Travel

Women Who Launch: Juliana Chies of Lets GoDo

“When people travel, they typically stay at the same location for 3-5 days. It can take up to three days to meet a local that will give you the best tips or even offer to show you around,” exclaims Juliana Chies, Founder and CEO of experiential travel company Let’s GoDo. “If you don’t know a local in the place you’re visiting, it’s very hard to find the best things to see and do, so I thought why not create a platform where locals are the one creating the experiences,” shares Chies. She planned to launch Let’s GoDo back in 2020, but the pandemic put a halt to her plans. A veteran of the music industry and a Notting Hill resident, she quickly pivoted and leveraged the platform she had already built to support a digital version of Notting Hill Carnival that ensured an engaging experience for online attendees. Chies is familiar with having to roll with the punches and credits being surrounded by entreprenreurs, including her father, as a means to learn and grow from the best in the business. Originally from Brazil, Chies travelled extensively throughout South America before setting roots in London, and her love for connecting with locals on her travels sparked the idea for Let’s GoDo. “Our experiences are authentic and accessible, and our booking platform is designed to be simple and easy. Guests trust us and enjoy the fact that we create a community, which is key to standing out in the travel space. Whether a traditional dinner at someone’s house or a trek to a hidden beach, Let’s GoDo connects travellers with people to discover the very best of a destination,” she says. On this edition of Women Who Launch, The Sybarite speaks with Chies about how she stands out in a crowded market and where her dream destination is.

Featuring History, mystery and a reawakening in Cornwall: The Lost...

Imagine the excitement Tim Smit and John Willis must have felt discovering the overgrown gardens of Heligan in 1990, over 70 years since they were abandoned when WW1 broke out and the 22 gardeners that tended them were sent off to fight. Picking their way through decades of untamed brambles and ivy, the pair found vineries and greenhouses, replete with rusting scissors, teakettles and half-filled coal buckets. On the wall of the gardeners’ toilet, still visible in pencil, the gardeners had written their names in 1914 just before they left for the trenches. Only a fraction of them returned.

Puente Romano: 5-star luxury on the Golden Mile

The resort is a heavenly paradise in miniature with immaculately manicured verdant gardens, powdery soft sand beaches and world-class facilities that attract celebrities and sports stars alike.

The Ultimate Dublin Itinerary

All great cities have a distinctive vibe but none more so, perhaps, than Dublin. With a tourist trade based on its famous pub-dominated nightlife, Ireland’s capital has always had a reputation for being a fun, friendly city. But in the last few years Dublin’s star has risen even further. It was recently ranked at 19 by the World’s Best Cities committee – above all British cities bar London – who described it as ‘safe, gregarious and increasingly wealthy’. And of course celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the source is a bucket-list experience – although in Dublin, the festivities last for five days, not just one. For the week around Friday 17th March, Dublin will be even busier, merrier and more entertaining than usual. As is tradition, the St Patrick’s Day parade will kick off in the city centre on the 17th itself and after a two-year break due to the pandemic, this year’s is shaping up to be the biggest ever. New for 2023, the National Museum of Ireland is hosting a ‘day-to-night urban festival’ in the grounds of the Museum of Decorative Arts and History from the 16th to the 20th, with comedy, dance, music and ‘spectacle’. And throughout the city, venues will be entertaining the crowds with a curated programme of events.

A Q&A with Soori Balis GM

Featuring Luxury City Breaks: Budapest

Embarking on a journey to explore the heart of Europe's beauty and culture, our guide reveals the allure of Budapest as a luxury city break destination. From its opulent history to its contemporary charm, Budapest offers an exquisite fusion of the past and present, inviting travellers to indulge in a refined urban escape. In this curated guide, we'll navigate through the city's grand architecture, culinary delights, artistic treasures, and luxury accommodations, providing an insider's view into how to make the most of your lavish stay in this captivating metropolis. Whether it's your first encounter or a return visit, Budapest's blend of elegance and sophistication promises an unparalleled city break experience.

Soori - A Hidden Gem in Bali

This hidden gem has combined the essence of Bali together with the landscape from which it is built on. Every aspect of Soori, whether it's the architecture, the interior design, the produce being served to guests, to the in-room amenities has its story to share. Take for example the luxury interiors which have all been inspired by local colors and materials.

Luxury Skiing at its Finest: Experience Chalet Inoko

Discover the pinnacle of alpine luxury at Chalet Inoko, a stunning hideaway nestled in Val d'Isère's Petit Alaska region. Recently, I had the privilege of exploring this elegant haven and unveiling the secrets of Purple Ski, the unrivalled provider of opulent chalet hospitality in the French Alps. Join me on this extraordinary winter journey as we delve into the enchanting world of Val d'Isère and experience the finest in luxury accommodation, personalised service, and exquisite cuisine.

Luxury Country Breaks: The Cotswolds

A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encompassing almost 800 square miles that run through five counties – Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, The Cotswolds is the perfect stay-cation for you and your beau. But where should you stay when they're so many places to pick from? Renowned for its honey-stoned bricks, Moreton-in-Marsh emerges as a quaint market town nestled in the Cotswolds region, where we were fortunate to spend a delightful winter weekend this past January. While navigating the rural lanes, I observed the presence of age-old churches, elegant countryside taverns, and picturesque villages. The landscape seemed suspended in history, embraced by serene, undulating hills and captivating vintage shops. Naturally, my excitement peaked as we eventually arrived at our charming cottage in the heart of Moreton-in-Marsh.

Barefoot Romantic Luxury in the Maldives

With the sun on my face and the sound of gentle waves hitting the shore, I glance at my husband of nine years, who is casually sipping on a warm cup of ginger tea. I feel totally at peace. For the last week, we’ve spent time reconnecting with one another on one of the Maldives most enchanting and beautiful Islands, Gili Lankanfushi. The unspoiled island is located in the North Malé atoll, which is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé - in which time you are served fresh juice and offered a cold scented towel. The friendly welcome is just a small nod to the high level of service that you become very accustomed to whilst staying on the beautiful Island.

La Dolce Vita in Sicilia: The 5-star ADLER Spa Resort

On a Saturday evening in serene Sicily, my pulse is racing at a rate of knots as sweat trickles down my face and the temperature continues to rise. I feel like I'm sweltering away in a furnace; an exuberant man wafts a towel in front of me as chill-out tunes play in the background. Taking deep breaths as the towel is swung around frenetically to whip my heart rate even higher in searing heat, I know that I am indeed fast approaching boiling point.But just like that, I suddenly feel reinvigorated as I'm presented with a handful of ice cubes that I press against my neck to cool off. I'd been experiencing 'Aufguss', a multi-sensory wellness ritual in which an ‘Aufgussmeister’ douses infused water onto hot stones, circulating fragrant air in a panoramic sauna at the idyllic new Adler Spa Resort Sicilia.

Featuring Luxury City Breaks: Copenhagen

With a mere 48 hours at my disposal in the heart of Denmark's capital, I was determined to optimise every moment while simultaneously indulging in a tranquil weekend escape from the bustling rhythm of London life. This endeavour might sound like an insurmountable challenge, yet the solution was conveniently at hand: Nimb Hotel, a castle-like haven that seemed to materialise from a dream. Upon our arrival after a short Friday evening flight, the affable Peter greeted us with a warm smile, exuding a genuine eagerness to enhance our entire sojourn. The service we encountered was flawless, a manifestation of the Danish ethos - embracing the essence of hygge with an added touch of romantic allure. Nimb Hotel epitomises the essence of Scandinavian opulence. Housing a mere 38 guest chambers, this castle stands as a sanctuary of serenity, positioned gracefully behind the majestic Tivoli Gardens. Notably, Nimb's patrons enjoy complimentary access to these gardens, the world's third-oldest operating amusement park. The castle itself is a harmonious fusion of resplendent Moorish architecture and chic Scandinavian design, a perfect union of grandeur and contemporary elegance. Beyond providing lavish accommodations, the fanciful Nimb Hotel curates an array of artistic and cultural experiences within its premises. These offerings encompass garden soirées, wine tastings, as well as rooftop opera and jazz concerts.