Bookies' offering Brits all expenses paid trip to watch Cheltenham... in Benidorm
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue
3 hours ago
- Vogue
This Artist-Run Mallorca Hotel Gives the Farm-to-Table Movement Its Flowers
Photo: Laura Prim Mallorca and the space she's cultivated with von Stein and her team here—all natural light, golden sunsets, and sparkling seas has heavily influenced Bellm's own creative work. It's an evolved aesthetic that's articulated in Bellm's paradisiacal book, La Isla. (Now on its third edition). Other photographers and brands often book the hotel for shoots in the winter. They also host artist residencies, with the creatives making their own additions to the hotel's vibe: L.A. artist Laura Sotowalls's ashtrays are dotted around, the walls are adorned with an eclectic paintings, and hand-painted ceramics are in every room. (Some staff have even received tattoos from visiting artists.) Books and magazines from Lopez and Bellm's own archive—about faith, art, and local flora—decorate the suites' coffee tables. 'There's no stereotype of a person here—we've got the super cool fashion crowd, a family from Hawaii, some bikers who just came upon us,' says Bellm. 'I wanted to create a space for everyone to feel welcome that I wished for the island when I first came. Everyone is able to experience our vision of luxury.' Luxury, defined by Hotel Corazón, means panoramic views instead of wall-mounted TVs, and head chef Eliza Parchanska's flower-adorned, heartfelt cooking, which features produce plucked from Emma Phillips's farm just yards below the kitchen. It's slow morning group yoga and lively guest conversations by the glittering pool, as two donkeys watch on. It's staff that remember your favorite cocktail by the pool, drop extra bread on your table for the last swipes of hummus before you ask, and bring you rare citrus from the garden you've never tasted before. 'The amount of engagements here is unbelievable—and the relationships formed and love stories that happen,' says Bellm. 'It's an aptly named hotel, I think.' ('Corazón' translates to 'heart.') Across dinner on my last evening, there are two birthdays and an anniversary. On my final morning, a couple quietly enjoyed their wedding breakfast. It's Eliza Parchanska's second season as head chef, collaborating with farmer-in-residence Emma Philips (formerly of L.A.'s Flamingo Estate and Big Sur's Esalen Institute) to use organic produce from the hotel's farm. Their focus is on both cultivating sustainability and its own new culinary traditions—Bellm and I take a walk through the farm, seeing fat tomatoes and juicy peaches, as well as their first ever yield of bananas, and rare varieties of kumquats and buddha's hand citrons, all emerging from rows of trellises and beds Philips and Bellm have worked hard to upkeep. Parchanska says her mission has always been to create a healthy seasonal menu using local products that elevates the hotel's food offering from the rest of the island, blending her Eastern European background with Mallorcan cuisine.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Eating Around Malta
Colourful Boats in Harbour of Marsaxlokk, Malta at springtime. This small island in the Mediterranean is one of the closest to North Africa and has been a hotbed of conflict, colonization and military maneuvers during the war. The Maltese national language is closer to Arabic than any other language. Residents say that the language of Malta is completely copacetic with Lebanese Arabic and is it said the pronunciation of basic numbers is exactly the same as Arabic. The back street of Valletta. This island is a UNESCO heritage site and Gladiator II was reportedly filmed in Valletta, given its resemblance to ancient Rome. While the island is full of great food offerings, it is a bit disappointing that many of the shops and bigger restaurants have moved out of the historic center, as more modern areas such as Sliema have become a bigger draw. The Wines and Wineries Glass of red wine with brie cheese with view of harbor with boats and historic city center of Birgu ... More in Malta. Malta has been producing wines for centuries. The winemakers use a number of international varietals but also have their own indigenous grapes—such as Girgentina and Ġellewża—which are challenging to pronounce. The heat of the island works against local wine producers, as well as the fact that Maltese—like the Swiss and Austrians—also enjoy their own wines so much few of them make it out of the country. The bottom line is that unfortunately not much Maltese wine is available in the States. I had a chance to visit a few great wineries. One was Markus Divinus, whose owner is making completely unique wines with a mix of local and international varietals. I particularly liked the white Zafrana, which is primarily based on the the indigenous Girgentina grape with international varieties, on the nose it has stone fruit and mineral notes. Only 1,434 bottles were made of the 2023 vintage, which clearly demonstrates why these wines are hard to find outside the country. The winery's tasting room is darling with lights hung outside and black and white pictures of owner Mark Borg's family producing wine. Unfortunately, the bulk of these wines, when sold directly, from the winery are coming in at more than $50 a bottle retail which is a price point that few Americans would be willing to experiment with an unknown wine. It's the same issue that Georgian, Armenian and Serbian wines are facing. Only a small set of locals can afford to buy the wines and the math doesn't work on exporting them profitably. However, I totally enjoyed tasting the local wines and seeing them paired on menus. Another winery I enjoyed visiting was Meridiana, which is owned by noted Italian winemaker Piero Antinori, who has been an aggressive player in the international wine industry. He also owns a winery called Metaforsis, that I have visited in the Dealu Mare region of Romania, and he instinctively seems to quietly understand how to expand his empire. At Meridiana the Nexxus Merlot was good with intense cherry and berry flavors. The Restaurants Malta is home to a pretty impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants. So, the destination is playing in the big leagues for a 122 square-mile island. I had the privilege of going to two of them. Ion Harbour, a two-star Michelin, is run by British chef Simon Rogan. The views of the harbor are stunning. Its location on the harbor is peerless: you can stare at endless ocean for hours. While its food merits the two stars, the restaurant could probably use a little support in managing reservations and guest arrival, which were bumpy. Highlights from the meal included a rosemary-infused pumpkin from Hokkaido Japan with sticky yolk and cheese sauce. I also loved the playful beef fat and koji waffle made with with sheep's yogurt and orange jam. Another great Michelin dining experience was had at LeGV. It is in the trendy heart of Malta's Sliema district, so the views aren't classic but the food is great. The space sits atop a modern building with stunning views of the surrounding area. The staff is flawless and local wines, like Marcus Divinus' are offered in abundance. Quail, white asparagus and veal: sign me up. I just wish the portions had been smaller and I had had space for cheese (and that I didn't need to wake up at 2am to catch my flight). Valletta is a charming preserved city much like Ortiga in Siracusa. It's beautiful and historic but is somewhat limited in terms of its food and shopping options. This is a fantastic local place. Leglegin, nestled on a back street, was one of the best meals I had in the area. It is run by an enthusiastic, second generation restaurateur. Check: great local wines, small bite and an amazing typical rabbit dish. A great new fact that I learned was that Maltese rabbits are plumper than American ones, as they are farm raised. The Hotel If there is one hotel that says it all about history, and war, in Malta it is the endlessly gracious The Phoenicia. It sits within the City's ancient fortifications, just outside Valletta proper, and even has an infinity pool that juts out over the City. The pool at the Phoenicia. It was once, of course, where Queen Elisabetta once stayed. She and Prince Philip even lived in Malta for a few years as a newly married couple. The Phoenicia's gardens are divine and the restaurant has a gracious perch. Specialties include a lobster salad and crispy corn on the cobb. It features a number of local wines on the list, such as sparkling Marsovin wines.
Elle
5 hours ago
- Elle
Costa Smeralda Guide: Where To Stay, Eat And What To Do
Breathe in the salt-tinged air of Porto Cervo, the dazzling jewel of Northern Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, where emerald seas kiss buttery-white beaches under skies so blue they could be lifted straight from a painting. This isn't just paradise; it's the playground of billionaires, a magnet for yachts prowling the Tyrrhenian Sea, and a storied haunt for celebrities seeking exclusive leisure wrapped in Mediterranean glamour. Tasked by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the 1960s to design and develop Porto Cervo and the Costa Smeralda, Jacques Couelle and Michele Busiri Vici are among the architects credited with the transformation of Porto Cervo as it is known and loved today. Here, luxury whispers, rather than shouts — it's seamlessly woven into the natural contours of the rugged coastline and lush pine forests, ensuring every sun-dappled terrace and hidden cove feels like your own secret vista. Oliver Fly Walking through its streets, you sense the refined legacy of its founders: spaces crafted with elegance and restraint, setting the stage for a style that's effortlessly chic. No wonder the world's most discerning jet-setters flock here each summer to bask in its exclusive vibe and impeccable taste. Hotel Pitrizza If Porto Cervo is a treasure chest, then Hotel Pitrizza is its rarest gem. Nestled within secluded Mediterranean gardens just steps from the crystalline sea, this 66-room hotel embodies Sardinia's timeless elegance. With a reputation for being the most luxurious hideaway on Costa Smeralda, it offers guests refined privacy — think handwoven furnishings, terrace views that spill into the shimmering bay, and suites infused with Sardinian warmth and light. Hotel Pitrizza Hotels are in the business of perfectly the finer details, and there are some that excel in their practice, and others that don't. Pitrizza belongs to the former; it is a slither of heaven. Celebrity whispers hint at regular visits from A-listers like George Clooney and Kate Middleton, drawn not just by Pitrizza's exquisite service but its discreet exclusivity that's impossible to replicate elsewhere. The hotel's private beach, framed by granite cliffs, is the perfect backdrop for impromptu brunches or evening aperitivos under a canvas of stars. It's not hard to see why there are families who have holidayed at Pitrizza for 40 years, every year requesting the same villa, only to be warmly welcomed by the 200 staff that work at the resort. The m aître d' at the hotel's restaurant, a dinner jacket-wearing Naples native named Peppino, has worked at the hotel for over 40 years. He is one of the most charming men you could ever hope to be served by, let alone meet. For anybody lucky enough to call Pitrizza home, whether for 40 years or just a matter of nights, you will not struggle to see for yourself how the hotel is the very embodiment in every possible way of la dolce vita , Sardinian style. FIND OUT MORE HERE Where to eat Matsuhisa at Cala di Volpe For those in the know, Porto Cervo's culinary scene hit a new apex when Chef Nobuyuki 'Nobu' Matsuhisa launched his seasonal residency at Cala di Volpe. This is not just Nobu as you know it — it's Matsuhisa at Cala di Volpe , perched over Porto Cervo's most glamorous bay, where yachts glint in the dusk and sunset toasts are a given. Housed in the hotel's iconic Bar Pontile and designed for maximum Mediterranean drama, it's a scene that attracts everyone from megawatt celebrities to discerning global tastemakers. Marriott Chef Nobu's groundbreaking culinary style — a seamless blend of Japanese precision and bold Peruvian influences — is unsurprisingly perfectly at home at Cala di Volpe. Expect delicate sashimi, the legendary black cod with miso (a must-order), and playful 'Matsuhisa Bites' like padron peppers with miso and lobster tacos, all plated with artistic bravado as the sea shimmers below. The open-air setting makes every meal feel like a private event, and if you have any idea what's good for you, wash whatever you order down with a Peach Bellini (which is made using fresh white peach purée made in-house every single day). FIND OUT MORE HERE Ristorante Gianni Pedrinelli Tucked just 500 metres from the sea in the Piccolo Pevero area, Ristorante Gianni Pedrinelli is a Porto Cervo institution — one that has been drawing the Costa Smeralda's effortlessly chic crowd for nearly two decades. Housed in what was once a private home, the restaurant channels a neo-classical ease with its airy interiors, checkerboard stone floors, antiques, and sweeping views: think white-draped tables beneath raftered ceilings, or sunset-lit dinners on the elegant terrace. Still operated by the Pedrinelli siblings — Gianni and Renato helming the floor with Clara as head chef — the focus is firmly on authentic Northern Italian and Sardinian cuisine, with a proud commitment to local produce. FIND OUT MORE HERE Il Pescatore The soul of Porto Cervo's waterfront dining, Il Pescatore (now known as Quattro Passi al Pescatore) is an icon that has defined Costa Smeralda's social scene since the 1960s. Just inches above the azure water, its sun-drenched stone terrace delivers the Porto Cervo panorama: moored super yachts glinting in the background, and a gentle Mediterranean breeze that makes every meal feel cinematic. FIND OUT MORE HERE What to do Spiaggia Rosa Located on the tiny Budelli Island in the La Maddalena Archipelago, just off the northern coast, Spiaggia Rosa a beach like no other: the sand glows with ethereal pink hues thanks to crushed shells, coral fragments, and microscopic marine organisms that live in the calcareous shells of tiny marine creatures. San Pantaleo This artsy village is famed for its bohemian spirit, lively markets, and stazzi (traditional Sardinian farmhouses). Browse local crafts, then hike the granite hills for panoramic sea views and a sun-bleached, cinematic serenity. Liscia Ruja The longest beach on the Costa Smeralda, Liscia Ruja boasts the kind of sugar-white sand and crystal-clear water that dreams are made of. It's the picture-perfect spot for a sunset dip. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE . The Best Amalfi Coast Hotels For Summer 2025 Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years' worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
