Just because the weather is turning colder, is no reason to hibernate! However, now is the time to focus on making our homes as comfortable and welcoming as possible and to indulge in a bit of pampering. There are lots of exciting cultural events to tempt you outside, or why not get away for some Winter sun? We hope you’ll enjoy our suggestions for some of the best November events, style picks, restaurants and travel tips.
November Events
There are not one but two great new exhibitions opening at the Tate this month. The first of these will be held at Tate Britain, and brings together more than 100 artworks by Monet, Pissarro, Tissot and other French artists who took refuge in the UK during the Franco-Prussian War. The EY Exhibition: Impressionists in London, French Artists in Exile (1870-1904) will open on 2 November and run until 29 April 2018.
We’re looking forward to the upcoming Modigliani exhibition, which is the most complete display of his work to be arranged in the UK. There will be almost 100 works to admire, from his familiar elongated figures to other lesser-known creations. Head to Tate Modern from 23 November until 2 April 2018 to feast your eyes on these masterpieces.
Your Views on Our Views
In order to mark 80 years since the first London protected views were introduced, a new interactive installation will be presented at the Horniman Museum in South London. A collaboration between the National Trust, the Horniman Museum and Gardens, and Bompas & Parr, “The Imminent Diorama” will enable the public to see the view from the Horniman as it currently is and as it might look in 80 years time. There are currently 13 Protected Vista London views, but only four are south of the river. Members of the public can submit suggestions for preserving additional views via Twitter and a proposal will be sent to the Mayor of London. The Horniman itself is a true hidden gem, with over 350,000 objects and 16 acres of green space so get down there between 13 and 26 November if you can.
Style Picks
The Landmark London is one of our favourite hotels thanks to its elegant Winter Garden. They’ve partnered with Bicester Village to launch a Shop ‘Til You Drop package with Bicester Village, which is easy to reach from nearby Marylebone station. We recently tried it out and will be telling you all about it soon…
As we’re travelling so frequently, travel accessories that make our life easier are a real lifesaver. We recently discovered the Covert Clip travel wallet, which has come in very handy on our travels. It’s pickpocket proof and has RFID-blocking technology so that no one can read your bank card or passport details. Designed to clip discreetly inside trousers, it also comes with a strap to wear around your waist or over your shoulder. Paul is wearing it on the outside so that you can see what it looks like, though he’s also planning to use it for some leisure activities. You can easily fit a passport, cards and money inside and there’s a 12 month warranty.
Can you believe that Christmas is less than 2 months away now! Liberty London has a huge Christmas Shop with some beautiful baubles, cards and gifts. I popped their recently and was surprised just how affordable many of the decorations are. The building itself is gorgeous, so definitely one to check out if you’re in the vicinity.
Travel Tales
Amsterdam is a charming destination at any time of year but it’s less crowded at the moment and accommodation is easier to find. Talking of which, Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam is one of the best places to stay, thanks to its canal-side location, huge courtyard garden and mix of old and new decor. It’s the perfect spot from which to explore and we’ll be sharing details of one of our favourite museums in the city in an upcoming feature.
Italy is always a good idea and the region of Puglia is one of the most unspoiled, with beautiful beaches and UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are exciting plans afoot for a new hotel in a historic Italian villa here and you could be part of the process. Head to Amberlair’s crowdfunding page to find out how you can get involved.
If you’re keen to jet off to somewhere warm, yet don’t fancy a long flight, then Cyprus is a great option. It’s currently a pleasant 22 °C and there’s a lot more to do than simply sunbathing. With a fantastic array of cultural treasures, the capital Nicosia is well worth a visit. Agrotourism is a growing trend in the country, with many choosing to combine a beach stay with a trip to the interior to see traditional vineyards and picturesque villages. We’ll be sharing lots of suggestions for what to see here over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Another way to get your fix of Winter sun is to enter our competition on the blog to win return flights to Tenerife from London Gatwick, or 10 tickets to the British Airways i360, the world’s tallest moving observation tower.
Now is also the time to think about booking your skiing holiday and Hotel La Cordée des Alpes in Verbier is a dream destination. With spectacular views over the mountains and one of the best spas in the Alps, you’re sure to be impressed. The restaurant is open to non-residents and serves some delicious gourmet food.
Luxury travel specialists Scott Dunn have just launched a great new culinary experience, Flying Chefs. Bringing some of Europe’s top chefs to stylish Alpine ski chalets, this unique initiative will enable guests to enjoy a private dinner tailored to their preference. It’s a great opportunity to watch a top chef such as Alyn Williams, Andrew Wong, Mauro Colagreco, Monica Galetti, Pierre Koffmann or Sat Bains at work. We met two of them, Alyn Williams and Andrew Wong, at the launch party in the Gaggenau Showroom on Wigmore Street, in Marylebone and tasted some of their exceptional culinary creations.
Wining and Dining
Ella Canta is the superb new Mexican restaurant on Park Lane, London by well-known chef Martha Ortiz. Her Dulce Patria restaurant in Mexico City is recognized as one of the best restaurants in Latin America. Whilst Mexican food can sometimes be perceived as rather heavy, this luxurious dining experience challenges those perceptions. The cooking here is light and delicate, with a real explosion of flavours. The staff are extremely friendly and talk you through the menu in detail. We loved the chic decor and sense of space, making it a great venue for a romantic meal or business lunch. We sampled the weekend brunch menu, which boasts 90 minutes of unlimited margaritas and a whole array of delectable dishes. From guacamole to gold grasshoppers, razor clam ceviche to oysters and multicoloured quesadillas, the starters were a treat. My main course of red snapper was particularly tasty, with the skin being perfectly crispy. There was a great selection of desserts to finish, including Mexican churros, ice cream and sorbet as well as a three milk cake with strawberries. We finished with a sip or two of their Mezcal, a Mexican drink that deserves to be better known for its unique flavour.
Winetasting
With the nights closing in and the temperature dropping, what better than a wine tasting at home to warm you up? Luxury glassware specialists, Riedel, have come up with some top tips to help you to enjoy wine even more – we hope you’ll find them helpful!
Can you tell your Barolo from your Chianti? Fans of Italian wine will love the Ultimate Guide to Italian Wine 2018. This guide authored by the Italian wine critic Daniele Cernilli, aka DoctorWine, features 3,000 wines from 1,000 wineries. The 2018 edition highlights 92 of the best wines, and over 600 of the wines reviewed have a retail price of below 15 euros. One of the award-winning wines that we tasted at the launch event was this Chianti Classico, Il Pareto 2015. It was smooth on the palate and very drinkable.
On a separate note, if you’re in London from 16-19 November, head to Tobacco Dock for Taste of London. This celebration of the capital’s food scene will feature demonstrations by leading chefs as well as a huge array of artisan food producers. We’re looking forward to the cocktail masterclasses from The Botanist, a stylish Chelsea bar and restaurant.
We hope you like these tips for the best November style, dining and travel activities. What do you have planned this month?
The post On The Hotlist: Top November Events, Dining, Style & Travel appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
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