LIVE the alpine dream in a national park, says writer Siobhan Ludlow.
The Yorkshire Dales is the perfect destination for great views and tranquility.
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Step back in time at Bolton Abbey; dig into The Devonshire Arms’ menuCredit: Getty Images/Collection Mix: SubSoak up views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park from the cosy Swiss Ski Station Pod at Catgill FarmCredit: Supplied by PR
You’ll find chic alpine decor at every turn at the Swiss Ski Station PodCredit: Supplied by PR
This beaut is decked out with cute alpine touches and comes complete with a ski-lift gondola to sip tipples and snuggle up in, a wood-fired hot tub and a three-in-one fire pit/barbecue/pizza oven.
Lap up more lush countryside vistas from the master bed, while kids will love the bunks.
From spring, Cat’s Kitchen serves up frothy cappuccinos, £3.50, and bacon butties, £5, alongside giant Jenga and Connect 4, and there are walks aplenty from the doorstep.
Don’t forget to pop by to pat the farm’s friendly alpacas, too.
EXPLORE
You’re only a 15-minute walk from the Bolton Abbey estate and majestic Priory ruins, which date back to the 12th century.
If you’re brave enough, take on the stepping stones across the River Wharfe, then follow the fun “welly walk” with its obstacles and balance beams.
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This beaut is decked out with cute alpine touches and comes complete with a ski-lift gondola to sip tipples and snuggle up inCredit: Supplied by PR
Travel back in time (which your tummies will thank you for) with a full English aboard a vintage steam train on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
Meanwhile, a five-minute walk from Catgill, Hesketh Farm Park is brilliant for little ones, with its giant sandpit, tractor rides and plenty of animals to pet and feed.
Tickets cost £8 for everyone over two and it reopens in spring (Heskethfarmpark.co.uk).
REFUEL
Reward yourselves for hikes with a mouth-watering côte de boeuf with triple-cooked chips, seasonal greens and red wine jus, £95 for two people, at The Devonshire Arms, just 15 minutes’ walk away (Thedevonshirearms.co.uk).
Meanwhile, Tea On The Green in Bolton Abbey village offers great coffee and traybakes, but the soup with a home-made cheese scone, £9, is an absolute winner (Teaonthegreen.org).
Dig into The Devonshire Arms’ menuCredit: The Devonshire Arms/ instagram
And don’t leave Yorkshire until you’ve been transported to ’50s America at nearby Billy Bob’s Parlour.
Kids will have a riot in the brilliant playgrounds, and you’ll all love its Round The Campfire fluffy pancakes, £10.25, topped with rocky road and Kansas toffee-crunch ice cream, toasted marshmallows, mallow fluff and shards of cinder toffee.
Oh, and not forgetting the dollop of hot fudge sauce, too (Billybobsparlour.com).
BOOK IT
Stays in the Swiss Ski Station Pod at Catgill Farm cost from £189.99 per night (Catgillfarm.co.uk).
BTW
Find 24 acres of woods, a rose garden and Love Brownies tea room at Parcevall Hall.
Blow away any hangovers with a walk on nearby Snettisham Beach in NorfolkCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoFfolkespa, at former coaching inn Ffolkes, is a vibe and a halfCredit: DANIELLA SELF
THE LOWDOWN
Set in the sleepy village of Hillingdon, Ffolkespa, at former coaching inn Ffolkes, is a vibe and a half.
Think bold splashes of colour, neon lights, disco balls and graffiti-decorated crazy golf.
The rooms are well equipped with super-king beds and a smart TV that swivels from bed to bath tubCredit: DANIELLA SELF
Aside from the super-king beds, a smart TV that swivels from bed to bath tub (which is big enough for two, btw), home-made shortbread cookies, a drench shower and Templespa toiletries, our fave thing was our room’s door straight into the spa, which gave us Narnia feels, too.
Talking of the spa, the giant hot tub complete with a bar made us feel like we were on our hols while sipping Revitalise smoothies of avocado, mango, spinach, broccoli, coconut, lime and ginger, £5.50, quickly followed by Hugo Spritzes, £10.
We were also big fans of the aroma steam room and the pre-steam salt scrubs, which left us with baby-soft skin for days.
Group sauna rituals featuring storytelling and scents hosted by a “sauna master” are quirky, £10 per person, and the “disco” toilets, where a smoke machine, flashing lights and loud tunes turn on at the press of a button are also very fun.
Most importantly, the My Kinda Skin facial, £80 for 45 minutes, left me glowing, and the afternoon street tea, £27.50 per person, is legendary, too, with cheeseburger sausage rolls, choc-chip scones, plus jalapeño and cheese scones with chilli butter.
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Street-food traders take over come evening – we tucked into outstanding (and huge) onion, potato and kale bhajis topped with yoghurt, tamarind and pomegranate, £8, and beef keema roti kebabs with masala fries and a dal dip, £16.50.
WHAT WE DIDN’T LOVE
Enjoy tea time vibes at FfolkesCredit: Supplied by PR
The coffee pod machines at breakfast were disappointing when all we craved was a proper barista hit.
What’s more, the poached eggs were made to order, but still a bit rubbery.
OUT & ABOUT
Snettisham Beach is a natural haven for an array of wading birdsCredit: Shutterstock / tony mills
Blow away any hangovers with a walk on nearby Snettisham Beach, which is a natural haven for an array of wading birds (Rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/snettisham).
Follow it up with a chip butty at Snettisham Beach Fish And Chip Shop, £2.70.
Or hand-feed the beautiful red deer on a safari among the herd of more than 60 at lush Snettisham Park.
There are plenty of farm animals to visit on the 329-acre site, too.
Norfolk Lavender in Heacham is equally close, with around 100 acres of peaceful gardens, not forgetting a cracking lavender sponge cake, £4.95 a slice (Norfolk-lavender.co.uk).
As is the historic town of King’s Lynn – follow its Maritime Trail from cobbled lanes to the Great Ouse river.
After working up an appetite, Mem’s Kitchen on Market Place serves delicious spinach and feta filo parcels, £7.95, and a super seafood casserole with calamari, mussels, king prawns, baby prawns and salmon, £20.95.
Sub-Editor Milcah Fajardo and her mates found a chic coastal hideout in the south west.
Hike the scenic coastal path from Ladram Bay to SidmouthCredit: Jeremy FlintThis stunning cottage is nestled in a five-star caravan parkCredit: supplied by PRSpend the night in one of the three nautical-style bedroomsCredit: M J Heritage
The Pad
This gorgeous chocolate-box cottage with clifftop ocean views and a hot tub in the garden is nestled in a five-star caravan park.
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The inside is styled with every wash of blue, while arch windows flood the space with natural light. Sink into the spacious living room, with its toasty wood-burner, before bedding down in the three nautical-style bedrooms.
Two waterfall showers, under-floor heating and Bramley toiletries also add to the home comforts.
Plus, the chippy is just a few strides away – tuck into scampi and chips, £9.25, and a gluggable curry sauce, £2.20 – while at Pebbles Restaurant, flavour-stacked buttermilk chicken burgers with bacon, cheese, hot honey and chips, £17.50, are served with panoramic sea views.
There’s entertainment galore on site, too, with an art studio, adventure golf, arcade and indoor pool. But the jewel is the private pebble beach with paddleboards to hire from £8.
Hike the scenic coastal path from Ladram Bay to Sidmouth. The incline is steep, but the view is worth it.
You’ll also spot Jacob’s Ladder — built in 1870, it’s a gorgeous pic-stop to take in the Jurassic Coast.
After just over an hour’s amble, you’ll reach Sidmouth town, with its striking red cliffs and cobbled, bunting-lined high street.
Seek out beach kiosk Kapes for a sweet reward of soft serve dipped in chocolate, from £3.50, or a silky cappuccino, £3.50 (Kapes.uk), as well as Things I Like for locally made souvenirs (Thingsilike.uk).
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After more of a thrill? Book circuits at Raceworld Indoor Karting, 20 minutes’ drive away. Experiences cost from £39.50 per person (Raceworld-karting.co.uk).
Refuel
For fresh seafood, Myca’s is just the plaice! Fried whitebait, £9, is a must, as are the spicy Devon crab tacos, £22, and massive moules marinière, £23 (Mycassidmouth.co.uk).
At nearby gastro-pub The Anchor Inn, you’ll be charmed by the friendly bar staff, local pints and mouth-watering specials, including slow-braised curried lamb shank with pilau rice, £19.95 (Theanchorinn-sidmouth.co.uk).
Over in Otterton village, The King’s Arms is home to a suntrap garden. Pair a Scrabble contest with the confit pork belly and roast trimmings, £14 – it’s what Sundays are made for (Kingsarmsotterton.co.uk).
Don’t Miss
There’s more than just local produce at Greendale Farm Shop. You can’t miss the zoo, with everything from donkeys and pigs to emus and alpacas, before filling up on fresh milkshakes and gelato, from £1.70, at The Udder Stuff shack (Greendale.com).
BOOK IT
Stays at Ladram Cottage, sleeping up to six people, cost from £274 per night (Ladrambay.co.uk).
The Bradley Hare, Wiltshire
Fashion Stylist Emily Regan and boyfriend Harry escaped to a rural foodie paradise.
Stourhead House is a must-visit with incredible landscaped groundsCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoSee the mischievous monkeys at Longleat Safari ParkCredit: Getty Images/iStockphotoAt dinner, softly lit nooks offer romance aplentyCredit: River House Frome/ Instagram
The Pad
Set in the charming village of Maiden Bradley, you’ll find a picture-perfect crackling fire, armchairs to curl up in and oodles of old-school character at this 19th-century coaching inn.
Rooms have antique furniture and beautifully tiled bathrooms, most with rain showers.
At dinner, softly lit nooks offer romance aplenty. We savoured grilled monkfish, £25, with heritage carrots, £5, and you can’t go wrong with signature tipple Hare On The Rocks – a mix of grapefruit liqueur, rosso, Campari and prosecco, £14.
After seasonal fruits and pastries, the full English won’t disappoint come morning either.
Explore
For a dose of history and incredible landscaped grounds, Stourhead House is a must-visit, just 10 minutes’ drive away.
Take the Behind Closed Doors Tour for a glimpse into the estate’s rich heritage. Entry costs £22 for non-members (National-trust.org.uk).
Equally close is Longleat Safari Park, which boasts a plethora of animals and mischievous monkeys in the drive-through experience. Entry costs £44.95 per adult (Longleat.co.uk).
Meanwhile, celeb fave Frome lies 15 minutes’ drive away, with its medieval shopping streets filled with independents, such as vintage toy shop Honey On The Hill (Honeyonthehill.co.uk).
There’s also a brilliant market on Saturdays selling foodie treats and gorgeous gifts.
Refuel
While away an evening at The Beckford Arms, 20 minutes’ drive away.
Start with mulled wine, £5, in the oak bar before tucking into creamy cauliflower soup, £8.50, and the succulent Beckford burger with bacon and cheese, £16.50 (Beckfordarms.com).
While in Frome, seek out cute cafe The River House for caramel iced lattes, £5, and coffee and walnut muffins, £4 (Riverhousefrome.co.uk).
Later, dig into al dente fazzoletti with rich beef shin ragu, £14, at Little Walcot (Littlewalcot.com). Bellissimo!
Don’t Miss
Lilley’s Cider Shop has 33 unique flavours, all crafted locally. Sampling is encouraged and the refreshing mango cider, £3 per bottle, gets our vote (Lilleyscider.co.uk).
A very giftable getaway
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley made a pit stop at Escapade Silverstone, Northamptonshire.
Catherine Bennion-Pedley takes in the view trackside at Escapade SilverstoneCredit: Supplied by Catherine Bennion-PedleyHit the super-chic 15m swimming poolCredit: Supplied by PREnjoy panoramic views of the action at Escapade’s eatery The GalleryCredit: Supplied by PR
I’ve never dreamed of waking up beside the iconic Silverstone racetrack, but this chic collection of private residences – which sleep between two and eight – is pretty damn cool.
And both my husband Andy and four-year-old Raffy think all their Christmases have come at once when we arrive.
There’s a James Bond feel to the exterior, and with burnt-orange and olive-green soft furnishings, brass accessories and matte-black bathroom fittings, the style vibes continue inside, too.
If you pick a trackside pad and stay over a racing weekend, you can even watch drivers tackling Maggots and Becketts corners from your balcony, before you hit the super-chic, 15m swimming pool and Finnish sauna (the latter also serves up track views).
You’ll find eye-catching modern art – think diamanté-studded helmets and enormous animal sculptures made from engine parts at every turn – and more panoramic views of the action at Escapade’s eatery The Gallery, where dishes such as yellowfin tuna steak with kimchi slaw, chimichurri and sweet potato fries, £36, hit the spot.
A Barrel-Side cocktail of scotch, angostura bitters, demerara sugar and orange oil, £17, also slips down nicely, while the kids’ breaded salmon, veg and chips, £12, and fruit salad with peach sorbet, £5, gets a thumbs-up, too.
And as you’ll have smashed the present-giving for the petrolheads in your life, gift yourself the divine honey-baked French toast with bacon, berries, oat crumble and chantilly, £13, for brekkie the next morning.
MOVE over, New York! Chicago will win your heart (and stomach), says writer Qin Xie.
“Is this place famous or something?” I overhear someone ask as our camera-wielding tour group files into Mr Beef.
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Move over New York… Chicago will win over your heartCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoMural mania in Wicker ParkCredit: Shutterstock / WhiteBlush
The low-key Chicago sandwich shop is a cult favourite, serving wafer-thin slices of roast beef in gravy-dipped bread since 1979.
But thanks to TV show The Bear, which is inspired by the eatery, its popularity has sky-rocketed and now fans are flocking here on food tours.
At £96 plus tips, the half-day bus tour is a pricey day out – but as I bite into my flavour bomb of a sandwich, there’s nowhere I’d rather be (Chicagofoodtours.com).
Pizza the action
I’ve visited Chicago a few times and I always book a food tour, because the city is home to some of the best restaurants in the US.
First-timers should try the gut-busting Original Chicago Pizza Tour, £66 for a half-day, where the classic deep dish is the star (Chicagopizzatours.com), though the fabulous half-day tacos and tequila tour in Pilsen, the city’s Mexican neighbourhood, is better for making friends.
Twinning is winning at chic L7 Chicago By LotteCredit: Supplied by PR
I met a local improv comedian on mine and ended up going to his show.
Fantastic food aside, I love checking out the artworks scattered around Millennium Park, free fireworks displays at Navy Pier every Wednesday and Saturday night, plus quirky attractions like the Museum of Ice Cream, where you can try the hot-dog flavour!
It’s certainly an experience, but the strawberry cheesecake flavour is so much better.
On gloriously sunny days, it’s utter bliss to cycle along the Lakefront Trail next to Lake Michigan, stopping to flop out at the sandy beaches beside the city skyline.
I use bike-share scheme Divvy – there are bikes everywhere and they cost just £13 a day (Divvybikes.com).
The Museum of Ice Cream’s ‘hot dog’Credit: Supplied by Qin Xie
The best place to refuel is Whispers at Oak Street Beach, right on the sand, although an iced coffee here will set you back close to £7 (Whispersgroup.com).
I’m staying at L7 Chicago By Lotte, a hotel in the heart of the city with rooms that come with yoga mats and free weights (Lottehotel.com).
It’s steps away from Chicago Riverwalk, the waterside footpath where the locals hang out, and it’s here that I join Urban Kayaks for a paddle past towering skyscrapers as a guide shares stories about the architecture.
Exploring the neighbourhoods, like leafy Lincoln Park with its free zoo, or trendy Wicker Park and Bucktown, which are packed with cool street art and edgy boutiques.
It’s why I can’t get enough of this city – each of its 77 neighbourhoods feels like somewhere new.
Qin joined Urban Kayaks for a paddle past towering skyscrapersCredit: Supplied by Qin Xie
FYI
A five-night trip with return flights, a room at L7 Chicago By Lotte and selected tours costs from £1,575 per person (Audley travel.com).
From gorgeous Getxo to the City of Love, you won’t want to come home from these mint mini-breaks
Find foodie heaven near BilbaoCredit: Supplied by PR
SPAIN – Palacio Arriluce Hotel, Getxo
Commissioning Editor Martha Cliff and fiancée Lauren found foodie heaven near Bilbao.
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THE PAD
Check in and zone out at the Palacio Arriluce
Perched on a striking cliffside overlooking the Bay of Abra in Getxo and with a beauty of an outdoor pool, this 18th-century boutique gem sits in a palatial setting and offers the perfect blend of historical charm and contemporary elegance.
Craving vistas of the rolling Basque mountains? You’ve got it. Want to gaze at boats bobbing in the harbour? No problem. A city view more your vibe? It’s got that, too.
Be sure to eat breakfast – think other-worldly Spanish tortilla and Iberico ham – on the terrace to take full advantage.
Meanwhile, come dinner at Delaunay, try local specialities such as grilled kokotxas (hake chin) on stewed spider crab, £35, and Iberian pork shoulder with passionfruit, £31.
Make sure you’re there on a Thursday to join locals in Getxo for “pintxo pote”, a foodie’s dream bar crawl and Basque country tradition.
Restaurante Ixta Bide offers four pintxos (small savoury snacks) – our fave was pintxo de txaka, akin to a mini crab sandwich – and two vinos for a mere £9.
Just don’t expect to bag a seat! Wind your way up the steps of Algorta to reach Arrantzale and finish on its perfectly salted pork belly (Arrantzale.com).
While day-tripping, step into one of Bilbao’s oldest bars, Café Iruña, just a hop from Arbando metro station.
Dating back to 1903, the beautiful tiling is reason enough to visit, but coffee for just £1.75, is a big pull, too.
Or opt for a glass of the local txakoli white wine, £2.70, instead (Cafeirunabilbao.com).
DON’T MISS
The works inside Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum are, of course, breathtaking, but the building itself and its surrounding sculptures – including Puppy, a massive dog made of flowers by American artist Jeff Koons – are worth the trip alone.
Fly to Bilbao from London Gatwick and Heathrow with Vueling from £56 return (Vueling.com).
FRANCE – Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris
Creative Director Mark Hayman and wife Margaret fell for cocktails and culture in the French capital.
Fall for cocktails and culture in the French capitalCredit: Getty Images
THE PAD
Rest easy at Hôtel Dame des ArtsCredit: LUDOVIC BALAY
This sleek bolt-hole in the city’s Latin Quarter has shaken off its Holiday Inn past to channel full Hollywood glamour.
Think rich woods, bamboo accents and pretty palms, with rooms that feel like film sets, thanks to glass dividers, velvet finishes and luxe bathrooms made for long soaks.
Downstairs, Pimpan serves up bold Franco-Mexican fusions on a leafy terrace – highlights include beef tartare with piquillos, £12.50, lamb shoulder with harissa, £25, and hibiscus-poached pear, £11.
But the real scene-stealer is the rooftop bar, where 360-degree skyline views stretch from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré Cœur – even locals come here for the vistas.
Order a Spritz del Arte (Aperol, mango liqueur, rum and prosecco), £17, or the punchy Uno Mas margarita, £14, pop on your biggest sunglasses and watch the city turn blush at sunset.
There’s also a sauna and a gym kitted out with sculptural wooden equipment for those partial to a designer workout.
EXPLORE
Explore the history of Notre-DameCredit: Getty Images
First time in Paris? Glide down the Seine aboard the Batobus – this hop-on-hop-off riverboat is a relaxing (and photogenic) way to tick off major sights like the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre.
For more treasure-hunting, swing by the flea market off Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine – a weekend haven of vintage mirrors, mid-century ceramics and nostalgic postcards.
There’s no entry fee, just bring cash and your best haggling game.
Then head to the Panthéon, a neoclassical gem where Voltaire, Rousseau and Marie Curie lie in dramatic crypts beneath a rooftop dome offering jaw-dropping views.
Lively, retro-chic Brasserie Dubillot’s espresso martinis, £10.50, are a must, but equally good is the sausage and mash with truffle sauce, £16, steak-frites, £21, and the perfect crème brûlée, £8 (Lanouvellegarde.com/brasserie-dubillot).
Craving something casual? PNY serves next-level burgers with aged beef, brioche buns and toppings like smoked cheddar and pickled jalapeños, from £11.50 (Pnyburger.com).
Or just nab a pavement perch at Café Saint-André for a croque monsieur, £10.50, a glass of sancerre, £7, and some world-class people-watching.
Double rooms at Hôtel Dame des Arts cost from £226 per night (Damedesarts.com).
Psst…
Fancy something a little more party? Rixos Premium Dubai JBR sits in one of the UAE city’s buzziest neighbourhoods, with captivating views of Ain Dubai, the world’s biggest ferris wheel.
Suave rooms come with huge tubs, rain showers and espresso machines, from £304 per night (Rixos.com).
Rixos Premium Dubai JBR sits in one of the UAE city’s buzziest neighbourhoodsCredit: SuppliedThe suave rooms have captivating views of Ain Dubai, the world’s biggest ferris wheelCredit: SuppliedHead to Aussie beach club Byron Bathers for great foodCredit: Byron Bathers Club/Instagram
Downstairs is Azure Beach Club with its large pool, pumping soundtrack, outdoor gym and private beach (Azure-beach.com/dubai).
The breakfast buffet is, in true Dubai style, eye-poppingly big – you can even blend your own fresh peanut butter.
Plus, you’re half an hour’s cab ride from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for that classic Dubai selfie – viewing platform visits cost from £37 per person (Burjkhalifa.ae).
When you’re craving a chilled day, head to Aussie beach club Byron Bathers for lobster linguine, £37, and burrata pizza, £17, with excellent Whitsunday spritzes – an exquisite blend of grapefruit bitters, strawberry shrub, pink grapefruit, citrus vodka, Aperol and prosecco, £14 (Byronbathers.com).
