Escape plans
HOLIDAY DEALS
today, and it’s believed she was one of the first to introduce fruit tea to menus.
Today, Caribbean-themed Calypso Café has a popular version, as does Baja Burrito, while Knockout Wings, Star Bagel, McCabe Pub and Corner Market also offer their own variations. Fruit tea is very much a hit with the locals, who stop in from nearby office and federal buildings and order it with house-made potato chips as a modern Nashville tea-time ritual.
■ visitmusiccity.com
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PURPLE REIGN Ontario, Canada VISITORS to Ontario will be in for a treat with afternoon tea at the landmark Fairmont Royal York, which has stood for 90 years in the heart of Toronto. The historic hotel offers a luxurious setting to escape the busy streets with rooms that have some of the best views in the city, but it is the famous afternoon tea which is the real draw.
The Fairmont Royal York has followed the time-honoured tradition of serving afternoon tea since its opening in 1929, with classic scones, savoury sandwiches and fine pastries all served from its REIGN restaurant, complemented by curated Fairmont teas. For an extraspecial occasion there is the option to upgrade to a Royal Sparking or a Royal Champagne afternoon tea.
■ ontariotravel.net/en/home
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RUN FOR THE HILLS Sri Lanka
SRI Lanka is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, making it the ideal place to visit for all teaholics. The tea country hills of central Sri Lanka are often referred to as ‘Little England’ due to the cool climate and colonial-era bungalows, although it boasts a landscape far more theatrical than that of the UK.
Mist-shrouded mountains and terraced tea plantations surround the area, while world-class brews are in abundance. One Traveller, the experts in mature solo travel, offers a 16-day trip to Sri Lanka where visitors can enjoy the slower pace of life and drink in the destination. The itinerary includes a picturesque train ride from Kandy to the tea plantations, passing by villages, waterfalls and mountains, before reaching the tea estates. Guests have the chance to sample the finest Ceylon teas before being shown the stages of the tea-making process at the factory.
■ onetraveller.co.uk
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ISLAND IN THE SUN,
Château Mon Désir, Mauritius
THE Maritim Resort & Spa, Mauritius boasts a fine dining ‘à la carte’ restaurant nestled in a colonial-style mansion on the Maritim Estate. The restaurant caters for brunch, high tea and dinner, as well as events and special occasions, and is recognised was awarded the ‘Best Fine Dining Cuisine’ title by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards.
This enchanting restaurant overlooking the historical ruins of Balaclava and the Citron’ river offers fine International, French and Indian Ocean delicacies. Its special high tea menu invites visitors to treat themselves with the English tradition of afternoon tea by enjoying a selection of pastries, juices and hot beverages whilst taking in the enchanting setting of the spectacular mansion house.
■ tourism-mauritius.mu
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