Quintessentially

Panama, the Central American country with its legendary canal, is considered a transit station to the tobacco countries of the region. But if you can gain a foothold here, with a little time, you will be surprised by excellent specialist shops with very tempting prices and cigar lounges with young, vibrant scenes. Here’s our cigar correspondent’s insider guide on where to smoke cigars in Panama.

With its luxury hotel villas with private pools and fine dining with a view, Dubai is a city synonymous with glamour. But beyond the soaring skyline lies a vast golden landscape where ancient traditions meet modern luxury. That’s right: Dubai’s desert experiences have evolved into sophisticated escapes designed to showcase the region’s natural beauty, gourmet gastronomy, and elevated hospitality.

Half a century ago, bottles of bubbles, fizz, champers, whatever you prefer to call it, were predominantly stamped with “Product of France” or “Produced in France”. That is, until producers such as Nyetimber, now practically synonymous with English sparkling wine, struck (liquid) gold when they discovered that Champagne's chalk soil snakes beneath the English Channel and resurfaces across Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire.

A few years ago, we investigated London’s best open-fire restaurants. And ever since, the trend has been spreading like wildfire. So, we got our on-the-ground New York City insider on the case.

From NAD+ and NBOT treatments in California to the West Coast glass skin trend, it’s widely known that this part of the US is wellness-focused – and this trickles down to the drinking, too. While LA’s natural wine bars and non-alcoholic and low ABV drinks have been gaining momentum in recent years, the city’s spritzes are the latest to jump on the mindful drinking trend. Spritzes naturally offer less booze, more botanicals, and in some cases, even medicinal ingredients for guilt-free indulging.

Dubai’s thriving bar scene invites guests to experience master mixology in luxury bars that stretch from Dubai Marina to J1 Beach. But drinks connoisseurs keen to dive deeper should look beyond its best-known fine dining restaurants and exclusive resorts to the city’s secret speakeasies. Here, you’ll find hidden rooms behind refrigerator doors, nightclubs concealed beneath Greek restaurants, and listening bars tucked inside vinyl record shops.

In March, Adam Hay-Nicholls headed to the Fêtes des Vins Chablis with the Watson family to discover more about their small-batch gin brand, Renais, and report back for us. In July, we sent him on another foodie-fuelled mission – but this time, with a ride on some deliciously indulgent wheels.

We’ve already crowned Claridge’s as one of London’s best spa hotels. But in case there was any doubt, Dr. Barbara Sturm has swooped in and sealed the deal. The globally renowned German doctor turned her background in orthopaedic research into a career as an aesthetics expert and anti-inflammatory pioneer. And for that, we’re thankful. Because now, we have a brand-new residency that brings her advanced, science-led treatments to the luxury hotel.

The glass skin trend might have started with Korean skincare, but it has quickly jumped into the West Coast conversation. This is especially true in Los Angeles, where the question on the lips of everyone at LA’s best wellness retreats right now is how to achieve that luminous, poreless, hydrated skin texture with non-invasive gadgets and products rather than surgery or make-up.

As the summer continues full steam ahead, New Yorkers and the city’s visitors are feeling the heat. But while the concrete jungle sizzles, those in the know can head to the city’s best spots to completely cool off. While heading to one of the city’s best rooftop bars is always a good idea, here are eight air-conditioned, ice-cold, or shaded activities for beating the heat in NYC right now.