Recent Articles
Stars queue up for West End roles
The cast for London’s Theatreland is particularly impressive this month as those whose runs started in the Spring are still to be found in the theatres of London whilst the curtain is raised on several intriguing Summer shows boasting an even broader aray of stars. I suppose it would behove us well to start with [...]
Get active in Europe
Start your European sporting holiday with a visit to the annual International Extreme Sports Festival. Held in Montpellier, the event is free and sees amateurs compete at wakeboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. The event takes place in the town centre and draws in quite a crowd. After watching this spectacle head to the French Alps, home [...]
Discover St Petersburg’s new 19 billion ruble theatre
Opera and theatre lovers throughout the world are rejoicing as the amazing 19 billion ruble Mariinsky II theatre (one of the most expensive cultural projects ever built) has finally opened its doors, after years of problems and delays with its financing and construction. Boasting a huge auditorium with a capacity of 2,000, the new theatre [...]
3 days to see Singapore and 10 things to fit in
I visited Singapore last February to latch on to the end of my husband being over there with work. For the first 2 days I did next to nothing – jet lag and humidity were enough to deal with that – I just parked myself at “Privé” in Keppel Marina while my husband worked nearby. [...]
Top 5 high-end nightlife destinations In Ibiza
With a reputation as one of the world’s foremost party destinations, it’s no wonder that Ibiza boasts some of the most fantastic, talked-about nightclubs around. In fact, some of the island’s most popular clubs have won awards and attract not just international party-goers, but celebrity party-goers as well – not to mention some of the [...]
The ultimate guide to successful packing
Why do so many people get holiday packing wrong? And are men from Mars and women from Venus when it comes to packing? As airlines tighten their policies on baggage allowance, perfecting the art of packing could save you money as well as reduce stress, so the last minute travel website latedeals.co.uk has come up with [...]
5 affordable luxury spa breaks in Cyprus
From stunning award-winning five-star beachfront hotels, to secluded agrotourism properties and holistic resorts within the island’s mountainous interiors, Cyprus offers the perfect location for an affordable luxury spa and wellbeing break. Wellness tourism continues to be a booming sector for Cyprus, with spas across the island offering the latest advances in beauty and therapeutic treatments [...]
The ultimate hotel check-in, complete with 24-carat gold iPad
This was a tweet that certainly caught my eye this week: @BurjAlArab: “Today we launched exclusive 24 carat gold iPads, designed specifically for Burj Al Arab, for our in-house guests.” Yes… that’s right… guests checking at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai are being treated to 24 carat gold iPads for the duration of the [...]
Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet, Wanaka, New Zealand
Whare Kea Lodge is set on the shores of a sparkling Alpine lake in the South Island of New Zealand. With stunning views overlooking the lake and mountain ranges behind, it truly is a haven that enables you to relax in style, with the knowledge that there is a world of adventure just outside your [...]
Looking beyond star ratings for excellent, quality accommodation
“Stars are not a secure way to find the perfect hotel.” After reading this sentence in an American novel, uttered by a famous globetrotter, a smart travel agent would realise that the success of a good trip is the experience you have, and that stars are no longer a secure system to sleep in a [...]
Photograph of the week: Leopard in the Maasai Mara
This leopard is called Fig and was there in the tree with his mother Acacia. They are two of the resident leopards that live near Porini Lion Camp in the Olare Orok Conservancy, Maasai Mara. Photographer Mohanjeet Brar was with the Porini Lion Camp Maasai guides who know the leopards’ territory well and that morning [...]
Interview with Lynn Crawford, Owner and Head Chef of Ruby Watchco
Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford has over 25 years of culinary experience, winning international awards as the Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto and New York City. She is one of the most high-profile chefs in Canada and has been invited to cook, speak, and mentor chefs and food lovers across North America. Lynn opened Ruby [...]
Boutique Hotel Summit 2013
The boutique hotel industry is an area which has shown considerable growth in recent years and seems to be going from strength to strength. If you happen to be involved in the industry and in London next week, then do get yourself along to the Boutique Hotel Summit. Sadly I can’t be there but A [...]
Recipe of the week: Home-made vanilla ice cream (Gelato alla vaniglia)
Nothing says summer more than ice cream, and no one makes ice cream like the Italians! This authentic Italian recipe for vanilla ice cream may not be the healthiest, but you can rest assured that with actual vanilla bean pods, full-fat milk and full-fat cream, your homemade ice cream will be second to none. Once [...]
The Exumas: 3 suggestions for a luxurious Bahamas getaway
For those wanting a luxurious Caribbean getaway, the Exumas Cays in the Bahamas have it all. Known for having some of the clearest blue waters in the Caribbean, the islands feature everything from grand resorts to yacht clubs to opulent yet intimate boutique properties. To help you plan a luxury getaway to the Exumas, here [...]
One shameful top tip to beat the queues at Disney World
Oh dear. Words fail me with this one. If you are ever in Disney World and can’t bear to queue, there is a way around it – you can pay a premium and enjoy preferential treatment. Disney Tours offers a VIP guide and fast passes at rates ranging from $310 to $380 per hour. I [...]
