1. Manebí Espadrilles, €85
2. Love Brand Stripey Swim Shorts, £110
3. Anderson's Woven Belt, £58
4. Taylor Morris Sunglasses, £150
5. Frescobol Carioca Beach Bats, £150
6. Clifton Fourth Panama Hat, £130
7. Saint Luke Tortola Bag, £125
(Nos 1, 2, 4 & 6 also available at by Rory Portobello pop up until end of July 2016)
1. Castaner Wedge Espadrilles, £114
2. Zozishine x DODO BAR OR Eye Ring, £28
3. Realisation Ozzie Dress, $170
4. Lucy Williams x Missoma Horn Necklace, £129
5. Kiini Crochet Bikini, £225
6. Eugenia Kim Beach Hat, £360
7. Saint Luke St Anton Bag, £125
(No. 2 is also available at by Rory Portobello pop up until end of July 2016)
We've teamed up with the awesome guys at i-escape to offer you the chance to win one of our St Ives short haul bags and a luxury beach escape at our favourite hotel in St Ives, the Boskerris. Perched on a hillside just above Carbis Bay's white-sand beach, the Boskerris is a contemporary, boutique hotel with a laid back Mediterranean style.
Perfectly located on the outskirts of the foodie hub of St Ives, this hotel has super stylish interiors and big views of ocean and headland. It’s a family affair – friendly, welcoming, a great little base. Best of all, the wide, decked terrace is dotted with cushion-piled sofas where you can sit back and gaze across the bay - and the whole place is infused with the famous Cornish light that has inspired generations of artists.
To enter, all you have to do is post your best beach holiday picture on instagram, with the hashtag #mybeachvibe, and tag & follow @saintlukeco & @iescapehotels!
From the left, clockwise:
1. Maison Desillusion T-Shirt, €40
2. Saint Luke i-phone case, £20
3. Frescobol Carioca linen beach towel, £120
4. Orlebar Brown flip flops, £35
5. Smythson currency wallet, £185
6. Armor Lux Aviron striped t-shirt, £55
7. Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, £113
8. Paul Smith bracelet, £160
9. Jack Black sunscreen, £15.50
10. Paul Smith swimshorts, £95
11. Frescbol Carioca Trancoso beach bats, £150
12. Saint Luke Lucia travel-bag, £125
When we're planning trips, i-escape is one of our favourite guides to help us find the most exciting, beautiful and unusual places to stay all around the world.
This week, we were lucky enough to catch up with co-founder Laila Ram who shared her hot tips for the best places to visit in 2016...
I’ve been to Sri Lanka countless times and will never tire of exploring new unspoilt corners of this beautiful country. Brand new in December 2015, my top tip for nature lovers, yogis and anyone looking for a bit of peace and pampering is Tri, on the banks of Koggala Lake. This luxe eco retreat has top-notch yoga facilities, a fantastic spa and a truly stunning setting where monitors wallow in the lake and kingfishers swoop low over the water. It’s tranquil and refreshingly remote yet the beach is only 15 minutes away.
Small yet perfectly formed, Malta is surrounded by sparkling azure seas, pretty coves, sea pools and some of the best dive sites in Europe. On land there are historic spots aplenty to explore, from fortified towns to citadels built by the Knights of St John and spectacular prehistoric sites.
Stay at Valletta Vintage – an amazing townhouse conversion filled with classic furniture and a regularly changing selection of art by local talents. Each of the 3 bedrooms has a private roof terrace with jaw-dropping views across the bay and Fort St Elmos.
The lure of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is strong for many and a new wave of flights from London has made the hop to Iceland even easier. What better spot to wait expectantly for a light show than a glass-walled bar overlooking a rugged landscape of moss-covered lava fields, geysers and steaming rivers? Scandi-chic Ion Hotel has just that, as well as a sauna and an outdoor hot pool for soaking muscles tired from glacier hiking, ice climbing and rafting.
The beautiful beaches and clear blue seas of Greece have everlasting appeal, but if you want to escape the busy islands my top tip is the Peloponnese. There’s something for everyone here, from breath-taking gorges filled with pretty spring flowers, pine-backed sands, frescoed chapels, Byzantine cities and the ancient site of Olympia (where the Olympic Games were founded).
Hidden within a beachside olive grove, these pretty stone cottages are just a hop, skip and jump from the clear waters. Meals are a real treat – grilled meats and fish with aromatic herbs served at pretty tables under the olive trees.
New direct BA flights from Gatwick to San Jose start in May this year, meaning this Central American paradise will be reachable in just over 11 hours. Despite being only two-thirds the size of Scotland, a phenomenal amount of diversity is packed into this small area: rainforests, live volcanoes and beautiful stretches of yellow sand.
Nestled amongst all this natural beauty are some wonderfully chic small hotels, including The Harmony Hotel on the Nicoya Peninsula which has a fab 1950s Hawaiian resort feel. I love the modern rooms with their private patios and outdoor showers, the organic food and sunrise yoga on the 6km surf beach.
From the left, clockwise:
1. Mara Hoffman one piece, $226
2. Yosuzi Hat from Salt Resort Wear, £260
3. Sunnylife inflatable watermelon, $79.95 AUD
4. Sophie Anderson clutch bag, £225
5. Sensi Studio fringed minidress, $435
6. Marte Frisnes tassle bracelet, £250
7. Elina Linardaki pompom sandals, $265
8. Dodo Bar Or dress, £225
9. Mr Boho sunglasses, €69
10. SAINT LUKE Kitts bag, £125
In Panama's northeastern corner—a one-hour flight from either Panama City or San José in Costa Rica—is a sanctuary where the main mode of transportation is a wooden motorboat, dolphins swim through crystalline waters, and dockside restaurants serve the local fishermen’s catch of the day.
Super colourful and utterly Caribbean, this town of clapboard houses was built by the United Fruit Company back in the early 20th century. Today, Bocas del Toro is home to an eclectic community of West Indians, Latinos and resident gringos, with a friendly atmosphere that rubs off on all visitors. In fact, travellers to this island town have a reputation for cancelling future plans – it’s an easy place to get stuck and an even easier place to stay.
Bocas Town, the archipelago’s main village, is equal parts rickety and charming, with tin-roofed wooden houses converted into colorful boutiques, guesthouses, and restaurants. And while Bocas isn’t losing its ruggedness anytime soon, a new hotel is likely to redefine tourism there, so visit sooner than later.
If you're lucky enough to get there, here are a few recommendations from us:
Surfing the Islands of Bocas del Toro is truly a world-class experience. The Caribbean Sea offers warm, crystal blue-green water and swells that can be enjoyed whether you're a seasoned veterans or a total beginner. The key surfing season is from December to March, when storms deliver waves around 4-12 feet.
Bocas itself has a smaller wave season from May through July when smaller 3-8 feet waves can be enjoyed. Most of the breaks in the area are coral reefs but there are some beach breaks. The most accessible spots are on Isla Colon, Isla Carenero, and Isla Bastimentos. For the experienced and adventurous surfers, boat charters can be a great way to travel a few hours to breaks for a ride you won't forget. Many of these secret spots offer excellent waves with just you and your friends in the line up.
Quite an unusual resort, this ecolodge consists solely of 9 overwater bungalows stretched off a deserted section of the island, offering a pretty convincing alternative to those who want to stay in an overwater bungalow without having to go to Bora Bora.
A welcome break from the hectic party life of Bocas, it's secluded location is a big part of its appeal, and the clear water beneath the bungalows is a novelty rarely found outside of the South Pacific of the Maldives. Each handsomely crafted cabin is built upon stilts which support a wooden frame over the water and covered by a palm leaf roof - an unforgettable habitat congruent with the native communities of the region - rustic but in a beautiful setting.
Photo Credits:
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-02-11-BocasTown.jpg
http://stwww.surfingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/CW_Bocas14_0319.jpg
http://redfrogbeach.com/wp-content/gallery/gallery_page_gallery/Girl-in-Hammock-at-Red-Frog-Beach.jpg
http://bocasdeltoro.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/aqua-lounge-bocas-del-toro-panama-7.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UvzIN6wan4g/VXKQEJME-7I/AAAAAAAAPKE/acbTr9OPIH4/s640/PUNTA-CARACOL%2B%25283%2529.jpg
From the left, clockwise:
1. D R Harris 4-Piece Shaving Set, £230
2. Custom Uber Pong Ping Pong Paddles, £21
3. Hestra Sheepskin Gloves, $170
4. Penhaligon's Bayolea Eau de Toilette, £88
5. Smythson Travel Journal, £150
6. Boden Cashmere Hoodie, £111
7. Trudon Scented Candle, €65
8. Saint Luke Cap, £20
9. Hector Saxe Travel Backgammon Set, €310
10. iPhone Projector, £25
11. Ridley's Dominoes, £12
12. Men's Society Get it Together Washbag, £39
13. Saint Luke St Ives Mid Haul Bag, £155
From the left, clockwise:
1. Havaiana Flip Flops, £20
2. Blue Mint Swim Shorts, £77
3. Round Towel Co, £39.22
4. Duppy Share Rum, £29.95
5. RetroSuperFuture Sunglasses, £160
6. Bose Portable Speaker, £119.95
7. Mark Richards Surfboard, $790
8. SAINT LUKE St Barts Long Haul bag, £185
From the left, clockwise:
1. ACNE Shearling Coat, £1,900
2. Frame Denim Jeans, £235
3. SAINT LUKE iPhone Case, £20
4. A.P.C. Sweater, €140
5. Byredo Sunday Cologne, £88
6. Common Projects low top White Trainers, £250
7. SAINT LUKE St Ives bag, £125
From the left, clockwise:
1. Sperry Top-Siders, £85
2. Taylor Morris RollRight Sunglasses, £170
3. Lacoste T-Shirt, £40
4. Larsson & Jennings Watch, £215
5. Nikon Camera, £399
6. Missioni Socks, £33
7. Serge Denimes Hoodie, £70
8. Luis Morias Bracelet, £700
Notting Hill Carnival brings together hundreds of thousands of people to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the area.
To make the most of Europe's biggest street party, from soca celebrations to paint parties - here are 10 events to have on your Carnival radar this weekend.
1 Notting Hill Carnival Sunday Parade
Carnival is one of the most hectic weekends of the year, but Family Day on Sunday the 30 August is a bit more low key than the Monday and gives you the perfect opportunity to check out some of the costumes in the children's parade.
From 10am to 8.30pm; thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com
2 Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues Corner
Now 35 year’s young, Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues began life in Soho and is London’s longest running club one-nighter. Since 1989, Gaz Mayall has hosted a stage at Notting Hill Carnival outside The Globe known as Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues Corner. Gaz plays a mix of ska, rock, pop and punk, using strictly vinyl. Rather than a hardcore sound system, this tends to be where the young and the beautiful congregate, but it’s a good spot to see unexpected live performers (Razorlight joined the Rockin’ Blues stage in 2011) and DJs. Aside from Mayall himself, the late DJ and godfather of Ska Duke Vin was one of the vanguards of the Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues stage.
Talbot Road outside no.103, W11 1JR
3 Panorama
On Saturday the 29 of August, there will be an open air evening of steelpan bands and performers held at Emslie Horniman Pleasance park, Bosworth Road, W10; thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com
4 The Carnival Countdown Breakfast Fete
The Tabernacle will be hosting a Carnival warm-up with a breakfast fete on Saturday 29 August at 9am. There will be Caribbean drinks, pholouri, rotis and saltfish dishes on the menu, and a series of DJ sets to get you in the spirit for the weekend. DJ Tate, Martin Jay and D Riddim ft Credable are all on the bill.
Standard tickets are £15 or £20 on the door.
The Tabernacle main auditorium, Powis Square, off Portobello Road, W11 2AY; tabernaclew11.com
5 Jouvert Celebration
Drawn from ancestral Caribbean tradition, the Jouvert celebration, known as the ‘opening of the day’ is a time when the early risers cover their bodies in mud, powder and chocolate to celebrate the start of Carnival. When the sun is up, the masquerade begins to take over. If you manage to hear your alarm for the 6am start (many may begin even earlier, at 3/4am), make sure you wear clothes you’re willing to get dirty; there will be talcum powder and paint cascading through the air. It’s possible to join a Jouvert band if you plan it in advance (costs around £50) or you can just go along and watch.
Around 6am to 9am, Sunday 30 August. J’Ouvert starts and ends at Canal way, Ladbroke Grove W14 next to Sainsbury’s car park
6 Notting Hill Arts Club
Yamajam will be throwing a pre Carnival party at the Notting Hill Arts Club on Friday 28 August for the sixth year in a row. Expect a mix of dub, reggae, dancehall and hip hop. Entry will be £4 before 11pm and £8 thereafter, but the event is likely to sell out. If you’re still thriving and surviving by the end of the weekend, there will also be a Notting Hill Carnival afterparty at the club on Monday 31 August from 6pm to 1am featuring Kiko Bun, Smutlee and a ‘very special guest’ tbc. Tickets £15 in advance. Remember to always bring your ID to Notting Hill Arts Club, regardless of age.
21 Notting Hill Gate W11 3JQ; nottinghillartsclub.com
7 The London Calypso Tent
The Calypso Tent at The Tabernacle on Powis Square is a place to drink in some fantastic soca and calypso sounds. Here the Association of British Calypsonians will provide a mix of competitions, poetry and storytelling and music. It’s a window into the Caribbean culture that’s at the heart of Notting Hill Carnival. There will be performances from Macomere Fifi, King Socrates and Nikisha Reyes. Visit Friday 28 August (tickets £10-£12) for the People’s Choice event to get your Carnival weekend off to a rhythmic calypso-filled start.
The Calypso Tent 2015 programme:
7th August 2015 – Grand Opening Night
14th August 2015 – Calypso Spectacular
21st August 2015 – Groovy Soca Night
27th August 2015 – Calypso Monarch Finals
28th August 2015 – People’s Choice
From 8pm to 11pm at The Tabernacle main auditorium, Powis Square, off Portobello Road, W11 2AY; tabernaclew11.com
8 The Monday Parade
Monday 31 August will be Adult’s Day at Carnival, also known as the Grand Finale, when the hardworking artists unleash their masquerade floats in a sea of feathers, music and dance for the rest of London to enjoy. This marks the end of Notting Hill Carnival, showcasing a year’s worth of creative input and organisation in one colourful outburst.
The parade normally takes place from 10am to 8.30pm
9 Notting Hill’s Colours Paint Party
The Colours Carnival Float will be hosting a paint party at the event on Sunday 30 August and are inviting others to join. There’s a package for £60 which includes a security wristband, a bottle of paint, t-shirt, access to toilet facilities, soca tracks from the DJs on the Colours’ two music trucks and free drinks.
Find out more at coloursuk.com
10 Morning Gloryville’s Carnival Bash
There will be ravers at dawn (or close enough) on the 29 August as Morning Gloryville host their first Carnival party at Mode London. Starting at 9am, this early-doors party is a great way to wear-in your Masquerade gear and get energized for Carnival weekend. There are some tickets left at £17.50, or else it’s £20 entry on the door. Expect free yoga, free massage, a live performance by The Artful Badger and a serious amount of dancefloor sweating. Nama Foods will be on site serving superfood smoothies and healthy-living food. Follow the Gloryville motto and ‘rave your way into the day’.
9am-1pm Saturday 29 August 12 Acklam Road W10 5QZ; tickets at mgweekend03.bpt.me
From the top left, clockwise:
1. Rayban Wayfarers, £125
2. Green Shorts, HM, £14.99
3. Bracelet, Luis Morais, £135
4. Green Polo, Polo Ralph Lauren, £70
5. Hat, Paul Smith, £90
6. Swimming Shorts, Orlebar Brown, £225
7. Solo by William Boyd, £18.99
8. Flip flops, Havaiiana, £20
9. T-Shirt, Iffley Road, £68
10. Espadrilles, Castaner, £65
11. St Anton Holdall, SAINT LUKE £155
