June 2017
MONTENEGRO
GAGGAN
BALKAN CHIC ON THE ADRIATIC COASTLINE
What it’s like to dine at Asia’s best restaurant
VIP at
BRITISH POLO DAY
THE INDIAN
OCEAN
BOUTIQUE STAYS, THE FINEST FIVE-STAR HIDEAWAYS AND ISLAND-STYLE GOURMET DISCOVERIES
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MAURITIUS + MALDIVES + SRI LANKA + SEYCHELLES NEW-SEASON WATCHES
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DAZZLING JEWELS
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hoT EVEnTs, nEw hoTELs AnD gLoBAL JET sETTErs
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LAgoon LIfe Mövenpick dives into the Maldives with its debut in the nation of atolls, offering up a taste of modish chic in the marine wonderland
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Luxury travel news from around the world This month’s best new hotels A guide to the top events in June VIP guide to British Polo Day in England
N E W S D I A RY
JUNE 22 -JULY 01 LAKESIDE GROOVES
Jazz Ascona – Ascona, Switzerland Set on the atmospheric Ascona waterfront with colourful houses spilling down to the shimmering Lake Maggiore, make the most of the Swiss summer weather at JazzAscona, a renowned openair international jazz festival that takes place in the cobbled lanes and piazzas, and lakeside stages with the sounds of New Orleans jazz, swing and blues to gospel and Afro funk. www.jazzascona.ch
Diary JUNE
Europe sets the scene for summer’s finest events this month, whether you pony up at the polo in Germany, hobnob at Royal Ascot, or immerse yourself in contemporary art and jazz in France and Italy
JUNE 30 -JULY 02 PONY UP
This prestigious event will be held for the 10th year at the northern German estate of Gut Basthorst, with six international teams taking to the fields before 3,000 glamorous polo-elite attendees, and a now-legendary players’ night dinner held in the former horse stable at club president Baron Enno von Ruffin’s estate. www.polo-club.org
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PHOTO: Alessio Pizzicannella
BMW Polo Cup 2017 – Poloclub Gut Basthorst, Germany
N E W S D I A RY
JUNE 20-24 HIGH HORSE SOCIETY
Royal Ascot – Ascot, England With five days of world-class racing, pageantry and high-stakes fashion, Royal Ascot is the place to be and be seen for racing enthusiasts and high society alike, drawing some 300,000 spectators. Don’t miss the Royal Procession at 2pm when Her Majesty the Queen and her guests travel down the final straight in front of the Grandstand and into the Parade Ring in horse-drawn landaus. www.ascot.co.uk
JUNE 29 -JULY 02
ART ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Art Pampelonne Presqu-ile de Saint-Tropez – France It’s the first contemporary art fair to launch on the French Riviera and better still, it’s set to take place on one of the world’s most exclusive beaches, Plage de Pampelonne. With dynamic artists from 60 international galleries, the fair will also feature plenty of social hobnobbing opportunities with a Perrier-Jouët pop-up champagne bar by Nikki Beach Saint Tropez. The legendary beach club will also extend its hours on the Saturday night for the VIP Art Pampelonne Official Party. www.artpampelonne.com and www.nikkibeach.com
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YO U R ID E A L G E TAW A Y I N TH E MAL DIVES AT A 5 -STAR, ADUL TS ON L Y ISL A N D
EID & RAMADAN OFFER* •
Complimentary meal upgrade to Half Board
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Complimentary use of our luxury seaplane lounge (arrival only)
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Complimentary use of snorkeling equipment, non-motorized watersports, Wi-Fi, daily afternoon tea or cocktail and shisha
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Arabic tv channels and prayer mats available
* Terms & conditions apply. Book before August 15, 2017. Stay from May 20 thru/including the night of August 20, 2017. reservations@hurawalhi.com
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www.hurawalhi.com
destinations
T h e w o r l d ’ s m o s T d e s i r a b l e l o c aT i o n s
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adriatic action Placid boka bay belies the action and excitement on montenegro’s shores as the country developes into one of the hottest new luxury destinations
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sustainable luxury at Gili lankanfushi in the maldives The boutique beauty of sri lanka’s southern coast Find a heady dose of paradise in mauritius a trio of mauritius resorts for discerning guests montenegro, europe’s emerging luxury hotspot
d e s t i n at i o n s m a l d i v e s
gili
g o l i g h t ly
Rustic-chic and with a focus on sustainability, Gili Lankanfushi is a Maldivian island sanctuary with a conscience, writes Michelle Wranik-Hicks
Bespoke and Boutique in
sri lanka
Making her way along Sri Lanka’s south coast, between leopard-filled jungles and secluded beaches, Danae Mercer discovers authenticity and heritage are alive in the island’s boutique hotels
d e s t i n at i o n s s r i l a n k a
Clockwise from top: Leopard Trails’ luxury air-conditioned tents feature all the comforts of a hotel room, such as running hot and cold water; nights in the national park, far from city lights, are thick with stars; Leopard Trails mixes the atmosphere of the original tented safari with modern comforts. Opposite page: Yala National Park is filled with an abundance of spectacular wildlife, such as leopards and vibrant birds. Previous spread: One of Tri Lanka’s pool villas
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start my Sri Lankan journey in its southeast, hoping to spot some of the island’s leopards, elephants and elusive sloth bears. My first stop is Yala National Park. This massive nature reserve draws tourists like me by the hundreds – and high-end hotels have noticed. In the surrounding expanse of jungle and beach, large five-star chains and boutique properties alike have popped up. Skandha Ponniah, marketing manager with luxury tour company Sri Lanka In Style (+94 11 239 6666; www.srilankainstyle.com) points me to the decadent Chena Huts. Here, 14 safari-themed cabins sit between dunes and beach, and each comes with a stand-alone bath and a private plunge pool. Even closer to the safari park, Leopard Trails is a boutique resort that bills itself around safari
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expertise. Rustic “glamping” tents have air conditioning, outdoor showers and large beds under peaked roofs. At night, lanterns trace a path from the complimentary cocktail trolley (served lakeside beside a bonfire) to a single long table, where dinner is presented under a heavy blanket of stars. We’re so immersed in jungle, there’s not even a glimmer of nearby light pollution. It feels like stepping back in time. It feels timeless. The following morning, I wake at 5am to head into Yala National Park, where the odds of spotting a leopard are high. “If you do the math, Yala has more leopards per square kilometre than anywhere else in the world,” says the resort’s ranger, Avijja Fonseka. “You’re looking at about fifteen-thousand hectares in block one, [with around] eighty to one hundred leopards.” While there’s an option of returning for
breakfast and a rest before heading back out around sunset, I choose a full-day safari. In the shade of swinging monkeys, we stop for lunch eaten out of a palm leaf – rice, spiced vegetables, and a cold juice to wash it down. By the time we return that night, I’m covered in dust and drained by the sun, yet happy. I’ve seen leopards and lizards, crocodiles and elephants. Turtle Bay is only a two-hour drive west, but this sleepy beachfront boutique in Kalametiya feels a world apart. It’s colonial and quiet, with 40-sqm rooms spread over three floors. At sunset, I fling open wooden doors to the private terrace. A pool sits below, and beyond that, an undeveloped stretch of golden-sand beach, where a few shouts from locals playing cricket carries up on the breeze. Although the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is within walking distance, I
D e s t i n at i o n s s r i l a n k a
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in that
perfumed Country
With history-soaked sugar estates, knockout beaches and an exotic mĂŠlange of cultures, the island of Mauritius is as heady as it is chic, writes Michelle Wranik-Hicks
Suite DreamS mauritiuS
I
n that perfumed country, sun caressed… rich greenery of every sort along the coast breathed over several leagues a delicious odour of flowers and fruit.” This evocative description of Mauritius by French poet Charles Baudelaire might date back to the 1800s, though it’s as apt as ever today. Driving across the isolated African island east of Madagascar where the dodo bird once roamed, with the window down and the breeze in my hair, I’m already feeling a little intoxicated by the view: thunderclouds hanging low over volcanic mountains, leaves glistening from recent rains, and colourful Hindu temples and crumbling sugar-mill chimneys peeking between what seems to be endless fields of sugar cane. Sugar was one of the island’s most prolific industries, especially in the 19th century, and it’s possible to get a taste of plantation life at Château de Labourdonnais (Mapou; +230 266 95 33; www. domainedelabourdonnais.com), a lovingly restored former sugar estate, where I’m infatuated by the wide, tiled varon (a veranda that wraps around the entire structure), in awe of the immaculate dining room with a Baccarat crystal chandelier, amused by a shelf lined with porcelain bedpans and horrified at the thought of trying to sleep in one of the estate’s four-poster beds, designed so that ladies could recline – not lie down – to ward off disease and protect their elaborate up-dos. Today, the estate’s grounds are open to the public, who can lunch at La Table du Château, sample drops from the rhumerie (rum distillery), or peruse beautifully maintained gardens that include an avenue of banyan trees and extensive orchards, where cloves, mandarin, paw paw and sweet-fleshed mangos all grow in abundance. I barely raise an eyebrow when I hear there are some 26 species of mango growing here; Mauritian soil seems so fertile, it’s as though you could put a stick in the ground and it would sprout to the sky the next day. At outdoor food markets in Port Louis the following morning, I get a closer look at the weird and wonderful produce growing on the island like the corossol, a knobbly surfaced fruit that melds the tang of strawberry and pineapple, baskets of cute-as-a-button dwarf bananas called banane zinzli, and chouchou – a squash-like vegetable. I’m exploring the colonial capital accompanied by a bright-eyed, charming guide, Shakti Callikan, the co-founder of homegrown tour company, My Moris (+230 572 31 755; www.mymoris.mu), which aims to reveal the lesser-known side of Mauritius to travellers, most of whom visit the island and scarcely leave their resort. The more adventurous might venture out on boat expeditions to tiny, uninhabited islands for a spot of scuba diving (the wrecks and coral reefs are astounding), or perhaps hike through the waterfallladen Black River Gorges National Park and precipitous volcanic mountains like Le Pouce, but the reality is, few make it beyond the island’s beaches. Considering the beauty of the iridescent waters of Grand Baie in the north right down to the raw, wild sands of Le Morne, the reluctance is understandable, though it would be remiss not to escape the beach towel for a day to explore Port Louis. At the confluence of Asia, Africa and Europe’s maritime routes in the Indian Ocean, the port city
The grand, tree-lined entry to Château de Labourdonnais. Opposite page: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Morne Cultural Landscape, juts into the Indian Ocean
is one of the best places to immerse in the ethnic diversity – a mélange of people who arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries, from French colonial settlers and African slaves to Indian workers and Chinese merchants. Proclaiming independence from Britain in 1968, today the assortment of migrants from farflung parts of the world has resulted in people who exemplify the term metisse – an ancestral fusion of cultures and ethnicities, with tolerant religions that often borrow from one another, a patois based on French, English, Dutch and Creole producing fabulous, whimsically named towns such as Fond du Sac (bottom of the bag), Sans Souci (without worries) or Flic en Flac, drawn from the Dutch fried landt flaak (Free and Flat Land). The diversity has also resulted in culturally layered cuisine, laden with seafood, spicy caris (curries) and chutneys, and bredes, a mixture of green vegetables. There’s even a street-food scene, which is on the agenda for today’s tour. After ducking into simple food stores run by the fifthgeneration descendants of Gujarati merchants, stacked high with bags of spice and salted fish, Shakti leads me to a vendor cooking up a storm from a bolthole in a faded French colonial building. The sole menu item? Deep-fried parcels of gato pima, considered one of the stars of Mauritian street food. Stuffed with spring onion, chilli and coriander, the piquancy apparently depends on the vendor’s mood, and as for finding the location? “This place doesn’t really have a name,” laughs Shakti. “We would just say, ‘Oh you know the one, just down from the bus station, down that street’.” At an outdoor food market, we pause to chat to Amina, an elderly Indo-Mauritian cooking roti, Indian-style “crêpes”, rolled up with cooked vegetables, a green brede sauce and a secret ingredient: orange and apple. At a dumpling restaurant in the city’s Chinatown, squeezed in a narrow corridor between two shops, I have my first taste of Miss Yong’s legendary boulettes (steamed
dumplings in a broth), which are now considered part of the mainstream cuisine according to Shakti. There’s more Chinese delicacies, albeit with a Mauritian twist, at a Chinese bakery in a city laneway, where I sample chewy balls of gateaux zinzli (sesame), stuffed with black lentil instead of red-bean paste. Along with street food, Shakti also points out unique architectural characteristics: lava-rock bricks used in some of the older buildings; a handful of stately old French-colonial homes – now a rarity in the city; the Jummah Mosque, a beautiful blend of Indian, Creole and Islamic architecture that dates back to 1850. We meet some of the city’s characters, like a third-generation Mauritian man who has, quite literally, spent his life in his family’s street-front warehouse – he was born upstairs – and continues to run the family business, selling sacks of rice, sugar and powdered milk. There are also dozens of artisans in Port Louis who continue to ply their trade, and we duck into one true vestige – a 40-year-old letterpress run by a typographer named Kadress, who painstakingly handcrafts letters and punctuation models to print menus and letters for the French embassy, and even My Moris business cards, using a vintage Heidelberg machine. At one point, we take an elevator for a view over the city, where a Chinese clan has built a sky-high pagoda dedicated to Quanti, the god who represents merchants. By the end of the tour, I bid Shakti goodbye and hop into a car bound for Le Morne Peninsula, a beautifully rugged landscape on the island’s southwest, where runaway slaves sought shelter. It’s an hour-and-a-half journey, just enough time to reflect on the tour, the people of Mauritius and the cuisine, with the cinematic landscape of the island through the window. Thankfully, I have some “popcorn” for the show – some leftover gateaux zinzli.
www.tourism-mauritius.mu
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Suite DreamS mauritiuS
Southern belle Set on the coral SanDS of a winD-careSSeD beach, with the StatueSque mount brabant le morne aS the backDrop, michelle wranik-hickS DevelopS a Schoolgirl cruSh on the St. regiS mauritiuS reSort, which melDS luxury anD olDSchool new york élan
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Suite DreamS mauritiuS
I
t might sound absurd, but it was love at first sight when I laid eyes upon The St. Regis Mauritius Resort. I’ve stayed at more than my fair share of beach resorts around the world, but few that are located in the midst of such a raw, natural landscape. Facing the coral-laden sands of the Le Morne Peninsula, with the World Heritage Mount Brabant Le Morne rising in the distance, there’s a drama to the south-west part of the island. Thronged with palm trees and whipped by winds, it has a raw, wild beauty – the kind that stops you in your tracks. And then there’s the design of the resort itself – a throwback to the colonial days of Mauritius’ sugar industry heyday, all cream-coloured hues, white timber, and old-school elegance.
Most beachfront properties like to exaggerate their proximity to the sand, but The St. Regis doesn’t have to. My St. Regis Suite is virtually on the sand, so close to the water I can hear the sound of waves breaking off shore, and windsurfers’ and kite surfers’ sails flapping in the breeze, from bed. Styled after a plantation-style manor house, all leather and linen and earthen tones, my suite is fitted with drapes that blow in the breeze, sisal carpets underfoot and charming framed sketches of the dodo bird and early-settler scenes on the walls. The bathroom, lined with subtle aquamarinecoloured mosaic tiles, is also generous, with a double-head shower, an eggshell tub and sizeable St. Regis Remède amenities.
The resort only opened in 2012, yet there’s a time-honoured feel to the service. Buggy drivers are convivial and genuinely interested in guests’ well-being; spa therapists equally so with a nurturing touch; while the butlers – there’s a reason they are celebrated – are there to greet, unpack belongings, bring platters of freshly sliced pineapple and macarons, and disappear just as unobtrusively as they appeared. The resort’s low-rise suites span a lengthy portion of the 143-metre beach, but it doesn’t take me long to walk along the shoreline to reach the main Manor House, though for guests who want central access, the Manor House Suites are ideal. With pool views, unhindered views of the Indian Ocean, and better still, a private
The master bedroom in The St. Regis Villa. Opposite page: The hotel’s Manor House features the dramatic backdrop of Mount Brabant Le Morne
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The full MonTenegro
With several superyacht marina projects and an utterly enticing natural landscape, Steven Bond finds that Montenegro is the little Balkan nation that is – and will be – captivating a growing luxe clientele
M OYourNnewTfavourite E Ndestination EGRO t. +382 (0) 32 660 660 e. reservations.pm@regenthotels.com W. www.regenthotels.com/regent-portomontenegro B e i j i n g • B e r l i n • M o n t e n e g r o • S i n g a p o r e • ta i p e i • C h o n g q i n g • h a r B i n ( 2 0 1 7 ) • j a k a r ta ( 2 0 1 8 )
gourmet Yo u r u lt i m at e g u i d e t o f i n e d i n i n g
92 triple threat Chef Chris lucas gives “concept” restaurants a good name with Kisumé, a three-level dining and drinking experience with a culture-mixing menu that features such interesting creations as this tamago mushi with foie gras and sukiyaki foam
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gourmet news from around the world a foodie guide to galle, Sri lanka the best places to dine in mahé a reservation at gaggan in Bangkok
g o u r m e t ta s t e o f
Clockwise, from top left: Homemade tiramisu at Bravo!; seychelles is more than just pretty beaches and verdant tropical landscapes with a rich selection of cuisine; the islands are known for their granite boulders rising from the sea; sunset on La Digue; bruschetta at Bravo!; auberge’s fresh passionfruit soufflé; the eden Island development at mahé
Seychelles taste of
If, as Is often argued, a natIon’s gastronomy Is Its most influential ambassador, then nothing can do greater credit to the Seychellois Creole culture than its divine cuisine. Seychelles is all about diversity – harking back to a time in the mid-18th century when this archipelago of over 100 islands, still slumbering in its first innocence, was settled by an assortment of “fifteen whites, five Malabar Indians, seven Africans and a negress”. The original French settlers brought with them their legendary skills in the kitchen and their aromatic blend of spices and herbs, which they adapted to an island life where seafood was abundant, meat less so and vegetables somewhat scarce. Necessity being the mother of invention, one way they achieved this was by using fruits as vegetables. This is why one finds coconut, mango, papaya, pumpkin and golden apple prepared as chutneys to accompany tangy salads, as well as dishes of pork, chicken and beef and, of course, fish, shellfish and crustaceans in all their Seychelles splendour. To the ubiquitous French tradition was added a certain British influence, evident in the Creole’s evergreen love of tea, cakes, custard, crumbles (and corned beef), but this was mild in comparison to that of the Chinese and Indian workforce arriving in the mid-1800s. The Chinese contributed their love of noodles and rice dishes with steamed fish and vegetables, while the Indians introduced a variety of curries, beans, chillies, dhals, kebabs and the many piquant flavours of home. Meanwhile, via liberated Malagasy and African slaves, came velvety coconut milk, cassava and banana infusions. Down the years, a melting pot of culinary techniques has taken root in Seychelles to mirror the varied ethnicity of its population, producing the grand symphony of flavours, tastes and textures, which we know today as Creole cuisine. Thanks to silky notes of vanilla, muscat, coconut, lemon grass, cinnamon, allspice and myriad other spices accompanying its rich harvest of seafood, quality meats, herbs and vegetables, Seychelles offers a tantalising choice of salads, mouth-watering main courses and decadent desserts. Its array of enticing and colourful dishes, served against the backdrop of the islands’ unmatched natural beauty, lends quite another dimension to being a “foodie” – one that will call you back to these islands time and again. As you might expect of such a kaleidoscopic destination, great places to eat can be found in the five-star cocoons of top international hotels but also
the cuisine found in the Indian ocean archipelago owes its heritage to an assortment of ethnicity, resulting in a grand symphony of flavours, tastes and textures, writes glynn Burridge
in the intimate atmosphere of the smaller Seychellois hotels and restaurants where Creole fare is popular. Stand-alone restaurants, often in stunning settings, are many and dotted throughout the islands, serving a wide range of international favourites including Indian, Chinese, Japanese and classic French and Italian cuisines. Beachside restaurants offer excellent seafood and an unforgettable, feet-in-the-sand experience as well, aligning you with the true Seychellois island lifestyle, while an assortment of bars and bistros serve great coffee, snacks and ice creams for those on the run. Seychelles is proud of its culinary heritage. Night bazaars and other nooks and crannies will introduce the curious visitor to local delicacies such as boudin (blood sausage), freshly barbecued fish and kebabs, homemade cassava and banana chips, graton (pork crackling) as well as tasty desserts in the form of cloying almond nougats and caramelised papaya. You might even be tempted to wash them down with a local fermented brew of la purée or bacca as you try your hand at a moutya – the once-forbidden dance of slaves – before an open fire, to the primal beat of a goat-skin drum and the soughing of the waves.
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SPEND IT ESCAPES
THE UNKNOWN MALDIVES Surfing virgin waves, coming face to face with graceful manta rays and whale sharks, and exploring parts unknown in the Maldives in absolute luxury aboard the Four Seasons Explorer? Where do we sign? The luxurious, three-deck catamaran belonging to the eponymous hotel group is setting off on a few incredibly desirable itineraries over the next two months. In July, the Explorer will set out for painfully beautiful atolls where guests can expect thrilling marine-life encounters, five-star surfing at a mixture of well-known and off-the-beaten-path “secret” spots, and even try their hand at stand-up paddling, with excursions to local islands for guided village walks and unforgettable experiences like dining under the stars on a deserted beach. For the die-hard surfers, there is a dedicated charter designed especially for “frothing surfers with an unlimited appetite for waves, waves and more waves” setting sail this month from June 26-July 3. Whichever takes your fancy, just make sure you don’t miss the boat – there is only a limited number of berths available. PRICE POA AVAILABLE July 10-17, 2017 www.fourseasons.com/maldivesfse
ESCAPES
Surf virgin waves and swim with manta rays in the Maldives, go on a flying safari in Africa with world-class biologists and conservationists, or fuse an artistic adventure into your next holiday in New York with a private tour of MoMA
Words: Michelle Wranik-Hicks
GO TO SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC There may be some scowls and stamping of feet when you tell your children they’ll be going to “school” while on holiday, but there’s no doubt about it: kids will have the time of their lives at a new programme launched at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji. Led by the resort’s marine biologists, the brand-new “School Under The Sea” programme is an innovative and immersive educational experience that introduces children ages six to 12 to the natural environment and Fijian culture, expanding their minds and bolstering their appreciation of the world around them. Each day brings a new adventure, from coral planting, snorkelling, or rainforest, island and waterfall excursions to a visit to a local Fijian school, arts and crafts and an island treasure hunt. Add to that the award-winning Bula Club for Kids, dedicated nannies for children under six, a stay at this luxury resort in Savusavu Bay is a win for the whole family. PRICE The programme is complimentary for children staying at the resort. The resort’s complimentary-night package (stay six nights in a Garden View Bure and pay for five) starts from FJ$5,438 (US$2,614) per adult AVAILABLE Until June 23 and then from July 16 to September 15, 2017 www.fijiresort.com
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A FLORENTINE ART HUNT Children are never too young to appreciate art, though Rocco Forte’s Hotel Savoy is helping its young guests, the Savoykids, to understand the treasures of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery by turning its works of art into a fascinating game. Led by a professional guide, your little ones can embark on an entirely original treasure hunt that intends to arouse curiosity and artistic sensitivity. The three-hour tour starts with children handed a magic box containing a treasure map and route through the museum’s main rooms, and a series of cards that show the “treasures” hidden in the works of the greatest masters. With an animal theme, your children will have fun trying to identify creatures in the masterpieces, from the beautiful white horse is hidden in Botticelli’s “Adoration of the Magi” to working out what wiggles in the hair of Caravaggio’s “Medusa”. They’ll be even more thrilled with their prize, a delicious treat back at the hotel, just an atmospheric amble away on Piazza della Repubblica, halfway between Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. PRICE The family package offer includes 50 per cent off a similar interconnecting or adjacent room for two children, with Duomo View Rooms from €640 (US$697) a night AVAILABLE The Uffizi Gallery tour is not available on Mondays www.roccofortehotels.com
BIG FIVE IN AMSTERDAM Amsterdam’s grand luxury-lifestyle palace hotel is turning five and is inviting guests to help blow out the candles with “The Big Five Package”. Among the inclusions in the three-night stay (where you’ll make yourself at home in the I “heart symbol” Amsterdam Suite – a beautiful 155-sqm triplex with panoramic views over the rooftops of the Dutch capital) are a private transfer by Bentley to and from the airport; private butler service throughout your stay; breakfast in the Brasserie or in the intimacy of your suite; a bottle of champagne upon arrival; the five steps to perfection treatment in Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre for two; an eight-course omakase menu at Taiko restaurant (including wine or sake pairing) and a late check-out at 4pm. To explore the city, guests can choose from the “Big Five” activities, carefully selected by the hotel’s team of hosts. A must in Amsterdam is exploring the city’s canal waterways, but the hotel has upped the ante with private canal boat tour with Michelin-star bites. Guests can even opt for a helicopter tour, or, to get a grasp on the city’s multi-layered arts and culture scene, how about a guided tour with one of Conservatorium’s cultural ambassadors, gaining exclusive access to designer studios and creative spaces that rarely open to the public? Adding to what is already an outstanding experience, the hotel’s general manager Roy Tomassen is also offering up his services as part of the “Big Five” package – he’ll be your companion over lunch. PRICE The Conservatorium’s “Big Five Package” costs €11,555 (US$12,591), inclusive of VAT, exclusive of five per cent city tax, and subject to availability AVAILABLE Until December 31, 2017 www.conservatoriumhotel.com
AFRICA BY AIR Perhaps you’ve been on a few safaris and had unforgettable experiences in Africa, but nothing compares with an air safari – especially when the plane is an executively configured VIP Cessna Grand Caravan with experienced private bush pilots and expert guides on board. Scenic Air Safaris has launched a very special nine-day “Endangered Species Safari” across Kenya, which focuses on the conservation efforts that are helping to preserve vulnerable and in danger of extinction wildlife, such Grevy’s zebra, African wild dog, reticulated giraffe, black rhino, lion, cheetah and elephants. As well as scenic flights across the Laikipia Plateau, the Masai Mara and the Great Rift Valley, and a stay at Lewa’s Wildlife Conservancy, renowned for the preservation of black rhino,
the itinerary includes time spent with renowned specialist conservationists such as Saba Douglas Hamilton, who manages the Save the Elephants Foundation with her father Iain; David Maskell, the architect and curator of an orphaned lion rehabilitation programme; and Dr Elena Chelysheva, who has spent the last 30 years based in the Masai Mara pioneering research into cheetah behaviour and identification. PRICE From US$9,875 per person sharing, which includes flying on the executive Cessna 208 Grand Caravan with a pilot guide throughout the trip and full board accommodation including house beverages AVAILABLE July 1 until October 31, 2017 www.scenicairsafaris.com
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SPEND IT ESCAPES
TICKLED PINK (FLOYD) It’s been 50 years since Pink Floyd released their first single “Arnold Layne” and with so many dedicated fans flocking to see the V&A exhibition Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remains, London’s modern Knightsbridge hotel, The Berkeley, has created an exclusive experience that pairs a stay in a Superior King Room with a host of appropriate rock fan-inspired goodies. The overnight stay includes two exclusive tickets to the retrospective show at the V&A as well as an official exhibition book, while in their room, guests will receive a musical welcome with an old-school record player and a selection of Pink Floyd vinyl records, from the iconic Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall to The Divison Bell, along with a bottle of chilled Laurent Perrier champagne. Following breakfast and a day at the museum and a spot of shopping in nearby Knightsbridge, guests can wrap up the evening – and raise a toast to their beloved band – with a bespoke Pink Floyd cocktail in The Blue Bar. PRICE “Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains at The Berkeley” starts from £630 (US$818) for two people in a Superior King Room (inclusive of tax) AVAILABLE Until October 1, 2017 (must be booked two days in advance) www.the-berkeley.co.uk
“The hoTel, which houses iTs own excepTional collecTion of arT, is offering an exclusive glimpse behind moma doors as parT of iTs academy programmes” BEHIND THE SCENES AT MOMA Go behind the scenes on a private tour of Manhattan’s celebrated Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) with The Peninsula New York. The hotel, which houses its own exceptional collection of art, is offering an exclusive glimpse behind MoMA doors as part of its Academy programmes – unique experiences designed to showcase a destination’s culture, traditions and hidden gems. The special academy experience begins early morning or late afternoon at the hotel’s concierge desk where a Peninsula page will escort guests to MoMA to meet with a private PhD Art Historian guide, who will lead a specially curated exploration of the museum in complete privacy. What’s more, guests can opt for a pre- or post-opening tour and will have day passes to explore the museum at their own leisure. PRICE Stay from £572 (US$695) per night. One-hour private tour of MoMA from £535 ($650) for up to six people AVAILABLE Tours run at 9:30am or 5:30pm www.peninsula.com/newyork
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Essentials JUne
Hit the beach with Karl Lagerfeld and Tom Ford this summer, or fire up your animal magnetism with red-carpet high jewellery in peacock hues, a panther-inspired timepiece and a truly roar-some Gucci ring Words by: Michelle Wranik-Hicks
RED-CARPET DAZZLE Unveiled each year at the Cannes Film Festival, highjewellery lovers eagerly await Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection, considered the annual crescendo of the maison’s creativity. Now in its 20th year as the festival’s partner, Caroline Scheufele’s fabulous creations number 70 to mark the 70th anniversary of the event, with kaleidoscopic peacock gems including blue topaz, tsavorite, and pink and yellow sapphires. Between the chandelier earrings, broad cuff bracelets and majestic necklaces, we can’t choose our favourite – Cannes you? POA: www.chopard.com
SERPENTINE SOPHISTICATE Eagle-eyed lovers of the brand may recognise Carolina Herrera’s now-iconic bracelet as the inspiration behind the metal handle of the Insignia bag, plated in silver, gold or ruthenium. With lambskinlined interior, Denver, Goltier and Nappa leathers, and available in three sizes and 13 different colours, prints and engraved finishes, the three-tone python skin is our choice to add some slinky sophistication to your outfit. POA; www.carolinaherrera.com
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FELINE FINE A statement piece in every sense, the yellow-gold Le Marché Des Merveilles Ring, with its coloured enamel and round, brilliant-cut diamonds, wraps around the finger with a fin-like end. Conceptualised by creative director Alessandro Michele, it’s among a number of exotic (and on-trend) pieces in the animal-inspired collection featuring tigers, bumblebees and snakes. US$4,950; www.gucci.com
spend it essentials
GOOD BUY MR. TOM Italian made and debonair, the exclusive eyewear in the Tom Ford private collection is based on what Mr. Ford himself wears. With photochromic lenses that lighten or darken automatically depending on the light, frames made from water-buffalo horn – revered for its natural pattern and luxe finish – and rose-gold hardware at the temples, Tom N.10 will take you from beach to yacht to open-top drive. Us$990; www.tomford.com
TOWEL OFF WITH LAGERFELD Whatever Karl Lagerfeld touches seems to turn to gold but in this case, it’s blue and white. Partnering with French swimwearbrand Vilebrequin to launch a summer 2017 capsule collection, the limited-edition buys includes men’s and women’s swimwear, beachwear and beach accessories, like this fabulous towel – ripe for the Riviera. Us$165; www.vilebrequin.com
ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL Depending on your mood and ensemble, there’s a Van Cleef & Arpels clip to suit, with some 60 creatures from the animal kingdom in the L’Arche de Noé collection. Leggy flamingos, mischievous monkeys and brilliantly hued toucans are among the Noah’s ark of pieces, studded with a mix of precious, fine and hard stones, from diamonds and coloured sapphires to onyx and luminous turquoise, intricately engraved and bringing the chosen animal remarkably to life. pOa; www.vancleefarpels.com
ON THE PROWL As much a haute-fashion accessory as it is a timepiece, the covetable 18-carat white-gold Cartier Panthère is a maillon-style bracelet with white brilliant-cut diamonds and black enamel imitating the spots of a panther. A street-style star in the making. pOa; www.cartier.com
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reborn The Porsche 718 Cayman S shares its name with classic racing cars driven by greats such as Graham Hill and Stirling Moss. Kris Karacinski finds out if this modern street version is worthy of those three little numbers photography: Haitham El Shazly
spend it motoring
spend it motoring
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sually – and let’s be truthful – if someone tells you they drive a Porsche and it isn’t a 911, you tend to not be as invested in the topic. If I’m honest, I also felt like this when I was told I’d be driving a new 718. When I discovered the 718 is, in fact, a Cayman, the so-called stepping stone to the 911, I felt a little disheartened, until I delved a little deeper into why this new Cayman bears the number 718. Porsche’s all-new Cayman is an all-improved model. It’s got sharper lines, more horsepower (350bhp) and the 911 was kind enough to let it borrow a few bits and pieces, all of which put the numbers of the Cayman closer than ever to its big brother. However, the new Cayman has lost a couple cylinders and replaced them with a turbo. For some reason, this seems to be the major focus of this car, because it’s drastically altered how it sounds when compared to the naturally aspirated six-cylinder 2016 model. The fact that this Cayman is now lighter, more agile, more fuel efficient and more powerful (it’ll get you from 0-100kph in 4.0
seconds with Sports+ engaged) gets quickly brushed under the proverbial rug because it doesn’t sound as good as the previous model. Let’s be clear, I’m a sucker for acoustics. All sports cars should sound good. To quote Chris Harris from a recent Top Gear episode, “The sound is the soul of a sports car”. I wholeheartedly agree. However, I do not agree that the 718 Cayman S should be dismissed so quickly because it sounds different. This is no longer a Cayman, this is a 718. It has its own sound and its own soul. And if you ask me, it sounds pretty good. From the moment you start this mid-engine gem you get a lovely little grunt from the dual exhausts, and functionally, the Cayman S is very comfortable. It’s a well-refined sports car. You have all the usual bells and whistles: Sat Nav, Bluetooth, great speakers, and power mirrors which I discovered you can fold in by keeping your thumb on the door handle when locking the vehicle – though I was leaning against the car at the time so it wasn’t really my thumb that found out. It’s simple, intuitive and elegant. The bucket leather seats hug you
“The mid-engine placemenT gives you greaT balance and poise around any corner”
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in all the right places, and I particularly like the small dial on the steering wheel used to change the car’s character (Normal, Sports, Sports+). Even the car’s warning “dings” are more “Excuse me, sir” than the usual “STOP DOING THAT!” racket emenating from most vehicles. On the road, the 718 is a dream. The midengine placement gives you great balance and poise around any corner. There is a good amount of torque all over the rev band. If I owned this car, I fear I’d be collecting a lot of speeding fines, for even a gentle depress of the accelerator will see you hit the speed limit. The 718 is fun when you want to get from A to B a little quicker than usual, and in “drive” mode it’s also quiet enough (even with those 20” rims) so that you can have a pleasant and comfortable drive from A to B and from C to D. All in all, if you’re in the market for a sports car in this price range, I doubt you’ll find a more competent vehicle than this one. It’s iconic, drives incredibly well, and if I’m honest – I’d really like to tell people I drive a 718.
NUTS & BoLts EnginE: 2.5 Litre 4 cylinder turbo 0-100 kph: 4.4 secs max powEr: 350 bhp transmission: 7-speed pdK top spEEd: 285 kph pricE: reviewed model Aed313,310 (Us$85,312)
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spend it out of this world
lava-hot property
four seasons resort hualalai's pop-up experience is calling all luxe adventurers: Get to the chopper for an exotic 27-hour, us$39,500 expedition to discover active volcanoes and luxuriate in a cottage hideaway If you’re feeling a little hot under the collar when checking in at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii, it could be the proximity to the island’s active volcanoes having an effect. The brand, which curates unique and unforgettable experiences at its properties around the world, has outdone itself with the “Ultimate Pop-Up Volcano Adventure”. Available only for the remainder of this year, the adventure sets off in a chartered helicopter to Kamokuna in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park where over a million gallons of lava flow into the ocean each hour. From here, a volcanologist leads a trip to Kilauea Volcano, one of the world’s youngest and most active. Finally, a dedicated Four Seasons Volcano Ambassador takes over to chauffeur the thrill-seeking guests to the Four Seasons Rainforest Cottage Hideaway and lead an evening trip to the volcano’s caldera to watch lava glow in the night. Morning breaks with another heli-tour over the volcano rift zone and Kona coffee district on the way to landing at a secluded beach for a relaxing few hours with mimosas, before returning to (semi-)reality at the Four Seasons resort. The Ultimate Pop-Up Volcano Adventure is priced from US$39,500 for up to four people, and available through 2017 only. www.fourseasons.com/hualalai
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Welcome to a place where (almost) everything is possible and boredom simply does not exist! Dive into the longest pool in the Maldives and experience a new type of (desti) nation. This game-changing resort is the NEW Maldives and is...
#AnythingButOrdinary Follow our Journey at
www.kandima.com
Summer in The City
Refreshing experiences by the Canal This summer, escape to a place where the air is alive with diverse style and scenic views of the Dubai Water Canal. Al Habtoor City serves up a myriad of unique settings, international cuisine and revitalizing spa treatments at the elegant The St. Regis Dubai, the electric W Dubai - Al Habtoor City and the contemporary The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City. Discover The City: visit our website or call your nearest travel agent. Terms & Conditions apply.
For more information please call +971 4 435 5544 or visit
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