Issue 1, 2013
European & Mediterranean News
Welcome...
Contents
Now that winter seems to be finally giving way it is an excellent time to review plans for short breaks and longer holidays over the coming months. After the recent deluges and glum economic conditions we are sure that many of our readers will be pining for sunnier skies and we hope that our magazine will give you some inspiration on a broad range of holiday types. Discover exciting new destinations and cultures with two fascinating “Off the beaten Track” features on Safari in East Africa and the mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Marvel at the spectacle of the Great Migration across the mighty plains of the Serengeti Mara Ecosystem. Step out of the modern world into a land locked in colourful tradition and rugged mountain vistas often referred to as “The Last Shangri-La”. Keeping all the family entertained this summer should be a breeze if you are lucky enough to book into the Elounda resorts in Crete. Indulgent romantics and sophisticated sun worshippers should check out the newly refurbished Banyan Tree Seychelles or, if you prefer the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we review the British Virgin Islands. Whether you are looking for a “trip of a lifetime”, a gastronomic experience, a luxury city break or just news on some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts we are sure you will agree that there are many options in this issue from which to plan a great escape, so sit back, have a good read then give us a call to discuss your perfect holiday.
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European & Mediterranean News
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Czech in with Mandarin Oriental The perfect base from which to explore Prague, one of Europe’s finest cities
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The British Virgin Islands
Subtly combining the charm and character of Provence with the chic of the Côte d’Azur, Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, boasts an all Suite & Villa 5-Star Hotel, a renowned 35,000 sq ft Spa and two championship Golf Courses within the confines of a 750-acre Provence estate. Nestled in lush nature, Terre Blanche is nonetheless only 35 minutes away from Cannes. Well integrated into the landscape, set like a Provençal village and built with the respect of its local environment, the property is also inspired by modern art and contemporary architecture.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ has an unrivalled selection of some of the world’s finest small independent hotels. Comprising over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries, each offering diverse and unique experiences. SLH is constantly adding exciting new hotels and destinations to its portfolio. Grand Hotel Angiolieri, Sorrento, Italy is one of the new hotels added in 2013. This elegant villa overlooks the Bay of Naples, with an inviting infinity pool facing the sea. An array of spa treatments, a Roman arcade, an amphitheatre and a gourmet restaurant, awarded a Michelin star in 2010, are some of its many highlights.
520 small independent hotels in 70 countries
Family this summer An activity-rich program for kids at Elounda
8 A Taste of
Relais & Châteaux The art of fine cuisine and the “Grand Chef”
Raffles
In the heart of Tuscany at Castello del Nero
A legend inspires a growing family of unique hotels and resorts worldwide
14 Back to Eden A romantic interlude at Banyan Tree Seychelles
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Small Luxury Hotels of the World™
6 A Kick Start for all the
60 Islands, One Unforgettable Experience
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The charm of the Provence countryside on the doorstep of the chic Côte D’Azur
The Last Shangri-La Journeys of discovery with COMO hotels in Bhutan
Niall Douglas
Views from Castello del Nero across its private Estate are as authentically Tuscan as can be, with olive groves and vineyards peppered with cypress trees basking in the warm glow of the sun. The exquisitely restored 12th century Castello is a five star hotel and spa boasting a private position overlooking a beautiful valley only 30 minutes from Florence. The property offers 50 guest rooms, many with original frescoes and each appointed to the highest standards. The Executive Chef prepares Tuscan delicacies daily, served with the best wines – including local Chianti – to the delight of guests enjoying the outdoor pool, tennis courts and ESPA spa.
The Canny Traveller ...air travel with younger children and all that STUFF
Managing Director
Keeping children happy, relaxed and entertained are crucial considerations to avoid travel stress:
Published by Travelspeak Limited - 020 8944 6050
Sleep: 20
Fax: 01491 501662
www.fullcircletravel.co.uk
Toys:
It’s showtime at the Quin, Manhattan's new boutique luxury hotel
59 St Mary's Street Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 0EL
Tel: 0800 048 8772
Quintessentially NYC
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World News
18 Safari East Africa Places to stay to view The GREAT Migration of the Serengeti Mara Ecosystem
Unclutter: Food: Fluids:
If you are travelling with a younger child, try and plan travelling around their sleeping patterns. If you can book a flight that begins just before a child is due for a nap this can reduce the stress of travelling enormously. On longer flights take a few toys with you to keep children entertained. Toys that do not contain small pieces or involve using a lot of room are best, and a good option is to buy a couple of new presents beforehand which are then saved for the plane. Family holidays always involve a lot of packing. Travel with less baggage by sending luggage ahead using a specialist luggage delivery service. Many airlines offer children's meals and this is worth booking beforehand. Make sure that children drink regularly throughout the flight to avoid dehydration. A bottle prepared for take-off and landing will ease ear pain for infants. 3
Mandarin Oriental, Prague Top panel from left to right :
Czech in with Mandarin Oriental The perfect base from which to explore Prague, one of Europe’s finest cities. ocated within a short walk from historic Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, Mandarin Oriental, Prague offers a sophisticated retreat in the quiet cobbled streets of the West Bank district of Mala Strana (Little Side).
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An intriguing collection of historical buildings make up the fabric of the hotel, variously dating from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. These have been wondrously remodelled to house a masterwork in contemporary hospitality. Opened in 2006, the property, which once housed a Dominican monastery, retains elements of the past including arched and vaulted ceilings.
Barego Bar - Oriental Suite Bedroom - Spa Lobby - Essensia Restaurant
FANtastic Hotels Across Europe
Like all Mandarin Oriental properties, it elegantly blends local culture with an Asian sensibility to create a serene, discreet, and sensual space. There are only 99 guest rooms including 20 suites so the feel is very much boutique but with all the trimmings one would expect from a 5 star hotel including gourmet cuisine at Essensia Restaurant.
Mandarin Oriental hotels are to be found, or will shortly open, in many of Europe’s most popular destinations. The next addition will be Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum; a 107 room resort with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea is planned to open in 2014. Always located in prime locations, each property is a perfect proponent of the group’s global objective of delivering 21st century luxury with oriental charm:
Set inside a former Renaissance chapel, the Spa is considered the finest in the Czech Republic. It spans two floors and the glass floor on the ground level reveals the remains of an ancient 14th century church below. Two of the seven treatment rooms are set up for couples, which may hint at the hotel’s popularity with honeymooners.
With the world class shopping of Knightsbridge and leafy Hyde Park on its doorstep, the iconic five star Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park boasts London’s most fashionable location.
View over the rooftops to Prague Castle
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona
Mandarin Oriental, Munich, a nineteenth-century neoRenaissance stucco building near Maximilianstrasse, is the ideal base for walking around this historic, Bavarian city. With Michelin-starred dining and a spectacular spa, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is a luxurious hideaway located on the prestigious Passeig de Gràcia in the cool Catalan capital.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Mandarin Oriental, Paris is a thoroughly modern and fashionable residence located on the discreet and smart rue Saint-Honoré, just south of Opéra - a “fashionista” paradise! Overlooking the River Rhône in the heart of the city, there are few hotels that can compete with all that Mandarin Oriental, Geneva has to offer. 4
Mandarin Oriental, Paris
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A kick start for all the family this summer Fun and games at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort and the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
ids always seem to have boundless energy just at the times when their parents are probably contemplating a well-earned period of rest and relaxation - this paradox is most prevalent over the months of July and August but don’t despair ...help is at hand!
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At Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort and Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, two of three interconnected luxury resorts* located at the edge of Mirabello Bay in Northern Crete, the resort has fine-tuned its high season activities to offer a range of child and teenager programs to train and shape these stars of the future. Started in 2012, this summer sees the return of the Arsenal Soccer Schools coaching program, the best of its kind in the world, with a camp for children aged 5 to 16, played on the hotel’s own 5x5 football pitch. Alternatively, dancing lessons by the internationallyacclaimed choreographer Fokas Evaggelinos and his 6
dance school will be offered from mid-June and until the end of September. Fokas was praised for his work on the opening ceremony of the Athens 2011 Special Olympics and leads the judge panel of the Greek edition of "Dancing with the Stars". Of course the heart of children’s activities is centred around the specially constructed Children’s club, "The Ark", an area covering 7000m2 with awardwinning architecture, waterslides and more challenging children's programs including golf, swimming, yoga and tennis.
Royal Grand Suite at the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
Whilst the kids develop their skills and let off energy, parents can return to the pressing matter of relaxation, perhaps by the edge of their private villa pool, a long lunch or a quiet dinner at one of the many restaurants dotted around the three resorts or a spot of pampering at the state-of-the-art Six Senses Spa at the Elounda Peninsula. *Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort, Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel and Elounda Mare Hotel are sister properties and offer shared facilities.
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Villa Crespi, Lake Orta, Italy
A Taste of Relais & Châteaux
A unique property in a tranquil location with unforgettable cuisine Just a few steps from the enchanting Lake Orta and ideally positioned to explore nearby Lake Maggiore, Villa Crespi is a spectacular Moorish villa built in 1879. The villa’s arabesque architecture, stunning gardens and the hospitality of Grand Chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo and his wife Cinzia mingle to make a stay here magical.
The art of fine cuisine and the “Grand Chef”.
Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole, Italy An indulgent Tuscan hideaway A manor house hotel located two hours from Siena and Rome, Il Pellicano lies on the southeastern tip of the Tuscan peninsula of Monte Argentario, close to the pretty seaside town of Porto Ercole. Monte Argentario is close to the two famous islands of Giglio and Giannutri.
Oeuf Caviar at Château Saint-Martin & Spa
f your palette will be the decision maker when choosing your next hotel break or longer holiday then you will certainly highly value the “Fleur de Lys” plaque that adorns the entrance of over 520 hotels and restaurants worldwide. For this denotes membership of Relais & Châteaux, an association of like-minded restauranteurs and hoteliers who place the highest importance on having an excellent restaurant as a key component in a mutual celebration of the art of living.
Spend languid days relaxing by the heated clifftop saltwater pool or set out on forays into the Tuscan countryside before returning for the main event, dinner at the two-Michelin-star Il Pellicano restaurant of Grand Chef Antonio Guida.
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At the pinnacle of culinary recognition are the super chefs, 160 men and women from 5 continents who have received the title of “Grands Chefs” Relais & Châteaux. Amazingly, 45 of these wizards will have come together in April 2013 to cook for guests at the charity event “Diner des Grands Chefs” at Old Billingsgate Market in London. Whether your travel plans take you across to Europe or further afield there are many excellent establishments waiting to be discovered...
Château St Martin & Spa, France
Hôtel Le Toiny, St Barts, Caribbean
Le Quartier Français, South Africa
Gastronomic heaven on the Côte D’Azur
Cordon Bleu Creole
A journey of taste with Margot Janse
The Château Saint-Martin & Spa is renowned and celebrated for gastronomic excellence. Its restaurants, including the two Michelin-starred Le Saint-Martin, present a variety of delicate flavours and memorable ambiences under the award-winning guidance of Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Yannick Franques.
Courtesy, Charm, Character, Calm, and Cuisine 8
Located on fashionable St. Barts, Hôtel Le Toiny’s Restaurant Le Gaïac has long been regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean.
The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek is South Africa's most lauded finedining restaurant. It is the stage to award-winning Relais & Châteaux Grande Chef, Margot Janse, and her unique African Inspired Surprise Tasting Menu.
Under the leadership of Grand Chef Stéphane Mazières, age 33, since 2006, the demure French chef presents a refined and sophisticated menu that features an innovative blend of French and Creole influences.
Here, in this intimate setting, serious diners have the opportunity to experience a true journey of taste. With a menu that continues to evolve and astonish The Tasting Room, and its African Inspired cuisine, creates a dining experience unlike any other.
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Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris The art of luxury. The romance of Paris. The legend that is Raffles. Chic, sophisticated, surprising, Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris represents the new generation of luxury hotels in the heart of Paris. Within walking distance of the iconic sights, streets and monuments of the City of Light, it is now, as it has always been, one of the essential spots in which to experience the beauty, style and social buzz of this extraordinary city. As a result of a recent refurbishment, the exquisite interiors of this landmark 1920’s Art Deco hotel have been refreshed and embellished by leading French designer, Phillipe Stark. One of the highlights is the My Blend by Clarins Spa, a paradise of pure white spread over 1,500 sq. metres that includes a 23 metre infinity pool, the longest ever built in a Paris luxury hotel.
Raffles Praslin, Seychelles One of the world’s most iconic hotels, Raffles Singapore
Raffles Singapore
A legend inspires a growing family of unique hotels and resorts worldwide.
here are a few hotels in the world whose names have become virtually synonymous with the cities in which they are located – and none more so than Raffles Singapore.
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Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, Raffles Singapore was built 125 years ago, more than a decade before the turn of the nineteenth century. It soon became the haunt of business tycoons, the great and good, rogues and adventurers, politicians, movie stars, authors and journalists. Visiting writers included Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward, a host of foreign correspondents – all of whom fed in the stories and legends, fact and fiction, which have clung to the hotel ever since. Through their stories, the Long Bar, the Palm Court and the Bar & Billiard Room with its tiger, became familiar to people who had never even been to Singapore. Today
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these stories remain and are relished – but time has not been allowed to stand still at Raffles. Today, Raffles Singapore is the proud flagship of the nine strong Raffles Hotels & Resorts, with sister hotels in Paris, Dubai, Cambodia, Seychelles, Beijing, Manila and Makkah. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in Istanbul, Jakarta and Hainan in China, over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on that timeless essence of Raffles – to deliver thoughtful, personal and discrete service to well-travelled guests – whether it is one of the legendary Raffles butlers, a brilliant sommelier, a gifted spa therapist, or a beach attendant with a wonderful big genuine smile.
Do it all, or do nothing at all, in stylish, stunning Seychelles. Cradled at the heart of the Indian Ocean on the island of Praslin, are eighty-six architecturally exquisite villas with private plunge pools touched by the sublime beauty of white powdered sands, opal-hued oceans and lush green hills. The ideal place to rediscover the luxury of spontaneity, Raffles Praslin, Seychelles is infused with Seychellois spirit and traditional Raffles service. Swim, sunbathe, snorkel, sail, wind surf, walk...or just do nothing at all. With outdoor pavilions and the very best pampering experience, the award-winning Raffles Spa is a destination in itself, famous the world over.
Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor, Cambodia One of the greatest hotels of the legendary Grand Tour of Indochina. An elegant cage elevator adorns the lobby, gracefully carrying guests upwards as if it was 1932 all over again. Overhead, ceiling fans gently beat a rhythm and move the still air. From a cool uncluttered lobby, Art Deco blackand-white tiled halls lead you to rooms of perfect luxury. Welcome to Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, once the home of royalty, now the King of Hotels. Located in the heart of Siem Reap, in the Old French Quarter only 8 kilometres from the extraordinary Angkor Wat temple complex and a short riverside stroll from the main markets, Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor is the ideal place to explore the spiritual and archaeological masterwork - to shop in style, or to just relax and revitalize beside a pool inspired by the spiritual architecture. 11
The British Virgin Islands 60 Islands, 1 Unforgettable Experience
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their wares or world class sailing on azure, non tidal waters you can easily plan an unforgettable holiday in a destination you may have believed was out of your reach.
Whether you are looking for some of the best beaches in the West Indies, a destination wedding, honeymoon, family holiday, diving, spas, fine dining, an unspoilt, traditional Caribbean experience without global brand fast food outlets, no irksome street vendors pushing
With 60 small islands we recommend all visitors day charter boats or use the regular ferries to explore them. There are many choices but some of the favourites are the island of Anegada, where you choose a lobster from the sea and it’s cooked fresh on the barbecue while you enjoy 16 miles of glorious, white sandy beaches; The pirate trail through The Baths volcanic boulders to Devils Bay or The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke with no dock, so you swim to shore and hang your dollars to dry on the line while drinking “Painkillers” in a hammock!
ost people have heard of The British Virgin Islands and believe it is an almost crime free, luxury destination, an exclusive holiday for the fortunate few and they’re not wrong. And whilst BVI most certainly has its share of lavish hotels you will be surprised to know that it also has a range of beautiful, reasonably priced properties which makes these special islands affordable for most budgets.
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Main picture left: Clockwise from top:
Above the Baths in Virgin Gorda Family fun in the sun, Virgin Gorda BVI Emancipation Festival, Tortola Romance on the boulders of The Baths Chill out time at One Love Bar and Grill, Jost Van Dyke Pristine, white sand beaches, Anegada
It takes a bit more time to get to the British Virgin Islands from the UK, involving an easy flight change from nearby Antigua, but the extra effort brings rich rewards; the weather is divine, the islands unspoilt and the BV Islanders are friendly. Add to this the variety of activities and the promise of true Caribbean hospitality then it is clear that this beautiful, corner of the world is luxurious in many more ways than just the sumptuous hotels.
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Back to Eden
A romantic interlude at Banyan Tree Seychelles
hen George Harrison said “"Everyone should have themselves regularly overwhelmed by Nature" he could well have been referring to the magical corner of the island of Mahe in the Seychelles, his former island hideaway, and now the site of Banyan Tree Seychelles, one of the leading luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean.
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Renowned for being romantic and exclusive, the resort consists of a collection of Colonial style villas that cascade down a lush and green hillside to embrace the white sands of Intendance Bay, one of the best beaches on the island. There is an extraordinary variety of accommodation available among the 60 recently-refurbished villas ranging from those perched high on the hillside with sweeping views to those at sea level with direct access to the beach. Every villa is beautifully furnished in Creole style complemented by a private pool, and for the ultimate in luxury, exclusivity and privacy, stay in the exquisite Presidential Villa, which occupies its very own private cove by the water’s edge. Food connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice at each of the resort’s fine dining establishments. Banyan Tree’s 14
signature Saffron restaurant tantalizes with awardwinning Thai cuisine and Southeast Asian specialities. Au Jardin D’Epices serves international favourites in a casual setting overlooking the bay whilst Chez Lamar offers an exhilarating journey of Creole cuisine filled with an irresistible blend of spices and flavours. Most guests never leave their villas, so a comprehensive a la carte menu is available for in-villa dining. Private dining experiences are perfect for honeymooners and romantic couples – these include dinner for two on the beach, the cliff-side or surrounded by dense forest such as the Sea & Stars experience in the Presidential Villa, Grill on the sand, Moonlight Gazebo and Champagne on the Rocks. It is only natural that with all the epicurean delights on offer that there should also be the opportunity to soothe the senses in a lush tropical forest setting - at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Seychelles. Perfectly located on the main island of Mahe, Banyan Tree Seychelles is only a 30 minute transfer from the International Airport. www.banyantree.com
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The Last Shangri-La Adventure retreats in Bhutan with COMO Hotels & Resorts
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1. The mist shrouds the landscape at Uma by COMO, Paro 2. The indoor pool at Uma by COMO, Paro 3. Taktsang Goemba (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
The Tsechu (Festival)
4. The main terrace at Uma by COMO, Punakha 5. View from bedroom at Uma by COMO, Panakha
he Kingdom of Bhutan offers a refreshing opportunity to step out of our digitalised and fast moving world into a deeply entrenched Buddhist country that, like its land-locked geography between India and Tibet, refuses to cast aside age old traditions and values.
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Against a backdrop of the towering Himalayas and surrounded by thick forested hills and fertile river valleys, there could not be a better location for a special type of adventure retreat - the Uma hotels by COMO. In keeping with the Uma philosophy – immersing guests in the local culture and landscape to appreciate it more fully – Uma by COMO, Paro and its smaller sister, Uma by COMO, Punakha provide intelligent access to the different layers that make up Bhutanese life, including monastery and festival visits. More physical excursions include day walks in the company of English 16
speaking guides, full service camping treks and mountain biking in the Himalayan countryside. With the two properties in two separate valleys about 5 hours driving distance there is a superb infrastructure for combination adventure tours that allows the traveller to explore a wide section of the kingdom. A range of tours lasting between 5 and 10 nights splits time between both properties. One of the 7-night tours also includes a half-day tour to the Taktsang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery*, which includes an option to spend a night in a luxury, wilderness camp high in the Himalaya. There are also opportunities for adventure with the option to include thrilling bike descents, white-water rafting and hiking. Those seeking more than just luxury accommodation in Bhutan will not be disappointed by the Uma by COMO hotels. Each property is an integral part of the
landscape with an architecture that combines local artisanship with COMO’s contemporary style. Guests can choose from a selection of guest rooms or individual villas. Families are welcomed. Authentic Bhutan cuisine is a fundamental element of the experience and each of the hotel’s “Bukhari” restaurants offer seasonal menus that take a contemporary approach to traditional national dishes, with a selection of international dishes offered alongside. Completing the immersive experience each property has a COMO Shambhala Retreat, the famous signature Spa of COMO Hotels & Resorts. At Uma by COMO, Paro facilities include two private Bhutanese hot stone bathhouses, a large indoor pool with alfresco sundeck, steam rooms for men and women, a gym and yoga studio with Paro Valley views. Each of the nine villas even has its own private therapy suite.
Legend has it that Buddhism was introduced to Bhutan from Tibet by Guru Rinpoche, who arrived on the back of a flying tigress on the craggy cliff face that now houses the gravity defying Taksang Goemba Monastery. On key dates throughout the year this story and the birth of the Great Saint is commemorated at large and colourful festivals (known locally as Tsechu’s) played out by masked dancers that take place in the huge Dzongs (Monastery/Fortress) of the towns of Bhutan. People’s deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.
*The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a 40 minute drive from Uma by COMO, Paro
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Safari East Africa
The GREAT Migration of the Serengeti Mara Ecosystem The unforgettable sight of over 1 million wildebeest on their annual migration around the vast plains of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem, an area that traverses Kenya and Tanzania, is the ultimate game viewing spectacle of Africa. Where the herds roam the predators follow or lie in wait on the river beds...
Nature’s great spectacle
Serengeti House
Mahali Mzuri
Singita Serengeti Reserves The Omnia
Sir Richard Branson’s Kenyan safari camp
A vast private reserve on shadow the western corridor Modern designs in the of the Matterhorn
ir Richard Branson's new, state of the art safari camp is a truly innovative project that will compliment his established luxury safari lodge Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Mahali Mzuri, is within the Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya, which lies within the ecosystem of one of Africa's most famous game reserves that stretches from southern Kenya into Tanzania.
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View of Mahali Mzuri
Every July, around a million wildebeest migrate north from the Serengeti further south and into the Maasai Mara. One way to see this amazing spectacle close up will be from the terraces of the new tented accommodations that form Mahali Mzuri safari camp, opening this summer. The futuristic 12 tented suites and main living and dining areas, will be luxuriously appointed (some suites are especially fitted for families) and all promise to have a great view of the phenomenal wildlife passing by. Daily activities will include twice-daily safari drives, night drives, early morning hot air balloon trips, and on-foot treks through the wild as well as the opportunity to visit Opening local Maasai communities. After all that activity 1st August guests can relax with a dip in the infinity pool or with an Africology spa treatment. 2013 18
Lion cubs at Mahali Mzuri
ingita Grumeti Reserves offers an unparalleled ecosafari teeming with magnificent wildlife encounters on the western corridor of the Serengeti. This vast private concession comprises an exclusive trio of luxury lodges and the newly opened Singita Serengeti House.
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Sasakwa Lodge
Each of Singita’s three Grumeti Reserve lodges command a view of the renowned migratory route traversed annually by more than a million wildebeest, and the predators that lie in wait… The area is home to large herds of game that provide world-class photo opportunities all year round. Each of the properties offer a unique experience: Singita Sasakwa Lodge positioned on Sasakwa Hill, presents dramatic, elevated views across the endless plains, Sabora Tented Camp celebrates flat open space as far as the eye can see and Faru Faru Lodge is tucked away in a diverse habitat.
Sabora Tented Camp
Singita Serengeti House is an exclusive-use retreat designed for families and friends. Located on the slopes of Sasakwa Hill with breathtaking vistas of the endless, open plains of the Serengeti, the house is Singita’s response to a growing demand from discerning travellers for privacy and flexibility.
Stalking cheetah at Mahali Mzuri
Faru Faru Lodge
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Opening 15th June 2013
New York, Curated The Quin presents a masterful collection of all things quintessentially New York
ew York is a place apart. Urbane and audacious, whimsical and wild, New York City is matchless the world over. The myriad of people to meet, food to eat, and streets to explore offers endless opportunities for adventure. Here, flavours, fashions, and artifacts from around the globe bravely come together to create an essence that is uniquely New York. With so many options for virtually everything, navigating these innumerable offerings is an overwhelming endeavour. There is, however, only one place where cultured connoisseurs curate the very best quintessential New York experiences: the Quin
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The Quintessential Attaché are the Quin’s expert team of lifestyle managers, who distill Manhattan into pure and approachable moments. The boundlessness of the city is made simple by presenting only preeminent pieces of art, music, fashion, and fine dining. Special itineraries, replete with well-informed recommendations and exclusive access to elite events, boutiques, and tables, are customised to each guest’s needs. It is a refreshing articulation of truly personal service. The Quin is the prism through which the electric spectrum of New York’s untamable lights is filtered. 20
Once home to some of the world’s most revered artists, the hotel’s masterful approach to hospitality is seemingly inherited from a tradition of excellence, imagination, and intuition. Situated in the heart of the city, it is a landmark that reaches into its storied past while touching the pulse of prevailing trends and puts guests in the epicentre of culture, commerce, and haute couture. The Quin presents 205 guest rooms and 27 luxurious suites that inspire rest in “the city that never sleeps”. Speciality suites honour the hotel’s illustrious occupants, including artist, Georgia O’Keeffe and composer, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. A breathtaking three-bedroom triplex Penthouse perched above 57th Street and Sixth Avenue features a 1,200 sq ft private terrace overlooking Central Park. Plush fabrics complement textured metals and handsome polished woods, evoking a feeling of serenity above the bustling streets below. Its bi-level fine dining signature restaurant and bar, 24hour Technogym fitness center, 10-seat executive boardroom, Apple-equipped drawing room, and art gallery are dynamic notes in the sensorial concerto that is the Quin. Tout ensemble, it is brilliance embodied. 21
World News
World News
Grace Cafayate - in the Heart of Argentina’s Undiscovered Wine Country
A Star is Born again after seven years of dedicated restoration by Orient-Express
A Venetian-inspired, luxury beach resort in the heart of Abu Dhabi
Eco-luxury in the rainforest wonderland of Belize
In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola, the famous film Director, visited Belize, immediately fell in love with the location, and purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge. For more than a decade the resort was used as a family retreat before Francis opened his tropical paradise to the public in 1993. Tucked away in a pocket of the Maya Mountains, Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury resort hotel in the cloud forests of Belize where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. Its remote mountain setting makes it a perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Grace Hotels are spreading their wings into Latin America with a very exciting hotel & spa resort within the prestigious Estancia de Cafayate in North West Argentina. This impressive country estate is home to a championship golf course and vineyards producing some of the country’s finest Malbec and Torrontes wines. The stunning Calchaqui valley offers an ideal year round destination, with indigenous culture and the dramatic backdrop of the Andes.
It is a recipe for a California Classic: Take one hotel with a star-studded Hollywood past, add stylish American Riviera décor with one knock-out ocean view, and combine with a sprinkling of art created with diamond dust, California coastal dining at its very best (with the help from one very pampered cow) and seven years dedicated restoration. The result? Orient-Express’ latest creation, and first hotel on the US West Coast, El Encanto, in relaxing Santa Barbara (90 miles up the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles).
Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is located at the waterfront and consists of ten stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation offering 447 luxurious guest rooms and suites as well as 85 private villas. Overlooking the 1,600 square metre pool, the backdrop of the luxury hotel is the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Guests at the new Grace Cafayate will enjoy full access to all the facilities of the Estancia including equestrian sports. The resort will have a fine dining restaurant Muse by Jonathan Cartwright, serving dishes sympathetic to Argentinian cuisine, a wine and cigar bar, a swimming pool and a luxurious spa.
A glamorous hideaway for almost 100 years, El Encanto’s 92 bungalow rooms and suites sit in seven acres of beautifully preserved landscaped gardens and is an integral part of Santa Barbara's social, cultural and architectural heritage. As with all Orient-Express hotels, El Encanto has pushed boundaries when it comes to its gastronomy, and has its very own Holstein cow, Ellie, whose milk will be solely used to produce handmade cheese for the hotel.
Made up of 200 small islands, Abu Dhabi’s stunning beaches, expansive desert and lush oases provide a venue for exhilarating adventure or tranquil retreat while the old souks and majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – recently named one of the world’s top visitor attractions – offer an intimate look into Arabian culture.
Dazzling sunsets across the bay set the mood at Angsana Balaclava Mauritius Hidden in Turtle Bay, on the North West coast of Mauritius, there is no doubt that the new Angsana Balaclava Mauritius offers the ideal boutique retreat for a romantic celebration, whether it be a wedding, honeymoon or an escape a deux. Couples will appreciate the intimate surroundings of just 52 exclusive suites and villa, framing a pristine private beach with spectacular sunsets. Designed with a traditional Mauritian feel, this is the perfect getaway for two. The Resort is endowed with various dining venues, and an outstanding array of recreational facilities including the award-winning Angsana Spa Balaclava. www.angsana.com
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The lodge can be combined with a stay on the coast at Coppola Resorts’ sister property in Belize, Turtle Inn on the Placencia Peninsula. This exclusive retreat comprises of just 25 rooms in individual thatched cottages lying just steps away from a dreamy white-sand beach that dissolves into the clear Caribbean Sea.
Luxury brand redefines Island Idyll at Cheval Blanc Randheli A new luxury resort is coming to the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives in 2013, namely the Cheval Blanc Randheli Hotel. This high-design resort will feature 45 villas with sweeping views of the Maldivian waterscape and no shortage of luxury amenities (as one would expect from luxury brand owners, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy!). Visually progressive, the design of the Cheval Blanc Randheli is the work of architect Jean-Michel Gathy, who has married a contemporary aesthetic to the traditional palm cabana architecture of the islands. Visitors to the Cheval Blanc Randheli will be treated to Michelin-class dining courtesy of chef Yannick Alléno at The 1947, an on-site restaurant offering fine French cuisine.
High ceilings, wide open spaces and large private pools
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