Accommodation - Goodtrippers

State-of-the-art luxury eco villas go on sale near Istanbul

And now for a little fantasy holiday planning…

For those of you with a spare million pounds burning a hole in your pocket, you could consider splashing out on a state-of-the-art eco villa for when you need a luxury bolthole in Turkey.

The Oceanic Bayview villas are now on sale for a cool £1million. Located in Alkent, a desirable neighbourhood on the outskirts of bustling Istanbul, these villas utilise some rather flash technology to help keep them eco-friendly.

The villas are super-efficient. Each property:

Recycles rainwater from the concave roofs
Uses three solar collectors and wind turbines to generate power (saving between 30-60% on annual electricity consumption)
Include special profile panoramic windows
Uses a heat pump
Has LED lighting throughout
The smart house system throughout each villa means everything can be controlled through your smartphone to help save power

Built across three floors, the villas range in size from four to seven bedrooms. Each boasts four bathrooms, a dining room, internal suspended balcony overlooking the grand living room, kitchen, winter garden, a main games/cinema room, Jacuzzi room, and quarters for domestic staff (naturally!). The gallery style of each villa creates an immense sense of light and space as the beautifully-designed mezzanine over the main lounge overlooks the lake through large panoramic windows.

We think you really have to love holidaying in Turkey to justify the cost as a holiday home, but we are told that owners can use it as they wish (and we’re sure that if you’re spending more than a million on a holiday villa you’ve got the time to spend more than just two weeks a year there!). We can picture ourselves sipping a mint tea from our jacuzzi right now…

Oceanic Bayview Villas are on sale with prices starting at just over £1m (US $1,595,000). Visit Universal21 at www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.

5 of the best…Luxury wellness holidays

From educational eco-forest walks in Bali, to dining on nutritious organic cuisine grown in New Zealand, Paul Joseph, co-founder of wellness holiday specialists Health and Fitness Travel, picks five healthy eco-friendly holidays to make you feel more connected to yourself and nature…

These luxurious wellness retreats boast superb eco-design and green-friendly awards, meaning you can travel abroad happy in the knowledge that these retreats actively support sustainable tourism.

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Italy: Lefay

Situated on the shores of magical Lake Garda, this eco-friendly holiday destination values the connection between personal and environmental wellness. From the heat insulation and local natural materials used in the eco-designed architecture, to the use of renewable alternative energies, Lefay actively promotes eco-sustainability. Begin your holiday boosting your health and fitness by personalising your stay with activities from personal training to Pilates and Tai Qi. Ideal for a singles holiday, make the most of complimentary group fitness classes from yoga to circuit training, before unwinding with a relaxing spa massage.

New Zealand: Aro Ha

Encircled by New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps, luxury wellness retreat Aro Ha fuses eco-friendly accommodation with self-sufficient cuisine, using locally produced organic ingredients from their on-site garden. Enhance the connection between yourself and the environment around you with sub-alpine hiking and kayaking across the lake to the natural bird sanctuary of Pigeon Island. Complement TRX, yoga and meditation sessions with daily therapeutic spa massages and unlimited use of the water therapy suites, to ensure you return home in optimal wellness from this breath-taking eco-friendly holiday destination.

Bali: Zen

Escape to this luxury holistic and eco-friendly wellness holiday destination in Bali, surrounded by pristine tropical gardens. This green retreat offers a range of healthy cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients, with fish caught in the nearby sea and fresh fruit and vegetables grown at the on-site farm. Get closer to nature with a sunrise dolphin sail, rice field trekking and educational eco-forest walks to learn more about local wildlife, flora and fauna. Escape the stress of everyday life with sunrise yoga, sunset mediation and holistic spa treatments.

South Africa: Karkloof Safari Spa

Working with environmental and wildlife professionals to restore the region to its natural splendour, the surrounding eco-system of the eco-friendly Karkloof Safari Spa in South Africa, is happily once again home to a diverse range of indigenous fauna, flora, wildlife and birdlife. The perfect destination for a luxury spa holiday, enjoy indulging with unlimited spa treatments using natural ingredients, from a Maldivian black pepper scrub to a coconut body polish. Explore your natural surroundings by hiking, fishing, mountain biking and spotting local wildlife with private guided safaris.

Greece: Porto Carras

Make a healthy getaway to the white sandy beaches of northern Greece where this eco-friendly holiday destination boasts Blue Flag beaches and respected awards such as the Green Key Eco Label. Using natural ingredients for relaxing therapies, such as mud and clay treatments, pamper yourself at a choice of two luxury spa centres. Ideal for a fun-filled activity holiday, relish in the variety of sports and activities you can enjoy from tennis to windsurfing and meditation. Take advantage of complimentary group fitness classes, including yoga and aerobics, to improve your fitness levels and leave you feeling renewed and revitalised.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891

About the author: Paul Joseph is co-founder (with Adam Heathcote) of Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in tailormade healthy holidays worldwide. He searches for the rare and hidden gems around the world and puts together exclusive and trend-setting holidays for those who would like to improve or maintain their health and fitness whilst on holiday. As well as a love of all things travel, Paul’s other love is exercise, cycling and yoga. Paul also contributes to the travel pages of various high-profile newspapers and magazines where he offers his expert advice on wellness holidays.

Last minute guide to the Easter Holidays

Has the prospect of a few days off work crept up on you and you’re now in a chocolate-induced panic about what to do? The Easter break is peak-time for travel, so you can either jump in and join the crowds or just use the bank holiday to rest and relax. Here are some of our ideas for things to do this Easter. Now hop to it Easter bunnies!

Check last minute availability at a self-catering cottage

It’s a long shot but not every lodge, cottage, cabin or barn will be full this Easter holiday. Owners will be keen to fill gaps, particularly in the harder to fill week days, so chance your luck with a browse of self-catering accommodation sites and you may be able to grab a bargain. Some of our favourites, which also feature their fair share of eco-friendly homes, include Uniquehomestays.com, HolidayCottageCompare.com, SykesCottages.co.uk and HomeAway.co.uk.

You can also read our profiles of eco-friendly accommodation in Cornwall, Norfolk, Suffolk and Fort William in Scotland. And if you don’t have any luck this time, at least you’ve given yourself a head start on finding a place for summer!

Treat yourself to an Easter-themed afternoon tea

Whiling away an afternoon sipping tea and nibbling teenie-tiny cakes just can’t be done during a regular working week. Use the holidays to indulge in a classic treat whether it be traditional, luxury, vegan, fashionable, cool or rustic. Search Afternoontea.co.uk for hundreds of options across the UK including specials and promotions for Easter. We also found a few healthy-sounding vegan options if you’ve overdone it on the chocolate eggs.

Enjoy eco-friendly family fun

We’ve already picked out some of our favourite eco-friendly family days out – from the Eden Project in Cornwall, to BeWILDerwood in Norfolk, llama parks and organic farms. See our 7 of the best…Eco-friendly family days out.

Go for an Easter walk

It may not be summer-high temperatures just yet, but we’re now on British Summer Time so there is no excuse not to get out into the fresh air and make the most of longer days. Walking is a great way to stay fit, explore a local area, do a bit of wildlife watching on the way, and it’s absolutely free.

Take your pick of woodland walks, coastal walks, hill treks, village strolls, or city ambles. Walking Britain provides a free online resource for walkers detailing recommended walks in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Trails and other notable areas of the UK.

Feast at a food market

There are lots of farmer’s markets and street food festivals taking place this Easter. Sample some of the best seasonal fare (roast lamb, fresh new greens) direct from producers; or treat yourself to something exotic or handmade (possibly even chocolate-based if you haven’t had enough). One of our faves, the Real Food Market in London is moving to its new home of King’s Cross station as of 1st April (no longer at Southbank, but check out our old review for a flavour of what to expect in King’s Cross). Find out more about Real Food Market here. You can catch another of our faves Street Feast at a couple of dates around Easter – see website for details.

Check your local council website for details of farmer’s markets or food fairs in your area – and get down there. It’s often a ‘use it, or lose it’ situation!

Visit a pier

Yes, it’s not sunbathing weather quite yet, but you can brave a trip to the coast and while away an afternoon on one of Britain’s traditional seaside piers. After all, the British seaside is a classic bank holiday destination – even if it rains! Grab some fish ‘n’ chips, change a pound coin into coppers for a few goes on the arcade machines, and then warm up with a cup of tea on the pier. Here’s our write-up of things to do around Cromer Pier, in north Norfolk, which has just been named the UK’s Pier of the Year.

Explore a National Trust property

We don’t know exactly what it is, but a visit to a National Trust home or garden just screams Easter to us! It’s the start of the tourist season so all of the locations are usually spruced up and ready for the coming months, and there almost always is an Easter Egg Hunt (in a huge garden or woodland) that you can join. Some properties include working farms so you also get an added bonus of new little lambs to spot. Visit NationalTrust.org.uk for details.

Have a sit down

Sometimes a bank holiday is just a great excuse for a sit down. Avoid holiday traffic, avoid tourists and day-tripping families, avoid entry fees and car parking fees…. Just take a seat (preferably outside if you can – we’ve had months of winter, come on, let’s make the most of it), grab a good book (here are a few we recommend) or simply close your eyes and take a snooze….. See you when the egg-madness is over!

Explore the New Forest from Beecroft eco cottage

Explore the New Forest National Park, one of the largest remaining wildwoods in Western Europe, from your base of this gem of an eco cottage…

Located just outside the tranquil hamlet of Minstead, in the heart of the New Forest, you’ll find the delightful Beecroft cottage. Set in an elevated position above wildflower meadows with far reaching views of ancient oaks, Beecroft is a superb eco-friendly bolthole from which to discover the ancient roots of the New Forest.

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This stylish and immaculately presented cabin has been built with many ecological considerations in mind, focusing on a minimum carbon footprint and making full use of the natural resources of sun, air and the surrounding wood.

The one-bedroomed cottage is spacious, bright and airy with wide fold-back doors in the lounge which brings the outside in during summer months. For the cooler months a wood burner sets the perfect scene for relaxing after rosy cheeked walks.

All mod cons are present from underfloor heating, a fully equipped kitchen and a luxurious bathroom, to wifi, and a sun trap terrace for dining al fresco.

Exploring the New Forest

Walking is a wonderful way to see the New Forest National Park close up, with dozens of walking routes that take you into ancient woods, along stunning coastline, over purple heather heathland or following idyllic rivers and streams.

From Beecroft, you can explore the captivating plains of Stoney Cross and the ancient woods of Long Beech and Malwood Walk. There is a fantastic Deer Walk nearby at Boldrewood, where you can watch herds of wild Fallow deer grazing in the meadow, fed by a local forest keeper daily.

Thoroughly recommended is a walk and picnic along the Ornamental Drive, where an abundance of local wildlife can be spotted amongst the enchanting Douglas firs, redwoods, ancient oaks and native beech trees.

In late May/early June the rhododendrons and azaleas flower, bringing a spectacular burst of vibrant colour to these ancient woods. It’s a truly magical spot.

‘Good’ credentials:

Beecroft is powered solely by electricity from 16 PV Solar panels mounted on the south-facing roof of the outbuilding. Over 12 months these panels generate more electrical power than the bungalow needs. A considerable residue is exported to the National Grid.
The under-floor central heating and hot water systems are fed by the electrically-powered Air Source Heat Pump.
There is a multi-fuel stove in the main room which can be lit to augment the heating system in winter. It is fuelled by logs from trees grown on the property. The multi-fuel stove burns wood extremely efficiently and with minimal smoke emissions and makes for a super cosy night in.

Booking Beecroft: The cabin sleeps 2 + travel cot or additional child under 10 and prices start from £585 for a short break. You can book Beecroft via New Forest Living at www.newforestliving.co.uk or call 01590 427887.

Recommended for… Beecroft is an all season destination for those who love gentle ambles and rejuvenating walking breaks.

Be aware that… The nearest shop is a 15 minute drive, although there is a fantastic traditional forest pub just a 15 minute stroll along the forest lanes.

About New Forest Living: New Forest Living is an independent self catering holiday cottage company based in Lymington. The company don’t just let holiday cottages in the New Forest, all employees live there too and really appreciate the unique forest way of life. Contact them via www.newforestliving.co.uk or call 01590 427887.

6 of the best… Yurts and Bell Tents

For the ultimate in camping (or rather ‘glamping’) choose one of these luxury yurts and bell tents for a memorable night under canvas…

Lake Yurt, Poundsgate, Devon

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Perched on the edge of a small lake, surrounded by woodland, sits this pretty and traditional Mongolian yurt. Perfect for couples or a family, it can sleep up to 5 (it has a double bed and futon). The yurt comes with a well-equipped kitchen, woodburner and cosy interiors to keep you warm, plus laterns and candles for romantic lighting (there’s no electricity). The site contains one other yurt but you’re guaranteed privacy and a peaceful stay. Dartmoor National Park is close-by for walking, horse-riding, and cycling.

Bath Bell Tents, Timsbury, Somerset

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This is the bell tent that comes to you! The owners will pitch up the tent at the location of your choice within one hour from Bath. The luxury tent comes fully equipped with everything you need for a unique stay including comfy airbeds, bedding, rugs, throws, cushions, solar-powered lights and a lovely tealight chandelier. If there’s a large group of you, you can book the full four sleeping tents and create your own bell tent camp!

Bluebell Yurt, Goonhavern, Cornwall

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This cute little yurt has been lovingly furnished with beautiful rustic wooden furniture, a well-stocked cupboard and fridge, plus flat screen TV. Enjoy breakfast or warm evenings sitting on your private decking area complete with barbeque, or stroll around the camp which boasts an outdoor heated swimming pool, garden and children’s play area. The ‘Woodshed’ contains the camp’s communal kitchen, washing machines and shower facilities. Sleeps up to 4 in a double bed plus two single futons.

Coracle Yurt, Lyme Regis, Dorset

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This special yurt, set within its own private woodland clearing, is for couples or singles only (no kids allowed in this one!). Complete with double bed, luxury bedding, electric blanket, log-burning stove, heated towel rail, reindeer skins and electricity sockets (if you really can’t do without your phone or tablet). The Coracle Yurt, by Crafty Camping, also has its own private decking area with hammock, barbeque and outdoor seating/dining area. Apparently the piping hot tree showers are something to be experienced, particularly in the rain! Try one of the wood craft courses run by Crafty Camping, go trout fishing or explore the Jussaric Coast. This area is also a foodie’s dream with River Cottage Canteen and the Mark Hix Restaurant in the nearby area.

The Wren’s Nest at The Fire Pit, Dereham, Norfolk

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Not technically a yurt or bell tent, this is a ‘bender tent’, beautifully handmade using locally harvested hazel branches. Ignore the unassuming exterior because this really does provide the ‘wow factor’ once you step inside, including an unexpected mezzanine level! With cosy seating and woodburning fire, this two-storey tent sleeps 6-8 people in its double bed, single bed, pull-out sofa bed and triple bunk bed. Extra pitches around the tent can be booked if you want to create your own mini festival. A barbeque, communal fire pit, hot water facilities, natural play area and double decker bus (yes, really) complete the unique experience. A gourmet coffee bar is promised for this year…

Acacia Yurt, Axebridge, Somerset

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This Moroccan-style yurt is glamorously decorated with throws, wall-hangings, cushions and rugs. The yurt comes complete with a log-burning stove, seating/dining area, a double bed and two sofa beds (it sleeps up to four), and all cooking equipment and crockery etc to prepare simple meals on your camping stove or on the outside barbeque. Sip your morning coffee outside your yurt and enjoy the view over Cheddar Gorge, or huddle around the campfire at night sampling the local cider and produce from the neighbouring farm shop.

For the latest prices, availability and booking, click on the hyperlinks or search via www.holidaylettings.co.uk

Nest in Sweden’s Treehotel this winter

You’ve heard of the Ice Hotel – now experience the Treehotel. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view from this winter wonderland in Sweden.

In the tiny Swedish village of Harads sits the Treehotel – a stunning complex of architecturally designed ‘treerooms’. The Swedes certainly know how to harness the restorative nature of the great outdoors, and the whole complex is designed to offer you peaceful and rejuvinating stay in this pine forest glade with river valley views.

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Winter may be dark but nothing compares to the experience of waking up among the snow-capped treetops, before embarking on a day of dog sledging, snowmobiling, snowshoe walking, ice fishing and Northern Lights spotting!

Responsible tour operator Go Barefoot are offering discounted rates for December and January bookings (see below).

Accommodation

There are currently six tree rooms available, all with a unique and exceptional design: The Mirrorcube, The Cabin, The UFO, The Bird’s Nest, The Blue Cone, Dragonfly. The rooms are built 4-6 metres above the ground and are accessible by ramp, bridge or electric stairs. Lighting, furniture and interiors are all custom made. They vary in size from 15 to 30 square metres – the largest accommodates up to four people.

All have been built to be environmentally-friendly with minimum impact on nature and come with water efficient sinks and conbustion toilets.

Facilities

For the full Scandinavian experience, guests can make use of The Tree Sauna which accommodates up to eight people. Britta’s Restaurant on the Treehotel site prides itself on serving fresh, wild, local, Norrland produce with a daily buffet and three-course meals available on request.

Activities

Plenty of snow-based fun to be had here – just take your pick from an exhaustive list of Arctic activities including dog sledging, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoe walking, ice fishing, ice dining, moose safari, and horse riding. You can also join a Northern Lights tour, visit the local Sami people, or finish the day relaxing in a forest spa.

Responsible tourism operator Go Barefoot, who specialise in trips that support sustainable development, cultural preservation and environmental protection, are offering special discounted rates for all Treehotel bookings for December 2014 and January 2015. Visit www.gobarefoot.travel or call +44 (0)20 3290 9591 for more information.

Christmas down on The Farm House, Devon

If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas getaway, spend it down on The Farm House in Devon. As an extra Christmas gift, bookings at this self-catering holiday cottage come with a 20% discount!

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This magnificent 17th century house, set on East Devon’s South Farm and located on the edge of the Blackdown Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is ready to welcome you for a memorable Christmas with family or friends.

With stunning views and plenty of facilities to keep you entertained, you can celebrate the festive season in style – or just escape from it all in your own luxury hideaway.

Accommodation and facilities

The Farm House sleeps up to 10 people with its master bedroom (with en-suite), two double rooms, and two twin rooms. The house also has three bathrooms, a conservatory (perfect for Christmas morning coffees), well-equipped country cottage kitchen (with large Aga oven for that all-important roast), large enclosed garden, and living area with 40″ Sky TV, DVD player, wifi and stereo system for your Christmas entertainment

And it’s worth braving the chilly nights for a dip in the private hot tub with your festive bubbly!

Around South Farm

The Farm House is the main self-catering cottage on South Farm which also boasts four smaller self-catering cottages – perfect if your gathering ‘overspills’ from the main house. The site offers all guests use of shared facilities including the children’s play area plus games barn stocked with table tennis, badminton, toys, books and board games. Adults can make full use of the sauna, spa and gym, tennis court, or even solar-heated swimming pool (or perhaps not in winter!).

The surrounding fields and open spaces, home to badgers, buzzards and other wildlife, make a great location for a Boxing Day walk.

Price and availability

Book now to save 20% on your Christmas booking. Seven nights costs from £2,233 (a saving of £446). Stays are usually Friday to Friday but departures on Saturday 27th December can be arranged (please contact host to discuss).

For further details plus contact and booking, visit The Farm House listing on the HomeAway website.

Enjoy the view from Pokhara Lodge, Tiger Mountain in Nepal

This stunning mountain hideaway, set amoungst the Nepalese Himalayas, is leading the way in responsible tourism

Perched on a mountain ridge 1,000 ft above the Pokhara Valley in Nepal, the Pokhara Lodge at Tiger Mountain demonstrates daily why it has won TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence every year since 2011. Guests rave about the beautiful setting, the friendly staff and the delicious food – but it’s a dedication to supporting local community initiatives, and helping preserve local wildlife, that really sets it apart from the rest.

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Since the beginning, the Lodge, its staff and guests, have been involved in supporting various projects including funding local schools, school teachers, health posts, community forestry projects, forest rangers and a forest nursery,

The lodge’s trained guides are regularly involved in conservation research by monitoring butterfly and wildfowl populations for organisations including Birdlife International.

Accommodation

The lodge consists of stone cottages, clustered in the style of a Nepalese village, around a central lodge, bar and dining room. All cottages have en-suite bathrooms, private verandas and Himalayan views. Each cottage is furnished with Tibetan rugs, handmade wooden furniture and original artworks.

Facilities

Will you ever have a swim in such a glorious location as this? The outdoor swimming pool reflects the snowcapped mountain backdrop making a morning dip even more exhilerating! For cosy evenings the main lodge offers the chance to snuggle up to a warm log fire and browse the Colonel Jimmy library full of mountaineering literature.

Food

You can enjoy breakfast with a view from the terrace, while in the evening, the terrace is candlelit for cocktails and dinner. Daily menus include Nepali and continental dishes made using fresh, local, organic ingredients such as homegrown herbs and garden salads. And the bar remains open until the last guest retires…

Things to do

Guests can take day hikes or bird walks with local, trained guides. Yoga and meditation sessions are available, as well as Ayurvedic and Shiatsu massage. The more adventurous can try paragliding or microlight flights for a truly awesome experience in the mountains. Trips to nearly Pokhara can be arranged for sightseeing, museums and to visit the lively lakeside area.

‘Good’ credentials:

Pokhara Lodge and guests’ donations pay for an additional teacher at the local Shiva Shatki Primary School
The Lodge and guest donations have also funded the rebuilding of the school block at Amar Jyoti Secondary School, providing electricity, whiteboards, improved classrooms and desks – this means more children can complete their main schooling in the local community
The Lodge works with the International Trust for Nature Conservation and its Shillinge Project, which aims to combine non-timber forest product development with longer-term community forest management practices.
Guides monitor butterfly and wildfowl populations, providing data for conservation charities and projects including Birdlife International

For more information, availability and booking, visit www.tigermountainpokhara.com or e: info@tigermountainpokhara.com

‘Luxury travel with a conscience’ in New Zealand

New Zealand tourism experts launched a new travel concept this week encouraging holiday makers to enjoy the very best of the country while supporting local conservation projects.

Organisations New Zealand in Depth and Luxury Lodges of New Zealand (with support from Tourism New Zealand) have joined forces to create ‘luxury travel with a conscience’. Six of the country’s most top-end lodges are offering guests the opportunity to get hands-on with conservation projects during their stay.

All of the luxury lodges are engaged in protection of local wildlife or the regeneration of natural habitats – so guests are already supporting conservation initiatives, even if they choose not to ‘get their hands dirty’. (Although we think that a few hours spent ‘in the field’ will give you a totally fresh perspective to your trip – and will make that sundowner cocktail sipped from your private pool all the more deserved!).

Here’s more about those envy-inducing luxury lodges and why you can enjoy them ‘guilt free’:

Eagles Nest
This multi-award winning New Zealand luxury hotel & retreat is set within a 75 acre estate atop its own private ridgeline offering spectacular views of the Bay of Islands. By staying at Eagles Nest, you will support and be a part of the lodge’s vital work to conserve rare local wildlife living on the property including the North Island brown kiwi.

Bay of Many Coves
Located deep in the Marlborough Sounds, Bay of Many Coves is a five star luxury resort that offers perfect seclusion in a pristine natural environment. By staying at Bay of Many Coves, you will be supporting a project that provides homes and habitat for the local population of blue penguins, the world’s smallest penguin.

Hapuku Lodge
Unique New Zealand accommodation, nestled 30 feet above the ground in the canopy of a native Manuka grove, Hapuku Tree Houses have spectacular views of Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and surf-washed Pacific coastline. By staying at Hapuku Lodge, you will be supporting a project that is assisting the restoration of local native forest whilst having the chance to learn about Maori culture in the region.

Treetops Lodge
Treetops Lodge offers the ultimate in world-class luxury accommodation in the heart of New Zealand’s unique forest close to the thermal wonderland and cultural capital of Rotorua. By staying at Treetops Lodge, you will learn about the ancient Maori connection with New Zealand’s native forest and play your part in protecting it for future generations.

Blanket Bay
Blanket Bay is nestled amidst rugged snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wakatip. Its elegant yet rustic charm delivers peace and solitude for every guest. By staying at Blanket Bay, you will support a project that is helping to protect one of New Zealand’s unique and most endangered birds, the mohua.

Fiordland Lodge
With commanding views out across Lake Te Anau, Fiordland Lodge’s luxury haven has style, comfort and privacy making it the perfect base for your Fiordland experience. By staying at Fiordland Lodge, you will be helping the local community to protect native wildlife in one of the world’s outstanding wilderness areas.

For more information about the ‘luxury travel with a conscience’ concept visit www.newzealand-indepth.co.uk or call +44 (0)1298 74040.

Get back to nature at the new Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Swimming elephants and a walk with the Vedda tribe – we’re ready for this new eco lodge in Sri Lanka…

At the northwest boundary of Gal Oya National Park is a new high-end eco lodge ready to show you the real Sri Lanka. Gal Oya Lodge, spread across 20 acres of private forest, promises a luxurious stay in the jungle, with strong eco-friendly credentials.

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Accommodation

Eight spacious bungalows sit nestled in the forest canopy, each with its own breathtaking view thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and private verandas. Each bungalow has a private living room, bedroom with king-size bed, and en-suite bathroom (complete with both indoor and outdoor showers, and ‘his’ and ‘hers’ basins).

Also available is a two-bedroom villa perched at the highest point at Gal Oya Lodge. A large open-plan living space connects the two bedrooms which each have their own wraparound veranda allowing you to gaze at both sunrise and sunset.

Facilities

The lodge has its own restaurant and bar, plus a small organic kitchen garden so you could pick your own chillies for dinner! An outdoor swimming pool, set against the backdrop of the low-lying mountains, offers a refreshing spot for a morning dip.

Excursions

This is where Gal Oya Lodge comes into its own. The owners work with the local Vedda community (the aboriginal people of Sri Lanka) to offer guests unique opportunities, such as walking with the tribal chief to hear more about their way of life. Proceeds are given back to the community through medical and educational schemes.

Being a National Park, this area is a wildlife-lover’s paradise. Guides from Gal Oya can take you on safaris by foot and by boat – the country’s largest lake provides a wonderful vantage point for wildlife spotting, including the sight of swimming elephants!

Alternatively, take a jeep drive through the jungle to the mightly Nigala River which flows under a boulder field.

Recommended for… Wildlife lovers and those interested in the real Sri Lanka

Be aware that… The lodge is in a very beautiful but also very remote location – don’t expect wifi or mobile signal (great for a digital detox!)

‘Good’ credentials:

Solar-powered hot-water system
‘Grey’ water from the rooms and kitchen used in the gardens
Anaerobic waste treatment system
No air-con required as polished concrete floors and high illux roofs provide a naturally cool environment
Tables and chairs made by local craftspeople
Produce grown by the lodge, or sourced from small, local farmers
Medical and educational schemes set-up to help the local Vedda community

For more information, including prices and booking, visit www.galoyalodge.com