corliss group travel - travel tips - la graciosa, 2014 hotspots and the cotswolds

8/13/2019 Corliss Group Travel - Travel Tips - La Graciosa, 2014 Hotspots and the Cotswolds

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Corliss Group Travel: Travel Tips: La Graciosa, 2014 Hotspots and the

Cotswolds

The Canary Island that tourism forgot, Greece and Portugal set to be this year's star

destinations and Cotswolds villages.

Why go? A half-hour ferry hop from Lanzarote, this is the Canary isle that tourism forgot.

There's just one village, sleepy little Caleta del Sebo, with a smattering of whitewashed houses

and sandy lanes (there are no surfaced roads on the island) and in winter the glorious beaches,

volcanic peaks and dive sites are virtually empty.

What to doThere are no "sights" as such: people come here for the sunshine, silence and sense

of escape. Take a water taxi or Jeep to the white-sand beaches of Playa de las Conchas or Playa

de la Cocina among the most beautiful in the Canaries or explore Europe's largest marine

reserve on a dive trip (buceolagraciosa.es).

Where to stayThere are no hotelsjust a handful of private apartments and simple pensions.

Casa Rio in Caleta del Sebo is a bright, well-equipped two-bedroom apartment with sea viewsfrom the roof terrace (from 560 per week, graciosagetaways.com).

Where to eatCafe Mesn de La Tierra has the best views of the harbour and the menu del da

is great value at 7 (00 34 679 955 969). El Girasol (Calle la Popa 2) is the place to go for fresh

seafoodthe "vieja", or parrotfish, is a local speciality.

Insider tip Adrian Fisk, owner of Casa Rio, recommends taking a boat to Playa del Risco on

Lanzarotea long stretch of fine, golden sand that lies under the spectacular cliffs of Famara.

"The only access is by boat or walking down the cliffs," says Fisk, "and most days you will have

the beach to yourselves. Take a picnic and spend all day there. The old salt fields are great to

explore."
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jan/19/travel-tips-la-graciosa-canary-island-greece-portugal-cotswoldshttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jan/19/travel-tips-la-graciosa-canary-island-greece-portugal-cotswoldshttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jan/19/travel-tips-la-graciosa-canary-island-greece-portugal-cotswolds


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Hotspots for 2014: Portugal and Greece to be this year's top destinations

Having waded through the annual glut ofWhere's Hot for 2014lists, one could be forgiven for

assuming we'll all be spending our summer holidays cheering on England in Brazil or taking

advantage of Burma's more relaxed political situation to take a river boat cruise up the

Irrawaddy. A far better indication of where we'll actually be going on holiday this year comes

from a peek at the Post Office's annual Holiday Money report.

Based on a combination of factors including currency performance, new flights and cost of

living, the Post Office is predicting that the star short-haul holiday destinations in 2014 will be

Portugal prices in the Algarve have dropped by 18%, making it Europe's cheapest holiday

destination and Croatia, whose star continues to rise thanks to new low-cost flights,

investment in its hotels and the increasing popularity of its music festivals.

But the news I found most cheering was the remarkable recovery of Greece, after its "annus

horribilis" in 2012. My first proper experience of "abroad" was an island-hopping trip around

the Cyclades 25 years ago and I've had a soft spot for the place ever since.

The launch of British Airways' first direct flights from Heathrow to the islands of Santorini and

Mykonos in May (ba.com), and the introduction of a network of seaplanes connecting mainland

cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras with Crete, Santorini, Kos and Mylos in April

(hellenic-seaplanes.com) look set to further the country's comeback.
http://online.wsj.com/community/groups/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency-2120/topics/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agencyhttp://online.wsj.com/community/groups/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency-2120/topics/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agencyhttp://online.wsj.com/community/groups/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency-2120/topics/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agencyhttp://online.wsj.com/community/groups/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency-2120/topics/corliss-group-luxury-travel-agency


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For rolling hills and sleepy villages, head for... The Cotswolds

Westley Farm, near ChalfordThis collection of traditional stone holiday cottages on a working

hill farm represents great value in an area not exactly known for its choice of budget

accommodation. No fuss, no gimmicks, just simple country-style with flagstone floors,

woodburners and uplifting views across Gloucestershire's Golden Valley. Cottages sleep

between two and six. From 300 a week (westleyfarm.co.uk)

The Five Alls, Filkins, near LechladeThe food is the major draw at this 18th-century village pub.

The earthy but intriguing menu, best described as modern British with a nod to Italy, ensures

the cosy restaurant is packed with locals and guests on a Saturday night. Sleep it off in one of

the four snug bedrooms upstairs and try to leave room for the full English breakfast next

morning. Doubles from 90 (thefiveallsfilkins.co.uk)

The Porch House, Stow-on-the-WoldThis ancient Cotswold inn reopened last autumn after a

complete overhaul and early indications are that it's hitting all the right spots. Cosseting

bedrooms, a cosy low-beamed bar with roaring fires, a crowd-pleasing menu and a selection of

local ales - what more do you need for a romantic winter break? Standard doubles from 99

(porch-house.co.uk)

131 The Promenade, CheltenhamThis brand-new bolthole from the owners of the wonderful

Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach looks set to become the spa town's sexiest hangout. Expect a

strong emphasis on local, seasonal produce in the Crazy Eights restaurant and bar, while

upstairs 11 light-filled bedrooms have been kitted out with contemporary art, antique

furnishings and hi-tech gadgetry. From 170.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1060277http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1060277http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1060277

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