Category Archives: united kingdom

September 11, 2013 · 12:22 pm

Highlights of Henley-on-Thames and the Royal Regatta

Email, RSS Follow

photo 1-3

There are a few things in life that would make this Anglophile’s dreams come true. Things like being in the presence of the Queen. Being named a Dame. Having Centre Court seats at Wimbledon. AND attending the Henley Royal Regatta in style. Thankfully, this regatta season did not pass without my Henley Royal Regatta dream coming true!

1011300_626148910729326_1900361525_n

I can thank my wonderful hosts, Mr. and Mrs. O, for making this possible. Yes, I had to get myself to the UK but, besides that, the rest was sorted out for me. It’s a good thing because while anyone can walk the banks of the Thames, you can only be in certain enclosures (read VIP areas) if you are sponsored by someone. I like to think I’m important but, let’s be honest, I’m not British, therefore I’m not! I’m just a British wanna be. I did do my best to look the part and not embarrass my lovely hosts. You see, there are rules and regulations for the enclosure VIP areas.

photo 2-3

If you are wondering why this is…I think it’s simple tradition. The Henley Royal Regatta was first held in 1839 and I think the dress code reflects those gentler times. Hats, coats, ties & fascinators! For me, it was like dressing up in a costume but so fun nonetheless. Now, I’m sure you are wondering if I was able to make any other English dreams come true. After all, it is called the Henley ROYAL Regatta! The answer is no. No royal sightings for moi even though every reigning Monarch has become its Royal Patron.

photo 3-5

Other traditions that were the order of the Regatta day were Pimms, of course, and afternoon tea. Both of these things are NOT a common practice for me so it was also quite a treat. Here in England at events such as the Henley Royal Regatta, they actually have Pimms on tap! That was truly something for these Yank eyes to behold. I was very impressed to say the least.

photo 5

BUT if you are not able to attend the Henley Royal Regatta, don’t despair. You can get your regatta fix in other wonderful ways. For one, if you visit Henley, you have to make time to tour the River & Rowing Museum to appreciate the town’s long history, pride of rowing and its regatta regalia. The River & Rowing Museum has a great interactive display for anyone of virtually any age to enjoy. I loved seeing the various regatta paraphernalia like oars, trophies, rowing jackets, even a boat from the first Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race. Oh, and let’s not forget Olympic rowing history as well including a London 2012 Olympic torch!

photo 4-1

Another great way to get in the regatta spirit without attending the regatta is to take a boat ride along the Thames River. There are lots of options available along the riverfront but to do it in real regal style, one should hire the Hobbs of Henley Linssen Yacht! What a stunner of a vessel. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again – if you are visiting a town on a body of water, you have to get out on it to see things from that perspective. I think it might be my favorite way to discover a place. Being in the lap of luxury aboard the ‘Jacqueline IV’ didn’t hurt the view either! Henley and the River Thames are really such special places not to be missed when you visit the United Kingdom, Royal Regatta or not.

Admission to the River & Rowing Museum is £8.50/Adult, £6.50/Children 4+ or £26 for a Family of 4. Charter rates for Hobbs of Henley’s ‘Jacqueline IV’ Linssen Yacht start at £1500 per week for March/late October and up to £2500 per week for July/August.

I was the lucky guest of Mr. & Mrs. O and their dear friends, Hobbs of Henley and the River & Rowing Museum. It’s safe to say, this outing was right up Lola’s alley (hello, it’s SOOO English) and completely Lola Approved. I hope to make it a tradition of my very own.

6 Comments

Filed under henley-on-thames, travel, united kingdom

Tagged as , , ,

August 9, 2013 · 12:15 pm

Staying Nautically Chic at South Sands Hotel – Salcombe, UK

Email, RSS Follow

Welcome to the charming seaside town of Salcombe!

salcombe

It’s said that Salcombe may be one of the prettiest harbor towns in the world. That’s may be a tall order but it really is quite possible. Being a girl from New England, driving through this part of England was like a small taste of home. With towns like Falmouth, Plymouth and Truro, it feels a bit like heading to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. As you drive through Devon to get to its most southerly tip – Salcombe, you’ll pass fields of green, pastures of cows & old stone churches. Finally, you will find hills that literally tumble down to the sea.

shopping in salcombe

Salcombe is a destination known for its seaside sports like sailing, fishing and diving. With their own Regatta spanning two weeks, it’s easy to see why! BUT there’s plenty to do for the landlubbers too. The quaint village is filled with cafes, pubs, local shops and high-end boutiques. Home to storefronts that are ‘typically English’ like Cath Kidston, the original Jack Wills and The Salcombe Trading Company, Salcombe has the perfect blend of UK & coastal style. Since my personal home decor style is also seaside inspired, I always like to shop in destinations such as Salcombe.

South Sands

Speaking of ‘coastal style’, never were there two better words to describe South Sands Hotel, just minutes from Salcombe’s town center by car. South Sands, a luxury boutique hotel with only 22 rooms and 5 beach suites, is understated beach chic. Perched on a horseshoe bay, South Sands Hotel draws its decor inspiration from Salcombe’s maritime history and its own seaside backdrop.  You will find simple touches of beach and sailing life in the driftwood & beach stones scattered throughout as well as the recycled sailcloth furnishings and port-hole features in the bathrooms. Carrying this subtle theme all the way through, South Sands Hotel’s room levels are named after classic yachts. SO FUN! Beach suites can accommodate up to six guests (perfect for friends or family travel) and have fully-equiped kitchens, large dining & living spaces and, best of all, balconies or private terraces. One of my favorite features of South Sands Hotel, is its proud sense of place by supporting local craftsmen and artists to add to the decor of this fantastic property. You will see, for example, local photography by Explosures Salcombe and seascapes by Gallery 5.

fish dinner

Another example of utilizing local resources can be found at Beachside Restaurant, South Sands Hotel’s waterfront restaurant. Beachside sources much of its seafood from Salcombe Crab Traders and, nearby town, Brixham. All of the meat products come from within a 10 mile radius as well. Of course, seasonal, local produce & products is quite the trend these days but what counts is what you do with it. Beachside has already earned a reputation of being one of the best restaurants in the country! I can attest that my meal at Beachside Restaurant was one of my most favorites of late. I enjoyed delicious seaside fare that was presented in an effortless way. It pairs well with the rest of South Sands in being wonderfully understated chic.

Important things to note:

  • Rooms at South Sands Hotel start at £150 and breakfast is included.
  • Activities available are things like sailing, surfing, stand up paddle board and kayaking as well as horse riding, golf, in-room massages and more.
  • The nearest train station is Totnes – 40 minutes away by car and 3 hours journey from London’s Paddington Station.
  • While the Summer season is high season, Spring & Autumn are also popular. Spring brings a wide display of wildflowers and bird watching while Autumn welcomes a different array of vibrant colors, cider and a more peaceful harbor. The holiday season in Salcombe is also quite festive.
  • While the shopping is good in Salcombe, you should prepare to pack what you’d like to wear. It was unseasonably warm when I visited and the shops were all having their sales. You might find a deal but there will be little in the way of beachwear. Another alternative is to stop along the way at a nearby Debenhams, many are along the route to Salcombe.

lola_blackpink

A big THANK YOU to South Sands Hotel for hosting my stay. I loved it so much that I would definitely choose to stay there again and possibly NEVER leave! As you must know, if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t ‘Lola Approve’ it. The views here are mine!

34 Comments

Filed under salcombe, swanky luxe stays, travel, united kingdom

Tagged as , ,

May 29, 2013 · 10:13 am

Driving in the English Countryside in the Summertime, YES Please!

Email, RSS Follow

Take a Driving Holiday in the UK and Save Money

I'd like to cruise the English Countryside in this baby!

I’d like to cruise the English Countryside in this baby!

As a huge fan of Jane Austen, it has always been a dream of mine to venture out into the English Countryside and tour it a bit. I can imagine myself looking over a cliff somewhere or touring an old estate and hoping Mr. Darcy will come and find me there. Maybe you have a similar dream or perhaps you’d fancy a few days in Bath, a week in the Lakes or even a complete round-trip of the UK – whatever location sounds the most alluring – all you have to do is jump in your car and drive!

Along with this sense of spontaneity, a driving vacation in the UK means you’ll be able to dramatically reduce the amount you’d otherwise spend on a trip elsewhere. By taking away some of the flight costs and expensive accommodation, you’ll be able to completely design a voyage based around your budget.

Here are my tips for keeping a road trip as low-cost as possible…

07aabd2690cb123a3b8c8b97971794d8

But if you cannot find Mr. Darcy try these tips!

Look for cheap car rental

There are lots of reasonably priced car hire firms around meaning you can always get your hands on a rented vehicle for a short while. More often than not there’ll be some sort of money-saving deal available; with a company like Hertz you can even get good deals on insurance too – their ‘supercover’ plan means you’ll get great protection but pay no excess. It’s always worth looking for extra perks like this; you might be the best driver in the whole world, but that doesn’t mean that accidents won’t happen to you.

Split the cost

If you’re concerned about the rising cost of fuel – and let’s face it, this is undoubtedly going to be one of the most expensive parts of your trip – then consider asking more people to come along for the ride. If there’s a big group of you you’ll be able to share the expense (and the driving responsibility), and ultimately take some of the hassle out of those pricey petrol garage pit stops. Not only will the additional numbers be able to help out with fuel, but food and general day-to-day expenses too – just remember, the more people: the less you pay!

This is probably a better size vehicle for the narrow English roads!

This is probably a better size vehicle for the narrow English roads!

Consider alternative accommodation

Although you won’t have to shell out on hotels abroad, staying in the UK doesn’t automatically mean all types of accommodation will be cheaper. Quite the opposite in fact! So make sure you figure out the economy alternatives; search out B&B’s and guesthouses as opposed to bigger hotels, you’re likely to come across much lower rates than in larger chains. But for an even further reduction in price, go camping! If you’re looking to save money then you won’t get anything cheaper than sleeping under the stars…

Map out your journey

Despite a road trip offering up a certain amount of freedom, it’s still worthwhile mapping out a loose journey plan. From finding out the shortest route to the most cheap and cheerful roadside restaurants, having a plan will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.  Similarly, it’s highly advisable to invest in a decent navigational device. Unless your map reading skills are absolutely stellar, there’s a good chance you’ll get lost without one, which will consequently result in further fuel costs, time wasted and arguments started! You don’t have to spend a lot; shop around for low price sat navs in places like Halfords, Auto Trader and B&Q; it’ll certainly save you a whole lot of hassle!

Why not consider a trip in the UK this summer? With some of the most beautiful countryside and the most historical cities in the world, there’s no reason to book a holiday elsewhere. Hop in your car and head off!

17 Comments

Filed under england, travel, united kingdom

Tagged as , , ,