Travel Essentials issue 2 September/October 2016

TRAVEL ISSUE 2 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

Island fever

Jet-setters reveal their hottest stays

Healing holidays

The world’s most luxurious wellness retreats

Lush hideaways

Chic cottages and gorgeous gardens on your doorstep

Some people visit York’s landmarks.

Others stay in them.

Experience luxury and style at York’s only 5-star hotel Overlooking the historic city walls of one of the UK’s most picturesque cities, The Grand is the very best in traditional English style and service.

Whether you check in to one of our stylish rooms or suites as a resident or check out our Spa or renowned restaurants as a visiting guest, you are assured of the very best – and a warm Yorkshire welcome.

You don’t have to check-in to check out The Grand.

Gift vouchers available to buy online. Station Rise, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6GD

Call 01904 380 038 or visit www.thegrandyork.co.uk

The Essentials

Welcome

ISSUE 2 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

04 Miami magic

10

Beachfront beauty and more

10 Restful retreats The world’s best chill-out spots

16 Balearic bliss Discover Ibiza’s luxe side

20 Living it up San Diego’s hippest hotel

24 Fuerte-fabulous Five-star fun in Fuerteventura

28 Garden gorgeous Scampston’s stately surroundings

Heavenly holidays await If living the high life for a week or so sounds like your kind of paradise, then you’ve picked up the right magazine. Jam-packed with recommendations and top tips on discovering the world’s dreamiest destinations, our latest travel supplement shines a light on the very best in luxury travel. Jet-setters share their island hopping stories, from the Balearics and the Canaries, over to the USA and China, while we open the doors to the world’s most lavish wellness retreats and our fashionistas reveal this season’s most luxurious holiday must-haves to help you travel in style. Oh, and for those looking for something a little closer to home, we also uncover the best cottage-and-garden stays right here in the UK, perfect for blissful weekend breaks. Happy holidays - wherever you end up!

30 Home and away The UK’s chicest cottage stays

32 Shanghai sights Tips to discovering China’s gem

Jessica Laing, editor Contributors Allan Boughey • Anna Addison • Elysia Agnew • Jemma Ferguson-Gale • Merilee Kern

Photography Nicky Rogerson (Scampston feature) www.nicky@kgphotography.co.uk

If you wish to advertise with us, please contact Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366

Remember Media Limited, e-volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South Business Park, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2016 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, August 2016. Travel Essentials is published annually by Remember Media Ltd.

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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Travel Essentials

Miami nice

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

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Travel Essentials

Beaches and boardwalks make South Beach Miami a cool but so-relaxed getaway destination, as Allan Boughey discovers...

The water is calm and flat, a glassy shell, as the boat slides to a halt in the heavy heat of the afternoon. The silence is bottomless; even the grasshoppers are still, the mosquitoes motionless, and the butterflies subdued.

As we watch, a ripple on the water becomes a tear and a pair of bulbous eyes, fracture the surface. They are focused on us.

Primordial, wholly alien, a definition of fear itself.

And then the body of our alligator friend emerges, softly and suddenly, and the long snout. The creature is vast, over two metres, and marvellous in its sleekness and efficiency.

Without any apparent movement, it is just inches from the boat, from us. We shuffle back in our seats, suspended on the abyss between its world and ours. And as we blink in awe and disbelief, the alligator submerges and is gone.

“Whoa, that was a big guy!,” enthuses our guide from the driving seat of the airboat.

We nod uncertainly, trying to catch our breath and comprehend that that’s exactly why we had come to the Everglades National Park, just a few miles from the shimmering 21st Century metropolis and undeniable luxury and comfort of our hotel in Miami Beach.

The disparity could hardly be more stark; there can be few places in the world that offer such a contrast: a howl that harks back to the time of the dinosaurs on one side, and a dazzling high-rise pointer to the future on the other.

But that is the attraction of Florida as a holiday destination, even taking the seismic pull of Disney out of the equation.

We were originally considering somewhere on the Med, maybe Greece, for our half-term week away. But then we happened upon the intriguing and far more exotic option of Miami, made possible by a direct, and surprisingly cost-effective flight from Edinburgh to New York (and great connections down to sunny Florida). And with luxury accommodation

secured at a five-star beachfront hotel via Flipkey (Trip Advisor’s version of AirBnB), again at a surprisingly affordable price compared to booking direct, and a hired Ford Mustang convertible (what else could you possibly consider driving in Miami?), the cost of the whole trip compared very favourably to that week in Greece.

Of course, cost certainly isn’t everything (though we all love value for money); it’s about the quality of the experience too.

Good news then, that this was a world-class trip in terms of the experience and decent value, too.

Things got off to a smooth start at Edinburgh Airport and the United Airlines flight to Newark New Jersey was under seven hours (just a couple of movies long) - made all the nicer by an upgrade to Premium Economy, which, unlike the similarly named service offered by other airlines, involves only greater legroom (loads of it in fact).

This, especially if you are travelling with the family, ensures a pretty comfortable flight. It’s well worth the extra cash. And Newark is an excellent airport for a pause in the journey. Not only do you get a wonderful view of Manhattan (from the left of the aircraft) as you fly in, but the terminal itself is beautifully designed with lots of space, shops and eating options.

From here, it is another three hours to Miami.

After setting off at 9.20 in the morning, we arrived in Florida before 6pm, fairly fresh and ready to get stuck in. From the airport, it was just a 20-minute, hugely scenic drive in our conspicuous yellow convertible to South Beach (we might have been in a movie ourselves).

We stayed at the luxurious and oh-so-cool 1Hotel and Homes, around a 15-minute walk from the iconic Ocean Drive.

The service here is impeccable, from the guys who park your car to the receptionists to the pool and beach attendants. In fact, the quality of service is one of the key factors that >>

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THIS WAS A WORLD-CLASS TRIP IN TERMS OF THE EXPERIENCE AND DECENT VALUE, TOO

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Travel Essentials

defines a holiday in the US; it is outstanding pretty much everywhere you go.

We took an apartment in the privately-owned Homes section with free valet parking, a terrific balcony overlooking the tropical palm tree-lined white sand of the beach, and full access to all the hotel’s wonderful facilities. Apartments here sell for around $3 million and are beautifully appointed and furnished, with slick kitchens, glossy bathrooms and comfy bedrooms.

Just a year old, this is a remarkable place to stay.

There are a couple of high-class restaurants, a coffee shop, and four pools, including an adults-only rooftop version that hosts a great bar with live DJs – an incredible place to watch the sun go down while sipping a mojito.

The pools are amazing but we spent most of our days on the hotel’s private strip of beach, which truly is a little slice of heaven. The Atlantic is remarkably warm here and you can wade out for a hundred metres or more. The beach is also well protected by lifeguards, both stationed on the terraces of their beautiful huts and on surfboards out in the ocean itself.

Mimi Beach is a separate city from Miami itself and, for those times when you can wrench yourself away from the sun lounger, offers a good range of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.

We spent one lovely lunch at The Dutch, a classy diner-style restaurant at the W Hotel right next door to the 1. The food here seems fairly representative of the emerging Miami cuisine, which combines traditional US cooking with a Cuban and Spanish feel.

Sitting on the terrace in a verdant, shady garden near the hotel pool, the setting could hardly have been better as we tucked into a plentiful, fresh seafood platter with mango slaw and sipped chilled champagne.

Just perfect.

On another day, we ventured to downtown

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Miami, with its sophisticated malls and towering office and apartment blocks, and had lunch at the rooftop Atrio restaurant. The atmosphere here is more formal and the food a little more ambitious, with a classical French approach to the Cuban and Spanish style.

We ate more fish here, local grouper and red snapper; both cooked beautifully with an array of fresh, zesty flavours, and washed down with a crisp yet buttery Californian chardonnay. Both restaurants really illustrate the Cuban influence on food here. The Caribbean island is just over a hundred miles away after all. But the links go deeper and seep into all aspects of life here.

Another aspect is the Spanish Colonial influenced architecture, exemplified by the Art Deco buildings of South Beach. Ocean Drive is certainly the place to see the best examples

- and it’s also the best place to be seen.

After appearing in so many movies and TV shows, this street looks remarkably familiar.

Built in the 1920s and 30s and beautifully restored in the last few decades, many of these structures are breathtaking.

One such is the Hotel Victor, which is also home to the celebrity-strewn Sugar Factory bar and restaurant. We spent one fun evening on the terrace here, sipping massive 60oz margaritas that were gently smouldering from liquid nitrogen.

It was a good job the hotel’s complimentary car - a Tesla - was on hand to pick us up afterwards.

And talking of celebrities, we also took the Duck Tour (in a converted WW2 landing craft). The beauty of this form of tour is that the vehicle starts off on dry land, touring the main hub >>

Conrad Miami Above left, all others W South Beach

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The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer

The Ultimate Driving Machine

Lloyd Newcastle

THE SEVEN SEAT BMW 218i SE GRAN TOURER. FROM £299 PER MONTH*.

BMW Select Representative example: BMW 218i SE Gran Tourer.

Term of Agreement

47 Monthly payments of

On the road cash price*

Customer deposit

Deposit contribution

Total Deposit

Total amount of credit

Option to purchase fee^

Optional final payment^

Total amount payable

Rate of interest

48 months

£299.00

£25,050.00

£500.00

£2,346.22

£2,846.22

£22,203.78

£1.00

£10,021.45

£24,825.45

2.9% fixed

Representative 2.9% APR

The new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is designed to keep lifetime running costs low and not break the bank.

Featuring Auto Start-Stop, TwinPower Turbo engines and Satellite Navigation all as standard. The third row of seats also provides space for seven people and the capacity for three child seats in the second row.

To discover how the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer suits your family needs, visit Lloyd Newcastle.

For more information or to book a test drive† call 0191 2617366 or visit www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk

Lloyd Newcastle

Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE2 4LE

0191 2617366

www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range: Urban 19.2-72.4mpg (14.7-3.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 31.4-91.1mpg (9.0-3.1 l/100km).

Combined 25.4-141.2mpg (11.1-2.0 l/100km). CO2 emissions 259-44g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

Lloyd Newcastle is a credit broker and not a lender.

^Image is for illustrative purposes only. Finance example is for a BMW Select agreement for a BMW 218i SE Gran Tourer, with a contract mileage of 32,000 miles and excess mileage charge of 6.35p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 1 July and 30 September 2016 and registered by 31 December 2016, (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price is based on manufacturer’s recommended retail price and includes 3 year BMW Retailer Warranty, BMW Emergency Service,12 months’ road fund licence, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT. ^Optional final payment and option to purchase fee not payable if you opt to return the vehicle at the end of the agreement (vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable). Finance available subject to credit acceptance to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. ‘BMW Select’ is a form of hire-purchase agreement provided by BMW Financial Services, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. You will have a 14 day statutory right to withdraw from the agreement. Lloyd Newcastle, commonly introduce customers to a selected panel of lenders including BMW Financial Services. We may receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to such lenders.

This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. E&OE.

Travel Essentials

FACT FILE Flights

United from Edinburgh to Miami (Premium Economy upgrades around £150 per person)

www.united.com

Accommodation

1Hotel and Homes, South Beach through Flipkey

www.flipkey.com www.1hotels.com/south-beach

Eating out

The Dutch at the W Hotel South Beach and the Atrio at the Conrad, Miami

www.thedutchmiami.com www.conradhotels3.hilton.com

Drinks

Cocktails on the terrace of Sugar Factory at The Victor, Ocean Drive, South Beach

www.sugarfactory.com

Visits

A trip around Biscayne Bay with Duck Tours and an airboat trip in the Everglades National Park with Airboat In Everglades

www.ducktourssouthbeach.com www.airboatineverglades.com of South Beach, before taking to the water for a cruise past the Biscayne Bay mansions that are home to many of America’s rich and famous, including the Beckhams (David is setting up his own football team in Miami).

And then there is the Everglades National Park, a huge swampy wilderness that occupies a large chunk of southern Florida.

Our drive from South Beach took under an hour (the Satnav proved invaluable in helping us to easily and enjoyably negotiate the myriad, multi-lane road network).

It’s possible to book an organised tour to the Everglades right from your hotel, travelling in a coach and then riding on a large fan-driven airboat with as many as twenty others.

We took a private tour with a smaller airboat (and a captain/guide) just for us. This proved a great choice.

At times, we snaked through the grass-covered water at high speed, a huge arc of spray in our wake; at others, we drifted up close to lush islands and abandoned, eerie camps. And we got up close to the wildlife, including numerous birds and insects and several alligators, ranging from the very small right up to that two-metre

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

long adult – just remember to take a hat and some insect repellent. At the end of the ride, our youngest was even able to hold a baby alligator.

It really was a brilliant day out.

If we’d had more time, we would probably have ventured up to Orlando for a few days at Disney, or taken a trip to the Cape Canaveral space base, or driven down to the Miami keys. But we were more than happy with our week on South Beach. The beauty of Miami is that you can combine a lavish beach stay with a visit to the matchless, ancient grandeur of the Everglades – and it’s all easier to reach than you might think.

THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IN THE US IS OUTSTANDING PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE YOU GO 08

Things to do

There’s every designer store you can think of on Ocean Drive and Lincoln Rd Mall, from Stella McCartney to Victoria’s Secret

www.lincolnroadmall.com

Art is everywhere in Miami with a huge number of galleries, theatres and installations

www.miamiartguide.com

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Stavanger Brussels

Brussels guarantees great food, plenty of fine Belgian beers – including Gueuze, which is unique to the city – as well as history and culture in abundance. Home to the Brussels Stock Exchange, the city serves as a centre of administration for the European Union and a gateway to other cities including Antwerp, Ghent and stunning Brugges.

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Two great destinations from Newcastle.

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Newcastle

Up to two daily flights to Brussels.

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Travel Essentials

Healing holidays

Boost mind, body and soul at some of the world’s most luxurious retreats.

Whether you fancy getting fitter or relaxing to the max, Jessica Laing reveals where to find zen all over the globe...

If you want to detox…

Juicy Oasis, Portugal A health-boosting retreat, nestled deep in the heart of a lush, Portuguese conservation area, promising dreamy mountain and soothing river views. Embark on a seven-day journey in a bid to build a healthier, happier you through fun and varied fitness sessions, gentle yoga and a new diet of fresh, gut-loving fruit and veggie juices, prepared by world-renowned ‘juice master’, Jason Vale, and his specialist team of health and nutrition coaches.

A leading expert in nutrition, addiction and allergies, Jason’s the celeb world’s go-to guy for yoyo-dieters, smokers and those with an unhealthy love of sugar. He’s shifted over two million copies of his best-selling ‘7lbs in 7 Days Super Juice Diet’ book worldwide and is a regular on the likes of This Morning, Sunday Brunch and Radio 1. Celebrity visitors include Gary Barlow, Caroline Flack and stars of Made in Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Great for:

Sluggish types in search of a flatter tum (most lose around 5-7lbs in a week) and remote surroundings to help clear their head.

Don’t miss:

The beautiful outdoor hikes and a bit of beach volleyball. Fellow guests become more like mates and you’ll enjoy plenty of laughs along the way - battle the sugar cravings together!

www.juicyoasis.com

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Travel Essentials

If you want to zone out…

Belize Yoga, Belize Belize Yoga could just be paradise. In fact, we believe it is. It’s the brainchild of husband-andwife team, Brad and Jessie Wigh, who have created two luxury yoga retreats - an ecoadventure hub for lively yogis and a remote island hideaway - where stretchy types and beach bums come together for a relaxing yoga break experience like no other.

The retreats take on a ‘surf and turf’ approach, giving guests the chance to practice the art of yoga in some of the most jaw-dropping locations, from white sand beaches to jungle waterfalls and mountain tops.

Practice your poses with professional instructors twice a day in the tropical breeze, surrounded by lush nature and wildlife, play and snorkel in the turquoise Caribbean waters during your downtime, and enjoy cocktails and beach BBQs come nightfall.

Great for:

Yogis of all abilities, looking to mix business with pleasure. Yoga is taken seriously here - you’ll feel the benefits long before you leave - but the surroundings will have you feeling like a giddy kid who’s escaped to paradise.

Don’t miss:

The guided waterfall hikes and getting a natural hydromassage in the surrounding rivers of Belize’s largest Mayan ruins.

www.belizeyoga.com

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Travel Essentials

If you want to pamper yourself…

Aman Spa, Amangiri Resort, USA Spas are great things. And you know how much we love them here at Luxe. The more luxurious the better and when it comes to the very best the globe has to offer, you cannot go wrong with the Aman Spa at Amangiri Resort, Utah.

Owned by Aman Resorts - a luxury hotel group with a presence in over 20 countries - the resort itself is a remote hideaway, tucked within the protected, peaceful canyons of the American Southwest. Serving up sweeping valley views and rugged, mountainous beauty everywhere you turn, this place really feels like nowhere else on earth.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Great for:

The 5,000 square-foot spa is equally as breathtaking and is a destination in its own right. Ever had a massage in the middle of the desert before? Well, you can here. Head to the serene outdoor treatment terraces and surrender to specialist body treatments and facials (there’s plenty to choose from) under the stars.

Top your spa journey off with a glass of fizz in the heated spa step tub - great for taking in the dreamy views at dusk - or a few laps in the larger, sunken swimming pool, built into the curvy grooves of the rocks.

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Escapists and experienced spa-goers, looking for a slice of luxury in the most remote surroundings. You’ll feel a million miles away from civilisation - but that’s the best part.

Don’t miss:

The breathtaking dune views from the sky lounges. Desert moonlight is a thing of beauty - and really has to be seen to be believed.

www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri

Travel Essentials

Great for:

Health nuts and adventurous types - people who aren’t afraid to get down and dirty in the name of exercise, but are more than happy to reward themselves afterwards.

Don’t miss:

Biking around the coastline. You’ll get your blood pumping and get to see this island jewel in all its glory.

www.thebodyholiday.com

If you want to get fit…

The Body Holiday, St Lucia Rebooting your bod has never been easier - or more indulgent - than it is at The Body Holiday in beautiful St Lucia. The all-inclusive resort is settled in its own secluded cove on the edge of the Caribbean sea and is designed around just about every fitness class imaginable on land and sea.

It’s a place to push your limits and perfect your game - but at your own pace. Do as much or as little as you like by customising your own sporty schedule from the resort’s endless list of

activities, classes and specialist programmes.

Expert help is available all the way, too, from its on-site pros and coaches.

Start the day with a morning hike or yoga class, try your hand at archery or fencing come the afternoon, and take to the ocean for a spot of sailing as you begin to wind down.

When it’s all over, feel free to laze about on the beach and swoon at its post-card good looks, or rest your tired muscles at one of the resort’s award-winning, five-star restaurants. All serve up healthy grub (including gluten-free and vegetarian dishes), packed with clean, locallysourced ingredients straight from the resort’s own organic garden.

Advertising Feature

The Cleveland Tontine The latest addition to the award winning Provenance Inns & Hotels Group

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

The Cleveland Tontine, between Northallerton and Stokesley, recently became the ninth acquisition for Provenance Inns and Hotels.

The Group, which also owns the West Park Hotel in Harrogate, the Carpenters Arms at Felixkirk and the Black Bull at Moulton, purchased the Cleveland Tontine on 14 June.

The Tontine, which has seven 5-star rated, recently-refurbished

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Advertising Feature

bedrooms, has a long-established reputation for fine dining and has been acquired in line with Provenance Inns’ strategy of providing locallysourced and first-class food at the heart of the communities it serves.

Chairman Chris Blundell said: “The Cleveland Tontine has built an excellent reputation over a number of years and we are delighted to have the opportunity to build upon this. We will be exploring the possibilities of creating more bedrooms, while underpinning its standing as a fine-dining establishment by offering our own seasonal and locally-sourced produce.”

Director Michael Ibbotson said: “We know that customers, both old and new, will have high expectations and we are committed to delivering the best possible experience.”

Provenance Inns and Hotels offers 5-star rated bedrooms at five of its eight Yorkshire locations: The Carpenters Arms in Felixkirk near Thirsk, The Durham Ox in Crayke, The Oak Tree Inn in Helperby near Boroughbridge, the West Park Hotel in Harrogate and West Acre Lodge in Boltby.

The Group recently won Best Accommodation Operator of the Year at the Morning Advertiser’s Publican Awards to add to its list of prestigious national awards.

Staddlebridge, Northallerton, DL6 3JB 01609 882671 www.theclevelandtontine.com

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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Travel Essentials

Balearic bliss Party island or luxury hot spot? Anna Addison dispels all those cocktail-soaked Ibiza myths and tells us why the White Isle is the new place to be for cool culture, cracking cuisine and classy accommodation...

Michelin-standard cuisine, cocktails by a yacht-lined marina, super-luxury hotels, yoga at dawn on the beach - not what people expect when I say I’m off on one of my jaunts to Ibiza.

But the White Isle, as it is lovingly called by its adoring aficionados, is no longer solely the party haven it once was.

Ibiza is bequeathed with over 220 square miles of colourful inland towns and villages, sprawling beaches with hidden coves more akin to those in the Caribbean and luscious pine forests spritzing the island with their delicate scent.

Think more complete relaxation, a mini wellness revolution and bars, hotels and restaurants that

will see you longing to return again and again. Once visited, Ibiza is never forgotten.

Over the past decade, the spotlight has really shone on the North and the West of the island. San Antonio (or ‘San An’) for its super clubs and sunset strip dominates in the West, while the likes of Portinax and Benirras are often lauded for their exclusivity on the northern tip.

However, it’s the east of Ibiza that’s now the place to be thanks to the growing number of super-luxe hotels and restaurants that nestle comfortably next to traditional family-owned tapas bars. Not to mention the swathes of beaches, fashionable markets, healthy hang-outs and a sprinkling of

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

celebrities on their £350,000 per week super-yachts too.

Go East

As Ibiza’s third largest town and hailed as its cultural and gastronomic centre, Santa Eulalia has been my island base for almost 20 years.

From the famous Iglesia del Puig de Missa- the formidable 16th Century church watching over the town from high in the hills, to every foodie’s dream Calle San Vicente or ‘the Street of Restaurants’ as it is known by many, it’s the perfect place to begin any Ibiza experience.

Taking a stroll along Santa Eulalia’s famous marina, along the beach

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and into town, the wealth of opulent shops, plethora of yachts bobbing in the sea and the tempting tapas bars draw those-in-the-know from all over the world, year in, year out.

Rest your head

Santa Eulalia has a host of places to stay from small hostels and apartments to celeb-worthy hidden ‘fincas’- or farmhouses - and sprawling villas. But one of the resort’s newest hotels not only offers luxury rooms with sea views and a rare mix of rustic charm combined with modern style, but also a super spa and wellness experience that many may not associate with the hedonistic Ibiza of yore.

The Sol Beach House opened 12 months ago and is just cool enough without being too intimidating.

The stylish rooms, with touches from flamboyant Spanish brand Desigual, are bright and airy with all the mod-cons and that all important view of the Med. It

Travel Essentials really is a chilled haven.

Santa Eulalia’s array of hotels stretch from its hidden gems like the chi-chi Les Terrasses into the hills and Ibiza’s oldest ‘hostel’, the Buenavista, hidden under the famous Iglesia and still owned by the same family that opened it a century ago, to the super-cool Aguas di Ibiza which is 5 star all the way.

Health for hedonists

In the past, it’s true that Ibiza has been a hedonist’s hang-out, from the artists that landed in the 1920s to the hippies that made the island their home in the 60s - and made Ibiza what it is. But health and wellness are now really making a mark in Ibiza, not least in and around Santa Eulalia.

I was keen to explore the new fitness options available - nothing too energetic, just enough to lessen the guilt of the plates of tapas and G+T! Luckily for me, the Sol Beach House is home to an enthusiastic wellness team offering the ‘Body

and Sol’ experience. Detox massages, reflexology and a magnificent Total Wellbeing Asia treatment really were good for the soul - and I can be sceptical about such treatments. I even attempted outdoor yoga tuition and ditched my G+T for a purifying juice.

Totally refreshing and left me feeling exceptionally zen-like.

If you’re looking to really overhaul your regime, where better than in the sunshine and by the beach. The team at 38 Degrees North work with you to kick start health and fitness with their luxury packages, inspiring trainers and variety of programmes to make sure you’re never bored, only revived.

And for healthy, hearty (and a bit hippy too!) cuisine, stroll down to Santa Eulalia’s sea front and put your feet up at Passion. Billed as the ‘Home of Health and Happiness’, I have to agree. The food is so colourful, moreish and varied that you won’t believe it’s super-healthy. There’s even fabulous organic wines on offer too.

But I am also partial to a hydrating juice and slurping on my ‘Vitabomb’ in my cabana (when a sunbed really isn’t enough) by the glistening pool at the Sol Beach House wallowing in relaxing, Balearic beats played by the in-house DJ, is the perfect way to while away a sun-drenched afternoon before an evening of indulgence.

A slice of the good life

Once relaxed and glowing with energy, it’s time to eat, drink and be merry - after all, you’re on holiday in Ibiza!

Foodies may shun Ibiza as a gastro hotspot, but times are changing.

Tapas and seafood always top the menu but there’s a burgeoning food scene that begs exploration.

However, unlike the UK, this new gastronomic boom isn’t down to celebrity chefs or Michelin stars, it’s thanks to high quality, local produce, restaurants that grow and rear their own fruit, veg and meats and a blossoming craft beer and gin industry.

I doubt in Ibiza if there’s a translation for ‘food miles’ with fruit and veg coming from island farmers, meats and cheeses created from ancient recipes and nuts, oils and honey flavoured with the island’s fragrant herbs and spices.

Not forgetting the famous Sal di Ibiza, a sea salt that is used in everything from crisps to chocolates.

So what to eat and where to eat it?

Again, Santa Eulalia is hard to beat.

A stone’s throw from the Sol Beach is Babylon, expect the likes of Ibizan tomato bread served with the in-house aioli, local gambas and calamari and the freshest of salads straight from the kitchen’s own nearby farm.

Up into the hills that encase Santa Eulalia is a hidden gem boasting not only outstanding food but also panoramic views - perfect for that all important Ibiza sunset. Sa Finca is run by a Belgian family who made Ibiza their home decades ago and delight not only with their locally-reared meats and luscious ‘moules frites’, but >>

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Travel Essentials

Old town charm at Dalt Vila and blue skies at Santa Eulalia marina also some more unusual delicacies if you’re feeling brave - alligator or ostrich anyone?

But you genuinely are spoilt for choice in Santa Eulalia’s marina and town areas thanks to a large helping of traditional bars and restaurants and a smattering of Italians and Mexicans too. The likes of Calle San Vicente or ‘the Street of Restaurants’, Rincon di Marina, Royalty and Croissant Show have become veritable institutions and the places to catch up on the local news, indulge in real tapas and paella and cool down with a proper G+T served in the all-important ‘gin balloon’.

And speaking of gins, Ibiza produces several of its own - don’t go home without trying Law which uses local juniper, padron peppers and Sal di Ibiza. And on the subject of speciality drinks, Hierbas is synonymous with the Balearics.

It’s an acquired taste with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages - expect aniseed, fennel, rosemary and thyme. Word of caution though - one is enough!

Cuisine plays a central role in Ibizan life, as it does all over the Mediterranean, and if you’re staying in a villa then the very best place to get stocked up is Santa Eulalia Market - it’s worth visiting just for the sights, sounds and smells alone.

Out and about

dominates the skyline with its 16th Century cathedral, romantic lines of houses and its fortified town walls, a legacy of hundreds of years of invasions. It’s full of history and a must-see, day or night.

By day, stock up on trinkets from the range of quirky shops, stop for tapas in the main square (Les Locales is a top tip) and then hop on the hourly boat back to Santa Eulalia. By night - it all changes!

Marvel at the eccentric parades providing free entertainment as you mingle with a mix of folk whilst meandering through the market-lined streets.

It’s hard to write about Ibiza without mentioning the institution that is Pacha, which celebrates 50 years in Ibiza this year and has grown from a small finca to a 3,500 capacity super club. But

Ibiza is such a small island so it’s easy to explore whether on foot, in a car, on a boat or on the ‘Ibiza Bus’, which regularly leaves Santa Eulalia for neighbouring resorts such as Cala Longa and Es Cana as well as the infamous Ibiza Town or ‘Eivissa’. And this is definitely one to add to that bucket list.

As you fly into Ibiza, you skim over ‘Dalt Vila’- the Old Town - which

FACT FILE Flights from Newcastle or Leeds-Bradford Airports with Jet2, Ryanair or Thomas Cook Ibiza Official Tourism www.ibiza.travel/en Sol Beach www.melia.com/en Babylon www.babylonbeachbar.com 38 Degrees North www.thirtyeightdegreesnorth.com

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

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don’t let that intimidate you. As well as its delicious restaurantwhich many might not even know about - and famous DJs including the likes of Pete Tong and Trevor Nelson, there’s one night that must not be missed.

‘Flower Power’ will take you back to Ibiza’s psychedelic past and hippy heritage with mesmerising acts emulating the likes of Bowie, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Whether you turn up in your shorts and t-shirt or with denim cut-offs and flowers in your hair, you’ll enjoy a fun, friendly and unforgettable night.

Whether you’re a sun worshipper, a foodie or culture vulture, Ibiza is a jewel in the Med’s crown.

This bohemian island manages to do understated luxury exceptionally well.

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Travel Essentials

Merilee Kern lives it up at Tower23 Hotel - one of San Diego’s most sought-after hotels and a must-visit crib for a cool, urban stay...

As California’s southernmost metropolis, San Diego is a veritable coastal paradise that’s widely lauded for its fabulous climate.

Often referred to as ‘Mediterranean’ in nature, the region boasts moderate warm daytime and cool evening temperatures all year round. It’s a picturesque port city that aptly blends world-class culture with the laid-back attitude of the beach life expected of a Southern California locale.

My recent visit saw me shack up at Tower23 Hotel. This three-story, 45,000-square foot hotel is considered the only luxury hotel

in the area that sits right on the beach, with just the pedestrian boardwalk separating it and the sand. The exclusive city of La Jolla sits just to the north and the bustling downtown Gaslamp District rife with shopping, dining and nightlife is just a short drive away to the southeast.

Upon arriving at TOWER23 you can’t help but be struck by the architecture. Lots of bold lines,

strong shapes and powerful contrasts - very contemporary.

Once inside, you’re reminded of exactly where you are - a mere stone’s throw from the beach.

The white, heavy walls of the lobby and hallways are awash in unfiltered natural sunlight that’s interrupted by sea blue hues, and decorative genuine coral décor abounds—all making guests feel at one with the marine milieu.

The saltwater-fragranced air soothes the senses.

The sleek, elements-inspired hotel features a variety of room and suite options, with many expectedly featuring their own unique, breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. The ‘pads’ are broken down in the Spirit, Sky, Serenity, and Surf subcategories.

Mine was a Surf Pad, with a direct view of the ocean and the bustling

TOWER23 IS A COOL HAVEN OF HAUTE HOSPITALITY WITH A BEACH-CHIC SPIN

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

20

Travel Essentials

boardwalk that runs parallel. All Surf Pads feature king and queen-sized beds and a sea of luxe extras; Tempur-Pedic ‘Serenity’ beds, luxurious foam mattresses and down bedding, Egyptian cotton linens, step-in rain showers, designer bath and spa products, a premium beverage and nutrition bar and 24-hour room service.

The rooms all have their own furnished, open-air private patio or balcony area, and in-room massage services are available at guest request.

The Suite varieties are divided into ‘Sanctuary’ and ‘Sweet’ options, both proffering upgrades. One of which is a fab chromatherapy whirlpool jacuzzi tub that simulates water falling from above.

Suites also have spacious lounging areas, a wet bar and a view of the private and oh-so-chic Tower deck.

It’s reserved for guests and invitees and provides a prime location to gather, relax, enjoy some drinks and soak in the scenery and the sea breeze. In the evening, this camaraderie is enjoyed around glistening glass-laden modern fire features. Teak chaise lounges and upholstered beds are interspersed throughout, beckoning you to sit, sip and savour the moment.

Tower23 offers guests a boat-load of tech gadgets, including wall-mounted LG flat-screen HDTVs with on-demand movies, and state-of-the-art entertainment centres. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and beach area.

And, as with any top-tier hotel, Tower23 has a team of staff clearly devoted to prompt service and guest satisfaction. No more satisfying is the on-site spa team, offering massages, body treatments and facials to all.

If pampering isn’t your thing, golf, ballooning and yachting are all popular diversions, but the area is probably best known for the range of fantastic water sports like kayaking, water skiing, snorkelling and, of course, surfing and paddle boarding.

In fact, from each ocean view room, hotel guests can watch the near constant clutch of surfers riding the waves.

As for food, no luxury hotel would be complete without

21

its own elevated in-house dining experience and, on this front, Tower23 definitely does not disappoint.

JRDN, the hotel’s 10,000-square foot indoor and outdoor fine dining destination, sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific in earshot of the waves rolling to the shore.

The elegant steak and seafood house, from which to catch San Diego’s famed theatrical sunsets every day of the week, showcases unmistakably California coastal cuisine, all crafted under the expert guidance of executive chef Danilo “DJ” Tangalin.

Part artist, part dedicated craftsman, Chef Tangalin draws upon his extensive cooking background (forged at some of the nation’s best schools and restaurants) to create memorable dishes that stand out for their quality and inventiveness.

It’s no surprise that JRDN has won the California Restaurant Associations ‘Best Hotel Restaurant’ award numerous times.

There’s no shortage of things to do or see in San Diego and, when accommodation is in order, Tower32 is a cool haven of haute hospitality—one that’s perfectly suited for any ocean-oriented traveller that appreciates relaxed style and comfort with a sophisticated beach-chic spin.

www.t23hotel.com

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

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Travel Essentials

Canarian class

Saharan heat, barren beauty and five-star luxury - Fuerteventura has it all. Yet to visit? Jessica Laing tells you why you should...

I’ve had a love affair with Fuerteventura my whole life. To me, it is paradise. It is perfect. You could tempt me with Turks and Caicos, seduce me with Santorini, or indeed force me to Fiji, but a part of me would still long for my beloved little island.

In fact, I have such an affection for the place, that going back feels a lot like going home. I know the palm tree-fringed streets like the back of my hand. I know what the weather’s going to be like just by looking at the waves. I know which places serve the freshest seafood and the best tapas. I know which

beaches get the most sun and have the whitest sand.

I’ve been visiting for over twenty years - and I can say, with great certainty, that I don’t ever see myself growing tired of it. It is so familiar - so god damn blissful that it still astounds me when people tell me they’ve never been - or worse - never heard of it. ‘Oh yeah, isn’t that one of the Canary Islands?’ Well, yes, it is. But it’s by far the best one, I tell them.

My parents first discovered the island in the early nineties, back when it was nothing more than a rubbly, virtually unknown, surfing

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

destination. An unspoilt, volcanic dot just off the coast of Africa.

Swooned by its rugged charm, crystal-clear waters and tranquil desert beaches, my father, a self-proclaimed surfer bum, and my mother, a flip-flop-wearing sun worshipper, were hooked - and spent years touring around in search of the best places to ride waves, soak up the Saharan sun and rest their bronzed legs.

A few stood out - El Cotillo for its whitewash buildings and turquoise lagoons and Betancuria for its rustic beauty and mountainous terrain - but it was Corralejo, a

24

charming fishing village-turned laid-back surfer town right on the Northern tip of the island, that captured their hearts. And it’s there that we as a family call home-awayfrom-home - and have done now for over two decades.

I could go on all day about why the resort appeals so much to us, but I won’t (we only have so many pages in this magazine). Let me just say this, though: if a week full of tropical beaches, harbour sunsets and small town spirit sounds like your idea of holiday heaven, then it’s the place to be.

Go there if you like long, lazy days

Travel Essentials

spent sipping homemade sangria (the real stuff) and people watching from traditional, but oh-so-chic, tapas bars.

Go there if you long for warm, azure waters and miles upon miles of the snow-white sand, as soft as fine-spun silk (they don’t call its North shore ‘Europe’s answer to Hawaii’ for nothing).

Go there if you like watersports, snorkelling, or if you want to learn how to master a surfboard (the resort’s Quiksilver surf school is legendary).

Go there if you don’t like to wear a watch or answer emails on holiday.

Leave technology behind and lap up the town’s mellow vibe - for which it is famed - instead. This is a place to release your inner beach bum and live like the carefree locals.

After all, Fuerteventura may be the second largest of the Canary Islands, but it gets only a fraction of the tourists seen by its neighbours, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. And Corralejo is the most chilled-out, least crowded town you’re likely to come across.

Accommodation-wise, the resort offers something for everyone, from quiet, family-friendly hotels with pools a-plenty, to beach-front Spanish villas for couples and escapists and a handful of luxury hotels for bountiful breaks. I’ve stayed at so many of them over the years - some with my other half, others with my family - and there are a couple that I will always, very

too empty.

Those with kids are spoilt with junior deluxe suites and spacious family rooms - both pristine - while the lavish Atlantic and Bahia Suites are fit for royalty. Think glistening cream marble, glossy, open-plan living rooms, spa-like bathrooms with separate jacuzzis, plus large double terraces overlooking the beach.

My partner and I took a double deluxe suite with a sea view. With beautiful Spanish tiled floorings, roomy balconies and immaculate bathrooms with his-n-her sinks and rainforest showers, these elegant boudoirs go above and beyond your standard room.

Be sure to get a sea view if you can - you won’t regret it. There was something quite special about being woken up by the gentle lull of the waves and opening our balcony doors each morning to Lobos island (it really is a breathtaking sight) and the sparkling shore.

A view we’ll not forget in a hurry - and a one you can also catch from the hotel’s stylish piano bar, El Mirador, on the first floor. Begin or end your day here; savour your morning coffee out on the terrace in the warm sunlight, or sip cocktails and listen to jazz under the stars come nightfall.

Fuerteventura’s skies are some of the clearest in the world, so you’re always guaranteed a twinkling night.

Our first morning was spent at the hotel’s award winning spa - Spa Bahia Vital - where we enjoyed full body massages and oodles of calm.

Here, the dedicated, well-kept team of therapists can tend to all your pampering needs, from holidayready mani/pedis to top-of-therange body treatments and

happily, return to.

But there is one that tops them all.

A hotel so stunning, so unpretentiously splendid, that even a week or so after my visit, I find myself daydreaming about its beauty. And that is the Gran Atlantis Bahia Real. A hotel so impressive, I’ve told just about everyone I know about it. And now I am telling you.

Situated just outside of the town centre - around 15 minutes on foot - it’s one of only three five-star hotels on the island and the only one to be found in Corralejo.

Its unique, deliciously tranquil, location means it is blessed with unrivalled views of nearby Lanzarote, Los Lobos (a deserted, but very beautiful, volcanic island) and beyond, along with its own private stretch of beach - a small, sun drenched bay - for guests to enjoy.

With 170 rooms and 72 suites, all with either pool/garden or sea views, it’s one of the largest hotels Corralejo has to offer and, yet, it never feels too packed - or

25

hairdressing, but if you’d prefer to keep yourself to yourself, simply floating about in the heated spa pool, overlooking the sea, is a very nice thing indeed.

There’s yoga and pilates, too, which you can do early morning out on the beach just after the sun comes up. The perfect way to loosen up any post-flight knots and work up an appetite.

Breakfast is served in and outdoors.

Go with what you fancy, but a little alfresco dining in the morning sunshine did us good.

Nestled in tropical gardens, La Alacena Real is essentially a patio-style restaurant; a great little sun trap and an undeniably pretty place to enjoy your finds from the continental buffet.

Our days were spent either by the pool or in the sea. The Bahia’s pool area is faultless; spotlessly clean, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, and always peaceful.

Kicking-back on the sumptuous white sun loungers feel like lying in bed and being waited on hand and foot by the team of friendly (and impeccably dressed) pool butlers made us feel like a couple of A-listers.

The hotel’s private beach is a little slice of heaven, made all the more inviting thanks to the brand new Coco Beach beach club - the only of its kind on the island.

Opened just last year, it’s split into two venues on either side of the beach - one for chilling out, the other for dining. Each are found at the end over-sea boardwalks and provide direct access to the Atlantic if you fancy a dip, making for a truly memorable oceanfront experience.

They’re glass-fronted and filled with chic, crisp-white interiors - >>

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Travel Essentials very glam - for that VIP feeling.

Sip on chilled champagne from the Balinese beds (we did - and it was wonderful) and let the relaxing music - and views - soothe you. Lunch was had here on a number of occasions; the setting could hardly have been better and we couldn’t seem to keep ourselves away.

We treated ourselves to mango mojitos and ice-cold beer and tucked into traditional tapas and just-caught seafood - many of which we’d never heard of. Lots of garlicky king prawns, Spanish sardines, bruschetta with fresh anchovies and Canarian potatoes and ‘mojo’ sauce. They’re a speciality here; crinkly, wrinkly potatoes in their skins, sprinkled with sea salt and served with orange and green dips, loaded with garlic, spices and paprika smokiness. An addiction of ours.

For those times when we felt strong enough to drag ourselves away, we headed for the roaring waves of Grandes Playas Corralejo (known as ‘Flag Beach’ by the locals and regular visitors), and the shops and bars on Corralejo front street, with which we are now so familiar.

Head to ‘the square’ (ask anyone and they’ll point you in the right direction) for intimate lunches under twinkling lights and live music, and the harbour, or near the marina, for something a little more formal as the day draws to a close.

The place comes alive - and looks even more beautiful - around dusk.

On another day, we caught a boat and headed over to Lobos island - one of the only things I hadn’t done during my twenty years of visiting Fuerteventura.

Fifteen euros each got us there and back and it takes no more

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than 15 minutes to reach the island’s shores.

Once on land, you’re free to roam about and admire its scarred, deformed beauty for as long, or as little, as you want. Stay there an hour, stay there two, stay there all day, but remember that there’s very little shade; you’re basically walking around a long-dead, deserted volcano.

Dinners at the Gran Atlantis Bahia Real are a grand - and fun - affair.

It boasts three main restaurants, serving up gourmet cuisine from around the globe of the highest quality. Fine dining at its best, we think.

La Cúpula is an opulent space, ran

by Michelin star chef, Carles Gaig.

Wine and dine (it offers a range of local Canarian dishes you won’t find elsewhere in town) under sparkling chandeliers.

There’s the light and airy Las Columnas, too, for a true taste of Spain and other corners of the Mediterranean (and great wine from the impressive wine cellar) and Yamatori for fresh Japanese grub done properly.

We had dinner here one evening - and to say we were impressed would be an understatement.

Not bad at all, considering we would never venture into a Japanese restaurant at home (we might be the only people on earth to dislike sushi).

It’s a slick eatery; lots of mahogany, Asian-style wood and sleek teppanyaki table grills. We watched, glassy-eyed, as our personal chef transformed thick slabs of beef tenderloin and steak into delicate, juicy pieces of meat, in minutes - right in front of our eyes.

His expert showmanship made for an exciting dining experience - lots of sauce splashing, knife and spatula juggling and flames. And knowing just how fresh our food was was a bonus. It might have been one of the best meals we’ve ever had - the perfect last supper.

For me, discovering - and falling in love - with a new hotel in Fuerteventura is rare. It hasn’t happened in years. I know what I like, and know what level of luxury to expect here, but with its high class good looks, VIP service and stellar position, the Gran Atlantis Bahia Real stands out from all the rest. It has really surprised me and, if possible, only reignited the spark between myself and my beloved little island. If ever in the future anyone looks for me in Fuerteventura, there is a very good chance they’ll find me here.

www.atlantisbahiareal.com

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

26

bmi regional are giving you the opportunity to win a pair of return flights to discover Brussels or Stavanger for yourself!

There will be no hanging around at the airport thanks to bmi regional’s speedy 30 minute check-in meaning the winner can make the most of enjoying their time in their chosen destination. Plus, the winner can benefit from a generous 20kg hold luggage allowance.

Premium comfort and service is offered aboard all bmi regional’s Embraer jets where winners will be able to enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks for the duration of the flight.

To enter visit www.luxe-magazine.co.uk or email your name and a contact phone number to prizedraw@ remembermedia.co.uk stating in the subject line the name of the prize draw you wish to enter.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS* The prize is subject to availability, non transferrable, non refundable, non exchangeable and only valid on the routes outlined. Travel must be completed before 24 March 2017. Closing date 27th October 2016.

Farndale Holiday Cottages are located in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park on the Farndale Estate. The Dale is famed for its daffodil walk when each Spring the river banks come alive with the yellow flowers.

Originally a collection of farm buildings they have recently undergone an award winning renovation to provide luxury accommodation in a tranquil rural setting.

There are six cottages to choose from, sleeping from 2 to 12 people all with under floor heating and each with its own unique character.

The cottages provide a superb base for an unforgettable holiday experience in North Yorkshire.

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Free WIFI & Free Sat TVs in every bedroom Located opposite the local pub Ideal base for walking & cycling Dog friendly Short & weekend breaks available Award winning restoration Book online

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Travel Essentials

Luxe’s greenfingered garden expert, Karen Phillips, jumps from the vegetable plot to the more stately surroundings of Scampston in North Yorkshire.

She describes the gardens as we check out the best places for chocolate-box cottage stays across the UK...

Garden gorgeous

Scampston is certainly one of those places to pencil in for a truly bountiful green-fingered ‘staycation’.

This year the garden celebrates the 300th anniversary of Northumberland’s Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who was born on 16 August 1716.

We could not have picked a better day to visit these North Yorkshire gardens: bright blue skies, enough sunshine to force peonies, poppies, irises and alliums to vie for our attention, whilst the Plantsman’s Walk looked more like France than Yorkshire. The 300 year old Spanish Chestnut tree in the parkland, with its deeply grooved bark, provided a welcome respite from the heat.

In 1771, W.H. St Quintin, 5th Baronet, wrote to Lancelot Brown requesting help in redesigning the park at Scampston. Lancelot gained his nickname since he often used the word to describe the ‘capability’ or potential of his clients’ grounds but it evolved to aptly describe his abilities at transforming landscapes and inventing, along the way, a method of uplifting, moving and

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

successfully transplanting fully grown trees.

Indeed Capability Brown transformed the art of gardening in 18th century with a move away from the ornate and highly manicured French designs, like the rigid formality of Versailles, with its avenues of clipped trees, ornate topiary, canals and fountains; and coined the term: le jardin anglais.

In 67 years he transformed the grounds of nearly 200 houses which is no mean feat considering travel was by carriage; our complaints about potholes these days would have fallen on deaf ears!

Symmetry lies at the heart of Brown’s designs and in this regard Scampston was beset with problems: most of the land lay to the east of the Hall and it was one of the flattest estates Brown was ever called upon to improve; its saving grace was Scampston Beck

which flowed through the grounds.

Brown’s plans were: damn the beck in two places creating a long crescent-shaped pair of lakes which encircle the inner park; and use a ha-ha (a wall that is level with the ground but with a sheer drop on the other side) to blend the estate with the surrounding scenery, making it seem endless.

Between the lakes he placed a cascade and at the far end of one lake a small Palladian Bridge with a blank back wall; modelled perhaps on the larger one designed

by William Kent at Stowe, where Brown had subsequently worked as Head Gardener.

Brown is renowned for his sweeping landscapes of trees, lakes and lawns in which to drive or ride through and partake of the English air. In the words of Scampston’s Head Gardener, Paul Smith: “when you see a landscape that’s perfect and you suddenly realise that it’s

SCAMPSTON HAS AN APPEAL FOR EVERY GENERATION OF THE FAMILY 28

Travel Essentials

possibly too perfect: that’s the hand of Capability Brown”. Indeed Brown’s obituary says it all: “Where he is the happiest man he will be least remembered, so closely did he copy nature his works will be mistaken.”

In 1999 Sir Charles and Lady Legard commissioned the renowned Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf, to re- design the four-acre walled garden.

themselves’ with no staking required and natural self-seeding allowed. Star-shaped, purple globes of Allium Cristophii, drooping bells of Nectaroscordum siculum, spikes of Salvias, aromatic Nepeta, dainty Dianthus carthusianorum, and thuggish Phlomis russeliana sit within varied grasses to create a magnet for wildlife.

Since 2008 the gardens at Scampston have been under

and Miranda Legard who continue to maintain and improve the property in the hope that it will remain in the family for many generations to come.

It is testament to their success that Scampston has an appeal for every generation of the family: children will love the Cascade Trail past the Pump House, over the Palladian Bridge and through the woodland garden complete with tree stumps

late flowering perennials and grasses in The Walled Garden and the attraction of the toffeescented, falling leaves in the Katsura Grove.

No matter what the size of your garden there is much to learn and take away with you; whether it is borrowing scenery from your neighbours; creating the illusion of a larger space via circuitous paths (The Plantsman’s Walk) or the

Oudolf created a series of ‘rooms’ within the walled garden, each one differing in their feel and season of interest. His philosophy of naturalistic planting for the Perennial Meadow is to allow a specially chosen palette of perennials to ‘in effect look after

careful guidance of Paul, with the help of Annie, who runs the immaculate nursery stocked with interesting and often unusual plants, and alongside a small band of volunteers.

Care of the Hall and parkland has now passed down to Christopher

to climb on, a ‘wigloo’ (a living willow mole hill) to hide in, and to finally peer into the depths of the spooky Ice House at the half-way point.

Scampston is open until the end of October, indeed probably a month later than most gardens due to the

creation of ‘garden rooms’ separated by high hedges so all cannot be seen at once; or the creation of what appears to be a ‘wildflower meadow’ under cherry trees.

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www.scampston.co.uk

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Travel Essentials

Lush hideaways Chocolate box-cottages and gorgeous gardens...

YORKSHIRE

Stay close to Scampston...

Foxglove Cottage Hutton Buscel

This luxurious, chocolate-box cottage is set in the pictureperfect location of the North Yorkshire moors. It’s a relaxing retreat with sublime, unspoilt views of the countryside. The house is beautifully designed by the owner, with features such as original terracotta tiles and a range cooker for foodies to enjoy.

The house reflects the owner’s love of travel and has magical gardens of its own so you can carry on with your green-fingered retreat.

www.gorgeouscottages.com

The Coach House

Apple Farm Cottage

The Coach House is the quintessential English country cottage, set in landscaped gardens. So pretty, it was once chosen by the Sunday Times as one of 100 ‘coolest cottages’. It offers five-star luxury and a home-from-home feeling, with traditional interiors and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor. We love the French doors and the welcome hamper that awaits you on arrival. It’s also an ideal base to explore Yorkshire’s gardens, culture and history. Walkers and cyclists will be spoilt for choice.

If you love the sea, this cottage is the place to be. It’s an original 17th Century farmhouse, within walking distance of the beautiful Robin Hoods Bay. The three-bedroom property has a spacious garden with views down to the sea and a patio area for alfresco dining. Children are welcome and will love the trampoline and swings outside and retiring to the bunk beds come nighttime.

Grown-ups will enjoy the stylish decor, fab oak floors and log burner for cosy nights in.

www.noellescottages.co.uk

www.gorgeouscottages.com

Pickering

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Robin Hoods Bay

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Travel Essentials

FURTHER AFIELD If you fancy venturing further afield, the UK boasts some of the best gardens in the world.

We’ve done the leg work to find some of the country’s most stunning gardens to visit and fabulous English cottages to relax in afterwards...

Garden to visit

Oxford University Botanic garden

Garden to visit

www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk At nearly 400 years old, University of Oxford’s Botanic Garden is the oldest of its kind in Britain.

It’s right in the city centre and has glass houses, herbaceous borders and one of the most compact, yet diverse, collection of plants in the world. Pack a picnic and make the most of the peaceful surroundings.

The Eden project Cornwall

www.edenproject.com Designed to help people reconnect with the outdoors and the environment, The Eden Project is home to the largest indoor rainforest in the world, plus many outdoor gardens, climbing frames for the kids, a restaurant and coffee house and amazing educational resources. It’s also home to the seed sculpture, which is the biggest of it’s kind in history, weighing as much as ten elephants.The giant bee is bound to wow even the most hard-toplease kids. For those feeling a little more adventurous, there’s also England’s longest and fastest zip wire.

Where to stay

Penney Cottage

Biscovey, nr. St Austell

Cottages don’t come much more unique than this. From its super sweet honey colour to its thatched roof, it looks like something straight out of a fairytale. The Elizabethan cottage has endless design features, such as bed canopies and luxurious fabrics, along with exquisite gardens. There is a trampoline and zip wire for younger visitors and a row boat and two small canoes for riverside adventures. Its riverside location is spot-on.

St Austell is known for its secret coves and secluded beaches. Everything from surfing to horse riding, fishing and shopping are available here. Penney Cottage is a period cottage, offering a cosy wood-burning stove, a large lawned garden to enjoy and fresh, modern interiors throughout. The village of Charlestown is close by and if you’re in need of another garden fix, the 200-acre Lost Gardens of Heligan are also nearby.

www.uniquehomestays.com

www.cottages.com

Where to stay

Marmalade Cottage Oxfordshire

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Travel Essentials

For the elite travellers of the world, Shanghai is a bucket list must. Elysia Agnew reveals her top 10 tips for discovering the most populous city in China, from hotel rooms with sweeping skyline views, to bars hidden behind bookshelves...

CHIC SHANGHAI

To stay…

Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on The Bund. The suites offer sweeping views of city skyline, and with direct access to The Bund, you’re in Shanghai’s prime position. The place to be for rooftop bars, high-end restaurants and luxurious boutiques.

To eat…

The Grand Brasserie and Wei Jing Ge inside the Waldorf Astoria are open to the public.

The sophisticated Grand Brasserie serves up a selection of Western and Chinese-inspired dishes, all cooked in the open kitchen overlooking the elegant restaurant floor.

Wei Jing Ge, meanwhile, is a more contemporary Chinese restaurant serving

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authentic regionally delicacies including Shanghainese, Cantonese and Huai Yang cuisines. It also boasts a wine cellar featuring around 500 bottles handpicked by the resident sommelier.

To drink…

The Bund has several roof top bars on offer to take in the dazzling views, including Bar Rouge, which is open until the early hours for those who wish to dance the night away.

For something a little more quirky, head into the French Concession. Check the bookcase at Ocho Bar Tools to see what’s hidden behind.

If you’re lucky, you’ll enter Speak Low - a fun and rustic cocktail bar spread over three floors.

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To get around…

Little time to travel while you’re staying in China? Catch the high-speed train to Beijing before you fly home. You’ll experience the change in landscape as you pass through the country, soaring through the lush greenery and the countryside that surrounds built up cities and towns.

The journey from Shanghai to Beijing is just over five hours, compared to a two-hour flight, but it’s worth every minute. You’ll see the gradual change between the two cities as well as the difference in landscape in between.

To unwind…

The Spa at the Waldorf Astoria offers tailored massages, exclusive spa rooms available to hire,

Travel Essentials

a fully-equipped fitness suite and a blue lagoon pool, perfect if you’re in need of a cool dip after a day of sightseeing.

To explore…

Discover the tranquil greenery of the Yu Gardens, set in the heart of the city. Lush, enchanting and the perfect place to capture traditional Chinese buildings in an undisturbed setting.

To capture…

The Bund – the perfect backdrop to capture those photographic memories. With traditional Shanghai behind you and the new world ahead of you, you can snap the cultural contrast of this growing city.

To buy…

Surrounding Yu Garden are the street markets where you’ll find quirky gifts to take home.

There’s also an incredible cashmere shop just off The Bund.

For music…

The Waldorf Astoria’s Long Bar – the longest bar in the city offering 100-feet of raw mahogany. Restored to the former glory of its popular 1910 Shanghai Club past, it presents a blend of heritage and distinctive luxury, boasting delicious bar meals, innovative cocktails and an unparalleled drinks menu.

It’s a place where you can sip cocktails while you admire the vistas across the river,

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indulge in the freshest oysters, discover fine wines and listen to the soothing sounds of the live jazz.

To educate…

For a bit of star-studded history, visit the Shanghai Film Museum. For most of the 20th century, Shanghai was the leading city of Chinese film. The museum contains 3,000 artefacts and media installations, taking you on a journey through the Chinese film industry.

Visitors also get the chance to take part in an interactive post-production process. You’ll find the props and vintage equipment used in hit films and you’ll learn all there is to know about Shanghai’s major film studios.

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Essentials Edit

Feeling sunny Sport a pair of Zero sunglasses, £210, and sightsee in style. www.taylormorriseyewear.com

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Travel Essentials

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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 16

Travel Essentials

THE SPA AT RAMSIDE

HOLISTIC

HEALTH PLAN

Learn the modern day application for health & wellbeing...

JOIN NOW

JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

Tel: 0191 375 3088 | www.ramsidespa.co.uk | enquiries@ramsidespa.co.uk The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel Carrville Durham DH1 1TD

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