As well as choosing our resolutions (futile as this practice may prove to be), the dawn of a new year brings forth other important decisions. If 2013 was a roaring success brimming with laughter and leisure, the question is how do you match this in 2014?
On the other hand, if the previous 12 months left little to write home about, you’ll no doubt be keen to improve on this over the coming year. Both predicaments can contribute to the January blues but with Kenwood Travel on your speed dial, the perfect tonic to these woes is never far away. A luxury holiday is an excellent way to tackle these issues and ensure the happy memories that signal a successful year. And few holiday destinations are as happily memorable as those found in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean can banish your blues, so don’t be a dodo, book a holiday today and drive your winter doldrums into extinction.
Tenuous comparison? Why am I banging on about dodos? Mauritius, my friends. The island of Mauritius was the home of this flightless fella before it doh’d its last doh and consigned itself to the annals of history. And it’s upon these golden shores that we begin our look at which Indian Ocean holidays to watch out for in 2014.
Mauritius is one of those islands that have visitors grasping for the ‘paradise’ similes and ‘earthly Eden’ analogies. And for good reason; it really is that beautiful. Warm winters and hot summers mean its year-round weather credentials are consistently edging up the mercury, and the landscape on which this sunshine falls is nothing short of captivating.
Tropical flora cascading to the sea
The very essence of tropical calm sets the senses a-spin with the visual beauty of swaying palms that fringe sugar-white sands. The blue lagoons that caress these beaches team with kaleidoscopic marine life – just strap on your snorkelling mask to see more! Feel the soft sand between your toes and the refreshing spray of the gentle waves on your skin as the sensational stuff continues… Spa treatments reach legendary status on a holiday to Mauritius and the rejuvenating sense of balance to body and mind becomes apparent. Taste and savour the aromas of the eclectic and expertly created cuisine on the island, with influences and ingredients derivative of the ancestral traditions of France, continental Africa, India and China.
In super exciting news, we are pleased as punch to inform you of a highly anticipated new hotel destined to become the holiday hotspot for today’s jet set. Nestled on a gorgeous private beach in Bel Ombre on the island’s south west point, Outrigger Mauritius opens its doors on 15th February. Take it from us; you’ll want to add this to your bucket list. Tales of visits here will be the talk of many a town.
Moving on to the Maldives, a little birdy (not a dodo) tells us there is currently a 30% Kenwood-only offer at The Residence Maldives. This is the kind of hotel that’ll render you radiant while making your mates green with envy, and provides a wonderfully affordable opportunity to visit this cute corner of the world in 2014. A holiday to the Maldives promises the romance and adventure native to atolls of this topographical splendour: surrounding reefs are made up of both coral debris and living coral and as such create calm water lagoons. Let the soft song of these lapping waves be the soundtrack to your moonlit love story as you stroll along the beach after another sunkissed day in paradise. Woah! Scores of travellers maintain that the Maldives is simply the most stunning collection of islands on earth and now’s your chance to see for yourself while saving a few quid in the process.
The Maldives. “Simply the most stunning collection of islands on Earth.”
Adventurous spirits and inquisitive minds are in for an awakening amid the historic wonder that is Sri Lanka. Acting as somewhat of a Buddhist nerve-centre throughout the centuries, this beautiful island today finds itself home to no fewer than eight world heritage sights. Mystical lost cities and ancient temples hark back to a unique cultural story all entwined around lush tropical jungle. Visit these sites in person or see this heroic heritage played out in the museums and galleries of Columbo City. A pulsing urban environment, modern living is vibrant here with performing arts, restaurants and bars. Galle is a slightly more intimate version of city life and encompasses the famously picturesque Galle Fort harbour.
Sri Lanka’s natural history is as awe-inspiring as its culture. Visit Mirissa for a spot of whale watching or witness amazing dedication to the welfare of beloved beasts at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. And it’s not all about nature and history either. With over 800 miles of the purest white beaches, there’s no reason why some sunbathing and splashing in the surf shouldn’t reward your expeditions into the country’s heartland. But for all this to be enjoyed to its full potential you need an equally impressive headquarters. Step forward Centara Hotels. 2014 will see the hotel chain embark on its Sri Lankan journey with some stunning new properties and Kenwood Travel will be there to coordinate the offers that bring big savings your way.
Play your part in their future at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Few places – whether in the Indian Ocean or elsewhere – possess that subtle power to conjure the ultimate picture of perfection quite like the Seychelles. Like Sri Lanka, its natural history is mightily impressive, home as it is to some the planet’s largest seabird colonies. It is also rather easy on the eye and contains two Unesco World Heritage sites that acknowledge its jaw-dropping natural features. Your job is to immerse yourself in this unforgettable beauty, and it’s ours to furnish you with the means to do so. We are currently offering an amazing 40% off Early Bird special deal to the idyllic island resort of Desroches so book now to secure your hotel in the lap of luxury. A holiday to the Seychelles lets you cherish the moment in beach-life bliss – not to be missed.
A luxury getaway is a sure-fire way to take you and your family out of the hum-drum, especially at this time of year. When it’s blowing a gale and constantly drizzling outside, consider the sun-soaked fun you could be enjoying on a paradise island in the beautifully blue Indian Ocean.