Best sauna
Bigert & Bergström's radiant Solar Egg sits pretty in Stockholm / Image: Jean-Baptiste Béranger
Solar Egg Sauna, Stockholm
Why’d it win?
The world’s best schvitz? It’s this giant egg in the middle of Stockholm. The brainchild of a Swedish artist duo, this experimental sweat box first showed up in the remote town of Kiruna as a community project meant to encourage mid-sesh chitchat. Now, after a world tour that included stops in Paris and Copenhagen, their little egg-vention is setting up shop on the ground of the sea-fronted Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde museum until March, so Stockholmers can take bracing Baltic dips between sauna spins.
Who’s to thank?
The two-man studio Bigert & Bergström, who specialise in large-scale, socially-minded art projects. They constructed the egg in response to the de-industrialisation of Sweden’s northern towns, cladding the structure in iron ore, traditionally an important source of income for the region. Since they first erected it in 2017, it’s swept up several top-tier design awards and been the subject of a 2019 book.
Where is it?
Outside the Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde museum, in Stockholm.
Fly to Stockholm
bigertbergstrom.com
Best train ride
Magical marquetry and Belle Époque flourishes in Wes Anderson's Cygnus carriage / Image: Belmond British Pullman - Nicolas Receveur
Belmond’s ‘Cygnus’ carriage, UK
Why’d it win?
Wes Anderson – the tousled auteur behind The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenembaums and all those other stone-cold classic films you’re perfectly aware of – has history with trains. Specifically as his 2007 movie The Darjeeling Limited was literally about one. Now, Anderson’s taken his ferroequinologist’s eye to Belmond, designing a gob-smackingly gorgeous dining carriage for the British heritage brand. Dubbed ‘Cygnus’ – a name reflected in the tiny swans laid into the woodwork – it’s a geometric vision of beautiful sunbeam marquetry, Belle Époque inflections and warm hues of deep greens and pastel pinks. And it can be your own cinematic bolthole for a few hours.
Who’d we have to thank?
Well, Belmond again – they’ve made the Cygnus carriage available to book for all of their cross-country experiences, from steam-hauled ‘Golden Age’ tours and trips to Highclere Castle (that’s Downton Abbey to most), to murder mystery jaunts and private dinners with big-name chefs.
Where is it?
British Pullman chugs all around England, but most journeys start and end at London’s Victoria station.
Fly to London
belmond.com/ideas/articles/reimagining-a-british-icon-wes-anderson
Best treehouse
The fantastical boutique 'treehouses' at Pogusch, in deepest Styria / Image: Courtesy of Restaurant Steirereck GmbH
Pogusch by Steireck, near Vienna
Why’d it win?
Our main complaint on any woodsy, back-to-nature holiday is that there’s a limit to the number of campfire-torched sausages we can eat. But there’s nary a shrivelled ‘dog in sight at this treehouse retreat in the Austrian forest – a weekend here is all about rustic R ‘n’ R with city-grade food. Book any one of these space-agey arboreal cottages and you’ll automatically bag a table at the on-site restaurant, which serves elevated regional Styrian specialties made from produce plucked from the on-site farm.
Who’s to thank?
The people behind Steireck, arguably Vienna’s most delicious restaurant and a mainstay on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. They’ve been credited with making the long-neglected ingredients and culinary traditions of the Austrian countryside cool again.
Where is it?
In deepest Styria, set among pine-blanketed mountains.
Fly to Vienna
steirereck.at/en/pogusch
Best lagoon
The Arctic sun sets over the Sky Lagoon / Image: Sky Lagoon by Pursuit
Sky Lagoon, Kópavogur
Why’d it win?
Spa culture is to Iceland what a quick pint down the local is to the Brits, but Reykjavik’s new oceanfront hotspot, dubbed the Sky Lagoon, takes relaxation super-seriously. Partake in the arcane sounding ‘Ritual’ for the ultimate experience – a seven-step guide through a geothermal infinity pool, cold fog-mist and more. If you’re lucky, you might even see the northern lights while you’re at it.
Who’s to thank?
Icelandic hot springs, both natural and manmade, can be found all over the country and this latest comes courtesy of hospitality company Pursuit. “The Lagoon’s design elements, influenced by Icelandic culture, create a distinctive guest experience with Icelandic turf houses and a restorative spa-like ritual rooted in Icelandic tradition,” they explain.
Where is it?
Kársnes Harbour, Kópavogur: only a few minutes’ drive from downtown Reykjavik.
Fly to Reykjavik
skylagoon.com
Best wellness festival
Holistic goodness gets hip at Albania's Inner State Festival / Image: Inner State Festival
Inner State Festival, Dhërmi
Why’d it win?
While we can’t guarantee you’ll spot Gwyneth vibing out to tech trance at this hazy Albanian fest, we can promise good vibes, fun times and spiritual ablution. Inner State’s organisers are marketing their inaugural event as a “new kind of wellness festival”, and with a line-up that includes both your standard health-seeking pursuits (yoga, meditation, breathwork) and some more esoteric endeavours (astral projections, callisthenics, lucid dreaming), we think they’re probably onto something. The music selection is also looking promising with the likes of Elder Island, Tiga and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, and the setting – a small coastal village on the relatively untouched Albanian Riviera – is very nice indeed.
Who’s to thank?
British events company Mainstage Festivals, who have 20 years of party-throwing experience and other boutique fests like the raucous Kala (also in Albania) and French Alp barnburner Snowboxx under their belt.
Where is it?
The tiny town of Dhërmi’s Dulux-white, azure-water-lapped beach (15-22 September). It’s nearer to Corfu than Tirana.
Fly to Tirana or Corfu
innerstatefestival.com
Best date night
007 fills the Grande Suite Cinéma at Hotel Paradiso / Image: ©mr tripper
Hotel Paradiso’s cinema suite, Paris
Why’d it win?
A trip to the flicks is a time-honoured date-night staple. And now that classic romantic format looks even better. All 36 rooms at Paris’s truly cinematic Hotel Paradiso are kitted out with movie projectors and giant screens. Two of its suites are technically licensed cinemas, meaning you and your lucky date can enjoy the latest releases. Just picture your beloved ordering popcorn on room service, browsing a vast celluloid library then flicking over to your favourite streaming service for an ultra-deluxe Netflix and chill.
Who’s to thank?
Brothers Nathanael and Elisha Karmitz, directors of MK2. It’s France’s biggest arthouse cinema chain, founded in 1974 by their visionary father, Marin. Also props to Parisian interiors queen Alix Thomsen for maintaining that cinematic Golden Age vibe throughout.
Where is it?
Paris’s 12th arrondissement, near Place de la Nation, opposite a giant mural of Charlie Chaplin.
Fly to Paris
mk2hotelparadiso.com`
Best labyrinth
A sunset view of the Colosseum arena and its newly revealed subterranean depths / Image: Shutterstock
The Colosseum ‘hypogeum’, Rome
Why’d it win?
For millennia the almighty Colosseum in Rome has been revered for gory gladiatorial clashes between buff warriors, quivering slaves and ferocious wild animals. But have you ever wondered what the vibe was like backstage? Well, now you can find out. The ‘hypogeum’ – an ingenious labyrinth of corridors, trapdoors, secure chambers and ancient lift mechanisms tucked underneath the ancient arena floor – is now open to the public for the first time ever, following a long-overdue restoration. Are you not entertained?
Who’s to thank?
A crack team of 80 architects, engineers and archaeologists spent two years gussying up the 15,000 square metre hypogeum, funded by a generous €25 million grant from luxury shoemaker Tod’s.
Where is it?
Rome. All roads lead there, apparently.
Fly to Rome
parcocolosseo.it
Best zero-waste dessert
Edible ethics taste oh-so-sweet with Silo's ice cream sandwich / Image: Justin De Souza
Silo’s anti-waste ice cream sandwich, London
Why’d it win?
Sustainability has been a ‘thing’ in the food world for a little while now (even Michelin got on it with 2021’s new ‘Green Stars’) – but a full-bore zero-waste approach is still pretty rare. The sweet apex of the trend might be the ‘anti-waste ice cream sandwich’ at Silo in Hackney. There, they soak old bread in water till it starts to ferment, then turn it into a yeasty caramel. Then they make a wafer from excess bread-milling bran, sugar and butter, and dulce de lecce ice cream from leftover buttermilk; then they sandwich it all together and BLAMMO! A decadent mouthful that’s as heavenly as it is honourable.
Who’s to thank?
Visionary chef Douglas McMaster, who emigrated Silo from Brighton to London in 2019. Since then, it’s become a paragon for forward-thinking restaurants: as well as the seasonal, low-mileage and wasteless ethos (anything not eaten by the punters is composted), even the furniture and crockery are upcycled.
Where is it?
In a nifty converted loft space on the canal in east London‘s Hackney Wick, near the Olympic Park.
Fly to London
silolondon.com
Best trek
Hitting the HexaTrek trail in the Vosges Mountains of eastern France / Image: Adobe Stock
HexaTrek, across France
Why’d it win?
After gastronomy, La Tour Eiffel and, of course, Amélie Poulain, France is known for its stunning landscapes. Now you can hike through 14 of its most picturesque natural parks, including the Jura and the Alps, via new hiking trail HexaTrek. Declared the longest hike in France, it covers a distance of 3,000km, which would take between 90 and 130 days to complete for those who can walk between 20 and 35km per day. Thankfully, though, the trail is divided into six shorter parts (hence the name), so you can tackle each one separately.
An app is available to help hikers navigate the new trail. If you’d rather go with a group, though, you can register to join week-long organised walks that are taking place between 15 June and 20 October 2022.
Who’s to thank?
Having hiked along much of the USA’s Pacific Crest Trail, Frenchman Kévin Ginisty decided his home country deserved something similar. He researched France’s most beautiful trails and detours, then devised a route that would cross them all.
Where is it?
The mega trail starts in Wissembourg in the northeastern Bas-Rhin department and ends in Hendaye in the southwestern Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The route passes through 14 natural parks, which include the Alps and the Jura.
en.hexatre
Best animal tour
Just a bunch of goats in a tree – and what of it? / Image: Adobe Stock
The intrepid goats of the Souss Valley, Morocco
Why did it win?
We’re not kid-ding when we say this quirky animal experience is a buckin’ riot. In the arid west Saharan plains of Morocco (conveniently just off a main road), greedy goats have figured out an innovative way to munch on juicy argan tree nuts: the cloven-footed creatures climb up to the canopy. This daredevil act is a vital part of Morocco’s argan oil economy, as the goats poop out and soften the argan seeds, making it easier to produce the oil itself. Plus, the sight of so many four-legged food fiends balancing precariously on twigs is certainly worth bleating about on Instagram.
Who’s to thank?
Moroccan farmers have known about this wild wonder for a long time, but seeing its recent popularity with travellers, now encourage their flock to leap up. Local guides, such as the friendly folk at Admire Morocco, will take you to the best spots to see the goats – and tip the farmers on your behalf.
Where is it?
On both sides of the A3 Agadir-Marrakech motorway, about 45 minutes’ drive out of Agadir.
Fly to Agadir
admiremorocco.com/goat-on-tree-morocco
