Travel

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
One of the most highly regarded countryside hotels in this country is the charming Manoir.  Set in beautiful gardens in the picturesque Cotswolds noted for its honey coloured stone houses it is everybody’s idea of England at its best.  Charming and an homage to Raymond Blanc with its two acres of gardens including the renowned Kitchen Garden set out for everyone who visits to admire. Although, I have to admit my favourite garden ‘room’ was Chris Beardshaw’s ethereal Wild Flower  Meadow which was truly romantic and fragrant.

If when taken blindfold to the middle of the village square in medieval Piran; when you open your eyes you would fully expect to be in the centre of a film set.  Not a jarring building to behold, looking one way you will see a Venetian church tower on the hill overlooking everything, on the square itself is another church.

Linking the world renowned city of Dubrovnik with the virtually unknown tiny historic centre of the inland town of Kranj in Slovenia is more than unusual, but there are elements that they share in addition to just bringing much pleasure and beauty into the equation.
 

Masai Mara … two words that evoke the senses and inspire bucket list dreams. It is a vast, magnificent and game-filled landscape in Kenya that has been frequented and made famous by intrepid explorers, royal families, A-list celebrities, wildlife photographers and award-winning filmmakers. It features prominently on wanderlust travellers’ wish lists and if you haven’t witnessed it yourself, then now is the time. In addition to these 10 bucket list things to do in the Masai Mara, we have some fantastic news that will make you want to visit even more!

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.