Travel Notes: August

SAIL TO FORMENTERA: Teranka

If you’re going to Ibiza this year, it’s worth extending your trip for a couple of days to visit the beautiful nearby island of Formentera. Easily reached from the White Isle via a 30-minute ferry, one of the main attractions this summer is new hotel Teranka. Only accessible by boat, this boutique property is right on the beach, surrounded by pine trees. There are 35 rooms, from self-catering suites to double rooms with private terraces or balconies, all of which are light and bright with decorative accents made from local materials. Guests can relax by the pool, explore the sculpture garden and dine at Nobu Formentera to enjoy its signature sushi and Japanese dishes while taking in the beautiful sea views.

Visit Teranka.com

BOOK A FRENCH GETAWAY: Camp Hox

Every summer, The Hoxton group creates a fun glamping experience for guests at locations across Europe. This September, Camp Hox is pitching up at the chic French region of Le Perche. Guests can stay in a Hoxton-curated eco-friendly cabin at Parcel Tiny House. The cabin is powered by solar panels and has a clever dry toilet that saves 15,000 litres of water every year. It’s also been decked out with Hoxton touches, including Hox bed linen and towels, Roberts radios, Blank toiletries, and a fridge full of local French supplies. You’ll wake up to rolling views, before tucking into a breakfast and exploring the wildflower fields and local villages via bike, cooking on a fire and stargazing at night. UK guests are encouraged to travel to Paris by Eurostar and can add on a night at The Hoxton Paris at an exclusive ‘happy campers’ rate.

Visit CampHox-eur.Skchase.com

TRY FARM-TO-TABLE DISHES: Nonna Bazaar

Nonna Bazaar is one of Menorca’s hottest openings this summer. It’s a lifestyle and restaurant concept by hotelier Arnaud Zannier, set within a historic finca on a 400-hectare working farm. Nonna Bazaar celebrates farm-to-table dining as well as offering a supervised kids club, fashion boutique and farm shop. There’s even an ancient chapel for private parties and weddings. Based on the Menorcan tradition of long family meals, guest can enjoy all-day dining under the shaded terrace, surrounded by Aleppo pines and a herb garden. Both rustic and chic, the old finca has been carefully restored, while the menu showcases local produce with dishes like cochinillo asado, paella valenciana, linguine vongole and shakshuka. Zingy salads, fresh carpaccios and the catch of the day are served with homemade breads and pizzas from the wood-fired oven.

Visit NonnaBazaar.com

SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE: The Africa Centre

The Africa Centre first opened its doors in 1964 to educate Londoners about the rich culture across the continent. Now, it’s opened a new HQ at Union Yard Arches in Southwark. The venue will host events and exhibitions to showcase Black talent from Africa and the Caribbean, and host charity events to raise money for various causes. It’s also home to one of London’s most exciting new restaurants – Tatale, headed up by chef Akwasi Brenya-Mensa who made a name for himself serving Pan-African dishes at supper clubs around London. Now, he’s bringing that same concept to his first restaurant which has the vibe of a traditional Ghanaian chophouse. Menu highlights include ackee croquettes with scotch bonnet and lemon, chichinga buttermilk fried chicken wings, and red black-eyed bean stew with plantain and avocado.

Visit AfricaCentre.org.uk & TataleAndCo.com

SWAP YOUR HOLIDAY HOME: ThirdHome

Ever dreamed of home swapping like Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet in The Holiday? ThirdHome is a luxury rental platform for second homeowners. If you own a holiday home in the UK or abroad, you can trade in unused time in exchange for travel credits or ‘keys’. You can then spend those credits to stay at homes belonging to other ThirdHome members – think ski lodges in Aspen, chateaus in France, superyachts in Ibiza, and villas in Bali. There are over 14,000 properties across 1,700 destinations to choose from, so you never have to visit the same place twice. To sign up, your second home needs to be worth at least €500,000. Users then only pay an administrative fee for an entire week, potentially saving them thousands of pounds.

Visit ThirdHome.com

HEAD TO THE COTSWOLDS: The Fox At Oddington

The Fox is a new pub with rooms. In the picturesque Cotswolds village of Oddington, it’s been restored by Carole Bamford, so you can expect elegant interiors and luxurious touches. Set in a honey-coloured 16th-century building, there are six suite-style bedrooms with living areas featuring sofas, armchairs, desks and plenty of books. Natural materials bring a country feel to each room, with colours and fabrics that reflect the beautiful Cotswolds landscape – think earthy tones and bronze finishes. We’ve got our eye on the Wild Meadow room which includes floral prints by Hugo Guinness and overlooks the wildflower rooftop. Guests can tuck into traditional dishes at the pub downstairs, and settle in by the fire during the colder months. There’s also a terrace and garden for eating outside.

Visit TheFoxAtOddington.com

JEREMY PHILLIPS

RECONNECT WITH NATURE: Another Place

Another Place in Ullswater is one of the smartest hotels in the Lake District, so we were pleased to hear it’s opened its ‘outside development’ which includes a treehouse, six shepherd huts with stargazing roofs and a Victorian-style Glasshouse restaurant for indoor/outdoor dining and events. With panoramic views of the nearby lake and wilderness, guests can reconnect with nature for a digital detox or relaxing trip. The highlight is the design-led treehouse which has two double bedrooms, a living area with an indoor wood burner, a bathroom, and a spacious outdoor deck with a freestanding bath. Elsewhere, there are three family and three couples’ shepherd huts with lake views and landscaped areas, fire pits and bean bags for stargazing; plus the Glasshouse restaurant for all-day dining.

Visit Another.Place

RICK BARTON/UNSPLASH

PARTY IN MALTA: Defected Festival

Defected organises some of the best festivals in Europe, so we were excited to hear the music collective is hosting a new house music festival in Malta. Ideal if you’re after some late-summer sun, the festival takes place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October across venues in St Paul’s Bay like Café del Mar, UNO and various pop-ups on the island. Forty DJs are set to preform, including big names like DJ Fat Tony, Shapeshifters, Gorgon City, Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada and Natasha Diggs – one of the best line-ups we’ve seen this summer. Tickets start from £139.

Visit Kaboodle.co.uk

STAY IN A SPECIAL ROOM: Etro Suite at Hotel Punta Tragara

Hotel Punta Tragara in Capri has collaborated with fashion house Etro on a new suite. The Pegaso Etro Suite is filled with the brand’s interior furnishings and has beautiful views of the Faraglioni, Marina Piccola and the silhouette of the Amalfi Coast. The room brings together blue hues, white walls and paisley wallpaper featuring the symbolic Tree of Life – Etro’s signature motif. The suite features intricate design at every corner, with carvalho wood, brushed bronze and Irish green marble in pastel shades. Guests can relax on the Bombay bed, Amina armchairs or Jaipur sofa, and take in the views from the terrace, complete with Etro’s outdoor furniture.

Visit HotelTragara.com

ENJOY FINE DINING IN THE AIR: Air France

Air France has created fine dining menus with two of France’s Michelin-starred chefs. Available to passengers in long-haul La Première and Business cabins departing from Paris until October, guests can enjoy meals designed by Michel Roth and Anne-Sophie Pic. Menu highlights include lobster medallion with green asparagus and raspberry vinaigrette; chicken supreme with olives and black truffles, poivrade artichokes and macaroni gratin; quinoa with candied lemon, summer vegetables and basil crème; and roast chicken with spelt risotto, courgettes with green cardamom.

Visit AirFrance.co.uk

PHILIPPE BAUDIN

FIND NEW SPOTS IN THE CAPITAL: An Opinionated Guide To Eco London

This travel guide is all about sustainable living in London – and you might be surprised to hear the capital is one of the eco-friendliest places in Europe. The guide will help you track down zero-waste bars, carbon-neutral gyms and ethical cafés. If you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint and shop wisely, the guide also includes the best eco garden centres, coffee shops, spas and restaurants, with information about how they’re helping London become more sustainable. If that wasn’t enough, the book itself is also carbon neutral.

Visit HoxtonMiniPress.com

ENJOY A WEEKEND IN LEEDS: The Queens Hotel

Planning a fun weekend with the girls? The Queens Hotel in Leeds recently reopened following a £16m renovation. Just a short walk from Leeds station, the hotel has art-deco influences with a grand lobby and 232 modern rooms. Ideal for a group trip with friends, rooms range from comfortable doubles to suites overlooking the city. Book afternoon tea or dinner at the Grand Pacific restaurant to enjoy Pan-Asian dishes and drinks at the bar.

Visit TheQueensLeeds.co.uk

PLAN A FAMILY STAYCATION: Doxie

Wilderness Reserve has an extensive collection of luxury holiday homes around the UK. Doxie, on Sibton Park Estate in Suffolk, is its newest addition. The property has its own natural swimming pond, along with country views and a private spa. Perfect for a romantic weekend away, Doxie sleeps two with a cosy double bedroom and an open-plan kitchen/living area with a cool twisted brick fireplace. Couples can also relax in the outdoor hot tub built into the patio, cook local produce on the Big Green Egg, and unwind in the sauna and steam room. As with all Wilderness Reserve properties, guests can also book a range of experiences, from falconry to kayaking.

Visit WildernessReserve.com

RUSNE DRAZ PHOTOS

WATCH A SPECIAL SUNSET: Zuma Mykonos

Co-founded and created by Rainer Becker in London, Zuma has brought its award-winning contemporary Japanese cuisine to a new location in Mykonos. To the west of the island near New Port, it’s one of the biggest and most impressive Zuma outposts to date – guests can lounge on day beds beside the pool with cocktails and snacks, then have dinner while DJs take to the decks until the early hours. Expect Zuma’s signature dishes such as roast lobster with green chilli and garlic butter; spicy beef tenderloin with sesame; black cod marinated in miso; and grilled seabass with chilli and ginger. Arrive before 8pm to watch the sun set behind its infinity pool.

Visit ZumaRestaurant.com