The Alps, 1920s style: aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express on its inaugural trip to ski resorts January 23, 2023 We discover that “The Train,” as society types call the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is the ultimate 1920s immersive theatre experience The train is careering through the darkened outskirts of Paris when oysters are placed at my table to pair with my last glug of champagne. I’m eating from an embroidered armchair more accurately described as a [...]
Why bear watching is better when you see no bears January 15, 2023 In some ways, going on a bear hunt is exactly how I’d imagined it would be. Approaching a clearing at the edge of a forest, I’m instructed to creep on tip- toes, avoiding the menacing crunch of leaves which could be loud enough to send a Marsican brown running for the hills. I can’t help [...]
Why Flaine in the French Alps is up there as one of the best ski resorts for beginners January 9, 2023 THE WEEKEND: I’m putting on skis from the first time ever and hitting the slopes in the brilliant sunshine. It’s hard to believe that only six hours earlier I was still in London. I’m in the French Alps ski resort of Flaine, near Mont Blanc, and the sheer ease of accessibility is one of the [...]
Ski holidays: Why ski touring is bucket list stuff for Alpine lovers January 9, 2023 Ski touring is a hugely popular activity in Austria, but one not widely embraced by the British skier. Understandable really, as with access to white mountains generally limited to a mere weeks’ holiday per year, most Brits prefer to stick to straight downhill skiing. As such, it’s a sport not particularly well understood and with [...]
Wanderlust: The 10 best travel stories from City A.M. in 2022 December 31, 2022 It’s been the year we’ve gone on as many holidays as we could, as the end of You Know What inspired us to do more. Whether by rail, exploring more of the UK, or going further afield, Brits have been relishing the chance to travel, which has taken on a new role this past year: [...]
How The Maldives are properly celebrating their food culture December 12, 2022 On The Maldives, local cuisine is finally being properly celebrated. Angelina Villa-Clarke jets in to eat local delicacies including mud crabs I’m sat high in the treetops, hidden amongst the oversized leaves of banana trees. Flickering candles light the tables but, mostly, the scene is illuminated by the night sky, ablaze with an eternity of [...]
Leonardslee House is the UK hotel producing South African wine December 12, 2022 THE WEEKEND: Wanting to rusticate in luxurious splendour, we paid a visit to the newly launched accommodation at Leonardslee House. Owner Penny Streeter OBE has brought back a hefty slice of South Africa to rural England and filled the Grade I listed grounds with things to do and art to gawp at for all ages [...]
Kentucky: Why the Bluegrass State is more than just horses and bourbon December 7, 2022 As we all pay more attention to what we are eating and drinking, flavour tourism is growing, particularly in the world of drinks. Visits to mezcal makers in Mexico, cognac chateaus in France, and now bourbon distilleries in Kentucky are on the up. If the idea of a well-made Old Fashioned, Mint Julep or simple [...]
Inside Yellowstone National Park as it celebrates 150th birthday December 5, 2022 As Yellowstone turns 150, Lynn Houghton finds a National Park that’s future proofing with the much-needed help of its tribal people I ’m sitting on a vast rock and casting my gaze over 15 kilometres of smoking volcanic landscape at the entrance to the Norris Geyser Basin at the Yellowstone National Park. Known for its [...]
Disneyland Paris for adults: I went without kids and it was a perfect weekend December 5, 2022 As Disneyland Paris celebrates its 30th anniversary, Adam Bloodworth checked in to get nostalgic for his childhood – and found a wholesome weekend away without too much temptation to drink and be hedonistic, and plenty of fun rides too THE WEEKEND: I had faded memories of gawping at the Castle and meeting Mickey Mouse in [...]