Savoir There

Reviewing spas can be a tough job (no, really, stick with me here), for a couple of specific reasons. Most readers, in this case you, are looking for a post about a spa, in this case Reykjavik spa newcomer Sky Lagoon, to check out plenty of photos of the facilities, as well as the concept. But taking photos in a place where people are trying to relax, usually partially clothed (though I’ve been to a few retreats where clothes were very much optional) is a delicate business....

What is the last thing you want from your first post-pandemic trip abroad? For me the answer was simple: after the digital overload of the lockdown era, I didn’t want another virtual experience. So when I finally said yes to my first foreign adventure since January 2020 I was pumped for all the post-pandemic firsts on the itinerary....

Brits tend to think of the island of Lanzarote - and the Canary Islands as a whole - as an easy fly and flop destination. Most places in Lanzarote are synonymous with holidays rather than adventurous travel, and with days spent relaxing as opposed to exploring. But even though it may not be trendy to say it, I absolutely love Lanzarote - and not just for lying on the beach....

A weekend break to Blackpool probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your head when you think of a stylish staycation, but I found that by combining a visit to the stunning Lancashire countryside with a side trip to the kitsch and cheesy seaside town that’s famous for ballroom dancing and bright lights, you can get the best of both worlds. I’ll be honest here and admit that it was only pure circumstance that led me to plan a weekend around the Blackpool area....

Ibiza’s beaches and laid-back vibe started to attract visitors in the 1960’s and Europe’s answer to California’s hippies flocked there, but since then the White Island’s reputation has been primarily one of clubbing and nightlife. But step away from the built-up resorts and bar action and visit off season when the clubs are closed and there is another Ibiza to discover, with pine tree-backed beaches, coastal walking trails and rural landscapes, dotted with charming villages and white...

I’ve mentioned this before, but it took me a couple of trips to really fall in love with Portugal. I’d already rented an apartment in the Algarve on my own in my early 20’s and tried a city break in Lisbon with a boyfriend in my 30’s before I really clicked with the country properly. After that though, things really turned around; I absolutely fell in love with river cruises and wine tasting in the Douro Valley, the fun and energetic city of Porto and the beauty and tranquility of the...