Sharon Feinstein

I’ve always wanted to go to French Indo China, and now, this week I’ll be there. Loved reading Somerset Maugham’s descriptions of the Mekong River with the mists swathing the surrounding hills so that they looked like little green islets in a grey sea. The exotic markets, sampans and that inscrutable Eastern way. Now I’m going. Tomorrow. On Tuesday I will be in Bangkok and then on to Laos which is the most cluster bombed country in the world. Caught between the Americans and the Viet Cong, Laos was undefended and a victim, as US forces dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on the land over 9 years. Only just free of the French, Laos was destroyed by the Americans, and now hopefully peace reigns as its simple Buddhist people struggle to climb above the poverty level. I’m looking forward to going down the Mekong, visiting villages and exploring what looks like a small charming town of Luang Prebang.You can think of me in the swirling mists on a sampan, floating down the Mekong River in a white suit and Panama hat, though defintiely not smoking a green cheroot.
And then on to Thailand for a few weeks of snorkelling, boat trips, swimming and reading. A week in Bangkok savouring the hot, sweaty, spicy pulse of that steamy city, its temples, massage parlours, tailors, copy watches and handbags and oh such flavoursome food. For those of you who have a rising jealousy, I’ll keep in touch so you can have the experience vicariously and look forward to your comments and thoughts about South East Asia.

The Maldives is surreal. Extinct volcanoes in the sea on which coral reefs have grown, and on top of that a smattering of beach sand. Nothing more, just tiny pods in the ocean surrounded by vibrant reefs. In a storm you can’t help but wonder if you’ll all be blown away and land up in the dark watery depths. The best thing about being there is looking down into the ocean, seeing that dark midnight blue drop where it just keeps going down and there are floating fish for as far as you can see. Never thought I’d get blase about swimming with sharks and even being circled by two of them at one stage, 2 metre black tipped, and an even bigger nurse shark. Fell in love with a very busy Hawksbill turtle picking out the anenomes from the coral with her little sharp beak, and another day there was a pod of around 200 spinner dolphins surrounding our boat. And then the stingrays, shoals of kaleidoscopic fish, and out there at night the glowing, dancing plankton under a canopy of bright stars. The food is another big draw there, all imported but done up to the nines so that you just want to consume it all, the beautifully presented dishes that keep coming and taste of the sea. Loved both Baros and Huvafen Fushi and can still hear those little waves lapping under our water villa as I go to sleep, after 3 days back in London. Of course now interspersed with police sirens and chugging black taxis. On the island resorts no cars, no bicycles, just your legs and flippers for transport. Guess which one I prefer!

Where’s Puglia, people said quizzically, when I decided to get out of London for an autumn break. Now home, I’m wondering that myself, Where is Puglia, Why aren’t I still there, I want to go back. It’s the Salente Salentino, so luscious and smooth it beats all the French red wines. It’s the ever so sweet, bright red tomatoes served up with creamy buffalo mozzarella or hand made pasta, and mixed with all those rough herbs from the scorched land down there. It’s the deep blue Adriatic, with its fishing boats clustered round the small harbours. The twisted olive trees, orchards of lemons and oranges, big white masserias ( farmhouses ) and pink golden stone towns. All this and such warm people who always seem happy to help, patiently listening to my feeble Italian. I even managed to find a fantastic Prada coat in Bari at an outlet which made me glow inside. Staying at Il Melograno, outside Monopoli is like going straight to heaven. A big white masseria with extended buildings, all so stylish, and awash with paintings and antiques. It’s so relaxed and comfortable you feel like you’re in a millionaire’s home and it’s all yours for just a moment in time. I loved exploring all the ancient towns down the shadowy alleys that weave to the Piazzas, with bars and cafes, buzzing late into the cool night. You should take a trip to Il Melograno and see for yourself, it’s so beautiful, it will echo in your mind forever afterwards. I have been three times now and next time I might just stay. I have a special offer on my website if you want to book for Il Melograno, go to www.sharonfeinstein.co.uk/platinum pages

I’ve been to some exotic, magnificent places and stayed in sublime hotels, as a journalist doing travel pieces. In the course of my journeys I’ve hand-picked  the best of these establishments, as well as some lovely restaurants, and am slowly putting them on my site on the Platinum Pages. Because of my position I’ve been able to get some unique offers to go with these choices. The hotels I’ve chosen will be put up over the course of the next year and the offers  for you will keep coming. It’s far better than being talked into something by a travel agent who has never stepped foot in the place. I’ve been there, tried everything out and made it one of my specials. The offers are for you and as long as you quote the Voucher Code I’ve been given, you can benefit from them and spend time in a truly lovely place, surrounded by the best, at a genuinely cut-rate price. This is something unique. You don’t have to sign up, pay me, do anything. Just take a chance and have a great time. Go to www.sharonfeinstein.co.uk and click Platinum Pages. Let me know