the long weekend
MONDAY 19 MARCH 2018
CITYAM.COM
: @city_am
LIFE&STYLE
25
: @cityamlife
NEED TO KNOW For more info on Cape Grace visit capegrace.com For Spier visit spier.co.za/hotel For more info on Grootbos visit grootbos.com For more info on Gondwana Game Reserve visit gondwana gr.co.za/ For more info on Hotel Verde visit hotelverde.com
THE LONG WEEKEND
THE WEEKEND: Halkidiki is the quieter alternative to the more popular beaches and nightlife of Mykonos, and every bit as attractive as the rugged volcanic terrain of Santorini. Situated on the country’s northern coast, this region of Greece is just three and a half hours away from London. You can take a direct flight to Thessaloniki, itself a treasure trove of museums and ancient history. By the afternoon you’ll be laying out your beach towel on an olive tree-fringed beach. the Kruger National Park. The next morning, we awake to mountains in every direction and are greeted by a dazzle of zebras traipsing past the front door of our hut (yes, that’s the collective noun, and yes, they do dazzle). Guests can stay in the luxury dome-shaped thatched huts dotted around a swimming pool or become immersed in conservation work at the hugely popular tented eco-camp. Working with rangers, guests carry out essential research from tracking lions to helping re-wild cheetahs, to the less glamorous but still important analysing of elephant dung. Weeks can go by without a lion sighting but on our early morning game drive we struck gold. As we pulled over to watch a lioness, there was a rustle beside us and a rampantmaned lion and his companion emerged from a bush, feet away from our open-topped jeep. They stood, locking eyes with us in a raw, primordial encounter that will be forever etched in my memory. Later we drive the four hours back to Cape Town, where locals are already stockpiling water. On the radio, people called in to share tips about flushing toilets. Attempting to buy
a bottle of water in a supermarket after 9am proved impossible. Hotel Verde, built on reclaimed wetland next to the airport, is ideally placed for our early morning flight home. It is Africa’s greenest hotel and the only hotel in the world to get a double platinum rating from the US Green Building Council, whose Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scheme is the most widely used rating system of its kind. The jewel in the hotel’s eco-crown is its exquisite natural pool, with water filtered through rocks and plants, set among lush wetland. Sitting with a homemade organic smoothie in hand and feet dipped in the pool, it’s hard to believe the airport is a few hundred metres away. Guests are rewarded for eco-friendly efforts such as taking the stairs with ‘currency’ to spend in the hotel. For the more energetic, a gym workout claims to put electricity back into the grid. Day Zero, when Cape Town’s taps run dry, has now been pushed back to early July, but the message from everyone I spoke with was hopeful. The city wants visitors to come, and eco-tourism is more important to its future than ever before.
WHERE? I stayed at Ikos Oceania, which has just had a €27m makeover, and is one of the new-wave of all-inclusive properties by the innovative Ikos group. Actually, Ikos doesn’t label any of its boutique-style hotels as ‘all-inclusive’ – preferring the more luxurious sounding ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ instead. Putting aside that curious affectation, Ikos is currently creating a buzz in the travel industry due to its knack of redefining the traditional all-inclusive concept into something more modern and upmarket. Out are the tired buffets, and in are restaurants overseen by Michelin-star chefs, while interiors are chic and service is five-star all the way. THE STAY: The hotel boasts stylish suites and spacious rooms, some with gardens and private pools. Décor is elegant with pretty bedside chandeliers, smart velvet headboards and luxurious bedlinens. Set into the hillside on multiple levels, the hotel has a subtle Aegean blue and white palette, echoing the classic colours of Greece, all enhanced with stunning views over the jutting Halkidiki peninsula. Urban-styled terrace bars, infinity pools
IKOS OCEANIA HALKIDIKI, GREECE Angelina Villa on the resort that’s turning all-inclusive on its head and manicured gardens add to the luxe feel. You can get stuck into the watersports on offer, hire a bike to zip around on and try out a range of daily activities. For extra treats, there is a sophisticated spa, with Anne Semonin treatments on offer (which you do have to pay extra for – your ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ must know some bounds after all).
HALKIDIKI FACTIDIKI
Aristotle was born around these parts, so have a nice think about philosophy while you’re there. Out of respect.
THE FOOD: With a focus on fine dining, this is where the‘pre-paid luxury’ concept that Ikos is banking on comes into its own. As well as all-day dining at Flavors restaurant, there are four à la carte options, including a choice of Asian-fusion, Italian and French, with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs. At the all-white, glass-walled Ouzo restaurant, for instance, traditional Greek dishes are overseen by Lefteris Lazarou – the first Greek chef ever to win a Michelin star – including his signature lamb kleftiko with potato puree. It’s a sublime dish, cooked for 48 hours, and proven to be the most popular meal in the whole resort. ASK ABOUT: The Dine Out experience, where you can opt to go to a local taverna, such as the charming Erodios, at no extra cost. Or, alternatively – if your idea of living your ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ is eating a selection of grilled meats in bed while watching Greek television – 24-hour room service is also included. NEED TO KNOW: To find out more about Ikos Oceania and to book your stay visit ikosresorts.com. Rates start from £180 per night based on two people sharing a double room on an all-inclusive basis.
CITYAM.COM
: @city_am
LIFE&STYLE
25
: @cityamlife
NEED TO KNOW For more info on Cape Grace visit capegrace.com For Spier visit spier.co.za/hotel For more info on Grootbos visit grootbos.com For more info on Gondwana Game Reserve visit gondwana gr.co.za/ For more info on Hotel Verde visit hotelverde.com
THE LONG WEEKEND
THE WEEKEND: Halkidiki is the quieter alternative to the more popular beaches and nightlife of Mykonos, and every bit as attractive as the rugged volcanic terrain of Santorini. Situated on the country’s northern coast, this region of Greece is just three and a half hours away from London. You can take a direct flight to Thessaloniki, itself a treasure trove of museums and ancient history. By the afternoon you’ll be laying out your beach towel on an olive tree-fringed beach. the Kruger National Park. The next morning, we awake to mountains in every direction and are greeted by a dazzle of zebras traipsing past the front door of our hut (yes, that’s the collective noun, and yes, they do dazzle). Guests can stay in the luxury dome-shaped thatched huts dotted around a swimming pool or become immersed in conservation work at the hugely popular tented eco-camp. Working with rangers, guests carry out essential research from tracking lions to helping re-wild cheetahs, to the less glamorous but still important analysing of elephant dung. Weeks can go by without a lion sighting but on our early morning game drive we struck gold. As we pulled over to watch a lioness, there was a rustle beside us and a rampantmaned lion and his companion emerged from a bush, feet away from our open-topped jeep. They stood, locking eyes with us in a raw, primordial encounter that will be forever etched in my memory. Later we drive the four hours back to Cape Town, where locals are already stockpiling water. On the radio, people called in to share tips about flushing toilets. Attempting to buy
a bottle of water in a supermarket after 9am proved impossible. Hotel Verde, built on reclaimed wetland next to the airport, is ideally placed for our early morning flight home. It is Africa’s greenest hotel and the only hotel in the world to get a double platinum rating from the US Green Building Council, whose Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scheme is the most widely used rating system of its kind. The jewel in the hotel’s eco-crown is its exquisite natural pool, with water filtered through rocks and plants, set among lush wetland. Sitting with a homemade organic smoothie in hand and feet dipped in the pool, it’s hard to believe the airport is a few hundred metres away. Guests are rewarded for eco-friendly efforts such as taking the stairs with ‘currency’ to spend in the hotel. For the more energetic, a gym workout claims to put electricity back into the grid. Day Zero, when Cape Town’s taps run dry, has now been pushed back to early July, but the message from everyone I spoke with was hopeful. The city wants visitors to come, and eco-tourism is more important to its future than ever before.
WHERE? I stayed at Ikos Oceania, which has just had a €27m makeover, and is one of the new-wave of all-inclusive properties by the innovative Ikos group. Actually, Ikos doesn’t label any of its boutique-style hotels as ‘all-inclusive’ – preferring the more luxurious sounding ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ instead. Putting aside that curious affectation, Ikos is currently creating a buzz in the travel industry due to its knack of redefining the traditional all-inclusive concept into something more modern and upmarket. Out are the tired buffets, and in are restaurants overseen by Michelin-star chefs, while interiors are chic and service is five-star all the way. THE STAY: The hotel boasts stylish suites and spacious rooms, some with gardens and private pools. Décor is elegant with pretty bedside chandeliers, smart velvet headboards and luxurious bedlinens. Set into the hillside on multiple levels, the hotel has a subtle Aegean blue and white palette, echoing the classic colours of Greece, all enhanced with stunning views over the jutting Halkidiki peninsula. Urban-styled terrace bars, infinity pools
IKOS OCEANIA HALKIDIKI, GREECE Angelina Villa on the resort that’s turning all-inclusive on its head and manicured gardens add to the luxe feel. You can get stuck into the watersports on offer, hire a bike to zip around on and try out a range of daily activities. For extra treats, there is a sophisticated spa, with Anne Semonin treatments on offer (which you do have to pay extra for – your ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ must know some bounds after all).
HALKIDIKI FACTIDIKI
Aristotle was born around these parts, so have a nice think about philosophy while you’re there. Out of respect.
THE FOOD: With a focus on fine dining, this is where the‘pre-paid luxury’ concept that Ikos is banking on comes into its own. As well as all-day dining at Flavors restaurant, there are four à la carte options, including a choice of Asian-fusion, Italian and French, with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs. At the all-white, glass-walled Ouzo restaurant, for instance, traditional Greek dishes are overseen by Lefteris Lazarou – the first Greek chef ever to win a Michelin star – including his signature lamb kleftiko with potato puree. It’s a sublime dish, cooked for 48 hours, and proven to be the most popular meal in the whole resort. ASK ABOUT: The Dine Out experience, where you can opt to go to a local taverna, such as the charming Erodios, at no extra cost. Or, alternatively – if your idea of living your ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ is eating a selection of grilled meats in bed while watching Greek television – 24-hour room service is also included. NEED TO KNOW: To find out more about Ikos Oceania and to book your stay visit ikosresorts.com. Rates start from £180 per night based on two people sharing a double room on an all-inclusive basis.
