Elite Traveler Spring 2022

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Welcome

In travel, as with life, we rely on what we know versus what we don’t. We all have our favorite destinations, places we visit time and time again that bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia. But exploring far- fl ung locales (and learning a completely di ff erent way of life) is something that often has a profound e ff ect on us; one that lasts long after the

Elite Traveler on adventure From o ff -the-cu ff road trips with no hotel booked to sleepless nights with a new baby, the Elite Traveler team share their greatest adventures

ALEX MARTIN Web editor

“I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some amazing adventures, from walking the Inca Trail in

vacation has ended. Spring is a time of new life, renewed optimism and hope (something that many of us are seeking now more than ever), and so our top adventures on p60 are more than just high-adrenaline, thrill-seeking endeavors — although there is plenty of that — but are instead about the life-enriching experience. As we have evolved our content to focus on responsible luxury, the travel operators that you know and trust have been doing so in tandem. The adventures you’ll fi nd on the pages are respectful to the local communities, the environment and, in some cases, the world at large. So you can rest assured that your hard-earned vacation has all the important stu ff covered, so you can focus on making memories. Memories feature elsewhere in this issue with a big step back in time. Miriam Cain looks at some of the most beautiful historic yachts on p80 and the storied (and in some cases, debaucherous) tales behind each vessel. Staying at sea, Becca Hensley compiles a selection of the only suites you need to book for your next cruise, including an all-new o ff ering from Disney. The nautical delights continue on p36 as Orla Pentelow looks to the ocean and its many dwellers as inspiration for this issue’s jewelry pages. Naturally, with any great adventure you’ll want to have a tangible memento and something to show the grandkids, like priceless photographs of your trip. Leica has a decidedly cult following — the German camera brand has been creating iconic models for over a century. Roberta Naas takes a closer look behind the scenes at how one of the beloved cameras is made. This issue closes with a whimsical dinner in the English woodland, where the only other guests are perhaps a curious rabbit or deer. Dine by candlelight, surrounded by nature, before enjoying your very own fi reworks display. Samantha Coles Editor samantha.coles@elitetraveler.com

Peru to exploring the world’s deepest caves in Vietnam, but my greatest adventure has played out at home. Becoming a father during a pandemic came with some unexpected challenges, but for every sleepless night and each leaky diaper, there are at least a dozen magical moments that make it all worthwhile.”

KIM AYLING Senior digital writer

“Adventure means something di ff erent to me: I’m never going to jump out of a plane. I think of adventure as

getting out of my comfort zone, which I did on a recent trip to Scotland. We booked two nights’ accommodation, but otherwise went in blind with a list of a few places to visit. We made our way around for 10 days, stopping whenever and wherever we pleased. We saw golden eagles, sea otters and minke whales, and we were completely relaxed. After a year being locked at home during Covid-19, this felt like the most exciting adventure imaginable.” “My greatest adventure in recent times is leaving London and moving to a haunted house in the middle of nowhere in rural England. The house was built in 1900 and is listed on The Paranormal Database, with the alleged haunting fi rst reported back in the 1940s… it certainly brings an edge to a creaky and remote old building!” THEA HALSTEAD Editorial director