N A V I G A T O R 03

N A V I G A T O R 03 NEWS SAUNDERS HONOURS PIONEER SHACKLETON Sir Ernest Shackleton led three British expeditions to the Antarctic against all the odds, bringing his men back safely and pushing the boundaries of exploration. No stranger to adversity, Land Rover Adventure Ambassador Ben Saunders has written an enlightening book celebrating the achievements of this incredible pioneering explorer, detailing the expeditions and revealing his leadership qualities. Saunders, a polar explorer who has navigated treacherous conditions to make it to the ends of the Earth, brings to life both Shackleton’s great strides forward – and the setbacks – on his groundbreaking Endurance expedition. It's a unique perspective on perhaps the most extraordinary survival story of all time. FIND OUT MORE Explore the new book at penguin.co.uk Discover more on bensaunders.com PHOTOGRAPHY: MARTIN HARTLEY / DDP IMAGES 14

04 TRAVEL OPEN YOUR MIND Bhutan, a magical kingdom of mountains and imposing valleys nestling to the east of the Himalayas between Tibet, Assam, West Bengal and Sikkim is a relative newcomer to global travel only welcoming its first tourists as recently as 1974. Translated literally, Bhutan means “the end of Tibet” but is known more popularly as Druk Yul or the “Land of the Thunder Dragons”. Rich in monasteries, clinging tenaciously to almost sheer mountain faces, this remote nation clearly has a unique sense of humour measuring itself in terms of Gross National Happiness instead of the more usual GDP. Globalisation has not thus far left its footprint in this fairy tale location. That said, the renaissance in bespoke travel in the style of the great journeys of the past has finally discovered Bhutan. From 2018, five new satellite resorts in various locations across the kingdom, each dedicated to one of the five senses can be booked as one package. The first in the capital Thimphu focuses on the rich cultural design heritage, with clean modern interiors featuring rich wood panelling and natural stone. The second location in Punakha is a traditional farmhouse amid fertile terraces, with traditional Bhutan décor. The third resort in Gangtey features more weathered timbers and warm leather furniture and a unique bird watching bridge. Bumthang in the middle of a forest, features enormous windows and is a celebration of outdoor life. The final resort in Paro is adjacent to an old stone dwelling and has been designed to encourage travellers to talk about what they have seen and experienced. Much more than just an unusual holiday destination a trip to Bhutan is perhaps best described as a journey within a journey. Could this be the happiest place on Earth? Gnarled wood panels abound in Gangtey. Below: mystic mountains and fertile terraces are the perfect canvas FIND OUT MORE To discover the magic of Bhutan see: www.sixsenses.com/about-us/new-openings 15