Switzerland's International Concours of Elegance (ICE) is back this month at St. Moritz Lake. This event combines the thrill of motorsports with luxurious après-ski celebrations, making it a favorite among international scenesters who visit from all around the world.
The fascination with ice racing began 37 years ago, when a group of British athletes drove their vintage Bentleys to St. Moritz to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cresta Run. ICE founder Marco Makaus was inspired after watching the Bentleys glide across the frozen St. Moritz Lake. Finally, in 2019, his dream came true when the first preview of ICE was held.
The ICE St. Moritz was officially launched in 2022 and assembled more than 50 of the best automobiles, competing in five classes and racing around the frozen lake. The posh crowds sipped champagne as a piano bar and skating servers provided entertainment. True auto enthusiasts would socialize with fashionistas dedicated to making a dramatic statement off the ice in this ultra-exclusive social event of the season.
Now, every year, in the Engadine, Lake St. Moritz is transformed into the most spectacular backdrop for motor racing. The large display of classic and prestige cars is what makes the event so exciting. Lead sponsor Richard Mille felt joining the two brands would create a niche of excellence built on the typical intrinsic nostalgia of a classy lifestyle.
I spoke with ICE founder Marco Makaus, who says creating the classic event is one of the highlights of his career. “I have enjoyed for years the extraordinary atmosphere of the Horse Racing events held on the frozen lake of St.Moritz and their unique style where luxury is never detached from the sporting side of things. When you walk –or drive!- from terra firma to the lake surface, you always have a little shiver: after all, you are walking on water, an activity whose precedents set very high expectations.”
Creating a world-class event like ICE from a pre-COVID preview launch in 2019, “We could feel the buzz exploding during the very first day of the 2019 test event,” he says. “This was due to the live coverage via social media. Luckily, I had a team of younger staff, and they did a fantastic job. Their know-how and creativity were very helpful also in the Covid years when we could not stage the event, but we still kept our followers’ attention with great and uncommon photography.”
All of the annual events are different, as the venue itself morphs every year. “It gives us very specific challenges linked with temperature, ice thickness, environmental safety, and so on,” says Makaus. “Therefore, every year, we put up a new show. I doubt there is another location in the world with the same St. Moritz mix of features, so I
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
A stellar December with double-digit growth in hotel overnights from the UK helped make 2023 the most successful year for travel from the UK to Switzerland in over a decade. Compared to 2019 – before Covid – Switzerland recorded +2.8% of hotel overnight stays of UK travellers in 2023. At a recent conference in Zurich, Switzerland Tourism announced that of all European countries, the results for the UK stood out.
Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Geneva sits on the southern shores of Lac Léman in French-speaking Switzerland. The city is cradled by the Alps and Jura ranges with the tip of Mont Blanc is visible on a clear day. Not just the domain of bankers and diplomats, Geneva’s whimsical Vieille Ville is a hilly tangle of medieval plazas and monuments. The International Museum of the Red Cross is a sobering look into the latest humanitarian efforts. Directly on the lakeside, the Bains des Pâquis offer seasonal bathing (and winter saunas). These magnifique Airbnbs in Geneva, Switzerland, put you close to the lake and Place du Bourg-de-Four.
Situated between the waters of Lake Winona to the south and the finger-like channels of the Mississippi River to the north, the city of Winona, Minnesota, is best experienced outside. And while out-of-staters might assume this dynamic changes during the winter months, nothing could be further from the truth. Visitors to and locals in Winona know the joys of bundling up, grabbing a warm beverage, and communing with the season’s outdoor wonders.
First established as an East India Company trading post, Calcutta served as India’s capital under the British Raj between 1772 and 1911. It was officially renamed Kolkata in 2001 to reflect Bengali pronunciation and has become a center for culture and the arts with 13 major festivals occurring every year.
Whether it's crowd-free sandy bays, dramatic cliffscapes or marine life havens, travelers love a day out at the beach. Each year, travel review and advice site Tripadvisor releases a list of the world’s best beaches as part of its Travellers’ Choice Awards. The site analyses the tens of millions of reviews submitted by global travelers over the past 12 months and looks at the quality and quantity of ratings for beach experiences.
Chicago, voted number one ‘Big City in the US’ by Conde Nast Traveler and third ‘top city outside of Europe’ by Which!, offers the world’s top-rated hotels and the best B&Bs, high-end spas, world-class cuisine, swanky bars, architecture, art, music, and of course shopping.
Delta Air Lines has revealed that it’s offering a special flight for travelers who want to experience a total solar eclipse from the sky. On April 8, Delta flight 1218 will depart from Austin and land in Detroit, offering passengers a chance to view the solar eclipse “at its peak,” promises Delta.
The Grand Canyon, the Napa Valley, New Orleans — the United States' biggest draws need little in the way of introduction, having long captured imaginations across the globe. But in some ways, big isn't always best, at least where carbon footprints are concerned — and there are ways to take in the country's greatest hits without the correspondingly great environmental cost. From kayaking the Everglades to going electric in Washington, DC, here's how you can tread lightly while still enjoying the very best of the US.
More Americans are taking up golf than ever, according to the Professional Golf Association. During the pandemic, interest in solo outdoor pursuits flourished. And thanks to the popularity of shows like Netflix’s behind-the-scenes Full Swing and the rise of places like Topgolf, the sport is surging.
Experience some of Africa’s extraordinary wildlife while staying in one of these recently opened (or soon-to-debut) safari lodges and camps built for luxury travelers. Whether you’re searching for game, fine dining or an infinity pool overlooking the savanna, these properties offer an abundance of nature and nurturing.