‘Blue Zones’ may hold the key to future travel, lifestyle and longevity

WHAT constitutes a perfect holiday? Clearly, there are vastly divergent views on this. Pundits and peripatetics have long struggled with this conundrum, never quite finding a satisfying answer.

The Chinese, Japanese, Australians, Indians, Americans and Europeans all travel with different expectations. Europeans chase the sun, Indians detest the heat and favour mad monsoon binges. Some crave delicacy in food to intrigue the palate, others need head-exploding chillies and spice. Dreams are different country to country. When it comes to romance, one shoe will never fit all.

But it is clear that, whether on business or leisure, there is a common thread. This is the demand for practical how-to, where-to information based on accurate facts, a solid I-was-there viewpoint from seasoned journalists who know the difference between gin-blue seas and waste sludge being pumped directly into the bay. Honesty in travel has been one of the casualties of mass outreach and sales-driven propositions.