Abba PROPER break Theresa!
The PM opted for another Welsh walking holiday. But where should she go for a more inspiring re-boot?
EVEN Theresa May’s bitterest enemies would accept that she (in contrast to some MPs) deserves some time off. Yes, she popped over to Wales for a quick walking holiday earlier this week, but we think a longer getaway is in order.
The poor woman needs some fresh air, literally and metaphorically, somewhere she can put Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk firmly to the back of her mind. Here are some suggestions . . .
DANCING QUEEN
AFTER dancing jauntily into last year’s Conservative Party Conference to the accompaniment of Abba’s Dancing Queen, it’s time the PM rediscovered her boogie. Stockholm has plenty of nightclubs to enjoy the Swedish mega group’s hits — and a visit to its Abba Museum is a must ( abbathemuseum.com). Top tip: Take a chance on the Abba Gold Suite at Pop House hotel by the museum. Details: Return flights from £121 ( ba.com); Pop House rooms from £ 93 B& B ( pophouse.se).
ON A SWISS ROLL
THE PRIME Minister and her hubby Philip have long enjoyed invigorating Swiss walking holidays. To take their love of the Swiss mountains one step further, we recommend setting forth from Meiringen and traversing the lower slopes of the Eiger on a 130-mile, two-week hike to Zermatt by the Matterhorn. Juncker wouldn’t have the puff for this.
Top tip: Wear shades for sun protection (and a low profile).
Details: 14-night walking tour with Eurostar trains, hotels, half-board and luggage transfer from £2,595 pp ( inntravel.co.uk).
THE NORWAY OPTION
MUCH discussion has centred on the ‘Norway Option’ of being outside the European Union while part of the European Economic Area. Certainly, if Mrs May goes on holiday there her head will be turned by the fjords in one of the most beautiful, peaceful corners of Scandinavia.
Top tip: Go now for gorgeous cherry blossoms near Hardangerfjord.
Details: Seven-night self- drive tour with flights, accommodation and some meals from £1,396 pp ( discover-the-world.com).
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
THERESA and President Trump seem to get on pretty well. So how about a trip to the States — but one that shuns the DC limelight? The New Camaldoli Hermitage in the remote Santa Lucia Mountains of California is run by Benedictine monks offering ‘dynamic and creative peace’ on retreats. Just what the abbot ordered.
Top tip: Leave your smartphone; there’s no internet or mobile reception.
Details: A 14- night stay from £1,820 for two people ( contemplation.
KITTEN HEELS HOLIDAY
IT’S Theresa’s trademark look: her leopard-print kitten heels. Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, amassed more than 1,000 shoes — and a Shoe Museum now displays many in the city of Marikina (marikina.
gov.ph). A day trip might prove fun, along with a week by a gorgeous beach to unwind.
Top tip: Don’t wear heels on the plane as they can slow emergency evacuations.
Details: Seven-night tour from £1,699pp with flights and hotels (
hayesandjarvis.co.uk). ROUND-THE-WORLD
THERESA’S keen interest in the world dates from her university days when she studied geography at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. One way to indulge her early interest in style, while avoiding prying cameras, would be to join a roundthe-world private jet trip. But they don’t come cheap — as much as £85,000 for 25 days.
Top tip: Don’t claim it on your MP’s expenses.
Details: Round-the-world private jet trips are offered by Abercrombie & Kent ( abercrombiekent.
co.uk); prices on request.
I WANT TO BE ALONE
NAPOLEON was sent into exile to Saint Helena, deep in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not quite that bad for Theresa, but new flights to this remote island make it a good place to escape.
Top tip: Take time out to consider how much worse things were for Napoleon.
Details: Ten-night trips with flights and hotels from £ 2,795 pp ( jasmineholidays.co.uk).
PLAY IT AGAIN, THERESA
THE PM’S favourite film is Casablanca. How about a break to Morocco’s biggest city — a chance to embrace another culture and imagine the goings- on of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the atmospheric 1942 film.
Top tip: Remember, the film was shot in Hollywood, 6,000 miles away. Details: Three-night stays are from £ 304 with flights ( lastminute.com).
COOKING IN GREECE
ASKED how she likes to unwind from the ‘world’s most stressful job’, Theresa mentioned her love of cooking and her 150 cookbooks.
We recommend Poros in Greece, about an hour’s ferry from Piraeus, where terrific week-long breaks with lessons from a local chef are available at the peaceful village of Askeli.
Top tip: Don’t mention the Greek Eurozone debt crisis.
Details: Eight-day full-board trips with lessons and hotels from £1,307 pp ( golearnto.com).
WHEATFIELDS REBELS
DURING her childhood in Sussex, the PM says that the ‘naughtiest thing’ she ever did was to run through wheatfields with a friend. So how about slipping away to Sussex to relive her rebellious wheat field days.
Top tip: Definitely no kitten heels in the wheatfields.
Details: B&B doubles at Rosehill Farm in Isfield, East Sussex are from £75 ( farmstay.co.uk).