Q Magazine - Summer 2019

Jo Jo is planning a visit to the beautiful city of Lisbon in the Autumn for a weekend with friends. Such a short flight makes Lisbon an ideal destination for just a few nights away. She also visited The Eternal City of Rome in the Spring which is a great time to visit either for a romantic mini break or for a longer stay with so much to see and do. Rome retains many buildings and monuments from the Republic and Empire such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum. The volume of art, sculpture and architecture on display is fantastic, as is the array of restaurants. She is also re visited Quinta do Lago in Portugal staying at the amazing Martinhal where there are some fabulous villas and townhouses which are so good for families with plenty going on in the area to keep the whole family entertained, such as picnics in the park, movie nights on the golf course and plenty of bars and restaurants with live music. EXPERIENCES Recent travel memoirs from the ladies at Quality Travel Karen Karen had an incredible Icelandic adventure , taking in the Blue Lagoon, before heading to Reykjavik at the start of the Golden Circle tour, which includes the national park, Thingvellir, the Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley, Geysir. Along the way she rode Icelandic horses and had an ATV adventure driving through off-the-beaten-track landscapes. Finally, completing a glacier hike before heading back to Reykjavik for one last night. Definitely a great trip for the active and the adventurous! Karen has just returned from southern Sardinia staying at Chia Laguna , an area which is unspoilt and has award-winning beaches. She also experienced the charm of Cagliari, a real gem, with a fabulous beach and turquoise blue sea - perfect for a short break! Gulfosswaterfall Lisbon ChiaLaguna GAIL visited the luxury boutique Relais & Chateaux boutique resort of Eden Roc Cap Cana located on Punta Cana’s unspoilt coastline in the most exclusive gated community in the Dominican Republic. The stylish and spacious accommodation comprises villas and beachfront suites. The resort offers a range of gourmet restaurants with warm friendly and efficient service. In addition to the private Beach Club, there is also a Jack Nicklaus signature championship golf course, a treehouse-style Kid’s Club and brand new Spa. Closer to home, Gail has just returned from visiting two further Relais & Chateaux resorts, this time a little closer to home. Avaton Luxury Villa Resort enjoys a truly peaceful setting in Greece’s beautiful unspoilt area of Halkidiki. Lush gardens lead down to a long sandy beach overlooking the crystal-clear Aegean Sea. Accommodation features two-bedroom town-house style villas with private plunge pools and fully fitted kitchens. Meals are enjoyed in the outside dining“marquees”and the Champagne Bar is a great meeting place with stunning views over the sea. Avaton’s talented chefs produce truly inspired and mouth- watering cuisine. A short drive from Thessaloniki Airport brings you to the scenically stunning south-west Melnik region of Bulgaria where Gail stayed at the Relais & Chateaux Zornitza Family Estate . Overlooked by hazy mountain peaks and rocky formations this area is celebrated for its thermal water springs and this welcoming estate is a haven of organic produce and exceptional wine. The Family Estate features a magnificent Spa, Eco farm, burgeoning truffle orchard and vineyard. Accommodation is provided in private elegant villas and boutique hotel suites; all comfortably furnished in stylish traditional design. You can keep fit in the gym, pick up a bike and cycle the scenic trails of Melnishka River Canyon (among many other nearby natural areas ideal for riding and walking), ski during winter, visit Thessaloniki in summer, or just enjoy time spent around the hotel grounds. Gail ZornitzaFamilyEstate Melissa Melissa went on a wonderful skiing holiday in France with her family. She self- catered in an apartment in the French Alps and would be more than happy to discuss plans for the 2019/2020 ski season.