Anne Nebenzahl
Increasingly, adventure and luxury go hand in hand. A cruise to Antarctica on a five-star Ponant expedition ship is a perfect example. We were in one of the most remote places on the planet and yet the food, service, and experiences were extremely posh. One day, we were taken to shore in Zodiacs for a full-on champagne celebration on a glacier. It was beyond my wildest dreams.
Ponant enriches the trip with photographers, expert naturalists, and other experts who provide daily lectures. We never got cold; Ponant gave us beautiful parkas and we wore layers, but more importantly, we saw extraordinary sights that few people will ever experience. There were large colonies of seals and penguins and thousands of birds eating krill—all in inconceivable numbers. We saw Orcas breaching and walked across lunar landscapes with rocky volcanic craters.
Cruising, especially on small upscale lines, is a great way to explore new lands from Alaska and the Mediterranean to the Baltic in great depth, and in great comfort. I am familiar with the lines and help my clients understand the differences. With their varied tour options and activities, cruising is especially great for multi-generational family trips where people have different fitness levels and interests.
Luxurious adventures also beckon in South Africa. There, upscale game lodges offer amazing opportunities to see lions, elephants, and other animals in their natural habitats at close range. The guides have a phenomenal connection with nature and the land. One time, I was lounging by the pool after lunch at the Timbavati Private Game Lodge and a family of elephants meandered over and started drinking from the pool. The proximity was astonishing.
Thailand is another wonderful destination for luxurious adventures. The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai offers opportunities to visit an elephant sanctuary and walk through the forest with elephants and bathe them in the river. There are also wonderful beach resort areas. And I can arrange super experiences in Bangkok. For example, you can visit a wonderful shop where you can have your dream dress or suit made to order. You pick out the fabric and silhouette, and it is custom-made for far less than you would pay in the U.S.
Wherever you want to go, no matter how far off the beaten track, I can arrange extraordinary, upscale experiences with excellent guides who know where to go and what to see.