Australia claims third largest percentage of citizens with Irish roots (top slot is the USA, followed by Canada). At last count, 10% of Australians said ancestors came from the Emerald Isle. Many know Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, home ground of Six Nations and many other prestigious sports events.

At least a considerable part of Switzerland’s wealth, in the form of gold, at least, was hidden in bunkers under Gstaad Palace during WWII. No, it has long since been taken away, legitimately – but there are still so many reasons for heading for this 100-room Swiss gem.

The Leading Hotels of the World has introduced a new learning and sales companion for travel advisors.

The Leading Hotels of the World has welcomed eight new members to its portfolio and a pipeline of 13 highly anticipated new builds debuting in 2021.

Mid-way between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne, a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées, where the heart of Paris beats, you’ll find La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa, overlooking the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower, the Pantheon and the Concorde obelisk.

Even arriving at the sumptuous Dolder Grand makes you feel better: the Mercedes S-Class, lined in soft champagne leather, purrs up, 15 minutes from Zurich’s airport. The hilltop 1899-vintage fairytale turreted castle, pride of the lush four-hectare estate, is flanked by Norman Foster’s four-storey moustache-like wings.

Together with Craig Adamson of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ritz Paris welcomed Sydney media to a private villa in Darling Point for a sit-down lunch with harbour views. The hotel’s GM, Christian Boyens and director of communications and PR, Mélanie Hubert, also joined with the director of Air France’s first-class product, La Première, Pierre de Saint-Albin; and Air France country sales manager, Australia and New Zealand, Quentin Voss.