The first in a lifetime of epic adventures to be had together, here at House of Coco we think honeymoons should start as you mean to go on. Which is why we weren’t surprised to hear our favourite Royal couple have reportedly chosen the remote yet action-packed African country of Namibia for their post-wedding escape. With starkly beautiful, almost otherworldly scenery, a dreamy desert dune-scape, self-drive safaris and ultra-remote luxury lodges to escape to, it offers endless opportunity for adventure. If camping out under an inky, star-filled sky listening to the sounds of the African night sounds like your idea of romance, here are 5 reasons you should make like Meghan and head to Namibia for your honeymoon…
Anyone that has seen the iconic film ‘Out of Africa’ will know there’s something especially seductive about an African safari. Namibia boasts not just all the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos, both black and white, but the chance to see rare desert-adapted elephants, rhino and lions. Better yet, with a well-established network of flat open roads, and easy viewing spots around waterholes in the dry season, you can drive yourself through National Parks like Etosha, stopping to spot wildlife in your own time, just the two of you.
A campervan might not seem like the most romantic idea, but it is undeniably the best way to fully experience Namibia’s most remote, and arguably most beautiful landscapes. Imagine parking up at a hidden spot in the shadow of a desert rock formation, hundreds of miles from civilization. Namibia may be one of the safest countries in Africa, but you’ll have to prove you can work as a team to cook over a campfire and survive nights in the wild. While you might have to forgo a shower for a few days, it couldn’t be more worth it to drift off together in your rooftop tent, looking out over the Milky Way. #Vanlife done just right, in our book.
While we’re all for the campervan experience and loved the freedom of life on the road, Namibia also boasts some seriously luxe lodges and hotels, in some of its farthest-flung corners. If you’re looking to break up your trip, why not treat yourself to a night in one of these luxury outposts, here are #TeamCoco ‘s favourites:
Ongava Tented Camp, Ongava Private Game Reserve, Etosha
Mowani Mountain Lodge, near Twyfelfontein, Damaraland
No trip to Namibia would be complete without seeing the ochre desert dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Hike to the top of ‘Big Daddy’ (the second largest dune in the world) at dawn for maximum bragging rights, before running down the sand dune to the hauntingly beautiful Deadvlei below where petrified trees stand stark against a white salt pan. Besides hiking and exploring the dunes, there’s everything from four-wheel driving to desert safari’s, horseback riding and even sunrise balloon trips. Swoon.
Perhaps the most priceless part of any honeymoon in Namibia is the opportunity to truly be alone together – most hotels don’t have wifi and there is zero 3G so prepare to truly disconnect from the outside world – a particularly precious factor if your other half is always working. The second least densely populated country on earth – it’s astonishing how few people you’ll find, perfect for honeymooners who value their privacy as an ultimate luxury.
Preferred Hotel Group, one of the world’s biggest hotel groups, has launched Beyond Green, a collection of luxury and boutique hotels that are putting sustainability at the heart of everything they do.
Beyond Green by Preferred Hotel Group is a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts, and lodges offering a range of guest experiences in unique locations around the world. The project believes that traveling well, and with intention, can be a powerful force for renewing our planet and enhancing the lives of all its people – and we are all for it.
Beyond Green is all about inspiring renewal for planet and people and each member hotel demonstrates their commitment to sustainable leaderships through action and impact. From protecting cultural heritage to environmental and conservation stewardship, these hotels are fully engaged in minimising their carbon footprints. Collectively, the member hotels are helping to rewild more than six million acres of wildlife in both land and sea. This includes the conservation of endangered species too.
Nêô Sephiri was founded in 2020 by a team who have been producing and researching Kalahari Melon Oil for nearly 10 years.
Their community in the Kalahari is being acutely impacted by climate change, with frequent, harsh droughts becoming the new norm. In their search for ways to adapt to this changing climate, they discovered Kalahari Melon oil.
While other crops struggled to adapt to the changing climate, this special plant was able to withstand the changes to survive in these extreme, arid conditions. Through scientific investigation they discovered that the seeds of the melon, when pressed and filtered, produce a highly nutritious facial oil packed with essential fatty acids and vitamins.
On a single farm in the Kalahari Basin the seeds from the melon are cold pressed and filtered through cotton to produce a 100% natural oil that nurtures the skin. Just reading about the process already feels good for our skin so we had to find out more. We spent some time with the founders, Bernard and Olga van Vuuren, so prepare to be inspired…
Tell us about the journey that led you to launching your brand, Neo Sephiri?
BvV: About 10 years ago, the province in South Africa where I grew up was hit with the worst drought in 80 years. Traditional crops failed year after year, causing farmers to lose their land which resulted in huge job losses for the local communities. However, the Kalahari Melon, an indigenous plant which evolved in the desert and is widely considered by most farmers to be a weed, was still standing despite the harsh conditions.
I was nearing the end of my PhD in Chemistry, when my uncle reached out to me after he had discovered that the seeds of the Kalahari Melon contained an oil, and someone mentioned that it might have applications for skincare. Together, we investigated the properties of the plant oil. My uncle produced the oil from the melons he had growing wild on his farm, while I used my scientific background to study the oil’s properties. Soon we found that our oil contained 70% essential fatty acids, and the highest concentration of vitamin E than any other plant oil. It was then that we knew we had to share this naturally powerful, truly sustainable and unique ingredient with the world.
Sustainability is at the core of what you do, why is this important to you?
OvV: True sustainability runs through our entire being! Nêô Sephiri was founded specifically as an intervention to mitigate the effects of climate change in our region. Our single ingredient has huge social impact potential for the people that live in these remote, marginalised communities, where the melons grow naturally. We are delighted that skincare industry leaders are also excited by the prospect of this pent up potential, with our facial oil winning numerous sustainability awards, including Best Socially Responsible Luxury Oil 2021 by Harper’s Bazaar.
Further to community impact, our transparent production process is completely circular. All the waste is recycled on our farm, but what’s more, when we harvest we return over 95% of the melon waste back to the land. This means our total ecological impact is absolutely minimal, and we hope that soon this will become the new normal. Sustainability has to be about so much more than just packaging considerations. Your purchasing decisions are an incredible tool for impact and change!
What are the benefits for the skin when you use Kalahari melon oil?
BvV: Our 100% natural Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil targets skin cell recovery and moisture balance owing to two unique properties. It’s down to the combination of the two properties I mentioned earlier; it’s proven to have more vitamin E than any other plant oil, coupled with the 70% concentration of omega-6 linoleic acid. This is an essential fatty acid, which your skin barrier needs to repair itself, for healthy glowing skin. Linoleic acid also balances your natural oil levels, meaning it helps to reduce clogged pores and is compatible with acne-prone and oily skin types. The vitamin E helps to stabilise this component, meaning it can remain active on your skin for longer. It also gives our Kalahari Melon Oil powerful antioxidant benefits which help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
What has been the biggest hurdle you have had to overcome since you launched the business?
BvV: As a start up, we face challenges constantly. The key is to stay motivated, positive and don’t give up. The more we power through the more motivated we become. The biggest challenge so far has been spreading awareness of our purpose and convincing people to try this brand new ingredient. It’s a naturally powerful plant oil with such interesting chemistry and so many skin benefits, we just need to share this with the world!
Looking back since launching your brand, is there anything you would do differently?
OvV: Coming from science and economics backgrounds, there are a lot of things that we’ve had to learn along the way including; branding, marketing, PR, ecommerce, SEO and the list goes on… These learnings require lots of trial and error, which take up time and resources. Knowing what we know now we would have probably done almost everything differently, as knowledge would have saved precious time. Having said this, it’s a beautiful and challenging journey, which we are happy to be on!
Tell us more about what inspires you…
OvV: Travel is inspiring. Soaking up the culture, mood and energy of a new destination, opens your mind and broadens your perspective. Our oil actually transcends me to the Kalahari every night. The natural scent and fast absorbing texture transports me back to the desert!
If you could describe your brand in three words, what would they be?
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch a skincare or beauty brand?
BvV: Try to think about your brand’s impact in every way possible. not just the packaging! The impact on skin through efficacy, on the earth through your ingredient choices, on the environment and people through your supply chain choices. The incredible thing about starting something new, is that you can build it with absolutely minimal negative impact. It’s not easy, because everyone is trying to claim that their product is ‘sustainable’. The real challenge (and achievement) is understanding all of the impacts. Good and bad.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
OvV: 7am alarm, followed by coffee and breakfast. We start the day with a catch up with our dream team split between South Africa and London. Then it’s more calls and meetings, sometimes in beautiful cafes, as well as admin and sending out samples. The day escapes so quickly and there is always lots left to do. After work we do some exercise and now that things are opening up, we use the evenings to explore London. The day finishes with a face cleanse and 5 drops of Kalahari Melon Facial Oil before bed.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
BvV: Social media is so important in amplifying Nêô Sephiri’s purpose and sharing our unique ingredient with parts of the world, which we wouldn’t be able to reach without it.
You’re very well traveled but which place really has your heart?
OvV: There is just no place like South Africa, from the Kalahari Basin to the Western Cape. The beauty, warmth, honesty and wilderness that South Africa holds is simply outstanding.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
BvV:We really want to explore more of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana! It’s a vast area of land with so much biodiversity. We love it!
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
OvV: Time is the most precious commodity.
BvV: Every wall is a door.
What’s next for you and the brand?
BvV: We’ve only just begun! We are currently working towards developing Nêô Sephiri’s voice so that we can share our authentic and transparent farm-to-face approach that people want to see from the beauty brands they consciously choose.
What does self care mean to you?
OvV: Self-care is allowing yourself the time to focus on your needs, whatever they might be. Your need to think, sleep, explore, challenge or maintain. It is whatever you need to feel balanced and happy!
Diamonds pass through many hands before they reach the consumer. However, the part of the diamond sourcing process that is most concerning to buyers is the way diamonds are mined. This is why conscientious shoppers invest in ethically sourced diamonds. Learn more in our Brilliant Earth review, where we delve into the diamond sourcing process and ethical considerations.
What are ethically sourced Diamonds?
The definition of an ethically sourced diamond has been mined according to fair humanitarian practices. In other words, the mine doesn’t engage in child labour, there is no forced labour, miners get paid fair wages, and they have a safe working environment. Additionally, diamond sales can’t fund civil wars.
Now that we’ve defined ethically sourced diamonds, let’s look at a provider of these types of diamonds, Brilliant Earth.
Who is Brilliant Earth?
Brilliant Earth is a provider of ethically sourced diamond jewellery, lab-grown diamond jewellery, and gemstone jewellery. The company was founded by Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg in 2005 with the mission to provide exceptionally beautiful jewellery.
Brilliant Earth states that they are “more than just another fine jewellery company.” They justify this statement by explaining that their goal was to be a company that reinvented the way jewellery was sourced, made, and sold.
“Beyond Conflict-Free” is the term Brilliant Earth uses to describe the sourcing of their diamonds. In this Brilliant Earth Review, we will look closely at what they mean by “Beyond Conflict-Free” to determine whether this term has the same meaning as ethically sourced diamonds.
What Does “Beyond Conflict-Free” Mean?
In Brilliant Earth parlance, “Beyond Conflict-Free” refers to diamonds whose sourcing meets the following criteria:
The diamonds have not been used to finance rebel movements.
The mine where the diamonds originate from protects its workers from human rights abuses. Additionally, the mine maintains safe and responsible labour practices.
The source mine works to minimize environmental degradation during the mining process and supports community development.
Brilliant Earth believes that jewellers who offer only “conflict-free” diamonds are restricting themselves to the Kimberley Process definition of conflict-free diamonds, which in their view does not require enough of its suppliers to be deemed ethical. The Kimberley Process only requires that diamonds not have been used to finance rebel movements, whereas Brilliant Earth requires that their suppliers adhere to a more robust set of criteria. Furthermore, let’s consider that the definition of ethical is refraining from engaging in activities that harm people or the environment. It’s safe to conclude that Brilliant Earth’s strictures make them more of a supplier of ethically sourced jewellery than companies that only adhere to the Kimberley Process. Therefore, based on its “Beyond Conflict-Free” mandate, Brilliant Earth can be deemed a provider of ethically sourced jewellery. However, we can’t help but ask how Brilliant Earth guarantees that their diamond suppliers meet their criteria.
How Does Brilliant Earth Certify that Their Diamonds are Ethical?
We’ve established that Brilliant Earth wants its diamonds to come from sources that adhere to a robust set of ethical criteria. However, we can’t just take their word for it. We need to know how Brilliant Earth can guarantee that their diamonds do come from ethical sources.
According to their website, Brilliant Earth requires that their suppliers be able to track and segregate the diamonds they provide by origin. In this way, Brilliant Earth can ensure that the diamonds come only from the specific mine operators who follow their “Beyond Conflict-Free” criteria. This means that they should provide the exact route a diamond travelled from the moment it was sourced to the second it came into Brilliant Earth’s possession.
In their commitment to only selling diamonds from suppliers that conform to the “Beyond Conflict-Free” criteria, Brilliant Earth only deals with specific mines in Canada, Russia, Botswana, Nambia, and South Africa.
Additionally, in some cases, they utilize the GIA Diamond Origin Report to trace diamonds from their source. The GIA gathers and examines the physical measurements, imaging of the diamond as a rough crystal and spectroscopic data. They then assign a unique identification number to the rough diamond, which can be used to scientifically match a polished diamond to the rough cut it came from.
Summary
Brilliant Earth is a provider of ethically sourced diamonds. Ethically sourced diamonds are mined in a way that ensures that both people and the environment come to no harm. However, Brilliant Earth wants its diamonds to conform to more than just the standard definition of ethical diamonds. They have a specific set of criteria, which they call “Beyond Conflict-Free.” This criterion enhances the standard definition of an ethically sourced diamond to ensure that, in addition to not harming people and the environment, the mines also make concerted efforts to develop the community. Brilliant Earth guarantees that their diamonds are ethically sourced by requiring that their suppliers track and segregate their diamonds by origin. In this way, they can trace the exact route every diamond took to get to them.
With quarantine restrictions being likened to a game of whack-a-mole, it certainly seems that long haul travel is out of the picture for most would-be travellers. However, there are plenty of destinations — especially those whose COVID-19 response has shined throughout the crisis — that people can still and should travel to as soon as we are able.
With news of a potential vaccine giving us a needed dose of hope, we’re beating the #BlackNovember blues by pre-planning all our holidays for 2021 to these stunning locales that are still open for tourism.
With British Airways launching direct flights from London Heathrow to Bridgeton, there is literally no reason in the world you shouldn’t be pre-planning a beachy escape to the Coral Reef Club in Barbados.
This family-run hotel balances familial island warmth with tropical luxury and is undeniably one of the best properties on the island. Check into one of the Coral Reef Club’s 88 rooms and get lost within its 12 acres of garden. You can also relax and take in the calming views of the Caribbean or get stuck into a wide range of sporting activities.
For those looking for a little bit more adventure, there’s plenty of shipwrecks to discover in the West Coast. Keen environmentalists can also volunteer in the Barbados Sea Turtle Project, which is next door to the hotel.
If you’re planning a trip to Namibia in 2021, why stay in just one incredible Zannier hotel when you can stay in two? The Zannier Hotels in Omaanda and Sonop are made up of just ten luxury huts and ten luxury tents respectively – and offer the ultimate in Namibian luxury.
Zannier Hotels Omaanda is surrounded by savannahs filled with breath-taking wildlife. You can fill your days with game drives or even participate in the Zannier Reserve’s Rhino Rangers volunteer programme, which helps to fight against poaching in Namibia.
At Zannier Hotels Sonop, you can take your holiday to (literal) new heights with a helicopter ride or hot air balloon safari overlooking the dunes. You can also check out the oldest and largest sand dunes on Earth at Sossusvlei, with some dunes rising to 383metres high (which is higher than The Shard!).
The Bequia Beach Hotel is known as the Caribbean’s best kept secret and it’s easy to see why. Bequia is remote island destination is located only on seven square miles of true tropical paradise west of Barbados and South of St. Vincent.
The hotel is nestled within nine acres of stunning tropical gardens on the beautiful Friendship Bay. Next year, the Bequia Beach Hotel welcomes the ultra-luxurious Villa One, which has five generously-sized suites that are perfect for a socially-distanced getaway with the family.
The hotel is also launching a saltwater infinity pool, refreshed menus, and a new wine cellar for 2021 – So how soon can we book again?
The Maldives have been added to the UK’s travel corridor list – hurray! And we’re satiating our wanderlust by pre-planning our dream trip to the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. Pullman Maldives is an all-inclusive paradise set on 18 hectares of tropical forestry and pristine beaches. This January, global wellness coach Sarah Hoey is joining the resort for a wellness residency that will certainly eradicate all of your pent-up pandemic anxieties. Can 2021 come any sooner please?
Located in the Northern Male Atoll, the Kagi Maldives Spa Island is a newly-opened five-star wellness resort experience. Kagi Maldives was designed by Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki, who built the resort to surround the 1500 sqm wellness centre. Guests can choose from a Beach Pool Villa, Lagoon Pool Villa or Ocean Pool Villa, but heck, if the resort is this spectacular – it doesn’t matter which villa you decide to stay in. Everything is perfect in paradise after all.
With the Canary Islands back on the UK’s travel corridor list, we’re looking at the Hotel Fariones for our next Spanish beach break in 2021. This casual laid-back hotel exudes effortless Spanish charm and features a rooftop bar and pool – perfect for watching the sunset.
Overlooking the breathtaking St Lucia’s Pitons World Heritage Site, the Jade Mountain hotel is the ideal spot to get back in touch with nature. This incredible property features 29 open-air Infinity pool and jacuzzi sanctuaries. It even offers a ‘Six in Your Sanctuary’ in-suite Tasting Menu, which is just the thing those looking to social-distance while on holiday. The Six in Your Sanctuary Menu comprises six gourmet dishes with complementary wine pairings and served by a private butler too.
We can’t think of a better way to reward ourselves for surviving 2020 than with a trip to the Alphonse Island, Seychelles. Alphonse Island offers a wealth of experiences that celebrate the rich biodiversity and natural surroundings of the Seychelles. From fly fishing and scuba diving, to just spending a day lounging in your sustainable beach bungalow – we think this is Seychelles at its finest – and we can’t wait to visit.
With a select-few Greek islands still on the travel corridors list, we’re pre-planning a luxurious villa getaway to The Peligoni Club. This cool and laid-back members only property combines homegrown Greek hospitality with sleek and minimalist luxury villas. Perfect to give you some much-needed calm after what has been a pretty hectic year.
If you’re afraid to risk quarantining and want to avoid travel corridors in general, why not book a luxury staycation in the UK? Glenapp Castle is an incredible Relais & Chateaux castle that boasts timeless charm and a rich history. Located on the breath-taking Ayrshire Coast, it is easy to forget about the COVID-19 blues and lose yourself in Glenapp’s extensive grounds. Believe us, nothing is better than taking in the relaxing sea views of the Ailsa Craig and maybe even catching a glimpse of Ireland’s coast on a clear day at Glenapp Castle.
I’ve found it remarkable that in the face of adversity, so many individuals and businesses – both big and small – have responded with so much generosity during this pandemic. It just goes to show that sometimes, not all change is bad and there have been instances in all our lives where from bad times we seem to emerge as better versions of ourselves.
In this case, it’s fair to say that it has forced many of us to think about giving back and the impact our fast-paced lives had on the environment and nature around us. And on a human level, we seem more empathetic and caring towards our neighbours and community. In London, a friendly smile, hello, or good morning to a stranger is no longer a weird thing to do. Normally unthinkable – something, as a Northerner, I have always found difficult to come to terms with! – it is now the norm.
So, in honour of all the good humans out there, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite initiatives and good news amidst the doom and gloom reporting that has dominated the headlines. And if you have any of your own good stories to share from your community, please share with us – we want to know all about it!
Feed the Frontline
Feed the Frontline is a new charity working in partnership with wholesale food suppliers, giving thousands of bags of seasonal fruit and vegetables to hospitals each week. Once delivered, they are distributed to frontline staff by NHS volunteers. Anna Prior, who is part of the team launching the initiative, says “Food is at the heart of this nation and helping sustain those heroic healthcare workers that are risking their lives for us is a small way of us giving back and showing our appreciation”.
By giving the nutritious food parcels directly to hospitals, this helps maintain social distancing, allows the collection of fresh parcels at the end of shifts and saves the time of going to supermarkets. This effort is also helping save the jobs of wholesale suppliers as many have lost most of their trade from restaurants and events. So far in April they have received donations that have enabled them to deliver 23,000 food parcels to 7 different hospitals across the UK. They have a further target raise of £250,000 so that we can keep deliveries going throughout May and hopefully beyond. 100% of any donation goes to supporting frontline key workers because there is no administrative leakage, the team behind the charity are all voluntary.
Dr Nail Mehlem, St Thomas’s Hospital in London who has been redeployed to help support COVID-19 patients said: “It’s difficult to put into words how I feel about what people have done. I get quite emotional talking about it, to be honest. It’s unbelievable, I think when I see all of the outpouring of support and generosity even just talking about things like Feed the Frontline, that makes me emotional because it’s so heart-warming. I couldn’t thank our supporters enough. Just because they’re stuck at home, I don’t want anyone to feel they’re not making a difference. Any small thing that brings the country together, everyone is playing their part and it makes a huge difference.”
How you can help: Any social and general media endorsement will allow us to achieve more donations, reach a larger number of hospitals and gain more awareness to be able to continue. We would also appreciate any social media posts of support from any channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) referencing our handles, with a donate now plea.
Jamb Launch Charity Auction
Charlotte and Will Fisher, owners of Jamb, have selected 10 reproduction mantels to sell via ebay auction for the Shelter Charity. The proceeds will benefit the charity’s emergency appeal to help people facing housing issues and homelessness because of coronavirus. Amongst the chimneypieces in the charity auction are a fine Portland stone Georgian chimneypiece, a pure Siena marble bolection and a late 18th Century style French chimneypiece. charity.ebay.co.uk
Noxy Brothers coffee
After discovering that many large coffee chains in hospitals had totally closed leaving doctors and nurses with no caffeine fuel, the two best friends, who run the Noxy Brothers in Burlington Arcade, set up a coffee bar in NHS Northwick Park and are sponsoring it for up to 4 weeks. They are providing free speciality, barista made coffee to all 3,000 NHS staff every day. They are looking at opening in multiple large NHS hospitals desperately in need of good coffee during the peak of this pandemic. They have also raised £15,870 to help support the NHS further.
N.Peal, an authentically British and luxury cashmere knitwear and accessories retailer, has donated 30% of their online sales from Easter long weekend to the NHS staff. The contribution of £10,751 will go towards NHS workers.
ROSEWOOD HOTEL GROUP LAUNCHES ROSEWOOD RAISE, A RELIEF INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT ASSOCIATES AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY COVID-19
Rosewood Hotel Group today announces the launch of Rosewood Raise, a comprehensive relief initiative developed in support of the Group’s associates who have been impacted by the COVID-19, as well as the communities in which the Group operates. Rooted on the foundation of Relationship Hospitality, a belief that true hospitality springs from the nurturing and building of strong and lasting relationships with associates, guests, partners and communities, Rosewood Hotel Group has always recognized and revered the power of people in creating the exceptional experiences that drive the industry. Developed in dedication to these very individuals that have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Group’s hotels and destinations, Rosewood Raise supports an associate relief fund and community-focused efforts, including donated hotel rooms and meal preparation and supplies for essential workers.
In London, Michael Bonsor, managing director of Rosewood London, Warren James, co-founder of hospitality headhunter James & Cranwell and Thomas Kochs, managing director of the Corinthia Hotel in London have launched the Hospitality 4 Heroes Challenge with the aim of raising £10,000 to support the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal
Donations Boost Women’s Support Organisations
De Beers Group has donated $200,000 across its four producer partner countries of Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa to assist women’s shelters and support organisations to respond to an increase in gender-based violence resulting from the pandemic. This is in addition to the $5million already pledged by the brand to support response efforts. These new funds will support the capacity of women’s shelters and organisations in host communities to meet the increase in immediate needs, as well as beyond lockdown periods. Anne Shongwe, UN Women Representative, South Africa Multi-Country Office, said: “As economic and social pressures and fear have grown over recent weeks, we have seen a significant and deeply concerning surge in domestic violence throughout the world, what UN Women has termed the ‘Shadow Pandemic’, that is already being felt in Southern Africa with calls of distress from women more than doubling. Current restrictions on movement – locking women in with their violent intimate partners – is exacerbating the situation, so we must ensure women can continue to access essential support services safely as we work to beat COVID-19.”
Globally, Diageo has pledged to create eight million bottles of hand sanitiser. In the UK, 500,000 litres of GNS will be made available for national healthcare systems and workers across the UK and Ireland
And we mustn’t forget, Captain Tom!
Captain Tom Moore turned 100 last week, having raised more than £30 million for the NHS with his 100 laps walk around his garden. His initial fundraising target was £1000. Captain Tom has been made an honorary colonel in recognition of his efforts. The war veteran has received an estimated 140,000 birthday cards, including one from the queen, to mark the occasion. The cards are being opened by volunteers and are on display at Bedford School, where his grandson, Benjie Ingram-Moore, is a pupil. Other birthday celebrations for the new national icon included a military flypast with three loops of Captain Tom’s home, and a train named in his honour by Great Western Trains, which made its first journey today.
See below five great bubbly experiences around the world that pay homage to the Italian sparkling wine that has taken the world by storm. From expert wine pairings on board luxury cruise ships to dining out at a restaurant named after the tipple itself, we’ve got you covered this National Prosecco Day!
Dom Perignon Experience with Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruiseshas unveiled its exclusive Dom Perignon Experience at La Reserve onboard the Marina and Riviera – the only place in the world to offer such an experience. The dining experience is the first of its kind and pairs six palate piquing courses with a different vintage of Dom Perignon’s acclaimed champagnes for the ultimate pairing dinner. Limited to only 24 guests, cruisers can experience the true meaning of luxury whilst enjoying the exceptional flavours of The Finest Cuisine at Sea ™ including blue lobster and seared wagyu beef alongside some of the world’s best champagnes during this one-of-a-kind experience, totally exclusive to Oceania Cruises. We know what all the fizz is about!
Prosecco, Chicago
Chicago’s Prosecco Ristorante offers guests upscale Italian dining in the heart of the River North Gallery district. Named after the drink itself, it only seems fitting that this chic, yet welcoming restaurant serves Chicago’s largest selection of sparkling wine to pair with both classic and unique Italian comfort dishes from home-made pesto pasta to fresh fish and game dishes. With over 17 different sparkling wines to choose from, guests can enjoy the perfect pairing to any of the exceptional dishes on the menu with a glass or bottle of delicious bubbly.
Sparkling wine, made in Illinois
The Illinois Sparkling Co., located in North Utica is the ultimate destination to appreciate award-winning sparkling wines. The relatively inhospitable soil of the Illinois Valley combined with arduous craftsmanship has proven key in producing local white grapes to make a truly superb bottle of bubbly. Founders Mark Wenzel and his wife, Teri, produce a number of delicious sparkling wines including their popular Extra Brut, a crisp, gold, Silver Medal-Winning sparkler that offers notes of pear and lavender. For wine lovers out there – visit their tasting room on Mill Street or sample the finest sparkling wines now gracing the menus of top restaurants and bars across the state.
Chin-chin with Cosmos
Cosmos’ Highlights of Australiatour offers its guests a truly memorable champagne toast while watching iconic Uluru at sunset. After journeying through the heart of the Outback, keeping a lookout for kangaroos and camels, travellers will visit the Sunset Strip to enjoy a champagne toast with family, friends or a loved one while experiencing one of the world’s greatest spectacles – Uluru at its prime during the glorious golden sunset. There could be worst backdrops to cheers to with a glass of fizz! We’ll drink to that!
Wine & Dine at Wolwedans, Namibia
All meals at Wolwedansare a lavish, but unpretentious affair. They dining exudes a sense of occasion with elegant table settings, candlelight and exuberant menu announcements in the local Nama language. The skies above the lodge are some of the darkest on the planet, and the extraordinary landscape was declared Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) in 2013 and was the first IDSR to be awarded the Gold Tier. Guests can marvel at inky blue skies and twinkling stars in the desert with 360-degree views from a starlit supper at the lodge, with Wolwedans having the reputation as serving the best innovative, wholesome and sophisticated ‘bush-cuisine’, in Namibia prepared lovingly with homegrown organic fresh produce and paired with excellent local and South African wines from the in-lodge wine cellar.
Here at House of Coco, we’re always on the go – but where do we go to really get away from it all? Idyllic in their isolation, these remote hotel resorts are set across the farthest-flung corners of the globe – offering the chance to truly disconnect from the daily grind alongside unique experiences at the edge of the world. Here are #TeamCoco’s top remote hotel escapes…
Manshausen Island, Norway
Set well above the arctic circle, this section of Norway’s northern coast is about as remote as it gets within Europe, so you’ll need to take 2 planes, a ferry and finally a small boat to reach the isolated private island of Manshausen. It’s here that polar explorer Børge Ousland, (the first person to reach the North Pole and to cross Antarctica in a solo unsupported expedition) chose to create a resort. With floor-to-ceiling windows that invite the outside in, these space-age cabins are designed to make the most of the sensational seascape. With the opportunity to see the Northern Lights in winter and experience the eerie Midnight Sun in summer, #TeamCoco can’t imagine a better place to cosy up.
Follow in the footsteps of Scottish explorer-babe Florence Dixie, who first pitched her tent beneath these peaks in 1878 and craft your own epic adventure at this Patagonian retreat. With just 12 design villas set among the pristine wilderness of the Torres del Paine mountain range, each rustic chalet offers luxe touches from cosy sheepskin rugs to a woodburning stove and hot tub. Your own expert guide and 4×4 mean you can explore at your own pace – whether that’s off-roading, puma-spotting or simply taking in the snow-capped scenery.
Deep in Namibia’s desolate Damaraland, this mountain escape feels like you’ve landed on the surface of the moon. Set among an otherworldly landscape of giant granite rock formations it’s easy to see why Mowani means ‘window on heaven’ in Swahili, with thatched bungalows that unzip entirely to maximise the mountain views. Daily safaris offer a chance to see rare desert-adapted elephants and while you won’t find any wifi, this blissfully far from civilisation you’re in for some of the starriest skies to be seen on earth.
Blancaneaux Resort, Belize
A remote rainforest haven in the lush jungles of Belize, Blancaneaux is made up of 20 cabanas dotted alongside the Privasson River in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest. The man responsible for such a cinematic setting? Renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who discovered the property in the early ’80s – keeping it as his family’s private retreat until 1993 when it opened to the public. You can check out nearby Mayan ruins, but the real appeal here is total immersion in nature, whether that’s swimming in waterfalls, exploring the jungle on horseback or simply sitting on your deck at dawn listening to the sounds of the jungle.
Set in a stretch of desert so desolate it’s known as ’The Empty Quarter’, Anantara’s Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort is an oasis of Middle Eastern opulence. Deep in the planet’s largest uninterrupted desert, this fortress mirage feels a million miles from anywhere, surrounded by an ever-shifting sandscape. Despite its isolation from the outside world, you won’t forego a single luxury here, with plush pool villa, a seriously sophisticated spa and the option to dine in your own Bedouin tent (swoon). #TeamCoco recommend exploring the dunes at dawn by 4×4, followed by a dune-top picnic.
