Tue 24 May 2016 With our last long weekend on the horizon (for awhile) and summer around the corner, it’s time to start planning some getaways – and we’ve covered it all: mountain escapes, city breaks, wine tours and even staycations. Plus, we’ve pinpointed new neighbourhoods to explore and a new food destination worth a long-haul flight for. Enjoy! Trend Alert Barcelona, Spain Hotel Brummell For a city break, we’ve always loved Barcelona – tapas, vermouth, and sunshine – but, right now, the city is truly buzzing. Thanks to a slew of new boutique boltholes opening as hip but homely hotels, Barcelona is booming. First up, the once seedy district of Poble Sec is now awash with bars and restaurants owned by hip young things – but it’s the new 20 room Hotel Brummell, with its “less bling and more soul” ethos, which has sealed the deal for this barrio. Over in Dreta de l’Eixample, the light filled, converted 19th century block Casa Bonay can do no wrong. Co-owned by Inés Miró-Sans (who cut her teeth at the Ace Hotel), it’s the definition of the new breed of hip hotels – casual, laidback but supremely stylish (request a Courtyard Large Terrace room for its private terrace with outdoor shower, hammocks and direct sunlight). Finally, the wallpaper has all but gone up for Soho House Barcelona, set to open in October. Staycation London, England The Culpeper Ubers, black cabs…night buses, getting across London by night has never been a simple or cheap task (c’mon, night tube!), so we’re always on the lookout for affordable but stylish digs for a late night crash – and, we’ve found one with The Culpeper pub and their newly opened five bedrooms. Like the pub, it’s modest but design-led, has an unbeatable location in the heart of new foodie hub Spitalfields, and it’s a standard flat rate of £120. Tick, tick, boom! Plus, breakfast is included, and it boasts one of the nicest rooftops in East London. Time to pack your bags and make like a traveller. MOUNTAIN RETREATS Doris & Dicky Sponsored Listing This summer, we’re feeling the need to get some fresh air, which is why we’re looking at mountain retreats via Doris & Dicky, a new hotel booking site that offers boutique hotels for around £100/night. First up, it’s La Almunia del Valle. Just 10 minutes from Granada, this chic retreat is set in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Come here for long walks, amazing views and pool hangs by day and fires by night. Or, try Kipi Suites in Zagori, Greece. Situated on top of the stone village of Kipi, the exterior may be traditional, but inside it’s contemporary and luxe. Suites have mountain views and log fires, with prices starting from a very reasonable £69. Last up, it’s Relais del Maro, a guest house in the small town of Bergomaro, Italy. Rustic family homes (one is an ex- barn) have been updated to provide stylish accommodation amidst the mountains of the Maro Valley. Each bedroom is uniquely designed and some include standing tubs and four-poster beds. This is definitely an authentic family affair, with the host still present. For more information check out Doris & Dicky, asap. See more great boutique hotels for around £100/night at dorisanddicky.com New Area East Amsterdam, The Netherlands Generator Hostel Amsterdam Forget the picture postcard canals of Amsterdam and instead explore the more cutting edge Amsterdam Oost, East Amsterdam. Like London, the once down-at-heel area has become a trendy, multicultural hotspot with a smorgasbord of concept shops, trendy restaurants and lively bars. Drink and dine at the always buzzing Bar Basquiat, rum cocktails at the tropical Rum Barrel and shop at concept store Hartje Oost – these are just some of the spots to put on your list. Stay wise? Generator Hostel has just planted its flag in East Amsterdam, taking over the spectacular old zoological building. UJ stayed in one of the suites – spacious, clean and with a view of Oosterpark – it’s no-frills but stylish and you’re perfectly located to explore this new ‘hood – go! Wine Hunt Maribor, Slovenia We are always on the lookout for lesser-known (to us) wine regions, so when we were invited to Slovenia by our friend the winechap, on a trip with a wine focus, it was an immediate yes. We weren’t sure what to pack, or to expect – which was a nice change. Bit of an adventure. Read more here EAT Charleston, USA The Ordinary People love Charleston. It’s not only a colonial city with historic buildings, friendly locals and grits — over the years, Charleston has become a serious foodie destination. Some say it’s because of its geography (Charleston can truly do farm-to-table); others say it’s because it’s a great place to live. All we know is, the restaurants look great (we’ll have a dozen of the smoked oysters from The Ordinary, please), and as of late, there has been some serious one-way traffic from New York. Damon Wise from NY’s Lafayette is set to open his lowcountry concept, Scarecrow & Co, in a former train depot, while Michael Toscano, the former executive chef from Perla, Montmartre, and Jeffrey’s Grocery will be cooking up his version of Italian at soon-to-open Le Farfalle. There’s more to the south than grits …and The Notebook. So make sure to put Charleston Restaurant Week in September on your radar. No Body at Sadler’s Wells Sponsored Listing A ‘dance performance’ without dancers. Well, sort of. Sadler’s Wells is set to present a brand new immersive multi-installation experience. Combining all the elements of a successful dance performance – lighting, sound, projection – but without the physical presence of dancers, Sadler’s Wells’ building is opened up to allow audience members to explore places not normally opened to the public. The experience starts with the audience being invited on stage for Michael Hulls’ LightSpace and continues into the foyers where they will wear headphones for Nitin Sawhney’s Indelible. The journey continues with Lucy Carter’s Hidden, Siobhan Davies & David Hinton’s film The Running Tongue and Russell Maliphant’s triptych film installation. Spaces are strictly limited. Book early to avoid disappointment. No Body, June 7-12, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN. Tickets from £20 New Opening Ibiza, Spain La Granja Ibiza Adding to the fray of agroturismo hotels in Ibiza, comes La Granja Ibiza. But, unlike the other retreats on the island, La Granja is a members-only retreat – the first of its kind on the White Isle (and perhaps a sign of things to come). The concept? Launched with the “friends of the farmer” program, the secluded 10 hectares will be privy to a rotation of hippy-haute ‘communal’ programming: think farm-to-table workshops, sunset mescal rituals and poolside DJ sets. As for the actual ‘farmhouse’? It’s what Ibiza does best: a 10 bedroom barefoot luxe abode. The Blues Kitchen Competition Sponsored Listing The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch When we’re in the mood for some southern lovin’ – creole and gumbo, blackened chicken, Texan BBQ and jambalaya – we head straight for The Blues Kitchen. But lately, it’s the gigs that are pulling us in too. Case in point: this May long weekend, on Friday, the UK record label Wah Wah 45s will be doing a showcase in the Brixton location followed by the sax-powered The James Hunter Six on Sunday. Over in Shoreditch, head in on Friday for the live brass sounds of Brassroots or hit up Camden for the club night Zoo Zoo Club. Great tunes, big bars and comfy booths, it’s a guaranteed good time hybrid of eating, drinking and partying here. Want to check it out? We’re giving you and five friends a night out in any of The Blues Kitchen with £250 for dinner and drinks. Simply click here to apply. The Blues Kitchen. The offer is valid for all three locations: Shoreditch, Camden and Brixton. Redeemable for a maximum of up £250. Party Is Fradis, Sardinia Is Fradis Beach Club Are you joining us for the Secretsundaze X Is Fradis party in Sardinia? Read more here BY CS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2016 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free weekly mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. 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