Getting Under Our Skin - The Black Tomato Weblog

Twittermania

We are fond of our humble little blog. While you’re checking out our lovely trips and planning your next adventure, we like that you stop in here to see what we have to say. It’s a great outlet to keep you up to date with what we’re thinking and hopefully provide a little more travel inspiration when you need to escape the grind. Sometimes reflective, sometimes informative, if there’s one thing we like to do, it’s chat.

Which is why we are excited to have officially joined the world of Twitter. For the uninitiated, it’s a social networking site where you can post updates using up to 140 characters, which then goes to everyone in your network. It’s the perfect format to distill our musings and give you up to the minute deals and insider tips. We really like it (some of us are turning into serial tweeters – not mentioning any names Clemmie). More than just an immediate information portal, it feels equal and open, random and useful. Don’t worry, we’ll still be blogging, but if you want to “follow” us (sounds creepy, but that is the official term), then you can find our Twitter link here:
http://twitter.com/Black_Tomato

Holiday porning

Here at Black Tomato HQ we’re not averse to a bit of high fashion and celebrity gossip. So when we opened the new Grazia this morning we were excited to read that there seems to be a bit of mutual appreciation going on. Black Tomato are given a shout in their hotlist barometer, This Week’s Ups & Downs, in which they posed the question:

“Is anyone else addicted to travel site www.blacktomato.co.uk?”

We are feeling disproportionately thrilled by this little question – not least because we are up there next to Christina Hendricks. She’s the foxy female in Mad Men, which is one of our favourite TV dramas (and the second season starts this evening). So we’re pretty chirpy on all fronts.

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HURRY... this one's sizzling hot

Two hot little tips for a sizzling hot city:

Firstly, one of the most incredible flight deals we’ve had in a long time. Book your return flight to Buenos Aires before February 9^th 2009 and it’ll cost you just £398 return including all taxes (normally prices are in the region of £800).

So, our logic is when you’ve bagged a great deal on your flight, why not treat yourself? Which brings us on to our second piece of news: the official opening of Francis Ford Copolla’s achingly hip property in Palermo Soho, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. We can hire the residence out for you partially or exclusively and, trust us, this is the perfect urban hideaway for a dose of A-list privacy and service.

Boasting three levels of gardens, a solar-heated pool, an outdoor kitchen and parilla, and a beautiful terrace surrounded by plants of all kinds, it is the perfect hidden paradise to get a fresh perspective. In fact, Francis Ford Coppola stays here while he writes as he finds it an inspiring atmosphere in which to live and work (not to mention the fantastic library of wines which adds to the enchantment). And it is walking distance to this city's hip fashion and design boutiques, craft fairs and abundant street culture.

Add in the smattering of haute cuisine and phenomenal nightlife and you’ve got yourself one hell of a holiday. Traditional barbeque restaurants serve tender, succulent beef from cattle ranged on the vast grassy pampas; but you are just as likely to want to pick up the ubiquitous street snack, empanadas (sort of like a mini calzone stuffed with all sorts of delicious fillings). At night this area comes to life with countless bars and restaurants hidden down its quiet residential streets.

Errr….So what are you waiting for?

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Kasbah in the sky

So, we’re bespoke. That means that whatever you’re looking for, we pride ourselves on finding you the perfect solution. It also means that even if you don’t find a particular trip on our website, we’ll still find it for you. Case in point – Bab Ourika. For those of you who didn’t see the Sunday Times travel section at the weekend, Susan d’Arcy wrote a winning review of our newest find – a glorious new Kasbah retreat called Bab Ourika located at the gateways to the Atlas Mountains. And it seems to have struck a cord as we have already had a several requests. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite; just drop us a line if you’d like to find out more.

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Heads up for Valentine

For a Valentines weekend with a twist, consider Estonia. A drop dead gorgeous new property has just opened called Pädaste Manor, marooned on the unspoilt island of Muhu. We think it makes for a refreshing alternative to the Eiffel Tower.

A two-hour drive from Tallinn, this rustic manor is set in a remote spot overlooking a pristine Baltic beach. It is far-flung, but it certainly doesn’t compromise on chic design. In fact we are all out bowled over by this place: warm wooden floors, roaring fires, understated indigenous touches; all framed by magnificent views.

Take an island tour around dolomite caves or navigate the coastline by canoe. Back on dry land there are 12^th-century fortresses to explore, Juniper forests to horse ride through, and frosted landscapes to snow-shoe across. Black Tomato can also hook you up with a local lady called Leida who will teach you the old-fashioned way of baking dark Muhu bread in a woodfired oven. Afterwards kick back with some warm bread and a shot of vodka, share a Muhu bath, or watch a film in the manor’s private cinema.

Beats a box of chocolates.

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Motorcycle Diaries: Peru

 
Hi, I’m Shaun and I am one of Black Tomato’s resident South America experts.

I think that Peru is one of the best places in the world for travelling by motorbike. I also think that it’s only once you get away from the tourist hubs like Cuzco that you get to experience the real Peru. There are lots of dogs trying to bite your heels as you ride past… lots of curious Llamas and Alpacas that pop up to have a look. It’s also magnificently quiet once you get away from the towns.

This photo brings back great memories. I decided to rent a bike and get away for a day to ride this road that I'd heard about that looks out over Mount Veronica (on the side of the Sacred Valley). Up this windy road you get to the “Abra Malaga” (Malaga Pass) where the views are amazing. Behind you are the Andean Mountains with its snow covered peaks, beneath you is the Sacred Valley which leads to Machu Picchu, and in front of you the views stretch over the foothills of Andes to the Amazon Jungle. The affect of the altitude, the silence and the huge condors flying overhead all combine to make you feel tiny…

Locals still live in small stone shelters and huts and wear handmade traditional clothing and, best of all, they love to stop and chat. I remember sitting there for quite some time talking to a local “Campesino” about what life is like for him, his family and his animals. Love that country….

SB

Chico, chico, venga, venga!

Hi, I’m Charlotte. I’m the newest Black Tomato intern and I’ve been set a pretty fun task: brainstorming ways to keep you happy. Good huh? 2009 is all about giving our clients a lovely personal service, with lots of cutting-edge travel inspiration and money-can’t-buy perks. I’ve been thinking up creative ways to get this message across so hopefully we’ll inspire you to keep popping in for more chats when you fancy a break. It got me thinking of my recent time in Bolivia and how the locals would keep their clientele happy. Basically, it was all down to the fresh fruit salads. I just kept going back for more…

There was a fascinating mix of busy streets, sprawling with huge quantities of fresh bread rolls, herbal remedies, coca leaves in small mounds on the pavement; contrasting with the fresh tastes of a bowl of the most delicious strawberries, mangos, pineapples, papayas, bananas and grapes I’ve ever tasted. (Not forgetting the optional yoghurt, chocolate and quinoa sprinkles).

A moment of bliss on the chaotic streets of La Paz market.

It was simple as a tourist. A few words was all it took: “ensalada de fruta, por favour,” and the lady, towering high above from behind her stall, would silently chop up all the fruits packed tightly around her. The only time she would break her silence was to call out to eager looking passers-by – she was one of six fruit stalls you see, all set in a row. This was a cue for all the ladies to pipe up, shouting, “Chico, chico, venga, venga!” She’d continue peeling, cutting and beckoning out to people; sometimes winning over customers, sometimes losing to her rivals.

Besides their fantastic fruit salads, these women whipped up a mean smoothie – a myriad of delicious cocktails, sometimes mixed with milk, yoghurt or water. I’d sit on a bench placed outside the stall, looking out into the chaos. Women carrying large colourful bundles on their backs with children dragging behind; men blending into the background. That’s La Paz.

On my return home I reluctantly accepted that there’d be no more outdoor fruit salad stalls with unwashed, deliciously ripe fruit; instead I’d have to settle for the clinical and carefully wrapped fruit salads from the ever-multiplying chains. That is certainly why travelling makes a nice change. And for me, the kaleidoscope of tastes and smells I remember from that perfect La Paz fruit salad is a great metaphor for what Black Tomato aim to deliver to clients, and what we hope will keep you coming back!

CW

The BT 2009 Travel Forecast (Happy New Year!)

 
So it’s a brand new year, and here at Black Tomato we’re going against the grain of economic gloom and doom and are willing to wager it’s going to be a fantastically exciting 2009. Despite the credit crunch, the signs are surprisingly healthy for high-end travel compared with other industries. It appears that travel is one of the last pleasures we are willing to forego and thank goodness for that because nothing beats a bit of travel therapy to cheer us up. And more good news is that we are finally seeing higher-end, boutique hotels open up in off-the-beaten-track places, so we can combine true adventure trips with an enticing dose of luxury.

Up our sleeves this year Black Tomato have some creative adventures with an ‘educational’ twist, and we’ll be incorporating even more unique and inspirational extras with all of our trips. As always, we’ll be focusing on delivering a personalised ‘concierge’ style of service to make your trips extra special, helping you to weed out the tourist traps and get straight to the heart of the local culture.

Our new year’s mantra is: learn new things about yourself and the world around you, rediscover your joie de vivre and follow your instincts… after all, impulsive actions are often the most enriching. We recommend injecting some light into this time of doom and gloom: jump on a train or plane, head off in a new direction and discover something new. Invigorate yourself with a totally random experience, you’ll come back with a great story and a refreshed outlook on life.

Here’s a bit of inspiration for 2009 – have a good one!

Top 5 “must-see” 2009 destinations
1)     Mongolia
2)     Uruguay
3)     Socotra, Yemen
4)     Galapagos
5)     Bhutan

Top 5 “must-do” 2009 experiences
1)     Skydiving over Everest
2)     Gorilla and game safari in Uganda
3)     Hiking the Black Cat trail in Papua New Guinea
4)     Enfield motor biking through Ladakh, northern India
5)     The Lake of Stars music festival in Malawi

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The world’s first refrigerated beach

 
Is this the world’s coolest beach? Competition to please the international elite is really hotting up… or in this case, cooling down.

Already home to the world’s first seven-star hotel and with the worlds highest building in construction, you would think Dubai has had its fair share of world firsts. Evidently not. Versace is set to create the world’s first refrigerated beach. With summer temperatures reaching a skin blistering 50 degrees, the beach will be designed and controlled with underground pipes, so that top paying guests will be able to walk across the sand without scorching their feet. The swimming pool will be refrigerated and there's even proposals for giant fans, creating a refreshing light breeze while soaking up some Middle Eastern rays. Needless to say, the idea has not gone down well with environmentalists. 

A true desire of the rich, or just a creative way of spending a lot of money? This seems like another marmite moment from the intriguing bubble world of Dubai - love it or hate it, it’s hard to knock their willingness to try to please at any cost. 

JG

Santa's Shoreditch Grotto

I had my suspicions that something was afoot. Firstly, Claire was sneaking around the office yesterday taking surreptitious photos of us all, and there was also a fair bit of whispering, huddling in corners, and mysterious packages exchanging hands. Having said that, none of us were quite prepared for what greeted us this morning: the office was lit up in fairy lights, a big Christmas tree had been tinselled, and a layer of ‘snow’ had been sprinkled liberally over every surface – including the sofas. As you can see, we also have a Black Tomato nativity scene (Claire and Hollie’s handiwork) in which Ken the postman is tucked up in his manger, flanked by snowmen, chicks and Santas. Totally bizarre… we love it.

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