While the UK enjoyed an unseasonally warm bank holiday weekend, Account Director Karen Carpenter kept a cool head during a short break to Iceland (average temp 6°). Initially drawn by the prospect of whale watching (total spot = one juvenile minke, several dolphins and a whole lot of puffins), the trip highlights just kept on coming: sensational Strokkur (possibly the most reliable spouting geyser in the world), the breathtaking (honestly) waterfalls at Gulfoss and glaciers galore…all rounded off with a sublime submersion in the phosphorescent aquamarine waters of the Blue Lagoon. If you love nature and the great outdoors, Iceland is a must-see. Just remember to pack a sleeping mask (very odd trying to doze off at midnight when it’s still light outside)…and take plenty of clothing layers, sunglasses and suncream (the expression ‘four seasons in one day’ must surely have been invented for Iceland!). Just make sure you go with Discover the World http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk

At TPR we were excited to hear that the forthcoming bank holiday weekend is likely to bring the hottest temperatures of the year so far (The Daily Telegraph, 21 May). We’ve come up with our Top Five Best British Beaches to make the most of the sunshine (cue the flip-flops and sun cream):

1) Smalls Cove, East Portlemouth, Devon
2) Studland, Dorset
3) Holkham Beach, North Norfolk
4) Porthcurno Beach, West Cornwall
5) Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire (great for surfing)

At TPR, we were interested that Visit London were serving tea on top of London’s most famous monuments yesterday to encourage tourism to the Capital (Evening Standard, p.18) and so we came up with our five dream locations for a cuppa:

1) Mint tea in a cafe above the Djemaa el Fna square, Marrakech, as the sun sets behind the Koutobia mosque and the snake-charmers, sorcerers, singers and gymnasts come out to entertain.

2) A flask of tea on the Isles of Scilly just as the day is dawning.

3) On the Secret Itinerary (behind the scenes tour) of the Doge’s Palace, Venice, next to Casanova’s cell.

4) Tea served in the finest china at the Prince’s Palace in Monaco, accompanied by Prince Albert II and Lewis Hamilton (Monaco is his favourite F1 circuit!)

5) On the Acropolis, Athens, after the hordes have departed at the end of the day.