Amazing Destinations Spring 2022

THE STANDARD
KINGS CROSSaving cracked New York, Miami and Hollywood, The Standard Hotels opened its first European

property here in London in 2019. Standards are renowned for their edgy and modern vibe, and

Hby locating this outpost in a unique building in a rapidly regenerating part of the capitol, they’ve

established a retro-futuristic, hard-edged, and very cool addition to the London hotel scene.

Covid-19 had scuppered two of our previous attempts to visit The
Standard, but it was third time lucky, and well worth the wait.
Located on the Euston Road, and steps from King’s Cross St
Pancras rail and underground station, this Brutalist building, and
former annex of Camden Town Hall was much maligned by locals.
Now, with its red-pill-shaped lift that scales the Euston Road
façade, it more than squares up to its neo-Gothic rivals.

Rooms

The Standard offers an array of accommodation — in an
impressive range of colours, themes. They start with the single and
whizz up through sizes like Queen of Queens and Double Standard
until you reach the Suite Terrace; an envy-inducing penthouse
perched atop the hotel and boasting its own bar. Every room
features Italian sheets, large smart TV, custom Craig Green robes,
and overstocked minibars. The bed in our King of Kings room
was placed in the centre of the room, looking directly out at the
contrasting view of the St Pancras Renaissance hotel. There was
also bay window seating for enjoying this splendid view.

Food

There are three eateries at the hotel – do your best to hit all of
them during your stay. All-day, ground floor restaurant Isla offers
British coastal cuisine with a focus on seasonal produce and it’s
also where you will have breakfast. Adjacent is Double Standard,
a popular nibble-and-sip option which offers wonderful cocktails.
We took the red lift to the roof to dine in the super sexy Decimo,
where Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias serves
Mexican tapas alongside glittering city views. Everything we had
was excellent with the caviar-dolloped tortilla being one of many
highlights.

“Our verdictFantastic to look at and fun to stay in, The Standard is the
hippest place to sleep and eat in a rapidly changing part of
London. Attentive staff, unique and delicious food options
and those funky cocktails, this hotel could just have it all.
Autumn 2021 101

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.hilton.com
02045497600

Autumn 2021 102

THE GANTRY
STRATFORDhere’s a new kid on the block amongst Stratford’s glittering skyscrapers, a boutique-style, 291-

room shiny hotel called The Gantry. Part of Hilton’s trendy and upscale Curio Collection, this hip

Tproperty is a stone’s throw from Stratford international station, in the heart of an area which has been

transformed over the past decade by regeneration.

Stratford was put on the map for the 2012 Olympics – but the
area has developed and thrived in the decade since. This 18-floor
hotel with a chic exterior inspired by New York’s famous Flat
Iron building, offers views over the Olympic Park and is perfectly
located for the popular Westfield shopping centre. Later this year
the Sky Bar, East London’s highest rooftop bar will open on the
top floor.

Rooms

Our deluxe room was spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows with
a modern and minimalist décor. Everything here is pleasing, super
comfy king-size beds, quality robes, smart TV, Nespresso machine
and superfast Wi-Fi. But the highlight must be the bathrooms,
featuring a huge, push-button rainfall shower that you won’t want
to leave.

Food

The Gantry’s first floor restaurant, Union Social, offers not only
comfortable indoor seating but also a wraparound terrace for
alfresco dining overlooking Stratford and the London skyline.
A relaxed all-day menu is designed to mirror London’s dynamic
food scene. Hailing from Sicily, Executive Chef Salvatore Coco
has created a menu that features flavours from across the globe,
while elevating local produce. You will also have breakfast here
and choose from a delightful menu which includes Maghrebi
Shakshuka, Eggs Florentine and Smashed Avocado on Sourdough.
Decidedly artisan, genuinely nice.

Our verdictLooking for something different for your next visit to the

capitol? Then head straight to Stratford’s newest hotel The
Gantry. Chic and hip, this east London gem located next to the
Olympic Park is setting the gold standard for modern hotels.

“ ”Autumn2021 103

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.ihd.com/crowneplaza
02070552000

Autumn 2021 104

CROWNE PLAZA
DOCKLANDShen visiting London, the Docklands are a can’t-miss part of your itinerary. A hub of gourmet

restaurants, exciting nightlife, and activities galore. The Crowne Plaza London Docklands hotel

Wis moments away from the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and Royal Victoria station in an

excellent waterside location overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Docks.

When exploring the Docklands, you have numerous activities
from which to choose. Take a ride in the Emirates Air Line, a
cable car that whisks you over the docklands in true style. Water
sports abound, you can rent a kayak or canoe, go paddle boarding
or wakeboarding. The contemporary Crowne Plaza is an ideal
place from which to explore East London and visit the O2, Canary
Wharf and EXCEL. The west end is also just 40 minutes away.
Amenities are convenient and relaxing at this smart hotel. The
on-site Quad Club and Spa has a fully equipped fitness centre, an
indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, a sauna, a steam room, and
three treatment rooms.

Rooms

The luxury bedrooms come with a range of contemporary features,
are stylishly furnished and equipped with everything you need for
a relaxing stay. All rooms feature quality linens, air conditioning
and a flat-screen TV with on-demand movies. The wi-fi is both free
and fast and the superior rooms have great river views.

Food & Drink

The Docklands Bar and Grill serves drinks all day and lunch, and
dinner in the evening. It has an outside seating area, perfect for
relaxing with a drink and soaking in the view. The hotel operates
a self-serve buffet with plenty of choices including cereals,
fruit, pastries, and everything you would expect for a traditional
breakfast. We opted for a full English that was delicious with fast
and friendly service.

Our verdictIf you are looking for a chic city break in London that

is well priced, comfortable, and particularly quiet. Why
not consider the Docklands area and treat yourself to a

“stay at the Crowne Plaza?
”Autumn 2021 105

TOHUETDGOROERAST

20 Ofbrtheaekbseisnt othuetdUooKr activity

Page 106

hese isles are alive with natural wonders – and experts who can get you
close to the edge. From river-swims and packrafting to trail running and

T via ferrata, Martin Mason discovers 20 great wilderness adventures.
Compiled by Lacey Reddin

The spectacular Welsh coastline

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Sea kayaking, Scotland

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The Great Outdoors

SEA KAYAKING IN THE
HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy/Moderate Suitable for 16-plus (with £875
accompanying adult)

Wilderness Scotland has an introductory
kayaking trip in the Torridon region, which
blends kayaking with gentle hiking, making it
ideal for beginners and those looking to hone
their paddling skills.
As well as four days on the water, paddling
past remote bays and the uninhabited islands
of Scotland’s west coast, potentially spotting
sea eagles and porpoises, the trip includes a
guided walk from the village of Gairloch, a
good place to spot whales.

seakayakscotland.com

RIVER SWIMMING, OXFORDSHIRE

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Challenging Suitable for 16-plus £620

Clean, calm water flanked by countryside
makes an open-water swimming trip
on the Thames a tempting prospect for
anyone looking to dip their toe in the sport.
Unlike with sea swimming, this itinerary
from SwimTrek takes place in sheltered
water. It traces the riverbank from Buscot
Lock, near Lechlade, to Buckland Marsh,
near Faringdon, along England’s most
famous waterway. You should have a basic
understanding of open-water swimming
and be capable of completing the daily
distance of 6km, which is broken down into
smaller sections. Guides and a safety team
are on hand throughout.

swimtrek.com

Page 109

Woodland in the Cairngorms

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The Great Outdoors

WILD CAMPING, GLENFESHIE,
CAIRNGORMS

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for all ages Free

For a true sense of freedom, it’s hard to
beat wild camping. A night under canvas in
Glenfeshie, with its tumbling waterfalls and
mountain vistas, offers an uplifting sense of
remoteness. Home to one of the country’s
most successful “rewilding” projects, it’s
also the starting point for many walking
routes, so you can hike straight from your
tent.
Scope out your potential pitch on an OS
map, keep away from paths and bogs
(green slashes), and check guidelines in the
Open Access Code.

Outdooraccess-scotland.scot

KITE-BUGGYING, EAST SUSSEX

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for 7+ 3 hrs for £69

Combining the skills of kite-flying and go-
karting, kite-buggying is a thrilling way to
spend a day at the beach, zipping across the
sand at up to 50mph in a low three-wheeler.
With miles of flat, open beach, Camber
Sands is the ideal place to try this extreme
sport.
The Kitesurf Centre runs lessons with
qualified instructors, teaching you
everything from how to fly the kite to using
it to power you along in the buggy, with
options of 2½- and 4-hour courses.

thekitesurfcentre.com

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The Great Outdoors

VIA FERRATA, CUMBRIA

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for 10+ £40pp

See the Lake District from a thrillingly
different vantage point – clipped to a
mountain by cable, 2,000 feet above the
valleys of Buttermere and Borrowdale.
Honister Slate Mine is home to England’s
first via ferrata, a series of steel ladders and
bridges drilled into the rockface that follow
a Victorian miners’ route to the summit of
Fleetwith Pike. Choose from Classic and
Xtreme options, which each last around
three hours and require a reasonable level
of fitness, and a head for heights – the
Xtreme promises to scale heights seven
times those reached by Big Ben and twice
as high as the London Shard.

keswickextreme.com

COASTSTEERING, GIANT’S
CAUSEWAY, COUNTY ANTRIM

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate/Challenging Suitable for 7+ (with accompanying 3hrs from £40pp
adult)

Coasteering involves exploring the
shoreline by leaping, scrambling and
swimming – with optional cliff jumping.
Causeway Coasteering offers guided
sessions along the rugged Causeway coast,
with its basalt columns and turquoise
water. Clad in wetsuits, buoyancy aids and
helmets, you’ll plunge and splash your way
through hidden coves and islands, with a
local guide pointing out interesting objects
and giving tips. As well as testing your
limits, it offers a refreshingly different, up-
close angle on the coastline and its wildlife.

causewaycoasteering.com

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Via Ferrata, Cumbria

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LEARN NAVIGATION, FOOLOW,
PEAK DISTRICT

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for 18+ £45 for 1 day introduction

From getting stranded in fog to losing your
way in the fells … whatever your worries
regarding hill walking, a navigation course
that covers the essentials should give
walkers added confidence.
Run by expert mountain leaders and rock
climbing instructors, this one-day course
takes place in the pretty Peak District
village of Foolow, close to Cressbrook
Dale. It teaches map reading, compass
navigation, route planning and walking on
a bearing.

peakclimbingschool.co.uk

ROCK CLIMBING TASTER DAY,
SNOWDONIA

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for 10-plus £50
(B&B for extra £55)

Ever wondered whether you could master
your fears and learn to ascend vertical rock
walls? Gaia Adventures offers bespoke
climbing taster days for those who are new
to the sport, covering everything from rope
skills to belaying (holding the rope for
others) and abseiling safely down the rock
face. Guided by an experienced instructor it
will challenge your brain and body, as you
climb smaller mountains and cliffs, such as
Tryfan, and slate quarries on the flanks of
Elidir Fawr, overlooking Snowdon.

Page 116 northwalesactive.co.uk

Peak District

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Hiking, Yorkshire

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The Great Outdoors

TRAIL RUNNING, DEVON

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Challenging Suitable for 17+ £75pp

Scampering across a desolate landscape,
rarely using footpaths, beats the
monotonous pounding of city pavements
– it is an exhilarating form of escapism.
Wild Running offers bespoke, guided trail
runs for all abilities around Dartmoor
and Exmoor national parks and on the
South West Coast Path. Founded by
former international athlete Ceri Rees,
the company also offers group holidays,
including a weekend Dartmouth Running
Holiday that sees you run between six
and 12 miles daily, staying in a riverside
apartment overlooking the Dart estuary.

wildrunning.co.uk

HIKING, YORKSHIRE DALES

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for all ages £365 3 nights full board

The rugged Yorkshire Dales offers some
of the UK’s best walking, though knowing
how, when and where to go can be
daunting for first-timers. Ease yourself in
with a trip led by experienced guides from
walking specialist HF Holidays.
Guests choose from three different walks
each day, ranging from easy six-mile
stretches to more challenging 13-milers.
Highlights include Malham Tarn and the
panoramic views from Simon’s Seat.

countryfile.com Page 119

The Great Outdoors

SURFING, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for +8s 2hr group lessons from

£30pp

Few things leave you feeling as connected
to nature as surfing – whether you’re
floundering about in the breakers or riding
the waves. One of the original centres of
the north-east surf scene, Saltburn-on-
Sea may be a few degrees chillier than
Cornwall but in the right conditions it can
be world class.
Decent beginner waves are usually found
on either side of the pier and the vibe is
friendly on the water, even when it’s busy.
Saltburn Surf School has been operating
since 1983 and its staff are the go-to people
for advice on boards and conditions.

saltburn-surf.co.uk

ORIENTEERING, NATIONWIDE

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for all ages From £5-10pp

(discount for under 21)

Arm yourself with a map, compass and
electronic dibber and navigate through the
wilderness as fast as you can.
Orienteering (racing over a course between
a number of “controls”) is increasingly
popular and clubs across the UK hold
recreational and competitive events.
Remote spots include Primrose Woods
near Sledmere, east Yorkshire, and Great
Mell Fell in the Lake District.

britishorienteering.org.uk,
worldorienteeringday.com

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Orienteering, Nationwide

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The Great Outdoors

PARAGLIDING, SURREY

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy/ Moderate Suitable for all ages (parental consent for £89 per flight
under 18s)

If soaring 500ft above the Surrey
countryside while hanging from a material
canopy sounds like your idea of fun,
paragliding is the sport for you. Thankfully,
no experience or skills are required if
you book a tandem flight with an outfit
such as Green Dragons, in Woldingham
(eight miles south of Croydon), which has
been operating for 44 years. Strapped to
a qualified instructor, the hardest part as a
passenger is quelling your nerves as you
swoop through the air, riding thermals in
almost total silence, watching the landscape
of the North Downs unfold beneath your
shaking feet.

airworks.co.uk

BOULDERING, SWANAGE AND
PORTLAND, DORSET

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for 6+ Introduction course from

Page 122 £50pp

Fossil hunting may be the Jurassic Coast’s
main claim to fame but its ancient crags
are also home to some fantastic climbing
routes. Bouldering is a good place for
newbies to start, as you scale smaller rocks
without needing to learn how to use ropes.
Jurassic Climbing runs introductory days
for groups of up to 10 people, with guides
choosing the best crags around Swanage
and Portland to suit your ability, teaching
you how to land safely and climb properly.
These sessions are available for all
abilities, with coaching offered on a one-
to-one basis, or with one coach for groups
of up to four climbers.

jurassicclimbing.co.uk

Paragliding, Surrey

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The Great Outdoors

GUIDED WALK, MORECAMBE BAY

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for all ages Adult £10, Child £5

The Morecambe Bay sands are notorious
for quicksand and fast-flowing tides.
Guide Over Sands Trust provides guides
offering safe passage of both the Kent
and Leven estuaries on sponsored charity
walks, setting off from Arnside and Canal
Foot respectively.
They last around three to four hours,
depending on the weather, and lead you
into the Lake District.

guideoversands.co.uk

FORAGING COURSES, VARIOUS
LOCATIONS

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for all ages Adult £45. under 16s

£22.50

Snapping stems, nibbling leaves and
discovering where things grow … wild food
gives you a taste of a place that you won’t
find in restaurants. Wild Food UK holds
foraging courses in locations including
Suffolk, Wiltshire, Kent, Edinburgh and
Cardiff.
The courses help identify edible shoots,
plants and flowers in your surroundings
before they are cooked up and transformed
into dishes such as wild garlic pesto,
elderflower champagne and mushroom pasta.

wildfooduk.com

Page 125

Windsurfing, Norfolk Norfolk

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The Great Outdoors

WINDSURFING, NORFOLK

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Moderate Suitable for +11s 3hr taster session £40pp

Fringed by gold sand beaches, the north
coast of Norfolk boasts stellar windsurfing
spots stretching from Hunstanton to Great
Yarmouth.
Beginners can learn in safe, shallow waters
with Hunstanton Watersports, where initial
lessons take place on a sheltered lake
before you transfer your skills to the sea.
Half-day, group taster sessions cover kit
basics, as well as launching, landing,
sailing across the wind and turning around.
Equipment, wetsuits and buoyancy aids are
provided.

hunstantonwatersports.com

PACKRAFTING, SNOWDONIA

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy to challenging Suitable for +8s £200pp for 2 nights

Packrafting – which involves trekking into
the wilderness with a small, stowable boat
in your rucksack – allows you to reach
places that are normally too remote.
Husband-and-wife team Jason and
Marianne Taylor set up Tirio in 2017,
offering options from half-day tours (ideal
for families and those looking for a basic
intro), to 25-mile multi-day trips with
wild camping in secluded woodland in the
Conwy valley – requiring a decent level
of fitness to hike, paddle and carry around
12kg of equipment.

tirio.co.uk

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The Great Outdoors

SNORKELLING AND WILDLIFE,
HEBRIDES

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for +8s £395 incl. B&B

The Oban and Lorn coastline has an
abundance of wildlife to discover, which
you can do on a snorkel and wildlife tour
with Basking Shark Scotland. Departing
from Oban, the two-day tour is based on
the 13 mile-long Isle of Coll, just off Mull,
where there are 23 beaches and plenty
of wildlife, including basking sharks,
otters, grey seals, porpoises and bottlenose
dolphins. The most memorable encounters
happen underwater, as you snorkel past
starfish, sea-urchins, kelp forests and rays,
with a guide and marine biologist on hand
throughout.

baskingsharkscotland.co.uk

BIRDWATCHING FOR BEGINNERS,
YORKSHIRE WOLDS

Difficulty: Ages: Price:

Easy Suitable for accompanied £2 booking essential
children
Page 129
Stretching for 9.5 miles through the Vale
of York, from the foothills of the Yorkshire
Wolds to the river Derwent, Pocklington
Canal is one of the UK’s most important
waterways for wildlife. So it’s the perfect
place for the Canal and River Trust to run
an Introduction to Birdwatching morning,
with opportunities to spot the blue flash
of a kingfisher and dragonflies darting
amid the reeds. Experienced guides will
help novices identify species by sight and
sound, and explain signs of bird courtship
and nest building.

canalrivertrust.org.uk

48

BARCELONA is always gravitating toward what’s next, what’s new. Sure,
the Catalan capital in north-eastern Spain is rich with historic sites and classic
tourist activities — browsing the centuries-old Boqueria market, studying the
works of Picasso and Miró, posing with Gaudí’s frosted fairy-tale houses in Parc
Güell — but the city’s current dynamism is rooted elsewhere. To discover what’s
fuelling Barcelona right now, look to new contemporary art museums and small
galleries. Look to the bold tapas bars and buzzing night life rejuvenating outlying
neighbourhoods.
Martin Mason looks to the new, but makes time for old favourites too.
Compiled by Lacey Reddin

Page 130

hours in

Barcelona

Page 131

Christopher Columbus Monument

Page 132

DAY 1 | B AR C E L O NA

MORNING

Get up bright and early, elbows at the ready, to hit Barcelona’s
bustling covered market, La Boqueria. Essentially a Catalan (and
so, unsurprisingly delicious) Borough Market, stalls are piled
high with melt-in-the-mouth charcuterie, attractively packaged
candied nuts and marzipan sweets, freshly pressed fruit juices,
and top-shelf pantry ingredients. Get something to go and head
out to La Rambla – the city’s most famous street, lined with craft
stands and plane trees. It’s a pretty standard tourist thoroughfare
(prepare for an onslaught of human statues) but picturesque
nonetheless, and littered with independent cafés and boutiques
to pop your head into – with several worth bringing your body
into, too. At the bottom, towards Port Vell and the coast, is the
towering column topped by a swarthy-looking Christopher
Columbus. Look out for the stairs leading down at the base, and
you’ll find an elevator that rises up inside the column to a little-
known panoramic observation deck at the top.
Having gazed out over the beauty and majesty of the
Mediterranean, you’ll probably want to follow it up by eating
some of its contents. Head to La Paradeta a few streets away
for some of the best value seafood in town – pick what you
fancy, then pay for it by weight. The interiors aren’t anything
special, but it’s a local favourite, for reasons that will become
immediately obvious.

AFTERNOON

Right, we’ll get this one in early doors because you can’t leave
without seeing it. It’s the Sagrada Familia, designed by renowned
Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudí – who shunned
conventional ‘architectural plans’ in favour of artistic 3D models.
In a perhaps not unrelated twist of fate, construction began back
in 1882, and was officially deemed half-built a couple of years
ago. Happily they’ve got the key bits up (roof, floor, etc.) and
it’s utterly jaw-dropping inside, with light streaming through
kaleidoscopic stained glass windows, soaring pillars and an
aesthetic that’s frankly mind-boggling for the 19th century.
Continuing your historical tour of the city, have a wander
through the grid-like, Modernist streets of Eixample towards the
Gothic Quarter – a practically undisturbed chunk of Medieval
Barcelona. Depending on the time of year, grab a hot chocolate
Granja Dulcinea or flower-shaped ice cream from Gelarto Rosa,
and explore the neighbourhood on foot. If you want a bit more
direction, aim for the Picasso Museum, the Barcelona Cathedral
(the cloister’s filled with geese, for reasons which may or may
not be explained to you), or the Jardins de Rubió i Lluch, a
cloistered secret garden set in the former hospital where Gaudí
joined that great architectural studio in the sky.

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EVENING

While you’re in the old town, stop by the famous Els 4 Gats for
a glass of wine and some of the best tapas in Barcelona. This
brightly decorated restaurant and brewery, housed in one of the
city’s gorgeous Modernist buildings, was opened in 1897 by Pere
Romeu, inspired by Parisian cabaret bar, Le Chat Noir. Unlike
every other student who’s ever hung the poster on their bedroom
wall, he actually worked there, and brought its bohemian, laissez-
faire atmosphere to Barcelona. He rarely charged for drinks,
and it grew to become a hub for artists and free thinkers, even
housing a 17 year old Picasso’s first exhibition before closing in
1903 due to financial difficulties. Nowadays, they do charge – but
it’s worth it for the quality tapas and historic environs.
Back on the road, and it’s time to tick off a few more landmarks
before the first 24 hours are through. Modernist houses Casa
Batlló and Casa Milà both host (less crowded) evening openings,
where you can toast the city with a glass of cava from the
rooftops. Alternatively, head along to the Palau de la Música
Català for a concert – the interiors are stunning and seats are less
pricey than you think. Cap off your evening with a visit to one of
the city’s many roof bars – the Grand Hotel Central has a great
one by the rooftop pool that serves cocktails from 9pm till late.
Time to bed down in one of Barcelona’s excellent hotels, and get
ready for…

DAY 2 | B AR C E L O NA AFTERNOON

MORNING Stop off for some seafood paella at 7 Portes, before you hop in
a cable car up Montjuïc to the Fundació Joan Miró to take in
Start your day as you do most days – with a nice strong some modern art – they even have a mercury fountain designed
vermouth. That’s the brunch drink of choice here ahead of by Alexander Calder. If you’ve got time, check out the huge
mimosas or bloody maries – get yours inside vintage bookshop Palau Nacional, filled with another excellent art collection, or the
El Siglo by the Mercantic arts and crafts fair, where they’ll sprawling Montjuïc Cemetery – which also boasts Europe’s only
serenade your morning drinking with live jazz. Take some time to museum dedicated to funeral carriages. As the sun sets, go in
browse the stalls after, or if you’re based further south, check out search of La Caseta del Migdia. It’s a (slightly elusive and late-
the Palo Alto market in up-and-coming Poblenou. Grab a coffee opening) pop up bar popular with locals that looks over the city
from Nømad and start the pilgrimage to Park Güell, another as it starts to light up, with live music on most nights.
colourful Gaudí creation boasting a museum set in his old house.
For an outdoor pitstop, head to the Parc de la Creueta del Coll EVENING
(it has a palm-lined lake you can swim in), or the Bunkers del
Carmel, with views over the city. As night falls, stop off to watch the light show at the Magic
Fountain before heading down to Quimet & Quimet, a minuscule
but truly characterful, family-run tapas bar that serves some
of the best dishes in the city. From there, you could take off to
watch flamenco in the crumbling baroque palace, Palau Dalmases
Espai Barroc, learn how to drink absinthe in Hemingway’s old
haunt, La Marsella, or seek out El Paradiso, a cocktail bar serving
up Nightjar-style creations in an ridiculously cool retro den
hidden behind a fridge in a pastrami shop.
It’s a very good place to chill out.

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Casa Batllo

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W HE R E TO S TAY :

NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel
Calderon

» Rambla Catalunya, 26, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain.
» 5 stars
» Prices start from £199 a night.
“Great hotel to stay. The rooms are comfortable and good
size. The breakfast is great. Location is in the centre.
Nice rooftop bar.”

Room Mate Carla

» Mallorca, 288, Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain 

» 4 stars

» Prices start from £97 a night

“That’s the second time we have chosen this hotel and it’s
again exceeded our expectations. The location, the comfort,
the general feel and especially staff were simply great.”

HO W TO GE T T HE R E

» Flying to Barcelona is the cheapest and easiest way to arrive
in style, with an extensive choice in airport to depart from
including Gatwick, Stanstead, Heathrow, Birmingham,
Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow.

» The flight takes between 2 hours to 2 hours and 45 minutes,
depending on what airport you depart from.

» EasyJet return flights from Stanstead start from
as little as £33

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NH Collection Barcelona, Gran Hotel Calderon

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Venice:
The Inside Guide

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Without the lagoon between its great palazzos, churches, and
museums, Venice wouldn't be Venice. Even those averse to
this isolated Italian city have a modicum of respect for its modest
beginnings, its nautical empire, and its spectacular ingenuity for
finding ways—day in and day out—to live by the whims of the sea.

By Martin Mason, compiled by Lacey Reddin

Canal in Venice

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Bridge of Sighs

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he city's distinctive neighbourhoods and barrier islands are resplendent with
marble-clad buildings and statuary that tell the story of the extravagant rise of this

Tmaritime power. In all seasons, the city manages to find excuses and make time

for celebrating its deep traditions and the influx of creativity that flows into its borders
each year.

WHEN'S THE BEST TIME TO GO?

ach season has its intolerable
moments of high-impact tourism,

Emaking it a pick-your-battles sort

of destination. Some say to visit Venice
in the winter, but prepare to find many
shuttered shops and hotels, and the human-
traffic nightmare that is Carnival. Summer
visits to the lagoon can be a delight, but
the prices and the wet heat soar to their
highest rates of the year. While tourism
remains fairly high during spring (April-
June) and autumn (September through
early November), the weather is much
more pleasant, and the light changes from
tawny yellow to bright white, lending
an enchanting colour to the ancient
architecture and the watery thoroughfares
of the city.

VHOW TO GET AROUND
enice's Marco Polo airport is
about 20-30 minutes, depending
on traffic, from downtown via the
ACTV express bus, which costs about $9.
Private water taxis will collect you from
the airport and deposit you in front of your
hotel for a fee that fluctuates annually but
seems to hover around $170. The public
transportation system in Venice, ACTV,
operates along the Grand Canal. It connects
passengers to the major points of interest
including the Piazzale Roma bus station,
S.M. Novella train station, and landmarks
like the Academia Bridge, Rialto Bridge,
and St. Mark's Square. ACTV also
services other lagoon destinations like the
Guidecca, Burano, and Murano. Water
taxis and gondolas that ferry travellers
across the Grand Canal are also available.

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Venice: The Inside Guide

CAN'T MISS THINGS TO DO

• A meal at L'Arco, a Venetian bacaro, or
snack bar, almost exclusively a locals'
breakfast and lunch spot. Prosecco and
spritzer are the protocols, and the typical
Venetian snacks like truffle-infused
cheese crostini are—without fail—fresh,
local and seasonal

• An evening stroll across the Piazza San
Marco to see it at its most magical

• A visit to the 14th-century Doge’s
Palace lets you see how the ruling class
lived and gives a look at some of the
finest art the city has to offer

• A night-time ride on the Grand Canal,
whether by private boat or one of the
public water buses

• An Ecology of Venice tour organized by
our travel partner, Context, and led by
scientists who can shed light on how this
floating island came to be and what its
future may hold

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FOOD AND DRINK TO TRY

International cuisine hasn't yet taken hold
in Venice. The options here range from
local Venetian fare to regional Italian
pasta and seafood dishes.
You'll find a smattering of bad Chinese
restaurants, and one good but expensive
Thai restaurant that recently opened in the
new Aman Resort.
Local specialties are the Venetian snacks,
cicchetti, which are usually small pieces of
toasted bread topped with baccalà cream,
whipped truffle cheese, and a million other
variations of toothsome nibbles.
During holidays like Carnival and
Christmas, special desserts like fritelli
(basically a fried cream donut) and
panatone, a light cake with candied fruits,
appear for a short time to celebrate the
holiday.

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CULTURE VeWnihceere: TTohGeo INnesxitd&eWGhuenide

ll corners of Venice have cultural INFORMATION
significance and intrigue, from the
Museum storico navale
Aad hoc bridges linking the city's 118 www.marina.difesa.it
Tickets from 5 Euros
separate islands to iconic public spaces like Opening hours are 8.45am-5pm
Piazza San Marco and Rialto. If pressed The Museo Correr
for time, it's a good idea to see at least one www.correr.visitmuve.it
or two treasures from each neighbourhood. Tickets range from 13 Euros to 25 Euros
In Castello, check out the Arsenale district Opening hours are 11am-5pm
and the Museo Storico Navale di Venezia Scuola Grande di San Rocco
to learn about the city's maritime empire. In www.scuolagrandesanrocco.org
San Marco, the Museo Correr holds a bevy Tickets range from 8 Euros to 10 Euros
of fascinating Venetian art and rotating Opening hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm
international exhibitions. Santa Croce The Accademia Museum in Dorsoduro
would be a shame to miss, and visiting the www.gallerieaccademia.it
Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a must. The Tickets range from 6 Euros to 20 Euros
same applies to the new Prada Foundation Opening hours are 8.15am to 7.15pm
in San Polo. The Accademia Museum in
Dorsoduro, though usually very busy, is an Page 149
absolute gem, and since its restoration by
the non-profit Save Venice Inc., it's now
one of Venice's hottest tickets.
Venice is a hive of cultural activity and
offers a seemingly unending line-up of
festivals, fairs, and street parties. The
Venice Film Festival, Carnival, and the art
and architecture Biennales are the most
famous, and tend to last between two
weeks and four months. But other less-
frequented though equally entertaining
events include the feast day Festival of San
Marco in April, and the September Regatta
Storica, a procession of ornate boats
throughout Venice’s main waterways.

LOCAL TRAVEL TIPS FOR VENICE

hat don't they know? Venice is a small, insulated city made more intimate by
its completely pedestrian layout. The locals know where to eat. They know

Wthe alley shortcuts that save you 15 minutes on your commute. They will tell

you to abide by the high water alarms or risk getting caught by rising waters. If you're
looking for the best gin and tonic in town, they will direct you to the lobby bar at Hotel
Londra Palace or suggest, only for the view, to consider lunch on the roof terrace of
Hotel Danieli.

FHOTELS
ew entrances are more
quintessentially Venetian than the
one made gliding up in a boat to the
private jetty of the Aman Canal Grande.
And few addresses surpass that of the
Gritti Palace hotel, located front and centre
on the Grand Canal in San Marco.
For a classic Venice experience, saddle up
to Harry's Bar at Belmond Hotel Cipriani.
To escape the crowds of bustling Piazza
San Marco book a stay at the Hilton
Molino Stucky, just a five-minute boat ride
away on Giudecca Island.

PRICES

Hotel Londra Palace
www.londrapalace.com
Rooms start from 295 Euros
Hotel Danieli
www.marriott.co.uk
Rooms start from 555 Euros
Gritti Palace Hotel
www.marriott.co.uk
Rooms from 790 Euros
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
www.belmond.com

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