Armchair Travel: Tour Mauritius and the Algarve, Discover the Palace of Versailles and Explore a Market in St Lucia, All from Your Home
While travel may be off the cards for the foreseeable future, virtual escapism is open to everyone with an internet connection! Many of the world’s favourite tourist destinations and attractions are just a few clicks away. We’ve selected our roundup of armchair travel experiences to keep us inspired while we are in lockdown.
‘Deep into Mauritius’ Programme at Veranda Resorts
Veranda Resorts in Mauritius runs a programme of experiences aimed at supporting local communities, encouraging cultural exchange and showcasing the island’s beauty entitled ‘Deep into Mauritius.’ The programme runs across all five Veranda Hotels: Veranda Pointe-aux-Biches Resort (Pointe-aux-Biches) Veranda Paul et Virginie (Grand Gaube), Veranda Grand Baie (Grande Baie) Veranda Palmar Beach (Belle Mare).
Experiences are grouped under the themes, “Deep into Flavours”, “Deep into Culture”, “Deep into Nature” and “Deep into Sustainability”. Experiences include guided tours to discover the island’s street food, cooking classes, a pirogue ride with a local fisherman, sega tipik evenings, bicycle rides around neighbouring villages, and a visit to a non-profit organisation. See attached for further details.
We have short videos of the tours offering virtual visitors the chance to discover the ‘Deep into Mauritius’ Programme from their homes: For further information visit www.veranda-resorts.com
Market Tour & Hiking in St Lucia at Cap Maison
Boutique hotel Cap Maison in St Lucia has a YouTube channel which features a host of videos, allowing us to experience the wide variety of attractions available at the hotel and the wider island from our home. Highlights include:
Castries Market Tour in St Lucia with Cap Maison. Video HERE – The market takes place every day except Sunday and is busiest on Saturdays when farmers come from all over the island to sell their goods. The market’s been running since the 1890s and has expanded to over 300 stalls selling fruit and veg, spices, rum, fish and flowers, with a separate section for crafts, clothes and gifts
- Hiking at Cap Maison. Video HERE – There are lots of hikes that guests can take in and around Cap Maison, including a rainforest hike at Babonneau, Pigeon Island and along the Atlantic west coast.
For more information visit www.capmaison.com
Cultural Tours with Access to Hidden Works of Art
Ariodante create custom itineraries and experiences with an arts and culture focus, affording a privileged few with access to monuments and historic sites often closed to the public.
While cultural institutions might not be open to visitors right now, Ariodante has created videos of the Palace of Versailles and the underwater ruins of the City of Baia in Naples to give art and history enthusiasts some virtual escapism.
- Private tour of the Palace of Versailles – We have video tours of the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles Chapel and the Queen’s Rooms and Apartments. Videos here
Private visit to the underwater ruins of the city of Baia via submarine, north of Naples –
Video here. Baia was one of the favourite resorts and spas of the Roman Empire, and today it is a small seaside town a few kilometres from Naples. Its treasures have submerged over the centuries beneath the waters of the Bay of Naples and most of the structures, including mosaics and statues, are still in good condition. Great figures of ancient Rome, such as Caesar, Augustus, Agrippina and Nero, visited the ancient town of Baia.
For more information visit www.ariodantetravel.com
Discover the Algarve
It’s time to dream and get inspired. The Algarve Tourist Bureau has a number of videos, allowing virtual visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of attractions and contrasting landscapes that the region has to offer. The Algarve is a go-to destination for families, sun lovers, golfers and adventure seekers alike and the videos will inspire those looking for holidays ideas when the travel restrictions are lifted.
Algarve Tourism video gallery can be found here and its inspring #CantSkipHope movement, with an exciting video here
For more information visit www.visitalgarve.pt