EDITOR'S LETTER:

The month of January is all about new beginnings and (as cliché as it is) we wanted to highlight a comprehensive range of wellness escapes (page 62) and opportunities, both in Dubai and overseas. From expert workshops to decedent hammams, there should be enough suggestions to start 2019 right. There’s also a strong wellbeing slant to our cover story, which involved a visit to the newly opened Joali Maldives (page 42). I had the pleasure of arriving at the box fresh atoll hideaway just before Christmas and made the most of the resort’s incredible facilities.

Our other features are spread far and wide, ranging from the really wild Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara in Zambia (page 50), where I discovered one of the natural world’s true marvels, to a stunning pair of Accor hotels in Makati, Manila’s glitzy business and entertainment district (page 58). In terms of pure luxury, however, nothing in this issue has the historic and aesthetic appeal of the Fabergé Suite at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe in Saint Petersburg (page 54).

Safe travels, and if in doubt, book the ticket.