HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE
The Travel Issue
JANUARY 2014
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EDITOR’S LETTER After one of the most devastating periods of weather it can be hard to imagine that the sun will ever warm us again, but in this month’s issue we have a collection of places to visit to inspire you. We also hope that all the beautiful places that we love who have been affected by the weather get all the support they need to rebuild their homes and businesses. In this issue we also feature interviews from some of the leading travel industry experts sharing their hopes for 2014. This includes Mandy Abbott, Marketing Manager, Bailey Robinson, Alistair McLean, Managing Director of The Aurora Zone, Steve Jack, Communications Manager, Inntravel. We also have a summary of Carrier’s Luxury Travel Trends 2014. Finally if you are still looking for a Valentine’s Day gift we have a delightful selection of ideas in our Valentine’s Day Supplement. Enjoy! www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com Picture Credits: Cover image courtesy of Bailey Robinson http://www.baileyrobinson.com/ Valentine’s Day Supplement image courtesy of Ella James http://www.ellajames.co.uk/ Images throughout the magazine supplied by the various companies, or publishers featured.
Please Note All information about products and services are supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, or news items. Inclusion in this feature does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.
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NEW ZEALAND IN DEPTH We are a New Zealand holiday specialist based in the UK and we create tailormade holidays with care, expertise and genuine personal service. New Zealand is our complete passion and we are committed to sharing our knowledge and experience of the country to create the best possible holiday experiences, whether you are planning to visit for just a few days or for 3 months. By having great relationships with all our partners on the ground in New Zealand and by getting to know you and your interests, we can create a unique and special holiday for you. http://www.newzealandindepth.com/
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Carrier Travel Trends 2014
FEATURE
New for 2014, luxury tour operator Carrier has predicted the six big trends for travel experiences. The trends are: Local Life, Gourmet Discoveries, Spirit of Adventure, Set-Jetting, Creative Collaborations and Simple Pleasures. To complement their selection of the most on-trend luxury holidays for 2014, Carrier has negotiated special offers including free nights, complimentary half board and in-resort benefits to offer real value for money. There are a selection of some of the examples below. Gourmet Discoveries Despite a festive season full of feasting, and New Year’s resolutions to eat less, Carrier knows that one of the best things in life is enjoying good food in good company. From celebrated chefs on the piste in January to Michelin starred chefs battling it out on the beaches of Greece in the summer, Carrier is the luxury tour operator with the knowledge and expertise to satisfy gourmands. 09 - 18 May – Ten day annual Gourmet Festival in Halkidiki, Greece Sani Gourmet festival brings together some of the finest chefs in the world along with rising stars, creating dishes with ingredients sourced from within a 100-mile radius. Guests are also treated to a number of workshops, presentations and wine tastings. Simple Pleasures Wellness retreats that produce real results Savvy travellers know that a truly ideal holiday is not defined by status symbols. For travellers seeking to attain mental, physical and emotional wellbeing during their travels in 2014, Carrier is the luxury tour operator with the knowledge to guide people to the best retreats that provide optimum results. Hermitage Bay, Antigua – Exclusive wellness programme Health and wellness is an important feature at the eco-chic hotel with complimentary yoga, meditation and Pilates. Spa treatments are influenced by the ancient eastern concept of Chakra. The exclusive wellness programme for Carrier guests includes two personal training sessions, a 60 minute spa treatment and a weekly nutritional programme. Top family resorts to spend quality time with loved ones From resorts with the ultimate kid’s playground, to those offering dedicated facilities and unique learning experiences, Carrier has collected a handful of the top resorts offering impressive savings to those looking for family inspiration. Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – Younger guests feel special A self-contained work of luxurious seclusion, this is a place where entrancing desert meets the teeming corals of the Red Sea. Younger guests can take advantage of their dedicated ‘Aladdin’ swimming pool complete with mini sun-loungers, a welcome gift and activities such as pirate-ship building, mini-chef classes and tennis lessons for all the family. Set-Jetting - Film locations inspiring travel Art and travel have always had a special relationship, with one influencing the other for centuries. This year, Carrier has collected an assortment of hotels where travellers can lose themselves in their favourite novel or film and experience a moment of cinema history. Goldeneye, Jamaica – Recreate the iconic 007 Dr No moment in picture-perfect Oracabessa Bay Near Ocho Rios lies the property where Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond novels. Accommodations at the resort include the original Fleming Villa, in addition to Beach and Lagoon Villas and Cottages. 4
Located on a verdant 52 acre site, guests can discover secret coves, breathtaking private beaches, tropical forests and a seawater lagoon. Spirit of Adventure Travelling in style should not preclude you from savouring adrenalin-fuelled and unique encounters; more and more luxury resorts are appealing to their guests’ sense of adventure without compromising on their level of refinement. Some seek out uncharted territory so that their very location acts as inspiration for unforgettable discoveries; a log cabin resort in the Canadian wilderness can offer its guests the exhilaration of helicopter glacier flights and grizzly bear encounters. Others combine more accessible destinations with the most adventurous experiences available; a Caribbean beach retreat could be the perfect springboard for a day flying through the rainforest on a zip-wire or swimming with the dolphins in their natural habitat. Creative Collaborations With many leading hotels being perceived as luxury brands in their own right, partnerships with companies or individuals outside the realm of travel that share a similar passion for design, architecture or culture are becoming more popular with eye-catching results. Louis Vuitton now has its own growing hotel portfolio, Fendi and Karl Lagerfeld have both lent their creative talent to shape hotel design. From Bodyism retreats in the Maldives to Heidi Klein catalogue shoots in Antigua, luxury resorts are often finding themselves in style supplements as much as the travel pages; a winning combination for today’s sophisticated experience-led traveller. Local Life in 2014 - Holidays with authentic and cultural encounters Regional authenticity is evolving into a more highly prized commodity than pan-global luxury; travellers are seeking authentic and cultural encounters in addition to their five star furnishings. Trips that allow guests to connect with local people and the environment are often becoming the reason for their stay. Carrier is the luxury tour operator with the knowledge to guide people under the skin of their chosen destination. For more details visit: http://www.carrier.co.uk/collections/luxury-travel-trends-2014/
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A & K VILLAS Abercrombie & Kent Villas offer a wide range of luxury villas throughout Europe, from French chateaux to Tuscan farmhouses. As well as beautiful properties, we can also help organise the finer things that make your holiday complete with everything from private chefs to local hosts to help you make the most of your stay. www.abercrombiekent.co.uk
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NUMBER ONE DART MARINA Number One Dart Marina is an exquisite home in a breath-taking location by the River Dart in Dartmouth, Devon. A stunning combination of views, luxury and style, within a few steps of Dart Marina Hotel & Spa, see more at www.dartmarina.com/numberone
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COX & KINGS Cox & Kings, the world’s longest established travel company, organises luxury group tours www.coxandkings.co.uk/grouptours.aspx and private tailor-made travel www.coxandkings.co.uk/tailormadeindex.aspx to destinations across the globe.
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BLUE AND WHITE LOCATIONS The ever popular “split-weeks” as we like to call them, where you can book some of the best chalets in the alps on a per room basis are available for the non peak weeks of the season in the top resorts of Verbier and Val d’Isere. Offering all the benefits of a private chalet but with the accessibility of a hotel make them perfect for smaller groups or couples. Take a look at the resort pages here: www.blueandwhitelocations.com/verbier www.blueandwhitelocations.com/val-disere
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INTERVIEW
Hot Brands Cool Places talked to Mandy Abbott, Marketing Manager, Bailey Robinson for an exclusive interview What attracted you into the travel industry? Who doesn’t want to spend their days casting an eye over gorgeous photos of fabulous places? Seriously though, I previously worked in broadcasting and spent a lot of my time travelling to different parts of the globe and my friends were constantly asking me where they should go on holiday and what there was to do in different places. It seemed like an obvious transition to move into the travel industry and put that knowledge to good use. I knew what made my travels easier and what information helped me along the way, and I wanted to be able to really help clients have the best time – as you don’t just buy a holiday you should have experiences that make beautiful memories. Working for Bailey Robinson in particular appealed to me as they had the ethos of ‘if it matters to you it matters to us’. What do your customers expect as part of their luxury travel experience? Luxury travel does not just mean opulence, comfort and a plethora of amazing amenities on offer at a destination; it is the full journey of the traveller from the point they make that first phone call to discuss their needs. The service they receive, the knowledge of the travel consultant, the journey to their port of call should all have an air of being a cut-above before they arrive at a resort or location that will astonish. Luxury travel means you can sit back, relax and enjoy the experience safe in the knowledge that every aspect will surpass expectation. We have a comprehensive website and gloriously opulent brochures but you still can’t beat that personal touch. All of our team is passionate about the service customers receive and talking to them to find the best holiday at the best price, and it has to fit the customer’s needs. Luxury is not seeing items as extras but seeing anything that makes a holiday special as a necessity. What is new in the Bailey Robinson portfolio this year? The world is a fascinating place and countries come in and out of vogue depending on a number of factors. There are a few places on our radar that are on the precipice of being the burgeoning tourist hotspots of coming years. Places such as Burma, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malta and Croatia are all experiencing a renewed surge in interest. So although the destinations are not new to our portfolio the options we can provide there have increased tremendously. It is always a joy to be able to offer something that little bit different to customers and keep them as enthused about travel as we are. 11
What exciting developments do you have planned for the future? We are one of the few companies in the UK who sell seats for Virgin Galactic as an Accredited Space Agent. We are very excited that this year may be the year we see the launch of this pioneering service. All the tests have been stringently carried out and they have successfully completed the third rocket-powered supersonic flight of the passenger carrying reusable space vehicle, SpaceShipTwo (SS2). Sir Richard has many innovative ideas and is already considering thinking pushing long-haul, intercontinental aviation up into the atmosphere is definitely the way to go so eventually flying from London to Sydney in two and a half hours could become a reality. Another launch we are enthusiastic about is the launch of our brand new Europe Summer Sunshine brochure. Europe has so much to offer, and as well as having the luxury properties admired and enjoyed by many it has great cost-effective options for those who don’t want to spend an enormous amount on their well deserved trip, but still require quality. There are new hotels and resorts opening all the time, and we want to help customers through the minefield of good and bad and provide a portfolio of properties they can trust us to recommend. Do you have personal favourite destinations? It all depends on my holiday mood. For a ‘flop and drop’ my absolute favourite is Bermuda. It doesn’t get the same press as its rivals of Barbados and the Bahamas but this little English colony has some of the best beaches, exquisite food and friendliest locals you will find. I highly recommend a tall glass of the drink dark n’stormy for a delicious taste of local rum. For a tailor-made journey I love China. The country is so vast it offers many surprises with its various stunning landscapes, fascinating cities and wealth of cultural antiquities. It is a highly engaging place to visit and a total amazing experience. My only tip is to make sure you take a bottle of water if you try to climb the Great Wall as it is steeper than it looks! For a quick getaway Mallorca is a great option. It has it all beach, mountains, cultural traditions, food for all palates, sunshine and best of all is only a 2 hour flight away. What do you always pack in your suitcase? Good walking shoes, as much as lying on a beach really hits the spot I like to explore a location and find out what gems I can find. I take decent sun cream as having once got caught out in Australia by not believing you can sunburnt on a cloudy day I now don’t take any chances. I always pack an extra adapter plug as I can’t remember how many I’ve managed to blow-up, tread on or somehow lose over the years. http://www.baileyrobinson.com/
HARBOUR HOTELS Drenched in natural beauty, history and culture, the Harbour Hotels collection offers views and surrounding areas that can rival any Mediterranean destination. With hotels dotted along the south coast, the Harbour Hotels Collection boasts four incredible waterside havens, all with one thing in common simply breath-taking views – and a boutique Dorset seaside hideaway. www.harbourhotels.co.uk
HOLIDAYS PLEASE Start off the New Year planning a holiday with Holidaysplease, an award winning online travel agency offering luxury tailor made holidays to worldwide destinations. Experience an amazing holiday to destinations including the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, Far East and more! www.holidaysplease.co.uk
KESGRAVE HALL Step back, relax and indulge at milsoms Kesgrave Hall, a contemporary 4-star hotel with 23 fabulous bedrooms ranging from standard through to the ‘top grade’. Plenty of theatre can be found in the restaurant overlooked by the Engine Room, with head chef Stuart Oliver championing all that is great about Suffolk produce. www.kesgravehall.com
AUDLEY TRAVEL Audley Travel is an award-winning tour operator that specialises in tailor-made trips and small group tours to over 80 countries around the world. Using their extensive, first-hand knowledge, Audley’s country specialists build itineraries that match their clients’ individual interests, budget, pace and accommodation preferences to create unique travel experiences. www.audleytravel.com
LUXURY AND LITTLE ONES With the ski seasons fast approaching Luxury and Little Ones have chosen ten of their favourite images of luxury ski chalets in their collection for a luxury family ski holiday. Think soft play in the basement, children’s entertainer after a day on the slopes while mum and day have a soak in the outdoor Jacuzzi, indoor slide, cinemas with popcorn machines, childcare at the chalet or an indoor pool for some splash time amongst some of the facilities on offer along with any baby items you would need. Please contact Kathryn on 0845 900 3870 / info@luxuryandlittleones.com / www.luxuryandlittleones.com To book any of these chalets or ask for any further information.
Hot Brands Cool Places talked to Alistair McLean, Managing Director, The Aurora Zone for an exclusive interview
INTERVIEW
What inspired you to establish The Aurora Zone? I already owned a company which specialised in winter activity holidays such as dog sledding and snowmobiling and the feedback from these trips showed that our clients were getting increasingly excited by the Northern Lights. I was also aware that the sun was moving towards the peak of its activity cycle called “Solar Maximum” which is when the Aurora is historically at its most frequent and most spectacular. I was sure the demand would be there so set up the UK’s first dedicated Northern Lights specialist Travel Company As a comparatively young travel company what have been your highlights in setting it up? Creating and developing the trips! Everything from researching the best destinations to witnessing the Northern Lights; to meeting with local guides and experiencing the activities to create the best opportunities for our clients to see the Aurora Borealis. The support we received from the local guides and photographers was phenomenal. They all play a significant part in the excellent Northern Lights holidays we have on offer today and have a real passion for the Northern Lights. We found that Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway had great Northern Lights records and consequently zoned in on these countries to create the very best Northern Lights holidays. What is special about the regions you cover? Well, first and foremost, they are all right in the heart of the Auroral Oval which means any visitor has a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Secondly, I love the wide, wide open spaces of Northern Scandinavia, from the serene and pristine lake and forest scenery of Finland, the more rugged mountains of Sweden and the islands and fjords of the Norwegian Coast, they all have their own particular identity. I love that in all these places, you can get away from the “big” tourist destinations such as Rovaniemi and Levi in Finland, or Tromso in Norway and delve much deeper into what is a very, very different way of life to ours here in the UK. Best of all though is the people. I like to think of our suppliers as friends rather than hard-nosed business people from whom I have to squeeze every last penny. My suppliers are wonderful people and share the basic formula that we have to make some money, our suppliers have to make some money and our clients have to have a great experience....it isn’t rocket science and it works! What are your hopes for the future? I would like to send as many people as possible to see the Northern Lights but without ever resorting to mass tourism or impacting negatively on the communities we visit. Longer term, I am looking at new destinations in other parts of the world. It’s all very, very exciting because we are basically being paid to travel, have some fun and experience things we might never have dreamed possible. Watch this space.....we are going to be featuring some pretty spectacular holidays over the next couple of years. Do you have a personal favourite holiday destination? Suomi, mina rakastan sinua – Finland, I love you. Finland, the greatest country in the world, vastly under-rated as a place to see the Northern Lights; I have seen them from Finnish Lapland more than any other place in the Auroral zone. The people are so welcoming and their passion for the great outdoors is unsurpassed. Whenever I travel to Finland, be it Helsinki or Finnish Lapland it simply feels like a second home, I absolutely love it.
What do you always pack in your suitcase? Thermal long johns. They may not be sartorially elegant but, at 1am in the morning, when you are gazing in wonder at the Aurora Borealis from a remote frozen lake, the temperatures can drop as low as -30째C, sometimes lower! When that time comes, you can be sure that sartorial elegance will be the very last thing on your mind and your thermal long johns will be your absolute best friend. http://www.theaurorazone.com/ Picture Credits: Antti Pietikainen
PERFECT STAYS Perfect Stays offer an expanding portfolio of luxury self-catering holiday homes throughout Cornwall, Somerset and Yorkshire. From cosy rural cottages and award-winning eco lodges, to palatial beach houses and beautiful barn conversions. Every guest enjoys an inclusive and comprehensive concierge service to help create a memorable stay. www.perfectstays.co.uk
Hot Brands Cool Places talked to Steve Jack, Communications Manager, Inntravel for an exclusive interview How long have you worked for Inntravel, and has it changed much over the years? I’ve been here for nine years, but Inntravel itself has been around for thirty! But the original ethos has remained very much unchanged. Our holidays enable independently minded travellers to get off the beaten track and explore Europe’s unspoiled corners at their own pace – while enjoying good food, wine and charming, family-run hotels along the way. Obviously things have developed over time: instead of concentrating on a handful of French country hotels just across the Channel, as Inntravel did at the outset, we now offer walking and cycling holidays to 24 different countries, as well as holidays in the snow on ‘the quiet side of the mountain’, unforgettable journeys by rail and a host of other options. But it’s still very much all about seeing a destination ‘up close’, experiencing it as the locals see it, and taking in wonderful landscapes through relaxed activity. What are the attractions in a Slow Holiday? A Slow Holiday gives you time, space and a feeling of freedom. While everything is organised for you in one sense (we provide detailed route notes, suggest places to eat and transport your luggage from one hotel to another), in another sense you are as free as a bird. There are no schedules to adhere to, no groups to keep up with (or hold you back) and no pressure to be anywhere by a certain time. You simply set off for your day’s walk or bike ride carrying the day’s essentials (your Inntravel notes and a map, a camera and some suncream) and take it all in. Stop off to admire the views, pause at a wayside café or enjoy a leisurely lunch or riverside picnic – all the while anticipating a warm welcome at your next hotel, and some delicious regional cuisine as a reward for your day’s exertions. What are the new destinations for 2014? Our new walking destinations this year include the Faroe Islands: a little-known outpost of volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, perhaps familiar from the Shipping Forecast but not much else! They offer exhilarating walking, fabulous views and a fascinating cultural heritage, as well as superb photography and bird-watching opportunities.
INTERVIEW
Then there’s our new cycling holiday in southern France, taking you from the Provençal landscapes that inspired artists like Van Gogh through to the unique wetlands of the Camargue, with their flamingos, white horses and black bulls. Portugal has been one of our biggest success stories in recent years, so we have high hopes for our new walking holiday there, Hill-top Towns of the Alentejo. Or you can follow the ancient ‘Via Spluga’ trail all the way from the Swiss Alps to the glittering shores of Lake Como in Italy. What are your hopes for the future? Well, people have been viewing our website – and booking holidays – in record numbers so far this year, so my hopes are simply that more and more people come to see the attractions of taking a Slow Holiday, and that their feedback is as good as ever. Of course there are more regions we’d like to explore, both in Europe and beyond: we’re looking at Malta for the coming winter, and have just launched a new walking holiday to Nepal, which includes all the fabulous Himalayan views you’d expect but without the arduous trekking to get there (it’s suitable for anyone who’s reasonably fit). But my main hope is that people stop to take time out from this ever-morefrenetic world we live in: there are so many wonderful regions to enjoy out there, and I believe our holidays enable you to do it in the best way possible. Do you have a personal favourite holiday destination? Yes, but it’s usually the place I went to last, because the memories are the freshest! The destinations I’ve visited recently have all been magical in their own way: the unspoiled and dramatic mountains of north-west Mallorca; the beautiful wine country of South Moravia in the Czech Republic; The Faroe Islands (which I’ve mentioned above); and the sparkling Mediterranean coast of Turkey, where I walked along the dramatic Lycian Way long-distance footpath. But my most recent trip was to the Norwegian Highlands for a spot of cross-country skiing, and I have to say that swishing through the snow with only the locals for company and a good feed awaiting me back at my hotel felt pretty much like paradise on earth. What do you always pack in your suitcase? As well as my walking gear, I never forget to pack my swimming shorts: you never know when you’ll come across an inviting sandy cove or a mountain lake that’s perfect for a refreshing dip; and even in the depths of the Norwegian winter, it was great to be able to relax in the hotel’s pool and cosy sauna. I always try to take a small phrasebook, too: local people always appreciate it when you try to speak their language, even if it’s only the odd word. But I always try to find a small corner of my bag for the hip flask I bought in the Scottish Highlands – whether I’m halfway up a ski lift or admiring a spellbinding view from a mountain walking trail, a drop of the local tipple rarely goes amiss! http://www.inntravel.co.uk/
SALCOMBE HOLIDAY HOMES Salcombe Holiday Homes have a fabulous portfolio of beautiful coastal holiday homes in Salcombe, Devon. Some with amazing sea views, some luxurious with beautiful gardens and swimming pools... all are personally inspected by our experienced team. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll show you a house you’ll love. www.salcombe.com 01548 843485
SUFFOLK COTTAGE HOLIDAY Whether you are looking for contemporary chic or classic comfort, Suffolk Cottage Holidays’ stylish, luxury cottages are the very best in Suffolk. In the heart of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, our coastal and countryside cottages are set in some of East Anglia’s finest locations. www.suffolkcottageholidays.com/
SYKES COTTAGES Give yourself something to look forward to this year with a holiday from Sykes Cottages. With over 4,000 self-catering holiday cottages throughout the UK and Ireland, you’ll be spoilt for choice when planning your 2014 getaway. To find out more, visit our website or give us a call. www.sykescottages.co.uk
BOVEY CASTLE Bovey Castle is a five-star hotel set within a 275-acre private estate with its own championship golf course, offering guests the unpretentious grandeur and sumptuous dĂŠcor of true English luxury on Dartmoor National Park www.boveycastle.com
EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES Exclusive Escapes provide you with wonderful villas and boutique hotels all exclusive to them. All their villas offer a ‘hotel-service’ with welcome hamper, daily maid cleaning and car hire. In 2013 Exclusive Escapes expanded its coastal programme to include top-of-the-range seafront townhouses and in 2014 has unveiled a host of brand new opportunities to explore south west Turkey including the introduction of a new region and the launch of a brand new hotel Alavya, and four brand new super chic coastal villas, and guided trekking on a new long-distance path-the Carian Trail. www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk/
EXPERIENCE TRAVEL GROUP Experience Travel is the UK specialist in tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, The Maldives and Indonesia. We craft holidays & adventures, tailor-made for you. www.experiencetravelgroup.com
Valentine’s Day Inspiration
Looking for Valentine’s Day inspiration? Here is a lovely selection of gifts and ideas, you will find more examples on our homepage - This Month we Love Valentine’s Day www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com OSKIA is a British high-performance luxury skincare brand. It offers a range of products & supplements packed with vital skin nutrients and targeted vitamins, minerals, glucides, proteins, amino acids & omegas to help rebuild your skin’s health. www.oskiaskincare.com NuBo® boutique skincare delivers a diamond standard experience that is as effective as it is enticing. Using the world’s most advanced technology, NuBo® offers intelligent, style-conscious people a truly exclusive invitation to skin that looks, feels and performs better. www.nubo.com Treat yourself or someone else this Valentine’s Day to exquisitely fragranced luxuries, inspired by the roses of ancient times, from London-based luxury brand Ancienne Ambiance. As recommended by Vogue, The Good Web Guide, Positive Luxury, The Beauty Shortlist & many more. http://www.ancienneambiance.com If you think seriously about your Valentine then you will be delighted to visit Elise’s website www.byelise.com. This highly-regarded and well-established UK brand specializes in baroque pearl and gemstone jewellery offering earrings, necklaces, bracelets and fashion accessories. www.byelise.com The Gift Atelier is an online gift boutique for original. high-quality accessories and lifestyle gifts for ladies, gents and the home. Offering a range of gifts for any occasion with a very British feel – all personally selected for their originality and quality. Visit www.giftatelier. com to see for yourself www.giftatelier.com Brighten up February with a hint of romance. Ella James has a passion for eclectic , imaginative and inspiring products, the emphasis is always on the unusual and eye-catching. For delightful gifts visit www.ellajames.co.uk
Find the best Valentine’s Day gift at sassandbelle.co.uk! Specialised in offering on trend gifts and home décor products, Sass & Belle has a wide selection of vintage chic items, soft furnishings and pretty decorations for you to choose from. http://sassandbelle.co.uk/ David Linley founded his eponymous business in 1985 with the aim of designing and manufacturing furniture of the highest quality. Some 29 years on, the now well established British design company LINLEY enjoys prominence as both a retail and bespoke business specializing in the design and production of furniture, upholstery, interiors and home accessories of a superlative quality. www.davidlinley.com Or give back by selecting Marie Curie yellow crystal heart bracelet which in true Tresor Paris fashion, is cut in the same way as diamonds, creating rays of sparkles when the light reflects off the crystals. The heart shaped crystal corresponds to the love and care that Marie Curie provides to terminally ill patients and the bracelet also features the iconic magnetite stones which are known for their healing properties. From £19 at www.tresorparis.com These stunning new pens make ideal gifts for Valentine’s Day, furnished with an ornate matte finish in black or red, and decorated with adorable motifs from Disney’s classic couple – Mickey’s iconic white glove and Minnie’s charming bow. Beautifully packaged in a stylish Disney-themed character sleeve, there has never been a more romantic way to put pen to paper. So this Valentine’s Day show that special someone that they are the Minnie to your Mickey with the finely crafted Cross Click Special Edition Disney Mickey and Minnie Collection. As with all Cross writing instruments, this collection comes with a lifetime mechanical guarantee. www.cross.com We wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!
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HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES www.hotbrandscoolplaces.com