Travel

June 23, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2022 issue

As the world gets better…

Words Jim Dunn

WE’VE BEEN LOCKED UP LONG ENOUGH. As the world begins to peak, nervously, out from its pandemic duvet I thought that it was time to look around for you and see what’s new on the travel scene. So get your passports and off we go.

Firstly, let’s nip down to the Maldives, a popular destination thanks to the calm seas and underwater delights, the high standard of food and service available way out there in this island paradise. 

I don’t do ocean floors… that’s snorkelling, diving and peering under rocks many feet below, but again there are many who do and return very happy from their holiday. To each his own.

If you want isolation with lots of water sports, then the private island of www.kudadoo.com has it all both above and below the ocean’s surface interspersed with the peace you can find in it’s own island spa. There’s also 15 one-bedroom Ocean Residences with 44sm of room all with their own large private sundecks, and by the way you also have your own pool—for those like me who aren’t into skimming below the surface of the sea!

Next we’re off for a spot of game viewing in Tanzania with the Mantis Collection. 

A beautiful country, almost untouched by mass tourism Tanzania is a must if you are in to animal watching. The Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis is our base and the joy of this is that the camp is mobile and subsequently able to follow the herds of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and their predators during the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park — www.mantiscollection.com/hotel/siringit-migration-camp-by-mantis

Paul Gardiner of the Mantis Collection says: ‘The migration is one of the greatest shows on earth and the camp takes you back to the roots of safari with sustainable, intimate, mobile tented camps which move in symbiosis with wildlife.’ There are eight tents all ensuite… and most items are designed to fold away as the camp moves on every few months between Kogatende region (northern Serengeti) and the Ndutu region (southern Serengeti). All you have to do is focus the camera.

If you don’t fancy living in a tent, however smart, for your holiday Mantis are also offering lodges in one of my favourite destinations, Costa Rica. The lodges are set high up on a mountainside in the north of this idyllic, lush land. And all modern requirements are taken care of.

There’s even a Michelin Star Chef who created the menu and handpicks visiting chefs to run the kitchen — www.mantiscollection.com/hotel-destination/costa-rica

Japan is the next stop, which I first visited almost 50 years ago. Impressive hotels are lining up to welcome overseas visitors back and Kyoto offers a soothing contrast to Tokyo’s neon, buzzing cityscape flowing with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, iconic temples and zen gardens.

I do remember loving the old imperial capital and there is now a brand new hotel for you to stay at as you explore the ancient city—www.hotelthemitsui.com 

There are 161 rooms (22 are suites), but it’s the Thermal Spring Spa which caught my eye. It commands over 1,000 sq.m of space and has its own natural hot spring. 

Japan is really a must these days, isn’t it? When you think how over- crowded much of the world can be at peak times here is a country awaiting you distant, intriguing and truly foreign.

Isn’t that what travel is all about?