DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE
INSIDERS CLUB YOUR GUIDE TO THE INSIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS p 3-6
DISCOVER: CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
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STAY: HOTELS 7. THE PENINSULA BEJING 8. AMANTAKA 9. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BANGKOK 10. BELMOND LA RÉSIDENCE D’ANGKOR
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EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES 11. FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES ANGUILLAWEST END, ANGUILLA 13. AMANGIRI, CANYON POINT AT LAKE POWELL, UT UNITED STATES 15. AMANERA, RÍO SAN JUAN, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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HELLO TRAVELERS China and Southeast Asia have intrigued travelers for centuries as the source of highly prized silks and spices. The region has inspired romantic poets and dreamers with its philosophy and mysticism. It’s a vast area with no limit of cultural sites, both ancient and new. Navigating them all can make your head spin. That’s what Abercrombie & Kent comes in. A&K has on-site offices in several countries throughout the region, allowing guests insider access to the most visited places and arranging experiences most tourists wouldn’t even dream of.
DISCOVER CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA
INSIDERS CLUB
If travel is about expanding your horizons, the destinations of China and Southeast Asia will certainly allow you to do just that. There are cities so teeming with life and culture you wonder how anyone could ever see it all. There are landscapes that make you question whether you’re still on Earth. The cuisines are so piquant and rich in flavor, you might never be able to go back to bland meals. But perhaps most importantly, everywhere there are friendly people ready to welcome you. Fortunately for our travelers, some of those friendly people work for Abercrombie & Kent, which has on-site offices throughout the region. Travelers can enjoy touring with A&K’s expert guides, a hand-selected group of local experts and insiders who provide local insight with a passion and bring their destinations to life for the traveler. Drivers and vehicles used for transport are also overseen by A&K to ensure quality throughout. A&K can also take you places few travelers get to go. Beijing’s Forbidden City is one of China’s most popular attractions. “Anyone can go and visit,” A&K China and Hong Kong specialist and director Gerald Hatherly said. “We are the only ones with access to take you inside.” A & K has special access to closed parts of the Forbidden City including, for private groups, access to an area of the 3
palace undergoing a 10-year restoration. In addition, for groups that want added convenience A & K can arrange for their vehicle to park inside the Forbidden City, bringing travelers into the heart of the Forbidden City thereby avoiding a walk of at least 20 minutes to enter. “We can do a dinner at the Great Wall, where they light up the wall,” Hatherly said, describing one of the many unforgettable adventures A&K can provide in China. Others include special access when visiting one of the captive breeding centers for the giant panda in the Chengdu area and a behind-the-scenes museum tour in Shanghai. The focus is always on human experiences, Hatherly said, and there is no end to those in a vast land with 56 distinct ethnic cultures. You can see the terracotta warriors of Xi’an with the former archaeological director of the site, take a private class at the home of a renowned dumpling chef, learn to plant rice or take private lessons from a calligraphy master. Heading south from China, and you’ll find yourself in the magical region of Southeast Asia. Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are all ancient lands full of vibrant culture. “One of our favorite places is Luang Prabang in Laos,” Sonja Stoerr, A&K’s director of sales for Southeast Asia, said.
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“It still has the laid-back Southeast Asia vibe with some beautiful hotels. “If you look on the map, it’s on the same latitude as Chiang Mai (in Thailand). Take away the modern borders, and you’ll see a lot of the same beautiful landscapes and cultural influences of the ancient Lanna Kingdom.” Laos is just coming up in terms of tourism, Stoerr said, and still very much off the beaten path. “There are so many ways that we can connect travelers to the local culture, whether it’s giving alms to the monks in the morning or visiting a local home to experience a Baci blessing.” It also offers great active touring: hiking, biking and beautiful waterfalls to splash in.You can visit a buffalo dairy for a cheese and ice cream tasting and learn about this first-ever dairy in Laos and their social enterprise that helps the local farmers. In Vietnam, A&K offers in-depth experiences in kite-making, incensemaking, biking through back streets and gorging on street food before engaging in a private lesson with a master of the martial art Vo Kinh Van An. And that’s just in the city of Hue. Even in major cities well on the tourist track, A&K has something unique for travelers. In Bangkok, there’s a new creative district being formed in a neighborhood right along the Chao Phraya River. Stoerr’s team can arrange a meeting with one of the founder’s of the district, who will tell you about the effort to bring back the arts and preserve architecture as you stroll through the area exploring small art
galleries, local designer boutiques and narrow lanes with colorful street art. In addition to exclusive private touring, A&K specializes in luxury small-group journeys with a maximum of 18 guests. Northeast regional sales director Norma Spadola recommends Images of Indochina & Angkor Wat, covering Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as “the best introductory program for that part of the world.” For a more leisurely exploration of the region, why not consider a cruise on the Mekong, Yangtze or Irrawaddy rivers. If you have the time, consider extending your journey to Hong Kong and Mongolia. The exotic Marco Polo Journeys collection allows you can take a spiritual trek to Tibet and Nepal or travel by luxury rail from Bangkok to Singapore and continue on to the island paradise of Bali. In short, we recommend traveling with the experts at Abercrombie & Kent, who can show you the best of what China and Southeast Asia can offer, whether you choose to explore the region on one of their small luxury group programs or independently on a custom planned itinerary.
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STAY
INSIDERS CLUB The Peninsula Bejing Located in the central Wangfujing district, just a short walk from Beijing’s finest attractions, shopping and dining, the newly-styled, all-suite Peninsula Beijing blends exquisite Chinese artistry and cultural traditions with legendary Peninsula hospitality to set new standards in design, luxury and comfort. The Peninsula Beijing’s 230 suites start at a spacious 645 square feet, and the hotel is one of the first in China to offer a 24-hour check-in and check-out service for all guests — a seamless process personally managed in each guest’s own suite.
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Amantaka Amantaka is a tranquil sanctuary within easy walking distance of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each of the 24 suites features an airy living area with doors opening to the courtyard and a tree-shaded lounge or private swimming pool. Dine on Lao- and French-influenced cuisine in the dining room, enjoy drinks in the Lounge Bar or take a casual meal on the Pool Terrace before visiting the town’s fabled night market. Spend days exploring Luang Prabang’s 32 beguiling temples or its many colorful boutiques, bakeries and markets. Return to the resort’s intimate spa, sparkling pool, tennis center, gym and yoga studio.
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Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Situated along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has captured hearts and minds since first opening its doors in 1876. The hotel has welcomed countless dignitaries and other distinguished guests, who appreciate its sumptuous ambience and unsurpassed attention to detail. Take a shuttle boat ride across the river to the award-winning spa, a century-old teakwood temple of well-being. Bangkok’s oldest hotel kitchen will share its secrets with you in the Thai Cooking School, or let their experts do the work in a variety of venues. Sala Rim Naam serves up authentic cuisine along with Thai dancing.
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Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor After a day spent exploring Cambodia’s breathtaking temples, relax in the comfort of your surroundings at Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor, which underwent a six-month renovation in 2016. Indulge in Royal Khmer cuisine or international dishes created by Chefs Saul Garcia Ramos Cristiani and Mey Samorn, or quiet the mind in Kong Kea Spa, where the expert staff embraces ancient Cambodian healing arts. The hotel is perfectly positioned to reveal the rich Khmer culture through its central location and excursions, such as guided tours of the Psa Leu market and visits to the village of Roluos and its chanting monks.
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EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES
INSIDERS CLUB Anguilla Love
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla West End, Anguilla Valid for Travel now Through 15 Dec 2018 The esteemed Caribbean resort known as the ultimate vacation location for discerning jetsetters worldwide is also the perfect island for love. The new Anguilla Love package makes it easy for couples to create a one-of-a-kind vacation experience at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla. The new package includes a Resort credit of USD 200 and breakfast for two in Cobà or in-room dining. The daily Resort credit can be used toward a variety of culinary options, relaxing treatments in The Spa, or island explorations. Options particularly enticing for couples include: -Dinner for two in a private poolside cabana or with toes in the sand on the Resort’s private beach at sunset -Customised picnic lunches for nearby island excursions -Couples’ massages overlooking the Caribbean Sea
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EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES
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Romance in the Canyons Amangiri Canyon Point at Lake Powell, UT United States Valid for Travel 01 Jan 2019 - 28 Feb 2019 Treat your loved one to a romantic stay at Amangiri and make the most of the spacious yet intimate setting of Utah’s ‘Peaceful Mountain’. This four-night stay is designed to offer the best of relaxation and romance, comprising unique outdoor experiences, spa treatments and one complimentary night. The four-night stay includes: -Complimentary fourth night -Personalised welcome and farewell gifts -Private transfers from/to Las Vegas, NV or Phoenix, AZ -One activity during the stay (choice between horseback ride, Via Ferrata and halfday guided hike) -One romantic dinner specially prepared by Amangiri’s Executive Chef in the privacy of your suite -One 60-minute couple’s spa treatment followed by a Sound Bath -Private Dreamcatcher Workshop or Stargazing Session (based on availability and weather conditions)
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EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES
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Tee Off on Cliff Tops Amanera Río San Juan, Dominican Republic Valid for Travel Now Through 31 Mar 2020 Opening to the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a 400-acre nature reserve on the other, Amanera is perched on the Dominican Republic’s northern coastline. Here, at Playa Grande, lies a mile-long stretch of golden sand – the country’s best beach – and a remarkable cliff-top golf course, boasting the Western hemisphere’s highest number of ocean-facing holes. Guests staying three nights or more can enjoy exclusive privileges, including one round of golf on the famous 18-hole course and a 60-minute Golfer’s Massage The stay includes: -Daily breakfast -One round of golf (nine or 18 holes) for two, with healthy snacks and beverages* -One 60-minute Golfer’s Massage for two Terms & Conditions: This exclusive is valid for new bookings only, is subject to availability, and is not combinable with any other exclusive unless specified. Aman reserves the right to withdraw this exclusive at any time with 48 hours’ notice. Bookings must be on a sell and report basis. Cancellations and payments as per property standard terms. Blackout dates: 21 December to 9 January 2019, 11 to 22 February 2019, 18 to 22 April 2019, 25 May 2019, 26 to 30 November 2019, 21 December 2019 to 9 January 2020, 12 to 20 February 2020.
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INSIDERS CLUB YOUR GUIDE TO THE INSIDE