Georges Bizet died at the age of 36, thinking Carmen was a flop. He had barely reached the grave when those who had curled their lips at the premiere three months earlier – too immoral, too long, too formless – changed their minds, brought back to their senses by grief. History did the rest. A … Read more
The next section of Sydney’s metro, due to open soon, is being hailed as a revolution for commuters in the city. The Chatswood to Sydenham section of the $21.6 billion rail line will not only dramatically reduce journey times and introduce a new crossing under Sydney Harbour, but will also shape settlement patterns, with the … Read more
Next to Pret A Manger, behind a discreet glass door, lies Terminal 5’s best kept secret. “This is one of our most exclusive handbags,” the shop assistant purrs, showing me a tiny bag in a glass case. “It’s totally unique in the UK. Notice the placement of the logo? That’s almost unheard of for Prada. … Read more
Vibrant colours, vibrant dishes, Asturias Carved into the rugged coastline of Asturias, hug is a picturesque fishing village that brightened up our recent tour of the north. Driving along the coast from Gijón, we were immediately struck by the vibrant colours. We enjoyed the freshest seafood in one of the quaint harbourside restaurants and found … Read more
Photographer Sefton Samuels, who has died aged 93, was a consummate chronicler of life in the north of England. He has been variously described as the photographic equivalent of Ken Loach and the favourite photographer of painter LS Lowry. Over six decades he captured the great, the good, the gloom and the grime of the … Read more
I remember the first time I noticed the millennium had passed. I was sitting in a new boutique hotel in Mayfair, drinking a “citric purée” – lovingly rather than ironically made from the barman’s leftover juice peels. The bar was full of plants and women in oversized oatmeal-colored cardigans and designer clutches. A DJ was … Read more
For the rich and famous looking to tap into some high-end Ibiza magic, there’s only one number worth having on speed dial. Serena Cook is the original island fixer, having founded her concierge business Deliciously Sorted over 20 years ago while working as a chef for her friend Jade Jagger. It was chatting to the … Read more
In the spring of 2022, the Ukrainian city of Bucha fell victim to a brutal invasion by Russian forces. The first battle for the city, located on the eastern outskirts of Kiev, left 1,400 civilians dead. Moscow’s forces are still accused of committing a litany of war crimes during the months-long occupation that followed. But … Read more
In our increasingly busy, hectic work lives, finding a little space to create some peace and quiet has never been more important. It’s no wonder the wellness industry is booming, offering everything from cryotherapy to massage in an attempt to offset the stress of a 9-5 job. The same goes for festivals. These days, punters … Read more