velvet | nature holidays
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Impressions of Abruzzo

I knew very little about Abruzzo other than that it’s a region to the east of Rome, on the other side of the Apennine mountains, and that it’s home to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a sublime red wine that instantly makes you daydream of rolling hills bathed in sunshine and fragrant herbs – well, that’s the effect [...]

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northern-lights-lapland-photo

Tango in the sky

I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights or the aurora borealis. I was about eight when I first saw a picture of it in a geographic encyclopedia. I stared at the image for ages, in total awe of the colours and how they seemingly dance in the sky. Thirty-odd years later, my wish to [...]

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sauna-gondola-finland-photo

A Finnish sauna like no other

The sauna is an integral part of daily life in Finland. It’s much more than just a place to sit, sweat and relax; it’s woven into the social fabric, a place where families and friends gather for a chat or the latest gossip. There’s an average of one sauna per household in Finland! I’ve been [...]

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Besalu-bridge-town-photo

Medieval towns in the Costa Brava

The name Costa Brava literally means ‘rugged coast’, a reference to the spectacular cliffs and hundreds of coves that line the coast. While the coast is a perennial favourite amongst many Europeans looking for sun, sand and sangria, there’s a lot more to discover starting just a few miles inland in the Baix Empordá region [...]

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ice-bar-snow-village-lainio-photo

Inside the Snow Village

Each year in late-November, a thousand truck-loads of snow and massive blocks of ice carved out of a nearby river are used to create a winter wonderland like no other: the Snow Village in Finnish Lapland. Situated deep in the forests near the ski resorts of Ylläs and Levi, the Snow Village is a place [...]

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safari-namibia-photo

Unforgettable Etosha

Namibia, a nation known as the ‘land of contrasts’, is a mysterious, ethereal and beautiful place that today remains for many even well-seasoned travellers somewhat of an enigma; a dry and desolate rectangle of land perhaps more famous for sprinter Frankie Fredericks than as a luxury safari destination. Twice the size of Germany or Japan, [...]

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waved-albatross-galapagos-photo

When to visit the Galapagos Islands

Deciding when to visit the Galapagos Islands can be a difficult decision. Unlike a beach holiday, when warm, sunny weather is essential for that bronze tan, the attractions of the Galapagos Islands vary throughout the year, making no particular time of the year any better than others to visit the Islands. Off-peak seasons If price [...]

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bedouins-camels-wadi-rum-photo

The majestic Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a desert region in southern Jordan that consists of a broad valley with extensive dunes and impressive rocky outcrops, some as high as 1,500m (or close to 5,000ft), carved out over time by the eroding effects of water, wind and frost. These days, Wadi [...]

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hadrians-wall-photo

Iconic walks in the English countryside

A guest post by Amanda Andrews. Spring is a time of renewal. This is the time of the year when everything is bright and new and, if you’re anything like me, you just want to get outside and feel the warm sun on your face for the first time in months! The English countryside is [...]

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Inside Albania

Albania is for many a relatively unknown destination. Located in southeast Europe, bordering Greece and the Republic of Macedonia, Albania has a long and often tempestuous history. Today, the remnants of this history as well as the country’s natural beauty make Albania a fascinating destination that is still very much off-the-beaten path. Here are a [...]

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