Victor Summer Journal 2017 by Victor

Summer Journal 2017

N E W S

T R A V E L

M U S I C

C U LT U R E

J E T S

Harbour Island: the Bahamas’ best bet

Bring the beat back: on tune in Ibiza

Furs class: the hounds that have it all

REPORT

INTERVIEW

PETS ON JETS

“”

Typically, the island can expect to see anything from 80 to 120 private planes arriving and departing during July and August

39.0200° N, 1.4821° E

Ex clu s iv e

Ibiza Airport code IBZ

IBIZA BOOKINGS UP OVER 400% The Balearic island has become online jet charter marketplace Victor’s fastest-growing summer destination, with bookings up a staggering 441% year-on-year. As the White Isle reinvents itself for the more sophisticated traveller, with high-end hospitality and restaurant openings including Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay plus premium clubbing brands like Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, analysis by Victor Labs (see graphic on p03) shows how the repositioning has been reflected by an unprecedented increase in jet bookings. Typically, the island can expect to see anything from 80 to 120 private planes arriving and departing during July and August, with the largest volume over weekends. Flights between France and Spain have become one of Victor’s most popular country pairings,

suggesting that travellers are chartering private jets to make more of their time in the Mediterranean. There are currently no direct flights between Nice and Palma, turning what should be a short hop into a six-hour ordeal on a commercial routing via Barcelona. Other short-haul destinations growing in popularity with Victor members include the Greek island of Mykonos, which has enjoyed 350% year-on-year growth after also choosing to take a more upmarket approach. It’s not just short-haul destinations that have grown in popularity, however, with long-range bookings more than tripling in 2016. Traditional city routes like New York to London have increased by 613%, as travellers seek to avoid the hassle of big airports during peak season. For business travellers especially, chartering a

Dialling code +34 Population 132,637

private jet can be a wise investment decision when the hours lost to the vagaries of commercial flight are taken into account. A UK company with a strong presence in its homeland, Europe and the US, Victor is also gaining traction in the Middle East with flights from Dubai to London up 1,400% and from Riyadh to Nice up 600%. Named internet category winner in Deloitte’s UK Tech Fast 50 poll of Britain’s fastestgrowing, most dynamic tech businesses, Victor has recorded four-year revenue growth of 945% and secured $24.45m of funding to date. Founded by serial entrepreneur Clive Jackson in 2011, the company has revolutionised private jet charter and become both a leading participant and an active supporter of the digital economy.

GO BESPOKE WITH JET CHARTER BY VICTOR Transparent, capped booking fees 24/7 dedicated customer care Aircraft and crew replacement insurance

VICTOR SUMMER JOURNAL 2017 | flyvictor.com

Welcome… … to the Victor Summer Journal, a sundrenched snapshot of places to go and things to do from on-demand private jet charter company Victor. If you know us already, and are thinking about where Victor can take you next, we’ve made a few suggestions and talked to the people who know them best: from the Bahamas to the Balearics, this summer is yours for the taking. If you’re new to Victor, it’s our mission to make booking a private jet easier and faster than ever before. By combining old-school service with tip-top tech, we’re harnessing the power of the on-demand economy to revolutionise the industry. With us, you can see every last detail about your jet before you book, and you can do it all from the palm of your hand. Of course, if you’d rather chat first just give us a call: we’re here 24/7 for advice, bookings, or even if you want to know what the weather’s like in St Tropez this weekend. In the meantime, flick through, get inspired – and see the world from a different perspective with Victor. Enjoy the summer! Phil Thomas, Editor phil.thomas@flyvictor.com

India Hicks runs her eponymous lifestyle business from the Bahamas, a corner of the world not unknown for its favourable weather conditions. But a change can be a good thing: “We’re going on safari this summer because it’s my fiftieth. Botswana, Zimbabwe and Cape Town. And we’re going in winter because we want to have a bit of cold,” she says.

Jeremy Jauncey is the brains behind Beautiful Destinations, which ran the #IndiaInstaMeet campaign last year. “One moment that will stick with me for the rest of my life is when we arrived at the Taj Mahal right before sunrise. There was no crowd to distract us from its beauty, and it was one of those quick moments when you don’t fully realise how special it is until it’s over.”

As Victor’s furs class correspondent, Mr Sniff knows a dog-friendly hotel when he sees one – and isn’t afraid to bark about it. From the Devon bolthole with the best beach for a runaround to the French fancy that will impress even the most pampered of pups, Mr Sniff has seen it all. Like all good reporters, he’s an adaptable type: “Wherever I lay my bone, that’s where I call home.”

REPORT, P04

Q&A, P10

PETS ON JETS, P14

VICTOR BRIEFS

SIGN LANGUAGE

CODE NAMES

V ♥ NY

APPY TIMES

Next time you find yourself outside the Hermitage in Monaco or at the private terminal in Nice, be sure to check out the Victor banner welcoming you to the Côte d’Azur. As one of our busiest destinations, it made sense to make our presence felt around the Riviera – and you’ll find us popping up in more of your favourite destinations to say hello in the coming months.

Victor was a sponsor of the recent Code conference in Los Angeles. Tech titans making an appearance included Marc Andreessen from Silicon Valley’s favourite venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz, Reid Hoffman from LinkedIn, and Reed Hastings from Netflix. As well as sponsoring the event, Victor also flew 67th US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in from New York.

As our Stateside operations continue to grow with the rapid expansion of the New York office, Victor has appointed Ryann Richardson as Vice President of Marketing, North America. Previous roles include stints at T-Mobile and Uber, where she negotiated partnerships and guided campaigns – as well as masterminding Uber’s collaboration with Victor on the ‘Love Is in the Air’ 2016 Valentine’s Day campaign.

Download the latest version of the Victor app to make the most of your membership and enjoy a streamlined service from the palm of your hand. Compare quotes and book jets in an instant, using an intuitive process that lets you share itinerary details with fellow passengers and even send directions to your departure airport direct to your device. Flying with Victor makes travel breezier and easier than ever before.

Concept by philr.co

SANTA BARBARA

NEW YORK

LONDON

MUNICH

+1 877 275 9336 403 E Gutierrez St Santa Barbara CA 93101

+1 877 275 9336 33 Irving Place New York NY 10003

+44 20 7384 8550 60 Sloane Avenue London SW3 3DD

+49 89 242 18 236 Maximilianstraße 35A 80539 München

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Design by Effective Creative Artwork by roseatwork.com

SUMMER STATS FASTEST-GROWING SUMMER ROUTES

London > NYC 450% Dubai > London 1,400%

Toronto > NYC 686% NYC > London 613% Las Vegas > LA 1,350%

Riyadh > Nice 600% Southampton > Faro 500% Miami > Havana 750%

London > Lyon 600% Rome > Olbia 1,100%

EXTRA “BEACH TIME”* GAINED FLYING PRIVATE vs COMMERCIAL

2h 35m

2h 30m

LONDON > NICE

LONDON > IBIZA

LONDON > PALMA

LARGE AIRCRAFT BOOKINGS

VICTOR’S “LONG TAIL” OF 2016 FLIGHTS

98% increase year on year

82% of route pairings unique

Popular large aircraft last summer included the Bombardier Global 6000 and the Gulfstream IV. Victor members are flying further afield than before, especially for summer holidays.

Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) travellers are embracing the flexibility of hi-tech, on-demand charter. This percentage shows that flyers are rarely duplicating their journeys.

* More time making sandcastles

SUMMER CITY PAIRINGS 1: LONDON > NICE 2: LONDON > PALMA 3: LONDON > PARIS 1h40m 4: NICE > LONDON 5: IBIZA > LONDON 2h05m

50m

FASTEST-GROWING SUMMER DESTINATIONS IBIZA 441% (YEAR-ON-YEAR) MYKONOS 350% (YEAR-ON-YEAR)

JETS CHARTERED BY VICTOR MEMBERS FOR SUMMER 2016

MOST POPULAR COUNTRY PAIRINGS FOR SUMMER 2016

MOST POPULAR REQUESTS FOR SUMMER 2017

Percentage of all flights

In order of popularity

May to August

LI GH

US > UK

VER Y

L IG

JE T

HT JE T

34%

19%

UK > FRANCE

03. Ibiza

SPAIN > UK

04. Nice

US > CUBA LON

JE T

N GE & S

R MID SIZE PE

IG H T J E T

18%

US > US

02. Las Vegas

UK > SPAIN

UK > US

SU P

01. London

FRANCE > SPAIN UK > GREECE UK > TANZANIA ITALY > UK

05. Palma 06. Miami 07. Dar es Salaam 08. Los Angeles 09. St Barths 10. Mykonos

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Re p or t

Land of the free Welcome to Harbour Island, the only Bahamas bolthole you need to know

India Hicks and the Bahamas go way back – all the way back to Windermere Island in the 1970s, in fact, where she grew up holidaying as a “small hot flustering child” with her parents. With five children of her own, it’s still a family affair in 2017 – though now she’s the one in charge and the location has shifted a few miles north to Harbour Island. An ex-model with an excellent eye, and the author of several bestselling books on Caribbean interiors, it’s from here that Hicks runs her eponymous brand. “For a long time I was hesitant,” she admits, owing to the reputation of her father. He was the celebrated designer and decorator David Nightingale Hicks, whose international success and strong sense of style made him a tough act to follow. But like much else in her life, one thing led to another and, by 2015, she found herself launching India Hicks Inc and setting up shop – quite literally – on Bay Street at the end of Harbour Island’s main dock. Between her father, the father of her children David Flint Wood (himself a decorator) and the nature that surrounds her, Hicks can draw from plenty of sources for inspiration and describes her own style as “settling somewhere in the middle” of it all. “I know I want to live comfortably with a home that’s not overly decorated,” she says – an approach that extends to her feelings about mod-cons. She finds air-conditioning ludicrous, especially given that “for hundreds and hundreds of years people have lived without it” when a well-positioned blind or a louvred door will do. Adapting to her environment and being sympathetic to her surroundings seem to be the keys to her success.

It’s not hard to see why Hicks chooses to run her business from the Bahamas. Describing it as “fairly unchanged from centuries ago”, this morning she dropped her daughter off to school in a golf cart – the transport of choice around these parts – with the only other traffic on the road a flock of chickens. From the pink sand carpeting the beaches to the purple bougainvillea tumbling down the walls, everyday life is a riot of colour that elevates the senses and stimulates the imagination in equal measure. Harbour Island seems to have a knack for those who like to follow their own path in life. Giorgia Ravilli, a friend of Hicks, came to the island as a marine biologist from Italy and now works at Bahama House, the first island escape in the Eleven Experience portfolio. A relative newcomer at the super-premium end of the hospitality scene, Eleven operates on the premise that true luxury is about how something makes you feel rather than something you can flaunt. The company is named after the famous moment in cult film This Is Spinal Tap, when the hero explains that a volume level of 10 just won’t cut it – and it’s true that Ravilli can be relied on to turn things up to 11. “I am absolutely an island girl,” she tells victor on a spirited barefoot golf-cart tour of the environs. Taking in the homes of the rich and famous (Revlon supremo Ron Perelman has a house here), and as much flora and fauna as you can shake a conch at, Ravilli knows everyone and everything about the place she has chosen to call home. Working alongside Ravilli is Richard Bullard, who was born here. As Eleven’s experience

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Everyday life is a riot of colour that elevates the senses and stimulates the imagination in equal measure

Living the life: the India Hicks brand is a true reflection of how she and her family spend their time on Harbour Island. — Brittan Goetz Creative LLC

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Harbour Island is known for its pink sand. Clockwise from below left: cock of the walk; spread out in the Boiling Hole; closed for business; just another day in paradise; rush hour on the water; a ride on the beach. — Brittan Goetz Creative; Simon Upton

managers, the pair are responsible for creating the moments you’ll never forget – this is a company with an (unofficial) “department of good times” after all. Whether that includes a gourmet barbecue on a deserted beach; jumping 20 feet into the Boiling Hole lagoon; or an evening spent dancing with a group of trainee rabbis after one Goombay Smash too many (don’t ask), their brief is to make things happen. Having grown up on the island, Bullard is an excellent source of knowledge on its history and comes armed with all the tales of pirates, shipwrecks and smuggling that you might expect from a born storyteller. He can also tell you which plants to pick fruit from, and which to avoid if you don’t want to come out in an unsightly rash. According to his uncle, the golden rule is: “Watch the birds. If the birds can eat it, we can eat it.” This example of down-to-earth common sense is typical of Caribbean culture, which tends to celebrate the good things in life without worrying too much about the bad things. Harbour Island’s laidback charm is what has made it such a magnet for the UHNW crowd, many of whom come here not only for the weather and the unbridled beauty but also to

be treated like a local for a change – as a result, competition for a berth at the marina on July 4th weekend can be fierce. It’s a place where a film star (who shall remain nameless) can wander down the main street in nothing but a bikini and no one bats an eyelid, according to Ravilli. Hicks, who has lived here for 22 years “giving birth to too many children”, credits it with helping her to forge her own way. “Everything has been one step to the next, no strategy, no great plan,” she says. “Living on an island gave me the confidence to do things differently.” Being entirely surrounded by water is a great tonic for the stresses and strains of modern life. Perhaps the best thing about island living is the physical barrier that separates you from the rest of the world, allowing you to focus on the here and now. Not all of us will be able to do it for a lifetime but even the four days victor spent barefoot and beach-bound was enough to reset the soul and figure out what’s really important. En route to North Eleuthera Airport, we learn that Eleuthera is a Greek word meaning freedom. And that’s what the Bahamas are all about: the freedom to live your life the way you want to. indiahicks.com

Fly from New York City to Nassau in a Gulfstream G-IV The G-IV is a tried and tested heavy jet popular with individuals, corporations and governments worldwide, comfortably seating up to 12 people.

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TEB 2h35m

NAS

Harbour Island’s laidback charm is what has made it such a magnet for the UHNW crowd

BAHAMA HOUSE One of the most iconic addresses on the island, Bahama House dates from 1800 and has recently undergone an extensive restoration that epitomises luxury Caribbean living. A series of separate buildings arranged around a central pool, it sleeps up to 22 people in a pair of two-bedroom cottages; an original structure with three suites; and an annex with four suites. Each property offers guests outdoor spaces and garden or sea views, and there are also two fully stocke d bars, a library, and a lap pool with adjoining hot tub. Located at the heart of the island, beaches, fine dining and nightlife are all within walking distance. Open from November to July for exclusive use or on an individual-room basis, the in-house

chef is on hand to prepare a gourmet breakfast every morning. Guests can also take advantage of the property’s bicycles and daily beach setup; activities include bone-fishing, deep seafishing, diving, kite-surfing, paddle-boarding and snorkelling. Buyout groups can enjoy exclusive use of Bahama House; beer, wine and house spirits; lunch and picnics; guided island adventures, use of the boat and a captain; a dedicated experience manager, on-island transportation, one day of professional photography; and round-trip airport transfers.

elevenexperience.com/bahama-house

The furnishings at Bahama House include a mix of Bahamian, Caribbean and Palm Beach heritage pieces, with vintage bamboo and rattan from Paul Aronson’s legendary collection. — Simon Upton

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Inte r v ie w

THE HOUSE THAT SIMON BUILT With Ibiza’s summer party season busier and buzzier than ever before, Ben Lovett meets the man behind the brand that’s rebooting the Balearics

The White Isle is dancing to a new beat and it’s all because of clubland godfather Simon Dunmore. Where the shallow bombast of electronic dance music (EDM) and relentless machine-pulse of techno have dominated recent Balearic soundtracks, Dunmore has found room for something different. “One weekend a few years ago, some friends called me from Ibiza looking for recommendations on where to party,” he says. “They didn’t necessarily want the harder or more commercial sounds available to them but there was nothing really in between that I could suggest.” The conversation got him thinking and, a year or so later, Glitterbox was born. “It was a party reclaiming that sense of clubbing people had forgotten about; a party harking back to Ibiza’s euphoric past whilst adding something contemporary.” Launched in summer 2014 at the Ciprianibacked Booom!, Glitterbox promised a warmer, groovier taste of up-tempo, Saturday-night sounds built around the disciplines – old and new – of house, disco and soul, and endorsed by Dunmore’s globally successful record label Defected. It was served with a broader conceptual mix of art, intellect, futurism and fashion but revellers took their time to warm up. Faced with something wildly different to the norm, and distracted by a football World Cup in Brazil, they didn’t immediately swarm. “We had a difficult start, yes, but those people

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discovering Glitterbox had a great time, as did we,” he says. “And then word started to spread. The subsequent growth came from being a party in Ibiza that you had to discover. It wasn’t immediately in your face.”

Here the DJs are clubland characters with infectious personalities reflected through the music Dunmore hired renowned artistic producer Mark Herman as creative director for Glitterbox’s sophomore season, who promptly sharpened the night’s experiential edge via the dynamic, theatrical performances of rotating dance crews such as Sink the Pink. British painter Mark Wardel, collected by the likes of Boy George, Kanye West and David Bowie, was recruited to design the artwork and put his stamp on Dunmore’s vision of an emerging dance community and burgeoning brand. The Friday party, at that point in the legendary Ibizan venue Space, and boasting an expertlycurated roster of highly personable, whip-

Left: club supremo Simon Dunmore; right: putting on a show at Glitterbox. — Defected/La Skimal; Glitterbox/Hï Ibiza

smart DJs ranging from Normans Cook and Jay through to Louie Vega and Julio Bashmore, quickly established itself as the island’s most vital nightspot. Now located in brand-new club Hï Ibiza (where Space once rumbled), Glitterbox has continued to make a mark in all the right ways. Has the original formula needed to evolve to fit the new place? “Not really,” Dunmore replies. “We’ve not overpushed the promotion because we still want people to seek it out. Here the DJs are clubland characters with infectious personalities reflected through the music. People can let off steam for the weekend and really engage with that music. They’re not filming on their phones, they’re enjoying a social experience. This year we have another great mix of luminaries and underground talent – artists like Armand Van Helden, Aeroplane, Soul Clap. It’s already been a brilliant start to the season, so we’re all set.”

People can let off steam for the weekend and really engage with that music. They’re not filming on their phones, they’re enjoying a social experience What does Dunmore make of Hï, a major symbol of Ibiza’s rapidly changing – and rapidly gentrifying – landscape. “It’s amazing… totally unique. Unlike the other clubs, it doesn’t have any tradition so there is a freedom to shake things up,” he believes. “A lot of money has been spent on the soundsystem, the facilities, even the toilets, but it’s all properly

considered. It’s all been put together well and that gives Hï an advantage. Remember, clubs like Pacha and Amnesia started out as fincas [farmhouses] but Hï is a purpose-built club. It’s going to make waves.” The island’s burgeoning VIP status, and the influx of affluent new tourists that brings, has posed challenges for some elements of its iconic club scene. “The balance between Ibiza VIPs and core clubbers isn’t always right,” Dunmore says. “The VIPs usually feed off the clubbers but if a venue caters more towards one crowd than the other then the atmosphere suffers, the DJ plays too conservatively, and everyone loses interest. Glitterbox is conscious of that – as is Hï for that matter.” Dunmore, 55, started out in his early twenties as a funk and soul DJ. It was followed by time behind the counter at record shops, and then a stint at the Cooltempo label. During the mid 1990s, the Londoner progressed to running A&M Records’ pivotal dance imprint AM:PM (home to anthems such as ‘Free’ by Ultra Nate and ‘Give Me Love’ by Alcatraz) before launching Defected. Founded in 1999 with a loan from Ministry of Sound, the label has been expanding, diversifying and disrupting ever since. What is the secret of Dunmore’s entrepreneurial success? “I have no specific business qualification,” he admits. “A lot of it, very simply, has been down to gut feeling about the music.” But surely there’s more to it than that? “I do have a particularly strong work ethic,” he allows. “The music is a hobby and a job – I never switch off. I’m always checking on DJs, clubs and new releases. I stay grounded… do my research, and where some of my peers have lost their hunger I’m just as passionate as I was on day one. You can’t always be right but, when you are, others quickly join. With Defected, I guess we’ve been right a lot!” This summer, Glitterbox is once again joined by the more youthful and muscular Defected in

the House residency at Eden. And there’s even more on the way. “We’ll tick the boxes in terms of good business sense, strategy and marketing but music remains our primary catalyst. Our instincts here will define everything we do.” Can he elaborate? “Take Croatia, we took our first proper steps here last year with a Defected Festival. It was driven by gut feeling, and it was a huge success. We’re back this August and ticket sales are flying. We’ve also hosted Glitterbox in London now and, whilst that’s been out of its Ibiza setting, it’s totally proven itself. There’s set to be more events like this, and more great compilations and EPs of course. We’re also doing more with our radio show streams, and relentlessly exploring new products – some with risk – that we think can further build our consistency for great music and experiences, not to mention build our community.”

The togetherness of a banging dancefloor is a powerful thing Many industry commentators lament a lack of truly classic house music from the current international club scene. Naysayers tut about technology and how, despite making electronic music more accessible, evolution in production equipment has lit the touch-paper for hundreds of additional record releases every week – most bedroom-based, laptopmade and poor in quality. For Dunmore,

however, it’s not simply a question of quality compromised by quantity. “There’s just not enough great music being made, full stop,” he argues. “It needs originating. If a few of us in the dance community do well, then others will do well. Artists are starting to recognise the returns that can be made through streaming services like Spotify and Deezer, so that’s a start. If a few more producers realise it’s worth investing more time and effort in production for the digital market, then the quality will come through. Recording by laptop on a plane or train, between gigs, is not necessarily the best environment for classic dance music.” Dunmore is talking to victor immediately after the terrorist attack on London Bridge and the restaurants and bars of nearby Borough Market. Proud Londoner and major party-starter, how important does he feel a unifying drumbeat is after such barbarous targeting of the capital’s nightlife? “We can’t let this situation affect us and we won’t,” he states. “Of the parties I’ve been to since [the attack], there’s a real defiance from people. We also saw that with the One Love Manchester concert. The togetherness of a banging dancefloor is a powerful thing. We just have to carry on. Personally, I don’t believe you can change your destiny – I am here to help spread great music that puts a smile on people’s faces, so I’ll keep on doing that no matter what.”

Ben Lovett is a music writer and victor’s Communications Director. glitterboxibiza.com

Fly from London to Ibiza in an Embraer Phenom 300

FAB 2h05m

The world’s best-selling business jet for the fourth year in a row, the 300 combines class-leading efficiency with an ultra-stylish BMW-designed interior.

IBZ

SIMON’S SUMMER SOUNDTRACK • Aeroplane ‘Love on Hold’ (Dimitri from Paris Remix) • HiFi Sean feat Crystal Waters ‘Testify’ • Lapsley ‘Operator’ (DJ Koze’s 12-inch Extended Disco Version) • Ralphi Rosario feat Linda Clifford ‘Wanna Give it Up’ (Lego Dub) • Soulsearcher ‘Can’t Get Enough’ (Dr Packer Remix)

SIMON’S TOP SPOTS • Babylon Beach, Santa Eulalia “ This beach restaurant has a spectacular full moonrise” • Benirrás Beach, San Miguel “ This is an incredible stretch of sand to the north of the island” • Cas Pages Restaurant, Santa Eulalia “A truly authentic Spanish grill” • Glitterbox at Hï Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa “ The White Isle’s most hedonistic party at the new clubbing hotspot!” • Jockey Club, Salinas Beach “ With a live set from island legend DJ Pippi, what could be better?”

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Q& A

Jeremy’s world A master of Instagram with 9.4m unique followers, Victor investor Jeremy Jauncey has turned beautiful destinations into a beautiful career. He tells us how

HI JEREMY, WHAT MAKES A GOOD IMAGE? A good image evokes an emotion from its audience. It has the power to tell a story without any words or context. At Beautiful Destinations, we create images that allow our followers to escape for a short moment as they scroll through our feed. We share beautiful photographs and videos with over 15 million people in 180 countries, with a very simple promise that no matter what is going on in your life, there’s nothing that a healthy dose of travel inspiration can’t fix.

HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGED THE WAY WE TRAVEL? Our society has evolved from consuming media and news through traditional print/broadcast and the World Wide Web to social media and digital video, mostly on mobile devices. Today, more than 65 percent of digital media is consumed on mobile devices, and one in every five minutes on mobile is either spent on Facebook or Instagram. By 2020, 80 percent of all mobile traffic is predicted to be video-driven. In short, we’re living in a different era. While boomers and gen X are the primary market for traditional travel publications, millennials are looking to social media for travel inspiration. They’re discovering new destinations, accommodations and experiences on social media from their friends, creators (photographers and videographers) and, of course, Beautiful Destinations. Eighty percent of our 15 million following falls between the ages of 18 and 35. They’re the generation investing in travel because now more than ever, they’re seeking life experiences over material possessions. Because of social media, travellers are documenting their experiences more than

ever, with devices ranging from smart phones to more advanced DLSR or video cameras. With the rise of Snapchat, Instagram Stories, Instagram Live and Facebook Live, travellers are also sharing their travel experiences in real time, rather than after the fact. It’s giving friends, families and followers an opportunity to feel like they’re there with them in the moment. Instagram Stories are a huge part of our value proposition, generating more than five million views per story and enabling us to broadcast deeper narratives about our partners. These evolutions within travel are forcing marketers to rethink their advertising spend and invest more in content marketing, which is where our creative agency comes into play.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY SAID TAORMINA WAS SO BEAUTIFUL IT HURTS – WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THAT MADE YOU SAY, “OW!” One destination that immediately comes to mind is Santorini, Greece. Oia, a small town on the island, has one of the most beautiful, fiery sunsets in the world. The contrast of white and pastel buildings and homes against the sky look like they are out of a fairy-tale. From Red Beach to Black Beach, the beaches in Santorini are different than other beaches in Greece due to their volcanic pebbles and steep cliffs. You have a colourful palette of geographical wonders at your disposal. Many hotels are built into the island’s towering cliffs overlooking the sea. Some even have infinity pools carved into the rockface, providing the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.

HOW DID THE COLLABORATION WITH ORLEBAR BROWN COME ABOUT? My brother Tom and I have been fans of their swim shorts for years. When Orlebar Brown

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reached out about partnering, we learned how much our two brands have in common in celebrating travel, positivity and exploring the world. We create beautiful imagery highlighting places where these swim shorts are worn around the globe, so it was the perfect match for us leading up to summer.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS? We’re continuing to work with new partners, including the tourism boards of Malta and California, as well as Waldorf Astoria Hotels. Mark Zuckerberg mentioned recently that he sees video as a mega trend – on the same scale as mobile – so we’re aligned with this sentiment and are putting more resources into our video capabilities and team. We’re also creating more Beautiful Destinations original videos similar to the Let’s Go – Venice film we launched on our YouTube channel in May. With today’s mainstream media dominated by stories of political unrest, threats of terrorism and fake news, it’s important we remind everyone that the world is an amazing place if we get out and experience each other’s countries, cultures and differences. As US President John F Kennedy once said, “Travel has become one of the great forces for peace and understanding in our time.” We’re tapping into the entertainment space too: you’ll hear more about a Beautiful Destinations TV show later in the year!

The OB Classic swim short range featuring Beautiful Destinations imagery of Bali, Miami Beach and Mo’orea is out now.

Clockwise from top left: Kromlauer Park, Germany @muenchmax; Mo’orea, French Polynesia @tomjauncey; Mount Fuji, Japan @capkaieda; Cappadocia, Turkey @theplanetd; Santorini, Greece @danicaspi; the London Eye, UK @jacob; Death Valley, USA @bejamin; Eltz Castle, Germany @hannes_becker; Old Harry Rocks, UK @jackboothby; Amsterdam, Netherlands @kardinalmelon. Centre: Jeremy Jauncey.

beautifuldestinations.com

— Beautiful Destinations

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T re n din g

Let the Belmond Hiram Bingham take the strain in Peru. A visit to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo comes complete with Andean bears. — Belmond; Inkaterra

Nomad’s notebook Victor catches up with Nine Concierge’s Timmy Coles-Liddle, who reveals the new entries in his reassuringly luxurious little black book for this season

A recent week in Peru has seriously rattled my cultural cage. Everyone knows about the world-class culinary scene and the everhelpful, happy-go-lucky inhabitants, but I also discovered a hugely inspiring contemporary art movement. In Callao, a once derelict suburb close to Lima’s port, youngsters are being given a platform to express themselves – resulting in some breathtakingly beautiful street art. A remarkably regal train ride to the country’s interior, courtesy of Belmond Hiram Bingham (belmond.com), and a trek to Machu Picchu’s magical summit leaves Peru’s awe-inspiring

history etched in the memory. Whatever you do, do not leave without signing up for the morning nature trail at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo (inkaterra.com) for a glimpse of the five endangered Andean bears that have been carefully reintroduced to the area by the hotel’s dedicated environmental team. From bears to bowler hats a little closer to home in London, where Nick Jones’ achingly popular Soho House Group has just opened mega private club The Ned (thened.com). Situated smack-bang in the City, it comes complete

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with a whopping 250-odd bedrooms and too many cool dens and dining places to mention. Just down the road, the hotshot father-andson duo behind New York’s Gansevoort Hotel have launched The Curtain (thecurtain.com), a private club and hotel dedicated to creative entrepreneurs. Think rooftop pool, snazzy coworking spaces and industrial-chic bedrooms. The Maldives have long been synonymous with pearl-white beaches and cobalt-blue waters, and now a spate of new openings has reinvigorated interest in the sleepy archipelago.

Clockwise from top left: Thanda Island as seen from above; take a step up from the sea and straight onto your private terrace on Milaidhoo; Miami is a city made for glamour, and the Surf Club fits right in; The Curtain: Shoreditch’s answer to the Meatpacking’s Gansevoort; at Voavah, peace and quiet comes as standard. — Thanda Island; Miliadhoo Island Maldives; Four Seasons; The Curtain/ Adrian Houston; Four Seasons

The Hurawalhi (hurawalhi.com) and Milaidhoo (milaidhoo.com) have stormed in, together with new openings from St Regis (starwoodhotels.com/stregis) and Soneva (soneva.com), that will no doubt give the old favourites a run for their money. Guests seeking total isolation and unencumbered indulgence might like to consider Voavah by the Four Seasons (fourseasons.com), a sevensuite exclusive-use private island located in the insanely beautiful and protected Baa Atoll, which offers everything from a 19-metre private yacht, library and gym to its very own PADI five-star

dive centre. The marine reserve boasts one of the world’s largest manta ray populations, and is just 20 minutes on a seaplane from one of the group’s two other Maldivian retreats – Landaa Giraavaru – in case you feel like mingling. Those in search of the wow factor are advised to head over to Miami, where the Four Seasons Surf Club (fourseasons.com) is singlehandedly injecting a dose of style and spirit into this dreamy party destination. A short stroll from Bal Harbour, prepare to be dazzled by the hotel’s original 1930s ballroom, which has been

extravagantly reimagined and now houses an outpost of Le Sirenuse, Positano’s lively diner. It’s time to get back to work: one of our members has been in touch and he’s keen to swim with the whale sharks in Tanzania, so we’re gunning for a four-night stay at Thanda Island (thandaisland.com; see victor magazine issue 1 2017 for the full report). The private island’s philanthropic and ecological credentials are off the chart – and I can still taste the culinary prowess that was on display during my two-night stay in November.

Timmy Coles-Liddle is the founder and CEO of Nine, a private concierge club that provides tailored travel and lifestyle solutions to families and individuals. nineconcierge.com

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Pet s on jet s

HIGH-FLYING HOUNDS When your favourite travelling companion is canine, the only way to travel is by PJ. But where to stay once you land? Furs class correspondent Mr Sniff and his team of high-flying hounds have snuffled the globe in search of the best kennels for perfectionist pups. Here are his tips for the summer

FOR RIVIERA STYLE, TRY: CAP ESTEL, FRANCE Who were you in your pre-canine life? If you’re convinced you were an old-school movie star a la Cary Grant or Brigitte Bardot (I was Noel Coward), then this is the place for you. Built in 1899, Cap Estel is situated on a secluded peninsula just outside the fairytale village of Èze in the South of France, and the moment you pad into the gated mansion, starry status rightly returns. Depending on your taste (and that of your human I suppose), choose between one of four areas: Le Lap in the main building; La Mer overlooking the beach; La Corniche, which opens into gorgeous gardens, and Le Parc with views of St Jean Cap Ferrat. There’s a private beach that’s perfect for off-lead lolloping, and if you need a change of scent, ask the human to hire a convertible Sunbeam Alpine and take a road-trip to nearby Nice or Monaco. Head back to collar-change for dinner in Cap Estel’s superb restaurant choose an outside table with a bay view and sniff the sea air before heading back to bed to lose yourself in a Riviera reverie. Humans will love: the stunning Sothys Spa with both indoor and outdoor pools, a sea-facing sauna, and an extensive wellbeing and rejuvenating treatment menu. capestel.com

FOR SEASIDE STROLLING, TRY: CARY ARMS & SPA, ENGLAND When petspyjamas.com gave it a “Best for Walkies” award, I barked at the humans to pack my bones and bandanas and take me to find this paradise. We jumped on a PJ to Exeter airport and headed to the gong’s recipient: the Cary Arms on Babbacombe Bay in Devon, aka the English Riviera. Owned by shipping

entrepreneur Peter de Savary, this whitewashed inn is the perfect bolthole, combining an oldschool British seaside stay with modern luxury in a location so enchanting that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would frequently row ashore from the royal yacht to take in the view. Dogs can either sleep in the main house, the suites adjacent to the hotel (I went for Shell), or in the amazing new Beach Huts with floor-to-ceiling picture windows and huge terraces. Fuel up on breakfast (great sausages!) before heading off on one of the lauded walks. We took the Babbacombe to Oddicombe stretch of the 630-mile South West Coast Path, hiking our way along secluded coves and snuffling through forests before returning along the cliffs. Back before dusk, I chose a terrace table for my Dog’s Dinner – beef couscous and gravy – as my two-legged companions washed down freshly caught fish with a crisp Chablis. Humans will love: the tiered terrace with its hammocks, captain’s table and “dolphins at play” bell. caryarms.co.uk

FOR DECADENT GRANDEUR, TRY: LE BRISTOL PARIS, FRANCE Still the place to stay in Paris, Le Bristol has welcomed the bold and the beautiful since it opened its doors in the Roaring Twenties. Guests included Charlie Chaplin and Rita Hayworth, and although this institution on the iconic Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré is still the choice of the A-list, the staff greet everyone – two- and four-legged alike – as if they’ve just won an Oscar. Pure luxury is in Le Bristol’s DNA: canine clients are provided with a handcrafted bed and matching monogrammed mat, chilled Evian in a silver bowl (so shiny I could use it to straighten my whiskers), and special cookies printed with the hotel crest. The in-room Fine

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Dog Dining Menu even included my favourite grilled steak and roasted baby vegetables. If you’re burned out from barking and bounding, then this is the hotel for you – although the resident Burmese cat, Fa-Raon, still has a little too much power for my liking… Humans will love: the private dining room that used to be a private theatre; plus Eric Frechon’s three Michelin-starred restaurant Epicure, where wine is kept in a bank vault. lebristolparis.com

FOR SPACE INVASIONS, TRY: KAMEHA GRAND ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND

Top to bottom, left to right: settling in for the ride; breakfast of champions; the Cary Arms’ new Beach Huts; Russian astrodogs Belka and Strelka; Oscar at Le Bristol Paris; spaced out at the Kameha Grand Zürich; watching the proceedings at Danai Beach Resort; the gundogs of Gleneagles; making an entrance at the Pera Palace. — Private collection; Shutterstock; Cary Arms & Spa; Alamy; Oetker Collection; Kameha Grand Zürich; Danai Resort; Gleneagles; Jumeirah

The Kameha Grand is the newest kid on Zürich’s hotel block, and the coolest. Opened two years ago in the business district, it set out to prove the city had a quirky side – which of course includes welcoming us designloving dogs. There are 12 suites to choose from but my absolute favourite is the Space Suite. Who hasn’t silently hankered to be an astrodog since Belka and Strelka, the terrier and German Shepherd who were sent into space by the USSR in the 1950s and ‘60s? Designed by German artist Michael Najjar, the suite immerses both canine and human cadets in the atmosphere of a space station with rocket sculptures, universe motifs, and a bed designed to look like it’s floating. And to stop us canine crew members coming back down to earth with too much of a bump, there’s an out-of-this-world pet package: a Bob & Lush biscuit box, alongside a menu that offers not only three main-course options but also a beef starter and (alien to me) something vegetarian. Humans will love: the Space Suite’s steam bath featuring a small window with a view into space. kamehagrandzuerich.com

FOR SEA DOGS, TRY: DANAI BEACH RESORT, GREECE Had enough of city life? Need two weeks chilling by a pool? Try this beautiful former private home and now luxury family-friendly resort with private beach, poolside cabanas, huge daybeds, and state-of-the-art spa. Combine this relaxed vibe with exquisite attention to detail and your humans won’t want to leave, which is very good news for us: Danai Beach really knows how to pamper a pup. There are three sizes of beds available, spring water is served in crystal bowls (why drink water ANY other way?), and the turndown includes gourmet treats. There’s also a dogwalking service and a selection of fantastic toys but best of all is the personalised catamaran dog tour. Ask your human to choose the length of your trip depending on your sea paws, then prepare to ride the waves. Hello sailor! Humans will love: the myriad activities on offer, including dance, golf, Pilates and yoga, plus cookery and language lessons. danairesort.com

FOR COUNTRY PURSUITS, TRY: GLENEAGLES, SCOTLAND One of the UK’s best-known country estates, this magnificent hotel is set in 850 acres – making it the place to go when you simply must roam the countryside. There are so many activities to keep you and your human happy, with falconry, fishing, golf and tennis all on offer. Gundogs will love the shooting, of course, and there’s a new Espa spa to stretch out any aching muscles. The recently refurbished Gleneagles loves canines: all of the 232 rooms are dogfriendly, including the suites, and come with a welcome travel pack, feeding bowls, and a super-comfortable cushion. For those of us

on the larger side or who need our own space, there are also luxury kennels with king-size dogbeds and loving attendants ready to wait on us 24/7. “Another ear-rub, sir?” Oh, go on then. Humans will love: the signature smoked lobster in the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie and the craft beer bar Auchterarder 70, named after Gleaneagles’ original phone number. gleneagles.com

FOR A SENSE OF MYSTERY, TRY: PERA PALACE, TURKEY With a guestbook featuring notorious doglovers Ernest Hemingway and Edward VII, Istanbul’s Pera Palace has been a magnet for celebrities, writers and royalty since it was built in 1892 for passengers disembarking the Orient Express. It still conveys the sense of intrigue that drew Garbo and Mata Hari through its doors, and its exceptional service is as intact today as it was then – especially for us hounds. Last year the hotel redeveloped its food offering for dogs with the Four-Legged Luxury Menu: lick your chops at dinners ranging from poached fillet of salmon to chopped fillet of beef, all devised under vet instruction. And the wonderful thing about the Pera is it partners with an animal welfare charity working on projects to raise money for the neighbourhood animal shelter. Luxurious and compassionate, what’s not to like? Humans will love: room 411, Agatha Christie’s old suite. She was a regular between 1926 and 1932, and there’s a replica of her typewriter on the desk to prove it. jumeirah.com Follow @mrandmrssniff on Instagram to see where Mr Sniff goes next.

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Jetiquette Sometimes it’s the little things that count. Here are Victor’s top tips for flying private

CHOOSE YOUR MODEL

REMEMBER THE DETAILS

Range, speed, seating and luggage capacity all differ between aircraft, so make sure you get the jet to suit your needs.

How many flight attendants are included on the flight? Will food and drink be served?

TIME IS PRECIOUS

DON’T BE LATE

A private jet flies on your schedule, so there’s no need to show up two hours before.

While it’s impossible to miss your flight, you don’t want to keep others waiting.

CARRY ON BOARD

GIFT A LIFT

One of the best things about flying privately is that your luggage can travel on the aircraft with you.

Offering someone a lift is standard practice, and shouldn’t come with a price tag attached.

LEARN ABOUT LIABILITY

TOP TIP

Be careful not to exchange any goods or money on board in case it becomes a legal issue (the jet-hirer is the one held responsible).

Tipping etiquette on a private jet is the same as in any part of the service industry – it’s appreciated but not obligatory.

CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS

PETS ON JETS

Valid passports and any visas are still required when flying privately (but you won’t need to queue up to show them).

Victor is the perfect partner if you want your pet to travel (ahem) furs class and avoid the unnecessary stress of being separated from you. Woof!

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