Category: Culture & luxury travel

Culture & luxury travel

My hOtel: Eccleston Square Hotel, London @ESquareHotel

@mrsoaroundworld

The lovely Eccleston Square Hotel in London Located in the sought-after Eccleston Square, in London’s Pimlico neighbourhood, this little gem of a hotel – the Eccleston Square Hotel, was a very nice surprise. Possibly the most high-tech hotel I have ever stayed at, with a very special ‘home away from home’ feel. Read on, as you may be tempted to check-in sooner than you think. Pre-Arrival Not your average ‘hotel email welcome’. The details do count. –          Was there any pre-arrival communication by the hotel with myself via email or social media? …

Culture & luxury travel

What to Wear in Iceland and the Arctic Regions

Shing Yoong

Unless you’re some kind of masochist, there’s absolutely nothing enjoyable about heading beyond the Arctic Circle without dressing for the occasion. The Norwegians have a saying, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’, and I couldn’t agree more. As a general rule of thumb, what you wear in the Arctic regions often dictates the level of adventure you’re able to get away with. You might look great in a pair of high heels, but not so great after you’ve been…

Culture & luxury travel

Europe’s Rising Star: Bordeaux

Intelligent Travel

Visitors once just glanced over Bordeaux‘s stately 18th-century squares and harmonious architecture before heading out of town. The wine cellar at L’Intendant, a wine shop in downtown Bordeaux (Photograph by Gianluca Santoni / Sime / EStock Photo) The Route des Châteaux, running north from the UNESCO-listed city’s center, winds through the Médoc wine region, past a roster of famed chateaus—Latour, Margaux, Lafite Rothschild. But Bordeaux now uncorks more reasons to linger in the city. A revitalized riverfront makes an increasingly popular port of call for international…

Culture & luxury travel

There’s More to Slovenia’s Triglav National Park Than Lake Bled

Barbara Weibel

It was drizzling by the time I arrived at Vintgar Gorge, but not enough to discourage me from making the hike. Truthfully, the gorge had not even been on my radar. I had taken the bus to Lake Bohinj in Slovenia‘s Triglav National Park the day before, intending to work my way back to Ljubljana via Lake Bled, stopping for a few hours in each place. But one look at Lake Bohinj, with its encircling Karst limestone towers, emerald water, and pocket beaches, and knew…

Culture & luxury travel

Would you go on holiday on your own?

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

I tend not to go to the cinema unless I really want to see the film. This probably happens a handful of times each year and I must say I love it. There’s no doubt in my mind that the cinema is more special than watching something on television or indeed on a plane. The big question for today though is…  is it ok to go on your own? I am firmly in the yes camp. I think it’s ok to do almost everything alone. Apart from perhaps tennis and tango.  And a see-saw. But…

Culture & luxury travel

High five from the Cotswolds

Laura House

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 Cotswolds escape. 1. BEST PLACE TO FIND RELIGION | AT THE CHAPEL BAKERY On the way from London, stop off for a mid-morning nibble At the Chapel bakery, a charming congregational church-turned-coaching-inn in …

Culture & luxury travel

My Portuguese Pad with James Villas

TheTravelHack

“Is this whole place ours? The whole thing? Nah, it can’t be.” We’d followed the directions James Villas had sent us perfectly. We’d even put the address into the satnav in our hire car to make doubly sure we didn’t get lost. Yet here we were, sat outside a Portuguese mansion and wondering where we The post My Portuguese Pad with James Villas appeared first on The Travel

Culture & luxury travel

Experiencing voluntourism in Cape Town, South Africa @newkidzprojects @handsupholidays

@mrsoaroundworld

On my recent trip to which began with some days in the Winelands and Cape Town, I got to do something special: for 2 days, I got to help a local charity – New Kidz on the Block, a local organization that works to create awareness for South Africa’s 3 million orphaned, destitute and vulnerable children with their work, which includes makeovers to daycare centres in the outskirts of Cape Town. It was my first ‘voluntourism’ experience, so to say – and…

Culture & luxury travel

Geology Rocks! Basalt Columns in Iceland

Shing Yoong

Iceland is a minefield of explosive energy, and because of this beautiful shapes and patterns are formed across the landscape. As basaltic lava cools over an extended period of time, beautiful geometric forms emerge; incredible columns of hexagonal basalt rock that often form cliffs that stretch as high as the eye can see. These wondrous formations can be found all around the world, but Iceland is one of the best places for it without a doubt. …

Culture & luxury travel

Italy Beyond the Bucket List

Marilyn Terrell

You’ve gondola-ed Venice, bicycled Tuscany, shopped Milan, art-walked Florence, and climbed the hills of Rome—that’s pretty much it for Italy, right? Not by a long shot. Just look at the map. Italy’s a boot, not a shoe, and there are lots of treasures to be discovered down around the ankle and heel, in Southern Italy. Here are five bucket-list worthy destinations in the …

Culture & luxury travel

PHOTO: Slovene Square in Ptuj, Slovenia

Barbara Weibel

Click on above photo to view it in large format: The Town Tower & Town Theater on Slovene Square in Ptuj, Slovenia. The Orpheus Monument, a carved marble Roman tombstone that stands in front of the tower, is probably from the second century and is considered the symbol of Ptuj. (Visited 11 times, 11 visits today)The post PHOTO: Slovene Square in Ptuj, Slovenia appeared first on Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel.

Culture & luxury travel

Domes of Elounda, Greece: hotel of the week

Kate Weir

Still Googling ‘where’s sunny?’ in the hopes of a last-minute break? Crete‘s still coming up with a row of happy little suns, and with a whopping discount at pool-blessed resort Domes of Elounda, you’ll booking a trip to Elysium in less time than it takes to joyously smash a plate. STYLE Perfectly rounded resort SETTING Peaceful Mirabello Bay WHY THIS WEEK? Domes of Elounda hibernates over winter, shutting its doors from November; so that leaves you a month and a little bit to book an island break and …

Culture & luxury travel

Review: The Wild Duck, Cotswolds

Claire Robinson

EWEN, Cirencester – Even from the car park it’s not hard to see why The Wild Duck near Cirencester attracts the sort of names you’d expect at a Royal Wedding. For a start, the 16th century pub is barely visible underneath its ever-creeping overcoat of ivy and its surrounding cloak of trees and shrubs. If The post Review: The Wild Duck, Cotswolds appeared first

Culture & luxury travel

Top 5 Beauty Essentials – Autumn 2015 Edition

@mrsoaroundworld

A new season, means a refresh of my beauty routine (which I must admit, is quite limited). Following the success of the Top 5 Beauty Essentials series (thank you so much for your feedback on the Spring and Summer editions), I am delighted to share with you my Top 5 Beauty Essentials – Autumn 2015 Edition. Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Body Wash (500ml) I have been loyal to Molton Brown for decades, namely its body and hand wash ranges. My favourite smell has always …

Culture & luxury travel

Ystad: The Wisteria Lane of South Sweden

Shing Yoong

You know when something is almost too perfect it starts to possess an unnerving quality? Somewhere beyond the immaculate façade upheld by the community’s collective desire to ‘keep up appearances’ lies something unimaginably dark. David Lynch describes this underbelly of perfection best when he says, “…on the cherry tree there’s this pitch oozing out – some black, some yellow, and millions of red ants crawling …

Culture & luxury travel

I Heart My Island: Grenada

I Heart My Island

Jadine Hinds has been free diving and spear fishing in the waters surrounding Grenada since she was seven years old. These days the native islander indulges her love of the ocean as a PADI divemaster for the Aqua Center at Sandals LaSource Resort. But that doesn’t mean Jadine’s enthusiasm for the Caribbean destination she calls home is confined to the aquatic. She has plenty of land-based intel to share. …

Culture & luxury travel

Hungary Grapples With Its World War II History

Barbara Weibel

Kiraly Street is the new mecca for the younger generation in Budapest. By day shoppers frequent its upscale boutiques, coffee shops, and designer outlets. After dark it hops with nightlife, offering restaurants with multi-ethnic cuisine, ruin pubs, and entertainment venues. It is the new place to see and be seen. But few realize that the glitz and glamour of Kiraly Street rose from a monstrous darkness. Not so many years ago it was the ghetto of Budapest, where Jews were separated…