My Travel Diaries: Gemma Bell
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My husband and I recently went to Ibiza and fell in love with it. We spent a couple of nights at Casa Maca, a small hotel just outside Ibiza Town which is owned by the Mambo Brothers. It has the most incredible views over the town which are particularly good at dusk with a cocktail in hand. The rooms are stunning (classic white Ibiza), it has a beautiful pool and the service is friendly. And of course, the restaurant is a real scene. No holiday vibes here, dress up and get ready to order magnums of wine and T-bone steaks.
The restaurant scene really attracted us to the White Isle. Ibiza feels particularly buzzy right now, with young chefs opening restaurants and serving some of the most exciting food I’ve had in a long time. We went to Cala Gracioneta on Gracio beach a few times which serves the best calamari, empanadas and daily specials. Other highlights included Hambre, Nudo, Juntos and Casa Lhasa. There are so many more, I would love to visit again soon.
The most memorable place I’ve ever been to is Mombasa in Kenya. We spent our honeymoon there when we were both young and didn’t have much money. We had to save up to afford the all-inclusive trip, but it was totally worth it. The coast at Mombasa is utterly stunning – we hung out with locals and collected huge shells from the sea, and put them back of course!
If I could only travel to one country, I would always choose Spain. It’s my all-time favourite. My grandparents moved to just outside Valencia decades ago, so we would go and visit them in the summer holidays. My parents would drive all the way from the UK with three kids in the back of the car – I’m not sure how they managed it! But I’m so grateful they did as I now have a real appreciation for the culture, food, people and the language.
One of my favourite hotels abroad is Aman NYC. New York is changing all the time. There’s always somewhere you missed on a previous visit, so there's often good reason to return. Aman was years in the making. Right in the middle of Manhattan, it’s set in the Beaux Arts building that used to house the Museum of Modern Art. It has an incredible spa and rooftop views.
That said, there’s nowhere better than London for a great hotel. Plus, there’s a huge amount of choice. From well-designed and well-priced hotels such as The Pilgrm in Paddington to celebrated London institutions like Claridge’s and luxurious new landmark hotels such as The Peninsula London which is opening soon, there really is something for everyone. Having a staycation in your own city is a real treat.
I didn’t want to like The Pig Hotels, but I recently booked us in to try one and we were instantly hooked. Founder Robin Hutson is an expert hotelier; it’s difficult to pick holes as he’s thought of everything and, of course, painstakingly finds the most stunning old manor houses and locations. They’re comfortable, homely, friendly and rejuvenating. Plus, the food is pretty good, too.
For a city break, you can’t beat Rome. I love the immense historical sites and of course the food and wine – home to pasta dishes like carbonara, cacio e pepe, alla Gricia, amatriciana, and lots of offal. My advice is to go to any restaurant that food journalist Rachel Roddy recommends; she has lived in Rome for over 15 years and is definitely a native now.
I also love Barcelona. There’s nothing better than wondering the streets, popping into Bar Joan in Santa Catarina market for a cortado and bocadillo, then to El Xampanyet for its own cava and the finest anchovies in the city. Then it’s on to Bar Brutal for endless glasses of natural wine and delicious food.
JAKE EASTHAM
We also love the Caribbean, not just for the beaches but for the food as well. Islands like Barbados and Grenada are home to the most pristine and beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water that’s perfect for snorkelling. One of the most romantic places I've been to is Silversands hotel in Grenada on Grande Anse beach. Beautifully designed, the spaces are open to allow the breeze to flow throughout. It has the longest pool in the Caribbean and a spa with its own pool. It's a very special place to properly relax, recuperate and be romantic. That said, European beaches closer to home can also be magical – the hidden rocky coves of Ibiza with the bright blue sea are mesmerising. As are the pebble beaches of Paxos in Greece which are idyllic. As you can tell, it’s all about the sea for me; I love snorkelling.
I haven’t been on a proper road trip but a few years ago we stayed near Nîmes in the south of France. From there, we drove down to Gerona in Catalonia and then to Barcelona. Last year we also drove around Sicily which was such fun – there are so many beautiful spots to explore and when you’re in the car it’s easy to discover some hidden places off the beaten track, like secluded coves or tiny trattorias. Just be sure to skip Catania as there isn’t a great amount going on there. My dream is to drive down the West Coast of the USA one day – that would be the ultimate road trip.
UNSPLASH/HUGH WHYTE
The most magical place I’ve been to is Mumbai. It was just for a few days with the founders of Dishoom but it really was magical. We visited the few remaining Parsi cafes that Dishoom pays homage to, met the families that have run them for generations and ate keema pau, akuri eggs and lots of vada pau (fried potato with chutneys and chillies in a soft bun) from street food vendors.
If I had just two nights abroad, I’d go to Seville. It’s such a fun and vibrant city – the colourful Moorish architecture, vermouth and tapas bars on every corner. It’s heaven for a trip with the girls or for a romantic getaway in the spring or autumn. We’re planning to go back to Hacienda de San Rafael which is a beautiful hotel on an olive estate just outside the city.
Some of my favourite meals ever have been on holiday. From Caribbean lobster, snapper, and mac n’ cheese at ‘Talk of the Town’ on the island of Saint Martin to Christmas Day dinner at the now closed NoMad Hotel in New York. Then there was the five-cheese cheesecake at Hambre in Ibiza which blew my mind.
If I had to live at one hotel I’d happily check into The Connaught in Mayfair. It’s grand while still being homely, and I love its old grandeur. The location is unbeatable, as are the beautiful rooms and the best bar in the world! The team really go the extra mile too.
My favourite holiday pictures were taken in Barbados. I have so many fond memories from our trips there and the sunsets are wonderful. The whole island is hard to beat.
In my suitcase I always pack Sum Bum sunscreen and a Panama hat. Plus, a few books for the flight and for relaxing on the beach. In terms of swimwear, my favourite bikini is from Cos, though I do love my Hunza G swimsuit which is flattering and chic.
There are so many places on my bucket list I’d still love to go to. Istanbul is up there, as is Japan and Brazil, mainly for the food. Taking an interest in a nation’s produce, the way it’s cooked and served is the best way to understand a country and its culture. There’s a connection when we eat together, when we ask questions and learn about where dishes have come from, their history and relevance, it brings us together. One of the first things my husband and I do when visiting a new place is go to a local supermarket or food market as it paints a picture and tells us a story about the local area, and the country.
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UNSPLASH/TOM PODMORE
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