Above: Table Mountain South Africa | Photo by Casey Allen
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Leave it to UK based Black Tomato to come up with immersive itineraries for learning everything from making perfume in Morocco to practicing Kung Fu with a Shaolin master in China. Here are a few of our other favorites from their new Field Trip launch.
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For Photography
Go to: South Africa
World-renowned wildlife photographer and authority on Great White sharks, Chris Fallows will lead you on an immersive-hands on lesson and talk on photography where you have the opportunity to go with him on his boat to see him in action and learn. Fallows was the first person to discover and photograph the now famous breaching Great White sharks of Seal Island in Cape Town, South Africa. You can also watch him as a wildlife photographer, host or expert facilitator on more than 60 international wildlife documentaries for the BBC, Discovery Channel and National Geographic among others.
Above: Catherine Walker Atelier
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For Fashion Design
Go to: London
An exclusive experience at Catherine Walker will begin in the atelier with Said Ismael (Catherine Walker’s widower and Creative Director of the company) who will show you around his workshops where he will discuss each room, his inspiration and process, and the work that takes place there (i.e. the paper cutting room, the beadwork room, the mannequin room) until you reach his office where he will give a talk surrounded by a selection of mannequins dressed in outfits worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, from his private collection. You will then be taken to the boutique over the road on Sydney Street to take a look at the current collection.
Above: Surfing in Oceanside, California with Duran Barr
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For Skating and Surfing
Go to: Oceanside
Yes, there are tons of great surfing spots all along the California coast but Oceanside is the spot where the Super Girl Surf Pro – the world’s largest surf event and music festival takes place each fall (and it’s the favorite of two-time champion Sage Erickson.)
As a nod to Oceanside’s illustrious surf culture, private surf lessons from Duran Barr, third-generation Oceanside resident and only local professional surfer and instructor, is available for guests at newly launched The Seabird and Mission Pacificproperties.
In tandem with North County Surf Academy, guests are provided with premium surfing equipment, a beach essentials gift bag and a surfboard-shaping tutorial to round-out their day on the pristine coast. A one-of-a-kind Skate School program also serves as a coveted excursion, from the hotels, which pays homage to Oceanside’s beloved action sport culture. Guests can also take part in guided lessons from Neal Mims, a lauded Olympic skateboard coach and talent behind Golden State Skateboarding, followed by a tour of local skateboard sites as well as a custom skateboard-making experience.
For Cooking
Go to: Bonaire
One might think France is the obvious choice (and you’d be right), but the Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire is home to a burgeoning culinary scene that houses an impressive mix of high-end eateries, waterfront fare and gourmet food trucks just waiting for you to dive-in. From a locally-inspired oceanfront restaurant, Brass Boer, whose owner is a renowned chef with a Michelin star, to an intimate live cooking fine dining experience at CHEFS, Bonaire is an unsung culinary destination vacation. Those seeking an authentic taste of the island can head to Posada Para Mira to nosh on local dishes such as goat stew and iguana soup.
Above: Barnsley Resort for Golf
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For Golf
Go to: Barnsley Resort
Again, Scotland comes to mind but tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is Southern paradise, Barnsley Resort. The 3,000-acre property is home to the 18-hole Jim Fazio golf course and state-of-the-art golf school where golfers of all levels are able to sharpen their skills, improve their swings and fix faults in their game with drop-in clinics, private golf instructions and top-of-the-line TrackMan technology. When players are ready to hit the course, they’ll be greeted by 378 acres of championship greens that wind around the lake, forest and gardens of Barnsley Resort and feature striking views of mountain peaks, some of the fastest greens in the Southeast, elevation changes off the tee and one of the best collections of par 3s anywhere.
Above: Villa Bokeh
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For Artisan Design
Go to: Guatemala
Yes, Milan is also great for design enthusiasts but for something a little different try Guatemala. With room to accommodate just 12 reservations per night, the intimate and exclusive Villa Bokéh has private balconies, enclosed gardens with fire pits, and volcano vistas, all spaciously distributed throughout the first and second stories of the estate. A private art collection provides the finishing touch to each room with exquisite, oversized black and white portrait photography, remarkable sculptures, and elegant paintings — all sourced locally to support and shine a light on the country’s artisans who are the heart and foundation of Guatemala’s enthralling Mayan culture. What’s more, the property will give guests 10% of their nightly rate in vouchers to shop from local artisans — so they can bring some of the inspiration back home.
Above: Art at Quintessence Anguilla Bonhomme
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For Art
Go to: Anguilla
Who needs European museums? You might now know that Anguilla’s Quintessence, a spectacular nine-suite hotel affectionately nicknamed ’The Tropical Mansion,’ features one of the world’s largest Haitian art collections outside of Haiti, procured by the property’s owner Geoffrey Fieger. Every stunning creation comes from renowned painters, sculptors and artists throughout the Caribbean and includes the largest collection of Haitian art outside of Haiti. This Fall, the hotel is partnering with Haiti’s Le Centre d’Art, the very first and most prestigious art school in Port Au Prince, to donate a portion of proceeds from November bookings to the Centre’s mission to rebuild artists’ homes and workshops after the recent earthquake. Read more about Le Centre d’Art here.
Above: Grand Universe Lucca, Eterno Wine Cellar
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For Wine or Biking
Go to: Lucca, Italy
The charming city of Lucca remains one of Tuscany’s best kept secrets, where the new Grand Universe Lucca, is bringing the region’s best wines in the spotlight. Fit for Tuscan royalty, the former palazzo turned luxury hotel features three immersive Tuscan Wine tasting experiences – the Montalcino, Montecarlo, and Super Tuscan and Chianiti Classico – each exploring the grapes of these regions, their distinctive flavor profiles and best pairings. Located at the base of the property, the ancient Eterno Wine Cellar is the perfect setting for these experiences, featuring remnants of an ancient wall and an extensive collection of Tuscan wines. Once you discover your favorite Tuscan red, enjoy a change of scenery at the awe-inspiring Sommitá rooftop bar which overlooks the fascinating walled city. Book the “Tuscan Wine & Olive Oil Experience” package for Fall 2021 travel at www.granduniverselucca.com. And, if you didn’t overindulge too much, the hotel can also arrange for you to explore this picturesque region on a bike.
Above: Region interior WineStation Machines
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We’d be remiss to not mention a few stateside options as well in our most ‘European’ corner of the country (aka Napa-Sonoma): Darioush on the Silverado Trail, has an outstanding sensory, intensive olive oil + wine tasting course led by expert + educator Orietta Gianjorio.
Region is also new to the The Barlow in Sebastopol. Co-founders Kerry Thedorf and Johan Eide partner with wineries who believe in a raw and honest winemaking approach – showcasing some of the best wines from 14 appellations – by the taste, by the glass and by the bottle. In one room, you can experience 50 wines in self-serving WineStation machines, in the other, they offer the more traditional wine tasting experience with hand pouring bottle service from the winemakers themselves. Each week, the wine-tasting bar rotates to one of their 25 partner wineries – Monday thru Sunday will be a new experience. See their Events page for a full schedule.
Above: Sailing on St. Maarten
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For Sailing
Go to: St. Maarten
With wind and water conditions conducive to some of the region’s best sailing, the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Maartenoffers experiences for both amateur and professional sailors. Look for the legendary Heineken Regatta, which is set to make its comeback March 3-6, 2022. Additionally, the island’s ideal northeast trade winds are a great time to stretch your sea legs and adopt sailing as a new hobby. This sailing season, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club is offering a variety of lessons led by skilled instructors for kids and adults at all experience levels.
For Music
Go to: Memphis
Located in the heart of the ‘Home of the Blues’ (and Elvis’s hometown) sits the new-build Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis the very first and only hotel to acquire the famous Beale Street address. The hotel brings Memphis’ charm to life with a modern and music-inspired design that gives subtle nods to the city’s vibrant spirit and rich music culture, including wall art that resembles an old speaker, treble clef inspired light fixtures, hallway carpet designed to mimic sound-waves, peeps of music-note wallpaper in the rooms and at the property’s rooftop bar, Beck & Call, guests will spot wallpaper made to look like the acoustic foam of a recording studio. Visitors will even be able to enjoy live music from the pool deck and Beck & Call, where local artists bring the Memphis sound to life.
Above: AC Orlando
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For Mixology
Go to: AC Hotel Orlando Downtown
Taking Orlando’s culinary scene to new heights is SkyBar,AC Hotel Orlando Downtown’s chic rooftop terrace with endless views of “The City Beautiful.” Having only opened in January, SkyBar is already making a name for itself thanks to its bold cocktail menu and European-style tapas. Here, AC Orlando’s one-of-a-kind secret menu cocktail “The Cloud” is inspired by the magic of its location and sky-high perch seemingly amongst the clouds, this libation includes Hendricks Gin and a white orb that when popped gently releases plumes of elderflower herbals.
From cooking to painting to developing a palate for fine wine, or a new appreciation for music, the extra time spent at home has encouraged many of us to take up a new hobby – or delve deeper into an old one. With the world back open, here are vacation ideas for travelers eager to take their new skills for a test drive out in the real world.
Leave it to UK based Black Tomato to come up with immersive itineraries for learning everything from making perfume in Morocco to practicing Kung Fu with a Shaolin master in China. Here are a few of our other favorites from their new Field Trip launch.
For Photography
Go to: South Africa
World-renowned wildlife photographer and authority on Great White sharks, Chris Fallows will lead you on an immersive-hands on lesson and talk on photography where you have the opportunity to go with him on his boat to see him in action and learn. Fallows was the first person to discover and photograph the now famous breaching Great White sharks of Seal Island in Cape Town, South Africa. You can also watch him as a wildlife photographer, host or expert facilitator on more than 60 international wildlife documentaries for the BBC, Discovery Channel and National Geographic among others.
For Fashion Design
Go to: London
An exclusive experience at Catherine Walker will begin in the atelier with Said Ismael (Catherine Walker’s widower and Creative Director of the company) who will show you around his workshops where he will discuss each room, his inspiration and process, and the work that takes place there (i.e. the paper cutting room, the beadwork room, the mannequin room) until you reach his office where he will give a talk surrounded by a selection of mannequins dressed in outfits worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, from his private collection. You will then be taken to the boutique over the road on Sydney Street to take a look at the current collection.
For Skating and Surfing
Go to: Oceanside
Yes, there are tons of great surfing spots all along the California coast but Oceanside is the spot where the Super Girl Surf Pro – the world’s largest surf event and music festival takes place each fall (and it’s the favorite of two-time champion Sage Erickson.)
As a nod to Oceanside’s illustrious surf culture, private surf lessons from Duran Barr, third-generation Oceanside resident and only local professional surfer and instructor, is available for guests at newly launched The Seabird and Mission Pacificproperties.
In tandem with North County Surf Academy, guests are provided with premium surfing equipment, a beach essentials gift bag and a surfboard-shaping tutorial to round-out their day on the pristine coast. A one-of-a-kind Skate School program also serves as a coveted excursion, from the hotels, which pays homage to Oceanside’s beloved action sport culture. Guests can also take part in guided lessons from Neal Mims, a lauded Olympic skateboard coach and talent behind Golden State Skateboarding, followed by a tour of local skateboard sites as well as a custom skateboard-making experience.
For Cooking
Go to: Bonaire
One might think France is the obvious choice (and you’d be right), but the Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire is home to a burgeoning culinary scene that houses an impressive mix of high-end eateries, waterfront fare and gourmet food trucks just waiting for you to dive-in. From a locally-inspired oceanfront restaurant, Brass Boer, whose owner is a renowned chef with a Michelin star, to an intimate live cooking fine dining experience at CHEFS, Bonaire is an unsung culinary destination vacation. Those seeking an authentic taste of the island can head to Posada Para Mira to nosh on local dishes such as goat stew and iguana soup.
For Golf
Go to: Barnsley Resort
Again, Scotland comes to mind but tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is Southern paradise, Barnsley Resort. The 3,000-acre property is home to the 18-hole Jim Fazio golf course and state-of-the-art golf school where golfers of all levels are able to sharpen their skills, improve their swings and fix faults in their game with drop-in clinics, private golf instructions and top-of-the-line TrackMan technology. When players are ready to hit the course, they’ll be greeted by 378 acres of championship greens that wind around the lake, forest and gardens of Barnsley Resort and feature striking views of mountain peaks, some of the fastest greens in the Southeast, elevation changes off the tee and one of the best collections of par 3s anywhere.
For Artisan Design
Go to: Guatemala
Yes, Milan is also great for design enthusiasts but for something a little different try Guatemala. With room to accommodate just 12 reservations per night, the intimate and exclusive Villa Bokéh has private balconies, enclosed gardens with fire pits, and volcano vistas, all spaciously distributed throughout the first and second stories of the estate. A private art collection provides the finishing touch to each room with exquisite, oversized black and white portrait photography, remarkable sculptures, and elegant paintings — all sourced locally to support and shine a light on the country’s artisans who are the heart and foundation of Guatemala’s enthralling Mayan culture. What’s more, the property will give guests 10% of their nightly rate in vouchers to shop from local artisans — so they can bring some of the inspiration back home.
For Art
Go to: Anguilla
Who needs European museums? You might now know that Anguilla’s Quintessence, a spectacular nine-suite hotel affectionately nicknamed ’The Tropical Mansion,’ features one of the world’s largest Haitian art collections outside of Haiti, procured by the property’s owner Geoffrey Fieger. Every stunning creation comes from renowned painters, sculptors and artists throughout the Caribbean and includes the largest collection of Haitian art outside of Haiti. This Fall, the hotel is partnering with Haiti’s Le Centre d’Art, the very first and most prestigious art school in Port Au Prince, to donate a portion of proceeds from November bookings to the Centre’s mission to rebuild artists’ homes and workshops after the recent earthquake. Read more about Le Centre d’Art here.
For Wine or Biking
Go to: Lucca, Italy
The charming city of Lucca remains one of Tuscany’s best kept secrets, where the new Grand Universe Lucca, is bringing the region’s best wines in the spotlight. Fit for Tuscan royalty, the former palazzo turned luxury hotel features three immersive Tuscan Wine tasting experiences – the Montalcino, Montecarlo, and Super Tuscan and Chianiti Classico – each exploring the grapes of these regions, their distinctive flavor profiles and best pairings. Located at the base of the property, the ancient Eterno Wine Cellar is the perfect setting for these experiences, featuring remnants of an ancient wall and an extensive collection of Tuscan wines. Once you discover your favorite Tuscan red, enjoy a change of scenery at the awe-inspiring Sommitá rooftop bar which overlooks the fascinating walled city. Book the “Tuscan Wine & Olive Oil Experience” package for Fall 2021 travel at www.granduniverselucca.com. And, if you didn’t overindulge too much, the hotel can also arrange for you to explore this picturesque region on a bike.
We’d be remiss to not mention a few stateside options as well in our most ‘European’ corner of the country (aka Napa-Sonoma): Darioush on the Silverado Trail, has an outstanding sensory, intensive olive oil + wine tasting course led by expert + educator Orietta Gianjorio.
Region is also new to the The Barlow in Sebastopol. Co-founders Kerry Thedorf and Johan Eide partner with wineries who believe in a raw and honest winemaking approach – showcasing some of the best wines from 14 appellations – by the taste, by the glass and by the bottle. In one room, you can experience 50 wines in self-serving WineStation machines, in the other, they offer the more traditional wine tasting experience with hand pouring bottle service from the winemakers themselves. Each week, the wine-tasting bar rotates to one of their 25 partner wineries – Monday thru Sunday will be a new experience. See their Events page for a full schedule.
For Sailing
Go to: St. Maarten
With wind and water conditions conducive to some of the region’s best sailing, the Dutch Caribbean Island of St. Maartenoffers experiences for both amateur and professional sailors. Look for the legendary Heineken Regatta, which is set to make its comeback March 3-6, 2022. Additionally, the island’s ideal northeast trade winds are a great time to stretch your sea legs and adopt sailing as a new hobby. This sailing season, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club is offering a variety of lessons led by skilled instructors for kids and adults at all experience levels.
For Music
Go to: Memphis
Located in the heart of the ‘Home of the Blues’ (and Elvis’s hometown) sits the new-build Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis the very first and only hotel to acquire the famous Beale Street address. The hotel brings Memphis’ charm to life with a modern and music-inspired design that gives subtle nods to the city’s vibrant spirit and rich music culture, including wall art that resembles an old speaker, treble clef inspired light fixtures, hallway carpet designed to mimic sound-waves, peeps of music-note wallpaper in the rooms and at the property’s rooftop bar, Beck & Call, guests will spot wallpaper made to look like the acoustic foam of a recording studio. Visitors will even be able to enjoy live music from the pool deck and Beck & Call, where local artists bring the Memphis sound to life.
For Mixology
Go to: AC Hotel Orlando Downtown
Taking Orlando’s culinary scene to new heights is SkyBar,AC Hotel Orlando Downtown’s chic rooftop terrace with endless views of “The City Beautiful.” Having only opened in January, SkyBar is already making a name for itself thanks to its bold cocktail menu and European-style tapas. Here, AC Orlando’s one-of-a-kind secret menu cocktail “The Cloud” is inspired by the magic of its location and sky-high perch seemingly amongst the clouds, this libation includes Hendricks Gin and a white orb that when popped gently releases plumes of elderflower herbals.
