A resort that leaves you feeling brand new January 31, 2010 NESTLING in warm Caribbean waters, sun-kissed Antigua washes over you, covers you in sunshine, and leaves you feeling as laid-back as the locals. The island is a prime wedding and honeymoon destination, but is also perfect as a place to turn over a new leaf. I’m used to spending my time off doing as little [...]
TRAVEL NOTES January 31, 2010 Venice for Valentine’s Still looking for a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day? Kirker Holidays is offering four nights for the price of three at the four-star superior Liassidi Palace in Venice, a luxury boutique hotel a short walk from St Mark’s Square. Price from £528pp includes flights (London airports, with regional departures on request), hotel [...]
Mel is back in his gritty comfort zone January 28, 2010 Film EDGE OF DARKNESS Cert: 15 FOR those old enough to remember, Edge of Darkness was originally a critically acclaimed BBC thriller broadcast in the mid-80s. Its director, Martin Campbell, went on to Hollywood success – including making the best Bond film of recent times, Casino Royale – and he’s now brought his old TV [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEKEND January 28, 2010 FILM THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG Disney makes a return to hand-drawn animation and fairy tales. ADORATION Director Atom Egoyan’s drama stars Devon Bostick as a troubled teenager. BREATHLESS South Korean drama about a bitter debt collector who is charmed by a high school gir DVD CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS Madcap animation with [...]
Paradise complete with tax benefits January 28, 2010 WITH taxes for top earners sure to increase in the coming years, there has been much talk of City types moving abroad. Switzerland has been the country mentioned most often. The lure of Geneva, Zurich and Zug, it is supposed, will prove irresistible to London-based bankers because of the low tax regime. But will it [...]
FOCUS ON: TOOTING, SW17 January 28, 2010 FOXBOURNE ROAD, SW17 8EW Price: £750,000 This spacious Victorian house in a popular area in Tooting needs complete modernisation inside, so it would suit a buyer not needing to move urgently. Set over three floors, the property has four bedrooms, three reception rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. But the buyer could remodel the inside [...]
Q&A: RENTING January 28, 2010 James Davis MANAGING DIRECTOR OF UPAD.CO.UK Q.Dear James, my tenants will be moving out in two months, and I want to ensure the property remains full. What advice do you have for me? A.We call this “avoiding the voids”, and it’s one of the most important issues of being a landlord. You have to be [...]
Suits with the kecks factor January 28, 2010 FOR all its strengths, the trouser suit does not have the glamorous reputation of its older but sexier sister, the skirt suit. But if you’re the sort of woman who prefers to have her legs warmly encased in fabric during the winter months, and who wants to cross her pins without worrying about exposing any [...]
Shared ownership suits City workers, not just teachers January 28, 2010 LONDON house prices might have risen some 5 per cent since last January but as any first-time buyer will tell you, it is tougher than ever to get on the property ladder. With mortgage approvals still below their long-term average and deposits often as high as 40 per cent, even young professionals earning a decent [...]
GET MOISTURE IN THAT SKIN January 28, 2010 Sara Hollamby Style Counsel I’M so pleased the snow is finally on its way out, not because of the commuting chaos it caused, or because I’m bored with my “really warm” clothes. No, it’s because the cold weather played havoc with my skin, which has definitely got the winter blues. It’s dry and dull despite [...]