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 [...]
Abama care: Tenerife getaway Abama is the complete wellness experience February 17, 2022 I am at a yoga camp lying on a beautifully manicured lawn in the Canary Islands, bathed in warm morning sunshine as incense and calming mood music relaxes my mind. My lycra-clad colleagues look like sculptures as their toned legs point skywards. I, on the other hand, keep losing my balance and toppling over. Trouble [...]
Business travel: What does 2022 hold for your work trips? February 14, 2022 A combination of factors will determine how often we will be packing a suitcase this year. Firstly, heightened sensitivity around carbon footprints will drive businesses to be more responsible and look carefully at the number of flights employees are taking. When Zoom will suffice, that lunch in Brussels may not cut the mustard (although there [...]
The Long Weekend: Why ancient Porto is the ultimate Euro city break February 8, 2022 THE WEEKEND: We booked a long weekend in Porto by chance, listing everywhere in Europe with mild weather and reasonable flight times for a London getaway. And thank goodness we did, because this city – a rabbit’s warren of vertiginous alleyways pulsing with street music and imbued with the aroma of centuries-old port – is [...]
Dive time: The ultimate luxury under the sea with Scenic Eclipse February 7, 2022 History has just been made as luxury cruise ship Scenic Eclipse successfully completed the first submersible dive on the South Georgia Islands in 40 years. On 31 January, Scenic Eclipse’s onboard submarine Scenic Neptune took guests on the underwater expedition in Stomness, South Georgia during a 21-day Antarctica & South Georgia voyage departing from Ushuaia. [...]
The Long Weekend: Schnitzels and schmetterlings in Vienna February 6, 2022 The weekend: The schmetterlinghaus in Vienna is almost unbearably hot in August, the high summer sun transforming the humid confines of this tropical greenhouse into a veritable sauna. The schmetterlings seem to love it, flitting between the wet vines in a kaleidoscopic display which, combined with the sweltering heat, can make you feel delirious, as [...]
Global travel and tourism industry sees 1,080 deals in 2021 February 3, 2022 Even though it was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, the global travel and tourism industry still managed to grow in 2021. According to GlobalData, a total of 1,080 deals – including M&A, private equity and venture financing – were announced last year, a 1.3 per cent hike on 2020 levels. “Deal activity [...]
A culinary pilgrimage through Austria’s spectacular Tyrol February 2, 2022 I was on a pilgrimage to Tyrol in the Austrian Alps, albeit one to satisfy the stomach more than the soul. A culinary journey of rediscovery, if you will. But the first meal I had was far from heavenly – a dry Schnitzelsemmel. Worse still, it was at a motorway service station. Retrospectively, the breaded [...]
Global travel and tourism industry could grow to $8.6 trillion in 2022 February 2, 2022 The global travel and tourism industry has finally started to get back on its feet following the pandemic’s disastrous impact. According to World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) data, the sector’s contribution to the global economy could reach up to $8.6 trillion this year, only 6.4 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. As a result [...]
CarTrawler CEO Cormac Barry on the travel sector’s long road to recovery January 23, 2022 No more PCR tests before arriving in England and most travel restrictions out of the window. International arrivals will instead be asked to take a lateral flow test on arrival and only to self-isolate if it comes back positive. The UK government’s recent announcements were warmly welcomed by the UK’s aviation and tourism sectors, including [...]