21 November 2023

My last visit to Cyprus back in 1999 had looked quite different. Fresh out of university and new to the travel industry, my cake-tin Renault Twingo rental car (which is all my budget ran to!) was certainly put to the test in negotiating the rugged hills of the west. Incidentally, self-driving is pretty straightforward on the island as the Cypriots also drive on the left - just make sure you have a decent engine size! This (long overdue!) return visit would be in stark contrast, since I was fortunate enough to be invited to the 5* Columbia Beach Resort to experience the hotel firsthand. Columbia Beach is nuzzled into Pissouri Bay with no hotel neighbours, no through-traffic and largely residential surroundings, making it a peaceful alternative to busier resorts on the island. Comprised of two hotel wings (the ‘modern’ East wing and ‘traditional’ West wing) the all-suite hotel offers generously sized rooms, starting from 36sqm and configurations to suit all types of guest and party size. The grounds are dotted with bougainvillea, jasmine, Mediterranean herbs, palm & pomelo trees and conifers, which add to the restful ambience. The immediate area is dotted with local tavernas, shops & cafes (many of which were brimming with locals, even in November). Food offerings are excellent and without fail, dishes are brought to your table with a friendly smile, with customisations happily suggested depending on preferences & allergies. Experience authentic breads, pastries & coffee at breakfast, a long, lazy mezze lunch at The Apollo Tavern terrace (my favourite!) and if you want to switch things up, head to Bacchus for contemporary European cuisine or Seven C’s for sushi - the best I’ve had in quite some time. As much as the hotel is conducive to R&R, there are plenty of activities and provisions for those seeking a way to offset the essential breakfast extras, such as cappuccino freddos, pastelaki (incredibly moorish nut brittle) & anari filo cheese pies! The hotel has its own yoga studio, two squash courts, two tennis courts, an incredible 80m lap pool and classes ranging from HIIT & circuit training to pilates & Tai Chi. For experienced hikers, a trek up to Cape Aspro is a must....considered one of the most impressive coastlines on the island. Treat yourself to an Elemis Swedish massage in the award winning Hébe spa afterwards. Sounds good, right? Gone seemingly are the days of spending your time exclusively by the pool or bobbing in the sea on holiday and since clients now tend to incorporate experiential elements to their holiday, I have a great suggestion for you. Pre-book a private guide & driver with the hotel for a half day, starting off at Aphrodite’s Rock, then on to Kourion Archaelogical site to visit the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, private villa ruins and exquisite preserved mosaic floors. Finish up by visiting the charming Troödos Mountains village of Omodos to pick up some authentic delicacies and enjoy a typical taverna mezze lunch at Katoi restaurant - ensuring you save room for their insanely sticky and citrusy ‘Portokalópita’ orange cake with preserved fruits & nuts on the side. Cyprus often gets overlooked as a wintersun destination, in favour of the Canaries & Middle East, which is a pity since there are fewer tourists, temperatures are still comfortably in the mid 20’s and depending on when you travel, the sea is still warm enough to swim. I soaked up every little moment of sea swimming in mid-November, knowing the next time will be a fair few months ahead! Why not trade your wellies & weatherproofs for paddling & pool bars! Contact me for further information and to get cracking on 2024 beach holiday planning!

17 June 2023

In the thick of the pandemic when learning went online and as a work community we became innovative with our self-development, travel counsellors took to teaching one another about a destination they had in-depth knowledge of. My colleague had been returning to Corfu since she was a child and the webinar thoroughly brought the destination to life, so much so, the island jumped straight to the number 1 spot of places I wanted to visit. The lush green landscape, Italian influences and the arrival of several new luxury hotels over the past 5 years had been the main motivators. One of such hotels was The Olivar Suites where we spent the first few nights of our stay. A boutique hotel built from scratch on the site of a former olive grove - which first opened its doors in 2021 - whose original olive mill still forms part of the property, home to the beach bar, Olibar, coffee lounge & boutique. Low-rise suites (the majority of which have their own private pool) are spread along a winding pathway towards the sea, interspersed with 300-year old olive trees and beautifully thought through planting; scented pelargoniums, lavenders, agapanthus, grasses & mint. Wildlife thrives and most shrubs will have an abundance of bees & butterflies bobbing about on their fronds. Besides the effortless, peaceful and calming surroundings, for me, the star of the show was the food. From the Corfiot pancakes with mizithra cheese, kumquat & black sesame at breakfast, to the octopus kalamaki at lunch to the beef tenderloin with metaxa sauce at dinner. All day dining is available at both Olibar and its restaurant Flya - one little tip: pool-side dining is the most popular spot, so once you have access to the hotel’s app upon check-in, take advantage of the table reservation tool, specifying indoor or poolside. The hotel welcomes couples and families but I would suggest it is most suitable for families with either pre-school or teenage children. Since there are no facilities for children (apart from umpteen sandcastle-building opportunities!) it is more geared up for little ones who are content in entertaining themselves! Once you have slipped down a few gears, sit back, relax and have every need pandered to, from your sunlounger call button to request bar refreshments to the in-room SuitePad device from which you can order room service, book spa treatments, request or delay housekeeping and enquire about excursions. Speaking of which, you’re perfectly positioned to visit Corfu Town or Paxos by boat as regular departures leave from Messonghi River, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The town of Messonghi in which the hotel is located, also has a good selection of tavernas, several right on the beach front, should you wish a more authentic dining experience. A hidden gem is the wonderful Rose Garden, a short walk from the hotel, run by a very knowlegeable & charming front of house team. We then travelled 50 minutes northwest for the remaining 4 nights of our visit, to stay at Domes of Corfu (a much more ‘all-singing-all-dancing’ resort) located in the sleepy village of Glyfada against a dramatic backdrop of verdant mountains. The hotel tries its best to appeal to all traveller types, from plenty of activities and a brimming kids club programme to zoned areas for adults (including an adults only pool), a ‘quiet zone’ at the beach, as well as romantic dining spots and evening entertainment generally more suited to the grown-ups. We were treated to a terrific saxophonist at sunset, a performance by the Corfiot Philarmonic Orchestra and moonlight cinema on the lawn overlooking the sea. Food is plentiful and of excellent quality - half board is recommended as there are no dining options in the immediate area (unless you want to take a taxi to the nearby pretty town of Pelekas or further afield to Corfu Town). Our half board plan included breakfast and dinner buffets in Agora restaurant which was very good indeed with daily rotations so you aren’t faced with the same choices each day. Its 3rd floor outdoor patio overlooks the sea, which was our favourite dining spot. We also had the option to dine in the two a la carte restaurants; Topos (seafront seafood) or Frourios (fine dining Greek/Mediterranean) with a €15 credit each to use towards the meal. Daytime dining is centred around Spianada - loosely based on the concept of a village square with a gelateria and food truck serving ceviche, sushi & poké to add to the offerings. Rooms vary considerably according to view, facilities and privileges (such as access to the Haute Living Room club lounge) so contact me to discuss the most appropriate choice for your needs. In my opinion, no visit to the island should be complete without a day (or evening) in Corfu Town. The bus from Glyfada costs just €2,20 each way (or €45 by taxi) and takes about 45 minutes. Once there, settle in for some initial people watching with an iced coffee (do as the locals do) and plan your time. With both Venetian and Parisian influences and the scent of jacaranda trees and jasmine hanging in the air, a day exploring the winding pathways and nooks of the city, home to plenty of boutiques, cafes & pretty bougainvillea fringed restaurants is a really lovely contrast to a beach stay. Don’t forget to leave room for a gelato from Mona Lisa! If you’re after lush green landscapes, clear blue seas, a little pampering and some wholesome and genuine Greek hospitality I may well be able to find you that perfect getaway. Contact me to discover more - I’ll happily bend your ear about my recent wonderful few days away.

24 March 2023

I love a European city break and I especially love a European city break in the winter; your euro goes that little bit further, there are fewer crowds and if you’re very lucky you’ll get bright, sunny days (albeit a little chilly at times). This was my first time in the city itself having previously used Palma as a gateway to other resorts on the island. Thanks to a large inventory of flights from the UK, you can often find reasonably priced fares, especially if you plan in advance. As this broken record keeps telling you, it really does pay to book in advance and since we planned this visit 7 months previous, we benefited from terrific flight prices……..more money to go towards the odd little ‘copa de cava’ or tapas pit-stop! Our home for four nights was the glorious Hotel San Francesc, a former 19th Century mansion, combining contemporary design with sympathetic nods to its historic past. Our deluxe room overlooked the pretty San Francesc Square and ornate 13th Century basilica whose baroque facade looked magnificent against a completely cloudless springtime sky. With temperatures in the late teens, we were able to put up our weary feet around the rooftop pool, whiling away a couple of hours before ‘vermut-oclock’ - vermouth as we know it, is enjoying a renaissance in Palma and I’m rather liking it! One of my biggest travel tips is Book Your Restaurants! There’s nothing more frustrating than hungrily trudging around an unfamiliar city and being disappointed when you end up ‘settling’. It pays to do some research ahead of time whether it be asking around for personal recommendations or hunting down bloggers who live locally. If you’re after an excellent quality, perched-at-the-counter tapas experience, make sure you make a reservation at El Camino. (The latest venture from the creators of Fino & Barrafina in London.) They offer an impressive list of wines by the glass and a theatre-like atmosphere where you can see your dishes being prepared right in front of you. Since the weather was expected to be exceptionally warm and sunny on our 2nd day, we decided to travel north via the Tren de Soller (an historic wooden train) through the Tramunatana mountains and then on to Soller port via tram. (A combo ticket costs €18 per adult, one-way.) A little tip: remember to allow some time at Soller station as they have permanent exhibitions dedicated to both Picasso & Miró. Set around a circular harbour, lined with restaurants, cafes and boutiques, Soller makes a perfect daytrip from the city where you can enjoy the turquoise waters, a spot of yacht-admiring, lunch with sea views and the sand between your toes. Upon returning to Palma, my tip would be to take the Number 203 bus instead, which winds its way through pretty hilltop villages such as Deia and Valldemossa for absolutely glorious views of the ocean below (providing you don’t mind cliff-hugging mountain roads!) As a real treat to round off our short break, we thought we would do what the Spanish do well and indulge in a long, leisurely fine-dining lunch. Adrian Quetglas is one of four 1-Michelin star restaurants in the city. The 5-course tasting menu comes at a reasonably priced €55 with wine pairings available at a further €30 per head. Since the chef is of Mallorcain parentage, many of the dishes contain authentic flavours and are cooked in traditional methods. If someone had asked me what my favourite European city was, until now I had always said either Krakow or Seville. Well….I think Palma may well have just elbowed its ways in to top spot and we’re already looking forward to the ‘same time, same place’ in 2024!

19 January 2023

Historically Puglia (often referred to as the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy) has been considered ‘undiscovered’ but going by the number of unsold seats on my recent flight, it appears the secret is out! The region is conveniently served by two airports, Bari and Brindisi making it a very accessible destination. Whether you are after history, culture, glorious beaches, gastronomy, unique or pampering properties, Puglia has the whole kit & caboodle. Our trip started with a visit to a number of masserias (typically inland former agricultural estates) and their corresponding beach clubs - for the ultimate in luxury, incorporate a few nights at the glorious Borgo Egnazia. A recreated authentic village with ‘town square’ where lavish dinners are held, olive groves as far as the eye can see, local stone buildings draped in carpets of magenta bougainvillea and dreamy, sophisticated interiors, which at night are lit with pillar candles, lanterns and festoon lights. The Pugliese take great pride in their food & culinary traditions and you literally cannot step a foot wrong. Morning typically started with a strong americano and a ‘pasticiotto’ - a light as a feather pastry case, containing egg custard or a flavoured ricotta cheese filling. Try to schedule in a local food market day too - where you can find local specialities such as black olive & onion tarrali biscuits (which go perfectly with a chilled glass of rosé) biscotti in numerous flavours and a mind boggling selecting of pastas all with their very own specific use. A personal discovery was ‘maritati’ pasta (known as ‘marriage pasta’, marrying the female pasta - orrechiette - with the male pasta, macaroni) typically representing the traditional Sunday lunch dish. Beach life is certainly a part of life in this area of Italy - with a large choice of sandy stretches and rocky coves. Typically the Ionian coast line is sandier with calmer waters whereas the Adriatic coast is rockier. If you are staying a distance from the coast, try to factor in a day at the beach - many beach clubs offer a day pass. We whiled away the afternoon at the Coccaro Beach Club - enjoy a big plate of clam tagliolini and a glass of wine and then slope off to your lounger on the bathing deck for an afternoon in the sun. Although you could easily immerse yourself in a standalone beach holiday, try to peel yourself away for some (in my view) unmissable day trips. Alberobello first off, is known for its stone whitewashed huts with conical roofs. A magical, almost fairytale village where you can spend a few hours exploring. Then on to Ostuni - a hillside maze of cobbled streets & hidden staircases where you will find quaint restaurants, cafes and its 15th Century gothic cathedral with glorious views of the countryside below and the Adriatic beyond. Venture further south and try to allow for a couple of days in the city of Lecce, a small university city where at every turn you’ll find glorious baroque architecture and cool sandstone passageways where you can escape the sun - the temperature hit 36 degrees on our visit so the cool, shaded side streets were certainly welcome! For a real treat, book a table for lunch at La Fiermontina, on the garden terrace under the dappled shade of ancient olive trees. If you’re after authenticity, an escape from the crowds, genuine warm & friendly welcomes and the food of your dreams, look no further.

07 April 2022

Until recently I had spent no longer than 12 hours in the city of Copenhagen on the final leg of a Baltic cruise holiday back in 2011. I have always had a soft spot for all things Nordic and those 12 hours are still engrained in my memory. I can even recall my first authentic smørrebrød experience at the very lovely Skt Annae (which is still going by the way!) Our base for this return visit was the Hotel Skt Petri, a perfectly located design hotel in the Latin Quarter, formally a department store dating back to the 1930’s. Rooms are modern yet peppered with 60’s retro touches like the Flos Snoopy desk lamp in bedrooms and Platner furniture in the lobby. The hotel is proud to offer many sustainable initiatives such as using food waste for biogas, key-cards made of wood instead of plastic, the use of 100% offshore wind power, only MSC certified fish served in their restaurants, unwanted furniture donated to charity and the participation in the “Too Good to Go” campaign where food leftover from breakfast services is redistributed to locals at a small fee. From April – September, the hotel arranges pizza nights from their alfresco cooking station in the courtyard terrace (a rare find in the city!) The city is flat, so easy to get around by foot (we notched up over 60,000 steps in our 3 days!) and bike rental is readily available at most hotels, including the Skt Petri. To travel from and to the airport, the most efficient and cost-effective method is the metro – costing DKK36 (roughly £4) and taking just under 20 minutes. Experiencing a traditional smørrebrød lunch is a foodie must in the city (with or without a glass of schnaps to wash it down with!) We went for a restaurant with a more modern twist and bagged the last table in Selma – a sweet, homely restaurant named after the owner’s daughter. The pork cheek and mackerel options were delicious and if you love fresh truffle, then you’ve come to the right place! We typically stopped short of dessert in order to try a different bakery each day. You can’t go wrong with an Emmerys or Lagkagehuset (Ole & Steen as we know it over here) as they’re practically on every corner. However, we delved a little deeper and our absolute favourite was Umiddelbar, located off a quiet side street leading to the Nyhavn waterfront. (That’s how we stumbled across another great ‘find’, Nebbiolo wine bar just next door.) Great Italian wines by the glass, delicious antipasti platters and a lowlit, romantic ambience. The Danes like to eat out and often it’s a formal affair of 3+ courses. As many restaurants have a small number of covers, it’s important to prebook tables to avoid disappointment. If you’re looking for more informal food options though, then head to Torvehallerne food market (80+ vendors in one space) or Tivoli food hall and if you need a burger fix (i.e. like my husband!) then Jagger was excellent, founded by former Michelin chef, Rasmus Oubæk. Copenhagen is absolutely jam-packed with things to do and see; visit royal palaces & gardens, spend some kroner shopping along Strøget, join a canal tour, cycle the Harbour Ring and absorb yourself in to coffee culture. However if you’re willing to travel further afield, why not take the train to Malmo in Sweden (40 minutes) or the metro out to Amager Strandpark (30 minutes) to enjoy 5 kilometres of sandy beach. Denmark continues to be ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. I can see why!

10 December 2021

I am often asked where I would recommend for short haul, guaranteed heat during the depths of the British winter. Well…….the Canary Islands are always my ‘go to’ but sometimes unfair expectations are still of mass-tourism and large, soulless resort hotels. How things have changed. The Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Tenerife (the adults only sister property to the more family-focused Royal Hideaway Corales Suites next door) has just 121 rooms and is branded as an ‘Experience Design’ hotel, opening just 3 years ago. Overlooking La Caleta (a quiet fishing village), on the very fringes of the bustly resort of Costa Adeje, it is perfect for those seeking a little more peace & tranquility. The Corales Beach is an all-suite property and each room is generously sized (60sqm on average) with a full balcony (the size of a small Parisian hotel room!) and sea view. Rooms on the top (5th) floor have unobstructed views of the magnificent sunsets and a terrace whirlpool bath from which to admire them! The Corales Suites comprises suites and villas, half of which have their own private pool (for a supplement you can experience a floating breakfast!) and all come with a fully equipped kitchen (even a washer/dryer so you don’t have a mountain of laundry when you get home!). An in-room chef, sommelier and even cocktail maker can also be arranged as a real treat. If you were to ask what things stood out during my stay, they would be firstly the staff (we’ll come to that in a moment) and the food! The emphasis on local produce was a real surprise - until recently the wine list at the buffet restaurant exclusively featured Canarian and National vineyards. My go-to evening meal accompaniment was a delicious Hermanos Lurton Sauvignon Blanc from the Rueda region. Dairy and meat are sourced from local fincas and efforts are made to support as many nearby producers as possible. Typical delicacies I discovered were Canarian Majorero cured cheese with paprika, Sobrasada (a delicious spiced sausage from the Balearic islands) and salmorejo, a traditional soup made from tomatoes, bread & garlic. The hotel is also home to the Michelin star restaurant, El Rincon de Juan Carlos, overseen by the Padrón brothers. Their tasting menu (a 3-hour recommended experience!) costs €130 + optional wine pairings. Although the hotel’s large, ocean-liner style structure (designed by well-renowned Tenerife architect Leonardo Omar) dominates the village backdrop, the style is beautiful white modernism, surrounded by authentic landscaping (containing birds of paradise, bottlebrushes, banana palms and various species of cactus). On a clear day you can see the peak of Mount Teide cleverly framed beneath the bridge separating the two hotel buildings. I promised I would come back to the staff and the care they show their guests, which really does make this hotel in my opinion. From high-energy Rami in the animations team inviting you to morning yoga, aqua-biking or even aqua-pole dancing to Andres from the ‘pool concierge’, ensuring you are always well hydrated (!) and have just the right balance of sun and shade, a welcome cold towel and glass of rosé cava upon check-in and simply a regular stream of cheerful ‘holas’ whenever you pass a staff member in the resort. I rarely stay at the same hotel twice but on this occasion we are already planning a return trip in December 2022. It’s an absolutely perfect place to recharge after a busy year in preparation for Christmas and tops up the Vitamin D levels (temperatures bobbed around the 22 degrees mark) to see through the rest of the winter! Highly, highly recommended.

10 September 2019

I decided that my fourth visit to The Eternal City would be a little different. Having marvelled at The Vatican City, the Colosseum, Pantheon & Roman Forum on previous familiarisation trips I decided to dedicate my 3-day visit with Mr Mellusco to primarily gastronomy. Stumbling across any further significant landmarks on our foodie road map would be a bonus! Our home for the weekend was the exquisite Pantheon Iconic Hotel, just a gladiator sword’s throw from The Pantheon - an incredible view of which we had from our room on the 4th floor. The upside to a late flight arrival was that our room was ready upon check-in and it was perfect aperitivo time. On the 6th floor you’ll find the Divinity Terrace Lounge Bar, which has panoramic views of neighbouring rooftops, domes and the cupola of the Pantheon. We toasted our arrival with a stiff gin & tonic (‘hello European free-pouring!’) and pizza patate, guanciale e semi di finoccchio (otherwise - not so glamorously - known as a potato & bacon pizza!) Safe to say one of the best pizzas I have ever demolished! On our first morning it was difficult not to wile away the entire breakfast service on the very same terrace! We ventured out and had a loose itinerary taking in the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and ending up at the Borghese Gardens, where neither of us had been to before - the main motivation being a shaded walk as the early autumn sunshine was proving pretty fierce! On our meander back we managed to tick off one of the many gelato shops on our wish list, Giolitti. Pay for your ticket at the counter and then join the melee around the 40 or so different ice cream flavours. In my panic to order before anyone else jumped the “queue” I went for an interesting mix of caramelised fig & pink grapefruit, which in all honestly was just delicious and thirst-quenching on a hot day. I take great enjoyment from researching restaurants for our trips - finding the best local food and travel bloggers in good time, scouring review sites and comparing sample menus. Retrobottega - a 26 cover restaurant (in fact considered more a food lab) was a change from the traditional, chequered table cloth trattorias and the sharing-tables and show kitchen won us over. The 5-course tasting menu is a reasonable €55 but instead we opted for a la carte, savouring herring tagliatelle, lamb & liquorice anolini pasta and turbot with pumpkin and capers. Given the gelato discovery tour we were on (!) we bravely decided against dessert! The restaurant got a big ‘thumbs up’ from us - although they do offer private tables I would definitely recommend the large ‘social’ tables seating up to 10 people with a view of the chefs at work - it certainly adds to the theatrics of the experience. It was a fairly safe bet that travelling to Rome in early September would still mean mild, summery temperatures and since the season change was in full swing back home I thought it may be one of the last opportunities to eat ‘al fresco’. Sunday brunch at Le Jardin de Russie (Hotel De Russie) had always been on my wish list since I last visited Rome back in December 2013. Step off the bustling Via del Babuino and in to a tranquil, tiered garden. I have always been a sucker for a good buffet so we decided to go for the set buffet at €65 (€45 midweek), which included everything you could possibly desire from sashimi, oysters and seared tuna to roasted meats, pastas, a freshly cooked saffron & mushroom risotto prepared in front of you, to gelato, home baked biscotti, delicate fruit tarts & rum baba! Making an advance booking is essential and by 2pm all the tables were full - a really authentic experience as many of the other diners appeared to be local. The silver lining of the British Airways strike, which meant our original flight home was cancelled, was that we now had 5 hours more than we had banked on, on our last day. After a restrained breakfast and knowing we had consumed an unhealthy amount of carbohydrates over the past 48 hours (!) we put on our comfortable shoes and decided on a 40-minute walk to the Mercato Testaccio along the Tiber River - a part of Rome I had not previously visited. The market is a mix of clothing, homewares and food/drink - the latter being our main motivation for the visit. A courgette & ricotta pizza measured out and weighed depending on how hungry you are with a side of carbonara! Heaven. We also found a lovely store selling locally produced olive wood products for some authentic souvenirs to take home. Our walk back to the hotel took us through the comparatively sedate and ever so pretty district of Travestere - somewhere I definitely intend to return to given more time. Buildings coloured in deep oranges and reds with shuttered windows & umbrella pines dotted here and there. The Ponte Sisto took us back across the river in to the buzzy neighbourhood of our hotel - where we just had about enough time to absorb a little A/C and collect our bags before heading to the airport. Time to give my feet (and Fitbit!) a little bit of a rest and get home to the pup. However, four visits down and I still feel I have yet to scratch the surface of this wonderful city! A comforting thought that I doubt very little will have changed by the time I return.

18 June 2019

I love a ‘fly & flop’ holiday as much as the next person and still yearn to visit many of the world’s most idyllic island escapes. However, when deciding on our honeymoon, Alex and I wanted not just pristine sands but good food, adventure and experience of a new city. Who doesn’t like the fun of a road-trip and who said honeymoons should only mean all-inclusive resort hotels? Ultimately our shared love of the U.S determined our itinerary; Boston, Cape Cod and Clearwater, Florida. Once everything was booked, I could get my teeth stuck into researching the best bakeries, biking trails, boat trips and beaches! To get under the skin of Boston in a relatively short space of time, we decided to rent an apartment on Tremont Street in the city’s South End, lined with historic brownstones and regarded as having the best food scene in the city. The cab driver from the airport gave us a great tip - when having dinner stop short of dessert and instead head to the city’s Little Italy, North End, to grab a gelato or cannoli (shells of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet, creamy filling.) As a first-timer, Boston was a big surprise - like a condensed New York, that’s dropped down a gear or two. Buildings are comparatively low rise; streets are clean and leafy, and the locals are friendly with time to chat. One of my favourite areas of the city was Beacon Hill - specifically Charles Street. Lined with gas-lit streetlamps, crammed full of independent coffee houses, delicatessens and antique shops. On day 4 we then took the I-93 towards Cape Cod - a surprisingly easy city exit and 90-minute drive to Dennis, located Mid Cape. We decided to make a stop en route in Plymouth to ensure we struck a lobster roll off our list of culinary ‘musts’. Our cottage for the weekend was sandwiched perfectly between Scargo Lake and Corporation Beach...the sun rising over morning kayakers on the lake and dramatically setting over the ocean in a spectrum of vibrant pinks. After saying goodbye to the city, the Cape provided a wonderfully sedate contrast. On our first morning we joined the locals in what seems like a weekend ritual of buying coffee and fresh doughnuts from the Village Coffee Shop. My favourite town we visited was Chatham - chocolate box houses (many of which have preservation awards) with its pristine Lighthouse Beach. A personal recommendation would be to park up at the Town Hall and walk the one mile stretch along Main Street admiring all the quaint homes and independent shops, finishing up at the beach. The last part of our trip involved a domestic flight from Boston down to Tampa to experience the Gulf Coast beaches. Not before trying out the newly redeveloped Seaport District of Boston for a spot of lunch and returning our rental car. Opal Sands Resort opened in 2016 and is located on the fine powdery sands of Clearwater Beach - hailed in 2018 by TripAdvisor as the best beach in the U.S. All guest rooms as well as public areas, including the gym and four dining options have sea views. (Ensure you request a high floor to maximise the impact - we were lucky enough to be assigned a 15th floor room with entirely uninterrupted views.) The sunsets are truly magnificent, so much so, they are celebrated nightly at Pier 60, just a short walk from the hotel. The festival features live music, street vendors and often fireworks and sand sculptors. During the summer Sunset Cinema (a free outdoor movie theatre) takes place at dusk….bring along a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the movie. Typical of any destination with a tropical climate we did experience the odd rain shower but had planned ahead and discovered a $5 daily bus pass, which takes you anywhere between Clearwater and St Pete beaches, 16 miles south. Admire the beach front mansions of Belleair and stop for a doughnut at the Donut Experiment in Indian Shores - highly recommended! Clearwater Beach has every kind of cuisine you could possibly imagine, and most restaurants are within an easy walk. However it’s worth knowing that the hotel has its own Rolls Royce Ghost available to resort guests between 3-11pm Wednesday - Sunday to transport you anywhere on Clearwater Beach - we took advantage when wanting to dine at a local steak restaurant without having to pack the umbrella on what had been a showery day! In addition to this complimentary service is the guest pantry, located on every floor, which is fully stocked with fresh fruit, ice, water and homemade cookies to keep you going between meals! 110,000 Fitbit steps, 3 incredible destinations and too many bakeries to count later, it was time to head home. I am a huge advocate for having a holiday within a holiday and experiencing multiple stops to our honeymoon felt we could thoroughly enjoy every gear change after the fun and energy of our wedding day. The best medicine for holiday blues - start planning the next trip! Keep an eye out for my Rome blog in September!

22 May 2020

The fact is I love Americana; drive-thrus, diners, outdoor shopping malls, stars & stripes, hot dogs & the Pacific Coast Highway to name a few. With thanks to family links, the state of California has been well trodden over the years but each time we return we weave in a new side-trip. In December 2018 we decided to include a couple of days pre-Christmas in Santa Barbara, by trying the Pacific Surfliner train (running from San Diego to San Luis Obispo) - a trundling one-track service taking 2 hours 30 minutes from Los Angeles. Snaking through Simi Valley, Ventura and then hugging the coastline to our destination, it was such a refreshing change to escape congested freeway traffic, sit back and watch surfers lining up and the odd dolphin-leap from the cabin window. One of the attractions to the area is the wine industry but I simply love its almost perfect climate and sedate beach community vibe. A little tip would be to take a taxi to Montecito for breakfast at Jeannine’s (you may just bump into Oprah!) and then walk back to Santa Barbara harbour (about an hour) taking in the waterfront and the palm tree lined East Beach. Santa Barbara makes for a perfect stop within an extended tour of the Pacific Coast but equally just one night away as our specific itinerary allowed. Another little tip is to book a train out of town to coincide with capturing the most magnificent ocean sunset en route back to the city. We then ‘dropped anchor’ with family for a few days, enjoying some of my favourite things in LA. Shopping at the Original Farmer’s Market (always starting with coffee and a honey wheat ring at Bob’s Doughnuts!), a hike through Runyon Canyon (in my view some of the best panoramic views of downtown, West Hollywood and the Santa Monica mountains), lunch at Eataly (Westfield Century City) with great views of the Hollywood Hills and a basketball match at the Staples Centre. No visit to California is complete without a trip to In-N-Out Burger too - ask for ‘animal style’ - you’ll thank me! The final part to this trip was a return visit to Palm Springs - travelling mid December was a perfect time to enjoy the town. There’s a lull in tourists until the festive check-ins arrive and the daytime temperature generally hovers around 70 degrees. We stayed at the Kimpton Rowan - a modern, stylish 153-room hotel with incredible views of the San Jacinto mountains. Alternatively, to immerse yourself in the Rat Park era there are plenty of “mid-Century chic” retro boutique hotels. Take the aerial tramway and explore the piney highlands of Chino Canyon or drive out to the Joshua Tree National Park - the most beautiful natural terrain I have ever seen! California has something for everyone; ski, surf, hiking, beaches, national parks, lakes, theme parks, movie locations, a thriving arts scene, incredible burger joints (!), celeb-spotting, road trips & great shopping! I have planned too many Cali itineraries to count and just thoroughly enjoy sharing my love for this fantastic state. Contact me for further help & advice.

01 November 2018

The Puglia region (referred to often as the heel of Italy’s “boot”) remains a relatively unexplored part of the country. I found this to be one of its charms when I visited back in October 2014. This together with its characterful baroque villages and trullo houses, sandy beaches and excellent cuisine. Hotel Canne Bianche is a wonderful beachside retreat, perfectly positioned for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Alberobello, Castel del Monte and the ‘white city’ of Ostuni. For those simply looking for an Italian standalone beach holiday this property is perfect - just a 45-minute drive from Bari (or 30 minutes from Brindisi). The style is very much ‘beach-house chic’ and decorated in neutral colours and natural materials. My recommendation would be to book a junior suite with sea view. All of which have their own balconies, a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of chilled Prosecco and some local taralli biscuits. This takes me on nicely to the cookery classes offered by the hotel, where I mastered the art of making this local speciality, made simply with flour, salt, olive oil and white wine. Classes in making the perfect homemade Orecchiette pasta and preparing seafood can also be arranged. Keeping with the culinary thread, day trips can also be arranged to local olive oil and cheese producers for tastings. To enhance any stay at this property a visit to the spa is essential. AQUA has an extensive range of treatments which can be tailored to clients’ requirements, which use natural products, some of which are sourced from the hotel’s botanical garden.

21 August 2018

There really is something quite magical about visiting Marrakech (even though this was my third time!) The evocative call to prayer, beautiful riads hidden behind nondescript wooden doors and the fascinating contrast between bustling city streets and tranquil hotel courtyards. Our base in Marrakech was the charming Riad Noga – perfect for those seeking an authentic riad experience. Freshly squeezed orange juice is served at breakfast and a charming selection of miniature tagines reveal local specialities; conserves, multiple types of bread and fresh goats’ cheese. The roof terraces provide a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle punctuated just occasionally by a squawk from the resident parrot, called Klein. Cleopatra and Tom Jones (the riad’s tortoises) provide a little company for him! As a novice photographer, I was spoilt for subjects. An evening visit to the Jemaa El Fna is a must – a veritable theatre set with story tellers, fruit sellers, snake charmers and locals simply doing their market shop. I would also highly recommend booking a cookery class and we enjoyed an afternoon at Hotel La Maison Arabe, where we learnt to make an olive and preserved lemon chicken tagine and zalouk salad. We then left the buzz of the city and headed to the Atlas Mountains, where we stayed at the picture-perfect Kasbah Bab Ourika. A detour via the renowned Kasbah Tamadot proved too tempting and their Kanoun restaurant provided the perfect place to celebrate a significant birthday. Unfortunately, my prayers for clear skies were not answered and a sudden hail storm provided a very dramatic journey to the Ourika Valley by 4x4. A stiff gin and tonic and a flickering wood fire were a lovely welcome (if unseasonal, given this was mid-September). The following morning however was a completely different story. Bright sunshine flooded the surrounding valleys and blue skies showcased the spectacular 360-degree view. Our morning was spent exploring the vast grounds, including a heated outdoor pool, a vegetable garden, a discreet hammam (this I strongly recommend) and various shaded nooks where you can enjoy a massage outside or a glass of wonderfully crisp local pre-dinner white wine. Morocco is excellent value for money and (depending where you go) an all year destination. I have previously visited in November and enjoyed balmy, t-shirt days but cooler nights. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes should definitely be experienced once in a lifetime.

05 July 2018

My first visit to Ile de Ré was last spring. A tantalising one-night stay at the end of a research trip through the Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine country. I vowed as soon as I was crossing the causeway back towards La Rochelle at the end of my stay that I would have to return! Barely more than an hour’s flight away followed by a smooth 30-minute transfer, Ile de Ré makes a perfect weekend getaway. Francophiles like myself will not be disappointed! The retreat for our short break was Le Clos St Martin - a short 5-minute walk along a quaint pathway lined with hollyhocks, fuchsias, lavender, roses and marigolds will lead you to the very pretty and ever so stylish harbour of St Martin. Treat yourself to an ice-cream from the renowned La Martiniere glacier (grapefruit was my favourite) and take a seat along the waterfront, listening to the soft rattle of tandem bicycles over cobblestones and watch the fishing boats and yachts bobbing on the water. Alternatively, in true ‘holidaying like a Parisian’ style you can find 6 oysters, a crépinette (a type of cured sausage) and a glass of wine for under €10. As cyclists outnumber cars, the island has a wonderfully sedate pace of life. Hotels can assist with organising rentals and some even have their own supply for guests. Cycle paths edge along the waterfront where you can watch oyster farmers in action, stop off for a sample and continue through sprawling vineyards and neighbouring towns, where every corner brings a new photo opportunity! Due to building regulations, each town has maintained its authenticity and remained quintessentially Ile de Ré. Properties are never taller than two storeys, they must be whitewashed, and shutters painted to match the colour of tranquil pine forests. At dusk the harbour again becomes the focal point. Artists are drawn by the clarity of light, similar to that of Cornwall so I’m told, and you will frequently see painters trying to capture the magnificent evening colours. In the height of the summer be sure to pre-book restaurants, especially those huddled around the harbour front. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at L’Avant Port of Iberian pork followed by a Brittany biscuit with local elderflower. I have to admit that I failed to tick off many things on my holiday to-do list but it’s ever so easy to fall in to the slower pace of life, whether it be long, lazy breakfasts and dinners, the novelty of just being by the water’s edge or enjoying some spa time. Le Clos St Martin’s spa access is included in the room rate, so this is typically where you could find me for an hour before getting ready for dinner. Day beds look out towards the hotel’s gardens and adult pool beyond. In a nutshell, Ile de Ré offers something for everyone; wonderful seafood restaurants, plenty of unspoilt sandy beaches, boating, cycling, walks, botany, history, markets and boutique shopping. I rarely revisit the same destination twice, but I think Ile de Ré might just be an exception and I’d highly recommend a ‘prescription’ whenever you just need to get away from it all. I hope to be back in 2019 and this time I may just muster enough energy to get on the saddle!

11 June 2018

I wondered how it had taken 16 years in the travel industry to make my first visit to the Amalfi Coast. Would all the breath-taking cookery programme photography and old Hollywood movies watched over the years live up to my expectations? Naples often gets overlooked as simply the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, but this proved to be one of the biggest surprises. Once you have inched your way out of the airport traffic and through the confusing city road system (car hire is not recommended) a short stay will provide an enjoyable and some would argue an essential preface to extended exploration of the area and its islands. Naples’ 19th Century Grande Dame, Grand Hotel Parker’s has an elevated position overlooking the harbour and the city’s oldest castle, Castell d’Ovo. Its location is slightly removed from the animated heart of the city yet only a short 10-minute taxi journey away and provides a restful base. Breakfast taken in the hotel’s elegant rooftop restaurant is a wonderful way to start the day. For those who have booked an excursion to Pompeii, a visit to the impressive National Archaeological Museum provides a helpful background to the sites you will see. My highlights included the awe-inspiring mosaics from Pompeii’s Casa del Fauno and wall paintings taken from the Temple of Isis. The next stage of the journey took me to Ischia, just an hour’s ferry journey away. My personal hotel recommendation would be Hotel San Montano Resort & Spa set in a unique location, perched on Monte Vico. The local sandy beach of San Montano and famous garden of La Mortella are within a 10-minute drive away by complimentary shuttle. Ischia would most certainly provide a wonderfully peaceful standalone island getaway, perhaps more so for those who have already ticked off the region’s archaeological sites and iconic towns and cities. Beyond sun-drenched relaxation, the island also offers thermal spas, botanical gardens, sandy beaches and for those seeking a less ostentatious atmosphere, an alternative to its neighbour, Capri. Day one concluded with a wonderful meal back in Naples, Pizzeria Mattozzi. The absence of any foreign accents and a constant huddle of locals patiently waiting at the door, made me realise our hotel concierge’s recommendation was spot-on. The arancini and pizzas were outstanding - what a memorable start to my Neapolitan culinary adventure.

15 January 2018

Tucked away in an unspoilt corner of the south-west Peloponnese is the beautiful resort of Costa Navarino. The location is everything you would expect (and more) from authentic Greece; olive groves as far as the eye can see, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and authentic tavernas where locals wile away the afternoon sipping strong coffee and playing backgammon. My short and sweet weekend was spent at the Romanos Hotel, part of the Starwood Hotel Group, which is the perfect getaway for peace and tranquillity. Arriving at 22:00 my warm welcome was accompanied by a cool towel and chilled mango juice, whilst my luggage was whisked off by golf buggy to my room, leaving me to check-in. On spotting the private plunge-pool and day-bed on my private terrace, I made a mental note of where I would be spending the following afternoon! The property adjoins the Westin, another 5* property sharing exceptional leisure facilities (‘Navarino Outdoors’ located on-site, offers countless hiking, bike and nature trails), a children’s club and many rooms and suites with their own private pools. Choose to take mountain bikes along Voidokilia beach and up in to the surrounding hills or perhaps opt for some 'spa time'. The Anazoe Spa menu is quite something and it is no easy feat selecting which practice of massage to choose! To complement the treatments there are mineral pools, relaxation lounges and the ‘Heat Experience Water Ritual’, which take my word for it, would be perfection after an afternoon of golf or Nordic walking! My last evening was spent at one of the hotels’ 15 dining options, where we were treated to our own personal chef. A Mezze platter was followed by barbecued veal steaks and lobster tails all washed down with a customary Ouzo and crisp white wine. A perfect end to a perfect weekend. Thanks to the upcoming introduction of direct flights to Kalamata with EasyJet and British Airways, accessing this region of Greece is made far simpler (one-hour transfer as opposed to three and a half from Athens.) The beauty of this property is that you can do as much (or as little) as you wish, all whilst enjoying a true flavour of untouched Greece. For those looking for more than just a resort hotel, trips to the nearby Byzantine town of Pylos and the ancient site of Olympia can be arranged. As the cheerful check-out staff wished me a pleasant journey home and “hoped to see me again soon”. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

15 January 2018

Lisbon's friendly rival, Oporto is an unspoilt city at the mouth of the Douro River. This is where my tour through Portugal began. Oporto’s riverfront area is home to several port houses, many of which are magnificently covered in ornate blue tiles and offer tastings, local specialities and wine pairings. My recommendation would be to spend two or three nights at the hotel Infante de Sagres, (dating back to the early 1950's, tastefully combining old and new and located in a very up and coming part of the city), before travelling on to Lisbon. We chose to travel by train and three hours later (and 10 degrees warmer) we arrived at the Four Seasons The Ritz. A plate of "pasteis de natas", delicious custard tarts and a glass of Ramos Pinto port wine, provided a very warm welcome. Lisbon is a city to become immersed in. Drop down a couple of gears, wander along the Avenue Liberdade, stop for a pingado (a short coffee with hot milk) and have a delicious seafood dinner in the trendy docks area. We dined at Bistrot 100 Maneiras, a wonderful local find in the Chiado district of the city. Our journey then took us to Cascais - just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, with bright blue skies, cool Atlantic breezes and rugged sand dunes. A few nights at the Senhora da Guia would complement a Lisbon city break very well. Spend time relaxing in the spa, take a long stroll along the coastal boardwalk or cycle in to the town for the twice weekly food market. Cascais was a real high point for me. In season, it offers safe sheltered swimming and plenty of beach and sea-based activities for young families. The beaches are broad and sandy and often fairly quiet (even in high season), particularly if you drive just 15 minutes along the coast towards Guincho. Cascais and the surrounding coastline are also very flat, so perfect for gentle cycling and walking. If you happen to incorporate a weekend, I would highly recommend booking Sunday Brunch at the Grande Real Villa Italia (for a very reasonable €32 per head). A perfect introduction to the local cuisine. A few days on the Algarve rounded off our week in Portugal. The drive from Lisbon involves a straight-forward motorway and takes about two hours. Alternatively, a direct train service to Tunes (just a 15-minute private car transfer to Hotel Vila Joya for example) will take the same amount of time. The Algarve offers outstanding value for money and numerous provisions for families, notably the Martinhal and Villa Vita Parc hotels; kids clubs, water sports, early family dining and private villa accommodation. Portugal is a country of many contrasts and makes a perfect multi-centre holiday - I would be delighted to help tailor-make an itinerary.

09 January 2018

There’s something even more satisfying about holidaying in the depths of winter, when home temperatures are hovering around zero and the central heating is on constantly but you’re stocking up on sun cream and loading your Kindle in preparation. I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to feel the sun on my skin! Upon arrival at the Gran Hotel del Duque we were offered a glass of chilled cava in the lobby bar, festively decorated with countless red poinsettias. Efforts were made to take in all the dining options on offer to us that evening but already I was slipping very easily into holiday mode. As there were not enough nights to try out all the hotel’s restaurants I knew the most taxing of decisions would be deciding on which cuisine each evening; Basque, Italian, Latin American, Asian, Mediterranean, Canarian or French. One of my holiday highlights has always been a breakfast buffet and El Bernegal certainly did not disappoint - you really can want for nothing. A chocolate fountain and fruit skewers for the children (and adults), detox juices made to order and until now I have never encountered two types of bacon - overdone and underdone. A virtuous breakfast (most mornings) was usually followed by a chunk of homemade apple cake and more treacly strong black coffee. Costa Adeje is one of the islands more upmarket resorts with upscale 5* hotels, authentic dining, local artisan markets and quaint courtyards. A surprise find was the bijou El Mirador marketplace - a series of peaceful, shaded patios, restaurants and local craft shops just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The hotel resort’s main building is a series of interconnecting buildings in 19th Century Canarian style, using Victorian and Venetian influences; signage in decorative tiling, steeple roofs and a charming hourly chiming bell in the central plaza. The hotel is famous for its gardens with 63,000sqm of tropical and subtropical vegetation - opt for a garden view for all horticulturists. My recommendation would be to upgrade to a deluxe room with sea view and balcony, a perfect spot to take in the show-stopping sunsets before dressing for dinner. To round off our week-long relaxation we treated ourselves to a day in the spa. Quite possibly one of the most impressive hotel spas I have ever encountered. The open-air thalassotherapy circuit is surrounded by a number or oversized day beds and shaded by mature palm trees. Two further floors are home to treatment rooms (each with their own private veranda) and the impressively ornate Thai Room Plaza - a peaceful relaxation area available to those booking a Thai treatment. Here you’ll find Thai teak and rattan lazy chairs, Thai chilled snacks and a secluded thalassotherapy area. The spa provides details of treatment special offers in your daily activities programme delivered to your room each evening. Our stay concluded with an outstanding meal at the hotel’s ‘Senzu Kazan’ restaurant, a Japanese fine dining option, one of only two restaurants not included in the half board option. The restaurant has a lakeside terrace, but we opted for a table inside as I love the theatre of an open kitchen. Buttery salmon sashimi, spicy tuna rolls and crispy pork gyozas were the highlights. With three of the nine restaurants still left to try, we have an excuse to return next year!

22 November 2017

Russia remains unticked on many people’s wish-list – mainly due to the perception of cost, organisational complexity and the added inconvenience of obtaining a tourist visa. I am able to handle the Russia visa application on your behalf and have access to a fast-track service for short-notice breaks, removing all possible “hassle factor”. Russia also need not be extravagant – especially if you travel out of high season. October surprisingly falls within low season (which extends to the end of March), when hotel rates fall and there is great potential for free night offers, but weather can still be pleasant. Furthermore, museum queues are far shorter and there are fewer crowds at museums once the cruise season has finished. My first trip to Russia in October 2013 started with four days in St Petersburg visiting its many jewel-box palaces and galleries, all beautifully showcased against a back-drop of cloudless blue skies. The mind-boggling Church on the Spilled Blood and the impressively opulent Peterhof Palace with its sprawling gardens were two of my three highlights - the third being my visit to the recently opened new stage at the Mariinsky theatre to see a ballet performance of Cinderella. Having enjoyed ballet for 10 years as a child, I was probably just as excited as the young girls practising their pliés in the stalls during the intervals! I was not disappointed - what a privilege. My top tip would be to book a table for a pre-performance dinner at Sadko, an authentic Russian restaurant just a few minutes’ walk away – enjoy a hearty stroganoff whilst listening to live folk music. Through my Concierge contacts I can secure much sought-after tickets for the best seats at the Mariinsky before you travel and would be glad to make a restaurant recommendation and book a table for dinner. Hotel Astoria is perfectly positioned within the “Golden Triangle” area of the city, within which are many of the essential sights, including the St Isaac’s Cathedral. Please ask at time of booking for the supplement for a Superior Deluxe room with a view of St Isaacs Cathedral Square. St Petersburg can also be twinned with Moscow by the impressive high-speed Sapsan train, taking a very impressive 3 hours and 45 minutes non-stop. Similar to the Continental Eurostar trains, the 1st Class service provides added space and comfort and a meal with wine served at your seat. Moscow was a big surprise. Contrary to my preconceptions, Moscow is very beautiful and far less ‘corporate’ than I had anticipated. There was a great buzz to the city, added to by the Olympic torch relay taking place. As we were heading to Red Square people were lining the Moscow River embankment and as we crossed the Great Stone Bridge, we were lucky enough to watch the flame being carried across from the Kremlin. For a short stay, I would recommend the Ararat Park Hyatt – in the very heart of the historic centre. For a truly spectacular view of the city, take the elevator up to the Conservatory Bar & Lounge on the 10th floor for breath-taking panoramic views of the Kremlin, Red Square and the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre. Moscow and St Petersburg provide a wonderfully contrasting two-centre holiday.

13 October 2017

The Cote d’Azur is possibly one of my favourite places on earth and even more spectacular when viewed from a helicopter. My weekend in Monaco started in true ‘James Bond’ style with a 7-minute flight, hugging the coast line. Almost within an hour of landing in Nice I was checking into the Fairmont Hotel, located on the famous hairpin bend of the Grand Prix circuit. If you happen to be a luxury car enthusiast, book one of their ‘hairpin double’ rooms and enjoy watching the steady stream of Bentley’s, Maserati’s and Aston Martin’s from your private balcony. The Fairmont is perfectly positioned - a short stroll from Casino Square, a 10-minute walk from the beach and offers unobstructed views of the sea. For a real treat we booked the hotel’s champagne jazz brunch on the 6th floor Horizon Deck restaurant. (No better place to spend a Sunday afternoon.) Request a table on the terrace overlooking Larvotto Bay from which you can do a little yacht-spotting whilst sipping on Taittinger. ‘If you can’t beat them, join them….’ You can then spend the remainder of the afternoon snoozing around the heated rooftop pool. Monte Carlo is perfect for a weekend break, offering beaches, gastronomy, exquisite hotels and history and is perfectly situated on the rail line between Ventimiglia - just across the Italian border - and Nice. Menton is just a 10-minute train journey away and is home to the striking Jean Cocteau museum. Monaco also has a rich nautical heritage as can be seen by the number of spectacular super-yachts moored in Port Hercules – the main focal point of the Monaco Yacht Show, which was due to open as we left. Be sure to visit Villa Sauber (the New National Museum of Monaco), the State Apartments of the Prince’s Palace as well as his classic car collection. Monaco also benefits from over 300 days of sunshine a year and although likely to be cooler out of season, the skies are bright and blue most days. Travel between November and March and not only will you benefit from lower hotel rates but fewer crowds and discounted helicopter transfers – a truly unforgettable way to celebrate a birthday or special anniversary.

09 October 2017

Checking out of the Hotel Cipriani would ordinarily be a deflating experience but during my private water taxi journey to Venice Santa Lucia station, I was filled with excited anticipation for my journey back to London on board the Venice Simplon - Orient-Express. Following check-in, a steward wearing an immaculate royal blue uniform greeted me at the entrance to my designated carriage. Every inch of the train was a step back in time; the beautiful wooden marquetry of the cabins, the silver service waiters preparing the dining cars for brunch, the exquisite place settings and the baby grand piano in the bar car. The journey started with a glass of champagne followed by a lavish 3-course brunch. I still have daydreams about the dessert - pears poached in hibiscus tea and sweet wine, filled with bitter dark chocolate. The quality of food was quite astounding and standards of which you would expect at any top London restaurant. Sit back, relax and begin to enjoy the scenery as you journey through northern Italy and Austria. The afternoon can be spent reading, chatting with new friends over coffee or simply taking in the views. One of my most vivid memories was awaking from my post afternoon tea snooze with a picture-perfect view of snow-capped mountains from my window. Truly breath-taking. Dressing for dinner is an excuse to go to town. Over-dressing is impossible on board the Orient Express. Ladies and gentleman wearing evening dress fill the bar car, enjoying the piano music and an aperitif before dinner. Don’t hesitate to pack the tuxedo that only comes out a few times a year, or your feather boa and pearls. Looking and feeling the part is all part of the experience. Dinner started with steamed sea bass, followed by roast saddle of lamb and the favourite bit (I think there’s a pattern forming here) a chestnut charlotte accompanied with mandarin flavoured custard. I certainly slept very soundly after such a feast. During dinner, the lighting in your cabin is dimmed and the bank seating is converted in to a very inviting bed; slippers and an embroidered dressing gown are provided. For extra space, consider opting for a ‘cabin suite’, which will provide far more space and added comfort. Breakfast was served in my cabin upon arrival in to Paris. Here the train stops to allow you enough time to take in a little fresh air and to stretch your legs. Once in Calais we were transported by luxury coach to Dover, where we met the British Pullman for the final leg of our journey. Just when I was contemplating my crash diet for the following week, brunch was served – broiled lobster followed by a caramelised apple tart. By the time the train arrived in to London Victoria, the foodie in me was protesting at the fact that we had to disembark! My time on board the Orient Express was a truly magical experience – but I was soon jostled back in to reality, when having to battle with the commuters for my journey back to South West London! Wondering how to celebrate a pending anniversary or special birthday – think no further! The trip is worth every penny and will leave you with life-long memories.

28 April 2020

My exploration of western France started upon arrival in to Orleans, the main gateway to the eastern edge of the Loire Valley and just one hour from Paris. Feeling the warm April sunshine on my face on the seamless journey made me thankful for opting for the rail option. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the “Valley of the Kings”, when you will find wisteria covered facades on every corner, flowers are in bloom and visitors to the area are in fewer numbers. With over 80 chateaux to choose from, it is essential to seek expert advice when fine-tuning your itinerary. A “must see” is the exquisite Chateau de Chambord, en route to our overnight accommodation in Amboise. Hotel Le Choiseul is a wonderfully peaceful property, overlooking La Loire, yet just 500 metres from the town and its chateau. I would highly recommend booking a table in the hotel’s restaurant, Le 36 and request a window table in order to enjoy the spectacular sun setting over the river. One of my most memorable meals of the trip was a delicious cote de boeuf followed by my favourite part of the meal…...‘le chariot de fromage’. My following two days were spent visiting several chateaux in the region, each one of which was different from the next. Many have excellent restaurants, offer wine tastings and have magnificent, extensive gardens so you really can make a day of your visit. My personal favourites were Chateau Villandry (specifically its impressive kitchen garden) and Chateau du Rivau, where 450 varieties of fragrant roses are grown, being just one of its highlights. I then continued my journey further west, travelling 140 miles to Ile de Ré. My first impression was seeing the beautiful sandy beaches coming in to view, whilst crossing the bridge linking the island with La Rochelle. Development restrictions mean the island maintains its authenticity and as cyclists outnumber cars, the island has a wonderfully sedate pace of life. The last night of my stay was spent at the beautiful Villa Clarisse, (the ‘little sister’ to Hotel Toiras) just 200 metres from the harbour front. Tucked away from the main centre of Saint-Martin-de-Ré the property provides a peaceful retreat, with an outdoor heated pool, a pretty walled garden and comfortable lounge. The best way to explore the island is by bicycle and rental can be organised directly with your hotel. The cycle route I chose, took in the coastal path where you can watch the oyster fishermen preparing and selling their catch and returned through sprawling vineyards. Make sure you allow a pit-stop for an ice cream at La Martinière, recommended several times by the locals - there is a queue in all seasons!