Independent · First-hand · 135 countries
This is
Luxury Travel
Hotels, villas, dive liveaboards, cruises, wellness retreats, business-class flights, festivals and sustainable resorts — reviewed in person by Julie
Explore by Topic
Eight Worlds of Luxury Travel
Every story on this site falls into one of these eight editorial worlds — and every review is grounded in first-hand experience.
Hotels & Villas
Independent reviews of the world's most exclusive resorts and private villa rentals.
Diving
Liveaboards, dive sites and underwater photography from Raja Ampat to the Maldives.
Cruises & Liveaboards
Polar expeditions, small-ship sailing and dive liveaboards across every ocean.
Tours & Activities
Day tours, road trips, kayaking, wine tours and one-day itineraries.
Wellness
Yoga teacher trainings, spa retreats and slow-travel wellbeing journeys.
Art & Music
Reviews of jazz festivals, biennales and music gatherings worth flying for.
Flights
Honest business-class flight reviews — Emirates, Etihad, Beond and more.
Sustainability
Conservation-led resorts, marine reserves and how to travel more responsibly.
Latest from the Magazine
Editor's Picks
Liveaboard · Indonesia
Emperor Harmoni Liveaboard Review: Raja Ampat Diving, Cabins, Food & Itinerary
New Hotel Openings
The Openings Worth Knowing About
New resorts, renovated icons and ambitious debuts — put in context, not just announced.
Hotels & Villas
Luxury Hotel & Villa Reviews
Resorts, jungle hideaways and private villa rentals — independently reviewed.
Diving
Diving Destinations & Liveaboards
A specialist authority on dive liveaboards and the world's greatest reefs.
Cruises & Liveaboards
Slow Passages, Extraordinary Waters
Polar expeditions, small-ship sailing and luxury yacht cruises.
Tours & Activities
Day Tours, Road Trips & Adventures
One-day itineraries, wine tours, kayaking and the activities worth booking.
Wellness
Yoga, Spa & Healing Retreats
Honest reporting from yoga teacher trainings, spa weeks and wellness retreats.
Art & Music
Festivals, Biennales & Culture
Reviews of jazz, electronic, world-music festivals and contemporary art events.
Flights
Business-Class Flight Reviews
In-depth reviews of business class with Beond, Etihad, Emirates and more.
Sustainability
Travel That Gives Back
Conservation-led resorts, marine reserves and responsible-travel guides.
About
Hi, I'm Julie
Travelling, yoga and scuba diving are what I do — 135 countries and more than 1,500 dives so far — and I share those experiences in depth here.
135 Countries Visited
Julie has personally traveled, dived and stayed in every place reviewed here.
First-Hand Reviews Only
We personally experience every property we review.
Specialist Dive Coverage
Deep, photo-led reporting on liveaboards from Raja Ampat to the Red Sea. Over 1500 dives accross all continents
Always on the road
Half the year on the road — covering Asia, Oceania and beyond — the rest writing it up.
Top Destinations
Our Top Destinations
An index of the regions and countries covered in the This is Luxury Travel archive.