The Editor-Approved Holiday Destinations To Know

“I visited Japan for Sakura – Cherry Blossom – season a few years ago with my family, and it’s still talked about so fondly. It feels like we left our hearts there. We did a grand tour from Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto to Hiroshima, the the art island of Naoshima, Hida Furukawa, Hida Furukawa and Kanazawa – and all on the Shinkansen, or bullet trains, which means you have to pack lightly. We visited in spring when Japan has quite changeable weather: one day you are wearing a summer dress with a light jacket, the next you need rainwear and cashmere. Simple, hard-wearing pieces were my go-to, from a cool biker jacket to boyfriend jeans topped off with some fun fashion slippers and a statement piece of jewellery. We are already planning our return to discover more.”

“This summer I’ll be enjoying a long weekend in Kardamyli, a picturesque village in southern Greece, for a girlfriend’s 50th birthday. We will be spending our days relaxing on the little private beach at our hotel and our evenings dining at cute coastal restaurants with incredible sea views. I will be packing light in my typical neutral palette of black and white with a touch of denim, which makes it very easy to put outfits together. A maxi dress, cotton and denim shorts, loose silk vests, a simple one-piece, and minimal thong sandals are the main pieces that will make up my mini-break wardrobe.”

“Being Italian, I never quite understood the allure of the South of France – it always felt easier to visit home. But late last year, I had the chance to review a hotel in the area and quickly fell under its spell. I visited in October, when the UK was already feeling the chill, and arrived in sun-soaked Cannes to what felt like summer. We stayed at Toile Blanche, a boutique hotel about 20 minutes outside the city. Surrounded by picturesque countryside, it’s rural yet chic, with contemporary artwork throughout and two excellent restaurants on-site. Nearby, St. Paul de Vence and Antibes are perfect for day trips – the former filled with art galleries and workshops, the latter a charming market town with a beautiful museum dedicated to Picasso’s ceramics. A fantastic alternative for a European city break, and a destination I’ll never overlook again.”

“I visited LA in November, which was a beautiful time of year to go. Los Angeles is best done with a loose plan and a strong sense of where to eat, shop and linger. I started my trip staying at the Regent in Santa Monica, which was perfectly located for beach walks. Then when the clouds rolled in, I leant into LA’s moody glamour and checked into The Beverly Hills hotel and booked lunch at the Chateau Marmont – an institution that still defines old Hollywood cool. For shopping, Rodeo Drive is essential: Saks and Neiman Marcus make it easy to cover everything in one walk. Dante is a solid lunch reservation if you want something buzzy but unfussy. And as the sun sets, Sunset Tower is iconic for drinks – no reservations, so dress boldly – or opt for something closer like Peninsula for a polished Beverly Hills alternative.”

“Last May I took a trip to Bergen, the second largest city in Norway known as ‘the gateway’ to the fjords. We flew directly from London and as soon as we touched down, went straight to the fish market for the most delicious fresh mussels – one of our favourite meals of the trip! Then we met our kayaking guide and travelled an hour out of town to the base of the fjords, where we paddled along the scenic coastline and snacked on smoked salmon and homemade apple juice. We checked into the Bergen Børs Hotel in the centre of town, which has a very elegant mirrored cocktail bar and incredible buffet breakfast. Next morning we headed to the base of the mountain and took the funicular up to the top of Fløyen. Here we had a guided walk, local picnic lunch of tinned fish and fermented cheese and then headed back to town for a floating sauna, which I cannot recommend enough. A very action-packed weekend trip but all a must-do. Make sure you pack waterproofs, layers and good walking shoes.”