48 hours in… Kyoto: Where to eat, sleep, drink and visit February 15, 2015 WHERE TO EAT Kiyamachi Sakuragawa Situated along a scenic stretch of the Kiyamachi-dori, Michelin-starred restaurant Kiyamachi Sakuragawa is an accessible way to try kaiseki, Japan’s haute cuisine. Smart casual dress is encouraged and the open kitchen means you can watch the chef whip up dishes while you wait. Call +81 255 4477. Bookings recommended. [...]
5 top trails: Hike your way round Japan’s numerous natural wonders February 15, 2015 NAKASENDO WAY This 11-day hike was a popular route through central Japan for 17th century merchants and travellers, but now it’s a much quieter, enjoyable trek through the countryside with traditional inns dotted along the way. Nakasendo is an ancient highway that translates into “the road through the mountains”, starting off in Kyoto, then [...]
Falling foul of local Japanese culture: Raw fish and faux pas in the land of the rising sun February 8, 2015 It’s customary in travel articles about Japan to talk about how weird it is, and it is weird. This got me thinking: what do the Japanese find weird when they come to the UK? I asked my tour guide as she led me through the bamboo gardens of Kodaiji temple on the outskirts of Kyoto. [...]
48 hours in… Vienna February 8, 2015 WHERE TO STAY The Sacher hotel is the bottom line in Viennese luxury. Filled with grand lobbies, chandeliers and objets d‘art, it’s as impressive as it is efficient. It’s also right on the doorstep of the opera house and pretty much every cultural destination worth visiting. sacher.com WHERE TO GO First on your list should [...]
Group travelling made easy: Where to take the family this Easter February 8, 2015 Taking the family away for Easter? Find a place with room to spare… Mont Tremblant, Meribel, France oxfordski.com Meribel is well known for its generous chalets, but Mont Tremblant is perhaps the best equipped for entertaining large groups. Sleeping up to 12 guests, the property boasts a hot tub, a heated infinity pool – [...]
Top 10 tips for group travel this Easter February 8, 2015 by Rupert Longsdon, Founder of Oxford Ski Company and Luxury Chalet Collection 1 Book early to avoid disappointment – the best chalets and villas always go first and you can never book too far in advance. 2 Forward planning pays off – flights get more and more expensive the closer you get to a holiday [...]
Nippon’s sublime amber nectar: Why is Japanese whisky gaining so many global plaudits? February 1, 2015 Kampai!’ says my effusive barman, as I lift the highball glass to my lips. I’m in a narrow, low-lit, eight-seater bar called Hanare, just a few minutes’ walk from Gion-Shijo station, in the heart of Kyoto’s entertainment district, and about to try my first taste of Japanese whisky. It’s an apposite time to do so, [...]
48 hours in… Boston February 1, 2015 WHERE TO STAY Situated in the Back Bay area, Boston’s family-owned Lenox Hotel combines historical charm with modern luxury. The Lenox has been a Boston landmark ever since it opened for business in 1900. Now it’s known for its friendly, personalised service. Rooms start at $195, lenoxhotel.com WHERE TO GO Protopunk legends The Modern Lovers [...]
Samoens and Morillon: Is this the ideal family ski holiday destination? January 25, 2015 The ski villages of Samoens and Morillon may not have the extreme slopes of its neighbours, but they’re perfect for enthusiastic amateurs The village of Samoens in the French Alps is a 600 year old ski secret. The name actually dates back to 1167 but the focal point of the village square – a giant [...]
48 hours in… Brooklyn January 25, 2015 WHERE TO STAY Stay in this meticulously restored 1860s mansion if you like your hotels cute and characterful. Nestled in a tree-lined avenue home to some of the city’s finest brownstone architecture, Akwaaba Mansion is boho Brooklyn perfection. Rooms start at $195 per night, akwaaba.com WHERE TO GO It may sound morbid, but Green-Wood Cemetery [...]