Olympic controversy and Zika outbreaks have done nothing to dampen Rio de Janeiro’s party atmosphere June 1, 2016 In what is surely a daily occurrence in Brazil, a bunch of transfixed foreigners sat speechless ogling a local. “Wesley, she looks friendly, get out of the van and walk up to her,’’ suggested our Iguassu Falls host Juliana. “I have two daughters, I’m not going anywhere near her,’’ Wesley replied. Juliana, let me confirm, [...]
Warwickshire is surprise entrant in the top 10 European tourist destinations this summer May 24, 2016 It might seem like a left-field candidate, but Warwickshire has been voted one of Europe's top destinations for travellers this summer by Lonely Planet. The West Midlands country earned sixth place in the Best in Europe 2016 list thanks to its breadth of offerings including "bucolic hills, sublime castles and historic market towns". The Bard is [...]
Beat the post-Eurovision blues with a trip to Stockholm, where these waxen ABBA nightmares stand in perpetual, staring horror May 20, 2016 Landing in Stockholm, bleary-eyed and frizzy-haired, I wondered if this was all going to be a bit too cool for me. People have got their act together in Sweden. They eat well, they look immaculate and everything they do is world-beating – from their achingly cool subtitled dramas, to their forward-thinking paternity leave policy and [...]
48 Hours in… Port Lympne, Kent: from rhino to bistros May 20, 2016 Where to stay Port Lympne’s Treehouse Hotel sits on the tree tops with views across 600 acres of greenery and animal reserve. The double rooms come with a golf buggy and use of the luxury clubhouse. Visit aspinallfoundation.org Where to go Ride in an open-sided safari truck at the award-winning Port Lympne wildlife park, where [...]
Long Weekend review: Le Pavillon des Lettres is Paris’ hideaway for linguists and bookworms May 20, 2016 THE WEEKEND: They may still deliver the wow factor but we’ve all done the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre more times than we can remember. For a trip to Paris with a difference, brush up on your rusty GCSE French and soak up the city’s vast cultural history while indulging in world famous patisserie, wine [...]
Long Weekend: Healthouse Las Dunas in Marbella, the five star detox hotel with a menu created by a two-Michelin-starred chef May 16, 2016 The weekend: Smoke too much? Drink too much? Check into Healthouse Las Dunas, where they don’t let you do very much at all. Its detox programmes – lasting between two and 21 nights – use a blend of healthy fine-dining, medical consultations, cooking lessons and spa treatments to relax and re-educate its guests. Or just [...]
Catch some waves in beautiful Taghazout Bay: The upcoming surf-capital of Morocco May 16, 2016 Agadir and its coastline have been likened to the French Riviera, but while this windswept Atlantic resort has its charms, it would be generous to call it a Moroccan Saint-Tropez. What Agadir lacks in va-va-voom, however, it makes up for with action. Ten miles north of Agadir is Taghazout, a laid-back beach town and Mecca [...]
The Long Weekend review: Taxidermy hares and a Scandi-cool spa invigorate The Wild Rabbit hotel in the Cotswolds May 6, 2016 The weekend With the gentle Cotswolds hills and honey-coloured villages on your doorstep, you can spend entire days out exploring this beautiful part of the UK. Then bed down in The Wild Rabbit, a modern day inn perfect for cityfolks looking for a manicured version of the country break. Where? The village of Kingham is [...]
Classic cars and super-yachts at Mallorca’s most luxurious rally event, the Oris Rally Clásico at Puerto Portals May 6, 2016 Thanks to its clubbing capital Magaluf, Mallorca has developed an unfair reputation as a place full of barely-clothed, sunburnt Brits, all clambering over each other to contract the latest, greatest sexually transmitted disease. There are a few locations actively attempting to repair that perception, though, by attracting lovers of sport and culture to the island, [...]
Grenada: The chocolate capital of the Caribbean May 3, 2016 Sitting outside the front of the Spice Island Beach Resort I asked a young bellman where he would go to get the best food on the island of Grenada. He smiled, his eyes glazed over and he described how his mother makes the local porridge called tanya log. “She puts bay leaves and nutmeg into [...]