Travel

As a culinary destination Southern Africa is not only stimulating but offers some of the finest hotels, food and wine experiences going, in some of the most beautiful surroundings.  The lovely Cape Dutch architecture, some dating back to the 1600s with their period charm set in what are essentially English inspired gardens have every desirable luxury.  On offer are also tempting spas, friendly and attentive service, and every activity you could possibly wish for from great diving, whales and dolphins, boat trips, horse riding including Polo, together with excellently organised Safaris.

Capitalising on the ongoing British thirst for gin, OZEN by Atmosphere, the flagship luxury all‐inclusive resort from Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, has become the first resort in the Maldives to open a Gin Bar – aptly named Gin Is In.
With all beverages included in the resort’s Atmosphere Indulgence Plan, guests can enjoy an authentic gin journey during their stay without having to worry about a bill at the end, giving discerning travellers staying on the exotic Maadhoo island a chance to sample all the gins they wish during their stay.

After a busy week touring in the Rolls Royce Black Badge Dawn we decide to finish with a relaxing day at Stoke Park Spa with a massage and lunch. Stoke Park is one of the finest country clubs in England and the location of many iconic movies including James Bond’s Goldfinger with Sean Connery, Tomorrow Never Dies with Piers Brosnan, Bridget Jones Diary with Hugh Grant and Renée Zellweger, and Layer Cake with Daniel Craig (who now of course plays James Bond).

The UK has seen the sixth consecutive year growth in revenue for the superyacht industry. The fall in the pound has helped, though a third of superyacht owners are actually based in the UK, the exchange rate means there is much more bang for your buck. Whilst there has been a rise in new build this year, the biggest growth has been in refit. The trend for restoring luxury items that people become emotionally connected to seems to have migrated into the superyacht industry.

Santamaria Shirt Makers in Notting Hill Gate is the genteel place to have a bespoke shirt made to measure. At this lovely little boutique just off Pembridge Square Gardens you can create the ultimate shirt, choosing from a huge list of gorgeous fabrics and be fitted to perfection.

It is always a pleasant surprise and refreshing to find an hotel that exceeds your expectations.  The opening photograph on the Congham Hall website is, even if I am being a bit mean, rather reminiscent of a prep school.  However, as we happily discovered, it hides the many charms and friendly experiences both within the hotel and around the gardens.   

It’s becoming more and more popular to travel with purpose, to explore somewhere for its history, culture or even professional training activities such as offered by The Campus in the luxury resort of Quinta Do Lago, Portugal. An ideal place to get supremely fit and share a fantastic holiday with friends, and rub shoulders with famous football, tennis and golfing heroes.

The paradise of providence. That’s how I felt about Puglia in Spring. So fertile for its dry, hot climate. So uplifting with its masseria, the whitewashed farmhouses with their singular but solid shapes and spacious courtyards.

Having just returned from a long weekend in Turkey, I feel refreshed, relaxed and just tanned-enough, to receive some raised eyebrow envy from my non-journo friends.
With the temperatures just starting to rise, it is a great time to go to get some bargain sun and avoid the hardcore sun worshiping crowds. With a previous visit to Antalya a distant memory (apart from the beautiful beaches and long hot days), I was keen to get back to the white sands and dip my toes in the crystal-clear water.

If you are affected by the bizarre extremes of weather at the moment, then spare a thought for your skin. Extreme temperature changes (hello snow), air conditioning, central heating and pollution all take their toll, so it’s particularly important at these times to make sure you have a solid care routine. Below are a few of my favourite products and how I use them.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant £48 www.johnlewis.com/dermalogica-daily-microfoliant-75g/p1721604