We indulged ourselves in a traditional British treat at one of the greatest hotels in the world and, we must say, we felt like royalty.
As frequent visitors to London, we have enjoyed many afternoon teas in the English capital, but this time it was different.
The first thing you encounter, before even entering the hotel, is the dress code. Reflecting the elegant nature of the hotel’s architecture, the Ritz London has a strict dress code. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie. If you don't meet these requirements, you are provided with new clothes and can even pick the colour of your tie.
The hotel is located in the centre of one of the busiest and largest cities in the world - London - a few hundred metres from the world famous Piccadilly Circus, but once you enter the hall you forget all about that. It’s so quiet, elegant and prestigious; the unique ambience and lavish décor will leave you speechless. We walked through the gorgeous lobby and into the Palm Court, where our table was waiting for us. We were about to have a magnificent afternoon tea experience we would never forget.
To give you an idea of just how extravagant and popular this ceremony is, you need to make a reservation three months in advance to get a seat on a Saturday. And this is with five sets of afternoon teas daily, starting as early as 10:00am.
Every day, between the times of 11.30am and 9.00pm, all guests get entertained by the resident pianist, harpist or string quintet, playing classical and contemporary tunes whilst you enjoy your delectable afternoon tea.
The Ritz is proud to be a member of the Tea Council's prestigious Tea Guild which means it has a top class menu. Cheddar cheese sandwiches, Scottish smoked salmon, freshly baked raisin and plain scones... the menu is extremely rich and you can get practically anything your heart desires, served with your choice of loose leaf tea from The Ritz’s extensive selection.
When it's over, you leave the hotel and are plunged back into reality on the busy streets and crowded footpaths. But afternoon tea at the legendary Ritz provides you with an experience you’ll treasure forever.
As a big fan of and frequent visitor to the Maldives, I’m often asked which accommodation is best when travelling to these sunny islands. On Angsana Velavaru, the choice is obvious – it has to be a water villa. Angsana’s second Maldivian property, which has a strong Asian feel, is most notable for its ‘InOcean’ water villas. Their uniqueness lies in their remoteness from the shore and absolute privacy – the stand-alone structures are situated a kilometre from the main island and are reachable only by boat across the lagoon.
Encircled by the clear blue waters of one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, the award-winning Taj Exotica Maldives is conveniently located just 8 km, or a 15-minute speedboat journey, from Male Airport. We were met by our personal butler and within 5 minutes we were swimming in blue water, shortly followed by sipping coconut juice on the terrace of our luxurious Asian-style water villa. Life is good here. And very private, too. It immediately feels like you are in paradise.
I have to confess to something. I’m not adventurous. I’m rather lazy. While I am on vacation, I hate busy cities, queues to museums or waking up early to go on excursions... The best time for me on vacation is when I can do NOTHING. Just lie close to a pool or on the beach, eat lots of sweets (yes, I have to confess to this as well), enjoy slow dinners accompanied by an amazing view and a pleasant company or stay in a big luxurious bed all day long.
This island is unlike any other in the Maldives. It features not just tranquil water villas and beachfront restaurants, but also a football field, tennis courts, badminton courts, beach volleyball and a golf course.
Australia is a beautiful country blessed with a stunning, rugged coastline, breath-taking beaches and a harsh, red centre that will captivate you. Because of these things, many people spend a lifetime wanting to visit and, if you’re going to do it, you may as well do it well. While there are many great places to stay, these are the five best luxury resorts Australia has to offer. Be warned, they may inspire a serious case of wanderlust.
Imagine having a private island in a luxury setting with only you and your staff that serves to make your stay perfect. This is how it feels when you arrive at Dusit Thani Maldives – an incredible green island with white sand beaches and a sparkling blue lagoon.
I’ve been travelling ever since a was a child but my first large trip was at the age of 13 when I was sent to live for a couple months to London. This trip has changed me and ever since I just want to see more and more of our beautiful world. Every trip gives me new emotions, charge and strength to keep going further.
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