Getting the flavour of…
An idyllic village in South Africa
Set in beautiful countryside two hours’ drive south of Cape Town, the village of Stanford is the “epitome of rural charm”, says Pippa de Bruyn in The Daily Telegraph. It was built in the late 19th century, and its pretty cottages and well-tended gardens have changed little since. But its chief glory is its location, right beside the glorious Klein River lagoon – a lake-like estuary, home to flamingoes and many other, rarer birds – and the dunes and beach of Walker Bay, the most important whale nursery in Africa. There’s a great Italian restaurant, La Trattoria, in the village, and wineries such as Maanschijn nearby – there’s pleasant accommodation too, including Stanford Valley Guest Farm (an “affordable oasis”), and Perivoli Lagoon House, Mosaic Lagoon Lodge and the Coot Club (due to open in July), which all have exquisite views of the lagoon. Visit stanford valley.co.za, mosaiclagoonlodge.co.za, perivoliafrica.com and cootclub.com.
A colourful Neapolitan island
It has long been overshadowed by its glamorous neighbours, Ischia and Capri, but the tiny island of Procida – 40 minutes by ferry from Naples – is more characterful than both, says Mia Aimaro Ogden in The Sunday Times. And while it will host 150 arts events this year as the official Italian Capital of Culture for 2022, none is likely to outdo its lasting charms – 17th century pastel fishing villages (featured in films such as The
Talented Mr Ripley and Il Postino), Renaissance palaces, baroque churches, and wild beaches that are “near-deserted” outside July and August. Food here is good too – “inexpensive, generally excellent and served with love”, and there are fine places to stay, including La Suite (an 18th century hilltop palazzo), the chic San Michele in Marina Corricella, and the mini-apartments of Cala Cala. Visit lasuiteresort.com, sanmichele procida.com and calacala.kross.travel for more information.
A far-flung Greek getaway
Too far from Athens for a “social scene”, and with no large hotels, the Greek island of Symi is a “quietly sophisticated” place ringed by beautiful beaches, said Aoife O’Riordain in House & Garden. Reputedly the birthplace of the mythical Three Graces, it is among the easternmost of the Dodecanese islands, and best reached by ferry from Rhodes. Its harbour town is like an Italian village – an “enchanting tumble” of pastelcoloured mansions, one of which recently opened as a characterful hotel, the 1900. It doesn’t have a restaurant, but you can eat at the excellent Tholos, 20 minutes’ walk away, and spend your days exploring the mountainous interior or lazing in secluded coves. See 1900hotel.com.