But because we know you want to look through the keyhole to see how the super rich play we’re jumping on board with Ritzy Charters.
RC scoped Geff’s gaff to show us 82 (count them) rooms.
The yacht can accommodate around 18 guests and 55 crew members.
With a basketball court, wine cellar and an impressive luxurious cinema.
Yacht to see the others
Furst among equals: Fursty fashion
Bezos’s tub on the sea is second most expensive at $500m and is the largest sailing yacht on the planet.
The Y721, also named Koru (Māori for strength, new life and peace) boasts a great-sized pool on its deck.
And accommodation for up to 18 guests and 40 crew members with Māori art to the fore.
Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller have a $200 million Eos super yacht rippling the waves.
Now if you’re lucky enough to be one of their 14 guests you’ll be bowled over by their glass staircase, a 14-foot world map, a jacuzzi and a figurehead of Diane.
Now for only $120m the VENUS yacht of Steve Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell ticks all the boxes.
The superyacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and 22 crew members in 14 cabins.
And eek, the vessel’s annual running cost is around $10-$15m!
The Diddy of them all
Loadsamoney: Diddy
The fifth most expensive celebrity-owned yacht is The Maraya, owned by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ and Beyoncé’s Maraya is only fifth dearest.
And guess what, he rents out the $65 million superyacht for $300,000 per week.
But you can always split that among your 12 guests at a time in six cabins.
And as you’d expect there’s all mod cons such as a sundeck jacuzzi, gym and wellness area, not to mention its very own chef.
Really, yacht join the fast set like Beyoncé.
But if you can’t make the most of what you’ve got.
For most of us football’s winter World Cup was our introduction to this Gulf state so if that whetted your appetite why not Qatar va voom out for the motor racing?
The desert, where you can drive without checking for speed cameras and it’s camel humps rather than speed bumps.
Fly high; With Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways Holidays are offering a package for the petrolheads’ festival from October 5-14.
Rev it up: The Qatar Grand Prix
Including the golden ticket of the Grand Prix on October 8.
And all for €2,121 for three nights from October 5-8 for two at the Al Liwan Suites.
Classics fan
Old meets new: Classic cars in Doha
Now it won’t have escaped your notice that this is Geneva in Qatar and Experience and the most influential motor show is premiering outside Switzerland for the first time.
Where you’ll get to witness 32 of the world’s most renowned marquees showcasing a ground-breaking array of new cars.
And classic automobiles… the classics.
Cream of the crop: Vintage cars
Running from 2pm-10pm daily and 10am-10pm on Saturday.
Alongside general medical consultant and integrative health expert Dr Saskia Kloppenburg.
Ably backed up by Mireia Cervera, an advisor to Barcelona restaurants Flax & Kale.
Our Catalan chums tell us that Mireia has worked closely alongside Camiral’s executive chef David Vives to devise the Wellness Centre’s nutritional programmes.
While even the University of Girona’s Professor of Wellbeing and Happiness Edgar Tarres chipping in alongside executive coach Nieves Rodriguez.
And if Pilates is your thing then instructor, Rocio Gil will put you through your paces.
Tackling goals holistically
The next course: Camiral
Jenna will present a workshop around the link between nutrition and inflammation.
While Saskia Kloppenburg will address internal inflammatory processes with one-to-one consultations and supervised intravenous infusions.
Edgar Tarrés will lead mindfulness and meditation sessions that focus on rest and breathwork.
Workshop by Nieves Rodríguez will advise on managing stress and Rocio Gill’s Pilates sessions will retune body and mind.
The immunity-boosting menu, making the most of the resort’s home-grown produce, across the five days has been drawn up by Mireia Cervera.
She will support and adapt menus for participants during the retreat.
Get some cryotherapy
The cryo game: Cryotherapy
Núria Camins’ therapists and trainers will offer treatments and classes.
So sign up for everything from cryotherapy, photo biomodulation and oxygen chamber therapy to massages and yoga.
While you get to stretch your legs through the expansive, forest-fringed landscape to the Cap de Creus peninsula.
will take things to another level. Balancing group activity with personal downtime will be factored into the programme as rest and switching off are to be embraced too.
Camiral our cup of tea
Brisk walk: At Camiral
You’ll stay at the five-star, 138-bedroom Hotel Camiral, designed by Lazaro Rosa-Violán.
If added privacy and seclusion are sought then look to the seven Camiral Suites that were unveiled in September 2022.
Designed by the Bryan O’Sullivan Studio (whose work also includes suites at Claridge’s and The Connaught) these suites are directly connected to it.
These suites allow for exercise within and come equipped with accessories such as yoga mats and gym balls.
All’s wellness that ends wellness
Lie back: And think of Catalonia
The all-inclusive ‘Strengthen & Revive’ Immunity Retreat is priced from €3,019 staying in a Superior Deluxe Room to €3,644 in a Junior Suite.
Also included in what we call Revive A Espana are the designated retreat activities and treatments.
All meals and access to Wellness Centre Spa facilities.
Room upgrades and extra treatments and consultations are available at a supplementary cost.
Flight transfers from Barcelona and Girona airports are not included but can be arranged upon requested.
My old uni pal Toothy was crippled by hay fever but also debt and signed up for my farm crew so wherever he is today a warning… this blog on South Tirol may contain hay.
The truth is that many of us are martyrs to hay fever while the rest love the smell of the farm and forest in our nostrils.
If that’s you then hey, we’ve brought the outdoors indoors.
Or more accurately Adler Lodge Ritten in and their wellness log cabins in South Tyrol in Italy have.
Of course there’s a forest path up to the two appealing saunas set under the canopy of Swiss stone pine and evergreen fir.
So that’s a Finnish sauna and hay sauna.
One of the highlights of your stay will undoubtedly be the Aufguss.
That is a unique multisensory sauna ritual that is adapted to your personal needs by the lodge’s expert Saunameister.
Now I’m no stranger to saunas or Tirol (on the horizon in Austria) so am intrigued the hay sauna, which uses the power of dried flowers and native Alpine herbs to naturally calm your mind and spirit.
Wood you believe it? The South Tirol forests
Afterwards, saunter into the relaxation pavilion where you can doze, daydream, or read a book.
And this space is where you’ll find yoga classes each morning.
Within the main lodge, you’ll find a world of restorative energies with the ADLER Revive rituals that focus on inner balance.
These include energising massages, nutritious skin packs that combine clay and algae, a South Tyrol hay bath.
Beaming with excitement: And more wood
Or a ventilation ritual with natural aromas and a body peel as part of a traditional Turkish Bath ritual.
We’re all spiralling headlong towards the end of the world so let’s make it fun on a Portutrail.
Our Medieval forebears thought Algarve, the south-westernmost corner of Portugal and the Old World was it for us.
Those that is who weren’t doing Celtic pagan things at the north-westernmost bit at Finesterre in Galicia post-Camino.
Now getting away from it all and out into nature is beneficial for us all.
And with experts helpguide to keep us right we’ve got a week here away from the packed beaches on a liberating Portutrail.
They recommend five minutes in nature to boost mood and self-esteem… lucky then we’ve got a whole week.
Days I’ll remember
Take it as red: Stunning sunsets
DAY ONE: Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente) – And, of course, the end of the world should and does have a lighthouse which has been here since 1520.
Arriving at Cabo São Vicente you can image yourself in the shoes of the pilgrims who used to finish their journey at the burial place of St Vincent.
From there, hikers can either walk from the Cape all the way to Sagres.
Or to Vila do Bispo and follow the Fishermen’s Trail.
Sagres (yes, the beer is called that too) is 6 km away, while Vila do Bispo is 10 km away.
And the trail is marked with blue and green stripes on wooden poles and rocks.
Duration: Cape St. Vincent to Sagres 1hour 30 minutes / Cape St. Vincent to Vila do Bispo 2hours 30 minutes / Challenge Level: Moderate
Hang on there
Rock’n’roll: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
DAY TWO: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail – The trail passes through limestone cliffs, offers spectacular sea views.
And it leads walkers to hidden beaches and natural arches.
This 5.7-kilometer route connects Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes.
Although you can begin from either end, it’s more common to start at Praia da Marinha and head west.
Duration: This hike takes an average of 3hours and 30minutes to complete / Challenge Level: Generally considered a moderately challenging route
The joy of Foia
Walk this way: And you’ll have it to yourself
DAY THREE: Foia, Monchique – One of the big draws to Serra de Monchique is the nearby mountain peak of Fóia.
And at 902m high, it’s the highest point of the Algarve.
From the top you can see incredible views of the Algarve coastline including Portimão and Lagos to the south, and Cabo de São Vicente on the west.
Discover the richness of the mountain, the forest, the water and the pure air of the Algarve.
With a guided hike by Algarvian Roots or Proactivetur.
Depending on which option you chose, this guided trek also includes an experience on a potter’s wheel, a visit to an olive mill with olive oil tasting, and a soap workshop.
DAY FOUR: Ria Formosa Natural Park – Covering over 18,000 hectares, this series of saltwater lagoons and islands is a haven for bird watchers and SPORTUGAL lovers.
Where you can see flamingos and other migratory birds.
The São Lourenço Walking Trail takes you through different habitats: marshland, scrubland, and freshwater lakes.
Meanwhile, the Marim Centre of Environmental Education Walking Trail, in Olhão, can take up to two hours.
And it covers all the habitats that can be found in the Ria Formosa Nature Park as well as Roman ruins and a tide mill.
Duration: São Lourenço Walking Trail 3hours / Marim Centre of Environmental Education Walking Trail 2hours / Challenge Level: both Moderate
The protected area nearby is fed by the waters of the Ribeira da Menalva and supports a large diversity of flora and fauna.
And animals such as insects, butterflies, turtles, lizards, salamanders and many more species.
Fonte Fonte da Benémola walk is easy 2.5-mile circular track in the Loulé municipality.
Duration: Up to 2 hours / Challenge Level: Easy
Algarviana mirabilis
Sign of the times: And the Algarve will keep you posted
DAY SIX: Via Algarviana trail – The north-eastern part of the Algarve is less frequented by visitors.
But it offers a unique blend of rolling hills, traditional villages and untouched beauty.
The Via Algarviana hike spans the entire region from Alcoutim, near the Spanish border.
All the way to Cape St. Vincent on the western coast – approximately 300 kilometres in length.
However, if you’re specifically interested in the north-eastern section, you can walk from Alcoutim to Balurcos.
And see the Guadiana River, cork oak forests, traditional villages, and rich flora and fauna.
Durations: Around 1hour 45 minutes / Challenge Level: Moderate
Guadiana of honour
Sea that: Take time to soak up the scenery
DAY SEVEN: A Window to the Guadiana – This trail begins in Azinhal, a typical village in the Baixo Guadiana, Eastern Algarve, and ends at Várzea das Almas.
Along this route, trekkers can stop at the towns and enjoy their traditional architecture and see incredible scenery.
Such as wetlands, dryland orchards of almond and carob trees and hills covered in cistus, gorse and lavender.
Along the riverbank, the salt marches take over the wide wetlands, and, looking south, walkers will be wowed.
With the bridge connecting Portugal and Spain near the mouth of the Guadiana.
Duration: This walk takes 2hours 30 minutes on average to complete / Challenge Level: Moderate
Where to stay?
Dip in: Casa Modesta
And because our friends in the Algarve are nothing but thorough they have given us chapter and verse on the best billets.
But because we trust you to browse by yourself, we will just point you in the direction of Casa Modesta.
It is a renovated family house with views of Ria Formosa and the Atlantic Ocean..
Prices: €180/£155 per night for a room with sea-view, based on two adults sharing a room.
The Grand House Algarve, a Relais Chateaux Belle Epoque hotel in the East Algarve in the historic town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
Prices: €227/£195 per night for a Small Room based on two adults sharing a room.
The best resort: Praia do Canal
The Praia do Canal Nature Resort, within the Vicentine Coast Natural Park of 74,000 hectares is the perfect midway point for many of the walks.
It is only a 45-minute ride from Cape St. Vincent, 45 minutes from Foia.
Or a 50-minute car ride from the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Prices: approx €258/£221 per night based on two adults sharing a deluxe natural park view.
While the Pure Monchique Hotel, located in Serra de Monchique Natural Park, in the Western Algarve has the beautiful Monchique flows as its backdrop.
With modern lines and décor, this luxurious boutique hotel offers 22 rooms, a thermal spa and two outdoor swimming pools.
Prices: €113/£97 per night based on two adults sharing a Classic room.
