Tag Archives: spa

Things to do in Rome

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TO SEE

Vatican City (Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica): Take the metro to Ottaviano. From there it’s a three minute walk to the great walls of the Vatican City where you queue to buy tickets and enter the Vatican museums and Sistine chapel. Resist the queue-jumping promises from the commission-hungry tour guides and wait in the fast moving queue. Or to avoid the queues and the hassle completely, buy tickets in advance.

After weaving your way through the scores of tourists and amateur photographers in the Vatican Museums to the ultimate, wondrous Sistine Chapel, follow the city wall to the epic St Peter’s Basilica.

MAXXI (Contemporary Art Gallery): Back onto the metro for two stops to Flaminio then jump on a U2 tram up Via Flaminia four stops along where you’ll discover the wildly creative MAXXI museum. Opened in 2010 and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the building itself is as impressive as the art within. Free entry with the Roma Pass.

Aventino Keyhole: Hike up the hill to Aventino, and peek through the keyhole near Santa Sabina church to spy an amazing view of St Peter’s.

Coliseum: The colossal stadium ruins are familiar from Ridley Scott’s film, Gladiator, and are just as impressive in real life. Skip the queue with a Roma Pass.

TO DO

Trevi Fountain: this spectacular fountain and sculpture is hidden among the cobbled streets of Tridente. Throw a coin in and make a wish.

Porta Portese flea market: Rome’s biggest and most famous flea market is found just across the Ponte Sublicio Bridge on Sunday mornings. Search through the stalls to pick up a bargain.

Spa at Boscolo Palace: After a day on foot seeing all the city’s sights, enjoy a relaxing massage in the oriental Kamispa at the Boscolo Palace Roma Hotel.

TO SHOP

Fendi: Pop into the flagship store of Italian designer brand, Fendi, and gawp at the luxury clothing and accessories on display.

Super: Located in the artesian area of Monti, Super is a lovely little concept store selling unique clothes and fun gifts.

Spiezia: Rumoured to be one of the smallest stores in Rome, Spiezia has been run by optician Alessandro Spiezia since 1967. Stocking prestigious designer brands alongside his own glasses and sunglasses, this store is sure to satisfy even the most demanding and unconventional of clientele.

Riga Dritto: This recently opened stationery shop from Milan stocks the cutest pencils and pens from Japan, and pretty paper products made in Italy.

D Cube Heritage: As night falls on Piazza del Fico, this small store lights up the street with its stylish homeware from Italian brands such as Seletti, and some quirky imported speciality brands including Falcon.

TO EAT AND DRINK

Antico Caffe Greco: Founded in 1760, this opulent cafe on the main street of Via dei Condotti is always crammed full of tourists but I recommend standing at the bar with the locals to enjoy a strong espresso.

Pipero Al Rex: Stop off for a speedy Michelin-star lunch at an intimate friendly restaurant. I recommend Chef Pipero’s famous carbonara with thick cut chunks of bacon, rich creamy egg-yolk sauce and a sprinkling of the very best Parmigiano.

Trattoria Settimio all’Arancia: Aperitivo is a must in Italy. As they are laying out the tables for dinner, enjoy a delicious glass of Prosecco and an accompanying plate of prosciutto while watching the sun set.

00100 Pizza: This inconspicuous little pizza outlet was one of the few open at lunchtime on a Sunday (believe me, we did our research). From the owner of renowned pizzeria Sforno comes this chunky, cheap pizza sold by the slice. I loved the Patate e Pancetta and the Classico Suppli with irresistible arancini-esque balls of deliciousness.

Pompi: There is only one place to try Tiramisu in Rome. Tourists and locals alike queue for this speciality at Pompi. Available in different varieties, the boxed dessert costs just €3,50 and can be enjoyed in or out. Get there early to avoid disappointment. Who said Tiramisu for breakfast wasn’t a good idea?

Bar del Fico: Late night drinks are best enjoyed in the atmospheric Piazza del Fico. If you’re hungry, dine in the super trendy restaurant, otherwise enjoy a cocktail or beer in the chic Parisian-style bar.

Frigidarium: There is always a queue outside Frigidarium. Stop off on your way home from a night out for a creamy gelato, available in an array of tempting flavours.

TO STAY

Boscolo Palace: There are three  Boscolo hotels in Rome, the 5 star palace has a great range of facilities on offer. The large, luxurious rooms will provide an ideal home for your weekend in Rome.

Many thanks to the Rome Tourist Board for their help with this trip:

www.turismoroma.it and Tourist information service: Roma 0039 060608.

Fredrick’s Hotel and Spa, Maidenhead

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It was the vilest of English winter evenings… the kind where you would love nothing more than to curl up on a cosy sofa with the Strictly final to entertain you. We had a more glamorous alternative, a night’s stay at Fredrick’s hotel. Just thirty minutes train journey from London Paddington this hotel provided a perfect weekend retreat on the shortest, and possibly wettest day of the year.

After the ten minute walk from Maidenhead station we were relieved to arrive at the hotel. We were staying, for the night, in the Sandringham suite, conveniently located on the ground floor, next to the spa.

Our suite was spacious and civilised, the style of decor perhaps a little tired but everything in pristine condition with vintage china and artwork on display. The flat screen telly got a lot of use as we slumped on our king sized bed watching Christmas TV. Those who wish to work could do so at the large desk or sitting in one of the comfy chairs with a drink from the well stocked mini bar. The bathroom had a nice bath (though it took a long time to fill) and a powerful shower. Toiletries were provided by Gilchrist & Soames.

The restaurant and spa are both important assets to the hotel. I saw many day visitors here to experience these facilities rather than for a stay. Overnight guests who choose to dine at the restaurant receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine in the bar before their meal, ours came with accompanying olives and ham hock canapés.

After earlier in the day promising ourselves that we would “not eat too much,” we instead opted to share four mains between the two of us! As a special request, we ordered starter size Fettuccine with chorizo and chicken, and King prawns with pappardelle, tomato and basil. Both were rich and tasty, the fettuccine in a pool of creamy sauce with big chunks of meat, while the pappardelle was more Mediterranean with a fresh tomato sauce.

For mains we decided on sirloin and ribeye 250g steaks with duck fat chips, tomato and shallot. Finding the meat too dry, I asked for some peppercorn sauce which the kitchen staff rustled up for us immediately. I couldn’t fit in dessert but my guest chose the warm chocolate pudding with salt caramel and yogurt sorbet which was a delicious, comforting winter sweet.

The spa was my favourite part of the Fredrick’s experience. With extensive facilities including an indoor-outdoor heated hydrotherapy pool, steam and sauna rooms, jacuzzi beds, health bar and luxurious private treatment rooms, there is everything you could ever desire for an indulgent day of bliss. After eighty lengths in the outdoor pool with the sun on my face I enjoyed an invigorating back massage, which eased my aching shoulders and tired muscles. A voucher for the Fredrick’s spa would be a great gift for a loved one in need of some ‘me’ time.

This countryside sanctuary, is a lovely escape from the city. You can enjoy a weekend of relaxation and recovery just a half hour from London.

For a special treat indulge at Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head gastro pub in Bray for a wonderful, Michelin starred lunch.

More information and book a night at Fredrick’s Hotel and Spa here.

Jin Soon nail bar, New York

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Renowned as one of NYC’s best nail salons, Jin Soon now resides at three different locations, catering to girls with nail needs in East Village, West Village and the Upper East Side.

I visited the West Village spa and was impressed with the service from start to finish. The selection of nail colours on offer ranges from deep winter reds and browns to the palest neutrals and I was glad to see some fluro brights on display too. Jin Soon doesn’t restrict the collection to just one brand, instead offering polishes from Chanel, Essie, Opi and many more, all lined up on shelves against the wall, ready for application.

The nail bar is petite with a few tables for manicures at the front, and several reclining chairs for pedicures at the back. You can tell immediately that the staff here are experienced and prepared for every treatment. I received a speedy and thorough mani-pedi simultaneously (which is what happens in New York) from the lovely, efficient and friendly girls. With a mug of mint tea in hand, slumped in a sofa chair, I felt totally relaxed as my hands and feet were pampered… total bliss. The girls pummelled, exfoliated, trimmed and filed away, working meticulously to perfect my previously abandoned fingers and toes.

As well as the spa salons, there is the Jin Soon Lacquer line to invest in. These polishes have been a hit, bold thick glossy colours that add extra glamour to your nails. Their snazzy glitter colours have been particularly popular over the festive period and feature in all the major magazines.

Jin Soon is a revolutionary nail bar in New York – in under an hour they will transform your hands and feet, Cinderella-style.

More information here: www.jinsoon.com

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip, and Virgin Atlantic for flights.