ULTIMATEe x p e r i e n c e s

inside, we’re inspired byA SNEAK PEEK OF THE NEW RITZ PARIS

TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENTS IN INDIA

DINING ATOP NEW ZEALAND’S PEAKS

ISLAND HOPPING ABOARD A PRIVATE YACHT

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08 SEEKING INSPIRATION IN INDIACreate transcendent moments in India with Micato Safaris. 12 START AT THE TOP Dubai’s most luxurious experiences are revealed.

16 ACCOMMODATING UNIQUENESS WITH MELIÁ Find your tailor-made hotel getaway.

18 A TASTE OF THE WILD IN NEW ZEALANDPair exquisite landscapes with world-class cuisine.

26 ICONS OF LONDON STYLEPlan a getaway to Maybourne Hotel Group’s fashionable properties.

28 DIVE INTO LUXURY WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE YACHTMake the Maldives’ idyllic islands your personal playground.

32 SAY “MARHABA” TO JORDANBedouin hospitality is at its finest in the Jordanian desert.

34 IN YOUR ELEMENT Find the world’s most enticing boutique hotels and resorts.

40 GOURMET INDULGENCE WITH REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES® Bon Appétit adds culinary flair to luxury cruises sailing to the world’s most enticing destinations.

42 Q+A WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE RITZ PARISGet a glimpse into this newly restored piece of history.

44 DREAMTIME: DEFINING ABORIGINAL CULTURE IN AUSTRALIA Follow in the footsteps of the custodians of the land Down Under.

48 THE EVOLUTION OF ULTRA-LUXURY ABOARD SILVERSEASail in the utmost style aboard Silversea’s anticipated small ship, Silver Muse.

50 FINDING THE UNEXPECTED IN SOUTH AFRICA A new coast-to-coast perspective goes beyond the traditional game drive.

54 WHERE WILL YOUR SAFARI TAKE YOU? Create your bespoke journey through southern Africa with Micato Safaris.

56 A PASSAGE TO ISTANBUL See into the heart of Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul.

58 GETTING CLOSER IN EUROPEFairy tales come to life when you sail with your family on a Uniworld Boutique River Cruise.

64 RETREAT INTO A LIFESTYLE OF LUXURY IN MIAMI BEACH Relaxation and indulgence are the cornerstones of your stay at Carillon Miami Beach.

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Begin HereUltimate Journeys

Front Cover: Marrinyama Aboriginal finger painting in Queensland, Australia. Previous Page: Enjoy the romantic River Boma Extraordinary Dining Experience on the waters of the Boontjies River at Bushmans Kloof in South Africa’s Western Cape. This Page: The iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, soars into the Dubai sky. Opposite Page: Paddling past ancient Maori carvings in Lake Taupo, New Zealand.

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lynn langway Lynn’s articles have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post and The Nation. Her former roles include Senior Editor at Newsweek and Executive Editor of Ladies’ Home Journal. 18diane selkirk Currently sailing around the world with her family, Diane is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sailing and a contributor to National Geographic Traveler, Yachting Times and Reader’s Digest. 28leslie garrett Leslie is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in the Toronto Star, O, The Oprah Magazine and The Atlantic. 44

Writers who Contributed

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Our Hotels & Resorts Collection features a portfolio of more than 900 of the finest hotels, resorts, lodges and spas in 460 unique destinations. We hand-select accommodations that are perfectly suited to your needs and enhance your stay with privileges such as complimentary meals and spa treatments, as well as benefits when available such as room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out.

travel is personal. If there’s one thing discerning travelers all agree on, it’s that no two vacations should ever be the same. Your experiences, interests and curiosity drive how you engage with the world and make every aspect of your journeys completely your own.

passionate travelers. Our far-reaching connections give you access to the best moments and our depth of experience lets you enjoy dedicated support from a true travel insider.

better than you imagine. Perhaps you’re imagining a celebration that brings together your loved ones in an exotic land, where we’ll create an effortless journey with activities to appeal to every age. Maybe you’re enthralled by images of a luxury cruise to sun-warmed islands, and we’ll enhance your voyage with a dedicated host and shipboard credits. Even an epic world cruise is within reach, complete with chauffeured vehicles and personal guides on your private excursions.

unparalleled value. Your travel options are vast, and we’re here to help you navigate through every step. We’ll provide recommendations, explain the differences and offer you exclusive privileges to maximize your valuable time and get the most out of your travel dollars.

your inspiration. Throughout this magazine you will find intriguing stories and breathtaking photos that are sure to inspire your next sojourn. Once you discover where you want to explore next, simply reach out to us to craft a customized vacation that encompasses the VIP moments, ideal accommodations, seasoned guides and insider access.

luxury hotels.

The Details That Make Your Journey Ultimate

We look forward to connecting with you before, during and after your journey to craft your ultimate vacation.

This Page: Crystal Cruises; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Opposite Page: W Retreat & Spa - Maldives, North Ari Atoll, Maldives.

L O O K I N S I D E F O R S P O T L I G H T S O N O U R FAV O R I T E H O T E L S A N D R E S O R T S .

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SEEKINGINSPIRATION INDIAin

India has long been known as a magnetic center for spiritual inspiration. If you’re seeking your own transformative experience, we’ll create your journey throughout this complex nation with Micato Safaris, which has been crafting private, bespoke travel to India for more than two decades. We’ll connect you to the country’s most precious sites, always accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, where meaningful encounters await — from exploring worshipped temples to healing retreats and poignant moments spent with locals.

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places of pilgrimageDiscover deeply moving experiences in India’s sacred places of worship where religion converges with art, literature and culture.

North of Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, the 1,000-year-old complex at Eklingji on Bagela Lake comprises over 108 individual temples. The main shrine dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva is perhaps most impressive as you pass through imposing silver doors to discover a 50-foot sculpture of the temple’s deity. Also on the lake lies the dual-structured Sas-Bahu Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the revered Hindu god of protection. Here, the legend of Vishnu’s seventh human incarnation is told through intricate depictions of the ancient Sanskrit epic

Ramayan, carved into the temple’s walls and columns. Your dedicated guide smoothly transports you in an air-conditioned vehicle to another lakeside retreat, your royal accommodations at The Oberoi Udaivilās on the western shore of Pichola Lake. Plunge into your infinity pool adjacent to your luxury suite followed by a soothing cup of chai as you overlook the pink-hued City Palace and the Aravalli Range.

In New Delhi, India’s capital city, within the bustling colonial center of Connaught Place is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. The site is one of India’s most prominent places for Sikh worship, dedicated to the world’s fifth-largest religion that originated in the Punjab region in the 15th century. Here, we can arrange for you to go behind the scenes of the temple’s vast kitchen where

vats of lentil dal and rice are prepared to feed the tens of thousands of pilgrims who flock here from all over the world. Spend the afternoon as you desire, whether it’s following your guide’s lead bargaining for handicrafts and jewels at Dilli Haat or navigating the narrow lanes of Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market overflowing with vendors displaying everything from fragrant spices to colorful bolts of cloth.

In the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh is Varanasi, one of Hinduism’s most sacred sites for its position on the banks of the Ganges River. Step aboard a private boat for the rare opportunity to sail these holy waters at dawn as you watch sunrise bathers pay homage to the religion practiced by 900 million followers around the world. Return at dusk for the evening aarti ceremony — be

awed as you watch sadhus (holy men) set oil lamps ablaze to honor the goddess of the river, while the sound of canticles led by a Hindu priest rings across the banks.

purifying ritualsThe enduring connection between mind, body and spirit runs strong in India, creating unlimited opportunities for healing experiences throughout your journey.

The path to wellness awaits at The Oberoi, New Delhi. The hotel’s elegant spa offers a full menu of treatments drawing on ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old practice of natural healing with deep roots in India. Opt for a shirodhara, a therapy in which warm oil is continuously poured from a copper vessel onto your forehead’s third eye, or padabhyanga, a type of reflexology that focuses on the marma (pressure points) of the feet and lower legs. Cap off this perfect treatment with a memorable meal at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Taipan, where you may be surprised by a celebratory bottle of champagne or a special dessert, courtesy of your hosts. Or follow your guide’s tip to dine in

one of New Delhi’s trendiest venues — and, of course, befitting your luxe experience, Micato will pick up the tab.

A few hours south of Delhi, the city of Agra has become inseparable from its identity as the location of the Taj Mahal. The glowing monument appears from a privileged perspective when you partake in a specially arranged sunrise yoga lesson on a hill at The Oberoi Amarvilās.

Let us shape your journey as we work side-by-side with Micato Safaris to create unforgettable moments throughout India. Luxury, customized itineraries include all of your meals, hotels, cars and drivers for a seamless vacation in which your only focus is enjoying these special experiences and insider access every step of the way.

Previous Page: Observe an aarti ceremony along the sacred Ganges River. This Page: The Taj Mahal glows in the distance as local women air-dry colorful saris. Opposite Page: The Jain temple of Ranakpur.

SEEKINGI N S P I R A T I O N

in India

inspiration in unexpected places The Pinto family, founders of Micato Safaris, have deep roots in India and their extensive connections create even more opportunities for life-changing moments.

u Soar in a hot air balloon over Jaipur’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Amber Fort and the rugged peaks of the Aravalli Range.

u Dine in the private residence of Muzaffar and Meera Ali, the husband-and-wife team behind the couture label House of Kotwara, and learn how they’ve transformed the lives of local women by training them in delicate craftsmanship.

u Meet with a conservationist in Ranthambhore National Park to learn valuable insight into the famed Bengal tigers that roam this jungled land.

your transformative

journey to india awaits.

IT’S IN THE DETAILS On your journey through Rajasthan’s temples, you can add a visit to one of India’s most important Jain temples in Ranakpur, an architectural marvel teeming with intricately carved marble pillars — incredibly, no two pillars are the same.

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One of the most heart-stopping views of Dubai’s commanding skyline doesn’t exist on a rooftop, but is found on a glass-walled staircase inside the Burj Khalifa.

Approaching the top of the 2,716-foot-tall Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest man-made structure, an express elevator opens on the 123rd floor to the cantilevered staircase that seems to hover over the Arabian Gulf. Descend the stairs to the sky-high restaurant, At.mosphere.

The mahogany-walled private dining room offers the same panorama of skyscrapers nestled

against turquoise waters with entrancing views of the dancing fountains below. Here, Chef Jerome Lagarde, whose culinary pedigree spans Michelin-starred restaurants across three continents, delivers a divine menu such as foie gras ravioli, Wagyu beef with morel jus and an artfully layered millefeuille that pairs beautifully with a sweet riesling. Linger over a digestif before

making your way two floors above to the evening’s grand finale: the 124th-floor At the Top observation deck revealing a 360-degree vista of the glittering city as it merges with the desert and the ocean.

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Dine Among the StarsMore cutting-edge dining options appear almost weekly in this city as the world’s greatest chefs clamor to make their mark. Newly opened Marina Social, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, deconstructs fine dining with British-Mediterranean cuisine created in an open kitchen. Dine on items such as confit duck leg with date purée or handmade gnocchi as you sip a drink selected from the restaurant’s extensive reserve, then watch as the pastry chef constructs an orange and clove-infused soufflé served with a bittersweet chocolate sorbet.

Sightsee from Sky to Sands The man-made islands of Palm Jumeirah emerge in the shape of sprawling fronds, thousands of feet below your privately chartered Cessna. For a grand finale, the Burj Khalifa’s needle-like pinnacle soars past in bird’s-eye view, so close you’re tempted to reach out and touch it.

Should you desire to explore beyond

the boundaries of the city, we can create a private desert safari tailored just for you. Step into your privately chauffeured Hummer H2 to journey deep into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. From there, we’ve arranged a guided camel ride to a romantic, lantern-lit Bedouin tent amidst the dunes. Sip a steaming cup of kahweh (Arabic coffee) as local musicians entertain with the sounds of an earthenware drum and oud (Arabic lute). As dusk descends, the sands glow in a wash of orange as you enjoy a freshly prepared feast of Arabic fare under the cooling evening sky.

Set Out on a Shopping SpreeShopping in “The City of Gold” is notoriously posh. Yet even within this luxe locale, the offerings within The Dubai Mall’s 1,200 stores impress beyond expectation. Personal “buggies” with plush leather seats transport you with ease throughout the 5.9 million-square-foot mall where international fashion houses such as Missioni and Givenchy inhabit the same space as Arabic brands and more than 60 jewelry and

watch shops. No need to waste precious hours browsing — your personal shopper and stylist has already curated a selection of items based on your preferences.

Another wave of retail opportunities await in Dubai’s newest collections of high-end shopping: the multi-million-dollar City Center Me’aisem opened last year to offer 56 additional outlets for international brands, while the forthcoming Mall of the World will encompass an astonishing eight million-square-foot indoor city, where 4.3 miles of sheltered streets are modeled after iconic European cities.

Find Golden Moments of RelaxationWell-deserved rejuvenation abounds in The Oberoi, Dubai’s ultra-luxe spa, and — like so much of this dynamic city — a touch of elegance radiates from even the simplest moments. The restorative riches of real gold infuse a 75-minute Omorovicza Golden Body Treatment, with the precious metal featured in a golden sugar scrub to ease inflammation and gold oil to lend an ethereal glow.

Premium ingredients are also a fixture at the Burj Al Arab’s dual-level Talise Spa, hovering 492 feet above the Arabian Gulf. Pamper your skin with a La Prairie Caviar Body Treatment and let the inky pearls deliver a different kind of delicacy during a full-body massage. Finally, enjoy a romantic moonlit swim for two as you dip into the exclusively reserved open-air infinity pool.

Playful Adventures and Family FunWhether you’re traveling solo or looking for ways to play that entice the entire family, Dubai provides a paradise of entertainment. Tee time at the Emirates Golf Club lets you perfect your swing on architect Karl Litten’s “desert miracle”: the Majlis course. Host of the annual Dubai Desert Classic, its 18 holes comprise the first grass course constructed in the Middle East. We’ll reserve you an hour-long private lesson with a PGA pro and you’ll be ready to take on the course’s sophisticated desert-dune sand traps and seven lakes.

Family-friendly experiences await at the Lost Chambers Aquarium, where a

pair of rare albino alligators have recently taken up residence, and let us delight your little ones with a VIP meet-and-greet with petite Gentoo penguins at Ski Dubai’s legendary indoor slopes. Animal-lovers of every age are dazzled by The Dubai Mall’s Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, home to a 2.64-million-gallon tank boasting a 270-degree acrylic walkthrough tunnel. Over 70 different sea creatures swim within this marine spectator’s paradise, including a regal 16-foot king crocodile.

Sleep in Ultimate LuxuryEven your arrival is celebrated with grandeur at the Burj Al Arab as an exclusively chartered helicopter touches down on a dedicated helipad. Few moments say “luxury” more than being graciously delivered a 24-carat gold iPad as you check-in within the privacy of your own suite. The famed gold iPad is yours to request your every whim and a fleet of Aston Martins, Ferraris and Lamborghinis is available for an anytime joyride. The penultimate Royal Suite, bedecked in

floor-to-ceiling windows, extends 25th-story views over the Arabian Gulf.

In Dubai’s business district sharing the same precinct, the Taj Dubai also harbors world-class repute, combining sophistication with the comforts of home. Imagine waking to views of the mega-tall Burj Khalifa from the four-poster master bed of the Maharaja Suite. Sprawling over 2,700 square feet, original Indian artworks and a hand-painted mural of the Mughal Empire embellish this royally inspired retreat on the hotel’s 33rd floor.

Whether you envision ultra-opulent surrounds or seek simpler interpretations of all that glitters, there is no doubt that Dubai is utterly matchless as we endeavor to exceed your expectations beyond compare.

Previous Page: The Waterfall sculpture cascades over 78 feet at The Dubai Mall. Opposite Page: Burj Khalifa. This Page: The Majlis is the flagship course at Emirates Golf Club.

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DID YOU KNOW?Majlis golf course is Dubai’s only full floodlit 18-hole course for night golfing.

dreaming of the ultimate

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SPAIN: Gran Meliá Fenix, Madrid | Gran Meliá Colon, Seville

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Paradisus Palma Real | Paradisus Punta Cana

MEXICO: Paradisus Playa del Carmen, La Esmeralda | Paradisus Playa del Carmen, La Perla (adults only)

For more information, please contact your Signature Travel Network Specialist.

Royal Service Presidential Suites at Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla boast oceanfront views.

Every Meliá hotel ensures a vacation steeped in luxury, and we’ve selected a few of our favorites among more than 350 global properties. COSMOPOLITAN ESCAPESIn the world’s most chic cities, Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts radiate elegance, from the signature Red Glove service to refined accommodations.Our favorites: The Gran Meliá Fenix in Madrid’s Plaza de Colón has lured the likes of Cary Grant and The Beatles since its 1953 opening. Today, the hotel’s Dry Martini Bar by Javier de las Muelas is the emblem of a Spanish hotspot. In Seville, Gran Meliá Colón is a living museum of Spanish art and culture with every floor paying homage to a national artist. We’ll upgrade the experience with a romantic tapas dinner at El Burladero restaurant.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RETREATSFind all-inclusive luxury family-friendly getaways where both children and adults are treated like VIPs. Paradisus

Resorts include all of your meals, beverages and a multitude of activities. Our favorites: Paradisus Palma Real Resort offers all the benefits of the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana beachfront with a dedicated butler and Michelin-starred cuisine included in your rate. A personal butler and family-friendly activities are also included at Paradisus Punta Cana, a beach resort surrounded by an expansive tropical garden. Choose your pleasure — whether it’s splashing among five pools or putting your skills to the test at the adventure park’s batting cages and climbing wall. Tucked into a bay on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda allows adults to relax over drinks and spa treatments as kids are entertained with supervised beach games, daily craft-making workshops and even cookie-making classes.

A GROWN-UP GETAWAY Celebrate your romance or get away with your closest friends at an adults-only resort

where every detail — from luxury accommodations to fine dining and beach-front adventures — are included. Our favorite: Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla is an adults-only paradise with complimentary tango lessons and a bounty of upscale dining for refined palates. In between playing on the beach and exploring the eco-wonderland of Xcaret Park, carve out time to indulge in the Zen-like ambiance of YHI Spa.

When you reserve your next vacation with us at select Meliá Hotels International, you’ll enjoy even more exclusive privileges to create a stay that’s as unique as you deserve.

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get activeCraving adventure in New Zealand’s rugged landscape? After you’ve enjoyed your gourmet lunch sourced from local waters, we’ll arrange for a helicopter to deliver you to rugged mountain ridges to set out on the ultimate downhill bike ride.

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There are endless places to find fresh lobster for dinner, but few experiences compare to helicoptering to a glacial fjord in New Zealand where a seasoned diver plunges into the icy waters to gather your next meal.

Tucked into a glacial valley above Queenstown’s Lake Wanaka on the South Island, and accessible only by helicopter, Minaret Station alpine lodge — owned by four pilot-brothers — houses guests in four stylish chalets.

Here at Minaret Station’s Mountain Kitchen, two chefs craft meals from bounty that’s about as local as you can

get atop a mountain. They might start with a fjord-to-table canapé: crayfish and lobster gathered that morning in Fiordland National Park, served with lime coriander, mint and chilies. A winter menu might also offer house-cured salmon gravlax, venison loin with pumpkin purée and lamb loin with hazelnuts, plus poached winter fruits with honey mousse and toasted pistachios.

The food is so good that many visitors fly up from Queenstown just for a cooking lesson and three-course luncheon. But the real luxury lies in spending a night at this 50,000-acre high-country farm. Gaze over the snowy crevices of Mount Aspiring from the steaming hot tub

on your private deck, sipping a glass of light pinot noir or pinot gris from the celebrated Otago wine region.

Deepen your immersion into the land by traversing the farm and the waterfalls that supply all water and hydroelectric power for the lodge. On these grounds, you can help herd the 10,000 red deer, 7,000 sheep and 1,000 Minaret cattle, or simply sit beside a roaring fire with a book, more wine and a local cheese plate in the cozy library.

New Zealand’s two main islands manage to fit snowy mountains, bubbling volcanic plains, lush rainforests and countless waterways within a compact region. Wildlife and native flora flourish here, inviting

adventurous travelers to venture deep into the land to explore its bounty, and no matter where you are on the islands, you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea.

At the very top of the North Island is the riveting panorama of the Pacific at Kauri Cliffs, where adventure waits just below on the ocean shore. Perched on 6,000 acres of farmland, forest and a championship golf course, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in the Northland region’s Bay of Islands boasts 22 luxury suites and three private beaches that you can walk to in about half an hour (or catch a short ride with resort staff).

Each beach is ideal for different pursuits. Learn to surf on Little and Big

Previous Page: On a privately chartered flight with Alpine Helicopters, all-encompassing perspectives are yours to behold. Opposite Page and This Page: Minaret Station alpine lodge; Seasonal game and seafood specialties at Minaret Station’s Mountain Kitchen.

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Takou beaches, where expert instructors can school you in the ancient Polynesian sport. Then surfcast for snapper and the bluefish-like kahawi on the Waiaua River, also perfect for swimming, snorkeling or kayaking to the craggy Cavalli Islands that you can see offshore.

Beautiful Pink Beach, which gets its rosy hue from the millions of tiny shells that have been ground into sand by the waves, invites you to relax on a towel or a chaise. Just be sure to make it to a special beach barbecue, which serves anything but the usual beach fare. Start off with a Pink Beach martini, starring gin and cranberry juice. Three barbecue chefs dish up whole baked snapper, rosemary-rubbed lamb, and scallops and prawns marinated in ginger and coriander. For dessert, pots of local strawberries with lemon curd and a plate of local cheeses are set off by premium New Zealand wines and beers.

More active on-site adventures include hikes around the working farm to see dogs herding Coopworth sheep and Angus cattle. Or take a guided nature walk to admire centuries-old kauri trees, from which the lodge takes its name. Birdwatchers will love the Kauri Cliffs region to spot local birds like the melodic tui or the striking fantail, a tiny black and yellow creature with tail plumes that seem bigger than its body.

Travel south to the center of the North

Island, where water also plays a central role and the Waikato River empties into shimmering Lake Taupo. The elegant, riverside Huka Lodge has been delighting guests — including Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Peter Jackson, of The Lord of the Rings fame — since 1924, yet it couldn’t be more up-to-date. Nestled in 17 acres of gardens and woods on the banks of the trout-filled Waikato River, Huka Lodge showcases a stellar British chef, Paul Froggatt, who has cooked at four leading restaurants in Europe and Asia that accumulated a total of eight Michelin stars.

Named for the thundering Huka Falls just a five-minute walk away, the 25 airy lodge rooms all feature balconies and oversized windows to bring the outdoors in. A winter dinner might begin with a tartare of Taupo beef, followed by roast New Zealand langoustine with buffalo yogurt, butter-poached fish or roast venison, finished by a dessert that’s an adventure in itself: peanut butter mousse encased in white chocolate, accompanied by Snickers bar ice-cream and topped with salted peanuts. Your dessert is paired, of course, with choice bottles from Huka’s extensive cellar of local and international wines.

Must-do experiences center on glimmering Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand at almost 240 square miles. Let us coordinate a half-day fishing

This Page: Southland lamb loin dish with mustard pesto, lemon purée and wild garlic at Huka Lodge.Opposite Page: Private dining has been elevated to an art form at Huka Lodge in Taupo.

THE FOOD SOURCEWe’ll arrange a scenic flight aboard Reid Helicopters from Nelson to the Marlborough region’s vineyards, famed for their crisp sauvignon blancs. Hook a fish on Marlborough Sound and then relax on a secluded beach while a Michelin-trained chef prepares your catch.

PICNIC ON A PEAKAfter a scenic flight over the sparkling lake and picturesque mountains with Over the Top Helicopter Company, enjoy a picnic of New Zealand smoked salmon, fresh-baked bread, strawberries and champagne.

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cruise aboard a 50-foot boat to admire the mysterious Māori rock carvings that rise from remote bays and the dormant volcanoes that loom above. On your way back, easily catch trophy-size trout by trolling with multiple fishing lines. You can extend your trip to a full day with a helicopter flight right over volcanic cones, or learn to fly-fish in the celebrated Tongariro River, one of the world’s best for rainbow and brown trout.

Also within the heart of the North Island, you’ll find Treetops Lodge & Estate just 20 minutes away from the otherworldly, volcanic landscapes of Rotorua. Sequestered in 2,500 acres of native forest, this 12-room retreat makes ancient Māori heritage come alive though tranquil décor, locavore cuisine and green surroundings. Locals have planted 70,000

trees to return the 800-year-old forest closer to its natural state, creating the ideal surrounds for your daily outdoor adventures. Some 40 miles of trails for nature walks and horseback rides lace the lush grounds, while four lakes and seven streams teem with trout and freshwater crayfish. Come summer evenings, natural caves laden with glowworms clinging to the rocks shine like a beacon in the woods.

At the lodge’s restaurant, Chef Kim Patterson, who grew up in Rotorua, features wild game raised in these woodlands — pheasant, turkey, rabbit and more — accented with native herbs and accompanied by organic heritage fruits and vegetables such as purple potatoes and kumara squash, plus wines from a well-stocked cellar. A light scallop and shaved baby fennel salad is intensified by

prosciutto and citrus, and a bright yellow kiwi sorbet cleanses your palate before dining on New Zealand snapper with a Jerusalem artichoke purée. Olive salsa and homemade chips round out your meal and blueberry compote atop glossy buttermilk panna cotta satisfies your sweet tooth.

While you can fish, mountain bike and golf around these grounds, the most singular Treetops Lodge adventure involves food. On the Estate-to-Plate 4WD Safari you harvest from the kitchen garden, tap the hives for mānuka honey and forage with native guides in the deepest forest glades for indigenous greens like piko piko, a wild asparagus. Back at the lodge, join the Wild Food Cooking School where you’ll put modern twists on traditional dishes: bread made from purple potatoes along with roasted Captain Cooker wild pigs,

Opposite Page and This Page Clockwise: Accompany your resident chef to forage for essential Maori ingredients at Rotorua’s Treetops Lodge & Estate; Treetops Lodge & Estate; Pan-roasted kawakawa.

believed to be introduced by England’s Captain James Cook when he landed in New Zealand in the 18th century. Close out your day with a special treatment at Rituals Spa, which emphasizes the spiritual traditions of the Māori people with guided meditations and massages, and healing soaks in the geothermal waters.

From the moment you step onto New Zealand soil, the irrepressible spirit of its friendly locals and breathtaking natural beauty takes over, beckoning you to delve deeper into the land and explore all of its riches. Paired with sophisticated cuisines that have emerged from New Zealand’s ancient traditions and a bounty of ingredients sourced from the land, it’s inevitable that innovative dining adventures continue to emerge, often in the most unexpected locales.

A TASTE WILDIN NEW ZEALAND

OF THE

satisfy your appetite for adventure

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL

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Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley — the Maybourne Hotel Group — are three iconic London hotels, each offering an unforgettable luxury experience through contemporary service, stylish accommodations and unique landmark locations.

In the Mayfair district, there is nowhere more glamorous than the Art Deco lobby of Claridge’s, which leads to an exquisite collection of rooms and suites by modern designers Guy Oliver and Linley. Be transported to the 1930s at The Fumoir, Claridge’s hideaway bar, and raise a champagne toast in Claridge’s Bar. Classic afternoon tea is served in the Foyer & Reading Room, while Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan offers innovative British dining in Fera at Claridge’s.

In a picturesque setting in Mayfair Village, surrounded by London’s finest shopping, the Connaught offers an elegant welcome and individually styled accommodations, enhanced by an extensive art collection. Guests extol the only Aman Spa in London for its personalized treatments designed to reflect healing practices from all over the world. Michelin-starred French dining at Hélène Darroze at the Connaught is complemented by martinis at the Connaught Bar and a nightcap in the intimate Coburg Bar.

In Knightsbridge, located just minutes from Harrods and Harvey Nichols at the threshold of Hyde Park, is the Berkeley. Renowned for its contemporary, classic rooms and suites, the Berkeley is also the home of celebrated chef Marcus Wareing’s two Michelin-starred restaurant

and the rooftop Bamford Haybarn spa and pool. Make sure to indulge in the famed Prêt-à-Portea to experience a reinvention of traditional afternoon tea inspired by haute couture fashion from international runways.

Let us reserve your London getaway and we’ll ensure that you receive all the privileges befitting your stay, including an English breakfast for two and credit to use toward dining, beverages or a spa treatment.

The Fumoir bar at Claridge’s; The sitting room of The Apartment, the penthouse at the Connaught; The Berkeley’s rooftop pool glitters against London’s skyline.

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DIVELUXURY

into

with your own PRIVATE YACHT

DIVELUXURY

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Maldives 500-mile length, we opt for a friendly crew of locals who can bring us deep into their home country.

On our journey we learn that the country’s most important stories involve the coconut and tuna: the coconut is said to have emerged from bodies of the first inhabitants, while tuna was brought to Maldivian waters by a sailor who journeyed to the end of the world to find the fish. As we discover, tuna and coconut not only figure into legends, they’re also major ingredients in most traditional dishes. As a family, we take a Maldivian cooking class, making mashuni (spicy tuna and coconut) and garudiya (slow-simmered tuna soup).

The cooking class is part of a mini-vacation within our sailing trip — a stay at a luxurious resort, arranged between our travel consultant and our captain. While there, we also dine at an incredible underwater restaurant and wine cellar located on the reef floor. As we indulge in the tasting menu with highlights that include yellowfin tuna and Maldivian lobster, a moray eel swims by and takes up residence under nearby coral.

Eager to explore more of the Maldives’ fantastic underwater world we’re soon

back on our yacht. Our next stop is a “secret” reef near the Baa Atoll. On our way there, we wind past small islands where swaying palms trees fringe white sand beaches and frame bright blue lagoons. When we reach the seamount, the crew shows us where to start our dive. Dropping into the warm, clear water we’re greeted by a reef shark and, moments later, I peek into a cave only to find myself eye-to-startled-eye with a grouper the size of a grown man.

When our dive is over we discover the crew has set up a gorgeous afternoon tea on a stretch of perfect beach. Sipping a tropical drink, I look out at the lagoon and try to count how many shades of blue shimmer across it. I soon lose count, but knew if I really have to know — someone on our crew probably has the answer.

Stepping out of the sun and entering a cavernous space, the sweeping hull of a traditional Maldivian fishing boat materializes from the dim light. Men from the village are relying on hand tools and centuries-old skills to construct a boat out of locally sourced timbers.

My guide, Mashoodh, explains the master builder doesn’t have any plans sketched out on paper; instead, the design of the boat is in his mind and emerges from the wood.

The visit to the boat-building space is part of our impromptu tour on the island of Magoodhoo, Mashoodh’s home village of about 600 people, located approximately 80 miles southwest of the capital of Malé. We meet women weaving thatched roofs from palm fronds and ropes handmade from coconut fibers, and end the day with a home-cooked dinner with his family where seafood is the star of every dish.

When Mashoodh isn’t acting as a personal tour guide of his village, he’s the steward on our crewed yacht and the onboard expert in finding the most incredible

snorkeling, most abundant fishing and the best beaches for building sand castles.

As we first board our 50-foot sailing yacht, my family of three discovers that the chef has stocked all our favorites and, because the captain had been told I love field guides, our stateroom contains an extensive library on the local fish, flora and bird life. That’s the brilliant thing about a crewed yacht charter — they’re tailored just for you.

The yacht captain explains that the goal is always to match their knowledge of a destination with guests’ interests — in other words, you dream it up and the captain makes it come true. It’s when we express curiosity about Mashoodh’s home that the captain alters our Maldivian sailing itinerary to visit the tiny village. When I casually mention my 13-year-old daughter’s dream of swimming with wild dolphins, we find ourselves in the water with a small pod of spinner dolphins.

Since I’m especially interested in learning some of the history of the thousands of islands with tongue-twister names, scattered between the 26 atolls running down the

Previous Page: Jump into the Maldivian waters straight from your private yacht. This Page: Sailing aboard a private yacht; Reach secluded sandbars and remote islands in the Maldives.

MORE SAILING ADVENTURESAWAITYour travel consultant has access to a huge range of yachts and crews around the world, and can help select the right match — whether you’re a couple of skilled sailors after a high-performance bare boat or a family ranging from grandparents to small kids seeking an inclusive luxury vacation. Learn where else you can venture on your private yacht vacation.

On a private yacht cruise around GREECE’s Cyclades islands, a stop on the volcanic island of Milos reveals a diverse array of landscape framing the impossibly blue Aegean Sea. Marvel over the lunar-like white rocks of Sarakiniko and carve out time for kayaking into the island’s famed sea caves.

For wilderness lovers in the CARIBBEAN, hiking trails that are only accessible from the water is one the perks of being on a boat. Your crew can deliver you by dinghy to the trailhead of Guy’s Trail in Virgin Gorda with its fantastic views of the British Virgin Islands.

Charter guests who love a vibrant nightlife get the easiest access to the legendary Full Moon Party on CROATIA’s Carpe Diem Beach.

In TAHITI, honeymooners can take advantage of their yacht crew’s local connections and arrange for a private Polynesian dance exhibition. Top off the show with a private lesson on Tahiti’s famous ‘ōte‘a dance.

tranquil islands, remote villages and luxury retreats are within your reach — no experience required. By Diane Selkirk

INSIDER TIPHop from your yacht to a dhoni, a Maldivian boat that easily reaches remote sandbars for a perfect afternoon picnic.

charteryour own

private yacht

DIVELUXURYwith your own PRIVATE YACHT

into

Jordan’s star attraction may be the rock-hewn city of Petra, yet most travelers marvel over the fact that their most lasting memories come from meeting its people. Let us create your journey through Jordan that encompasses special moments with locals who possess a zeal for storytelling and charming hospitality.

As you travel from the bustling capital city of Amman to the southern reaches of Aqaba, Jordanians may invite you to join them for mint tea or a home-cooked meal. Within remote desert villages, Bedouin tribal culture is famed for its welcoming warmth and hospitality, a virtue known as diyafa. You’ll quickly become familiar with the greetings, “ahlan wa sahlan” and “marhaba,” which translate loosely to “welcome” and “hello,” but encompass much deeper meanings assuring that you have already become a part of the family.

You’ll create even more local connections as you travel south from Amman to the natural oasis of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Here, the 26-room Feynan Ecolodge — lauded as one of the world’s best Ecolodges by National Geographic Traveler magazine — is

surrounded by soaring cliffs and valleys that dip hundreds of feet below sea level. Bedouins teach you how to bake traditional flatbread in the ashes of a fire or to create your own three-course vegetarian Jordanian feast. Come sunset, your guide takes you on a desert hike, telling stories of his tribe’s connection to the land just as millions of stars burst forth in the night sky.

Travelers are often surprised to discover that Jordan’s natural wonders extend beyond the desert landscape and into its pristine bodies of water — from the healing properties of the Dead Sea to world-class scuba diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea. As you travel south to where the desert meets the Red Sea at Aqaba, we will recommend an expert diving guide who is intimately familiar with the kaleidoscope of creatures that live beneath the sea, pointing you toward coral gardens and sunken wrecks teeming with blue-spotted rays and timid moray eels. After a day of underwater exploration, retreat to your seaside resort where an attentive staff tends to your every need. We’ll arrange a purifying spa treatment using healing sea salts and essential oils that are native to the land.

Your journey continues east to the famed deserts of Wadi Rum, where the real-life Lawrence of Arabia once camped with his Bedouin allies. Migrating herds of gazelle and long-horned oryx are visible as you drift skyward in a hot air balloon. Touch down in time to socialize with your guides while enjoying zarb, a typical Bedouin barbecue of meats roasted in a fire-stoked sandpit. Come nightfall, you’ll slumber deeply within your private tent and rise in the morning just as the sun lifts over fiery red sands. Over a traditional breakfast prepared by your host that includes spiced coffee and flatbread warmed on an open fire, it’s clear that the warmth within this desert landscape comes not just from the rising sun, but from the Bedouin guide who has opened his heart and welcomed you into his ancestral home.

Opposite Page: A Bedouin man in Wadi Rum helps a traveler wrap her traditional keffiyeh head scarf. This Page: Coral gardens in the Red Sea; At Feynan Ecolodge in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, local Bedouins welcome visitors with glasses of sweet tea.

MarhabaSay

to Jordan

there areendless

wonders in jordan.

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Boutique hotels offer an ambiance so private, yet so familiar, that you may find yourself

visiting just to experience the property’s charms. We highlight our favorite surrounds

where warm hospitality and ample amenities within your luxury home away from home may inspire you to linger a few days longer.

INYOUR ELEMENT

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Awasi Patagonia features a dozen spacious villas overlooking the wilds of Torres del Paine National Park. This Page and Opposite Page: Chateau de la Barre in France’s Loire Valley; Txai Resort Itacaré in Brazil; Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort, on the island of Anguilla.

OUT IN THE COUNTRYSteeped in beauty and surrounded by nature, these country lodges allow you to connect to the locale in laid-back luxury. Tucked in the Loire Valley, Chateau de la Barre lies only two hours outside of Paris. With four suites, one double room and one single room, Chateau de la Barre is ideal for a celebratory gathering in which we reserve the entire estate for you. Let Count Guy and Countess Marnie de Vanssay — whose family has resided here since 1404 — welcome you with a glass of homemade cider pressed from organic estate apples and aged in oak barrels. They’ll personally lead a tour to showcase the original oil paintings and Louis XV-era antiques that furnish each elegant room. In a region world-famous for its wine, enjoy a Grand Cru tasting from the chateau’s cellar and a visit to the family’s chenin vineyard with wine cellars built into a limestone hill. The grand finale is the chateau’s Grand Siècle dinner in which four

opulent courses may include herbed quail filets and a rack of lamb with dried apricots, culminating in a dome of vanilla mousse with flambéed apples.

Inspired by Patagonian shelters and estancias (ranches), Awasi Patagonia offers the perfect seclusion in the Chilean countryside. A dozen villas share in the stillness of Torres del Paine National Park. Your 800-square-foot luxury cabin is equipped with a wood-burning stove and wraparound views of snow-frosted peaks and the wilderness that forms your backyard. Cozy sheepskins draped on your bed and a soaking tub with views of Lake Sarmiento are irresistible. We’ll create a personalized itinerary catered to your interests, whether you wish to ride on horseback past ice floes and fjords in the property’s 15,000-acre nature reserve, spot pumas prowling the Patagonian Steppe or simply sip Chilean wine in the guest-only restaurant.

From the peaks of Patagonia to the canyon tops of Costa Rica’s San Bernardo lowlands,

Rio Perdido is named for the Agua Caliente river that lies cloaked beneath a canopy of 160-foot níspero and espavel trees — earning it the nickname “lost river.” More than just a picturesque feature, the river originates in a thermo-mineral gorge that surges forth from magma floes, imparting these waters with healing properties. Soak in one of the dozens of thermal pools peppered across the hotel’s 600-acre private reserve while spider monkeys swing through the dry-forest overhead. Your transcendent home here is one of 20 charmingly modern hideaways, equipped with polished concrete and recycled glass finishes that echo the hotel’s dedication to sustainable practices. Forge through volcanic rock formations on a guided hike to the lookout point at Mesa Norte, where the Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes rest dormant in the distance.

At the base of the Miravalles Volcano, you can slather your skin in the soothing volcanic mud before delivering its curative benefits back to the earth when you rinse in a private spring. In the evening, return to the gently swaying hammock on your bungalow’s elevated terrace, or dine on a floating platform under the stars.

ON THE BEACHThere’s nothing quite as restorative as a beach getaway, and these bespoke properties may even surpass your expectations.

A secluded Brazilian respite exists on 227 acres of coconut groves and cacao plantations at Txai Resort Itacaré in Bahia. Arrive by helicopter to your Premium Bungalow, where natural luxury abounds — from the pool that graces a wood-stilted deck to the outdoor shower. Brazilian flavors permeate the menu at Orixás

Restaurant, letting local Bahia produce shine against beachside views. Heighten the romance with a sommelier-selected wine shared over a private table set in the sand. Shamash Spa also infuses its ancient techniques with regional ingredients: soak in a seven-herb purifying bath, or indulge in the Beauty Ritual which features corn flour and honey in an exfoliating scrub. Then, dive into the culture with instruction in capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, or set out on a guided beach hike to the spectacular Usina waterfall.

Since 1984, the coral-and-limestone atoll of Anguilla has been home to Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort — a legendary property comprised of seaward-facing white pavilions. This 25-acre paradigm of barefoot luxury recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in which rooms were re-imagined with an airy

IN

YOURELEMENT

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shopper. Together, you can select next-season samples at Spanish fashion house Purificación García or precious baubles at Luis Méndez’s jewelry gallery, bedecking you for cocktail hour in the hotel’s Fora Garden Bar.

Villa Dubrovnik, chiseled into a cliff over the edge of the Adriatic, embodies the essence of Croatia. The villa emerges in gray stone architecture, framed by petal-pink bougainvillea that wraps around the 50 rooms and six suites. It’s tempting to spend entire days on the private terrace of your Duke’s Suite, but the medieval Old City beckons with

UNESCO-protected fortifications and a treasury of religious art within the ancient Dubrovnik Cathedral. We’ll arrange for you to board the Villa’s wood vaporetto speedboat to be shuttled directly to the Eastern Gates, where a personal guide ushers you on a sightseeing tour. You’ll return to Villa Dubrovnik in time to catch a kaleidoscopic sunset from the rooftop prosciutto and wine bar and revel in the best vantage point in all of Dubrovnik.

Our Hotels & Resorts Collection includes more than 900 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts, lodges, spas and unique

places to stay. Benefit from our exclusive privileges such as daily breakfast for two and a special amenity that varies by property, as well as upgrades, early check-in and late check-out when available.

blue and lemon-drop yellow palette, the same shades seen from your villa’s perch overlooking Meads Bay and Turtle Cove. Let us arrange a personal watercraft outing to secret bays or a private sailing lesson. Begin your evening at the Sunset Bar with a rum or rosé in hand, aptly named for the beautiful sunsets you see from the vantage point. Then dine on sea-to-table dishes at The Restaurant at Malliouhana, where local ingredients play a central role in the cuisine.

An exotic air of French and African influences permeate the 238-square-mile island of St. Lucia. Ladera Resort, atop a forested ridge of the Soufrière Volcano, offers the privilege of overlooking the majestic Pitons, a pair of 3,000-foot volcanic peaks rising from the sea. Within each of the 37 treehouse-inspired suites, a fourth wall is open to reveal Caribbean vistas of the twin Pitons and the shores of Sugar Beach.

Dine on gourmet cuisine at Dasheene Restaurant, renowned for its modern interpretations of traditional Caribbean dishes, or venture by boat to the fishing village of Anse La Raye to mingle with islanders at their Friday fish fry.

URBAN ESCAPES A cityside boutique property offers the best of both worlds, with cosmopolitan surrounds coupled with intimate, attentive service.

Haute design and a coveted Forbes Four-Star rating are the standard at OPUS Hotel Vancouver in downtown Vancouver’s hip Yaletown neighborhood. In the seventh-floor Opus Signature Suite, floor-to-ceiling windows deliver crisp city views whether you’re sitting by the dual-sided fireplace or soaking in the tub within your heated-tiled bathroom. As you sit at the Opus Bar, be sure to order the hotel’s signature oaked negroni

— a classic cocktail of gin, Campari and vermouth aged in oak barrels on site for eight weeks. The monthly family-style dinner at La Pentola invites you to share plates of seasonally inspired courses such as delicate house-made pastas and grilled local squid with parsley purée.

Hotel Único Madrid marries old and new with high-design touches and 19th-century relics of marble mosaics and a grand staircase. In the bustling neighborhood of Salamanca, the 44-room property captures the city’s spirit with commissioned art from local artist Jacinto Moros. Its crowning jewel is the Ramón Freixa Madrid restaurant, helmed by the twice Michelin-starred chef for whom it’s named, where you’ll indulge in standout fare like a duck burger with green mustard ice cream. The hotel’s luxe services range from airport transfers in an Audi Q5 to your own personal

Opposite Page: Ladera Resort in St. Lucia is located on a UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooking the Pitons. This Page: OPUS Hotel Vancouver in Yaletown; An al fresco breakfast at Villa Dubrovnik in Croatia.

findyour element

IN

YOUR ELEMENT

CAN’T-MISS MOMENTSHike to the top of Gros Piton with an expert guide, or enjoy a more laid-back adventure at St. Lucia’s La Soufriere, one of the world’s only “drive-in” volcanoes.

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The all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager®; Beef tournedos rossini from Signatures restaurant aboard Seven Seas Mariner®.

GOURMET INDULGENCE with

JUST A FEW OF MANY TEMPTING REGENT SEVEN SEAS® VOYAGES

Regent Seven Seas Cruises®C R U I S E

live life luxuriously

Enjoy every day exactly as you wish while exploring the world’s most beautiful places. Everything is included — from shore excursions to

fine wines and premium spirits to gourmet dining. Allow us to take care of every detail as we take you to nearly 350 destinations worldwide

aboard our luxuriously appointed and perfectly sized ships with no more than 750 pampered guests.

You really can have it all aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.

THE MOST INCLUSIVE LUXURY EXPERIENCE TM

foR voYAgES And RESERvAtionS, plEASE ContACt YouR tRAvEl ConSultAnt nA_JAn16990

If your craving for adventure guides you to the far corners of the world, add a taste of the exotic with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.® Enjoy immersive food and wine experiences and privileges stamped with a seal of approval from culinary giant Bon Appétit. On these special sailings, you’ll join an exclusive league of connoisseurs with a host of culinary amenities, that includes a special food-and-wine pairing event, a luscious box of Leonidas chocolates, a bottle of grappa preserved in an elegant Murano glass and an additional $200 shipboard credit per suite to use at your leisure. A world of benefits is also included in your voyage — from pre-paid gratuities to unlimited complimentary shore excursions.

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itineraries

bold landscapes Vancouver to Seward Seven Seas Mariner®

7 nights June 29, 2016 including: Vancouver, Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Sawyer Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Seward+ plus our

exclusive: $400 shipboard credit and experienced host

flawless french riviera Barcelona to Rome Seven Seas Navigator®

10 nights April 13, 2016 including: Barcelona, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Port-Vendres, Provence, Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo, Portofino, La Spezia, Florence/Pisa, Rome+ plus our

exclusive: $400 shipboard credit and experienced host

the art of northern europeLondon to StockholmSeven Seas Voyager®

12 nights August 24, 2016 including: London (Southampton), Bruges, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm+ plus our

exclusive: $400 shipboard credit and experienced host

RITZ PARIS

THE LEGEND CONT I NUES

RENDEZ - VOUS PLACE VENDÔME

Reservations are now open

15 PLACE VENDÔME 75001 PARIS

Clockwise: The Ritz Paris has long been emblematic of the Place Vendôme; Signature golden swan fixtures on the bathroom sinks pay homage to the hotel’s past; Seek out thoughtful details like Trélazé-sourced French roof slates and 800,000 mosaic tiles in the swimming pool.

After nearly four years of renovations, the Ritz Paris reopens this March to much fanfare. In this special interview General Manager Christian Boyens reveals how the legendary hotel is undergoing a historic restoration while modernizing its technology and adding fresh elements to honor its heritage.

how are the ritz paris’ original details being honored? We have preserved many details introduced by our founder, César Ritz, such as the dressing tables, natural daylight in the bathrooms and the peach bath linens he hand-selected to flatter any complexion. His designs have endured and our priority is preserving their distinctive charm.

what are a few upgrades we can expect? A retractable roof and heated floors will transform the winter garden into a patio to be enjoyed year-round, and new water systems will recycle rainwater for use in the garden. Guests will feel pampered by the experience showers and heated floors.

will there be any changes to the iconic bar hemingway? The Bar Hemingway stays the Bar Hemingway — a demand from our loyal guests. Every item at the bar has been catalogued including photographs, books, typewriters and vintage records, in order to replace them exactly as they were.

can you offer us a glimpse into the new chanel au ritz paris spa? Mademoiselle Chanel lived at the Ritz Paris for 34 years. The decoration draws upon CHANEL’s iconic color code of black, white and beige. It will offer services for both women and men, underscored by CHANEL’s philosophy of beauty as an experience that reconnects body and mind.

Q+A with the General Manager of the

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ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Enter offer id 1223813 on our website to be among the first to stay at the Ritz Paris.

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A Tjapukai Aborigine dressed in a loincloth, his body painted with ochre, dips his fingers into red, black and yellow paint and streaks the colors across the cheeks of quiet spectators.

The dancing begins slowly, building momentum until the performers are a swirl of color and sweat, feet pounding the floor, chests heaving with exertion.

Watching these performers share their heritage is exciting, and it makes you acutely aware that it’s just one glimpse into the rich history of Aboriginals in Australia — a story that stretches back more than 50,000 years and tells of one of the longest living cultures in the world.

defining aboriginal culture in australiaby Leslie Garrett

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At the time Europeans arrived on its shores, Australia had an estimated 600 different clan groups or nations. Their cultures and beliefs were often as different as their surroundings, which ranged from desert to rainforest, yet were all deeply rooted in the land they inhabited.

Though Aboriginal tourism was “born out of economic necessity,” says Annie Vanderwyk, an Aboriginal of the Ngarrindjeri Nation in South Australia and a scholar on Aboriginal issues, it has encouraged local people to become more connected to their own cultures, which has, in turn, generated a deeper pride in their heritage. These are stories that remain largely untold outside of Aboriginal culture, but ones that any visitor to Australia is all the richer for discovering. Enjoy just a few incredible experiences that immerse you in this vast continent’s Aboriginal heritage.

Journey into Sacred LandThe sandstone monolith of Uluru is arguably the most iconic site of Aboriginal people, indeed of Australia itself. This most sacred of spots, along with Kata Tjuta National Park, was returned to the care

of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people in 1985. Gaze at Aboriginal rock paintings within rock shelters, then take to the skies and soak in the beauty from a hot air balloon or helicopter. Come sunset, a paintbox of colors sweeps the sky, and when evening falls, look toward the heavens while a “Star Talker” shares Aboriginal stories of the night sky.

Rainforest Walkabout Far north, Queensland boasts the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and is where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is snug in a sacred rainforest valley, precious to the Kuku Yalanji who consider it a place for healing the spirit. An Aboriginal local takes you on a private excursion through this coastal region to unlock the secrets of spear fishing and to collect crabs and mussels, all while teaching you how ancient ways have transitioned into modern Aboriginal life.

Dreamtime Stories You might be surprised to discover the Blue Mountains aren’t blue at all. Rather, their name comes from light rays scattered by

the droplets of eucalyptus oil combining in the atmosphere to produce a distinctly blue light. Just an hour from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are a magical place of fern gullies and spring-fed waterfalls. Your private guide shares Dreamtime stories, revealing philosophies of the land’s original inhabitants and sharing the traditions of songline — an Aboriginal way of traveling using song as their guide. Cross the wild bush and rainforest to sacred sites, explore medicinal herbs and paddle beneath a waterfall.

Cultural ForayWestern Australia is home to what’s been called one of the richest prehistoric art galleries on earth — from 10,000 petroglyphs in the Burrap Peninsula to the Gyorn Gyorn paintings, estimated to be five times older than the Egyptian pyramids. The Art Gallery of Western Australia celebrates with the Kimberley Aboriginal Art Trail Map, guiding you to a dozen Aboriginal art galleries and women’s centers to meet artists and see how ancient influences linger today. Look for galleries recognized by the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub to ensure artists are paid a fair price for their prized works and that income is reinvested into community-led projects.

Urban ExplorationMelbourne Gardens, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, is a treasured site, particularly among the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung peoples. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk begins with a smoking ceremony and traverses landscapes from the wetlands to the forests. Taste and smell native plants and learn their uses for food, tools and medicine. “Aussie footy” (what we know as soccer) is highlighted at The Ian Potter Centre’s “Our Land is Alive” exhibit, featuring collectible works by indigenous artists — in the form of terracotta pots — depicting iconic moments of past and present Aboriginal players.

Bush Tucker CuisineNative cuisine sourced from the bush has evolved into sought-after menu items that are finding their place in high-end restaurants throughout Australia. Seabelle Restaurant on Fraser Island holds special bush tucker “talk and taste” tours, where you’ll explore the grounds and herb garden before enjoying a cooking demonstration showcasing native ingredients, while the restaurant’s menu always celebrates this fare with dishes like tea tree-smoked kangaroo and pepperberry crocodile. The magnificent Sounds of Silence experience takes place under the stars and overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National

Park, presenting bush tucker such as barramundi fish and quandong fruit — accompanied by Australian wine and beer.

Some of the oldest stories on earth began here, inextricably linking humanity to nature and spirituality. From the lush landscapes of the rainforest to the sacred red rocks of the desert, a deluxe journey deepens your connection to the Aboriginal world.

Previous Page: Aboriginal children donning traditional face paint. Opposite Page: An elegant outback dinner at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park; Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa in Queensland. This Page: Aboriginal painting.

ready to explore australia’s

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Luxury cruisers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Silver Muse, setting sail in April 2017. Silversea’s newest flagship promises to raise the bar even higher in the world of ultra-luxe ocean travel.

The 596-passenger Silver Muse is Silversea’s ninth luxury ship and represents an evolution in onboard experiences from bow to stern. Nearly every one of the 286 spacious suites boasts a private veranda, and all guests, regardless of suite category, are treated to personalized butler service. With eight onboard dining venues — more than any other ultra-luxury ship at sea — Silver Muse appeals to every craving, from sashimi at Kabuki to the Relais & Châteaux-esteemed French cuisine at La Grande Dame. Each of these elevated features are yours to behold when you sail with Silver Muse from Monte Carlo to Nice on her 13-day maiden voyage.

Silversea’s family-owned philosophy

is reflected in the highly personalized attention to detail from ship to shore. The intimate ship not only benefits from the ability to sail right into the heart of a city, but also ensures that the high ratio of familiar staff become quickly acquainted with your personal preferences. Almost intuitively, your wine glass is refilled with a favorite vintage that flows freely — just one of the all-inclusive perks on every Silversea sailing. Plus, with only ultra-luxurious accommodations, Silver Muse has the highest number of large suites in the fleet and offers the most enhanced combination flexibility of cabins for families and friends.

The hallmarks of a Silversea experience

are what set a benchmark aboard Silver Muse. Whether you’re enjoying insight from guest lecturers ranging from authors to diplomats or sitting down for a meal cooked to perfection over hot lava stones alongside newfound friends, prepare for uncompromising excellence that sets new standards for cruise vacations.

Clockwise: Veranda Suite; Japanese dining at Kabuki; La Grande Dame by Relais & Châteaux®.

set sail on silversea’s silver muse.

The Evolution of Ultra-Luxury Aboard SilverseaC R U I S E

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With abundant marine life, fertile vineyards and a booming arts scene, the diverse nation of South Africa entices with unexpected, life-changing experiences by land and sea in its magnificent surrounds.

MEET THE PLAYFUL CREATURES OF CAPE PENINSULA The waters of South Africa always promise to deliver a spectacle, and the shores of Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town are no exception. We’ll create a truly special day starting with a chauffeured drive from Cape Town along scenic coastal roads. At Boulders Beach, set out from the waterfront jetty on a two-hour

kayaking excursion, and paddle your way toward playful penguins.Another can’t-miss destination is Hermanus, a coastal village 90 minutes from Cape Town, where massive southern right whales make their way into sheltered covers between June and December. Deepen your connection to these majestic creatures by kayaking into the Walker Bay whale sanctuary. As you glide silently alongside these migrating marine mammoths, your guide identifies Cape fur seals and cormorants preening at the foot of towering sea cliffs.

UNEXPECTEDIN SOUTH AFRICA

FINDING THE

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RETURN TO THE GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL TRAVEL Traverse the stunning landscape between Pretoria and Durban aboard the ultra-luxurious Rovos Rail, a nostalgic 1930s steam locomotive. After disembarking at Spionkop Lodge, a private excursion takes you into the adjoining 11,000-acre nature reserve. As dusk descends over the landscape, return to the dining car for a four-course dinner served atop white

linens, and retreat for the night to your gleaming, dark-wood Royal Suite imbued with thoughtful touches from clever storage nooks to panoramic viewing windows. We can also arrange a posh cabin on The Blue Train, a 1920s-era locomotive that boards in Pretoria and crosses the 994-mile route to Cape Town. From your window, watch as the savanna gives way to desert silhouettes under the night sky, ablaze with the clearest constellations you’ve ever seen.

IMAGINE SCUBA DIVING WITH “DINOSAURS!”One of the world’s most primitive sharks is the sevengill cow shark and one of the only places to encounter it is in the waters of False Bay just off the Cape Peninsula. These ancient sharks swim through shallow kelp forests, and we’ll connect you with an expert diving guide to experience them up close.

Travel eastward to KwaZulu-Natal, home to some of the most biodiverse sites

that are believed to rival that of the Great Barrier Reef. Aliwal Shoal has a fossilized sand dune that invites the ragged-tooth shark — ferocious-looking yet harmless — to swim along the wreckage of two submerged ships. Also within KwaZulu-Natal, the transparent waters of Sodwana Bay Marine Reserve tempt you to snorkel with the promise of encountering a marine community of moray eels, bottlenose dolphins and polka-dotted eagle rays.

DELVE DEEP INTO SOUTH AFRICA’S PRIZED VINEYARDS South Africa’s Cape Wineland region has been cultivating wine grapes since 1659, and yet it has maintained a sense of intimacy with welcoming winemakers in boutique wineries. A hot air balloon excursion carries you over manicured vines as the morning sun glints off dawn’s dew and you soar over the Cape Dutch-style buildings of family-owned wineries in the hubs of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or Paarl. With your palate

primed, embark on a tasting tour of South Africa’s best vineyards along the Cape Route 62 wine road. The trail terminates in Cape Town, where One&Only Cape Town provides uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and a tri-level Wine Loft that vaunts over 5,000 bottles, emphasizing rare wines and regional vintages.

FIND THE CROSSROADS OF ART AND CULTURE In vibrant Johannesburg, meet the contemporary artists who live and work at the Arts on Main complex. Glimpse their cutting-edge works alongside African artifacts at the ultra-modern Wits Art Museum and explore more authentic crafts at the African Craft Market at Rosebank Mall as musicians pound on their rawhide-topped djembe drums.

There’s no better way to end your art-filled day than with a stay in Johannesburg’s Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa. We’ll reserve a seat at the uniquely

named five hundred restaurant where dining becomes its own artful experience, each bite reflecting the creative energy between playful, colorful presentation and distinctive local ingredients.

Whether you’re marveling over fine cuisine and innovative art or plunging into the Cape’s awe-inspiring coast, your South Africa journey promises to fill you with the same sense of wonder that has long been tied to the safari experience. Let us create your 360-degree journey through land and sea on your next South Africa vacation.

Previous Page: A colony of over 2000 African penguins are your companions on the protected shores of Boulders Beach. Opposite Page: Riding on the Rovos Rail. This Page: Get a bird’s-eye view of South Africa’s landscape from a hot air balloon.

UNEXPECTEDIN SOUTH AFRICA

FINDING THE

INSIDER TIPThe open-air observation deck on Rovos Rail is one of the best vantage points to view the passing landscape with a glass of champagne in hand.

for a closer look at the

unexpectedwonders in

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Map out your Africa safari as the once-in-a-lifetime experience it should be. Working closely with MICATO SAFARIS, named the World’s Best Safari Outfitter by Travel + Leisure an unprecedented nine times, we’ll curate a monumental sojourn. Choose between a small-group excursion through southern Africa or let us create a personalized safari, every moment imbued with luxury and impeccable service that is so essential to the Micato Safaris’ experience.

p A bespoke Micato safari may also indulge your inner oenophile in South Africa’s Cape Winelands. Enjoy luxurious accommodations at la residence hotel in the stunning Franschhoek Valley, surrounded by vineyards and orchards.

t We’ll arrange a memorable meal at the esteemed delaire graff estate where flavors of the land shine through in pasture-raised meats and locally sourced produce.

p Families of elephants roam toward a waterhole, a leopard slinks down a marula tree — it’s all in a day’s safari in ulusaba private game reserve, Sir Richard Branson’s private swath of land in South Africa’s Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. With expert Micato guides leading the way, we promise you close encounters with the Big Five. Your stay is enhanced by a gracious champagne welcome as you enjoy panoramic views from the hilltop Ulusaba Rock Lodge or glimpse the animals up close from your treehouse-style dwelling at Ulusaba Safari Lodge.

t A Micato safari through southern Africa also delivers you to Botswana’s selinda reserve in the Okavango Delta. Game adventures depart by four-wheel drive vehicle, watercraft and on foot, always with a seasoned cadre of guides to point you to the world’s most endangered large mammals — like the elusive black rhinoceros and African wild dogs.

WHERE WILL YOUR

SAFARITAKE YOU

?

there areendless

ways to customize your bespoke micato safari.

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A Passage to IstanbulSwissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul

Flowing through the heart of Istanbul and dividing the continents of Europe and Asia, the Bosphorus is perhaps Turkey’s most iconic symbol. The influence of this narrow strait runs strong in one of the city’s most celebrated hotels: Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul.

The luxury property has debuted 566 fully refreshed guest rooms and suites in both its East Wing and West Wing. Letting the Bosphorus take center stage, interior design authority Khuan Chew of KCA International created floor-to-ceiling windows that shimmer with views of the dancing waterway complemented with contemporary accents of delightful Turkish details. Fabrics conjure the opulent gold-toned hues found in the Dolmabahçe Palace, a reminder of the

hotel’s position on 65 acres formerly attached to this royal Ottoman residence.

Inspired by its enviable position directly on the waters’ banks, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul has imbued its impressive 43,055-square-foot Pürovel Spa & Sport with water-inspired treatments: a tiled hammam steam room recreates ancient Ottoman hydrotherapy; or you can receive private instruction in aerobic swimming followed by a soak in an aromatic bath.

Even the hotel’s incomparable restaurants consider the maritime byway a central feature. Dine on poached salmon with artichoke confit or salt-crusted sea bass at the renovated Gaja restaurant on the rooftop. There is perhaps no better accompaniment to

the thoughtful menu than a glass of Dom Pérignon and an equally sparkling view of the strait flowing alongside of you.

We recommend the terrace suite or corner room for uninterrupted views of the Bosphorus, and you’ll enjoy credit toward your spa treatment as well as priority seating for your dining experience when you reserve with us.

Dinner with a view at Gaja.

let’s create your

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Enter offer id 1224352 on our website for more details

about this luxurious Istanbul icon.

h ot e l s + r e s o r t s

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GETTING CLOSER

IN EUROPE

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A sense of bliss permeates every aspect of your journey. From the moment you enter your richly appointed, elegant stateroom, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a five-star hotel, the space adorned with artwork and custom furnishings. It’s hard to resist sinking into a plush Savoir® of England bed, the same handcrafted bedding that royalty and movie stars have likened to sleeping on a cloud, and guests are always delighted to discover the marble bathroom is stocked with L’Occitane en Provence and Hermès products. Every stateroom and suite offers a river view, with unparalleled perspectives of approaching shores as you glide along Europe’s network of waterways.

For those staying in suites, a private butler is always at your beck and call to unpack your belongings, arrange special amenities or provide meals in the comfort

of your suite. Travelers of every age delight in the cuisine aboard family-oriented river cruises — beginning with a full breakfast with everything from made-to-order omelets to pancakes with rich Nutella, and ending with a multi-course dinner of regional dishes or favorites like macaroni and cheese. Sip and savor to your heart’s content as every beverage is included throughout your voyage. Try the unusual art of mixing hand-crafted sodas and elixirs alongside the dedicated Soda Sommelier. Intimate seating invites families and friends to spend even more quality time together, but don’t be surprised if your children make a beeline for the Young Travelers’ Table reserved specifically for them.

The essence of these specially curated voyages is about your experiences and insider access: join

other families in an exclusive welcome party and enjoy a VIP glimpse inside the ship on a tour led by the captain himself. And if mingling with the captain isn’t special enough, meet your Family Hosts who plan immersive activities ranging from language lessons to engaging conversations with young local “ambassadors”who share their experiences of living in Europe — and yes, you have permission to slip away for an onboard spa treatment or romantic cocktails on the deck.

Everyone revels in the excitement as you spy new shores approaching, ready to explore your surrounds with a dedicated guide. Each stop features a complimentary shore excursion, introducing you to cities and villages as a first-timer or revealing hidden gems that surprise even seasoned travelers.

This isn’t any ordinary bicycle outing. It’s just one of many experiences on a river cruise vacation designed to bring loved ones closer together through enriching activities, always through the lens of sheer joy. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has transformed river cruising into one of the most effortless — yet meaningful — ways to travel in ultimate luxury with your family. Take a fresh approach to sightseeing by waterways on select Generations-themed river cruise voyages that are specially tailored toward families: these itineraries are thoughtfully scheduled during school holidays and are packed with features that appeal to everyone from wide-eyed first-time travelers to seasoned world explorers.

Previous Page: A family bicycles along the river. This Page: River Countess glides into Venice; Life-size checkers on the Sun Deck; River Duchess Lobby.

Over your shoulder, catch a glimpse of your family — perhaps curious children or smiling teens flanked by their grandparents — cycling leisurely at the foot of Germany’s verdant hillsides and sloping valleys, just over the Austrian border. Suddenly, the town of Passau emerges in the distance with Bavarian rooftops backed by thickets of birch trees.

The Burgenland’s time-honored treasures glide past, and the Veste Oberhaus fortress looms atop St. George’s Mountain as the Ilz, Danube and Inn rivers converge.

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In Prague, pointed spires reach skyward as you look up from the ramparts of Prague Castle — peer beyond its fortified walls to spot the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, where your local guide meets you during the hourly mechanical dance of the Apostles. A fanciful visit to Nuremberg’s Toy Museum reveals the world’s largest toy collection.

Or explore the gems of Northern Italy by both land and water. Reenact your favorite moments from Romeo and Juliet in Verona while a stop in Venice reveals the art of glassblowing and making elaborate masks.

The virtues of the holiday season are abundant in Germany’s Christmas markets. Spicy notes fill the air at Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, steaming from cups of mulled wine and

baked into gingerbread for nibbling as you peruse over 200 stalls for trinkets.

Whether you’re on European soil for the first time or you’re drawn to the riches of revisiting your favorite countries, your family will feel deeply appreciated through fascinating encounters, delectable dining and special family activities with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. Embrace a stress-free journey that involves setting down roots on a luxurious ship as you traverse the waterways into the centers of Europe’s greatest cities. Your voyage is underpinned by a truly all-inclusive philosophy that includes meals, beverages, excursions and gratuities, as well as half-off cruise fares for young travelers (4–18) accompanied by an adult. Your only focus is making the most out of your time together.

Opposite Page: The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. This Page: A stateroom aboard River Countess.

GETTING CLOSERIN EUROPE

sail intoluxury

with uniworld boutique river

cruise collection.

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Retreat into a Lifestyle of Luxuryat Carillon Miami Beach

Housed in a North Miami Beach landmark that once welcomed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, the all-suite Carillon Miami Beach offers direct beachfront access at a prestigious Collins Avenue address.

Find your perfect balance of relaxation and indulgence. Perhaps you’ll simply spend your days blissfully lounging among one of four water-view pools, just steps from the sand, sipping on a craft cocktail or fresh-squeezed juice as live music emanates from the Ocean Terrace. Or you can select from 40 complimentary fitness classes each day and test your limits on a two-story indoor rock wall. Total bliss awaits in the hotel’s 70,000-square-foot spa — the most expansive in South Florida. Encompassing fitness facilities and an integrated medical program in its spa, this is the only Miami Beach hotel to offer a selection of exclusive Clarins products and treatments, focusing on vitality, beauty and reenergizing the entire body from the inside out.

Modern dining is also a cornerstone of this lifestyle retreat. Let us reserve you an unforgettable

al fresco meal at THYME, a concept developed by renowned executive chef Fritz Zwahlen to feature seasonal ingredients suffused with Asian influence, like Wagyu beef tataki and miso black cod. Innovative creations are also featured at Bar & Lounge, where signature cocktails are a star attraction in true Miami Beach fashion.

From savvy mobile check-in to a dedicated personal concierge at your service, the Carillon Miami Beach prioritizes individual experience above all else. We’ll provide additional hotel credit to further customize your stay as you immerse yourself in all that this chic retreat has to offer.

Miami lifestyle meets modern

luxury at Carillon Miami Beach. On

six oceanfront acres, this newly

rebranded boutique hotel

has refined a harmonious blend

of world-class amenities, upscale

atmosphere and a staggering

selection of indulgent

experiences.

Clockwise: Enjoy easy access to a pristine stretch of Miami Beach; Find seasonal, local ingredients on the menu; Indulge in the hotel spa.

h ot e l s + r e s o r t s

let’s create your

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Enter offer id 1225895 on our website for more

details about the luxe life at Carillon Miami Beach.