When you're constantly hopping on and off planes, staying put might just offer the kind of R&R you need. Not to mention that when we're so focused on exploring the latest upand-coming destination, we often forget to look in our own backyard. From the remote beauty of the Lake District to stunning country manors accessible from London, embrace the art of slow travel this summer and enjoy a UK staycation.
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT'SAISONS, A BELMOND HOTEL
BEST FOR: Gardening and gastronomy On the outskirts of London in the quaint Oxfordshire hamlet of Great Milton lies Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, a 15th-century manor nestled in 11 hectares of land. Within minutes of exiting the motorway, we found ourselves in the fairytale-like Grade II*-listed premises, passing by juicy apricots along a medieval-walled driveway before reaching the entrance.
Four decades ago, chef-patron Raymond Blanc OBE decided to transform Lady Cromwell's house into a hotel and restaurant that flourishes in all four seasons (hence the name Quat'Saisons). On a miserable wet day in May, we put this to the test.
Today the hotel offers 32 luxurious rooms and suites, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, 11 manicured gardens, nine beehives, a 2,500-strong heritage orchard, and both a cookery and gardening school. The property lives by a garden-to-table ethos, its organic potager gardens supplying the kitchens with vegetables, salad and herbs.
Time disappeared as we explored the grounds, armed with a trusty umbrella and a beautifully illustrated map. We started in the wistful wisteria tunnel beside the Dovecote turret, its stonework facade patterned by trained fig trees, before heading into the courtyard to appreciate a circa 200-year-old chestnut tree. Along the way we spotted a chef picking ingredients to rustle up our dinner.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox