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Times
3 days ago
- Times
Win a luxury seven-night French château stay for ten guests worth £12,000
Just imagine . . . you and nine of your favourite people embarking on une balade around the grounds of a glorious château in the heart of the Loire Valley — glass of local wine in hand — having feasted on a lunch of regional cheeses, charcuterie and artisan baguette. Well, that dream could fast become reality: we've paired up with Oliver's Travels to offer you the chance to win a week-long stay at Château Les Bains, a stunning belle époque residence set in a dreamy riverside location near the spa town of La Roche-Posay. The property delivers views across 17 acres of parkland and vines that undulate to the river and there's space for up to 20 guests — seven bedrooms are found in the main house, and there's an additional trio of rooms in a separate cottage. Days here can be spent basking poolside, getting competitive in the games room or tending the vines (before pootling to the in-house cellar). There's also a grand kitchen that inspires trips to the local market and will have you wondering why you didn't move here years ago. So what are you waiting for? Oliver's Travels is providing this prize, offering the winner exclusive use of the property for seven nights on a self-catering basis, plus daily housekeeping service. The fridge and pantry will be fully stocked with up to €200 worth of products. The prize also includes two LeShuttle car passes that will cover ten people. As the château's capacity is 20, you're able to invite an additional ten guests at your own expense. You'll need to book your stay at least six weeks in advance, and travel between October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026. Blackout dates are July, August, Christmas and Easter. For more information, click here. For your chance to win, simply vote in each category in this year's Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. There are 17 categories in total. Click here to vote. For the full list of prizes, see closes at 23.59pm on August 31, 2025. Open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older, excluding employees and agents of the Promoter and its group companies, or third parties directly connected with the operation or fulfilment of the Promotion and their affiliates, and their immediate families and household members. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Subject to availability, Prize must be redeemed within one year and booked at least six weeks in advance of departure date. Prize must be taken between October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates apply including Christmas, New Year, Easter, and July 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. All parts of Prize must be used in conjunction with same booking. Winner and his/her guest(s) are solely responsible for ensuring they are available to travel and have valid travel documentation (including passport/visa/visa waiver as may be required), obtaining adequate travel insurance and appropriate vaccinations/inoculations for foreign travel at their own expense. Winner can invite additional guests, up to a total of twenty (20), at their own expense. Travel insurance, food and drink (outside what is previously declared in the board basis), spending money and all incidental expenses are the responsibility of the prize-winner. Prize is subject to Oliver's Travels terms and conditions. Stay must adhere to the terms listed here: Your information will be used to administer this Promotion and otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy at and those of the partners. Promoter is Times Media Ltd. Full T&Cs apply — see
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
A BnB fit for a King! Holiday home on the Sandringham Estate just yards away from the royal home is available to let - here's a look inside!
A property on King Charles III's Sandringham Estate is available to let for an eye-watering £5,623 a week. The Gardens House - which was the house of the late Queen Elizabeth II's head gardener - is just a stone throw away from Sandringham House. It is nicknamed 'the most comfortable house in England' and holidaymakers can now discover just how cosy this royal home really is with the unique opportunity to stay within the grounds of the Sandringham Estate. The Gardens House is a beautiful four bedroom Edwardian property situated 300 metres from Sandringham House - one of King Charles III most beloved royal households where the family are known to spend their Christmases. However, the privilege of staying on the grounds of the palace comes with the hefty price tag of £5,623 a week. But at that price visitors will be staying in the closest cottage to the estate while also being able to enjoy the home's timeless period features and the expansive grounds which surround it. Indeed, guests - including their pets - are free to roam the gardens as they wish. Oliver's Travels, which is exclusively marketing the rental home, said: 'The Gardens House rests within the heart of Sandringham's royal grounds, where manicured borders give way to woodland stillness. 'Inside, the house unfolds with warmth and character. Botanical wallpapers, timeless furniture and rich textiles echo the rhythms of the gardens beyond. 'Light spills through tall windows into a choice of inviting sitting rooms, while the kitchen offers a rustic heart to the home. French doors open onto the terrace for alfresco breakfasts or evening drinks beneath the Norfolk sky.' The Gardens House is not the only royal property that holidaymakers can rent for a getaway. This includes homes that the King and Queen are known to stay in throughout the year. Including Charles' secluded three-bedroom farmhouse on the Llwynywermod estate in Carmarthenshire. Charles and Camilla are known to spend a couple of weeks a year at the home. They bought the £1.2 million estate in 2007 including two cottages available to rent. The North Range and West Range cottages, which cost between £1,400 to £2,400 a week depending on the time of year, are ideal for walkers due to their short distance from the Breacon Beacons National Park. Outside of the UK, fans of the Royal Family can rent Charles' getaway in Transylvania, Romania. Charles bought the estate in Valea Zalanului, Szeklerland, in the 1990s and now rents it out as a nature retreat to those wanting to explore the Zalán Valley and the surrounding mountains. The guest house is situated near to the village of Viscri, and the 400-year-old cottages have been decorated with traditional antique Transylvanian furniture, and textiles. Prices range from around £100 to £300 a night depending on the size of room and whether or not guests have chosen full or half-board. North of the border, visitors can stay on a royal estate as equally grand as Sandringham - Balmoral. Members of the public can stay on the historic estate in an array of different cottages including - Colt Cottages, Connachat Cottage, Karim Cottage, Knocks Cottage, Rhebreck Lodge. Garbh Allt Shiel, Sterinbeg and Tigh Na Garaidh. The most affordable are the Colt Cottages, near the castle. The pricier Rhebreck Lodge is 'set in a quiet location at Easter Balmoral and enjoys wonderful views across the valley towards Crathie Church.' All self-catering, the cottages range in price from £645 in the smallest cottage during off peak season to £1975 in one of the larger cottages during the Christmas period. The King and Queen Consort spend a couple of weeks a year in the secluded three-bedroom farmhouse on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. Two adjoining cottages are available to rent The Royal Family have been in love with Balmoral since the days of Victoria and Albert. Tucked away in the Cairngorms National Park in Crathie, Aberdeenshire, the 50,000-acre estate was bought by Prince Albert in 1852. More recently, It was one of the happiest places for the Queen and Prince Philip, who spent many weeks in the late summer and autumn there. Travellers also have the opportunity to stay in historic royal households. This includes Osborne House on the Isle of Wight which was Queen Victoria's favourite royal palace. Guests can stay in holiday lets, including No 1 Sovereign's Gate and No 2 Sovereign Gate at the formal entrance to the estate. Each two-bedroom property sleeps four people with a private garden. Residents at Sovereign's Gate have access to the beach at all times, even when it is closed to the general public. Pavilion Cottage overlooking the old estate cricket ground is also for hire. The two-bedroom cottage, sleeping four, is a short walk from the stately home and its formal garden. Victoria commissioned an extensive redesign of the estate, which was carried out by leading architect Thomas Cubitt with help from her husband, Prince Albert. And it was at Osborne, now fashioned into an Italianate Palazzo that she chose to live where possible, bringing up her large family there. The sprawling grounds included a private beach, gardens and a full-sized Alpine playhouse for the nine children called Swiss Cottage. Her son Edward VII had her private rooms sealed off when she died in 1901.
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
The Ultimate Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Top Villas, Boat Tours & Michelin Dining
Positano, Italy along the Amalfi Coast at dusk. getty Just a few hours south of Rome, Italy's Amalfi Coast unfolds into a breathtaking landscape of rugged cliffs overlooking cerulean waters. Lush with lemon groves and olive trees, it's an Italian paradise that attracts crowds in droves. According to recent data from Oliver's Travels, Campania—which includes Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast—ranks as the second most searched region in Italy. For high-demand destinations, it is essential for travelers to make reservations early and plan well in advance for the experiences they want to have. Use this guide to help you plan your visit to the Amalfi Coast right and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful escape to one of Italy's most beautiful destinations. Begin by booking a villa rental with the UK-based Oliver's Travels (awarded Best Villa Company in the World by Condé Nast Traveller readers). For the past 20 years, they have curated an intriguing portfolio of handpicked villas and châteaux. One thing your rental will not be is ordinary. Indeed, our Villa Minette in Sant'Agata was the oldest villa in the town (dating back 600 years)—the two-foot-thick walls and tiled floors were testament to its remarkable heritage. The team at Oliver's offers concierge services to manage every aspect of your trip, from arranging private chefs and transfers to organizing activities and babysitting. More importantly, they were in constant contact about the villa, ensuring check-in formalities went smoothly. Our on-site contact was indispensable for planning, dinner reservations, and car transfers. We arrived to a stocked refrigerator as well—a thoughtful touch after a long day of traveling. The best way to familiarize yourself with the region and its stunning scope is by boat—touring by car promises lots of time on winding roads sitting in traffic. For your first day, work with the villa concierge to arrange a private guided boat tour—they'll handle the transfer to and from the marina as well. Touring by boat allows you to explore seaside towns such as Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi, with time at the end for a swim. Another must-see experience is a visit to Pompeii, just a short one-hour drive from Sorrento or Sant'Agata. Given the staggering size of this archaeological site, it's essential to book a guide to make ideal use of your time. We worked with Access Italy, a company with 40 years of experience arranging tours across Italy. Owned by Italians, the team is based in Rome and has spent decades cultivating a portfolio of seasoned local guides. For Pompeii, our driver was a 25-year veteran of the company, and our guide was in her 30th year in the business. Seeing the crowds at Pompeii, she wisely reversed our tour route and started us at the end so we could enjoy the museum in peace. She then guided us through the expansive site, targeting the highlights with depth and optimal timing to best avoid the masses—of course, she knew everyone who worked there, which helped move things along. Even her advice on the best times for snacks and bathroom breaks made the entire visit a smart, seamless way to explore one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy. Demonstration kitchen for cooking classes at Don Alfonso 1890 Don Alfonso 1890 A cooking class is an excellent way to understand the local cuisine, as is dining in one of the region's legendary restaurants—and you can do both at Don Alfonso 1890, a Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel in Sant'Agata. I suggest breaking the experience up and booking the cooking class for lunch one day and dinner the following day, as both will leave you quite satisfied. Cooking classes are held in a charming, fully equipped private kitchen overlooking a lush courtyard. Here, a team of chefs will guide you through three dishes, putting you to work cleaning crawfish, cutting pasta dough, and slicing citrus and eggplant, all while demonstrating how each recipe can best be adjusted for home cooking. The experience comes loaded with time-honored clever techniques, and you'll leave with several new recipes—but the highlight of the experience is taking a seat at the beautifully laid table and dining on your creations. Wines are paired with each course, and you'll get a chance to peek into their stunning main kitchen to see how a Michelin-starred restaurant operates. The four-hour experience will leave you in need of a nap and a light dinner, which is why I suggest booking your dining experience for the following day. Michelin starred dishes at Don Alfonso Don Alfonso 1890 Don Alfonso 1890 is both sophisticated and inviting; a true family-run establishment that takes guests on a historic tour of the centuries-old culinary heritage and traditions of the Amalfi Coast. Dishes are inspired by the organic produce of the family farm, Le Peracciole situated on 17 acres across the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. The farm yields everything from olive oil and fresh vegetables to lemons for their famous limoncello. The multi-course menu features the local best—consider the smoked yellowtail served with wild fennel seeds and fried garlic mayonnaise, a fresh and brightly flavored taste of the sea. Similarly, the lobster and mozzarella skewer over pineapple ravioli with vanilla beetroot heart and spumante jelly is exquisite. Classic offerings such as beef ravioli with a Genovese ragout drizzled with a parmesan and black truffle foam are impeccably prepared as well. Regardless of what you order, plan for an evening of dazzling bites and true Italian hospitality. Al fresco dining at Bellevue Syrene Bellevue Syrene Pair your dinner with unparalleled views at Bellevue Syrene, located in the heart of Sorrento. Here, the spectacular fuchsia-blue hued sunset is as delicious and fabulous as the cuisine. The al fresco dining room faces the sea, so everyone has a prime view, and live soft piano music accompanies the ambiance. Views of Mount Vesuvius just add to the spectacle. When you can tear your eyes away from the horizon, consider savoring a dish of succulent tomatoes and burrata, or sea bream in a silky potato cream. Their Sorrento lobster with a savory shallot dressing is equally delicious. The cocktails and mocktails are certainly worthy, but the wine list is more tempting, with several older vintages offered from Italy's top wine regions. A few other things to consider: Skip a rental car and book all transfers to and from the region prior to arriving. You'll spend your time enjoying the scenery rather than white-knuckling it through the many hairpin turns. Everything is in demand so book in advance as much as possible to avoid disappointment. Sunset at Bellevue Syrene SorrentoKB
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
A royal holiday! Three-bedroom house on King Charles' Sandringham estate transformed into lavish £6,300-per-week retreat
Holidaymakers can stay in the heart of King Charles ' Sandringham estate after a three-bedroom Victorian house was transformed into a £6,300-per-week retreat. The Folly, nestled in the sprawling Norfolk estate, was once used by King Edward VII - 'Bertie' - to entertain his mistress, the British actress and socialite Lillie Langtry. He visited the lavish, turreted house regularly between 1877 and 1880, after he was given Sandringham as a country home for him and his wife Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Tourists ready to splash the cash can now follow in the footsteps of royalty and stay at the newly renovated 18th century retreat - for a whopping £6,300 per week. The Folly boasts gorgeous original features and 'royal artefacts' in a number of rooms, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the royal history of the estate. Oliver's Travels, which is marketing the house, said the grounds have been 'sensitively refurbished to the highest standard, blending timeless heritage with refined contemporary comfort'. 'This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a private escape on regal grounds.' The house, which is in private woodland on the Sandringham estate, sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms which are arranged across two upstairs wings and a turret. The turret is accessed by an external stone staircase, which offers magnificent views across the estate and glimpses of the sea. The downstairs of the property is equally as lavish, with a drawing room opening directly onto a well maintained lawn. The Folly also features a large dining room and a kitchen with a butler sink. The luxury holiday home, which 'blends royal history with quiet grandeur' costs £6,300 a week to rent during the school holidays. The Folly boasts gorgeous original features and 'royal artefacts' in a number of rooms, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the royal history of the estate Oliver's Travels, which is marketing the house, said the grounds have been 'sensitively refurbished to the highest standard, blending timeless heritage with refined contemporary comfort' Oliver's Travels says: 'Originally built as a place where ladies retired for tea, this turreted gem with wrap-around balcony has been transformed into a luxurious retreat, inviting guests to experience life at the heart of one of Britain's most iconic royal residences. 'With input from the Sandringham team, The Folly honours its romantic past while embracing modern comfort. 'Period features - stone hearths, arched entryways, hand-finished floors - have been lovingly preserved. 'Throughout the house, royal artefacts from the private collection add depth and authenticity.'
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
Telegraph Travel Awards 2025: Win a villa stay in Antigua worth £22,000
Voting in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards is now open, giving you the opportunity to nominate the holiday companies and destinations that have surpassed your expectations. Subscribers and registered users of the Telegraph who complete our survey also have the chance to win one of 10 luxury holidays – including this seven-night stay for four guests at Villa Harbour Bliss in Antigua worth £22,000. This fantastic prize from Oliver's Travels includes a seven-night stay for four guests at Villa Harbour Bliss, a luxurious private villa and return economy flights for four (to a maximum of £1,000 per person). It's a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Caribbean and take advantage of the villa's exceptional amenities, breathtaking views and unparalleled comfort. How to enter Follow this link to complete the survey and enter the draw for one of 10 prizes. See here for full terms and conditions. Full details of the prize Set on the idyllic shores of Antigua, Villa Harbour Bliss offers the ultimate Caribbean escape for four lucky guests. This seven-night stay invites you to bask in luxury, with every detail designed to ensure an unforgettable holiday. The villa is a masterpiece of modern architecture, seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with the natural beauty of its surroundings. With three spacious bedrooms, each featuring en-suite bathrooms and plush bedding, you'll wake up each day in complete comfort. The open-plan living spaces are flooded with natural light and open onto an expansive terrace with breathtaking views of the turquoise waters below. Outside, a private infinity pool offers the perfect spot for a sunrise swim or a sunset cocktail, while the villa's proximity to the beach allows for easy access to soft white sands. There is also a hot tub, sauna and gym. You will also have access to a dedicated concierge who will take care of every detail, from dinner reservations to planning activities, ensuring your holiday is completely stress-free. The adventures in Antigua are endless. From catamaran cruises, snorkelling excursions on Cades Reef and ziplining through the lush rainforest on an exhilarating canopy tour, to enjoying a magical sunset beach picnic or visiting Nelson's Dockyard, a Unesco World Heritage site – there's a whole array of activities to keep the family entertained while visiting this Caribbean gem (not included in the prize). With its stunning location and luxurious amenities, Villa Harbour Bliss offers more than just a holiday – it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that promises relaxation, adventure, and cherished memories. About Oliver's Travels Founded by Oliver Bell and Ravi Sabharwal in 2003, Oliver's Travels is a specialist in extraordinary holiday rentals. The focus is on quirky, lavish, one-of-a-kind places to stay in the UK, Europe and internationally including villas, châteaux, castles, stately homes, beach huts, hobbit houses, ski chalets and cottages. The award-winning villa operator specialises in personalised service and local knowledge. A concierge team is on hand to cater to all guests needs and chef services, food delivery, fridge stocking, spa treatments, airport transfers, maid service, local excursions and much more can all be arranged.
