Travel

McLaren launched the new 570S Coupe in the Algarve last week at the Conrad Hotel and the race track at Portimao. It was quite a sight to see so many McLaren 570s’ all lined up outside the Conrad hotel, flanked by flames floating in the elongated water pools, and outside the race track in every available colour. Not quite as good as driving them, but we’ll get to that.
 

Resort: Verbier (Switzerland) the town lies in a sunny, south-facing bowl with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks; it is the largest resort of the “4 Vallées” ski region with over 400km of pistes some of which are challenging and to make life easier, there are off-piste areas accessible by lifts.  A menu of skiing delights can be enjoyed; glaciers, couloirs and deep powder bowls for advanced skiers and riders.  The Savolèyres and Lac des Vaux sectors provide a more limited playground for intermediates and novices with some gentle runs.  Boarders will not be left out as there are the

Resort: St. Anton (Austria) At an elevation of 1,300m., St. Anton is a small town with a year round population of 2,500 people; it is just over an hour to Innsbruck Airport.  It is at the centre of the Arlberg Ski-Circus and is certainly one of Europe’s top ski resorts, drawing keen skiers from all over the world.  It offers some of Austria’s most extensive and most challenging skiing.

Resort: Lech (Austria) is very much its own character; the word ‘genteel’ fits well.  This small village provides a great diversity of slopes for all grades of skier and boarder, but with more focus to the beginner and intermediate skier.  Lech makes up a part of one of the world's best ski domains, providing good connections into the neighbouring mini-resort of Zürs and the world class St Anton.  Experts will head for off-piste skiing, heli-skiing and the challenges at the neighbouring St.

The Resort: Megeve (France) is another fabled ski resort where ‘old money’ i.e. those who are comfortable and relaxed about their wealth take their holidays.  Most guests are not looking for extreme challenges on the slopes but want extensive ski runs (440km), for them it is a combination of good facilities for the children, superlative restaurants, and a beautiful resort in picturesque surroundings.  It has great style and is very chic but in a quieter presentation, there is great appeal to the fashionable Parisian set.   
 
    

The Resort:  Courchevel 1850 (France).  Their own small, challenging airport has 6,000 private aeroplane movements each ski season which says it all.  These guests come for the cluster of very individual, small 5* hotels and the new breed of mega-chalets, gourmet restaurants galore, night clubs and boutiques selling the world’s most desirable, as well as the most exclusive jewellers such as Moussaieff.  However, there is another side of the resort where guests are not so challenged in price terms whilst they can enjoy the best facilities with endless skiing opportunities on a family skiing

Some of the best family holidays are taken either on a sailing yacht or on a skiing holiday.  All family members can take part at varying levels of interest and commitment, they are brilliant for children for both the enjoyment and the education, i.e. they come across situations where they have to make decisions.  In skiing, a slope might appear very challenging at first sight so a decision has to be made; gaining a great life skill will stand them in good stead in later life.

For many people, the thought of travelling to Australia for an extended holiday conjures images of Sydney Harbour and Opera House; the cultural hub that is Melbourne, a city that consistently ranks top in surveys of the world’s best quality of life; the vast barren wilderness of the outback, and the Great Barrier Reef coastline.

Lake Garda is the most prestigious of the Italian lakes where discerning Italians holiday or own holiday homes. Wealthy Italians pick their holiday destination with great care and Lake Garda is the most renowned for good reason. It is home to some of the most beautiful historic houses in Italy, many overlooking the lake. Indeed there is one stunning Palazzo, still entirely family owned, on a little island in the middle, on the southern side of the lake which really is a must see.

Following a £20m complete top to toe refurbishment, The Bellhouse Hotel in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire has opened her doors as the Crown Plaza Gerrards Cross Hotel, with a lavish launch party.
The newly designed event space was put to good use, with guests enjoying some incredible canapés, non stop champagne, a cocktail bar, mini spa tasters, some great games and surprises, while dancing the night away to the wonderful live band. In short the party was a great showcase of all the hotel has to offer.