There is no area better known as a bastion of English refinement, countryside sophistication and village charm than the unfolding hills or ‘wolds’ of the Cotswolds. This picture-book part of England has long been a place to retreat for lazy half-terms and blissed-out weekends. But behind the sleepy villages, bucolic teashops, and Thelwell style farms, The post A Wild Weekend in the Cotswolds appeared first on [Read More]
The Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design, Berlin
Bauhaus – ‘house of construction’ “Let us strive for, conceive and create the new building of the future that will unite every discipline, architecture and sculpture and painting, and which will one day rise heavenwards from the million hands of craftsmen as a clear symbol of a new belief to come.”- Walter Gropius Tucked away alongside the Landwehrkanal in Tiergarten, South West Berlin, lies the Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design, an archive that studies … [Read More]
Just Back: Borneo
National Geographic’s Andrew Coleman (on Instagram @andywcoleman) recently traveled to Borneo to explore one of the oldest rain forests in the world. Hoping to spy an orangutan in its natural habitat, Andrew was quickly blown away by the biodiversity he encountered on this unique island, the planet’s third largest, in Maritime Southeast Asia. Here are some of the high points of his trip, in his … [Read More]
PHOTO: Preseren Square in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Click on above photo to view it in large format: Preseren Square in Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, features the Triple Bridge and the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (Visited 93 times, 93 visits today)The post PHOTO: Preseren Square in Ljubljana, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel. [Read More]
Hanging out: the world’s best clifftop hotels
Fancy living on the edge? From Cape View Clifton in South Africa – a new addition to our collection – to cliffside stays in California, Croatia and beyond, these precariously perched hotels are the places to literally live the high life. VILLA DUBROVNIK From it’s jaw-dropping cliff’s edge locale – see… [Read More]
Visiting the Champs-Élysées: A Look at 2 Newly-Renovated Hotels in the Heart of the District
Home to some of fashion’s most over-the-top flagship boutiques, Paris’ Champs-Élysées and Golden Triangle district is also one of the city’s most-touristed neighborhoods. In this setting, two newly-renovated luxury hotel…via JustLuxe.com [Read More]
Provence Road Trip IV – Crillon le Brave
For our last stop in the South of France we made our way through the narrow roads east of Avignon, climbing higher and higher until we came across a fairy tale-like village, Crillon le Brave. Hotel Crillon-le-brave is situated high above town with eight buildings providing breathtaking views of vineyards and olive groves. We [Read More]
Luxury Villa Review: The Blue Door in Palm Springs, California
The Blue Door in Palm Springs, California The Blue Door, is a beautiful 3-bedroom and 3-bathroom villa located in Palm Springs, California, which accommodates 6 people. On this occasion, I travelled with my husband, his daughter and my friend Trudi – making this the perfect-sized holiday home for us. We stayed for 5 nights. Booking process We booked the property via a vacation rental website, and it was done in minutes. We had excellent communication with… [Read More]
The List: Where to Stay for England’s Rugby World Cup 2015
Every four years, Rugby Union’s elite come together to decide the destiny of the famous Webb Ellis trophy at the Rugby World Cup. The 2015 edition takes place in the United Kingdom this fall, marking the perfect opportunity for fans to catch several games in person. For those mulling over a trip, herein we’ve highlighted key clashes, and matched them up with winning hotels nearby. [Read More]
PHOTO: Cobblestone Streets of Piran, Slovenia
Click on above photo to view it in large format: Cobblestone streets of Piran, Slovenia by night. The lanes are so narrow that special mini trucks are employed to move goods around and collect the trash. (Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)The post PHOTO: Cobblestone Streets of Piran, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel. [Read More]
Five reasons Brighton’s lured us back…
With its brazen artwork and graffiti’d sea-view rooms, Artist Residence Brighton has made us come over all unnecessary – well it is the original dirty-weekend destination, after all. So here are five reasons why this is the time for a stay in Brighton again. Sunnies, knotted hankies and a cheeky sense of humour at the ready, we’re all going on a retro British beach break… ITS … [Read More]
Capture Sydney’s Beauty With These 7 Hotels & Their Picture-Perfect Views
Sydney, Australia is easily one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The bustling city is home to some 4.6 million people, the iconic Sydney Opera House, rows of yachts resting in the harbor and a plethora of new restaurants popping up each…via JustLuxe.com [Read More]
Is the Lloyds Bank AVIOS Upgrade Voucher good value? £85 for business class flights to Stockholm would suggest so…
I recently managed to bag two business class flights to Stockholm for just £85. How you might scream? AVIOS Upgrade Voucher Well on this occasion, I was using the Lloyds Bank AVIOS Rewards Credit Card, which rewards you with a AVIOS upgrade voucher when you spend £7,000. The voucher allows two people to upgrade one class The post Is the Lloyds Bank AVIOS Upgrade Voucher good value? £85 for business class flights to Stockholm would suggest so… appeared first on The [Read More]
The List: 9 Cultural Getaways to Inspire
A little food for the soul should form an essential part of everyone’s diet, and a cultural getaway spent exploring museums and the arts provides the perfect main course. Combined with a luxury hotel break, it makes for a tasty proposition, so read on as we list nine essential cultural getaways around the globe. [Read More]
The Fine Art of Focus in Travel Writing
I recently led an all-day in-the-field writing workshop in one of my favorite places on the planet, the hamlet of Point Reyes Station, population about 900, located an hour west of San Francisco, on the edge of the continent. The purpose of the workshop was to replicate a day in the life of a travel writer—or more specifically to illustrate how I go about trying to “get†a place and a story when I’m out in the world. The first part of the day involved walking around the town as a group, and our focus … [Read More]
PHOTO: Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Click on above photo to view it in large format: One of four dragons that adorn the Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia. One legend says that the city was founded by Jason, who, along with his Argonauts, slew the dragon. Another legend insists that the dragons wag their tales when a virgin crosses the bridge. (Visited 58 times, 58 visits today)The post PHOTO: Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia appeared first on Hole [Read More]
High five from the English countryside
Tamara Kaye-Honey, founder of Los Angeles interior design studio House of Honey, is our kind of traveller: intrepid and in-the-know. It’s why we tapped her as a Smith Hotel Awards judge, and to share top tips from a recent family escape outside of London. 1. BEST PLACE TO FIND RELIGION | AT THE CHAPEL BAKERY Take the scenic route southwest from London and stop off for a mid-morning nibble in Somerset At the Chapel bakery, a charming congregational church-turned-coaching-inn. … [Read More]
One Look at The Spa House in Cape Town Will Have You Pulling Out Your Credit Card
There’s renting a villa for your South African vacation, and then there’s really renting a villa. Let me be more clear. You could stay at any ‘ole private residence in Cape Town while visiting or you c…via JustLuxe.com [Read More]
Provence Road Trip Part 1 – La Bastide de Marie + The Luberon
I have wanted to visit Provence in the South of France for some time now. The vineyards, the stone farm houses, the colorful shutters, the hilly countryside, and the amazing food have been calling my name for years. When my husband and I decided to take a holiday for our first wedding anniversary, I knew The post Provence Road Trip Part 1 – La Bastide de Marie + The Luberon appeared first on The Travel Hack. [Read More]
The List: 10 Perennially Sunny Escapes
Fall has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, tingeing leaves golden brown and causing temperatures to dip. Those who are already feeling nostalgic toward the departed summer can chase the warmth: read on for 10 destinations that offer year-round sun. Delano South Beach, Miami A fixture on the South Beach scene, Delano greets guests with grand […] [Read More]
Texas’s German Roots: New Braunfels
“Do you speak German?,†I ask. “Un poquito.†Joyce is minding the register at the oldest bakery in Texas, Naegelin’s. Opened in 1868, the establishment remains a landmark in downtown New Braunfels—and a quirky reminder of the Lone Star State’s German roots. Around Joyce are bins brimming with traditional German goodies: Lebkuchen cookies, ornately embossed Springerle biscuits, and sweet, croissant-like pretzels laced with pecans and drizzled with icing. “Texas pecans,†she adds as a point of… [Read More]
Slovenia Tourism – Not Ready for the Big Time
I explained why I don’t like living in the U.S. anymore to the manager of Hostel Val in Piran: the work, work, work; money, money, money; buy, buy, buy mentality that has become so pervasive in American culture. She reflected on my comment for a moment before replying, “But it is becoming the same for us.” Later, after dealing with a sneering woman in the Slovenia tourism office, who might as well have thrown brochures at me, I fled… [Read More]
What to wear and when?
Dress codes can be very confusing sometimes. And I’m not even talking about the cryptic ones. The likes of ‘elegant casual’ or ‘chic’ are beyond me. What on earth do they mean? I spend the weeks leading up to almost any event confused and terrified. Tonight for example I’ve been invited to a black tie event. Well, Henry was invited and I am his ‘plus one’. Black tie sounds innocent enough and it doesn’t cross his mind to wonder what he should wear. He doesn’t know quite how lucky he is. He see’s black tie on an invitation … [Read More]
Bed hopping: new hotels from Rome to London to Brazil
Our hotel curation gang get about it bit, and for October they’ve discovered three sumptuous stays with supremely sexy bedrooms. Meet G Rough hotel in Rome, Artist Residence London and Insólito Boutique Hotel in beachy Buzios, Brazil. G ROUGH Rome, Italy: shabby-luxe style, quiet central setting and an eye for design. ARTIST RESIDENCE LONDON London, UK: coolly creative interiors, brilliant bistro and smiley … [Read More]