The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire

Scotland is a stunningly beautiful country – small but very varied, and with a wealth of ancient history and culture, where centuries-old traditions are upheld to the present day by the proud Scots. The famous landscapes of the Scottish highlands have been attracting visitors for hundreds of years, along with the historic and uniquely-attractive capital city of Edinburgh. Scotland has long been a popular destination for a sophisticated international market and as result has a great deal to offer travelers seeking to discover the charms of this small nation in a luxurious manner.

For the first time visitor, there are a number of must-see attractions and places, and some fantastic ways to do this in the utmost style. International visitors are advised to fly to Edinburgh and begin their exploration in the capital, where a number of 5 star hotels are situated in the city centre around the Princes Street area. Edinburgh is known for its architectural splendour, ranging from the ancient buildings of the Royal Mile which descends from the Castle to the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, to the classic Georgian residencies of the New Town area. The majority of the city’s finest hotels occupy magnificent historic buildings, as sumptuously decorated and furnished within as they are impressive from the outside.

A visit to the capital would not be complete without sampling some of the city’s finest restaurants, the number of which has grown considerably over the last decade to put the city firmly on the gourmet map with a new breed of young fine dining restaurant. Edinburgh boasts some of the most highly-regarded restaurants in the UK, some with international reknown. Chefs Martin Wishart and Tom Kitchin are two of the city’s most-celebrated restaurant owners, both leading figures in a modern Scottish cuisine movement, combining classical technique with the finest local Scottish ingredients – meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables.

Some of Scotland’s finest food is found in some fairly far-flung locations… One noteworthy example is The Three Chimneys restaurant on the Isle of Skye – beautifully situated at the northern tip of the island with accompanying hotel, but certainly a destination for a special visit – being over 5 hours drive from Edinburgh. Closer to Edinburgh and similarly worthy of special mention is the restaurant at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, made famous in recent years by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Fairlie. One of the best known luxury hotels in Scotland, historic Gleneagles is a large Edwardian resort found in a remote countryside setting in the southern area of the Scottish highlands. The hotel is particularly well-known for its numerous golf courses, one of which will play host to the Ryder Cup in 2014.

Golf – the game having been invented in Scotland – deserves special attention. The ‘home of golf’ is the east coast town of St Andrews, 2 hours drive north from Edinburgh. Here the famous golf courses sit alongside grand hotels catering to the many golf pilgrims visiting to experience playing on the ‘Old Course’ where the game originated. As many a golf disciple will travel with a non-golfing companion, the best hotels all have excellent spa facilities!
 
Five star hotels, fine food, beautiful cities, spectacular countryside and world-famous golf – Scotland has a great deal to offer the luxury traveller, and we haven’t even mentioned the whisky!

Voringsfoss waterfall

The world is full of wondrous, unusual places, shaped by the elements of nature and left untouched by humankind. Instead of heading for somewhere popular and more famous, try looking for those amazing sites that lie waiting for discovery.

The west coast of Norway is such a destination: formed by ancient glaciers, the coastline is something of a tribute to the terrestrial phenomenon of fjords. Narrow inlets characterized by sheer cliffs and awe-inspiring watercliffs, Norwegian fjords are jaw-dropping in scale and power, and the best way to see them is by taking one of the available ocean cruises.

Cruises leave regularly from Southampton and last about nine days or so. The itinerary includes stopovers at historical towns such as Bergen, Flam and Eidfjord, where excursions out to see other sites of interest can be arranged. This means there’s the opportunity to see the world famous Flam railway, renowned for being one of the steepest railway lines in the world, and to experience Voringsfoss, which at 600 feet is Norway’s most visited waterfall.

The towns themselves are quaint and well worth the visit. Flam has stunning views of the Norwegian wild and an excellent museum dedicated to its railway. Eidfjord is home to a power plant built into the side of a mountain and to Voringsfoss. Olden is one of the tiniest villages you could ever hope to see, but it’s a very popular tourist destination due to the magnificent Briksdalsbreen glacier.

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, a cultural and commercial hub that’s perfect for stretching those sea legs and picking up some interesting memorabilia. Passengers get close and personal with all aspects of Norway on this cruise and the opportunity to see some of the most gorgeous untouched nature in the world is one not to be missed.

Of course, the majority of time will be spent on board the cruise ship. Nine days can seem like a long time spent on a boat on paper, but in reality the days fly by. The ship has enough facilities to keep the fussiest of passengers occupied for the duration of the ocean cruise, with restaurants and bars offering a variety of food and drink in both formal and informal settings, a casino, swimming pools, spa services, a lido lounge and more.

The service on board harks back to the great British tradition of cruise ships, with a stylish interior, excellent customer service, and comfortable settings no matter what grade of cabin chosen. A tip for those on a budget: The cheapest times of year for travelling is May, but always make sure to book well ahead for the best price.

An ocean cruise like this is unique and unusual; definitely off the typical tourist radar and worth doing. The ship provides a safe and comfortable temporary home during travel, the Norwegian locals are friendly and helpful, and the sheer beauty of the scenery cannot be emphasised enough. Go on this trip, and you’ll have memories that will last you a lifetime.

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