Taking an around the world trip is an item on many people’s Bucket List. Now you can go in VIP style in a flying, luxury hotel by Four Seasons, which operates 92 hotels and private residences all around the world.

The luxury hotel brand is offering an amazing, private jet experience. Join Four Seasons on an exclusive journey around the world. It’s a VIP experience of a lifetime and a unique opportunity to discover the world. In a luxurious Boeing 757 jet, Four Seasons will begin offering a series of around the world trips in 2016.

The initial trip will be a 24-day, nine-destination journey that begins in Los Angeles with stops including Hawaii, Bali, and Thailand. You will be staying in luxury accommodations at various Four Seasons Hotels before the trip ends in London, England.

Four Seasons started offering its around-the-world trip in 2012, but the luxury hotel brand only used a non-branded jet that carried 78 travelers. The new Four Season luxury jet is painted black and the aircraft will prominently display the iconic Four Seasons name in white on the fuselage. The jet’s tail section will be the company’s tree logo in white.

Fly the skies at 32,000 in this customized, private jet that seems like a flying hotel. From the first time you board, it will transform into your Private Jet Experience with endless luxury amenities that only the Four Seasons can offer. Starting with the cabin crew, you’ll be accompanied by an executive chef, sous chef, concierge and guest services manager.

The custom Boeing 757 jet plane features 52 leather flat-bed seats that were expertly handcrafted in Italy. The carpet is handwoven adding to the luxury decor. A Four Seasons Executive Chef carefully designs and prepares all in-flight dining menus utilizing the finest and freshest ingredients found from local sources during your around the world journey. Another nice perk is the Four Seasons offers its flying guests iconic champagne brand Dom Pérignon. It all adds up to flying in both ultimate comfort and VIP style.

During your trip, all travel itineraries offer a variety of options and activities. This allows each traveler to customize their trip to their own personal taste. You can immediately begin your plans with the Four Seasons Global Guest Services Manager, who will also be onboard for all of your flight. You will also have access to a Four Seasons Concierge during your trip.

Below are the planned, around the world trips being offered by Four Seasons during 2016.

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Timeless Discoveries: An Around the World Journey
Destinations: L.A., Kona, Bora Bora, Sydney, Bali, Chiang Mai, Taj Mahal & Mumbai, Prague and London
This signature Around the World trip features many of the world’s most iconic destinations. From the Taj Mahal to the beaches of Bora Bora, this 24-day luxury travel itinerary touches down in sophisticated cities and island paradises. See Sydney by seaplane, explore a 14th-century castle in Prague plus go on an elephant trek through the jungles of Chiang Mai.
Travel Dates: January 26 – February 18, 2016
Price: USD $132,000 per person based on double occupancy
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International Intrigue: An Around the World Journey
Destinations: Seattle, Tokyo, Beijing, The Maldives, Serengeti, Istanbul, St Petersburg, Marrakech and Boston
Travel to some of the world’s most intriguing cities and breathtaking landscapes. This package choice includes some of Four Seasons newest properties. From the exciting African game drives in the Serengeti to gorgeous palaces of St. Petersburg, to a private dinner on The Great Wall in China, this Around the World journey is a 24-day experience that spans the globe.
Travel Dates: April 14 – May 7, 2016
Price: USD $132,000 per person based on double occupancy
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Extraordinary Adventures: An Around the World Journey
This new itinerary is geared toward the adventurous spirit. Enjoy a 25-day journey that’s complete with fascinating adventures at every stop. You can fly by zip line across the rain forest canopy of Costa Rica, kayak through Malaysian mangroves, hike Australia’s Jenolan Caves, plus experience the “Big Five” on a Serengeti game drive in Africa.
Destinations: Austin, Costa Rica, Lana’i, Sydney, Langkawi, Mauritius. Serengeti, Petra or the Dead Sea and Lisbon
Travel Dates: September 17 – October 11, 2016
Price: USD $137,000 per person based on double occupancy
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Cultural Escape: Europe, Middle East & Africa
Destinations: London, Petra and the Dead Sea, Dubai, Seychelles, Serengeti, Florence and London
Immerse yourself in 19 days of unique cultures. Take a journey to incredibly fascinating areas of the world. Visit Dubai with the best views from the top of the world’s tallest building, discover the Italian art and architecture of Florence and be amazed by marine life and snorke in the Seychelles. Continue your travels and see the lost city of Petra, in addition to visiting the lowest point on earth and experience the healing properties of the magnificent Dead Sea.
Travel Dates: November 4 – November 22, 2016
Price: USD $106,000 per person based on double occupancy
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If you wish to make your dream come true and enjoy an around the world trip on a luxury jet by Four Seasons, contact The Life of Luxury today. We can help assist with all your reservations. Return to this luxury blog and read about other luxury travel packages.

Photo: Four Seasons

Four Seasons Resort Maui

The luxurious Four Seasons Resort Maui has long been the premier vacation destination on Maui, Hawaii.

September has been designated as Couples Month and the Four Seasons Resort Maui has put together some unforgettable events for the upcoming fall travel season.

As one of the world’s most beautiful beach resorts, the Four Seasons Resort Maui offers a variety of complimentary activities specifically designed for couples, including: cooking and cocktail-making demonstrations, snorkeling gear, wellness talks and designer trunk shows.

Maui’s first and only Forbes Five-Star resort – Four Seasons Resort Maui is located on 15 acres of incredibly beautiful Wailea Coast on Maui.

The elegant Hawaiian resort is truly a luxury oceanfront property featuring 380-rooms, luxurious amenities and impeccable service.

The fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Maui with high value and five star excitement at Maui’s premier resort.

Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide variety of Maui Undersea Adventures, Spa offers and much more, including the resort’s exclusive $9 million Serenity Pool with breathtaking ocean views.

The Experience More program offers up to $1000 in resort credit that can be applied to activities, Spa treatments, and dining at the resort’s acclaimed restaurants:  Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante, Spago Maui and DUO.  To learn more, go to http://www.fourseasons.com/maui/services_and_amenities/.

Try these one-of-a-kind experiences, part of “These Unforgettable Events” at the Four Seasons Resort Maui: http://maui.enewsletters.fourseasons.com/unforgettableevents/

*   Fantasy Tennis Camp (November 14-18, 2012) at the award-winning Wailea Tennis Club: The camp is for adult players ranging in skill from recreational to tournament level, and offers daily instruction from top pros including Tracy Austin.
*   Cycling Camp Maui (November 30-December 8, 2012): Join Tour de France veterans and Canadian Olympians at this weeklong program, geared to riders with modest to advanced fitness and experience.
*   Golf with the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” – Shane Victorino (December 5-6, 2012):  Spend time at the resort and on the links with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Centerfielder and MLB All-Star, playing in his hometown Maui charity golf tournament supporting underserved children.
*   Wailea Wine and Food Festival Celebrates The World-Famous Red Violin (December 6-9, 2012): During the festival, reserve your seats for the December 7 virtuoso performance of the Red Violin by its owner Elizabeth Pitcairn. Enjoy a series of wine tastings and a dinner that traces the violin’s worldwide travels over three centuries.

Four Seasons Resort Maui

For more information or to book a trip, please contact us at:

Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche Provence

The luxury Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche Provence exudes natural luxury due to its fine weather and landscapes, inviting visitors to feel truly indulged.

Famous for its unique pallet of colors and scenic splendor, it’s no wonder that Provence has been the inspiration for countless artists including Van Gough and Cezanne.

The landscape is nothing short of fairytale, with wild flower meadows and ancient oak woodland acting as a backdrop to world famous beaches and elegant villages.

From the breathtaking peaks of the Alps to the golden sands of San Tropez, the variety of Provence’s landscape makes its charm easy to appreciate.

The gorgeous landscape gives rise to the production of equally gorgeous food, prepared as a selection of mouth-watering regional delicacies which are served in the suitably luxurious restaurants of the region.

Food is to be taken time over and savored, with a feast of local delights to choose from prepared by chefs with generations of culinary knowledge at their disposal.

The wines of the region are likewise to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, particularly the sophisticated and award winning rose produced there. Tours of a vineyard are also a wonderful way to spend the day, with the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the vineyards, and, of course, taste the wines.

Classic French markets are to be found in abundance throughout the region. Spend the morning perusing the colorful stalls and choosing items for an extravagant lunch.

Nothing can be done in Provence without the feeling of luxury, including a wine and cheese picnic in a secluded spot amidst the rolling valleys or coastal beach coves.

Luxury hotels such as the stunning Terre Blanche beautifully complement the regions traditional elegance. Nestled between sprawling valleys and mountains, the thoughtfully designed hotel blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, combining the unique color pallet of the region with the luxury of exemplary service and amenities.

Surrounded by the relaxing scents of lavender and the soft colors of pastel meadow, such resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche are carefully designed with tranquility and comfort in mind.

Four Seasons Explorer luxury catamaran

Now you can experience a unique way to see the magical islands of the Maldives.

The incredible Four Seasons Explorer is a luxurious 39 meter catamaran, offering you the opportunity to experience and explore the islands of Maldives.

The three-deck, luxury catamaran – Four Seasons Explorer – is back for the summer season in the Maldives, offering passengers the unique opportunity to experience remote locations and dive sites in the atolls that can only be accessed from the ship’s cruise routes.

Enjoy deep sea dives that immerse you in marine life, be treated to a relaxing massage on a secluded beach, or be engulfed in a local culture that’s rich in history and tradition.

We’ve put together a list of five fun things you can enjoy while traveling on the Four Seasons Explorer luxury catamaran:

• Customized Cruise – Sail around the islands in your own floating Resort by chartering a private cruise on the Four Seasons Explorer. Guests can design a custom cruise adventure for any occasion for up to 22 people. Every aspect of the cruise itinerary can be designed to meet the guests’ interests whether it’s surfing, diving, or island hopping. Menus aboard the Explorer can also be tailored creating a completely bespoke experience.

• Water Adventures – Sea adventures aren’t limited to snorkeling or scuba diving aboard The Explorer. Avid sport enthusiasts seeking a thrill will find practically every water sport imaginable available. Whether venturing out to challenge the waves by wakeboarding, or spending the afternoon tubing in the crystal clear waters, new adventures await guests everyday.

• Deep Sea Dive – Dive by a different light with the Four Seasons Explorer’s exclusive night dives. Mingle with manta rays, whale sharks, and other marine life as dive instructors take take scuba divers to explore untouched reefs, thilas, and wrecks. The Explorer’s Resident Marine Biologist also supplies guests with a wealth of knowledge about the unique sea creatures spotted on the dives offering a well-rounded educational dive experience.

• Pop Up Spa – Spa time isn’t sacrificed with a cruise on The Explorer. Relax on a peaceful and isolated stretch of sand during one of the ship’s many stops to isolated islands. A Four Seasons Explorer resident spa therapist offers natural therapies inspired by Asia’s ancient healing principles. Available treatments include an Indian herbal-oil massage or a hydrating and refreshing sun-soother wrap, with fresh aloe vera and toning lavender mist.

• Live Among the Locals – Venture beyond the ship’s borders and mingle with local Maldivians for an authentic island experience. With stops to local villages, the Four Seasons Explorer gives guests the chance to experience Maldivian culture first-hand. Visits to remote towns including Bodu Huraa allow the chance to see landmarks such as a local mosque, and purchase custom made handicrafts and souvenirs from local artists.

Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech

Enjoy an amazing stay at the new, luxury Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech in Morocco.

Located in Morocco’s most exciting city of Marrakech, the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech is the newest property opened by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

The Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech is set amongst 40 acres of lush gardens and located across from the legendary Menara Gardens.

Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech features 141 luxurious rooms and suites. The hotel currently offers its guests three dining, with plans for two additional restaurants.

Get pampered in a lavish spa that includes 15 treatment rooms plus a separate couples pavilion, where hotel guests can experience a resort-style oasis within Morocco’s most exciting city.

Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech

Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech was designed with modern-day, Moorish architecture – inspired by the nearby Medina.

Each luxury room and suite has its own balcony or terrace. Guest can enjoy leisurely breakfasts or dining à deux.

If you want to enjoy the hot Morocco days, then try the adults-only pool for a wet and relaxing poolside time. The hotel has another pool that is more suited for families.

To experience an oasis worlds away in the ancient north African capital of Morocco, plan your next stay at the luxury Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech.

For more info, please visit: http://www.fourseasons.com/marrakech/

Courtesy of: Manto Gallery

For an art aficionado or antique collector, Europe is a literal treasure trove of hand-crafted goods from centuries past, in addition to numerous masterpieces from contemporary talents.

But how do you find the right art pieces for you. The knowledgeable concierge teams at Europe’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are your ticket for success.

Beyond the overcrowded gallery trails, the Four Seasons local experts can arrange artful experiences for you to enjoy. View a private collection or attend a top auction. The options are endless.

The Four Seasons is offering the Cultural Capitals Programme to entice avid art and antique collectors off the beaten track to private galleries, artisans and auction houses in Europe’s most alluring cities.

In March, hoards of antique lovers flocked to Paris to the famous Parc des Princes (March 20 to 21), where some 250 exhibitors displayed one-of-a-kind furniture, silverware, artwork, jewelery and objects.

Novice collectors should put themselves in the hands of the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, who will guide guests through the fair, offer tips on the best sellers and even arrange an expert escort.

In a tiny lane in Old Prague sits the brand new Manto Gallery. Visitors are encouraged to create their very own art pieces against the inspirational backdrop of Antonin Manto’s most striking works. Visitors learn the traditional art of glass painting before passing their designs through an 800°C (1,470°F) kiln and watching them come to life.

If you’d like to enjoy other secrets the city has to offer, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Prague has endless tips for art lovers and can even arrange private tours of the Lobkowicz Palace’s private art collections with Prince Lobkowicz himself.

In Budapest, the Nagyházi Gallery on Járőr Street has been drawing international collectors since 1984. Hungary’s first auction house, this gallery has grown from a modest 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) space to a multi-storey gallery that spans over 200 square metres (2,150 square feet) and hosts 10 to 12 auctions every year.

Concierge staff at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, an exquisite Art Nouveau landmark, will arrange home delivery of guests’ precious findings, which may include fine art, sculptures, furniture, watches, jewellery, folk objects and china.

Visitors to Lisbon’s Tile Museum can see a collection spanning five centuries of the decorative tiles, called azulejos, that cover the city. Housed in the monastic building of the Madre de Deus Convent, this unusual museum has one of the most magnificent interiors in the city and is home to the largest collection of its kind in the world.

In addition to being another reflection of the fine nobility and charm of historic Portugal, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is home to the largest contemporary art collection in the city. In the 1950s, a group of local entrepreneurs committed to showcasing contemporary artists in a new hotel, which today represents the region’s rich history and its vibrant present.

Visit Four Seasons Magazine online for endless tips for travelers to help you get to the heart of your destination.

It’s always an enjoyable experience to travel around the world and experience different cultures.

Not only can we see the incredible sights of other countries but also visit top restaurants and take part in a fine dining meal.

But before you enjoy that meal, you should educate yourself with local customs, particularly regarding restaurant table etiquette.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are the definitive experts on the concierge of food and beverage.

Their talented teams have put together an array of helpful, fine dining tips to assist out of town guests with proper table manners specific to the country they are visiting.

With advice on how to respectably pay the bill from Four Seasons Hotel Damascus to tips on the proper time to order your cheese course from Four Seasons George V, Paris, Four Seasons has plenty of suggestions to ensure you are not caught off guard by the local customs.

For more tips from the experts at Four Seasons on dining etiquette, please visit:
http://press.fourseasons.com/tips-and-trends/dining-decorum-four-seasons-experts-share-insight-into-meal-time-customs-around-the-world/

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake -China

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake has opened and is the epitome of the luxury hotel industry in China.

The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake resides near the clear blue waters of China’s historic West Lake, in addition to being flanked by majestic mountains.

The luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake is the fourth property opened in China by Four Seasons.

As its China expansion continue, the Four Seasons has plans to open additional hotel properties in Beijing, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Suzhou, plus two other properties in Sanya.

It’s an impressive property and offers its guest 78 luxury rooms, in addition to featuring a series of pagoda-style pavilions that overlook a meandering lagoon and linked by walkways through landscaped water gardens offering a peaceful retreat for its patrons.

For the ultimate in fine dining, the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake offers Jin Sha, the hotel’s chic restaurant features both delicious Cantonese and Shanghainese cuisine. Jin Sha restaurant is championed by celebrity chef, Tony Lu. The restaurant also includes eleven private dining rooms, plus a lively bar.

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou was inspired by ancient traditions, yet modernly equipped with 21st-century technologies and therapies. The spa features nine treatment rooms.

Under the direction of Helen Yau, the spa will focus on traditional Chinese and Asian rituals designed for beauty and rejuvenation.

For additional information, please visit – Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Maldives has long had the allure of special vacation spot for the rich and famous. You can explore the uninhabited islands and deserted beaches of Maldives, or take a swim with rare marine life.

For a more relaxing experience, enjoy a romantic spa retreats that not only will rejuvenate the mind, but also the body and soul.

Found in the beauty of the Indian Ocean, the Four Seasons Maldives Collection inspires romance with three distinct experiences.

This luxurious resort collection features the intimate Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the tranquil and secluded Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Girravaru, and the world’s only floating Four Seasons, The Four Seasons Explorer.

Now, both newlyweds and longtime couples can experience this unique journey by booking the Resort’s Island Romance Package which includes:
• Round trip airport transfers for two guests by seaplane between the airport and Resort
• One candlelit beach dinner for two (beverages not included)
• Daily breakfast for two guests
• Bottle of champagne upon arrival
• Rates starting at $797USD exclusive of tax with a minimum of four nights required to book

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa – Spa

The package also provides couples the chance to take part in the following exclusive experiences at the Resorts:

Stimulate Spiritual Connection – Explore the true meaning of becoming one with your partner in the intimate and nurturing space of the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Girravaru. By participating in the Couples Connect Retreat, guests will have the unique opportunity to strengthen intimacy, connection and communication. This intensive, karma-sutra inspired series of treatments focuses on the sacral/Swadhisthana charka – the body’s pleasure center, allowing couples to explore their mental and physical connection through a combination of yoga, wellness consultations, and open-heart meditations.

Venture to the Undiscovered – Couples interested in exploring the islands’ most remote locations can take a cruise on the Four Seasons Explorer, a three-deck catamaran where guests will experience the same exceptional service and amenities found at all Four Seasons’ land properties. The cruise takes guests to uninhabited atolls throughout the Maldives where they can discover rarely visited surf and dive sites, and explore islands without a single inhabitant. Guests can also enjoy an intimate couples’ beach massage, and savor in a candlelit dinner on an isolated sandbank.

Chance for Exploration – Uncover the perfect island hideaway of Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa where couples will discover the beauty of marine life in the surrounding waters. Dive and snorkel excursions allow the chance for a face-to-face meeting with unique sea creatures such as whale sharks, manta rays and giant sea turtles. Couples can also visit the Marine Discovery Center at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and learn about ways they can give back by participating in one of the Resort’s many eco-initiatives.

Courtesy of: Four Seasons

There are so many luxury hotels coming to China, the pace is amazing, with no end in sight.  Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will soon unveil its newest hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake.

The brand’s fourth China property is part of a major overall expansion plan in China.

Four Seasons’ presence in China will continue to increase at a significant pace in the next few years. Hotel openings are scheduled in Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Suzhou and two planned properties in Sanya.

The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou is scheduled to open late summer. The luxury hotel will be under the leadership of General Manager Rudolf van Dijk, an industry veteran.

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou is located on the historic West Lake, the resort-like hotel featuring pagoda-like buildings amid traditional water gardens is intimate at just 81 rooms and villas.

Guests will find distinctive features include a cutting edge spa offering Chinese and Asian therapies and a Cantonese and classical local cuisine restaurant, Jin Sha, with 11 private dining rooms terraced over a lagoon providing willow-veiled views of West Lake.

For additional information on Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou and the hotel team, please visit:  http://press.fourseasons.com/hangzhou

With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day quickly approaching, we all need to take time to do something and protect our planet.

Earth Day is on April 22, and is the annual U.S. celebration of the environment. Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970. On that special day, an estimated 20 million people across the U.S. attended the inaugural event.

Now for the third consecutive year, select Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts around the world will join in Earth Hour on March 27. The goal is to bring awareness to climate change.

A record 48 Four Seasons properties will turn off all non-essential lighting in addition to offering special celebrations during the event and beyond.

Here is a small sample of Four Seasons property events around the world:

• Celebrate with dinner lit by specially designed carbon neutral candles in the destination that started it all at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

• Dine on a three-course, prix-fixe menu featuring organic and sustainable ingredients at Aqua in Four Seasons Hotel Miami

• Give back even more when dining at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle; by partnering with Glassybaby candles, the hotel will donate 10% of dinner proceeds to the International Conservation Fund

• Continue to show support all year long by booking a table at one of the monthly candlelit dinners at three-starred Michelin restaurant Allegro in Four Seasons Hotel Prague