Why Albania’s Tirana could be the city break of the future Life&Style “Tirana is like a cross between Mumbai and Las Vegas,” I was told by a teenage traveller a week before I arrived in Albania’s capital city. “I’ve never been to either place, but at least that’s how I imagine them to be.” I’m not sure if Tirana is really like either of those cities, but [...]
Francis Hotel Bath: Old-world glamour meets new-school cool Life&Style We braved the heatwave and the crowds to take a long weekend in Bath, a city that’s balances its ancient history with a tourist industry precision-engineered to meet the needs of the modern traveller – not least the newly renovated Francis Hotel Bath. As someone who lived in Scotland for more than a decade, it’s [...]
Vino by the waves: The best British seaside hotels for wine Life&Style English summertime means visits to the seaside, ideally with a glass of wine in hand. Having toured the coast recently here are some of the best places to drink with a view of the waves. The Terrace Rooms & Wine – Ventnor, Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight has a new destination for wine [...]
The Suffolk in Aldeburgh: Restaurant with rooms is a super seaside City break June 2, 2026 My first morning at The Suffolk, I woke not long after dawn and took a bleary-eyed stroll across the pebbled beach, where I found the majority of the staff – including owner George Pell – preparing for their morning dip. Not wanting to let the side down, I stripped off my dry robe (borrowed from [...]
Take a city break in the historic northern stronghold of York November 10, 2025 Easily reached by train, York is one of the most historic and picturesque cities in the north. Renowned for its stunning York Minster, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and its remarkably preserved medieval city walls that still encircle much of the old town, the cobble-paved city makes for an ideal winter [...]
Amsterdam city break: Where to stay and what to do March 7, 2025 Amsterdam is about to have its moment. This year marks the Dutch capital’s 750th birthday, with a year of celebratory events scheduled, while Eurostar has just restarted its fast direct London-Amsterdam service following the completion of a new terminal in Amsterdam, making it easier and quicker than ever to reach the Dutch capital. Where to [...]
Why ‘Sunshine Saturday’ has travel operators crossing their fingers December 30, 2024 Black Friday’s travel-focused cousin, Sunshine Saturday, is set to fall on 4 January in 2025. Occuring on the first Saturday of every new year, Sunshine Saturday is the day most people book their holiday getaways for the year ahead. With Heathrow Airport set to cap off its busiest-ever year with two record months and Virgin Atlantic [...]