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Places of interest across the Virgin destinations
Via Layetana 30, 08003 Barcelona, tel: +34 93 295 79 00 www.grandhotelcentral.com
This new hotel, situated in Barcelona’s Gothic district and close to the hip El Born neighbourhood, has been designed by the cool local duo (Sandra Tarruella and Isabel Lopez) behind the city’s many Grupo Tragaluz restaurants (El Japones, Agua etc.) and Omm. Uncluttered and simple in style the hotel has 147-rooms including 50 ‘executive suites’ and 22 ‘spectacular suites’. The restaurant, Actual, is overseen by Chef Ramón Freixa, a past winner of the best chef in Spain award. Specialising in Mediterranean and Catalan cuisine it will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tapas and dinner. The crowning glory though is the vast rooftop pool, boasting a serene panorama of the city ideal for escaping those hot sunny days in the city. Room rates start from €220.
Quai de Mont-Blanc 19, 1201 Geneva, tel: +41 (0)22 908 9088 www.javaclub.ch
Geneva is has never been a mecca for clubbers. If it was, Java Club would be the jewel in its crown. As it isn’t, Java is not the only jewel but the crown itself. It’s nothing like the stereotypical cigar-smoke fogged haunts peopled by those who have more money than sense, or the cavernous ‘venues’ packed with the teenage population of local finishing schools. Instead, it mixes an international and understatedly glamorous crowd who are out to have fun – whatever the day of week, time of morning or price. The music caters to all tastes and ensures that the dance floor and podiums are rarely empty or over crowded. For those who want a break, or who prefer to start their evening by avoiding the snaking entrance queue, there is also a remarkable restaurant with an inspired menu by one of Geneva’s most innovative chefs.
Piazza del Liberty 8, 20121 Milan www.ferraristore.com
Ferrari is a national symbol of Italian pride and, with the likes of Pirelli and even Fiat busily branching out into footwear and fashion lines, the prancing horse has been quick to exploit the iconic power of its instantly recognisable brand. Thie five floor emporium is tucked away just around the corner from the Duomo, there’s a smaller branch in Rome and outlets at both Malpensa and Fiumicino airports. Bright, high-tech and with an abundance of interactive gadgetry to play with, this shrine to speed has everything for the Ferrari aficionado, from laptop computers and cashmere jumpers to t-shirts and luggage, all branded with the cavallo nero. Best of all is the kids’ stuff; toy cars galore of course, but also a natty line in toddlers’ clothes and accessories. A full-scale model down in the basement allows you to live out your F1 fantasies with the help of state-of-the-art plasma-screen trickery, but do be wary of making a fool of yourself in front of tut-tut-ing Milanese.
Es traves 5, 07108 Puerto de Soller, Mallorca, tel: +34 971 63 18 50 www.esplendidohotel.com
With boutique hotels at risk of becoming identical and bland, a new breed of hotel is opting for historical authenticity, harking back to the past to create modern vintage masterpieces. The Esplendido in Sóller Port, Mallorca (traditionally the giddy playground of royalty and celebrities) re-opens its doors for the summer season on 31 March. Originally built in 1954, it has now been fully refurbished into a retro cool seaside bolthole with beautiful terraces overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean.
www.lomography.com
If you’re bored with slick digital cameras why not get arty and try a spot of lomography. The new Horizon Kompakt Panorama camera hails from Russia (like its famous forebearer), and is ideal for capturing those holiday panoramas. Follow the lomo motto ‘don’t think, just shoot’ with this and you’ll find the glass lens panning a full 120° from left to right, capturing your vista seamlessly.
WORDS: RICHARD BENCE, MATT BARKER AND JANE VAN LANSCHOT HUBRECHT
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