Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa, La Digue, Seychelles

Located on the stunning island of La Digue in the Seychelles is Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort & Spa. https://orangeraie.sc/

It is the premier hotel on the island and offers 2 restaurants, a bar, spa, pool and spectacular rooms with views stretching out over the Indian ocean.

In order to get to La Digue, you must first fly to Mahe International airport, transfer to the port and then take an hour-long catamaran ride to the island. Cat Coco's boat service will sort our helping you get the island, http://www.catcocos.com/. Make sure you have your sea legs as it can be rough. There is a helipad if you want to make a statement, but no airport.

More than just a desert island, like some resorts you find in the Maldives for example, La Digue is sizeable enough to offer vegetation-covered peaks of over 300m, a rich Creole culture, varied wildlife and some of the most stunning beaches anywhere in the world.

Hotel Overview

As with the vast majority of visitors, we disembarked the ferry, waited for our bag and then met a waiting hotel representative at the port. There are no motorised vehicles allowed on the island, so the short transfer is made by golf buggy.

The resort offers 63 rooms across 5 room types, so facilities are never crowded.

The resort stretches from the seafront to the top of a rising hill, with rooms scattered along its slopes. The higher the room category you choose, the higher up the hill you will be. On-call golf buggies make the journey whenever you request them.

The pool, restaurants and bar are all located oceanside and have a westerly aspect to ensure the optimum sunset cocktail view! A small private beach is located to the side of the property, however, the world-famous Anse Source d’Argent beach is a 10-minute bike ride away, so this isn’t used much.

The Room

After check-in formalities were completed, alongside a refreshing mocktail and a cooling towel, I was driven to Villa 219, categorised as a ‘Ville de Charme’ room type, which is the resort’s mid-range offering.

A small path led down to 2 large wooden doors and a thatched porch, another set of doors take you inside the villa.

The room itself consists of a very large combined bedroom and living room with a wooden balcony running the length of it.

The half inside half outside bathroom sits at the end of the building and consists of 2 sinks, a deep tub and a shower (the toilet is inside).

Other room amenities included plush bedding with mosquito net ( we didn’t use this during our stay and didn’t notice any bites), a minibar, bottled water, fruit basket and oil burner. The 70 square metre room’s highlight is the wrap-around balcony, complete with 2 sun loungers. At this height on the hill, the room sits within the jungle foliage. It's possible to spot birds and bright green geckos with the shimmering Indian ocean down below.

Facilities

The main draw for visitors is the islands fabulous beaches, but for days when you don’t want powdery soft white sand in between your toes, the resort’s pool is large enough to swim lengths and the ‘Alambic Bar’, located to the side serves up a range of snacks, cocktails, and beers. The local Seybrew beer or Takamaka rum is a top pick for refreshing in between dips.

The bar also serves sundowners and after dinner drinks on the discreet terrace located above the lapping waves.

When booking, you may choose from Room only, B&B, Half or Full board. We were weary to choose anything other than B&B as we didn’t want to be tied to one place for the meals, but in the end, opted for half board. The choice of restaurants on the island is somewhat limited, so if you didn’t eat here, you’d probably end up at another hotels restaurant.

I needn’t have worried though. You may choose between an A La Carte restaurant or a buffet (think Dubai/Singapore 5* Hotel Buffet style) I actually ended up in the Buffet restaurant every night of my trip. There is a revolving theme each night, such as Asian, Creole, Seafood etc.

The service and quality of food on offer was extremely high and you cannot find better on La Digue. Water is included in half board, however, alcoholic drinks are not.

The onsite ‘Eden Rock Spa & Wellness centre’ offers a range of massage and beauty treatments using organic and natural products from Seychellois brands. We didn’t visit during our trip, but the spa’s location on the hill looked very tranquil.

The hotel also offers bicycle and snorkel equipment rental and can organise a range of excursions such as scuba diving and catamaran rental.

If you would like to see our virtual tour of the hotel then you can watch our hotel review on youtube as well.

We have also done a video on the famous beach in La Digue which gives you yet another reason to visit this beautiful part of the world.

Conclusion

A resort that can offer the range of facilities and services that Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie does, on such a remote island is impressive. The choice of food and drink was huge and everything we wanted was always available. The staff were welcoming and friendly without exception, available when you needed them with time for a conversation if you wanted.

If you’re looking for a points redemption, this hotel is run independent of any chain, so you won't be able to redeem here. Booking can be made on the hotel's own website or via any of the usual booking sites. https://orangeraie.sc/ As always, shop around for the best price and package that suits you. Prices change

quite dramatically depending on when you visit, what board basis you choose and your room type. The middle room type I stayed in is around £480 per night, half board for 2 people.

So if you’re in the market for a ‘Post Corona’ beach holiday with more to do than just a beach, then seriously consider the beautiful island of La Digue.

Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of future videos and blogs

https://www.memoryseekers.net/subscribe

What makes Gibraltar worth visiting?

At just 6.7km2 (2.6 sq miles) the British overseas territory of Gibraltar is located at the far southern tip of Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar separates Gib, as it is commonly called, from continental Africa which is just 14 miles away.

Gibraltar punches above its weight for the sheer number of attractions it has to offer!

The strait, which is the entrance to the Mediterranean sea makes Gibraltar of great strategic importance. Half of the worlds seaborne trade passes through it.

Its location is partially why Gibraltar is British. They knew the importance of its location and were prepared to fight for it and as such has been under British rule since 1717.

Today, Gib makes its money from tourism, online gambling and financial services, so why are all these tourists visiting a little bit of land at the bottom of Spain.

What makes Gibraltar worth visiting?

Gibraltar is dominated by “The Rock” a 426 metre high (1,398 feet) limestone peak. It is home to the Gibraltar Nature reserve and can be accessed either by foot or as we did, the cable car. https://gibraltarinfo.gi/cable-car/

At this height, you can see all of Gibraltar, Spain’s Costa del Sol and on a clear day, the Moroccan coastline.

The Rock is also home to Gibraltar’s most famous inhabitants, the Barbary Macaque Monkeys, Europe’s only wild monkey population.

Their presence probably dates from the early days of the British garrison when it is presumed that they were imported from north Africa, finding the rough limestone cliffs and scrub vegetation a great habitat. There is a legend that claims should the macaques ever disappear; the British will leave Gibraltar.

On our visit, we decided to take the cable car up and walk down as there are a number of attractions as you make your way off of the rock. As you descend make sure you look for over 500 different species of flowering plant, olive and pine trees and migratory birds.

Relatively new additions to the rock include the suspension bridge and the skywalk, but if you prefer your attractions a little less hair raising, visit St Michaels Cave to marvel at colourfully lit limestone rock formations, there’s even an auditorium down there!

Your entrance ticket also grants access to the Moorish Castle and the Great Siege Tunnels which we talk about below later.

As you may expect, due to the history of Gibraltar, its architecture is worthy of mention. Walking around town you will come across a range of styles, from the sleek and modern marina area to the fortified walled Casemates Square.

As you walk down the traditional ‘British’ high street filled with bars and restaurants, you will eventually come to John Mackintosh Hall (library, theatre and cultural events are held here) and St Jago’s Arch, the former entrance to a 16th-century church.

If the weather is good, hop on a bus to Europa Point and the tip of Gibraltar.

http://www.gibraltarbuscompany.gi They also have an app so you can track where the buses are which is handy!

From here you will be greeted by a lighthouse and some spectacular sea views over the strait, the African coast and of course, the rock. As you can we didn't have the weather and could not the spectacular views!

History

The History of Gibraltar dates back to the 13th century, being under Spanish, Barbary, Dutch and finally British rule. Its location meant that Gibraltar was always of great military importance and as such you will find a number of military attractions around the territory.

The Moorish Castle is the oldest of such attractions, dating back to medieval times, you can see various buildings with fortified walls and the Tower of Homage. Gibraltar’s prison was also located here until 2010!

The City under Siege exhibition houses buildings dating back to 1704 during the capture of Gibraltar by the Spanish. One of the most intriguing aspects of the attraction is the graffiti that you see engraved on the walls. Many soldiers passed their long hours of duty by carving graffiti in the walls of the buildings, falling asleep whilst on duty, was an offence punishable by death, hence keeping yourself awake by drawing on the walls wasn’t a bad idea!

The Tunnels of Gibraltar were constructed over 200 years and now comprise of 34 miles (55km) of tunnels dug through the rock. At their peak, they were able to house 16,000 solders along with supplies that were needed to survive a prolonged siege. The tunnels that you see today are The Great Siege Tunnels (the upper galleries excavated during the great siege) and the Second World War Tunnels.

Other attractions include The Governor’s Lookout Battery (great views over the airport) and the Military Heritage Centre where you can learn about the tunnels in further detail.

Speaking of the airport, did you know its one of the only airports in the world that you have to walk across (or drive) to get into Gibraltar. Gates come down and hold the traffic and pedestrians until an aircraft has taken off or landed! It's quite something to walk over the active runway so leave the taxi behind at the airport and walk into town it only takes 20 mins.

Where we stay

The Rock Hotel is quintessentially British and the most famous hotel on the Rock.

This is where the rich and famous stay during visits to Gibraltar and the hotel walls are littered with photo's of noteworthy guests, like former UK prime ministers, TV entertainment stars and Hollywood movie legends.

Whilst you might think that means you could not afford to stay, think again there are some great deals and we have stayed twice without breaking the bank.

We had a balcony room and in the mornings the monkey's come down from the nature reserve above to try and steal anything not locked down. So be aware of this, they will try and get in rooms if you leave the door unattended. They are not too much of a nuisance.

Our top tip would be to forgo the breakfast package and find a place in Casemates Square or the marina for a cheap full English breakfast at half the price, which also encourages you to get up and out early!

The sunsets over the hotel are fantastic on a warm summers night, it's a great place to get a cocktail before heading out for dinner.

You can see a full review of the Rock Hotel in our video travel guide link at the end of this blog. To book the hotel visit https://www.rockhotelgibraltar.com/

Summary

Gibraltar punches above its weight for the sheer number of attractions it has to offer, its unique geography and interesting history can easily fill 2-3 days. Brilliant restaurants and a sunny climate make visiting for a weekend break from the UK or if you’re already in southern Spain well worth it.

https://www.visitgibraltar.gi/

Practical Info

Flights arrive from the UK, operated by Easyjet, British Airways and Wizzair and a new helicopter service from Malaga has also recently started.

Bus services from Spanish cities such as Malaga arrive at the Spanish town of La Linea and you will have to cross the border on foot. Don’t forget your passport if you intend on crossing the border as it will be checked.

Once in Gibraltar Buses are frequent and reliable, a day pass costs £2.50. The bus routes will get you everywhere you need to go from the border with Spain to Europa point and everywhere in between. (note, there is no bus service to the top of the rock)

Car you don’t need a car in Gibraltar and having one will just be a pain, roads are small and parking is very limited. Taxi’s are available but prices are high considering the short distances they cover.

Walking is the easiest and most enjoyable way of getting around town, the majority of the sight are easily reached on foot.

Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound, it has the same value as pound sterling and the British pound can be used in Gibraltar, however, the Gibraltar pound is not accepted in the UK, but you can change these in any bank at a rate of £1 = £1.

Due to low taxation, alcohol, tobacco and perfume are cheap, but remember Gibraltar is no longer in the EU, so check your country’s duty-free allowances.

Please refer to our video for accommodation and restaurant tips

Dominated by The Rock, Gibraltar has much to offer! See why?

https://youtu.be/guTFE691ZRg

Subscribe to our mailing list for updates to videos and blogs.

https://www.memoryseekers.net/subscribe

Kazakhstan – What does central Asia’s largest country have for you?

As the title suggests, Kazakhstan is absolutely huge. The 9th largest country in the world in fact. Why do we know so little about it in the west? What are its people like? What is the history of this country? What do they eat? What language do they speak? Is it worth going there? This blog will answer all those questions and give you an insight into why Kazakhstan shouldn’t be overlooked as a holiday destination.

The biggest battle of any trip to Kazakhstan is the size of the place. If you want to tour around a bit as I did, it will involve internal flights or long train journeys. I only had 9 days to explore, so obviously was only able to see a tiny part of this epic country, so this guide will cover the main cities and resorts that are within easy driving distance of them.

---

A Brief History and its People

The land that is now Kazakhstan has been invaded over the years by everyone from the Persians, the Turks, the Mongols and most recently the Soviets, having joined the Soviet Union in 1936. The country remained part of the union until 1991, being the last republic to declare independence. Subsequently, its population is now mixed. Kazakhs make up about 67%, but other groups include Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Uyghurs and more.

Flag of Kazakhstan

The Capital City

Nur-Sultan, or is it Astana, no, Akmola. The capital seems to have a bit of a habit of changing its name. The most recent name change happened in 2019 when the city became known as Nur-Sultan in honour of the first president of independent Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Most people still use the name Astana, it’s even the name of the national airline, Air Astana, who flew me from Heathrow direct to Astana.

Astana has a feel of a city that shouldn’t really exist. Like it was forced to grow out of the desolate steppe landscape. It’s a relatively new city, with a planned vibe to it.

Wide roads with bordering apartment blocks, manicured gardens with fountains and some experimental architecture give the feel that the city is here to stay, despite its diurnal climate.

Not so many travellers spend time in the city, there isn’t a whole lot to do, but you won’t have been to a city like this before, so this alone makes a couple of days’ worth it.

The Baiterek Tower is the symbol of the city, rising 105 metres into the air, you can take an elevator to the top and look out down the fountain lined park to the Khan Shatyr, or place your hands over a mould of the former president's hands.

Khan Shatyr entertainment centre, a huge shopping mall in the style of a traditional Kazakh yurt!

Inside you’ll find all manner of shops, a theme park and even a waterpark complete with its own tropical beach!

Not far away from here, you’ll also find the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, the second-largest in Central Asia!

There is room for 5000 worshippers inside and worth popping in to see the ornate ceiling.

There are lots of great places to eat in the city too, prices are low and the quality high. Local dishes like horse meat Manti (dumplings) and Besbermak (horse or mutton, served with chunks of fat and noodles) are popular, but you’ll also find great pizza, sushi, burgers and fully stocked supermarkets.

There is also an interesting emerging microbrewery scene to explore. Line Brew has a great choice. I stayed at Rixos President Astana, paying around £60 per night. It’s an upscale place with restaurants, an indoor pool and bars. The staff were very friendly and help me to plan the next part of my journey – a road trip to Burabay.

---

Burabay

About a 3-hour journey north of Astana is the spectacular region of Burabay. My hotel in Astana was able to organise a taxi for very little money. As you journey north, the landscape changes dramatically. The desolate arid grass gives way to towering trees, lush vegetation and lakes as big as oceans.

The town of Burabay itself is not worth visiting but is the starting point for exploration around the lake. A very well maintained boardwalk hugs the coast and you can walk for hours taking in the glorious views.

It’s possible to rent kayaks or climb some of the mountains around here too. I visited in July, so temperatures were very warm, but in winter I imagine this whole place closes and the lake freezes over. Little cafes are dotted along the walk and make for a nice pit stop amongst the holidaying locals.

After the 3 days spent in and around the capital, it was time to head south to the commercial capital, Almaty.

---

Almaty

A 1.5-hour flight across the country will bring you Almaty, the largest and culturally most important city in the country. A quick taxi ride brought me to my hotel, the Mercure Almaty City Centre. For £54 a night, this hotel was very comfortable with a cool spa complete with Jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas on the top floor overlooking the city and surrounding mountains.

The city is pretty big and you’ll need to use the cheap and efficient metro or taxis to get around to some sights. Here is a list of my favourites:

Zenkov’s Cathedral

A leftover from the Russian influence, a typically beautiful Orthodox Cathedral and parks

Zolotoy Bazaar – lots of beautifully presented fresh fruit and veg

Almaty Central Mosque

The main mosque in town is worth a visit and to rest your feet in its accompanying park.

Note we could not go in as we had shorts on so make sure you dress appropriately.

A.Kasteev Art Museum

Lots of local art, from sculpture to carpets

First President Park

Huge and impressive park in town.

Big Almaty Lake

About an hour by taxi, this lake is nestled in between mountains and is a great place to escape the mad heat of summer. Unfortunately for us, a freak rain shower started just as we arrived so the picture is rather grey and miserable.

Kok Tobe

Located on top of a hill and reached by cable car, come here for food, great views and a few surprises!

You won't go hungry whilst in town either. There is a cosmopolitan choice of Kazakh, middle eastern, bbq, Indian or pretty much anything you’re in the food for. Special mention to Chechil Pub, great for drinks and snacks!

---

Shymbulak

Less than an hours drive from town is the ski resort of Shymbulak which looks back over Almaty on a clear day.

Access is restricted to cars, so you’ll probably get dropped off at the base of the resort where you’ll take a cable car, the 15 minutes or so to the resort. Tickets are £6.00 return.

This excellent service will bring you to a small village with hotels, restaurants, bars and more cable cars that go further up the mountains.

As my visit was in July, there was no snow, but the panoramic views are still worth coming to see. I stayed in Shymbulak Ski Resort Hotel, a wooden built structure with simple rooms for about £40 per night including breakfast. There isn’t a huge amount of accommodation, so I advise you to book well in advance if you want to visit.

The cable cars from the resort take you up to a grand height of 3163 metres ( more than 10,300 ft). There are multiple walking trails to explore in summer and the peaks of the Talgar Pass are stunning.

On your descend, you can make a stop at a restaurant for a bit to eat whilst taking in the breath-taking views back down to the resort and the sprawl of Almaty in the distance.

---

Summary

Well connected Kazakhstan should feature on any central Asian itinerary or even a stand-alone trip like mine. There is still so much to explore in this sprawling country. This blog doesn’t begin to cover it all. One thing I’m sorry for not getting to see was Altyn Emel National Park with its singing dunes and beautiful rock formations in the desert to the east of Almaty.

Still, there’s always next time!

To see more of our trip you can also watch our YouTube video on the area. This will give you even more insight into the trip.

Join our mailing list to see future blog and video updates on our website.

Subscribe Here