EXPLORE NEWS February 2007
Out and about The latest news from bmi destinations including Edinburgh, Riyadh, Amsterdam and Las Vegas. Plus romantic ideas for Valentine’s Day
Culture car
TAKE THE HASSLE out of sightseeing in Amsterdam with the QiQ car (www.getaqiq.com). This nippy two-seater electric car is small enough to be able to navigate even the narrowest canal street and will fit into any space, so you can easily park outside all the major sights. You don’t even need to be very good at map reading, as if you get lost it will remember the way back to your hotel – just press the “Go Home” button.
So forget the tour bus and get out on your own.
MOUNTAIN MADNESS
THERE’S MORE TO THE SLOPES THAN SKIS. WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST MOUNTAIN SPORTS FOR ADRENALINE JUNKIES
BORED WITH YOUR skis or snowboard? Then it’s time to try something new. Here’s a selection of the latest ways to get about the slopes.
KITE SNOWBOARDING
Have you ever wanted to fly alongside your kite? This latest craze involves being attached to a large kite while on your skis or snowboard. When it’s launched into the wind, you head off with it. It’s hard work but once you’ve got the technique you’ll get very close to flying. Mountains can be gusty so make sure you find a wide-open area that is pretty flat and not near a drop-off.
WINGSURFING
Get all the fun of windsurfing but on snow. The wingsurf is a large sail which you either hold in an upright position or above your head. As in windsurfing, you use it to catch the wind and this carries you down the slope. It’s very responsive and powerful so make sure you can handle it before you hit the slopes and in no time you’ll be turning, jumping and gliding.
SKIRIDER
A cross between a snowboard and a BMX bike, this is easy to learn and offers a thrilling ride down the mountain. You can make short turns with it as in skiing and reach speeds high enough to make big jumps. It is ideal for people seeking exhilaration without too much physical effort and it is great for anyone with a knee injury, so there’s no excuse not to get out there.
Words: Emma Juhasz
WEDDED BLISS
TYING THE KNOT? WHETHER YOU’RE PLANNING A TRADITIONAL DAY, A TROPICAL BEACH CEREMONY OR A SCOTTISH GETAWAY, NOW IS THE TIME TO GET ORGANISED
WITH SPRING AROUND the corner the wedding season will soon be upon us. It can be a daunting prospect to organise your big day but with over 300,000 people getting married each year in the UK, there are lots of options to choose from.
WEDDING PLANNERS
With so much planning needed, it can be a full-time job. Take a leaf out of the Jennifer Lopez film The Wedding Planner and let the experts come to you. Every bride will find something to please at the wedding shows taking place this month, from the National Wedding Show, NEC Birmingham 16-18 February 2007 (www.nationalweddingshow.co. uk) and The Asian Wedding Exhibition, Alexandra Palace, London 17-18 February 2007 (www.aweuk.com) to the Wedding Journal Show, The King’s Hall, Belfast 23-25 February 2007 (www..weddingjournalshow. com).
SILVER SHORES
Tying the knot abroad is becoming increasingly popular and the islands of Antigua and Barbados are both popular destinations. Take the hassle out of the organisation with companies such as Tropical Weddings Barbados (www.tropicalweddingsbarbados. com) or St James Travel & Tours Ltd (www.stjtt.com), who will arrange everything from the vicar to white doves, which are released as you take your vows.
RUNAWAY BRIDE
Since the 18th century, couples from England have been eloping to Gretna Green. You can marry there without parental consent from the age of 16 (but 21 in England) and, until 1940, any adult could conduct a wedding ceremony.
Gretna’s blacksmith was often on hand and he became known as the “anvil priest”. People still get married in the Old Blacksmith’s Shop and now you can honeymoon in style at the hip Smiths Hotel, which is next door (+44 (0)1483 776344; www.classicbritishhotels.com).
Words: Emma Juhasz
Edinburgh
ANDREW BOE, CONCIERGE AT THE LUXURIOUS SCOTSMAN HOTEL, HAS SOME TOP TIPS FOR EXPLORING SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL CITY IN STYLE
FIRST TIMER? The Open Top City Tour bus with a Royal Edinburgh Ticket, £32 (www..royaledinburghticket.co.uk), will take you to the main sights including the Castle and Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s residence when she’s in town.
BEEN BEFORE? Don’t miss our new Scottish Parliament Building, which cost £450m to build. Discover the hidden Edinburgh on the Mary Kings Close tour (www.realmarykingsclose.com) or relax in the beautiful Botanic Gardens (www.rbge.org.uk).
POWER LUNCH: Forth Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols, offers creative food and great views of its namesake the Firth of Forth (www.harveynichols.com). The Tower on the fifth floor of the Museum of Scotland (www.tower-restaurant. com) is the place to impress that important client.
TAKE A DATE: Vermilion (in the Scotsman Hotel) offers the ultimate fine-dining restaurant experience. Number One, Balmoral Hotel (www.thebalmoralhotel.com), also dazzles with the quality of its food and its charming staff.
TOP TIPPLE: George Street is the place to go. Some of the best places are Tiger Lily (125 George Street; +44 (0)131 225 5005), Living Room (113-115 George Street; +44 (0)870 442 2718) and Tempus (23 George Street; +44 (0)131 240 7197).
TAKE HOME: High quality cashmere from Belinda Robertson (13A Dundas Street; +44 (0)131 557 8118), delicious haggis or smoked salmon from Jenners (48 Princes Street; +44
(0)870 607 2841) and don’t forget some whisky (Whisky Heritage Centre, 354 Castlehill; +44 (0)131 220 0441).
ANDREW BOE has been the head concierge of the luxurious Scotsman Hotel since it opened in 2004. He is a member of the prestigious concierge society Clefs D’Or.
THE SCOTSMAN HOTEL is set in the former home of the eponymous newspaper. It has an award-winning restaurant and a luxury spa.
The Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YT; +44 (0)131 556 5565; www.thescotsmanhotel.co.uk
