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           ![What’s New In Travel This Season](https://media.slman.com/xro5J1kvyURElJDmPi37ICckfG4=/500x221/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-site-assets-020525-hero-travel-notes.jpg?itok=9FxbyFj3) 

  

 

 ![What’s New In Travel This Season](https://media.slman.com/TLMQSTYprPF_GSUke7F8nl_Krp0=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Fsl-site-assets-020525-thumb-travel-notes.jpg?itok=wJCB35dK)

 

 

 



 

  [Travel](/culture/travel) 

 



 /  07 May 2025  

#  What’s New In Travel This Season  


---

From luxury openings and experiences to a Mediterranean food retreat, there’s plenty in the world of travel to get excited about right now…  
 

 



 

 

 

 

  Image: La Piscina, Belmond 

 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![La Valise Mazunte](https://media.slman.com/Sdv54UBt0Jll6AHxgBhb7TRHbkA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-la-valise-mazuntejosemamarzo.jpg?itok=yImo6qFW)

 

 ](https://www.lavalisemazunte.com/) 

La Valise Mazunte  


 

 

 

 

 

## THE LONG-HAUL DESTINATION 

### Oaxaca, Mexico 

  

 

Oaxaca has long been a favourite for in-the-know travellers, and now there are even more reasons to visit thanks to two new openings on the coast. [La Valise Mazunte](https://www.lavalisemazunte.com/), the latest addition to Namron Hospitality’s portfolio, sits on the pristine El Toron reserve. Designed by architect Alberto Kalach, the boutique property features just six suites and a spectacular villa, all crafted with natural materials and overlooking a private beach. There’s also the new [Casa Yatí](https://casayati.com/) which sits on the untouched coastline of Ventanilla. The eight-room hotel is home to art-filled spaces, sustainable design in every corner, and hammocks strung up on private balconies. Guests enjoy nature-based experiences, from whale watching to spotting baby turtle releases.

 

 

 

 [ ![Plates Farm](https://media.slman.com/v-DtTOyRHq9_fhpQ3YN5TsXUJEs=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Fplates-farm2.jpg?itok=euTxjEVa)

 

 ](https://plates-london.com/farm/) 

Plates Farm  


 

 

 

 

 

## THE FOODIE TRIP 

### Plates Farm 

  

 

Following its Michelin star win earlier this year (the UK’s first for a fully vegan restaurant) [Plates](http://plates-london.com) has launched a summer retreat in the rolling hills of south-west France. Set in the spa town of Lectoure, this beautifully restored estate offers a six-night escape combining food, nature and wellbeing. Guests can stay in en-suite bedrooms, with access to a pool, sauna, rooftop jacuzzi and plunge pools, plus panoramic views across orchards and lavender fields. The experience can be as structured or spontaneous as you like: yoga at sunrise, market visits, hot air balloon rides or simply long, plant-based brunches followed by a book on the terrace. With three kitchens (including a chef’s table), a larder and wine room, and menus shaped by Kirk and Keeley Haworth, it's the ultimate summer trip for foodies.

Visit [Plates-London.com](https://plates-london.com/farm/)

 

 

 

 [ ![Hotel Experimental Marais](https://media.slman.com/7gyzQR8DaSKapL9JQ8R0NiPmovw=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-experimentalmaraistristanauercamaurylaparra.jpg?itok=9B9FGy_H)

 

 ](https://www.experimentalmarais.com/) 

Hotel Experimental Marais  


 

© Amaury Laparra

 

 

 

 

 

 

## THE CITY SPOTLIGHT 

### Paris 

  

 

There are endless reasons to visit Paris, but a string of new hotel openings means there’s even more to experience in the fashion capital. In the 17th arrondissement, [La Fondation](https://www.lafondationhotel.com/) has opened its doors as part of a cultural complex, complete with three restaurants, a rooftop bar and a semi-Olympic pool. Nearby, [Hotel Madame Drouot &amp; Spa](https://www.madamedrouot.com/en/) is home to modern rooms with bistro-style interiors and a wellness centre just moments from the Palais Garnier. Over in the Latin Quarter, [Jardin de Verre ](https://www.lockeliving.com/en/paris/le-jardin-de-verre-by-locke)by Locke puts a modern spin on extended stays with 145 design-led apartments, a restaurant and cocktail bar. Meanwhile, Experimental Group has opened a [flagship property](https://www.experimentalmarais.com/?) in the Haut Marais district, with a new restaurant, Temple &amp; Chapon. And to top it off, Maybourne Hotel Group – owner of The Connaught and Claridge’s – has announced a [new palace-style hotel and branded residences](https://www.maybourne.com/development/), set to open in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 2027.

 

 

 

## THE CULINARY RETREATS 

### Mediterranean Food Journeys 

  

 

Foodies, take note: Mediterranean Food Journeys has launched a series of new cookery retreats for 2025, hosted at the [Torre Ronsat](https://www.torreronsat.com/) estate in Spain’s Costa Brava. Led by hospitality duo Suki and Steve (ex-El Celler de Can Roca and The Clove Club), the retreats span long weekends to full weeks, each packed with Mediterranean-inspired classes and experiences. Imagine sunset paella workshops, homemade tortellini sessions, hikes along the craggy coastline followed by beachside seafood feasts, and vintage sailboat adventures. Guests can also expect wine tastings, market trips, and time to relax under the olive trees by the pool. The estate itself has sprawling grounds and rustic-chic rooms, all within easy reach of Girona and Barcelona.

Visit [MediterraneanFoodJourneys.com](https://www.mediterraneanfoodjourneys.com/)

 

 

 [ ![Mediterranean Food Journeys](https://media.slman.com/qXh15POl25U4R0B3CcaEhTo0hl4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-mediterranean-food-journey.jpg?itok=hZzjXFRI)

 

 ](https://www.mediterraneanfoodjourneys.com/) 

Mediterranean Food Journeys  


 

 

 

 

 

 

## THE LUXURY WAY TO TRAVEL 

### La Dolce Vita Orient Express 

  

 

There are few more glamorous ways to see Italy than aboard the new La Dolce Vita Orient Express. The country’s first luxury sleeper train takes slow travel to new heights, with eight curated itineraries covering everywhere from the vineyards of Montalcino to the beaches of Sicily. Guests can settle into retro-chic cabins designed by Milan’s Dimorestudio – all mid-century shapes and soft glamour – before enjoying Michelin-starred dishes by chef Heinz Beck. Think sunset aperitivos beneath lacquered ceilings, lazy journeys through olive groves and off-train adventures to tiny coastal towns. We like the sound of the three-day journey from Sicily to Rome, which passes some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

Visit [Orient-Express.com](https://www.orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita/itinerary/from-sicily-to-rome/)

 

 

 [ ![La Dolce Vita Orient Express](https://media.slman.com/X5RLb0rhO9MLqdpH0IzJV8a1utk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-la-dolce-vita-orient-express-credit-mr-tripper2-small-landscape.jpg?itok=zKe95qfL)

 

 ](https://www.orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita/itinerary/from-sicily-to-rome/) 

La Dolce Vita Orient Express  


 

Mr Tripper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![La Piscina](https://media.slman.com/K8T0N0rnjshPID4-N53lYkS2hGk=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-la-piscina-a-caruso-pool-club-amalfi-coast-full-bleed.jpg?itok=bUCS6KSO)

 

 ](https://mediahub.belmond.com/now-open-la-piscina-a-caruso-pool-club-amalfi-coast/) 

La Piscina  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 



## THE BRAND TO WATCH 

### Belmond 

  

 

Belmond has one hell of a year ahead. First up, Caruso on the Amalfi Coast launches [La Piscina](https://mediahub.belmond.com/now-open-la-piscina-a-caruso-pool-club-amalfi-coast/) – a new destination pool club perched high above Ravello, complete with private cabanas, poolside yoga, guided jogs along the cliffs and live cooking workshops inspired by the region’s rich culinary heritage. Over in Portofino, the legendary [Splendido](https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/italy/portofino/belmond-hotel-splendido) reopens this June after a major glow-up by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, featuring revamped interiors, a trio of new bars and Italy’s first Dior Spa – think rooftop treatments and Riviera views. Not to be outdone, back in the UK, the brand has launched the [Britannic Explorer](https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer), the country’s first ultra-luxe sleeper train. With routes through Cornwall, the Lakes and Wales, guests can expect elegant cabins, off-train adventures and cocktails in the observation car.

 

 

 

 ![Villa D'Este, The Grotto Of Diana](https://media.slman.com/tin5G6JaA3cnDapEAnd_mzW0qoQ=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-villa-deste-grotta-di-diana.jpg?itok=4OQVM1oG)

 

 

Villa D'Este, The Grotto Of Diana  


 

 

 

 

 

## THE CULTURAL REOPENING 

### The Grotto Of Diana 

  

 

If you’re visiting Rome, this is the day trip to plan ahead of time. After nearly 50 years hidden from the public, the Grotto of Diana at Villa d’Este will reopen to visitors this May – and it’s a must-visit for anyone who enjoys history, art or Italian grandeur. Set in the UNESCO-listed gardens of the 16th-century estate in Tivoli, just outside Rome, this ornate nymphaeum is home to a beautiful display of shell mosaics, marble sculptures and ancient frescoes – now beautifully restored with support from fashion house Fendi. Visitors can wander through the vaulted grotto and its opulent cross-shaped chambers, past scenes inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, before walking to the panoramic loggia for sweeping views across Castelli Romani.

 

 

 

 [ ![The Seed](https://media.slman.com/DMcWxkHHE3SJLxumajdvpLIriag=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Fthe-seed-bali.jpg?itok=UOvoRKoR)

 

 ](https://www.theseedbali.com/) 

The Seed  


 

 

 

 

 

## THE PRIVATE ESTATE 

### The Seed, Bali 

  

 

The Seed along the coast of eastern Bali offers an entirely private, eco-conscious retreat unlike anything else on the island. Set on 6,400 sq m of untouched coastline in Candidasa, the eight-bedroom estate is home to treetop villas, infinity pools, a private beach, an outdoor cinema, and even a bird’s nest diving platform. Guests can balance health-focused living – think jungle gyms, infrared saunas and organic dining from the estate’s permaculture gardens – with private DJ sessions in a soundproof underground club. Designed with recycled materials and solar-powered sustainability in mind, the hotel is all about reconnecting with nature. There are endless experiences on offer, too, from horse riding and surfing and to spiritual wellness treatments.

Visit [TheSeedBali.com](https://www.theseedbali.com/)

 

 

 

 [ ![Sir Prague](https://media.slman.com/j-OOHpnVhHBgg2zPi0uOn7QdWbM=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-sir-prague-credit-steve-herud.jpg?itok=xfZ4EEIp)

 

 ](https://www.sirhotels.com/en/prague/) 

Sir Prague  


 

Steve Herud

 

 

 

 

 

 

## THE CITY BREAK HOTEL 

### Sir Prague 

  

 

Design-led hotel group Sir has opened a property in Prague’s lively New Town. Housed in a grand 19th-century building, the 76-room hotel is filled with original neo-renaissance architecture alongside bold interiors by designer Linda Boronkay. Expect curated vintage finds, bespoke embroidered headboards, and playful nods to Czech folklore. There’s a buzzy restaurant from Vienna’s acclaimed Seven North, a chic bar, boutique gym, cosy library and leafy courtyard to retreat to. With the Charles Bridge, National Theatre and riverbank cafés all nearby, it’s one of Prague’s chicest new stays.

Visit [SirHotels.com](https://www.sirhotels.com/en/prague/)

 

 

 

## THE WELLNESS STAYCATION 

### Estelle Manor x Kamalaya 

  

 

This summer, Estelle Manor will launch its first ever Eynsham Baths spa retreat. In partnership with Thailand’s award-winning sanctuary Kamalaya, the three-day escape (22nd-25th Jun) will combine Eastern practices with Estelle’s luxury offering. Guests will stay at the manor’s countryside estate to experience a curated programme of chakra meditation, Ayurvedic workshops, breathwork and resilience-focused rituals. Two signature treatments, including Kamalaya’s Three Treasures massage, are woven into the experience, alongside nourishing meals crafted by Estelle Manor’s chef. From £4,800pp.

Visit [EstelleManor.com](https://estellemanor.com/)

 

 

 [ ![Estelle Manor](https://media.slman.com/miXTcmmccWB3a6uS7BbetTyAo-w=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fsl-travel-notes-manor-estelle.jpg?itok=FE9yr8q5)

 

 ](https://estellemanor.com/) 

Estelle Manor  


 

 

 

 

 

 

## THE CITY STAY 

### Nicosia, Cyprus 

  

 

Cyprus’s under-the-radar capital is having a moment – and the opening of Amyth of Nicosia makes it even more tempting for a city break. Set within the medieval Venetian Walls, this new boutique hotel from Thanos Hotels is housed in a beautifully restored early 20th-century villa, with just ten bedrooms, a leafy courtyard restaurant and a bar. Interiors, designed by local talent Maria Neophytou, celebrate vintage tiled floors, grand staircases and the slow pace of Mediterranean life. Guests can step straight into Nicosia’s buzzing streets to explore Byzantine churches, Ottoman bathhouses, pavement cafés and contemporary galleries.

Visit [AmythHotels.com](https://www.amythhotels.com/nicosia)

 

 

 [ ![Nicosia](https://media.slman.com/45H5_1Ruddb_BoTRZL0Sf7nMMMc=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Famyth-of-nicosia-amyth-kouzina-1.jpg?itok=Kt-BUkIN)

 

 ](https://www.amythhotels.com/nicosia) 

Nicosia  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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