It’s National Cherry Day and what better way to celebrate than booking a holiday of a lifetime to Japan in Spring 2023 to see the famed cherry blossom-lined streets. The best time to see the blossom in full bloom is late March to mid-April and there are festivals to enjoy that celebrate this wonderful season of pink.
Japan offers a unique holiday destination for families, couples and solo travellers. It’s a country of contrasts, from the modern, vibrant and hi-tech vibe of the cities to the relaxing sandy beaches of the islands. The multi-faceted cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, the sombre site of Hiroshima and the hot springs of Hakone are not to be missed. For a taste of the Orient, call us on 01308 297001 or get in touch by email at [email protected]
Today is International Reggae Day so we couldn’t let it pass without highlighting the country where this unique sound emerged: JAMAICA of course! As well as famed for this unmistakable genre of music, Jamaica is famous for its warm hospitality, laid-back lifestyle and joyful island spirit. Resorts along the white sandy beaches and tropical landscapes encapsulate the heart and soul of this Caribbean Island. Accommodating family adventure to romantic couple get-aways, Jamaica’s lush rainforests, scenic mountains and reef-lined beaches has something for everyone. So let Beyond Capricorn find the vibe that’s right for you – and with temperatures around the 30s for most of the year, it’s always a good time to visit! Speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
We thought we’d round off World Wellness Week with some of our favourite R&R get-aways. ‘Wellness’ inspires different thoughts for different travellers, from secluded, peaceful locations, modern or traditional therapies, activities that power the physical or mental wellbeing, to detox and weight-loss. Here are some of our favourite destinations for all things R&R. Beyond Capricorn can help determine the wellness destination and retreat focus that suits your goals. Speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
For safe travel advice, inspirational journeys and your holiday 100% financially protected, we have it covered! Seclusion, adventure, fresh perspectives on the world and awe-inspiring beauty, we at Beyond Capricorn can find you the perfect escape. From vibrant cities, colourful culture, and elaborate architecture to stunning beaches, immersive scenery and crystal clear seas. Trust your holiday arrangements with www.beyondcapricorn.com. Speak to us today on 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
As your local independent travel agent, we work hard to get you where you want to go…and back again! Let us help you get your summer started and find the best deals, destinations and experiences to bring you closer to…Adventure? Culture? Family fun? Relaxation? Whatever you are hoping for this summer, Beyond Capricorn will help you find it! Speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
It's World Cocktail Day and to us that says Summer is here! What takes your fancy? Tropical or tangy, classic or exotic, spicy or smooth, spritzer or cream?
Tell us what your favourite cocktail is and where you would be drinking it.
Is it a Sidecar in Seville, a Margarita in Mauritius, a Cosmopolitan in Croatia, a Vesper in Venice, a Mai Tai in Martinique, a Negroni in New York or simply a Mocktail Mojito at your favourite tapas bar in Madrid? If you want to be whisked away to enjoy a cocktail on the beach, poolside, under the starts or against a backdrop of mountains, Speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
Looking for rest and relaxation on your holiday? We bring you our favourite wellness retreats to reconnect mind, body and spirit. Whether you are seeking a digital detox, needing an emotional rebalance and healing, interested in exploring a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, or simply to reboot a healthy body and mind-set, we can find the right retreat for you. From yoga to spiritual healing, reconnecting with nature to holistic treatments, experiences are more than intoxicating! Speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
Summer is on its way and we’re riding on to bring you our top 5 for cycling holiday destinations in Europe. Stepping out of the car and exploring the European landscape can be a fun and adventurous holiday for families, couples or friends. Self-guided pedal-powered tours for all abilities and ages can take you through hundreds of miles of cycle routes following iconic rivers, canals, and coastline and through forests, vineyards and medieval towns. From reasonably flat cycle paths along the Rhine, Danube or Mosel for a relaxed pace, to leisurely trips along the Istrian peninsula, to more challenging terrain through mountains and even through lava fields and glaciers for endurance riders. So whether you are a leisurely cyclist looking to explore the continent over a few days or a seasoned trailblazer looking for a new adventure, speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
ECO travel doesn’t have to mean basic – luxury and style can be sustainable and we have selected our top choices for ECO holidays. From green design and architecture, sourcing local staff and produce, nature-based activities and conserving surrounding ecosystems, to minimising carbon footprint, supporting local communities and using clean energy, you can enjoy stunning holidays with a clear conscience. To arrange your ECO holiday, speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
Holidays for chocoholics – if you just didn’t get enough for Easter! We know we touched on this at Valentines but at www.beyondcapricorn.com we feel you can never have enough chocolate in your life! Some of the hottest chocolate destinations: Maya, Mexico captures idyllic beaches, jungle and Mayan ruins with a Mexican zing of chilli-infused chocolate. Surrounded by their cacao plantation, Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot Hotel in St Lucia is a chocoholics dream - everything you eat has a hint of chocolate, and the views of the Pitons from the Hotel’s restaurant are inspiring. Costa Rica offers an exotic taste of artisan chocolate in the rainforest with the added draw of seeing a sloth…if you are lucky! How about a trip on the ‘Train du Chocolat’? Travel through the wonderful Swizz landscape for a mouth-watering visit to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory. And a visit to Barcelona should not be without a stop at the Chocolate Museum where the entry ticket is a bar of chocolate! . Call us on 01308 297001 or get in touch by email at [email protected]
With Easter holidays hopping by it’s the perfect time to plan a family escape. From island hopping to city hopping, you can pack a whole lot of fun and activity into one holiday. Why stop at just one city? Europe offers some of the best in multi-destinations, combining several cities to experience a variety of rich culture, exciting nightlife, art and music, food, historic architecture and legendary skylines. For a longer break, city hopping in America or combining vibrant cities in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong can give an enticing introduction to wonderful destinations. And a city tour doesn’t have to be on foot – a Seqway tour around Barcelona, a cycle tour of Munich, a Gondola in Venice or a tuk-tuk in Thailand, add an extra touch of fun. To arrange a multi-destination holiday, speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
We are hopping our way into Easter! With the Easter holidays around the corner what better time to start planning a family get-away and island-hopping is a wonderful way to get a taste of variety with sun and sea taking centre stage. With the opportunity to visit a number of different destinations, island-hopping is a breeze with www.beyondcapricorn.com. From Greece, Croatia and The Seychelles, to Thailand, Canada and The Caribbean, hop on board and set sail and cruise or charter your way to your next adventure. Call us on 01308 297001, get in touch by email at [email protected]
When adventure was considered a traditionally male domain, strong and fearless women defied social expectations to travel the world. Jeanne Baret (1740-1807) is noted as the first woman to sail around the globe. As part of a French expedition to circumnavigate the globe, Jeanne set sail aboard the Etoile in 1766, dressed as a boy. Nellie Bly (1864-1922), an American journalist, inspired by Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in Eighty days’ set out in 1889 to travel round the world. Nellie, travelling almost all the way on her own and meeting Jules Verne along the way, completed the journey in 72 days, setting a world record. Annie Londonderry (1870-1947) pedalled her way into history by cycling around the world on a bet! The wager set Annie’s journey in motion, testing her physical endurance and creativity as she found ways to fund her travels along the way. This is the last in our series celebrating ‘Women of the World’. However you travel – on foot, by bike, car, plane, train, boat, or air - speak to us at www.beyondcapricorn.com, call 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
Love mountains? Continuing in our celebration of women explorers we touch on female mountaineers who pushed their strength to the limit by reaching the highest peaks the world has to offer. Mary Kingsley (1862-1900) disregarded the conventions of her time to become the first European to explore parts of the Gabon and the first woman to climb West Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Cameroon. Annie Smith Peck (1850-1935) was an American mountaineer, a passion that was aroused when she first saw the Matterhorn during a journey through Europe and later climbed in 1895. Her remarkable endurance and courage led her to become the first female to ascend the highest point in the Western Hemisphere in 1897, Pico de Orizaba volcano in Mexico. We can’t go without touching on the greatest mountain of all, Everest. Although the first ever all-woman team, including British adventurer Dorothea Gravina, attempted the climb in 1959, it wasn’t until 1975 that Junko Tabei (1939-2016) became the first woman to reach the summit.
Where will you set your sights? “If you think you’ve peaked, find a new mountain!” For your next adventure speak to us on 01308 297001 or email [email protected]
We continue to celebrate determined and fearless women explorers, this week highlighting aviation enthusiasts who travelled across the world by air. Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) became the first black female pilot in the world, earning her pilot’s licence in France in 1921 as she was banned from flying schools in America. Bessie literally flew in the face of race and gender discrimination and flew all over the US and raised funds for an African-American flying school. Lady Grace Drummond Hay (1895-1946), a British reporter became the first woman to circumnavigate the world in a zeppelin in 1929. And we couldn’t go without mentioning Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean and first pilot to cross both Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Whether you are ready for your own globetrotting adventure or are simply seeking a relaxing holiday in the sun, travelling solo or as companions of adventure, speak to us on 01308 297001 or email [email protected] and let us help set you on your way
On International Women’s Day we celebrate adventurous women through the ages who have trailblazed their way through gender discrimination and made remarkable strides to explore and travel the world.
Lady Hester Stanhope (1776-1839), possibly the greatest female traveller of her age, was the first European woman to cross the Syrian desert. Ida Pfeiffer (1797-1858) was one of the world’s first female explorers and a pioneering travel writer. Often travelling alone, Ida trekked to Istanbul, Jerusalem and Giza, detouring through Italy on her return journey. She travelled round the world twice and collected specimens of plants, insects, molluscs and minerals for the Royal Geographical Society. Isabella Bird (1831-1904) travelled the globe from age 41 until her last trip to Morocco at age 72. A naturalist, writer and photographer, she was a remarkable explorer, climbing mountains and riding thousands of miles on horseback. Interested to learn more about women-only travel adventures? Visit our website www.beyondcapricorn.com. Whether you want to travel solo, as a couple or with friends, speak to us on 01308 297001 or email [email protected] and let us help you discover your inner explorer!
For the last in our Love Series we’re spicing things up a bit! For centuries spices have been used for both culinary and health purposes and were the most valuable items of trade in ancient times. With spice routes stretching across the globe from the East, originally overland and then by sea, the exotic aromas of cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, nutmeg, cumin, cloves, were brought to Europe. As valuable as gold and gems, spices were the symbol of status and wealth. Walk in the footsteps of the spice traders along the Silk Roads. Take a fascinating journey through India’s tropical south on foot and by boat, cruise along the spice trail of Eastern Asia, wander through the markets of Marrakech, Morocco, explore the spice island of Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, and taste the fresh vanilla of Madagascar. Spice up your life today and call us on 01308 297001, email [email protected] or visit our website www.beyondcapricorn.com
What could follow chocolate better than cheese? There are many varieties of cheese made all over the world so the choice of the perfect destination for cheese lovers will depend on your taste. The hard, salty cheese Paski Sir from Sheep in Croatia; the soft, mild buffalo mozzarella in Italy; Kraftkar, the strong blue cheese variety made in Norway; the Indian paneer cheese used in traditional cuisine; not forgetting our wonderful cheese-making craft here in the UK, from Somerset to Snowdonia to Wensleydale. From making your own cheese on an organic farm in Pescara, Italy, to tucking into a gourmet feast of cheese at the La Cloche a Fromage in Petite France, Strasbourg, the options are extensive and mouth-watering. For cheese-lovers, make it part of the adventure. Call us on 01308 297001, email [email protected] or visit our website www.beyondcapricorn.com
We just had to focus on chocolate this week with Valentine’s Day on Monday! Chocolate goes hand in hand with love stories around the world and there is little more tantalizing than breathing in the warm smell of fresh-ground cocoa beans or the hypnotic vision of flowing melted chocolate. Our top choice for the most luxurious and immersive chocolate experience is Hotel Chocolat’s estate in St Lucia. Surrounded by their cacao plantation, everything you eat has a hint of chocolate, and the views of the Pitons from the Hotel’s restaurant and infinity pools are inspiring. Costa Rica offers another exotic taste of artisan chocolate in the rainforest with the added draw of seeing a sloth…if you are lucky! Some of the finest chocolate is undoubtedly made in Switzerland so a tour by train through the mountainous countryside and a mouth-watering visit to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory would make for a delectable holiday. Alternatively, mix chocolate tasting with beer tasting and explore the treasure troves of chocolate shops in Brussels and Bruges, as well as these cities’ historic sites. For a tour full of indulgent flavour, Call us on 01308 297001, email [email protected] or visit our website www.beyondcapricorn.com
With February the month of love, we will be sharing our Love Series…and it’s all about food! Wine, chocolate, cheese and spice…what’s not to love? We kick off with – yes, you guessed it – WINE! A perfect time now dry January is behind us! Whether you enjoy a red or white or sparkling, there is something really special about visiting family-run vineyards and hearing their stories, tasting their wines and walking the beautiful vineyards to enjoy what are often incredible vistas. Hike the Bremmer Calmont vineyard, the steepest sloped vineyard in Europe; voyage on a river cruise along the Mosel Valley and visit the many vineyards that line the hillsides; or select your favourite region to explore – Rioja, Rhone, Bordeaux, the Loire Valley or even Croatia. Closer to home, an English wine tour will introduce you to award-winning wines that will take your wine tastebuds on a whole new journey! Further afield the sun-kissed slopes of the Napa Valley in California, the Cape Winelands of South Africa or the Valley of Maipo in Chile will provide opportunities to mix adventure with wine tasting. For a tour full of flavour, Call us on 01308 297001, email [email protected] or visit our website www.beyondcapricorn.com
