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#1
‘Travel My Way’ Uganda
Executive Edge Co-Founder and Head of Leisure Yvonne Verstandig and co-host Suzy Zail, internationally published, award-winning author, have curated a once in a lifetime ‘Travel My Way’ tour to Uganda affecting real change for Ugandan girls. Let Yvonne’s ‘Travel My Way’ tour take you on a powerful, 10 night transformational journey November 2-12, 2019 to discover the real Uganda. Meet with female leaders of change, participate in round-table discussions, visit classrooms and girls’ empowerment clubs. Whether you’re searching for wild cats on safari or gorillas in the jungle, visiting remote tribal villages, meeting a Ssenga, building a mud-hut for a disadvantaged family or being trained by a village elder to weave a basket, each experience will place you beside community members who will deepen your experience through the sharing of stories and hands on participation. Discover the Africa that lives amid the heady smells of street vendors, in bustling city markets and remote jungle villages. Watch a witchdoctor at work, create art with a local painter. Dance, drum and wander the markets. Learn, grow and be inspired.
Did you know?
More than 50% of the Ugandan population comprises of people below the age of 14. It’s the youngest country in the world having the maximum number of youth, with the average age of the people going up till 50-60 years.
#2
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, Spain
Nobu’s sizzling new Ibiza Bay Hotel brings boutique signature service to Talamanca Bay. Bragging rights to the hottest culinary reservation in town, this laid-back refuge takes a more breezy approach to the intense club scene. Featuring hot tubs, hammocks and softer Balearic beats, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay caters to a more sophisticated crowd who wish to avoid the all-night reveling. With an on call mixologist to make drinks in rooms, enjoy two beachfront saltwater swimming pools, a spa operated by Six Senses, a yacht, Kid’s Club and blow-dry salon. Select from three restaurants – a classic outpost of Nobu Matsuhia’s eponymous Japanese restaurant, Mediterranean fare at Chambao or healthy gluten free at Celicioso. Light and airy bedrooms designed in true Balearic style – mother of pearl features, aqua and white tones, wicker chairs and hammocks. Take a tailor-made excursion to the historic villages and pine-covered hills of the island’s interior. And, certainly, make time for Ibiza Town, where traditional tapas bars line the streets of the Old Town and exclusive boutiques fringe the promenades of Marina Botafoch.
#3
Kokomo Private Island, Fiji
Fly by seaplane or a 20 minute chopper ride from Nadi and land on a whole new level of private island exclusivity. A retreat for families and a haven for honeymooners, Kokomo Private Island blends Fijian nuances with modern aesthetic in tropical paradise personified. Each opulent Beachfront Villa or Luxury Residence boasts striking views of the island with the utmost privacy, each with infinity pools and surrounded by gardens. Encircled by the famous Great Astrolabe Reef (the planet’s fourth largest reef), Kokomo Private Island showcases world-class diving and snorkeling. Kayak or sail around the island with dolphins jumping by your side, explore underwater caves, trek to a secret waterfall or unwind at Yaukuve Spa Sanctuary with the healing powers of holistic therapists. Embracing a dock to dish approach, Kokomo sets a new standard for Fijian cuisine where island grown locally sourced produce is transformed into gourmet dining to be enjoyed beachfront, poolside or in-villa from sunrise to sunset at your beck and call.
#4
Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
Hidden deep in the wilderness of Cambodia’s South Cardamom National Park, daring world-renowned resort designer and owner of Shinta Mani Wild, Bill Bensley, has created a radical new concept for a luxury camp experience which touts hospitality coupled with conservation and preservation. Intent to protect 350 hectares of river valley from poaching, mining and logging, Shinta Mani Wild partnered with the Wildlife Alliance, The Royal University of Phnom Penh and the Cambodian Government to devise a new conservation model driven by high-end tourism. Channeling the ultimate luxury jungle safari, currently 5 decked out 100 square metre tents perch above swiftly moving waters while another 10 are in the making. Zipline 380 metres over waterfalls and jungle to enter the property, then embark upon adventures exploring the wild ecosystem aboard luxury expedition boats. Dine on local delicacies like mud crabs at Waterfall Restaurant and make your way to Boulder Spa, whose chemical-free treatments feature reviving Khmer tonics made from medicinal plants foraged from the rainforest and bottled onsite.
#5
‘explora’ Atacama, Chile
Founded upon the premise of a new attitude towards travel in remote regions of South America’s Southern tip, explora Atacama, located 8,200 feet above sea level between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera de los Andes, is an immense area of land and mystery. The Atacama culture champions its agricultural and textile history, expressed in archeological monuments, cemeteries, churches and villages where its traditions still live in religious festivities, crafts and the local folklore. Cordilleras, volcanoes, saltpetreses and hot springs add intrigue to the environment. Accompanied by seasoned guides, set out into the surreal beauty on 40 some explorations via foot, horseback or bicycle. After all your adventures, chill nearby at Termas de Puritama, an exclusive hot-spring pool, then dine at the restaurant featuring local ingredients like quinoa and chañar. explora properties are all-inclusive so every meal, beverage and activity is included.
#6
Rosewood Phuket, Thailand
Hidden away amid mountainous headland, Rosewood Phuket commands one of the last remaining secluded beaches in Phuket along 43.5 acres of verdant crystalline beachfront forest. Be immersed in tranquility in your tropical cocoon, while the winding coastal road still provides convenient access to authentic experiences of the island’s cultural attractions and historic Old Town. Submerge yourself in underwater explorations of the dramatic marine environments of the Andaman Sea. Innovative architecture combines with subtle Thai influences which blend naturally into the lush landscape. Rosewood Phuket’s accommodations envelope guests in the soothing ambiance of a beachside retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto individual terraces, verdant garden sanctuaries, a private infinity pool and chilled outdoor seating. Expect Rosewood Phuket’s holistic wellness concept to reenergize your mind, body and soul.
#7
The Landmark Oriental, Hong Kong
Channeling James Bond in a 007 movie, covertly ascend the staircase to the mezzanine level of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s MO Bar, enter a faux phone booth and wait for a call. Startled by a ring, a secret door opens into one of the world’s latest hot spots. Shhh… please don’t tell. Yes, that’s right. The name is PDT, short for ‘please don’t tell’, a new cocktail bar concept at the hotel in collaboration with the legendary New York speakeasy PDT as a throwback to the years of Prohibition. As the first and only international outpost of PDT outside New York, PDT Hong Kong pays homage to its Manhattan roots with the notable signature style of PDT NYC including playful spins on the taxidermy, herringbone pattern wood on the ceiling, leather booths and the copper topped bar, all designed by Nelson Chow. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, has also recently had a full room and suite refurbishment by interior designer Joyce Wang. Given creative freedom to rethink the modern hotel experience, the talented Wang envisioned all 111 rooms and suites with a cosy yet sophisticated residential ambience with all the aspirational technical bells and whistles.
Read our article on The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
#8
Six Senses Shaharut
Enchanting and biblically proportioned, the Negev Desert is the epitome of desert landscapes. It is on this boundless horizon, often described as the nexus of heaven and earth, that the new Six Senses Shaharut will call home. Nestled into a dramatic cliff where sunsets meld into orange dunes, this inspired location named ‘Shaharut ‘ translates as ‘the moment just before dawn.’ Opening in a matter of months, Six Senses Shaharut will feature 58 suites and villas integrated into the otherworldly terrain. Villas are built from and inspired by local rock and pigments with landscaping featuring cacti and indigenous desert blooms. The extraordinary Six Senses Spa includes single and double treatment rooms, steams, saunas and hammams. Engage in overnight camel camping to extreme sports, hiking, jeep safaris and wine tours in this supernatural desert setting.
Executive Edge Travel is a globally renowned leader for booking luxury travel experiences/properties.
To book contact your Executive Edge Travel Designer on 03 9519 7777 or email leisure@executiveedge.com.au
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Culinary tourism is at its height right now. From wellness focused healthy dining to unusual gastro-food pairings, luxury travel today simply must include an enticing culinary component. Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has identified this foodie trend and taken it to another level. Select SLH properties showcase unique culinary experiences which excel beyond an impeccable meal to deliver a complete and unforgettable sensory adventure. To whet your appetite for more, try these 8 great Small Luxury Hotels of the World with out-of-this-world dining experiences.
#1
Storfjord Hotel, Norway
Leave the hustle and bustle of modern life and step into a Scandinavian folk tale to discover Storfjord Hotel on Alpine Norway’s fjord fringed wooded hilltop. With a log cabin ambience in a tranquil spot, enjoy panoramic views of the stunning Sunnmore Alps and overlook one of the largest fjords in Norway. For an authentic culinary adventure Scandi-style, visit a local fjord farm and sample delectable food which has been hunted, fished and harvested from the surrounding woods and mountains and prepared using traditional techniques. The visit also includes a lesson in traditional Norwegian baking right in the farm’s old bakery. Try your luck at baking Norwegian flatbread, Nonsvik Lefse (potato pancake) or traditional Water Kringle (butter-layered pastries). To satisfy the adventurist spirit, there is also fishing, sailing, hiking, sea safaris and skiing to choose from.
Executive Edge Travel’s Co-Founder & Head of Leisure Yvonne Verstandig’s ‘Travel My Way’ tour to Norway includes a stay at Storfjord Hotel
Did you know?
Storfjord Hotel is famous for its fine collection of cheese from local producers and Storfjordbrygg, the hotel’s locally brewed Ale only served at Storfjord Hotel.
#2
Milaidhoo Island, Maldives
Can a culinary ‘treatment’ address both the physical and mental hurdles that prevent a good night’s sleep? Hidden in the heart of an UNESCO biosphere reserve, Milaidhoo Island in the Maldives offers five different curated mood dining menus paired with wellness treatments designed to transport guests into a state of Zen. Choose from ‘Deep Sleep’, ‘Getting into the Milaidhoo Mood’, ‘Sunrise Awakening’, ‘Curious Adventures’ or ‘Sunset Chill’ – all created to change a person’s mood. The most popular, ‘Deep Sleep,’starts with a peaceful spa treatment in the early evening to relax the body followed by a light dinner with naturally occurring ingredients in the menu that encourage sleep. After dinner Milaidhoo’s resident yogi leads you in a private moonlight meditation on the deck of your villa to calm and slow the mind. The evening ends with a scented candlelit bath. At Milaidhoo Island, guests aren’t thought of a holiday makers but as ‘storywriters’, crafting their own dream holiday.
#3
Hulbert House, New Zealand
Fancy a luxury cruise with your own private chef? In Queenstown New Zealand, Hulbert House makes this exceptional dining experience a reality. Start with a Milford Sound day cruise then helicopter into the heart of Fjordland before boarding an elegant cruise complete with on-deck hot tubs. Enjoy an alfresco seafood lunch prepared by a private chef with delectable blue cod, crayfish and bluff oysters. After lunch cruise the Fjord, go fishing, try your luck at cray-pot pulling or dive deep in an ROV submersible. On the way back to Hulbert House, be sure to ask the pilot to land on a glacier. Hulbert House, skirted by a picturesque white picket fence, is a boutique retreat brimming with vintage style, from the Bakelite light switches down to the cast iron radiators. Magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu are captured from every individually designed room. Local staff will keep you busy suggesting spa treatments to golf excursions to the hippest wine bars and restaurants.
#4
Dar Ahlam, Morocco
Dar Ahlam means ‘House of Dreams’ and dream you shall as you dine in the most dramatic settings. Meals are an enchanting daily surprise. Never dine in the same place or taste the same dish twice and tables are set up in different locations depending upon the day’s theme. Savour traditional Moroccan specialties and the latest culinary innovations in spectacular outdoor settings such as overlooking the Atlas Mountains and Morocco’s stretch of the Sahara desert or the hotel’s gardens designed by Louis Benech, the famed designer of the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. Desserts are dreamed up by French pâtissier Pierre Hermé. Dar Ahlam is a renovated 19th century Kasbah with 13 suites and one villa – all have fireplaces and oversized bathrooms. The ultimate Moroccan adventure? For a little extra, spend the night under the stars in the desert in a tent for two.
Dining is a treat with four restaurants and three lounges, each a special and distinctive experience. Bond over Horhog, a traditional mutton stew cooked with hot stones which is a Mongolian meat dish representing thousands of years of nomadic Mongolian lifestyle.
#5
Terelj Hotel, Mongolia
Pure luxury nestled in the carefully protected, almost uninhabited wilderness in Mongolia’s Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Terelj Hotel is renowned for outdoor adventures from bird-watching to hiking and climbing or horseback riding through meadows of edelweiss, grassy steppes and forest-covered mountains. Although sparsely populated, the park is home to nomadic Mongolians, so if you are lucky, interact with the authentic people of Mongolia who are hospitable and gracious. Dining is a treat with four restaurants and three lounges, each a special and distinctive experience. Bond over Horhog, a traditional mutton stew cooked with hot stones which is a Mongolian meat dish representing thousands of years of nomadic Mongolian lifestyle. This dish embodies the spirit of togetherness and sets the beginnings of friendship. Complete the night’s festivities with a local Mongolian vodka made from fermented horse milk.
#6
Vestibul Palace, Croatia
With a mere 7 exclusive suites, Vestibul Palace is Split’s most extraordinary place to stay set in the heart of the Diocletian’s Palace beside the ancient Roman vestibule walls. Merging three distinct architectural styles, Roman, gothic and Renaissance, the palace’s interior is by contrast modern in design whilst highlighting original architectural features in the rooms. In this ancient setting, Vestibul Palace presents UNESCO themed dinners offering guests the opportunity to dine amongst the city’s breathtaking UNESCO World Cultural Heritage monuments. Choose from dining in the Emperor’s Square directly in front of the hotel or in St. Andrija Church accompanied by a one-hour concert by Dalmatian Klapa singers.
#7
Dukes of London, UK
In the centre of historic St James’s Mayfair, where King Henry 8th built his palace in the 16th century, Dukes London has been an exclusive retreat for royalty, politicians and musicians. Choose from modern or classic style accommodation whilst savoring British gastronomic delights. With quintessential English charm, enjoy a butler served picnic in nearby Green Park curated by Michelin-starred Chef Nigel Mendham and packed with traditional treats including Scotch eggs, broccoli quiche sprinkled with pine nuts, poached salmon with lemon mayonnaise, and artisan cheese paired with scrummy chutneys. The kid’s menu keeps little ones content with pigs in blankets, homemade crisps and strawberry trifles. The idyllic alfresco setting is perfect for a romantic date for couples or a party with friends.
#8
Relais San Lorenzo, Italy
In the historic walled city of Bergamo Alta, Italy, Relais San Lorenzo blends modern with antiquity. Step out of Relais San Lorenzo onto Piazza Mascheroni and wander through the winding streets of the walled city, then return to Chef Antonio Cuomo’s Italian dishes created with fine local produce well-rooted in the flavours of the Bergamo tradition. For a special culinary treat, dine in an archeological site of Roman and Medieval origins dating back to 300BC. In one of Lombardy’s most lovely towns, Relais San Lorenzo features a sensual spa, a gourmet restaurant, a terraced bar and houses 30 rooms and suites overlooking the neighbouring church.
Small Luxury Hotels culinary delights straight from the book
Purchase a copy of the SLH Cookbook Main Courses Volume 3 which presents a collection of handpicked recipes from the brand’s portfolio over 520 hotels in more than 80 countries. The SLH Cookbook features 142 tantalising main dishes curated by internationally recognised chefs; from local tastemakers to globally renowned masters of their craft, who champion regional produce and gourmet experiences designed to tempt the taste buds of discerning travellers.
Executive Edge Travel is a globally renowned leader for booking luxury travel experiences/properties.
To book contact your Executive Edge Travel Designer on 03 9519 7777 or email leisure@executiveedge.com.au