Family fun in Marbella

“Marbella is our home from home. We stay in my parents’ apartment between Marbella Old Town and Puerto Banus,” says fashion and beauty influencer JODIE WOODS. You’re most likely to find Woods at the Trocadero and Besaya beaches, at Manuka in Marbella port for lunch and Casa Tua restaurant (owned by Irish-Italian couple Catherine Guilfoyle and Adriano Visentin) for dinner. TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: “I pack versatile, voluminous summer dresses which can be worn to the beach or dressed up in the evening with belts and heels, a Loewe basket, sunglasses and my own Crystals & Co jewellery collection. A pair of trainers is a must for early morning walks along the promenade that stretches between Marbella and Puerto Banus, which is studded with gorgeous restaurants and beach bars.”

Working in Mykonos

EMMA-LOUISE O’NEILL, founder of ELO Brands and a Mykonos regular, is returning to the island for work and pleasure this summer. “Lots of people I know are Mykonos regulars so I’ll catch up with friends from London, Dublin, Europe and further afield. I stay at the stunning Kourous Hotel, or the Blue Serenity Villa, next to one of my favourite beach clubs, Principote Mykonos, on Panormos Beach. A must-visit is Remezzo restaurant and bar in the old town, known for its legendary parties. I also love Nammos Beach Club, with its cabanas and five-star shopping.” Emma is pictured at Blue Serenity Villa, Mykonos – photo credit: Stathis Bouzoukas. www.elobrands.com 

Hiking in Oman

EVA BERG, founder of The Secret Pilates, grew up in the Middle East. “I love its people, history, food, scents and sounds. The call to prayer drifting out from mosques in the morning gives me an enormous sense of peace and nostalgia. So my first post-pandemic trip with my partner Alan will be to Oman. We’ll spend a few days in Muscat, the capital, taking in its souks, before exploring the Hajar mountains and camping in the desert. There is nothing quite like hiking in Jebel Akba for a couple of hours and suddenly coming across a lush, green wadi – a freshwater pool. We’ll stay at the Alila boutique hotel – the backdrop is just incredible.” Pictured above this article: The Alila 

Honeymooning in the Maldives

Model SOPHIE ANDERTON BALINSKA has multiple trips planned. “I feel so blessed to be able to travel further afield, after the past few years. To me, travel has always been a privilege. I’m taking part in an amazing retreat in Gozo, Malta – six days of non-stop fun, barre, yoga and Pilates with the girls. Afterwards, off to Greece, where my husband Kaz is competing in the Hellas Rally [for Rally Aid Ireland] and finally our long-delayed two-week honeymoon in the Maldives.” TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: “I am a firm believer in great luggage – bright and bold for warmer climates and my trusty Tumi for colder weather. I bring Seoulista and 111Skin Rose Gold Illuminating eye and face masks and for long flights, Current Body LED travel masks and NuFace microcurrent devices – they really give you a glow.” Anderton wears a Dea Kudibal silk jumpsuit with vintage Chanel belt, sandals by Ash, Le Specs sunglasses at Seagreen and jewellery by Missoma, at Brown Thomas.

Cooking in Tuscany

Designer PAULA ROWAN has booked a few days in Castello di Reschio, Umbria – a treat after factory visits to oversee production of her AW22 glove collection. “I’m a passionate cook and love to learn new dishes; I will join the onsite cookery school at the castle where we forage in the morning and cook in the afternoon. All the wines we taste are from the estate and, if I feel like it, I can practice yoga on the grounds. Reschio is steeped in heritage and has its own architecture and design studio which makes it feel like a home away from home.” TRAVEL ESSENTIAL: A sketchpad. “Inevitably the creative juices flow when I am there – how could they not in such, inspiring surroundings?”

Round the world trip

The pandemic prompted SARA BANKS, CEO of Steamline Luggage, to take a year out with her family. “We left Ireland in October and currently, we are in Mauritius, staying in a gorgeous Airbnb in Calodyne, Rivière du Rempart District, in the north of the island. We have a large garden and two swimming pools, overlooking a quiet lagoon – plenty of space for our four young boys to be outside all day. After Mauritius, we will travel to Sri Lanka, then to Bali for a couple of months. Hawaii is also on our itinerary, before a trip to the US at the end of the summer.” TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: An aeropress coffee machine, Bandolier iPhone crossbody and Trinny London’s stacked cosmetics. “I live in Isabel Marant sneakers and Loeffler Randall bow slides. Jumpsuits by Rachel Comey can be dressed up or down. I’ve picked up a few beautiful raffia bags on my travels.”

Tracing family history in Portugal

“We are travelling to Portugal via Madeira, to stay at Reid’s Palace,” explains DEBRA O’BRIEN, senior account director at Belmond, a luxury hospitality company. “Not only will we be sampling its Michelin-star restaurant, William, named after William Reid, the hotel’s founder, but we plan on taking a scenic guided levada, or hike, while learning about the history of winemaking. Sampling the port wine will also be a priority! From there we will head to Lisbon for a stay at Pestana Palace. Visiting tile factories and having dinner at the Michelin-starred Loco restaurant is on our agenda. We will also drive to Nazare, where my partner’s maternal family originated, to learn more about his history.”

Cycling in Norway

“I’m returning to the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic Circle in Norway for a cycling trip with my dad,” says ROSY TEMPLE, CEO of Magee 1866. “We’ll be pedalling up the coast to the North Cape, right to the end of one of the most northerly roads in Europe. It’s really the only road north, so there’s no need for Google Maps. The holiday will be a welcome chance to switch off the phone, take a sketchbook and enjoy the wilderness!”

Launching an album in Nashville

“I’m heading to Nashville with my band, I Draw Slow, to launch our new album before touring Ireland later in the autumn,” explains singer LOUISE HOLDEN. “While Broadway is the touristy end of town as seen in films, East Nashville is much cooler and it’s where many musicians live. There are so many great restaurants there – we like Mas Tacos Por Favor and Joe’s Crab Snack. Even if you’re not a big country music fan, the standard of bands playing in bars around town is really high. I recommend the Gulch area of downtown, where The Station Inn is an iconic venue. It’s well worth catching a band there.”

Handbag designer JULIE PEELO lived in Paris for three years and goes back whenever she can, most recently to shoot the summer campaign for Peelo. “I always stay at Mama Shelter in the 20ème arrondissement, a buzzy neighbourhood with many artists’ studios, where I used to work at John Galliano. No visit is complete without dinner at Chez Janou which has the most delicious mousse au chocolat and over 80 Pastis to try. I also enjoy wandering around the Marais district, and people-watching while enjoying a glass of wine.”

Puglia-bound

“I’m a regular visitor to Bathsheba on the east side of Barbados. I don’t think I’ve been anywhere where I’ve felt so close to nature,” says accessories designer RAE FEATHER, who photographed her new campaign on the island recently. This summer she is touring Puglia again, staying at the Masseria Torre Maizza. “I’ve already booked Masseria Il Frantoio – the tasting menu is incredible – and a day at White Ostuni Beach Club. I always make a beeline to Lecce on market days to buy olive oil and love a browse in the Tulsi Shop which stocks everything from kaftans to baskets.” TRAVEL ESSENTIALS: Amanda Harrington facial spray and a great sunblock by zoskinhealth.com.

Renovating in Dordogne

“Château La Carrière opens in April and closes at the end of October. We can’t wait to show off our recent renovations”, says co-owner TANYA MC GILLIGAN. “Over the winter we have been busy repainting and upgrading bedrooms, decorating a function room with gilded mirrors and chandeliers and creating a massage area in our Lake House, a small chalet on an island in our lake. When our guests are here, the Château is theirs, which gives us plenty of time to enjoy the Dordogne. We love visiting gardens, such as Eyrignac and Marqueyssac, or one of the many châteaux, including Beynac and Castelnaud. We still sometimes feel as if we are on holiday since moving here from Ireland in 2019”.