Where the mountains rise from the water

I truly, truly believe that New Zealand is the most spectacular country on this earth. And if I wanted to sip fine wine, dine with a view and hot tub with an amazing vista then I might just have to do it at the Matakauri Lodge on Lake Wakatipu just minutes from Queenstown. Summer would be amazing but can you imagine winter? Light the fire, warm up the tub, amazing skiing is calling and if I could well ... I would. I really, really would.

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Casa Olivi

In the heart of the Marches in Italy is a 300 hundred year old farm that combines tradition with the modern, minimalist with the sensory, rough walls with streamlined severity, luxury with simplicity. 360 degree views meet bastion like walls. Infinity pool reaches forever and cool stone is cave like. Casa Olivi, heritage protected, has been renovated by its owners into a luxurious holiday home. Design by Swiss architects Markus Wespi and Jerome de Meuron. This stylish piece of Italy is available for holiday let. More information at Casa Olivi. ***Update: Now available to rent via Paradizo Private Collection

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Chesa Wazzau

The slow movement. I have always been attracted to slow food but now I'm falling for the idea of slow design and slow holidays (if I can call it that). I love the restoration of significant buildings to their former glory and instead of hiding them away in private hands, throwing open the doors as a hotel/holiday rental to experience all the cultural richness of the area. You have seen my obsession lately with Italian idea of albergo diffuso now I have fallen in love with this Swiss 17th century Engadine farmhouse, Chesa Wazzau in the village of Bever just a short drive from St. Moritz. A typical Engadine house had everything under one roof, house, barn, family, cows and now paying guests. A house party is in order don't you think? The long table is already set.

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Alila Villas Soori

Dear readers,

I'm not here. No not really. My body is stranded in my day to day job, on the train, washing up and ironing clothes, blowing my nose and cursing my head cold. My mind though is on holidays in Bali ... still. I just moved hotel that's all. To the sister property of last week's virtual trip to paradise. This week I have moved my luggage on over to the Alila Villas Soori. Nestled between rice fields and volcanic black sand beaches. Ah the luxury, the relaxation. Maybe my body should hustle on over and join me.

Cheers, Jo

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Bali beauty

What a way to start the working week! Daydreams of holidays in a tropical paradise. Poised on a cliff above the warm waters that lap the shores of the island of Bali is a small piece of perfection. The Alila Villas Uluwatu. Beauty, serenity, relaxation and luxury with views that go on forever or idyllic privacy surrounded by high walls. Whatever your weary soul desires. The architecture seamlessly flows from the inside to outside. Pools stretch to infinity. The design is by award-winning Singapore architectural firm, WOHA. I don't want to go to work tomorrow. Not now. 

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