Words: Julie Alpine Brush up on your Robert Burns, tie a tartan ribbon in your hair and tell Nessie you’re coming. This summer, north of the border, you’ll find celebrations and special events galore to mark Scotland’s year of Highland culture DEEP IN THE MURKY WATERS of Scotland’s Loch Ness, the world-famous monster might be forgiven for feeling a little worried. For Nessie, [...]

Azure dreams Words: Anthea Gerrie From Picasso’s home village to Chagall’s favourite breakfast café, a new tourist trail on the French Riviera guides visitors in the footsteps of art’s modern masters With its brilliant light, palm-fringed beaches and exquisite villages ­ not to mention the hedonistic atmosphere generated by 80 years’ service as a playground to international stars ­ it’s no wonder so many [...]

Interview: Alistair Duncan Portrait: David Yeo She’s met the Queen, been twice nominated for an Oscar and eats sandwiches at the Savoy, but actress Brenda Blethyn is happiest when making her own cup of tea and settling down with a good crossword BRENDA BLETHYN IS SITTING opposite me, spreading butter onto her toast. But she’s not happy. “I hate it when they cut the [...]

FLYING THE FLAG WAKE UP TO THE JOYS OF THE FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST, SAYS BILL KNOTT I ordered breakfast at a smart country house hotel recently: the traditional full English, of course. Except that, while it was undoubtedly full ­ bacon, sausage, eggs, grilled tomato, mushrooms ­ it was not entirely English. The chef had pepped up the mushrooms with dried porcini [...]

CANCELLING A NIGHT OUT BY TEXT MESSAGE? QUEUE-JUMPING AT THE SUPERMARKET? MAKING HURTFUL COMMENTS OVER THE HEDGE? WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OLD-FASHIONED GOOD MANNERS, ASKS ADELE PARKS AM I JUST GETTING OLD or is the world a ruder place than it used to be? I can’t be alone in believing that good manners cost nothing and yet remain precious ­ not least because they’re such [...]

Hotel Heaven Words: Robina Dam THE NEWEST “BABY” of the Firmdale Group, the Haymarket Hotel, London, has been a labour of love for Kit and Tim Kemp ­ and five years in gestation. Now the 50-bedroom hotel, which is set in the landmark building designed by John Nash (the architect behind Regency London who shaped Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square), has been [...]

VENETIAN CELEBRATIONS Take to the water as its time to celebrate in Venice. The residents of the beautiful Italian city will man their boats on 14 July to celebrate Il Redentore (www. turismovenezia.it). It’s ships ahoy in St Mark’s basin as almost 2,000 decorated boats jostle to see the evening’s spectacular firework display. Then it’s off to join in a feast ­ [...]

Party Antiguan style THE TRANQUIL ISLAND of Antigua will be turning up the volume to celebrate its Carnival’s 50th anniversary on 21 July ­ 7 August (www. antiguafestival.com). This 18-day festival offers visitors a chance to brush past (or even try on, perhaps?) a host of ornate costumes, listen to soca ­ a Caribbean fusion of soul and calypso music ­ and [...]

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