From pop-up campsites to a stay in Nelson Mandela's home: the week's positive travel picks
Think travel is all doom and gloom? Think again. Here are some exciting things happening in the world of tourism to remind us that great experiences await both on home turf, and further afield as soon as we can travel freely again.
New wellness retreats launching in the UK
From August, in:spa, the luxury health and fitness retreat specialist, is launching ‘kick-start’ wellbeing breaks at Kirtlington Park, Oxford. The Grade-I listed property will be the new base for the in:spa team of health and wellbeing experts for this special series of three-day retreats running in August, September and October (with the promise of more dates to be confirmed).
You’ll be working out in Kirtlington’s vast 3,000 acres, doing downward dogs in a light flooded hall overlooking the gardens and there’s the promise of a secret wild swimming spot nearby.
The programme includes in:spa’s signature gourmet detox cuisine, an optional morning run or jog, twice daily yoga practice, fitness sessions and guided walks exploring the Cotswolds. Numbers are limited so early booking is essential.
Retreat dates are August 4, September 13 and October 2; inspa-retreats.com
Stay in Nelson Mandela’s Sanctuary
Talk about an iconic stay. Former president Nelson Mandela’s first home in Houghton, Johannesburg, has been refurbished, transformed, and re-envisioned as a boutique hotel. It is the only former home of his not to be transformed into a museum, but instead an opportunity to be immersed in the revolutionary's home environment. Renamed the Sanctuary Mandela, this unique hotel will open on August 1 and features nine rooms and retreat spaces for reflection. You'll be served food by none other than Mandela's long-time personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who will plate up some of the South African's favourite dishes in the fine dining restaurant.
sanctuarymandela.com or email info@sanctuarymandela.com
Look upon a star
For those who developed an appetite for stargazing over the last 18 months, here’s what to watch out for. Northumberland StarFest is a two-night, three-day experience (Oct 27 – 29) with workshops and presentations, including interactive sessions such as ‘Build Your Own Spectroscope’ and ‘Rocket Building and Launching’. There will also be professional astronomers covering topics such as the Northern Lights, stars, planets, the moon and more, while, come nightfall, guests will be invited to look to the skies in guided stargazing sessions.
If you’re happy enough with just a star guide, Gilsland Hall will send you off to Hadrian’s Wall with a backpack filled with homemade sausage rolls, a flask filled with a hot drink, telescope and a waterproof rug and blanket from which to lie back and ponder the sky’s mysteries. As for our Australian-based readers, there’s a new stargazing night time tour on kunanyi/Mount Wellington in Hobart, in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Tasmania and with telescopes, storytelling and hot chocolate. Warm clothing advised.
Brownrigglodges.com; gilslandhall.com; walkonkunanyi.com.au
Park Lane gets a facelift
The historic Park Lane New York – a unique example of legendary Emery Roth & Sons trademark post-war style – will get an update this autumn via acclaimed design firm Yabu Pushelberg. New York City-based artists En Viu will create whimsical murals for the guest rooms and public spaces.
The 47-story property will feature 611 rooms – nearly half of which provide sweeping park-facing views – and you can keep up your steps in the fitness centre perched on the fifth floor with its own separate outdoor terrace. And of course, we can’t forget about its excellent rooftop – there will be a cocktail bar on the 47th floor serving libations and light fare, with Central Park serving as the backdrop.
Opening in September, date to be confirmed; parklanenewyork.com
Tigers bounce back
A wildlife census in an Indian national park reveals that its tiger population has gone from zero to 48 in two decades.
Assam’s Manas National Park was ravaged by poachers two decades ago but, following ongoing conservation efforts, the study shows that the big cats have trebled in number since 2010.
“The findings have brought cheer to everyone in Manas, and show that the efforts at tiger conservation have borne fruit,” Amal Chandra Sarmah, field director at Manas Tiger Project, told the Hindustan Times. “We have already surpassed the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and Global Tiger Forum’s goal of doubling tiger numbers by 2022.”
Assam isn’t the only place experiencing a rise in numbers. Nepal is on track to become the first nation to double its tiger population. And, according to the WWF, populations are also rising, or stable, in China, Russia and Bhutan.
New pop-up campsite in Snowdonia
Looking for the newest campsite on the block? Well, pop-up Camp Eryri has just opened in Snowdonia, in a field normally reserved for hay making. Created by the team behind award-winning The Rocks at Plas Curig hostel, Wales' only five-star and independent hostel, it’s open until September 16.
Located on a 20 acre site in the Conwy Valley, and nestled conveniently between the iconic alpine town of Betws-y-Coed and the picturesque market town of Llanrwst (both a five minutes drive away), come prepared for epic views of the Gwydir Forest across the valley floor. This will be a place for tent camping only though – those campervans and caravans will have to stay at home.
For those not keen on campfire cooking, there will be a mobile stonebaked sourdough pizza van on site twice a week, alongside a converted 1970s VW bus offering Welsh lamb. And with prices from £9 per night, this is definitely suited to those who find their wallets suddenly much slimmer after the loosening of restrictions.
