INSPIRED TRAVEL
I like lots of different things when I travel. I like iced drinks with fresh lime juice, I like art galleries in Madrid. And soft sand and jogging alongside the ocean or swimming in deep dark blue water. I like getting away and not having to think. And I genuinely fantasise about going to a Dude Ranch in Colarado, horse-riding, wearing white boots and singing along to John Denver. But that’s just me. Here’s a dose of inspiring travel ideas from England and around the world.
The pace and intensity of the modern world makes us all long for a peaceful, beautiful contrast – while still being stimulated. And here’s something that can’t fail to enchant: a gorgeous hotel complex on a 750-acre rural estate in Provence called Terre Blanche. Views over the ancient countryside are quite simply breathtaking and for the golfing enthusiasts truly you are in paradise.
We can go no further without a mention of Whispering Angel: Here you can enjoy a private guided tour of Chateau d’Esclans renowned for producing this famous rose. And then you can visit Le Clos del Callian, an exclusive producer of perfume flowers, and create, with a professional, your own fragrance.
Soneva Fushi is a breath-taking jewel bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The whole place is stunning. It’s barefoot luxury at it’s best. Shoes are banned and everyone is super casual. Soneva Fushi were about environmental sustainability before it became a thing. And they excel at it. No plastic bottles, they filter their own water and use recycled and renewable materials and take huge care to preserve ecosystems.
The hotel is made up of beautiful wiggly walkways that lead you to your home, which is like a wooden heaven. The 61 beachfront villas, ranging from one to nine bedrooms are located on the sunset or sunrise side of the island. Wherever you stay, you are guaranteed signature white sand beaches and crystal clear azure waters.
Embrace the castaway life and try lunch on a desert island prepared by your personal chef. Take a dip in the crystal clear, blue lagoon with their in-house snorkelling guide while your chef prepares gourmet temptations in the most intimate of settings.
What I love most. They have an astronomy night. Through the largest floating telescope in Asia you can catch a glimpse into the universe with 3D astronomy.
Kenya offers a quintessential authentic safari. There are huge tracks of land, acacia trees and amazing wildlife. A phenomenal experience is witnessing the Wildebeest and Zebra migration coming up from the Serengeti where they had their babies, to the Masai Mara to follow the rains and grass.
I would recommend combining a couple of properties in Kenya which offer great contrast. Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs, Laikipia is a superb new luxury encampment nestled in the Loisaba Conservancy with epic views from each of the eight, tented suites. It is “outstandingly beautiful, its abundant wildlife is truly wild and its accommodation is comfortable beyond measure.” On hand is your own “Guest Ambassador” to arrange your daily adventures. On offer are a myriad of activities to experience the wildlife and landscape including game driving, horse-riding, camel-trekking, guided bush walks, fishing, mountain biking, cultural visits to Samburu villages and visits to the anti-poaching sniffer dogs.
Elewana is brilliant to twin with a classic fully game-based safari like Naibor. Their camps are a stylish and contemporary tented camp collection situated in the heart of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, minutes away from the wildebeest crossing site. The spacious, luxury tents are perfect for families or couples who want to combine exclusivity with an authentic safari experience.
Let’s be blunt: this may not suit you. It’s fairly chilly and the seclusion is absolute. In fact ‘silence’ is officially listed among Octola’s key attributes. Not deterred, and feeling robust? Grand: you’re going to marvel at the crystalline magic and tingling clean air surrounding this wonderful retreat in the forests of Finnish Lapland …and be amazed at the flavours built up by your personal Nordic chef from locally-foraged ingredients.
Lost in 300 hectares of land in the back of beyond, this Arctic Circle gorgeousness with its pared-back, rustic décor and cinematic windows is at the end of an ambitious journey by snowmobile, helicopter or car. As well as super-relaxing accommodation in just 10 superb suites – and the lovely spa – you’ll be able to try all sorts of activities that won’t harm the environment, including snow-shoeing, downhill skiing, tobogganing, husky-sledding, nature walks on which you can forage (in season) and encounter reindeer (not too close when they’re in season), and catch the Northern Lights. It’s a tranquil, slow-burn getaway, and the tiny on-site shop sells the most fitting sort of memento: thermal underwear.
Back to nature bolt-hole with a little touch of luxury. You’ll find your treehouse hidden away on the beautiful, 400-acre Farncombe Estate deep in the Cotswolds. The treehouses are fashioned from Siberian larch and have a cocooning, oval form. Don’t be deceived, though; you won’t be sleeping on old sacks. The luxuriously woody interiors feature a divine double bed, and a separate bathroom and bunk-space, the stylish décor is by interior designer Hannah Lohan. You’ll never be chilly thanks to underfloor heating, and you can sip a nightcap while listening intently to the nocturnal soundtrack of the woodlands outside.
The treehouses are but one part of the estate’s The Fish hotel, which also includes conventional rooms and suites in a converted coach house, and some rustic ‘Hilly Huts’ dotted around the rolling hillsides, each with a private hot tub and chiminea. There are also two shepherd-style hideaway huts, with lovely outdoor baths.
You’ll find plenty to do, from just tramping the tracks (they’ll loan you the wellies) and gulping down the fresh air to visiting the local gin distillery. The Hook restaurant, run by Michelin Star chef Martin Burge, is where to sate the evening appetite, or you can have a giant outdoor barbie… before sneaking off in the gathering dusk for another night in those treetops. Oh and my favourite bit. All pooches are welcome.
Sometimes my family and I want to learn something. Okay, I want to learn something which means more than a great Insta shot or a thick freshly prepared mango smoothie. I want time away from dreaded screens. To go somewhere; expand my senses, get under the skin of a place and feel wonderfully cultured. And Lisbon is a charming idea. The architecture is stunning with vibrant yellows and blues, the cobbled streets and trams adorable and of course the Pastéis de Nata is glorious. Even better, it’s less than three hours from London.
Simply walk, or if you are with smaller people jump on a tram and hop from one district to another. Make sure you head into the charming historical centre of Alfama for a sighting of the Moorish Castle of Sao Jorge. The Jeronimos Monastery in Belem is, along with the Belem tower, the most important tourist attraction in Lisbon, inside which lies the tomb of Vasco de Gama and is worthy of a visit. For foodies, Time Out Mercado da Ribeira is a gastronomical fest with 40 stalls from the city’s best chefs.
Stay at the Bairro Alto Hotel or The One Palacio Da Anuciado.
I loved visiting the old town of Sintra. Despite being only 20 miles west of Lisbon, it is one of those rare places where you feel that the 21st century has yet to intervene. Grand palaces and churches are interspersed with a labyrinth of little restaurants and shops selling local ceramics.
If you are a hiker, try the Sintra coastal path. There are copious amounts of trails. Trails for cycling, trails for hiking, trails for walking.
My family also love the seaside. Cascais is an unexpected gem of prettiness. There are spectacular views over the rugged coastline where you can cycle and if you are a serious surfer or serious about learning to surf, you can spend a whole week at any one of their surf schools.
