Signature Aviation Spring 2025

elite traveler SPRING 2025 32

Contributors

RORY FH SMITH Writer and creative producer

Our Spring issue’s motoring feature comes courtesy of motorsport and travel expert Rory FH Smith, who takes us along the red dirt tracks of South Africa’s Cederberg Mountains behind the wheel of the new Land Rover Defender OCTA. As he discovers on his route from Cape Town to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, the latest iteration of the Defender “rides e ff ortlessly over the rough roads, ruts and stray rocks, laying down its power without so much as a twitch.” Home for Smith is London, but you’ll usually fi ndhim out on assignment, with his stories gracing the pages of HTSI , Wallpaper and Tatler ; this year’s travels will see him head to the mountains for some ice-driving — “I love to drive in the most remote corners of the world, like the Wild West wilderness of Utah or the Scottish Highlands, and even the Arctic Circle.” His favorite ever destination, though? That title goes to Japan. “I did a road trip from Osaka to Tokyo via the Japanese Alps. I’ve yet to fi nd any landscapes,

TOBYLOUCH Lifestyle feature writer

A member of the Elite Traveler team since 2022, Toby Louch joined the team after completing his master’s in magazine journalism at Nottingham Trent University, before which he worked as a chalet host in Val d’Isere — as good a preparation as any for a career in luxury travel writing. Louch recently traded the bright lights of London, where he had lived for three years, for the peaceful surrounds of his childhood home: Derbyshire, a serene county in England’s heart. While city life was more about cocktail bars and lavish dinners, a move to the countryside involves more long runs and wholesome pub visits — a rite of passage in the UK. In our Spring issue, Louch makes his way over to Vietnam with Aqua Expeditions for a cruise along the vast Mekong River aboard the purpose-built Aqua Mekong : “With a capacity of only 40 guests, there’s a one-to-one guest-to-crew ratio, ensuring service across the vessel’s three decks remains on par with some of the fi nest hotels anywhere in the world.” Pg 130, elitetraveler.com

EMMA REYNOLDS

Editor and writer

food or roads that top it.” Pg 53, roryfhsmith.com

A member of the in-house Elite Traveler team many moons ago, New York based Emma Reynolds now gallivants around the world in a freelance capacity, with her words appearing in the likes of Business Insider , Marie Claire and House Beautiful . While most trips are in the name of work, her next vacation is strictly personal: “I'm skiing in Courchevel this winter with a dear group of friends. I've skied most of the US and Canada and am excited to experience Les Trois Vallées for the fi rst time.” Reynolds’ beat is broad and encompasses wine and spirits, fashion, real estate and design, but for this issue, she has her travel hat fi rmly on. On page 126, she ventures down to Costa Rica for a deep-dive destination guide. As she puts it: “There are few countries on Earth that prioritize environmental stewardship and protect biodiversity and cultural heritage while o ff ering fabulous eco-conscious accommodations that allow global travelers to share in the beauty. Costa Rica, however, is a rare gem that embodies this delicate balance.” Pg 126, emmareynolds.com

Words Kim Ayling