As the capital starts to heat up, an endless array of enticing entertainment awaits. Part of a new seasonal series, I share my favourite new finds for those looking to explore London. Wellness at Ham Yard’s Soholistic Spa It’s a minute’s walk from Picadilly Circus yet wonderfully tucked away from all the buzz so that […]
For many families collecting Avios, there often comes a familiar moment of frustration. One parent has 22,000 Avios in the BA Club Account. The other has 18,000. Maybe the kids have picked up a few thousand points from flights over the years, if they’re older. Individually, those balances feel annoyingly small — not enough for […]
There are places where luxury seems so effortless – where there’s a quiet confidence that’s deeply rooted in the quality of the offering. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one such place. Situated just off the Crook Road that runs between Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, the hotel enjoys a tranquil location among rolling fells on the […]
Once called the chimney town by renowned local poet Julian Tuwim the Polish city of Lodz has undergone such a dramatic transformation it is now part of the UNESCO network of Creative Cities and a UNESCO City of Film. A sensitive re-generation of the city of Lodz recognised and renovated the town’s historical buildings including those […]
Most first-time visitors to New Zealand’s South Island put Queenstown on the itinerary without much deliberation. It’s the world’s adventure capital – a title and a reputation deservedly earned and as such one of the headline ‘must-visit’ destinations in New Zealand. Most people will have heard of Queenstown even if they can’t tell you where […]
I have always thought New Zealand’s wilder places work best when people are given time to meet them properly. Not in a rushed, heroic sort of way, and not with the expectation that every hour outside has to become a story. More often, it happens quite quietly. Someone steps out of the vehicle in Fiordland […]
Privacy has always been the defining appeal of a private villa. The ability to close a gate behind you, to have a pool entirely to yourself, to spend a week without navigating shared spaces or other guests – that quality of seclusion is something no hotel, however grand, can genuinely replicate. But something has shifted. […]
Deep house beats pulsate throughout luxurious, contemporary seaside venues offering Mediterranean views. Curated gastronomy. A lively atmosphere. And plenty of sun-soaked relaxation for a picture-perfect day at the beach. While staying at one of Privadia‘s luxury villas that we recommend, you may upgrade your stay with reservations at one of Mallorca’s premier beach clubs. Beach […]
Everyone has heard about Zanzibar, yet almost nobody knows its hidden gem called Mnemba Island. Located on the north eastern side of Zanzibar, you’ll find this tropical archipelago just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the main island. And what a difference that distance makes! The welcome The welcome start from […]
Arriving at the Old Luxters Farmhouse at Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery this could be the Champagne region. Neat rows of vines growing on south-facing hills. Sun glinting on a white soil of limestone, marl and clay – with added minerality from 150-million-year-old oyster fossils. A chalky seam that swirls north-west from Chablis through the […]
A couple of years back, I guided five hikers along the Laugavegur. All of them were over seventy. All of them had been serious hikers their whole lives, the kind of people who knew what a multi-day trek was supposed to feel like. By the end of the trail, one of them had been pulled […]
It’s impossible not to be enticed by the dining scene in Kalkan, Turkey. Rich scents of mouthwatering dishes entice travellers whilst strolling narrow cobblestone roads. Patio-style seating spills out onto pedestrian walkways. And it’s not uncommon to be offered a sip of robust Turkish coffee whilst browsing family-owned boutique shops. Kalkan awakens the foodie inside […]
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is a lush enclave on the southeastern point of the country, filled with Mayan ruins, cenotes, and fascinating towns to explore. My recent trip to the Mayan region took in two towns that make a compelling combination. Tulum Tulum exudes intrigue—bohemian chic meets Mayan history in a stunningly beautiful area. Tulum has […]
A shape emerges from the dark: rotund, slow moving, somewhat prehistoric. A hippo lifts its head under the amber wash of a streetlight and stares at our family in a safari vehicle parked a careful distance away. In South Africa’s St Lucia, this is not an extraordinary sight. It is Tuesday night. And for families […]
Southeast Asia has been home for more than twelve years and during that time we have experienced many of the finest luxury hotels and resorts in the region. We do not have our favourites, but there are individual properties and brands that for varying reasons ensure that we return. Anantara Hotels & Resorts is most […]