Complete immersion in Belize March 22, 2022 There is a human skull half-submerged in the mud at my feet. Through the damp gloom, I can just make out other bones, scattered across the floor. Luckily, I haven’t stumbled upon a gruesome murder scene, but the truth is almost as chilling. This is an ancient Mayan ceremonial cave, buried deep within the jungle [...]
An adventure through glorious, neglected Cuba March 22, 2022 Despite only a brief appearance, the hookah-smoking caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland was a significant character. Between puffs he took the time to answer questions and offer advice to someone quite confused by her environs. In Havana, Cuba, I’ve met a man of a similar disposition. Amid chat, plumes of cigar smoke that were custard [...]
Babington House in Somerset is a corner of Soho outside of the city March 14, 2022 THE WEEKEND: When you’re craving fresh air and green fields but aren’t quite ready to ditch London’s glamour and 24-hour convenience, Somerset’s Babington House is the ultimate rural idyll. It’s the original chic country retreat from the Soho House Group, the hotel and member’s club which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2018 and remains a [...]
A love-letter to Mykonos: Why this Greek island has it all March 14, 2022 From the sunken fire pit, guests can watch the sun setting over the neighbouring island of Delos. Gold, amber and peach streaks are scrawled across the sky, like an angry toddler has raided the crayon box. The smoke rises up, making smudges, like dirty fingerprints across the sky. A few decades ago, this outdoors spot [...]
A cruise fit for Greta as Hurtigruten gets sustainable: ‘Our goal is zero emissions!’ March 11, 2022 Expedition cruise experts Hurtigruten is putting its ships through one of Europe’s largest ever sustainability pushes. New high-tech gear is being installed across its seven Coastal Express cruise ships – cutting CO2 emissions by 25% and Nitrogen oxide emissions by as much as 80%. Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten cruises Norway, said “This is the largest [...]
Costa Navarino is the best new golf spot in the world March 11, 2022 Surrounded by views of the ocean, the mountains, and the valleys of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese, it’s no surprise that Greece’s Costa Navarino was named the World’s Best New Golf Development at the 2020 World Golf Awards. With two new courses designed by Masters winner José María Olazábal, Costa Navarino has now arrived as [...]
Why your next ski break should be in Austria’s Ischgl & Kappl February 28, 2022 “Relax if you can” is Ischgl’s motto and for a high quality, luxury ski destination the place is hard to beat. Walking down Ischgl’s main drag opulence hits you like a diamond-encrusted knuckleduster. Four and five star hotels rule the strip. Our choice was Hotel Piz Buin – all the luxury I could wish for [...]
Skiing without the hassle at the Aman Melezin hotel in Courchevel February 28, 2022 The weekend: Take an early flight out of London and you can be skiing or snowboarding on the largest linked ski area in the world – with 600km of slopes across Les Trois Vallées – by the afternoon. For minimal time-wasting, the ski-in, ski-out Aman Melezin hotel is located on the Bellecôte Piste above Courchevel [...]
Forget crowds: Charter your own yacht in Corfu February 28, 2022 The situation is as follows. We’d been locked down for 18 months. We avoided the uncertainty of summer foreign holidays and were scouting round for an October half term option. That’s how we hit upon the idea of sailing… in Corfu… in October. On a low season sailing holiday you are taking a double risk. [...]
Villa 1870 in Corfu: A villa with benefits on the Greek island February 18, 2022 The weekend: There is so much more to the verdant Greek island of Corfu than its postcard-perfect beaches. While most Brits opt to fly and flop at seafront resorts, visitors who leave their loungers will discover stately palaces and museums, tranquil mountain villages and rugged mountains blanketed in pine trees. All this and one of [...]