It may be a small Spanish island in the Mediterrean Sea but Ibiza has a big reputation as the place to party. Yet you could show off your moves at the pulsating clubs at night but then wake up the next day to the sound of bird song, the view of pretty flowers and gardens […]
When Mickey Mouse made his debut in 1928 in the cartoon Steamboat Willie, it set the ball rolling for what today is the world’s most popular theme and entertainment parks. It’s been non-stop expansion for nigh on 70 years and the fun factory that is Walt Disney World is still churning out ways of making Disney World […]
Regent Seven Seas has unveiled plans for the largest, and almost certainly the most expensive, cruise ship suite in the world. This all-suite, all-balcony ship will carry just 750 guests, and will have the highest space ratio in the cruise industry. Seven Seas Explorer (c) Regent Seven Sea Cruises The Regent Suite (sleeps two), will […]
packed my bags for Island life in Mallorca in May 2009 but I was not new to Spain – far from it. Marbella guided me from my 20s through to my 30s but we reached our seven-year itch and I had to move on. It was either back to the UK (the stuff of expat […]
This year-round sunny destination is the largest and most visited of the Canary Islands. It’s capital Santa Cruz is a popular cruise destination and around half a million passengers a year get a preview of the shopping, botanical gardens, plazas, art galleries and La Teresitas beach. Some may remember Tenerife as a place for the tacky […]
Shambala Game Reserve The nests of the brilliant yellow weaver birds which dangle from the trees near our table are things of intricate wonder, cosy spherical shelters against the world outside. When I go to bed that night in my honeycombed shaped chalet, built with traditional African materials but with beautifully appointed interiors, I fancy […]
You probably think that Greece is all about sun, sea and sand. It is. But it is also the third most mountainous country in Europe after Norway and Albania and this can only mean one thing – skiing. From December to March this traditional summer getaway turns into a ski destination offering 18 ski centres […]
The beating heart of Russia is a global commercial hub, a cosmopolitan metropolis with 1,000 years of history and more than 10 million inhabitants. Unlike its sister city St Petersburg, the Venice of the North, few foreign visitors think of coming to Moscow. The Cold War memories of a cold, grey city still linger, but […]
The 19th century Ritz Carlton Moscow on Tverskaya is an architectural ode to Imperial Russia: the vast, gilded lobby is filled with fine paintings and sculptures; impressive crystal chandeliers sparkle; liveried gentlemen wait to greet you at the door; and even sitting on a well-stuffed silken sofa feels like it is a special occasion. The entire hotel […]
“You are the chosen one” said Ulf Wolter, the fair-haired captain, of Europa 2 cruise ship. He was pointing at me. “Return here to the bridge at 6pm tomorrow night just before we set sail and I’ll show you what to do”. That was an enticing offer, especially on a ship as stylish as Hapag-Lloyd […]
