EDITOR'S LETTER:

Our Indian Ocean edition has returned, regular as clockwork, as we once again transition from a post-Arabian Travel Market stupor and turn our attention to the azure hues of the aquatic five-star playground. Before inking my contract with DOTW News I had technically visited the Indian Ocean when I enjoyed a brief overnight stay in Malindi, on the underrated Kenyan coast – it was the first time I’d laid eyes on the the world’s third biggest ocean and it left an indelible mark. This edition, however, focuses primarily on the vast ocean’s island getaways, centring on the Maldives, which is celebrated over an unprecedented 14 pages in our Best of the Maldives feature (page 60). From Gili Lankanfushi to Grand Park Kodhipparu we explore some of the most astounding five-star escapes the breath-taking archipelago has to offer. Spanning a more modest eight pages, we also return to the Seychelles (page 50) for an exquisite stay with Banyan Tree, our vantage point for some island exploration and an educational tour through the oh-so quaint capital of Victoria. I myself had the pleasure of returning to the vibrant mainland of Mahe to once again indulge in Creole cuisine and soak up the dynamism of daily life outside the luxe resort. We also show some love to various other regional destinations in our Indian Ocean Escapes section (page 80), where we look at some of the most enticing offers available in Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar and beyond. And it wouldn’t be right to bypass our colourful ‘Spend It’ section where we squeeze yet another supercar review into our pages. This month it’s the latest incarnation of the 2-litre Jaguar F-Type (page 98), which would surely turn heads anywhere in the world. And finally, we must apologise for jumping the gun regarding the opening of Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, which was earnestly featured in last month’s Debut section – although the doors have not yet opened. We are clearly enamoured with the property and will await further announcements with baited breath. This is our June edition and we hope you find it both informative and inspiring and we invited you to connect with us via our various social media channels. When in doubt, book the ticket.