Why Horwood House in Buckinghamshire is a perfect country-chic break May 14, 2023 These manicured hotel grounds are perfect for spring, finds Libby Brodie THE WEEKEND: Imposingly sat in the rolling green of Buckinghamshire’s countryside, Horwood House is a Grade II listed manor which has just undergone an extensive £6-million, 18-month long facelift. There is plenty to discover nearby and in half an hour you can be facing [...]
Working 9 to 17: Patek Philippe’s stunning Calatrava Travel Time April 24, 2023 A 24-hour-display dial takes a bit of adjustment to read as instantly as your usual 12-hour. But not as long as you’d think. Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Travel Time was the blue-eyed posterboy of the resurgent Watches and Wonders event, Geneva’s luxury watchmaking fair, which took place earlier this month. A consolidation of the now-defunct ‘Baselworld’ [...]
Why Turkey’s south western beaches are taking flight this spring April 24, 2023 Ancient sites and untouched beaches: Angelina Villa- Clarke on a fab corner of Turkey’s Turquoise Riviera In the abandoned town of Kayakoy, the streets are dusty and thyme grows tall and wild, scenting the air with a sweet piquancy. Derelict houses have gaping windows; ancient churches are in ruins, their frescoes faded and mosaics crumbling. [...]
Doing Portugal’s Algarve the smart way, at Pine Cliffs Resort April 17, 2023 THE WEEKEND: Perched on the cliffs above Falésia Beach on Portugal’s Algarve coastline, Pine Cliffs resort is the perfect gateway to exploring this sun-drenched region of southern Portugal. In reach are resort towns, such as Vilamoura and Albufeira, as well as the charming inland village of Estoi and Santa Bárbara de Nexe (the latter is [...]
Supporting South Africa’s rarest wildlife on safari with Lepogo Lodges April 17, 2023 I’m admiring the rolling plains of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, but not with the naked eye – on a computer screen. Flashing red dots indicate roaming beasts, rhinos and leopards, which are being monitored, and tiny, moving shapes show the reserve’s trackers as they drive around this remote part of northern South Africa. We’re three [...]
A pilgrimage to the isle of Corfu April 13, 2023 Gazing out across the waters of Corfu from my villa’s infinity pool, I see rickety boats and intrepid paddle boarders. Further away, across the Ionian Sea, is the craggy coastline of Albania. Sea views often sound clichéd, but Corfu really is spectacular – and a perfect destination for spring. I picked Corfu as I’m a [...]
Hotel Chais Monnet in Cognac: Stunning space off the tourist track April 12, 2023 The distillery town of Cognac lies off the tourist route, making it ideal for a weekend break that genuinely feels like a getaway. Our Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen stayed at the wonderful Hotel Chais Monnet. Where is it? Cognac, population 18,000, is one of those places whose produce is far more famous than the town [...]
Why Las Vegas’ El Cortez hotel in ‘Old Vegas’ is the city’s best stay April 11, 2023 The El Cortez hotel’s recent renovation shows how Las Vegas is finally celebrating its history, says Adam Bloodworth If you thought the Las Vegas Strip was nuts, try Downtown Las Vegas, which one local tells me has recently adopted the nickname of ‘Drowntown.’ “Growing up here, everything is crazy,” he says, his expression suggesting he’s [...]
Israel beats Scotland to win world’s best single malt whisky April 4, 2023 Israel has beaten off competition from Scotland and Japan to win the award for producing the best single malt whisky in the world. This “land of wheat and barley, of vines and figs and pomegranates, of olives, oil, and honey,” now has a thriving malt whisky industry to add to the list. Tel Aviv’s M&H [...]
Abu Dhabi is booming. We checked into the Shangri-La to get the lowdown April 4, 2023 Abu Dhabi is booming, so Olivia McEwan checked into one of the best hotels to get the lowdown THE WEEKEND: The Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri occupies a private stretch of beach on the Khor Al Maqta canal, positioned to offer views over the main island of Abu Dhabi from each of its 213 rooms. Its [...]