Europe and Middle East

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in Europe and Middle East. independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

Andy Mossack explores Val Gardena in summer and discovers art, landscapes and gastronomy in the beautiful Dolomites.

Val Gardena. Experience Glorious Summer in The Dolomites.

Anna is teaching me the highly skilled art of Tyrolean cooking at the chalet Luech de Curijel in Selva and she’s not looking best pleased. It seems my Apfelstrudel and spinach crafuncins, two of the simplest of local dishes here in Val Gardena, are not up to standard. Now when your teacher possesses hands with the power to knead dough as if it were mash potato, generating hostility is not a healthy option.

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gallery jerpoint abbey from rear

Kilkenny. Friendliest city in the world?

Kilkenny, only 90 minutes south of Dublin has been voted one of the friendliest cities in the world. It was also Ireland’s tidiest town in 2014. No wonder. Locals talked to us nonstop about nothing and everything and I never saw a stray ice cream wrapper or a crumpled greasy chip bag during my stay in this beautiful medieval masterpiece along the ‘Ancient East’ route.

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Andy Mossack stays at the Langham London and enjoys the hospitality of the Langham Club.

The Langham Club. Discover an executive lounge with style and luxury

Eduardo is a bit quick off the mark at the Langham Club private check in. As soon as I cross the threshold of the third floor foyer there’s a cool drink in my hand, a towel at my side and a beaming smile in front of me.

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join the colony cocktail

Artesian at The Langham London

“Your room or mine?” Carla asks me straight out, in the middle of the Langham London’s Artesian. I make a mental note to test her other preferences as soon as humanly possible before succumbing to her proposal

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Andy Mossack reviews The Chedi Andermatt, and finds Asian influenced luxury in the Swiss Alps. CAM Rooms Grand Deluxe Room

The Chedi Andermatt. Discover stylish Alpine luxury.

It’s an early breakfast at The Chedi Andermatt, but this doesn’t faze my waiter as he gives my latte the full treatment. A mug of hot milk proudly held aloft as he pours in the coffee separating the white from the black. Pure theatre and I love it. And another surprise; the coffee mug is insulated, so no burning fingers as I take my first caffeine hit of the day.

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