The hotel itself is very well looked after and the staff really do go out of their way to help you and make sure you stay is as perfect as possible.

This particular area of Mauritius is known for having the best beaches and we certainly were not disappointed. The water is warm and the reef creates nice calm waters to swim in. Although it is recommended to swim with coral shoes on, mostly because of urchins, the beach in front of the hotel is very clean with very little coral and no urchins to be seen.

We took the glass bottom boat tour, which last around an hour, and once you have gone out a little there certainly are tons of urchins, so if you are planning on swimming out, make sure you have shoes on to protect your feet. The glass bottom boat trip was nice, however if I have to compare the fish life to places like Thailand and Maldives, Mauritius will leave you wanting more. If you are looking for a good snorkelling holiday, I can highly recommend Thailand and Maldives and they are the two best places I have ever snorkelled.

Tours – Our tour operator has a representative that met us on the first day we were there to discuss tour options and prices. It is of course very convenient and easy to book with them, however the prices are MUCH higher than if you walk into Flic en Flac and book a tour with one of the operators in town. We found a tour operator just passed the Spar in Flic en Flac run by a guy named Michael, he was very professional and his prices were less than half of what the hotel operators would have charged us. The tours are exactly the same tours as offered by the hotel and there is a good chance when they come to fetch you from your hotel, they will be fetching other guests that booked through the hotel as well, so the only difference is the price that you pay.

Drinks – Sofitel drink prices are pretty darn high to say the least, however the prices are very comparable to Paris prices (around 6 Euro for a beer). A beer in one of the restaurants or at the bar will cost between 210 – 270 rupees. I ordered a beer at dinner the first night – Phoenix, which is locally made and very nice indeed – and paid 210 rupees. I bought the same beer at Spar the next day for 20 rupees….. that’s more than 10 times the price at the hotel!!! This doesn’t just apply to beer, it applies to soft drinks, water etc.

Spar (Grocery Store) in Flic en Flac – From Sofitel hotel the two easiest ways to get to the Spar are to walk – which will take around 45 – 60 minutes, or take a taxi which will cost 200 rupees. Taxi’s are parked outside the hotel and there is never a shortage of them. We were trying to do the holiday on the cheap, so most of our drinks and snacks we bought from the Spar and we saved a bundle in comparison to buying everything from the hotel. 6 bottles of still water (1.5 litres) sells for 80 rupees (hotel charges 130 for a single 1 litre bottle), Phoenix beer is 20 rupees per bottle and all other drinks are a fraction of the price of the hotel. There is a mini bar in the room, so you can fill it yourself with your own drinks to keep them cool ?

Guests – The guests at Sofitel are about 95% French and 5% Brit, German, Italian and South African. I didn’t notice any other nationalities there, but since Mauritius is French speaking, French is the main language used everywhere although all the staff at the hotel and on all your tours are fluent in English.

Rooms – The rooms are very nice with plenty of space. We had a king size bed with the most amazing down feather duvets and mattress cover, it truly feels like you are sleeping on a cloud, but make sure you turn the A/C on in the room or you will wake up in a sweat! The rooms are also equipped with a LCD TV on the wall, Mini Bar, A/C, Small Table with two chairs, Lots of dressing room cupboards (walk in dressing room), separate toilet, bathroom which has two basins (his and hers), bath and a massive shower. We had a room downstairs which has a nice patio with table and chairs and a nice view of the sea. I cannot fault the rooms at all, although our toilet was broken when we arrived (air bubbles), it was fixed the very next day.

Food – Sofitel certainly is not shy with the amount of restaurants they have to choose from and with a total of 5 restaurants you should not have a problem with finding something that will suit your needs. The main dining room area which does not require a booking, is buffet style with a different theme each night. There is a Chinese and Japanese restaurant upstairs, both of these require a booking and on Wednesday night they have a duck evening which you will need to book a couple days in advance for. The seafood restaurant which is on the beach (FANTASTIC setting under the stars) has a Lobster evening twice a week, but confirm with the front desk which evenings it will be. This will also require a booking in advance and costs 2900 rupees, if you are on half board they give you a 700 rupee discount. Sadly we did not get our booking in time so were unable to do the lobster evening, however a couple nights later we went to the seafood restaurant on the beach and just ordered lobster anyway.

Bars – There are two bars in the hotel, one on the beach, and one next to the pool and reception area. Every day there is happy hour (half price) but consult the day events planner that is left in your room each night to find out which bar is having the happy hour and which hours, it does differ from day to day. Cocktails are in the region of 250 – 400 rupees (normal price).

Spa – We were lucky enough to get a free massage included with our package and I have to say this was the best massage I have ever had, anywhere! Massages and Spa treatments are 20% off if you book during the day, and most treatments cost in the ball park of 4000 rupees (standard price). The spa has very nice and clean changing rooms, they supply dressing gowns and towels and private rooms for you to have your before massage drink. You will then be escorted to your massage room for 60 minutes of bliss (longer massages are also available). After your massage, you can use the sauna, steam rooms, showers, and of course laze in the pool which the whole spa is set around. It is very quiet and you are not likely to bump into more than 1 other couple in the spa. After your spa they will also leave you to enjoy your tea by the pool or on the deck overlooking the gardens and water features.

City: Flic en Flac (Wolmar)

Country: Mauritius

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Lakerala, Tour operating Division functioning under the banner of M/s Matoz Business was incorporated in the year 2006, having its head office in Cochin City, the commercial capital of Kerala, known as Gods own Country.

Lakerala have a list of well satisfied clients of International companies from India and abroad who have been recommending them to their friends and colleagues and have been their repeat clients.

As Lakerala have been in the Hospitality business, they are well connected with all categories of Hotels and Resorts. Visit: http://www.lakerala.com

Website: http://www.lakerala.com

City: Trivandrum

Country: India

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New Orleansis a very beautiful city of USA. Its Looking very beautiful in night due to its glittering light. This is also famous worldwide due to lots of tourist attractions. Thousands of tourist comes here every year for enjoying their vaction. If you have planned your vactions in New Orleansthen you have a great opportunity to book your luxurious hotels online at 70% discounted rate. All hotels are located near famous tourist attractions. To get discount just use discount code mention on the website.

Website: http://www.hotels2stay.net/hotel-reviews/new-orleans-hotels-reviews.html

City: New York

Country: USA

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If you are looking forward to touring Southern India, then it’s always better to go for Kerala Backwater tour program. There can be no comparison to Kerala Backwater tour as it provides you opportunity to view the accumulation of sea water at the beach. The best and the key highlight of Kerala backwater tour is it serves as one of the 1001 best attractions of the world, and even takes you to a mesmerizing voyage to virgin green countryside. Today backwater in Kerala plays the most vital role in the industry of tourism of Kerala and even features some of the most popular destinations.
The state offers an enthralling experience with its captivating landscapes, mind blowing backwaters, majestic hills, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, tea plantations, and last but not the least, its stunning sun-kissed beaches. With the hordes of tourists and travelers visiting Kerala for spending holidays, Kerala tourism is rising at great strides. Apart from an excellent getaway to nature, Kerala tourism is also redefined as Kerala Health Tourism, Kerala Backwater Tourism, Kerala Culture Tourism, Kerala Beach Tourism, and many more.

Kerala Tourism offers a variety of tourism options in Kerala. From wildlife tourism to medical tourism and Pilgrimage tourism the state offers everything. The Kerala Tourism and archaeological department have taken good steps to preserve state’s archaeological remains and uphold its rich culture. With the provision of stat-of-the-art facilities by travel agencies, transport departments and hotels and resorts, thanks to Kerala Tourism, the God’s own country is more charming, more comfortable and more rewarding for that mesmerizing holiday experience.

Lakerala, Tour operating Division functioning under the banner of M/s Matoz Business was incorporated in the year 2006, having its head office in Cochin City, the commercial capital of Kerala, known as Gods own Country.

Lakerala have a list of well satisfied clients of International companies from India and abroad who have been recommending them to their friends and colleagues and have been their repeat clients.

As Lakerala have been in the Hospitality business, they are well connected with all categories of Hotels and Resorts. Visit: http://www.lakerala.com

As we have been in the Hospitality business, we are well connected with all categories of Hotels and Resorts.

1. Tour packages

1. Catering to tourists from all parts of India and Abroad
2. Readymade packages and Tailor made packages for Kerala and Tamilnadu, the- Southern most part of India
3. Packages to suit all budget
4. Pilgrimage to all Holy places/Sites .

2. Accommodation

1. In Luxury, Deluxe and Standard Hotels and Resorts
2. Deluxe and Standard Home stays
3. On C.P (Continental Plan) MAP (Modified American Plan) AP ( American Plan)

3. Transportation

Travelers Choice

A Sister concern of M/s Matoz, started functioning in the year 2009, with a fleet of Chauffeur driven Luxury and Semi Luxury Sedans, standard cars with and without A/c, 14/17/20 seater Tempo Traveler, Luxury and Deluxe coaches (A/c & Non A/c)

Website: http://www.lakerala.com/

City: Trivandrum

Country: India

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The Sunday we arrived in Bangalore and had already prearranged a taxi (from the hotel one of us was staying at) to fetch us from the airport. This went without a problem, and the driver was waiting for us on the other side of baggage claim with a board with our names on it. The driving to the hotel was an experience on its own, but that is another story for another review.

Once at the hotel, I needed to get to the office I was working at in Bangalore, so called the front desk to ask for a taxi, 15 minutes later the taxi from Meru was there and they took me to office, although they got totally lost and had to stop for directions 6 times to ask the locals on the side of the road where the Cisco buildings were, I reached my destination.

The rest of the week however, was a totally different story. I would be finished work between 7pm – 8pm and on the first day, I naturally assumed I could just call a taxi and it would be there within a few moments. Monday I called the Meru taxi company in Bangalore and asked for a taxi to fetch me from the Cisco offices and take me back to the hotel, I was informed that the wait for a taxi would be 3 hours!!! Long story short, I called the hotel and had one of their drivers fetch me, and only had to wait 25 minutes for collection.

Tuesday, was a public holiday in India, and I knew a little better this time to order in advance, so I called Meru Taxi’s 2 hours before I needed collection, and they were able to assist. When the taxi driver dropped me off at the hotel, I asked if it would be possible for him to fetch me again at 10pm that evening. He assured me that this would be no problem, and he gave me his mobile number and said I should call him at 9:30pm to find out the exact time he would arrive. He explained that the traffic in Bangalore is so bad that he would either be there between 9:45 and 10:15 so calling him would be best to find out the exact time. 9:30pm, I call the cab driver and ask where he is, I was informed that he was now at the airport and that he can’t fetch me….end of story…he was just not willing to come all the way back for the fare. So I called Meru Taxi’s call centre and tried to book another taxi, I was informed that between 12:30 – 1:30 AM was the earliest a taxi could be there…. Yet again I used the Hotels private driver.

So to cut a long story short, Wednesday I had a similar problem and was informed a taxi would take 4 hours to arrive, so I booked my return trip at the same time, which arrived 2 hours late!!! Thursday I booked the taxi in the morning (9am) for collection at 8pm, he made it one time, but was unable to get another lift later that evening. Due to this, the rest of my trip I just used the hotel’s driver.

So in conclusion… If you need to get around in Bangalore, good luck with using the taxi service of Meru Taxi’s! Rather stay at a hotel that will charge you 5 times as much as the Taxi company, but will give you piece of mind, and will be able to get you from A to B in a sufficient time frame.

City: Bangalore

Country: India

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Firstly, let’s look at living costs. We all know they’re high compared to SA (compared to pretty much anywhere for that matter!), but you need to stop converting costs to Rands as quickly as possible, or you won’t sleep at night and will probably starve to death. So long as you’re not on a fixed and limited income, it will usually be enough to have a reasonable life. A major new cost will be energy – heating your home in winter. These costs have risen dramatically in the past year, though if you’re 60 or older you get an annual payment from the government of £200-£250 towards these costs. There’s also fairly healthy competition amongst many energy suppliers, and you can easily change to make savings.

Another cost which can easily be substantial is transport, so bear that in mind if you plan to live quite far from work. Petrol costs are higher than SA, and public transport is also expensive – though it is generally excellent, and you may not even need a car. Food costs are fairly steep, but again there’s lots of competition amongst the major supermarket chains, so good deals are available. But best forget throwing steaks on the braai (remember it’s a “barbecue” here). Talking terminology, your cellphone is a “mobile” – possibly logical, but a little obscure.

One cost that South Africans will appreciate is Broadband internet. And it’s not just cost – it’s choice of packages, high speeds, and often unlimited downloads – allowing you to watch TV or anything else online.

Overall, whatever costs you’re looking at, there’s good competition, and there are many price-comparison websites that can save you a fortune on anything from broadband to car insurance to holidays and air fares, etc. Don’t just walk into a store to buy furniture, electricals, or anything else – check online.

Next, housing costs. These vary dramatically from one part of the country to another, with the south-east of England generally being most expensive. The credit crunch/recession has reduced prices a lot in the past year, though obtaining a mortgage is still difficult. But you’ll still find prices “ridiculous”, and standards lower than SA. But guess what? No burglar bars and security systems! And remember something that many people overlook, or don’t fully appreciate: lower interest rates means you’re paying off the capital cost of your home much quicker.

Now to education. Here I’m in difficult territory, as my family are married themselves. But quality of education seems to vary a lot over the country, with many couples choosing a home in an area with “good” schools. It’s a sensitive subject, with many schools insisting on local residence, so I can only advise that you check more deeply if this is important to you.

Next, climate. You know already that it’s a whole new ballgame from SA! But – perhaps surprisingly for a small country – temperatures can vary a lot from Scotland to England, as can rainfall and other conditions. For example, average temperatures in Central Scotland are generally 4-5 degrees lower than Southern England. But often, choosing the latter will result in higher house costs and congested roads, so like many things it’s down to trade-offs and personal preference.

Thus far, I haven’t mentioned job opportunities and salaries. These are clearly of huge importance to most people, but in the midst of global recession it’s dangerous territory. I guess I should restrict my remarks to saying that in normal circumstances there’s a massive range of opportunities, but moving to the U.K. “on spec” at this time could be highly risky. Personally, I’d recommend an “interview trip” initially, after hopefully setting up a few via online recruitment sites. As to salaries, these vary enormously like anywhere else, but the U.K. has some very high earners, and like I said at the beginning, converting anything to Rands is not a good idea.

So, anything good about living in Britain? For sure,  there’s the NHS health system, so you don’t have to pay high contributions to medical aid schemes, but know you’ll be taken care of if things go wrong. That can be particularly important in later life. And the social security system goes far beyond the NHS: this is a country that will not leave you homeless or starving, for example; I’d describe it as a caring society. The government is non-corrupt, and accountable – they appreciate that they work for us, and not vice versa. Employment and other policies are not hamstrung by such things as BEE.

A major reason for many people leaving SA is crime, so a few comments on that is appropriate. I guess most people will have already researched this if it’s important to them, but let’s start by saying that guns are illegal in the U.K., and only the most extreme criminals have them. Hi-jacking is unknown, and murder rates are a tiny fraction of those in SA. As I mentioned before, you don’t need burglar bars and security systems, as house-breakings are not a major problem. The U.K.’s major crime problem relates to drunkenness, street fights and knife attacks, but generally it’s not too hard to avoid that. One reason for the reduced crime levels is the attitude of society and the police services – serious crimes are frequently solved in days – rather than NEVER.

So that’s my quick summary. I’d only add that if you’re considering re-locating here, I believe it takes up to 3 years to adjust. You may accomplish it sooner, but that’s a good rule of thumb.

City: Helensburgh

Country: Scotland

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I recently went to Mossel Bay on a holiday for a week and found the most beautiful “home from home” house to rent which has three double bedrooms, two bathrooms (both with showers) open living area, lounge, dining and kitchen. The views are spectacular and I really enjoyed lying in bed every morning watching the sun rise over the mountains and the bay. The house is equiped with two double beds and two single beds and a studio couch in the lounge which can also be used as a double bed. In other words it sleeps 8! Everything is new, neat and shining like a new pin! DSTV is also avaialable on request. The kitchen is well equiped and the house is close to shopping malls and the main “village”. There is so much to do in the area including visits to seal island (which you can see in the photo which I took from the main bedroom) visiting the museum (a must!!) and many many resturants beaches etc etc. It is about 45 mins from the George Airport and also very close to George, Knysna and Plett which we visited while we were there. You can contact the owners Fred and Maggie on 0724188780 for a booking. Very Very worth while but book early so that you are not disappointed!!

City: Mossel Bay

Country: South Africa

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I recently did a trip down memorty lane with my sister to the Hogs Back. When I was younger, my grandfather owned a farm in Alice, Eastern Cape, and as children we would go up to the Hogsback for holidays.
This time I stayed in a bed and breakfast run by a really nice lady, Ingrid, called Granny Mouse House. It is in such a beautiful setting, the room we had was stunning and the food was fab. Ingrid is a great animal lover and she has the most beautiful dogs who kept us company by the fire but were not in the least intrusive.
I really recommend a stay in this lovely paradise. Check out the website at www.grannymousehouse.co.za or contact Ingrid via email for more information at ingi@iafrica.com. I’m sure she will look after you as well as she looked after us!

City: Hogs Back

Country: South Africa

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