Tag Archives | Indian Ocean

3 Great Places to Cool Down as a Couple

By The Fighting Couple on July 2, 2012 in General, Slideshowable

Summer is here! Its time to hit the beach! We are always on the lookout for the perfect summer travel ideas for couples. Are you trying to come up with a great place to cool down as a couple? We have some sizzling ideas for you. In coming up with our three recommendations we established three key factors: 1) It must have amazing water. 2) It must offer something for couples. 3)It must be fun!

Lets start!

Nice, France

Water: Poetry has been written for centuries about the lovely waters of Nice! The Nice area, also called the Cote d’Azur is believed to be one of the oldest regions inhabited in Europe by humans! Not hard to believe once you take in its beauty and warmth. Nice offers miles and miles of sandy sunshine laced beaches. Pick your spot and soak in the sun and enjoy the warm water. A word of warning to those of us prudes visiting the region from the states. The economic downturn in Europe has forced a number of women in the area to only afford to buy the bottoms for their bikinis.

Couple angle: The city’s formal name is Nissa La Bella or Nice the Beautiful. Take evening strolls together along the seafront. Pop into one of the many street side cafes for a late dinner. Love in always in the air in Nissa La Bella.

Fun Factor: Two of our favorite places in Europe are right up the road from Nice. The first is Eze. Eze is a castle fortress on a rock outcropping. It is truly a magical place. There are little shops and cafes as you wander around the quant city. Our second favorite is Monte Carlo. If you are a regular follower of the fighting couple, you know of Mike’s crush on Napoleon and that he is a petrol head. Monte Carlo suits both of these addictions. The “country” is home to one of the finest Napoleon Museums in the world. Of course if you time your visit, you can take in the Grand Prix, one of the best motoring events in the universe!

Las Vegas

Water: Granted Vegas is not perched on the Mediterranean, nor does it have the sandy beaches of the Caribbean but it truly is an oasis in the dry desert. Vegas literally offers over 100 plus pool resorts! Vegas offers indoor and outdoor pool options. Some may require you to be guest of the hotel, other charge a cover fee and others still offer cabana rentals with just about any amenity you can imagine! The king of the Vegas pool scene is hands down the Wynn Hotel. Evian Water spritzers? Yes. VIP pool? Yes. Poolside black jack? Of course.

Do keep in mind, a number of the pools cater to couples and prohibit anyone younger than 21.

Couple angle: Las Vegas has a so much to offer couple travelers. Lets start out what the city offers the active couple. For those couples that want to hit the links together, there are over 100 different golf courses in the Las Vegas area. You don’t have to go far to find excellent mountain biking and hiking trails. Couples can take in one of the excellent shows or concerts offered. Vegas also offers some of the best outlet mall shopping in the west.

Putting together a romantic evening in Vegas is a sure bet. Get your evening started at one of the many excellent dining choices in the city. Check out one of our fave Mexican Cantinas. After dinner why not take her on a gondola ride in the Venetian? For those the like something more on the wild side, why not a roller-coaster ride or even a helicopter tour over the city of lights? Whatever you choose, Vegas has it!

Fun Factor: Ok…this is Vegas, need we really need to discuss the fun factor?

Durbin, South Africa

Water: The tip of South Africa hosts one of the most beautiful coast lines on the Planet. Lazy shadows from lush vegetation and the cool Indian Ocean breezes make the Dolphin coast of South Africa our last pick. Located a short drive west of the thriving metropolis of Durban, the beaches of South Africa are second to none.

Couple angle: The Dolphin Coast is a couple’s paradise. Choose one of the many full service resorts, and get ready to be pampered. Send him out to go deep sea fishing and take in a full day massage at a world renowned spa! Team up and play on one of the championship golf courses where all kinds of wildlife will cross your path!

Fun Factor: Visiting South Africa without going on a safari is kind of like going to Paris and not kissing! There are so many different options for going on safari, it is guaranteed to fit any budget. Ever wanted to ride an elephant? Now’s your chance!

A Room with a View

By The Fighting Couple on September 12, 2011 in General

We need your help. So we were fighting the other day. You have no idea how many times we have said that! But then again you are on this site. We were having a “discussion” on which of our fave hotels had the very best views? Hotel rooms are just that to us, rooms. What is important to us is what you can see from the room. Great views are travel porn. One of Luci’s all time fave shows is “A Room with a View”. In this “chic” flick, the heroine Lucy Honeychurch and bumbling chaperone Charlotte Bartlett find themselves in Florence with rooms without a view. In the end, she gets the man, and they get a room, oh and it has a view. As a result of this show, as we travel one of key requirements is an amazing view.

Our four contenders are: Conrad-Istanbul, Hiton-Nice, Cavalieri-Rome, and the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge-South Africa

Conrad-Istanbul

This is an amazing property! It lands overlooking the mighty Bosporus. (click on the pic below to get a better feel of the immense view) You can see two continents (Europe and Asia) with this view! How many hotels can claim that? The unique shape of the hotel makes for views of some amazing land and seascapes. What makes this hotel’s view special is your are treated to views with two senses: sight and sound. Every morn and night you are greated with haunting renditons of the call to prayer for nearby mosques.

Please click on photo to get the entire view!

Hilton, Nice, France

What is better than a view of the French Rivera? Nice offers some ob the best water and beach front on the globe. We understand the hotel sold to another chain. Can anyone confirm that? Regardelss the view of the swaying palms, the fine eye candy on the beaches and of course the azure water are not to be missed. You are literally a hop, skip and a jump to world class beaches.

Cavalieri-Rome

Ok we weren’t going to reveal which is favored by who to let you the reviewer an unbiased opinion. But this is Mike’s fave hotel in the world. The mighty Cavalieri is one of the ugliest hotels on the outside. It is about as glamorous as a cement box. But what it lack in outward appearance, the inside and of course the views more than makes up for. Located on a perch overlooking all of Rome and especially the Vatican, the view is breathtaking. As luck would have, as we opened the siding door to our patio, there was a rainbow over the city! The hotel is located in a 50 acre parklike setting. We understanding that during conclave, rooms go for astronomical prices. You could see the white smoke from your room!

Fairmont Zimbali Lodge-South Africa

Lastly, but certainly not least is the the Zimbali. While our room offered a jungle obstructed viewof the Indian Ocean, a few steps down the path to the pool affords one of the most impressive ocean front views! We visited the Zimbali at the end of our safari trip trough South Africa. The resort lodge is an oasis for the soul. The hotel has a number of freshwater pools right on the edge of the ocean. We timed our visit on the shoulder season and had the entire pool area to ourselves. Beat that view? I dont think so!

There are some many great locations out there: an African Lodge, a Mediterian escape or even take in Kensington apartments for that matter! Regardless if they are hotels, hostels, or even serviced apartments treat yourself to a great view!

Now is your chance to weigh in with your opinion. Which is the best view? Just leave a post below.

A Zanzibar Holiday!

By The Fighting Couple on January 27, 2011 in General

Why to choose a Zanzibar beach holiday?

Beach holidays are an essential part of many people’s year. They give you a chance to relax, unwind and soak up some beautiful weather by stunning scenery. Beach holidays are ideal for those with children, couples, groups of friends or even solo travelers.

Zanzibar is a beach holiday resort rapidly growing in popularity. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania in East Africa set by the Indian Ocean. The Island has become incredibly popular due to its fabulous beaches and stunning coral reefs.

One of the key criteria any holiday maker looks for is gorgeous weather.

Zanzibar is set near to the equator meaning it has a warm climate all year round. Unlike many other beach holiday destinations, Zanzibar does not get uncomfortably hot during the summer months. The islands hot weather during its summer is cooled by a refreshing breeze meaning holiday makers can comfortably sunbathe and visit tourist attractions during the day.

Zanzibar has some of the most glorious beaches in the world. Beaches throughout the island are white, sandy and clean making them ideal for sunbathing and exploring. A trip to the beach is a tranquil and peaceful affair as beaches are largely untouched and unspoilt by tourists. A visit to the beach is also an ideal way of experiencing some East African culture.

Between beaches are quaint, picturesque fishing villages where the locals live life at a relaxing pace. Locals are friendly meaning you can immerse yourself in the culture of the island. The waters of Zanzibar are an ideal diving destination with fantastic coral reefs and warm waters. If you fancy mixing a relaxing beach break with some scuba diving adventure, Zanzibar is one of the best locations you will find.

Zanzibar beach holidays are accentuated by the fantastic local food on offer in the region. In Zanzibar you can relax and take in the rays during the day then go out for a mouth-watering meal in the evening. Local food is mostly based around seafood and you can find a large number of delicious seafood buffets across the island. Ingredients are sourced locally; often you will see men and women on bikes delivering freshly caught fish.

Zanzibar beach holidays are often combined with Kenya safari holidays. Kenya safaris make a trip of a lifetime. Kenya is home to some of the most magnificent wildlife in the world. Game drives are regularly scheduled and hosted by knowledgeable local guides. You can stay in a range of accommodation from luxury lodges to eco friendly tents.

You can find tours starting with Kenya safaris and ending in a well deserved break at a Zanzibar beach resort for very reasonable prices. This is a perfect way to combine wildlife and adventure with the relaxation of Zanzibar beaches. Both are highlights of any trip to Eastern Africa and can comfortably fit into one trip to the area. . Most Kenya safari holidays and Zanzibar tours last for approximately 12 days meaning you can easily fit them in to a hectic work schedule. Zanzibar beach holidays make a refreshing change from typical beach holidays packed full of tourists. Combine your beach holiday with Kenya safaris for a trip you will never forget.