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Letter from the Editor
So this is it, 2012, the year the Mayans said would mark the end of the world as we know it. The Mayan prophets predicted that civilisation would come to an end on December 21, 2012, which still leaves us a full year to make the most of all that this wonderful world has to offer.
We thought we’d start the year with a story about the mighty amazon, a destination that has captured the imagination of writers and poets for centuries, and these days claims many hours of office time as execs dream of its murky waters and steamy jungles. There’s really only one way to explore the Amazon, and that’s by boat.
Our wandering Texan Dorothy Waldman set off on a seven-day voyage down the world’s largest natural basin from the Peruvian town of iquitos, spending her days exploring the river’s narrower tributaries on skiffs and enjoying picnics in the wilderness with monkeys and sloths as company.
Our deputy editor Caitlin Cheadle joined a who’s who of Southeast Asian society – from royal dignitaries to international VIPs – at the King’s Cup elephant Polo in hua hin last year, the highlight of the sporting and social calendar for many in Thailand. As well as watching competitive pachyderms battle it out for the King’s Cup, the tournament involved a glamorous gala at the anantara hua hin resort and Spa, many an evening rendezvous in the Player’s Lounge and regular excursions to the town’s growing number of attractions. Hua Hin, it seems, is Thailand’s little secret – a town unscathed by mass tourism and home to golf courses, a floating market and vineyards that are gain- ing international recognition.
Choice is something that every traveller craves, and yet resents when they have it, which is why the Maldives is still one of the world’s hottest destinations for once-in-a-lifetime holidays, but at the same time one of the most frustrating.
The sheer volume of resorts scattered across the archipelago is overwhelming, and they all seem to be going the extra mile to offer something unique to their guests. In this issue, we sent Jason Leavy on a mission to try out Four Seasons’ two resorts in the Maldives. Sounds like an easy job. The catch? He wasn’t allowed to spend a minute lazing by the beach or pool. Instead he found himself learning to surf in the most unlikely place in the world, and spending time with a group of people committed to protecting the Maldives’ fragile coral reefs.
One place immune to the looming 2012 apocalypse was December’s international Luxury travel Market in Cannes, where major players in the premium travel business came together to take the pulse of the travel landscape. Stars of the luxury scene including Four Seasons founder isadore Sharp, Sir rocco Forte and Fairmont president Jennifer Fox spoke at the ILTM UltraTravel Forum, where they discussed the trends that would set the tone for what is shaping up to be a great year for luxury travel.
As well as discovering some inspiring new companies with some great ideas for 2012, I took the chance to check out some of Cannes’ hottest venues, including the latest incarnation of legendary Cannes restaurant Felix and the brand new ultra-chic Five hotel and Spa, as well as some old favourites.
So whatever your outlook on 2012, there’s plenty of inspiration in the following pages to make what could be your last 12 months on earth the best yet. Or if you’re not taken in by the Mayan’s doomsday prediction, the start of a new year is a perfect excuse to celebrate the finer things in life, and what better way to start than planning your next trip.
Bon voyage.
Joe Mortimer
joe@dotwnews.com
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