Spectre, the latest instalment in the James Bond franchise, offered Daniel Craig a license to chill. Sky-high restaurant ice Q has some of the best views ever seen from an architecturally inspired glass box, but for the Sam Mendes-directed movie it transformed from haute cuisine hot spot into the mountaintop lair of Christoph Waltz’s villain Blofeld. Situated more than 3000 metres up on the summit of Gaislachkogl in the Austrian resort town of Sölden, the neighbouring snow-covered peaks and glacial tunnel also played host to one of the film’s main action scenes – no spoilers intended. But now that Hollywood has packed up and gone home, hitting the slopes on skis or a board, followed by drinks overlooking Ötztal Alps, is definitely not to be missed.
Want to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and commune with nature, but can’t be bothered with tent pegs and sleeping bags? Otro Mundo is your answer. Located in the hills of the Sierra del Segura in Spain’s south, these two eco-friendly pods – one for a couple, the other for a family of up to five – look a little like igloos with hip retro-inspired interiors.
Around the camp, there’s a natural swimming pool overlooked by hammocks, fruit trees where you can pick a snack and loads of hiking trails. Take to two wheels to make the most of the 2000 kilometres of mountain bike trails or wander to isolated waterfalls. Experience this wild part of Spain for yourself because, after all, there’s no place like dome.
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?
Marvel at mounted whale weenies measuring more than a metre long, ogle the embalmed member of a 600-kilogram polar bear, and snicker at a lampshade fashioned from 10 sheep scrotums at the Icelandic Phallological Museum.
There are 215 penises in total – representing every mammal found in Iceland, as well as a few foreigners – in this celebration of male virility, alongside various phallus-themed artefacts.
Gents beware: a serious loss of confidence can often follow a visit. If this is your type of exhibition, then the William P Didusch Center for Urologic History in Washington DC is worth investigating too.
Hitting the slopes may be well and good, but we all know the best part of the day takes place when you unclip your equipment. Take to the powder, work up a thirst and then head to a bar for a cracking party. Here’s our pick for some of the best après going around.
Move over, Ibiza – there’s a new kid in town. A five-minute boat ride from the east coast of Spain’s most famous party destination, Tagomago Island is a twenty-first-century Eden for the rich and famous.
The exclusive abode has five double bedrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a high-tech sound system, a swimming pool and sweeping terraces where you can sit with a cerveza and enjoy the coastline. Spend your days snorkelling in the turquoise waters, hiking winding trails to the lighthouse, visiting the beach bar or simply kicking back in a poolside cabana and catching some rays. Paradise this incredible doesn’t come cheap, but we can dream, right?
Famed for its castles, palaces and wild gardens, the tiny town of Sintra is one of Portugal’s shining stars. Experience it just like a royal, with a stay at the luxurious Tivoli Palácio de Seteais. Built on a hillside in the 1780s, this five-star, 30-room estate has been lovingly restored to resemble a palace of centuries past. Days can be spent soaking up the Portuguese sun by the infinity pool with fresh lemonade, crushed from the fruit in the gardens, delivered to your day bed. This is a prime spot to see the sun set over the ocean too or, better yet, opt for a suite with your very own terrace, and watch as the Atlantic sends mist swirling over the famous Pena Palace on the mountain above you.
Wander the halls lined with priceless antiques and carpets worth as much as your university degree and kick back with a book – perhaps by Lord Byron, who wrote of Sintra as a “glorious Eden” – in one of the sitting rooms. At night, chandeliers illuminate the frescoes on the walls and music from a harpist or pianist dances in the air.
You’ve probably guessed it by now – Seteais is so beautiful you won’t want to leave, but exploring the UNESCO World Heritage town before the crowds arrive is one of the best parts of a stay. Then there are the hotel’s activities… Helicopter flights and horse riding adventures are all on the cards, but if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground head to the striking cliffs that form the westernmost point of Europe. Your guide, selected from Walk Hike Portugal, will share secrets of the area with you, including lunch at a local haunt where you’ll devour a feast of clams, prawns and fish chosen from the day’s catch, before rolling you back to the pool. Yep, a day trip to Sintra is far from enough.
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