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“Imagine the harmony of an orchestra, with no single instrument heard above another, this is what we aim for with our Weiner Gemischter Satz wine,” states Fritz Weininger from his winery, in the sleepy outskirts of the Austrian capital.

The vintners of Austria are a very passionate breed. They are a new generation of wine makers producing high quality products. They are represented across the four main wine regions of Niederosterriech (Lower Austria); Burgenland; Steiermark (Styria) and Vienna.

A study has calculated how far 007 has travelled to save the world - an enormous 276745.2 miles across 24 movies, with Austria having been the location on three separate films. It is a country known for its epic alpine surroundings and tailor made for adventure sport junkies.

Vintage sepia photographs, part of a permanent display dedicated to the history of ‘pearl diving’ at the Bahrain National Museum, was an ideal starting point to understand this cultural heritage. Displays give an insight into the design of the timber Dhows, the basic dive equipment used and of course the men who crewed the boats for months at a time. The few grainy images available, show every muscular sinew visible across the diver’s torso, created from a life below the waves, and based on a diet of fish, dates and rice.

An unassuming, anonymous and heavy-set red door separates a quaint cobbled courtyard, from an intimately historic foyer, embracing an almost monastic-like silence. As the door closes behind you, Lisbon’s bright morning sunshine is replaced by softer tones; the sensory contrast is immediate and welcome. This is one of many such contrasts that guests of the exquisite ‘Palácio Belmonte’ will experience during their stay.

The Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky bottle comes in an attractively designed gold embossed filigree box, but the real surprise is in the bottle. 

The aroma as I prised off the lid was good, extremely good. But it was the first sip that impressed me the most. Finally, a truly excellent unpeated whisky from England produced by a fine international team. The Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is the perfect goto whisky, smooth, finely balanced with a fusion of flavours, and just the right hint of spice.

Crisis, what crisis? The coronavirus pandemic has certainly thrown a proverbial spanner in the works for financial markets. It wasn’t that long ago stockmarkets were hitting fresh record highs. It’s all brought things down to earth rather sharpish with investors’ portfolios having taken a good old hammering with people are reassessing their investment risk appetite.

The Abarth 595 Competizione Turbo hot hatch is the racing upgrade of the Fiat 500. Taking a city run around and turning into a pocket rocket, but is it more than just a bigger engine? The short answer is yes. In essence, it may look somewhat odd, but it brings exceptional entertainment and driving pleasure in a compact form.

Abarth has been souping up Fiat 500’s since the fifties and turning out their version since the sixties. You can think of this as the result of many years of fine-tuning and expertise.

There are few places in the world that capture the imagination quite like the Maldives. This scintillating sea of a thousand islands encapsulates a mythical memory of a past Garden of Eden.

The next day started early on the balcony overlooking the sea, feeding the fishes and swimming amongst the resulting dense shoals that appeared, as if by magic. Again not a soul to be seen, just the infinite clear water stretching out in all directions, from this utterly private retreat.

The trampoline that hovers six feet above the sea takes some getting used to, but once in, is relaxing and peaceful, just the splash of the soft waves against the wooden pillars lulling you into a daytime reverie.

I’m just going to pause here. Right here, in the courtyard of this 19th century convent, now home to La Fourvière Hotel.