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As we drove the rather superb Audi R8 noisily (V10 engine) over the Clopton Bridge across the River Avon we could see the white walls and red clay roofs of the Arden Hotel behind the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The Arden Hotel in Stratford is set in the most perfect location, right on the river across the street from the RSC and the Swan Theatre. You are bang centre in the middle of the richest history in England. 

William Shakespeare's last home and the church where he is buried are a hundred yards away through parkland and quaint narrow streets.

Mr Prayat’s T-shirt said it all. It instructed me how to drive an elephant and reminded me how to speak elementary mahout.

“Pai!! (Forward). “Ben Kwa!” (Turn right), “Ben Sai! (Turn left) Toi  Sock!” (Back). There is no elephantese for “Stop!”  An elephant stops when it wants to. It rarely gives way and normally assumes it has the right of the way. Together we walked under the kapok silk trees, river figs and elephant ears and elephant apple trees of north Thailand, beside the River Ruak.

Working as a Sommelier in the early 1990s, I vividly recall oenophiles' desire to seek out and enjoy Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc. It almost seemed like a right of passage. The only issue was availability - it was nigh on impossible to get hold of. Was this what made it so sought after, or was it the tropical fruit bowl in a glass that was so different and new? 

We took the Bentley on a tour of Dorset and Devon, stopping at The Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne and The Cary Arms in Babbacombe Bay on the English Riviera.

The GTC Speed is a two-door, four-seat Grand Tourer offering opulence and extreme supercar performance, albeit at a hefty price. Though it delivers amazing quality for value compared to similarly priced cars, particularly when you consider the fine craftsmanship and futuristic engineering that go into making this legendary cruiser.

Honda’s CB1000R is possibly the best-looking naked bike on the road. That single-sided swingarm is gorgeous, the short seat and machined engine casings make it look industrial and the aggressive stance gives it a mischievous and reckless attitude. 

I make no bones about the fact I’m a big fan of Suzuki’s GSX-S1000. It's a simple, brutish, modern muscle bike. The recipe is so simple; great chassis, fabulous engine, cool looks and great build quality. Put all that together and you get a 150 bhp, 999 cc 4 cylinder, fun machine.

These yachts bestow a unique blend of luxury and wellness, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate while also staying active and healthy on your travels. Yachts provide a private and luxurious setting for fitness and wellness activities, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being without distractions. Many offer a range of wellness amenities, such as fitness centres, pools, spas, and yoga studios. Yachts furnish ample opportunities for outdoor activities, such as swimming, kayaking, and snorkelling.

With 180PS (177.6 bhp) on tap and 125Nm of torque, the tiny, agile Triumph Speed Tripple 1200RR might not be the logical choice for a winter ride.

As I pulled up at The Royal Duchy Hotel in the new Audi E-Tron GT Quattro, I was splendidly greeted by the concierge James who showed me to my free electric charging parking space and immediately made me feel at home. He has worked at The Duchy for just under 40 years and is an expert on the hotel and the area. In fact, Mark, the manager and James are genuinely good company and skilled at predicting a guest’s every wish.

When Ducati first released details of the Desert X, I presumed it would be a styling exercise based on an existing platform; Multistrada perhaps. How wrong was I?

I’ve only managed a brief 45-minute ride so far, so this is just my initial thoughts and some technical details.