Villa living

Take the vibe and facilities of a luxury hotel, add even more space, privacy, flexibility and that imitable feeling of being at home (albeit an unspeakably glamorous one) and you have a villa.

Still scratching your head as to whether to check into a hotel room or opt for a villa? Don’t. Here Best in Travel extols the virtues of villa living…

Ultimate privacy
Villas offer a space of your own where you can live the life that you want -– whether that means playing your music at midnight or basking in the sun in your birthday suit – without worrying about upsetting the guests next door.

Live like a VIP
Hotel villa guests are truly treated like VIPs. Anyone staying in a villa can look forward to complimentary airport transfers and to being checked in by their own private concierge.

A personalised experience
What makes staying in a villa sublimely satisfying is that you get to dictate the pace and mood. Breakfast at midday? No problem. A private chef can prepare a spread fit for a king, in your villa kitchen.
When you stay in a villa, there is no itinerary. Any given day is purely spontaneous.

Feels like home
Let’s face facts: even five star hotel rooms are little more than somewhere to sleep and have a shower at the end of the day. Not so with a villa where, chances are, you’ll want to hole up for a large chunk of your holiday.  You can choose as many rooms as you like – ideal if you are holidaying in a group – whose interiors are filled with bespoke furniture.

Pool party
Stay in traditional hotel accommodation and you can be pretty sure you’re going to have to share the pool with the other guests, even if you get up at 6am (and who wants to do that when on their hols?) The same applies for the gym, sauna, steam room… you get the gist. Book a villa and you’ll have all of the aforementioned to yourself.

Family friendly
Travelling with children isn’t exactly a walk in the park but you can make it more manageable by renting a hotel villa – most of which boast their own private gardens, for ankle biters to play in.

Location, location, location
Hotel villas are located in prime spots and usually abut the beach, the ocean or lakes providing sweeping panoramic views. You’ll want to ready your Instagram filter…

A helping hand
If you really want to unwind you’re in luck, for many hotel villas come with their own private butler ready to attend and cater to your every whim.
Private butlers will unpack your luggage, press your clothes ahead of your dinner reservation and help secure theatre tickets and spa appointments. Bottom line? Private butlers can make you feel truly cosseted.

 

 

 

Four of the best private villas

Whether it’s the desire for privacy, peace, or a pool of your own, there are plenty of reasons to choose a villa holiday. If you're looking for luxury to rival what's on offer at the best hotels with the services that go along with that try one of the following four private villas…

Villa iZulu @ Thanda Safari, South Africa
Situated amidst lush green lawns and surrounded by expanses of wild African bush - yet protected from wild animals by a fence – the Villa features separate accommodation for child-minders and/or VIP security officers, as well as a private helicopter landing pad.
Accommodation consists of five suites – which can sleep a total of 10 guests – each with its own private viewing deck and luxurious bathroom. The standout however, is the master bedroom which features an outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the Villa's private waterhole.
The shared main areas include a magnificent Afro-chic inspired dining room and spacious lounge, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a traditional Villa boma and bonfire area, verandas and terraces, a games room, a private business area, an outdoor gym, a heated swimming pool (with kiddie pool), a wine cellar and a vast viewing deck overlooking the waterhole.
Checking in is easy. Checking out is the hard part…
www.thanda.com/en-gb/rooms/villa-izulu

Mantis Owners Collection
Mantis Owners Collection is the newest addition to Mantis, joining the well-established Mantis Collection and Mantis eXtreme portfolios.
All of the handpicked fully staffed and exclusive use properties in the Mantis Owners luxury villa portfolio, represent the finest examples of their kind and celebrate the culture, gastronomy, architecture and nature of the locations in which they are found. For the full low-down, visit www.mantisownerscollection.com/properties

Villa Sheherezade, Dubrovnik
A dazzling, domed, white-stone palace commanding thrilling sea views, Villa Sheherezade is one of the most exclusive addresses on the Croatian Adriatic.
Featuring its own pier, beach and an intriguing history, this is genuinely the ultimate Mediterranean luxury retreat.
Perched on a peaceful clifftop, overlooking the Adriatic at the southeast end of the Dalmatian coast, Villa Sheherezade directly faces both the picture-perfect paradise island of Lokrum and Dubrovnik’s famous fortress walls, which are easy to walk to.
In fact, sun-blessed cinematic views greet guests everywhere: the villa is surrounded by 4,000sq m of original white-stone terraces – two of them on the roof. Very popular among our guests, a third has been transformed into a large, secluded outdoor pool with a platform whirlpool next to it.
www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com/en/villa-sheherezade

Conte Marino Villas
Located at the edge of Kontomari village , the awarded Conte Marino Villas – three exclusively built independent masterpieces designed by visionary architects Aristomenis & George Varoudakis – offer luxurious accommodation with a private pool surrounded by a natural, unspoilt setting.
The three two-storey villas can house up to 6 guests as they feature three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Each has its own private shimmering swimming pool and garden space providing the perfect setting in which to relax and unwind under the sun.
A personal chef can prepare meals – including traditional Cretan dishes – upon request in the high-tech kitchen using produce from the organic garden.
www.contemarinovillas.com

The luxury list

Best in Travel brings you the most wanted luxury pieces and places worth splurging on

 

Sail away
In search of an exciting new, holiday experience? Why not consider chartering a yacht which involves hiring a sailing or motoring boat and travelling from one idyllic island to another.
What makes this type of vacation (often referred to as a ‘term charter’) so satisfying is that, on a charter yacht,  you get to dictate the pace and mood as the only people present on your yacht are those that you have personally invited.
Tempted by a Crewed Yacht Charter? It’s time to choose your ship for the décor is different on each and every boat. Take the famous sailing catamaran, Zahora, by Sunreef Yachts Charter (the world’s largest yacht charter agency). The ship is a marriage of modern and classic interior design, incorporating as it does American walnut and Anegre wood. Meanwhile Zahora’s Sunreef sibling, SEAZEN is Japanese in style meaning that minimalism reigns.

Decor differences aside, most yachts come equipped with a Jacuzzi or two, a media room, state of the art gym, spacious deck area and private (and roomy) cabins.
Cabin facilities have also been carefully considered and amenities include iPod docking stations, flat screen TVs, DVD players that enhance the entertainment system, satellite phone, on board internet and music and DVD libraries to cosset guests in true luxury.

Most yachts are also kitted out with water toys (windsurfers, water-ski, jet skis, scuba diving apparel et al) for your entertainment and some even offer state of the art gyms alongside full blown spas and salons.
Ready to set sail?

www.sunreef-charter.com/

The notebook
We may be living in a digital age but nothing beats writing or receiving a hand written letter on beautiful paper. Luxury stationer, Smythson, has a superior selection.
Rooted in deep heritage, the luxury British brand has long catered to the highly discerning, from European Royalty and the Indian Maharajas to the likes of Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert and Vivien Leigh. Influential figures, leading extraordinary lives, from Sigmund Freud to Sir Winston Churchill, have all recognised the timeless purity of Smythson’s creations.

www.smythson.com

Introducing the Autonomous tent
Fans of the great outdoors will want to get their hands on the Autonomous tent –  a stunning semi-permanent structure designed by star-chitects such as Patricia DiMario and Harry Gesner (whose famous Cooper Wave House design inspired the Sydney Opera House.)

The exquisitely designed yet sustainable solar powered tent an be enjoyed anywhere, all year round without destroying the world’s delicate ecosystems - provided that Sybarites are prepared to splash out US$100,000 for the smaller, 700-square-foot Cocoon version and US$200,000 for the 1,000-square-foot Tipi. 

All told, if you’re looking to get in touch with nature without sacrificing creature comforts, then the autonomous tent could be the way to go…

www.autonomoustent.com

Make a splash
Transform your backyard from drab to fab with a custom built swimming pool.
With a custom pool, you are given carte blanche meaning you can kiss goodbye to standard square shapes, regular rectangular ones and other cookie cutter pools and say hello to something altogether more special. Being tailored to your taste, custom pools can be as artistically designed, technologically advanced and luxurious as your heart desires. 

“A well thought out pool should pop visually as well as functionally. People often spend more time looking at their pools than swimming in them, so you want something that is really pleasing to the eye,” reveals Brian Van Bowyer of Aquatic Consultants – one of the industry’s most coveted consultants.

Creating a custom built pool requires careful planning and plenty of patience (once a planning permit has been obtained, it typically takes three to four months for the pool to be built), but the end result is well worth it. A custom built pool is so much more than a place for recreational activity:  it’s an extraordinary showpiece that multiplies the value of your home and magnifies the beauty. Time then, to take the plunge…

www.aquaticconsultantsinc.com

Crazy for Karim Rashid
Karim Rashid is arguably Canada’s most successful and prolific designer. However unlike most top draw designers, Rashid has not made his name designing expensive furniture, but by designing every day objects of consumer desire. Indeed his Big Apple based design practice, Karim Rashid Inc, has produced products ranging from perfume packaging to wine glasses, board games, cheese boards, coat racks, couches and everything in between for clients as diverse as Alessi, Audi, Prada, Proctor & Gamble, Kenzo and Yahoo. 

The Canadian – by way of Cairo –  designer admits to being on a one man mission to make the banal more beautiful so that we all learn to love objects the way we love clothes.

Rashid has also turned his attention to architecture: Kurve restaurant in New York, Philadelphia’s Morimoto restaurant, the Majik Café in Belgrade, Brighton’s boutique My Hotel and the award winning Athens property, Seramis, are all Karim’s creations.

His  designs are in the permanent collection of 15 major museums around the world including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Centre Pompidou in Paris no less, while he has exhibited at prestigious institutions like London’s Design Museum as well at the Museum of Modern Art in New York – all of which makes for a none too shabby resume. 

http://karimrashid.com/

 

Whisky wonder
Whisky lovers will want to get their hands on The Glenlivet Winchester Vintage 1966 – one of the most sought after and exquisite whisky collections in the world and the pinnacle of the Glenlivet range.
The series of rarefied 50 year-old single malt whiskies have been crafted over generations, matured over decades and hidden within the walls of the Glenlivet distillery. With only 100 bottles of this rare and precious liquid in existence across the globe, the historic Scotch is priced at £20,000 

www.theglenlivet.com

 

 

Shop to it

Searching for a knock out outfit for the British summer social season – read the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon et al?
Perhaps it’s time to seek professional fashion assistance. After all, we have relied on interior designers to help create a home environment that reflects our individual style, so why not turn to professionals to pull together a wearable wardrobe – just as we do when planning our homes and holidays?
Men would do well to consult the dapper Daniel Johnson (www.daniel-johnson.com) – who starred in the BBC documentary The Millionaire’s Gift Guide. Meanwhile women should look to Laura Fantacci and Petronella Stofberg (www.wardrobeicons.com), two British former fashion editors whose services include home wardrobe consultations, personal stylish and shopping trips. www.wardrobeicons.com
ww.daniel-johnson.com

 

 

Going glamping

Escaping city life doesn’t mean having to sacrifice comfort. Just ask the makers of the Autonomous tent   a stunning semi-permanent structure designed by star-chitects such as Patricia DiMario and Harry Gesner (whose famous Cooper Wave House design, inspired the Sydney Opera House) that can be enjoyed anywhere, all year round without destroying the world’s delicate ecosystems.

The tent provides over 500 sq. ft of indoor living space, a king size bed, a gas fireplace and leather lounging chair, luxurious cotton linens and comforter. It also boasts an en suite bathroom including a claw foot shower and flushable composting toilet. The smaller, 700-square-foot Cocoon version costs US$100,000 while the 1,000-square-foot Tipi retails for US$200,000. However if you want get in touch with nature without sacrificing your creature comforts, we reckon it’s a price worth paying.

www.autonomoustent.com

 

 

Get arty
We’re loving the Watercolour Compendium a collaboration between iconic British brands Linley and Winsor & Newton which retails at a cool £12.500.

Created in a ripple sycamore veneer which is bleached to mimic the colour of a primed canvas, the compendium has a marquetry colour wheel using 12 different hand-dyed birch, tay and bolivar veneers inlaid onto the lid and finished with an engravable sterling silver plaque. 

Inspired by the wing of the iconic Winsor & Newton griffin, the compendium has a curved radius edge and a gently sloping angle. Inside, the smart walnut interior has been meticulously designed with drawers and compartments to contain all the materials needed to create a watercolour study. From the underside of the lid an easel extends out, standing on the box and providing a space to work at in the studio as well as proudly display finished work.

www.davidlinley.com/store/winsor-newton-art-compendium



About time

The coolest wrists in the world right now, are wearing luxury watches that happen to be smart. Translation? A watch that connects to the Internet in addition to other devices like smartphones or tablets in order to deliver real-time information to your wrist. 

We want a watch that can do it all from taking pictures to tackling emails and texts, recording our heart rate, sleep and stress levels, checking our stocks and giving us real-time driving directions. As such Tag Heuer the 155 year old Swiss maker of luxury timepieces released its Connected Watch, which is powered by Google's Android Wear operating system. Elsewhere Tissot has unveiled its Smart-Touch smartwatch which when connected to your smartphone will allow you to sync the time, get weather updates, change settings and share experiences with friends. 

Then there’s the Hermès Apple Watch a unique timepiece designed with both utility and beauty in mind.
www.tagheuer.com

www.tissotwatches.com

www.hermes.com

 

 

Vroom vroom

Calling all luxury car lovers (that’s all of us then). If the Verve Rally isn’t on your radar, all we can say is: it should be. For the Verve Rally represents a luxurious adventure travel experience with like minded people, supercars, beautiful roads and majestic locations.  

It’s not a race and it is not timed in any way. Rather it’s a journey taking place in July 2018 and September 2018 that celebrates where a luxury car can take you. 

Driving time has been balanced with relaxation and exploration: expect to spend around four hours a day behind the wheel, cruising along the Insta-perfect roads at your own pace and stopping off to savour local delicacies with fellow Ververs, before arriving at the day’s destination by mid to late afternoon.

Luxurious five-star hotels and chateaus provide the serene space as soon as you’ve parked up. And with no night-time driving, you’re free to indulge in all the destination's flavours and experiences.

Good cars, company and quality accommodation - sign us up.

www.ververally.com/

 

 

Dive right into the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands may be associated with offshore banking and the rich and famous, but the trio of Caribbean islands are also synonymous with world class diving having invented recreational scuba diving.

Make no mistake: the Cayman Islands’ 365 dive sites are sure to cause even the most seasoned divers’ jaws to drop.

If you have never snorkelled or dived on a Caribbean coral reef, you’’ be amazed by the beauty and incredible diversity of Cayman Trough. Other don’t miss Cayman dive sites include Bloody Bay Wall which is found off the coast of Little Cayman, within the Bloody Bay Marine Park and offers some of the best wall dives in the Caribbean.

www.scubadiving.com/cayman-islands

What to see and do in Ras Al Khaimah

Tucked away away at the northern tip of the UAE lies the country’s most underrated emirate, Ras Al Khaimah.

You won’t find the gargantuan skyscrapers, shopping malls and bars that dominate Dubai and Abu Dhabi but you will be struck by a cultural authenticity that is hard to find in the other emirates.

Make no mistake: Ras Al Khaimah abounds in archaeological sites, historical structures and natural beauty – from mountains to deserts and pristine white-sand beaches.

Factor in year-round sunshine, first class resorts and friendly locals –  and you have an up and coming UAE holiday destination.

Discover the top 10 things to do and see in Ras Al-Khaimah with our handy guide…
 

The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
Located in the western part of Ras Al Khaimah city in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family until the early 1960s, The National Museum houses a collection of archaeological and ethnological artefacts. Visitors will learn about architecture, pearl diving, date agriculture, farming and fishing in the various galleries. 
www.rakheritage.rak.ae/en/pages/rakmuseum.aspx

 

Scaling the Hajar Heights
The spectacular Hajar Mountains in the eastern part of the emirate, were formed over 70 million years ago and stand nearly 2,000 metres above sea level. 
The mountain range offers breath-taking scenery and a welcome respite from the heat of the beach resorts, with temperatures around 10 degrees cooler than sea level. For those who wish to spend the night under the stars, there are a number of established camping spots or, to really get into the Arabian spirit, why not camp Bedouin-style in some remote wadis?

 

Just desert
No visit to Ras Al Khaimah is complete without taking a trip into the desert – the true heart of Arabia.
Virtually every tour operator offers a half or full day desert safari tour: after dune driving you can have your hands henna’ed, then make like Lawrence of Arabia and ride a camel, before enjoying a desert sunset, Arabic barbecue and a bit of belly dancing.


Get wet
Seven tenths of the world is covered in water and as satirist Dave Barry once quipped: “Staying on top of the water is like standing outside the circus tent.”
As enjoyable as activities above the water are, it’s what lies beneath that is of real interest – particularly in Ras Al Khaimah, arguably the finest emirate in the UAE for snorkelling, diving and exploring the marine life.
Adrenaline junkies will also be in seventh heaven:  jet-skiing, fly-boarding, wake-boarding, parasailing and banana boat rides are all on offer along the 64km coastline.


Explore Jazirat Al Hamra Fishing Village
This abandoned fishing village, just outside of Ras Al Khaimah, is one of the oldest and best preserved coastal villages in the UAE (with roots dating back to the 16th century) and serves as a reminder of life before the oil boom. One caveat: watch out for ghosts – some of the abandoned buildings are believed to be haunted.


Al Marjan Island
Al Marjan, a series of four connected man-made islands, is located in the west of Ras Al Khaimah. Extending a vast 4.5km into the sea, the island covers an area of 2.7 million square metres. With waterfront homes, quality hotels and resorts, marinas, private resident beaches, leisure, retail and recreational facilities, this ambitious development represents the direction in which RAK is headed.
http://almarjanisland.com/


Tee time
Most visitors flock to Ras Al Khaimah to fly and flop but the underrated emirate is also a great destination for golfers, thanks its enviable climate and world class golf courses including Al Hamra Golf Club. Designed by renowned golf course architect, Peter Harradine, the course incorporates both open water lagoons and desert landscapes resulting in a stunning par 72 championship course – measuring 7,325 yards at full length
www.alhamragolf.com


Discover Dhayah Fort
This 16th-century mud-brick fort was built in a strategic hilltop position facing the Gulf to defend the region from attack by the British and was the last holdout, before eventually falling in December 1819.
More recently it housed the royal family until 1964 when, following a very short period as a local prison, it opened to the general public as a place to celebrate Emirati history.


Zip lining
A world record-breaking zip line measuring 2.83km – equivalent to over 28 football pitches – and reaching speeds close to 150km per hour is the latest addition to Ras Al Khaimah’s claim to be the adventure capital of the Middle East.
Via Ferrata – which means iron street/path in Italian –  includes three courses along the rocky facades of Jebel Jais, aka the UAE’s highest mountain.
If you think you have what it take, secure your spot at www.jebeljais.ae/book-now/


Park life
Opened in the 1990s, Saqr Park  is the largest public park in Ras Al Khaimah, and is known for its vast areas of greenery. It is the perfect spot for big kids and little kids alike to relax and unwind featuring, as it does, green spaces, playgrounds and other facilities.

Little Black Book to London: part two

“Cool never stays in one place for long. By its very nature, it’s always looking for the next place to hang out, to drink, to try not to dance too zealously to the freshest tunes.”

So scribbled journalist Clive Martin.

Martin wasn’t wide of the mark.

Here’s our guide to the capital’s coolest new spots and events for spring/summer 2018…


Smoky cocktails at The Royal Exchange

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Smoked flavours are having a moment in cocktail culture and the trend has found it’s way to The Royal Exchange – one of London’s most iconic buildings – at Threadneedle Bar.
The new menu offers smokiness to cocktail aficionados in two ways: through intrinsically smoky ingredients such as whisky and mezcal which feature prominently throughout the menu, and by infusing key serves with wood smoke for a robust flavour and unique immersive experience.
Each cocktail boasts its own distinct personality and has been carefully crafted for depth of character and complexity.
Choose from the Smoky Mandarin (Black Label whisky, Mandarin Napoleon liqueur, Talisker 10yo, cinnamon sugar), Mexican Negroni (Mezcal, Campari, Martini Rosso), The White Lord (Tanqueray Gin, Suze, Martini Bianco), The Lumberjack (Woodford Reserve infused with bacon, maple syrup, orange and angostura bitters) or JAT favourite The Art of Rum (Ron Zacapa 23yo, cherry liqueur, banana syrup, orange bitters).
All cocktails on the smoky menu are priced at £12.00 and available until the end of 2018. Smokin!
https://www.royalexchange-grandcafe.co.uk/at/lounge-bank/


Mad Lab at Madison
Shake, rattle and stir your way to killer cocktails with Madison’ s MadLab sessions.
Don a lab coat and learn three cocktail techniques – carbonation, infusion and foam.

Foam
Learn how to make a foam with the help of a blender and vegan emulsifying/stabiliser agent using a nitrous oxide cartridge – and then how to integrate the foam into a cocktail.

Infusion
Make an instant infusion with a cream whipper and a nitrous oxide cartridge. You’ll then create a cocktail with the infused spirit and learn how to use a torch to caramelise the garnish.

Carbonation
Master a carbonated cocktail with a cream whipper and CO2 cartridge, before using the torch to scorch the garnish.

You’ll get the chance to create molecular twists on three Absolut Elyx vodka based cocktails, with the finished serves yours to enjoy while drinking in the views of the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral from the top of the Jean Nouvel designed One New Change complex. Chin chin.
https://www.madisonlondon.net/menus/restaurant/madlab/


Grease is the word

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Pink Ladies get ready! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Grease, TV streaming service NOW TV is creating a slumber party pop-up experience.
On 10 and 11 May only, fans will be able to visit an exact replica of Frenchy’s bedroom: expect patterned pink wallpaper, plush carpets and satin-fringed curtains, Rydell High flags and even a giant panda toy poised to paw Rizzo’s silky drawers.
Slumber party guests will be able to take their pick from a Grease inspired prop box, bursting at the seams with rollers, hair nets, jackets and much more, to transform themselves into a Pink Lady and step back to the fifties – all they’ll need to do is battle it out for the role of Sandy and Rizzo
Food and drink straight out of the fifties will be available as guests get comfy on Frenchy’s patchwork bedspread and settle down to watch the iconic film.
Even better? Fans can enter the Eventbrite ballot for the chance to win free tickets to one of the seven sessions  (day and evening times) available, here


Bluebird flies into White City

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The celebrated Chelsea restaurant and café has spread its wings and opened its doors at one of London’s hottest venues: take a bow Television Centre White City.
Opening out onto a piazza overlooked by the Television Centre’s famous circular core, Bluebird Café White City is at the heart of the £8 billion regeneration that has opened this iconic location to residents, diners and revellers for the first time in its history.
Bluebird’s new sister encompasses a café, bar and spacious all-year-round terrace spread out over 5000-square-foot space serving a modern European menu: think Nduja crusted yellow fin tuna with grilled onion and green sauce, Butter chicken curry with basmati rice and burnt chilli and Spiced King prawns with yoghurt and pistachio.
The interior has been designed by David d’Almada’s Sagrada and incorporates a mix of British styling from the 1960s and modern Bluebird Chelsea glamour, while the artwork has been sourced by Fraser Scott and features works by young British artists as well as designs inspired by Bridget Riley and Celia Birtwell.
www.bluebirdcafe.co.uk.


The sky’s the limit at Jin Bo Law Skybar

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London has a new rooftop bar: here’s looking at Jin Bo Law.
Located on the 14th floor of the new Dorsett City hotel, Jin Bo Law offers panoramic views taking in key sights of the London skyline such as the Walkie-Talkie, the Gherkin, and the Shard, alongside quintessentially London landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Thames – as well  an innovative Asian-inspired menu.
Tipple to try include Pickled Think (Japanese spirit Shochu, pickled ginger and Japanese raspberries), Spice to Meet You(Chinese flavours, featuring gin and quince alongside fragrant five spice and Acacia honey) and Nikka-Bocker Glory – a unique play on traditional Vietnamese coffee, with its sweetened condensed milk and Japanese whisky, served like a milkshake.
www.jinbolaw.co.uk

View the post here: http://www.justabouttravel.net/2018/04/17/little-black-book-to-london-part-two/