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.

International eXcellence Magazine interviewed Sam Matson, an Artemis Offshore Academy Alumni, who is making waves in the sailing community with his talent.
Age: 24
Hometown: Ottery St Mary, Exmouth
Boat name: Chatham
Title sponsor: Chatham
Number of Solitaire du Figaros: 2
(15th overall, 2nd Rookie 2014/13th overall 2015)
How did you first get into sailing and where?

IX Magazine interviewed the impressive Rob Bunce, a 2015 Artemis Offshore Academy Rookie, after sailing with him for the day in The Solitaire Du Figaro.
Age: 21
Hometown: Warminster, Wiltshire
Boat name: Artemis 37
Title sponsor: Artemis Offshore Academy
Number of Solitaire du Figaros: 1
(35th overall, 10th Rookie, 2015)
How did you first get into sailing and where?

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.

In the Indian Ocean to the north of Male, is the Lhaviyani Atoll, and there you will find Kuredu, one of the larger islands in the Maldives. Kuredu has something for everyone: diving, water sports, a golf course, a football pitch, gym, beautifully fresh and delicious food, great bars and a wonderful spa.

I watched quietly as the crane lowered the latest 300 BHP Luxury Sea-Doo from the truck to the trailer which then slid this amazing watercraft into the Cumberland River which runs through Nashville Tennessee.

Perceptions need to be constantly up-dated in a rapidly changing world where new technology and people’s demands are pushing boundaries to ever higher levels.   Before the word ‘Superyacht’ was coined to describe the most impressive yachts, one around 42m. was deemed a ‘big’ yacht.  Now a true Superyacht surely has to be 75m. and even longer.

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.

As summer gives way to autumn many people put holiday plans on hold. Christmas feels like a long way off, but given the modern world’s ant hill-like busyness we all know it will be upon us before we know it. Nevertheless, this is a great time of year to get away and catch some last rays of sun before the darkness of winter takes hold of Britain.