Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: A Cultural Week in Israel

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Israel is a feast for the mind and senses. Fulfilling all curiosities, this destination is teeming with rich culture, natural beauty and complex history. Bringing together Jerusalem’s ancient walls and luring markets with the golden beaches and pulsating entrepreneurial rhythm of Tel Aviv, delve into the stories that have shaped the Holy land on a compelling six-night journey through Israel’s past and present. Gain local insight with a visit to local communities, expert insight as you tour the Israel Museum with a Docent and historical insight with visits to old munitions factories and Holocaust memorials. Accompanied by some of the best guides in the business, you’ll leave no stone unturned in this culture-packed week in the Middle East.

WELCOME TO THE OLD CITY

Your Israeli narrative begins in Jerusalem. Landing at Ben Gurion Airport, you’ll be whisked off by private transfer to the luxury Mamilla Hotel where for three nights you’ll be perfectly based in the heart of the historic centre. Relax and soak up the atmosphere from the comfort of Mamilla’s sun-trap rooftop lounge and witness the sweeping vistas over the Old City with a glass of wine in hand. Over the next two days, you’ll be diving deep into the hidden realms of ancient Israel. Start off uncovering the city’s sacred Jewish, Christian and Muslim sites with the expertise of your private guide, from the Kotel (Western Wall) and Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the heartbeat of ancient Jerusalem – the City of David. Lose yourself within its old passageways, hidden springs and underground tunnels that date back three-thousand years, where kings and prophets once wandered and where the original books of the Bible were written.

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EATER Journeys: Paris & Burgundy

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A bite of a single madelaine – France’s most delicate and buttery cake – was enough to send the narrator of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time into a 1,000-page-long reverie on life and love. And this, we think, says everything you need to know about the French and their food. On this extremely bon excursion around the land of haute cuisine and world-class wines, you’ll learn your Mille-feuille from your croque monsieur.

EIFFEL IN LOVE WITH PARIS

Paris. A city of cute bistros, elegant restaurants, and revolutionary inclinations. Here, our guide will be your maitre’d, swooping you across to Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, your elegant 3-night oasis in the beating heart of Paris, an idyllic base for a Parisian eating adventure. Relax and unwind before getting out on the town, starting with pre-dinner drinks in the stylish Marais neighborhood. Swing by Aux Deux Amis, famous for its organic wines and top selection of tap beers, and Le Vin au Vert for their natural champagnes, before your reservation at La Bourse et la Vie; one of Paris’s finest bistros. 

BISTROS AND BRASSERIES

Rise and shine, it’s time to meet a local culinary expert for a tour of some of Paris’s most famed local markets, including Marché Montorgeuil and Rungis. Enjoy the sights and sounds of daily Parisian life as you learn how to source the best ingredients for a classic French meal, followed by a private cooking class near La Bourse. Belly full, it’s time to kick back and relax with an afternoon at leisure before taking a seat at the renowned Champeaux Les Halles, nestled beneath the renovated glass Canopée des Halles. This sleek brasserie revisits classic French dishes from green bean salad to steak frites and succulent lamb chops. The winning dish, however, is their signature soufflé. Sweet or savoury? The choice is yours.

THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Cheese and wine are the ultimate pairing. And so, today’s lunch will be spent learning how France’s culinary traditions have handed them the crown as a world leader in producing rich, bold cheeses and sumptuous wines. A sommelier will coach you through the wine labels and food pairings while you indulge in France’s dairy delicacies. Your dinner reservation tonight is at Sellae, near the Gare d’Austerlitz, for some rustic contemporary French comfort food, including mussels cooked with vin jaune and chorizo, guinea hen in cream sauce with morels. Don’t forget to save room for dessert: a superbly rich chocolate mousse.

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Sabi Sands: A Photography Safari Masterclass

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It’s been known for some time that South Africa is a photographer’s paradise; it has the landscapes, the wildlife and diversity to make it hands down one of the most exciting destinations in the world. Helping you make the most of it, we’ve put together this uniquely tailored adventure that’s sure to get any keen photographer scrambling for their spare lenses. In the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, spend five days receiving expert wildlife photography tuition from some of the field’s award-winning professionals and capture your safari experience with some incredible images. Embark on exciting game drives and catch glimpses of the reserve’s spectacular array of wildlife including lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah, buffalo and elephant, not to mention over 200 other animal species indigenous to the area – coming home with some expert souvenirs.

A Photography Masterclass

Few places in Africa offer up close and personal encounters with wildlife like Sabi Sabi, so it’s only right you perfect the art of capturing your once-in-a-lifetime safari shots in the area’s stunning Game Reserve. The photography tuition, led by leading wildlife photography experts, will combine theoretical instruction with personal coaching throughout your trip, teaching and assisting with techniques such as camera set up, photography in the field, working with wildlife and light sources. You can then spend the evenings reviewing shots and picking their brains to improve your technique.

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Petra: A Luxury Holiday to Jordan

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There are few places that can instil more mystery and awe than Petra. Undiscovered for more than a millennium, this rock-hewn ancient Nabatean city is one of the world’s archaeological jewels, and even today, new sites are being discovered and new mysteries are slowly being unravelled. On this four day trip, you can make like the intrepid explorer yourself and we take you on the best hikes, along hidden trails and to its newest discoveries, so you can completely engross yourself in the wonders that have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is our ultimate Petra expedition.

A Luxury Tour of Petra

As soon as you touch down into the capital Amman, you’ll be whisked off into the desert to your room at the Mövenpick Resort at the gates of Petra, where you can unwind with a glass of wine in their Al Ghadeer Rooftop Garden under the star-flecked sky. Then, your Petra experience begins.

Your first day you’ll get to discover the city just as the Bedouin tribes did over 200 years ago—through its winding one kilometre-long Siq, a magnificent gorge flanked by high rock cliffs on either side famous for its enthralling rose coloured rocks. This is where you’ll get your first hit of Petra magic, as you emerge from the Siq at the iconic Treasury in time to see the sun creeping down the intricate face of this awe-inspiring rock-carved tomb. Listen to the legends of the locals, some of whom were born in the very caves you walk past, and learn what it was like to live and trade here in ancient times.

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The Ultimate Summer in Iceland

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Ethereal. Hypnotic. Otherworldly. When it comes to Iceland, there is no shortage of words to convey the sheer might of its landscapes. This is a place where your eyes will widen and your jaw will drop with every glacier, lagoon and volcanic chamber you cross. By the end of this action-packed and discovery-filled nine-night trip, you’ll have quad biked across black sand beaches, descended deep into the centre of the earth and hiked across crevasse-riddle glaciers. It’s mile-a-minute in the best way possible. By night, retreat to luxury lodges nestled into sweeping landscapes and slip into steaming geothermal waters as we bring you the best of the best of Iceland – and then some.

Relax into Reykjavik

Touchdown in Reykjavik and we’re whisking you straight from the airport into the spa. No ordinary spa, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon is perched on the shores of the lagoon’s famously tempting waters. Better still, your luxurious suite for the night will open up onto your own private corner of the lagoon. For more pampering, head down into the subterranean spa where some of the world’s most innovative treatments await you. Once you’ve had your fill, spend the afternoon out on the Reykjanes Peninsula on a private tour filled with hot springs, tectonic rifts, volcanic craters, lunar landscapes and lava fields.

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New England: A Coastal Adventure for all the Family

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From the gateway city of Boston to the mountains of Maine, the sugar-white sand beaches of Nantucket Island and the deep American history of Newport; New England has no shortage of charm. Six states, each with their own slice of something special, it’s hard to think of anywhere better for a family road trip. Packed full of seaside stops and fun-fuelled hijinks, it’s enough to keep those ‘are we there yet’ moans at bay. Set off on a road trip that you’ll all never forget, as while the kids will remember the 50ft 66,000lb humpback whale breaching out of the water right before their eyes, you’ll always remember the look on their face when it happened.

Catch of the Day

Checking into Four Seasons Boston, you’ll head out on a private city tour, visiting the famous Harvard University and exploring the interactive exhibits at Boston’s Museum of Science. Spend the next day at sea, sailing past the historic coastal towns of the North Shore and hauling lobsters off the back of a boat with seasoned lobstermen, ready to cook them for dinner later. Retire to the Four Seasons for an afternoon with the pastry chef first, as he guides you and the kids through a cookie-making class before you sit down to your own treat at the Bristol Bar. The next morning, pick up the keys and head off to Newport, stopping along the way at Plimoth Plantation where you’ll get a glimpse of how the Colonists lived.

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Cartagena & Tayrona: A Luxury Holiday in Colombia

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Whether it’s getting your hips moving to the rhythmic sounds of salsa or sending your taste buds into nirvana with fresh ceviche, Colombia is home to some of the most divine and unique sights and sounds in Latin America. On this particular seven-night immersion, we’ve rounded together our favourite, most dazzling, and most luxurious Cartagena experiences – think one-of-a-kind meals, exclusive rum tastings, sunset sailing, yoga breaks, and dreamy white-sand beaches and you’re on the right track.

Dance and Dine through Cartagena

Your Colombian love affair begins in the spellbinding city of Cartagena, where the pastel facades enclose some of Colombia’s best eateries. Let your gastronomical side step forward with a lunch reservation at Boliche Cebicheria – one of our beloved best-kept secrets. This quaint restaurant serves the freshest and most authentic fish dishes in the whole of Cartagena. Be sure to fuel up for an afternoon walking-tour, wandering the charming streets and learning of Cartagena’s colonial history. Before resting your head at the most luxurious hotel in the city, Casa San Agustin, a Caribbean meal at Restaurant Carmen is awaiting your arrival. Picture a flora and fauna filled courtyard where you can spend the entire evening dining on exquisite Michelin-worthy food.

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Cartagena, Pereira & Bogota: A Luxury Family Holiday in Colombia

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In an effort to bring you some of the most vibrant and captivating family holidays around, we present Colombia. Set amidst the striking backdrop of the Andes Mountains and bordered by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, it’s a country bursting with colonial charm, aromatic coffee plantations and silky-soft white-sand beaches. But it doesn’t stop there, Colombia also has plenty more in store that kids and adults alike will love. Whether you’re looking for a fright with spooky tales in Bogota or crafting the perfect bar of chocolate in Cartagena, this eight-night family discovery ticks all of the boxes. So grab the kids for a whirlwind getaway where you’ll marvel at the colours of Cartagena, horse ride through the depths of lush jungle and snorkel the afternoons away in the sparkling waters of the Rosario Islands – all before an epic finale in the cosmopolitan city of Bogota.

Colourful Cartagena

Begin your Colombian adventure in Cartagena, a coastal city most well-known for its bright facades, fresh seafood, and proximity to beautiful islands. After checking into the city’s most luxurious hotel, Casa San Agustin, spend the afternoon exploring this enchanting city at your own pace.

The entire next day will be spent on the Rosario Islands. Just one hour from Cartagena, these islands are considered to have the most diverse marine life in Colombia. Spend the day snorkelling, lounging on shaded hammocks, playing beach volleyball, and cruising between islands.

After satisfying your island craving, it’s time to explore the culture of Cartagena. One immersive afternoon will be spent with an expert in Colombian cocoa. Following a short lesson about the process of making chocolate, you’ll be ready to make your own. Choose between dark, milk, or white, with plenty of fun ingredients to add. Your last morning in Cartagena will be spent on a private tour of old town, learning about Spanish colonizers and pirates, while recounting the stories of iconic fortresses, plazas, and colonial mansions found along the way.

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The Brazilian Amazon: Jungle Survival to Stylish Sailing

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So you’ve always wanted to journey to the Amazon, but never wanted to compromise on the more luxurious side of life? Trust us when we say this adventure was crafted with you in mind. In the Brazilian Amazon gateway city of Manaus, you’ll be introduced to the local culture for a night, before bedding down in the heart of the jungle in style and chartering a private yacht to sail down the mighty river and one of its tributaries. Our experts have pulled out all the stops to make sure you’ve got everything you need for the perfect Amazon experience, starting off with a spot of jungle survival training before sending you off to trek through the rainforest, commune with rare Amazonian pink dolphins and canoe into hidden corners. Finish off with a sundowner on remote beaches that look more at home in the Caribbean than on the Amazon and rest assured this is the Amazon escapade of a lifetime.

CITY IN A RAINFOREST

Your journey begins in Manaus, the biggest city in the Amazon jungle. The city is the ideal starting point for diving headfirst into the rainforest, with a private guide on hand to take you through the local markets, up to famous landmarks and onto a truly magnificent palace. Before you head into the Amazon itself though, we thought it would be handy to teach you some handy tips and tricks on jungle survival from some real pros.

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Stockholm Archipelago: Learn to Sail in Style

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Fanned out to the east of Stockholm, 30,000 islands, skerries and rocks make their home in the Baltic Sea. A weekend hangout of the Swedish jet-set, the best way to see skärgården, as it’s known to the locals, is without a doubt from the water. Out on these waters, plenty of ferries and sailboats will be seen bobbing on by, but we’ll have you doing things a little differently – naturally. Spend a week out on the archipelago, splitting your time evenly between time on land and at sea, as you embark on a four-day sailing masterclass through the outer archipelago to explore the untouched and the unexplored islands far from the madding crowds of summer. Once you’ve mastered the ropes, you’ll dock in Stockholm to spend your final few days cruising like royalty and discovering the thriving archipelago art scene. Anchors up, it’s time to set sail.

Hoist the Sails

Flying into Stockholm, you’ll be whisked straight off to Waxholm Harbour where your classroom for the next few days awaits; a 24-foot Diva SC Sailing Yacht. The pick of the pack for training and speed sailing, yet easy to handle and with a comfortable cockpit, you’ll feel at home behind the wheel in no time. Showing you the ropes, you’ll have a private skipper by your side for the next few days, but as for the crew? That’s down to you. So hoist the sails and set your course out of Waxholm, past Resaro and onto Grinda; your first island escape awaits.

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