Skyscanner acquired by Chinese travel giant Ctrip in a £1.4 billion deal September 19, 2016 | City Talk Edinburgh-based travel search company Skyscanner has been acquired by Chinese travel giant Ctrip in a £1.4 billion deal. Ctrip, a Chinese online travel agent, claims two thirds share of the market in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, it was founded in 1999 and began life as a review site, then branched to hotel business and across [...]
Explore the hidden trails of Bali, where luxury retreats hide among verdant rainforests and spectacular valleys September 16, 2016 A monsoon deluge broke as we approached the emerald rainforests of Ubud, sending a family of chattering monkeys, some holding each other’s tails, scampering for the sanctuary of the sandalwood trees. It was that bewitching hour in the tropics when day turns rapidly into bible-black night, as if a curtain has dropped, and driving through plantations [...]
Pine Cliffs Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort review: Enjoy fairways, sand dunes and seafood in this stunning Portuguese retreat September 12, 2016 Portugal’s southernmost region, The Algarve is known for its luxury golf courses and pristine beaches. But even if lounging by the pool, traipsing across fairgrounds and enjoying a spa break is too laid-back an adventure, you can try tasting some of the region’s best wines or exploring the local cuisine. WHERE? The Pine Cliffs Resort, [...]
You can book a holiday with some Portuguese Water Dogs, and it’s amazing September 9, 2016 Most men I know who holiday in Portugal go for the golf. Quite a few ladies too. The Algarve boasts some of the lushest courses in the world. Sadly not all players are Rory McIlroy standard. There is a lake here on the scenic links at Quinta do Lago where one thousand balls are fished [...]
As more and more airlines launch new routes to Iran, this increasingly open country is fast becoming a popular tourist destination September 2, 2016 T he Islamic Republic of Iran is a destination rarely found near the top of travellers’ bucket lists. It is, after all, ruled over by a strict theocracy, one in which police patrol shopping malls to enforce a mandatory dress code, and social media continues to be blocked across the country. Yet in the cities, [...]
Heading to Dublin? Here’s how to get the most out of your trip September 2, 2016 As an Irishman living in London, it’s vitally important to maintain links with the motherland by annually submerging myself in the grand culture of my people, before returning to London fresh and thrumming with renewed Celtic energy. Today, I will share with you my meticulously curated itinerary. How to get there: Fly Aer Lingus, of course. [...]
The superyacht haven of Porto Montenegro is a hidden paradise on the Adriatic August 19, 2016 Starboard is on the right when the boat is moving forward, and port is left. The thing in the middle pointing up is called a mast, and this horizontal bar is called the boom,” explains Ben, the man (or skipper, if we’re going to get technical) that we were to entrust our lives to for [...]
Long Weekend: Chef Raymond Blanc’s favourite places to shop, dine and wine in Paris August 15, 2016 The weekend Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc has picked out his favourite foodie hotspots in one of the tastiest cities on earth. From bistros to profiteroles, there’s a lot to pack in, but if you’re up for the challenge, then here’s how to bloat yourself Blanc-style. How to get there The Eurostar e320 gets you there [...]
Why Mallorca is up there with Tuscany as one of Europe’s top retreats August 15, 2016 In the first half of the 20th century, Mallorca was a relatively poor island, its inhabitants eking out a largely pastoral existence. But the Balearics, which include Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera, boast some of the most stunning scenery in the world, especially the former, by far the biggest of the four main islands, which [...]
Budget rail service will link Edinburgh and London August 14, 2016 | City Talk A new low-fare train service between Edinburgh and London has been given the green light. The rail regulator ORR has approved FirstGroup's proposal to provide a rival budget rail service on the East Coast Mainline linking Edinburgh and London. The plan is to operate five trains a day in each direction. The service will be [...]