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WISHLIST: 3 amazing and unusual stays

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I usually book my holidays thinking about all the things I’m going to see and do. But sometimes hotels can be destinations in their own right. Here are three amazing stays that I would love to visit!

1. THE BALANCING BARN, SUFFOLK, ENGLAND

Photo by Living Architecture

This place is part of Alain de Botton’s project Living Architecture. It looks absolutely amazing – who wouldn’t love to spend a few days in a floating silver barn with a swing right underneath it?

2. CAPPADOCIA CAVE SUITES, TURKEY

Photo by Cappadocia Cave Suites

Turkey has been on my wishlist before – there’s just so much to see and do there. Staying in a luxury cave hotel where you can watch hot air balloons go by? Count me in!

3. A TREE HOUSE IN FRANCE

Photo by Cabane dans les Arbres

Well, this is a bit more than a tree house: it’s a tree house modelled after a French château. Perfect for a romantic getaway, as you can relax sipping French wine in the hot tub.

Amazing!

5 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON: Top tips from an insider

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Although I’m always keen to hop on a plane and go somewhere new, I love showing London to my friends when they come to visit. Here are some of my recommendations:

1. Learn something in a museum:

In London most museums are free AND many also offer free tours and talks. How good is that? Spend an hour drawing something at the National Gallery or browse one of the V&A galleries with a guided tour.

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2. Take the bus:

The tube is usually the most practical way of getting places in London, but buses are less crowded and you get a nice view of the city. Plus everyone loves a double-decker!

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3. See some live music:

London has an amazing music scene and pretty much anything goes – listen to a free lunchtime concert, catch an open mic night at your local pub, or find your favourite band somewhere around town.

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4. Taste great Indian food:

British food may not be on the top of everyone’s list, but London has amazing restaurants (from every cuisine) and is a great place to eat Indian food. There are lots of options in Balham, and I like the Clapham Tandoori and the vegetarian Sagar.

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5. Have a drink:

Pubs are a massive part of British culture, and London has LOADS to choose from. Visit a Samuel Smith’s pub for a great selection of organic beers (the Cittie of Yorke in Chancery Lane is one of my favourites), or sip the best cocktails ever at no-frills Freud – my current obsession!

HANGING OUT WITH USAIN BOLT: A WEEKEND AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES

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We got tickets to see the final of the athletics at the Commonwealth Games, so we hopped on a plane to Glasgow.

I’ve been to Edinburgh many times, but this was my first time in Glasgow.

We have friends living nearby, so we met for lunch at Mono, a nice restaurant and music venue that serves delicious vegetarian food. We then spent the rest of the afternoon around some of the many bars in the city centre.

THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES

glasgow08_for webScottish summer weather meant the athletics session we saw was very wet. The women in the pole vault struggled to get any results, as did the men in the triple jump. But the atmosphere was great and we had lots of fun.

But the definite highlight was the men’s 4X100 relay. Not only did we get to see Usain Bolt competing, but he was right in front of us! We were immensely lucky with the tickets.

Bolt is extremely powerful, and I was really impressed at how he controlled the crowd. And he also seemed to have fun in the process, even dancing to Scottish classic ‘500 miles‘. The Jamaican team won as expected, and this was a climatic finish to a nice day.

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 HOW TO DO IT:

  • Tickets: I’ve said this elsewhere, but the key to going to any major sporting event is planning in advance. We applied for a whole bunch of tickets and were lucky to get these.
  • Stay: Glasgow doesn’t actually have that many options, and because this was a busy time we ended up staying at a rented room we found through Airbnb. Aimee‘s flat was ideal for us – a spacious flat close to the stadium and with good links to the city centre.
  • Go: The main airlines fly to Glasgow, but for more options consider flying to (and staying at) Edinburgh, which is quite close and offers more choice.
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THE 5-MINUTE TRIP PLANNER: A WEEKEND IN EDINBURGH

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I go to Edinburgh on occasion to visit friends. It’s easy to get there and it’s always fun.

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HOW TO DO IT:

  • Go: there are lots of flights from London, but you can also take the train, which takes a bit less than 5 hours. Book in advance as prices can get quite high.
  • Stay: I always stay with friends, but Hostelworld has many options available. Accommodation is not particularly cheap in Edinburgh, but it’s worth paying more to stay in the city centre.
  • Do: On a nice day, hike up Arthur’s seat for a great view of the city. Recover with a nice beer in one of the many great pubs around the city centre.
  • Shop: Ness has lots of nice bags and jackets, with a modern Scottish feel. I always find it a bit on the expensive side, but they often have sales on.
    Easy!
The 5-minute trip planner: Planning a short trip in no time.

THE 5-MINUTE TRIP PLANNER: 2 DAYS IN BATH

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  • Go: Take the train from Paddington at around 11am (get anytime return tickets from around £54).
  • Sleep: The Harington’s has rave reviews and at £87 per night on weekdays is a good choice – it’s right in the city centre, with nearby cafes and lots of amenities.
  • Do: Visiting the Roman Baths is a must, but for a relaxing break head to the Thermae Hot Spa. For £26 for two hours, you can indulge in a hot bath with amazing views of the town. With no advance booking, this is perfect for a last-minute getaway.

The 5-minute trip planner: Planning a short trip in no time.