Struth! Pooch in Boots

IN his continuing search for the more weird, wacky and wondrous in the world of travel, David Ellis says that while we've been stripping down for summer heatwaves, this pooch he came across in the little Italian village of Porto Venere late last year was happily ready for his country's more wintry months.

Visiting aboard the boutique SeaDream II, David had gone in search of the bay in which English poet Lord Byron holidayed and swam outside Porto Venere in the early 1800s (the bay is now officially called Byron's Cove,) when he found this cute pup and owner stretching their legs just inside the picturesque town gates.

Pooch and owner were both happy to show-off this latest in Italian canine winter footwear for our readers. And with sports-shoe style soles and fur-lined uppers for the ankles, the tiny boots were obviously perfect in this Italian Riviera holiday mecca that's a gateway to the Cinque Terre ("Five Lands,") and was also once popular with poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and novelist, playwright, poet and painter D H Lawrence during their heydays.

Cape York Peninsula: Stopover on an Ancient Journey

The rock walls on islands along the east coast of Cape York Peninsula tell many tales. Most we’ll never know.

Words and pics by Roderick Eime

No one knows what happened that night. The longboat with twenty crew just disappeared after the Frederick broke up on the jagged rocks of Cape Flinders on the northern tip of Stanley Island.

In 1818, the last nooks and crannies of the Australian coast were still being charted and it wasn’t until twelve months later that Captain Phillip Parker King found the wreck and presumed the men and one 16-year-old girl were lost or killed by the Aborigines. Such were the fears of the time, yet in truth the Aba Yalgayi, the local clan group of the Yiithuwarra, would most likely have helped rescue the stricken sailors, probably the first Europeans they’d ever seen. And perhaps they did, because for many years after, rumours of a white woman among the natives persisted.

Today, hidden away in the rocky alcoves beneath craggy overhangs and weathered sandstone monoliths are a series of sacred paintings depicting the life of the Yiithuwarra people who lived on the islands of the Flinders Group near Cape Melville, north of Cooktown.

The Yiithuwarra are now vanished from their ancestral home, removed during WWII along with dozens of other neighbouring tribes and clans to the 'safety' of Christian missions like Lockhart River, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal. The authorities feared the welcoming Aborigines, by now accustomed to visiting seafarers, might lead an invading Japanese force to water and food sources. Societal structures and families were further disintegrated as men went off to work on stations and ships and the women into domestic service.

Danny Gordon

Our group is visiting one of these sacred sites on Stanley Island (Yindayin) in the Flinders Group National Park with Danny Gordon, a guide and interpreter for the Yiithuwarra people. We’re travelling with the Cairns-based Oceanic Discoverer as she makes her journey to Thursday Island en route to Darwin via Arnhem Land.

"When you look at the paintings," says Danny, his bright eyes wide, "you only see a tiny part of a very big picture. We don't have books and movies to show our history, this is our history, our story, ‘ere on these walls." And the walls are covered in paintings of ships and sailing boats of all sizes, their origins a mystery.

I find myself imagining the scenes that would have inspired these paintings and I realise this is one of the very few times I have ever had a traditional owner show me their land and its significance. Sadly, expert and sensitive guides like Danny are rare. Anglo-Australian guides, although expert and learned, cannot impart the deep the cultural importance that only comes with thousands of years of connection with a place.

Danny has been a guide for over twenty years, working with Captain Cook Cruises and Clipper Odyssey in the past and just Coral Princess Cruises and Orion Expeditions currently. His brother, Willie from Cooktown, is one of the best known Aboriginal tour operators in the country and both Danny and Willie are currently training younger family members to eventually take their place.

Australians travel around the world to experience exotic cultures and civilisations yet one of the planet's oldest and most mysterious is right here on our doorstep. Sadly, generations of marginalisation by the now dominant European culture has muted our appreciation for these hardy and ancient people.

Ian Morris OAM, a guest lecturer aboard Oceanic Discoverer, has lived most of his life with the indigenous people of northern Australia, speaks several of the languages and is an environmental consultant to academia and government.

"There's a growing demand for indigenous guides," says Ian, "but the support mechanisms are missing. We eagerly use their skills when and where available, but do very little to create more guides with training. Fortunately companies like Coral Princess Cruises are providing a means to do this."

Ian believes that Australians, especially the younger generations, are travelling more to seek a connection with the indigenous Australian culture and fill gaps in their knowledge and correct much of the accumulated misunderstanding.

To meet and spend time with guides like Danny, especially in their ancestral homeland is to gain an insight that makes a mockery of my early schoolbook teachings. There’s no undoing the past, Danny knows that, the journey from here is only forward, a path none of us can resist.

Fact File:

Coral Princess Cruises 'Across the Top' itinerary is rich in indigenous culture and spends eleven nights visiting islands, reefs and cultural sites between Cairns and Darwin.

Contact Coral Princess Cruises on 1800 079 545 or visit the website at www.coralprincess.com.au

Monkey Business in Borneo

Who are you calling ‘Big Nose’?

Keeping a harem of eager females pleased is a tough job for the top monkey. Roderick Eime takes notes.

“Oh, Janet, don’t look!” comes the cry from within our pack of transfixed voyeurs. Alas, some warnings just seem to have the opposite effect and instead of averting our gaze our eyes fall immediately upon this visual offence.

The big male we called Alistair, in an obvious state of preparedness, quickly responds to the lascivious signals from the female and the rest requires no further description. We titter and feign prudery as the act continues while the rest of the troupe, including the jealous and similarly eager bachelors, looks on. That famous cult rock hit from ‘Nine Inch Nails’ somehow comes to mind.

Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are a highly social, intelligent, arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal endemic to Borneo. The name comes about, not from their ‘ever ready’ alertness, but from the distinctive nasal appendage. Locals once called them the Dutchman Monkey for their similarity to the bulbous red European nose.

The troupe, as we are quickly learning, is governed by a single dominant male whose job description is pretty straightforward – and the girls keep him up to the task as there is always another vigilant bloke ready to cut his grass.

Here at the Labuk Bay Sanctuary, it is hard to imagine a better place to observe these otherwise secretive and reclusive primates. The sanctuary came about almost by accident when local palm oil baron, Michael Lee, was engaged in the clear-felling of mangroves along the Kinabatangan River in eastern Sabah in 1994. Short of food from their quickly vanishing forest, the naughty proboscises started raiding workers’ huts with the predictable result. Hearing of this disruption on his plantation, Lee came over to see for himself. Instead of calling for the animals’ eradication, he set aside about 160 hectares of riparian (riverside) forest for the protection of this endangered species.

Such has been the success of the Labuk Bay Sanctuary that it is now a fixture on any serious nature lover’s itinerary and provides a much more dynamic spectacle (if you’ll excuse the understatement) than the nearby Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre where you watch a couple of dozy apes gorge themselves on bananas. Don’t get me wrong, Orang Utans are drop-dead gorgeous and the little ones impossibly cute, but the interaction is strictly managed and the international volunteer park wardens eagerly enforce the separation. Labuk Bay, by contrast, is a riotous frenzy as Alistair and his excited entourage swarm noisily across the viewing platform oblivious to the human obstruction.

But before you think there is lots of tummy tickles and back-scratching, human contact with any primate, especially wild ones, is not a good idea.

“Orang Utans share 97 per cent of human DNA and while proboscis monkeys share somewhat less, the transmission of mutually infectious disease is a distinct possibility,” says Orion expedition leader Mick Fogg putting on his stern face, “so as much as you are tempted, PLEASE don’t touch the monkeys.”

Mick has spent most of the last year of his life putting together Orion Expedition Cruises’ (OEC) inaugural Borneo itineraries and by the look of things, he’s done a pretty fair job for the many repeat passengers and his demanding governors. While there’s a heavy bias to natural attractions, there’s plenty of culture and history too.

Sarina Bratton, Australia’s doyenne of adventure cruising, added Orion II to the company’s portfolio in June of this year and after a technical refit and upgrading of cabins and public spaces, the 20-year-old vessel set off on an ambitious journey around the Pacific Rim, encountering earthquakes, volcanoes and typhoons en route.

“Orion II allows us to expand our adventures with a range of exciting luxury expeditions stretching from the Russian Far East to Antarctica,” said Ms Bratton at the launch event. Meanwhile the search for a future Orion III continues.

In her past lives, the 88m, 4000 ton Orion II was most recently known as Clelia II and was built as one of a fleet of eight small luxury ships for the now defunct Renaissance Cruises in 1991. With generously sized cabins and spacious public areas, her 100 guests enjoy a high crew-to-guest ratio and attentive service from the predominantly Filipino staff. While the finicky might find dated remnants of her previous incarnations, she doesn’t feel like an old ship.

Captain Frank Allica, an ex-RAN skipper and life long sailor, is pleased with his new command.

“I’m enjoying the maneuverability of a twin screw vessel again,” he tells me, “and I’m delighted with the way she handles at sea.”

On the itinerary immediately prior, Allica spent some sleepless nights plotting an alternative course to avoid the angry Typoon Muifa that threatened to disrupt the voyage north of the Philippines. But under his guidance and with quick rejigging of itineraries, the journey continued with a bonus port visit in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, spare a thought for poor Alistair. As we turn to say our farewells to the boisterous gathering, he’s engaged in a standoff with another would-be suitor keen to enjoy some of his lifestyle. Maybe we’re not that far removed from our simian cousins after all?

Fact File:

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary is 38km from Sandakan airport and available through local tour operator SI Tours www.sitoursborneo.com. More: www.proboscis.cc

Orion Expedition Cruises operates 10-night adventure cruises to Borneo with four distinct itineraries in January, February, August September, October and December. ‘Secrets of Sabah’ visits Labuk Bay. Fares begin at A$8150 per person/twin share. For bookings and further details call 1300 361 012 or visit www.orionexpeditions.com

To book a holiday to Malaysia, call Flight Centre on 1300 939 414 to book or see
www.flightcentre.com.au/world-travel/malaysia

Malaysia airlines flies 47 times a week from Australia to Kuala Lumpur and has regular connections to Kota Kinabalu www.malaysiaairlines.com

For more information on the attractions of Sabah: www.sabahtourism.com


* Malaysia Dept of Statistics

New Year Resolutions for Travel in 2013

TURN over a new leaf and expand your horizons in 2013 by combining travel into your New Year's resolutions.

Escape Travel has jotted down a list of top ideas to help travellers reflect on the past and get their bags packed for the year ahead.

Spend more time with my kids

TREAT the little ones to a cruise holiday where they can meet their favourite DreamWorks characters, from movies like Shrek or Madagascar, and zoom down some of the world’s fastest waterslides at sea. Family-friendly cruise ships include Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic.

Step outside of my comfort zone

TAKE the plunge on a bungee jump in Queenstown or climb Mount Everest in Nepal for the ultimate challenge.

Those looking to do something unique can travel to Santa’s workshop in Finland next year to ride a dog-sled through the snowy mountains or swap a hotel stay to sleep in a capsule in Tokyo.

Be more active

SIGN up for a marathon in another country and get your legs sprinting across the finish line. Some popular options include the New York, Paris marathon, and.

Or, suit up in safari gear and jump in a jeep to explore the African plains. There are guided sightseeing trips that take you into the heart of Kenya, Botswana and Namibia to spot lions, giraffes, tigers and more.

Reconnect my mind, body and spirit

YOGIS around the world have hailed yoga as one of the most beneficial ways to find inner peace and build core strength, so why not enrol in a yoga and meditation retreat in Bali, Thailand or India.

Some luxury resorts in South East Asia offer complimentary daily yoga classes as part of the activities program, so it is worth asking when you book.

Closer to home, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast hinterland offers plenty of holistic escapes, from The Byron at Bryon and Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat to the famous Golden Door Health Retreat.

Volunteer

FEED giant pandas in China, teach English at a children’s orphanage in Kenya or work with the turtles on Costa Rica.

Giving back to a local community when you travel is rewarding, so a lot of travellers are combining holidays where they can volunteer and explore – this idea is known as Voluntourism.

Some of the best volunteer projects are led by experts on one-week, two-week, three-week or four-week placements, so you really can make a difference.

Learn something new

COOKING classes are available in most parts of Europe, whether you are travelling through Italy, island hopping along the coast of San Sebastian in Spain.

See how Limoncello is made from real lemons on the Amalfi Coast or learn to make pasta in Tuscany.

History buffs can discover the stories of Australia’s war heroes on ANZAC Day on a guided tour that maps out the Battlefields in France and Turkey.

Stress less

BOOK your holiday in advance and be prepared for your trip early by doing your research. Enjoy the experience of planning a holiday, without the last-minute rush. When you are decided on where to go, speak to travel experts about different flights and get advice from your friends and family. It’s also helpful to attend travel expos, sign up to deals newsletters, and look at booking an all-inclusive resort with extra bonuses, such as the myTime group of properties through Escape Travel.

Celebrate another culture

KICK off the year with the Chinese New Year celebrations in February, then have fun on St Patrick’s Day in Dublin and guzzle beers with pretzels at the annual Oktoberfest in Munich. Other great options include the Running of the Bulls in Spain, Queens Day in Amsterdam and Hogmanay for New Years Eve in Edinburgh.

For more ideas, check out the latest New Year’s Resolution deals at any Escape Travel store.

http://www.escapetravel.com.au/holiday-ideas/2013/01/02/new-years-travel-resolutions/

Gold Coast Top 10 Hotel Requests In 2012

Sofitel Gold Coast

As the Gold Coast's extensive list of five-star hotels and resorts continues to grow, these exclusive establishments remain determined as ever to deliver on their customer's ongoing holiday needs, to ensure a happy and fun-filled stay in Australia's favourite playground.

In 2012, requests have ranged from romantic overtures, indulgent luxuries to the more extravagant and out of the ordinary.

See below a list of the top 10 special requests made of Gold Coast's exclusive five-star hotels.

1. Asked to purchase alpacas for a Middle Eastern royal family.
2. An overseas visitor asked if he could organise a day trip to visit Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs and the Great Barrier Reef all in the same day!
3. Organised a private jet for the Argentine Polo team to fly from Gold Coast to Malaysia with 6-hours' notice.
4. Booked rooms on different floors for wife and girlfriend
5. An elderly couple looking to renew their wedding vows at the hotel asked two staff members to be Bridesmaid and Best Man. As regulars to the hotel the couple knew these staff members very well.
6. Organised dinner for two at Gold Coast Hinterland hotspot, "Table Mountain". Guests arrived by helicopter where a personal chef, waiter and Spanish guitarist were waiting.
7. A guest left his luxury sports vehicle to be sold by a hotel staffer as he had to unexpectedly leave the country
8. A unique wedding proposal - with a gentleman proposing to his girlfriend as staff from the resort all wearing t-shirts that spelt out MARRY ME while a beautiful rendition of somewhere over the rainbow being played on the ukulele from a gentleman who just appeared to be walking by.
9. Exclusive use of the gym for various celebrities
10. Exclusive use of the Executive Lounge for a wedding proposal

Other more common requests of Gold Coast hotels include:

1. Unpack suitcases and hang clothes
2. Run a warm bubble bath
3. Arrange flowers for wife/girlfriend (or both)
4. Arrange Rose Petals and candles on the Bed
5. Cook dinner in the room
6. Arrange high protein foods and menus for athletes
7. Arrange birthday cakes
8. Stay in a certain room on a certain floor every stay

Struth! World's shortest air route also the most expensive

Heli Air Monaco flies 48 times between Monaco and Nice every day on
what is possibly the world's shortest and most expensive scheduled air route

IN his continuing search for the more weird, wacky and wondrous in the world of travel, David Ellis wonders if Monaco's Heli Air can claim to have the world's smallest scheduled air service timetable – it has just one route, and that's a mere 7-minutes between Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco, and Nice Airport in France that it flies 30 times a day in each direction.

And while it started in 1976 with just one helipad and in its first year flew just 747 passengers, it now has ten helipads at its base on Monte Carlo harbour and in 36 years has carried around 1.7-million passengers…with no other airport facility within Monaco's tiny 2sq km landmass, and the road journey to Nice Cote D'Azur Airport taking 40-minutes, the quick 7-minute helicopter service is popular with business travellers and upmarket holidaymakers happy to pay E220 (AU$271) each for the round-trip.

Heli Air flies its route from 8.30am to 7.45pm daily, and as well also flies to select destinations on the French Riviera, in Switzerland, Corsica and Italy, the longest flight being 2hrs 35m to Rome and the shortest just 12m to San Remo; but these are non-scheduled flights, and are flown on an as-requested basis.

Traveloscopy editor asks: Is this also the world's most expensive air route? YO 1745 E110 for 7 minutes = E943/hour (US$1244/hr). Concorde took 3hrs 20mins between LHR and JFK (BA172) and a cheap fare was US$3000 one way. (US$909/hr)

Top Tips to Enjoy Singapore's Green Side

Unbeknownst to many, Singapore the metropolis is in fact filled with lush green spaces and incredibly rich and diverse fauna and flora, with tree-lined streets, more than 50 parks and four nature reserves.

Sitting at the crossroads of East and West, it has intrigued naturalists since the 19th century with over 8,300 species having been recorded in Singapore over the last 150 years. Today, for every five-star chef, visionary architect and high-end designer, visitors will find an attentive botanist or careful gardener tending to the beguiling landscape. Follow these top tips on the best ways to explore Singapore's green side.

Gardens by the Bay

Spanning 101 hectares, Gardens by the Bay is a showcase of horticulture and garden artistry, capturing the essence of Singapore as the premier tropical "City in a Garden". Catch the OCBC Light and Sound Show nightly from 7:45pm; a stunning display of magical lights and music amid the 16 storey, solar energy harvesting Supertrees. Other features include the Cloud Forest, a mountain environment set in a cool-moist conservatory, the Flower Dome where spring never ends, Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes and the Heritage Gardens. www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1859 over 32 acres of virgin rainforest and overgrown plantations, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is home to innovations such as rubber cultivation and orchid hybridisation. Features include the Evolution Garden, the rejuvenated Tanglin Gate, the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden and the occasional free weekend concert on Symphony Lake. Best of all - entry is free! www.sbg.org.sg

National Orchid Garden

The National Orchid Garden showcases the results of the Singapore Botanic Gardens' orchid breeding programme which began in 1928. With about 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids over three hectares, and 600 species and hybrids on display, the National Orchid Garden is the largest display of tropical orchids in the world. www.sbg.org.sg/centralcore/nog.asp

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

One of only two cities in the world to feature a rainforest within its boundaries, Singapore offers lush green and scenic jungle trekking in the heart of the city at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Jungle activities include strolling, hiking, rock climbing, abseiling and mountain biking, and trekking routes included a hike to the highest point in Singapore - the Bukit Timah Hill, which sits at 164m above sea level. www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=46&Itemid=75/
www.forestadventure.com.sg

MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Lined with old rubber trees and surrounded by lush vegetation, Singapore's MacRitchie Nature Trail provides an unforgettable botanical experience, and now with boardwalks and walking trails, is a relaxing escape from the city. Visitors can enjoy aerial views from the HSBC TreeTop Walk - a 250 metre aerial free standing suspension bridge or relax with a picnic lunch, a spot of canoeing, a brisk walk or a lazy afternoon in the sun. www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=49&Itemid=75

Pulau Ubin

A reminder of old Singapore, this boomerang-shaped island is covered in trees and dotted with beaches and old Malay houses which are full of character. It contains the country's last kampongs where villagers still count on wells for water and generators for electricity. The best way to explore is by bike, which costs SGD$3-$8 to rent, with three cycling trails which lead past old fruit and rubber plantations, mangrove swamps, water-filled quarry pits and old wooden houses. www.nparks.gov.sg

Putting style back in romance five hotel picks from around the globe.

Movies, dance classes, dinner for two – are you suffering from date night doldrums? www.designhotels.com/romantic_escapes

Paris is always there to save the day. While it may be the embodiment of romance, these two elegant properties will show you a whole new side to this city. La Maison Champs Elysées offers a world of comfort and French elegance, where reality blends with surreal style. Between the Avenue Montaigne, the Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais, the hotel is located in the heart of Paris' Golden Triangle. In another part of the city, Hotel Gabriel Paris Marais emits an aura of privacy and calm with its intimate design. The hotel's façade, a gorgeous Art Deco ornamentation, belies the minimalist interiors. On the island of Koh Samui, the strikingly pure structures that make up The Library are set amongst a lush grove. Designed as an outpost of casual elegance, the hotel is situated on the lively Chaweng Beach. The Vine is a luxurious retreat on the island of Madeira, known for its wine, abundance of flowers and breathtaking nature. The hotel is located in Funchal's historical centre, just steps away from the Cathedral. Situated near Majorda Beach, Alila Diwa Goa peers out onto lush, verdant rice paddies leading to the Arabian Sea. This getaway offers the best of beach and green holiday.

Dans la Maison



The entrance to the townhouse at No. 8 rue Jean Goujon is discreet, an address one must know to discover. Behind its doors, the stage is set for Maison Martin Margiela's first hotel interior, La Maison Champs Élysées. The minimal, yet sophisticated and offbeat décor sets the stage for a show of romance. Seventeen rooms and suites belong to the Couture Collection, and are decorated with a whimsical touch that plays with proportion and perception. Every space feels surreal, with each room different than the next. Even in the newly opened Blind Bar and at the restaurant, La Table du 8, the chairs appear to be floating above the concrete floor, while oversized mouldings and pretend doors add to the illusion. Here, romantic candlelight dinners are only enhanced by the exquisite, seasonal fare and fine selection of French wines. La Maison is just steps away from the Seine and numerous landmarks, ideal for a moonlight stroll with that special someone.

Zen in the City



Close to one of Paris's most vibrant districts, Hotel Gabriel Paris Marais stands out as a Zen haven of relaxation. Couples will be enchanted by the intimate interiors, celebrating minimalist charm in white and pastel. The juxtaposition of linear furniture with cruise-liner portholes and curves creates a harmonious balance. The signature dancer design motif scattered throughout the property adds a whimsical touch to the dreamy 1930s feel, lending an air of grace to elements as mundane as cupboards and bathroom doors. Hotel Gabriel is the first hotel to employ the NightCove sleep companion, giving guests a soothing rest with diffused light and sound according to melatonin levels. The hotel is situated close to some of the city's best boutiques, art galleries and restaurants – great to discover together on foot, and returning to the hotel's incredibly relaxing ambiance.

A Secret Garden




On the idyllic coast of Koh Samui, 26 discreet, minimalist cabins hide amongst lush vegetation. The Library is an outpost for style, with a bold colour scheme emphasizing red and white elements, echoed by the signature red swimming pool and white library complex on-site. The new Bookmark suite is the hotel's most luxurious accommodation, where soft, flowing fabrics create a tactile contrast to sleek angular furnishings, and the impressive en-suite conservatory with Jacuzzi is why holidays in Thailand are a fantastic idea year round! The hotel can arrange western or traditional Thai-style weddings, with a golden beach, glimmering azure waters and the sound of crashing waves as an enchanting backdrop. Guests can enjoy the old-growth forest on the expansive 6,400 square meter grounds and the lively beach.

In Vino Veritas



In the heart of the charming and picturesque capital city of Funchal, The Vine is the ideal retreat on Madeira, the island of flowers. The hotel's namesake comes from the local vines used to make the world-renowned Madeira wine, and the four floors of the hotel feature design inspired by the seasonal changes of the island's vineyards. Vinotherapy treatments are offered at the hotel's spa, sure to detox and revitalize the body while relaxing and refreshing the mind. The island's stunning natural beauty provides the perfect romantic escape, with spectacular hiking trails through the lush nature. Back at the hotel, Uva, the rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the harbour, offers "divine dining" using fresh produce from the island. Chef Antoine Westermann, distinguished with 3 Michelin stars, combines French savoir-faire with the best in regional fare.

A Play on Tradition



A mere 500 meters from the Gonsua beach, Alila Diwa Goa looks out to verdant paddy fields leading to the Arabian Sea. A blend of contemporary Goan architecture displays the region's rich cultural traditions within a verdant surrounding landscape, a great choice for a romantic retreat. From wedding ceremonies to honeymoons, Alila Diwa Goa has an array of facilities to make every occasion special. The resort's 153 guestrooms and suites located in three wings – the South, West and exclusive Diwa Club, each feature private balconies with superlative views of emerald green paddy fields. Couples can enjoy joint spa treatments blending ancient Asian healing techniques with traditional beauty recipes, or the views from the hotel's infinity pool while sipping on cocktails. The three on-site restaurants and poolside Edge Bar serve delectable global exotic cuisine.



Design Hotels™ Best Rate Guarantee
For reservations, please refer to the following webpage www.designhotels.com/romantic_escapes
or the appropriate Design Hotels™ toll-free number: 00 800 37 46 83 57

www.designhotels.com

www.madebyoriginals.com