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 250th anniversary of the birth of Sir Walter Scott, 15th August 1771, is being celebrated not only in his native Scotland but around the literary world (who realises, incidentally, what ups and downs he had in his financial life as a result of continual share speculating?).

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in the quintessentially-English county of Dorset, is a textbook example of how even a possibly-dowdy luxury hotel can be brought to 2021-style WOW. After a decade away, I do admit I was amazed. Jack Mackenzie, the South African who runs the 25-room property with his wife Alex, a History of Art graduate and local fashionista sporting green shoes, today, came bounding over perfectly manicured lawns in greeting.

“I am not running a hotel but a couple of households,” says Andrew Folkes, GM of The Newt in Somerset, a unique all-life experience outside Bruton.

Aaron Kaupp, GM of London’s re-born icon, Carlton Tower, now a Jumeirah treasure, beamed with pride as he stood in the lobby awaiting the first guests last Monday, 26th July 2021. “In all my years in this marvellous business, I have never seen such energy and motivation. Watching some of my team members, after over three months’ onsite training, is an artistic highlight of passion,” he said.

How about a ‘soup’ that is not for drinking? At Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore, savvy spa-addicts may opt for La Mer Miracle Broth facial, a 90-minute treatment that apparently empowers skin renewal. While this is going on a live cellist plays.

This is a tale of a suite that does not exist. To save those of you who have Netflix-fan clients, there is a need to try to book Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme’s suite 813 – it was specially concocted for the second Lupin series, streaming now.

The Bradley Hare, in Maiden Bradley, is the ideal English pub for today, and tomorrow. Yes, the building, in the Wiltshire countryside 90 minutes west of London, goes back a couple of hundred years. It was put up in a clearing in the former Selwood Forest that is still part of the massive estate of the Duke of Somerset. It is now, as of April this year, completely made-over by three Millennial friends. One, James Thurstan Waterworth, is an antiques-loving interior designer. What more is needed?

With an increasing interest in longer, and often multi-stop stays, I wanted to pair a much-loved favourite, Sardinia’s massive Forte Village Resort, with its just-opened sibling, Palazzo Fiuggi. Allow for a 70-minute flight from Cagliari to Rome Ciampino, and then add on a 35-minute drive to Fiuggi, which is also, incidentally, only ten minutes from Frosinone railway station.

Keen cyclists will jump at the opportunity to experience the wind tunnel at Specialized global headquarters, only 30 minutes from the 131-key Rosewood Sand Hill resort outside Menlo Park, California. Hotel MD Philip Meyer, whose own favourite steed is a shiny-white Colnago, will also lead local rides, perhaps around nearby Stanford University, owner of this hotel. Yes, some areas around the 16-acre resort complex are hilly, but Meyer confirms that he does have electric bikes on hand. He also has a variety of new Mercedes, AMG Cabriolet, AMG Coupe, GLS SUV you can try out, for free, while staying here.

When I arrived at the hotel – coincidentally only 11 minutes’ drive from the station – I was immediately struck by the glorious flowers in the centre of the lobby, that reflected both sides. To the right, the open-plan bar led to two restaurants. This is a reflection, perhaps, that the hotel’s GM, David Collas, appreciates food, and other fine elements of life, through and through. He was born in Reims, France, the capital of the Champagne region, and although he continues to be particularly partial to Krug, it was food that won his life.