Travel
Originally published on Tuesday, 17th November 2015
TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT WINTER
The big chill has set in, Christmas is around the corner, and it’s the last days of 2015 – time to book some holidays. From relaxing in upstate New York to the lo-fi charms of Nevis and a far-flung destination, we’re throwing a list of temptations your way. Party wise, we’re raving up on the mountains of Avoriaz France. Want to stick closer to home? Margate is yet again calling our name. Happy travels!
WINTER SUN: NEVIS, WEST INDIES
Shun the high-octane Caribbean islands for, instead, the lo-fi charm of Nevis. Fine, white-sand beaches, rainforests and mountains dominate this island – with sleeps had in lofty old plantation homes and boutique hotels. But, if you do want to luxe it up – stay at newly opened Paradise Beach Nevis. The island's only beachfront villas – there are only seven – means unrivalled views of Mount Nevis, the Caribbean Sea and the neighbouring island of St Kitts. Just don’t forget, you get what you pay for.
RELAX: THE NORTH BRANCH INN, CATSKILLS
For a top up of fresh air, head to the Catskills’ North Branch Inn. From the owners of the much acclaimed Arnold House, their second bed and beverage – nestled in the middle of cider country – has been completely restored to a bright and cosy mid-century ‘home’. Soak up the atmosphere: there’s a creek, backyard, porch. And inside: the five spacious rooms have rustic charm but with Malin & Goetz amenities and Sferra towels and robes. There’s a two-lane in-house vintage bowling alley (with seats from the Radio City Music Hall) and small movie theatre (which has already hosted private screenings for Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio), and the restaurant and bar takes local cuisine seriously with a changing menu using only upstate New York produce. This is pure Americana.
LONG HAUL: LIZARD ISLAND, AUSTRALIA
Two cyclones, 15 months and nearly $50 million later, the all-new Lizard Island has reopened, with 40 luxury villas. A world away from London, or specifically, 240 kilometres north of Cairns and a 60-minute charter flight later and you’ll arrive at the National Park covering 1,013 hectares on the Great Barrier Reef's most accessible coral gardens and dive holes. Aside from diving and snorkelling in one of the seven wonders of the natural world, underwater fun comes by way of the 24 white sandy beaches and lagoon.
WELLNESS: HAECKEL'S SEA BATHING MACHINE SAUNA, MARGATE
The spotlight continues to shine on Margate (Turner Contemporary, Dreamland), thanks to seaside apothecary Haeckels and their sea-bathing sauna. A triumph in design, the bathing machines, originally used by Victorians to preserve the modesty of 18th century women during ocean dips, now have a 21st century purpose, with a sauna offering traditional seaweed therapies, combined with modified original features such as its ‘modesty hoods’ (originally used to conceal female bathers) and wagon wheels for direct sauna-to-sea luxury.
PARTY: AVORIAZ FRANCE, TRANSITION FESTIVAL
The guys behind Snowbombing have found another snow-capped mountain for their newest festival, Transition. Like Snowbombing, expect six days of partying in clubs, mountain stages and pop up venues in Avoriaz, France. The line up? Dizzee Rascal, B Traits, Bodhi, and Krafty Kuts are just a few names on the bill. Oh, and if you do manage to hit the slopes, there’s over 650km of pistes to explore. Make no mistake; this is a non-stop pillow-to-party-to-piste kind of holiday.
FLY AWAY: TRAVEL NEWS
We’ve already tried and tested the new boutique, business class-only airline, La Compagnie, and now JetBlue’s business only airline, JetBlue Mint, with its lie flat beds, suites and free-flowing rose sans the hefty price tag, has expanded its routes to overseas locations from New York to Barbados and Aruba – fingers crossed for a UK expansion. And for those just concerned with crossing the pond at the cheapest possible rate, good news: come 2017, Norwegian Air will be taking us to America for as little as $69.
