SPRING 2026 Ultratravel

THE ART OF ARRIVAL

STEPPING INTO CORINTHIA’S NEWEST LANDMARK

GO TO MOBILE VERSION

THE JOY OF DISCOVERY

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STRUCTURES OF SIGNIFICANCE

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NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLANDS MALDIVES Unveils

EVOLVED AND MORE TANTALISING THAN EVER

EVOLVED AND MORE TANTALISING THAN EVER

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is proud to reveal its THIS IS NIYAMA transformation - extraordinary with fully refurbished villas and facilities, heightened levels of luxury, new experiences that immerse guests in all the beauty of the Maldives, and a newfound sense of freedom - an invitation for guests to live life on their own terms, unscripted and unbound.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is proud to reveal its THIS IS NIYAMA transformation - extraordinary with fully refurbished villas and facilities, heightened levels of luxury, new experiences that immerse guests in all the beauty of the Maldives, and a newfound sense of freedom - an invitation for guests to live life on their own terms, unscripted and unbound.

Now, it ups the ante, as e ortless luxury is draped with the avant garde, the surreal, the one of a kind.

Now, it ups the ante, as e ortless luxury is draped with the avant garde, the surreal, the one of a kind.

The new Niyama sees the stylish and thoughtful evolution of the resort’s villas, restaurants and leisure facilities across twin islands Play and Chill, infusing each with an energy uniquely Niyama.

The new Niyama sees the stylish and thoughtful evolution of the resort’s villas, restaurants and leisure facilities across twin islands Play and Chill, infusing each with an energy uniquely Niyama.

SHINTA MANI WILD

SIHANOUK PROVINCE, CAMBODIA

Stay Somewhere

That Stays With You

THE JOY OF DISCOVERY

13 • Editor’s Letter

Spring ushers in a renewed sense of movement, discovery and quiet possibility. By Farhad Heydari

17 • Historic Opening

The landmark Corinthia Rome exemplifies an entire ethos, explored in an exclusive Q&A with Group CEO Simon Naudi.

22 • The Shortlist

A curated edit of objects, destinations and ideas shaping the moment around the world. By Ultratravel editors

IN THIS ISSUE

31 • Wrist Check

Impeccable, irresistible, independent: For these in-demand watchmakers, their moment in time is now. By Chris Hall

38 • Voyages That Endure

As new ships debut, cruising is less about distance traveled and more about depth experienced. By Gary Buchanan

SPRING 2026

45 • A Region Recast

There is a palpable cultural and culinary flair sweeping across Rajasthan’s three great cities. By Jeremy Wayne

50 • Visions Realized

Grand gestures and intimate details mark the year’s most anticipated architectural openings. By Jonathan Bell

56 • Peak Performer

Porsche’s reimagined Macan GTS charges ahead and confidently finds the EV sweet spot. By Adam Hay-Nicholls

COVER IMAGE: LOBBY, CORINTHIA ROME ©JONATHAN MALONEY

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Farhad Heydari farhad@ultratravel.com @MrFarhadHeydari

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Andrew Cowan

COPY EDITOR: John Perney

CONTRIBUTORS

Jonathan Bell, Gary Buchanan, Chris Hall, Yasmin Harake, Adam Hay-Nicholls, Jeremy Wayne

PUBLISHING

CHAIRMAN

Nick Perry nick@ultratravel.com @MrNickPerry

ADVERTISING SALES

EUROPE NEIL SARTORI neil.sartori@mediainterlink.com

UNITED KINGDOM

NICK SARGENT & JULIETTE OTTLEY sargent@ultratravel.com, ottley@ultratravel.com

© 2025 Published by PGP Media Limited on behalf of UHC Cayman Holdings Limited, Northside House, Mount Pleasant, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN4 9EE, England, UK. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this publication, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork submitted. The information contained in this publication is correct at the time of going to press. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or UHC

A

Farhad Heydari EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ultratravel

Quiet Reawakening

There is a particular quality to spring that resists definition yet is instantly palpable — a subtle shift in light, a softening of air, a sense of movement returning. Cities seem to breathe again; landscapes, long held in hushed suspension, begin to stir. It is a season not simply of renewal, but of reawakening — of places and experiences rediscovered with fresh perspective.

It is in this spirit that we open the issue in Rome, where the debut of Corinthia’s much-anticipated property marks both a new chapter for the brand and a broader moment for the Eternal City itself. Set within a storied classical landmark, the

hotel reflects a careful dialogue between past and present — a reimagining that feels entirely in keeping with the rhythms of the season. In our exclusive conversation, Group CEO Simon Naudi reflects on the vision behind the project and what it signals for Corinthia’s continued evolution, as well as the enduring allure of Rome as a stage for reinvention.

Elsewhere, this sense of rediscovery continues across the Indian state of Rajasthan, where a new cultural and culinary energy is reshaping some of the country’s most storied desert cities, offering a perspective that feels both rooted and

newly resonant. On the water, it is perhaps even more pronounced — journeys defined by pace, perspective and the tranquil luxury of time: an increasingly rare commodity, and perhaps the ultimate indulgence.

There is much more, of course, in this edition of including features on New York City’s evolving artscape, horology’s indie watchmakers and the architects reshaping our visual prisms. As ever, this issue is shaped by a spirit of curiosity and the joy of discovery — an invitation to look again, travel differently and embrace the season ahead.

SERENE SETTING

daylight descent from the Astern Lounge aboard Explora Journeys’ Explora I. See p38 for our 2026 roundup of new cruise ships.

Sincerely Yours 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB T: +44 (0) 20 7118 6888 enquiry.pplon@panpacific.com @panpacificlondon

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The World of Pan Pacifi c Hotels Group

LONDON

ROME

BRUSSELS

ROMAN REVERIE

Set within a storied classical landmark, Corinthia’s highly anticipated new property in the Italian capital marks a defining moment for the luxury group. In an exclusive interview with Farhad Heydari, Group CEO Simon Naudi reflects on the brand’s evolution and the vision guiding its next chapter.

the family-owned, Maltese-based group has now unveiled its latest destination: Corinthia Rome (corinthia.com). Set within a neoclassical landmark building that once served as the headquarters of the Bank of Italy, the property has emerged from a meticulous four-year restoration as an intimate 60-key hotel.

The transformation is a remarkable story of stewardship and renewal. Led by hospitality design studio GA, the project has returned the historic edifice — with its mosaics, stuccoes, cornices, painted ceilings and marble detailing — to its early 20th-century grandeur. Yet it also signals the ambitious trajectory the brand is now pursuing, expanding a constellation of properties that includes its flagship, Corinthia London, now 15 years young.

Crucially, however, expansion has not come at the expense of identity. Corinthia continues to safeguard the principles that have long defined its standing within the upper echelons of global hospitality: a profound sense of place, a service touch that is deeply human, and a holistic approach to the business that spans development, ownership and operation. And at the helm is none other than Simon Naudi, whose leadership reflects the brand’s most identifiable attributes: quiet conviction, long-term vision, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

In this exclusive interview, Naudi reflects on Corinthia’s defining moments, its inspired evolution, and a future that will be shaped by intention and purpose.

Ultratravel: Corinthia has experienced remarkable momentum over the past year. From your perspective, what has defined this period of growth?

Simon Naudi: It has been an extraordinary 12 months, though not in a way that feels sudden to us. The most

Opp page top: Piazzetta’s inviting layout is inspired by Rome’s inner courtyards.

Bottom: The onetime Bank of Italy vaults are now a wealth of vitality

defining moment was undoubtedly the opening of our hotel in New York—a significant step, not just geographically, but symbolically. Entering the United States placed Corinthia in one of the world’s most competitive luxury markets and allowed us to introduce the brand to an audience that travels globally and influences perception worldwide. That opening was followed closely by Bucharest and Brussels— both palatial, heritage-rich properties restored with great care—and now we stand on the cusp of opening in Rome. Each of these projects is distinct, yet together they tell a coherent story about who we are and how we grow.

UT: Rome is a city saturated with luxury hotels, not to mention unmatched history. What makes the Corinthia Rome opening so special?

SN: Rome demands respect. You cannot arrive there with a generic concept or a superficial sense of luxury. Our property occupies one of the city’s most exceptional locations, within a landmark building that has been almost entirely reimagined internally in partnership with Reuben Brothers. It is an intimate hotel — just 60 keys — which allows us to deliver a highly personal experience. More importantly, it feels Roman. From the materials and proportions to the rhythm of the spaces, everything is designed to belong to the city rather than sit apart from it. For us, that sense of belonging is essential.

UT: That idea of “belonging” seems central to Corinthia’s identity. How would you define the brand today?

SN: Corinthia is defined by three things: a sense of place, a

Bottom: Antipasti selections adorn the lively open-kitchen Piazzetta.

at Corinthia Spa.

human approach to hospitality, and an integrated view of our business. First, every Corinthia must feel as though it could exist nowhere else. Rome must feel Roman. New York must feel unmistakably Upper East Side. London is proudly British, rooted in its Whitehall setting. We do not believe in a homogenous global aesthetic. Second, we remain a deeply human business. Despite being publicly listed, we are still a family-founded company at heart. That manifests in how we treat our colleagues, how we respond to challenges, and how guests experience our hotels. It is not about perfection; it is about authenticity. Third, we are unusual in that we invest in, develop and operate our hotels. That allows us to approach each project holistically, from the real estate fundamentals through to the guest experience.

UT: How does that integrated model influence your growth strategy?

SN: It gives us discipline. Because we are involved at every level, we are acutely aware of the long-term implications of every decision. Growth for us is not about signing as many management contracts as possible; it is about building hotels that will still feel relevant and loved decades from now. That is why our pipeline is deliberately selective. We are active in Italy, the Gulf, the Caribbean, and now China, but each project must align culturally, architecturally and philosophically with Corinthia.

UT: You mentioned Italy earlier as a major focus. Why now?

SN: Italy has extraordinary potential. It holds an unparalleled concentration of cultural heritage, yet historically it has lacked sufficient investment in modern luxury hospitality. That is changing rapidly.

Beyond Rome, we have two additional Italian projects

in exceptional destinations that we will announce in due course. These are places with global appeal, where thoughtful regeneration can create something truly special.

UT: The Middle East has also become a key region for Corinthia. How do you adapt your philosophy there?

SN: The principle remains the same: respect the destination. In Doha, our hotel rises above The Pearl, positioned almost like a beacon. In Dubai, we are developing a striking highrise on Sheikh Zayed Road, but the interiors will speak to Emirati heritage rather than international minimalism. Luxury travellers today are deeply curious. They want to feel where they are. Our role is to interpret that in a contemporary, comfortable way.

UT: As the brand grows, how do you preserve its spirit?

SN: That is the central challenge. Growth requires people, systems and patience. Some projects—particularly in markets like China—will not generate returns for many years. Yet we must invest early in the right teams and ensure the Corinthia ethos is lived, not taught. My greatest fear would be waking up in five years with 40 hotels that no longer feel like Corinthia. We must grow the business without losing the soul.

UT: Finally, what can we expect from Corinthia in the years ahead?

SN: More of the same, in the best sense. Carefully chosen destinations. Hotels that feel deeply connected to their surroundings. Experiences that linger long after checkout. We are not trying to be everywhere. We are trying to be unforgettable, where we are.

WOLSELEY EXPANDS

The iconic Piccadilly restaurant evolves into a hotel brand, launching with a flagship in Midtown Manhattan

London’s storied Wolseley restaurant is entering the hotel world. Parent company Minor Hotels has announced the launch of The Wolseley Hotels, with the inaugural property set to open in Midtown Manhattan in early 2027. Located steps from Bryant Park in a landmark 1905 building designed by McKim, Mead & White, the 76-room hotel will blend British elegance with New York’s cultural energy. At its heart will be The Wolseley New York, introducing the brand’s celebrated brasserie to the United States alongside a cellar-level speakeasy and wellness centre. The New York flagship will anchor a selective global expansion for the new luxury hospitality brand.

(thewolseleyhospitalitygroup.com)

For more information or to join the programme for free, visit ghadiscovery.com or download the GHA DISCOVERY mobile app.

Top: Palazzo living invites special moments worth savouring in an elegantly appointed Junior Suite. Bottom: Artful preparation and plating are immediate hallmarks of the Corinthia Rome dining experience.

THE SHORT

What’s hot, what to buy and what to know, as compiled by Ultratravel editors

ART IN MOTION

Each January, the glorious snow-capped backdrop and crystalline expanse of the Engadin plays host to the I.C.E. St. Moritz, one of the most visually arresting events on the global automotive calendar, courtesy of title sponsor Richard Mille (richardmille.com). The event, which has cemented its position at the intersection of haute horlogerie, design and performance, is equal parts concours, cultural happening and winter ritual, transforming this elite enclave into a stage where engineering, aesthetics and atmosphere converge with rarefied elegance. The setting is also the inspiration for a limited-edition tome, Engadin - An Art Journey, Volume II, which continues Richard Mille’s artistic exploration of the so-named valley, blending art, photography and nature in collaboration with Fondation Beyeler. As Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA remarks, “Together, [with Fondation Beyeler], we have had the privilege to pursue projects that unite our worldswatchmaking and contemporary art - in ways that feel both natural and fresh. This book is one such endeavour: an opportunity to learn from one another, and to see the valley anew through the eyes of those who shape its cultural life.” Indeed, it is a vision of the Engadin that endures well beyond the winter season.

“We have had the privilege to pursue projects that unite our worlds watchmaking and contemporary art in ways that feel both natural and fresh. This book is one such endeavour”

ELEVATED TRANSIT

A study in sculptural precision and seamless functionality, the Sympatico Front Pocket Carry-On Expandable Spinner from Briggs & Riley (briggs-riley.com) redefines the modern cabin case. Its sleek hardside silhouette conceals a meticulously engineered zip-around front pocket, complete with refined organisational compartments and a dedicated sleeve for up to 15-inch laptops—ensuring effortless access throughout the journey. A discreet Power Pocket™ enables on-the-go charging, while the signature CX™ expansion-compression system increases capacity by up to 25% without compromising form. Within, compression panels preserve garments, while an exterior-mounted handle maximises flat packing space. Rendered in high-strength recycled polycarbonate, the design is further distinguished by an unconditional lifetime guarantee— hallmarks of Briggs & Riley.

COURTESY OF THE I.C.E.

MORITZ, PHOTO BY ANDREA KLAINGUTI

NARRATIVE JOURNEYS

A new concept in London is redefining how journeys begin, blending the worlds of literature and bespoke travel into a single, considered experience. Travellers’ Tales (travellerstaleslondon.co.uk) is neither simply a bookshop nor a travel agency, but an elegant hybrid—where a curated library of evocative titles inspires highly personalised itineraries. Founded by luxury travel specialist Jayne Alexander, the space invites guests to explore destinations through storytelling before translating that inspiration into meaningful, tailor-made journeys. From conservation-led safaris to culturally immersive expeditions, each itinerary is shaped with narrative at its core—transforming travel from a transaction into something more thoughtful, emotive and enduring.

IMMERSIVE WORLDS

From botanical reverie to architectural ritual, a trio of new titles explores beauty, design and immersion. In Beautiful Blooms (pavilionbooks. com), Georgianna Lane distils a lifetime of floral travel into a richly layered visual ode. Shifting from gardens to heat, Ridiculously GoodLooking Saunas (gestalten.com) captures a global movement toward slow, design-led wellness. Completing the journey, Freshwater (abramsbooks.com) dives beneath the surface— revealing the hidden ecosystems and quiet poetry of life below water.

THE SHORT LIST

IN FINE SPIRIT

Three new whiskies capture the evolving language of modern Scotch. Tomatin’s bourbon-matured 10-year-old (tomatin.com) opens with a bright, elegant expression rooted in Highland tradition, before Hedonism 2026 by Compass Box (compassboxwhisky.com) deepens the narrative by layering rare aged grains with a more opulent, art-led sensibility. Completing the progression, Highland Park’s Cask Strength: Heather (highlandparkwhisky.com) channels Orkney’s heathered peat into a bold, aromatic finale.

NEW YORK’S CULTURAL REALIGNMENT

ART, ARCHITECTURE AND COMMERCE CONVERGE ACROSS MANHATTAN’S EVER-EVOLVING AESTHETICA DISPATCH FROM FARHAD HEYDARI

The Big Apple’s cultural and commercial landscape is in the midst of a subtle but significant recalibration—one defined not by new-build spectacle alone, but by the intelligent reoccupation and reinvention of architectural icons. Across Manhattan, three recent developments signal a renewed convergence of art, design and commerce at the highest level.

Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Upper East Side, where Sotheby’s (sothebys. com) has inaugurated its new global headquarters within the former Whitney Museum building on Madison Avenue—Marcel Breuer’s 1966 Brutalist landmark, long regarded as one of the city’s most intellectually assertive works of architecture. Defined by its inverted ziggurat form and muscular granite façade, the building has passed through several institutional hands since the Whitney’s departure in 2014, yet its latest incarnation feels particularly resonant.

Meticulously restored by Herzog & de Meuron, the seven-storey structure has been adapted with a notably light touch—its bluestone floors, coffered ceilings and sculptural staircases retained, while new gallery configurations and auction spaces introduce a heightened flexibility suited to Sotheby’s evolving program. The move marks more than a change of address: it represents a symbolic “homecoming” to a cultural corridor anchored by the Met and the Guggenheim, positioning the auction house not merely as a marketplace,

“A subtle but significant recalibration, defined not by new build spectacle alone, but by intelligent reoccupation and reinvention”

but as a quasi-public institution where exhibitions, events and high-value transactions coexist within a historically charged setting. Downtown gravity may have shifted in recent decades, but this return to Madison Avenue suggests a renewed confidence in the Upper East Side as a locus of connoisseurship—one where heritage architecture becomes both backdrop and brand asset.

A different, though complementary, strategy is unfolding further south along 57th Street, where Bonhams (bonhams.com) has unveiled its new U.S. headquarters within the landmarked Steinway Hall. Here, the narrative is less about restoration alone and more about juxtaposition: the 1925 neoclassical limestone shell—once home to Steinway & Sons—has been seamlessly integrated with a contemporary glass atrium and the vertiginous Steinway Tower rising above.

Designed by Gensler, the 42,000-square-foot flagship balances reverence and reinvention, with its restored rotunda and marble detailing set against luminous, minimal gallery spaces and an 80-foot atrium that floods the interior with light. The result is a highly theatrical sequence of spaces—processional, vertical and deliberately choreographed—reflecting both the performative nature of auctions and the evolving expectations of a global clientele.

If Sotheby’s leans into institutional gravitas, the 233-year-old Bonhams positions itself within Midtown’s more overtly commercial and architectural theatre—anchored on Billionaires’ Row, yet keen to frame itself as a cultural destination as much as a transactional hub. The underlying message, however, is shared: the auction house is no longer a closed room, but a stage.

Completing the picture—albeit from a more explicitly cultural vantage point—is the long-anticipated expansion of the New Museum (newmuseum.org) on the Bowery, designed by OMA. Upon its March opening, the project effectively doubled the institution’s footprint to approximately 120,000 square feet, introducing new galleries, studios and publicfacing spaces arranged around a fluid vertical sequence. Rather than mimic the SANAA-designed original, OMA’s addition operates as a “counterpart”—a distinct yet complementary volume clad in a refined mesh façade that enhances transparency while reinforcing the museum’s engagement with the city. Internally, the architecture prioritises flexibility and circulation, with open-plan galleries and interstitial spaces designed to accommodate an increasingly interdisciplinary programme.

Taken together, these three developments articulate a broader shift in New York’s cultural ecosystem: a move toward hybridity, where commerce adopts the language of the museum, and institutions embrace the dynamism of the market. In each case, architecture serves as both anchor and catalyst— bridging past and present, and redefining how art is encountered, transacted and experienced in the concrete canyons of the Big Apple.

“These developments articulate a broader shift in New York’s cultural ecosystem: a move toward hybridity” JASON O’REAR

STRUCTURAL EXPRESSIONS

Previous page: The New Museum expansion packs twice the space within its distinct, singular identity

Top: At Bonhams, El Balcón (The Balcony), Amelia Peláez (1896-1968)

Top Left: A window work of art within the fourthfloor gallery at Sotheby’s

Above: Sotheby’s new headquarters reimagines the Marcel Breuer-designed original Whitney Museum

Left: Flexibility and circulation take architectural top billing at the New Museum

STEFAN RUIZ, SOTHEBY’S

BONHAMS

©️ Lungarno Collection, Ryan Neeven, Sophia Hita

THE ART OF ARRIVAL

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SPICE OF LIFE

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INDEPENDENT STREAK

Timing their well-earned cool factor just right, Chris Hall explains how these notable watchmakers with impeccable bona fides are turning up the heat with their latest indelible designs

The phrase “independent watchmaking” conjures up images of grey-haired men hunched over workbenches, deep in the forest, silently perfecting something only a handful of forum-loving acolytes will ever see.

Once upon a time, the idea of buying such a watch might have seemed unlikely—where would you even hear about them, let alone find one offered for sale? Risky, too: will the elusive craftsman in his Jurassic cabin deign to repair your watch if it goes wrong? Will anyone ever value it at even a fraction of what you paid? If you ignored such concerns, you might find yourself waiting years for it to be ready, and when you received it, none of your friends would have a clue what it was.

Much of the above is still true. Indie watches will always find favour with the geeks and the oddballs among us. But in the last five years, something unexpected has befallen the world of indie

PERFECT PUNCTUALITY

Mechanical innovations align with rigorous fundamentals in the Berneron Quantième

Annuel Black

watchmaking: it has become cool. Not “cool by the standards of geeks and nerds,” either; we’re talking “worn by Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme promo” levels here (the actor has been spotted with watches by Urban Jürgensen and Simon Brette, two of the hottest properties around). Indie watch brands these days are worn by tennis pros like Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula (both De Bethune), and sponsoring F1 teams (H. Moser, official watch sponsor of Alpine, last year made a watch for driver Pierre Gasly).

Indie brands have been around in their current form for around 40 years, but with a few honourable exceptions— Franck Muller, Richard Mille—had scarcely troubled the wider world (or the positive side of a P&L account) until 2019.

SLEEK CHIC

Genevan mastery meets market scarcity: F.P. Journe’s Chronomètre Furtif pairs polished grey enamel with tungsten carbide in an understated yet mesmerizing design

The Covid-19 pandemic changed everything: with their travel plans dashed, thousands sat at home and scrolled their way to watch mania. Coupled with shortages of predictable mainstream luxury offerings, the result was an unprecedented boom in rare and obscure watchmakers.

Perhaps the first brand to witness the change was F.P. Journe (fpjourne.com), an established and respected yet discreet Genevan business. Its stock rocketed to the extent that practically its entire range is now unobtainable without impeccable connections, and last year it released only one watch, the suitably incognito Chronomètre Furtif, with a polished grey enamel dial and tungsten carbide case.

Scarcity is intrinsic to the indie business model, of course, but waiting lists for its leading lights have reached

“Something unexpected has befallen the world of indie watchmakers over the last five years: it is undoubtedly their moment”

all-time highs. Rexhep Rexhepi (akrivia.com), a 38-year-old Kosovan watchmaker trained by Journe, as well as Patek Philippe, is the most celebrated name in the business. Orders for his Chronomètre Contemporain II are still being fulfilled years after it was announced and swiftly oversubscribed, with fans hoping that 2026 will bring its long-awaited successor.

TELLING MORE THAN TIME

To buy into an indie brand typically means buying the story of its founder, often a maverick inventor, peerless craftsman or skilled designer. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of Berneron (berneron.ch), the eponymous offering from Sylvain Berneron, who left his job as creative director at

BEAUTIFUL TIMING

Pictured here in rose gold, the Chronomètre Contemporain II by Rexhep Rexhepi continues to be embraced by fans, who eagerly await an encore from one of the world’s most revered watchmakers

F.P. JOURNE, REXHEP REXHEPI

Breitling to pour his life savings and every waking hour into a brand that knew no parallel and brooked no compromise. His debut watch, the Mirage, stunned collectors with its asymmetric case, but the follow-up, a more conventionally shaped but mechanically highly innovative annual calendar, demonstrates a rigorous familiarity with watchmaking’s fundamentals as well as an eye for what is missing in the market.

Calendar watches of one stripe or another will never go out of fashion, however, and lately there has been a resurgence of traditional designs. Japanese watchmaker Naoya Hida (naoyahidawatch.com) introduced his first perpetual calendar in 2025, characterised by his signature

PURITY ON THE WRIST

Powered by an elegantly designed movement, the Petermann Bédat Reference 1825 exemplifies timekeeping artistry at its finest

STERLING STAR

The silver dial and Roman numerals stand out in Naoya Hida’s perpetual calendar

“Scarcity is intrinsic to the indie business model: waiting lists for the leading lights are at all-time highs”

TOP-SHELF

TOURBILLONS

Far left: Renaud Tixier’s Monday, a smart start to a seven-watch series; left: Vanguart’s Orb, an extraordinary sci-fi time warp of a timepiece

metallic dials (in this case, sterling silver) and austere Roman numerals. It is, however, positively space-age next to the creations of Roger Smith (rwsmithwatches.com), the selftaught British watchmaker who celebrates 25 years at the workbench this year. Series Six showcases every one of the talents mastered by Smith and his team, and their faithful adherence to age-old methods of decoration disguises the cutting-edge invention at work both in the peripheral date mechanism and the refined coaxial escapement, originally invented by Smith’s mentor, the late George Daniels.

Days of the week take on a new significance at Renaud Tixier (renaudtixier.com), the young Swiss brand formed by seasoned veteran Dominique Renaud and young gun Julien Tixier: the duo has planned a series of seven watches to be

BENCHMADE BRILLIANCE

Celebrating 25 years, Roger Smith’s Series Six marries handfinished tradition with a peripheral date and George Danielsinspired coaxial refinement

unveiled over the next decade or so, starting with Monday, a deceptively smart tourbillon watch that solves a number of issues with micro-rotor-powered movements. At the end of the day, it allows for a movement that is beautiful to behold without compromising on power reserve or winding efficiency.

SIGNATURE TOUCHES

This kind of ingenious tinkering is what independent watchmakers do best, whether they feel bound to more conservative aesthetics or, like the equally new Vanguart (vanguart.com), channel a sci-fi sensibility. The Orb is another tourbillon model that does nothing beyond telling the time, but its signature touch is to move the automatic winding rotor from its normal home on the back of the watch into the large conical flange that surrounds the movement. Moreover, the watch can be toggled between automatic and manual winding, so the rotating section—which is fully visible from the dial side and studded with a single diamond—can seem to appear out of nowhere.

The combination of party tricks, precision mechanics and polarising designs can epitomise the indie sector, and the distance from the mainstream is the entire point for many. But sometimes it is just about finding a simple watch that others might not know. There are plenty about; one fine example is the Petermann Bédat (petermann-bedat.ch) Reference 1825. The eponymous duo attracted attention with their first two models, featuring open-worked dials and a sensational chronograph, but have now distilled their ethos into a “basic” time-only watch. At 38mm across in rose gold with a translucent green enamel dial and a beautifully decorated movement of their own creation, it is about as pure as it gets.

VANGUART, RW SMITH

A Constellation of Discovery

Nestled amidst the serene hills of the Algarve’s Barrocal region, Viceroy at Ombria Algarve offers a luxurious retreat that harmoniously blends with nature. This newly unveiled five-star resort presents an authentic Portuguese experience, far removed from the bustling coastal crowds, bringing new life to the region’s inland charm.

Recently inaugurated in the picturesque village of Tôr, near Loulé, the resort stands out for its fusion of contemporary elegance with the character of a traditional Algarvean hilltop village.

Home to 76 rooms and suites, as well as 65 branded residences, the hotel offers a distinctive accommodation experience, enhanced by refined culinary offerings that celebrate the region’s ingredients and heritage.

At the heart of the resort’s central square is Solalua, the culinary crown jewel, where the menu pays homage to the land and sea through a modern interpretation of southern Portuguese flavours. Just next door, Café Central offers a relaxed setting for light bites, fresh pastries and artisanal snacks — the perfect invitation for both guests and passersby to unwind in comfort.

Open to the public, the THE SPA by Viceroy at Ombria Algaver is a 2,000m² sanctuary of wellness, designed to foster reconnection — with oneself, with others, and with the surrounding nature. Featuring holistic treatments, an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and panoramic treatment rooms, the spa offers a deeply restorative experience in tune with the calm of the landscape.

For golf enthusiasts, the 18-hole course winds gently through the natural terrain, blending seamlessly with the surroundings while delivering both challenge and breathtaking scenery.

Discover a new luxury destination in the Algarve where countryside tranquility meets refined sophistication and world-class service.

Across oceans, rivers and remote frontiers alike, the world’s foremost cruise operators are doubling down on bespoke, thoughtfully curated experiences. The new ships arriving in 2026 invite guests to embark on far more than a voyage — they herald journeys designed to linger long after disembarkation, as Gary Buchanan reports

Oceans Outstretched

When Regent Seven Seas Cruises (rssc.com) announced its first new class of ship in 10 years, devotees of high-touch, ultra-all-inclusive travel were euphoric. Each of the four new Prestige class ships will be 40 percent larger, with just 10 percent more guests than the company's current ships. At the vanguard of this quartet is Seven Seas Prestige, set to debut in December. Offering a master class in sassy understatement, this 822-guest ship will boast one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry. Two new dining concepts are odds-on to be paeans to fine dining. And there will be four new suite options: the stellar Skyview Regent Suite, the two-level Skyview Suite, the Grand Loft Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Horizon Penthouse Suite.

Another headline-grabbing ship bristling with élan is the latest addition to the acclaimed dynasty from Explora Journeys (explorajourneys.com) EXPLORA III will flaunt European-style finesse when she graces the oceans for the first time in July. Celebrated architect Patricia Urquiola has designed one of the two Owner's Residences aboard a sanctuary of indoor-outdoor living that will be sublime rather than merely sumptuous. The company's efforts to decarbonise are evident in this 926-guest vessel, which will be the first in the fleet to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology. To up the ante in the hospitality stakes, the number of hosts (crew) has increased from 640 to 690. Three exciting new culinary concepts will amplify the appetising cornucopia: The Chef’s Table presents immersive

SWAN

HELLENIC

THE NEW MARITIME Options abound for travelers to transform their luxury cruise into an outright voyage, complete with elite amenities. Swan Hellenic’s SH Minerva navigates the polar regions and, this spring, East Asia

HIGH-TOUCH HORIZONS

Above:

epicurean preparation and presentation, Shore Club on 11 offers refined all-day dining, while The Cellar is a haven for oenologists.

Similarly, two additions from Windstar Cruises (windstarcruises.com) will reach new heights in the gustatory charts. The 224-guest Star Seeker is the first new build for the company's stealth-wealth Star Class ships and will spend the summer in Alaska. A sister ship, Star Explorer, is on schedule to be inaugurated in December. As part of a fleet renowned for personalised service, each of these yachts boasts five dining options, a spa, and a fresh take on the line’s watersports platform.

In the same manner, the latest scion from Emerald Cruises (emeraldcruises.com), Emerald Kaia, also has a large floating Marina. At the confluence of cutting-edge design and low-impact technology, the spiffy yacht conveys just 128 guests. With a palette of decorous greys and taupes, cabins have the cachet of chic hotel rooms. Food mavens will be delighted by the new Night Market Grill, an Asianstyle grill concept, as well as alfresco dining at La Cucina. Following the yacht's launch in April, itineraries will focus on the Mediterranean before the lure of the Seychelles beckons.

Four Seasons (fourseasonsyachts.com) is the latest entrant to the trend of hotel consortia venturing into the realm of luxury yachting. The first of two 190-guest yachts took its bow at a celebrity-infused premiere in March.

Four Seasons I will channel nautical glam, nowhere more so than in the variety of signature suites. There's even a three-deck-high Funnel Suite with a private splash pool.

EXPLORA

JOURNEYS

SOJOURNING IN STYLE

Top: Dazzling at night against a Miami backdrop, Windstar Cruises’ Star Seeker will offer its thrills from Alaska this summer

EXCURSION, ANYONE?

The yacht has 11 restaurant and bar concepts, including seasonally inspired culinary creations in Sedna, locally sourced cuisine in Terrasse, and Miuna for Japan’s revered omakase traditions. A European-style Salon, Champagne & Caviar Terrace, and Bar O overflow with gentility. The refined Moroccan-inspired Cigar Lounge is a counterpoint to the Riviera aesthetic at the over-water Marina and Bar Piscine.

Rivers Reimagined

Uniworld’s vessels are to river cruise ships as diamonds are to rhinestones (uniworld.com ). Opulent design exuberance with daring décor are hallmarks of the fleet. Launching in March, the palette of the 154-guest S.S. Emilie emanates the artistry of Gustav Klimt, with bold jewel tones and Art Nouveau touches. Big flavours and textures triumph in the cuisine – not surprising, as “farm-to-ship” is central to the gastronomic philosophy. Entertainment is far removed from the river cruising norm, while the plush staterooms are in harmony with the scenestealing Danube.

Drawing on Ancient Egypt for inspiration, the all-suite 64-guest Nile Seray will combine modern sophistication with a deep sense of place when A&K Sanctuary launches it in November (abercrombiekent.com). Guests exploring this ribbon of liquid history in uttermost comfort can watch the passing diorama from canopied daybeds on the top deck, with its swimming pool, outdoor bar and lounge. Every suite has Juliet balconies; two have balconies with a private Jacuzzi. Cuisine on this intimate riverboat is anchored by a pair of international chef-led restaurants, one of which is inside, the other styled for alfresco dining.

Equally legendary, the Rhine and Danube will become home to the 158-guest AMADEUS Aurea in May (amadeusrivercruises.co.uk). This innovative riverboat has a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and an urbane design. There are spacious balcony suites and light-filled exterior cabins, most with drop-down panoramic windows. The Sun Deck shines with snazzy lounge areas, Café Vienna, Lido

Four Seasons’ renowned pristine service naturally extends from ship to shore for travelers aboard the Four Seasons I (in background).

SEA TREASURES

Top left: A spacious dining area will welcome Skyview Regent Suite guests aboard Regent's new Seven Seas Prestige

Middle left: Debuting in April, the cutting-edge Emerald Kaia will cut an impressive figure in the Mediterranean

Bottom left: The grand surroundings of the Uniworld S.S. Emilie await Danube cruisers

Bar, a dedicated massage and fitness area, and a heated outdoor pool.

The Upper Danube has become home to the new 156-guest AmaSofia from AmaWaterways (amawaterways. com). Guests in the upper tiers of cabins can enjoy viewing Austria’s Wachau Valley besides the imposing cities of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna from the signature twin balcony cabins, where a French balcony sits alongside an outside balcony. Dinner often showcases the company's acclaimed La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs menu. Once per cruise, guests can dine at the Chef’s Table, featuring a dégustation menu full of regional culinary treats.

The Danube will host another inauguration in May for the 180-guest Emerald Astra. The ship's Rhine and Moselle cruises will enchant travellers as much as the Danube sailings aboard this latest addition to Emerald Cruises (emeraldcruises.com). The high-end design has been created in partnership with Missoni and Freifrau. Accommodation choices include an Owner's One-Bedroom Suite, the Emerald Panorama Balcony Suites, and Emerald Single Staterooms. Restaurant options include Reflections, the Terrace, and the Sky Barbecue.

Exploration Elevated

Calibrated to appeal to devotees of reefs and rainforests, the first superyacht to explore the island mosaic of the Seychelles, including La Digue and Aldabra Atoll, as well as exotic Zanzibar in Tanzania, is the 30-guest Aqua Lares from Aqua Expeditions (aquaexpeditions.com). With a svelte exterior and personalised service across six decks, this vessel confers experiential luxury on its guests. Just announced is a series of Svalbard and Arctic Circle cruises for this summer.

Keeping with the polar vibe, the only way to access the icy realm of Antarctica was traditionally a two-day crossing of the unpredictable Southern Ocean. Making its debut in the White Continent in late 2026, Antarctica21 (antarctica21.com) will operate its new 76-guest Magellan Discoverer for Fly & Cruise Expeditions to Antarctica, as well as voyages to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. This boutique vessel features hybrid-electric

&

propulsion, private balconies in all cabins, and an intimate, yacht-like experience predicated on exploration.

Dialling up the mercury, Swan Hellenic (swanhellenic. com) has unveiled a series of scuba diving expeditions that further enrich four of its exclusive East Asia voyages exploring Raja Ampat aboard the bespoke expedition ship SH Minerva. Diving enthusiasts with PADI Advanced Open Water certification can join two sailings in 2026 and a further two in 2027. Each offers multiple dive opportunities on custom adventure dive boats, accompanied by expert dive masters and an exclusive concierge service.

By any yardstick, the Amazon Basin is astonishing. Cruises in Brazil's Amazonia have traditionally featured sailings from the Amazon Delta on the Atlantic Ocean to Manaus, 1,500 km upriver. For an inspiring experience that embellishes the rapture, the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon is unsurpassed and only accessible by custom-built vessels. Set to debut in September is Amazon Explorer from conservation-led &Beyond (andbeyond.com ). Crafted for placidity and discovery for just 32 guests, the spacious Luxury Suites, Superior Suites, and Deluxe Suite factor in serious luxe credentials. A splash pool and loungers are on the Sun Deck, while the River Retreat and pool, Dining Room, Explorer Centre, Media Room, Spa and Gym are on the Main Deck. The Amazon-themed Pisco Bar is an unsurpassed social hub.

LUXURIOUS ADVENTURE

Left: Guests on the all-suite, Ancient Egypt-inspired Nile Seray from A&K Sanctuary can absorb the history from top-deck canopied daybeds

Below left: Antarctica21 debuts the explorationfocused, hybrid-electric Magellan Discoverer in late ’26

Bottom left: From reefs and rainforests to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle - new surroundings lie ahead for the Aqua Lares superyacht

GLORIOUS GUESTROOMS

Urbane, light-filled design touches exude effortless comfort for the 158 river cruisers embarking on the Amadeus Aurea

“Conferring experiential luxury on its guests with personalised service across six decks”

K EMPIN SK I PALACE ENGELBE R G: WHE R E S OUL MEET S S UMMIT

Defining the Art of Raw Luxury

In a world of constant motion, Kempinski Palace Engelberg offers an extraordinary return to what is essential. Located just 75 minutes from Zurich, this Five-Star superior architectural masterpiece has been meticulously reimagined as a sanctuary of understated grandeur. It is a place where the historic heritage of the Belle Époque meets a modern, cozy soul – a grounded, authentic hospitality that serves as the refined gateway to the „Raw Luxury“ of the surrounding nature.

A Landscape of Vitality

As Central Switzerland’s largest summer and winter holiday destination, Engelberg is a landscape of profound energy. The region is home to renowned ‘Kraftorte’ – natural power spots – where dramatic waterfalls and ancient rock formations evoke primal wonder. Guests are invited to immerse their senses in this raw, high-alpine vitality: whether finding focus on the emerald fairways of the 18-hole golf course,

exploring the valley by mountain bike, or embarking on the scenic Four Lakes Hike, the journey is one of both physical movement and profound inner clarity. Sanctuaries for the Senses

The restoration continues at Kempinski The Spa. Perched on the rooftop, this sanctuary is designed to harmonize the mind and body. Whether floating in the glass-framed infinity pool or unwinding in the warmth of the saunas and steam bath, the experience is defined by a panoramic dialogue with the surrounding peaks. Bespoke treatments offer a final, transformative touch, ensuring a deep and lasting sense of well-being.

The culinary narrative is equally evocative. Days begin with a healthy power breakfast at Cattani Restaurant, where Mediterranean-inspired flair meets the finest Swiss products. The experience evolves through sundrenched terraces, seasonal pop-up concepts, and elegant Afternoon Tea in the Wintergarden. As evening falls, The Palace Bar remains the village’s most vivid venue for live music and expertly crafted cocktails.

An Icon Reimagined: The TITLIS Tower

High above the valley, the skyline has gained a new, avant-garde silhouette. Opening in early June 2026, the TITLIS Tower is a 70-metre masterpiece of glass and geometry. Designed by the world-renowned Herzog & de Meuron, the tower evolves the summit into a landmark of contemporary design.

Reached via the Rotair – the world’s first revolving cable car – the tower’s horizontal volumes are fully glazed. These house a restaurant and a bar, as well as the world’s highest Rolex boutique, while the Horizon Deck viewing platform offers 360-degree vistas.

Together with the Cliff Walk suspension bridge, it represents a striking union of architectural innovation and the raw, unyielding power of the glacier.

From the high-altitude views of the Titlis to the warm, modern elegance of your suite, Kempinski Palace Engelberg remains an alpine original - a destination where history, nature and contemporary luxury converge into one unforgettable experience. To mark the Fifth Anniversary in June 2026, a curated offer will celebrate this milestone from April through June.

Kempinski Palace Engelberg

Dorfstrasse 40 · 6390 Engelberg

Switzerland T +41 41 639 75 75

reservation.engelberg@kempinski.com kempinski.com/engelberg

T HE

A KINGDOM TRANSFORMED

Rajasthan’s great cities have long defined India’s royal imagination. But across Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, a vibrant new cultural and culinary energy is reshaping the state, as Jeremy Wayne discovered

JAIPUR

It’s already spring in the “Land of Kings” when I touch down at Jaipur Airport, in the gossamer haze of a February morning on the early flight from Delhi. The days here are soft and sweet, although in a month it will be a furnace, and the private plunge pool in the garden of my suite at The Leela Palace, Jaipur (theleela.com), where I’m fortunate enough to be staying, will really come into its splendid own – to say nothing of the hotel’s magnificent main pool and its just-unveiled cooling rooftop Amber Terrace that looks out to the picturesque and impressive Aravalli Hills.

Sure, I’ve come to the “Pink City” for the Amber Fort, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), and the incomparable City Palace. But these days I also come for shopping, galleries, and heck, why not, let’s be honest – those crafty craft cocktails. In recent years the city has become a serious destination for design-led retail, which mixes craft traditions – and fabulous drinks – with modern silhouettes and homewares.

Take Idli (idlibythierryjourno.com) for a start. If the blurb sounds overly theatrical (“At Idli we don’t design clothes, we design dreams”), you’d nevertheless have to concede that the clothing at this fashion and homewares store, established by Thierry Mugler assistant Thierry Journo and now with a second outlet in the C-Scheme district of the city, is pretty dreamy. Designs

RAJASTHAN RHYTHMS

Previous page: The Leela Palace Udaipur presides on the banks of Lake Pichola

Left: Dreamlike details define Thierry Journo’s creations at Idli, Jaipur

Below left: Playing for passersby outside the Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur

Below right: The colorful book corner at Palace Atelier Store whispers Jaipur’s royal heritage

don’t come ritzier, or fabrics zingier, than they do here.

Then again, if it’s a more pared-down look you’re after, Jaipuris in the know will direct you to Anushree Saraf’s sustainable clothing store Kapraãha (kapraaha.com) in Durgadas Colony, proving if it still needs to be proved, that Jaipur, thank goodness, is no longer only about block prints and juttis. Or you can go the do-it-yourself route at Wonderful Workshops Jaipur (wonderfulworkshopsjaipur.org), where Stella Berkofsky and Nansel Stobdan host hands-on design workshops led by local master craftspeople in collaboration with well-known international artists, but always with a local focus on Rajasthan.

Of course, none of this means that traditional Jaipur tailoring has been forgotten. It hasn’t. Ask three old Jaipuri hands for the best tailor in town and each will give you a different answer, but for top-of-the-line fabrics and expert, traditional custom tailoring, you’ll honestly do no better than Suadre (suadrestudio.com), with its 5,000 fabric designs and astonishing array of customization possibilities – limited only, as they say, by your imagination. If time is a factor (and on a two- or three-day visit to Jaipur, trust me it will be), the rather fabulous Palace Atelier Store (thepalaceatelier.com) at Jaipur City Palace just gets better and better. It bills itself as a high-end “heritage luxury” boutique – in other words a terrific, one-stop shop showcasing products inspired by royal archives and local craftsmanship. Apologies for using the vernacular, but “scrumptious” is the only way to describe most of the goods on offer here.

Even Jaipur’s jewelry and gemstone scene has quietly moved upscale in recent years, with studios offering appointment-style visits, custom work and design narratives in place of the rather tiresome and endless bazaar rummaging and bargaining of old.

As for restaurants, Jaipur now has plenty of places that feel contemporary in both food and interiors – more like you would expect in Mumbai or Delhi, but with a pronounced Rajasthani accent. Take Italian Barbara Miolini’s celebrated Bar Palladio (bar-palladio.com), for instance: not new but still seminal with its airy blue-and-white interiors, ambrosial signature Marina Rossa cocktail (vodka, lime, mint and strawberry puree) and a kaleidoscope of interesting types passing through.

Seminal to the scene, too, is the nearly new Café Auberge (@cafeauberge. jaipur), which keeps drawing plaudits for its vibe and not just for its “Bhinder special” lamb curry. Plus, the hip local eatery shares the same residence as the newly opened Vinita Bhansali (@vinitabhansaliofficial), a luxury, handcrafted couture label fast gaining attention in the Rajasthani capital and beyond.

Another great Jaipur eatery is the dining room at The Farm (@ thefarmjaipur), near Malot Hospital, on the city outskirts. It’s an ingredientsforward, slow-food place that feels fresher and more authentic than many of the city’s new, slightly ersatz, always “organic” newbies.

At the posh end? That would be Jamavar (theleela.com/the-leela-palacejaipur/restaurants/jamavar) at the Leela Palace Jaipur, a restaurant which seems to float on a sea of candles, where the 11-course Maharani menu is as much a cultural tour of North India as it is a gastronomic or vinous awakening.

ECHOES AND ELEGANCE

Left: Jantar Mantar

UNESCO World Heritage site. Below: Bar Palladio, another treasure in Jaipur

I especially enjoyed the SDU Reserva Chardonnay from India’s Nandi Valley, recalling the words of my friend, the eminent Indian food critic Sourish Bhattacharyya, as I sipped: “Indian wine isn’t great yet, but it’s getting there, and I’d prefer a good Indian wine to a mediocre Australian any day of the week.”

Well said, Mr. Bhattacharyya.

JODHPUR

In February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated nine new major road projects in Rajasthan. Be patient and watch this space, but for now it’s still a good five-and-a-half-hour drive – or four and a half hours by train, which often runs late – ¬from Jaipur to Jodhpur.

Ah, but Jodhpur, “the Blue City,” and the joy of arriving here. Colossal Mehrangarh Fort, ever on the horizon, seems almost suspended from the sky, the entire city laid out beneath it; the Mandore Garden is a quiet delight for strolling and reflection; and the Jaswant Thada all-marble memorial, completed in 1906, in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhjill of Jodhpur, gives the Taj Mahal a run for its money.

All of this is there for the gawping, but the city has been quietly polishing its cultural calendar, too. Inaugurated in 2025, Jodhpur Arts Week is set to return next between January and March 2027, bringing pop-up exhibitions, talks and performances to venues across the Blue City.

Less “scene-y” than Jaipur, more workaday than Udaipur, Jodhpur has a big wood/metal craft and furniture ecosystem, and the best experiences –and a relatively new concept – are pre-arranged studio/workshop visits.

For some of the most exquisite handmade furniture in Rajasthan, a visit to Niktan (niktanexport.com) would certainly be a treat, but is no longer essential, because you can now shop Niktan’s furniture online. Owner Vinay Tanwar, who like many of the new generation of craftsmen and furniture makers is breathing new life into an established family business, personally oversees the making of each piece. He videos each step of the production process for his clients to see and enjoy, and from the time of ordering can have a finished bone-inlay sideboard or mother-of-pearl cabinet delivered to you, fully assembled, anywhere in the world in under a fortnight.

A less rarefied, completely different shopping experience awaits at Sardar Market – flamboyant, loud and chaotic, a must-see sea of wares spread out around the city’s 19th-century Clock Tower.

But for three floors of genuine antique furniture, intricate fabrics, and the world’s softest baby cashmere and prized Changthangi goat pashminas – but also somewhere where the stock never stands still – your next port of call in the city should be brothers Bantu and Chitranjan Jain’s gallery, Rangmala (+91 97991 98000) in Umed Chowk, opposite Jodhpur’s famous Stepwell. The gallery started life as a small pawn shop run by the brothers’ great-grandfather; not only is their merchandise of the very highest quality, their prices are extremely fair.

The central Umed Chowk district is also where you’ll likely want to eat, too. It’s home to a clutch of fashionable new “restros” – a very Indian word –including the utterly charming Open House (@openhousecafejodhpur) and the Stepwell Café, with its original Raj-era ephemera on the walls and enchanting terrace with views over the Stepwell itself.

UDAIPUR

In Udaipur, where I take the boat at dusk across ravishing Lake Pichola to settle in at The Leela Palace Udaipur (theleela.com), shimmering and stunning with its vast suites facing the lake, its serene swimming pool, and, get this, its very own 400-year-old temple, the vibe is pure class and total refinement in a heritage setting. And yes, The Leela Palace is palpably romantic. In fact, the exterior takes you to another plane.

Back on earth, Udaipur has a strong painting tradition, a lot of it Pichwaiinspired work, where the higher quality experiences are now studio visits with working artists, rather than the endless shop-to-shop browsing of years gone by, which frankly could be enervating.

By arrangement, Leela will set up local craftsmen at the hotel for a personal demonstration. Pink gin in hand from the Palace’s glamorous Library Bar, in the hotel’s inner courtyard, I watched local potter Ramesh Kumar throw water jugs, vases and assorted pots using clay from Lake Pichola. Another artisan, Govind Lakhara, joined him – a third-generation bangle-maker who works with banyan tree glue and lakh, a natural, nontoxic resin, to produce beautiful bangles in a variety of colours (banglemaker.blogspot.com)

Udaipur’s beguiling Vintage & Classic Car Collection (hrhhotels.com) which was assembled by recently deceased local dignitary Arvind Singh Mewar, and where the entrance ticket charmingly reads “Bill of Supply,” has been recently upgraded and is well worth a visit. I was the only visitor on a sleepy afternoon just turning sultry, free to wander undisturbed among the vintage Rolls-Royce Phantoms, the Cadillacs and ancient Fords, wondering if when all was said and done and I was given carte blanche here to pick one for myself, I mightn’t just opt for the classic Triumph TR6. You know, I think I would.

Afterwards, avoiding the more touristic Shilpgram Craft Village, I took a quick look at Vinayak Silver (@vinayak.jewellery) by the City Palace Gate, which has some of the city’s best and most reasonably priced silver. Returning to the hotel along Fateh Sagar Lake in northern Udaipur, we stopped at Sai Sagar, an older, lakeside café still holding its own among the slew of new cafés and coffee shops around the city. “The best coffee in town,” my driver told me, and he wasn’t wrong, “although it does get very crowdy in the evening,” he added.

Also “crowdy” (my new favourite word) – not just in the evening, but from midday onwards – is the tony Naga Nagri district, especially good for prints, books and textiles. And in the evening, the action moves to Sukhadia Circle, with its three-tiered, white marble fountain, which even a decade ago was a relatively quiet area but is now a bustling recreational hub known for its gardens, boating, camel rides, and, once you’ve acclimatized, exceptionally good street food.

Udaipur, the City of Lakes, often called the most romantic city of India, never ceases to enthral, and these days really does seem to have it all.

THE REST

And it doesn’t stop here. With high-end wilderness and rural experiences in places like Jawai and around Ranthambore, often with much better service and aesthetics than a decade ago; camel desert safaris in Jaisalmer (and with a new Leela Palace Hotel slated to open in late 2026); and new “bonding with elephant” experiences at centres like Elejungle (elejungle.com) in Jaipur,

CRAFTED LEGACY

Inlay sideboard from Niktan; the Jodhpur furniture maker chronicles every step of its creations for clients

Rajasthan is having a bit of a glow-up with a sharp edge.

The same palaces and desert drama, yes, but now interwoven with cooler stays, bolder food, less “ethnic” but far more chic clothes, and craft scenes that feel alive, not staged. It’s less “museum tour,” more high-contrast India. Part regal, part gritty, somehow Rajasthan is more remarkable – and more addictive – than ever.

GETTING AROUND

Transportation is always an interesting topic in Rajasthan, where overcrowded trains, poor roads, reckless drivers and the long distances between principal cities can challenge even the most seasoned travellers.

In recent years, though, flying has become a more attractive alternative, especially between Delhi and the more distant cities, boosted by the arrival of low-cost carrier IndiGo and substantial government investment in infrastructure.

The revamped Terminal 1 at Jaipur International Airport has finally reopened after 10 years, projecting a passenger capacity increase from 6.5 million to 38 million, while at Jodhpur Airport a massive new terminal handling higher traffic, and supporting potential international flights, is nearing completion. Udaipur isn’t being left out either, with its Maharana Pratap Airport currently undergoing a huge redevelopment to transform it into a modern, international-standard facility.

MEMBERS ONLY

The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts (theleela.com) has recently announced its foray into the world of private membership with the launch of Arq By The Leela. The first club has now opened at The Leela Palace Bengaluru (theleela.com/the-leela-palace-bengaluru), with locations in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai to follow.

At its heart, Arq By The Leela is a curated ecosystem that connects its members to experiences that are personalised, elevated, and often unexpected – from cultural salons and intimate experiences to immersive journeys across The Leela’s destinations.

Left: Connect with conversation and curated cocktails.

Above: Unwind, relax and luxuriate at the courtyard pool

REGAL RETREAT

TRANSCENDING TIME AND PLACE

Jonathan Bell highlights the inspired architectural openings and milestones to watch for in 2026

Design Museum, Ghent

Carmody Groarke

Heritage City – the Design Museum in Ghent

Bold architecture will never lose its cultural cachet. This selection of some of the best new works that will emerge from their scaffolding shrouds throughout 2026 showcases everything from stadiums to mountainside shacks. It includes projects that have been gestating for more than a century, as well as additions to ancient urban fabric and historic waterfronts.

Aarhus Stadium, Denmark

Zaha Hadid Architects

The new home of Danish Superliga club Aarhus Gymnastikforening is due to open this year. The Aarhus Stadium replaces a much altered structure originally built in 1920 and is intended to accommodate the club’s burgeoning fortunes as well as host concerts and other events. Zaha Hadid Architects were tasked with integrating the new stadium into a heavily wooded site bordering the ancient Marselisborg Forest that lies to the south of Aarhus city centre. The studio’s response was to create the “Arena of the Forest,” with a façade of tall, curving timber ribs set between vast concrete columns, mirroring the edge of the adjacent treeline. Gaps have been deliberately left in this façade to allow glimpses of the forest from within. With a seating arrangement that brings more fans closer to the pitch than ever before, the new stadium will seat 24,000 for matches and up to 35,000 for concerts. (zaha-hadid.com)

London-based studio Carmody Groarke will complete the new Design Museum in Ghent, Belgium, this year. Tightly integrated into the UNESCO World Heritage City, the new museum incorporates several listed 18thcentury buildings as well as a new five-storey wing that ties the whole scheme together. A new internal courtyard, basement storage and archive are introduced, along with an open-plan top-floor event space that provides hitherto unseen vistas across Ghent’s rooftops. The new building is timber framed, with an exposed timber interior emphasising the monumental scale of the structure. Externally, it’s finished with lime-cured bricks that have been made from city waste, an explicit expression of the building’s sustainable credentials. (carmodygroarke.com)

Alpine Bivouac

Carlo Ratti Associati

Designed for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, this bivouac is based on a digital 3D scan of the mountain site, allowing the architects to create a structure that slots perfectly into the landscape. Using cross-laminated timber and aerogel, as well as incorporating photovoltaic cells, the self-sufficient structure points to a future approach to architecture at altitude – finding inspiration in the essential mountain shelters that have been located in hard-to-reach spots for centuries. Initially the timber, metal and glass form was on show as part of a temporary pavilion at the Olympics before being airlifted to its final spot in the Italian Alps, where it will serve as a vital yet spectacular refuge for the next generation of climbers. (carlorattiassociati.com)

AMONG THE ARBORS

Previous: The sleek new Aarhus Stadium in Denmark, Zaha Hadid Architects’ “Arena of the Forest,” sits adjacent to the century-old home of football club Aarhus Gymnastikforening

CROWD PLEASERS

Above: Aarhus Stadium will be a premier Danish venue for sporting and concert events

Below: Combining 21st-century views with major sustainability cred in a UNESCO World

“From a sleek stadium to a shack in the Alps, cultural cachet on display”

Glasshouse Theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane

Snøhetta

Snøhetta’s virtuoso translucent wall is the curtain raiser at Brisbane’s new Glasshouse Theatre, part of the refurbishment and expansion of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Bringing a 1,500-seat multifunctional performance space to QPAC, the new venue is ultra-flexible in that it can be used across the performing arts. The architects were inspired by the traditional owners of the land, the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, as well as the winding course of the Brisbane River. The new structure incorporates a brutalist concrete shell encased within the rippling glazing of the external façade, raised up above street level to create breakout spaces with a view around the new auditorium. Inside the theatre itself, the hall is encased with curved, overlapping timber forms. (snohetta.com)

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles

MAD Architects

A blockbuster structure for the progenitor of the tentpole movie, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be the closest thing Hollywood gets to a celebratory Guggenheimstyle mausoleum of celluloid culture. Designed by the Chinese firm MAD Architects, led by Ma Yansong, the LMNA will open in September. Located in the city’s Exposition Park, the museum will not only house the Lucas Archives but also a 40,000-strong collection of art and photography curated around the premise of narrative, ranging from book illustrations to murals and cinematic artifacts. With a form akin to one of the fantastical spaceships from Lucas’s expansive oeuvre, the building has the potential to become an instant city icon. Looming above an 11-acre linear park by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the lozenge-like structure also features high-level galleries and terraces that will provide a striking vantage point over LA. (lucasmuseum.org, i-mad.com )

ELEVATED CRAFT

Left: The signature above-street-level façade greets patrons as they enter QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre in Brisbane.

Below left: Carlo Ratti

Associati’s Alpine bivouac is now serving mountain climbers after its showing at the Winter Olympics

Bottom: Courtyard gardens and pools harmonize with sharp angles amid the dozen pavilions of BIG’s Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art

Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, China BIG

Danish provocateurs BIG have shaped the new Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art in the lakeside city due west of Shanghai. The museum is formed from 12 pavilions, linked by a cascading see-saw of stainless steel that evokes the traditional Chinese hip-and-gable roof structure. The architects have cleverly deployed this material as a single surface that rises and falls as it makes right-angle turns to unite the entire complex. Inside, arranged around a series of courtyard gardens and pools, and set beneath the shadow of the town’s substantial Ferris wheel, the museum incorporates permanent exhibition halls and multifunctional areas, with the circulation spaces between serving as a new public realm stepping down to Jinji Lake. (big.dk)

London Museum, London

Stanton Williams and Asif Khan with Julian Harrap Architects

The new London Museum is scheduled to open its first stage towards the end of 2026. A substantial undertaking that has involved moving from its original location in the Barbican to occupy a radically overhauled and refurbished site in the historic General Market building in Smithfield, the project involves architects Stanton Williams and Asif Khan along with heritage and restoration specialists Julian Harrap Architects. In addition to providing more space for the museum’s expansive collection of seven million physical objects relating to London’s history and culture – from archaeological findings to shopfronts and signage – the London Museum will also house temporary shows in the Poultry Market, a 1960s structure that is due to open in 2028, complete with a working collections store carved

BUILDINGS WITH BENEFITS

Below: Rising in Sydney while reducing energy costs, the Atlassian Headquarters is one of the world's tallest hybrid-timber constructions

Bottom: Opening near the end of 2026, the London Museum will reveal even more history in its new home within Smithfield’s General Market building

“Radically overhauled and refurbished, with views of the Underground below”

out of the old poultry cold stores. Museum visitors will find that the Smithfield site itself contains multiple layers of London’s history, all of which will be newly accessible, right down to a viewing gallery of the Underground trains running below.

(stantonwilliams.com, asif-khan.com, julianharraparchitects.co.uk)

Sagrada Família, Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí

Millions of visitors will already be familiar with the basilica’s impressive presence on the city skyline. Like any house of worship from any era in history, Barcelona’s Sagrada Família will never truly be finished; ongoing renovations, repairs and alterations to the fabric will no doubt be a permanent part of the mighty structure’s future. But 2026 should mark the year when the Sagrada is officially completed, mainly because it ties in nicely with the centenary of the death of its famous architect, Antoni Gaudí. Consecrated in 2010, topped out in 2025 (when it became the tallest church in the world, at 162.91m), construction has been ongoing since 1882. While Sagrada

CAPPING IT OFF

After 144 years, the iconic Sagrada Família basilica should be deemed complete

STAGE PRESENCE

Família was the architect’s lifetime work, even he couldn’t have predicted that a century of intensive construction still lay ahead, with some carvings and statues not expected to be completed until the 2030s.

(sagradafamília.org)

Atlassian Headquarters, Sydney SHoP Architects

The new HQ for workplace software specialists Atlassian will open this year in Sydney. Designed by the New Yorkbased practice SHoP Architects, the building is notable for being one of the tallest hybrid-timber constructions in the world. The structure comprises a series of four-storey self-supporting mass timber habitats, stacked up within a muscular steel exoskeleton. This approach frees up the space between the steel and the timber for multiple winter gardens, each with openable external façades that will dramatically cut the energy costs of heating and cooling the building. Rising up above the city’s Central Station, the tower also incorporates an existing youth hostel and a historic train shed at ground level.

(shoparc.com)

Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, New York State Studio Gang

Commissioned to build a new permanent home for an

open-air theatre company 55 miles north of New York City, Studio Gang have designed a timber-framed structure that provides audience seating and weatherproofing against the spectacular backdrop of the Hudson Valley. Think of this as a contemporary update of the classic Elizabethan theatre design, epitomised by London’s Globe. Hudson Valley Shakespeare, which staged its first season in 1987, previously performed within a large open-sided tent. The new building, with its flowing, wing-like roof and exposed timber structure, is set within a landscape designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz to provide an engaging, circuitous walk to the performance.

(studiogang.com, nbwla.com)

New Museum Expansion, Manhattan OMA

Opening this spring alongside the instantly familiar form of the New Museum’s flagship building (designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architects SANAA in 2007) is a new expansion design by architects Shohei Shigematsu and Rem Koolhaas of OMA in collaboration with Cooper Robertson. The addition effectively doubles the available gallery space, with a new Sky Room on the seventh floor as well as a studio for artists in residence. Opening with a specially commissioned exhibition, New Humans: Memories of the Future, the New Museum expansion also includes several site-specific artist’s works, including a figurative work by Tschabalala Self that unites the façades of the two contrasting structures.

(newmuseum.org, oma.com)

A play on the classic Elizabethan-era venue by the cast at Studio Gang: the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center

DYNAMIC DUO

Expansion at the New Museum essentially – and strikingly – doubles the available gallery space

OMA

STUDIO-GANG

THE MACAN GTS, REIMAGINED

Tauter, faster and more focused – the compact Porsche SUV comes into its own with everyday usability that collides with unapologetic performance, says Adam Hay-Nicholls

Electric SUVs are all pretty much the same, right? They’re the same shape, they have space for the whole family, they’re bafflingly high-tech and accelerate as fast as a sports car. They also have as much soul as a cardboard cut-out of a celebrity.

Except this one. The new Porsche Macan GTS, which is only available in fully electric form, not only looks better than most, it drives like a full-throated Porsche. No other EV SUV excites or feels as cohesive and cool as this Macan. And the GTS is the sweet spot.

The GTS is the most outwardly sporty car in the Macan range, even though it’s not as powerful as the Turbo (let’s not argue about how an electric car can be called a turbo, it’s not my doing). In standard mode, it sits 10mm lower than other Macans and sinks another 10mm in Sport Plus mode (which the Turbo does, too). It has lots of racy details and Race-Tex material. And, crucially, it’s lighter than its other family members. That means that while a Turbo will catch it in a straight line, the GTS will pull away in the corners. It’s by far the most fun.

Priced from £89,000 (around $96,550 and €104,200), the Macan GTS has twin electric motors, one on each axle, and they’re the same units as on the Turbo except the wick at the rear has been turned down. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I drove the car on very icy switchbacks on the Cote d’Azur’s mountain roads in February, and the rear was nothing less than planted every time I booted the throttle out of a hairpin bend. The traction was sensational. Somehow, all of its 704 lb ft of torque (which, by the way, is more than the McLaren P1 hypercar!) connected to the frozen tarmac and fired me straight into the horizon. It has a combined power output of 510bhp under normal conditions, although this increases to 563bhp when you engage launch control –should you wish to embarrass a 911 away from the lights.

“You can chuck this car around as if it’s a ’90s hot hatch”

Zero to 62mph takes as little as 3.8 seconds, which is quicker than the base Carrera.

You can drive it silently or with a sort of Star Trekky V6-synthed whoosh in Sport Plus, which does actually make it quite aurally engaging. And that’s absolutely the case with the handling, too. There’s not a whiff of understeer. If you shell out for the optional rear-wheel steering, it changes direction like a blue bottle fly. You can chuck this car around as if it’s a ’90s hot hatch; it rarely reminds the driver that it weighs 1,900kg dry thanks to its 48:52 weight distribution, air suspension, race-spec double-wishbones at the front, electronic limited slip differential at the rear, and Porsche’s excellent active stability management system, which will make it seem like you have the car control of Lando Norris.

Inside, the Macan GTS is everything you’d expect from a Porsche: stylishly minimalist, exceptionally well crafted, telepathically ergonomic, and with comfortable space in the rear for three people who are under 6-foot-2. It has an 800V electrical system, which means it has twice the charging power of your average EV. Allowing for rapid DC charging at up to 270kW, you can top it up from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 21 minutes if you find the right charging station.

There’s lots of other tech, too, including self-parking and a device that lets the vehicle automatically reverse the last 50 meters you just drove, which can be very useful in tight garages and curvy country lanes. Children will love the front passenger display screen, on which they can stream videos via apps like Disney+ and play games such as Asphalt 9. It even has a karaoke function.

The Macan GTS can be a PlayStation on wheels if you want it to be, but most importantly this is a proper Porsche. Who needs the video game when you have the real thing? (porsche.com)

POWER PACKED

The Macan GTS delivers speedy top-ups with 800V charging, not to mention an A-list entertainment lineup and rear-seat comfort

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