What's Floating Around Cloud 9? 1 February 2016

Welcome to another week and hello February - blimey, January seems to have flown by! 

So what does the month ahead have to offer? Well of course Valentine's Day is looming and normally at this time of year we would suggest all sorts of lovely places to celebrate being all loved up, from top restaurants to superb hotels worldwide.

However, what if the thought of those hearts and flowers sends you running for the hills and wanting to avoid any sort of romantic theming of any kind?

Well, you could do worse than head off to Oberoi Vanyavilas, in northwest India. You can enjoy a tented camp right next to a tiger reserve,  and as the resort also has its own herd of elephants, and is also frequented by bears, leopards, and hundreds of different birds, you should be able to enjoy a spectacular break without so much as a wilted rose in sight.

Situated just ten minutes' drive from Ranthambhore National Park, The Oberoi Vanyavilas offers guests the opportunity to see Royal Bengal Tigers and enjoy the luxuries of an Oberoi experience. Spread across twenty acres of lush, landscaped garden, The Oberoi Vanyavilas is rich with indigenous plants and it also has an observation tower, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of the bordering jungle. We are also reliably informed that it is unlikely you will have to listen to a single slushy song as you are more likely to hear a melodious chorus of frogs singing in their lily ponds.

If you have chosen to ditch the idea of sitting around and moaning about your lack of love life, it might be that you would like to be somewhere remote, but with some action (not that kind thank you!) thrown in... So how about the Nayara experience which promises the discerning and adventurous traveller the perfect combination of luxury and exploration. 

It will be the adventure of a lifetime and if you do ever get all loved up again, you will have some wonderful stories to tell from you time at this stunning resort in Costa Rica. It's set in wondrous natural surroundings near the Arenal Volcano right in the ecological heart of the country and has both tropical gardens and pristine rain forests. 

It's pretty plush and you can enjoy some amazing signature “pura vida” hospitality, whether from a private outdoor deck overlooking the volcano, or in the serene interiors of a plush villa or the hot springs mineral waters of an outdoor Jacuzzi (which you don't have to share!).


The Nayara Experience promises the discerning and adventurous traveller the perfect combination of luxury and exploration. Go on the adventure of a lifetime in the wondrous natural surroundings of the Arenal Volcano or discover Costa Rica’s ecological heart strolling through our tropical gardens and pristine rain forests. Escape in luxury, enjoying our personalised service and signature “pura vida” hospitality, whether from a private outdoor deck overlooking the volcano, the serene interiors of a plush villa or the hot springs mineral waters of an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Nayara has been recognised as one of the world’s best resorts by Travel&Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller and Trip Advisor and their impeccable service, luxurious accommodations, fine cuisine, outstanding spa, and amazing eco-adventures are found to make you forget all about wasting time on any dating sites!

Now, if you heart is frozen, then you might want somewhere a little chillier than either India or Costa Rica so how about a night or two at the Hotel Arctic, the world’s most northerly 4 star hotel with a 5 star conference centre. Right on the edge of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord - a wonder of the world which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List – and well within reach for everyone who wants the experience of a lifetime.

The Ice Fjord near the hotel  contains one of the biggest and most active glaciers in the world. Its 3,000 square kilometre area advances at a rate of 20 metres per day. The glacier "calves" about 10 % of the inland ice that is pressed out into the sea from Greenland and there is nothing in the whole world that resembles it.

All this means that the Ice Ford - off Ilulissat - is like a park full of sculptures constantly changing. Shapes, colours and sounds from the ice mountains are hard to forget - you are an eyewitness to a totally enchanting natural phenomenon. It's a big world out there and at Hotel Arctic you get really close to it, while enjoying inviting and warm surroundings. We bet there is no a heart in sight!

Our last suggestion for getting away from it all, is Fogo Island which is a tiny island resort on Canada’s Atlantic seaboard. This is so much more than an Inn and each of its rooms has an ocean view and is stylishly furnished with its own wood burning stove (ideal for getting rid of any unwanted  cards or love letters) as well as colourful quilts and rugs and simple wooden furniture.

The Fogo Island Inn hotel has set up a dramatic camp for rural retreat seekers off the northern coast of Newfoundland in a traditional fishing village and this 29 suite property has some amazing facilities with great restaurants and spa's plus around and about some great places to explore.

So don't sit at home dwelling on your lack of love life - get out there and explore!

Just before we go this week, just a quick reminder please about two looming deadlines for the CHS Awards and the Midlands Media Awards - don't say we didn't warn you!

Have a great week!