I've always loved the idea of a quick escape out of London, especially when luxury tree houses, wild animals, countryside and beautiful spring weather are all involved. Last week, my boyfriend turned the very big 3-0 and what better way to spend it than escaping the hustle and bustle of London for a bit of luxury and fun? So Port Lympne, was without a doubt my first port of call. I went there last year on a press trip and absolutely loved it, so heading back there was a must.

For those that don't know or have never been, I suggest you do!  Port Lympne is a wild animal park based in Kent. Set over 600 acres, it is home to the UK’s most authentic safari experience, home to 100 acres full of African animals. Now, I know what some of you may be thinking.... It's basically a zoo, it's cruel for wild animals not to be kept in their natural habitats and trust me, I do not like the way animals are treated or the whole idea of zoos either. However, Port Lympne is owned by a conservation charity dedicated to protecting wildlife. They work alongside the Aspinall Foundation where they introduce animals back in to the wild. In fact, on our safari tour, all the amazing silverback gorillas we saw, were all shortly being sent back to the Congo. All the staff that work there have incredible knowledge and passion for the animals and you can tell  they are all treated really well.

The minute we arrived, we were sent out on our own private safari tour with our guide, Jake, he was brilliant and so enthusiastic.  The highlights of the safari, had to be feeding the giraffes and the endangered black rhinos, as well as seeing these beautiful Siberian tigers. It's home to so many beautiful, endangered and rare species and being at such close proximity is really something special.

As we finished our safari, we were taken to the clubhouse where we were presented with a couple of glasses of champagne and marshmallows to roast on the beautiful log fire. I mean, what a way to welcome your guests. Shortly after, we made our way to our accommodation for the night, the treehouses! I've always been a sucker for a treehouse and the feeling of sleeping outside in the wild. However, these are slightly more luxurious than your typical wooden treehouse. These are instead beautiful, small glass bungalows set high up in the trees, each with their own balcony overlooking the wildlife reserve. On a clear day, you can also see the coast, which isn't too far away, making for such breathtaking views.

We were also given access to buggies during our stay. So in the afternoon, we went round at our leisure, exploring more of the safari park and cruising round in the sun. In 2016 Port Lympne opened the Dinosaur Forest giving visitors the chance to step into a jurassic world with the largest collection of life-sized Dinosaurs in Europe which made for a quick and fun pitstop on our buggies. Port Lympne Reserve also incorporates a historic mansion and beautiful landscaped gardens which were designed during World War I, the grounds are stunning, so we were very much content just walking around them and exploring, which we did for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Before sunset, we made our way back to the treehouse, cracked open a bottle of wine and chilled on the outdoor sofa, watching the amazing sunset, which I must admit, even for England was an impressive one. 

That evening, we were treated to a delicious dinner at the main hotel in this stunning room, intricately painted with wild animals, emanating the  landscape around us. Now, I'm always normally one for staying up and out of the house but with accommodation like we had, I was all up for getting the buggies straight back to our treehouses to relax there for the evening, which is exactly what we did.

The next morning was absolute bliss. We were provided with two hampers full of cereals, bread,  jams, you name it,  a real luxury DIY brekkie! Genius idea! Forget the bother of  having to wake up ridiculously early and trekking over to a communal breakfast room (not that I don't like that once in a while) but this was so much more relaxed.
With the choice in our hands, we made a full English breakfast and devoured it on our balcony, overlooking the rhinos and giraffes with the morning sun beaming on our faces. What a way to start the day.

We spent the early afternoon exploring more of the grounds and treating ourselves to some afternoon tea in the hotel until it was time to leave. What an absolutely great little escape from the City it had been. Beautiful weather, stunning views, wild animals, a breathtaking sunset, luxury accommodation.... and I'm pretty sure it scored a few girlfriend points too!

Thank you Port Lympne, I can't wait to come back!

Grey Jumper | ASOS

Jeans | New Look

Yellow Jumper | Topshop

Sunnies | Rayban

 

On Friday, Loanne and I jetted off to Valencia with the Spanish liquor brand 'Licor 43' to experience 'Las Fallas' festival, a riotous week of city fires, explosions and parades in honour of Saint Joseph (the city's patron saint). It was our first time to Valencia and our first time experiencing 'Las Fallas.'

 I must admit the idea of firecrackers and explosions going off down every street corner made me slightly apprehensive but as soon as we arrived the streets were heaving and there was an electric buzz in the air. 

Upon arrival to our hotel room (which was situated in the heart of the festival) we were welcomed with a bottle of the original Licor 43. This was the first time we had tried or even heard of the liquor and what a pleasant surprise, it was so sweet & delicious and a great taster of what was to come over the next 43 hours. 

Below I've summarised our highlights of the festival (there's also a video that captures the full experience too). For any of you who want to experience something a little different, I would recommend Las Fallas as the city really does come alive! I'd advise staying for 2 days maximum as the continuous explosions may get a bit too much, earplugs may be a wise option. 

Firework Display

Probably the most epic firework display we have ever experienced, At midnight, people gather on the Paseo de la Alameda to enjoy an epic half hour of colours and lights. We were lucky enough to be at the very top of an apartment and located a few meters from where the fireworks were let off, I got a little worried at some points as I felt the fireworks were almost going to fire in our direction! Nevertheless it was an epic evening made even better by drinking  'Balon 43' cocktails, a mix of licor 43, ice and sparkling water and garnished with lemon and orange slices. Super delicious!

Mascletà

On Sunday afternoon we experienced Mascletà. This is where thousands of people gathered to watch a display of gunpowder explosions that literally had the city vibrating. The sound was like an earthquake, certainly not for the faint-hearted but an incredible experience that had all the locals in awe!  Afterwards, the city’s terraces fill up as people go to enjoy a typical aperitif and some traditional Valencian food under the Mediterranean sun. Us, on the other hand, went to a cocktail making class, learning how to make ' Carajillo 43' a popular serve in Mexico which combines the strength and bitterness of espresso coffee with the spicy sweetness of Licor 43. (A perfect alternative to an espresso martini!)

Fire burning/ Nit del Foc 

On the final night we had 'Nit Del Foc' where everything that is bad is burnt and reborn from the ashes to welcome a new season. The focus of the fiesta is the creation and destruction of ninots ('puppets' or 'dolls'), which are huge cardboard, wood, paper-machè and plaster statues. The ninots are extremely lifelike and usually depict satirical scenes and current events. They usually take a year to construct costing up to 75,000 US dollars! Can you imagine?! So quite naturally it's a very momentous and poignant occasion amongst the locals when the statues are finally burnt.

This was the final highlight of the festival before heading back to the hotel and getting ready for home time. (*Weep*)
What an amazing weekend trip it had been. Not only did we get to experience and immerse ourselves in such a traditional and unusual Spanish festival but we were also introduced to an absolutely delicious liquor in a beautiful city we had never explored before. Licor 43, thank you! Not only for "43 hours of pure passion" but for 43 hours of excitement, experience and a taste of deliciousness we'll savour for a long time!
 

If you haven't been to Cape Town before, then I hope this post will spark an ounce of curiosity or better yet a desire to explore the Mother city. When my good friend Danielle told me she was getting married in Cape Town, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to extend my stay and explore the place that so many people have been raving on about over the past year. (I certainly know why now!)

As I bid farewell to Loanne, I knew the next couple of weeks were going to be jam-packed with activities/ excursions & copious amounts of eating, drinking and celebrating the bride-to-be. 

For the majority of my visit I stayed in an apartment in Mouille Point, an affluent suburb of Cape Town, situated between the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Granger Bay to the east, Green Point to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west.  This really was a great spot, not only a 30 second walk from the sea but within close reach to the majority of places we visited. 

I won't go into every bit of detail about the trip as I'm sure the pictures can speak for themselves, so instead I've rounded up my highlights, the must-do's and see's if you ever plan on visiting Cape Town (you'd be silly not too!) 

Things To Do

Hike Table Mountain - Probably the best hike I've ever done. We took the India Venster route, which is arguably the best half-day route to the summit, offering insane city and sea views. We managed to do it in an hour and a half (but with a very speedy pace). This treck is certainly not for the faint-hearted or someone with compromising fitness levels as 20% of the route presented narrow & steep ledges and involved some serious monkey climbing! I'd totally advise going to watch the sunset, we set off around 6pm and made it to the top just in time. We celebrated with wine and chocolate brownies whilst taking in the breath-taking views, we could even see venus in all it's brightness and glory, it was a real moment!) Make sure to get the cable cars down, it's equally as fun.   

 Morning Kayaking - I am definitely an outdoor enthusiast so waking up at 6am to go kayaking and dolphin spotting was definitely up there on my list of to-do's! We went with an instructor from 7am-9am and embarked on a 3 – 5 km journey towards Granger bay. A great way to start the day and spotting dolphins a meter from our kayaks was the ultimate cherry on top!  

Spa day at the Twelve Apostles - I always love a pamper day when I'm abroad, not just because I'm in the ultimate relaxation mode but also to check out the variations that Spa's abroad have to offer. I booked in for a full Swedish massage (I'm particularly fussy about massages but this one was a real winner!) Not only was it a great massage the setting was simply beautiful. We were in an outdoor Gazebo nestled in the majestic mountains overlooking the Atlantic ocean, it really was an idyllic setting surrounded by nature. We spent the afternoon enjoying the spa facilities, especially the unique Salt Water Flotation Pool which was the ultimate relaxing experience (supposedly 20 minutes is equivalent to a full two hours of sleep!) 

Boulders Beach - If you're a penguin lover then look no further than Boulder's Beach, we spent the day sunbathing here surrounded by the little cheeky chappies who are more than happy to go about their day-to- day unfazed by the masses of people capturing shots around them. These South African Penguins – formerly known as jackass penguins because of their distinctive braying – are the only penguins found on the continent. Make sure you stop off and pick up some old-school fish and chips at Kalky's and eat them over at the pier (beware of the greedy seagulls though!)

Summer Sunset Concert at Kirstenbosch  - Grab your picnic baskets and don't forget the wine! The Summer Sunset concert is an outdoor live music series set amongst the stunning Botanical gardens. We spent the afternoon enjoying music from Jazz/ rock artist Dan Patlansky. It was such a fun day out and the ultimate Sunday session with friends. (If only we had this in London!)

Places To Eat

The Bungalow- I'm a huge foodie (as you probably all know) and this was by far my favourite lunch spot, not just for the delicious food & vibey atmosphere but the views of the Atlantic ocean were epic. Upon arrival we were greeted by extremely friendly staff who made our lunch experience so much nicer. We started off with a bottle of bubbly which felt extremely fitting with the ambience of the place. My friend and I shared the most mouth-watering seafood platter, a delicate selection of crayfish tails, prawns, calamari and langoustines and linefish. It was the perfect amount for two which we washed down with delicious watermelon martinis shortly after. Now for the desserts, a slice of baked cheesecake and coconut panna cotta,  pure heaven on a plate is all I can say, (I'd go back just for the panna cotta and watermelon martinis they were that good!) This is a definite must for all foodies who want a lively atmosphere and a stunning view to accompany it!

Grand Cafe & Beach-  Set within a restored warehouse, Grand Cafe & Beach is positioned on a private beach in Granger Bay. We went Friday lunch time and ended up staying all day as the atmosphere was pumping and the DJ's were playing some epic house tunes. 4 cocktails down and we were dancing the afternoon away! 

Places To Visit

Webersburg Wine Estate -Stellenbosch - I'd probably go as far as saying this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I literally felt as though I was on set for the Sound of Music. This was where the wedding took place, a historic cape dutch homestead and boutique winery nestled on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains in Stellenbosch which is South Africa's Premium wine producing area. If any of you are looking for a wedding venue, this is your place!  

Bo-Kaap - I fell in love with the streets of Bo-Kaap, it's brightly coloured houses (pure Instagram heaven) and deep rooted history evokes a captivating & exotic ambience to the place. The Bo-Kaap was formerly known, as the Malay Quarter and has been the traditional home of Cape Town’s Muslim population since the second half of the eighteenth century. Definitely worth an afternoon visit, if only to take a few snaps! 

Where To Stay

TAJ Hotel- If you're looking for a 5* resort with the most incredible views of Table Mountain, this is your place! We were lucky enough to have a complimentary stay here. We loved our room so much that we ordered room service for dinner & breakfast and feasted in our ridiculously comfortable beds. The TAJ quintessentially Indian in its fabric, offers world-class refinement while remaining deeply rooted in its local heritage. If you stay here I'd advise ordering breakfast to your room, we indulged in a stack of delicious berry pancakes, brioche french toast and a vegetable frittata whilst admiring the incredible views. Boom! 

Boo-Kap

Twelve Apostles

TAJ hotel

Grand Beach

The Bungalow

Pink Top | Hunza G

Denim Shorts | Urban Outfitters

Bag | Skinny Dip

Sunglasses | Rayban

Red Dress | Realisation Par

Stripe Top | Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Blue Culottes | Urban Outfitters (similar here)

Black trainers | Vans

White polka dot dress | Realisation Par

Tulip dress | Zara

White Shoes |Zara (similar here)

Blue spot top | Realisation Par

Yellow Jumper |Topshop (similar here)

The festive season though traditionally associated with present giving, family time, warm fires and an excuse to eat & drink your whole body weight in yorkshire puddings & alcohol was this year our excuse to break tradition and exchange it for a Christmas chilling in the sun and sea far away from the madding crowd! 

So after our incredible week in the Maldives we ventured south of Mauritius to a place called Bel Ombre and stayed at the ‘Outrigger Mauritius 5* Beach Resort’ one of the most exquisite beachfront resorts with glorious indian ocean views situated amongst a cool tropical garden.

We stayed here for 11 days and when we say we chilled we literally C-H-I-L-L-E-D! So much so that we didn’t even leave our resort, that’s how much we loved it! Hehe  

Our apartment backed onto the beach so we woke up early most mornings made a cup of coffee and chilled on the green for a good hour soaking in the delightful views. The weather definitely didn't let us down! Most days we had beautiful blue skies with temperatures of around 28 degrees.

Whilst staying in the resort, we got involved in a number of different activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, Tennis and Ping Pong. We also took a trip in a glass bottom boat to explore the vast amounts of oddly shaped coral inhabiting the sea, which sadly is being destroyed due to water pollution & careless tourism! Note: Don't tread on coral guys, it's precious and one of the most valuable and diverse ecosystems on the planet. 

Taking full advantage of our 'chilled' holiday we had a fully relaxing pamper day at the Navasana Spa with a full body massage, then a dip in a -10 plunge pool and steam room. 

Christmas day was spent at the Plantation Club, a private lounge for guest club members only, we arrived for a 7 course brunch which served up a variety of different food from fresh oysters, sushi, salmon, beef wellington, and a selection of pastries and cakes for dessert, oh and not to forget a variety of different champagnes and wine to get us in the festive spirit! What a delicious feast, so delicious I couldn't move from my seat for a good half hour until I built up the energy to attempt a few lengths in the pool to help aid the digestion.

Another incredible holiday and one that we definitely won't forget anytime soon, I'm sure next time we will explore the Island a little more but for any of you who are interested in going to Mauritius, The Outrigger resort provided a 5* experience leaving us feeling rejuvenated and ready for our next adventure to Marrakech to see in the New Year! 

There are only so many people that get the opportunity to travel to such parts of the world, to experience such indescribable, picturesque beauty and who are granted the opportunity, if only for a moment, to completely escape and switch off from the uncalled stresses and problems of every day life. 

Myself, Jordan and my mum were lucky enough to jet off to the Maldives at the beginning of December, swapping the bitter London frost for the tropical sunshine. 

We flew in to Male, the capital of the Maldives, and from there, caught a thirty minute seaplane above the Indian ocean to the private island of Dhuni Kolhu, a tropical paradise tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main island. The flight, which seated around ten people was without a doubt the most scenic and beautiful flight Jordan and I had ever experienced and as we approached the Island we would be residing on for a week, Coco Palm, I was mesmerised by the lush and tropical island below, fringed by white sandy beaches surrounded by a crystal clear emerald lagoon. Nothing short of stunning.

As we arrived on the island, we were greeted by a row of extremely friendly and smily looking staff all dressed in white and standing and waving in unison. It felt quite surreal and dream-like yet so exciting. As we took our first step on to the warm, white Maldivian sand, we knew we were in for one of the most luxurious weeks of our lives.

The majority of our stay was spent in the most beautiful sunset beach villa, luxed out with our own private beach. This was where we spent hours on end simply sunbathing, relaxing, reading and swimming in the beautiful Indian ocean. There was absolutely nothing more we wanted. Each day was around twenty nine / thirty degrees and we were surprised by the breeze which made lying in the sun for hours on end not just bearable but overwhelmingly pleasant. The Maldives is also without a doubt, one of the top spots to go diving, due to its transparent waters and abundance of beautiful, multicoloured tropical fish. The snorkels are free to rent on the island so we made sure to take them out a few times. Highly recommended! The colours of the fish are out of this world.

The island also comprises of around twelve lagoon (water) villas where we stayed one of the nights. Each one has their own amazing plunge pool and inside the villas are  a deluxe spa bath and shower overlooking the ocean along with a complete 'outdoor' atmosphere and total privacy. Waking up on one of these is truly surreal and if you're lucky enough to get one of the sunset water villas, watching the sunset is one of those once in life time moments, that takes your breath and allows you to think of nothing else but the true beauty nature has to offer.

Most evenings were spent walking five minutes up the beach to the sunset bar, where we’d sip on tropical sundowners and watch the breathtaking colours of the sunsets. The skies would illuminate pink and orange and the beach would turn a rose pink colour, tinting everything in sight with such beauty. Wow. 
Food is always a big part of holidays and Coco Palm , certainly did not disappoint on this front. The choice and option of food was overwhelmingly fantastic. Catering to vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerance, you name it, the choice was there. The winner for me was the fact that everything is cooked fresh in front of you, from warm pancakes at breakfast smothered in nutella and chopped fruit, to fresh fish and sushi at dinner time.

I’m not sure a week was entirely long enough to stay in such paradise. We left, wanting more, craving more, unsure we were entirely ready to leave such a picturesque and relaxing hub of beauty. However, if there was one thing we were sure of, it's that we would definitely be returning. Be it in one year or three, there would be no holding us back from re living the breathtaking sights that these Indian ocean atolls have to offer. The end of our stay at Coco Palm was sad to say the least and we were given a very friendly send off by the all the staff who waved us off (in unison once again!) on to our seaplane. 

As we flew in to the air,  overlooking the blues, the greens and the most stunning lagoons and reefs we had ever seen, a rush of excitement began to overcome the sadness. Our next adventure was on it’s way. Mauritius here we come!

It's no secret that Loanne and I both love a good old adventure so when skincare brand Origins invited us to explore 600 acres of wild animal reserve at Port Lympne with an overnight stay in our very own luxury tree houses we couldn't help but get a tad excited! 

We arrived on Thursday morning to a delectable spread of healthy treats & detox smoothies in the main mansion house. By midday a small group of us were taken around the reserve where we saw a number of wild animals from Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes and Lions roaming freely in over 600 acres of Kent countryside. It was bizarre that these wild animals were residing here yet I had no doubt that these animals were treated with love and respect as our tour guide spoke with such passion and affirmation towards them.

When the safari trip came to an end we had a delicious, healthy and nutritious lunch followed by an afternoon of relaxation in our gorgeous luxury tree houses. Upon arrival we were presented with a luxury hamper full of yummy treats and a welcome note from Origins and products dotted around the treehouse to ensure our stay was as relaxing & tranquil as possible.

Loanne and I then decided to unleash our inner explorer that little more and drive around the reserve in our own personal golf buggy's. Typical that we got lost on route the primate trail and ended up going around in circles countless times (Oops!). When the rain started to fall we dashed back to our tree houses and made hot chocolate and watched the sun set over Port Lympne. Words can't describe how lovely it was.

As the night approached we ended with a gorgeous vegetarian dinner hosted by Origins who presented their exciting Christmas ad. To top off a lovely meal we ended with festive fireside drinks and toasted marshmallows on a lovely open wood fire whilst listening to Christmas tunes and sipping on mulled wine. The whole experience was truly magical & festive and somewhere we'd definitely like to return (maybe next time with a guy as it's super romantic! ) We truly unleashed our inner explorer at Port Lympne and became lost in the wondrous world of Origins Christmas collection 2016!