MAY 2018 ISSUE
INSIDERS CLUB YOUR GUIDE TO THE INSIDE
DISCOVER: GREENLAND 4-7
STAY 8-13
EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES 14-19
HELLO TRAVELLERS In this month’s Insider’s Club, we feature Greenland, an off-the-beaten-path destination if ever there were one. In the east of the island, Natural Habitat Adventures has built Base Camp Greenland, a deluxe safari-style camp near the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. In this remote wilderness, melting glaciers calve huge chunks of ice into the and the Aurora Borealis put on a natural light display overhead. The hiking and kayaking along the fjords make for an epic Arctic adventure. There are also authentic cultural experiences with the local Inuit community. Read more about Discover Greenland and other Virtuoso-exclusive experiences inside.
DISCOVER GREENLAND INSIDERS CLUB As the world gets smaller, it gets harder to find places that are truly off the beaten path. Greenland’s east is one of those places. “The Arctic Riviera,” the area bursts to life as the snow melts and tiny wildflowers become ubiquitous. Near summer’s end, berries ripen, and dwarf birches change color. Natural Habitat Adventures’ Discover Greenland nine-day itinerary makes this remote corner of the world accessible with departures (of up to 12 guests) from late July to early September. Beginning and ending in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, the journey takes visitors deep into a world of crashing ice and Northern Lights. Referred to as “Inuit artillery” for their booming entries into the water of Sermilik Fjord, giant chunks off fall off glaciers all around. “You’re literally in a test tube of climate change,” Don Martinson, director of travel industry relations with Natural Habitat, said. “There’s a massive amount of melt.” East Greenland is isolated even from its more populous west, where locals often refer to the east as “the backside.” East Greenland’s people had no contact with the outside world until the turn of the 20th century, and there is still just a handful of subsistence hunting communities. Along the way, guests will learn about Inuit culture in Tasiilaq and visit with people from the village of Tinit who make a living hunting and fishing in extreme weather conditions with ever-shifting ice.
At Natural Habitat’s Base Camp Greenland, where the expedition spends most nights, you’ll find a deluxe safari-style camp with eight tented cabins - each designed for two people. The interior of the heavy-duty vinyl cabin is equipped with a heater for chilly nights and en-suite odorless dry toilet. On the outside, each raised cabin has a veranda overlooking the bay and long summer days are typically mild and dry. Hot showers are available in the gender-segregated bathhouse. Every effort is taken to minimize the environmental impact of the camp on such a pristine landscape yet make for comfortable guest accommodations. Days are spent taking part in some of the best hiking and sea kayaking in the Arctic, while whales frequent Sermilik Fjord. Motorized rafts weave among icebergs, seals, and whales in search of closer views of the icecap. Upon return to camp, guests sit down in the common area to dinner, which the chef prepares fresh daily with a varying menu.
The world’s first carbon-neutral travel company, Natural Habitat remains on the cutting edge of adventure travel with its private base camp in the spectacular Sermilik Fjord complex. Surrounded by towering mountains, walls of ice and crystal-clear streams, you’ll immerse yourself in a place that is one of the last unexplored wildernesses on Earth and yet one whose sustainability is so vital to the overall state of the planet.
STAY INSIDERS CLUB
Hotel Reykjavik Marina Set in the vibrant art district of the world’s northernmost capital, the Icelandair Reykjavik Marina Hotel enjoys an expansive ocean view from a newly renovated building on Reykjavik’s lively harbor. Watch the boat traffic go by just outside, or make an easy walk into the heart of town. Merging contemporary Icelandic design with references to the country’s strong maritime tradition, this characterrich four-story hotel houses 108 spacious rooms decorated with local art, nautical decor and whimsical colorful touches. Chic rooms overlooking the city or marina have comfortable plush furnishings, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms with shower, and Internet access. The lobby’s cozy seating area and fireplace create a welcoming atmosphere ideal for relaxing over a drink or mingling with guests from around the world. Other amenities include a gift shop and a gym with a climbing wall.
Hotel Angmagssalik Perched high on a steep hillside above the picturesque village of Tasiilaq in remote East Greenland, Hotel Angmagssalik enjoys sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains and King Oscar’s Bay. With the ambience of a guesthouse plus a surprising array of amenities for such a remote location, the hotel’s 30 simple but comfortable rooms offer the best accommodations in town. Rooms have individual heating, private bathroom with shower, a small work desk and satellite TV. Wi-Fi is available for an extra charge. Public spaces include a spacious contemporary lounge for relaxing plus a smaller reading lounge, a large dining room with a full wall of picture windows, and outdoor terraces from which to enjoy the panoramic views. A restaurant and bar on site serve three buffet meals a day, often featuring fresh local fish, with a wide selection of drinks. The center of the village is located within walking distance, but down a very steep hill.
Hotel Kusuluk Hotel Kulusuk enjoys a scenic perch on the rocky east coast of Greenland, with heart-stopping views of Apusiaajik Glacier and Isikajia Mountain. Guests here have a special opportunity to interact with locals and glimpse Greenland’s traditional culture. As the only lodging in this small Inuit hunter settlement, it provides simple but modern, comfortable accommodations with a warm and homey atmosphere. The 34 guest rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers, telephone, television and Wi-Fi, and each offers a mountain or sea view. Public spaces include a small gift shop, bar and dining room lined with windows looking out onto the icy fjord and snowy mountains beyond. Wholesome, varied meals, including fresh fruits and vegetables and local fare, are served buffet-style.
Base Camp Greenland Natural Habitat’s Base Camp Greenland offers an exclusive refuge of comfort in the Arctic, where guests enjoy rustic luxury surrounded by raw wilderness. Though it’s located in one of the most remote places on the planet, the camp provides a host of amenities usually reserved for far more civilized locales. Guest accommodations are in eight individual safari-style tent cabins that house two persons each. Built of heavy-duty vinyl on raised platforms, each cabin has a private veranda with a view of the bay and Greenland ice sheet in the distance, offering a chance to enjoy a panorama of the wilderness in sublime solitude. Spacious cabin interiors are warmed by an individual heater— welcome on chilly nights—though long summer days here are often quite mild and dry.
Cozy tent cabins have twin beds outfitted with warm comforters and comfortable pillows, a sitting bench, carpet runner, hanging clothing storage, and an en suite odorless dry toilet and washbasin. Hot showers are available in a separate bathhouse segregated by gender. Guests enjoy social time in the common room, which houses the kitchen and dining area and serves as a lecture space for presentations. Excellent meals are prepared by their creative camp chef, with fresh and varied ingredients arriving regularly.
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Stay Longer- 4th Night Free Four Seasons Resort Nevis Valid for travel now through December 18th, 2018
Experience Details: Experience the serenity of Nevis, sister island to St. Kitts in the trade-wind-kissed Leeward Islands. Play golf on one of the world’s most scenic courses, enjoy the tranquillity of our spa, or spend the day basking in near-perfect weather. Book this offer to extend your enchanting stay with a complimentary fourth night. Includes: Complimentary fourth night with every three consecutive paid nights
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Dhahab - The Golden Dhow Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman Valid for travel now through April 15th, 2019
Experience Details: Includes: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability Daily Breakfast A complimentary 50-minute massage for up to two people, per room, once during stay Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability Complimentary Wi-Fi
EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO EXPERIENCES INSIDERS CLUB
3rd Night Complimentary Park Hyatt New York Valid for travel from July 1st- August 31st, 2018
Experience Details: Includes: One complimentary night Full American Breakfast daily in The Living Room or In-room dining for up to two guests per room $100 USD Hotel Incidentals credit per stay per room Upgrade to next room category, based upon availability at check in
INSIDERS CLUB YOUR GUIDE TO THE INSIDE