Travel Writing for Beau Monde Traveler Magazine
The Arden Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon is synonymous with William Shakespeare, and arriving at the Arden Hotel puts guests at the centre of his life. It’s flanked by the RSC theatre; Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall; and his final home, New Place. The rest of the hotel carries this idea of touching down in ‘Shakespeare Land’, with framed pictures of Shakespearean actors adorning the Club Bar walls and pre-theatre meals in the double-AA-rosette Waterside Brasserie. After a night sitting stage-front, the Arden’s 45 sumptuous bedrooms have every amenity needed to make your small-town retreat reposeful.
Celtic Castles & The Castle Man
One man, more frequently known as ‘The Castle Man’, has made it his mission to uncover nearly 100 hidden historic properties in the UK and more than double that in Europe. His drive is to give people a different experience, and to create “a memory that lasts forever”. The fruits of his labour is Celtic Castles, a site that is much more than an award-winning booking platform. It’s a personal team of castle experts who make your castle holiday a reality.
Hotel du Vin, Stratford-upon-Avon
One’s reposeful retreat begins well before entering Hotel du Vin and its 18th-century townhouse and contemporary extension. Its redbrick fences, white picket gates, and Georgian-columned doorways capture an element of timeless elegance. This sophistication continues within, with vintage and speakeasy-like décor centred around rich colours, dim lighting, and wooden furniture. The lounge, bar and bedrooms are equally classy, while the Bistro Restaurant, with its floor-to-ceiling glass wall, is light and inviting, encouraging all to decompress with a glass of wine in its adjoining landscaped courtyard.
Askham Hall; A Country Escape Like No Other
The word ‘hall’ conjures images of grand fireplaces, where roaring flames transform sturdy logs into dancing ribbons of light. A comparable scene awaits you at Askham Hall. Its vast drawing room is bathed in orange hues from the fireplace and adorned with an assortment of snug pillows ideal for curling into while basking in the heat.
Langley Castle: A Fairy-tale Castle in the Heart of England’s Countryside
You know you’re heading towards something special when the country roads you’ve been travelling transform into private lanes, bedecked with roaming pheasants and culminating in grand wrought-iron gates. Partially concealed by a colony of enormous trees, behind these gates stands one of the only medieval fortified tower houses in England to be turned into a hotel, Langley Castle.
Kyoto Kitcho, Arashiyama
“Presented on a Hassan wooden box, an assortment of gold-painted seashells act as vessels bearing seasonal delicacies plucked from around Japan. The crowning shell is presented on a floral and cobalt blue ceramic and holds the Kuruma Ebi which comes with wild greens, curling peeled radishes and fresh abalone. More of a cultural immersion; a part art exhibition and part sensory banquet, this is just one flavour of the Kaiseki course promised at the three-star Michelin Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama.”
Immersive Travel Videos with Jeremy Austin and Angie Villa
“Travellers nowadays have this irresistible urge to discover what lies beyond their borders and are drawn to travel videos that transport them to exotic destinations around the world. Travel videographers, Jeremy Austin and Angie Villa create mini videos to comprehensive travel vlogs… Their five travel videos included here will sustain the most fervent wanderlust, but they’re also the pair’s recommendations for travelling post Covid-19 or for those looking to experience current trends, ranging from sustainable travel to luxury family villas.”
Searching for Lost Worlds and Stories that have never been told with Arcadia Expedition
“One company has set out to aid travellers in discovering the hidden gems of these lost worlds. David Mannix and David Adams, the founders of Arcadia Expeditions, arrange tours for the intrepid traveller to explore … secret and uncharted lands, riddled with clues to disparate cultures and the ipseity of people.”
CREST: Paving the Way for Responsible Tourism
“The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is pioneering the way for responsible tourism practices that businesses, destinations and travellers can adopt. These practices outline ways to achieve a healthier environment, help communities and honour indigenous cultures and ecosystems. Indeed, the Managing Director states their ultimate aim is to show travellers that the answer is “not to stay home” but to “travel in ways that are smarter” and that help “transform the way the world travels” in the future.”
Getting Back to Mother Earth: Yonder provides enriching nature travel experiences
“Trips to ranches hidden in the depths of the country where guests wake up at 7am, or staying at farms and fighting to collect eggs that’ll be their breakfast, has become the traveller’s way of grasping and living life to the fullest. Two men, Freyr Thor and Tim Southwell, realised this trend and work towards this desire and Yonder, a travel booking site dedicated to connecting travellers with educational and enriching experiences within the heart of nature, is the fruits of their labour.”
Peruvian Amazon & Luxury Cruises with Peru Full Adventure
“There are certain destinations that are shrouded in mystery, fraught with hints of danger, and so exotic that to explore them requires one to muster their innermost fortitude. Such a place is the Peruvian Amazon, with 1,000 species of ancient trees spread out in an endless sea of rainforest to create the ‘lungs of the planet’. This country-sized swath of land is interrupted by the serpentine-shaped Amazon River where a select few experience an adventure of a lifetime on a luxury Amazon Cruise, privately guided by Peru Full Adventure.”
The Instagram Blogger: How Naomi-Jane Adams Introduced the World to Greek Infinity Pools
“Luxury traveller. Designer fashionista. Humanitarian. For many, a desire to be all these things, only ever remains a desire, one that reaches its quota by living vicariously through Instagram Bloggers like Naomi-Jane Adams. Whether you know her as one of the first Instagram Blogger who introduced the world to Greek infinity pools, or for her attendance at the top fashion shows, Naomi’s travel Instagram account has created a template that travel influencers aspire to.”
Redefining the Role of Travel Influencers with Jeremy Austin & Angie Villa
“Two influencers, Jeremy Austin and Angie Villa, have indeed been captured by this travel bug. Their exceptional photography and videography capture the most exclusive luxury resorts and properties all over the world. Posting several shots from each location, Jeremy and Angie have taken the travel industry by storm and have gained a loyal following of over 1 million travel enthusiasts on all their social media platforms who hold on to their every recommendation.”
Nihi Sumba: Luxury Indonesian Resort & Pioneers of Responsible Travel
“High-end luxury hotels are leading the way here by using the profits of luxury travel to increase sustainability, so as to be considered eco-friendly. One such hotel is Nihi Sumba, an award-winning luxury resort situated on the remote Sumba Island of Indonesia.”
Peru Landmarks & Belmond Andean Explorer with Peru Full Adventure
“With astounding, larger-than-life geoglyphs engraved in the Nazca Desert, the power and mysteries surrounding the dramatic Machu Picchu to the archaeologically significant cities of Cusco and Lima, these Peru landmarks make the entire land a natural wonder to behold. Within these treks lie private and traditional festivities fused with luxury travel tropes of the Belmond Andean Explorer, that promise exceptional indulgences and spellbinding memories from the most intimate and exclusive Peruvian experiences.”
Luxury Scotland: Castles, Whisky, Tasting and Exclusive Tours
“Private tours of Scotland’s finest distilleries closed to the public, afternoon tea with the Royal Butler, and luxurious retreats to private castles are just a few opportunities waiting for you. This is Scotland like you’ve never seen before, and these bespoke, extraordinary adventures are unimaginable and yet exclusively yours.”
The Melbourne Grand Prix: Formula 1 Rolex Australian GP
“At speeds of over 300 km/h cars come rushing past; circuiting over public roads, vaulting through cricket fields and past bucolic lakes. The force in which these cars flash past leaves a trail of fiery sparks – a sudden burst of orangey-red fireworks – as metal fights against tarmac. These are all an indication that the world’s fastest supercars and their drivers have congregated in Melbourne for the start of the Formula 1 season.”
Carmen’s Luxury Travel: Meet the Woman who’s Redefining Luxury
“With the increasing demand for luxury travel, the advice of luxury travel bloggers has become the ultimate authority. One such blogger is Carmen Edelson, founder of Carmen’s Luxury Travel. While always enjoying luxurious hotels, first-class plane journeys and decadent spa treatments, Carmen is also distinguishing herself from other luxury travel bloggers by redefining what luxury travel means. For Carmen, luxury travel is a trend towards responsible travel which permits travellers to build in-depth experience of local communities, instilling a value voyeurs don’t usually see.”
Buckle Up: Dangerous Curves Ahead at the Grand Prix
“There’s complete silence until there isn’t. Then as quickly as the sun disappears behind clouds the world of Silverstone is turned upside down by the deafening noise of tyres clashing against tarmac. With more cars than legally allowed in one space, drivers come skyrocketing around tight bends. Here, the biggest indication that the British Grand Prix is the ultimate and most loved racing event in the Formula 1 calendar, are the knots ringing themselves tightly in the stomachs of the eager onlookers.”
The Open Championship: Britain’s First and Most Exclusive Golf Tournament
“From the beginning of recorded time, man has found strength of will, character and physical endurance in the challenge of golf. From the reign of Julius Caesar, club-shaped trees propelled feather-stuffed balls through the air. A millennium later in Scotland during the 15th Century, what we now know as the game of golf began in the Links course tournament of St Andrews. This ultimate contest became known as The Open Championship; open to the uncontainable elements of wind and rain as well as the undulating sandy landscape along the daunting coastline.”
The Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon
Despite paying homage to the Bard, like almost every hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, and maintaining the elegance of the IHG brand, The Crowne Plaza Hotel has managed to establish an identity of its own – one with a chic yet homely aesthetic. Those touching down here for business or pleasure will feel compelled to sit back and relax. The attentive staff take your worries and carry them on their shoulders for the duration of your stay, allowing time for you to divert yourself with their leisure facilities, wonderfully-refurbished outdoor space – which includes private dining in a bohemian-style Tipi hut – or feasting at the Riverside Restaurant and Bar.
Alpine Getaways with Au Coin Du Deu Chalet
As it’s situated in the Les Prodains area, which is above Morzine, a highly sought-after ski resort with outstanding pistes, Au Coin du Feu is understandably popular. Chilly Powder has become one of the most well-known chalet companies in France, and as a result, this chalet is often fully booked with repeat customers.