IMAGE: JNANE TAMSNA
Editor’s letter LUXU RY COL L E C T ION 2 02 5
National Geographic Traveller — The Collection team Editor: Charlotte Wigram-Evans Deputy Editor: Sacha Scoging Art Director: Becky Redman Deputy Art Director: Lauren Atkinson-Smith Lead Designer: Rosie Klein Chief Sub-Editor: Olivia McLearon Senior Sub-Editor (maternity): Hannah Doherty Acting Senior Sub-Editor: Victoria Smith Sub-Editors: Lucy Coward, Rory Goulding, Chris Horton, Ben Murray Head of Sales: Danny Pegg Campaign Managers: James Bendien, Lorna Goodings, Matthew Rickard Production Manager: Daniel Gregory Production Controller: Vinny Bains
On a recent expedition to Greenland’s eastern fords, I watched icebergs rise from the water like frozen cathedrals while mountains shimmered in rainbow hues. On board the ship, a team of experts turned every experience into a lesson. Brent, the resident geologist, was a walking encyclopaedia, revealing the story of the land written in stone, from ancient tectonic upheavals to rocks metamorphosed over a billion years ago. Under his guidance, the fords felt less like a frozen wilderness and more like a vast, intricate library to explore. This is what’s so satisfying about expert-led escapes. They’re experiences
where curiosity is encouraged and insight is handed to you by some of the world’s most inspiring minds. It’s that curiosity we celebrate in this issue, from learning about Antarctica’s penguin population from a world-renowned ornithologist and seeing a solar eclipse with experts in Egypt, to experiencing the Netherlands’ blooms with a celebrity gardener (p.8). Elsewhere, we travel across Oman’s mountains, wadis and coasts on a
perfume trail that reveals the history behind the country’s most iconic scents (p.22). We also set sail for Seychelles aboard a luxury catamaran (p.30), leave civilisation behind on a series of epic road trips (p.48) and reveal the rise of Hong Kong, with its flurry of exciting new openings (p.68). Read, too, about Spain’s Coast of Light, where sunsets paint white-washed
towns in fiery shades (p.62), and then delve into Napa’s neighbour Sonoma, where sustainable wineries meet glorious Pacific coastline (p.56). For those seeking further inspiration for your next lavish adventure, The Directory, brought to you by our advertising partners, offers a roundup of the world’s most luxurious stays (p.80).
Charlotte Wigram-Evans, editor NATGEOT R AVELU K On the cover
National Geographic Traveller (UK) team Editorial Director & Chief Operating Officer: Maria Pieri Editor: Pat Riddell Deputy Editor: Amanda Canning Executive Editor: Lorna Parkes Features Editor: Georgia Stephens Commissioning Editor: Angela Locatelli Assistant Editor: Sam Kemp Associate Editor: Farida Zeynalova Managing Editor: Glen Mutel Senior Editor: Sarah Barrell Senior Content Strategist: Berkok Yüksel Digital Content Editor: Karlina Valeiko Digital Content Assistant: Lena Müller Branded Content Manager (maternity): Flora Neighbour Senior Branded Content Editors: Sara Crossley, Jessica Prupas Senior Project Editor: Beth Finney Project Editors: Emma Al-Mousawi, Zoe Bell, Emma Monk
Assistant Project Editors: Kira Richards, Hannah Wild Senior Art Editor: Lauren Gamp Art Editor: Kelly Markwell Senior Designers: Tully D’Souza, Dean Reynolds Picture Editor: Ben Rowe Associate Picture Editor: Aisha Nazar Operations Manager: Seamus McDermott Events & Operations Administrator: Safia Reid Head of Marketing: Sophy Moyes Digital Marketing Manager: Tilly Tasker Digital Marketing Executive: Hayley Sigrist Content Marketing Producer: Sam Ford Head of Events: Sabera Sattar Events Manager (maternity): Angela Calvieri Events Coordinator: Rosie Lumbard Commercial Director: Matthew Midworth Head of Sales: Phil Castle Campaigns Team: George Clarke, Bob Jalaf, Ben KeyStone, Kevin Killen, Mark Salmon, Jack Sharry, Perry Sophocleous, Oscar Williams
Chairman & Co-founder: Anthony Leyens Chief Executive Officer: Matthew Jackson Chief Revenue Officer: Alex Vignali APL Business Development Team: Adam Fox, Cynthia Lawrence Office Manager: Hayley Rabin Finance Director: Ryan McShaw Credit Manager: Craig Chappell Billings Manager: Ramona McShaw
National Geographic Traveller (UK) — The Collection is published by APL Media Limited, Unit 310, Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL.
nationalgeographic.com/collection Editorial: T: 020 7253 9906.
editorial@natgeotraveller.co.uk Sales/Admin T: 020 7253 9909.
sales@natgeotraveller.co.uk Subscriptions: T: 01293 312166.
natgeotraveller@subscription.co.uk
National Geographic Traveller (UK) — The Collection is published by APL Media Ltd under license from National Geographic Partners, LLC. Their entire contents are protected by copyright 2025 and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. The Directory is a collection of Partner Content curated by the National Geographic Traveller (UK) team. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine, but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information that is contained in the magazine. Neither APL Media Ltd nor National Geographic Traveller magazine accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
National Geographic Partners
Editor-in-Chief, NG Media: Nathan Lump General Manager, NG Media: David Miller
International Editions
Editorial Director: Amy Kolczak Editor: Leigh Mitnick
Editors: GERMANY Werner Siefer; ITALY Marco Cattaneo; LATIN AMERICA Alicia Guzman; NETHERLANDS Robbert Vermue; POLAND Agnieszka Franus; SOUTH KOREA Bo-yeon Lim; SPAIN Josan Ruiz
International Publishing
Senior Director: Ariel Deiaco-Lohr Senior Manager: Rossana Stella Headquarters
1145 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688, USA
National Geographic Partners returns 27% of its proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education.
National Geographic Traveller (UK) is trusted for its independent and impartial advice. Our writers and photographers often receive support from the likes of tourist boards, tour operators, hotels and airlines. However, there is never any guarantee of positive coverage. Any sponsored or commercial features will always be clearly labelled.
At Milaidhoo Maldives, you can relax on your own private sandbank, where a canopied bed awaits Image: Milaidhoo, Maldives
Copyright © 2025 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved. National Geographic Traveller and the Yellow Border Design are registered trademarks of National Geographic Society and used under license. Printed in the UK.
4
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260
