To ski or not to ski: How to plan a trip when snow is uncertain September 27, 2024 You are about to spend a small fortune on a ski trip. The reports from the Alps are of muddy, brown slopes. A huge warm weather zone depositing nothing but rain has decimated the snow coverage between Christmas and into January. What to do? Cancel, shift resort in the hope of finding better snow? Press [...]
Tarantulas, temples and tall tales: Vietnam to Cambodia on the Mekong river is a soul-stirring delight September 23, 2024 Alexandra Pereira enjoyed profound human connections along the Mekong river On the first night of my journey along the mammoth Mekong ‘mother- water’ River, I watch on aghast as my companion crunches down on a large tarantula. He washes it down with a negroni, a sundowner like no other, and barely makes a sound or [...]
The ultimate weekend in Sussex, with wild swimming, wine and Monet’s lilies September 23, 2024 Sussex’s latest opening has wild swimming – and warm hot tubs, finds Justine Gosling THE WEEKEND: One of the UK’s most diverse counties and easily reached by car or train in under an hour from London, West Sussex spans the coast and the South Downs National Park, encompassing hills, the city of Brighton, harbours, farmland [...]
Visit Lake Como in autumn for gorgeous scenery without the crowds September 16, 2024 One of the most extravagant hotels in Europe, Adam Hay Nicholls stays at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni on the fringes of Lake Como in best possible season: autumn One of three ‘grande dame’ hotels on northern Italy’s perennially glamorous Lake Como, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni lives up to its Belle Époque billing in [...]
Why Rhodes in Greece is ideal in autumn, with fewer crowds and plenty of sun September 16, 2024 THE TRIP: The Ixian Grand offers ultimate peace of mind: all inclusive and adults-only. That means no unexpected holiday overspending and no screaming kids by the pool. We stayed in one of the swim-up suites, meaning our room had its own terrace onto an infinity pool, shared with the other suites, and a beachfront view. [...]
The Amalfi Coast is at its best in October – here’s why September 9, 2024 Mention Amalfi, and most imagine a sun-drenched romantic road trip along Italy’s famed coast, meandering through rustic towns draped in bougainvillea and cascading down mountainous cliffs towards a shimmering blue sea. A UNESCO world heritage landscape, the 34 mile stretch on Italy’s southern coast has inspired artists and writers whose creativity is fuelled by a [...]
Mallory Court in Warwickshire is an outstanding retreat September 9, 2024 Mallory Court, a country estate near Leamington Spa, is the perfect weekend retreat, says Harry Owen THE WEEKEND: Founded by IT entrepreneur Sir Peter Rigby, Mallory Court is part of the Eden Hotel Collection, which also boasts Dartmoor’s five-star Bovey Castle. What was once a Manor house set deep in the Warwickshire countryside, Mallory Court [...]
Fit for Netflix: the British country hotel straight out of Bridgerton September 2, 2024 THE WEEKEND: If you’ve binged season three of Bridgerton, allow us to take you back but in physical form: what eligible debutant doesn’t need the occasional break from the city’s nonstop social scene and the drudgeries of Mayfair life? Located about an hour’s drive from York train station, the Yorkshire Dales makes for a most [...]
The authentic part of the Bahamas, with secret beaches and amazing food September 2, 2024 Arriving into a tiny airport after a twenty minute hop from Nassau International, we’re driving down the dusty palms highway to Freeport. The trees are ragged, stripped of their leaves and dead. Fields of new ones have been planted, but like anything beautiful in nature, patience is the virtue. It’s something the Grand Bahamians have [...]
The Savoy Hotel feels the pinch as London’s luxury market gets even more competitive August 28, 2024 The Savoy Hotel is feeling the impact of an increase in competition in London’s luxury hotel market after its pre-tax loss widened during 2023, it has been revealed. The hotel has reported a loss of £17.9m for its latest financial year, having also made a pre-tax loss of £12m in 2022, according to newly-filed documents [...]