Short lets in town W


ITH the Royal Wedding weekend looming, any-


one who owns a pied-à-terre in London and isn' t planning on being in town for the holiday could take advantage and rent it out as a short let. Inspired by the number of people who divide their time between the capital and a house in the country or overseas, Harley Nott founded Coach House London Rentals (020± 8133 8332; www.rentals. chslondon.com) 10 years ago. He now organises short letsÐ for anything from five days to six weeksÐ in flats and houses when the owners are away. With a clientele mainly made up of professional North Americans who are coming to London on holiday, the company is looking


Spring escapes Cherry blossom Spring is the best time to head to the hills in South Korea, when the peninsula is awash with swathes of cherry blossom. Ace Cultural Tours (01223 835055; www. acestudytours.co.uk) is running a trip from March 18 to April 1 that takes in a handful of national parks filled with camellias, for- sythias and azaleas, as well as maritime Hallyeo, a panoramic seascape strewn with hundreds of islands and rocky islets. The visit starts and ends in Seoul and includes several UNESCO world heritage sites.


out for more central London properties to meet the demand. `We need properties in the centre of the city owned by people who are regularly away for periods of three weeks or more, explains Mr Nott. `They must be in good condition, clean and well fur- nished, with the emphasis on functionality rather than luxury, and not more than 10 minutes' walk from the Tube.'


Argentina a step closer B


Art fair The great and the good of the world' s art and antiques dealers descend on Maastricht for its annual European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), which takes place from March 18 to 27. There are nine specialist sections, with more than 30,000 works of art, old and new, on display. Tickets are €55 per adult. For further details, visit www.tefaf.com


Cooking class Leiths School of Food and Wine in west London is organising a one-day class with a former student in the art of Mexican cuisine on March 24. Angeles Alaya will


explain the components of Mexican cuisine and


demonstrate some of the dishes, including scallops and mango tostadas, halibut fillet with cascabel chilli sauce and corn cakes. Tickets are £125 (www.leiths.com).


RITISH owners of second homes in Argentina will benefit from a new route to Buenos Aires being launched by British Airways


on March 27. Previously, BA flights to the capital, often dubbed the `Paris of South America' , were routed through São Paulo, but passenger demand has encouraged the airline to set up a daily non-stop service from London. An increase in tourism numbers is having a positive effect on Argentina' s housing market, which was identified as a `future high-growth luxury residential market' by the Knight Frank Global Property Wealth Survey 2010 and one of the `most favourable destinations' for hotel investment in 2011 by Jones Lang LaSalle. Coming online this year are the apartment- hotel rooms at the five-star Camino Real Polo & Country Club, located 35 minutes from Buenos Aires. Guide prices start from £87,500, which includes an annual stay of two weeks with free polo lessons (020± 7321 5858; www.experience-international.com).


Performing Arts Barbados' s annual Holders Season, one of the largest performing- arts festivals in the West Indies, starts on March 19 this year. The action takes place at the 17th-century plantation estate, Holders House, and features a variety of music and theatre, from West End and Broadway shows to more locally inspired rhythms. The final night is on April 2, and tickets start from BDS $50 (www.holders.net).


Walk Hotel das Cataratas is the only hotel located within Brazil' s Iguassu Falls national park, from which the spectacular falls are just a two- minute walk. The resident biologist Wilson Fernandes takes guests on a 90-minute walking tour along a private forest trail before the park opens to the public (www.hoteldascataratas.com).


Ski If the snow looks to last late into the season this year, Chalet Grande Roche is one of the most comfortable in Courchevel 1850. Set in the centre of the village, it sleeps 12 adults and two chil- dren, and boasts a chef, a chauffeur and Clarins products in the bathrooms. There' s also a large swimming pool (above). Prices start at €57,000 a week through Knight Frank (020± 7629 8171).


Art tour Book now: Cox & Kings, in association with the RA, is organising a Treasures of Rajasthan tour, led by Hilary Smith, from October 12 to 23 this year. The tour takes in the imperial capital of Delhi, plus Agra and highlights of Rajasthan, such as Jodhpur and the lakeside palaces of Udaipur. Guests also stay in the 17th-century palace at Deogarh. The 10-day tour costs £2,695 (www.coxandkings.co.uk).


Polo lovers will find it easier to get close to the Argentinian action www.countrylife.co.uk/international Country Life International, Spring 2011 49


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