­"Get thee to a nunnery" may not be such a bad thing after all, considering the recent slew of monasteries converted to luxury hotels. There's the Four Seasons in Prague, as well as The Augustine there, and the Certosa di Maggianoin Tuscany. One of the most interesting hotels with a divine pedigree is the Parador de Santo Estevo in Galicia, Spain, a former 10th century monastery. There are 77 rooms dotted around three cloisters, and one of the hotel's top selling points (apart from its secluded location) is its new $2 million spa. The 9,6000 square foot space features a flotation tank, Vichy showers, and an extensive spa menu (Celtic massage, anyone?)­

What a smart idea. In Barcelona, a new boutique called By just opened, which bills itself as Europe's first store catering to gay men getting married. The shop carries made-to-measure suits, which range from €1,500 to €6,000. Couples can opt to have their suits lined with a monogrammed fabric. By also sells rings, boxer shorts, bathrobes and other accessories by a collection of mainly Spanish designers including Delgado Buil, Ion Fix, Juanjo Oliva, Locking Shocking and Helena Rohner. The shop itself is sleek and stylish, with leather sofas and a black and white floor. By, c/Muntaner 22, 08011 Barcelona, Phone +34 93 451 89 83

Most people would say that being a travel writer is a dream job, but sometimes I have to disagree. Being the boyfriend/best friend/spouse of a travel writer is the better gig because it means you get to have all the perks (travelling and staying in fab places) without any of the downsides (taking notes and writing things up). That said, last weekend I was the happy recipient of a brilliantly planned weekend that I didn't have to organise- and it was so good I just have to write about it.