Digital Detoxes to Celebrity Chefs, Experience Next Year’s Biggest Travel Trends

Digital detoxes, farm-to-fork cuisine and opulent spa treatments are just a few of the travel trends predicted to attract holidaymakers in 2014. With travellers demanding more than ever from their well-earned holidays, Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.’s luxury hotels, trains and cruises offer a range of on-trend experiences and packages to cater to the 21st-century traveller’s every whim.

travel trends

Holidays are no longer seen as an excuse to over-indulge, with an increasing number of travellers looking to maintain their exercise regime during a ‘Fitness Fusion’ break. Guests at Napasai on Koh Samui, Thailand can discover the ancient art of Muay Thai in the hotel’s authentic Thai boxing ring; La Residencé Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos has introduced archery lessons in its UNESCO World Heritage garden; and golf enthusiasts can improve their swing during a golf tour on The Royal Scotsman, the UK’s only luxury sleeper train. Athletic types can discover local sites during a jogging tour with a personal trainer at Hotel Caruso in Ravello, Italy or take on even tougher fitness challenges such as the Angkor Wat Half Marathon at La Residencé d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia and the Madrid Marathon at Hotel Ritz Madrid in Spain.

Given that many people now sleep next to their mobile phones, it’s unsurprising they crave a ‘Digital Detox’ to escape the demands of modern technology while on holiday. Luxury river cruisers Orcaella and Road to Mandalay in remote Myanmar offer the ultimate switch-off experience, with no Wi-Fi or phone reception to distract guests from the spectacular backdrop of golden temples and remote villages. Limited internet access on board the barges of Afloat in France also encourages quality family time, as children abandon their iPads to help the crew navigate through scenic Burgundy.

The public’s passion for ‘Celebrity Chefs’ shows no signs of waning in 2014 and travellers can now engage with their favourite culinary masterminds on holiday. Next year, some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs including Marcus Wareing, James Martin, Tom Kerridge and Raymond Blanc are set to create pop-up dinners on board luxury UK day train the British Pullman, while Ken Hom will front a new Pan Asian restaurant at the iconic Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

Travellers are increasingly eager to broaden their skillset on holiday with ‘Brain-Boosting Experiences’ led by experts. Next November, acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith will lead an intimate six-day safari through the setting of his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series at Eagle Island Camp, Savute Elephant Camp and Khwai River Lodge in Botswana, Southern Africa. Guests at Jimbaran Puri Bali in Jimbaran Bay, Bali can create their own scent during a perfume making workshop, while drink connoisseurs can meet winemakers during Afloat in France’s week-long Grands Crus Cruise and take a four-night whisky tour on board The Royal Scotsman, partnered with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Back in the UK, budding chefs can spend a day in the Michelin starred kitchen at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire.

People have never been more conscious of what they eat, with an increasing focus on locally produced, ‘Farm to Fork’ cuisine that extends to their holiday. Guests at Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa can experience the trend first hand during an urban foraging experience, collecting culinary treats from the local landscape which are then prepared by the hotel chefs. In another nod to sustainable produce, El Encanto in Santa Barbara, California produces branded cheese using milk from the hotel’s own cow, Ellie, and prepares restaurant dishes using ingredients from an on-site organic garden.

Spas are getting even more creative with their treatments, with a focus on opulent and unusual ‘Treasure Treatments’ in 2014. Charleston Place in South Carolina, USA offers an exclusive 24-carat gold facial, guests at Reid’s Palace on Madeira, Portugal can indulge in a luxurious body treatment using caviar and the spa menu at La Residencia in Deia, Mallorca includes a purifying treatment containing diamond dust.

Once-in-a-lifetime experiences are more popular than ever as travellers strive to make the most of their time away with ‘YOLO’ (‘you only live once’) and ‘FOMO’ (‘fear of missing out’) activities. Guests at La Residencé d’Angkor can capture the ultimate Kodak moment during an open-sided helicopter ride over Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor temple complex. Hotel das Cataratas in Iguassu, Brazil, offers a thrilling flight over the spectacular Iguassu Falls and luxury sleeper train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, evokes the golden age of travel during an unforgettable journey from Venice to Istanbul, passing through Bulgaria, Bucharest, Budapest and Vienna.

Further details or to book, please call the UK Reservations team on 0845 077 2222 or visit www.orient-express.com.

London Gets Ready For First Ever Men’s Fashion Week(end).

London is set to host the UK’s first ever Men’s Fashion Week(end). Also known as Men’s Collections, these three days will celebrate the rise in the profile, creativity and commercial success of men’s fashion in the UK. And nowhere is this more apparent than online.

The UK’s leading fashion site ShopStyle.co.uk is used to dealing with over one million users searching for the latest designer womenswear pieces or high street must-haves but the UK online fashion leader has seen a 300% year-on-year increase in sales generated for its top 5 menswear retailers, revealing that it’s not just women who are keen to be seen in the latest looks.

Leading the charge for ShopStyle are men’s brands like Topman and Mr Porter but the fashion shopping hub has also seen a number of new retailers such as Pretty Green entering the online race, as well as unisex brands such as Ted Baker, Next and My-Wardrobe.

The company believes the uplift is driven by the increase in mobile devices and shopping apps which enable men to shop on the go or pick-up an item they may have seen on the street or in a shop window, quickly and easily via their mobile phone. ShopStyle has seen 3x increase in mobile driven searches in the same May to May period and believes that men drive a substantial percentage of these searches.

Shannon Edwards, VP for ShopStyle Europe believes that new technologies are driving men online to shop for fashion. She says: “There’s been a real focus in the UK on improving men’s fashion and that has tempted many style-aware blokes to come out of the woodwork. But for these guys the prospect of spending Saturday afternoon in the changing room leaves them cold. For them, mobile allows them to shop for the big looks without having to spend hours at their computer or in the store.”

Sarah Harding Turns Red For London Fashion Week Debut.

CELEBRITIES INCLUDING KELIS, ALESHA DIXON AND KIMBERLEY WYATT TURN OUT TO SUPPORT SARAH HARDING AS SHE TAKES TO THE CATWALK FOR THE LOOK SHOW AND CAUSES SALES FLURRY

AT WESTFIELD STRATFORD CITY!

Stunning Sarah Harding showed off her new catwalk skills with her debut modelling performance at the Look Magazine Show at Westfield Stratford City as part of London Fashion Week.

 

Sarah stole the show, showcasing a selection of outfits by Warehouse and Miss Selfridge whilst the gorgeous Dionne Bromfield gave a stunning performance of ‘Yeah Right’. Both performances were watched by a celebrity crowd including Kelis, Kimberley Wyatt, Laura Whitmore, Nicola Stapleton, Parade and Alesha Dixon.

 

The ‘Sarah Harding’ effect worked with crowds flocking as word got out about Sarah’s appearance with the doors to the centre actually having to be closed at one point for fear of overcrowding.

 

Look, the UK’s biggest-selling weekly fashion magazine, staged its groundbreaking fashion show during London Fashion Week. The show celebrates high street fashion and unites the most popular and iconic brands on Britain’s high street today.

 

The Look Magazine Show is the first and only magazine event to be part of the London Fashion Week calendar and the only fashion show open to consumers. This season’s exciting show was also streamed live on Facebook, allowing even more consumers to be a part of the excitement.

High street brands showcasing their latest collections included Miss Selfridge, Urban Outfitters, Next, Monsoon, Forever 21, New Look, River Island, Warehouse, Office, H&M, Mango, Oasis and Dorothy Perkins with hair styled by Toni & Guy.

 

Look Magazine’s presence in Westfield Stratford City will last into early next week with their pop up lounge situated on the ground floor. Bloggers are invited to visit the lounge and be part of the Q&A sessions hosted by well known bloggers and journalists taking place over the period.

 

The event also celebrated the launch of Look’s Style Search with Westfield Stratford City competition, a six-week search for the most stylish male and female visiting the new shopping and entertainment centre. Galleries of the most stylish shoppers will feature on www.look.co.uk.

 


Westfield Stratford City opened to great reviews this week with approximately **** people visiting the impressive shopping centre in the first 5 days of trading. With over *** retailers and 70 food outlets, it offers the ultimate shopping experience.

 

Ali Hall, Editor of Look, says: “The Look Show has become an established part of London Fashion Week and readers absolutely love it. This season’s event at Westfield Stratford City has been bigger and better than ever and its really great that Sarah Harding chose the show to make her debut catwalk appearance.”

 

I Just Threw This On- Cape trend AW10-11 {Fashion}

The word ‘Cape’ conjours up images of masked super heroes. Thankfully the underwear-over-tights look hasn’t become fashionable, the cape was spotted at fashion weeks world wide and hugging celebrities in print.

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If your arms are nice and toasty inside your cape then you may have to find a willing gentleman to carry your shopping. Wear them long and tailored instead of a traditional coat, knitted as a scarf replacement or caplets to bring your key pieces up to date…Once you get over the question of what you do with your arms there are so many options and here are just a few:

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(above left) Next Black Cape, £40. Simple, smart and a great piece if you want to try the trend subtly.

(above centre) Miss Selfridge Vintage Lace Cape, £25. Sling on over a lbd for an up to date Christmas Party option or try with something black, long and ott for the gothic lolita in you.

(above right) Next Feather Cape, £25. Get the feather trend look without going overboard and nail the cape trend all in one piece.

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(above left) Reiss ‘Candy’ Stitch detail black cape, £195. Leave people thinking “How did she do the zip up?” with this cleverly cut cape with front slits for your arms.

(above centre) Cooper & Stollbrand for Asos.com, £200. Wear it with jodhpurs and boots for an instant countryside look.

(above right) Genevieve Sibayan for Asos.com, £80. Does that name look familiar? That’s right…it’s my design (plug plug). I like their styling or wear it over a staple black coat for an instant update.