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The sumptuous interiors, beautiful gardens and extensive grounds at Cliveden make this one of our favorite properties in the London area, conveniently located near Heathrow Airport and Windsor Castle, and a fitting choice for Meghan Markle, who will spend the night before the Royal Wedding at the historic property with her mother.
Bhutan is a wonderful destination for outstanding natural beauty and vibrant, well-preserved Himalayan culture. Among the many beautiful hotels in Bhutan, perhaps none highlights the country’s scenery like the Uma Punakha. The property’s nine rooms and two villas face the breathtaking Punakha Valley, offering stunning views of the Mo Chhu River and the verdant Himalayan […]
From seeing snow monkeys in Japan to chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, Artisans of Leisure tours feature the best of winter travel all over the world. Rather than head south for the winter, we love to fully embrace the colder months and enjoy some of the unique experiences that can only be found this time […]
Iceland, “The Land of Fire and Ice,” is packed with dramatic natural features: the largest glaciers in Europe, several of the most active volcanoes in the world, rugged lava fields, bubbling geothermal pools, thundering waterfalls, jagged peaks and spouting geysers. One of Iceland’s most famous sights is the Blue Lagoon, a pale-blue slash of geothermal-heated […]
Portugal’s dramatic Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of steep hills covered in vineyards extending down, row by row, to the Douro River. The planting patterns form intricate designs in the hills, which are best viewed during a slow cruise up the river in a vintage wooden boat. Between the vineyard terraces, the […]
Perched on the edge of a deep gorge high in the Al Hajar Mountains of northern Oman, the luxurious Alila Jabal Akhdar resort offers spectacular views and easy access to soft adventure activities and cultural touring in the surrounding region. Incorporating native rock and timber, the Alila Jabal Akhdar buildings are a contemporary take on ancient […]
Iceland has been one of our most popular destinations since we launched our private Iceland tours. Luke Pyenson, one of our Iceland travel specialists, has visited the country several times and closely studied its tourism industry while in graduate school. We chatted with Luke about what makes the island so compelling, and why he can’t stop […]
Dubai has long been known for its luxury hotels, upscale restaurants and world-class shopping, making it a great place for a long layover en route to farther-flung destinations. However, with the arrival of more and more cultural offerings and fantastic resorts, the emirate has become a destination in its own right. With a warm climate […]
The South of France is a perennial favorite destination for Artisans of Leisure travelers. This year, we’re excited about the reopening of La Bastide de Gordes, a sophisticated hotel and spa that offers luxury and style in the heart of Provence. Perched on the steep slopes of Gordes, a beautiful and ancient Provencal hill town, […]
We recently returned from an extensive private tour through Peru, one of our favorite destinations for its rich offering of cultural, culinary and adventure experiences. Highlights included Lima, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu (including Huayna Picchu), Cusco, the Nazca Lines and the Bellestas Islands.
For travelers wanting a luxurious tour of Central Europe that includes ample time to relax, we arrange a stay at Chateau Mcely, a romantic spa hotel and resort in the beautiful Czech countryside. The hotel’s sprawling, English-style grounds (and the adjacent St. George Forest) offer plenty of spots for nature walks, bike rides and garden […]
With stunning landscapes including scenic mountains, desert skies full of stars and refined urban neighborhoods, Chile is one of our favorite destinations in South America for all types of travel. Around the country, Artisans of Leisure clients enjoy stays at Chile’s top high-end properties in addition to private touring. Santiago received a new addition to […]
We have just returned from Tokyo, where we visited the new Aman Tokyo. We’re confident the Aman will quickly become one of the best luxury hotels in Japan, and we’re excited to be offering it as an option in our private Japan tours. Conveniently located near Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, the Aman Tokyo […]
If you love yoga, or if you have always wanted to try yoga, consider incorporating it into a private tour. Artisans of Leisure can arrange expert-led private yoga sessions in many of our destinations, including a sunrise session among ancient ruins in India, one-on-one lessons at spa retreats in the Himalayas, a beach side yoga […]
Song Saa is a great option for travelers wanting a Southeast Asian island retreat that’s off the beaten path. Cambodia’s first (and only) luxury island resort sits on a pair of private islands in the Gulf of Thailand among beautiful, untouched nature. In addition to relaxing on the beach and in the spa, Song Saa […]
The Artisans of Leisure Cultural Travel Hot List is your guide to the top luxury travel destinations for the coming year. Each December, we look ahead at the destinations and activities our travelers have booked for the next 12 months, as well as those that we anticipate becoming popular as the year progresses. Because we […]
For many of our travelers, a day in the Berner Oberland is a highlight of their Switzerland tour. This beautiful region in central Switzerland is perfect for anyone wanting to see iconic Swiss landscapes such as snow-capped mountains, waterfalls streaming over cliffs hundreds of feet high, and chalets sitting on meadow-covered hillsides speckled with cows […]
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, a three-hour drive (or short helicopter transfer) from Sydney, is a must-stay for those who wish to experience one of the very best resorts in Australia. The valley setting is magnificent, surrounded by sandstone escarpments and thickly forested hills. The resort is made up of approximately 40 stand-alone suites, furnished […]
Versailles is one of the most interesting and elegant cities in France. Our private France tours bring travelers to our favorite spots in Versailles, many of which are rarely visited by international travelers. One of the grandest royal palaces in the world, the Chateau de Versailles is a magnificent Baroque complex set on thousands of […]
On our recent journey around Sicily, we explored the highlights of Palermo and the Baroque cities, dined on delicious Sicilian cuisine and relaxed at the top resorts around the beautiful Italian island. Architecture in and around Palermo displays Sicily’s diverse cultural influences. Our local guides help travelers understand the meaning of the forms and symbols. […]
Singita safari lodges are among the most exclusive and acclaimed luxury safari experiences in Africa. We recently visited Singita Boulders and caught up with Marc Alkema, one of the head rangers we use for game drives in Sabi Sand. Q: Why did you decide to become a ranger? A: I was on a family holiday at the age […]
For centuries, Hangzhou has been regarded as one of China’s most beautiful and relaxing destinations. The region’s charms—scenic West Lake, ancient Buddhist temples, and abundant tea plantations—have changed little since Hangzhou was the imperial capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The emperors may be long gone, but a luxurious lifestyle remains. The Fuchun Resort—one […]
The Nam Hai is the best luxury resort in Vietnam and is a must for anyone in search of luxury, relaxation (beach and spa time), and plenty of activities (including some of Vietnam’s best cultural touring). The resort is located on a beautiful white-sand beach in Central Vietnam. Guests at the Nam Hai stay in […]
Olga Polizzi, director of design for the Rocco Forte Collection, is the creative mind behind many of our favorite international hotels, including Hotel de Russie in Rome, Brown’s Hotel in London, and Hotel Astoria in St. Petersburg. Olga works closely with her brother, famed hotelier Sir Rocco Forte. We recently spoke with her about travel, […]
Our travel experts have created a list of our Top 5 favorite romantic destinations–these locations are perfect for honeymooners or anyone seeking a special romantic getaway. 1.) Morocco Our favorite way to experience the most luxurious and romantic side of Morocco is to stay in Marrakesh for several days at luxury resort such as the […]
Many travelers visiting China often ask us how they can add on a few days at a luxury beach resort after their cultural touring in mainland China. There are several recommended options nearby. For an extraordinarily luxurious and spectacular beach experience, we recommend the Amanpulo resort, located on a private island in the Philippines. A stay at Amanpulo can […]
We recently met up with Robyn Bickford at the Amanbagh, one of our preferred luxury resorts in Rajasthan, India. She and her husband, Manav, are the renowned general managers of this exquisite property. Q: We love the Amanbagh and always try to include it in the tours we design for our clients visiting India. What […]
Kyoto is one of our favorite destinations in Japan, and the relatively new Hyatt Regency Kyoto is the hotel that best captures the city’s refined aesthetic, perfected hospitality and service, and incredible cuisine. The hotel is truly a work of art. Designed by Takashi Sugimoto of Asia’s renowned Super Potato design firm, the hotel features several Japanese […]
For repeat travelers to China, or for those who enjoy more off-the-beaten-track cultural travel, I often recommend Zhongdian (“Shangri-La” or “Gyalthang”) in Yunnan Province. Zhongdian is located near the Tibetan border and is populated by ethnic Tibetans, so the food, architecture and culture are Tibetan, and quite different from what travelers experience in the rest […]
Everyone should experience floating in the Dead Sea at least once in their lives. The sea (actually a lake) has such high salinity that it is incapable of supporting marine life (hence the name), and causes an amazing buoyancy. You don’t float so much as bob to the surface—there really is nothing like it! For […]
Whenever we travel, we like to experience a spa treatment that is unique to that country. In the case of the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, that’s the hot stone bath. Baths have been an important part of Bhutanese family life and traditional medicine for centuries. The bath itself is typically made of wood and constructed […]