40 www.eveningnews24.co.uk Norwich Evening News Saturday, September 19, 2009

travel

If you are looking for a luxury

holiday in the sun this winter and

don’t fancy the tedious journey to

the Caribbean or Far East how about

checking in at the Coco Ocean, the

most stylish hotel on the Smiling

Coast. DDEERREEKK JJAAMMEESS reports from

The Gambia.

In recent years posh hotels, calling themselvesresorts with the obligatory spa, have beenpopping up all over the world. The Far Eastand of course Dubai, the biggest building sitein the world, are top of the list.

You could be forgiven in thinking there is acompetition between the owners to makethem as flashy and outrageous as possible in adesperate bid to get a higher starrating…especially in the Middle East.

Weird and wacky designs reaching into thesky are almost worshipped and are seen as aglorious reason to push up the prices.

Many of these hotels, especially thosebelonging to the big chains, are so “up front”they have lost their appeal and charm.

Once you are booked in you could beanywhere in the world and it often makes youwonder whether or not it is worth visiting inthe first place.

But Coco Ocean facing the Atlantic on thewest coast of Africa is different, so verydifferent.

There is nothing flashy about this hotel butit has real style and an intimacy which liftstourism in The Gambia to a new level.

This engaging little country, a formerBritish colony surrounded by big brotherSenegal, has been welcoming visitors for

many years.The first tourists came from Scandinavia but

then us Brits realised while we wereshivering between November and April, thesun was shining non-stop, well almost, inGambia.

Less than six hours flying time away andwith no time difference or language problemsand prices cheap when compared with theCaribbean, this was the ideal winter hot-spot.

But this was Africa. You either loved it orhated it. Every time you ventured outside ofthe hotel, you were embarking on anadventure…the locals made sure of that.

The hotels were cheap and cheerful. Thiswas easy Africa. No big game but still plentyof excitement and some of the best bird-watching and fishing in the world.

Then smaller, more intimate and upmarkethotels started to open up, expanding themarket and trying to tempt visitors all theyear round.

Yes, it rains in the summer months but thesun is rarely hidden for very long and whileEuropean beaches and resorts are packed, youcan walk for miles on the Gambia’s goldensands without seeing a soul.

At the end of last year, the team behind The

Coconut Residence, one of the best of thesmall hotels, went one step further andopened up what is without doubt the besthotel in the country…Coco Ocean.

From the outside this futuristic, low-risedevelopment with its arches and domes andtucked away suites and penthouses is adevelopment like no other.

Step inside and the holiday begins.The atmosphere is as cool as the air

conditioning. Some top class hotels can beintimidating but Coco Ocean is very special.The friendly and easy going staff go out oftheir way to make sure you have a perfect

Fancy enjoying a holiday in

travel facts

The Gambia Experience has been the main linkbetween Britain and The Gambia for more than21 years. The company offers more places tostay than any other and operates all year round.You can choose from basic, good value, 2*hotels to exclusive and luxurious resorts such asthe Coco Ocean.Prices at Coco Ocean start from £975pp thiswinter (December 15 departure) based on 7nights, bed & breakfast, in a junior suite.The price includes return Gatwick to Banjulflights, hotel transfers, in flight meals and taxes.The company currently has an early bookingoffer of a free spa treatment for bookings madebefore the end of September. Clients canchoose between a one hour MoroccanHammam or a classic facial or full bodymassage. The Offer is valid for bookings fordepartures between January 5 and February 9on Tuesdays from Gatwick.Visit www.gambia.co.uk or for reservations call0845 330 2087.

The hotel is just a walk away from th beautiful beach

Evening view from reception

The Gambian Sunset

www.eveningnews24.co.uk/games 41Norwich Evening News Saturday, September 19, 2009

Africa? I should Coco...travel

From NorwichCrete. Oct 2, 7 nights, all-inclusive, 4* hotel, Gouves,from £485.Menorca. Oct 12, 14 nights, half-board, 4* hotel, S’Algar,from £499.Malta. Oct 6, 14 nights, b&b, 3* hotel, Bugibba, from£469, saving £124 per couple.Majorca. Oct 15, 14 nights, half-board, 3* hotel, C’anPicafort, from £459, saving £130 per couple.Jersey. Oct 16, coach from Norwich to Stansted for theTennerfest celebrations. 3 nights, b&b, 4* hotel, StHelier.Call TNA on 01603 428800.

Deal of the DayNorwich – Corfu. Oct 16, 7 nights, half-board. 3* hotel,San Stefanos, from £334, saving £230 per couple.Call TNA on 01603 428800.

Leave it to HavenLittle children, bigger children or even no children –Haven Holidays have the pick of the best “staycation”Autumn breaks that won’t break the bank.Haven have a choice of 35 holiday parks around theUK with lots to do – whatever the weather and thethree night Halloween breaks from October 30 offer allkinds of spooktastic fun.There are also plenty of half-term breaks on offer andholidays in Blackpool to see the illuminations withfamily prices from £149pClick on www.haven.com or call 0871 230 1900 for

all the latest deals and offers.

G-Day, G-Deal.Destinology, now established as a leader in long haulluxury holidays, has launched a new programme toAustralia with prices from £1,025pp. Packages includesmulti-drive options, self-drive and coach tours.Offers include 10 nights in Sydney and Cairns from£1,025pp and 15 nights in Sydney, Cairns andMelbourne from £1,259pp. You need to book bySeptember 22 for travel next April or June,More information on www.destinology.co.uk or call

0800 634 2866.

Florida calling.Grab some bargain luxury with the UK’s leadingindependent Florida specialist Ocean Florida. Thecompany is offering 14-night deals at 5* hotels in theSunshine State from £599pp from September untilDecember. The price includes flights from Gatwick,transfers, taxes and 14-nights accommodation.Visit www.ocean-florida.co.uk or call 0800 008

6743.

Escape to the sun on the Splendour of

the Seas.Join Royal Caribbean International’s Splendour of theSeas on a 7 night Greek Islands fly/cruise from £782pp.The price includes flights from Heathrow to Venice anda seven night cruise calling at Dubrovnik, Greece, theislands and Turkey.The price is based on the October 31 departure.

For more information click on

www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or call 0844 793 2061.

Late dealswwiitthh DDeerreekk JJaammeess

stay. Nothing is too muchtrouble.

The rooms offer every facilityyou need, some come with theirown swimming pool. Other villashave large outdoor seating areas.There is also a central tieredswimming pool for all guests andplenty of room for privacy in thelarge landscaped areas withswaying palms and baobab treeswhich attract exotic birds.

Breakfast – the menu has to beseen to be believed – is served inthe Courtyard and restaurantsare among the best in thecountry.

It is certainly worthconsidering paying the £25 anight supplement for half-board.The meals they serve up wouldcost double in Norfolkrestaurants.

The jewel in the Coco Oceancrown is the spa, the first of itskind in the country, housed in aMoorish-style villa offering acomplete range of treatments byspecialist therapists from aroundthe world. A visit can be anenergetic or as relaxing as youwish.

Another plus for this hotel isthe location. It really does offerthe best of both worlds.

Although it stands on its ownfacing the beach at Bijilo, a 20minute stroll takes you to Kololiand the beating heart of Gambiannight life at what has becomeknown as the Senegambia Strip.

It’s Las Vegas – African style –with the odd casino dotted amongthe bars, restaurants, night clubs

and craft markets. Keep yourcool, and your sense of humourwhen entering, and you will havea great time.

If you are visiting The Gambiathen you must get out and aboutand make the effort to explorethis country and all it has tooffer.

Turn your back on the coastalareas and head inland for a realadventure. There are so manyexcursions to choose from but atrip up the mighty River Gambiais a must.

A holiday to The Gambia can belife-changing.

The chances are some of yourtravelling companions will be“repeaters” people who havemade good friends in thecountry, got involved withvarious charity projects, or evenbought property.

Yes, the Coco Ocean isexpensive when compared toother hotels in The Gambia but itis excellent value whencompared to other similar hotelsin other parts of the world.

I spoke to a well travelledbusinessman from Sierra Leoneon my visit and asked if him if heknew of a better hotel on the westcoast of Africa where he hadworked for 30 years.

“No,” he said as we sat in thegarden surrounding by swayingpalms and listening to theAtlantic rollers, “this is specialand I shall be coming back nextmonth, bringing my wife andchildren with me.”

Lucky man.

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline and theUK’s number one domestic carrier, hasannounced an early selection of its 2010 summerschedule which includes 16 flights a week to andfrom Norwich to the Channel Islands. The popular summer service from Norwich toJersey is available for booking at with one wayfares from £33.99 including taxes and airportcharges. Tickets are valid for travel between 28thMarch and 30th June 2010.This early offering pre-empts the imminent launchof next year’s full summer schedule which willoffer travellers frequent, affordable and reliableservices from their doorstep to some of the mostpopular destinations in Europe for next summer.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer,comments: “With people still very conscious ofthe need to manage their travel budgets, it makessense to start planning for next year’s holidaynow.“Despite the economic challenges of the past 12months, we have continued to grow and developthe airline to provide the most cost-effective,efficient and flexible services possible forpassengers.”Adds Mr Rutter: “Our Channel Island service fromNorwich to Jersey is always extremely popular sowe’d urge travellers to book early so they don’tmiss out on the most affordable bargain flightsfor next summer.”

Jersey

travel facts

Let the coach take the

strain.National Express operates up toseven coaches from Norwich (UEAand Surrey Street) to Gatwick andback again, all day and during thenight. They also stop and pick up atThickthorn Park and Ride,Wymondham, Attleborough,Thetford and Mildenhall.Coaches also stop at Stansted andHeathrow. For more details andprices visit www.nationalexpress.com or call 08717 818181.

Reasons to visit The

Gambia:

� Wall to wall winter sun –temperatures average more than30C every month.� Same time zone, no jet lag.� An African adventure with greatriver, bush and beach excursions.� Some of the best birdlife andfishing anywhere in the world.� Outside the Euro zone – good value.� A chance to have a holidaywhich could change your life.

The evening club pool