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David Hockney, who died on 11 June, aged 88, was never shy about experimenting with technology. In April 2020, then almost 83, he was interviewed by The Spectator's art critic, Martin Gayford, saying about his iPad that “I was just drawing on this thing I'm talking to you on.”

In his “provocative” book Secret Knowledge, published in 2006, Hockney suggested that old masters, such as Vermeer, had used optical aids in their paintings, says Michael Prodger in The New Statesman. So, Hockney saw no reason why he shouldn't use “fax machines, Polaroids, photocopies [and] high-resolution cameras” to create his works.

It was from a photograph that somebody else had taken that Hockney created what is arguably his most famous painting, A Bigger Splash, in 1967. The pink modernist building that forms the backdrop to the sun-drenched Californian swimming-pool scene came together fairly quickly, but Hockney laboured on the split-second splash in the pool for two weeks to get every drop right – an irony that wasn't lost on him.

In 1972, he painted Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), which in 2018 set a new record for a painting by a living artist sold at auction. It fetched $90.3 million with Christie's in New York. And the comparisons with earlier artists didn't end with the use of technology. In leaving his native Yorkshire and “gloomy” London for California, Hockney has been compared with the painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Van Gogh and Gauguin – and later Matisse and Dufy, says The Times.

David Hockney is a national treasure

And while Portrait of an Artist represents the intersection of the two periods with which Hockney is most often associated – the “swimming pool period”, beginning in the 1960s, and the “double portraits” of the 1970s, these represent “a relatively small slice of his overall production”, notes the paper in its obituary. Hockney's more recent landscapes of northern France, including a 90-metre frieze called A Year in Normandie, are a case in point. That series of paintings can be viewed at the Serpentine Galleries in London until 23 August.

“I can't think of an artist so loved by millions today,” writes Andrew Marr in The New Statesman. “The man is gone, but the pictures live on. ‘Spring cannot be cancelled' was one of his more recent slogans. Nor can David Hockney.”

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You cannot help but be struck by a sense of grandeur the moment you arrive at Mallory Court in Warwickshire. This elegant and welcoming country house hotel sits in the grounds of a former stately home, just outside Leamington Spa. The pristine lawn of the main courtyard ushers you towards the entrance, past a neat square of bright tulips. The main building was built during World War I, but, festooned as it is with vibrant ivy and plush wisteria, it gives the impression of being older.

This central, surprisingly modern building is situated amid a swathe of quiet, pretty gardens – some for growing herbs and produce for the restaurant, some mowed short for playing croquet, most of the rest with patches left to grow wild for the benefit of local insects. Thanks to this, there are bees aplenty, as well as a clutch of hives that the hotel keeps – you can, given notice, arrange an “immersive” beekeeping experience. The hives are kept on the edge of the gardens, meaning the rest of the estate remains a perfect spot for an uninterrupted wander.

Inside the hotel, the suites are generously spacious, handsomely and individually decorated to give each a distinct sense of character and fitted with plush, super king-sized beds. Most of these rooms are in an extension built in the 1990s that overlooks the picturesque herb garden, although if you are checking in for a spa weekend, then those above the spa building may be more convenient.

The spa's facilities include indoor and outdoor saunas and pools, a steam room and a gym. There's a fantastic selection of treatments on offer too. The Revive & Rebalance Ritual is a body scrub followed by a back massage that leaves you feeling cleansed and refreshed, and I also heard great things about the My Kinda Skin facial.

Timeless classics with a swish of elegance at Mallory Court

Besides the spa, Mallory Court's flagship restaurant, the Warwick (under the stewardship of Stu Deeley, who won Masterchef: The Professionals) is the other standout reason to visit. The restaurant takes timeless classics and adds a swish of elegance to turn out true excellence in its dishes.

The menu is quintessentially British, with some European and Asian influences. Vegetarian options are clearly no afterthought, and despite the allure of meat dishes, such as Ibérico presa (pork shoulder) and Lake District lamb, I went almost entirely veggie.

Burrata with beetroot makes an excellent starter, especially when the beetroot is grown in the hotel grounds, and the pine nut and furikake (a Japanese seasoning) garnish gives it a modern, umami twist. Cacklebean egg with coco bean and nduja cassoulet is as intriguing as it sounds – the egg topped with a nest of string pastry and swimming in what amounts to a rich bean soup that hums with the meaty tang of nduja.

For mains, that local beetroot once again stands out – in the form of a sumptuous beetroot wellington. Sweet and sour chicory and crispy hen-of-the-woods mushroom are worthy accompaniments, but the star is the smoked beetroot sauce, which delivers a meaty punch to this vegetarian dish. Black Bomber cheddar gnocchi with wild-garlic sauce is another hit – the gnocchi served like little fondant potato cylinders, pleasantly but not overpoweringly cheesy, adorned with peas, a verdant garlic sauce, and another little clutch of hen of the woods.

If, like me, you enjoy a Snickers, then you have to order the Dulcey Blond chocolate delice for dessert. It's basically a snazzy Asian take on the classic chocolate bar. Caramelised miso and peanut brittle combine to bring the sweet, indulgent nutty flavours we know and love together with decadent levels of salt and umami. It's addictive if you're into that kind of thing. If you're not, the baked Alaska might be more up your street – a sharp, fruity number singing with rhubarb (again, much of which is grown on the estate). On Sundays and bank holidays, you can also enjoy a superb afternoon tea, highlights of which include a fine rhubarb-and-custard macaroon and excellent home-made scones.

Connect with nature at Mallory Court

While you're in the area, Leamington Spa is just a short drive away – or, if the hotel's grounds have whetted your appetite for nature and wild flowers, Oakley Wood (around a seven-minute drive from the hotel) is a wonderful spot for a walk.

Between the spa, the restaurant and the charming gardens, Mallory Court is an excellent place to unwind for a leisurely weekend, connect with nature, and feel thoroughly well taken care of in the process.

Dan was a guest of Mallory Court. Double rooms start from £157 a night. À la Carte dinner at the Warwick costs £95 per person for three courses, plus canapes. Afternoon tea from £42.50 per person. Visit mallory.co.uk.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

We've all stayed in hotels with noisy neighbours. But perhaps not the kind of neighbours who have fluffy tails or fly. Still, when you stay in one of the new and rather luxurious Treehouse Suites at Fairmont Windsor Park in Surrey, you are choosing to inhabit their world, if only for a short time – the world of the scampering squirrel, the rustling deer, the flitting bat, the warbling song thrush, the rattling magpie, the hooting owl… and, of course, being so close to London, the incessant squeak of the antisocial parakeet, no matter how well dressed. One must always make allowances for the locals.

On the lake behind the copse that is your immediate neighbourhood while staying in a Treehouse Suite, you will hear the ducks quacking and the seagulls laughing, although I don't believe I heard a peep out of the swans and herons. Your fellow guests have also come from far and wide – the geese from Canada and Egypt, and the Mandarin ducks from China (at least originally). All the while, a kite hovers high in the sky, keeping a beady eye on the busy natural world unfolding below.

Treehouse Suite at Fairmont Windsor Park

Magpie is the name of the Treehouse Suite I was staying in during an unseasonably warm and sunny weekend in April. These are wooden structures (four in all), which helps them to blend in with their woodland surroundings. And before you complain about false advertising, the suites are not actually in the trees as per the arboreal clubhouse of your childhood. Think of the size of the mighty oak that would be needed to support such an edifice! Rest assured, the trees of Fairmont Windsor Park remain unburdened. Rather, the four raised Treehouse Suites have been strategically built among the beeches and silver birches, with new saplings planted that will, in time, make the Treehouse Suites feel even more secluded. That said, privacy isn't a problem even now. You can wallow all you like in your elevated, outdoor Jacuzzi, up on the deck and away from the prying eyes of people. To be sure, the squirrels will get a good look at you.

My Magpie suite, in fact, had two hot tubs on the wraparound deck. This two-bedroom suite is really two apartments, which makes it ideal for families with older children or perhaps two couples travelling together, who will inevitably come to value some time apart. The other three suites have one Jacuzzi. But dry yourself off and come inside, through the French doors and into the living room of the Magpie suite.

A cosy winter paradise

Those doors form part of a curved wall of glass that can be folded back to let the outside in during the warmer months.

For the winter, there is a log fire that transforms this space into a cosy nest. Facing the fireplace is a modern and fully equipped kitchen, with an induction hob, a fridge for food and another for wine. We arrived to a basket of goodies on the countertop – cake, biscuits, crisps; all the sinful things to nibble on while you're sipping your wine out on the deck.

The first spacious bedroom is accessed from the living room and it, too, opens onto the wraparound deck. At the far end of the room, on the other side of the bed, you will find the white and black-tile bathroom with his and hers sinks, a standalone bathtub and a separate shower.

This set-up is more or less mirrored in the other mini-apartment accessed from the area reserved for coats, brollies and muddy boots when you come in through the suite's front door – although that en-suite bedroom doesn't have direct access to the kitchen, which isn't always a bad thing. But, like the first bedroom, this also opens onto its own hot tub.

So you could, if you so wanted, nestle down with your furry and feathered friends for the duration of your stay. But that would almost be a shame, because Fairmont thoughtfully provides the denizens of its Treehouse Suites with their own golf buggy and mountain bikes. You can use these to explore the grounds of the hotel. You will certainly want to stop at the spa with its quaint courtyard heated outdoor spa pool with various massage jets. Inside, you will find a second, bigger spa pool and there is also a salt room.

A variety of dining options to choose from

And you will most definitely want to stop at restaurant Il Giardino 1215 (although, if you are anything like me with the wine list, you may want to walk, which you can do easily). The à la carte is Mediterranean – I started with a handful of sweet, nutty scallops (and a rather sensational house-take on a negroni) and progressed to the pan-fried veal chop.

As of this month, you now have another dining option in The Windsor Brasserie. It is, according to the press release, a “lively, design-led brasserie”, focused on modern European cuisine “with a sense of theatre”. It has an open kitchen with a charcoal robata grill, and some dishes, such as the tartare, are finished at the table. I might just have to come back to try it.

After the lovely meal at Il Giardino, it was time to stroll back to the Treehouse Suite, via the atmospheric Art Deco-style bar. Waking early the next morning, I peered over the deck railing to spy one of my neighbours already at the breakfast buffet – a fat, fluffy rabbit, munching on the grass at the foot of the treehouse. The neighbourhood was waking up to another fine day.

Chris was a guest of Fairmont Windsor Park. Treehouse Suites cost from £2,300 a night, visit fairmont-windsorpark.com

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There is no shortage of popular places to visit in the UK — whether you’re after a coastal holiday or an idyllic countryside retreat.

And thanks to warmer temperatures, the case for a staycation is stronger than ever.

According to Expedia, interest in holidays within the UK has risen by 77% year-on-year globally, while more than half of Britons are now more interested in taking a UK break than they were last summer.

We round up the best UK hotspots to visit this summer, whether you’re travelling solo, planning a family getaway or organising a trip with friends.

Planning a trip further afield? We look at where to travel around the world and when to visit them in a separate guide.

10 most popular places to visit in the UK

Britain is home to many memorable destinations with many of the most popular places outside of the bigger cities.

Quaint villages in England and islands in Wales are gaining popularity among those seeking a staycation, data from Sykes Holiday Cottages shows.

The data is taken from internal booking insights over the last three years, and the top destinations are selected from towns with the most bookings.

Source: Sykes Holiday Cottages

1. Anglesey

Anglesey in North Wales is the most popular region to visit in the UK, thanks to sweeping coastal views, ancient historic sites and impressive beaches. You can walk around the 140 miles of the Anglesey Coastal Path, visit Llanddwyn Island, home to rare red squirrels and associated with the Welsh patron saint of lovers, visit the Beaumaris Castle or have a fun-filled family day out at the Anglesey Sea Zoo or Pili Palas Nature World.

2. Weymouth

Weymouth is a classic English seaside town ideal for a relaxing retreat. Head to Weymouth Beach, take a stroll along Weymouth Stone Pier or opt for a laid-back picnic at Nothe Gardens. There’s plenty to do for history buffs, whether you visit the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, explore the underground tunnels at Nothe Fort or walk around the town to see historic objects and the town’s role in the D-Day landings.

3. Bowness-on-Windermere

The Lake District is a haven for literature lovers — both Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth drew inspiration from this rugged, charming landscape. Get out on the water at Bowness Bay in Bowness-on-Windermere, where you can drive a motorboat or hop on a lake cruise, or visit The World of Beatrix Potter attraction to see different literary characters come to life. You can also go for hikes, visit historic museums or try your hand at archery at Brockhole-on-Windermere.

4. Beadnell

Beadnell is the perfect spot for a quiet beach retreat for those who want to simply relax on the golden sand while enjoying spectacular views. At the same time, it’s a watersports paradise. Take advantage of the Beadnell Bay, where you can try kitesurfing or wakeboarding — you can even give dune sledging a go if you’re feeling adventurous. Other than that, you can take a boat trip to the Farne Islands to spot puffins, visit the Longstone Lighthouse or see the iconic Bamburgh Castle, which was originally the location of a Celtic Brittonic fort dating back thousands of years.

5. Tenby

The most popular place to see puffins is Skomer Island, which you can visit by taking a boat trip from Tenby. Steeped in history, the Welsh harbour town is known for its 13th-century medieval town walls, the Five Arches barbican gatehouse and a 15th-century church. You can even take boat trips to Caldey Island, which is one of Britain’s holy islands, and St Catherine’s Island, which you can access during a low tide.

6. Buxton

This historic spa town in Derbyshire sits on the fringe of the Peak District and is famous for its ‘healing’ thermal waters and 18th-century Georgian and Victorian architecture. Some top places to visit are the Devonshire Dome, the Buxton Opera House and the two-million-year-old natural limestone cave, Poole’s Cavern, which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

7. Skipton

Skipton is a charming market town in North Yorkshire packed with history, scenic walks and family-friendly attractions. At the heart of the town is Skipton Castle, a Grade I-listed medieval castle built in 1090, which withstood a three-year siege during the English Civil War. You can also take canal boat trips, and use Skipton as a base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

8. Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular village in the heart of the Cotswolds, straddling the River Windrush. You can wander through quaint streets lined with honey-stone cottages and charming low bridges, enjoy browsing independent shops and try a traditional cream tea. Some iconic landmarks include the Model Village, which is a one-ninth scale replica of the Cotswold village, or visit Britain’s only breeding colony of King Penguins in the nine acres of Birdland Park and Gardens.

9. Burnham-on-Sea

Situated on the Somerset coast, Burnham-on-Sea is a traditional seaside town known for its sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere. It used to be a tiny fishing village until the late 18th century, and is home to the famous Low Lighthouse. An ideal location for seaside activities, you can enjoy amusement park rides and fish and chips by the sea, or choose to explore the Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park, where you can spot a wide range of plants and birds.

10. Inverness

The only Scottish city on the list will certainly not disappoint. The de facto capital of the Scottish Highlands sits on the banks of the River Ness, where you can enjoy lochside views and the nearby Inverness Castle. It’s famous for its rich history combined with spectacular natural scenery — you can visit the prehistoric Clava Cairns or Culloden Battlefield, the historic site of the final Jacobite Rising. The surrounding Highlands are ideal for hikes, wildlife spotting and scenic road trips, and you can even go island hopping without leaving the city.

The Caprons, Lewes, East Sussex

This Grade II-listed Georgian house in the centre of Lewes was once home to historian Asa Briggs, who was also a Bletchley Park code breaker. The garden includes a Grade-II listed, octagonal summer house. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen, cellars, roof terrace, walled garden.

Price: £2.1m Jackson-Stops 01444-484400

Broomshields Hall, Satley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

A Grade II-listed Georgian house with gardens that include a one-bedroom cottage, two summer houses and a lake. The house has a carved oak staircase and a large kitchen with an Aga. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, library, 18 acres.

Price: £1.75m Finest Properties 0330-111 2266

The Manor House, Great Harrowden, Northamptonshire

A Grade II-listed manor house in a popular village, set in south-facing gardens with a kitchen garden with a greenhouse and a circular summer house with sofas and a fridge for wine. The house has beamed ceilings, panelled walls and period fireplaces. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, breakfast kitchen, attic, pond, 0.8 acres.

Price: £1.15m Fine & Country 01604-309030

The Court, Axbridge, Somerset

A Grade II-listed Georgian house in Axbridge with views towards Glastonbury Tor. The house is set in gardens that include a summer house and an area dedicated to archery. It has flagstone and oak floors, period fireplaces and an indoor swimming pool with a gym. 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, breakfast kitchen, garden room, cinema, courtyard, parking, walled gardens, kitchen garden, 1.15 acres.

Price: £2.395m House & Heritage 01257-441990

Orchard Cottage, Wood End, Ardeley, Hertfordshire

A Grade II-listed, 17th-century house comprising three original cottages, with a summer house with a wood-burning stove and Wi-Fi. The house has exposed wall and ceiling timbers and inglenook fireplaces. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, gardens, 0.75 acres.

Price: £1.15m Fine & Country 01920-443898

Polwarth Terrace, Merchiston, Edinburgh

A duplex apartment on the first floor of a period property in the sought-after area of Merchiston. The flat retains its period fireplaces and has a dining room with French doors opening onto a balcony and a spiral staircase leading to a garden with a summer house. 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, office/bedroom 7, dining kitchen, garage, summer house, parking.

Price: £985,000+ Savills 0131-247 3770

Moreves Manor, Great Waldingfield, Sudbury, Suffolk

A Grade II-listed, 17th-century house set in large gardens that include a wildlife pond and a summer house complete with a shower, sauna and wood-burning stove. The house has exposed wall and ceiling timbers and a breakfast kitchen with an Aga. 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, office, garden room, outdoor swimming pool, 1.58 acres.

Price: £950,000+ Strutt & Parker 01473-220444

Heamoor, Penzance, Cornwall

A renovated, Grade II-listed Cornish long house set in landscaped gardens with a tree house, an orangery overlooking the kitchen garden and a summer house that is used as a pottery studio. The house has Georgian sash windows, open fireplaces and a newly fitted kitchen with French doors leading onto the gardens. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, study, utility with en-suite shower, workshop, paddock, stable block, 2.5acres.

Price: £1.2m Savills 01872-243 200

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Ramshaw Mill, Wark, Hexham, Northumberland

A Grade II-listed, 12th-century former watermill with gardens arranged in a series of “rooms” that include an orchard. It has exposed beams and wood-burning stoves. 8 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, 2 kitchens, outbuildings, courtyard, barn, 1 acre.

Price: £1.2m Finest Properties 0330-111 2266

The Old Vicarage, Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Essex

A Grade II-listed, early 18th-century house overlooking a castle and a church, with gardens that include a heated swimming pool and an orchard. It has grand fireplaces and vaulted cellars. 9 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, gym, 1-bedroom cottage, 1 acre.

Price: £1.75m Knight Frank 01394-334570

Bretforton Hall, Bretforton, Evesham, Worcestershire

A Grade II-listed late 18th-century house with a crenellated tower and two acres of gardens that include a swimming pool and an orchard. The house has a drawing room with Gothic arched windows, a vaulted ceiling and period fireplaces. 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, study, studio, breakfast kitchen, garage, 2 acres.

Price: £2.3m Morgan Aps 01905-384848

Hawksfield, Clifford, Herefordshire

A modern Passivhaus situated close to Hay-on-Wye. It has an A-grade energy performance certificate, gardens that include a dining terrace on the edge of an ornamental pond and a small orchard. The house is largely open-plan with an open-tread oak staircase and French doors leading onto a balcony. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, open-plan kitchen/dining/living room, en-suite studio outbuilding, 0.5 acres.

Price: £895,000 The Modern House 020-3795 5920

Copplestone House, Tiverton, Devon

A house set in mature gardens with outdoor entertaining areas, a covered outdoor kitchen, a walled kitchen garden and an orchard. It has exposed beams, open fireplaces, and a drawing room with French doors opening onto a terrace. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, 1-bedroom annexe, barn, 2.5 acres.

Price: £1.65m Strutt & Parker 01392-215631

Woolgarston, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset

A period cottage in a sought-after village within the Isle of Purbeck, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The large gardens include stone terraces and an orchard enclosed by a mature beech hedge. The house has exposed beams, a large inglenook fireplace and a kitchen with an Aga. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, outbuilding with utility and store, 0.62 acres.

Price: £1.13m Savills 01202-856800.

The Green, Nun Monkton, York, North Yorkshire

A Grade II-listed Georgian house overlooking the village green. It is set in large gardens with terraces and an orchard. It has exposed beams, panelled walls, open fireplaces and a dining kitchen leading onto a courtyard. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, study, outbuilding with garage and games room, greenhouse, summerhouse, 0.7 acres.

Price: £1.695m Savills 01904-617820.

The Orchards, Bedham, Fittleworth, West Sussex

A picturesque Grade II-listed cottage dating back to the 1600s with landscaped cottage gardens that include topiary, winding paved paths, a swimming pool, two ponds, a stream and a wildflower meadow, along with an established orchard planted with apple, quince, cherry and plum trees. The house has exposed wall and ceiling timbers and inglenook fireplaces. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, reception room, barn, 1.56 acres.

Price: £1.43m Knight Frank 01428-770562.

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Rome is known as the Eternal City for a good reason – it feels as if it has existed forever. You can visit an ancient amphitheatre in the morning, have lunch near a medieval castle and tour one of the jewels of the Renaissance in the afternoon – all the while passing buildings built in the 1920s. The luxurious Romeo Roma is testament to the eclecticism and exuberance of Rome.

A 16th-century palazzo that once belonged to the illustrious Capponi family was combined with two other buildings to create Romeo Roma. The whole was renovated under the direction of the late British architect Zaha Hadid and her team in a decade-long project that was only completed last year. The result is a mixture of modern and Renaissance styles. From the moment you walk through the door, you are invited into a world of gilded decoration and Art Deco ceilings. The central lobby, with its waterfall, feels like a 1920s film set.

The bedrooms have huge television screens and whirlpool baths right next to the beds – as well as multi-sensory “emotional showers”. I felt as though I was on a superyacht, which was partly down to the Krion panelling – this high-end material is found on some of the world's most expensive private vessels.

While my room was certainly luxurious, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy after visiting other rooms that were even more sumptuous – one of the largest suites contains a roof garden. The staff allowed me to peek inside another; one they rightly consider to be the pièce de résistance – the two-level Fresco suite, where you can sleep surrounded by wall paintings created centuries ago.

Romeo Roma's millennia-old foundations

Romeo Roma's connection with the past isn't just limited to the last 500 years. During the renovation, a large number of historic artefacts were uncovered, some over 2,000 years old. A selection of these is on display around the hotel. They include a marble sculpture of Livia Drusilla, whom fans of Claudius will remember as the wife of the Emperor Augustus – and perhaps the most influential (and notorious) woman in Rome. There are also some mosaics, which can be viewed directly or through the glass floor of the swimming pool.

Dive into luxury – or experience the cigar lounge

The swimming pool is also a good example of the way in which the hotel has been designed to give guests options – it straddles both the hotel itself and the courtyard, making it ideal whatever the weather. Guests may also use the first-rate fitness centre and spa – the latter signed by Sisley Paris. Here, the spa menu is centred around Sisley's signature “phyto-aromatic treatments”, which combine natural plant extracts and essential oils with a range of massage techniques from around the world to relax and gently invigorate the body.

I cooled off after hitting the gym by lounging in a deckchair in the “Sicilian salt chamber”, which is said to be good for your breathing, immune system, skin and stress levels. I certainly found the experience extremely relaxing and it took a lot of willpower to peel myself away from it. But peel yourself away you must because the other facilities at the Romeo Roma include a cigar lounge, and for younger guests a state-of-the-art games room with everything they could want, from table football to a billiard table designed by Porsche.

Part food science, part wizardry

Naturally, fine dining has become an expected part of the hotel experience. But even by the standards of other five-star hotels, Romeo Roma is something special. On the night I ate at the hotel's Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Roma, I was guided through an extravaganza that was spread over multiple courses, including caviar. Part food science, part wizardry, the meal culminated with a dish that arrived billowing “smoke” from a bed of dry ice. Blue lobster cooked over embers and roasted deboned saddle of lamb, served with asparagus and wild garlic zabaione, are two of the other dishes that make up the seven-course Drusilla Primavera “experience” (€305 per person).

Finally, a word on the Romeo Roma's ideal location in the heart of Rome. The Palazzo Borghese, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are all nearby and the hotel is situated around a half-hour's walk from most of Rome's other major attractions, from St. Peter's Square to the Colosseum. What more could you ask for?

Matthew was a guest of Hotel Romeo Roma. From €1,600 a night for a deluxe room. Visit theromeocollection.com/it/romeo-roma for further information.

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Toronto is known for its vibrant and rich culture, elite food scene, not to mention impressive and spectacular sights – and what better way to enjoy the city than to stay at one of the finest hotels, the Shangri-La.

This luxury hotel is the perfect base, where everything you want to see is within walking distance or easy reach.

And when you are done exploring, there’s nothing quite like the welcome of the Shangri-La to help you relax at the end of each day in luxury.

Toronto is becoming a popular destination and there are many reasons it should be on the top of your travel list. It’s a foodie’s sanctuary (and it's not just about the delicious maple syrup), a shopper’s delight, not to mention spectacular sights that will leave you in awe.

Staying at the Shangri-La, Toronto

The comfort and service at the Shangri-La, Toronto, is world class. The spacious rooms and suites, which come with unparalleled views, means you may not want to leave.

The rooms are bright and comfortable, floor to ceiling windows, high tech controls and marble furnishing.

My suite was an impressive 820 sq ft with views of iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower, a walk-in wardrobe, a separate living room and the most beautiful marble bathroom which included a walk-in shower and a deep-soaking bath, where you can relax and soak in spectacular views day and night.

The rooms include luxurious John Masters Organic toiletries which are simply divine.

Shangri-La truly takes care of all your needs as you surround yourself around pure luxury.

And should you need it, there’s also a coat concierge by the brand Nobis, which you can request in advance.

Located on 188 University Avenue, downtown Toronto, it is the perfect location to explore everything the city has to offer.

Relax with a spa

And just as you may expect, Shangri-La Toronto offers the perfect spa experience for you to unwind and relax after a busy day of shopping and sightseeing.

The Miraj Hammam Spa blends Middle Eastern wellness rituals with modern needs – you’ll want to try out more than one treatment.

I opted for a deep tissue massage which was certainly one of the best I have had, but you may well be tempted by the Turkish bath or a Sodashi plant-based facial.

You can also spend time relaxing in your room; ask for the ‘bath butler experience’ (book in advance) and your bath will be set up with petals, a candle and a truly divine bath bomb, alongside optional in-room dining.

Dining

Breakfast at the Shangri-La is worth waking up for. It’s not your typical buffet, but an experience in itself with dishes that include a wellness frittata, a duck congee, or homemade granola for example.

It is served at the hotel’s signature Bosk Restaurant, where dinner is just as scrumptious. The restaurant sources produce from Canadian farmers and businesses.

One of the markets the hotel sources its produce from is St Lawrence Market, where I took a tour of the markets with Bosk Restaurant’s chef Troy Cabarios. The market has food from around the world which truly reflects Canada’s diverse population.

Eating out in Toronto: Peller Estates

Venturing out of the hotel, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to try out. I tried Takja BBQ House, a Korean BBQ restaurant where food is grilled in the middle of your table.

A must do is a visit to Peller Estates, where some of the best wine in Canada is produced and sold.

You can do a tour of the winery, too. Don’t miss the 10below Icewine lounge, fully made of ice, including the furniture. The temperature there is set at -10 all year round, which is the temperature Peller uses to harvest icewine grapes.

Niagara Falls

No visit to Toronto is complete without a tour of the Niagara Falls. Get the full experience with the Niagara Helicopters, where you will have the opportunity to capture the most amazing views of the Falls. I also tried out the recently opened virtual experience at Niagara Parks, where the virtual flight ride will take you through time, experiencing the rich history and culture that Canada and the Falls come with.

While the falls is often one of the main attractions, don’t miss the CN Tower for amazing views of the city, Little Canada, the Aquarium, plus the historic Distillery District is a must-see. You can book via destinationtoronto.com.

Getting to Toronto

Getting to Canada is fairly simple, with Air Canada. If you are flying business class, you can take advantage of the recently refurbished Maple Leaf Lounge at Heathrow terminal 2, where you can kick back and relax with food and refreshment before you fly. The comfort of business class is like no other with its roll back seats, large personal screens and a Acqua Di Parma amenities kit.

I was lucky to experience Air Canada’s business class cabin, allowing me to arrive fully relaxed.

Kalpana was a guest at the Shangri-La, Toronto (shangri-la.com/toronto/shangrila). The deluxe one bedroom suite costs $1,269.01 (CAD) and the deluxe king room is $827.62 (CAD).

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British billionaire Joe Lewis's art collection could fetch millions disproves the notion that establishing a world-class art collection and amassing a fortune as a financial trader have little in common. The former Tottenham Hotspur owner's art collection is heading for sale with Sotheby's in London next month, where it is expected to make at least £150 million in total. That would make it, in some way, the most valuable single-owner collection ever sold in London, surpassing the £101 million record set last September by that of Pauline Karpidas, the widow of a Greek shipping magnate. “The range and quality [of the artworks for sale] show the incomparable ambition and sophistication of Joe as a collector, and also the assertiveness and boldness that he has always displayed as a currency dealer,” Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby's Europe, tells The Times.

Highlights of the Joe Lewis sale

Highlights of the Joe Lewis sale include a full-length portrait of Gertrud Loew, who was a young woman of fin-de-siècle Viennese society, painted by Gustav Klimt in 1902. Loew, later known as Gertha Felsovanyi, left Austria for the US in 1939 on account of her Jewish ancestry. During her absence, the painting was sold under duress and acquired by Gustav Klimt's son Gustav Ucicky, eventually ending up in the collection of the Klimt Foundation. It was later sold as part of a settlement between the Foundation and Loew's heirs. Sotheby's expects it to sell for around £30 million.

Another highlight is the sculpture Petite danseuse de quatorze ans, created in wax by Edgar Degas in about 1880 and cast in bronze in the 1920s, after the artist's death. That one is expected to fetch £25 million. Amedeo Modigliani's 1918 portrait Homme à la pipe is valued at up to £18 million, as is Egon Schiele's Danaë from 1909. Among the more recent works, Two Studies for Self-Portrait, painted by Francis Bacon in 1977, is valued at £12 million, and Woman in a Grey Sweater, painted by Lucien Freud in the late 1980s, is valued at £4 million.

Joe Lewis, who was born above a pub in Bow in 1937, has made and lost fortunes during his long career as a restaurateur-turned-currency trader. He cashed in when his bet that the pound would be forced out of the European exchange rate mechanism came good in 1992. Then, years later in 2008, he lost around $1.2 billion buying shares in Bear Stearns, right up until the moment the Wall Street investment bank collapsed. It was, according to a MoneyWeek article from the time, “one of the most misguided gambles Wall Street has ever seen”. That perhaps explains why this time Lewis tested the waters in March, when he offered through Sotheby's four paintings from the School of London – two by Freud, one by Bacon and another by Leon Kossoff. Together, they doubled their combined low estimate to realise a total of £35.8 million. That is as clear a sign as any that, with the upcoming sale, he might just be on to a winner.

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Coral Reef Club

It was hard to think of a better place to be than in a luxury suite at Coral Reef Club in Barbados, with a rum punch in my hand. But not impossible, because the answer changed the moment I walked through the hotel's botanical gardens (also with a cocktail). And then when I sat on the beach and again at the restaurant… You get the picture.

Coral Reef Club is an iconic, family-run beachfront hotel in Holetown, on the west coast of Barbados. Just 45 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the island's capital, Bridgetown, the hotel oozes old-world charm and personality, decorated in classic white wicker and rattan with artwork from local artists dotted throughout the property. It knows who it is, and how could it not? Its firm sense of identity comes largely from the fact that it's been in the hands of the same family since the 1950s and continues to be run by them.

The O'Hara family set up a glamorous oasis on the Bajan coast two generations ago, and it has continued to preserve its identity as well as its loyal client base – many of the guests are on a first-name basis with the staff, because they have made it their winter home for years.

It's no surprise the O'Haras have managed to cultivate such a recurring clientele, given that their hospitality extends beyond the walls of the hotel.

Every week, the family hosts a cocktail party at their residence on the property – a sweet, personal touch that has largely been lost as hotels become bigger and more impersonal.

Yet the Coral Reef Club has also made sure to make relevant updates to the property, including the building of a stunning spa as well as tennis and padel courts. I can't recommend a visit to the spa enough – modern interiors, lush greenery and a peaceful, private pool are on offer, making it the perfect place to lounge after you've treated yourself to one of its treatments. You'll find classic massages, couples' treatments, facials and body wraps.

In the evenings, trade the peace of the spa, the sun and the sand for a delicious meal at the Coral Reef restaurant. The menu changes constantly, but you can be sure to find fresh fish – think sumptuous lobster and shrimp – as well as a juicy steak, well-seasoned chicken and traditional Bajan dishes.

The menu also offers indulgent appetisers and desserts alongside an expertly curated wine list, all of which is to be enjoyed while overlooking the sea.

The Sandpiper

The Coral Reef Club's sister hotel, The Sandpiper, is just down the road and it is also well worth a visit. The hotel's restaurant offers fine dining in a beautiful, intimate and serene setting, widely regarded as one of the best on the island. If you're after something a bit more casual, you can head to Harold's Beach Bar, which is a charming and relaxed spot for alfresco dinner or drinks.

Soho Beach House Canouan

You've made it all the way to the Caribbean, so you might be thinking about doing some island hopping. Thanks to Coral Reef Club's new partnership with Soho Beach House Canouan, you can. The Caribbean hotels have teamed up to launch a “twincentre package”, giving guests the opportunity to spend five nights at Coral Reef Club or its sister hotel, The Sandpiper, followed by a five-night stay at Soho Beach House Canouan, located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Guests are flown to Canouan with SVG Air.

Canouan is a tiny and secluded island in the Grenadines. It regularly hosts celebrities and millionaires from all around the world – it's a bit of an if-you-know-you-know holiday destination, and trust me, you want to know.

Soho House, the chain of members' clubs, was established in the mid-1990s, but it has since become a global brand. It has multiple locations in London alone. Soho Beach House Canouan is its first location in the Caribbean, having opened in 2022 and establishing itself as the perfect laid-back escape. Just a short flight from Barbados, the property is easily accessible, yet it feels a million miles away from the bigger, busier island.

While you need a membership to access most of the Soho House clubs, Soho Beach House Canouan is open to non-members. Don't let the membership aspect put you off, though – the beach location is luxurious, but unpretentious. The staff are kind, attentive and quick to help with anything you might need.

At only 40 rooms, all of them overlooking a postcardlike scene of the Caribbean Sea, the hotel is intimate, yet well-equipped, with a spa, restaurant, bar and gym.

Personally, the main bar was my favourite place to lounge. The open-sided thatched structure makes for the perfect spot to relax with a book and a drink, while listening to the gentle waves lapping at the platinum-coloured sand. The hotel also boasts an on-site Cowshed spa, housed in a picturesque building, a two-storey gym and yoga and Pilates studios. On site, you can also take part in coconut husking on the beach. There's something very primal and rewarding about smashing open a coconut (the member of staff teaching me was far more graceful than I, but luckily our results were the same) and then using the coconut water to make a cocktail.

Guests of the island also get access to the Canouan Estate's “invisible key”, which gives you access to three world-renowned resorts – Soho Beach House, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan and the Canouan Estate Resort and Villas. All three come with their own different senses of styling and restaurants, curated in a way that means there is something for everyone. So, a day out to each one is highly recommended.

And it isn't the case that one resort is necessarily better or more beautiful than the others. Each, in their own way, provides a different experience and landscape.

Indeed, while Soho Beach House makes for a perfect base on Canouan, you'd be remiss not to venture out and explore the island.

The morning hike up Mount Royal is tough in the humidity, but it is certainly worth the effort. You are rewarded with views not just of the entire island, but also the surrounding ones – Mustique, Mayreau and even the peaks of Grenada. The staff are also able to help you organise boat hire. I would strongly advise booking a catamaran and heading out for a day of exploring the nearby islands. The Tobago Cays are a sanctuary for fish, rays and turtles, all of which are so used to the presence of people that they swim peacefully around you as you snorkel.

Nicole was a guest of Coral Reef Club and Soho Beach House Canouan. The twin-centre package includes a five-night stay on each island, international flights from London, island airport transfers and inter-island flights. Prices for a ten-night trip start from £5,795 per person, based on two guests, visit caribtours.co.uk.

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Malaysia is quietly gaining recognition as being the perfect destination for a holiday, given the troubles in other parts of the world. This country in Southeast Asia boasts some of the best food on the planet and it is more developed than many of its more rugged neighbours – yet it is less overrun with tourists than, say, Bali and parts of Thailand. Weather-wise, it's nearly always above 30°C, and any rain showers that come along during your stay offer welcome relief from the heat.

So, it's not hard to see why Malaysia has become a popular choice for international travellers at a time when many countries feel unsafe to visit. It's easy to fly directly to Malaysia from Britain, which means there's no need to brave flying over the Middle East, and it's also a less worrisome alternative than locations such as Cape Verde and Cyprus.

In addition, it's a very affordable destination and – perhaps similar to South Africa – it has that wonderful blend of city life and beaches, plus an abundance of exotic wildlife. While Malaysia doesn't have the vineyards of South Africa, it does have a spectacular food scene, mixing Malay, Chinese and Indian influences with sizzling results.

The Ritz-Carlton is a sanctuary in a hectic city

A trip to Malaysia is best started in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, in order to get a feel for this diverse country. The city is exciting and hectic, so if you've just landed after a 13-hour flight and you are adjusting to the seven-hour time difference, you'll want to pick your hotel carefully.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur is a fine choice. It has comfortable, elegant rooms, first-class service and a spa, gym and swimming pool. I stayed with my husband and two children, and our two-bedroom suite on the 20th floor was luxurious and spacious.

The double-aspect windows gave us a commanding view of downtown Kuala Lumpur. All-you-can-eat durian buffets jostled with hotels, offices and shopping centres, with the KL Tower glittering against the skyline.

My nine-year-old son was thrilled to see Merdeka 118 from his bedroom, the world's second-tallest building at 2,227 feet (more than twice the height of London's Shard).

The Ritz-Carlton, which opened in 1997, has 251 rooms, 110 suites and four penthouses – three of which have private swimming pools. The hotel is located Kuala Lumpur in the Golden Triangle business district, which makes it ideal for exploring the city.

For anything a bit further away – or perhaps you'd just like to rest your legs and cool down (very sensible given the humidity) – you can grab a “Grab”. This is Southeast Asia's answer to Uber and, in fact, Uber is Grab's largest shareholder.

Where to eat at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

As for restaurants, The Ritz-Carlton has some excellent dining options. The variety at breakfast is eye-popping – dim sum, noodle soup, baba ganoush, guava smoothies, nasi lemak and much more. Of course, there are the usual cereals, pastries and fresh fruit, but make sure you try the roti canai with dhal. My seven-year-old daughter impressed the staff by happily eating three of them one morning.

Come evening, you can enjoy authentic Chinese classics at Michelin-selected restaurant Li Yen or, at the weekend, indulge in the “Ritzy Weekend Feast”.

The latter is a buffet serving up bold, smoky flavours from the heart of Malaysia. My husband loved the lamb biryani and the chilli pomelo salad, while I swooned over a gorgeous slow-cooked beef rendang.

My daughter has a peanut allergy and this had made us nervous about our trip. But the staff did a sterling job of accommodating her and she was able to try most food items. As the band played (a mix of modern pop, plus some classics), the children were most impressed with the enormous dessert table, complete with chocolate fountain.

A highlight was the pandan crème brûlée, but I'm afraid durian – that stinky fruit nicknamed “king of fruits” by Malaysian devotees – was not for us, so it was “no” to the durian donuts.

The Ritz-Carlton is your home away from home

The Ritz-Carlton also offers afternoon tea. A very British affair, this is a must if you're homesick, but I'd also recommend it for the cool and calm environment, making it a welcome break from busy Kuala Lumpur.

The scones and cakes really hit the mark if you've been overdosing on rice and noodles. The tea selection is also large, ranging from English breakfast and Darjeeling to fragrant herbal blends and a popular “Irish Whiskey cream” variety.

To work off the food, you can head to the 24-hour gym or swim laps in the outdoor swimming pool. Those with children can pop into the kids' room for books and games, while there are organised activities every afternoon, such as decorating eggs, origami and playing Congkak, which is a popular board game in Malaysia.

We were all rather sad to leave this peaceful sanctuary of a hotel when it was time to check out. The rest of our two-week Malaysian adventure involved visiting Bukit Merah Orang Utan, also known as Orangutan Island; making sandcastles on the beach in Langkawi and appreciating the street art in Penang.

I'm sure we'll return to this vibrant country one day, and when we do, I know where we will rest our weary heads when we're back in Kuala Lumpur.

Ruth was a guest of YTL Hotels at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. Rooms start from around £141 a night for a Deluxe room. Visit ritzcarlton.com for details.

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The Coachman’s House, Dollarbeg, Dollar, Clackmannanshire

A renovated Victorian house built around a courtyard with a garden that includes an all-weather tennis court. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, 5 dressing rooms, 2 reception rooms, home cinema, 2-bedroom cottage, gym with sauna, woodland, 6.6 acres.

Price: £2.25m+ Savills 0131-247 3738.

Haughley Park, Stowmarket, Suffolk

A Grade I-listed Jacobean manor in 240 acres of parkland with gardens that include a croquet lawn and a tennis court. It has ornate fireplaces and a grand, carved wooden staircase. 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, study, offices, 2 kitchens, conservatory, 5-bedroom farmhouse, outbuildings.

Price: £4.25m Knight Frank 01394-334570.

East South Fork Rd, Utah, USA

A house in the Provo Canyon in Utah with a sports building that includes a basketball court, a squash court, a climbing wall and a games room. The house has floor-to-ceiling windows and open fireplaces. 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, split-level open-plan kitchen/living area, home cinema, 2-bedroom guest house, landscaped gardens, 29.6 acres.

Price: $43m Summit Sotheby’s International Realty +1 800 641 1884.

Thistle Hall, Wickham Bishops, Essex

A contemporary property built in a Georgian style with a lake and a synthetic putting green with a bunker and tees in the landscaped gardens. It has an indoor swimming-pool complex, a kitchen with a professional-grade oven, and French doors leading onto a terrace. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, reception hall, 4 reception rooms, annexe, outbuildings, 25.63 acres.

Price: £5.5m Strutt & Parker 01245-258201.

The Old Vicarage, Bleasby, Nottinghamshire

A restored, Grade II-listed country house set in gardens that contain an all-weather tennis court. The first-class leisure facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool covered by a lantern-glass roof, along with a gym and games area. The house has open fireplaces and an open-plan kitchen and living area. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, 3-bedroom coach house, stables, paddock, 5.3 acres.

Price: £2.45m Fine & Country 0115-982 2824.

Lancewood, Windlesham, Surrey

A contemporary house set in gardens that include a heated swimming pool and professionally surfaced half-court basketball court. It has floor-to-ceiling windows and a cinema. 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, dining kitchen, reception room, 1-bedroom annexe, 3.68 acres.

Price: £7m+ Strutt & Parker 01344-921985.

Galon Y Mynydd, Coed Y Bronallt, Pontarddulais, Swansea, Glamorgan

A modern house overlooking the River Loughor, with an outdoor, professionally finished football pitch with full-size Fifa-approved goal posts and an indoor swimming-pool complex. The house has stone floors and a state-of-the-art kitchen. 5 bedrooms, 3 dressing rooms, 6 bathrooms, open-plan kitchen/living area, 2 reception rooms, gardens.

Price: £2.5m Country Living Group 01437-616101.

Harmony House, Westham, Wedmore, Somerset

A detached, modern house overlooking landscaped gardens that include an enclosed football pitch and an outbuilding with a gym and a games room. The house has a glazed, 46ft open-plan dining kitchen and living area. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open-plan dining kitchen/living area, reception room, cinema, utility, cloakroom, outbuilding with gym and first-floor games room, garage.

Price: £1.79m Knight Frank 01173-171996.

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Dumbleton Hall, Cotswolds

The historic Grade II-listed Dumbleton Hall, situated in the north Cotswolds, has recently reopened following a two-year restoration, which has returned the property to its former glory as an elegant country manor. The tranquil 16-acre estate includes a lake and walled gardens, making this a quintessential countryside escape, located minutes from the picturesque villages of Broadway and Winchcombe. Dumbleton Hall's history – having hosted literary and historical figures, including Charles Dickens and the Mitford sisters – is reflected across its 34 individually designed bedrooms and grand public spaces, blending Belle Époque refinement with 1920s glamour and William Morris prints.

On the culinary front, executive chef Dean Westcar champions seasonal, locally sourced Cotswolds produce at the hotel's main Cedar 1905 restaurant, while the Orangerie will offer intimate fine dining from August. To work up an appetite, various walking trails are within easy reach, as are the towns of Stratford-upon-Avon and Cheltenham for a night out.

From £380 a night, on a B&B basis for two people, dumbletonhall.co.uk

Pine Trees Hotel, Scottish Highlands

Pine Trees Hotel is tucked away in ten acres of woodland on the edge of Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands. It is, in other words, a quiet retreat near the Cairngorms. The boutique property has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment, blending Victorian architecture with contemporary design across 32 individually styled rooms and suites. Guests are invited to unwind in the tranquil surroundings by embracing the local concept of coorie, meaning “to get cosy” in Scots.

At the hotel's restaurant, Fauna, executive chef Tom Scade celebrates seasonal Scottish produce, while at the stylish Flora bar an extensive whisky selection is offered, along with the popular Pine Trees Margarita cocktail.

This summer, Pine Trees Hotel is launching a new “Woodland Wellness” concept, which includes access to an Estonian Iglucraft igloo-shaped sauna, plunge pool, and wood-fired hot tub. Later in the season, the property will also unveil East Haugh House, a new 11-bedroom exclusive-use residence perfect for larger groups.

From £358 a night, pinetreeshotel.co.uk

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

The iconic Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane recently unveiled 14 newly renovated suites. London-based studio Interiors with Art lent a hand in designing the interiors, fusing the hotel's subtle Art Deco features with contemporary style. The team drew inspiration from the nearby Hyde Park for the sycamore wood panelling, for example, along with the brushed metal finishes, Murano glass lighting and warm autumnal palette.

On the fifth floor, sweeping views of the park can be had from the spacious Presidential Suite. It has a formal dining room with a butler's pantry, bespoke marble accents and a fireplace. The Royal Terrace Suite has its own vast garden terrace, making it ideal for entertaining or relaxing in nature despite being in the heart of Mayfair, while the Garden Suite overlooks the hotel's own private garden, blending indoor and outdoor living with bronze-accented interiors and a spacious landscaped terrace.

From £4,700 a night in the suites, fourseasons.com/london

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It takes time to become a Tropezian institution – just not a long time in the case of Brigitte Bardot. The actress was just 21 when her kicking up the sand on Pampelonne Beach for the film And God Created Woman put the sleepy fishing village of Saint-Tropez on the map. In the 70 years since, Saint-Tropez's renown has become inseparable from that of the young woman who made it famous in 1956. You will see Bardot's smouldering features in shops, gallery windows, in the gold statue of her sitting toute nue in a clam shell on the Place Blanqui… and staring back at you as you sip your Gin Sniper at Q's Bar at the impossibly chic AREV St. Tropez hotel on the Chemin des Vendanges.

AREV St. Tropez is also young – it opened in March 2024. And, like the youthful Bardot, this luxury boutique hotel is already making a name for itself. It amused me to find a polite notice on the hotel's website under “Guest Conduct”, asking guests to refrain from taking “any photos or videos in the general area of any celebrity”. English translation – if you see a celebrity, stay calm! Did I see a celebrity during my stay? I couldn't possibly say. One must take after the locals and affect an air of nonchalance when in the presence of stardom – even when your fingernails are scratching at the phone in your pocket. Anyway, this is Saint-Tropez. Celebrities are a feature of the landscape, much like the plane trees in the Place des Lices.

All of which is to say AREV St. Tropez is charming and it has not gone unnoticed. The hotel is a love letter to the French Riviera of the Bardot era. Under those same plane trees on the Place des Lices, a seven-minute stroll from the hotel, pétanque balls are still tossed, pastis is still sipped and on Tuesday and Saturday mornings a busy market is held attracting locals and visitors alike. AREV St. Tropez has created its own homage to the Place des Lices in its Place des Oliviers in the hotel's gardens, complete with vintage Citroën. The hotel is open year-round and, when the weather is bad the pick of the market stalls are brought to the hotel for the convenience of guests. At the Place des Oliviers, you can concoct your own scent at a perfume-making workshop run by local brand Maison ST. You will also find the brand's products in the hotel spa.

AREV St. Tropez is an icon in the making

That's not all. The Strand restaurant revives the name and ambience of a bygone village favourite, now closed, but with a faintly nautical twist in the decor. On the menu, you will find simple yet creative Mediterranean dishes, such as wild sea bream, served with a light and airy verbena bisque emulsion; grilled blue lobster; and Charolais fillet steak, which is a muscular breed typical of France.

Before sitting down to dinner, you might like to take a cold glass of rosé on the Mediterranean garden terrace. You can even visit the vineyard on an excursion to the nearby Fondugues-Pradugues estate. Or – rewinding further – you can take part in an olive oil tasting beside a 500-year-old olive tree, led by the hotel's master gardener, who says a shot of olive oil sets you up for an evening of cocktails and wine.

AREV St. Tropez's focal point and an icon in the making is its long swimming pool, which has the words “A Rêve In The Sun” spelled out in large letters on the bottom (Rêve means “dream” in French – the hotel's name is a playful pun). It reminds me of the pool at the Hotel Bel-Air in California, which became famous from the 1950s onwards as much for its stylish setting as for the glamorous people lounging around it. Around the corner from the main pool, there is a second, smaller outside pool in front of my junior suite, which is part of an even newer section of the hotel. All of the hotel's interiors were designed by Luis Bustamante, the Madrid-based designer who also decorated the Embassy Gardens development in London. The bold blue and red stripes – the hotel's colours – continues the nautical theme, while at the same time being very French. The bathroom is large with a bath and separate shower, and outside, via the bedroom, there is a cosy private terrace.

AREV St. Tropez is a welcome retreat from what used to be a fishing village, but is now a glamorous seaside resort town that gets quite busy in summer. Spring is an ideal time to visit. You can dine at the lovely La Petite Plage restaurant on the Quai Jean Jaurès, or join the coastal path, a short walk from the hotel, for wonderful views over the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. The route takes you past the Cimetière Marin, where you can pause with the small crowd of well-wishers who have come to pay their respects to Bardot, who passed away right at the end of last year, at the age of 91. Bardot lived in the area for most of her life and, if anything, the aura she gave to Saint-Tropez has only grown brighter with the passing of the decades. I suspect that years from now AREV St. Tropez will also have become a true local icon.

Chris was a guest of AREV St. Tropez. Rates are from €590 a night in winter and €1,500 in summer, arevcollection.com.

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CORD by Le Cordon Bleu has all the swagger that high end classical cuisine demands, but delivers it with generous helpings of fun.

It’s surprisingly down-to-earth. The entire restaurant, just off the Strand, has a clear view of the calm, highly functional kitchen through a broad pane of glass, and is softly lit with jazzy, globular bulbs suspended from the ceiling; all very tastefully modern. It feels comfortable and relaxed, without needing to show off.

A glance at the wine list also confirms the sense that CORD does not confine itself by convention. Chinese riesling and Cypriot xynisteri sit alongside more familiar burgundies and sauvignon blancs.

The sommelier, who clearly loves her craft, offers an adventurous set of wine pairings and prefers to unveil each at the end of the course, giving you the chance to appreciate it without any preconceptions and to play the guessing game.

It’s a playful take on wine pairings, and that joie de vivre is born out in the food.

Two canapés are served to start; a black truffle and parmesan arancini with a red onion jam, and apple and crab served on a delightful, crispy wafer. The crab is especially delightful, with a zingy apple powder sprinkled over what is almost a meaty crab-flesh ragu, and comes with the added theatre of being served atop a sculpted conch shell.

Next up is a slow poached hen’s egg with truffle, asparagus and sweetcorn. A really intriguing dish; a cloud of potato foam and crispy, salty potato skins conceals hidden treasures within, inviting you to dig around for gooey egg and sublimely crunchy asparagus. This is as much a play on textures as it is on flavours.

After a bite of bread (baked by LCB Master Chefs in Le Cordon Bleu school, downstairs from the restaurant), the next dish on the tasting menu is a scallop tartare served with Oscietra caviar, kaffir lime and an inspired dill and white chocolate oil. This is delicate, laced with citrus from the lime – not unlike a ceviche – and you get a hint of creamy, dill-infused chocolate before your palate is swept away by the salty caviar. By itself, the oil is deliciously sweet, so much so you wonder how it will work with scallops, but in fact it is the element that brings everything else in this superb dish together.

A little garden then appears at our table; a miniature, plated shrubbery which is all for show besides a neat little pile of lamb cutlets, sous vide to a perfect, tender pink. Accompanying them are sweetbreads stuffed into a salty morel mushroom, and a stack of delicate pastry, braised lamb shoulder with pea and mint purees, and a rich sauce with something approaching deep toffee sweetness. This is a celebration of the harmony between lamb and mint, and for something so delicate on the eye packs a real punch on the palate.

Finally, a black forest dessert consisting of a dark chocolate brownie, kirsch mousse, white chocolate and Amarena cherries, with morello cherry sorbet. The sorbet is sharp and acidic, the mousse fluffy and inviting – a wonderful way to round off a sumptuous meal.

All in all this is very high quality of food, delivered with theatre but also a sense of fun – as if, despite all the accomplishments of the chefs and the dishes, it still doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Dan was a guest of CORD by Le Cordon Bleu. The chef’s tasting menu described here costs £125, plus £70 for wine pairings. Le Cordon Bleu cookery school is accepting applications for its Pâtisserie scholarship competition until 29 May.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

If you travel regularly for work or enjoy holidaying abroad, the right credit card could make a big difference. A rewards credit card which offers flight points could mean you cut flight costs – helping you save money on a holiday – or let you upgrade your seat for less.

There are several credit card providers offering airline or flight points as a reward for spending, such as American Express, Virgin Money and Barclays.

But which is the best credit card for flight points, such as Avios or Virgin Points? We break down the different options available right now, comparing what’s on offer, monthly or annual fees and any extra perks like airport lounge access or travel insurance.

What is an airline miles credit card?

An airline miles credit card is a type of reward credit card that lets you collect points on your everyday spending, which can then be used towards flights.

Once you’ve collected enough points or airline miles, you can typically redeem them – unlocking perks like free or reduced flights, seat upgrades, extra baggage, airport lounge access or even other travel expenses like hotel stays or car hires, depending on the provider.

Different airlines have their own schemes. The most popular ones are Avios, run by British Airways – which can also be used with BA’s partner airlines – and Virgin Atlantic’s Virgin points.

Are airline miles credit cards worth it?

Airline miles credit cards can offer lucrative rewards, particularly if you’re a higher spender or you travel often. They can make your journey more rewarding.

However, there are a few caveats. You can only redeem points with certain airlines or providers, and you will need to be flexible with your travel itinerary, as flights paid for with points tend to have limited availability, especially during peak travel times.

Keep in mind that you will have to repay your credit card bill in full each month, or you will be stung with high interest rates.

The best credit cards for flight points

Below, we round up the top credit cards for airline miles and reward points. We’ve done a breakdown based on annual cost, representative APR, welcome bonus and extra perks you can get.

American Express Rewards Credit Card

This is the most cost-effective travel reward credit card for customers, as it lets you earn points on your spending but has no annual fee. It comes with these perks:

• 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £2,000 in your first three months. You don’t qualify if you’ve already had an Amex card in the past 24 months.
• Earn 1 point for every £1 spent on purchases.
• Earn 4,000 points for inviting a friend – provided their application is approved.

Membership Rewards points don’t have to be redeemed as flight points, but you have the option to transfer them to an Amex loyalty partner programme such as an airline’s frequent flier scheme.

For instance, 40,000 points could get you a return economy flight to Dubai with Virgin Atlantic. You can also redeem your points on eligible purchases at PayPal, Amazon, Boots, Currys, etc.

British Airways American Express Credit Card

Another cost-effective option is the British Airways American Express Credit Card. It doesn’t have an annual fee, and it lets you collect Avios on any purchases you make. Some of its perks include:

• 5,000 bonus Avios when you spend £2,000 in your first three months
• One Avios for every £1 spent on purchases.
• 1,000 Avios when you add the first Supplementary Card – an extra card issued to a family member or friend – to your account.
• Earn 4,000 points for inviting a friend – provided their application is approved.
• Get a companion voucher when you spend £15,000 each cardmembership year.
• Covered for Travel Accident Insurance of up to £75,000 on public transport.

You can redeem vouchers when booking a British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus Reward flight. We look at Avios-only flights and companion vouchers in a separate guide.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

If you’re a frequent traveller and want more value for your money, the American Express Preferred Rewards Credit Card may be a suitable option. While it comes at a steep cost of £195 (£0 in the first year), it could be offset by the amount of points and rewards on offer. This includes:

• 40,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend £5,000 in the first six months. This reverts to 20,000 points once the offer ends after 26 May 2026. You don’t qualify if you’ve already had an Amex card in the past 24 months.
• Earn three points for every £1 spent on Amex Travel, two points for every £1 spent directly with airlines, and one point for every £1 spent on eligible purchases.
• Four complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge passes a year at up to 1,300 lounges at airports around the world
• Get US $100 hotel credit when you book two or more nights with The Hotel Collection, which can go towards spa purchases, food and beverage, late check-out, room upgrades and more.
• Free Travel Accident Insurance up to £250,000 and Travel Inconvenience Insurance up to £200.
• £10 back per month on Deliveroo, or effectively £120 a year

American Express Nectar Credit Card

If you’re a regular Sainsbury’s shopper, you might find that the American Express Nectar Credit Card offers you the best value for money. It has an annual cost of £30, which comes in the second year, so you can trial the card for a year to see if it’s ideal for you. Here’s what you’ll get:

• 20,000 bonus Nectar points when you spend £2,000 in your first three months. You don’t qualify for this offer if you’ve already had an Amex card in the past 24 months.
• Earn 3 points for every £1 spent at Nectar partners, and 2 points for every £1 on purchases
• Invite a friend and earn 5,000 points if they are approved.

Nectar points can be converted into Avios – 400 Nectar points equal 250 Avios. This means the welcome bonus is worth 12,500 Avios.

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card

If you fly with Virgin or are a banking customer of theirs, you may want to consider getting the Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card. It has no annual fee. The perks that come with this card include:

• 3,000 welcome bonus points when you make a purchase in the first 90 days.
• Until 18 May, earn another 3,000 Virgin Points if you spend £1,000 within 90 days of taking out the card. Make sure you link your Flying Club number to your credit card by 16 August to be eligible for the bonus.
• 0.75 Virgin Points for every £1 spent on everyday purchases, and 1.5 points for every £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.
• Get a flight upgrade or a companion ticket when you spend over £20,000 in a year.

We take a look at how Virgin Flying Club works in a separate guide.

Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card

For higher spenders and frequent flyers, it’s worth checking out the Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card, a premium version of the above reward credit card. The annual fee is £160, but this may be offset using Virgin Points. Here’s how you can earn them:

• 18,000 welcome bonus points when you make a purchase in the first 90 days.
• Until 18 May, earn another 18,000 Virgin Points if you spend £3,000 within 90 days of taking out the card. Make sure you link your Flying Club number to your credit card by 16 August to be eligible for the bonus.
• 1.5 Virgin Points for every £1 spent on everyday purchases, and 3 points for every £1 spent with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays.
• Get a flight upgrade or a companion ticket when you spend over £10,000 in a year.

Barclaycard Avios

If you fly British Airways and want to collect Avios, Barclaycard Avios may be a good place to start, considering it comes with no annual fee. Here are the perks you can get:

• Collect 5,000 Avios if you spend £1,000 in the first three months
• 1 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible purchases.
• When you hit £20,000 spent on your card within 12 months, you can choose between a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or opt for 7,000 bonus Avios.

If you change from an existing Barclaycard to this one, you can still get 1,000 Avios when you spend at least £1,000 within three months.

For example, if you have collected 19,500 Avios points, by spending just £1, you can get a peak-time, economy return flight from London to Milan.

Barclaycard Avios Plus

For premium flyers and avid points collectors, the Barclaycard Avios Plus can mean you get more points and rewards on your travel. This is the most expensive card on the market, costing £20 monthly, or £240 annually. Here are perks that come with the premium card:

• Collect 25,000 Avios if you spend £3,000 in the first three months
• 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible purchases.
• When you spend £10,000 on your card within 12 months, you can choose between a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking, or opt for 7,000 bonus Avios.
• Access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide at a discounted rate of £20.50 per lounge pass per person.

If you change from an existing Barclaycard to this one, you can still get 5,000 Avios when you spend at least £3,000 within three months.

For example, if you use 43,000 Avios points and pay £33, you can get a peak, Club Europe business-class return flight from London to Venice, Lisbon or Madrid.

Which is the best credit card for flight points?

If you’re new to credit cards and still want to make the most of your travel, you might want to trial a credit card with a £0 annual fee – or opt for an Amex Preferred Rewards Gold card, which is free for a year, to determine if the rewards are worth it.

If you’re keen on a companion voucher or flight upgrade without having to fork out hundreds, you can trial the Barclaycard Avios or the British Airways Amex card. We look at the best credit cards for airport lounge access in a separate guide.

According to Head for Points, the Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card is “clearly the best deal” in the first year, given the boosted bonus. “36,000 Virgin Points easily offsets the £160 annual fee for the first year. More importantly, once you have the Reward Plus card, you are earning the superior 1.5 points per £1 whenever you shop. You also trigger the annual voucher more quickly.”

However, consider if you’re likely to use Virgin points before you apply. If you typically fly with British Airways instead, collecting Virgin points might not be right for you.

As per Which?, the Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card is the most competitive, but its free version is more cost-friendly. The American Express Rewards Credit Card is a ‘best buy’ due to its zero annual fee and flexibility.

However, it’s worth remembering that based on your needs and preferences, one card could be more suitable than the other – so if you value premium services, you might be comfortable paying more to get value for money.

The world's best luxury golf resorts

1. Hostal de la Gavina, Spain

Film stars, presidents and prime ministers have been visiting the Costa Brava to stay at the prestigious Hostal de La Gavina since 1932. This year, the luxury hotel is launching tailored golfing experiences that combine world-class play with a relaxed coastal stay on this stunning stretch of coastline in northeastern Spain.

Golfers will also want to visit Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort, situated a 25-minute drive away. It is home to two acclaimed 18-hole golf courses and, in 2031, it will host the Ryder Cup. And just ten minutes from La Gavina is Club Golf d'Aro – Mas Nou, a top golf course with the extra benefit of sweeping sea views. The hotel's new Golf Concierge can arrange visits, private tuition and access to the driving range. Guests can unwind afterwards with a restorative sports massage at the Spa by Valmont. Actor Sean Connery was a frequent guest of Hostal de La Gavina in the 1970s, who often made use of the area's world-class golf facilities.

From €380 a night, including breakfast, visit lagavina.com.

2. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita has re-emerged after a transformative seven-month renovation last year as a premier golf destination in the Indian Ocean. The resort offers privileged access to two stunning championship courses – the Ernie Els-designed Anahita Golf Club and the Bernhard Langer signature course at Ile aux Cerfs. Both golf courses are situated amid the spectacular scenery of mountains, lakes and lush tropical flora. As part of stay at the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, players receive a daily, complimentary round of golf, inviting golfers of all skill levels to tee off on these world-class fairways or take advantage of expert, one-on-one coaching to perfect their swing. Travelling between the resort and the green couldn't be easier either. There is a complimentary golf shuttle that runs to Anahita Golf Club, along with a complimentary boat transfer that takes guests to Ile aux Cerf Golf Club.

From £900 a night, including breakfast, fourseasons.com/mauritius.

3. Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Eden Roc Cap Cana is the Dominican Republic's only two-key Michelin resort, offering an unparalleled island getaway tailored specifically for golf enthusiasts. The facilities are centred around the world-renowned, Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada Golf Course. This luxury Relais & Châteaux property is also the first in the Caribbean to provide a dedicated “golf butler” – an on-call specialist who seamlessly manages tee times, equipment deliveries and who is able to arrange recovery treatments, such as Eden Roc Cap Cana's signature Deep Body Golf Ball Massage. As for the accommodation, every guest staying in a private villa has the use of a personal golf cart to explore the exclusive Cap Cana neighbourhood. Upgrade to the Ocean & Golf Villa, and you get access to a 24-hour butler and private chef, while the spectacular Founder's Villa boasts sweeping beach views and direct access to the greens.

From £700 a night, including breakfast, edenroccapcana.com.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

Saunas have been around in Scandinavia for thousands of years. In Britain, they are the hottest new wellness trend, with new saunas springing up across the country. The number of public saunas has risen from 45 in 2023 to over 600 as of last year – a 1,200% increase, while online searches for “outdoor sauna” have increased 73% year on year. Numerous studies attest to the health benefits of short, regular sauna sessions, which include improved cardiovascular health, pain relief and better mental wellbeing. So, why not install one in your garden?

Garden saunas come in three main varieties, based on their shape. Barrel saunas are the traditional choice for garden settings, blending in with the outdoors. Cube saunas are efficient in terms of space, adding a stylish touch to your outdoors with their clean lines. And at the premium end, you have cabin saunas, which offer greater flexibility in terms of layout, in addition to having more of an architectural feel.

How to install an outdoor sauna in your garden

As for the choice of wood, “ThermoWood is a reliable choice as it's treated to handle moisture and temperature changes, making it well-suited to the UK climate,” says Jake Newport, CEO of Durham-based sauna specialists Finnmark. He is also a member of the British Sauna Society and a host of The Sauna Twins podcast. ThermoWood is “also more stable over time, so [it is] less prone to warping,” he says.

Spruce is another commonly used wood, especially in Nordic-style saunas. “It gives a clean, bright finish at a more accessible price point.”

Be sure to construct your sauna on a level, well-drained base and allow for airflow. “The UK weather is definitely a factor, particularly in terms of moisture and temperature changes over time,” says Newport. “That's where material choice and build quality really matter. Using properly treated timber, ensuring good insulation, and making sure the sauna is well-sealed and well-ventilated all play a role in its long-term performance. But if those elements are right, an outdoor sauna will handle UK conditions without issue.

“Naturally, simpler designs are generally quicker to install, while more considered builds take more time and planning, particularly if groundwork or electrical connections are involved.”

Types of garden saunas

1. Barrel saunas

The distinctive cylindrical shape of barrel saunas has made them a popular choice in British gardens. But it's not just because they look good. The curved walls promote efficient heat circulation, which allows for the hot air to flow naturally through the space rather than becoming trapped in the ceiling as can happen with some traditional square saunas.

Rounded sides also help the sauna to heat up more quickly and to maintain its temperature more efficiently. A barrel sauna can reach its optimal temperature in as little as 30 minutes, depending on how you choose to heat it and the conditions outside.

Wood-fired heating is the traditional choice and can be cheaper to run than electric, depending on the availability of wood and local regulations permitting. However, electric tends to be cleaner and more practical.

The ThermoWood Barrel Sauna – Regular with Changing Room accommodates two to four people.

Price: £7,401.99 without a heater and £8,859.99 with a Huum Drop 9kW electric heater.

Barrel and patio saunas typically cost from £4,000 to £15,000, while more complex modular designs range from around £12,000 to £30,000. The cost of a bespoke build starts at £40,000 and “can rise significantly depending on the specification”. Planning permission won't be required for most outdoor saunas, so long as they meet size and placement rules. But it's worth checking with your local authority, especially if you live in a listed property or in a conservation area.

Don't forget to leave yourself a space outside to cool down after your sauna session, says Newport. That helps to “make the sauna a regular habit rather than something you use occasionally”.

For further information on saunas, prices and availability, visit finnmarksauna.com.

2. Cube saunas

Create a dedicated wellness space in your garden by installing a cube sauna, particularly if your garden is small and you need to make the most of the space available. The sides are made from ThermoWood, which has been heated to 200°C in a controlled environment that alters the wood's cellular structure and makes it resistant to decay, moisture and warping. No chemicals are used, and the wood naturally takes on a darker, richer appearance.

It also means they can withstand British winters with no problems. During the colder weather, you can easily move from the heat to the bracing outdoors to make the most of the health benefits. Cube saunas are heated with an electric heater, and because of their compact size, they are ideal for couples and first-time buyers. For privacy, consider installing near screening plants or fencing.

The Thermo Wood Cube Outdoor Sauna – Mini costs £4,993.99, without a heater and £5,522.98 with a Narvi NM Domestic 6kW electric heater.

3. Sauna cabin

For those with larger gardens and bigger budgets, sauna cabins offer the pinnacle of garden luxury, combining all the health benefits of a traditional sauna session with contemporary Scandi design. The Finnmark Eden Outdoor Sauna accommodates five or six people. It has a roof overhang with space to hang your towels and a stylish glass door that extends to a side window, which allows for extra light to enter. The walls are made from “thermo pine” and a heat-treated knot-free wood for the interiors. Inside, the L-shaped bench made from “thermo aspen/alder” makes this an ideal place to unwind and socialise in the comfort of your own garden.

Price: £19,995.00 without a heater, £23,020.50 with a Narvi Velvet 10.5kW electric heater and £22,980.00 with a Huum Hive Flow wood-burning heater.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

Kanishka, tucked just out of the hustle and bustle of London's Regent Street, is a confident expression of the joys of various cuisines from across the Indian sub-continent, with one or two choice influences from elsewhere.

Every element has the essence of Indian food at its core. Dishes are elevated in style but without compromising on substance and big, impactful flavours. Even the poppadoms (£8) that kick things off come in a glorious basket of assorted shapes and colours, accompanied by a trio of exquisite chutneys (a tantalisingly sour gooseberry, mellow sweet mixed berry and hot, sweet lime chilli pickle).

One of the restaurant's most iconic dishes is the chicken tikka pie (£21), so it’s a must-have as a starter. It’s surprisingly delicate; a modest disc of fine pastry that flakes away to reveal welcoming, buttery chicken on the inside, the spicing subtle but clever. On the side is another wonderful berry chutney, this one rich and fruity to offset the pie’s savoury allure.

The starter that really grabbed me, though, was the jalpari nilgiri (£23); hand-dived Orkney scallops, seared to absolute perfection, dusted with caviar and a crunchy take on furikake (a Japanese mixture consisting of dried fish eggs, sesame seeds and seaweed flakes) that packs solid umami punch, without overpowering the scallops. Throw in a zingy, bright green korma sauce that pings excitedly around your palate, awakening taste buds you never even knew you had, and this goes down as one of my all-time favourite scallop dishes.

Kanishka’s menu is devilishly difficult to choose a main from, especially for someone with gastronomic FOMO as bad as mine. After much deliberation, and revelling in the thought of Cornish halibut with malai curry or fallow venison fillet with juniper garam masala, I opted for two of the more traditional-sounding options: Chettinaad Kodi curry (£30) a chicken curry with peppers, chilli and coconut, and a deconstructed laal maas (£36).

Translating literally as ‘red meat’, laal maas is a mutton or lamb curry from Rajasthan, but since we’re in Mayfair, this deconstructed version takes a decadently tender slab of Lake District lamb rump, chunks of hot, almost neon-yellow turnip, a blob of wild garlic sauce and a side pot of the curry itself (with chunks of braised lamb floating around inside, you know, for extra lamb). It is divine. The lamb is bold and gamey, flaking away with the gentlest suggestion from a knife, while the sauce is rich and smoky with spiced tomato.

The Chettinaad Kodi curry is wonderful as well; superbly cooked chicken wallows in a mellow, silky smooth sauce, sweetly and cunningly spiced. Alongside this – to try one of the vegetable dishes on what is, admittedly, a very meat- and fish-heavy menu – I had an Aachari Kathal kofta (£29); jackfruit dumpling in Achari korma. These are like dense, fluffy croquettes, coated in another one of those smooth, smothering sauces that flits between touches of sweet, sour, warmth and nuttiness.

Dessert is a walnut and chenna cake (£15), moist with the occasional crunch of walnut and, thanks to the curd cheese frosting, not overpoweringly sweet. It also comes with a smooth, light cinnamon custard that binds the whole thing together.

If you are a lover of sub-continental food in all its variety, then this is a must-try restaurant. It has refined this storied and distinctive cuisine, without losing any of its essence in the process.

Dan was a guest of Kanishka.

It is easy to succumb to “island time” in the Maldives and forget what day it is. The luxury Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort takes that concept one step further. It operates on its own “island time” – one hour ahead of Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and five hours ahead of Britain. The result? More daylight to savour and I made every sun-soaked minute count from the serenity of my a villa built over the water.

The Maldives has no shortage of idyllic resorts, with more than 1,000 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. But nothing truly prepares you for seeing the villas at the Conrad. The Sunset Water Villa pool stretches from the room's deck towards the turquoise sea, creating the illusion that you are floating above the ocean itself.

The stylistically clean interior with wooden beams and sheer curtains complements the sense of tranquillity. Simply close your eyes and doze off to the sound of the sea moving beneath you. High season (November to April) rates for this villa start at around £1,199 a night.

I was also fortunate enough to stay in a Deluxe Beach Villa with Pool. You enter through your own private courtyard, where you will find a large daybed under the open sky, perfect for an afternoon nap. At the rear, the villa opens onto your pool, with direct access to the beach. The villa also has a dressing room, minibar, bedroom area, “his and hers” bathroom and an outdoor shower. High season rates for the Deluxe Beach Villa with a Pool start at around £1,381 a night.

Sleep underwater at The Muraka

The Conrad's most talked-about accommodation is The Muraka, a two-level residence that places guests both above and below the Indian Ocean. Upstairs, the villa opens onto a wide deck and infinity pool with beautiful sea views, while downstairs lies its real showstopper – a master bedroom under a curved glass dome, roughly 16 feet below the surface. Waking up here means watching the reef fish glide silently past your bed.

The underwater theme continues at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the resort's glass-domed dining room beneath the waves. As I worked my way through a five-course menu, the standout dish for me was actually the dessert – a tofu chocolate mousse with mango coulis, fresh berries and mango sorbet. Light, fresh and the perfect end to a memorable meal.

Dine underwater or in a wine cellar

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The resort has 11 bars and eateries, including six restaurants serving everything from Chinese and Japanese to Italian, so dinner was never in the same place twice. One evening I ate in the resort's wine cellar, surrounded by around 15,000 bottles, which made for quite a dramatic setting.

But my favourite night was far simpler – a cooking class and dinner on the beach. A guitarist played as the sun set and cocktails were being mixed. I tucked into freshly made chapatis and a selection of Indian curries with a Maldivian twist. It ended up being the most memorable meal of the trip.

The resort is also making an effort on the sustainability front. The Conrad has a small hydroponic garden growing herbs and vegetables.

Swim with a whale shark

Just because the Maldives is known for relaxation doesn't mean there isn't a sense of adventure. One of the most exhilarating moments of the trip was swimming with a whale shark. During a four-hour boat excursion, we scanned the water for manta rays and whale sharks, with a drone circling above the Indian Ocean to help spot them. When one was finally sighted, everything moved quickly. We had about 15 minutes to grab our snorkelling gear, jump into the water and watch the whale shark dive deep into the ocean.

As for more relaxing activities, I visited the resort's overwater spa and enjoyed a full-body massage. The treatment rooms have been built above the lagoon and some even have glass floors so you can watch the fish swimming below while you're being pampered. I also took a Jet Ski out on the water, which was a fun way to break up the slower pace of island life.

Having spent a few days at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, the concept of “island time” makes perfect sense. Life slows down and checking your watch becomes the last thing on your mind.

Vaishali was a guest of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Rooms start from around £738 a night in the low season and £1,199 a night in the high season. Visit conradmaldives.com.

It is safe to travel to the Maldives, according to the latest advice from the government, but there has been significant disruption to flights from Britain due to the conflict in the Middle East. Always check with your airline or operator for updates before you travel.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

The Pokémon cards phenomenon may have passed you by, but many specialist investors are now paying hundreds of thousands of pounds – or even millions – for the rarest Pokémon assets.

Pokémon is a Japanese media franchise, launched in 1996, featuring more than 1,000 fictional characters with special powers and features. Their human owners can train these creatures and send them into battle against other game players. Pokémon began as a video game series, but has rapidly expanded with the launch of TV shows, films, toys and trading cards.

Today, it's the Pokémon cards that are really attracting attention, partly from Pokémon players who compete in national and international tournaments and want the most powerful characters, but also from collectors and, increasingly, investors.

Take the specialist auction of Pokémon cards held at auction house Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's in London last month. The centrepiece of the sale, a first-edition Base Set Charizard card, raised £442,800, and the total proceeds from the sale reached almost £750,000.

And while those sums are striking, they look small beer compared with a US auction held a few weeks previously. At that sale, AJ Scaramucci, the son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, agreed to pay an astonishing $16.5 million for a Pikachu Illustrator card dating from 1998. He bought the card from social-media influencer Logan Paul, who had paid $5.3 million for it in 2021.

Why are Pokémon cards so appealing?

Roy Raftery, head of trading cards at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin's, says that while this year's 30th anniversary of the launch of Pokémon has buoyed interest in the market, investors' appetite has been growing for some time. “There are collectors and investors in the US, the Middle East and in Asia who will pay almost any price for the cards they really want,” he says. “They work with scouts who go round the world looking to acquire the most highly prized cards on their behalf.” Data from Card Ladder, an analytics firm that tracks trading-card prices and sales, underlines the point. Its “Pokémon index” of card prices on the secondary market is up by 145% over the past 12 months alone.

As in all collectables markets, it's the older, rarer Pokémon cards that attract the highest prices – with good-condition cards selling at a premium. That has piqued the interest of Pokémon fans, both present and past.

Could a long-forgotten collection of Pokémon cards, now languishing in a bedroom cupboard, contain a priceless item? Probably not, but it's worth taking a look and doing a bit of research. Each Pokémon card carries details of its name and set number. You can then search resources, such as eBay's listings of sold items, to see what an individual card might be worth. Services such as Collectr, PriceCharting and Rare Candy can also be useful. Often, you can use your phone to scan a card to identify and price it.

Part of the fun with Pokémon cards is that they are still being printed – and rare Pokémon cards can be resold at decent prices. “Every set has really cool cards, but the occasional one is like the Willy Wonka golden ticket,” says Raftery. “You can go into a corner shop, spend a few pounds on a pack of cards, and end up with one that's worth £200, or even £2,000 if you get lucky.”

At this end of the market, it is fans who will be most active, buying and selling cards as much for the love of the game as in the hope of making money. And in any case, it makes sense to be circumspect about the investment potential of the cards. The price rises of recent times have been eye-catching, but collectables markets can be volatile and unpredictable. Highly fashionable assets can fall from favour quickly if investors lose interest and move on to something else.

Equally, even if you're only spending modest sums, tread carefully. As with any market where money is flowing, Pokémon cards attract their fair share of grifters. Raftery advises collectors to be very careful about buying cards on platforms, such as eBay and TikTop Shop, where it can be difficult to check the seller's credentials and to authenticate genuine cards. “There are definitely growing numbers of fakes out there,” he warns.

Pokémon cards have fans of all ages

If in doubt, steer clear – and if you are thinking about spending more, it's important to investigate provenance. Organisations such as PSA specialise in authenticating trading cards and can often offer assessments remotely. Bona-fide traders will usually be able to provide you with verifiable information from such organisations.

There has also been a spike in thefts, with criminals targeting gaming shops in the hope of finding valuable cards. One retailer in Peterborough lost £100,000 of stock following a break-in earlier this year. Insurers subsequently advised anyone with valuable Pokémon cards to make sure they had itemised these on their home contents policies.

None of which is intended to put you off the Pokémon phenomenon, which continues to have real appeal for fans of all ages. One reason that highly desirable cards are so widely coveted is that multiple generations have now grown up playing the game, including older fans who may today have significant wealth at their disposal.

By all means, have some fun with Pokémon cards – and there's always the chance of making a handsome profit. Pokémon probably won't be your pension fund, but in a world of mythical creatures with special powers, you never quite know when the magic might strike.

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In the second series of the television series Mad Men, set in the early 1960s, advertising maven Don Draper and his wife, Betty, are taken to Rome by Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton Hotels group, to promote the latter's new hotel – the Cavalieri Hilton. Admittedly, the series was shot on a Hollywood set, but it is worth visiting the real-life Cavalieri Hilton – today the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel – to find out for yourself why it is regarded as the company's flagship hotel.

Rome Cavalieri is situated on Rome's highest hilltop, from which you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Rome is, of course, famous for its many galleries and museums. But you don't even have to step outside the hotel to enjoy art and culture. Close to a thousand treasures, owned by the hotel's owners, are on display throughout the corridors and lobby. It is perhaps the best art collection displayed in any hotel anywhere in the world. The masterpieces to be found adorning the walls include Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's Odysseus finds Achilles among the daughters of Lycomedes, painted around 1725. The array of sculptures, tapestries and antiques include some unexpected surprises – ranging from costumes once worn by the acclaimed ballet dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev to a commode that was owned by the king of Poland, Augustus III (1733 to 1763).

Inside the luxurious Rome Cavalieri

You are, of course, welcome to admire the artworks at your leisure. But the hotel also offer the option of joining a guided tour with an art historian. And while the paintings are special, they aren't the only things to give Rome Cavalieri its style and swagger. There's the sweeping spiral staircase in the lobby for starters and the upmarket wallpaper. Everything, in other words, that signifies wealth and opulence. But beneath the Italian glamour you will find an American dedication to detail, service and hospitality. The seventh-floor room in which I stayed was large, bright and it had a balcony that afforded a wonderful view over the Eternal City.

I also took full advantage of the fact that my room gave me access to the Imperial Club. This is a drawing room intended as a place of respite for a select number of the hotel's guests. Here, I was able to have breakfast as well as curl up with a good book, while sipping complimentary drinks on the sofa. All the rooms are not just comfortable, but outright luxurious as you would expect. But the cream of the crop are Rome Cavalieri's split-level penthouse suites. They are filled with their own artworks, including limited-edition Andy Warhols, and the living room is furnished with couches and other items that were designed for his own apartment by the late fashion-design icon Karl Lagerfeld. Perhaps the biggest attraction are the large terraces on the upper floor of the suite. As well as a covered area, ideal for dining, these contain Jacuzzis for lounging in while you admire the beauty of Rome.

Dine at Rome's only three-star Michelin restaurant

As well as the outstanding accommodation, the Rome Cavalieri has a lot to offer lovers of great food. The rooftop restaurant, La Pergola, is Rome's first – and only – place to be awarded three Michelin stars. This restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday and it is in such high demand among Rome's cognoscenti that it is typically booked two to three months in advance – although hotel guests can pop in outside dining hours for an aperitivo.

The hotel's other restaurant, L'Uliveto, also offers a wide range of top-notch food and I particularly enjoyed the grilled Mediterranean octopus.

The pool bar where tennis legend Serena Williams found love

The facilities at Rome Cavalieri are extensive. There are two swimming pools – one indoor and an outdoor pool that is open in the spring and summer. The hotel also has a gym, tennis courts and various walking trails.

The latter is a favourite with the multitude of tennis stars who stay at Rome Cavalieri during the annual Rome Masters tennis tournament (the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, as it is officially known), which is typically held in May every year. Both tennis stars and fans appreciate the fact that the hotel offers them easy access to the Olympic stadium where the event is held – along with the possibility of other unexpected surprises. Tennis legend Serena Williams first met her future husband, the technology investor and co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, at Rome Cavalieri's pool bar, while Williams was competing at the 2015 Masters. So, it was perhaps not surprising that when Ohanian proposed 18 months later, during a surprise trip to Rome, he booked the pool and the bar, as well as arranging for the staff to strew the entire area with rose petals.

Matthew was a guest of Rome Cavalieri, where rooms start from €330 a night. For more information, visit romecavalieri.com or call +39 06 3509 2031.

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The “beautiful people” had checked out of the Mandarin Oriental, Paris, by the time I arrived with my suitcase in March. This “palace”-designated hotel, with its chic 1930s art-deco facade, sits on the Rue Saint-Honoré in the fashion quarter of the capital of fashion. Its neighbours are Versace and Yves Salomon, and, opposite, you will find Giorgio Armani.

Down the road is where Thierry Hermès opened his saddle shop in 1837. Today, it sells fabulously expensive handbags, but being merely fabulously wealthy won’t get you one. You have to be on the list.

Naturally, there were still plenty of elegant people to be spotted at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Smartly dressed, they were milling about the lobby, beneath the chandelier of 135 crystal butterflies – one for each room of the hotel.

There were elegant people having lunch in the contemporary French restaurant, Camélia. And there were, no doubt, elegant people to be found in The Spa, being relieved of the stress of buying said Hermès handbags. Here, in the spa, you will also find a long, sleek indoor spa pool and a steam room hidden at the end.

But these weren’t the “beautiful people” of Paris Fashion Week, held a fortnight earlier. The models, designers and fashion buyers. The glitterati. The Mandarin Oriental, along with a couple of other select hotels, is their natural home. The week had ended, the beautiful people had pulled up the catwalk from the Jardin des Tuileries around the corner and the circus had moved on for Tokyo.

Calm had been restored to this most exclusive of neighbourhoods in the first arrondissement. A studied nonchalance now settled over Saint-Honoré. The sun was out, the air was crisp and there were flowers everywhere.

At the Jardin des Plantes, across the Seine, big, bright tulips provided dabs of colour that, when viewed from afar, resembled some magnificent pointillist painting. There were tulips, too, up on Montmartre in the north of the city, under the windmills and beside the Sacré-Cœur. Paris is at its prettiest in the spring.

Channelling Marlene Dietrich

And so is the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Exactly one year ago, this belle dame gained a celebrity sister in the famous Hôtel Lutetia on the Left Bank, when the “fan brand” took up its management. The original, on Rue Saint-Honoré, however, remains a city classic.

The centrepiece is the leafy outdoor courtyard in the middle, with its cosy, covered booths dotted about among the foliage. It feels spacious, yet private, which is no mean feat considering where you are, in the heart of the capital.

The balcony from my deluxe suite looked down on the courtyard – a quiet space to enjoy a drink. Other rooms and suites look out onto the Rue Saint-Honoré.

From the balcony, you arrive in the living room that has a desk, sofa, armchair and TV. The colour palette is in keeping with the brand and Mandarin’s Hong Kong roots – sophisticated dark-cherry wood furniture and golden fabrics. Lest you forget where you are, there are a couple of large, framed photographs on the wall of a lady moodily smoking a cigarette in the style of Marlene Dietrich.

The white-tiled bathroom, adjacent to the bedroom, is expansive, with a bath and a separate shower. There is also a separate toilet by the main door. The wardrobe space is ample and there is a mini bar with all the drinks and snacks you would expect.

I was also afforded a glimpse of The Mandarin Penthouse Suite. It has an impressively high ceiling in the living room, given you are on the top floor, and admits plenty of light. But then, the suite does occupy two levels – there is a staircase leading up to a huge, white bathroom with an enormous tub and views of the Eiffel Tower. The imposing baroque dome of the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church almost next door looms large. From the terrace, you have a view over the city.

Guilty little secrets

In the evening, head back down to the ground floor for an apéritif cocktail at the elegant Bar 8, enjoyed with a plate of prawn dim sum har gow if you’re feeling snackish. This is still a Mandarin after all. On sultry nights, you can take your drink out into the courtyard garden and enjoy the music.

Come morning, you will find yourself back at the restaurant, Camélia. I don’t usually focus too much on breakfast, because, with a few exceptions, a hotel breakfast is much like another – even in a five-star. But the pastries here deserve special mention.

They are outstanding and rightly take centre-stage at the buffet table. Then again, Saint Honoré is the patron saint of boulangers and pâtissiers.

If you can’t wait for breakfast to roll around again, you can enjoy them throughout the day from the Cake Shop at the entrance to Camélia. Allez-y. The beautiful people will never know.

Chris was a guest of the Mandarin Oriental, Paris. Room rates start from €1,400.

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Tortello likes to style itself as a ‘trattoria’; a word which, to me, conjures an image of unassuming doorways tucked into secluded corners of the Trastevere, modestly decorated, staffed perhaps by an elderly couple with wide, wizened smiles, serving simple but drool-inducing food.

At first glance, Tortello is not that. Nestled in London's Royal Lancaster Hotel overlooking Hyde Park’s Italian gardens, this is a contemporary setup from top to bottom, bedecked mostly in fashionable, calming shades of sage green. An open kitchen, where an industrious team of chefs busy themselves with the important work of crafting fresh, hand-made pasta, looks out onto a multi-level spread of marble table tops.

There are retro nods, too. If you enter through the body of the hotel, as I did, rather than from the main entrance off Hyde Park, you’ll pass a giant print inviting you to ‘mangia bene, ridi spesso’ (eat well, laugh often), as well as a pistachio green vintage Fiat 500. You’re in Italy now, capiche?

But while this is no modest Roman ‘mama e papa’ eatery, Tortello delivers where it matters. There is genuine care taken over both the guests – who are diligently attended to by charming, personable staff – and the ingredients. The pasta is crafted from yolks laid by chickens the restaurant keeps in a farm outside London, along with flour sourced from specialist Italian mills.

The upshot is a wonderful blend of tradition and modernity, and of robust and subtle flavours.

Take the burrata (£14); perhaps one of the busiest plates of the stuff I’ve ever seen. The ball of cheese itself is surrounded by a nest of olives, nuts, delicious little crispy bits and generous shavings of parmesan (just in case you needed more cheese). These salty accoutrements balance out the burrata, which is creamy – almost yoghurty – while well-cooked Swiss chard provides a solid vegetal hit.

Or if you’d prefer to dive straight into the pasta, the Orkney crab tortelli (£14, or £24 as a main) is heavenly. Charcoal pasta parcels contain a deep, nutty package of crab, which would stand up well all by itself. Subtle, warming parsley butter and langoustine sauce surrounding the tortelli lift the dish to new heights; nothing overpowering, but a pleasant, mellow backdrop letting the crab do its thing.

All in all, a wonderful couple of starters which set the scene nicely for the mains.

Sea bass with clams, celeriac mash and creamed spinach (£27) continues Tortello's theme of delicacy balanced with punch. Tender, flaky flesh delivered on flavour, and the skin, while not crunchy crisp, added a decent bit of texture. Creamy spinach is fine without being remarkable, but the mash was superb: solidly savoury potato, balanced perfectly with a hint of almost-sweet celeriac.

It's a sophisticated dish that pleases on multiple different levels. For a more direct route to gastronomic pleasure, though, try the venison ragù (£21). This is rich and hearty, and an impressive whack of umami rounds out the flavour. It is, of course, complemented by freshly prepared tagliatelle – perfectly cooked by London standards, though my hypothetical Trastevere trattoria might have taken it out of the pot a minute or two sooner.

I'm not one for tiramisu, but the entry on the menu was sorely tempting. Instead, I went ‘route one’ and ordered the chocolate cake (£9), and had no regrets at all: the chocolate is deep and dark, almost nutty, reminiscent of a particularly high quality chocolate brownie that my childhood local bakery sold. It's uncomplicated, served only with a ball of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and some caramelised nuts, but when the chocolate is this good that, for me, is the way to go.

Or, if you're not a chocolate addict, you could try the torta with crème diplomate and berry compote (£9). This indulgent layer cake is airily soft and the compote offers sweetness and tartness in equal measure.

All in all, this is a splendid modern take on traditional trattoria fare. Everything, from the decor to the dishes, has a contemporary twist, but the heart and soul of the restaurant is rooted in classic techniques and flavours, brought to life with clear care and attention.

Dan McEvoy was a guest of Tortello.

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The Art Basel & UBS Art Market Report 2026, written by Dr Clare McAndrew, the founder of Arts Economics, a research firm, has added some detail to what we largely knew already – that the global art market returned to growth in 2025 following two years of falling sales values.

Global sales last year rose 4% year-on-year to an estimated $59.6 billion. However, that was still below the peak in 2022 when the art market rebounded after the pandemic and the number of transactions rose by just 2%.

The gains, which finally came in the second half of 2025, “were driven by renewed confidence… and strength at the high end [of the art market] in particular”, says Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, which organises art fairs around the world.

Sales at public auctions rose 9% from a year earlier, but much of the activity was confined to works priced above $10 million. Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (1914-1916), for instance, sold for an astonishing $236 million last November with Sotheby's in New York. That's the second-highest-ever price paid for an artwork at auction.

In the dealer sector, sales rose 2% to an estimated $34.8bn, reversing two years of declines. Private sales at auction houses, however, dipped 5%. So, the art market recovery wasn't felt across the board.

Britain is a major art market

The UK has hung on to its position as the second-largest art market in the world, accounting for 18% of global sales by value ($10.5 billion), the same as in 2024. China, in third place, saw its share decline by one percentage point to 14% – a symptom, perhaps, of its struggling economy and property sector. Activity in other Asian and emerging markets also increased.

The US remains the titan of the art world. Its $26 billion in sales in 2025, up 5% year-on-year, translated into a 44% share of the art market – a one percentage-point uptick from 2024. Together, the US, Britain and China accounted for 76% of global sales by value.

“Policy unpredictability”, as the report puts it, from the White House kept the market guessing in 2025. Imports of art and antiques to the US, which fuels some major sales, rose 13% in value to $9.9 billion (and exports fell 1%) as buyers and sellers tried to negotiate their way around US tariffs.

This year has brought yet more uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East. “Markets do not move in isolation,” says Horowitz. “They reflect the ambitions, perspectives, pressures and uncertainties of the world around them.” Will the war be enough to reverse last year's uneven recovery? We don't yet know. The art market, McAndrew tells the Financial Times, operates in a “volatile geopolitical environment, particularly regarding cross-border trade, the full implications of which are still unfolding in 2026”.

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1. Farm to fork in Grenada

Guests at Calabash, a small family-run luxury resort on Grenada in the Caribbean and the island's only Relais & Châteaux property, are invited to “eat like a Grenadian” – a guided activity that aims to capture the charm of Grenadian culture through the island's cuisine.

The hotel also organises guided tours of the owners' organic farm, L'Esterre Estate, as well as complimentary activities such as exotic fruit tastings and cooking demonstrations. There are three restaurants at Calabash, comprising a fine-dining restaurant, casual beachside dining and a Japanese restaurant offering contemporary dishes made with locally caught seafood.

This spring, Calabash is also unveiling six new suites – four Superior Deluxe Suites and two secluded Hillside Penthouse Suites. The new Hillside suites will enjoy large indoor-outdoor living spaces and private infinity pools overlooking the hotel's white sands and Prickly Bay beyond.

From $775 a night in April, visit calabashhotel.com.

2. Rhubarb, rhubarb!

Prestonfield House in Edinburgh takes its rhubarb seriously. This luxury hotel, five minutes from the city centre, occupies a 17th-century building set in ten acres of gardens.

It was here on the estate that Alexander Cunyngham introduced rhubarb to Scotland in 1746, and it is grown on the grounds to this day. There's still time to catch the end of the forced-rhubarb season.

At the hotel's Rhubarb Restaurant, the estate-grown vibrant pink stems feature in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes, alongside other carefully selected seasonal Scottish ingredients. In the bar, rhubarb is used to make the house syrups that form the base of signature cocktails, such as the Rhubarb Patch – a refined blend of gin, vermouth and citrus.

Rhubarb even makes an appearance at afternoon tea, where it features in sweets, such as the delicious rhubarb and cardamom custard tart.

From £375 a night, including breakfast. Visit prestonfield.com.

3. 500-year-old olive groves in Croatia

Spring is a great time to visit Villa Nai 3.3 on the Croatian island of Dugi Otok and its 500-year-old olive groves. The crowds have yet to arrive on the Dalmatian coast, but the days are already warm enough to be spent outdoors.

As for the property's olive oil, it has a high polyphenol content, which makes it particularly healthy and explains why it can be found in this boutique hotel's homemade signature spa treatments as well as in the restaurant.

The menu is centred on seasonal, organic produce that has been grown on the estate or sourced from local farms. The vegetables, herbs, fruits, meats and seafood are prepared in a traditional, Dalmatian way that is light, yet flavoursome and pairs well with Croatian wines. Villa Nai 3.3 is intimate enough that it can be booked for the exclusive use of larger groups.

Around €755 a night, including breakfast. Visit villanai.com.

4. Jersey royal potatoes fresh from the côtils

Jersey royals are on the cusp of being in season and there is no place better to enjoy them than on the island on which they were harvested.

These early potatoes are a true sign that spring has arrived. They are grown on the steep coastal hills of Jersey, known as the côtils and are best enjoyed with a simple knob of butter and sprinkling of sea salt, alongside the mackerel, crab and lobster that are caught in the local waters.

Executive chef Andrew Baird runs the restaurant at Longueville Manor, which is part of the luxury Relais & Châteaux collection. The hotel has now added a coveted Michelin Key to its long-held AA Rosettes. Baird is also a certified PADI Divemaster, and has been known to lead dives to fetch the scallops for the menu.

They are served with vegetables from the Victorian kitchen garden, courgette flowers, herbs and, of course, those famous Jersey royals.

Longueville Manor offers nightly rates from £154, based on two sharing on a B&B basis.

5. A retreat focused on nutrition

Crillon le Brave in the south of France takes a different approach to enjoying food. This Provençal retreat with a village feel has partnered with Claire Borwin, a dietician and nutritionist, to offer a range of one- and two-day wellness programmes centred around nutrition.

The season begins on 25 April with a day dedicated to sleep, called “From Plate to Dream: Nutrition and Rituals for Restorative Sleep”, which explores the relationship between nutrition, the nervous system and quality of rest. That is followed on 8-10 May by “Summer in Balance: Vitality, Emotions, and the Joy of Homemade”, a two-day retreat focusing on both physical and emotional energy.

Wellness programmes continue throughout the rest of the year, including one in July devoted to tomatoes. Also this spring, Crillon le Brave is opening its new cottages, a second swimming pool and a dedicated space for hosting culinary workshops.

From €350 a night, including breakfast, crillonlebrave.com.

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Last week was Marquee Week in London, which traditionally gets the spring season underway for the art market. And what better way to do that than to start with a collection of spring-themed prints produced by David Hockney on his iPad in 2011? The 16 digital drawings in The Arrival of Spring sale sold for a total of £4.5 million with Sotheby's last Thursday. What was more, they all sold for well above their pre-sale high estimate.

Hockney produced the vernal scenes in Woldgate, East Yorkshire, and the most expensive of the bunch captures the seasonal rush of verdant vegetation, with trees creating the backdrop. It sold for £486,400, including the buyer's premium – well above the £120,000 high estimate.

Sotheby's realised £154.1 million in total across its four major sales. Works by Alberto Giacometti, Constantin Brancusi, Anselm Kiefer, Vilhelm Hammershoi, Lucien Freud and Andy Warhol all passed under the hammer, but the highest-selling lot was a self-portrait painted by Francis Bacon in 1972.

Not to be outdone, Christie's total for the week came to £245.2 million, a 58% increase on the haul from last year's sales. The auction house also claimed the bragging rights to having sold the most expensive artwork of the week – King and Queen, Henry Moore's sculpture of a seated royal couple, cast in 1952-1953. Moore took for his inspiration a limestone carving in the British Museum of an ancient Egyptian ruler and his wife. “It is a strange and hypnotic work, the distorted heads evoking symbols of ancient royalty – the beak, the bird, the crown,” says Christie's.

Many of the same names that appeared in Sotheby's catalogues for Marquee Week also appeared at Christie's, including Giacometti, Freud, Warhol and many more. And the remaining three spots in the top-five highest-selling artworks of the week (after King and Queen and the Bacon self-portrait) were also sold by Christie's. Wassily Kandinsky's Le rond rouge (1939) fetched slightly more than £12.5 million, while Les grâces naturelles (c.1961) by René Magritte and Pablo Picasso's Le peintre et son modèle (1964) both sold for £8.5 million. They were all sold at Christie's 20/21 Evening Sales, which made £197.4 million.

Does a good Marquee Week mean the art market is bouncing back?

Bringing up the rear was the third of the “big three” auction houses, Phillips, which realised a total of £20.7 million from its Modern & Contemporary Art day and evening sales in London. Hammershoi's Interior of Woman Placing Branches in Vase on Table from 1900 and Mao (1973) by Warhol both sold for £1.6 million and both fell a little short of their upper estimates. Banksy's Happy Choppers (2006) fetched £1.5 million – the third-highest price in the evening sale. Still, Phillips remained upbeat. That bidders came from 30 countries “[demonstrated] continued resilience in the market for exceptional works of modern, post-war and contemporary Art,” it said.

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1. Kite flying in Barbados

Easter is a special time on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The festivities begin when locals rush out to fly their kites of all colours on Good Friday.

Another highlight of the Easter weekend is the Bonnet Parade, held as part of the Oistins Fish Festival, in which participants show off hats decorated with tropical flowers. Games, food and music are also very much part of the fun.

Stay at the Coral Reef Club while you’re there. This small luxury hotel, set in 12 acres of gardens near Holetown on the west coast, has been run by the O’Hara family since the 1950s. Its interiors have also recently been refurbished by designer Susie Atkinson, with new terraces and Caribbean-style furnishings balancing heritage with a modern sense of elegance.

Meanwhile, nearby sister hotel The Sandpiper has an acclaimed restaurant focused on local ingredients, as well as Harold’s Beach Bar for more relaxed lunches.

$1,090 a night for a double garden room, including breakfast, coralreefbarbados.com.

2. Easter-egg hunt in Dorset

Silverlake is an award-winning private lakeside estate in the centre of Dorset offering a collection of holiday homes that combines modern design with a strong ecological ethos.

The estate has a heated infinity pool and roof terrace at Silverlake’s Hurricane Spa, while the Silverlake Lido – an outdoor spa featuring a 25-metre heated swimming pool and lakeside restaurant, called The Firefly – will open this year.

This Easter, the estate becomes a hive of activity with Easter-egg trails, crafts and “nature explorers” sessions designed to keep little ones entertained. After a day exploring forest playgrounds or the private beach, guests can take to the water with sports equipment, providing a great way to see the estate’s wonderful lakes.

From £531 for two nights (Friday arrival) in March, and from £621 for two-nights (Friday arrival) in April, silverlakedorset.com.

3. Glamping and lambing in Monmouthshire

Penhein Glamping is an award-winning, family-run “glamping site” in 250 acres of Monmouthshire that reopens on 27 March, just in time for Easter.

Younger guests can join in “Lambing Live”, helping to bottle feed the new arrivals from the estate’s flock of 120 ewes. There is also an adventure playground and plenty of woodland and meadows to explore, along with the Penhein Nature Trails for hiking.

Glampers can stay in one of Penhein’s eight high-domed luxury Persian Alachigh tents, which nod to the owners’ Persian heritage, with hand-blocked motifs on headboards and quilted throws. There are en-suite flushing toilets and some tents even have en-suite showers.

Three nights over the Easter weekend from £595 per Alachigh tent, which sleeps up to five people, on a self-catering basis. Apply code Spring15 for for a 15% discount on bookings for April and May. Visit penhein.co.uk.

4. Centuries-old Easter traditions in Malta

The Mediterranean island nation of Malta offers visitors a blend of sunshine and tradition this Easter. From solemn Holy Week processions to joyful Sunday celebrations, the island’s baroque, honey-coloured streets come alive with centuries-old rituals.

The five-star Iniala Harbour House, situated in the centre of the capital, Valletta, is a great place to stay for Easter. The 23 guest rooms in this boutique property are spread across four 17th-century townhouses that overlook the Grand Harbour.

Iniala Harbour House is offering a two- or three-night Easter Escape package, which includes breakfast and seasonal treats, including figolla – an almond-filled pastry traditionally eaten at this time of year. For dinner, head to the hotel’s ION Harbour by Simon Rogan – Malta’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant.

“An Easter Retreat” package costs from €700, inialamalta.com.

5. A Roman holiday, Easter edition

Easter is one of the most wonderful and atmospheric times of the year to visit the eternal city. The Rome EDITION is a luxury hotel with 93 rooms, including 17 suites and two penthouse suites, located just moments from the famous Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Borghese Gardens.

The interiors are elegant and understated, with walnut accents, bespoke furnishings and light-filled spaces. Restaurant Anima celebrates the bold flavours of Rome and Naples through seasonal Italian dishes and thoughtful wine pairings. It has a beautiful courtyard garden, which makes it ideal for lingering over long Easter lunches.

Cocktails can be had at either the Punch Room – an intimate, speakeasy-inspired bar – or the Jade Bar, which specialises in signature martinis and Champagne cocktails. From the roof, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the city with Mediterranean plates and sunset drinks.

From €934 a night, editionhotels.com.

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It’s time. It’s been cold for a while. You’ve had enough. Booking a break somewhere warm will make you feel a lot better – or at the very least allow you to look forward to a time when you will feel a lot better. Maybe April, or the beginning of May. With that in mind, how about a quick trip to Mallorca?

Three hours will get you to Palma, where the average temperature in May is around 20°C. Perfect – for me at least (I live in Scotland, for context…). Once in Palma, make it easy. Head around the Bay of Palma and – stopping some way short of Magaluf – stay at Hotel Bendinat. It’s 25 minutes in a taxi.

It is pretty much everything you could ever want in a Mediterranean seaside hotel. It is small (62 rooms), elegant, warm and friendly. It sits on a rocky bit of coast with a restored Mallorcan manor at its centre.

Beyond that you can choose from little bungalows dotted around its gardens and pool, or a more classic hotel room with a terrace. Sea views are standard. It’s not particularly expensive (all these things are relative these days).

There are terraces galore and deckchairs set out on the rocks by the sea, just above a tiny sandy area where it is easy to pop into the sea (and, if the activity we lazily watched from the shore is any guide, to take your first diving lesson).

If you’d prefer a real sandy beach, you can walk over the cliff to get to one – or just swim around a rocky outcrop to it – and its rather delightful beach bar, Freddy’s.

Enjoy a seafood lunch with a glass of rosé

Then, there is the restaurant, Las Terrazas de Bendinat. It’s gorgeous at breakfast (get up earlyish for a first-row table) and so popular locally that even hotel residents would be wise to book for dinner. The restaurant terrace practically hangs over the water and its awnings are in large part supported by the branches of the trees set into it.

In the daytime, you will be dazzled by the blue of the sky against the whiteness of your pristine tablecloth. You will sit on properly cushioned chairs and agree with your waiter that you must try the Mallorcan rosé, all with the sea shifting just beneath you.

The menu is a treat. It’s fish heavy: sea bass ceviche, tuna tartar, shrimp carpaccio with salmon roe, fried squid, prawns with garlic, four different kinds of paella and sea bass baked in a salt crust. You can imagine the kind of thing.

What you might not be able to imagine is our teenage son loving it so much that he wanted to eat there every night (mostly the lemon sole – one of the most expensive things on the menu, I noticed a tad too late).

And on our last night there, when a pile of our aunts and cousins turned up unexpectedly for dinner – just as the evening was winding down – the staff did not turn even the smallest of hairs. A new, bigger table appeared, menus were passed around and more wine opened. The closing time of the kitchen wasn’t mentioned.

Beware the goings-on further down the beach

However, quite possibly the best thing we ate – and I feel a little disloyal about writing this – was on another terrace. Walk over the cliffs, past Freddy’s, past a five-minute-view church and on to the next beach.

Do not walk down the beach (you aren’t that far from Magaluf and you don’t want to know anything about the kind of place your daughter went to on her post-A-levels girls’ trip). Do do anything to get a table at the near end of the beach on the edge of the terrace at Xio by S’Esponja.

We sat by the sea under yellow umbrellas, ordered wine and various fish things. Then the waiter returned. The paella had just arrived. Would we like to rethink? We would. Everyone has eaten a bad paella. This was a very, very good one.

After that lunch, it was back to the Bendinat, where my mother (this was a multi-generational trip) had what she swears was the best massage ever in the hotel’s small, but, she says, utterly glorious spa.

That her therapist spoke six languages hung over the rest of us (conversational French, max) for some days. It was hard to get her out of there. She had to be promised another trip this spring (see you there…).

But when her hands were eventually prised away from the cocktails list (yes, they do make a good French 75), we headed north to somewhere that won’t be on your weekend-away list, but should be on your take-the-whole-family-away list.

A palatial villa and glorious gardens

We met all the aunts, uncles and cousins an hour’s drive north at Son Doblons, a giant villa (it sleeps 18) situated away from the sea, but set in 130 hectares of glorious gardens. There are pomegranate and orange orchards, endless fountains and ponds and a blissful (if unheated) swimming pool that kept our teenagers (a lot of them…) happy for hours.

It came with an excellent cook (who fully grasped how much we wanted to celebrate the brilliance of the 80th birthday of one of our number) and a house manager who produced a fine flamenco dancer to add to the celebrations with 24 hours’ notice.

It’s ten minutes from a charming hill town, Arta, where you can drink coffee (the Cafè Parisien is the top choice) and buy cowboy boots and pottery to your heart’s content.

Twenty minutes in the other direction takes you to a perfectly good set of caves and a delicious little beach with a tat shop that sold the girls, who had forgotten their bikinis, new ones for €10 each. Mostly, however, we didn’t leave the house much. It was too lovely.

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Anthony, an ESF ski-school instructor, has paused at the side of the piste, and is excitedly beckoning me over. He’s pointing towards an undisturbed mountainside in the distance. “Look, can you see the chamois?” It’s not uncommon to see the mountain goats there, I learn, if you know where to look. Soon enough, another slightly turns its head and it’s no longer hidden in plain sight.

With heaps of fresh snow and blue sky, it’s the perfect day for a game of spot the chamois, as we explore Flaine in the heart of the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps. We began our ski adventure at the Grandes Platières summit, at an altitude of 2,500 metres, capturing the breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Mont Blanc, Aravis, Belledonne and Jura mountains. The viewpoint is accessible to skiers and pedestrians via cable car, with red and blue runs leading us back into the resort.

I’m visiting in January, hours after a fresh snowfall, and there’s good news for those looking for guaranteed snow later on in the season too. The north-west orientation and sheltered position of Flaine means the resort is often among those with the most snow in France. There’s a network of around 100 snowmakers too, just in case.

Traversing the pistes is thirsty work and our group rendezvous for a lunchtime Aperol Spritz at La Joyeuse, a restaurant beside the ski slope in Flaine Front de Neige (1,500 metres). Flaine itself is divided into four levels, and pedestrians can travel to different parts of the resort via free shuttle buses and two funiculars. We’re at the lowest altitude in the “bowl” of the resort, yet we’re still surrounded by views of the mountains and snow-capped fir trees. I’m in a winter wonderland facing the tough decision between tartiflette and boîte chaude (baked cheese served in a wooden box, with potatoes, salad and cured meats). Now, this is my kind of ski holiday.

Getting around made easy

I’m staying at Les Terrasses d’Hélios, a five-star residence by Pierre & Vacances in Flaine Les Gérats. Situated at 1,700m, the accommodation offers ski-in/ski-out access via gentle greens and blue runs. On arrival, I make a beeline for the outdoor hot tub, which boasts a spectacular view across the resort. The spa facilities also include an indoor swimming pool, hammam and sauna.

My two-bedroom apartment is comfortable and has a kitchenette, while the shuttle service on offer is ideal for getting around town. Pierre & Vacances is also introducing Sunday changeovers at its residences in Flaine, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy quieter slopes on Saturdays, while other skiers head home. Speaking of which, the resort is close to Geneva Airport – our private transfers took around one hour.

Flaine is linked to Le Grand Massif – France’s fourth-largest interconnected “ski-in/skiout” ski area, with 62 ski lifts providing access to 139 ski runs. It has a total of 265 kilometres of pistes, including four routes out of the “bowl” of Flaine.

One morning, in pursuit of a new adventure, we take the Grand Vans chairlift to 2,204 metres, before exploring the slopes in nearby Les Carroz and Morillon. Here, we discover scenic tree-lined pistes, including the five kilometre gentle green Marvel run, where you can fill your boots with forest footage on your GoPro.

We return to Flaine early in the afternoon and recharge at La Pente à Jules, a restaurant and snack bar on the slopes in Flaine Forum, at 1,650m. Unable to resist burrata cheese, I choose the Penne à l’italienne.

An evening in a cosy igloo

As the lifts close and the night falls, we swap our skis for snowshoes and head torches for a one-of-a-kind adventure with Alban, a local mountain guide who hand-built an igloo in the heart of a nearby forest. After hiking for about a mile, we locate the frozen refuge, which could easily remain a secret were it not for Alban gesturing towards the one-metre high entrance. Our group cuddles up with cups of vin chaud and igloo-chilled white wine, before tucking into a candlelit Savoyard dinner of cheese fondue, bread and saucisson.

As well as being a snowsports hub, Flaine is known for its art and Brutalist architecture. Flaine was developed in the 1960s, following a meeting between architect Marcel Breuer, an influential figure in Modernism and the Bauhaus movement, and a French couple, Éric and Sylvie Boissonnas. Listed as a 20th-century architectural heritage site, it’s now an open-air museum, home to works of art by Jean Dubuffet, Pablo Picasso and Victor Vasarely. If you’re seeking more thrills, even more adventures await after enjoying the slopes, such as quad biking on a snow and ice track at Circuit de Glace.

Le Michet, at the foot of the slopes in Flaine Forum, is another example of Flaine’s rich heritage. The chalet is an old sheepfold, more than 100 years old, which existed before the resort was built. Now a restaurant, it offers fresh local cuisine for both lunch and evening service, centred around a roaring fire.

A ski holiday, I find, is as much about the slopes as it is about immersing oneself in the mountain gastronomy. Be sure to visit restaurant Sabaudia in Flaine Forêt to sample traditional Savoyard cuisine. I indulged in a hearty gratin de crozets baked pasta dish, with porcini and comté cheese.

Jessica was a guest of Pierre & Vacances. Weekly rates at Les Terrasses d’Hélios in February 2026 start from £2,410 for a one-bedroom apartment. Visit pierreetvacances.com/gb-en. See SkiSet Forum for ski equipment hire.

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Collectors of rare books, and of those written by the Brontë sisters in particular, won’t mind that Emerald Fennell’s new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights takes considerable liberties with Emily Brontë’s Gothic novel, published in 1847 under her nom de plume, Ellis Bell.

Or that, in the words of The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw, it has turned it into “a 20-page fashion shoot of relentless silliness”.

“Major screen adaptations have a long history of reigniting interest in literary originals, and this latest Wuthering Heights is no exception,” says Charles Ashton, a director at Cambridge-based auction house Cheffins.

“With an A-list cast and media frenzy, the film is introducing a younger, Gen-Z audience to the wonder of the Brontës,” he says.

That can only be a good thing for prices of related first editions and rare-book collecting more generally – even if there might not be quite so many “bodices ripped to shreds”, as Bradshaw puts it, in the original text.

Establishing provenance is important when it comes to starting a collection of rare first editions, as is the condition of the books and the printing editions.

“First editions remain the pinnacle, but early later editions, original cloth bindings and works published under the Bell pseudonyms are all highly desirable,” says Ashton.

“Other things to look out for are any author-inscribed title pages (which would be a great rarity), ownership signatures of famous people of the day or associates of the Brontës – or, indeed, any early edition in the original binding in really good condition,” he says.

A couple of years ago, Cheffins sold a first edition of Wuthering Heights for £46,000, along with a copy of Anne Brontë’s 1848 novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for £13,000 and an early edition of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë for £2,800.

Beware of unscrupulous dealers in rare books

Collectors also need to be wary of rare books that have been “overly restored or interfered with”, says Ashton.

The book’s authenticity can be called into question if it has been “repaired many times” and any inscriptions contained therein should also be verified as being real.

“There have been scenarios in the past where unscrupulous dealers may have added inscriptions, bringing up the values of the books, and these are not always genuine,” he says. “It’s really important… for people to do their homework before they buy.”

First editions do pop up for sale at the larger auction houses from time to time.

Sotheby’s has a “first American edition” of Wuthering Heights from 1848 for sale at £10,000. But a “young or new collector” might be better off keeping an eye on the more regional auctioneers, where prices can sometimes be “more affordable”, says Ashton.

“The books which we sell at Cheffins tend to come from large country houses where families are downsizing, or house clearance scenarios, which can often bring about some really exciting finds.”

Other highly collectable rare books

Other genres of books are also highly collectable. Science fiction and fantasy novels, for example, were some of the most sought-after at US-based Heritage Auctions’ rare book sale in December.

A three-volume first edition set of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien from the mid-1950s (pictured) sold for $250,000, including the buyer’s premium – more than double the previous auction record for an unsigned set of the works.

The three books in their original dust jackets – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King – were listed by Heritage as being in “very fine, unrestored condition”.

“Long recognised as the defining achievement of 20th-century fantasy literature, the record-setting result underscores the growing recognition of science fiction and fantasy as foundational pillars of serious rare book collecting,” the auction house said.

Elsewhere in the same sale, a rare autograph manuscript note written by Tolkien in the author’s distinctive hand in the form of a late-stage revision to The Return of the King, fetched $87,500, including fees.

In addition, a first edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan of the Apes from 1914, sold for $37,500; an inscribed initial copy of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot (1950) made $20,000; and a first edition copy of Dune (1965), Frank Herbert’s seminal novel that “reshaped modern science fiction”, sold for $13,125. The 610 lots in the sale made $2.1 million.

A more recent classic is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from 1997. Auction house Sotheby’s has a “first paperback edition” to “buy now” on its website, priced at £15,000.

“Combining cultural significance, scarcity, and strong... demand, this first paperback edition stands as an essential acquisition for collectors of modern literature and landmark first editions,” says the auction house.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.

Kefalonia isn’t one of those Greek islands tourists come “to conquer”. It doesn’t have a long list of sights to tick off as “done”, as on some other islands – although Kefalonia certainly doesn’t want for beauty. Nothing to worry Crete, say, or Santorini. The main town of Argostoli was largely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1953.

So, the aeroplane loads of tourists tend to pass over Kefalonia and I get the impression Kefalonians aren’t too worried. But then, Kefalonians have long had a reputation for being a bit odd. There’s even a word for it – kourlamara, often translated as “madness”. A better translation might be “world weariness”.

Waves of invaders have come and gone over the centuries. The usual suspects – the Franks, Venetians, Ottomans, French, British and most recently the Italians and Germans in the World War II; they have all had to contend with the locals’ famous sardonicism.

When Andreas Laskaratos, a local writer, was excommunicated in the 19th century for being a bit cheeky, he asked the bishop to excommunicate his boots, too, so he could take them with him. Kourlamara is the madness of “the knowing fool”.

Kourlamara also refers to the pride Kefalonians feel for their island. In the taxi from the airport, I made the glib observation that small islands are so charming. The driver put me straight. “Kefalonia,” he said, with a whiff of indignation, “is the largest of the Ionian islands.” And so it is – despite Corfu, next door, being better known.

What kourlamara is not is xenophobia (in spite of the invaders). Many were the greetings we received from locals tending to their gardens as we walked to the tiny village of Spartia – and down to the lovely little beach of the same name. Hospitality – or xenia – was also present at our hotel.

Serenity by the pool

Perhaps “hotel” is another mistranslation. Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa, a Relais & Châteaux property, might better be thought of as a retreat. A dozen or so guest villas are huddled together on a hill, facing the sea. The vista is beautiful.

From our private infinity pool, tall cypress trees frame the view; the green headland providing the backdrop. It is a lovely spot to while away an afternoon, dipping into Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernières’s novel, which is set on the island.

As for the villa, it has been built in the Greek-island style – rough-hewn stone walls that blend in with the surroundings. A thatch canopy shields the little table outside the rear doors from the sun.

Inside, the walls are white or neutral shades, with woven mats on the stone floor in keeping with the aesthetic of natural simplicity – rustic, yet neat.

There is a television in the corner of the sitting area as you enter from the pool terrace, but it is discrete and tucked away. Here, you will also find a sink, fridge, kettle and coffee machine. Up a couple of steps is the bedroom proper.

There is a large bed facing the rear doors and the view, and just around the corner, you’ll find a bathroom with twin sinks, a rain shower and a door leading to another shower outside.

The villa’s front door, opposite the bathroom, exits onto a path that winds its way uphill through a Mediterranean garden to the restaurant and bar, called Olais.

Good food in a beautiful environment

The decor follows the same theme of wood, stone and wicker as in the villas, and here too, the main attraction is to be found outside.

The restaurant’s exterior wall facing the gardens and the sea is made of glass and it can be folded away to let the Mediterranean in. The terrace on the other side is ideal for enjoying a cocktail before a dinner of fresh vegetables, breads, grilled meats and seafood – simple dishes, yet creatively done.

Kefalonian wine, I might add, is well worth trying and, it seems, another secret of the islanders. The kitchen also puts on cookery classes and barbecue nights throughout the summer.

Good food in a neat, rustic setting – this is the ethos of Greek living. It’s about getting back to basics. So, you are encouraged to take a pilates class up on the hill, or practise yoga in the morning with the sea view for your inspiration. You can refresh yourself with a swim in the communal, salt-water pool afterwards.

Close by, you will also find the spa. What you won’t find on the spa menu is vogue-ish gadgets and convoluted spa treatments – just thorough, no-nonsense massages focused on relieving pain and stress in the joints and muscles to reinvigorate the body, the way it’s been done for millennia.

So, you can see why the Kefalonians are happy enough in their kourlamara, welcoming those who come to share in it. Kefalonia is an island of rugged charm, wonderful food and wine, and plenty of sunshine, where life runs just a little slower. That doesn’t sound so mad to me.

Chris was a guest of Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa, which reopens on 1 May 2026. From €759 a night, including breakfast, based on two people sharing an Amos Sea View Suite with Private Pool.

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British Airways has launched new Avios-only flights, offering more opportunities to redeem your Avios points.

Avios is a major loyalty programme with airlines British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus all signed up. Under the scheme, you receive points when buying flights, spending with certain retailers or if you’ve got an affiliated credit card. These points can then be redeemed on flights, holiday extras and more.

A popular way to spend Avios points is via reward flights. On these flights, you pay with your Avios points, as well as a cash amount to cover taxes, fees and carrier charges.

British Airways introduced Avios-only flights in 2023, which members of The British Airways Club can book as reward flights. So far, there have been around 50 Avios-only flights, with destinations including the Middle East, Caribbean and Africa.

How exactly do these flights work and who is eligible? We reveal everything you need to know below.

What are Avios-only flights and who is eligible?

British Airways typically allocates a certain amount of seats on its flights to customers with Avios points to redeem as “reward flights”.

On flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick, the airline guarantees eight seats in economy, two in premium economy and four in business class.

For flights to and from London City Airport, four reward seats are guaranteed, with two in business and two in economy.

However, since 2023, British Airways has released Avios-only flights where 100% of seats are available to British Airways Club members collecting Avios points. You can use some cash to cover the cost of these flights, but a fixed amount of Avios points has to be redeemed.

The flights are often to popular holiday destinations and run at peak times of the year, offering those with Avios points greater priority.

British Airways says Avios-only flights always sell out to customers with Avios due to their popularity.

Where do Avios-only flights travel to?

Previous Avios-only flights have gone to places across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, including Cape Town, Barbados, Sharm El Sheikh, Málaga and Marrakesh. In February, British Airways announced two more Avios-only flights, from London City Airport to Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez.

You can find out where you can travel to on the British Airways Club website or via the Avios app.

In June, two additional flights from London Heathrow to Tenerife and Reykjavik were added for those planning to travel over the October half-term break. All Euro Traveller seats are available from just £5 and 33,500 Avios return, or £40 and 60,000 Avios return with Club Europe, including checked luggage.

More recently, a limited-edition Avios-only flight was launched for those travelling from London Heathrow to New York JFK on select dates in October 2026. Seats are available exclusively to BA Amex cardmembers, who can register their interest in booking the flight up until 24 June. It will cost £0 in every cabin and between 25,000 and 160,000 Avios for the flight, and those travelling in first class will receive a complimentary BLADE helicopter transfer between JFK and Manhattan upon arrival.

When and how can you book Avios-only flights?

British Airways announces new Avios-only flights on its website and via the Avios app. You can book one-way and return journeys on the website and via the app.

Reward flights can be booked through a British Airways Club account or by calling the contact centre on 0344 493 0747 (if calling from the UK).

Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and often sell out fast.

In May, reward flight prices went up, which means flyers will have to fork out more cash for booking Avios-only flights.

For instance, a one-way trip in Club Europe from Heathrow to Rome will now cost £20 and 22,000 Avios. Before 27 May, this was £15 and 22,000 Avios, British Airways said.

Can you use American Express companion vouchers for Avios-only flights?

American Express British Airways companion vouchers can be used when booking Avios-only flights as well as regular flights. They effectively double the value of your Avios.

How does the companion voucher work?

When you book a reward flight for two people, the voucher lets you take someone with you on the same flight and in the same cabin for no extra Avios. While you won't need to use additional Avios, you will need to pay any applicable taxes, fees and charges for both travellers.

Alternatively, solo travellers can use half of the Avios required for one person, with the companion voucher. They will still need to pay the taxes, fees and charges.

Cardmembers can now also redeem their companion voucher when booking with British Airways Holidays using Avios to pay or part-pay, and get 25% Avios back. This offer is available on holiday package bookings made before 31 March 2027.

Can you cancel Avios-only flights?

Yes, Avios-only flights can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, although you will be charged a £35 fee.

If you cancel within 24 hours of your outbound journey, and you’ve paid the taxes, fees and charges, these are refunded to the account used to book. For bookings made using Avios and money, the cash portion of the price isn’t refunded.

A £35 service fee is also charged if you change your flight date. If the new date costs more, you will have to use additional Avios points, and if it costs less, you will receive the difference in Avios points back.

You can now buy alcohol in Riyadh. There are a few conditions, of course. You need to be non-Saudi, you need to show evidence of a monthly income of over 50,000 riyals (£9,700) and you need to be pretty private about your consumption.

But nonetheless, the arrival of overpriced bottles of Jacob’s Creek in one of the world’s most well-known dry cities is a remarkable social change.

The Riyadh you might visit today is not the one you have in your imagination. Women can drive, they are entering the work force in droves, they don’t cover their faces and hair as much as they might have, and cross-sex handshaking is suddenly totally fine. All this is moving faster than anyone expected. Back to the booze.

The opening of the bottle shop to ordinary expatriates (it had been for diplomats only) wasn’t entirely unexpected. What was is how much it has opened and how fast. In November, you had needed to prove a monthly income of 80,000 riyals. What next?

Maybe booze in actual bars. Word on the street is that international hotels will be allowed to serve alcohol within the year. Those in doubt should visit the rather lovely Attaché “multi-sensory playground” (read nice international restaurant) in the Diplomatic Quarter – a night club (Unstable) has already been built with something that looks remarkably like a cocktail bar. For now, it’s decorated with bottles of zero-alcohol Heineken and Tanqueray 0%.

You might think I am making too much of this. But if you pay any attention to UK billboards, you will already know how keen Saudi Arabia is to host you. The thing is, they built a lot of gorgeous hotels – and they are building a whole lot more – on the “build them and they will come” basis. It hasn’t been quite as organic as expected.

Hence, perhaps, the thinking about what might get the tourists in. There are, after all, an awful lot of people who think a day’s sightseeing in a hot desert is best rounded off more with a cold glass of rosé than one of “Saudi Champagne” (very, very sweet sparkling apple juice). Let them have it and maybe more of them will come.

What will they come to? The most popular tourist trip from the capital is a drive out to the Edge of the World, a particularly impressive 1,131-metre-high escarpment in the Tuwaiq Mountain range.

It is not for the faint-hearted – or for anyone who has had even the faintest hint of vertigo. You drive a good hour out of town (you will note the social liberalisation taking a while to filter out as you do). Then, you turn off and drive at speed through the desert – mostly trying to go faster than anyone else heading in the same direction.

There comes a point when you will think that you will be bumped and bounced through the dust forever – and that this is not ideal. Then, your breath is taken away. It’s absolutely spectacular. A lot of people see a stunning sunset. We saw a yellow blur through a dust storm. Atmospheric at least.

On the downside, there is no safety rail. A few weeks ago (I am told…) someone drove their car over the edge trying to get a particularly good view of the sunset. It’s all worth the drive. But maybe don’t bring the children.

An ambitious cultural project

The other absolute must-do in Riyadh is a visit to Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state and home to the Unesco World Heritage Site of At-Turaif.

The remaining buildings have been very heavily restored and the whole thing is being developed into one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious cultural (opera house included), tourism, residential and commercial destinations, all built in the Najdi mud-brick architectural style.

If we tried something like this in Britain, there would be relentless complaints about Poundbury pastiche. In Saudi, it’s considered a way to preserve heritage. It’s also lovely.

If you can find any way at all to fix a visit to the sales office, you must do this too. The very kind tourism and engagement director, Naif Awlia, showed us around and the models of the final project plan will amaze you almost as much as the construction site itself.

You should also visit the Al Rajhi mosque – the largest in the city and a rarity in that it offers a tour to non-Muslims.

Then, there is the Masmak Fortress, an important landmark in the battle to unify Saudi in 1902 and, for the slightly morbidly minded, a skim around Deera Square (known by expatriates as Chop-Chop Square. I’ll leave that one with you).

After that, eat pretty much anywhere. We loved Thara for Saudi food and Brunch and Cake on the edge of Diriyah for, well, brunch.

Finally, a trip on the design heaven metro is probably worth it (ladies, don’t forget to stay in the family carriage. The others are for men). Take it to the souk for your camel-themed fridge magnets, kilim cushion covers and, if you do not yet have enough of it, your physical gold.

We did not go on from Riyadh. But, after two days, it would make sense to head to AlUla for some eco-tourism in the desert (there is a Banyan Tree hotel) and then to the coast around Jeddah. Here, you will find snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea coral reefs alongside a slew of super-luxe hotels. You will want to go soon. You get the odd selfie-taking influencer at the Edge of the World these days.

But this is still very, very niche tourism. So, if you are happy to dance without drinking, going will leave you able to claim first-mover bragging rights. Once the snorkelling in the Red Sea round Jeddah comes with cocktails, that may no longer be the case.

Merryn visited the Edge of the World with Ghazi Tours and explored Riyadh with Experiences by Roam.

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Shoals of tropical fish swim past. From time to time, a blacktip reef shark comes into view, wriggling its tail at me. You might be thinking I’m at an aquarium or out snorkelling. But no, I’m having a massage in the Maldives, while watching the marine life below through a glass floor.

It’s a thoughtful touch and a surprise that has many guests gasping as they lie down for their treatment and realise they can see into the ocean. It’s one of the many “pinch me” moments of my trip. This is my first time in the Maldives, and I’m heading to a duo of Constance resorts on two islands.

After a ten-hour flight from London to the capital Malé, we board our seaplane to Constance Moofushi, a 30-minute journey away in the South Ari Atoll. I’m on “island time” from the moment I arrive – literally – as Constance Moofushi has created its own time zone, an hour ahead of the rest of the Maldives, to maximise daylight hours.

Kick off your shoes

The resort has a laid-back atmosphere and you are encouraged to take your shoes off and enjoy the resort barefoot. You can stay in a “water villa” perched over the shallow water, a “beach villa”, or a “sand villa” that is somewhere between the two, offering easy access to the water. Constance Moofushi also has two restaurants and two bars.

My sand villa is elegant and spacious, and I love walking down from my private deck onto the beach and then just a few steps again into the warm Indian Ocean.

The resort has thought of everything, from the practical (there are life jackets in the room in case of a tsunami) to the indulgent (the al-fresco bath-tub is suspended above the sea, and there’s an all-inclusive mini bar). In fact, the whole resort is all-inclusive in keeping with its easy-going spirit. There’s no worrying about restaurant bills.

Wine lovers are well catered for. There are 125 wines on the all-inclusive list, and more than 900 if you’re happy to pay, plus regular events, such as wine tastings on the beach. The food is five-star. A varied buffet awaits in the main Manta Restaurant, while Alizée offers smarter à la carte dining beside the beach.

There’s also an ice-cream menu with 56 flavours. Despite my best efforts, I fail to try all of them, but I can highly recommend the coconut and pink guava flavours.

When not dining, drinking, swimming or just relaxing, the Maldives is perfect for wildlife spotting. Herons and ghost crabs can be seen onshore, plus sharks and colourful fish merely by glancing into the clear, turquoise waters (and indeed, when you lie down for a massage).

However, diving and snorkelling will get you closer to nature. I was amazed to see clouds of clownfish and angelfish, a hawksbill turtle, and a stingray sashaying past on my first-ever snorkelling trip – a truly memorable experience.

An upmarket affair

My next destination, Constance Halaveli, is a short speedboat ride away. It’s a bigger resort (like Moofushi, it occupies the whole island), but has fewer villas and each has their own plunge pool. In other words, it’s more upmarket.

Footwear isn’t quite so optional here and there are more dining options – four restaurants plus a wine-tasting room. Halaveli stocks 1,600 wine labels from 325 renowned winemakers.

I discover a fantastic riesling from Alsace, France, and a gorgeous chardonnay from South Africa. Some guests even message the sommeliers before their stay to check what’s available, or to request certain wines.

Asian fusion restaurant Jing wows me with its red-curry “cappuccino” and transports me to Thailand with one sip, while Meeru offers grilled meats and seafood on the beach. Do try the angus tenderloin and asparagus bernaise.

Guests can choose to pay for extra activities, such as a cookery or cocktail-making class, or private cinema viewing on the beach. As part of a cookery class, executive chef Siddiq Hameed has us whipping up a tuna coconut salad and Maldivian tuna curry like pros.

Nature is visible everywhere at Constance Halaveli. When I get back to my villa, built on stilts above the water, I find reef sharks playing beneath it. In the afternoon, an Asian koel squawks loudly from high up in a coconut tree, and moments later a flying fox dive-bombs just yards in front of me as I enter the swimming pool.

Moofushi is laid-back and Halaveli feels more exclusive. My recommendation? Visit both for a double dose of relaxation, indulgence and adventure.

Turquoise Holidays (01494-678400) offers a week’s holiday from £4,799 per person combining three nights at Constance Moofushi in a beach villa on an all-inclusive meal plan and three nights at Constance Halaveli in a water villa on a B&B plan.

Includes return flights, seaplane transfers and a direct speedboat from Moofushi to Halaveli, based on two people travelling. Visit constancehotels.com for more details on Constance Hotels.

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Of the major art fairs to visit London every year, Frieze London (14-18 October 2026) is the elite event – serious, monied and glamorous. The London Art Fair, held last week, is a little more relaxed. And welcoming the neophytes to the world of art collecting is the Affordable Art Fair – smiling, approachable and fun.

The first edition of the Affordable Art Fair was held in Battersea Park in October 1999 and it has since spread to 16 cities worldwide, with Houston, Texas, added to the list this year. But there are, in fact, three Affordable Art Fairs held in London – two in Battersea (spring and autumn) down by the River Thames and one in Hampstead in north London. The next Fair is in Battersea from 4-8 March 2026. Last week, I met up with Hugo Barclay, the Affordable Art Fair’s UK fair director, to find out more.

“We’re predominantly gallery-led, which means galleries take a space at the fair to promote their artists,” says Barclay. Artworks from 900-1,000 artists are typically on show across the galleries, so there is “a huge amount of stuff to see”. The Affordable Art Fair also goes out of its way not to make art “intimidating”. First-time buyers can buy a print for as little as £100, while the top end of the price range for artworks is £10,000. “So, the idea is you can afford at least something. However deep your pockets are, there’s going to be something for everybody,” he says.

Galleries have to “rotate 90% of their roster of artists” between the Spring and Autumn editions to keep the offering “fresh”. And galleries must also put prices on artworks, because negotiating a sale with a gallery can be “daunting” for the uninitiated. Can you still haggle, I ask.

That’s a “conversation you have with the galleries”, says Barclay. It “depends on the gallery and their relationship with the artist”, as well as demand for similar pieces.

The Affordable Art Fair is a grand day out in London

However, the Fair isn’t all about art. “It’s a day out,” he says. Visitors can buy “nice food and we do some talks, we do tours and workshops, as well as in the evenings to bring in the late crowd”. Weekends, in particular, are family-orientated. The Fair has activity packs for children, who can follow an “art trail” to learn about art.

Learning about art as a child wasn’t a problem for Barclay. Both of his parents were artists, who moved from Britain to southwest France. “One of my first purchases was a Sayed Raza,” an Indian artist who spent six decades working in France from the 1950s. “It’s such a beautiful, abstract work and I guess it just resonated with me,” he says. But buying art doesn’t have to be “love at first sight”. Sometimes, you see a work and it connects with you and sometimes, it doesn’t.

There has to be a “level of pragmatism” involved when “unpacking stories”, he says. Put another way, sometimes an artwork grows on you. Barclay now lives in Edinburgh with his collection of 60-odd pieces.

The appetite for art is growing

Can the lower end of the art market in London support three Affordable Art Fairs, I ask. “It’s worked so far,” he says. “We had our best-ever Fair in terms of art sales in October [at the autumn edition in Battersea]. We generated £5.5 million-worth of art sales. The media on the whole tends to focus on the top end, but actually, that isn’t a reflection of the whole market.” The Affordable Art Fair has commissioned market researchers ArtTactic to produce a report. “Everything that is going on in the world, it can create anxiety.” Barclay feels the therapeutic nature of buying art is also helping to drive sales at the Fairs. “There’s definitely an appetite,” he says.

And do the Battersea and Hampstead Fairs draw different crowds? “From what I hear from galleries,” the Hampstead crowd is “a little more discerning for whatever reasons,” while Battersea attracts people from the local area as well as Surrey – often “slightly younger families” who may be looking to add a splash of colour to a blank canvas they have bought in the form of a new home. The Fair also runs shuttle buses from Sloane Square, “so we get the Chelsea locals who come over as well”.

The dos and don’ts of collecting art

So, what are the “dos and don’ts” for anyone visiting the Affordable Art Fair for the first time? “Don’t come in a rush” is the first thing. “Come with an open-minded friend. I don’t think art is necessarily about you and the art in isolation,” says Barclay. “It’s about the dialogue with other people [about the art].” And the third thing is “probably about honing your taste”, he says. “Naturally, when you have 900 to 1,000 artists under one roof, there’s going to be a decent portion, possibly 80%, that maybe don’t resonate with you. And that’s okay.” But by filtering out those works, you can discover what you do like.

Can buying a work of art be viewed as an investment? “I’d probably steer away from investment when it comes to starting,” says Barclay. But do go out and explore. One of the pitfalls is assuming you can start collecting “from your sofa” via online auctions. “There’s nothing better than seeing work in person and talking to the gallery. At an art fair, you can do that at scale.” There may also be a visiting gallery from South Korea, for instance. You wouldn’t usually have that kind of opportunity on your doorstep. A quarter of exhibiting galleries “come from abroad”.

Another benefit of the Affordable Art Fair is being able to view works from recent graduates, particularly at the Autumn edition at Battersea in October. “We work with an external curator, who’ll go to lots of art schools and select some artists who she wants to showcase and then we give them their first platform,” he says. That’s a “really great opportunity” for the graduates to establish a name for themselves, because 20,000 people are going to see their work first-hand.

“You’re not going to get that on most high streets.” But “do start local,” says Barclay. “Most people don’t realise how much is available on their doorstep from a cultural perspective.”

Collectors can visit “open studios” to see and chat with the artists as they work and join mailing lists for galleries to find out when their shows are opening. Barclay is a trustee at Edinburgh Printmakers, a 60-year-old organisation.

“This is a good place to see exhibitions, see the artists, maybe do a printmaking course,” he says. “That’s a great way to hone your taste.” But otherwise, the Affordable Art Fair is “a really convenient place to see a lot” at once. If you are “curious and open-minded, definitely come along”.

The Battersea Spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair runs 4-8 March 2026, when artists Christine Relton and Tom Marine – who go by a joint artist name of Relton Marine – will be creating a bespoke installation. The Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, runs 6-10 May 2026. Adult general admission is £14, visit affordableartfair.com for details.

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After my first couple of visits to the Greek island of Santorini, I had assumed most of the other Greek islands would be quite similar. So, I was happy to learn on subsequent visits to the wider Cyclades island group that I had, in fact, over 200 opportunities to be surprised.

I travelled to Folegandros on my last trip, which is one of the lesser-known islands in the southern Cyclades. Folegandros doesn’t have an airport, which means we had to land in bustling Santorini next door and catch a ferry. (You can also book a private boat transfer should you arrive at an inconvenient time.) In hindsight, this was the first indication that this island would be different.

For starters, Folegandros has a more rugged and dramatic landscape than many of the other islands I have visited. Its name translates as something like “rocky land” – and it certainly is. The roads are bumpy, the cliffs are wild, sheep jump from stone to stone, and trees curl up to the sky with sparse foliage.

Such untamed ruggedness might seem incompatible with luxury – or at least a rather unlikely match. And yet, nestled among Folegandros’ rocky cliffs is Gundari – a spectacular cliffside luxury boutique hotel comfortably rivalling the high-end accommodation offerings of the more frequented islands.

Enjoy private pools and sea views at Gundari

Gundari opened in May 2024 and, after just one year, it had already won design awards and spots on newspapers’ “hot lists” and – a feat that’s all the more impressive when you consider that Gundari’s Australian founder, Ricardo Larriera’s background was in advertising, not hospitality.

The road to the hotel might be bumpy, but once you get there, nothing else about your stay will be. The hotel’s earth-toned exterior blends in perfectly with the island’s cliffs. The interiors are minimalistic and cool, with a warm twist to match the landscape’s colour palette.

After a long day of travelling, I collapsed onto the bed in my suite late at night, excited to wake up and admire the view in the light of day. Early the next morning, I stepped out onto a private pool that seemed to melt into the Aegean.

Every one of the hotel’s 25 suites has its own private infinity pool, as well as carefully considered sound systems. As someone who racks up tens of thousands of minutes listening to music every year, this was a welcome feature. If you want to opt for a suite with a twist, you can book one of the Cave Suites. These are subterranean rooms placed on the edge of the cliff, featuring bioclimatic design, meaning they’re cool when it’s hot outside and warm when it’s cold. The hotel also boasts two impressive villas, which are a bit more secluded and would be perfect for a group trip to celebrate a special occasion.

An exquisite cuisine with Greek roots

The hotel’s restaurant, Orizon, serves mostly locally sourced food –highly local, in fact, from Gundari’s own kitchen garden. Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou has created a menu where the focus is on fresh, seasonal and creative dishes, with their roots in Greek cuisine. The wine list is extensive, featuring international wines, but, most importantly, local ones too – and these are the ones I would stick to.

If dinner is a well-thought-out affair, then so is breakfast. Australians are serious about their brunch, so it was important to Larriera that the menu featured Australian favourites such as açai (a fruit and a “superfood”) as well as Greek scrambled eggs. I say get both. Of course, the hotel wouldn’t be complete without a spa. Here, sheltered by the cliff, therapists offer sumptuous treatments, including sound baths, meditation and, of course, massages.

Larriera already has plans for the next phase of the hotel, and they’re as exciting and ambitious as you’d expect from someone who undertook the assignment of building a luxury hotel on a cliff side, on an island off the beaten track.

Folegandros is an island waiting to be explored

Go to Gundari to relax, yes – but also to explore Folegandros. The island is small and easy to navigate. I would recommend a dip in the sea at Agali Beach, a tiny cove surrounded by high cliffs. Eat lunch at Pasithea, a Greek restaurant offering glorious views of the different shades of blue of the sea below.

The island’s capital, Chora, is also worth a visit and our tour guide, Poly, talked us through the island’s history. Make sure you’ve got your walking shoes on though, especially if you want to walk the winding road up to the church.

Nicole was a guest of Gundari, which reopens on 15 May 2026. From £520 in May per night on a B&B basis. Visit Gundari.com. Turquoise Holidays offers five nights in a Standard Suite with Outdoor Private Pool and Sea View with breakfast from £3,100 per person, including Easyjet flights from Gatwick to Santorini and private boat transfers between Santorini and Folegandros. The price is based on two people sharing between 24 May and 29 May 2026. It includes a complimentary one-hour morning yoga class on Thursday, Saturday and Monday, 15% discount on the spa menu and 10% discount at Orizon Restaurant. Visit turquoiseholidays.co.uk or call 01494 678 400.

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The winter of 2024/2025 ran on for an unusually long time in the fine-art market, which really only woke from its hibernation as summer got going. In May, as the flowers were blooming, Alberto Giacometti’s sculpture Grande tête mince (1955), which had been valued at $70million, sent chills through the auction market when Sotheby’s found wealthy buyers were still sleeping. Then, the fine-art market woke up.

In July, Canaletto’s Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day (1730s) sold for £31.9million with Christie’s in London to set a new high-price record for the artist. It’s perhaps no coincidence that the summer was also when the stock market took off and as the year progressed, wealthy collectors didn’t look back. Nine of the top ten most expensive artworks sold at auction in 2025 were sold last autumn.

In November, Mark Rothko’s No. 31 (Yellow Stripe) (1958) sold for $62.2million with Christie’s, which helped the auction house to its most profitable sales series in New York in three years, with a total of $964.5million. November was also the month rival Sotheby’s brought the hammer down on the most expensive artwork of the year – Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (1916 – pictured) by Gustav Klimt, which sold for an eye-watering $236.4 million to set a new high-price auction record for a work of modern art and the second-highest price fetched for any artwork sold at auction ever. It was a standout year for works by the Austrian painter. Paintings by Klimt also fetched the second- and third-highest prices for artworks sold at auction in 2025. It was the perfect way to toast what was the opening night of Sotheby’s new headquarters in New York.

Fine-art market bidders get younger

In the end, what had looked to be another humdrum year at the start turned out to be anything but. Projected global fine art sales at Sotheby’s rose 15% from a year earlier to $4.3billion and across all departments auction sales rose 26% year-on-year to $5.7billion. The corresponding projected figure for Christie’s is $4.7billion, an 8% rise on 2024. And Phillips, the third of the “big three” auction houses, reported $725million in auction sales and global sales (with private sales added in) rose by a tenth from the previous year to $927million.

All three also reported rising demand from younger buyers. A third of buyers at Phillips last year were making their first purchases, while “Millennials and Gen Z” (aged 45 and younger) accounted for 40% of purchases at the auction house’s Dropshop online marketplace. Similarly, at Christie’s 46% of new bidders were “Millennials or younger”, a 5% year-on-year increase, while the auction house’s female client base grew by 10%. New buyers were mainly drawn to the luxury goods sales, including jewellery, handbags and wine, accounting for 38% of purchases – a trend confirmed by Sotheby’s, where 29% of bidders were aged under 40, although, perhaps surprisingly given prices, this cohort also accounted for 17% of buyers of fine art. It’s a trend the auction houses will like to see continue in 2026.

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Spina, a ten-month-old lagotto romagnolo, sniffs the autumn air. She has been brought to these woods on the Castiglion del Bosco, A Rosewood Hotel estate in Tuscany to do one thing – find truffles. Let off the leash, she in fact proceeds to do many things.

She darts from person to person in our truffle-hunting pack, she hurdles a tree root almost as big as herself and then runs back to her handler for a treat. Too soon, Spina. You must first find the truffle. “No, Spina, vai, vai!”

The young dog remembers her training and her little wet nose, not unlike the truffle she seeks, scans the forest floor strewn with golden leaves, the green moss-covered rocks and the trees. It is pleasant to be out this morning, the branches sifting the sunlight.

Spina zeros in on a tall oak tree. It is a fine specimen, but nothing sets it apart from the others. Spina knows better and her fluffy white paws set to work, scraping away the soil from the base of the tree. “Bravissima! Super dog!” It is a truffle and a large one, worth maybe €40 on the market. Spina surrenders our treasure for one of hers and she swallows the treat in a single snap. Now, she has her tail up.

The hunt continues and Spina brings us to a large rock with nothing about it to suggest another truffle lies beneath. But again, the paws set to work, digging deeper this time. Our guide probes at the crevice Spina has made with his vanghetto – a small trowel on the end of a long wooden shaft. “Dove?” Where is it, he asks. Spina produces the black treasure with a flourish of her paws. "Bravissma!"

A short while later, I’m in a rustic Tuscan kitchen, making the pasta to go with the truffles. But I’m making a poor fist of it. “Are you feeling stressed in your life?” our chef-teacher asks. I’ve certainly been busy and my efforts, crumbling before my eyes, aren’t helping.

The egg yolks are supposed to be massaged into the flour to form a smooth, silky dough. “If you are stressed, you shouldn’t make pasta.” Any nonna in Italy will tell you that. But, like this would-be pasta maker, if you let the dough rest, it will recover, our chef assures me. Except, it doesn’t. I have squeezed the life out of it.

Fortunately, the work of my comrades is more fruitful and after a few turns through the pasta-rolling machine, we are eating fresh tagliolini in a creamy sauce, with generous shavings of Spina’s truffles. As for the wine, it is excellent.

Outsanding wines from the estate

The Castiglion del Bosco estate produces a number of high-end Brunello di Montalcino wines, made from the sangiovese grapes grown just beyond the walls of Villa Capanna, in which we are now sitting, having lunch. The pick of the bunch goes into making Zodiac, a true collectors’ wine – but good luck finding a bottle.

The relatively few magnums that are made get snapped up, notwithstanding the minimum €1,500 price tag. Each bottle sports a label depicting the animal in the Chinese zodiac corresponding to its vintage, beautifully designed by British artist Melanie Miller. We were able to admire the bottles, if not taste the contents, on a tour of Castiglion del Bosco’s winery.

At the heart of this modern facility sits the Members’ Cellar – an elegant round room of polished woods and copper, where the members’ collections are carefully stored behind lock and key. Admission to Millecento Wine Club is by invitation.

Our conversation over lunch at Villa Capanna turns to Castiglion del Bosco’s equally exclusive golf club, simply called The Club. Its 18 holes (in fact, there is a 19th “Brunello Hole” for settling scores) were laid out by the late British Open champion Tom Weiskopf and they, like the rest of the 5,000-acre estate, are moulded to the gently undulating contours of the beautiful Unesco-listed Val d’Orcia National Park.

The Clubhouse occupies a former farmhouse that has been refurbished to include modern changing facilities, a cigar room and The Club Restaurant, which has panoramic views over the course. Again, membership to Italy’s only private golf course is by invitation, but guests of the Rosewood hotel at Castiglion del Bosco are invited to use the fairways.

The guest villa in which I am staying, Villa Sant’Anna, also has views over the green from the outdoor terrace that runs down its side. It is one of 11 villas that were built as farmhouses in the 17th and 18th centuries and that have since been sympathetically renovated to become guest villas, while retaining original features, such as exposed wooden beams.

One evening, we met with Signora Loriana, who grew up in the house and still lives nearby. Over pizzas baked in the outdoor wood-fired oven – another original feature of the villa – she showed us old photos of the property and explained how the farmhouse has been transformed into the refined, yet cosy Villa Sant’Anna.

Each of the guest villas comes with a “mamma in villa”, who is there in the day to rustle up breakfast and keep the log fire burning in the elegant living room. In the garden, there is a large outdoor, heated swimming pool with lovely views of the valley.

A luxury hotel centred on village life

Village life is at the heart of the Italian rural idyll, so you won’t be surprised to find a village, the borgo, at the heart of Castiglion del Bosco. Here, a cobbled street runs up towards the ruined 12th-century castle, perched on a hill at the far end.

On the left, the street is flanked by converted stables and on the right, Rosewood’s Ristorante Campo del Drago, with its two Michelin stars, as well as Osteria La Canonica, with its menu of hearty Tuscan fare. Both look out over the valley. Just as the body needs feeding, so does the soul and it is fitting that La Canonica was, indeed, once the home of the priest.

Next door, you will find the diminutive Pieve San Michele church, which sheltered pilgrims passing along the Via Francigena, connecting Canterbury to Rome. Many will have admired the 14th-century fresco by Pietro Lorenzetti, rediscovered under plaster in 1876.

The whole of the Castiglion del Bosco estate is immaculate. This is rustic Tuscany without the rough edges – authentic, bucolic and charming. That is, in large part, down to the intervention of Italy’s Ferragamo fashion dynasty, which bought the estate in 2003 and restored it so lovingly. It is also in the way the estate is still very much part of the local community.

The villas at Castiglion del Bosco, A Rosewood Hotel, are available year-round and there is never a bad time to stay. Each season presents the estate in a slightly different, but no less beautiful, light. But I am glad to be sitting here in the late autumn, at Villa Capanna, enjoying a lunch of fresh pasta with truffles, wonderful wine and good company. What could be more Tuscan than that?

Chris was a guest of Castiglion del Bosco, A Rosewood Hotel. From €1,450 in low season and €2,050 in high season in a junior suite (available from 21 March 2026, when the borgo, facilities and restaurants reopen. The villas can be booked year-round).

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