Sun’s out
The swimwear season is now upon us – especially if you’re heading to guaranteed sunshine in beach destinations like Antigua, Barbados or Palma. Skylah’s new line of bikinis features pretty geometric designs, plus low-rise waistbands and sculpted cups make them extra flattering (from £49.50; www.skylahswimwear.com). For children, UV protection T-shirts from StarBlu (from £18.95; www.starblu.com) [...]
The swimwear season is now upon us – especially
if you’re heading to guaranteed sunshine in
beach destinations like Antigua, Barbados or
Palma. Skylah’s new line of bikinis features pretty
geometric designs, plus low-rise waistbands and
sculpted cups make them extra flattering (from
£49.50; www.skylahswimwear.com).
For children, UV protection T-shirts from
StarBlu (from £18.95; www.starblu.com) offer
an added level of sun safety, and its cute,
star-patterned towelling robes are perfect for
wrapping up toddlers post-swim (£19.50).
For men hitting the beach but who may have
no time for visiting the shops beforehand,
www.figleaves.com stocks men’s designer
swimwear including Paul Smith and Calvin Klein.
Setjetting
Those with an interest in the country of Kazakhstan
should know that 6 June marks the UK cinema release
of Mongol: The Untold Story Of Genghis Khan, much
of which was filmed in the country. Kazakhstan
was invaded by Khan and meshed with the Mongol
Empire at the start of the 13th century. A Best
Foreign Film nominee at this year’s Oscars, could
this movie make Kazakhstan (bmi flies to its
largest city Almaty) the next hot movie-inspired
destination, following in the footsteps of New
Zealand (Lord Of The Rings) and California’s
vineyards (Sideways)? Either way, it’s a fascinating
and breathtaking watch; www.mongolmovie.com
Pet names
Unless a sibling owes you a favour, finding someone to scoop out your cat’s litter while you’re
sunning yourself in Barbados for two weeks is not easy. If you’re struggling to find a sitter, new
website Holiday Petcare has a UK-wide network of pet-sitters that might be useful (prices upon
quotation). “We have more and more pet-sitters adding their details every day and the website’s
completely free for anyone to use,” says Tina Dallman, the lady behind it; www.holidaypetcare.co.uk
Video star
The future of the guidebook may be video,
if the world’s first virtual guidebook catches
on. British destination guide The South West
Coast Path is a book that
includes DVD and internet
download content (£19.95;
www.virtualbookcompany.co.uk). Among the
recommendations on
its interactive map is
the St Austell Brewery
in Cornwall (www.
staustellbrewery.co.uk) where you can take
a tour and sample a cold beer.
Order in
Chicago’s Night Owl Deliveries are who to
call if you suddenly think of an item you can’t
live without at 3am. The business will deliver
(almost) anything to the city’s residents and
hotel guests. “In fact, most concierges use us so
they don’t have to run around all over town,”
founder Felix Bendersky tells voyager. Clients
include guests at high-end hotels like The Drake
and the W, as well the humble Travelodge. “We
have delivered everything,” he continues. “Aspirin.
Every type of food, from steak to a McDonald’s;
even a television. We’ve had some pretty strange
requests, but we don’t like to say no to
our customers.”
Night Owl Deliveries, +1 617 292 7695;
www.nightowldeliveries.com
The Z list
Summer in Zurich is all about the badi or
‘baths’ – open-air bathing areas on Lake
Zurich and the river Limmat. Zurich now
boasts more public bathing spots than any
other city in the world, and come dusk, they
are transformed into cool bars and cultural
venues for everything from live music to
poetry slams. Here’s our pick of the best:
SEEBAD ENGE
Mythenquai,
+41 44 201 38 89; www.tonttu.ch
Situated on pontoons floating on the lake with
stunning city views, visitors can swim up for a
breakfast of fresh coffee and local Bircher muesli,
or wait till it’s dark and hear DJs and bands.
FRAUENBADI
Stadthausquai,
+41 44 211 95 92; www.barfussbar.ch
A women-only lido in the city centre, in the
evenings it transforms into a laidback bar, and
the rules are relaxed too – men are allowed in. It’s
called Barfussbar (barefoot bar), literally meaning
that only those in bare feet can enter – well, it
makes a change from a no trainers policy.
OBERER LETTEN
10 Lettensteg, +41 44 362 92 00
This lido on the Limmat riverside often sees the
locals showing off by swimming against the
current. At night it turns into social venue Pier
West, where you’ll hear plenty of electro beats.
