Shakespeare in Italy
Celebrate next month’s 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a trip to Italy, where many of his plays were set. Forget Verona, of Romeo and Juliet fame, and twin Venice (The Merchant of Venice) with Padua, just a 25-minute trip from Venice, and the setting for The Taming of the Shrew. A three-night stay at Bloom & Settimo Cielo in Venice with a day trip to Padua and a three-hour Shakespeare-inspired tour of each city costs from £690pp with flights and transfers (020 3588 6130, westernoriental.com).
Glamping in Wales
Yes, we know it’s still glacial outside, but this new boutique glamping site in Wales is worth a look now — if you get in early, you can book the whole site for a family gathering. One Cat Farm is three miles from the beaches of Cardigan Bay in west Wales, and has four cosy wooden dens for up to five with turf roofs overlooking a Welsh valley. There’s also a communal place to cook and eat in the form of the Pig Shed. A three-night stay per den is from £253 for four in March — just over £1,000 for the whole place (01570 470203, onecatfarm.com). The downside? The bathrooms are communal too, and a short walk from each den.
Find your lost luggage
Track your lost possessions with the help of Tile, a Bluetooth tracking device that has just been launched in the UK. The small device, which you can attach to a keyring, put in a jacket pocket or in a bag (£19.99 from Amazon) connects to your smartphone or tablet to tell you its whereabouts. If your bag is half way round the world from you — and out of Bluetooth range from your phone — you’ll still be able to find it through the Tile community; any Tile app near by will pick up its details.
Stately home to hire in Kent
If camping’s not your thing but you want a group getaway, go upmarket at Goodnestone Park in southeast Kent, which you can now rent for the first time. Built by the ancestors of Julian, 22nd Baron FitzWalter in 1704, the house has been renovated to combine modern luxury with its traditional decor and family heirlooms. It sleeps 24 people in 12 bedrooms and costs from £4,500 for a three-night stay (01227 806987).