Schön! alive | 2 | renewal

As spring brings re-birth, summer can carry with it a longing for renewal, whether that’s in the form of a well-deserved rest, a reinvigorating wellness journey or the adventure of a lifetime.

For this, the second edition of Schön! alive, I asked myself and my team what it meant to renew oneself (internally and externally), one’s space or even one’s way of seeing the world.

Wellness experiences naturally came to mind, but the quiet, powerful kind that transform from the inside out. And so, in this issue, we explore destinations that balance science and soul, from the gentle stillness of Namia River Retreat in Vietnam to the pioneering health approach at SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain and the sensorial luxury of the Vila Vita Spa in Portugal.

Our journey continues to Italy, where Luis Contreras, founder of Il Sereno Lago di Como, reveals the story behind one of the most serene hotels in Europe. In Milan, we enter The Longevity Spa at Portrait Milano, where Luigi Caterino leads us through next-gen wellness centred on good sleep.

In the height of summer, movement feels instinctive: we run, jump, dive, and then pause to reflect. For the summer 2025 edition of Schön! alive, we celebrate motion in all its forms: intentional, athletic and restorative.

In the Austrian Alps, we experience high-altitude luxury at PRIESTEREGG in Leogang and WIESERGUT in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, where design and nature combine to create stunning mountain escapes. Here we capture snowboarder Leon Vockensperger, styled in full AlphaTauri looks, as he effortlessly blends sport with style.

We meet Olympic rower Oliver Zeidler, who finds peak form through precision tech, while driver Nico Hulkenberg takes us inside the world of Formula 1 and tells us about his latest collaboration with LEGO.

Inspired, we head to Billund, Denmark, to explore LEGO House – a space where creativity and play are not just for kids. In the Maldives, we swim with majestic manta rays and experience marine conservation first hand at the Maamunagau Resort.

Wellness, adventure and a deeper connection with nature can also be found through food. We explore chef Surya Antara’s nature-infused philosophy at Open Kitchen in Buahan, Bali, Alexandre Mazzia’s soulful cuisine at his 3-Michelin-starred AM in Marseille and Chet Sharma’s warm and nostalgic approach at BiBi in London.

Five celebrated chefs from around the world also share recipes to recreate at home that are wholesome or that take your taste buds on an unexpected journey. And if adventurous dining appeals, join us on an expedition to intrepid supper clubs in some of the most awe-inspiring destinations on earth – from the starlit Maldives and the foothills of Mount Kenya to the Australian outback and a castaway Scottish island.

We then turn to craftsmanship and creativity and the projects that have the power to transform lives as well as spaces and forms. We speak to architects at OMA about designing for an ever-changing world. Kris Van Assche tells us why working on his bold new collaboration with Serax felt like a breath of fresh air. And finally, we celebrate the empowering Max Mara Art Prize for Women and the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize – both awards that can change the lives of their recipients as well as our perceptions of art.

This summer, we move – gently or boldly, outward or inward – knowing that every motion leads to renewal. And renewal, we believe, is the highest form of luxury.

 

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