velvet | December, 2011
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Looking back, moving forward

2011 was a year full of incredible travel experiences. When I look back, my mind automatically drifts to the numerous travel moments which amazed or inspired me, and the many new friends I made. Waking up amidst a sea of icebergs in Alaska, witnessing a romantic moment in Petra, searching for the best viewpoints in [...]

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Culinary guide to Cornwall

A special guest post by Sharmila Bousa, gourmand and Cornwall aficionado! When it comes to food it’s probably fair to say that we’d associate Cornwall with its famous crimped pasty, clotted cream ices dripping down a cone, waist busting cream teas and pilchards from Newlyn. All of this is indeed true, and wonderful (and not [...]

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Velvet Escapes from around the web in 2011

What’s a Velvet Escape? Many people have asked me this question. To me, a Velvet Escape is about getting away from our daily routines & exploring, being adventurous, reflecting & doing it in style. It could be a moment of solitude or one that jolts your senses. Indulging in the culinary magic of a Michelin-star [...]

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Velvet moments: travel photo – swimming with rays in Bora Bora

One of the many highlights of my trip to Bora Bora in French Polynesia was swimming with various types of rays in the Bora Bora lagoon, amongst which the large manta ray. I described this experience in my Travel Journal entry, A Little Piece of Heaven: “As the boat anchored, about a dozen large manta [...]

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A gourmand on the slopes

Some people feel that basic fuel is the only thing necessary to propel themselves down the slopes of Europe’s finest ski resorts. Fortunately there are enough of us about who want something a bit more special. As such there is a large market for fine dining at altitude. Europe is blessed with some of the [...]

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Featured destination: Jordan

Jordan – the name itself conjures images of breathtaking desert landscapes, ancient cities and Biblical scenes. Located in the heart of the Middle East, this desert kingdom has a history that dates back to the times when the prophets walked the earth, and ancient empires ruled vast swathes of Asia, Europe and northern Africa. Present-day [...]

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A personal source of inspiration

This time three years ago, I was roaming around South America, having the time of my life on my first solo round-the-world trip. After ten years of focusing on my career, this trip certainly opened my eyes to the world outside my comfy ‘bubble’. I learned to value the relationships I have with my family [...]

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Tuscany’s gifts to the world

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Tuscany, or Italy for that matter! My love affair with Tuscany began more than two decades ago. I think it started the moment I had my first meal at a cosy trattoria in Florence. The food was absolutely divine. Simple, fresh and cooked with a passion [...]

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The Big Five in Uganda

Seeing the ‘Big Five’ in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa A special guest post by Andrea from The Butterflyist. The fact that a village exists bang in the middle of a national park, with the high probability that children may encounter lions or buffalo on their way to school, shows how far Uganda has yet [...]

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Ten things to do in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. The island, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, is a popular holiday destination for Europeans who come here to bask in the sun and explore the extraordinary volcanic landscapes. From the air, Lanzarote looks like a chain of volcanic cones, [...]

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