Travel

Sommeliers have changed; traditionally they were unapproachably arrogant and regarded themselves of the kings of the wine trade.  However, there are exceptions, sadly there is one in an otherwise highly respected Knightsbridge hotel.  When the topic  of rose wine was raised in an interview, I para-phrase, he said with disdain, “I do not regard rose as worthy to be called a wine, but guests request it in the summer so I include it on the wine list from May until September”.
   

Summer is here at last, faraway places, beaches, yachting and the social season beckon. There is a plethora of fantastic destinations where one can go to unwind, recharge and enjoy the benefits of stepping away from the everyday routine. For some, that escape is a stunning beach in The Maldives or Fiji, for others it is time to hop over to the yacht in Monte Carlo or Lake Como, or relax and unwind by surfing in Bora Bora.

There is five star service by the book with lots of boxes to tick and there are the real five star experiences that can be very different delivering pleasure in so many more ways.  Quietly, hotel barges are cruising the most attractive waterways of Europe which offer supreme experiences for small parties, either by whole vessel charters or on a cabin booking basis.  Most people associate the word ‘barge’ with rather grubby and run-down cargo carrying vessels; nothing could be further from the reality with the hotel barges on which we have cruised.  Our cruise was on the Bourgogne canal on E

This year Decorex celebrates 40 years of design collaborations, focusing both on the strength of its past and current relationships and importantly looking towards future partnerships.

“Photography is the story we fail to put into words.” I came across this quote and it really resonated with me. Throughout my life I have always combined my love of travel with my passion for photography, so much so, that it eventually evolved into a career for me. And though it is in fact my job to find those words to tell the story, photography will always have the upper hand.

A very rare opportunity to see George Harrison’s handwritten lyrics on display
Friday 16th June - Sunday 18th June 2017
 
Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, 1-3-5 Flitcroft Street, London, WC2H 8DH
 
See i-me-mine-exhibition.com for more details and opening hours
 
Genesis Publications hosts a free exhibition celebrating the U.K. launch of the book, I ME MINE – The Extended Edition by George Harrison.
 

New website www.Inthepaddock.co.uk highlights ease and affordability of shared racehorse ownership
 
Great British Racing has launched a new website, Inthepaddock.co.uk, to showcase to potential buyers just how easy and affordable it can be to become a racehorse owner, with options starting at as little as £100 for a share in a racehorse and featuring racehorses all over the UK.

Owning a race horse is generally for the wealthy or expert, it is not a field normally open to amateurs or those looking to experiment. However Great British Racing has started a new venture called In The Paddock which aims to make it much more accessible, fun and affordable to invest in your own race horse.
I went up to Newmarket to spend a few days behind the scenes with the professionals and find out more about this intriguing new proposition and exactly how the bloodstock, training and racing business worked.

The Costa Calida, in the Region of Murcia, offers a rich variety of diving experiences for the beginner or the skilled diver.
The region's seabed is blessed with a variety of marine life and flora, and numerous, fascinating historic shipwrecks, making the Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas-Isla Grosa, Cartagena-La Azohía- Cabo Tiñoso, Mazarrón, and Águilas exceptional places for diving.

What can one say about the Château de Champs-sur-Marne (www.chateau-champs-sur-marne.fr/en), which was built in a loop in the River Marne and constructed on request from a financier of Louis XIV between 1703 and 1708 by architects Pierre Bullet and Jean-Baptiste Bullet de Chamblain. Sumptuous is one word that springs to mind.