Travel
Originally published on Tuesday, 17th March 2015
TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT SPRING
It's that time of year again. Easter is around the corner and there are two bank holidays in the pipeline, meaning it's time to start booking some escapes. From R&R and fitness to food and new hotels, we’ve given you plenty of excuses to get away. Plus, we have some new neighbourhoods to check out and some must-do partying in Miami. Book your time off now.
COUNTRY ESCAPE: WILDERNESS RESERVE, SIBTON PARK
First up, a short trip to the country – with 24 of your nearest and dearest. Sibton Park must be the perfect party pad. A mere two hours from London, this Grade II* listed country manor boasts 12 bedrooms, a cinema, five reception rooms, a pimped out games room, and, of course, chef, butler, wait staff and daily housekeeping. It also has activities: clay pigeon shooting (obvs), 4 wheel buggy driving and, if the weather permits, a walk around the 4,500 hectares… or simply hang out poolside. It's Downton Abbey meets the 21st century.Wilderness Reserve, Yoxford Road, Sibton Saxmundham, IP17 2LZ Sibton Park country house from £2,495
FITNESS ON TOUR
We said it once, and we’ll say it again: exercise has gotten cool. Last year we went to Tulum for boot camp, this year we’re looking to Cartagena for a fitness boost with Escape to Shape. Their USP? New month, new country: think lunges on mountains, yoga on the beach, and spin classes by the seaside. Formentera Yoga is also finishing up their season in Gstaad and will be returning to the Balearics, but for us, 38°North is our go-to when White Isle based for their juice detoxes and bike rides through the Ibicencan countryside.
HOTEL: THE SERRAS HOTEL, BARCELONA
We can practically hear the fireworks for Singapore’s big 5-0, and the city-state has pulled out all the stops. Aside from the soon-to-open Jubilee Walk (think a High Line covering historic locations with skyscraper views), we’re mostly interested in the art. The National Gallery Singapore, slated to open in August in the former Supreme Court, will house one of the largest collections of Southeast Asian art in the world, making this small garden state a big cultural hotspot.
FOOD ON TOUR
From pop ups and trash food to rave cook ups and everything in between, the London food scene has been unstoppable. And now it’s going on tour. In a bold move, tapas haven Brindisa is opening its first outpost in Spain - Barcelona to be precise. Even bolder, it’ll be down the road from La Boqueria. Trash food veterans MEATliquor are taking their greasy burgers to Singapore and rumour has it Hawksmoor may be looking to expand in Hong Kong.
NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD: QUEENS
Move over, Brooklyn. Queens, especially Long Island, is stepping in to share some of New York’s non-Manhattan glory: it's cheaper than Brooklyn, has less exposed brick and a flourishing art scene. Stay at the Paper Factory Hotel, a warehouse conversion with just the right amount of industrial detailing, dine at Michelin starred Mexican Casa Enrique, if only their mole and get your culture fix at MoMA PS1 or head over to Astoria and check out the new Kaufman Arts District. There’s more to this borough than the nanny named Fran.Paper Factory Hotel, 37-06 36th St, Long Island City, NY 11101. Rooms from $209
