TRAVEL NOTES
Victoria Falls adventure
Action-loving travellers take note: Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia has teamed up with Bundu Adventures to offer an “Above and Below” package at Victoria Falls (see pic). You start with swimming in the Devil’s Pool, a natural lake at the end of the Zambezi river positioned above the boiling pot, right on the lip of the Falls, then trek down a gorge to go rafting and bouldering at the bottom of the Falls through the spray, enjoying a series of rock pools and caves fed by the cascades.
Nightly rates at Tongabezi from £299 in the River Cottage based on two sharing. For more information on the package, go to www.tongabezi.com
Franciacorta festival
For a truly exquisite wine harvest experience, head to the Franciacorta region of Lombardy, northern Italy, where the luxurious, stately L’Albereta hotel will serve as your base-camp for an exploration of the vineyards and wineries behind the world’s most exclusive sparkling wine. You’ll be exploring the fizz in the taste labs of the Bellavista and Contadi Castaldi wineries, owned by the Moretti family, who also own L’Albereta. The package includes two nights in a plush double room, breakfast and one top-drawer food and wine experience per day. The Franciacorta Festival weekend package is available from 16-18 September 2011 and costs from £330 (€375) per person per night based on two sharing with a two night minimum. Bookings should be made at least 15 days in advance and are subject to availability. For bookings and further information contact L’Albereta on +39 030 77 60 550 or www.albereta.it.
Shakti Ladakh last chance
Fancy something different? Shakti Ladakh in the Himalayas, a luxury village house experience, has late availability for the final month of the 2011 season, which ends on 30 September. 7 night package from (approx £2,375) per person based on 2 sharing. www.shaktihimalaya.com