Favourite bits.
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The story of the estate. São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and it was José António Uva (who is eight generation of the same family) who had a vision to turn the family property into a farm retreat he could share with others. The passion and dedication behind José António’s dream, and what he has created, is incredibly inspiring.
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The interiors. Perfectly simple and calming. The interior design was led by José António’s wife Ana’s design studio, AnahoryAlmeida (also responsible for the interiors of many of Lisbon’s finest restaurants) and it is a dream.
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Hortelão, their outdoor restaurant. The most beautiful place to dine between Spring through Autumn, this slow-food, farm to fork restaurant is located next to the pool, right by the organic kitchen garden, and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner under the stars.
Finding Beauty in Isolation.
The very talented Lauren Geremia takes us on a tour of her San Francisco
home while on lockdown.
(As part of our #ItsBeautifulHereinIsolation series)
Introducing Kate Lough - Editor Supreme.
Kate is a London-based travel writer, brand consultant and lifestyle editor, formerly at the London Evening Standard and, most recently, Soho House. We are thrilled to chat with Kate about her current isolation situation in London's Victoria Park.
Name: Kate Lough
Star Sign: Leo
Hometown: London
Describe yourself in 3 words or less… Happy, creative, headstrong (aka stubborn!)
Describe London in 3 words or less… It's never dull!
Tell us a bit about your work… I've been an editor for the last 10 years, working at the London Evening Standard and Soho House across both print and digital, always with a focus on lifestyle - and my passion, travel. I am imminently about to go freelance, doing everything from brand consultancy to content strategy and travel writing.
How long have you been isolating for now? For 18 days.
And who are you isolating with? I am with my fiancé Elias, in a two bedroom Victorian flat above a pub in Victoria Park.
How are you adjusting to the new norm of social distancing and quarantine at home? So far, so good - maybe ask me again in a month's time... I've found it amazing how connected everyone has become although physically distant. Life is all Zoom calls and 'House Parties' - it's pretty amazing how quickly humans adapt. Overall, I'm trying to feel grateful to have a nice home to isolate in, for a chance to slow down and do all those things I say I. never have time to do... Like learning Greek! My partner is Greek so i've been meaning to do it for about three years now.
Do you have any daily rituals? Yes, I have actually - and normally i'm not at all a routine person. Every morning, I've started to post a different travel story on my Instagram - both to keep myself exploring in my mind and hopefully to inspire or transport others, too. I find it very therapeutic and, so far, others seem to be enjoying them too :) I'm also tuning into Heartcore's (a London fitness studio) Instagram Live workout classes, which are incredible. Each day, they do a yoga, pilates and barre class - I usually do one around 8 or 9am to get myself moving at the start of the day. I am also having a bath (while it's still cold in London) before bed - and sometimes in the afternoon! - every day. It helps calm my brain down and sleep better.
Do you have any tips you can share for sticking to, or starting a new kind of daily routine? Grab a notebook and write yourself an agenda, just like you would at work. It forces me to stick to my routine because i just love ticking things off a list! Also, I've found a layering approach is the best approach. I started with my exercise class, then I added my Instagram essays, then my Greek lessons - if you try to do it all at once you might feel overwhelmed. Finally, don't beat yourself up if you don't stick to it! Everyone is dealing with isolation in their own different way, and if you want to do absolutely nothing, then do what suits you.
Are you finding more creative inspiration in this time? I am actually and I think it's all to do with the slowing down and not being in an office 9-5. Usually I hare around London, go out after work, pack in stuff at the weekends, endlessly plan trips and forget to be present. I think that can really get in the way of thinking freely and creatively - I now find I'm having ideas at all sorts of random times in the day.
When not travelling, what other creative outlets do you turn to?
Reading, writing, and, on occasion, I have been known to draw! Does eating count?
Do you have any recipes you can share? I'm not the best cook if I'm honest - my partner, Elias, is far better. However, I have been finding it fun to try and travel through food (inspired by Yolanda Edwards) during this time. I recently made a delicious gorgonzola and radicchio risotto from Skye McAlpine's A Table In Venice. I really want to get my hands on Alison Roman's Nothing Fancy next.
What is on your stereo? I endlessly swipe up on other people's playlists, but I also recently discovered Celeste on Spotify - have a listen.
Do you have any reading recommendations? Yes! I am returning to my bookworm 10-year-old self. I just finished Deborah Orr's Motherwell which is an incredibly candid, raw and funny memoir of her childhood. I also loved Home Fire and next on my list is Sophy Roberts' The Lost Pianos of Siberia.
Have you still been getting out and about for movement/exercise? What does that look like for you? It's quite hard where I live now, as Victoria Park (which I can see into from my bedroom window) has been closed. But I go out for walks, runs and also have my bike.
When this blooming virus goes away, where will you be travelling to next? So many places. Menorca, Cap Ferret, Ithaca for a friend's wedding (fingers crossed). And we were also hoping to combine a trip to Cyprus (my boyfriend is from there and I've still never been) with going back to Serifos, my favourite place ever and the Greek island where we hope to get married next year.
Are you a window or aisle seat kinda gal? Depends. On trains, it's the window seat so I can stare at the unfolding landscapes. On planes, the aisle so I can stretch my legs and get out without climbing over anyone.
What 3 things are always in your suitcase? A swimming costume (or nine) as I rarely like to go anywhere not by the sea, a really good book and a portable speaker.
What are your 3 favourite hotels in the world? Melisses on Andros, Les Roches Rouges in south of France and Masseria Moroseta in Puglia.
Words you live by… 'Always assume positive intent' - I heard it at a work summit but I think it applies to pretty much every area of life.
And lastly, who are you most looking forward to hugging when all of this is over?!! My parents, my brothers and sisters (I have four) and all my nephews and nieces (I will have nine by June!). All my friends. And my my future mother in law and Yiayia. Essentially everyone, I love to hug.