In search of some pre-Christmas relaxation and a girly retail therapy Eyes2market’s UK Communications Director opted for the wonderfully atmospheric Riad Armelle (small hotel) within Marrakesh’s medina. 

What an exciting five day trip it was. Stepping out on our first night we were escorted to a wonderful restaurant which served eight exquisite vegetables starters infused with spices, followed by the obligatory, but delicious lemon, chicken tagine, our guide then escorted us back through the deserted medina to our hotel, before riding off on his bike to collect the next set of diners.

The next few days were a whirlwind of walking tours and adventures.  No men travelling with you; be prepared to be pestered quite a lot.  A firm no thank you to all the out of work young men offering to show you to the main square, or the closest museum usually works.

Make sure you get lost in the souk, sights, sounds, colours and aromas that take your breath away make this the highlight of any trip to Marrakesh.  If you stop to look at an item, be prepared to buy it!

The food, almost everywhere we eat was good, and sometimes outstanding, best of all were the pastry shops.

Make sure you include in your trip a visit to the Jardin Majorelle Exotic cactuses and couture in this garden formally owned by Yves Saint Laurent - jardinmajorelle.com.  Always include a day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Just an hour’s drive from down town Marrakesh and yet a lifetime away.  Quiet and serene the snow-capped peaks offer unparelled views.

April 21 – 25 Cricket fans; your chance to soak up the rays and find out why Grenada is one of the safest and friendliest countries in the Caribbean. Only a few places remain to be had at the England V West Indies test match.  Grab them while you can. The following tour operators are offering packages; Cricket Tours; Gullivers Sports Tours: Howzat Travel; Living with the Lions and Sport Tours Plus.

May 8 – 17 Grenada welcomes visitors to the new international Chocolate Festival.  On offer during the week-long chocoholics experience is everything from yoga, mediations and workshops about how chocolate is so good for you, special visits to the Grenada Chocolate factory, to a sunset bonfire and chocolate tasting sessions  Crammed into the busy week are some serious sessions to, including meeting the cocoa farmers. To learn more take a tour around www.chocolate.truebluebay.com/

May 19 – 23 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. A little closer to home, meet the Grenada’s foremost flora and fauna experts and see the splendour of the Spice Islands plants and flowers in the Great Hall Pavilion.  One look at the beauty that the team creates will have you booking a garden tour immediately.  For tickets to RHS Chelsea visit; bit.ly/1CLYx4o

Veranda & Heritage Resorts participated in the Ferienmesse fair in Vienna.

This year the CMT in Stuttgart reports a record visitor number and Tahiti Tourisme did not miss the chance to exhibit in Stuttgart from 17-25.01.2015 as well. CMT Stuttgart is one of the biggest tourism trade fairs in Germany.Together with the South Pacific specialist Lévasion Tours, The Islands of Tahiti were promoted by our colleague Taina. When she wears her traditional polynesian clothes and flowers, no one can just walk by. Taina showed the people the uniqueness of this destination and had very nice conversations that already led to bookings.

Next time you can see Taina at ITB in Berlin in March.

The new educational game “Virtual Island Colombia”, which was invented by Procolombia to improve tour operators´ and travel agents´ knowledge about Colombia, competes in the battle for the Best Practice Award of Travel Industry Club.

Participants of the game may create their own little Colombia through placing of sights, buildings, museums, streets on a Colombia map. New tools and elements may be won through answering of questions concerning regional and cultural questions. The individually created maps are rated on a monthly base whereas particularly committed participants may win spectacular prices. The main winners can look forward to Colombia trips incl. flight and hotel as well as FAM trip participations! But there are many more prizes like travel guides, videos, DVDs, trekking bags, subscriptions to specialist journals, music CDs, hammocks from Colombia and much more!

Participation is rewarding for all participants so do not hesitate and register now at: www.meinkolumbien.de

Are you looking for a special place to get married? Veranda Paul & Virginie in Mauritius is a great choice. Not only can you choose between different set ups, you also have a friendly and helpful wedding coordinator who assists you in making this day a very special one.

In December Tahiti Tourisme invited a group of travel agents who have participated in the Tiare programme to visit Tahiti. Here a few impressions from Bora Bora.

We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did having you.