Travel buzz
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TOURISM
HAVE AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS TRIP TO EXPLORE SCOTLAND’S BEAUTY SPOTS
IN Joanna Lumley’s new series, Home Sweet Home: Travels in My Own Land, the actress journeys to every corner of the British Isles.
Travellers can follow in the Ab Fab star’s footsteps on one of Intrepid Travel’s new range of UK tours.
As well as visiting the famous landmarks, there’s the chance to meet local characters and producers and learn more about the history and culture of the country from a local tour guide.
The Highlights of Scotland 10-day tour includes a visit to Isle of Skye, to the rolling green hills and dark waters of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and the charming Pitlochry. You’ll spend the night in the small village of Glencoe on the shores of Loch Leven, where Joanna visits on her show. You’ll also take tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh with a local on your way through.
Price from £2,640, departing July 2, includes accommodation, ground transport and selected meals and activities. Book at Intrepidtravel. com; 0808 274 5111.
Joanna Lumley’s Home Sweet Home: Travels in My Own Land continues on ITV, Tuesday at 8pm.
THE Eternal City will welcome the May arrival of the hip Hoxton brand’s tenth hotel, in Rome’s artsy Paroli quarter. It’s within walking distance of leafy Villa Borghese, one of the city’s most popular parks.
Taking cues from the building’s original 1970s details and its elegant neighbourhood setting, the open lobby will have inviting vintage seating around a central fireplace, an all-day diner, coffee bar and a shaded outdoor terrace.
All its 192 rooms will feature parquet floors and timber wall panelling, statement headboards and an eclectic melange of furniture along with boldly coloured bathrooms in a nod to mid-century Italian design.
Some of the bigger rooms will boast Murano glass chandeliers, reclaimed from the property.
Rates to be announced. Visit thehoxton.com/rome
■ OXFORD landmark The Randolph Hotel will reopen this spring, with a college chic makeover, and a longer name.
The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels is one of two properties from US brand Graduate Hotels to debut in Europe (Cambridge will be the other university city location).
The design of the 151-room boutique hotel has taken inspiration from the university’s campus architecture and notable alumni.
Enjoy coffee or cocktails in the hotel’s Morse Bar, and when it’s time for tea, head to the hotel’s brasserie, The Alice, a nod to Lewis Carroll’s famous novel.
The world-renowned
Radcliffe Camera and Ashmolean Museum are a short stroll away while the shops, restaurants and bars of St Giles Street are close by.
Doubles from £229 per night. See graduatehotels.com