The Logbook. December 2022.

THE LOGBOOK D E C E M B E R

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Find them on Instagram: @inginiousgin1

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Contents

Editors note................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Are insurers ripping off disabled travellers?................................................................................................... 6 Given lemons?............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Unique and magical Christmas markets to explore this year................................................................... 8 The journey from blog to leading industry website.................................................................................. 12 Athina Luxury Suites............................................................................................................................................. 15 Aterra Eco Boutique............................................................................................................................................. 18 Nile Safari Lodge.................................................................................................................................................... 22 African Traits........................................................................................................................................................... 25 As you like it Safaris Ltd....................................................................................................................................... 27 Exclusive Tents........................................................................................................................................................ 28 Tips for parking your car in a city during winter..........................................................................................31 All-new Ford Ranger Raptor spearheads launch of europe’s market-leading pickup................... 32 The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi........................................................................................................................... 38 Make memories with inginious gin this Christmas.................................................................................... 40 Citysuites Aparthotel Manchester...................................................................................................................41 Will 2023 see an exodus from the rat race?................................................................................................. 44

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Editors note

You know. I was worried there for a moment.

But we are back baby!

Like many businesses we got shook until the loose bits fell out.

We dodged and pivoted, bobbed and weaved like our lives depended on it. We fought like mad to keep ourselves relevant in a quickly changing market and we were at the front lines of too many to count incredible break throughs in the industries we love to write about. None of which would have been possible without our team. Thank you peeps, I think you are all insane.

People are planning their trips. They are doing their research. They are sticking pins in their maps and keeping an eye on the news. To help make things easier we have supplied a choice of places to visit for the new, intrepid adventurer. We have also touched on some notable tipples you should keep an eye out for. Of course, for regular updates on grub and tubs you should check out the food and drink section on our website.

A look at the business behind hospitality as well as brand spanking new car and hotel reviews too. Of course, you have probably been keeping up with our latest articles, editorials, features and interviews on our website and social media. But I am sure you’ll agree, nothing beats the look and feel of a top-class magazine.

It is good to be back.

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The Team Published by The Lost Executive Ltd Co-founder and Creative and Editorial Director Don Campbell Head Writer Donnie Rust Copy proofreader Daemon Sands Magazine Designer Louise Smith

Working with Glampinghub.com

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ARE INSURERS RIPPING OFF DISABLED TRAVELLERS?

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/wheelchair-holiday-bea-disabled-999622/

Valuable 500 Founder, Caroline Casey, commented saying, “This research adds to a burgeoning list of discrimination that people with disabilities face daily. When a hotel, restaurant or transport provider is inaccessible you’re leaving a proportion of business on the table.”

New research from the Valuable 500 reveals that disabled travellers are paying $460 more than non-disabled travellers for travel insurance.

Findings also reveal that a fifth of disabled travellers felt unsafe whilst travelling.

New research shows that disabled tourists are paying $460 more than non-disabled customers for travel insurance cover to go on holiday, a significant premium compared to those without disabilities or medical conditions.

She goes on to add, “The global spending power of people with disabilities is estimated to be $13 trillion annually, so the business case for the travel industry to put accessibility first, and not as an afterthought is imperative. This can be rectified by putting disabled staff and consumers at the heart of the travel business. If you put inclusive and accessible design at the heart of the business, it not only gives access to the disability market but it’s better for everyone.”

The research also looked at the other barriers disabled tourists face whilst travelling, including time inequity, digital accessibility, a lack of disabled representation, lack of inclusive design, and lack of knowledge of disability and how to meet the needs of customers with disabilities.

Because of this, feelings of embarrassment, isolation and being disregarded were also felt by a quarter of the respondents, and nearly a quarter (21%) felt ignored.

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GIVEN LEMONS? On November 25, the Third World Lemon Industry Development Conference opened in Anyue County, Sichuan Province. Themed “lemons for the world”, it functioned as a platform to promote international scientific and technological cooperation in the lemon industry. The focus was the influencer of the lemon industry, “Anyue lemon”.

According to Anyue County People’s Government, the organizer of the conference, ten activities ranging from discussions on industrial renovation through to strengthening the supply chain were held with experts joining in from across the scientific and technological world.

Honoured as the Hometown of Chinese Lemons, Anyue County, found in Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, China, is one of the five major global lemon producing areas and the only in China. Since the introduction of lemon in the 1920s, Anyue has harnessed the humid, warm climate and high-quality soil and bred a new strain of Youlike lemon. Richer in citric acid, VC, antioxidants and other nutrients it is regarded as the most ideal variety for either fresh eating or processing.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/lime-lemon-yellow-juice-slides-6215762/

The Anyue lemon industry chain is finally maturing with their lemons appearing in everything from cuisines to detergents. In all fairness, you’ve probably eaten it yourself. But don’t get sour about it.

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UNIQUE AND MAGICAL CHRISTMAS MARKETS TO EXPLORE THIS YEAR

By Staff Contributor

Christmas lovers searching for festive magic and beautiful markets this winter are being told exactly where to head. The holiday car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com have researched the world’s weird, wonderful, traditional, and themed Christmas markets.

From the ‘Grinchmas’ wonderland in Orlando to the tradition of ‘Los Reyes Magos’ in Tenerife and Europe’s biggest underground market in the Netherlands, these Christmas events and celebrations are must-visits this season.

One of the best ways to celebrate at this time of year is to browse the Christmas markets and join in with the festive traditions different countries have to offer.

Whether it’s in the sun or snow, on top of a mountain or underground, Christmas markets come in all different sizes and traditions - but they all give those magical festive feelings to those that visit, wherever they are in the world.

A spokesperson for StressFreeCarRental.com said: “For many of us, exploring a Christmas market is one of the best winter activities for getting into the festive spirit. But instead of visiting your local market this year, why not check out the most decadent and unusual Christmas markets that countries all over the world have to offer.

“Whether you want to embrace Christmas by heading over to Orlando’s The Grinch-themed winter wonderland, or stay more traditional with Tenerife’s Three Kings Parade and the Santa Claus Village in Finland, there are so many different markets to wander around.

StressFreeCarRental.com rated these Christmas markets as the most magical spots to celebrate the festive season this year:

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA

DRESDEN, GERMANY

Fans of the classic Christmas film, The Grinch need to travel to Universal Studios in Orlando this year to experience the magic of the ‘Grinchmas’ wonderland.

Dresden’s ‘Striezelmarkt’ is the longest-running Christmas market in the world and one of the largest, attracting millions of visitors each year - a definite trip for all Christmas lovers.

The life-size characters and extravagant displays transform the ‘Suss Landing’ Universal Park into the ultimate Grinchmas experience, topped off with a live stage show, Christmas lights, and food stalls.

With over 200 stands Striezelmarkt features traditional foods, drinks and lots of handmade crafts, this famous Christmas market also hosts fairground rides and a giant wooden Advent calendar in the heart of the festive city.

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UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK

Santa Claus Village is also home to a large Christmas market featuring loads of traditional Finnish foods and crafts, and a once-in-alifetime opportunity to have a reindeer ride or dog sledding. The classic Christmas village is a wonderful place to try and see the Northern Lights, which really adds to the festive magic.

Christmastime in New York is a guaranteed exciting and beautifully festive trip - and no visit to the Big Apple in December is complete without heading over to the Christmas market at Union Square.

The market has loads of food stalls as well as precious souvenirs and gifts to get in the festive spirit. And for true New York fans, a trip to see the massive Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree is just a short distance away, and visitors can ice skate on the rink below, after warming up with a hot chocolate from the market.

VALKENBURG, NETHERLANDS Valkenburg is home to the biggest underground Christmas market in Europe. This unique festive experience is in the heart of the city’s famous caves and turns into an extraordinary underground winter wonderland during Christmas time.

THE THREE KINGS PARADE (LOS REYES MAGOS), TENERIFE

The caves are filled with captivating lights and decorations, market stalls from local vendors, lifesize nativity sculptures and decadent Christmas trees hidden away in the caves settled under the Valkenburg castle ruins.

On the 5th of January every year, Tenerife celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men. The tradition goes that Los Reyes Magos bring sweets and small gifts for Spanish children overnight, and during the day families enjoy a festive feast together.

MOUNT PILATUS, SWITZERLAND The Christmas market on top of Mount Pilatus is officially the highest in Europe. At over 2000 metres visitors must ride up on the world’s steepest cogway railway to experience the Swiss Christmas magic.

The parade is a wonderful festive tradition to enjoy in Tenerife over Christmastime with camels, floats, dancers and local bands and market stalls.

SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE, FINLAND

The mountaintop Christmas market is set amongst the beautiful panoramic views and sells traditional gifts, handmade presents and tasty treats and is decked out in festive ornaments and lights.

One of the most famous Christmas destinations is the Santa Claus Village in Lapland, Finland, the home of Santa. The Village draws in thousands of visitors every Christmas, who can meet Santa, his elves, and his reindeer.

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BE IN A NATURAL, NORMAL ENVIRONMENT; IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. WE TEMPT YOU TO TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES, TURN OFF YOUR TECHNOLOGY AND TUNE OUT! ALLOW ATERRA TO BRING YOU BACK DOWN TO EARTH. ATERRA, SAO TEOTONIO, PORTUGAL | WWW.ATERRA.PT

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Contemporary features, iconic views, and comfortable living space. Take a dip in our 18m spa pool or work up a sweat in our 24hr gym.

www.citysuites.com

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DESTINATIONS

THE JOURNEY FROM BLOG TO LEADING INDUSTRY WEBSITE Interviewee: Ruben Martinez, Co-Founder of Glamping Hub

Ruben explains that Glamping Hub started with David Troya from Sevilla Spain and himself, from Albuquerque New Mexico. Two friends who met in Spain years before.

While they both were obtaining MBAs, David at University of San Francisco and Ruben at Regis University in Colorado, David first heard the term glamping in one of his classes and knew this was something he wanted us to explore.

“After discussing the potential, we started putting together ideas and brought on another friend, and third Co-Founder, Talal Benjelloun,” he says,

Listing everything from Mom and Pop enterprises to management company rentals, Glamping Hub is the world’s leading portal for unique outdoor accommodations across the globe.

“Glamping Hub was built on the foundation of friendship, and some of the very first investors were close friends and family.”

With a reputation for offering one-of-a-kind accommodations and experiences and with over 30,000 accommodations in 120 countries, they are proving that there is a glamping site perfect for each and every traveller. As Co-Founder Ruben Martinez says, “It’s all about collecting memories, not things.”

THE EARLY SITE BLOG SITE TO INDUSTRY MOVER

In the early stages, Ruben explains that after they relaunched their blog into a booking platform, Glamping Hub was a listing service, where hosts would pay to have their glamping site listed.

For those bloggers with big dreams, it’s inspiring to know that Glamping Hub was founded in 2013, primarily as a blog. The following year it launched as a booking platform with 200 accommodations listed.

“Since then Glamping Hub has become fully transactional with a global focus,” he says, “Working with growing markets in the industry that have great potential like Australia, New Zealand and Canada as well as others.”

Today what separates Glampinghub.com from other listing websites is that all represented accommodations must be unique in their offerings and structure, offer a-one-of-a-kind experience and hotel-quality comfort, as well as be located in the outdoors.

Right from the start relationships have been very important to Glamping Hub. Some of their hosts are very small business owners who have incredible pride for the businesses they have created. Pouring their hearts and souls and often their life savings into their properties, creating their businesses and getting them off the ground into a territory and industry that is still quite young and is not fully understood.

“We work with hosts to curate and create handwritten listings that perfectly and accurately describe their site and offerings, and with guests to be able to have the experience of a lifetime at their desired glamping site,” Ruben says.

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the newspaper from front to back each night before bed is a ritual that he is committed to.

However, self-education aside, he admits that the biggest lessons often come from unexpected and painful sources.

The properties and their businesses are very personal to them, and for Glamping Hub it is very important to cultivate the relationships with these hosts and these small business owners because they are hopefully providing them with a stream of revenue that they may not otherwise receive.

“We really try to learn from past failures,” he says, “Things we thought were going to take off and do really well that did not. We also set up early indicators so that we go down a path that is really working. Sometimes pivoting away from the projects and ideas that are not working can be very painful and hard to do, but we strive to do a good job at keeping close to the data and understanding what is working. We make those tough decisions when we have to so we can focus on what comes next and part of what we did to future proof was to get in super early and be these early adapters.”

“This allows them to carry on their dream of having a successful business and site,” he says, “You cannot do this without having successful relationships, so it is very important for us to continue to build these relationships with the hosts on our site.”

A HUMAN COMPANY Glamping Hub is very much a human company, offering 24 hour 7 days a week support, so that when someone needs to contact them, they are provided with human interaction and assistance.

It is very important to Ruben and his co-founders that every individual with their own needs can come to them and have those needs met and supported.

A CULTURE OF LEARNING Ruben reveals that he keeps up to date by trying to read as much as possible. Consuming information on business, the glamping and hospitality industry as a whole, travel and other peripherals. Reading

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2023

Even though they defied expectations by entering the glamping market super early and reaching their current position as a market leading voice of the industry, Ruben still believes they’ve scarcely scratched the surface.

Even with their global presence, Ruben says that they feel very excited about the potential of other global markets. They now have a fully functioning Spanish website, so are very excited about working with additional regions, languages and markets.

CHALLENGES SOCIALS

One of the main challenges Ruben reveals, is wearing all the hats. When you do not have a team of people that specialize in all of the departments, you really need to do everything all at once. In that challenge comes the challenge of staying focused on what matters and what is important.

Leveraging the strength of social media is something Ruben credits much of their success with. Creating and curating compelling content is an absolute priority, as it’s their objective to deliver what their audience loves to see and where they would like to stay. He says that being able to provide their audience and guests with real life glamping sites that are both bucket-list-worthy and attainable contributes to their core principles of being a human company and providing their guests with the best of the best.

“It is easy to get distracted and turn your attention to something else when something looks like it’s going well,” he says, “It becomes dangerous to focus on too many things at once.”

To overcome these sorts of negative mindsets, they have a very strong mentor network and are fortunate to work with extremely talented individuals. Thanks to this Ruben believes that as a business they’re are smart enough to know that they do not know everything, and that it is extremely beneficial to bring on those incredibly intelligent and smart individuals to help them overcome these big challenges.

With a highly active presence on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter, they partner with a number of incredible brands and influencers to expand their audience and attain new potential customers and glampers. Whether they are there to learn more about the industry or to book accommodations, their digital platforms are crucial and necessary in order to give their guests an idea of who they are and what they offer.

“Because at the end of the day we cannot overcome these challenges on our own and need the help of our team to do so,” he says.

“By engaging in different collaborations and partnerships we are also able to connect with our audience on a deeper level and further add to our community,” he says.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY You can’t be afraid to make waves or take a risk, Ruben says. For businesses to be successful in the long haul you cannot be doing what everybody else is doing. You have to reinvent, you have to innovate, you have to try new things, and more importantly, you have to fail.

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS In one of the first phone calls Ruben had with David about embarking on this journey, he said ‘Well hey, even if this fails, at least we get to talk to each other every day.’

“One of our business philosophies is having a high level of comfort with failure,” he says, “Not continuous failure but taking a risk and trying something new and if it fails being able to understand why and then move forward in the right direction, quickly.”

Ruben remembers this and says, that Glamping Hub is truly a business built off of friendship.

For long term business strategy if you are not innovating and taking risks or not hiring the right set of people and taking the time to set them up on the right course, then your strategy will fail.

Your business strategy has to be built on those principles.

www.glampinghub.com Interview set up Jessica Armstrong: jessica@glampinghub.com

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DESTINATIONS

ATHINA LUXURY SUITES SANTORINI, GREECE.

You deserve unrestrained beauty

By Donnie Rust

When visiting the islands of the Aegean, one is confronted by the vastness of nature. An endless sparkling sea leading in all directions to a sky too vast and silky blue to be real. It humbles the proud and inspires the courageous with its scale and in the face of this rugged beauty, a local sense of community, family and hospitality has become as legendary as the ancient heroes that once conquered this stunning sea.

Suites. Since 2014 when the current owners Artemis Argyrou and Panagiotis Iglesis took over the hotel, they have matched the location stride for stride with the very best of luxury, comfort and Greek hospitality. The Cyclades are not a place for half measures, and they have taken the luxury of their accommodations to the extremes.

On the island of Santorini, two hundred kilometres southeast of the Greek mainland, two towns, Fira and Oia, cling to the cliff face above an underwater caldera left over from a volcano that gave the island its shape in the 16th century. Overlooking islands to the west and beaches of black, red and white lava pebbles, Fira, especially, is gifted with the most spectacular sunsets in the evening and cool shady mornings to contrast with the unimpeded sunshine of the day.

Twenty five suites are available at Athina and from the upscale sophistication of the decor to the smallest details in the rooms, every aspect is designed to pamper and delight. Panagiotis reveals that they scoured the globe for the highest quality amenities and most notable and trusted brands to create an atmosphere of refined opulence. The linens, towels and bathrobes are all Guy Laroche while Hermes, Guerlain and Balmain amenities grace every bath, meanwhile handmade ecofriendly mattresses guarantee every guest a deep peaceful sleep.

THE SUITES

It is within this town of whitewashed, cubiform buildings where travellers meet Athina Luxury

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Wherever possible, unique tailoring brings out the best of the immediate surroundings, the outdoor furniture (by Vondom Italy) is designed to encourage guests to relax and enjoy the views, while the beds and sofas are perfect for an afternoon nap. In the Royal Suite, every detail exudes charm and grace, from the handmade Greek furnishings from Leontiadis to the statue of the goddess Athina from the world-famous sculptor Goumas.

Employed stylings and decorations are a unique combination of minimalism and modernized traditionalism. The buildings themselves are constructed using local volcanic rocks and ecological materials from the very island. All of the rooms come equipped with showers and some also with bathtubs and many of the suites also offer heated plunge pools and balcony hot tubs. So, guests can enjoy a wonderful soak while soaking in the scenery.

“Our carefully curated collection of local wines, inspired cocktails and Illy coffees ensure that every sip is one to savour,” Panagiotis says,

“And our available menu brings an entirely new dimension to a guest’s stay. We knew when we opened Athina almost ten years ago that we had to make sure that the food was on par with the accommodation as great food is part of great hospitality.”

STYLINGS No two of the suites are the same and each offer something different to the guest depending on the occasion for their stay or their particular tastes.

For example, the Royal Suite with an outdoor jacuzzi, allows guests to bask in the sunshine and look out at the extraordinary surroundings. In contrast the Grand Cave Suite with indoor and Outdoor Jacuzzi, offers a completely different style of decor and atmosphere. The bold uniqueness of each of these locations beckons guests of all creeds, while the dizzyingly high standards of customer care make them want to stay longer.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT Aiming to supply a personalised, boutique level of service, the feedback from guests is very important to Panagiotis. It also helps to further inspire and guide the twenty-eight members of staff to always do better. Already considered by guests to be the best hotel on the island, the aim is always to further impress and inspire.

“If you are going to stay on an island renowned for its legends,” Panagiotis says, “You should stay somewhere legendary.”

This tracks with a philosophy of hospitality that is intrinsic to the business. The ancient Greek idea of philoxenia inspires hospitality, generosity of spirit and warm welcomes. Sacred at the hotel, this philosophy can be seen in everything they do as they continue the spirit of sophisticated hospitality that Greece is so famous for. Indeed, to ensure that nothing important or desired is missed, guests are encouraged to complete a questionnaire before they leave so that improvements or advancements can be made.

GREAT TASTE While the location inspires the imagination, the various sea and land activities available on Santorini will empty the stomach. Here is the double-whammy where Athina Luxury Suites make sure they leave their mark on all the visiting guests. Esperisma, their onsite bar and restaurant is headed up by their Executive Chef Dimitris Chasiotis, an artist of the culinary brush whose expert use of fresh local ingredients creates immersive and delicious meals encompassing the wonderful tastes of the region.

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A GREEN PHILOSOPHY

“Additionally, we are a proud participant in the Green Soap program which allows us to recycle leftover soap and other cleaning products,” Panagiotis says, “Our efforts to be eco-friendly are an important part of our philosophy of Greek hospitality and another way to pamper our guests.”

Santorini, with its multi coloured cliffs and spectacular weather is one of the most exquisite landscapes in the world. With an implied duty of care, Athina have a responsibility to be action based in their philosophies and not simply green wash themselves as so many hotels are liable to do.

Despite their approach to limiting their impact on the environment being in-effect since their opening, Panagiotis is nonetheless grateful that they adopted this focus early. A tide of interest in how destinations conduct themselves when it comes to the environment has been rapidly rising over the last few years. Travellers are increasingly aware of how the locations they stay in contribute to their own impact and carbon footprint and are choosing carefully.

As such, every member of the Athina team takes their environmental responsibility seriously and take part in a variety of energy-saving and eco-friendly measures. Dual-flush toilets, LED bulbs and automatic outdoor lighting conserve resources without sacrificing convenience or luxury. Waste is limited due to rigorous recycling procedures, the cleaning products that keep the villas sparkling and pristine are all strictly natural and certified eco-friendly and guests are encouraged to reuse towels.

Happy to be the example of how eco-conscious working and high-end luxury can co-exist, Athina Luxury Suites has proved why Greece was considered the seat of enlightenment for so many thousands of years. For the next thousand they can be known as the seat of luxury and comfort as well.

Price: The average price for the high season is around 800 euro per night including breakfast.

Address: FIRA – SANTORINI – GREECE Telephone number: +30 228 602 4910 Email: info@athinasuites.com Website: www.athinasuites.com

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DESTINATIONS

ATERRA ECO BOUTIQUE Enticing the escapist ATERRA GLAMPING Aterra Eco Boutique are a highly visited glamping destination nestled in the Portuguese rainforest.

Offering high end hotel standards of comfort while surrounded by teeming jungle life, the site is a welcomed poultice to the modern-day executive or business traveller, looking to draw out the grime embedded by rigorous city living.

natural and thriving environment. Revealing that sustainable, eco-focussed hospitality does not need to compromise on one’s modern comforts.

As a team, their joint ability could not have been better suited. Francisco’s background comes from garden design and landscaping, experience that is essential in the ongoing negotiation of land between the lodges and the surrounding, and ever encroaching, rainforest. Meanwhile, Claudia taught in a primary school and as such, knows how to manage any sort of animal that may come exploring from the trees.

Surrounded by towering oaks, the nights at Aterra are filled with sounds as abundant as the stars in the sky. Mornings are still and quiet as the sun rises over the canopy, preceded by the cheerful choirs of early rising birds of paradise. The temperature is mild and warm, the air filled with the scents of indigenous fauna and flora. Not too long ago, our ancestors thrived in environments like this, and a primal instinct exists in all of us, drawing us back. Perhaps this explains the undeniable allure of eco-boutique glamping that feels, to so many, like home.

“We love travelling and receiving people,” Claudia explains, “And we wanted to offer a place that would immediately connect people with nature without sacrificing the sort of comfort that glamping is known to offer.”

WHY IS ESCAPISM IMPORTANT FOR THE SOUL Speaking with the owners, Claudia and Francisco who founded the destination in 2011 following their adventures in Asia, Aterra Eco Boutique has from the start offered a balance luxury with a

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After almost twelve years, Aterra has evolved with the times while keeping that quintessential core focus. Well known in the glamping world and often booked out months in advance, Aterra attracts many Portuguese locals as well as international travellers, this is unique in the industry where a location tends to mostly offer new accommodation experiences for foreigners.

That so many locals visit the destination, shows that there is something special that connects with people and not necessarily just travel trends.

One of the reasons is the way in which the pair have bucked the trend of fast expansion and over-farming of a good idea. Many glamping sites capitalise fast on their locations and crowd in different places to stay, but since the beginning Aterra has only added two extra accommodations. As Claudia explains, they have always focussed on quality rather than quantity. While they are here, guests want to feel that they are on their own adventure and not just another keyholder in a large group of visitors.

“We take ideas from our own travel experiences,” she says, “Continually upgrading and improving the guest experience we offer. This is our life project, and our legacy. Guests will take home a unique memory of us that will inspire them in the future, we want to make sure it is a good one.”

The same kaizen approach is used when futureproofing the business to ensure they are ready to capitalise on changes in technology, trending topics and the developing needs and tastes of guests while keeping the amount of contamination on-site to a minimum. Aterra provides a reliable escape from what Claudia considers a technologically stressed society, bringing people back down to earth and reconnecting them with nature.

“We like to add details to enhance the beauty and comfort of Aterra and make improvements to satisfy and surprise our returning guests,” she says happily, “To this end we have added more services and activities, such as kids programs, yoga, horse riding, alternative therapies, and more entertainment such as bars, music and a varying international menu in our restaurant to satisfy the pallets of any international foodie.”

“While still providing the most comfortable beds to ensure the deepest, most enjoyable sleeps,” she adds, “Why create a paradise in a paradise if you can’t have some luxuries?”

THE FLAVOUR Travel trends are always shifting and the difference between a busy site and one with empty beds, is down to whether the site offers what guests are looking for at that time. The team of ten at Aterra Eco Boutique keep a keen eye on the shifting topography of their industry, making full use of the data gleaned from the front lines when speaking to the guests. Additionally, as avid travellers, Claudia and Francisco are always looking out for good ideas to emulate from their own adventures.

PARTNERING Keeping abreast of the latest developments and travel trends that could offer positive or sometimes negative affects to their business, Claudia and Francisco have partnered and stand with organisations sharing their stance on ecosustainability.

One of these is the Portuguese based, Quercus.

An independent, not-for-profit environmental organisation founded in Portugal in 1985 by a

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most exquisite adrenaline rushes first thing in the morning in the form of hammock tents slung over canyon walls. From an outsider’s point of view, glamping can seem chaotically competitive but as mentioned previously, Aterra’s advantage is knowing their strengths and what they stand for.

As Claudia explains, competition is always good as it keeps us on our toes, keeps us growing and improving our services in both big ways and small and it always helps cement our fundamentals.

“Good hospitality always starts with comfortable beds, clean sheets, great showers, exquisite locations and good relationships with guests,” she says, “If you stripped away everything else at Aterra you’d find this is our base line standard and why our biggest competition is ourselves.”

collective of citizens dedicated to conserving and defending the environment with an eye on sustained development. Named after the common Latin name for oaks, after the holm and cork oaks that thrive in the country and supply home and bounty for those living there, the organisation has for almost forty years navigated the fluctuating areas of biodiversity, waste, water, energy and climate change. Supplying a source of information and direction for their associates.

Address: Aterra, Sao Teotonio, Portugal Telephone number: 00351936914279 Email: info@aterra.pt Website: www.aterra.pt

2023 Following the big changes in travel after the Covid period, the team made the tactical decision to not rely so much on tourism from afar, and to engage more with the local community within Portugal.

International travel is still a vital part, but there is a wonderful appreciation for those who may be neighbours coming in to enjoy what is on offer.

“I think the Covid chaos only enhanced peoples need to have more contact with nature and other people!” Claudia says.

This year a few carefully selected developments are taking place, such as weddings, corporate retreats and festivals not to mention other surprises to add more beauty and comfort.

Including such things as eco spa- but more details on that later.

COMPETITION, ALL ABOUT KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS. Glamping has been the fastest growing sector in the travel industry in recent years, fuelled by social media and an unreachable ceiling of creativity. Glamping can offer dozens of different accommodations in hundreds of different locations, some of them promise palatial luxury in far flung exotic areas while others offer the

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Introducing your sanctuary in Santorini. Perched on the cliffs of the caldera, our boutique hotel puts you in the most sought-after location in Fira!

FIRA – SANTORINI – GREECE 21 +30 228 602 4910 | info@athinasuites.com | www.athinasuites.com

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DESTINATIONS

NILE SAFARI LODGE Uganda’s First Tented Safari Camp

One of the first tented lodges along the Nile River in Uganda, the Nile Safari Lodge was founded in 1993 by Zahid Alam. Opened under the name Geo Lodges it was designed to be a place of natural beauty, where the presence of guests would have little or no impact upon the thriving wildlife of this legendary area. It was a worthwhile legacy, so in 2017 when the camp had begun to succumb to the marathon of time the family owned company NOVAM Ltd took over the premises. Their aim was to uphold the legacy, restore the lodge to its former glory and add some tailored appeal for the discerning modern-day traveller.

allow themselves to be changed by it. This is the truth of travelling to Africa, you do not leave the same person as you arrived.”

THE LODGE There are thirty locally employed, highly trained staff members at the Nile Safari Lodge which is located at the limit of the national park and right on the riverbank. But what is truly unique about the location is that the lodge is elevated from the mighty Nile River and this offers guests an uninterrupted view of the wildlife that congregates upon its shores, drawn in by the life giving waters.

We spoke with Nathalie Van Pée of Nile Safari Lodge regarding what the lodge stands for and why this legacy is worth maintaining. She explains, “Having grown up in Uganda and having lived here for over twenty years, we want to both share the beauty of the country and conserve it for future generations.”

There are eight bandas in total. These include six standard bandas, a Family banda that includes a very popular private child-friendly nine person pool and one exclusive Honeymoon banda which comes with a private plunge pool and an outside star bed. According to Nathalie, with little or no light pollution in the area, the available opportunities for night-time gazing at the cosmos are quite spectacular.

According to Nathalie, once you understand that the thriving abundance of life in this area is nevertheless reliant on a fragile eco-system, wanting to protect it becomes second nature. And, sharing the experiences that can be had here with international visitors is the surest way to inspire people from across the globe to do the same.

The lodge is built using eucalyptus poles and grass thatch as the dominant materials. Stilts have been used to deal with slopes and these have created spectacular views from the various cantilevering decks. Meanwhile, the steep geometry of the roofs allow the impressive structures to sink organically into the surrounding trees as if they had sprouted from the branches themselves.

“Enjoying the beauty of nature has never been academic,” she points out, “People need to make the journey and see what this world is like. They need to experience it with all of their senses and

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With a unique selection of Rampel designed furniture, the bandas are a combination of comfort and simplicity with a big dose of luxury. The interiors offer the calming smell of thatching and eucalyptus, along with providing an exclusive style and ambiance that immerses the guest into the spirit of the location.

“This is important to us,” Nathalie explains, “We wanted an eco-lodge that would blend seamlessly with nature, hence the architectural design of the lodges that has allowed us to provide spacious accommodation for our guests while keeping them in touch with the ever-inspiring Nile.”

Imagine sinking into a tub in one of these spacious rooms, soaking the activities of the day out of your muscles while watching the steam dance across the thatching. Or, languidly peering out the window at the Nile and imagining yourself drifting lazily upon those currents, while all the creatures in the grass and leaves surrounding you buzz and sing and chirrup just for you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPACE While often understated, a sure way to determine the standard of luxury at any accommodation is the state of the ablutions. In the same way that a restaurant can be immediately judged on the state of its kitchen, so too can a resort or lodge be lauded or condemned by the state of their guest bathrooms. Bluntly, the kings of the Nile would feel quite at home here.

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RECOGNITION

The clever use of space in the sleeping areas and the bathing areas has created another aspect which sometimes goes unappreciated. Uncluttered living space. Nothing feels as luxurious as having a lot of uninterrupted room to move around in; be it to slow dance to some romantic music with a lover after sunset, or to chase your children around before tickling them to tears. Africa is all about dancing and laughter after all.

Their above-and-beyond approach to customer focus has won the Nile Safari Lodge a handful of Trip Advisor awards in the past as well as featuring in 1000 places to go before you die: https://www. africanpearlsafaris.com/safari/nile-safari-lodge-inmurchison-falls-national-park/

THE LODGE Since NOVAM took control of the lodge in 2017, it has been fully renovated to its current status and 2022 has been a new start for them.

CUSTOMER SERVICE While there is no denying that the lodge is certainly an impressive sight providing the most breathtaking and Instagram worthy views, the team understands that the real strength of hospitality comes from the attention paid to the smallest details of guest satisfaction.

“We believe that each year is an opportunity to offer something new, exciting and worthwhile for the guests,” Nathalie says, “This includes not only things pertaining to guest comfort and the general luxury of the lodge but also making sure we are doing everything in our power to protect this remarkable and vibrant area we’re lucky to find ourselves.”

“Understanding that many of our guests will have certain expectations,” Nathalie explains, “We make sure to keep lodge and suite cleanliness above the usual standard one would expect. With this in mind we implement a daily procedure sheet designed to effectively train our employees and ensure they always have the best resources and equipment to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness.”

As a National Park, the area is protected. However, the modern sensitivity of global travellers to their own impact on the environment is growing and this is something that NOVAM plan to encourage.

“This is without a doubt one of the most mesmerising and humbling places of beauty you will ever find,” she says, “It’s beauty never lessens whether it’s your first night here or your twentieth year and guests always leave with a great sensibility to their place in this eco environment.”

Relationship building is also a key aspect for them, and Nathalie reveals that to build these relationships they focus on exceptional communication. As mentioned, many of their clients come from faraway lands and different time zones.

“Seize the opportunity to escape the ordinary,” she adds.

“To exceed the expectation of our guests and ensure their comfort during their stay,” she says, “We make sure that we are present at the lodge and are open to guest enquiries or complaints. It makes it easy to address any problem and find the solution.“

Price: $370- 715 per night depending on season and the room.

Telephone number: +256 772 363362 Email: info@nilesafarilodge.com Website: www.nilesafarilodge.com

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Featurette

AFRICAN TRAITS Writer: Donnie Rust Since he was eleven years old, Godfrey Willy knew that his future would involve tourism and adventure. He knew in his heart his office would be the vast plains of Tanzania and his legacy would change lives not only for those visiting Africa but for the local communities as well.

Years later after earning a diploma in Tourism Management from the Tanzania Institute of Wildlife Research, he embarked on shaping his enterprise. What began as a solo, one-man operation to share his love of his native home, soon grew into a fifteen person business operating a fleet of vehicles through hundreds of tours a year.

SOMETHING SPECIAL Highly selective of who he works with, Godfrey insists that his tours are led by guides who can educate, entertain and be flexible enough to make the most of the unexpected. There is always something happening and knowing where to go and when to be there, and how to engage those on the tour, is where the difference between a good safari and a great adventure is found.

DEVELOPMENTS AND 2023 Following a temporary hiatus during the pandemic, African Traits returned to find that the taste for wild safaris was stronger than ever. He noticed that, following Covid, visitors were especially interested in personalised, tailormade tours that were non-catalogue. He believes it’s because for a long-time people were forbidden to travel and this changed many people’s priorities. Suddenly, their life-long dreams of safaris in deepest Africa were put to the top of their bucket lists.

Additionally, unlike many other companies, African Traits drivers and guides are not limited by the amount of petrol during their tour, making sure to cover a big area of park during their visit. This also empowers the guides who can make decisions while on tour about where to go to make sure the clients have the best safari experience.

To meet this enthusiastic demand, Godfrey has instigated a new plan dedicated to customer reach out using social media for 2023. The organisation dedicates three hours daily for social media creation appearing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Linked IN. Drivers have gone through intensive training to update themselves in touring and customer care and vehicles are being upgraded to new models in the new year. The upcoming seasons will also bring new and exciting tour packages and programmes with a focus on south Tanzania.

CLIENT FOCUSSED To ensure guests have the best African safari experience, African Traits alternates the in-tour accommodation between hotels and tented camps so that their clients get the chance to try both options. With a wide selection of hotels and tents of different levels available, it is as much about the post-safari ambiance as the comfort of the pillow and mattress to provide a well-earned deep sleep.

On-safari, each client has a window seat to enjoy, and pop-up roofs supply panoramic views during game drives. Vehicles are equipped with a fridge to keep drinks and water cool and for safety, all have seatbelts, fully equipped first aid kits and the drivers are first aid trained.

Price: Between $300 and $700 per day Telephone number: +255 658 552 186 Email: info@africantraits.com Website: www.africantraits.com

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Featurette

AS YOU LIKE IT SAFARIS LTD Kenya Writer: Donnie Rust SOCIAL IMPACT

Steeped in the safari industry since 1989, As You Like It takes its famous name from the Shakespearian play and reflects the class, flexibility and personality that founder Vivien Prince believed were essential for creating the best safari.

Offering an experience where the guest arrives with the excitement and anticipation of fulfilling a lifelong dream, and leaves with the satisfaction that comes after an adventure that ticks the boxes.

Vivien and her team are passionately involved in the development and aid of the local community and As You Like It take part in community projects to aid with education and housing of locals as well as preserving and protecting the indigenous wildlife, many of which are currently endangered.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS Vivien also explains that they always try to share their conservation efforts with their clients. They engage in a lot of different projects, including the Mt. Kenya Safari Club Animal Orphanage, The Chimpanzee sanctuary in Ol Pejeta, The Rhino Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta and The Elephant Orphanage.

THE SAFARIS Working with a select team of industry experts as well as agents in Canada and Australia, the average As You Like It Safari lasts fourteen to seventeen days, but as each tour is customized for the participant, they can last any length of time. As is suggested by the name, the safaris are constructed around what the guest wants to see.

Anyone going on a safari has a unique experience in mind. Interests vary, so understanding the minutia of a client’s perfect-dreamscape-safari, is important when it comes to shaping the real thing.

Beyond wildlife, there is a strong social responsibility that As You Like It Safaris is involved in. Hope Streams Academy is one of these projects where clients absolutely adore the visit to the school. Visitors to the country are often interested in the social aspects of the people that live there, it is an important part of getting to know this corner of the world and realising just how wonderful the locals are.

THE UNIQUE TOUCH With the above in mind, Vivien explains that what makes As You Like It unique is her personal, old school attention to detail where customers get what they are promised and more.

WHAT GUESTS CAN EXPECT PRICE: Average US$8,000 to $9,000 but depending on what is wanted it can be as low as $2700 or up to $11,000 to $12,000 per person.

The scope of safaris on offer revolves around Kenya and include expeditions up the ever present and recognisable Mount Kilimanjaro, photographic safaris to capture images of the big five, which the region is famous for, or cultural tours to engage and learn about the people who live there. All guests are accompanied by highly trained guides ready to draw attention to interesting details and make the most of unexpected developments.

Website: www.asyoulikeitsafaris.com Address: P.O. Box 40501, Nairobi 00100, Kenya.

And 384 Nassau Way, Boulder City, NV 89005 Telephone number: WhatsApp +1 702 343 3776 Email: vivprince@asyoulikeitsafaris.com

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EXCLUSIVE TENTS Don’t put your heels down if you want to keep up with Exclusive Tents THE IMAGINE COLLECTION

Like a galloping behemoth from Greek mythology, Exclusive Tents is carried across the hospitality landscape by hundreds of feet that never stop running, hundreds of hands that never stop reaching and a collective of minds that never stop imagining. Leaving a trail of creative and exotic canvas structures in its wake, this glorious beast of a company, ambulating magnificently across the horizon is instantly recognisable. At the helm is Paul Zway, glamping’s most unique CEO, who has deliberately gone out of his way to make his clients, his staff and his contemporaries believe that anything is possible.

With the year ending Exclusive Tents has launched a versatile collection of products that succinctly proves the only way to pioneer an industry is to be the one pushing against the boundary line.

The Imagine Collection, in partnership with Johan Maree and his son Louwrie, is a collection of tents of the highest quality that are easy (read affordable) to manufacture and setup.

“Our vision was for our customers to have a way to easily design their own tents in any shape or size, using paper cut-outs,” Paul explains, “This procedure forms an important part of our creation process where the dreamscapes of our clients’ visions can be made into something tangible.”

THE CHOICE OF SAFARI TENTS Considering the background of the company’s founder who spent seventeen years working as a game ranger at Kruger National Park in his native South Africa. It is not surprising that, after so much time spent sleeping in one, that the aesthetic and signature style of their products are biased towards the African safari tent. Although, who could have guessed there would be such variety to the use of stretched khaki canvas?

The luxurious tents are particularly popular with the sorts of industries requiring the highest and most exclusive standards. With that in mind, Exclusive Tents counts the biggest glamping sites, hotel brands and safari operators as their regular customers, consultants, and friends. Paul is constantly on the go as well, meeting and offering advice and candour; intently solution focussed and a grand lover of a challenge you could define his approach to running a business in one line: “Listen to what your customers have to say brother.”

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and return on investment and will be formally introduced and released in early 2023.”

Mindfulness was paramount whilst building the prototypes, every part was considered and appraised against their joint experience of several decades of building and erecting tents. Aesthetics were a crucial factor in the concept design, to ensure that the tents kept the romantic elegance that Exclusive Tents is so well known for.

DESALINATION: A NEW SUSTAINABLE WAY: As glamping locations become increasingly advanced and adventurous, the need to offer peripheral solutions beyond accommodation becomes more important. In past features with Exclusive Tents, we have covered how glamping sites in more exotic locations are often at the mercy of the elements as a price for offering these locations for guests to stay. Securing plumbing can be a problem in the most remote areas and so as a new addition to their Essentials Category, Exclusive Tents have partnered with an innovative company who have perfected a low cost, fossilfree desalinisation solution that requires limited maintenance to create pure fresh water.

“A few factors had to be taken into account,” says Paul, “Such as competitive pricing and shortening the production time through innovative manufacturing. We have increased wind speed and snow bearing capability and the ease to which any part can be replaced if needed, such as a section of canvas body or wall panel. Meaning that any repair work can be done easily and efficiently on site.”

Encouraging creative interior design layouts plays a significant role in turning a vision into a reality where minor changes here-and-there often result in significant differences. For example, ease of setup has been improved upon yet again and in addition to some new offerings (scalloped ridgeline and eaves, rounded, or squared off ends) customers have the ability to upgrade from standard features.

­ uring the desalination process, the seawater and D fresh water is separated, resulting in an outflow with a high concentration of salt. This so-called brine is often 100% saltier than seawater, resulting in negative effects on the marine ecosystem.

Brine pools can be lethal and fish entering them can suffer severe toxic shock within seconds of exposure. Globally, desalination systems discharge 142 million m³ of brine a day, posing a major risk

“The Imagine Collection is made of the very best materials available to ensure the best longevity

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to aquatic life. Additionally, toxic chemicals, such as copper and chlorine, are used as anti-scalants and anti-foulants which pollute the oceans even more. In contrast to other desalination plants, the Essential Category system by Exclusive Tents, runs on a low recovery ratio and does not use any chemicals in the desalination technology.

Operating on a low recovery ratio result in the outflow being only slightly saltier than the source water (instead of being 100% saltier). That way, negative environmental impact is avoided, making desalination a truly sustainable solution to water scarcity for generations to come. These systems can be containerized using eight’ – 40’ containers, producing from 5m3 to 100m3 per day and that is a lot of pure fresh water using about 75% less energy than traditional desalination.

Paul reveals that new tents are already being manufactured and destined for the “Living Showroom,” which will be located in the bushveld within The Dome, the largest impact crater on earth which is also a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site.

LIVING SHOW ROOMS

“When completed,” Paul says, “Our clients will not only be able to view our tents, but they will be able to overnight in the showroom and be immersed in the best of both worlds.”

Paul understands the importance of immersion when it comes to deciding on which sort of glamping accommodation is suitable for you.

First-time buyers into the industry may have never actually had the opportunity to be fully immersed into an environment. Having spent much of his professional life sleeping in tents in the bushveld, Paul knows how important it is for those wanting to get involved to understand the right way of doing it.

“How does a tent influence your ability to hear the world around you, what part would the location play in your ability to sleep. What sort of experience can be offered when you combine a unique, luxurious safari tent with an unusual location in an unusual area?”

Exclusive Tents International Ltd Website: www.exclusivetents.com Telephone: 1-520-261-4634

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TIPS FOR PARKING YOUR CAR IN A CITY DURING WINTER

By Staff Contributor

come and clear the streets. Residents clear a spot and, when they drive away, mark it with folding chairs and other objects.

The winter season in many parts of the world can be a challenge. This is especially true when driving around town, finding a place to park, or getting your car unstuck from snow or ice. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to make sure you get where you need to go safely, quickly, and without hassle during the coldest months of the year. Follow these tips for parking your car in a city during winter without any trouble!

While not strictly legal, cities tend to ignore this for the first day after the storm. In any event, respect dibs. Don’t remove a thing marking a shoveled-out spot and park. The person who marked it will not be happy.

It’s always best to look for a parking garage before picking street parking. That way, you can avoid the hassle. Many cities even have automated parking garages to improve urban living, so keep an eye out for those!

PREPARE YOUR WINDSHIELD Clean your windshield and windows to prevent ice from forming on them. Ice sheets on your windshield can obstruct your view and slow you down, increasing your chances of an accident or being pulled over by law enforcement.

CONCLUSION These are some of the best tips for parking your car in a city during winter. Some cities may not have snowfall, so try to adapt them accordingly to your situation. Hopefully, these tips will help you park your car safely during winter.

AVOID FLOODED AREAS Ensure you avoid flooded areas when looking for a place to park your car. Most of us know that water can damage our engine components, but did you know that cars are susceptible to saltwater corrosion as well? Salt water can cause rusting underneath a car, which is tough to spot at first. If you see standing water, keep driving.

WATCH OUT FOR DIBS In cities, the locals engage in a tradition known as dibs after a major snowstorm (and sometimes after minor ones).

Dibs refers to declaring a spot to be yours. After a blizzard, it can take some time for the plows to

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ALL-NEW FORD RANGER RAPTOR SPEARHEADS LAUNCH OF EUROPE’S MARKET-LEADING PICKUP The all-new, next-level Ford Ranger Raptor has arrived, carving the way for the exciting new generation of Europe’s market-leading pickup.3

hardware, Ranger Raptor blends raw power with mechanical and technical precision to create the most advanced Ranger ever.

Designed to dominate in the desert and master the mountains, the second-generation Ranger Raptor raises the off-road performance bar and embodies the smarter, tougher, more capable character present in every new-generation Ranger.

“We’ve really focused on delivering a genuine performance truck with the all-new Ranger Raptor,” said Dave Burn, Ford Performance chief programme engineer for Ranger Raptor. “It’s significantly faster, looks incredible, is packed with new features, and it’s the toughest Ranger we’ve ever made.”

European Ranger enthusiasts have special reason to celebrate as the all-new Ranger Raptor is the first new Ranger model to reach Europe, with production already well underway and the first customers now receiving their vehicles.

MORE POWER TO PLAY The biggest news for performance fans is the introduction of an all-new twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine tuned by Ford Performance to produce 292PS and 491Nm of torque.

Developed by Ford Performance, the all-new Ranger Raptor is the ultimate performance derivative of the latest Ford Ranger. With smarter technology controlling tougher, next‑generation

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The twin-turbo 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine boasts a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block, which is around 75 per cent stronger and up to 75 per cent stiffer than the iron used in traditional castings. Ford Performance ensured the engine delivers immediate response to throttle inputs, and a race-bred anti-lag system similar to that first seen on the Ford GT road car and Focus ST enables rapid delivery of boost on demand.

Quiet – prioritises quietness over performance to keep the peace with neighbours on early mornings

The new anti-lag system keeps the turbochargers spinning for up to three seconds after the driver backs off the throttle, allowing for faster resumption of acceleration out of corners or through the gears when the driver steps back on the accelerator. In addition, the engine is programmed with an individual turbocharging boost profile for each of the advanced 10-speed automatic transmission’s gears, for optimised performance.

Baja – the most striking exhaust profile in both volume and note, in Baja mode the exhaust behaves more like a straight-through system.

Intended for off-road use only.

Normal – intended for everyday use, this profile offers an exhaust note with presence while not being too loud for street use. This profile is applied by default to Normal, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl drive modes Sport – offers a louder and more dynamic note

Customers also have the option of choosing a 2.0-litre bi‑turbo diesel engine, which will be available to order in the Ranger Raptor from early 2023 with first deliveries expected in the summer.

HARDWARE FOR HEAVY HITTERS

“The 3.0-litre engine brings a different dynamic to the Ranger Raptor that will satisfy even the most hardcore performance enthusiast,” Burn said. “The acceleration and raw performance of the new powertrain leave you grinning from ear-to-ear.”

The all-new Ranger Raptor has a unique chassis frame and suspension compared to other Ranger variants. A series of Raptor-specific mounts and reinforcements for elements including the C-pillar, load box and spare wheel, as well as unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower and rear shock bracket all combine to ensure the ultra-tough pickup can handle punishing off-road conditions.

To match this comprehensive performance, an electronically‑controlled active exhaust system amplifies the engine note in four selectable modes enabling Ranger Raptor to adapt its vocal character:

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A high-performance off-roader like the Ranger Raptor needs the running gear to match, so Ford engineers completely redesigned the suspension.

All-new tough yet lightweight aluminium upper and lower control arms, long‑travel front and rear suspension and a refined Watt’s link rear end have been designed to deliver more control across rough terrain at high speed.

maximum damping force in the last 25 percent of shock travel. Similarly, the system can stiffen the rear dampers to prevent Ranger Raptor from squatting under hard acceleration, improving vehicle stability. With the shocks providing the right amount of damping force at every position, Ranger Raptor stays planted on both the road and track.

“The suspension upgrades in the Ranger Raptor make the most of the new FOX® Live Valve dampers. The suspension adapts in realtime to enable exceptional on-road body control while absorbing corrugations and bigger ruts off-road with ease, ensuring maximum control and performance,”

While the damper hardware is FOX®, the tuning and development work was carried out by Ford Performance using a mixture of computer-aided engineering and real-world testing. Everything from adjusting the spring rates to setting the ride height, valve tuning and honing the ride zones was performed to create the perfect balance between comfort, control, stability and traction on- and off-road.

Ranger Raptor’s ability to tackle rough terrain is further enhanced with some serious underbody protection. The front bash plate is almost double the size of the standard Ranger’s unit and is made from 2.3 mm-thick high-strength steel.

This plate, combined with the engine undershield and transfer case shield, is designed to protect key components such as the radiator, steering system, front crossmember, engine sump and front differential.

Burn said.

The next-generation FOX® 2.5-inch Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers feature cuttingedge control technology offering positionsensitive damping capability. These shock absorbers are the most sophisticated ever fitted to Ranger Raptor and are filled with Teflon™‑infused oil that reduces friction by around 50 per cent compared to those on the outgoing vehicle.

Twin rated tow hooks at the front and rear provide flexible recovery options while driving off‑road; the design facilitates access to one of the tow hooks if the other is buried, as well as enabling the use of balance straps during snatch recoveries in deep sand or thick mud.

Linked to Ranger Raptor’s revised selectable drive modes, the Live Valve internal bypass system has been developed to provide better on-road comfort and off-road ride quality both at high and low speed.

For the first time, Ranger Raptor gets an advanced full-time four-wheel drive system with an all‑new electronically‑controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case. The Raptor also now offers both front and rear locking differentials, with the new front differential providing a valuable additional feature for hardcore off-road enthusiasts.

ALL-TERRAIN CONTROL

In addition to working with the drive modes, the system works in the background to prepare the all-new Ranger Raptor for different conditions. As the shocks compress, different zones within the bypass system give exactly the amount of support needed for the travel being used, and work in reverse as the shocks rebound back to full height.

“While Ranger Raptor was inspired by desert racers, it’s also a supremely capable overlanding vehicle. Out of the box we’ve created an off-road vehicle that you don’t need to modify to get you where you need to go and back again safely,” Burn said.

To provide protection against severe bottom outs, race-proven FOX® Bottom-Out Control provides

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Helping the all-new Ranger Raptor handle anything from smooth roads to mud and ruts, plus everything in between, are seven selectable drive modes, including the off-road oriented Baja mode, which configures the vehicle’s electronic systems for ultimate performance during high-speed off‑roading. 4

• Slippery – for more confident driving on slippery or uneven surfaces

OFF-ROAD • Rock crawl – for optimum control in very low speed driving over extreme rocky and uneven terrain

“We really wanted Baja mode to be the ultimate expression of the high-speed off‑road capability,” Burn said. “It’s a feature at the core of what the Ranger Raptor customer expects.”

• Sand – optimises gearchanges and power delivery for progress in sand and deep snow • Mud/Ruts – for maximum grip during launch and maintaining vehicle momentum

Each selectable drive mode adjusts a number of elements from engine and transmission to ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering and throttle response. In addition, the gauges, vehicle information and colour themes on the instrument cluster and centre touchscreen change with the selected drive mode.

• Baja – sets all systems to maximum attack for peak high-speed off-road performance The all-new Ranger Raptor also features Trail Control™, which is like cruise control for off‑roading. The driver simply selects a set speed below 32 km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering through difficult terrain.

ON-ROAD • Normal – designed for comfort and fuel efficiency

TOUGH AND ATHLETIC LOOKS Matching the enhanced capability of Ranger Raptor is an all-new look that builds on the nextgeneration Ranger’s bold, strong style. Flared

• Sport – more responsive for spirited on-road driving

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Occupants will also benefit from the latest digital technology; the high‑tech cabin features a 12.4‑inch all-digital cluster and 12-inch centre touchscreen boasting Ford’s new-generation SYNC 4A® connectivity and entertainment system 5 that delivers wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto™ compatibility at no extra cost. 6 A 10-speaker B&O® sound system 7 provides the soundtrack to the next adventure.

wheel arches and C-clamp headlight designs emphasize the pickup’s width, while bold F-OR-D lettering on the grille and the tough separate bumper add more visual muscle.

“Everything designed for the Ranger Raptor is there for a reason,” said Dave Dewitt, Ranger Raptor exterior design manager. “We’re communicating what Raptor can do just by the way it looks.”

Ford anticipates Ranger Raptor customers will take every opportunity to test their pickups in the wild, so the company offers a comprehensive range of Ford-approved accessories for sports and camping, including a new two-person roof tent from outdoors experts ARB. The tent’s builtin mattress, five windows and zippered insect screens bring a degree of luxury to the outdoors, while the durable aluminium structure and waterproof rip-stop fabric make it simple to erect and fold. The roof mount keeps the entire load bed free for luggage, and Ford approval means the tent comes with a two-year warranty and can be ordered through a customer’s local dealership.

Customers can choose from seven exterior colours, including striking, Raptor-unique Code Orange or Conquer Grey that reaffirm the pickup’s exclusivity and performance. For even more visual punch, Ford offers Raptor splash decal graphics that add race-inspired character.

The matrix LED headlights with LED daytime running lights push Ranger Raptor’s lighting performance to new levels, featuring predictive curve lights, glare-free high beam and auto dynamic levelling to deliver better visibility for Ranger Raptor drivers and other road users.

PART OF THE FORD PERFORMANCE FAMILY Ford Performance is demonstrating Ranger Raptor’s rugged racing credentials at its spiritual home – the grueling Baja 1000 desert rally – from November 15-20 in Baja, Mexico. As well as giving its name to Baja Mode, the renowned race has played a significant role in the development of the Ford Performance Raptor series.

The flared fenders cover muscular 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Raptor-exclusive performance all‑terrain tyres. Functional vents, aero features and tough, grippy cast-aluminium side steps help enhance the look and functionality of the truck. At the rear, LED taillights provide a signature styling link to the front, while the Precision Grey rear bumper features a central step pad and a towbar that is tucked up high to avoid compromising the departure angle.

The roots of the Raptor name lie in North America, where Ford has used it on high‑performance pickup trucks and utility vehicles since the first-generation F-150 SVT Raptor, which was optimized for high-speed off-road performance.

More recently, Ford Performance announced the Bronco Raptor SUV and limited-edition Bronco DR desert racer in North America.

Inside, the theme continues to emphasize Ranger Raptor’s off-road performance and high‑energy nature. The cabin features all-new, jet fighterinspired sports seats in the front and rear to increase comfort and offer more support during high-speed cornering.

The Ford Performance-developed Ranger Raptor expanded the Raptor badge to other global markets in 2018, marking the now-iconic nameplate’s arrival in Europe.

The Code Orange accents on the instrument panel, trim and seats are mirrored by Ranger Raptor’s ambient lighting, which bathes the interior in an amber glow. A premium leather sports heated steering wheel with thumb swells, on-centre marking and cast-magnesium paddle shifters completes the sporty feel.

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Remote, tranquil, luxurious, eco-friendly.

Escape the ordinary and experience the awe-inspiring spectacles that Nile Safari Lodge offers on the banks of the world’s longest river - River Nile and Uganda’s largest national park – Murchsion Falls National Park

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https://nilesafarilodge.com

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THE STAY BOULEVARD NISANTASI Launches Digital Art Exhibition and Sumptuous Spa this Autumn

In Istanbul, the collection includes its newest property that opened in June 2022, The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi, together with The Stay Nisantasi, which is set in the heart of the Fashion Quarter; The Stay Bosphorus, a revamped 19thcentury waterfront mansion; and Bebek Hotel

by The Stay, a glamorous and storied hotel. In Alacati, The Stay Warehouse is a cool former beer depot close to the coast, which won the Best International Hotel category of the Food and Travel 2021 Readers Awards.

Türkiye’s first independent carbon-neutral hotel group, The Stay, continues its tradition of supporting the arts with its first digital art exhibition at The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi which launches today, while the hotel’s new spa is also set to open this month.

HISTORY IS HERE TO STAY Award-winning The Stay Hotels operates five properties with a total of more than 180 guest rooms in Istanbul and Alacati in Türkiye.

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In 2022, The Stay Hotels became the first carbonneutral independent hotel group in Türkiye.

It was awarded carbon-neutral status by the internationally recognised sustainability specialist Bureau Veritas (https://group.bureauveritas.com) following an evaluation of the group’s adherence to the international standard for greenhouse gas verification. As well as taking practical steps in its own operation to counter any greenhouse gases produced, The Stay Hotels has invested in domestic and green-energy projects locally and globally and works with companies that are committed to using green and sustainable products and processes. The group aims to achieve zero waste by the end of 2022.

DIGITAL ART EXHIBITION SHOWCASED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACKDOVE The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi is hosting its first art exhibition this month in collaboration with Blackdove, a digital art platform featuring an expanding collection of cutting-edge works by global, innovative artists. The exhibition will be open to both hotel guests and non-guests from 10 November until the end of January 2023, from 11am until 7pm daily (except Mondays). The exhibition will be shown in the hotel’s Gallery area on the lobby floor and will showcase works by local and international digital artists such as Selay Karasu, Kaya Hocaoglu, Ozan Ozcelik, Ecem Dilan Köse, Lukas Bruhn and Maxim Zhestkov.

THE CULTURE OF WELLNESS Opening this month, a new spa spanning an entire floor will offer guests an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and gym. Guests can also indulge in a wide selection of spa treatments in nine rooms, including one especially for couples, from hot stone therapy and Balinese massage to hammam and massage combined in one blissful session.

Double rooms at The Stay Boulevard Nisantasi start from £290 per night B&B, with flexible booking terms.

Go to Instagram @thestayboulevardnisantasi and visit www.thestay.com.tr

From January, guests will be able to dine at Marcello, an Italian restaurant designed by the internationally renowned, Istanbul-based design studio Autoban. Rich marble and wooden panels will combine with terracotta to create an authentic Italian feel helped by two notable Italian chefs.

Local and international artwork will add to the charm. A Biophilic roof garden will enhance the Mediterranean feel, providing a surprisingly soothing and green space in an urban setting.

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MAKE MEMORIES WITH INGINIOUS GIN THIS CHRISTMAS As we get older the festive season takes on a different aspect for us. As the Winter Solstice turns around and it gets colder the desire to spend time with family and friends is mitigated by the calculation of how long the resulting hangover will last. It is a decidedly “adult” thing to take this into consideration and for some marks the end of childhood fantasies and in a small way the spirit dies…

Whereas in the past this period would boarder on a heathen practise of drinking consistently for several weeks without so much as a flick of a headache, today the calculation of downtime is predominant. The solution may be in the form of an alternative that provides a smooth and crisp gin that feels like you’re indulging but with a much lower alcohol content to preserve the brain cells and mornings.

Having a lighter Christmas doesn’t mean giving up your favourite indulgences. Inginious Gin is the perfect spirit for G&T lovers looking for a low ABV tipple to enjoy over the festive season. Whether it’s for the designated driver, the one looking to cut back on their alcohol consumption, or the one simply wanting to wake up feeling fresh on Christmas Day, Inginious is the ideal spirit to share this holiday season. The perfect gift or even something just for you!

A 5ml serve, compared to the standard 50ml double serve of gin, mixed with 150ml of tonic is the perfect combination, resulting in a familiar Gin and Tonic taste experience which we all know and love, but with only 0.2 units of alcohol per serve. Inginious Gin is created using carefully selected botanicals for a well-balanced, refreshing drink which does not compromise on taste. A 5ml measuring spoon has also been designed and comes with each purchase to ensure a perfect Inginious pour every time.

Lighter in calories yet still feeling like a treat, Inginious Gin is packaged up in a beautiful bottle, making a lovely present for a gin lover looking for a new alternative to enjoy all December long.

It is the gift that will keep on giving - once the festivities are over, Inginious Gin will keep you going throughout Dry January (and beyond)!

Inginious Gin is now available online at Inginious-Gin.co.uk, RRP £26.00.

Find them on Instagram: @inginiousgin1

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CITYSUITES APARTHOTEL MANCHESTER APARTHOTEL MANCHESTER

Nothing Beats City Centre Convenience Centrally based and offering a spacious and stylish accommodation as well as access to all of Manchester City’s best features, CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester is a perfect staying option for a visitor seeking to get a proper taste of what the city has to offer. If you are a business executive looking for between meeting exploration or a visitor seeking a city break filled with the surprise and joy of Manchester, you cannot beat city centre convenience..

THE BUZZ There is a tremendous buzz around the area as the Arena with its daily events, regular shows, conferences and exhibitions draws in troves of people which feed the businesses of the central commercial district. Like a heart, all of the flavours that the city can provide is pumped through this central hub.

But, whether you’re visiting for a show or a tour, an event or conference or even just for the opportunity to watch the ever dazzling Manchester city at night, you can rest assured that the stay will start and end with some of the best luxury found in the city.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Opened in January 2022, and consistently rated the number one accommodation in Manchester, the Operations Director Gavin Bailey reveals they wanted to provide more than just a hotel room for short and extended stays.

THE APARTMENTS CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester has 237 apartment suites all offering an exceptional standard of design and luxury. Plush king-sized beds, contemporary kitchens and luxury facilities definitely give these apartments an attractive edge over some of the more hotel-styled competition in the area.

“We wanted to provide a special ‘home away from home’ experience for our guests,” he says, “Giving them all the comfort and ease that one would find in an apartment while being central enough to enjoy all the conveniences of a city break.”

Indeed, CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester is one of the closest 5-star luxury accommodation options to Manchester Arena. This worldrenowned venue is only a six-minute walk by foot, as is the central commercial district, which is populated by contemporary and boutique coffee houses, restaurants and shops. Visitors to the area quickly realise that Manchester is a city of layers that always provides something new and engaging for the traveller prepared to investigate.

As standard, all guests have access to the onsite state-of-the-art gym, 18m swimming pool and the executive lounge and bar. Car parking is also available which is useful as it is unlikely a guest will need a car, with taxis being on call and with most things being within walking distance. The available apartment size options are Studio, One Bedroom or Two Bedroom suites.

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and climbing between crisp sheets on an epically comfortable bed, those who are not staying in the city will probably only just be getting into a taxi home or enjoying nose-to-tail post-gig traffic.

According to Gavin, their apartments always book up quickly when there is a big show, but there is more to the value of a city centre stay than just beating the traffic.

“It is about spending your time well,” he says, “Our aparthotel puts our guests within walking distance of most of the best of Manchester. They are automatically able to discover more of it, because they are not just travelling from one point to the next but are making a journey.”

“The apartments and rooms are decorated in a modern neutral style,” Gavin adds, “With an emphasis on high quality appliances and essential comforts such as the most luxurious beds with the crispest bed sheets and thickest pillows and the most invigorating showers.”

HOW THEY MAKE IT HAPPEN With accreditations such as the ASAP building and ASAP operator as well as a TripAdvisor Excellence award, CitySuites knows that nothing happens by itself and that in hospitality everything needs to be catered for. Gavin explains that there are over fifty members of staff working at CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester and that all of them are trained inhouse.

In particular, it is the attention to the small details that really makes CitySuites Aparthotel Manchester stand out. Being so close to the Arena means that be it a show, event or a tour, guests know that they can enjoy themselves fully without the anticipation of a long, arduous journey home filled with taxi delays and traffic.

“As you would expect each department has a head manager,” he explains, “But we don’t employ any agency workers and all of our staff are in-house

THE VALUE OF CONVENIENCE This convenience is exemplified perfectly when the Manchester Arena hosts a major show or event that fills it to its 20,000 person capacity, which is fairly regularly. After these events, guests staying at the CitySuites Aparthotel have the choice to linger in the city and see more of the sights. Perhaps venture out for some aftershow entertainment or retire to an apartment that offers all the comforts of a home and none of the restrictions of a hotel. While their guests are enjoying a refreshing power shower or bath

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Price: £125-£300 per night Address: 16 Chapel Street Telephone number: 0161 30 20202 Email: reservations@citysuites.com Website: www.citysuites.com

employed and trained. This helps us all to work as a unit, and teamwork in hospitality is essential, especially when you’re surrounded by the very pinnacle of Manchester City.”

While their hotel does quickly reach its guest capacity during functions at the Manchester Arena, they also host business people from around the world and business people travelling with their families for leisure activities.

“We have a great deal of return visitors,” he says, “People visit us for work and then they visit later and bring their families, we’ve become the Go-to hotel for many of our clients coming into the city which is what we’re aiming for.”

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND The apartments are self-catering, so guests are advised to be self-sufficient and bring the necessary groceries for their stay. Everything that is needed is within walking proximity.

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WILL 2023 SEE AN EXODUS FROM THE RAT RACE?

By Cassidy Bell

Recent research shows that up to a quarter of Brits plan to ditch the rat race in the new year to follow their dreams. The most popular options of alternative career appear to be influencer, tattoo artist, party planner, author and/or personal trainer.

in our work with women feeling disillusioned a year earlier than men. Media depicts twenties as being the decade where you’re socially allowed to experiment and try new things, with thirties being where, according to social norms, you’re supposed to be firmly rooted in your career and benefitting from the security of a fulfilling career and family life. We’re expected, certainly by the two generations of people entering the workforce after us, to have it all worked out and to be the example of security and functionality.

The nation’s workers are stuck in a career rut and daydreaming of starting something new. Research by international coding school Le Wagon, suggests that four out of ten brits feel like they are on a “hamster’s wheel” when it comes to their job, with one in two dreaming of a career pivot. Over a third hate what they do and wish they could quit to do something more meaningful with a quarter looking to ditch their job in January just to do something more exciting.

Social pressure aside, things are changing and in the UK workers in their thirties are the most likely to be planning a work make-over, with four in ten saying they spend their days daydreaming about having a completely different job. Half would do something completely different while others plan their own businesses.

Afflicting the UK Public in their thirties, it seems that around the age of 37 we feel most stagnant

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/bike-bicycle-velocipids-beach-sea-1700749/

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“Tech skills, like being able to develop an app, offer greater earning potential and flexibility in terms of remote work when compared to more traditional roles. These skills also serve as a great foundation for becoming an entrepreneur.”

A fifth would like to be a travel consultant, while 15 percent want to do something more creative like pen a novel. Between ten and thirteen percent dream of acting, presenting or being social media influencers. Interestingly the same number are drawn to the technology sector to become either an app developer, video game designer, web designer or VR/AI engineer.

Andrew Moffat, General Manager at Le Wagon UK, which commissioned the research said, “Our research indicates just how many people are stuck in a career rut and want to try something new. Switching your career by learning new tech skills can often seem like a huge leap, but every day at Le Wagon we see people at all stages of their life transform their career opportunities in just 9 weeks. Within 6 months, over 90% of our students then use our dedicated career services and employer networks to find a job that fits their needs, passions, and ambition.

According to the research which included polls with two thousand UK individuals, up to half of those polled already have a creative idea that they want to pursue or that they can believe can work. Comparatively, in the technology sector for example, one in four admit they would like to make the move but don’t have the skills to make the leap.

When it comes to starting a business, half admit that not having to answer anyone is a motivation, while two-thirds are just looking for an enjoyable job that pays for their outgoings. No longer is the aim to settle down and hoard one’s wealth after a lifetime of hard labour to develop a legacy, now it’s about enjoying one’s life.

The career landscape has significantly altered over the last number of decades, with professionals continually changing jobs/careers as communication has become more global based and remote working is on the rise. In plenty of industries and certainly those mentioned above, staff are no longer shackled by the available jobs in a certain city or office.

Four in ten confess they are not brave enough to make the jump into a completely different career with the biggest barrier being the fear of the unknown. Other prevalent concerns include taking a pay cut, getting a foot in the door as your own professional entity and retraining.

Of those who have made the leap and changed their career, the advice is to have the confidence and courage in yourself, do not be afraid of doing something different, and just be brave and go for it. Remembering that life is too short to stay in a job you do not like is also key.

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Image Source: www.citysuites.com