I can’t be alone. For the price of my “reconfigured” combined gas and electricity bills, I could flip the switches of my house’s energy sources to “off ” and head out for a holiday somewhere sunny and upscale. It would also mean I can save on paying out for the vitamin D pills I need to take. So what are we waiting for?

This adventure and travel issue provides some inspiration for long-distance wanderlust, starting with a couple of ambitious driving experiences. How about a trip along the historic Silk Road, the elongated web of old trading routes that linked eastern China with western Europe for 1,500 years? Or for a more extreme adventure, read about the resourceful couple who are embarking on a road journey from pole to pole. No car has successfully completed this itinerary before, let alone an electric vehicle. The 17,000-mile route runs through 14 countries and crosses three continents. The expedition will cover the most hostile environments on the planet to ‘raise awareness of the climate crisis and the role electric vehicles can play in reducing our carbon footprint’. Best of luck with the recharging challenges.

Meanwhile, we catch up with the British astronauts who might one day step on the moon, and come back to Earth to give the lowdown on the palatial pleasure dome that is Somerset’s Bittescombe Lodge, which can be hired out for traditional UK-based outdoor pursuits on a grand scale.

We also offer up a luggage carousel’s worth of interesting luxury brands to pack in your bags, stylishly kitting out whatever vacation choice you make, from robustly elegant footwear in which to pound city streets or go off-road in comfort, to chic sporty swim- and beachwear or classic English tailoring. Elsewhere, hold your breath and discover world-record freediver Pierre Frolla, and find out what it takes to succeed in the saddle with cycling champion Fabian Cancellara. And we present a watch roll of fabulous timepieces that make perfect travel companions on your life journey, helping to navigate the hours, home or away.

Whether you turn up the heating and settle in as an armchair traveller or switch it off and head out in search of adventure, we hope you enjoy this issue.

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