Rambler Mays on holiday... and yes, they paid
THERESA May has swapped her kitten heels for walking boots on her first holiday since becoming Prime Minister.
She and her husband Philip have gone hiking in the Swiss Alps – a far cry from the trips enjoyed by Tony Blair, who regularly stayed with rich friends in luxury mansions and on yachts.
The Mays – pictured wearing matching pink and blue polo shirts and carrying rucksacks and walking poles – have visited Switzerland for more than 30 years.
But during his time in office, Mr Blair took a string of free holidays from friends.
These luxury breaks included staying at Sir Cliff Richard’s £3million mansion in Barbados in 2003 and Silvio Berlusconi’s Sardinian estate the following year.
Mr Blair’s trips continued long after he stepped down as Prime Minister. Just this week he was staying in Italian tycoon Massimo Carello’s villa on Lipari, an island off Sicily, and relaxed on his yacht.
Mrs May, 59, is following in Margaret Thatcher’s footsteps by visiting Switzerland.
Baroness Thatcher hated taking holidays but several times stayed with former Conservative MP Sir Douglas Glover and his wife at their Swiss mansion by Lake Zug. Mrs May praised the country in a 2007 piece in The Telegraph, writing: ‘Switzerland is a wonderful summer destination: the views are spectacular, the air is clear and you can get some peace and quiet.’
As she enjoyed the great outdoors, the Prime Minister was wearing a £47 shirt from outdoor clothing brand Rohan and Rab trousers, which range from £60 to £150 – adding a touch of glamour with her bright pink nail varnish. Her Leki walking poles are thought to cost around £100.
The Mays – who were forced to delay their overseas trip after moving into No 10 – will return to Britain on August 24.
Downing Street said that Mrs May will be kept up to date while she’s away.