What makes us unique?

This post was originally published on this siteIn the heart of Franschhoek, widely recognised as South Africa’s gastronomic capital, Pink Door Franschhoek by the Oyster Collection stands as a lesson in exclusive accommodation. Five friends and I headed to the Winelands to experience everything the home had to offer. The welcome Driving into Franschhoek is always a treat. Leaving the city of Cape Town behind, the mountains begin to cradle you, eventually narrowing in to the village itself. Here, the signs for wineries pause as the array of small shops comes into view. Turning onto Reservoir Road, it’s less than a minute’s drive until Pink Door Franschhoek appears. We’d hardly parked when our hosts, Kim and Bernadine, came to the gate to greet us. From the parking area, our bags were carried into the house, and in the kitchen, a welcome hamper filled with tempting snacks was waiting for us – along with a bottle of sparkling wine from local winery L’Ormarins. With a glass of bubbly poured, we were invited on a brief tour to familiarise ourselves with what would be our home for the next few days.  The rooms This off-the-grid home has been exceptionally fitted out, with no expense spared. Three

This post was originally published on this siteWe’re half-way through Riviera Travel‘s epic Rhône River cruise. A journey from Avignon to Lyon, through vine-clad hills and the ghosts of Roman civilisation. Countless stories of history and art, accompanied by superb cuisine and excellent wines, continue as we join the Saône after Lyon. History is being ticked off; we’ve seen the majesty of Avignon’s papal palace, Arles’ Roman amphitheatre and the towering Pont du Gard aqueduct.  We’ve done equally well on Art. Two Van Gogh oils introduced an Arles contemporary exhibition. Whilst the Ardeche’s 36,000-year-old Chauvet cave painting, has a strong claim to be the “World’s First Masterpiece.” Throw in some Botticellis in Avignon too. These experiences are thoughtfully curated with Riviera’s 40 years of travel experience. Unsurprisingly drawing guests from all over the world to a luxurious ship: the majority are from the UK, but others have travelled from Ireland, America, Australia, Canada, China and Spain.  Day 5 – Vienne As our arrival in Vienne is not scheduled until around 2pm, it’s an opportunity for a lie-in and a relaxed breakfast. Alongside the boulangerie, charcuterie, patisserie, fruit buffet and hot buffet, there are also eggs cooked to order. Then, Diana,

This post was originally published on this siteSailing upstream on the Rhône from Avignon to Lyon, on Riviera Travel‘s MS Thomas Hardy, is one of the world’s epic river cruises.  It is an eight day voyage from Avignon that concludes in Lyon. Cruising through time from caveman’s woolly rhino drawings, past crumbling relics of Roman conquests to Second World War destruction, this is more than a luxurious river cruise, it is a voyage through the very essence of civilisation.  Rich in history, both beautiful and brutal, the Rhône displays the arrow-slit architecture of war; where even the papal palace was crenelated and where church bell towers were fortified. Stories from the history of art abound. Through Chauvet’s cave drawings, Botticellis in Avignon and contemporary works in Arles’ Vincent Van Gogh Institute. Day 1 – From London to Avignon Riviera Travel arrange flights, from Heathrow in our case, booking us on a British airways flight, though other cruisers fly from regional airports or take Eurostar followed by the rapid TGV to Avignon. At Marseilles airport we are met and taken on a coach, for 70 minutes, through a landscape of olives, rosemary and thyme, towards hills that have hosted the Tour