January 2012 – Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) invite guests to enjoy exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the world. Imagine becoming a Sommelier in France, scuba-diving with whale sharks in the Philippines or learning calligraphy in China. To celebrate the close of a remarkable 20th Anniversary year, the team at SLH has hand-picked 20 unique experiences from the ‘Be Inspired’ collection, recommended for travel in 2012.
1. Calligraphy Class: Wuzhen Clubhouse, China
Learn the profound art of Chinese calligraphy including how to handle an Oriental brush, practice writing easy Chinese characters, paint simple ink and wash paintings.
Nightly rates at Wuzhen Clubhouse with SLH start from CNY948 on a bed and breakfast basis excluding tax and service charge.
2. Reef Checking: Baros Maldives, Maldives
Participate in the fascinating Reef Check Eco Diver Program offering guests the chance to take an active role in conserving one of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs.
Nightly rates at Baros Maldives with SLH start from USD$620 including breakfast and tax, excluding service charge.
3. Truffle Hunting: Château de Gilly, France
A dog walk with a difference – guests can experience a truffle ‘cavage’, savour truffle tasting, enjoy the new Burgundy aperitif, the Rata Truffle and end with a tasting session at a local Côte de Nuits vineyard.
Nightly rates at Château de Gilly with SLH start from €136 including breakfast and excluding tax.
4. Falconry Follies: Lainston House Hotel, England
Join former cricketer, Billy Taylor to learn how to carry and recall your own hawk for the day then proceed to the hunting area to watch the birds of prey in action.
Nightly rates at Lainston House with SLH start from £165 including tax, excluding breakfast.
5. Introduction to Oenology: Les Sources de Caudalie, France
Enjoy a wine tasting masterclass with the Head Sommelier, a guided tour of Château Smith Haut Lafitte including a visit to the wine warehouse, barrel factory and lunch at the country inn, La Table du Lavoir.
Nightly rates at Les Sources de Caudalie with SLH start from €200 including breakfast excluding tax.
6. Epicurean Indulgence: Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant, USA
Discover and enjoy Vermont’s local cuisine and culture at its best with guided tours and tastings to award-winning dairy farms and farmers’ markets.
Nightly rates at Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant with SLH start from $199 including breakfast and excluding tax.
7. Crocodile Spotting: Bloomfield Lodge, Australia
Take a two-hour cruise on the Bloomfield River, home to a fascinating eco-system and diverse mix of native wildlife, to spot crocodiles in their natural habitat.
Nightly rates at Bloomfield Lodge with SLH start from AUD855.50 including all meals and taxes.
8. Deep Sea Fishing: Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Enjoy a private deep sea fishing experience on a 25ft launch hosted by Aitutaki’s leading game fishing experts in the deep blue waters of South Pacific. Drop lines in search of mahi-mahi, wahoo, yellow-fin tuna and other game fish.
Nightly rates at Pacific Resort Aitutaki with SLH start from NZD895 including 100 NZD food allowance and tax.
9. Jungle Trekking: Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
Get up-close-and-personal with the fascinating flora and fauna within the splendour of a two million year old rainforest under the watchful eye of expert naturalist, Uncle Yip.
Nightly rates at Pangkor Laut Resort with SLH start from USD$320 including breakfast and excluding tax.
10. Pearl Farming: Aleenta Resort and Spa Phuket, Thailand
Take a romantic tour of a local Pearl Farm on a small island where you will learn about pearl cultivation, the values and care of pearls.
Nightly rates at Aleenta Resort and Spa with SLH start from THB8800 including breakfast and excluding tax.
11. Coffee & Spice Plantation Experience: Orange County Coorg, India
Explore the spice-scented pathways of Orange County, learning first-hand the difference between Arabica and Robusta on a guided walking tour of a 300-acre working coffee and spice plantation.
Nightly rates at Orange County Coorg with SLH start from INR13,200 including breakfast, lunch, dinner and nature activities (guided tours)
12. Observe Wild Macaque Monkeys: Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Japan
Take a 40-minute trek through the forest to see the amusing and unusual sight of Japanese indigenous Macaque monkeys bathing in hot springs (onsen) where they spend their days soaking in the natural waters.
Nightly rates at Hoshinoya Karuizawa with SLH start from JPY30,000 including tax and excluding breakfast.
13. Hot Air Balloon Rides: Grand Hotel Toplice, Slovenia
Fly high over the stunning alpine resort of Bled and wonder at the majestic views of Otak Island and its fairytale church plus the medieval Bled Castle on the precipice of the Julian Alps.
Nightly rates at Grand Hotel Toplice with SLH start from €132 including breakfast and tax.
14. In-Suite Cooking Class: Hotel Bergs, Latvia
Enjoy an exclusive cooking lesson with the hotel’s Executive Chef in your own suite, fully equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen and bar.
Nightly rates at Hotel Bergs with SLH start from €153 including tax excluding breakfast.
15. Behind-the-Scenes Luxury Car Tour: Wald & Schlosshotel, Germany
Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of famous German luxury car manufacturers including Mercedes Benz, Audi and Porsche with the chance to try out one of their latest models.
Nightly rates at Wald & Schlosshotel with SLH start from €270 including breakfast and tax.
16. Make Your Own Beauty Products: Chateau Mcely, Czech Republic
In the chateau’s authentic laboratory, guests can learn about the bohemian healing qualities of local herbs and make their own natural beauty product to take home at the end of their stay.
Nightly rates at Chateau McEly with SLH start from €136 including breakfast and excluding tax.
17. An Auctioneer for the Day: St. James’s Hotel and Club, England
Art and antique lovers can enjoy a private tour of Christie’s Auction House in London, visiting the digital photographic studio, seeing paintings and artworks up close and finding out what’s new in the art world.
Nightly rates at St. James’s Hotel and Club with SLH start from £250 excluding breakfast and tax.
18. Charter a Yacht: Villa Marie, France
Hire a Pershing 30 or an ITAMA 38 for a day of discovery on the Côte d’Azur, including specially prepared picnic, snorkelling and fishing.
Nightly rates at Villa Marie with SLH start from €390 excluding breakfast and including VAT.
19. Glassblowing Masterclass: Tomtom Suites, Turkey
Let off steam by learning and experimenting with the traditional practice of blowing and shaping glass, the end product of which will be yours to treasure.
Nightly rates at Tomtom Suites with SLH start from €175 including breakfast and tax.
20. Diving in the Cavities of a Thermal Lake: Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort, Italy
Alongside professional instructors, discover the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and explore underwater cavities while scuba diving in the natural cave’s age-old thermal lake.
Nightly rates at Grotta Giusti Natural Spa Resort with SLH start from €280 including breakfast and tax.
All experiences can be booked directly with SLH. To book online visit www.slh.com or call +65 6232 5060
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