LONG WEEKENDS

Four OR five DAYS

This selection of long weekends that we like is not a scientific selection or even a graded one – it’s a serendipitous list of travel ideas; some of them can be added together or mixed one with another where geography, or an aircraft allows. If you just want to book something yourself that’s fine, but if you want us to design something into a wider itinerary just let us know.

"If you sort of know what you want to do, these guys listen closely to you. Then they take your thoughts and tweak them, until your trip has dimensions you hadn’t even thought about. Its great to tap into their years of travelling.”

Tina Dzapasi

Antarctica

Norway – sort of…

The ultimate 5-day long weekend – if all the flight schedules link up. Fly from London overnight to either Cape-town, or to Santiago in Chile with a connecting flight to Punta Arenas in the far south of Chile. Then from either Cape-town or Punta Arenas a charter flight heads for the ice runway servicing Whichaway Camp in Antarctica.

Whichaway nestles in the lee of a 60 -metre ice cliff in Queen Maud Land, a vast ice region claimed by Norway. Time for just one day here, on this long weekend trip. There’s ice-climbing, hiking and kite-skiing available for those staying longer and maybe something can be fitted in. But with just a day it may be enough to just look around and try to believe you’re in Antarctica for the day. Then it’s time to board the charter plane back to Cape-town or Punta Arenas and then head home. A crazy five days, if all the schedules fit, but if you want the ultimate adventure in a short time it could be fun to try it.

Finland

Fatbiking in Oulanka National Park. Fatbikes are essentially bikes with low gears and chunky 10cm wide ‘fat’ tyres. Ideal for non-skiers to get into ski country.  In Finland’s Oulanka National park you can cycle past ice-covered lakes, through ancient forests and across the wintry and wild taiga. In the evenings there are saunas and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

France

A 50 hour mystery journey (it was for a 50th birthday…) Party in London… Eurostar to Paris… train to Epernay… private Dinner at Moet & Chandon … visit to their champagne cave… fly home by private jet.

Italy

A Tuscany Road trip. A classic Italian road trip has to take in hilltop towns and vineyards and a long weekend driving through Tuscany offers all that and more. After a first night in Florence, next day head to classic Chianti country for a morning wine-tasting tour, before driving via the small village of Volpaia for a lunch stop, before making for an overnight in Siena. The next day make for Arezzo and a leisurely lunch before either an overnight here or a quick run back on the autostrada to Florence. This trip is about food, beautiful accommodation and excellent wines. But it should – this being Italy, also be about hiring the right car for the weekend – something Italian of course.

Ferrari Four days. Fly to Florence to meet the Ferrari model of your choice, and after spending a day in the city, drive off in style on the open road. Visit San Gimignano, then Siena, Montepulciano and Arezzo, before returning to Florence. A weekend of Italian food and wine, beautiful old cities, five-star accommodation - and time on the open road in a Ferrari with you in the driving seat.

Jordan

Visit Petra, with private tours (one easy and one involving a trek)… Candelit Dinner at or near Petra… overnight in private camp in Wadi Rum… play golf at Aqaba… fly to Amman by private jet.

Monaco

Fly down by private jet… watch the Historic Grand Prix (older cars, legendary drivers, less crowded than the F1 version… an excursion out along the coast using whatever sort of boat floats your boat)… gourmet food…

Morocco

Marrakesh and the Dunes. Fly to Marrakesh, the medina, the souks, the Djemma El Fna. But then for a weekend with a difference, take a helicopter past the High Atlas and down to the Sahara. Stay at the Hotel Xaluca Maadid and take a trip out to Erg Chebbi and the dunes. Time for a dune walk, a camel trip and a look at the wilderness of the Sahara. Then fly back north past the Atlas Mountains again, landing on the way at Kasbah Tamadot for lunch, before your heli drops you back into the bustle of Marrakesh. A walled city, the vastness of the Sahara and those aerial views on the way. 

Norway

A Four-day ice adventure. Fly to Oslo, then on northwards to Svarlbard, to trek a glacier outside Nybyen then spend a night in an ice cave in a frozen world. A short sharp taste of a different world. Then back to civilisation.

Scotland

Fly there by private helicopter… stay at a small restaurant with rooms, winner of the Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year 2018… salmon fishing… picnics on the beach on Colonsay and Scarista… helicopter home again.

Serbia and Montenegro

Belgrade to Bar by Rail. Unlike many of our favourite rail journeys this is not on board a luxury train; the trip is best seen as an adventure and a throwback in time. Work on the 296-mile route commenced in 1952 when Yugoslavia still existed. By the time it opened in 1976 Yugoslavia had ceased to exist and instead the route linked two countries – inland Serbia and Montenegro on the Adriatic coast. The line starts at Belgrade’s faded railway station, built in 1884 and once a major stop on the Orient Express route. Much of the line runs across farmland, with stone farmhouses set amidst plum trees and vegetable gardens. But the highlight of this 12-hour journey comes around sunset, with dramatic sunset views of the Dinaric Aps, and a highlight when the train crosses the Mala Rijeka Viaduct. At 200 metres in height this is one of the world’s highest railway bridges. Then come views of Lake Skadar, lying on the Montenegro-Abania border, before the line winds down into the Montenegran Adriatic port of Bar. The carriages are worn, the catering is rudimentary – bring your own food – so this is something of a demanding experience. But a fascinating throwback to an earlier Balkans, in a little-known part of Europe.

Spain

Bilbao to Ferrol by Rail. A slow journey this, on Europe’s longest narrow-gauge railway. It’s a 400 -mile run, constructed in 1965 as a local railway linking rural villages. The entire trip, if you choose to travel the line in one day, takes some 15 hours across the Basque country to Galicia, travelling through tunnels and along ravines, traversing the green-clad mountains of some of Spain’s most isolated regions. This is not one through train; changes of train are necessary: from Bilbao a first train runs to Santander, where a change of train takes then follows a wild route through the Picos de Europa, calling at Oviedo. From here a third train runs west, the little narrow-gauge train stopping at isolated stations in the middle of nowhere before reaching the unspoilt coast of Galicia and so to Ferrol. Whilst the trip can be done in one long day, it is far better to take several days, maybe a week or so, breaking the journey along the way, to sample the tapas, cheeses, stews and seafood of the region. The line links so many taste sensations it is a pity not to stop off and linger along the way.

Switzerland

Verbier Winter weekend – just a 90-minute drive from Geneva airport, Verbier has been described as the most glamorous resort in the Alps. For the skier the 4 Vallees region offers some 400kms of runs with over 100 lifts. There’s also heli-skiing available, whilst for the non-skier snow-shoeing, husky sled excursions, horse and cart rides and heli-touring are all available, so there’s plenty of options for a long weekend. On the last day, there’s the possibility to heli up onto a glacier for a sit-down waiter-served lunch or dinner at tables set out on the ice – an exciting way to finish a visit.  Our favourite chalet here provides the perfect base. There are just 13 rooms, but 15 staff to look after guests; service is key here. So is the food: owner David is himself a trained chef and the 3 chefs here have Michelin star history. They will discuss meal preferences with guests a week before they arrive. There’s a complimentary bar, but they will also order any guest wine preferences from their wine merchant. Facilities here include a pool, spa, hot tubs and an in-house cinema. If venturing out into town there’s a 24 -hour driver service to get you there and more importantly get you home. The chalet is available for exclusive hire during the winter months.

Verbier Summer Weekend. – just a 90-minute drive from Geneva airport, Verbier has been described as the most glamorous resort in the Alps. Summer activities here include hiking, mountain-biking, rock climbing, paragliding and parapenting, scooter-riding, golf and tennis. There’s even wheel-sledding with huskies. So, there’s plenty of options for an interesting long weekend. On the last day, there’s the possibility to heli up onto a glacier for a sit-down waiter-served lunch or dinner at tables set out on the ice – an exciting way to finish a visit.  Our favourite boutique hotel here provides the perfect base. There are just 13 rooms, but 15 staff to look after guests; service is key here. So is the food: owner David is himself a trained chef and the 3 chefs here have Michelin star history. They will discuss meal preferences with guests a week before they arrive. There’s a complimentary bar, but they will also order any guest wine preferences from their wine merchant. Facilities here include a pool, spa, hot tubs and an in-house cinema. If venturing out into town there’s a 24 -hour driver service to get you there and more importantly get you home.

UK

West Country Weekend. Escape the bustle of the city on a Friday evening, by helicopter and head west to Devon and Cornwall. Time over the next two days to fly around the Lizard and Land’s End; and put down on a few secluded beaches for a lazy private picnic. Nights can be spent at a family-run Lodge, once a 300-acre dairy farm and now a country retreat where they are used to hosting parties, champagne tasting or even a jazz evening. And somewhere in the weekend we recommend fitting in a meal at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Padstow, before helicoptering back to the city.

Venice

Travel to Venice on the Orient Express…stay at the Cipriani… private tour of the islands… fly home by private jet.