Vaccine Vacations Holiday Inspiration for the Over 50s 

And they are off! With the vaccination programme in full swing, and renewed confidence that life and travel will get back to normal soon, the over 50's are leading the charge and booking holidays for later this year. Tui says this demographic is now responsible for 50 per cent of its online sales and other holiday firms have seen an increase in bookings for 'once in a lifetime' trips for 2021 for this group.

So here are our suggestions for holidays that will appeal to this age group, once its safe to travel again.

Golf & Wellness at Heritage Awali, Mauritius

With golf clubs and spas shut over the various lockdowns, we anticipate that a holiday that offers both golf and wellness will be popular with couples and groups. Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort in southern Mauritius has just introduced free unlimited golf until June 2022 at their award-winning golf courses, and every guest enjoys a complimentary massage.

The golf course is certainly one of the most beautiful on the island with amazing views of the turquoise lagoon on one side and the hills of the Black River Gorges Nature Reserve on the other. The course is ideal for all levels of golfers with generous fairways and 5 different tee options on each hole.

The five-star all-inclusive hotel offers a great balance of affordable luxury, simplicity and friendliness. Its Seven Colours Spa has been designed as a typical African village, where guests can enjoy a wide range of treatments in quaint exotic huts, surrounded by lush greenery. The hotel has 3 pools to enjoy (including an adult only pool), complimentary kids club and several restaurants.

A 7-night stay starts from £887 per person based on two sharing a Deluxe Garden View Room on an all-inclusive basis with unlimited golf and one massage per person. Direct flights from London with Air Mauritius are £650 per person. Free cancellation up to 5 days before check-in date. For more information please visit: www.heritageresorts.mu and https://heritagegolfclub.mu/

Photos available here

Wine & Art in the Algarve

For the wine connoisseur and art lover, Quinta dos Vales wine estate in the Algarve is not to be missed. Stunning sculptures can be enjoyed together with high quality award-winning wines, either on a day visit, workshop or for a longer stay.

A new experience introduced this year is the 'Wine Makers' Experience where wine-lovers have the chance to authentically make their own wine, without having to dedicate 10 years of their lives and invest millions into the endeavour. It is ideal for someone who has a passion for wine and wants to not just put his name on a bottle but also take every single decision in the winemaking process. They offer 4 different versions from an introductory teaser (Bottle Blending Workshop) all the way to the full experience (Own a Vineyard). See here for details.

There are a variety of accommodation options both on the vineyard and nearby. For couples, The Vines Villa Suite is a good option. Located in Quinta dos Vales, surrounded by picturesque vine-covered hills, it offers unparalleled peace and tranquillity. Access to swimming pool included. Rates from €75 per night.

The estate makes a great base for a holiday in the Algarve as it is located just a few minutes' drive from all the main Algarve attractions - golf courses, beautiful sandy beaches, and historic towns with bustling markets, cobbled streets and castles. Silves, Loulé and Monchique are ripe for adventures.

For more information visit Algarve Tourism website https://www.visitalgarve.pt/en/  and on Quinta dos Vales visit their website www.quintadosvales.pt

Photos available here

Memorable Moments in Saint Lucia

So many celebratory moments such as birthdays and anniversaries have been missed during the pandemic. To help make up for this St Lucian boutique hotel Cap Maison has put together a selection of enriching and celebratory experiences that can be enjoyed on the resort and further afield. They are guaranteed to be remembered long after the holiday has finished, and the suntan has faded.

• Ocean Dining – Guests can enjoy private dining on 'Rock Maison'. a deck surrounded on three sides by the ocean with champagne served via a zip wire. With candle lit lanterns and unobstructed views towards Martinique to the North and Pigeon Island to the West, there are few places in the world which rival this unique and romantic setting.
• Nature's Own Jacuzzi - Enjoy watching the sunset with cold drinks in hand as you bathe in the warm water of the Caribbean Sea from a natural rockpool just large enough for two at the bottom of the cliff edge.
• A gourmet picnic with a view – Cap Maison provides a rug, drinks and hamper full of treats prepared by the chef organised at the local landmark, national park and beauty spot Pigeon Island.
• Cook to Impress – Guests can explore both the cuisine and indigenous products of the Caribbean, under the expert guidance of the resort's UK Born Executive Chef Craig Jones who gives you a private cooking class including a market tour to bring home the ingredients for your menu.
• Private BBQ - For guests booking a Villa Suite with a private dining area, or one with a rooftop terrace there is a delicious bonus. The hotel can arrange a private BBQ, with or without a private chef. Together they can create a memorable evening for you, your friends and family.

For those wishing to travel as a group, villas have superb master bedrooms with one or two additional double bedrooms interconnecting that can be furnished with twin beds to suit a family if required.

Rates in a garden view room from £345 per night including breakfast (based on two sharing) and villas start from £538 per night. For more information, visit www.capmaison.com

High-res images here

Behind the Scenes Tour at Chantilly Castle in France

For those missing their cultural fix, this tour will get things back on track. Dating back to 1560 Chantilly Castle is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France's cultural heritage and the château's art gallery, the Musée Condé, houses one of the finest collections of paintings in France.

Guests are whisked away to Chantilly Castle by helicopter where they have a private tour with exclusive access to areas usually closed to the public. The curator of the castle uncovers hidden pieces of art rarely shown including the Naked Mona Lisa (Leonardo Da Vinci) and a series of fragile Raphael drawings that never leave the castle. Guests can enjoy a private dinner cooked by a Michelin-star chef served in the Santuario room where The Three Graces by Italian painter Raphael is displayed and stay the night in a little palace in the garden that was commissioned by Henri IV. The following day, breakfast is served in the castle or in the Garden of the 'Voliere”.

Ariodante Travel can arrange an itinerary for Chantilly Castle from £20,000. For more information, visit: www.ariodantetravel.com