Carnival revellers in the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba will be playing their part in helping the environment and powering their own hotel this year because while they are enjoying the spectacular parades, which reach their colourful and noisy crescendo on March 2nd 2014 in capital Oranjestad, visitors will unwittingly be playing their part in the island's objective of becoming carbon-free by 2020.
This autumn a team of six comedians will set out to conquer new comedic peaks to raise money for Save the Children and aim to set a new record by performing the world's highest stand-up gig. Rhys Darby, Stewart Francis, Craig Campbell, Glenn Wool, Simon Evans and Terry Alderton will be accompanied by 50 comedy fans as they take on the tough 9-day trekking challenge to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
Cox & Kings, the world's longest established travel company, has partnered with Art Safaris in Africa to offer a collection of small-group holidays aimed at those inspired to paint and sketch the stunning wildlife and landscapes of Botswana, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. Whether a beginner or an experienced artist, Art Safari's professional team of tutors and guides will encourage guests to sit, look, observe and sketch the surroundings, using observation as a way of learning about the land, people and wildlife.
Set in the beautiful location of Ashdown Forest (the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories), Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club offers a slice of luxury in the heart of East Sussex. And now the hotel, owned by independent UK based hotel group, Elite Hotels, has gained silver accreditation from The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).
Generator, the award-winning group of urban design hostels, has acquired two further sites in Paris and Rome as part of its on-going European rollout. Offering travellers stylish, central, safe and affordable accommodation, Generator is Europe's fastest growing hostel brand with eight design-led properties and nearly 5,200 beds located across six countries - attracting guests from over 75 nationalities.
We were delighted to be invited down to the Honeybuns Bakery in Dorset to meet Emma Goss-Custard and the Honeybuns Team, for a weekend of 'glamping' in the newly-restored Ark; a cedar covered vintage caravan that Emma, Matt and The Team have lovingly repaired. Coupled with the opportunity to try the delicious menu on offer at The Bee Shack and to be able to get a first-hand look at the production line that produces the most amazing gluten-free cakes, we could hardly wait to begin our journey down to Dorset.
