Travel at a Slower Pace on an Epic Walking Tour
Aimed more at the seasoned walker than the avid trekker, Wild Frontiers’ walking trips take in some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery. Albania is a country Wild Frontiers has long admired and the company’s two walking tours – one taking in the beauty of the mountainous north and the other the coastal trails of the south – have been popular for a while now, and in fact bookings for 2023 are up 75% on 2022. The country’s charms are starting to receive wider attention. The Walking in Northern Albania – Into The Accursed Mountains is an 8 day adventure. Extending across vistas liberally scattered with deep river valleys, alpine lakes and national parks, the towering limestone gorges of the Accursed Mountains, or Albanian Alps, provide the perfect backdrop to one of Europe’s last great adventures. After soaking up the past in the historic town of Shkodër, the gateway to the north, our journey takes us from the breath-taking expanse of Lake Koman deep into the heart of the Valbonë Valley, also known as the ‘Miracle of the Alps’. From here, guests will follow remote highland trails which take them through quaint mountain villages and over the imposing Bori and Valbonë passes, passing through some of the country’s most precious and unspoilt landscapes, including Theth National Park. This is an incredible adventure encompassing epic scenery, stunning walks and an insight into a traditional but dying way of life.
Enjoy a Luxurious Wellness Themed Break
This luxury villa to rent in Tuscany, sits on a beautiful hillside estate, surrounded by olive groves, just 20 minutes from the Maremma coast. Set in 80 hectares of beautiful grounds, ancient vineyards, olive groves and woodland, the luxury holiday villa rental benefits from wonderful sea views to the islands of Giglio and Montecristo in the distance. This villa is great for a digital detox and for those looking for more alternative methods to wellness, the villa offers guests the opportunity to stamp on grapes in the vineyard. The property also has private stables, with horses available for exploring the Maremma in the traditional way, on horseback. The walled hamlet of Magliano in Toscana dates back to Etruscan times, and its historical centre has buildings of architectural and historical interest, as well as restaurants specialising in local delicacies. The region is known for its fish soups, game and wild boar dishes, as well as its cold-pressed olive oil, wines, cheeses and truffles.
The Herdade da Comporta luxury villa to rent in Comporta can only be described as a holiday paradise! Situated on a five acre estate in a secluded area nestled on the sand dunes, this charming holiday rental in Portugal is just 100m from the beach and the sea, offering the perfect setting for a morning or evening ride. The property has been designed by a renowned interior designer to create a lovely aura of serenity and understated luxury, and features six separate bungalows with seven bedrooms which can comfortably accommodate 12-14 guests in total. The six bungalows are linked by paths through beautifully designed gardens, with white sand and sand dune vegetation as well as lavender and rosemary. Guests staying at this luxury villa rental will enjoy utmost privacy and their own private beach! In addition, guests of this villa have access to a beautiful secluded yoga cabana – it is very private and great for wellness.
Coorie package at Glenapp Castle
‘Coorie’ is a Scottish word traditionally meaning ‘to snuggle’ or ‘cuddle’, and where better to ‘Coorie’ than in the cosy surroundings of Glenapp Castle. The luxury, award-winning five star hotel in Ayrshire, Scotland, provides an intimate level of service with genuine attention to detail. A 21-bedroom luxurious Pride of Britain and Relais & Chateaux hotel where guests can find themselves getting lost within the castle’s 110 acres of private estate and local woodland or escaping to the majestic Scottish countryside for long romantic walks and beautiful views of Ailsa Craig and Northern Ireland. It has great beauty in its period furnishings and interiors as well as through the breathtaking gardens, woodland, and the seascapes that surround that castle.
The ‘Coorie In’ at Glenapp Castle offers a space to relax in, accompanied with gourmet dinner with wonderful wines and specially selected whiskeys for two nights accommodation in the magnificent bedroom suites. This special includes a specially selected whiskey nightcap, a Coorie book, ‘The Art of Coorie’, and a beautiful Connock Coorie candle. A private stargazing experience within the grounds is also available for guests to book with the chance to spot the mesmerising display of the Northern Lights!
Enjoy an Indulgent Spa Break
Dolce Sitges’s wellness sanctuary, the Dolce Vital Spa, draws its inspiration from the sea to present an experience of total calm and was conceived to nourish the body, the mind and the spirit. With 7 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, steam room, ice fountain and a renovated gym equipped with the latest Technogym technology, the wellness area is the perfect place to be immersed in peace, with magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea.
With 300 days of sunshine a year and spectacular views of the sea and the town of Sitges, Dolce Sitges is a true oasis of Mediterranean luxury. The surrounding seascapes provide beautiful shades of blue turquoise that inspire the textures of each of the 263 rooms and suites, as well as its exclusive restaurants and designer bars, where guests can savour the essence of the Mediterranean through a tribute to local, seasonal produce.
La Sultana Marrakech
Located in the heart of the historical medina, La Sultana Marrakech is one of the most beautiful hotels in Marrakech, possibly the world. An oasis of calm, away from the bustle of the kasbah, La Sultana Marrakech comprises five separate riads cleverly blended to create a home-from-home in the city. There are 28 bedrooms and suites, each with their own individual style and showcase of Moroccan craftsmanship, a heated swimming pool surrounded by palm, banana and sica trees, two restaurants that showcase a tantalising discovery of Morocco’s culinary heritage and outstanding local produce, and a spa with individual hammams, treatment rooms and lounges. The breath-taking rooftop terrace has 360 degree views of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.
The Spa at La Sultana Marrakech is a stunning space hosted in a pink marble setting somewhere between a Roman spa and immersion in a dreamlike Orient. At La Sultana, natural cosmetics illustrate a philosophy rooted in simplicity and authenticity. The traditions of the hammam and massages, plants and essential oils, treatments inspired by the legacy of the Mediterranean, offer a unique concentrate of preventive healthcare and natural benefits. Their hammam takes place in a private area and can be done alone or in couples.
Immerse Yourself in Nature
Masseria Pistola is a magnificent and stylish ten-bedroom family home and estate that sits in a prominent position offering stunning views of the beautiful Canale Di Pirro Valley in Puglia, Italy. The property is the brainchild of entrepreneur and owner Constant Tedder, who lovingly renovated the property with the help of James Thurstan Waterworth, ex-European Design Director for Soho House; Puglian based English architect, Anthony Filmer; and local architect, Andrea Rodio.
Hidden within a 30-hectare estate and surrounded by stunning gardens, Masseria Pistola mixes the spirit of its past whilst adding the odd contemporary twist to bring it to life. What makes Masseria Pistola so special is the four hectares of private gardens that surround the house in every direction. The Mediterranean aromatic plants populate the private walled gardens of the Masseria, creating wonderful spaces to walk and enjoy. For those wanting to explore or exercise, Masseria Pistola benefits from being close to the Ciclovia, a 50 km stretch of bicycle pathways that winds through the Valle D’Itria. Constant takes a keen interest and works closely with the team to ensure this is an all-year-round garden. Masseria Pistola nestles privately but is also accessible to the Giardini Pistola, which provides a further five hectares of glorious gardens. The gardens were designed by Chelsea designers Lulu Urquhart & Adam Hunt, who won a gold medal for ‘A Rewilding Britain Landscape’ at the Chelsea Flower Show 2022. Rewilding the estate is paramount to Constant Tedder, and he has been repopulating the gardens with ladybirds and bees. Puglia remains largely an undiscovered gem. With the introduction of Masseria Pistola, there is now the perfect place to stay whilst exploring this beautiful part of the world.
Try a Home Spa Treatment
The Bradley Hare, situated in the beautiful village of Maiden Bradley in southwest Wiltshire, is located on the Duke of Somerset’s Estate and has twelve homely and unique bedrooms, seven in the main house and a further five in the Coach House. Those looking for a little peace and quiet can take a short stroll to the Potting Shed, a private and secluded boutique beauty studio hidden within the grounds of Bradley Park. The Potting Shed offers guests of The Bradley Hare vegan and organic beauty treatments as well as holistic therapies in picturesque walled garden surroundings.