The best party wines, from Ibiza to St Tropez and Santorini August 7, 2023 Each summer certain places draw epicureans and hedonists like a magnet. Crystalline waters, blue skies and beaming sunshine are all very well but as the beautiful people recline upon their beach beds, dance under the stars and dine under glorious sunsets, what I want to know is: what wine are they drinking? St Tropez held [...]
These Rome hotels finally offer comfort, style (and swimming) in the big city August 7, 2023 A range of new boutique Rome hotels make Italy’s most- visited destination hot right now, says Justine Gosling In the ancient Italian capital, revered crumbling relics stubbornly hold position on every corner. Its grand theatrical architecture seduces and its slow decay over millennia has established Rome’s uniquely elegant style that has earned the city the [...]
Norfolk holidays: the rewilding project where water buffalo run free August 7, 2023 An ambitious rewilding programme attracted Lynn Houghton to hang out with ponies and long horned cattle. It was one of her ideal Norfolk holidays THE WEEKEND: Amongst the marshes, lakes and fields of Norfolk, a new trend is taking hold. Wild nature is coming back. For those considering a UK break this summer, you could [...]
Legendary Crystal Cruises sets sail again. But is this what young cruisers want? August 7, 2023 Crystal Cruises, one of the world’s most legendary liners, returns under Abercrombie & Kent ownership. But does this heritage brand work for today’s young professionals? Adam Bloodworth goes aboard to find out Aboard the reborn Crystal Serenity you’ll find the first Nobu restaurant at sea, a signifier of the ship’s gleaming $150 million refurbishment. There [...]
None for the road: Takeaway pints banned as Home Office ends pub pandemic scheme August 7, 2023 Bad news for punters who enjoy a cold pint on the go as the government has decided to put an end to the Covid-19 scheme which allowed pubs to sell takeaway pints. Pubs were allowed to sell alcoholic drinks in plastic cups to customers on the street in 2020, when businesses could not trade normally [...]
Pizza Express and Wagamama show signs of recovery after private equity and pandemic struggles August 7, 2023 Wagamama, Dominos and Pizza Express are among a cluster of top restaurants in the UK which have seen their profits increase in the last six months, new research shows, as the market slowly shows signs of recovery. The combined profit of the top 100 restaurants in the UK rose from £19.9m in September 2022 to [...]
Last orders! Rate of pub closures reaches decade high as rate hikes and inflation bites August 7, 2023 The number of pub closures in the UK reached its highest quarterly figure in over a decade, new data reveals, as soaring costs force more of the country’s local watering holes to close their doors for good. Some 223 pub businesses entered insolvency in the second quarter of this year, up from 200 in the [...]
Wanna feel old? Your old Blackberry is now the subject of a nostalgic movie August 4, 2023 “Want to feel old…?” has become a tired meme – but seriously, want to feel old? Blackberry, the world’s first smartphone and once the biggest company in Canada, is now such a nostalgic legacy product that it’s the subject of a movie being released later this year. In a former life as a tech reporter [...]
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale takes stance against homophobia in football August 4, 2023 Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has spoken out against homophobia in football. Ramsdale’s brother is part of the LGBTQ community and in a statement, the 25-year-old said he wants football to be “a safe and welcoming place for everyone.” Giving a statement to Sky News, he said he was tired of hearing homophobic chanting and has [...]
Why Houghton festival is the best of the August music festivals August 4, 2023 Houghton festival takes place August 10 – 13 in Norfolk If you fancy a dance this summer, and are into electronic music, try Houghton festival in Norfolk. Other than having a particularly beautiful setting, there are a few reasons we particularly love this event. There is music pretty much round-the-clock, with sets from some of [...]