A Sense of Place

otwithstandingSicily’syear- roundwarmand sunny weather (as itsnickname ‘IsoladelSole’suggests),a fusioncuisinewhich reflects the island’s historical legacyat thecrossroadsof the Mediterranean,a landscape that invites exhilaratingoutdooractivitiesbothon land and sea,andacultureentrenched in colourful traditionsand festivals, thereare also sevenamazingUNESCOheritage wonders toput Italy’s ‘football’to the topof yourwish list. The Valleyof theTemples inAgrigento isa truly enchantedplace, fullofalmond trees (especially when inbloom),with themost impressivecollection ofmonumentsofancientHellenicarchitecture in Sicily.Theuniquecharmof this site is in thisblendof culturalenvironmentandnatural landscapewherein are tobe found templesdedicated togodsand godessesaswellasanecropolis (cityof thedead) withancient tombscelebratingpassage to the underworld. Ifpeservedmosaicsareyour fancy then youwillalsowant to travel to theverycentreof the island tovisit VillaRomanadelCasale ,whichhas oneof thefinest survivingcollections in theworldas wouldhavebefittedaRomanpalace. From itsevocative lunar-like landscapesat the top to the rich farmlandsand forestsof its lower slopes, MountEtna isanaturalwonderofbiodiversity that dominates thehorizonalong theeasterncoastof Sicily.Whereelsecanyou skion the slopesofa volcanoand thendine in styleby the sea,perhaps in stylishTaormina? It is famous forhiking to thecraters, whichyoumightalsoconsider inwinterconditions ona snowshoehike.Asyoupadacross the snowyou can lookdownon theblueexpanseof the IonianSea whilst themountaingently rumblesherapproval! Situatedon the southEasterncoastofSicilyand surroundedby the IonianSea, Siracusa isoneof the most important towns in Italy for itsarchitecture, monumentsandart.FromancientGreekorigins, the historyof the town spans theRomanEmpireand successiveSaracen,NormanandSpanish invasions. Needless to say it is thisvasthistorical imprintover 3,000yearswhichearns the town itsUNESCO status, togetherwith some superbexamplesofSicilian Baroquearchitectureasalso foundacross the island. sicily &theaeolian islands N Italycurrentlyplayshost to theonly fouractivevolcanoes in the Mediterranean,Versuvius,Etna,Vulcano andStromboli.MountEtna onmainland Sicily isoneof themostscenicspots in Italy. Itholds the crownasEurope'smostactivevolcano. Inaperiodoffiveweeks aroundMarch2021, iterupteda record16 times.Theannualeruption figuresareover200.Meanwhile,Stromboli Island isdominatedby the volcano’s nearperfectconicaldimensionsand isalmostasactive, earning thenickname ‘lighthouseof theMediterranean’,andoneof thekeysights togetherwithVulcano forvisitors to theAeolian Islands. vulcan’s forges Palermo Catania Siracusa Agrigento Caltanisesetta Enna Trapani Messina Taormina ETNA 3323 Avola Noto Modica Scicli Cefalu Sciacca Monreale Stromboli Panarea Salina Lipari Milazzo Filicudi Alicudi Vulcano Ragusa welcome to THE VAULTS Build your publications using a varied selection of articles from the Travelspeak VAULTS Just click on the page images below to view your preferred booklet from our growing library (shaded items coming soon): sturias isanaturally strikingandcontrasting region, from the ruggedcoastand tempestuous sea, to its lushvegetationand inlandwoodednationalparks, dramaticmountain ranges,biosphere reservesand remotecaveswhereyoucanviewprehistoriccaveart. Ifyouwish toenjoyaholiday surroundedbynaturalbeautyand spirit, then thisdistinctlydifferentcornerofSpainwillastoundyou. Togauge thedifferenceyou should recognise the fact that thecombinationof thegeographyand the resilienceof itspeoplehasmade this regionmoreSpanish than their southernneighbours.There isnoflamenco traditionandyouaremore likely toeatbeans inaFabada stew thanapaella!However,consider that the Moorsneverconquered the region,and that itwas fromOviedo that the reconquest from theMoorsbegan,and thecitywas fora long time thecapital.of allChristianSpain. Like itsnortherncoastneighbours,Galicia,Cantabriaand theBasqueCountry, this isverymuch ‘Green’Spain’.With itsdramaticpeaks, ruggedcoastline,and shamrock-greenvalleys,youcouldaseasilybe in Irelandas the IberianPeninsula. Italsomeans thatyou shouldnotexpectaMediterraneanclimate,but rather more temporateconditionswith thechanceofwetweatherat timesandquite coldconditions inwinter.Thecontrastof theAsturiancountrysideandnatural asturias A Fabada, thestarof theAsturiankitchen,maybeoneof the world’smostunderrateddishes.Whenyousee the ingredientsofa fabada;water,beans,chorizo,sausage, sofrito,pimentón, it’shard tounderstand that theycan givebirth tosuchan incrediblecreation.Beans everywhereelse in theworldareasidedish,but in Asturias,yougoout just toeatbeans.And thebestway to appreciate thedish iswithaglassor twoof the localcider, poured foryouonhigh byanexpert local (thereare rules to follow).Asturianspourcider fromhighup toactivate thecarbonationand itneeds tobeenjoyed immediately. whitebeans&cider t’snicknamed the IslandofBeauty for its sublime landscapes, from redcliffsplunging into turquoise waters, to stonevillagesclinging tomountainsand dramaticgorgesplantedwithchestnut trees.There arehiddencoves, sandybeachesandcraggypeninsulas. InCorsica,youcan roamover1,000kilometresof coastline,which includes the iconic Scandola reserve, popular for scubadiving.But thehomelandofNapoleon isalsoa landof traditionandhistory,bestdiscoveredon walks through itscitiesnestledaway from theircitadels, overlooking theMediterranean. TheNorth Thegateway toCorsica ismostoftenBastia. It’sapicture-postcard start toaholiday: in theoldport,boatsbobagainstabackdropof colourfulhouses,punctuatedby the tall silhouetteof theChurchof SaintBaptiste.Bastia isalso the startingpoint forapretty route throughCapCorse,an ‘islandon the island’that stretches into the Mediterranean likeafinger for40kilometres.Between the seaand the mountains– thecentral ridgeof theSerra rises to1,307metres– the roadboasts sublimeviews:villagesperchedabove the sea,beaches nestled incoves,andGenoese towershighlighting thehorizon. WestofCapCorseat Ile-Rousse,oneof these towersguards the island ofPietra, the largestof the stringof islandsof redporphyry rock that Corsica I TheScandolaNaturalReserve (created1975) isaWorldHeritageSitetothe south-westofCalvi,ontheCapeGirolatapeninsula (halwaydownthewest coastofCorsica).Thereservecoversapproximately900hectaresof landand 1000hectaresofsea,and isanexceptionalsightevenamongthemany naturalwondersthatyouwilldiscover inCorsica.Withnoroadaccessand difficultaccessby foot,mostvisitorsarrivebyboatonexcursions fromCalvi andnearbyPorto.Strikingrock formationsemerge fromthecrystalclearsea intheGulfofGirolata,andthecoastline ispepperedwith jagged inletsand caves.There issuperbdiving intheaquaticparkanddolphinpodsare regualrlyseen inthearea. ScandolaNatureReserve Corfu n islandof ruggednaturalbeauty,Corfuowesmuchofherhistorical identity to the StateofVenicewhocontrolled the island in thedaysof theRennaissance.Thewell- preservedcityofKerkyra (OldTownofCorfu) isaUNESCOWorldHeritageSite,with manyhistoricbuildings from thisperiod.Wander through theancientalleysandyou willdiscoverornate,BaroquechurchesandRenaissancepalaces.Subsequentoccupationsby theFrenchand theBritishhasadded furtherarchitectural layers to thewindingmedieval streets includingornatearcades linedwithelegantcafésand thegrandPalaceofSt. MichaelandSt.George.During the19thcentury,CorfuTownattractedmany Europeanaristocrats,whobuilt splendidneoclassicalmansions. In1864 the islandwaswelcomed into theyoungnationofGreece. Today’s seasonal invadersare luredby the island’snatural beauty, family-friendlybeachesandwonderful Mediterranean summerclimate.Green rollinghills cover the southof the islandwhilst steep limestonehillsappear in thenorth,and marvellous sandybeachesencircle the entire island.Themostpopular resorts are tobe found inandaround the coastal townsof Sidari,Paleokastritsa andKontokali. A Cosmopoltancultureand family-friendlybeaches Oman Muscat Wahiba Sands Salalah Sur Khasab Nizwa 4 SantaMarinaResort&Villas ALuxuryCollectionResort,Mykonos MediterraneanMasterpieces Theultimatechill-outzoneoffers trueprivacyon racyMykonos P erchedonaprivatepeninsulaoverlooking theBayof Ornos,fiveminutes fromMykonosTown, liesahavenof seclusionand sophistication–more luxurious thanever followingextensiveupgrading throughout. SantaMarinaResort&Villas'beautiful gardensenvelopachoiceofaccommodation acrossclassicwhiteCycladicbuildings– elegantlydecorated roomsand suites enjoyingpanoramicbalconyviewsand two to sevenbedroomvillas, severalofwhich includeprivate swimmingpools. Gourmetswilldelight in theMediterranean specialties servedatColonialPoolRestaurant &Bar,while those looking tokickbackcan unwind to thechill-out soundsof world- renownedDJsat the resort’snewestdining venue, theBuddha-BarBeach.Feaston succulent seafoodandotherpopular selections,accompaniedby the innovative creationsof the residentmixologist. Here,you’llalsofind theonlyprivate sandy beachonMykonos.Framedby theazure AegeanSea, the infinityOasisPool&Lounge area invites relaxationwith sun loungers, hangingeggchairsand soft sunken seating, while theGinkgoSpaoffers state-of-the-art therapiesbyESPA&Phytomer. Targeted informationpanel tobeusedby the subscribing travelcompany forpossibleuseas: Staffprofile Price sensitiveoffer Hoteldetails (ifnot submitting theirown information) Joali Amasterpiece in tropical island living J oali resides in the northern Maldiveson thepicture- perfect Muravandhoo island in the RaaAtoll.Beingoneof the largest anddeepestatolls in theworld,guests are surroundedbybrilliantbluewaters, pristinewhite-sandbeachesanda lush landof coconutpalms.The retreathasbeendesigned in andaroundevery tree,ensuring thedelicate ecosystem ismaintained. The resort’selegantone to fourbedroomvillasand residences are theepitomeof sustainableglamour,eachwithadedicated Joalibutlerandprivate infinitypool.Four restaurantsprovide inventive fusioncuisine fromAsianandPeruvian to Italianand Mediterraneandishes.Guestshave theopportunity to learnand enjoydeliciousmeals throughpersonalisedcookingexperiences and sweetcravingswillbe satisfiedby Joali’sartisanalchocolate and ice-cream. Joali isoneof the firstandonlyhotels in theMaldives tobe immersed inart,with interactiveandexperientialpieces featuring throughout the island. Gettinghigh in theKingdomofNepal A walk on the wild side On foot in theNationalParksofZambia Ababoon screechesand theguidebecomesattentive.Whathasphased theanimal -has itbeen separated fromhisgrouporhashe seen somethingand is sendingoutawarning? The search isonand the groupwalk in thedirectionof the starled primate.Will theycatcha glimpseof theelusive leoprd. In theLuangwa thisprized sighting ismore likely thanelsewhere inAfricaandoneof the region’sbiggestpulls. The Leopardsof luangwa Regions of Italy Regions of Spain G reek I sland I dylls Regions of France The Bucket list Pearls of the Indian Ocean USA & Canada Mediterranean Masterpieces Family Favourites The Indian Subcontinent Far East & Pacific Arabian Nights Iconic City Hotels of the World Islands of the Caribbean Postcards from... C rystal-clearwaterswith spectacularcoral reefsandpalm-fringed white sandybeachesawaityourarrivalatNecker Island.Located in theBritishVirgin Islands, it isoneof themost luxuriousprivate islands in theworldandhome toSirRichardBranson.Sleepingup to48adultsand sixchildren, it's theultimateexclusiveplayground for friendsand family toexperience.Withplenty todoon landand onwater,Necker Island isyourhomeaway fromhomeand is just waiting tobeexplored. NECKER ISLAND Toexperience theultimateprivatehideaway,hiring Necker Islandexclusively is theway togoas theexpert teamcan tailoreveryelement to suityou.Keeping activeduringyour stay iseasywhen there'sfive infinity pools, twofloodlit tenniscourts,white sandybeaches andall thewatersportsyoucould imagine,but thereare alsoendlesscosycorners tocurlup inand just soakup theviews.Eveningsareoften spentdownon thebeach partying thenightawayunder the stars. With steady tradewinds,warm turquoisewaters, beautiful trailsand two tenniscourtsNecker Island isa perfectplayground foranynumberof sports.The island providesampleopportunities foryou toexplore the crystal-clearwatersor sample themagicof the island from thecomfortofyourbeachhammock. Atcertain timesof theyearNecker Islandhosts 'CelebrationWeeks'whereyoucanbook individual rooms toenjoy theexcitementand luxuryof the island. Sharing the islandwithotherguests,youcanbook roomsasan individual,couple, familyorgroupof friends for staysof typically sevennights. High Altitude The Call of the Wild Planes Trains & Automobiles Caribbean Classics A Sense of Place The Lake District 4 Surf Targetted informationpanel tobeusedby the subscribing travelcompany forpossibleuseas: Staffprofile Price sensitiveoffer Cruisedetails (ifnot submitting theirown information) Homegrown Delights On the Water El Ritmo Latino A PRIVATE AFFAIR