Design hotel opens in the Azores
For a sleek, modern hotel in the Azores, look at Azor, in Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel. The plain white stone exterior belies a chic interior, with lots of wood, stone and metal fittings. It’s minimalism at its best. What’s more, each of the 123 rooms has a balcony and there is free wi-fi. Stay before December and you will receive an introductory rate from £99 a night (designhotels.com).
London travel festival
For travel inspiration, or just to hear talks from the explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the naturalist Chris Packham, visit the Beyond Travel Festival at the Royal Geographical Society on September 17-18. There’s an impressive line-up of speakers, including the television vet Steve Leonard and the record-breaking freediver Hanli Prinsloo, as well as free talks from travel experts, photographers and writers. Day passes cost £50, individual talks are £15; proceeds go to charities including Tusk Trust (steppestravel.com).
No single supplement in St Lucia
If you get fed up with effectively paying double when you’re travelling alone, The BodyHoliday in St Lucia has waived single supplements on one-week holidays in September. The price of £1,999pp includes flights and all food and drink (caribtours.co.uk). Activities are also included, with fitness classes, daily spa treatments and water sports. The best bit? If you’re travelling as a couple and share a room, it’s actually more expensive — from £2,115pp. To get the offer, you need to travel between August 28 and September 24.
Go off grid in Herefordshire
Want to leave wi-fi behind and try an unplugged holiday? Mrs Higgs Lodge, on a remote 3,000-acre private estate in Herefordshire’s woodlands, is a new addition to a growing collection of off-grid properties by Quality Unearthed (qualityunearthed.co.uk). There are solar panels for electricity, water from the well and a wood-fired hot tub (although there is also a hot shower, gas stove and flushing loo). Three nights costs from £355 for four.
Cruise with Charlie Dimmock
The gardener Charlie Dimmock will be on board a four-day Dutch Waterways cruise next April, giving talks and holding question and answer sessions, as well as accompanying passengers to the stunning Keukenhof gardens and the Aalsmeer flower auction. The cruise, on the MPS Lady Anne, leaves on April 25 and costs from £299pp, full-board, with return coach travel from nationwide joining points, and a ferry crossing from Dover (rivercruiseline.co.uk).
