Tag: best views

My Journey to the Edge of the World

Posted on by Jessica Nabongo

In 2017, I set out to become the first black woman to visit every U.N.-recognized country in the world. As of June 2019, I have covered 176 out of 195 countries. This quest is not just about shifting the narrative about what and who a traveller or tourist looks like. It’s about changing travellers’ perception of places.

The Middle East, for example, is one of my favourite regions. In my experience, the hospitality there is among the best in the world.

This was especially apparent on a recent trip to Saudi Arabia, where Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre went above (literally) and beyond. The Extraordinary Experiences curated by the Concierge are just that – extraordinary invitations to adventure. I participated in one called Journey to the Edge of the World, and I’m still pinching myself to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

Saudi Edgeoftheworld Escalades

Photography by Alex Parker

From the Hotel, we made a two-hour drive – in the comfort of a Cadillac Escalade – to the historic oasis of Ad’Diriyah, the former seat of the Saudi royal family. Along the way, we passed a herd of camels. I had to get out for a photo. Later, my guide showed me the lively market centre in Al Bujairy, where I took in the wondrous, clean-cut adobe architecture from the 15th century. It is the gateway to historic Riyadh, and it was magical. Today, restaurants, cafés and parks are mixed in. Every step of the way, my needs were fulfilled. I felt like the star in my very own movie.

Fs Mag Edge Of The World Al Bujairi Library

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Photography by iStock.com/andreviegas

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

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From there, we drove deep into the Arabian desert. The landscape was alien and breathtaking. But nothing could prepare me for the main attraction, Jebel Fihrayn, a narrow escarpment nicknamed the Edge of the World.

Jebel Fihrayn is as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon, and somehow even more expansive and dramatic. Unlike the Grand Canyon’s top sites, you may find yourself alone here. You can’t help but feel connected to the canyons, the plains and the world beyond in a profound way.

I wouldn’t have believed that the experience could be elevated even further. It was, though, with my bird’s-eye view on a micro-light flight.

Saudi Edgeoftheworld

Photography by iStock.com/vdvornyk

After landing, we returned to a Bedouin tent surrounded by bright carpets. It must have taken hours to set up. My guide also immediately appeared with cold hand towels and sweet, tender dates. There, we also savoured a fragrant spread of lamb chops, grilled vegetables, hummus and other dips, and tagines. 

We finished with my new favourite dessert, kanafa, made from phyllo and cheese. Seeing how much I enjoyed the feast, the pastry chef later showed me how to make it on my own.

To be almost alone in this vast environment, while treated to this level of service and food, is something I will never forget. Another is watching the landscape change colours as the sun began to set.

Fs Mag Edge Of The World K3

Photography by iStock.com/AkayArda; Photography by Alex Parker

Saudi Arabia, country 146 out of 195, was a big deal for me. Western tourists have only recently begun exploring its wonders under a new visa system, and it was fascinating to get a peek at everything going on there. I was surprised to learn that women are no longer required to cover their heads in public. Most still do, and I did out of respect.

As for clothing, when I arrived, my luggage had been lost on the way. Fortunately, the team at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh offers all of its female guests robe-like abayas throughout their stay. I was grateful for this touch and how it considered the cultural context.

The Hotel, which is set high up in Riyadh’s iconic, 65-storey Kingdom Centre, also offers two women-only floors and a gym exclusively for women. I appreciated the way these touches considered the cultural context.

Saudi Edgeoftheworld Hijab Final

Photography by Alex Parker

Seeing the World With Four Seasons

During my travels I have been fortunate enough to stay at several Four Seasons hotels. Four Seasons Hotel Tunis is a game-changer. Even if you aren’t staying there, you should go for dinner. The flavours of Spain, France and Italy can be tasted in the top-floor Creek Bistro Chic as you look out on blue waters. I now tell people to skip Mykonos and discover Tunis instead.

Thanks to the partnership between Four Seasons and NetJets, I flew privately from New York City to Miami for their Pop Down event, a one-night-only gala coinciding with Art Basel and held on board a custom-designed superyacht.

 


Just as Four Seasons allows me to discover the world in new ways, I invite you to do the same. Follow along at @thecatchmeifyoucan.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

What discoveries will you make?

Palm trees and building

A Picture-Perfect Austin Tour – Plus What Your Phone Can’t Capture

Posted on by Stirling Kelso Neff

There’s no shortage of shareable moments to be had in Texas’ quirky capital. What with street murals, the ever-changing skyline and restaurants serving up fare as photogenic as it is delectable, many of the best snaps are within walking distance of Four Seasons Hotel Austin, which is even more camera-ready these days thanks to a recent renovation.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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We tapped Four Seasons staffers for insider tips. Here, their recommendations on what to see, do, eat and shoot on your next Austin getaway – including a 1916 Italianate villa and the best bratwurst in town – as well as the experiences photos can’t do justice to.

 

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1. South Congress Avenue

This pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare, just a stroll across Congress Bridge from
Four Seasons Austin, is full of insta-worthy spots. “From the funky murals to the street performers, there truly is nothing else like it,” says Assistant Guest Services Manager Blaire Roberts. While most gather – even stand in line – for photos in front of street art that reads “I love you so much,” we also love the “Willie for President” mural, a storey-high tribute to Willie Nelson, one of Austin’s favourite musicians, on the side of clothing boutique Stag Provisions. The capitol building and skyline, captured from a South Congress crosswalk, compose a stunner in square form.

Outside the Frame

South Congress is one of Austin’s top shopping streets. Here you’ll find ByGeorge, which carries top brands like Marni, Saint Laurent and Stone Island. Across the street, jeweller Kendra Scott, who got her start in the Lone Star State capital, displays her colourful baubles in a freshly opened flagship store with a café and an outdoor mural.

2. Central Library

There’s a lot more to snap than bookshelves at the new Central Library, a Lake Flato–designed building that’s already at the heart of Austin’s evolving identity. Newcomers stand in wonder –with camera phones at the ready – in the atrium, where gravity-defying bridges and staircases connecting the building’s six storeys conjure scenes from Hogwarts. Travelling with kids? Don’t miss readings in the children’s wing, which has a toy room and educational computer games.

Outside the Frame

“Stick around for lunch or a cocktail at the Cookbook Café,” says Executive Assistant Christine Bloemsma. The airy restaurant on the library’s second floor has floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor patio. The fun part: Every dish on the menu comes from the celebrated chefs’ cookbooks that can be borrowed from the library.

 

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3. Lady Bird Lake

Whether you’re walking or jogging along the water’s edge, the hike and bike trail around Austin’s Lady Bird Lake – known to locals as Town Lake – is one of the best places to people-watch. While some of the waterway’s most photogenic spots are steps from Four Seasons Austin, the trail’s east side, expanded in 2014 to the tune of $26 million, sees fewer cameras. Its contemporary overwater boardwalks afford striking skyline views.

Outside the Frame

Want to get out on the water? Stop by Live Love Paddle, just south of the hike and bike trail’s boardwalk, to rent kayaks or Austin’s preferred mode of water-bound transport – stand-up paddleboards.

 

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4. Clark’s Oyster Bar

A polished nautical theme is well executed throughout this neighbourhood restaurant. Waiters sport Taylor Stitch Oxfords and striped waist aprons, and the dinnerware is a replica of the U.S. Navy’s mess hall china. You’ll want to snap pictures of the oysters, flown in daily from both coasts, and even the bread plate – sourdough served with Maldon salt and slices of bright red radishes – before diving into the Gulf red fish, served with a smoked caper and paprika vinaigrette. Request a front terrace table, shaded by a striped yellow awning that bears the restaurant’s nautical coordinates.

Outside the Frame

Around the corner from Clark’s you’ll find the flagship for Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand that got its start here in Austin and now has shops in New York’s SoHo and Georgetown in DC. Browse leggings, running shorts and tops that look as fitting in a coffee shop as they do mid-marathon.

 

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5. Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin

This adobe-style sanctuary at the Blanton Museum of Art, on the edge of the University of Texas at Austin campus, matches Houston’s Rothko Chapel in vision and civic significance. “It’s the only building Kelly ever designed, and it stands as the ultimate presentation of his love of light and colour,” says Hotel Concierge Steven Beasley. No two pictures of the serene interior space are alike thanks to contemporary stained-glass windows that reflect, glitter and silhouette, depending on the light and the weather.

Outside the Frame

Book and film lovers can’t miss a trip to the University of Texas’ Harry Ransom Center, where drafts and manuscripts by writers such as James Joyce and Norman Mailer are preserved and exhibited. The centre is also home to a 1455 Gutenberg Bible.

6. Laguna Gloria

This 1916 Italianate villa is now an extension of the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA). The waterfront grounds are dotted with sculptures by the likes of Tom Friedman and Wangechi Mutu, many of which make a whimsical addition to any photo. “Don’t miss the guided tour about the original owner, Clara Driscoll,” says Assistant Guest Services Manager Blaire Roberts.

Outside the Frame

“While you’re in the area, take a drive up to another scenic spot, Mount Bonnell,” Roberts says. It’s a short hike to this Hill Country lookout, and you’ll be rewarded with views of the river and the growing downtown skyline.

 

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7. Forever Bicycles

Pedal one of the Hotel’s complimentary cruiser bikes to document this installation, a towering piece by Ai Weiwei. “Something of an optical illusion, the 32-foot-high [9.75-metre] artwork includes nearly 1,200 bikes and is meant to represent a part of Weiwei’s everyday life and culture in China,” Concierge Elise Longueve says. To many Austinites, the work has an added meaning, honouring the city’s passionate bike culture.

Outside the Frame

Pop into Alta’s Café, just down the hill from Forever Bicycles, for a post-ride smoothie or glass of wine. The eatery’s expansive porch, a launch pad for crew teams, overlooks Lake Austin.

 

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8. Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden

Housed in a pair of historic buildings, this popular beer and brat house has a snap-worthy backyard with social picnic tables under strings of twinkling lights. Beer aficionados will also appreciate the suds selection: “I always order a beer I haven’t tried before,” says Marcus Knox, who drives the Hotel’s house car. “There are more than a hundred on tap, so that’s not as hard as it sounds.”

Outside the Frame

Banger’s is located on Rainey Street, a popular neighbourhood for nightlife where residential bungalows have been converted into bars and restaurants. Start the night off with an old-fashioned at Half Step, just two doors down from Bangers.

 

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9. The Austin Bats

Austin has the unusual distinction of being home to the largest urban bat population in North America. Over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the city’s central Congress Bridge, and flood out above an army of iPhones at dusk from March through November. You won’t be the only person posting a picture of this phenomenon, but you can avoid the crowds by jumping on an evening paddleboat tour and taking in the show from the water.

Outside the Frame

Head back to the Hotel for an cocktail en suite. Your bartender will roll in the property’s margarita cart and shake up your drink sofa-side. There’s no effort required on your part, but you do have to answer one important question: Salt, or no salt?

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will inspiration strike you next?

City at dusk

A Peek Into Our Exclusive Pop Down Philadelphia

Posted on by Caroline Crafton

The Philadelphia skyline will soon have a brand-new jewel in its crown: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, set to open in spring 2019 atop the namesake 60-storey skyscraper. Among its myriad charms are restaurants by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a luxe 57th-floor spa and insider-led art tours of Philadelphia’s illustrious Barnes Foundation, replete with impressionist paintings (note the 181 Renoirs).

To toast the groundbreaking new icon in style, Four Seasons recently hosted one of its signature Pop Downs on the eighth-floor rooftop of Philadelphia’s BOK bar, where masters of craft from around the world showcased their talents to the music of DJ Jazzy Jeff. Read on for a behind-the-scenes playback of the exclusive celebration, in many ways a love letter to the city of Philadelphia.

Flowers at FS Pop Down Philly

Flowers at FS Pop Down Philly

Flowers at FS Pop Down Philly

Flowers at FS Pop Down Philly

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Setting the Scene: Flower Power

In the social media era, one thing is clear: It’s not a proper celebration unless it’s plenty photogenic. Four Seasons enlisted celeb-favourite florist Jeff Leatham – artistic director at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and the highly anticipated Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center – to create four public art installations in the surrounding hipster enclave of Passyunk and elsewhere throughout the city. His fragrant archways drew stares and inspired quite a few selfies (tagged with #FourSeasonsPopDown, of course). Each one was handmade and featured a distinct colour palette – fresh-cut purple hydrangea and carnations, or red roses, or even bursting sunflowers. After the event, staff deconstructed the archways and allowed passers-by to scoop up bouquets.

Celeb-favourite florist Jeff Leatham – artistic director at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris – created a number of elaborate floral archways for the event.

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Leatham created a lush, enchanted feel inside the event – much like a surreal garden.

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Philadelphia’s own DJ Jazzy Jeff provided the musical stylings for the evening.

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Valentino Longo, Head Bartender at Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, served up the herbaceous “Adam” libation, made of gin, bitter Luxardo, white vermouth and bergamot liqueur.

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Guests mingled with Four Seasons masters of craft during this one-night-only event on the rooftop of BOK.

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At every turn, guests found a photo-ready scene, from a giant panda sheathed in green moss to fragrant floral archways.

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For the exclusive one-night-only event, held on the evening of September 25th, Leatham created a lush, enchanted feel throughout – much like a surreal garden. At every turn, guests found a photo-ready scene, from a giant panda sheathed in green moss to sumptuous tufted settees ideal for group portraits.

A Feast of Edible Art

Four Seasons flew in chefs and mixologists from across its portfolio to do more than just plan a menu; they whipped up edible art for party revellers. Many food stations were interactive: For example, Pastry Chef Chris Ford of the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, concocted the Heart Breaker dessert – a heart-shaped confection made of bittersweet chocolate, hibiscus jam, candied violet and vanilla ganache – that guests would wallop with a mallet to break. On the savoury side, one crowd-pleaser was Vongerichten’s toasted egg yolk with caviar.

For one night only, masters of craft from around the world gathered to showcase their talents as a love letter to Philadelphia.

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Pastry Chef Lasheeda Perry of Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta doled out delicious confections all night.

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Head Bartender Sarah Rahl of Four Seasons Hotel Austin served “Punch Drunk Love,” an unexpected combination of barrel-aged rum, cognac, calvados and shrub.

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Mariano Ricciari, Lead Bartender at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, was one of the masters in attendance.

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Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s toasted egg yolk with caviar was a true crowd-pleaser.

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The Philadelphia event is the latest incarnation of the Four Seasons Pop Down, a global series of immersive experiences that brings Four Seasons to unexpected settings all over the world.

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Imaginative Sips

Just as inventive as the food at Pop Down Philadelphia was the cocktail menu. Head Bartender Sarah Rahl of Four Seasons Hotel Austin, a finalist in Cochon 555’s Punch Kings competition, served “Punch Drunk Love,” an unexpected combination of barrel-aged rum, cognac, calvados and shrub. Valentino Longo, Head Bartender at Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, shook up the herbaceous “Adam” libation, a nod to the Garden of Eden made of gin, bitter Luxardo, white vermouth and bergamot liqueur. Artisan-made concoctions with the new Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center lit up in the distance? We’ll drink to that.


Your Journey Begins Here

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Explore

A Picture-Perfect Miami Tour – Plus What Your Phone Can’t Capture

Posted on by Austin Morton

Miami is hands down one of the most Instagrammable cities in the United States. We turned to experts at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, lofted 70 storeys above the city streets, and Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club – a favourite of Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra – for insider tips. Here, their recommendations on what to see, do, eat and shoot on your next Miami getaway – including an estate inspired by Italian Renaissance style and pies baked by a fireman – as well as the experiences photos can’t do justice.

1. Plant the Future

Miami’s Wynwood neighbourhood is famed for its Wynwood Walls graffiti murals, but Plant the Future, a boutique across the street, is less photographed and even more visually arresting. The shop is chock-a-block with unexpected delights such as walls lined with preserved moss and mobiles made of trailing plants. Pick up a succulent terrarium or, in season, a butterfly cocoon you can take home to hatch.

Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

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OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Enjoy a wood-fired Asian-fusion dinner at KYU, where you can watch chefs churn out edible art in the open kitchen. “KYU is currently one of the top restaurants in Miami,” says Mark Warren, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Guest Relations Assistant Manager, who recommends the restaurant’s roasted cauliflower, served with shishitos and goat cheese. “Reservations are tough, so happy hour is an excellent way to check it out.” The “hour” is 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and you shouldn’t miss the pork and duck sausage buns with Japanese mustard, best paired with a glass of luxe Junmai Daiginjo sake.

2. The Bass Museum of Art

Travellers from around the world flock to see the contemporary art collection at The Bass on Miami Beach, reopened after renovation and expansion. “During Art Basel, a festival that always brings amazing artists to Miami, the museum will feature the Haas Brothers – I predict it will be a hit,” Warren says. “You can explore the museum on your own, but I think the best way to see it is through a complimentary tour,” arranged by the Hotel. Look for the particularly eye-catching fluorescent sculpture by Ogu Rondinone, Miami Mountain, on long-term view in the garden.

OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Stop by Sweet Liberty bar – voted the best in Miami by Time Out magazine – for one of the city’s most inventive happy hours. “I love Sweet Liberty; it’s a fun place that always has live music,” says Bar Manager Jacopo Rosito of Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club. “Ask for the special table behind the bar, where you can watch the bartenders at work, and order the pina colada that’s made with an unexpected ingredient: Jamaican coffee beans.”

3. Lifeguard Towers on South Beach

Even utilitarian structures get a rainbow-bright upgrade in Miami: “All of the lifeguard towers from First and Ocean Drive to 15th and Ocean Drive are unique and picture-perfect,” says Damion Richards, Four Seasons Hotel Miami’s Chief Concierge. “Visit in the early morning at about 6:00 am to catch the sunrise.” That’s when the towers – most of them painted in bubblegum pink, Hermès orange, or candy-cane red and white – are at their most photogenic, and tourists are nowhere to be seen.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami

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OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Enter a 2.6-acre (1.05-hectare) tropical paradise at Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a former mango and avocado grove that’s now a fragrant manicured sanctuary of frangipani trees, vanilla orchids and even edible flora like pineapple, pomegranate and coffee beans. Look for a black-and-white-striped Zebra Longwing butterfly, known for flitting around Miami Beach in tuxedo-like splendor.

4. Pérez Art Museum Miami

At the Pérez, beside Biscayne Bay, “hanging gardens appear to grow from the ceiling year round,” Richards says. The 200,000-square-foot museum, festooned with tropical plants, is home to Picasso’s 1932 Femme à la montre and an installation of floating ships by Edinburgh-born artist Hew Locke, For Those in Peril on the Sea.

OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Continue your creative afternoon five blocks away at Microtheater Miami, where 15-minute plays are held in 160-square-foot shipping containers and presented in both English and Spanish. With only 15 audience members, each play is as intimate as they come; mingle afterwards on the patio, sangria in hand.

5. Everglades National Park

Just an hour and a half south of Miami by car, Everglades National Park is the place to “escape the clamour of city life,” Richards says. “You’ll begin to appreciate the sounds of nature – the wind rustling through the river grass and the chorus of amphibians.” Stretch your legs on the half-mile Mahogany Hammock trail, which winds past air plants, gumbo-limbo trees and the largest mahogany tree in the country – more than 70 feet (21 metres) tall and reportedly 500 years old.

OUTSIDE THE FRAME: On your way back to Miami, stop by Robert Is Here fruit stand in Homestead, Florida, for a fresh-made Key lime milkshake and some Florida produce, like black sapote (which tastes like chocolate pudding) and antioxidant-packed jackfruit.

6. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Built on a mangrove swamp in 1910 as the home of business magnate James Deering, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens draws Instagram influencers in droves, thanks to its manicured landscape and ornate architecture inspired by Renaissance Italy. The camera-friendly Fountain Garden was originally designed circa 1720 for the Pantheon in Rome.

OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Richards encourages guests to “salsa the evening away with live, upbeat music” at Ball and Chain, open since 1935 in Little Havana, where the stage is shaped like a pineapple. “It’s a Havana Nights setting,” Richards says. Stars like Billie Holiday and Count Basie once took the stage here; on karaoke nights, you can too.

7. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop

The occasional food photo has been known to rack up likes, especially when the dish in question is as stunning as the toothsome offerings at Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, a beloved café co-owned by a City of Miami firefighter who moonlights as a master baker. Richards recommends the salted caramel pie, with a warning: “One bite will have you hooked.” Other divine offerings include guava berry pies and the signature red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate-drip shell.

OUTSIDE THE FRAME: Richards has one delicious directive for the Veza Sur Brewery patio nearby: “Pair a crisp Double IPA or flavourful Mango Blonde Ale with some Latin-inspired bao buns from the Baja Bao House food truck while a local band plays. Top off the experience with a free behind-the-scenes brewery tour.”

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

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Concierge

Find Your Adventure:
American Road Trips You Need to Take

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

Discover corners full of natural beauty outside classic American destinations. Our expertly curated itineraries will help you create unforgettable stops in between Four Seasons destinations in Texas and Florida. Experience the wildlife of the Everglades and savour Texas barbecue – all at your own pace – with Four Seasons.

TEXAS

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Andres Ramirez, Concierge at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Steven Beasley, Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, and the Concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Houston combined their insider data to craft a quintessential Texas road trip between the three properties.

Dallas to Austin

TRAVEL TIME 3 hours by car

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose
“A perfect activity that allows for physical distancing, there’s a scenic drive through this attraction, where about 1,100 exotic and endangered animals roam free,” Beasley says. “If you prefer animals of the prehistoric variety, Dinosaur Valley State Park is also in Glen Rose and features real dinosaur tracks, and there’s the Paluxy River for a quick, cooling dip.”

 

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Stop for Kolaches in West
Kolaches – a fruit-topped pastry – are perfect road trip snacks. There are several kolache shops in West, where many Czechs settled after moving to the New World in the 19th and 20th centuries. Beasley recommends the Czech Stop, where you can fill up the tank, devour some kolaches and add to your polka CD collection at the same time. Ramirez is a fan of Little Czech Bakery. “Their menu includes everything from savoury to sweet kolaches, fruit pies to cookies, and more, and they are open 24/7,” he says.

Magnolia Market in Waco
Here’s a good stopping point halfway, with places to shop, play and eat out on the sprawling lawn. “Waco has been transformed in recent years by HGTV’s Fixer Upper stars, Chip and Joanna Gaines,” Ramirez says. “You can spend an entire day visiting their empire, starting with shopping and outdoor games on the lawn at Magnolia Market and Silos, followed by lunch at their restaurant, Magnolia Table. Swing by the bakery for a cupcake to enjoy while you tour the city, visiting homes that were featured on their show.”

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Austin to Houston

TRAVEL TIME 2 hours 45 minutes by car

Southside Market & Barbeque in Elgin
“Make a pit stop for traditional Texas fare at this institution, which started selling BBQ from the back of a wagon in 1882,” Beasley says.

Antique Shopping in Round Top
“This area is a hotspot for antique shopping, especially during their spring and fall shows,” Beasley says. The fall 2021 event is planned for October 25 to October 30.

 

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Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham
Founded in 1907, Blue Bell is the second-best-selling ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Visit the original creamery to learn about its history, more than 100 years long. Factory tours include sample scoops.

Lavender Farm in Chappell Hill
The Concierge team at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston suggests a stop in the quaint little Texas town of Chappell Hill. You’ll find family-run restaurants, kolache bakeries, wineries and antique shops. Pick up lunch to go at Bever’s Kitchen and have a picnic at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm – if you like the scent of lavender, this is where you want to be.

FLORIDA

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Sandra Ferrarese, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, shares family-friendly stops on the way to Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach and some unique attractions further along towards the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

Orlando to Palm Beach

TRAVEL TIME 2 hours 30 minutes by car

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Stretch your legs with a climb up the 105 steps of the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Built in 1860, the landmark tower is the oldest structure in Palm Beach County. The lighthouse crowns a 120-acre area that has been federally designated an Outstanding Natural Area, one of just three in the country. Scenic hiking trails meander through different habitats – Florida scrub, tropical hammock and mangrove swamp – and lead to an observation tower overlooking a manatee refuge.

 

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Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

If you are looking for a mindful pause, Ferrarese says, do not miss the Japanese gardens at Morikami Museum. The gardens are inspired by traditional gardens in Japan, and they have a great bonsai exhibition. If you have time, spend some of it at the coffee shop overlooking the gardens.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Henry Flagler built Whitehall, a 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion as a wedding gift for his wife. When it was completed in 1902, the New York Herald called it “more wonderful than any palace in Europe.” Today, it is open to the public. “Do not miss the music room,” Ferrarese says.

 

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Palm Beach to Miami

TRAVEL TIME 1 hour 10 minutes by car

Flamingo Gardens

This botanical garden is home to exquisite tropical and subtropical plants. It’s also a wildlife sanctuary for rare, threatened and endangered native animals, 90 species of them – the largest collection of native wildlife in the state.

 

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Everglades Tours

Enjoy a thrilling airboat ride in the Florida Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park. Private tours on smaller boats allow you to go deeper into the Everglades. Alligators, turtles and great white heron are among the wildlife most often sighted.

Butterfly World
This is the largest butterfly park in the world, and the first park of its kind in the western hemisphere. The facility houses around 20,000 live butterflies, and visitors can also admire plenty of birds and bugs.

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TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

Not in the United States? Consider renewing your sense of adventure with a European escape between storied destinations.

View inspiring perspectives of rolling hills and romantic castles near Budapest. Gaze out on Lisbon’s winding streets and azulejo-studded buildings before savouring fresh seafood beside the Atlantic. Partake in an insider experience of Bohemian crystal glassmaking in Prague. Saddle up for a horseback excursion to a spectacular winery in a 12th-century monastery near Madrid.

This season, take the scenic route with Four Seasons.

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

What will you discover?

Palm trees and building