We have always enjoyed our Vietnamese luxury travel adventures and being based in the region, this enchanting country remains one of our favourite destinations, especially the bustling capital city of Saigon. The cuisine has always excited us, the wellness offerings are professional and plentiful, whilst the choice of luxury hotels and resorts is wide and varied. So when we read about the first ever zero waste and plant based fine dining restaurant opening in Saigon, we knew that we had to make plans for another trip. With flights confirmed, we made a dining reservation, selected a vegan friendly hotel and booked an appointment at a luxury spa, knowing that this trio of travel ingredients would most certainly help us to find the feel good factor in Saigon.

Zero waste and plant based fine dining at Tales by Chapter

It’s only right that we start with the main reason for our recent weekend in Saigon, the simply sublime Tales by Chapter. Opening in early 2025 as the first ever zero waste and plant based fine dining restaurant in the city, they have continued to impress discerning diners ever since. With a single serving at 7pm each night (closed on Sundays) it’s important to book in advance as this is most certainly a dining experience that you don’t want to miss.

Our culinary adventure at Tales by Chapter was like nothing we’ve ever experienced before, and it’s clear that this tight knit and enthusiastic team are fully committed to positioning themselves as one of the finest restaurants in the region. From the moment we arrived until our post meal departure, we were taken on a journey full of creativity, passion and surprises. Multiple courses of exquisitely presented food, prepared with finesse and panache right in front of our eyes and paired with innovative drinks, ensured that we were suitably impressed from start to finish. The ambiance, the theatre and the hospitality were woven into a seamless performance, whilst every single dish and drink was beautiful, flavoursome and inspiring. We’re not going to list everything we ate and drank from the seasonal set menu, but we will remind you that every part of every plant, fruit and vegetable from their own Tales Farm was used to ensure the zero waste concept was fully respected.

Sustainability is at the core of everything they do at Tales by Chapter. Being zero waste and offering an entirely plant based menu is the cornerstone of this commitment, and when combined with their own eponymously named Tales Farm in the central highlands of Vietnam, this planet friendly fine dining concept truly comes to life. Tales Farm grows and provides a steady supply of seasonal organic produce, allowing menus to showcase the freshest ingredients. Produce is picked at its peak, brought directly to the city and celebrated in dishes that highlight its quality.

Herbs, flowers and micro greens are also grown on the rooftop, creating a direct link between farm, kitchen and table. Nothing is wasted, with trimmings fermented or preserved and with roots and stalks being repurposed into stocks and sauces. The result is a dining experience that is innovative, respectful and full of clean, bold flavours, proving that sustainability and fine dining can thrive together in the heart of Saigon.

Sustainable and creative vegetarian cuisine at Cela

Where better to enjoy even more sustainably sourced food in Saigon than at the excellent Cela where an all vegetarian menu is served with wines, beers and non alcoholic beverages in a vibrant and creative space. We shared a selection of dishes, some already vegan and others happily adapted by the attentive team. A highlight was the ‘Sushi Taco’, fresh, crunchy and full of flavour.

Another favourite was the delicate ‘Agedashi Tofu’, where lightly fried soft tofu sat perfectly upon a bed of wilted spinach and flavoursome miso broth. This really is farm to kitchen to table dining, and we loved everything about the concept. The menu is seasonal, sustainable and entirely vegetarian, with dishes that feel familiar yet each tells its own story. What we didn’t love was the fact we don’t live in Saigon, which makes it difficult for Cela to become our regular weekend spot. But for those lucky enough to live here, or visiting in search of your own ‘feel good factor’ weekend, make sure Cela is firmly on your list. You won’t regret it.

Vegan friendly luxury hotel in Saigon

Having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, New World Hotel Saigon has been welcoming business and leisure travellers since 1994 and has continued to adapt to the ever changing demands of its guests. In recent years, with more people choosing vegetarian, vegan and plant based food, they have updated their menus accordingly.

Their all day dining restaurant, Park View, offers a variety of plant based dishes created by the executive chef, while their popular lunchtime vegetarian buffet boasts an impressive array of globally inspired options. From salads, soups and samosas to Vietnamese favourites such as fresh spring rolls, rice noodles and fried rice, there is something for everyone. The extensive vegetarian menu at Park View even includes pizza with vegan cheese, cashew cheese tacos and a vegan burger for those in search of a Western fix. New World Hotel Saigon is most certainly a vegan friendly luxury hotel in an excellent location, and we look forward to visiting again in the future.

Luxury spa experience at The Privé Spa

No luxury weekend would be complete without time spent relaxing and rejuvenating at a luxury spa. With Saigon boasting an impressive selection of spas, we did our research carefully to ensure that we made the correct choice. A combination of positive online reviews, a personal recommendation and the proximity to our hotel led us to The Privé Spa which has two locations in Saigon and is regarded as one of the leading luxury spa brands in Vietnam.

We booked their Travellers Recharge Package which featured three treatments, and headed to their District 1 location, just a short walk from our hotel. The package included a 30 minute head spa, followed by a 60 minute body massage designed to ease travel fatigue, and finished with a 15 minute radiant facial. The therapists were professional and attentive, ensuring we left feeling revitalised and ready to continue our Saigon staycation. For anyone looking to recharge after a journey or a long day exploring the city, The Privé Spa is an excellent choice in the heart of Saigon.

Well, we can confirm that we found our own feel good factor in Saigon and are sure that if you choose to dine at the truly remarkable Tales by Chapter, enjoy lunch with friends at Cela, stay at New World Hotel Saigon or treat yourself at The Privé Spa, you can most certainly find your own too. With world class fine dining, vegan friendly luxury and excellent wellness options, Saigon remains one of our favourite destinations and the perfect place for a feel good getaway. We have already booked to return and can’t wait!

I have dreamed of visiting Kenya and Tanzania since I was a very small child. Wild places like the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater have been top of my bucket list for more years than I care to remember – and despite working in the luxury safari industry for nearly thirty years, somehow I had yet to experience the Serengeti or the Crater! So when I finally had flights booked, I set about arranging some of the additional experiences I had been told were not-to-be-missed, just in case it’s another 30 years till I get back!

Embracing Maasai history and culture

In addition to the obvious wildlife highlights of the Masai Mara, what can truly make a trip even more memorable is immersing yourself in the regional culture and meeting the local people.  At Mara Bushtops, you know you are in Kenya the minute your ALS flight touches down at Siana airstrip, as your Maasai guide and spotter/tracker welcome you in full traditional costume including bright red Shukas and adorned with beautiful beadwork! 

Our Maasai guide Daniel and spotter Frederik guided us throughout our stay, spotting game effortlessly, having lived and guided safaris in the region for decades. They also took us to visit the local Nkoilale school that Bushtops supports to see how tourism helps fund education in the area and a beading project that creates income for local Maasai women. 

One particularly memorable morning was spent hiking on Bushtops’ Isaaten Conservancy to an ancient cave, which still to this day plays part of everyday Masai tribal life. This cultural site is known as the Kakiya Cave, meaning the place of eating and drinking, but it was historically used for ancestor worship and initiation ceremonies. It is still used by the Maasai communities that own the Conservancy for rituals and preparing traditional medicines.

On arrival at the cave, the Maasai teach you how to make a fire without matches, which illuminates a space decorated with red ochre depictions of wild animals and warriors, reflecting hunting as a rite of passage. Today, conservation has replaced hunting, but the cave paintings has inspired generations of the Maasai – and even Bushtops’ own identity and iconography. Guests can also visit an authentic Maasai Manyatta (village) and enjoy their Adumu jumping dance welcome.

Meeting real Maasai warriors, and hearing about their customs and life stories whilst on safari was such a privilege and will remain with me forever.

Mufasa’s Rock sundowners

What could be better, after a day of exploring the Northern Serengeti in the absolute luxury of the 6×6 Bushtops Beest (probably the most luxurious game drive vehicle on the planet!) than ending up at a surprise location, a huge boulder outcrop very reminiscent of the Lion King’s pride rock, for scenic sundowners in absolute style? 

We arrived at Mufasa’s Rock just as the sun was starting to set, all beautifully set up with a rug, cushions to lean on and a full bar!   We sat and enjoyed our drinks (G&T for Emma and an Amarula for me!), some delicious snacks and watched the sun slowly set over the rolling grasslands below, before returning to nearby Roving Bushtops Camp for a delicious dinner. 

Please note this activity is strictly subject to availability and the local lions always have first refusal.  They also apparently appreciate this magical lookout location – hence the name!

Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti

Since I was little, it was always my dream to one day float over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon.  At the ripe old age of 50, having worked in the safari industry for more than half my life, I finally ticked this bucket list item off in style!  Staying at the ultra exclusive Warangi Ridge Lodge in the central Serengeti, which was only launched in July by The Wilderness Collection, I finally had the golden opportunity. 

It was a very early wake up call of 03h30 but totally worth it!  We gathered in excited, nervous anticipation in the pitch dark at Serengeti Balloon Safari’s launch site, sipping on hot ginger coffees and balloon shaped biscuits while they started firing up the balloons.  After a safety briefing, we all clambered into our allocated slots in the basket which starts off laid on its side.  A few blasts of flamage and before we knew it we were off and enjoyed the most exhilarating flight, spotting wildlife on the plains below. 

For me the sunrise, with the other balloons following us, and the quietness of it were just the absolute highlight.   After a very smooth landing, we were treated to a delicious hot cooked champagne breakfast in the wilderness and received a certificate to say we’d done it!  With almost 35 years of experience in the business, I would highly recommend Serengeti Balloon Safaris.  Our pilot was so experienced and was a hoot to boot! They also do a lot for the local community and conservation/anti-poaching as a company committed to responsible tourism, so you know your money is well spent.

Exploring the crater floor and the art of beadwork

The Ngorongoro Crater was a big tick on my travel bucket list – and it certainly delivered.  At one stage on our game drive, it felt like, no matter which direction we looked in, there was an abundance of wildlife.  It was so beautiful and lush I can’t blame the wildlife for congregating in this beautiful mineral-rich crater!

Thanks to the location of Craters Edge Lodge, right on the Lemala gate access road to the floor, we were probably one of the first vehicles in the crater and had the whole place, including the lovely picnic spot where we enjoyed our delicious hot breakfast with our guide Peter, almost to ourselves for the first couple of hours, which was bliss. 

We returned for a tasty lunch at the lodge, just as the park started to feel busy with other vehicles and we really enjoyed just relaxing in our rooms and guest areas, soaking up the views for the rest of the day.   Emma and I opted to also spend some quality time in the Maasai curio tent that has been built opposite the main entrance to the lodge.  We spent an hour or so with some very gracious Maasai ladies who come down from their village each day to do their beadwork and warmly invite guests to join them.  Although there were some language barriers (thankfully Emma had cleverly taught herself to speak basic Swahili ahead of our trip!), it really felt like we still managed an authentic connection. 

Beading is intrinsic to their culture, language, traditions and history – and is an incredible skill that is passed down through generations. Let me tell you, it’s harder than it looks! The beads all have different meanings, depicting a Maasai’s age, marital status, social standing and even their family ancestry. Its also one of the only ways these women can earn a living in this region – whilst also preserving and sharing a bit of their culture.  Each guest that does the beading also pays $20 which gets paid over to them every month, on top of their curio shop sales.

One of the ladies taught Emma how to bead a very complicated looking square out of white beads which she later made into a beautiful, beaded pendant for a necklace.  They obviously took one look at me and decided stringing beads onto wires was about as complicated a job as I could handle – but I was delighted with the blue beaded bracelet I created by the end of the task! Despite the language barrier we laughed together, communicated with hand signals and I even shared photos of my children with them, being promptly presented with three extra bracelets which were gifts to take home for them.  Very humbled by their generosity.  We then had the opportunity to browse around their shop, knowing the money we spent would be supporting their community in a sustainable and respectful way. This encounter was a real highlight of our stay, and I will treasure my bracelet always, with great pride and a good back story!

Giant tortoises and yellow submarines off the coast of Zanzibar

Stone Town is a wonderful, fascinating historical place to explore and we loved our guided tour, arranged for us by the Zanzibar Serena.  The maze of streets with beautiful carved wooden doors, the markets, the historical buildings, the slave trade memorial – and of course the house where rock band Queen’s Freddie Mercury lived.

We also enjoyed an interesting visit to Prison Island, also known as Changuu or Turtle Island. Interestingly, it was never actually used as a proper prison, and the turtles are actually giant Alhambra tortoises, many of which are over 150 years old and weigh around 200 kg! The island is popular with tourists for snorkelling and visiting the tortoises, with its old quarantine hospital ruins converted in recent years into a museum about the history of the archipelago, shops (beautiful tanzanite!) and a restaurant. The island is currently under development, with The Cocoon Collection set to improve the living areas for the tortoises who call it home, and who will be launching a brand new resort on the island in late 2026/early 2027.

On our last day, we decided to try the ” Zanzibar Submarine ” tour by Miracle Adventures that takes you out for about 90 minutes from the launching point at Forodhani Gardens on a bright yellow semi-submarine, which never goes completely under the water, which for me was a relief. 

I’m personally not a big fan of diving,  but I was suffering with FOMO at not being able to see the marine life  – so for me this was an ideal opportunity to get a peek at the house reef of the stunning Bawe Island by The Cocoon Collection where we were very lucky to have been staying  the previous two nights – without the need for air tanks and flippers!   The Changuu-Bawe Marine Conservation Area has only this year been declared a protected area and it was lovely to see how already the coral and marine life are recovering.  These tours provide a dry, underwater viewing experience roughly 6 feet below the water’s surface. I loved being both up top in the cool ocean breeze as well as in the cabin below (which seats 8) and our captain and guide were very entertaining.  The guide actually gets in the water in full scuba gear towards the end which makes for some fun photo opportunities.   Great fun and I would highly recommend this as an excursion!

There really is so much to do in East Africa, beyond the typical safari. We also absolutely loved travelling in the shoulder season which meant we were lucky enough to catch the “tail end” (excuse the pun) of the famous migration, but without the crowds. After some of the social media footage of loads of vehicles at sightings and river crossings I was really worried it might spoil our dream safari, but for much of our time in the Mara, Serengeti and Crater, we only saw a few vehicles at a time. I think at the most we had 5 vehicles lined up as we followed a pride of lions down the road one morning, and spotted a leopard in a tree, but it didn’t detract from the lighting and everyone was very respectful of the wildlife.

September/October is also a great time weather wise to visit Zanzibar, catching the end of the dry season with warm sunny days averaging between 28 – 32 degrees, so ideal for the beach.

Please share with me in the comments below what bucket list items I might have missed, to add to my next trip wish list. I cannot wait to go back!

Built as a flagship for Leeds railway station in 1937, and enjoying a Grade-II-listed art-deco façade, The Queens has undergone a £16 million transformation that has gently lifted it into the 21st century whilst still retaining its original glamour. It’s a renovation that sees the original art-deco flourishes now sitting alongside modern furniture and local touches that keep the hotel feeling like a city hotel rather than a corporate retrofit. Read on to learn more about our visit.

The welcome

This was my second stay at the hotel and, like last time, we opted to arrive by public transport over the headache of city driving — the hotel’s adjacency to Leeds railway station makes that choice a joy rather than a compromise. Having navigated the lobby’s mix of book-lined nooks and plush seating, the reception team made our arrival go smoothly with a warm, brisk and friendly handover of keycards, before we made our way up the building via the art deco lifts (which also have Grade II-listed status), with their signature pillar-box red doors and striking brass trims.

The room

We stayed in a Superior Family City Square View with a thoughtful 29 m² / 312 ft² layout that was both elegant and practical. The bed was a king-size, draped in crisp white linen and the room had the expected modern conveniences in abundance: an in-room safe, a hairdryer, an ironing board and iron, a mini-fridge, kettle, a Nespresso machine and a neatly presented welcome tray.

There’s also a separate sofa (which can convert into a sofa bed, hence this having the option to be a family room) and a compact desk area — handy if you need to work between exploring. For families or longer stays the extra square metres are useful; for couples wanting a touch more space, the Superior City Square rooms are worth the premium.

The bathroom

Our bathroom favoured black-and-white patterned wall panels rather than an army of tiles, a modern alternative that gave it a bold, vibrant look. The rainfall shower also had a second detachable head, and the toiletries came from Argentum, a luxury British skincare and fragrance brand.

The facilities

The hotel revitalised its dining this year with the opening of Cinnamon Kitchen, led by Chef Vivek Singh — a restaurant and bar deliberately inspired by the grandeur of historic Indian railway first-class waiting rooms, which neatly echoes the hotel’s own railway provenance.

The menu blends regional Indian techniques across twelve states with local British and Yorkshire ingredients; starters such as a salt-baked beetroot hummus paired with Wensleydale and marinated endive illustrate that fusion in practice rather than name only.

Other dishes we enjoyed included an aromatic Lucknowi chicken biryani served with burhani raita; masala grilled salmon crowned with a dried-lime chilli crumble and a crisp celeriac salad, the house black lentils, and – last but by no means least – the visually impressive grilled king prawns in a Colombo curry.

Other examples of the kitchen’s willingness to play with British and Indian cuisine is the excellent lamb rogan josh shepherd’s pie, filled with both minced lamb and larger pieces of meat, and packed with flavour.

For dessert, the chocolate and coconut caramel mousse or the garam masala crème brûlée both provide a snug, satisfying finish.

Cinnamon Kitchen is already deservedly collecting praise and has been shortlisted for ‘Best New Opening’ at this year’s R200 Awards.

Breakfast is served in the basement as a buffet affair — with a pleasing local nod in the form of rhubarb juice among the usual continental and cooked options. That tiny flourish is a wink to West Yorkshire’s ‘Rhubarb Triangle’ – a unique area famous for its cultivation of early forced rhubarb.

Finally, the hotel also houses a ballroom — a restored space that can play host to conferences, weddings and the like.

The location

Location is, for the Queens, its most persuasive argument. Perched on City Square (see the view from our room below) with a private entrance to Leeds station, it’s the quickest possible interface between rail and room — perfect for short city escapes.

Leeds itself has shifted in the last decade from a hardworking commercial centre to a vibrant cultural and culinary hub: boutique shopping in the Corn Exchange, galleries like the Henry Moore Institute and the Hepworth nearby, and an increasingly confident restaurant scene make the city a credible destination for luxury travellers looking for compact, high-quality experiences.

We saw a show at Leeds City Varieties — a Victorian music hall, with seating for less than 500. It’s an extremely intimate venue which brings performers and the audience into close quarters.

Beyond theatre, the arcades, galleries, Michelin Guide restaurants and independent retailers around the city centre are all within an easy walk.

Other nice touches

There were a few small comforts that didn’t go unnoticed. For example, complimentary still water was provided and the wardrobe housed a couple of soft waffle gowns.

The hotel also offers a sustainability option: a small green tree you can hang outside your door to opt out of daily housekeeping — a simple way to reduce environmental impact yet still offer fresh towels if needed.

The cost

Double rooms come in from around £105 per night out of season, Superior rooms from about £145, and suites from £225. The Presidential Suite — with its private terrace — starts from roughly £634.

The best bit

The best bit is the sense of occasion The Queens manages to sustain without feeling stagey. It sits at the central hinge of Leeds — a building that looks and acts like a civic drawing-room. You are simultaneously in the city’s engine room (train station at your feet) and a refuge from its pace (the hotel’s rooms are calm and comfortable). That duality — grand without grandstanding — is its most winning trait.

The final verdict

If you prize art-deco character, easy access by rail and a modern restaurant that takes culinary risks with city-centre convenience, The Queens is a polished choice. The renovation has been respectfully handled: original features are celebrated and modern comforts added in ways that feel considered rather than an after-thought. Our Superior City Square room was roomy and quietly luxurious; the new Cinnamon Kitchen adds a memorable dining reason to stay; and the location makes almost everything in Leeds within an easy, enjoyable radius.

Dislcosure: Our stay was sponsored by The Queens Hotel, with the support of Visit Leeds.

Wichita is often billed as the “Air Capital of the World” and, after spending a aviation-filled day on the ground there, it’s hard to argue. The claim isn’t exaggerated but rather an accumulation of facts — decades of aircraft manufacture, test and restoration; a dense cluster of suppliers and OEMs; and a university research engine that feeds industry with innovation and qualified hands. Walk the ramp at the Kansas Aviation Museum, wander through a Bombardier hangar or spend an afternoon at NIAR and the signs are there for all to see: this is a place where aluminium, composites and ideas have been married, repaired and reinvented for more than a century.

But “Air Capital” also describes the city’s pervading culture. Wichita’s identity is woven through with aviation as surely as its wheatfields gave the city its university mascot. There’s a proud, practical lineage here — B-29s, Beechcraft, Cessna, Learjet, Spirit and, today, Bombardier and a thriving test-and-repair ecosystem — that has kept skilled machinists, engineers and innovators in one place for generations. The result is not just a production line but an ecosystem: museums that preserve the story, universities that push the envelope, private firms that refine the craft and local diners where pilots can watch the next craft touch down at an airfield restaurant.

Kansas Aviation Museum

The Kansas Aviation Museum sits in a handsome 1930s terminal building and feels, immediately, like a city’s single-room memory. The building itself—an Art Deco municipal airport terminal—anchors the collection.

One of the first things we’re told is that the FAA archives for every plane until they moved to a digital system – 3 million records in toal – are stored at the museum. Incredibly, there are 200,000 artefacts, and these archives count as just one!

The museum’s exhibits trace Wichita’s contribution from early Swallows and Stearmans through wartime production and on to business jets and modern composites.

My visit was part museum-tour, part small revelation, and I had the opportunity to clamber inside a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, an American military aerial refuelling tanker aircraft used in the Vietnam War, as well as in later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm (an aerial bombing campaign against Iraq in 1991).

Interestingly, this is the only privately owned KC-135 in the world. (They are usually still owned by the military but this one isnt.)

My visit concluded with a visit to the control tower from which I could see a series of Boeing 737 MAX fuselages in the distance. Located next to the museum is Spirit AeroSystems, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures and a key supplier to Boeing.

Spirit builds the fuselages for the Boeing 737 MAX at their Wichita facility before they are loaded onto special railcars to be transported to Boeing’s final assembly point in Renton, Washington.

NIAR at Wichita State University

NIAR—the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University—is where Wichita’s scrappy manufacturing past meets twenty-first-century R&D. NIAR is a large, multifaceted test and development hub: think tensile testing, composites certification, wind tunnels, additive manufacturing labs and automation centres that exist expressly to push prototypes to certification and into production.

A memorable, delightful and slightly surreal moment was being greeted by WuShock—the university’s amusing mascot, a “muscle-bound bundle of wheat” that, in Wichita vernacular, symbolises the region’s agrarian roots and no-nonsense grit.

Two NIAR details stayed with me. First, their additive-manufacturing (3D printing) work: prototypes and flight-worthy parts are now being printed, tested and certified—technologies that were once experimental are now feeding both aerospace and non-aerospace applications. (I saw examples of work that extend to medical implants and structural components). NIAR’s labs don’t treat 3D printing as a novelty but as a certifiable manufacturing path.

Second, the robotics and automation divisions felt less like a science-fair and more like an advanced assembly line of the future: automated cells for handling components, automated inspection rigs and a dedicated robotics centre tackling problems from material handling to complex assembly.

We were shown an advanced gearbox-assembly facility—small, precise, and clearly designed to scale— largely automated, but with some human input.

Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill

If NIAR is where Wichita builds its aviation future, the Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill is where it celebrates its past.

Situated beside a private airstrip, this interesting venue puts you within yards of arriving and departing light aircraft. A living theatre, if you like, for aviation enthusiasts.

I ordered the Stearman Burger and watched pilots taxi between bites. It’s comfort food that knows its audience – pilots and enthusiasts, brunching families and anyone who finds being that close to a taxiing Cessna infinitely calming.

Bombardier

Bombardier has made Wichita its US headquarters for certain operations and continues to use the site for service, testing and defence work; the campus has grown from a few hangars to many, and its presence signals that international OEMs still value Wichita’s supply chain and workforce.

Background checks for our special, private tour are conducted at reception where a custom-made Learjet Chopper motorbike, first unveiled at a motor speedway event some 20 years ago, is the talking point for any new visitor.

From there, we were taken through defence modification areas—highly secure spaces where bespoke changes are made to aircraft systems and installations. Understandably, photography was not permitted inside these zones – a reminder that some wings of the industry remain rightly and tightly regulated.

Bombardier also operates flight-test and certification activity in Wichita and hosts significant maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity. We were guided through the paint room and the wheel and tyre shop where some 4,200 wheels are serviced or repaired annually, many for NetJets, and into a customised park trailer used to monitor flights that go beyond the speed of sound.

The latter could scan 200 miles around it with its fixed antennae at Wichita, or up to 90 miles with mobile antennae. We even went inside a Bombardier Global 7000 esimulator as part of our visit—an uncanny, compact taste of what flight crews train for.

Our visit finished on a nostalgic high note and in an area where we could once again take photographs. The Classic Lear Jet Foundation’s restoration of the very first customer-delivered Learjet (serial 23-003) is being overseen on the campus, in Building 14—the former Learjet delivery facility.

The restoration is a labour of love sitting within a modern industrial context: volunteers and Bombardier staff collaborating to return a 1964 landmark to life. It’s symbolic—Wichita doesn’t simply make planes; it perpetuates the legacy, further cementing the city’s deserved title of ‘Air Capital of the World’.

So, there you have it. Wichita’s claim isn’t just marketing hype but rests on tangible pillars—historic manufacturing, OEM presence, a university R&D engine and a dense MRO and supplier base.

Our insights were made possible through hosted visits to the Kansas Aviation Museum, NIAR, Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill and Bombardier as part of the TBEX Wichita travel blogger conference, supported by Visit Wichita and with transport between the venues provided by Harmony Charters and Travel.

If you love aviation, or simply appreciate the romance of skilled hands shaping metal into meaningful motion, Wichita is worth the detour.

New Zealand’s reputation as a home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine through more than in New Zealand’s one-of-a-kind glamping experiences. Picture lying under the stars in isolated mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with Alpine views, these experiences redefine nature connection while still being encased in luxury comfort.

The following selection is the very best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, each property selected for its potential to deliver that perfect blend of backcountry excitement and high-end amenity that visitors desire.

New Zealand’s reputation as a home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine through more than in New Zealand’s one-of-a-kind glamping experiences. Picture lying under the stars in isolated mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with Alpine views, these experiences redefine nature connection while still being encased in luxury comfort.

The following selection is the very best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, each property selected for its potential to deliver that perfect blend of backcountry excitement and high-end amenity that visitors desire.

North Island

Heartwood Hollow: Earth house magic in Bay of Plenty

Just 20 minutes from the city of Tauranga, Heartwood Hollow offers something unique, a magical earth house situated within a picturesque hillside surrounded by old native bush. The path begins on a winding cobblestone path to an arched timber entrance and a massive, rounded entrance. In this hobbit-like stay, discover luxury comforts, a king-size bed shrouded in luxurious linens, a lovely kitchen made of recycled Totara, and a large ensuite full of artisan detail throughout.

Every aspect attests to imaginative and careful craftsmanship, ranging from hand-cut wood beams, right down to the curve of the windows that overlook the woods beyond. Warmly lit by a hissing wood fire stove and filled with amber light that spills in, the hollow affords opulent comfort in every inch. Outside the hollow, two identical outdoor bath tubs stand facing stargazing out into New Zealand’s crystal-clear night sky.

Wild Canvas: Luxury tent experience in Te Kūiti

Located in the beautiful Te Kūiti, Wild Canvas’s Pōhutukawa stay is a luxury tented retreat. The most distinguishing feature of the experience is the spectacular 360-degree view, picture soaking in a perfectly heated spa while watching the sun go down over the rolling hills. The tent’s design is one that fuses luxury furnishings with the brilliance of the outdoors in creating spaces that are intimate in character but expansive in vision.

The Pōhutukawa tent is a family-friendly stay, and that is why it is ideal for luxury family vacations or group vacations in search of something unique from the typical, stock standard luxury accommodation.

South Island

Braided Point: Canterbury’s best-kept secret

Located on a high-country cattle station, just a 1.5-hour drive north of Christchurch, Braided Point sits on top of a rock outcrop formed when glaciers receded. The Rakaia River winds through the landscape, which means that the view is constantly shifting, with braided channels that create an ever-changing scene that is different every time from the last visit.

Braided Point is made up of two unique luxury pods connected by an outdoor kitchen without a cover; one of the large pods has a cozy living space, and another pod features luxurious bathroom facilities. It offers indoor-outdoor living with guests remaining connected to the rest of the world while enjoying luxurious comfort.

SkyScape: Twizel’s stargazing heaven

Just a 15-minute drive south of Twizel on Omahau Hill Station, SkyScape offers architect-designed, low-environmental footprint accommodation set among the hillside of the stunning Mackenzie Country. Relaxation and tranquillity are guaranteed in this haven aimed at creating a feeling of bond between earth and sky.

Each of these accommodations features inset floors and natural building materials that have you feeling in touch with the earth itself, with the glass ceiling and walls of the bedroom providing stunning views of the Mackenzie basin and heavens above. Better still is relaxing under the stars in a super-size outdoor bath, with a view across the open country.

SkyScape is totally off-grid, solar-powered, and perfect for digital detox in a sustainable environment. Located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, clear nights provide centre-stage seating to one of the world’s most starry vistas, making this a moment to recall and move away from city life.

Skylark Cabin: Mackenzie Basin

Located at the base of the Ben Ohau Range south of Twizel, Skylark Cabin is a reimagining of boutique luxury living in New Zealand’s legendary Mackenzie Country. Perfect for couples or newlyweds seeking their own secluded hideaway, this award-winning micro house accommodates two in thoughtfully crafted spaces that optimise comfort and harmony with the environment.

What is special to the experience is the effortless combining of architectural refinement and Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve’s untamed natural beauty. The architecture of the cabins combines alpine restraint and contemporary luxury to create living spaces that are small in footprint but boundless in their openness to the great mountain ranges and extraterrestrial tussock grasslands that surround them.

Furnished with a personal hot tub and telescope to observe the stars, Skylark Cabin makes a night’s stay an active experience of New Zealand’s most extreme high country.

Whare Kea Chalet: Elevated Alpine luxury

Whare Kea Chalet is an alpine luxury retreat in one of New Zealand’s most exclusive locations. Located 1,750 metres (5,700 feet) high on the Albert Burn Saddle of the north face of Dragonfly Peak, getting to this mountain haven is a breathtaking 15-minute scenic helicopter journey, a treat in itself.

This exclusive alpine resort fluctuates throughout the seasons. For half of the year, the area becomes a winter paradise, and is an ideal location for ski-touring or heli-skiing expeditions. Summer offers guests the opportunity to partake in some trekking, stargazing, or simply relaxing, a high-altitude luxury experience in full.

Planning your luxury glamping adventure

These phenomenal retreats are doorways to life-altering adventures that redefine luxury and nature. Each residence is unique: river views and wildlife watching at Braided Point, mountain helicopter access at Whare Kea, earth house magic at Heartwood Hollow, and luxury family choice at Wild Canvas. We at Aroha Luxury new Zealand Tours specialise in privately guided and completely bespoke itineraries, so if luxury glamping in New Zealand is your passion, call on us.

These havens are true to the highest expectations of most discerning travellers while still facilitating real experiences with the country’s breathtaking vistas. The secret to choosing the ultimate experience is knowing what kind of luxury appeals to you, the older-world image of high-country stations, the architectural wonder of earth houses, the adrenaline rush of helicopter-serviced alpine chalets, or the straightforward perfection of glass pods against starlit skies.

Western Argentina’s Mendoza Province is the stuff of many oeno-tourists’ dreams: the very best in South American wines. Famed for its premium reds and whites, this intoxicating region lies in the shadow of the towering Andes, where breathtaking landscapes set the mad rhythm for outdoor adrenaline adventures and a splendid variety of cultural experiences themselves …all cushioned by quintessential comforts.

Here, we’ve picked out just a few highlights that make this – the wine capital of South America – a unique and truly special destination.

Wine tourism in Mendoza: Tasting your way through Andean vineyards

A visit to Mendoza is a surefire way to get a decadent dose of what is arguably Argentina’s most sought-after product: wine.

It is with no exaggeration that Mendoza is referred to as the most sacred wine area in Latin America. It boasts more than 1,500 wineries and vineyards covering an area of 350,000 acres – and still increasing.

Wine tasting and tours

One of the features that makes any trip to Argentina a memorable one and has bestowed greatness on Mendoza is locally produced Malbec wine. In fact, this wine has come to be identified with the Mendoza region itself. Both seasoned sommeliers and the “Malbec curious” alike are drawn to this area and its darkly colored, tastefully fruity grape variety’s characteristics. One sip may bring you the taste of plum and smoke, while another may take you back to the past with sunburnt cherry and something ancient that can’t be named.

A Malbec tour will lead you through all these facets of “joy’s elixir.”

Delectable dining experiences

The agricultural and culinary traditions and customs of immigrants have greatly influenced the development of Mendoza’s gourmet culinary scene. Fine dining experiences are offered at all the leading vineyards of the region where the food is paired with their best wines, giving you the opportunity to experience a genuine farm-to-table experience.

The chefs of the region prepare menus using Andean ingredients and flavors that enable them to come up with new dishes that are still very much related to the western Argentine culture. Rather than chasing trends, these local chefs are reclaiming the region’s own.

Options are available for dining include those at rural estancias that focus on the traditional Argentine barbecue, or asado. The meats that are prepared in this way usually consist of various kinds of grilled meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb, among others, all of which are nicely seasoned with chimichurri sauce, and complemented by salads, and bread.

These are not exactly places that would show up online; rather, they’re places that will reveal themselves by following the scent of woodsmoke into the hills.

Stylish Mendoza accommodations: Your perfect retreat

The capital of wine tourism in Argentina is going to attract the inquisitive traveler not just with the search of the perfect Malbec but also with pure relaxation opportunity. There are so many refined accommodations to choose from and they are all perfect for the restive traveler. Mendoza knew how to make your stay enjoyable, relaxing, and unforgettable with century-old haciendas to modern retreat places wrapped around by vines. It offers places meant for indulging, not just for coming and going.

Vineyard stays

To get a real taste of what it means to stay inside and near Mendoza, consider all the vineyard hotels. For instance, there is Finca Adalgisa, where you can stay inside operational vineyards while tourists can find firsthand experiences in grape picking and winemaking, thus wine tasting at the very least. These stays, therefore, offer a deep insight into the wine culture around there, being both very educational and quite enjoyable.

Bed and breakfasts

In general, the B&Bs in Mendoza are truly intimate and homely. The very essence of Argentine charm, Mendoza’s B&B accommodations offer warmth and comfort while distinguishing themselves by personalized attention from the owners themselves. One of these B&Bs is the laidback and homely, Posada Verde Oliva, a 19th-century farmhouse-turned-hotel situated on a working vineyard and olive farm.

True cultural experiences: History conserved by timeless traditions

For traveler to Argentina in search of the nation’s true flavor and authentic culture, beyond the travel brochures, the best place to start is the city of Mendoza, the capital of Mendoza province.

But to really dig into and know Mendoza, one has to look beyond the vineyards. To discover and enjoy the cultural heritage of Mendoza, you have to learn about the history and experiences that reflect its identity. These are carved into stone, painted on canvas, and played out in late-night music that spills into the streets

The activities in Mendoza are an invitation to enjoy the cultural, natural diversity and the way of life of the area and to grasp its most authentic side. Step in far enough, and you’ll start to see Mendoza not as a postcard, but as a living, breathing mix of tradition, ritual, and quiet beauty.

The most emblematic celebration of the people of the area is an annual March event where Mendoza turns into something closer to theater than city. The streets pulse with drums, lights, and that particular kind of joy during the La Fiesta de la Vendimia (National Grape Harvest Fiesta) – called by National Geographic the “second most important harvest festival in the world.”

The highlight of the fiesta is a 4-hour mega-show of more than a thousand dancers swirling under floodlights, moving in perfect chaotic unison to honor the harvest that defines them. The spectacle is attended by some 20,000 people comfortably seated in the city’s main theater, plus about 50,000 people who gather on the hills surrounding the venue. It’s an event so massive it feels like the Andes themselves are drawn to attention.

NOTE: Next year’s “journey of the senses” will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Nature uncorked: Mendoza outdoor activities

Wine might be the name of the game in Mendoza, yet there is plenty more to be done. For the travelers who wish to include some more dynamic activities, you will not be disappointed.

Visitor-related adventure options include some adrenaline-rush kind of mountaineering, horse riding tours, water sports, skiing, and many more.

Mountaineering, biking, and climbing: Taking adventure to new heights

For hiking buffs — whether you’re looking for an easy half-day hike along the foothills or a seasoned trekker bent on challenging higher elevations — picturesque landscapes are an awe-inspiring prize.

And don’t forget Andean mountain biking — real mountain biking — along trails suitable for everyone from casual bikers to XC “shredders.” Depending on the person’s interest and capability, the cycling tours can range from a peaceful jaunts through vineyards to hardcore Enduro mountain descents.

For those skilled in mountaineering, awaiting is the tallest mountain in South America – the Aconcagua. Rising to a height of more than four miles above sea level, the mountain attracts climbers from around the world.

Wet and wild water sports and white-water rafting

You’ve probably realized by now that Mendoza is a place for not only vineyards and Malbec, but also for an adrenaline rush. The furious waters of the Mendoza River are the site of one of Argentina’s most thrilling white-water rafting adventures, with the water sport’s difficulty varying from easygoing Class II waters to savage Class IV torrents that challenge the most skilled. Local guides provide all the necessary gear, so it’s only a dance between rafters and nature.

Other preferences? …like windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, or canoeing? Then Mendoza’s stunning Potrerillos Reservoir is the place to go. This is a tranquil place where Andean winds and the turquoise waters combine to create an almost perfect venue for water sports.

What’s more, trout fishing is nothing less than great in the rivers and lakes of Mendoza. So, whether you are after excitement or complete relaxation, the rivers and lakes can be a great company to the wine culture that has made Mendoza famous.

Horseback riding Mendoza: Unbridled delight

Just as a Mendoza wine tour can offer an unforgettable experience, riding through the picturesque nature of the area on horseback can do the same. You can ride around a few vineyards for half a day or take on a three-day journey deep into the Andes… the kinds of terrain provided by sprawling vineyards, steep mountains, and rushing rivers make all worthwhile, impeccable experiences. On trails, views from picturesque Andean plateaus will have snow-capped mountains as their backdrop, which will leave you breathless.  

Mendoza skiing and snowboarding: Where going downhill is a good thing

Mendoza and surrounding winter resorts have played an important role in the South America ski map. This isn’t the polished glamour of the Alps; it’s raw, wind-bitten South America. The kind of skiing where you earn every run and every bruise. The resorts near Mendoza deliver the goods: steady snow, patient lifts, and perfect conditions for winter sports lovers of all levels.

Among the best in South America, these resorts aim to satisfy all who want the thrill of skiing and snowboarding during the Southern Hemisphere’s June-to-September winter.

The upshot: Take time to wine down in Mendoza

Whether your out-and-back trip begins in nearby Santiago de Chile or Buenos Aires or directly into Mendoza, this province is any traveler’s delight: the wine splendor, whether it is some adrenaline zing, or just somebody who would rather take it easy and chill in a mellow atmosphere.

A traditional 18th-century pub with rooms, The Pilsley Inn is part of the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. It falls under the Chatsworth Escapes brand which includes the previously-reviewed – and newly-crowned AA Hotel of the Year – The Cavendish at Baslow.

Formerly known as The Devonshire Inn, The Pilsley Inn takes centre stage in the sleepy village of Pilsley, offering a homely retreat that is utterly local and yet also quietly luxurious. Read on to learn more about what you can expect if you’re considering staying in this Peak District haven yourself.

The welcome

Our arrival was somewhat unconventional – we had just completed the Nine Edges Endurance Challenge, a gruelling run of more than 4 hours across the Peak District. We rolled into Pilsley weary, muddy and not at our most glamourous. Yet there were no raised eyebrows – having announced our presence in the pub, we were warmly greeted and personally shown to the Farmhouse annexe at the rear. That simple act — of being guided rather than pointed — immediately spoke volumes. A genuine and personal welcome with the kind of friendliness that holds a village pub together.

The room

Our base for the night was a room named Hill Top. Found on the first floor of the annexe, it is richly decorated in a style that feels both stately and snug in equal meaure. The magnificent four-poster takes the centre stage, but it’s a room large enough to house a luxurious lounge area, writing desk and other furniture.

Through the sash windows, the village comes into view – a series of neat stone cottages and, almost too perfectly, a traditional red phone box. It’s a pictured postcard scene that I’d imagine would delight the inn’s many American guests, though it charmed us every bit as much.

The bathroom

The generously-proportioned en en suite bathroom includes a deep bath and a separate shower, with gowns provided.

A shower is normally all we need but, on this occasion, after a day of hauling ourselves across the Derbyshire edges, the bath won us over.

The toiletries were characteristically Chatsworth: elegant and indulgent – think sweet basil and citrus wash or jasmine and wild pear lotion – yet practical, too.

The facilities

At its heart, Pilsley remains a village pub. A curved wooden bar is at the heart of the interior, complemented by some old beams, light-coloured walls and exposed stonework, to create an unstuffy and inviting ambience. The pub provides guests with a sense of being woven into village life, even if only for a few nights.

We had dinner there on our second night, enjoying the atmosphere of the roaring log fire and the low chatter of other happy guests.

The menu draws on Chatsworth’s estate produce and the pub’s own immaculate kitchen garden and features traditional British pub fare, but with some modern touches.

Appealing to those looking for classic comfort food alongside a few more contemporary dishes, you’ll find everything from smoked salmon, horseradish crème fraiche, crispy capers and brown bread, to calamari and miso mayonnaise among the starters.

For my main, I had the delicious roast Chatsworth farm beef rump, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables and gravy, whilst my wife enjoyed her Chatsworth Farm beef burger with a bacon and tomato relish, brie, brioche bun, chips and salad.

We felt we’d burned off enough calories that weekend that we could afford to share a seasonal crumble rich in damsons and served with ice cream.

Breakfast is also taken in the pub, with the same focus on quality local ingredients. From a full Derbyshire plate to lighter options, everything is freshly prepared to give you a proper start to the day.

The location

Pilsley is a quintessential Peak District village, with gritstone cottages and country lanes. Chatsworth House and Gardens is less than two miles away – a pleasant walk through the estate (beautiful at this time of year with the autumnal colours) – while the Chatsworth Farm Shop is practically on the doorstep.

Chatsworth is well worth a visit, even if you’ve been before, since it continually refreshes its offering with a rolling programme of exhibitions and events. During our visit, a flower exhibition took centre stage with exhibits throughout the house.

Beyond the stately home and its grounds, other parts of Derbyshire beckon: Bakewell (10 minutes) with its pudding and market, and Buxton (30 minutes) with its Georgian architecture. The city of Sheffield, just over the border into South Yorkshire, is also just over half an hour’s drive away.

Pilsley may be small, but its very well positioned for access to the Peak District and its surroundings.

Other nice touches

It is often the small gestures that make the largest impression. Fresh milk in the fridge downstairs -far more civilised than fiddling with UHT pots. Complimentary Chatsworth-branded Belgian chocolate biscuits on arrival and a tea tray stocked with care rather than indifference. These touches, albeit small, shape the stay into something more memorable than the sum of its parts.

The cost

A night in Hill Top, which is categorised as a Farmhouse Four Poster room, starts at around £260 per night including breakfast, when booked at an advance saver rate.

The best bit

For us, after our exertions at the Nine Edges, things that you might normally take for granted became luxuries. Both the bed and the bath were divine. The former was supremely comfortable and the latter soothed away every ache and strain. To rest and recharge so completely, in such a setting, was nothing short of heavenly.

The final verdict

The Pilsley Inn takes the character of an 18th-century village pub and elevates it with Chatsworth’s polish, producing a place where you can eat well, sleep deeply, and wake to a view that feels unchanged in decades.

Our stay was restorative in every sense, and carrying home a bag of farm shop treats extended the experience a little further. For anyone seeking a luxury that combines tradition with contemporary amenities, Pilsley delivers beautifully.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by The Pilsley Inn.

It’s 6 am, and I’m not at all keen to get out of bed. I drag myself out from under the warm duvet and head to the dining room to grab some coffee and make my way to the waiting game drive vehicle. We head out on our drive, warmly tucked up under blankets and with a flask of hot coffee in hand.

The early morning light shines over the reserve as our guide steers down the rugged dirt tracks of the reserve. Within what feels like minutes, we come across a breeding herd of elephants. The young calves play while the matriarch watches over them, stripping branches from a spekboom as she waits. A few decades ago, this scene would have been unimaginable. The land was overgrazed farmland, stripped of both wildlife and vegetation. But today, thanks to a bold experiment in rewilding, it’s home to the full array of safari animals, from antelope to apex predators, and has become one of the country’s most inspiring conservation success stories.

At the heart of this transformation are two properties: Shamwari Private Game Reserve and the smaller, adjacent, Founders Lodge by Mantis. Together, they represent not just a top safari destination, but also a living case study of what happens when ecology, vision, dedication, and tourism come together.

Shamwari’s story is legend in African conservation circles. In the early 1990s, farms exhausted by the overgrazing of livestock were purchased; with the plan being to restore the land. Fences came down. Grasslands and Albany thickets were nursed back to health. Then came the wildlife. Elephants, white rhinos, and hippos were the first to return, their browsing helping to regenerate the soil and disperse seeds. Black rhinos and buffalo followed. Then came predators, lion, cheetah, brown hyena, and eventually leopard. Within a decade, Shamwari had become the first Big Five game reserve in the Eastern Cape. “We wanted to show that conservation could be profitable, sustainable, and deeply human,” says Adrian Gardiner, the man behind Shamwari and Founders.

Gardiner insists he never saw this as a ‘quick fix’, nor did he see it as a short-term project. “Conservation does not have an end date. It’s a lifelong commitment,” he tells me, and the evidence is all around us. Shamwari now spans more than 60,000 hectares, and is home to healthy wildlife populations, including several endangered species. What’s more, the reserve has become a model for similar projects across the province. Shamwari’s success has inspired neighbouring landowners to rewild, too; creating a corridor of wildlife reserves where once there was only farmland.

Founders Lodge represents a more personal side to this story. Originally Gardiner’s family home, the lodge sits on 400 hectares of rolling hills, adjacent to the Shamwari reserve. Today it operates as a boutique eco-lodge, with seven suites, plus a 5-berth restored railway carriage, perched on a hill a short distance away.

The main building retains a classic farmhouse feel, with wide verandas, stone walls, and open lawns. The outdoor fire pit and shaded terrace invite sun-soaked lunches and quiet evenings sitting out under the stars, while the swimming pool and gym give you a place to stretch your body between game drives. What sets the lodge apart, however, is not just its design or décor, but rather its direct link to the wider Shamwari landscape and the conservation journey that began here.

Back at Founders, after our morning game drive, I sit on the verandah outside my room. I can see rhinos grazing just a few metres away, the only thing between us, a knee-high electric fence. Over the years Founders has become a sanctuary for rhinos, with many of the rhinos here being survivors of the horrific poaching trade – indeed, some still carry bullet fragments in their bodies. Poaching remains a constant threat, and both reserves invest heavily in round-the-clock monitoring, dehorning programs, and anti-poaching units. So seeing them here, grazing so peacefully, is wonderful.

Beyond the lawn and the rhinos, but within the lodge’s grounds, zebras graze, and in the distance I can see a magnificent male kudu, with his stunning corkscrew horns. After lunch I head to the underground photographic hide, positioned at the lodge’s waterhole. I’m just in time to see a giraffe bending awkwardly down to drink. Shortly afterwards, a rhino and her calf arrive for a mud bath and general wallow in the waterhole.

Afternoon comes, and we head out on another game drive. The distinctive roar of a lion reverberates from somewhere in the reserve. We head in the direction of the sound, one synonymous with the African bush, and after many twists and turns, and a detour past a cheetah who’s using the top of a termite mound as a lookout point, we’re rewarded with the sight of a thick-maned male lion patrolling his territory, and announcing his presence for all to hear. We sit and watch for a while, transfixed by the size and strength of this powerful predator.

What makes both Shamwari and Founders unique though, is that game drives here are not just about ticking lists of animals seen. Yes, the ‘Big Five’ are here, but what’s special about this place is that it’s more than just the animals, it’s the entire story behind the reserve – the removal of the fences, the regeneration of the vegetation, the reintroduction of the wildlife. Community partnerships are also central to the model. Right from the beginning, both Shamwari and Founders have prioritised training and employing local people, along with supporting local schools and running conservation education programmes. This has shifted attitudes towards wildlife. What was once seen as competition for land is now a source of livelihood and pride.  

Today, South Africa’s Eastern Cape is firmly on the safari map. Once overlooked in favour of Kruger or KwaZulu-Natal, it now offers a malaria-free safari experience, milder weather, and a landscape that’s been completely regenerated. Shamwari has become a global name, welcoming celebrities and conservationists alike, while Founders offers a smaller-scale, but still very personal way to connect with the same legacy.

Practical information

Founders Lodge by Mantis is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, around 75km from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) airport, which is well connected to Johannesburg and Cape Town. The region is malaria-free, making it great for families, and private use options are available for multi-generational families or small groups.

Desaru Coast has been described as “a sparkling gem by the South China Sea” and also as “four thousand acres of paradise along the tip of southern Malaysia”. We would have to agree with both of these sentiments, having been lucky enough to visit on a number of occasions in recent years. Being home to The Els Club Desaru Coast, which is considered to be one of the finest golf clubs in the country, and also the luxurious Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, makes Desaru Coast the perfect choice for your staycation or luxury golf vacation. For those of you who do not consider a round of golf on a championship course to be the way you wish to relax, please worry not, as Anantara Desaru boasts an expansive golden sand beach, refreshing swimming pools and Anantara Spa, a true oasis of peace and calm where you can relax, revitalise and rejuvenate.

Stay in an Executive Sea View Room at Anantara Desaru

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is a luxury beachfront property at Desaru Coast that offers a selection of 116 rooms, suites, villas and residences to discerning guests. The sweeping sand beach and inviting ocean create a sense of natural wilderness despite being just an hour from the bustling city of Johor Bahru, whilst the first rate service and attentive hospitality combine to create the perfect stay.

Our Executive Sea View Balcony Room was spacious and luxuriously appointed, with a supremely comfortable bed that made early starts for yoga or golf a real challenge. These were the type of challenges we enjoyed, meaning our days would start watching the sunrise from our balcony over the South China Sea before one of us headed to yoga on the beach and the other to the adjacent Els Club for 18 holes of golf.

Play 18 holes at The Els Club, Ocean Course

The Ocean Course at Els Club Desaru Coast comprises 27 championship holes designed by four time major winner Ernie Els. Your 18 hole round is made up of 9 holes on two of the Coast, Lakes or Ridge courses, offering even more variety and challenges at the stunning Els Club Desaru. The iconic ocean front par 3 on the Coast Course measures only 150 yards from the white tees, but the vast bunker will catch anything short and the beach waits for any wayward shots left.

Combine this with the shifting ocean breeze and the hole is far more challenging than it looks. One of us found the green with ease and two putted for par, whilst the other found the giant bunker and managed to scramble a bogey with a long putt. Being able to include the Coast Course in your 18 holes at The Ocean Course will allow you to play this iconic hole yourself and hopefully avoid the sand that seems to be everywhere you look.

Dine at Turmeric

Turmeric is the all day dining restaurant at Anantara Desaru Resort & Villas where we enjoyed breakfast and a post round meal which impressed us greatly. For breakfast, our avocado on sourdough with pomegranate, rocket and balsamic was a light and delicious start to the day, but we also enjoyed dishes from the vegetarian Indian section at the buffet which were not as light but equally delicious.

The a la carte menu at Turmeric featured a number of vegetarian options that could be easily veganised, whilst the Wellness Menu included an impressive baked cauliflower dish on a bed of sweet potato with tempeh crumbles and mixed nut salsa that was not only already vegan but also creative and nutritious. Executive Sous Chef Eddie looked after us during our stay and ensured that we certainly did not go hungry. In fact, every time we visited Turmeric for breakfast, lunch or dinner he was always on hand with exciting suggestions for even more plant based delights. From pomelo salad to pad Thai noodles, pad krapow tempeh to green curry with tofu, we were taken on a culinary journey to neighbouring Thailand which we enjoyed immensely.

Stay in a Lagoon Pool Villa at Anantara Desaru

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas boasts a selection of stunning private villas and residences ranging from one bedroom villas with private pools to their sprawling Four Bedroom Beach Residence which measures 380 square metres and comes complete with butler service, full kitchen, swimming pool and direct beach access.

This type of refined accommodation presents the pinnacle of luxury living on the Desaru Coast and is sought after by families who truly enjoy the finer things in life. Our Two Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa was equally as luxurious and spacious, providing us with lavish living areas both inside and out. It was more than enough for us, offering a true luxury living experience. There is something special about relaxing on the day bed next to your own pool before slipping into the refreshing waters for a sunset swim as another wonderful day draws to a close.

Play 18 holes at The Els Club, Valley Course

The Valley Course at Els Club Desaru Coast was where we headed for our final round of golf, and it was also where all of our golfing experience was tested by this championship course designed by Vijay Singh in collaboration with Ernie Els. As a three time major winner including The Masters in 2000, the distinguished playing career of Vijay Singh is well documented, and this picturesque and visually inspiring course was no less than we expected. Small greens and undulating fairways made correct club choice and shot selection imperative, resulting in the ultimate challenge throughout the entire round. The ninth hole has water down the right to catch any wayward drives (one of us ended up there off the tee) whilst the scattering of fairway bunkers waited for anything long and straight (the other one of us ended up there off the tee). And if that was not enough, the green was surrounded by even more bunkers where we both put our approach shots. Despite the lost balls and frustration, we enjoyed our round immensely and cannot wait to return.

Dine at Sea. Fire. Salt

Sea. Fire. Salt is seafood and steak focused with limited vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. But the beachfront and poolside location should not be missed, so with the help of the excellent team at Anantara Desaru we made a reservation and headed there with high and hopeful expectations. From the main menu we selected the three vegetarian options and requested for them to be prepared vegan.

Our Edible Garden was a bountiful salad with baby sweetcorn, asparagus, sugar snap peas, baby carrots, pickled radish and potato puree. This was a fresh and vibrant, perfectly plant based start to our meal. We also enjoyed a Wild Mushroom Risotto and Eggplant Croquettes, both dishes packed with flavour and delicious. Our off menu dishes prepared by Chef Eddy and his team included more plant based delights such as an inspired dish of grilled jackfruit skewers and mango salsa which was quite possibly our favourite. The sweet jackfruit with smoky overtones from being grilled combined perfectly with the sweet and spicy mango chilli salsa. There was also a protein packed kidney bean curry, grilled vegetables served on a block of Himalayan sea salt and a vegan bowl with quinoa and a simple olive oil and lime dressing. All of our food at Sea. Fire. Salt was refreshing, healthy and light, which was just perfect for this refined beachfront dining destination.

These two visits to Desaru Coast showed exactly why it should be the destination for your next luxury (golf) vacation. Els Club Desaru boasts 45 holes of championship golf designed by the Masters winning duo of Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, we know you will most certainly enjoy navigating the fairways, greens and bunkers of this stunning golf club. With golf courses having such an impact on the environment, we were also impressed that Els Club Desaru are members of the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation and have made a series of sustainable commitments to lessen their impact. And where better to stay when you next visit Desaru Coast than the luxurious Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, which is quite literally next door to Els Club Desaru, meaning that none of your valuable time is wasted travelling between the two locations. The excellent hospitality, the varied dining options and the well appointed rooms, suites and villas make Anantara Desaru the perfect place to relax before and after your rounds.

If your idea of a vacation is lounging by a pool doing absolutely nothing, then Playitas might not be for you. As the most well-equipped sports resort on the Canarian island of Fuerteventura, it caters best for those who like to keep active.

Somehow, though, it seems to accommodate a wide spectrum of guests, from those who simply want to enjoy some downtime to serious athletes who use the resort as a training base. For most, it’s a place you come to get better — at swimming, cycling, running, golf, or simply at looking after yourself.

The welcome

This was our second visit to Playitas and so we knew that our flight would be landing too late for us make it to the resort’s restaurants, despite it being just a 30-minute transfer from the airport. Having communicated this in advance, the Playitas team kindly arranged for cold plates from the buffet to be waiting for us on arrival. The welcome was quietly efficient: someone directed us to the food that had been set aside, and the check-in formalities were completed after we’d eaten.

The room

Just as we did last visit, we stayed in the aparthotel section of Playitas in a studio apartment — the kind of family-friendly layout the resort specialises in. The studios are open-plan with a kitchenette and sofa-bed so the lounge doubles as a second bedroom when needed – practical, airy and unpretentious.

Our studio also had its own balcony with a sea view, and a sensibly-equipped kitchenette (microwave, hob and basic utensils) so you can rustle up a snack if the need ever grabs you.

The bathroom

There’s a sliding door to the bathroom and a powerful walk-in shower that does exactly what you want it to after a hard training session: hot, quick and efficient. Towels are generous and the toiletries are straightforward and sports-friendly — enough to feel cleanly looked after without being fussy. Practical layout and decent water pressure make it one of those hotel bathrooms that quietly earns your affection.

The facilities

Where do you start? Playitas is deliberately comprehensive — a small sporting town rather than a simple hotel.

The headline facility is the 50m eight-lane Olympic pool with starting blocks, an underground viewing gallery for technique work and all the training paraphernalia you’d expect (pull-buoys, paddles, fins). It’s a genuine training pool and is used for camps and competitions year round.

Around it sit other pools for leisure and recovery, and a packed exercise timetable that ranges from sun-salutation and mobility classes in the morning to strength, WOD and aqua-aerobics sessions later in the day.

Group classes are often free as part of the resort programme; specialist sessions and certain coached clinics carry a modest fee (for example, small technique groups and specialist workshops are typically priced from around €5 per session).

If you prefer to train solo you can hire lanes or sign up to coached swim squads, and there’s a Sports Booking desk for private coaching and physiotherapy appointments. For runners there is a tidy menu of mapped routes (from short loops to longer outings up to 23 km).

The weekly Lighthouse Race — a much-loved Playitas classic — is an out-and-back run to the Faro de La Entallada (roughly a 13–13.6 km round trip), a climb with a view that is both testing and wholly scenic. I looked forward to that mid-week fixture more than I expected; it gives the resort a little local flavour and a chance to measure progress against previous visits.

Cycling is catered for lavishly: the on-site Cycle Centre runs a fleet of over 250 bikes (road, gravel, e-bikes and mountain bikes), with mechanics, guided rides and route advice — a serious operation for keen cyclists.

The golf course is an 18-hole par-67 routed around volcanic contours; courts, padel, a climbing wall, and multiple outdoor sport zones mean there’s almost always something in motion.

The gym is a large, well-zoned 700m² space with cardio, a free-weight area and a functional training rig. For recovery there’s a spa and a physiotherapy/sports-massage service (my wife and son both booked sports massages; the therapists are experienced with athletic injuries and regeneration work).

There’s also an on-site sports shop and a useful sports-booking desk that makes organising classes, bike hire and physio straightforward. Plus plenty of social sporting events in the timetable that are self-run by guests.

In short: the kit list is deep and genuinely useful if you’re training or simply topping up fitness on holiday. And even if you don’t wish to partake in the many facilities on offer, that’s OK too, which means Playitas is also great for mixed groups and multi-generational trips where maybe not everyone wants to break sweat on holiday.

As for catering, Playitas runs a buffet system that is so generous in its offering that it caters for those who are trying to diet alongside athletes who are keen to consume as many calories as they realistically can. Even the fussiest of diners should easily find plenty to suit them.

Plentiful salads, grilled fish and lean meats, carbs for refuelling, and a hot-counter offering comfort food for post-session hunger are all on offer. If you’re on a training block you won’t feel short-changed; if you’re there as a family, you’ll find something for everyone.

The location

Playitas sits in Las Playitas on Fuerteventura’s east coast, a purposefully quiet stretch of island where the resort is very much the point of arrival. The drive from Fuerteventura Airport is roughly 30–35 minutes (around 40 km by road), with a taxis or shuttle services both available at a modest cost. If you seek local bustle, you won’t find much beyond the fishing village and Gran Tarajal nearby — and that’s exactly the resort’s selling point: minimal distraction, maximal focus.

Other nice touches

Small domestic pleasures punctuate the purposeful nature of the resort. On arrival we found a chilled bottle of fizz and a box of macaroons in the apartment — possibly a media courtesy rather than standard, but a very welcome gesture.

Sustainability is also taken seriously very seriously at Playitas where biodiversity and recycling initiatives are carefully adhered to (including on-site beehives and insect hotels, an eco garden, and a Playitas Nature programme promoting reusable bottles and cotton merchandise), so your active holiday doesn’t have to feel wasteful.

The cost

Pricing varies by season, room type and whether you book packages (training weeks, half-board, or full board). Package operators and OTAs often show good deals: nightly room rates can appear from low-season prices equivalent to around €100–€150 for a basic studio, with higher sums in peak season or for packages that include training programmes and meals; week-long training packages and coached camps are priced higher and typically include sports bookings, coaching and sometimes meals.

The best bit

Freedom to focus. Playitas gives you permission to be selfish about your own wellbeing: long coached swim sets at dawn, a steady tempo run with dramatic volcanic views, a bike loop timed to the light, and then recovery — pool, spa, a slow lunch and sleep. For anyone who wants to train without compromise (or switch off with purpose), that combination is the resort’s quiet superpower.

The final verdict

Playitas is what it says on the tin: a sports resort that also happens to be a comfortable place for a family holiday. It’s focused, efficient and pleasantly undemonstrative — you pay for the facilities and the programme rather than for ostentation. For us, it has delivered on every promise on both of our visits, with sensible, well-equipped accommodation, a huge and genuinely usable menu of facilities (the app is great for keeping you abreast of what’s on) and helpful staff.

Best of all, the Lighthouse Race gave me that satisfying measure of personal progress — I knocked just over five minutes off my time from two years earlier, which is reason enough to return and see if I can shave off a little more. If your idea of luxury is time and space to train, recover and return home fitter — and perhaps a little humbler — Playitas is very hard to beat.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Playitas.