Tag Archives: Travel

Family Life, Top 10, Travel

The Top 5 (or 8) Best Ultra-Luxury Hotels in Paris

View from the Cheval Blanc Rooftop with the Tour Eiffel. NHYM 2025.

Last Christmas, I found the perfect Christmas gift for Mr. X: a romantic weekend away to Paris. It ticked all the boxes: what he loves (Paris), what I love (travel), something memorable (I often give him memories and experiences instead of material goods), and gave us a perfect excuse to spend time together (sans kids!) So, I asked my most glamourous Parisiennes friends where to stay. Both answered with the same exact response: Le Cheval Blanc, Paris. ‘It’s best hotel we’ve ever stayed in! Six stars!’ ‘Cheval Blanc just opened in La Samaritaine. It’s the new place to go.’ It’s already in the World’s 50 Top Hotels of the world, coming in at number 20, and received a global recognition award, so after oohing and ahhing about going (the price is a drawback), I decided to surprise Mr. X.

Cheval Blanc at Dusk. NHYM 2025

1. Hotel Review: Cheval Blanc Hotel, Paris

Best for the Best of the Best

Rating: 10/10

What to like: Everything.

Biggest downside: You just won’t want to leave it. Well, that and the price tag.

We arrived late afternoon and went straight to their fabulous rooftop for a hot chocolate (me) and Champagne and patisseries (him). The view cannot really get better than this: on the left is Notre Dame (which had just been renovated and unveiled) and on the right is the Eiffel Tower, both with expansive views of Paris and the Seine. This view really is unbeatable.

Rooms: The rooms are all you can ask for with views of the Seine or Paris streets, but my favourite part was all the goodies they give you. I know, it’s really childlike, but I didn’t even need to go shopping after that! I was so excited to open all my goodie bags: there were Cheval Blanc keyrings, pens, toiletry bags, and Dior everything in the bathroom (eye cream, serums and more). We were literally fighting over all of the goodies that came with the room.

Food: The food selection is really excellent: La Langosteria upstairs on the roof with night-time views of the Eiffel Tower is delicious and very sexy. On the first floor, 3 star Michelin restaurant Plenitude made it to 13th best restaurant in the world in the World Restaurant Awards 2025. Need I say more? And the breakfast is really divine, their pastries incredible, which made it hell for me, given I am allergic to gluten and dairy, although I gave in to temptation and still ate their croissant. It was so good, it was worth the stomachache.

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Spa: Dior. Lovely.

Crowd: We came right before Fashion Week, and everyone was oh so fashionably cool. The Asians, the fashionistas and the super rich. So just for three days, we actually thought we were one of them. Pharell Williams was staying at the same time as us, and we saw him in full head-to-toe Louis Vuitton gear. Of course. He was just appointed Men’s Creative Director line for Louis Vuitton. Is there anything this guy can’t do?

LVMH has really hit a homerun here (with Lauren Sanchez staying here for her Bachelorette party). I loved it and so did Mr. X. It showcased Paris in its most beautiful light, from its rooftop to its restaurants. The only problem, was that each time we stepped out of the hotel, we just wanted to go back ‘home.’ Yes, it felt like it was our home for a few days, and the biggest problem, is we never wanted to leave.

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View from the Cheval Blanc. NHYM 2025

2. Raffles Royal Monceau

Best for Luxury meets Cool

Rating: 9/10

The Royal Monceau is definitely my kind of hotel, designed by Philippe Stark and is equally as cool as luxurious. The rooms are very stylish yet came with every luxury you could ask for, and the food always good: there’s a Matsuhisa which we loved, even though we were given a seat at the bar. For breakfast, we sat next to Sting and Trudy, which confirmed its coolness factor.

Book the Royal Monceau here

3. The Peninsula

Best for Ultimate Luxury

Rating: 9/10

For ultimate luxury, the Peninsula can’t be beat. It’s well known to offer the ultimate luxurious experience, with everything including Japanese style toilets. Every details is top of the range and expensive. The top floor restaurant is very elegant and grown up, with beautiful views, so this one is for those looking for modern luxury. Olivia Palermo was also staying there during Fashion Week, riding the elevator with us.

Book The Peninsula Paris here

Notre Dame, Newly renovated, NHYM 2025

4. Four Seasons George V

Best for Perfect Service

Rating: 8.5/10

I was once invited – years ago – to Paris before the Lehman meltdown and the Credit Crunch, when banks and private equity shops and hedge funds were splashing their cash to impress clients. Well, somehow I was part of the clientele, and stayed at the George V, Four Seasons. As with all Four Seasons, it was a great, know-what-to-expect stay. At the time, it hadn’t been renovated so I found the rooms a bit on the heavily-draped side, but as expected, the service was top notch.

Book the Four Seasons Hotel George V here

5. Hotel Costes

Best for the Cool, Trendy Crowd

Rating: 8/10

Of course I could continue with a list of other ultra luxury hotels like the Plaza Athenee and The Ritz and the Crillon, but these are a little old school for me. They are beautiful – don’t get me wrong – and the ice rink at the Plaza Athenee looks so cute at Christmas (it just opened Nov 27th), but I feel like I am visiting my grandmother when I go there. So, if you like the old Paris, don’t hesitate to go! But for those wanting something a little cooler, Hotel Costes is an old stalwart for the cool crowd. The bar and restaurant and its playlist reminds me of the 90s and summers in Paris, and its location is conveniently located next to the Louvre and Le Fumoir, one of my favourite places in Paris. It is dark and broody, so don’t expect light and brightness, but it does add mystery to the whole place and is apparently known for being a ‘den of opulence’ on Wikipedia.

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Book Le Crillon here

La Fondation Louis Vuitton, Parc d’Acclimation, NHYM 2025

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Family Life, Travel

Top 10 Best Luxury Ski Resorts in Europe

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Ski Season is upon us! The temperatures have dropped overnight and London had its first snow of the year this morning, so it is making me think of Ski Holidays! Years ago, an American friend who just moved to London asked me about where to go skiing in Europe and I realised that there are so many great places, depending on what you’re looking for. What she really wanted was to understand every European ski resort’s own distinct personality and reasons to go: ski area, snow quality, apres-ski and party scene, restaurants, luxury hotels, non-ski activities, the charm of the village etc… so here are my Top 10 Best Luxury Ski Resorts in a Snapshot:

  1. Chamonix: Best for the hard-core skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge, glacier and off piste skiing. The highlight is to ski down the infamous, La Vallee Blanche, right off the Mont Blanc Massif, with a 2700m vertical descent, which can take you all day to ski down. Just walking off the ski lift to the top of the Vallee Blanche is already a challenge: there is a tiny path with ropes literally keeping you for slipping down a vertical drop. The glacier skiing with a private guide is spectacular, taking you places with no other skiers have been before and exploring gorgeous ice formations. Even I can do it, so it’s not only for the super advanced heli-skiers. Here, it’s all about the skiing, so if you’re not too bothered about five star luxury, Chamonix will definite offer plenty on the slopes. Where to Stay: Hotel Mont Blanc Chamonix, Heliopic Hotel & Spa.
  2. Courchevel: Best for glitz, glamour and ultimate luxury, and the most ultra-luxury five star hotels in the Alps, Courchevel is the place to go. I learned to ski in Courchevel and I am filled with nostalgia when I go there. It was my father’s favourite ski resort and it is Mr. X’s favourite ski resort too. It really has the best-of-the-best of everything: hotels, restaurants, skiing, shopping and nightlife. From the Les Caves night club, to Cap Horn, there is plenty of partying to be had. It is used to be a high end luxury resort catered to the French, but I have witnessed it change over the years, first attracting the Russian billionaires, and now the Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian billionaires too. There is plenty to do as non-skiers too: shopping, cafes, restaurants and dog sledding. The biggest downside now is how expensive it has gotten: friends tell me that a coffee is now 25 euros on the slopes, so this is best for those not looking at prices. Even though it is the victim of its own success, the slopes are still great, and the restaurants too, if you don’t mind paying for it. Where to Stay: With unlimited funds, there are so many high end, ultra luxury options from K2 Palace or L’Apogee, to Hotel Barriere Les Neiges, Six Senses. The Rosewood is landing in 2026. For more reasonable hotels: La Sivoliere or Les Sherpas.
  3. Gstaad: Best for old school charm and a royal favourite. Friends with titles and royal affiliations love this resort. They come at any time of year, winter and summer, and some even settled down here permanently to stay out of the public’s eye so their kids can attend Le Rosey, one of the most exclusive international schools in the world, fit-for-royals. Celebrities and jet-setters have been going here for years, from Roger Moore (who used to live there), to Madonna, to Anne Hathaway to Brigitte Bardot. You don’t really go there to ski, it’s more for those uber wealthy but who want privacy. You just need to look up @thegstaadguy on Instagram to get the gist. Where to stay: Gstaad Palace, The Alpina.
  4. Kitzbuhel: Best for its very cute pedestrian town centre, it’s great for good skiers and non-skiers. There’s plenty to like in Kitzbuhel, a cute pedestrian town centre with pastel coloured houses, shopping, and a great ski area for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. They now have a Zuma, so you know it is firmly on the modern ski map. It is very easy to get to: Munich is 2 hours away and Salzburg only 1.5 hours away. The only downside is its low altitude so there is a chance of little snow at times and for the die hard skiiers, the skiing might not be challenging enough. Where to Stay: Kitzhof for a modern hotel, Weisses Rossl to be in town. Stanglwirt Hotel is ridiculously cool for kids, I haven’t stayed, but many of my friends have, with its own children’s farm and children’s water world.
  5. Lech: Best for a world-class skiing area, luxury accommodation, and an understated, sophisticated family friendly vibe. Many of my friends go to Lech, which scores a lot of points; excellent skiing, excellent food, family friendly, and plenty of luxury hotels but is discrete and sophisticated. Princess Di brought the boys here if that describes it in a sentence. It doesn’t have a big party scene, so skip it and go to Verbier if that’s what you’re looking for. It has very good snow throughout the year, so that’s another positive point for it. Where to stay: Hotel Aurelio and Hotel Arlberg.
  6. Megeve: Best for foodies and its picture-perfect historical village centre, with horse drawn carriage and cobblestone streets. Mevege’s village centre is absolutely gorgeous: it is a traffic free medieval area with cobbled streets and is full of fairytale charm. In addition, it has so many excellent restaurants, including many Michelin starred restaurants like Flocons de Sel, and the mountain restaurants are all fun, proper, sit down restaurants than fast food canteens like L’ideal 1850, Super Megeve, Le Refuge etc… It is easily accessible from Geneva so a quick-hop from the airport. The downside is that it often lacks snow, given its low altitude and there is very little ski-in, ski-out accomodation. Where to Stay: Four Seasons Megeve, Les Fermes de Marie, L’Alpaga.
  7. St Mortiz: Best for old world class and timeless elegance. St. Moritz is glamourous, but old school glamourous, (unlike the newer Courchevel), where heavy draped ski hotels are still par excellence. Its life revolves around the Hotel Kulm, the first five star hotel in St. Moritz and whose Kulm Country Club re-opened, and Badrutt’s Palace, both Grande Dame hotels of St Moritz. I was once invited by Lehman Brothers for a ‘Closing Weekend in St Moritz’ when I was 27 years old (possibly why Lehman went bankrupt), when I stayed at the Hotel Kulm and where history reverberates in every room of this hotel. I had an amazing weekend of skiing, paragliding, and partying at the Dracula Club. Of course, St Moritz is where the Snow Polo World Cup is and remnants of the Winter Olympics can be found on the ice skating rink and bobsleigh track. For the real jet-setters, there is a private jet airport right there, and taking off from it is really a one in a lifetime experience, otherwise, you can fly into Milan and drive from there. Where to Stay: Badrutt’s Palace, Hotel Kulm.
  8. Val D’Isere: Best for a combination of high altitude skiing, affordable and luxury hotels, and partying at the original Folie Douce. Val D’Isere is where the French have spilled over to since they were priced out of Courchevel, and new hotels have followed. Val D’Isere is well known for its party scene, with the first Folie Douce created in 1974. The village still fulfills the ‘cute Alpine village’ feel with traditional chalets and charming streets. There’s great high altitude and off piste skiing, and a variety of hotel options, ranging from luxury (Les Airelles), to affordably cool (Experimental Chalet) to lots of more affordable boutique hotels (Hotel Mont Blanc, Hotel Yule). This one is good for people looking for all price ranges, snow-sure conditions and a party vibe. There is also the highest hotel in the Alps, Le Refuge de Solaise, for a completely unique experience: you can only access it via gondola, so you don’t want to miss the last one! Where to stay: Les Airelles for luxury, Le Blizzard for mid luxury, a friend recommends Maison de Famille Les Cinq Freres for a more reasonable bill (but needs to be booked a year in advance) and the Experimental Chalet for a stylish stay.
  9. Verbier: Best for Sloaney-ponies looking for English style apres-ski and advanced ski slopes. It’s been called ‘Sloane Square on Slopes’ and ‘London in the Alps.’ Oh the Brits love Verbier in Switzerland and it is really like a London ski outpost. It has everything a Brit could love: great skiing (not for beginners), plenty of Brit loving apres ski, close to Geneva, and the Farm Club, the quintissential iconic club, which really hasn’t changed much since the 70s and, yes, it is where Prince Andrew used to go to. James Blunt lives there and even has a chair lift named after him. The Farinet apres ski is still as popular as ever, and there are plenty of nice mountain restaurants but it is not the ‘fur-wearing’ set or too chi-chi crowd, which appeals to the Brits. Where to Stay: The W hotel if you want the ultimate modern hotel experience, which is often named best ski hotel in the world, although I prefer La Cordee des Alpes, which is a boutique, chalet-style hotel with yummy restaurants.
  10. Zermatt: Best for serious skiers looking for snow-sure conditions and for its car-free village and picturesque train ride. It’s also known for the Matterhorn mountain and the highest gondola in the world (3883m). Someone told me it’s not for beginner skiers but caters to intermediates very well, and for serious skiers who want absolute snow-certainty. The village is cute and there are plenty of nice restaurants on the slopes, as well as plenty of apres-ski for the partiers. We know people who go there every year who like the combo of beauty, year round skiing, and challenging off piste, without all the chi-chi of some of the other resorts. Its biggest draw-back is the limited ski-in, ski-out options, which for me, is not an option but a necessity. Where to stay: Omnia, Mont Cervin Palace Hotel, BeauSite hotel.

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Family Life, Travel

5 Best Luxury Hotels in Rome With Kids: Where to Stay & What to Do

All Photos Courtesy of NHYM 2024

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Recommended age: 8 years and upwards

When the kids were younger, I dreaded taking them on city trips for 3 reasons: 1) Tantrums and museums do not mix 2) Their attention spans and boredom just didn’t make it worth it 3) They were going to forget it all anyway and leave me traumatised. So, now that they are older and can actually appreciate the joys of city trips, I have been taking them (dragging them) to all the major cities I once avoided. Last year, my kids were learning about the Roman empire in school, so this was an opportune time for them to visit Rome in the fall, when the crowds weren’t as dense and the summer heat had gone.

I had last been in Rome when I was 20 backpacking across Europe with my uni friends. I know, you’ll say, ‘You? Backpacking? I can’t imagine that!’ Well, it was even mentioned in my bridesmaids wedding speech, so yes you should believe it. In any case, all I remember from Rome was a blur of stracciatella gelato, being turned away from the Vatican for our skirts being too short, and getting pink-eye from a cockroach falling onto my pillow from our not-so-luxury hotel. This may be why I am now obsessed with luxury hotels!

So my memories of Rome were – literally – blinded and blurry so, this time around, I asked a friend from Rome for tips for a perfect Roman Holiday.

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Where to Stay:

1. Splurge: Hotel de Russie

    If you have endless zeros in your bank account and want this to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Hotel de Russie really would be my number one choice: right in the middle of all the attractions, shopping nearby, and that gorgeous courtyard and terrace, there’s no other hotel in Rome quite like it.

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    2. Family Friendly near the Vatican: Villa Aggripina, The Leading Hotels of the World

    We chose to stay at the Villa Aggripina, which combined historical elements of a former palazzo, as well as a swimming pool when the kids were bored of sight-seeing. It is an oasis just a 15 minute walk across the river to all the sights, but offers a swimming pool, and tons of outdoor gardens and space for the kids, this one is perfect during the sweltering summer.

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    Villa Aggripina Swimming Pool NHYM 2024

    My friend also recommended these hotels:

    3. Boutique hotel:Hotel Locarno for its location and rooftop terrace.

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    4. Hip: Soho House Rome. Other friends who were in Rome at the same time as us stayed at the Soho House, for a stylish yet reasonably priced hotel stay.

    5. Palazzo Luxury: Anantara Palazzo Naiadi made it in the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards 2025 Rome list, so you can be sure it’s going to be good. It’s big, bold, beautiful and has all the five star trappings you could ask for without spending a whole month’s salary on it. BOOK HERE FOR ANANTARA PALAZZO NAIADI, A LEADING HOTEL OF THE WORLD

    The Trevi Fountain NHYM 2024

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    What to Do:

    Explore Top Attractions with an exclusive Golf Cart Tour: Our friend’s suggestion and our favourite activity of our Roman adventure had to be the Golf Cart Tour. The golf cart agilely weaved its way around the city and monuments where cars couldn’t pass and gave us a whirlwind tour of all of the most important sights in Rome. It’s perfect when you don’t have a lot of time in Rome and can be adjusted to fit your itinerary, spending time at sights you want to see, and whizzing by those with too many tourists. We hit all the major sights: the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colloseum, Spanish Steps etc…

    BOOK YOUR GOLF CART TOUR HERE

    Sunset at the Colosseum: During the day, the crowds abound at the Colosseum, so my recommendation is to do this sunset tour, when the crowds have gone back to their hotels and you can see it in its sunset splendour.

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    The Pantheon NHYM 2024

    Gladiator school: This one is unbeatable for the boys, 2 hours of gladiator schools to get rid of all their energy and frustrations. BOOK GLADIATOR SCHOOL HERE

    Percy Jackson Tour for Kids at the Capitoline Museum: Of course, for the Percy Jackson fans, this tour has been made specifically for them in mind. Friends did it and loved it, my Roman friend told me.

    Colosseum Walking Tour: Skip the lines with this guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. BOOK YOUR COLOSSEUM WALKING TOUR HERE

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    Breakfast tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel: Go to the Vatican early in the morning to avoid the crowds and make sure to book their breakfast there. It can book up months in advance so make sure to book ahead of time. BOOK YOUR BREAKFAST, TOUR THE VATICAN AND SISTINE CHAPEL HERE

    The Spanish Steps NHYM 2024

    Shopping: Our golf cart tour ended at the Spanish steps, which was a perfect place to go shopping at all my kids’ favourite Italian stores: Subdued, Brandy Melville etc… This was the perfect end to a morning of sight-seeing.

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    Where to Eat:

    Truffle Pasta at Hotel de Russie Terrace NHYM 2024

    Of course a trip to Rome wouldn’t be a trip to Rome without eating out. Here’s a few recommendations:

    Il Marchese Restaurant: I loved Il Marchese, which serves typical Roman cuisine, it is cozy and local for a true Roman experience.

    Pier Luigi Restaurant: More gastronomic, this one serves delicious seafood to everyone from Bezos to Leonardo di Caprio. The tables outside are prime spots for watching life go by in Rome.

    Roscioli: Amazing bakery, where you can get delicious pizza on the go, or book a table for lunch.

    Hotel de Russie Terrace & Courtyard for Aperitivo: Even if you aren’t staying at Hotel de Russie, you can always enjoy its terrace for Aperitivo or its gardens for lunch. One of my favourite meals in Rome.

    Pier Luigi Rome. NHYM 2024

    This trip to Rome completely exceeded my expectations and I loved everything about it: the hotel, the food, the shopping and the sightseeing. Everywhere you turn, there are ruins and remnants of Roman history which continues to fascinate us today. I can’t wait to go back!

    xx

    NHYM

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    Family Life, Travel

    Hotel/Estate Review: The Newt in Somerset & Its Dragon Bonfire & Apple Day

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    All photos courtesy of NHYM 2022

    A few years ago, our family had to go to Somerset for some reason or other during the October break, and of course Babington House was fully booked, so that’s how I discovered The Newt in Somerset. How had I not known about the Newt before?! The Newt is the creative brainchild of South African Billionaire Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, who developed Hadspen house, an 18th Century Georgian Manor house, and its 800 acre estate into a luxury hotel and extensive gardens, restaurants, cider orchards, beezantium, and much, much more. It opened in 2019 and is so much more than a hotel and that’s what keeps it being awarded the UK’s best hotel in the Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.

    Bonfire Night NHYM 2022

    We were there right around Bonfire night and we saw the biggest and most sculpturally complex bonfire we had ever seen: it was in the shape of a dragon and you can compare the gardener for size comparison in the photo. It was huge! And how did they manage to create this? Cranes? Drones? Ladders? It was so captivating that I was just sad they were going to burn it and it would disappear after bonfire night: with all the effort put into it, I wanted it to be kept as a permanent fixture.

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    In the front fields of the Manor house were sheep munching on grass and on the far side of the Manor house, landscaped gardens a la francaise were for walking around and enjoying their beauty. Beyond the gardens and grounds right around the main house, you can take buggies to explore the rest of the vast estate, which I can assure you, was one of my kids’ highlights and are free to be driven around to see the apple orchards, vegetable and fruit gardens, the Farmyard and more. Luckily enough, I didn’t crash it (unlike a friend visiting Fisher island who famously crashed a golf buggy while slightly intoxicated, you know who you are!!)

    NYHM 2022

    The beauty of the manicured gardens against the rolling hills of Somerset really are aesthetically perfect in my eyes; both elegant and wild, they include fountains, paths and mazes.

    The Garden Cafe at the Newt & the Apple Festival Fountain NHYM 2022

    There are multiple restaurants that use the estate’s produce and put it at the forefront of each of their dishes. The staff tell us that they are aiming to be fully estate-to-plate in the future, for now everything is locally sourced, with all the produce grown on the estate. They hope to turn the estate into a fully sustainable endeavour in the future and the waiters know exactly the origins of everything on the plates served: the vegetables were from the vegetable patch, the beef from some of their cows in the pastures across the road, and the pork from the pigs at a farm next door. The enthusiasm of the staff was a testament to what kind of estate it is trying to be: sustainable, local and community oriented.

    The Newt Spa 2022

    The Spa was serene and had an inside/outside pool which my children loved. For once, kids were allowed in the spa, so that scored big points for them. The hotel rooms were nice, my favourite being the family two bedrooms in the main house, and although there were a few service glitches around slow breakfasts and appliances that didn’t work, it didn’t take away from the whole experience. All the staff were locals, who were very excited to be part of this vision and very eager to please.

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    APPLE DAY!

    Apple Festival at The Newt 2022

    NHYM 2022

    But one of the most exciting parts of our trip was that we were there – coincidentally – for their annual Apple Festival. It really made our trip go from a nice country weekend away in a luxury hotel, to a unique, fun, engaging, and unforgettable festival getaway. On display, there were every kind of apple grown on the estate. Who knew there were so many kinds of apples?

    NHYM 2022

    The best part of the festival was that we were able to make our own apple juice: one of the fountains was filled with hundreds of apples that you could fill a bucket with and then turn into apple juice with a hand press. After collecting the apples, we did a lot of squishing, turning and pressing, making our own apple juice, which we funneled into glass bottles and were given to take home with us. It was so fun and it felt so productive and satisfying making our own juice. The juice was so fresh and without any additives; it was as natural as it could be. Who knew I would be so happy to become an apple farmer for the day?

    NHYM 2022

    NHYM 2022

    Not only did they have apple pressing, but every kind of possible apple games galore you can imagine: apple toss, apple skittles, apple bowling, and toffee apples and roasted pork & apples to taste. We were amazingly lucky with the weather, and the whole experience was unbeatable (friends who went when it was pouring rain another time, did say they were disappointed with their Newt stay, so check the weather ahead of time to make the most out of your trip).

    NHYM 2022 Apple Skittles

    We loved the whole experience. My children were at the right age to fully engage and enjoy all the games, food and estate exploration. There are also multitudes of events throughout the year for members: woodland tours, garden tours, Christmas trails, a Beezantium, cider tastings, Bee safaris, Roman Villa tours etc etc etc. Need I say more? We didn’t even get a chance to see the whole estate in one weekend and even if you don’t stay at the Newt, you can always book tickets to explore this magical estate and the annual memberships are really reasonably priced, especially to support what they are trying to create.

    This is a really special place indeed, created and conceived to glorify all things gardening, apples, cider, woodlands, farmlands with sustainability in mind. Finally, what I loved the most, was that behind all this ‘Billionaire fantasy estate’ talk, was a place that was giving back to its community: the events sell out quickly and you can see how much it is not just about creating a luxury hotel that only a few can enjoy, but creating a place that welcomes the whole community, providing jobs, food and special events for the whole community throughout the year, that is loved by all.

    xx

    NHYM

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    Hanging squash NHYM 2022

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    Travel

    October Travel: Best Luxury Hotels in Marrakech & the Mandarin Oriental Hotel

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

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    One of the greatest things about living in London, is the international and diverse people you meet. My friends hail from all over the world, from Nigeria to Russia, Egypt to Australia, Canada to India – and lets not forget all the Europeans – which makes it the most dynamic and interesting city to live in, and why I will always love it. This past year I was invited to six 50th birthday parties literally all over the world: Venice, Marrakech, Jamaica, Ibiza and of course, London (with twists of Russia and Sweden). While the people in London are great, sometimes the weather isn’t really considered the best, and for those searching October sun, Marrakech is a great option, so I was more than happy to jump on a flight to Marrakech last October for a romantic weekend without kids with Mr. X to celebrate a friend’s 50th.

    1. Hotel Review: Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech

    Hotel Rating: 9/10

    One of my friends spends all her October half terms in Morocco in search of sun and knows it a lot better than me. She also knows what I like and what I don’t like and suggested I try out the Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech because I have already stayed in Riads a few times and wanted something quieter than staying in the Medina. Well, it was a great decision and it was recently voted Top Hotel in Northern Africa in the 2025 Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards, beating out La Mamounia and the Royal Mansour, and I would have to agree (for once!).

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

    Another great thing about London, is what a great travel hub it is and what’s amazing about Marrakech is that it’s only a 3.5 hour flight away from London, but the change of scenery couldn’t be more pronounced. It was 30 degrees Celsius when we were there and the style, colours and sounds couldn’t be more different: swap greys for sand colours, churchbells for mosques, suits for djellabas, and yes, rain for sunshine.

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

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    The Mandarin Oriental more than lived up to its expectation. Unlike the over-the-top, bling-tastic Mamounia, the pared back Moroccan style was completely up my alley. La Mamounia and the Royal Mansour, even though worth seeing for those looking for ultimate luxury and royal Marroccan style, they can be quite overwhelming with vivid colours, marbles, heavy chandeliers and mirrors everywhere, but it was not exactly the relaxing Feng Shui experience I was looking for.

    At the Mandarin, the rooms were not rooms, they were gigantic villas each with an outdoor pool, multiple outdoor living spaces and nooks and crannies. It was one of the biggest hotel ‘rooms’ I’ve stayed in and it was absolutely stunning.

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

    The food was also a highlight, with an enormous breakfast buffet selection and great dinners at Ling Ling by Hakkasan, a trendy Chinese restaurant. While I was there, a trendy group of fashionista New Yorkers were also there for a party. This was definitely the place-to-be.

    The spa is of course divine given it’s a Mandarin Oriental spa, and worth coming for it alone: it was named Best Spa in the World 2024 at the World Spa Awards.

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

    The birthday party was held at Jnane Tamsna, which is a very popular place to throw a birthday party. So popular that it’s the second party I’ve been invited to there, and even Naomi Watts had her 50th birthday party there. It has a spectacular set up and long, never ending table under candles and trees, which was quite unforgettable. It was a magical night, full of laughter, meaningful speeches, dancing and music, the birthday boy happily surrounded by friends and family. So, if you get a chance, don’t think twice and jump on that plane to get a little October sun.

    Photograph courtesy of NHYM 2024

    Marrakech Where to Stay:

    1. Best Overall: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Marrakech.

    2. Ultra Luxury Over the Top: La Mamounia, Royal Mansour

    3. Family Friendly: For those with kids, my friends recommends the Fairmont Marrakech and the Four Seasons, you can’t go wrong with those. The Fairmont is better value, so that’s one to try out.

    4. Boutique Hotels: For a boutique hotel experience outside the Medina, Jnane Tamsna is great, but save it for a birthday if you can, it is just magical, or try the Villa des Orangers, closer to the Medina.

    5. Riyads: Riyad El Cadi, Riad El Fenn

    xx

    NHYM

    http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

    BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH BOOKING.COM

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    Food & Dining, Top 10, Travel

    The White Lotus Effect: Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels in the South of France

    BOOK YOUR TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH EXPEDIA.CO.UK

    It’s official! The White Lotus Season 4 is coming to France! So, if you’re like me and you are both a White Lotus fan and a South of France fan, we are all hoping it will be in the South of France!

    The French Riviera is experiencing a full on revival post-pandemic with a slew of luxurious 5 star hotel and restaurant openings; many hotels have had facelifts and new restaurant openings have us salivating… Zuma and La Petite Maison in Cannes are putting it firmly on the map of jet-setters and Luigi’s, Bella and Salama brings a younger, more party vibe to Cannes. Hotels are upping their game to compete with Ibiza, Mykonos and Sardinia, and I have to admit, they are succeeding. Now that we know Season 4 of the White Lotus is taking place in France, I am obviously hoping it will be in the South of France. Here are my 10 Top ultra luxurious hotels in the South of France:

    Provided by Bing Places for Business

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    1. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc:

    Best for: the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime luxurious hotel and to rub shoulders with superstars.

    The Grande Dame of all the hotels in the South of France, none can really compare with the Hotel du Cap, Eden Roc. Always a favourite for celebs during the Cannes Film Festival and loved by Americans, this stalwart has never lost its appeal but now has added a lovely new restaurant to keep up with the times: Giovanni’s is a charming Italian under a pergola with a perfect Mediterranean backdrop, exclusively for guests

    Provided by michelin.com

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    2. Chateau de La Messardiere:

    Best for: The ultimate luxury family holiday in Saint Tropez

    Chateau de La Messardiere has definitely upped its game with its recent multi-million pound renovation making it an impossible-to-book hotel in St Tropez right now. It gets so many things right, it’s hard to find any faults. The lunch buffet is positively extravagant and delicious, the new kids club has its own bastide and private pool, and the hotel’s private beach club, Jardin Tropezina, is one of my favourites (the shuttle service is priceless). And let’s not forget Matsuhisa, the Japanese restaurant, has one of the best views in St Tropez. If you can afford it, it’s so good, you’ll never need to leave. It will soon become your kids’ favourite hotel too, and yours as well.

    BOOK CHATEAU DE LA MESSARDIERE HERE

    The Maybourne Riviera | Fine Hotels + Resorts | Amex Travel KR

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    3. The Maybourne Riviera:

    Best For: Modern design for architecture aficionados

    This hotel’s vertiginous views over Monaco are as stunning as the hotel itself; its clean, sleek, modern lines are for those who love a design hotel, but with top hospitality service to match it (it is part of the same hotel group as the Dorchester and the Berkeley). It is literally build in the rocks over Monaco and is an architectural masterpiece. It has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top hotels in France.

    BOOK THE MAYBOURNE RIVIERA HERE

    Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

    4. Lily of the Valley:

    Best for: Wellness holiday without starving

    This new(ish) hotel designed by Philip Stark is not only aesthetically beautiful on a gorgeous spot along the coast, it also offers a weekly schedule of wellness activities from yoga, to hikes, to bike rides. Not only that, but you don’t need to starve and can eat a real steak for dinner! The bar next to the restaurant is one of the highlights with roaming musicians who will sing whatever song you ask them. Perfect for a couple’s weekend wellness retreat.

    BOOK LILY OF THE VALLEY HERE

    Photo courtesy of NHYM. 2025

    5. Chateau Chevre d’Or:

    Best for: Romance

    This boutique hotel in Eze remains one of my all time favourites with the best views of the Cote d’Azur. The terrace lunch is divine, so even if you can’t stay, it’s worth the detour. The best place for young and old love. The winding medieval streets of Eze just adds to the romance; a perfect place for an engagement or honeymoon.

    BOOK CHATEAU CHEVRE D’OR, EZE HERE

    Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

    6. Hotel du Couvent:

    Best for: Historical hotel with minimalist interiors

    Only just opened in 2024, it has started making Nice cool again. It is a beautiful hotel in an old convent with its own bakery and daily bread, a welcoming terrace to while the nights and days away. The decor is are bare and peaceful, it was a convent after all, but somehow manages to stay warm and inviting. The outdoor terrace in the courtyard is fantastic for a pre-dinner drink, and its private terraced swimming pools feels like Nice’s best kept secret. One to check out if in Nice!

    BOOK HOTEL DU COUVENT HERE

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    7. Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel:

    Best For: Four Seasons Service

    This is where the White Lotus Season 4 will likely take place, and I can assure you that the people-watching is better than the show. The management was taken over by the Four Seasons about 10 years ago, to match the sophistication of the hotel guests. Like all Four Seasons, it opened a fab kids club and offers swimming lessons in its pool. Great for families wanting a base in the South of France with all the Four Season trappings. I can’t wait for it to feature in The White Lotus Season 4!

    BOOK GRAND HOTEL DU CAP FERRAT HERE

    Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

    8. Les Roches Rouges:

    For a boutique hotel experience with much more reasonable prices than the above properties, Les Roches Rouges opened a few years ago. It already has a Michelin star restaurant and a very cool pool dug into the rocks. It’s young and trendy against the Grandes Dames hotels above. For the design, cool crowd in media, the arts and tech. This year, they have added brand new rooms designed by ASL Architects.

    BOOK HOTEL LES ROCHES ROUGES HERE

    Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage ★★★★★, Cannes - VeryChic

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    9. Hotel Belle Plage, Cannes:

    Best for: A young, trendy vibe in Cannes without breaking the bank.

    This new, well designed hotel in Cannes is a winner with its sea views, great spa, a rooftop restaurant by Eyal Shani and rooms designed by Raphael Navot. Bella, the rooftop restaurant, has a delicious Mediterranean menu with fresh fish and meats on the menu. With reasonable prices, it is a great choice for a style conscious crowd in Cannes.

    BOOK HOTEL BELLE PLAGE HERE

    Photo courtesy of the internet

    Regent Hotels & Resorts

    InterContinental Carlton Cannes, in Cannes (French Riviera), 5 stars ...

    10. The Carlton, A Regent Hotel, Cannes

    Best for: The ultimate Cannes Experience

    For one of the oldest ‘Grande Dame’ hotels in the South of France, the Carton Cannes still reigns supreme. Just recently given a two year facelift, it still attracts the rich and famous during the Cannes Film Festival and houses all the top supremos during all the conference weeks in Cannes. A word of advice: don’t go in August, but at any other time of year, try it out. It oozes history with Obama and Hitchcock connections and its inner courtyard is a secret garden to give you a break from the busy Croisette.

    BOOK THE CARLTON, CANNES HERE

    This list was very difficult to compile with plenty of charming, updated hotels and new openings like Le Chateau de Theoule, the Mondrian in Cannes, Le Mas de Candille, Anantara Plaza Nice, and La Reserve de Ramatuelle, but these top 10 are ones that bring something slightly different to the others along the coast and are changing the face of the French Riviera.

    What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy before The White Lotus fans take over!

    xx

    NHYM

    http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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    Reviews, Travel

    Hotel Review: Hotel Arts, Barcelona

    HotelArtsPoolNHYM

    All Photos in this Post courtesy of NHYM Copyright 2015.

    Hotel Arts

    Marina 19-21

    Barcelona, Spain 08005

    34 93 22 11 000

    http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en

    Design & Architecture: 5 stars

    Service: 5 stars

    Food: 4.5 stars

    Rooms: 4.5 stars

    Value/Price: 4.5 stars

    Overall 4.5 stars

    BOOK HERE

    FlowersHotelArts Entrance

    Ground floor entrance. NHYM 2015

    Barcelona!

    It had been almost twenty years since I was last in Barcelona (gasp! How old does that make me??) and all I remember is a blurry haze of alcohol-imbibed dancing in some shopping mall club whilst on a backpacking excursion throughout Europe fending off pickpockets, cockroaches and leches. Fast forward twenty years and a whole family in tow, traveling has a very different image: where can you go that is family-friendly and has some kind of culture where both kids and parents will be happy. Cue in Barcelona. It is architecturally one of the greatest cities where walking around is like visiting a museum but where you can stop to have ice-cream while admiring the great Gaudi masterpieces. So off we went to Barcelona this half term with two kids and checked into the Hotel Arts, one of the iconic hotel greats.

    HotelArtsHighTechArchNHYM

    High Tech Architecture. NHYM 2015

    Design & Architecture

    The Hotel Arts was built in 1994 and is an example of High Tech Architecture. It is 154 meters tall and has 483 rooms, so in all terms and purposes is a very big city hotel. Unlike some gigantic hotels, Fontainebleau in Miami comes to mind, it is tasteful and sophisticated. The Frank Gehry public sculpture shaped like a fish called Peix is situated right next to it and was built for the 1992 Olympic Games. It is one of the most famous pieces of public contemporary art.

    ChampagneHotelArtsNHYM

    Champagne at arrival. NHYM 2015

    The Service

    One of the things I appreciate in 5 star luxury hotels are the incidental perks or freebees that make the experience so enjoyable. At the Hotel Arts, you are welcomed with a champagne glass at the lobby, a clever way to make people think that they are finally on holiday, or that it is time to finally relax. In the lobby, Laurent Perrier bubbly is at hand for the adults and red and green sweeties for the kids.

    The service at the Hotel Arts is really top notch. The staff is nice, courteous, young and energetic. They have had the best hotel management training in Lausanne or Montreux. This is the kind of service that you get in Asia, which is considered the best in the world. It makes a difference, compared to that grumpy old man in France/Italy who fobs you off to your room as if he had something else better to do. There are family friendly staff that come up to the children regularly, trying to engage them to make them comfortable in new surroundings.

    HotelArtsRoomViewNHYM

    View from our Room. NHYM 2015.

    The Rooms

    We had two interconnecting rooms on the 15th floor and they had a great view of the water and the next door harbour, pictured above. The rooms were really rather large when you consider most hotel rooms in big cities: think the Mercer/Tribeca New York that has tiny rooms which are at least double or triple the price of this room. The beds were as good as you can expect from any 5 star hotel and the bathrooms were very nice, although the sinks were showing some wear with rusting around the plug hole.

    HotelArtsBathroomNHYM

    Overall, we were very pleased with our room.

    Ice-CreamTruckHotelArtsNHYM

    Ice Cream Trolley by the pool. NHYM 2015

    Child-Friendly

    Of course, these days, I am more interested in how child-friendly a place is rather than where the table-dancing goes on. The Hotel Arts won some big points for how child-friendly it was. I mean, who doesn’t like the unlimited, free ice-cream trolley by the pool side? The kids were in heaven. Although there wasn’t a kids club, there was a small child area at the breakfast restaurant where the kids played a whole morning (it is for very young children and it is tiny so don’t have high expectations, but my kids loved it). There is also a large pool, although it was unheated so they opted instead for the jacuzzi in the below gardens. They also had a Halloween treasure hunt, with spider lollies as prizes. What else could a child ask for?

    GardenterraceHotelArtsNHYM

    Gardens and Terraces. NHYM 2015. 

    Overall 

    This was a great hotel and a great base to visit Barcelona, with its seafront full of cool restaurants below it. Some people have gripes, including the food at the tapas restaurant but we didn’t have a chance to eat there, we were too busy trying out various other restos. The breakfast buffet was great, which to me is imperative for a stellar hotel. The other complaint is that it does show some signs of wear although it was renovated in 2006, but with its amazing service, it is easy to overlook that. Finally, they charge €25 for internet per day, but we were exempt with the deal we got. Speaking of deals, since we came end of October and got a deal, the rates were incredibly reasonable. Comparing that to a hotel I went to recently in Washington DC which charged $700 a night and the room looked like a 3 star motel room, this seemed like a bargain.

    FrankGehryFishHotelArtsNHYM

    Frank Gehry Fish. NHYM 2015. 

    We loved this hotel and were even more surprised by how great it was with kids. Highly recommended and to put on your to do list when in Barcelona.

    xx

    NHYM

    http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

    @NHyummymummy

    ChillAreaHotelArtsNHYM

    Chill out Area. NHYM 2015. 

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    Photos, Top 10, Travel

    Top 10: Best Mediterranean-Sea-View Boutique Hotels


    Looking for something to do this summer? For a little Pre-Summer Travel-Lust, check out these lesser known Top 10 Best Mediterranean-Sea-View Boutique Hotels.

    (All Photos of the Hotels Courtesy of the Internet)

    cap-estel-1

    1. Cap Estel, Cote d’Azur, France. In an absolutely gorgeous setting, this feels more like visiting someone’s private villa, except with Theo Walcott and his WAG lounging next to you. Kids Allowed.

    BOOK CAP ESTEL HERE

    U-Capu-Biancu-piscine

    2. U Capu Biancu, Bonifacio, Corsica. This lovely Boutique Hotel is in a wonderful location at the tip of Corsica with amazing views and has loads of charm. It is surprisingly kid friendly, with well behaved children swimming in the pool, playing with the house donkeys, and dining next to you without feeling the need to iPad them (lending the kids an iPad to shut them up during an ‘adults dinner.)’

    BOOK CAPU BIANCU HERE

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    3. Santa Caterina, Amalfi Coast, Italy. With the freshest, most deliciously prepared pasta made at the downstairs restaurant and the cliff-top sea views, Santa Caterina won our hearts ten times over. Close call choosing this one vs. the Sirenuse at Positano, another firm favourite.

    il-pellicani-l1863

    4. Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole, Italy. Just an hour away from Rome exists a legendary Italian hotel, with its swimming pool famously captured by Slim Aarons, Juergen Teller and John Swope. (Il Pellicano was just mentioned in this weekend’s FT How To Spend It). Amazingly delicious 2* star Michelin restaurant makes the stay all the better.

    BOOK HERE

    03_hotel_spa_des_pecheurs_hotel

    5. Hotel des Pecheurs, Cavallo, Corsica. There is only one hotel on this island so the hotel can afford not to have the grandest for what you pay, but the location, location, location is spectacular. Italy meets France on this island, where the Italians have become French and the French have become Italian, and for once it is a happy marriage.

    Gecko-Beach-Club-Formentera-Photo-El-Club-29

    6. Gecko Club, Formentera. Another top spot for location. Formentera makes you feel like you are in the Carribean waters and the Gecko is the only Boutique hotel on it. Let’s not forget the easy access to Juan y Andrea restaurant where you will see half of London during the August Bank Holiday and won’t need to fight for a yacht parking space.

    BOOK HERE

    Luxury_Hotel

    7. Bill & Coo, Mykonos, Greece. This one is for the foodies. The restaurant at Bill & Coo has already received endless accolades, so much so, that their Head Chef successfully brought Modern Greek food to Notting Hill’s MAZI, one of NYHM local hangouts. Kids Allowed.

    BOOK BILL & COO HERE

    mystique-santorini

    8. Mystique Oia Santorini, Greece. This one is for your 5th anniversary of ‘Life with Kids.’ Find anyone to look after your children while you pretend to be on your first trip away together and re-enact the scene in Girls when Hannah pretends to meet Adam for the first time in Series 3 (except that everything goes smoothly during your re-enactment).

    BOOK HERE

    hotel-la-casitta4

    9. La Casitta, Santa Maria, Sardegna. This private island doesn’t have any hotels, so this isn’t so much a hotel rather than a luxury guest house, but it is in a stunning location for those wanting complete privacy and who can’t stand the glitzy bling of the Costa Smeralda. Let the sun do the shining here.

    plage1

    10. La Pinede Plage, La Croix Valmer. Literally right on the beach, this charming boutique has everything you can ask for: beach club, breakfast on the beach and close to all the St Tropez glitz and glamour.

    xx

    NHYM

    http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

    (The below photos of Cap Estel were taken by NHYM, therefore belong to NHYM. Copyright 2014).

    P1000384 cap estel Notting Hill yummy mummy cap estelnottinghillyummymummycapestelhotelnottinghillyummymummycapestelnottinghillyummymummy2capestelsunsetnottinghillyummymummy

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    In the Press, Photos, Travel

    ‘Where am I?’

    Saturday: Seaview Skiing…

    seaview skiing

    Sunday: Snowview Swimming…

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    ** Win a Yotam Ottolenghi Cookbook ‘Jerusalem’ and a fun rom-com DVD filmed in this area if you can guess where both of these photos were taken. Email me at nottinghillyummymummy@hotmail.com by June 1st. Winners announced by mid June**

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    Top 10

    Top 10: Top Ten Trips that will give you a natural cocaine high

     

    Who needs cocaine these days? Here are ten trips guaranteed to make you Serotonin-happy.

    1. Stay in a standalone Robinson Crusoe overwater villa in Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives accessible only by your private motorboat

    2. Watch the Wildebeest migration and crocodiles preying on baby zebras in the Masai Mara, Kenya.

    3. Take a boat from Ibiza to Formentera and watch the sunset listening to Café del Mar.

    4. Eat the best ceviche in the world at the Hotel Monasterio before climbing up to Macchu Piccu, Peru.

    5. Swim with whalesharks and dive with black tip reef sharks and Manta rays in the Seychelles.

    6. Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, stay in a traditional ryokan, eat a typical kaseki dinner, dress up as a geisha and role play Memoirs of a Geisha.

    7. Watch the Southern whales from your bed in Birkenhead House, Hermanus, South Africa and dare to dive with the great whites.

    8. Ski down the Vallee Blanche from the top, l’Aiguille du midi, 3,824m above Chamonix, all the way down to the bottom.

    9. Channel your inner exhibitionist in an empire corner suite at the Standard Highline Hotel, New York and in the bathrooms of the ‘Top of the Standard’.

    10. Go to Bangkok to visit a Wat and listen to the monks’ prayers, before going night shopping in the red light district, Patpong. Have a drink at the Vertigo Bar, the world’s highest open air restaurant and bar, and just think about what you’ve just seen.

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