The Americas Luxury Travel Guide

THE AMERICAS

A one of a kind Luxury Travel Guide

Joshua Tree National Park, California

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Letter from the editor

The first time I saw a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park, I couldn’t speak. Words also failed me when looking at the round-girthed giant sequoias in Yosemite, and over the vast textured rock walls of the Grand Canyon. Should I find myself in a national park in Patagonia, Ecuador, Chile, Costa Rica or Argentina, I know that I will once again be rendered mute, such is the majesty of nature in all her glory.

The Americas is a treasure trove of travel gems and within these pages we go fossicking for gold in the USA, Central America and South America to inspire you to pack your designer suitcase and jet away. Apart from spellbinding national parks, there is also beauty to be found in cities, in historic sites, on coastlines and on cruises that are often a great way to visit multiple places in multiple countries.

Travel Associates can curate your dream tour with this selection of experiences in The Americas. Our 300 experienced agents – all with a minimum of 10 years travel under their belts – know that every client is different, with individual travel styles and tastes. They love nothing more than creating perfectly personalised experiences to suit every client.

Pick up the phone and start chatting to the Travel Associates team about where you will go in The Americas, and once your holiday is set and excitement mounts, you can travel with confidence, knowing that your travel advisor is there to support you along the way and that every little detail has been considered.

The wilds of Alaska are on my wish list. What is on yours?

Yours in travel

Helen Hayes

“Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller,” - Ibn Battuta

Adventure World offers ethical travel for conscious travellers looking to explore, because we believe as travellers, we have the power to influence change. We share our expertise and experience, so you gain a deeper connection, knowledge and understanding of the places you go, people you meet and wildlife you encounter. So, collectively we can travel with purpose.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

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12 GREAT CITIES OF THE AMERICAS

With a melting pot of cultures, the Americas is a treasure trove of enigmatic, exciting and storied cities.

Here are 12 of our favourites.

MEXICO LOS CABOS

DALLAS & FORT WORTH CUBA

BRAZIL

RIO DE JANEIRO SANTIAGO

CHILE

ARGENTINA

BUENOS AIRES

CHICAGO

PREFERRED HOTELS

THE LANGHAM, CHICAGO

THE PENINSULA

FOUR SEASONS

RITZ CARLTON

Chicago, Illinois

Nestled on Caribbean-blue Lake Michigan, Chicago has wow factor overload. Visit Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” due its coffee bean shape. In Millennium Park, the mirrored sculpture reflects the city’s famous skyline. The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, while the Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum are a must. The number one thing to do in Chicago is the architectural river cruise with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, learning about 50 of the city’s standout architectural buildings as you cruise up the river. Stroll along the Riverwalk, shop up a storm along the Magnificent Mile, and at Wrigley Field, watch the Cubs play or do a tour.

The Langham, Chicago

Wrigley Field

Cloud Gate aka “The Bean’

Art Institute of Chicago

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Not quite twin cities, Dallas and Fort Worth bookend the DFW airport, and both are worth stopovers on your next US trip. In Dallas, visits to the George W. Bush Presidential Library, the Sixth Floor Museum (former Book Depository from where JFK was shot) and the Dallas Museum of Art are all warranted. Also visit Southfork Ranch, Pioneer Plaza and sign up for the Margarita Mile. In Fort Worth, watch the longhorn cattle drive at the Stockyards National Historic District, buy some cowboy boots at Leddy’s and wear them on a night out at Billy Bob’s Texas – the world’s biggest honky tonk. Don’t miss the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Kimbell, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

DALLAS FORT WORTH

PREFERRED HOTELS

The Rosewood Mansion

Southfork Ranch, Dallas

Dallas, Texas

Fort Worth Stock Yards, Fort Worth

BUENOS AIRES

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Argentinian capital shines with its mix of European culture and Latin passion. Visit the Plaza de Mayo – named after the revolution that led to Argentina’s independence – to see the National Congress, Metropolitan Cathedral and the Casa Rosada presidential palace – where Eva Peron gave her famous speech. Explore the Teatro Colón, the main opera house in Buenos Aires by seeing a show or doing a tour. Watch dancers in the rainbow-hued buildings of artistic centre, La Boca, get your dancing shoes on for a tango lesson at a milonga dance club or watch the professionals in action at the legendary Rojo Tango show at the Faena Hotel. See Eva Peron’s grave at La Recoleta Cemetery and enjoy a bike tour of the Buenos Aires Ecological Reserve.

Plaza de Mayo

Casa Rosada

Tango at the Faena Hotel

Havana, Cuba

The island of Cuba, founded by the Spanish in 1519, sits between Florida and Mexico and is an intriguing blend of ‘50s Americana, colonial architecture and fledgling modernity. Stroll along Malecon’s seawall that stretches for eight kilometres along the coast. Browse the calles (streets) of World Heritage-listed Old Havana with its five squares –Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza del Cristo and Plaza de la Catedral – lined with many outstanding buildings. Visit the Museum of the Revolution in the former Presidential Palace, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Capitol Building, and do not miss the Castillo de la Real Fuerza – the oldest stone fort in the Americas. Then there’s the quintessential Havana sights of vintage American cars, cigar shops and the sound of Cuban music intrinsically embedded in daily life.

HAVANA

Streets of Havana

Museum of Revolution

Malecón

WASHINGTON

Washington, D.C.

PREFERRED HOTELS THE HAY-ADAMS THE JEFFERSON FOUR SEASONS

The problem with DC is that there is just so much to do. The National Mall, America’s most visited national park running from the U.S. Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial, is unmissable. A highlight will be the Library of Congress, the biggest library in the world and home to the truly beautiful Thomas Jefferson Building. From here, walk to the Capitol and do a tour. There are 17 Smithsonians to see as well as the Spy Museum –a hidden gem. For something different, go for a paddle on the Potomac, visit Arlington Cemetery, and venture further afield to Mt Vernon, the home of George Washington. In the evenings, dine at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants including minibar by José Andrés, and have a cocktail at the Off the Record Bar at the HayAdams – the place to see and be seen.

View of the Washington Monument from Lincoln Memorial

The Jefferson Hotel

Library of Congress

New York City, New York

From rooftops bars or platforms atop skyscrapers or at street or river level, New York City is a big, beautiful, melting pot of cultures and excitement. From the traditional observatories like the Empire State Building to the new CityClimb at The Edge – the highest outdoor building ascent in the world – looking down over Manhattan is a rush. Do the quintessential New York things like visiting the Guggenheim, walking to the Whitney down the High Line, doing a bike tour of Central Park, shopping along 5th Avenue or in Chelsea and drinking cocktails at rooftop bars. See a Broadway show and visit the new Museum of Broadway that opened late in 2022, stroll around Little Island, and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to the blossoming borough of Brooklyn.

NEW YORK

PREFERRED HOTELS

THE PIERRE A TAJ HOTEL

THE TOWERS AT LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE

The Towers at Lotte New York Palace

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

The Edge, Hudson Yards

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Think of Rio and images of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Corcovado Mountain come to mind, along with the white sands of famous Copacabana beach – cue Barry Manilow. Copacabana is four kilometres of glorious, crescent-shaped beach that is bustling with scantily clad sun worshippers, surfers, sand sculptors and hawkers. Perhaps the best view of Rio comes from Sugar Loaf Mountain, accessed via cable car. Visit it during the day and go back at night as the view is dazzling. Visit the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) and climb the Selaron Steps, a set of steps that are a work of art. When in Rio, drinking caipirinhas and dining on churrascaria are part of the experience, as is doing a tour of the Santa Marta favela.

RIO DE JANEIRO

PREFERRED HOTEL

COPACABANA PALACE, A BELMOND HOTEL

Christ the Redeemer Statue

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel

Selaron Steps

SANTIAGO

Santiago, Chile

Chile’s capital city, Santiago nestles in a valley with the snow-topped Andes on one side and the Chilean Coast Range on the other. The Plaza de Armas, the main square, is home to the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, housing the National History Museum, the Courts of Justice and the Metropolitan Cathedral. To soak up the city and do some people watching sit in a cafe on Ahumada Boulevard, visit the Central Markets or dine at a picada. Browse the shops at the elegant Alonso de Córdoba area, and after dinner, experience the nightlife at Barrio Bellavista. Walk or ride up to the top of the San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic views over the city, or climb the Sky Costanera, the highest lookout in Latin America.

PREFERRED HOTEL

W Santiago

Sky Costanera

Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza de Armas

BOSTON

PREFERRED HOTELS

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

ONE DALTON STREET

THE LANGHAM

THE NEWBURY

Boston, Massachusetts

There is a lot to love about Boston. It is a very walkable city with a colourful past. The Mayflower landed here in 1620 and it is where the Boston Tea Party occurred in 1773 lighting the flame for America’s independence. Walk the Freedom Trail on a guided tour that takes you to 16 significant locations including Faneuil Hall. A break at Quincy Market is recommended. Another stop is Boston Common, the oldest city park in the US dating back to 1634. Do tours of Harvard, cruise out to some of Boston’s harbour islands, and definitely do a tour of Fenway Park – the oldest Major League park in the US and home of the famous Red Sox. You can see some of more than 170,000 stadium artifacts and 150,000 photographs on the tour.

The Newbury

Faneuil Hall

New Orleans, Louisiana

Many cultures harmonise sweetly in this ebullient music city. Thomas Jefferson bought Louisiana off Napoleon for a staggering US$15million in 1803. Walk around the elegant historic façades of the French Quarter, watching the musicians play on footpaths on Royal Street, and in clubs and bars. Bourbon Street has the famous Preservation Hall, while Frenchman Street is where locals go for their music at smaller places like the Spotted Cat, Blue Nile and Snug Harbor. Book ahead to dine at Antoine’s – established in 1840, Brennan’s, where Tennessee Williams went every day, or Bayona. Cruise on a paddle steamer on the Mississippi, catch a cable car to the Garden District and visit the National World War II Museum. Biting into a beignet at Café Beignet or Café Du Monde is a must.

ORLEANS

PREFERRED HOTELS

THE ROOSEVELT

FOUR SEASONS NEW ORLEANS

THE RITZ-CARLTON

The Ritz-Carlton

The French Quarter

Brennans

Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos sits at the tip of the southern Baja California Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet. There are two towns in the region, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas – about 45 minutes apart and linked by a corridor of luxury resorts and championship golf courses. Divers and snorkellers will love exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cabo Pulmo Reef. Los Cabos is also known for its game fishing, with a vast array of fishing charters departing from Los Cabos Marina to seek striped marlin, dorado, and tuna. Out of the water, play golf, be pampered at world-class spas, or head to San Jose del Cabo to visit Parroquia San José and the Estero estuary with abundant wildlife and birds.

PREFERRED HOTEL

VICEROY CABO SAN LUCAS

LOS CABOS

Cabo Pulmo

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas

SAVANNAH

Savannah, Georgia

This southern belle is such a charmer, with its veil of Spanish moss, its exotic mix of cuisines and its rich history. America’s first planned city, built in 1733 as a place of hope and refuge for the poor, General Sherman could not bring himself to destroy it during the Civil War, so he gave it to President Lincoln as a Christmas present. Stroll through the Historic Landmark District with its 22 park squares, museums, monuments, 18th-century homes, boutiques and restaurants. Enjoy a ferry ride on the Savannah River, and soak up the essence of River Street with its cobblestone streets complemented by repurposed centuries-old cotton warehouses. Do a tour to see locations from Forrest Gump, explore Bonaventure Cemetery and definitely dine or drink at the Pirates’ House, built in 1753.

PREFERRED HOTEL

JW MARRIOTT SAVANNAH PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT

Savannah River

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District

Historical riverfront

HANDPICKED California

After enjoying a fix of downtown Los Angeles’ razzle dazzle and star-studded beachside vibe, take one of the many roads snaking out of the City of Angels for a quintessential Californian adventure brimming with stunning beaches, national parks, desert landscape, wineries and charming towns.

BY Aleney de Winter Kings Canyon National Park, California

RETRO

Roadtrip

Just under three-hours from LA is achingly cool Palm Springs. Famous for mid-centurymodern architecture, mineral springs and the retro ring-a-ding-ding of the Rat Pack, this desert city radiates style. Its plethora of plush hotels, culinary offerings and cool cocktail bars is matched only by its astounding natural beauty. The hiking trails and pristine wilderness of the Mount San Jacinto State Park await at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

IN

PARTNERSHIP WITH VISIT CALIFORNIA

Delving through dense stands of towering palms of Indian Canyons reveals trickling streams, electric bluetailed lizards and the ancient stories of the Agua Caliente Cahuilla people. Just a short drive east is Joshua Tree National Park, where the kinky-limbs and spiky leaves of its namesake trees share a landscape of weather-smoothed boulders, a cacophony of cacti, and dramatic vistas of mesas and mountains.

Palm Springs, California

SUN &Sea

Two hours from LA, San Diego’s yearround sunshine, 100-kilometres of pristine coastline, vibrant arts scene and diversity of cuisine and culture, lend the city its special charm. Hit the hiking trails of the oceanfront Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve for sweeping Pacific views. Hire a bike to cycle the harbour from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to Liberty Station, or slather on the sunscreen at one of San Diego’s dozens of beaches. Coronado Beach is flanked

SIP & Spa

by majestic mansions and the iconic Hotel del Coronado, La Jolla boasts reef breaks and a bay-like location, while Ocean Beach adds snoozing sea lions, sunsets and access to seaside eateries to the mix. Explore Balboa Park, home to world-class museums, cultural centres, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo Military history enthusiasts should add the USS Midway Museum to their itinerary.

Ninety minutes from LA, Santa Barbara’s small-city, coastal vibes, cinematic festivals and fine wines have given it the moniker of the ‘American Riviera’, but this place has a charm all of its own. Beyond beaches, there’s fine fashion on State Street, even finer art at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and natural masterpieces along the meandering trails of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Take an island-hopping tour of the Channel Islands National Park, touted as the ‘Galapagos of the North’ for its unique flora and fauna. Melt into wellness offerings that run the gamut from underground salt caves to luxury spa hotels. For the wine-curious traveller, Santa Barbara offers a choice of an urban wine trail of tasting rooms and working wineries throughout the city or the rolling vineyards of nearby Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys.

Hotel del Coronado

State Street Shopping, Santa Barbara

MOUNTAINHigh

At just under five hours drive from LA, Mammoth Lakes, located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, never takes a day off from dazzling visitors. An otherworldly landscape of craters, alpine lakes and limestone towers, Mammoth Lakes lofty mountain terrain and pristine lakes beckon hikers, fishermen and kayakers during the warmer weather and snow enthusiasts in winter at the worldclass Mammoth Mountain. Located just a few miles east of the picture-book pretty town of Mammoth Lakes is Hot Creek Geological Site’s percolating

cluster of blue pools, steamy fumaroles and erupting geysers. Another must see is the stunning formation of basalt columns of Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. Mammoth is not only a gateway to ski resorts but to Yosemite National Park, a legendary Californian landmark as famous for its abundant wildlife as it is for its vertigo-inducing cliffs, deep valleys, thundering waterfalls and towering ancient sequoias. For a spooky touch of history, visit the ghost town at Bodie State Historic Park.

OVER THE GOLDEN Gate

A six-hour scenic drive from LA, or a fabulous train trip on the Coast Starlight, will take you to San Francisco. This stunning harbour city has it all, from culinary gems like Benu, Atelier Crenn, Saison, Calfornios and Mister Jiu’s, to the new Presidio Tunnel Tops Park and the latest exhibitions and permanent collections at the de Young Museum and SFMOMA. Revisit the classic experiences, and shop for designer and luxury goods in the charming, walkable Marina and Fillmore districts. For sporting action, catch an action-packed San Francisco Giants or Golden State Warriors game, and for a cultural hit, The San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony are sensational.

A BIG ‘SURVE’ OF Monterey

The dramatic Big Sur coastline, on the road to heavenly Monterey, is one of the world’s great coastal drives. The prettyas-a-picture Carmel-by-the-Sea is another beautiful place, a lure to celebrities, artists and visitors alike. Take a trip through time on historic Cannery Row, taste wines and gourmet treats in the Salinas Valley, play golf at the legendary Pebble Beach Resorts and discover the array of wildlife of Monterey Bay and Moss Landing.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

de Young Museum

Sea Otter, Monterey Bay

MAGICHappens

California’s Disneyland Resort is rolling out the red carpet for discerning travellers as it celebrates 100 years of Disney magic. Forget waiting in lines for rides, shows and restaurants. Book an exclusive VIP guide to act as your personal concierge, secure reserved VIP seating for shows and swap the pretzels for fine dining at Napa Rose, The Blue Bayou, and Carthay Circle before retiring for a night of luxury at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Try and garner an invite to the auspicious memberonly Club 33

Catch a ball game at or ice hockey action at Honda Center, home of The Anaheim Ducks. Head to Anaheim GardenWalk and Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney for shopping and dining. South Coast Plaza is home to an unrivalled collection of more than 250 luxury and fashion boutiques, while Anaheim Packing District is a favourite with foodies, featuring two storeys of hidden artisanal gems. Speak to one of our California travel experts »

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim

Aneheim Packing District

Four of our trusted Travel Advisors spent seven days on an itinerary curated by Visit California , with time split between West Hollywood, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The time for California … is now.

DAYS ONE & TWO

West Hollywood ACCOMMODATION: The London West Hollywood

DAY ONE

Fly in to LAX and check into The London West Hollywood in West Hollywood, a city in its own right and home to Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Boulevard and the Design District. The London West Hollywood is an absolutely gorgeous gem in WeHo – it is all suites and all balconies and it is where Lady Ga Ga stays. After brunch at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker – order one of their signature lattes for the prettiest, hand-painted coffee you’ll ever have – it’s on to Facegym for a workout on the more than 40 facial muscles flagging after the long-haul flight. Lunch at 1 Hotel West Hollywood – an urban oasis – showcases its killer views of the Hollywood Hills and Downtown Los Angeles, before a stroll around WeHo or relaxing back at The London West Hollywood. Dinner is at the elegant Sunset Tower Hotel inspired by the early days of Hollywood glam.

DAY TWO

Rise and shine early to shake off any jet lag on a hike in Runyon Canyon with Bikes and Hikes LA Meander through the Design District, full of inspirational and cutting-edge ideas, followed by cocktails at the West Hollywood EDITION on Sunset Boulevard. Dress for dinner at BOA Steakhouse, a favourite among celebrities and Hollywood's elite.

‘Hiking in Runyon Canyon is something most tourists don’t know about. Plenty of trails to choose from, stunning views from Catalina Island across to the Santa Monica Mountains and of course the Hollywood sign, LA mansions and it’s so close to West Hollywood.

‘Another tip – Visit the secret rooftop at RH West Hollywood. This is a stunning furniture store and well worth strolling through, but head to their rooftop terrace which is open to the community. It’s a peaceful oasis on Melrose Ave with views of the hills and the Hollywood Design Center.

RACHAEL HEELAN ROSS & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES, QLD

Contact me for more information

Runyon Canyon

Design District

BOA Steakhouse

DAYS THREE & FOUR

Los Angeles ACCOMMODATION: Short Stories Hotel

DAY THREE

Get sandy with most of the day spent at Malibu. Visit Malibu Pier and walk the planks for shopping and views over the coastline and the surfers riding the break down below. Lunch at Geoffrey’s Malibu creates a Medmeets-Malibu vibe, before boarding the Vintage VW Bus Wine Tour by Malibu Wine Hikes. Explore the astonishing Saddlerock Ranch, with its three centuries of history and delightful vine-tangled mountain vistas, drinking some wine as you go. Check in to the Short Stories Hotel, a new hotel close to LA’s shopping, dining and museums, before going out for a wander, a drink or two and a meal. Or choose to relax at the hotel.

Short Stories Hotel

Saddlerock Ranch

DAY FOUR

Original Farmers Market with its 100 gourmet grocers and restaurants. A VIP tour of Universal Studios – the world’s largest movie studio and theme park – is on the menu, the most exclusive way to go behind the scenes. The experience also includes VIP privileges with escorted express access to rides and attractions, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Lunch is also magical, prepared by Universal’s executive chef in the VIP dining room.

A horseback ride to the Hollywood sign is a great way to relax before dinner at Meteora, created by Michelin-star chef Jordan Kahn.

Hogwarts, Universal Studios

Meteora for dinner

Horse riding in the Hollywood Hills

DAYS FIVE & SIX

San Francisco

ACCOMMODATION:

Beacon Grand Hotel

DAY FIVE

Fly to the Golden City and check in at the Beacon Grand Hotel, before setting off on a San Francisco Chinatown and North Beach Food Walking Tour. Conducted by Tom Medin Local Tastes of the City Tours, the small group tour weaves history and local stories into several stops serving up a variety of dishes that represent what makes the food scene in this city so diverse – everything from Peking duck to cannolis.

Beacon Grand Hotel

San Francisco Chinatown

DAY SIX

Explore some hidden gems in the Bay area over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on the Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour with San Francisco Jeep Tours. Marvel at the enchanting work of Mother Nature in the world’s oldest redwood forests before stopping in the much loved and ‘mystical town of Sausalito for lunch. This is one of San Francisco’s treasures. Taking the ferry back, the views of the iconic bridge are awe inspiring. Go exploring around the city with a Go City Pass or just rest up before heading to the Chase Center to watch the Golden State Warriors NBA team play. Afterwards, visit the one of a kind Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar at Fairmont San Francisco. It’s an underground bar that has to be seen to be believed. A storm rolls across every hour with rain, lightning and thunder. There is a fabulous band that plays on a platform in the middle of the water and cocktails in every shaped glass you can imagine.

‘The food walking tour was fantastic. We visited Chinatown and North Beach, going to places that are not on the tourist track. We went to a little Asian restaurant in Chinatown and the food – especially the Peking Duck – was sensational. I also loved the little tea house we visited, and the freshly made egg tarts that our guide picked up from her favourite bakery. I was surprised by North Beach – it had a lively restaurant and bar scene – I will be recommending that to my clients for sure.’

‘I highly recommend doing the Jeep Tour the first day you are there. The guide shows some of the points of interest on the way. It was a fun experience.’

KARINA JONES TRAVEL ASSOCIATES CRONULLA, NSW

Muir Woods

North Beach

DAY SEVEN San Francisco

Bamford Wellness Spa

DAY SEVEN

To prepare for the evening flight out of SFO, relax with a mineral-rich bath salt soak in a stone spa tub on the rooftop terrace at the Bamford Wellness Spa. Afterwards, spend a day sightseeing. Choose to go on the Escape From the Rock Tour at Alcatraz – using the Go City Pass – or do a walking tour of some of the neighbourhoods like the Mission District or Haight Ashbury.

Alcatraz

Haight Ashbury

ADVENTURE INTO THE WORLD OF

The Americas

From the stars and stripes of the USA to the cultures, wildlife and geological extremes of Central and South America, Adventure World can curate customised, unique and extraordinary travel experiences to suit the curious traveller. Here are some handpicked itineraries to whet your travel appetite.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ADVENTURE WORLD

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

~UNDER THE BIG SKY~

Staying in a luxury glamping tent close to two majestic national parks is a one of a kind experience on this tour under the ‘big skies’ of Montana. Spend three nights at picturesque Under Canvas West Yellowstone, 10 minutes from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Spend two full days exploring the upper and lower loops with highlights sure to be the Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, reliable Old Faithful and the sheer volume of wildlife. In Missoula, learn about the heroics of being a ‘Smokejumper’ firefighter, and in Glacier National Park, check into Under Canvas Glacier, your base for Glacier National Park. Travel the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road on the historic red bus or on an e-bike, take a boat cruise or join a ranger-led tour.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

~ HANDPICKED DEEP SOUTH ~

This 11-day self-drive tour through six states from Atlanta to New Orleans hits the right note with a packed playlist of history (there are 400 civil war sites in Georgia alone), architecture, culinary delights and a rich music history covering multiple genres. Drive at your own pace on this itinerary – perfect for the independent traveller. Explore Atlanta, Charleston and Savannah for their southern charms. As for music, you’ll tour through America’s musical landscape, including jazz in New Orleans, country music in Nashville with the famous Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, and the blues and gospel of Memphis – with Elvis front and centre.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Under Canvas West Yellowstone

Central America

~ HANDPICKED COSTA RICA ~

Walking in a cloud forest is an otherworldly experience, and just one of many one of a kind locations you can visit in Costa Rica. This is nature’s playground, with soaring volcanic peaks, swathes of verdant rainforest and pristine beaches lapped by the Caribbean Sea. On this eight-night tour with Adventure World, travel north from San Jose to idyllic Tortuguero National Park, which is reached by, and best explored by boat, on canals, lagoons and wetlands that are home to spider, howler and capuchin monkeys and a haven for nesting sea turtles. The Arenal Volcano is a vastly different landscape as is the breathtaking Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

~CLASSIC MEXICO~

From Mexico City to Playa del Carmen, this 12-night itinerary is Mexico in a nutshell. In Mexico City, Zocalo is one of the biggest public squares in the world and is home to Latin America’s biggest church, and the Palacio Nacional, which houses Diego Rivera’s murals. Explore some of the most important archaeological sites of Mexico including Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – and the enchanting jungle-bound Palenque. Monte Alban, located in Oaxaca, is considered to be the greatest of the Zapotec cities. For fun in the sun, Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya boasts pristine, palm lined beaches, caves and sinkholes and near Tulum, the ruins overlooking the turquoise sea are striking.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Turtle Beach, Tortuguero National Park

Mexico City Zocalo

~ ECUADOR IN STYLE ~

From Quito’s UNESCO World Heritagelisted Old Town to the spine tingling natural wonders of Mashpi Rainforest Reserve in the lush cloud forest of the Andean Choco bioregion, and the unsurpassed wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is a destination not to be missed. This 10-day itinerary includes stays at Mashpi Lodge, where you can learn about the ecology and conservation of the Choco region, walk to waterfalls, sit in the treetops and marvelling at the 500 species of birds, trees and frogs found nowhere else in the world. A four-night cruise onboard the luxury La Pinta yacht follows, where you’ll be totally smitten with the wildlife of Galapagos, visiting the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Espanola, where a riot of birds and sea creatures await.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

~INSIDER CHILE~

On this 11-day itinerary, guests will experience lost civilisations with a beguiling history and a country that is a heady mix of the beautiful, the stark, the intriguing and the wonderful. In and out of Santiago, the tour will showcase the vibrant street art, colourful houses and staircases of Valparaíso, before heading to San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert – the driest on Earth. Explore the mountains and volcanoes of the desert region on foot, horseback, bike, or vehicle and visit the Valley of the Moon. On Easter Island, marvel at the mysterious Moai heads, carved between roughly 1100 and 1650. Explore its abundant archeology and volcanos, learn about the magical culture of Rapa Nui and its more than 1,000 moai, silent witnesses of a complex society.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Mashpi Lodge

Street art, Valparaíso

In the wild

No matter where you are in the Americas, seek out national parks and you will be seeing the very best of nature. Here are 10 of our favourite places to get back to nature, from north to south.

Denali National Park, Alaska

The Great One

Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA

A truly wild place, Denali is huge, with 2.4 million hectares of pristine wilderness including the highest mountain in North America – Mt Denali –which is an imposing 6,193 metres. There is one road in through just one entrance, with narrated tour buses the best way to take in the landscape and see the wildlife. Locations like Wonder Lake, Sable Pass, Savage River, Primrose Ridge and Polychrome Pass, will take your breath away. There are plenty of places to stay at the park entrance, referred to as ‘Glitter Gulch’, and a vast range of activities can be booked there as well – from flightseeing to ziplining, canoeing to kayaking, and rides on horses or ATVs.

Almost Heaven

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, West Virginia, USA

America’s newest national park, designated in 2020, is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia. No wonder, when you see the signature view of the park – looking up at the iconic steel arch bridge that soars over the rumbling New River. There are more amazing panoramas from the Overlook at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, looking along the bridge and down to the thick blanket of green forest flanking the ancient, northward-flowing river as it cuts through the wilds of the gorge. Take a hike on the Bridge Buttress Trail, go rock climbing, stand up paddleboarding, biking, or white water rafting. Look skywards, as the Park, located in the Appalachians, is home to bald eagles and peregrine falcons.

Gold in Guatemala

Dance with the Devil

Tikal National Park, Guatemala

Located 63 km from the city of Flores, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tikal National Park is one of the major sites of Mayan civilisation, and was inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. Embedded within the much larger Maya Biosphere Reserve, Tikal is one of the few World Heritage properties inscribed according to both natural and cultural criteria for its extraordinary biodiversity and archaeological importance. Cocooned in the heart of the jungle, the ceremonial centre contains superb temples, pyramids, palaces, and public squares with the ruins of other buildings scattered through the forest. Wildlife in the park includes jaguars and pumas, several species of monkeys and anteaters and more than 300 species of birds. Star Wars fans might recognise it as it was used as the location for the Rebel base, Yavin 4 in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina

The name ‘Iguazu’ loosely means ‘big water’, with 275 waterfalls over three kilometres, with a height of 82 metres. The falls meet at the corner of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and are the hero of the national park bearing their name. From the Argentina side, take the train to Devil’s Throat Station, and stroll 1.2 km to the top of Devil’s Throat waterfall. The views from the lookout, the sheer power of the falls and cacophony of the water combine for a one of a kind experience. Daredevils can take a boat up close to the falls for a drenching – an exhilarating and slightly scary ride. The national park also has exquisite rainforest to explore on various hikes, with incredible flora and fauna.

A great way to see Iguazu Falls is on Adventure World’s Handpicked Argentina itinerary, a 12-day tour from Buenos Aires to El Calafate.

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Yours Faithfully

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana, USA

The first national park in the world, Yellowstone holds a special place for lovers of incredible scenery, amazing wildlife, jaw-dropping geology and conservation efforts. It is a true wonder of the world. The Park was established on March 1, 1872 and covers a gargantuan 890,308 hectares. There are 292 waterfalls, soaring peaks, lush green meadows that look like something out of Hobbiton, steaming geysers ranging from the unbelievable Grand Prismatic Spring to the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs and famous Old Faithful. Grizzly bears,

Californian Wonder

black bears, wolves, moose, bison, coyotes, elk, ospreys and eagles – the sightings are exciting and remind visitors why conservation is so important for people, and planet.

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Known for its granite domes, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and soaring sequoias, Yosemite National Park is a veritable playground for nature lovers. The beauty of this landscape, including the awe-inspiring Mariposa Grove of 500 giant sequoias, was the inspiration for the foundation of national parks. Yosemite Valley is where most visitors go, with the world famous Half Dome and El Capitan – a 900 metre rock face that featured in the documentary Free Solo – the main attractions. There are many great hiking trails in the park, taking you to the rock monuments and to impressive waterfalls. A real hidden gem, the Hetch Hetchy Valley is spectacular, with pristine lakes, towering peaks, rugged canyons and thundering waterfalls. The place to stay is the Ahwahnee, an elegant lodge that has hosted queens and presidents and has just reopened after a renovation.

Lava Love

Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Located near the town of La Fortuna, Arenal National Park’s star attraction is the 1,633-metre Arenal Volcano, closely followed by the smaller inactive Chato Volcano which has a picturesque lagoon in its collapsed crater. Arenal’s striking cone shape dominates the landscape, which is a carpet of verdant green forest. There are a number of hikes in the 12,016-hectare park including the Arenal 1968 Volcano Forest Trail, a 4.7 km loop, the 1.7 km Coladas Trail which rewards with spectacular views to the volcano and Lake Arenal and the hike to beautiful Rio Fortuna Waterfall, where you can have a dip in the cool, clear water. You can also ride a horse to the falls, do a safari float down the river and soak in hot springs. The park is home to myriad bird and wildlife, including three-toed sloths, coatis, howler monkeys, jaguar and ocelots, along with chestnut mandibled and keel billed toucans.

The Three Towers

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

The untamed majesty of this 227,298-hectare national park is almost indescribable, with snowtopped massifs, glaciers, valleys and wildlife to enchant. It is a trekking wonderland, with trails taking you through dense forests, alongside waterfalls, imposing granite cliffs, and past turquoise lakes. A highlight will be the three towers, the tallest of which is Cerro Paine Grande, at a height of 2,884 metres. Take a boat tour to the Grey Glacier, one of several significant glaciers in the park. The wall of crevassed blue ice, accompanied by icebergs floating in turquoise-grey water is captivating. While in the park, go horse riding with a gaucho or do a photography tour to try and capture the beauty in your lens. You might spot condors, guanacos, or if you are lucky, the elusive puma on your travels.

theUnderarches

Arches National Park, Utah, USA

With the park entrance just eight km out of Moab, Arches National Park is easily accessible for visitors to this adventureladen red rock town. Arches lives up to its name, with more than 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, and giant balanced rocks. There is a lot to do, with many hiking trails – including the popular hike to Delicate Arch – as well as stargazing and tours. Arches is one of Utah’s ‘Mighty 5 National Parks’, with the others being Canyonlands National Park, Zion, Capital Reef and Bryce Canyon.

Into

The Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina, USA

While many Australians have not heard of it, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one to add to your bucket list. Straddling two states, it attracted 13 million visitors in 2022, with visitors flocking to admire its ancient mountains, pristine mountain streams, wildlife, waterfalls, rivers

A spectacular and luxurious way to get to Moab is on the Rocky Mountaineer ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks’ journey, which is a twoday trip between Denver, Colorado and Moab, with an overnight stay in spa heaven – Glenwood Springs – on the way.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

and its Southern Appalachian Mountain culture. Scientists are still discovering and identifying plant and animal species that are hidden within its depths, with ridge upon ridge of forest to explore. There is 1,370 km of walking trails, 112 of them on the legendary Appalachian Trail. The park has 80 preserved log cabins, churches, grist mills and historic landscapes that tell the stories of the Scottish and Irish settlers who came here in the early 19th century.

Just cruising

With an enormous amount of coastline to discover, as well as world-famous rivers and lakes, cruising is a wonderful way to travel in The Americas. Here are some of our recommendations.

Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Islands

ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER

Even just saying the name ‘Mississippi’ conjures up images of romantic paddle steamers, the journeys of Mark Twain and centuries of history along this storied river. The Mississippi meanders a distance of 3,766 kms, flowing through 10 states and fascinating places like St Louis, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Memphis and New Orleans.

Viking offers a range of itineraries from the 15-day St Paul to New Orleans cruise to the nine-day cruises between the two legendary music cities of Memphis and New Orleans, and the eight-day journeys between St Paul and St Louis. All cruises are on the Viking Mississippi – a new state-of-the-

Talk

art vessel purpose-built for this river. The ship, launched in 2022, carries 386 guests and features the elegant Scandinavian design and service Viking is known for.

Mississippi River Bridge, Mississippi

New Orleans, Louisiana

Downtown Memphis, Tennessee

ALASKA ON ICE

The sights you will see when cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage will render you speechless. Cruising on idyllic fjords, wildlife spotting, learning about the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Alaska Native peoples on various shore excursions, and maybe even witnessing a glacier calving – definitely a one of a kind experience.

A wonderful way to see the Inside Passage is onboard Seven Seas Explorer. A seven-night cruise from Seward to Vancouver will be unforgettable. See the Hubbard Glacier, the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, the colourful city of Sitka, once the historic centre of Russia’s Alaskan empire, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan – where you might be able to go bear watching at Neets Bay by floatplane – and ending in beautiful Vancouver.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Seward, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

THE GALAPAGOS

Any trip to the Galapagos Islands comes with very high expectations and usually these expectations are exceeded… such is the magnificence of this place. It is all about the wildlife, with blue-footed boobies perched on rocks, lava lizards doing push ups, sea lions lazing on footpaths or frolicking with snorkellers in the sea, giant tortoises plodding about and marine iguanas sunning themselves on lava rock.

The ultimate way to explore The Galapagos Islands is onboard Silver Origin – the first destinationspecific ship built by Silversea. The seven-day round trip journey from San Cristóbal will be in true Silversea style. The itinerary will take you to Isla Bartolomé, Buccaneer Cove on James Island, Punta Vicente Roca, Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island, Isla Guy Fawkes, with multiple locations on Isabela, Floreana and Santa Cruz.

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Bartolomé Island, Galapagos Islands

Espanola island, Galapagos Islands

CAPE HORN CRUSADER

Cruising is an easy and convenient way of seeing multiple destinations in South America with many different itineraries to choose from. For instance, Oceania Cruises offers the 24-night ‘Cape Horn Mariner’ itinerary from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to Santiago, Chile, with a rounding of Cape Horn and visits to the Falkland Islands and several Antarctic locations included. There will be too many highlights to mention, but Ilha Grande, Brazil, Montevideo in Uruguay, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Port Stanley in the Falklands, Paradise Bay and Deception Islands in Antarctica, Ushuaia in Argentina, the Chilean Fjords and the port of Castro in the

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Chiloé Archipelago will be on the list. The cruise will be on Marina, refurbished in 2023, carries 1,238 guests and is designed for the ultimate epicurean.

Paradise Bay, Antarctica

Ushuaia, Argentina

THE AMAZON UNMASKED

The Amazon captures the imagination of natureloving travellers. Cruising down the river will take you through ethereal landscapes spotting sloths, otters, monkeys, myriad birdlife and potentially the ‘boto’, pink river dolphin as well as meeting the locals.

See the Amazon on Seabourn’s 14-day ‘Amazon Delta & The Coast of Brazil’ itinerary on board Seabourn Pursuit sailing from Manaus to Rio de Janeiro. The voyage goes up the river about 1,600 kms from the sea, with many Amazon experiences by Zodiac, kayak, or on foot. There will be several ‘river days’ to just take in the majesty of what lies in front

of you, as well as visits to Parintins, Santarém, Guajara – where you can meet the local caboclos (“inhabitants of the forest”) as well as Macapá, Natal and finally Rio.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Manaus, Brazil

CRUISE THE AMERICAS FROM SOUTH TO NORTH

Imagine how much of The Americas you could see in 65 days. From the frozen delights of Antarctica in the south to the elegance of Quebec and the Great Lakes of Canada and the US in the north, this journey with Viking Cruises would take in nine countries and a diverse range of cultures, landscapes and sites.

After a night in Buenos Aires, fly to Ushuaia to board Viking Octantis, your home for the next three months. See nature at her best on the Antarctic Peninsula, the Chilean fjords, Niagara Falls and the

Galapagos Islands, go through the Panama Canal and the locks of the Great Locks, and colourful, vibrant cities from New York City to Charleston and Toronto, Cozumel in Mexico and Lima, Peru.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Lima, Peru

Punta Arenas, Chile

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION GUIDE

Our expert travel advisors recommend these luxury properties in the Americas.

When it comes to booking a luxury hotel for a well-earned holiday, it all comes down to location, location, location with a side of style.

Here you will find a curated list of some of our favourite luxury hotels in the US, Central America and South America, from luxury resorts by the beach to elegant city properties and rainforest retreats. Our travel advisors have more than a decade of experience in travel and know how to create exceptional holiday experiences for you, their clients, but helping you choose a hotel is only just the beginning.

Out of this world

VICEROY

LOS CABOS, MEXICO

When it comes to wow factor, Viceroy Los Cabos has an abundance of it, in every centimetre of its divine architectural design respectfully built by local artisans. Holding court on the Sea of Cortés in Baja California, the 195 guestrooms, suites, casitas and villas are all strikingly beautiful inside and out. The courtyard, with its five pools and the spectacular Nido restaurant with its birds nest-style roof is absolutely breathtaking. Other dining options include the main restaurant – Casero, Cielomar Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, the poolside Otro Bar, beachside Nidito Beach + Poolside Bar, and the newly opened Dalia, an outdoor Mediterranean dining experience. The town of San Jose is five minutes away, and the endless array of aquatic pursuits is literally out the front door. Click to uncover more »

Rock star

AMANGIRI UTAH

Staring out from your tented pavilion over a striking desert landscape is a one of a kind experience. Amangiri, an Aman Resort, sits in the wild red rock country in Utah, not far from the spectacular Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. The pavilions are part of Camp Sarika, certainly one of the most elegant glamping offerings we have seen with indoor living and dining areas, as well as terraces with fire pits and plunge pools. Or choose to stay in the modern Suites of Amangiri, with one or two bedrooms, or the four-bedroom Amangiri Home. Wherever you stay, the views out over the canyons, mesas, gorges and ridges are magnificent. Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Access all areas

BELMOND HOTEL DAS CATARATAS, IGUASSU FALLS, BRAZIL

This absolute gem of a hotel, with 187 rooms and suites, is close enough to the world famous Iguassu Falls to feel the spray from this aquatic maelstrom. On the Brazilian side of the falls, guests staying at the pastel-pink hacienda-style hotel are granted exclusive access to the national park – meaning you can see the falls without the crowds. Float in the pool with the sounds of the rainforest serenading you, stroll

through orchid-laden gardens and sip caipirinhas as the sun sets. The Hotel das Cataratas is South America’s first and only Forbes Five Star hotel, with every minute of your stay sure to steal your heart. Think priority access helicopter rides, dawn entry into the Parque das Aves or a bespoke speedboat tour under the Falls, the concierge can organise it for you.

House HeavenBefitting

HALEKULANI, HAWAII

Cue the frangipani scented salty air as we talk about this oasis of calm in the thrum of Waikiki. This tranquil hotel, with its signature ‘seven shades of white’, is on the beachfront, the golden sands of Waikiki lapping at the resort’s edge and Diamond Head jutting up into the sky across the bay. Halekulani offers guests top-tier service, award-winning cuisine and that touch of serenity that adds to any vacation. There are 453 rooms and suites, with the four Premier Suites overlooking Waikiki Beach and with unobstructed oceanfront views of Diamond Head, a dedicated personal butler and private kitchen facilities. To explore beyond the heavenly hotel, Halekulani’s Les Clefs d’Or Concierge staff can arrange an unforgettable island experience. Click to uncover more »

New York style

THE PIERRE, A TAJ HOTEL, NEW YORK

The US flagship of the prestigious Taj Hotels group, The Pierre is a New York icon thanks to its history and grandeur. Opening its doors in 1930, The Pierre has continually updated to offer impeccable opulence and exceptional hospitality and has attracted a long list of celebrities including Coco Chanel, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Yves Saint Laurent, Barbra Streisand and Joan Collins – just to name a few. The high standards ensure this distinguished palace continues to thrive. Overlooking Central Park, the 189 guestrooms are warm and inviting with luscious fabrics and impeccable style from the elegant bathrooms to the window dressings and the curated art. The Pierre’s Perrine Restaurant and Two E Bar/Lounge add to the New York flair.

The heart of Patagonia

EXPLORA HOTEL, TORRES DEL PAINE PATAGONIA, CHILE

This may well be the most spectacular location of any hotel, anywhere. Explora Lodge is located at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, on a rocky base by the shore of pristine Lake Pehoé. The Lodge has 49 rooms with views to the massifs across the blue lake, the mountains often perfectly reflected in pink, purple and orange hues when the sunrises – getting up early will be well worth it. Explora Lodge Patagonia is a destination within itself, but exploration in this spectacular place is easy. Explore the landscape on horseback with your choice of steed from the Lodge’s own stables, step aboard a boat tour from the lodge’s jetty or join a guided hike – there are 40 experiences on offer.

Suite dreams

OCEANA HOTEL, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

Nestled in Santa Monica, just steps from the Pacific Ocean, is Santa Monica’s Hotel Oceana, part of LXR Hotels and Resorts. This beach haven has 70 suites offering sophistication, style and SoCal charm, ranging from the Coastal Kitchen Suite to the two-bedroom Presidential Beach House which is the pinnacle of oceanfront luxury. The rooms feature Frette Linens, curated libraries, Bottega Veneta toiletries, hand-tufted Nepalese rugs and Bluetooth enabled sound systems. The hotel can organise bespoke experiences including oceanfront yoga, guided hikes, surf lessons, local excursions, beach butler service, coastal horseback riding, private access to the Getty Villa and private boat excursions, before enjoying the hotel’s intimate restaurants that fuse local flavours with culinary excellence.

Under the sycamores

L’AUBERGE SEDONA, ARIZONA

Perfectly nestled under a canopy of sycamore trees within Sedona’s majestic Red Rock country, the accommodations at L’Auberge de Sedona are as distinct as they are serene. Every cottage, suite, and room accentuates different aspects of the property taking inspiration from the resort’s location along tranquil Oak Creek. Sedona is the place to find meaningful experiences that enrich lives and renew spirits, with L’Auberge de Sedona fine-tuned to create unforgettable moments. When you journey here, the possibilities are endless, with a wonderful blend of activities and wellness experiences to dive into.

Atlantic charmer

CHATHAM BARS INN, CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS

Since 1914, Chatham Bars Inn in Cape Cod has been welcoming guests on the shores of the Atlantic and still delivers turn-of-the-century charm. The 217-rooms and suites are dotted around the vast property, all designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape of sand dunes and sea grasses. The Main Inn is a historic building and its guest rooms and suites have been painstakingly restored. For extra luxury, space and privacy choose one of the 30 cottage building accommodations, offering spectacular views of Chatham Harbor, the Atlantic Ocean or the Inn’s beautiful gardens. Cape Cod’s most loved and storied oceanfront destination also offers exceptional dining, a wellness spa and an inbuilt elegance and charm that comes with historic properties.

Talk to your Travel Advisor to book »

Pretty as a picture

THE LANGHAM HUNTINGTON, PASADENA

Tucked away at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, The Langham Huntington is in beautiful Pasadena, a short drive from Downtown LA. From iconic attractions to hidden gems, this beautiful property is the perfect base from which to explore Pasadena and beyond. Concierge can book tours to the attractions not to be missed in the neighbourhood, such as the Rose Bowl, the Norton Simon Museum with its stunning private art collection, and The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. The Langham Huntington is home to America’s only covered Picture Bridge, which has been a part of the hotel since 1932. The 41 replica oil paintings set in the roof trusses were painted by Frank Moore, and show landscapes of California. They were fully restored in 2020.

Boston wins the Raffles

RAFFLES BOSTON BACK BAY HOTEL & RESIDENCES

One of Boston’s most exciting real estate developments in decades, Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences will open in the summer of 2023. The property will mark the first mixeduse development in North America for the worldrenowned, 135-year-old Raffles Hotels & Resorts

The 35-story, $400 million+ LEED Gold building will be an urban oasis where global cultures and local influences converge. In the heart of the Back Bay, Raffles Boston will feature 146 branded residences, 147 guestrooms, and 16 distinct gathering spaces.

Six BEST WINE REGIONS OF THE AMERICAS

From whites to reds and everything in between, the Americas have many a fine drop, writes Sue Wallace.

Winery hopping is a muchloved activity in the Americas where many of the world’s award-winning wines, noted for their rich and delicate flavours, are produced amid jawdropping scenery.

Picture savouring a glass of malbec, the signature wine of Mendoza in Argentina, while watching a mesmerising tango performance amid manicured vines and a background of pretty mountain ranges that seem to change colour every time you glance up.

The Mendoza wine region has more than 1000 wineries ranging from extensive well-known vineyards to more intimate hidden gems in the three main areas – Maipu Valley, Luján de Cuyo, and Uco Valley.

Maipo Valley

CHILE Mendoza Wine Region

ARGENTINA

The newest of the wine regions, the beautiful Uco Valley is a 90-minute drive from the city of Mendoza in northwest Argentina and is one of the world’s highest wine regions with vines planted in the foothill of the Andes.

Nearby Chile is also known for its fabulous wines especially in the Maipot Valley, where cabernet sauvignon is its most celebrated drop.

Often referred to as ‘the Bordeaux of Chile’, the country has a long history of winemaking and while it’s believed the first vines were planted in Santiago in the 1540s, it wasn’t until the 1800s that viticulture developed. Three of the most visited wineries in the Maipo Valley include Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and Undurraga.

Napa Valley & Sonoma

CALIFORNIAN Gold

In North America, California is the biggest producer of wine in the US making about 84 per cent of the country’s drops. It is known for its warmweather varieties including cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sauvignon blanc as well as cool-climate wines such as chardonnay and pinot noir. Two of the most well-known wine regions, the Napa Valley and Sonoma, produce amazing award-winning wines that are revered by wine lovers.

MEXICO

The Napa Valley with its dry Mediterranean climate is perfect for grape growing and has more than 400 wineries. Napa’s peak tourist time corresponds with the harvest season from August to October when wine lovers descend for a winery hop, to taste the bounty. It is home to some of the world’s most renowned wineries with V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, one of the most visited wineries in all of Napa.

Neighbouring Sonoma is renowned for its cabernet sauvignon and also chardonnay, syrah and pinot noir. Sonoma far outproduces the Napa Valley in wine production and some of the most popular vineyards include Scribe Winery, Hanzell Vineyards, Viansa Sonoma Winery and Buena Vista Winery.

V. Sattui Winery, St. Helena

Virginia

From COAST to COAST

The state of Virginia is also considered a wine lover’s paradise producing popular red varietal wines including merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and chambourcin and popular white varietal wines such as chardonnay, riesling and viognier.

The oldest winery in the state is Chateau Morrisette which was opened in 1978 and is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, an hour from Roanoke and two hours from Greensboro, North Carolina. There are now more than 400 vineyards that produce one of a kind, award-winning drops and have a big following.

Spanning the central and southern areas of Washington State, Columbia Valley also has a long, consistent growing season which allows it to produce some of the boldest red wine varieties including cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot, and the more unusual varieties of petit verdot, mourvèdre, and petite sirah.

The unique wines are known for having the structure and finesse of Old World wines combined with the fruit and ripeness of the New World style.

So, raise your glass to the excellent wines of the Americas which take you on a journey of memorable tastes reflecting the terroir and style of each wine region – it’s an unforgettable journey.

Santa Barbara

COVER MORE, WITH

Cover-More

SMART TRAVELLER SAYS:

‘If you’re going overseas, travel insurance is as important as a passport’, and in the US, even more so due to the high cost of medical services. We asked the team at Cover-More to give us the lowdown.”

“As a destination, we wouldn’t classify the US as a high risk in terms of an incident occurring whilst travelling there, however, the cost of medical expenses incurred in the US is exorbitant making it a high risk financially if you need medical treatment.

Extremely high cost medical when hospitalisation is involved, even for relatively minor medical issues

High ambulance costs

Evacuation flight costs in the upper tier of price range”

“Heart attacks/issues and injuries are the most common medical claims we see from the US. We also see quite a few claims for treatment for undeclared Existing Medical Conditions (EMC) which is regrettable as these leave the customer with an extraordinarily large bill which they are responsible for.

Secondary to this are lost / theft / damage to luggage and personal effects and unexpected costs such as additional transport and accommodation expenses.”

“As recently as 2021, we had a claim where a customer was admitted to hospital in the USA with something as simple as a persistent headache. Because of the possible range of ailments that could cause these symptoms, a variety of tests were performed by the hospital. Total costs were over $15,000 AUD. Another recent case involved a customer being treated in the

USA for an exacerbation of type 1 diabetes. Total costs were just under $14,000.00 AUD.

Where serious conditions arise which result in more than a few nights stay in a US hospital and possibly emergency surgery, we are looking at an average of around $270,000 for medical expenses in the US.”

“The largest USA claim on record is from back in 2016. The customer was hospitalised with Pneumonia. Total costs for medical and evacuation were just under 1.5 million dollars AUD. We’ve also had another US medical claim in the last 12 months which is also estimated at $1.5 million dollars.”

The major mistakes people make with travel insurance are:

• Not realising they have an EMC and neglecting to declare/take out cover for it. People often don’t associate something that is an intrinsic part of their life OR something that hasn’t required active medical treatment for years with the concept of an Existing Medical Condition.

• Not purchasing additional coverage for special activities such as Snow Sports, Motorcycle/Moped Riding, Adventure or Cruise cover.

• Putting the wrong dates on their policy – if even one or two days of the trip are left off the policy and something happens in those days, cover often won’t be available.

Top four tips

1

Make sure any existing medical problem you have has been declared and is covered under your policy.

3

Add as much time as you can to layovers in the USA as most USA airports are large and confusing for first-time visitors, and missing flights due to not allowing enough time to reach your gate is common.

• People thinking they are covered for trips they take to receive treatment overseas. Travel Insurance is for the unexpected. It’s not a private insurance policy to cover all of your medical treatment when you travel.”

If you are hospitalised in the USA, contact emergency assistance immediately, even if it’s something minor.

4

Remember you can vary your cover on an annual multi-trip policy if a last minute cruise or snow holidays comes up.

Talk to your Travel Associates Advisor today to tailor the cover that’s perfect for you.

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CHIRN PARK TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

CHIRN PARK | 1300 023 584

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND | 1300 839 873

EGAN & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

EDGE HILL | 1800 889 875

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES HAWTHORNE

HAWTHORNE | 1800 852 199

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES CASTLETOWN

HYDE PARK | 1300 234 029

YEE & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

KENMORE | 1800 053 356

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES MACKAY

MACKAY | 1300 234 946

TRENDELL & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

MANLY | 1800 735 697

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES MOUNTAIN CREEK

MOUNTAIN CREEK | 1300 667 603

ROSS & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

PARADISE POINT | 1800 257 226

NOLLER & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

ROSALIE | 1800 002 670

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES ROCKHAMPTON

ROCKHAMPTON | 1300 217 924

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES RUNAWAY BAY

RUNAWAY BAY | 1300 841 072

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES TOWNSVILLE

TOWNSVILLE | 1300 841 072

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES VICTORIA POINT

VICTORIA POINT | 1300 841 486

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

BELLAMY & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

BRIGHTON | 1300 049 117

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES GLENELG

GLENELG | 1300 847 289

PERCHALLA & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

HYDE PARK | 1800 136 037

LEWIS & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

NORTH ADELAIDE | 1800 332 078

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES NORWOOD

NORWOOD | 1300 847 658

CHRISAKIS & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

WEST LAKES | 1800 056 159

TASMANIA

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES HOBART

HOBART | 1300 362 541

VICTORIA

WOLF & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

BLACKBURN | 1800 689 142

ASHMORE, HARRIS & JAMES

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

CANTERBURY | 1800 460 462

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES ELSTERNWICK

ELSTERNWICK | 1800 625 888

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES GEELONG

GEELONG WEST | 1300 765 059

MARTIN, STOCKDALE & TURNER

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

HAMPTON | 1300 093 483

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES KEW

KEW | 1300 094 105

CONNELLY & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

MALVERN | 1800 655 368

GANNON & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

PRAHRAN | 1800 911 259

FREEDMAN, LANGHORNE & JAMES

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

SANDRINGHAM | 1800 681 342

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES TOORAK

TOORAK | 1300 802 476

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES WILLIAMSTOWN

WILLIAMSTOWN | 1300 610 073

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

HOUSTON & TURNER TRAVEL ASSOCIATES

APPLECROSS | 1800 891 653

TRAVEL ASSOCIATES COTTESLOE

COTTESLOE | 1800 734 786

THE RUGGED BEAUTY OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST AWAITS.

Experience the American Southwest by luxury train on Rocky Mountaineer’s newest route, Rockies to the Red Rocks. From red sandstone landscapes that twist through the bright blue sky, to chromatic deserts and vast canyons, this stunning rail route is filled with highlights best seen from their expansive glass-dome coaches. The two-day train journey travels between Moab, Utah and Denver, Colorado with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

YOUR

SPEAK WITH YOUR TRAVEL ASSOCIATES ADVISOR TO BOOK

JOURNEY WITH ROCKY MOUNTAINEER.