Weekly Update | 11.5.25
Luxury travel inspiration, especially for child-free adults and empty-nesters
I found myself transported back to the Isles of Scilly this week, an often overlooked UK holiday destination, where we escaped a few years ago. This photo captures Great Bay, an extraordinary stretch of white sand on the remote northern shore of St Martin's. Hard to believe this isn’t a far-flung tropical paradise, isn't it?
By travelling in June during school term time this magical place was ours to share with just this paddle boarder and one other couple. Oh to be back there now, chilling on the beach, toes buried in the warm sand and enjoying fresh sandwiches from The Island Bakery.
This week's edition focuses on packing tips for an Antarctic Expedition, two new binge-worthy TV show recommendations, seasonal wardrobe inspiration and of course, my curated travel inspiration links.
Latest YouTube Video
In my latest video, Viking Antarctica Expedition Packing Guide for First Timers, I share the essential items that made our adult-only polar adventure comfortable, memorable and photogenic. (AD PR Invite)
The itinerary sails again from November 2025 to February 2026, during the Austral summer - the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. By the way, if you’d like to take a look at our incredible Antarctic adventure, here’s a link to the full playlist.
What to Watch, Read & Listen
This week, a couple of TV show recommendations for you to escape into, both with an element of travel.
The Four Seasons | Netflix | The decades-long friendship between three married couples is tested when one divorces, complicating their tradition of quarterly weekend getaways. (Hopefully a second season will be commissioned!)
Ten Pound Poms | BBC iPlayer (2 Seasons) | You can make your own world when you leave the past behind. But swapping dreary 50s Britain for the Australian dream can come at a price. With Michelle Keegan and Faye Marsay. (I’m late to the party on this show and have just started watching it.)
Summer Style Finds
I’m trying really hard to move away from wearing black which means, even for the warmer months, that I seem to be drawn to dark blue. Below is the Hobbs dress I bought for last year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It’s so lovely to wear and it’s now discounted.
The Jigsaw t-shirt is one of the softest I own. The ME+EM blouse and Masai (a Danish brand) dress are new additions to my wardrobe. And I can’t wait to wear them soon. All are linked below.
Hobbs Broderie Anglaise Dress* (Last Season | Now Reduced)
Travel Inspiration Links
Discover your next getaway and cost-saving tips with this week’s curated selection of articles:
The Best Beach Hotels in Europe
Feel like catching a few rays? Here's where to break your bed-to-beach record on the Continent.
Charming Cornish Hideaway Just Steps from Padstow's Coastline
Three nights at Plum Cottage and suddenly this writer understands why people return to Cornwall year after year…
The Golden Rules of Affordable Travel
How Conde Nast Traveller editors save money while travelling.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s newsletter and have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes, Rona xx
P.S. Check out my Isles of Scilly video if the photo at the beginning of the newsletter whetted your appetite.
P.P.S. This is a great read if you’re a nervous flyer - a pilot explains all those sounds on a plane.
* Affiliate links are denoted by a '*'. This means that if you click on the link, go through to the retailer and buy an item, I will receive a small percentage of your purchase.