Praia da Rocha June 20, 2011 BEACH HEAVEN Praia da Rocha (Rock Beach) is one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve. With an area of sand stretching over one kilometre, holidaymakers are assured plenty of space, even in peak times. The name “Rock Beach” comes from the beautiful, warm-coloured cliffs that surround the beach. High viewing points can be [...]
Granada June 20, 2011 ATMOSPHERE The bustling Spanish city of Granada offers the perfect combination of history, breathtaking views of the Alhambra and the snow capped Sierra Nevada as well as nearby mountain villages steeped in tradition and culture. Soak up the atmospheres at Granada’s Plaza Nueva or Plaza Bib-Rambla, the ideal settings to enjoy a romantic evening or [...]
Praia de Armação de Pêra June 20, 2011 BEACH TOWN Praia de Armação de Pêra is one of the largest and busiest beaches of the Algarve. Once a small town which served the Algarve’s fishing industry (the name Armação means fishing equipment and nets), it is now bustling with bars, restaurants, holiday homes and tourists, particularly in the summer months. The fishing industry [...]
MAHIKI COCONUT LIQUEUR June 20, 2011 GOODBYE London, Hello Tiki paradise! Mahiki Coconut – the latest new liqueur from London’s hottest nightclub Mahiki – lands exclusively at Selfridges this week and already we’re getting into the holiday spirit. Mahiki Coconut is a delicious coconut liqueur made with a blend of Caribbean Rum, fine spirits and real coconut. (In other words, just [...]
Swissotel Amsterdam 4* June 20, 2011 This lovely Swisshotel is placed on Amsterdam’s Dam Square – and you can’t get more at the heart of it all than that. It blends perfectly into the surroundings with its typically Dutch exterior, yet offers a stylish and modern stay inside. There’s a gym here and the hotel also provides its very own bike [...]
citizenM Amsterdam City 4* June 20, 2011 Enjoy a break at one of the funkiest stays in Amsterdam – citizenM. This design hotel is a real futuristic treat. Cool white walls are complemented by splashes of colourful furniture, for a trendy and playful feel throughout. Look out for the touch screen ‘MoodPad’ in your room, controlling everything from the TV and blinds [...]
Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel 5* June 20, 2011 Any hotel directly connected to a converted 17th century church has to be a bit special, and the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel is just that. Here you’ll experience full-on five star luxury whilst enjoying being right in the charming city centre. And get this, they even have a hotel ‘Navigator’ who personally collates in-the-know tips every [...]
Amsterdam steps out of the shadows June 19, 2011 AMSTERDAM is undergoing an image change. Earlier this month the Dutch government announced plans to ban foreigners from using the city’s coffee shops (the coy name for bars in which you can legally smoke marijuana), turning such places into members’ clubs for permanent residents only. It’s a controversial move designed to make Amsterdam a less [...]
THINK ROOMS… with LateRooms.com June 19, 2011 SWISSOTEL AMSTERDAM 4* Damrak 96 | Amsterdam | 1012 LP This lovely Swisshotel is placed on Amsterdam’s Dam Square – and you can’t get more at the heart of it all than that. It blends perfectly into the surroundings with its typically Dutch exterior, yet offers a stylish and modern stay inside. There’s a gym [...]
TRAVEL NOTES June 19, 2011 HEALTH AND LUXURY Forget the usual muddy bootcamps with miserable skimmed-milk porridge and daybreak marathons. Arcanum, above, a new uber-luxurious health spa sanctuary resort just launched offering guests weight loss and rejuvenation, the civilised way. The new resort overlooks the waters of Phuket. All guests receive their own personalised “health journey” program, including nutrition, energising [...]