City Boy at Large: Can a booze-free spa break convert our cynical urbanite? March 2, 2014 He may be more at home in the Emirates Stadium but the Bedford Lodge gives our reporter a well needed break WHEN someone says “spa”, my initial word association-style reaction is to think of the Belgian Grand Prix. The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, to give it its full name, is a favourite on the Formula One [...]
Giant panda numbers are up: see them in Chengdu February 23, 2014 They famously eat shoots and leaves. LISA YOUNG gets up-close and personal with the Chinese city’s most famous residents IT’S a warm August morning, the time of year when the sizzling Chengdu summer gives way to cooler climes. Chengdu sits in a fog-filled bowl 500 metres above sea level in the Sichuan Province of south [...]
Las Vegas comes to the city: The greatest show in town February 23, 2014 LUXURY travel company Abercrombie & Kent is hosting an exclusive Las Vegas-themed event to promote its lavish breaks in Sin City. The ticket-only evening will see the firm’s swanky Cheapside store converted into a slice of Vegas, with roulette tables, craps and showgirls to get you in the mood for the ultimate city break. Even [...]
Iceland: the world’s most dramatic landscapes February 16, 2014 There may only be one proper city in Iceland, but with geysers, volcanic caves, and grinding tectonic plates, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into YOU WILL get lost in Iceland: not geographically, but inside your head. It’s easy to get disorientated when stepping out in swimming gear, exposing your vulnerable flesh to temperatures well [...]
Ultimate breaks: This week’s top luxury trips February 16, 2014 EXTREME HOLIDAYS For those looking for extreme adventure on their holiday, check out Abercrombie & Kent’s Pioneer’s Collection. The extreme holidays include the chance to test your nerve flying a supersonic fighter jet in Russia, ascend Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, by the most challenging route or push yourself to the limits with a skiing expedition [...]
Father v son: who will master the snowboard? February 9, 2014 Ski fan Keith Perry swapped his skis for a snowboard at Les Deux Alpes to see if he could give his son a run for his money on the slopes THE FACT that I fall into the so-called “grays on trays” category – snowboarders of a certain age – should have warned me off. That, [...]
Discover the craft behind Istanbul’s booming trade February 2, 2014 Turkey has a wealth of experiences on offer for travellers and holiday-makers IN THE ancient city of Istanbul, which straddles Europe and Asia across the mighty Bosphorus Strait, all eyes have been on the completion of the Marmaray sea tunnel, the first rail tunnel to link two continents. For the first time last month, passengers [...]
Take a tour of Swaziland for a small taste of Africa January 26, 2014 An eye-opening voyage around the continent’s best-kept secret, by Sean Sheehan COME on, admit it, you don’t really know where Swaziland is. Perhaps it could be vaguely pointed to on a small map of the world but what about on a larger one of Africa? Squashed in between South Africa and Mozambique, it’s easy not [...]
Get away from it all in style January 26, 2014 From pristine African beaches to chic European winter bolt-holes, 10 luxury island retreats that are guaranteed to get you far from the madding crowd 1. Naka Yai Island, Phuket, Thailandluxurycollection.com/nakaLocated on the southern part of Naka Yai island, just off the eastern coast of Phuket, the Luxury Collection resort has 67 villas, all with private [...]
We let the truffle dogs loose in rolling fields of southern France January 20, 2014 Frederika Whitehead goes in search of pungent fungus that drives foodies crazy SERGE, our guide on the truffle hunt, is twinkle-eyed as he tells us about the aphrodisiac properties of truffles. “Truffles,” he says, “are like women: round, firm and very sensuous. I am passionate about truffles because they are the food of love.” We [...]