Travel
72 Hours in Madrid: What to See, Do and Eat, According to an Insider
Madrid is a haven for culture vultures and foodies alike. Discover insider Kellie Erm’s guide to the best things to see, do and eat in the soulful Spanish city.
From world-class museums to whimsical neighbourhoods and traditional tapas, Madrid has plenty to offer. Here's The Sybarite's day-by-day guide if you've only got 72 hours to explore the Spanish capital.
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The Quiet Luxury of NOŪS Santorini
I thought I knew Santorini. The cliffside sunsets, the whitewashed houses, the crowded lanes of Oia. Then I arrived at NOŪS. Within an hour the caldera view, once the island’s star attraction, faded into the background. This is not about chasing postcard clichés, it is about slipping into a slower rhythm, where design, light, and atmosphere quietly coax you into staying a little longer.
Where is Hot in September? 6 Best Destinations to Add to...
While the mercury starts to drop as the UK teeters into autumn, there are plenty of destinations in Europe and beyond where the sun continues to cast a warm ambrosial glow. Hankering after an autumnal getaway? Keep scrolling to discover The Sybarite’s round-up of the 7 best destinations for a dose of September sunshine.
A Scenic Cliffside Escape at InterContinental Koh Samui,...
With 79 beautifully designed rooms, suites, and villas, this five-star sanctuary caters to both families and couples seeking space, serenity, and sweeping ocean views. Over a three-night stay in the Club Room—complete with a panoramic sea-facing soaking tub, private terrace, and Club Lounge privileges—we discovered why this resort is more than just a beachfront escape: it’s a thoughtfully curated experience, where every detail — from sunset cocktails at Air Bar to beachfront fire shows — feels tailored to you.
Checking In: Pennyhill Park
Pennyhill Park — the ivy-clad 19th-century country house hotel — perfectly balances historic charm with contemporary sophistication, creating a setting where indulgence, tranquillity, and exceptional service meet. Famed not only for its award-winning spa but also as the official training ground for England Rugby, Pennyhill Park offers an experience that goes beyond a simple getaway. Whether visiting for a night of relaxation, or an extended retreat, guests will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere designed for pure escapism.
The Growing Trend of Luxury Living in Antigua
Caribbean island duo Antigua and Barbuda famously has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. While the likes of the Bahamas, St. Barths and twin island Federation, St Kitts and Nevis, have long pulled loyal crowds seeking baked beaches and turquoise waters, Antigua now appears to be having its moment in the spotlight, fast becoming a sought-after destination for thrill seekers and sun worshippers alike.
Mayan Magic at Chablé Maroma
A 10 minute drive down a meandering dirt road off the main road from Cancun to Tulum takes you to Chablé Maroma's lobby: an airy pavilion with swinging chairs setting the tone for a bohemian-chic stay. Marrying style and substance, Chablé Maroma is a truly spiritual spot, as we discovered through a mascal energy cleansing ritual at the spa during our hotel tour. Carried out by the hotel’s resident Mayan shaman against a soundtrack of bells, a sound bowl, and blowing through a conch, the air thick with copal incense. With the aim to connect you to the ground and sky, leave behind your worries and surrender yourself to a restorative stay.
A Wellness Reset At Hart Shoreditch Hotel London
A stone’s throw from East London landmarks such as Spitalfields Market, Columbia Road Flower Market and Brick Lane, Hart Shoreditch Hotel London provides a stylish hub to retreat to. Once ensconced inside, the thrumming crowds outside feel worlds away. The hotel’s community spirit is palpable from the sprawling open plan lobby, replete with plenty of potted plants, local artists’ work (including a current exhibition of paintings by Rosie Reed Gold) and a carefully-curated bookshelf brimming with London city guides. There’s a large sprawling communal table and plenty of comfy armchairs — a welcome spot for freelance creatives to let those juices flow and collaborate over coffee or something stronger from the bar…
Where is Hot in August? 7 Best Destinations to Add to...
August in the UK is hit and miss at the best of times. While it’s a beguiling time of the year thanks to the onset of autumn, (think ripening blackberries and harvest hoards) bouts of uninterrupted sunshine are few and far between. If you’re craving an extra dose of solar bliss, there are multiple destinations across the globe that promise unrivalled sunshine and warmth. From the safari heartland of South Africa to the spiritual slopes of Peru, here’s where to travel in August.
South Tyrol: Get Straight To The Heart Of This Mountain...
When you have a cantilevered infinity pool in your sights — jutting straight out of the mountainside and towards the castle ruins, opposite — there’s nothing unreasonable about wanting to land and reach your accommodation as swiftly as possible. Fortunately, SkyAlps has upped its summer offering, increasing from two flights per week to three. Which means that I can fly directly from Gatwick to Bolzano, located in South Tyrol, northern Italy. From there, it’s just a 30-minute drive to our hotel, Der Waldhof, part of the Belvita Leading Wellness Hotels Sudtirol group. Before SkyAlps was founded in 2021, visitors to the region would have needed to fly to Milan, Venice, Verona or Innsbruck —each of which requires a lengthy transfer.
The Culinary Winds Of Change Blowing Through Tenerife
Canarians are typically more used to the trade winds blowing from across the Atlantic Ocean. However, in the last few years, it is the culinary winds of change that have been blowing through Tenerife. Yes, you can still enjoy fast food favourites at Playa de las Americas such as cheese-laden pizzas and greasy fish and chips. However, dig a little deeper and you will find innovation and sustainability aplenty.
Discovering The Athens Riviera
Half an hour south of the Parthenon, a quieter corner of Greece is drawing fresh attention. The Athens Riviera, the coastal sweep from Piraeus to Cape Sounio, has long been overshadowed by the islands, seen more as a suburban sprawl than a destination in its own right. But things are changing. Once dismissed as a straggly extension of the capital city, it’s now drawing a different kind of traveller: one who wants museums and Michelin-level meals in the morning, a swim before lunch, and sunset cocktails without a ferry timetable to obey.
Living My Best Film Star Life At The Avani Rio Novo, Venice
No decaying, pastel-hued plaster. No splashing of water against walls. No scud of boat engines directly outside. Can this even be Venice? It can, and it is: the Avani Rio Novo Venice is one of the Avani’s more recent openings, occupying a 1950s building in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood, which is within walking distance of the bus and train stations. That’s right - you don’t even need to board a water taxi to get there.