EUROPE With more European choice than ever before, SLH features some wonderfully diverse new hotels from Scotland to Santorini. The Scottish capital of Edinburgh is a majestic city to explore any time of year, but its Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) street party and Winter Fair are legendary. Ensconce yourselves at the Nira Caledonia and you’ll never want to leave. Here bohemian chic meets contemporary comfort with Nespresso coffee machines and iPod docking stations in the rooms and regional specialties like smoked Scottish salmon and haggis, neeps and tatties in the restaurant. Inspiring you to visit new destinations is what SLH is all about and Eastern Europe is certainly an intriguing playground. New hotels include the IDW Esperanza Resort in Lithuania, a forest eco resort beside a beautiful lake. Come in winter and there’s ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing on the agenda. Or how about a romantic winter city break at Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa in the heart of Ljubljana, Slovenia, a gem of a city with a dazzling hilltop castle, vibrant culture and emerald-green river? Portugal is the sleeping giant of European holidays. Always subtle but just as stunning as Italy, France and Spain, this modest country ticks all the boxes for beautiful weather, gorgeous and relatively undiscovered beaches, delicious and inspiring food, a plethora of vineyards and a rich culture.
Head south to Quinta das Lágrimas Palace (Estate of Tears), once a private sanctuary that welcomed kings and emperors, and now an elegant hotel in Coimbra, the ancient capital of Portugal which lies halfway between Lisbon and Porto. The hotel is famed for its one Michelin star restaurant, Bamboo Garden Spa and golf academy. Portugal’s Algarve is well explored, but SLH has pushed the boundaries inland to its hidden rural idylls with Vila Monte Country & Spa Hideaway, a magnificent manor where Andalusian orange grove meets Moorish charm. With its Orangerie Restaurant, exotic Kasbah spa and golf in abundance, it’s the perfect place to unwind and just 10km to the beach. Greece is another destination that just keeps upping its game when it comes to luxury resorts. La Maltese Estate is perched 250m above the waters of the awe-inspiring caldera on Santorini. With the feel of a private members club, this elegant hotel is steeped in history having once been home to a sea-faring Greek captain and since been meticulously renovated with original antiques, opulent mirrors, oriental rugs and a grand piano. Dine under the stars on locally sourced, organic ingredients on the candlelit terrace overlooking the magnificent Aegean. Whilst on Santorini, be sure to also visit Aressana Spa Hotel & Suites in the main town of Fira, with its white cabanas by the pool, bio organic restaurant and seductive spa.
About 50 miles north of Porto lies the pretty market town of Ponte de Lima named after the majestic Roman bridge that spans the Riva Lima. Check into Carmo’s Boutique Hotel and it’s easy to explore the medieval centre and the local wine estates that produce vinho verde. Take a ride in the hotel's own horse-drawn carriage along the Lima River, stopping for a specially prepared picnic on the way. To book visit www.slh.com
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