Jetsetter spring 2015 online version by Don Pierre Riosa

SPRING 2015

EXOTIC PLACES

INTERESTING PEOPLE

INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

THE 2015 ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST Pitching Camp In the Wild Adventure Honeymoons

ANTARCTICA GGOING O I N G TO TO

FROZEN FROZEN EXTREMES LION CITY LUXE

EUROPE’S HIDDEN GARDEN CITY

ICELAND: IN FROM THE COLD

EDITOR'S NOTE elcome to 2015 and the special Adventure issue of

JETSETTER

Magazine, Asia’s luxury experiential travel magazine. We love working on the first issue of the year; it’s a chance for the whole team to delve into the world’s most intriguing and exciting travel experiences, to roam far from the beaten path, and to bring to our many readers a host of unique travel and lifestyle encounters. I write this note from my tent at Namiri Plains, a safari camp in the Southern Serengeti in Tanzania (look out for more adventures from Robert Marks Safaris in our Summer issue); this is exactly the kind of place that today’s affluent traveler is looking for: a locale with stunning scenery, unique encounters, and plenty of creature comforts. From resorts and urban hotels to tented camps in cheetah territory, luxury travellers are increasingly enjoying new levels of experiential travel, and that’s what JETSETTER is all about. Our first issue of the year always features our annual Bucket List, a showcase of sensational, adventurous, and indulgent itineraries from around the world, from storm chasing in Kansas to whale watching in Baja. In keeping with the Adventure theme, we jet off to Africa to discover the best new safari camps, go to frozen extremes in Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, and scour the world for the most adventurous honeymoon locations. In addition, we tackle Toronto’s top hotels, restaurants, and attractions, spend 24 hours in Vilnius to mark Lithuania's entry to the EU, and check into Singapore’s top boutique hotels. In our regular lifestyle section you’ll find Mercedes Benz’s 2016 AMG SLS, travel adventures dedicated to the humble tomato, new cocktail creations using sherry, and an insightful talk with British chef April Bloomfield. Wherever you’re travelling, and whether it’s luxury or adventure you’re looking for, we wish you all the best for the year ahead. Safe Travels.

Nick Walton Managing Editor

CONTRIBUTORS As CEO of Platinum Wines and one of the leading experts in the fine wine and spirits industry in Asia, Rickesh Kishnani serves over 3,000 private clients in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Australia. In this issue, he talks about the growth of bold Italian red wines in the region.

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PUBLISHER Denis Fahy denis@channel1hk.com MANAGING EDITOR Nick Walton nickwalton@artemiscomms.com DEPUTY EDITOR Gayatri Bhaumik gayatri@artemiscomms.com ART DIRECTOR Don Pierre Riosa don@channel1hk.com TRAVEL INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIP DIRECTOR Tammy Fong tammy@channel1hk.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Vincent Sze vincent@channel1hk.com BEIJING SALES MANAGER Louis Chu louis@channel1hk.com SALES MANAGER Fatima Cameira fatima@channel1hk.com CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE EUROPE Laurence James laurence.james@jetsetter.hk

JETSETTER is registered as a newspaper & periodical. JETSETTER is published by Channel One Communications JETSETTER is printed by Channel One Communications Suite 402-3, Hong Kong Trade Centre 161-167 Des Voeux Rd Central Hong Kong 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-5706 Valley Cottage, NY 10989 USA www.jetsetter.hk All rights Reserved: Copyright and distribution rights are reserved exclusively for Channel One Communications, their partners, associates and affiliates. All materials published remain the property of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. All information contained in this publication is from a reliable source. Channel One does not make any guarantees to the accuracy of the information contained.

CONTENTS SPRING 2015

Room with a View Mozambique’s Nkwichi Lodge

24 Hours in Vilnius Europe’s Hidden Garden City

Boutique & Beautiful Lion City Luxe

Ultimate Encounters The 2015 Bucket List

ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS Lovers of Adventure

Antarctica Going to Frozen Extremes

The Guide Toronto

Pitching Camp in the Wilds A f r i c a’ s T o p N e w S a fa r i C a m p s

CONTENTS SPRING 2015

Food Adventures 50 Shades of Red

Chef Profile B r i ta i n â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s A p r i l Bl o o m f i e l d

Spirits S h e r ry B e R i g h t

Minibar Showing Your Age

100

Restaurant Review Que to the Kitchen

112

The Bite C a p e o f G o o d E at i n g

114

Luggage Rugged as the Road

118

Auto The Final Edition

DIARY

French Quarter Festival New Orleans, USA April 9 – 12, 2015 If you can’t get to the epic party that is the city’s Mardi Gras celebration, you can still get your fill of boisterous New Orleans fun at one of the largest festivals in America’s south. This year’s event will once again feature a host of local musical favourites like the Orleans Brass Band, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and Steve Pistorius & the Southern Syncopators, as well as artists like Chris Ardoin and The Write Brothers, who will make their festival debuts. The city’s best eateries will also be serving up delicious treats to keep travellers going. www.fqfi.org Where to stay: Stay close to the action at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, in the heart of the city’s French Quarter. Our suite of choice is the elegant Bourbon Balcony Loft, which features a split-level design, a wet bar, and a large private balcony. www.bourbonorleans.com

French Open

Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France May 19 - June 7, 2015

One of the hottest events on the tennis calendar, the French Open – affectionately called Roland-Garros – is the second Grand Slam tournament of the year, and the only one to be played on clay courts. This year, tennis fans the world over will be looking to see if Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, winners of the 2015 Australian Open, will be able to follow up their wins with a second trophy. Many will watch to see if ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal can once more claim victory. www.rolandgarros.com Where to stay: Created by designer Olivier Lapidus, Hotel Felicien is a fashion-forward hotel in Paris’ elegant 16th arrondisement, just minutes from the Eiffel Tower and the Roland-Garros Stadium. Treat yourself to the stylish Silver Suite on the hotel’s ‘Sky Floor,’ which features a separate ‘salon’ and bedroom, and a private terrace with a jacuzzi. www.hotelfelicienparis.com

China: Through the Looking Glass The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA May 7 – August 16, 2015 New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will explore China’s influence on the world’s creative endeavours through a carefully curated exhibition presented by the museum’s Chinese Galleries and Anna Wintour Costume Centre. The displays will juxtapose more than 100 pieces of haute couture with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and film snippets to show how China has influenced fashion and art in the West. Highlights include stunning pieces by Yves Saint Laurent and Tom Ford. www.metmuseum.org Where to stay: A short stroll from The Met, The Mark is a serene urban retreat offering sumptuous rooms that combine the luxury of 1930s Paris with touches of Art Deco style. Check into the chic, light-filled Madison Suite which boasts a separate lounge and bedroom, deep-soak tub, and custom Italian toiletries. www.themarkhotel.com

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Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art © Platon

DIARY

Noosa International Food & Wine Festival Noosa, Queensland, Australia May 14 – 17, 2015

Australia’s Sunshine Coast will host its annual food and wine event during the southern hemisphere’s autumn, and visitors will get to enjoy sumptuous local produce in one of the country’s most scenic settings. Sample food from lauded local chefs like Matt Moran, Adriano Zumbo, Peter Conistis, and Matt Golinski; learn about wines from Torbrek’s Greg McGill and Virginia Willcock from Vasse Felix Wines; and enjoy musical interludes from bands like the Swingin’ Martinis and Relish. Themed dinners, cooking demonstrations, and a host of other activities will round out the program. www.noosafoodandwine.com.au Where to stay: Book ahead to secure the Starlight Suite at the Netanya Noosa. The ultimate rockstar digs, this super sexy hotspot overlooks the beach and boasts a rooftop spa and barbeque, three bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and Champagne on arrival. www.netanyanoosa.com

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Victoria & Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom March 14 – August 2, 2015

The spectacular Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition will make its way to London this year, where it will be on display through spring and summer. Featuring more than 200 pieces from the enfant terrible of British Fashion, the showcase is a thought-provoking retrospective of McQueen’s career, spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection through to his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection, left incomplete after his untimely death. www.vam.ac.uk Where to stay: Situated in Knightsbridge, just across the street from the V&A, the Egerton House Hotel offers just 30 opulent rooms that take design hints from the classic décor of the Victorian era. Book a gorgeous Studio suite with views over Egerton Gardens, luxe Penhaligon’s amenities, and a four-poster bed draped in Belgian linens. www. egertonhousehotel.com Photo Credit: REX

Cheltenham Jazz Festival Chelthenham, United Kingdom April 29 – May 4, 2015 Attracting more than 20,000 visitors each year, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival celebrates the wide range of jazz styles in the gorgeous alfresco setting of the town’s Montpellier Gardens. This year, British jazz favourite Jamie Cullum acts as guest director for the festival, curating a lineup of established international acts and local up-and-comers including Caro Emerald, Wilko Johnson, and Rumer. Don’t miss Friday Night is Music Night: The Sinatra Legacy, a tribute Rat Pack legend Frank Sinatra. www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/jazz

Photo Credit: Jerome Tisserand

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Where to stay: A stone’s throw from the festival, The Montpellier Chapter is a chic hideaway that combines modernity with Regency-era charm and includes open fireplaces, a library, an intimate bar, and a conservatory perfect for afternoon tea. The REN Spa draws on the town’s legacy as a spa town in the English countryside. www.themontpellierchapterhotel.com

ROOM WITH A VIEW

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT

et on a private rock island on the Mozambican shores of Lake Malawi, you’ll

be forgiven for missing your bedtime when sleeping on the Nkwichi Lodge's Lake of Stars bed. After a mesmerising African sunset and a sumptuous meal at the lodge’s restaurant, which specialises in seafood taken directly from the lake, retire to your unique waterfront quarters, a mosquito-netted

double bed dressed with the finest linens. Here you’ll be serenaded by the calls of nesting cormorants and kingfishers, and then greeted in the morning by soaring fish eagles searching for their breakfast. www.tripafricatravel.com

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ROOM WITH A VIEW 19

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JOURNEYS Photo Credit : Joshua Holko

BEAR

WITNESS T

ravel with acclaimed X-Rite Coloratti wildlife photographer Joshua Holko and experienced expedition leader Moab Master on an Arctic epic in search of Ursus Maritimus. Between July 25, 2015 and April 4, 2016, travel to the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, home to approximately 3,000 polar bears, as well as majestic seabirds, walrus, whales,

and Arctic foxes, on a unique 10-day itinerary aboard the 12-passenger MS Origo. During the journey, which ventures to the pack ice north of the islands where the bears live and hunt, Holko will help guests fine-tune their photography skills and capture images of Arctic wildlife in their natural environment. With the reduction in Arctic sea ice, polar bear numbers in Svalbard are dwindling, making this a unique opportunity for budding photographers and intrepid travellers alike. www.jetsetter.hk

JOURNEYS

South Pacific Odyssey Stray from the beaten path with a new 14-day itinerary from luxury French cruise line Ponant that explores the remote Spice Islands of Indonesia and the 40,000 year old culture of Melanesia. Departing Manado in northern Sulawesi, famed for its diving, the November 2015 cruise on the Le Soleal explores the Moluccas and acclaimed Raja Ampat (read more about this unique marine landscape in our annual Bucket List on p44), where the ship’s fleet of zodiacs transports guests ashore for a chance to snorkel in the pristine waters of the Coral Triangle, home to 550 coral reefs and 3,000 fish species. In remote Papua New Guinea, venture into a Sepik River village, where life continues unchanged for centuries, before cruising to Tufi, famed for its soaring volcanic cliffs and rich jungle. The cruise continues to the Solomon Islands, disembarking in the Guadalcanal. From AU$8,692 (US$6,789) per person, twin share, including flights from Singapore to Manado. www.ponant.com

Ancient Lands Reopen Insight Vacations has relaunched its tours to Egypt, with an improved range of itineraries that capture the colour and magic of this ancient land. Four new itineraries have been launched, each focusing on a new aspect of Egypt, its history, and people. The nine-day Wonders of Egypt tour is a chance to delve into the rich Egyptian culture, with visits to the Giza Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, followed by a five-day cruise down the legendary Nile River, with stops at the Luxor Temple and the world-famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Splendours of Egypt itinerary includes eight nights on the Nile, visiting Aswan, Giza, Philae Island, and Karnak, with time for a history lesson at the Valley of the Kings and sailing lesson on a traditional Nike felucca. Tag on Jordan with the 12-day Egypt & Jordan tour, which visits Jordan’s Crusader forts, the world’s oldest pyramid, Cairo, Amman, and Petra. Tours start from US$2,325 per person, twin share. www.insightvacations.com

Into the Deep Blue Luxury resort Dusit Thani Maldives has opened the first official and internationally approved freediving centre in the archipelago nation, creating a new destination for die-hards and a unique new attraction for water sports lovers. Besides experiencing the tranquility of this underwater kingdom, there are various health and fitness benefits attributed to freediving, and the resort has teamed up with Apnea Total, a globally renowned freediving organisation, to offer highly experienced guides. The Apnea Total Freediving Education System and Standards are followed at the centre and guests will be provided Apnea Total certifications that are recognised worldwide. A wide range of courses will be offered, from Free-Diver Basic to Free-Diver Master, lasting two days to five weeks and allowing divers to descend as far as 40 metres below sea level on a single breath. www.dusit.com www.jetsetter.hk

JOURNEYS 23

Japan’s Hidden Gardens Let your green thumb guide you on the new one-off escorted botanical tour to Japan, created by Cox & Kings. The 11-night tour, led by English garden and landscape designer Paul Hervey-Brookes, delves into Japan’s diverse flora, which includes some 7,000 plant species, almost 3,000 of which are endemic. These include many varieties of Acer, unique species of holly (Ilex), and unusual woodland shrubs such as Loropetalum, as well as herbaceous perennials such as Thalictrum and Hosta. You’ll travel by bullet train to visit magnificent gardens, as well as the temples of Kyoto, and the Adachi Museum Gardens. There will even be time to explore the celebrated Gardening World Cup at Huis Ten Bosch, which in its five years has hosted some of the world's leading garden and landscape designers. Departs October 10, 2015. www.coxandkings.co.uk

Transcontinental Milestone To mark its 45th year plying the rails between Sydney and Perth, Great Southern Railways has introduced new experiences to the Indian Pacific’s transcontinental rail adventure. On February 23, 1970, a new passenger train departed Sydney's Central Station. Sixty-two hours and 20 minutes later, it was met by a roaring 10,000-strong crowd in Perth. After one single, uninterrupted journey across the incredible 4,352km breadth of the continent, the Indian Pacific had arrived as Australia’s first transcontinental train. Now lovers of rail travel can enjoy an excursion through the world-renowned Barossa Valley winelands and a dinner under the stars experience at Rawlinna, both available from April 1. The extended all-inclusive stop in South Australia for Perthbound trains includes lunch at Maggie Beer’s iconic Farmhouse, with a chance to sample the stunning wines of this acclaimed wine region. Also available on Perth-bound journeys will be the unforgettable off-train dinner at the Nullarbor Outpost in Rawlinna, an isolated trackside town in Western Australia. www.gsr.com.au

Packing for Pachyderms Take an adventure through northeast Thailand on three new elephant-focused tours from Isan Explorer. Each of the special tours help protect these noble animals and allow travellers a chance to explore the jungle with elephants, watch them play at their watering holes on the Mun River, and learn about the bond between mahouts and their charges. Shunning the usual elephant rides and trick shows, Isan Explorer’s tours let the animals roam free in their natural environment on two, three, and four-day itineraries. In addition, tours include cultural stops at historic Buddhist temples, a Khmer ruin, and villages in which the elephant continues to play a vital and highly revered role. www.isanexplorer.com www.jetsetter.hk

HOTELS & RESORTS

Every Man is an Island The first luxury resort on Vietnam’s largest island, the Salinda Phu Quoc Island Resort & Spa, has opened on pristine Long Beach, only ten minutes from the island’s international airport. Featuring an ultra-contemporary architectural persona that offers an interplay between rustic local heritage and unashamedly modern materials, the resort’s 121 guest rooms and villas are set against endless ocean vistas and lush tropical surroundings. Ideally suited for honeymooners and families alike, the resort features a mesmerising infinity pool, a dedicated kids club, and a signature Salinda Spa managed by Guru Spa Thailand and offering a host of holistic remedies rooted in Thai and Vietnamese wellness traditions. Be sure to leave time for the resort’s authentic Vietnamese cooking classes and early morning beachfront yoga sessions, the perfect way to welcome in the New Year. www.salindaresort.com

Capital Idea With a new take on luxury in the Chinese capital, the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel Beijing & Yanqi Island has opened on the shores of Yanqi Lake and on its namesake island. With views of the Yanshan Mountains and the Mutianyu Great Wall, the fully-integrated resort is only an hour’s drive from the city centre and features 306 guest rooms, nine restaurants and bars, and a signature spa. With striking designs by Shanghai Huadu Architect Design Co, the spacious guest rooms and suites feature interiors by Di Leonardo that capture the beautiful landscapes of the lake. When you’re not in your room, you’ll find culinary indulgence at the resort’s many restaurants, which include the all-day dining of Elements, a German Paulaner Bräuhaus microbrewery, and a trendy rooftop cocktail divan. Finish up your stay with a spa ritual based on the European seasons. www.kempinski.com

Madrid’s New Urban Retreat If you’re looking for stylish new digs in the Spanish capital, The Principal, Madrid’s newest boutique hotel, has opened on the grand boulevard Gran Via. The newest creation by hotelier Pau Guardans, the Design Hotels member hotel, which is housed in a renovated 1917 heritage building, features 76 guest rooms and suites, restaurant Ático by acclaimed chef Ramón Freiza, and a chic rooftop terrace and bar with sweeping views of the city. Interiors by designer Pilar García-Nieto and Barcelona’s Luzio design studio celebrate the grandeur of the 20th century, complete with high ceilings, iron railings, marble floors, and large picture windows. The effect is reminiscent of a British club or a revered Manhattan loft, complemented by eclectic furnishing, including BKF’s Butterfly Chair, charcoal-hued carpets, and cool grey linens. www.theprincipalmadridhotel.com www.jetsetter.hk

HOTELS & RESORTS 25

Historic Rebirth The St Regis Venice San Clemente Palace opens next month following an extensive multimillion dollar renovation. Located on a private island in the heart of the Venice Lagoon, the property’s rebirth has been overseen by award-winning designers Hirsch Bedner Associates and GA Design. The hotel’s 191 lavishlyappointed guest rooms and suites showcase a unique blend of contemporary décor with touches of timeless Venetian craftsmanship, including terrazzo floors and brocades, and offer guests views across the lagoon and lush gardens, which feature an outdoor cabanawreathed swimming pool. Setting a new standard in luxury in the island city, the St Regis – a former monastery, military outpost, and guest house for visiting nobility - also boasts 48 suites, including majestic Royal Suites and an impressive Presidential Suite. This urban haven is accessed by private hotel boat from Venice’s city centre. www.stregis.com

New Hot Springs Haven Thai hospitality group Dusit has opened its newest property in China's economic dynamo, Guangzhou. The Dusit Devarana Hot Springs & Spa Conghua Guangzhou is located an hour’s drive from the city centre and boasts 133 villas and guest rooms, from which guests can explore the complex’s indoor and outdoor hot springs, which include 23 therapeutic, aromatic, splash, and foot reflexology pools, as well as a hot stone relaxation room. The hot springs experience is complemented by Thai-inspired massage treatments in the well-appointed treatment rooms of the on-site Devarana Spa. Pamper yourself by booking one of the villas, which feature private hot spring pools, and leave time for a bite at the Cui Hu Xuan Chinese restaurant, which specialises in local Conghua and Cantonese fare. www.dusit.com

Layover Lover Offering traditional Qatari hospitality within a unique resort setting, and offering the perfect retreat with which to break up long-haul travel, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has opened boasting the first over water villas in Qatar as well as a one-ofa-kind wellness centre. Located on a distinctive crescent-shaped bay with an 800-metre long private beach, Banana Island is only 20 minutes from the capital of Doha by luxury ferry, or ten minutes by helicopter directly from the airport. Spend your time lounging in one of 141 luxurious guest rooms, suites, and villas, including eight spacious two-bedroom Over Water Villas and a trio of threebedroom Anantara Over Water Villas, or get active with the resort’s fully-equipped dive centre, water sports centre, two-lane surf pool, and nine hole putting course. www.anantara.com

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INTRODUCING

H AV E N OF ZEN Resembling something straight out of fantasy land

Myst, and featuring just 38 private pool villas wreathed by enchanting woodland, Keemala will open on the island of Phuket in August, promising a luxurious and contemporary wonderland that takes its design cues from Mother Nature. With architecture by Thailand’s Architect Space, interiors by Pisit Aongskultong, and landscaping by Stone Design & Contracting, guests can choose from clay cottages or the island’s first tented villas, through to treehouses with outdoor telescopes and unique bird’s nest-style accommodation. Each innovative, environmentally-friendly space is made with locallysourced, sustainable materials, and boasts a private pool and an expansive outdoor terrace. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the resort will promise a holistic escape, thanks to a spa menu laced with locallyinspired wellness treatments, dedicated yoga pavilions, and a mesmerising restaurant (pictured) specialising in spa cuisine. www.slh.com

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INTRODUCING 27

FIT FOR A

HERMIT Many of us crave an opportunity to leave the

hustle and interruptions of modern living behind us and find true seclusion on our next vacation. Now you can allow your inner recluse to run free at Eremite, a 14-room Umbrian hillside haven designed for solo travellers. Created by Marcello Murzilli, founder of the Italian fashion brand El Charro, and a member of Design Hotels, Eremite is the anti-tech hotel, a place for reflection and personal discovery, a sanctuary from the digital age, shared with like-minded travellers – there’s no minibar, no concierge, no business centre, and no internet. Not for the faint-hearted, guests can revel in a rustic, candle-lit space during daily yoga sessions or vegetarian feasts served in the refectory-style dining room, and contemplate the secrets of the universe in the comfort of oversized steam baths. The perfect way to kick off a year’s travelling from € 212 per night, single occupancy. www.designhotels.com www.jetsetter.hk

INTRODUCING

CAPITAL

COLLABORATION If you’re looking for stylish digs on your next London shopping trip, head for the newly opened Eccleston Square Hotel, a member of Design Hotels and quite possibility the city’s most techsavvy house of slumber. Bordering Belgravia in the city’s chic heart, this adults-only hideaway features a historic Georgian façade, combined with ultra-modern touches, from 46-inch HD 3D televisions, touchpad room controls, smartphone docks, and personal iPad 2 tablets to high-tech showers that can turn from transparent to frosted with the touch of a button. All this technology is nestled amidst stylish interiors, including Murano black crystal chandeliers, Promemoria furnishings, silk walls, and designs by Olivia Byrne. www.ecclestonsquarehotel.com

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24 HOURS

Vilnius might be pint-sized but is rich in history

E U R O P E ’S H I D D E N

G A R D E N CI T Y

With Lithuania joining the EU at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, its pint-sized but historic capital, Vilnius, can expect to see a raft of inquisitive new visitors in the year ahead.

By Nick Walton

9am Check into one of the city’s most historic and centrally located houses of slumber, the Radisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel. Located near the Vilnius Town Hall and Town Hall Square, this 119-room hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Vilnius Old Town, including the Church of the Holy Spirit and St. Nicholas Church. Book a Junior Suite; dressed in subtle neutral tones and dark wood, these spacious suites are the perfect home away from home, and offer unlimited health club access, spacious bathrooms, and separate living spaces. www.radissonblu.com/hotel-vilnius

10am Set out on foot in this pedestrian-friendly www.jetsetter.hk

city and explore the Old Town’s narrow cobbled streets and famed beerhalls. The Unesco-listed Old Town features plenty of its own drawcards, from the striking redhued St Anne’s Church, to the towering Vilnius Cathedral. The Old Town is famed for its Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture and the Cathedral Square at its heart is a great place to people watch, especially when accompanied by handmade chocolates and coffee from nearby AJ Sokoladas (www.ajsokoladas.lt), a national chain of chic cafes that has its flagship just off the square.

spot for artists, musicians, and free-thinkers (it even refers to itself as an independent republic that celebrates its independence on April 1st). This eclectic and photogenic suburb is filled with great grassroots galleries, arts communes, and cafes, but for lunch, head to Šnekutis (www.snekucio-alaus-pasaulis. lt) on Polocko Street for authentic Lithuanian food – from delicate blynai pancakes to hearty bigos sausage stew - and fresh beer from local craft breweries.

2pm

Walk off your meal and those oh-so-good craft beers with a walk through the Tymas Head across the River Vilna towards the Markets. Held from noon every Thursday, the bohemian ‘republic’ of Uzupis, the city’s markets are an important part of Užupis life trendiest neighbourhood and a popular and even if you’re not out to fill your suitcases

Noon

24 HOURS 31

with bargains, they're great for getting into the local scene. Look out for locally made bread and cheese, as well as small-batch Midus, a variety of mead made from honey and considered Lithuania’s oldest alcoholic beverage, or Krupnikas, a honey liqueur that dates from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the 16th-18th centuries. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a little more action, the city’s Šūvio Akademija (www.suvioakademija.lt) shooting range offers a unique opportunity to shoot military-style rifles and handguns in a safe and controlled environment.Try your hand at some of history’s most famous weapons, from the AK-47 to the 'Dirty Harry' Magnum or the Tommy gun of the prohibition era. Be sure to book ahead.

4pm Continue on foot with a walking tour into Lithuania’s Soviet history. The three-hour Like-a-Local (www.likealocalguide.com/vilinius) tour is priced at just €10 (US$11.36) per person and delves into Lithuania’s independence movement, with visits to the Soviet-era statues on the

Clockwise from top right: the Raddisson Blu Royal Astorija Hotel; the Tymas Markets; the Church of St Peter and St Paul

Highlights of the menu include the beef heart and tomato salad; spätzle dumplings with shrimp; and succulent slow-cooked beef cheeks.

11pm

Green Bridge, a walk along Gediminas Prospeckt in search of the lingering legacy of the Soviet regime, and a stop at a former KGB Finish your night off with more of Lithuania’s favourite craft beers headquarters than now houses the Museum of Genocide Victims. at Bambalynė (www.bambalyne.lt), a local institution and home to almost 100 microbrewed beers from across the country. Housed in a brick cellar, this specialty bar features a beer tasting lounge for true Capture a more contemporary side to the city at its top cocktail divan, aficionados, as well as a list of local beer snacks if you’re still peckish. Mojito Naktys (www.mojitonaktys.lt). With a cocktail menu that boasts Expect crowds of local beer lovers, especially on weekends.

7pm

more than 50 concoctions, the bar runs its own cocktail academy, and well-trained staff work tirelessly amidst sleek, modern interiors that could be in London or New York, to serve up libations to the city’s Spend the morning exploring Antaka Inis, one of the city’s oldest and beautiful. most affluent neighbourhoods. Located on the banks of the Neris

10am

9pm Indulge in a modern yet elegant take on traditional Lithuanian dishes at Druskos Namai (www.en.druskosnamai.lt), the brainchild of restauranteur Gareth Sanderson and chef Sarunas Paškauskas. Located in the city centre, the concept introduces Lithuanian cuisine using only the freshest locally sourced and seasonal produce.

River, Antaka Inis is famed for its Lithuanian Baroque masterpiece, the Roman Catholic Church of St Peter and St Paul, as well as the Sapieha Palace, which is surrounded by the only surviving Baroquestyle park in the country. Start off at Pinavija Café & Bakery (www. pinavija.lt), famed for its hearty Kibinai pastries and strong coffee, before touring the parklands, ending up at the sprawling Botanical Gardens of Vilnius University, in Kairėnai. www.jetsetter.hk

PAMPER

Wellness on the Rivers

African Restoration

Spaophiles can combine wellness and travel with the new Mekong Princess, a luxe riverboat by Haimark Travel that brings exclusive spa experiences to cruising. The region’s first “spa concept” ship allows travellers to indulge in five-star spa amenities while exploring Vietnam and Cambodia on week-long itineraries. The spa experience begins in the boat’s 12 suites, which boast marble spa baths and rainforest showers. Each passenger can enjoy a complimentary one-hour treatment at the onboard Princess Spa, which features a comprehensive menu of massages, facials, scrubs, and wraps, along with Bodia Spa products and well-trained therapists. Spa rituals are complemented by the daily yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes offered by the Princess Fitness Centre. Rounding out the “spa ship” is the Indochine dining room, where chef Jorg Penneke serves up dishes that fuse Southeast Asian fare with Western-style spa cuisine. www.haimarktravel.com

Help your skin recover from winter’s damage with an escape to Zambia’s Royal Livingstone Hotel, where you can indulge in the property’s all-new Water Retreat Experiences. Try the Ukuchina Massage, where you’ll be thoroughly pampered in a cabana on the banks of the Zambezi River. You’ll be treated to a lymphatic drainage treatment to fight water retention; a comforting, lemon-scented hot water compress to drain muscles and alleviate depression; and finally, a soothing foot massage to support and rebalance the digestive tract. For a more indulgent treatment, try the Tips of the Falls, which incorporates a fullbody exfoliation with red dune sand; a Kalahari botanical clay wrap; and a relaxing mist system massage. Finish with a visit to the majestic Victoria Falls, which guests can access through a private entrance. www.suninternational.com

Get Fit With summer preparing to creep over the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about getting your body fighting fit and ready to lounge by the pool or head to the beach, and the recently opened Sofitel Dubai Downtown is offering a push in the right direction with its all-new wellness offerings. The state-of-the-art So FIT gym comes complete with certified personal trainers, free-weight systems, cardio machines, strength training equipment, and a massive 90-metre infinity pool, and is the perfect opportunity to get fit and revive your body after your winter hibernation. Complement your workout with a 60-minute So Rejuvenating Facial from the So SPA to restore your skin’s radiant glow, or choose from a myriad of other treatments to encourage wellness with natural ingredients and products from renowned spa brands like Anne Semonin and Thermae. www.sofitel.com

ASEAN Power Inspired by the recently launched ASEAN Economic Community, Devarana Spa has debuted four new Southeast Asian-inspired treatments at its spas around the world. Paying tribute to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar is the Mekong River Harmony package that features a body scrub with tanaka powder, cashew nuts, and dragon fruit, and a soothing Laotian champaca oil massage. The Malayan Retreat moisturises the skin with Singapore-inspired ingredients like coconut, pandan, and jackfruit in its body scrub, and includes a Langkawi-style massage for total relaxation. Ingredients from Indonesia and Brunei are used in the Kalimantan Haven, which finishes with an aromatic tuberose oil massage; while the Pilipinas Island Hideaway, inspired by the Philippines' famous Ube Ice Cream, incorporates taro, oatmeal, and lavender essential oils to exfoliate and soften the skin. www.devaranaspa.com

www.jetsetter.hk

WELLNESS

SPA PROFILE 33

REBORN Mauritian resort Shanti Maurice has relaunched its spa with an entirely new concept, one which travels the globe looking for holistic inspiration and the ancient philosophies of the world’s oldest wellness traditions. Created as a ‘journey around the world through wellbeing,' the relaunch includes new product ranges, new signature treatments, and a series of indulgent new wellness packages, all conducted within three dedicated holistic zones: Oriental, Indian, and Bio. One of the largest spas in the Indian Ocean, the new wellness haven will offer Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Balinese treatments in the Oriental zone’s three garden treatment suites; authentic Ayurvedic rituals in the Indian zone; and body scrubs and wraps using natural locally-sourced ingredients in the Bio zone’s six treatment suites. New signature treatments include the Tibetan Sound Massage, using singing bowls, body butter, and aromatherapy to purify and revitalise; and the Shanti-dhara, a full-body Ayurveda massage which focuses on balancing the Chakras. www.shantimaurice.com

www.jetsetter.hk

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Clean and Green Busy, environmentally-minded travellers can save time and lower their carbon footprint with the latest offering from the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, a Nissan Leaf electric car available exclusively to suite and club room guests. The luxury hotel is the first in Malaysia to provide guests with an eco-friendly courtesy car that will quickly ferry them around the city entirely on electricity. Every two hours between 10am and 4am, the car will operate a route that takes guests to central spots around the city, including the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip, the Central Market, and The Pavilian Kuala Lumpur mall. www.mandarinoriental.com

A New Way to Fly Singapore Airlines will debut its new Premium Economy Class cabin on its Singapore-Sydney route on August 9, 2015, before progressively rolling it out to other sectors including Bejing, Delhi, Hong Kong, London, New York, and Tokyo through 2015 and early 2016. The new cabin will boast revamped seats that range between 18.5 and 19.5 inches wide and include 13.3inch HD monitors, noise-cancelling headphones, calf and foot rests, two USB ports, a cocktail table, and additional stowage for personal items. Customers will also enjoy a more extensive range of food and beverage that includes three meal choices, and an exclusive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Book the Cookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service. www.singaporeair.com

Europe Bound On the heels of the announcement that it will operate a second A380 service to London Heathrow from July, Qatar Airways will further extend its European routes this summer with the addition of a new daily service between Doha and Amsterdam Schipol. Debuting on June 16, the new service will be operated on a B787 Dreamliner featuring 22 fully-flat seats in business class and 232 seats in economy class. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, outbound flights will depart Doha at 0825 and return at 1610; while on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, flights will leave Doha at 0820 and return at 1620. www.qatarairways.com

www.jetsetter.hk

BUSINESS TRAVEL 35

All-new Amenities for Qantas Qantas has unveiled an all-new limited edition amenity kit for passengers travelling in business class on its A330 aircraft between Asia and Australia, coinciding with the rollout of the carrier’s new seats on these aircraft. Designed in partnership with Oroton, the amenity kit includes an eye mask, socks, toothpaste and toothbrush, and Aurora Spa skincare products, along with the airline’s signature pajamas. The new amenity kit is designed to enhance the airline’s new sleep service, where business class passengers have the option of having their seat fitted with a mattress and reclined to 25 degrees upon take-off. www.qantas.com.au

Transit by Sky China World Summit Wing Beijing hotel, located at the top of the city’s China World Trade Center, has launched a new initiative perfectly suited to time-poor business travellers. Using the helipad that recently opened at the top of China World Tower, the hotel will extend exclusive helicopter services to its guests. Ideal for arriving travellers who need to quickly access Beijing’s central business district, where the hotel is located, the new service will operate transfers to and from the international airport, as well as the Great Wall and other city landmarks, and will also be available to ferry guests to the Zhangjiakou Winter Olympics. www.shangr-la.com

New In-Air Comforts Long-haul premium passengers on Cathay Pacific will now enjoy exclusive new amenity kits featuring all-natural skincare products from Australian brands Aesop and Jurlique. First Class passengers will be offered signature Aesop products, such as face and lip creams, in specially designed camel or grey Aesop cases. In Business Class, passengers will receive amenity kits designed by Hong Kong-based Seventy Eight Percent, and stocked with exclusive products from Jurlique; the kits are available in 12 colours and will be offered on a rotational basis. All kits also come with an eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, and monitorcleaning cloths. www.cathaypacific.com www.jetsetter.hk

CRUISING Credit: Ralph Lee Hopkins

In Depth Discoveries Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic will sail a carefully curated series of 22 one-week voyages through Europe in 2016, aboard the 201-passenger National Geographic Orion. The innovative itineraries will take guests on unique journeys through familiar landscapes, including Portugal, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic states, and Scandinavia. A team of experts will be on hand for each voyage to help guests explore the ancient and modern history, politics, art, viniculture, and music of their destinations, while special speakers from the fields of journalism, science, and current affairs will add insight as part of the ‘Global Perspective Speakers’ program. National Geographic photographers will also accompany each journey, while onboard dining will feature exclusive degustation menus by Australian chef Serge Dansereau showcasing the best local flavours. www.expeditions.com

Special Interests at Sea Through 2015 and 2016, Silversea Expeditions will offer immersive, unique experiences in a lineup of new themed voyages. These exciting journeys will take guests on oncein-a-lifetime adventures to exotic locales, accompanied by experts in specialised fields. Guests will be able to indulge in relaxing treatments through Southeast Asia and the South Pacific on Wellness Expeditions; hone their photography skills while exploring local villages and wild animals in Russia’s Far East, Antarctica, South America, and Japan on Photography Expeditions; explore the underwater worlds of Indonesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia with marine biologists and dive masters on Scuba Diving Expeditions; go on epicurean explorations of authentic cuisine in Portugal and France with Culinary Expeditions; or watch the skydwellers of New Zealand, the Galapagos, and Alaska on themed birding cruises. www.silversea.com

Celebrating in Style Crystal Cruises marks its 25th anniversary this year with a series of exciting additions to its offerings that include more itineraries, more ports of call, more destinations, and its first ever around-the-world journey, the 198-day Silver Celebration World Cruise. With 24 new ports of call, travellers will now be able to visit Albany, Australia; Chania, Greece; Sanya, China; Aomori, Japan; and Rijeka, Croatia; while new Late Risers’ Adventures allow those needing a few extra hours of sleep to be able to explore destinations on shore excursions that depart later in the day. Other exclusive offerings will include special parties at sea; European voyages hosted by Crystal Cruises representatives; new entertainment like the My Life: The Music of Billy Joel show; and the newly refurbished Crystal Symphony ship. www.crystalcruises.com www.jetsetter.hk

CRUISING 37

Exotic Expeditions Regent Seven Seas Cruises has released its lineup of Exotic Collections journeys for 2016, and the series of luxurious, all-inclusive voyages will give passengers the chance to explore the far-flung reaches of the globe in style. The highlight of the 2016 Exotic Collections are the 11 voyages across the Mediterranean aboard the company’s all-new Seven Seas Explorer, which will sail its inaugural season in summer 2016, visiting destinations like Barcelona, Lisbon, Marseilles, Venice, Casablanca, Istanbul, Alexandria, and Jerusalem. The new ship caters to 750 guests in 375 elegant, spacious cabins, and also features the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, musical performances in the Explorer lounge, gourmet dining in eight outlets, a library, and a casino. www.rssc.com

Indian Explorations Luxury river expedition company Pandaw will take

cruise-loving

travellers

through

India’s

Ganges and Hooghly rivers on a one-off 16-night journey departing October 27, 2015. Sailing on the 22-suite RV Rajmahal, guests will experience the spiritual Varanasi Ganga Aarti ceremony from the holy Dasaswamedh Ghat steps at sunset; discover Sikh temples and Buddhist monasteries along the banks of the Ganges; visit the scenic Rajmahal hills; see the Katra Mosque and Nashipara and Katgola Palaces; and explore Bengal’s terracotta temples by rickshaw in Kalna, before finishing in the historic city of Kolkata. Guests can opt for pre and post-sailing extensions in Delhi and Kolkata to further their Indian explorations. www.pandaw.com

Scotland’s Latest Cruiser Small ship cruise company The Majestic Line has unveiled the latest addition to its fleet, the MC Glen Etive, which will begin plying the waters around Scotland’s west coast in spring 2016. The third ship for the line, the MC Glen Etive has been designed in the style of a 1930s gentleman’s motor yacht, and features high-quality finishes in natural wood and brass. On board, guests will enjoy personalised service from a crew of four and informal fine-dining menus featuring local produce. Bright and spacious, the MC Glen Etive boasts accommodation for 12 in seven ensuite cabins, and will allow The Majestic Line to offer its passengers longer journeys and new destinations, including Scotland’s breathtaking St Kilda world heritage site. Six-night

cruises

start

from

GBP2,700

(US$4,178) per person. www.themajesticline.co.uk www.jetsetter.hk

BOUTIQUE & BEAUTIFUL

Lion City Luxe The island state of Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence this year, and while the city has plenty of big-name luxury hotels, it’s also home to some smaller gems that are bursting with personality and design flair. By Gayatri Bhaumik Hotel 1929 Old world charm meets the 21st century at Chinatown’s Hotel 1929, a simple yet elegant hideaway which takes its name from the year in which the five conserved houses which make up the hotel were built. None of the 32 guest rooms here – which include two suites with rooftop gardens and outdoor baths – are exactly like, but each is furnished with classic designer and vintage furniture, along with Philips technology, Nespresso coffee makers, Kiehl’s amenities, and WiFi. Chairs take pride of place at Hotel 1929, and pieces from the owner’s private collection, including a Joseph Hoffman 'Kubus' sofa; vintage Eames LCW and DCW chairs circa 1946; and Pierre Paulin ‘Tulip’ chairs, are sprinkled throughout the property’s public spaces and guest rooms. The quirky chairs function as visual counterpoints to the series of old-school black and white photos of early 20th century Singapore that adorn the walls and play to the hotel’s architecture and setting. Tear yourself away from the visual feast to beat the city’s heat with locally-inspired ice cream on the hotel’s openair patio on the second floor. www.hotel1929.com

Adonis Hotel The latest addition to the Lion City’s boutique offerings, Adonis Hotel is a chic hideaway surrounded by the rich heritage of what was once the city’s Hainanese enclave. Right in the heart of the city, the hotel is housed in a traditional shophouse that dates back to the early 1900s, and the building’s original whitewashed façade, complete with verandah railings and plantation shutters, are visual reminders of Singapore’s colonial heritage. Inside, rustic white brick walls and black and white floor tiles create a sense of timelessness, while contemporary art pieces by award-winning local artist Phoon Poh Wai bring a touch of modernity. The Adonis’ 16 rooms and three suites boast comfortable beds dressed in 300 thread count sheets, LG flatscreens, Bluetooth docks, and custom toiletries, along with complimentary minibars and Nespresso coffee machines. Book ahead for the Suite Artist, which occupies the whole top floor and features a private tropical garden terrace with its own hot tub. Downstairs, the hotel’s restaurant serves a sumptuous complimentary breakfast, a daily cocktail hour, and local, nostalgia inducing snacks like HIRO Choc Cake, White Rabbit Candy, and traditional soda crackers. www.hoteladonis.com www.jetsetter.hk

BOUTIQUE & BEAUTIFUL 39

Amoy A stone’s throw from the financial centre of Raffles Place, boutique property Amoy is heavily inspired by the area’s past - this is where boats carrying Chinese immigrants to Singapore would land. Guests pass through the Fuk Tak Chi Museum, a former temple that now plays tribute to the lives of those early settlers, into the hotel's lobby, an expansive glass-roofed room dominated by stone, bamboo, and wood. All 37 guest rooms feature different layouts, but each is accessed through doors emblazoned with the name of a pioneering Chinese family. Inside, you’ll find earthy colours complemented by wooden ceiling beams and stone feature walls, along with retro phones, painted porcelain basins, and fabrics and furniture bearing Chinese-inspired motifs, while thoroughly modern amenities like design-savvy light fixtures, complimentary minibars, coffee machines, and custom toiletries add a distinctly 21st century touch. Extend the experience with a meal at Jin Fine Dining; the hotel’s restaurant manages to retain the property’s design persona while surprising guests’ palates with Thomas Kok’s distinctive cuisine, which marries authentic Japanese fare with contemporary cooking techniques. www.stayfareast.com

Wangz Hotel An urban oasis tucked into Singapore’s eclectic Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, Wangz Hotel is an aesthetically arresting hideaway. The building itself is an architectural marvel of aluminum and asymmetrically-placed glass designed by CPG Consultants, while interiors by local firm Avalon Design are rendered in a style that marries Art Deco touches with locally-inspired flourishes. The 41 guest rooms are sleek and chic, combining modern conveniences with a neutral palette punched up with whimsical pops of colourful artwork and furniture. Each room is decked out with Sealy Posturpedic beds draped in luxurious custom linens, exclusive amenities by Gilchrist & Soames, and 37-inch flatscreens and iPod docks – guests can even request video game consoles in their rooms. Make time to visit The Rabbit Stash, the hotel’s new rooftop restaurant and bar which was brought to life by architecture firm AK+. Amidst captivating cityscapes, award-winning chef Matthew Mock dishes

contemporary

seasonal

cuisine

infused with local flavours. www.wangzhotel.com www.jetsetter.hk

BOUTIQUE & BEAUTIFUL

New Majestic Hotel Blending history with modern touches and design-savvy flair in Singapore’s Chinatown, the New Majestic Hotel is a cornucopia of delight for aesthetes. Each of the 30 rooms here is wildly different – some even come with private gardens, pool views, or loft-style layouts - but all boast a mix of vintage and designer furniture, along with customised baths, Samsung smart TVs, bedding by niche luxury brand Ploh, and toiletries by Kiehl’s. However, the standout digs here are the five exclusive rooms that have been designed by some of Singapore’s top creative talents. Daniel Boey, a fashion show producer, is responsible for perhaps the hotel’s most outrageous offering, The Pussy Parlour room. Inspired by the striking works of celebrity shutterbug David LaChapelle, the room is a fashionsta’s playpen dressed in fuchsia and turquoise hues set off by French chandeliers, a heavy brass bed, neon lights, and mirrors. Assisted by Asian Art Options, the hotel complements the overall experience with a plethora of artwork by nine Singaporean artists that runs that gamut from pop art murals to scenes of colonial Singapore. www.newmajestichotel.com

The Sultan Sprawled through 10 faithfully preserved shophouses in the historic ‘Kampong Glam’ area, The Sultan is an intimate, culturally rich property that sits comfortably amidst the teh tarik (milk tea) shops, traditional eateries, and carpet sellers that surround it. The hotel’s whitewashed façade, graceful archways, and detailed columns give way to interiors by Kay Ngee Tan Architects that blend traditional and modern elements. The 64 guest rooms and suites have been individually designed, although each boasts a clean colour palette of whites and creams accented by judicious touches of colour, along with HD flatscreens, iPod docks, complimentary WiFi, Persian carpets, and design motifs in the décor and furnishings that draw from the neighbourhood’s cultural heritage. For a treat, check into one of the six duplex Loft Suites. Flooded with natural light, these suites feature a spacious living and working area downstairs, and a well-appointed bedroom upstairs. After hours, wind down with whiskey, wine, and music at The Singjazz Club, a sexy jazz lounge run by the brains behind the Singapore International Jazz Festival; or feast on creative modern French cuisine by chef Jason Wong at Toots Brasserie. www.thesultan.com.sg

The Scarlet Singapore The city’s first luxury boutique hotel, The Scarlet Singapore recently emerged from a makeover at the hands of Aedas Interiors and is a sensually splendid bolthole bedecked in rich hues of amethyst, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. Tucked into vibrant Club Street and surrounded by specialty shops, boutique spas, and innovative café and restaurants, the hotel incorporates 13 shophouses that were built in 1868, and an original 1924 Art Deco building whose architectural detailing has been expertly retained and restored. Guest rooms are an aesthetic and tactile delight with their unusual materials and flourishes of colour, and feature flatscreens, pillow menus, and exclusive custom amenities, but the Passion Suite, with its heavy fourposter bed, private terrace with daybeds and outdoor jacuzzi, and palette of garnet reds, blacks, and grays is the epitome of unfettered luxury and sensuality. Make time to take in spectacular city views and sumptuous sundowner cocktails at the Breeze Rooftop Bar, a choice watering hole for locals. www.thescarlethotels.com/singapore www.jetsetter.hk

HOTEL REVIEW 41

A DESIGNER’S DREAM When Paris’ renowned Le Royal Monceau hotel was rebranded under the Raffles flag in 2010, designer Philippe Starck was given carte blanche to manage the makeover. The result is a luxurious hotel where aesthetics take centre stage.

By Gayatri Bhaumik

hilippe Starck is one of those designers that leaves a mark. You know when you’re looking at something he’s created, and there’s no mistaking his stamp on Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, a tastefully designcentric property unashamed of its underlying quirkiness. Starck’s aesthetic influence - his blend of the elegant and the unexpected - is obvious as soon as I arrive at the hotel. The small foyer is decked out with a red carpet, laid out in Starck’s signature cross design; dramatic turn of the century chandeliers have been given a Starckian touch with snow-white silk; and the cavernous lobby features rich yet sparse furnishings. The designer’s influence is even clearer in my sprawling Junior Suite, which boasts elegant, if sometimes eclectic, furnishings. The rather surrealist hand sculpture and two equally artistic lamps on the occasional table are captivating, as is the stylised city map showing Starck’s favourite Parisienne haunts that sits on the unique two-tiered desk. But it’s the little details that charm. The lack of a TV is noticeable until I realise that two are concealed in mirrored walls on either side of the room; the guitar in the corner – there’s one in each room – inspires an impromptu jam session before dinner one night; and extensive mirrored surfaces and fashion show-style lighting in the massive bathrooms and double walk-in wardrobe means the morning routine is a soothing process, not a thoughtless rush job.

At La Cuisine, the hotel’s French fine-dining eatery, Starck’s design flair is once again on display with touches of Murano glass and industrial-feel elements. Breakfast here is an indulgent affair where delicious pastries by Pierre Hermé are the star attraction, and in the evenings, chef Hans Zahner serves up a menu of imaginative dishes that put creative spins on ordinary ingredients. Starck’s hand is visible throughout the hotel, but nowhere is it more obvious than in the uniquely Starck-driven addition I discover one morning. Art District is the property’s private gallery, and it’s all too easy to lose

track of time while checking out the current exhibition – a showcase on Cuba by photographer Andres Serrano – and chatting to the hotel’s art concierge, Julie Eugene. Raffles hotels are known for their luxurious, elegant stylings, but thanks largely to the careful attention to detail employed by Philippe Starck, Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris offers a slightly different yet equally beguiling experience.

Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris 37 Avenue Hoche; +33 1 42 99 88 00; www. leroyalmonceau.com www.jetsetter.hk

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

GOURMET TEMPTATIONS

OF THE

INDIAN OCEAN

With a smorgasbord of delicious gastronomic experiences available at each of its properties, Constance Hotels and Resorts thrills gourmet visitors to the Indian Ocean. Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau Mauritius

There are many tantalising culinary experiences to be enjoyed with Constance Hotels and Resorts, but there is no doubt that the pinnacle of these gastronomic delights is the annual Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau. Since 2006, Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius has hosted the week-long celebration of food that pairs six Michelin-starred chefs from Europe with six chefs from the Constance Hotels and Resorts properties. The festival returns to the Indian Ocean island this year from March 21 – 28, celebrating its 10th anniversary and bringing highlights like a ‘twelve-star’ dinner for the Gala night, and other exciting events like market visits, cocktail contests, cooking classes, and wine competitions.

Constance Le Prince Maurice Mauritius

Perhaps one of the most idyllic settings for a romantic meal in Mauritius, Constance Le Prince Maurice’s Le Barachois restaurant is a captivating proposition. Guests can begin the experience with a sundowner cocktail at the La Barachois bar, before strolling down the lantern-lit pontoon and settling into a table on one of the restaurant’s five floating decks and indulging in a candlelit feast of fresh seafood. The luxurious resort also offers local flavour at Archipel, where visitors can sample Mauritian inspired food and do wine tastings in the dedicated cellars next door.

Constance Belle Mare Plage Mauritius Gourmets

are

spoiled

for

choice

Constance Belle Mare Plage, with a host of restaurants featuring cuisines from all over the world. At Blue Penny Café, guests can enjoy fine-dining inspired by local flavours, and if they’re lucky, feast on dishes prepared by the Michelin-starred chefs who are frequently hosted here. The intimate La Spiaggia serves delicious Mediterranean fare and fresh lobster specialities in a casual beachside setting; while at Deer Hunter, chef Rajesh Payanandee whips up traditional Mauritian cuisine overlooking the property's Legend golf course.

Constance Lémuria Seychelles

Guests can feast on cuisine drawn from all four corners of the world at Legend, the breezy international buffet restaurant at Constance Lémuria which caters to all tastes,

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION while at the laid-back Beach Bar & Grill, they can sample fresh seafood sourced from the Indian Ocean and cooked in the island’s traditional Creole style. For food with flair, Seahorse, the resort’s fine-dining offering, boasts a menu of contemporary dishes that fuse European culinary traditions with delicious local flavours.

Constance Ephelia Seychelles

Cuisines from all over the world converge at Constance Ephelia, where the property’s eateries take guests on a round-the-world culinary experience. At Helios, indulge in a sumptuous Mediterranean feast composed of dishes inspired by the flavours of Italy, Spain, Morocco, and Lebanon. Move on to Asia at Adam & Eve, the casual alfresco eatery where food inspired by the dishes of China and Southeast Asia emanate from the central open kitchen. At Cyann, try signature dishes that combine French culinary techniques with local and Asian influences while overlooking the gorgeous Port Launay Marine Park.

Constance Halaveli Maldives

Elegant but thoroughly relaxed, Jahaz celebrates the food of the world in its extensive buffet offering, served in an indoor-outdoor setting where you can enjoy ocean views and the sand between your toes. Fusion cuisine is also on offer at Constance Halaveli, where guests can try dishes that blend European and Asian culinary traditions in a captivating oceanfront setting at Jing. Don’t miss the classic grill kitchen at Meeru, where guests can relax in candlelit splendour on the beach while enjoying fresh seafood and meat.

Constance Moofushi Maldives

As the name suggests, easy living is exactly what’s on offer at Alizee, the breezy alfresco eatery at Constance Moofushi. Graze on sumptuous fresh seafood and hearty burgers under a verdant canopy of tropical palms, and at night, whet your appetite by watching the restaurant’s artistic chefs prepare perfectly cooked seafood over a flaming charcoal grill. At Manta, relax amid partial white sand floors and sweeping views of the ocean as you tease your taste buds with the restaurant’s ever-changing daily themes, all of which can be accompanied by perfectly matched wines selected by a knowledgeable sommelier.

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST

The 2015

Ultimate Bucket List Our annual showcase of extraordinary experiences from across the globe is perfect for an intrepid world wanderer looking to leave the beaten path far behind. By Nick Walton

www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST 45

Riders on the Storm Few travel experiences can hope to compete with a storm chasing tour, where Mother Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awesome power is on show across the plains of the central US. Silver Lining Tours offer 7-10 night tours that track and chase the supercells and tornados that form in early and midsummer. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ride as part of a team, in specialist vans packed with state-of-the-art technology and operated by experienced guides and operators. Learn how storms develop as you watch the clouds form above you, and get up close and personal with some of the most incredible weather youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever encountered, as supercells wind their wicked torrents down to the earth in elegant but destructive tornado funnels. The company even has specialist photography tours for travellers looking to take home images as epic as their memories. From US$2,650 per person. www.silverliningtours.com

www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST

Tigers & Man Cubs Delve into India’s Kanha National Park in search of the stunning wildlife that inspired The Jungle Book with Indus Experiences’ Kipling Anniversary Tour. Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of his birth, the 16-day (April 17 – May 3, 2015) itinerary includes key locations and experiences from Kipling's life and work, including Mumbai, Agra, Delhi, Amritsar, the Bhandavgarh National Park, and the Kanha Tiger Reserve. If you’d prefer to spend more time with the giant cats of Kanha, head for the Kipling Camp (www.kiplingcamp.com), located just outside the reserve. Established in 1982 and family owned, this intimate wilderness lodge offers daily safari drives into the national park in search of leopards, deer, gaur, Indian wild dogs, and of course, Royal Bengal tigers. The Kipling Anniversary Tour costs GBP3,265 (US$4,941) per person. www.indusexperiences.co.uk

To the River Bound Ecuador is slowly becoming South America’s coolest locale, thanks to its stunning biodiversity. From the rainforest tribes of the Amazon Basin to the wildlife of the acclaimed Galapagos Islands and the mesmerising Avenue of Volcanoes, the tiny country has a little of everything, and adventurous travellers can see it all with Aurora Expeditions’ 26-day Ecuador in Depth tour. Departing from the capital, Quito, on September 17 and October 15, this unique land and ship-based itinerary has a little something for every world wanderer, from canoeing along the Amazon backwaters to trekking the 5,897-metre Cotopaxi, the world’s highest active volcano, to snorkelling with sea lions and diving with iguanas in the Pacific. You’ll delve into the Amazon Basin aboard the 60-passenger Anakonda luxury riverboat (pictured) in search of caimans and sloths, visit indigenous tribes on the river banks, and even ride the famous Devil’s Nose Train, considered the most difficult rail track in the world. From US$13,990 per person, twin share. www.auroraexpeditions.com.au

Sail the Convict Coast Explore the splendour of Tasmania’s spectacular east coast on a Wineglass Bay Sail Walk itinerary on the 75ft luxury yacht Lady Eugenie. The walking company’s itineraries include Maria Island, the acclaimed Freycinet Peninsula, and on the extended six-night trip, the awe-inspiring Tasman Peninsula, famed for its sheer cliffs and unique rock formations. Experienced guides lead the way through ancient rainforests and deserted coves, with visits to the World Heritage-listed convict site of Darlington, and to Australian fur seal colonies on the Isle du Phoques along the way. You’ll walk three to seven hours a day, with opportunities for photography and snorkelling, before returning to gourmet meals onboard laced with Tasmania’s acclaimed local produce and Australian wines, making each day’s hike all the more worth the effort. From AU$2,990 (US$2,362) per person, twin share. www.wineglassbaysailwalk.com.au www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST 47

Sail to the Deep South Seeing the beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula is one thing (read about editor Nick Walton’s adventures there on p62) but if you’re looking to arrive like the explorers before you, do so under power of sail on the Bark Europa. The acclaimed tall ship, first built in 1911 and restored in 1996, visits Antarctica each year on a specialist 22-day itinerary. Travel 1,200 nautical miles from Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula and trace the steps of Barentz and Shackleton as you brave the Drake Passage, dodge icebergs in the South Shetlands, and cruise the Lemaire Passage under billowing sails. You’ll arrive in deserted coves just as generations of explorers and whalers did, by three-mast sailing ship, reaching the shore on guided excursions in search of Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin colonies. With just 48 passengers and a highly-trained crew, guests have opportunities to man the helm, draw in the sails, and chart course like the sailors of old. Alternatively, man the decks in search of humpbacks and curious minkie whales. From €6,150 (US$5,445) per person. www.barkeuropa.com

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THE 2015 BUCKET LIST

A Return to Nature Many travellers bound for Europe are intent on visiting its ancient capitals, filled with historic churches and fascinating museums. But adventurous travellers looking to combine their culture with the great outdoors should head to Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park. Founded in 1949, it's the largest national park in southeast Europe and covers the mountainous karst region of the country’s centre. Popular in the 19th century with visiting nobility, the park is a summertime gem as well as a winter wonderland for bird watchers, hikers, and campers visiting the acclaimed Plitvice Falls, a network of brilliantly coloured karstic lakes and waterfalls which freeze in the winter, creating dramatic seasonal landscapes, and flooding into a torrent as the snow thaws. www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

Burmese Days Myanmar is suddenly en vogue after political reform, and its lack of infrastructure has endeared it to affluent but intrepid travellers looking to get far from the beaten path without straying from creature comforts. Enter the Sanctuary Ananda, a custom-built river cruiser launched in November 2014, and the latest to ply the mighty Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers. Catering to only 42 guests and featuring plenty of locallyinspired design cues throughout, the Sanctuary Ananda offers six insightful itineraries, from the Yunnan-inspired city of Bhamo down to the colonial capital of Yangon, led by expert guides. You’ll spend your days delving into ancient Buddhist temples and visiting riverbank villages on daily excursions, and your evenings lounging on your suite’s spacious private balcony (the ship is the only all-balcony vessel on the Irrawaddy), on the ship’s vast open sun decks, or dining on world-class cuisine in the ship’s intimate dining room. From US$3,792 per person, twin share. www.sanctuaryretreats.com

A Hidden Paradise If the idea of French Polynesia’s unspoiled beaches and azure seas catches your attention, set sail on the Aranui 3, a mixed use passenger and cargo ship which recently celebrated its 30th year of plying the waters to the remote and idyllic Marquesas Islands. Once the home of painter Paul Gauguin, the volcanic islands give a sense of the French Polynesia of old, before the international flights and overwater bungalows of Bora Bora and Moorea. The 2,896-kilometre, 14-day journey visits untouched Hiva Oa and Ua Huka in the Marquesas, famed for their herds of wild horses; pristine Takapoto and Rangiroa in the Tuamotus chain; the Society Islands; and Bora Bora. Itineraries include hikes to hidden waterfalls and sacred ritual sites, encounters with local artisans and pearl farms, and snorkelling on some of the best coral reefs in the world. Catering to 200 passengers in 63 cabins and suites, cruises start from US$4,908 per person. www.aranui.com www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST 49

Cube Libre With relations steadily thawing between the US and Cuba, there has never been a better time to visit Havana if you’re looking to discover the authentic side of this unique Caribbean capital. Boutique hotels are opening in Havana’s colourful, eclectic neighborhoods, welcoming travellers set on seeing Cuba before pre-revolution mass tourism returns. For first timers, Havana Discovery Tours offers half-day excursions in Havana, as well as a Hemingway-themed bar crawl that traces the history of the writer’s favourite cocktail, the daiquiri, through the city’s hidden watering holes. Take a step further with the three-hour rum museum and factory tour, which ends with a tasting of Cuba’s most revered spirit, while culture creatures can delve into Old Havana, a Unesco-listed heritage site, on a four-hour walking tour that follows the original city walls and visits one of the city’s most famous Cuban restaurants. www.havanadiscoverytours.com www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST

Shyer Than Your Average Bear Dive into the lush ancient rainforests of western Canada in search of the elusive white Kermode bear, the world’s rarest. Maple Leaf Adventures offers a truly unique excursion into the scenically mesmerising Great Bear Rainforest, a landscape of flowing alpine rivers, wooded islands, and steep fjords, on the company’s Great Bear Rainforest Tour by Sail. In addition to catching a peek at white bears in their element, you’ll also track grizzly bears and their cubs, watch black bears fish for wild salmon, and follow whales as they linger up the mirror-like fjords, all from the comfort of a beautifully restored and historic local yacht. You’ll venture into the forest on guided excursions and get up and close to Mother Nature on zodiac encounters along the Inside Passage’s many hidden coves and inlets, returning to the ship each afternoon to gourmet cuisine laced with locallysourced ingredients. Departures from May to October 2015, from US$3,059 per person. www.mapleleafadventures.com

A Royal Retreat Travellers willing to traverse the vast distances across the 17,000-island strong Indonesian archipelago will be rewarded with some of the most dramatic diving and snorkelling in Asia, at Raja Ampat. Located off the northwest tip of the island of New Guinea, this hidden Garden of Eden is made up of 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding four main islands (the name means four kings). Home to over 1,300 fish species as well as pristine coral reefs, Raja Ampat is on the bucket list of every avid diver. Explore this paradise on a seven-day, live aboard itinerary titled Coral Triangle with Wicked Diving. Catering to just 14 and with a ratio of one dive guide to every four guests, the live aboard company offers an intimate encounter with this unique corner of the globe on the Phinisi-styled Jaya sailing schooner, handcrafted from local hardwood. Trip fees include transfers, full room and board on the yacht, meals, and a chance to dive with giant moray eels, turtles, white tipped sharks, eagle rays, and spinner dolphins. From US$1,690 per person. www.wickeddiving.com

Return to Glory Despite all the saber rattling, tourism to Iran is on the rise, especially to ancient sites like Persepolis, once a religious and cultural hub for everyone from the Scythians of Siberia to the Copts of Ethiopia. Today, the ruins of the once great Achaemenid Empire lie baked in the sun and backed by towering Mt Rahmat. Audley Tours’ 13-day Classic Iran itinerary visits both Persepolis and Esfahan, famed for its Muslim architecture, on an in-depth tour that departs from Tehran. You’ll visit ancient Zoroastrian sites, including the Towers of Silence, travel through the desert landscape in search of the Tomb of Cyrus, and explore historic Shiraz, once an international trading centre. At Persepolis, trace timeless reliefs and walk under imposing gateways with an experienced guide before finishing your tour with a peek at Esfahan’s Imam Square, Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque, and Chehel Sotun Palace. www.audleytravel.com www.jetsetter.hk

THE 2015 BUCKET LIST 51

Blazing Saddles Explore Chile’s desolately beautiful desert lands in style with a horseback expedition from Explora Atacama. Nestled between the vast Pacific Ocean and the towering Andes, the Atacama is the driest non-polar desert in the world, a surreal landscape of salt lakes, lava fields, and sandy dunes that can be explored on walking, van, bicycle, and horseback itineraries. Mount up and travel into the desert like a traditional huaso cowboy on one of the lodge’s horseback itineraries, designed for all skill levels. Follow experienced guides in search of the San Pedro Oasis, towering sand dunes, brilliant white salt plains, the seasonal San Pedro River, the unique rock formations of the Cordillera de la Sal, and the pre-Columbian archaeological site of Pukará de Quitor. You’ll return to the 50-room lodge for a dip in one of four interconnected pools, glorious under a canopy of stars, and dining at the traditional qunichobbq pit, home to spit-roasted feasts accompanied by Andean folk songs. From US$3,000 per person for four nights, twin share. www.explora.com

Northern Passage Head to the North Pole aboard the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Years of Victory as part of Quark’s unique Arctic itineraries for 2015. The Ultimate Arctic Adventure is a 14-day journey on the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker ever constructed, and includes helicopter excursions and Champagne celebrations as the Arktika-class vessel ploughs its way through virgin ice up to 2.8 metres thick on its way to the Pole. If you prefer to be on terra firma, Quark’s Barneo Ice Camp is a high adventure fly-in base that offers a true expeditionary adventure to just 56 guests. A scientific station in the middle of the pristine landscape of the Geographic North Pole, the camp’s five-day itinerary includes flights onto the camp’s ice runway, specialist lectures, a chance to mingle with the researchers living in this remote spot, and helicopter flights to the Pole. From GBP17,900 (US$27,425) per person with departures in June and July. www.quarkexpeditions.com

The Land of Saints & Scholars For an adventure that’s a little more refined, Belmond will launch Ireland’s first luxury overnight train this year. The Belmond Grand Hibernian will tour the magnificent countryside and dramatic coastline of both Northern Ireland and the Republic on two, four, and six-night itineraries from its base in Dublin. Guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Emerald Isle from the comfort of 20 elegant ensuite cabins (four interconnecting suites are ideal for families) designed by James Park Associates, while a host of insightful and exciting excursions will allow guests to immerse themselves in Ireland’s artistic and musical heritage, its world-class golf, and its gastronomic renaissance. www.belmond.com www.jetsetter.hk

ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS

LOVERS OF

Adventure An increasing number of newlyweds are turning away from the conventional honeymoon holiday and are instead starting their new lives together with the trip of a lifetime. Here are some of our favourites. By Nick Walton

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ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS 53

ICON OF THE OPEN ROAD Explore Australia’s ever-changing landscapes in style with a unique journey with Airstream Adventures. Using the luxury caravan concept that’s been an icon of American roads since the 1930s, the Australian outfit offers intrepid lovers a choice of modern, luxury caravans, all customised for Aussie roads. Whether you’re planning a foodie tour through rural New South Wales, a coastal journey in Western Australia, or a spot of romantic beach-hopping in tropical Queensland, Airstream Adventures offers chauffeurs to drive the caravans on customised itineraries, allowing you to sit back and drink in the stunning scenery. Alternatively, have your stylish home on wheels delivered to one of the company’s exclusive campsites for a honeymoon with a difference. From AU$695 (US$560) per day at the campsite and AU$1,275 (US$1,029) per day with a driver. www.airstreamadventures.com.au

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ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS

LAND OF ICE

Iceland's volcanoes may have caused plenty of trouble for frequent flyers in the past, but they're still popular spots for the adventurous. The Vatnajokull Voyager is an adventure-packed day trip to the Kaftafell and Vatnajokull National Parks offered by Extreme Iceland. Well suited to couples that may not climb often but are looking to mark their nuptials in style, the day trip takes in the largest glacier in Europe, guided ice hikes, and a zodiac cruise through the massive icebergs of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (pictured). www.extremeiceland.is

SHANGHAI SIDEWAYS

If you're looking for something a little more urban, how about touring one of Asia's most dynamic – and busiest – cities by vintage Chinese military motorbike sidecar? Shanghai Sideways specialises in fast-paced, adrenalinpumping guided motorbike tours of the Paris of the East. From the frenzy of Nanjing Road, to the bustle of the Bund, see this amazing city from a whole new perspective, and with room for just two guests, it's perfectly suited for couples looking to break up the romance with some adventure. www.shanghaiinsiders.com

SLEEP WITH THE FISHES

It doesn’t get much more adventurous or romantic than being marooned in style atop Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef. With 360-degree views and a unique location at Hardy Reef, in the heart of the Unesco-listed landscape, the newly renovated Reefsleep is just the ticket for couples looking for escape. Sleep under the stars in double Aussie ‘swags’ – cozy little tents with snug bedding – and wake to dazzling sunrises on this innovative pontoon. Catering to just 12 guests a night, the tariff includes meals, air-conditioned guest rooms (for those who don’t want to rough it) and transfers. From AU$399 (US$322) per person, twin snuggle. www.cruisewhitsundays.com www.jetsetter.hk

SWIM WITH THE JELLIES

ADVENTURE HONEYMOONS 55

Located in Palau, a tiny archipelago nation east of the Philippines, couples are increasingly taking the dive into a truly unique environment. Fifth Lake (or Ongeim'lTketau in the local tongue) is located in the centre of Eil Malk Island, one of the nation's famed 'rock islands,' and is home to millions of golden jellyfish. The jellies, which have evolved to be completely stingless, migrate across this picturesque lake with the sunshine, and intrepid swimmers can glide through the water with them, in complete safety. Sam’s Tours specialises in day trips to the lake and provide snorkelling gear as well as access to some of Palau’s other hidden wonders. www.samstours.com

OLD WORLD CHARM

Delve into the lush countryside of central Sri Lanka, a destination slated to be red hot in 2015. One of the island’s most acclaimed eco resorts is also an ideal locale for lovers looking to get off the beaten path. Nestled into a private nature reserve crisscrossed with lakes and reed beds, Jetwing Vil Uyana is perched above the dancing landscape and marries rustic charm with old world hospitality. Guests can explore the nearby Sigiriya Fortress or spy shy elephant herds in the thick jungle on tours of the Loris Trail or Rangirigama Bird Trail, or get in touch with their spiritual side at the Unesco-listed Golden Temple of Dambulla, before returning to sumptuous dining and wellness at the resort, which takes its design inspiration from traditional village buildings, and its service notes from the pomp of the colonial era. www.jetwinghotels.com

COASTAL CRUSH

Mexico’s pristine beaches and endless sunshine sound pretty perfect for a post nuptial escape. However, skip the crowded resorts with a cruise down the Baja coast with adventure cruise line Lindblad Expeditions. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez a “living aquarium,” with its islands designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and there is no better way to explore its stunning marine life than aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, both of which summer in Baja. Daily excursions by zodiac offer an upclose-and-personal encounter with pods of bottlenose dolphins, balletic sea lion pups, and inquisitive California gray whales. Spend your days kayaking across deserted bays, exploring the coastline with trained naturalists, or snorkelling on remote reefs. There is also a full dive setup onboard and resident photographers to help you perfect your art, and of course there will be plenty of time for shared sunsets with your new spouse. From US$4,999 per person. www.expeditions.com www.jetsetter.hk

ICELAND

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IN FROM

THE COLD

Iceland was, until recently, best known for its troublesome volcanoes, eclectic singers, and economic meltdown, yet the tiny island state is now enjoying a tourism boom of unprecedented proportions as thousands of travellers bundle up and explore its spectacular landscapes.

celand has gone from an obscure destination visited only by the intrepid, to one of the hottest items on bucket lists of travellers the world over. After a steady 450,000 visitors annually between 2007 and 2010, the nation of geysers and glaciers has seen that figure more than double over the past three years, with Iceland expected to welcome more than a million visitors this year. And there are plenty of reasons why. Contrary to preconceptions, Iceland has a little something for everyone, and not just snow bunnies or volcano junkies. Located in the northern Atlantic between Europe and North America, Iceland’s name might be misleading; only 10 percent of the country is covered by glacial ice, and its surprisingly mild climate and geothermal hotspots ensure the Nordic nation is an all-year destination. Travellers usually fly into Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, and a breath of fresh air after the traffic jams and queues of Asia. With a population of only 120,000, the greater Reykjavik area is home to two out of every three Icelanders. The city boasts the dynamic culture, dining scene, and nightlife of a much larger metropolis; its museum scene is diverse and facinating, its weekend revelry borderline hedonistic, and come the long lingering summer nights, the city’s residents and visitors alike come out to play. For many travellers, Iceland conjurs up images of a stark, desolately beautiful destination of ice-crusted wilderness and this wonderland can be found in the

hálendið or highlands of Iceland's interior. Free of towns or villages, this elevated ice plateau is punctuated by gravel plains, glacial rivers, lava fields, volcanoes, and jagged mountains. Routes first formed by Vikings are now used by summertime hikers and adventure seekers looking to test their mettle against the elements as they camp in traditional sæluhúshiking huts. Head east and southeast and you’ll discover Vatnjökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, part of a 550km strip of ice-covered highlands. This region is especially popular with soft adventure travellers and is home to wide glacial rivers, extensive forests, and mesmerising fjords, dramatic steep sided valleys that plunge to dark blue, frozen waters. Accessible from the capital via the country’s ring road but also by ferry from Denmark and the neighbouring Faroe Islands, the fjords and the glaciers of the ice cap are ideal for mountaineering and hiking as well as day trips that visit isolated fishing communities, mountain lakes, and forest glades. The South Coast is equally stunning, with visitors bound for the towering waterfalls of Skógarfoss, famed for its double rainbow, and postcard perfect Seljalandsfoss, as well as the impressive rock formations of Dyrhólaey, a small volcanic peninsula with views to the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. To the east, the black lava columns of the Reynisdrangar come out of the sea, and to the west, the whole black sand coastline in the direction of Selfoss is visible. Many tours also visit Eyjafjallajökull, an active volcano covered with a thick ice cap that last erupted in 2010. www.jetsetter.hk

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

EXPLORE ICELAND’S UNTAMED WILDS

Iceland is becoming a popular destination for tourists to Europe who want to go a little off the beaten path, and with Iceland Day Trips, you can explore the best of ‘the land of ice and fire’.

celand Day Trips offers small-group private tours of Iceland and is the perfect choice for couples, families, and honeymooners looking to explore the vast landscapes and inquisitive wildlife of this still largely undiscovered region. Our main offerings are the tours which take tourists through Iceland’s most popular routes, but to really get the most out of the experience, we offer these journeys with a twist. While driving, you can stop at any place that catches your eye, giving you the chance to personalise your trip. Along the way, enjoy local snacks and beverages that could include anything from chocolates and smoked lamb meat sandwiches to traditional shark and brennivín schnapps.

For a truly bespoke experience, work with

us to customise an Icelandic journey that meets your specific needs. Active travellers can walk on glaciers, go horseback riding, and rafting, while the adventurous can venture inside dormant volcanoes and cruise the highlands in a Super Jeep. For the more daring, the company can even fly you over an active volcanic eruption. If your interests tend more to relaxation, you can choose to bathe in natural geothermal pools in the wilderness, or explore the countryside while watching the Northern Lights or enjoying the midnight sun. To get the most out of your trip you’ll be accompanied by one of our professional, knowledgeable guides, but don’t expect the run-of-the-mill tour guides and route speeches here. Our guides are interesting, personable individuals drawn from all

walks of life, and include a filmmaker, a baritone singer and entertainer, a hunter, a college teacher, a mountain climber, and a biologist who moonlights as a mechanic. The nature of the job and the diversity of customers mean that all guides are able to communicate with kids and adults, and can be entertaining or serious as necessary. Because of the high standards of the tours, Iceland Day Trips’ journeys are kept to a limited supply. Having a handful of visitors gives us the opportunity to provide the best possible service to each visitor, along with comfortable transportation and a cultivated professional.

Iceland Day Trips www.icelanddaytrips.com; +354 698 6797; daytrips@icelanddaytrips.com

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

D O I N G ICELAND I N

S T Y L E

Iceland is fast becoming a destination of choice for intrepid travellers and with Nine Worlds , you can explore Iceland’s majestic natural wonders in unfettered luxury

o some, adventure means sacrificing creature comforts, but with Nine Worlds, you can create your own bespoke journey through Iceland’s untamed wilds without sacrificing creature comforts. Nine Worlds specialises in working with VIP clients to create highend, tailor-made experiences in Iceland that seamlessly blend adventure and opulence. Start by choosing your pick of Iceland’s world-class authentic natural experiences to build a journey that is uniquely yours. Chase the Northern Lights through snow-covered terrains or sleep under a midnight sun during summer’s twenty-four hours of daylight. Fish for North Atlantic salmon and brown trout or be awed by the majesty of active volcanoes. Go heli-skiing and ice climbing or make your way across frozen landscapes like Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, or pamper yourself with Iceland’s breathtaking natural hot springs and the unique Blue Lagoon. Enjoy Reykjavik’s luxury hotels and soak up the lively atmosphere of Iceland’s vibrant capital city. Whatever your interests, you’ll discover your very own version of Iceland. To make your journey as smooth as possible, you can choose to travel however you want with Nine World’s stable of custom-built vehicles made for every terrain. Whether you voyage by land, by air, or by water, you’ll have only the best luxury vehicles, Super Jeeps, helicopters, and yachts at your disposal. In between all your adventuring, you’ll be able to sate your appetite as your explore the best of Icelandic cuisine with top chefs and

fresh produce. Dine in Reykjavik’s best restaurants or take a lavish picnic into the vast plains; either way, you’ll have gourmet experiences you won’t soon forget. At night, you’ll rest easy in a wide array of sumptuous accommodations. Whether you decide on private villas or resplendent resorts located in the midst of civilisation or on the edges of the wilderness, with Nine Worlds, you’re guaranteed to sleep in total comfort and luxury. Creating your own customised, luxurious Icelandic adventure is simple with Nine Worlds. Just contact us, and we’ll work with you to craft your perfect journey. Wherever you want to go, however you want to get there, and whatever you want to see, we’ll get you there, in absolute luxury.

Nine Worlds www.nineworlds.is; +354 585 4330; info@nineworlds.is

ANTARCTICA

GOING TO FROZEN EXTREMES Nick Walton plays polar explorer on an unforgettable adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula.

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A crab-eating seal lazes on an iceberg near the Polar Pioneer. www.jetsetter.hk

ANTARCTICA

Clockwise from top left: the entrance to the Lemaire Channel; navigating the icy waters of the Peninsula; on the bridge of the Polar Pioneer

ith steam billowing from my mouth and snow up to my knees, I summit the small hill on the largest of the Aitcho Islands, in the South Shetland chain, to a round of gurgling applause from the local Gentoo penguin colony. But approval from the residents on this desolately beautiful rock isn’t the only reward for the 30 hours flying and two days sailing it took to get here; the view across the English Strait, which is bathed in glorious golden sunlight despite the late hour, is truly magnificent. If I was an explorer of old, glaring out from thick, round goggles,

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my beard flecked with icicles, I’d be looking for a good spot to raise my flag. I settle for erecting a tripod instead, as black and white chinstraps and gentoos the size of housecats fuss around my feet, oblivious to the wonder of their home or the captivated imagination of its newest visitor. Tiny, unassuming Aitcho is our first dry land since our ship, Aurora Expeditions’ pint-sized Polar Pioneer, left Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina, three days before. There, the port was busy with ships bound for the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula as an ever-increasing number of

affluent and intrepid travellers make for the White Continent and its unique, awe-inspiring landscapes. It’s more reminiscent of a day cruise to some secluded picnic spot than the beginning of an expedition as we ply the calm waters of the Beagle Channel, enjoying glorious sunshine and views of the snow-dusted peaks which ring Ushuaia’s harbour. We mingle with fellow explorers from across the globe, pose for photos on the Pioneer’s bow, and trace the flight paths of sheathbills and sleek cormorants as they race across the glistening water in formation, their reflections never

ANTARCTICA 65

If I was an explorer of old , glaring out from thick , round goggles , my beard flecked with icicles , Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be looking for a good spot to raise my flag. I settle for erectinga tripod instead

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ANTARCTICA

quite catching up. Just after dinner, our expedition leader Dr Gary Miller, announces our arrival at the Drake Passage and it’s time to batten down the hatches as we enter some of the most tumultuous waters on the globe.

Above: a newly hatched Gentoo chick; bedding down in the ice is one of Aurora's most popular excursions. Right: touring the icebergs of Neko Harbour; seals are among the most popular species encountered; the dramatic view at Cape Horn

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There’s nothing quite like five-metre sweels and 40-knot winds to bring out the explorer in you, and Aurora’s open bridge policy ensures those who venture up the ship’s narrow staircases feel like part of the Russian crew as they cling to supports and watch whitecaps slam against the hull, a cascade of cold, green sea pounding against the bridge’s windows. That’s what Antarctica cruising is all about; it’s a journey to a remote land wreathed by turbulent seas and capped with inhospitable ice, ensuring only the most willing ever venture this far south. The Drake Passage and the icy environment are not the only detractors; international conventions strictly enforce rules on the number of tourists allowed to visit each season, ensuring it remains pristine. The few cruise companies that are allowed to land

passengers on the continent (most of the estimated 40,000 visitors annually arrive by ship, with many on ‘cruise by’ itineraries that never actually land) are regulated by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators and the number of travellers allowed on the ice at any one time, and what they do when they arrive, is all strictly monitored. Aurora Expeditions has been cruising to the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as many other remote locations, since the 1990s, and offers a truly authentic take on polar exploration for a lucky handful of travellers; the Polar Pioneer, a former Russian spy ship that’s much smaller than many of the other vessels that venture so far south, is far from luxurious. But instead its hardy crew, comfort cuisine, and compact but practical cabins offer a true sense of how the many scientific teams live as they visit the White Continent. In fact, Aurora’s marine crew is complemented by a dedicated team of polar junkies - naturalists, biologists and photographers - on hand to lead visitors through this truly unique encounter with guided excursions and insightful onboard briefings.

ANTARCTICA 67 The atmosphere is positively electric through the ship’s narrow confines two days later as the swells finally relent and Gary announces that we’ve made good progress through the Drake and arrived in Antarctic waters with time for an evening landing in the South Shetlands. Our complement of 50 passengers scramble into thick rubber moon boots and bright blue Aurora Expeditions jackets, cameras at the ready as they line the decks waiting for their turn to clamber down the gangway to a waiting zodiac, and the prospect of our first Antarctic landing. The few hours spent on Aitcho is the first of a dozen such excursions that come part and parcel with an Aurora Expeditions cruise. By night the ship navigates the frozen coastline, through the South Shetlands and then on to the White Continent itself, giving guests a chance to walk, climb, and even – in a rare opportunity only offered by a few expeditionary cruise lines camp a night in the ice. At the Hydrurga Rocks, two small, snow and ice-covered rocky islands in the Palmer Archipeligo, we watch Weddell seals and a solitary leopard seal lounging on the ice, the sensational views of the Buache and Modey Peaks, towering mountains on nearby Two Hummock Island, as a dramatic backdrop. In narrow, sheltered Neko Harbour, on the west coast of Graham Land on the Antarctic Peninsula, passengers who had signed up for climbing follow their guides high above the bay, while the rest of us tour a sea of towering icebergs by zodiac, serenaded by the penguins of a vast Gentoo colony perched on rocks overlooking the harbour as the noisy birds warn off dark green skuas hoping to steal from their nests. After our Russian captain crushes and barges our way through the ice of the mesmerising Lemaire Channel, virtually every passenger stooped over the rail on the ship’s foresail to watch the ice floes crack and capsize in our wake (we were the first ship to pass through this ice gauntlet in over a month), my brother Dan and I board a zodiac driven by Norwegian expedition photographer and bird fanatic Eirik Grønningsæter. We leave the ship behind, its profile quickly hidden by icebergs the size of double-storey houses, and follow the reflection of the valley’s snowy peaks on the water towards an endless expanse of ice floes, tracing the wake of an inquisitive minkie whale, capturing the turquoise brilliance of freshly turned icebergs, and disturbing the afternoon slumbers of a crab eating seal, the sunshine setting his fur a brilliant golden hue. We meet fellow explorers in Port Lockroy, one of the Peninsula’s most beautiful natural harbours and one that is ringed by the jagged, brutal peaks of the Seven Sisters to one side, and the imposing yet magnificent 1,415-metre high Savoia Peak on the other. Here, four scientists work through the summer months, tasked by the British Antarctic Heritage Trust to maintain and restore past settlements on the Peninsula, including historic Bransfield House, where they live. Bransfield is part museum, part science camp, part gift shop, and we take turns leafing through the kitchen's cook books, which detail methods of cooking seal stew and penguin pie, and sending letters from www.jetsetter.hk

ANTARCTICA

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ANTARCTICA 69

left to right: the Polar Explorer dwarfed by the peaks of the Peninsula; the view over the English Strait

the only post box in Antarctica. Beyond the tiny camp whale skeletons reach up from the snow, penguins stumble their way across the billiard table-flat sea ice, and blue-eyed shags take turns to race across the water and glide through the frozen thermals above the harbour. That night, a duo of humpbacks escort our ship leafing through the mirrorlike waters of the Gerlache Strait. Finally, it’s our time to play true polar explorer, with two of Aurora’s most popular experiences, ice camping and the polar plunge. The latter takes place on our afternoon in the Lemaire Chanel, where, under a dazzling sun, passengers of all ages leap from the ship’s deck, GoPro cameras at the ready, into the frozen waters, to rounds of applause from crew and guests alike. After the blinding cold of the Antarctic seas, the warmth of the sun is glorious and many passengers wander the decks in their swimming trunks, forgetting they're on the cusp of the Antarctic Circle. The ice camping is a much hardier experience but one that still seduces 80 percent of the ship’s contingent. Camping under the stars is one of the most popular in a raft of activities now offered by Aurora Expeditions; travellers can climb frozen mountain passes, kayak with specialist guides through fields of blue-white icebergs, and even snorkel and scuba dive on selected trips. While other companies offer a camping experience with tents and creature comforts, Aurora guests are encouraged to ‘rough it’ with nothing but sleeping bags between them and the awe-inspiring landscapes of an Antarctic summer night.

bed rolls across to Useful Island, in the Gerlache Strait. Our little group works up a sweat digging a trench in the wind-hardened ice, piling the snow in a foot-high wall that will help protect us from the whipping polar gusts. Then we settle in for a night under summer skies, inquisitive Gentoos stumbling across the ice to take a peek, great waves of cloud spilling over the mountain tops that ring the island, all of us snug in our sleeping bags basking in the silence of Antarctica. We wave good-bye to Antarctica a few days later as the ship slips back into the tumultuous Drake Passage, the first heaving waves arriving mid-way through dinner. But the ice camping isn’t our last chance to explore the wonders of the deep south; after a rare landing at Cape Horn, where we climb the steep staircases to the top of windwhipped sea cliffs and visit the sole Chilean naval family that protects this last outpost, the Polar Pioneer berths at Porto Williams, the first commercial cruise ship to ever conduct an itinerary turn around there. The remote Chilean town aspires to compete with Ushuaia, another 50 kilometres down the Beagle Channel, and our band of now seasoned explorers make history as the first polar tourists to disembark at its tiny pier. It’s a fitting end to a unforgettable adventure to the world’s last frozen frontier.

Travel Essentials Fly Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com) and LAN (www.lan. com) to Ushuaia via Auckland and Santiago. Aurora Expeditions (www.auroraexpeditions.com.au) offers cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula between November and March, with fares from

The crew ferry passengers loaded up with special sleeping bags and

US$8,700 per person, triple share. www.jetsetter.hk

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Be among the first to set sail around Europe with

Li n d b la d Exped iti o n sN at i o n a l G eo g r a p h i c

ith its vibrant yet varied cultures, mix of modern and ancient history, flavoursome cuisines, and picturesque landscapes, Europe remains a perennial popular playground for Asian travellers offering them an array of memorable travel opportunities to suit. For an experience of a lifetime, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is giving holiday-makers the chance to be among the first to set sail on Europe’s high seas onboard the National Geographic Orion. After many years exploring the waters of Antarctica, Indonesia and the South Pacific, the National Geographic Orion will embark on its maiden season in Europe providing travellers with a new way to explore this favoured destination, in 2016. Steeped in history, Lindblad Expeditions is the world leader in expedition travel, having taken adventure seekers on unique explorations to some of the world’s most remarkable destinations, such as the Galapagos, since 1966.

Heralded as the “father of eco-tourism”, LarsEric Lindblad, the company’s namesake, led the world’s first “citizen” expedition to Antarctica more than 50 years ago, and Lindblad Expeditions has continued to take people on unique discoveries around the world. In 2016, Lindblad Expeditions invites you to join their experts by choosing from 22 highly curated, one-week voyages of Europe that visit Portugal, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, the Baltic Republics and Scandinavia by land and sea. From visiting the abandoned Celtic Christian village of Inishmurray with a local expert, discovering the picturesque and medieval settlement of Brugge, to sampling Belgium chocolate and praline making first hand with a renowned pastry chef, you’ll be spoilt for choice when travelling with Lindblad Expeditions. These on shore experiences are complemented with many on board creature comforts that includes fine dining, degustation menus by international chef, Serge Dansereau, with

cuisines influenced by the flavours of each region. Each voyage is also led by an extraordinary team of travel experts including National Geographic photographers and special speakers as part of Lindblad Expedition’s ‘Global Perspectives Speakers’ program. Catering for 102 guests, the National Geographic Orion’s size is ideally suited to European travel, with the ship boasting state of the art interiors, spacious suites and premium entertaining areas. For pricing, departures dates and booking enquiries, visit au.expeditions.com.

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Antarctica,

t he l a st fr ontie r

t has been barely more than 100 years since humans first set foot on the continent of Antarctica, and a mere 195 years since sailors first cast their eyes on the Antarctic Peninsula. Yet even before they witnessed it, most early explorers were convinced a large, southern continent existed. It was commonly described as ‘Terra Australis Incognita’ – the Unknown Southern Land. Until recently, Antarctica was a destination for nobody but the hardiest of polar explorers – legends such as Scott, Amundsen, Mawson and Shackleton. It still has no permanent residents, but there is now an

excellent range of options for Antarctic travel; an opportunity of a lifetime to encounter remarkable wildlife, such as penguins, seals, whales and orcas, up close and in abundance amidst pristine, aweinspiring scenery with only a minimal footprint. Chimu Adventures offer an array of expedition cruise itineraries departing from southern Argentina and Chile or, if you are on a tight schedule, there are flights to and from King George Island and the Falkland Islands where an Antarctic cruise can be boarded without the need to sail the Drake Passage.Over 90% of our expedition cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula via the South Shetland Islands with shorter cruises lasting 10 – 12 days. Longer expedition cruises last 14-22 days and will also visit the Antarctic Circle or Weddell Sea, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.Cruising only expeditions leave from the port town of Ushuaia in Argentina, Hobart in Australia and Bluff in New Zealand, whilefly and cruise expeditions leave from Punta Arenas in Chile. Flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas depart on a daily basis. Chimu Adventures work with reputable expedition ships which are regarded as the best on the planet. They carry between 50 - 300

passengers, however the majority of vessels carry 100 passengers. Each small ship expedition is equipped with a fleet of inflatable landing crafts called Zodiacs. Daily Zodiac and shore excursions offer a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the jewels of Antarctica. In addition to these excursions there is a host of activities that can make your journey to Antarctica even more exciting, imagine waking up to an Antarctic sunrise after camping out on the ice for a night? Or, paddling your way through the tranquil waters of the Antarctic with a small group of sea kayakers? The Antarctica cruising expedition season runs from late October to

March each year. In high summer expect 20+ hours of daylight. Longer days and more daylight creates countless opportunities to capture stunning photography of the Antarctic landscape. Temperatures during the summer season hover around 0°C. During Antarctica’s warmest months the continent is bursting with wildlife. The first penguin chicks start hatching and seal pups are also visible from South Georgia. Wherever your interests lay, if you haven’t been to Antarctica yet a trip to the last frontier should undoubtedly make it to your bucket list. Follow in the footsteps of the Antarctic heroes and discover a world that is beyond your wildest imagination. Contact Chimu Adventures now.

info@chimuadventures.com; www.chimuadventures.com

THE GUIDE

IT UP Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the blend of old and

new architecture, the smorgasbord of cuisine, or the multicultural populace, Toronto is defined by its ability to integrate the disparate.

Gayatri Bhaumik heads to the Great White North and finds a city of compelling juxtapositions.

www.jetsetter.hk

THE GUIDE 75

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THE GUIDE

and enjoy burgers in the recently opened Wahlburgers, the first Canadian outpost of the sports bar-like eatery by actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers. A bastion of Victorian-era elegance, The

Windsor Arms (18 Saint Thomas Street; +1-416-971-9666; www.windsorarmshotel. com) is an intimate property bursting with old-world charm. The 28 sumptuous suites include a butler’s pantry, along with classic interiors in beiges, browns, and creams, with stately yet comfortable furnishings, and hardwood floors covered with plush carpets. Each room boasts a musical instrument so guests can have in-room jam sessions on baby grand pianos, guitars, or harps if the mood strikes. Spend an afternoon indulging in the hotel’s luscious afternoon tea; a Toronto institution since 1927, the tea is served in one of three lavish, old-world settings.

Photo Credit: James McDonald

EAT

Set in historic Yorkville, Sassafraz (100 Cumberland Street; +1-416-964-2222; www. sassafraz.ca) has reemerged as a choice culinary destination for movers and shakers since being damaged by fire in 2006. In the open-plan dining room, shielded by a vaulted glass ceiling and dominated by a towering waterfall, diners feast on market-inspired Canadian cuisine that draws heavily on the country’s French heritage. Expect dishes like French onion soup, Ontario artisan beef tartare, Alberta bison striploin, and maple beignets, accompanied by selections from the custom cellars which boast over 300 labels from 16 countries. Top: A sumptuous Luxury King Room at The Hazelton Hotel Bottom: The interiors of Drake One Fifty

SLEEP Intriguing works by local artists create fascinating focal points against Yabu Pushelberg’s sleek interiors at The

Hazelton Hotel (118 Yorkville Avenue; +1-416-963-6300; www.thehazeltonhotel. com), a sophisticated urban hideaway in the luxe neighbourhood of Yorkville. Soothing neutral palettes and plush furnishings evoke a sense of old Hollywood glamour through the 62 rooms and 19 suites, all cloaked in the hotel’s pervasive sense of privacy. Make like the camera-shy celebrities that hole up here and check into the Presidential Suite, a 4,000sqft oasis with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private elevator and wine cellar, and a living space with a seven-foot www.jetsetter.hk

linear fireplace. Be sure to have dinner at One, the restaurant by local celebrity chef Mark McEwan, before a movie night in the hotel’s 25-seat screening room. In the city’s entertainment

downtown district,

theatre and the SoHo

Metropolitan Hotel (218 Wellington St West; +1-416-599-8800; www.metropolitan. com/soho) is a deluxe retreat with 90 modern rooms and suites. Treat yourself to the opulent three-storey Penthouse Suite, which boasts several fireplaces, floor-toceiling windows over city views, a library, and a rooftop terrace with a hot-tub and built-in grill. Toronto’s foodies flock here to feast on chef Susur Lee’s ‘nouvelle chinoise’ cuisine at Luckee Restaurant and Bar,

A lively neighbourhood restaurant in downtown Toronto, Richmond Station (1 Richmond Street West; +1-647-748-1444; www.richmondstation.ca) is helmed by Carl Heinrich, the season two winner of Top Chef Canada. The subway-themed eatery features white tiled walls, black and white photos from the city’s archives, and quirky antique knickknacks, but the kitchen offers ingredient focused, technique driven dishes like Cajun fish cakes, Peking duck pancakes, and braised beef ravioli. Try the ever-popular STN Burger, made with beet chutney and aged cheddar and served with rosemary fries and bread and butter pickles, or sample fresh market produce with the daily ‘chalkboard specials.’ An engaging concept that fuses food, drink, and art, Drake One Fifty is a slice of

THE GUIDE 77

flair in the financial district. In a 1980s-era postmodern building, chef Ted Corrado celebrates Canadian cuisine with a menu that includes comfort food dishes like Steak & Fries, 30-day aged ribeye with house steak sauce and garlic fries, and Lobster & Grits, butter-poached Nova Scotia lobster with cheesy grits, smoked pork hock, and pork broth. Make time to sample award-winning cocktails from the 60-foot marble bar amid industrial-feel steel-framed windows, handmade geometric floor tiles from Morocco, and art installations by local artists like Douglas Couland and Micah Lexier.

PLAY

Toronto landmark, the Horseshoe Tavern (30 Queen Street West; +1-416-598-

4226; www.horseshoetavern.com) has been the lynchpin of the city’s music scene since 1947. Over its storied history, the unfussy venue has seen a wide range of acts take the stage, including country legends Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn, local talents like Bryan Adams and The Barenaked Ladies, and established vets like The Rolling Stones and Melissa Etheridge. Grab a beer and shoot a game of pool in the tavern’s small, wood-heavy front bar, then head into the back bar to join music aficionados enjoying cosy, informal sets by up-and-comers and the occasional big name. It’s common knowledge that some of the best bars are notoriously hard to find, and so it is with The Libertine (1307 Dundas St West; +1-647-748-8288; www.thelibertinespeak. com), a small, modern take on the prohibitionera speakeasy. Guests walk through a storefront for a fortune teller – you can get your fortune told, if you’re so inclined – and through a beaded curtain into the bar proper. Deep colours, low lighting, upholstered banquettes, and a stuffed peacock for good measure form the backdrop of the bar’s punch-packing cocktails and fresh, seasonal plates. Try The Baudelaire, a concoction of Amaro, Grand Marnier, gin, and Campari, paired with something from Momofuku alum Leonie Lilla’s ever-changing menu. Run by one of the city’s favourite microbreweries, the lively Mill Street

Brew Pub – The Beer Hall (21 Tank House Lane; +1-416-681-0338; www. beerhall.millstreetbrewpub.ca) is tucked into Toronto’s historic Distillery district. Inspired by Europe’s bierhall tradition, the space is comfortable, bright, yet slightly

The design-savvy faç ade of Ripley's Aquarium of Canada gritty, with plenty of light wood, steel, and copper; the open kitchen and brewing vats act as focal points. On tap are well-loved brews like the Original Organic Larger, Belgian Wit, and Cobblestone Stout, while seasonal ales – like the Vanilla Porter – beer flights, and Bierschnaps can be ordered off the menu. Line your stomach with the hearty pub grub that’s also on offer.

EXPERIENCE Canada’s answer to Europe’s majestic castles, Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace; +1-416-923-1171; www.casaloma.org) is situated on a hill on the outskirts of downtown Toronto. Built by Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt in the early 1900s, the sprawling Gothic Revival property boasts magnificent craftsmanship, gorgeous art and furniture, and a studied air of importance. Guests can wander through the sumptuously decorated suites, secret passages, and grandiose reception rooms, before descending into the keep and walking through the 800-foot underground tunnel that connects to the stables – still bearing the name of Pellatt’s horses – and garage and carriage room which host an exhibition of vintage cars, including a 1914 Ford Model T. Explore Toronto’s history through its brews on The Old Toronto Beer Tour by The

Beer Lover’s Tour Company (+1-416-

662-6312; www.beerloverstour.com). Visit local favourites like Steam Whistle Brewery and the Six Pints Beer Academy; discover the city’s lost breweries at Corktown, the brewing hub of pre-prohibition Toronto; and see original War of 1812 buildings at Fork York, the city’s birthplace. Later, take a crosscity drive past the Canada Malting Silos and Toronto’s oldest tavern, before heading to the Distillery district to sample brews at the Mill Street Brewery and trawl through the eclectic art galleries and boutiques that line the area’s cobblestone streets. Round off the experience with the optional Beermaker’s Dinner at Granite Brewery. Nestled in the shadows of Toronto's iconic CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (288 Bremner Boulevard; +1-647-351-3474; www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada) houses nearly 14,000 creatures of the deep, so you’ll get up close and personal with all manner of sea-dwellers, including a Giant Pacific Octopus, colourful tropical fish, Electric Eels, Sandbar Sharks, and Moon Jellies. Make sure to take the two-hour behind-the-scenes Stingray Experience, where you’ll get the chance to swim with Southern and Rough tail stingray. Enjoy a nocturnal walk amongst the sea animals on the second Friday of each month, when the aquarium hosts live jazz performances; or practice sun salutations with creatures of the deep in one of the morning yoga sessions held in summer. www.jetsetter.hk

LONDON PROPERTY

London is increasingly popular among Asian property investors as they snap up real estate in both Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic precincts and gentrified inner-city neighborhoods.

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LONDON PROPERTY 79

he capital of the British Empire is well and truly in the sights of Asian property investors keen to pick up a second home or investment property in some of the city’s chicest suburbs. Notable locales include Knightsbridge, Chelsea, and Mayfair, as well as Kensington and Belgravia, iconic destinations in a city of landmarks, with specialist property companies not only targeting Asian buyers for established properties but even tailoring new projects towards key markets in the region. While other cities in the United Kingdom, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool are seeing increased interest from foreign buyers, it’s London’s most sought after addresses that continue to seduce affluent investors from Asia, with some Asian banks even offering mortgages in Pounds Sterling to their customers at home. This surge in investment is being led by China's nouveau riche, who are looking to invest outside of China’s often-fickle economy. While investors from Hong Kong have long been interested

in London and continue to spend hundereds of millions on property in London each year, investors from China are snapping at their heels, purchasing US$2.8 billion of London property in 2013, a significant portion of which was luxury real estate bought by individuals looking to invest in a highly regulated and transparent property market. In addition, new visa arrangements between the United Kingdom and China that allows access for foreigner’s investing more than GBP1 million, has fast-tracked further property investment and allowed Chinese investors to overtake buyers from Russia or the Middle East. The trend is expected to continue as wealthy families from Hong Kong and China send their children to the UK’s top schools and universities and invest in second or third homes, not only in the city’s most iconic enclaves but also in emerging destinations on the city centre’s peripheral, buying off the plan and speculating on price rises before projects have even been built. It heralds a bright but competitive future for property investors looking to snap up a piece of this world-famous city.

www.jetsetter.hk

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

THE BEST

OF LONDON

boutique estate agency in the heart of Knightsbridge, Nicolas Van Patrick offers access to luxury homes in London’s most sought after neighbourhoods. Whether you choose Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Kensington, Chelsea, or Mayfair, we give clients a one-stop knowledge base for all their property needs. Founded by Nicolas Pejacsevich and Patrick Alvarado, who boast over 25 years of experience and six languages between them, our company is well placed to meet the most stringent demands of local and international buyers, and offers a wide range of services.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

Thurloe Square, SW7

Enviably located between Knightsbridge and South Kensington, this impressive six-bedroom Grade II listed family home has been meticulously refurbished to meet the highest standards and features a magnificent first floor drawing room overlooking Thurloe Square, with its private garden and grand early 19th century terraces.

With our extensive network, Nicolas Van Patrick can identify the best investment opportunities available, giving you the access to London’s most coveted properties. We bolster this with the implementation of intelligent strategies to maximise returns, using tailored portfolio analysis, asset acquisitions, and disposal services, so you enjoy the best yields and capital growths from your investments. Complementing this is a range of property services that includes lease extensions, refurbishments, property management, acquisitions and investments, mortgages, and professional valuations. Going forward, our aim is to continue offering a professional service while strengthening our client base. “We want to grow the company organically, maintaining a high standard of service while consolidating our ties with the Russian, Middle Eastern, and European markets and establishing a solid connection to the Asian market,” says company director Nicolas Pejacsevich.

Courtfield Gardens, SW5

A bright, spacious pied-à-terre, this second floor two-bedroom flat boasts sweeping views of the communal gardens, along with high ceilings, ensuite bathrooms, a spacious kitchen and reception room, and a beautiful southwest-facing roof terrace.

Nicolas Van Patrick 20 Montpelier Street Knightsbridge London SW7 1HD; +44 (0)20 3770 3474 ; info@nicolasvanpatrick.com

20 Montpelier Street Knightsbridge

London SW7 1HD

Princes Gate SW7 ÂŁ27,500,000

The house is in immaculate condition throughout and offers ambassadorial proportions over seven floors, with the benefitof a lift serving all principle floors.

6 bed 6 bath 9,050 Sq Ft EPC: C

Courtfield Gardens SW5 ÂŁ1,950,000

This spacious flat benefits from wonderful views of the communal gardens and offers high ceilings, en-suite bathrooms and a beautiful south west facing roof terrace.

2 bed 2 bath 913 Sq Ft EPC: C

T: +44 (0)20 3770 3474

info@nicolasvanpatrick.com

HOTEL INSIDER 83

SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR HILL STATION RETREAT

Sometimes in the travel industry, it’s all about knowing when to stop, listen, and adapt, discovers Nick Walton.

ometimes, even the most seasoned traveller falls prey to a silver tongue and a great idea. We want to believe that hoteliers have gotten it right, that the balance between luxury and authenticity has been found, that this will be the hotel that others would follow. But alas, not all that glitters is gold. So it is at Le Passage Mokhan Shan, a country inn-style hotel 45 minutes outside of Hangzhou. Originally built as a private home by French brandman Christophe Peres and his charming Hong Kong-British wife Pauline, the home, nestled in the heart of a working tea plantation, evolved into a boutique hotel that opened in 2012. Modelled on the exclusive villas that once dotted the mountains outside Hangzhou, and which welcomed foreigners escaping Shanghai’s malaria-ridden summer, the 20-room hideaway had it all: ski chalet décor, including open fires and leather chesterfields, a traditional French menu laced with locally-sourced ingredients, an expansive wine cellar, and spacious guest rooms with views across the valley. And that’s where it should have stayed, a living slice of nostalgia to which a handful of travellers could escape. Unfortunately, what we experience during our visit is nothing less than a misguided DYI project with a confused identity, its future in

limbo like so many of its promised amenities. We arrive in the early afternoon to a hotel that’s empty, save for a group of middleaged women from Shanghai, drunk on red wine and shrieking with fear at every pass of the hotel’s resident pooch. When I ask what activities are on offer (Christophe had promised an array of fascinating experiences, from tea plantation tours to vintage motorbike sidecar adventures into the countryside), the receptionist’s response is “you can go walking, or play ping pong.”

that will one day be the owner’s expansive home. Below, the heated pool looks unloved, the Jacuzzi is filled with floating hair, and a layer of dust has settled over every surface in the rarely-attended lounge. It’s a poor return on the daily RMB1,500 tariff, a rate which Christophe wants to increase dramatically.

Our third-floor room is spacious and welllit thanks to large windows that look across steep tea fields. There is a comfortable kingsize bed, and the bathroom is Art Decoesque, with a free-standing tub and white tiled walls. But it’s what’s missing that irks; no telephone means that when the AC and WiFi refuse to work, it’s two trips down the stairs to reception; while no room numbers cause confusion in the corridor outside as other guests try to find their room and find ours instead.

And then there is the food, the reason so many people have favoured the hotel on Trip Advisor. Alas, here we go again: boring, repetitive, and confused breakfast buffets of salad and congee with tea leaves, and canteen-quality lunches served by poorly trained staff. We can’t access the muchheralded main restaurant because a large corporate group is using it for a gala dinner, but it doesn’t matter because the food during our two days ranges from bland to inedible, and includes a Salad Niçoise minus potatoes, anchovies, eggs, or beans; and a rib-eye that’s raw, lukewarm, and gelatinous, all serenaded by the pounding bass of a techno track and the odd bout of near-lethal throatclearing from a nearby guest.

We decide to go for a walk through the hotel’s beautiful rose garden, a halo of pink and red wreathing the hotel pool. However, the views across the valley are as hazy as the city, the landscape marred by the construction of an additional 20 loft-style rooms to one side (the final number of rooms is now 80) and by a brick eyesore perched directly above the hotel

There are lots of plans afoot at Le Passage Mokhan Shan, including a wedding chapel, a new chef, and 4x4 tours, which is all well and good for the travellers the hotel is presently attracting. But guests searching for good food, good service, and the intimate elegance of a country inn need look elsewhere. www.lepassagemoganshan.com www.jetsetter.hk

SAFARI CAMPS

PITCHING CAMP IN THE WILD

The cooler months are the best time to travel to Africa to enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters combined with the lavish hospitality of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best safari camps. Here are a few new favourites. By Nick Walton

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SAFARI CAMPS 85 Delve into some of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most coveted landscapes with the recently reopened &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari

Lodge in Botswana. Combining world-class hospitality with Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wildlife hotspot, the lodge is located on a private concession adjacent to the famed Moremi Game Reserve, home to baboons, elephants, and lions. Organic, contemporary design, which includes indigenous timber, copper, and intricate weaves, allows the haven to merge into its surroundings seamlessly. Eight stilted suites boast crocodile-embossed leather sofas, king-sized beds, mirrorlike plunge pools, wood-burning fireplaces, and outdoor showers, and are perched above fields of dancing papyrus. After days exploring the Delta on guided game drives in search of leopards, serval, and hippos, or capturing the heart of Africa on customised photographic safaris, guests can watch the last light of the day ebb from the sky from the elevated terrace, before spoiling their palates in the interactive kitchen around an immense dining table crafted from the root of an ironwood tree. www.andbeyond.com

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SAFARI CAMPS

Newly reopened after an extensive renovation, Azura Selous (formerly Amara Selous) brings a new, chic vibe to the luxury safari scene of southern Tanzania. Perched on the rapids of the Ruaha River in the Selous Game Reserve, one of Tanzania’s top spots for elephant, leopard, lion, and crocodile spotting, the camp offers 12 ‘eco chic’ tented suites, featuring plunge pools, custom-made beds, stone bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and touches of native textiles and handmade art from local community initiatives. Early morning and dusk game drives in custom-made 4x4 vehicles offer unique wildlife encounters; the Selous is famed for its wild, rugged landscapes and the camp’s remote location ensures plenty of visits from the reserve’s residents, including herds of elephants, prides of lions, and even packs of rare African wild dogs. If you’re looking to share your adventure with the little ones, Azura Selous is the only camp in the reserve with a dedicated kids program, from tracking to fishing, with experienced guides. www.rainbowtours.co.uk

Hidden away on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, the recently opened Hoanib Skeleton Coast brings an unashamedly contemporary feel to the tented desert camp. Part of the Wilderness Safaris collection and available through Robert Mark Safaris, Hoanib is nestled within a broad valley at the northern tip of the private Palmwag Concession. Only accessible by light aircraft, this unique safari retreat boasts just seven luxuriously-appointed tents and one family unit. Each space features a stylish ensuite, a shaded patio, and contemporary furnishings. French windows open onto the vast spaces of the valley and offer respite between excursions in search of shaggy brown hyenas and elephants or aerial tours over the many shipwrecks that gave the coast its haunting name. www.robertmarksafaris.com For a different take on the conventional safari, head for

Rubondo Island Camp, the only accommodation on the uninhabited, predator-free island at the heart of Lake Victoria. Over twice the size of Manhattan, the unique wilderness of Rubondo Island is home to troops of chimps rescued from European zoos in the 1960s, as well as elephants, giraffe, and sitatunga. You’ll have a chance to encounter the island’s wildlife on forest treks, bicycle tours, and even canoe safaris led by the camp’s experienced guides. After a long day under the canopy, head up into the trees with the camp’s unique Forest Tree House, a circular canvas-covered platform surrounded by lush jungle. For those looking for seclusion, the lake views from the large bed or the oversized copper tub are exquisite, and best matched with a sumptuous picnic-style dinner on the lake’s www.jetsetter.hk

banks, under a canopy of stars. www.asiliaafrica.com

SAFARI CAMPS 87 Opening in June, and with a name taken from the Swahili for "suspended in mid-air," Angama Mara is perched on the rim of the Oloololo Escarpment, part of Africa’s famed Rift Valley. Boasting awesome views across the acclaimed Maasai Mara and its Mara Triangle Game Reserve, the new camp is inspired by the classic safari era – in fact, the lodge is set against the Ngong Hills, a regular backdrop in cinematic classic Out of Africa. Angama is actually made up of two intimate camps, each with just 15 tented suites designed by architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens of Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, North Island, and Mombo fame. Floating 300 metres above the Mara, each tented suite features interiors by Annemarie Meintjes, and hangs onto the edge of the escarpment, offering 180-degree views from floor-to-ceiling windows and openair decks. After long days of tailored game drives with Maasai guides in search of lions and herds of Cape buffalo, guests can return to Egyptian cotton sheets, lead-skirted baths, and barbeque dinners served around a roaring fire pit. www.angama.com

Hide away from the world with someone special in your very own African treehouse. Located in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, at the heart of Maasai country, Tarangire Treetops, part of the Elewana Collection, features 20 elevated guest suites centred around a main lodge building. The largest camp bedrooms in East Africa, each decadent treehouse features spacious ensuites with double showers, locally-crafted furnishings, a private balcony, and views over a landscape of ancient baobab and marula trees. The Tarangire is the sixth largest national park in Africa and is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti, so daily day and night game drives and walks offer plenty of opportunities for close encounters with elephants, lions, zebra, and wildebeest. Start the day off with a balloon safari over the savannah, and leave time for remote bush lunches and dinners and sundowner cocktails on the aptly named Sunset Hill. www.elewanacollection.com If you’re looking for your own private African odyssey, head to the newly opened Zarafa

Dhow Suites, located a short distance from the original Zarafa Camp in the expansive Selinda Reserve of northeast Botswana. Catering to just four adults apiece on an exclusive-use basis, the two new tented safari villas feature old world décor married with African opulence, from their private pools and spacious, split-level terraces to their decadent suites, compete with candle-wreathed soak tubs, roaring fireplaces, and outdoor showers. Guests have full access to the camp’s day and night game drives in search of wild dog packs, zebra, elephant, cheetah, and the lodge’s namesake giraffes, as well as private dinner picnics under the Milky Way and guided boat trips on the Zibadiania Lagoon. www.robertmarksafaris.com www.jetsetter.hk

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

PEARL RIVER GEM

oaring above the banks of the Pearl River, the W Guangzhou brings vibrant, contemporary design flair to the heart of the city, along with sleek architecture, rich history, luxury shopping, and world-class entertainment. Situated in Guangzhou’s Tianhe District, the hotel is just a stone’s throw from major corporate and government offices, and local attractions like the Guangzhou Opera House, the Redtory Art District, and the Temple of Six Banyan Trees. W Guangzhou houses 317 guest rooms, including 32 suites, each of which boasts a lively palette of Cantonese aesthetics offset by modern design features. All rooms come with signature W beds, walkin closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cutting-edge technology like Sony LED 3D HDTVs, iPod docking, and custom lighting themes.

The expansive bathrooms are fitted with glass-enclosed rainforest showers, separate marble bathtubs, double vanities, and Bliss Spa bath amenities. Guests staying in Fabulous Rooms and all Suites have access to the W Lounge, an incredibly design-savvy, light-filled space. Here, guests can kick back with coffee, tea, signature cocktails, and canapés while overlooking the city through floor-to-ceiling windows, catching up on emails, or flipping through the art books scattered around the space. Gourmands will be thrilled by the range of cuisines on offer at W Guangzhou, which hosts three distinguished restaurants and three creative cocktail divans. At Yan Yu, the contemporary Chinese

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION restaurant that features seven private dining rooms, guests can feast on authentic Cantonese cuisine that’s been given an innovative twist; while I by Inagiku specialises in Japanese cuisine and boasts a sushi and sake bar along with a teppanyaki area. The Kitchen Table is a striking, modern restaurant that serves up an array of delectable international dishes all day. For drinks, guests can step into the W’s signature WOOBAR for signature cocktails – or afternoon tea – while late-night travellers flock to Fei, a three-story suspended glass lofts where DJs spin tunes as guests cut shapes on the dance floor and enjoy the rooftop terrace. W Guangzhou also boasts the first W signature AWAY Spa in mainland China. Situated on the hotel’s 28th floor, the spa is a tranquil 1,500sqm retreat that offers personalised rejuvenating experiences. Guests can indulge in an array of relaxing treatments in seven treatment suites, the Couple’s Suite, or the speciality WHO Suite which features two treatment beds and a vitality tub. The spa uses custom products that are handcrafted daily onsite using 100 percent natural ingredients. Rounding out the property’s wellness offerings are FIT, the 300sqm gym which boasts state-of-the-art equipment and a range of fitness classes, and WET, the indoor heated pool flanked by plush poolside chairs and ottomans. At W Guangzhou, guests can also experience the exclusive Whatever/Whenever service which focuses on transforming guests’ dreams into reality. Whether it’s organising a specially-tailored city tour, providing babysitting services, securing restaurant reservations, or coveted tickets to special events, the Whatever/Whenever service gives guests the opportunity to create the stay of their dreams. Through December 31, 2015, W Guangzhou is offering travellers the chance to explore this aesthetically-pleasing hotel and city with an exclusive Suite offer. Affording guests more luxury and space, the offer allows guests to experience the best of Guangzhou and the W. The Suite Package includes a choice of accommodation in a Fantastic Suite, a Marvelous Suite, or a WOW Suite; exclusive access to the W Lounge between 1030am and 11pm; daily buffet breakfast at The Kitchen Table; two signature W bathrobes to take home; complimentary minibar; complimentary WiFi access; and a special welcome cheese and wine amenity. Create your very own luxury experience in one of China’s most historic cities with W Guangzhou.

26 Xian Cun Road, Pearl River New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China; Tel: +86 20 6628 6628; www.wguangzhou.com

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

CLASS ACT

he centrepiece of any event at the Classical Plaza Hotel is the opulent Royal Classical Ballroom on the property’s third floor, a sweeping space of 1,500 sqm. The grand ballroom boasts

imposing double-height ceilings of eight metres, along with a timeless design aesthetic of rich carpeting and simple, graceful chandeliers. The massive space can accommodate up to 100 tables and 1,000 guests, yet with no pillars, it can be easily transformed into three smaller sections, making the Royal Classical Ballroom the perfect venue for any occasion, from weddings and media events to annual general meetings and conferences. Bolstering the Classical Plaza Hotel’s ability to hold unforgettable events

An elegant hotel set in the heart of Le’an, a unique landscape in Guangdong province, the Classical Plaza Hotel is the ideal setting for any event in southern China.

are a series of food and beverage outlets that offer sumptuous dining opportunities. Located on the first floor, the Central Restaurant tempts diners with a vast international buffet set up through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seafood is the house specialty here, with gourmands offered a delectable spread of fresh ocean catch in casual yet elegant surrounds. The Classical Plaza Hotel’s culinary jewel, however, is the graceful Pavilion Restaurant tucked into the hotel’s second floor. Offering wholesome, fresh organic produce in a mouthwatering array of Dim Sum and Cantonese dishes, as well as specialties like abalone and sea cucumber, the restaurant offers two daily services between 730am and 200pm, and 500pm and 930pm. Guests can feast in the restaurant’s massive main dining room, or for a more intimate affair, choose one of the 28 grand private dining rooms which feature ornate classical décor that includes Old Masters-style artwork, classical columns, and ornate chandeliers. A unique proposition in southern China and boasting an enchanting ballroom and delectable culinary temptations, the Classical Plaza Hotel is an ideal choice for your next event.

Classical Plaza Hotel Le’An, Guidan Road, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, P. R. China 528226 +86 (0) 757 6668 8666; www.classicalplaza.com

THE

LIFESTYLE

F EIDN A L ITION THE 2 0 1 6 M ERCEDES - A M G S L S GT

THE

ITALIAN JOB

50 SHADES

SHERRY

OF RED

FOOD FESTIVALS IN 2015

BE RIGHT CAPE TOWN’S TOP BITES

ESSENTIAL ADVENTURE TECH

92 FOOD ADVENTURES

Ceylon’s Subtle

SPICE

Although true cinnamon is only grown in Sri Lanka, the holidays’ favourite spice is sought after the world over for its well-documented health and nutritional benefits. Gayatri Bhaumik discovers a few unique ways to indulge in the aromatic spice.

Shades of red

Originating in the South American Andes, the versatile tomato quickly found global favour as different cultures discovered new ways to incorporate it into their culinary traditions. Today, this humble fruit – often mistaken for a vegetable – is used in some very interesting ways, finds Gayatri Bhaumik. www.jetsetter.hk

FOOD ADVENTURES 93

tart

Miami

where

gazpacho, Spain’s ubiquitous chilled tomato soup, is given a chic twist by celebrity chef

ead

southwest

St Regis Hotel Singapore , where the the

hotel’s Chilli Padi Mary,

José Andrés at the design-savvy SLS

a unique take on the Bloody Mary

Miami Hotel. Andrés’ wife, Patricia, is

cocktail, pays tribute to the Lion

from southern Spain’s Andalucia region,

City’s spicy cuisine. The Chilli Padi

home of gazpacho, and at The Bazaar

Mary features lemongrass, chilli padi

by José Andrés, he serves Gazpacho

(or bird’s eye chili), and gingerroot,

Patricia, his wife’s recipe. Citing it as one

added to the classic ingredients

of the reasons he married her, Andrés’

of the original tipple created by St

smooth, rich soup is a mix of yellow

Regis New York bartender Fernand

and green tomatoes, cucumbers, and

Petiot in 1921. Today, each St Regis

bread, with a dash of sherry vinegar for

prepares the Bloody Mary using

tang, and a dose of Oloroso sherry for

locally-inspired

sweetness. Guests can even add lobster

tomato remains the essential base.

to the soup to make it a truly decadent

www.stregissingapore.com

treat. www.slshotels.com/southbeach

n the Valencian town of Buñol, in Spain, you’ll find the ultimate tomato experience; La Tomatina is an epic tomato-fuelled brawl that

ingredients,

but

ack in Europe, you’ll find an

immersive

experience

tomato Parma,

Italy, at the Museo Del Pomodoro – the Tomato Museum

takes over the town’s streets on the last

– where the humble fruit is paid

Wednesday of each August. Originating

considerable

in 1945, when a fight broke out at a town

series of displays that includes a

festival and participants ransacked a

reconstruction of a tomato factory,

vegetable stall, using tomatoes to pelt

visitors are taken through the history

each other, La Tomatina was banned

of the tomato, its ties to the region,

in the early 50s before becoming an

its production, and its harvesting

official festival in 1957, complete with

techniques. Guests can even dine on

rules and restrictions. Some 150,000

a tomato-rich feast filled with things

low-grade tomatoes, grown just for the

like panzanella, a Tuscan bread-and-

festival, are used in the one-hour fight,

tomato salad; papa col pomodoro,

which culminates in the participants

a thick tomato soup from Tuscany;

and the street being hosed down by fire

fried green tomatoes; and even green

trucks. www.latomatina.info

tomato jam. www.museidelcibo.it

homage.

Through

www.jetsetter.hk

94 CHEF PROFILE

www.jetsetter.hk

CHEF PROFILE 95

EPICUREAN EMPIRE

British-born chef April Bloomfield took New York City by storm when she opened her gastropub, The Spotted Pig, in 2004. Since then, she’s cemented her place in the city’s dining scene and expanded to the West Coast with a series of culinary ventures. She talks to Gayatri Bhaumik about life in the kitchen and creating her empire.

How did you get started? My first cooking experience was in home economics class in high school, where I learned to make things like chocolate rice crispy treats, shepherd’s pie, and pavlova. I went into full-time cooking school at age 16. While everyone kept cooking the same thing, I moved onto more ambitious dishe like Pissaladière – a dish that originated in southern France and is similar to pizza topped with caramelised onions and anchovy.

How would you describe your culinary philosophy? I would describe it as well-sourced, wellmade, clean, vibrant, and downright tasty. Really!

What inspires your cooking? My inspiration comes from all over. I am inspired by my travels, interacting with different

people,

reading

cookbooks,

eating out. It could even be a special bowl or spoon that sometimes inspires me to create a dish.

What important lessons have you learned from the kitchen?

These are not so much lessons as things

It gives you the opportunity to dive into

that you pick up along the way: Work

something you wouldn’t normally get

hard. Be motivated. You have to have

to touch upon, and which opens doors

stamina,

creatively and professionally.

perseverance,

and

balance,

and remember to eat well and look after

You released your first cookbook, A Girl and Her Pig in You’ve been called a pioneer 2012. Why was this important in New York City’s crowded for you to do? restaurant scene. How do you I was naturally shy, and I wanted to make make sure to stand out from the this book mainly because I wanted to pack? acknowledge the people who made me yourself.

I just try and push everyday to be the

into the chef and person I am now. It was

best I can be. I always want to progress

a good way to bring out my personality

so I just keep doing what I’m doing, and

and say thank you at the same time. It was

hopefully it works and people love it. Most

also a goal I had always had, so finally

importantly, I stay true to myself.

seeing it come to fruition was amazing. I enjoyed the process so much that I

Your restaurants range from decided to do another book, A Girl and Her Greens. gastropub The Spotted Pig to taqueria Salvation Taco and are What’s next? located in New York City and San Francisco. Why choose A Girl and Her Greens comes out in April. different restaurant styles and A lot of people know me for cooking meat, but I really love vegetables as well, and I cities? wanted to share that side of myself and It’s nice not to be put in a box. Creatively

my cooking.

it allows you to do stuff you wouldn’t normally do. It allows growth – personally, professionally, and within the company. www.jetsetter.hk

96 SPIRITS

SHERRY BE

RIGHT

Dust off the bottle of sherry at the far reaches of the liquor store and mix that ancient elixir back into vogue this spring, says Nick Walton.

hile many of us might have snuck our first sip of sherry from a dusty bottle in our parent’s liquor cabinet (and instantly regretted it), today’s bartending gurus use the fortified wine to sweeten drinks without adding sugar, to maintain dry profiles, and to add a touch of nostalgia to new concoctions. “Sherry is Spanish gold, right up there with saffron, and is really underrated in Asia,” says mixologist extraordinaire Marek Vojcarcik of Hong Kong’s Duddell’s. “However, an influential new wave of bartenders such as Michael Callahan, Neil Rivington, and Ryan Nightingale are increasingly using this beauty of Spain in their cocktails.” Vojcarcik leans towards lighter white sherries when mixing with gins, mezcals, piscos, and blended scotch. “A great combination for me is a classic pisco sour with touch of sherry made of Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel, which is sweeter and full-bodied. Aged in Oloroso barrels, it’s perfect to add on top of the pisco’s creamy head to give a bit more wine richness to the cocktail.” “When I'm back in the US or visiting Europe or Australia, www.jetsetter.hk

I'll frequently run into a selection or two on the cocktail menu with a sherry component,” says Bangkok-based ‘mixsultant’ Joseph Boroski. “This is significantly less common in Thailand, although sherry is showing up more often in a select number of venues in Bangkok, including Sugar Ray, Vesper, and Quince.” Boroski often handcarries his favourite sherries home from travel, to use in his bar J.Boroski, where there is no menu and cocktails are crafted on an individual basis. “I recently created a rather wet martini, stirring Hendrick's gin, a Manzanilla sherry—which is a bit lighter than a Fino—and a touch of Peychauds bitters over ice and finishing in a chilled martini glass with a lemon twist and a drop of toasted pumpkin seed oil.” "I like putting sherry into cocktails because it adds another dimension to the drink, whether it be a nice dry tone with a Fino or a pleasant creaminess and raisin tone like a Pedro Ximénez,” says Ricky Paiva of the Manhattan Bar at the Regent Singapore. “They are great with both strongspirited drinks or even with some citrus. I feel that you are starting to see more sherry cocktails coming in but with more good sherry readily available in Singapore, we will definitely be seeing a lot more soon."

WINE 97

Wine specialist Rickesh Kishnani says Italy’s bold and bodacious red wines are finally catching up to their iconic French counterparts.

sian wine lovers have always had a passion for red wines. More specifically, they tend to favour French wines from Bordeaux or Burgundy. The list of “Big Bs," however, has now added an Italian

twist with Barolo, Brunello, and Barbaresco now some of the top buzz words heard at wine dinners. Italian wines are growing in popularity across Asia, and for a number of good reasons. Firstly, their style is appealing to consumers who are looking to try something different than Bordeaux. Italian wines are exciting because their styles vary greatly across different regions. Even within Tuscany, for example, you can find yourself sampling light and fruity red Chiantis, and across the road taste full-bodied and robust Super Tuscans, while just an hour’s drive away you can taste stunningly complex and elegant Brunellos. Secondly, the popularity of Italian wine is increasing in the region because of the ease of availability and the affordability. Italian wines are generally considered a safer buy and it is easier to find back vintages of well aged Italian wines at much cheaper prices than their counterparts from Bordeaux or Burgundy, since there is very little speculation on the price of Italian wines. Lastly, people in Asia love to eat, and they love to eat out. There are many great Italian restaurants ranging from finedining all the way to local Italian deli establishments. Italian food pairs perfectly, of course, with Italian wines, which has in turn increased their exposure with consumers. You even see a small but growing culture of pairing certain types of Chinese food with softer Italian wines. Something to keep an eye out for. We’ve seen great interest in everything Italian from Super Tuscans (such as Sassicaia and Ornellia) to great value Brunello di Montellcino’s and Amarone’s. Italian reds are built to age so whether it’s for laying down for the future or enjoying a great back vintage, the region has certainly woken up to the world of Italy’s finest reds.

www.jetsetter.hk

98 MINIBAR

S HOWING

YOUR AGE Not to be outdone, Martell has created a limited edition “Black Tie” version of the Martell Noblige in collaboration with Taiwanese-Canadian fashion designer Jason Wu. The elegant bottle features leather accents in deep black as well as touches of gold, and takes its inspiration from the timelessness of the formal dinner jacket, creating a sensual invitation to Cognac fans. Best known for the custom gown worn by Michelle Obama to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Ball, the designer sought inspiration from his own experiences of Cognac, including its history and architecture. www.martell.com

Cognac house Hennessy has

Spring is perfect weather for

launched the latest edition of its

Armagnac, especially when that

V.S.O.P. Privilége Collection,

spirit displays a lingering, complex

with a design by British art director

character and the mellow tones of

Peter Saville. The matte-gold of the

excellent maturity. To shake off the

limited edition bottle makes for an

last chills of spring, try the Darroze

eye-catching addition to the collection,

Les Grands Assemblages 20 years, part of the acclaimed Grands

which began in 2011. The bottle is the perfect addition to any home bar,

Assemblages collection. With its

and boasts the original V.S.O.P. spirit,

refined tannins and maple syrup hue,

created through the blending of a

this single cask Armagnac retains all

selection of firmly structured eaux-de-

the character of the barrel, with an

vie, in keeping with a cognac tradition

incredible richness, hefty touches of

that reaches back to 1817. The

spice, and vanilla, and all the balance

Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilége Collection

of a beautifully aged drop.

Five is available in three different

www.darroze-armagnacs.com

sizes, 70cl, 150cl, and 300cl. www.hennessy.com

www.jetsetter.hk

MINIBAR 99

Reach for these beautifully aged spirits to farewell the cooler months and herald the summer. By Nick Walton

For a spirit that begs to be sipped,

Sipping tequila has risen to new heights

Michter’s 25 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye continues

expression of excellent tequila, sample

across Asia, but for a truly authentic

variety (rye) from America’s first

Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo, a 100 percent agave anejo

the legacy of America’s first whiskey whiskey company, Michter's,

from Carlos Camarena of the La Altena

originally known as Shenk’s. This

distillery. With the characteristically

exceptionally rare whiskey is the ideal

peppery agave flavour profile

gift for any connoisseur looking to

complemented by a buttery mellowness,

savour a rich American heritage. The

this special anejo was previously

single barrel, small batch rye is made

reserved for friends of distillery owner

in Kentucky and bottled at 58.7%

Don Felipe and has been aged in new

after being aged in charred American

French oak for around four years. The

white oak. Look out for rich vanilla

result is a bright copper hue, with salted

notes, as well as coffee and a hint of

nuts and melted butter on the nose,

orange, with a spicy pepper finish.

followed by oak and dark chocolate, with

www.michters.com

a long cocoa and tobacco finish. www.specialitybrands.com For a superbly aged rum experience, you can’t go past the Rum

Diplomatico Single Vintage 2000, a beautifully balanced aged rum and the perfect way to wave farewell to winter. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 10 years and then an additional two in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, this unique spirit was bottled in the year 2000. With 90 percent of the batch distilled in copper pot stills and the last 10 percent in kettle distillers, this rum boasts a fantastically complex flavour profile with brown sugar, maple syrup, and plum cake on the nose, followed by tons of honey, ginger, and caramel on the palate. www.rondiplomatico.com

www.jetsetter.hk

100 RESTAURANT REVIEW

QUE TO

THE KINGDOM Fans of Hong Kong’s private kitchens, rejoice: Chef Que is back. By Nick Walton

nyone lucky enough to find themselves at one of Quest’s limited tables can be forgiven for being a tad nostalgic. The similarities that the newest private kitchen in Wan Chai shares with former culinary icon TBLS are many, from the chic, minimalist décor to the open show kitchen, where Vietnamese-American chef and innovator Que Vinh Dang showcases his own interpretation on fine-dining. TBLS epitomised the contemporary private kitchen concept when it opened in 2009; it was small, only catering to 18 covers with a few punters quietly placed on the terrace outside; it was one of the city’s most coveted tables; and it was experimental, with chef Dang conjuring up creative and entertaining interpretations of everything from classic Asian dishes to the candy bars he loved as a child. It was dining, art, and entertainment all

www.jetsetter.hk

rolled into one stellar night out. But all that creativity took its toll and after four successful years, TBLS closed so that Dang could spend more time with his young family. Now he’s back with Quest, a new culinary canvas hidden away 28 floors above Wan Chai’s Hennessy Road. With chic, monochrome interiors, picture windows watching over the traffic below, a presentation kitchen at one end and a 12-seat semi-private space at the other, Quest truly is a private kitchen; guests only receive the menu after their meal, each dish of which is introduced with playful commentary, tableside, by Dang. Menu highlights are as diverse as the chef’s imagination, from jet-fresh Hamachi sashimi with a delicate, zesty tomato jelly and yuzu kosho nuoc mam, to a modern approach to the classic Vietnamese pho – beef tartar topped with foie gras and a pho reduction

powder. In fact, there is something for everyone on the well-constructed tasting menu, from Alaskan king crab with pickled daikon and a smoky paprika foam; and black cod with squid ink mochi and a moreish fish sauce caramel; to grilled Berkshire pork belly marinated in lemongrass and sugar; and salted caramel and coconut ice cream with charred pineapple and almond cake. Each sizable dish is plated with artistry in front of a riveted audience. The result is TBLS 2.0 – comfort food with flair and innovation, plated with fine-dining finesse and then dismissed by a humble chef that likes to be able to see diners simply enjoying his musing. Eight-course tasting menus from HK$600 (US$77) per person. 28/F, 235-239 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2554 0888; www.questbyque.com

H E R

RESTAURANT REVIEW

101

G R AC E The name Dutchess may conjure ideas of a stuffy fine-dining experience, but what you get at this new Melbourne eatery is an elegant, genial atmosphere bolstered by solid food and drinks. By Gayatri Bhaumik

hen Melbourne’s oldest pub, The Duke of Wellington, was recently given a dazzling makeover, local restaurateurs Craig Ellison and Michael Thiele decided to add a Manhattan-inspired lounge on the third floor. What they came up with is a chic, casual space that combines white leather, wood accents, and industrialfeel touches with French windows that open onto an alfresco dining area shaded by trees. Dutchess is tailor-made for long conversations over lingering meals, so on a Friday afternoon, two friends and I slip into one of the rounded wood-and-leather booths and catch up as we sample tipples from the bar and dishes from chef Justin Wise’s ingredient-driven Australian menu.

The drinks list boasts a bottled beer selection that is exclusively American microbrews, except for the token addition of Corona, but we order a round of the creative cocktails that are the list’s mainstay. The frothy Polish Apple Sour, sweet-yet-sour Raffish Daiquiri, and heavy Grapefruit Negroni couldn’t have been more different, but each is wellbalanced, packed a punch, and is very much savoured. Later, we accompany our mains with an unexpectedly sweet (but refreshing) South Australian riesling, followed by a 2012 Terzini Montepulciano DOC from Italy from the surprisingly extensive and well-curated wine list. It’s obvious that although Dutchess is a restaurant, having Melbourne’s oldest pub downstairs means it takes its drinks seriously.

The menu is decidedly steak-heavy but makes the most of fresh Australian produce. We start our meal with a light, fresh dish of cured salmon with dill cucumbers and hollandaise, and fried chicken lashed with Cajun dipping sauce, an item that was slightly sinful, slightly spicy, and very moreish. Moving on, we split two hefty mains between us. The yellowfin tuna, accompanied by snake beans and tomato, was perfectly seared, highlighting its freshness, while the 600g grain-fed rib-eye from Hopkins River is cooked medium rare – just enough to seal the juices and cook the edges while retaining a hint of natural textures and flavours – and accompanied by an off-the-menu potato gratin with red wine sauce and hand-cut fries. Surprisingly, we aren’t asked how we wanted the steak cooked; in this case it didn’t matter, but it’s something to note if you’re particular. Being the middle of summer, we round off the meal with an Aussie classic - choc tops. The cones of either raspberry and white chocolate, boysenberry, or salted caramel ice cream coated in a frozen chocolate shell are perfect for taking the edge off the midafternoon heat. Dutchess doesn’t pull punches. What you get here is a laidback, well-dressed space that serves up stellar drinks and a menu of delicious, hearty dishes. Dutchess; 2/146 Flinders Street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3000; +613 9810 0055; www. dutchess.com.au www.jetsetter.hk

102

TOP TABLES

A New Excuse Dressed with custom-designed copper pendant lighting, tribal fabrics, and tweed armchairs by Stickman Design, Alibi – Wine, Dine, Be Social is the latest F&B concept by Hong Kong’s Langham Place, Mongkok. Amid cosy, spacious interiors, chef de cuisine Tim Burges dishes up an all-day menu of delicious treats like machengo and bomba rice fritters, the Toastie Sandwich (a grilled cheese given a kick with kimchi), seared USDA prime beef and watermelon salad; and steamed chocolate cake, an Asian variation on the chocolate fondant. Behind the bar, mixologist Leo Cheung whips up handcrafted cocktails that reinvent classic flavours. Try The Alibi, a mix of Talisker Whisky, Pimm’s no. 1, sloe gin Drambuie, and Montenegro bitters. www.hongkong.langhamplace.hotels.com

FRESH FOR SPRING Post-War Revelry The latest addition to London’s innovative hidden bar scene, Cahoots is the newest venture by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling of the award-winning Inception Group. Utilising an abandoned World War Two air raid shelter under the streets of SoHo, Cahoots resembles a 1940s Underground station and is a tribute to the ingeniousness of post-war London. Follow clues to the Underground sign in Kingly Court and discover a wealth of post-war charm, from the phone-box-cum-DJ-booth to the dramatic platform bar and old train carriages which have been transformed into nooks for drinking, dancing, and piano singalongs. The bar boasts an extensive cocktail list that features creatively made and impressively presented tipples like the Tanqueray No. Ten Station Clock, an eightperson share cocktail presented in an actual working clock. www.cahoots-london.com

Southern Comfort Jumping on Hong Kong's Southern cuisine bandwagon is Smokey Joe’s, a laidback barbecue and beer joint with outlets in Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo. The concept is very simple – traditional American-style barbecued meats with all the expected accompaniments. Expect pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket, and baby back ribs complemented by coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob, or potato salad, and washed down with a cold brew. With food served in simple paper containers amidst bare-bones décor, Smokey Joe’s isn't fancy, but it will sate any craving for good old-fashioned comfort food and set you up for a night on the town. www.smokeyjoes.com.hk

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TOP TABLES

103

Wanderlust on a Plate Chef David Myer has made his first foray into Singapore with the opening of Adrift, an all-new modern Asian eatery and Ginza-style cocktail bar at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. Inspired by Myer’s globetrotting, Adrift evokes a sense of adventure in its every facet, from the urban east-meets-west aesthetics to the rich fusion of cuisines that make up the menu. Diners can expect playful dishes, odes to American classics like the King Crab Melt with Pimento cheese, and reimaginings of traditional dishes like Foie Gras Banh Mi. Be sure to sample tipples from New York’s Sam Ross, who whips up refreshing aperitifs like the Pimms Imperial, a mix of Pimms no 1, lemon, Champagne, and local fruits; and classics with a modern spin. www.marinabaysands.com

Spring is a time of reawakenings, so revitalise your taste buds with this season's hottest new spots. Tipples for the Nose A new, hidden craft cocktail divan on Hong Kong’s Wyndham Street, Highline is the city's first bar to present an aromatic approach to cocktails. In collboration with French mixologist Bob Louison and famed Victorian-era British perfumery Penhalingon’s, Highline features a menu of aromaticallydriven cocktails. Customers can choose their favourite Penhalingon’s scent and have bartenders whip up a drink inspired by those aromas. Already, some cocktails have become firm favourites, including the Studio 54, made with vodka, gin, slow-cooked onion, and juniper berries, and Don’t Call Me Honey, a concoction of aged rum and Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey. Highline also features a guest bartending program that will regularly showcase the industry’s best mixologists. www.facebook.com/highline.hk

Cajun Spice The South rises again in Hong Kong with Holy Crab, a new, rustic eatery specialising in Cajun seafood. The fisherman’s wharf-style space boasts raw wood tables and floors, a large boat sculpture, and custom-made rockpools, giving diners a real ‘fresh catch’ experience. The highlight is the fresh live seafood flown in daily from the US which includes crawfish, lobster, and king and Dungeness crab. Executive chef Mark Kerkstra brings Cajun flavours to life with dishes like Louisiana Bayou Court Bouillon, and a ‘pick your own catch' experience where guests can pick a type of seafood, select a level of spice (‘Plain Jane’ through ‘Nuclear’) and a flavour, and have it cooked up in Low Country Boil style, the ‘holy trinity’ of bell pepper, onion, and celery. www.holycrab.com.hk www.jetsetter.hk

104

THE LIST

Adventure may come in myriad forms, but at least with food you can get your adrenaline going without risking life and limb. Take your taste buds on a voyage of exploration in 2015 with these five exotic food festivals. By Sakshi Kaushik

ADVENTURE

ON A PLATE

J M F A T

ust like the name suggests, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, hosted in the tiny New Zealand west coast town on March 14, welcomes more than 15,000 revellers each year. They travel to this remote mountain town for the imaginative ‘wild’ dishes, from huhu grubs and worm truffles to mountain oysters (deep-fried lamb testicles), whipped up by onsite chefs and

washed down with a cold locally-produced Monteith’s beer. www.wildfoods.co.nz ingle with more than 70 celebrity chefs at the 33rd Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Held in and around Aspen’s Grand Tasting Pavilion between June 19 - 21, visitors can expect to sample signature dishes from the likes of Gail Simmons, Jacques Pepin, and José Andrés, and delicious tipples from renowned local mixologist Anthony

Bohlinger. www.foodandwine.com/classic ood meets romance in Ireland from September 24 - 27, when the Galway International Oyster Festival brings the foodie’s aphrodisiac to the dynamic Irish city. Would-be Romeos can woo their Juliets with oyster-inspired dishes on the Seafood Trail, local craft beers at gastropubs, gourmet fare at the Masquerade ‘Mardi Gras’ moveable feast, and titbits at

the World Oyster Opening Championships. www.galwayoysterfestival.com rguably the world’s largest food festival, Oktoberfest takes place each year in the German city of Munich. This year’s dates are September 19 to October 4, during which more than 6 million people will drink locally-produced beer and feast on Bavarian delicacies, including hendl (roast chicken), schweinebraten (roast pork), schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock)

and white weisswurst sausages. www.oktoberfest.de he annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will welcome more than 180,000 foodies when it opens at its new venue, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, from October 22 to 25. Visitors and locals alike can trawl through the 270 booths manned by master chefs and sommeliers offering wine-paired meals, seminars, and classes. Extend the gourmet experience through

the rest of the month with a host of festival perks at the city’s eateries. www.discoverhongkong.com www.jetsetter.hk

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

S MACAU A DIFFERENT SIDE OF

tep

Out,

Experience

Macau’s

Communities offers visitors access to a series of eight innovative walking tours that allows them to quickly discover all that quaint peninsula has to offer. Each tour focuses on one of Macau’s

parishes, and showcases specific sides of Macau. Discover its rich history, soak up its buzzing creative scene, and explore its unique mix of East and West. With

Exploring a city under the steam of your own two feet can

the tours, you can stroll narrow streets in the old Taipa Village; witness the coexistence of two cultures in the Our

introduce you to sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that

Lady of Fatima Parish and St. Anthony’s Parish; enjoy the

you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise, and with Step Out,

tranquility and local delicacies in Coloane’s St. Francis

Experience Macau’s Communities, visitors can discover unique perspectives on one of Asia’s major tourist destinations.

Xavier Parish; and be awed by the picturesque St. Lazarus Parish. To further enhance the experience, visitors are treated to a lineup of regular weekend performances at various points along the different routes.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION Of the eight walking tours offered by Step Out, Experience Macau’s Communities, two are particularlywell suited to travellers wanting to see Macau’s most riveting sights - Crossroads of China and Portugal and A Legacy of Arts and Culture.

Crossroads of China and Portugal Macau has a unique history of blending East and West. With this new 30-minute tour, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique history that makes Macau a World Heritage destination. Trawl the cobblestone streets of the iconic Senado Square; see the neo-classical St. Lawrence’s Church with its Chinese tile roof; walk through Lilau Square, one of the peninsula’s earliest Portuguese settlements; visit Mandarin’s House, a blend of Chinese architecture and subtle western influences; and explore A-Ma Temple, the centuries-old tribute to A-Ma, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen. All of these are some of the more than 20 ancient monuments and urban squares that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed “Historic Centre of Macau”. Don’t miss the Macau Maritime Museum, located at the Barra Square which marks where the Portuguese first landed. Performances on this route include Lion Dance and Portuguese Folk Dance.

Route: Senado Square – St. Augustine’s Square – St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church – St. Lawrence’s Church Mandarin’s House - Lilau Square - A-Ma Temple - Macau Maritime Museum

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

A Legacy of Arts and Culture

Macao Museum of Art

Macau boasts a lively arts and culture scene, and with this 35-minute tour, visitors can experience this vibrant hub for themselves. Visit the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, a large-scale themed entertainment complex; enjoy exploring the fascinating workings of the world at the Macao Science Centre; explore the Macao Cultural Centre, the Macao Museum of Art, and the exhibitions by the Handover Gifts Museum of Macao; and gaze in awe at the statue dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy at the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. On this route, visitors can enjoy music performances and displays of Chinese martial arts.

Macau’s only art museum boasts seven exhibition galleries over five floors. Visitors can explore the spaces filled with exquisite examples of Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and ceramics, a host of compelling temporary exhibitions, and the intriguing Gallery of Historical Pictures which hosts Western paintings and European prints of Macau, including pieces by Lam Kua and British artist George Chinnery.

Route: Macau Fisherman’s Wharf – Macao Science Centre – Macao Cultural Centre – Macao Museum of Art – Handover Gift Museum of Macao – Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre

Macao Cultural Centre, Av. Xian Xing Hai, s/n Nape, Macau

SATURDAY

Macao Museum of Art Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (last admission at 6.30pm) Closed on Mondays www.mam.gov.mo

Avenida Xian Xing Hai (near Macao Cultural Centre) (Music Performance)

3pm – 3.30pm

Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre (Chinese Martial Arts)

4pm-4.30pm

SUNDAY Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre (Lion Dance)

2pm-2.20pm

Avenida Xian Xing Hai (near Macao Cultural Centre) (Music Performance)

3pm-3.30pm

108

WATCHES

BY S E A AND STAR The latest timepiece by Montblanc is a stunning tribute to Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, says Nick Walton

he flagship of the new limited edition Vasco da Gama collection, inspired by the exploits of the Portuguese explorer, the stunning Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Minute Chronograph

Vasco da Gama Limited Edition timepiece takes its design cues from Gama’s most famous vessel, the São Gabriel. While the sapphire crystal in the case back features a simplistic yet elegant sketch of the historic sailing vessel, the piece’s sophisticated dial is far more eye-catching. Its upper half is dyed dark blue and studded with numerous small dots emulating the starry night skies of the southern hemisphere that Vasco da Gama once explored. A diamond in the patented cut of the shape of the Montblanc emblem sparkles at 12 o’clock, while a wave-shaped guilloché, designed in flinqué style in blue, refers to the nocturlabium (star clock) aboard the São Gabriel. The dial’s lower level is satin-finished and unveils the intricate construction of the ExoTourbillon at six o'clock, an effect complemented by its 44-mm white gold case. US$45,000. www.montblanc.com

www.jetsetter.hk

WATCHES 109

BORROWED

from the Boys These recently released ladies’ watches take style cues from men’s timepieces, reinventing the look for a thoroughly feminine feel. By Gayatri Bhaumik

Drawing inspiration from the philosophical ideologies of the Age of Reason, the focal point of

RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur is

the exquisite Richard Mille

a delicate magnolia flower with handmade 18-carat gold petals, which opens and closes every five minutes to reveal the watch’s flying tourbillion and its gem-set centre. High-grade materials like grade-five titanium and 316L stainless steel bring a tough, masculine edge to this otherwise dainty timepiece, which is limited to just 30 pieces. www.richardmille.com Part of a 260th anniversary

Boasting a 39mm case in 18-carat

collection, Vacheron Constantin’s

white gold and studded with 208

Harmony Dual Time Small is limited to just 500

Rendez-Vous Moon may seem

pieces. Driven by the new Calibre

man-sized, but is entirely effeminate

2460DT movement, which

in looks. Moon phases are the main

new

diamonds, Jaeger LeCoultre's new

features a gold rotor emblazoned

function of the watch, allowing

with a pattern created for the

wearers to follow the moon’s cycles

milestone, the piece boasts an

on the mother-of-pearl dial, which

opaline silver-toned dial enclosed

is given a unique depth effect with a

in an 18-carat white gold case

section of lacquered guilloché. Two

and surrounded by a bezel set

crowns allow wearers to adjust time

with 88 round-cut diamonds.

and moon phases, while a moving

www.vacheron-constantin.com

star indicator marks personal moments of significance. www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

www.jetsetter.hk

110 WISHLIST

Longchampâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Le Pliage handbags are a favourite of celebrities and fashionistas the world over, and just in time for spring, the French brand has issued its coveted Heritage handbag in a diminutive new format. The Le Pliage Heritage Mini retains the striking trapezoidal shape, ultra-smooth leather, and roomy interiors of the original, but its smaller dimensions of 23x22x16cm mean itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect bag for a day running around the city. This eye-popping coral is one of the three new shades for spring, along with yellow and blue, although the Mini is also available in the standard Le Pliage Heritage colours of black, carmine, amber, and ecru. HK$8,950 (US$1,155). www.longchamp.com

BEBOLD

Passion, love, daring, and energy are just a few traits associated with the colour red. This spring, add a little audacity to your wardrobe with these gorgeous just-for-her pieces. Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana has launched a new haute joaillerie collection inspired by the majestic seas and gardens of the Mediterranean. Called

Engagement Parure, the new collection features crystal-clear aquamarines, vivid peridots, and deep red rhodolites garnets in simple yet striking settings. Whether making a statement on the red carpet or the street, these exquisitely delicate earrings are a choice addition to any jewellery drawer. Featuring blood red cushion cut rhodolite garnets set in 18-carat gold, each earring is given added sparkle by a halo of 28 tiny round pink sapphires, while a teardrop freshwater pearl suspended from the bottom adds a touch of delicate femininity. www.dolcegabbana.com

New independent designer label Amykarine has unveiled its debut collection of luxurious hand-finished silk scarves, designed and manufactured in Britain. The Sonnet collection is inspired by the dramatic English Romantic poetry of Wordsworth, Shelley, and Byron, and boasts unique patterns and vivid colours. Each scarf in the collection is limited to just 77 pieces, and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a collectable autograph from the designers. A standout piece of the collection, the Fairy Tale Red scarf, is a blend of blues, yellow, and purple accents set on a striking red background, all woven into a motif drawn from the natural imagery of Romantic poetry. GBP210 (US$243). www.amykarine.com

www.jetsetter.hk

WISHLIST 111

Inspired by the lustre of a pearl reflected in the moonlight, the Montblanc Meisterst端ck Moon Pearl combines the classic design attributes of the iconic writing instrument with the beauty and elegance of natural mother-of-pearl. www.montblanc.com

MIGHTIER

THAN THE SWORD Return to the elegance of hand-written letters with these beautiful writing instruments, the perfect gift for any gentleman. By Nick Walton

Intricate and eye-catching, the Architects Collection by award-winning designer Jack Row features lavish writing instruments that display a har monious marriage of solid gold, sterling silver, diamonds, and sapphires. www.jackrow.com

simplistic lines of the Guilloche Chevron fountain pen by Graf von FaberCastell Guilloche Chevron belie the elegance of an 18-carat gold nib combined with a black resin barrel and subtle signature engraving. www.graf-von-faber-castell.com The

www.jetsetter.hk

112

THE BITE

CAPE OF GOOD

EATING

Known to be one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Cape Town’s gastronomic fare is a delectable fusion of Dutch, Cape Malay, and African cuisine. With endless restaurants and fine-dining establishments offering plenty of choice, here are three classic dishes you shouldn’t miss. By Sakshi

Kaushik

The city’s signature sandwich is a Gatsby, an arm-length Portuguese loaf filled with various types of meat, atchar (a spicy pickle), and hot chips. In St George’s Mall in central Cape Town, Mariam’s Kitchen serves top-notch halaal food and is popular for its steak masala Gatsby. Sandwiches are stuffed with juicy cuts of steak marinated in garam masala, ginger, and garlic, and freshly made French fries, then served with a side of carrot salad for a refreshing and fulfilling taste of Cape Town’s street cuisine. www.mariamskitchen.co.za With its origins in the Dutch Spice Islands of Indonesia, bobotie is a traditional Cape Malay dish which stars minced beef spiced with a fiery combination of ground fennel,

fenugreek, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, eaning

'barbecue

spicy onion and tomato-based sauces.

Mzoli’s Place in the Gugulethu district

braai

grills juicy cuts of T-bone steak, pork

and pap is Cape

chops, and boerewors (seasoned South

Town’s ode to its

African sausages) in the restaurant’s open

Dutch

ancestry.

grounds and pairs the meat with pap,

Succulent pieces of meat are grilled in

achakalaka vegetable relish, and tribal

an open charcoal-fuelled pit and paired

dancing and drumming. Mzoli's Place,

with a mielie-meal porridge dressed with

NY115, Gugulethu, +27 (0) 21 419 0130.

www.jetsetter.hk

and

porridge'

Afrikaans,

and chillies, and baked to perfection with an egg topping. Overlooking the majestic Victoria Wharf is Karibu, a South African fine-dining establishment renowned for its bobotie, where the minced beef is dotted with raisins and coated with an egg and milk-based custard before baking. With a side of celebration rice - rice cooked in coconut and turmeric - the dish is truly decadent. www.kariburestaurant.co.za

114 ADVENTURE LUGGAGE

RUGGED as the Road

Before you set out on your next adventure, ensure you’re packing your precious possessions in luggage that can keep up with your adventurous ways, says Nick Walton.

Durable yet stylish, the Activate Wheeled Backpack 26 from Eagle Creek is perfect for everything from day trips to airport transit runs. It easily converts from a wheeled carry-on to a backpack, with full front panel loading making security a breeze. A zip-away suspension feature and moisture-wicking air mesh help maintain comfort, as does contoured back straps and a padded hip belt, while durable wheels allow you to whizz through crowds and jungles alike. www.eaglecreek.com

Perfect for day excursions when you need both hands front and centre, the Field

Station, part of the Lowepro Optics Series, is a beltpack-style holdall that’s lightweight and durable. With a weather-resistant design and a wide, comfortable belt for maximum comfort, the bag also features an ‘Inventive Shelf,' perfect for checking tablets and maps on the run. www.lowepro.com

Perfect for avid photographers looking to protect their gear from the elements, the Dry Zone collection of bags from Lowepro are made from lightweight, technical waterproof fabric that offers splashproof protection. Our favourite, the 20-litre duffle, features a roll-top, wide-mouth opening to make stowing your gear easier, and removable padded camera cases with taped seams keep your gear from crashing about on life’s most adventurous roads. www.lowepro.com

www.jetsetter.hk

116 ADVENTURE CLOTHING

DEEP

CHILL Inspired by the mountain goddesses of Norse mythology, Helly Hansen’s Fall/Winter 2014-15 ski collection radiates beauty, warmth, and elegance. The W Silverqueen Jacket’s bold, flattering design delivers a new level of comfort for skiers who explore the entire mountain. Supreme comfort is delivered through a four-way stretch Helly Tech Professional exterior that provides the ultimate weather protection from wind and snow. The jacket’s feminine fit is enhanced through body-mapped Prima Loft stretch insulation and a soft stretch lining. The innovative H²Flow temperature regulation technology ensures all-day comfort in fluctuating weather conditions by allowing snow bunnies to self-adjust body temperature via mechanical zippers in direct correlation to weather conditions. Other details include a zip-away powder skirt, a RECCO Advanced Rescue System reflector, and cozy, hand-warming pockets. www.hellyhansen.com

www.jetsetter.hk

118

AUTO

THE EDITION FINA L PLUG &

PLAY

Lighter, shorter, and less expensive than its predecessor, Mercedes Benz’s stunning 2016 Mercedes-AMG SLS GT is here to take on the big boys, on and off the track, discovers Nick Walton.

romised as the last, and most cutting-edge, of the SLS AMG series, the 2016 model represents the ultimate partnership between the German marque and its inhouse performance division, AMG. With its 4.0-litre, bi-turbo, V-8 engine offering the road-happy punter up to 503 horsepower, the 2016 SLS AMG has been designed to take on small, powerful sports cars like the Porsche 911, rather than the supercar market its predecessors have eyed. In fact, the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission of the latest sleek SLS AMG puts it in line with the Jag F-type R Coupe, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and the ever-popular Porsche 911 Carrera S, all of which have developing market shares in Asia as the newly wealthy increasingly prefer to take the wheel themselves. Gone are the showy gull wings of the previous www.jetsetter.hk

SLS, just one of a series of weight-saving measures that make the SLS AMG GT lightening on the tarmac. Combine all that tire-melting power with sensual lines and elegant curves, a long, low hood, a rearward cabin, and a stubby, rounded tail, and lace the mix with a few stylish touches like distinctive LED headlights, and you have an instant classic. Combine that with an aluminum and steel frame and body, a chassis design by former Porsche cornering guru Markus Hofbauer, active aerodynamics, and electronicallycontrolled suspension damping, and the SLS AMG GT hugs the road in a lover’s embrace. The SLS AMG GT’s racing DNA can be seen in subtle nods to the track, from the classic two-finned air outlets to the low front splitter, an electronically retractable rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser, all of

which harmonise in a design that’s as comfortable on the track as it is pulling up to a red carpet event. Control is accentuated with cutting-edge hydraulic dampers, from Multimatic for the GT, and Sachs for the GT S. Of course, it can’t all be about muscle, and the AMG GT’s cockpit-like interior is as much a masterpiece as its exterior lines. A sea of fine, hand-stitched leather and metal trip surround a central infotainment screen, benefiting from an updated Mercedes COMAND System. A wide dashboard, high door windows, and engine-like air vents on both sides give the feel of a fighter jet cockpit, especially with the free-standing navigation and infotainment screen resembling a headsup display. A fitting interior for a pocket rocket like this, the last of the SLS AMGs. Price to be confirmed. www.mercedes-benz.com.hk

120

CONCIERGE quick five-minute walk to get there [from the top of the Elk Camp Lift on Snowmass Mountain] and once you’re on it, you have miles of freedom.

Time to hit the après-ski scene. Where are we heading? Sky Hotel offers a very hip and trendy après scene. The dance floor and hot tubs are crowded and happening seven days a week! For an on-mountain après experience, you can usually find bottles of Champagne being sprayed on people dancing on the tables at Cloud Nine.

We need a hearty dinner. Where to?

meal

for

Ajax Tavern is at the base of the Gondola in Aspen and has the best double cheeseburger and truffle fries!

Where can we grab post-dinner nightcaps?

WHITE HOT

Hands down, Justice Snow’s. This bar has a steam-punk vibe and offers amazing preProhibition cocktails. They claim they have the most extensive hand-crafted cocktail program this side of the Mississippi [river]! All the

Growing up in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, Sarah Gorman used to ditch school to ski on the nearby Aspen and Snowmass Mountains. Now the Ski Concierge at the Limelight Hotel, she puts what she learned to use by helping guests create memorable experiences on and off the slopes. She tells Gayatri Bhaumik about her favourite spots in Aspen.

bartenders look like the guys from Mumford

We need to fuel up before hitting the slopes. Where can we go for breakfast?

convenient locations and carries top-of-the-

great day out for family and friends – your

line gear at affordable prices.

stomachs will hurt from laughing by the end

My absolute favourite place to grab breakfast

do is to go to Pine Creek Cook House. It’s a

On Saturday mornings I hit a $5 yoga class

For snow bunnies new to the slopes, which are the best places to get a few lessons?

on the top of the mountain, at the Sundeck,

Snowmass Mountain is home to the Meadows

have the option to sleigh ride, cross-country

then cruise with a group of friends over to

learning area which offers Beginner’s Magic,

ski, or snow-shoe to the restaurant. Other

Bonnie’s to make breakfast by 10.45am.

a program designed for those learning to ski.

activities include dog-sledding at Krabloonik,

“Bunny,” a classic Aspenite who has worked

These classes are taught by top pros, and

or snowmobiling at T-Lazy 7 Ranch.

there forever, will not serve you if you show

US$200 includes the lesson, a lift pass, and

up at 10.46am. Seriously, this place serves the

ski rental.

What else should we make time for in Aspen? Belly Up is our intimate music venue. You can

We forgot a few ski essentials. Where can we pick some up?

There’s nothing worse than skiing on crowded pistes. Which runs are best for avoiding the crowds?

Aspen Four Mountain Sports has nine

Long Shot is a five-mile-long run. It’s just a

concerts, film festivals, and lectures.

is on Ajax Mountain, at Bonnie’s Restaurant.

www.jetsetter.hk

ladies to this bar – expect to stand because this bar gets crowded!

For those who don’t ski, what other fun activities are there? Snowmass has a tubing centre, and it’s a

of the day! One of my other favourite things to

best pancakes I’ve ever had – it’s my fuel for a great day of skiing!

and Sons, which attracts all the beautiful

restaurant located 11 miles outside of Aspen, in an old ghost town named Ashcroft. You

catch a show most nights with big names such as Lyle Lovett and Michael Franti. There is also the Wheeler Opera House which hosts

122

BEAUTY TRAVEL

ROLLING IN MUD

Clay and mud products are taking over the beauty world, proving that sometimes you need to get dirty in order to get clean. Here are our travel-friendly favourites this season. By Gayatri

The latest offering from Hollywoodbased GlamGlow’s unique line of ‘mud-to-foam’ facial cleansers is the Youthcleanse, a daily exfoliating cleanser with anti-aging properties that helps reduce fine lines and smooth skin. The creamy cleanser transforms the mud formula of GlamGlow’s popular masks into a gentle but effective foam that efficiently dissolves make up and impurities and removes dead skin cells. A host of active ingredients work in tandem to reveal a radiant complexion, including French sea clay to boost cellular renewal; microalgae scrub and phytic acid extreme to exfoliate and rejuvenate; potent antioxidants like Brazilian açai, guarana, and acerola; and vitamin C, flaxseed, and quinoa. Presented in a very Hollywood-esque bottle of black and silver, the cleanser will get your skin paparazzi-ready. www.glamglow.com www.jetsetter.hk

Bhaumik

With just two five-minute applications a week needed to reap its benefits, the Bliss Multi-‘face’-eted fits perfectly into an unfussy skincare routine for time-poor road warriors. The anti-aging, all-in-one clay mask works quickly to correct the six visible signs of aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and winkles, evening skin tone, and smoothing texture. The easy-to-apply grey clay glides effortlessly over the face, while active ingredients like kaolin (china clay), glycolic acid, kojic acid, quartz, carbon, and jojoba oil leave skin noticeably softer and brighter. The hardworking mask comes in a simple clear jar sealed with a silver screw-top, and at just 70ml, you can throw it in your carry on, mask up on the plane, and make an impact on arrival. US$50. www.blissworld.com

Part of the new Tom Ford for Men Skincare and Grooming collection, the Intensive Purifying Mud Mask is ideal for refreshing tired skin on the road. The innovative dark grey clay mask turns light grey when finished, letting users know its job of drawing out oil, dirt, and toxins is done. The thick yet smooth mask counters the dull skin and irritation that comes with today’s busy lifestyle, and works to purify the skin and reduce tension lines. The result is hydrated and thoroughly rejuvenated skin. By Ford’s own admission the mask won’t wipe years off your face, but it will make your skin look much, much better. The revitalising mask comes packaged in a sleek, sophisticated black tube with a screw-cap top, and at 100ml, it’ll breeze through airport security in your carry on. US$60. www.tomford.com

124

CULTURE

B J Ö RK

Credit: By M/M (Paris) Photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Image courtesy of Wellhart Ltd & One Little Indian

The Museum of Modern Art, New York City, USA

March 9 – June 7, 2015

celandic singer, composer, and musician Björk has long fascinated music and art aficionados with her complex, multifaceted work and outlandish costumes. This spring, New York’s Museum of Modern Art will explore her innovative career in an all-new retrospective exhibition, simply titled Björk. The showcase takes visitors on a multisensory journey through the artist’s work that incorporates

instruments, theatrical presentations, immersive sound experiences, and visuals that include photography, music videos, new media, and the iconic costumes. All of this comes together to bring a thoroughly immersive experience that is an insightful, nuanced exploration of Björk’s career. It begins with her 1993 album, Debut, and ambles through more than 20 years of albums and multidisciplinary collaborations, culminating with 2015's Black Lake, a new video and music installation created specifically for the museum. www.moma.org www.jetsetter.hk

126

TECHNOLOGY

The perfect travel lens, the new Tamron 16-300mm offers the best of both worlds with an ultra-wide spectrum and a super telephoto focal length, all in one compact lens. The world’s first 18.8X zoom, the new Tamron lens is made for APS-CMOS sensor SLR cameras, and ensures you'll never miss a shot again as you leap from marco to telephoto in one twist. Vibration Compensation, Tamron’s optical stabilisation system, ensures sharp images even at long range, and a Piezo Drive ensures faster, quieter autofocusing. Available with Nikon, Canon, and Sony mounts. HK$4,700 (US$606). www.tamron-usa.com

AN ADVENTUROUS

STREAK Hit the open road with technology designed with world wanderers in mind. By Nick Walton Perfect for safari journeys or adventures under the stars, the Rouge

Safari Pop-Up Flash Booster extends the range of your DSLR flash by up to eight times. The device clips onto existing pop-up camera flashes and increases the light’s effective range by 18-21 metres without the aid of batteries, making it ideal for telephoto shots in the dark. US$35. www.rogueflash.com

Ensure peace of mind when you’re far from home with the Spot Gen 3, a pocket-sized gem for rescue, tracking, and messaging when there’s no mobile signal. The newest addition to the Spot family, the Gen 3 provides an affordable and vital line of communication with friends, family, and the authorities, whether you’re sailing or mountain climbing. The Gen 3 boasts mobile tracking features, which automatically updates the user’s position on Google Maps, as well as improved battery performance and USB charging. The device transmits an SOS notification to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Centre, allows users to check in en route, and even lets them send messages via satellite. www.findmespot.com

www.jetsetter.hk

TECHNOLOGY

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Keep your vital extremities warm when you hit the ski fields and glacier faces this year with Outdoor Researchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Storm Tracker heated gloves. Lightweight and as durable as a tank tread, these unique mitts feature powerful ALTIHeat technology with up to 61 percent more power output and twice as much heated surface than other heated gloves. Insulated and waterproof, each glove has heating elements integrated into the interior fabric, ensuring warmth across hands and fingers. Customised settings offer three heating levels with a battery life of up to eight hours, while Gore Windstopper and synthetic insulation on the back help resist the elements. US$235. www.outdoorresearch.com

Capture precious moments on the road with the new FujiFilm

X-A2 compact camera. Ultra lightweight and boasting a 16.3 megapixel APS-CMOS sensor, the new shooter is selfieready with a 175-degree tilting LCD monitor with face and eye detection. Sold with the Fujinon XC 15-50mm II lens, the X-A2 offers optical stabilisation that aids low-light photography, while new focus modes help ensure crisp, sharp images that can easily be transferred to smartphones or laptops via WiFi. US$549. www.fujifilm.com.hk

Sometimes the most adventurous places in the world take a journey in themselves to get to. In order to ensure a zen-like arrival, don a pair of Philipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new Fidelio NC1 noise-cancelling headphones. With a compact, foldable design that makes them perfect for carry-on luggage, the NC1s feature optimised 40mm neodymium drivers for high fidelity sound, and hybrid technology for superior noise cancellation as well as a hard travel case, an aeroplane-compatible plug, and ergonomic deluxe memory foam cushions for long-haul listening. www.philips.com

www.jetsetter.hk

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ROAD WARRIOR

King

of the Nile Photo Credit: Tom McShane

Levison Wood has many personas – journalist, photographer, writer, director of adventure travel company Secret Compass – but his most recent role as explorer saw him take on a year-long trek along the entire length of the Nile. He talks to Gayatri Bhaumik about the thrill of the road less travelled. What was your inspiration for the walk along the Nile? It’s a mysterious river that has attracted explorers for centuries. It’s where civilisation began and is the most important river in the world. Nobody – as far as we know – has ever walked the entire length.

How did your time in Afghanistan with the British Army prepare you for the difficulties you faced on your journey along the Nile? My time in the army prepared me very well, mentally and experientially. It taught me a lot about risk and how to manage it.

What impressions about Africa did you take away from your Nile expedition? What would you convey to the rest of the world? www.jetsetter.hk

That it’s not all about Ebola and Bob Geldof. Africans are taking charge of their own future and there’s incredible hope and resilience.

Why do you gravitate towards adventure travel rather than, for example, just relaxing on a beach?

Of your many experiences on the road, which has been your favourite?

The thrill of the unknown. I like finding new things and new experiences.

Impossible to nail down just one as I’ve been travelling for almost 20 years, but perhaps one of my most formative was disembarking in Cape Town aged 18, utterly alone and with the world at my feet.

How do you really get under the skin of a place?

As the co-founder of Secret Compass, it’s obvious you’re passionate about adventure travel. What’s your next adventure going to be? I’m currently Urbexing [exploring off-limits areas in urban areas] in New York! But I’m off to the Philippines in April with the army as part of my annual duty.

By walking and talking to random strangers.

What are the five things you can’t do without while travelling? My Moleskine notebook, Altberg boots, and an iPhone, as well as a compass and a decent pen knife.

Any tips newbies?

for

adventure

travel

Don’t be scared to just get lost and put your faith in strangers.

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PAGE TURNER

Thirst for Adventure

Anyone can travel, but intrepid travellers will tell you that the destination is just the beginning of a real journey. Follow the exploits of these three thrill-seeking adventurers who get more than they bargained for while on the road. By Gayatri Bhaumik

Marrakech Express Peter Millar

Arcadia Books

Inspired by the eponymous hippie-era ditty by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Millar journeyed to Morocco to explore the vagaries and idiosyncrasies of the north African nation. What he found was an exotic country trying to balance its unique identity with the current political climate of the surrounding region. Marrakesh Express opens with impact as Millar describes Eid el-Adha, a festival where sheep are slaughtered to commemorate a scene from the Bible where Abraham is allowed to sacrifice a ram instead of his son: “I’m standing on a street corner, wreathed in acrid smoke, a youth in a sweaty singlet next to me holding an axe and machete above my head while a 12-year-old boy on my right brandishes his fists aggressively, and in my hands is a bloodied skull recently striped of its flesh.” The vivid, captivating description is typically Millar-esque, and flows through the rest of the book as he encounters snake charmers and food stalls in Jamaa el Fina, the ancient walled city of Fez, the wineries of the Meknes valley, cosmopolitan Casablanca, and the Spanish outposts of Veuta and Melilla, among others. As always, Millar provides insightful historical and political background to his experiences, giving readers a nuanced perspective on the inherent contradictions of Moroccan society.

Everest Revealed: The Private Diaries and Sketches of Edward Norton, 1922-1924

Edited by Christopher Norton

The History Press

A member of two legendary expeditions to Everest, E.F. ‘Teddy’ Norton set a world altitude record in 1924, one that stood for 54 years. Days later, fellow climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared on the mountain, sparking a mystery still shrouded in uncertainty today. Now, through the first-ever publications of Norton’s private diaries and sketches, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the expeditions, one that showcases the landscapes, wildlife, and people these bold adventurers encountered. Each journey gets its own chapter, beginning with a comprehensive summation of the expedition, which gives way to verbatim extracts from the dairies, accompanied by Norton’s sometimes rudimentary, sometimes vivid, sketches. Duly capturing the day-to-day successes, trials, and mindset of the adventurers, some of the writing is admittedly mundane, perhaps written for posterity; but Norton’s prose contains moments of pure poetry that prove he was thoroughly captivated by the landscapes he encountered. The book’s poignant highlight comes in the entries that capture Norton’s worry over Mallory and Irvine’s disappearances, and the condolence letters he sent to their families which close the chapter. Mimicking the journeys, Everest Revealed is at times fascinating and at times tedious, but a compelling reminder that to really adventure takes true grit.

The Ends of the Earth

Roger Willemsen

Haus Publishing

Roger Willemsen is well-known in his native Germany, but this translated text gives English language readers a rare chance to engage with his astute observations and charmingly expressive style. First published in 2010 in German, The Ends of the Earth is a collection of essays that recount and reflect on a lifetime of travel, one that's taken Willemsen to the furthest reaches of five continents. Exotic locales abound in his narrative, from Russia’s Kamchatka volcanoes to a railway station in still-insular Burma, an Arctic icebreaker to a Minsk hospital ward, but settings in big cities like Tokyo, Mumbai, Paris, and Hong Kong prove you don’t have to stray too far from the beaten path to find adventure. The book’s narrative is endearingly lyrical; perhaps it’s a trick of translation, but when, as in this description of nomadic travellers, you get beautifully turned phrasing like “They are never simply in the place where their physical being resides; distance shores are already weighing upon their shoulders even before they depart, and they are called ‘restless’ by those who are not,” the how and why of it don't matter. What will captivate readers and keep them turning pages is the fact that Willemsen’s accounts are just as much profound sketches of life, love, loss, humanity, and society as they are about his geographical location.