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 [...]
48 hours in… Malaga June 28, 2015 WHERE TO STAY The fourstar Hotel Molina Lario is discreetly located on a quiet street near the revamped marina and it’s popular with locals for Piscina Lounge, a large rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and grill restaurant that’s open all summer. From £116 per night, hotelmolinalario.com WHERE TO GO The Pompidou Centre has chosen [...]
Savour 2015: The foodie revolution arrives in the Maldives at Coco Bodu Hithi June 21, 2015 The Coco Residences set out in a circle formation at Coco Bodu Hithi A friend once told me, in total bafflement, about a couple who left their honeymoon in The Maldives early. They were bored, she said, in the midst of the Indian Ocean, so changed their plans and spent the rest of their [...]
48 hours in… Istanbul June 21, 2015 WHERE TO STAY Locationwise, you can’t beat The House Hotel Nisantasi. The Bosphorus-facing hotel is in the centre of town and it’s surrounded by chic boutiques. The modern rooms also come with a cocktail shaker, glasses and plenty of liquor for budding mixologists. From £147 per night, visit thehousehotel.com WHERE TO EAT If you’re ever [...]
Summer in Chamonix: Celebrating 150 years of climbing in the Alps June 15, 2015 Birthplace of the Winter Olympics and home to some of the Alps’ most challenging pistes, the Chamonix valley in France is a magnet for snow-sporting types throughout the winter months. But as warmer weather arrives and the snow disappears, so do most of the tourists, and the thousands of skiers are replaced by a [...]
Rome: The Eternal City that Hollywood can’t leave alone June 7, 2015 The Eternal City has managed what the Russians never could: knock out 007. Daniel Craig was shaken and stirred as he was carried unconscious by a wailing ambulance to hospital when the Aston Martin DB 10 he was driving in a high speed chase around the Tiber river hit pot holes while filming Spectre, the [...]
48 hours in… Munich June 7, 2015 WHAT TO DO Make the most of your time at the airport by seeking out Airbrau, a typical Bavarian beer garden handily located between Terminals 1 and 2. Enjoy a pint of home-brewed beer or if you’re running low on cash “the Hangman’s Lunch”, which is a glass of tap water, a bread roll and [...]
The Cayman Islands: The least taxing holiday you will ever have May 31, 2015 Robert moved to the Cayman Islands after three years of working as an accountant in London. It was the best decision he ever made: “What’s there to miss? The freezing British winter? Commuting from Platform 10 of Clapham Junction? Here it’s tax-free so I get to keep my income.” Favourable tax laws aren’t the [...]
48 hours in… Ljubljana, Slovenia May 31, 2015 WHAT TO SEE Ljubljana cathedral is a stunning baroque building whose distinctive green dome dominates the city centre. Features include beautifully painted ceilings and important statues. After soaking in the culture, walk to the nearby market square for some street food. lj-stolnica.rkc.si WHERE TO EAT Gostilna na Gradu is a superb restaurant serving local cuisine [...]