Grazia: July 2008

Boutique Road Trips

IF YOUR IDEA OF A GLAM GETAWAY INCLUDES TOTAL LUXURY, STYLISH DESIGN AND AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER, WE'VE GOT THE PERFECT PLAN FOR YOU.

Saab has joined forces with boutique hotel gurus Mr & Mrs Smith to create the ultimate in chic escapes.  Together, they've designed seven road trips – including the fantastic Devon trip we've featured here – and tested them in the comfort of a super-sleek Saab convertible.  Saab's innovative design ensures the ride along those oh-so-scenic routes is as exciting as it is elegant.  Meanwhile, Mr & Mrs Smith have cherry-picked their favourite places to stay and play along the way, and created a foolproof online route planner.  If that sets you in the mood for more mini-breaks this year, Mr & Mrs Smith is offering Grazia readers a year's free membership: you'll get exclusive hotel deals and gifts, as well as access to the online route planner.  To register, just log on to www.mrandmrssmith.com/saab-free-membership.

The Devon Road Trip: A three-hour adventure from picturesque Porlock to Milton Abbot

Travel writer Tabitha May tests the impressive pulling power of the Saab convertible on one of the UK's most scenic routes.

THE ROUTE

Nudging out of Porlock, we're climbing one of the steepest roads in the UK, leading to the biblical-sounding Valley of Rocks.  Suddenly the road turns into a single-lane path – and soon we're on Exmoor proper.  Take in the view (without even getting out of the car – an advantage of having a convertible), at a public bridleway between Withypool and Dulverton – it's spectacular.  The A396 exits the moor and takes us south to Tiverton and Bickleigh.  After lunch at gastro hot spot Gidleigh Park, we forge ahead through Moretonhampstead, into Dartmoor – even more beautiful moorland.  Finish up at Hotel Endsleigh; the perfect endnote to our smooth ride through a rugged land.

WHERE TO REFUEL

Enjoy a cafe-style lunch at Yearlstone Vineyard, Bickleigh, Devon.  Or go for Michelin-starred formality at fabulous Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Endsleigh.  A grade I-listed lodge on the River Tamar in Tavistock, where you can arrange riding, fishing, yoga and Pilates.  Mr & Mrs Smith members receive free afternoon tea.  Or check out Gidleigh Park in Chagford: accommodation at this boutique hotel includes 'spa suites', with huge luxe touches such as twin roll-top baths.

HOW TO BOOK

For the full itinerary of this road trip, visit www.mrandmrssmith.com/road-trips.  To book a hotel, call the Smith travel team on 0845 034 0701.