Inside Passalacqua: one of the world’s best hotels
Inside Passalacqua Lake Como, the intimate 24-room villa hotel in Moltrasio that was named the world's best hotel and remains one of Europe's finest.
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A Good Reason to Cross the Chao Praya in Bangkok
Inside a century-old riverside residence at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Baan Phraya reimagines Thailand’s culinary heritage through Chef Phatchara “Pom” Pirapak’s contemporary fine dining. We crossed the Chao Phraya for an unforgettable final dinner in Bangkok.
The Long Way to Ayutthaya
A four-day private voyage aboard Anantara’s Loy Dream, a restored century-old Thai rice barge, takes us from the Gulf of Siam along the Chao Phraya to Bang Pa-In Palace and the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.
A historic tea house in Tokyo
A traditional Japanese tea ceremony in a historic Tokyo tea house offers more than cultural insight. At Hotel Chinzanso, the Omotesenke ceremony unfolds inside a heritage tea house, blending centuries-old ritual, refined design, and the art of slowing down in modern Tokyo.
Lunch at Yanagiya: A Journey Worth Every Mile
Every serious traveler has, at least once, chased a legend—a restaurant whispered about in quiet reverence, far from the city lights.
We traveled across Japan to dine at Yanagiya, a farmhouse restaurant in Gifu Prefecture celebrated for its irori hearth cooking, seasonal river fish, and wild game. Hidden among rice fields and cedar forests, this quiet masterpiece proves that true luxury sometimes begins with smoke, silence, and simplicity.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo Reopens — Same Soul, New Light
At the party for the reopening of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, we found the hotel refreshed yet unchanged — from its marble halls to the whimsical elevator sculptures. Even Girandole, now under Alain Ducasse, felt eternal. A beloved icon reborn above Shinjuku, timeless as ever.
WINDOW INTO AN ALMOST PERFECT WORLD
Bushman’s Kloof — A Sanctuary Between Stone and Silence
Hidden deep within South Africa’s Cederberg Mountains, Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is where the land itself seems to breathe history. Here, sandstone cliffs glow gold at dawn, ancient San rock paintings shimmer in shaded ravines, and the still air carries stories dating back over 10,000 years. This UNESCO-protected landscape offers more than scenic grandeur — it is a journey into South Africa’s cultural and natural soul.
Days at Bushman’s Kloof begin with guided nature drives through rugged valleys where mountain zebras and klipspringers roam freely. Afternoons are for spa rituals, wildflower walks, and riverside picnics, while evenings unfold beside candlelit fires and starlit skies — a celebration of African hospitality beneath constellations that have guided travelers for centuries.
Exploring the Old Town of Gallipoli
This updated Travelife feature revisits the timeless beauty of Puglia — now one of Europe’s trendiest destinations — and explores Gallipoli’s Old Town through slow travel, design, and sunshine. First published several years ago, this newly revised version captures why Puglia still captivates travelers seeking authenticity, effortless style, and the Mediterranean way of life.
Riding the Blue Train of South Africa
Experience one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys aboard The Blue Train as it travels between Pretoria and Cape Town through the vast landscapes of South Africa’s Northern Cape. Spacious cabins, fine dining, and beautifully curated service create a luxurious escape where slow travel becomes the highlight of the trip. From cloud-soft beds to long conversations in the lounge, every moment on The Blue Train offers a rare mix of comfort, scenery, and old-world romance—making it one of the most unforgettable ways to see South Africa.
The homes of Geoffrey Bawa and Bevis Bawa in Sri Lanka
Discover the extraordinary world of Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa—Sri Lanka’s most influential creative brothers—through their timeless estates, Lunuganga and The Brief. Updated for today’s design-minded traveler, this refreshed report explores Geoffrey Bawa’s legendary architectural vision, his beloved garden estate at Lunuganga, and the contrasting artistic universe crafted by Bevis Bawa at The Brief. From tropical modernist interiors and sculptural landscapes to the rich cultural heritage that shaped both properties, this is an essential guide for anyone interested in Sri Lanka’s most iconic houses, gardens, and design destinations.
