SANTA ROSA, USA –The 16th annual edition of The Global Scavenger Hunt, known among travel cognoscenti as the world travel championship, is set to take place over 23-days between April 17 and May 9, 2020, is now accepting applications for entry. Eager Indiana Jones-types of adventurers and curious travelers wanting to test their travel IQ against other travelers in an extraordinary around-the-world travel adventure competition that crowns The World’s Greatest Travelers, can apply at GlobalScavengerHunt.com.
“Competitions, trophies and titles provide inspiration,” says Event Director William Chalmers, “We want the best international travelers to participate. The 2020 event will find out if travel writers and bloggers know the world as well as they claim to; whether social media influencers and travel agents can go beyond their staged selfies and glossy brochures; and whether some of the world’s ‘most traveled people’ and Amazing Race wannabe’s actually have any real-world travel skills. Winning our event is the ultimate test and proof.”
The 2020 event will pit savvy international travelers against each other by taking them on A Blind Date with the World, visiting ten secret destinations without any prior preparation, and then have them unravel a constant blitz of highly authentic, participatory and challenging culturally-oriented scavenges along the way, like: meditating with monks, training elephants, taking flamenco lessons, cooking local dishes with local chefs, searching out Lost Cities, cracking sacred temple mysteries, joining in local celebrations, and learning local languages enough to decipher their scavenger hunt clues. Trusting strangers in strange lands will be their focus as they circle the globe for three weeks. The event has touched foot in 85 countries to date.
The title of The World’s Greatest Travelers and free trip around the world to defend their titles in the 2021 event await the travelers worthy enough to win the 16th edition of the world travel championship.
Event participation is open but limited; the $25,000 per team entry fee includes all international airfare, First Class hotels, 40% of meals, and special event travel gear. All travelers are interviewed for suitability and single travelers are welcome to apply. For additional information please visit GlobalScavengerHunt.com, or contact GreatEscape Adventures Inc., at +1.310.281.7809. (CST#2071053-40)
On
one issue I take exception to the courageous climate activist, Greta Thunberg:
travel – even airline travel – is not the enemy of the climate action crusade,
travel is its best ally. She may have taken two weeks to sail the Atlantic to
reach the United Nations Climate Action Summit, but the thousands of diplomats
and heads of state she scolded and shamed into action, could not.
“What would happen if we
stopped traveling, stopped flying? Would we save the planet or unleash a global
conservation crisis? There would be global conservation crisis,” asserted Costas
Christ, chairman of The TreadRight Foundation, a philanthropy created by The
Travel Corporation’s 42 brands, to preserve and protect the planet, people and
wildlife.
Christ, who came out of
the Wildlife Conservation Society, pointed to the three great forests on the
planet – New Guinea, Amazon Basin, Central African rainforest including Gabon. But
in the early 2000s, Gabon’s economy was dependent on mining and timber
concessions.
The Wildlife
Conservation Society went to Gabon’s president and said, “If you continue
mining, cutting trees, the party is over in 50 years, but if put aside area for
conservation, travelers will come, alleviate poverty and save the forest – your
great grandchildren will be able to make their livelihood here.
“With stroke of Gabon
President’s pen, he created 11 national parks, protecting 13 million acres –
Travel Matters,” Christ said. “Travel is
the alternative to exploitation – preserve and protect instead of poach and
encroach.”
“If travelers did not go to the African
continent, the future would be unrelenting poverty. Travel is hope,
conservation.”
Colombia, where The
Travel Corporation has introduced new travel programs, is one of the 30 places
on the planet which are the “Noah’s Ark of Life,” a biodiversity hot spot harboring
one out of 10 species.
“If we are able to help Colombia protect its natural
resources we will protect the second largest biodiverse place on the
planet.”
“We make an impact when
travel supports conservation, protects wildlife and alleviates poverty. Travel
matters when it is planned, managed well, sustainable. Then magic happens – we
deliver on our promise to make the world a better place.
It is significant that
travel benefits the destinations, but travel also enriches individuals, in a
mutually virtuous circle.
What is wanderlust and why
do we seek out other places? Christ asks. Marco Polo understood. So did John
Steinbeck, who, in
his Pulitzer-Prize winning book, wrote:
A journey
is a person in itself; no two are alike.
And all plans, safeguards, policies and coercion are
fruitless.
We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip;
a trip takes us.
Mark Twain, who actually was a travel writer, wrote in “The
Innocents Abroad,” “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and
narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.
Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by
vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Costas Christ
traveled to meet the Dalai Lama, who travels constantly, to ask ‘Why travel?.’ “He said, ‘in ancient Tibetan ‘gropa’ is
the word for human being, but the literal meaning is ‘one who goes on
migrations.’ We define the essence of being human to travel – to travel is to
be human.
“We think of the word
‘progress’ as hitting goals, but to pro-gress is a kind of travel. In Middle English,
“progress” means “to go on a seasonal journey” – so success is a journey,
success is linked to travel.”
The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created 10 years ago as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, takes a percentage of profit from 42 companies to make sure goes to projects that make a difference. TreadRight supports 55 projects in 280 communities in 26 countries in three basic categories: planet, people and wildlife.
TTC, a member of the World Travel & Tourism Council, is
joining in a commitment for the industry – which accounts for one in 10 jobs
around the world and accounts for 10% of the global economy, to become carbon
neutral by 2050. TTC will also take steps to eliminate plastics through its
supply chain, and reduce carbon emissions.
“We’re committed to be carbon neutral before 2050 and not through carbon offsets. Carbon is what’s destroying climate, not offsets,” Brett Tollman, Chief Executive, The Travel Corporation and Founder, The TreadRight Foundation. said at a reception marking TreadRight’s 10 years.
“We are at an unfortunate tipping point, where unless we careful, this industry will be the poster for all that’s bad,” he said. “We have the opportunity to make change, but we have to be courageous.”
But though travel –
particularly airline travel – does have a carbon cost (until the technologies
improve), not traveling would be far worse for the quest of saving the planet
and communities from the impacts of climate change and promoting a more just
society.
Christ points to places devastated
by climate catastrophe that have rebounded because of tourism, communities and
cultures destroyed by war and conflict, like Bosnia and Croatia, rebuild and
thrive because of the economic support of travel dollars.
For example, working with the Jordan tourism Board, TreadRight
supports the Queen Noor Iraq Alamei, a
cooperative that employs women as potters and artisans – giving women jobs
outside the home but within the village. With TreadRight support, the
cooperative built up a gift shop and opened an Air BnB.
New
travel programs in Colombia help create a wildlife nursery and install solar
panels, while another program in Sierra Nevada, through Trafalgar, creates an opportunity
for visitors to be hosted by a family.
“Travel
is an incredible gift. It has the ability to open our eyes to the unique
cultures and spellbinding beauty of the natural world. But with this gift comes
a responsibility – to protect the world as we know it. At TreadRight, our
mission is clear; to have a positive impact on the people and communities we
visit, to protect wildlife and marine life, and to care for the planet we call
home.”
Craig
Kielburger, the co-founder of WE charity, explained how Treadright’s family of
travel companies is partnering with We.org, which builds schools, promotes
sustainable agriculture, brings pure water to communities – to offer programs
in which travelers can immerse themselves into that community.
In partnership
with ME to WE, travelers have the opportunity to visit three iconic
destinations: India, the Ecuadorian Amazon and Kenya. In conjunction with TTC,
guests can book ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip extensions on upcoming set
departure dates or as a requested custom trip. Travelers stay among local communities in comfortable
lodges, owned and operated by ME to WE. All meals, ground transfers,
transportation and local sightseeing excursions hosted by an expert facilitator
are included.
You
can run with the Masai, help build a school, see what it feels like to have to
carry water barrels on your back; stay in a family’s home in Ecuador; in India,
visit an elephant rescue preserve instead of riding on one. (See TreadRight.org site, https://www.TreadRight.org/trips/).
“Travel is a privilege,”
said Celine Cousteau, a documentary filmmaker and TreadRight Ambassador and
storyteller. “Experience places and people, become a part of who they are.
Travel fosters profound change. Travelers become storytellers. Traveling on an
airplane has a carbon footprint, yes, but the value it brings more than
compensates. Travel is an opportunity to
bring a thriving economy, conserve, preserve. Make a choice to do good and if
travel, make it count.”
TTC’s ‘Make Travel Matter’ Pledge
TreadRight has made
#maketravelmatter its mission and its theme and on this year’s World Tourism
Day, made this pledge:
“This World Tourism Day, Friday, September 27th, 2019, engaged citizens will examine the positive impact travel has on the globe and TreadRight is making its commitment public to Make Travel Matter,” the company stated.
Inspired by Palau’s First Lady, Debbie
Remengesau who introduced the Palau Pledge, every one of TTC’s 10,000 team
members and 42 companies worldwide are committing to make travel matter, with
its new official pledge standing to help protect people, planet and wildlife.
In celebration of World Tourism Day, all members of TTC’s family of brands will
use the opportunity to stand up and personally commit to share TreadRight’s
ethos as travelers, as travel providers and as members of the global travel
industry.
“Our Make Travel Matter Pledge is another step on our journey and an impactful one as it further solidifies our commitment to helping protect the destinations we work with, its communities and local wildlife,” Tollman said. “As responsible travelers, TreadRight’s ethos has become part of our company’s DNA and what we stand for, and we share our pledge with our guests as well as partners in hopes they will join us.”
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER PLEDGE
I will make my travel matter –
for our planet, for people and for wildlife.
When I explore this planet, I
will do my best to TreadRight.
I will refuse single use
plastics when I can and recycle what I cannot avoid.
When possible, I will offset my
travels.
When I meet new people, I will
honor their home as I do my own and do so in the spirit of diversity and
inclusion. I will purchase locally made items wherever possible and pay a fair
price.
When I experience wildlife, I will do so in nature.
I will not ride animals that
ought not be ridden, nor support animal cruelty in any way.
Together, we will TreadRight
upon the earth – and we will make our travel matter.
For more information about TTC, visit www.ttc.com.
TreadRight
is not the only entity that facilitates authentic, transformative, responsible travel
experiences – there is a whole travel industry subcategory, many represented by
Center for Responsible
Travel (responsibletravel.org), Global
Sustainable Tourism Council (gstcouncil.org), Earthcheck
(earthcheck.org) and the Rainforest Alliance (https://www.rainforest-alliance.org).
On World Tourism Day 2019, Patricia Affonso-Dass, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association offered this message:
The theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”, is particularly relevant for the Caribbean because no other sector creates more jobs or more opportunities in a wider variety of professions and skills.
In addition to the 2.5 million people employed directly, many more
benefit indirectly from the industry’s contributions to Caribbean health,
wealth, education and the environment. Our infrastructure, schools, hospitals,
public services, and parks and recreation facilities are all helped by this
dynamic and growing industry – already the world’s largest sector but also its
fastest growing.
The 2017 hurricanes and Hurricane Dorian that devastated some of
our destinations reinforced the indispensable role of tourism in our lives.
They remind us that for each tourism employee unable to work because of the
storms, many members of their families were also affected.
Initiatives such as “Tourism Jobs for Bahamians”,
just launched by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) together
with the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), are finding interim jobs
for displaced industry professionals.
There will be more jobs as tourism recovers from the hurricanes
and the industry resumes its healthy growth trend, and our task is to spread
the benefits more equitably to a wider cross section of our people. We want to
ensure women, youth, minorities, and the differently abled have open gateways
to employment, ownership and leadership within the industry. There are over
1,000 different job and career paths in the industry, a fifth of which are at
supervisory and management levels. Increasing diversity always strengthens
companies and organizations, especially in tourism. Our visitors come from a
wide range of backgrounds, so our people who welcome visitors to our shores
should also reflect the full spectrum of our rich human diversity.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, with the support of
many of the region’s local associations and our members, is earnest about its
mandate to develop our industry’s human resources. Well over 500 Caribbean
nationals have received higher education scholarships through the CHTA
Education Foundation. More than 1,000 chefs and several hundred bartenders have
honed their skills through professional development opportunities that CHTA and
the industry have provided through our Taste of the Caribbean initiative.
Thousands of employees have benefited from industry-sponsored
professional development training, including over 500 who attended
“diversity in the workplace” courses over the past year. Earlier
this year, CHTA launched its Young Leaders Initiative, in which dozens of
young people are developing their leadership skills and their understanding of
the industry and the opportunities it offers.
This does not include the additional investments that independent
hotels, resort brands, airlines, tour operators, attractions, taxi and
transportation providers, vendors and other industry stakeholders, with their
human resource professionals and employees, are making every day to deliver
exceptional hospitality.
Building upon a rich foundation, we have the responsibility to
make more opportunities to develop our people and our industry, anticipating
technological and consumer demand-driven changes which are now a constant. The
recent collapse of the world’s oldest travel agency offers more lessons. While
never losing sight of the fundamentals of hospitality, the dynamics of our
industry demands our adaptability and responsiveness to change if we are not to
face a similar fate.
Tourism can benefit every corner of our region and so on
this World Tourism Day, we celebrate the importance of the industry
and the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities it represents. We resolve
individually and collectively, as businesses, governments and education and
training institutions, to continue to invest in our people.
In the Caribbean, “Tourism is Everyone’s Business”.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the
Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel
and tourism associations. For more than 50 years, CHTA has been the backbone of
the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied
members, and 33 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s
future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to
navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative
issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or,
looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is
helping members on issues which matter most.
Four Seasons Resort Nevis sponsors GPS satellite transmitters to support the Sea Turtle Conservancy track the migration patterns of sea turtles that return to Nevis to lay their eggs, and this year, even with the Resort’s ongoing renovation, the research needed to continue.
NEVIS, WEST INDIES – From June to October, the beaches of Nevis come alive with the scurrying of one of nature’s most beloved animals, the sea turtle. Each year, the partnership between Four Seasons Resort Nevis and the Sea Turtle Conservancy aims to educate and create awareness about the protection of these beautiful sea creatures through a joint program that helps researchers study the migration patterns of the endangered species that nest on Nevis’ beaches.
Four Seasons Resort
Nevis sponsors GPS satellite transmitters to support the Sea Turtle Conservancy
in tracking the migration patterns of sea turtles that return to Nevis to lay
their eggs, and this year, even with the Resort’s ongoing renovation, the
research needed to continue.
“This is our 13th
year coming to Nevis and conducting research on these beautiful hawksbill sea
turtles,” says David Godfrey, Executive Director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
”For us, this partnership is more than just the research; it’s an opportunity
to be a part of the Nevisian community year after year and see how much they
truly value our efforts and being a part of this very important
initiative.”
Along with the help of
the Nevis Turtle Group and Ignacio Ottley, one of longest
standing sea turtle participants from the Resort, the team was able to
successfully locate and track two new nesting hawksbill sea turtles on the
beaches of Cades Bay, located just 15 minutes from Four Seasons.
As they headed out to
the beach in the late evening, no sooner had they spotted the first turtle
nesting along the beach. The conservation team began taking notes,
measurements, and nesting patterns when another turtle began to make its way up
the banks, just a few steps away. And, just like that “Spongie” and “Patches”
were cleaned up, tagged and sent back to the ocean.
Just one week before the
team came to Nevis, the Nevis Turtle Group was already out looking for turtles
when they found “Sundrop” nesting on Jones Bay Beach. Initially tagged in 2016,
her return to Nevis shows the thriving population on the island and that the
turtles do come back to nest on the same beaches.
Three species of sea turtles nest on the shores of Nevis: the hawksbill, the leatherback, and the green turtle. These majestic creatures journey hundreds of miles each nesting season to return to the same place where they were hatched and, under the glow of the moonlight, lay the next generation of sea turtles that will one day make the same journey. With only 1 in 1,000 to 10,000 baby sea turtles surviving to adulthood, the sea turtle conservation program needs to continue tracking and protecting these animals for future generations. To follow the tagged sea turtles, visit ConserveTurtles.org.
Four-day Eclipse trip in Chile with
daily guided excursions and overnights in luxury Sibley tents for four
days/three nights starting at $3150.00 per person.
Lost World Adventures is offering a Four-day Total Eclipse of the Sun trip in Chile with daily guided excursions and overnights in luxury Sibley tents for four days/three nights starting at $3150.00 per person.
Chile will be privileged once again with another Solar Eclipse that will occur near the city of Pucon in the Chile Lake District on December 14th, 2020. A specially-designed Glamping site will be setup in the area with a 4-day itinerary that will allow guests to explore the different natural and cultural aspects of the Araucania area, home of the Mapuche culture, prior to the Solar Eclipse.
Overnight accommodations are in classic Sibley tents. From an original design dating back to 1856, the Sibley tents provide a luxurious stay in a comfortable environment, to revive the style of the camps that were mounted by European aristocratic travelers. The tents are 220 square feet in area. Made of 100% cotton canvas, they are waterproof with natural breathability. Pre-trip and post-trip options include the Chile Lake District, Torres del Paine National Park, Santiago and the surrounding Wine Region, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island.
Rate: Price from $3,150.00 per person, based on double occupancy
Includes: 4 days/3 nights Temuco Airport transfers Accommodations in Sibley-style tents All meals including buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner Guided excursions
Excludes: International and domestic airfare Round-trip airfare Santiago-Temuco – $120, per person, based on 2019 fares
Guests on the Belmond Royal Scotsman can choose to explore the night skies with a private stargazing excursion in the Cairngorms National Park complete with a certified astrologer whilst a late-night picnic is served under the stars, among the new bespoke excursions the luxury sleeper train has introduced.
Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland’s only luxury sleeper train, has introduced bespoke excursions that takes guests off the rails and into the wilds of Scotland. Guests can now tailor their itinerary by choosing from a range of activities including stargazing under some of the darkest skies in Europe, in the Cairngorms; hiking the gorges of Aviemore; canoeing on Loch Ness; clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate or teeing off for golf at some of Scotland’s most famous links courses.
Gary Franklin, Vice
President, Trains & Cruises, Belmond comments, “Our guests are increasingly
looking to personalize their experience and we hope these options give them the
flexibility to see the Scotland of their choice. The experiences showcase
some of the real highlights of Scotland and allow guests to connect with nature
through incredible Scottish landscapes. These new experiences appeal to
everyone from adrenalin junkies to whisky enthusiasts and we are very excited
to be able to offer stargazing.”
AFTER DARK
The Scottish
Highlands offers a rich cluster of Dark Sky Discovery sites and is fast
becoming one of the best places for stargazing in the world. Guests can
choose to explore the night skies with a private stargazing excursion in the
Cairngorms National Park complete with a certified astrologer whilst a
late-night picnic is served under the stars.
Ensuring a good
night’s sleep, The Bamford Haybarn Spa Car, has introduced a new ‘B-Silent’
Treatment, designed to relax the body and prepare guests for a sound, restful
night.
FOR ADRENLINE JUNKIES
For those with an
adrenaline streak, activities now on offer include white water rafting, gorge
walking in Aviemore, paragliding in Fort William or traditional Scottish
outdoor pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting, falconry or quad biking at the
famed Rothiemurchus Estate.
Guests can also
choose to make the most of the outdoors and the breathtaking Scottish scenery with
active excursion options such as guided cycle tours, guided hikes and options
for running tours.
FOR WATER BABIES
The lochs of Scotland
are an iconic part of the Scottish scenery and there are plenty of water-based
activities to choose from for guests with a love of water – from spotting the
mythical ‘Loch Ness’ monster on a boat cruise, kayaking in Clachnaharry Works
Loch, dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth or a quiet fishing trip on the Atholl
Estate in Pitlochry.
SCOTLAND’S BEST GOLF
COURSES
Golf enthusiasts can
choose to add a round of golf into their itinerary with tee times at
Gleneagles, Royal Donorch Golf Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links, and Kingbarns
Golf Links.
FOR A WEE DRAM
Scotland is known for
its whisky and consequently its distilleries – Belmond Royal Scotsman itself
serves over 60 varieties on board.
Those with a taste
for the finest malts can choose to visit some of the Highland’s best-known
distilleries. Including Glen Ord, one of the oldest in Scotland, Glenlivet
Distillery, home of the iconic malt that inspired the Speyside Region; and
Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford village where guests can join a tour led
by the distillery’s master blender.
Departing from
Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, Belmond Royal Scotsman travels on circular routes
through the heart of the Highlands. With only 40 passengers on board, the train
replicates a ‘Country House on Wheels’ and has two, three- or four-night
itineraries.
To book or for more
information visit Belmond.com or call 0845 077 2222.
Excursion options
vary depending on the route the train takes. Prices vary per excursion option
and will be given upon booking.
For more information,
please contact Alice Marshall Public Relations at [email protected].
Belmond Ltd., part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis
Vuitton, has been a pioneer of luxury travel for more than 40 years,
building a passion for authentic escapes into a portfolio of one-of-a-kind
experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching
destinations.
Since the acquisition
of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to
push industry boundaries, taking discerning global travelers on surprising and
unforgettable journeys spanning land, water, adventure and relaxation,
with international acclaim. The portfolio of 46 properties extends
across 24 countries, encompassing three luxury safari
lodges, two river cruises, seven luxury trains, including the iconic
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and the legendary ‘21’ restaurant in New
York. From historic city landmarks like Belmond Cadogan Hotel and Belmond
Copacabana Palace to hidden retreats at Belmond Cap Juluca and Belmond La
Résidence d’Angkor, each incomparable property has its own timeless story to
tell, yet the hallmarks of the brand thread through them all: heritage,
craftsmanship, and a reputation for genuine, unscripted service in an
unrivalled location create exceptional experiences that stir the
soul. www.belmond.com.
The Woof cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin are designated for guests traveling with pets.
Here are some of the best luxury accommodations to bring your pet or see animals around the world:
To bring your pet…
NORTH AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
· The Woof Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin are
designated for guests traveling with pets. Pups are welcomed with Draper Canine
beds, a basket of treats and toys, food and water bowls, dog-walking services,
and personalized pet tags. For tips on the best dog-friendly activities on
Nantucket, guests can email Bailey, the WOOF Cottages’
resident Black Lab/Britney Spaniel mix and pet concierge at [email protected].
· For
fashionistas and theater buffs alike, Chatwal’s
‘Pet Wardrobe Supervisor’ can curate a personalized pet closetfor
its ViPets with a Chatwal-red faux fur pet jacket, booties, bowtie,
and a neck bandana. In-room amenities include a NYC yellow cab plush toy, a
doggie treats menu printed as a Playbill, Chatwal-red food and water bowls and
pet bed, plus a VIPet Tag.
· After a
Mayan blessing by resident Shaman rids Fido of his anxiety, Viceroy Riviera Maya gives each pet
his own handmade, portable pet palapa – complete with a
personalized menu of made-to-order meals.
· Cab-Bone-Nay or Char-Dog-Nay
dog biscuits (made with real wine) and a special blanket greet pets
at Napa River Inn. At
the spa, they receive a dog walk, dog cookie, and mini massage.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
· In
Lima, Belmond Miraflores Park welcomes
its four-legged guests with a special letter from the hotel’s resident
pup, Sariri.
EUROPE
· In
Portofino, Belmond Hotel Splendido offers
curated wellbeing sessions where trained pet therapists will
practice Swedish massage in an open-air space overlooking Portofino Bay.
· Home to
the city’s largest spa, La Reserve Geneva caters
to guests and their pups. Dogs at La Reserve receive bowls personalized with
their name and monogrammed blankets.
· Set in
the Oxford countryside, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’
Saisons has plenty of land for curious pets to explore before
retiring back to the room with all-day doggy room service.
To see animals in their natural habitat…
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
· With the
opening of Nayara Tented Camp in December 2019,
the Sloth Sanctuary at the Nayara sister properties – that is
currently a haven to more than 15 of Costa Rica’s native sloths – will
expand as part of Nayara’s reforestation project. This undertaking will bring
in 40,000 indigenous trees, including Cecropia trees, which are the main food
source of sloths. Nayara’s expert nature guides are beginning to see more baby
sloths, a sure sign that the animals are reproducing at Nayara and are
likely to stick around.
· Often seen roaming freely across the front lawn, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado invites guests to care for and bottle feed the baby alpacas. Prized for their hair which is woven into blankets, hats, and sweaters, the resort cares for the youngsters until early adulthood when they are returned to local communities in exchange for the next generation of crias.
EUROPE
· Families
traveling to Cork can book the ‘Family Fun at The River Lee’
package and receive a turndown of milk and cookies, activity pack, and a trip
to Rumleys Open Farm – kids can get up close to all kinds of
baby animals including tiny chicks, lambs, bunnies, puppies, piglets, llamas,
and more.
AFRICA
· At andBeyond Mnemba Island off
the coast of Zanzibar, Green Turtle nesting season is year-round, peaking in
February and March. The turtles lay their eggs on the beach and in September
and October, baby turtles emerge into the world. With only 10
thatched roof bandas on the island, guests can watch the tiny hatchlings make
their descent into to the water without a crowd.
· Travelers
on andBeyond’s Gorilla Tracking Safari in
Rwanda can get up close to families of mountain gorillas and golden
monkeys. Hiking the forested slopes of the Virungas Volcanoes, guests set
out in search of the world’s largest population of wild mountain gorillas –
including the littlest members of the family and their childlike antics.
Families staying at the White Elephant on Nantucket harbor can ride through town on the hotel’s complimentary Priority Bicycles before retiring for the night with an in-room camp-out, complete with teepees and faux, indoor campfires.
From a safari in Kenya to a sailing camp in Geneva, here are top lodging picks for the next family getaway.
NORTH AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
Long-immersed in the
glamour of New York’s world-renowned theater productions, The Chatwal invites its littlest guests
to reenact their favorite theater moments thanks to the new in-room
‘Dressing Room’ trunk. The steamer trunk is filled with accessories
to transform little ones into character, including Elsa’s tiara,
the Aladdin-inspired magic carpet and genie lamp, and Harry Potter’s signature
glasses and wand.
Recommended Room: The one-bedroom suite collection puts families’ needs first: the renovated bedrooms include a spacious living area with a custom-designed queen-size murphy bed and an in-room kitchenette opening out to a spacious terrace.
With more than 10
beaches, some with little to no waves, 30 miles of flat biking trails, and a
charming, walkable downtown with cobblestone streets and kid appropriate
museums, Nantucket makes for an unforgettable family getaway. Families staying
at the White Elephant on
Nantucket harbor can ride through town on the hotel’s complimentary Priority
Bicycles before retiring for the night with an in-room
camp-out, complete with teepees and faux, indoor
campfires.
Recommended Room: Guests who book either of the White Elephant’s in-town three-bedroom lofts, Easy Street or Loft at 32 Main, receive the keys to a BMW hybrid for the duration of their stay, making it easy to get around the island with the family.
While famous for
wine, Napa Valley has
plenty to offer families. Favorite activities include: a stop at one of
the largest “playgrounds” at Bothe Napa Valley State Park,
home to swimming holes and hiking trails; a tour of the Castello di Amorosa, a
13th-century Tuscan castle, reached via a Gondola ride (grape juice
included); and di Rosa art museum where children
can participate in activities including portrait paintingand
sculpture classes.
Recommended Room: Set among 250-acres of rolling hills in St. Helena, Meadowood’s Hillside Lodges can be arranged anywhere from one to four bedrooms, accommodating families of all sizes. The lodge is complete with a spacious living room including a stone fireplace, kitchen, and French doors leading out to a private balcony and views of the resort’s wooded hillsides.
Families staying at
Jamaica’s GoldenEye can
opt for an active day of paddle boarding and kayaking on
the property’s calm lagoon or a guided snorkeling excursion through
the turquoise Oracabessa Bay, home to 2,000 pieces of coral in shades of red,
pink, yellow, and orange. Kids can join Ramsey Dacosta, Ian Fleming’s former
gardener who still works on the property, for coconut carving and nature walks.
Daily complimentary kid’s yoga is also available.
Recommended Room: The five-bedroom Fleming Villa is the site where all 14 James Bond novels were penned. Families will enjoy dinner in his sunken garden where Fleming used to entertain the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Noel Coward.The grounds are home to a private beach, pool, and movie screening room.
CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
At Nayara Gardens,
after a day out ziplining or playing in a waterfall, kids can spend time in
the sloth sanctuary and get a close look at the sedentary
Costa Rican native.
Recommended Room: The 1,135-square-foot Rainforest Villa features a wraparound terrace with a jacuzzi, colorful hammock, and both indoor and outdoor showers. Coming soon: sister resort Nayara Tented Camp will open on December 19, 2019 offering interconnecting luxury tents overlooking the Arenal Volcano for multi-generational travelers.
At UXUA Casa
Hotel & Spa in Trancoso, Brazil, kids can learn the
ancient art of capoeira, a traditional Bahian sport that blends martial
arts, acrobatics, and dance at the local school sponsored by UXUA. Guests are invited to either train
privately in the hotel’s studio, or side by side with over 65 local children
and young adults at the Casa da Cultura (Cultural Center).
Recommended Room: The restored three-bedroom Zé e Zilda is named for its former inhabitants – local Bahians and parents who raised their family in this very casa. Ideal for families traveling with teenagers, the main house is separated from the third garden suite by a private patio and flowering pergola.
EUROPE
For families staying in
a Studio Suite and above, The
Kensingtonconcierge teamwill set up a
teepeein the room so little ones can take to adventure no matter
the weather. At turndown, kids receive their own lantern, milk, and homemade
chocolate chip cookies.
Recommended Room: Families seeking a truly ‘royal’ experience can stay in the three-bedroom Knightsbridge Suite where an in-room afternoon tea can be served in-suite or out on the balcony. Families can enjoy two decorative fireplaces, gaze out over London with floor-to-ceiling windows, and have the run of the Jacuzzi in the marble bathroom.
It’s no parents allowed
at La Petite
Réserve at La Réserve Geneva, where a trained staff
oversees children ages six-months to 13-years. The kid’s club occupies a treehouse
complete with game tables, an obstacle course, a suspension bridge,
and a fireman’s pole. During the summer season children can
participate in tennis and sailing camps.
Recommended Room: The Junior Suite Terrace with its king bedroom and separate living room can accommodate two adults and two little ones and can be connected to another Junior Suite for those looking for even more space. Plus, guests have their own front yard in the form of a private terrace looking out onto the park and lake.
AFRICA
andBeyond’s newBateleur
Camp, just reopened in March 2018 on Kenya’s Masai Mara, is offering their
fun and educational WILDchild program for the smallest
safari-goers. Kids can learn to identify animal tracks and droppings, learn to
build a fire the Maasai way, and play some fun games and activities while
learning about conservation and the role they can play in protecting the
world’s fauna.
Recommended Room: The camp’s Family Tent consisting of two interconnected tents with ensuite bathrooms and private verandas accommodate two adults and up to three children. The old explorer maps wallpapering the interior of the tents are sure to inspire an adventurous spirit in all.
Royal Mansour turns little ones into global citizens
with itsKid’s
Club, complete with Moroccan art activities, Arabic lessons, and a
complimentary children’s book following Lila, a young girl exploring the
hotel’s winding passageways and gardens. The hotel also offers a hands-on
chocolate making experience for children in their on-site Chocolate
Laboratory, allowing kids to taste-test their creations.
Recommended Room: Modeled after traditional Moroccan homes, each of the three-story riads are complete with a lounge, living room, dining room, and private rooftop terrace with plunge pool. The two-bedroom Privilege riads are ideal for families sitting across 4,300 square feet with dedicated butler service.
ASIA
Budding botanist? Future
Michelin-starred chef? Belmond Napasai in Koh Samui lets young
travelers indulge their career aspirations with the “My First
Job” program. Guests can join the hotel’s head chef in
the kitchen to create chocolate roses, or blend local papaya and coconut juices
with the bartender for a delicious mocktail. Kids can also learn the art of
Thai dance from a local expert.
Recommended Room: Situated among 17 acres of tropical gardens, Belmond Napasai offers a secluded retreat for the whole family with a collection of standalone residences overlooking Baan Tai beach. These oceanfront, multi-level private homes range from one- to four-bedrooms and feature their own pool, massage sala, and direct beach access.
Travel experts Off the Map Travel and the team behind the famous Treehotel in Sweden are accepting reservations for travel to the floating hotel and spa, Arctic Bath, between February 2020 and February 2021
(Lulea, SWEDEN) After an extensive planning and construction period, the long-awaited Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa is now receiving bookings. Travel experts Off the Map Travel and the team behind the famous Treehotel in Sweden are accepting reservations for travel to the floating hotel and spa, Arctic Bath, between February 2020 and February 2021. The Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa, designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kaupp, freezes into the Lule River in the winter and floats on top of the water in the summer. The Arctic Bath and Spa offers wellness, mindfulness and cleansing treatments through spa partners Kerstin Florian. The new hotel and spa is located in Lulea in Swedish Lapland.
The Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa offers a
distinctive experience with a stay in the Hotel, comprised of
six detached floating “cabins” and six additional cabins on land, plus
the Arctic Bath inspired by the timber floating era which
recalls how felled trees were transported downriver for processing. Both the
spa and the rooms float on or are frozen into the water, depending on the
season. The spa complex and cabins float on waters ranging from 6.5 to 14 feet
deep and are connected by floating walkways. With an eye to sustainability, the
Arctic Bath leaves a minimal environmental footprint.
The Arctic Bath’s approach to wellness is based on four elements: proper nutrition, regular
exercise, peace of mind, and the care of face and body. These are reflected
through menus, snacks and smoothies focusing on clean, local ingredients; the
encouragement of exercise through a variety of activities; working with
affirmation cards, mindfulness and meditation; and the Arctic Bath’s
proprietary spa treatments. Guests at the floating hotel and spa will
experience the wellness benefits of alternating cold-water and hot-water dips
and sauna, yoga, meditation, and cleansing sessions such as crystal healing.
Each moment is designed to bring relaxation, refreshment and clarity. There are
no ambient distractions or light pollution. Colors are chosen for their color
therapy benefits, and surrounding materials are organic and local. Both summer
and winter spa experiences will be offered.
The circular-shaped Arctic Bath houses one spa
treatment room, four saunas, an outside cold bath, a hot bath, outdoor and
indoor showers, and two dressing rooms. The open center of the bath invites
guests to sunbathe, ice bathe or sit back to view the Northern Lights or
star-filled skies. A dip in the bath itself is consistent with the Arctic
tradition of a cold-water plunge with the water maintained at 39 degrees
Fahrenheit and combines well with the warmth of a sauna and spa. A special
technique has been developed to keep the center of the bath open during
wintertime, adding to the drama of the setting and the guest experience.
“The opening of the Arctic Bath has been eagerly
anticipated over the last year ever since plans were first announced,”
commented Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel. “The serenity of the
location combined with this distinctive wellness experience makes this a first
in the travel world,” he continued.
While all Off the Map Travel itineraries are
customizable to meet travelers’ interests and needs, a sample 3-day Off the Map
Travel/Arctic Bath itinerary including the Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa features
accommodations in a floating cabin, breakfast daily, nightly five-course
dinner, a guided Northern Lights hunt, transfers and spa access is priced
starting at £3995 (or $5040 USD at the time of this writing) per person, based
on double occupancy. Flights are additional. Families are welcome, and
childcare will be available. Summer and winter itineraries are available. To
book an adventure to experience the Arctic Bath, contact Off the Map Travel via
email [email protected] or
by phone in the US on 1-646-701-0041, or in the UK on +44 203 504 6446. https://www.offthemap.travel/arctic-bath/
“The Arctic Bath really is a first – it’s a
special spa experience,” adds AnnKathrin Lundqvist from the Arctic Bath team. “So
much thought, engineering and ingenuity have come together to provide visitors
with an experience they can’t find anywhere else. We’re excited to welcome our
first guests and to work with Off the Map Travel in the creation of this
newest, luxurious Arctic holiday.”
The Arctic Bath project was developed by Kent
Lindvall, Per Anders Eriksson, Robert Lundqvist, Patrik Jonsson and AnnKathrin
Lundqvist. The project grew out of the opening days of the Treehotel in Harads,
Sweden when developers envisioned taking the wood concept from the air to the
water as well. Specialist design architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi,
both of Sweden, translated the concept into design, utilizing their background
of minimalist furniture and building design. The design of the spa and hotel is
not only striking in its look but also in its creation with the highest
environmental standards in mind, using local materials and leaving a minimal to
zero-impact on the environment.
Off the Map Travel is a team of travel experts who work with experiences and
destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world.
Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map
Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based
on first-hand experience. Off the Map Travel vacations anticipate travelers’
needs with pre-planning and customization. Each bespoke itinerary is tailored
to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples
and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels
appropriate for all participants. www.offthemap.travel
What could be more romantic than a winter overnight glamping exclusively for two underneath the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland
(Luleå, SWEDEN) A tempting combination of romance and adventure is offered this winter in Off the Map Travel’s new “Sleep beneath the Stars” program in Swedish Lapland. With this new itinerary, two guests stay all alone at a NEW remote glamping site to experience the Lapland wilderness, perfect for spotting the Northern Lights.
The exclusive holiday is for two
people only and includes a private sky-searching experience, a private
dinner at the two-person Aurora Hideaway restaurant on skis, private
snowmobiling and snowshoeing, and sleeping in a yurt on the edge of the frozen
Bothnian Sea at your own private glamping site.
Guests are encouraged to rekindle both their
romance and their sense of adventure as they experience the winter in Swedish
Lapland as a couple. The program begins with check-in at the Pine Bay Lodge, a
homey red cottage-style lodge on the Luleå archipelago in
Northern Sweden. A guided astronomy experience for two sets
the tone combining a search for the Northern Lights with an exploration of the
myriad constellations in the area’s strikingly dark skies.
The following day, a snowmobiling tour
for two travels through snowy forests surrounding the archipelago
followed by an al fresco lunch with Swedish and Lappish
specialties like reindeer and arctic char.
The program moves to a private
glamping camp for two where you’ll stay in a luxurious Arctic yurt,
kitted out with a wood-burning stove and comfy bed coverings perfect for
cozying up to the sounds of complete silence and the smells of fresh air, all
while awaiting the Northern Lights.
The evening’s meal is a true highlight.
Following a short snowmobile ride into the wilderness you’ll dine in the Aurora
Hideawayrestaurant on skis, a haven for two people on the
frozen sea, where candles and tea lights indoors complement starlight from
outside. The restaurant is mobile, allowing relocation for optimal sky viewing
and environmental placement.
Your guide will prepare a three-course Lappish
meal, cooked outdoors over birch wood. While you’re waiting, you can
strap on a pair of snowshoes for a quick walk to look at the stars. After a
post-dinner sauna in the sauna cabin at your glamping campsite, relaxation is
ensured as you return to your warm yurt and snuggle into the comfortable bed
covered with high-quality linens and reindeer skins.
Daylight arrives slowly with the hushed sounds
of the frozen sea to wake you. After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Pine
Bay where you can spend the balance of the day absorbing the beauty of the
wilderness setting and trying out some other outdoor activities.
Because the program is arranged for two people
only, advance booking is required.
“We’ve created this program for the lovers out
there, who are indeed looking for an exclusive program that they can call their
own. There’s no light pollution, no noise distractions, and no other
participants – it’s, in effect, your own private holiday,” noted Jonny Cooper,
founder of Off the Map Travel.
Off the Map Travel’s “Sleep beneath
the Stars program is offered from December 15, 2019 through April 15,
2020. While the itinerary can be tailored to each guest, an example
five-night, four-day itinerary with Off the Map Travel (www.offthemap.travel) is priced from $2496 USD per person (at the
time of this writing). Included are all meals including one dinner in the
restaurant on skis, transfers, accommodations at the
Pine Bay Lodge and glamping Yurt, snowmobiling, and a stargazing exploration.
Flights are additional. https://www.offthemap.travel/sleep-beneath-the-stars/
Off
the Map Travel is a team of travel experts who work with experiences and
destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of the world.
Specializing in soft adventure and viewing of the Northern Lights, Off the Map
Travel creates tailor-made itineraries that offer a distinctive vacation based
on first-hand experience. Off the Map Travel vacations anticipate travelers’
needs with pre-planning and customization. Each bespoke itinerary is tailored
to the ages of participants, creating experiences for families, groups, couples
and singles that are comfortable and luxurious, with activity levels
appropriate for all participants. www.offthemap.travel
