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AVANT SKI
THAI STYLE
For those who love the idea of a ski holiday, but find the reality a little more daunting or exhausting, The Grove has come up with a novel idea to help you (once and for all) put those show-off friends to shame on the slopes. From this month, The Grove will be holding Avant Ski weekends to help you get in shape, and build your confidence. The weekends will involve special classes designed to strengthen the muscles used in skiing, a day on the slopes at The Snow Centre and an alpine feast to get you in the mood for a little après ski. Avant ski weekends will be taking place on the 5–7 November and on 7–9, 14–16 and 28–30 January.
On 1 November, W Hotels throws open the doors of the W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia. Famed for its gorgeous coastline and tranquil atmosphere, Koh Samui is one of the hottest destinations in the area, and the new W Retreat is set to be a great escape within an oasis of calm on the island. Set along the island’s beautiful northern coastline, W Retreat will feature 17 luxurious villas, each boasting a secluded beachfront position and fantastic views, in a clean, modern style with touches of local design colour. Neatly capturing the spirit of the island, daytime at W Retreat will allow guests to relax and take time for themselves, whilst the evening will let in a little of the island’s energy and famed love of festivities. www.whotels.com/kohsamui
www.thegrove.co.uk
Travel Fact The popular ski resort of Telluride in Colorado is also the site of the infamous robber Butch Cassidy’s first ever recorded crime. Butch Cassidy robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank in June 1889, making off with almost $25,000.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon has come up with a way to explore the city that is as quaint, charming and energised as Lisbon itself: a tour by motor-sidecar. Guests will be sped around Lisbon’s hotspots by a drivercum-English-speaking-guide, and taken to explore the historic Alfama quarter, the spectacular views from St Georges Castle, the riverside district of Belem and its UNESCO listed Tower. Foodies will also delight in trying Portuguese delicacy ‘pasties de nata’ and a visit to the kitchens of Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, where the recipe has been kept secret since 1837.
Website of the month: www.totalaccessworldwide.com
SIDE BY SIDE
Total Access is a recently launched personal travel concierge service, which offers members access to some of the most exclusive and luxurious events and establishments around the world. Members can enjoy access to glamorous events such as London Fashion Week and the Oscars, as well as invitations to élite sporting events and film premieres. Members benefit 24-hour personal Account Manager, to take care of your every whim, wherever in the world you find yourself.
www.fourseasons.com/lisbon
Brought to you in association with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassable collection of over 500 hotels spanning 70 countries, which offer an infinite variety of experiences.
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