Katie Wood

A trip that started with EasyJet changing the flight times, followed by an awful hotel turned into a fabulous experience once I was booked into the stunning Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Set in the heart of Taormina, the service is impeccable; the Michelin-starred restaurant is outstanding and the views from their terrace views have enchanted sophisticated travellers for more than a century.

Germany’s second city has some of the world’s best “Weinachtsmarkts” and as it’s an easy hop on easyJet from Edinburgh I took myself off to Hamburg last weekend for a dose of Teutonic Gemütlichkeit.

It’s weird, but as a veteran of more than 140 countries who has spent over 35 years of my life travelling for a living, I actually felt a degree of trepidation after Covid, when going back on a foreign trip. Luckily, for my first journey back I chose a destination that is among my favourite places in Europe, and boy, it was nice to get back travelling.

TAUCK. A tour operator, based in the US. Ever heard of them? Probably not, but you should.

If your time is short to catch the last week of The Fringe you can see snippets from seven great shows (changes daily) all in one at Mervyn Stutter’s ‘Pick of the Fringe’.

Ah, Venice – la Serenissima ... For me it’s still the most romantic city in the world (though sadly, as I know to the cost of my nice new shoes while wading through waterlogged St Mark’s Square, yes, it definitely is sinking, so get there pronto.)

Katie Wood

PORTOFINO is the ultimate Dolce Vita destination. Tall pastel houses surround a harbour which is lined with chic bars and restaurants, all presided over by a pine-shaded castle. It truly is the stuff of dreams.

By Katie Wood