Intrepid Environmental Coordinator Jon Pressling recently strolled the charming route from Brixham to Kingswear. Luckily he wasn't too (Kings)weary to report on the journey!

Feeling a little guilty about the excess turkey, mince pies and mulled wine consumed over Christmas? Well here's a winter warmer that you soon get the fresh air back into your lungs whilst experiencing some of the most dramatic coastline the south west has to offer.

The charming South-Devon sailing town of Dartmouth is set to come alight on 11th December when hundreds of hand-made candle lanterns parade through the town's streets in a beguiling procession to mark the start of the Christmas season. Blue Chip Vacations has a number of attractive self-catering properties available in the town over the two days of the festival.

Steeped with architectural beauty, pretty narrow lanes and natural elegance, Dartmouth is a jewel in the South West. Renowned for its boutique shops and galleries, delightful delicatessens, gourmet restaurants, harbour side and port it has something to suit every taste.

Cruise in luxury to an unforgettable spa Hen-party

Arranging an alternative hen party can be a creative challenge, leaving many Maids of Honour feeling well and truly all at sea. So why not follow the nautical theme and consider a truly inspa-ing day including a cruise on board a luxury 80ft motor yacht, lunch at a top restaurant, a spa session and high tea on the beautiful South West coast?

For just £250 per person for up to twelve people, you could have an all-inclusive Hen-party that will turn heads and leave your friends feeling like millionaires.

The stunning Triple Seven can be chartered for an exclusive Hen-party pamper day, including a full body massage or a facial from £3,000.

How would you like to live like a millionaire for the day?  Blue Chip are giving you and 11 friends the chance to do that with our fantastic competition.  The prize is an all-inclusive millionaire's experience - for up to twelve people - on board the impressive, luxury, 80ft yacht: Triple Seven.  Click here for more information and to enter the competition.

A new addition to Blue Chip Vacations' portfolio of properties and experiences, Triple Seven is due to be moored next to the Regatta Guardship HMS Tyne from this Wednesday. The yacht will carry entry details for the competition, which has a prize value of £3,000, on her side boat-banners; on Friday afternoon and Saturday, Blue Chip Vacations promotions girls will be handing out leaflets enabling Regatta-goers to enter the competition live via text.

Triple Seven is the largest luxury motor yacht based on the English Riviera. She is available for a variety of charters through Blue Chip Vacations. Charters range from a half-day coastal excursion for twelve people, including water-sports activities on the yacht's Avon Seajet 320 Tender, through to week-long bespoke excursions for up to eight people.

Ladies Pamper days can be arranged from £3,000 for twelve. Departing from Torquay and travelling to either The Cary Arms, Babbacombe Bay, or Dart Marina Hotel and Spa, guests can sip drinks as they enjoy a luxury cruise, taking in the stunning scenery, isolated coves and rocky outcrops that litter the South West's stunning coasts. As part of the experience, lunch is served at either The Cary Arms or the Dart Marina Hotel. A choice of a full body massage or a facial follows, along with the opportunity to relax in the Hotels' respective Spas. Alternatively, guests can choose to soak in Triple Seven's moorish hot-tub as she lies at anchor. High tea on board rounds off this wonderful day as Triple Seven returns to her home port of Torquay.

With just a week to go until the start of the world-famous Royal Dartmouth Regatta, fans of this amazing event will be pleased to know that there are still a number of luxury self-catering properties available in the area that week.

The Royal Dartmouth  Regatta is a highlight in the sailing calendar, drawing some of the best boats in all classes from across the country.  Following on from Torbay Week - the combined Regatta for all the sailing clubs in Torbay, Dartmouth Regatta kicks off with the Passage Race from Brixham on Wednesday 26th August.   A packed schedule of events continues throughout the week both on and off the water.

The Old Bakehouse, sleeps 14 - SAVE £2,000!

Blue Chip Vacations is offering a self-catering summer ‘sail' with a real difference - 10% OFF a week on a luxury 46ft yacht for bookings made before 31 July.

For qualified salty sea dogs Knightime, which sleeps six unskippered, can be chartered without a captain for £2,265 per week. But if you'd prefer a skipper to sail you to some of the South West's most secluded beaches, finest seaside restaurants, and hidden coves, this can be arranged for just £150 extra a day.

And while a RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore license is required to sail the yacht as a bareboat charter (without a hired skippered), the uninitiated can choose the bareboat option if they wish to stay moored in either Plymouth or Dartmouth for the week.  What more fitting place to stay for one of the South West's many sailing Reggatas?!

At The Beach - Contemporary living in a unique location makes for a truly different beach holiday experience.

Last week I was lucky enough to take a relaxing break at one of our most exciting new developments, called ‘At The Beach'. The properties are situated in the picturesque village of Torcross, which is in a truly unique location at the end of Slapton Ley, which is just a short drive from Dartmouth.

Aerial photograph of Slapton Sands with At the Beach on the beach's edgeTorcross, with its thatched cottages and friendly atmosphere, combines the rustic charm of an English village with the appeal of the beach. This unique package is sure to offer something to please even the most discerning of customers.

The beach, called Slapton sands, is a vast sand and shingle expanse which is a bar of sand separating the sea from the estuary or ‘ley', behind it. The area is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the habitat and the rare species which thrive in the unique conditions. This makes it an extremely popular area with keen twitchers, due to the impressive variety of feathered friends on display. The area is also popular with military enthusiasts as a recovered Sherman Tank is displayed which was originally lost to the sea during training exercises for the D-Day landings.

 

 

The second Candlelit Dartmouth festival takes place over the weekend of December 12th - 13th and is the ideal event to find some last minute Christmas presents.  We went to event in its first year and it is highly recommended with live music and entertainment - an ideal way to get you in the Christmes spirit!