Wiston Estate: A vineyard retreat in Sussex with food to die for wine tourism With the South West having already claimed the title “English Riviera”, the South East is hoping to become the British equivalent of the Champagne region. With more than 50 vineyards spread across the county, Sussex is the UK’s top wine producing region, home to top houses including Nyetimber and Ridgeview. Located within easy travelling distance [...]
I have a fear of flying – could easyJet’s Fearless Flying course cure me? CONQUER FLYING PHOBIA First, a confession. I have my dream job, but recently it’s started to feel more like a nightmare. As a travel journalist, I’m in airports every month to write articles about destinations all over the world. Yet somehow in recent years, I’ve developed a fear of flying. True, I still get on planes regularly and [...]
The Royal Garden Hotel review: Overhearing Kensington locals at lunch New bedrooms paying homage to nature, inspired by Kensington Gardens, inspired Adam Bloodworth to check into the Royal Garden Hotel From my breakfast table at the Royal Garden Hotel I overlook the private entrance to Kensington Palace formerly used daily by Kate and Wills. It’s so close I can almost smell the petrol fumes. So [...]
Pula: Croatia’s sunshine city has a new must-see attraction May 15, 2023 The renovation of one of Pula’s grandest hotels means now’s the time to visit, says Karen Harvey Croatia is a relatively new country still finding its feet, but let me tell you, it has more to offer than just the sunshine we all expect. Having broken away from the former Yugoslavia and its communist rule [...]
Why Horwood House in Buckinghamshire is a perfect country-chic break May 14, 2023 These manicured hotel grounds are perfect for spring, finds Libby Brodie THE WEEKEND: Imposingly sat in the rolling green of Buckinghamshire’s countryside, Horwood House is a Grade II listed manor which has just undergone an extensive £6-million, 18-month long facelift. There is plenty to discover nearby and in half an hour you can be facing [...]
Working 9 to 17: Patek Philippe’s stunning Calatrava Travel Time April 24, 2023 A 24-hour-display dial takes a bit of adjustment to read as instantly as your usual 12-hour. But not as long as you’d think. Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Travel Time was the blue-eyed posterboy of the resurgent Watches and Wonders event, Geneva’s luxury watchmaking fair, which took place earlier this month. A consolidation of the now-defunct ‘Baselworld’ [...]
Why Turkey’s south western beaches are taking flight this spring April 24, 2023 Ancient sites and untouched beaches: Angelina Villa- Clarke on a fab corner of Turkey’s Turquoise Riviera In the abandoned town of Kayakoy, the streets are dusty and thyme grows tall and wild, scenting the air with a sweet piquancy. Derelict houses have gaping windows; ancient churches are in ruins, their frescoes faded and mosaics crumbling. [...]
Doing Portugal’s Algarve the smart way, at Pine Cliffs Resort April 17, 2023 THE WEEKEND: Perched on the cliffs above Falésia Beach on Portugal’s Algarve coastline, Pine Cliffs resort is the perfect gateway to exploring this sun-drenched region of southern Portugal. In reach are resort towns, such as Vilamoura and Albufeira, as well as the charming inland village of Estoi and Santa Bárbara de Nexe (the latter is [...]
Supporting South Africa’s rarest wildlife on safari with Lepogo Lodges April 17, 2023 I’m admiring the rolling plains of the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, but not with the naked eye – on a computer screen. Flashing red dots indicate roaming beasts, rhinos and leopards, which are being monitored, and tiny, moving shapes show the reserve’s trackers as they drive around this remote part of northern South Africa. We’re three [...]
A pilgrimage to the isle of Corfu April 13, 2023 Gazing out across the waters of Corfu from my villa’s infinity pool, I see rickety boats and intrepid paddle boarders. Further away, across the Ionian Sea, is the craggy coastline of Albania. Sea views often sound clichéd, but Corfu really is spectacular – and a perfect destination for spring. I picked Corfu as I’m a [...]