Travel Dine Relax - Issue 1 Summer

WELCOME

H

ello and welcome to what I hope will be somewhere you can grab some inspiration or just while away a few hours with some interesting reads and interviews.

Travel Dine Relax started as a blog a few years ago. As it grew, we realised that there was a real opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic individuals, destinations, venues and events that work so hard to create our favourite leisure spots.

Nobody can deny that the last year has seen our hospitality sector take some amazing steps to survive. From pop-ups to online tasting sessions or delivering experiences to our homes, their imagination and grit is something that never ceases to amaze me. As we see venues starting to open up to indoor guests (fingers crossed), I thought now was a great time to grab my notebook and piece together this first issue of Travel Dine Relax.

Our travel section will whisk you away to the Maldives, Greece and Formentera.

With the rise of the UK Staycation, it was only fitting that we highlighted some of the great spots to take a long or short break this summer.

For foodies, our dine section explores some of our coastal treasures along with interviews with chefs and mixologists on what inspires them to create the dishes we enjoy today.

You can’t think of summer without conjuring up picnics in the park with friends and family, so we’re focusing on some great spots and ways to make sure that your picnic goes perfectly.

Lastly, I could not have put Travel Dine Relax together without some amazing people that have been really patient and inspiring. From locations, producers and interviewees, they’ve all been top-notch.

I also need to say thank you to some of the most dedicated PR teams that work tirelessly behind the scenes to promote their clients - you’re all awesome!

So whether you’re looking to grab your passport to escape or looking to venture a little closer to home, sit back and enjoy the journey!

Nicola

editor hello@traveldinerelax.com

@Travel_Dine_Relax @TravelDineRelax @TravelDineRelax @traveldinerelax

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CONTENTS

SHOPPING

p6 - 11 A look at some of this seasons must-have fashion and outdoors accessories

RELAX

p88 - 103 88 - 91 Perfect Picnics in Nottinghamshire

by Sophie Milne 92 - 95 Woofstock 96 - 97 Summer Drinks Cabinet & Ready Made Picnics

T R AV E L

p10 - 57 18 - 25 Formentera 26 - 29 Greece

98 - 99 Rathfinny Wine Estate 100 - 101 Wildlife of Guernsey 102 - 103 Blenheim Palace

34 - 39 Maldives 40 - 49 Staycation UK

INTERVIEWS DINE

p58 - 88 From openings to inspiring chefs and popups with a heart, grab your reservation with our Dine section 60 - 63 England’s Seafood Coast

30 - 33 Andrew Coney, General Manager of The Hari 50 - 53 Dan Visser, Brimstone Hotel 64 – 66 Raj & Sandeep, Share A Slice 68 - 71 Paolo Griffa, Courmayeur Mont Blanc 74-76 Arnaud Volte, The Edition, London

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INTERVIEWS (cont...)

84 - 87 Jose Gomez 84-87, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, St Lucia 12

Mr Thoyyib Mohamed, Managing Director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC)

92 - 95 Heather & Carol Nesbitt-Bayley, Woofstock founders

Published by RED HERRING MEDIA LTD 3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street London W1B 3HH

Editorial hello@traveldinerelax.com

Although every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions that may occur in this issue.

Travel Dine Relax is published by Red Kipper Media Ltd Registered in England. Registered Number 13343949 Registered Office: 3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street, London W1B 3HH ©Red Kipper Media Ltd 2021 All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, recording, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers.

Front Cover © Artinun Happy young woman in casual style fashion and straw hat jumping at sand beach

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ISSN No: 2754-0561 © Red Kipper Media Ltd 2021

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Jayley Collection | Top Drawer SLMD24A - Silk Blend Dress, visit jayley.com for pricing and details

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BEACH BABY BLUES 1 Small Pinstripe Basket in Mint New for 2021 - ethically handwoven with sustainable raffia, this pinstripe basket comes in two sizes and three colours. £25, BasketBasket, basketbasket.co.uk 2 Letterpress Make Up Bag Aqua with Metallic Letter B This textured vegan leather make-up bag easily wipes clean and comes with contrasting zipper and embossed with gold lettering for extra glamour, individualism and personality. £18, Bombay Duck,.bombayduck.com 3 Pedro Scrunchie Our 100% silk scrunchies are the perfect accessory (for your wrist or hair!) to add a little Bluebellgray colour to any outfit. £10, Bluebellgray bluebellgray.com traveldinerelax.com

4 Modern Silver Amsterdam 40MM A minimalistic modern watch with a contemporary twist. This unisex round 40 mm watch is made of 316L stainless steel polished case and is designed to grab people’s attention. £159, JEAN JACOB , jeanjacob.com 5 Chappie Hammam Towel - Turquoise For lovers of beach life the Chappie is a lightweight and stylish stripe Hammam towel. Super absorbent and quick drying it is ideal for drying off after a swim and makes the perfect beach towel for relaxing on as it won’t pick up sand. £28, ebbflowcornwall ebbflowcornwall.co.uk

6 Safari range - Sandal Tiger Made from real leather uppers and cork soles these comfy sandals are new to the WELLIGOGS range. £99, Welligogs Welligogs.com 7 Recycled Glass Beads - ATLANTIC Set of three An ancient technique meets recycling to produce these gorgeous matte beads. £33, and 8 Bolga Fan Azure Stylish and functional, this Bolga fans are great for cooling down on a hot summer day. £28. Both from Lola & Mawu, lolaandmawu.com

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PICNIC TIME 1 Green String Shopper Bag made from 100% cotton, £5, Albert & Moo, albertandmoo.com 2 Camping Acrylic Fairy Lights, £14.99, lights4fun.co.uk (Image Shot by Oliver Perrott) ©Lights4fun Ltd. 2021 3 Water Resistant Garden Cushion - Pixel Stripes, shower resistant cushion, ideal for picnics, £27.99, Celina Digby, celinadigby.co.uk 4 The Heating & Plumbing London Ultimate Picnic Toolkit - Rainbow This luxurious picnic set contains one of our bestselling rainbow pure new wool picnic blanket, 2 outdoor cushions and a playful portable Champagne bucket with a matching leather strap. The picnic rug and the cushions have a waterproof backing to add some extra comfort when you

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are enjoying the great outdoors in the country or in your garden. This outdoor toolkit comes in a smart black cotton storage bag with a brand new design with a wonderful quote about Love & Champagne from Balzac. £299, Heating & Plumbing London, heating-and-plumbing.com 5 Square Hand Painted Bajot Table, As pretty as they are practical, this unique and decadent range of Bajot Tables are the perfect accessory to turn your tent into a boutique homeaway-from-home! £39, Boutique Camping, boutiquecamping.com

7 Borough Market Bag, 100% sustainably grown jute so it’s a vegan-friendly option for those who want a leather-free versatile bag. £65, Initially London Ltd, initiallylondon.com 8&9 - Both from Ella James, Embossed Glass Tumbler In Sea Breeze, £12.

Portable Steel Ibiza Barbecue, Versatile little steel barbecue perfect for taking on picnic trips or to the beach this summer, it comes in a pretty sea blue, £49, ellajames.co.uk

6 Aimey Louise 4 Piece Cutlery Set, Service For 1, This flatware set has ergonomic handles which are elegant and comfortable to hold. £24.99, Wayfair, wayfair.co.uk

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LET’S GO OUTSIDE

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rom meeting with friends, relaxing with family or just taking in the sun, summer is the season that sees us spending our leisure time outdoors.

We look at some of our favourite accessories this season aimed at creating that added bit of comfort and wow factor.

1 Reversible Plush Outdoor Rug - Blue This chic Reversible Outdoor Rug in Blue will add a fabulous focal point to your outdoor seating area or is perfect for indoor use in high traffic areas. £179 Lime Lace limelace.co.uk 2 Green Tropical Palm Outdoor Rug. This tropical palm inspired rug is a great way to instantly update your garden. Available In 3 Sizes. From £88, Audenza, audenza. com 3 Manutti Tsuki Outdoor Side Table in teak available in two sizes from £860, Go Modern Furniture, gomodern.co.uk

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4 Lotus Candy Rectangular Pillow, features a vibrant, glorious pattern taken from an ancient Chinese porcelain vase.

From £39.24, Wanderlost & Found, wanderlostandfound.com 5 Set of 4 Moroccan Solar Stake Lights, £24.99, ©Lights4fun Ltd. 2021 Image Shot by Oliver Perrott, Lights4fun, lights4fun.co.uk 6 Glass Lantern with Faux Leather Handle, Green Perfect for bringing a cosy atmosphere to a tabletop, this green glass lantern has an attached faux leather handle and will add a decorative statement to your home.£26 Cult Furniture cultfurniture. com traveldinerelax.com

7 H.O.C.K. Badu Batik Steel outdoor cushion with piping 50x50cm orange, from £25.22, H.O.C.K. hock-dich-hin.de 8 Tucana Tent, Glamping at its finest!

The Tucana design embodies a Boutique infusion of the traditional Touareg and dutch-inspired tents. For increased longevity the Tucana features our iconic webbing and is treated with our weather resistant coating that protects against element such as; rain, mildew and UV rays. £639, Boutique Camping, boutiquecamping. com 9 Green Deck Chair, When you’re ready to finally sit back and relax, so will this savvy, fast assembling deck-chair! £50 Boutique Camping boutiquecamping.com

10 Heartichoke Pillow — Lemon Butter, features a vibrant, full-colour image of Jean Bernard’s 1797 artichoke in watercolours printed on both sides of the pillowcase, from £39.24 Wanderlust & Found, wanderlostandfound.com 11 Classic Dog Drying Coat Sandringham Blue, L Ruff and Tumble Drying Coats are made from high-quality, double thickness, cotton towelling. Modelled on the design of a horse blanket, the coats are very simple to put on and take off.

Perfect for holidays after wet walks, bath times, hydrotherapy, working etc. Price range £28.95- £66.95 In pic, Size L, £46.95, Ruff And Tumble ruffandtumbledogcoats. com SUMMER ISSUE

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NEWS

W

e are hugely grateful to Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed, who kicks off our first Travel focus with a brief overview on the Maldives and answers some of the questions we should be aware of before travelling to this marvellous and much-loved destination.

(Don’t miss our Maldives focus p34).

What are the biggest misconceptions travellers have before visiting The Maldives?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the Maldives is purely a luxury honeymoon destination. Indeed, the Maldives is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious and luxurious honeymoon destinations in the world. However, the Maldives is a destination that offers so much more than that. Travellers arriving in the Maldives have an option to stay at a resort, guesthouse, liveaboard or hotel. Resorts offer an unparalleled level of luxury while guesthouses allow travellers to immerse themselves in an authentic Maldivian experience. Travellers who dream about voyaging across the ocean can stay aboard a liveaboard whilst those interested in the heart and bustle of Maldivian society can stay at a hotel. There is so much more to the Maldives, one must come and see for themselves.

What should travellers prepare for when travelling to The Maldives?

The Maldives reopened borders for international travellers on 15th July 2020. All tourists arriving in the Maldives are granted a free 30-day visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility and there is no mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Tourists are required to fill an online health declaration form within 24 hours prior to their departure, as well as have a negative PCR test result, conducted 96 hours prior to their departure. The procedure applies to all travellers including those who have completed the prescribed dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine. The guideline does not apply to children below 1 years of age.

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For a complete and up-to-date requirement for entry, visit https://imuga.immigration. gov.mv/ethd or check with your travel agent.

When’s the best time to travel to The Maldives?

The Maldives weather has two distinct seasons, we call them Iruvai Monsoon (dry season) and Hulhangu Monsoon (wet season). The best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April (dry season).

However, it is important to keep in mind that the Maldives is sunny and warm year-round, and we only experience little precipitation even during the wet season.

For those wanting to get to know the islands what excursions do you recommend?

There are a variety of ways travellers can experience the local islands in the Maldives.

Resort islands regularly offer island hopping to nearby islands where travellers can experience an authentic Maldivian lifestyle for a holiday. However, keep in mind that this might not be offered during the pandemic due to the travel guidelines and restrictions.

Undoubtedly, the best way to experience the local islands is by staying at a guesthouse or a liveaboard. Staying at a guesthouse immerses you in the heart of Maldivian lifestyle and you can truly connect deeply with the Maldivian people.

On the other hand, a liveaboard allows you to voyage across the Maldivian ocean, visiting biodiversity hotspots and exploring the uniqueness of each and every individual island.

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NEWS

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top Gdansk bottom Cluj

images by Louis Reynolds

British Airways adds new short-haul destinations to network

Manchester International Festival Announces Programme for 2021

For those looking to venture nearer to home, British Airways has announced four new short-haul routes to Wroclaw and Gdansk in Poland, Riga in Latvia and Cluj-Napoca in Romania.

The Manchester International Festival (MIF) returns from 1-18 July with a vibrant programme of original new work from across the spectrum of visual and performing arts and music by artists from over 20 countries.

These will operate from the beginning of July and run throughout the summer. All flights will be served from Heathrow, with Wroclaw operating twice a week, and Gdansk, Riga and Cluj-Napoca operating three times a week. Flights operate on days that work perfectly for those visiting friends and relatives for a long weekend as well as those in search of an exciting city break Return fares start from £83 to Wroclaw, £85 to Gdansk, £94 to Riga, and £95 to Cluj, and customers can book via the British Airways website. Customers benefit from British Airways’ flexible booking policy, offering customers no change fees or a voucher exchange for bookings made for travel before the end of April 2022, giving customers a large variety of options should their plans change. ba.com

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These include Angélique Kidjo, Akram Khan, Arlo Parks, Aaron and Bryce Dessner, Boris Charmatz, Cerys Matthews, Christine Sun Kim, Cillian Murphy, Deborah Warner, Forensic Architecture, Ibrahim Mahama, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Laure Prouvost, Marta Minujín, Lemn Sissay and Patti Smith.

Events will take place safely in indoor and outdoor locations across Greater Manchester, including the first ever work on the construction site of The Factory, the landmark cultural space that will be MIF’s future home.

Tickets will be on sale from Thursday 20 May and can be purchased from the Manchester International Festival website. mif.co.uk

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NEWS

Visitor in front of Georg Baselitz at Michael Werner Gallery during Mayfair Art Weekend 2020. Image © Dan Weill

M a y f a i r A r t We e ke n d c e l e b r a t e s t h e w o r l d famous gallery district 25-27 June The Mayfair Art Weekend is an annual celebration of the world’s internationally renowned gallery district and will take place this summer from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June.

The extended programme launches with the second Mayfair Sculpture Trail, a Mayfair Art Weekend collaboration with Art in Mayfair, 2-27 June. The celebrated Gallery HOP! will take place on Friday 25 June with galleries staying open until 8pm, followed by a full weekend of free talks, tours, performances and family activities.

Rick Stein Is Back at The Goring This Summer fo r a We e k o f S p e c t a c u l a r S e a fo o d The Goring has announced their second partnership with one of the UK’s best-loved chefs, Rick Stein, for a one-week pop up culinary extravaganza from 14-20 June.

Renowned across the country for his exquisite seafood cookery, Rick and his team will unleash iconic Rick Stein dishes bursting with lobster, crab and the freshest fish imaginable for guests over a series of lunch and dinners in the sunny veranda overlooking The Goring’s majestic, secluded garden.

As well as an utterly luxurious overnight stay (with a guaranteed upgrade), guests will choose a three-course lunch or dinner of exquisite fish and seafood, created by the supremely talented Stein family. A Rick Stein book will be included as a memento for guests to take home.

The Goring’s Rick Stein Overnight Stay is priced from £690 per night and includes full English breakfast, a guaranteed upgrade, lunch or dinner for two in the Rick Stein pop-up on The Veranda, and Rick Stein’s book.

mayfairartweekend.com

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reservations@thegoring.com | thegoring.com

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(left) drink Aloe Be Thy Name from the Mosaico bar (right) lobby area

Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell Opens Brutalist architecture fans will love this new offering from boutique lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo.

Set in the bustling Brickell district and nestled south of the Miami River, the Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell tells the stories of the neighbourhood. Architect and fashion designer Angel Sanchez of Sanchez + Coleman Studio uses dramatic, contemporary designs, Venezuelan heritage and is renowned throughout Latin America.

The hotel has 140 guest rooms that showcase local artwork and circular rugs inspired by the ancient Miami Circle archaeological site unearthed close to the hotel.

Guests will check-in surrounded by stunning custom tilework, evoking the mosaic of influences and cultures that thrive and collaborate in Brickell. Lobby photography depicts trailblazers Mary Brickell and Julia Tuttle (famed for helping to bring the railroad to Miami in the 1890s, resulting in the incorporation and eventual development and growth of the city) overlaid with a modern photograph of Brickell, gesturing to the old and new fused so effortlessly in this community. On the sixth floor, guests can bathe in Miami’s 248 days of sunshine at the outdoor pool with a sun terrace. Next to the pool, guests working out in the 24-hour indoor fitness centre, equipped with the latest fitness cardio equipment, weight machines and free-weights, will appreciate floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the poolside views across downtown to the ocean beyond.

Mosaico Kitchen and Bar hosts a unique restaurant offering in Miami, with pan-Latin Miami flavours influenced by the many Latinx communities across the city. Breakfast, dinner, great coffee and local craft beers are served in both the casual indoor space and outdoor terrace garden. Executive Chef Manuel Sulbaran hails from Merida, Venezuela and brings with him more than twenty years of international and local experience. Passionate about local farms and ranches and their teams and always looking for ways to incorporate seasonal and local ingredients into menus, his approach aligns perfectly with the brand’s ideals. Drinks can be enjoyed in the restaurant or lounge and include seasonal cocktails and spirits that nod to Miami past and present.

P a t i n a M a l d i v e s , Fa r i I s l a n d s Set to open in May 2021, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the inaugural flagship resort from Patina Hotels & Resorts, a sophisticated new lifestyle brand by Capella Hotel Group. Patina Maldives is situated in the heart of the Fari Islands archipelago, located in the North Male Atoll – an elevated new Maldivian destination that celebrates nature, craft and connection. The resort will offer guests the freedom to explore the Fari Islands, choose from privacy and seclusion, or embrace a vibrant social scene on the Fari Marina Village and Beach Club. Patina Maldives is a radical new example of biophilic design from renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, founder of international award-winning Studio MK27, inspired by the beauty and metaphorical significance of the island landscape. (left) Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, Fari Beach Club aerial view

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NEWS

Image credit : @Pascal Pronnier

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes will reopen on 12 May After an absence of over six months the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes is now ready to reopen.

With measures in place to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff the five-star Hotel on the Croisette is working to ensure that every stay with us is both carefree and teeming with unique experiences that will provide guests with myriad and long-lasting smiles and memories.

With new General Manager, Charles Richez at the helm, a sense of renewal will be at the fore upon its opening.

Le Majestic has mobilised all of its creative forces, including designer Chantal Peyrat. A regular contributor to 10, La Croisette (she has already created a range of different decors for the hotel over the past few years, such as the Cinémathèque Diane and the Michelle Morgan suite), Chantal has designed three brand-new Signature Suites. Inspired by the themes of travel and the Mediterranean, these three large apartments, each with a floor space of 280m², have been named Escale, Horizon and Balancine respectively. And each is the perfect complement to the Hotel’s VIP facilities - seven extraordinary suites, including the Majestic and Christian Dior penthouses and the Riviera suite, each unique in their own right, which continue to meet the aspirations of a clientele in search of space, luxury and a true sense of pleasure.

The hotels restaurants have adapted to provide hotel guests with practical gourmet solutions while they await the reopening of our outdoor terraces on 19 May. For example, both the Bar de la Piscine and Mademoiselle Gray, the Hôtel Le Gray d’Albion’s beach venue, will be offering guests several gourmet take-away options. The room service menu will also be expanded to include a few recipes from Le Fouquet’s Cannes which guests can enjoy on their room terrace with views of the Mediterranean. And for those who prefer not to eat in their room, Le Majestic has also created special dining rooms (guestrooms and suites overlooking the sea) specifically designed to seat up to six guests for meals (150 euros per service).

As soon as it is allowed, Le Majestic’s fine dining restaurants will take over, where guests can rediscover the unparalleled flavours of its culinary experts. Everything is ready to go! Even if Paradiso Nicole et Pierre will be the last to open its doors, in June, curfew rules permitting, Nicole Rubi, the queen of Southern cuisine, and Pierre Gagnaire, have already revisited the menu of their very own gastronomic Eden. Their fine-dining venture, which is as intimate as it is refined, will shine the light on Italy and its overwhelmingly array of mouthwatering products: San Daniele ham, bresaola, pecorino, colatura (an anchovy sauce from southern Italy), Cremone mustard, mascarpone etc. However, this gastronomic journey to the other side of the Alps will also take a short detour via the Côte d’Azur thanks to the Niçois-inspired touch of Nicole Rubi, including, among other delicacies, her famous farcis niçois.

Pierre Gagnaire has also refreshed the menu at Le Fouquet’s Cannes. Without betraying the restaurant’s brasserie spirit, Gagnaire, who is considered one of the world’s most renowned chefs, continues to explore new horizons from around the Mediterranean and Asia. A further exotic touch is provided by a third huge talent: namely Mauro Colagreco, another leading light in international gastronomy. Colagreco is the mentor at BFire, the restaurant at La Plage Barrière Le Majestic, where he takes guests on a journey to his native Argentina, making full use of his unique wood fire cooking method. Whether cooking over a flame grill or hot embers, his meat, fish and their garnishes are infused with flavours that are quite simply out of this world - an experience that can be savoured at lunchtime and, for the first time this year, for dinner from July onwards. groupebarriere.com

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FORMENTERA

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he smallest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Formentera, is making considerable efforts to ensure that its unique ecology, which attracts visitors every year, is maintained for future generations.

Its popularity has seen Formentera attract growing numbers of tourists, which help generate a healthy tourism culture.

During peak season, the island population can triple with day-trippers and long-stay tourists making the most of its shores, sightseeing and activities. With this, new programs to maintain balance and embrace sustainable tourism has seen some innovative initiatives aimed at educating and protecting the unique habitat of Formentera.

A mecca for those looking for relaxation and a gentler pace of life, the island has attracted famous visitors such as Bob Dylan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Jimi Hendrix. As Formentera’s popularity grew, so did visitors bringing their cars and vehicles over on the daily ferry that runs between Ibiza and Formentera’s La Savina port. With a small infrastructure, growth in traffic during peak seasons saw many of its roads congested. Since air purity is one of the trademarks of the Balearic Islands, Formentera Council implemented a system to regulate permits to drive on local roads during the summer season. Daily fees are applied for any motor vehicle (excluding electric vehicles) to enter, drive and park on the island. The objective is to maintain environmental harmony and ensure that both locals and visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that the island is famed for. In line with this initiative, the local tourist board encourages tourists to discover the island on foot, bicycle or horseback.

Formentera is a popular location for exploring by bicycle as it presents a small and flat landscape with few steep inclines making it accessible for anyone who wants to explore its coastal regions or discover many of the hidden villages nestled inland. This same geology makes it perfect for walkers looking for breathtaking views or seeking out many of the old lighthouses, windmills, Martello towers, and cafes dotted around Formentera.

Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Formentera’s crystal waters play a crucial part in providing fresh produce for many beach restaurants and chiringuito’s that attract locals and tourists alike. A mix of rustic and luxury modern cuisine with a Mediterranean palette with an Italian twist can be enjoyed around the island with locally sourced fresh fish, cheeses, figs and honey featuring on many menus. >>>

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>>> The initiative allows both companies and individuals to sponsor a small stretch of the seagrass from as little as one euro, ensuring that all funds go directly to the conservation programme. Thanks to generous donations, over 250,000 square meters of the Posidonia Oceanica meadows have already been sponsored and preserved. The protection and restoration of this marine plant are crucial to the local ecosystem as it serves as one of the most important sources of oxygen, which helps to filter the water’s sediments.

In spring 2021, the Balearic Islands Tourist Board aims to complete the underwater cartography of the Posidonia Oceanica, funded by the sustainable tourism tax. Once the cartography is complete, the tourist board will launch a new app, providing details of permitted anchoring areas (and indicating no-anchorage zones for boating vessels). This will help protect existing and recovering areas of seagrass growth against damage from excessive anchoring.

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In addition to the island’s seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables provide tourists with a plethora of local produce, negating the need for costly imports. To help post-COVID visitors savour the best of Formentera, the island’s tourism board has launched a new slow food map, highlighting its traditional cuisine, local products and distinct flavours. The map locates a number of locally owned businesses across the island where visitors (and locals) will be able to buy organic produce, taste local flavours and learn more about slow food in Formentera. From fruit and vegetable markets to vineyards and producers of olive oil made from locally grown olives, the map highlights the great gastronomic heritage of the island and its reliance on local products, which have helped Formentera obtain the ‘Arca del Gusto’ (translated as ‘Ark of Taste’) status, granted by the International Slow Food Organisation. >>>

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Find out more formentera.es saveposidoniaproject.org formentera.eco/en illessostenibles.travel

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2021 marks five years since the sustainable tourism tax was launched in the Balearic Islands and applies to all stays in tourist ac commodation. Since the sustainable tourism tax was launched, 270 million euros have been raised, which has been invested in 170 sustainable tourism initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, restoring cultural heritage and promoting ecotourism.

Minister of tourism, Iago Negueruela says: “British tourism is essential for our islands, and the UK is our second source market in terms of visitor numbers. The tourism industry accounts for around 35% of our islands’ GDP, and it is essential that we bring visitors back, however, our ambition is that we do so in a sustainable way, continuing to roll out sustainable initiatives to counteract any negative environmental impacts.

Our visitors have directly helped us fund a huge number of initiatives to promote ecotourism, help preserve the environment and restore our cultural heritage. Behind the scenes, we continue to work intensely with the private sector; including businesses and trade unions, to restart the tourism season and its activities as soon as restrictions are relaxed.

Within this, 2021 will see the development of several key tourism projects funded by the sustainable tourism tax.”

With many travellers looking at thoughtful tourism locations, Formentera is likely to be top of the wish list for many. The need to balance resources while generating much-needed tourism investment is one that many destinations struggle to tackle, but this small jewel in the Mediterranean has embraced and continues to actively tackle to ensure locals, tourists and most importantly, the local ecology thrive

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WHERE TO...

S TAY Formentera offers a wide range of accommodation options, from private villas, boutique hotels and larger resorts. We’ve highlighter two that caught our attnention and are ideally placed for exploring this fascinating island. <<< INSOTEL CLUB MARYLAND Located on Migjorn beach with its gorgeous white sands, the Insotel Club Maryland is perfectly placed for those that love to relax and enjoy a chilled beach holiday.

The hotel offers two pools and it’s central location makes it an ideal spot for exploring Formenteras villages and coastline.

FirstChoice.co.uk offers a four-night all-inclusive stay at the three-star Insotel Club Maryland in Formentera, located by the picturesque Migjorn Beach, priced from £706pp. The offer includes return flights from London Gatwick to Ibiza and transfers between airport and the hotel. Based on 30 August 2021 departure for two adults sharing. No deposit required and the trip is ABTA and ATOL protected. www.formentera.es/en firstchoice.co.uk

CASA PACHA FORMENTERA >>> Set to open in June 2021 Contemporary, super elegant yet authentic in design, Casa Pacha Formentera will boast neutral tones, polished concrete floors, lots of natural wood and linens, tropical plants and African style ceramics with rattan screens providing stylish touches.

Artist impression

Located just a barefoot stroll from the Platja Migjorn and designed for ultimate relaxation, the property offers a range of rooms with breath-taking sea views. Personal touches such as organic breakfasts delivered in a hamper and aperitifs that can be enjoyed on a terrace at sunset will complete the unique experience in Casa Pacha Formentera. casapacha.com

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TOP 10 BEACHES

ACTIVITY CHECKLIST

Ses Illetes Levante Cala Saona Es Pujols Es Migjorn Es Arenals Calo des Morts De S’alga Ses Platgetes Cala es Ram

Below is a quick checklist of activities for those wanting to get off the beaten track

The beaches of Ses Illetes, Es Migjorn, and Es Arenals are popular with nudists.

Cycling around the island Scuba diving in La Savina Horse riding on the beach Dining at Michelin Guide restaurants Visiting the Cap de Barbaria Swimming in the quiet beach of Es Migjorn At the time of publishing Ibiza and Formentera were not on the ‘Green’ list of countries, so if you’re planning to visit this stunning area of the world, do check on official websties or consult with a travel professional to avoid disappointment.

THE BEST MARKETS IN FORMENTERA: Sant Ferran craft market La Mola craft market Antoni Tur Gabrielet craft centre La Savina market San Francisco market Es Pujols market

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GREECE THE UNDISCOVERED

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As this year of fear and uncertainty comes to an end and the freedom to travel slowly returns, we may find our dreams have changed. The long days of lockdown have given us time to reflect, to reconsider the feelings and experiences we want from our

holidays.

It isn’t just the world that’s changed. Our view of it has also been transformed. In our enforced stillness, we have been astounded by the glories of nature, reminded of the preciousness of time and comforted by the warmth of humanity. Many of us have reevaluated our desires, wondering if we really could replace our addiction to instant gratification and conspicuous consumption with slower, more meaningful and sustainable experiences.

Elena Papanicolaou is the founder of bespoke travel designer Fly Me To The Moon and a long-time advocate of slow travel.

Born in Athens but rooted in the Dodecanese, she is a passionate explorer of her homeland and has dedicated herself to delivering the authenticity, intimacy and exclusivity that off-the-peg, mass tourism cannot offer.

“Until travel became an industry, it was an activity that took place between humanity and nature, defined by sensation and mutually-rewarding relationships, and at its best, it could be transcendent,” says Elena. “This is the feeling I want my guests to experience here in the most beautiful, most welcoming destination on earth.”

you knew existed but could never find. My clients are curious, cultured, well-travelled people in search of experiences beyond cookie-cutter luxury. Of course, Fly Me To The Moon can arrange helicopters, yachts and ultra-stylish accommodation, but pack mules, simple mountain refuges and remote farmhouse kitchens could also feature if that’s what it takes to make your holiday truly magical.”

Weaving this magic begins with a conversation. You share your dreams – a secret voyage on a private yacht, a fantasy villa on your own island or a suite in one of Greece’s most exclusive and rarefied hotels – and Fly Me To The Moon will make them come true. Or you could ask Elena for inspiration.

“I would perhaps take you to Kasos – an island most Greeks have never found,” she says. “You’d stay in an exquisite 18th-century mansion – an old sea captain’s home right on the harbour. I’d take you on tour around the capital Fri, population 357, and let the locals drag you into their houses to show you their treasures brought from across the sea and let you taste the kolokithopoulia – stuffed courgette flowers – the delicate filo moschopoungia and our tiny, exquisite dolmadakia. We’d go in August for the Panigiri festival, not just for the joyful singing and the dancing but also to see the men cooking, serving and cleaning up at the village feasts. We’d buy sitaka cheese from Irini, then ask my fisherman friend Giorgos to take us in his boat to the islet of Armathia for a picnic on Marmara beach – arguably the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean - and maybe fishing for our supper on the rocks around Makra islet.” >>

“In 2021, we’re all going to be looking for the more remote, underdeveloped and authentic destinations – the Greece

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>> With a close network of local contacts and a comprehensive knowledge of Greek history and culture, Fly Me To The Moon offers much more than soulful, life-enhancing luxury on unspoiled islands.

Take a trip along the enchanting Greek wine routes and blend in with the local history and traditions while indulging in the indigenous grape varieties at the best wineries and cellars joined by exclusive tastings with renowned sommeliers.

For those curious to explore one of Europe’s last secret hinterlands, Elena suggests a slow week travelling around the mountain villages of the dramatic Vikos-Aoos National Park in the Zagori region of Epirus and the remote mountains of the Pindus National Park - also known as Valia Kalda, or “the warm valley” in Aromanian.

If you are the more adventurous type, then a one-of-a-kind hiking experience with local experts is just what you need.

Venture on the mapped and “unmapped” old trails where you will be able to see rare flora and fauna, idyllic old chapels, sheep pens, panoramic viewpoints and hear local stories.

Here, the sparkling waters of the Voldomatis River, the dizzying cliffs of the Vikos Gorge and the towering pines of the VikosAoos forest, home to Eurasian Brown Bears, are a playground for the adventurous; a haven for those seeking understated luxury in harmony with its environment; and a secret foodie paradise epitomised by foraged ingredients, traditional phyllo pies and shots of tsipouro spirit.

Fly Me To The Moon aims to deliver a holiday experience that caters to friends, family and multi-generational visitors and connecting people who share a common passion for Greece.

Bringing people together in a meaningful and breathtaking landscape will ensure that your guests will look back fondly on this experience.

Furthermore, the company also organises top surprise trips based on the clients’ profile, wishes and needs without giving away the full itineraries until the day of the activities, making this a truly unique and exciting experience. flymetothemoontravel.com

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

ANDREW CONEY

You’ve been the General Manager of The Hari for over six years; what key attributes and characteristics do you think make you a successful GM?

the city they are visiting. Always on the lookout for authentic opinions and unexpected travel tips, a guest at The Hari is eager to experience the more hidden and curious side of travel.

When I consider why I came into this business it was because I enjoy being hospitable – not a complicated concept. Create a relaxed and enticing environment for your team and guests and it drives a successful business. It is dispiriting that so many operators focus so much on the bottom line and forget about the essence of what we are here to do which is providing consistently wonderful experiences. Empowerment of the team is key. They must be allowed to be spontaneous and creative in what they deliver.

There’s been quite a success story with The Hari London’s TripAdvisor position in the last four years. What has contributed to this success, and do you have your eyes on the number 1 spot?

The Hari has been described as a comfortable and elegant place to visit. How does the décor and design interpret this?

We worked together with international interior designer, Tara Bernard, who is a good friend of our CEO and Chairman Dr. Aron Harilela, to create a home-from-home feel to the hotel. As we are located among the residential streets of Belgravia, we wanted an atmosphere that was stylish and inviting. Our rooms each have natural grey tones and textures with hints of aubergine, burgundy or ivy to add warmth. On entering the hotel, guests are met by a large fireplace in an open loft-feel lobby housing a rolling programme of art installations. The lobby lounge features an eclectic library and cosy hideaway areas. The mezzanine level plays host to The Bar and leads to a stylish al fresco Garden Terrace, its Belgravia’s best kept secret.

Who’s the typical guest at The Hari?

We would be lying if we said they weren’t! The team have worked incredibly hard to get to where we are, and I think it naturally comes down to our personalised service. We are always keeping an eye out on how to make a guest’s stay more memorable. We call opportunities like this our ‘Stories to Inspire’ with which everyone is encouraged to do something unique for a guest whether it be to reinforce something positive like an anniversary, or turnaround a negative experience and relieve stress. “Have you had a tough day? Let me send a glass of Champagne to your room” – that can work magic.

The Hari extended it’s offering with the opening of il Pampero in 2017. What can visitors expect to see on the menu?

At our neighbourhood restaurant, il Pampero, you can expect a traditional Italian menu complemented by an impressive wine and cocktail list – worth a visit alone for our signature Cacio e Pepe, which comes served tableside tossed in a giant wheel of Pecorino Romano. New this year, we will be launching a brunch offering at the weekend, offering typical brunch dishes with an Italian twist. Watch this space!

>>

The Hari’s typical guest is a discerning traveller, they are sophisticated, well-read and like to truly get under the skin of

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Was there one particular person who inspired you within your career, and how?

I could name numerous leaders and mentors who have guided me but my shout out is for a golf Greenkeeper. I managed a resort property that went through a dramatic case of Norovirus which took most of the hotel team out of action. This young man came to me and said he would work on the golf course in the day but could help in the restaurant in the evening. I asked him what experience he had, and he said none. That evening he spent the whole night reading about wine, our list and the service skills he needed. The next day he was charming all of our guests with his innocent and well-intentioned ambition to look after them and demonstrate the very best in teamwork and collaboration during crisis. I take his example as an inspiration to not be defeated and be ever determined to achieve the impossible.

We’ve seen one of the most unprecedented years in modern times, and its impact on the hospitality sector is undoubtedly disruptive. How do you see the hospitality sector post- COVID and how do you think hotels will operate differently to cope with these?

I am a strong believer that the hospitality industry will bounce back. For so much of this pandemic, people have had to put their life on hold and there are a lot of milestones and celebrations

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which have been missed. We’ve already seen a huge pick up in wedding enquiries as well as birthday and anniversary celebrations. People are so excited to socialise again and our industry is ready to welcome them. We don’t like to make a big song and dance about all our COVID procedures because for the most part high hygiene standards already featured in our day-to day practice and our guests who are visiting a five-star luxury hotel expect this to be the case.

How do you think people’s expectations of luxury hotels are changing?

Emphasis on sustainability is absolutely key moving forward and is only becoming more and more important. Luxury used to mean being able to provide a buffet sourcing premium ingredient from all over the world, but these days, luxury is much more focused on experiencing local culture and local cuisine. The next generation of travellers are incredibly eco-conscious and so they should be. It is up to us to continue and move forward with what they have started.

The importance of working as a team is a key part of your management style and something you encourage. How much does this factor play in running a successful hotel?

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Do we all remember those dreadful words “That’s not my job”?

I don’t believe anyone would ever say that at The Hari and the communal sense that we are all here for one another is our ethos.

Encouraging work/life balance, taking time to know everyone’s background and story makes the workplace a secure place. I feel strongly that we are here to deliver excellence but also to have time to not take life too seriously.

You invest a lot of time in community-based projects and incentives. Tell us more about those that you are involved in.

We have long supported the local community and have run projects through lockdowns to provide assistance to our neighbourhood, from a mass production of meals for those who would have gone without, to jumping on our Hari bikes to deliver groceries. 2021 will also be about giving back and our charitable work will continue. We want to do even more and are working on projects to support the arts who are in as much of a crisis as us, through sponsoring graduate artists and supporting young live theatre.

If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?

A little mischief here and there is actually probably not such a bad thing at all…….

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MALDIVES

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he Maldives is a small archipelagic state surrounded by the Indian Ocean where it lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The cool, mesmerising waters of the surrounding ocean have long provided a playground for those seeking water sports while the islands white sands help create that perfect calming idyll.

The islands themselves feature sheltered lagoons and are home to many of the world’s best beach resorts where relaxation and that perfect tropical getaway are experienced by travellers every year.

While relaxation may be top of the list for many holidaymakers, adrenaline junkies can take advantage of world-class diving, surfing, fishing, kayaking and many more. Coral reefs surround many of the islands and visitors can island hop to discover each of the hidden gems that make up The Maldives.

So, what can travellers expect once international travel resumes?

We look at a few of the new experiences and resorts that will greet new and seasoned Maldives visitors. >>

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image courtesy of visitmaldives.com

image courtesy of visitmaldives.com

image courtesy of visitmaldives.com

>> Adventurous travellers looking to tick something off the bucket list later this year should plan a trip to Kandima Maldives, which has launched a new skydiving programme providing visitors with a panoramic 360- degree views of the destination.

The new Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, which is scheduled to open on 1st June 2021, will provide guests with an immersive cultural experience from evening Bodu Beru performances to traditional food served in resort restaurants. Or travellers looking to enjoy an extra-long holiday can take advantage of Movenpick Resort Kiuredhivaru Maldives’ newly launched long-stay offer of three months or more.

Take the Leap with Kandima Maldives’ New Skydiving Programme

The Maldives Launches World’s First Border Miles Loyalty Programme

Uncover Maldivian Culture at the Soon-to-Open Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The Maldives has launched a one-of-a-kind, three-tiered loyalty programme for travellers called ‘Maldives Border Miles’, marking a first for any global destination. Aimed at promoting tourism and encouraging repeat travel to the Indian Ocean destination, ‘Maldives Border Miles’ enables tourists enrolled on the programme to collect points and earn rewards. Points will be given based on the duration of stay and for visits celebrating special occasions, as well as for travel during local holidays in the Maldives. The frequency of visits, and aspects such as organising activities or excursions with ‘Maldives Border Miles’ partners will also help travellers to add to their collection of points. Members of the program will receive benefits based on their Tier status – of which there are three Aida (Bronze Tier), Antara (Silver Tier) and Abaarana (Gold Tier) – which increase in value as members progress up the programme

Soon-to-open, Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands resort beckons travellers with immersive experiences centred around Maldivian culture and traditions. Set to open on 1st June 2021, the resort highlights the cyclical nature of Maldivian island life through its circular architecture. Holidaymakers to the island will be greeted by the sounds of a sangu horn, traditionally blown to announce a special arrival or news in island communities. Come evening guests can enjoy Bodu Beru performances, an indigenous form of dance to the beat of drums, at the resort’s Eau Bar. The immersion into local culture also extends through to the resort’s dining experiences; ensuring all fish is caught sustainably, the culinary team are committed to providing guests with the freshest catch from local fisherman, whilst vegetables and herbs are homegrown in the resort’s organic garden. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands can also explore The Marina at Fari Islands, built around the vibrant Fari Beach Club, high-

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Travellers seeking an adrenaline rush can tick skydiving off their bucket list in 2021, during a trip to Kandima Maldives, which has recently launched a new skydiving programme for guests. Daring holidaymakers can join an experienced instructor 12,000ft in the air before parachuting over the Indian Ocean. During the free fall, adventure enthusiasts will reach speeds of up to 200km/hr and can enjoy panoramic 360-degree views of the archipelago nation, before landing safely in Kandima Maldives.

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image courtesy of Milaidhoo resort end boutiques, a selection of upscale restaurants, an art studio, and Fari Lagoon Coral Adoption & Marine Biology Center. This archipelago truly redefines the Maldivian experience, allowing travellers to experience a balance of cosmopolitan and private island life never before seen in the region.

Stay in Paradise for Three Months or More with Mӧövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives’ Newly Launched Long Stay Offer Escape to paradise with Möӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives’ new long stay offer, with a minimum stay of three months. The package for two people offers a 90-day stay in the resort’s Overwater Pool Villa Lagoon and complimentary return seaplane transfers, as well as complimentary breakfasts at the resort’s ONU Marché restaurant and a 25% discount on food and drinks, spa, and laundry access. There is plenty to explore at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru; holidaymakers can access recreational facilities such as a gym, beach volleyball and tennis courts, non-motorized water sports, as well as daily sunrise and sunset yoga sessions and one cooking class per week, when booking this offer. Each day, guests can fully settle into island living at the resort’s Daily Chocolate Hour at Möӧvenpick Coffee and Wine Lounge between 16:00 – 17:00pm. Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru’ Long Stay Offer is valid for stays up until 30th November 2021. Price is £31,247.26+ (US$44,000+) per 90 days of stay for two people in one villa and is subject to 10% service charge, 12% GST and £4.26 (US$6) Government Green Tax per person per night.

Find out more bordermiles.mv kandima.com ritzcarlton.com movenpick.com/en/ asia/maldives

visitmaldives.com

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TIME TO RELAX

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ith the Maldives looking hopeful for the green list on the new travel traffic light system in May, The five-star Kagi Maldives Spa Island has unveiled three new retreat packages at its fully-integrated wellness centre, Baani Spa.

Until October 2021, guests can book a transformative Couple’s Retreat, Pure Life Wellness Retreat or Yoga Retreat package.

Each retreat offers an ideal post-lockdown escape and a holistic, wellness journey to reclaim self-connection, self-care and balance through an array of therapeutic and mindful practices, all whilst immersing oneself in the calming oasis of the Maldives.

The retreat packages include the Baani Couples Retreat where lovebirds can enjoy an array of relaxing spa treatments such as a sensual, 60-minute couple’s massage, meditative sound therapy or a special wellness bathtub experience with champagne in hand, ultimately leading to a complete state of togetherness.

An incredible Catamaran Sunset Sailing trip across the tranquil Maldivian waters will see couples float to paradise before settling down to a romantic candle-lit dinner.

The seven-night Baani Couples Retreat starts from £4468.02 on a B&B basis per couple in a Lagoon Pool Villa based on double occupancy and inclusive of Government Green Tax of £4.26 per person and 12% GST. Airport transfers not included.

Baani Yoga Retreat Against the backdrop of the sparkling blue lagoon, aspiring yogis can find zen with six individual hour-long private yoga

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sessions that will offer lessons in how to practise mindfulness to overcome the stresses of day-to-day life and reach a state of calm and clarity.

Guests can relieve symptoms of stress with a special stress reliever back massage, realign and restore with a 60-minute chakra sound balancing session and admire the Maldives’ exceptional nature scenes with a Stand-Up Paddle Sunset tour.

The seven-night Baani Yoga Retreat starts from £2498 per person on a B&B basis in a Lagoon Pool Villa inclusive of Government Green Tax of £4.26 per person and 12% GST. Airport transfers not included.

Baani Pure Life Wellness Retreat Kagi’s expert team of therapists, health coaches and mindfulness teachers will guide wellness warriors on a bespoke wellness journey and equip them with the skills necessary to achieve an enhanced, joyful and mindful life.

Through mindful meditation sessions, nutrition lessons and rejuvenating spa treatments, guests will feel confident in transforming healthy intentions into sustainable wellbeing practises and will be able to explore the power of connection and self-care.

The five-night Baani Pure Life Retreat starts from £ 1941 per person on a B&B basis in a Lagoon Pool Villa inclusive of Government Green Tax of £4.26 per person and 12% GST. Airport transfers not included. kagimaldives.com

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S TAYC AT I O N U K Images >> Top half Cedar Valley, Hampshire Bottom half - Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts (RMSH)

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t’s not surprising that after a challenging twelve months, many people are desperate to escape to the outdoors and experience the world around them again.

With some opting to remain on UK shores, staycations will remain a popular choice for many, and with so many exciting venues, events and areas of the UK to explore, we thought we’d celebrate the staycation in style with some hidden favourites and gems that should be on your shortlist.

Over the last few years, there’s been a noticeable rise in repurposing cabins and shepherd huts into chic places to stay.

With two new cabins opening this spring, the Cedar Valley, Hampshire, provides a stylish collection of glamping escapes in the heart of the Meon Valley, Hampshire. The Woodland Kabin and Cedars Kabin make the most of two secluded spots on the edge of woodland with far-reaching views across the valley. Each has been finished with a contemporary luxury feel with rustic charm at its core. Built using environmentally conscious design and local materials, the bespoke accommodation is sustainable and fitting with the landscape. The interiors exude rustic charm, with the reclaimed timber cladding, and retro-chic with the exposed pendant lightbulbs in the open-plan kitchens and en-suite bathrooms, luxury soft furnishings and linen bedding.

The en-suite bathrooms have a stylish waterfall shower, and the kitchen is fully equipped for self-catered holidays.

West Meon is a Hampshire village that dates back to the Iron and Bronze Ages. Roman villas and Meonwara tribe remains have been discovered locally. Its beautiful surroundings are perfect for a base to explore the local landscape, and The Meon Valley Trail is a popular route for walkers and cyclists. Wine connoisseurs can take in a tipple or two at the Hattingley Valley Wines vineyard, famed for its range of English sparkling wines.

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If you’re a lover of all things steam, then The Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line is nearby and will give you an alternative view of the surrounding countryside.

Cedar Valley, Hampshire from £150 per night Those looking for a unique pad set with a rural and pastoral setting, then shepherds huts are the perfect way of embracing outdoor life. Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts (RMSH) are set on a family farm near Aldington on the Romney Marsh, a sparsely populated wetland area in Kent that’s designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Owned by the Boulden family, who have lived and farmed on the Marsh since 1882 and have over 130 years’ experience of the area, the huts were launched in 2018 as a way to diversify the farm’s business and build on the success of the family’s successful brand Romney Marsh Wools which is also run from the farm and has just won the ‘National Best Rural Creative or Artisan Business Award’ at The Rural Business Awards 2020/21. The company uses the fleeces and lanolin from the family’s flock of sheep to create artisan Best of British homewares, clothing and toiletries with samples of the products available for guests to use while staying in the huts.

The two traditional shepherds’ huts - Rumwold and Lookerer were specially commissioned by the family and bespoke built by local craftsman Julian from Elham Valley Shepherds Huts using original 1900’s plans. Designed as rural retreats incorporating a touch of luxury, the cosy huts are the perfect romantic hideaway for couple’s post lockdown and come fully equipped with a double bed, kitchen including electric hob and outdoor fire pit, a built-in toilet and shower room. Visitors looking to try out something new can add on a diverse range of experiences to their stay, including a Marsh Jeep Safari, needle felting, photography sessions, art tutor classes with RMSH’s >>

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>> Artist in Residence Steve Thomson and wine tours of Kent’s vineyards.

As a guide, for travel in August 2021, a three-night stay in the Lookerer Hut is priced from £433 based on two adults sharing (£216.50 per person). There’s a minimum two-night stay per booking.

Bookings go through Kent and Sussex Cottages kentandsussexcottages.co.uk and search ‘Lookerer’ The ability to adapt to provide outdoor dining areas has seen some amazing transformations, including The Duncombe Arms, Staffordshire, who have added a brand new indoor/outdoor pergola featuring a retractable roof, fitted heaters and capacity for 28 whatever the weather.

Guests will be able to enjoy both lunch and dinner in the new structure, which has been furnished in keeping with the cosy country pub. The Duncombe Arms will also be launching The Old Barn, a small cottage separated by just a few metres to the pub. The Old Barn is available to rent following its complete renovation. The cottage will sleep six people over three rooms with a kitchen and living area and is perfect for families or groups of friends who want to have a private getaway but

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with a delightful pub with excellent food quite literally on the doorstep. Walnut House, the original accommodation, which is home to ten en-suite rooms and was opened in 2019, will be available for guests to check into from 17th May. Located on the edge of the Peak District and not far from the Pennines, its location is perfect for those looking for a touch of inspiration. Its landscape has been the muse of many writers, musicians and artists. For those looking for a touch of adrenaline, the nearby Carsington Reservoir offers water sports, including sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. If that doesn’t tick the energy wish list, Alton Towers is just three miles away.

The Duncombe Arms Staffordshire Rooms start from £170 per night / per room duncombearms.co.uk

cruisers, allowing entire families to stay on board and to explore their chosen region. The self-drive Benson Return river cruise allows holidaymakers to explore the western section of the River Thames.

Here moorings are easy to find, and the distance between locks is greater than at the river’s eastern end, which means more cruising.

If messing about on the river is your ideal way to spend your time, then how about re-discovering the Thames with Le Boat?

Le Boat has been providing inland water boating holidays for over 50 years and offers trippers a wealth of experience, expertise and memories.

Le Boat’s Thames holidays can be whatever guests want them to be, from a full-on action-packed adventure to a slow-paced, relaxing chance to unwind.

A seven-night self-catered cruise on the River Thames in 2021, starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base at Benson, onboard the Capri sleeping up to three, is priced from £789 per boat / £263 pp. Transport to and

Le Boat has a fleet of large self-drive

Staying on Le Boat craft means that guests have their own private bubble, with no need to worry about social distancing.

The dreaming spires and universities of Oxford are a six-hour cruise to the west of Benson or head east, and in six hours, boaters can be in Henley-on-Thames, the home of British rowing. Perfect for those seeking an affordable staycation and with no previous experience necessary,

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from the base is not included. leboat.co.uk If you’re looking for a more relaxed, secluded experience, then YTL Hotel’s Monkey Island Estate in Bray offers guests a choice of charming period accommodation in six beautiful standalone Private Residences.

Just 40 minutes from London, these private countryside escapes are the ideal option for private staycations with family and friends. The residences blend classic style and the warmth of a period home with contemporary and luxury comfort, each with its own intriguing history and story to tell, having played host to names such as composer Edward Elgar, Formula One racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss and Sylvia Anderson, the creator of Thunderbirds.

Guests staying in the residences can enjoy the freedom, space and privacy of staying with loved ones, whilst taking advantage of the hospitality and services of the hotel, just a stone’s throw away.

Monkey Island Estate lies between Bray Rock and Boulter’s Lock. There are

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mooring points available for guests, as well as a landing stage for smaller boats.

Helicopter landing on the island itself is available with prior notice. White Waltham is the nearest airfield for private places (6-miles away).

Nightly rates are from the following prices and are subject to length of stay, and a minimum three-night stay is required at all residences over summer weekends: Sundial Cottage from £1,250; Brook House from £1,500; Long White Cloud from £1,400; Bray House from £1,250; Dormer Cottage from £400 and Lavender House from £1,000.

Monkeyislandestate.co.uk The New Forest has long provided a draw for families and couples looking to connect again with the outdoors. In the wildly romantic New Forest national park sits Lime Wood, a former hunting lodge and now a country house hotel where the high end meets homely. Herb House has a rooftop garden for outdoor yoga, Raw & Cured restaurant serving healthy delicious food, an outdoor hot pool, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room where you can unwind before Sarah Chapman facials and Bamford massages. Luke Holder and Angela Hartnett are at the helm of

the restaurant bringing a bit of La Dolce Vita to stays with home-style Italian food where provenance and sharing is everything.

Lime Wood will be offering stays in the self-contained garden suites, Forest Cottages, Lake Cabin or Forest Cabin. The main hotel and its bedrooms, restaurant, Courtyard bar and lounges will reopen on the 17th May at the earliest, but a real bonus is that the Herb House spa, its treatment rooms and most of its facilities will be open for guests to enjoy some much-needed downtime. The gardens and Forest are also yours to explore, and you’ll be able to tuck into some delicious food and enjoy a night or two away from home.

The Forest Hideaways at Lime Wood are set apart from the hotel with private terraces, roll-top baths and four-poster beds. For the ultimate romantic hideaway, the Lake Cabin sits overlooking the water with an outside bathtub and log burning stove.

Rooms from £396 per night limewoodhotel.co.uk >>

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>> The worry of keeping the whole family entertained is often high on the list and with multi-generational travel tipped to gather momentum, Luxury Family Hotels have added a number of exciting pop-ups at its hotels this year to make sure everyone has a well-deserved post lockdown break. From the planned reopening of the hotels on Monday 17th May, a series of engaging and fun pop-ups will start to appear at a number of the hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels collection.

Their Moonfleet Manor is sited on the Jurassic Coast, Dorset making it perfect for budding fossil collectors. The hotel has seen a refurbishment to its lounges, restaurant, cinema and communal areas in keeping with its seaside location. Taking advantage of Moonfleet’s wonderful views overlooking Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, the hotel is launching a popup pizzeria in the hotel’s garden by the children’s play area.

Opening May Half Term (28th May), this will serve freshly made pizza using local Dorset ingredients as well as those just picked from the hotel’s own kitchen garden.

Luxury Family Hotels other sites include the historic Ickworth Estate, which has partnered partnering with Perrier-Jouët and will open its first-ever Perrier-Jouët Cocktail Bar in its beautiful walled garden in July. With relaxed seating, it is set to provide the perfect spot to enjoy a Champagne cocktail while the children play safely on the many outdoor games located in the walled garden.

Open from noon until 10 pm daily, the bar will also feature a number of live music sessions at the weekends. Lunch, afternoon tea and a small plates menu will also be available to guests to enjoy.

Rooms from £199 per night on a B&B basis.

Luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

As well as a choice of mouth-watering foods, local beers and ales will also be served as well as local ice-creams from awardwinning luxury Dorset ice-cream maker Purbeck, including the hugely popular Dig-A-Saurus. July will see the launch of Moonfleet Manor’s first Tennis Academy, offering complimentary and supervised tennis coaching sessions for children aged six to 15-years-old. This will run from the 10th July till the 5th September 2021. For those wanting to brush up their skills with some personal tuition can book private lessons priced at £45 per 45-minute session.

Rooms from £189 per night on a B&B basis.

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If you’re looking to plan a trip to Scotland, then VisitScotland has put together their five tips to make sure you get the most of exploring this fabulous holiday spot. Scotland itself offers so many options, ranging from sandy white beaches to beautiful cityscapes. When planning a staycation, there are a few things you can do to ensure it is extra-special and make the most out of your staycation.

Plan ahead – To avoid disappointment, visitors should get the most out of where they are going by doing their research and booking ahead where possible. Particularly important given the events of the past year is that visitors make sure they know before they go – this includes checking with accommodation and transport providers and attractions regarding their Covid safe measures. Check the relevant websites and the local destination website to ensure you are aware of all rules, restrictions and safety procedures relating to Covid-19.

Try out the trend of slow travel – Not only is it an eco-friendly way to visit, but it gives visitors the chance to really experience their chosen destination in depth. Select one or two regions and really look into the options there; check out local eateries and boutiques, family-run guesthouses and B&Bs and discover the local walks and wildlife to experience some of the wellness that connection to nature brings. When visitors really take the time to get to know the area, they will find that Scotland is such a special place to be.

Set a budget – It can be easy to over-indulge when on holiday or staycation but try to stick to a pre-planned budget. Scotland has experiences to suit all budgets, and Visitscotland.com is a great place to look for ideas and inspiration about what works best for individual budgets.

Choose to give back – have a feel-good holiday in Scotland.

Tours like Invisible Cities in Edinburgh and Glasgow train people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city. Guests at Torrisdale Castle are invited to plant a tree to offset their carbon footprint during their stay, and gin fans can enjoy Kintyre Gin, which is produced on the estate, instils powered by the estate’s hydro-electric scheme. If visitors prefer just to relax during their stay, then it’s easy for visitors to support local businesses by shopping and eating at locally owned restaurants and boutiques.

VisitScotland.com has a dedicated page with advice on visiting, along with the latest in events and travel, so it’s worth checking these out before embarking on any highland flings.

Five tips to make the most out of a staycation from VisitScotland, who are exhibitors at the second online edition of Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show: Destinations presents Travel 2021 which is online from Wednesday 5th May until Sunday 16th May (access to live content from 7th – 9th May).

Consider your destination choice – While rural self-catering is booming, Scotland’s culture-rich cities are seeing less demand than usual. Scotland’s cities not only offer fascinating historical and cultural attractions, as well as top quality dining but are also bursting with green spaces, a perfect way to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors but also experience the wonders of city life.

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Look out for skeins of pink-footed geese making their way up north while, from late September to March, over 10,000 geese >> Following a three-year restoration, the family-run rural estate of Newhall Mains on Scotland’s Black Isle peninsula launches a collection of affordable-luxury cottages and sumptuous suites, each individually available. The elegant 18th-century former farm buildings are the only luxury holiday rental accommodation in the UK to have a private airfield, ideal for those who prefer to give public transport a miss. Situated close to the North Coast 500, Scotland’s answer to Route 66, and half an hour from Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, it is the perfect base from which to discover Cromarty Firth, Britain’s best location for viewing bottlenose dolphins.

While ‘Mains’ is an old Scottish word for the traditional agricultural buildings of a farm, Euan Ramsay, who runs and manages the family business, has ensured that Newhall Mains is geared to today’s traveller, with underfloor heating, a luxury food delivery service, Tesla charging points, fully equipped kitchens, a massive fire pit, and beautiful interiors with every home-fromhome comfort. Fringed by the Moray and Cromarty Firths, this is an area of the Highlands that feels more Lowland in character.

Discover the powerful Falls of Shin, one of the best places to see salmon leaping upstream. Moray Firth abounds with bottlenose dolphins, and these can be viewed from a custom-built wildlife watching boat or directly from Chanonry Point, where the tiderace gap is just half a mile wide. In winter, huge numbers of wildfowl and waders congregate to feed in nearby Udale Bay.

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pass through, often assembling in Newhall Mains’ own fields.

Within a 45-minute drive of Newhall Mains are some of the best malt whisky distilleries where guests can learn about the intricacies of its production, from the Angel’s Share to the Quaich.

For golfers, there are several great courses within easy reach, including Dornoch, the championship course, rated 13th in the world, which is one of the country’s classic links courses.

A low-season stay at Newhall Mains newhall-mains.com costs from £95 per night in a double suite, rising to £250 per night in the three-bedroom cottage. Cottage guests all receive a welcome hamper. Continental breakfast costs £15pp, and there’s an à la carte option too. Free cancellations are available up to 48 hours before arrival. newhall-mains.com If that’s fired your appetite for exploring the UK further, then do keep your eyes peeled for our Autumn/Winter issue, where we will focus on Wales, and Ireland escapes.

Above and opposite Images Newhall Mains

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THE PHEASANT INN, HUNGERFORD Renowned country pub to open three new bedrooms and refurbished restaurant

The Pheasant Inn, near Hungerford, has also undergone a refurbishment with a new restaurant area and three new en-suite bedrooms, both designed by Isabella Worsley LTD. In keeping with the existing pub area, the restaurant maintains the informality and character on which the Pheasant’s reputation has been built. With a palette of earthy greens and warm reds, the restaurant area includes reclaimed tables and leather banquettes, giving a welcoming feel. Supporting the interiors, an eclectic collection of drawings/painting and photographs hang in the space; a nod to the area’s strong racing ties. The restaurant will continue to serve its excellent food which shows off the best produce from the local area in outstanding seasonal dishes.

The Pheasant is the ideal destination for a weekend away as it is just an hour from London and surrounded by beautiful countryside to explore, as well as the perfect stop off destination for those heading to the West Country.

Rooms from £110 per night thepheasant-inn.co.uk

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

DAN VISSER

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et in the heart of the Lake District, Brimstone Hotel is perfectly sited for exploring the gorgeous countryside.

Editor Nicola asked Dan Visser, Director of Sales and Marketing what it takes to make the perfect retreat and why relaxation is top of the list for staycationers.

Tell us about your role at Brimstone Hotel & Spa?

meetings and events.

I am the Director of Sales and Marketing and part of the Management team for the Langdale Estate. We work to maintain and develop Brimstone’s high standards and guest offAerings as well as oversee the running of the whole Langdale Estate.

Outside of this, I am also a Non-Executive Director of Cumbria Tourism and also on the Visitor Economy Sector Panel for Local Enterprise Partnership. Both of these roles give me a holistic view of the Lake District tourism industry and helps to inform my work at Brimstone.

What does Brimstone Hotel & Spa offer visitors and what sets it apart from other hotels?

What is the size of the team at Brimstone Hotel & Spa? At Brimstone we have 16 full and part time hosts who look after our guests during their stay - they do everything from lighting the fires in the bedroom to station pick-ups and are on hand to provide guests with whatever they need.

Who is the type of traveller that comes to Brimstone Hotel & Spa? Brimstone guests are predominantly leisure travellers who are wanting a short, luxurious break. We find that many guests often stay to celebrate special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries and the like.

We also host a very small number of high-end corporate

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We offer guests a personal, yet luxurious stay in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. We have guests that want to have a luxury stay whilst enjoying the outdoors and guests who want a luxury stay without wanting to go outdoors - we provide both offerings to an extremely high standard.

How has Brimstone Hotel & Spa dealt with the rise of visitors looking to escape the pressures of modern life?

Brimstone has always been about providing our guests with luxury, relaxation and enjoyment. However, as I touched on above,the ways in which our guests work to improve their wellbeing is very individual - for some it is going out on a mountain bike on the fells whilst they are here, for others it is pottering over to the spa to spend their day. We have worked to ensure that our guests have a way of relaxing that suits them which is why we have our spa, our Arcteryx Bootroom, our reading room and our hosts who can help guests organise and advise on whatever it is guest’s fancy doing whilst they are staying with us. We are always looking at ways we can develop our offerings further, for example we have recently introduced a Mindfulness Map which is a free map with suggestions of >>

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>> mindful activities in the area for guests; everything from open water swimming to having a drink at the pub. We never want to be prescriptive - our aim is that our guests leave us feeling more relaxed and recharged than when they arrived and ensure that there are ways that cater for everyone.

For those looking for a more active break, what does Brimstone Hotel & Spa provide or recommend locally?

We have lots of ways to make a visit to Brimstone more active. As I mentioned with relaxation, being active means different things to different people but however guests choose to be active, we can help, be that walking to and from the pub for dinner to organising a trip around more extreme adventures such as the Fred Whitton cycle race.

For those that just want to go out and walk on the fells we have our very own Arcteryx Boot Room which provides guests with complimentary, top of the range Arcteryx walking kit (everything from walking boots to coats to Ordnance Survey Maps) to ensure they are ready to take on the rather variable Lake District elements!

All of our hosts are local and very knowledgeable about the local area so guests are encouraged to ask the hosts about any adventure advice or recommendations. We have lots of links with local partners so our hosts can organise everything from paddleboarding to ghyll scrambling.

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We also have a partnership with BikeTreks and can organise guided mountain bike trips which is great for the more adventurous type. We offer special BikeTreks weekends during the summer at our sister hotel, Langdale Hotel, which have been really popular.

How important is interior design when creating the right atmosphere at Brimstone Hotel & Spa? The interior design has been really important in creating the right atmosphere across the suites, the more communal spaces and the spa and continues to be very important. We have worked hard to create an experience that is enjoyable and relaxing whilst also being that little bit more luxurious than what you’d have at home.

We never stand still when it comes to any part of the hotel, but particularly the interior design. Although the hotel is only 5 years old, we are doing full soft refurb this year which will update and refresh our rooms to bring in more elements of relaxation and luxury - watch this space!

Who designed the suites and what were the key elements you wanted to include to give them their identity?

We have a collection of 16 luxury suites and rooms which were designed by Greyline Design. We wanted the rooms to be tranquil, relaxing yet opulent. To deliver on this, the design of the suites are cool and stylish with cues taken from the >>

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>> Lakeland landscape - all without compromising on quality or comfort.

What’s your favourite part of the hotel and why?

My favourite part of the hotel is the service - it really is second to none. The people here make the stay for our guests. They are friendly, helpful and will always go the extra mile. Sounds simple but it really does make every stay that bit more personal. >> In terms of the actual facilities I love our Mezzanine Suites due to the scale of them. These suites have a large seating and bathroom area downstairs with a log burning stove and a folding glass wall onto the balcony whilst upstairs there is the mezzanine, gallery bedroom. They really are quite amazing.

Our Reading Room is also a favourite and is the first place I go after I’ve been out on my mountain bike for a beer, a few nibbles and to put my feet up!

have known about.

As the pressures of modern life continue to grow, do you think staycations will grow in popularity?

Yes, I do think staycations will grow in popularity. Mental health, mindfulness and self-care are all areas of wellbeing that are becoming increasingly popular and people are becoming much more aware of the importance of taking some time out. I don’t think that is going to change any time soon - people seem to be more inclined to spend money on experiences to help with their wellbeing than ever before.

I also think staycations are likely to grow because people are becoming more conscious about their impact on the environment. Staycations are a good way of reducing the carbon output produced from a holiday as it (usually) doesn’t involve air travel.

Have you got any tips on how visitors can make the most of their stay and the local area?

I would always encourage guests to get active and breathe in some of the wonderful fresh air during their stay with us, in whatever format that might be. Being active and exploring allows you to have experiences you wouldn’t normally have on a day to day basis. You’ll discover things like beautiful views, paths off the beaten track and even great pubs that you otherwise wouldn’t

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THE KAPRUN EDITION LUXURY APARTMENTS WITH AN AUSTRIAN ALPS BACKDROP

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ombine the majestic scenery and fresh air of the Alps with luxurious amenities and modern hospitality, and the result is the lavish chalets of The Kaprun Edition.

A recent winner in the Luxury Lifestyle Awards The Kaprun can claim it’s spot as The Best Luxury Villa Rental and Accommodation Services in Austria.

The Kaprun Edition is a collection of luxury chalets that form a small village in Kaprun, one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Austrian Alps. The village is close to the centre of town with modern amenities on visitors doorstep, while at the same time allowing you to fully enjoy the nature that surrounds the chalets. The property boasts delightful proximity to a mountain river with breathtaking mountain views, creating a calming backdrop for chalet guests.

The Kaprun Edition has several lodges that offer high-end amenities and hospitality. In addition, work is underway on new lodges and residences that will open their doors later this year. Some chalets are built from natural tree trunks, which has enhanced the special cosy atmosphere and the unique charm of native lodges. Generously proportioned interior spaces are equipped with stylish wooden furniture, fireplace, fully functional kitchen with all the necessary culinary equipment, bathrooms with walk-in shower and toiletries. Outside the chalets there’s private parking spaces for cars.

Edition has been above reproach in this, helping every guest feel right at home.

Despite all the advantages and conveniences of the chalets, most vacationers come here for the fascinating outdoor activities, and that’s something The Kaprun Edition guests won’t be disappointed in either. The village is close to the Ski resort Lechnerberg, which offers excellent slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Close to the village, you will also find the new Kaprun Center, home to Maiskogel, an ideal ski resort for families.

The new 3K K-connection takes you to the Kitzsteinhorn ski area on the glacier.

Fans of less extreme activities can choose snowshoe hikes, try out the toboggan run or enjoy a relaxing treatment in the spa hotel TAUERN SPA. The warm season in Kaprun is an ideal time to visit the local natural attractions and explore the hundreds of kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails through the most beautiful places in the region. thekaprunedition.at

The Kaprun Edition properties can accommodate between 12 and 24 guests and are available in three, four, five, or sevenbedroom options. The chalets also have outdoor terraces with private hot tubs to relax at the end of a busy days hiking or exploring.

The Kaprun Edition was the brainchild of passionate homeowner Susanne Fischer, who over the years has created an atmosphere of family comfort for guests and village staff alike. One of the main criteria for evaluating winners at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards is the quality of service, and the team at The Kaprun 54

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G R E AT P L A I N S ’ N E W T E M B O P L A I N S C A M P, Z I M B A B W E New five-star accommodation in the Sapi Reserve to open August 2021

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reat Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company is thrilled to announce the much anticipated Tembo Plains Camp, scheduled to open on 1st August 2021. The new Zimbabwean opening is located on the private 118,000-hectare Sapi Reserve, whose northern border is over 40kms of the Zambezi River. The well-known Mana Pools Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms the Sapi Reserve’s western border.

With four spacious guest tents, an exquisite two-bedroom family unit and a private guide tent, Tembo Plains Camp will be ideal for couples, families, multi-generational travellers, and those looking for an exclusive personal safari experience. The beautiful family unit, with interiors designed by Great Plains co-founder Beverly Joubert, comprises of two tents with a shared lounge, dining area and pool and will accommodate up to four adults, two adults and two children 6 and up. Each guest tent offers an indoor lounge and outdoor dining area, private plunge pool and exercise bikes, in addition to expansive en-suite bathroom facilities, indoor baths, showers and double vanities. Guests have access to professional Canon cameras and Leica binoculars throughout their stay to capture the many special holiday moments.

“When I designed Tembo Plains Camp, it was with a view to reference the famous Great Zimbabwe ruins but not lose sight of our love of canvas and exploring. So we ended up with a unique combination of canvas and stone walls. The semi-circular walls inside each tent isolate the bath and shower from the bedroom and indoor lounge areas bringing that architectural reference inside. Outside, this pack-stone wall design continues along the back of the guest bedroom, and that really gives you a greater sense of privacy, often an issue in tents. I didn’t want a completely ‘built room’. Hence, the front has these uninterrupted views of the Zambezi flowing just meters away from the canvas ‘tented’ portion,” commented Dereck Joubert, Great Plains CEO. “Tembo”, meaning elephant, pays tribute to the animals frequently seen around Tembo Plains Camp along with painted dogs, buffalo, lions and leopards. The Sapi Private Reserve borders the Mana Pools National Park and is recognised as one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations today. Twitchers will be spoiled for choice as Tembo Plains is situated in a prime bird-watching country, ideal for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Activities at Tembo Plains include day and night wildlife-viewing drives, walking safaris, canoeing and boating on the Zambezi River.

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“For me, the combination of activities allows for that unbelievable, youthful question: “what should we do today?” and the endless possibilities this implies. Do we canoe, walk, drive, sit at a hide, stay in, have a massage? This is one of the finest places for endless possibilities I know,” said Dereck Joubert.

Tembo Plains will join the Réserve Collection of camps, the highest-level brand at Great Plains, alongside sister properties Zarafa Camp, Selinda Camp, Duba Plains in Botswana, and Mara Nyika, Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya. Tembo Plains will be a proud member of Relais & Châteaux – the only camp in the whole of Zimbabwe given this honour.

Nightly rates in the new family unit at Tembo Plains starts from £2,347*; a guest tent at the new Tembo Plains begins from £838* per person per night. *Prices based on today’s exchange rate. greatplainsconservation.com

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iL PAMPERO After our interview with Andrew Coney (page 30), it seemed fitting to kick off our dining section with a focus on Il Pampero, which not only provides authentic Italian food for The Hari guests, but has become an endearing spot for ‘in the know’ Londoners.

This hidden gem in the heart of Knightsbridge is just moments away from Harrods and within walking distance of London’s leading attractions, including The Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, so it comes as no surprise that many of its guests are a discerning clientele.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, experience exceptional Italian cooking in a sophisticated setting, which embodies Italian chic and vintage glamour; designed by acclaimed designer, Tara Bernerd. Under

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the direction of Executive Chef, Claudio Covino, the team delivers a traditional Italian menu complemented by an impressive wine list and cocktail menu.

Executive Chef, Claudio Covino, strongly believes that all raw ingredients at the heart of his creations must be Italian, hence why all of the food served at il Pampero has regional influences, in particular from southern Italy.

Born in Rome, Chef Claudio has lived in London for many years mastering the art of combining traditional Italian recipes with creative and contemporary techniques. As well as the great classics, he loves to experiment and finds new combinations to amaze his guests.

He prides himself in working with the “best” Italian suppliers, sourcing everything directly from its place of origin. For example, one of the restaurant’s most requested dishes, Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, is made exclusively with original Roman Pecorino; the Beef Carpaccio is served with Castelmagno, one of the most ancient Italian cheeses from the Piemonte region; and the porcini mushroom dishes, use mushrooms from Tuscany. il Pampero’s suppliers consistently provide quality seasonal produce of certified origins, allowing the team to offer true Italian excellence, all of the time.

Marrying Italian hospitality with Belgravian lifestyle, designers Tara Bernerd & Partners created a bespoke design scheme that embraces informal luxury. Bold Vespa-green lacquers and rich velvets are combines with soft leathers and heritage fabrics to create a warm and inviting ambience. The subtle backlighting used to illuminate the feature bar draws the eye into the space and provides a seductive experience, whether you’re enjoying an early-afternoon coffee or cocktails with aperitivo.

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ENGLAND’S SEAFOOD COAST Fro m C ro m e r c ra b to E s s e x oy s te r s , t h e re’s fa r m o re to t h e English coast than fish ‘n’ chips

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f you’re planning a UK coastal break later this year, fear not about missing the seafood and fresh fish of the Med; you can find a huge variety of wonderful culinary delights right here on our very own shores.

“England’s Seafood Coast offers some of the best produce in the world. Passionate chefs are transforming fresh and local ingredients into fantastic dishes all around our coastline,” says Samantha Richardson, Director National Coastal Tourism Academy.

“Many of our food producers use traditional and sustainable methods, while fish markets, boat trips and cooking experiences are on offer all over the coast. This is the perfect year for a foodie break and discovering the excellent cuisine and seafood this country offers.”

Nowhere is seafood better served than on the English Riviera in Devon, home to the world-famous Brixham Fish Market where more than £40 million worth of 40 species of seafood is landed annually including lobster, crab, scallops, hake, brill, sea bass and much more.

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Local chef and seafood ambassador Mitch Tonks believes there’s no better catch: “I’ve eaten seafood all over the world and the quality and diversity of the fish caught off our coast is the finest anywhere.

“We have a long-standing fishing community in Brixham, who work hard to pioneer responsible fishing. We also have some world-class seafood restaurants and chefs and surely the most glorious views to enjoy while eating your seafood. If you’re heading to the coast this year, don’t miss the chance to discover the outstanding produce available right on your doorstep.”

Check out top seafood dining hotspots on booking tool and coastal guide englandscoast.com, which lists seafront restaurants, and foodie experiences all around our coastline.

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Oysters have been grown in the creeks off Mersea Island in Essex since Roman times,when they were a food staple and a vital resource. It’s said that the Romans loved oysters so much that they used to tow them in nets behind their boats all the way back to Rome. There are two varieties of oyster; the Colchester Rock Oyster, available all year round and living naturally on the seabed and the Colchester Native Oyster, harvested from September to May in the shallow creeks off Mersea Island.

For those wanting a true taste of the oyster experience then there’s no better way than getting onto the water with Lady Grace Boat Trips. Enjoy a Two-Hour Picnic Trip and gently cruise along Salcot Creek, where you’ll hear distant curlew calling and find egrets wading along the shoreline and oystercatchers flying overhead. Pre-order your picnic platter from the West Mersea Oyster Bar and tuck into native oysters and a variety of locallysourced seafood.

In Yorkshire, herring are transformed into kippers in smokeries that have changed very little in hundreds of years. >>

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In Whitby, Fortune’s Kippers smokehouse and shop is famous for its tasty kippers which land on the breakfast plate for a low calorie, high protein start to the day. The aroma of oak wood smoke fills the air as you reach the smokehouse, located on the picturesque east-side of Whitby and nestled beneath the ancient cliffs. For over 150 years this authentic smokehouse has been run by the Fortune family and kippers are made in the same way, by hand-gutting fish which are then smoked over a series of fires made from a mixture of oak, beech and softwood, the fragrant oak and beech smoke gently permeates the fish to add flavour and to colour them naturally. It usually takes about three fires and 18 hours to complete the smoking process in order to achieve the delectable oaky smoked flavour and the distinctive golden-brown colour of a Fortune’s kipper.

Cromer Crab from Norfolk is in demand around the world, famous for its delicate flavour. Head to the northern coast of Norfolk to find the flavoursome, meaty and tender Cromer crab found in the nutrient-rich waters. These delicious brown crabs have been caught in the region for centuries and crabbing is still done in a traditional and sustainable way today, using pots to catch live crabs, checking them for size and throwing any back that don’t meet legal requirements, thereby none go to waste. The annual Crab and Lobster Festival, which celebrates the seaside destinations of Cromer & Sheringham, will next take place in May 2022. Eat at Wells Crab House and enjoy a changing monthly menu, including garlic buttered lobster and cockles with cider vinegar, washed down with Callooh Coastal Gin with Seaweed

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In Dorset, the natural environment is perfect for food foraging, a skill that’s helped many of us get outside and connect with nature during the pandemic, to open our eyes and to seek out the food that is growing around us. Kayaking and wild food organisation Fore/Adventureoffer courses including seashore foraging and bushcraft skills to turn the foraged finds into a feast.

Their half-day Coastal Foraging Course, based on the beach in Studland includes a seashore foraging walk where you can investigate and learn about sea vegetables, sea weeds, crabs and cockles. You’ll learn how to identify and prepare wild foods, and how to make the most of nature’s very own larder, whether in the sea or on the shore.

In Devon it’s all about variety – more than 40 different species are auctioned at Plymouth and Brixham Fish Markets alone, while Teignmouth is the only place in the country where you can try sand eels, brought ashore by one lone fisherman in his boat. Brixham Fish Market’s auction – the largest in the UK - attracts buyers from all around the UK and Europe due to Brixham’s unmatched reputation for landing high-quality fresh fish and shellfish. The fish ends up on plates in some of the finest restaurants in the UK, including Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish seafood restaurant, which sits in the market and overlooks the boats as they land their catch. Alfresco diners can sit on the terrace and look directly down to the fishing fleet, and from 5pm you can see the boats come in with their haul of fish of all shapes and sizes coming ashore.

For more information on planning your visit to one of England’s coastlines visit.englandscoast.com

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

RAJ & SANDEEP SHARE A SLICE

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hare A Slice is a social enterprise restaurant aiming to combat hunger suffered as a result of growing poverty across London. For each pizza purchased, Share A Slice donate one to those in need via their charity partners and weekly food drives. Since launching in 2019, they’ve donated a whopping 10,650 pizzas (and counting!).

Editor Nicola discusses what inspired Raj and Sandeep to launch their pop up and why supporting the local community is at the heart of their business along with great pizza.

Tell us about your background and what drew you both to start a pizzeria with a difference?

Where did you learn your craft of pizza creation and who inspired you?

The idea for Share A Slice was born from a conversation I had with a homeless man outside the office of my old job in Old Street. A chance encounter turned out to be the catalyst for us wanting to start providing pizza with a purpose. We asked where he was able to have a hot meal and realised, we could do something to help this community. As such we wanted to create a pizzeria where if the customer knew it or not, they were helping feed someone other than themselves. It was at this moment that Share A Slice was born! Since then, we have continued to work using our one-for-one model, so for every pizza bought, we donate one to someone in need via our charity partners.

As far as inspiration goes the motivation for us to go to Naples and learn the art was very much inspired by Aziz Ansari. Odd right? Well, for us it started whilst watching an episode of Master of None on Netflix in which he travelled to Modena to learn how to make Pasta. We thought it would be an amazing experience to learn how to curate food in its home. So, we decided to pack our bags and travel to the home of Pizza, Naples. To ensure we knew what we were doing, we managed to convince Master Pizzaiolo, Enzo Coccia of Pizzeria La Notizia, to show us how it was done.

Over the course of six weeks, we learnt everything that there was to learn from making fresh dough daily to learning how to tame a 450-degree wood fired oven! The rest as they say was history!

Thanks Aziz if you are reading!

Ingredients are a key element of each of your pizzas, how do you achieve that authentic Italian taste?

A product is only as good as the ingredients that go into making it, plus a whole lot of love and passion. We had abundances of the last two so needed to make sure we had the right ingredients.

During our training in Naples, we learnt the importance of having simple but high-quality ingredients as such, we have our cheeses, flour and tomatoes flown in from Naples transporting you to the sunny streets of Naples with every bite!

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The importance of community is evident in the ethos of Share A Slice, where did this come from and how did you build this into your business?

Community is at the core of everything we do. Be it the local community, the homeless community, those in need or even the foodie community. The driver was the collective power of communities to share ideas and to make change, however big or small. With the challenges of the pandemic, we wanted to do our bit and give back to our local community in South London and we launched our 12 days of Christmas Campaign in which we donated 1200 pizzas in 12 days to front line staff working during the pandemic.>> traveldinerelax.com

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>> Our weekly food drives and partnerships with charities to donate hot meals to our community has become the key part of our business.

What have you got planned next?

Here at Share A Slice we are always looking to collaborate with innovative and different organisations to maximise our social impact whilst providing high quality Neapolitan pizza. We are always open to new ideas for spreading our message and carrying our ethos across London - watch this space for our next exciting new venture!

Pop Brixton, Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ Rooftop, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST popbrixton.org/members/share-a-slice/

We all want to know your favourite pizza topping and who would you Share A Slice with?

For Raj, it has to be the Nduja pizza, it is a smoky Calabrian sausage with has an almighty kick of spice. It would be great to Share A Slice with Aziz Ansari, just so that I can thank him for the inspiration! For Sandeep you can’t beat a classic Neapolitan margherita, although he would like to share it with our teacher Enzo Coccia, probably just to show off how good he has become!

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DRAKE & MORGAN

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ust off the glad rags and celebrate in style with Drake & Morgan, brand new, all-singing, all-dancing brunches to keep spirits high and social calendars jam-packed this summer.

Disco isn’t Dead at Devonshire Terrace Grab your five favourite groupies and boogie on down to Devonshire Terrace for its Disco Brunch – running every Saturday from 29th May. With tables available to book from 12pm-4pm,outdoors on the covered terrace and inside, expect smoke machines, disco balls, throwback tunes and plenty of glitter! Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails and fizz as well as your choice of brunch dish: avocado with poached eggs, crispy duck salad, or buttermilk chicken waffles.

From £34.95 per person which includes bottomless Prosecco, Bloody Marys, selected beers and one main dish.

West End Drag Brunch at The Folly Sashay down to The Folly with your five fabulous queens and experience more sequins, feathers and sass than you can imagine at The Folly’s West End Drag

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Brunch. Launching on 30th May and featuring drag queens exclusively from West End shows like Kinky Boots and Priscilla Queen of The Dessert - it’ll be a day of dancing, death drops and dazzling performances. Expect knockout entertainment with a DJ and live vocals, hosted by the fabulous Ruby Murry from Pikes Ibiza and the legendary Miss Demeanour. You’ll enjoy 90 minutes of bubbles and bottomless cocktails alongside an “unlimited” selection of grazing plates, including fiery slowcooked pork ribs and smoked aubergine & mozzarella arancini. Available 1pm-4pm, every Sunday. From £49.95pp for 90 minutes, including bottomless Aperol Spritz, Pornstar Martinis, Mimosas, Bloody Marys and grazing plates. Champagne and extended time upgrades available.

Gospel Motown Brunch at The Anthologist Let The Anthologist raise your spirits every Sunday with its new soulful Gospel Motown Brunch, featuring an incredible gospel choir and live Motown singers.

Show some R.E.S.P.E.C.T to the greats and sing along to everything from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Sister Act

and Beyoncé. Belt your heart out to all the classics whilst sipping on bottomless cocktails and tucking into brunch dishes including pancake stacks, eggs royale and braised short ribs with polenta mash.

The brunch you’ve been praying for is launching on 30th May and runs every Sunday, from 12pm-4pm.

From £44.95pp for 90 minutes, including bottomless Bloody Mary’s, Prosecco, Rum Punch, selected beers and a brunch dish. Add on 30 minutes extra for £10pp – maximum sitting 2 hours

Devonshire Terrace, Devonshire Square, London, EC2M 4WY www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk/ devonshire-terrace/ @devterrace The Folly, 41 Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 0BT www.thefollybar. co.uk @thefollybarlondon The Anthologist, 58 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BB https://www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk/ the-anthologist/ @theanthologistbar

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

PA O LO G R I F FA

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ourmayeur Mont Blanc is situated on the Italian side of Mont Blanc (the sunnier side!) and is a traditional yet sophisticated resort full of history and charm and surrounded by spectacular scenery. The centre of the village is car-free offering superb shopping, world-class restaurants and bars, a fantastic choice of accommodation for all budgets and a fabulous après-ski scene. Discover Italy at its peak in Courmayeur Mont Blanc: a unique combination of fine food, culture, adventurous sporting activities, sophisticated relaxation and prime shopping in an incomparable Mont Blanc setting.

Renowned and leading chef throughout Courmayeur Mont Blanc resort, Paolo Griffa, spent his time during lockdown baking delicious cakes and delivering them to the retirement homes in nearby towns including La Thuile and Pre-Saint Didier.

The chef, who takes part in regular celebrity gourmet events at the resort, was recently awarded a Michelin Star and wanted to make sure that the most vulnerable members of the Courmayeur community had something to cheer them up during quarantine.

We interviewed Paolo on his inspiration, art and must have ingredients.

When was your earliest realization that the culinary industry would be the route you were going to pursue?

I have always known that I would be a pastry chef, baking has always been my passion, and I love sweet things.

We have previously spoken to chefs who have said that early experiences of home and family cooking played a crucial part in their love for cuisine. What are the dishes you remember fondly?

The experience of cooking from home played a fundamental role in my love for cooking. Watching and learning from my mother and grandmother as they cooked for relatives and friends really developed my passion - and I love a dinner party!

You are known as one of the most promising young chefs in the culinary heart of the world, Italy. How do you cope with the pressures of creating and providing award-winning dishes?

I keep working hard day after day, and I always try to improve myself because I think I still have a long way to go. Everyone should strive to stretch themselves further and learn something new each day. That is a motto I constantly tell myself, keep learning from others and continue inspiring others too. >>

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>> On the other hand, I try not to be too hard on myself, which is important when working in a high pressured environment.

In the afternoon’s we finish prepping our cuisine and then relax before the evening service.

You studied at the Giovanni Giolitti Hotel Institute in Turin.

Have you kept in touch with your contemporaries, and who inspired you during your studies?

When you are not cooking up sensations in the kitchen, how do you unwind, and what is your go-to comfort dish?

I didn’t know many people in the industry until I travelled, and I learned from so many people. My professor Alessandro Ricci is my inspiration, and he taught me to improve every day.

What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

First, the winning of the Italian selection of the San Pellegrino Young chef award and second, receiving my first Michelin star.

The importance of locally sourced ingredients has played a key part in the dining experience. How do you search out the latest ingredients throughout the seasons?

I come from Piedmontese originally, so I slowly had to discover all the products and producers of the Aosta Valley. Every day we look for and learn about new places to collect herbs and products from the natural environment, which is the best way to deliver delicious cuisine to our customers.

Talk to us through your typical day?

I relax by reading and listening to music, and I also indulge in chocolate or something sweet!

What advice do you give to anyone looking to embark on a career as a chef, and what is the biggest misconception people have about the profession?

Be curious and never stop studying and wanting to learn. The biggest misunderstanding is that dinner in a Michelin Star restaurant is expensive, but it’s important to remember that behind every dish, there is much experience and knowledge which has been gained over time, along with study and research.

People only see the tip of the finished product, but there is so much more behind the meal on the plate.

And now to finish with some rapid fire questions: Favourite Ingredient? Favourite escape? Book without which you cannot live? Perfect holiday? Dinner companions? Favourite season?

Chocolate, Museums or restaurants, El bulli, Japan, My girlfriend, Autumn

Three times a week, we collect herbs and natural products from the local valleys, which we tend to do first thing in the morning.

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PATA K A BRINGING ‘INDIAN 2.0’ TO LONDON

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ataka was born mid-lockdown in February 2021, delivering restaurant quality authentic Indian food around central London from their ‘bright kitchen’ in Grosvenor Gardens. Now, with the gradual easing of restrictions Pataka is expanding their existing kitchen concept to offer alfresco dining for up to 20 diners, whilst the interior is renovated in time for a May 17th restaurant opening. Alongside this, the kitchen will cater to a new bar concept next door where Pataka will be the food partner, serving a modern finger food menu.

dining experience.

We want to bring the magic of India’s varied cuisines in a smart, modern manner: we call it ‘Indian 2.0’. Think abstract decor and digital art providing a background for food and cocktails that will totally reimagine your experience of Indian cuisine.”

Alongside the Grosvenor Gardens restaurant, 3 further Pataka sites will open in Mayfair, Bermondsey and Bayswater from May 2021 onwards.

The brainchild of Arjun Baljee, Pataka was founded by a group of deeply passionate restaurateurs and hoteliers, who have built and operated award winning hotels and restaurants around the world.

Amongst them, they have a Michelin star, a restaurant in Conde Nast’s Top 100, TripAdvisor No.1’s and a few more.

Arjun comments, “We couldn’t be more grateful for the love and support we’ve received in our first few months since launching. As we evolve, the next step is to push the boundaries with an updated menu and a differentiated

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patakaindian.com Instagram @patakagram

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THE ROOFTOP T H E W E S T E N D ’ S N E W E S T L AT E - N I G H T A L F R E S C O T E R R A C E

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ooking for an al fresco hot spot to soak up the sunshine with friends this summer? Then you’re in luck, as Leicester Square’s newest open-air bar, The Rooftop, opened for drinking and dining in April.

Perched five stories above London’s glittering West End, The Rooftop is The Hippodrome’s latest opening and is open until 2am, making it one of London’s few late-night al fresco destinations – need we say more?

Spread across three spacious floors, The Rooftop offers an open-air oasis in the heart of the West End - the perfect spot for socially distanced drinks and light bites with your five favourite friends. Open until 2am seven days a week, this is the place to nab a booking post lockdown and, what’s more, smokers are in luck with designated areas across all three floors.

Retractable roofs and terrace heaters mean you’re covered whatever the weather this summer.

Make up for nights lost to lockdown with signature cocktails shaken and stirred – try the Double Trouble (Ketel One vodka, crème de cassis, orgeat syrup, blackberries, lime and mango) or a Lychee

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Tang (Bombay gin, peach liqueur, lychee, peach purée and lemon). The bar will also stock an extensive selection of draught and bottled beers and ciders, spirits and mixers and light, summery wines and champagnes hand chosen for al fresco evenings by Head of Wine, Salvo Russo.

Guests looking for food can order from the 24-hour menu – think USDA beef burgers and roast salmon fillet, as well as smaller plates such as USDA meatballs and prawn tempura with sweet chilli sauce.

With just 150 covers available, bookings are open for the fifth floor – which offers views over Soho – and are strongly recommended.

The Hippodrome Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square WC2H 7JH hippodromecasino.com/restaurant-barslounges/ Instagram @heliotsteakhouse

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

A R N A U D V O LT E

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hile lockdown has had an immense knock-on effect for those within the hospitality sector, it gave the Travel Dine Relax team a chance to catch up with inspiring people who help create that perfect experience. One of those was the talented Arnaud Volte, who would typically be found serving cocktails to a delighted clientele at The Edition, London. Editor Nicola asks Arnaud how he honed his skills as a mixologist and what cocktails we should all be looking out for this summer.

You started your career in Thailand at a bartending school.

How did this cement your love of mixology, and what were the most important lessons you learned in your time there?

I went to Thailand without knowing anything about bartending, so everything was new for me, and I had a lot to learn in a pretty short period. From how to clean a bar station, learn a different classic cocktail every day, speed pouring and flair bartending. As you know, it’s pretty exciting to have all sorts of new knowledge coming at you, but I would say learning how to flair with the bottles was my favourite part of the day as it was a bit more fun.

Also, you wouldn’t believe how fast you learn by practising every day. I was always quite mesmerised by any good bartender that would pull out a nice trick during the service whenever I would go out in France or Thailand and aspired to be that person.

London is quite a contrast between Thailand and your native France. What type of cocktails get served up in The Edition, and how do you keep up with such a broad spectrum of multicultural tastebuds?

As you’ve mentioned, we’ve got an amazing multi-cultural array of guests staying in the hotel, but also Londoners that want to have a good time out and play a pool game whilst sipping some delicious cocktails.

We create our cocktail menu based on classic cocktails with an Edition twist, which includes values such as authenticity,

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sophistication and sustainability. An important point to mention would be that we create our cocktails for our guests, who are shaping our bar and hotel, and as cosmopolitan as they are so should be our cocktail list. There’s a least one drink for everyone.

What’s the ‘must-have’ mainstay of a summer cocktail cupboard?

Summer is all about fresh ingredients like fruit, and using their natural sugars can allow us to have healthier cocktails. So always have fresh fruits in the fridge and fresh citruses in the fruit bowl (can be replaced by citric acid but be careful in the measurement). Last but not least, a range of different teas is always essential in summer to make some ice teas (with or without alcohol) by infusing the loose leaves in cold water overnight.

How do you start creating a new cocktail, and what inspires you?

As a bartender, you need to create your own identity and have a purpose, the same as a chef would have in its restaurant, by making you more authentic and unique. Having type 1 diabetes not only defines me as a person, but it also defines the way I would create a cocktail. Sustainability is also a significant criterion in my creations, making sure that you’re doing something good and communicating it. >>

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image credit: CLP Live >> Then it depends on the purpose of the cocktail. If I’m creating a cocktail for a competition, I want to have a story-telling aspect, and so the inspiration behind the drink and the story is as important as the liquid itself. You’re looking to wow the judges and the audience that’s watching. You’re making between one and three of them; you might as well do it big!

On the other hand, if I’m creating a cocktail on our menu, then other aspects come into place, such as preparation, speed of service, particular brands to work with and cost of the cocktail.

Did the lockdown allow you to experiment with creating new cocktails, and can you give us a sneak peek?

sugar boost, I will go for a Cognac Sazerac, one of the oldest cocktails ever invented.

Is there a spirit that you think will be top of the charts this summer?

I guess that aperitifs spirits such as Aperol and Campari will be consumed a lot if the weather allows it. I must say that low ABV and low sugar spirits are coming very strong on the market. I’ve had the pleasure to try a new sugar-free, non-alcoholic natural CBD spirit called Edi that was delicious, with health benefits and a really good relaxing sensation.

Well, if we’ve learned something from the last year, it is that having a full bar at home could become a slippery situation, and it is important to drink responsibly and without excess. To be honest, I haven’t been drinking too much alcohol since the beginning of the lockdown, and so I tried to experiment with non-alcoholic, low waste and low sugar creations. I’ve made a non-alcoholic, low sugar milk punch that was amazing and looked as clear as a white wine.

When you’re not working, where and what drink do you enjoy?

I like to go to Bar Swift in Soho. They provide an amazing service and delicious cocktails (You MUST try their Irish Coffee). My experiences in bars have changed with my diabetes, but most of the time I would have Gin martini with an olive. If I need a little

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H E R I T A G E D U LW I C H O P E N S W I T H C H E F D AYA S H A N K A R S H A R M A

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eritage Dulwich is set to put West Dulwich on the map for fine-dining cuisine.

Inspired by India’s ancestry and cultural past, the rich and varied traditions of the subcontinent are reimagined into modern Indian dining. After many months of waiting, the restaurant is opening on Rosendale Road on 18th May with acclaimed Executive Chef Dayashankar Sharma at the helm.

With over 30 years of experience - much of it gleaned in Michelin-starred Indian kitchens including Tamarind and Zaika – Chef Sharma has created a menu that celebrates the rich and varied culinary traditions of the sub-continent, including lesser-known regions.

Evolving and elevating recipes passed through the generations, dishes on the à la carte menu are masterclasses in vibrant and interesting flavour combinations.

Herbs and spices in the authentic Kashmiri lamb, Jodhpuri tawa chicken

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and venison badal jaam are balanced with punchy spicing whilst the charcoal grill brings intensity and depth to kebab dishes such as the Keralan grilled duck breast, and Lucknow murgh with saffron, coriander and chilli, cooked in a traditional tandoor oven.

For a true journey across the subcontinent, Heritage’s exquisite tasting menus reflect the region’s myriad cuisines.

From the intensity and depth of flavour of North India with Dhaba wala Murgh to the delicate and fragrant spicing of the coastal South’s Nariyalwala Jhinga and Sarsebata Maach– the innovative dishes are elegant in flavour and presentation.

Complementing the food is a high-calibre cocktail list with aromatic choices such as The Rajawra Old Fashioned – Rampur Indian rum, bourbon-soaked cherries, bay leaves and aromatic bitter; The Gentleman - a rich blend of whiskies stirred with coffee liqueur, chocolate bitters, smoked with Indian spices and orange; and the

non-alcoholic Thandai lassi, a traditional Indian yoghurt with saffron, pistachio and berries.

A well balanced selection of Wines have been chosen to perfectly pair with the flavoursome dishes and diverse range of fine wines selected from popular wine regions including Bordeaux and Burgundy.

An extensive range of Single Malt Whisky and Bombay Pale Ale is also available.

The elegant interior blends the traditional with the modern to mirror the dishes on the menu. An intimate dining room is thoughtfully furnished with hand-crafted walnut chairs and tables and deep leather brown fluted banquet seating, which seamlessly blend with the contemporary central copper bar. Outside, Heritage Dulwich offers 12 covers for al fresco dining.

Heritage 101 Rosendale Road, London, --SE21 8EZ heritagedulwich.co.uk

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LOS MOCHIS

CGI images courtesy of Los Mochis

NOTTING HILL

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ewly opened Los Mochis restaurant and bar is the ultimate Pan-Pacific pairing, mixing Mexican spirit with Japanese elegance, Mexican art and design with Japanese coolness and Mexican flavours with Japanese techniques.

These two culinary powerhouses meet here in truly inspirational style: the hands-on fun of classic MexiCali dishes is taken to a new level with the clean, fresh flavours of Asian ingredients treated with respect and integrity.

An undoubted highlight of the offering is the 22-strong Gangster Taco Menu. Sure, the canvas might be soft corn tortillas - or for the more health-conscious lettuce wraps - but the ingredients they enclose are something else. From Trailer Park KFC (Korean Fried Chicken, Napa cabbage, jalapeno, spicy pickled cucumber, pico de gallo, pickled onions, cheese, poblano sauce) to Miso Black Cod (den miso, pickled cabbage, crispy onions), the traditionally humble taco is elevated to gourmet levels.

Complementing this line-up is an equally innovative and ground-breaking array of Ceviches, Tostadas, Tiraditos and, of course, Quesadillas (with the buttermilk fried chicken, Monterrey pepper-jack cheese, onions & ranch crema destined to become a particular favourite). There’s even a selection of Maki Rolls inspired by the team’s extensive and award-winning Japanese experience.

Finally onto the desserts, which can be forgiven for their bias towards a more Latin American heritage. Think Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate Taquitos and the insanely delectable Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Just forget about the calories!

It’s not simply about lunch and dinner – Los Mochis is destined to become the go-to place in the area for breakfast too. Start the day in style with an incredible display of dishes, whether your taste runs to the nutritious Acai Bowl (banana, apple, chia seeds,

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cacao nibs, goji berries, toasted coconut) or the more indulgent El Rey Taco (truffled scrambled eggs).

Los Mochis is not billed as a tequileria for nothing – it boasts one of the most interesting selections of small-batch artisanal agaves. These, in turn, are put to work in a collection of hand-crafted signature cocktails, among them the Late-Night Martini (Ocho Blanco, lychees, vanilla, lemongrass, lime, jalapenos) and the smoky and picante Mezcal Haze Paloma (Mezcal, grapefruit, lime, syrup, sparkling water). Guests can even dip their toes into Mexico’s national drink with a tequila or mezcal tasting flight.

The backdrop against which all of this can be savoured is equally compelling. The overall design of both the ground floor dining room and the first-floor lounge is saturated with elements of rustic, authentic Mexican culture balanced with a fusion of elegant, warm and sophisticated Japanese touches. Rough surfaces are softened by subtle ambient lighting and stark finishes offset by warm timbers and cognac leathers.

Walking the fine line between elevated casual and fine dining is a hard trick to pull off, but in the hands of multi-award winning restaurateur Markus Thesleff – the man who quite literally changed the F&B landscape of the Middle East with legendary ventures such as OKKU and CLAW – this contemporary, art-filled and design-led space will be home to amazing experiences, incredible memories and innovative food.

It’s no coincidence that Thesleff chose Notting Hill for his triumphant return to the capital. For the neighbourhood’s close-knit, multi-cultural and art-enamoured community perfectly reflects Los Mochis’ founding principle of Familia. This ethos starts with taking care of its own Familia; then, in turn, the Familia will take care of guests. >>

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>> And, from there, they’ll all build that spirit of what the Mexicans call Comunidad – not just for the neighbourhood but beyond through the “Los Mochis Gives Back” project, which will see the restaurant provide a meal for the less fortunate and vulnerable for every one purchased by a guest.

Elegant yet relaxed, cool yet friendly, edgy yet approachable, Los Mochis offers mucho, mucho more than a celebration of Mexican and Japanese cuisine and culture. It’s elevated street food with heart & soul.

Los Mochis is open daily from 8 am-midnight Los Mochis, 2 Farmer Street, London W8 7SN, losmochis.co.uk @losmochislondon

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Image credit: John Carey

Image credit: Jean Cazals

Image credit: Jean Cazals

ROKA

CAP VERMELL GRAND HOTEL MALLORCA World-renowned ROKA will bring its signature contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine to the Balearics this summer

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ontemporary Japanese restaurant concept ROKA is continuing the expansion of its ever-growing portfolio, announcing its latest pop-up in the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel, Mallorca, opening this summer.

Situated on the historical Eastern corner of the Balearic island, ROKA Mallorca will take residence inside the landmark hotel and operate throughout the summer season. The 585 square metres of outdoor space will be home to over 100 outside seats, alongside the Robata grill, bar and a DJ booth. ROKA will bring its signature energy to this new space, alongside its award-winning Japanese robatayaki concept and individual approach to modern Japanese cuisine.

Created and co-founded by Rainer Becker in London, 2004, ROKA followed hot on the heels of its immensely successful sister-restaurant Zuma. At the heart of the menu is the robata grill, a traditional Japanese method of cooking over charcoal.

Made famous at the brand’s first London outpost, kankoku fu kohitsuji, lamb cutlets with Korean spices and sesame cucumber, and kampachi sashimi no salada,yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing, will be amongst the signature dishes on the menu, whilst signature cocktails such as ichigo kub, a blend of gin, strawberry mirin, aperol, absinthe and lime, will also feature. The Mallorcan outpost will also include dishes on the menu with flavours and ingredients that highlight the delicacies of the destination.

Alongside award-winning cuisine, ROKA Mallorca’s use of raw materials will create a rustic and elemental colour palette, contributing to the rich atmosphere of the ROKA concept.

“We are thrilled to welcome the ROKA brand to our hotel”, commented Toni Mir, CEO of Cap Vermell Group. “The energy of this concept complements our luxury resort perfectly, and we look forward to expanding our exceptional culinary offerings to guests and visitors this summer.”

ROKA Mallorca joins the existing roster of restaurants in Canary Wharf, Mayfair, Charlotte Street and Aldwych in London and Dubai, with outposts in Riyadh and Kuwait also opening this year.

ROKA Mallorca will open its doors in summer 2021 Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 6:30 pm until 11:00pm, Friday and Saturday 6:30pm until 11:30pm rokarestaurant.com

Speaking on the exciting announcement, Azumi Ltd CEO, Sven Koch, commented “We are delighted to open ROKA in Cap Vermell Grand Hotel this summer. This is ROKA’s first pop-up and we feel the luxury hotel is the perfect location, we very much look forward to working with Toni Mir and the team to bring the ROKA experience to the island.“

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Image credit: Jean Cazals

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ALFRESCO FOREST DINING ON THE TERRACE AT W H I T E M E A D

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lfresco dining will be the order of the day at Whitemead Forest Park in the Forest of Dean this summer after plans were announced to enhance its outdoor terrace. The plans include more space for outdoor dining and seating, complete with a new canopy to create shade – an ideal location for visitors with pets. There will also be an area set aside for outdoor entertainment as well as a new outdoor food and beverage kiosk to create the perfect family escape in Gloucestershire.

Mandy Watkins, General Manager at Whitemead Forest Park, said: “Everyone in the country must be looking forward to summer and there’s no doubt we’ll all want to be outside.“These wonderful new facilities will allow our visitors to enjoy the sunshine and the great outdoors when they visit for a holiday. “We’ll have lot of improved hygiene and social distancing measures in place, too.” Whitemead says building work on the project is scheduled to be completed by the summer but the park will be open long before that – with some restrictions.

Apartments, log cabins, woodland lodges, Glamping Mega Pods and Mega Pod XLs will open from 12 April for self-contained households only, based on current government guidelines.

The park shop will also be open as well as the outdoor play area. Mega Pod and B&B Pods and camping will be available from 17 May at the earliest. Caravans and Motorhomes will be open from 12 April for self-sufficient caravans and motorhomes only, with water and chemical disposal points available. However, all toilet, shower, washroom and washing-up facilities will remain closed until 17 May. Other facilities such as swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa pools and gym will reopen on 17 May at the earliest and will be subject to social distancing restrictions. Mandy added: “We can’t wait to re-open and see the smiling faces of our customers again.

Everyone has waited so long for a holiday but now it’s starting to feel really close.”Prices from 16 April start at £80 per night for a Megapod X (Sunday to Thursday) for up for four people, to £432 for an Apartment over a weekend (Fri-Mon) for up to six people. whitemead.co.uk

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AN INTERVIEW WITH...

JOSE GOMEZ

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et in the north of St Lucia, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is renowned for providing a relaxing and luxury escape for its discerning guests. Editor Nicola was given a unique insight into the life of an Executive Chef by newly appointed Jose Gomez.

Firstly, congratulations on your new appointment as Executive Chef. How did this come about and how are you feeling about your new role?

Thanks for the good wishes. This opportunity came across me in my search for new horizons in the Caribbean after the pandemic hit the world. I’m very excited in my new role at Windjammer; it is such a charming and magical place to be and to share my culinary experiences with the team and the guests.

Sustainability has really been a growing element in hospitality, how is this reflected in the dishes you provide and how you source raw ingredients?

Sustainability is reflected on our menus by using local products that are in season. Most of this produce is organically grown to avoid creating a negative impact on the land and conserving resources for future generations. In our search for freshness and the development of our farm to table concept we reached out and developed relationships with local farmers who provide us with great quality, fresh ingredients. This initiative not only givez back to the farmer’s community but it also ensures quality.

Before your new role at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, where were you cooking and what elements do you bring to your current role?

Before I moved to St. Lucia I was living in Montego Bay, Jamaica and worked as Executive Chef for Hyatt Ziva and Zilara. Being able to successfully run such a big operation made me more organised, and having eight restaurants to run made me more creative. The most important element that I will bring to Windjammer is consistency, avant garde techniques and creativity.

You’ve worked with some big names within the culinary profession. Who has influenced you most, and why?

The Chef that has influenced me the most is Roland Passot from La Folie and Left bank Brasserie. He worked the line with us every single day and is the best saucier that I have seen. He was classically French trained by Jean Banchet at Le Francaise in Chicago and he shared his knowledge and passion. >>

What first ignited your interest in cooking and what dishes do you remember most from your childhood?

My interest for cooking came at an early age, six years old to be exact. I cooked breakfast dishes for my older sister and that instant gratification when someone tells you how good the food hooked me up immediately. One of my fondest memories was the time my grandmother and I were cleaning land crabs for “arroz con jueyes” crab rice. I also remember the smell in my mother’s kitchen when she would make pumpkin “flan” custard for Thanksgiving Day.

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>> How important is it to nurture new entrants into the hospitality sector?

Cooking is all about sharing knowledge and it’s about sharing your passion with others and guiding them to follow your footsteps. Mentoring is one of the most rewarding things that I have experienced in my life. Every time that I receive a call from cooks that I have mentored is like a roller-coaster ride. They call me to share their successes, to ask me questions, to celebrate a promotion etc. I have been blessed in my life with the opportunities of travelling and education and it is my goal to share that passion and knowledge. When you mentor the next generation of cooks you are passing the torch to some one that can be better that you.

What’s the must-have ingredient that you cannot live without?

That question can be a tricky one but the answer is simple; SALT! Are there any plans on the horizon that you can tell us about?

Yes there are many plans for the future at Windjammer. We’re going to keep developing our farm to table garden. There will be exciting changes in all the menu offerings and possible changes to some of the restaurants concepts.

With such an accomplished chef at the helm, we can’t wait to see more from the Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort over the coming months.

What can guests expect from the menu this year and is there a signature dish for 2021?

For the upcoming menus the guest can expect a lot of food pairing dishes bases on aromatic molecules and healthy oriented dishes as well as more vegan options. One of my signatures dishes that guests will definitely see will be local octopus and pork belly (both slow cooked) with a hoisin glaze and Irish potatoes.

When you’re not creating amazing dishes, how do you unwind?

When I’m not cooking I like to read, listen to some good jazz, play golf, go to the beach, travelling and enjoying time with my teenager kids.

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opposite page image credit: St Lucia Tourism Authority Saint Lucia - Soufriere Seafront

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By Sophie Milne, Communications Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire

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PERFECT PICNIC SPOTS IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

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fter months of winter lockdowns, we’re all ready to get back out into the great outdoors this spring. Whiling away a lazy afternoon where the hardest decision is whether to sit in the sun or the shade and who gets the last Scotch egg – what could be better?

From March we’ve been allowed to enjoy recreation outdoors with one other person – so it’s the perfect excuse to grab your wicker baskets and gingham blankets and head off into the great outdoors for a picnic. Just be sure to take all your rubbish with you so that others can enjoy the space too and remember to maintain social distancing.

Over the next few pages we look at our top picks for picnics in Nottinghamshire Josephine’s Tea Room and Rufford Abbey The lovely, vintage-inspired Josephine’s Tea Room is the perfect place to grab your picnic. We love their Savoury Snack Boxes, filled with scrumptious savoury delights including filled ciabattas

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, quiches, savoury pastries, plain or savoury scones and a variety of other treats. It also includes a tea of your choice - simply fill a flask at home! £27 per box, ideal for 2 people.

Take your flavoursome feast to Rufford Abbey, a former 12th century Cistercian Monastery and country house and one of the main country parks in the Sherwood Forest area. Take a gentle stroll around the lake, check out the gorgeous gardens and then find your perfect picnic spot on the large grass area at the side of the magnificent abbey.

Delilah Fine Foods and the Arboretum If you’re looking to impress a loved one, you can’t go wrong with one of the ready-made hampers from Delilah Fine Foods. Their Gourmet Picnic Hamper for two includes two freshly baked sourdough sandwiches, pork pie, pasta salad, cheese, chutneys and crackers, desserts and much more. The hamper costs £47 and can be ordered via their website.

Head through town to Nottingham’s Arboretum, a historic, beautifully maintained park which is home to an important collection of over 800 trees and is rumoured to have been >>

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Thoresby Park

>> the inspiration for J.M. Barrie’s Neverland. Throw down your picnic blanket on one of the glorious rolling lawns surrounded on all sides by beds of brightly coloured flowers and listen out for the calls of the exotic birds in the aviary. Bliss!

Wellbeck Farm Shop and Sherwood Pines Why not visit the famously charming Welbeck Farm Shop, browsing their superb range of traditional artisan food products and sampling as you go? Fill your bags with a selection of pasties, pork pies, sourdough bread, cheese, crackers and chutneys and seasonal fruit for the ultimate posh picnic. You can also order in advance using the Contactless Collection form on their website.

Once you’ve filled your boots, a short drive through the stunning Nottinghamshire countryside is Sherwood Pines Forest Park, the largest forest open to the public in the East Midlands with over 3,300 acres to discover. Depending on your fitness level, you can choose from one of several trails through this beautiful woodland and settle down for a picnic beneath the ancient trees.

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Thaymar Farm Shop and Thoresby Park Treat yourself to a Take Home Afternoon Tea for Two from the gorgeous Thaymar Farm Shop. For just £24, you’ll get a selection of sandwiches including ham and mustard, cheese and chutney, tuna and cucumber and smoked salmon and cream cheese.

You’ll also get to choose some cakes for after, including caramel shortbread or Victoria sponge, as well as homemade fruit scones.

Pop their Taylor’s breakfast tea bags into a flask and off you go!

You can collect from Take your afternoon tea to the nearby Thoresby Park, a 10-minute drive from Thaymar Farm Shop. The extensive grounds cover over 1000 acres of unspoilt English countryside, making it the perfect place for a secluded and socially distanced picnic. Car parking is £1.00 for the first hour or £3.00 for a full day.

Homemade Café and Forest Recreation Ground For the perfect springtime treat, you can’t do better than one of Homemade’s famous afternoon tea boxes. Their Winter Afternoon Tea Picnic box is a proper rustic feast, containing delights such as signature ciabatta sandwiches, sausage rolls, spinach and feta tart, root vegetable crisps and sweet treats such as cranberry and white chocolate flapjack and sticky toffee and stem ginger cake. The box serves 2-3 people, and can be expanded for family groups with add-ons for kids. It’s £29.95 per box, and you can collect from the Lodge Coffee Kiosk on the Mansfield Road side of the Forest Recreation Ground.

Enjoy your feast on the Forest Recreation Ground, around a mile north of the city centre and easily accessible by tram or car.

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Rufford Abbey

Best known for hosting Nottingham’s annual Goose Fair, the ‘Forest Rec’ is a spacious urban park and ideal for a spring day out. Stroll amongst the trees on its sloping banks, let little ones burn off some energy in the pirate-themed play area next to the Pavilion and then find yourself the perfect secluded picnic spot on the lawn.

Thoresby Park

Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, most of these venues and attractions have made changes to their opening hours, facilities and menus etc, and may be subject to change at short notice. We recommend that you check each venue’s website and social media when planning a visit. visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk

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Nottingham Arboretum image by Alan Metheringham

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WOOFSTOCK F E S T I VA L F O R D O G LOV E R S Founded in 2014, the award-winning event welcomes families and their dogs to join in a weekend of canine-themed fun.

Visitors can expect a host of exciting attractions at the festival: fun shows for dogs to get involved in, including agility and flyball; a shopping village full of doggy-related stalls; plus unique activities such as paw painting at the ‘Pawcasso’ tent and a doggy diving pool.

Dog lovers will also welcome the panel of guest speakers offering important pet care advice on topics such as dog first aid and animal behaviour. What’s more, there will be live music performances in the evening for families to enjoy, which organisers have made sure are suitable for sensitive doggy ears. However, non-dog owners are also welcome across the weekend too, with the evening music sure to provide entertainment for all.

Taking place from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th August 2021, visitors can choose from either a weekend, daytime, evening, or camping ticket. And, if families are looking for a more luxury experience, there is a glamping option with a variety of tents to choose from — all of which include an exclusive Very Important Pooch treat basket!

We caught up with organisers and founders Heather and Carol Nesbitt-Bayley to find out more about their fascination with our pawed friends and how Woofstock UK has taken off in leaps and bounds (every pun intended).

We love the idea of combining two of our favourite things, festivals and dogs, but what made you decide to launch Woofstock?

Heather: Back in 2012, our dog Harry saved my life. During recovery, we thought how can we repay what Harry did and celebrate dogs for the amazing beings they are. Woofstock was born over a drink in a pub in Dorset.

Carol: It was supposed to be a one-off event, but it took on a life of its own. People come from all over the UK and abroad each year to join us for the weekend. It has become a true celebration of dogs and all other animals too.

Is it all about pedigrees, or are mongrels welcome?

Woofstock celebrates all dogs. We do hold a fun dog show, but that is just a tiny part of what Woofstock is. Woofstock is an opportunity for dogs to be dogs and to have their very own festival tailored to them and their needs. It truly is a festival by dogs for dogs.

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How has the event developed since its launch in 2014?

Since 2014 we have gone from a 9-acre field in Dorset to over 30 acres of fun in Devon. It has gone from a 1-day event to a full weekend festival where people can camp and glamp. We also introduced Woofstock music nights as we wanted to ensure the humans did not get bored. So, Friday and Saturday night turns into an amazing music festival. As always, dogs are at the front of our minds, so we have safe spaces for humans and their dogs to sit back from the stage and enjoy the music without the dogs becoming overwhelmed.

What’s new for 2021?

This year we have introduced new events. We have a Pawcasso tent where, for a small fee, you can go and paint with your dog on canvass. Yes, it may be messy, but what a souvenir to take home with you. We have also introduced a beach theme this year so expect plenty of water for the dogs to swim and jump into. >>

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>> For humans, we have inflatable bungee runs and zorb ball wars to keep them entertained too!

As always, we have our market place and displays from the Police Dogs. We also have agility and flyball displays, and you get to have a go too.

We’ve all realised the importance of our dog companions over the last year; tell us about the charities the event helps support.

The charities we support are incredible. They have had such a difficult time this last year. We have Pawsome Pensions who support police and fire dogs in retirement, Animals in Distress which is a local rescue centre for dogs, cats, rabbits and more.

Our third Charity is Animals Asia UK who support moonbears who they rescue from the bear bile farms, and also do work surrounding animals in captivity. We are also very fortunate to have The Medical detection Dogs joining us this year.

Who will be on the guest speakers panel this year, and what topics will they be tackling?

On the main stage both Saturday and Sunday, we have an incredible line up of guest speakers, including: Hannah Malloy, Behavioural Specialist who also presented the Channel 4 programme Puppy School. Hannah will be talking about all things behaviour.

Karen Corbett animal communicator who really does speak

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to and listens to animals! Karen will be talking about how she discovered her gift and how it helps her bridge the gap between humans and their animals.

Kara Burrows will be talking about Bowen therapy which promotes pain relief in both animals and humans.

Vet Dr Lennon Foo will be talking about health and tips on how to get the most from your vet.

Rebecca Pearce from the medical detection Dogs will be talking about the work they do and carrying out demonstrations.

It really is an incredible line-up of guest speakers over the weekend.

What’s your particular favourite part of the event?

That is a tough one! Seeing everyone come together and getting to meet as many dogs as we can. Woofstock was described as a festival with a heart. It really is a happy, fun, relaxing and engaging place to be. Many people use it as their annual meet up. The smiles on people’s faces are really infectious, and all the dogs have a great time with space for them to go and chill out on sun loungers and cooling mats with a doggy ice cream.

The music nights are great, and everyone gets to have a good old dance and let their hair down. We absolutely love everything about Woofstock. It really is a weekend like no other!

Tickets for Woofstock 2021 are available now via www. woofstockuk.co.uk/tickets/

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SUMMER DRINKS CABINET If supping your favourite cocktail conjures up a favourite destination, then we have a veritable journey for the tastebuds as we look at some of the Summer ‘must-sips’. From easy to make cocktails, crowd-pleasers, and picnic pick me ups, we’re providing some inspiration for your Summer drinks cabinet.

So grab your cocktail shaker, select your garnishes and get ready to be shaken and not stirred.

THE GIMLET >> ’The Gimlet dates back to the 17th century when sailors came to the understanding that high volumes of citrus fruits helped prevent certain illnesses on board, the cocktail is a 50-50 mix of gin and lime cordial and once stirred with ice gives the drink will give a lovely refreshing taste’ 50ml Caspyn Midsummer Gin 50ml Fresh lime cordial Cucumber or Lemon peel to garnish Caspyn Midsummer Gin is a dry gin distilled by Cornish based Pocketful of Stones. 70cl Caspyn Midsummer 35.00 .pocketfulofstones.co.uk

<<B LOOM PAS S IONFRUIT S ODA Just in time for summer, BLOOM Gin launches BLOOM Gin Passionfruit Soda, a sophisticated new pre-mixed drink, bringing its signature fruit and floral combination to gin-lovers looking for a fuss-free option for social and treat occasions.

Priced at £2.50 per 275ml serve, the new BLOOM Passionfruit Soda is now available at Sainsbury’s. You can also find BLOOM Rose Lemonade in Sainsbury’s for £2.50. All three flavours can be found on Amazon.

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RHUBARB & CUSTARD GIN

CUVÉE ROSÉ 2018

This summery nostalgic gin is based on the blissful marriage of rhubarb and custard. Created by The Chuckling Cheese Co. and in perfect time for summer, it tastes wonderful with lemonades or a nice zingy tonic to bring out the vanilla and custard notes.

Cuvée Rosé 2018 English Sparkling wine, Bolney Wine Estate An elegant and delicate, single vintage, traditional method sparkling wine. Pairs perfectly with hors d’oeuvres and starters, great with cheese, fish and some red berry desserts.

RRP £35.99 70cl chucklingcheese.co.uk

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READY MADE PICNIC CHALLENGE

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ometimes it’s easier to take the stress out of picnic preparation by purchasing a ready made box that ticks all the picnic essentials.

We tried out savoury and sweet options to see what each offered and whether they would help take the stress out of creating that perfect picnic.

This Luxury Beer & Cheese Box was a great combination of organic and charcoal cheese, parmesan thins and pink onion relish. To wash it all down they included a Ninkasi Beer. We think the Charcoal cheese will provide a talking point at any picnic.

While not exactly a picnic hamper we loved the New Home Snack Box from the Chuckling Cheese company. The smoked cheese was amazing with the chutney and the whole box would be the perfect solution for cheese fans.

These gluten-free Devon flapjacks come from Flapjackery. We picked the Flapjackery’s Box of Favourites which consisted of six giant flapjacks. Each one has been chosen to represent their top sellers with Cherry Bakewell, Chocolate Fudge Flapjack, Chocolate Orange, Millionaire’s, Raspberry & White Chocolate and Salted Caramel Fudge.

Borough Box £49.99 boroughbox.com

New Home Snack Box £22 chucklingcheese.co.uk

£24 for 6 Flapjackery.co.uk

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R AT H F I N N Y W I N E E S TAT E

WINE-FILLED EXPERIENCES TO E N J OY T H I S S U M M E R

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athfinny Wine Estate has announced it’s reopening plans for their wine tourism offer to wine, dine, tour and stay on their Sussex Vineyard.

Rathfinny Estate, located in East Sussex, was established in 2010 by husband and wife team, Mark and Sarah Driver. Eleven years later, it is now producing Sussex Sparkling wine that rivals the world’s finest Traditional Method sparkling wines and is served in the finest bars, restaurants and hotels nationally and internationally.

As the country emerges from the pandemic, Rathfinny will be offering an array of ‘wine-filled’ experiences for customers to dine, stay, tour & taste, and shop on the picturesque Vineyard. The reopening also coincides with the release of their new sparkling wines - 2017 Classic Cuvée and 2017 Blanc de Blancs - so this summer will be the perfect time to plan a food and wine getaway. With the popularity of wine tourism growing in England, Sarah Driver says “we believe there is nothing better than a wine-filled weekend where you can taste worldclass sparkling wine on the land that it was produced. We can’t wait to get customers back to the Estate to try our new vintages”. Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling wine has received glowing praise from wine critics including Will Lyons from The Sunday Times describing Rathfinny’s 2016 Blanc de Noirs “decedent and world-class” in its list of best wines to buy last summer.

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DINE – AL FRESCO Rathfinny has launched their al fresco Vineyard Picnic Hampers which are available to enjoy on a grassy bank overlooking the Vineyard. Estate Head Chef, Chris Bailey, has created picnic menus that embrace his love of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Picnic Hampers include a three-course snacking menu at £25 per head with the option to order chilled Rathfinny Sussex wines whilst soaking up the English summer sunshine. Picnics will be available, 12noon - 3.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

new take on contemporary, ingredientfocussed British cuisine, using the finest seasonal produce available from the land, sea and garden of the British Isles.

2 or 3 course lunches are available from £32 a head and tasting menu dinners on Fridays and Saturday evenings from £55 with an option to add a Sussex wine flight. Sample dishes include Hasselback Jersey Royals with caviar, Turbot roasted on the bone with monk’s beard, young vegetables, brown butter and mussel sauce followed by Tumaco extra dark single-origin chocolate cremeaux with cocoa crisp and olive oil sorbet.

DINE – MICHELIN PLATE TASTING ROOM

DINE – AL FRESCO WALK INS

For customers looking for a fine dining Vineyard experience, Rathfinny Estate are reopening their Michelin Plate Tasting Room restaurant located within their Sussex Heritage , award-winning Winery with breath-taking views overlooking the Vineyard and South Downs. Head Chef, Chris Bailey, and his team serve a

Just three miles from the sea, where the coast meets the countryside, Rathfinny is passionate about pairing their wines with the finest food and working with local suppliers. Visitors making an impromptu visit can dine al fresco on the Tasting Room balcony for nibbles paired with Rathfinny Sussex wines or relax on

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the Flint Barns grassy bank enjoying an antipasti lunch menu.

STAY – WEEKEND & SHORT BREAK OFFERS AT THE FLINT BARNS For those who are looking to extend their visit, Rathfinny is now taking bookings at their award- winning Flint Barns bed and breakfast from the 19th May so customers can enjoy the entire Estate offer and wake up in the heart of an English vineyard.

Indeed, The Guardian Travel described the Rathfinny tourism packages as “The new wine heartlands of the South Downs.”

Rathfinny has launched popular summer weekend and short break package offers, a ‘Tour and Tasting package’ from £229.50 for two guests which includes an overnight stay, summer tour and tasting, Vineyard picnic lunch, bottle of Rathfinny Classic Cuvée sparkling wine and a seasonal breakfast. The Estate is also offering a ‘Dine and Unwind package’ from £200 for two guests, which includes bed and breakfast, tea and homemade cake on arrival with a glass of Classic

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Cuvée and a three-course dinner at the Flint Barns Dining Room restaurant.

Reservations can be transferred or cancelled if the Flint Barns is forced to close due to Covid-19 TOUR & TASTE Visiting a Vineyard would not be the same without sampling Rathfinny’s famous Sussex Sparkling wines. Summer tours and tastings will commence from 21st May where customers will be able to tour the Estate and learn how Rathfinny turns grapes into world-class sparkling wines. All tours conclude with a tasting of Rathfinny Sussex Wines. Tours are priced at £25 a person. Complimentary, drop-in tastings will also commence from the Cellar Door shop.

Sarah Driver, Rathfinny Co-Owner noted, “Our main intention is to be able to continue to provide a truly memorable Rathfinny experience as we have always strived to deliver, whilst ensuring our guests and staff are kept safe.”

Rathfinny have implemented extra processes and measures in order to maximise the safety of all guests and staff on the Estate including site hygiene and social distancing. Customers will be asked to follow all social distancing signage, directions and protocol whilst on the Estate, until regulations change.

The Wine Estate Cellar Door shop, is also open daily between 10am-3pm.

Customers can now place orders in advance using the ‘click and collect’ service on their new online shop: shop. rathfinnyestate.com, or drive to the Estate to shop, carrying out social distancing measures. rathfinnyestate.com

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THRIVING WILDLIFE IN THE

ISLANDS OF GUERNSEY

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hile the country has been nesting at home, many species of wildlife have continued to thrive - with an abundance of birds, marine life, and rare flora being spotted across the Islands of Guernsey.

In a post-Covid world, 58% of UK travellers who have a positive impression of Guernsey and would like to visit in the future, believe ‘nature and outdoor experiences’ to be the most important factor according to The UK Travel Intelligence Report.

Below are some of the most important – and unexpected – nature encounters that are taking place across the five islands of Guernsey.

ALDERNEY WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS From Alderney’s beloved Blonde Hedgehogs to the lesserspotted Palmate Newt, the Alderney Wildlife Trust has also recently reported sightings of inquisitive Bottlenose Dolphins, Grey Seals and the first butterfly of 2021 - the Red Admiral.

A popular destination for birdwatching, the island is home to many species including the Dartford Warbler and the Grey Wagtail - both of which have been spotted over the past few weeks. The Alderney Bird Observatory, situated on the popular Longis bay, now provides accommodation for keen bird watchers and researchers to get even closer to the island’s winged inhabitants. The observatory also hosts regular activities such as

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bird ringing and moth trapping.

With over 160km of walking trails, staff from the Alderney Wildlife Trust have teamed up with Visit Alderney to provide a series of new virtual walks starting with Fort Albert and Bibette Head Trail, which can be watched on the Alderney Wildlife Trust YouTube channel.

Wildflowers, insects and marine life in Guernsey New signs of life in the form of flowers are beginning to appear with swaths of yellow Gorse and bright pink Common Storks-bill emerging along the south coast of Guernsey. Endemic ferns, which are only found in Guernsey, have also been spotted as well as beautiful orchid fields at Les Vicheries on the island’s west coast and Bee Orchids were found for the first-time last year in St Germain.

For amateur entomologists, the rare Black Backed Meadow Ant, once found across the British Isles, live now only on the cliffs in Guernsey (and some neighbouring Channel Islands) - their nests are marked along the cliffs with red flags. The rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly has a strong population in Guernsey despite falling numbers in the UK, where they’re now spotted in just a few coastal locations.

In many bays around the island, and off the neighbouring island of Herm, underwater meadows of seagrass can be seen at low

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tide which act as a nursery for schools of fish and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Large pods of dolphins have recently been sighted along the south coast cliffs, with swimmers also reporting seals from a few locations, with Havelet bay the most popular sighting spot.

The Guernsey Vole is another native animal – a shy brown vole, which can occasionally be seen on the commons and fields. At 10% larger than its European counterpart it makes a hearty meal for barn owls which can be seen hunting at dusk.

During lockdown, La Société Guernesiaise, an organisation whose goal is to preserve Guernsey’s biodiversity, has launched a new initiative called ‘A Look at Lockdown’ which encourages locals to take photos of the wildlife as there has been an increase due to less cars being on the road.

the tide is low during spring. Herm is a Ramsar site which is a designated for its intertidal area and breeding bird populations.

Bird nesting in Lihou The small tidal island of Lihou is also a Ramsar site, home to over 150 species of birds such as the striking Black-backed Gull, Lihou’s rocky outcrops and shingle banks provide the perfect nesting environment.

The absence of visitors last year meant that breeding pairs of internationally important species such as European Shags and Oystercatchers were seen nesting around the island. Over the past few years, the species have been in decline due to human interference. However, the unique location of Lihou and the lockdown measures have allowed the birds to breed successfully.

Puffin watching in Herm & Sark From mid-March to July, puffins migrate to the islands to breed, especially on the small islands of Herm and Sark. In normal times, visitors can enjoy a boat trip around the islands, or for the more adventurous types, a puffin-kayaking trip with Outdoor Guernsey.

To plan a visit or to find out more, visit the designated VisitGuernsey site below. visitguernsey.com

Declared a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention, Sark’s Gouliot Headland is carpeted with anemones, sponges and soft corals, which can be seen when

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BLENHEIM PALACE

Blenheim Palace is hosting a series of exciting outdoor events and fun activities this summer.

From drive-in movie nights and knights in shining armour to wilderness camps and flying fairies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. All set against the stunning backdrop of this magnificent Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SUMMER EVENTS The Luna Drive-In Cinema - 6th - 24th May Following the fantastically popular 2020 Summer Season, The Luna Drive In Cinema is back for a sequel. Enjoy a classic movie on the big screen from the comfort of your own car.

With state-of-the-art in car speakers and high-definition outdoor screens, you won’t miss a moment of the action – whether that’s Baby and Johnny having the time of their life in Dirty Dancing or going Back to the Future in a DeLorean at 88 miles per hour.

You can even treat yourself to delicious hot food on site or pre-order a Luna Hamper jam-packed with tasty retro treats.

Camp Wilderness - 31st May - 27th August Throughout the summer, Camp Wilderness, offers back-to-basics three and five-day residential camping experiences for children aged 8 – 14 years, in the heart of Blenheim’s ancient woodland.

Held in safari-style tented camps, days at camp are spent participating in a host of different activities, from traditional fire-lighting and shelter-building to archery and survival scenarios.

Whilst evenings are spent enjoying bush tucker feasts, playing games and roasting marshmallows over the campfire.

Plus new for 2021 share the adventure with a Camp Wilderness Family Experience.

Jousting Tournament - 29th - 31st May Colourful banners flying in the wind, the sound of thundering hooves along the ground with the clash of lance upon shield. The Knights of Middle England take you back to the exciting and colourful era of the Middle Ages with their action packed, high octane Jousting and Stunt Show.

With over 20 years’ experience in live stunt shows, equestrian displays and activity days The Knights of Middle England are a professional team of stunt riders, performers, actors and combatants who bring the much-fabled sport of jousting full tilt into the 21st century.

Giffords Circus - 3rd - 7th June The Hooley: expect ancient Celtic magic in a world of flying fairies, naughty leprechauns, wild horses, Celtic music and dancing that will create the most joyful Irish shindig.

Following the show Giffords unique travelling restaurant, Circus Sauce, will be open serving three-course hearty locally-sourced

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seasonal feasts and new for this year - there is a licensed bar and all socially distanced.

Blenheim Palace Flower Show - 25th - 27th June A riot of colour, fragrance and weird and wonderful plants, the 20,000 square foot Grand Floral Pavilion forms the centrepiece of the Show and features the UK’s finest nurseries and growers giving expert advice and gardening ideas.

Visitors can enjoy Garden Talks with experts and enthusiasts, fabulous food and drink as well as more than 300 exhibitors, an outdoor Plant Village and live entertainment.

New for 2021 is Floral Street, the perfect place to discover your favourite plants, flowers and an array of gardening goodies.

Paws at the Palace 3rd - 4th July The UK’s largest and fastest growing festival devoted to dogs and their owners is bringing its unique brand of family-friendly canine fun and games is coming to Blenheim Palace.

Packed with everything dog-related, Paws at the Palace includes arena displays, dog training experts, have-a-go activities, breed clubs and loads of fun competitions.

There will also be a huge range of products on offer and dog-brands represented, with around 150 exhibitors selling everything from leads, pet food and treats, diet & health advice, toys, health supplements, coats, grooming products, photography and much more.

Pre’ 50 American Auto Club Rally of the Giants - 11th July With well over 400 classic American vehicles attending, including some of the finest examples to be found anywhere in Europe, dating from the early years of 20th century motoring through to the present day, the Rally of the Giants is the must visit event for anyone with an interest and passion for American cars and trucks.

Visitors from all over the UK and many parts of continental Europe gather to celebrate in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere and have a great time.

Blenheim Palace Food Festival - 20th - 22nd August This gastronomic festival will showcase the very best of produce from local and national stallholders offering high quality, tempting food choices from indulgent sweet treats to the most delicious organic fruit and veg, glorious bakes to the tastiest street food.

The Festival Kitchen and Marquee has a full programme of demonstrations, Q&As, workshops and book signings. Special guests include BBC Masterchef Champions Kenny Tutt and Thomas Frake. Great British Bake-Off contestant Karen Wright and Eva Humphries, Wholefood Warrior alongside many other celebrity chefs and food & drink experts.

Family friendly activities and entertainment will be available throughout the weekend plus the stunning parkland is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic of food and drink from the festival. blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/

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