Deep Impact
20 Immersive Experiences You'll Never Forget
The days of box-ticking, surface-skimming, highlight-chasing holidays are over. From making handicrafts with locals in Morocco to off-the-beaten-path pilgrimages in Chile and decadent around-the-world journeys, here are 20 immersive travel experiences that will take you deeper in 2020.
#1
Take Flight
Let’s start this list with a bang, shall we? Few things could be more exclusive – and luxurious – than travelling by private jet, and this South American journey from tour operator Captain’s Choice will take you from the earth, up to the heavens and back down to sea on trains, planes, automobiles, ships and even a helicopter.
The ultra-luxurious 23-day adventure, departing Sydney in May, kicks off in Argentina, where a secret, closed-door dining experience, private polo match and Rojo Tango show await.
Back up in the air, take a side trip to Iguassu Falls for lunch with a once- in-a-lifetime vista of the Devil’s Throat, and then head to Brazil’s festive and deeply religious Rio de Janeiro, where jet-setters have the opportunity to visit Christ the Redeemer unencumbered by crowds. Take in a bird’s-eye view of the city from a helicopter – as you do – before landing at Sugarloaf Mountain and then witnessing a private, Carnival-style samba show.
In Panama, cruise through the Panama Canal and take a leaf out of Charles Darwin’s book, albeit in more luxurious lodgings, sailing the rugged Galapagos Islands on a privately chartered, four-night cruise. But the immersive extravagance doesn’t end there. Meet renowned archaeologist Jean Jacques Decoste and board the luxurious Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu before arriving in your final stop before returning home– Easter Island, where time appears to have stood still.
This journey is the true definition of a trip of a lifetime, and worth every moment of the post- holiday blues you’re bound to experience on your return.
Captain's Choice South America route
Captain's Choice South America route
#2
Holi Moly
Sure, you could visit India’s Pink City of Jaipur on any old day and be charmed by the blush-coloured buildings lining the streets, or you could visit during the holy festival of Holi and encounter an event so kaleidoscopic it makes Mardi Gras look like a scene out of an old black-and-white film.
Entrance to Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, India
Entrance to Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, India
This is India’s famed Holi Festival, a technicolour celebration marking the arrival of spring, and the joyous new beginnings the season represents after the gloom of winter. This colourful nation doesn’t do rituals by halves, and with the vibrant powder dyes –gulal and abeer – exploding in the streets and covering everyone and everything, it’s hard to imagine another time when India is so abuzz with festive cheer.
Think this is something you can get behind? Only in utmost style, of course. Being a personal guest of the Maharaja and the SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace should do the job. On this ultra-exclusive experience, do as the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana have done before you, and experience Holi like the VIP that you are.
Activities throughout the four-night soirée include attending a party with India’s Royal Family; an exclusive dinner within the iconic City Palace; watching a polo match from the Royal Family’s private box; private appointments with Jaipur’s most skilled fabric makers and craftspeople; and dinners with some of the city’s most elite residents. This rainbow-coloured event is one for the ages.
#3
The Royal Treatment
Prepare for your blue-blood fantasies to be fulfilled as you rub shoulders with the British Royal Family on this regal adventure in the Scottish Highlands. Members-only luxury travel club PRIOR’s ‘High Art and Highland Culture’ experience transports travellers to the most famous event from the Highland Games circuit – the Braemar Gathering – to experience Highland culture at its most riveting.
Photo from braemargathering.org
Photo from braemargathering.org
The 900-year-old celebration, taking place every year in the north-eastern village of Braemar near Balmoral, attracts crowds from all corners of the world. Not even Her Majesty the Queen is immune to the ceremonious excitement of the occasion – reputedly her favourite day of the year – with the Royal Family having attended every year since 1848.
Enter the ring of pipe bands, tartan-a-plenty and a full day of fierce competition as you watch the Scots track-race, ‘toss the caber’, ‘put the stone’, ‘throw the hammer’ and then throw themselves into dances and a tug-of-war battle. The next day, the royal treatment continues with Sunday mass at 9th-century Crathie Kirk with the Royal Family, and opportunities for a distillery tour and whisky tasting, golfing on Scotland’s highest course or mountain biking.
The Royal Family at the 2019 Braemar Gathering. Photo from braemargathering.org.
The Royal Family at the 2019 Braemar Gathering. Photo from braemargathering.org.
Experience a ‘ceilidh’ (evening of folk music, dancing and storytelling) at Mar Lodge Estate and even dine in a bothy – a traditional moss-covered rest house nestled in the Scottish wild. All the while, the magnificent, verdant hills are on full display, offering plenty of opportunities to ramble through dramatic Highland landscapes, just as Queen Lizzie likes to do.
Throughout the experience you’ll lodge at The Fife Arms, a 46- room boutique hotel that was recently restored and redesigned by Europe’s most dynamic art couple, Manuela and Iwan Wirth, and be privy to over 12,000 priceless pieces of art by venerable artists including Pablo Picasso. Bring your appetite, and an adventurous spirit – and do the Scots proud.
Drawing Room at The Fife Arms
Drawing Room at The Fife Arms
#4
A Date with David
Take private dining to new heights as you dig into a delicious multi-course Tuscan meal in the presence of a formidable masterpiece: Michelangelo’s David.
Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy
But first, scrub up on your history, with a tour of David’s home – the Galleria dell’Accademia – led by the ultimate Florence insider, Italian nobleman Count Vittorio Carioni, whose Florentine roots date back to the 15th century. Take in the museum’s scores of famous Renaissance
artworks with exclusive viewings of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures, Prisoners, rare paintings by Sandro Botticelli, and one-of-kind masterpieces from Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano. But it’s coming face-to-face, or rather, face-to-torso with the man of the hour, David himself, that will make the biggest impression.
Schiacciata alla Fiorentina
Schiacciata alla Fiorentina
With David as a humble guest, sit down to a Tuscan feast prepared by one of the best chefs in Florence, with Steak Florentine, ribollita and regional delicacies such as the city’s famous schiacciata alla fiorentina – a sweet sponge cake filled with cream – on the menu. As far as dinner dates go, we reckon this one will be hard to top.
#5
Nature & Nurture
Wellness gurus, this one’s for you. New Zealand’s breathtaking Southern Alps paint a magnificent backdrop for what is considered one of the most transformative wellness retreats in the world.
Yoga at Aro Ha
Yoga at Aro Ha
At Aro Ha, the mission is to rejuvenate the human spirit. No easy feat, right? Well with Aro Ha’s team of experts guiding you every step of the way, this goal is within reach, and the process begins by placing your smartphone out of reach.
During this unparalleled retreat experience, all aspects of natural health are addressed – mind, body and spirit – as you disconnect from technology and reconnect with your inner self. The retreat suggests that for every participant, their inherent potential lies dormant, just waiting to be awakened through positive daily habits, and past participants have spoken of leaving Aro Ha not just leaner, stronger and more flexible, but also calmer and more present with a clearer head and a stronger sense of direction.
Sunrise yoga and subalpine hikes that fully immerse guests in nature take place each day, along with regular mindfulness practices and curated activities, such as informative cooking classes, strength training sessions, relaxing infrared saunas and daily massage, designed to transform from the inside out.
#6
Conserve & Converse
With the catastrophic effects of Climate Change being felt around the world, it’s no wonder more and more luxury travellers are seeking out philanthropic experiences that allow them to give back to the
destinations they visit.
Jungle in Costa Rica
Jungle in Costa Rica
When it comes to conservation, few experiences would make more of an impact than one where you accompany a world-renowned conservationist, evolutionary ecologist and biologist for the day. Impact Destinations’ journey through Costa Rica sees travellers teaming up with Daniel Janzen, aka the ‘Darwin of Conservation’, to assist him and his team of parataxonomists.
Beginning with a scenic private helicopter ride over Area de Conservacia Guanacaste, fly around craters and down into jungle valleys, soar over waterfalls and observe geothermal activity with an expert guide by your side. Down on earth, document forest specimens, take photos and learn how to record DNA samples, before enjoying an enlightening dinner full of unbelievable stories from Daniel’s career.
After dark, it’s back into the forest for another unforgettable moment. The sounds of the night forest have been scientifically proven to bring the mind into the here and now, and with this night orchestra as your soundtrack, you’ll witness hundreds of moths, butterflies and other insects dance in a moving spectacle, as Daniel conducts with a fluorescent baton.
#7
"Alexa, Take me to the Med"
Not even Amazon’s artificial intelligence can help you with this one, but we know of another Alexa that can.
ALEXA J is a spectacular 38-metre, single-cabin sailing vessel built for two, offering tailored cruises around Greece’s magical Ionian islands, considered one of the best sailing destinations in the world.
Sit back with a glass of bubbles on the boat’s immaculately designed main deck, where several open lounge areas invite languid afternoons, or head down to the lower deck where a big screen TV and library stocked with travel books and maps await. Not that you’ll need any travel inspiration with a paradisiacal, 360-degree panorama ever present, and the beautiful islands of Corfu and Zakynthos – home to Instagram favourite Shipwreck Beach – a stone’s throw from your floating home.
And forget the stock-standard galley found on most yachts – ALEXA J’s has been replaced with a modern open kitchen, designed for gourmands who like to cook or, rather, be cooked for. A dedicated gourmet chef whips up culinary delights for you and your better half at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a fully stocked bar with quality wines and spirits from around the world are yours at any time, at any place, be it on the yacht, the beach or under the stars.
A total of seven multilingual crew accompany you on board, but try not to play favourites with the spa therapist, who is on hand to pamper whenever a rub-down becomes a higher priority than looking out at the endless blue horizon. It’s a tough gig, but someone’s got to do it.
Alexa J
Alexa J
#8
Craft Corner
If you’re the kind of traveller that loves to explore local markets, fishing out elaborate textiles, handmade ceramics and trinkets made by local craftspeople, prepare to get giddy over this 12-day tour of Morocco.
It’s arts and crafts all day, every day as you immerse yourself in Morocco’s seven timeless handcrafts, meeting with master artisans who continue to practice their time-honoured traditions. Design your own kaftan under the guidance of a master-weaver; witness an exquisite Moroccan rug come to life; learn to craft leather slippers, from dyeing the materials to sewing the shoes; shape a tagine clay pot with a master potter; and witness the intense focus required to craft delicate mosaics of zellige tiles.
Sahara Desert
Sahara Desert
As you find your inner artist you’ll see the north African country’s culture, history and artistry unfold, travelling through the mountains, valleys, desert and coastline. On the itinerary is a visit to the cosmopolitan, seaside city of Casablanca as well as the famed hubs of Fes and Marrakech. You’ll also take the Caravan Trail to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll spend a night in a luxury camp beneath the starry skies. With a captivating culture that never fails to cast a spell on all who visit, we challenge you to not be enchanted by magical Morocco.
#9
Curtain Call
Few countries can claim the tumultuous, storied and fascinating past like Russia can. From its Imperial legacy of tsars and revolution of dethroning, murder and witchcraft (Rasputin, we’re looking at you) to a subsequent seven-decade era defined by Communist rule, the intrigue of Russia’s history is immense.
Moscos, Russia
Moscos, Russia
In this historical Moscow tour, you’ll be driven around in a luxury car as you travel back in time to Imperial Russia, beginning with a private guided tour of the formidable Kremlin, now the seat of government. At Russia’s national treasury, the Armory, feast your eyes on historical artefacts, exquisite works of gold and silver, legendary Faberge eggs, knights’ armour and weaponry, bejewelled crowns and the opulent thrones of the tsars.
Take a break over flaky pirozhki and almond croissants at the chic, neo-Baroque Café Pushkin, housed in a magnificent Baroque mansion, and as the sun sets, don your finest attire for a night at Russia’s grand Bolshoi Theatre. Learn about the famous opera stars and dancers who have graced its stage on an exclusive backstage tour before settling in to witness an unforgettable performance. And to top it all off? But of course, it’s got to be dinner at the unbearably elegant Bolshoi Restaurant, where live jazz accompanies diners as they indulge in potato blinis with salmon and caviar, and gnocchi with lobster.
#10
Eagle-Eyed
Vast, remote and mysterious Mongolia is one of the world’s most coveted adventure destinations, home to seemingly never-ending, untouched landscapes and a fascinating, centuries-old nomadic culture.
Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Gobi Desert, Mongolia
One of the country’s most exciting celebrations is the Golden Eagle Festival in the far west of the country, where Kazakh horsemen test their birds for speed and accuracy, competing for the prized golden eagle. On this rare, 12-day small-group journey by Abercrombie & Kent spend two days taking in the spectacle of this competition and experience Mongol hospitality and traditions first-hand, with award-winning freelance photographer and published author Palani Mohan as your guide.
Discover Ulaanbaatar’s vibrant textile heritage, sleep in a traditional ger, stargaze in the harsh but hauntingly beautiful wilderness of the Gobi Desert, hike through craggy canyons and marvel at Buddhist monasteries in one of the world’s last travel frontiers. You wanted cultural immersion, you’ve got it.
#11
Think Hygge
The struggle is real when it comes to finding work-life balance, but leave it to the Danes to find a solution.
Regularly ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark’s focus on supporting the common good means equality, social welfare and safety are valued more highly than in many other countries, and its inhabitants experience higher overall levels of satisfaction and contentment as a result. Even in the corporate world, the tendency is towards honesty and trust, which means corruption is incredibly low, while the Danish concept of hygge is a constant reminder of the importance of taking time away from the stresses of work to enjoy the good things in life with friends and family.
Tour curator Black Tomato’s unique experience from its Bring it Back collection is a full Nordic immersion, designed for those who are burnt out from the rat race. Spending a day in Copenhagen with a Danish journalist known for his promotion of work-life balance and parental leave, visitors embed themselves in Danish culture, witnessing first- hand an exemplary working lifestyle that embraces both efficiency and the human element in equal measure.
Danes embracing the concept of Hygge Copenhagen
Danes embracing the concept of Hygge Copenhagen
Learn how the routine of a high-ranking executive at a leading global organisation in Copenhagen differs from that of other cities where she has lived, and learn how the Danes foster creativity, productivity and motivation over dinner at one of the city’s cutting- edge restaurants. This journey will make you question how you could transform your own life, and business, and even send you on your own hygge journey with a personal plan to integrate the concept into your everyday life.
#12
A Martial Mission
Japan might be well and truly in the festive spirit with the recent Rugby World Cup and upcoming Olympic Games, but when it comes to the Japanese art of ninja (shinobi), there’s no fun and games about it.
During the 700-year Feudal Japan period, ninjas were covert Japanese spies and experts in the dark arts of espionage and silent assassination. With a history dating back to the 12th century, these masters of deception were fabled to be the descendants of a half- man, half-crow demon called tengu. Fast forward to 2020 and while today’s ninjas may no longer hunt down baddies in the dead of night, they still know their way around a sword, along with the rich history of this mysterious ancient martial art that’s as fascinating today as it was once formidable.
In Black Tomato’s Learn the Way of the Ninja experience, the history of ninja becomes a fascinating conduit for an intensive cultural reconnaissance mission. Travellers embark on a 10-night journey from Tokyo to Kyoto uncovering the ancient ninja and sumo culture and their fascinating traditions, all the while exploring The Land of the Rising Sun’s breathtaking landscapes.
Earn the ultimate bragging rights as you don an authentic ninja uniform and receive martial arts lessons from one of Japan’s most legendary sensei, even handling ninja weapons such as throwing stars and blowguns. Go deeper and learn about the spiritual side of the discipline, including meditation, ancestor veneration and the concept of ‘ku’ (no-self), and practice ninja techniques such as stealthy steps, hardened hands and the ‘inner eye’.
Expect to train like a sumo wrestler, try your hand at making ramen and the edible art that is amezaiku candy, get into the mind of a gadget nerd at electronics mecca Akihabara, witness indescribably beautiful temples, experience a traditional ryokan and even see the famed Mount Fuji.
Your Japanese mission, if you choose to accept it, will certainly give you a few stories – and maybe even some war wounds – to take to your next dinner party.
#13
Party on Ice
Why just ‘do’ Iceland when you could do it with some serious, celebrity-style swagger?
In what would make an unbeatable milestone adventure for a family or group of friends, this adventure on ice sees guests exploring Iceland’s rugged, volcanic landscape over six action-packed days.
Strap into a Super Jeep, snowmobile, dog sled and set of skis as you’re navigated by expert guides and speed off on a Northern Lights safari, bearing witness to otherworldy natural phenomena and jaw-dropping views. Then, melt away the stresses of day-to-day life with geothermal spa treatments or – if you’re game – a snorkel between tectonic plates.
Come sundown you’ll dine by candlelight in an underground lava tube, eating and drinking like a king on freshly caught lobster accompanied by fine wines, before your trip of a lifetime culminates in the party to end all parties. Helicopter arrival? Check. Glacier? Check. World-famous international DJ? Check. Burn a hole in the ice as you dance the night away with your nearest and dearest at a private party pavilion complete with a gourmet banquet, a hearty supply of drinks, beats straight out of an Ibiza nightclub and nothing around you but a star-filled sky.
#14
Road Trippin'
Put the pedal to the metal and feel the freedom of the open road with this solo driving adventure in the Wild West.
On Going Wild in West Texas, brought to you by All Roads North, explorers get behind the wheel of a luxury car and hit the road for an eye-opening exposé of the Lone Star State. Challenging those age-old Texas stereotypes, you’ll go far beyond the barbecue food culture, live music and rugged, sprawling landscapes of this cowboy state. On this unique journey, gain unprecedented access to some of the USA’s most exclusive private ranches, visit an art gallery with a private curator and even meet with wildlife biologists, archeologists and astronomers.
Pulling out from El Paso, drive to the contrasting town of Marfa, known for its contemporary art scene and the mysterious Marfa Lights, before speeding off to the foothills of the Chinati Mountains. At high-end Cibolo Creek Ranch, founded by cattle baron Milton Faver, you’ll have more than 12,000 hectares at your disposal to traverse on horseback, mountain bike or ATV.
Sleep under the star-filled skies of Big Bend National Park on an overnight river trip through the canyons of the Rio Grande; recharge your batteries at luxurious Chalk Draw Ranch in the Santiago Mountains; and explore Bee Cave Canyon, the largest prehistoric rock shelter in the region. With plenty of hiking, swimming and animal-sighting opportunities afoot, this is the kind of journey that satisfies mind, body... and that insatiable need for speed.
#15
Eclipse of the Heart
While lunar eclipses, also known as Blood Moons, are fairly common natural phenomena, a total solar eclipse only happens in the same location about once every 375 years.
In December 2020, that location will be central Chile’s volcano-dotted Araucanía lakes region, and you could have a golden ticket to this rare and wondrous event. With PRIOR’s purpose-built camp making a memorable home for this unforgettable experience, adventurers will bear witness to a moment of pure magic from a private, remote viewing observatory, as the nearby Quetrupillán and Lanín volcanoes descend into total darkness... and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Tebinquinche Lagoon at sunset at Atacama Salt Flat
Tebinquinche Lagoon at sunset at Atacama Salt Flat
This is a truly hands-on journey where the opportunities are rife for going deep – physically, into this South American land’s diverse landscapes, but also spiritually, if guests so choose. Glacial lakes, mountain ranges and moonscape salt flats provide an ethereal setting for contemplation and transformation, with the celestial, moving solar eclipse along with the indigenous people’s palpable love for their land providing a platform for deeper connection.
Atacama Desert, Chile
Atacama Desert, Chile
Plenty of lighthearted adventure is on offer, too, as travellers venture through the national parks and ranching outposts of Patagonia at the southern reaches of the Andes; visit the Atacama Desert’s historic villages where Chilean tradition prevails; and buddy up with South American cowboys and Chilean gaucho cattlemen to traverse the Patagonian terrain with an expert horseman by their side.
When it’s time to rest your head, you’ll do so in a private villa inspired by traditional ranching outposts with breathtaking views of the Patagonian landscape. You won’t be left wanting for a decent meal, either, with lots of local delicacies served up along the way including a traditional asado (barbecue) and wines from the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley.
#16
Yummy Yucatán
You’ll want to consider fasting in the days leading up to this seven-day foodie marathon by Epitourean that takes you to Mexico’s northern Yucatán region.
The cuisine of Yucatán is utterly distinct from the rest of Mexico, heavily influenced by its Mayan historical roots along with Caribbean, Spanish, North African, and Middle Eastern cultures, so you can forget about Taco Tuesday.
Don an apron and roll up your sleeves in the kitchen of 17th- century, Mayan-settled estate Hacienda Petac – where you’ll rest your head in five-star luxury in between culinary experiences – and cook shoulder to shoulder with a talented Maya chef, learning the secrets of authentic Yucatecan cooking. Delve into the distinctive flavours of the Maya as you expand your repertoire to include local dishes like pork and beans, a roasted habanero sauce called chile k’ut, the fast- food treat known as panuchos, traditional Yucatán grilled pork cutlet and Mexican favourite, tortilla soup.
Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
And don’t think you’ll be confined to a steamy kitchen for the duration of your stay. Yucatán is also known as ‘The Mundo Maya’ thanks to its immense significance in Mayan civilisation, and you’ll have the chance to learn about this fascinating history on an excursion to the Mayan Ruins in the ancient city of Uxmal, a World Heritage Site.
Also on the cards on this journey is a visit to a spectacular underground lake (cenote) thick with stalactites, and the chance to meander through the vibrant, aromatic markets of Mérida. A beautiful city known as the Paris of North America thanks to its elegant architecture and broad boulevard, the dynamic city was also once home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world, so well-heeled globetrotters will feel right at home.
A true adventure for foodies, expect to leave Mexico with a deep respect for the fiercely independent spirit and distinctive culture of the Mundo Maya... and perhaps a little extra padding around the waist.
#17
Desert Dreaming
Take your next camping adventure up a peg or two with an immersive desert glamping experience in untrodden southern Oman .
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara and Oman Expeditions have buddied up to create Luxe Mobile Camping Adventures, taking explorers into the inner reaches of the Dhofar province, unleashing a wilderness of star-studded skies, vast deserts, rugged mountains and empty beaches.
Drawing on the vast country knowledge and experience of Oman Expeditions’ founder, Sean Nelson, itineraries weave in the region’s rich, traditional heritage as explorers travel in luxury 4×4 comfort to some of the most intriguing, scenic and historically significant spots in the region. Taking the authenticity factor to a new level, expeditions are accompanied by members of the Mahrah – a tribe that has travelled along frankincense trading routes with their camels since the time of the Queen of Sheba. And for those wanting to go deeper, specially themed trips can be arranged with experts ranging from Oman’s leading whale and dolphin expert to anthropologists, geologists, archaeologists, astronomers, artisans and religious scholars.
Mobile glamping desert breakfast
Mobile glamping desert breakfast
At the end of each day’s excursions, guests retire to the comfort of a luxurious mobile camp, where each tent has a private tented bathroom with open-air showers, comfortable mattresses, cotton sheets, Arabian rugs, candles and oil lamps. Chefs prepare Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean dishes onsite using local ingredients, and dinner under the stars is served on a beautifully set table by a crackling fire. The adventure draws to a close by retreating to lush, beachside Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, leaving you to reflect on your journey into old Arabia from the luxury of a pool villa.
#18
Shop 'Til You Drop
Cape Town might not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to shopping, but for those willing to venture beyond the well-trodden, designer-store-fringed paths of Paris, New York and London, the rewards come thick, fast and, when it comes to South Africa, oh-so colourful.
This private, full-day shopping tour by Explore Sideways is a backstage pass to Cape Town’s best retail experiences, fully customised to the shopper’s desires. Whether you’re an avid collector of up-and-coming artists, or skew more towards handbags, jewellery, clothing and leather goods, this shopping tour will put your usual amble up the High Street to shame.
Abe Opperman Gallery, Cape Town
Abe Opperman Gallery, Cape Town
Led by a dedicated, personal art and fashion insider who knows their way around the city’s small, creative ateliers and one-of-a-kind treasure troves, you’ll be exposed to those hidden gems only known to the most fashionable locals. Art aficionados can visit the Bronze Age Foundry and see sculptures come to life, meet local emerging and established artists and designers in their personal studios and even see the first concept store in Africa to focus on contemporary Pan-African design.
Or, for those more interested in art of the wearable variety, have your own private jeweller bring some of South Africa’s finest gems into your private residence to custom design a spectacular bit of bling just for you. The finished product will be delivered direct to your door within days, leaving you far from logistical headaches and free to focus on some serious retail therapy. Mental health first, right?
#19
Frozen
In the world of cruising, it doesn’t get much more adventurous than exploring the polar regions, and on Hurtigruten’s 17-day Exploring the Frozen Continent voyage, passengers venture as far south as the Antarctic Circle on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
Departing Buenos Aires and crossing the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet and where marine life is teeming, Hurtigruten’s Expedition Team prepares passengers for the intense polar exploration ahead with fascinating lectures and presentations.
Ten full days of exploration follow in the most remote corner of Earth. Antarctica’s breathtaking scenery is on full display, with opportunities to get up close and personal with penguins, seals and ice so cold it appears to glow. With an unfathomable 90 per cent of the world’s ice found here, some of it more than four kilometres thick, this is an awe-inspiring place where wonder knows no bounds.
Antarctica
Antarctica
Travelling in late summer, there are plenty of opportunities for encounters with penguins, whales and seals, and you’ll have on-land time in the South Shetland Islands and on the Antarctic Peninsula, going even deeper into this unforgiving but wildly beautiful land.
An Antarctic expedition is not only immersive, it’s transformative, so this one isn’t for the faint-hearted.
#20
Find Yourself
If you’ve ever yearned to embark on a voyage of self- discovery, Niquesa Travel has all the answers – and we mean that literally.
A giant leap from your run-of-the-mill, soul- searching retreat, it doesn’t get more personalised than the DestiNation You experience, which calls on science and genetics to create a completely unique holiday tailored to you. Using advanced genome sequencing techniques and even artificial intelligence, industry-leading geneticists analyse every letter of the soul searcher’s DNA to determine their precise cultural origins and lineage. Niquesa’s team of dedicated travel consultants then weave the client’s DNA profile into a rich and fulfilling cultural holiday immersion that connects them to the countries of their ancestral roots.
An ancestry genealogist can even accompany the guest on their journey as they deep-dive into their family history and discover where they come from and what makes them who they are. If you’re looking for an adventure with deeper meaning, this is as transformative as they come.
This feature is from the summer edition of Luxury Travel Magazine, on sale now throughout Australia.
Luxury Travel Magazine Summer 2020
Luxury Travel Magazine Summer 2020
