Chateau Gütsch: Journey to Lucerne, the ticking heart of watchmaking January 11, 2015 Overlooking Lucerne, Chateau Gütsch is a belle-epoque retreat with a horological secret. As a writer with a particular penchant for Swiss watchmaking, I probably use the term “chocolate box” far too frequently. Hard not to when describing a springtime visit to an atelier nestled in the verdant Jura foothills, surrounded by cows and their clanking [...]
The Exhibitionist is the boutique hotel in Kensington that doubles up as an art gallery January 11, 2015 WHAT IS IT? A new Kensington hotel with a focus on art. The Exhibitionist sells itself as a boutique hotel, which is something London is still rather lacking. With rooms starting at £225, it’s affordable, making it a viable possibility for commuters planning a night at the theatre or an early morning at the nearby [...]
48 hours in… Lima January 11, 2015 WHERE TO DRINK As one of the few waterside drinking spots in Lima, Cala is well-known and popular among locals. Sample modern Peruvian cuisine and sip an authentic pisco sour on its terrace overlooking the ocean. calarestaurante.com WHERE TO STAY In a country with virtually no boutique hotels, Hotel B certainly stands out. The communal [...]
New Year weight loss holidays: These getaways prove the January detox doesn’t always have to be depressing January 4, 2015 Forget crash diets and spin-classes. From running in Tallinn to blissing out in Sri Lanka, this is how to work off that festive flubber in style. Overindulged this Christmas? Did making merry take its toll on your belly? These travel tips combine the nations’ favourite January past times, detoxing and booking holidays, so you can [...]
Reach for the Isle of Skye for a bracing winter weekend away December 21, 2014 The island off the west coast of Scotland has a rugged charm during the colder months – and the food is first class. My heart is yearning to thee, O Skye! Dearest of Islands! There first the sunshine gladdened my eye, On the sea sparkling”. So wrote Scottish poet Alexander Nicolson about the largest [...]
48 hours in… Oslo December 21, 2014 WHERE TO STAY The 140-year-old Grand Hotel has an illustrious cultural history in the city. It hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and past live-in guests include playwright Henrik Ibsen and explorer Fridjof Nansen. grand.no WHERE TO GO Bask in the green surroundings of one of Norway’s most important heritage sites, the Akershus Fortress, [...]
Washington DC: Where to eat in the political capital of the western world December 14, 2014 Washington DC has grown from somewhere you work to somewhere to eat. Over the past few years, ravenous London scenesters have been snarfing down a vast array of steaks, burgers, hot dogs, shakes, pizzas, burritos and all sorts of other full-flavoured Americana from a diverse range of restaurants, pop-ups and food trucks. US [...]
48 hours in… Helsinki December 14, 2014 WHERE TO STAY The petit Haven Hotel hotel has only 77 rooms but each are individually-styled to perfection. It also offers packages for romantic or indulgent getaways, including dinner, shows and casino passes. Hotelhaven.fi WHERE TO GO A weekend in Helsinki isn’t complete without taking the fifteen minute ferry ride to the spectactular Suomenlinna sea [...]
The Royal Palm in Mauritius: The best resort hotel in the Indian Ocean is back with a bang December 7, 2014 The Royal Palm, haunt of former French presidents François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac, has just undergone a £10m refurbishment. It was already the best hotel in Mauritius and, in the words of Spinal Tap, it has just turned it up to eleven, upgrading to become the only six star hotel in Mauritius. The Royal Palm [...]
48 hours in… Bruges December 7, 2014 WHERE TO STAY B&B De Corenbloem is the ultimate in olde-worlde European luxury. Rooms start from €150 per night. Visit decorenbloem.be WHERE TO EAT Den Huzaar is a traditional bistro that does Belgian classics and does them well. Visit denhuzaar.be or call 032 050 33 37 97 WHERE TO DRINK In Belgium it has to [...]