Travel
Originally published on Tuesday, 7th July 2015
TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT SUMMER
We’re going around the world this summer. Milan is having a renaissance, Singapore is throwing a birthday bash, Iceland is inviting us over and Sayulita is stealing some of Tulum’s limelight. Looking for an alternative to Mykonos? Sardinia may just be the ticket. Plus, we’ve followed the supermodel trail to Bodrum – it had to be done. Happy holidays!
MILAN: CITY BREAK
Blame it on the Milan Expo, the Fondazione Prada, or maybe the slew of new restaurant openings, but Milan is having a renaissance. Go for a long weekend and take it all in in one fell swoop. Start with the Expo. With its food theme, Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, expect to get your fill from 145 countries – but since you’re in Italy, head straight to Italian food emporium Eataly, which includes over 20 restaurants by top chefs. Coffee must be done over a few hours at Bar Luce, Wes Anderson’s Milanese café and part of the Fondazione Prada. Nightlife wise? Keep an eye on the line up for Social Music City, the six month long festival in the 10,000 sq ft. disused rail yard of Porta Romana – Maceo Plex, Luciano and Fat Boy Slim have already played.
ICELAND: STOP OFF
Stop off in Iceland on your way to or from America: the volcanic island’s homegrown airline, Icelandair, is offering transatlantic passages a free pit stop for up to seven days. Stay on one of the most southern points of the island in the restored Dyrhólaey Lighthouse, now a boutique hotel. Expect views in all directions, from the Icelandic coast to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Want activities? The helicopter tour of Reykjavik, a guided tour of the Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafóss waterfalls or a hike on the Sólheimajökull glacier are all on our list.
SINGAPORE: CULTURE
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.
SARDINIA: BEACH CLUB
For a barefoot beach flop, eschew the usual hotspots (Ibiza, Mykonos…) and head to the south of Sardinia to its new beach club, Is Fradis. Here all the essentials are ticked: sunbeds on the beach, seasonal daily changing menus in the restaurant and expert cocktails in the bar. For bonus points, expect international DJs in the club, (come August 1, we hear DJ Bushwacker will be playing with special guests from Ibiza to celebrate his birthday), daily excursions to the other islands and, if the mood strikes, twice daily yoga. Stay at the five star La Villa del Re for peace and solitude (kids under ten are not permitted).
SAYULITA: ON THE RADAR
Apparently, the fashion tide has turned from Tulum to Sayulita. Once the destination for cash conscious surfers, the sleepy town has hit a new stride, thanks to being part of the newly designated Riviera Nayarit. Now, apart from its surfable shores, the tiny cluster of small boutiques, colourful taco stands, art galleries and trendy restaurants has made Sayulita prime real estate. Rest your head at the boutique Petit Hotel Hafa, not just for its central location and boho interiors, but for the roof deck that overlooks the little town.
UJ INSIDER: BODRUM SPECIAL
Yes, we know… Kate Moss, Bodrum… how original. But aside from that, we’ve heard that out of season, it is quite a gem. So we asked our good friend Jsen Wintle, menswear designer and creative director (@jsenwintle), and frequent visitor for the inside track on where to eat and sleep on the turquoise coast. You may not want to go in August (we hear the crowd’s not great!), but it could be perfect for a late Sept/early October trip.
Click here for our insider tips
