The Upgrade by SUITCASE Magazine

Now Playing: Our Inside Scoop to LA, California

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Adam Burke, Francine Sheridan) — Wed, 7 Dec 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Calling upon Adam Burke – President & CEO of LA Tourism – and Francine Sheridan – Regional Vice president for Europe and the Middle East for LA Tourism – we’ll be spotlighting their go-to LA recommendations, sharing their insider stories and showcasing the places our audience should have on-radar in this conversation-starting podcast episode.

From world-class museums, world-class gastronomy and a whole host of red carpet-approved experiences, we’ll be giving our audience all the tools, tips and tricks to start planning their Los Angeles adventures. Whether they’re seasoned visitors or first-time travellers, we’re lifting the lid on the best spots for brunch, art exhibitions not to miss and the beaches locals want to keep a secret.

Throw in some editor-approved recommendations from our podcast co-hosts and you’ve got yourself a LA adventure where anything is possible.

Discover what’s playing at discoverlosangeles.com/

Adam’s & Francine’s Insider Recommendations to LA

To Stay:

Venice V Hotel
Short Stories

Fairmont Century Plaza

Dream Hotel Hollywood

The Conrad Hotel

To Eat:

La Cha Cha Cha

Republique
Browse Dine LA roster of events

N/Naka

To Drink:

Homebound Brewhaus (formerly Imperial Brewing Company)

To Do:

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Catch a Los Angeles Angels game
Explore the Original Farmers Market

LACMA

Visit the Arts District in DTLA

Catch a live show at Hollywood Bowl

Dogpound to get your sweat on

To Shop

Clae for eco-conscious kicks

The Grove

Our Editor-Approved LA Hotspots

The Peppermint Club for a celebrity-fuelled night out.

Stay in the Silver Lake Pool and Inn

Amira’s foodie favourites: L&E Oyster Bar for seafood; Bowery Bungalow; Bacari for glam patio vibes; Mother Wolf for fine dining vibes; Causita for Puruvian Japanese fusion and All Day Baby for something casual

And for fashionistas: Mohawk General Store, and for vintage Golden Age

Fleur’s Culver City foodie picks:

Lonzo’s

Hatchet Hall

Jackson Market Deli

Under-the-Radar European Spots the Jet-Set Love

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:00:00 +0000

In this energetic episode Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Justin Jesso, who has amassed hundreds of millions of streams for his collaborations with Kygo, Ricky Martin and the Backstreet Boys, is joined by Sangyay Chen; a fashion, beauty and lifestyle tastemaker who has graced the cover of Vogue and has nearly 250,000 followers on Instagram.

They tell Amira Hashish about their back-to-back European travels after they packed their bags to explore Italy, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, the Balearics and Switzerland over four culture-packed months.

From stumbling across their new favourite sculptural artist to a surprise foodie getaway, they lift the lid on the more unexpected jet set adventures.

Looking for the soundtrack to accompany your travels? Justin’s new single Lose Ya is available to stream here.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts' travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.

Unexplored UK: Why Adventure is Good For You

fleur@suitcasemag.com (The Travel Project, Amira Hashish, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:00:00 +0000

This episode is proudly sponsored by away. Follow @away on Instagram, Twitter & TikTok. Or to browse the full line-up and find your ideal travel companion, visit their website at awaytravel.com or IRL at their London store, located in vibey Seven Dials.

Completing 52 UK adventures within 52 weeks - and welcoming their first-born along the way - Charlie and Jess have turned their passion project into a lifestyle that everyone wants a piece of. The couple have redefined the parameters of adventure, emphasising that you don’t have to embark on a journey to a faraway destination to feel the thrill of discovery.

Leaning on relationships built with locals, Charlie and Jess immersed themselves into the culture of whichever spot they chose to visit and strived for an authentic, sustainable experience to write home about.

Now with 32.5K followers on Instagram, the travelling twosome have ignited the movement of “achievable adventure” and rediscovered the UK in a brand new - and beautiful - light.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts’ travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.

Tacos, Tequila and Under-the-Radar Mexico with Michelin-Starred Chef Santiago Lastra

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Santiago Lastra, Fleur Rollet-Manus, Amira Hashish) — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 23:00:00 +0000

Nicknamed the “nomadic chef,” Santiago Lastra has cooked the learnings of his international travels into the Michelin-star kitchen of his Mexican-British fusion restaurant, KOL. Taking inspiration from kitchens in the 27 countries he’s worked in, Lastra has presented London with new ways to use local ingredients, grounded in the flavours and techniques of Mexico, his home country. Listen in as the pioneer culinarian details his journey to not only success, but a sense of purpose.

On the heels of three family deaths, the then 15-year-old Santiago Lastra found solace in cooking for his mother and brother. Watching from the kitchen, the young chef witnessed the power of quality food to brighten the darkest of moments and has chased that feeling ever since.

After bouncing around the world, Lastra settled on London to open KOL, the first Mexican restaurant in the UK to have a Michelin star –– and within the first year of opening nonetheless.

The once solo-mission has now granted him with a new, and thriving, community in a city where he’s most definitely made his mark. Plus, Lastra gives insider tips on exploring Mexico City, the origin place of his culinary career.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts’ travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.

The Rise in Nostalgic Travel ft. Explorer Tété-Michel Kpomassie

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Tete-Michel Kpomassie, Amira Hashish, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Fri, 1 Jul 2022 23:00:00 +0000

This episode is proudly sponsored by away. Follow @away on Instagram, Twitter & TikTok. Or to browse the full line-up and find your ideal travel companion, visit their website at awaytravel.com or IRL at their London store, located in vibey Seven Dials.

In this moving episode, Penguin Modern Classic author Tété-Michel Kpomassie lifts the lid on his rare gem of travel writing and the startling journey that took him from Africa to Greenland.

Part memoir, part anthropological observation, Michel the Giant is a storytelling feat. Kpomassie digs deep into the astonishing experience that changed the course of his life and led to his much-acclaimed book.

Plus, The Upgrade hosts Fleur and Amira compare notes on the travel destinations that make them nostalgic. They explore places that have a pull because of their impactful memories and discuss why this kind of travel experience is seeing a rise.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.

Live in LA: Celebrating Creativity, Diversity and Artistry in California

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 20:00:00 +0000

Tune in as @PHLEMUNS founder James Flemons unveils why Los Angeles has the most liberating landscape in the US for launching a relevant fashion brand, while mother/daughter design duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka of @houseofaama discuss the Black experience that is conveyed in their timeless garments. @theculturistgroup founder Danny Guerrero explores his pathway to inclusive, culture-forward communications in the travel world and @shortstorieshotels owner Leo Grifka outlines his vision for the hotel world.

In partnership with Visit California, this episode was recorded live at a dinner party, produced by creative studio Rapport and hosted at Short Stories Hotel, with some of the greatest creative minds from the Golden State in attendance.

Feeling inspired? Start planning your trip at visitcalifornia.com.

Is Monterey California's Most Sustainable County?

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, Amira Hashish, Matthew Beaudin) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The final instalment of our three-part podcast series with Visit California, we catch up with executive chef Matthew Beaudin who is at the helm of the innovative, sustainably-driven food program at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks to Matt and his team, the Aquarium has become a leader in the conservation field and is making waves with its environmental efforts around the world. Big Little Lies fans will recognise the jellyfish from the silver screen too.

Chef Matt gives us his take on why Monterey is a big city with a small town feel and glides us through the winery tours we should raise a glass to in Carmel, the need-to-know restaurants with breathtaking beaches in the county or the hikes and trails we should plot out.

The Upgrade co-hosts Fleur and Amira are primed for a coastal getaway that packs a serious punch when it comes to food and wine.

Start planning your trip at visitcalifornia.com.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor.

Why Greater Palm Springs is a Hotbed for Art, Culture and Design

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The second episode in our three-part podcast series with Visit California, we chat to Alexis Palomino and Chris Ramirez, the founders of a design collective called Superbloom. The dynamic duo’s endless passion for Greater Palm Springs is infectious.

Giving us a wealth of insider tips and in-the-know local recommendations to help you plan your next trip, they share their favourite natural wine breweries, the neighbourhoods we should be exploring and the antique stores to get lost in.

Plus, The Upgrade co-hosts Amira and Fleur reveal why they find the desert destination so irresistible and guide us through the hotels, restaurants, bars and vintage shops you should be making a beeline for. Oh and did someone say pool party?

Start planning your Greater Palm Springs adventure by visiting visitcalifornia.com.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor

How San Diego has become the Epitome of Cali Cool

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The first episode of our three-part podcast series with Visit California, Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunksi, owner of San Diego based sustainable clothing brand Sew Lowka, gives us her insight into the city’s buzziest neighbourhood; Barrio Logan.

A fountain of knowledge on the area and an integral part of the community, she explains why this is the epicentre of the city's Mexican-American culture and takes us on a tour of the cutting-edge art, independent shopping and innovative cuisine.

Plus, The Upgrade hosts Fleur and Amira compare notes on the must-visit places that are on their radar. From speakeasies to cultural hotspots, there is so much to savour.

Start planning your trip at visitcalifornia.com.

This episode was recorded at Soho Works, the members-only co-working space from Soho House with locations in Los Angeles, London and New York. Visit sohoworks.com.

Keep up with our hosts travels and follow Fleur Rollet-Manus on @fleur_rm and Amira Hashish on @thedesigneditor

A Practical Guide to Exploring Off-the-Beaten-Track Japan

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 01:00:00 +0000

Calling upon the expertise of Paul Christie, CEO of trailblazing tour operator Walk Japan, we’ll be spotlighting the Japanese prefectures you (probably) haven’t heard of but should be making tracks to, his top Japanese travel tips and why Japan is leading the way for slow travel. Plus, Paul shares his insider guide to the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu, a bucolic hidden paradise that he calls home.

Our travel editors also share their go-to guide to Iwate, an under-the-radar prefecture filled with blissful beaches, snow-sure mountains and soothing hot springs, and deep-dive into how wellness is key to unlocking Japanese culture.

We want to know where in Japan you’ve set your sights on. Want to hit the ski slopes? Soaking in onsen hot springs more your scene? Or how about slurping soba noodles in Iwate? Share with us your Japan travel plans to be in with the chance of winning a collector’s bundle of SUITCASE Magazine, worth over £100. Simply fill in this survey.

Start planning your trip to Japan with the Japan National Tourism Organisation here.

Our Go-to Guide to Iwate, Japan

To stay:

For relaxing hot springs and beautifully situated boltholes, bed down in one of these hotels: Hotel Senshūkaku, Hotel Hanamaki or Hotel Kōyōkan.

To eat:

For the noodle-lovers out there, we recommend heading full-steam ahead to Pairon Honten in Morioka – a local hole-in-the-wall loved for what is arguably the region’s best jajamen (udon noodles topped with cucumbers, garlic, chilli oil and a sweet miso sauce).

To do:

Sun-seekers should absolutely head to Jodogahama Beach, while skiers should make a beeline for Appi Kogen Ski Resort.

How to get there:

Simply hop on a fast train from Tokyo and in just over two hours you’ll be greeted by the epic scenery and standout food of Iwate.

Need some Japan travel inspiration? Check out these articles on suitcasemag.com

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/less-visited-japan

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/diamond-route-japan

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/mitsuboshi-kaidou-three-star-road-japan

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/Ishikawa-and-gifu-prefectures

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/pilgrimage-shonai-japan

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hachinohe

Where We're Travelling to in 2022

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, Rachael McKeon) — Thu, 9 Dec 2021 01:00:00 +0000

Spark joy: order our winter issue, Vol. 35: Celebration, here.

Keen to follow in our editor's footsteps? Here are their insider recommendations to enjoying a great day in Florence:

Walk the length of the Arno, or hop on a bike.

Visit the Sant'ambrogio market for a panino.

Eat at Trattoria Sostanza for their artichoke omelette and butter chicken, Il Santino for, well, everything, and Enoteca Bruni, a vino spot only locals know about.

To stay? Bed down at one of Betty Soldi’s hotels.

Planning your next trip? Check out our city guide to Florence.

The destinations we’re spotlighting for 2022 (and some travel inspiration for you to browse, too)

And hotels we’re checking into in 2022

The Maker Hotel, New York

The Sea Ranch Lodge, California

El Rey Court, New Mexico

Madame Reve, Paris

Casa Pacha, Formentera

The Rooster, Antiparos

Food, Glorious, Food: A Gastronomic Getaway in Tenerife

fleur@suitcasemag.com (SUITCASE Magazine) — Mon, 2 Aug 2021 23:00:00 +0000

Wrinkly potatoes dipped in mojo wolfed down in beachside boltholes; surf huts serving world-class red wines; hiking to walk it off in lush pine-filled forests – Tenerife is the ultimate getaway for the gourmet traveller.

Calling upon two of Tenerife’s food-obsessed island insiders, Carlos Hernández and Xavi Riera, we shine a light on the island’s best restaurants, vineyards and beach shacks.

Plus, we’ll be revealing just how to find one of the island’s legendary guachinches – a traditional eatery usually in the home of a local, small-batch wine producer – the chefs shaking up the island’s food scene and the must-visit restaurants you should have on your radar.

Seeking an outdoor adventure? As part of our partnership with Tenerife Tourism Corporation, our insiders also lift the lid on the secret spots to watch the sunset, the natural pools to seek out and Tenerife’s most magical hiking trails.

This is a foodie pilgrimage and then some.

Time to dig in.

Start planning your trip at webtenerife.co.uk

Carlos and Xavi’s Insider Recommendations to Tenerife

Bodegon el Puntero, Santa Cruz

El Burgado, Santa Cruz

El Aderno, Santa Cruz

El Capricho de Nicomedes, Santa Cruz

El Templete, Santa Cruz

Nub, Costa Adeje

La Caleta, Adeje

Salitre, La Caleta

Char, La Caleta

Casa Paca, Benijo

Want to know more about Xavi’s restaurant, Jaxana? Follow them on Instagram here.

Keep up to date with the foodie experiences Carlos is planning

here

The SUITCASE-Approved Guide to Tenerife

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 23:00:00 +0000

We hear you loud and clear. We’re itching to shake off lockdown fatigue and get back into the great outdoors.

That’s why we’re bringing you a destination special dedicated to the island that has it all: Tenerife.

As part of our partnership with Visit Tenerife, we’re shining a light on the design-driven boutique hotels, athlete-approved hikes and world-class wineries that you should have on radar.

Plus, we’ll be joined by Canary Green’s founder – an eco collective championing sustainable tourism in the Canary Islands – John Dale Beckley and creative writer Grace Molan to get their insider recommendations. Listen up as they share their go-to restaurant for papas arrugadas, the beaches we should be paddleboarding to and the best place for stargazing on the island.

Seeking meaningful travel and the chance to reconnect with nature? This one's for you.

This is a deep-dive into Tenerife’s best bits.

Start planning your next trip at webtenerife.co.uk.

Our Insider’s Guide to Tenerife

Tenerife Horse Rescue

Playa de Diego Hernandez (the hippie beach)

Find out more about Canary Green’s eco initiatives here.

Moroccan Musings: How Hind Sebti Launched a Cult Beauty Brand Inspired by Morocco

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley, Hind Sebti) — Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:45:00 +0000

Skincare obsessed? This one's for you.

Join us as we transport you to the dunes, souks and oases of Morocco through the next cult beauty brand: whind.

Fuelled by skin-saving science and a sensual Morrocan approach, join us as we chat to whind founder Hind Sebti about her pioneering range of skincare projects, how her homeland of Morocco inspired her and the beauty secret she swears by.

Plus, Hind will be sharing her treasured tales from her homeland of Morocco. From where to sip mint tea in Tangier to a design-driven crash pad that’s perfect to rent with pals, she spotlights her must-visit recommendations.

Prepared to be pampered.

Hind Sebti’s go-to beauty buys for that envious desert-glow and must-visit Morrocan tips:

Atlas Pure Purifying Whipped Mask

Kasbah Moonlight Transforming Cream to Oil Nightly Mask

Marrakech Light Illuminating Magic Oil

Oasis Fresh Dissolving Jelly Cleanser

Sahara Silk Vanishing Cream Exfoliator

Cafe Hafa, Tangier for mint tea

La Maison de L'Elephant Blanc

Visit Dakhla for the surf and up-and-coming creative scene, Casablanca if you’ve done Marrakech and Meknes for culture

Homegrown Harvest: The UK Wineries Championing Community and Locality with Renegade Urban Winery’s Warwick Smith

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley, Warwick Smith) — Thu, 20 May 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Not just for wine buffs / oenophiles.

Instead of getting hung up on malbec and merlot, noses and tannins, we’re raising a glass to the UK wineries shaking up the English wine-making scene.

Join us as we speak to the innovative producers championing community and fuelling our love for locavore labels and natural tipples. We’re popping the cork on homegrown grapes and spotlighting the next generation of UK wineries.

Plus, we catch up with Renegade Urban Winery’s Founder Warwick Smith who has ripped up the wine-making rule book and is producing outstanding wines beneath a railway arch in Bethnal Green. He shares his tips for picking a stellar bottle of plonk, the urban wineries we should visit and an easy trick to look like an oenophile.

We’ll drink to that.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com or get yourself a copy of SUITCASE Magazine.

Warwick Smith’s epic list of urban wineries to check out:

Renegade Urban Winery, of course

https://www.renegadelondonwine.com

Broc Cellars, California

https://broccellars.com

Bow and Arrow, Oregon

https://www.bowandarrowwines.com

Donkey and Goat, California

https://www.donkeyandgoat.com

Infinite Monkey Theorem, Colorado

https://theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com

The Red Hook Winery, New York

https://www.redhookwinery.com

Noita Winery, Finland

https://www.noitawinery.fi

And the UK wine producers he suggest paying a visit too:

Charlie Herring

http://www.charlieherring.com

Offbeat Wines

https://offbeatwines.co.uk

Langham Wine

https://langhamwine.co.uk

India and Fleur’s reccs for booze-fuelled weekends:

Wild Escapes at Fullerton Farm

https://wildescapes.com

Tillingham

https://tillingham.com

Oxney Estate

https://oxneyestate.com

Forty Hall

https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk

Warden Abbey Vineyard

https://wardenvineyard.org.uk

Articles to help you seek out the best vineyards:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/uk-wine-industry

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/worlds-best-wine-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/underrated-wine-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-wine-hotels-europe

Wellness Retreats: The Post-Lockdown Trip We Need ft. Artah Founder Rhian Stephenson

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Rhian Stephenson, Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley) — Thu, 6 May 2021 16:20:00 +0000

So far the 2020s have been, understatement of the century, a lot. We’re worn out, lethargic and our mind and bodies are craving some TLC. Before slinking off to a hedonistic weekend in the Balearics or booking that four-years-in-the-making road trip around the US, we’re securing a spot on a much-needed wellness retreat.

Forget green juices and white robes, we’re spotlighting the next generation of wellness that focus more on community and connection than intermittent fasting. We’ll also be joined by Artah founder and former Psycle CEO Rhian Stephenson who shares her transformative travel experiences, how we can extinguish the flames of burnout and what the future of wellness looks like.

So, who's joining us?

Links and notes from the episode

Find out where Artah’s first UK wellness retreat is taking place

https://www.artah.co

The wellness retreats Rhian recommends:

https://www.original-mayr.com/en/

And read this for SUITCASE contributor Olivia Squire’s experience

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hotel-story-original-fx-mayr-austria

This is the Italian hotel Rhian cites as her favourite:

https://www.alpinadolomites.it/en/

India and Fleur’s wellness retreat recommendations:

Lucknam Park Hotel

https://www.lucknampark.co.uk

Lanserhof Tegernsee

https://www.lanserhof.com/en/tegernsee

Wildfitness

https://wildfitness.com

Helios Retreats

https://helios-retreats.com

Mojo Rising

https://www.mojo.co.uk

Camp Sarika

https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri/camp-sarika

Missionworks

https://lamingtongroup.com/brands/missionworks/

Rockwater Hove

https://rockwater.uk

Articles to kick-start your wellness journey

We talk a lot about some of these fab UK-based retreats that you can find here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/uk-wellbeing-retreats

Circadian travel is the wellness sphere’s next biggest trend

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/circadian-travel

And you’ll find more inspo here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/wellness-panel

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/londons-wellness-wizards

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/affordable-wellness-retreats

The Hotels and Hideaways We’re Checking Into in 2021 ft. Villa Lena Founders Lena Evstafieva and Jérôme Hadey

fleur@suitcasemag.com (SUITCASE Magazine) — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 09:35:00 +0000

Hands up who's desperate to return to the bel paese (beautiful country)?

We know that The Upgrade listeners are as infatuated with Italy as us, so we decided to join forces with the duo behind Italy’s coolest creative crash pad.

Tune in to this recommendation-packed episode as we’re joined by Villa Lena’s foundersLena Evstafieva and Jérôme Hadey, who share their Tuscan tips, under-the-radar restaurants in Rome and where to (hopefully) sip rosé this summer. That’s amore.

Plus, India and Fleur chat about the group getaways they’re hoping to get off the ground this year. Think beachy boltholes in Formentera, an art-filled hotel in Beirut and a mid-century cabin in the Welsh countryside. This episode is filled with good, old-fashioned escapism.

We’ll see you for aperitivo.

Links and notes from the episode

Lena and Jerome’s Italian recommendations:

Ristorante Le Pineta, Marina di Bibbona

Ciberèo Ristorante, Florence

Viareggio for Italian seaside jaunts

Hotel Locarno, Rome

Pierluigi, Rome

Le Sirenuse, Positano

Villa Feltrinelli, Lake Garda

The places Fleur’s (fingers crossed) slinking off to:

Iraia, Cornwall

The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk

Arthaus Beirut, Beirut

Casa Pacha, Formentera

The Rooster, Antiparos

India’s go-to group getaways:

Hergest Lee, Wales

Fynbos Cottages, Babylonstoren, South Africa

Craveiral Farmhouse, Portugal

Keep your escapism alive with these articles:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-beach-huts-uk-staycation

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/europe-seaside-town-revival

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/self-catering-stays-reunited-travel

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/unique-UK-airbnbs

Move Over Glamping: #Vanlife is the Next Outdoor Travel Trend ft. Anna Hart, Emma Jane Palin and Whinnie Williams

Wed, 7 Apr 2021 23:05:00 +0000

Sustainable? Tick. Slow travel? Tick. Affordable? Tick.

Move over glamping, #vanlife is the latest travel trend we can’t get enough of. Whether you’re hitting the road in a revamped VW, careering through California in an RV or pitching up on a campsite in a static caravan, bundling your pals/ family/ pets into the back of a campervan is the way to adventure in summer 2021.

We’re ditching the traditional flight-and-hotel model and riding the campervan trend as soon as travel gets back on the road. Helping us travel more sustainably, slowly and smarter, listen up as we deep-drive into why a holiday-on-wheels is the next outdoor trend. Plus, we reveal our own campervan travel tales, the road trip routes we want to take and whose vans we’re borrowing.

We’ll also be joined by the trio behind the UK’s newest (and coolest) staycation retreat, Club Jupiter. Interior designer Whinnie Williams, interior writer and stylist Emma Jane Palin and travel journalist (and long-time SUITCASE contributor) Anna Hart have spent the last year of lockdown revamping a static caravan in Kent. Snazzy. Tune in as they share the hotels that have inspired them, nifty interior DIY tips and why we’re all seeking a dose of nostalgia.

We’ll save a space for you by the campfire.

Links and notes from the episode

Follow Club Jupiter here:

https://www.instagram.com/clubjupiteruk/

Didn’t catch the name of the peer-to-peer campervan rental Fleur suggested (read: butchered), it’s here:

https://www.yescapa.co.uk

Want to join India on a motorhome adventure through Japan, check it out here:

https://www.dreamdrive.life

In need of some #Vanlife road trip inspiration? From Sicily to Sydney, California to Cádiz, we’ve got you covered:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/us-road-trip

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/road-trip-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/australian-road-trip

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/italy-road-trip

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/road-trip-iberia

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/sweet-nothings-a-road-trip-through-portugals-wild-west

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-road-trips-in-the-world

And for a dose of armchair escapism, you’ll want to read these:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/road-trip-books

Is This the End of the Traditional Holiday? Ft. Emma Gannon

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley, Emma Gannon) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

After a short hiatus – spent producing SUITCASE’s newest issue Volume 33: Collective (India), watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch reruns (Fleur) and avoiding baking anything (both) – we’re back. Season two of The Upgrade podcast kicks off with us asking a very important question: have we killed the traditional holiday?

As people take back control of their time and income, turn hobbies into side hustles and continue to blur the boundaries between work and play, the way we’re holidaying is changing. Join us as we deep-dive into the rise of the workation, reveal the destinations offering the best visas for digital nomads and share the places we’re planning to plug-in from.

We’ll also be joined by the master of multi-hyphenates, Emma Gannon, whose best-selling book – one of five, we may add – rewrote the rules of working for a legion of millennial fans. We catch up with the broadcaster-cum-author to chat about the freedoms of multi-hyphenates, how to nail your slashie bio and the countries she’s itching to get back to.

Oh and grab a pen, Emma’s carry-on book recommendations will have you hot-footing to your favourite independent bookstore quicker than you can say “beach paperback”.

Links and notes from the episode

Need some workation inspiration? Read these:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/workations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hotel-workcation-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-uk-hotels-remote-workers

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hotel-workcation-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/multi-hyphenated-millennial-killed-the-traditional-holiday

Travel Trends in 2021: The SUITCASE Guide ft. Olivia Lopez

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Olivia Lopez, Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley) — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:41:58 +0000

It’s here. The big one. The SUITCASE guide to travel 2021 has landed.

We’ve been itching to share with you the trips our travel editors are planning, the hotel openings on our radar and the travel trends on the horizon.

Chatting about workations and carbon-neutral holidays, seaside-town revivals and a Hawaiian island that’s undergoing creative regeneration, India and Fleur share insider intel on the next big trips to plan. They’ll also be talking (read: arguing) about the next wave of hotel openings and why Southend-on-Sea is the new Shoreditch.

We also catch up with travel influencer, content creator and podcast host Olivia Lopez to get the lowdown on the trips she’s taking, the places she’s revisiting and how her travel philosophy is changing.

Race you to departures...

We’d love to know where you’re going next. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com or buy a copy of SUITCASE magazine.

We’ll be back with season two soon.

Links, recommendations and all you need to start planning:

From the destinations we’re spotlighting:

South Africa

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/ultimate-south-africa-itinerary

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/city-guide-cape-town

Bosnia and Herzegovina

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/destination-inspiration-mostar-bosnia-and-herzegovina

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/48-hours-in-mostar-bosnia-and-herzegovina

Chad

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/destination-inspiration-chad-africa

Osea Island, UK

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/osea-island

Want to explore Essex’s creative scene? FInd out more:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-independents-in-essex

Embrace the workations trend with these freelancer-friendly hotels:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/hotel-workcation-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-uk-hotels-remote-workers

Read Rae’s fab piece on the England Coastal Path (or buy the magazine)

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/walking-england-coast-path

Our hot hotels for 2021:

The Harper, Norfolk

https://www.theharper.co.uk

Fforest’s new forray

https://www.coldatnight.co.uk

Wild Escapes, Hampshire

https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/hampshire/wild-escapes

The NoMad, London

https://www.thenomadhotel.com/london/

The Farmyard at The Newt, Somerset

https://thenewtinsomerset.com

Mayfair Townhouse, London

https://www.themayfairtownhouse.com

Beaverbrook Townhouse, London

https://www.beaverbrook.co.uk

Henry’s Townhouse, London

https://henrystownhouse.co.uk

Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh

http://gleneagles.com

Kalesma, Mykonos

https://www.kalesmamykonos.com

Casa Formentera, Formentera

https://casaformentera.com

Can Ferrereta, Mallorca

https://hotelcanferrereta.com/en

Kruger Shalati, South Africa

https://www.krugershalati.com

The Aurum, Catskills

https://www.theaurum.com

The Upgrade by SUITCASE Magazine x Krug: Chalet Cooking and Getting Creative in the Kitchen with Chef Michael O’Hare

Tue, 8 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000

This year, 2020, has been one of collaboration. That’s the C-word we’re championing, forget the other one.

We’re joining forces with the brands, businesses and like-minded people that share SUITCASE’s passion for connecting people and places all across the globe. Spotlighting independent businesses and expert craftspeople, we’re sharing the stories from those that have used the last few months to hone their art.

As part of this collaborative celebration, we’re partnering with champagne house Krug to bring you a special episode of The Upgrade. We’re handing over the mics to Michael O’Hare, Krug ambassador and Chef-Patron of Michelin-starred The Man Behind the Curtain, and Mark Sansom, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Bars, who chat about chalet cooking in Morzine, the future of fine dining and how Michael’s creativity surged in the pandemic. Given India and Fleur’s questionable cooking kills – who else recalls the time India asked how to boil an egg? – we thought this was wise.

Kick off your winter festivities by joining us in pouring a glass of the good stuff and tuning in to two food enthusiasts’ culinary tales. There’s no better way to see the back of 2020.

We’ll be back with Season 2 soon.

Keen to flex your culinary muscles? Check out these at-home chef approved recipes:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/home-cook-recipes

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/20-global-cookbooks

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/literatures-great-plates-recipes

Winter Special Episode 1: Creative Burnout? Reignite Your Spark with the Founders of Birch and The Coven

Thu, 3 Dec 2020 17:25:20 +0000

Suffering from creative burnout? We’ve found the cure.

At a time where burnout is all too common and creativity can be hard to muster, we’re helping you reignite your spark. Banishing the B-word for good, we’re dialling in with two powerhouse creatives who share their tips, tricks and secrets to reigniting that creative spark.

We catch up with Chris Penn, co-founder of Birch, this year’s hottest “anti-hotel” opening that is changing the conversation around creative retreats. With extra curricular activities such as candle making (with our pals Earl of East), meditation and food from chef Robin Gill, Birch has an ethos that centres around your pursuit of happiness and shaking off city excesses. There’s nobody from which we’d rather seek advice.

We’re also joined by The Coven founder Sapphire Bates whose online membership club has helped thousands of female freelancers, creatives and independent business owners thrive. Here, Sapphire reveals her secrets to managing stress, how to turn your home into a work-free sanctuary and what books we should read to relax.

The two reveal their tips for banishing burnout, setting boundaries and achieving a better work-life balance. After the year we’ve had, we need it.

We’ll be back with Season 2 soon.

Recharge your creativity with some of these SUITCASE articles

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-uk-creative-retreats

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/home-counties-creative-enclaves

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/creative-retreats

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/work-meets-travel-seeing-world-make-us-creative

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/dreamsical-places-visit

All Hail the British High Street: London’s Independent Shops We Love

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 03:00:14 +0000

This is our love letter to London.

In our debut season finale we’re shining a light on the London independents that we love. From Hackney’s hippest lifestyle collective to a sourdough hero who is shaping his neighbourhood one loaf at a time, these are the London shop owners that help their communities thrive.

We catch up with Paul Firmin, one half of the duo behind trendy Earl of East. The seriously cool brand started on a Hackey market stall and has grown into two stores – one in Hackney and one in Coal Drops Yard – that regularly grace the pages of design-driven mags. It’s also our go-to for succulents and scents.

We’ll also be joined by Max Tobias, founder of Dusty Knuckle bakery. What started in a shipping container in Dalston, is now a socially conscious bakery that supplies restaurants including Ottolenghi and the Chiltern Firehouse. This summer, they launched a “breadmobile” service which delivered loaves to locked down Londoners.Alongside baking banging bread, they provide employment opportunities to disadvantaged youths.

The two pioneering London independents share with us their favourite neighbourhood haunts, the antiques market we must visit and how shopping local is changing the face of the British High Street.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com or buy a copy of SUITCASE magazine.

We’ll be back with Season 2 soon.

Links and notes from the episode

Earl of East’s Netil Market picks:

Lucy Chip

Bao (of course)

Brother

And their favourite neighbourhood haunts:

Perky Blenders

Vinnie’s

Gnarly Vines

Other london based brands they love:

London Borough of Jam – we love Lily too.

Triangle

Goodhood

A New Tribe (for ceramics)

Everything But The Dog

DIY-ers will want to check out these homeware stores:

Labour and Weight

Caravane in Coal Drops Yard

Alfie’s Antique Market for vintage finds

Sunbury’s antiques market is a must and worth the early start

Arch 389

Head to Birch for workshops and creative retreats.

Shop scents, bath salts and a curated collection of succulents at Earl of East here and here.

Max Tobias from Dusty Knuckle Bakery local go-to’s:

Gozleme House (465 Green Lanes) for lunch

Visit Bora at Newington Green Fruit and Veg for your fresh produce

Max’s favourite italian is this one, Pizzeria Papagone

& Brouhaha for wine, beers and a cool crowd

Order potato sourdough and the feta and honey pastry from the breadmobile (yes, we’re sure the name is sticking) here.

The Staycation Edition Part Two: Our Pick of Self-Catering Homes

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley) — Tue, 1 Sep 2020 03:00:01 +0000

Join our travel editors as they lift the lid on some of their favourite UK self-catering stays, from twee Cotswolds cottages to Pembrokeshire houseboats. No longer just a crash pad for laying your head, this is the kind of accommodation at the forefront of the staycation stampede. Expect design-driven bothies in the Highlands, the South Downs’ most swanky stately homes and Norfolk cottages that have been given extensive makeovers.

We’ll also be joined by one half of the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Brownber Hall, arguably the plushest pad in the country. After upping sticks and moving from Hackney to Cumbria, Peter and Amanda Jaques-Walker opened Brownber Hall to rave reviews. Then the pandemic hit and they pivoted from running a boutique hotel to a self-catering bolthole. Peter shares their journey with us, his top Lake District picks – including a secluded wild-swimming spot – and introduces their new property, Brownber House.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

Peter Jaques-Walkers top Lake District tips:

Pendragon Castle with its River Eden swimming spot next door

The Black Swan for grub

Black Bull for Japan-meets-Cumbria food

The bothy India waxed lyrical about?

Inverlonan, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Fleur’s glamping pick:

Glen Dye, Kincardineshire, Scotland

The glass-fronted homes hidden in the Scottish Highlands:

57 Nord

Croft 103

That dreamy Pembrokeshire houseboat…

Pembrokeshire Houseboat, Kip Hideaways

The most elaborate folly with Notebook-worthy boating lake:

The Walled Gardens, Bath

Fleur’s heading to this Cotswolds barn with her family in tow:

Bibury Farm Barns

… and India to this Pinterest-worthy darling in Norfolk:

Eden Hall

The showstopper of the episode:

Cadence, Petworth, West Sussex

Our pick of self-catering booking platforms:

Canopy & Stars for treehouses, airstreams and other quirky accommodation

Airbnb Plus (obvs)

Living Architecture for Grand Design-worthy properties

Fish & Pips for all-out countryside party mansions

Freedom to Travel: Meet the First Black Woman to Travel to Every Country in the World

fleur@suitcasemag.com (India Dowley, Jessica Nabongo, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 03:00:05 +0000

This week we chat to trailblazer Jessica Nabongo, an influencer with actual influence. Her following – 197,000 and counting – watched her, as we did, become the first Black woman to travel to all 195 countries in the world. She slept in a yurt in Mongolia, toured pyramids in Sudan and broke bread in Pakistan before finishing her two-and-a-half-year race around the world on the shores of the Seychelles. We couldn’t think of a better guest to have on Episode 6 of The Upgrade podcast, which coincides with the launch of our Volume 31: The Freedom Issue.

It comes at a time when the idea of “freedom” sits awkwardly with our social, political, economic and mental realities. Nevertheless, we believe that the culture of travel, of building connections across the world and immersing yourself in other countries and communities can be incredibly freeing.

We chat to the influencer, travel expert and businesswoman Jessica Nabongo about her thoughts on diversity in the travel industry, the highs and lows of her journeys and how we can support African artisans through her new business venture, The Catch.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

You can follow along with Jessica Nabongo’s 50-state US road trip here

https://www.instagram.com/thecatchmeifyoucan/

Want to fill your home with Jessica’s well-curated selection from artisanal items from around the world? Shop The Catch.

https://www.instagram.com/thisisthecatch/

And these are the Black-owned businesses Jessica recommends:

The Honey Pot Company

https://thehoneypot.co

The Lip Bar (for your seven-minute full face)

https://thelipbar.com

AJ Crimson

https://ajcrimson.com

Coco and Seed (for Jessica’s plant babies)

https://cocoandseed.com

Essie Spice

https://www.essiespice.com

This is the article about passport privilege India and Fleur urge you to read:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/the-right-to-travel

And these are the articles we take a look at to help you become a better ally:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/otherness-superpower-journey-belonging

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/blackness-becoming-and-breaking-barriers

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/us-cannabis-industry

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/neocolonial-tourism

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/breaking-into-travel-journalism

Want to be one of the first to receive our brand new issue?

https://suitcasemag.com/shop/subscriptions

Summer Loving: The Destinations Our Editors Can’t Wait to Visit Again

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley) — Tue, 4 Aug 2020 03:00:10 +0000

Summer 2020 might not be what you hoped for, but we’re here to salvage what’s left of it. The travel industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, so we’re spotlighting the destinations we’re keen to help get back on their feet as and when travel restrictions allow. Rattling through a whole host of recommendations for this (or next) year’s summer jaunts, we lift the lid on our treasured European hotspots and dive into the reasons why we’re returning to these nostalgic destinations.

We also catch up with Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO and Creative Director of the Pellicano Hotels and founder of Issimo – a new digital platform created for Italophiles. She’s spent countless summers at her family’s cult hotel, Il Pellicano, so she knows what’s what when it comes to getting a taste of la dolce vita and finding those lesser-trodden corners of Tuscany. Grab a pen; her recommendations are second to none.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

Fleur’s service-stop recommendation if you’re road-tripping from Calais to Provence:

Take a detour and stop off at Arras. Have a lunch-break baguette at boulangerie-pâtisserie Cori Nadège et Laurent.

In Menton:

Try and grab a table at Mirazur.

If not, Le Petit Port is always worth a visit.

Bed down at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide

India’s Italian hotel recommendations:

Le Sirenuse (of course).

And the Amalfi’s darling, Monastero Santa Rosa.

The hotel in Poland Fleur was waxing on about?

Galery69 – trust us, go now.

Marie-Louise Sciò’s Italian recommendations

A truly tuscan road trip, visit:

Capalbio

Pescia Romana

Maremma

… and Bolgheri for wine

Here are the Tuscan islands she recommends: Giannutri, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo and Populonia (where the deer are).

And her favourite place in Tuscany to eat:

Da Petroio

And in Rome:

Da Enzo

Roscioli

Her guide to Ischia:

Nitrodi thermal baths

La Scarrupata for lunch (you can only get there by boat) restaurant

Casamicciola Terme in the northern part of Ischia

Craving a bit of digital dolce vita?

Check out her new venture Issimo.

Find the SUITCASE team’s favourite hotels that they can’t wait to return to here.

In need of some summer escapism? Check out these articles:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/SUITCASE-team-travels-post-lockdown

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/Enneagram-Type-Summer-Destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/european-summer-holiday-destinations

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/destinations-making-comeback

For Love or Money: How to Consciously Support the Travel Industry

fleur@suitcasemag.com (India Dowley, Bruce Poon Tip, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 03:00:02 +0000

As the world starts to open up again, we’re following the money and making sure your travel pennies are being pocketed by the communities that need them the most. Purchasing power – whether at home or abroad – is so important, even more so now as communities struggle to get back on their feet. Join us, Editor-in-Chief India Dowley and Content Editor Fleur Rollet-Manus as we pick apart what it means to “spend like a local”, while spotlighting the neighbourhood initiatives helping us become more thoughtful travellers.

We’re also joined by @brucepoontip, the founder of G Adventures, which has been pioneering community-based tourism for more than 30 years. He shares with us his top tips for spending locally, his thoughts on the post-pandemic travel landscape and how he balances being green with his love of venturing around the globe.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change as lockdown restrictions ease. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

Keen to support community-led tourism? Read some of these…

https://suitcasemag.com/trailblazers/shofco-kennedy-odede-nairobi/

https://suitcasemag.com/travel/stories/erbil-iraqi-kurdistan/

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/mauritius-beach-sustainability

If you want to know how air bridges can work for you – and find out which Polish beach Fleur was banging on about – read our guide here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/air-bridges

India & Fleur’s top picks to help you spend locally:

@spendwiththem

En Via, Oaxaca

Eat Like a Local Mexico City

Bantu Wax

And their recs for Ibiza and Formentera:

To stay:

To eat:

Beaches: Cala Tarida, Cala Gracioneta, Cala Carbo

And this is the secret (don’t tell everyone) Sicilian hotspot India is heading to:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/destination-inspiration-egadi-islands-sicily

Why It’s Time to Go Off-Grid

fleur@suitcasemag.com (India Dowley, Kiko Matthews, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Tue, 7 Jul 2020 04:00:12 +0000

Let’s be honest, we’ve had a lot of time to plan our next big adventure. Post-lockdown, when it’s safe to do so, we want to head out on an epic voyage of discovery. No more manana manana (“tomorrow, tomorrow”) it’s time to seize the day.

Join us, Editor-in-Chief India Dowley and Content Editor Fleur Rollet-Manus, as we discuss (read: fight) over the trips we’re going to be taking, deep-dive into why adventure travel is set to rise and consider pressing pause on city breaks for a while.

We also catch up with world-record holder and environmental activist Kiko Matthews to discuss her intrepid adventures, tackling 50ft waves and how Prince Harry fuelled her love for adventure.

We’d love to know where you’re going next and how you think the travel landscape might change post-pandemic. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

As soon as we're allowed to, we’re fleeing to the Azores and you should too (provided you’ve had a COVID test, it’s negative and you carry it with you, of course).

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/azores

Kiko Matthews is awe-inspiring. Discover more of her travel tales in her book.

https://www.polperropress.co.uk/page/book/kiko/

Read all about India’s Madagascan adventure here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/madagascar-off-road-expedition

Then, drool over Mark’s photography from their epic Jordan trip:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/riders-on-the-storm

See what inspired Fleur to start planning her trip to Pakistan:

Shola Karachi Kitchen

http://www.sholakitchen.com

Gather inspo for your next wild getaway here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/disconnect-reconnect

Still hungry for more? Check out these issues of SUITCASE Magazine for a dose of armchair adventure:

https://suitcasemag.com/shop/vol-25-pioneer-issue

https://suitcasemag.com/shop/vol-26-nostalgia-issue

https://suitcasemag.com/shop/vol-23-adventure-issue

Why Are We Obsessed with Being in a Constant State of Travel?

fleur@suitcasemag.com (Fleur Rollet-Manus, India Dowley) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 04:00:05 +0000

What do two travel editors do when they’re faced with months of lockdown and lots of paused plans? We side-step tie-dye projects and sourdough starters in favour of creating our own at-home adventures.

For the past few months, we’ve fantasised about travel more than ever. Whether rustling up our favourite dishes from the Amalfi Coast, immersing ourselves in diverse cultures through literature or binging on Netflix’s globe-trotting flicks, we’ve become obsessed with incorporating travel into our daily lives. Join us, Editor-in-Chief India Dowley and Content Editor Fleur Rollet-Manus, as we discuss how you can do the same.

We catch up with chef Tom Brown, the culinary creative behind Hackney Wick’s hit restaurant Cornerstone. He talks to us about his travels in Japan, secret beaches in Mexico and reveals how to nail the recipe for those crab crumpets.

We’ll also be revealing the European hotels we’re checking into as lockdown measures ease.

We’d love to know where you’re travelling next and how you think the travel landscape might change post-pandemic. Send your voice notes to fleur@suitcasemag.com or drop us a DM on Instagram @indiadowley and @fleur_rm. For a daily dose of travel inspiration, check in with us at suitcasemag.com.

Links and notes from the episode

Peckish and in need of a chef-approved snack? Try whipping up one of these recipes from our favourite chefs.

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/home-cook-recipes

… or one of these global plates:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/chefs-reveal-favourite-holiday-dishes

Add to your lockdown library with our Sub Editor Rae’s well-curated selection:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/books-every-female-traveller-should-read

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/best-life-changing-travel-books

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/books-on-sustainability-and-climate-change

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/dismantling-racism-books-podcasts-films

Support your lock bookstore and buy your stash from one of these independents:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/independent-bookshops

Combining our love of food and literature, dig in to one of these SUITCASE-approved cookbooks:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/20-global-cookbooks

Find out when our favourite European hotels are opening here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/favourite-european-hotels-re-opening

Netflix and chill more your bag? Tune into these far-flung flicks:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/netflix-best-travel-series

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/indie-travel-films

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/favourite-films-to-inspire-your-travels

Or if you’re after something more avant-garde, these are the museums and galleries you can (virtually) wander from home:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/mueseums-and-galleries-to-virtually-tour

Chef Tom Brown’s favourite spots

Crate

https://cratebrewery.com

Pearl

https://pearlhackneywick.com

Natura

http://naturapizzeria.com

Silo

https://silolondon.com

Henne Kirkeby Kro

https://www.hennekirkebykro.dk

Ynyshir

https://ynyshir.co.uk

… and don’t forget the Shibanuma soy sauce

https://www.shibanuma.com/en/

India and Fleur’s top picks and recommendations

Books:

Educated by Tara Westwood

Alone in Antarctica by Felicity Aston

Walls of Change: The Story of the Wynwood Walls by Jessica Goldman Srebnick

What I was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman

Women Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe by Faith Conlon

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights by Gretchen Sorin

Our favourite European hotels:

La Bastide de Fléchon
Provence, France

https://www.bastidedeflechon.com

Torre del Marqués

Teruel, Spain

https://www.hoteltorredelmarques.com

Sublime Comporta

Comporta, Portugal

https://www.sublimecomporta.pt

Miramonti

Avelengo, Italy

https://www.hotel-miramonti.com

The Staycation Edition: How Will Travel Change Post Coronavirus?

fleur@suitcasemag.com (India Dowley, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Wed, 3 Jun 2020 04:00:36 +0000

Restless and itching to get out? Us too.

That’s why we’re bringing a dose of escapism to wherever you may be listening. We’ll be dissecting what post-pandemic travel might look like in the first episode of SUITCASE’s debut podcast, The Upgrade.

Helping you to travel smarter, we’re exploring staycations as the new holiday of choice and looking forward to the positive impact this new trend will have on the travel industry. Join us for the ride; we’ll be spotlighting some of our favourite British hotels and UK destinations along the way.

We also catch up with Robin and Judy Hutson, the pioneers behind The Pig hotels, as they share their thoughts on how COVID-19 is set to change the hospitality space.

Links and notes from the episodes:

Guilty of neglecting some of the UK’s most beautiful hotspots? Find your staycation inspiration here:

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/britains-best-beaches

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/instagrammable-uk-destinations-that-could-be-abroad

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/abandoned-places-to-visit-uk

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/great-day-trips-london

We’re gushing about Bruton A LOT. Read our pocket guide here:

https://suitcasemag.com/travel/city-guides/bruton-somerset-uk/

Margate, too:

https://suitcasemag.com/travel/city-guides/guide-to-margate-kent/

And here’s our guide to St Ives if you’re looking for a Cornish beaches-and-cream getaway:

https://suitcasemag.com/travel/city-guides/a-pocket-guide-to-st-ives-cornwall-uk/

Keep up-to-date with The Pig Hotels and Robin and Judy Hutson here:

https://www.thepighotel.com

India and Fleur’s hotel hot picks

Artist Residence

https://www.artistresidence.co.uk

Heckfield Place, Hampshire

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/heckfield-place-hampshire

Beaverbrook, Surrey

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/beaverbrook-surrey

The Newt, Somerset

https://thenewtinsomerset.com

Swallow Barn, Frome

https://www.swallowbarnfrome.com

Blonde Hedgehog, Aldenery, Channel Islands

https://blondehedgehog.com

The Yan, Cumbria

https://www.theyan.co.uk

L’enclume, Cumbria

https://www.lenclume.co.uk

Killiehuntly, Kingussie, Scotland

https://suitcasemag.com/articles/killiehuntly-house-kingussie-scotland

Lakes by Yoo, Cotswolds

https://thelakesbyyoo.com

Introducing The Upgrade, the debut travel podcast by SUITCASE Magazine

fleur@suitcasemag.com (India Dowley, Fleur Rollet-Manus) — Fri, 29 May 2020 15:06:39 +0000

Introducing The Upgrade, a new travel podcast from SUITCASE Magazine designed to help you travel smarter.

We’re launching our debut episode on Wednesday 3 June, bringing a dose of escapism to wherever you may be listening.

Every two weeks, we’ll bring you intel from trailblazing hoteliers, our favourite chefs, off-grid explorers and the local heroes shaping their neighbourhoods – these are the people changing the way we travel.

Editor-in-Chief India Dowley and Content Editor Fleur Rollet-Manus will be dissecting emerging travel trends, deep-diving into up-and-coming destinations and, of course, sharing our recommendations, stories and the odd lost luggage disaster from across the world.

Can’t wait until Wednesday 3 June? Check in with us at suitcasemag.com