Top 6 cities to enjoy in mainland Europe

Spring is coming and Europe is ready for visitors to enjoy the milder climate, beautiful blooms and longer days. It’s the perfect time to head to the continent, whether it’s for an expansive Grand Tour or just a shorter stopover. Let’s have a look at some of the top six most gorgeous – and often less visited – cities to call into.

1. Siena, Italy

This picturesque town is often overlooked in favour of nearby Florence and Pisa, but this is definitely an Italian highlight. There are loads of great boutiques to shop in and some lovely cafes out in the open air. Go later in the summer – July and August – to see the historic Palio bareback horserace in the centre of town. This has been part of life here for over three centuries, based around Siena’s grand medieval plaza.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Pearl of the Adriatic is a small but perfectly formed medieval city perched beside the azure ocean. The entire city is so unique and full of so many ancient buildings that it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out Pucic Palace, the Old Town and wander the cobbled streets to understand why. After you’re finished exploring dry land, take a yacht trip out into the bay to snorkel and relax on the little islands dotted around the bay.

3. San Sebastian, Spain

This seaside city overlooks the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s strongly independent Basque region. It’s also the European Capital of Culture for 2016, so expect there to be some build-up going on when you visit. San Sebastian is the kind of place to visit if you want to indulge yourself – there are six Michelin-starred restaurants, and a gourmet tapas bar on every corner. The beaches are beautiful with long sandy, stretches of sand sandwiched between rocky coves.

4. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a vibrant city beside Portugal’s Atlantic coastline. Like Rome, this huge city sprawls across seven hills. Its sheer size alone means there are loads of things to see and do. The vibe is laidback and the whitewashed buildings lining the cobbled alleyways are absolutely charming. You’ll find fantastic shopping, castles, museums, botanical gardens and lots more besides.

5. Perast, Montenegro

This amazing country has long been overlooked but now, more and more visitors to Europe are adding this green gem to their itinerary. Perast is a small town on the Bay of Kotor, and while not a city as such it has a lot to offer. Visitors can explore its Venetian heritage – baroque palaces, nineteen (yes, nineteen!) churches, and stunning architecture everywhere you look. Make the most of the excursions in the locality, including the popular boat trips to Our Lady of the Rock Island to peek inside its church and its intricate interior.

6. Nice, France

Head to the balmy French Riviera for a classic South of France experience. Nice is the place to admire super yachts and sip chilled wine with steaming bowls of mussels. Elegant and glamorous, this city is typically French. There are some lovely museums and art galleries, pebble beaches to relax on, a pretty old town to explore and cliffside walks to enjoy.

Alison Crabb is a Director at Exsus.

The luxury of a Masai Mara bush home

The Masai Mara is sadly known for the over crowding which happens in the Mara Reserve during July and August. Of course if you know the right person to ask they will be able to point you in the direction of more luxurious options in the private conservancies around the Masai Mara which offer exclusive game viewing. These conservancies are run by professionals, who often have better anti-poaching measures, better guides and better policies when it comes to preserving the area, and the wildlife. There are many options in these conservancies but none so appealing for a family or group of friends as the Mara Bush Homes. Acacia and Mara House are situated in the exclusive Mara North Conservancy, which is populated by just a few luxury camps and lots of wildlife.

Both are exceptionally economical compared to other options of a similar level, but also offer a privacy and exclusivity, which many people crave when on holiday with friends or family. What more could one want when on safari in Africa than a private home from home, with a private guide, private chef and private staff.

It really is very spoiling and makes coming home even harder. Both houses are luxurious and relaxing and offer everything from day and night game drives, bush walks and bush breakfasts and sundowners. Of course another major benefit to being outside the Reserve itself is that you are able to do things such as walk and take night drives, all things which are not possible in government run areas.

The private bush home allows us to escape reality and imagine we have our own little piece of Africa. The feeling is sensational and both houses employ excellent guides and chefs so your experience is a truly luxurious one. The houses are not fenced and there is often wildlife around in the day and at night – you can watch the natural world go on around you from the comfort of your homely living room. A fantastic combination for the Masai Mara can be a luxury tented camp, followed by a few days in a private house such as these.

Rose Hipwood is Managing Director of The Luxury Safari Company.

So what really happened to Malaysian Airlines flight MH370?

As the days continue to pass since Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 went missing, a number of theories have been put forward, ranging from a possible hijacking to somewhat more far-fetched ideas such as alien abduction. During this time, you can’t help but feel for the families of those involved and what they must be going through – it really must be awful; let’s hope that they will be presented with some definitive answers soon.

In the meantime, one theory that’s emerged more recently and appears to have gathered credence is that put forward by an experienced former pilot, Chris Goodfellow, on his Google+ page (and that’s subsequently gathered momentum on sites such as Reddit).  His is refreshingly simple.

First let’s look at precisely what he says:

MH370  A different point of view. Pulau Langkawi 13,000 runway.

A lot of speculation about MH370. Terrorism, hijack, meteors. I cannot believe the analysis on CNN – almost disturbing. I tend to look for a more simple explanation of this event.

Loaded 777 departs midnight from Kuala to Beijing. Hot night. Heavy aircraft.  About an hour out across the gulf towards Vietnam the plane goes dark meaning the transponder goes off and secondary radar tracking goes off.

Two days later we hear of reports that Malaysian military radar (which is a primary radar meaning the plane is being tracked by reflection rather than by transponder interrogation response) has tracked the plane on a southwesterly course back across the Malay Peninsula into the straits of Malacca.

When I heard this I immediately brought up Google Earth and I searched for airports in proximity to the track towards southwest.

The left turn is the key here. This was a very experienced senior Captain with 18,000 hours. Maybe some of the younger pilots interviewed on CNN didn’t pick up on this left turn. We old pilots were always drilled to always know the closest airport of safe harbor while in cruise. Airports behind us, airports abeam us and airports ahead of us. Always in our head. Always. Because if something happens you don’t want to be thinking what are you going to do – you already know what you are going to do. Instinctively when I saw that left turn with a direct heading I knew he was heading for an airport. Actually he was taking a direct route to Palau Langkawi a 13,000 foot strip with an approach over water at night with no obstacles. He did not turn back to Kuala  Lampur because he knew he had 8,000 foot ridges to cross. He knew the terrain was friendlier towards Langkawi and also a shorter distance.

Take a look on Google Earth at this airport. This pilot did all the right things. He was confronted by some major event onboard that made him make that immediate turn back to the closest safe airport.
For me the loss of transponders and communications makes perfect sense if a fire. There was most likely a fire or electrical fire. In the case of fire the first response if to pull all the main busses and restore circuits one by one until you have isolated the bad one.

If they pulled the busses the plane indeed would go silent. It was probably a serious event and they simply were occupied with controlling the plane and trying to fight the fire. Aviate, Navigate and lastly communicate. There are two types of fires. Electrical might not be as fast and furious and there might or might not be incapacitating smoke. However there is the possibility given the timeline that perhaps there was an overheat on one of the front landing gear tires and it blew on takeoff and started slowly burning. Yes this happens with underinflated tires. Remember heavy plane, hot night, sea level, long run takeoff. There was a well known accident in Nigeria of a DC8 that had a landing gear fire on takeoff. A tire fire once going would produce horrific incapacitating smoke. Yes, pilots have access to oxygen masks but this is a no no with fire. Most have access to a smoke hood with a filter but this will only last for a few minutes depending on the smoke level. (I used to carry one of my own in a flight bag and I still carry one in my briefcase today when I fly).

What I think happened is that they were overcome by smoke and the plane just continued on  the heading probably on George (autopilot) until either fuel exhaustion or fire destroyed the control surfaces and it crashed. I said four days ago you will find it along that route – looking elsewhere was pointless.

This pilot, as I say, was a hero struggling with an impossible situation trying to get that plane to Langkawi. No doubt in my mind. That’s the reason for the turn and direct route. A hijack would not have made that deliberate left turn with a direct heading for Langkawi. It would probably have weaved around a bit until the hijackers decided on where they were taking it.

Surprisingly none of the reporters , officials, other pilots interviewed have looked at this from the pilot’s viewpoint. If something went wrong where would he go? Thanks to Google earth I spotted Langkawi in about 30 seconds, zoomed in and saw how long the runway was and I just instinctively knew this pilot knew this airport. He had probably flown there many times. I guess we will eventually find out when you help me spread this theory on the net and some reporters finally take a look on Google earth and put 2 and 2 together. Also a look at the age and number of cycles on those nose tires might give us a good clue too.

Fire in an aircraft demands one thing – you get the machine on the ground as soon as possible. There are two well remembered experiences in my memory. The AirCanada DC9 which landed I believe in Columbus Ohio in the eighties. That pilot delayed descent and bypassed several airports.   He didn’t instinctively know the closest airports. He got it on the ground eventually but lost 30 odd souls.   In the 1998 crash of Swissair DC-10 off Nova Scotia was another example of heroic pilots. They were 15 minutes out of Halifax but the fire simply  overcame them and they had to ditch in the ocean. Just ran out of time. That fire incidentally started when the aircraft was about an hour out of Kennedy. Guess what the transponders and communications were shut off as they pulled the busses.

Get on Google Earth and type in Pulau Langkawi  and then look at it in relation to the radar track heading. 2+2=4  That for me is the  simple explanation why it turned and headed  in that direction.

Smart pilot. Just didn’t have the time.

To my mind, this sounds one of the most simple explanations, consistent with much of the information so far presented, but in an article written on the BBC website titled “An MH370 theory that was simple, compelling and wrong“, it’s being discredited.

So why? Well, the article draws first on the comments of Jeff Wise in Slate who writes:

“While it’s true that MH370 did turn toward Langkawi and wound up overflying it, whoever was at the controls continued to maneuver after that point as well, turning sharply right at VAMPI waypoint, then left again at GIVAL. Such vigorous navigating would have been impossible for unconscious men.”

I personally don’t think this discredits the theory at all.  Could it not be that the pilots became unconscious and someone else on the plane tried to tackle the situation? That would be plausible and consistent with Goodfellow’s theory.

“Goodfellow’s theory fails further when one remembers the electronic ping detected by the Inmarsat satellite at 8:11 on the morning of March 8. According to analysis provided by the Malaysian and United States governments, the pings narrowed the location of MH370 at that moment to one of two arcs, one in Central Asia and the other in the southern Indian Ocean. As MH370 flew from its original course toward Langkawi, it was headed toward neither. Without human intervention – which would go against Goodfellow’s theory – it simply could not have reached the position we know it attained at 8:11 a.m.”

Once again, I would suggest this might be consistent with someone else having attempted to take to the controls, because the pilots were unconscious, in order to remedy the situation, thus changing the direction.

Finally, Greg Feith, a former National Transportation Safety Board crash investigator, told NBC News:

“Typically, with an electrical fire, you’ll have smoke before you have fire… you can do some troubleshooting. And if the systems are still up and running, you can get off a mayday call”.

I think a simple answer to that would be that, in an emergency, pilots may be forced to act first and talk later. It’s perfectly possible that the situation escalated so rapidly that they didn’t have time to make that communication and they were pre-occupied with addressing the problem as best they could.

The 25 best beaches in the world

Ever wondered what are considered to be the best beaches on the planet?  According to online reviewers on Tripadvisor, the best beach in the world – where even the sharks are supposedly friendly – is in Brazil. Baia do Sancho lies on the fantasy archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, just a short flight from Sao Paolo.  In fact, Brazil can lay claim to three of the best beaches in the top 25, as can Australia.  Collectively, Europe performs surprisingly well with six more beaches from the 25, whilst the likes of the Maldives and Mauritius are notable in their absence, and only two beaches in the whole of Asia make an appearance. Anyway, for what it’s worth, these are the top 25 beaches in the world according to Tripadvisor reviewers:

1. Baia do Sancho
Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
Best time to go: Year-round

2. Grace Bay
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Best time to go: Year-round

3. Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco)
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Best time to go: Year-round

4. Rabbit Beach
Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily
Best time to go: May-September

5. Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island, Whitsunday Islands
Best time to go: Year-round

6. Playa de ses Illetes
Formentera, Balearic Islands
Best time to go: Year-round

7. Anse Lazio
Praslin Island, Seychelles
Best time to go: Year-round

8. Lanikai Beach
Kailua, Hawaii
Best time to go: Year-round

9. Rhossili Bay
Swansea, United Kingdom
Best time to go: July – September

10. Playa Norte
Isla Mujeres
Best time to go: Year-round

11. Playa Paraiso Beach
Cayo Largo, Cuba
Best time to go: Year-round

12. Praia dos Carneiros
Tamandare, Brazil
Best time to go: Year-round

13. Lopes Mendes Beach
Ilha Grande, Brazil
Best time to go: December – March

14. The Baths
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Best time to go: Year-round

15. Playa de las Catedrales
Ribadeo, Spain
Best time to go: July – August

16. Ka’anapali Beach
Lahaina, Hawaii
Best time to go: Year-round

17. Elafonissi Beach
Elafonissi, Greece
Best time to go: May – October

18. Cala Mariolu
Baunei, Italy
Best time to go: May – September

19. White Beach
Boracay, Visayas
Best time to go: December – May

20. Turquoise Bay Exmouth
Exmouth, Australia
Best time to go: May – October

21. Anse Source d’Argent
La Digue Island, Seychelles
Best time to go: Year-round

22. Cable Beach
Broome, Australia
Best time to go: Year-round

23. Playa Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Best time to go: Year-round

24. Camp’s Bay Beach
Camps Bay, South Africa
Best time to go: November – April

25. Radhanagar Beach
Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Best time to go: November – April

How to carry cash on a luxury trip abroad

Whether you have just booked a round the world trip of a lifetime or five star cruise, the time will come when you need to start thinking about buying foreign currency. In the past this may have involved a trip to your bank or you may prefer to leave currency exchange until you get to the airport. Whilst these options are quick and readily available, they can also cost you more than you realize.

When it comes to buying travel money, it makes sense to ensure your money stretches as far as possible. You’ve worked hard for your luxury holiday. Let your funds work hard for you. Here are 5 ways to ensure you get the best foreign exchange rate and avoid hidden charges and marketing hype.

1. Avoid the bank and the airport counters

Wouldn’t it be great if you could have total peace of mind that you got the best exchange rate and your holiday money delivered direct to your door? Well, there are many currency exchange companies that can promise just that and they won’t charge you high rates of commission or give you a poor exchange rate.

Your bank and the airport bureau de change on the other hand might be able to promise 0% commission, but you can be sure they will take their profits by giving you a less than competitive exchange rate. It is only when you compare live foreign currency exchange rates online that you realize just how much you could have saved.

2. Try not to draw out cash on your credit card

Did you know that by drawing out cash on your credit card you get hit three times? First there is the foreign currency charge and a cash withdrawal charge and then on top of that (if you don’t pay off your balance in full) the mounting interest that starts accruing from the moment you make the withdrawal.

If you like the reassurance of a credit card in your pocket for those emergencies abroad, there are some credit cards that charges no foreign currency charge or withdrawal charge. However, the interest rate is higher than most so if you do use your card, aim to pay off the balance once you get home.

3. Tell your bank you are travelling

Fraud is forever on the increase and banks are becoming increasingly careful when it comes to the use of debit and credit cards abroad. You may have even experienced a block on your card when on holiday and the lengthy process of proving that you are indeed you and that it was a legitimate transaction. You can avoid this inconvenience by informing your bank of your travel plans. They will put a flag in their system that you are travelling along with your destination and dates of travel. This will help to ensure uninterrupted use of your card and save you the embarrassment of having your card declined or swallowed up by a machine.

4. Compare the currency market

You don’t have to be a foreign exchange expert to get the best exchange rate. In fact, all you need is an internet connection and a computer or mobile phone. There are many currency comparison websites that will allow you to check the latest rates being offered by some of the best currency exchange companies in the country. Whether you are looking for more bang for your buck, euro or yen, it is online where the smart travellers go.

5. Consider a pre-paid currency card

If your spending large sums of money abroad, a prepaid currency card gives you all the benefits of a debit card but allows you to top up your card with a prepaid amount. This means you can leave your debit cards safely tucked away in your hotel safe or even at home whilst you use your preloaded card. Cards are accepted in all stores and restaurants the world over where Visa or Mastercard is displayed. Before you decide which card to use, it is worth doing a little research as most cards have withdrawal and load fee charges associated with them.

A little planning ahead can go a long way

Researching the latest exchange rates can really help your money to go further abroad. Whether you are planning an exciting itinerary of excursions whilst you are away, a theatre trip or an anniversary or birthday surprise for a loved one, that great deal you got on your currency exchange is sure to come in very handy.

Daniel Abrahams is Co-founder and CEO of MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Short stay: Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa

The 5-star Table Bay Hotel, a Sun International property set on the breakwater wall of Cape Town’s historic Victoria & Alfred waterfront, is a contemporary architectural treasure with 329 rooms that either overlook the bay to Robben Island, where Nelson Madela was for a long time famously imprisoned, or – as in the case of our room – across the harbour and the city to Table Mountain.

The welcome

We were met at the airport by representatives of the hotel and chauffeured to the V&A Waterfront in one of their air-conditioned minibuses. A recent addition to their veihcles has been in-car WiFi – a really useful offering, particularly when since we’d just been without access to emails for the best part of half a day.

The room

Our room was beautifully presented, had a wonderfully comfortable bed and a seating area with a sofa with a pull-out bed. Small, personalised goody bags for each of our children had even been placed at the foot of our bed. There was also a desk area, ample storage for clothing and luggage, and a balcony with a small table and chairs.

The view from the balcony was shrouded in mist when we arrived but that later cleared to reveal the unmistakable outline of Table Mountain, with the V&A Waterfront in the foreground.

The bathroom

Our bathroom was a good size with marble-topped vanity unity, separate walk-in shower and Molton Brown toiletries.

The facilities

The hotel boasts many facilities such as an outdoor heated pool (closed for Winter at the time of our visit), gym and The Camelot Spa.

One of the unique features of the hotel is its direct access to the waterfront. Whilst the hotel does have three restaurants and two bars of its own, you also have access to many others in easy walking distance, our personal favourite being the glass-fronted Harbour House restaurant with some excellent fresh fish options.

The buffet breakfast at the hotel was excellent, with a wide range of choice that include everything from orange juice to oysters.

Other nice touches

Our experience of the hotel was full of many thoughtful extras, from the bottle of Champagne on arrival to lovely little extras for our children and fresh flowers in our room.

One recommended add-on that’s available from The Table Bay Hotel (and from other Sun International SunLux properties) are special family excursions. Through a collaboration with SANCOB (The South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) you can go on an exclusive Penguin Experience and learn about the sea bird rehabilitation programme in South Africa. The adventure includes a visit to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach to not only see these beautiful birds in their natural environment, but also swim alongside them, before returning to the hotel to allow children to take part in related arts and crafts activities.

We didn’t do this specific experience because we were already scheduled to go on a tour that took in Boulders Beach, but would have jumped at the opportunity otherwise!

Cost

Luxury king rooms at the Table Bay Hotel start from around £350 per night. A superior luxury family room with a mountain view starts from around £540 per night.

The final verdict

Table Bay was opened with much fanfare in May 1997 by former late President Mandela and has been a landmark hotel on the V&A Waterfront ever since, with a friendly staff and attention to detail both very much at the fore.

Disclosure: The above formed part of a luxury trip to South Africa sponsored by Hayes & Jarvis, specialists in personalised, luxury holiday itineraries for discerning travellers to over 55 destinations worldwide.

5 tips for choosing cold-weather destination luggage

Luxury travel destinations aren’t limited to sun-soaked, white sand beaches and exotic islands. While tropical warmth and frolicking pool or yacht-side are indicative of the typical, enviable getaways, there are equally dreamy, just as fun, cold-weather options. Late fall and winter travel to havens like Park City, Telluride, and Austria is just as fun and requires an equal amount of travel planning and preparation. The biggest thing to consider when headed to icier, snow-laden surroundings is luggage. To help keep things simple, it could be useful to keep these 5 characteristics/details in mind when choosing your cold-weather luggage.

1. Color is key

When you’re headed to a cooler climate, it is important to keep in mind that the color schemes of your surroundings will likely reflect the richness and intensity of fall and winter. You’re not likely to see an abundance of pastels, watercolors, and neons. Know your destination and don’t get caught unprepared. Black, brown, red and orange hues are go-to colors when choosing cold-weather luggage. The Korchmar Adventure Spinner 20” Leather Carry-On is a fine example. Its olive-brown, two-tone shade represents fall and winter travel color versatility.

2. Maintain the luxury of leather even on the weekends

There is something about the prospect of heading to the snow that evokes the look and feel of luxurious, decadent leather. When most of us consider leather luggage, we think of trunks and larger suitcases. As gorgeous as those styles are, they were made with heavier packing and longer trips in mind. But what if your winter destination is just for the weekend? The Jack Georges Voyager Collection Leather Cabin Bag is a great, short trip option. In rich brown or black, it’s large enough for all of your weekend essentials and easily works as a carry-on.

3. Lightweight carry-on

Prepping for chillier climates involves pulling together heavier coats, parkas, wool sweaters, furs, and down jackets. If your excursion will include time on the slopes, ski boots, pants and other essentials will be along for the ride. As fun as playtime in the snow can be, heavy bags aren’t a part of such a good time. When keeping things lightweight is the priority, choose a carry-on that is made of polycarbonate. The hard shell material of polycarbonate is scratch and water-resistant, durable, and lightweight. The Samsonite Black Label FIRELITE 20″ Carry On Spinner Luggage (4.5 lbs) is an excellent example of heavy packing made light.

4. Inland excursions

No matter where the airplane takes you for your wintertime getaway, whether it’s Lake Tahoe, a resort in Vail, or the French Alps, nine times out of ten, a trek into the nearest city will be on the agenda. When it comes to getting the messenger or city bag that’s right for cold-weather travel; strength, durability, and adequate storage capability are imperative. Easy access to essentials such as: gloves, lip balm, sunglasses, maps of utmost importance when exploring a city during its coldest wave. Look for a city bag that is adjustable, fully-equipped with multiple closures and zippers, and made of softer, more pliable leather. The Jack Georges Spikes and Sparrows Leather City Bag is an example of the versatility and functionality that are so important when you’re out and about and pounding the cold weather pavement.

5. When cold-weather duty calls

When business instead of playtime (or a little of both) takes you to snow-capped, alpine, or Swiss destinations, being prepared for both the meeting and the frigid air prospects is paramount. The collision of business and cold air calls for maneuverability and versatility. Look for briefcases that are appropriately compartmentalized with substantial storage and organization potential. Just because the trip might be a quick, in and out jaunt, you never know when that spare scarf, jacket, or pair of earmuffs will come in handy between meetings. The Jack Georges Elements Collection Rolling Briefcase Leather Laptop Case, offering a padded compartment for a laptop and an accordion divider for files and documents, is a prime example of cold climate, jet-setting versatility.

By keeping these tips in mind during your purchase of cold-weather luggage purchasing, you can rest assured that, no matter the destination or length of stay, you will select bags that are appropriately colored, durable, versatile, lightweight, and business-ready.

Tony Tomasyan is Founder and Managing Director at GotBriefcases.com.

If you want to play cowboy (or girl) in high style, head to Rainbow Ranch, Big Sky, Montana

Or in our case, my girlfriend and I decided to go looking for a couple of macho cowboys, which we combined with a wonderful R&R getaway at Rainbow Ranch Lodge – where a wilderness stay offers every conceivable luxury, down to a nightly delivery of homemade cookies.

The 21-room lodge is bustling during ski season and summer, but it’s also special to be there ‘tween times, when many come for the peace and quiet. If you’re feeling more ambitious, the concierge will be happy to arrange an outdoor adventure such as fly-fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, hunting, white river rafting, etc.

Sleep: Our rooms featured mega-sized, woody bathrooms with a 6-foot soaking tub and a rainforest shower stocked with Molton Brown amenities, a comfy king bed dressed in luxurious Anichini linens and radiant floor heating.

Eat: The RR Restaurant’s fine-dining menu showcases Montana ranch-to-table cuisine (Mesquite grilled Bison, Rocky Mountain Elk, Montana Wagyu Beef, farm-raised game, fresh fish) and an extensive wine list that has repeatedly earned Wine Spectator’s Award of excellence.

Relax: We were happy to experience the rugged West from the vantage point of our inviting window seat next to a crackling wood-burning river rock fireplace. We never tired of sipping a glass of wine (or if we did we’d just switch over to a hand-crafted cocktail) while appreciating the “A River Runs Through It” view of the Gallatin River winding through the forested mountains, which was the magnificent view from our room. We couldn’t have been more comfy-cozy, nestled into our plush oversized robes, feeling like melted butter after our massages at the lodge’s Outpost Retreat contemplating whether we had enough energy left to get ourselves over to the outdoor hot tub and enjoy the sunset from there.  We love the cowboy life!

Do: We thoroughly enjoyed our easy-peasy hike to the gorgeous Ousel Falls, which the cheerful girl at the front desk steered us to. It was a good thing we did our hike before Joan (the wussiest half of our duo) finally read the instructions next to the big canisters of bear spray at the front desk with many tips such as “Do not use the bear spray for anything other than charging bears, moose or mountain lions.”  After she calmed down a bit, I promised her that we would just take a short stroll right behind the property to work off a bit of the Mesquite Grilled Bison Hanger Steak, House-Made Elk and Pork Sausage I had wolfed down at dinner.  Unfortunately, we immediately ran into a couple of happy hunters who had just bagged a bear. Needless to say, from then on all further explorations consisted of scouting out the best brewpubs.

A luxury par 3 in Scotland

Whether an independent country or part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has plenty to offer the luxury traveller. It has breathtaking scenery, rugged coastlines, a proud culture, centuries of heritage and this year is the Year of the Homecoming – a year long programme of events and activities that shows off all that Scotland has to offer.

But Scotland is synonymous with golf. Scotland is the home of golf and has some of the best and most famous courses in the world and actually has more courses per population that anywhere else in the world. There’s Muirfield, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Turnberry, St Andrews and of course, Gleneagles where the 2014 Ryder Cup will take place on the PGA Centenary Course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Gleneagles

The Ryder Cup has become one of the truly not-to-be missed sporting occasions. Only a few will be lucky enough to get a ticket, even fewer, will enjoy a hospitality package whilst the very lucky few will get a private suite to have the ultimate spectator’s view. If you can’t get to the event, Gleneagles offers a limited opportunity to stay and play on the Ryder Cup course.

It’s well worth going to Gleneagles any time though as it’s been voted the ‘Best Golf Resort in the World’ for the third consecutive year. The prestigious five star resort set in a scenic location in the heart of Scotland has a French chateau feel about it with elegant individually styled rooms and luxurious suites. The breakfast is legendary and you can dine in Scotland’s only 2 Michelin star restaurant. There are also 3 magnificent golf courses to keep you busy.

St Andrews

Perhaps the best known of them all and where every golf devotee must attend once in their life as this is known as the Home of Golf. The famous links courses including the oldest and most iconic, the Old Course, are located in a stunning coastal setting on the East of Scotland.

The Swilcan Restaurant in the Links Clubhouse offers excellent panoramic views over the Old Course, while the Castle Course Clubhouse is also worth visiting to have a drink and take in the views over St Andrews Bay.

Here you’ll also find the five star Old Course Hotel. A beautiful mix of old and new, the hotel has many luxurious facilities including a spa and rooftop hot tub and has fine dining experiences and cosy bars serving Scotland’s finest malt whiskies.

A wee dram

Why not combine two of Scotland’s greatest exports – golf and whiskey. Scotland has five distinct whiskey producing regions and superb golf courses in abundance in each. For example, the glorious area of Speyside not only has over half of all Scottish distilleries including Glenfiddich, Glen Moray and The Balvenie, but also the excellent Dufftown and Elgin golf courses, as well as the classic links at Moray in Lossiemouth.

If you have the time, it’s worth making the effort to go to the island of Islay, off Scotland’s West Coast. Not only does its distilleries produce famous whiskies including Bowmore, Laphroaig and Ardbeg, but it has spectacular scenery, not more so than at Machrie Golf Links with views of the sand dunes and Laggan Bay.

Bruno Pires is Global Director at 360Experience

Tempt your tastebuds at these October wine and food festivals in Paris and London

With October approaching and the days becoming shorter, food and wine enthusiasts will enjoy both the culinary delights and the festival atmosphere that are offered at two distinctive annual events – the Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival in Paris, and the London Restaurant Festival. Read on to learn more…

Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival, 8th – 12th October 2014

For a unique Parisian festival experience, the Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival, which takes place each year on the second weekend of October, is definitely worth a visit. The Clos Montmartre, just 16,000 square feet, and perched high on the hill of Montmartre, is one of the few vineyards left in Paris, and the festival is both a celebration of the wine tradition of the area, and the arrival of the new vintage. The harvest of Gamay and Pinot Noir grapes produces only about 1500 bottles of wine, which are for sale at the festival, with the profits going directly to local charities.

Wandering from stall to stall, there is also wine tasting from other French suppliers available, as well as delicious regional food products for visitors to enjoy. Each year, a ‘godmother’ and ‘godfather’ of the festival are chosen from among France’s A-list celebrities, with this year’s choices being the actress Sandrine Bonnaire, and the singer, Jacques Higélin. There are art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, street music, dancing and parades over the five days, with this year’s highlights including a poetry and music evening on the Wednesday, a gourmet walk during the day on Friday, and a ball on the Friday evening, as well as a Grand Parade on Saturday afternoon and a firework display around the Sacré Coeur on Saturday night.

London Restaurant Festival, 8th – 27th October 2014

From celebrating the wine harvest in Paris, to celebrating food in London, the London Restaurant Festival is a huge foodie affair, incorporating over 800 different London restaurants. The idea behind it is to raise the profile of the restaurants involved, as well as a general celebration of London’s amazingly diverse range of restaurants.

There are three elements to the festival. Festival Menus consists of specially created menus by the participating restaurants, and available to visitors throughout the festival. They are a great way for the restaurants to showcase their skills and for customers to discover and enjoy new restaurants. The second element comprises the Events , which are both numerous and original. They include the Champagne Laurent Perrier Gourmet Odyssey which takes diners to three top restaurants to sample a different course at each. Or you can take the Tapas Tour of London’s top tapas bars, or the Cicchetti Trails, where you can visit six of the best Italian restaurants for cicchetti in one day, with your unique LRF Cicchetti Trail passport. The third element is the Side Orders, the festival’s ‘fringe’ element, where individual restaurants can create activities with direct appeal to their own market, for example cookery demonstrations and tastings.

A particularly appealing event is the collaboration with BAFTA, where British portrait and fashion photographer, Rankin, will devise the menu for a dinner inspired by the Italian film, Cinema Paradiso. The evening will involve viewing the film, then enjoying a three-course dinner hosted by Rankin.

Susie Marquis is Owner of The City Apartment Book Ltd.

5 places to ‘pop the question’ in Napa Valley

Napa Valley is America’s wine capital and one of California’s top luxury travel destinations. It is also a splendid place to ‘pop the question’ to the love of your life. There are so many things to think about when you’re asking a person to marry you. Everything has to be right, especially the setting. But your (soon-to-be) spouse cannot help but say ‘yes’ when, on your next trip to wine country, you pull out the ring, drop perhaps to your knees and make your proposal at any of these Napa Valley hot spots:

Love Lock Bridge

In addition to the engagement ring, you may wish to bring a padlock to this bridge that leads to the Napa Wine Train, one of Napa’s top tourist attractions. Similar to other “love lock” bridges around the world, hundreds of couples have fastened a lock onto the fencing here, symbolically joining their love together forever. This makes it a nifty place to give her your pitch, present the ring and then put a lock on the fence for you both. Afterwards you can enjoy a romantic train ride into the heart of wine country.

Napa River Walk

The center of Napa Valley is the Napa River. The best place to see the river and get close to it is River Walk in downtown Napa. There, ideally perhaps on a warm evening with everything lit up, you can stroll along the riverfront with its shops, restaurants and sculptures. At the end of the promenade past Morimoto’s and the Napa Mill is a spot overlooking the river as it winds its way towards the bay. Snuggle up against the railing and follow your heart’s lead.

Domaine Carneros

It is hard to go wrong with Champagne when you’re making a move that will change your life—and hers—forever. A bit of the bubbly will put her in the right spirits and add some steel to your backbone. One of the best places to drink champagne (or sparkling wine) in Napa Valley is Domaine Carneros, the Carneros area winery founded by the Taittinger family of French Champagne fame. Ask for a table on the patio overlooking the vineyards. Order two glasses of, let’s say, Le Reve Blanc de Blanc. The setting, the drinks, the person you love—everything is right. The rest is up to you.

Yountville firefighter’s statue

Once a sleepy little farming town, Yountville has become a not-so-sleepy dining paradise with a galaxy of top tier restaurants such as Bistro Jeanty, Bottega, Bouchon, The French Laundry, Redd and more. So go to one of these eateries (assuming you can get a reservation) and have a nice, romantic dinner with your beloved. But don’t ‘pop the question’ just yet; she may have an inkling that something is up because of all the trouble and expense you’ve gone to this evening.

Instead, take a stroll after dinner on Washington Street to Van De Leur Park, a tiny sliver of green that’s an easy walk from most any restaurant in town. The park has sculptures and pretty flowers and in the center is a fountain that pays tribute to Yountville’s fire fighters. Now, at this spot in the quiet of the evening, surprise her.

Bar at Andaz Napa

The Andaz Napa is a stylish boutique hotel that is part of the nightlife revival going on in downtown Napa. It is close to the riverfront scene (which throbs with music and people on a happening Friday or Saturday night) and is a good jumping off point for exploring the wineries up valley on Highway 29. The hipster-ish cocktail bar in its front lobby is also a swell spot to ‘pop the question’. After she says yes, you two go out and maybe hear some live music in town as a future married couple.

Then again, there is another option. After she says yes, the two of you catch the elevator upstairs to your room. The hotel’s spacious marble walk-in showers easily fit two people. Imagine you’re in the middle of a tropical downpour and well, you can take it from there. Of course, if she says “No” to your proposal, the Andaz bar is still the right place to be. You’ll need a good stiff drink if that happens. Order one, and better make it a double.