do interval training: Interval training doesn't deplete muscle mass like going for a long-distance run does, and it burns body fat and calories more efficiently.

3. Drink water: Water keeps you hydrated and there are no calories and no sugar in good old H2O. To burn calories your body requires a good supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process, so drink up!

4. Do weight bearing exercise: It will build up your metabolism and allow you to burn fat more effectively. Weight bearing exercise is any exercise that works your bones and muscles against gravity, for example weight training, jogging, climbing stairs and football.

5. Choose all over body exercises: Working out your whole body burns off much more fat than spot exercises such as sit-ups. Do an ab plank rather than an ab crunch, as it's more of an all over body work out.

6. Do squats, lunges and step-ups: Your quads are such a big muscle group that they burn a lot of fat if worked out properly. Doing squats, lunges and step-ups will tone your tummy better than sit-ups because they burn off more calories and more fat.

7. Eat wisely: Choose good quality fats and take Trans Fats out. Good fats include Omega-3 rich foods like oily fish, flaxseed and olive oil (in moderation!); bad Trans Fats are found in a lot of packaged food like crisps, microwave popcorn and vegetable oil. Another tip is to cut down on cooked veggies in favour of raw ones; when you cook vegetables they lose their good minerals and vitamins and become easier to digest.

8. Exercise 3 to 5 times per week for between 30 and 60 minutes: Yes, it sounds torturous, but it really will get you results.

9. Exercise with a friend or in a group: This will help to keep your motivation up – you are less likely slack off if you've arranged to go to the gym or the park with a friend – and you'll stick with your program for longer when you feel a sense of belonging and hear your friends' positive feedback.

10. Get fit outdoors: Make the most of the outdoor space around you – even the smallest of parks has enough space to do ab planks, dips and push-ups – exercising outdoors is more interesting than running on the treadmill in the gym so you are more likely to stick at it for longer.

Watch Nathan demonstrating some of these exercises here and read his tips for staying fit whilst you're on the road here.

For more information about Bootcamp Hong Kong please visit www.bootcamp.com.hk or call +852 2869 6883.

Photos courtesy of Bootcamp Hong Kong.

Staying fit whilst you travel is no mean feat. The vast majority of hotels don't have their own gyms and in some countries it's not appropriate to don your tight-fitting Lycra and head out for a jog. Even when you're staying in a 4* or 5* hotel with swanky fitness equipment the gym can be horribly unappealing – why would you want to hit the treadmill when you could be eating, drinking or sightseeing? Bottom line – it's easy to lose the motivation to keep fit whilst you travel.

We spoke to fitness expert and Hong Kong Bootcamp Founder and Trainer, Nathan Solia, about what you can do to burn fat and stay fit when you're on the road.

Make sure you watch the video of Nathan demonstrating how to do the exercises mentioned below.

Q: If you're staying somewhere without a gym what exercises can you do in your hotel room?

Nathan Solia: You can do squats, lunges, ab planks, one leg hip extensions, push-ups, shoulder raises, shoulder presses and dips in a very small space.

Q: How can you improvise if there's no gym near where you're staying or you don't want to pay for one?

NS: Use your bed or a chair to do dips and shoulder presses from, use the hallway wherever you're staying to do lunges and squats, run or walk up and down the fire exit. The hallway is also an excellent place to do shuttles: go to the end of the hallway, run to the first door and then run back, run to the second door and run back and so on. People will think you're insane, but it'll keep you fit!

Q: What fitness equipment should everyone pack?

NS: I recommend packing a TRX Suspension Trainer. It's a lightweight (2 lbs) piece of kit that you can pack into a small space. It's easy to set up and will give you a great workout, building muscular balance, joint stability, mobility, and core strength. You can use it in your room tied to the door or outdoors in a park, so it's perfect for travellers.

Q: Why is it important to stay fit when you travel?

NS: Because you've got to fight the flab – when you don't use it you lose it! Fitness levels drop off quickly and it takes time to build your fitness back up. If you've been working hard at home it seems a shame to undo all your good work over a two or three week break.

Q: What pre-travel preparation can you do to keep fit wherever you travel to?

NS: Go onto Google and find a local park or outdoor space. All you need to keep fit are steps and a patch of ground (for more info watch Nathan's video).

Q: Can exercise help to beat jetlag?

NS: Yes! Exercise a few hours before bed can help to increase the time you spend asleep. Morning exercise can help to keep you alert throughout the day, which is always tough when you travel long-haul. In-flight make sure you walk around the cabin, stand up on your tiptoes and lower down, bring your knee into your chest whilst you stand up and rotate from side to side in your seat.

For more information and tips on how to do these exercises to maximum effect, watch this video.

To find out more about Bootcamp Hong Kong visit www.bootcamp.com.hk.

Photo Credit: Jogging on a bright November morning by Ed Yourdon via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By themanwithsalthair

Taking place in Cusco this week (24 June) is the festival of Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. Inti Raymi pays homage to the Inca sun god, Inti, and marks the winter solstice.

Around 100,000 visitors flood into Cusco to mark the festival. To find out more about travelling to Cusco click here.

Our friends over at Black Tomato are roaring with excitement because Botswana's Okavango Delta currently has the best safari conditions in 45 years.

The Okavango Delta is enjoying the highest water levels on record since 1963, and more water = more game. So right now is the time to cash in your holiday time and travel to Botswana.

The current tip top safari conditions mean that visitors can go by boat into parts of the delta that are normally unreachable - seeing the wildlife in a way that is usually near impossible. You can even explore the flood plains and spot game in a traditional mokoro canoe.

Black Tomato is running a special offer on Okavango Delta safaris (in case you needed any more reason to pack your bags and go): 7 nights for the price of 6, saving £400 per person.

Unparalleled safari conditions, incredible wildlife, papyrus swamps, reed plains and a luxurious camp at the Vumbura Reserve - sounds pretty perfect to us.

A 7 night safari costs from £5,380 pp (save £400 pp), including international and internal flights, 7 nights' Full Board accommodation, park fees, game drives, mokoro/boat trips, laundry, and taxes. For more information, visit Black Tomato.

Photo Credits: Okavango Delta, Botswana by Sara&Joachim and Sunset on the hippo pool by lawmurray via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Today, the people of Pisa will honour their patron saint, Saint Ranieri, by lighting some 70,000 lumini (small glass lanterns) in the city's palazzi, along its bridges, and in the towers, as well as floating thousands of candles on the River Arno. The candles and lanterns create an incredible spectacle of light.

The Luminara di San Ranieri happens every year on 16th June.

Photo Credit: Luminara di San Ranieri by fcaboni via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you ever needed a push to make your next trip something more permanent, then here you go... Anecdotal evidence has long shown that living abroad gives you a creative edge - think Kipling, Yeats, Picasso, Hemingway, Handel and Gauguin - and now two psychologists have proved a tenable link.

In their article "Cultural Boarders and Mental Barriers: The Relationship Between Living Abroad and Creativity" for the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, William W. Maddux of INSEAD and Adam D. Galinsky of Northwestern University prove that people who have lived or are living abroad have more creative insights than those who don't; that "spending time in new cultures can transform individuals into more creative beings".

Americans and foreigners living in America underwent 5 seperate studies to test whether there is a link between living abroad and creativity. The results showed that those who were either living abroad or had spent some time doing so were better problem solvers, negotiators and more open to new experiences (which is known to play a part in creativity).

As The Economist notes, "Merely travelling abroad, however, was not enough. You do have to live there. Packing your beach towel and suntan lotion will not, by itself, make you Hemingway."

Tahitian Women on the Beach by Paul Gauguin via Wikipedia.

Our brand new "Business Traveller's Guide To" series kicks off with Hong Kong. The new guide gives you the heads up on everything you need to know about the "Fragrant Harbour".

For tips on where to stay, eat, meet, drink, shop, spa, get suited and much more click here. These tips are guaranteed to knock the socks of your clients and colleagues next time you're in town.

Where to Spa in Hong Kong: The Mandarin Barbour.

Brits have always been bonkers about bikes, and no-where is better suited to biking than Cambridge. It's the city with the highest level of cycle use in the UK, where spokes and students go hand-in-hand and locals prefer two wheels to four.

The ancient, tightly packed city is perfect for exploring by bike and it's a very easy ride out to the quiet river "backs" and water meadows of the River Cam.

One of the top cycling routes is Cambridge to Grantchester, a village immortalized by Rupert Brooke in his 1912 poem The Old Vicarage, Grantchester. It's a leisurely 30 minute cycle ride from Cambridge to Grantchester across meadows and along river banks. There are dozens of picnic spots en route, but make sure you save room for the famous cream tea at the Orchard Tea Garden or, for those in need of stronger stuff, a pint in the beer gardens of The Rupert Brooke or The Red Lion pubs.

With British "Bike Week", the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK, coming up from 13 – 21 June, now is the perfect time to explore Cambridge by bike. And what better excuse than Bike Week to treat yourself to a cycle-themed break at the boutiquey Hotel du Vin Cambridge, right in the heart of the city's famous cobbled streets and college enclosures?

A two-night Summer Cycling Break at the Hotel du Vin Cambridge costs from £349 for two people (sharing) including 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation, with supper in the Bistro on one evening, and a full days’ bike hire. Valid throughout summer 2009, subject to availability. To book, contact Hotel du Vin Cambridge on +44 (0)1223 227 330.

Photo Credits: Clare HDR by .mushi_king; grantchester by murasakinotori via Flickr (Creative Commons). HdV Cambridge Suite ©Hotel du Vin.

If your travels are taking you to London this summer enjoy a quintessential English experience with Pimms or a pint at The Carpenter's Arms on Whitfield Street.

Just off Tottenham Court Road, this pretty pub is home to a brilliant roof terrace that's the perfect spot for a tipple in the sunshine. If the terrace is full there are tables outside on the pavement, plus the pub's interior is light and airy if the London weather is a letdown.

If you're planning a get together you can hire out the roof terrace and the adjacent Belle Bar for a party (a minimum spend of £500 is required).

The Carpenter's Arms, 68-70 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 4EY.

Tel: +44 20 7580 3186; Website: www.thecarpentersarmsw1.co.uk; Opening Hours: Sun 12-10.30pm, Mon 12-11pm, Tue, Wed & Thurs 12-11.30pm, Fri & Sat 12- midnight.

Photo Credit: Carpenter's Arms, Fitzrovia, W1 by Ewan-M.

By Helena Iveson

Is there a more food-obsessed city than Kuala Lumpur? Malaysia's ethnic blend of Chinese, Malay and Indian has made Kuala Lumpur Asia's capital city of gluttony. "We are truly a food-mad country," says Honey Ahmad, co-founder of local food blog Fried Chillies. "Eating is what unites us. When we talk about food, it transcends race and religion and breaks down barriers."

Fasting for a few days before arrival might be a good idea as something else that unites locals is a love of carbs, from Indian roti bread to Malaysian favourite Hokkien mee noodles. But dining out in Kuala Lumpur, whether it be at the street-side stalls which line the city or in one of the many air-conditioned malls, is the city's greatest pleasure and staggeringly inexpensive.

Your first stop in KL should be night market Jalan Alor, near Bukit Bintang, the neon-lit nightlife centre. The street used to be a red light district but is now a family-friendly destination where spice and sauce comes from flaming woks.

Take a wander through the stalls and feast on the sight of hungry diners perched on rickety stools, waiting for their char siew barbequed pork or steaming plates of chilli fried squid to arrive amongst the clatter of woks.

Stalls to look out for include Jalan Alor Nasi Lamak Stall at the road's junction with Changkat Bukit Bintang. Carnivores will devour the meltingly rich beef rendang, where the meat is stewed in thick coconut milk for a day. Locals eat it with sambal kerang – a chilli and cockles paste – on the side. If you have room for more meat, don't miss out on the fabulous Wong Ah Wah chicken stall at the end of the road – just look out for the queue of fans waiting for their wings.

Where: Jalan Alor, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Photo Credits: beef rendang - ready to simmer by smashz, NL - dishes by babe_kl via Flickr (Creative Commons).

The experience starts on arrival at the airport. A smartly dressed woman holds a ‘wooden’ sign “Six Senses” and gently leads you to the chauffeur awaiting you in the 7 series BMW. After some 20 minutes you glide into a small marina (with some extremely beautiful boats) and ushered onto a speed boat. Some five minutes elapse, and a pontoon appears with what appears like a ‘welcoming party’ standing there.

Melida, the Hospitality Manager, greets you together with your personal Butler. In my case, it was Am. He was warm, and nothing seemed too much problem. I was invited to strike some huge ‘gong’ twice to announce my arrival. The purpose eluded me – I assumed it was to see whether I could manage to elicit some sound! Otherwise they would have assumed it would be better to send me straight back!

Am took me in my Buggy (Golf Course type) to my Villa – which was simply gorgeous, and took some 15 minutes to be shown around, pool, lighting, steam room, different bath room etc etc – too much to take in. One question I had for Am was about the TV. “Where is it?” We do not have any, we feel that this has to be a ‘life changing experience’ – Culture shock, it is! – The F1 Monaco GP was on the following day. What to do? No more to say and I capitulated to the atmosphere.

Check in was a painless exercise in the villa, checking that they had all my information correctly recorded. Needless to say, my assessment of my girth had fooled them, and Am very kindly suggested that I have a ‘slightly’ larger yoga suit that I ordered! (The Management like all residents – sounds like internment - to wear these outfits, and having got used to them, I really understand the reasons). Am then told me that I had to go meet with Sally, a Naturopath who would plan my stay at Six Senses and explore the purpose of my visit.

Sally is a lovely Australian woman, and passionate about the concept of holistic living. I was asked many deep thought provoking questions, after which Sally put together a timetable, which was later given to me. She suggested that I immediately go and have 2 massage sessions of one hour each! The first was on my back and legs. Simply amazing Chinese massage I cannot remember what is was, as I fell asleep! The second seemed rather more painful, but the euphoria from the first session simply left me in a state of metamorphosis. I recall making some snorting noises (hopefully not flatulence), or possibly laughing and feeling rather embarrassed about them, but Ning was so nice and said something as to say “it’s OK”. The rigmarole of changing back into the formal residence attire took place, and I was gently escorted to the Tea Garden. A couple of Geese waddled past looking at me as if to say “you poor fool, you have a very long way to go before you can look anything like your objective” and I could not stop laughing! I was offered different teas – and chose ginger. Delicious, stimulating and brought me back to life with a jolt.

Dinner followed, which was a seafood barbeque consisting of shrimp and lobster. All very good.

Time for an early night, after such a challenging day!

Sunday

I was supposed to go for a 7am session for “Everyday Breathing” but felt too lazy, so slept in. After all, I was here to relax? Right? We are all given bikes – and the name plate is hand-written with each guest’s initials. Cute touch. Thought that I would give this a try and cycle to the main restaurant. Having not ridden a bike for years, thought it would be simple – as one never forgets this. Wobbled around and finally got it moving in the right direction, then bang! Managed to ruin the gears and the chain fell off! Rather embarrassed again, so discarded the bike and walked!

Breakfast consisted of delicious mueslis, and egg-white omelettes. Walked back to the villa. The weather was simply gorgeous, so covered myself in sun-cream and layout by the small pool at my villa.

After lunch, I had booked a session for “Super Stretch” at 2.00pm. I turned up, and was met by Pui. The session was excruciating, but I felt amazing after a few hours!

At 4pm, I had a session with Kelly Mitchell called the “Wellness Wheel” which explained the balance of life, and how everything interacts with each other part. Kelly was like your personal psychiatrist, and reviewed my life habits, what I wanted to change, and what I want to achieve. Once again, many deep thought provoking questions, all of which made me realise that I needed to make some fundamental changes.

Dinner consisted of some interesting vegetarian starters, with a choice of grilled fish as main course, with different puddings.

Monday

The weather was beautiful, so could not wait to sunbathe by the pool. Sat there for a few hours until my “Nutritional Counselling” session with Kelly again. She agreed to write a program for me to follow before I left.

There is another restaurant in the spa – at the end of the property. It is called “Dining at the Point” and all they prepare is vegetarian food. It seems that ‘raw’ means you can cook up to 42C. The food was unbelievable! I strongly recommend eating at this spot, with lovely views towards Phuket and many other small islands.

My next massage session was at 4pm for two hours. Today was Thai Massage and then Detoxifying. Jum was the masseuse. I have to say that this was very painful! After the hour’s session, I was very aware that I had been ‘done’ and felt as though I had been through a few rounds with Mike Tyson! The detoxifying massage though relaxed me again. It is interesting that one moves from different treatment rooms – and there are 4 separate areas. Each of the areas are named by different massage-type regions.

I did not have any dinner, as I felt too full, and tired.

Tuesday

The weather had changed, and it was pouring. Enjoyed the usual breakfast, and then went to meet Bryan, the Wellness Director. He looks extremely fit (and is!), and his idea of fun/relaxation is competing in the Iron Man triathlons – swimming, cycling and running, or the 250 km running races in Mongolia or other countries! He is a font of knowledge. He politely and gently explained to me what I should do to improve my physical shape. Taught me a range of simple exercises together with warm up procedures and the benefit of all the different machines. It was a thoroughly interesting 90 minute session.

Bryan joined me for lunch and talked about the resort and the principles behind the different concepts – he is passionate about it. You must meet him and let him challenge you.

I was getting closer to my final session, the “Hot Stone 80 minutes” and had not idea what to expect. Jeep was my masseuse again (I thought she had had enough from the previous time!). This massage involves heating stones to about 60c, and then having them slowly and rhythmically moved over ones body. The effect of the oils and warm stones is really relaxing, and leaves you with a glow. The heat penetrates deep into the body. It is a must.

I was escorted to the Bai Cha (Tea room area) to relax again with some lovely ginger tea.

In the evenings, they have a table for customers to meet some of the management, and also other ‘inmates!’ Tonight was really fun. There was a great couple, Colin and Alison, who were from the UK police, Alistair the Director of Six Senses in Europe (Dubai/Europe), Melida and many others. It was thoroughly enjoyable, albeit tinged with sadness as I was leaving the following morning.

Wednesday

Up early, quick breakfast. Am came to meet me, and settle my bill in the room – very civilised. Then at 9am I was taken in my buggy to the pier, and had to bang the Gong only once this time. Did so with more vigour than the two required on my arrival, as felt really rejuvinated. The speedboat was waiting, and my farewell party consisted of Melida and Am. It took about 4 minutes to reach the marina and the awaiting 7 series BMW. It was raining, which gave a more sombre feeling to the events. Was at the airport in another 20 minutes.

All I can say is that these four days were probably one of the most enjoyable I have experienced at any hotel or resort. The seclusion, treatments, learning sessions, and time to reflect are indeed ‘life changing’ especially if one can implement everything one has learned.

I cannot recommend Six Senses Destination Spa Phuket enough for a life changing experience. The people are lovely, nothing is too much, and the rooms, fittings and location are out of this world. Sign up as soon as you can!

Have you had any experiences like this?

This shot by frederic.salein depicts a scene that travellers to Botswana dream about encountering. Amazing light plus a stunning animal.

Check out AliceAfrica's two week African adventure travel itinerary here. For more information about the Chobe National Park click here.

By Christina Newberry

Mexico has an abysmal plastic recycling program. Combine this with the fact that tourists and locals alike down bottled water in huge quantities, and the end result is literally tons of plastic heading into landfills.

This problem inspired Rishi Sowa, a British ex-pat living on the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres to create an ecologically sensitive way to re-use plastic, creating his own mini-ecosystem in the process. The result is Spiral Island.

Anchored in Makax Lagoon, the 20-metre island is built on a base of 100,000 floating plastic bottles. With a house that includes a fully functional kitchen and bathroom, and even an office space with solar- and wind-powered laptop station, Sowa sees the island as a model method for making housing out of trash.

Sowa lives on the island full time and offers tours on a donation basis.

Our tour started with a short ride from the dock to the island on a hand-built raft-style boat, which is also made from plastic bottles. As we stepped down on to the island, Sowa warned us that it wouldn't quite feel like terra firma – the floating bottles give the entire island a little bit of bounce. Once we had our island legs, Sowa explained how he's using quick-growing mangroves and other plants to stabilize the island, clean the air, and generally help to minimize the damage done by all the plastic we consume.

As we walked around the island, Sowa showed off his prototype for a wave- and solar-powered clothes washing system – just one of his island inventions. Another neat trick is the tin-can-style telephone he's made using conch shells, so visitors in what will eventually be an upstairs guest bedroom can call down to the kitchen for breakfast. The shower and taps are conch shells, and the toilet is a self-composting system that uses woodchips to neutralise odours and germs.

Solar panels on the island generate enough electricity to power Sowa's laptop, lights, and kitchen appliances. He ended the tour by sharing some of his home-made island ice cream.

The island in Mexico is Sowa's second attempt at plastic-bottle island living. The first Spiral Island, anchored near Puerto Aventuras, lasted for seven years before being destroyed by a hurricane. With the new island tethered in a more sheltered lagoon, Sowa hopes it can become a permanent installation, and then become a model for economically and ecologically sound housing for and society that has water nearby or suffers from flooding.

Seeing Spiral Island is one thing – but the real benefit of the tour is picking Sowa's brain. He's part mad scientist, part "eco-pioneer."

If you go:

Spiral Island is not a typical tourist stop, and you won't find it on any day-trip agenda. In fact, the island may have moved by the time you try to find it – when we were there Sowa was in the process of securing permission to move the island further from shore. (The island is licensed as a boat, and right now it's secured to a dock very close to land – close enough that his cat was able to escape through the mangrove roots and come back with kittens in her belly.)

For now, Spiral Island is anchored in Makax Lagoon, at a dock near the Dolphin Discovery pavilion. Your best bet to find the island if it's moved is to check in at the Pocna hostel (15 Matamoros Ave, Isla Mujeres), where one of the staff members should be able to direct you to it. Or, just stop by the Sunset Grill on North Beach (Av. Rueda Medina, Condominios Nautibeach) on a Sunday night and ask the guitar player – it's Sowa himself. After all, even an eco-pioneer has to earn a living.

All photos ©Christina Newberry

By Harriet Torry

The Channel Islands aren't usually on most travellers' radars when it comes to choosing a holiday spot. Generally, Britain's outlying islands conjure up images of offshore banking, dairy cows, Jersey potatoes and complicated residency rules.

But in my travels around the Channel Islands, most recently to Jersey, I've found it to be well worth a visit. Jersey's rolling fields of green, beaches, castles, and warm climate are all good reasons for a visit. The Gulf Stream means the islands enjoy a warm climate.

Other advantages are that it's well-connected to the UK, and the time zone and currency are the same as on the mainland. That's worth considering at the moment, with the poor dollar/euro to pound exchange rates.

A quarter of Jersey's work force is employed in the financial services industry, and that has two important effects on tourists: good hotels and restaurants. Two establishments have even been awarded Michelin stars.

I liked the The Terrace at the Grand Hotel (Esplanade, St Helier 01534 722301). The avocado and mango salad and crab sandwich on focaccia were both great. There's a large terrace with a good view of Elizabeth Castle, and the service is excellent.

Café JAC in the Jersey Arts Centre is also a nice spot for a latte (Philips Street, St Helier, Tel: 01534 879 482). The Museum Brasserie at the Jersey Museum (The Weighbridge, St Helier (Tel: 01534 633300) has a large courtyard and is a good place for lunch. Another great thing about Jersey is the ice-cream. The famed milk of the Jersey cow definitely lives up to its creamy reputation.

To get around, it's best to hire a car. The sights and beaches are spread around the island and public transport is limited to buses. There are a number of signposted bike trails – which is good as the vehicle roads can be very windy. Navigating the roads is terrifying enough in a car – even though the speed limit is only 40 miles an hour. A bike would not be for the faint hearted, so stick to the trails.

Jersey's main historical attractions are Mont Orgueil Castle and Elizabeth Castle. There are also a number of tourist attractions that tell the story of the five year Nazi occupation of Jersey from 1940 to 1945. The Channel Islands were the only part of the UK to be occupied during the Second World War.

A complex of underground bunkers, the Höhlgangsanlage, has been turned into the Jersey War Tunnels museum. There's a permanent exhibition at Ho8 on the life of Violette Szabó, a secret agent for Britain's Special Operations Executive during WWII. Szabó was executed in Ravensbrück concentration camp aged 23 and was awarded the George Cross posthumously. It was her daughter Tania Szabó who received the cross on her mother's behalf in 1949. Now a Jersey resident, Tania Szabó opened the exhibition at the Jersey War Tunnels in 2003. (Höhlgangsanlage 8, St Lawrence. Tel: 01534 860 808)

I stayed at the Hotel de France, St. Helier. It's a grand four-star hotel with a gym, sauna, infinity pool and a chic spa. My room was very comfortable, had a fine view of St. Helier, and staff were helpful too. The Hotel de France has had an interesting history, with various incarnations as a Jesuit College, a training school for the occupying German forces during the second world war, and twice as a hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk from town.

History, fine dining and beaches – Jersey has got serious holiday credentials.

Harriet Torry was guest of the Jersey Tourism Bureau. For more information about Jersey please visit their website at www.jersey.com

Photo Credits: St Brelade's Bay by Paul Hudson; Elizabeth Castle, St Helier, Jersey by Alex Fearn; View from Mont Orgueil Castle by paulafunnell; SOE Memorial, Albert Embankment by Loz Flowers via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Christina Newberry

Isla Holbox (pronounced hole-bosh) is a small island located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, about three hours from Cancun by bus. It's best known as a place to swim with whale sharks – the world's largest fish – from June to September. At over 12 metres long and weighing up to 13 tonnes, whale sharks are the largest fish on earth – but since they only eat plankton, they pose no danger to swimmers.

For the rest of the year, Isla Holbox is simply a place to relax. With a population of less than 2,000 people, streets paved with sand, and no cars, it really is a world apart from any tourist locale. You often look around to realise that while you're surrounded by pelicans, there are no other humans in sight. If you've ever wanted to indulge a desert island fantasy, this is the place to do it. Read on for a travel guide to Isla Holbox...

Where to stay on Isla Holbox:

The entire island is a working fishing site, so all stretches of beach are full of moored fishing boats, and there are tons of pelicans gobbling up the abundant fish. None of the beaches are as nice as those you'll find in the Caribbean (the island's waters are part of the Gulf of Mexico), but you'll often have them all to yourself.

One stretch of beach has become known as Isla Holbox’s Hotel Zone. It's a cluster of resorts, many made up of luxurious cabañas. The hotels charge in American dollars, with prices starting at $75 per night and going up to over $180 (much more during whale shark season).

An excellent low-cost alternative is the Ida y Vuelta campsite, located just behind the hotel zone, about 200 metres from the beach. Ida y Vuelta offers camping spots for $7 per person, beds in a shared cabana for $11 per person, or a private cabana for $45 (all prices are mid-season rates). With an excellent communal kitchen, hammocks all over the place, and the cleanest hostel-style bathroom I've ever seen, it's a wonderful way to make the most of Holbox's charms and make some new friends at the same time.

What to do on Isla Holbox:

Truthfully, unless you're there for the whale sharks, Isla Holbox is all about not doing much at all. Island life is slow and laid back, and nothing in town really beats an afternoon spent in a hammock. That said, renting bicycles and riding around the island is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. For 80 pesos (less than $6) you can rent a bike for 24 hours. The bikes have some salt damage, no gears, and foot brakes, but they'll get you where you're going (and you won't be going far – the entire island is only 40 km long and 2 km wide.)

If you are there during whale shark season, just about anyone on the island can put you in touch with a tour operator. Most of the snorkelling tours are operated by local fishermen, who cherish the whale sharks and conduct their tours in ways that don't disturb the breeding and migration of the big fish. All-day snorkel tours are available for around $80 per person.

Riding, bird-watching, and crocodile watching is also available on the island, and from May to August there are tours to see nesting sea turtles on a pristine beach. All of these tours are available through Mextreme Travel.

Where to Eat on Isla Holbox:

Isla Holbox has a large population of Italian immigrants, and the cuisine on the island is overwhelmingly Italian. Almost every restaurant serves up pasta, risotto, and other Italian specialities – and prices are not that much less that what you would expect to find in an Italian restaurant in any major North American city. Both Los Pelícanos and La Cueva del Pirata offer excellent homemade pasta in the town's main square.

Of course, as a fishing village, Isla Holbox also has excellent seafood – and it couldn't be fresher. It's rare for a fish to be more than 24 hours from catch to plate. The Buena Vista offers excellent grilled fish only a few feet from the beach. Some days, the beach bars offer fish straight from the boats that moor out front.

For a taste of Mexican food, start off the day with empanadas from Empanadas la Conquista or just buy a stack of fresh tortillas from the local tortilleria.

Getting to Isla Holbox:

Isla Holbox has remained tranquil for a reason – it's a bit of a trek to get there. From Cancun, take the bus to Chiquila. It's about a three-hour trip, and since there's no exit to Chiquila from the toll highway, only second-class buses make the run. The second-class buses stop often to pick up passengers and drop them off, and they have no onboard toilet. The highway has more speedbumps than you'd ever expect a highway to have. The point is, it's not luxurious – but it's safe, and you will get there in one piece.

From Chiquila, take a ferry across the lagoon to Isla Holbox. It's a 20-minute crossing that runs nine times per day. If you've booked with Ida y Vuelta, there will likely be a friendly face waiting to meet you at the ferry dock. You can take a golf-cart taxi to your hotel or the campground if you have lots of luggage, but it's only a 10 to 15 minute walk to the hotel zone. You can access the Chiquila - Holbox ferry schedule here.

Relax:

It's not often that you'll be able to see vast stretches of beach populated only by birds and fish. Take it all in and let the vibe of Isla Holbox wash over you. When it's time to leave, you'll be surprised by just how mellow you've become.

Photo Credits: All images ©Christina Newberry unless credited below.

Whale Sharks via iStockPhoto.com; Isla de Holbox by Not all potatoes can swim... via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If travelling in style without having to pay 5* prices appeals (and who could say no to that?), then check out The Guardian's nifty / thrifty interactive tool that maps and details the world's best boutique hostels.

From Big Milly's Backyard in Ghana, where the £3 per night huts "sit by some of the finest stretches of beach in Africa" to NYC's The Gershwin an "East Side hotel-cum-hostel styled in Andy Warhol's image" where rooms cost from USD 45 per night.

This is the perfect booking buddy for luxury travellers on a tight budget. Check it out here.

Photo Credit: Gershwin Hotel by ewanmcdowall via Flickr (Creative Commons).

This stunning shot by Ivan Makarov certainly offers a fresh perspective across Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah.

Ivan says: "This is by far the craziest and the most dangerous photo I have ever taken in my life. Brandon is sitting on the edge of the Dead Horse Point in Moab, Utah, and if he was to fall, he was to fly about 2,000 feet down."