Florence’s four best boutique hotels June 13, 2014 Frequent flyers, particularly those travelling on business, see a lot of forgettable hotel rooms. Even if the corporate purse stretches to a five star offering, it’s normally a last-minute, practical booking in the centre of town. The global hotel franchises that cater to the busy and perpetually tired are experts at creating welcoming yet efficient [...]
Seven reasons you need to visit Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor June 6, 2014 1. The Bay of Kotor is stunning Take a Norwegian fjord, plonk it on the edge of a balmy Adriatic coast and you’ve got the Bay of Kotor. It’s a little hidden community, accessed through a narrow passage from the sea with steep wooded hills descending to small villages perched on the tiny bit of [...]
Blazing a trail on the beautiful Mauritian coast June 1, 2014 I had always fancied the idea of trail running, but my experience was, until recently, limited to lethal, icy attempts across Dartmoor. The rugged coast of Mauritius was more appealing, so I jetted across the Indian Ocean to visit the island hosting the fourth Dodo Trail in July, an event dubbed “From Hell to Paradise”. [...]
Learn to cook with a legend in the world of haute-cuisine May 18, 2014 French chef Michel Guérard has opened his very own school. Laura Ivill investigates. SUNDAY lunch in south west France: carpaccio of langoustines, followed by roasted milk-fed lamb and peach melba. It is as delicious as you would expect from the hands of venerated French chef Michel Guérard. But the clincher: three courses under 630 calories. [...]
48 hours in… New Orleans May 18, 2014 WHERE TO STAY Located in a quiet part of the French Quarter, Soniat House is a 30-room boutique hotel full of 18th century antiques and leafy courtyards with rocking chairs. Rooms from $295 a night for two people. Visit soniathouse.com. WHERE TO EAT Established in 1840, Antoine’s is the oldest French-Creole restaurant in the city. [...]
The Peruvian Amazon: in search of the anaconda May 11, 2014 Steve Dinneen takes to the world’s second longest river to find its longest snake ON MY first morning on the Amazon the sun acted as a natural alarm clock, lighting up my room through gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river. As I came to, blinking through the fug of the previous night’s pisco sours, pink [...]
The charm of Peru’s national dish: ceviche May 11, 2014 SANJAY DWIVEDI is head chef at Coya, the highly-rated Peruvian restaurant in Piccadilly. He explains to Melissa York the allure of Peru’s most famous dish, ceviche, which is made by marinading raw fish in citrus juices: “Peruvians eat ceviche all the time. For any meal, any time of the day, at any kind of restaurant. [...]
48 hours in… Lima May 11, 2014 WHERE TO STAY Boutique hotels are relatively new to Lima, but Hotel B is leading the way, with its opulent rooms and risque art. Log on to hotelb.pe; + 51 1 206-0800 WHERE TO EAT Astrid & Gastón in the Miraflores district is one of Lima’s most famous restaurants, serving the best ceviche with a [...]
Find your sea legs at Tahiti’s Pearl Regatta May 5, 2014 Intrepid adventurer Chris Osburn reminisces about his adventures on Tahiti’s high seas CELEBRATING its eleventh anniversary and touted as one of the most important yacht races in the South Pacific, the Tahiti Pearl Regatta combines competitive sailing – on the high seas and in lagoons – with cultural events and boozy night time festivities. The route [...]
48 hours in… Dubrovnik, Croatia May 5, 2014 WHERE TO STAY For sublime views over the crystalline waters of the Adriatic, go to boutique luxury hotel Villa Dubrovnik. It specialises in Mediterranean fine dining and it has a private beach. Rooms from £234 at villa-dubrovnik.hr WHERE TO EAT Proto dates back to 1886 but it’s a hangout for A-listers like Bono and Richard [...]