LUXURY HOTELS IN LEBANON

Lebanon is filled with the ancient ruins and history you might expect in the Middle East, alongside lots of modern touches from skiing to excellent fine dining. You’ll find the largest souk in the world here, as well as stunning architecture. But the emphasis is very much on the present, with buzzing nightlife, sophisticated shopping boutiques and an exciting cultural scene. 

Once known as the Paris of the Orient, Lebanon is recapturing its glamour thanks to redevelopment – and a lively party attitude.

WHEN TO GO

Summer is the time to visit if you fancy beach resorts, pool time and swimming in the Med. But Beirut and the Lebanon are superb destinations all year round, with nightlife and entertainment aplenty. Keen skiers tend to visit in February to make the most of the fresh snow on the mountains. Autumn and spring are ideal if you want to avoid the crowds. 

If you’re hoping to take a dip, be sure to take local advice. Due to overfishing, the Mediterranean has seen growing numbers of jellyfish – harmless, but a pain. 

Luxury Hotels in Belgium

It may be the political heart of Europe, but Belgium still knows how to have a good time. You’ll find historic cities that are brimming with culture and nightlife, grand palaces and stylish boutiques, potent Trappist beers and world-famous fine dining. But, if you prefer a slower pace, there are dreamy canals, exclusive beach resorts and peaceful chateaux and gardens to explore. 

With its chocolate and moules-frites, carnivals and cartoon stars, Belgium serves up a surreal blend of indulgence and opulence.

Belgium is a year-round destination with mild summers and cosy winters. Summer is a great time to wander the historic cities on foot, tour the countryside by bike and dine (or drink) al fresco in a canal-side bar. In the autumn and winter, the ancient cobbled alleyways take on a magical feel and many cities host twinkling festive markets.

Belgium is known as the ‘Bordeaux of Beer’ and you could happily while away a weekend sampling some of the 1000+ brews on offer.

Luxury Hotels in Sweden

In a country as vast as Sweden getting away from it all is easy. After a reviving log cabin sauna, take a dip (skinny style is fine) in a crystal-clear lake surrounded by forests of spruce and birch. Wend your way in a canoe around the many islands that make up the Stockholm archipelago. Then relax with a coffee in this cosmopolitan, yet serene city – where elegant museums and vintage stores rub shoulders with cutting-edge design.

From the land of the midnight sun comes a smorgasbord of natural treats and must-see sights.

Spring is when Swedish festivals and revelries get into full swing with open-air picnics and parties under the midnight sun. Swedish summers will remind you of southern Britain – only with more hours of daylight to get out into the pure, fresh air, pick wild blueberries and enjoy a spot of salmon fishing or hiking. While the south generally experiences milder winters, in northern Sweden, October is the time to put on your ski boots as the snow starts falling by the bucket-load – promising fantastic skiing well into April.

Sample a Swedish-style open sandwich – the smörgås dates back to the 1400s when thick slabs of bread were used as plates.

Luxury Hotels in Austria

Austria is compact enough to combine two holidays in one: a luxury city break and a country escape. The cities are chic and sophisticated, where boutique cafés mingle with baroque grandeur, stylish bars fizz with the spirit of Mozart, and colourful cake shops reflect the decadence of the Habsburg palaces. The countryside serves up exclusive hotels on the Danube, golf courses meandering through forested valleys, cosy spas with thermal springs, and über-cool alpine resorts to ski and be seen.

From its imperious mountains to its imperial cities, Austria knows how to make an impression.

Austria is best known for its winter revelry – the panache of the piste at its private ski resorts and, in the cities, the mesmerising Christmas markets and yuletide treats. As the snow melts, the mountains, lakes and golf courses become a nature lover’s paradise, while the cities spring to life with festivals.

Nothing captures Austria like an opera. Discover performances throughout the year, indoors and out – including one that floats.

Luxury hotel in DE L’EUROPE Amsterdam

Often referred to as the other “Royal Palace of Amsterdam”, DE L'EUROPE Amsterdam occupies a scenic waterfront location on the Amstel River. The hotel’s original Rondeel building, a city landmark and long considered an oasis of calm in the buzzing city center, was transformed in 2010 with extensive renovations that fuse the hotel’s timeless design with 21st-century comfort. The new Dutch Masters Wing is an all-suite adjacent annex in a historic building, where each room is uniquely appointed and features a painstaking replica of a Dutch Masters painting from the nearby Rijksmuseum. Traditional old-charm co-exists with historic masterpieces in the grand Promenade, where the city’s most authentic Afternoon Tea is served while river views provide a breathtaking backdrop to the two Michelin star Bord’Eau, the Bib Gourmand awarded Hoofdstad Brasserie and the authentic Freddy’Bar (Best Cocktail Bartender of The Netherlands 2014). The newly renovated Skins Institute - DE L'EUROPE, already awarded as a Leading Spa of the World, invites you to experience a tranquil haven designed to lavishly pamper, indulge and nourish your mind, body and spirit. Dedicated to rigorous environmental standards, the hotel is a member of the Green Key Program, an internationally recognized tourism eco-label.

(Original Dutch Masters paintings adorn the walls of this historic hotel located near several of the world’s most heralded museums.)