One & Only Royal Mirage
PLANES , TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES ...
By Jayne O ' Gorman , Azure
Sometimes a holiday is all about the destination and other times it ' s about the journey . Then again , what if the perfect holiday is about the planes , trains and automobiles waiting for you at journey ’ s end ?
Jayne O ’ Gorman , Managing Director of Chester-based luxury tour operator Azure Collection , takes us on a whimsical journey to three phenomenal destinations to enjoy some of the finer things in life . Experience extraordinary adventures from the comfort of a selection of palatial hotels from One & Only Resorts , tailored to indulge your every passion .
Wolgan Valley , Australia
To start with , how about a bird ’ s-eye view of Sydney from a stunning retreat in Australia ’ s Blue Mountains ? Occupying just 1 % of its own 7,000 acre conservancy is One & Only Wolgan Valley , a resort which makes the most of the stunning natural landscapes available in this exciting Country . See it all with a helicopter and driving experience that will give you unparalleled views of the city of Sydney , high above the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge , before heading up along the Parramatta River to the Blue Mountains and a meeting with your guide for a four-wheel drive tour , taking in natural wonders along the way , perhaps stopping for a picnic in a natural cave formation or in a rainforest with no-one else for miles . The resort has an almost villagelike feel , with a real feeling of relaxation and oneness with nature , so even once you settle in you ’ ll still feel tranquillity abounding . The hotel ’ s restaurants also feel at one with the surroundings , celebrating Australian produce and ingredients in fine keeping with the region ’ s reputation as a foodie hotspot . The Wolgan Valley sits between two national parks , so nature-lovers will find no shortage of things to do with guided nature walks , great photo opportunities , luxury picnics and the chance to get involved in the resort ’ s conservation activities as well as offering a great spa and fitness centre .
Cape Town
In a destination close to my heart , One & Only Cape Town brings together the best of the city and country with an enviable location in the heart of the V & A Waterfront , but using the freshest of local ingredients in its kitchen and some of the world ’ s finest grapes in its wine cellar . Surfing lessons , ocean wildlife tours , a world class spa and fantastic wine and dine experiences are available , as is the chance to take one of the world ’ s most scenic railway journeys with Rovos Rail . The two-day trip from Cape Town to Pretoria takes in lakes festooned with flamingos , remote towns , the diamond mines of Kimberley and some utterly captivating sights in between . The journey can be extended to historic Victoria Falls , where Stanley met Livingstone , and it ’ s fair to presume this is one of Africa ’ s finest natural wonders . The 1600km journey really lets you see the bosom of South Africa and will live in your memory long after the locomotive has hit the buffers and you ’ ve returned to your room at One & Only Cape Town to admire the panoramic views of the marina and Table Mountain . The resort is only too happy to arrange for you other motorised excursions such as a Big 5 Vineyard wine safari by Land Rover and sample the Big 5 of the grape kingdom , or maybe you ’ d enjoy a ride up the iconic mountain in a motorcycle sidecar ?
Dubai
If four wheels are more your thing than two , then a visit to Dubai Autodrome during a stay at One & Only Royal Mirage might be just the ticket . Hailed as Dubai ’ s most stylish beach resort , this hotel is as opulent as any you ’ d find here and is the perfect place for an exciting break , given the proximity to Aquaventure waterpark , the ever-evolving skyline and of course the Autodrome where you can take your pick of supercars to throw around the track or go along as a passenger with an expert at the wheel . Ferrari GT , McLaren , Audi R8 , Porsche GT4 and Formula DXB racing cars are all warmed up and ready to be taken for a spin – hopefully not too literally ! In a city where exotic supercars are on every street , why not get behind the wheel of one yourself and have a blast ? And later , reflect upon your experiences as the adrenaline keeps you awake in your luxurious Arabic-styled room in this palatial resort , dining from a choice of wonderful menus while you plan how to spend tomorrow .
To contact Azure , please call 01244 322770 .
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