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Immerse yourself in a unique London adventure, from vibrant market stalls to Michelin-starred dining and iconic landmarks - all just moments away.
Once a rugged frontier for growers, Mount Etna is now a magnet for discerning oenophiles. By Ivan Carvalho
52 • Peak Renewal
In something of a snowball effect, Europe’s Alpine resorts are seeing some serious upgrades. By Felice Hardy
56 • Recharged Grandeur
The Celestiq is an electrifying newcomer – and proof of Cadillac’s sky-high ambitions. By Adam Hay-Nicholls
CHAIRMAN Nick Perry
Nick@ultratravel.com @MrNickPerry
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Cowan
CONTRIBUTORS
Ivan Carvalho, FH Darafshian, Chris Hall, Felice Hardy, Adam Hay-Nicholls, Nigel Tisdall
Views
Farhad Heydari EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Electric Convergence
There was a time when media executives would parachute into the satellite bureaus of their sprawling empires and, in a rather perfunctory and faintly condescending manner, exclaim: “So… what’s been happening out here?” — the inference being that wherever they had just flown in from was, by default, the centre of the universe. It happened once in Hong Kong during my tenure at TIME, when a Eurasian colleague — visibly unimpressed — finally retorted: “Out here? This is where it’s at! What’s been happening out there in New York?”
It was a refrain I also heard on my early trips to Dubai during my years at American Express — but not anymore. Because today, Dubai no longer plays the role of the ambitious outpost. The city, indeed the entire emirate, has matured into something far more formidable: a multifaceted global metropolis and undisputed hub — a hyperincubator for tech, travel and, for the
globally mobile, asset-rich and strategically minded, tax efficiency.
Spend a few days in the desert, as I did this November for The ULTRAs (page 30), where we at celebrated the world’s finest in luxury travel alongside our partners at the Global Hotel Alliance, and it’s easy to see why there is so much effervescence. Within a single week, Dubai hosted a convergence of heavyweight global events — from the DP World Tour Championship and the Dubai Airshow to the biennial Dubai Watch Week, now staged across an extraordinary multi-pavilion site in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa. Each drew an eclectic and influential constellation of professional athletes, industry leaders, tastemakers and cultural figures.
And this energy was not confined to Dubai alone. Across the UAE and the GCC more broadly, the same week saw Abu Dhabi stage its glittering art fair while Doha
welcomed global A-listers for the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards, celebrating creative talent from across the region. Each of these events — including our own — underscored not only the dynamism of the Middle East in an ever-shifting global landscape, but Dubai’s rarefied status as a city of enormous gravitational pull. One to which inventors, investors and creators are decamping in record numbers, drawn by a uniquely business-forward ecosystem. What is happening “out here”, then, is no longer peripheral. It is central. It is directional. And, increasingly, it is setting the tempo for a new global luxury narrative. Travel today is no longer defined by destination but by intention — shaped by longevity, nostalgia and deeply personal journeys. And if Dubai teaches us anything, it’s this: the world may not move in straight lines, but it always gravitates towards energy. Enjoy this issue.
The world’s most extraordinary independent hotels
Discover Hotel Esencia and other iconic independent hotels within The Set. From timeless cities to hidden coastal sanctuaries, each a destination in itself.
THE EXCEPTIONAL, WITHOUT EXCEPTION
HOTEL ESENCIA, XPU-HA, MEXICO
GLOBAL MOMENTUM
New openings, future flagships and transformative resort stories…
This is how GHA DISCOVERY is reshaping the global luxury landscape.
By FH Darafshian
The most significant horizon news comes from Capella Hotels and Resorts (capellahotels. com), which has confirmed a Q1 2026 opening for Capella Kyoto — the brand’s highly anticipated debut in Japan. Located in one of the country’s most culturally layered cities, the hotel will deliver a refined, design-led interpretation of Kyoto’s heritage, blending contemplative architecture with minimalist interiors and deeply immersive local programming. From private tea ceremonies to curated artisan encounters, it promises a new lens on Japanese luxury for GHA DISCOVERY members. Also slated for the first quarter of 2026 is Patina Hotels & Resorts’ (patinahotels.com) first mainland China property, Patina Tianjin — the brand’s third global outpost following the Maldives and Osaka. Introducing Patina’s distinctive fusion of wellness, sustainability and designdriven luxury to Northern China, the hotel is conceived as a sanctuary for creative and personal renewal. Forwardthinking architecture and immersive guest programming
will define the experience, positioning it firmly within the next wave of purpose-led luxury hospitality.
From future openings to present-day arrivals, Pan Pacific Hotels Group (panpacific.com) has strengthened its China portfolio with Pan Pacific Dalian, a contemporary new urban address overlooking one of the country’s most dynamic coastal cities. Situated within a rapidly evolving commercial and lifestyle district, the hotel combines streamlined design with Pan Pacific’s signature understated elegance. With elevated dining, refined accommodations and comprehensive wellness and event facilities, it serves as both a leisure destination and corporate hub.
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts (viceroyhotelsandresorts.com) adds a cultural dimension to its St Lucian outpost with an immersive art residency at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.
In partnership with acclaimed illustrator Monica Ahanonu, the resort introduces a family-focused art programme featuring interactive workshops, bespoke installations and creative activations. Ahanonu’s bold, expressive visual language transforms the resort into a playful creative canvas, inviting guests of all ages to engage with art in an inspiring, hands-on way.
Across the Atlantic, Nikki Beach Hospitality Group (nikkibeach.com), alongside Ayre Group, has unveiled The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua, introducing a new tier of branded luxury living in the Caribbean. Set along Antigua’s pristine coastline, the residences blend contemporary beachfront architecture with full access to Nikki Beach’s lifestyle ecosystem — from beach club experiences and dining to spa, concierge and curated social programming — merging high-energy hospitality with long-term ownership.
LETIZIA
CIGLIUTTI
Completing the global picture, Outrigger Hospitality Group (outrigger.com) continues its dual focus on international expansion and reinvestment in its Hawaiian roots. Across Waikiki, its flagship resorts have undergone phased renovations, revealing refreshed accommodations, revitalised public spaces and enhanced dining and Polynesian-inspired wellness concepts. Natural materials and oceanic palettes anchor the redesign, while the brand’s growing presence across Asia and the Indian Ocean extends its barefoot-luxury ethos far beyond Hawaii.
For more information or to join the programme for free, visit ghadiscovery.com or download the GHA DISCOVERY mobile app.
PARADISES FOUND
Previous page: in Antigua, The Residences at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa give owners access to the kind of tropical luxury, experiences and amenities that are normally the preserve of guests at five-star hotels. Clockwise from top left: low-key style is the hallmark of the hotly anticipated Capella Kyoto; the 52-storey Pan Pacific Dalian occupies a prime spot on northeastern China’s Liaodong Peninsula; green and pleasant views at Ombria Algarve, Portugal; an artistic idyll awaits among the verdant slopes at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in St Lucia
PEDAL PARTNERSHIP
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts (viceroyhotelsandresorts.com) has announced a new global partnership with Rapha (rapha.cc), the worldrenowned cycling brand, launching across four properties within its portfolio — including Viceroy at Ombria Algarve. The collaboration brings Rapha’s distinctive design language and cycling culture into the guest experience through curated riding itineraries, co-branded amenities, on-property retail and bespoke cycling gear. At Ombria Algarve, routes wind through rolling countryside and sundrenched villages, offering an immersive way to explore southern Portugal’s natural and cultural landscape — making for a seamless fusion of performance, lifestyle and destination-led discovery.
GLOBAL GONG
Capella Bangkok (capellahotels. com/bangkok) and Capella Sydney (capellahotels.com/sydney) have secured positions on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, reinforcing Capella Hotels and Resorts (capellahotels.com) as one of luxury hospitality’s most revered brands. The former, with its riverside tranquility, ranked third on the list while the latter, with its heritage grandeur, finished in twelfth place, with both properties championing hyper-personalised service, cultural immersion and design-led refinement. theworlds50best.com
Above: cyclists taking on the routes offered by
at
at
are rewarded with some of southern Portugal’s most spectacular landscapes
Below: Capella Sydney puts its guests in a heritage-listed building a stone’s throw from Circular Quay
RIDING HIGH
Rapha
Viceroy
Ombria Algarve
THE SHORT
What’s hot, what to buy and what to know, as compiled by Ultratravel editors
SCENTED CELEBRATIONS
The Fun & Games Christmas Collection from fragrance specialist Jo Malone London invites festive mischief with returning favourites Ginger Biscuit and Orange Bitters, an evocative new Sandalwood & Spiced Apricot Cologne, and a playful Advent Calendar, among other goodies. From scented ornaments to classic winter candles (Pomegranate Noir is our pick), the season’s most charming olofactory rituals begin here. jomalone.co.uk
IN A GLASS OF THEIR OWN
A holiday edit of winter’s finest releases
COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY
Celebrating the English countryside that produced it, Wychwood Harvest
Single Malt is redolent with Port-cask richness and dark fruit depth. cotswoldsdistillery.com
HIGHLAND PARK
Crafted in collaboration with Björn Frantzén, Between You and I hints at the Swedish chef’s personal tasting memories, adding 16-year-old depth. highlandparkwhisky.com
THE MACALLAN
Illustrated by Kiwi artist Bonnie Brown, A Night On Earth The First Light evokes the New Zealand sunrise in a warm, fruity Speyside single malt. macallan.com
COMPASS BOX
If the label alone marks Brûlée Royale as an ideal seasonal gift for the Scotch lover in your life, its crème brûlée opulence only sweetens the deal. compassboxwhisky.com
MARTELL
A rare eaux-de-vie, L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition honours 2026 as Year of the Horse with Baccaratcrafted artistry, to stunning effect. martell.com
SULLIVANS COVE
Hailing from Tasmania, this 25 Single Cask is a showcase for a quarter century of patience, setting a gold-star benchmark for New World whisky. sullivanscove.com
BLADNOCH
Capturing Lowland elegance and seasonal warmth, Loch Maberry Chapter Two 18-year-old single malt is an ideal whisky for festive collectors. bladnoch.com
MAKER’S MARK
From the top-shelf bourbon producer, this Cellar Aged 2025 offers maturity, cool-cellar refinement and serious appeal for aficionados. makersmark.com
TENMILE DISTILLERY
The Revolutionary Series honours 250 years of the US republic with 57 expressions of premium whisky in battle-inspired, limited-edition bottles. tenmiledistillery.com
THE SHORT LIST
OBJECTS OF AFFECTION
Timeless small leather accessories from Leica combine European craftsmanship and precision design, elevating everyday travel essentials this season. leica-camera.com
GIN PALACE
AUREUS VITA
As you might expect from a spirit produced by master distiller John Hall, who started out as a chemist, Fibonacci Dry Gin applies the golden ratio to its production process, delivering mathematical flavour harmony for a perfectly refined, Cornish-made gin – ideal for collectors and statement gifting. aureusvita.com
RENAIS
Limited to just 600 bottles, Harvest Edition pairs fine art design by British artist Frankie Penwill with botanicals including linden flowers, honey and angelica root. Inspired by both Renais’ viticultural heritage and the Harvest Moon, it’s smooth, well-rounded and a joy to drink. renais.co.uk
FACE VALUE
A pair of superlative potions aim to challenge ageing through the outer limits of science. Luxury Swiss longevity skincare NIANCE (niance.com) unveils its EPIGEN9 Serum and Mask (pictured), targeting cellular ageing with senolytic technology, NAD+ activation and its proprietary Swiss Glacier Complex, to restore skin vitality through epigenetic innovation. Meanwhile, consultantdermatologist-founded The Skin Diary (theskindiary.com) targets overnight renewal with its Night Repair Therapy — a clinically proven treatment that works beyond surface repair, doubling collagen and fibrillin in 12 weeks while significantly reducing wrinkles.
FIVE MINUTES WITH TILLY HARRISON
SOUND, SCULPTED
To mark its centenary, Bang & Olufsen (bang-olufsen.com) unveils the Beolab 90 Titan Edition, stripping its flagship loudspeaker to raw, hand-finished aluminium. Created through the Atelier programme, it celebrates a century of acoustic innovation, combining sculptural purity with reference-level performance for collectors who value sound mastery as much as design.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RICHARD MILLE MIDDLE EAST & TÜRKIYE AND FOUNDER OF NINETY WATCHES AND JEWELLERY ON TRANSFORMING THE PRE-OWNED LANDSCAPE FOR A NEW GENERATION OF HAUTE COLLECTORS
Richard Mille has always positioned itself at the intersection of extreme engineering and ultra-luxury. How does the Ninety CPO programme extend that philosophy into the secondary market?
Ninety was conceived in the same spirit of innovation that defines Richard Mille. After years of closely observing the secondary market, the programme was developed internally to ensure the brand’s ethos was embedded from the outset. Our Head of Watchmaking, Thomas Mason, is a Richard Mille-trained watchmaker with nearly 16 years of experience, which brings continuity and deep technical expertise to everything we do. At the core of Ninety is service. Whether we’re purchasing a watch, selling a timepiece, or simply offering guidance, we hold ourselves to the highest levels of trust, transparency and professionalism. Our goal is for every interaction to feel both luxurious and enjoyable — a true extension of the Richard Mille experience.
“We hold ourselves to the highest levels of trust and … Our goal is for every interaction to feel luxurious and enjoyable”
Transparency and trust have become critical in luxury resales. What protocols does Ninety employ to ensure every timepiece meets the same expectations as a new Richard Mille?
Protecting Richard Mille clients and collectors is paramount. Watches entering the secondary market are often mishandled or improperly serviced, which creates uncertainty for buyers. As the official preowned retailer across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Ninety ensures that every watch meets the brand’s exacting standards. Each piece undergoes comprehensive authentication, full servicing and restoration when needed. Every watch is then sold with a two-year international Richard Mille warranty and a Certificate of Authenticity. This provides clients complete confidence not only in the watch’s condition and provenance, but in the integrity of the transaction itself. For collectors looking to evolve their collections, Ninety also offers a secure, trusted pathway to sell or apply a watch toward the acquisition of a new Richard Mille.
The secondary market for Richard Mille has historically been opaque and collector-driven. How does Ninety formalise or reshape that ecosystem for both long-standing and first-time clients?
With the increasing prominence of the pre-owned market, luxury watch brands can no longer overlook it. Because Richard Mille’s production is exceptionally limited, collectors often turn to the grey market to find discontinued or rare references — a space that frequently lacks guarantees and proper servicing. Ninety offers a trusted alternative. Every pre-owned piece receives the same meticulous care and authenticity assurance as it would in a Richard Mille Boutique. Long-time collectors gain a seamless, reliable way to evolve their collections, while first-time buyers benefit from a secure entry point into the world of Richard Mille, confident in the watch’s provenance, condition and craftsmanship.
Many maisons treat CPO as a defensive move. Richard Mille seems to position Ninety as an extension of the brand. What opportunities does this unlock? From the beginning, Ninety was built with a five- and ten-year vision, shaped around the evolving needs of
in Europe and the Middle East
collectors. Demand has been robust — particularly from clients seeking rare or historic models. Commercially, Ninety’s buy-back service and trade-in pathway provide a trusted and secure environment for clients looking to transition from one piece to the next. Ninety also holds a unique position in offering access to rare, discontinued watches in a controlled and exclusive setting. In addition, Ninety recently introduced cryptocurrency as a payment option, reflecting our commitment to meeting the changing preferences of our clientele. As an extension of the Richard Mille universe, Ninety further provides access to exclusive experiences and deeper insight into the brand’s exceptional world.
Given the rarity and technical complexity of Richard Mille watches, how do you balance scarcity with accessibility — and what does success look like?
There is a misconception that Richard Mille limits production purely to create scarcity. In reality, the brand has experienced modest annual growth of around 5%. For 2025, production is targeted at 6,000 pieces — the full capacity of the manufacture. Ninety reflects the brand’s niche positioning. We prioritise curation over volume, encouraging clients to discover and understand the watches deeply. Every detail — from servicing to parts to provenance — is tracked with precision. When a watch enters Ninety, it undergoes full assessment and restoration to Richard Mille’s exacting standards, which can require significant investment in parts or repairs. Ultimately, success is defined by client satisfaction: a seamless experience, enhanced trust, and a deeper relationship between Richard Mille and its collectors.
ninetywatchesandjewellery.com richardmille.com
“Ninety ensures every pre-owned Richard Mille meets exacting standards, delivering authentication, servicing, warranty and absolute confidence in condition, provenance and transaction integrity”
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
With boutiques in London and Geneva, Ninety Watches & Jewellery is the only official retailer of pre-owned Richard Mille watches
IMMERSE YOURSELF ON LAND AND SEA
With Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, every journey is an opportunity for Immersive Exploration™
There’s a moment, just after a ship leaves the harbour, when time takes on a different rhythm. It’s now — as your sense of the possibilities expand with the broadening horizon – that your journey with Regent Seven Seas Cruises® truly begins.
To travel with Regent is to step into a world where immersion is not a gesture but a promise. For more than 30 years, the ultra-luxury cruise line has cultivated a devotion to detail that elevates every voyage into something unforgettable, defined by a rare blend of spacious elegance, thoughtful personalisation and genuine connection to the world’s most extraordinary destinations. At the heart of each itinerary lies Regent’s commitment to Immersive Exploration™. With access to more than 550 destinations and an unrivalled collection of over 4,500 Included & Unlimited Shore Excursions, guests are invited to engage deeply with the places they visit – whether
DEEPER CONNECTIONS
A sense of place comes easy, whether in quiet on board reflections on the balcony of a Master Suite or via an exploration of the Island of Capri (above)
through curated cultural encounters, hands-on foodie forays or the effortless pleasure of beautifully designed city tours. Optional Land Programmes and Bespoke Travel Arrangements extend the experience even further, revealing each port with a level of intimacy that lingers long after the voyage ends.
SURROUNDED BY LUXURY
Meanwhile, life on board The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet® is shaped by Luxurious Space — a hallmark that defines every suite, every restaurant and every social space. With all-suite, all-balcony accommodation, guests enjoy walk-in wardrobes, marble bathrooms, king-size beds and private terraces that frame the glorious views. Across the ship, serene lounges, expansive al fresco venues, a theatre, a casino and the restorative Serene Spa & Wellness® offer guests the space to be as active or relaxed as they desire.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Yet the true signature of a Regent voyage is its Heartfelt Hospitality™. Shoreside experts seamlessly orchestrate each journey, from the first booking to the last postcruise transfer, while on board, the crew’s warmth and professionalism set the tone for an atmosphere that feels both polished and deeply personal. With one of the best crew-to-guest ratios at sea, preferences are remembered, moments are anticipated and service unfolds with an ease that never announces itself.
Dining is equally elevated to an art form through Epicurean Perfection™. Headed up by award-winning chefs, Regent’s culinary team brings sophistication and creativity to every plate, from always-included speciality restaurants
to course-by-course in-suite dining. Guests can indulge further through Epicurean Explorations ashore or enrich their knowledge through onboard demonstrations and special Spotlight Voyages.
And when the day’s explorations fade into night — when the ship glides quietly onward and the coastline becomes a silhouette — there’s a sense that travel has expanded into something richer. The experience is no longer just about where you’re headed, but about how deeply you immersed yourself into the story of where you’ve just been.
TO ORDER A BROCHURE CALL +44 (0)23 8082 1375 SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT RSSC.COM/ORDER-BROCHURE
From plush king-size beds to elegant in-suite dining spaces, every Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship offers a study in understated luxury that puts the destination front and centre while offering unparalleled comforts
Nominees: Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels, Capella Taipei, Patina Osaka
SUSTAINABLE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
WINNER: The Leela Palace Udaipur
Nominees: Castaway Island, Fiji, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Capella Ubud
The world of haute hospitality reconvened at Nikki Beach Club Dubai on 17 November for the latest edition of the Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (the ULTRAs) — the industry’s most respected and valued honours. Guests including senior leaders from the travel, hotel and aviation sectors, as well as an eclectic constellation of professional athletes, tastemakers and cultural influencers from across the globe, were welcomed under the desert night sky by Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Nick Perry, Chairman of Ultratravel Limited, who presented the awards poolside before a full and glittering house (see left for the full list). The evening’s top accolade, Luxury Brand of the Year, was awarded to Capella Hotels & Resorts. This year also marked the debut of a new distinction — The Lifetime Achievement Award — presented to Sir Tim Clark, KBE, President of Emirates Airline, in recognition of his transformative contribution to global aviation. The occasion was elevated further by the impeccable team at Nikki Beach, whose warmth, precision and effortless flair proved as memorable as the awards themselves. Ultimately, it is this spirit of excellence — lived, not merely lauded — that the ULTRAs exist for, to both recognise and celebrate.
ULTRAs 2025 winners & nominees
3. Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA); Michael Manz, Chairman of ASMALLWORLD.
4. Schalk Brits, South African rugby star; Caroline Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, winner of Best Luxury Cruise Line.
5. A group of happy award winners.
6. Chris Hartley, CEO of GHA.
7. Nick Perry, Founder & Chairman of Ultratravel; Farhad Heydari, Editor-in-Chief of Ultratravel magazine; Schalk Brits.
8. L to R: Tom Urquhart, co-Host; Simon Shaw, England rugby star; Paul Lonergan, Chief Operating and Asset Management Officer, Kempinski; Lily Saffron Coleman, co-Host.
9. Akihito Yamada, Japan rugby star; Kasumi Koura, Japan National Tourist Office.
10. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates collecting Best Airline in the World award from South African rugby legend, Bryan Habana.
1. Dubai’s glitterati at the Nikki Beach Club.
2. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates.
1. Simon Shaw; Anne Golden, VP Operations UK & North America & General Manager, Pan Pacific London; Michelle Whittemore, Director of Marketing & Communications, Pan Pacific London; Lily Saffron Coleman.
2. Tom Urquhart; Schalk Brits; Christian Renz, Corinthia Hotels alongside a colleague; Lily Saffron Coleman.
3. Chris Hartley presents Best Luxury Brand award to Capella Hotels acting CEO, Neil Jacobs.
4. Nick Perry and Sir Tim Clark enjoying the evening.
5. Akihito Tamada presenting Best Airport in the World award to Majid Al Joker, COO of Dubai Airports.
6. Nick Perry, Schalk Brits, Farhad Heydari, Sir Tim Clark.
7. Chris Hartley and Nick Perry present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Sir Tim Clark, for services to global aviation.
TAG, YOU’RE IT
With a laser-cut structure and visually arresting, open-worked case, TAG Heuer’s Monaco SplitSeconds Chronograph Air 1 is one to watch
SCULPTING MODERN TIME
From artistic collaborations to mythological tributes, design and craft take centre stage in some of this year’s most striking releases, says Chris Hall
If the financial pages have at times made difficult reading for watch brands, you wouldn’t know it from their slate of new releases; the year has been characterised by showstopper complications and high-profile remakes of hero designs, often in service of a significant anniversary.
Nowhere has this been more apparent than at Breguet (breguet.com), which has marked its quarter-millennium landmark with one hit release after another. Its Souscription single-hander recently picked up the industry’s top award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, but the Classique 7225, launched in November, might actually be the more
impressive watch. Combining a high-frequency 10Hz movement (invented around a decade ago but scarcely used since) with a ‘regulator’ style layout inspired by a pocket watch, it showcases fascinating technology – the balance wheel, the beating heart of the watch, is held in place by a magnet to reduce friction – in the service of achieving new levels of accuracy.
New technology is also at the fore at TAG Heuer (tagheuer.com), which has used a manufacturing process called Selective Laser Melting to create its new Monaco SplitSeconds Chronograph Air 1. The first of what will eventually be an ongoing line of ultra high-tech designs, it is light years
The year has been marked by showstopper complications and remakes of hero designs
MARKING TIME
Far left: Breguet’s Classique 7225 celebrates the brand’s 250th birthday
Left: new releases for Vacheron Constantin’s 270 years include the 13-timepiece-strong La Quête Collection
away from the 1969 original, its case combining yellow gold and grade 5 titanium, both lasered into openworked shapes that are impossible to achieve with more conventional techniques. It’s a Monaco for a whole new generation. Meanwhile, it was a case of new meets old at Ulysse Nardin (ulysse-nardin.com), which has teamed up with URWERK (urwerk.com) - founded in 1997, 131 years laterto create the UR-FREAK. The watch combines elements of Urwerk’s signature ‘wandering hours’ display with Ulysse Nardin’s Freak, which first appeared in 2001 when it became the first watch to turn the entire movement into a carrousel tourbillon that rotates around the dial. It’s futuristic, it’s ingenious, and it has the potential to invigorate both brands in equal measure - plus, in its sandblasted titanium case
with neon yellow strap, it’s one of the most eye-catching watches of the year. That would be a bold claim at any time, but especially in a year that has seen so many prestigious watchmakers celebrate significant anniversaries.
With twenty years on Breguet, Vacheron Constantin (vacheron-constantin.com) has marked its 270th birthday (making it the longest-running watch brand in continuous production) with an exceptional array of designs. Among the latest is its Les Cabinotiers La Quête collection, a 13-piece line-up of one-of-a-kind editions that major on the decorative arts as well as horological nous – all with a celestial connection. The Armillary Tourbillon – The Myth of the Pleiades is a prime example. Its meticulously engraved case houses a dual-axis tourbillon and a double-retrograde time display (wherein the hours and minutes are counted on a 180-degree scale before rapidly flying back to the start). The gold case is engraved with scenes from Greek mythology in honour of the eponymous constellation – which features in multiple narratives – while the mechanics are derived from work originally carried out on Vacheron Constantin’s recordsetting 57260 pocket watch from 2015.
Artistry and craftsmanship take many forms in the watch world, and for every brand preserving traditions like hand-engraving, there are others finding new methods of expression. No company personifies that better than Hublot (hublot.com), which has worked with contemporary artist and long-standing collaborator Daniel Arsham to create the MP17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash, a wristwatch sequel to the Droplet pocket watch that was the result of the same partnership last year. The Splash is an almost completely circular design, with no lugs, a discreet crown and a sandblasted sapphire crystal bezel that surrounds an amorphous ‘dial’ – in reality, a semi-skeletonised view of the company’s in-house ten-day movement. The tie-up with Arsham has come to be one of Hublot’s strongest pillars, and it is a familiar story, even if the artist in question is no longer with us.
MELTING MOMENT
Left: the appeal of the artistically inspired Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash lies in its amorphous design
Meanwhile, Piaget (piaget.com) is realising the potential of Andy Warhol’s fondness for its lozenge-shaped dress watch (recently renamed to officially be the Piaget Andy Warhol collection), and has thrilled collectors this year with this yellow-gold limited edition. Produced in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation, it recreates a collage ‘self-portrait’ in abstract form, using precisely cut sections of semi-precious stones, all inlaid into an onyx background. Without a mechanical innovation to its name, or a single trace of avant-garde material science, it is nevertheless proof that new and exciting things can still be achieved with traditional ingredients.
JUST THE THING Iconic doesn’t cover it: Datejust, by renowned writer and watch aficionado Nicholas Foulkes, chronicles the story of what’s widely touted to be Rolex’s bestselling watch
BOOK SMARTS
THE WATCH WORLD’S FRESHEST RELEASES — BOUND, PRINTED AND READY FOR YOUR LITERARY PLEASURE THIS WINTER
IN THE FRAME
Above: the Piaget Andy Warhol collection of dress watches comes in an array of suitably idiosyncratic, eye-catching designs and materials
Left: limited to just 100 pieces, the avant-garde Ulysse Nardin UR-FREAK features an URWERK-designed wandering hours satellite display
Clear your coffee tables and strip back your study shelves, for this winter brings with it an entire new portfolio of reading material for the horologically minded. Datejust, the second official volume of Rolex’s history as told through each celebrated model family in turn, is a colourful tribute to a watch that’s fundamental to the brand’s identity yet somewhat unloved in its modern form. Meanwhile The Rolex Legacy, by James Dowling, charts the company’s entire 120-year history through reference to some of its most unusual watches, as well as familiar icons, and is worth every penny for Dowling’s personal anecdotes collected over decades of collecting and scrutinising the brand.
For something a bit broader in scope, you could hardly improve on Audemars Piguet’s Stories and Savoir Faire, an encyclopaedic volume of watchmaking techniques, technology, history and design. Dense without being dull, the 700-page work relies heavily on AP for its source material, yet it is a testament to the deep expertise of the 150-year-old brand that this never feels like a limiting factor. At the other end of the horo-literary spectrum we find Christopher Ward’s Compendium, a collection of essays, opinion pieces and articles from veteran journalist Ken Kessler, whose acerbic and unflinching voice addresses subjects from James Bond to world leaders’ watches.
Perhaps you fancy something that’s not quite so closely bonded to the world of watches themselves; in which case, we recommend Ressence’s Ahead of Time. The young Belgian brand has garnered a loyal audience among the world’s entrepreneurs, designers and tech magnates, and draws on those connections for this assortment of essays. Contributors include Sam Altman (OpenAI), Luca de Meo (Kering) and Joe Gebbia (Airbnb). Or, if you prefer a more artistic approach, URWERK co-founder Martin Frei’s 347,155,202 Seconds Around The Sun is a suitably offbeat chronicle of his past 11 years at the helm of one of the watch world’s least conventional companies. Harvesting thousands of photographs from his camera roll, the coffeetable tome immerses you in the everyday ephemera rather than dwelling on glossy product shots.
The non-pareil La Première first class cabin aboard Air France – chic and offering an abundance of space
COMFORT AT 35,000 FEET
As major carriers compete to woo premium clients, a seat at the front of the plane has never been so rich with treats and comforts, writes Nigel Tisdall
Flying in style is back. In 2024, bookings in first class and business increased by 11.8 per cent, according to recent statistics from the International Air Transport Association. Over 116m international passengers voted to take to the skies in these pampering cabins, with many experiencing an unprecedented level of luxury as carriers vied for their lucrative custom.
The fiercest battle is centred on that all-important lie-flat seat or suite. Leading the charge is Air France, which cut a dash in April with the launch of its chic new first class, La Première. Here, the mood is upbeat, with a vibrant palette of white, grey and red, and five windows to let in plenty of natural light. Welcome touches include floor-level storage with space for two carry-on cases, and a thick, full-length curtain for when it’s time to get cosy (airfrance.com ). Also of note is SWISS’s First Grand Suite, available early next year, which combines two first class suites to create a ‘personal loft above the clouds’ that will be a boon for couples and families seeking a high degree of space and privacy (swiss.com )
In business class, a standout entry is United’s Polaris Studio suites, due next year, which feature an ottoman seat for companions, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, hoodie pyjamas and a 27-inch screen – the largest among the US carriers (united.com )
Meanwhile, Riyadh Air’s upcoming Business Elite suites will offer a 1-2-1 layout that allows the central seats to convert into a double bed, plus a 32-inch screen and built-in headrest speakers (riyadhair.com)
THE NIGHT STUFF
Clockwise from left: Air France provides four La Première cabins on each Boeing 777-300, with a subtle colour palette and plenty of soft fabrics making for maximum rest and relaxation; fine Champagne and unlimited caviar feature aboard the consistently excellent Emirates; state-of-theart entertainment in the First Suite of Etihad’s new narrow-body A321LR; the expansive SWISS First Grand Suite – about to launch, it will transform travel for couples and families travelling together
Sublime drinking and dining is another way airlines are seeking to impress top-flight travellers. Emirates set a high bar, literally, in August when it introduced the rare and lauded Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009 Champagne for First Class passengers, complemented by unlimited caviar served with a mother-of-pearl spoon and a choice of seven accompaniments (emirates.com). For other carriers, celebrity chefs are the way forward. In June, Qatar Airways teamed up with 17 Michelin-star Yannick Alléno, who will create signature modern French dishes for its First and Business Class customers (qatarairways.com). Singapore Airlines has engaged Samoa-born Monica Galetti, whose innovative menus feature chilled almond soup with grapes and blackberry treacle tart (singaporeair.com ), while presentation is to the fore in Korean Air’s new Prestige Suite 2.0 Business Class, which adds a refined touch with its Bernardaud china and Christofle cutlery (koreanair.com ). Looking ahead, expect to see the roll-out of long-haul comforts to flights of a shorter duration. Etihad Airways is already onto this with its new narrow-body Airbus A321LR. This single-aisle aircraft comes equipped with two First Class suites with fully flat beds and a privacy door, plus 14 Business Class seats in a herringbone formation. The first route launched in August, linking Abu Dhabi and Phuket, and the network will serve another 15 destinations including Kolkata, with a journey time of just four hours 25 minutes (etihad.com )
Perhaps the most exciting prospect is the growth of ultra-long-haul flights such as Qantas’s Project Sunrise, which will whizz travellers from Australia to London and New York in around 20 hours non-stop. Slated for 2027, this pioneering service will use an Airbus A350 fitted with 238 seats, rather than the standard 300-plus, and include a wellbeing zone with blue-enriched lighting to diminish jet lag. First Class passengers will be able to pass the time in style with the help of a work desk, 32-inch screen and 80inch bed – and the heartwarming feeling that they really are on top of the world (qantas.com )
It’s a fitting symbol of a new era in premium travel — one in which a handful of airlines are setting extraordinary standards. To read about how one in particular continually leads the way, see “Setting A High Bar” (right).
LEAPS
With Project Sunrise, Qantas is preparing for the fastest Kangaroo Route ever, when its Australia to London flights take off via the Airbus A350, scheduled for 2027
SETTING A HIGH BAR
Voted the world’s Best Airline for the eighth year running by readers of Ultratravel, Emirates shows why its blend of service, comfort and consistency remains unmatched.
By Nick Perry
British Airways once styled itself as The World’s Favourite Airline, but that accolade has long since shifted elsewhere. First to claim it were the great Asian carriers — Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific among them — whose inflight service and attention to detail quickly outpaced their Western competitors.
As these Asian airlines were redefining excellence, something altogether new was taking shape in the Gulf. In late 1985, a start-up carrier from an emerging tourist destination took to the skies for the first time. Its mission, set by Dubai’s leadership, was straightforward yet ambitious: to offer the highest-quality travel experience of any airline in the world.
Forty years later, Emirates Airline has more than delivered on that promise. Funded by Dubai and led from its inception by a hand-picked team of seasoned aviation executives from the UK and beyond, the airline set out to establish new benchmarks in global aviation — and it continues to do so. Ultratravel readers are far from alone in recognising this: Emirates has been voted the World’s Best Airline in the ULTRAs for 2025, winning the crown for the eighth consecutive year, despite intense regional and international competition.
Adding to its achievements, Emirates’ home base — Dubai International Airport — has also been named Best Airport in the World. So, what exactly makes the experience so consistently impressive? Ultratravel determined to find out.
The journey begins quite literally at your front door, with a uniformed chauffeur arriving punctually to take you to the airport — a signature service available to passengers travelling on qualifying Business and First Class fares. At Heathrow’s Terminal 3, check-in is swift and security even swifter, delivering you into the expansive, elegantly designed Emirates Lounge. With its full bar, generous buffet and quiet corners, the space encourages immediate relaxation, while
HAUTE CUISINE
Singapore Airlines aims to make inflight dining worthy of Michelin stars
AND BOUNDS
the knowledge that boarding takes place directly from the lounge removes the need for gate-watching or long treks through the terminal.
The welcome on board reinforces what Emirates has long understood: that an exceptional hard product is only as good as the people delivering it. Warm, smiling crew members show you to your seat, offer Champagne or a drink of your choice and ensure you are settled in from the outset. The A380 Business Class cabin — Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the aircraft — has been thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience. Window seats come with an additional side-storage bin; charging points are easily reached; and the airline’s renowned ICE entertainment system, with some 6,500 channels, beckons through superb noise-cancelling headphones.
Service flows with practised ease. The steamed monkfish was excellent, as were the accompanying dishes and wines. Trays are cleared promptly, maximising the opportunity for rest on the overnight flight to Dubai. A visit to the muchloved onboard A380 bar — a distinctive long-haul indulgence — offers drinks, snacks and the chance to stretch your legs. Returning to my seat, I found the mattress topper already in place, transforming it into a deeply comfortable fully flat bed.
A light continental breakfast arrives shortly before landing. After clearing immigration at Terminal 3, our luggage was already circulating on the belt and the waiting courtesy car made for an effortlessly smooth arrival.
With more than 100 A380s — the largest such fleet in the world — Emirates currently offers over 60 weekly flights from the UK’s major gateways to Dubai, and from there to a vast global network. The scale and comfort of the A380 remain central to why the airline stands apart.
So, is this the best airline in the world? Judging by the overwhelming verdict of thousands of frequent flyers across continents — and by the consistency of the experience itself — it is easy to see why Emirates, ever innovating and ever refining, looks set to continue setting a high bar in consumer aviation for many years to come. emirates.com
“Service flows with practised ease, the food is excellent, and trays cleared promptly, for maximum rest”
CHOOSING THE BEST
Captain’s Choice provides VIP access to some of the world’s most beguiling destinations, in the comfort of a plush private jet
FLIGHTS OF FANTASY
Take off on an extraordinary journey across Latin America and the Atlantic islands with Captain’s Choice
Imagine tracing a line across the Atlantic that links volcanic archipelagos, colonial cities and the world’s most remote waterways – all without a single airport queue, connecting flight or compromise on comfort. Then, imagine stepping aboard a private jet where every seat is business class, every detail has been honed over decades, and every destination is strung together with ease.
That dream can now become reality, thanks to Captain’s Choice, the celebrated pioneer of hand-crafted, haute journeys. Founded more than 30 years ago, and with more than 100 private jet expeditions flown across the globe, the operator has quietly perfected a mode of travel that feels both genteel and thrilling – a way of seeing the world that is as much about privilege of access as it is about place.
Consider the Captain’s Choice Latin America & Atlantic Islands by Private Jet expedition – a masterclass in travel experiences that you might have previously thought beyond the realm of possibility. Reserved for no more than 50 guests, it unfolds aboard a beautifully configured Boeing 757-200: a business-class private jet where lie-flat beds ensure you arrive refreshed and ready to step straight into the kind of moments that money can’t ordinarily buy.
This 18-day odyssey begins with the remote splendour of the Azores, before charting a course west to Havana, where pastel façades, classic cars and rum-soaked rhythms set the tone. From here, the landscapes grow ever more dramatic: think the surreal expanse of Chile’s Atacama Desert, where the stargazing opportunities are literally astronomical; the Afro-Brazilian heart of Salvador, rich with colour, cuisine and candomblé heritage; a privately chartered voyage deep into the Amazon, navigating tributaries seen by few travellers and guided by experts with many years’ experience in bringing this much-storied rainforest to life; and finally to the lush levadas of Madeira, before heading back to London. Departing 5 August 2026, the trip also has shorter segments available – from Havana to Salvador, Brazil or Iquitos, Peru, to Salvador.
Meticulously researched, perfectly paced and far-reaching, this is travel at its most elevated – connecting the remote with rare, effortless ease. captains-choice.com
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Scenic Taormina is the gateway to Sicily’s most exciting, and volatile, terroir: the vineyards on Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. As Ivan Carvalho reports, it could also be the Mediterranean’s answer to Burgundy
This summer, Sicily made a big splash in the news after the Italian government finally gave the go-ahead to start work on the world’s longest suspension bridge to link the island with the European continent. The new route will make the isle’s coveted northeast corner, home to the famed hilltop resort of Taormina and the burgeoning wine country on the slopes of Mount Etna, that much easier to reach.
Why is this delightful patch of the Bel Paese undergoing a renaissance? One could point to Taormina’s appearance in the award-winning TV series “The White Lotus,” where the town’s winding cobblestone streets and breathtaking overlooks of the Ionian Sea were used as seductive backdrops. Equally appealing were shots of the smoldering peak of Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano –and its surrounding vineyards, whose acreage has doubled in the past decade as drinkers and wine critics alike continue to rave about the vibrant reds and whites made here from indigenous grape varieties.
Today, Taormina serves as a glitzy base camp to explore the Etna wine country, an appellation shaped in the form of a reversed ‘C’ that wraps around the lower slopes of the mountain. Local restaurateurs have responded by upping their game to cater to guests eager to pair Etna vintages with fanciful eats. Opened in 2022 in Taormina, Nunziatina (nunziatinataormina.it), headed up by Sicilian chef Dionisio Randazzo, dresses up plates of delectable seafood that range from stuffed cuttlefish paired with parsley and pesto to an inspired risotto dish prepared with mussels and pork rinds.
“The Etna wine country wraps around the lower slopes of the mountain”
A botanically inspired aperitivo at Morgana
STRONG FOUNDATION
Previous page: the traditional stone-built Maugeri winery rises above the vines
Nunziatina’s décor is, in a word, bold, featuring Baroque accents and a rich colour palette that highlights the restaurant’s extravagant mix of stone and tile elements. To round off the evening, diners can venture over to the nearby Morgana (morganataormina.it) cocktail club.
Long a local favourite, the nightclub is renowned for its skilled mixologists, fun playlist and flashy interior, which is given a colourful makeover each year to keep it looking fresh and inviting.
From Taormina, oenophiles make the 45-minute drive up the mountainside to Etna’s north slope to see firsthand how this slice of Sicily is becoming the Next Big Thing in fine wine. In the village of Solicchiata, the Pietradolce (pietradolce.com ) winery impresses with its smart interiors dotted with contemporary artworks. Owner Michele Faro is a lover of pre-phylloxera vines and wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, a grower on Etna. Faro got lucky when he came upon an area overrun by vegetation some 900 meters above sea level and discovered underneath brush a large batch of century-old vines.
“Our wines are about balance, and these old vines give us that balance,” says Faro about his bush-trained vines. “Pruning is done by hand and each vine requires a lot of attention – like a bonsai plant.”
Indigenous grapes – notably the red Nerello Mascalese varietal that is renowned for its fine tannins – paired with rich volcanic soils have led some to proclaim Etna as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean.” In recent years,
Left: inside the old cellars at Graci
COCKTAIL HOUR
“Our wines are about balance, and these old vines give us that”
VINOUS PLEASURES
Clockwise from top: Michelin-starred country restaurant Zash; strolling among the winter vines at Maugeri; idiosyncratic style at Nunziatina
in response to demand for the region’s wines, many producers have renovated rundown wineries, some still containing the traditional palmento – a room featuring a massive wooden beam and screw once used to press grapes into juice.
Etna producer Graci (graci.eu) has perhaps the most eye-catching palmento in the region. Established in 2004 by one-time investment banker turned winemaker Alberto Graci, the winery boasts a new contemporary wing built from reinforced concrete that emerges from massive boulders of black lava rock, a reminder that eruptions can happen at any moment.
“Etna is a special place,” explains Graci. “It has the sun of Sicily, but it’s a climate moderated by the altitude. The wines have great depth, despite coming from high up.”
Award-winning white wines are making a name here, too. In Milo, on the eastern side of the volcano, stellar
GRAPE ESCAPES
vintages made from the Carricante grape may be imbibed at family-run producer Maugeri (cantinamaugeri.it), which recently earned itself the title of Italy’s emerging winery from the country’s top wine guide Gambero Rosso. Owner Carla Maugeri, who runs the property with her siblings and father, is betting big on Etna as she finalises touches on the estate’s new tasting room.
Closer to the sea, Maugeri manages Zash (zash.it/ ristorante-e-bar), a Michelin-starred eatery from chef Giuseppe Raciti, who has spent a decade quietly innovating with recipes such as his crispy poached egg with velvety squash and a seared lobster with vanilla mayonnaise, caramelised peaches and basil.
“Here, we have the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of our incredible landscape wrapped in a single package,” says Maugeri. “Etna is becoming synonymous with good food and good wine. That’s our future.”
“Etna is a special place. It has the sun of Sicily, but it’s a climate moderated by the altitude”
SEEING RED (AND GOLD) Etna’s contemporary architecture includes modern bottaias, as Sicilian barrel rooms are known, and the exuberant, constantly evolving interior design of Morgana cocktail club
WHERE TO STAY
NH Collection Taormina
Perched above Taormina’s main pedestrian strip, where you find high-end boutiques and the popular breakfast spot Bam Bar, home to the town’s best granita, the NH Collection Taormina is perfectly situated to take in the local sights. From the terrace of its rooftop restaurant, patrons have a commanding view of the town’s ancient Greek theatre and scenic vistas of the Med beyond. nh-collection.com
Across Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland, resorts are unveiling swifter lifts, sustainable-design innovations and crowd-pleasing new experiences, marking one of the most significant upgrade seasons in recent memory. By Felice Hardy
Fewer queues are the ambition at Val Thorens, where an upgraded gondola is promising to ease lift lines
Inset: en route to the top in Bad Hofgastein, Austria
Aflurry of investment is reshaping the mountains this season, as Europe’s great ski capitals unveil new lifts, fresh experiences and an Olympic-scale ambition that promises faster, smoother and more sustainable days on the snow.
The biggest spotlight falls on Italy, where chic Cortina d’Ampezzo (cortinadampezzo.it) prepares to co-host the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics. Set in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites, Cortina has long been known as Italy’s de facto ski capital — a cinematic backdrop where Claudia Cardinale and Peter Sellers filmed the original Pink Panther in 1963, where a Bond chase unfolded in For Your Eyes Only (1981), and where Stallone’s Cliffhanger was shot in 1993.
A seasoned World Cup venue, Cortina is no stranger to staging world-class events. It first hosted the Winter Games in 1956, when Kitzbühel’s Toni Sailer, then just 20, swept all three men’s Alpine Skiing gold medals. In the seven decades since, however, the “Grande Signora” of Italian skiing lost some of her sparkle, largely due to an ageing lift system that nudged regulars toward fresher alternatives. Now, with the Olympics on the horizon, the resort has undergone a transformative renaissance both on and off the slopes.
New infrastructure includes the Skyline gondola, which elegantly links the dramatic Cinque Torri sector with the formidable Tofana slopes, and the soon-to-open Lacedel–Socrepes gondola. These mountains were once the stage for bitter World War I conflict, and today visitors can join guided ski tours that glide past wartime fortifications carved into the surrounding rock.
Across the wider Dolomites region, preparations continue apace. Snowboard and freestyle events will take place in the high-altitude resort of Livigno (livigno.eu), while crosscountry and ski jumping return to the deeply forested Val di Fiemme (visitfiemme.it), famed as the source of Antonio Stradivari’s prized violin spruce. Meanwhile, the men’s Alpine events unfold in Bormio (bormio.eu), and Milan will host all skating and hockey competitions — marking Italy’s most significant winter season in generations.
Across the border, a French Alpine icon is celebrating. The sophisticated resort of Courchevel (courchevel.com) marking its 80th anniversary, unveils a ten-seater gondola on the Col de Loze, replacing the 1960s-era Chenus lift. Once
a scattering of mountain hamlets with a rudimentary draglift (established in 1946), Courchevel is now synonymous with Michelin stars, luxury hotels and designer boutiques.
Further along the Trois Vallées, Val Thorens (valthorens. com) debuts the ten-seater Face Nord gondola to ease skier congestion, while La Timbale (@latimbalevaltho), a brasserie serving French classics and tapas, refreshes the dining scene at the heart of the village. Not far away, Les Gets (lesgets.com) introduces a new eight-seater chairlift in the Rosta sector, and Les Arcs (en.lesarcs.com) unveils a ten-person gondola that shortens the ascent to the Plan des Violettes summit by a substantial ten minutes.
In Val d’Isère (valdisere.com), playful innovation comes to life with the launch of La Folie Academy (lafoliedouce.com), a trio of creative workshops for children aged six to 14 — think chocolate-making, DJ training and fashion-themed photo shoots — all hosted at the legendary Folie Douce.
Turning east into Austria, the modernisation trend takes centre stage. Here, lift systems are typically renewed every 20 years, and this winter sees a wave of upgrades: Ischgl (ischgl.com) replaces its 25-year-old Höllbodenbahn with a sleek eight-seater; the Sassgalunbahn is reborn as an eight-person detachable lift with heated seats; while Zell am Ziller (zillertalarena.com) replaces its old Rosenalm I and II lifts with a barrier-free eight-person gondola.
In Fieberbrunn ( fieberbrunn.com), a brand new six-seater chair is replacing a 2001 T-bar, while in high-altitude Sölden (soelden.com), two new covered eight-seaters — Silberbrünnl and Einzeiger — replace ageing four-pack chairs. Meanwhile,
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digital innovation comes to the fore in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau (skijuwel.com), where smartphone lift passes now allow guests to access lifts without plastic cards. In Carinthia (visitcarinthia.at), meanwhile, Nassfeld is investing €23 million in modernising its ski area, highlighted by the AIcontrolled Gartnerkofel ten-seater gondola.
Eco-design is increasingly part of Austria’s identity. In Bad Hofgastein (gastein.com), the new Kleine Scharte mountaintop restaurant (kleinescharte.at), with its glass façade, photovoltaic panels and heat-pump systems, brings style and sustainability to the Schlossalmbahn summit. Further west, across the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena (zugspitzarena.com), new digital winter hiking trails offer audio guides, videos and puzzles for families, while the Hochzillertal region (hochzillertal.com) introduces a 3kmlong winter path. Adventurers can test themselves on the 260-metre Via Ferrata Pfaffenbichl, featuring steel cables and a 28-metre suspension bridge. And in Mayrhofen (mayrhofen. at), the open-air SkyRide Ahorn extends its season into winter, accompanied by the new AlbertAdler Adventure Trail, which winds across scenic loops and suspension bridges.
In Switzerland, the pace of renewal is accelerating: in chic St Moritz (stmoritz.com), a high-speed six-seater replaces the old Randolins–Munt da San Murezzan lift in the Corviglia sector; Verbier (verbier.ch) updates its 56-year-old Savoleyres gondola with a hybrid system of chairs and cabins; and Crans-Montana (crans-montana.ch) introduces a modern eight-seater on the Aminona–Colombire–Grangettes line. Forward-thinking Laax (laax.com) unveils the latest stage of its pioneering on-demand FlemXpress, which reduces energy consumption by 50%, and opens a new cableway to replace the long-serving Crap Masegn–Fuorcla–Vorab gondola. Finally, Zermatt (zermatt.swiss), is replacing a 22-year-old chairlift with a new eight-seater, and neighbouring Andermatt (andermatt-sedrun-disentis.ch) upgrades its expert terrain with modern six-seaters on the Val Val–Cuolm Val and Val Val–Calmut routes.
“New lifts and fresh experiences promise faster, smoother days on the snow”
for hosting mountaintop events; no more plastic needed for skiers at
Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, which is switching to smartphone lift passes
GETTING A LIFT Clockwise from top: access to Les Arcs’ huge Paradiski region is being enhanced, thanks to a new, speedier lift system; good access is essential for the Ischgl ski area, which is notable
Ski
RECHARGED GRANDEUR
Cadillac’s hand-built Celestiq revives the marque’s grandest ambitions — a futuristic EV that trades restraint for resplendence. By Adam Hay-Nicholls
There’s an episode of The Simpsons where Homer designs a car. It ends up being enormous, festooned with gadgets and pointlessly luxurious. It costs a fortune to make and it bankrupts the company. While the Cadillac Celestiq will appeal to those who’d like a Rolls-Royce Spectre, but American-made, it does feel like the closest real-world attempt at building Homer Simpson’s dream machine.
Cadillac is building this bespoke automobile by hand at General Motors’ Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, and only to order. The price, for the year of our Lord 2026, is $400,000, which is straying firmly into the Spectre’s meaty ballpark. That’s bold for a brand which hasn’t competed with Rolls-Royce in about a century, and whose last iconic designs came with either Elvis or John Gotti attached. The Celestiq is on a mission to prove that the 123-year-old Detroit marque still matters in a world where British craftsmanship and German engineering rule the prestige segments and Tesla – or Silicon Valley as a whole – has set the technological destination.
Still, the Celestiq certainly captures attention. It’s low, vast and slightly bewildering. The styling of each car will be dictated by the patron’s tastes, but what we find on the freshly released production example you see here is rather like a shooting brake spec’d for a recent arrival in Roswell, New Mexico. It is a concept car made real. The razor-thin LED-illuminated face has the look of a Range Rover Velar that’s been flattened by a steamroller. At the back, it’s like someone’s tried to draw a Porsche Panamera from memory after three margaritas. But, you know what? I think it works. The aesthetic might not be for everyone, but there’s no denying Cadillac has rediscovered its brash New World swagger.
Beneath the carbon-fibre bodywork is an electric motor and integrated gearbox on each axle. Its 655bhp is almost modest by the standards of some EVs, but it’s still good for 0-60mph in 3.7-seconds (0.3s faster than a Black Badge Spectre). The range from its 111kWh battery is up to 303 miles and it charges at up to 190kW, both of which are down on the Spectre and rubbish compared with Porsche’s much more capable Taycan.
The interior is more encouraging. Imagine if Frank Lloyd Wright took a job in a Las Vegas casino. It’s light
“Low, vast and bewildering, this is a concept car made real”
ELECTRIC BLUES
The Celestiq’s next-gen specs include a vast HD display and Smart Glass roof that is divided into four individually controlled zones
and airy, thanks to its gorgeous electrochromatic glass roof, and feels minimalist in a glamorous yet cool midcentury modern way. It would look the part parked up in front of one of E. Stewart Williams’ Palm Springs homes, with the ghost of Frank Sinatra kicking the tyres. Many of the metal instruments have been 3D printed, while the fabrics are of very high quality but not weighty and suffocating like those of a Bentley. The dash is a massive single-piece 55in screen like Mercedes’ Hyperscreen, but it’s less gaudy and distracting. The rear passengers get screens too, so no one needs to talk to each other. And its 38-speaker AKG stereo with 3D surround sound will leave you deaf, anyway.
You might expect this 3,109kg leviathan to handle like an oil tanker, especially as big Caddys have never been known for their dynamics. The presidential Beast may be bazooka-proof, but it’s so slow and unwieldy, a would-be assassin would have time to reload a dozen more rockets if the Secret Service didn’t take them out. In fact, the Celestiq is nicely sprung and damped, and rear-wheel steering makes it agile enough to evade even the most determined terrorist/shareholder. The experience is quiet, polished and cocooning, and fulfils its remit in making occupants feel better after relaxing in its confines than when they got in.
This car will go down a storm in Palm Beach and other enclaves of America First money, which for decades have had to rely on the Cadillac Escalade. Compared to the Celestiq, the rappers’ delight Escalade is as agricultural as a Caterpillar. The Celestiq is more like a spaceship that’s crash-landed in a Harrods’ window display. It’s also going to be extremely exclusive, which makes it even more special than the Spectre, even if it lacks the gravitas. Production will be capped at no more than 250 units per year. So far, for this model year, 25 vehicles have been sold. That makes it rarer than the teeth of a hen that’s laid a Fabergé egg. (cadilac.com)
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