Get packing
Jo Wood
MEMORIES TO TREASURE
This week sees the release of the latest instalment in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise, Salazar’s Revenge, featuring the adventures of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, left). Although this film was largely shot in Australia, you can fire up your imagination for sailing the high seas in the Caribbean on a Ramblers Holidays
Cruise and Walk holiday.
Explore spectacular islands, take in gardens, shore walks and wildlife. Ports include St Lucia, Barbados and Grenada and Martinique. 16 nights from £2,850 (all inclusive). Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Barbados and tour guide-led walking tour. Departs December 20, 2017.
HOT STUFF
Thanks to the mercury hotting up, our thoughts naturally turn to beach holidays. You’ll be on the lookout for some new kit and sustainable brand Almasanta
has some adorable essentials including these colourful Elina Lebessi slides, £100 and striped Mare di Latte poncho, £100 (left).
PLAIN SAILING
Turn back to a time when sailing was super glamorous. Cliveden are offering flotillas to guests (and non-guests) taking you gently down river on vintage boats such as the beautifully restored Suzy Anne, built in 1911. Journeys range from one hour (£265) and can take up to ten people. You’ll drift by Boulter’s Lock past the Hanging Woods of Cliveden and sail under the bridge at Maidenhead. Picnic boxes from £38.
Alternatively, rekindle romance on a sunset Champagne cruise aboard the Belmont, £50pp.
Fast-forward to the 1960s and the Profumo Affair – which took place at Cliveden House and helped bring about the fall of the then Conservative government.
Cliveden is now showing the 1989 film about the affair, which involved society girl Christine Keeler, top, at their pop up the book down. They were saying: ‘Mum! Come on, stop reading that book!’
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME ON HOLIDAY?
Because I’ve got a little house in Murcia, Spain, that’s the only holiday I’ll go on. It’s up in the mountains and when I get there, I’m so busy.
I like to explore and go for long walks and I have people staying with me, so I’m cooking for them. I haven’t had a holiday where I do nothing for a good few years.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO REVISIT?
I’d love to go back to Japan – I was always there on tour and I’d love to go sightseeing. I always want to go to new places. The more wild and wilderness the better for me.
WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO NEXT?
Spain. I try to get out there as much as I can. Last year, I was doing up my house and this year I need to start appreciating it. I go with my partner Paul. He’s good fun on holiday. He’ll want to go to check out all the bars and he’s handy to have around. You know, a man loves a jet wash!