The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
GETTING THERE
One of the world’s great archaeological sites, the ancient city of Pompeii, lies a 25-minute train ride south-east of Naples. It was home to 20,000 souls and a ritzy holiday spot; Roman patricians built grand, frescoed villas and enjoyed the town’s spas and brothels. The AD79 eruption of Vesuvius buried the city in several feet of ash and rock. It was only rediscovered – preserved in time – in 1748. Today, thanks to generations of archaeologists, a visit to Pompeii reveals a vivid picture of what life was like 2,000 years ago. Allow a minimum of four hours; there is little shade, so a hat and water are essential.
A 25-minute train ride from Naples.
If you’ve already sipped champagne by the Seine, go one step further and visit the heart of Champagne: Reims. Taittinger offers the best introductory tour, which descends into magnificent cellars first dug by the Romans and now part of the Unesco-listed Champagne landscape. Back above ground, you should pause to admire the gothic grandeur of the cathedral, also a World Heritage Site, before market-fresh cuisine at no-menu bistro, Chez Jérôme. Appointment-only visits to Ruinart or Veuve Clicquot beckon in the afternoon, or you can show up unannounced at boutique tasting room Trésors de Champagne. After all, you can’t leave without a bottle of bubbles to take home. visiting pianists give concerts of Chopin’s work. bustle and is ridiculously easy to get to. Start the morning exploring the splendorous reproductions of legendary buildings around Alter Markt – especially Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s neoclassical Nikolaikirche and the Barberini Museum, host of big-hitting modern art exhibitions. Head to the historic Café Haider for a classic German lunch before exploring Frederick the Great’s baroque summer residence, Sanssouci, one of the most striking palace complexes in Europe. Afterwards, wander the cobbled streets and admire the cute wooden buildings of the Russian colony and the contrastive red-brick houses of the Dutch Quarter. For a delicious Francophile dinner, head to Juliette. Contributions by: Eleanor Aldridge, Oliver Balch, Annie Bennett, Tim Bird, Rodney Bolt, Marti Buckley, Sally Davies, Kiki Deere, Suzanne King, Mary Lussiana, Antony Mason, Robin McKelvie, Anthony Peregrine, Adrian Phillips, Terry Richardson, Paul Sullivan, Nicky Swallow, Kerry Walker, and Fiona Flores Watson. it’s hyped up to be: stylish, romantic and delectably la dolce vita. Hemmed in by mountains, it’s sprinkled with grand villas with gardens tumbling to the shore, while dotted here and there are pretty lakefront villages lined with pastel-coloured palazzos. A narrow road winds its way along the lake shore offering panoramic views, although the best way to soak up the dramatic scenery is by speedboat (be sure to book ahead in high season). Among the highlights is the village of Bellagio, dubbed “the pearl of the lake”, and the splendid Villa del Balbianello, with its spectacular location on a promontory. Immerse yourself in the Reykjanes Peninsula’s hot springs and
Blue Lagoon
Known officially (since 2016) as the Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark, this pretty peninsula is home to craters, caves and cliffs, as well as lava fields, black sand beaches and a slew of interesting villages and museums. It’s a joy to drive around aimlessly, but be sure to stop at Seltun’s scenic hot springs, which have parking and decent walking paths; the abandoned coastal fishing station at Selatangar; and Grindavik, which offers the Icelandic Saltfish Museum and a great lunch spot in the shape of Salthusid. In the afternoon, visit the region’s most famous geothermal site, the Blue Lagoon; after soaking in the bright blue waters, enjoy some excellent Icelandic lamb or lobster at the swish in-house restaurant LAVA. Albi, hometown of ToulouseLautrec, holds a clutch of ancient treasures