What makes us unique?

As a small ship, with a maximum of 312 guests, the all-suite Windstar‘s Star Legend, has slipped right into the heart of Malaga. We are in pole position for exploring the sun-blessed city.  Windstar offers luxurious small-ship cruises, taking us into harbours beyond the mega-cruisers on our seven day exploration of Southern Spain.. Sometimes we will be the only cruise ship in the port, giving opportunities for cultural immersion, that are, as the Windstar credo, reminds us 180° From Ordinary.  Though many Windstar regulars will stay on board for the next two cruises! With Rome among the Italian highlights, before docking in Venice. That is 22 days of intimate excursions, a plethora of wellness options, and superb cuisine. For Star Legend and her crew, after 12 days in a Cadiz dry dock, it is back to work. Looking more than ship-shape, the Star Legend has new carpets of maritime blues in many of the public areas, plenty of fresh paintwork and restaurant Basil and Bamboo ready to open.  Day 1: Malaga With check in from 1 pm, guests are soon through the formalities and heading for lunch. Led by the James Beard Foundation, the Veranda restaurant, with both a la carte and

The Palacete Severo has thrice been inspired by love. Ricardo Severo, Portuguese polymath – architect, engineer, political Republican and writer — designed the Palacete Severo in 1902, as a home for his Brazilian wife Francisca. In the library’s wood panels their initials are intertwined. Returning to Portugal from political exile in Brazil, the design of the Little Palace also paid homage to Severo’s love of his homeland’s architecture: azulejo tiles, carved wooden staircases, a loggia, black and white mosaic floors and ceiling frescoes. The Palacette Severo was a paean to Severo’s love of Portugal. Now restored, renovated and revived, as a 20 room boutique 5* hotel, after decades of neglect, the Palacette Severo is loved once more. For new owner, Géraldine Banier, the Palacette is a satellite to her Parisian Gallery. Throughout the Palacette and the gardens, art is everywhere, featured in every room. Most of it for sale. Above the tourist bustle of riverside Ribeiro, the Palacette Severo is a secluded sanctuary, exuding discrete luxury, at the heart of Porto’s creative neighbourhood of Cedofeita. It is an oasis of stillness.  Yet within walking distance of most of Porto’s charms.  The welcome As our taxi stops on the Rua de Ricardo

Africa’s wild heart beats in rhythm with the wildlife that roam its plains, forests and coastlines.  Exploring different ecosystems and conservancies across Africa allows for unique opportunities to spot different species in spectacular wildlife havens where they truly flourish. These sightings can be very memorable.  For instance, I will never forget the spine-tingling roar of lions in the Masai Mara in the dead of night, the adrenaline rush of  tracking wild dogs at great speed in Madikwe … the emotion of seeing rhinos up close in the far flung regions of Namibia …  and the awe of meeting ancient tortoises on Changuu island.  Here are a few of my favourite places to spot safaris specials… Wild dogs in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa The rugged wonderland of Madikwe Game Reserve is a unique reserve, where red earth meets acacia woodland. Elephants rule here — towering, wise, and often found quenching their thirst at the reserve’s shimmering waterholes. Just as majestic are Madikwe’s famed African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves, moving in tight-knit packs that hunt with astonishing coordination. Watching their swift, silent teamwork at dawn feels like witnessing nature’s choreography in action. Enjoy affordable, rustic charm at Mosetlha Bush Camp