Travel

What better way to test the Audi A6 plug-in hybrid than to take it 3500 miles across France and Spain visiting luxury chateaux, villas and sublime art exhibitions?

One rainy morning I set off, with the Audi A6 hybrid fully charged (39 miles range) and gassed up to the max, headed for Dover. The idea being to test the Avant over long distances for ease of use, mpg, drivability, handling, speed, space and comfort.

The Idyllic Isle of Bequia

What divine inspiration dreamt up the island of Bequia?

Pronounced ‘Bekwey’ this 7-mile stretch means ‘island of the clouds’ in ancient Arawak. It’s one of 32 islands that make up St Vincent and The Grenadines. Home originally to a small group of Caribs, the French and later the Brits then presided. Bequia developed less from sugar as from sea-island cotton and indigo, from boat building (especially schooners), whaling and merchant seamen.

Mona Lisa's ancestral abode, nestled amidst the rolling Chianti hills above Greve and a mere stone's throw from Panzano, now stands as a luxurious haven for travellers. A short forty-minute drive south of Florence unveils this gem of a hotel, once the cherished family home of the enigmatic Mona Lisa.

In 2014, the esteemed architect and garden virtuoso, 65-year-old Patrice Taravella, took ownership of the "Villa Rinascimentale" along with its sprawling grounds, embarking on a mission to revive its former splendour. 

Audi, In a stroke of creative genius that amply demonstrates their spirit of adventure, sponsored the 2023 Queens Cup Balloon Race.

Definitely one of the most exciting and thrilling races I have ever covered. Imagine a fusion of rally car driving, classic yacht racing, Georgian airships and three-dimensional chess and you have a rough idea of the Queens Cup Balloon Race. Now throw in a massive sprinkling of great British eccentricity and a dash of those magnificent men in their flying machines and you're there.

Mid-October, saw the port of Southampton welcome the first call of MSC Euribia, ready to begin her winter sailings around Northern Europe.

In a world where time is of the essence and convenience reigns supreme, private jet travel has become the ultimate symbol of luxury and efficiency. But behind the scenes of these high-flying experiences lies a group of professionals who make it all happen: private jet charter brokers. These individuals are the unsung heroes of the skies, tirelessly working to provide their clients with seamless and customised travel experiences.

Kitzbühel has the charm and sophistication of a wealthy Grande Dame that other resorts respect and allude to.  Check if the snow conditions are good, then I would put forward the more than 750 year old small town of Kitzbühel. It is a winter (and summer) resort that you can return to time and again and still find more of interest both on and off the slopes.  However, there is nothing stuffy here as the well-groomed pistes have a magnetic vibrancy.

North Cyprus, or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as it’s also known as, is one of those parts of our continent that evades most travellers’ radars. Following its creation as a de facto state in 1983, it remains one of the more remote and unexplored regions of Europe. 

So it’s certainly an interesting locational choice for an exclusive €120 million development, on the island’s Karpaz peninsula, incorporating the country’s first international standard marina and a brand new 52-room boutique hotel. 

Making an entrance

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands nestled off the African coast, is renowned for its rich and captivating history.

The story of Tenerife dates back to prehistoric times when the Guanche people, believed to have arrived around 200 BC, established their presence on the island. The island derives its name from Chief Tinerfe, who divided the land into nine areas for each of his nine children, which still exist today as the municipal areas of Tenerife: Taoro, Guimar, Abona, Anaga, Tequeste, Taraconte, Icode, Daute, and Adeje.