Explora Journeys is the privately owned luxury ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, defined by space and privacy. At the heart of the brand is the Ocean State of Mind – a philosophy shaped by time at sea, thoughtful design, and the freedom to choose how each day unfolds. Immersive itineraries pair celebrated destinations with lesser-travelled ports, allowing for deeper exploration and a more fluid style of travel.
Across the fleet, Explora Journeys delivers an all-oceanfront experience, with spacious suites, penthouses and residences conceived as refined homes at sea. Floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces, and residential-style interiors create a strong sense of openness, while an abundance of space and privacy is a defining hallmark of the Explora Journeys experience, with more open-air deck space per guest. The ships also offer an industry-leading host-to-guest ratio, with almost one host per guest, supporting an unhurried onboard rhythm.

Culinary experiences span multiple dining environments, from elegant restaurants to relaxed all-day venues, complemented by a collection of bars and lounges designed for different moments throughout the day. Wellness is fully integrated into life on board through dedicated spa and fitness facilities, outdoor decks and a holistic programme that reflects the brand’s deep connection to the ocean. Service is intuitive and discreet, informed by Mediterranean sensibilities and Swiss hospitality standards.

The fleet currently comprises EXPLORA I, launched in July 2023, and EXPLORA II, launched in September 2024. Expansion continues with EXPLORA III launching in summer 2026, followed by EXPLORA IV and EXPLORA V in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in 2028.

The next chapter for the brand arrives with EXPLORA III, launching in July 2026. An ultra-elegant expression of ocean travel, that benefits from LNG-powered technology, EXPLORA III will introduce a standout Owner’s Residence designed by internationally acclaimed architect Patricia Urquiola, as well as new culinary concepts, enlarged spa and fitness facilities designed for a more immersive wellbeing experience, and elevated onboard retail, including Chopard’s first boutique at sea. EXPLORA III will sail an exclusive Mediterranean Prelude before heading to Northern Europe, Iceland, and Greenland later in 2026.

Perowne International has officially expanded its global footprint into Latin America, marking the milestone with a series of launch events in Mexico City. The move follows a period of significant growth for the consultancy, strategically linking its flourishing Milan and Madrid operations with the rising influence of the Spanish-speaking luxury market.

Sibbjäns began quietly, the combined dream of Jonas Nordlander and Sanna Rönn, who with close friends and many meaningful couples Pontus and Kina Zeidler share a life between Stockholm and Gotland. Over the past four years, they have steadily transformed this former horse farm into a regenerative stay that feels singular to anywhere else in Scandinavia.

After a soft opening in 2025 for friends and family, the farm stay now enters 2026 as its first full season, opening more intentionally to a like-minded global community drawn to nature, food, and thoughtful design.

A PLACE TO REST

22 individually designed rooms sit across the Hotel and ‘The Bunkhouse,’ each named after important women in the family and among their friends. Adorned with classic Scandi touches of sheepskin throws, limewashed walls, soft palettes, and contemporary art, the spaces are designed for comfort.

Buildings are framed by wildflowers and constructed using traditional methods, much of the work completed by hand, with local craftsmanship central to the process. Architect Maja Berg has been a key contributor, working alongside Erik Larsson, a Master of Gotlandic Craft Heritage, who built some of the original buildings himself and continues to pass on traditional building knowledge to the next generation.

THE KITCHEN FOLLOWS THE FARM

At the heart of Sibbjäns is a working farm home to hens, Mangalitza pigs, horses, and sheep, with agriculture guiding both the kitchen and the guest experience.

In the gardens, lead gardener and local Karin Winarve brings a quiet hand to what thrives here across meadows, vegetable beds, and fruit-growing plots. Produce is grown on-site and harvested seasonally, forming the backbone of a true farm-to-table approach—one that pauses entirely during the winter months when the land rests.

EXPERIENCES & ‘VIKING WELLNESS’

New for the 2026 season, wellbeing at Sibbjäns is restorative rather than prescriptive. Inspired by Nordic traditions and the physicality of outdoor life, the evolving wellness offering includes:

• A hand-built yoga barn

• A wood-fired sauna

• An outdoor gym

• Recreational spaces

• The beginnings of what will become one of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts.

The surrounding landscape invites guests to engage with nature on its own terms, from cycling or horse riding across open farmland to kitesurfing along Gotland’s windswept coastline (widely regarded as one of the finest spots in Europe for the sport). This is ‘Viking wellness’ in spirit—elemental, grounding, and quietly transformative.

SWEDEN’S ‘SUNSHINE ISLAND’

Gotland is Sweden’s sunniest destination, known for its distinctive light, limestone landscapes, and strong ‘right to roam’ ethos. Open from Easter through to Christmas and closed entirely during the dark winter months, Sibbjäns follows the natural calendar rather than resisting it.

Reaching it is part of the journey:

• A short flight from Stockholm to the island’s capital of Visby, followed by a drive across the island.

• A ferry crossing that reinforces the sense of arrival somewhere distinct and deliberately unhurried.

• For those preferring a more direct approach, arrival by helicopter is also possible.

At its core, Sibbjäns remains a place for friends old and new built slowly, grounded in nature, and designed to endure.

Read on for our full report

The Newt in Somerset presents Live Well, a new series of three restorative retreats launching in 2026, designed to support physical vitality, mental clarity and seasonal wellbeing.