There is a distinct, quiet magic in returning to the roads of your youth. Growing up in Plymouth, the landscapes of South Devon, where the rugged granite tors of Dartmoor give way to sweeping coastal horizons, were the backdrop to my early life. Returning decades later aboard a motorcycle adds an entirely new dimension to that nostalgia. The long, open miles through the West Country flow past with effortless rhythm, culminating in a stay at one of Devon’s most captivating historic estates: Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa.

International Excellence was invited to Claridges Spa to sample a Sturm Glow Facial created by Dr Barbara Sturm. This is her entry level facial, but an experience to enjoy for that regular maintenance and rejuvenation. 

L'Arrivée: Whisked Through, Then Made to Wait

We were greeted before security had even finished pretending to be difficult, our concierge sweeping us through in proper VIP style, past every queue and straight to the waiting car. After eight hours in the air this counts as a mercy rather than a luxury.

A lovely Antiguan lady then drove us to our villa, chatting away as though we were old friends rather than jet-lagged strangers.

Deep Bay: The Best Beach You Have Not Yet Been Told About

Anyone who has spent time along the River Spey knows that its surface can be wonderfully deceitful. It slides through the Scottish hills with an easy, polished grace, yet beneath that mirror lies a muscular undertow.

It is an apt metaphor for the latest arrival from House of Hazelwood: Calm Waters 1992, a vintage blended malt.

Climbing aboard the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited, we fired up the engine and set off for Silverstone. Our destination was the UK round of MotoGP, where we were joining the Harley-Davidson team for the Bagger World Cup—alongside a passionate crowd of owners who’d snapped up official hospitality packages (more on that later).

Golf and electric cars share a fondness for numbers. Golf has par, handicap, slope rating and the curious mathematical afterlife of Stableford. Electric cars have kilowatts, kilowatt-hours, charging curves and WLTP figures precise enough to suggest the weather has signed a contractual agreement.

They also share a minor image problem. Both can appear expensive, complicated and governed by people who assume you already understand the rules. Royal Ascot Golf Club and the new BMW iX3 are, in their very different ways, trying to do something about that.

Getting to The Hotel Tresanton

The drive from Falmouth to St Mawes is a joy in itself. You cross the Fal on the King Harry, a chain ferry that hauls itself across the water with the unhurried confidence of something that has been doing this since long before anyone thought to invent the bypass, and you arrive on the Roseland peninsula feeling as though you have been quietly upgraded to a better version of the afternoon.

There is a distinct, nostalgic thrill to slinging a leg over a proper supermoto. It looks like it means business just standing on its side stand, tall, lean, angular, and mean. Built for hooliganism. 

The 2026 Suzuki DR-Z4SM is the long-awaited, ground-up overhaul of Suzuki's iconic supermoto platform. Replacing the long-running DR-Z400SM, the new model updates the classic "thumper" design with modern fuel injection, updated chassis geometry, and lightweight electronic rider aids while keeping its nimble, street-focused character.

I should probably start this review with a confession: I’ve never really wanted an electric car.

There is a particular kind of silence that only exists 250 miles south of Malé, past the last cluster of resorts your travel agent has heard of, in an atoll so remote that even the fish look faintly surprised to see you.