Get packing: Fancy escaping to high-class pools, historic cruises, or the wilderness?
PACK your bags and try something new.
SKY-HIGH DIP
Take going for a swim to another level at The Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard (020 7234 8208/gong-shangri-la.com).
London’s hotel “in the sky” has just opened its infinity Skypool 52 floors above ground level as part of its stylish Gong Bar. Take a refreshing dip in the heated pool which faces west across the city and take in amazing views of London’s famous skyline as you perfect your breast stroke.
Rather than a gin and slim make it a gin and swim as from 8.30pm onwards guests to the bar can sip signature cocktails poolside. The Skypool is open exclusively to guests between 6am and 8pm. The Shangri-La offers doubles from £450 per night, room only.
BAGS OF STYLE
The North Face (thenorthface.co.uk) Base Camp Duffel can be worn as a rucksack, held as a sports holdall, or carried as a satchel. Its soft outer shell means it can be stored easily too, so it’s perfect for jet setters. No wonder it is favoured by celebrities such as David Beckham.
Available in five sizes and a variety of colours, from £80.
you’ve ever driven through the New Forest and wished you’d had longer to explore this glorious part of the south, you now can
SAFARI ADVENTURE
If you’ve ever driven through the New Forest and wished you’d had longer to explore this glorious part of the south, you can on a New Forest Tour (thenewforesttour.info).
Leave the car at various hop-on, hop-off locations and climb aboard an open top safari bus which will travel through some of the most scenic parts.
Three routes cover the entire National Park, from adorable villages such as Lymington and Burley, dotted with thatched houses and olde-worlde pubs, to beautiful beaches and the wilderness of heather-clad moorlands, where wild horses roam.
Tickets from £14 per adult, £7 per child (age 5 to 15). Book online for a 10 per cent discount. Tours daily until mid-September.
RETRACING HISTORY
On American Independence Day in 1840, wooden paddle steamer Britannia set sail for the Big Apple from Liverpool. Now, 175 years later, Cunard (0843 374 2224/cunard.co.uk) is celebrating that inaugural transatlantic crossing, which took 14 days and eight hours and carried just 115 passengers. An identical journey will take place next July on Queen Mary 2.
Passengers will board the 12-night anniversary voyage in Southampton before heading to Liverpool and sailing across the Atlantic to Halifax, Boston and eventually New York. At the time Britannia was renowned for her luxurious interiors and regarded as a ship for the crème de la crème.
Today, Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship ocean liner carrying 2,600 passengers. Anniversary Crossing, from £2,549pp (two sharing), full board. Departs Southampton July 2.
GRAND ESCAPE
On a Shearings Grand Tourer (0844 209 7143/shearings.com/grand-tourer) coach holiday your holiday starts the moment you are collected from your front door. The home pick-up is only one of the many luxury extras that are included when booking one of these “premium” Grand Tourer coach tours which will whisk you through the UK and Europe, accompanied by the services of a dedicated tour manager.
Take a train ride along the mountain railways of Germany during a Railways of the Rhine Trip, left, (from £629pp (two sharing), half board.
It is one of many excursions on an eight-day break that takes in the sights of the beautiful Rhine Valley.
Alternatively, enjoy a scrumptious cream tea in the beautiful hillside garden of Killerton House in south Devon during a four-night Cream Teas & Devon Delights trip (from £269pp, two sharing, half board).
