March 21st, 2024
The Galapagos, Peruvian Amazon, Indonesia’s Spice Islands, as well as Vietnam, and Cambodia … Aqua Expeditions is a leader in luxury small-ship expeditions taking travelers to the world’s most diverse and culturally significant destinations aboard deeply stylish yacht-like vessels. And while offboard excursions promise next-level thrills, the onboard delights offer further immersion through chef-led cooking masterclasses, cocktail demonstrations, and artwork sourced from female artisans in local villages. Here’s a preview of what’s to come for this season:
Where to Sail Next: Spice Islands
Aqua Blu is the first ever long-range ocean explorer yacht permanently based in East Indonesia, making it easy to explore the country’s wildest, most remote corners, including the mythical and relatively undiscovered Spice Islands (which can only be reached by boat). Still to this day the archipelago carries vestiges of its past, from its extensive fortifications and Dutch architecture to its well-preserved nutmeg plantations (the Spice Islands are the origin of the fragrant seed). Interestingly, The Spice Islands were once so valuable that the Dutch traded the British the island of Manhattan to secure tiny Banda Run, which is included on the itinerary. Other stops include Molana and Palau Run for picture-perfect sandy beaches and Banda Neira for twice-daily underwater dives or snorkeling excursions: the island’s historic ‘Fire Mountain’ volcanic eruption of 1988 led to the rebirth of coral and marina life, giving rise to spectacular underwater gardens. Rates start at $9,415 per person.
Savor at Sea: Chef Hosted Departures Return in 2024
Aqua Expeditions will offer three exclusive chef-hosted departures in 2024. In the Peruvian Amazon, renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino—one of Peru’s most celebrated toques and a pioneer of the rainforest-to-table movement—will host two four-night sailings on Aqua Nera from May 14-18 and September 17-21. Guests will enjoy an intimate dinner, ceviche-making masterclass, and a cocktail demonstration—all led by Schiaffino. Meanwhile, over in East Indonesia, Australian chef Benjamin Cross will host a seven-night sailing on Aqua Blu from August 10-17. Chef Cross began his career over 20 years ago at the award-winning Byron Bay boutique hotel and trained with some of Australia’s top chefs, including Neil Perry and Janni Kyritsis, before opening a string of restaurants in Bali, all of which rank among the island’s top dining destinations. On the weeklong sailing, he’ll host a cooking masterclass and kitchen tour to show guests how he crafts some of his signature recipes, which are inspired by East Indonesia’s spice routes and created specifically for Aqua Expeditions. The experience will culminate with an exclusive chef-hosted dinner spotlighting his creations. Rates start at $6,300 per person for the Amazon departures and $9,415 per person for the Indonesia departure.
An Emphasis on Artful Design
In recent years, expedition lines have been investing in onboard art collections, surrounding passengers with original pieces, sculptures, and ceramics to enrich the experience along the way. Aqua Expeditions’ CEO and Founder Francesco Galli Zugaro and his wife, Birgit, are passionate art-collectors. For as long as they’ve been traveling, they’ve been collecting one-of-a-kind artworks and rare objects, many of which, like a glass foosball table on Aqua Mekong, have found a new home on the brand’s luxurious vessels. Each of the ships has a distinctive design inspired by its destination. For example, Aqua Nera features works inspired by the black-water lagoons of the Peruvian Amazon, with dark-hued wooden décor and beautiful, rare pottery (originally used for formal ceremonies such as marriages) made by Amazonian communities. Aqua Mare takes its inspiration from the Galapagos Islands’ volcanic activity, with brilliant gold accents, ashy grays, coarse textures, and custom-made Panama hats for sale at the ship’s on-board boutique. Aqua Blu nods to its rich naval heritage (it was originally the HMS Beagle, a royal navy vessel that was used for cartography-related missions) with maritime-inspired pieces, including old maps from the 1800s that were made by Dutch cartographers. Rooms feature antique nut crackers sourced in Bali via an antiques dealer and friend of Birgit’s, and the on-site boutique is stocked with treasures like bespoke lacquer trays and scarves from a remote Indonesian island. Finally, Aqua Mekong borrows inspiration from the natural scenery of the Mekong Delta, with its lush greenery like lotus roots and lilies. The ship’s silk scarfs, silver bags and jewelry, and hand-woven and dyed kaftans—all available for sale at the boutique—are made exclusively for Aqua.
This emphasis on artful design trickles down to the onboard dining, too. All crockery has been commissioned exclusively for Aqua by the Bali-based Gaya Ceramics. Birgit first met the brand’s Italian owner at a French art exhibit, and after bonding over their love for ceramics, they decided to collaborate on a collection for Aqua Mekong. Now, there are Gaya ceramics on every Aqua ship—but with a local twist. For example, Aqua Blu has ceramics etched with drawings of English naturalist Alfred Wallace Russel and the wildlife he surveyed; Aqua Mare’s pieces are embellished with gold in a reference to the lava flows of the Galapagos and sketchings by Charles Darwin; and Aqua Mekong features designs of lotus roots and other native flora that were originally sketched by Birgit. Other dining wares come from local communities, like the napkin rings on Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon made by female artisans out of natural fibers.
Rolling Down the (Mekong) River
Charting a luxurious passage on Southeast Asia’s longest river, the 20-stateroom Aqua Mekong travels at a speed of 6-7 knots, allowing for a beautifully slow-paced way of experiencing the waterway that spans Cambodia and Vietnam. One of the best times of year to make the journey is November through April— dry season—when blue skies and balmy temperatures guarantee smooth sailing. A three-night Mekong Discovery voyage will either head upriver in Cambodia by exploring the Tonle Sap River, or downriver between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh, while a four-night experience will sail upriver from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh, past floating villages and gilded pagodas, with twice-daily excursions on bike, kayak, and guided visits to riverside markets. For a deeper dive into the destination, the seven-night Mekong Expedition Cruise includes more time on the Cambodia stretch of the Mekong and along the Tonle Sap River—the only river in the world whose tide changes annually—which is untouched by tourists. Full charter rates start at $136,000 for 3 nights.
March 19th, 2024
Special Opening Offer up to $585 Per Night in Savings
Nantucket’s Cottages at the Boat Basin will unveil a six-month multi-million-dollar renovation on April 11, 2024. Drawing on the island’s rich seafaring past and Quaker influence, Nantucket-based designer Audrey Sterk will infuse new life into the 29 Cottages, which occupy an enviable harborside perch along the slips of the award-winning Nantucket Boat Basin. To celebrate the rebirth of an icon, the property is offering an opening promotion: two-bedroom cottages for the price of a one-bedroom cottage. Two-bedroom cottage rates start at $310 per night. (A savings up to $585 per night.) Valid for stays between April 11th and June 11th and based on availability.
Located 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, the island of Nantucket continues to retain the historic charm lingering from its days as the world’s whaling capital in the 19th century. The Boat Basin’s storied history spans over 300 years beginning in the late-1720s when the island was the busiest whaling port in the world and its wharves were flourishing with boat-building ships, sail lofts and candle factories. During that time, 15-20 whale ships would be anchored in the harbor and stacks of oil casks lined each wharf. In 1830, the California Gold Rush played a role in the whaling industry’s collapse on the East Coast, but by 1920, Nantucket entered a new era of tourism with travelers arriving by steamboat from posts across the Northeast. By the mid 1960s, the waterfront, which became known as the Nantucket Boat Basin, developed into a fisherman’s community and artist enclave with more than a dozen galleries lining the wharves. The Cottages, as we know it today, officially arrived on the scene in 2002 when the accommodations became part of White Elephant Resorts.
Checking into The Cottages is the closest thing to staying on the water, without being on a boat, nautical soundtrack included. The setting is reminiscent of a seaside village. The individually styled accommodations with names like Sea Syren, Essex and Orion, are inspired by the names of the great whaling ships of the 1700s. A collection of 12 accommodations, dubbed ‘Woof Cottages’ will continue to be available for those traveling with pets. Ranging from studio cottages to split-level three-bedroom lofts, every inch of the historic accommodations, particularly the bedrooms, living spaces and bathrooms, will be revamped without altering their original architecture. Original details including vaulted ceiling beams and individual floor plans will remain. All cottages offer full kitchens and most feature private outdoor decks. The accommodations will feature a color palette of inviting tones of deep ocean blue, misty gray and stark white. Caged lighting, nautical charts of Nantucket, brass barometer instruments, rope and jute detailing in the furnishings and carpet, and woven fixtures will inject a dose of contemporary maritime charm while the humble, functional materials hark back to the island’s whaling roots.
An extensive collection of artwork, including 3-D pieces of framed mariners knots, along with other works hand-selected by the hotel’s owners will also be displayed throughout the accommodations. A focal point of the cottages will be a mural that’s hand painted by Sterk and digitally modified to fit in each space. The floor-to-ceiling seascape—which took nearly eight months to create—will stretch across an entire wall and depict a “First Nantucket Settlers” scene, with large-masted sailboats, lighthouses, a distant hamlet, and coastal vegetation brimming with native plants and animals. The mural tradition is deeply woven into the fabric of the island: in the 1800s, owners of whaling ships commissioned murals for their homes.
Amenities will include complimentary access to Priority Bicycles and kids’ fishing rods, reels and nets. Guests are also steps from town and can take advantage of complimentary shuttles to the beach. Pets receive the VIP treatment with beds, a welcome basket of treats and toys, and personalized pet tags. For recommendations on the island’s most pet-friendly activities—including the best places to run free and play fetch, guests can email local insider Bailey, a black lab/Brittany Spaniel mix at petconcierge@thecottagesnantucket.com
For more information, visit: https://www.thecottagesnantucket.com/
About White Elephant Resorts
White Elephant Resorts is a collection of premier hotels and resorts on Nantucket, MA and in Palm Beach, FL that specialize in bringing their award-winning combination of service, design, and amenities to today’s discerning traveler. Properties include The Wauwinet, with access to both bay and ocean beaches and home to award-winning TOPPER’S restaurant; White Elephant, the iconic hotel located right on Nantucket Harbor with the Brant Point Grill; Jared Coffin House, a historic hotel in Nantucket Town and its restaurant, Tap Room; The Cottages at Nantucket Boat Basin, private waterfront cottages; and Nantucket Boat Basin, a 240-slip full-service award-winning marina. White Elephant Palm Beach debuted in November 2020 in Palm Beach, FL with Nantucket-favorite LoLa 41 restaurant. In 2023, The Wauwinet, White Elephant Nantucket, and White Elephant Palm Beach were ranked in Travel + Leisure’s T+L 500 awards, and both White Elephant Nantucket and The Wauwinet were recipients of Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. TOPPER’s is AAA’s only “Five Diamond” restaurant on Nantucket and has been a recipient of Wine Spectator’s “Grand Award” for 27 consecutive years.
March 8th, 2024
Gone are the days when family travel was synonymous with piling into the back of an RV for a cross-country adventure. Now, families have their pick of creative vacations that are guaranteed to get everyone engaged, inspired, and (most importantly) off their phones. Tap into the year’s biggest travel trends, like set-jetting, “coolcations” and home-swapping, with these 11 family-vacation ideas designed to get you dreaming — and planning.
Almanac | Aqua Expeditions | andBeyond | Beaumont | Belmond | Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel | Doyle Collection | Dromoland Castle Hotel | Euphoria Retreat | Fife Arms | Gili Lankanfushi Maldives | Hotel Hana | Hôtel La Ponche | Island Outpost | Kalesma Mykonos | Michel Reybier Hospitality | Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa| Nayara Resorts | New Hotel Athens | Nous Santorini | Park Hyatt Japan | The Parker Palm Springs | Ponant | Potlatch | The Roundtree | Royal Mansour Collection | Shou Sugi Ban House | Tenuta di Murlo | UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa | Virtuoso | Visit Napa Valley | White Elephant Resorts
Trend: Coolcation
As travelers look to escape scorching summer heat in search of cooler temperatures, Scotland will only grow in appeal, particularly among comfort-minded families and multi-generational travelers. This year, follow the lead of one of Europe’s most famous families—the British Royal Family—and plan a holiday to the Scottish Highlands, where the Fife Arms serves as the ultimate base for family adventures like foraging, stargazing, creative writing classes, golf tournaments, and more.
Trend: Farm-to-Table Cooking Classes
At the Royal Mansour Marrakech’s just-launched cooking school, guests cook shoulder-to-shoulder with Michelin-star chefs during two-hour classes dedicated to three culinary themes—Moroccan, Italian and pastry—each concluding with an alfresco feast of the final creations. It’s the perfect way to get the whole family involved — and, who knows, it might inspire the kids to play sous-chef back at home.
Trend: Giving Back
Travel really is the best education. At The Roundtree in Amagansett—which was founded by activist lawyer turned hotelier Sylvia Wong—kids learn about the importance of giving back by manning the on-property lemonade stand, on Main Street, where proceeds go toward charitable organizations.
Trend: Wild Feasting
We see your humble family picnic and raise you an outdoor feast surrounded by the rolling hills of Umbria. At Tenuta di Murlo, a family-owned medieval estate, multi-generational groups can enjoy alfresco meals amid 18,000 acres of Umbrian countryside (for scale, Manhattan is around 14,000). The property’s olive groves, grape vines, and biodynamic vegetable gardens will supply the ingredients; all you have to do is bring the whole gang—and your appetite.
Trend: Home Swapping
Guests of Kalesma Mykonos can try out the home-swapping trend without a key exchange necessary by opting for a new summer travel experience that involves visiting a local family homestead and learning about traditional island life. You’ll learn how to knead and bake bread in a stone oven, then enjoy the fruits of your labor with a traditional Mykonian feast.
Trend: Specialty Concierges
Forget setting up dinner reservations. The concierges of the future will provide specialty assistance in ways you didn’t know you needed, making your family getaway smoother and more fun. At the family-friendly Nayara Gardens in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, a sloth concierge is on hand to teach kids all about the lives of slow-moving mammals—what they eat, how they sleep for 15-20 hours a day, and most importantly, how to spot one of these fuzzy creatures in the wild—and the resort’s conservation efforts at the on-site sloth sanctuary.
Trend: Set-Jetting
The ultimate screen-inspired getaway? A cinematic escape to the birthplace of James Bond, obviously! At Jamaica’s GoldenEye, families can stay in the actual two-bedroom villa where Ian Fleming penned the best-selling spy series and where his writing desk still stands. When you’re not diving into the world of 007, families can go SUP boarding in the property’s protected lagoon or kick back with Jamaican Jerk BBQ at the Bamboo Bar on Button Beach.
Trend: Sports Tourism
Travel centered on sports events and culture is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism. We can’t think of a cooler place to dip your toes into the trend than Gili Lankanfushi, a private island eco-sanctuary in the North Malé atoll, right around where modern surfing in the Maldives was born. The resort has teamed up with renowned surfing company Tropicsurf to offer weekly private and group instruction for all ages and levels. Tropical water temperatures, consistent swells, and light crowds only add to the appeal.
Trend: Skip-Gen
Sorry, mom and dad, but one of 2024’s hottest family travel trends involves leaving the parents at home. The perfect destination for skip-gen getaway? Dublin’s Westbury Hotel, which will delight more mature travelers with its residential-inspired design, museum-quality artwork, and the city’s best afternoon tea (with a dedicated tea sommelier!). There’s plenty on offer for younger travelers too, with a stuffed teddy bear welcome gift, child-sized robes and children’s toiletries, special turndown service with milk and cookies, and “teepee tents” for children under 12.
Trend: Off-Season Deals
During peak season, 90,000 visitors descend on Nantucket, crowding its cobblestone streets and family-owned restaurants. The traffic alone is reason to consider an off-season escape to the idyllic island, where there are hotel rates as low as $145 per night at the historic mansion turned boutique hotel Jared Coffin House as part of White Elephant’s “Hottest Dates, Coolest Rates” package.
Trend: Urban Gardens
Biophilic design is taking over entire cities. In Athens, families can learn about the city’s innovative climate solutions, like the transformation of a football stadium into a vast urban park, before carrying on to Santorini for a stay at NOUS, the island’s largest resort, which has been designed to resemble a whitewashed ancient Greek village. Rooms are clustered in distinct “neighborhoods,” and most of the accommodations have their own private pools and large private gardens planted with indigenous grass and shrubs — giving families plenty of room to spread out and reap the benefits of being in nature. Even the spa is ready for little guests with creative treatments for kids.
March 6th, 2024
Family travel is the number one trend for 2024 according to Virtuoso, rising in popularity as travelers look to spend more time with loved ones and prioritize authentic experiences. Offering endless cultural adventures and ideal for those seeking cooler temperatures, Scotland is the ultimate destination for families and multi-generational groups this season. So, this spring, follow the lead of one of Europe’s most famous families—the British Royal Family—and plan a holiday to the Scottish Highlands, where the Fife Arms serves as the ultimate base for outdoor adventures, cultural fun, and milestone celebrations.
Family Camp
At Fife Arms, families can enjoy family camp-style fun, no matter the time of year. Boost creativity with sketching or creative writing classes, or embark on a family adventure into Cairngorms National Park (the largest National Park in the U.K.) to forage for wild delicacies like edible plants and flowers. In spring, the park comes to life with the return of migrating birds like the mighty Osprey and the Black Grouse Lek—which makes it a thrilling place for aspiring birders! Cairngorms is also a certified International Dark Sky Park; on two-hour stargazing experiences led by a professional astronomer, guests use telescopes to identify constellations and learn about heavenly bodies. For those visiting before the end of March, there’s a chance to witness the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky!
Trip with Grown-Up Kids
The ultimate gift for a new college graduate? A trip to the Scottish Highlands to take part in the fun-filled Kilted Open golf tournament, May 17-19. This year, the annual tournament is taking place on not one, but two historic courses: the iconic Braemar Golf Club, where golden eagles, stags and other rare wildlife make up the peanut gallery, and the grounds of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852. Players are encouraged to wear kilts and come up with a creative team name: the best name wins a prize!
In honor of the event, The Fife Arms—the official partner of the tournament—has put together a celebratory weekend package that includes a two-night stay, a wine pairing dinner, 9th-hole refreshments, 19th-hole BBQ and drinks, and more. Back on property, families can toast to the achievements of the new grad at the atmospheric Bertie’s Bar, where young connoisseurs can hone their tastes by sampling from a menu of 350+ whiskies.