Black Tomato Blog

not your average slideshow

A couple of weeks we gave you a written run down of our year in travel. And whilst we have a ‘whole lot-a love’ for the written word sometimes it’s good to have something a little extra to cast your peepers over right?

So, we’ve taken some time to look through the images we took on our travels in 2009 and pulled together a gallery of some favourites. As ever they’ve stirred some memories, and prompted a ‘my trip was better than yours’ battle at BT, so hopefully they’ll inspire you to get out there and put yourself in these pictures during 2010. See you on the other side.

JG

Click here to see our year in images

dreaming of an (action-packed) white christmas

Hurrah…. the festive season is beginning to kick in. With the tree twinkling away, the annual office booze fest of the Christmas party behind us (though a few hangovers still remain) and, as I sit writing this, snow falling from the sky, it’s finally beginning to look a look a lot like Christmas.

But while we’re all here dreaming of a white Christmas, we’re pretty sure the chances of the snow settling on the streets of Shoreditch are, errm, not all that likely. So, where to head to for some guaranteed snow covered festive fun? Well, last Christmas Matthew Rhys – star of hit TV series Brothers & Sisters - took a trip with us in search of the perfect, white Christmas. So where did he find it? Finland.

Take a look at the article Matthew has written for the latest edition of Elle magazine here. The perfect action-packed white Christmas, straight from horses’ mouth. 

JG

2009 - that was the year that was

With 2010 fast approaching what a year it's been. We started 2009 with the mantra: ‘learn new things about the world and re-discover your joie de vivre’. So hey, that’s what we’ve done.

We checked out 2009’s ‘MUST SEE’ destinations, Syria and the Galapagos (to name a few) and lived out this years ‘MUST-DO’ experience by hiking the intrepid Black cat trail. Sally reported via video from the Sossusvlei, Carolyn got lost at the end of the Earth and Katie took a trip of Biblical proportions. And that’s not even mentioning the Ninjas we fought, the parajets we flew and the marathons we ran (ok, only Jim managed that one). 

We’ve delved deeper than ever before and truly got under the skin of Mexico and Australia, sent journalists meandering down the Mekong Delta and took it back to the ‘old school’ with our offline newsletter ‘Cuttings’ – trust us, it’ll help brighten your commute.

Important lessons have been learnt: Tommy can survive without his BlackBerry, but only thanks to the beauty of Brazil’s beaches, and some places are just a little too good to give away – at least for the time being.
 
We’ve twittered and blogged our travel thoughts away, been lucky enough to win some coveted awards
and even found time to take on some detective work to uncover true gems to bring you some fresh ideas for 2010. (all to be revealed ealry January).
 

But most IMPORTANTLY, we sent so many of you guys off to some of the planet's most jaw dropping places. And that, without a doubt, is what matters most. Will we be able to surpass this next year? Definitely.

JG

souk up marrakech with an expert

Heading into the souks of Marrakech can be intimidating. What if I get lost? How do I know when to haggle, or how much to barter for?

Well, on a recent delve into the winding bustling souks (just last month, in fact) Sally and I found the perfect solution: go with an expert guide.

 

Jimal met us at the door of our riad (La Maison Arabe – a beautiful luxury boutique hotel definitely worth a stay), and walked us to the souks telling us interesting stories along the way. Dressed in traditional clothing and looking wise, Jimal was the perfect host. Not only did we see everything we wanted to see (silver jewellery and leather bags, to be precise) but he told us which stalls to avoid, and also showed us more than a few hidden gems we would have never found by ourselves. We met the wool-dyers who offered us various threads for silk or cotton scarves of our choice, we saw the leather shoe makers and watched a piece of raw animal leather be cut and nailed into a comfy Moroccan slipper, and heard the clink clink of the metalworkers. These guys spend all day tirelessly hammering intricate patterns into metal for stunning lamps, candle sticks and bottle-holders. Sally even had a go at hammering the metal herself – a task only for those with steady hands.

Out of the souks, our expert guide took us to see a natural doctor selling herbs and spices for every ailment, wooden carvers, mosques, museums and minarets. With the call to prayer wailing from high towers around, and sounds, smells and sights of the souk, it was an incredibly atmospheric day. The beauty if it was that we didn’t feel obliged to buy anything (which probably made us buy more) and we came home educated and excited about our new treasures, if not a little dusty…

You can check out the best of Morocco on our from desert to mountains:morocco experience. 

CH

a luxury return to aus

Al here,

Just returned from Australia and I have to admit, I’d forgotten how much I love the country. I’ve been twice as a backpacker and have always wanted to visit again with a bit of money to do it properly. This time, with some friends from Tourism Australia and Emirates, I had an opportunity to see what the destination truly had to offer. And it didn’t disappoint.

For those of you that think Oz is a million miles away (10,562 miles to be exact), fret not, the flight goes very quickly when you’re on the new Emirates Airbus A380. Ok, so Business Class was a bit indulgent, but I thoroughly tested the flat beds and the bar out back; fully stocked with cocktails and snacks to keep you going throughout the flight.

Anyway, first day in Sydney was awesome; despite struggling with jet lag (I must be getting old) we took a guided tour around the harbour in a privately chartered yacht. This is a great way to see the sights of Sydney and later that day I was safely tucked up in bed at the Shangri La dreaming of how precisely I am going to fund a mansion on the waterfront.

The next day, we transferred to Wolgan Valley; a newly opened eco-lodge and spa in the majestic Blue Mountains. You wouldn’t believe the drive on the way in to the property (like something from Jurassic Park) --- I was half expecting to see swarms of dinosaurs roaming the lush valley floor. The lodge is perfectly situated in the centre of the valley with some amazing features, private pools, wildlife viewing platforms, and an ambitiously restored 1832 Homestead. The highlight was the food and wine which really surpassed expectations; hats off to Dwayne (the resident chef) who excelled excellence in the variety of foods married with local wines. There truly aren’t enough superlatives.

After some R&R, aussie-style, we caught a helicopter transfer to the airport via Sydney (fantastic views of the harbour and nearby beaches) for a flight up to Hamilton Island. Staying at Qualia , an ultra luxury 5* resort, is a bit like having your own property on an island paradise. Some great features: views of the surrounding islands from your own plunge pool, possibly the largest bathroom and shower in existence and your own golf buggy (for navigating the island) made this an amazing luxury experience. I’d recommend a round of golf on one of the most demanding and achingly beautiful courses in the Southern Hemisphere, then dinner at the newly opened Yacht Club (designed by the celebrated Australian architect Walter Barda). The food is only surpassed by the design of this remarkable building, and the sunset views over the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.

When we transferred back to Sydney, I have to admit I had a small tear in my eye, so had to drown my sorrows at the Aquarium Bar at Coogee Beach’s Beach Palace Hotel the best place in Sydney for a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun. The flights back to London seemed to go by in the blink of an eye, so with Sydney fast disappearing in the distance I started dreaming my next trip to this awesome country: perhaps Western Australia?

I definitely know where I’ll be spending my next sabbatical from work.

AM

"I've started so i'll finish" - guess the destination

Lots of excitement here. Why? Well, it’s very nearly time for us to reveal where we think you need to be heading in 2010. But while we can’t reveal all just yet, here’s a little distraction for your day, in the name of destination daydreaming.

Yep – the stunning image above is one destination we’re hotly tipping. But where is it? Well, that’s for you to guess. Take a good look and email us with your answer. If you guess correctly we’ll give you more information and 10% off if you book this place when we launch it in the New Year. Thinking caps on.

Oh, and for a little extra distraction (any excuse eh?) have a go on our ‘travel inspirator’ and let your subconscious pick your perfect travel destinations for the New Year.

JG

time for a mexican fiesta

Hola Amigos,

As we sit here gazing out of the window on this typically cold November afternoon we can’t help but think of all the places across the globe where the sun is shining, the drinks are flowing and a party atmosphere is in the air. And who isn’t at this point in time eh?

So, here at Black Tomato HQ we thought it the perfect time to liven up your week and bring a slice of Mexican fiesta into the heart of Shoreditch. Sound good? Well, there’s nothing like a strong margarita (or a dash of tequila if that’s more your style) to brighten up the mid week blues and we’d love for you to come and join us.

We’ll have our experts on hand to mix the drinks, talk travel and keep you entertained.

When? Tues Dec 1st

Time? 18:30 till 20:30

Can you come? We've only got so many margaritas so please RSVP
thevine@blacktomato.co.uk

'cuttings' - nov/dec issue

Online, digital, technology. These are all words we love. It’s the world we live in and it’s what we’re all about. But every now and again (most notably when your BlackBerry’s out of signal on the train) it’s nice to be able to read (and hold) something without staring at a computer screen. Right?

So, here’s the November/December issue of cuttings ready to download and give you a fresh slice of Black Tomato away from the laptop. Packed with articles, opinion pieces and the what’s hot and what’s not in our little world of travel. Think of it as your own slice of hand held Black Tomato insight, and the ultimate way to brighten your commute, or read with a cup of cocoa before it’s lights out.

Click here to get the Nov/Dec edition now

under the skin of australia

So, we've been working on a project we think you'll love. It's called...Australia. Ok, ok, we're not claiming to have invented the country but we have pulled together the best bits to give you a flavour of why it should be on your list this winter (even if you've been before).

Not set foot in this captivating country yet? Well, it's a destination that will totally turn all your expectations on a head. Time and time again this ‘sunburned' land wows us with its ever changing experiences and stunning landscapes that never fail to provide us with those jaw-on-the-floor moments. Lush rainforests, buzzing cities and heat seared Outback, the perfect way to truly escape? Definitely.

get under the skin of australia

From original and revamped classic trips (for that certain je ne sais quoi) to news articles, engaging videos and inspiring galleries (just to name a few). Our new ‘UTSO’ section is the ultimate treasure trove for discovering Australia from the inside.

click here to get under the skin of australia

experience australia

Authentic Outback experiences? Check. Intrepid adventures? Check. Secret island gems, cultural excursions and time-honoured trips with a twist? Check, check, check. We’ve pulled together our top trips to help get your Aussie travel juices flowing.

click here for our top experiences down under

australia in bite-size guides

Diverse, extreme and, well, pretty huge. With its vast range of worlds within a world it’s often hard to know where to start. But fear not. Our bite-size area guides will help direct you through the country and its utterly unique regions.

click here to explore the wheres and whys

hip hotels: our pick of the best

Without a doubt, Australia has more creative, stylish and luxurious boltholes than you can shake a boomerang at. From chic boutiques to luxury swag camping, no one does hotels quite like Australia. And yep, we have the pick of the bunch.

click here for more gems to rest your head
 

jordan: a hot spot of biblical proportions

Hey, Katie here,

I've just arrived back in the office after a few (rather amazing) days exploring the fascinating country of wonders; Jordan. With a whole heap of biblical references and mesmerising scenery, it has to be my new favourite ‘hot spot’ to disappear to. So I thought I’d give you a quick run down and fill you in.

Starting in the busting city of Amman, we were whisked off to the fabulous Four Seasons to be wined and dined through the early evening and long into the night; it soon became apparent that the Jordanians really do love their food! Then, after a peaceful sleep in a bed fit for a king (and breakfast in bed) we were ready to hit the road!

As we journeyed through the architectural wonders of an ancient world passing Bedouins and their flocks of sheep and elegant mosques we were blessed by Sammy the ‘superstars’ presence. A guide whose knowledge was flawless and stories truly unbeatable.

The first big stop (and the one I’d really been looking forward to) was the breathtaking Ma’In Hot Springs.  A little drop of heaven with a certain wow factor that lies 264-metres below sea level. In a world of its own it is the place for a touch of R and R, truly scrumptious food and top notch service. The spa is one that has to be seen to be believed; a completely separate building that lies under one of the hot springs. Treatments galore and trained therapists. Amazing.

The next day we rose early and headed for ‘The Lost City’. Rightfully named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World this should, without a doubt, be in right at the top of your ‘must-do’ list. Once the glittering capital of the Nabataen’s, every tomb and temple was carved with the finest detail - a truly incredible experience

                                                                               .

From one luxury to another, we then drove south to Aqaba, Jordan’s beachside resort for a stay at the Kempinski. An upbeat and contemporary resort that boasts luxurious living; walk in rain showers, glass walls and chocolates waiting on arrival - always a bonus eh?

The final day drew in and what a way to end it. I can now officially say that I have swum in the Red Sea, the Dead Sea and the Hot Springs all in one day. We covered ourselves in mud (supposedly a big treat on the old skin) and took to the water; sure enough you bob up like a cork in a barrel. As the sunset over the backdrop of mountains it was time to leave, but what a way to end an awesome trip. Magic.

If you like the sound of a sun-drenched break in Jordan, take a peek at our make you winter pilgrimage experience.

KH

the wildebeest migration returns to northern tanzania

The Sabora Tented Camp, located in the wilderness plains of Singita Grumeti Reserves in northern Tanzania, is yet again in the midst of an annual migration. Enormous wildebeest herds are returning from the northern Serengeti to join existing populations of zebra, Thompsons gazelles and topi. At this time of the year the herds are typically further north. East Africa has however been experiencing an extended dry spell and last month's early rains in the Grumeti Reserves created a spectacle more reminiscent of the migration seen during the months of June and July. 

For a luxury safari we couldn't recommend Tanzania highly enough and we're rather good at organising them, whether it be a honeymoon safari or that once-in-a-lifetime trip you've been planning for years, we'll ensure you do it in style. So if you want to see this spectacular phenomenon first hand, or to spot the big 5 in all their splendour, get in touch with one of our safari experts and we can start helping you plan your trip.

AM

annapolis: a colonial gem on the chesapeake

Here at the Black Tomato offices, we love talking about new and exciting destinations whether it’s an adventurous safari, luxury weekend away or a trip to a beach paradise. A personal favourite holiday destination of mine is Annapolis, Maryland, which is a few miles from Washington DC and the laid back sailing epicentre of East Coast USA.

In the summers, life revolves around the water there, whether it’s a day out sailing or simply a cocktail by the harbour. If you’re looking for a quaint coastal town, with a buzzing nightlife, and rich history, Annapolis is it.

If you’re in Annapolis, sailing is a must.  Take a cruise on The Woodwind I or II, made famous in the film ‘Wedding Crashers,’ and explore the neighbouring creeks or head to open waters on the Chesapeake Bay. Tie up next to Pusser’s (my favourite bar) and step right from boat to bar for a ‘Painkiller’ – Pusser’s signature cocktail made with British Navy Pusser’s Rum.

Annapolis was one of the States’ first capitals, and in the ‘downtown’ area, you feel like you’re back in colonial times. The red brick Main Street has some great little art galleries and is perfect for grabbing a cupcake (try the Key Lime cake in Nostalgia, my favourite).

If you head out for dinner then there’s no avoiding Maryland’s favourite dish, crab. One of the most exciting culinary experiences is to hire a boat (with captain) and head to Cantler’s to sit down for a Maryland tradition, as your waitress dumps a dozen Maryland blue crabs onto your table and hands you a mallet and a bib. If that all sounds a bit too messy, go for a soft-shell crab dish. Delicious either way.

For a more elegant evening, head over the bridge to Eastport – an extension of Annapolis, and go to the Chart House. Once a boathouse, the fantastic two-storey windows offer the best views of Annapolis. The cocktail lounge is the trendiest spot for a glass of champagne, and stay for dinner for amazing crab cakes (you can’t escape crab here) and the mouth-watering chocolate lava cake that I rarely have room for.

For sports fans - Annapolis is home to the US Naval Academy whose games are always a great day out. I love going to football games in autumn, the opening ceremony is worth the trip in itself. The entire Academy marches onto the field while fighter jets fly over your heads. Quite the spectacle.

I could go on, but I hope that’s given you an idea of all the reasons I love Annapolis. One of the best spots to visit in the States if you ask me. 

If you want to check out more of our holiday destinations in North America then click here.

ode to shaun

All good things must come to an end at some point. And today is one such time. Shaun, one of our South American experts, is leaving team tomato today and heading out in search of snowy pastures.

We're without a doubt going to miss having him around the office so we thought we'd share this little poem dedicated to the great guy himself.

enchanting sri lanka and maldives

Hi, it's Carolyn here.

I've just gotten back from a totally entrancing visit to Sri Lanka which I wanted to share with you all.

We kicked off our trip with a few days lying on what has to be the world’s most achingly perfect beach at Cocoa Island in the Maldives – perfect shock therapy for our London-frazzled nerves (and a highly recommended way to start).

Sun kissed and de-stressed, we landed in Colombo primed for adventure...  we knew we’d like it but we were totally unprepared to love this tear-drop island so unreservedly.  Beyond its many obvious advantages (piles of UNESCO World Heritage sites, lush and varied scenery, soul-stirring palm-studded beaches), there are two things that make Sri Lanka such an amazing discovery: the first is the people – from the waving schoolchildren to the smiling villagers, this has to be the friendliest country ever. The highlight of was our cultural ambassador (our heaven-sent chauffeur-guide) who spent the drives in between our many destinations regaling us with everything from the latest cricket updates to ecological factoids to ancient local lore... he was indispensable, utterly charming, and made the whole adventure an absolute dream.

The second incredible advantage to Sri Lanka (and a reason to hurry there now rather than later) is that the recent (now resolved) political turmoil has kept away both masses of tourists and the mass-market hoteliers that cater to these unwieldy hoards. Instead, Sri Lanka’s many stylish accommodations are by-and-large operated by artistic, bohemian types building a life and legacy here as a labour of love – each place we stayed was imbued with a totally different and equally enchanting character.

 

Coupled with the lack of high-speed motorways that make travel necessarily leisurely, Sri Lanka is a perfect embodiment of the boutique, slow-travel ethos. From the baby monkeys playing on our balcony on our first morning to elephant families in Minneriya National Park to the rickety colonial-era train we took up to the tea country and the breathtaking views when we got there, we were totally hooked and by day three we were plotting a return with family, friends – anyone we could physically push onto a plane.

Get thee to Colombo – you won’t regret it.

CA

If you like the look of this trip to Sri Lanka check out our Countryside to Coast experience or give us a call on 0207 426 9888 and we can help design your perfect trip.

sunday shining

This office is always full of stories on a Monday morning. People returning from weekends spent discovering new travel experiences abroad. It all makes for a frequently exotic response to the usual ‘what did you get up to this weekend’ question in the office kitchen as we’re preparing pots of caffeine to get us through the day.

And whilst we love heading off to discover the new, the weird and outright wonderful, I think that sometimes it pays to look a little closer to home. With that in mind I enjoyed a day this weekend, that was, well, hardly exotic but gave me a lovely little slice of London life that for anyone reading this blog outside of the UK, should absolutely make sure they do next time they are in our manor.

No, it’s not edgy and no it’s not pushing boundaries but it is what the English do very well. Relaxing in gorgeous pubs and parks and in this instance without another tourist in sight...

I managed to make the most of the sunny weather this Sunday with a stroll down to my pub of the moment, The Prince Arthur. The pub is one of those places you could spend an entire week in, let alone a Sunday armed with the nation’s finest broad sheets (the News of the World was left on the shelf this weekend). So I made the short walk from Hackney over to London fields with a couple of friends to see what all the fuss is about.

The pub is immaculately turned out, with antique pictures of the surrounding area (Dalston Lane, Mare Street, Hackney Central) along with stuffed animals on the walls, and the staff are very friendly.  The food is exceptional (the monster sized onion rings are perhaps the best I have tasted in London) and the roast dinners are so big they could almost qualify as torture.

After putting ourselves through a pretty strenuous food-based workout, we decided that a stroll through London Fields would be the best form of working off the excess calories. With the leaves still falling from the trees, the park was in full autumnal flow and the brief walk down to Broadway Market encapsulated how diverse and enjoyable this city really is.

A couple of beers with an old school chum in the evening topped off an amazing autumnal day in London.

AM

our favourite mexican: green & red

Don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that the shops in London have started stocking Xmas decorations already. It’s only the first week of October and I’m already starting to get annoyed. With this in mind, I spent most of Wednesday afternoon working out where I’d rather be right now (the answer is on a beach in Cabo San Lucas). After fielding a call from my little sister (very happy – just got a new job) I suggested we head out to celebrate somewhere a bit Mexican.

Our chosen destination was GREEN & RED, and if you haven’t been, it’s one of those rare finds – a Mexican cantina without a single Burrito or Fajita in sight. The cuisine is 100% authentic, with a mains and tapas-style menu offering a huge assortment of dishes.

Once welcomed in from the rain, we headed straight for the bar which served several different varieties of Margarita as well as a selection of wines and local beers. We tucked into a couple of margarita’s and decided to order some tortillas and guacamole while we waited for a table (no reservation – not very “American Psycho”).

We were sat pretty quickly and I was glad to find that the menu (in Spanish) was accompanied by a glossary (in English) called “WTF am I eating?” which made ordering less hassle than expected. We decided to order a selection of tapas, and given my predilection for passing out after a sniff of Tequila, I swiftly moved on to one of the local beers.

When they arrived the dishes were fantastic: the Picadillo de Jalisco, a spicy Mexican chilli with slices of what looked like chorizo (It’s always hard to tell with chilli) was excellent; the Ceviche de Pulpo, a squid ceviche, was tangy and took some of the bite out of the chilli; and the Sopa de Frijoles Negros (a bean and tortilla soup) was outstanding.

The service was a bit slow at times but primarily because the restaurant was packed on a Wednesday evening. When the bill came it was under £30 a head all in - very reasonable. Definitely going again.

AM

latest TV: skywalker

We at Black Tomato consider ourselves fearless in terms of finding new experiences to make your travel plans a bit more exciting. However, after watching Daredevils on Channel 4 last night we’re all suffering from a bit of vertigo today.

If you didn’t manage to catch the programme, it followed Dean Potter and his attempt to walk across a slack-line, unaided over a 3,000 feet drop in Yosemite National Park (imagine a huge length of rope tied between two rocks and you get the picture). Dean is one of the most famous extreme slack-liners in the world, and the only one to attempt to cross these ropes at such a high altitude without a pole (used for balance) or any kind of safety equipment.

There are echoes of Man on Wire with this breathtaking feat. Dean doesn’t have the Gallic flair of the enigmatic Frenchman, Philippe Petit, who crossed the twin towers of the World Trade Centre on a high wire, but he has an inherent likeability stemming from his quiet and understated nature on camera.

What really sets his crossing apart from the Frenchman's is the mental strength he exhibits in attempting to carry out the walk totally unaided. That, combined with amazing views of the valley floor, over 3,000 feet below him make this an unmissable spectacle (to put this into perspective the drop would fit both of the former World Trade Centre twin towers stacked on top of each other with room to spare).

If you want to follow in Dean’s footsteps we can recommend our Heavenly Landscapes trip to Patagonia, Chile. Dean was himself the first ever climber to free solo climb (without ropes or assistance) two of the most challenging routes in Patagonia, and you can explore the area from the truly unique and wonderful Hotel Remota in Puerto Natales, the geographical and cultural heart of Chilean Patagonia. The Hotel Remota is 93 miles from the Torres del Paine national park and must rank as one of the most striking locations of any hotel in the world.

You can catch a replay of Skywalker in full on 4oD and we wholeheartedly recommend it (but not for the faint hearted though).

AM

how to travel back in time (no flux capacitor required) by black tomato

This New Year’s we’ve come up with an amazing trip-of-a-lifetime that lets you to ring in 2010 not once, but twice.

Fly off on Boxing Day to Auckland and arrive at the luxurious Westin Auckland Lighter Quay. Spend your days chilling in the spa, or if you fancy, head out and explore the city. 

On December 31, don your party hat and take in the fireworks over the Harbour Bridge as you sip on a glass of bubbly to welcome in the New Year.... for the first time.

After the revelry of your city celebrations, it’s time to hop in your Delorian (alright, so it’s an aeroplane). Leave Auckland on January 1, 2010, and by the time you get to the island of Aitutaki (part of the Cook Islands) it’ll be December 31, 2009. Neat huh?

Once you’ve ditched Doc Brown (he’s off to stock up on his plutonium) settle in to your luxurious waterfront bungalow and get ready to enjoy your last meal of 2009 (really this time).  Then it’s time to dust off your party hat and bring in 2010 for the second time; except this time skyscrapers and crowded streets have been replaced by tall palm trees and pure white sand.  Amazing.

Find out more about this amazing new year holiday.

EB

the fantastic four (and not a spandex suit in sight)

Ok, We’re all aware the summer months are drawing in (it’s all people seem to be talking about at the moment) but we’ve been looking to the future and getting rather excited about the possibilities across the globe for that much needed pre-Christmas get away.

But where to? Well, the brilliant thing about this time of year is that there are great opportunities across all four corners of the globe – no limitations now.  So with that in mind we’ve dusted off the compass and picked four of the most exciting, luxurious and up-lifting experiences each in their prime before the madness of Christmas kicks in.  

Four countries, four continents and four completely different mind blowing trips..

Norway – Northern lights

Husky sleds, snowmobiles and of course, the most dazzling, awe-inspiring light show on planet earth. Within the Arctic Circle, Svalbard archipelago is so far North Polar bears outnumber humans. Eek. A once-in-a-lifetime and utterly unique winter break.

Click here for an Arctic adventure

Namibia – Sossusvlei

The absolute ‘must-do before you die’ trip. To experience the baron yet achingly beautiful Skeleton Coast is something of complete wonder and a Black Tomato office favourite. If this doesn’t transport you to a whole different world this winter, nothing will.

Click here to safari into the Namibian wilderness

China – Yunnan

November is the time to visit China. Full stop. Perfect conditions to experience Yunnan province away from the bustling crowds. Trek through sub-tropical forests, tea plantations and stay in ethnic villages for an utterly absorbing pre-festive escape.

Click here to trek through secret China

Cuba – Havana

You want to leave the dark days and cold weather behind for a week or two right? One answer. Cuba. Experience the infectious soul of Havana before topping up on a much needed dose of vitamin D on its pristine beaches. A tropical paradise out of the cold. 

Click here to escape to the real Cuba

top destinations for autumn from tommy, james (jimbo) & matt

 

Black Tomato’s three founders gathered around the Tomato Bar to discuss, chat and share their top tips on where they think you should be heading this Autumn and hopefully help you with some holiday inspiration.

If you’re with Tommy and fancy a slice of Namibia, have a look at our Skeleton Coast Safari experience. If you’re more into James’ idea take a peak at our bespoke trips to tropical Indonesia or if Matt won you over, check out the seriously stylish Kadju House in Sri Lanka.

how to avoid being eaten on safari

With all our travelling we’d like to think we’re experts on how to avoid sticky situations, be mindful of etiquette abroad and generally make the most of our time off. So whatever your particular pickle, these ‘best case scenario’ videos should lend a helping hand – believe us, we’ve been through it all.

Here’s our best case scenario on how to avoid being eaten on safari.

Now you’re all set; read our run down of some of our favourite luxury safaris, or check out our  big six Uganda safari our Zambia safari or our Kenya safari experiences.

there's nothing like a good travel cliché

Travel is full of clichés and most of us want to spend our lives avoiding them. Tour buses, donkeys and sombreros, ‘authentic’ local experiences that feel just a little contrived? No thanks. However, on the odd occasion a travel cliché demands to be done and to be celebrated because it really does offer you one of the best ways to experience a place.

So in a rare shout out for following a cliché, here's a couple for you to enjoy this autumn that no-one could ever be ashamed of doing.

Dance the tango in Argentina.

I know,  we’ve all seen strictly and heard about the passion of this signature Argentine dance. So it may be a little clichéd, but trust me, there is nothing like this strut for lifting the soul and showing off the true passion of Buenos Aries.

Overnight train journeys in India.

It seems any trip to India requires a train (if recent Indian films are anything to go by) – romantic and atmospheric? Yes. Clichéd? Possibly. But in a good way.  There’s nothing quite like a train journey to get under the skin of India. Take an overnight train from Delhi to Kathgodam. Memories forever.

Come on, celebrate these glorious clichés .

EB

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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