What makes us unique?

This post was originally published on this siteA haven for locals and visitors for generations, The King’s Arms takes centre stage in the Lake District village of Hawkshead. The whitewashed walls of this 17th-century coaching inn are a picture postcard scene, whatever the Cumbrian weather happens to throw at you. And, after an extensive, sympathetic renovation, the inn reopened its doors in August of this year, stepping into a new chapter that honours its past while making room for contemporary comfort. The refurbishment is unapologetically local in spirit — led by Cumbrian tradespeople, respectful of oak beams, stone fireplaces and slate floors, and shepherded by owner Jo McGowan, it’s given Hawkshead a pub that truly belongs to the community. The result is classic and calm: a place that looks traditional in photos but feels fresh in practice. The welcome Part of Hawkshead’s charm is that its centre has been largely car-free for over 50 years now. Most visitors make use of the pay-and-display car park on the edge of the village. We’d learned in advance that parking permits are issued to guests staying at The King’s Arms for the car park just opposite, so popped in to collect one before

This post was originally published on this siteOn the shores of New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, surrounded by the Southern Alps and with a national park almost at the end of the street, Wānaka looks like a classic vacation town. In practice, it works far better as a base – somewhere you unpack once and then sprawl from the door into vineyards, ski fields, hiking trails, bike tracks and remote valleys that feel a long way from anywhere, yet remain easy to reach. For travellers who like their adventure opportunities dialled up but their logistics uncomplicated, this combination is hard to beat. Add a serious concentration of architect-designed holiday homes (many award winning) and a long-standing network of guides, pilots and producers, and you have one of New Zealand’s most appealing resort towns. That’s the vibe that the locals work tirelessly to protect and that too makes it one of the friendliest places to be in the South Island. There are many of the town’s most sought-after holiday homes and private residences available for rental for visitors to Wānaka looking to make it their base for a holiday. Where is Wānaka? Wānaka is around an hour’s drive from Queenstown Airport

This post was originally published on this siteAfter a heady day in the wild African bush, beach or bustling city, there is something irresistibly indulgent about cooling off in a gorgeous swimming pool – or chilling with a glass of bubbles in a lovely hot tub or jacuzzi under the stars by night. In Africa, there are many “Cool Pools” where you also get to enjoy a front-row seat to nature – be it watching the sun setting over the Zanzibari horizon or watching ellies quenching their thirst and enjoying a mud bath just meters away from your own pool. Here are just a few of the most spectacular swimming spots … Mara Bushtops on the fringe of the Masai Mara in Kenya Mara Bushtops in Kenya features a breathtaking infinity pool, which stands out for its panoramic views over the bush and its wildlife-rich salt lick which attracts wildlife from miles around. By day, guests can watch elephants, zebras, and antelope gather below, and by night, the bush is illuminated for stargazing, often with telescopes available for constellation spotting. The infinity pool at the award-winning Amani Spa is an absolute treat after a long day exploring the wilderness with