6 Unique Destination Wedding Locations

Travel can be one of the strongest activities which bonds a couple’s love, creating lifelong memories together. It’s not surprising that travel lovers often choose to commemorate their unique love in a unique place – one that may be linked to their fondest travel experiences. If you’re looking for a truly original destination wedding venue, we’ve got some of the best across the globe which will bring to life the magic of Arabian Nights, awaken the spirit of colonial Mexico or take you from the most amazing deserted beaches, via the fields of New Zealand, all the way up to the highest peaks of the Alps.

History Lovers – Quinta Quebrada in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Nestled in the hills of central Mexico, in one of the country’s prettiest cities, you can take a romantic trip back in time at Quinta Quebrada. This vast enchanting home, filled with curiosities, is an exceptional wedding location for history lovers, a true gem offered Pamela H. Murdock Inc.

The center of San Miguel de Allende (a 1.5 hour drive from the Leon airport) has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its well preserved colonial era graceful plazas, baroque churches and grand mansions; Quinta Quebrada being the most famous of these opulent casas. This imposing and yet charming 16th century house, hidden behind tall stone walls, has 13,864 sq. ft. of living space on three floors and beautifully landscaped grounds covering almost one acre. The house has a capacity of 200 for the reception and sleeps 22.

“The wonderful staff of 10+ (more are hired for special events) are very used to having large parties and will ensure that everything is taken care of seamlessly,” says Pamela Murdock who’s stayed at the hacienda and knows the owner’s well.

“The house has been the site of many weddings even before ‘destination weddings’ became popular. The ceremony can either take place at a nearby church or at the house itself. If it’s at a church, mojigangas (giant dancing puppet figures) can be hired to lead the wedding procession back to the house.”

Pamela can work with you to arrange exactly what you’re looking for from cocktail receptions to seated dinners or lunches and from fireworks to mariachis and globos (sky lanterns), in addition to the regular wedding necessities like flowers, hair & makeup and photographers.

To find out more about this curious, historic mansion, contact Pamela H. Murdock Inc here.

Culture vs. Beach – Amara Ocean Resort, Myanmar

It can be tricky to find a destination which pleases both culture and beach lovers, a task achieved beautifully at Amara Ocean resort in offbeat Myanmar.

Set on three kilometers of virgin beach on the Bay of Bengal, the resort features 26 70 sq. m. teak bungalows each with a 40 sq. m. terrace with spectacular views of the sea and the Rakhine Mountains. Its size and extremely discrete location, with no other resort or hotel within miles, makes for the perfect beach destination wedding for you and your guests to enjoy a memorable holiday with cultural twists.

The resort works closely with the local community and can arrange an array of cultural activities allowing you to have first hand insight into Myanmar’s history and culture like walks in the neighboring village, visits to traditional pagodas or to a colourful Burmese market, custom clothes made by a trusted tailor. Guests seeking to kick back and relax can lounge by the pool or be pampered with an outdoor massage at their spa.

Your wedding can be a chic yet relaxed affair with elegantly decorated, candlelit tables next to the beach with the waves gently crashing the background. The meal can feature tasty local specialties, or a mix of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting fresh fish and shellfish, as well as home-grown fruits and vegetables from their own organic garden.

Bring culture and the beach together in this perfect marriage for your wedding day by reaching out the Amara Oceanh.

Nature Lovers – Touch of Spice Te Hihi Estate, New Zealand

New Zealand has some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and you don’t even have to go far from the city to track it down, like at the Te Hihi Estate by Touch of Spice.

Here you’ll have 92 acres of awe-inspring countryside all to yourselves on this exclusive luxury retreat, situated only a 30-minute drive from Auckland airport.

The country-chic homestead is organized with an open plan living and dining area fitted with large windows, taking in ample light. The billiard room provides a secondary location and has a billiard table, bar and media suite. For overnight guests the homestead has for four deluxe bedrooms for eight and Touch of Spice can assist with other accommodation in the area for other guests.

Spend your days before or after the wedding exploring the natural surroundings of the homestead or relaxing on site at its 15m heated swimming pool with large deck area including a Jacuzzi, bar and BBQ area; complete with open wood fire and covered dining area.

“All facilities of the vast property are immaculately designed to the highest standard,” explains Touch of Spice founder and C.E.O. Jacqui Spice. “The homestead can comfortably accommodate 120 for cocktails and canapes and 60 for a sit down meal. The private courtyard to the rear of the billiard room is also suitable for a more intimate function. Alternatively, there are a variety of stunning locations on the property which are ideal for setting up a marquee for up to 200 guests.”

Start organizing your wedding at this unique venue by reaching out to Touch of Spice at this link.

White Wedding – Ultimate Luxury Chalets Private Enclave, French Alps

The ultimate white wedding can be exquisitely arranged by Ultimate Luxury Chalets at their private enclave in the posh French ski resort of Val d’Isere. This exceptional location offers complete intimacy for you and around 65 guests spread over five luxurious alpine chalets.

The enclave consists of four chalets which sleep 10-14 and then the larger Le Chardon which sleeps 20. These exquisite winter retreats blend mountain coziness with supreme comfort, featuring carefully selected materials from Travertino marble to 200-year-old reclaimed wood. The large size and excellent common rooms of the chalets naturally create the ideal space for multigenerational families or groups of friends coming together for the special day.

After a day on the slopes of the Espace Killy, warm up in front of a toasty fireplace or rest your sore muscles in the hot tub on your private terrace accompanied by a glass of champagne. Then make your way inside to feast on international and local specialities prepared by your private chef with a phenomenal view of the Manchet Valley.

Ultimate Chalets also has relationships with a network of wedding specialists based in the local area including a humanist celebrant who can perform the ceremony directly onsite or in a pre-selected outdoor location, a photographer, a florist, a hairstylist and an artisanal wedding cake designer.

To ski your way to the altar, contact Ultimate Luxury Chalets here.

Enchanting Arabian Nights – Kensington Marrakech Villas, Morocco

Marrakech is the perfect definition of a sumptuous and exotic destination to set your wedding, plus, since it’s like an extravagant oasis in the middle of the desert where you can perfectly combine luxury with rustic adventure. Kensington Luxury Properties can help you conceive the perfect destination wedding hosting anywhere from your closest family and friends to 500 guests.

Marrakech is a destination which enlivens the senses. For more than a thousand years, it’s been a crossroad between Europe and Africa. The gorgeous red city has streets are lined with olive and palm trees, vibrant markets and tall walls hiding the most magnificent gardens… a place which can transform your special day into an enchanting Arabian Nights’ tale.

Inside one of Kensington’s prestigious villas surrounded by lush gardens and the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, with sun and warmth all year long, you could not dream of more.

An excellent option for a mid-sized destination wedding is their Jnane Fiestan Villa, a gorgeous property which can accommodate up to 85 people in a closed and private location. For smaller groups, they have an excellent selection of villas of all sizes and price ranges, but all with a very high standard quality of amenities and services and for larger groups, they have several villas which are found within close proximity of each other. The decor can vary from traditional North African luxury to sleek contemporary, however, it always has some local Moroccan flare. Most villas include private pools and many have their own in-house hammams and others their own tennis courts and other facilities.

They can also provide professional assistance with event planner and can assist you in your planning thanks to their exclusive contact list to secure the best of Marrakech for your wedding.

For more information about reserving one or more of these villas, see Kensington Luxury Properties’ profileh.

Design & Divine Beach – Luna2, Bali

Travel to one of the most stylish beaches in the world for your ultra hip design wedding at Luna2 private hotel. It was the first design hotel on Bali’s Seminyak beach and was key in putting this destination on the map.

Luna2 is the ultimate wedding destination, since the private hotel has five bedrooms, guests get the whole place to themselves. Plus, Luna2 studiotel is just a few steps away and offers 14 open-plan studios and an unparalleled playground of venues, ideal for destination weddings.

Bali is an excellent location to celebrate that special moment and the exclusivity of Luna2 where you can be surrounded by your close-knit group family and friends for an intimate, avante-garde beachfront affair.

The Luna2 creative team can work with you to come up with a unique ceremony for up to 40 guests. This could include a wedding bale with white lace & fresh flower decoration, large flower arrangements and bouquets, frangipani petals scattered at wedding altar & flower confetti, a celebrant & certificate of commitment and elegant chairs for the ceremony.

Then their award winning chefs will delight your guests with inventive local or international cuisine. This usually involves a one-hour cocktail reception, with a choice of four canapes, a four-course degustation dinner and four-hours of free-flow soft drinks, juices and imported mineral water.

The sky – and the beach – are the limit at Luna2. Design your ideal day with their team.

Last year our New Zealand experts at MajorDomo introduced POP UP Villas to their villa folio – a first for the omega replica luxury villa industry. After a year of guest stays in these exclusive limited edition villas, this offering is here to stay! Find out more about this exciting accommodation option below.

Fiona Stevens of MajorDomo says “the Pop Up Villas offer the opportunity for our guests to live like a local in gorgeous homes which are not normally available. Each Pop Up Villa is beautifully decorated – think fabulous art, designer furniture, well-planned living spaces – all ready to go as a hassle free base for visits to Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, and the Bay of rolex replica Islands. As well as experiencing world-class, architecturally designed homes, guests may access MajorDomo’s add-on services such as in-house chefs, nannies, massages, yoga instructors, daily servicing and guided touring.”

MajorDomo’s Pop Up Villas are generally available during holiday seasons & they differ every year. They get booked up very quickly therefore it’s advisable to plan ahead and book these exclusive opportunities as soon as they arise.

Properties do vary depending on the time of year and availability, however, they might include the above lakeside villa in Queenstown. This stylish and spacious lakeside villa is within walking distance to the center of town. The villa has the perfect layout featuring beautifully furnished living areas and outside boasts a generous deck, garden, spa and heated swimming pool.

The upper level of the holiday house has an expansive open-plan living room with a kitchen and dining area, which opens onto the deck for alfresco dining. The replica watches state of the art chef’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining whether you are the chef or have a private chef arranged.

A private lounge space, the master bedroom and one guest bedroom are also located on the upper level. Another two bedrooms/two bathrooms and an open-plan area are located on the lower level. The villa can comfortably cater for up to 8 guests. The swimming pool is also accessed from this area.

Alternatively, you could be fortunate enough to have the above wonderful homestead available during your trip to New Zealand. Built in 1860, this vast family farmhouse, which sleeps 16, is set in enormous parklike gardens on 30 acres of farmland above Lake Hayes. Its privacy and size make it perfect for large family gatherings, ski holidays, weddings and family reunions.

With a wide range of indoor and outdoor spaces, everyone can enjoy themselves fully. There’s a big family TV room off the farmhouse kitchen, a dining room that seats 16, a huge library, a snooker room with a full-size billiard table and a tennis court.

Outside, the house’s various verandahs and sitting areas are ideal for reading the paper in morning sunshine or late afternoon cocktails. In the evenings, everyone tends to gravitate around the massive outdoor fireplace on the big terrace.

If you’d like to experience these unique villas or learn more about their hand-picked selection of luxury rental accommodation in New Zealand, contact MajorDomo at this link.

The ski season is just kicking off in New Zealand, one of the world’s premier snowsports destinations. But we aren’t talking about any old skiing here. We travel to Queenstown and Wanaka to soar to the top of jagged peaks for some daredevil heli-skiing, zoom down the best off-piste terrain, venture into the backcountry for some cat skiing, and end our adrenalin-fuelled days relaxing in luxury at the finest villas, chalets, and lodges in New Zealand. Read on for the best insider tips from our experts at Majordomo and Touch of Spice.

“Offering plenty of sunshine, majestic lakes, snow-capped alpine beauties, and an unrivalled selection of activities and attractions, it comes as no surprise that Queenstown, New Zealand, is as popular a winter destination as it is a summer one,” enthuses Jacqui Spice, founder and owner of Touch of Spice.

“Queenstown is nestled in the Alps close to four ski resorts and fabulous backcountry terrain,” explains Jacqui. “Typically the ski season starts on piste by mid-June with helicopter access to the Southern Alps being mid-July through to October. Touch of Spice can offer exceptional skiing and boarding on exclusive terrain with untracked, virgin snow. On and off-piste, the extensive range of activities has been designed to suit everyone’s ability and desires.

“To help you out further, Touch of Spice can offer professional in-house ski fitting when renting equipment, free chains and GPS with Thrifty car rentals for the month of August, and complimentary value-add recommendations such as spa upgrades, two-for-one offers and complimentary drinks.”

Whare kea

Accessible only by helicopter, this luxury chalet offers unparalleled accommodation and a spectacular base for those seeking the ultimate alpine adventure in an exclusive location—high in the mountains on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. It sleeps eight in four bedrooms with four bathrooms.

This is one of the few places in New Zealand with ski-in, ski-out mountain access, which makes for the ultimate ski experience. With striking natural beauty in every direction, your photo-posting on social media will make you the envy of all your friends. From here, you will be heli-ed onto exclusive untracked virgin snow, be taken on 10–12 runs, and then led back into the chalet for morning tea, gourmet lunch, and après-ski drinks.

You can completely tailor the chalet experience to suit your requirements, from a short day trip with a relaxing lunch and a glass of wine on the balcony to multi-night accommodation with action-packed alpine adventures. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience in this secluded mountain paradise. Whare kea starts from NZD$2,000/night.

Kumanu

Kumanu is a faultless luxury retreat in rural Queenstown, with stunning views across the Wakatipu Basin and beyond. Being at the centre of Queenstown’s three elite ski resorts, you have the opportunity try a field each day. With the perk of huge lawn space, heli-skiing is an obvious choice.

Kumanu sleeps eight in four bedrooms with five bathrooms. Every room provides a feeling of serenity and calm yet draws you in seamlessly to the landscape. From the airy dining room with its ambient open fireplace, to the magnificent chef’s kitchen, which adjoins a cosy lounge. It is well equipped and appointed for winter with its large spa pool, ski storage, Cinema room plus indoor & outdoor fires. Kumanu starts from NZD$2,000/night.

These great chalets and skiing tips were provided by Jacqui. For more on these skiing experiences, contact her and the Touch of Spice team here.

We also spend some time heliskiing, heliboarding and cat skiing with our experts at MajorDomo.

“Queenstown and Wanaka are fabulous locations to base your family and friends for the ultimate heliski experience,’ informs Lisa Hayden, co-owner of MajorDomo. “Our villas are all located within five to 20 minutes from a helicopter pickup zone with some of the villas and lodges able to have helicopter landings on the property.

“Heliskiing or boarding packages range from group to shared excursions with two to five runs, to private charters with ‘unlimited daily vertical’. The operators and guides we deal with are very experienced with the relevant certificates, safety equipment and top-end powder ski and board equipment. The scenery and terrain is as varied as it is magnificent!”

The MajorDomo team highly recommend the experienced pilots and guides from Alpine Helicopters to provide your exclusive heliski and heliboard adventures in the New Zealand Southern Alps. Stay at the stunning Minaret Lodge and your helicopter will pick you up directly outside your chalet after your mountain kitchen breakfast. You will be the first to ski this heliski dream arena every day.

Minaret Station Alpine Lodge

Situated on 50,000 acres of Minaret Alpine Station near Wanaka, the lodge comprises four chalets and a mountain kitchen to provide you with a luxurious escape within an untouched landscape. A private hot tub on the deck your chalet, open fires, library, cosy living areas and first-class dining facilities with stunning meals prepared by gourmet chef complete a thigh-burning day in the backcountry powder bowls.

Find dynamic terrain in and around Minaret Alpine Station and lodge to suite any intermediate or expert skiers and boarders, with pristine snow covering wide open bowls, natural half-pipes and chutes. Beautiful long runs will maximize your ski time and guides are there to direct you on to the best snow in the region.

Soho Basin

If Heliskiing is not your thing, then cat skiing could be your calling. Soho Basin is a private ski area offering pristine high-country terrain, world class views and gourmet dining in an atmosphere of relaxed and understated luxury.

After reaching Soho Basin via a 60-minute drive or 10 minute helicopter transfer from Queenstown, you will access 650 acres of skiable terrain from the comfort of a heated cabin, atop a state-of-the-art snowcat. The Soho team will show you the best lines, deepest powder, steepest chutes or gentle slopes – whatever is your thing. With the number of skiers or boarders limited to 24 per day, you will be able to experience this unique area of beauty and serenity within the Southern Alps almost exclusively.

Soho is suitable for early intermediate skiing ability and above, with some great options for the more adventurous skiers or boarders. Your day, your pace, your mountain. When you are ready for a break, you’ll enjoy food and wine on the deck of Soho’s Alpine hut prepared by the chefs of the award-winning Amisfield Bistro. Self drive from Queenstown or MajorDomo can arrange luxury transport with a private driver.

MajorDomo’s villas or partner lodges in Queenstown, Arrowtown or Wanaka would provide the perfect accommodation base for your Soho Basin Private Ski Area experience.

Learn more about these ultimate skiing holidays and gain more of their fabulous local insight by reaching out to MajorDomo at this link.

Where are our travel experts taking us this month? We’ve got a fabulous new luxury home with phenomenal mountain views in New Zealand, refined apartments in a historic palazzo on Venice’s Grand Canal as well as hot deals in Saint Barthélemy and Costa Rica, plus great local tips for making the most of June on the Mexican Riviera.

New Opening: Slope Hill Serenity by Touch of Spice, New Zealand

Our members down in New Zealand at Touch of Spice have just added the exceptional new Slope Hill Serenity in Queenstown. Touch of Spice has a carefully selected portfolio of New Zealand’s most luxurious boutique accommodations.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect for this new offering. The snow is just starting to sprinkle the mountain tops and the property is located at the base of one of New Zealand’s best ski fields: Coronet Peak. The contemporary, chic house features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and sleeps up to 10 people. There is a nice patio area that’s ideal for enjoying an evening meal and those fabulous views of the mountains.

To learn more about this or other luxury homes and apartments in New Zealand, contact Touch of Spice here.

New Openings: excellence.Villas, Venice

excellence.villas have just opened two fabulous apartments in the Ca’nova palazzo on the Grand Canal in Venice, decorated personally by company founder Katharina Allès Trauttmansdorff.

The private historic palazzo is minutes away from Piazza San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale and right across from the Santa Maria della Salute basilica. Both two-bedroom apartments are on the third floor, accessible by a new elevator. The apartments have been redecorated in a classic style with a contemporary twist. The Borsato faces the Grand Canal, whereas the Hayez looks onto a quiet square. There is also a lovely terrace shared by all guests of the palazzo.

Be one of the first to stay at these gorgeous apartments by contacting excellence.villas at this link.

Special Offer: St Barth Properties, St Barthélemy

St. Barth Properties has an exclusive offer for UltraVilla readers. They will generously pay the 5% island tax on any new confirmed booking of seven nights or more that are made during the month of June 2016. The perfect place to stay on the island is the stunning, contemporary and luxurious six-bedroom Villa Galaxie.

Located above the quieter side of Gustavia, Villa Galaxie boasts a breathtaking seascape and fiery sunsets. A terrace with a gorgeous infinity pool provides a focal point and is configured to include spacious living and dining areas. Sleeping accommodations include a master (French king) suite housed in a private pavilion. The other five lovely bedrooms, all with en suite baths, are located in an adjacent pavilion. The villa’s chic décor is ultra-modern with a white palette, and techno amenities include a surround sound music system. Gustavia’s shops, restaurants, and Shell Beach are just a short walk away. This is an exceptional vacation home and ideal for an extended family and is the perfect venue to host a celebration.

Contact St. Barth Properties here to scoop up this great deal.

Last Minute Special: Papagayo Luxury, Costa Rica

Don’t be scared off by a little volcano smoke. Despite the recent eruptions of the Turrialba Volcano, it is still completely safe to travel to Costa Rica. Only the area within an approximate 50 km radius of the volcano has received any falling ash or debris, the rest of the country remains mostly unaffected, including where Papagayo Luxury is located, in the northwest corner. You can learn more about the eruption in this article from our Journal.

Papagayo Luxury also has an UltraVilla exclusive offer. Book any of their rentals for stays during the month of June and you will receive a 10% discount. (This offer is not valid for bookings for stays after June 30th 2016.) For more information on this great deal or future trips to Costa Rica, contact the Papagayo Luxury team here.

June on the Mexican Riviera, Local Tips by Villa & Apartments Abroad

Heading down to the Mexican Riviera this month? Lucky you! To help you plan, our local expert, Sylvia Jones of Villas & Apartments Abroad gives us the inside scoop on the area’s top events in June:

June 2nd-5th: American Express is hosting the first ever Masters of Food, Wine & Golf event at the Mayakoba Resort. For three consecutive days, gastronomic masters will gather to offer their culinary delights, along with an impressive list of magical wines, tastings, pairings, and cooking classes that are sure to excite “foodies” from around the globe. This festival promises to attract an international attendance, including celebrities and golf professionals. It will no doubt be one of, if not the most important attraction to Mexico for the summer.

June 3rd: Cancun welcomes handsome Mexican idol, Alejandro Fernandez on his world tour. The Mexican people love music, especially their home grown artists who have made it big.

June 9th: World famous DJ Nicole Moudaber will be performing at the “Blue Parrot,” in Playa del Carmen. This talented DJ is quite familiar to the hot beds in the summers around the world. She knows how to spin and pack a beach, sending sound waves into the depth of the ocean.

Thank you Sylvia for these great tips! For help planning your perfect trip to the Riviera Maya, contact Sylvia here.

The best way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city is retreating to nature. Spending the day (or several) hiking in the countryside or the mountains gives us the chance to forget about work, our busy schedules and our worries while we connect with the natural wonders of the world. There may be hundreds, if not thousands of gorgeous places to hike across the globe, however, it’s hard to beat the following phenomenal trails where you can take in jaw-dropping views of mountain peaks, cross through lush forests and marvel at crystal clear lakes, accompanied only by your thoughts, the chirping birds and the rustling leaves.

Kalalau Trail – Hawaii

Hawaii boasts some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and one of the best places to admire this is the Kalalau trail on Kauai Island. The 18km trail travels from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Na Pali Coast, an unspoilt stretch of cliffs and green valleys rising from the Pacific Ocean. Our local experts at Hawaii Hideaways provided these useful tips for hiking the trail:

• The trail requires good physical condition, especially because it can often be muddy and slippery from rainfall. Be sure to bring good and sturdy hiking shoes
• Don’t take this trail if you have knee injuries or anything that may be affected by the sometimes steep inclines and more than 240m of elevation gain
• The hike will take, on average, 6-8 hours to complete the 13km roundtrip. A lot of people stop to camp on Kalalau Beach—keep in mind this requires a permit
• You do not need a permit to hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls, but anything after that requires a permit, even if you don’t plan on camping
• Do not attempt to cross the Hanakapi’ai Stream during bad weather or if it is flooding.

An excellent place to stay in the area is at their Ka Hale Kaiola luxury beachfront home. The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and air conditioning. The Tommy Bahama furnishings add to the great plantation style of the house. A large covered porch with Brown Jordan patio furniture looks out across the ocean. The beach is accessed by going down the staircase off the lanai and across the beautifully landscaped front yard. Then you’ll find yourself on the beach ready for a swim! For more information about this home or other properties located on the island, contact Hawaii Hideaways here and you can learn more about the archipelago in our Hawaii Pocket Guide.

Routeburn Trail, Glenorchy – New Zealand

New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise, so it was difficult to choose just one trail to recommend. However, our experts at Touch of Spice have won us over with the amazing Routeburn Trail.

“To those who have never walked the Routeburn Track, it’s hard to describe the feeling of purity that the environment injects you with,” says Touch of Spice founder Jacqui Spice. “There is an overwhelming amount of beauty in the trees, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife and the overall views that make the hike seem surreal. You will finish with an appreciation for New Zealand’s native elements and its preserved history.”

The 40km trail is well maintained which makes it achievable for all fitness level. Generally speaking, it is trekked over three days and two overnights, but this is flexible of course. You can take your time while you enjoy the exceptional mountain scenery, cross over rivers and past tumbling waterfalls on rope bridges, listen to the birds’ songs and see some of the locations where The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Plus, on the way, there are information boards along the track that tell you stories of nature’s history and how New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Māori, thrived in this environment. Jacqui suggests that if you are walking without a guide, the overnight huts need to be booked well in advance due to their popularity.  A guided tour with transport, huts, all meals & snacks, backpacks, and raincoats starts from $1,375 NZD per person for three days/two nights.

Touch of Spice has the ideal base for exploring the area: Wyuna House. This four bedroom, five bathroom home can sleep up to eight trekkers. This luxurious lodge is clad in local schist and cedar with timber floors, walls, and ceilings, and sits harmoniously amongst its picturesque setting. Large bay windows take in the view throughout the property where you can look out to Mount Aspiring National Park which the Routeburn track crosses over.

You can learn more about this and other properties of Touch of Spice alongside all our New Zealand offerings at this link and prepare your trip with the help of our New Zealand Pocket Guide.

Zermatt Lakes Trail – Switzerland

It’s not surprising that there are some phenomenal hiking trails in the Swiss Alps. Andy Castle, our Switzerland expert at Ultimate Luxury Chalets, recommends a stunning hike from the resort of Zermatt to Blauherd (2571m), the perfect place for mountain lovers to venture during summertime in Europe. The relatively easy route, without major climbs and descents, takes about three hours and is accessible by taking the funicular from Zermatt to Sunnegga. Once the train surfaces from the beginning passage underground, you are treated to exceptionally beautiful panoramic views.

You’ll walk through some of the most magnificent scenery of the Alps, passing Lake Stelli, Lake Grindji and Lake Grün as well as the moraine of the Findelen glacier, all the while with excellent views of the majestic Matterhorn. You won’t even feel the time passing and soon enough you’ll have reached the end at Riffelalp where you can take the Gornergrat Railway back to Zermatt.

If you would like to continue gazing at the breath-taking Matterhorn, then Ultimate Luxury Chalets‘ “Grace Chalet” is ideally positioned. This elegant, spacious chalet sleeps up to 12 and has floor to ceiling windows on all three levels, the south facing ones showcasing the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains. The stylish and comfortable open-plan lounge features a French stone open fire-place and adjoining bar area, opening up to a large outside living space. It also has a luxuriously-seated cinema, a games room with a pool table, a spacious glass-fronted wellness centre including a sauna, massage room, a large pilates/yoga space and an outdoor hot tub. Read more about this and the other fabulous properties of Ultimate Luxury Chalet here, plus get inspired for your trip with our Switzerland Pocket Guide.

Hohe Tauern National Park – Austria

The Alps are not only about ascending to its highest peaks; the vast mountain range has many fantastic hiking options on its mid-levels, such as on the Austrian side in the Hohe Tauern National Park, a favorite of our experts at Schloss Klog Castle.

The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest nature sanctuary in all of the Alps, extending 1,856 km² over three Austrian provinces. Enjoy over 350km of marked hiking paths and alpine trails which crisscross through the beautiful Rauris Valley into Taxenbach and the SalzburgerLand region. A particular highlight is the Rauris Valley, dubbed the “Secret Jewel Hohe Tauern National Park.” Here you are truly lost in nature as you walk through deep green forests, past trickling streams and waterfalls, catch sight of powerful birds of prey in their nature environment and learn about the mineralogy and the gold-mine era. Most of the paths are suitable for inexperienced or casual hikers, whereas avid mountaineers and mountain-climbers can get their thrills on its higher peaks.

At the end of the day, you can take a well deserved break lounging on the grounds of Schloss Klog which showcase Austria’s beautiful nature. This refined Baroque castle has been owned and maintained with care by the Barons of Mayr-Melnhof since 1872. It offers a special window into Austrian Aristocratic life and is an idyllic place to stay in the heart of the country’s lake district. Learn more about this and our other Austrian experts here and learn more about this diverse country in our Austria Pocket Guide.

Gallatin National Forest – Montana

The diverse landscape of mainland United States has so many awe-inspiring places, but one of our prefered places to get away from it all is Montana, the “Big Sky State.” While one of the most famous parks in the US, or maybe even the world, is Yellowstone National Park in the neighboring state of Wyoming, Montana hiking is just as beautiful, but it attracts fewer fellow hikers – even more appealing. In fact as you amble on the wilderness trails of Gallatin National Forest, taking in exceptional views of the mountains, trickling streams and virgin forests, you might only pass fluttering birds, frisky foxes and meandering moose. But, beware of the grizzlies…

Despite the name, you shouldn’t have any dangerous close encounters with bears staying at the nearby gorgeous Grizzly Creek Ranch. A rustic yet very comfortable retreat, it can accommodate up to 30 guests. You’ll have exclusive use of the six different homes on the complex, including a wonderful dining and event hall, a recreation barn, yoga and massage cabin and more. Guided hiking can be arranged for Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone, or you mightn’t even need to leave the property of the vast 2,000 acre ranch. For more information and to book see Mountain Homes’ profile here, discover more about what to do in the state in our Montana Pocket Guide.

 

With winter winding down in the Northern Hemisphere, snow lovers are starting to look southward. In New Zealand’s Southern Alps, winter sports start up in June, kicked off by a big festival in Queenstown, a popular base for four main ski fields: Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona, and Treble Cone. The Queenstown Winter Festival (June 24–July 3 2016), now in its 42nd year, attracts around 45,000 people with street parties, fireworks, concerts, and games.

New Zealand’s newest ski field, Soho Basin, opened last July on a limited basis, with very few bookings available; New Zealander Lucy Mehrtens, of Majordomo, sent us this report at the end of its first season: “Currently, you can only ski off-piste at Soho Basin via snowcat (but I believe certain runs can be groomed on request at additional cost). I’ve skied there with the owner and it’s absolutely incredible. There are plans to put a chairlift on the mountain, so we suggest that keen skiers take advantage of this special window where the mountain can pretty much be enjoyed privately. MajorDomo can organize for guests to ski on Soho, for portable spa pools to be helicoptered in at the end of the day, and for beautiful lunches to be waiting for guests at the bottom of the ski field.

“In terms of activities (aside from skiing Soho, of course), we would suggest dog-sledding with beautiful Alaskan huskies. It’s a great activity for families and couples. It’s also located very close to Soho Basin.

“We suggest that guests experiencing Soho Basin should stay at Lodge at the Hill or villa 123 Frankton Road, an incredible property located close to Queenstown town but very private and set on Lake Wakatipu.”

The Lodge at the Hill is an exclusive-use residence set amongst 500 acres of tranquil ambience at The Hills golf course and day spa. The property features six individual suites, fireplaces throughout, and a sophisticated heating and cooling system that ensures a temperate interior all year round. Other features: a music room, a bar/library, an extensive collection of early New Zealand European and Maori art and artifacts and contemporary Asian and New Zealand art and sculptures, and a spectacular underground wine cellar and dining room. All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas, canapés, snacks, picnics, etc.) are prepared by a dedicated chef.

123 Frankton Road is a stylish, modern and spacious lakeside villa located within walking distance to the hub of the Queenstown town center. The villa has well thought out, beautifully furnished living areas and outside boasts a generous deck, garden, spa and heated swimming pool. The upper level of the holiday house has a large open-plan living room with a kitchen and dining area, which opens onto the deck for alfresco dining. The state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining whether you are the chef or have a private chef arranged. A private lounge space, the master bedroom and one guest bedroom are also located on the upper level. Another two bedrooms/ two bathrooms and an open plan area are located on the lower level, with two foldout beds for extra guests. The villa can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests.

For more information, contact Majordomo Villas New Zealand.