Boat with a Bond girl
Croatia – Sail the coastlines of Croatia and Montenegro like a Bond girl. Former 007 muse and designer/hotelier Anouska Hempel (she owned, designed and managed famed London boutique hotels Blakes and The Hempel) is renting out her 28-metre private yacht through Dalmatian Destinations. Beluga I, a luxurious Turkish gullet that Hempel fully redesigned and rebuilt, accommodates up to seven guests in four swank cabins and comes with slick black sails and such design touches as Frette linens, Louis Vuitton trunks and cane shutters. This is as elegant as the high seas gets (photo at right), so pack your oversize sunglasses and Hermès head scarf. The crew includes a butler and a chef flown in from Blakes. Charter Beluga from June to October; rates start from €35,000 a week. dalmatiandestinations.com
Locavores at The Pig
England – One of London’s most talented chefs has escaped to the country. James Golding, who once worked at posh eateries Le Caprice, The Ivy and J. Sheekey, now heads up the kitchen at The Pig Country House near the village of Brockenhurst. Situated in Hampshire’s New Forest National Park, this is yet another addition to England’s burgeoning collection of food-focused inns. There are 26 shabby-chic guest suites in the main house and stable yard, but the main focus is locavore dining. Golding’s sous-chefs act as chief forager and kitchen gardener, making sure that 95 per cent of the ingredients used come from a 24-kilometre radius. Scan the ever-changing menu
for such signature dishes as Tatchbury Farm black pudding, New Forest wood pigeon salad, and gooseberry and elderflower tartlet. Three courses, excluding drinks, will cost about $55. thepighotel.co.uk
Pick with the pros
Provence, France – Real winemakers don’t stomp on grapes. Roll up your sleeves and immerse yourself in an authentic Provençal harvest at Château Pesquié in the Rhône Valley. Learn the ropes from estate owner Paul Chaudière, who will guide you from the vines to the barrels. Spend time picking grapes with the pros (it’s an arduous process, so wear comfortable shoes), then retire to the wine caves for the all-important fermentation, blending and tasting processes. This isn’t all work and no play.
A picnic lunch and leisure time to dip in the swimming pool (weather permitting) are also on the agenda. The three-night vendange package is available from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 exclusively to guests at Hotel Crillon le Brave (rates start at €1,300 a person). Space is limited to 16 people per group, so it’s best to make a reservation. crillonlebrave.com
Special to The Globe and Mail
