Steven, our Brazil insider, guides us through the best of beaches and bossanova.

Start your day at the nearest corner juice bar- try a scrumptious banana and avocado smoothie. Then take in the sights of Rio on the invigorating walk along the beach from Ipanema to Copacabana. From there take a taxi to Santa Teresa, a glorious crumbling colonial neighbourhood of cobbled streets and Portuguese inspired mansions. Lunch at Bar do Arnaldo (2252-7246) for solid hearty Brazil stapples and freshly caught fish. After lunch head to Leblon, home to the world’s finest swim wear shops; try Rosa Cha (3322-1849) and Salinas (2274-0644). Head back down to Leblon beach to watch beach volleyball played at its most exuberant and to take in one of Rio’s spectacular sunsets.

Start your evening sampling the bewildering selection of caiprinhas at the Academia da Cachaca (2529 2680) before moving on to the trendy Bar d’Hotel (2540-4990) overlooking the beach. Dine at Carlota (2540-6821) for modern Brazilian food. After dinner make for Lapa, the most traditional neighborhood for bossanova clubs, dance halls and live Brazilian music-it is best to go with a well-informed local guide. Hop between the Rio Scenarium (2233-3239) and Carioca da Gema (2221-0043) for the best in live bossanova.

The code for Rio de Janeiro is +55-21

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Kids Meals Made Easy
Family Meal Planner
UK Based

Every parent knows how tough it is to get kids to eat healthily, particularly when you’re short of time… well this team of London nutritionists may herald the end to dinner-time tantrums and junk food meals forever… On a weekly basis they provide recipes, meal-plans, shopping lists, and pantry checks. They will tailor meal-plans to your family’s specific allergies, health restrictions, dietry tastes, cooking abilities, time limitations and budget. You can also chat live with fully qualified nutritionists and professional chefs about your dietry concerns. If you’re holding a children’s party with fussy kids, they will even create a fab stress-free party menu- say goodbye to cheese wotsits, party rings, hyper kids and irate parents! Membership starts from only 10 GBP a month!

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Foodie Heaven
Gourmet Holidays
London based, Worldwide tours

“Perfect for those who seek culinary adventure in seductive locales”, says Bronwyn Petersen a foodie friend. This unique travel company matches hungry travelers- whether solo, couples or groups- with culinary holidays, adventures and tours around the world. How about cooking in Tuscany in an authentic Florentine trattoria? Or getting to grips with seafood at Rick Stein’s Cornwall School? The choice is yours…

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The Chedi
Oman

One of the “most marketed” hotels of recent times; often billed as “a peaceful retreat”… However, it’s directly under the flight path of the main airport- not my idea of a tranquil getaway! There’s also a big desalination plant right next door (the photographs looking towards the resort from the sea are always cropped so as not to show this!) Whilst the super-deluxe rooms in the villas are very nice; the “normal deluxe” rooms in the main building are real “air-conditioned boxes”, with no direct outdoor access - no terrace or balcony. Not ideal in a place that you go to for sun, beach and indoor/outdoor living - especially for $600+ a night. (*info provided by a well-traveled friend who visited in 2006)

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NYC Acupuncturist
NYC, New York

This master acupuncturist practices Classical Five Element Acupuncture- which works wonders not only for specific problems but for all-round well-being… My big brother Steven -an acupuncture devotee- swears by her - he says: “my quality of life has improved drastically-I’ve got heaps more energy, am sleeping better and am generally feeling more serene“. Worth giving her magic needles a shot, as prevention is better than cure…

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Perfect Days in… Rio de Janeiro

Steven, our Brazil insider, guides us through the best of beaches and bossanova.

Start your day at the nearest corner juice bar- try a scrumptious banana and avocado smoothie. Then take in the sights of Rio on the invigorating walk along the beach from Ipanema to Copacabana. From there take a taxi to Santa Teresa, a glorious crumbling colonial neighbourhood of cobbled streets and Portuguese inspired mansions. Lunch at Bar do Arnaldo (2252-7246) for solid hearty Brazil stapples and freshly caught fish. After lunch head to Leblon, home to the world’s finest swim wear shops; try Rosa Cha (3322-1849) and Salinas (2274-0644). Head back down to Leblon beach to watch beach volleyball played at its most exuberant and to take in one of Rio’s spectacular sunsets.

Start your evening sampling the bewildering selection of caiprinhas at the Academia da Cachaca (2529 2680) before moving on to the trendy Bar d’Hotel (2540-4990) overlooking the beach. Dine at Carlota (2540-6821) for modern Brazilian food. After dinner make for Lapa, the most traditional neighborhood for bossanova clubs, dance halls and live Brazilian music-it is best to go with a well-informed local guide. Hop between the Rio Scenarium (2233-3239) and Carioca da Gema (2221-0043) for the best in live bossanova.

The code for Rio de Janeiro is +55-21

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Eight Great: Parisian Boutiques

Reciproque
Fabulous designer cast-offs at amazingly knocked-down prices. Not one for impatient shoppers…but those who seek for long enough will find classics such as Lacroix evening gowns and Prada, Gucci and Chanel daywear.

Liste Rouge
Affordable but stylish bespoke shirts…great for the man in a hurry- once you have been measured you can order on-line. Easy or what?!

Lady Soul
Cute street-line from hip designer Zina Kachanoui. Expect simple, practical, chic separates. The trousers and stretch dresses are a snip at less than 100 Euros.

Number 44
Uber-cool Japanese concept cool. Go for the great range of own-brand basics for guys and gals and limited-edition books, CDs and accessories.

Anna Lowe
Half-price runway pieces from the last two seasons. If you’re in search of that timeless Galliano suit or Yves Saint Laurent Gown then look no further…

Fred & Alfred
Affordable, quality made-to-measure suits. In four weeks one of their expert tailors will make a suit for you for as little as 800 Euros. Form an orderly queue monsieurs…

Vintage Clothing
The place to go in Paris for glamorous ladies’ wear. Chic proprietress Brigitte Petit certainly has an eye for timeless class: take your pick from chloe, YSL and Guy Laroche.

Rodolphe Menudier
For glamorous foot-wear to go with that knock-out gown, head to this chic shoe shop… fab for killer high-heels and sassy summer sandals.

Also check out: Isabel Marant boutique for unique designs, Maison Goyard for timeless bags and Paul Bert Market on the weekend for antiques and vintage 1950’s American jewellery.

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Barbados Villas Experts

Not an easy Island to find a great villa - and you’d better book way in advance. This group has been sourcing, managing and renting villas here for decades; they know their way around. Great beachfront portfolio; mostly private homes with their own staff. A quality group who will not compromise your holiday…

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