The Art of Savouring
My Love Letter to the things that make travel memorable
Luxury isn’t always about extravagance. Sometimes, it’s as simple as the perfect glass of wine at sunset, the weight of a well-made Italian glass in your hand, or the warmth of a roaring fire in a snow-covered chalet. It’s the feeling of slipping into sun-kissed, freshly washed linen sheets, the bliss of a bed so big you lose your partner in it, or the grownup thrill of a bunk bed on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Those special moments spent with the people you love.
For me, the magic of travel isn’t just about where I go - it’s about how I feel. The way freshly caught fish tastes when it’s grilled right by the sea. The subtle oak of a West Australian Chardonnay. The first crisp pop of a Ruinart Champagne cork. The joy of stepping off a plane and seeing someone holding a sign with my name on it, ready to whisk me away like I’m in a classic film.
It’s the contrast that makes it all the more delicious: a glamorous hotel room in a big city, room service curry, and the obligatory plush dressing gown. A secluded tiny house in the deepest depths of the Southwest, where the only sounds are the rustling of trees and the distant call of wildlife. A road trip through Margaret River, with each vineyard offering a new take on what makes a wine truly unique and special. The slow, rhythmic journey by train along Lac Léman, the lake rolling by like a moving painting.
I collect these moments like souvenirs. Ferry rides in Greece, gliding through turquoise waters. Skiing to Le Rouge in Verbier for après. Sitting in a fishermen-owned taverna on a Greek island, eating the day’s catch. A house with a turret overlooking the bay of Positano, the scent of citrus in the air. The hushed reverence of a centuries-old wine cellar.
Some of my favourite memories aren’t grand at all. They’re small, thoughtful gestures: the warm hug of comfy slippers after a long day exploring, the feeling of stepping into a steaming bath, the laughter of loved ones around a dinner table. A book, a glass of wine, and a view of the sea. Siestas in the afternoon heat. New Year’s Eve with my family, watching fireworks over the promenade in Southwold. Christmas by the beach, champagne in hand, crayfish sizzling on the barbecue in Western Australia.
And then, there are the experiences that transcend time - meeting the three generations who run Mascari Drogheria in Venice, where the scent of spices lingers like a story untold. The magic of the Bastille Day Gala dinner at Villa d’Este on Lake Como, fireworks reflecting off the water. Paris to Venice aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a journey that feels like stepping into another era.
Luxury isn’t just about where you stay or what you spend - it’s about what you savour. The moments that stick, the ones that make you pause, breathe, and smile. It’s why I do what I do. Because when travel is done right, it isn’t just a trip. It’s a feeling that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
So, tell me - what are the moments you savour? Let’s plan a journey filled with them.