27 New Ways to Eat (and Drink) Local


Natives of Buenos Aires will tell you that you haven’t fully experienced Argentina until you’ve enjoyed an authentic asado-style meal – a revered weekend dining ritual where families and friends grill meats, tables are filled with salads and appetizers, and local red wines flow freely. You haven’t tasted Indonesia, locals say, until you’ve sampled babi guling, aka roast suckling pig, from the beach in Bali. And in Florence, it’s an unwritten rule that la passeggiata (a traditional evening stroll) is incomplete without a scoop of creamy gelato.

The fastest and most enjoyable way for travellers to immerse themselves in the culture of any corner of the world is to dive into the culinary scene – order traditional dishes, explore food markets and local farms, and speak to chefs and home cooks about their favourite recipes.

Taste of Place, a new series of fine dining experiences from Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is designed so guests can do exactly that. Its goal is to bring travellers and locals who have an appetite for exploration together with the flavours and cultures of places like Cairo, Koh Samui and Lanai.

During these epicurean adventures, you’ll visit markets and farms to sample and gather fresh ingredients commonly used in local cuisine. Many experiences include cooking classes alongside expert chefs, where you’ll learn how the traditions and customs of a region are reflected in the preparation and seasoning of its food. And each Taste of Place offering includes one or more chef-prepared meals, served in an unforgettable setting.

Scroll through the gallery above to get a taste of specific food tourism offerings around the globe.

Taste of Place joins an already extensive portfolio of Four Seasons culinary innovations, including the recently launched “Culinary Discoveries” itinerary on board the Four Seasons Private Jet. This new itinerary, developed in partnership with René Redzepi and the Noma team, is a once-in-a-lifetime cross-continental culinary journey through the finest kitchens, freshest markets and most exquisite dining experiences in the world. Learn more about how you can see Europe and Asia through the eyes of a Michelin-starred chef here.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Choose a destination that best suits your tastes

Bali at Jimbaran Bay

How to Island-Hop Your Way Through Hawaii


Adventure travellers Dan Moore and Mitch Oates spent two weeks chasing thrills while soaking up the distinctive beauty of four Hawaiian islands.

“Hawaii was much more diverse and adventure-filled than we had expected,” Moore says. “Every island has its own style, different from the next – including the landscapes. We don’t think you have truly experienced Hawaii until you have visited at least three islands to get fully immersed in what it has to offer.”

From home bases at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the pair paddled, swam, dived and hiked their way through paradise – taking time out to unwind and savour the delights of their temporary island homes.

In the slideshows below, each photo is labelled with one of three adventure ratings: “Easy does it” for low-key activities, “On the move” for moderate-energy experiences, and “Off the charts” for adventures boasting the highest adrenaline rush.

Paddling low, climbing high on Oahu

Moore and Oates’ first stop was Oahu, where they relieved jet lag with a little pool time. Refreshed and ready for island life, they dialled up the action with canoeing, hiking through secluded areas of Kualoa Ranch and pursuing the ultimate underwater ocean adventure.

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

From poolside to countryside on Maui

When figuring out what to do in Maui for the 24 hours they had, Moore and Oates decided they wanted to experience as much of the island as possible. With a guide, they took a 12-hour photographic journey to some of Maui’s most scenic locations. “The drive through the island was just as picturesque as the waterfalls and taro farms we visited,” Oates says. “Simply breathtaking.”

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Exploring Lanai on foot, by horseback and with wheels

“Lanai is the adventure island, with anything you want to do,” Moore says. During their stay, the pair tackled horseback riding, freediving, hiking, and mud-running in an ATV and a jeep. “Even the golf course offers motorized skateboards that you can put your clubs on instead of a golf cart,” he says. “Everything about this island is amazing, from the brand-new, tech-savvy Four Seasons Resort Lanai to remote areas that almost look like you are in an episode of Survivor.”

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

To be so close to such beautiful creatures and have them interacting with us was definitely one of the highlights in our lives, that’s for sure. – Mitch Oates

Water sports and wildlife on Hualalai

On Hualalai, their last stop, Moore and Oates enjoyed a mix of thrills and relaxation. “We actually didn’t leave Four Seasons Resort Hualalai,” Oates says. “It literally has everything you could possibly think of, including turtles scattered along the beach and dolphins just off the beach.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

See more of Moore and Oates‘ adventures in Hawaii

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

mountain views at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina