Scott Dunn: The Blog

Susie Reynolds, who heads up our India and Arabia department, recently travelled to northern India.  Here she tells us of her adventures in a country she says captivates the senses utterly. 

Over the last five years, numerous members of my team have been lucky enough to visit this majestic part of Northern India, returning to tell colourful tales and enthuse about their experiences there.  So, this year, I seized the chance to head out before the end of the season and see it all for myself.   

Landing in Delhi at the end of April, I was pleasantly surprised by the temperature, milder than I had anticipated, the air heady with the scents that pervade the city.  I headed straight to The Imperial, a fabulous art-deco hotel adorned with aptly placed classic cars at its entrance and the ideal spot from which to explore this city of contrasts.

Delhi was far greener than I had expected, living up to its reputation as one of the greenest capitals in the world - in terms of colour rather than ecologically!  The hustle and bustle of an average day’s traffic was not as claustrophobic as I had feared; my tour of Old Delhi was a real highlight, and included a rickshaw ride through the buzzing streets of Chandi Chowk, fringed on both sides with stalls displaying decorations which would not have looked out of place on the most eccentric of Christmas trees.   

New Delhi is home to beautiful and impressive parliamentary buildings, left by the British, surrounded by classic ambassador’s cars which to this day remain the preferred mode of transport for the government’s officials.  I also visited Humayun’s Tomb, which is the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.  An incredibly moving visit.

From Delhi I travelled to Agra by train, which was twice as quick as driving.  Pulling into the station, I was met outside my carriage by our team on the ground and transferred to the Oberoi Amarvilas.  A stunning place, and in my opinion the only place to stay in Agra, the Amarvilas has breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal and a wonderfully refreshing pool - very welcome in temperatures reaching 35’C!

A tour of the Taj Mahal with a private guide is a must (I recommend timing it early in the morning or later in the evening!) and really brings alive one of the most romantic gestures the world has ever seen.  While I declined the offer myself, ‘Diana’s bench’ is a firm photo opportunity favourite.  I was struck by the exquisite marble work of this elegant and harmonious building, flanked by its four surrounding gates, also intricate in design. 

Whilst in Agra, I’d also highly recommend a visit to the red sandstone fort, which was converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time.  Amazingly, only a quarter of this is open to the public (the rest is used by the military).  I explored the pearl mosque and halls of public and private audience, and walked through the many sub-palaces - so much to see and learn, enough to keep even the most dedicated of history buffs busy for hours!   

My next stop was Ranthambore and the opportunity to spot the elusive tiger.  After an early start and lengthy drive I arrived at Sher Bagh, a splendid tented camp, straight out of the Raj, comprising of delightfully British Colonial living and dining tents and beautiful tented bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms fit for royalty. For me this was a rare hotel which was a destination in itself.

The flow of vehicles into Ranthambore National Park can be a little complicated but thankfully I was in the more than capable hands of our ground handlers and the hotel who smoothly arranged two game drives for me. 

As my father maintains with salmon fishing – ‘a sport in which to spend time in beautiful surroundings – if you catch a fish it’s simply a bonus’ – the same ethos might be applied to safaris in Ranthambore. Tiger viewings are never guaranteed - elusive in the dry season, and even shyer following the monsoon, when the forest turns a brilliant shade of emerald green providing lush cover for exotic creatures. It is, however, a stunning park, teeming with birds, mammals and reptiles. In terms of the tiger though, I was one of the lucky ones. 

Travelling during this hot season makes tigers far easier to spot in the scrub and we were lucky enough to come across both T19, a female, and T24, a male with his kill. I stress, wishing to manage expectations, I was very lucky!
 
After spotting my tiger I was on the road again, heading for the rural town of Shapura and the charming home of the original ruler of the town.  This has now been converted into a boutique hotel, Shapura Bagh, by the ruling family.  This was one of the most delightful experiences of my trip. A homestay as opposed to a hotel experience, the rooms were alive with the character of a bygone era, the gardens home to the regal peacock.  The pool, large considering the small number of rooms, was flanked by elegant sun loungers and canopied day beds.

There are a number of excursions available to guests staying here; the locals are wonderfully hospitable and keen to show off their skills, trades and professions. I took a trip to the owners farm, home to cattle, goats and mango plantations, as well as the (currently dry) lake which was created by the local ruler in the early 20th century in order to help his loyal subjects following a long stint of famine.  As a result he was decorated by the British Raj and an impressive portrait now hangs in the formal dining room of the main house at Shapura Bagh.

Short on time, and still with plenty of ground to cover, I was soon on my way to India’s answer to Venice, the spellbinding city of Udaipur and the dreamlike Taj Lake Palace, the former summer residence of the Maharana of Udaipur who now resides across the lake in part of the City Palace.  For its fairy tale qualities, this was my favourite city in Rajasthan, blessed with enchanting views of Lake Pichola, with the flamboyant City Palace, deemed to be the largest of its type in Rajasthan, demonstrating a glorious fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles.

One of the most special moments of my trip followed my tour of the City Palace when we moved on to Jagdish Temple, adorned with elaborate carvings in classic Hindu style and surrounded by ladies selling offerings for the gods.

While you cannot use your camera inside, the sight of hundreds of ladies (comparatively few gentlemen) in brilliantly coloured sari’s, squeezing in shoulder to shoulder, seated on the floor listening to the teachings of the High Priest, will not leave my memory quickly. Nor will the mesmerising singing which followed, accompanied only by the rhythmic clapping of the gathering. 

Heading out of Udaipur city I had a short journey to the glorious Devi Garh, a ‘fusion property’ comprising of the old ruins of a former fort palace, which have been imaginatively restored to house this exquisite boutique hotel, perched on top of a hill, surveying the surrounding village. Private dinners in original bedrooms which have been rescued from collapse, are particularly special, lit only by candles and served on low tables surrounded by cushions and bolsters.

Following my arrival I set out for Ranakpur and its hypnotic Jain temple.  Here I was honoured to have the High Priest as my guide, who was only too keen to impart his knowledge on both the temple and Jain religion, a very precise offshoot of Hinduism.  Supported by more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars, Ranakpur is acclaimed world-wide for its intricate and superb architectural style forming one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains.

The journey between Delwara and Ranakpur was not without its own interest and provided countless photographic opportunities of its own. Such journeys were soon becoming one of my favoured parts of my trip in a country full of more colour than one can imagine.

Back to Rural Rajasthan, Rohet was next on my list. Rohet Garh, the simplest of three charming offerings from the historical ruling family, offers a wonderful and homely stay in its uniquely decorated rooms and suites, surrounded by gardens, courtyards or a pretty pool, some with views over the lake. For the equestrians among us, Rohet Garh is a must.

The owner has a glorious collection of beautiful Mawari horses and treks can range from a couple of hours, to days broken by evening camps and G&T’s served round a fire. I’m always a little nervous about riding abroad, both on the basis of the quality and welfare of the horses and the safety. The passion and care taken over Rohet’s selection is wonderfully reassuring, and my own mount, a surprisingly mature 4yr old dapple grey, behaved impeccably. My guide was quick to judge my ability and more than happy to let me ride on ahead, galloping across the desert sand.

Rohet also arrange fabulous excursions to local Bishnoi and Brahmin villages and offer the opportunity to witness an opium ceremony. Their charming guide was an excellent bridge over the language barrier and the families I met could not have been more hospitable, smiling and keen to have their photograph taken.

Jodhpur was my next stop and situated below the impressive Mehrangarh Fort was Raas, a unique and contemporary hotel in the heart of the walled city. The Mehrangarh Fort is the best maintained fort in Rajasthan, and the palace complex, with its network of courtyards and museum artefacts, was well worth exploring. It was also the most spectacular place from which to view the Blue City, thousands of Brahmin homes painted differing shades of blue, an incredible sight.

Jodhpur itself is definitely worth exploring by foot. The narrow streets hide charming surprises round every corner, you never know when you are going to come across a wedding and the markets are alive with local tradesmen and families going about their daily business.

Nearing the end of my trip I moved on to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, and the home of the infamous Rajasthan Royals as well as the hopelessly romantic Rambagh Palace, most famously the former home of Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur and Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, society favorites in late 1930’s London. Today, operating as a hotel, it offers its guests a taste of royal living with elegant rooms and majestic gardens, steeped in history from its previous life.

Jodhpur’s City Palace combines Mughal and Rajput architecture and also houses a museum, home to beautiful royal costumes and weapons, graceful paintings and impressive Mughal carpets providing an invaluable insight into Jaipur’s royal past. Next door, the Astronomical observatory holds an astonishing collection of the weird and wonderful, as well as extraordinarily accurate instruments, some of which are still used today.

The Amber Fort was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber before the capital was shifted to Jaipur 11km away. A fabulous example of Hindu and Muslim artistic style, this was certainly one of my favorites and the intricate mirror work in the Summer Palace took my breath away. My countless photos could never do it justice and if you are going to see just one fort during your trip I believe this should be it!

Just north of Jaipur, the Aravalli Hills surround the magnificent Samode Palace, a heritage hotel acting as a museum with some fabulous frescoes dotted around the property. The town below is wonderfully welcoming to visitors and as a hub of handicrafts it’s a great spot to collect some gifts in advance of your return home.

Early on in my trip I was quick to realise that a trip to Rajasthan was not essentially a ‘restful’ holiday. Instead it’s a journey for the senses and, without taking appropriate measures, could result in needing a further break on your return home. Happily, Amanbagh awaits – an oasis of calm in which to relax for a few days or even a few weeks. As you’d expect, exceptional service, spacious and stylish suites and fabulous food are on offer to welcome weary travellers, while fabulous excursions such as the Cowdust Tour, taking in the local villages and meeting the gloriously friendly residents, keep the restless occupied.
 
 

This was sadly my last stop before returning to Delhi and flying home, albeit with a far heavier suitcase, and a head full of more memories than my camera could possibly hold. 

To anyone considering a holiday to Rajasthan, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. The bright colours of this many-faceted state and the sheer warmth and friendliness of its people alone would draw me back time and again. 

My top tips:

• The ease and comfort of having a car and driver with Scott Dunn cannot be underestimated. My driver Johnson was invaluable and his excellent English (not always common among drivers) made my trip a thousand times more enjoyable.

Traffic can be unpredictable.

If you’re keen to sleep on long car journeys, take ear plugs. No one uses indicators in India, instead relying on the blasting horns of fellow drivers to let them know they are there.

On a luxury tour hygiene is generally easy to maintain, but it’s still worth taking precautions, such as avoiding street food and carrying hand sanitizer to minimise the risk.

Last but not least, take a good camera. There are few other places I can think of with so much worth capturing at any given moment.

For more information on our tailor-made holidays to Rajasthan contact Susie and the team on 020 8682 5075.
 

To celebrate the launch of our exciting new Scott Dunn Explorers children’s clubs, we’re invited our favourite Mumpreneurs, bloggers and journalists to share their happiest family holiday memories with us - from their childhood and as a parent.

Amanda Morison, family travel journalist and blogger

Amanda Morison lives with her husband and four sons, aged between one and seven, in London. She writes the blog for angels & urchins magazine and website, London’s go-to guide for everything to do with families.

My father was a teacher, which meant lots of family holidays. Some I was less keen on (seemingly endless visits to churches in Brittany) others were fantastic, especially when we moved to Swaziland for three years. We’d load up our Land Rover and spend weeks at a time exploring neighbouring countries, including South Africa and Lesotho. There were plenty of beaches where we learnt to bodysurf down dunes, went on lots of safaris and wallowed in natural hot pools. I once even sat on an ostrich, bribed by my mother, who wanted a picture for the family album, by the promise of a stick of rock.

We love travelling with the children. We’ve taken one or all of them to Marrakech, Tunisia, France, Italy, Skye and the Italian Lakes. Our longest trip was to New Zealand via Hong Kong. We aren’t complete masochists – our youngest was five months old at the time, and who wants to take young children that far? – but my brother was getting married in Christchurch and we wanted to be there. The best bit was 10 days on Waiheke Island just off Auckland. Our easiest holiday was to Pine Cliffs in the Algarve. We went with three other families with similar aged children and each hired an apartment. Lots of space to retreat to when someone had a tantrum!

Our dream holiday is a ski trip. We haven’t yet ventured on to the slopes with the children, but once the youngest is four or so we will book them into ski school and head off to clear our heads in the best possible way. When you’re skiing you have to concentrate or you’ll fall over, and it sounds an unimaginable luxury to just be us for a few mornings, with nothing but the snow for company. We’ll then meet the children for lunch and do a few runs with them in the afternoon before heading back to the chalet. No cooking for a week would be the icing on the cake!

www.angelsandurchins.co.uk/blog

Laura Dixon, travel journalist and blogger

Laura Dixon is a mum of one, Olivia, aged 20 months, and lives in Bristol. She has been a travel journalist for over ten years and has written over 20 travel guides and contributed to top magazines and newspapers from Stylist to the Guardian and www.coolplaces.co.uk. She blogs at www.foodforfriendsyeah.co.uk

When my twin brother and I were about 10, our next-door-neighbours invited us on holiday to St Tropez, where their grandparents lived. It was amazing! We stayed in this beautiful villa with an outdoor pool and were looked after by two very cool nannies. There were geckos everywhere. I remember Rachel’s grandad teaching me to eat spaghetti with a spoon and a fork - which felt very cultured - and my hair turning green from the minerals in the pool. Up to this point, we always used to holiday at our grandparents by the sea in the UK, so this changed everything.

I only have a few examples to draw on, but my most recent trip, to New York with my husband and our daughter was incredible. We wanted to fly long haul before she turned 2 and would have to be paid for, and just love the city. We played in some of the most beautiful playgrounds, including Teardrop Park in Battery Park, where there’s an architectural screen of bamboo and zen-like rocks hiding a rad metal slide. Cycling round Central Park was great too – she loves being on my bike at home – and we took her to Central Park Zoo, setting for Madagascar too, which was fun.

I’d absolutely love to visit Soneva Kiri in Thailand. I’m a real hotel buff, and love what they’re doing there: dining pods suspended from trees, outdoor cinemas and an inspirational den for children. I’ve never been to Thailand - the closest I’ve got is Malaysia - but I know that Thai people love children and it’s a great destination for them, as long as you remember to bulk buy suncream. I particularly like the way the hotel brings out the childlike wonder in me, let alone anyone else!

Its earlier life may have been one of strict religious observance, but we think a stay in the brand new Palacio Nazarenas will be anything but austere. Opening this coming June, we can’t wait for the opening of this unique new boutique hotel in Cuzco, Peru.

A former 16th century convent, Palacio Nazarenas has been brought back to life through painstakingly restoration and as no heavy machinery was allowed all 9,000m³ of earth had to be removed by hand! The hotel features 55 suites (cleverly oxygenated to combat the effects of altitude sickness); a full service spa; iPads in every room loaded with insider city guides; Cuzco’s first outdoor swimming pool; and a fantastic restaurant showcasing contemporary Andean cuisine - one of the hottest foodie trends hitting London this year.

After exploring the city and Peru’s ancient civilizations, guests will also able to indulge in a signature spa treatment using products created using indigenous Peruvian ingredients such as pink Andean salt, purple corn, herbs, honey, avocado, coffee and cocoa leaves.

The hotel’s restaurant, Senzo, is destined to become a gourmet hot spot too. Serving only locally sourced Andean ingredients, Senzo will showcase the talents of bright young Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez and feature his signature dishes such as Malaya, a very popular cut of meat cooked for 24 hours at a 68 degree heat in Eucalyptus emulsion, and a local cheese also infused with Eucalyptus.

In addition to sourcing products locally, Palacio Nazarenas will have its very own vegetable garden, Jardin Nazarenas, as well as a secret herb garden. These will provide Virgilio and his team with a huge variety of ingredients such as the fragrant herb muna, and a selection of Andean tomatoes.

Located 11,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountain range, the captivating colonial town of Cuzco was the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the country - a must for any itinerary to the Peru. The town is a vibrant base for visiting the breathtaking Machu Picchu ruins and the Sacred Valley. And now with this new hotel opening, there’s even more reason to visit and stay a little longer.

For more information on our luxury tailor-made holidays to Peru contact our Latin America specialists on 020 8682 5030.

Kenya has been in the press for all the wrong reasons recently - but there’s much more to this vast country than the headlines suggest.  Southern Africa specialist Anna Devereux Baker recently headed out to Kenya to find out for herself, and discovered a warm and welcoming country holding its own despite recent setbacks.

I’d actually worked it out, sitting on my British Airways flight bound for Nairobi.  To date I have visited Africa no less than 37 times (this current trip being my 38th).  But this was my first ever trip to Kenya.  How had I missed such a trick?

I’ve always been a Southern Africa explorer – happy to walk in the wild bush of Zambia, mokoro the deep water channels of the Okavango Delta in Botswana and scramble up the bright orange dunes of Namibia.  Kenya was a completely unknown quantity to me, and one I was excited to explore. 

My trip started in the beaches south of Mombasa – Tiwi and Diani beach.  Here the pace of life is slow and meandering, and the air is steamy and rich with the scent of the frangipani trees which seem to be on every corner.  The beaches are the brightest white and almost pristine, a dot of seaweed here and there, but with mercifully few beach boys. 

My first stop was at Alfajiri Garden Villa, exceeded all my expectations.  Individually designed private rooms, cooled to glacial levels by the welcome air-conditioning and some of the best food I have ever tasted – surf-fresh fish and a rainbow array of fruits fresh from the bough.  I spent the evening watching the sparkles of light from the fishermen’s boats as they headed out for a night’s foraging on the open seas. 

From the beach I headed to the bush – first stop Lewa Wilderness Trails.  Here we set out on four legs – riding in amongst Lewa’s wildlife, which watched us with a detached air and allowed us to come close.  Giraffes peered from their lofty position above the branches, and a solitary bull eland approached, knees clicking, to examine us. The ride ended with a sunset trot back to the lodge, the horses knowing that their supper was waiting. 

The lodge also offers wonderful walking safaris – aptly named Walking Wild – accompanied by camels and brightly dressed Maasai guides.  The camels – shaggy, lanky things – were left free to graze after being relieved of their loads.  The camp is very simple - dome tents are set in a grove of shady trees and your suppers are served under the stars.

Our next stop, Laikipia, gave us one of the rarest sightings I have ever had – a pair of mating caracals.  This small, tan coloured feline has long, elegant tufts of black hair on its ears, and beautiful, grey-green, sooty eyes.   When we spotted this pair they froze in position, almost comically, before disentangling themselves and melting away into the bush without a backward glance. 

Laikipia is majestic in every way – swathes of hills rolling away to the horizon and views to die for.  We visited the Sanctuary at Ol Lentille – perched on the top of a hill with 360 degree views and an infinity pool complete with “pods” in which to relax. 

Moving onwards to the Mara, our first stop was at Ol Seki, quite the most sublime camp overlooking a permanent waterhole teeming with game. 

Chunky-bottomed zebras, shimmering in the heat-haze, fought each other for command of their females as we watched.  Delicate impalas lowered their heads to drink before skittering away as one, spooked by a bateleur eagle’s shadow passing overhead.  After darkness fell we listened as two prides of lion exchanged insults across the valley, punctuated by the high excited squeals of hyena.  At our next stop, Mara Plains, we battened down the hatches in our tents as an almighty storm blew up, the curtains in my tent almost horizontal. 

Our final stop was Acacia House, on the far side of the Mara.  We drove across parched plains, the grass becoming greener as we got higher and higher.  An almost impossible mountain confronted us; how on earth would we get up that, even in our trusty land cruiser?  Our guide grinned and started to weave his way up through the bushes dotting the slopes.  Every now and then an enticing view would present itself; emerald green plains spreading in all directions.  Finally we reached the summit, the cruiser groaning – and the view was nothing short of spectacular. 

The Mara, even at this, the driest time of year, was green and plentiful, dotted with the tiny black figures of wildebeest.  Following the alarm calls of puku, shrill little whistles, we noticed a movement in the grass.  A head appeared, and then a second head.  Bright green eyes with the characteristic “tear stains” on the cheeks told us we were in the presence of two cheetahs.  Supremely relaxed, they lolled in the grass, paying us very little attention before getting up, stretching languorously and trotting away into the bush.

We arrived at Acacia House to be welcomed by fresh fruit juice and a glorious little lagoon fringed with reeds and water lilies.  Exquisite butterflies darted here and there and warthog came down to drink, fixing us with a beady eye before deciding we were nothing to fear.  As our last night in Kenya, supper that evening was a lively affair, shared with our Maasai guides who regaled us with tales of their childhood, of growing up in the bush. 

Leaving the Mara the following morning by light aircraft, we flew over the almost endless plains and onwards towards Nairobi.  Kenya is a very special country – a land of extreme contrasts from the white sand beaches to the vast open plains.  Come here for spectacular game-viewing, friendly people and some of the best views on the continent. 

Inspired by Anna’s Kenya trip? Contact our Africa specialists on 020 8682 5070.

For most of us grown ups, discovering new tastes and exotic flavours is one of the most exciting and memorable aspects of going on holiday. At Scott Dunn, we believe children shouldn’t miss out on these experiences either.

So this summer as part of the launch of our Scott Dunn Explorers children’s clubs, we’ve teamed up with children’s food expert Fiona Faulkner to create a gastronomical voyage of discovery for our hungry young guests.

Over June half term, Fiona will joining us at Scott Dunn Explorers at Daios Cove in Crete and doing baking workshops with our Adventurers (3-4 years), Voyagers (5-7 years) and Pioneers (8-13 years) and a family session with Mums and Dads, exclusive to our guests. Even our youngest group, the Globetrotters (up to 2 years) will be able to try their hand at some messy foodie games too.

To whet your appetite here’s a taster of what will be on the globe-trotting menu at Scott Dunn Explorers - but sadly it’s kids size portions only!

Slumdog Soup - a dahl based soup with a subtle taste of India

Silician Meatballs - a traditional recipe with a twist, using tuna fish

Popeye’s Pesto Pasta with Olive Oil - Fiona’s ‘hero recipe’ with secret spinach

Mediterranean Muffins - bite size pinic treats with sundried tomatoes, olives and green beans

The Cowboy Chowdown - a Canadian inspired shepherd’s pie packed full of their 5 a day.

Arriba! Ice Cream - a nod to the flavours of Mexico with avocado and lime, simply delicious!

But it’s not just the children who will be eating well at Daios Cove, the parents will too with three superb restaurants to choose from.

To experience a true taste of Crete, the Greek Taverna at the water’s edge, serves local specialities and freshly caught fish and seafood, Ocean offers a chic modern take on Italian fine dining with spectacular views across the cove (pictured) and the main restaurant, Pangea, is an international food bazaar, offering a nightly buffet of dishes and delicacies from all over the world. 

Nearby, the traditional Cretan fishing village of Plaka, opposite the island of Spinalonga made famous by Victoria Hislop’s ‘The Island’, with its authentic tavernas showcasing the famous Greek hospitality, and just five minutes away the bustling bars and restaurants around the marina of Agios Nikolaos.

For more information on family holidays to Daios Cove contact our Med team on 020 8682 5040.

Without doubt Burma is the most talked about destination of 2012. After many years of being isolated from the rest of the world due to political and economic sanctions, Burma seems to finally be shrugging off its dark past and looking towards the future – with visits from Hillary Clinton and David Cameron in recent weeks. The film The Lady, released on on DVD next week, highlights the immense struggle that the country and their heroine Aung San Suu Kyi have endured and now tourists feel more confident in visiting this beautiful country.

Amy Welfare, Head of our Asia team returned from her first visit last week and shares with us her experiences of beguiling Burma.

Having been lucky enough to have travelled around much of south east Asia, I thought I had come to fully appreciate the beauty of the region, the warmth of the people and their devotion to their religion and traditional values. But going to Burma took things to another level…

From the moment I arrived into Rangoon, I knew the trip was going to be a hugely memorable experience. Shut off from the outside world for so long, with no US or EU investment, the infrastructure has some way to go but the untouched quality more than makes up for this.

Rangoon is crowded, bustling and loud but wherever you go you are overlooked by the incredible and immense Shewedagon Pagoda. Its golden stupa glitters in the hot sun and Burmese from all over the country try to come at least once in their lifetime to pray at this holiest of places.

Travelling around is not for the faint-hearted, with some of the domestic airports being a real ‘adventure’ to say the least. But you are rewarded with some incredible sights if you are intrepid enough.

Bagan was my next destination – more fantastical than a film set with ancient temples as far as the eye can see. Monks in dark red robes and nuns in bright pink contemplating and praying really added to the serene atmosphere felt in this desert plain. The best way to view the hundreds of temples is by hot air balloon at dawn – a spectacular journey.

Another short hop to HeHo brings you to central Burma and to Inle Lake. Here you find the traditional fisherman with their unique rowing style (with their foot!), endless water villages with houses still constructed in the way of 200 years ago and where electricity was only introduced in the last couple of years.

Ingenious floating gardens and fishing techniques make the most of the surroundings and as you travel everywhere by small boat with your private guide, you really have the chance to get amongst the communities and learn their traditional values. All sorts of handicrafts are on display from silver to weaving to cigar making – again all ancient and traditional methods.

Like the rest of the country, every time you look at the horizon you will see golden temples and monuments to their Buddhist faith.

All the locals love to meet you and are not yet spoilt by too much tourism, but I fear this may not be too far off. One of my favourite parts of staying at Inle Lake was taking a long bike ride along the flat river banks through villages and past monasteries – an amazing way to get really amongst the locals. The 5 day rotating market is also excellent to catch as it is a really authentic locals market full of vibrant colours and exotic sounds and smells – again not for the faint hearted but fantastic for photography!

After being stunned by the incredible scenery and culture, I headed to Ngapali beach on the Bay of Bengal. This completely unspoilt and pristine beach was the perfect place to unwind in relaxed surroundings. Palm trees lined the beach and the hotels were not in any way intruding onto the beach. Apart from a few little seafood restaurants and beach bars, the stretch of sand is empty – something hard to find in Asia these days. Eat out on the Pleasant View Islet for dinner for a romantic evening meal under the stars, even if you do have to paddle back as the causeway gets partially covered by the tide.

All in all I would highly recommend a visit to anyone who is looking for the next frontier in Asia.

Expect delays, power cuts and often intense heat but all of this is more than worth it when you step back and take a look around at the incredible sights, coupled with the friendly smiles and warm welcome. And my advice… go now before too many others do!

For more information on our talior-made holidays to Burma contact our Asia team on 020 8682 5060.

With the Easter break now over and all those the chocolate eggs a distant, guilty memory, our minds are turning to the summer holidays and where to go for those precious few weeks away we take as a family each year.

To celebrate the launch of our exciting new Scott Dunn Explorers children’s clubs, we’re invited our favourite Mumpreneurs, bloggers and journalists to share their happiest family holiday memories with us - from their childhood and as a parent.

Katherine Elphick, The Little Style Book
My name is Katherine Elphick and I am the Editor and Founder of The Little Style Book (www.thelittlestylebook.com), an online guide for stylish mums and mums-to-be. A former Londoner I now live in a village south of Cambridge with my husband and children, Alice aged two and James aged 10 months.

My best holiday memory is somewhat hazy but it is learning to swim in Tuscany.  We were in a small villa and my stepfather taught me with a great deal of patience and enthusiasm (and jazzy armbands).  That holiday also stands out as I met another little girl who was my holiday buddy and we had great fun catching bees in jam jars (not very PC I know).  As an only child I always enjoyed holidays more when I made friends at the pool or playground – as I daresay my parents did too!

As our two tots are still so young our best holiday is yet to happen!  We haven’t ventured abroad with them both yet, but have had some lovely UK mini-breaks including a fantastic stay at Woolley Grange near Bath which is like something from an Enid Blyton book. This Summer we are taking a house in Burnham Market in North Norfolk but by next Summer I hope we will be ready to face an airport for something more exotic even if just to the Med. I’d love to take the children to Mallorca as that is where my husband and I met.

My dream holiday destination would be anywhere with a Scott Dunn children’s club!  All the resorts sound fantastic and I love the idea of the children having a whale of a time and eating delicious food whilst we catch up on some much needed shut-eye by the pool.  Bliss.

www.littlestylebook.com

Maggie Bolger, Maggie and Rose

My name is Maggie Bolger; I am a mum to four lively children, aged 11, 8, 7 and 18 months. I own family members club Maggie & Rose, so life is very hectic and busy. We live in Kensington, London, which is a great place to raise kids. I write a blog for our Maggie & Rose members; mostly we review cool and fun things for families.

I grew up in New Zealand, so family holidays were always at our beach house on the Coromandel coast, they were pretty rustic and simple. We spent a lot of time swimming, bush walking, digging in the sand for shell fish called Pippis, fishing and having BBQ’s.  

My most memorable experience as a parent has to be our Scott Dunn villa holiday in Mallorca.  I always kind of dread going on holiday, as for me it is just a change of location, I still have to feed the kids, sort out their sunscreen, worry about shopping etc, plus this time I was quite pregnant as well! But we arrived at the villa and all was taken care of.  Delicious food was cooked for us by our lovely chef Dell and Tom our host, took care of anything we needed - I could even doze after lunch, with the kids happily playing in the pool, as the nanny kept an eye on them, making sure they had water and sunscreen.

It was the only holiday I have been on as a parent where I actually felt like I had had a holiday myself.

Our dream family holiday is currently safari, our kids are all animal mad, and we all want to go on Safari, teamed with a bit of a beach holiday as well. 

We were all geared up to go as all the kids were the perfect age but then we had another baby so now we have to wait until he is big enough!

But we have started our scrapbook of ideas and love the Sausage Tree Camp in Zambia (pictured above) followed by somewhere fabulous in Madagascar or Zanzibar.

www.maggieandrose.com

The hotly anticipated Song Saa in Cambodia opened last month and Michelle in our Asia team was lucky enough to be one of its first guests - and very quickly fell head over heels for this private island paradise.

Here she shares her experience of this exceptional new destination that, without doubt, is the luxury resort to watch in the coming years.

From my first distant glimpse to my teary goodbye, I have been completely and utterly mesmerised by Song Saa, Cambodia. 

Song Saa, meaning ‘The Sweethearts’ in the Khmer language, is the first luxury private island in Cambodia after being discovered and beautifully designed by Australian owners, Rory and Melita Hunter.  Song Saa consists of two perfectly formed islands, Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, which are joined in harmony by a wooden walkway over the glittering water. 

A unique concept and the first of its kind in Cambodia, Song Saa is truly an island paradise that seduces and mesmerises. As our speedboat skimmed over the turquoise seas from Sihanoukville on the South coast of Cambodia, the excitement began to mount and I felt my heart leap as the island came into view for the first time. 

On arrival, we were treated to a warm welcome by the wonderful island staff and resort owners, Rory and Melita.  Rory escorted me to my very own Overwater Villa – situated on the sunset side of the island.  The villas are simply exquisite - all beautifully appointed and dominated by a vast four-poster bed, enveloped with luxurious white drapes with views over the Cambodian ocean. 

Melita’s design can only be described as perfection - from the moment you enter your villa, you are transfixed by the rustic charm and stunning beauty of your surroundings.  As Rory left me to explore, I gasped and smiled, shrieked and leaped as I took in my island home for the next few days. 

Ambient music flowed from the iPod as I opened the huge doors to my private terrace, which featured my very own infinity pool with direct access to the sea, a huge day bed adorned with pillows and an outdoor tree trunk shower. Everything on the island is inspired by the local environment and is crafted to resemble an authentic Cambodian fishing village - even reusing and recycling traditional fishing boats to create the exquisite surroundings.

The atmosphere on Song Saa is relaxed and informal – true barefoot luxury at its best.  From the moment we arrived until our departure, shoes were well and truly forgotten about, left in suitcases and abandoned on the doorstep in favour of constant silky sand between the toes. 

Our first evening began with cocktails on the Vista bar terrace (still sans shoes!) overlooking the huge expanse of ocean that surrounds the island.  As we stood sipping mojitos in the warm breeze, all stresses and worries instantly disappeared as the sun set over the neighbouring island of Koh Rong.  Sunset at Song Saa really is a magical time and lasts about two hours; a beautiful kaleidoscope of pinks and oranges blending into the moonlight.

Head chef, Neil Wagner, formerly at North Island in the Seychelles, and his exceptional team prepared a culinary feast for us, including tiny octopus canapés, countless bowls filled high with a divine selection of traditional Khmer specialities and dessert served on top of a light box. 

With all drinks (except for the reserve list), food, daily laundry, non-motorised activities and international calls included in your stay, you can relax and enjoy the refreshing treat of not having to settle up a huge tab at the end of your holiday. 

Day two on the island started with a sunrise yoga class on the main pool deck.  Then, after a dip in my villa pool and an outdoor shower from my tree, I went to sample breakfast which was a gourmet selection of pastries followed by smoked salmon and eggs.

We were then taken on a tour of Koh Rong by one of the resident marine biologists who are all working hard to increase and preserve both marine life, island wildlife and the livelihood of the islanders. 

Song Saa is committed to preserving the natural habitat and providing for the future of the environment and local community – this really is sustainability and eco friendly tourism at its strongest.  Even the straws used for drinks are made from bamboo-like plants and grown by local farmers – quirky, in keeping with the style of the island, environmentally friendly and providing jobs for the local community.  It is small touches like this that make it such an incredible place to be a part of. 

There are countless deserted beaches around Song Saa which the staff can arrange visits to.  There is even an island you can get married on and have a traditional Buddhist ceremony followed by celebrations on Song Saa. 

During our stay, Rory and Melita took us on a trip to the 5-mile beach on the speedboat. 

Here the staff set up a delightful camp on the beach complete with big straw parasols, towels, picnic food and drinks, kayaks and snorkelling gear.  We splashed around in the clear warm sea and relaxed on the pristine sand, which was unexpectedly soft and like fine creamy powder.

As our last morning dawned, we had a final tour around the island and said our goodbyes to our island family.  The Song Saa staff have a genuine love and affection for what they do and why they do it – it really inspiring and heart warming to see.  As we cruised back to Sihanoukville, we all had a little tear in our eyes as we reminisced over our time spent in what felt like our own little slice of untouched, Cambodian paradise.

For more information on Song Saa and our tailor-made itineraries to Cambodia contact our Asia specialists on 020 8682 5060.

For those of us who dreamed of being marooned on a desert island after reading Swallows and Amazons and Treasure Island as children (before the days of Lost and Pirates of the Caribbean) this brand new experience for at Nonsuch Bay, Antigua makes us wish we were young again.

Available for children aged 5 – 12 years, the new Swallows and Amazons Adventure invites children to spend a day on their very own Wild Cat Island exploring and learning the lessons of island life.

Setting off by boat in the morning to an uninhabited island, the young adventurers will dress as pirates, build a fort using flotsam and tropical vegetation and hunt for the island’s buried treasure.

Then, after a picnic lunch the children will learn to build log rafts using the dry flower stem of the cactus found on the island, before trying to escape any unfriendly pirates that might appear before heading home.

Participation is free and open to children staying at Nonsuch Bay between 31 March - 21 April and 2 June - 8 September 2012.

We love it!

To celebrate the launch of our new-look children’s clubs, Scott Dunn Explorers, we’ve teamed up with children’s food expert Fiona Faulkner, author of the acclaimed 25 Foods Kids Hate and How to Get Them Eating 24.

Fiona has created an inspirational globe-trotting new menu for your hungry little explorers available at our four Scott Dunn Explorers locations across the Mediterranean this summer.

We asked Fiona to tell us a little more about herself and our exciting new project.

Hi there

I’m so thrilled to be working alongside Scott Dunn. This project combines two of my greatest passions: fantastic food and inspiring (family-friendly) travel – proving that those itchy feet can still stretch out, even after we become parents!

Ever since I was first dubbed the ‘Harry Potter of Vegetables’, people have wanted to know my secret for getting kids to eat their 5 a day. It all started at my own kitchen table, with my son who was a determined fussy eater. I had to get clever with mealtimes, and fast.

The dramatic turnaround in him spurred me on to create Toddler Chef; my kids’ cookery workshops which have now converted hundreds of children to fall in love with a healthier way of eating.

So now I’m sharing my favourite recipes with Scott Dunn, along with a few new ideas and fun twists. I hope your children will enjoy eating them, as much as I’ve loved creating them.

Take a sneak peek at the new menu here.

Happy Travels!

Fiona

Tell us about…

…your dream family holiday

A Scott Dunn villa with nanny perfectly primed at 7am so I can have that golden nugget: a lie-in - plus a chef so that I can have a week off from cooking (I love it yes, but every now and again I tire of my hair smelling like carrot soup).

…the one food item you always travel with

A banana. Perfect if the children wake up too early for breakfast – or if I need a guilt-free sugar hit (it even comes in its own packaging). And, if I’m organised enough to remember – my own tea bags too.

… your most memorable meal whilst on holiday

Not quite on holiday, but Raymond Blanc paid me in food for agreeing to do a talk at his Children’s Food Festival. It was every bit as incredible as I thought it would be. I also think that you can’t beat eating freshly picked tropical fruit in the tropics.
 
… your top tips for feeding your children abroad

I think a great tip is to discuss the country you’re going to ahead of time and find recipes from particular cultures that you can road-test at home, before leaving (especially if you’re visiting somewhere like India, known for its spicy food).

… your favourite guilty pleasure recipe

Anything involving copious amounts of cheese. To be honest, simple cheese on toast is up there – especially as I love toast too. I think in these carbs-are-the-enemy times, toast is in fact now officially a guilty pleasure?

… your favourite ingredient

For me: black pepper. I use it all the time. For my children: Oats. Porridge oats are still an incredible breakfast for kids – you can even add them to smoothies too. I’ve just developed an oats and banana muffin for our new Scott Dunn menu.

… your favourite style of cuisine

Bearing in mind my favourite food is actually ‘picnic’ style then I would have to say French food – for warm-from-the-oven bread, some of the world’s best cheeses (we’re back on cheese again…), a few add-ons from the garden (tomatoes, basil etc) and a bottle of wine. Just perfect!

… your favourite UK restaurant

As a freelance food reviewer, I’m very fortunate to have eaten at some of the very best. Le Manoir still remains my most memorable meal. In close second place was a meal I had in 2010 at Lucknam Park near Bath.

… your hero recipe

My spinach and lime pesto. Quick and easy. Everyone asks for the recipe…

…Famous Mums you’ve worked with

So far (of those I can name check!) – Alice Temperley and Donna Air (with Sarah Beeny booked). For a sheer fantasy-best-friend moment, I’d like to work with Michelle Obama and her children. However, I also really enjoy working with ordinary mums, those who are stuck in a foodie rut or saddled with a fussy eater, looking to inspire their little ones to eat differently. 

For more information about Fiona visit www.fionafaulkner.co.uk

You can also follow Fiona on twitter @Faulkner_Faulkner