Tropical Sky’s top tips for travel in 2008

Seeking somewhere new to holiday? Yearn to discover a hotel with a difference? Or searching for a fresh and innovative approach to taking time out? Then, look no further as with a wide and varied selection of holidays to suit everyone, long-haul travel experts, Tropical Sky have compiled their top suggestions for trends in what’s hot, new and quirky for 2008.

What’s Hot: La Source, Grenada
One of the new breed of health-oriented all-inclusive resorts, La Source will reopen on 1st February 2008. Severely damaged three years ago during Hurricane Ivan, the resort has not only rebuilt what was damaged and lost, but also undergone extensive renovation work and an upgrading programme.

Spread across 40 acres and overlooking the secluded Pink Gin beach, La Source provides an idyllic location for those looking to get-away-from-it-all in Grenada. With daily spa treatments and extensive land and sea activities included in the all-inclusive package there is something for everyone.

The 110 colonial-style rooms are beautifully furnished with wooden shutters, mahogany four-poster beds, Italian marble floors, ceiling fans and oriental throw rugs. Bathrooms are large and luxurious with a separate bath and shower, plush robes and designer lotions.

The Oasis spa offers an exceptional range of treatments and holistic activities including a salt and oil loofah body buff, seaweed wrap, Swiss needle shower, Swedish massage, facials, foot massages, Tai Chi, yoga and stress management classes to name but a few.

Land activities comprise tennis, badminton, archery, fencing, bicycle tours and a nine-hole, par-three executive golf course. In addition, the watersports centre includes a hobie cat style catamaran and sunfish sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, hydro-boarding, snorkelling and certified divers are entitled to one complimentary dive per day during their stay.

Dining options include three restaurants and three bars and to complement the holistic nature of the resort, Cuisine LaSource is provided for those who enjoy healthier eating without sacrificing flavour.

Tropical Sky offers seven nights at La Source on an all-inclusive basis from £1,529 per person, for selected departures in February 2008. The price includes return flights from London Gatwick with Excel Airways, accommodation in a luxury room, all taxes, surcharges and resort transfers.

What’s New: Diva Island Resort & Spa, Maldives
Diva Island Resort & Spa is set to become one of the stars of the Maldives. Opening March 2008, the boutique resort will offer a paradise retreat with four kilometres of sandy beach, crystal clear waters, a host of leisure facilities and beautifully designed villas and suites.

Located in Dhidhoofinolhu, Diva Island is 25 minutes from Malé by seaplane and 2½ hours by boat. The idyllic hideaway is surrounded by a fabulous lagoon, perfect for swimming and snorkelling and it also boasts a prime dive site on its doorstep. For those who prefer dry land, there is a wide variety of activities available, including beach volley, table tennis, badminton, floodlit tennis courts, a gym, billiards, table football and an extensive choice of dining options and bars.

The resort’s spa offers a heavenly retreat with 11 beach treatment rooms and four water treatment rooms built on stilts over the lagoon. Offering indoor steam showers, outdoor showers and lounges, the water treatment rooms include a glass floor so guests can see fish swimming in the waters below whilst enjoying a massage.

A kids club for little ones aged from three to 12 organises a whole range of activities, whilst the teens club offers fun for the older ones with TV, DVD player and games machines.

Tropical Sky is offering two nights free when booking five nights at Diva Island Resort & Spa on a half-board basis in May or June 2008. Saving £280, the price of £1,509 per person includes return flights from London Heathrow with SriLankan Airlines, accommodation in a junior suite, all taxes, surcharges and resort transfers.

What’s Quirky: Gazi Retreat, Kenya
This brand new exclusive hideaway is situated in a peaceful location by the forest and on the remote, mangrove-filled and unspoilt beach of Gazi Bay. A luxury ‘under canvas’ retreat with accommodation in Arabian-style tents, the unique resort offers a back-to-nature experience that’s second to none. Due to the intimate and relaxing atmosphere, this property only accepts guests over the age of 18.

Each of the 12 deluxe air-conditioned tents are dotted along the white sand beach and contain four-poster beds, mini-bar, dressing table, en-suite bathroom with large shower area and a lounge that leads onto a private patio overlooking the pool.

Resort facilities include a beauty salon offering rejuvenating treatments and a small water-sports centre including boogie boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling. Bush walks, heritage visits, diving, deep sea fishing and sunset cruises are also available.

Food is simple but fresh with breakfast served on the private terrace, lunch chosen from the snack grill and dinner on offer at the a la carte restaurant. The team behind the new development whole-heartedly supports responsible tourism and works closely with local communities to replenish resources used and contributes to local development projects.

Africa Sky offers seven nights at Gazi Retreat on an all-inclusive basis from £1,035 per person, for selected departures in February 2008. The price includes return flights from London Heathrow with Kenya Airways, all taxes, surcharges and resort transfers.

For further information visit Tropicalsky.co.uk.