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New York Times
13-05-2025
- New York Times
I Get Bored at the Beach. Where Should I Go This Summer?
For the second installment of our new Getaway Guide series, T asked readers who hadn't settled on their summer travel plans yet to describe their dream trip (but set a realistic budget, not including airfare). After consulting with a few travel experts, we came up with some suggestions. Below are answers to several of the most intriguing queries we received, and for more travel ideas, you can read our first batch of responses here. 'My husband and I are in our early 30s. I work in tech and he works in finance. We don't have kids. We love adventure and, since we live in Manhattan, we always seek out nature when we go on vacation. He runs hot and I run cold, so we look for mild climates. I love the beach, but he can't sit on the beach for days and days, so we like a change of scenery with our trips. We don't like excursions. We're also hotel snobs — we love a good hotel. We have about 10 days at the end of August.' — Susanna, New York City; budget: $10,000 For temperate summer weather, beautiful hotels and the kind of landscape that makes most Manhattanites seethe with envy (speaking from experience), I'd go to southwest England. I asked the writer Kate Maxwell, who lives in London, where she'd recommend for travelers with a generous budget and she sketched out what seems to me the ideal itinerary. You'd start in Somerset, a largely rural county about a two-hour drive from Heathrow Airport, and book a night or two at the Newt, a 17th-century country estate turned decadent 42-room hotel with acres of gardens (from about $1,100 a night in summer). Then drive about 40 miles farther southwest to Dorset's Jurassic Coast, a particularly dramatic stretch of the English Channel, and stay at the new Louma Farm and Retreat, which has just 17 guest rooms, two pools and a so-called Wellness Barn. The hotel is set in one of the prettiest spots in Britain, says Maxwell ('rippling hills and sea views'), and the room rate includes breakfast, lunch and an 'outstanding' three-course dinner (from about $860 a night in summer). Another 60 miles or so southwest is Dartmoor National Park, where you can spend the day biking, canoeing or horseback riding. And finally, make your way to Cornwall, the wild and lovely peninsula on England's southwestern tip. Lined with sandy beaches, surf breaks and cute seaside villages, it gets crowded in summer, but that also means a livelier scene at the many charming pubs and restaurants. Take a look at Maxwell's insider's guide to Cornwall for places to eat and stay (as well outdoor activities), though there's one more hotel worth considering: the Pig at Harlyn Bay on the north coast, another centuries-old pile remade into a fantasy version of an English country inn (from about $500 a night in summer). 'I'm a retired chef in my early 60s. I've traveled a lot on both U.S. coasts and in Italy. I've been thinking lately that it would be nice to find a place where I can go for two or three weeks to be both creative and social in a relaxed, natural environment. I'm open to something more organized and group oriented, which is pretty opposite to my traveling history!' — Mark, Fishkill, N.Y.; budget: $3,000 When I texted my friend John Sheppard, the New York-based ceramist and lighting designer, and asked him where he'd go for the art-making retreat of his dreams, he responded immediately: Anderson Ranch. The arts center in Snowmass, Colo., sits on five acres in the Rocky Mountains about eight miles from Aspen. It was co-founded in the 1960s by the ceramist Paul Soldner and other artists who took over a former working ranch, put a kiln in the lambing shed and began offering a few classes. Today, the center hosts some 130 workshops every summer — in a variety of disciplines, from pottery to printmaking and painting — and for all skill levels. Students are encouraged to either stay on campus or at the Stonebridge Inn, a short walk away (tuition for five-day workshops start at about $1,200, not including accommodations). Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, on Maine's Deer Isle, is another long-established, highly acclaimed creative retreat that welcomes beginners as well as veteran artists for one-to-two-week workshops in blacksmithing, ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, metal and wood. You need to apply for admission, but there are still a few spots available for this summer, especially for the new four-day, beginners-only program, starting at $800 per person, not including accommodations. Most participants stay on campus and share dorm rooms; on weekends, staff join students for an outdoor lobster dinner. If you'd like to combine classes with sightseeing, there's also Thread Caravan, a travel company based in Oaxaca, Mexico, that offers about 20 guided trips a year to 11 countries, all focused on learning various crafts. Upcoming options include a textiles-themed itinerary in Peru in July that starts at about $3,400 per person for a shared room, and a ceramics trip in Morocco in September that starts at $3,200. Rates includes all meals, lodging, guides and materials. 'I'm looking for a multiday hiking adventure (over one to two weeks) that's gorgeous, fun, communal but about a 6 out of 10 difficulty. Not too much altitude! I'm interested in hut-to-hut hiking, healthy food and a good area to explore afterward. I'll be traveling with my husband and possibly my college-age kids. We love to hike, bike and do creative workshops, not sightsee.' — Leonora, Austin, Texas; budget: $5,000 to $15,000 One of the cushiest and most efficient ways to do a communal multiday hike is with a small-group tour operator like Country Walkers or Backroads, who will ferry your luggage from hotel to hotel. The latter has trips designed specifically for families traveling with kids in their teens or 20s, including a six-day, hut-to-hut trek in the Italian Dolomites (starting at $4,500 per person), where trails range from 5,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, and the huts are actually rustic mountain lodges, often with excellent Tyrolean food (dumplings are big here, but so is fresh produce). That itinerary begins and ends in Italy's German-speaking Sudtirol region, which should suit your wish list nicely since it's full of biking and hiking trails (and thermal baths too), as well as woodcarving workshops. For something a little less predictable, the adventure journalist Brigid Mander suggests 'mind-bogglingly gorgeous' Norway, and specifically the hut-to-hut system developed by the Norwegian Trekking Association, or DNT. Among the most popular hikes in the network is one through the Aurlandsdalen Valley in Vestland in western Norway, starting in the mountain village of Finse (it sits at around 4,000 feet above sea level) and ending three days later in the fjord-side town of Flam. (Pro tip: You're less likely to sludge through snowmelt if you go in late summer.) Fully staffed cabins along the route, like Geiterygghytta, cost around $115 a bed a night for a room that sleeps four and a shared bath. Afterward, you can visit other towns and fjords by car, train or ferry and tackle other trails. If you want help planning the full itinerary, try the Oslo-based travel company UpNorway. For a multiday hike closer to home (though on higher mountains), Mander recommends studying the incredibly detailed website for the 10th Mountain Division Huts Association, which maintains 38 backcountry lodges in the Colorado Rockies, and recommends routes (average elevation between 10,000 and 11,000 feet) and guiding services. 'I'm a lawyer and have lived in the tristate area for about 12 years. I'm from central Texas. Typically, I prefer to visit cities on vacation because I'm interested in art and culture but, as much as I love cities, they can become exhausting. I've always wanted to travel someplace warm where there's a beach, but not much else to do other than contemplate and explore. My issue, though, is that I fear that I'll get bored. I want to learn or see new things and discover something awe-inspiring but still feel relaxed. I'd go for a week or so.' — Lloyd, Newark, N.J.; budget: $2,000 Athens may not be the most relaxing place in all of Greece but, like all sprawling capitals, it's also full of quiet, less touristy pockets, such as the cafe-lined Kypseli neighborhood, where you can retreat in between visits to all the astounding ruins and stellar museums. Don't miss the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which houses the Greek National Opera and the Greek National Library and helped turn the nearby port city of Piraeus into a contemporary-art hub. For a modestly priced but still memorable hotel, try the playful new Okupa, where the rooftop overlooks the Acropolis, and private rooms run from $160 a night in July; you can also book a shared dorm room for about $50 a night (a tip from the food and travel writer Katie Chang). After you've been sufficiently awe-struck by a visit to the Parthenon and the National Archaeological Museum, and maybe enjoyed an outdoor concert, take the high-speed ferry to the Cyclades island of Syros (about a two-hour ride from Piraeus), a cultural destination in its own right and one that's flush with idyllic beaches. You'll find a host of hotels and guesthouses on Syros for under $200 a night on the usual hotel booking sites but, if your budget allows, you might especially appreciate the art-filled Hotel Aristide (room rates start at about $435 with a three-night minimum in July). Not up for traveling to Europe this summer? For other culturally rich destinations all over the world — from Portland, Maine, to Colombo, Sri Lanka — take a look at T's Flocking To series, in which we spotlight creative people's favorite haunts.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Forbes
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2025: Best English And Scottish Escapes
When Mother's Day calls for something beyond the usual flowers and chocolates, nothing beats a trip away to the enchanting British countryside. Think cozy manor houses, thermal spas and farm-to-table restaurants — all against a backdrop perfectly designed for quality bonding time. Part working farm and part luxury hotel and spa, the Newt transforms a historic Georgian estate into a contemporary countryside escape that combines classic flair with modern amenities. Tucked between the market towns of Bruton and Castle Cary, the country estate offers just 23 uniquely styled suites across the main house and converted stable yard, and centers around its spectacular gardens, including a walled parabola with apple trees that supply the estate's own cider press. Pro tip: Book your stay and plan your activities in advance. There is so much to explore and experience at the Newt — the exquisite spa (housed in a converted cow barn) offers indulgent treatments inspired by the surrounding landscape, the garden-to-table restaurants never disappoint with menus that change every season, and activities like beekeeping and woodland walks allow guests to enjoy every aspect of Somerset's agricultural heritage with a touch of well-manicured sophistication. Courtesy of the Newt Renowned for its glamorous gatherings and high profile occasions, Gleneagles also drew the fashion crowd last summer, housing the guests of Dior when the maison held their Cruise 2025 show in Scotland (first show in Scotland since 1995). Quite the hotel, spa and golfing destination, the landmark estate is synonymous to heritage, luxury and grandeur — and top of the must-visit destinations when it comes to Scotland. Pro tip: although the hotel promotes a comfortable and informal atmosphere in general, make sure to pack a dress or two if you plan to sample the gorgeous afternoon tea, where a smart casual dress code is advised. The Royal Lochnagar Suite at the Gleneagles Courtesy of Gleneagles Saltmoore, Whitby, England Stylishly perched between the wild North York Moors and the salty sea breeze, Saltmore is the perfect countryside destination you've been dreaming about — but probably couldn't quite picture until now. Encompassing two brand new hotels and 72 bedrooms in total, the sanctuary that is Saltmoor comes with a heated indoor poor (what British weather?), a state-of-the-art spa with treatment journeys by Wildsmith Skin, a gym complete with biohacking options, and an array of dining offering that spans two bars and four venues. Pro tip: for those looking to treat their mother, book The Nest Suite, a tranquil hideaway complete with reading nook in the original 19th century hall overlooking the orchard from its top-floor vantage point. The rooms at Saltmoore features classic designs in soft hues Courtesy of Saltmoore Cowley Manor Experimental, The Cotswolds, England Charming with lush fields and unique architectural features, Cowley Manor Experinmental pretty much sums up the perfect English countryside destination in the Cotswolds. Spread across 55 acres of stunning grounds (think natural lakes, Victorian cascades and woodlands that have long rumored to have inspired Alice in Wonderland), guests can expect a harmonious blend of historic charm and playful sophistication in all of the estate's 36 rooms. Pro tip: for a countryside Mother's Day escape with style and soul, bond over craft cocktails at the Experimental Cocktail Club, sample Jackson Boxer's locally-sourced gastronomy offerings with a French twist, or simply relax in the award-winning C-Side Spa — complete with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, steam room and fitness center. Room at Cowley Manor Experimental, The Cotswolds, England Courtesy of Cowley Manor Experimental Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland For a proper Scottish getaway, look no further than Schloss Roxburghe. Once the Duke of Roxburghe's private residence, the hotel is close to the Scottish Borders and just a quick hop from both Edinburgh and Newcastle (about an hour's drive). An expansion completed in November 2022 saw the opening of the new Estate House, extensive spa facilities as well as a number of self-catering cottages across the grounds. Pro tip: the estate — with over 300 acres of land and 2.5 miles of the River Teviot — is perfect for those who don't like to sit still: fill your day with a round of golf on the Championship Course, fly fishing on the river or Trout Loch, or clay pigeon shooting at the newly refurbished Shooting Center. The exterior of Schloss Roxburghe, Kelso, Scotland Courtesy of SCHLOSS Roxburghe
The Independent
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
13 terrible movies that could have been fixed with just one tweak
We've all seen it before: a potentially great movie that has been marred by one problematic element. There's no telling what form this may take. Maybe it's one terribly cast character. A terrible accent. An offensive joke. It might be a terrible twist ending that ruins everything that came before it. Or a plothole that could have been sealed up with one stroke of a pen. Sometimes, of course, the problems with a film run too deep to simply hope that one catch-all solution could immediately transform it into a masterpiece. Other times, however? Maybe the fix really is that simple. Here are 13 misfiring films that could have been vastly improved with just one change, from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to Spider-Man 3. Click here for The Independent 's ranking of the most glaring plot holes in famous movies. Alien 3 (1992) Most people's biggest gripe with Alien 3 was the decision to kill off Newt at the very start of the film, effectively rendering the entire struggle of Aliens entirely moot. It surely wouldn't have been hard to devise an excuse for Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) to arrive at the prison vessel without slapping fans of James Cameron's previous entry in the face. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) This classic Audrey Hepburn-starring film may not quite fit the description of a 'terrible movie' – but one aspect has rendered it all but unwatchable for many modern viewers. I refer, of course, to Mickey Rooney's racist interpretation of a Japanese character. Take that out, and the film immediately improves tenfold. Die Hard 4.0 (2007) By the time any franchise is onto its third sequel, chances are there's going to be a bit of a decline in quality (with all due respect to the freakish stamina of the Mission: Impossible films). Die Hard 4.0 was the first of John McClane's outings that felt truly disposable, a by-the-numbers action thriller that fell miles short of the original's magic. There would have been one easy way to give it a bit more of that original Die Hard grit, though: add in some proper violence. The first two Die Hard films were released in the UK with an '18' rating (downgraded years later to a '15'). The violence in number four was softened to appeal to a wider market – and it undoubtedly lost something in the process. Doctor Sleep (2019) For the first two-thirds of its runtime, Doctor Sleep was a generally winning horror film that did a good job of establishing its own distinct mythology – despite being a sequel to The Shining. For its third act, however, the action returned to the Overlook Hotel, as depicted in Kubrick's 1980 horror classic, and the whole affair devolved into a dizzy mania of references and callbacks. Lose the Overlook, and you've got a pretty great horror film on your hands. I Am Legend (2007) I Am Legend was hardly a disaster, but any fan of Richard Matheson's 1954 book will tell you that the adapation's ending left much to be desired. Rather than have Will Smith's Dr Robert Neville learn that he was, in fact, the villain in the eyes of the infected masses – the 'legend' of the film's title – the film simply saw him die an unproblematic hero, losing all the nuance and deeper meaning of the story's conclusion. It's an easy change to make; a variation on the book's ending was actually shot as a deleted scene. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) There are parts of Steven Spielberg's much-maligned adventure sequel that no amount of tinkering will save; some people are always going to insist that aliens have no place in an Indiana Jones film. But there's one moment that always made the film an easy target for critics – the scene in which Indy (Harrison Ford) survives a nuclear bomb blast in a fridge. Really? The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Crichton's hastily churned out adventure sequel had its high points, but ultimately fell far short of the 1993 original. Perhaps the biggest problem was the insistence on a Godzilla -style 'T-Rex on the loose in San Diego' sequence, which Spielberg decided to add just weeks before filming began. The plan was originally to make this segment the focus of its own sequel – which might have made The Lost World far more coherent. As is, however, it feels flashy and superfluous. Plus, the sequence derails the narrative at a crucial point in the story. Les Misérables (2012) There was a lot of talk about Tom Hooper's adaptation of the hit stage musical Les Misérables when it first came out. While critics lavished praise on Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, one castmember attracted near-unanimous scorn: Russell Crowe, playing the villain Javert. In truth, Crowe's performance is actually quite good, but his singing is wildly upstaged by some of his classically trained co-stars. Replace Crowe with a Broadway-calibre singer, and the whole film clicks up a gear. Passengers (2016) This sci-fi film, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, saw Pratt's character doom Lawrence to a life of co-dependent isolation when he wakes her prematurely from cryo-sleep to keep him company aboard a luxury spaceship. As many people suggested at the time, the film would have worked much better if it started at the point Lawrence was woken up, allowing us to discover Pratt's transgression when she does. Instead, there's no twist here and significantly less intrigue as a result. Spider-Man 3 (2007) How to fix Spider-Man 3 is easy: get rid of Venom. After the runaway success of the first two Spider-Man films, Sam Raimi should have been given carte blanche to do what he wanted with the third. Instead, studio executives forced Raimi to cram Spider-Man's shockingly popular nemesis into a film which already featured two villains – Thomas Hayden Church's Sandman and James Franco's Harry Osbourne. Spidey 3 's main problem was feeling overstuffed and underdeveloped. These are two problems that would've been at least partly solved by the removal of Venom – and with him goes Topher Grace's lacklustre performance. Star Trek into Darkness (2013) JJ Abrams's sequel to the generally well-liked Star Trek reboot found a promising villain in Benedict Cumberbatch's Commander John Harrison. When it is later revealed that he is, in fact, the notorious franchise villain Khan, the whole thing unravels. Just have him be an original foe – the film would have been all the better for it. Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Okay, the 'one change' needed to fix this franchise low-point is a fairly big and consequential one: get rid of the Emperor. The decision to bring back Ian McDiarmid's nefarious Emperor Palpatine, after his apparent demise in Return of the Jedi, was a disastrous one. It was never really explained in the film – the expository line 'somehow, Palpatine returned' – has been widely mocked on social media. Without him, the film would've found a far more compelling main villain in Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Plus, a narrative that wouldn't be riddled with quite so many plot holes. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) It's easy to see why Peter Jackson's JRR Tolkein adaptation was split into three films – after the success of The Lord of the Rings, it must have been financially irresistible to transform this modest prequel into an epic undertaking. But the results were undeniably drab. A standalone one-film adaptation of The Hobbit would have made a lot more sense, and had the potential to be much, much more compelling.
