The Nordic Arctic - the band of sub-polar wilderness that stretches across northern Finland, Sweden and Norway (Sápmi to the indigenous Sámi people) - draws me back again and again. I can't quite put my finger on why I love this remote part of Europe so much. Maybe it's the vast skies, which come alive with the dancing Aurora Borealis for much of the year . . .
Minimalist design in the desert: Hotel Aire de Bardenas & the Bardenas Reales natural Park, northern Spain
Following a bit of a hiatus, I'm sharing more of my September road trip around northern Spain with my friend Becky. After starting in Bilbao and journeying south to the wine region of La Rioja, we headed east into the province of Navarra. Our destination was the Bardenas Reales Natural Park - a hauntingly beautiful semi-desert that I'd wanted to explore for ages . . .
Minimalist design in a historic setting – Casa Grande Hotel in La Rioja, Spain
I've already shared a guide to visiting La Rioja - the second stage of my recent 12-day road trip around northern Spain with my friend Becky - but I loved one of the two Rioja hotels that we stayed at so much that I couldn't resist giving it a post of its own. It's called Casa Grande Hotel, and it's perfect for anyone who likes great design, great food and great hospitality . . .
6 stylish places to stay in Comporta, Portugal
Today I'm continuing my series sharing some of the gorgeous accommodation options that I came across while researching my recent road trip through Portugal with a round-up of the best hotels, B&Bs and holiday rentals in Comporta. Set on the Sado river estuary in the Alentejo region and surrounded by salt marshes, pine forests and rice fields, the village of Comporta . . .
Runo – a new Finnish hotel from interior designer Joanna Laajisto
I'm starting the week with a bit of interiors and travel inspiration courtesy of Runo - a new boutique hotel designed by Helsinki-based Joanna Laajisto. It recently opened its doors in the southern Finnish city of Porvoo, and it's a wonderful example of how historic spaces can be transformed without losing their soul or sense of place. Porvoo is known for its colourful wooden cottages and the . . .
Plácido y Grata – a new minimalist design hotel in Seville
When I was 17 and studying A-Level Spanish (I later went on to do a university degree in it), I persuaded my parents to choose Seville for our annual family holiday. In many ways it was a disastrous trip: my mum left her purse in the back of a taxi, one of my brothers got food poisoning and our flights in both directions were delayed due to storms. But I fell in love with this seductive Andalusian . . .
