December 2022/January 2023/February 2023

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

Sun, snow or a quick city break – find delicious inspiration for your next exciting getaway

Sun, snow or a quick city break – find delicious inspiration for your next exciting getaway

TORY BURCH

TORY BURCH

From busy New York City to relaxing on Antigua

From busy New York City to relaxing on Antigua

WILDERNESS SAFARIS

WILDERNESS SAFARIS

The luxury experience company that set new standards

The luxury experience company that set new standards

ROSEWOOD

ROSEWOOD

The Chinese hospitality group is taking over iconic hotels

The Chinese hospitality group is taking over iconic hotels

No. 1/23

No. 1/23

DECEMBER / JANUARY / FEBRUARY

DECEMBER / JANUARY / FEBRUARY

YOUR PARTNER FOR PRE-OWNED AIRCRAFT

WITH HERREOS AVIATION, CLIENTS KNOW THEY’RE GETTING NOT ONLY FIRST-CLASS KNOWHOW BUT ALSO TRADITIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS VALUES. THEY KNOW THAT OUR AIM IS NOT JUST TO MAKE A CLIENT, BUT TO KEEP ONE.

YOURS EBERHARD HERR

phone +49 171 713 716 7 . sales@herreos.eu . www.herreos.eu

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” The sentiment dates all the way back to Roman philosopher Augustine of Hippo – and he was right: When we travel, we meet new people, get to know different cultures and open our minds to new experiences. It makes no difference whether we journey through our own country or venture further afield – all that matters is taking a break from routine and finding inspiration. I spent my own summer vacation in Greece this year and was captivated by the country’s millennia-old history and the unique hospitality of its people. I’ll definitely be going back – there’s still so much more to discover! In 2018, flag carrier SWISS conducted a survey that aimed to discover how important traveling is to people. It revealed that 85% of Germans wish they could experience a particularly happy moment from their travels again. That’s precisely the feeling that prompts many of our clients to buy a vacation property in their favorite place. That way, they can keep coming back to their personal dream destination with the added benefit of feeling totally at home there. As a real estate enthusiast, I’m often asked about the criteria for an ideal vacation property. The answer to that question is as individual as the buyers themselves. If they’re buying it with a view to returns, it’s important to check the property’s potential in terms of location, occupancy and rentability. On the other hand, if it’s intended for their own use, personal preferences are uppermost: an apartment in the picturesque old quarter or peace and quiet in the backcountry? A mountain or sea view, a good-sized garden or a roof terrace? And if Greece has cast its spell on you too, I’ve got a great tip: The island of Symi is part of the Dodecanese chain and is located about 9 kilometers to the west of the Turkish mainland. Symi is popular for its colorful neoclassical houses and unspoiled nature – and is still off the beaten tourist track. In 2021, exclusive vacation homes were selling for around € 800,000, which is still moderate for the premium segment as compared to other European destinations. If you’ve started to get itchy feet, our Travel issue of GG magazine is the perfect read! Join us as we explore some of the most beautiful places in the world and their stories – I’m sure you’ll find inspiration!

Sincerely, Christian Völkers

PHOTO:

TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE

Bon voyage!

Anyone who tried to catch a plane this summer – with endless security lines, repeatedly canceled flights and lost luggage chaos – got a feeling that despite all these hurdles, the ability to travel remains super-important for us humans. Scientists have known all along that traveling is good for you! It not only fills our soul with joy. It also improves our mental health and even helps reduce stress. As these months are the best time of the year for collecting new ideas and inspiration for your next getaway, we have put together a whole issue on this topic. Visit Tory Burch on the Caribbean island of Antigua, where the fashion designer and entrepreneur loves to spend time with her family. Get to know Wilderness Safaris, founded in Botswana in 1983 – a leader in sustainable luxury travel. Learn about how the dynamic Chinese hospitality group Rosewood is taking over iconic hotels, or how the luxury group LVMH is revamping its Belmond group’s portfolio. Last but not least, browse our personal go-to lists of Top 10 hotels and destinations in a sunny, snowy or city location – handpicked for you by our GG team. Get inspired!

Michaela Cordes

Last-minute ideas for your wish list: a pair of sparkling, diamond-studded “Gypsy” earrings by Tamara Comolli or a “Lee Radziwill” bag by Tory Burch.

PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN SCHOPPE (1), TAMARA COMOLLI (1), TORY BURCH (1)

Noa Griffel

Some of the portraits of our cover woman Tory Burch, taken at her home on the Caribbean island of Antigua, are the work of New York photographer and digital artist Noa Griffel. For nearly 10 years, Noa has been photographer-at-large for the fashion designer and entrepreneur, and as such, gets to see the world a lot. Noa also works as a freelancer who often finds her subjects in the fashion, music and entertainment industries. She lives in Brooklyn.

Maximilian Stamm

This issue’s Cool City is London (page 14), and there’s no one better to ask for inside tips than Maximilian Stamm. The Head of Private Office at Engel & Völkers for the EMEA region is based in the British capital. He spent time at school and university in England, where he also met his wife.

Christos Korellas

An advertising professional with 20 years’ experience in marketing and sales, Christos Korellas has been representing Engel & Völkers on the Greek island of Mykonos since 2020. His portfolio includes Villa Absolute, a property spectacularly perched above the Aegean Sea, which we feature in our For Sale section starting on page 78.

Steffi Kammerer

Our senior editor first visited Venice as a student while working part-time as a flight attendant for Lufthansa. More recently, Steffi Kammerer spent a few days at the legendary Cipriani hotel in Venice, which is part of the Belmond group (page 42). While there, she enjoyed a meal cooked by the acclaimed Indian artist Subodh Gupta (photo) inside his glittering installation of pots and pans.

MADE TO TOUCH. DESIGNED TO CONTROL. THE SMART KNX ROOM CONTROLLER.

JUNG.DE/LS-TOUCH

Photographer: Constantin Meyer, Interior: Design Post Cologne

PLAYGROUND

Colorful townhouses and crisp stucco give London’s trendy Notting Hill district a distinctively cheerful vibe.

COOL CITY ART & DESIGN INTERVIEW NEWS FROM THE CEO WOMAN MAN BOOKS

PHOTO:

London Cool

Shaped by its royal heritage yet young and innovative: In London, ancient tradition meets the pulse of the times. It’s a unique mix that makes the British capital irresistible.

WORDS: Merle Wilkening ILLUSTRATIONS: Asia Orlando

Stops on the city tour

1 HELIX, THE GHERKIN British cuisine and elegant afternoon tea with homemade scones and a view across the city. 2 KEW GARDENS Worth a visit in any weather: The Victorian Palm House is a treat for gardening fans and architecture enthusiasts alike. 3 TATE MODERN The renowned contemporary art institution has been housed in a former power station by the Thames since 2000. 4 DOVER STREET MARKET The concept store showcases creations by famous labels and up-and-coming designers on five stories.

ajestic wherever you look: In London, the influence of the British royal family is palpable on almost every corner. The global city on the Thames is more than generously endowed with illustrious buildings: Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the famous Big Ben at the Palace of Westminster. At Buckingham Palace, the monarchs’ official residence, King Charles III has been on the throne for the last few months following the 70-year reign of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

The rapidly changing skyline is dominated by glass and steel skyscrapers. In the City of London, the historic center and today the main business district, architects have been vying to land the biggest coup since the early 2000s. Sir Norman Foster has immortalized himself with multiple structures, including the Gherkin, Millennium Bridge and various other buildings. The Thames divides the center into two parts. On the South Bank, the jagged Shard towers into the skies while the London Eye keeps watch over the city’s more than 9 million inhabitants as it turns its leisurely circles.

Even after Brexit, the multicultural British capital remains the second most important financial center in the world. And in the past decade, it has evolved into one of the leading tech industry locations. The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2022 ranks London in equal place with New York as the second most important startup hub after Silicon Valley. As the undisputed tech capital of Europe, London attracts founders like a magnet. Innovativeness and an urban lifestyle shape the city’s character.

The annual Fashion Week draws fashion fans from all over the world. Today the hippest of street styles originate where Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen once

created their provocative designs. And things are just as colorful in the Notting Hill district in West London. Houses painted in pastel hues give the famous Portobello Road its colorful flair. With its elegant Victorian townhouses the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most popular and expensive neighborhoods in the city. After Paris and Munich, London has the second highest real estate prices in Europe.

Maximilian Stamm, Head of Private Office EMEA at Engel & Völkers, has regarded the UK as a home away from home ever since he was a teenager. He shares his top tips for London, where he met his British wife after doing his master’s degree: “I love staying at the bustling Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. The fantastic Tony Cragg statue in the courtyard is a must-see. My favorite restaurants right now are Casa Cruz in Notting Hill and the Maison François bistro in Mayfair. For drinks and dancing I like going to Laylow, which isn’t far from Portobello Road. I always wear one of my wife’s Pinky Laing jackets when I go there – the British brand sells handmade military-inspired jackets. Somerset House in central London always shows excellently curated exhibitions. And last but not least, my inside tip for fantastic art and collectible design is Lamb Gallery in Mayfair.”

The Shard

Wimbledon Shakespeare's Globe

Tower Bridge

Piccadilly Circus Buckingham Palace Westminster Abbey

London Eye

Tate Modern Big Ben

British Museum St Paul's Cathedral

The Gherkin

Fly me!

Curious? Visitors can take a seat in the air taxi at the Institute of Technical Education’s Aerospace Hub in Singapore.

Would you like to know more?

Climb aboard, take off and fly almost noiselessly from A to B: Could this be the face of tomorrow’s urban mobility? Thanks to the VoloCity from German aviation company Volocopter, what sounds like a utopia could soon become reality. The air taxi can whisk two people through the skies above global megacities at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour. Its futuristic, fuss-free design features 18 rotors powered by nine rechargeable batteries, making it fully electric, emission-free and four times quieter than a small helicopter.

Eight years after its founding, Volocopter conducted the first crewed public test flight of an air taxi over Singapore’s Marina Bay in 2019. Developed in accordance with the rigorous aviation standards and requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency, the air taxi is well on track to meet the company’s ambitious timeframe for its commercial launch: It aims to bring the VoloCity to market by 2024, in time for the Olympic Games in Paris.

WORDS: MERLE WILKENING; PHOTO: VOLOCOPTER

In her book “The Catch Me If You Can,” released in June, Nabongo focuses on 100 of the 195 countries she visited.

And off she goes

In 2019 Jessica Nabongo became the first Black woman to visit every country in the world. In her first book, she shares her experiences. How did you come up with the idea of traveling to all 195 UN-recognized countries in the world? I have been traveling internationally since I was 4 years old. By the time I was in high school, I had been to eight countries. Later on I lived in Japan, the U.K., Benin and Italy. Every year, I counted the number of new countries I went to on my blog The Catch Me If You Can. I was in my early 20s when I knew I wanted to visit them all. In Bali in 2017 I had heard about an American woman who had achieved this goal and started to research it. Since no black woman had ever done it, I wanted to be the first.

How did you feel when you arrived in your last country, the Seychelles, in October 2019?

It was amazing because my whole family was there, my sisters and my mom and some of my friends – 55 of us in total. I finished my journey on my father’s birthday, he had passed suddenly in May 2003. I picked his birthday because I felt that in some way he had become a part of this journey. It was really emotional.

What turned out to be your favorite destination?

I was really excited to go to Mali and Iran, and Bhutan was pretty high on my list too. I was so curious because instead of the GDP, they use the Gross National Happiness Index to measure the country’s success. A lot of my curiosity was based on my academic background.

What did traveling teach you about daily life?

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that most people are good. I trust people and I think that just makes life lighter. I’ve travelled solo to 89 countries and that was only possible due to the kindness of strangers.

What is your main goal in publishing your book?

By sharing my experiences, I want to get people to think differently about the world and to believe in the kindness and goodness of strangers. And to get people to stop vilifying certain countries just because of where they are located geographically. Give everybody a chance!

WORDS: MERLE WILKENING; PHOTOS: THE CATCH ME IF YOU CAN BY JESSICA NABONGO, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOKS

IDEAS AND TALENT CREATE ROOMS WORTH LIVING IN

Vacation real estate is crisis-resilient thanks to the tourism boom

After living with the pandemic for two years, people are keen to travel. According to the World Tourism Organization, from January to May 2022 global tourism increased by approx. 220% over the previous year. But what correlation is there between the recovery of the tourism market and developments on the world’s vacation property markets?

Due to the current political situation and its global impacts, we find ourselves in a very difficult macroeconomic position. However, the figures from the World Tourism Organization show that not even inflation and rising interest rates are affecting people’s thirst for travel – any such concerns are outweighed by the joy of discovering the world. It’s a phenomenon that is impacting international vacation property markets as well.

On the Greek islands of Mykonos and Paros in the Cyclades, for instance, demand for real estate is closely tied to the current tourism situation. And tourism is booming in Greece – the country is expecting 2022 to break the previous record set in 2019, when it welcomed 33 million visitors. Accordingly, interest in vacation real estate is high – and that is reflected in price developments too. On Mykonos, premium properties are selling for between €6,000 and €11,000 per square meter, while prices on the neighboring island of Paros range from €3,500 to €8,000 per square meter. Although Paros has been slightly less frequented by tourists than other Greek destinations so far, it has become the focus of increasing attention. As a result, we fully expect that prices will continue to rise in 2023.

In the U.S., sales of second homes in the premium segment rose by almost 25% in the second quarter of 2022 as compared to the previous year – and by approx. 235% as compared to the first quarter of 2020. This trend is particularly marked in destinations that were not at the top of buyers’ lists in the past but whose appeal is now steadily increasing. These destinations include the city of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, which is

located on the lake of the same name at the western end of Coeur d’Alene National Forest. Here, the average purchase price for luxury vacation properties has risen by 51% to $1.7 million. But world-famous vacation areas like picturesque Charleston, South Carolina, are continuing to attract those in search of a second home as well. Prices in Charleston County have increased by 35% to an average of $1.8 million.

My advice if you are looking to buy a vacation property is to find a premium location, ideally on the waterfront. If you see the property as an investment rather than intending to use it exclusively for your own needs, occupancy is a key criterion – and one that is greatly influenced by where the vacation home is located and how the high and off-peak seasons are spread in that particular region. Properties with high-end furnishings and features in a good location will be popular with renters even in the off-peak season. And although the purchase price for such properties may be higher, the rental income means the return on investment is higher too.

Even I am sometimes astonished at just how crisis-resilient many markets are. Lifestyle locations coupled with strong infrastructure go a long way in explaining why the appeal remains for classic travel hot spots – no matter the current conditions. In Eu rope, the French Riviera, Sardinia and the Costa del Sol number among such destinations, as do the Balearic Islands – including Mallorca, my own home away from home. Over the last 10 years, properties on the Balearics have proved an extremely safe and stable investment, increasing in value by approx. 9% per year since 2012.

Source:

“In the U.S., sales of second homes in the premium segment more than tripled in Q1 2022 as compared to Q1 2020.”

SVEN ODIA, GLOBAL CEO OF ENGEL & VÖLKERS

WORDS: SVEN ODIA; PHOTO: KARL GRANT (1);

MONG TING ZHU

EXCLUSIVE

TOP 5

MOST

SKI RESORTS

CHANGE OF SCENE

We’re delighted to announce that Jessalyn Wanlim, star of the hit Netflix series “Workin’ Moms,” joined Engel & Völkers in Nashville, Tennessee as a real estate expert in May 2022. In addition to her acting career, she has been active in the real estate sector since 2016 and focuses on the brokerage of properties in the premium segment. Jessalyn and her family have been living in Nashville since 2021 – in a home she found through Engel & Völkers.

ON MY BUCKET LIST

In the words of Susan Sontag, “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list” – which is why my plans for 2023 include the following destinations: Park City in Utah, Thessaloniki and Chile.

The London real estate market is proving extremely stable and crisis-resilient – despite Brexit, recession and a weakening British pound. Recent economic activity has provoked a cautious outlook. Nonetheless, the British capital remains highly desirable, especially in the premium segment. In the first half of the year, 61 properties were sold for more than £10 million, the highest number since 2012. That doesn’t surprise me: London is one of my all-time favorite cities. A trip in the runup to Christmas is always a highlight: For me, there’s no place where the magic of the season is more palpable.

Light shadeand

This color combination always stays in style. Inspiration for a monochrome winter.

3

1 ELEGANCE Snuggle up on cold days with this luxuriantly fluffy collar. From the Viktor & Rolf haute couture winter collection 2022/2023, price on request. 2 DRY CLEAN This handy kit gets clothes clean and fresh in a jiffy. “Dry Clean On-The-Go Kit,” by The Laundress, approx. € 34. 3 JET CHAIR Made from the cowling of a Boeing 737, this futuristic chair swivels effortlessly on a polished aluminum base. Plane Industries,

approx. € 18,600. 4 HEAVENLY A ring fit for a different galaxy: “Valerie,” made of 18K white gold with moonstones. Desiree Sielaff, € 5,900.

5 ANALOG Capture those special moments and print them out on the spot with the instant camera “instax mini 40” by Fujifilm, approx. € 100.

6 IN EAR Switch off the outside world with noise cancelling – and dive into rich wireless sound: “True Wireless WF-1000XM4” headphones, Sony,

approx. € 280. 7 RECYCLE Danish bag label Grünbag transforms surplus tarpaulins into covetable designer pieces. Laptop sleeve, 13-inch, € 60. 8 LOGO! Jacquard wool checkerboard beanie with the iconic Acne Studios emblem. From Net-A-Porter, € 150. 9 HIGH FLYER Travel in style with this carry-on from the limited British Airways x Globe-Trotter collaboration, € 2,245.

Ready to explore

Our pick of the highlights and gadgets that are perfect companions at home and on the road.

1 CINEMATIC Fine checks and bold zigzags in arresting shades of blue: The Paul Smith fall/ winter collection 2022/2023 was inspired by the rich world of arthouse cinema. Price on request.

2 FLYING HIGH The forecast is more than cheerful with these colorful clouds on your feet. Happy Socks, € 12. 3 MINIATURE An iconic Rimowa aluminum case, downsized to shoulder-bag size, € 1,190. 4 LIMITED From runway to living room:

highboard made with an original Airbus emergency exit. Lufthansa Worldshop, approx. € 3,000. 5 BRIGHT SPARK This portable lamp was named after quasars, the super-luminous quasi stars that shine across the universe. Samy Rio for Petite Friture, € 229. 6 LIFT OFF Fly me to the moon! The Parisian graphics studio Parade designed this lunar inspired monoski. Faction, approx. € 490. 7 ROAR! The embroidered tiger

on this soft cashmere scarf is based on the 1970s design for the Tigre Royal silk scarf by Christiane Vauzelles. Hèrmes, € 375. 8 ALL BLACK Simple elegance in purple, black and gold that complements any outfit. Model “Porter Leather” by Nixon, € 125. 9 CLOSE SHAVE At home and on the road, this set contains everything you need to pamper your skin and get that perfect shave. Bevel, approx. € 90.

20th Century Travel

“A whole bagful of Caribbean bargains” –this bold slogan once headlined an ad for Pan American World Airways (above). The U.S. airline was one of the first in the world to offer intercontinental flights. It was a true aviation revolution – and just one example of the incredible travel boom that took place in the 20th century. With the advent of ocean liners, jumbo jets and mass-produced automobiles, the travel bug spread rapidly – especially in the U.S. In this book, around 400 vintage print ads provide insight into the exciting era that saw the unprecedented expansion of American tourism.

Heimann & Allison Silver, Taschen, from € 40

Patterns of India

On what was probably the most vivid trip she has ever taken, photographer and author Christine Chitnis spent over a decade in the western Indian state of Rajasthan in search of the colors and patterns of everyday life. Her pictures capture a culture in which life is defined by royal blue, sandstone, marigold, ivory and rose. Every color has its own meaning, patterns add nuance to complete the story. The book takes readers on a journey through a land where the vibrant fuchsia of sari fabrics is mirrored in chains of roses at temples and the orange hues of henna tattoos are echoed by the spices on market stalls.

Christine Chitnis, Penguin Random House, € 30

The Great American Road Trip

Who doesn’t dream of embarking on a unique journey through the land of opportunity and experiencing America’s vast landscape on a road trip? There’s a long tradition of taking to the highways and byways to explore the country’s rugged mountains, inhospitable deserts and dramatic canyons –and today the prospect draws people from all over the world. A book that makes you want to set off on your own American adventure and provides a wonderful overview of history, culture, food and lifestyle in the USA. Still here? What are you waiting for!

Aether & Laura Austin, Gestalten, € 45

Jim

TORY BURCH

From the island of Antigua, where designer Tory Burch goes to unwind, to the Rosewood and Belmond groups’ luxury hotel cosmos – and our own favorite hotels and vacation getaways – what more in the way of inspiration could you want!

PHOTO: NOA GRIFFEL

Entrepreneur and fashion designer Tory Burch invites us to her Caribbean vacation home on Antigua.

Tory’s Hideaway

Ocean blue is one of her favorite colors – perhaps this is why Tory Burch, the woman behind one of the world’s most successful fashion and lifestyle brands, found her dream home on the Caribbean island of Antigua. GG met with the power entrepreneur for an exclusive interview. A conversation about healthy ambition, achieving your goals and what to pack for a getaway to an island. INTERVIEW: Michaela Cordes PHOTOS:

Francois Halard / Trunk

Tory Burch transformed the historic interiors very carefully with the help of her friend, designer Daniel Romauldez.

“How do you improve on perfection? You don’t. I just made small updates to accommodate my family.”

TORY BURCH

“When I hear women say, ‘I feel powerful wearing your clothes,’ there is truly nothing better!”

TORY BURCH

Her meteoric rise as a fashion executive and creator of one of the biggest global fashion and lifestyle empires for affordable luxury has turned Tory Burch into a true entrepreneurial superstar with more than 350 boutiques in 39 countries. On top of that, the successful business leader has made it her goal to support other women with her Tory Burch Foundation, offering help and expertise to those starting their own businesses. And when there’s a bit of time left in her busy schedule, the mother of nine children and stepchildren travels to the Caribbean and relaxes for a few days at her island home.

How did you find your beautiful house in Antigua? Did you have a special relationship with the island previously?

I never planned to buy a home in Antigua, but you could say it was kismet. On a family holiday a few years ago, I visited the Mellon property with my mother, Reva, and sons Henry, Nick and Sawyer. I knew the home would interest my mother, who is an avid gardener, as Bunny Mellon was. As soon as I arrived, I was struck by an immediate sense of calm – it was almost as if I’d been there before, and I knew I wanted to return again and again.

What emotions connect you to your Caribbean home today and what inspired you while you were remodeling it for your family?

How do you improve on perfection? You don’t. Bunny had perfect taste, and it was subtle; she mixed humble and refined, antique and new. When lemons fell from the trees, she liked to leave them exactly where they landed. There was nothing frivolous about the house – it was all balance, beauty and integrity. I wanted to respect Bunny’s vision while making small updates to accommodate my family. We added a pantry to the kitchen and transformed the guesthouse into a den for our sons; between me and my husband Pierre-Yves, we have six, with my three stepdaughters. My friend Daniel Romauldez came in to make those changes, and Miranda Brooks helped me revive the gardens.

How would you describe your company to someone who – as unlikely as this sounds – wasn’t familiar with it? What makes it unique? Empowering women is integrated into everything we do, from the foundation to designing collections that instill confidence. When I hear women say, ‘you make me feel like I can face anything, I feel powerful wearing your clothes’ – there is truly nothing better.

It all began 18 years ago when you opened your first boutique on Elizabeth Street in Downtown

Manhattan. Today the whole world knows Tory Burch, and Forbes Magazine listed you as one of the most powerful women on the planet. Looking back – what were your biggest challenges?

There have been countless challenges since I started the company in 2004. Early on, I experienced the stress of being a working parent – I had three boys under the age of 4 – and I had a difficult time speaking up and truly owning my ambition. I encountered plenty of naysayers as well. My vision was to create a global lifestyle brand so I could start a foundation for women, and so many people doubted me. When I pitched the company to potential investors, I was told repeatedly never to use “business” and “social responsibility” in the same sentence. But I was undeterred – and always went back to the advice my parents gave me: “Negativity is noise.” So much has changed since then; today I am extremely happy that businesses are not considered innovative if they aren’t purpose-driven.

What would be your most important advice for women who are starting out, who want to create their own brands?

It’s important to establish your values early on, and every decision you make will feel intentional and purposeful. Trust your intuition, embrace your ambition, and have an incredibly thick skin! Resilience and grit are necessary qualities for any entrepreneur. People will say “no” to you a million ways, but you have to keep saying “yes” to yourself.

Your foundation helps women build their own businesses. What aspect of the Tory Burch Foundation makes you particularly proud?

The numbers speak for themselves: The women in our Fellows program outperform the average early-stage company in the U.S., and 30% have reached $1 million in revenue, a sign of a sustainable business. After participating in our Fellows program, our entrepreneurs go on to raise more venture funding, and they are staying in business far longer than the average

At the iconic residence originally built by Bunny Mellon, the pool is located in an inner courtyard.

Tory Burch in a caftan, one of her favorite outfits. She always packs a few when she sets off for the sunny south.

PHOTO: NOA GRIFFEL

“Trust your intuition, embrace your ambition and keep saying ‘yes’ to yourself.”

TORY BURCH

“As soon as I arrived, I was struck by an immediate sense of calm. I knew I wanted to return again and again.”

TORY BURCH

The wild garden Tory Burch restored with the help of landscape architect Miranda Brooks.

small business. These women are inspiring – many of them are single mothers, they work multiple jobs and they’re active in their communities. I am incredibly proud to support them and help them follow their dreams.

Could you describe a typical day in the life of Tory Burch?

There’s no such thing as a typical day! I try to stick to a morning routine – I usually wake up around 6:30 am, do a quick workout and get to the office by 9:00 am. I often stay until at least 7:00 pm. We just had our spring 2023 show, so most of my time was spent in the design studio and atelier putting the finishing touches on the collection Now, it’s on to the next; we’re always working on multiple collections. An average day also includes back-to-back meetings with various teams, from merchandising to PR, creative, marketing, sales, the foundation, and more. By the end of the day, I can’t wait to relax at home with my family and my dogs Chicken and Slim.

Personally and professionally, you’ve achieved so much! Is there anything you still want to accomplish? Personally or professionally?

My dream is to help people everywhere live in full color with character, beauty and confidence. There is still so much more I want to do; we are rapidly scaling our impact at the foundation, and I am constantly thinking about how

our collections can help women express their individuality and feel confident.

As this issue is dedicated to travel, what do you pack for a week on a Caribbean island?

I live in our tunics and caftans whenever I’m in Antigua. The silhouette is effortless, chic and unbelievably comfortable. One of the first pieces I designed in 2004 was a tunic, inspired by a vintage piece I found in Paris. At the beach, I wear them over my swimsuits, but there is something so elegant about dressing up a tunic or caftan with metallic sandals. When I was a kid, my parents both wore caftans to entertain at home in Pennsylvania. I always pack a few pairs of sandals, a sun hat and sunglasses; we just launched 100% recycled aviators that I can’t stop wearing.

Last question: Which dream destinations are at the top of your bucket list? Can you name three? I’m so excited to travel, it’s difficult to choose just three places! I would love to go back to India for a few weeks, and it’s been years since I traveled through the Middle East. I’m also eager to visit Japan again; we just launched our new fragrance collection, the Essence of Dreams, with Shiseido, a process that was done almost entirely online during the pandemic. It would be wonderful to visit their headquarters and meet more of the team in person.

Would you like to know more?

The dreamy master bedroom with a bed canopy by Pierre Frey and Le Manach and views into the garden.

Under the Radar

Legendary trains, elegant safaris, distinctive hotels – the Belmond group’s portfolio stands for unmatched sophistication. The next chapter: combining high-end luxury travel with culture and art.

WORDS: Steffi Kammerer PHOTOS: Belmond

CASTELLO DI CASOLE There’s no end to the view at this resort on 1,700 hectares of land in Tuscany. The sunrise is as spectacular as the starry night sky.

“We want to celebrate the legendary art of travel.”

ARNAUD CHAMPENOIS

HOTEL CIPRIANI

Far from the tumult, surrounded by elegance, where all that’s missing is a Bellini: The view of St. Mark’s Square and Venice couldn’t be better.

SPLENDIDO MARE What could be more glamorous? The newly remodeled hotel in Portofino celebrates the sparkle of the 1950s, when half of Hollywood met at the Riviera.

VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS

The world’s most famous train is part of Belmond’s broad portfolio.

well-worn slabs of marble at its base reflect the passage of time. Authentic details like these give the Belmond hotels their unique character and cozy charm.

When it comes to the Cipriani in Venice, you feel the magic the moment the gently rocking wooden motorboat drops you at the hotel’s private pier. All night, the boat travels back and forth to St. Mark’s Square. The legendary hotel on Giudecca Island is an oasis of peace within the bustling city. Its walls are peach colored, just like the Bellini, which was invented here. Everything about the Cipriani seems to say: drink in the sun, exhale, relish the dolce vita. During the film festival, half of Hollywood comes here to recharge. George Clooney is a regular, he held his wedding here. The cocktail menu includes two drinks that he and the longtime bartender dreamed up. An Olympic-size seawater pool invites guests to indulge in a stylish dip. A hedge of fragrant jasmine surrounds the outdoor shower, its wild profusion imperfectly tamed; the

During our visit, a glittering installation by Subodh Gupta, called “Cooking the World,” stood among the lush flowers in the hotel garden. Gupta, who divides his time between Delhi and London, is one of India’s most successful contemporary artists. After causing quite a stir at Art Basil in 2017, the airy construction of old pots and pans delighted guests of the Cipriani from April to November, offering them a chance to explore and experience the artist’s work without having to stand in line. Gupta talks about how important it is to eat together – for families and communities. That day, he prepared the midday meal himself: traditional Indian dishes from his childhood. Eating the food he has cooked for them, guests become one with the installation and a part of a whole. Here in the peaceful garden, the silvery sparkling construction looks very much at home beside the herb bed. For centuries, the most important trading hub for spices from the Orient was Venice, after all.

This is one of four projects that Belmond developed with Italy’s renowned Galleria Continua to further expand the company’s connection to art. The contact to the gallery, which represents artists Ai Weiwei and Anish Kapoor, had been established earlier, but an actual

Some things are difficult to describe. Like a recipe for a dish that depends on a combination of just the right ingredients. That’s how it is with the hotels in the Belmond group – each one a unique property whose magic envelops you as you step through the door.

“People want to travel to learn something, to engage with the community.”

ARNAUD CHAMPENOIS

VILLA SAN MICHELE All of Florence at your feet: The extraordinary views from this former monastery have enchanted Napolean and King Charles III.

RISTORANTE ORO Michelin-starred since 2015, under Chef Riccardo Canella since early 2022. Before returning to Italy, Canella spent six years at Noma, Copenhagen, the world’s best restaurant.

partnership didn’t come about until this past spring. Roundly regarded as a sweeping success, the partnership is set to continue in the coming year.

The Cipriani has three restaurants, which Riccardo Canella took over as executive chef in early 2022. After a six-year stint in Copenhagen with Noma, the 37-year-old from Padua decided it was time to return to Italy.

It’s late in the evening when he comes out of the kitchen and sits down at our table. The Cipriani is a “prima donna,” he says with a laugh, meaning he had better come up with something really good. Canella’s signature is particularly evident at Ristorante Oro, which has held a Michelin star since 2015. Even before the age of six, young Riccardo knew he wanted to become a chef, and Oro is now a restaurant of his own.

Canella has big plans and an inquisitive mind; he experiments with plankton, for example, to find out what its possibilities are, investigates other things from the lagoon and searches for historical references. He serves up unusual delicacies, such as oyster sorbet. Or flowers and polenta crackers in the shape of a Venetian mask: a creation almost too beautiful to eat.

Belmond is focusing more and more on what it calls Experiences, and at the Cipriani, you’ll find a linen folder in every room containing cultural activities presented on fine paperboard like a delicious treat. Hotel guests might be offered an exclusive tour at the Biennale or of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a chance to explore the city with a well-known author as their guide or a trip to historic photo archives to admire precious negatives.

For Belmond, it all began with the Cipriani. In 1976, the American James Sherwood, who founded the company, bought the historic property for a mere £ 900,000. One year later, he acquired two dilapidated First Class sleeping cars at auction that had once belonged to the glorious Orient Express. He went in search of further cars and didn’t stop until he had restored 23 additional originals and brought the legend back to life. In 1982, the lovingly refurbished Venice Simplon-Orient-Express pulled into the lagoon city for the very first time.

Today the London-based Belmond group has a diverse portfolio comprising 50 properties: a river cruise ship in Myanmar, safari lodges in Botswana, numerous luxury trains and legendary hotels worldwide, including La Residencia on Mallorca, Reid’s Palace on the flower island of Madeira, the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and the Grand Hotel Europa in St. Petersburg. Each hotel has its own identity and signature look and feel, even those in such geographic proximity as the romantic Villa San Michele overlooking Florence and the magnificent

Castello di Casole in Tuscany on its 1,700 hectares (roughly 4,200 acres) of land.

Belmond is a pioneer of exquisitely curated luxury travel. In April 2019, the company was acquired by LVMH, the world’s biggest luxury group. Within a year, the pandemic had started. Today Belmond is poised to take things one step further and become the world’s most coveted luxury travel brand. To this end, it plans to expand its portfolio over the long term. In February 2022 the company announced it had purchased the historic Villa Beatrice in Portofino – its third hotel in the coastal village near Genoa after the Splendido and the extensively refurbished Splendido Mare.

Arnaud Champenois, head of brand and communication at Belmond, says: “New properties are in the pipeline, but we want to make sure that they make sense for the portfolio.” At present, the company is focusing on changes from within: “Our mission is to reinvent and reimagine our heritage properties, but in a very contemporary way. We have a new generation of guests, so we need to remain attractive for them. This is why programming is so important for us, it’s what creates conversation,” he explains. People today want to do more than just travel. “They want to travel to learn something, to engage with the community.” In addition to meaningful content, they’re looking for something that makes them think, he says, so the brand has to come up with something to maintain its appeal. “We need to pump up our programming in terms of culinary experiences, cultural experiences, wellness, fitness. It’s super interesting for us.”

Collaborations with other LVMH brands offer countless opportunities for synergies. This year, for example, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express traveled to the Cannes film festival from Paris for the very first time. Dior had transformed some of the art deco compartments into miniature spas so that guests could relax, have a facial and use Dior products to prepare for their grand entrances. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express currently focuses more on cultivated sociability than it did in the past: In addition to new suites, it now has three restaurants and two bars.

Belmond has big plans for the coming year. The famous Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro celebrates its centennial in 2022 and festivities will be taking place throughout the year, beginning with carnival in February. The Galleria Continua will be involved here too. In May the Maroma Hotel in Mexico will reopen its doors after extensive renovation. With the jungle on one side and the sea on the other, the exclusive hotel on the Riviera Maya is sure to provide plenty in the way of memorable Experiences.

Would you like to know more?

THE AFRICAN DREAM

The adventure began in 1983 with a single Land Rover in Botswana. Today Wilderness Safaris is a market leader in the high-end ecotourism segment, operating over 60 camps in eight African countries. CEO Keith Vincent on his sustainable and successful business model.

WORDS: Silke Bender PHOTOS: Wilderness Safaris

Located in the heart of the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve in northern Botswana, DumaTau Camp consists of eight tent suites powered by the latest Tesla solar panels.

Giraffe-watching over aperitifs: In the evening hours, the animals come to the watering hole in front of the Vumbura Plains restaurant in Botswana.

“We support the region’s farmers by using locally sourced produce whenever possible.”

KEITH VINCENT

ment:

“Our guests come to see the animals. When they leave, they can’t stop talking about the people they’ve met.”

KEITH VINCENT

An unforgettable goose-bump mo -

face to face with an elephant for the first time in the Okavango Delta.

“Today Africa is leading the way in experiential ecotourism. It’s a business model that we want to share with the rest of the planet.” KEITH VINCENT

Nothing compares with the moment you come face to face with an elephant in the savanna for the first time. Most people are moved to tears – as was Keith Vincent. As a child, he dreamed of owning and protecting a piece of Hwange National Park. Today his company, Wilderness Safaris, protects 2.3 million hectares (nearly 5.7 million acres) of land – an area bigger than Israel.

The story begins in 1983 with Keith Vincent and other bush guides in Botswana – and with a single Land Rover that he bought on credit and used to organize his first, spartan safaris. “It was just tents, beans and eggs that we used to cook on shovels,” laughs Vincent. If you want to survive in the wilderness, you learn to make economical use of resources. Even then, he was unconsciously guided by the corporate philosophy that has made Wilderness Safaris the poster child for sustainable ecotourism: the Four Cs – for conservation, community, culture and commerce

His parents moved from Northern Ireland to Zimbabwe in the early 1950s, when the country was still a British colony: They wanted to become sugar cane farmers. “I was born in Africa, spent my whole life in the bush and experienced first-hand how more and more of the wilderness was being destroyed as the population grew. All I could think of was finding a way to help the people and animals at the same time,” he says. “We soon realized that, as safari vendors, we would need to involve the rural communities and show them that they would benefit from protecting their nature and animals too.”

In the mid-1980s, the movie “Out of Africa” triggered an explosion in demand for photo safaris in southern Africa. Encouraged by the boom, Vincent and his fellow bush guides built their first, luxurious resort in Botswana in 1990. “For the first time, it was more lucrative for governments and communities to lease their land to us than to hunt operators. We could pay more, created hundreds of jobs instead of just a handful and generated more tax and foreign exchange revenue. Today, we pay some communities as much as half a million dollars a year for land leases.”

Ten years later the company experienced another spurt of growth, this time thanks to young dot-com millionaires, the expansion of

international air links and its own Wilderness Air fleet, which provides convenient transportation for guests moving from one camp to another. “We were the first to serve this clientele’s needs by offering them the height of comfort and very exclusive nature experiences,” says Vincent.

Whereas other providers set their sights on the mass market, Wilderness Safaris initially focused on remote areas in south-central Africa: In Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Rwanda and Namibia, it built small, upscale camps with usually no more than a dozen tents or suites and totally private bush tours. “If you’ve ever waited for elephants in the same spot as 120 other Land Rovers full of tourists, you’ll appreciate what a difference that makes,” he says.

More than 3,000 people work at the Wilderness Safaris camps today, and over 90% of the staff are from the surrounding villages. “I’m especially proud that a lot of them – whether they’re pilots or camp managers – come to us from our non-profit, Children in the Wilderness,” explains Vincent. “It’s an educational and support initiative that we founded when AIDS started turning millions of children in Africa into orphans.”

In 2018, Wilderness Holdings reported investments of approx. $ 140 million from prominent new shareholders like the widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, singer Bono, director George Lucas and Sir Richard Branson. Then, in the early stages of the Covid crisis, the company had to prove how serious it really was about its commitment to C for Community. “2020 was also the year of the drought and the biggest food emergency I’ve ever experienced in Africa,” says Vincent, looking back. “On top of that, all our revenues collapsed. There was no rescue scheme for businesses like there was in Europe. Even so, we were able to support our employees and their villages by putting staff on short time and providing thousands of tons of food.”

Consequently, all the camps were able to reopen this past March, and with guests already numbering 40,000 per year Wilderness Safaris has returned to pre-crisis levels.

In 2023 the company is aiming to establish new walking safaris and mobile luxury camps in Tanzania with its partner Wayo Africa. There are also plans to expand to Asia and South America within the next three years.

“Today we’re spearheading the development of experiential ecotourism,” says Keith Vincent. “We’ve invented a successful business model made in Africa – and knowing that helps me sleep well at night.”

Would you like to know more?

Above: CEO Keith Vincent of Wilderness Safaris. Left: Little Kulala Camp in Namibia’s red Namib Desert.

CASTIGLION

DEL BOSCO Guests enjoy a spectacular view over the Val d’Orcia National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. It is set within a 5,000-acre estate with a Tuscan village and a private golf course right nearby.

THE ICON COLLECTOR

The pandemic hit the industry hard, but the Chinese hotel group Rosewood is investing in its resurgence. CEO Sonia Cheng is pursuing an ambitious program aimed at doubling its current portfolio. In Europe alone, five new hotels will open their doors in the next five years –each one a unique establishment with a rich history.

WORDS: Steffi Kammerer PHOTOS: Rosewood

PHOTO: ©RETO GUNTLI

HÔTEL DE CRILLON A former royal palace on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, this magnificent hotel was purchased by a Saudi prince in 2010 and is operated by Rosewood. It underwent a spectacular renovation between 2013 and 2017.

Sonia Cheng is an inspiration in an industry where top leadership roles are still mostly filled by men.

ROSEWOOD VIENNA Ideally situated next to St. Peter’s Church, the hotel celebrates the rich culture of Austria. The curtains and upholstery fabrics were inspired by the Wiener Werkstätten archives.

German not so familiar with Austria who has worked in Asia for nearly 20 years is tasked with establishing a hotel in Vienna’s premier location. It’s a challenge that would terrify most people. But having a boss like Sonia Cheng tends to boost your confidence.

For Alexander Lahmer, it’s the sixth hotel opening of his career. So he approached his latest task while still in Hong Kong with the aid of a large pile of books. He read everything he could about the Austrian capital. After arriving in Vienna, he took four months off to acclimatize to and explore his new home, particularly the more out-of-the-way places. That left twelve months in which to transform the neoclassical bank building next to St. Peter’s Church, a 19th-century landmark, into a top-class hotel.

By August, the building work had finished and the Rosewood Vienna – the first Rosewood hotel in a German-speaking country – opened for business with 99 rooms and suites.

Here, Vienna and its rich history are celebrated everywhere you look, and not just in the selection of coffee-table art nouveau books provided for guests. The curtains and upholstery feature patterns from the Wiener Werkstätten; there is hand-painted porcelain from Augarten and cutlery from Wiener Silber Manufaktur. The centerpiece of the hotel is a salon with walls hand-painted by an Austrian artist: tropical plants redolent of the Palm House in Schönbrunn Palace gardens. It took 40 days to complete this elegant tribute to Austrian hospitality and flair.

Sonia Cheng calls this having a “sense of place.” Imbuing the hotels with the culture and history of their location is a guiding principle of her business. As CEO, Cheng is an ever-present figure and, despite Rosewood’s rapid growth, involved in every detail, even with matters such as selecting lamps on the other side of the world. WhatsApp makes their work much easier, says hotel director Lahmer. After ten years of working together, they have become a well-oiled team.

Vienna is Rosewood’s fifth hotel in Europe and the 30th addition to its portfolio. São Paulo – the group’s first hotel in South America – and Madrid were added shortly before

“Sense of place” describes the way the hotel is rooted in its local culture and history.

ROSEWOOD LONDON Located in the heart of the British capital, the building with its impressive facade is the first Rosewood Group hotel in Europe. It opened in 2013. The interior features a grand, seven-story marble staircase.

THE CARLYLE One of New York’s most famous hotels and an institution on the Upper East Side ever since it opened its doors in the 1930s. It was sold to the Rosewood Group in 2001.

Vienna. The Villa Magna in the Spanish capital is owned by another company but operated by Rosewood. And so, after the refurbishment, the hotel was opened in November 2021 and renamed Rosewood Villa Magna. The iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris mirrored this strategy when, following a four-year renovation, it celebrated its rebirth as part of Rosewood. The Crillon is owned by a Saudi prince; Rosewood looks after the aesthetics and branding.

The Rosewood Group has its origins in Texas. The groundwork was laid by Caroline Hunt, once the richest woman in the U.S. Her first hotel was The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. Within two decades, the Group’s portfolio had grown to ten hotels. A major coup was the acquisition of the Carlyle Hotel in New York. Ten years later, in 2011, Rosewood was sold for $230 million to its current owners: the billionaire Cheng family from Hong Kong.

Sonia Cheng, a Harvard graduate whose grandfather founded a real estate empire, took over as CEO when she was just 30 years old. The fact that almost no one outside the U.S. was familiar with the brand at the time was the kind of challenge she relishes. She certainly wasted no time, supervising the twoyear renovation of Rosewood London, which opened in October 2013 and shortly afterwards opening the Beijing, the group’s first hotel in Asia.

From the outset, it was Cheng’s ambition to internationalize the group and to update iconic buildings to make them more attractive to the younger generation. For people like her: cosmopolitans with a sense of adventure who want to be surprised. “When I started at Harvard, I didn’t just want to study business like everyone else,” she said in a TV documentary. Instead, she chose a more complex subject: applied mathematics. Her interest in the new and unusual is also a characteristic of her company: “I want us to be perceived as the most progressive and innovative of all the hotel groups,” she says.

Sonia Cheng is also a mother of four children. That makes her even more of a role model for many, an outlier in the hospitality industry in which men still dominate managerial positions. There aren’t many women running top hotels, let alone international hotel groups. She helps other women ascend the career ladder too. The Carlyle in New York, for example, has had a female managing director since April – the first in its 90-year history.

Cheng never attended hotel school. She didn’t have to: It’s in her blood. Her childhood in Hong Kong was shaped by her family’s hotel business. Later, she went to boarding school in Connecticut and started her career as an investment banker. Three years

ago, she opened the first Rosewood in Hong Kong, her hometown. When Tatler magazine wanted to put her on the cover, she insisted on being photographed with her team.

Rosewood really picked up speed during the pandemic. There are now 24 new projects in the pipeline and the portfolio is set to double in the next few years. Doha will be the first Rosewood in the Middle East. The group’s ambitious expansion plans include the major European cities. “It’s not that we’re saying, let’s concentrate on Europe. These are individual projects that have been suggested to us at different times,” says Alexander Lahmer in Vienna. “They are all now being progressed at the same time. But yes, thinking about the next few years is very exciting.”

The building in Munich that’s currently a construction site is set to become the city’s most luxurious hotel and is expected to open at the end of 2023. Amsterdam, Rome, and a second hotel in London are also waiting in the wings. The renowned Bauer Hotel in Venice is undergoing the usual lavish renovation, with a reopening scheduled for 2025. Schloss Fuschl, a famous 15th-century landmark near Salzburg, joined the Rosewood Group a few months ago. Speaking in Hong Kong, Sonia Cheng remarked, “Redesigning and renovating historic buildings has become an integral part of our DNA. We are honored to be able to continue the success story of this unique property.”

Would you like to know more?

Sonia Cheng, visionary CEO of Rosewood. The Harvard graduate is a mother of four children.

The Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island surrounded by crystalline waters. The luxury resort opened in North Malé Atoll in 2021.

Out of office

It doesn’t matter if you’re dreaming of a sunny beach or deep snow – or would prefer to spend a few days on a quick city trip. We’ve compiled the 10 best hotels in each category, picked or tested by our own staff, along with 10 unique travel experiences that every bucket list should include.

PHOTO: JUMEIRAH

WORDS: Merle Wilkening

Top 10: Snow dreams

• L’Apogée Courchevel, France

• Suvretta House, St. Moritz, Switzerland

• Huus Gstaad, Switzerland

• Hotel Almhof Schneider, Lech, Austria

• Tennerhof, Kitzbühel, Austria

• Fairmont Tremblant, Québec, Canada

• Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Canada

• The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado, USA

• Juvet Landscape Hotel, Valldal, Norway

• Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Merano, South Tyrol

Winter in the French Alps at L’Apogée Courchevel (left); a Caribbean vibe at the Rosewood Le Guanahani (right).

Top 10: City trips

• Aman New York, USA

• La Réserve Genève, Bellevue, Switzerland

• Madinat Jumeirah Resort, Dubai, UAE

• Brenners Park, Baden-Baden, Germany

• Cheval Blanc Paris, France

• Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia

• Sanders, Copenhagen, Denmark

• Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, Spain

• The Dolder Grand, Zürich, Switzerland

• Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco

Top 10: For your bucket list

• Galapagos Islands: Follow the trail of the giant tortoises

• Costa Rica: Explore the tropical rain forest

• Japan: Ski Hakuba Valley

• Gulf of California: Observe dolphins and whales off the coast of Mexico

• Indonesia: Take a sailing trip or go diving in the Raja Ampat archipelago

• Lapland: Pursue the northern lights by dog sled

• Iceland: Explore waterfalls, glaciers and volcanoes

• Arctic: Set off on an expedition into the endless ice

• Peru: Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

• Bhutan: Go trekking and visit monasteries in the Himalayan kingdom

The Aman NY opened in the legendary Crown Building in 2021 (left). Unique tour: Exploring Lapland wth huskies (right).

Edited by Inken Becker & Merle Wilkening. Presented by ENGEL & VÖLKERS . Ad section on pages 78 – 215.

PHOTO: ANDREAS BEKAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Sheltered from the elements and blessed by the view over the Aegean: Behold Villa Absolute on Mykonos.

Into the Blue

Straight axes all lead the eye to the view outside. The floor-to-ceiling glazed doors frame the sea just like a painting.

Days spent here feel like dreaming without sleeping. Villa Absolute is a true gem on Mykonos, with the Aegean Sea right on your doorstep. Contemporary design meets traditional Greek charm here, on the most sought-after island in the Cyclades.

TEXT: Merle Wilkening PHOTOS: Andreas Bekas Photography

With its flat construction, the property blends in unobtrusively with the stony hillside.

The 18-metre infinity pool on the upper main level is flanked by a bedroom, and the dining and living area.

Warm tones and natural materials come together to form a harmonious whole.

A cactus grows from the centre of the dining table – just one special detail under the shade of the outdoor space. Brightly coloured lounge furniture and beautifully upholstered pool loungers ensure ample comfort. The black and white cooking island forms a centrepiece in the open plan kitchen.

Less is more: The minimalist design of the living space gives the beautiful panorama the focus it deserves.

Tucked away in the stony hills of Mykonos, what more could one possibly want with the tantalisingly radiant expanse of blue that dominates the scene? Welcome to “Villa Absolute”, half hidden away, almost timidly, on a plot high above Agios Ioannis. Inside, it reveals its true unadulterated beauty: The whole property faces outwards – to where the hue of the sea merges with the sweeping sky. Until evening comes and the sun sinks down below the horizon line into the Aegean Sea.

Deep blue and gleaming white façades –that’s the captivating contrast that epitomizes Mykonos, the jewel of the Cyclades in the southern Aegean. Just like many of the Greek islands, Mykonos is shrouded in legend. According to ancient mythology, Heracles defeated giants and threw them into the sea here. They were turned to stone and the island was formed from them. It was named after the grandson of the ancient sun god Apollo. Since the 1960s, Mykonos has been known the world over as one of the most fashionable Greek islands, positioning itself increasingly over the years as a highly exclusive destination. The island has also established itself as a soughtafter location for owning real estate, especially among a wealthy elite.

The vibrant party scene with bars and beach clubs in Chora, better known as Mykonos Town, draws celebrities and tourists from all over the world. A little removed from the hustle and bustle, another world filled with charm, tradition and Mediterranean beauty awaits. In the quaint villages and small harbour towns, winding streets meander between luminous houses. Agios Ioannis is some five kilometres from the centre of the island’s capital. The village marks the westernmost point of the island. Laid out like an amphitheatre, white houses and villas stand encircled around the sandy beach. A private road leads to “Villa Absolute”, which is elegantly hidden away up on the hillside above the bay. Set on a plot spanning some 4,000 square metres, the apart-

ment building coalesces with its landscape surroundings with a gentle subtlety. The interior disappears back into the rock, well protected from the wind and heat, while the exterior extends visually out of the hillside on two levels. This design ensures that owners enjoy valuable privacy as well as an unobstructed panorama that takes in the sea, the harbour and the beach of Agios Ioannis. The view out across the 18-metre infinity pool and the sparkling Aegean beyond reaches as far as the island of Delos, two kilometres away. Back in Ancient Greece, it was the economic, cultural and religious centre of the entire country.

The whole property exemplifies the simple charm of modern Cycladic architectural design. Stone walls and whitewashed surfaces frame the exterior, while wooden beams provide shade for the terraces and the spacious outdoor lounge and dining area. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors ensure the indoor spaces are flooded with Greek sunlight, and make the most of the breathtaking seascape views. The interiors extend over 540 square metres and are finished in restrained shades of stone grey and beige-white. The natural colours, contrasting textures and exquisite woods culminate in a harmonious whole. The contemporary design of the property is complemented by traditional building materials and techniques, such as wall plastering and “Tsimentokonia” for the floors.

Striking wooden beams separate off the minimalist living space from the kitchen area. The open plan kitchen with a white cooking island and light wooden cabinetry flows onto the dining area; a large table in dark stone with hanging lampshades made of natural woven fibres forms the focal centrepiece. Light-coloured fabric drapes separate the room from the kitchen whenever needed. The villa has a total of seven bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms. The harmonious colour scheme with natural tones continues throughout the property. Woven pendant lights above the bedside tables frame the bed, where breathtaking views of the Aegean can be enjoyed. Beautiful folding doors in Viennese wickerwork separate the bedroom off from the terrace, for greater privacy. One of the master bedroom suites even boasts its own five-metre infinity pool. A gym, wine cellar, utility room and two separate parking areas with six parking spaces are just some of the other many highlights of this sensational residence.

The Cyclades, Greece Price EUR 7.5 mill.

ENGEL & VÖLKERS Athens MMC (GR)

Tel. +30 21 11 05 50 00

E-mail athensmmc@engelvoelkers.com

Interior approx. 540 m² Land approx. 4,005 m² E&V ID W-02O4WH

EV MMC Greece S.A. – Mesogion Avenue 2–4, Athens Tower – 11527 Athen / Real estate agent – Licence Partner of Engel & Völkers Residential GmbH

London Historic Splendour in the Heart of London’s Establishment

Völkers

Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland

Price on request Interior approx. 550 m² Land approx. 1,810 m² E&V ID W-02N6IF

Aurach Near Kitzbühel

Main Residence & Guesthouse – An Alpine Concept that Sets Entirely New Standards

Tyrol, Austria

Price on request Interior approx. 2,308 m² Land approx. 1.63 ha E&V ID W-02OSDQ

ENGEL & VÖLKERS Lindau (DE)

Contact Sabine Wagner

Tel. +49 170 906 00 85 E-mail sabinemaria.wagner@engelvoelkers.com Commission fee split between buyer and seller in accordance with new legislation from 23.12.2020.

Bavaria, Germany

Price EUR 2.85 mill. Interior approx. 204 m² No. of rooms 5.5 E&V ID W-02Q9U5

SMW Bodensee Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG – Alter Schulplatz 5 – 88131 Lindau (Lake Constance) / Real estate company Licence Partner of Engel & Völkers Residential GmbH

Logan Mountain Modern in the Heart of Logan

Lake Forest Historic Estate in Chicago’s North Shore

Long Beach

& Völkers Long Beach New York

58 West Park Avenue

11561

Partner of Engel & Völkers Americas,

Hoboken

ENGEL & VÖLKERS Hoboken (US)

Contact

Gloucester

Haliburton

Ontario, Canada

Price CAD 4,498,000

Interior approx. 8,700 square feet Land approx. 0.89 acres E&V ID AM-236777

Tremblant

Halifax Private Sanctuary in Heart of the City

(W-02AQ6F)

Colunga

Zermatt

Kreuzlingen

Fontanile

Piedmont, Italy

Price EUR 1.25 mill. Interior approx. 890 m² Land approx. 1.5 ha E&V ID W-02O73O

Parma House in the Woods Surrounded by Lands of Matilda

Ponza

Lazio, Italy Price EUR 2 mill.

Interior approx. 198 m² Land approx. 538 m² E&V ID W-02JG68

Sicily

Ancient Farmhouse with Pool Surrounded by DOC Vineyard in Milo

Sicily Villa Lighea – A Dream in Panarea

Sicily, Italy Price EUR 5.9 mill. Interior approx. 1,067 m² Land approx. 4,590 m² E&V ID W-02P3KK

Sardinia

Cosy Villa Close to Porto Rotondo

Prague Stunning Apartment in Art Nouveau Building

Prague,

London

Two-Bedroom Apartment with Balconies in Fulham

London Historic Townhouse in Mayfair

ENGEL

Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Price EUR 6.95 mill.

Interior approx. 564 m² Land approx. 1,844 m² E&V ID W-02PL69

Hamburg

Berlin

Incredible Jewel in the Crellekiez in Schöneberg

Meißen Winegrowing Estate with Views of Cathedral

ENGEL & VÖLKERS Wiesbaden (DE)

Contact Norbert Beran Tel. +49 611 541 00 17 E-mail wiesbaden@engelvoelkers.com Commission fee split between buyer and seller in accordance with new legislation from 23.12.2020.

Niedernhausen

Exclusive

Hesse, Germany

Price EUR 3,494,000

Interior approx. 654 m² Land approx. 2,522 m² E&V ID W-02P81I

Tel. +49 2132 65 18 50

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Price EUR 4.95 mill.

Total floor space approx. 637 m² Land approx. 3,332 m² E&V ID W-020CV6

Bonn

Unique Grandeur on Banks of the River Rhine

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Moosach Near Munich

Energy-Efficient Villa with Mountain Views

ENGEL & VÖLKERS München City Center (DE)

Tel. +49 89 23 70 83 00

E-mail muenchencitycenter@engelvoelkers.com

Commission fee split between buyer and seller in accordance with new legislation from 23.12.2020.

Munich

Bavaria, Germany

Price EUR 4.25 mill.

Interior approx. 183 m²

Total surface area approx. 216 m² E&V ID W-02LWYY

Engel & Völkers Immobilien Deutschland GmbH – Residenzstraße 23 – 80333 Munich / Real estate company Licence Partner of Engel & Völkers Residential GmbH

Studio Townhouse with Two Terraces in Maxvorstadt Quarter

CREDITS

WELCOME

EDITORIAL page 8

TAMARA COMOLLI, www.tamaracomolli.com TORY BURCH, www.toryburch.com

PLAYGROUND

COOL CITY page 14

DOVER STREET MARKET, london.doverstreetmarket.com

HELIX, THE GHERKIN, www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk

KEW GARDENS, www.kew.org TATE MODERN, www.tate.org.uk

ART & DESIGN page 16

VOLOCOPTER, www.volocopter.com

INTERVIEW page 18 JESSICA NABONGO, www.thecatchmeifyoucan.com

WOMAN page 22

DESIREE SIELAFF, www.desireesielaff.com FUJIFILM, www.fujifilm-instax.de

GLOBE-TROTTER, www.globe-trotter.com GRÜNBAG, www.grunbag.de

NET A PORTER, www.net-a-porter.de

PLANE INDUSTRIES, www.planeindustries.com SONY, www.sony.de

THE LAUNDRESS, www.thelaundress.com

MAN page 24

BEVEL, www.getbevel.com FACTION, www.factionskis.com

HAPPY SOCKS, www.happysocks.com

HERMÈS, www.hermes.com

LUFTHANSA WORLDSHOP, www.worldshop.eu

NIXON, www.nixon.com

PETITE FRITURE, www.petitefriture.com RIMOWA, www.rimowa.com

BOOKS page 26

GESTALTEN, www.gestalten.com

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, www.penguinrandomhouse.com TASCHEN, www.taschen.com

AT HOME

TORY BURCH page 30 TORY BURCH, www.toryburch.com

BELMOND page 42 BELMOND GROUP, www.belmond.com

WILDERNESS SAFARIS page 52 WILDERNESS SAFARIS, www.wilderness-safaris.com

ROSEWOOD GROUP page 60 ROSEWOOD GROUP, www.rosewoodhotelgroup.com

TOP TEN: SNOW page 72

FAIRMONT TREMBLANT, www.fairmont.com

FOUR SEASONS RESORT WHISTLER, www.fourseasons.com/whistler

HOTEL ALMHOF SCHNEIDER, www.almhof.at

HUUS GSTAAD, www.huusgstaad.com

JUVET LANDSCAPE HOTEL, www.juvet.com

MIRAMONTI BOUTIQUE HOTEL, www.hotel-miramonti.com

L’APOGÉE COURCHEVEL, www.oetkercollection.com

SUVRETTA HOUSE, www.suvrettahouse.ch TENNERHOF, www.tennerhof.com

THE LITTLE NELL, www.thelittlenell.com

TOP TEN: SUN page 73

ALMYRA, www.almyra.com BELMOND, www.belmond.com COBBLERS COVE, www.cobblerscove.com

FOUR SEASONS RESORT SENSEI LANAI, www.fourseasons.com/sensei JUMEIRAH MALDIVES OLHAHALI ISLAND, www.jumeirah.com

ONE & ONLY CAPE TOWN, www.oneandonlyresorts.com ROSEWOOD HOTELS, www.rosewoodhotels.com

THE COTTON HOUSE, www.cottonhouse.net

TOP TEN: CITY TRIPS page 74

AMAN NEW YORK, www.aman.com BRENNERS PARK, www.oetkercollection.com

CHEVAL BLANC PARIS, www.chevalblanc.com

LA RÉSERVE GENÈVE, www.lareserve-geneve.com

MADINAT JUMEIRAH RESORT, www.jumeirah.com

MANDARIN ORIENTAL RITZ, www.mandarinoriental.com

PARK HYATT SYDNEY, www.hyatt.com

ROYAL MANSOUR MARRAKECH, www.royalmansour.com SANDERS, www.hotelsanders.com

THE DOLDER GRAND, www.thedoldergrand.com

PERSONAL page 218

AMAN NISEKO, www.aman.com

LAST MINUTE

The best place to avoid icy winds, rain or slush is indoors –paying close attention to the beautiful things in life.

1 Earrings “Sea of Beauty” SBE328, $ 550, www.mizukijewels.com 2 Air purifier “Blue Pure 311 Auto,” $ 249,99, www.blueair.com

Chair “Ekstrem,” from € 2,299, www.varierfurniture.com 4 Paperweight “Lito” by L’Objet, € 350, www.artedona.com 5 Sunglasses strap made of calfskin, € 390, www.loewe.com

PHOTO: François Halard/Trunk Archive

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SUBSCRIPTIONS International

An annual subscription of four issues costs € 43 in the U.S., € 32 in Europe and € 24 in Germany. Subscriptions will be renewed for a further year unless cancelled in writing six weeks prior to expiry. Reproduction of any content requires written permission from the publisher. Care has been taken to produce this magazine with as much accuracy as possible, but no liability shall be accepted for factual errors, inaccuracies or misprints should they occur. Furthermore, no liability shall be accepted for the accuracy or completeness of property descriptions and specifications as these are not produced in-house. Nor shall liability be accepted for non-availability of properties featured in this magazine. A commission shall be charged on all properties with the exception of those marked with a "P." ISSN 0941-5203, GG · No. 1/23 · 35th year

MANAGEMENT

Sven Odia, Mirko Hewecker

The next issue of GG comes out March 3, 2023 www.gg-magazine.com

Rott (ES), Susana Silva Ollet (ES), Catherine B. Fischer (FR), Marie-Christine Fischer (FR), Rachel Kretz (EN), Robert Smales (EN), Katja Iseler (IT), Jan Willem Papo (NL), Alex Valk (NL) & Lektornet GmbH

Wellness done well

Pristine nature and traditional h ealing: The renowned hotel group’s newest property is Aman Niseko – an oasis of tranquility in Hokkaido, Japan.

Snow envelops the tips of the fir trees, sounds are gently muffled in the crisp cotton-wool landscape. On the slopes of Mount Moiwa, the Aman Group is opening a brand-new retreat, the fourth Japanese location in a string of pearls comprising Aman Tokyo, Amanemu and Aman Kyoto. It is the country’s first wellness retreat. With its low-key design – the vision of the late architect Kerry Hill – the hotel is the perfect complement to the untamed wilderness of Hokkaido.

Inside the graceful main pavilion, the 30 suites and 31 residences on the property, the calm and clear design language, soft colors and natural materials create a harmonious ambiance that soothes body and mind. Nothing interrupts the view of the surrounding forests and mountains. The architectural concept is contemporary, with subtle references to traditional design motifs of Hokkaido’s indigenous people, the Ainu.

Drawing on the Aman philosophy – the name comes from the ancient Sanskrit word for peace – the retreat is devoted to holistic well-being. In the Aman Spa, Japanese healing traditions strengthen the body and mind with a choice of treatments with Kampo herbs, Anma and Shiatsu massage techniques, and Zen meditation. Finnish saunas, steam rooms, hammams, Watsu chambers and onsen hot spring pools offer guests blissful relaxation in every season.

Clear design creates a soothing, inviting ambiance.

Would you like to know more?

WORDS: MERLE WILKENING; PHOTOS: AMAN