Travel

Resort: Lech (Austria) is very much its own character; the word ‘genteel’ fits well.  This small village provides a great diversity of slopes for all grades of skier and boarder, but with more focus to the beginner and intermediate skier.  Lech makes up a part of one of the world's best ski domains, providing good connections into the neighbouring mini-resort of Zürs and the world class St Anton.  Experts will head for off-piste skiing, heli-skiing and the challenges at the neighbouring St.

The Resort: Megeve (France) is another fabled ski resort where ‘old money’ i.e. those who are comfortable and relaxed about their wealth take their holidays.  Most guests are not looking for extreme challenges on the slopes but want extensive ski runs (440km), for them it is a combination of good facilities for the children, superlative restaurants, and a beautiful resort in picturesque surroundings.  It has great style and is very chic but in a quieter presentation, there is great appeal to the fashionable Parisian set.   
 
    

The Resort:  Courchevel 1850 (France).  Their own small, challenging airport has 6,000 private aeroplane movements each ski season which says it all.  These guests come for the cluster of very individual, small 5* hotels and the new breed of mega-chalets, gourmet restaurants galore, night clubs and boutiques selling the world’s most desirable, as well as the most exclusive jewellers such as Moussaieff.  However, there is another side of the resort where guests are not so challenged in price terms whilst they can enjoy the best facilities with endless skiing opportunities on a family skiing

Some of the best family holidays are taken either on a sailing yacht or on a skiing holiday.  All family members can take part at varying levels of interest and commitment, they are brilliant for children for both the enjoyment and the education, i.e. they come across situations where they have to make decisions.  In skiing, a slope might appear very challenging at first sight so a decision has to be made; gaining a great life skill will stand them in good stead in later life.

For many people, the thought of travelling to Australia for an extended holiday conjures images of Sydney Harbour and Opera House; the cultural hub that is Melbourne, a city that consistently ranks top in surveys of the world’s best quality of life; the vast barren wilderness of the outback, and the Great Barrier Reef coastline.

Lake Garda is the most prestigious of the Italian lakes where discerning Italians holiday or own holiday homes. Wealthy Italians pick their holiday destination with great care and Lake Garda is the most renowned for good reason. It is home to some of the most beautiful historic houses in Italy, many overlooking the lake. Indeed there is one stunning Palazzo, still entirely family owned, on a little island in the middle, on the southern side of the lake which really is a must see.

Following a £20m complete top to toe refurbishment, The Bellhouse Hotel in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire has opened her doors as the Crown Plaza Gerrards Cross Hotel, with a lavish launch party.
The newly designed event space was put to good use, with guests enjoying some incredible canapés, non stop champagne, a cocktail bar, mini spa tasters, some great games and surprises, while dancing the night away to the wonderful live band. In short the party was a great showcase of all the hotel has to offer.

The Maldives has always enjoyed the reputation of being home to the most beautiful dream islands in the world and one of the top diving destinations for any underwater enthusiast. IX Magazine decided to fly out with Etihad Airways to Male, and the local seaplane company Trans Maldivian Airways to Kuredu and spend a couple of weeks exploring this hypnagogic destination.

If there was a league table for European (and well beyond) yacht shows covering the ultimate in yachts it would, without doubt, be championed by the Monaco Yacht Show. It is an extraordinary display of wealth and well-being; it would appear that money is no constraint on indulgence and private enjoyment. The profile of the real spenders manifests itself at Nice airport where there is a constant churn of private jets throughout the show; you can count on there being at least fifty parked at any one time.

Sitting on a small but perfectly positioned balcony at the Regina Palace Hotel, one of the best appointed residences in the small but not insignificant Italian town of Stresa, and you could be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped back in time a good half century or so. Which is by no means a criticism.