Checking In CHRISTIAN
Checking In CHRISTIAN SCHWALBACH With motivational slogans like “nothing tastes as good as being fit feels” and cautionary catchphrases like “sitting is the new smoking”, we are living in an age of health and mindfulness, bombarded by encouraging messages that force us to reconsider the here and now and constructive refrains that empower us to ameliorate our circumstances. And why not? Today we are able to selfmonitor our blood pressure and heart rate thanks to a gadget wrapped around our wrist or a dongle in our pocket, which also identifies the number of steps walked, the calories burned and even the hours of deep sleep versus light sleep we have had. In short, we have never been more personally connected to our own physical wellness than we are today. So it’s no surprise that, depending on one’s constitution, we also want to look after it, ensuring that it functions well and for longer – after all, we are all shattering the life expectancies of generations past. And after putting ourselves through the agony of a spinning class, or the stretch-fest that is yoga or Pilates, we want to relax – not just transiently with a post-workout steam, sauna or massage, but more thoroughly with mediation and reflection. In this edition of Departures, we offer 10 pages dedicated to the art of relaxation and fitness alongside our usual complement of beauty and grooming news that should inspire you to get healthy, get motivated and get well in a package we’re calling Personal Best. Among these are reviews of three recently debuted German spas, not to mention a whole raft of other Teutonic goodies that underscore why Germany is such a sybaritic stalwart, and tips for your general wellbeing, which will figure in these pages more and more in the future. There are, of course, many other pieces in this issue of the magazine – including travelogues from London and Paris; dispatches from the Florida Everglades and Tasmania’s rural heart; profiles of artisanal beer-makers and anti-establishment chefs plying the humble tortellini; and a beautiful photo shoot of iconic must-haves for women this season. And, of course, beyond the printed pages here, there is always departures-international. com and our Twitter handle, @DeparturesInt, keeping you abreast of all the latest happenings around the world with a regular stream of updates, news stories and articles. So, whether you’re reading us in the gym, at home or on the town, we hope you enjoy this edition of the magazine. ♦ FROM LEFT: CLYDE BUTCHER, TY COLE, © L’ALBERETA, BERNHARD WINKELMANN, FAUSTO MAZZA 8 DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM
