Beyond the tinsel and carols, the festive season is a magnificent excuse to gather with family and friends and embrace a little decadence. With that spirit of indulgence in mind, we’ve compiled a selection of some of the most exquisite tastes to give you that extra sense of festive cheer. Whether you’re craving comforting savouries, […]
Review: Kasbah d’Eau, Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
“Et voila!” Announces our taxi driver, with justification, as we pull into the magnificent Kasbah d’Eau. A beach castle perched high above Morocco’s Atlantic coastline booked for our winter escape by Fleewinter. Fleewinter has put together our personalised programme of flight, transfer and hotel. Recommending an itinerary that will show us an authentic Morocco, far […]
New Zealand’s Southern Lakes: A luxury playground worth slowing down for
If you have ever looked at a map of the South Island and wondered where the scenery turns from beautiful to completely unreal, the answer is the Southern Lakes. Queenstown might be the draw card that brings you to the Southern Lakes, but let it also be the launchpad for discovering what the locals commonly […]
Review: The Kings Arms, Hawkshead, Lake District, UK
A haven for locals and visitors for generations, The King’s Arms takes centre stage in the Lake District village of Hawkshead. The whitewashed walls of this 17th-century coaching inn are a picture postcard scene, whatever the Cumbrian weather happens to throw at you. And, after an extensive, sympathetic renovation, the inn reopened its doors in […]
Wānaka: Your South Island base
On the shores of New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, surrounded by the Southern Alps and with a national park almost at the end of the street, Wānaka looks like a classic vacation town. In practice, it works far better as a base – somewhere you unpack once and then sprawl from the door into vineyards, […]
Cool pools in Africa
After a heady day in the wild African bush, beach or bustling city, there is something irresistibly indulgent about cooling off in a gorgeous swimming pool – or chilling with a glass of bubbles in a lovely hot tub or jacuzzi under the stars by night. In Africa, there are many “Cool Pools” where you […]
Review: Tshwene Lodge, Welgevonden, Limpopo, South Africa
With a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, Welgevonden’s ‘Big Five’ Tshwene Lodge is an inviting and accessible bush escape. A stay here offers an opportunity to ‘slow down’ and enjoy the rhythm of the wilderness. I spent three days embracing a slower pace in the bush and returned indeed feeling refreshed. The welcome After the surprisingly quick […]
Fiordland – one of the world’s most untamed wildernesses
I just completed one of the most unique cruises through some of New Zealand’s most sensational scenery. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. There are places in this world that render you speechless, not because I have nothing to say, but because the landscape impresses me more than my own words ever could. I […]
Luxury stays in Peru’s Sacred Valley: The quiet side of Machu Picchu’s magic
Most travelers move through Peru confined to the same itinerary and rhythm. Like being stuck on a conveyor belt, they check off Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and done – shuffling unquestioningly along the same well-worn path and snapping the same prescribed photos. It’s efficient, yes, but mind-numbingly predictable and familiar. Smart travelers, however, are the […]
Here’s why long-haul Business Class reward flights are the best value Avios redemption
If you collect Avios, there’s no better way to make them count than by booking a long-haul British Airways Business Class reward flight. With lie-flat seats, premium dining, and access to relaxing airport lounges, you can enjoy the full luxury of premium travel while paying far less than the average cash fare. These redemptions are […]
Re-inventing British elegance: The Icon Series by Holland Cooper
There is something quietly theatrical in the way a well-cut blazer settles across the shoulders: a moment of poised ambition, of subtle authority, of perennial style. With its latest campaign, Holland Cooper invites us into just such a portrayal – one where craftsmanship and character converge. Rooted in heritage fabrics and British tailoring, the Holland […]
Finding the feel good factor in Saigon
We have always enjoyed our Vietnamese luxury travel adventures and being based in the region, this enchanting country remains one of our favourite destinations, especially the bustling capital city of Saigon. The cuisine has always excited us, the wellness offerings are professional and plentiful, whilst the choice of luxury hotels and resorts is wide and […]
Cape Town: This summer’s must-do magic
It seems that the Brits just can’t get enough of Cape Town: UK visitors constitute South Africa’s biggest foreign visitor constituency, with over 300,000 visiting annually. As a relocated Capetonian, I don’t blame them – I take every opportunity I can to return and below I share a few insider favourites. Eat at Terrarium Restaurant […]
Review: Pink Door Franschhoek, Winelands, South Africa
In the heart of Franschhoek, widely recognised as South Africa’s gastronomic capital, Pink Door Franschhoek by the Oyster Collection stands as a lesson in exclusive accommodation. Five friends and I headed to the Winelands to experience everything the home had to offer. The welcome Driving into Franschhoek is always a treat. Leaving the city of Cape Town […]
Review: Riviera Travel’s History and Art of the Rhône River cruise – Days 5 to 8
We’re half-way through Riviera Travel‘s epic Rhône River cruise. A journey from Avignon to Lyon, through vine-clad hills and the ghosts of Roman civilisation. Countless stories of history and art, accompanied by superb cuisine and excellent wines, continue as we join the Saône after Lyon. History is being ticked off; we’ve seen the majesty of […]