Holiday & Travel

There's a lot to look forward to in Maine in 2017. Adding to the list of the tried and true that makes Maine such a special place are a plethora of new places to dine, stay, play and explore. Maine's first organic distillery opened in 2016 and that fall, Split Rock Distillery opened a tasting room in Newcastle. Split Rock handcrafts their spirits using organic grains, fruits and sugars and draws waters from the purest and cleanest estuary in the Northeast—the Damariscotta River.

The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa has celebrated the completion of the first phase of a two-phase renovation. In a perfect start to the new year, guests will be greeted with a fresh new look and feel in the lobby, with wood plank flooring and a bright, natural colour palette. The redesign of the Catboat lobby bar has created the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail with friends whilst enjoying panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and an expanded freshwater pool with swim-up bar offers breathtaking vistas of the stunning Seven Mile Beach.

Club Med is the world’s only chain of all-inclusive resorts dedicated to Green Globe certification of all properties. Almost three quarters of all Club Med Villages have been certified and last year 14 resorts have attained Green Globe Gold Membership. From Mauritius to Malaysia, Tunisia to Turkey, Morocco, The Caribbean and at home in France, these Gold Member Villages have had their sustainable operations certified for five consecutive years.

Wendy Wu Tours has launched its largest ever selection of offers this January – offering customers the incredible opportunity to upgrade to a fully-flat in-flight bed for free when booking a tour to Asia. “It's very exciting to be able to offer customers this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel in Business or First Class on our tours to Asia. We pride ourselves on offering great value, fully inclusive experiences and combined with exceptional service, these are the key reasons customers choose to travel with us” said Wendy Wu, Founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

Award winning ethical luxury family travel specialist Hands Up Holidays has trips for families to travel and give back and help those less fortunate. And with Hands Up Holidays, all trips are 100% tailor-made to enable travelers to create their ideal ethical luxury family trip that changes lives…not just their own.

What better time than the advent of the New Year to get outside and challenge yourself, your friends and even your family to do something different and enjoy the great outdoors? The Team at Coppermines have put together a list of our top challenging  events … there are things to test and things to enjoy… after all it isn't just about the pain… it's about the taking part too.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada had proudly announced that after their fifth consecutive year of Green Globe recertification, the resort has been rewarded with Gold Membership.The resort now joins an esteemed 79 other members globally, ranks 6th in the Caribbean region and the 1st in Pure Grenada. Owner, Arnold D. Hopkin said, “Since 2003 our resort has been committed to practicing sustainable initiatives. We are honored to have been re-certified by Green Globe and a recipient of their GOLD award."

Located in Seminyak's upmarket Oberoi district, Villa Lulito offers two things. Firstly, a tropical urban escape within easy reach of many unique Bali experiences and secondly, a chic exclusivity to discerning traveller. The villa provides a perfect base for an intimate dinner or before painting the town red. This stylish white-on-white residence with a chic nautical theme and palpable colonial twist is only a short stroll from the beach, world-class restaurants, cool cafes, trendy boutiques and swanky spas.

When the presents have been opened, the crackers pulled and the turkey eaten – we can feel a little bit blue heading into January, so this year why not beat the post-Christmas comedown with an Italian break – where the festive celebrations last until 6th January. On 6th January, Italy commemorates the 12th day of Christmas. Epiphany celebrations include a procession in Vatican City, Milan and Florence, and living nativities are common across the country.

More than 11 and a half million Brits are planning a holiday in the UK over the Christmas and New Year period according to a VisitEngland survey. VisitEngland’s Christmas Trip Tracker Survey reveals that 11.7 million Brits (23% of the adult population) are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this Christmas and New Year, with 9.7 million people (19%) planning an overnight trip in England. 

Icelandic low-cost airline WOW air has announced plans to increase the number of flights from London to popular Canadian destinations Toronto & Montreal to a daily service this spring. From 1 May 2017, the airline will fly daily from London Gatwick to Toronto Pearson International Airport and from 13 June 2017 to Montréal–Trudeau Airport, via Reykjavik.

For the very first time, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests the chance to experience the world-famous Mardi Gras on an epic ex-UK adventure of the Caribbean and North and Central America. Setting sail from Southampton on Fred. Olsen's flagship, Balmoral, offering 18 phenomenal ports of call, plus three full days and two overnights in New Orleans, allowing plenty of time to soak up the carnival atmosphere! 

Families will be spoilt for choice this summer – as Eurocamp launches new, super-active kids' clubs at their popular La Vallée parc, in Normandy. The holiday specialist is offering children the chance to try a range of high-impact and inspiring activities during their stay - all for free. Kids will be able to sign up to a massive range of workshops and tutored sessions, trying their hand at everything from zorbing, kayaking, scootering, archery, mini jet skis and easy breath snorkelling to cooking and clowning.

Taiwan is famed for the spectacular New Year's celebrations which take place in Taipei. On the evening of the 31st December, the capital lights up as people across the city  take to the streets to welcome in the New Year with an impressive fireworks display which lights up the famous 101 building, making Taipei 101 the largest New Year's Eve countdown clock in the world.

Central America is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Home to picture perfect coastlines, luscious rainforests and vibrant cities overflowing with history and culture the seven countries of the Central American region are a perfect holiday choice for couples celebrating Valentine's Day.

NSW boasts 2,000kms of coastline, dotted with chains of tropical and native bush islands, six of which offer island getaways with a unique twist.  Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, “NSW offers travellers some of the most unique island holiday experiences in the world, including the chance to stay on two UNESCO's World Heritage- Listed islands - Lord Howe Island, home to the world's most southerly coral reef, and Cockatoo Island which houses some of Australia's most important convict sites.”