Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 4 June 2024

KEEP IT SAFE

With Europe so busy, and so many heading there, it is worth considering the true story of a traveller in central London who had his smartphone snatched out of his hands by a masked man on an e-bike. He simply, silently rode up behind him, grabbed the phone while the owner was tapping out a text message and rode off.

The phone was still “on” and chasing was pointless, so the urgency was to secure data remotely before the thief could change the password and steal it all. Phone theft is rising rapidly — and isn’t, of course, about the value of the phone itself, but the personal financial information it gives access to. What the thieves want is for the phone to be unlocked when they get it ...

STRAP IT ON

Phone lanyards aren’t a bad idea ... look for one with a substantial “insert” to slip in between the phone and its case.

STASH A BAG

London-based Stasher stores bags at more than 5400 hotels and shops. You search for one of their locations near where you are going to be, book online, then store your luggage and pick it up later.

A spokesperson says: “All bags stashed with us are protected against loss, theft and damage.” They have sites in more than 1110 cities in more than 90 countries, and it is from £4.49 ($8.60) per bag, per day. stasher.com

SEW IT UP

You don’t get much for $3 these days. But it can buy peace of mind in knowing that tears, rips and lost buttons can be replaced. I was happy to spot a pretty decent travel sewing kit for $3 in Spotlight.

A REAL SALE

With the wet weather this week, I’ve had a happy browse through Macpac. It sells “good Kiwi gear” (it was originally a New Zealand company but is now owned by Australian company Super Retail Group). Some items have 50 per cent off, like the good Macpac men’s Copland raincoat, reduced from $449.99 to $225. macpac.com.au

BOSS IN BALI

The Luxe Nomad Bali has been working with luxury fashion brand BOSS, and together they have launched a world-first BOSS House Bali. Framed within the architectural masterpiece of Alexis Dornier, it is a six-bedroom villa which blends traditional and contemporary design. It is in the heart of Canggu and the villa’s centrepiece is a spiral slide. theluxenomad.com

On the Hugo Boss website, they also have suggestions for BOSS clothing and accessories to tizz up a stay there, from a sleeveless dress with frill trims to writing instruments. Nice. hugoboss.com

ROMAN VILLAS

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is developing a luxury hotel in the centre of Rome. It is due to open in 2026. Mandarin Oriental, Rome, will be within 10 19th-century villas, originally built as homes for prosperous Romans. The villas will be reshaped into 108 rooms and suites, and guests will be close to major attractions and archaeological sites. It will bring the group’s Italian portfolio to five. It already has hotels in Milan and Lake Como, and recently announced plans for Cortina and Porto Cervo.

DUTCH CANAL HOUSES

Pulitzer Amsterdam is a luxury hotel set in 25 interlinked 17th and 18th-century canal houses. With its emphasis on traditional and modern Dutch craftsmanship and service, the hotel has 225 rooms, an inner garden and a restaurant and bar featuring local and seasonal modern Dutch cuisine. Pulitzer Amsterdam overlooks two of the city’s most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht. Reflecting the mood of the flamboyant Dutch aristocrats who once lived in these canal houses, its suites are being finished and progressively opened. The Flower Collector’s Suite opened in March, and The Beauty House and the Merchant Suite opened in May. The Porcelain Collector’s Suite follows this month. Rates start from €999 ($1915) for the Flower Collector’s Suite. pulitzeramsterdam.com

DUBAI ON BUDGET

Dubai’s newly opened Park Regis by Prince Dubai Islands is a four-star hotel with its eye on more budget-conscious travellers. There are rates from AED573 ($235) a night. It has a private beach and multiple restaurants and bars. parkregisbyprincedubaiislands.com

CHEAP EUROPE

A new study by Stasher reckons that Krakow, Poland, is the cheapest European city for a weekend stay. An average weekend there costs about £532 ($1020). Bucharest, in Romania, is second, and Warsaw is third. Riga, Latvia’s capital, is fourth and Prague, in the Czech Republic, fifth. The Stasher team analysed data from major booking sites.