Despite the dull drizzly weather, Globalista’s trip to the OXO Tower was a very enjoyable affair. We were there to sample the new ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ menu, launched in July as an alternative to the traditional tea, scones and sandwiches served throughout the capital’s oldest hotels. Traditionalists might say that such a classic ‘meal’ needs no tweaking but the OXO have taken it upon themselves to inject a modern twist into the formula. So instead of afternoon tea, we had Not Afternoon Tea, which takes the tea and turns it into fruity cocktails, and swaps the scones and sandwiches for a platter of desserts.

read more

It's thirsty work, travel writing, and the heat of the summer (I'm assuming they're not in the UK) must be getting to those writers - as this week we have a new category - Thirst. Two wines and two beers. Also this week we've got some heady adventures - surfing in Scotland, wild river swimming in Wales and camping in California. Or for a smoother finish see the guide to Bali, or find out where to stargaze in style. Step back in time for a vintage taste of Japanese villages and island life in Greece. For something a little fizzier, there are city trips to Montreal, Barcelona and the new LA river "low-line". It's enough to quench the thirstiest of travel appetites, we promise.

read more

Globalista has just returned from a magical 36 hours trip to the Gorges du Verdon. Starting as we did from Grasse, you take the Route Napoleon to Castellane which is a windy, beautiful 60km drive through magnificent countryside.

read more

We've just visited the Restaurant la Guérite on the Ile Sainte Marguerite opposite Cannes and we couldn't recommend it more highly.

read more

Stay close to home this week with a city break in Brighton, a beach escape in Lincolnshire and culture in Normandy. Go a little further for family adventure in Holland, or an abundance of museums in Zurich, or open-air flamenco in Madrid. And go far, far away to the shores of Mozambique, the wildlife of Madagascar and a forgotten corner of Argentina. This week's categories are City, Escape, Outdoor/Adventure, Culture.

read more

Unless you’re going by private Lear jet, hot-air balloon or in First Class, there can't be a better way to fly to New York than aboard the Bankers’ Express, BA001. Launched last September, it’s the Club World only service that avoids the US immigration queues by stopping briefly in Shannon, Ireland to complete the fierce US formalities and to refuel.

read more

Mix up a city break with a spot of art in August in Berlin and Helsinki, or get into the South American vibe in Rio or Santiago. If you want to be spoiled this week check out the Guardian's Cottages with Cachet, put your feet up on the Trans-Siberian Express, or indulge in the tastes of Rioja. For something a bit more challenging go hiking in New Zealand, kitesurfing in Dakhla or cycle canyon-country in the USA. Plenty to keep you occupied!

read more

Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Montenegro established independence in 2006 and word has yet to really get out about just what a hidden gem this place really is. There are beautiful beaches on the Adriatic, mountains and lakes and five national parks. The majority of tourists (not that there’s that many, especially inland) come from Serbia and Russia, but mostly it’s just locals jumping off jetties into the clear waters and enjoying life in this sleepy, untouched place.

read more

Walk, walk, walk. Walk the coast of Crete, walk barefoot in Hamburg, walk the trails of California, walk the tightrope in Montréal. Interestingly though, don't walk the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, says the Guardian - instead take the train. Then put your feet up in the ryokans of Japan, or in De Niro's bedroom, or in a new sustainable resort in Thailand. This weeks categories are City, Escape, Outdoor/Adventure and Culture.

read more

We fly from Nairobi in a plane that is one up from that used by Le Petit Prince, land at the one-strip airport with a thatched shed waiting-room, then take a speedboat past timeless fishing villages and mangrove swamps. Welcome to Lamu, a remote island off the coast of Kenya. The downside is the journey. But the upside is that there’s no jet-lag: it’s only three hours ahead of GMT. It’s also where the hip crowd goes. Think Tracey Emin, Sting and make-up artist to the stars, Mary Greenwell.

read more