No matter where you are in Britain, there is always a multiplicity of beautiful things to see and exciting things to do, and all within easy reach. As we roll into autumn the colours of the trees all around us are a particular attraction. One of the best places to see these glorious colours is Westonbirt Arboretum in the Cotswolds (other arboreta are available!).
Once a powerful city-state grown wealthy on its trade with east and west, Venice is an utterly unique city of outstanding architecture, great art, exciting cuisine, amazing views and the worst case of rising-damp anywhere (!). Here is our way to live the dolce vita in Venice.
We recently spent a long weekend in Pembrokeshire - confirmation, if ever we needed it, of what an interesting, spectacular and beautiful county it is. We chose to stay at Penally Abbey near Tenby, with a lovely view out over the sea and Caldey Island.
We never cease in our quest for the very best small hotels, so here are a few of our most recent discoveries, starting with a house once owned by the Luttrell family of Dunster Castle. The Great House in Timberscombe is a Grade II listed building that is the epitome of gracious living.
Tripadvisor just published their list of top city destinations in the world, and it was gratifying to see a lot of Little Hotels' destinations featuring highly. This is what they said about our favourite cities.
It was over 30 years ago that we first came across the Molino del Santo, when we stayed there with our (then) young family. We were enchanted by the location, the gardens, the people and the whole concept of staying in a hotel so small that the staff knew our names and our favourite tipples in next to no time.
Little Hotels doesn't do 'bland'. Big chain hotels are not for us, so every hotel we list has its own individuality and character. Some have more character than others though!
Anyone who has watched the TV programme Saving Lives at Sea will have heard the phrase "We are an island nation" (and probably be quite fed up with it!). It's true of course, Great Britain is an island, and perhaps there's something in our blood that draws us to the coast.
We thought the recent volcanic eruption on La Palma would kill tourism there stone dead. Instead, it's put La Palma on the map and more and more people want to go there. Although the eruption was a disaster for the people and businesses that were in the direct line of the lava flows, it actually affected quite a small part of the island.
Five new hotels that have recently caught our eye and been added to Little Hotels. Choose England, Wales, Scotland or Italy. Portmeirion is possibly the most famous village in Wales. You may know it as the Italianate village created by by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Or you may know it as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan.
