Tag: Extraordinary Experiences

The past few years have involved a lot of screen time: virtual gatherings, video meetings, binge-watching, working from home. Ready for a change? With Four Seasons, you don’t have to go far to find activities and amenities compelling enough to make you step away for a staycation – or for being present in the moment with loved ones. Soak up the history during an exclusive private tour of the Tower of London, or go behind the scenes in Tokyo to watch sumo wrestlers train. Here, we share some of our favourite experiences to help you disconnect from your device and reconnect with yourself and the world.

Swirl, smell, sip: Discover your inner sommelier at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, in the heart of the food and wine capital of North America. Join renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown at the on-site Elusa Winery for a tasting session, learning the subtle yet distinct notes that make each wine unique. Sample the winery’s signature cabernet sauvignon, enhanced by the warm microclimate and rich terroir of the Calistoga AVA, or tour the 4.7-acre organic vineyard. For an idyllic afternoon outing, pick up one of the Resort’s bikes and go for a ride along local country roads, winding through valleys and vineyards, or join a Four Seasons guide for a ride to some of Calistoga’s most beautiful spots. Then return to the Resort for dinner at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar and toast the grape-to-glass experience. And don’t forget to pick up a few bottles of your favourite varietal to take home.

For 100 years, London’s Ten Trinity Square has stood in the heart of the city, overlooking the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the River Thames. The historic beaux arts building served first as the headquarters of the Port of London Authority and then as the site of the inaugural reception for the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946. Today, it’s home to Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge – the perfect home base for discovering London’s storied past. Have the Tower of London to yourself during a private evening tour of the stunning Crown Jewels, and explore the vibrant neighbourhoods of Shoreditch and Hoxton. Or stay closer to home and learn about the Hotel building’s history on a guided tour, along with an exhibit that includes Roman artefacts dating to 8500 BC – more than 2,000 years ago, the hillside where you stand was the site of the Roman settlement of Londinium, the original city that became modern-day London’s centre.

Immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese ceremony with a local tea master at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. Make your way through the Hotel’s 800-year-old ikeniwa, or pond garden, to the intimate Tea House’s Shakusui-tei, or tea ceremony room, and explore the spiritual beauty and traditional craft of Japanese tea rituals. Watch as the tea master performs the highly ritualized steps, each movement measured and deliberate: carefully folding the serviette, scooping the tea, whisking it in the water, pouring the hot water with precision. The first bowl of tea is presented with care to the honoured guest – you.

Milan is a focal point of the finer things in life: Fine fashion, fine dining, fine architecture. But don’t forget the gorgeous scenery. See it all from behind the wheel of a classic car: Set out from Four Seasons Hotel Milan and wind through the countryside on your way to Lake Como, where you’ll enjoy a day of play at the iconic lake. Splash on the shore, or race across the water in a classic speedboat. You’ll cut a bella figura in the sunshine, wind blowing through your hair. Continue to savour the beautiful weather back at the Hotel with a fashionable aperitivo in Stilla Garden – a wonderful taste of la dolce vita.

Vivid blues, bright reds, cheery yellows, radiant greens: the streets of Bogotá are alive with colour. Street art, once considered vandalism, has come of age in the Colombian capital – a destination overflowing with artists and creativity. Starting from Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá, take a tour through the streets as your guide describes the different styles and influences of some of the renowned artists whose work decorates local shops, restaurants and pathways – and explains the economic, political, social and environmental views the colourful murals depict. You’ll soon discover some of the reasons Bogotá is known as the Capital of Cool.

Originating more than 1,000 years ago as a tribute to Shinto deities and a prayer for good harvests, sumo wrestling has become Japan’s national sport. And while the focus today is on entertainment, modern sumo matches still honour many of the sport’s religious roots: Wrestlers clap their hands to attract the attention of the gods and stamp their feet to drive away evil spirits, and the dohyo – the clay wrestling ring where the wrestlers compete – is symbolically purified with salt. Go behind the scenes at a sumo-beya – the “stables” where professional sumo fighters train and live – with a local guide from Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, and observe the hefty rikishis in action. Travelling in January, May or September? Let the Hotel help you book tickets to a sumo grand tournament and see some of the best fighters in the country take to the ring.

From mountain peaks to trails lined by brightly coloured vegetation, the High Sonoran Desert offers a variety of landscapes to explore – and at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, you’re perfectly positioned for adventure. Get a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings during a hot-air balloon ride over the dramatic Red Rocks, or mount a trusty steed and experience Arizona’s frontier spirit. A hike up Pinnacle Peak will introduce you to the region’s famed saguaro cactus – the Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world where it grows – and loading the family into one of the Resort’s jeeps is the way to embark on an educational desert cruise. After a day of action, retire to a poolside cabana to rest and recharge for the next day’s outing.