PLAN A TRIP TO

L I V E L I F E W E L L

LEFT Take your time exploring the five miles of private beaches. BELOW Enjoy the views from Captain’s House

PLAN A TRIP TO: Osea island

A PRIVATE ISLAND JUST OFF THE ESSEX COAST IS THE PERFECT ESCAPE

With a varied and fascinating history, Osea is an intriguing private island reached by a Roman causeway, which snakes across the muddy estuary from nearby Maldon, providing complete seclusion at high tide. Once a Victorian temperance society for people with alcoholism, in 2000 music producer Nigel Frieda bought the 400-acre estate for £6 million. He brought a new cool to the island as well as A-list guests, from Cara Delevingne to Rihanna, who can arrive in glamorous fashion by helicopter (20 minutes from Battersea) or river taxi. It’s

Cosy bedrooms await on the island featured in several films, from The Third Day to The Woman in Black.

EAST-COAST ELEGANCE

Guests can stay in a range of accommodation, from a grand Edwardian manor house (complete with recording studio) to rustic weatherboard cottages. The Captain’s House is a nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom New England-style beach house. Eclectic interiors also nod to local fishing villages, meaning rustic open beams and wood burning stoves blend with antique four poster beds and roll-top baths. A large conservatory-style dining room features wicker chairs, potted palms and lush patterned wallpaper and the inviting, lightfilled library/living room has lived-in brown leather sofas, book-lined walls and endless views. Outside, you can take a dip in the heated pool from April to October.

LOCALLY SAUCED

Although the island is mainly self-catering, chefs can be hired at any time of the year. Pop-up restaurant collaborations include Native and the Borough kitchen, famed for foraged ingredients and game, with tasting menus inspired by the surrounding landscape.

MARITIME MARVEL

Spend time walking among nature and wildlife – including the resident donkeys – and don’t forget to take a trip to Maldon, a charming historic town whose high street is lined with heritage buildings, independent shops and a glut of restaurants.

From £4,000, minimum twonight stay. Osea Island, Maldon CM9 8UH, oseaisland.co.uk

W h i l e y o u Õ r e t h e r e . . .

CAFE BRAZIL

This sunny slice of South America on Maldon’s high street serves delicious, well-presented tapasstyle specialities, from cassava fries to classic bean stews, in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

THE MOOT HALL

Book a tour of the former medieval home of Sir Robert D’Arcy, now a wedding venue with a unique 15th-century curved brick staircase, flower bedecked balcony and striking bell tower.

JUST THE THING

Stock up on presents at this good-looking homeware store selling gifts such as equestrianinspired wine racks, locally made candles and condiment sets for storing Maldon’s famous salt.

F U L L Y E S C O R T E D T O U R S

H O L I DAY H A P P I N E S S . G UA R A N T E E D

Dreaming of a holiday in 2021? With industryleading health and safety practices, flexible booking options and our ‘happiness guarantee’, we will ensure you have an unforgettable holiday without compromise.

Exceptional experiences, with no compromises

If you’re not completely happy by day two, we’ll bring you home with a full refund • Industry-leading health and safety practices to keep you safe

All our UK and European tours in 2021 on sale are small groups, with a maximum of 25 guests and social distancing in place • Free to change your mind with fully flexible booking

Change your booking for free up to 45 days before travel

Lake Garda, Venice & Verona Departures from April to October 2021 8 days from only £789pp * Enjoy a full day exploring beautiful Lake Garda * Explore Venice, the medieval world’s richest city, on a tour with a local guide – choose between the ‘classic’ and

Lake Como, St Moritz & the Bernina Express

Departures from April to October 2021 8 days from only £889pp inspirational gardens* Enjoy a full-day visit to the chic resort of St Moritz, including a journey on the Bernina Express* Follow in the footsteps of the ‘Grand Tour’ with a visit to Lake Maggiore and the town of Stresa* Visit Lugano, an elegant Swiss lakeside town with Italian influences* Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers* Seven nights in a choice of well-located three and four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner** The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

*Take a lake cruise to beautiful Bellagio on Lake Como, and visit the delightful Villa del Balbianello and its ‘undiscovered’ tours* Walk into history among the Roman ruins of Verona, guided by a local expert – choose between the ‘classic’ and ‘undiscovered’ tours* Marvel at the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Dolomites on a full-day tour* Visit a local vineyard, with a guided tour of the cellars and wine tasting* Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers* Seven nights in a choice of three-star to four-star superior accommodation, with breakfast and dinner* The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Lake Maggiore, Orta & the Matterhorn

Departures from May to October 2021 8 days from only £1,059pp * Cruise Lake Maggiore’s enchanting Borromean Islands, with a guided tour of the Baroque palace on Isola Bella * Travel through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt and the Matterhorn* Visit picture-perfect Lake Como* Enjoy a full-day tour visiting Cannobio and Locarno, with a journey on the Centovalli railway* Tour one of Italy’s most exquisite stretches of water, Lake Orta, and its medieval village of Orta San Giulio* Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers* Seven nights in four-star superior or four-star accommodation, with breakfast and dinner* The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout