Near + Far

Tell us a little about you both, where you are based and what you do.

Isabella I spent eight years working in London across magazines and newspapers, and in 2021 a job opportunity in Dubai came up - a city I'd never even visited. Mid-lockdown 4.0, it sounded pretty dreamy, so I moved out here alone to become an editor at Condé Nast Traveller Middle East. Josh and I endured a four-month long-distance stint thanks to the red list, but he soon landed an incredible role launching the first Euro-cool lifestyle hotel in the Middle East with Ennismore.

I've always had an entrepreneurial streak (I blame my inability to be told what to do), so in January 2023 I launched my own travel magazine and media brand, Near+Far. We publish in print, digital and newsletter form. It's less about gloss, more about the authentic and intentionally slower side of travel. People's time feels more precious than money these days, so holidays have to be unforgettable. Alongside that, I'm an Academy Chair for The World's 50 Best Hotels, so I take the job of sussing out what makes a truly great hotel very seriously.

We're now happily based in Dubai with our two rescue cats, Florent and Cressida.

Josh In 2021, after a decade in luxury hospitality in London, we decided a change of scene was necessary both personally and professionally. Although we'd never visited before, Dubai proved to be an incredible choice - the hospitality scene is thriving. I loved London, but since moving here I've never looked back; the opportunities have been fantastic.

My first role was Marketing Director for the newly launched 25hours Hotel Dubai, followed by Group Marketing Director at EATX, a homegrown hospitality group with 24 venues. Most recently, I started my own marketing agency - something I've always wanted to do.

What is life like for you both in Dubai - how would you spend a perfect weekend 'at home', and what is it like for creatives working there?

Isabella I always say life in Dubai is easy - we're really spoiled here. In London, we rented, had no car, no pets… Within two years in Dubai we'd bought our first property, and this year we sold it and doubled in size with our second. Of course, the city has its glossy, superficial side, and there isn't as much to do as London, Paris or New York, but it's safe, sunny, comfortable and genuinely happy. Plus, the cultural scene is booming.

My ideal weekend? A run on the beach or tennis with Josh, followed by coffee and breakfast at a café in Alserkal. I'll usually swing by homeware stores like Assembly Vintage or Kklectic - I'm turning our duplex into a mid-century Mad Men-style den - before an evening on the sofa with my cats.

For creatives, there's plenty of inspiration: the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island are only an hour away, and Alserkal and Al Quoz are packed with homegrown brands, concept stores and galleries. I love Montroi and The Edit, and I'm excited for Nada Debs' new shop. This summer I've also booked photography classes and will be improving my skiing at Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.

Josh Life in Dubai is a lot of fun, from the beach to the brilliant homegrown restaurant scene, the coffee culture and our close-knit circle of friends, we feel lucky to be here. The city never sits still: it's constantly innovating with new initiatives, and that energy is contagious. Many of the expat community are young and entrepreneurial, which creates a vibrant environment.

The challenges? The long hot summers, and missing family and friends back in Europe. So we travel frequently, both to see loved ones and to explore new destinations in the region.

Because the working week is intense and never really stops, we often use weekends to recharge: a game of tennis, breakfast or brunch out, and usually a dinner or two with friends. We love hosting dinner parties, and with so many new restaurants opening, there's always somewhere to try. We occasionally get invited to experience luxury hotels, which makes a lovely change of scene.

For creatives, Dubai is dynamic and accessible. There are co-working spaces, cafés, members' clubs and hotels that double as remote offices, making it easy to connect with like-minded people.

How did Near+Far come about, and what do you hope to achieve?

Isabella After years in media, I realised I was essentially doing all the parts of a magazine already - so why not create my own? I also wanted to challenge the slightly negative perceptions of Dubai and the Middle East, and redefine the idea that luxury travel only means five-star resorts. For me, luxury can just as easily be a boutique hotel on a tucked-away Greek island, a family-run guesthouse with an organic farm, or discovering something far from the crowds. Friends often told me they saved my recommendations, which gave me the final push.

The Middle East is full of passionate travellers with disposable income who truly value their escapes, so it felt like the right place to launch. Looking ahead, I'd love to expand into interiors, and eventually create a private travel concierge so readers can book the trips we feature. I already plan many of my friends' holidays, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them have an amazing trip.

What does your company focus on, Josh?

Josh I own a boutique marketing agency, JCRADS & PARTNERS, which works with clients across hospitality, interior design and destination marketing, taking a 360-degree approach. It's the first business I've launched, and the reception has been fantastic. I'm thoroughly enjoying working with such an incredible range of clients across so many aspects of marketing.

If you could choose three destinations to buy a home in, where would they be?

Isabella We're always having this conversation and I spend far too much time on property websites! Cape Town is top of my list; I'm from there, and the lifestyle is unbeatable: food, wine, mountains, beach, nature, city, sunshine. Somewhere in Stellenbosch would be perfect.

In Europe, we're seriously considering Mougins, a dreamy Provençal hilltop village with valley and coast views. It has a countryside feel but is just 15 minutes from Antibes and Cannes. We stayed there two years ago and loved its artistic vibe - Picasso lived and died there.

And then, Athens. We've already been twice this summer (I'm writing this from there) and we go almost every year. The buzz is incredible right now - amazing new openings like Ace Hotel & Swim Club alongside icons like Four Seasons Astir Palace (our favourite resort in the world). You can move between the Riviera and city in 30 minutes, and some coastal areas feel like the Greek islands. In two hours you can be in Hydra, Spetses or Tinos - our personal favourites. I'd happily buy an apartment in Glyfada near the upcoming Ellinikon development.

Josh We think about this a lot! The South of France is high on the list for its food and wine, I've been going to Villefranche-Sur-Mer since I was young. London too, of course. It is the best city in the world to visit, and somewhere we'll always return to. Cape Town is another, as I've been visiting for the past decade, and with Is's family there it feels like home.

Ibiza has also become a serious consideration. The idea of renovating a historic property in Dalt Vila is very appealing. It's a timeless, fun destination with everything to offer and is increasingly year-round.

Any travel trends you're noticing right now that might inspire our members' next trip?

Isabella The biggest shift is that people are spending more than ever. Hotels are the busiest -and priciest - I've ever seen, which shows just how much travel has been prioritised post-Covid.

There's also a return of the all-inclusive, but elevated: not the package-holiday stereotype, but a luxury, full-board version that removes all effort from the equation. Longer stays and off-season escapes are also popular now that remote working is so common.

Slow travel is, of course, a trend - staying longer and getting under the skin of a destination - but honestly, life feels faster than ever. People want to seize the moment, and I'm guilty of stringing together multiple destinations in one trip (especially in Europe). What I'm really seeing is efficient travel: hotels launching their own jets and yachts, private air travel booming, all designed to make the journey smoother so guests can enjoy the destination more.

Josh This might be more relevant to content marketing than guests themselves, but I think there's been a shift: people are now choosing destinations based on how they make them feel, rather than the location itself. Living in the UAE, we've experienced this ourselves.

Our trips have shifted towards places that restore what we miss most: fresh produce, clean air, real sunshine, natural wines, uncomplicated food and rustic peace. In a way, it's a form of bio-hacking - using travel to recalibrate body and mind.