Lifestyle and Adventure

Lapland UK - The Roll Royce of Christmas Experiences

Since having my little boy and girl, this special time of the year has been given an extra special sprinkling of magic dust and the sparkle and excitement in their eyes melts my heart.  Having watched as my little boy’s wonder of Christmas grew when we visited Lapland UK last year, I wished upon a star that we would get an invitation from the big man himself again this year. 

Luxury beauty gifts for the man in your life

Villa Peduzzi – a secret waiting to be found

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it” said the quintessential children’s author Roald Dahl. At this under the radar retreat magic awaits. In the region of Como lies the small commune of Pigra, where a little-known luxury villa sits meters high above the lake commanding the most extraordinary of views that is second to none. One cannot even begin to measure the sheer beauty and magnificence of it for it is unlike any other property out there. Not only does this retreat take one’s breath away, it sends bewilderment through ones entire being any time you look out into the villa’s vicinity. It becomes quite surreal to imagine that this is what you can wake up to each morning – this panoramic heaven, completely uninterrupted, completely yours.

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Penshurst Place is the current and ancestral home of the Sidney family; King Edward VI granted the 2,500-acre Penshurst Estate to Sir William Sidney in 1552 and Sidneys have lived there ever since.  The manor house is fascinating to explore. The medieval Baron’s Hall, built in 1341, has a 60ft high chestnut-beamed roof and has been used for many royal feasts. At one point Penshurst Place was owned by Henry VIII, who used it as a hunting lodge. The house has since been used as a film location for productions such as Wolf Hall, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Secret Garden. Apparently, sound recordists from the Harry Potter film series recorded floor creaks from the Long Gallery to use in the productions.  The Elizabethan formal walled gardens are delightful and surprising. They cover 11 acres and contain a patchwork of trimmed yew hedges which create a variety of separate garden rooms. One section is an orchard, another contains flower beds in the form of the union flag, another has a kind of stage (ideal for impromptu performances by children) and so on. The earliest records for the Grade I listed gardens date from 1346.

Review of Hotel Review | Castello dal Pozzo

Situated on the banks of the spectacular Lake Maggiore, Castello dal Pozzo is a five-star luxury hotel with a storied past. The castle has been in the Dal Pozzo family for six generations, and they have gone to great lengths to turn their beloved home into one of the top destinations in the region. The familial atmosphere and excellent service were evident from the moment we entered the driveway. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, who took our car into the private garage, our bags inside, and gave us a quick tour. They were more than happy to suggest restaurants and bars for us to visit and made the necessary reservations for us to secure tables in the area’s most popular spots. The luxury residence’s 45 rooms are spread out across the 18th-century palace, the renovated stables, and the castle itself. Original antiques, art, and family heirloom pieces adorn the walls and peek out of corners of the hotel’s hallways, and add to its allure. We stayed in one of the Junior Suites, which had wooden flooring and a living area with a coffee table, armchairs, and work desk. The canopy bed exuded old world charm whilst the marble bathroom with both a bath and stand-alone rain shower was a welcome contemporary touch.

Hotel review: Arowhon Pines in Algonquin

These were the words that encouraged us to book a stay at Arowhon Pines, the rustic but luxurious lodge and resort set deep within the Algonquin Provincial Park. We were warned ahead of time that despite being only a 3-hour drive from Toronto, there would be no cell service, WiFi, or television and we welcomed the chance to relax, unwind, and truly disconnect. The all-inclusive seasonal resort is open from the end of May until mid-October. There is a selection of private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and shared common areas and also private cabins with private decks. During our stay, we were the only guests in our shared cabin, so we enjoyed the luxury of having the common room to ourselves and set up a fire as we worked on a puzzle and played some of the board games in the living room. Our room was very charming, peaceful, and quiet, save for the sounds of wild animals in the evenings. The bathroom had Arowhon’s own eco-friendly body wash and soap, which smelled beautiful and was available for purchase at reception, while our private deck out back had comfortable lounge chairs that were perfect for catching some sun.

Review of The landmark hotel London review

What we noticed most at this prestigious establishment was truly in its staff – never failing to greet anyone that entered with warmth, sarcasm and charm. Without being intrusive, its staff remained friendly and accommodating which ultimately made for an unforgettable experience for us. Why should one choose The Landmark when deciding on a five-star hotel to stay at in London? The staff for one thing, but the décor and its signature Winter Garden are aspects of the hotel that can make one feel inspired, comfortable and energised. Each morning, one can make their way to the vast atrium and gather that sense of refreshing energy as the sky above declares itself, greeting you with whatever weather London has to offer. There is something about natural sunlight and wide-open spaces surrounded by charming accents that really puts one’s mood at ease. And for this, we regard The Landmark as an architectural sight to behold.

Review of Down London’s rabbit hole – dear Alice review

Hidden behind a tiny book shop front is the private members club LIBRARY, above brand new speakeasy Dear Alice. The Sybarite visited this Alice in Wonderland themed rabbit hole for an enticing evening of cocktails and snacks; after all, it’s always tea time… Located deep underneath LIBRARY, just off Leicester Square, Dear Alice is deep, dark and mysterious. We are guided down two flights of stairs and cryptically told to ‘push, not pull’ when faced with walls lined with cupboards and wardrobes. Like the entrance to an evil villain’s lair, with just a push we are transported into a different room entirely, somewhere between Narnia and the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

The Top 10 Restaurants for Al Fresco Dining in London

From secret courtyards to a rosé terrace, we can’t think of a better excuse to go daytime drinking whilst lounging in the sun. Sybarite food and drinks writer Ina Yulo brings you all the top locations in the capital where you can enjoy your meal al fresco.

Review of Santorini modernity – Grace hotel, an Auberge Resorts...

Minimalist and modern, the staff are camouflaged in white; from the tiny reception area with a panoramic terrace, endless flights of steps lead down to rooms on different levels and to a lagoon-like infinity pool. There are 20 rooms and suites and one exclusive VIP villa. All, except Deluxe rooms, have plunge pools or whirlpool baths. Walls are powder white with beige and caramel sofas, and there are lots of elegant details; marble lamps, Cycladic statues, king-sized Coco-Mat beds, summer and winter bathrobes (summer ones are more like kimonos), docking stations, iPads, plenty of plug sockets (including UK), chocolates and local liqueur on arrival. The hotel is keen on souvenirs and include adorable touches to make your stay memorable; on arrival, guests have their photo taken with a Polaroid camera while a small wooden ‘memory box’ can be found in your room. The latter is full of trinkets, including a glass jar to collect the white, black or red sands of Santorini beaches, should you wish to visit (and you should).

Review of The Peninsula Paris’ exquisite LiLi Canto restaurant

Since the Peninsula’s HQ has always been and operated by Hong Kong, it is no surprise that its Parisian chain bring with it an authentic Canto experience in the form of food. Whether you’re a newcomer to the cuisine or crave delectable dim sum and barbecue meats, we would recommend going for their dinner set menu as it offers an excellent introduction to the restaurants signature dishes which those familiar to Canto food will be pleased with. There of course are some non-traditional dishes like the kimchi fried rice and the highly anticipated roasted Peking duck – a classic that one must order. Pair your dinner with a selection of their finest Chinese teas but most of all enjoy the dinner and admire the strong oriental interior design elements with red being the dominant colour throughout the restaurant. LiLi is also an ideal place to host a special occasion as the aesthetics are beautiful to say the least and the grandeur breath-taking.

Review of Hop to the theatre this Easter and enter the magical...

We often read about naughty Peter Rabbit before bed, so when I heard that ‘Where is Peter Rabbit?’ was coming to the Theatre Royal Haymarket I rushed to book tickets.   A theatre-lover at the age of just 4, my little one was enthralled from the start as the stage came alive with the recognisable characters from the books. From Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle to Mr. Tod, animals are expertly anthropomorphised through puppets by the cast whose control over the puppets, while adding individual quirks, draw out every part of the characters, entertaining adults and children alike. The short stories are presented one-by-one, with the audience able to enjoy the tales of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Mr.Tod, Jemima Puddle-Duck and of course Peter Rabbit come to life on stage. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched my son totally captivated by the magic that was happening on stage.  With Miriam Margolyes narrating the stories of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Griff Rhys-Jones lending his voice to tales of Peter Rabbit and Jeremy Fisher, the musical adventure was provided with a friendly personality and plenty of dimension.