What’s new, December 2024
WILDLIFE SWIMMING
The Tailor, Australia
To add a unique wildlife experience to any South Australian itinerary, The Tailor recommends Baird Bay Experience. Daily tours give guests the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions and dolphins in the pristine waters of the Eyre Peninsula, a region known for its untouched wilderness, abundant wildlife and rugged natural beauty.
Baird Bay Experience reopened in September following a major renovation, and now boasts stunning new villas and an elevated private guiding experience, including food by Calvin Von Niebel, former Executive Chef of the Ottolenghi Group in London.
JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF NATURE
Enigma, Peru
Enigma suggests escaping to the beauty of the lesser-known Tinajani Canyon. Opening in April 2025, this serene retreat is located in a private nature reserve midway between Cusco and Lake Titicaca. Guests can experience a night under canvas in one of just six tents (each with its own hot tub), surrounded by the canyon’s stunning natural rock formations - one of the most otherworldly settings the country has to offer. An incredible way to enjoy some of the most spectacular star-gazing on Earth.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Galavanta, Colombia
Galavanta is delighted to share news of The Brown, the first luxury hotel to open near the city of Medellin in the north west of Colombia. Discreetly tucked away on a lush hillside overlooking the spectacular Guatapé Reservoir, with breathtaking views over the water, the hotel offers guests a laid-back escape in the utmost comfort.
Guatapé is a nature-lover’s paradise: guests can hike, ride or drive an ATV through the spectacular Andean terrain, go birdwatching with expert guides, or enjoy the beauty of the reservoir by private launch or kayak, or even jet skiing or wake boarding. Later, they can wind down with a visit to a traditional coffee hacienda, or simply relax at the hotel’s private beach club.
ABLE TO DELIVER
Ahipara, New Zealand
As part of its commitment to delivering ultra-personalised itineraries, Ahipara recently put together a trip for television presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan. With the help of the team’s exceptional contacts on the ground, they were able to design a dynamic experience for Sophie that included bungee jumping, rafting, helicopter cruising and spiritual/energy work. Ahipara is now looking to build its capability to offer this kind of trip going forward, consolidating expertise and further training the team with the intention to become well-known for delivering this sort of exceptional trip. Check out her time with Ahipara on her New Zealand Highlights.
A NEW VIEW OVER THE BOSPHORUS
ITEM, Türkiye
What could be more welcome amid the vibrant energy and bustle of Istanbul than an elegantly laid-back hotel on the water’s edge? Turkish fashion label Vakko recently launched the Vakko Hotel & Residence Sumahan Bosphorus in a reimagined 19th-century Ottoman distillery in Çengelköy on Istanbul’s Asian side. The hotel has just 12 rooms and suites, all with river views, which leaves plenty of space for its private hammam. For dinner, the team at ITEM love the hotel’s waterfront Italian restaurant Le Specialità - but come breakfast time, I fear I’d be sorely tempted by a perfect pastry from the in-house patisserie, L’Atelier.
A TASTE OF BANYAN
Banyan, India
On a visit to Old Delhi, Banyan suggests including a foodie walking tour run by the Salaam Balak Trust, an inspirational NGO making a huge difference to the lives of street children through healthcare, education, residential care and training. The Salaam City Food Walk is guided by teenage graduates of its training programme and offers a chance to discover the true tastes of the city and learn about its vibrant and complex street life.
And if your guests are travelling on to Jaipur, they will love Laalee, a heavenly new hideaway in the city filled with colour and charm. In addition to the elegant bedrooms, Banyan can arrange guided walking tours of the city and Rajasthani cooking lessons.