8 City break


Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer jaunt, we round up the essentials for your next urban adventure Words: Angela Locatelli


1 Eastpak Tranverz M suitcase T e Tranverz softshell luggage collection is light, durable and convenient. Top and side straps, a retractable handle and wheels make these trolleys easy to carry, while a water-resistant fabric and built-in TSA lock give you peace of mind when you’re on the go. Available in three sizes. £160. eastpak.com


2 Bellroy Sling Mini bag


Keep your essentials in close reach with the Sling Mini, a go-to for museum visits. Its small body comes with a 4L storage capacity, but an expandable side gusset keeps the bag slim when the load is light. Internal divisionsensure minimal rummaging. £79. bellroy.com


3 Bird Athene sunglasses


Classic and understated, these sunglasses are the perfect sidekick for a big-city break, with adjustable temple ends and sprung hinges making for a comfortable wear. T ey’re made with sustainable materials, too: the frames are crafted from biodegradable bio-acetate and come in eco-cork cases. £85. fi ndyourbirds.com


5 DK Eyewitness Like a Local guidebook series Curated by locals, these guides off er an intimate perspective on some of the world’s coolest cities, uncovering community favourites and neighbourhood haunts. Pick one up if you’re a returning visitor or simply want to explore beyond the big-hitting attractions. £12.99. dk.com/uk


6 Sony RX100 VII


Compact Camera T is point-and-shoot is a safe bet for discerning photographers. Standout features include a long battery life, broad zoom range and fast-tracking autofocus. While the pro-level still and video


4 Tropicfeel Dune sneakers


Tropicfeel’s latest all-terrain sneakers are an all-in-one option with an urban design: they can be worn as aqua shoes, trainers, hiking footwear, slippers or as an everyday piece. T e brand has long been committed to inspiring conscious travel, off setting all carbon emissions created when producing and shipping its gear. £89. shop.tropicfeel.com


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performance comes with a hefty price tag, this camera delivers exceptional images in low-light or indoor settings. £1,150. sony.co.uk


7 Finisterre Stormbird


Waterproof Jacket T is triple-layer shell has a 20,000 HH rating, two-way zip and taped seams to keep the elements at bay. But a breathable fabric, soft interior and micro-fl eece neck guard make it comfortable in any weather. Add Finisterre’s planet-friendly ethos to the mix, and it’s an all-round winner. £250. fi nisterre.com


8 Happy Ears Ocean Plastic


earplugs T e fi rst earplug range sourced from post-consumer ocean plastic, this reusable option guarantees a 27dB noise reduction. T ey’re designed to replicate the inner ear canal with an oval shape and a short, soft stem. To fi nd your fi t, opt for the discovery pack. £25.50. happyearsearplugs.com


First published in the October 2022 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read more at nationalgeographic.com/travel


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25TH SEPTEMBER 2023 THE TRAVEL GUIDE DISTRIBUTED WITH


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Weekend


getaway With its waterside location, welcoming pubs and a revamped hotel, England’s smallest county makes for a perfect break. Words: Georgia Stephens


Why go It has the country pubs, antique shops and honey-hued market towns of the Cotswolds, and the chilled, waterside vibe of the Lake District. Yet many haven’t heard of it. Rutland, England’s smallest county, takes its Latin motto to heart: multum in parvo, much in little. Midway between Cambridge and Nottingham in the East Midlands, with the 3,100-acre inland sea of Rutland Water at its heart, it’s a place that feels made for a restorative weekend break. discover-rutland.co.uk


What to do T e lapping waves of Rutland Water exert a gravitational pull on visitors to the county, particularly in summer when windsurfers skim across its surface and free-roaming sheep graze the surrounding hills. Hire an e-bike from Rutland Cycling in Whitwell to explore — fl ip on turbo mode and you can whiz around the 23-mile circumference in about two hours. Look out for the colonnaded tower of Normanton Church on the southeast bank, or head out on to the water aboard the Rutland Belle. In summer, a 90-min osprey cruise can take you to where they nest. rutlandcycling.com rutlandwatercruises.com


RUTLAND WATER IS POPULAR WITH WINDSURFERS/DISCOVER RUTLAND


Where to eat Try T e Olive Branch, a no-fuss pub with rooms in pretty Clipsham, about a 15-minute drive northeast of Rutland Water. Its menu is stuff ed with locally sourced comfort food served with a fi ne-dining twist. Order the Gressingham duck breast with butternut squash and honey, and follow it with the dark chocolate


THE BARNSDALE HOTEL IN OAKHAM OFFERS COUNTRY COMFORTS/THE BARNSDALE


torte with miso and banana. theolivebranchpub.com


Don’t miss T e horseshoes, all 240 of them, decorating the interior of 12th-century Oakham Castle. T ey have traditionally been donated by visiting royals and peers of the realm over the years. T e oldest- surviving horseshoe dates back to Edward IV’s visit in 1470. T e most recent one arrived courtesy of Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2014. oakhamcastle.org


We like T e Rutland Pippin, an apple-shaped pastry fi lled with ham hock, sausage, stilton and granny smith puree. It’s the fl agship on the menu at the Hambleton Bakery in Oakham. Combine a visit here with a trip to Otter’s Fine Foods, just around the


block, where you can sample the Rutland red as part of an impressive, build-your-own artisanal cheeseboard. ottersfi nefoods.co.uk hambletonbakery.co.uk


Where to stay In Oakham, former hunting lodge T e Barnsdale has been reimagined by its new owner. Rooms are classic country — warm colours and comfy beds blend with fl oral patterns and antique fi ttings. Highlights include: the sun-fi lled Orangery; punchy ginger cocktails on the terrace; and caulifl ower popcorn with teriyaki and soy at the 1760 brasserie. Doubles from £120, B&B. barnsdalerutland.com


First published in the September 2023 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read the feature in full at nationalgeographic.com/travel


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