Hate doing the washing? Us too. Unless, of course, sorting the laundry also means sipping on cocktails. Introducing Lavomatic, a quirky Parisian bar that serves up mojitos with a side of freshly laundered towels. From the front, this 10th arrondissement establishment looks like just another laundromat – we’re talking washing machines, dryers, soap, the lot.
Press the right button on the correct washing machine though, and watch a secret door open to reveal a hidden staircase leading to the bar. The metallic, sterile laundry environment is replaced by one that resembles a cool, comfortable apartment. With cosy, cushion-filled nooks, swing chairs and an extensive drinks menu, this spot just made doing the laundry a whole lot more enticing.
Forget everything you know about the Mykonos party scene, at Scorpios there’s no doof-doof music, no sweaty, gyrating bodies and definitely no overpriced alcopops. Ideally situated on the sun-kissed southern tip of the island overlooking Paraga Beach, Scorpios is designed to represent a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Greek agora – a gathering place for people to come together to socialise and collaborate. The rustic space, much of it open-air, is littered with wooden cabanas, whitewashed walls, knitted hammocks and a quirky assortment of straw baskets, rugs, and light fittings.
There’s even a boutique bazaar, which stocks a carefully curated selection of products by local artisans – ensuring you can party in the hottest organic slip dress, should you forget yours. You’ll need to arrive early if you want to secure one of the highly sought-after cabanas by the water – the ideal spot to treat yourself to a Mediterranean feast from the 200-seat restaurant. The setting sun signals a change in tempo, and before you know it you’re kicking up your heels at the chicest party in Mykonos.
On this stand up paddleboard (SUP) tour through the centre of Slovenia’s capital, you’ll glide past willow trees and colourful buildings, beneath the nineteenth-century Triple Bridge and four dragon statues along Dragon Bridge. At the height of summer, you’ll likely hear the lilting jazz tunes or spine-tingling soprano of opera singers from the laneways above as you work your core, balancing against ripples forged by local cruise boats.
And as Ljubljana is Europe’s only capital where you can SUP through its centre, you’ll become part of the attraction with tourists regularly snapping your photo as you glide past. Still, it’s worth the physical exertion and moment in the spotlight if you want to experience a city with a fun twist.
With a reputation as the hottest party island in the world, you expect a certain level of unruliness when it comes to clubs in Ibiza. Tucked away on the sandy shores of Cala Nova, Aiyanna is a breath of fresh air. It’s significantly quieter than the party hotspots of Ibiza Town, Playa d’en Bossa and San Antonio, and refuels you with morning yoga and an on-site Airstream caravan serving fresh cold-pressed juices.
There’s a boho-meets-luxury aesthetic happening at Aiyanna, with natural colours and earthy textures dominating the landscape and creating some seriously zen vibes. But it’s fun too, with bright Guatemalan parasols adding vibrant pops of colour, oversized bean bags scattered throughout and strings of sparkling sequins cascading from the roof. Evening live music performances generally get the party started, and when night falls, Aiyanna really comes to life. Best of all though, there’s not a hint of exclusivity here. Foregoing a VIP zone, Aiyanna is access all areas, and that’s just how we like it.
Tucked away at the end of a narrow and winding street in Lisbon, Memmo Alfama boasts breathtaking and unobstructed views of Lisbon’s coveted Alfama. There’s a rooftop pool and a wine bar that features a curated list of local and international blends, a great combination to rest one’s feet after climbing Lisbon’s hilly streets.
If staying indoors is more your thing, the hotel is focused on creating ‘neighbourhood’ spaces around the property for guests to unwind, relax and enjoy the selection of handpicked literature and daily newspapers from around the world. Best of all, if you’re stuck for inspiration on how to spend your day in Lisbon, the front desk can help plan an epic itinerary for you.
It’s one of the most beautiful places in Northern Ireland, yet few explore Lough Erne, a vibrant waterway rich in folklore in the Fermanagh Lakelands. Once a route of pilgrimage and plunder, today Erne Water Taxi takes punters for leisurely tours across the Lough’s glassy waters.
On a spacious and comfortable eight-seater vessel, you’ll explore the ruins of castles and monasteries, including Devenish Island, one of Ireland’s most significant monastic sights for its preserved sixth-century Augustinian monastery and twelfth-century round tower, and the striking stone cross on Inishmacsaint. You’ll learn the stories about the lives of the monks and Viking raiders while enjoying local cheeses and craft beers – it’s a fascinating look into Northern Ireland’s past.
Along the ancient paths of the infamous Silk Road lies the untouched beauty of Kazakhstan. Far from the tourist trail, these lands have remained a well-kept secret, none moreso than the mystical Lake Kaindy, which sits 2000 metres above sea level. In the early 1900s when a vicious earthquake struck and a limestone landslide ensued, the gorge became blocked and eventually water cascading down from the mountains above formed the 400-metre-long lake, swallowing dozens of Asian spruce trees along its banks.
Infused with limestone deposits, the water’s seemingly unnatural greenish-blue hues are punctured by stark white tree trunks, which are still standing tall, and cast eerie reflections in the glassy surface, while below leaves still cling to their branches, preserved by the lake’s cold temps. With multiple companies offering tours to Lake Kaindy and the breathtaking sights surrounding it, this forest is wellworth the hike.
Mykonos is the perfect island setting. On a hillside above Elia Bay, the luxury villas at Myconian Villa Collection have a panoramic view of the Aegean and surrounding hills dotted with whitewashed houses. There are just 18 villas, suites and rooms, all with differing configurations and individual styling.
Some have private hot tubs, while others have pools. It’s all a bit like a luxurious house party, but with added five-star benefits including a spa, two restaurants, a pool bar, shuttle service to the beach and 24-hour butler service. There are also gallery spaces in common areas showing contemporary work by Greek and European artists.
We’re tipping big things for this burgeoning Balkan country, so now’s the time to make tracks before everyone else catches wind of its charms. MIR Corporation’s two-week Albania: Beyond the Guidebook tour offers the perfect introduction to the country.
After starting in the vibrant capital of Tirana, where the buildings are painted different colours, you’ll pass through the remote Albanian Alps, visit a local qeleshe (skullcap) workshop in Kruja, down shots of raki in Permet and gawk at the incredible Ottoman architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Berat. Plus, there’s mussel tasting on Lake Butrint, a walking tour of Shkodra and a cooking class in Korce, which just goes to show how full of surprises Albania really is.
During the European winter swap skis for snowshoes and head to the Dolomites for an eight-day snowjourn thanks to KE Adventure Travel. You’ll be based in the picturesque resort town of Cortina and accompanied by local mountain guides who know the slopes like the back of their hands.
Most days you’ll average at least 10 kilometres, but when you’re passing the breathtaking rock formations of Tre Cime de Lavaredo and Cinque Torri, plus summiting Monte Mondeval, you won’t even notice your step count climbing. Along the way there are various World War I museums, monuments and military emplacements to check out, and compulsory stops are made for strudel and coffee.
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