Paris Can’t Get Enough of This Next-Gen Croissant

In today’s Happenings—how a next-level croissant is taking over Paris (trust us, even non-dessert people are obsessed), why a lavish new train in the UK is redefining rail travel, and the case for marine vacations. Plus, an exclusive interview with the force behind one of Italy’s most iconic hotels, and HAP editor, Luke Abrahams, reveals where to escape this August with your hard-earned PTO. (HAP)py reading. 🔽

Newsflash, a new luxury sleeper train has hit Britain's rails and she is fabulous. Say hey to the Britannic Explorer, a Belmond train. Think sexy interiors from Albion Nord, grub from acclaimed British chef Simon Rogan and plenty of panoramic porn courtesy of routes that traverse some of the country's most glorious landscapes from Cornwall to Wales. There are only 18 cabins, so grab your credit stat and treat yo'self. Book the train here.

Land conservation is covered, but the marine side of things is still struggling big time. With undersea trawling and overfishing firmly in the headline, travelers are responding to a need to protect the deep blue sea by signing themselves up onto positive impact itineraries that do the oceans good. Embrace your inner Greta and check out itineraries from the likes of andBeyond, select Explora Hotels and independents like the Jamaica Inn. This is one of my personal favorites.

I love a croissant as much as I love the French accent. Total aphrodisiac for moi. The Cronut had a moment, as did the cruffin, and now Paris's latest blockbuster, "the crookie," is taking the city by storm. If you've got a brain cell or two, you've probably guessed that it's basically just a cookie in a croissant. In a nutshell, the pastry is stuffed with chocolate chip cookie dough and baked until the dough is gooey and the croissant is crispy. It's a total rip-off at nearly six euros, but the Americans will pay it, so woo! Find out more here!

In our latest edition of Meet The Hotelier, we catch up with Aldo Sersale, one of the whizzes behind the Amalfi Coast's most legendary hotels, Le Sirenuse. From snaps and paps to tips and tricks, Aldo shines a light on his hospitality style and more.

Luke: Sum up your hospitality style in a sentence.

Aldo: It’s all about understated elegance, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for taking care of people.

Luke: What makes Le Sirenuse so special to you? And how do you make guests feel this?

Aldo: It’s my family home, you feel that the moment you walk in. Guests pick up on our presence, our passion, and the way we obsess over every detail. But what truly makes the difference is our team. Many have been with us for years—they know our guests by name, they anticipate needs before they’re spoken, and they carry the spirit of the house in everything they do.

Luke: Who or what has been your hospitality muse? Why has this inspired you so much?

Aldo: I learned so much during my time at Mandarin Oriental, their commitment to food & beverage, to service, to detail. I was lucky to intern as a part of the pre-opening team led by Luca Finardi for the Milan property, and watching that come to life left a mark on me.

Luke: Name one hotel you walked into recently and thought “Wow, they do this better than us.” What made it a standout?

Aldo: Passalacqua in Lake Como really stood out. It’s also a family-run hotel, and you can feel that same sense of care. Every corner is thoughtfully curated, and their service strikes that rare balance between warmth and precision.

Luke: Tell us your favourite boutique hotel in the world. Why do you love it so much?

Aldo: Oltre Il Giardino in Venice. My parents told me about it years ago. It’s tiny, tucked away, and full of charm. It’s the kind of place that feels effortlessly elegant and peaceful.

Luke: Name one Italian stereotype you are sick of. Why?

Aldo: Probably the idea that everything here is disorganised. In truth, especially in hospitality, there’s a level of discipline and rigor that often goes unnoticed.

Luke: You are one of the most looked-at hotels on the coast. What’s coming next and do you have any big news to tell us?

Aldo: There’s something very exciting on the horizon, a project we’ve been quietly working on for 4 years. We’ll be ready to share more later this summer, and we can’t wait.

Luke: The Amalfi Coast has a bit of an overtourism problem right now. What are you doing to try and fix this, if anything?

Aldo: It’s definitely a challenge and we support the local authorities who are trying to tackle it thoughtfully. At Le Sirenuse, we’ve made the decision to close our doors to non-guests until 5:30pm when our restaurants and bars open, it’s one way we protect the oasis of tranquillity our guests come here for.

Luke: When a guest walks into your hotel, what do you want them to feel — and how does your own philosophy help shape that?

Aldo: We want them to feel like they’ve arrived somewhere that speaks to them, a place with soul. Le Sirenuse is for thoughtful travelers who seek out beauty, nuance, and experiences that linger. Our role is to make space for that, to give them a moment they’ll remember long after they leave.

If you're stuck on where to head in August, our lowdown on where's hot will help clear the brain fog.

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