While The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is a fully functional farm it is stylish and comfortable and you can expect luxury in the midst of these rugged surrounds. It’s situated on 6000-acres of green pastures right on the edge of the sea, where the best of two magical worlds collide.
The opulent interiors and architecture of the buildings emulate the landscape and feature eye-catching touches od weathered wood, stone and more modern furniture pieces to bring it into the present day and age.
The 24 cottage suites are quaint and opulent and showcase complimentary mini bars, heated towel rails and large bathtubs. A private patio offers scenic views of the dramatic golf courses, the majestic Pacific and the manicured greenery of the farm, tended to so carefully by the sheep who find their home there.
There’s a Tom Doak designed golf course for those with a bit more energy while the heated infinity pools are inviting and relaxing, and offer the best vantage points for taking in the scenery.
There’s also a spa and library for those who want to stay sedentary while they relax and the delicious cuisine tastes even better when enjoyed outdoors or in a private setting.
The Hawke’s bay region is famous for its top quality wines, and lies along the East coast of North Island. It is a 100-kilometer bay in the shape of a semi-circle that encompasses natural splendor: mountainous coastal territory, the Wairoa River floodplains and the Heretanga plains. It’s historical too, and it has been renowned for its beauty since 1858.
Hawke’s bay features the best kind of climate and geography for orchard and grape growing. You can expect fairly cool winters and warm summers, which is just the right temperature for growing delicious grapes for great vintages- especially reds. Sheep and cattle farming is also popular in the area.
Matakauri Lodge showcases eleven exquisite lakeside villas and suites in a gorgeous countryside setting on New Zealand’s South Island.
With only eleven suites you are assured of the star treatment as you take in the magic of the landscapes that surround you. The mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for picture perfect views of Lake Wakatapu and the suites are stylishly and tastefully decorated.
If you bear to leave the intimacy of your suite there is plenty on offer outdoors as well. It’s adventure sports all the way with an array of activities like paragliding, white river rafting, jet boats, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. There are hundreds of bird species in the beauty of the natural setting and Matakauri Lodge also boasts a relaxing spa to complement its peaceful environment.
For those who are quieter at heart there’s a well stocked library for chilling out in, best enjoyed with a glass of red from the lodge’s cellar.
South Island or “Mainland” as it is referred to by locals is the bigger of New Zealand’s two main islands. The Maoris call it “Te Wai” and it is home to a quarter of the New Zealand population. It is bordered by the Cook Strait, the Tasman Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.
South Island rose in popularity during the 1860s gold rushes and settlers came to love it temperate climate and lush natural beauty. It is also home to the Southern Alps which splits the island in half lengthways. It’s a popular film location too, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia where shot on location there. Popular natural attractions for local and international visitors include the Canterbury Plains and the island’s rugged coastline and glaciers. Some extreme conditions can be found across the wide variety of landscapes and biospheres.
If it’s a fashionable ski vacation that takes your fancy this year, then Aspen is the place to do it. Viceroy Snowmass will get you right in on the action on Aspen’s most exciting ski slopes.
The 173 rooms are slick and chic, featuring contemporary decor, private patios and cozy fireplaces to take the chill off. You can pick between majestic mountain views and looking out on the infinity of wilderness that envelopes you. For something different, try a nature trail or hike in the peaks that surround you.
Dining is always in style, whether it’s fine cuisine at Eight K Restaurant or a more casual affair at the Poolside Cafe. The Poolside Cafe is next door to the spa where you can have all your cares massaged away or sit back and sip on a fine Bourbon. Ute-Indian inspired treatments are the order of the day at the spa, which is decked out in chrome and glass, bringing a modern touch to the traditional ingredients and therapies on offer. It’s the best way to unwind and soothe after a day on the slopes, and before an evening of delicious fare and entertainment.
It’s great for families and the kids will have a blast at the Kids’ Club while mom and dad can enjoy the skills of a private chef or the romance of private dining.
Aspen is named after the many aspen trees that populate and punctuate the area. It’s one of the most happening ski centers and has become renowned over the years as an upscale spot for tourists, especially celebrities and high profile people. Aspen lies along Roaring Fork River and keeps great company with age-old mountain peaks and natural bliss all around. It’s mountain country all round and you can access Red Mountain, Smuggler Mountain and Aspen Mountain if all that skiing and lavishness becomes too much.
One of the wildest and most unspoilt areas of the world, Patagonia in Chile brings a heady mix of ocean blue and rainforest to the fore. It’s rugged and untouched and you have a ticket to take in the natural splendour on offer.
18 private villas bring you that much closer to an all natural encounter with the wilder side of South America. You’re boxed in by Mother Nature on both sides: the wild ocean of the Pacific in front of you and the lush tropical rainforests behind you. You can savor the richness of Chilean wines and feast on fresh seafood and organic greens while you take in the scenery all around.
If it’s exploration you’re after, there’s plenty for you: try 8 acres of forest and 6 miles of South Pacific coastline for size. It’s remote and completely secluded in Northern Patagonia: nestled between Chile’s capital of Santiago and Cape Horn, and somewhere the rest of civilization is unlikely to find you. Tepual in Puento Montt is the closest airport, and that’s about an hour away. Make the most of your isolation with private gazebos for soothing massage and outdoor dining like no other.
A spectacular landscape of unrivalled beauty, Patagonia extends into both Argentina and Chile, showcasing natural wonder and a world untouched by the hand of man. Featuring the best of both the Andes mountains and the dramatic Pacific Ocean Patagonia enjoys a mostly cool and dry climate, although the west coast is typically colder than the east coast. It’s home to a number of unique creatures like the guanaco which are hunted by the local people, the cougar, the Patagonia fox and the Patagonia hog-nosed skunk. You can also expect to see sightings of the Southern right whale, Magellanic penguin, orca and numerous elephant seals.
The Equinox Resort and Spa offers a rich history and a rich hotel experience that is both sumptuous and elegant. 200 years of local history is contained within these walls and finds realization in 195 rooms that are sprawled across four historic buildings. The 1811 House was a former residence of Abraham Lincoln’s granddaughter and offers stunning accommodation to the most selective of customers.
If the luxury of your lodging can’t contain you there is loads on offer in the immediate surrounds. It’s close to the British School of Falconry where you can watch the majestic hawks soaring in the sky. You can take four wheel drive lessons through the Green Mountains or try your hand at a number of outdoor adventures like archery, fly fishing, golf, skiing, mountain biking and tennis.
Wellness treatments take the best of what the landscape has to offer and package it in pamper treats to soothe body and mind. Enjoy the best of New England with treatments that include wildflower extracts, maple sugar and mineral clay.
The Equinox Resort and Spa is only an hour away from Albany International Airport.
Vermont is the second smallest state in the United States of America, in the New England area. It has a chequered past of colonization and has been the battle ground between the indigenous Indians, English and French. It was the first state to abolish slavery and is the biggest producer of maple syrup in the United States. It is famous for its colourful Autumn scenes and vibrant forests.
The Green Mountain range contains the oldest rocks in Vermont and the area is believed to have been a part of Pangaea, connected to Africa before the continental drift. It was once home to numerous wild turkeys which were extinct by the middle of the 19th century but have subsequently been successfully reintroduced.
