Discovering the Majestic Lake District: A Winter Journey The Lake District is the most visited of the UK’s 15 National Parks, welcoming upwards of 19 million visitors a year. I hadn’t been there in 45 years - the last time I visited was in a Morris 1000 with a small boat on the roof, and the journey took eight hours. Highways and vehicles have improved a lot over that time and a couple of weeks ago we arrived in Ambleside after just five hours of quiet and comfortable motorin

Luxury Winter Escape: Discover The Samling Hotel in the Lake District After a recent newspaper column about words ending in “-ist,” I received several messages from readers haranguing me for admitting I was an “area-ist” . People can get snooty about where they live, and I have long been guilty of writing things like: “Why bother visiting any other national park when we have glorious Dartmoor and Exmoor on our doorstep?” “You must be mad!” retorted one reader. “Dartmoor and

For those of us who grew up in the rural West Country decades ago, vacations were modest affairs — they often involved camping in tents or staying in caravans. These holidays were enjoyable in their own way, but certainly lacking in luxury or sophistication. Watching television programs like the early Saint series or adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, I became aware of an entirely different world — a world of smart hotels and elegant lifestyles, far removed from the cons

We tend to over-use superlatives like "world's best footballer" or "nation's favourite dish." Can we ever really know what’s the absolute best? On this one occasion, I’m willing to make an exception. After spending a couple of nights at Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate near St Ives , I genuinely believe it to be one of the finest hospitality locations in the UK. The stunning setting, the top-notch service, and the feeling of absolute comfort make it a place I won't forget. Carbis

Introduction to Samos Years ago, I travelled to the Greek island of Samos to take part in a walking week organised by Rambler’s Worldwide Holidays. The experience, filled with much laughter, unforgettable meals, natural beauty and cultural exploration, remains etched in my memory, largely thanks to the remarkable guide who led us on one particularly challenging and memorable hike. His name was Rupert Mostert, an unforgettable character with a charisma that left a lasting impr

Balance is an interesting word. The older you get, the more you realise just how important the idea of balance can be.  In China, where I’ve been recently, they talk about yin-yang, so on the plane home I was inspired to practice a bit of balance and harmony.  For example, I’d been in the Far East, so why not counter-balance that by going to the Far West? In UK terms, that means Cornwall. So, I thought, west of the Tamar I shall go…  But, also in the search for a bit of harmo

When you think about it, the invention of paper was a very important leap forward indeed. As a newspaper journalist, I would say that - but you only have to contemplate it for a second to realise we could be back in the Dark Ages without paper. Vellum and clay tablets were okay as far as they went, but you cannot keep endlessly complex records on lumps of clay or reproduce lengthy books on countless bits of animal skin. A big thank you, then, to the Chinese, who ‘invented’ pa

The Bagni Di Pisa Palace and Thermal Spa is a very impressive indeed. The place is reminiscent of the sort of place Agatha Christie might have visited - if Poirot ever went anywhere to “take the waters” this would be the place.  Actually, someone who did write something famous in this very hotel was Mary Shelley - who finished penning her story Frankenstein here after being partly inspired to write it back at home in Somerset’s Quantock Hills.  I attended a wine class in the

There was a reason why Egyptian pharaohs, Roman emperors, Indian moguls and many others down the gold-leafed annals of the great-and-good insisted on having facilities in their palaces dedicated to the pampering of royal flesh and bones. Such human pampering was - and is - relaxing, pleasurable, and it does you good. Fast forward many centuries and we British, in particular, became curiously shy of having our well-wrapped-and-safely-covered limbs manipulated, massaged and gen

There’s a rift occurring in the world of holiday and travel at the moment. For decades most Brits and northern Europeans have had a set notion that a vacation should include plenty of sun, sea and blue skies - which is why we’ve been flocking to the Med for the past 50 years. Now, though, endless heatwaves are making that concept look somewhat over-baked. Who wants to holiday in a place where you are forced to hide from the sun in body-sapping temperatures of over 40 degrees?

We had all endured weeks of dark skies leaking copious amounts of rain - but in our case the weather, and indeed the season, seemed to change in one startling, blinding, beautiful moment. I was lying on a large, comfortable bed, about to have a snooze after a long day out in Cornwall, and suddenly the hotel room was filled with the brightest sunlight we’d seen since last summer. So bright that my wife was forced to put on her sunglasses. It was that bright, even indoors! Mull

<p class="">Stavros, the beach from 'Zorba the Greek... This tranquil beach, famous for Anthony Quinn's dance in "Zorba the Greek," offers more than cinematic history. Experience the charm of Stavros, with its distinctive mountain backdrop, soft sandy shores, and clear, shallow waters perfect for family swimming - a natural haven, unspoiled by commercial tourism. </p>

<p class="">Embark on an unforgettable journey with European Waterways aboard the luxurious 'L'Art de Vivre'. Experience the charm of Burgundy's countryside at a leisurely pace. This hotel barge, transformed from a Scottish timber carrier, offers a unique blend of opulence and historical elegance. With just six passengers, enjoy personalised service from a dedicated crew, including a master chef crafting exquisite meals. Daily excursions reveal France's hidden gems, from hist

<p class=""><strong><em>Tuno, a serene island off Denmark's eastern coast, offers visitors an authentic Scandinavian experience, far from touristy crowds. Starting at the picturesque Tuno Harbour, a perimeter walk reveals diverse landscapes: the west boasts verdant fields and traditional farmhouses, while the rugged northern shores are a haven for bird-watchers with its rocky outcrops. The eastern shore presents pristine sandy beaches. This tranquil walk finishes back at the

<p class="">Hanover’s bustling city centre is rich with history, culture, and beautiful architecture, making it a must-visit destination for any traveller</p>

<p class="">Martin Hesp celebrates the new Taste East Devon Festival with lunch at a very special country hotel - The PIG at Combe serves a 25-mile-menu which more or less sums up all that is good about eating and drinking in the East Devon area</p>

<p class="">Martin Hesp spends a day in Lucca, Tuscany - a remarkable Renaissance city - the perfect sort of place in which to explore on a Sunday morning</p>

<p class="">Martin Hesp visits a fabulous hotel near Pisa in Tuscany - the legendary Bagni Di Pisa - where enjoys the historic ambience and fabulous food and wine</p>

<p class="">Martin Hesp visits one of the most remarkable hotels in all of Italy - the Grotta Giusti spa resort is located in the hills of Tuscany, and it offers some amazing surprises</p>

<p class="">In our series about the talented chefs of the West Country we visit Falmouth where South African Hylton Espey ahas been cooking up a very natural and delicious storm for the past five years at the Merchant’s Manor Hotel</p>