Latest news with #romanticgetaway
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Natural Splendor Meets Five-Star Luxury At This Puerto Rico Resort
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is located in Río Grande, a municipality located roughly half an ... More hour east of San Juan. Equipped with lush jungles and pristine beaches alike, the island of Puerto Rico has earned worldwide acclaim as a top destination for a romantic getaway or ecotourism-focused adventure—and few hotels combine both concepts as well as the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. Officially opened in 2010, this palatial property offers ample opportunity to explore the ecosystems that have flourished across the island over the eons, all while enjoying upscale amenities along the way. Whether you're hoping to paddle along verdant mangrove forests, hit the beach for an early birdwatching session or just kick back in the spa with a glass of Champagne in hand, this lavish resort is certain to leave you with lasting memories of the natural splendor of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is renowned for its high level of endemism, with many of its native plant and animal ... More species found nowhere else on earth. With roughly 195 hectares of carefully-cultivated land to explore, the St. Regis Bahia Beach sets itself apart from other hotels as a haven for native wildlife. Amidst the lavish suites and outdoor pools, visitors can immerse themselves in vast swathes of tropical rainforest biome, with complimentary bicycles available to aid in exploration. Along the property's four miles of hiking trails, guests can encounter colorful birds like the green-throated carib, bananaquit and purple gallinule, while the Boathouse & Nature Center is ideal for setting up a lengthy kayaking tour along the mangroves—and to sweeten the deal, the hotel also plays a crucial role in supporting one of Puerto Rico's most iconic native reptiles. Over the past few decades, leatherback sea turtle numbers have struggled due to issues like plastic bag ingestion and fishing net entanglements—and today, the St. Regis Bahia Beach has made it their mission to provide a safe haven for the animals. Over the years, the property has developed a close working relationship with Alma de Bahía, a local conservation organization that's dedicated to preserving the intricate ecosystems across Puerto Rico. Through their presence, the hotel is able to monitor sea turtle nests, offer educational seminars and advocate for the preservation of the neighboring Río Espíritu Santo, with each action contributing to the property's status as the sole Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary in all of the Caribbean. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is located at the foothills of El Yunque National Forest, a popular ... More ecotourism destination in Puerto Rico. After indulging in some of the ecotourism opportunities available across the property, guests can unwind with a trip to the hotel's crown jewel of tranquility—namely, the Iridium Spa. While treatment options span from algae vitalizer facials to couples massages, the space also boasts one of the most captivating designs in all of Río Grande, operating within a lush, open-air garden that's packed full of colorful air plants. Both pre and post-treatment, visitors can kick back and enjoy the idyllic ambiance of the venue and make use of some of its added amenities, with steam rooms, a hot tub and a cold plunge all available as well. Beyond the spa, the St. Regis Bahia Beach also comes equipped with a wide range of other amenities designed with relaxation in mind. Golf fans are certain to delight in the property's 18-hole lakeside course, with splendid views of El Yunque National Forest found all throughout the area, while the athletically-inclined are welcome to hit the tennis courts or spend an hour at the fitness center. And for animal lovers in particular, the on-site Sato and Gato Rescue animal sanctuary comes equipped with an abundance of friendly cats and dogs available for adoption, offering an opportunity for guests to leave the hotel with a new best friend in tow after their stay. Puerto Rican cuisine draws influence from West African, Spanish and indigenous Taíno cooking styles ... More and ingredients. While Puerto Rico has given rise to iconic dishes like mofongo and arroz con gandules, the St. Regis Bahia Beach's prowess spans far beyond just the Caribbean, providing a chance for guests to enjoy upscale cuisine found both on the island and far beyond. For mixology buffs, the St. Regis Bar invites guests to sample craft cocktails like the agave-forward Witches' Siesta and the Regis Colada, an upscale take on Puerto Rico's beloved piña colada—but for a truly lavish experience, don't miss out on the daily Champagne sabering session. Taking place each day at 6:00 PM, this time-honored tradition has been a practice within the St. Regis brand since 1904, inviting guests to congregate along the Casa Grande lawn and enjoy a glass of wine bathed in the glow of golden hour. In addition to high-end spirits and masterfully-mixed cocktails, the St. Regis Bahia Beach is also well-versed in the art of fine dining, with several can't-miss restaurants located on the property. Throughout the day, guests can pay a visit to Seagrapes to dine on crispy fish sandwiches, lobster tacos and cast iron-seared grouper in a charming al fresco setting—but when it comes to true gastronomy, it's tough to beat Paros. Equipped with a roster of refined Mediterranean dishes crafted by Executive Chef Diego Ortega, this polished venue provides guests with an opportunity to sample plates like DIY gyros, ladolemono-infused Caribbean lobster and whole grilled branzino, each one brimming with fresh herbs sourced from the on-property garden.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maya Jama flaunts her jaw-dropping figure in a TINY purple bikini amid her romantic getaway with boyfriend Reuben Dias - after sharing first ever snap with the hunky footballer
Maya Jama flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny bikini as she continued her romantic Italian getaway with boyfriend Reuben Dias on Friday. The Love Island host, 30, who is thought to have been dating the footballer, 27, for several months, took to her Instagram Stories while soaking up the sun on the deck of a lavish yacht. Maya set pulses racing in the tiny two piece which boasted a bandeau top and skimpy drawstring bottoms as she playfully sung to the camera. Shielding her eyes behind chic shades Maya showed off her flawless and make-up free complexion while tying back her long brunette locks. She later teased the upcoming season of Love Island before asking fans to vote for the All Stars series which had been nominated for a National Television Award. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Love Island host, who is thought to have been dating the footballer, 27, for several months, took to her Instagram Stories while soaking up the sun on the deck of a lavish yacht. Maya said she'd also been nominated for Best Presenter for a sixth time, but had come to terms with herself never winning due to Ant and Dec's 23 year streak. On Thursday the stunner shared her first ever snap with Ruben as she gave an insight into their romantic trip. The couple are believed to have met after the stunner caught the Portuguese player's eye when they met at the European Music Awards (EMAs) in November. Their romance was finally confirmed after they were seen packing on the PDA at KSI 's Baller League event in April. And posting a snap with her new boyfriend for the first time, Maya looked incredible in a triangle bikini while soaking up some sun on a boat. She was later diving into the water while Ruben filmed her from the top deck. Maya went Instagram official with her boyfriend Ruben two weeks ago, when she shared a video for the first time. The Love Island host was all smiles in the clip as she sat alongside the footballer in a car heading back to her house. The presenter has been seen at multiple football games over the last few months to watch Dias live in action for Man City. Footage of the pair last month showed them with their arms around each other before he leant into her neck for a peck, with Ruben flying under the radar in casual clothes and a cap. A source told The Sun: 'Maya and Ruben seemed very close, very loved up and were clearly very comfortable with each other. 'They were chatting to others around them but gravitated back to each other. They seem very happy with each other.' It is the first time they have been seen in public since they were thought to have started dating - though Maya has often hinted at the romance by sharing snaps of flowers she has been sent. Their appearance at the Baller League came just one day after she supported Ruben at Wembley on Sunday as his team Manchester City triumphed 2-0 against Nottingham Forest in the FA cup. The Love Island host took her whole family to Wembley to support him. She shared a video on the way to the stadium as she penned 'family day out to Wembley' in the caption - while her mother Sadie and brother Omar sat in the car with her. Maya then shared a snap of the pitch as she watched on - while her family enjoyed the atmosphere. It was reported that the pair are getting even 'serious' after the centre back introduced Maya to his mother Bernadette, according to The Sun. This news came two weeks after it was reported that Maya is being followed on Instagram by Ruben's mother. During the last international break in March, Maya flew to Lisbon to watch him play for the Portuguese national team. She was pictured in the stands at the José Alvalade Stadium to witness Portugal's 5-2 victory over Denmark in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final. The presenter was seen with a friend and glasses of wine in a VIP hospitality box - usually reserved for friends and family of players. Maya then posted a picture on social media of the two celebrating together at their romantic fireside retreat at 3:30am the following morning. The snap is believed to have been taken at the footballer's home in the Cascais region of Portugal, with a vast swimming pool and fire pit glimpsed in the picture. They reportedly started dating in December, having met at the EMAs in November, which took place in Manchester - where Dias plays. Rumours of the couple's romance only intensified in the days following Valentine's Day after Jama shared the bouquet of roses she received on her return to the UK from Cape Town following the conclusion of the 2025 Love Island All Star season. The pair were then spotted .
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The best lesser-known cities for romantic getaways in 2025
Sign up to Simon Calder's free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder's Travel email Get Simon Calder's Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice What could be more romantic than whisking your beloved away on a European city break? Naturally, the allure of couple-centric front runners – Paris, Florence and Prague – dominate the search bar for loving long weekends filled with tables for two, rose-strewn duvets and flutes of champagne amid intimate itineraries. With these can come steep price tags, swarms of sightseers and impossible restaurant reservations – all things that are sure to kill the mood. Forget the hearts and flowers heavyweights vying for the crown of the city of love – opt instead for an under-the-radar alternative for better value, fewer tourists and just as much opportunity to hold hands and stare lovingly into each other's eyes... Here's how to cheat the canals of Venice in a love affair with Annecy and trade fairy-tale Bruges for the charms of Strasbourg on your next romantic getaway. Read more: Top bakery destinations around the world and which treat to eat Swap Dubrovnik for Pula open image in gallery Pula has a historic pedigree to rival the walled cobbles of Dubrovnik ( Niels Bosman ) With a prime spot on the Mediterranean, promenades of sophisticated seafood spots and distinctive medieval architecture, the cobbles of Dubrovnik are undoubtedly a haven for lovers and the proclaimed 'Pearl of the Adriatic' welcomes hordes of visitors to its sun-kissed walls year-round. An escape to frequently neglected Pula in northern Croatia offers an amphitheatre of Roman ruins to wander, a ragged coastline for bathing and authentic tavernas to taste pours from the Istria wine region without the perpetual hustle of southern hotspot Dubrovnik. Savour sailings watching the dolphins dance, Mediterranean meals beginning with pršut ham and local olive oil, and lively nights in buzzing bars post sunset in Istria's historic main city. Where to stay Relax mere metres from the Adriatic, float hand in hand in a heated outdoor pool or stretch out during a couples massage at the stylish Boutique Hotel Valsabbion just 10 minutes from the heart of Pula. Read more: Secret heart-shaped European peninsula perfect for a foodie holiday Trade Venice for Annecy open image in gallery Medieval Venice-esque canals weave Annecy's waterways ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Annecy in south-east France is known as the Venice of the Alps – and for good reason. This medieval canal city has several waterways running through the centre, fed by the neighbouring Lake Annecy, set to a backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks. It also features a charming old town with cobbled streets and pastel houses; the Château d'Annecy, which looks like it fell straight out of a storybook, looms large, and is now home to a museum. The city rivals Venice for picturesque beauty and has the additional boon of the glorious lake, which visitors can explore on pleasure boats or on foot, following the trails around the water's edge. Where to stay Located on the banks of the Vassé Canal, the contemporary Le Splendid Hotel faces Lake Annecy with old-town gift shopping, the fairy tale Palais de l'Île museum and idyllic boat tours at your fingertips. Read more: The best hotels in Paris for budget-friendly breaks and luxury stays Switch Florence for Ferrara open image in gallery Ferrara is a romantic Renaissance heavyweight ( Melina Kiefer ) Florence may be the cradle of the Renaissance, but the reasons tourists flock there – world-class art, architecture, food and drink – can be found elsewhere in Italy. The oft-overlooked city of Ferrara, sat between Venice and Bologna, is a serious Renaissance art destination, plus a Unesco World Heritage Site. Its proximity to better-known cities makes it a relatively quiet option, with less competition to see the signature Castello Estense, a giant castle complete with moat in the city centre, and various palazzos boasting fine frescoes and examples of Renaissance art. Food-wise, there are plenty of trattorias serving traditional Ferrara dishes, such as cappellacci di zucca (pasta filled with pumpkin, parmigiano cheese and nutmeg) and pasticcio di maccheroni (a sweet-crust pie with macaroni, béchamel, dried mushroom and truffle filling). Where to stay With wooden beams, rich red accents and antique furnishings there's a warm ambience to the Princess Art Hotel that encapsulates a bygone era. Think cosying up by the fire, unwinding on the garden patio and making the short stroll to Este Castle. Read more: The best city breaks in Italy, from art-filled Florence to coastal Cagliari Change Bruges for Strasbourg open image in gallery Strasbourg beats Bruges as a fairy tale base ( Chan Lee ) Bruges' pretty market squares, cobbled streets and soaring church spires mimic a medieval fairy tale. The drawback? These attractions also attract huge numbers of tourists. Find a quieter yet equally charming base in Strasbourg – the underappreciated Alsace gem on the French-German border that combines the best of both. Half-timbered, colourful old buildings lining winding streets give their own take on the fairy-tale style, while cosy winstubs (traditional Alsatian taverns) welcome travellers for food and drink. Get a cultural fix at the 18th-century Palais Rohan, dubbed a 'Versailles in miniature', or go more modern with a visit to Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, which features works by Kandinsky and Picasso. Where to stay The grand 16th-century Hôtel & Spa Le Bouclier D'or has preserved its historic splendour among the waterside timbers of 'Petite France'. Le Bouclier d'Or even hosts a steamy hammam, moody wine bar and impressive views of Strasbourg Cathedral. Substitute Prague with Český Krumlov open image in gallery For a pint-sized Prague, visit Český Krumlov in the South Bohemia region ( Mike Swigunski ) Plentiful beer, architecture that roams from Gothic to baroque to art nouveau and a maze of pretty, cobbled streets – Prague has all you need for a romantic break. And, apparently, for a less-than-romantic stag do. Escape the morph-suit-clad crowds by travelling to Český Krumlov, a pint-sized Prague in Czechia's south. With its own Unesco status, plenty of Renaissance architecture to admire and a fairy tale castle perched above the Vltava River, this small-scale town blends the highlights of the capital with peaceful and responsible tourism. Where to stay For riverside accommodation in Český Krumlov, Garni Hotel Castle Bridge sits on the Vltava River with views that stretch to its iconic stronghold. Picture hearty breakfast platters on the banks and spacious double rooms just a stone's throw from the main square. Read more: The perfect European city Christmas market break – with a hidden spa twist Replace Paris with Bordeaux open image in gallery Ditch the bustling city of love for quiet carafes of margaux ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Hailed as one of the world's most romantic cities, Paris attracts more than its fair share of lovebirds. But those looking for good food and wine and a chance to brush up their langage de l'amour should look further south for all the romance with less of the cliché. Bordeaux offers a compact city centre, pedestrianised boulevards and restored neoclassical architecture at every turn. Swap the Eiffel Tower for the Miroir-d'eau, the world's largest reflecting pool, take advantage of the city's illustrious wine heritage in the Cité du Vin museum, and forget Notre Dame – Bordeaux's Cathedral of Saint Andrew is a Gothic masterpiece in its own right. Where to stay A dream for couples, luxury is king at Villas Foch in downtown Bordeaux. Here, a world-class spa meets romantic Juliet balconies, indulgent pâtisserie and swirls of red in the dimly lit bar. Read more: How to do a Bordeaux wine tour by public transport
Times
26-05-2025
- Times
10 of the most romantic city breaks in Europe
What are the key ingredients for a romantic city break? Perhaps it's a profusion of cute canals and medieval architecture, or maybe the secret to a loved-up weekend is top-drawer food and wine paired with strollable quarters. Whatever your criteria, you should find some European weekender inspiration here. This list includes the classics — we couldn't leave out Paris, of course — as well as some lesser-visited options. We've limited it to one per country in the spirit of fairness, and included the southerly likes of Seville and Valletta for couples seeking early-spring or late-autumn warmth. These are the European cities you'll fall in love with. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Who can resist the glorious, fairytale absurdity of a floating city? Relentlessly attractive, Venice is best admired from the water — but swerve a gondola. Instead of the fabricated 'culture' of a costumed man quavering out O Sole Mio for £70, board a vaporetto boat-bus early at Piazzale Roma, ensuring you're one of the first aboard in order to bag front-row seats, and relish box-office views of the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge for about £8. Later, as lamplight dances on canals, wavelets wash against 15th-century palazzos and footsteps echo on dinky bridges, stroll hand in hand towards some top-notch tiramisu in the waterside Osteria Fanal del Codega restaurant. And don't forget to raise a glass to your beloved at the lauded Harry's Bar, home of the OG bellini. On the Grand Canal and largely populated by couples, Hotel L'Orologio Venice has a chic bar with sink-in leather armchairs. Fancy seeing more? Princess Cruises' ten-day Mediterranean with Greek Isles & Adriatic cruise stops at Trieste for excursions to Venice during its circuit of the eastern Mediterranean. • More great hotels in Venice• Best affordable hotels in Venice Sure, you could aim to ascend Montmartre's steps to the Sacré-Coeur, scale the Eiffel Tower, cruise the Seine, attend the Moulin Rouge and gaze at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. All have their merits. But a far better tack for City of Love-bound couples involves ditching the overambitious to-do list and simply sauntering, aimlessly, around one of its more villagey districts. The artsy Latin Quarter and snug, boutique-filled Marais fit the bill. Perhaps you'll pause to peruse markets for cheese, or to share some frites at a pavement café. Dinner à deux in Paris, meanwhile, should be in a vintage bistro — the sort where garlic strings hang down above a zinc-topped bar as everyone chatters noisily. Up in well-to-do Montmartre, the longstanding Terrass Hôtel is named after its headline attraction: a seventh-floor roof terrace offering wonderful views. The flight-free specialist Byway can arrange trips to Paris on Eurostar, stopping in Lille on the return leg. • More great hotels in Paris• Insider's guide to the best neighbourhoods in Paris Two things enhance the warm limestone of Malta's compact capital: a profusion of pastel-painted gallariji (closed wooden balconies) along many narrow lanes, and the regular lashings of sunshine that this southerly part of the Mediterranean enjoys from March to November. Mostly pedestrianised, Valletta is pleasingly easy to walk around; setting off from a trendy design hotel, partners might catch a recital at the Manoel theatre, one of Europe's oldest, visit a snug wine bar or watch sunset fall over the glinting Grand Harbour from a shaded, spritz-serving kiosk in the Upper Barrakka Gardens. An old merchant's residence turned hip, 20-room haunt, the Saint John is one of those cool boutique hotels you'll want to keep all to yourself. On a ship designed to tickle Brits' taste buds, P&O Cruises' Mediterranean circuit starts and finishes in Valletta. • More great hotels in Valletta• The best of MaltaThe City of a Hundred Spires seduces in all seasons: open-air beer bars line the Vltava River's banks in summer, while autumn is the ideal time to wander along the waterway as the trees of Prague turn auburn shades. Winter's crisp light and occasional white coat renders sights like the astronomical clock especially spellbinding before spring sees bursts of flowers transform the Vltava — not least on the Czech Republic's well-celebrated Love Day (May 1). There are ample parks, gardens and green spaces to roam, including Petrin Hill, whose namesake, Eiffel-imitating tower comes with fine vistas over Prague Castle, Charles Bridge — itself best experienced at dawn, if possible, ahead of the hordes — and a riot of red-roofed buildings. Check in to BoHo Hotel, a stylish stay with a moody spa housed in an old post office a quick stroll from the old town. Read our full review of BoHo Hotel The upmarket Avalon Waterways has Danube River cruises with a two-night Prague extension — including special wine-themed versions. • Best hotels in Prague• Best things to do in Prague Should Vienna's arcade-lined courtyards, imperial palaces and gothic churches fail to spark a sense of romance (it's unlikely), then head for its Upper Belvedere museum and ogle Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, one of the most amorous paintings around. Also liable to precipitate passion are stops in opulent coffee houses such as Café Sacher for calorific slices of chocolatey sachertorte, and evening opera performances in the home of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Cooler cats may prefer Vienna's raft of rooftop bars or, when there's a full moon, to drift along the meandering Danube in a lantern-lit canoe (see There's a rooftop bar with far-reaching views and yoga kits in every bedroom at Jaz in the City. Budapest, Prague and, yes, Vienna, with a full day here, are the subject of Travelsphere's regular, culture-focused Imperial Capitals group tour. • Best affordable hotels in Vienna• Europe's best cities for art lovers Andalusia's main city is especially irresistible in spring, when fruiting orange trees produce a heady citrus scent and temperatures linger in the 20s. It's lovely in autumn too, when the summer heat starts to wane. Seville's standout sight is the jewel-lined Alcazar palace complex, including a series of glorious walled gardens; meander around those in the morning, before other tourists arrive. Afternoons might be devoted to wandering around ancient Santa Cruz, a central barrio where the whitewashed houses are festooned with flowers, ahead of atmospheric flamenco shows at the intimate Casa de la Memoria, whose dancers and singers tell passionate tales of lifelong loves. Finish with an evening tapas-bar crawl, clinking glasses of fino sherry and trying some nutty, thinly sliced jamon. Fifteen minutes from the centre by bus, the Doña Carmela is affordable and lays on an outdoor pool with loungers. Seville, with a guided tapas tasting, features in Riviera Travel's Classical Spain group tour, which also visits the Andalusian cities of Granada, Cordoba and Ronda. • Best hotels in Seville• Discover our full guide to Seville Inside the Arctic Circle, and under four hours from London or Manchester on direct flights, island-set Tromso is, admittedly, freezing in winter: January typically sees averages of minus 4C. But it's also bewitching. A permanent backdrop of snowy mountains and glassy straits helps with that, as does the chance to undertake tandem, self-drive dogsled safaris or join killer and humpback whale-watching cruises along epic fjords. Northern lights displays peak at this time in the 'Paris of the North' too; it's often possible to see the aurora borealis from the 421m (1,381ft) mountain ledge Storsteinen. The Fjellheisen cable car goes up to its café, which serves excellent cinnamon buns. Along with funky modern design, the city-centre Moxy Tromso hotel has a buzzy rooftop bar delivering more glorious views. The Aurora Zone can arrange private, northern lights-themed city breaks here with activities added on as you please. • Read our full guide to Norway• Best Norwegian fjords cruises Bruges might be the go-to Belgian city for romantic breaks, but Ghent is the savvier bet. It has an equally well-preserved historic centre, and a similar bevy of medieval waterways that enchant when illuminated at night. You'll also find the same boat tours, gables, gothic guildhalls, horse-and-cart rides and chocolate shops, plus a still-taller belfry that offers tremendous panoramas. But Ghent is additionally a little bit cooler than Bruges, possesses a stronger food scene and is far, far less crowded with tourists — enabling lovers to more easily enjoy private moments, including ones that might involve the lowering of a knee. As central as it gets, the luxurious 1898 The Post hotel occupies a former sorting office; its cocktail den is superb. Byway will tailor-make the rail-based trip you want, but suggests a jaunt to Ghent via Belgium's smaller, art-obsessed city of Kortrijk. • Best underrated cities to visit in Europe Dainty, blue-white azulejo tiles pepper Porto's hilly, small-sized centre, even decorating the fortress-like Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady's handsome cloisters. Below, a clump of colourful, 18th-century townhouses and small bars — serving classic Portuguese petiscos (small plates) such as grilled sardines or codfish cakes — announce Ribeira, a district whose narrow streets zigzag down to the Douro River. If you've got time, sail off up the river on a day cruise to idyllic terraced vineyards; if not, cross over to Cockburn's port cellars for tastings of the city's namesake fortified wine. Try also to inspect the beaux arts Sao Bento, one of Europe's saintliest train stations. Conveniently located in Porto's Boavista district, the HF Tuela hotel includes a restaurant serving regional cuisine. Riviera Travel has a river cruise that follows the Douro all the way to the Spanish border and back; three-day Porto extensions can also be booked. • More great hotels in Porto• The best of Portugal In most capitals, a statue on the main square depicts a military or political hero. Not so Ljubljana; here the love-declaring, sonnet-writing poet France Preseren is honoured. This adequately summarises the Slovenian city's soulful nature, one further seen in a series of picturesque bridges and embankments along its leafy Ljubljanica River — busy with bars and boats in summer — and via the Disneyesque castle towering grandly above. A funicular sends glass-walled carriages up to that. Adding to the mesmerism is a largely car-free centre replete with baroque façades and, if time allows, excursions to visit mountain-hugged Lake Bled and its photogenic island church. Announced by its bold, bird's-nest style, the boutiquey Nox is one of Ljubljana's leading design hotels. You'll be shown around Ljubljana on Titan's Stunning Slovenia group tour, as well as seeing spectacular mountain passes and gorgeous coastal towns. • Most romantic holiday destinations around the world
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster share a sweet glimpse into their 'wonderful and romantic' weekend away in Lake Como
Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have shared a sweet glimpse into their romantic weekend away in Lake Como. The singer-songwriter, 80, and the model, 54, have have been married since 2007 and have two children together, Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14. And amid their busy lives, Penny took to Instagram on Tuesday to share that they ahd managed to steal away to Italy for the weekend. Taking a trip to the hotel Villa d'Este in the stunning Lake Como, Penny and Sir Road enjoyed sunny boat rides and Al Fresco dinners. Penny looked effortlessly chic in a sweet boat snap as she sported a pair of black tailored trousers and a tiger print blouse with her blonde locks in natural waves, with her legs draped over her dapper husband's knee. And in another snap, the pair embraced outside with Rod's flashy white embellished blazer on display. Penny captioned the snap: 'One of the most wonderful, romantic, long weekend get aways. 'So appreciative the opportunities we get to spend quality time together in our busy lives. @sirrodstewart #tour.' Their sweet display comes days after it was revealed their son Alistair had dropped out of fashion school to pursue a career in film. Sir Rod always tipped his teenage son Alastair to play a younger version of himself if a Hollywood film were ever made about his very colourful life. 'There's a remarkable similarity,' the singer remarked. And maybe Alastair could be up for the challenge amid his career change. Last autumn, he embarked on a three-year degree course in fashion design, entrepreneurship and branding at the JCA London Fashion Academy. 'I was attending that fashion college, but I've left now,' he tells me at the world premiere of Ocean with Sir David Attenborough. Penny captioned the snap: 'One of the most wonderful, romantic, long weekend get aways. So appreciative the opportunities we get to spend quality time together in our busy lives' 'I'm in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. 'I'm trying to get into the film industry, and I want to follow my passion.' Alastair, who attended the screening at Royal Festival Hall in London with his mother Penny Lancaster, 54, added: 'I want to be behind the camera, that's my real passion. 'I've made a few short plays, I write a lot of scripts, and I write a lot of screenplays.' Rod's, 80, wife Penny recently opened up on the trials and tribulations of navigating a blended family with her husband's other children. The Maggie May hitmaker has eight children with five different women, two of whom are sons Alastair and Aidan, 14, who he welcomed with his third wife Penny. Rod also has Liam, 30, and Renee, 32, with his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, 55, while Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44, are from his first marriage to actress Alana Stewart, 79. He has another daughter Ruby, 37, from a former relationship with model Kelly Emberg, 65 and Rod's firstborn child is Sarah Streeter, 61, who was raised by her adoptive parents Gerald and Evelyn Thubron. Discussing the subject of blended families on the Loose Women podcast with Coleen Nolan, 60, Penny reflected on entering Rod's life when his children Liam and Renee were young, revealing how 'difficult' it must've been for them having another woman in their lives following their parents' divorce. They were speaking in response to a caller who admitted that she didn't want her ex-husband to take their children on holiday with his partner and their children. Sharing her own experiences of becoming a stepmother, Penny explained: 'There's five mothers, so it's a bit blended', later adding: 'I really did take into account what it must be like for the mother when I was around Rod [Stewart's] children. 'Liam and Renee, Liam was just five and Renee was seven. So, still quite young and impressionable and I could only imagine how difficult it was for those children to have their parents divorced, let alone to have another woman around.' She added: 'I guess I just wanted them to see that dad was happy, and if I was the person that was making dad happy and dad still communicated with mum and they still made the big decisions about things, it was a case of just tiptoeing.' Penny has a great relationship with all of Rod's children, with the whole clan often holidaying together.
