2025 Gold List

Rawls & Me does not come with many traditions but there are a few. One of them is the Year in Sport on Strava and then, for the eighth year straight, my own Gold List for the most Tyler Brûlésque travelling experiences of the year past. With South Africa cancelled due to changed family circumstances, there has not been any overseas travel this year but, in the end, I was still able to rack up 14,384 miles above the clouds (about 30,000 less than last year). Obviously, the categories reflect this somewhat narrower radius, but I am still happy to present the following list.

Best hotel spa: Catalonia Reina Victoria, Ronda

Best outdoorsy experience: Surfing at Aethos Ericeira

Best airport lounge extravaganza: Pontus with Sofi

Best mountain getaway: The Nest, by Cooking & Nature, Porto de Mós

Best pseudo-Atlantic crossing: Queen Mary 2 with dad