Jenny Coad

The home bar and the drinks trolley are making a dramatic comeback. Hotel bars are made for lingering. Sit back, enjoy the view, watch the world go by, have another … Ernest Hemingway was famously fond of the cosy bar at the Ritz in Paris. At the end of World War II, as a young war correspondent, he liberated the hotel from German soldiers, took control of the bar and, legend has it, downed 51 dry martinis in celebration.

London - A third of holidaymakers are solo travellers and many companies offer trips without penalising single supplements and which offer opportunities to make new friends. The Rhine is the ideal location for a luxurious solo cruise. Begin in Cologne, before stopping at picture-perfect destinations such as Rudesheim (famous for Riesling and coffee laced with brandy). INSIDER TIP: Mingle with fellow passengers at the on-board cocktail party or ask a solo host to arrange outings and games.

London - Why not let your next adventure be a dazzling design break? Jenny Coad has a few ideas... Frank Gehry’s shiny, curvy Guggenheim museum is a masterpiece. But the Spanish city is full of architectural wonders, from Norman Foster- designed Metro stations to the wacky wine warehouse Azkuna Zentroa, reimagined by Philippe Starck. INSIDER TIP: Find design shop Mosel (Gran Via 53) for jewellery by Helena Rohner and desirable furnishings.