"The Real Flower Company is renowned for its beautifully scented roses and freshly grown herbs," says Kate Smallwood. "There's nothing quite like a bouquet of English garden roses and this is the best place to find it when it comes to vintage style and fabulous scent, they're second to none. Perfect for online gifts, including 'roses for a year', wouldn't that be lovely?"
With its thatched roofs, earthily-hued walls and forest setting, Murata looks like a classic ryokan, or inn. The interiors, however, are by hip Tokyo architects Simplicity. Twelve lodges, each with private outdoor baths, cling to the mountainside and mix modern style with traditional tatami mat flooring, sliding screens and calligraphy. Sip cocktails in the bar or dine in the restaurant before visiting the art gallery or shopping at Murata's sleek gift store.
This soap-free Centella Skin- Calming Facial Cleanser has been created with sensitive skin in mind. It is also alcohol and fragrance free, which means that your face won't be irritated by any harsh chemicals, and will look calm, clean and refreshed. Can be used with or without water, just apply liberally with your fingertips and then remove with a damp cloth or splash off with warm water.
An avenue of beech trees leads to this Georgian manor house on the Llyn Peninsula of north-west Wales. Chris and Gunna Chown have been running this rose-bedecked place as a restaurant with rooms since 1986. Accommodation is in 11 bedrooms that are spread between the main house and a coach house. Downstairs, Chris masterminds the restaurant, serving modern Welsh dishes with exotic twists - the likes of roast turbot with lime hollandaise or Welsh black beef ribeye with oxtail sauce. Having been awarded a Michelin star in 1991, they lost it for a period. After regaining it in 2001, it still remains.
This might not be Florence's swankiest hotel, but it arguably has the best location, in the quiet Santa Croce district, walking distance from the Ponte Vecchio, on the right bank of the Arno. Enjoy views of the river and bridge without the madding crowds at this, one of Italy's most popular sightseeing spots. The overall decor is opulent Italian. Not all rooms have river views, so specify when booking. If none are available, don't worry: the view of San Miniato al Monte basilica and the hills beyond is lovely, too.