Exploring Oman, the wild west of the east September 7, 2015 Camping always evokes familiar memories: pitching tents at night, muddy fields, the taste of a stodgy pasta meal cooked over a gas stove in the rain, and a chorus of sheep baa-ing at dawn like a congregation of tone-deaf pensioners at a Sunday service. At least it did for me until earlier this year when [...]
Sardinia: an ancient, strangely empty idyll August 17, 2015 Elle McPherson was being photographed wearing a tiny white string bikini as she waterskied off the coast of Sardinia when I arrived. There was also breaking news that Silvio Berlusconi, currently hosting Vladimir Putin, had just sold his 68 room Bunga-Bunga palace – where he once entertained Tony Blair – to the Saudi Royal Family [...]
Kentucky is more than just fried chicken: Hit the bourbon trail for a spirited, unbridled discovery August 14, 2015 All bourbons are whiskies, but not all whiskies are bourbons. This is the first commandment drilled into visitors at the distilleries that pepper the state of Kentucky, USA. Now, I’m a walking Wikipedia entry, espousing facts about bourbon to anyone who will listen; for instance, did you know that bourbon has to be made [...]
Sailing lessons in Croatia: Gaining a qualification with the kids in tow – what could possibly go wrong? Surprisingly little August 3, 2015 Regardless of your views about EU regulation, surely even Mr. Farage himself wouldn’t think it unreasonable to demand proof of a basic sailing licence before being able to charter a 15 tonne yacht? Until recently it was possible to turn up and hire a £500,000 yacht with your only qualification being a Breton top. No [...]
Too early to plan your winter ski holiday? Snow way! Guarantee the white stuff with a cross-country expedition to Norway July 26, 2015 I was here because of snow. Or rather, lack of it. Good snow was hard to score in the Alps last year, and when you’re looking for a reliable source of the white stuff, Norway can hook you up. In season, you can even ski on the outskirts of the capital. Where I was headed, [...]
48 hours in… Kenmare, Ireland July 26, 2015 WHERE TO STAY With its breathtaking views of Kenmare Bay, Sheen Falls Lodge effortlessly mixes quiet charm with modern luxury. The rooms are comfort personified with high ceilings and antique furnishings. Visit sheenfallslodge.ie WHERE TO GO Kenmare is home to some of the best walking trails in Ireland. You can easily spend a day larking across the [...]
Meet Paul Lister, the Laird who wants to re-introduce bears, wolves and forests to the Scottish Highlands July 19, 2015 It says something about the wildness of Alladale that TV adventurer Bear Grylls chose a spot nearby to set up his Survival Academy. It’s a wild place: Paul Lister, the Laird of this Victorian hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, might even answer the baronial door wearing a wolf mask. It’s his self-deprecating joke; [...]
48 hours in… Belgrade July 19, 2015 WHERE TO STAY The city isn’t the prettiest in eastern Europe, but Hotel Moskva in the centre is beautiful inside and out. With a great restaurant and spa, it’s the most comfortable way of doing Belgrade. Visit hotelmoskva.rs, rooms start at €89 WHERE TO GO The National Museum of Serbia is the largest in the [...]
Making the most exciting holidays even more thrilling: The weird and wonderful world of “alternative” safaris July 12, 2015 You don’t need to augment Africa’s resplendent natural beauty – its incredible wildlife, its stunning scenery, its famous sunsets. You don’t need to – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it anyway. Competition between eco-lodges and safari-operators is fierce, and many now offer a wealth of “optional extras”. So if seeing a majestic lion [...]
Lovely Laos: Asia’s unspoilt sanctuary is the perfect couple’s retreat July 5, 2015 I arrived in Laos shortly after sunset with my boyfriend in tow. As the tuk tuk trundled into town I caught my first glimpse of the Mekong, a silver streak beneath blueish mountains, lined by flame-red Poinciana trees. Our first stop was 3 Nagas, a boutique hotel spread across three colonial buildings. With original [...]