I’VE ALWAYS HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR AFRICA, AND AFTER ATTENDING ILTM AFRICA IN

Cape Town in April, that feeling only became stronger. The wild continent has so much to offer luxe travellers that it’s incomparable to the rest of the world, and I look forward to sharing some of the most exclusive travel experiences over the course of the next few issues, from the newest ultra-luxe safari lodges and island resorts (page 27) to responsible and culturally immersive experiences such as rhino tracking, and the evolution of urban hotspots like Cape Town. As a Sydneysider, I always knew I’d feel an instant connection with Cape Town, a harbourfront city that brims with similarities, from the magnificent coastline and surrounding wine regions to the hip nightlife, but post-ILTM, I had the chance to explore South Africa’s Western Cape, home to Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (page 42). The luxury eco-lodge, which overlooks Walker Bay, is one of the most exquisite places I’ve ever travelled to, where you don’t even need to leave your bed to marvel at the cinematic view but you absolutely should – for Mother Nature is a screen siren and she puts on quite a performance. Equally cinematic is Italy’s Lake Como (page 60), where writer Becca Hensley spent a month channelling Greta Garbo, staying at grand lakefront hotels and exploring charming villages by boat, all the while keeping an eye out for debonair local, George Clooney. Writer Christine Hinz also spent a fair number of hours aboard a boat in the Maldives, where she swam, snorkelled and discovered the soundtrack to paradise while staying at Furaveri Island Resort & Spa – very nearly growing a pair of gills in the process. Read about her experience on page 68. Elsewhere in the issue there’s discerning luxury in many forms. For the golf connoisseurs, Andrew Marshall has mapped out a tempting trail through 18 of Europe’s best golf courses, detailing the most challenging and interesting holes (page 50); lovers of Riesling can follow writer Sarah Freeman’s path around Germany’s Rhine and Mosel valleys, home to one of the world’s most noble grape varieties (page 82); while gourmands won’t only find 50 shades of blue in Santorini, they will discover a Greek island flush with fabulous gastronomy (page 84). As for car aficionados? Kris Karacinski had the chance to test drive one of his bucket-list vehicles, the McLaren 570S – turn to page 104 to read his envy-inducing appraisal. Once again, I wish you another month of inspiring travels. I hope you enjoy the issue.