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VOL 10 / ISSUE 05

LIVE WELL - TRAVEL OFTEN

Travel Magazine

ITALY

A SUNLIT SUMMER

PLUS UK ITALY SPAIN BAHAMAS THAILAND SOUTH AFRICA

KEEP A SHOVEL AND BUCKET OF WATER NEARBY TO EXTINGUISH YOUR CAMPFIRE SMOKEYBEAR.COM

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VOL 10 / ISSUE 05

CONTENTS ITALY

PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

Steve Drake

Rediscover Venice beyond the crowds, from serene canals and Giudecca sunsets to Murano glassmakers and neighborhood bacari, as the legendary city embraces a slower, more rewarding approach to travel today.

Journey through Italy in vivid photographs, from Rome’s monumental grandeur and Cortona’s timeless lanes to Milan’s Gothic artistry and Venice’s shimmering waterways, each image revealing an unforgettable sense of place.

UNITED KINGDOM

THAILAND

Sergi Reboredo

Matthew Schueller

Discover Belfast’s remarkable reinvention through Titanic heritage, revitalized waterfronts, powerful political murals, lively neighborhoods and fascinating museums revealing a city shaped by industry, conflict, resilience, enduring hope and renewal.

Dive into Bangkok’s exhilarating chaos through tuk-tuk food tours, golden temples, rooftop views and electric queer nightlife, as strangers become a travel family in one of Asia’s most unforgettable cities, where every moment becomes part of the adventure.

SOUTH AFRICA

BAHAMAS

Allison Foat

Josie Joy Lawless

Experience Shamwari’s rare balance of fivestar safari luxury and meaningful conservation, where exceptional guides, unforgettable wildlife encounters and personal hospitality reveal the restorative power of South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

Escape to The Cove at Atlantis, where adults-only serenity, thrilling water adventures and exceptional dining meet, before Cyndi Lauper transforms a luxurious Bahamian retreat into an unforgettable celebration of joy.

SPAIN

COLUMNS

Andrew Marshall Tee off across the Canary Islands, where volcanic landscapes, Atlantic cliffs, desert canyons and palm-lined fairways create ten spectacular courses offering year-round sunshine, memorable challenges and unforgettable ocean views.

TRAVEL GEAR SPOTLIGHT

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EXTRAORDINARY BRANDS DESERVE REMARKABLE PHOTOGRAPHS Bespoke Professional Photography for Hotels, Resorts & Luxury Brands

Available worldwide. Request our photoshoot destination calendar: email: portfolio@glossy.media web portfolio: glossy.media

MASTHEAD PUBLISHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Glossy Media

Steve Drake

editor@DRIFTtravel.com

Dook Photography, Steve Drake, Allison Foat, Josie Joy Lawless, Andrew Marshall, Paul Marshall, Sergi Reboredo, Matthew Schueller

Advertising Inquiries sales@DRIFTtravel.com

/06 THINK TANK CAMERA BAG thinktankphoto.com Compact camera gear deserves protection without the bulk. The Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 20 V2 holds a standard mirrorless body plus one or two lenses, with adjustable dividers for a customized fit. A magnetic flip-top provides quick access, while organized accessory storage, DWR-treated fabric, and an included rain cover make this lightweight shoulder bag a smart choice for travel photography.

GARMIN FORERUNNER 55 amazon.com

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Whether you’re squeezing in a morning run or exploring a new destination on foot, the Garmin Forerunner 55 keeps fitness goals within reach. This lightweight GPS running smartwatch tracks pace, distance, heart rate, and workouts while offering training guidance and daily suggested runs. With impressive battery life and builtin activity profiles, it’s an easy travel companion for staying active wherever the journey takes you.

TRAVEL GEAR NORTIV 8 GLADIATOR amazon.com Part sneaker, part hiking shoe, the NORTIV 8 Gladiator Women’s Lightweight Hiking Shoes are made for trips that mix sightseeing with outdoor adventure. Weighing approximately 9.7 ounces per shoe, they combine a durable upper, cushioned EVA insole, padded collar, quick-adjust cord lacing, and grippy rubber outsole. Comfortable and versatile, they transition easily from city streets to campground trails.

ANYSLEEVE BY THERAICE theraice.com Long flights, active adventures, and full days of sightseeing can leave muscles and joints needing a little attention. The TheraICE AnySLEEVE™ Ice Compression Wrap delivers reusable hot or cold therapy with 360-degree compression for knees, elbows, calves, shins, and ankles. An adjustable Velcro strap provides a customizable fit, while flexible gel maintains temperature for up to 20 minutes—making it a handy recovery companion at home or away.

JACKERY HOMEPOWER 1000 PLUS V2 jackery.com Portable power gets a serious upgrade with the Jackery HomePower 1000 Plus v2. Designed for camping, RV trips, off-grid adventures, and emergency backup, it combines a 1024Wh battery with 1800W output and expandable capacity up to 11kWh. Compact yet capable, it can keep everything from phones and laptops to refrigerators and other essential devices running when conventional power isn’t available.

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TRAVEL GEAR CONAIR CORDLESS HEATED BRUSH amazon.com Small enough for a handbag or carry-on, the Conair Cordless Heated Touch-Up Brush makes it easy to refresh your hair wherever the day takes you. Heated ceramic bristles smooth flyaways and frizz, while ionic technology helps reduce static and boost shine. Cordless and USB-C rechargeable, it’s designed for quick touch-ups to bangs, ends, and face-framing pieces between full styling sessions.

ORBITKEY TECH ORGANIZERS orbitkey.com Cables, chargers, adapters, earbuds, and other tech essentials have a habit of disappearing into the bottom of a travel bag. The Orbitkey Tech Organizer collection brings order to the chaos with a range of thoughtfully designed organizers for different packing needs. Choose from the compact Tech Organizer Mini, versatile everyday Tech Organizer, roomier Tech Organizer Plus, Cable Organizer Pouch, wearable Tech Sling, and clever 2-in-1 Tech Accessory Pouch. With dedicated pockets, recycled polyester construction, and weather-resistant exteriors, they make it easier to keep your digital travel kit protected, organized, and ready to grab.

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VENICE RECONSIDERED ITALY

BY STEVE DRAKE

A LEGENDARY CITY COMMONLY DEFINED BY OVERTOURISM IS FINDING NEW WAYS TO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE BETTER—FOR VISITORS AND VENETIANS ALIKE For many years now, the conversation surrounding Venice, Italy has been almost as much about overtourism as its unmatched beauty. Images of congested bridges, enormous cruise ships and a packed Piazza San Marco created a familiar narrative: one of the world’s great cities was being loved, quite literally, to excess. So, arriving in mid-June, at the beginning of Europe’s busy summer travel season, came with certain expectations. The surprise was how quickly they disappeared. Venice was lively, certainly. Gondolas passed through the canals, visitors gathered along the Rialto Bridge, and Piazza San Marco remained the magnificent center of attention. But overwhelmingly crowded? Surprisingly, no. There were quiet lanes to wander, tables readily available for an afternoon aperitivo and moments when Venice seemed remarkably serene.

It may be too early for that conclusion, but the city has taken meaningful steps. Venice’s experimental Access Fee for day visitors was expanded in 2026 to selected high-demand days between April and July, encouraging planning and helping the city anticipate visitor flows. Another important change is easier to see—or rather, not see. The enormous cruise ships that once sailed through the San Marco Basin and Giudecca Canal have been prohibited, following years of concern about their impact on the fragile lagoon and historic city. Perhaps Venice’s most important message to travelers is simpler: slow down and stay awhile. Early mornings and evenings belong to a different Venice than midday San Marco. Walk several bridges beyond the major landmarks, and crowds can dissipate remarkably quickly. Stop for cicchetti at a neighborhood bacaro, linger over an aperitivo beside a canal, or walk without a destination. Getting a little lost remains one of Venice’s great pleasures. And then there is the magic of the water itself—the everyday theater of Venice’s magnificent waterways. With no cars, daily life unfolds through a fascinating parade of vaporetti, sleek private water taxis, gondolas, delivery boats, and working vessels traveling the canals. Even arriving becomes an element of the adventure. Step off the train at Venezia Santa Lucia and the Grand Canal is quite literally at your feet; Marco Polo Airport can be reached by water too. There are few cities where arriving by train or plane can end with climbing aboard a boat, luggage in hand, and gliding through one of the world’s most beautiful cityscape.

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Is Venice beginning to get tourism right?

A Different Side of Venice. For travelers looking for a quieter base without sacrificing easy access to the heart of the city, Hilton Molino Stucky Venice is the ideal alternative. Located on Giudecca Island, across the Giudecca Canal from historic Venice, the imposing red-brick landmark occupies a beautifully restored 19th-century flour mill. Giudecca feels noticeably removed from the intensity of central Venice, with a more residential rhythm and exceptional views across the water. Yet the hotel’s private boat shuttle provides frequent crossings (every 20 minutes) to the San Marco area and Zattere throughout the day. Traveling by boat quickly becomes one of the pleasures of staying here. Then there is the hotel rooftop. The seasonal rooftop swimming pool is a rarity in Venice and an indulgence worth making time for. After hours exploring cobbled lanes and crossing bridges in the June heat, slipping into the pool with the Venetian skyline stretched across the horizon was decidedly decadent. The Skyline Rooftop Bar offers those same extraordinary views. Make time for the Shades of Venice Cocktail Experience, a creative journey through the city interpreted through cocktails, storytelling and the artistry of mixology. At the heart of the experience is the fabulous bar manager Valentina Mircea, whose knowledge, warmth and genuine enthusiasm elevate the evening well beyond simply ordering a drink. With Venice glowing across the water, it is an experience worth lingering over. Dining makes returning to the Molino Stucky part of the experience. Aromi delivers a refined culinary experience, while Bacaromi draws inspiration from Venetian flavors and the convivial spirit of the city’s traditional bacari. Perhaps that is the greatest luxury of staying on Giudecca: the ability to immerse yourself in Venice and then retreat from it.

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Shopping, Venetian Style Beyond the expected international luxury brands, Venice is filled with unique boutiques, artisan studios and independent shops. One charming discovery is the tiny shop of Venetian photographer Marco Missiaja, whose incredible images capture Venice perfectly through a local lens. His photographs include postcards—an inexpensive, authentically Venetian souvenir to take home, or better yet, mail home to friends and family. Another favorite is Poli 1898, the Venice showcase for historic family-run Poli Distillerie, founded in Veneto in 1898. Just minutes from St. Mark’s Square, visitors can sample grappas, liqueurs and other spirits before choosing a favorite to take home. Small bottles, housed in authentic Venetian glass, can be purchased for under €30—proof that a memorable taste of Veneto needn’t carry a luxury price tag (ask for a bubble bag).

Beyond Venice: The Art of Murano For something different, set aside a morning for Murano. The Hilton Molino Stucky can arrange a private water taxi directly from the hotel to Original Murano Glass OMG, where watching master glassblowers transform glowing molten glass into intricate works of art is mesmerizing. Afterward, wander through showrooms filled with hundreds of handcrafted pieces, from glassware and jewelry to sculpture and spectacular chandeliers. A friendly warning for glass lovers: much of what catches your eye is for sale, and authentic Murano glass can be a serious investment—so bring your credit card. For those wanting to delve deeper, the nearby Museo del Vetro gives a captivating look at the island’s centuries-old glassmaking tradition.

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Venice, Slowly Venice still faces serious challenges, and overtourism has certainly not disappeared. But progress deserves recognition—and visitors can be part of it. Stay for several nights rather than several hours. Travel beyond San Marco and Rialto. Eat in neighborhood restaurants. Visit artisans and islands. Take the vaporetto without a particular destination. Walk until you are slightly lost. Allow Venice to become somewhere you inhabit briefly rather than somewhere you simply photograph. In June, at least, Venice felt as though that message might be getting through. The result was something unexpected: a city that proved lively without being overwhelming, iconic without feeling inaccessible and, perhaps most importantly, possible to savor.

5 MUST-SEES IN VENICE 1. Piazza San Marco Napoleon reportedly called it “the drawing room of Europe,” and Venice’s grandest square remains its magnificent heart. Go early in the morning or later in the evening, when the crowds thin and the architecture takes center stage.

2. Basilica di San Marco Step inside one of Venice’s great treasures, where soaring domes and shimmering golden mosaics reflect centuries of Venetian wealth, artistry and connections with the East. Book ahead when possible.

3. Doge’s Palace More than a beautiful Gothic landmark, the Palazzo Ducale tells the story of the extraordinary power once wielded by the Venetian Republic. Its lavish chambers, hidden passageways, and famous Bridge of Sighs make it well worth the time.

4. Rialto Bridge Yes, it is busy—and yes, you should still see it. The oldest of the four bridges crossing the Grand Canal offers one of those quintessential Venice views. Explore the surrounding lanes and historic Rialto market area while you’re there.

5. The Grand Canal—from the Water Think of it as Venice’s grand boulevard, only without a single car. Take a vaporetto or splurge on a private water taxi and watch centuries-old palazzi, churches, and everyday Venetian life unfold from the water. In Venice, sometimes the journey really is the attraction.

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SPOTLIGHT SOFITEL ROME VILLA BORGHESE FRENCH ELEGANCE WITH A VIEW OVER THE ETERNAL CITY On a quiet street near the edge of Villa Borghese, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese offers a calm counterpoint to the energy of the Eternal City. The hotel occupies an elegant 19th-century palazzo, placing guests between the greenery of Rome’s bestknown park and the boutiques, cafes, and monuments of the historic center. The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Via Veneto, and Galleria Borghese are all within easy reach, yet the atmosphere changes the moment guests step through the door. Here, Italian heritage meets Sofitel’s French art de vivre in a setting that feels intimate, polished, and distinctly Roman.

A Roman Palazzo Reimagined French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel refreshed the interiors with a light, contemporary approach that complements the building’s historic character. Classical references appear without weighing down the rooms: sculptural lighting, brass details, marble surfaces, and a palette of white, blue-gray, and warm orange create an elegant sense of contrast. One of the most memorable touches is overhead. Iridescent ceiling frescoes inspired by Michelangelo bring a playful echo of Renaissance Rome into the guestrooms, while curated art and carefully chosen furnishings give the hotel the character of a private residence rather than a grand urban resort.

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The rooms and suites balance decorative detail with the comforts travelers value after a full day in the city. Sofitel MY BED linens, marble bathrooms, Diptyque bath products, Nespresso machines, Bose sound systems, and thoughtful lighting make each space easy to settle into. Selected accommodations add city views or Juliet balconies, while family room and suite configurations create practical options for guests traveling together. For a stay with a true sense of occasion, the Suite with Panoramic Terrace and Outdoor Jacuzzi opens onto a private, terracotta-tiled terrace overlooking the gardens and rooftops of Rome. It is an inviting place to slow the pace, particularly when the late-afternoon light begins to soften across the city.

Rome from the Seventh Floor The hotel’s defining social space is Settimo Panoramic Flavours of Rome, its rooftop restaurant and lounge. Inspired by the neighboring Villa Borghese gardens, the dining room layers greenery with velvet seating, colorful terrazzo, and broad views across Rome’s Seven Hills. From the terrace, St. Peter’s Basilica rises above a skyline of domes and terracotta roofs. Executive Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio leads a kitchen rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and Roman tradition. Local ingredients shape contemporary interpretations of familiar dishes, while breakfast pastries and espresso give way to leisurely lunches, sunset aperitivi, and dinner beneath the city lights. The result is less a conventional hotel restaurant than a destination that lets guests see and taste Rome at the same time.

An Elegant Base in the Eternal City Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese succeeds because it offers two versions of Rome at once: the animated city of landmark-filled streets and the quieter pleasure of a refined private address. With expressive interiors, thoughtful rooms, a privileged setting, and one of the city’s most inviting rooftop views, it is a sophisticated base for discovering Rome - and a welcome retreat when the day’s exploring is done. sofitelrome.com

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Rooms Designed for Modern Rome

Exploring the Eternal City with ArcheoRunning and Isabella Few cities reward walking quite like Rome. At street level, the Eternal City becomes more than a collection of famous monuments. Ancient columns appear between apartment buildings, fountains animate neighborhood squares, and narrow lanes reveal details that disappear from a tour bus window. A private walking tour with ArcheoRunning offers a thoughtful way to slow down, look more closely, and understand how the city’s many historical layers fit together. ArcheoRunning was created around the idea that gentle movement can open a different perspective on Rome. Although the company is known for combining culture with running, its private walking tours are designed for travelers who prefer to explore at an easy, conversational pace. Routes can be personalized around individual interests, allowing guests to spend more time with the stories, artworks, and archaeological sites that capture their imagination. Because each tour is private, the pace and emphasis can be adjusted for couples, families, experienced Rome visitors, or anyone discovering the city for the first time. At the center of the experience is Isabella Calidonna, ArcheoRunning’s founder and host. Isabella is an art historian with a PhD in the history of art, a licensed Rome tour guide, and a qualified athletics and physical-training coach. That unusual combination gives her tours their character. She can explain the artistic ambition behind a Renaissance masterpiece, place an ancient ruin in its historical context, and shape the route around the comfort and interests of her guests. Her approach is informed without becoming overly academic, turning the streets of Rome into an engaging open-air classroom. The choice of itineraries extends well beyond a standard highlights tour. Travelers can follow Michelangelo through churches, palaces, and civic spaces; explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill; trace the role of water through Rome’s fountains and aqueducts; or descend beneath the modern city to discover archaeological remains near Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. Other possibilities include the Appian Way, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and a day among the remarkably preserved streets of Ostia Antica. For guests staying at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, a walking tour is a natural extension of the hotel’s privileged location. The experience adds context to the landmarks seen from Settimo’s rooftop and transforms a day of sightseeing into something more personal. With Isabella leading the way, Rome is not simply viewed. It is read, interpreted, and experienced one step at a time. archeorunning.com

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ROME ONE STEP AT A TIME

STEVE DRAK

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A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY

Drake brings destinations to life through vivid landscapes, compelling details and a strong sense of place. His imagery captures each journey’s character while inviting readers to see further. Instagram: @stevedrakephotography

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Standing guard, this equestrian statue of Charlemagne, framed by the ornate architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

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The Column of Marcus Aurelius rises above Piazza Colonna, framed by a sunlit portico as viewed from inside the Galleria Alberto Sordi in Rome.

Even through all the noise and distraction, this artist find the calm needed to work on her watercolor of the Pantheon.

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Remember to look up. This is the famous double-helix spiral staircase inside the Vatican Museums leading the eye toward its luminous glass ceiling.

The domed Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio overlooks the patchwork fields of the Val di Chiana below Cortona.

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A winding country road threads through olive groves and sunlit hills in the lush Tuscan countryside.

Flower-filled doorways and weathered stone steps bring timeless charm to a quiet lane in Cortona’s historic center.

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A table for two tucked beneath a centuries-old archway offers an unforgettable setting for an early evening dinner.

Intricate flying buttresses, soaring spires and sculpted details reveal the extraordinary Gothic artistry of Milan’s magnificent Duomo.

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Morning rush hour in Venice unfolds on the water, as vaporetti, taxis and working boats crisscross the busy lagoon.

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Venice’s historic Molino Stucky comes into view from the polished mahogany interior of a classic water taxi.

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Sunlight, faded facades and gently rippling reflections reveal the quiet beauty of everyday life along a hidden Venetian canal.

A waterfront artist displays colorful scenes of Venice, with gondolas and the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore completing the view.

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The setting sun casts a warm glow across the Venetian Lagoon, silhouetting an elegant waterfront lantern against the evening sky.

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BELFAST UNITED KINGDOM BY SERGI REBOREDO For decades, Belfast was defined by the conflict that shaped Northern Ireland. Today, the city has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting destinations, where a turbulent past meets a vibrant cultural scene, striking Victorian architecture, lively pubs and the enduring legacy of the Titanic. Dynamic, welcoming and full of character, Belfast is a city that rewards those willing to look beyond its history.

The River Lagan is Northern Ireland’s principal waterway, flowing for around 85 kilometers from the slopes of Slieve Croob in County Down through the heart of Belfast before emptying into Belfast Lough and the Irish Sea. One of the best ways to experience the city from a different perspective is aboard a sightseeing cruise along the river. Today, several operators offer boat tours that reveal Belfast’s industrial heritage while showcasing its striking modern waterfront. Many cruises pass through the revitalized Titanic Quarter, one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects. Once home to the world-famous Harland & Wolff shipyards, this historic district is where the RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched in 1911 before embarking on her ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912. The former shipyard has been transformed into one of Belfast’s cultural highlights. The awardwinning Titanic Belfast museum, whose dramatic architecture evokes the bows of four ships, tells the story of the Titanic, Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage and the city’s industrial past through immersive exhibitions and interactive displays. Nearby are the historic SS Nomadic—the last remaining White Star Line vessel—and the impressive Titanic Slipways, where the liner first touched the water. Towering above the district are Samson and Goliath, the iconic yellow gantry cranes of Harland & Wolff. Visible from much of the city, these engineering landmarks have become enduring symbols of Belfast’s maritime identity. Although shipbuilding is no longer the company’s primary activity, the shipyard continues to play an important role in offshore engineering, renewable energy and heavy industry.

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A CRUISE ALONG THE RIVER LAGAN

Back in the city center, a short walk along the river leads to The Big Fish, a ten-meter-long ceramic mosaic sculpture created by artist John Kindness in 1999. Standing beside the River Lagan near Donegall Quay, the fish is decorated with images that tell the story of Belfast’s history and has become one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. No visit to Belfast would be complete without stopping at the magnificent Belfast City Hall, the city’s architectural centerpiece. Its beautifully landscaped grounds are home to the Titanic Memorial Garden, a unique monument listing the names of every person who lost their life in the Titanic disaster, regardless of class or nationality. From City Hall, visitors can explore the lively streets leading towards the Queen’s Quarter, home to Queen’s University Belfast, elegant Victorian architecture and the Botanic Gardens. Along the way, pubs, cafés and restaurants offer a warm welcome, while nearby areas such as the Cathedral Quarter provide some of the city’s best nightlife, live music and contemporary arts scene, making Belfast a city where history and modern culture blend effortlessly.

TITANIC BELFAST: WHERE THE LEGEND BEGAN More than a century after the sinking of the world’s most famous ocean liner, Titanic Belfast has established itself as one of Europe’s finest museums and Northern Ireland’s leading visitor attraction. Located beside the very slipways where the RMS Titanic was designed, built and launched, the museum stands at the heart of the city’s revitalized Titanic Quarter, offering an immersive journey through one of history’s most enduring stories.

Spread across six floors and more than 14,000 square meters, the museum takes visitors through nine interactive galleries that trace the complete story of the Titanic—from Belfast’s booming shipbuilding industry to the discovery of the wreck deep beneath the North Atlantic. The experience begins by exploring Belfast at the turn of the twentieth century, when Harland & Wolff was one of the largest shipyards in the world. Original photographs, archive footage, full-scale reconstructions, authentic soundscapes and even recreated industrial scents transport visitors back to the era when thousands of craftsmen worked to build what was then the largest moving object ever created. One of the museum’s highlights is the Shipyard Ride, an innovative dark ride that carries visitors through a recreation of the construction process, revealing the immense scale and engineering ambition behind the Titanic. The galleries continue with beautifully recreated interiors that illustrate life aboard the ship, from luxurious first-class cabins and elegant dining rooms to the more modest accommodation occupied by second- and third-class passengers. A reconstruction of the Grand Staircase recalls one of the liner’s most iconic spaces, while interactive exhibits explain the technology and craftsmanship that made the Titanic a marvel of its age.

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Opened in 2012 to coincide with the centenary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage, the £97 million attraction marked the beginning of Belfast’s transformation into a major cultural destination. Designed by architects CivicArts and Eric R. Kuhne & Associates, the striking aluminumclad building has become the city’s modern architectural icon. Its four angular facades resemble the bows of giant ships while reaching the same height as the original Titanic from keel to deck.

The exhibition then follows the ship on its maiden voyage, documenting the events that culminated in the collision with an iceberg on the night of 14 April 1912 and the tragic sinking in the early hours of 15 April. Personal testimonies, original artifacts and immersive audiovisual installations recount the disaster with sensitivity, while interactive displays tell the stories of the passengers and crew whose lives were forever changed. The final galleries examine the legacy of the Titanic, the official inquiries that followed the tragedy and the continuing fascination with the ship. Visitors are also transported to the seabed nearly 4,000 meters below the surface of the North Atlantic through stunning footage of the wreck, first discovered by oceanographer Robert Ballard in 1985. The result is a moving and thought-provoking conclusion to one of the world’s most compelling museum experiences. Today, Titanic Belfast is far more than a museum. It is the centerpiece of a thriving waterfront district filled with cultural venues, historic landmarks, cafés and public spaces, symbolizing Belfast’s remarkable transformation from an industrial shipbuilding city into one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations.

ULSTER FOLK MUSEUM AND ULSTER TRANSPORT MUSEUM Just a 15-minute drive east of Belfast, in the village of Cultra, lie two of Northern Ireland’s most fascinating museums: the Ulster Folk Museum and the Ulster Transport Museum. Together they offer an engaging journey through the region’s social, industrial and engineering heritage, making them an ideal excursion for visitors wishing to explore beyond the city center.

The museum also complements a visit to Titanic Belfast by displaying original artifacts, photographs and personal stories connected with the RMS Titanic, Olympic and Britannic. Rather than simply recounting the tragedy, the exhibitions explain why Belfast became one of the greatest shipbuilding centers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, showcasing the craftsmanship, innovation and industrial expertise that enabled Harland & Wolff to build some of the world’s most famous ocean liners. Just a short walk away, the Ulster Folk Museum transports visitors back more than a century through one of Europe’s finest open-air museums. Carefully reconstructed farms, cottages, schools, churches, workshops and traditional shops recreate everyday life in Ulster at the beginning of the twentieth century. Costumed guides demonstrate traditional crafts and rural skills, while many of the buildings have been painstakingly relocated from across Northern Ireland and rebuilt stone by stone, creating an authentic picture of life before the modern era. Together, these two museums offer an excellent introduction to Northern Ireland’s history, allowing visitors to understand not only the region’s industrial achievements but also the everyday lives, traditions and resilience of the communities that shaped it.

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The Ulster Transport Museum traces the remarkable evolution of transport in Northern Ireland, from horse-drawn vehicles and steam locomotives to classic automobiles, motorcycles and aviation. One of its highlights is its extensive maritime collection, which explores Belfast’s rich shipbuilding tradition and the engineering achievements that made the city one of the world’s leading industrial centers.

THE MURALS: ECHOES OF BELFAST’S PAST No visit to Belfast is complete without taking a Black Taxi Tour, one of the city’s most insightful experiences. Led by local drivers—many of whom lived through The Troubles—these tours offer a unique perspective on the decades-long conflict that shaped modern Northern Ireland. More than sightseeing excursions, they are personal accounts of a divided city and its remarkable journey towards peace. The route typically passes through Falls Road, the heart of the city’s nationalist and predominantly Catholic community, and Shankill Road, the neighboring unionist and largely Protestant district. The two areas are still separated in places by the Peace Walls, barriers first erected in 1969 to reduce violence during the conflict. Although Northern Ireland has enjoyed peace since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, many of these walls remain standing, and several continue to be locked at night. The murals that cover buildings on both sides of the divide are among Belfast’s most powerful landmarks. They are visually striking, emotionally charged and deeply symbolic. Some commemorate those who died during the conflict, while others celebrate political figures, historical events or cultural identity. Many of the older murals depict masked paramilitaries carrying weapons, stark reminders of the violence that once dominated daily life. Others express solidarity with international movements or commemorate campaigns for civil rights and selfdetermination.

One of the most important dates in the unionist calendar remains 12 July, known as The Twelfth, when Orange Order parades commemorate the Battle of the Boyne of 1690, in which King William III defeated the deposed King James II. These celebrations continue to play an important role in Northern Ireland’s cultural and political landscape. Today, the murals have become far more than reminders of conflict. They serve as open-air galleries that document Belfast’s history, preserve collective memory and illustrate how a city once defined by division has embraced dialogue, reconciliation and cultural tourism. Visiting them with a knowledgeable local guide provides invaluable context and a deeper understanding of one of Europe’s most extraordinary urban transformations.

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Despite their contrasting messages, the murals are less about religion than they are about identity and constitutional aspirations. Unionist murals emphasize loyalty to the United Kingdom, British military history and the preservation of Northern Ireland’s place within the Union. Republican murals, meanwhile, focus on Irish identity, equality, civil rights and the aspiration for a united Ireland, often drawing parallels with other struggles for freedom around the world.

BANGKOK

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BY MATTHEW SCHUELLER Bangkok doesn’t ease you in. It doesn’t offer you a slow introduction or a gentle on-ramp. It just opens the door and says, here, take it all in–all at once! By the time you’ve caught your breath, somewhere between your first tuk-tuk ride and your third plate of mango sticky rice, you realize the chaos and crisscross of Bangkok isn’t an obstacle, but it’s the whole point. This past March, I brought a small group to Thailand for a SideQuests adventure through Chiang Mai and Pai, but before we ventured north, I wanted to make sure we took a few days to see one of the most thrilling, exciting, and arguably most

BANGKOK’S BEAUTIFUL CHAOS IS THE WHOLE POINT notorious cities in Asia. Experiencing this place for the first time is something Bangkok will make sure you never forget. We stayed at the BDMS Movenpick Wellness Resort in Ploenchit, right in the heart of the city, steps from the BTS Skytrain and close enough to everything that the city felt manageably navigable even when we had no idea what we were doing or where we were going (Bangkok is a city easy, and quite fun, to get lost in). Our home base was like an oasis, complete with a pool, spa, small workout facility, the works for a comfortable stay. After the long haul from Portland, I needed about thirty minutes poolside just to remember what being horizontal felt like. I had my moment in the hazy sunlight, and then we got moving.

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Bangkok is enormous. It sprawls in every direction with no particular regard for your ability to comprehend it. Around 11 million people amongst a tangle of expressways and canals, and countless temples that seemingly appear around corners out of nowhere. They make their presence known like they’ve been there since before the street was even an idea, which in reality, many of them have! Bangkok is loud, hot, densely populated, and blanketed in a patchwork of smells from lemongrass to motorcycle exhaust to frangipan. I’ve been here before and it still scrambles my brain a little when I set out to explore the city. Getting from one place to another is part of the experience! The BTS Skytrain is your best friend here. Clean, fast, air-conditioned, and it connects you to most of the places you actually want to be, that is, if you can manage navigating there. Some may argue the train

is very easy to use, and others may disagree… I have had success riding the train, but on my first day leading this new group of travelers, that wasn’t the case. So, when you’d prefer not to stumble your way through public transit, Grab is your other best friend. This ride-share app works just like Uber or Lyft and saves you the negotiation of the tuk-tuk pricing dance, though you should absolutely take a tuktuk at least once. It’s part of the experience. Just agree on the price before you get in. On our first evening together as a group, we took a tuk-tuk street food tour, and I want to describe this as accurately as possible: we piled into these open-sided tuktuks and were whisked through Bangkok’s central neighborhoods as the city shifted from day into its after-dark version, which is entirely a different city. The tour was run by a local guide, which made all the difference. She knew exactly which eateries and food carts to stop

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at, which dishes to order, which narrow side street held the secret thing we’d now be talking about for the rest of the trip… We ate pad thai made in a wok the size of a satellite dish, fiery som tam papaya salad that made me cry (from spiciness and happiness), grilled pork skewers, boat-noodle soup, and a variety of Thai sweets. We ended the tour on a rooftop above the Chao Phraya River with drinks in hand and Bangkok glittering below us in every direction. The group had barely known each other for twelve hours, but by the end of the evening–navigating the crowded streets and racing our tuk-tuks side by side, it already felt like we were a little travel family. The next day was ours to explore however we wanted. Some of us made our way to the temples, and if you only do one thing in Bangkok, the temples are that thing. Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is mind-blowing. The Buddha himself is 150 feet long,

covered in gold leaf, and the first time you walk into that room and see it, there’s a moment where your brain just stops processing and you freeze, standing there with your mouth agape. The grounds are layered with colored prangs, pleasant wafts of incense smoke, and monks in saffron-colored robes moving quietly through the surrounding gardens. It is one of the most photographed places in Thailand, and it still feels completely unreal and awe-inspiring to see for yourself. Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, sits across the Chao Phraya River and its great white spire is visible from everywhere along the waterfront. Decorated with tiny porcelain tiles, the temple looks different as the sun changes, and the tiles can even sometimes catch that light in ways that look almost iridescent. It’s a different experience from Wat Pho but equally worth the boat ride across the river to get there. Plus, you can try a different mode of

Bangkok transit to get there! The river ferries are cheap, efficient, and give you a perspective on the city that you can’t get any other way. The Chao Phraya cuts Bangkok in half, and from the water you can see how it all fits together. Wandering through Silom by day is a different experience from Silom after dark. By daylight it’s a busy commercial district with markets and malls and crowds moving with the focused energy of a city that never stops. But at night it transforms, and Silom Soi 4 in particular comes alive and has earned quite a reputation. Tables spill out into the street from Balcony Bar and Telephone Pub, with people everywhere holding drinks, the warm Bangkok air mixing with music and laughter; it feels a bit like Bangkok’s living room. A great place to have a drink and start the evening.

DJ Station on Soi 2 is where we went when we were ready for a little dancing. The complex consists of multiple floors and a variety of dance floors and bars with differing music styles. One of the bars hosted drag shows woven through the night. This is the kind of club where you may look at your watch at some point and suddenly realize 3 hours had passed. With so many different environments and corners, you can spend the night hopping from one bar to the other.

For a real treat and a show you won’t get anywhere else, House of Heals takes the cake. House of Heals is Bangkok’s premier drag show venue, but calling it a drag show feels a bit like calling the Grand Palace a nice building… It truly is a production. We booked ahead to secure a VIP couch for the group, which meant we could arrive, settle in with drinks, and then spend the next few hours having the time of our lives.

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There is so much this city can give you in just a few days if you let it. The floating markets, the street markets, The Grand Palace–which could take an entire day on its own, Chao Phraya by long-tail boat at golden hour, a Thai massage (both relaxing and somewhat aggressive), the rooftop bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel… places where you can watch the city spread out endlessly it’s difficult to comprehend the scale of it. The thing about Bangkok as a first stop before heading north to Chiang Mai or south to Phuket or Krabi, it’s the contrast. Bangkok is everything all at once, whereas places like Chiang Mai are the absolute opposite. Chiang Mai is slower, quieter, surrounded by mountains and temples, and has a completely different rhythm entirely. Bangkok is invigorating. It

wakes you up fully and completely, and then you get on a plane for an hour and seemingly teleport to a different world. Bangkok opened something up in me that I wasn’t expecting, again. That’s the thing about a city you’ve visited before... it surprises you differently each time. This time I got to see it through a group of people experiencing it for the first time, and watching Bangkok happen to someone for the first time is its own kind of gift. By the time we boarded our flight north to Chiang Mai, we weren’t the same group of strangers who’d landed two days earlier. Bangkok had seen to that. It always does.

SOUTH AFRICA /54 Out in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Shamwari Private Game Reserve is nailing the sweet spot between fivestar luxury and boots-on-the-ground initiatives, hooking conservationconscious safari-seekers on a quest for authenticity and wilderness wellbeing - the kind of place with my name all over it. Usually, it’s the beauty and the beasts that hog my intro, but this time around the accolades are landing on Long Lee Manor, and here’s why. Holding court atop a gentle rise, this is a villa that eschews the traditional in favor of the unexpected, where a stately portico and an intriguing equipoise lends a wonderfully unpredictable air of old-world grandeur, perfectly attuned to its atmospheric setting. Long Lee Manor underwent a major, transformative renovation in 2018-2019, a multimillion dollar project that restored the original Edwardian-era features, overseen by DSA Architects International in collaboration with interior design firm K/M2K. Decor assets are gorgeous - think bold black‑and‑white floor tiles linking sun‑lit corridors inside and out, and earthy palettes that speak to the drama of the untamed wilderness. It’s a beautifully considered reconstruct that gently eases the property into the present and an

accomplished architectural evolution that has succeeded in anchoring a 1910 Edwardian heritage envelope within a contemporary, siteresponsive vernacular. Like all the accommodation offerings at Shamwari, Long Lee Manor is entirely self‑contained with top notch facilities including a well-equipped gym and a spa. The dining room spills onto a wrap‑around veranda overlooking the pool pavilion, the symmetrical layout complete with decadent day beds, the sweeping plains beyond amplifying the remoteness of this remarkable retreat.

BY ALLISON FOAT

One of the marks of a great lodge is the ability to blend five-star refinement with meticulous care and personalized attention-hospitality of the highest order which is something in which Shamwari prides itself. For my three-day stay, Bridget was assigned as my private butler, an astute and discerning young woman quick to pick up on what brought me joy. Somehow, she had figured out that baths are my guilty pleasure (context: I come from droughtafflicted Cape Town), and as one of her surprises, she created the ultimate scented soak for me, laying a runway of candles and petals from the front door to the bathroom, so I could wallow in a blissful end-ofday ritual. This is how a memorable stay becomes an exceptional one. “Getting it right comes from knowing a little about a guest ahead of their arrival,” she said, “once we’ve had a few conversations, I get a sense of

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A FRONTROW SEAT TO THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS.

what they like. For some it’s a special turndown or a surprise picnic in a stunning location. For Allison, it was quality time in the tub.” But, a team is only as good as it’s leader and here, kudos go to CEO Joe Cloete who has been part of Shamwari’s story since it opened in 1992, when he joined as its firstever field guide. With a degree in economics and marketing, he has transitioned through various portfolios over the years before being appointed CEO in 2012. An enigmatic presence and extremely hands-on, his energy and work ethic is evidenced in all aspects of Shamwari life. Sitting down with him over lunch (their cuisine crew is outstanding), he explained the ambitious conservation vision that lies at the heart of the Shamwari story: to restore landscapes to something approaching the former natural state and reintroducing

the wildlife species. The Shamwari Foundation partners with benchmark projects such as Vulpro (vulture rescue, rehabilitation and release, where possible) and the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary, and has a robust anti-poaching program that deploys highly trained personnel, AI/ GPS tracking and VHF tracking for wounded rhinos and crime-syndicate monitoring. Shamwari stands as a remarkable example of what determined preservation efforts can achieve, restoring not only the environment but a vital piece of Africa’s indigenous heritage. Every stay at Shamwari Private Game Reserve is designed to immerse guests in a different expression of the African wilderness. While Long Lee Manor upholds colonialstyle sophistication, Eagles Crag nominated for South Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge 2026 at the World Travel Awards - is about seclusion,

walks for a more immersive nature experience. Whichever sanctuary you choose delivers a front-row seat to wonderment. Another Shamwari pillar is its guiding team. Every ranger is FGASAaccredited, combining formidable expertise with an instinctive understanding of the bush that transforms each game drive into something far more immersive than a wildlife checklist. Whether I was sharing a vehicle or enjoying the exclusivity of a private safari, my experience remained deeply personal: every question was met with thoughtful insight, every sighting given the time it deserved and each outing was shaped by what I wanted to absorb. Jacques was my guide throughout, giving me a game experience beyond anything I could have hoped for. Deeply sensitized to the natural rhythm of things, he possessed an uncanny knack for

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with just nine glass-fronted suites tucked into the forest canopy, each complete with a private plunge pool. Bayethe’s canvas-clad suites are cocooned within lush vegetation and Sindile elevates the tented safari experience with contemporary design and dramatic views over the Bushman’s River. Riverdene is where spacious rooms, child-friendly facilities and warm hospitality ensures that safari magic is shared across generations and the exclusive-use Sarili Private Villa delivers a coveted private escape, with dedicated staff, generous living spaces and an uninterrupted wilderness all to yourself; perfect for multi-generational gatherings or milestone celebrations. Explorer Camp, installed on a koppie in the middle of the woods and operational only during South Africa’s summer season, is a more simplified set up and a once-in-a-lifetime experience where guests take wild

hacking the codes of the wild able to discern the signs, be it the faintest spoor, the flick of an ear, the abrupt stillness of a herd or the tone of a chirp. He was able to anticipate where the next extraordinary encounter would unfold. His patience, quiet confidence, infectious optimism and collaboration with fellow guides yielded an astonishing succession of sightings and unforgettable Big Five moments, every day. Who can top lingering beside grazing elephants and rhinos, or watching lion cubs tumbling about in a puddle? Each drive delivered a different story and Jacques reminded me that the greatest safari guides don’t simply help you find wildlife, they teach you how to properly see the wild and cherish it even more. And for those wondering about ease of access, fret not for Shamwari Air Shuttle has you covered. The bespoke air travel service is designed for seamless access to the Reserve and is now operational from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Say goodbye to lengthy airport transfers and hello to unparalleled convenience, comfort and exclusivity. Another reason to celebrate all things Shamwari. shamwari.com

AS BRAD PITT SUMMED IT UP IN THE SHAMWARI GUEST BOOK, "THE PEOPLE ARE AS FANTASTIC AS THE ANIMALS ARE MAJESTIC...”

BAHAMAS

PARADISE, PERFECTED: INSIDE THE COVE AT ATLANTIS — AND A NIGHT WITH CYNDI LAUPER

BY JOSIE JOY LAWLESS There’s a particular kind of quiet that settles over you the moment you cross the bridge onto Paradise Island. The Bahamian sun does something different here — softer, somehow, even at its brightest — and by the time our shuttle pulled up to The Cove at Atlantis, something had already shifted. The décor sets the tone: clean, coastal, unhurried. Beyond it, the landscape does the rest of the work — water features catching the light, open-air walkways that never quite close you in, the whole place arranged so that nature and design feel like they’re in on the same secret. A secret worth telling.

The Cove is one of five hotels that make up the sprawling Atlantis resort, but it operates like its own private universe. Six hundred suites rise along two crescent beaches, each one wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass that turns every morning into a small event: coffee in hand, watching the water shift from slate to turquoise as the light comes up. Our suite had a full balcony positioned to catch the ocean view, and the kind of quiet, unhurried elegance that doesn’t need to announce itself — cream stone, dark wood, Bahamian textiles used sparingly, like punctuation rather than decoration.

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What sets The Cove apart isn’t just the architecture, though. It’s the entire register of the place. Where the rest of Atlantis hums with the joyful chaos of Aquaventure’s water slides and shrieking kids, The Cove exists in a different key: hushed, adult, deliberate. That distinction crystallizes at The Cove Pool — the property’s signature adults-only enclave, restricted to guests eighteen and older. Four multi-level pools step down toward the sand, flanked by twenty private cabanas with their own butler service.

Butler service, it turns out, is not a marketing flourish here — it’s a genuine operating principle, handling everything from dinner reservations to a spontaneous request for beach chairs moved twenty feet closer to the water. But what makes The Cove such a smart base is that its calm never comes at the cost of scale. Atlantis is enormous — five hotels, five miles of coastline, fourteen pools — and as Cove guests we had full run of all of it: the casino floor at night, the Aura nightclub when we wanted noise instead of hush, and by day, the sheer spectacle of

Aquaventure, the resort’s 141-acre water park. We spent one entire afternoon doing exactly that, floating two-person tubes down the milelong Rapids River as it pushed us through rolling rapids and sudden wave surges, before working up the nerve for the Mayan Temple’s near-vertical slide, which drops you straight through a clear acrylic tunnel inside a shark-filled lagoon — genuinely one of the more thrilling ninety seconds either of us has spent on vacation. It’s a strange, wonderful trick The Cove pulls off: total quiet whenever you like, with the entire chaotic, joyful theme-park version of Atlantis a short walk away.

But if there’s a single reason to book The Cove specifically, it’s the food. Atlantis has quietly become the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and it’s the only resort in the region that can claim dining rooms from three Michelin-starred chefs under one roof: Michael White, José Andrés, and Nobu Matsuhisa. The Cove itself houses Paranza, White’s newer coastal-Italian spot, where a lobster tagliolini arrived so simply dressed — good oil, good lemon, good pasta — that it made a case for restraint as the highest form of luxury. A few steps away, Fish by José Andrés turns Bahamian seafood into something playful and international, snapper and conch reimagined with a chef’s sense of mischief.

And then there’s Nobu. I’ll say plainly: it’s worth building an entire evening around. Nobu at Atlantis carries the same DNA as the original — that impossibly clean, umami-forward Japanese-Peruvian style Nobu Matsuhisa pioneered decades ago — but set against the backdrop of the Bahamian sea, it takes on a different, more languid character. We started with the tuna tataki, seared just enough to leave the center cool and ruby-red, dressed in a bright, garlicky ponzu that woke up every other bite that followed. The seafood salad came next, a generous, glistening mix of the day’s catch tossed in a citrusy dressing with just enough heat to keep things interesting. Then the vegetable roll, deceptively simple on paper but assembled with the same precision as anything else on the menu — clean, crisp, and proof that Nobu’s kitchen doesn’t treat a vegetarian option as an afterthought. Service was unhurried but sharp — plates arriving with real intention rather than assembly-line pacing — and the room itself, all dark wood and low light, made for one of the most purely enjoyable dinners either of us had in years. If you do nothing else at The Cove, reserve Nobu early; tables go fast, and for good reason.

Beyond the marquee restaurants, the resort’s smaller touches added up: the spa’s Balinese-influenced treatments, quiet mornings at the Cove beach before the day guests arrived, the sense that everything, from turndown to towel service, had been considered twice. The Cove doesn’t try to be all things — it’s not the place for a family reunion or a rowdy bachelor weekend, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a resort built for people who want the full scale of Atlantis available to them, but who’d rather retreat to somewhere hushed at the end of the day. It succeeds completely at that.

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There is something for everyone at Poseidon’s Table, the resort’s grand buffet at the Royal. We wandered over there for dinner one night and found it in full swing with local Bahamian families marking birthdays and reunions alongside the tourists — carving stations, a sushi bar, a Mexican grill turning out fresh tortillas, all of it loud and joyful in a way that felt like a genuine slice of island life rather than a hotel addon. For faster bites between pool sessions, Field Trip’s rice-forward global menu and the inevitable, thoroughly satisfying ShackBurger at Shake Shack rounded things out nicely.

AN ICON ON THE BEACH: CYNDI LAUPER AT ATLANTIS If The Cove is about quiet, one night there was anything but — and gloriously so. Atlantis capped off its summer entertainment calendar with a one-night-only concert from icon, Cyndi Lauper. Four decades into a career that’s earned her Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards (one of a vanishingly small club to hold all three), Lauper’s energy on stage remains almost unreasonable. She doesn’t perform nostalgia; she performs presence — full-throated, physical, mugging and preening and clearly delighted to still be doing exactly this. “Time After Time” landed with genuine tenderness, “True Colors” turned into something close to a communal singalong, and when the opening synth line of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” hit, the entire crowd — thousands of people, ages 8 to 80 — became one unbothered, joyful mass. It’s a rare thing to watch a performer this far into a legendary career still work a crowd like she’s got something to prove, but that’s exactly the sensation Lauper delivers live.

What struck me most, though, was how inseparable her showmanship is from her advocacy. Lauper has spent decades as an outspoken voice for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people living with HIV/AIDS, and that thread runs through everything she does now, including Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights — the fund she established at the Tides Foundation, its name a wink at her own signature hit. Launched initially to support organizations expanding access to reproductive health services, the fund has since broadened its mission to include support for the LGBTQ+ community, and this year alone directed more than half a million dollars toward groups working on behalf of women and girls worldwide. Standing on that stage, watching an artist in her seventies command a crowd like she’s twenty-five while still actively building something larger than her own catalog, it was hard not to think that “icon” is too small a word. Cyndi Lauper isn’t just a nostalgia act on the summer concert circuit — she’s still, unmistakably, doing the work.

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CANARY ISLANDS SPAIN

BY ANDREW MARSHALL Located off the northwestern coast of Africa, and with an average annual temperature of around 22 degrees centigrade, a rich history, culture and cuisine all complemented by a range of fine hotels, the Canary Islands have long being a favorite holiday destination for sun-seekers especially as a winter escape from Europe. The quality of the

island’s renowned sandy beaches is now matched with a superb collection of 18hole golf courses, with layouts that not only entertain and challenge, but allow you to experience the island’s varied and dramatic scenery in all its glory. Here are 10 of the best courses on the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera.

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Designed by Robert Von Hagge, Smelek and Bari, Anfi Golf is an impeccably maintained desert-style PGA Championship course located among rocky canyons and gorges, native vegetation, teeming waterfalls and glistening lakes and offers a perfect contrast to the surrounding volcanic mountains. Anfi Golf is one of those rare courses that generate a genuine sense of awe from one hole to the next for an unforgettable round. The course is a dream for the golf photographer and even the most inexperienced snapper can’t fail to capture a good image here. One of the most photogenic holes is the classic 209-meter par-3, 6th, framed on either side with swaying palms and a pyramid-shaped rock as a backdrop.

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GRAN CANARIA - Anfi Golf

GRAN CANARIA Maspalomas Golf Situated in the resort area of Maspalomas in Gran Canaria’s south (one of the sunniest places in the world), this 1968 Mackenzie Ross design has a unique feel, surrounded by a nature reserve of rolling sand dunes, views of the Atlantic Ocean, palm trees and golden sandy beaches. Relatively flat with long and wide fairways, the course’s opener is a fairly benign 367m par-4 (stroke index 13), which offers a genuine chance of a solid start. Watch out, though, for the 140 meter par-3 10th , where a crisply struck iron is required to carry an expanse of water, and with trees protecting the left and right, there is little room for error.

TENERIFE - Abama This outstanding golf course in Tenerife is a serious contender for the Canaries’ number one spot. Yes, you need deep pockets to play and thus it receives relatively little traffic, but it all adds to the exclusive golf experience. This Dave Thomas creation rambles over 6,271 meters of ever-changing terrain with dramatic elevation changes, 22 lakes linked by impressive waterfalls, whitesand bunkers and 25,000 palm trees. On the back nine you play your way around the distinctly ocher-colored Moroccan inspired hotel, starting with a superb par-5 played from an elevated tee. Abama presents a challenge for club golfers, but if you can steer you ball into the right positions, it’s the slick and undulating Augusta-quality greens that are the main defense. But it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable; the immaculate conditioning of the course and the scenery make certain of that, with most holes providing fabulous views of the Atlantic and the island of La Gomera.

Taking full advantage of Gran Canaria’s amazing geology and situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty with ravines, volcanic rock and mountain and sea views, the 36-hole golf complex of the Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity is a stunning place to tee it up. Designed by Roland Fauvré, in close collaboration with Robert Trent Jones, the parklandstyle Old Course is the more forgiving of the two courses and offers a variety of holes. The well-manicured fairways and greens ramble through terraced valleys lined with palms, and contrast with the surrounding desert terrain, to create a spectacular oasis for a memorable round.

GRAN CANARIA -Salobre New Course Heading deeper into the desert landscape, Salobre’s New Course is a more demanding test of golf routed through rocky canyons and deep gullies dotted with cacti. It’s the kind of landscape where you half expect to see the original ‘Magnificent Seven’ cowboys come riding over the horizon on horseback as you tee off. After completing your round, head for the clubhouse terrace for a frosty 19th hole beer and keep an eye out for Sergio Garcia look-alike Fernando Martinez from Guest services, who is told several times a day he looks like the Spanish golf star.

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GRAN CANARIA Salobre Old Course

LA GOMERA - Tecina Golf Located on the outskirts of Playa de Santiago on the La Gomera’s south coast, Tecina Golf overlooks the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by verdant vegetation with a multitude of vibrant flora such as bougainvillea, hibiscus and jacaranda. After arriving at this Donald Steel design for golfers of all abilities, you follow the green line of the cart path that leads skywards seemingly forever, to the tee block of the 420-meter par-4 1st. From here, you get a real sense of what La Gomera’s only golf course is all about. The scenery is unparalleled, with spectacular views of the natural beauty of the lush island landscape, the Atlantic Ocean and 3718-meter-high Mount Teide on neighboring Tenerife. What makes Tecina Golf so special is that it plays like a ski slope, with the holes zigzagging back-and-forth while descending a steep hillside towards the ocean with constant sea views.

GRAN CANARIA – Lopesan Meloneras Golf. Situated on the beautiful south coast of Gran Canaria at Meloneras Bay, this 18 hole championship course begins with a front nine of open and forgiving holes characterized by palms and a mountain backdrop, and then gets progressively more difficult as it enters the back nine along the cliff tops. Each hole is equipped with four tees to suit golfers of all abilities and amenities include golf carts equipped with the latest GPS technology. The course enjoys an ideal location next to several four and five-star hotels in Meloneras and nearby Maspalomas.

Situated in Gran Canaria’s north, it is Spain’s oldest golf club, founded by a group of Brits in 1891, although the present site dates from 1957. This strategic parkland-style Mackenzie Ross design has been cleverly fitted into an area of just 375,000 sq meters, spectacularly positioned on the edge of an extinct volcanic crater. Although primarily a members club, morning tee times are available for visitors from Monday to Friday.

TENERIFE - Buenavista Golf One of the appealing aspects of playing golf in the Canary Islands is that the courses are often located in some fabulous settings – and the scenery and backdrop of Buenavista’s 18-hole, par-72 (6019 meters) layout is a good case in point. The course features six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s, and the course designer Seve Ballesteros has used the fabulous clifftop location to craft some dramatic holes with five greens set tight to the rocky coastline. A classic hole is the 221-meter par-3 15th with the Atlantic crashing onto dark jagged rocks beyond the green. While you play, keep an eye out for Seve’s trademark in the form of an ‘S’ bunker on the par-5 10th hole. Buenavista Golf offers buggy, trolley and club hire, two practice putting greens and a chipping area. It may be a little off the beaten track, but Tenerife’s Buenavista Golf is well worth including on your Canaries golf schedule.

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GRAN CANARIA - Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

GRAN CANARIA - El Cortijo Club de Campo The feature’s final golf course is an interesting design and one of the longest in Spain. Integrated into a fantastic plantation of hundred-year-old palms, the course follows three valleys filled with indigenous flora and features six lakes, fast greens and sea views. El Cortijo Club de Campo played host to the 2002 Spanish Open won by Sergio Garcia and is conveniently situated close to the airport for that final round before flying home.

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DRIFT Travel Magazine Fall 2026