Q Magazine - Summer 2019

Travel News Rocco Forte Hotels expands its collection in Italy and Sicily When staying in London, head for Chelsea and book into Belmond Cadogan on Sloane Street. The 54-bedroom hotel, which opened in February, is Belmond’s second UK hotel bringing boutique elegance to London; a fitting town cousin to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire (see page 19). The building has a rich history with connections to the actress and royal mistress, Lily Langtry. There is still a discreet back entrance that will favour those who, like the Victorian Prince of Wales, wish to remain low profile! After its recent £36 million refurbishment, the decor is stylish and modern but respectful of the building’s architecture producing the feel of a private townhouse steeped with British old-world elegance. Highlights include haute cuisine delivered by Chef patron, AdamHandling. Will flights still operate? Regardless of the Brexit outcome planes will still fly between the UK and the EU. If a deal is agreed then we will be in a transition period, meaning everything will stay the same until the end of December 2020 and flights will continue as normal. Even if there is a no-deal scenario, the European Commission has said that UK airlines will still be able to operate flights between the UK and the EU. The UK government has offered similar assurances for EU airlines. Will ferries and cruise ships still sail? Ferry services and cruises will still sail as the majority of the rules under which they operate are not based on EU rules, but are international. Should I take out travel insurance to cover Brexit? The best way to protect your holiday is to book a package – it is the travel provider’s responsibility to make sure a holiday is provided and to offer an alternative or refund if it cannot be delivered. EHIC and personal travel insurance The EuropeanHealth Insurance Card (EHIC) allows any EU citizen to access state medical care when they are travelling in another EU country. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, UK registered EHICs will no longer be valid. In any event it is recommended that travellers take supplementary travel insurance. During July and August 2019 Rovos Rail will run a new 15-day expedition traversing Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. It will be the first time in history that a passenger train will travel the famous east-to- west copper trail on this route. The preparation for this exciting itinerary out of Dar es Salaam took two years of careful planning and acquiring permission from the respective authorities. With visits to both Tanzania’s Selous Reserve and a fly-in two-night safari in the South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) the journey has its premium wildlife moments as well as a city tour of Lubumbashi (DRC). Thereafter it joins the Benguela line for short walking tours detailing Angola’s recent history with journey’s end in Lobito. Ocean to Ocean on Africa’s Copper Trail - luxury rail travel for the intrepid Boutique elegance at Belmond Cadogan, Chelsea's finest townhouse hotel The extraordinary talents of the Forte family under the inspirational chairmanship of Sir Rocco Forte and Olga Polizzi is reflected in a raft of new openings across this year and next in Rome, Puglia and Palermo, doubling their portfolio in Italy. The Eternal City welcomes a second Rocco Forte hotel with the opening of Hotel De La Ville , lovingly created out of a 19th- century palace on the Via Sistina, atop the Trinita dei Monti, with sweeping views over city, especially from the rooftop terrace bar. The recently opened Masseria Torre Maiza in Puglia represents the group’s second Rocco Forte Resort, offering 40 suites reflecting the inspirational stamp of Olga Polizzi. Finally, in 2020, and after a two-year, €27m undertaking, Villa Igiea , Palermo’s finest hotel will re-open its doors. 3 Brexit - What’s it means for European travel The Canny Traveller