When Shelley and Byron set off on their adventures across Europe, a little light fraud was of course par for the course. Traditionally undertaken by upper-class young men in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Grand Tour, visiting major artistic venues in Italy, was seen as a way for nobles to mature and learn life… Read More »
Spirited Away team on the stinking soul stage Johan Persson Studio Ghibli Spirited Away It has been universally acclaimed and admired since its initial release in 2001. The animated film, which tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro who accidentally gets lost in a fantasy world full of spirits, is much loved for… Read More »
Bryan Illsley, who died at the age of 86, objected to the classification. A largely self-taught painter, sculptor, goldsmith, printmaker, potter and poet, he was also the creator of unofficial and limited edition books; the second was in collaboration with poet Christopher Reid. Illsley wanted to be seen first and foremost as a painter, but… Read More »
An occasional trip to a country hotel with little planned other than a bath and dinner was just what the doctor ordered. But Blighty’s luxury hotels offer a wide range of workshops and courses that are worth knowing about. Many tap into your inner creativity, giving you the luxury of focusing solely on the task… Read More »
All hotels were independently reviewed and selected. If you book through the links below we will earn a commission but this never affects our rating. Our expert writers are often hosted free of charge to gain the first-hand experience they need to review. The joy of Majorca is that there are so many hospitable resorts… Read More »
The last days of April on the North Norfolk coast should be filled with the joys of spring. But today feels more like February, with red skies and temperatures not even trying to climb within touching distance of 10 degrees. But signs of the new season are omnipresent, albeit subdued. Mother geese crouched down and… Read More »
A faded Jazz Age hotel on the French Riviera will find new life as a luxury residential development for the super-rich. Hôtel Provençal is a large 10-storey building located in the stylish and opulent Mediterranean resort of Cap d’ Antibes. It was the playground of the rich and famous, visited by the likes of F.… Read More »
I moved Muswell Hill because I met my partner who has been living here for 14 years. It has a bohemian, village-like feel, filled with people from all walks of life. There are lots of artists, musicians, families with babies and dogs. It’s lush and green, but also vibrant and vibrant. I travel a lot… Read More »
Day-trippers in Venice on Sunday appeared baffled as football fans flashed the QR code for their €5 entry ticket to pass through the turnstiles at the city’s main access points, only to show their match tickets instead. Attending a sporting event is one exemption from opaque regulations that locals see as an attempt to turn… Read More »
The National Gallery in London turns 200 years old on Friday, so what makes it so special? Founded in 1824, when public fine art museums were still in their infancy, this museum differed from rivals such as the Louvre (founded 1793) and the Prado (1819) in that they inherited royal collections. In contrast, the National… Read More »