16 highlights from the relaunch issue of Australia’s Luxury Travel magazine

The much-loved Luxury Travel magazine has returned and is on sale now. Here’s 16 inspirational highlights you’ll encounter in our new-look edition.

We welcome you back to your world of luxury travel in the new 196-page issue of Luxury Travel magazine, our 82^nd edition.

After a nearly three-year hiatus since the last issue, and under the exciting new ownership of Indesign Media Asia Pacific, Luxury Travel magazine is a print celebration of the world of authentic, design-driven and sustainable travels, complementing our constant cycle of digital news stories, reviews and articles at luxurytravelmag.com.au

This issue explores the concept of ‘The Best in Luxury Travel’, delving into some of the world’s best experiences, cruises, hotels, and destinations. We hope you’ll enjoy the luxury of flipping through the beautifully designed magazine spreads and planning your next luxury holiday.

Here are 16 highlights of the new issue.

Redefining modern luxury travel

In our cover story about the best in luxury travel, we wanted to acknowledge the fact that the world has greatly changed since the last time you may have purchased and read a copy of Luxury Travel. Editor Katrina Holden explores the shifting definition of luxury travel and what’s important to premium travellers now, as we enter a new age in the modern luxury travel movement.

In-depth, first-person features

In this issue, our experienced contributors visit Europe, Africa, the Middle East and regional Australia. Our writers have created evocative pieces to bring you along with them on the journey: join Susan Skelly in Switzerland as she explores a new collective of authentic tourism operators who have perfected the art of Swiss hospitality. Almost feel the adrenaline surging for Catherine Marshall in Zambia as elephants walk on through the reception of her safari lodge. Picture yourself as a ranger of sorts at an Australian carbon-neutral luxury resort as Katrina Holden describes the experience of helping to protect local wombats; and imagine the wind blowing through your hair in the desert surrounding Doha as Edwina Hart takes you sand dune bashing – then through a series of Doha’s world-class, architectural buildings, hotels and restaurants.

Living luxury

In your home, as you plan your own explorations, be surrounded by luxury design pieces inspired by all corners of the globe. We share a selection of luxury homewares; lifestyle and fashion pieces for your travels, and tech gadgets and equipment for the optimum experience while travelling.

Dispatches

While the latest travel news content is shared on luxurytravelmag.com.au, our Dispatches section is dedicated to stand-out content you may have missed, including operators providing immersive and genuine moments in Dispatches: Authentic Experiences; exceptionally designed hotels, resorts and even ships in Dispatches: Design; and responsible, regenerative and eco-tourism initiatives from across the globe in Dispatches: Sustainability.

Fiji’s most authentic experiences

With more than 300 tropical islands to nurture for the future, in an archipelago that spans three million square kilometres, the luxury travel experience in Fiji supports the belief that sublime, authentic and the ‘best’ escapes can synergise seamlessly with conservation and sustainability, to the benefit of all.

Captains of the water

What does it mean for cruise travellers when travelling with ‘the best’ operators in luxury cruising? There are some that excel and deliver exceptional service, onboard amenities, and a diverse breadth of itineraries. Expert cruise writer Sally Macmillan looks at the standouts.

Doing is believing

The modern luxury traveller is becoming ever more interested in physically helping in efforts that positively contribute to the environs of the places where they stay. Here, Editor Katrina Holden looks at some of the best regenerative travel experiences where you can actually get your hands dirty (or wet) and make a difference.

The age of adventure

There’s never been a better time to get out and see the world – by joining the best luxury travel experiences and tours available anywhere on earth. Travel writer Craig Tansley uncovers some of the best on both warm water, snow, arctic seas, mountainous hiking trails and cycling routes.

Destination by design

Whether your taste runs to zen-like simplicity or a healthy dose of grandeur, travel writer Ute Junker explores a collection of seriously stylish retreats that offer a design-driven way to escape the everyday.

Stays for the soul

Wellness travel began a steep upward curve years ago. Now, owing to the residual stress of navigating a global pandemic, travel for the purpose of wellbeing and mental and physical recuperation has never been more in demand. Editor Katrina Holden explores some of the world’s best wellness retreats where you can realign mind, body and spirit.

Right on track

For a dose of nostalgia, romance and elegance, as well as a sustainable travel option, a luxury rail journey is just the ticket. Travel writer Kate Symons uncovers some of the world’s most luxurious train trips.

Suite Life reviews

Loyal readers of Luxury Travel will recall our Suite Life reviews – first-person write-ups about hotel suites that we’ve put to the test. In this issue, our team of experienced travel writers check in to luxury hotels in Budapest, Milan and Sydney, assessing not only the hotel suite but the overall design elements and sustainability efforts of the hotel.

Design files

We discover the design inspiration, sustainable practices, and interiors of two outstanding, new architectural properties open to luxury travellers for bookings – The House at Lizard Island in the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, Queensland; and Lost Lindenberg in Bali.

Hear from travel experts

We interview three pioneering women in luxury travel who share their insights about modern luxury travel, authentic experiences, travelling sustainably and a life of design. Learn more from Hayley Baillie, Founder and Creative Director of Baillie Lodges; Silvina Miguel, Sustainability Consultant and Permaculture Designer at Alila Villas Uluwatu; and Luxury Travel Advisor Yvonne Verstandig, Director of Y Travel.

Epicurean travels

Writer Jacqui Gibson stays among the vines at a new architectural residence in the heart of Marlborough, New Zealand at the famed Cloudy Bay vineyards. We also share enticing new restaurant openings, culinary and distillery tours.

City guides

Our Contributing Editor, UK, Belinda Craigie takes you through the historic cobbled streets and tile-clad façades of Porto; while Editor Katrina Holden takes you through the gardens, striking architecture and hawker markets of Singapore.

Luxury Travel magazine is on sale from 1 December, available at selected newsagents nationally. You can order single issues or subscribe for future issues and have our magazine delivered direct to your door (in Australia or internationally) here.