Ikos Aria hotel review: No better place from which to explore the charms of Kos March 6, 2020 Found on the impossibly scenic bay of Kefalos, on the southwestern tip of Kos, the latest hotel opening from Ikos Resorts is the group’s prettiest yet. An ideal place to soak up the sun, get fit – there’s a huge amount of activities in store – or as a base to discover the charms of [...]
Le Farnatchi hotel review: Refined, laid-back luxury in the heart of Marrakech March 6, 2020 Personal space? In the souk, there’s no such thing. Belts. Bags. Trinkets. Shoes. Earthenware. Snakes. All will be thrust under your nose within minutes of entering the old town. Mules kick up clouds of nose-tickling dust. Scooters slalom recklessly through the throng. All around, commerce unfolds as it has done for centuries: aggressive, loud, and, [...]
Want to help Australia after the bushfires? March 3, 2020 | City Talk New extended working holiday visas for visitors to help with the recovery from the Australian bushfires If you’ve been shocked by the extensive devastation in Australia following the bushfires, you may be thinking about how you can help. When it seems like the rain will never stop in the UK, some time out travelling Australia [...]
Swim with manta rays and dine on lobster curries at the Maldivian island resort of Vakkaru March 3, 2020 Any island resort staffer can say “welcome to paradise”, but when it comes from a seaplane pilot with no shoes on it feels more like a religious ritual than a tired cliche. It’s contagious, as the staff at Maldivian island resort Vakkaru can vouch for, guests – certainly me – ditch the formality and stress [...]
Can an overseas role help your career prospects? February 26, 2020 | City Talk Even a short posting abroad can have significant, long-term career benefits. It’s never been easier for people all over the world to communicate; international teams can be connected by email, intranet, phone and even video calls. However, there is still no real replacement for face-to-face interaction. Companies post staff overseas for a number of reasons; [...]
Last year’s attacks saw tourism to Sri Lanka all but vanish – but now it’s surging, thanks to a revived wellness industry February 21, 2020 Oil is slowly dripped onto my forehead as I lie on my back, feeling strangely relaxed. This is shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic treatment and part of my detox programme at Sen Wellness Sanctuary. Outside, the sound of monkeys chattering and waves crashing in the far distance add to the sense of tranquility. Our home for [...]
The best luxury resorts in the Alps – where to stay and where to ski February 17, 2020 Tap your ski pass, perch on our comfortable chairlift and let City A.M. take you for a tour of the Alps’ best new (or newish) hotels. We’ve had the enviable task of spending the early part of this winter season reviewing the peaks of high-end hospitality and the black runs of flashy facilities; a blizzard [...]
The Twilight Zone: The best way to find powder snow in Morzine? Try uphill skiing in the dark… February 14, 2020 It’s a still night on the mountain, with the full moon glinting on the snow. By the light of the torch on my head I can only see a narrow path as I trudge through the forests of Morzine in the French Alps. Despite the freezing cold I’m rapidly stripping off layers, overheating with the [...]
Moving Mountains: How the biggest Alpine construction project in 20 years has transformed Val d’Isere January 17, 2020 The venue is Cocorico, a packed Val d’Isere après ski bar where the music is pumping. BBC Ski Sunday presenter and five times Olympic skier Graham Bell is regaling us of the time he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest towed speed on skis. Dragged by a Jaguar XF Sportbrake in Sweden, he [...]
A haunt of filmstars in search of peace and privacy, Palm Springs is California’s worst kept secret December 20, 2019 Palm Springs is a balmy Californian desert town about 100 miles east of Los Angeles, and ever since the 1930s, Hollywood actors have been retreating here to escape fans and flashbulbs. Famous for its Insta-ready palm trees and stark, mid-century modern architecture, it provides a great base for hiking and horse riding, as well as [...]