Tranquil harbour views at Grand Hotel Portovenere

Tranquil harbour views at Grand Hotel Portovenere

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Who? Grand Hotel Portovenere What? Cinque Terre might be the best known sight of Liguria but Portovenere has its understated charm. At the heart of the town, with tranquil views of the harbour, is Grand Hotel Portovenere. It’s a literal stone throw from the pebbled paths of the old town, an easy journey by day. And at night, it’s the perfect place to look out onto the harbour lights. When? Open year round Where? Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 5, 19025 Portovenere SP, Italy How? For more information and to book, see www.portovenerehotel.it Ten photos from Grand Hotel Portovenere Fly via British Airways

The Kings Arms, Christchurch
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Travel pick: 15 mile menu at The Kings Arms, Christchurch

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Who? The Kings Arms, Christchurch What? Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant at The Kings Arms Hotel has gone hyper-local with its new 15 Mile Menu. As the name suggests, everything from the fish to the vegetable to the meat is sourced from within 15 miles of the boutique hotel. It’s classic British fare, daily changing according to what’s in season and what’s available. The best bit? Aside from the delicious food, two wholesome courses are a mere £15. What’s not to love? When? Monday to Fridays for lunch and early dinner Where? The Kings Arms, 18 Castle Street, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1DT How? For more information, see www.thekings-christchurch.co.uk

Merging cocktails and art at Canvas Bar

Merging cocktails and art at Canvas Bar

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Who? Canvas Bar What? Canvas Bar has a sort of late night vibe. Perhaps it’s the dim lighting and pumping music, which surprisingly allows conversations. Perhaps it’s the DJ booth, seemingly ready to go. Or perhaps it’s because it doesn’t really start getting busy until 10pm. Either way, it’s probably not where you’d expect to find a gallery. But there is one. The walls in Canvas are decorated by a rotating gallery from local artists, which, if you like, you could buy. Most people go for the cocktails though, which are divided into seven different categories. Upcycled is a good category to try but it could be fun, as the…

Life in Luxury’s guide to: JBAR at Seven Stars Galleria
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Life in Luxury’s guide to: JBAR at Seven Stars Galleria

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As part of Milan Expo this year, USA’s James Beard Foundation has brought the James Beard American Restaurant (JBAR) to the Seven Stars Galleria. Situated above Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, in the heart of Milan, the pop-up restaurant will showcase American food from the cuisine to the ingredients in a fine-dining setting. It works in parallel to the James Beard House in New York City. Recently the menu featured JBAR Executive Chef Paul Sanguinetti’s take on the food from Fort Myers and Sanibel, with ingredients flown in from the USA. The menu included ceviche of redfish with yam and tropical slow, raviolo of Florida shrimp in “sea water ” and…

Embrace castle life at Grand Hotel dei Castelli

Embrace castle life at Grand Hotel dei Castelli

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Who? Grand Hotel dei Castelli What? We love the idea of being able to stay in a castle but we love the idea of being able to stay in one with all the mod cons even more. So when we went to Sestri Levante and stayed at Grand Hotel dei Castelli, well, we simply fell in love. The grand hotel boasts some stunning views over the Italian Riviera but offers an incredible amount of privacy too. In fact, it has its own private sea-water pool. How divine. When? Open year round Where? Via Penisola di Levante, 26 – 16039 Sestri Levante, Italy How? For more information, see www.hoteldeicastelli.it Ten photos…

Discreet service at Le Vendôme, Beirut

Discreet service at Le Vendôme, Beirut

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Who? Le Vendôme What? Intimate is the approach to service at Le Vendôme. Fresh faced from some serious renovations, the hotel is at its prime. Of course you wouldn’t be able to find many people who have stayed there – they are far too discreet to share that sort of thing. But if the stylish suites are anything to go by, it’ll only be the elite. When? Open year round Where? Rafis Al Hariri St, Beirut, Lebanon How? For more information, see www.levendomebeirut.com Ten photos from Le Vendôme, Beirut Fly via British Airways