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River massage at Casa Bonita

Oct 24, 2019

River massage at Casa Bonita

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is a boutique resort tucked in the heart of the rainforest. Formerly a private home the pretty 18 room hideaway has a canopy tour of the jungle and rooms have views of the Caribbean Sea or the Sierra Barahuco mountains. Barahona is the only place in the world where they mine larimar, a semi-precious stone the colour of the ocean. Locals say larimar can heal a broken heart. You can visit the mine and at Casa Bonita’s Tamana spa masseuse Miranda use

The Caribbean's only vineyard

Oct 24, 2019

The Caribbean's only vineyard

Ocoa Bay is the only vineyard in the Caribbean. Found in Azua about one and a half hours from the Dominican Republic’s capital Santo Domingo, its position between the Central Mountains and the sea has a dry climate perfect for cultivating grapes. I sampled a lovely Temparillo followed by a French Colombard of a quality to satisfy any connoisseur. Maria Claudia and Guillermo Mallarino left careers as oncologists in the USA when they fell in love with this location. ‘We noti

Denbies Vineyard Hotel

Sep 11, 2019

Denbies Vineyard Hotel

Denbies Wine Estate is a delightful 265 acre vineyard in an area of Outstanding Beauty which has been producing wines since 1986 and as English wines finally receive the recognition they deserve, the family owners have this year opened England’s first vineyard hotel. Overlooking the vineyard the 17 room Denbies Vineyard hotel has a charm that is both English country house and contemporary in style. There is a lovely conservatory restaurant and two pretty cabanas in the g

Beyond the beach in Bermuda

Jul 4, 2019

Beyond the beach in Bermuda

Famous for its pink sands, turquoise ocean and of course that infamous triangle, the small island of Bermuda with its quaint Englishness has a charm all of its own. And there is so much more to it than just the beaches. One of my favourite ways to see the island is by walking the disused railway line which stretches the length of Bermuda. Known affection ally as Old Rattle and Shake, the line was made into a national park in 1984 and over the past few years bridges connectin

English wine at Digby Fine English's Tasting room

May 23, 2019

English wine at Digby Fine English's Tasting room

Digby Fine English Tasting Room, Arundel As English Wine Week kicks off (May 25th -June 2nd) we raise a glass in Arundel at Digby Fine English's Tasting Room England’s first negociant ( a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and sells them under their own name) Digby Fine English has opened its Fine English tasting Room in Arundel, West Sussex just steps away from the historic castle and a few minutes from where the wine is made. The elegant room is ove

Our Lady of the Rocks

May 18, 2019

Our Lady of the Rocks

In Montenegro, I fell in love the delightful man-made island of Our Lady of the Rock with its charming history. It was built by seamen in 1452 to house an icon of The Madonna and Child which they found washed up on the rock. To this day on July 22nd locals throw rocks into the sea to widen the surface of the island whose pretty blue-domed chapel has several striking paintings and tapestries, including one embroidered over 25 years by a lady from nearby Perast while she wait

Palazzos and piazzas in Luxurious Lecce

Apr 18, 2019

Palazzos and piazzas in Luxurious Lecce

image shows inside the Palazzo Bozzi Corso I am just back from the gorgeous baroque city of Lecce in Puglia, right down in the heel of Italy. Even a couple of days there is enough to explore the winding streets crammed with cherubs, gargoyles and gremlins grinning down from every glorious church. And then there is a fascinating Roman ampitheatre in the central Piazza Sant'Oronto which is just as busy as it would have been in days gone by, these days packed with people enjoyi

Mulling it

Oct 31, 2018

Mulling it

I am in LochAline which overlooks the Sound of Mull – it is a small place with one shop, one hotel and a social club but it turns out to be the ideal base to explore the enchanting Isle of Mull. Mull is steeped in legend and as well as the stag party there are eagles to spot while scuba divers can explore shipwrecks with the dive centre here. Mull Regular ferries reach Mull from LochAline to Fishnish from where a bus takes travellers to Tobermory. There is also a ferry to To

New food scene on Ibiza

Oct 12, 2018

New food scene on Ibiza

There is an exciting new food scene emerging on the little island of Ibiza with a wave of new restaurants and dining experiences. This month sees Ibiza set to host The Amorevore Food & Arts Festival (26-28 October) with stands of street food, wild food walks, long table banquets,pop up dining, cookery demonstrations and photography exhibitions.The festival highlights Ibiza’s growing status as an artisanal food destination and offers insights into global food issues. ‘Amore

A little Pierce of Irish heaven - PIERCE HOUSE B&B WEST CORK

Jul 31, 2018

A little Pierce of Irish heaven - PIERCE HOUSE B&B WEST CORK

Just a few minutes from the colourful West Cork village of Ballydehob, down a quiet lane, we find the lovely Pierce House, a wonderful B&B with its own two acre garden overlooking the sea. Perched in a high position with amazing views this has to be one of the prettiest houses in the area. Step into a breathtaking lounge with great views from floor to ceiling windows which showcase this beautiful part of Ireland. Pierce House is 3km (1.8 miles) from Ballydehob and 11km (6.