I was lucky enough to visit Lime Wood several years back for a friend’s wedding, when it was freshly painted and very newly reopened. Despite the falling snow and the seemingly uninviting weather that beset the New Forest that day, Lime Wood sparkled magically under the starlight. We danced the night away and fell into bed, bellies full of decadent food and far, far too much wine. (That was before I had a baby and gave no thought to hangovers, of course). Yesterday, the New Forest wasn’t looking much better. The horrendous gale force winds and rains that are smattering … Continued

Gabriel O’Rorke, our wonderful Santiago-based writer who contributed the Santiago, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro guides to kodomo.com, has now released a fabulous Santiago city guide and we couldn’t be prouder. And the best thing about it? Unlike traditional print guides that can date really quickly, her Santiago City Guide is being produced as an App. As Gabriel said, “The problem with print is that it can’t keep up with the pace of change in the world of travel. The main thing that spurred me on to write a guide was that my favourite part of Santiago – a … Continued

Germany’s Black Forest is high on my list of must-visit places. With its mountainous landscape and ethereal expanses it has long been noted to me by German friends as one of the country’s utmost beautiful spots. But, while the wooded areas may be notoriously gorgeous, that still doesn’t inspire me to camp; and now I’ve learnt about the Hotel Traube Tonbach, I can whisk Lola off with me and leave any thoughts of a tent firmly at home (not that I own one, admittedly). This five-star beauty has been a favourite in the area since the 1950s (though the building … Continued

I was lucky enough to enjoy a night at The Landmark hotel, London back in 2010 and, though it was a mere 24 hours (if that) that I languished in a gorgeous room, ate to my heart’s content in the hotel’s restaurant, 222, and relaxed in the hotel’s stunning spa, I’ve not forgotten a second of it since. That was before having a child, when I could strike 24 hours out of my life for a press visit without a thought for school runs, bed times and my own maternal need to see Lola everyday. So it was a joy … Continued

Tantalizing gourmet food, perfect powdery skiing and a heavenly spa you can enjoy with your kids? That is what I’ve recently been enjoying in Alta Badia snow paradise resort, which rises high at the heart of Italy’s pinkish Dolomites mountain range. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, I highly recommend the hotel Ciasa Salares for your accommodation, a beautiful 4-star property nestled close to the picturesque village of San Cassiano. The wood-floor rooms with panoramic terraces overlooking the snow-capped peaks are cosy, warm and ever so inviting. The spa is simply divine: after a day skiing, treat yourself to … Continued