Once a factory on the Williamsburg waterfront, this historic brick building now houses 70 hip rooms. The Wythe Hotel’s floor-to-ceiling offer arresting views of Manhattan and the property’s restoration has been carried out with its working-class roots in mind: exposed brickwork, roller doors, concrete floors and beds made with pine recycled from the ceiling all lend an industrial air to the stylish abode, while underfloor heating, boutique bath products and creative light fixtures add a layer of comfort.
If the panoramic views from the rooftop bar don’t lure you onto the streets, catch a flick or a stand-up comedy show in the on-site cinema or tuck into the French-inspired menu at resident restaurant, Reynard. You may never want to leave.
Delve into the Ecuadorian Amazon and step back in time to the centuries-old world of the Huaorani people. Take a 30-minute plane ride from Quito to Quehueri’ono and get your first glimpse of the Amazon before taking a dugout canoe to your lodge. Wander through dense forest with your local guide, who will show you how to hunt and collect the forest’s natural resources, then visit a Huaorani community and participate in some of its daily rituals. Disappear deeper into the wilderness on a hike along the Ceibo Trail and spend a day canoeing the Shiripuno River, keeping your eyes peeled for exotic birds and cheeky monkeys.
Backed by palm trees on a white-sand beach, just metres from the crystal turquoise waters of the Caribbean, you will find the wondrously ramshackle Dune Preserve. A beach bar-slash-music-club, cobbled together with driftwood, sailboats, fishing skiffs and coconut trees. Founded by Anguilla’s legendary folk son, Bankie Banx, this laid-back venue on Rendezvous Bay is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a meal as the ocean laps at the shore. Or why not pop in and try their signature drink ‘Duneshine’, a liquor made from fermented ginger?
Just about every night of the week you can enjoy live music from local acts, sometimes even from the king of Anguilla’s music scene Bankie Banx himself. The beach bar has also played permanent host to the annual Moonsplash festival since 1995, held during the full moon in either late February or early March. The Caribbean’s best music festival is connected to the cultural core of Anguilla, and woven into the national identity so tightly it’s nearly impossible to separate one from the other.
Travel often takes us back in time and Norden Camp is no exception. Built by Tibetan nomads, the retreat has been designed to share the heritage of the land and people with its guests, fusing comfort and eco-sustainability with culture. Eight log cabins constructed from pine found in the woodlands and four hand–spun yak-hair tents dot the countryside, each featuring timber floors, luxe bedding and local antiquities.
The land is untouched by mainstream development so the seasonal produce – herbs, yak milk and black pig – is completely organic and used to create unique delicacies. Immerse yourself in the quiet surrounds with yoga, go horseback riding across the valley, or visit the famous monastic village of Labrang. Out here, it’s all about disconnecting from modern society – after all, you’ve got nothing but time.
Escape the chaos of Bangkok and go bush in Chiang Mai’s hinterland. Admire Lanna-style temples as you cycle through rainforests and longan plantations, sampling fruit straight from the trees. Take your time pedalling to Wiang Takan, a ruined city that dates back to the twelfth century, and get your blood pumping on an uphill hike before arriving at your first of two homestays in Karen tribal lands.
At dawn, set out for Mae Wang National Park, where you’ll traverse well-trodden paths and overgrown trails, inhaling the fresh scent of ginger and orchids, and meeting locals along the way. On your final day, soak up nature while cruising down the Wang River on a bamboo raft.
It’s one of the greatest drives in the world, but luxury accommodation along the Great Ocean Road is rare. Thankfully, we’ve discovered Alkina Lodge, a trio of four-bedroom villas designed by Glenn Murcutt and Wendy Lewin. Positioned in a clearing above the Southern Ocean, they offer every facility you could need plus luxuries like a fireplace, Bose sound system and a huge, freestanding bathtub.
The lodges are positioned to offer the utmost privacy while allowing guests to wake to the sight of kangaroos grazing on the lawn. Sky windows in the bathrooms and living spaces encourage lying back and enjoying a view of wafting clouds or twinkling stars. Best of all, this is a prime jumping-off point for the region’s attractions, from the 12 Apostles to the koala-rich area around Cape Otway.
What was originally a family home is now an extraordinary estate in the heart of Provence known as Domaine Des Andeols. Surrounded by lavender fields, cypress trees and olive groves are 10 separate guesthouses. Although each boasts contemporary design and art and antiquities chosen by the owners, they are completely different. There’s one decked out like a safari lodge, and another with a high-gloss floor the colour of the Mediterranean sky and provocative photography on display.
On a sunny day, the meals created at the restaurant, using locally grown fruit, vegetables and olive oil, are served on a deck beneath a centuries-old plane tree. Find a lounger by the pool or book a relaxing massage at the spa.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, sun and everything green, why not head underground? The single suite at Sala Silvermine is located 155 metres below the surface in a former silver mine out in the Swedish countryside. Guests are given a guided tour of the caverns, on arrival – winter woolies are a necessity because the temperature hovers at around 2ºC – before being escorted to the suite to enjoy the peace and complete silence.
The accommodation is surprisingly plush for an underground suite. There’s a bed tucked into one chamber and a dining area where wine, cheese and fruit await. The space is appropriately decked out in silver-hued furniture and candlelight adds a touch of romance. There are a couple of down sides: no mobile reception, although there’s an intercom to communicate with the world above; and the loo is down a dark tunnel (plumbing is a bit of an issue this far underground).
After a day spent splashing about in the sparkling water of a beautiful cove on the Makarska Riviera between Split and Dubrovnik, head to Club Deep, set in a natural cave formation that also served time as a weapons depot during WWII.
There’s a great sun terrace outside – perfect for catching those last rays while enjoying an ice-cold Karlovacko – but things get started much later in the evening (usually at about 11pm) when local and international DJs turn up the volume on the latest R&B and house beats. Be warned: when this place is crowded – and since it’s popular with cruises on this part of the coast it often is – it gets really hot. Luckily, no one seems to be too bothered about dress codes.
Sometimes, the thought of visiting yet another dry museum makes us want to pluck at our eyes, but EPIC Ireland makes us pretty excited about learning about the past.
This dramatic new experience showcases the global movement of the Irish people, telling the authentic story of 10 million journeys and the roots of 70 million people. These stories just might link with your friends’ pasts, if not your own.
Following a path through 20 high-technology interactive galleries, you’ll delve into the journey of a people, told like never before. To get there, head into the beautiful vaults of the iconic CHQ building, situated on Custom House Quay in the centre of Dublin.
It’s a great first port of call for visitors to Ireland, and will colour your understanding of the entire country. Who would have thought history could look this cool?
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