Passalaqua in Lake Como is worth whatever owner Valentina De Santis decides to charge. There, I said it.
05.03.2024 - 11:47 / theguardian.com
The area around Hardcastle in West Yorkshire springs into life in mid-March. The woodland floor transforms as if by magic into a soft carpet of wildflowers with bluebells appearing later in the season. The area was once called Little Switzerland because of its steep lush valleys bisected by rushing rivers, silver streams and footpaths. We found it to be the perfect antidote to winter, with shafts of golden sunlight casting their magic rays on all the lovely foliage. Head for a nice pub lunch at the Old Gate in Hebden after a morning walk.
Nigel
We have been walking the South West Coast Path for the past few years, taking long weekends when we can. The best trips have been during spring, where you get isolated beaches, sunshine, coconut-scented gorse, delicious food and great walks without the summer crowds. St Agnes was a particular favourite, with nice restaurants and pubs, a good range of Airbnbs and its very own brewery, Driftwood Spars. There is also a very good takeaway pizza place, the Cornish Pizza Company, which has a great range of veggie and vegan options – perfect after a windy, coastal hike.
Lucia
A few years ago we happened to be in Brussels around Easter and discovered the wonderful Royal greenhouses in Laeken. They are a series of impressive interconnecting greenhouses built in art nouveau style in the grounds of the royal palace, and are filled to overflowing with beautiful plants and flowers. The greenhouses are open for just three weeks each year (this year from 26 April until 20 May) and receive lots of visitors, so make sure you get there early. We paid just €2.50 to get in. We loved it so much we went back again the next day.
Lois
Guardian Travel readers' tips
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage
-
Sunny Champagny-en-Vanoise on the southern slopes of La Plagne, in the French Alps, blooms in spring. It is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. Follow walking trails (graded like ski pistes) through the majestic pine forests, picnic on freshly made Emmental and ham baguettes from the local boulangerie and soak up epic views of the snow-capped mountains. The village gondola takes you higher into the mountains where you can feast on Savoyard specialities (such as tartiflette and raclette) in the friendly La Rossa restaurant. Light and airy apartments at Les Balcons Etoilés all with spacious balconies perfect for enjoying an aperitif.
Jenny
The cobbled old town of Brasov, with its colourful baroque buildings and Carpathian mountain views, was home for a few days exploring Transylvania in late April. Driving through green
Passalaqua in Lake Como is worth whatever owner Valentina De Santis decides to charge. There, I said it.
The Scotland-based company Slow Adventure advocates a more mindful approach to activity holidays. Options include climbing and yoga in the Italian Alps, mountain biking in Sweden and horse riding and rambling in Iceland. On the Finnish Happiness trip, guests stay in log cabins by a lake in Lapland and activities include canoeing under the midnight sun, hiking, swimming, swamp foraging and daily saunas. On all trips, 5% of the fee goes to local conservation projects, which in Finland could mean helping protect the rare Saimaa ringed seal, preserving forests or supporting a children’s environmental charity.From £876 for five nights, slow-adventure.com
Just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, northern Virginia is legendary for its Civil War battlefields, Mount Vernon and other historic sites.
These cruises are going to be rare ones, Holland America fans. So get ready to book before they fill up.
With a diaspora in the millions, Ireland’s national holiday has become an international phenomenon.
Planning an expedition to view a total solar eclipse demands an arsenal of maps of all kinds. Where is the path of totality? Are we in it yet? Is it cloudy? What began in England in 1715 with Edmond Halley’s (he of comet fame) first map predicting the time and path of a total solar eclipse has morphed into a mini-industry with all kinds of different maps that try to relay the complexities, intricacies and dynamic nature of a total solar eclipse.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nadia Crevecoeur, a 26-year-old project manager from New York who traveled to and lived in many countries, including China, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark, and Italy, before moving back to the US in 2023. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Most cities are known for something. In Los Angeles, it’s movies. In Paris, it’s fashion. And in Zurich, Switzerland’s gleaming metro set along a lake dotted with white swans and shiny bikes, it’s money. To be more specific, it’s “serious money,” as a Swiss colleague insisted during our afternoon tea. In Zurich, the serious money of the world is deployed, managed, and grown for generations to come. Accordingly, the people that hold the serious money of the world need somewhere to stay when a trip to Zurich is called for. As another Swiss businessman told me: “There’s only one place you stay when you come to visit your money in Switzerland. It’s the Baur au Lac.”
With expansive forests, numerous lakes, and extensive coastline, Sweden is known as a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. But even those visiting the urban sprawl of Stockholm needn't miss out on the great Scandinavian outdoors.
Located in Indigo Bay on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Vie L’Ven is a collection of 280-units which will include fully furnished residences and a five-star resort that are architecturally designed with both the island’s Dutch and French influences.
Americans have their sights set on sunny beach destinations this spring.
The milestone comes ahead of the airline opening its new UK base at Birmingham Airport next month with 16 new routes taking off.