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The Standard •

The hotel perfecting slow travel in Italy’s most under-the-radar region

The fortified borgo, circled by crumbling walls, has just 42 inhabitants and a handful of shops, restaurants and one of the smallest theatres in Italy, dating back to the 18th century. A leisurely stroll around its streets, passing by apron-wearing nonnas sat in doorways and slinking cats that watch you from the shadows, takes just 15 minutes. It may be tiny but what Rastrello lacks in size, it makes up for with plenty of charm.Rastrello’s owner, Christiane Wassmann, certainly thought so when sh...
The London Standard •

Out like a light? I spent a week at a luxury sleep retreat in Bangkok

It’s twilight when I arrive at RAKxa Integrative Wellness, a curiously-named health retreat found 45 minutes outside of Bangkok. The sky is streaked with painterly strokes of lilac and gold. It may be early evening in Thailand, but I’m wide awake due to the fact that it is six hours ahead of the UK. I’m here to try out a brand-new sleep programme, and I am wondering if flying half way around the world was the best idea to improve my sleep hygiene.It’s slow progress through the city’s heavy traff...
Elite Traveler •

Imaret: A Holistic Retreat that Reaches Back in Time

Beyond the stone walls, you can hear the faint chatter of people as they walk along; sometimes, a police siren pierces the air – a reminder that 21st-century life is going on outside. With its tailored offering, a stay at Imaret transports you to another time, immersing you in a bygone way of life.
In the city of Kavala, a 90-minute drive from Thessaloniki, Greece, the sprawling mismatch of buildings that makes up Imaret has a complex history – one that feeds into your experience as guest. Insid...
The Standard •

Fairmont La Hacienda is proof the Costa del Sol can do high-end

The culinary offering is a real highlight at Fairmont La Hacienda, making it feel like a true gourmet destination. There’s a choice of five restaurants including El Faro, which is open for breakfast and dinner. Overseen by chef Iker Gonzalez, the menu has a Basque influence (where he trained), and includes hyper-local ingredients to create dishes such as oxtail croquettes, platters of Jamon Iberico and tomato and burrata salads. The concept is all about simple fare for sharing. Don’t miss bookin...
Wanderlust •

Authentic adventures: 8 ways to uncover the real Maldives - Wanderlust

Dotted within cerulean seas, like a haphazard collection of pearls on a necklace, the Maldives is made up of some 1,200 islands. These tiny, sandy outposts rarely rise more than six foot out of the sea, and are found scattered across a huge expanse of some 35,000 square miles.
Whether you stay in the Baa Atoll, to the north of the capital of Malé, or in the Laamu Atoll, to the south, it’s a mistake to think that this Indian Ocean region is simply all about the beach. Once you tou...
Wanderlust •

A world of Wonder Awaits - Wanderlust

Arrive in style by flying with Emirates. The award-winning airline flies to more than 140 destinations and connects to over 1,700 cities through its airline partners. So, wherever you want to go in 2025 and beyond, Emirates can get you there. Flying via Dubai? Be sure to make the most of your stopover too, as Emirates has made it easier than ever to explore Dubai either on the way to or back from your final destination.
Onboard, you can expect comfortable cabins and hospitable cr...
The Standard •

Think Dubai's hotels are gauche? This one might just prove you wrong

You’ll stay in one of 29 Arabian-style ‘summer houses’, with spacious rooms arranged around a pretty inner courtyard, a traditional majlis (or living room area) and private swimming pool (larger groups can book exclusive use of the villas). The new interiors by Sahar Al Yasser, the award-winning Dubai-based founder of La Bottega Interiors, feels refined and pretty. Textiles and surfaces are designed in a palette of shimmering silver, pearl and opal. There’s also sumptuous detailing with velvet o...
CN Traveller •

The best hotels in Barbados

Barbados may have its own laid-back Caribbean island charm, where languorous afternoons stretch out along white-sand beaches that slope into surreal turquoise bays, but there’s more to this coral island than sand and sea. UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bridgetown thrums with independent stores, markets showing off Bajan fruit and art and buildings steeped in history (and invariably, rum) such as St Nicolas Abbey. Community roadside rum shacks are as prolific here as tropical gardens – the Andromed...
Wanderlust •

9 ways to experience the best of the Dominican Republic  - Wanderlust

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Once Upon A Town Epsom •

Surrey Guide: Bounce your way into Spring

From hiking across Surrey’s countryside to cooking in the wild, Angelina Villa-Clarke discovers six ways to get your mojo back as we say hello to longer days ahead.


Fire Cookery Courses, Priory Farm Estate, Nutfield
Have you ever wanted to go back to our roots and learn how to cook over an open flame? The Salt Box’s open-fire cookery courses teach you the art of cooking with fire and smoke to create delicious meals in a relaxed and informative environment beneath the trees. The...
Once Upon A Town Epsom •

Bloomin’ lovely - Surrey's prettiest gardens

From green spaces bursting with flowers to whimsical fairy trails, Angelina Villa-Clarke tracks down a few of Surrey’s prettiest gardens


Ramster Garden and Teahouse, Godalming
Ramster Garden is one of Surrey’s best-kept secrets for horticultural days out. The historic gardens belong to Ramster House and dates back to the early 17th century. Sir Harry Waechter, who bought the house in 1900, laid the foundations of the present garden, helped by the well-known nurseries Gauntletts...
The Standard •

Midulting in the Middle East: An indulgent solo trip was the perfect de-stresser

I’m in the middle of the desert. It’s night-time – pitch-black – and from within the car, I can’t see a thing around me. Around an hour ago, the bumper-to-bumper traffic in Doha had fallen away, to leave the 4x4 I am travelling in the only vehicle on the road. Its headlights pick out strange shadows in the dense darkness. It is eerily quiet. Suddenly my phone rings, nearly making me jump out of my skin. It feels so remote, that I’m shocked I have service.I am en route to stay in the new Our Habi...
Wanderlust •

9 incredible experiences to soak up Barbados slowly - Wanderlust

Touch down in Barbados and you are instantly greeted by tropical trade winds that welcome you like a warm hug.
The Caribbean island is well known for its friendly face of tourism, with many visitors attracted primarily to the west coast, where luxury hotels hold court on icing-sugar sands and top-tier restaurants offer stellar dining experiences. Delve a little deeper, however, and you’ll find that this sun-drenched island boasts more than just pristine beaches and delicious rum...
The Standard •

Think all-inclusive is a dirty word? The Turkish resort leading the change

Welcome to Rixos Premium Belek, found close to Antalya on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast, and one of the new breed of all-inclusive resorts that is redefining the ‘pre-paid’ hotel experience. Gone are cheap buffets and, instead, guests are able to dine in sophisticated restaurants offering authentic cuisine and locally-sourced ingredients. Out is bland, cookie-cutter design to be replaced by a polished aesthetic and sumptuous décor. While you might still find the odd water aerobics class, you’re...
Wanderlust •

EMIRATES A world of Wonder Awaits - Wanderlust

Arrive in style by flying with Emirates. The award-winning airline flies to more than 140 destinations and connects to over 1,700 cities through its airline partners. So, wherever you want to go in 2025 and beyond, Emirates can get you there. Flying via Dubai? Be sure to make the most of your stopover too, as Emirates has made it easier than ever to explore Dubai either on the way to or back from your final destination.
Onboard, you can expect comfortable cabins and hospitable cr...
The Standard •

Following your senses in Oman: the beauty of the Frankincense trail

Mohammed is 69-years-old and his family have been selling incense in the cobbled alleys for generations. “If you are looking for a true Omani delicacy, this is it,” he says. “Frankincense is something that is deeply rooted in our culture – we cook with it, we use it for remedies, we scent our homes with it – just like we have done for hundreds of years.”A short, 30-minute drive south, out of Oman’s capital city, is the stately Shangri-La Al Husn resort. The rambling coastal property, sat on dram...
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Recent work for Forbes

Forbes •

Why Luxury Travel Is All About Elusive, Magical Moments

This month, eDreams ODIGEO—the world’s leading travel subscription platform and parent company of Opodo in the UK—launched its annual ‘Year in Travel’ report. The report examines search and booking data from travelers in key European markets and the USA and gives insight into what’s ahead for the industry in 2026.A key trend found in the report is ‘transformational and purpose-driven travel’. “Travellers are increasingly prioritising transformational and purpose-driven holidays: designed not jus...
Forbes •

Deep Luxury: The Travel Trend That Will Set The Tone For 2026

In the latest The Future Laboratory Report, Travel & Hospitality Futures: Optimised Odysseys, ‘Gilded Luxury Travel’ is cited as a major trend for 2026. But what does this mean? The shift has been defined as: “Moving beyond material excess: post-luxe travel embraces sensory design, resonant rituals, heritage connections and human-centric service to create experiences that resonate on a deeper emotional level.”The report also reveals: “According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, internationa...
Forbes •

Why Heritage Is The New Luxury For Travelers

Listed by Original Travel and in the latest Hilton Hotels’ Trends Report, nostalgic travel is set to be one of the big travel trends for 2026. “Next year, Americans in particular, are expected to lead the world in what Hilton has coined ‘Time Travel’— the act of taking vacations and booking travel experiences inspired by nostalgic memories,” says Hilton. “In fact, ‘recreating memories’ was the third most-cited reason for leisure travel in the U.S.” Couple this with the uptick in the popularity o...
Forbes •

How Urban Hotels Are Redefining Soft Power

In The Future Laboratory’s Travel & Hospitality Futures 2025 Report, one key trend for the year ahead is what is termed, ‘Souljourns’—which references how travelers are prioritising travel that offers “emotionally resonant experiences”. Tying into this is the rise in wellness tourism—one of the fastest growing markets in the travel sector, expected to be valued at £1 trillion by 2027 (sources: Skift, Global Wellness Institute).
Urban hotels are hopping on to both trends with offerings that eleva...
Forbes •

The Top Travel Trends Revealed At World Travel Market

As the World Travel Market (WTM) kicks off in London, the way we will be travelling in the future has been put in the spotlight. The four-day extravaganza for the travel industry—one of the world’s major tourism events—celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2025 and will see more than 5,000 exhibitors from around the world and in excess of 45,000 industry professionals attending the London symposium.
Yesterday, at a packed news conference on the opening day (4 November), the latest WTM Trends Report...
Forbes •

How To Keep Healthy On Your Next Long-Haul Trip

McKinsey’s Future of Wellness report for 2025 states that: “Wellness is more important to consumers than ever. In the United States alone, we estimate that it represents more than $500 billion in annual spend, growing at 4 to 5 per cent each year.”
Among the different sectors, gut health is of rising focus among consumers, with the Global Wellness Institute highlighting the rising trend of what they call, ‘Trust Your Gut’, with gut health “one of the most powerful indicators of optimal health an...
Forbes •

How Big Hospitality Brands Are Redefining The Chain Hotel

It is tricky for corporate hotel chains to capture just what we love about an independent, boutique hotel. But there are a few big names in the hospitality sector breaking the mould and offering properties with charm, character and sumptuous design—far removed from a one-size-fits-all sign above the door.
Alila Hotels, for example, known for its cutting-edge architecture, sustainable approach (with many hotels holding EarthCheck accreditation) and cultural immersion offering, is actually part of...
Forbes •

Welcome To The New Era Of Non-Hotel

In Expedia’s latest annual travel report, Unpack 26, one emerging trend flagged for the year ahead is what the travel company calls: ‘Salvaged Stays’. “Where architectural relics have been converted into remarkable retreats—offering travellers unforgettable accommodation. Whether it’s sleeping in a 12-century abbey in France, a stylish former schoolhouse in Kyoto or a historic train station in Nashville, these hotels put the ‘rest’ in restoration,” says the report.
Sleeping in historic propertie...
Forbes •

How London Has Become A Hub For Artisan Perfumery

Tucked away in a courtyard off Soho’s Brewer Street, Massimiliano Torti is perhaps an unlikely London shop. The perfume house might have been founded in Umbria some 30 years ago, but the brand has chosen the heart of London for its first bricks and mortar store.
Enter the tiny shop, which opened earlier this year, and it is like lifting the lid on a jewellery box. Its walls are lined with treasures in the form of perfumes, oils and body products that hone in on high concentrations of essential o...
Forbes •

How The Outer Hebrides Has Sparked A Beauty Revolution

On the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, the Calanais Standing Stones sit on a windswept promontory, overlooking the magical Loch Roag. Dating back some 5,000 years, and predating Stonehenge, the stones, standing in a cross formation, are one of the great tourist draws of this island, that sits on the same land mass as the Isle of Harris, part of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
But that’s not its only attraction. On Braighe Beach, close to Stornoway airport, a giant tumble of seaweed has amassed acros...
Forbes •

Forget Tuscany, Why You Should Put Umbria On Your Radar Instead

From the pilgrims of the Middle Ages to the aristocratic Grand Tours of the 18th century, tourists the world over have long had a love affair with Tuscany. The passion for its art, culinary offering and historic cities, have not waned, with this sun-kissed region hosting some 134 million tourists in 2023 (amounting to a total of more than 450 million overnight stays). As a result, overtourism has become a real problem, not only for visitors but for residents, with overcrowding and rising pressur...
Forbes •

It’s The Return Of The Jazz Age At The Grand Hotel Birmingham

In the UK, the Victorian era was the heyday of the grand hotel. Coinciding with a new appetite for travel, especially by rail, architectural wonders, in the form of grandiose hotels, sprung up across the country, with most major cities boasting their own elaborate versions.
The Langham, which opened in London in 1865, is regarded as the UK’s (and, in fact, Europe’s) first grand hotel, with the Savoy, opening in 1889, following its lead. Birmingham was no exception and its own grand dame property...
Forbes •

Why Sleep Tourism Is The Trend We’ve Been Dreaming About

According to travel trends forecaster Skift, as well as trusted magazines, such as National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveller, sleep tourism is one of the biggest trends for this year and beyond.
But, what is it exactly? “Sleep tourism is the art of travelling specifically with the goal of improving your sleep,” says Accor, the hospitality company that has the trend on its radar. “In other words, to make rest the reason you travel in the first place.”
Hilton hotels also highlighted the phenome...
Forbes •

The Post Summer Saviours Designed For Tired Travelers

From sleep-helping supplements to the lastest in skin-science, these new products will form the ultimate beauty kit for frequent travelers.
New from Dr Somji Skincare is the Exosome Barrier Repair Serum which has a lightweight formula to nourish, protect and reinforce the skin’s natural barrier—the protective outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. The product was developed by Dr Somji, cosmetic surgeon and co-founder of the DrMediSpa clinic group, and Henal Somji, medical aestheti...
Forbes •

Welcome To London, Through The Eyes Of New York

When NoMad London first opened in Covent Garden in 2021, by the New York-based hospitality company Sydell Group, it brought with it a renewed optimism to the city’s hospitality scene. Post-Covid, this little slice of New York (the first NoMad property opened in 2012 on Broadway and has now morphed into The Ned NoMad) was ingeniously carved out of The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station and made much of its grand Grade II-listed architecture with a NYC irreverence coupled with a Lond...
Forbes •

Finding Italy’s Suite Spot For Shoulder Season

Mild weather, fewer crowds and foodie highlights from the country’s harvests are just a few of the perks of taking a trip to Italy in the fall. What’s more, there’s been a flurry of new hotel suite openings, offering the ultimate way to soak up the country’s charms without the crowds.
Dating back 163 years, Palazzo Daniele, a Neoclassical palazzo in Puglia, and part of the GS Collection, has recently undertaken its biggest expansion to date, including the addition of four new suites (taking the...
Forbes •

How To Curate A High Fashion Travel Wardrobe For High Summer

It’s mid-August, and the height of summer, and you may be heading off to catch the last of the sun’s rays before Fall gets here. There’s an art to packing for any trip, but one essential key is to include a selection of stylish accessories and functional pieces to add a certain panache to your capsule look. The good news is that we’ve made it easy for you, with a line-up of stylish buys sourced from under-the-radar luxury brands—all offering the perfect way to look chic on your next holiday.

Th...
Forbes •

The Scented Road: Travel-Inspired Fragrances To Take You Places

Whether you are looking to recapture that ultimate holiday that you once experienced or simply need a new scent to pack for your next travels, an olfactory journey is a distinctly personal one. Here are some of the latest—and most imaginative—fragrances for travelers.
The way we use perfume has changed. Gone are the days when a couple of spritzes on the wrists in the morning will do; the latest thinking is all about the art of layering—from the hair to the décolletage—and using the correct scent...
Forbes •

Explore The ‘King’ Of Jewellers With A Stay In An Unsung Gem

In the tiara room, the lights are dimmed because the diamonds on show are so brilliant that they need no extra illumination. In more ways than one, the Cartier show (until 16 November 2025) at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is simply dazzling.
Known for its blockbuster summer exhibitions, spanning everything from Dior’s exquisite fashion to the influence of supermodel Naomi Campbell, the latest must-see show at the V&A is one that shines a light on the history of the French jeweller, Cartier...
Forbes •

Soak Up Slow Travel In An Undiscovered Corner Of The Costa Del Sol

Spain’s Costa del Sol is no stranger to hotel openings and, this summer, the Andalusian stretch of coastline is practically buzzing with newness. Already this year, Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has opened Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella, reviving one of Spain’s most distinguished hotels located in Marbella. This month, the Iconic Luxury Hotels collection, which includes some of the world’s most legendary hotels, including British icons Cliveden House and C...
Forbes •

Nature’s Calling: JW Marriott Opens On The Island Of Crete

The Greek island of Crete is no stranger to outside influences. It was, perhaps most famously, home to the ancient Minoans (2600-1150 BC), considered one of the most important civilisations of the world, and has been occupied and ruled by many, including the Ottomans and the Venetians, with the island only formally joining Greece in 1913.
The latest arrival to set down roots is the American hospitality brand JW Marriott, which, this month, has opened the doors at its first address in the Mediter...
Forbes •

Soak Up London’s Sensory Experiences This Summer

The heart of London’s Soho may not be the first place you’d expect to find an immersive perfumery. But, tucked away on Smiths’ Court, off Brewer Street, you can find a unique olfactory experience like no other. Amid an enclave of small artisan shops is Massimiliano Torti—a secret perfumery that only aficionados know about.
It may be under the radar in the UK but, by contrast, Massimiliano Torti has a cult following in Italy. Born in Florence in 1975, the heritage perfumery brand has chosen Londo...
Forbes •

It’s Food For Thought At The Newt In Somerset

“The Newt is more than just a hotel, it’s a legacy,” says Arthur Cole, head of programming at The Newt in Somerset, as he rumbles across picturesque farmland in a mud-splattered 4x4.
Read any of the reviews of The Newt in Somerset, a Palladian house hotel, farm and garden, owned by hoteliers Karen Roos and her husband, Koos Bekker, (both also preside over Babylonstoren in South Africa), and you’ll come across a whole raft of superlatives to describe it: astonishing, magical, charming... All of t...
Forbes •

The Skincare Secrets Every Frequent Traveler Should Know About

“Skincare is healthcare,” Dr Howard Murad proclaimed in a podcast for the Global Wellness Summit in 2022. The wellness trailblazer, previously a pharmacist and dermatologist before launching his own Murad skincare line at 50, was one of the first experts to popularise the notion that skincare goes further than skin deep.
Since then, this concept has become increasingly far-reaching, with innovators in the field of beauty offering new ways to maintain healthy skin for the sake of your entire body...
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Wellness & Travel

Mail Online •

Can pancakes REALLY plump up your skin?

By ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE Published: 00:00, 5 June 2023 | Updated: 00:01, 5 June 2023 A chocolate pancake that promises to give you a glowing complexion? Don’t be absurd!Yet that’s the claim of one of the new generation of ‘food items’ that apparently come with health or beauty benefits baked in.In the case of the pancake, it’s skin-boosting collagen. But other edibles contain herbs, vitamins or protein specifically added to give you bouncy hair or better nails, combat insomnia or boost y...

Lifestyle articles

The Independent •

Sorry, Mr Bezos, it’s no wonder you’re not welcome in Venice in June

“If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax,” screamed an enormous Greenpeace banner covering the historic paving stones in Venice’s St Mark’s Square earlier this week. The sign is one of many which have dominated La Serenissima’s heritage buildings (and been quickly taken down by police) in protest against the Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’s upcoming wedding to the media personality Lauren Sanchez – a three-day city takeover which kicks off today.From a pre-wedding foam party...
Once Upon A Town Epsom •

The Art of Wintering

As tempting as it might be to hole up once the temperatures plummet, the quiet days of winter are also the best time to try something new.



Created over 80 years ago by horticulturalist Dr Wilfrid Fox, Winkworth Arboretum is a glorious celebration of trees. Part of the National Trust since 1988, it covers 121 acres and is made up of 1,000 trees and shrubs. A peaceful place for a winter stroll, there is a choice of three walking routes to follow, in the fresh air amid wellbeing...
The Independent •

Comment piece

Amid the ongoing fallout from Omid Scobie’s new book, here’s an interesting aside. Endgame elaborates on an incident mentioned by Harry and Meghan during their interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, in which senior members of the household were reputed to have wondered aloud how dark their son Archie might be.The story has been routinely described in reports as “explosive” and ”shocking”. As a mother of two mixed-heritage boys, I’m neither shocked nor surprised.As soon as I began dating my husban...

Interiors