1S

Saturday, April 19, 2014

51

FOR the first time ever, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is offering Scots a no-fly Caribbean cruise right from their doorstep. The 32-night Caribbean from Scotland cruise on board the 804-guest Black Watch, will depart from Greenock on November 10. The voyage will take in 12 sun-drenched islands, including

Barbados, the West Indies, St. Maarten and Antigua. Prices start from just 2,799 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin inside cabin, including all meals, entertainment and port dues. For more information visit fredolsencruises.com or call their reservations on 0800 0355 242.

THE worlds biggest travel magazine has named a guided holiday of the Outer Hebrides as one of its 50 Tours of a Lifetime. National Geographic Traveler chose Wilderness Walking: The Outer Hebrides and Skye operated by Aviemore-based Wilderness Scotland as the

only UK entry in its prestigious 2014 list. The six-day tour from Inverness takes in Harris, Skye and Scalpay, and was named alongside worldwide tours such as kayaking in the canals of Venice and trekking across the Serengeti plain.See wildernessscotland.com/ adventures.php?tripID=152

ITS 21Cin TENERIFE and seven nights all-inclusive at the 3 H Oasis Mango Apartments in Los Cristianos is from 316 per person, with flights from Edinburgh on June 4. See easyJet.com/holidays or call 0843 104 1000.

HOT SPOT

6 pages of holidays

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC is 30C two weeks allinclusive at the 4 H ClubHotel Riu Bambu Premier Resort is from 824 per person. Includes flights from Glasgow on may 8. See firstchoice.co.uk or call 0871 200 7799.

HOT SPOT

RELAX AND ENJOY PAMPERING AT LUXURY HOTEL

ONE small step for man, one giant leap for Mearnskind.
Ill admit to being slightly nervous as I prepared to go for a spa treatment at luxurious Mar Hall on the outskirts of Glasgow.

After all I was about to become the first man from the Howe o the Mearns (Google it: Lewis Grassic Gibbon, farms and Ryan Gauld) to go for a facial and a scalp message. But, as it turns out, Id very little to worry about. And now Ive blazed a trail, I expect to see male grooming salons popping up from Fettercairn to Fordoun. In fact, my spa treatment was so relaxing I momentarily fell asleep only to be awoken by the sound of myself snoring. Mar Halls facilities are certainly impressive a serene, tranquil haven where you can let your troubles slip away. Now, given going to a spa is a completely unique event for me, Ive nowhere else to compare it to.

MAR-VELLOUS . . . hotels spa, Marc making most of it, and the grand hall

Team know their stuff

So it was just as well I brought my missus along. She goes to spas ALL the time and she says Mar Halls treatments are up there with the best. We were staying at this plush five-star resort in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, for a couple of days of muchneeded R&R. Set in a 240-acre woodland estate, this Edwardian mansion is an impressive sight, with stunning views over the River Clyde and its own golf course. You couldnt fail to be impressed upon checking in by the magnificent Grand Hall, where we immediately settled down for a lovely Afternoon Tea. And that was just a taste of things to come. We dined both nights in the hotels Cristal restaurant. Its clear the kitchen team, led by executive chef Eric Avenier, clearly know their stuff. The menu is packed full of wonderful Scottish produce from Highland venison to Loch Fyne mussels. On the second night, after enjoying a wonderful sirloin steak 24 hours before, I plumped for the canon of

venison. Now, Im no Egon Ronay but as a country boy I know a fair bit about game. If there is pheasant, guinea fowl, deer, etc on a menu, Im guaranteed to get my chops round that. And I can honestly say that canon of venison was probably the finest cooked piece of meat Ive ever tasted in my life. And it was wonderfully complimented by rosti potato, red cabbage confiture, haggis bonbons and redcurrant sauce The missus was also pretty delighted with the freerange Perthshire chicken

dish she opted for. And, while the food will set you back more than a KFC family bucket, its not extravagantly pricey. Go to any trendy eaterie in any city across Scotland and theyll charge as much.

Food passed taste test

all-you-can eat Stornoway black pudding buffet for breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, beans and tattie scones on the side. As for our room, it was clean and spacious with a beautiful four-poster bed. The bathroom door handle had a habit of getting stuck

And Ill wager theyd struggle to match Mar Hall for quality of produce, cooking and location. And the kitchen also passed my two ultimate taste tests. They do a mean club sandwich and its a help-yourself

but that was just amusing/ annoying depending on what side of the door I was on. But thanks to the spa treatments and the resorts swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, it pretty much added up to the most relaxing two-day break the other half and I have ever had. And so much of that is down to the hotels staff. They are warm, friendly, GO: helpful, attentive, without ever being too intrusive. The MAR HALL good ship Mar Hall seems Mar Hall have a range of to have a happy crew room & spa deals, but prices and that helps make any for a room for the night start at stay so much more 148.50. For details or to book enjoyable. Its best spa none. visit www.marhall.com call

0141 812 9999 or email reservations@marhall.com

MARC THOMSON

TURK SOME TIME OUT: Seven nights all-inclusive in Turkey at the 5H Crystal Green Bay Resort and Spa in Bodrum is 332 per person flying from Edinburgh on May 1. See onthebeach. co.uk or call 0871 474 3000 . . . BEACH DAY AS IT COMES: Seven nights halfboard in Corfu at the 5H Marbella Beach Hotel in Agios Ioannis Peristeron is 3,649 for two adults and two children in a family room, flying from Glasgow May 12. See classic-collection.co.uk or call 0800 294 9318. . . . ON THE RHODES: Seven nights self-catering in Rhodes at the 3H Matina Aparthotel in Pefkos is 259 per person. Includes flights from Glasgow on May 7. See jet2holidays.com or call 0800 408 5594, . . . LOS AND FOUND: Seven nights at the 4H Seaside Los Jameos Playa Hotel in Playa De Los Pocillos, Lanzarote is 609 per person. Price is based on an all-inclusive basis with flights from Glasgow on May 22. See losjameos-playa. co.uk and firstchoice.co.uk or call 0871 200 7799. . . . STEP UP TO THE PLAT: Seven nights self-catering in Croatia at the 3H Villas Plat near Dubrovnik is from 332 per person. Price includes flights from Edinburgh on May 27. See easyJet.com/holior call 0843 LATE days 104 1000. BREAKS . . . WERE INN BUSINESS: Two weeks in Florida at the 3H Rosen Inn International Drive in Orlando is from 738 per person. Price is room-only with flights from Glasgow on May 2. See thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555. . . . CLUB TOGETHER: Two weeks all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic at the 4H Caribe Club Princess in Punta Cana is from 779 per person. Price includes flights from Glasgow on May 8. See barrheadtravel.co.uk or call 0141 222 2223 . . . ON THE POOL: Seven nights all-inclusive in a room with your own private pool at the 4H Solimar Aquamarine Hotel in Platanias, Crete, is from 399 p er person. Includes flights from various airports between May and October. See inspiredluxuryescapes.com or call 0800 011 4977. . . . MAJORCA CORKER: Seven nights at the 5H Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Majorca for three is 3,999. Price is on a B&B basis and includes flights from Glasgow on July 22. See sovereign. com or call 0843 770 4526. . . . LOVELY VISTA: Seven nights all-inclusive at the 3H Vista Bahia Hotel in Portinatx in Ibiza is from 252 per person, leaving Prestwick on June 8. See lowcostholidays. com or call 0800 1116271.