EDITOR’S LETTER

Last year ended on a high as our most successful year in over 20 years of publishing so we took to the high seas to celebrate. Well, maybe just Sydney Harbour on an exceptionally sleek yacht. Champagne in hand, we toasted our success, our incredibly passionate team and, of course, our readers and clients, who support us and give such great feedback on our publications.

I take this opportunity to introduce you to our newly appointed assistant editor, Amelia Hungerford. Amelia joined us as an intern six years ago and has worked diligently to attain this title and become a much admired and integral part of our team. It is a blessing to work with her.

In our first issue this year we have travelled far and wide to bring you inspiration for your own travel plans.

We look at wineries with exclusive offerings, from driving a Ferrari though Tuscany to horseback riding through the vineyards of Vik Chile to arriving by seaplane on the Swan River to taste ‘art series’ wines. Who wouldn’t want to do one of these? With craft gin continuing its meteoric rise, we uncover the best gin bars around the globe, while photojournalist Dan Avila shares all the sideways action from Porsche’s ice-driving event in Montreal. Needless to say, he was over the moon about spending a few days at the wheel of some thrilling 911 Carreras.

Matthew Upchurch, CEO of the Virtuoso network of luxury travel advisors, once told me that Antarctica’s White Desert is one of his all-time travel favourites. Our writer Tracey Porter speaks with cofounder Patrick Woodhead and discovers how this became the ultimate adventure destination. As for me, I headed off on my first trip to the Red Centre and the highlight (and a big surprise to my daughters, knowing my aversion to camping) was sleeping in a swag under the stars. This was not just any swag, however, as you will read.

Amelia began her year by heading off to Paris and New York (via Iceland), ticking off some of her dream hotels along the way. Keep a look out for our winter issue to see the photos, captured by Flytographer, of her and her partner Christopher dancing around the streets of Montmartre.

Happy reading and happy travels.

“IT’S BETTER TO SEE SOMETHING ONCE THAN TO HEAR ABOUT IT A THOUSAND TIMES.” Anonymous