What makes us unique?

100 shares In recent years, English sparkling wine is really starting to make its mark. In recent years, its production and reputation has soared, and it’s become an increasingly firm favourite on the global wine stage. Thanks to climate change, the southern regions of England — particularly the counties of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire — now offer conditions similar to those of the Champagne region decades ago. Cooler growing seasons, coupled with chalky soils and longer daylight hours, have proved to be the perfect recipe for producing high-quality sparkling wines, especially from traditional Champagne grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It’s no wonder, therefore, that English vineyards are winning prestigious international wine awards, and starting to challenge France’s dominance in the sparkling wine. This growing recognition is also supported by drinkers seeking locally sourced products, happy to pay extra when it comes to homegrown alternatives. English sparkling wines are now appearing on fine dining menus and stocked by major retailers, with demand rising each year. High-profile endorsements—from royal events to Michelin-starred restaurants— are a nod to the quality of the offerings. Having spent nearly a year in the UK, I’ve been eagerly tasting my way through bottles produced

So, why the name – voco Hotel and Spa Winchester? voco loosely translates from the Latin for an invitation and a coming together. And no, that isn’t a typo. voco, doesn’t want a capital letter. It’s as as much a state of mind as a hotel.  A unique contemporary name, free of grammar protocols and stuffy pretension. voco Hotel and Spa Winchester has location, location and more location going for it. Set amongst the green hills of the South Down National Park, this 131-bedroom hotel is within minutes of historic Winchester. Once the capital of Wessex and then England; instrumental in the birth of a nation.  In October 2023, voco reopened after an eight month and £2m refurbishment. The Holiday Inn had a personality makeover and was reborn as voco Hotel and Spa, a stylish destination for relaxation and me-time. Work too, if you really must. The welcome Two staff await at reception to quickly check us in. All they need is a surname to locate our booking and confirm our restaurant booking. Then we’re on our way and in the lift.  Entering our room, a welcoming message on the 50-inch television encourages us, as if we need it, to

What’s not to love about Tenerife? Year-round sunshine, stunning beaches, fresh seafood and local wines, are all aspects of the island that are well known. But what if I told you about a new luxury travel experience that’s come to the island’s shores, courtesy of Yacht Experience Tenerife? Imagine a light breeze, the feeling of solitude and nothing but the distant horizon ahead. Welcome aboard Escape to Paradise, a private yacht experience in Tenerife designed not merely to impress — though it will — but to gently help you relax and unwind. The stress, the scheduling, the 7:42 train you didn’t catch, the email you regret sending — all gone. Dispersed into the Atlantic like a puff of morning mist. Picture yourself and your partner on a sleek, elegant yacht – just the two of you and your own dedicated professional crew. You will set sail from Puerto Colón on Tenerife’s southern coastline. There’s Champagne, of course — served not with pomp but with quiet ceremony. Glass in hand, you pass Playa del Duque’s golden crescents, slip beyond La Caleta’s rustic charm, and drift into the deep blue where dolphins often appear, unprompted and unbothered by your presence. On a

Characterized by a dimension that’s mysterious …almost mystical, the cloud forests of Ecuador are a realm suspended somewhere in between heaven and earth. Situated high on the mountain slopes of the Andes, these exuberant jungles are superlative examples of the biodiversity of the continent. Sites where time feels momentarily suspended, this forest sheltering its best-kept secret for serenity and sensory delight. For those aiming to get far from the world— though refusing to rough it – cloud forest eco-lodges in Ecuador present the perfect paradox: The wild and raw nature balanced with refined world-class comfort. A world veiled in cloud and mystery Only two scenic hours from the Ecuador’s bustling capital city of Quito, you’ll see for yourself the dramatic transformation of the landscape itself. The twisting road begins to climb into the highlands before reaching the forest. You’ll smell the scent of fresh rain and orchids, with each breath filling your lungs with a heavier, damper air. The forest is inhabited by hundreds of bird species and orchids, in addition to numbers of unclassified butterfly species. The cloud forest is distinct from rainforests at higher elevations; their cooler, more temperate temperatures; and on being consistently covered in its enigmatic