Big birthdays, anniversaries, graduations: milestone events give you the perfect excuse to whisk kith and kin away to an exotic location for a celebration on steroids. How about a family reunion at a private house and observatory in a South Africa wildlife reserve? Snorkelling with turtles off the Galapagos Islands before a gourmet birthday dinner on your private yacht? Memories are out there for the making.
So far we've planned weddings at palazzos, helped families summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, coordinated a mum and daughter graduation getaway to see gorillas in Rwanda, even arranged a private Valentine's dinner party in the Temple of Luxor surrounded by 5,000 candles. We do it all, from extra-special touches to seriously special productions. Simply get in touch, tell us what you have in mind and let us take care of the rest.
Celebrate in style with candlelit dinners in castles, private luxury cruises and exotic escapes to far flung places
A special birthday celebration requires the grandest of locations. What better than your very own fully-staffed Highlands castle set on a 500 acre estate in Scotland? The only habitable castle on the banks of Loch Ness, no less. Gather with friends and family beside roaring log fires, share a 'nip' or two of your favorite single malt, dine on gourmet delights from artisan cheeses to locally caught game, sleep in four poster beds, and enjoy the finest 5-star service.
Take a slow boat from Saigon to Cambodia or Vietnam on a luxury Mekong River cruise. Watch as emerald-colored forests, villages and beautiful countryside drift by your balcony and the floor to ceiling windows of your suite. On land, cycle along the river banks, encounter jungle wildlife in the company of a guide, and meet local villagers. If that isn't enough, an inspired Asian menu on board is planned and prepared by one of the continent's top chefs using ingredients freshly selected from local riverside markets.
Romantic Rajasthan with its jewel-bright colors, ornate palaces, colonial architecture, warm and friendly people, and out of this world cuisine is the perfect destination for a milestone birthday. Pick up a bargain in the bustling bazaars, savour the delicious street food, take heritage walks through artisan areas, then escape to the tranquil Rajasthani countryside. Colorful, vibrant and oh-so magical, a special occasion in India will be one to remember.
Step out of your villa onto sun bleached sands with the shimmering turquoise Indian Ocean stretching out before you. A stay on Quilalea Island in Mozambique will be one of the most romantic and memorable of your life. Snorkel or dive pristine reefs straight from the shore, visit nesting turtles, and spot migrating whales and dolphins. Personal butlers, oversize beds, ocean-side plunge pools, the star-studded night sky, and a fabulous clifftop spa add up to the perfect celebration destination.
Escape to your very own luxury hilltop villa set on a private estate on Koh Samui, one of the most beautiful islands on the east coast of Thailand. A visual feast, the villas are a symphony of clean lines and contemporary spaces, with rooms that overlook a huge infinity pool or coral cove. Deluxe villas come with a Jacuzzi, steam room, even a private cinema. Set on a protected archipelago, Koh Samui boasts a huge array of marine life, which makes it a mecca for divers. Samujana is perfect any family festivity.
Overlooking a water hole amid 350,000 acres of pristine wilderness, Singita's Serengeti House is your exclusive home away from home in Tanzania. Designed so the interior flows seamlessly with the outdoors, it's perfect for an extra-special family getaway. Wake up to wide open plains illuminated by breathtaking sunrises, relax in your private pool, and marvel at the diverse wildlife on a game drive. Glamour oozes in every detail from the locally made art to the sumptuous upholstery and gourmet meals. Unwind and reconnect with your loved ones on this memorable, perhaps life changing, experience.
Whisk your family away on this small but super-luxurious yacht to cruise the Galapagos archipelago. Head ashore to explore in the company of world class naturalists, get closer to marine life in your glass-bottomed kayak, and marvel as dolphins ride the bow wave. The MV Origin has been built using eco-friendly, zero emission materials and is elegantly furnished to make it perfect for any special occasion.
With finals a distant memory, the chance to see the world has arrived. Why not take your graduate on a celebratory adventure they'll never forget?
A whirlwind tour of 'il bel paese' that takes in the cultural hot spots of Lake Como, Venice, Tuscany, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. In the company of your private guide you'll drive the Chianti wine route (stopping to sample the produce, of course), stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse, and visit Pompeii with an archaeologist. Few places can match Italy for its rich history, Renaissance architecture, arts and culture. It's style, food, shopping and friendly people will charm travelers of all ages.
From elephants to whitewater rafting, this Sri Lanka vacation is the perfect mix of energy and relaxation for your hardworking graduate. Explore the Cultural Triangle, the site of the sacred cities of Anuradhapura, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla where you'll enjoy sunrise visits to temples and view rock formations. Meet tea pickers, cycle around the countryside, visit local spice and botanical gardens, see turtles hatching and enjoy a spot of whale watching in this beautiful, family-friendly country.
The Four Season's renowned service combines with a rustic tented camp set in a bamboo jungle accessible only by river boat to bring you an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience. With roll top baths, outstanding cuisine and a cellar to rival any world class restaurant, this is no ordinary safari camp. Think all the comforts of a top city hotel but with views to die for. Learn how to train the camp's resident elephants, enjoy boat trips on the Mekong River, and visit Burma and Laos to soak up the region's culture and traditions.
Coming face to face with a wild mountain gorilla is unbeatable as graduation gifts go and an experience that only a handful of lucky people ever get to enjoy. Leave early in the morning to track eastern lowland gorilla families in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains, visit community and conservation projects, enjoy guided walks and mountain bike trips, marvel at the park's diverse bird species, and be sure to visit the nearby genocide memorials to learn about Rwanda's progress in recent years.
Whisk your graduate away to the lost city of the Incas on this magical trip to Peru. Trek a lesser-used route to Machu Picchu staying at luxury mountain lodges and enjoy ever-changing scenery, including stairways and snow-capped peaks. Meet Andean communities and sample delicious local food. Cruise the Amazon on the luxurious M/V Aria and explore the jungle, which is home to monkeys, three-toed sloths and caimans. Learn from expert naturalist guides and keep an eye open for pink dolphins.
From gorgeous family-friendly hotels to elephant encounters and temples, a Thailand graduation getaway will delight ages 7 through 70. Try your hand a rice planting or Thai boxing before flying to the lesser known island of Koh Kood where you and your loved ones can dine in a 'tree pod' and have your waiter arrive by zip wire. Watch outdoor movies, indulge your sweet tooth in the Chocolate Room, flop on the beach, and explore lush jungle and local fishing villages. This is boredom busting at its best.
Because sometimes you just want a blowout, all bells and whistles vacation that's the envy of your friends...
Flagship ski villa, Chalet Husky in Val d’Isère, is designed to wow. It sets the bar in luxury with an amazing wellness area that includes a Jacuzzi, massage room and swimming pool, and a games space with archery and an indoor climbing wall. Everything is taken care of from lift passes to lunch. Your private chef will design your menu; nannies take care of the little ones; you'll be driven to the slopes in style each day; and your private host will ensure everything is just so, from your morning coffee to Champagne and canapés in the evening.
Romance, opulence, glittering palaces, muscular forts and cities that sing with color and transport you to another time. Stay in the finest suites with the best views cherry-picked by our experts; cruise through town in a vintage car that once belonged to the Maharajah; picnic on a beautiful private estate; enjoy a sublime dinner surrounded by hundreds of diyas (Indian candles) in an ancient ruin; and watch the sun set over Lake Pichola from your private boat. This is no-holds-barred luxury for the journey of a lifetime.
From Lima to Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, traverse mountains and meadows, meet local people, and marvel at terraced salt lagoons. Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in the company of your private guide and stay at a beautiful lodge in the cloud forest alive with hummingbirds and exotic flowers. Travel by train to Cuzco to enjoy its colorful markets, museums and architecture before moving on to your hotel in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. There you'll join expert naturalists on hikes and canoe excursions to see wildlife and clay licks that attract hundreds of parrots.
Enjoy a bird's eye view of the ethereal Skeleton Coast, and the shipwrecks that line it, on this extra-special flying safari run by the Schoeman family. Soar above towering sand dunes, plains and salt pans, seal colonies, and freshwater oases that nourish desert-adapted animals, including black rhino and elephant. Discover Ugab rock formations; colorful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab environs; ancient Bushman rock engravings; and meet the nomadic Himba people, who still live according to ancient customs and traditions.
History comes to life in the company of the very best guides as you journey in style from Saigon to Danang via Siem Reap and Luang Prabang. From colonial boltholes in historic cities to elegant retreats in rural hideaways, from crumbling tea shops to shimmering golden temples, this is a trip of contrasts. From breakfast beside a waterfall to a thrilling Vespa culinary tour, a paddy field dinner, cocktails in a temple and a luxury river cruise, this is an itinerary to top them all.
Go weak at the knees for the world's most romantic and magical places to toast your love story
See the secret side of rural France at a leisurely pace on a luxury barge cruise. Together you'll savour culinary delights to tantalize the taste buds of the most demanding gastronomes.Your beautifully appointed barge takes you through some of the country's most picturesque areas while you enjoy a relaxing house party-style ambiance on board. Stop for vineyard picnics, plus trips to local markets, lavender distilleries, truffle farms and olive oil mills, to name a few.
From tigers to the Taj Mahal, this is the ultimate Indian wildlife safari. Track Royal Bengal tigers in Pench National Park and spot leopards, langur monkeys, spotted deer, wild dogs and incredible bird life in the rural idyll of Bera. The perfect mix of city and jungle, stay in luxury camps and lodges, lose yourself in the beauty of the 'Blue City' of Jodphur, visit the colorful Bishnoi tribes, and be pampered like royalty at Udaipur's enchanting Lake Palace. This is romance and adventure on an epic scale.
Celebrate your anniversary in barefoot luxury at a very private villa resort on the dazzling white sands of Mahé in the Seychelles. Take a helicopter to eco-wonder North Island, where critically endangered species have been carefully rehabilitated and restored. Here you can dive the pristine waters, explore the island in your personal buggy, or simply soak up the sun on one of four private beaches to enjoy the ultimate tropical experience.
From vibrant Buenos Aires, where you'll tango 'til you drop, visit estancias, and watch polo, head to the wild beauty of El Calafate. Stay in a Relais & Châteaux property close to the Perito Moreno Glacier where vast chunks of ice break away with a roar to join the lake below. At Torres del Paine National Park, marvel at the vivid green lakes, granite peaks and abundant wildlife. Your hotel lies in the heart of the park from where you'll enjoy myriad adventures, including sailing, hiking, horseback riding and kayaking.
Whether you're a salty sea dog or sailing novice, a yacht charter vacation with an expert crew on the cerulean blue waters of the Aegean Sea is a seriously romantic odyssey. Why be beach bound when you can explore the coastline, drink in hand, hop between islands and stop for impromptu picnics in hidden coves? On board, do as much or as little as you like, your crew are on hand to take care of everything. Could there be a better, more exciting way to spend quality time with the love of your life?
Nestled in a tropical forest overlooking the famous limestone pinnacles of Phang Nga Bay, the Six Senses Yao Noi is a stunning luxury retreat with breathtaking views. Designed with relaxation in mind, each villa has its own infinity pool and sun deck. By day, unwind at the spa, enjoy remote picnics, visit the cooking school, and snorkel or dive the island's crystal clear waters. The resort's excellent restaurants include the Dining Room which has a glass floor that reveals a river flowing underneath.
Khmer for 'sweethearts', Song Saa is so named because it spans two tropical islands connected by a footbridge. The finest in eco-friendly luxury, your private villa is set either in verdant rainforest or directly on the golden beach with ocean views. Perfect for lovers, the pace here is decidedly laid back with an unwavering focus on unsurpassed food and service. Sail and kayak on the sparkling turquoise waters, or if you and your partner are divers, you'll love exploring this watery wonderland which is home to dugongs, seahorses and an array of exotic fish. Bliss!