“It’s a cold December afternoon and I’m having lunch with my friend and fellow Arbuturian Mark O’Brien in a gloomy antique inn on the Isle of Wight…” Tom Garton embarks on an culinary tour of Italy’s UNESCO district.
“I considered the buying of fine jewellery something for the older me: wise enough to know what to invest in and solvent enough to swallow the minor mortgage required…”
“Air, water and road traffic flies, floats and rolls beside the strategically located Runnymede-on-Thames hotel. Although its face is arguably blighted – the blank facade from 1974 oddly leaves the impression of a slap head forehead…”
“It’s hardly surprising that the hotel once known as Twatley Manor decided to have a name makeover in favour of the more elegant Whatley Manor – now considered one of the most sophisticated hotels in the UK.”
“A stay at a country house hotel always puts me in mind of JG Farrell’s literary masterpiece Troubles…” Tom Leahy swaps London for a weekend jaunt to North Wales.
The second part of Larry’s Norwegian adventure sees him head still further north, to Tromso, at the very top of the country, and the staging post for every Arctic expedition…
“Think back to the last time you booked a holiday. It was likely done online; an enthusiastic task to start off with, exciting even…” Gabrielle leaves the planning to a concierge for a weekend in Bray…
Beautiful, otherworldly and showcasing the finest in Moroccan food and design, La Mamounia is a world away from the busy souks of the Medina…this is Morocco but not as Moroccans know it.
“I have, for years, suffered from a terrible affliction. None that might affect my health – at least it hasn’t yet – more my sanity; I have an uncontrollable tendency to double book myself.” Larry learns a lesson in diary mismanagement…
“We only play to a minimum of 80,000 people,” says the Turkish rock star with an ironic glint in his eye as he builds a pyramid out of macadamia nuts on the table that sits between us…
“I have long held a desire to see the Northern Lights. Long before, in fact, Joanna Lumley ventured to Norway and set a million people on a similar course…” Larry packs his thermals and heads north; but this is Larry we’re talking about, so not everything can go to plan…
“Fresh from a £24 million renovation, The Caledonian now boasts two restaurants by the Galvin Brothers and a Guerlain Spa…” Alwynne tries Edinburgh’s plushest new arrival on for size…