An Elegant Overnight on Orchid Classic Cruise
Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam
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An Elegant Overnight on Orchid Classic Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam
Travel

An Elegant Overnight on Orchid Classic Cruise: Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

There is a moment, somewhere between the first sip of a cocktail and the first glimpse of limestone peaks glowing in the late light, when an Orchid Classic Cruise overnight in Lan Ha Bay stops feeling like an itinerary and starts feeling like a daydream.

Wooden decks, Indochine charm, a private balcony and a bay so quiet the water seems to hold its breath: this is Vietnam’s northeast coast at its most refined.

This guide covers the full 2 days / 1 night experience, from boarding at Tuan Chau Marina to the final brunch, with everything in between: the suite, the beach stop, the kayaking, the squid fishing and the sunrise tai chi.

Elegant Duchess
November 8, 2026
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FROM INVITATIONS TO INCANTATIONS: PLANNING A HALLOWEEN PARTY THAT CASTS A SPELL
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FROM INVITATIONS TO INCANTATIONS: PLANNING A HALLOWEEN PARTY THAT CASTS A SPELL

“Halloween is an opportunity to be really creative.” Judy Gold

Planning a Halloween party? Good. It’s the one night of the year when going over the top is expected, and I take full advantage.

As soon as October arrives, I’m ready for pumpkin spice everything and a very spooky mood. In this guide I share my best Halloween party ideas, from invitations and props to creepy cocktails, moody lighting, games and costumes, so you can host a night that’s elegant, mischievous and impossible to forget.

Elegant Duchess
October 10, 2026
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Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa Review | Sapa, Vietnam
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Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa Review | Sapa, Vietnam

A private hilltop above a literal sea of clouds, a herbal bath straight out of Red Dao tradition, and a karaoke night we’re still talking about – this is our full review of Silk Path Grand Sapa Resort & Spa, tucked into the misty mountains of North Vietnam.

From the French colonial history behind Sapa’s hill-town charm to the practical details every traveller actually googles – best time to visit, how to get there from Hanoi, what to pack, and where to eat – here’s everything you need to know before planning your own trip north.

Elegant Duchess
September 20, 2026
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“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” Ibn Battuta

The Reverie Saigon: Inside Vietnam’s Most Spectacularly Extravagant Hotel
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The Reverie Saigon: Inside Vietnam’s Most Spectacularly Extravagant Hotel

A suited chauffeur waiting the moment you land, champagne city tours in a Rolls-Royce, and a lobby with a seven-metre ceiling that stops you mid-step – this is my full review of The Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City’s most talked-about luxury hotel.

From the airport pickup to the club lounge, the rooms to the restaurants, here’s everything you need to know before you book – including prices, distances, and the best time of year to go.

Elegant Duchess
August 29, 2026
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Best 5 Rooftop Bars in London With Views: Bund, Lucky Cat, Samba Room, Gong & Florattica
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Best 5 Rooftop Bars in London With Views: Bund, Lucky Cat, Samba Room, Gong & Florattica

London’s skyline is one of the most dramatic in the world – a mix of centuries-old domes, glass towers, and iconic landmarks that looks even better when you’re sipping something cold and sparkling above it all.

Whether you’re a Londoner looking for your next favourite haunt or a visitor wanting to see the city from an entirely new angle, the best rooftop bars in London do far more than serve great cocktails – they turn a night out into a full-on experience.

From a secret speakeasy hidden behind a mirrored wall in Mayfair, to a floral-ceiling hideaway above Aldgate, to the highest bar in the city perched 60 floors above the streets – London’s rooftop bar scene is extraordinary, and these five are the ones genuinely worth the lift ride.

Pull up a seat, pick your view, and let’s get into it.

Elegant Duchess
July 19, 2026
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TEDDY BLAKE RAYA CROCO REVIEW: A BAG FOR EVERY OCCASION
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TEDDY BLAKE RAYA CROCO REVIEW: A BAG FOR EVERY OCCASION

There is a particular kind of joy that comes with summer – the kind that smells of sun cream and champagne, that lives somewhere between a beach club lunch and a candlelit wedding toast.

And if there is one thing I have learned after years of chasing that feeling across different cities, coastlines and seasons, it is this: the right bag can carry you through almost all of it, gracefully, without you having to think twice.

This season, that bag is the Raya Croco 12″ in Black by Teddy Blake – and I have a feeling it is about to become one of those pieces I reach for on repeat, the way I have with so many of my other Teddy Blake bags over the years.

Elegant Duchess
June 27, 2026
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Ultimate Hanoi Travel Guide 2026: What to See & Where to Stay
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Ultimate Hanoi Travel Guide 2026: What to See & Where to Stay

“Hanoi is a city of the past, the present, and the future all at once.” Lonely Planet

It’s a place where history is not confined to museums but lives in the streets, where modern cafés sit beside centuries‑old temples, and where every bowl of phở or cup of egg coffee carries a story.

Whether you’re wandering through the French Quarter, watching a train thunder past on Train Street, or sitting quietly inside a pagoda built nearly a thousand years ago, Hanoi has a way of slowing you down and drawing you in.

Hanoi is not just a destination – it’s a feeling.

Elegant Duchess
May 17, 2026
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CANCUN UNWRAPPED: FROM ANCIENT TEMPLES TO TEQUILA-FUELED TANGO
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CANCUN UNWRAPPED: FROM ANCIENT TEMPLES TO TEQUILA-FUELED TANGO

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Saint Augustine

Cancún is undoubtedly Mexico’s showcase resort – an oasis of luxury and vibrancy sculpted from a region once named by the ancient Mayans for its abundance of snakes. Today, that wild terrain has been transformed into one of the most elegant and polished destinations in the world.

With each visit, Cancún reveals more of its dazzling variety. This marks my sixth trip, and I’m still uncovering new experiences – proof that one vacation simply isn’t enough to take it all in.

Think world-class resorts and dining, framed by wide, white-sand beaches and the shimmering aqua-blue Caribbean Sea. Add to that outrageous nightlife, immersive cultural excursions, fascinating historical sites, and of course, exquisite shopping that rivals any global hotspot.

So whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover, a party enthusiast, or a luxury seeker, here’s my curated guide to the best of Cancún – from ancient ruins to rooftop cocktails. Let’s dive in…

Elegant Duchess
May 4, 2026
127 Comments

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