World Explorer Holidays

HAPPY EARTH DAY: GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Happy World Earth Day! Celebrated annually on the 22^nd April by more than 1 billion people, Earth Day aims to inspire individuals and nations all around the globe to take action against environmental challenges that impact our beautiful planet.

This year’s theme is ‘invest in our planet.’ And there are lots of small ways we can all help to play our part. From partaking in beach cleans, to planting trees, to donations – even just voicing your support for this good cause on social media helps!

But there is one easy change we can all try to make… Have you ever considered making your holidays more eco-friendly? From Paris to Rome. Cancun to Los Angeles. Singapore to Egypt. There are an abundance of amazing hotels, spectacular cruise ships and well known airlines, all around the world that have done their part and gone green! Take a look at some standout resorts that are paving the way by going green, all whilst keeping those holiday luxuries we all love!

Khao Sok Eco Jungle Camp, Thailand

With incredible beaches, diverse culture, exotic wildlife and food that will ignite your taste buds, Thailand has been a long-time favourite for many UK tourists. So why not make your next trip to the ‘land of smiles’ more environmentally friendly? Hidden in the Khao Sok rainforest lays a natural paradise waiting to be discovered. From lazy river views to expansive jungle terrain, Khao Sok Eco Jungle Camp fully immerses guests in the natural beauty of these magical lands.

Become one with the serene sounds of the Thai jungle as you ascend to your accommodation nestled among the tree tops. Built entirely from bamboo and renewable materials this jungle camp offers luxury treehouses that have sustainability at its core. They also offer bungalows for those of you who prefer to stay a bit closer to the ground. But what makes this resort particularly special is its dining experience. Intended to connect guests back with the Earth, all meals at this hotel have a story. With recipes handed down through generations, each cuisine is sourced from the resorts on site organic farm– allowing you to gain a true taste of authentic Thailand.

GF Victoria, Tenerife

You don’t need to journey miles to find a green hotel; going green can be a little closer to home. This spectacular hotel situated in the popular summer resort of Costa Adeje in Tenerife is the perfect place to jet off to for some exclusive sunshine and fun. Only 150 meters from Playa del Duque, you can spend your holiday exploring everything this beautiful coast has to offer.

GF have implemented a ‘Be Green’ policy across their company, meaning this stunning hotel is doing its part for the environment too! Relax in the Mediterranean sun in your own hammock before enjoying a sunset swim, cocktail in hand, at the award-winning Zambra Skybar. Or if you are looking for more adventure with the little ones: why not brave the daring climbing wall, practise surfing in the hotels Surf Pool or take a dip in the water park. The choices are endless.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York

It’s not just beach front hotels or faraway resorts that can be eco-friendly. In fact some lay right in the heart of the busiest cities on earth. Located in the bustling, ever moving city of New York, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a haven of innovation. Designed with the planet in mind, the hotel is sustainably made from local and recycled materials and sits at the bank of the river, offering unparalleled views of the Manhattan skyline.

This waterfront retreat truly has helping at its heart. With efficient energy systems, holistic spa treatments, non-toxic hemp-blend mattresses and various water conservation practices this hotel truly embraces the idea of going green and brings some nature back to the big city. And a bonus? They even let your furry friends stay the night.

A-Rosa River Cruises:

When it coming to going green, A-Rose is one of the most aspiring river cruise lines to tackle the idea of sustainable sailing. There most impressive eco member of the fleet, A-Rosa Sena, is due to launch this summer and will be a perfect choice for those of you looking for a peaceful city escape. With a streamlined hull, hybrid propulsion and battery-powered engine, this luxury ship is designed to reduce its impact on the planet and display a new generation of ships.

North Island, Seychelles:

Now this hotel is definitely a budget buster for most, but it is one we just couldn’t leave off this list. A private paradise nestled in the granitic islands of Seychelles, North Island is the place of dreams. Inspired by the natural beauty of the picturesque ocean waves lapping at white sands and tropical wildlife, the resort harbours just 11 private guest villas that ooze unparalleled luxury. But it’s not just the undeniable beauty that earns it a spot on our list.

This island is home to the Noah’s Ark conservation and island rehabilitation programme and thus conservation practices and philosophies are the focal point of this resort. If you’re looking for a truly eco-friendly paradise to jet off to then look no further. With villas sustainably crafted from local materials, and a passion to return the islands former biodiversity; this resort breathes sustainability. Whether you spend time with the Environmental Team, relax by the unending ocean, or explore the hidden gems of this natural oasis, one thing is for sure; you are guaranteed to see the beautiful efforts that have gone into rehabilitating North Island to its full glory.

Would you stay at these sustainable hotels?

🇮🇹 3 Nights in Florence

Wheelchair Accessible Italy and More

🏎 No trip from Bologna to Florence for an F1 fan would be complete without a small diversion to Imola, so we took a pit stop and had a quick view of the track, the gift shop and the Rossi exhibition. We were a week too early for the Grand Prix there and it meant we couldn’t get trackside, but it was still worth a visit. They do tours of the track, so if you are an F1 fan then it’s worth thinking about timing a visit to go to the Grand Prix or at a time when tours are taking place.

🏨 We stayed at the Grand hotel Baglioni which is near the central train station and with views of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella. We stayed in a standard room as there were no accessible rooms available. There are several on each floor and I am awaiting photographs from the hotel. Unfortunately there had been a fire the day before and two floors were completely closed off. This meant the hotel was completely full so I could not access the accessible rooms to take photographs.

The room decor is very traditional with dark woods and ornate pictures. It fits the style of the hotel and certainly feels Grand.

What we liked about the hotel:

It’s location was very central to everything

The views from the rooftop bar are amazing

The lobby area has lots of small rooms with comfortable furniture to relax in and faux fireplaces
Free soft drinks and snacks in Mini Bar

What we didn’t like:

There is a step to the entrance and although you can request a ramp, this is quite inconvenient when a permanent drop could be added

The air conditioning did not work and it was stifling. We opened the windows so it wasn’t a big issue and I thought this may be due to the fire the previous day so we didn’t make a fuss about it

Service on the roof top bar was painfully slow. There weren’t enough waiters or bar staff for the number of people and on one occasion we had to leave after waiting half an hour for our drinks.

The city is medieval and with that comes cobbles. Unlike Bologna which has more smooth pathways in Porticos, Florence is pretty much all cobbles. My son managed but it was difficult, even more so for a person using an electric wheelchair – see instagram post of wheeling on cobbles

We visited:

– The Duomo of Firenze at the Cathedrale di Santa Maria dell Fiore- accessible entrance at the rear of the Cathedral gives quick and easy access. Absolutely stunning ceiling murals and well worth the visit.

– The Accademia – Home of Michelangelo’s David, a stunning renaissance sculpture built to symbolise the growth of the Florentine republic. Easy access at the exit and avoiding queues as well as ramps throughout the museum meaning wheelchair users can easily access every exhibit. The entry fee is free for wheelchair users and a carer.

– The Riccardi Medici Palace and Museum – Accessed from the rear of the Palace, there is a lift which takes you to one level above the museum and from there you have to take a stair lift down one flight of stairs to the museum, however you don’t need to transfer out of the wheelchair. The palace is the former home of the infamous Cosimo Medici the former grand duke of Tuscany, elaborate murals line the ceilings in the main rooms showcasing themes such as motherhood and loyalty. The place’s chapel is one of the best-preserved relics of the Medici we have however the chapel can only be accessed by a small step, although you can view it from the entrance

– The Basilica di San Lorenzo – Accessed by a ramp to the side of the Basilica to get tickets (free for wheelchair user and a carer), the Basilica itself has a small step which you can request a ramp for access. There are some beautiful stained-glass windows and the tomb of Lorenzo Medici. You can then access the courtyard to the side of the Basilica by passing the ticket office and you can enter the museum using a stair lift. Most of the underground area is ramped or you can see exhibits from the doorway. Unfortunately, it isn’t completely accessible but we were able to see most exhibits. There is a nice timeline of the development of Florence and a wax exhibit of scientific discoveries including bodies, organs and plants. The exit is via the gift shop and through a secret exit built into the wall.

The Central Market: Accessed from the rear of the market, there is a ramp to the lower floor where all the shops and stalls are, plus a few places to eat and to the right of the ramp outside is a lift to the first floor. Here there are many food stalls and canteen style dining tables. You place your order at whichever stall you want to eat at, wait for your food and then find a table to sit and eat at. A great experience and plenty of options to choose from.

The Da Vinci Museum: Accessible 1st floor and basement level via chair lift. Free for wheelchair users plus a carer. A great exhibition of Da Vinci’s work. Very interesting for children to see all the gadgets.

Where we ate:

A Balus: Traditional Italian with a modern presentation. More pricey than other restaurants we ate at but very worth it. Would definitely recommend.

Ristorante Sabatini: Traditional Tuscan dishes. The front of the restaurant is accessible but the rear has stairs so make sure to let them know prior to arrival if you need a level access table. Excellent food.

La Salmoneria: Not level access as both the outside and inside eating areas had a step to access. We managed but not suitable if you cannot manage a step. This is a fish and pizza restaurant and my husband had the salmon pizza. He struggled quite a bit to cut it and he couldn’t have the dessert he requested as it was still frozen in the centre. Probably one to give a miss.

I also found a Gluten Free Pizza place which we didn’t go to, but I have added to the pictures for anyone who has a gluten intolerance.

The next part of our journey is to Tuscany so subscribe to receive updates.

In Solidarity with Ukraine 🇺🇦

Until there is a resolution to this awful situation we will stick this post to the top of our blog!

How you can help!

1. People in Need is providing humanitarian aid to over 200,000 people on the ground. For those most in need, they provide food packages, emergency shelter, safe access to drinking water, hygiene items, and coal for heating.

2. The Ukrainian Red Cross does loads of humanitarian work, from aiding refugees to training doctors.

3. The International Medical Corps is on the front lines and prepared to help citizens with emergency health care services, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. The agency is also keeping the pandemic top of mind throughout the crisis by prioritizing COVID-19 awareness and prevention services, to help keep displaced citizens safe from the pandemic.

4. CARE International is responding to the crisis by providing Ukrainians in need with food, hygiene kits, psychosocial support services, access to water, and access to cash.

5. Nova Ukraine is a nonprofit that delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products, to clothes and household supplies.

6. UNICEF Ukraine is repairing schools damaged by the bombings and providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict.

7. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency has stepped up its operations and is working with governments in neighboring countries “calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection.”.

On a more practical note:

1. If you want to help get information out to ordinary Russians, go to a Google map of a Russian city, pick a business and review it

Было хорошо! Однако, Путин испортил нам настроение, вторгшись в Украину. Восстаньте против своего диктатора, прекратите убивать невинных людей! Ваше правительство лжет вам. Восстаньте!

More or less translates as:

It was amazing! However, Putin spoiled our mood by invading Ukraine. Rise up against your dictator, stop killing innocent people! Your government is lying to you. Get up!

Give a 5 start review unless state owned then give it 1.

2. Many local organisations are collection clothes and medical supplies so search out organisations and use it as an opportunity to spring clean your good quality clothes.

3. Share what is happening.

Hoping for peace soon. Thinking every day of my European friends in Ukraine and surrounding countries.

Swimming with Manatees at Plantation, Crystal Rivers

If you are looking for an option to break up the visits to theme parks, I highly recommend a trip up to Crystal Rivers to experience the swim with manatees in the wild.

We took a detour via Tampa to visit the Tampa Buccaneers stadium for our NFL mad teen. If you have an NFL fan in your family then its a great stop to pick up merchandise and if timed right you could do an overnight to watch a game.

We drove on to Plantation at Crystal Rivers, a 3* resort with a host of activities on site for families. Crystal River is located on Kings Bay, which is fed by over seventy freshwater springs located close to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s here that Manatees come to spend the winter. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the only Refuge in the United States dedicated to the preservation and protection of Manatees. The video below shows the beautiful waters of Three Sisters Springs which I swam. Unfortunately no manatees this time of year as the water was a bit too cold and they favour the river more. Lots of fish and crystal clear waters with rainbows rippling along the white sands though. It’s a bit of a swim as you have all the force of the water coming from the spring towards you but on the way back it’s a perfect lazy river.

We checked in to an accessible room to find out what the accessible amenities were like. I also had chance to visit one of the non accessible rooms. Do remember this is a 3* and the main draw is the facilities and manatees. The room was perfectly adequate, with the usual amenities plus a fridge and microwave for those staying longer. The bathrooms could do with some updating and unfortunately the hot water wasn’t working in ours. Our host Laurie did come straight away to get this resolved but as we were only staying one night we opted to use the shower in another room rather than wait for it to be fixed. The other room we used was more updated and water was working well. They do have a range of rooms from Golf Villa suites to standard rooms so you have options to upgrade.

The resort has a pool and pool tiki bar which was great. The staff are very friendly and chatty, making you feel very welcome. We had dinner in West 82 Bar. I opted for the plant based burger which was excellent and we were lucky to be there for $5 martini night.

The resort has lots of activities for kids, where they can design their own sunglasses, make a 3-D manatee, and use scallop shells to make necklaces. And beyond arts and crafts, they offer outdoor dive-in movies and rainy-day activities that change with the weather. Other activities you can enjoy at Plantation are:

Shuffleboard
Tennis
Volleyball
Life-size Games
Shuffleboard

Plantation also has a full-service marina including the possibility to hire boats, world-class spa and a shop in resort. We didn’t try these but the spa had lots of options available and the shop was a good size and very well stocked.

Plantation also has a 27 hole golf course, designed by famous course architect Mark Mahannah. It’s a great option for a golfing holiday in Florida and also has its own restaurant for post game dinners. It has a variety of water obstacles on 16 holes and 53 bunkers, along with challenging fairways lined by mature emerald pine and oak trees native to the region. The golf course also features fourteen different bird species including bald eagles. The pro shop has been rated number one in Citrus County the past three years.

The main draw by far though is the Adventure Centre and Manatee swims. My slot at 7am started with an extensive safety and conservation film. They are very strict on how you can interact with manatees, so take notice as otherwise you could end up with a hefty fine or worse. We started our search in Kings Bay and were lucky to find a baby manatee who was very curious. These are beautiful and gentle animals who because they have poor eyesight, do come close to you to get a better look. For wheelchair users, you can take your chair up to the boat, but you do need to step into the boat and you would need to be able to climb up and down ladders on to and off the boat. My son didn’t come with me but if he had, he would probably be able to do it as he can weight bear and has good upper body strength to pull up. It may be more difficult for those with limited mobility. You are able to pay to go along as an observer though and can take pictures from the boat.

We would highly recommend either scheduling a night at Plantation and swimming with Manatees or taking a day trip from Orlando. We are able to book either of these options as part of your holiday experience, so get in touch for your next Florida vacation. The Real Florida Adventure & Swim with Manatees includes:

Full Day Excursion to the Crystal River area on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Chance to swim and snorkel with majestic Manatees in their natural environment
Complimentary Mask and Snorkel
Leisurely boat tour of Kings Bay and Crystal River
Admission into Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park – home to the endangered Florida panther, black bears, red wolves, bobcats and alligators
Thrilling airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River – see our next blog
Roundtrip transportation from International Drive, Disney and Kissimmee areas of Orlando in a modern air-conditioned minibus or coach
Packed breakfast and packed lunch
Services of a professional, certified and licensed tour guide
Gratuities, wetsuit hire ($10pp) and drinks are not included

The price is currently £107 per adult and £84 per child. This is a great price considering the manatee swim booked directly costs $75 so approx. £60.

World Explorer Holidays are Florida experts and able to tailor a holiday specifically for you. We can offer great advice and options to make your holidays extra special. If you have a holiday enquiry or a question about anything in this blog, then get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch on:

Orlando Magic v Miami Heat

Basketball Experience

When you visit Orlando, don’t just think of theme parks, because it has so much more to offer. Our son is a big basketball fan so we decided this time to take in a game. We purchased the tickets via Ticketmaster. It is a bit convoluted as you have to do it via the US site so be prepared to use a VPN or set up a US Apple account. You can also book your parking via Ticketmaster. If you have a blue badge then I recommend booking GEICO garage and take your badge with you to show to the attendants.

The stadium is huge and we were up on the top floor. TIP: Book early for better seats. It has a large number of food, drink and merchandise options, so you don’t feel crowded at all. Masks are mandatory currently, so we felt quite safe and the wheelchair seating area had lots of space around it.

The game itself was thrilling, with Miami Heat dominating for most of the game. It really is an event with lots of music, games and fun during the breaks. We were there for Star Wars evening and there were lots of Star Wars themed activities going on.

Orlando Magic offer packages for tourists and I have a meeting arranged with their representative on my return to the UK. It will be great to offer this as an option to customers. These will be directly booked with Orlando Magic, so independent of myself. Follow our Facebook page to get updates on packages available.

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping

Orlando Shopping Days

When you come to Florida at Christmas, don’t forget to bring at least half a case in weight free for Christmas gifts. There are some amazing shopping opportunities in Florida and here are our favourites:

The Mall at Millenia, Orlando

Not just a shopping experience, more a destination. There is something for everyone here, from Gucci which had queues around the corner to JD Sports. Don’t forget to try out the Cheescake factory for amazing treats.

The Florida Mall, Orlando

The Florida Mall is super sized, so be prepared to walk. With six department stores, this is a one stop shop for all your Christmas Gift Shopping. There are lots of high street brands like Gap, Footlocker and Build a Bear, plus some more high end names. There are also lots of stalls selling perfume, phone accessories and more. If you have kids in tow then a promise of a visit to The Crayola Experience might help make the trip a bit easier.

Orlando International Premium Outlets

Orlando International Premium Outlets is your go to destination for bargain premium brands. There are 180 stores for you to bargain hunt around including high street names and designer outlets.

Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets

Very close to the Disney Parks if you want to hop over after a morning on the rides. This is the place for real designer bargains if you look super close. There are 150 designer stores in this Mediterranean-inspired shopping village. Very similar to Orlando International Premium Outlets, so visit one or the other. Personally I prefer this one for the look and feel, plus I seem to find more bargains here than at Orlando Vineland.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a destination and has expanded in recent years to create, in our opinion, one of the best shopping experiences in Orlando. Great designer brands, boutique stalls and high street names line the streets amongst street performers and Disney’s own brand stores. If you want to buy Disney products and other brands for Christmas gifts then you’ll save time by doing it all here. TIP: Take a break at the Coke store’s Roof Top Bar for fantastic views and respite from the crowds. Try the round the world trays for a taste of coke products from far flung places and for grown ups they have coke product cocktails.

Universal City Walk and Parks

If you are visiting the parks make sure to mooch around the shops for themed gifts. If you don’t have tickets but want to buy themed gifts then they have a Universal Store on City Walk, along with several small shops and kiosks. The restaurants here also have some great shops. I love the shop in Margaritaville and we collect Hard Rock magents so this is a great stop for all things Hard Rock. While you are here, we recommend NBC Bar & Grill for sports fans, The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen™ for mega shakes, Bubba Gumps for a Forrest Gump experience and see our review blog of the new Mexican Antojitos.

You won’t be short of places to shop whilst visiting Orlando and we managed to pick up all our Christmas gifts. Our go to shopping centres are the ones with photographs attached, so take your pick or try the others. If you have your own recommendations then comment and share. We are always on the look out for new places to shop.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year

Antojitos Mexican Restaurant Review

Antojitos is one of the newest restaurants at Universal City Walk so we thought we’d give it a try. The decor is exquisitely done and really gives guests an authentic but modern experience.

You are welcomed with a huge bowl of nachos and salsa which is filling enough to have instead of a starter. The salsa was vibrant and fresh, a welcoming start to our experience.

My husband and I had the Enchiladas Vegetarianas which consisted of roasted sweet potatoes, chayote, carrots, golden beets, roasted corn, jalapeño, onions, wild mushrooms, bell peppers, vegan cheese and ranchera sauce. They come in traditional corn tortillas, but you can request flour tortillas if you prefer.

The portion size was surprisingly normal for Florida and the dish was extremely flavourful without being overwhelmingly filling at lunchtime. I’d definitely recommend eating here if you are looking for a lighter meal.

My son had the Tacos with grilled nopales, pico de gallo, onion, cilantro. Nopales are a cactus and as he’s quite adventurous when it comes to food, he wanted to give it a try. With a thumbs up from him, he would recommend giving it a try and again it is a fairly healthy option

For dessert we had the tres leches cake and although nice, it didn’t taste as good or as authentic as ones we’d had previously on a visit to Mexico. There are plenty of options available on the menu to suit vegetarians, pescatarians and meat eaters. You can take a look HERE at the full dinner menu choices.

Overall it was a great experience and we would definitely recommend it.

Florida 2021 – Day 1

Travelling wasn’t as difficult as we thought it would be!

After 2 years we are finally back in Florida and it was so much easier than we expected. Having expected lengthy check in procedures and queues, we were pleasantly surprised.

Using the Verifly app we were able to log all our documents in advance and show the confirmations in the app at check in with BA instead of the numerous documents required. For anyone travelling from Heathrow Terminal 5 who has booked assistance, this is located in section A.

At time of posting, to enter the USA, UK Nationals had to obtain and ESTA, fill in an attestation form, provide proof of full covid vaccination* and provide a certified covid antigen test result from within 24 hours prior to departure. Having all this information stored in one place was so much easier.
_{*not applicable for children travelling with vaccinated adults}

Security was very quick as was boarding. Wearing a mask on a flight that long was quite a challenge for someone with asthma but you can take it off whilst eating and drinking so that did break up the time.

On arrival at Orlando, the only checks were passports and fingerprints, nothing more and we were swiftly through. For those who booked additional assistance, you are directed to a separate lane with more space.

It feels amazing to be back in Florida and the airport was beautifully decorated. Look out for more posts in the coming days about our 3 weeks in the Sunshine State.

If you have any questions about travel to the US or would like a quote for your next US holiday, then get in touch!

Paula Hansen
World Explorer Holidays
Tel: 02921 283143
Email: paula@worldexplorerholidays.co.uk

Merry Christmas Orlando

London with my Teen

This half term I decided to do something a bit different. My teenage son and I spent a whole week in London just hanging out. Turns out we can get along after all and taking it slow and easy was just the ticket for both of us to recharge.

We stayed in Bermonds Locke , a trendy aparthotel in Bermondsey, which along with Southwark is one of our favourite places to stay in London. Once you’ve done all the usual sights, it’s quite nice to be in amongst cafes, bars, markets and small scale attractions. What I loved about Bermond’s Locke and the reason I decided this was the right place for my teen son is it’s pretty cool. Lots of young people in their open plan co-working space, an in house coffee shop and a great restauarant. They also put on events such as cocktail masterclasses and yoga, so something for everyone.

We had a great room with twin beds and a separate kitchen diner. As a wheelchair user my son could easily wheel around the apartment, although the bathroom was a bit snug. They do have an accessible room with a double bed, but who wants to share a bed with your mum when your 14!! So we managed and even cooked a few nights. The hotel allows deliveries and there are some great options locally.

Just around the corner from the hotel you’ll find the White Cube art gallery, which for art lovers is a fantastic space. We were lucky to visit before the end of exhibition Lazarus, a thought provoking experience looking at waste and cheap labour. For food lovers, there are delis and markets within walking distance, including Borough Market, one of our favourite places to hang out. Go along and pick up tasty samples, then take your purchases back to cook in the evening.

If shopping is more your thing then Vinegar Yard is open on the weekend if you want to mooch amongst antiques and collectibles, wander the local streets to find small independent shops selling anything you can think of or hop on the train to the West End, you’re never far from the main sights.

The Southbank is a tube ride or a decent walk away. Take a walk, visit the Tate Modern, have an ice cream, visit HMS Belfast and so much more.

Here are a list of our recommendations from our visit and I hope it helps:

A quick lunch in Bermondsey: WaWa – Great Ramen and Sushi

Dinner with Gordon Ramsay: Bread Street Kitchen, Southwark. Great food and staff. We preferred it when it was Union Street Café, but its still one of our top picks

Forget the West End: Witness for the Prosecution in County Hall. Great for budding lawyers. An interactive court case and why not pay for seats to be in the jury. Great production and one of the best plays we have seen in a while.

If you need advice or a package for your next London break, then get in touch!

5* Esperides Resort & Spa – Koutouloufari – Crete

If 5* means the glitz and glam of the Bellagio in Las Vegas or the formality of the Ritz in London to you, then look away now, because The Esperides Resort & Spa in Koutouloufari has none of this glitzy formality. The owner Yainnis has managed to perfectly combine Cretan Village charm with 5* service and facilities and from arrival to leaving, the service was nothing short of spectacular.

The resort is the perfect environment for forgetting about your life back home, whether that’s taking a swim to the swim up bar for a well deserved cocktail, dining in their a la carte restaurant with theatrics of dry ice and smoke or having a well deserved massage in their elevated wellness room, whilst looking out to sea. Want even more quiet time and privacy? There are lots of hidden corners to sit and relax.

The resort has 3 restaurants, plus the snack bars at each pool. We didn’t use the buffet restaurant for lunch or dinner, but the variety and quality at breakfast was excellent. You can choose from a range of meats and cheeses, salad vegetables, breads, criossants and pastries, cereals, puddings and yogurt, cakes, cereals, omelets, crepes, eggs, other cooked items, juices and flavoured waters.

They hold weekly Greek Nights at the Monastery Restaurant, which is located across from the resort next to its maisonette accommodation. Although we didn’t eat here, we did visit and the views were breathtaking.

In the evening we usually walk into Koutouloufari and eat at one of the numerous tavernas, but once we had tried the hotel A La Carte restaurant we ate there five times during our stay. Speaking to other customers, they also had the same experience and chose to eat at the hotel throughout their stay. The restaurant offers Italian and Asian on the same menu, which is great if one of you can’t agree what you want to eat. Set out on different levels, open air and with views out to sea, the decor is modern with wood and terracotta, beautiful lighting and with electronics cleverly hidden so they don’t ruin the ambience. For that special occasion, the hotel offers a private dining table at the top level and can make special arrangements for that special proposal.

Restaurant staff are knowledgeable, friendly and inviting. We were given excellent wine recommendations, with most being Greek wines which surprised us in a good way. Service was always excellent and never intrusive. The Restaurant Manager was always available to chat and Manos at the bar should get a special mention for entertaining our son during our stay, even after being beaten by him in an impromptu Flag Naming Quiz – sorry Manos.

If you do feel the need to leave the resort then Koutoloufari with its numerous restaurants and bars is just a short walk away. Koutouloufari and its neighbour Piskopiano have managed to retain their village charm, which is surprising given Hersonissos is a short walk down the hill. So if you do fancy a busier experience then you can always pop down the hill. If you do find hills difficult then there are plenty of taxis to get a ride back up.

Accessibility:

The resort has golf buggies to assist in going up to the reception, but if you can manage a short walk up a slope then there is a lift which takes you to the second floor rooms and the restaurant. There are lifts to all levels of the hotel and these have been thoughtfully incorporated into the architecture.

Although there are not specific wheelchair accessible rooms, on telling the owner that we found it difficult to access the room with a wheelchair, he commissioned the building of a ramp that day and it was there waiting for us when we opened the door. This is indicative of the service we received throughout our stay, personal and attentive.

Please ask for a ramp prior to arrival and they will make this available to you.

Esperides Resort Recommendations:

Stay in a private pool or Jacuzzi room for maximum privacy and fun
If you decide to go this year then have a chat to Yiannis at the top bar. He knows a lot about Greek history, so before that visit to Knossos or Heraklion, get informed. Next season he may not be there
Ask security at the gate for a ride. The resort offers a buggy service up the slope to reception, which is great for those who are less mobile.
Use the Spa at least once. If there is a three treatment offer on then snap it up. I wished I had after the first one
Ask about Yoga classes for that extra final bit of help towards full relaxation. Sessions are held in the small outdoor gym for those who want to exercise whilst away. There are plans to expand the gym for the 2022 season.

Koutouloufari Restaurant Recommendations

Emanuel Taverna – ask what’s cooking in the wood burning oven

Emanuel Taverna – Daily Specials, Wood Burning Oven and Emanuel explaining the daily dishes

2. Atrium – for Modern Greek dishes
3. Alchemist – for personal service, authentic Greek cooking, the Raki and mamas orange cake
4. Kokorico – close to the resort and great for a lunchtime snack or meal overlooking the sea
5. Marel All Day Long – for Cocktails, People Watching and Apple Pie!

Crete Recommendations:

Visit Knossos and have a guide for the full experience. Take bottles of water. Don’t visit at midday when the heat can be unbearable or take an umbrella for shade. It is completely open with very little shade.
Head to the South of the island to the hippy resort of Matala, but also drive around and experience the smaller resorts and coves in the area. There are also some great
Visit the Woodcarving Museum in Axos. It’s pretty cool.
Visit Elafonissi Beach to see its pink sand
Take a drive to the Lasithi Plateau for the amazing views, pretty villages and more
Visit Neapoli which has one of the 5 largest churches in Greece Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and it is beautiful. You can also relax in one of the town squares with a frappe, stroll through its small park or visit the Neapoli Folklore Museum (closed on the weekend).