Where to Travel this Winter
When it comes to travel in winter are you the ‘escape to the mountains’ kind that wants to revel in everything this season has to offer (snow, ski and – more importantly – après-ski by the fireside)? Or is this the perfect time to venture south, below the equator, in search of some much-needed sun and heavy dose of vitamin D? Whatever your holiday of choice this season, here's where to travel this winter.
An hour and a half from New York City, Beacon is Hudson Valley’s cultural hub. With some of the best contemporary art exhibitions held at local gallery Dia:Beacon, an abundance of farm-to-table restaurants and Mt Beacon serving as an impressive backdrop, Beacon is New York state’s attractive alternative to the city. Stay at The Roundhouse, an early 1800s property full of history and with a tasteful modern renovation. The hotel – which sits just above a waterfall – blends 1800s industrialism with contemporary country charm; think sleek meets rustic, with high ceilings and plenty of reclaimed wood throughout. View more from the Roundhouse here.
Nothing says winter quite like the Austrian Alps, with its centuries of history, dramatic peaks and snow-capped chalets. On the ski slopes of Saalbach-Hinterglemm is Wiesergut, a small 24-suite hotel where tradition and modernity combine to create something truly original. The 14th-century family estate has been tastefully renovated into a minimalist retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the mountains and valley outside, natural materials, neutral shades and rich textures, together offering a new take on alpine design. The food alone is worth a visit too, with food from the hotel’s farm used to create dishes that are innovative takes on Austrian classics. View more from Wiesergut here.
Perfectly situated between Rio’s centre and the iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Santa Teresa is the bohemian, authentic neighbourhood that offers something a little different from your usual beachside haunts in the Brazilian city. Chez Georges is the place to stay, where views of the bay, skyline and the Sugarloaf come as standard from this Brutalist villa (the work of renowned architect Wladimir Alves de Souza). With seven suites and independent, two-bedroom studio, this secluded villa can only be rented in its entirety, but then that’s the only way to truly enjoy it. Exposed concrete and rich woods combine, as do a mix of mid-century modern furnishings from designers such as Nils Jonsson, VB Wilkins and Ricardo Fasanello. View more from Chez Georges here.
Forget Bondi, the Harbour or even Surry Hills. Chippendale is the latest Sydney neighbourhood to go through a period of gentrification, now offering some of the best in food, fashion and creative hotspots. Part of this is The Old Clare Hotel, occupying the former Clare Hotel pub and adjacent Carlton & United Breweries Administration Building – both heritage-listed. Now a 62-room hotel, The Old Clare brings together the industrial aesthetic of the buildings’ past with contemporary, bespoke pieces and muted yet rich colour palette throughout. The hotel boasts three restaurants (one from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton), as well as a rooftop bar and pool. Say no more. View more from the Old Clare here.
