If, like me, you visited many places in your distant past and thought you’d “done” Europe and beyond, you might want to reconsider. When I was much younger, I’d visit a new city, walk around the main tourist sights, and then be more interested in where the best discos were! Then there was a period with babies and small children in tow when everything was focused on them.
Often, people tend not to do the sights justice in places where they live and I confess to that, too. Having lived in major cities around the world, I never visited every important landmark, maybe always thinking I had all the time in the world until it was too late and time to move on.
Now I’m more interested in museums, ancient monuments, beautiful parks, churches, and other historical buildings than I am in just lying on the beach. I’d love to go back to Greece and see more of the ancient ruins rather than just getting a tan and eating in tavernas (although that was good fun!). I’d go back to Boston, where I once lived and explore the Freedom Trail, rather than heading for the shopping malls. The same goes for New York, which definitely has more to offer than shopping, pizzas and taking in a show on Broadway.
Places are constantly evolving, too. Look how London has changed over the last fifty years. What fun it would be to see how places we loved have also upgraded their museums and other tourist attractions. If you are learning a foreign language, how great would it be to go and immerse yourself in it and practise what you know? If you’ve taken up or rekindled an interest in history, music, cooking, or art, how marvellous to bring those textbooks to life!
Then, of course, there are places you’ve always meant to visit but have never got around to. That would be Berlin, in my case. I’ve always wanted to go but have never made the time!
Having explored the South of France and many other places on a shoestring budget when I was in my youth, it’s lovely now to be able to afford a luxury hotel and a private guide. This time around, instead of hitchhiking or driving an old banger, you can afford the luxury of a first-class train ticket, an upgraded airline seat and an airport lounge.
So, if you fancy visiting old haunts, but in style this time, I am here to offer suggestions and am constantly refreshing my knowledge of the very best places to stay, whether that be a grand hotel or a secret boutique hideout.
Here are a few hotels which have caught my eye this week:
–The Hoxton, Paris. A delightful boutique hotel, centrally located in a converted eighteenth-century building. –Sunset Reef, St Kitts. A stylish luxury hotel with just 7 beautifully designed suites in a peaceful beachfront location. A valuable feature of the resort has been the use of geothermal energy and technology. The resort has been built to be ‘sustainably conscious’ providing energy for various water sources and in-room cooling systems. I love it!
–Costello dal Pozzo, Lake Maggiore, Italy. A splendid hotel, elegant and fresh, with views to die for.
–Si Como No Resort & Spa in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. This luxury hotel doubles as a wildlife reserve. Set in the jungle with breathtaking views.
So, maybe ditch the rucksack this time and explore the places you visit in more depth. Slow Travel is all the rage. It’s about taking your time to travel to where you’re going and staying for longer.
Feeling inspired? Book your next escape now. Get in touch with Lizzi by emailing [email protected] to book your dream trip!
by net effect