Page 20 - Travel Leisure - USA (February 2020)

ESPITE ITS OCEANFRONT real estate and
D I S C O V E R I E S area were always lacking in high-end properties to
D
proximity to the Great Barrier Reef,
the city of Cairns and the surrounding

match those million-dollar views. Now a host of
recent arrivals and overhauled stalwarts are rolling
out the red carpet—along with initiatives that
ensure the delicate reef ecosystem will endure.
In Cairns proper, catch views of the glittering
Marlin Marina from the updated Shangri-La
Hotel, the Marina (shangri-la.com; doubles from
$149). All 255 guest rooms have balconies

and a modern, airy aesthetic. The Riley
(crystalbrook collection.com; doubles from $209)
and the Bailey (from $209) are the first of three
Crystalbrook Collection hotels in Cairns, all of Treasures
which emphasize responsible luxury, with local
sourcing, plastic-free policies, and partnerships from Far
with conservation groups such as Citizens Main image: Silvia
of the Great Barrier Reef. The final property, and Wide Furmanovich hand-
the Flynn, is slated to open this spring. painted floral earrings,
price upon request.
Located off Cairns in the Whitsundays, This season’s most covetable Clockwise from top right:
jewelry is deeply imbued with Silvia Furmanovich
the family-friendly, 277-room Daydream Island
i
(daydream sland.com; doubles from $271) a sense of place. Let these pieces butterfly earrings, price
upon request; Dubini
relaunched in April with neutral tones and objets from three up-and-coming
Chersonesos Lion ring,
d’art. At the Living Reef, a shallow lagoon that brands spark your wanderlust. $3,050, and Empires
wraps around the resort’s main building, guests BY SIOBHAN REID choker, $6,410.
can observe coral and more than 100 species
of other sea life, and learn how they can help
preserve these unique marine environments.
Travelers can get a deeper look at the AXENOFF SILVIA FURMANOVICH
ecosystem with an overnight at Reefsuites Designer Petr Axenoff São Paulo jeweler Silvia
cites Russia’s rich artistic Furmanovich goes to the
(cruise whitsundays.com; doubles from $799 per
heritage—from Tchaikovsky’s Brazilian Amazon to
person), a two-suite moored pontoon with beds
compositions to the encounter the flora and
that face floor-to-ceiling underwater windows. Symbolist paintings of Mikhail fauna that inspire her work.
Coral farming and transplant efforts help keep Vrubel—as the inspiration Her colorful, whimsical
the reef healthy and thriving. for his creations. Try on pieces—butterfly-shaped CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF DUBINI; COURTESY OF SILVIA FURMANOVICH (2); COURTESY OF DUBINI; COURTESY OF MODA OPERANDI
Axenoff’s cocktail rings and earrings, brooches made
There are new reasons to journey inland, too,
pearl chokers at his Moscow from preserved orchid
l
such as Silky Oaks Lodge (silkyoaks odge.com.au; showroom, housed within petals—mix semiprecious
tree houses from $440), a collection of secluded the manor on which Tolstoy stones with seashells and
tree houses on rehabilitated farmland in based the Rostov Estate in other natural materials.
War and Peace. axenoff.com. silvia furmanovich.com.
the Daintree Rainforest. It’s within reach of
the reef, with a lush setting that’s a refreshing DUBINI
change of scenery from the usual beach retreat, Roman designer Benedetta
and has a low-impact approach that prizes the Axenoff drop Dubini sources ancient
natural environment. In addition to sailing tours, earrings, $2,400. currency, like coins featuring
busts of Roman emperors
Silky Oaks offers bushwalks and driving safaris—
minted two millennia ago.
just the thing to cap off a coastal adventure. Then, using traditional Italian
techniques, she transforms
them into one-of-a-kind
pieces, like pendants set
For help planning a Great Barrier Reef itinerary, in yellow gold and adorned
contact T+L A-List travel advisor Suzy Mercien-Ferol with garnet and citrine
(suzy.mercien@touringtreasures). cabochons. dubini.co.uk.

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