Apartment Attic Hastalska

Sleeping up to eight people, Hastalska provides the perfect hub for those looking to travel with friends. An open plan kitchen offers ample space for accomplished cooks, whilst a few steps up a winding corkscrew staircase leads you to one of the apartment’s plush bedrooms, complete with walk-in dressing room. Absolutely everything, from the wooden floors to the kitchen sink, is immaculate and designed with the upmost attention to detail. Located near the Old Town square and Jewish Town, the apartment is just a short walk from many of the Prague’s major attractions, with a selection of small independent shops nearby – perfect for picking breakfast pastries and fresh fruit.

Klimentska © Loving Prague Apartments

Attic Klimentska

This loft apartment in Prague’s Old Town is right at the heart of the city’s most happening district. Surrounded by top restaurants and luxury boutiques it’s a spender’s dream, and with local bars, clubs and theatres in abundance it’s ideally located for a fun night out. You don’t even really need to leave Klimentska to have a good time though – the apartment is equipped with a full size Billiard table and open plan living area, perfect for accommodating guests. If the party life isn’t your scene, head up to the second sitting room, which features floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading straight out onto a suntrap terrace. Beware though; there isn’t a lift in the building, so try not to forget your sunglasses on the way out…

Olivova © Loving Prague Apartments

Attic Olivova One

One of two Olivova apartments, Olivova One has double the appeal: its location in a newly renovated building means it’s a popular inner-city pad, whilst a clever split-level design ensures the loft is constantly flooded with natural light.  Set just a short walk from the vibrant Old Town square, there are plenty of places nearby to eat and drink if you don’t quite feel up to tackling the pristine white kitchen. For us though, the real selling points here are the two beautiful double bedrooms, with gorgeous quilted bedding, hardwood floors and a lavish corner bathtub.

Franciscan Garden © Loving Prague Apartments

Franciscan Garden

This rooftop apartment doesn’t have a bedroom as such – but that’s because with views like this the only logical place to put the enormous circular bed is in the centre of the main room. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround this main living area, as does an artistically designed wraparound terrace, allowing light to flood the contemporary space. Overlooking the Franciscan Gardens and rooftops of the city’s New Town, the views are truly unbeatable. Whether you’re entertaining on the terrace or catching some rays, this is the ideal attic spot for those who like to team style with architectural splendour.

Royal Tower © Loving Prague Apartments

Royal Tower

Close to the river Vltava, this Art Nouveau building in Prague’s New Town is slightly further afield from the city’s main attractions – ideal for those looking for quieter accommodation options. Sleeping four people in two double bedrooms, the attic’s layout has been strategically designed to fit around its centrepiece circular tower. The open living space has stunning high vaulted ceilings astride with exposed wooden beams, and well-chosen touches such as wall paintings and low lighting give the apartment a warm, homely feel. There’s also a private terrace, perfect for al fresco lunches or post-dinner drinks.

Words by Charley Hancock

Unfortunately for many travellers to the US, the country’s top BBQ hotspots are often far from large cities and can be difficult to fit into an all-too-short travel itinerary. Luckily, in cities like Los Angeles, BBQ is not only a niche cuisine – it’s one of the top dining trends of the moment.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to find classic Los Angeles Barbeque, from no-frills shacks to higher-end restaurants that are reinventing Southern cuisine. Though the ambiance won’t ever fully invoke that of a Texas pit, the fall-off-the-bone meat will have you booking a trip down South in no time.

Bludso’s Ribs © Bludso’s

Bludso’s BBQ

Bludso’s falls on the dirty-South end of the spectrum, with nary a white tablecloth in sight (red chequered is the look here). The self-professed shack sure isn’t anything fancy to look at, though its mammoth grills and smokers are a clue of what’s to come. Working off of his grandmother’s secret recipes and great great grandfather’s BBQ legacy, Kevin Bludso brings an authentic taste of the Lone Star State to LA’s denizens. We recommend the Texas Sampler as a multi-meat introduction to the cuisine, though be prepared to wait – this not-so-well-kept-secret spot, with outposts in West Hollywood and Compton, regularly has lines out the door.

BBQ Pulled Pork © BBQ Junkie

JR’s Barbeque

Founded by Jeanie Jackson and her son Bobby in 1998, JR’s Barbeque is consistently rated as one of LA’s best spots for slow-cooked meat. Serving everything from pulled pork with slaw to baby back ribs, JR’s adheres to a few classic BBQ traditions. Its dry rub is made from sixteen different spices, and the family’s BBQ sauce has won awards (both are resolutely secret recipes). The Jacksons are also highly particular about the wood they use in their grills – only mesquite, white oak, and pecan woods are allowed near the meat.

BBQ Baby Back Ribs © cotarr

JNJ Burger Shack

As its name suggests, JNJ began life as a small hamburger stand, but has since expanded to include a huge range of BBQ staples. Founded by Louisiana native Jay Nelson Jr., the shack is now justifiably famous for its spareribs in particular: blackened strips that have clearly spent hours in its smoker, covered in a spiced dry rub and phenomenally tender on the inside. If you’ve managed to save some room after stuffing yourself full of slow-cooked meat, the sweet potato pie is still made from scratch by Jay’s elderly mother.

Pulled Pork Sandwich © R_Savvy

Spoonful

Those looking for a broad retrospective of Southern fare should turn to Spoonful, one of many new restaurants in the city that are translating the region’s culinary staples (BBQ certainly included) to more formal environments. Highlights at Spoonful include pulled pork sliders served with three different BBQ sauces – Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina – as well as melting short ribs served with sunchoke puree. Other Southern staples like fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits are definitely worth a sample, and there’s no better way to end the meal than with a heady slice of pecan pie.

Words by Claire Bullen

The Historic Gardens of Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island

Whilst many will have heard of, or visited, the historic Alcatraz Island, after marvelling at the architecture our top tip is to head straight to the gardens for a taste of the island’s history. Originally tended to by prisoners, there’s now an ongoing project to preserve the beautiful gardens, aided by locals and volunteers. Take a wander around the shrubbery and momentarily forget where you are. An early morning visit is always a good option for those seeking a little solitude.

Angel Island

Angel Island

Yet another secluded island experience awaits on Angel Island, although admittedly rather different from the last. Catch the ferry over the bay (get your SLR-pointing enthusiasm in quickly, it’s only a 10 minute ride), before grabbing a bike and choosing one of the numerous hiking paths to get lost on. There are plenty of picnic spots, each with an incredible view over the bay, and an abundance of wild flowers and hidden coves to discover. To preserve the island’s simple, back-to-nature quality, there are only basic services on offer, but this only adds to Angel’s tranquil atmosphere.

Stern Grove

Stern Grove Festival © Stern Grove Festival

Step into Stern Grove and you could be forgiven for thinking you’d left San Francisco behind. Hiding numerous oasis-like meadows and undiscovered tracks, this park is an idyllic spot in which to spend an afternoon basking on the grass through the dappled sunlight, or, if you’re feeling active, hunting for the park’s towering eucalyptus – the largest tree in San Francisco (shouldn’t be too hard to spot, surely). Stern Grove’s crowning glory is an outdoor amphitheatre, which plays host to Sunday concerts throughout the summer, the perfect way to unwind after all that activity.

Flora Grubb Gardens

Flora Grubb Gardens

A garden centre with a twist, Flora Grubb Gardens is a jungle of plants and shrubs, smack in the middle of the old, urban architecture of Bayview. Relax on the sculpted loungers or perch on one of the tiny box-style chairs and absorb hundreds of colours and plant forms you might never know existed, before taking a quick trip to Flora’s Edsel Garden. Housing the garden’s noted showpiece, a battered and rusted car with shrubs sprouting from every window and door, this makes for an interesting interlude.

Tank Hill

Twin Peaks

Located a stone’s throw from the infamous Twin Peaks, Tank Hill is the lesser known, but equally as well placed, sister of these tourist hotspots. Make your way through the eucalyptus covered paths to a hilltop secret enclave, and whether you sit for minutes or hours, the panoramic views over the city are sure to keep you captivated. As with the majority of hilltop destinations, the best time to go is at sunset, when the cityscape below emanates a golden orange hue.

Tenderloin National Forest

Tenderloin National Forest © TNForest

From the towering cherry and Japanese maple trees, to the abundant edible plants and herbs and the meticulously tiled mosaic floor and goldfish ponds, Tenderloin National Forest is an unexpected, yet highly enjoyable, assault on the senses. Set down a back alley in Tenderloin (a somewhat shady neighbourhood in one of San Francisco’s more deprived areas), the miniature forest is a welcome breath of fresh air in this part of the city. Lively foliage, graffiti and wall paintings, and fruit carvings are just a handful of the artworks that adorn the walls above; whilst back on solid ground there are a multitude of exciting activities on offer, including public performances and experimental art projects and classes. They even provide garden tools for visitors to help out, if you feel so inclined…

Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, Golden Gate Park

Tulips © Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park is a king amongst San Francisco’s large public gardens, but our favourite spot is hidden away amidst the grounds. The Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Gardens, named after Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, (a country in which the tulip symbolises peace), are located within the great park near the windmill at the westernmost side. In full bloom the tulip garden is awash with deep maroon and bright orange buds, and the best time to visit is in early spring, when you’ll catch the tulips at their height.

Words by Charley Hancock

London has the advantage of being surrounded by fertile farmland, which makes it easy to head out of the city for a day and immerse yourself in some rural surroundings. We’ve compiled a number of farms that, whether accessible by road or rail, will let you pick bushels of berries, beans, and more…

Raspberries © Zitona

Hewitts Farm

Based in Orpington, Kent, Hewitts Farm’s 78 acres yields bumper crops of fresh fruit and veg from early summer until the first frost. Open daily from late June onwards, the farm grows a number of berries (strawberries, gooseberries, two kinds of currants), cabbage, broccoli, corn, chard, several varieties of beans, herbs, squash, pumpkin . . . And as if that bounty isn’t enough, in autumn visitors can take home 13 varieties of eating apples and three types of cooking apples.

Millets Farm Centre

Oxfordshire’s Millets Farm Centre is a summer destination for fruit and veg junkies, as its 50 acres of fields exclusively for pick your own harvesting produce over 30 different crops each year. For those looking to put together a full picnic, Millets Farm Shop also stocks local cheeses, an extensive bakery, deli, and even has a butcher on premises.

Pick Your Own Fields © Parkside Farm

Parkside Farm

Set in the rolling farmland of Middlesex, Parkside Farm was designated “Pick Your Own Farm of the Year” in 2011. The accolade is no accident: the farm grows upwards of 20 varieties of produce between June and October that are set aside exclusively for pick your own-ers. It’s also just a short bus ride away from the Cockfosters tube station, making it ideal for those seeking a quick daytrip out of town.

Crockford Bridge Farm

Weybridge, Surrey’s Crockford Bridge Farm should appeal to the health-conscious – it grows crops ranging from rhubarb and asparagus to marrows, tomatoes, and mangetout – to the, well, less health-conscious. Aside from its bevy of fresh produce, the farm is known for its on-site ice cream parlour, which serves up scoops of gelato from Gelateria Danieli. What better way to end a day in the sun than with a cone of the good stuff, eh?

Cherries © Copas Farms

Copas Farms

Copas Farms offers Londoners a two-for one deal: it operates pick your own fields in both Cookham in Berkshire and at Iver, close to Slough in Buckinghamshire. Together, the two farmsteads add up to 81 acres of produce that is quite literally ripe for the picking. Come down in July, the farm’s high season, when everything from cherries to plums are at their peak.

Garsons Farm

Garsons Farm, located in Esher and Titchfield boasts the distinction of being the UK’s largest pick your own farm – it’s got a whopping 150 acres of brambles, orchards, and shrubs. 34 crops in 76 varieties are available from May through October. Make sure you bring along a big basket (or several) for this one…

Strawberries © RabunWarna

Stanhill Farm

The Dartford, Kent-based Stanhill Farm is a uniquely picturesque place: its golden wheat fields stretch for acres. However, it won’t be wheat that day trippers are after. The farm also sets aside land for pick your own, with a selection that skews heavily towards berries. Stanhill’s proximity to London makes for a rewarding jaunt out of town.

Flower Farm Shop

Having hosted pick your own farmland since 1975, Flower Farm Shop in Godstone, Surrey has been a longstanding destination for those in the area. Crop highlights include raspberries, runner beans, and sweet corn, and as a bonus for strawberry lovers, the farm plants several different varieties to ensure that the coveted berries are available all summer long.

Words by Claire Bullen

Look Up At The Stars, Portugal!

This film’s stunning cinematography and quick jump cuts splice together vivid shots of the city and its residents. The effect is a beautiful and haunting look at life and death, set against the orange hue of the Atlantic Ocean. The sinister soundtrack, which includes excerpts of computer speech, makes it hard to stop watching.

I Need Nothing – A Nearly Useless Odyssey

Music is a huge part of Lisbon life, and this fun short film captures the city’s love of a good soundtrack. Shot in one of Lisbon’s many vintage record stores, the quirky video is the work of two Portuguese illustrators who subtly alter well-known album covers to convey a brand new message.

What Do You Love About Lisbon?

This film takes shots of ordinary people expressing their love for Lisbon and intermingles them with instantly recognisable images of the city, from its yellow trams to its terracotta roofs. The result is a portrait of Lisbon’s everyday beauty, and of the people who help the city thrive.

Street Art Exhibition

Shot at the António Prates Gallery, this intriguing film investigates Lisbon’s booming street art movement, showcasing a number of artists at work. Bold colouring and psychedelic imagery highlight an alternative vision of the city that most tourists don’t get to see.

But times are changing. These days, a new generation of wine destinations is coming of age, and wine tourists are starting to flock to previously unexplored regions. We’ve compiled a guide to some of the best wineries near Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and Bogotá so you can sample your way through the new New World. . .

Sula Vineyards © pagastesi

India

The bulk of India’s wineries are clustered near the city of Nashik in Maharashtra state, about two and a half hours northeast of Mumbai. The area’s fertile, dark soil and dry climate make for ideal growing conditions. Often called “the Napa of India,” the area is currently home to over 40 wineries. While winemakers here operate on a different schedule to other vintners north of the equator, (due to extreme temperatures, growers here pick their grapes in February and March), the wine produced is of a high quality, and is being consumed in ever-increasing quantities.

Sula Vineyards is one of the highest-profile wineries to have sprung up in the region. Founded by ex-Silicon Valley engineer Rajeev Samant, Sula’s first wines – a French Sauvignon Blanc and California Chenin Blanc – were released in 2000. The winery has since expanded twice and now produces a Shiraz, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, and Riesling as well.

A second Indian winery to watch is Chateau d’Ori, also situated in the Nashik growing region. The newer winery, whose first harvest was only in 2007, is the pet project of Ranjit Dhuru, another California tech expert-turned-vintner. The 400-acre site now produces some of the subcontinent’s finest bottles, including a Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cab-Merlot blend, Cab-Syrah blend, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Rosé.

Bodega Bouza © ana_ge

Uruguay

While wine-drinkers today think of Argentina as a destination for quality Malbecs, visitors to Buenos Aires might not realise that the country’s top growing regions, like the Mendoza Valley, are located over 1,000-km away. Luckily, there’s another option. Neighbouring Uruguay, just a short distance from Buenos Aires (a ferry is the best go-between option), hosts a number of up-and-coming vineyards. The country has similar growing conditions to the Bordeaux region, with a temperate climate and ocean breezes, and is starting to win international renown for its excellent wines.

The boutique Bouza winery is one leading the tide of Uruguayan wine production. In 2000, the Bouza family restored an abandoned winery in Montevideo and planted rows of new grapes. The winery has now received accolades for its delectable bottles, which include an Albariño, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Merlot, Tannat, and several blends.

Viñedo de los Vientos, just a quick trek outside of central Montevideo, is another good bet for Uruguayan wine making. The winery, whose name translates to “Vineyard of the Winds,” is helmed by Pablo Fallabrino, a third-generation winemaker of Italian heritage. Aside from several 100% Tannat bottles, the winery also produces a number of blends. The Blanc de Bianco is a highlight, and mixes 80% Chardonnay, 10% Trebbiano romagnolo, and 10% Viognier.

Marques de Villa de Leyva

Colombia

Those doing a South American wine tour will certainly think to explore Argentina and Chile, but what about Colombia? Though its tropical climate makes growing grapes a challenge, the country has also seen a handful of new wineries established in recent years.

Marqués de Villa de Leyva, located a couple hours north of Bogotá, is currently flying the flag of Colombian wine-making. The winery’s specialty is Cabernet Sauvignon, which it produces in Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Reserva Especial iterations. A Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc, the latter of which won the silver medal at the 2011 Concours Mondial Bruxelles, are also among its offerings.

Marqués de Puntalarga, founded by Marco Quijano, is another leading Colombian winery. After stints studying physics in Switzerland and Germany, Quijano grew to love the local wines while also noting the similarity of the wine-producing Swiss Alps region to the Colombian Andes. Today, he produces a Riesling and a Pinot Noir. The winery’s small output of 10,000 bottles a year means his wines are particularly coveted by Colombian wine drinkers.

Though both wineries are located in secure parts of the country, we recommend researching UK Government travel advisories when traveling elsewhere in Colombia.

Words by Claire Bullen

P&T Boutique

P&T Boutique © Paper and Tea

Tea is the next big thing to hit Berlin’s retail arena and there’s nowhere more on-tend than P&T (Paper & Tea). Born out of an insatiable passion for fragrant leaves the store is part teashop, part tea school; the aim is to educate customers and broaden their palate – no plain old Twinning’s Earl Grey here. The shop’s decor is straight out of the Wallpaper* handbook, with all the teas laid out in little boxes to encourage consumers to sniff, read, learn and buy, and even better, the staff host frequent visitor tasting sessions. Oh, and less we forget the “P” part of the title – they also sell a beautiful range of cards, pads, wrapping paper and notebooks – to write down your tasting notes, obviously.

Claudia Skoda

Store interior at Claudia Skoda © Claudia Skoda

This stylish boutique sells sophisticated knitwear for women and men by Berlin designer Claudia Skoda. Having started out in 1970s Kreuzberg, Skoda is now something of a Berlin institution, in the past having dressed the likes of David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Garments are designed to be figure flattering while still retaining innovative, avant-garde features. Her Spring collection tailors toward a nautical theme, with striped knitwear and fresh colours displaying her knack for seamlessly combining style and comfort.

Sabrina Dehoff

Jewellery © Sabrina Dehoff

Founded in 2005, Sabrina Dehoff’s jewellery is a sheer work of glistening art. Detailed but not overly adorned, her designs are individual yet still retain elegant forms. From classic studded gold bangles to fluorescent eye-catching statement earrings, each ring, necklace and bracelet is of a high quality. The flagship store, located in central Berlin, displays Dehoff’s current lines, with her recent season showpieces hailing simple designs in pale golds and bronzes. With so many collections to choose from there’s almost certainly something that will appeal…

Nanna-Kuckuck

Designs by Nanna-Kuckuck © Nanna-Kuckuck

A high-end boutique gown store, Nanna-Kuckuck specialises in haute couture evening dresses that are colourful, elaborate and just a little eccentric – ideal for making that movie star entrance. They’ve been sported on the red carpet by anyone who’s anyone in the German film scene, so are a uniquely local find for the fashion connoisseur. Kuckuck also designs wedding dresses and will tailor them to the individual’s requests, encompassing decadent and personalised style for the big day.

Fiona Bennett

Hats © Fiona Bennett

Elegant, extravagant and eye-catching handmade hats crafted by a British born designer, Fiona Bennett is the place to go to find this most elusive of accessories. Whilst the designs take inspiration from old-fashioned classics, Bennett’s experimental details hark back to the Hollywood glamour of the 1950s. No mere milliner, she is a pioneer in her field, producing show-stopping pieces that are carefully constructed with the utmost attention to fine detail – each and every hat is painstakingly made by Bennett’s own fair hand. If you’re lucky you might even catch Fiona in the midst of one of her ‘live making sessions’, where she crafts her hats right out on the city streets.

Mykita

Sunglasses © Mykita

If you’re looking to make a statement then heading down to Mykita could see you sporting the latest pair of experimental designer sunglasses through the sun-drenched (we hope) streets of Berlin. These frames have been worn by everyone from Elton John to will.i.am, which has seen the Mykita label pick up some serious steam in the last couple of years. Glasses and sunglasses are displayed on the ‘Mykita Wall’ – a stark white surface with glass shelves that showcase each individual frame. The Mykita aviators are a particular winner, ranging from simple silver designs to limited edition platinum shades with sapphire blue lenses.

Chelsea Farmer’s Club

Chelsea Farmer’s Club © Chelsea Farmer’s Club

Ironically, Chelsea Farmer’s Club is all about British Fashion. Its boutique store carries a wide range of traditional British clothing – from classic suits, tuxedos and smoking jackets, to cord and moleskin blazers and sports-shirts. Classic brands such as Tricker’s, Spencer, Hunter, and Chapman are all stocked here so there’s no shortage of choice. Christoph Tophinke, the mastermind behind the whole affair, likes to keep things understated with his motto: “This isn’t fashion, it’s just things to wear”.

Whisky & Cigars

Cigars © Whisky & Cigars

As the Irish are wont to say: ‘What whisky will not cure there is no cure for’. It is rather fitting, then, that there are over 1000 types of whisky on offer at this unusual boutique alone. As well as stocking their many and numerous bottles, there’s also a wide range of cigars to puff away on, with tasting offers and the chance to enjoy rare varieties. Don’t expect your standard Scottish single malt at Whisky & Cigars; some unusual Japanese whiskies can be found, along with high-end ports and cognacs. While away an afternoon sampling the whiskies and learning about the extensive range of cigars from the knowledgeable staff. The shop is particularly well versed in cigars from Central America, with some rare finds for smoking connoisseurs.

Tell us a bit about what inspired you to start the Skyn ICELAND line?

I had some very serious health issues as a result of the stress in my life, and because I worked in beauty, I was very conscious of the terrible effect this had on my skin. I became very interested in the whole connection between stress and skin and eventually quit my corporate job as a VP at a leading cosmetic company and spent 1 1/2 years studying that connection with a team of doctors and experts. When I discovered that there were five main symptoms of stressed skin, I decided to create a skincare line that specifically addressed, alleviated, and treated those effects. I felt that not only could I help treat skin but could also use skincare as a tool to have a deeper conversation with women about holistic health.

If you could advise people to do three things to make their skin better, what would you say?

Stay out of the sun. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night (this is when the skin repairs itself). Use a performance-oriented, naturally based skincare line that works for your skin type (not irritating, not pore clogging, but one that will give you results). Also, a trip to the dermatologist is never a bad thing; the equation is good lifestyle habits, advanced skincare, and dermatological procedures in moderation.

Tell us a bit about the ingredients you use in the Skyn line?

We use pure and potent ingredients from Iceland and the arctic region  which are unique to our line; you won’t find these ingredients elsewhere. We also use cutting-edge science: in every product, you will find our proprietary complex which includes mineral-rich Icelandic glacial water, angelica archangelica (an Icelandic medicinal herb), arctic berries rich in Omega essential fatty acids, carotenoids and tocotrienols, arctic cloudberry and arctic cranberry, thyme extract, butterfly bush (a natural anti-inflammatory), and encapsulated oxygen (which helps give energy to the cells to help replenish, fortify and renew them).

Why Iceland?

It is pure, pristine, untouched and home to some of the most unique natural ingredients in the world. I call it my natural laboratory because you can literally pick ingredients from fields at the side of the road and eat them. Not only are the glacial waters special, as they’ve been proven to help heal all types of skin ailments (from psoriasis to eczema), but there is a short growing season in the Iceland that, combined with the volcanic soil, creates plants with hyper potency. Because stressed skin is damaged skin, I needed to find ingredients that could get to the root of the problem and heal and replenish skin while neutralizing the antioxidants we create when we are stressed. Our newest cream, Arctic Hydrating Balm, uses cryogenic technology that comes from the arctic which actually helps to repair skin, protect skin (as it protects plants from freezing in sub zero temperatures), and boost collagen production.

You’ve obviously travelled quite a bit. What are some tips on keeping your skin fresh on the road?

I always travel with my Glacial Cleansing Cloths, which are cloths that foam and deep clean without water! They enable you to detoxify your skin when you have that grimy travel feeling. I also always travel with my Arctic Face Mist, which delivers mineral waters directory into the skin and also has a multivitamin complex to energize and replenish stressed skin. I never leave home without eye gels for depuffing under the eyes (especially from air travel) and my Arctic Hydrating Balm to do double-duty infusing skin with intense hydration and anti-aging ingredients while soothing and calming. I also do a lot of steam showers when I travel to just purify the skin. A good daily work-out also keeps the blood flowing, bringing oxygen to the skin and toxins away.

On a personal note, what are some of your favourite cities to visit? Any restaurants or spas that you never miss?

There are SO many. . .I LOVE London and Paris. Of course Reykjavik is top on the list. And Barcelona is up there too. I lived in Paris for a while as a student so I have my favourite spots I never miss, like L’Avenue and Maison du Caviar. In London, I like Zuma and the Ivy. In Reykjavik, The Lobster House is a favourite, as is the Blue Lagoon Spa which is very special because of the natural thermal baths and the holistic and health-oriented slant to the spa.

One of my favourite spas is at the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo, which is so posh and luxurious. . .you can sit in the jacuzzi and gaze out at the whole city of Tokyo from a floor-to-ceiling window. I also love the spa at the Berkeley Hotel in London, which has an indoor pool with a roof that opens so that you can swim even in winter. I also LOVE San Francisco. I lived there for 5 years and go back whenever I can. There is a spa at the Hotel Vitale there that has this jet lag foot treatment that is the most hedonistic and revitalising treatment I’ve ever had. . .it’s totally de-stressing and is such a hidden secret. I literally dream about that treatment!

We’re of the firm opinion that by occasionally rising above the bustling streets and busy tourist attractions and devoting a portion of the day to a spell on a rooftop, cocktail in hand, you start to see a whole other side to the Eternal City – not to mention there’s the added bonus of uninterrupted sunning…

Much has been written about Rome’s ‘ever-changing light’, but, to see it in action, we recommend paying one (or all) of these rooftop bars a visit in order to sample the cocktails and champagne on offer – they both just seem to go so well with the views…

La Terrazza at the Hotel Eden

Whether you enjoy a cocktail under the glow of the Roman sun or beneath a blanket of stars, the 360-degree panoramas from La Terrazza at the Hotel Eden will not be forgotten easily. The view stretches from Villa Borghese to l’Altare della Patria, the Basilica of St. Peter and as far as the eye can see…

La Terrazza © Hotel Eden

The Roof Garden at the First Luxury Art Hotel

Instead of vying for space and photo opportunities amongst the hopeless romantics on the Spanish Steps, the Roof Garden atop the First Luxury Art Hotel offers spectacular views of this sight from above, as well as the Villa Medici and the Basilica of St. Peter. Whether you stay only for an aperitif or set down roots for an indulgent dinner, the one constant will be breathtaking views that you might find it hard to leave behind…

The Roof Garden © First Luxury Art Hotel

7^th Heaven at Aleph Hotel

Enjoy the sprawl of Rome’s distinctive rooftops with a cocktail in hand at what is not inappropriately named ‘7^th Heaven’ at Aleph Hotel, one of the slickest design hotels in the city. Sink back on white marshmallow chairs or grab a table under the large white awnings amidst the exotic flowers and orange, olive, palm and lemon trees, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

7th Heaven © Aleph Hotel

The Terrace at Raphael Hotel

Located just a few steps from the Piazza Navona, The Terrace at Raphael Hotel is spread out on multiple levels which makes for a truly panoramic view of the city. From St. Peters to the Castel Sant’Angelo, the Tiber, Palazzo del Quirinale and the Bramante Cloister – we think it would probably be easier to list what you can’t see while sipping champagne in the early evening light…

The Terrace © Raphael Hotel

Circus Restaurant at Hotel Forty Seven

As well as an enticing menu of homemade pasta and fresh fish, the views of Via Petroselli, stretching from the Aventine to the Capitol, are just as, if not more addictive. The Circus Restaurant atop the Hotel Forty Seven is always open, whether it be for lunch, dinner or an appetizer – but just a hint: the view is particularly spellbinding as the sun goes down…

Circus Restaurant © Hotel Forty Seven

Capo d’Africa

As a hotel it might seem a just a little out of the way for some, but that just depends where you want to be – as a roof terrace, which is dripping with jasmine and honeysuckle, the Capo d’Africa has some of the most atmospheric views of the Colosseum and the medieval church Santi Quattro Coronati – especially beautiful at night.

View of the Colosseum © Capo d’Africa

Words by Victoria Godden

Where are your favourite spots to enjoy a cocktail and the stunning views of Rome? Share your comments below…

We got together with chef Isaac McHale, a former member of the Young Turks and creator of the now legendary Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Pine Salt (pictured below), to get the inside track on The Clove Club, Britain’s natural larder and where in London he likes to remove the apron and enjoy dinner as a regular punter…

Isaac (centre) hard at work in the open kitchen © The Clove Club

How has your experience been, transforming Clove Club from a dinner club series to a brick-and-mortar restaurant?

It has been nerve-racking, exhilarating and stressful and amazing. Every day.

Would you ever go back to the pop-up format, or do you think it’s over and done with?

No, that was just a means to an end. We have a restaurant and we are here to stay.

The Trio: Isaac McHale, Daniel Willis and Johnny Smith © The Clove Club

When you started looking for a venue, were you aiming for a striking setting like the Shoreditch Town Hall?

We were looking all over, Dalston, where we live, to Soho, Clerkenwell, but we took one look at the town hall and fell in love with it.

Can you give us some background on the Young Turks Club? Is the group looking to revolutionise British cooking?

We didn’t want to revolutionise British cooking, just push ‘British food’ as cooked in restaurants in a different direction. We had all worked in Michelin starred kitchens, had good knowledge and technique, but wanted to do something slightly different to the French, fine dining-led food that was out there.

The Famous Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Pine Salt © The Clove Club

Why have you chosen to adopt the tasting menu format for Clove Club?

It’s a nice way to work, serving a few things that are at their absolute best in season right now. We also have a bar menu of a la carte sharing dishes, so you aren’t restricted to the long menu format.

After working at Noma, would you say your cooking’s been strongly influenced by New Nordic techniques?

I think I was very much influenced by the attitude there at Noma. Rene is very engaging, talking with staff and stagieres from all countries and genuinely interested in what you have to say. The approach to developing and moving forward and trying new things was very inspiring.

Inside the restaurant © The Clove Club

For someone who works with so much fresh and local produce, what do you think makes Britain’s natural larder so special?

We are an old country, with a rich heritage of amazing natural products and stories accompanying them. We have some of the best produce in the entire world right here. It’s just not appreciated as much as it should be.

When you’re cooking just for you, what’s your ultimate simple comfort food?

I love rice. Pilaf or biryani on a cold rainy night, is great one-pot comfort food.

Isaac McHale © The Clove Club

What’s the one current dining trend you’d like to see banished forever?

Endless burger places. I love a burger, but give it a rest please guys.

Which chef, active today, would you most like to work alongside?

Pierre Koffmann

When you’re not busy working away at The Clove Club, where do you go for great food in London?

Koya – my favourite place – and St John Bread and Wine, Keu sandwiches. QV and Bubbledogs too.