The Pound Drops to a Record Low Against the Dollar

September 26th, 2022

…and other reasons to book a trip to the UK right now

 

This morning every news outlet was splashing out the fact that the Great British Pound is at a record low against the US Dollar. Not long ago, the pound was generally hovering around two USD, but today it $1.07 USD to GBP. Even though the UK is always popular (consistently in the top 10 of popular destinations for luxury travelers, as tracked by Virtuoso, the leading global network specializing in luxury and experiential travel), here are some suggestions of where and why to head across the pond!

 

LONDON

London is so lovely in the fall, and without Thanksgiving, their holiday décor and celebration tends to start a bit earlier.

 

Frieze

Frieze London is October 12-16 and will bring together over 280 galleries from 42 countries, with specially curated sections celebrating the city’s creative spirit. The Frieze at The Bloomsbury package includes accommodation for 2 people, full English breakfast for two, and two tickets to FRIEZE London.

 

City & Country with Belmond

Experience both the bustle of London and the serenity of Oxfordshire, starting with two nights at The Cadogan, a stylish retreat in the heart of Chelsea. The hotel has a rich history and is perfectly positioned for some luxury shopping, visiting museums and nights at the theatre. Then journey to Oxfordshire in style and experience the rural beauty of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a honey-hued manor nestled in lush gardens (and home to Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred restaurant).

o   Guests at The Cadogan also have exclusive access to Gladwell & Patterson, a family-run art gallery in stylish Knightsbridge. Full of fine oil paintings, watercolors and sculptures by leading artists, it’s an oasis of calm and culture dating back to 1752 (and was frequently visited by Vincent Van Gogh).

 

Stay in a sculpture

The Beaumont’s ROOM is both a sculpture by artist Antony Gormley and a bookable suite. The bedroom occupies the interior of a giant, semi-abstract sculpture that dominates the entrance of the hotel. The mysterious, cave-like space encourages guests to withdraw for a meditative pause and good night’s sleep.

o   With the Stay and Dine offer, guests can book an overnight stay at The Beaumont and treat themselves to a Colony Grill Room lunch or dinner for two from £865 (Per room, per night, including Full English Breakfast, three-course lunch or dinner in The Colony and taxes – this rate is for a regular room, not the ROOM sculpture).

 

Around the World in 80 Days

The Kensington hotel just introduced a the ‘80 Days Around The World’ Afternoon Tea experience, the first in a series of adventurous seasonal teas at the hotel, drawing inspiration from the worldly travels of Phileas Fogg – the protagonist in Jules Verne’s 1872 novel “Around the World in Eighty Days.” This new tea celebrates his journey through a menu of savory amuse-bouche, sandwiches, desserts and scones. Available from September 26 (and with gluten-free and vegan options) the first leg of the journey will whisk guests to cities across Europe and into the Middle East. The menu starts in London, represented by a classic beef pie with a puff pastry top, travels onward to mainland Europe with a Parmesan Gougere filled with tomato cream, then onto Ta’ameya (falafel) with tahini oil – a Cairo streetfood classic. Traditional sandwiches follow, with a menu comprising London’s much-loved lemon and chive cream cheese with smoked salmon, Parisian mustard mayo with ham and pickled gherkin, Italian sundried tomatoes with green pesto and mozzarella and Egyptian cumin houmous with caramelised onions sandwiches. Fresh fruit, plain scones served with seasonal homemade jams, and clotted cream will also be on offer. Continuing to take guests on a journey across the globe, highlight desserts include Banoffee Pie, French Opera Mont Blanc, Italian Tiramisu and Egyptian Raspberry, Rose and Pistachio Twirl dessert.

 

 

SCOTLAND

The Fife Arms in Braemar, 15-minute drive from Balmoral Castle, is excited to announce the inaugural Braemar Literary Festival (October 7-9) that will bring together locals, hotel guests and literary lovers alike. The festival is being held in collaboration with The Royal Reading Room. Inspired by the reading list of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, the digital hub launched in 2021 to connect communities around the world to celebrate all forms of literature. Braemar Literary Festival is co-curated by actor and broadcaster Genevieve Gaunt, who has penned book reviews for The Spectator, the oldest surviving weekly magazine in the world. Additional supporters of the event include the British food writer and critic Tom Parker Bowles, St. Margaret’s performance, arts and heritage venue in Braemar, and local cultural partners. The two-day event will explore the creative use of words and text in their broadest sense, celebrating the works of bestselling authors alongside visual artists, spoken word performers, singer-songwriters, scriptwriters, critics and publishers alike, reflecting the many ways in which the ’literary’ creatively enhances our lives. Highlights from the weekend will include: a three-course dinner by Michelin-starred Angela Hartnett who was awarded an OBE (most excellent order of the British empire) for her services to hospitality and to the NHS (National Health Service) during the pandemic; as well as intimate conversations with Dave Broom, a Scottish whiskey expert and writer; Vicki Perrin, director of the Royal Reading Room; Dr. Frank Tallis, a writer and clinical psychologist; and Sam Leith, literary director of The Spectator.

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