Experience the eclipse from a private yacht

On 12 August, guests at Zafiro Palace Andratx in Mallorca will have the opportunity to witness one of nature’s rarest events, the total solar eclipse, from on board a private yacht.

The experience begins aboard a private electric llaüt, a traditional Mallorcan fishing boat, departing from the Port d’Andratx. Cruising across the Mediterranean waters, guests will enjoy front-row views of the eclipse away from the crowds, with refreshments served throughout the journey, and specialist solar viewing glasses available.

Back at the hotel, guests can watch the annual Perseid meteor shower from the privacy of their penthouse suite’s rooftop terrace. An exclusive in-suite dinner is paired with a bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne beneath Mallorca’s star-filled skies.

The package starts from £7,023 and includes a four-night stay in a sea-view penthouse suite with plunge pool at Zafiro Palace Andratx, the private eclipse cruise and the rooftop dining experience.

Silverlake Spa opens in Dorset

This summer, Silverlake, the award‑winning private lakeside estate in the heart of Dorset, will unveil its largest and leisure and wellness destination to date: The Silverlake Spa.

At its heart is a 25-metre heated outdoor pool with sauna and cold plunge, four treatment rooms, water sports facilities, and an on-site restaurant, The Firefly, which will seat up to 150 guests.

Covering 1,536 square metres, the destination has been designed to nurture both physical and mental wellbeing for owners, visitors, and the wider Silverlake community. Wild swimming is also available just beyond the spa, on the edge of the lake. Rates start from £531 for two nights (arriving on Friday) and can be booked through Habitat Escapes.

Japan’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site opens

The inscription of the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 26 July 2026 marked an important milestone for Japan’s cultural heritage. For international travellers, it opens the gateway to the Kii Peninsula where Japan’s earliest capitals lead naturally into sacred mountains, ancient pilgrimage routes and living traditions that continue to shape everyday life.

Recognising the archaeological remains of Japan’s earliest capitals, established between the late sixth and early eighth centuries, the new World Heritage Site is more than a place of historical significance. It is the starting point for discovering a region where history is not confined to museums, but continues to shape everyday life through centuries-old traditions, regional cuisine, sacred sites and remarkable natural landscapes.

JW Marriott opens in Solio Game Reserve, Kenya

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, has announced the opening of JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp in Solio Game Reserve in Laikipia, Kenya.

Sited between the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges, the camp introduces a wellness-focused safari experience where guests can slow down and connect with the reserve’s flora and fauna.

Solio Game Reserve is a 45,000-acre private conservancy, recognised for its longstanding role in rhino conservation, and is home to one of Africa’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos, alongside leopards, lions, waterbuck, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles and prolific birdlife.

Wildlife viewing takes place throughout the day, with guided game drives at sunrise and in the late afternoon. Night drives search for predators such as leopard, lion and spotted hyena, as well as elusive nocturnal species, including serval and caracal.

Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges opens for bookings

Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges, on the banks of the Son River within the Phong Nha–Ke Bang UNESCO World Heritage landscape, has just started taking bookings.

As the country’s newest regenerative eco-wellness retreat, Auko brings together immersive nature experiences, Vietnamese wellness traditions and environmentally responsible design – the property is Vietnam’s first EDGE Advanced-certified eco-wellness lodge.

Developed by Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC and managed by Lumina Wellbeing, Auko features just 30 elevated eco-wellness tented lodges, all thoughtfully constructed using renewable bamboo, reclaimed timber and climate-resilient design principles.

Satchmo SummerFest returns

Satchmo SummerFest returns to New Orleans on the first weekend of August, celebrating the life and legacy of jazz legend Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong in the city where he was born.

Held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the old US Mint, the free two-day festival brings together live jazz, local food and talks exploring Armstrong’s life and influence; the museum’s exhibitions remain open throughout the weekend.

Satchmo SummerFest is a more intimate event than the city’s larger festivals, giving visitors the chance to hear some of New Orleans’ finest musicians in the heart of the French Quarter. A highlight is the Satchmo Seminars, where historians, authors and musicians discuss Armstrong’s career and his lasting impact on jazz and popular culture and how he helped to shape the very identity of New Orleans.

Music festival in the Alentejo, Portugal

The annual Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM), one of the most distinctive classical music festivals in Portugal, runs from 24 July to 2 August this year. Concerts take place in historic venues throughout the medieval hilltop town of Marvão, including the Castelo de Marvão, ancient churches and open-air stages overlooking the Serra de São Mamede, and the nearby Roman Ruins of Ammaia.

The event brings together internationally acclaimed musicians, orchestras and emerging talent such as the Cologne Chamber Orchestra with Christoph Poppen, soprano Juliane Banse and violinist Ruifeng Lin for the opening gala at the Castelo de Marvão.

The ensemble will be playing the likes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”, Franz Schubert song and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy – Violin Concerto in E minor.

KAI Matsumoto opens in Japan

Hoshino Resorts’ KAI Matsumoto, located in Nagano Prefecture’s castle city of Matsumoto, will reopen on 4 August 2026 following an extensive renovation. Moving beyond the traditional boundaries of a classic onsen ryokan, KAI Matsumoto will combine the restorative qualities of Japan’s hot springs with local experiences, innovative dining and new guest offerings.

Eight different hot spring baths will allow guests to experience a variety of environments throughout their stay. The property will also celebrate Nagano’s wine culture and reputation for arts.In a first for the KAI brand, traditional kaiseki dining will be replaced by an Italian-inspired culinary concept using local ingredients.

Situated in the heart of Matsumoto, a city renowned for its historic castle, thriving arts scene and access to the Japanese Alps, the property is positioned to appeal to travellers seeking a deeper and more luxurious connection to one of Japan’s most culturally rich regions.