ON LOCATION STEP BACK IN TIME COOK ISLANDS RAKESH KESHA A true getaway, 3,200km from the nearest landmass, the 15 Cook Islands offer an island-hopping adventure like no other in the Pacific, with luxe accommodation and eco-friendly villas embellishing the natural beauty and age-old culture. The main entry point is Rarotonga, a volcanic isle, whose densely forested interior is surrounded by sandy beaches, great watersport opportunities and the best eateries in the archipelago. Though for true isolation (served by an airstrip built by the US and New Zealand military), Aitutaki has the most stunning lagoon and the 29 villas and bungalows of Pacific Resort Aitutaki (pacificresort.com), where visitors can enjoy the calm of this ocean paradise or explore the azure waters replete with tropical fish. From either venue it’s just a short trip to discover some remarkable geography on the unspoiled isle of Atiu, more than eight million years old, a mere stripling compared to the 18-million-year-old Mangaia. 54 NetJets
MOUNTAIN LUXE ST. MORITZ ANDREA FURGER Twice host of the Winter Olympics, this Alpine town has become a beacon of high society set against a picturesque wintry backdrop. At the heart of it all is Badrutt’s Palace (badruttspalace.com), a fairytale edifice with a storied history to match. Once the preferred haunt of such A-list names as Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin, the celebrities these days are part of the hotel, thanks to a selection of superb gourmet options. Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, of Nobu fame, helms the Japanese/Peruvian fusion restaurant La Coupole – Matsuhisa; Andreas Caminada, the Swiss chef, oversees the two-Michelin-star fine-dining IGNIV; and Jason Atherton’s modern interpretation of classic bistro fare is at the King’s Social House. The 155 elegant guest rooms and suites were upgraded for last season and new developments are planned with the opening of a new wing for the 2024 season, which will add a further 25 options. The stunning mountain surrounds can be enjoyed even before arrival on the journey in to Samedan Airport. The secondhighest airport in Europe is at the bottom of the valley and the spectacular descent into it is often cited as a favourite among pilots. NetJets 55
