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Raja Ampat is often referred to as “the last paradise on Earth”, and after experiencing even a small taste of what it has to offer, it’s easy to see why. Ancient forests and lush, verdant landscapes amazed at every turn. Beneath the surface, the marine life was nothing short of breathtaking, while on land, encounters with metre-long crabs, extraordinary marsupials, and unfamiliar reptiles left lasting impressions. It’s impossible to leave Raja Ampat without being filled with a profound appreciation for the natural world — and an overwhelming desire to protect it from the mounting environmental challenges of modern life. This may seem like an insurmountable task to many, but for founder Max Ammer and his team of responsible travel pioneers, it’s a mission they take on with unwavering commitment every single day.

Getting to Raja Ampat isn’t simple — but with careful planning and enough time, it’s far

Cotswold Grange is quintessential Cheltenham. Created from light honeyed Cotswold stone in 1856, for its affluent merchant owner to enjoy its high ceilings and spacious dimensions, the house’s grand facade captured the confident style of the mid-Victorian era. Located within a peaceful conservation area close to Pittville Park, today Cotswold Grange is an independent boutique hotel with just 20 rooms, lovingly run by Nirav Sheth and Julee Fletcher-Sheth.

Although the Regency era was already history by the time Cotswold Grange’s foundation stones were laid, an aura of Bridgerton lingers on beyond the symmetry of the architecture; and a feeling that Jane Austen and her quill could easily have found a quiet corner to write in. 

Cheltenham is the gateway to the tranquil Cotswolds’ quaint villages and rolling hills, recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Once a Regency spa town, Cheltenham is now the Cultural Capital of

New Zealand usually reminds people of heart-pumping adventures, bungee jumping off Queenstown’s bridges, white-water rafting through wild rivers, and hiking wild alpine trails. While yes, these exhilarating experiences portray one aspect of our country, another side of New Zealand exists, one of thoughtful contemplation, cultural immersion, and sensory indulgence that unfolds at a gentler pace. For travellers seeking depth over adrenaline, 2025 presents the perfect opportunity to explore New Zealand’s rich history, culture, and culinary delights through private guided experiences.

Exploring history and culture in the South Island Marlborough 

Visitors can experience the region’s most authentic cultural experience aboard the Tutanekai with Maori Eco Cruises in the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds. This personalised eco-cruise offers wildlife encounters with rare King Shags and Hector’s dolphins, walks among 2,000-year-old rimu trees, and cultural storytelling that connects Captain Cook’s explorations with ancient Maori heritage. The cruise allows for a genuine ecological and cultural immersion,

The timing couldn’t have been better. It was the week of the launch of White Lotus Season 3, and the hotel-themed show was filmed on the island of Koh Samui, where we were staying. The atmosphere was electric, as was our anticipation. So off two friends went in search of our own White Lotus experience, hopefully with all the beauty but none of the drama.

Our driver wound through the bustling streets, with people, scooters, and dogs moving in all directions. Driving past a beautifully red-bricked wall with lush vegetation poking out in parts, I asked the driver which temple this was. Turning, he flashed a quick smile, saying this was our hotel. In stark contrast to the hustle outside the gates, we were about to step into the sanctuary of Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. There was a distinct sense of being welcomed into a sacred space. 

The welcome

Over the years, we’ve walked many of the Wainwrights — the 214 fells in the Lake District, immortalised by Alfred Wainwright’s meticulously hand-drawn guides. Some are towering peaks such as Scafell Pike (England‘s highest mountain) and Helvellyn, while others, like Troutbeck Tongue, are more unassuming, their magic found in their solitude, their setting, and their subtle beauty.

We’ve made it our mission to walk them all, starting afresh as we can’t be 100% sure on which we have and haven’t done. If you’re ever thinking of doing the same, Troutbeck Tongue is an easy one to get started. Modest in height yet rewarding in views (weather permitting), this Wainwright stands at the heart of the Troutbeck valley, and offers a peaceful hike with panoramic vistas – so peaceful for us, in fact, that we only encounter two other people the whole time we were out. Below