Tag: travel inspiration

Sounds That Set the Scene

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

The saxophone run in a jazz quartet, the high notes of a diva’s operatic aria, the sweet chords of a ukulele: Music has the power to instantly set the scene – and to transport you to that time and place long after you’ve returned home.

From a private concert in an iconic New Orleans jazz club in the French Quarter to a calming singing-bowl ceremony alongside a lagoon in Hoi An, Four Seasons taps into the power of the senses to provide an authentic sense of place rooted in sound. Tune in to the following experiences during your travels, and then relive them later with the help of a memento like a new instrument or recording of your performance.

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Audio courtesy ShutterStock

Toe-Tapping Jazz in New Orleans

New Orleans is alive with sound – the clang of street trolleys, the crashing cymbals of a street parade, the cheers of the crowd during Mardi Gras. Its most recognizable note? The blare of a trumpet playing a swinging beat. Known as the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans has been home to legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong and Trombone Shorty, and it’s a rite of passage for up-and-coming jazz stars to perform in the clubs that line famed Frenchmen Street. When the new Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans debuts later this year, guests will enjoy exclusive access to Preservation Hall, a venerable jazz institution in the French Quarter that has hosted jazz greats such as clarinettist George Lewis and pianist and singer Sweet Emma Barrett. Take in a private concert at the venue with friends, and then learn to slide a trombone during a one-on-one music lesson with a local jazz musician.

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A Zen Healing Ceremony in Hoi An

Singing bowls have long been used as part of meditation practice; the gentle hum created by the bowls’ vibrations helps induce a state of deep relaxation. Join resident singing-bowl artist Oanh Ngo at The Heart of the Earth Spa at Four Seasons Resort Hoi An (The Nam Hai) as she uses the healing power of crystal singing bowls to help you centre yourself and connect to the Earth. Meet her at the Spa at sunset for the private Mother Earth Melodies experience: a 45-minute singing-bowl lesson on an eight-octave set of crystal bowls tuned to 432 Hz, believed to be the harmonic frequency of the universe. “Under Oanh’s gentle guidance, our guests can be at one with nature, and retreat into a place of calm and stillness within their mind, body and spirit,” says Spa Manager Dwi Susanti. A set of three singing bowls is mailed to guests’ homes as a memento of the melodic journey.

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

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Traditional Chants in Oahu

On your arrival in Hawaii, you’ll discover that the sounds of nature – crashing waves and rustling palms – are complemented by the traditional chants and mellow songs of the island’s culture. “Music is an integral part of the Hawaiian culture – from mele [chants] to contemporary styles,” says Michael Mestraud, Senior General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Oahu Ko Olina. “And we try to showcase a variety of musical programs that shine a light on where art and culture intersect.” One of those programs can be enjoyed without leaving your room: The Resort recently introduced an in-house music channel in collaboration with HI Sessions, a group of musicians and producers dedicated to promoting Hawaiian music and artists. Artists like Ron Artis, Nathan Aweau and Pure Heart will record performances at the Resort, and the videos will be streamed on the Resort’s in-room television channels and on its social media channels. For a more hands-on experience, join a ukulele workshops led by Hawaiian music luminary Roy Sakuma. A renowned ukulele instructor and founder of the Ukulele Festival, the largest ukulele concert in the world, Sakuma will teach guests the history of the instrument and help them master a song.

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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A Recording Session in London

The music of the Beatles is the unofficial soundtrack to life in London – the ground-breaking band might have come from Liverpool, but they left their mark all over the city. Relive Beatlemania and explore the history of rock ‘n’ roll with a little help from the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. Let the Hotel arrange a private tour of world-famous Abbey Road studios, where the band recorded many of its songs. You’ll have the chance to belt out your favourite tunes or perform your own song to create a demo tape to take home with you, followed by a private dinner served in the studio for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Take the Scenic Route

Posted on by Krysten Heberly

As summer approaches, many travellers are ready to get out into the world and explore as many new destinations as possible. The best way to get from point A to point B? On four wheels.

There’s nothing like a road trip to immerse you in new places – half the fun of travel is in the journey. You’ll discover spectacular vistas, charming towns, thriving arts scenes, historic architecture and delicious local flavours as you connect with friends and family, going at your own pace to make the most of the trip.

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This season, embark on a European escape, with curated itineraries to make the journey to your Four Seasons destination more enjoyable. Here, Four Seasons experts share the landmarks, flavours and photo opportunities you won’t want to miss along the way.

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London

England’s capital city is an exciting blend of rich history and trend-setting scenes, offering everything from the finest food to the most stylish fashions. Explore iconic landmarks like the Tower of London and Tower Bridge – just steps from Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge – or discover some of the world’s most prestigious shopping on Savile Row, only a short stroll from Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. See the city in a new light on a luxury private tour by car, or set sail for an exhilarating boat ride on the Thames River – the ideal backdrop for Instagram-worthy photos. You’ll feel like British royalty with exclusive access to some of the city’s palaces and museums, or wander through a picturesque Royal Park to find the perfect spot for a picnic, prepared by the team at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The royal treatment continues as the sun sets: Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge can arrange a private viewing of the stunning Crown Jewels collection at the Tower of London, complete with aperitifs and canapés on Tower Green as the Chief Yeoman Warder shares stories about the tower’s dramatic history.

WORTH A DETOUR: Want to get out of the city for a bit? Take a day trip to the British countryside, where you can wander through lush gardens, ride the rolling hills of Hampshire on horseback or explore picturesque Highclere Castle, where the owner – the eighth Countess of Carnarvon – will lead you on a private tour of the estate’s art, architecture and antiques.

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Lisbon to Madrid

Discover the scenic mountains and medieval villages that dot the Iberian Peninsula as you drive between Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon and Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. The six-hour drive will take you through centuries of history and UNESCO World Heritage sites – Evora, home to Neolithic monuments and an ancient Roman temple, and Toledo, whose historic quarter contains some of Spain’s oldest religious buildings. In search of a real taste of each city? Plan a stop on Lisbon’s coast to savour the Bulhao Pato clams – clams steamed in a rich broth of herbs, lemon and white wine. Once in Madrid, ask the Concierge to direct you to one of the city’s tablaos for a high-energy flamenco performance. The Hotel can even arrange private lessons if you’d like to learn the Andalusian dance.

WORTH A DETOUR: A saying in Portugal’s Alentejo region is that “even time takes its time.” Here, indigenous grape varieties are grown under 3,000 hours of annual sunshine before they’re aged to perfection in French barrels. Follow the Wine Route signs through olive groves and the world’s largest cork oak forest, and pick up a bottle or two from one of the many vineyards. Then stop in a charming town – Portalegre, Nisa, Marvão, Castelo de Vide or Alter do Chão – for a bite to eat.

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Paris

The City of Lights is a feast for the senses: Beautiful scenery, chic fashions, delicious dishes. Explore them all, with Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris as your ideal home base. Cruise the River Seine on a private boat ride, then window-shop as you make your way back to the Hotel along the city’s famed Champs-Élysées. Unwind with a Michelin-starred dinner from Chef Christian Le Squer’s Twenty Years of Excellence menu at Le Cinq, honouring the award-winning chef’s dedication to elegant and modern French cuisine, before toasting your time together on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

WORTH A DETOUR: During your stay in Paris, take a day trip to Maison Belle Époque, the iconic residence of the founders of Perrier-Jouët. Home to the largest private collection of French art nouveau in Europe – and some of the oldest champagne vintages in the world – the house is opening its doors exclusively to Four Seasons guests. Tour the historic villa and its cellars, savour lunch in the gardens, and visit the vineyard before returning to Paris – or opt to spend the night at the maison, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Prague to Budapest

Fall in love with these romantic riverside cities – just a day apart – as you marvel at their architecture, culture and old-world charm: Explore historic castles, sip surprising varietals at local wineries, and discover centuries-old craftsmanship and tradition. In Budapest, the Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest can arrange a private tour of the archabbey, winery and botanical herb garden at Pannonhalma, Hungary’s oldest abbey and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Near Prague, discover the centuries-old tradition of Bohemia crystal glass-making during a tour of the world-famous Rückl glassworks, arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Prague – you’ll even have the chance to cut or blow a glass object yourself.

WORTH A DETOUR: See Budapest’s Eastern mystique and old-world elegance in a new light: As the sun sets, sail down the Danube River in a Venetian-style speedboat, a glass of champagne in hand. The excursion ends with a “James Bond moment” as the boat picks up speed, whisking you away into the night.

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Istanbul

Perched on both sides of the Bosphorus and lined with the cobbled streets, palaces, mosques and remnants of the Ottoman Empire sits the captivating city of Istanbul. Set out from Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus and explore the rich history and culture of the City on Seven Hills: Start in the harbourside Karaköy neighbourhood – an up-and-coming district home to some of the city’s best art galleries, Turkish bakeries and boutiques, surrounded by Ottoman-era buildings. Then make your way at sunset to the 14th-century Galata Tower, where Ottoman scientist Hezârfen Ahmet Çelebi reportedly used artificial wings to make the first sustained unpowered flight in the 1630s. It was once the highest point in the city and still offers 360-degree views of the streets below – breathtaking when bathed in the rosy glow of the setting sun.

WORTH A DETOUR: Travel back in time in the Sultanahmet neighbourhood, in the oldest part of the city. Visit the iconic Hagia Sophia, a converted mosque that was once the Byzantium era’s largest cathedral and seat of the Holy Roman Emperor, where you’ll uncover hidden mosaics. Next stop: The Blue Mosque, constructed between 1609 and 1616 and filled with tiles in different shades of cobalt. For a refreshing break, dive into the underground Basilica Cistern, the largest freshwater source in Istanbul and surrounded by 336 marble pillars.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will the road take you on your next adventure?

floral art installation at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

World Class

Posted on by Heather Greenwood Davis

During a recent trip, my sons gingerly made their way through the rice paddies at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai as a guide pointed out the long grasses in the waters around their boots, the sounds of the resident buffalo in the distance carrying across the still air. As we walked, our guide explained how the animals and the farmers work together, and how much land is required to create a bag of rice we’d purchase without a thought at a supermarket back home. Later, we sampled the product: In a cooking class, the executive chef showed the boys how to make mango sticky rice and other tasty Thai dishes. We headed home with recipes, a new appreciation for a dinner staple, and knowledge of another culture and way of life.

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Our visit to Thailand was just one stop on our family’s trip around the world. Without class curricula, we let the journey school our sons. We learned new languages at playgrounds and restaurants, explored conservation efforts in wild spaces, tested our math skills while figuring out currencies, and practised reading with signs at museum exhibits.

Over the past year, terms like “remote schooling” have become a part of many families’ vocabularies. But for us and other avid family travellers, learning has always been a part of the adventure. Every trip we’ve taken has taught us, kids and adults, something new. As we look forward to future journeys together, here are some of the exciting opportunities offered by Four Seasons to help us learn about – and from – local destinations and people.

WILD OCEAN ENCOUNTERS

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Who needs a biology classroom – or a playground – when your family can explore the incredible marine life that surrounds Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México? As part of its “Schoolcations” program, marine learning activities for kids include an expert-guided whale-watching tour, a sea foraging excursion and the chance to assist with the release of olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings.

At Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, families (including kids as young as 9) can keep an eye out for sea turtles and other marine life – including migrating humpback whales, in season – during a private outrigger canoe paddle. Championship-level guides teach you the basics and show how this ancient tradition continues to play a role in Hawaiian culture.

In a new partnership with WiseOceans, and with a new Resort marine biologist and educator, Louise Sabadel, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is now more certain than ever to appeal to conservationists of all ages. Snorkelling the calm lagoon and reef is an easy way for multiple generations to discover local underwater life together.

STAYING FIT AND FOCUSED

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Healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand in hand, so learning a new skill that strengthens physical and mental muscles is good for the whole family. At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, kids as young as 4 can learn the traditional art of Thai kick-boxing (muay thai) from a professional boxer. Every member of the family will enjoy gazing out over the gulf from a hilltop ring, practising this sport that promotes flexibility, strength and coordination.

On the flip side, sometimes it’s important to concentrate on quiet minds and calm spirits. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, kids age 6 and older can develop both. Board a dhoni boat together and sail over to the Island Spa, where children can relax with treatments all their own, including oil blending, nourishing seaweeds, or yoga on land or sea. “Kids are never too young to learn the importance of self-care or the role of nature in our well-being,” says Spa Assistant Manager Angelica De Leon. “Our children’s treatments all include an educational aspect.”

And it’s easy to turn a sport your child already loves into a teachable moment. At Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, sign your student up for a one-hour golf lesson with PGA professional Rod Cook, the Resort’s Director of Instruction, to learn different golf skill sets like chipping, putting and driving. Afterwards, explore the science behind the sport: Director of Golf Maintenance Stephen Tucker will explain the winning formula of water, fertilizer and care that goes into keeping the course in prime condition.

ARTS, CRAFTS AND CULTURE

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From a fairly young age, many kids have had some exposure to ancient Greek mythology and culture. In Athens, a visit to local museums will show them how important pottery remains are to the archaeological record and our modern understanding of the era. Bring the stories to life and engage kids’ hands-on creativity with pottery lessons at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens.

Prefer your art in 2D? Learn about Italian artists and the techniques used in their work when you try your hand at reproducing pieces by legends like Raphael and Caravaggio. The exclusive collaboration between Four Seasons Hotel Milano and the Pinacoteca di Brera museum includes a sketchbook, colouring kit and private tour options. “The children who participate are captured by the colours, by the thousands of stories that the paintings tell,” says Pinacoteca di Brera Deputy Manager Alessandra Quarto. “They are totally fascinated; they sit on the floor and listen, observe, draw.”

Or make art that takes to the sky: At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Nevis, on-site kite experts will help kids build their own creations to soar high and challenge others. Kites play a cultural role in both destinations; spring brings kite competitions in Nevis, and summer in Bali is the time to watch locals battling it out in the skies with kites up to 5 metres wide.

Inspire any budding chefs in your family with a hands-on French culinary experience ­– starting with a drive to Versailles to see the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, kitchen garden—with the Hotel’s Michelin-starred Chef Simone Zanoni. Or book a family lesson in Vietnamese cuisine at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An. The skills kids learn here from an expert chef, such as rolling rice paper, can add spice to mealtimes back home.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

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For kids, history books can be boring. Interactive activities bring the facts more vividly to life in experiences the adults can share. Pay a lantern-lit evening visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, exclusively arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, where you’ll learn about the first U.S. president and explore spaces that aren’t open to the general public. “Mount Vernon looks like it was frozen in time during Washington’s life—it is truly living history,” says Concierge Supervisor Michael Chase. “No tour is duplicated from one family to the next; the guide tailors to the ages and curiosities of the children.”

At Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, a local expert will guide you on a walking tour along the Pearling Trail in the old city of Muharraq, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a glimpse into its history and its pearling traditions. Pair it with a family snorkelling or diving trip to search for fresh wild pearls.

If the legend of El Dorado has caught your children’s interest, a visit to Bogotá’s Museo del Oro is in order, and a helicopter tour over Lake Guatavita, arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá, can add a sense of place to the fabled city of gold. The lake was a sacred site for the indigenous Muisca civilization, where chiefs threw offerings including gold to the gods; the story grew into the myth of El Dorado.

For the ultimate adventure, the Four Seasons Private Jet may be just the ticket: The first family-friendly journey, African Wonders (December 28, 2021, to January 9, 2022), includes stops in seven countries and a visit to one of the world’s most compelling historical sites, Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, with expert guides and special access. It’s just the type of experience to inspire your children’s love of learning, and your favourite family memories, for years to come.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your adventures take you next?

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Find Your Perfect Poolside Retreat

Posted on by Alycee Byrd

Comfortable loungers, ceiling fans, flat-screen televisions, attentive service: A Four Seasons cabana is the ideal waterside retreat for relaxation and pampering. Whether you’re in search of romantic seclusion or a space to share time with family and friends, a private cabana is sure to make a splash. Arrange for an in-cabana spa treatment, or leave your sunglasses on your chaise for the Sunglass Butler to polish and repair while you swim – you’ve discovered your own piece of poolside paradise.

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A colourful retreat in Maui

Sun yourself in style at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where two of the cabanas at its adults-only Serenity Pool were designed by Italian fashion icon Missoni. Designed for comfort and privacy, each ocean-facing cabana offers rattan sofas, terrycloth towels and graphic pillows – all in Missoni’s signature bold designs – and includes a bottle of Champagne and lunch for two. Dive into the pool and enjoy the underwater music system or a cocktail from the swim-up bar, or schedule a poolside spa treatment in your cabana: This pool sanctuary is the ideal place to unwind. Looking for a family-friendly option? Head to the saltwater Fountain Pool or the Waterfall Pool, where luxury cabanas offer direct ocean views, a shared lawn and access to complimentary treats to help keep you cool, like an ice cream cart. The service continues in the sand at Wailea Beach, where your personal beach attendant will set up your chaise and umbrella and serve refreshments, like sliced pineapple with mint.

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Waterfront glamour on the French Riviera

For decades, the French seaside town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has been a playground for the rich and famous – Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, Pablo Picasso. Soak up the region’s timeless elegance and Côte d’Azur sunshine from a cabana at Club Dauphin at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. Ride the glass funicular down to the Club pool and your private cabana, recently reimagined by renowned interior designer Martin Brudnizki to include teakwood furniture, teal-upholstered chairs, custom drinks cabinets and discreetly positioned power outlets and USB ports, so you can stay connected in style – all just steps from the heated saltwater pool, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful. Or opt for the ultimate French Riviera experience: A private Dauphin Lounge, with a dedicated butler on hand to bring you a refreshing Club Spritz or serve an al fresco lunch in your private dining area.

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Beach bliss in Koh Samui

Your lounger is perfectly positioned for prime views at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui: From your shady perch, you can watch the waves lap gently at the pristine sands or take in the glistening waters of the palm-fringed infinity pool as attendants bring you chilled towels and icy drinks. You’re also in the ideal location for beachside pampering – feel the caress of the breeze against your skin as you enjoy a back-and-neck massage or sip an inventive cocktail from CoCoRum while you get a manicure. Set in a secluded, shady grove, the Secret Beach Spa offers in-cabana treatments that showcase ingredients grown at the Resort, like coconuts and guava, set to the soothing sound of the waves.

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A historic setting in Miami

Cabana culture has been at the heart of The Surf Club ever since the legendary Miami Beach venue opened its doors in 1930. Architect Russell Pancoast designed them with an eye towards extravagance, taking inspiration from French castles, Maine summer cabins and Art Deco architecture. Over the years, Cabana Row has hosted fashion shows, race car displays, and see-and-be-seen parties for aristocrats, statesmen and celebrities. Today, Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club and designer Joseph Dirand have reimagined the cabanas to add a few more modern touches, while still honouring their stylish heritage: Daytime Cabanas feature wood decks, rattan furniture, terrazzo floors, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, and air conditioning, while on the next storey, five Beach Bungalows offer sweeping ocean and pool vistas, deep soaking tubs and customizable king beds, allowing guests to overnight in a slice of history.

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Family fun in Bali

Both families and couples will find a cabana haven at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. Head to Sundara Beach Club, where the 53-metre beachfront pool – the longest in Bali – separates the family area from the adults-only sun deck. The family cabanas are conveniently positioned near Jimba Club, where kids can enjoy activities like crab hunting and coconut bowling while Mom and Dad lounge by the pool. The adults-only sundeck, meanwhile, is a calming oasis, where all you’ll hear is the sound of the waves. No matter where you sit, you’ll have access to amenities like cooling misters, cold face towels infused with ylang-ylang oil, and sun care products – plus a professional sunglasses cleaning service so you can take in the view. The fun continues after the sun goes down, when Sundara transforms into a hip restaurant serving handcrafted cocktails and creative seafood dishes.

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A poolside oasis in Punta Mita

Discover a tropical paradise at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico, where you can choose from two secluded beaches, a lazy river, and two pools, including one just for adults. Opt for a cabana by the beach, with its pristine white sand, or head to the luxury cabanas at the adults-only Tamai Pool for a little quiet time. Cool off with smoothies and frozen treats delivered right to your lounger, plus amenities like flat-screen TVs, refreshing spritzes of Evian, and chilled towels. Looking for something to sip while you splash? The Amphibious Pool Waiter will swim right up to take your order.

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

What destination will you dive into next?

Palm trees overlooking ocean

Elemental Wonders:
At Home in Hawaii

Posted on by Christine Thomas

Though I’ve visited and lived in many cities, home has always been one place: the island of Oahu, where I grew up and now raise my own family. It’s not four walls that call but the land itself – undulating sand, mountains outlined against a steadfast sky, forests bubbling with life and stories – places of endless natural wonder and history that never fail to anchor me.

To truly connect with Hawaii is to be a participant, student and wonderer, and these unforgettable deep dives – designed by Four Seasons – illuminate core elements of island life that are profoundly meaningful to all who call it home.

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Salt | Hualalai

Of all Hawaii’s small wonders, from shells of adornment to plants of legend and love, the sea contains the purest of all. “The natural salt the ocean provided was a cornerstone of Hawaiian living,” says Uncle Earl Regidor, Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center Manager at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Used in ceremony (alaea salt blessed my new home) and cooking (seasoning the pig that filled our last family imu), it’s also used to heal.

Hiking along the coast adjacent to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai leads guests to the centuries-old Kaʻūpūlehu salt flats. When seawater pools on black lava and dries in the sun, it forms salt that guests gently scoop with wooden spoons and collect in fabric bags.

This precious harvest is used during a private, interactive cooking class where guests explore varieties and their use in traditional Hawaiian cooking and in dishes prepared for the occasion. Seven Hawaiian sea salt varieties are also used in the Salts of the Ocean body treatment at the Spa to promote detoxification and healing.

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Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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Sugar | Maui

Stories percolate throughout Hawaii’s landscapes, and the story of sugar is one important part of island history that visitors don’t often experience.

In the Fire & Wine adventure at Four Seasons Resort Maui, guests are invited to do so after arriving by helicopter at historic Haiku House estate on Maui’s north shore. After a wine tasting to determine the evening’s food pairings, guests embark on a private tour led by the director of the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, who shares stories about the history of the land, estate owners and sugar itself – brought on voyaging canoes millennia ago and Hawaii’s dominant industry from its beginnings in 1835 until 1959.

Later, hand-selected local ingredients are cooked over an open kiawe (mesquite) fire and served by Maui chef and Advanced Sommelier Yeshua Goodman. A special dessert prepared at the fire provides a sweet finish.

“Guests are able to connect deeply to a part of the island not easily accessed but so rich in history,” says Executive Pastry Chef Riccardo Menicucci. “I get to tell part of the story through doing what I love best, expressing myself through food to delight others.”

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Four Seasons Resort Lanai

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Fish | Lanai

Just stepping onto the 140-square-mile island of Lanai transports you back in time to an enduring way of life.

“On Lanai, the majority of the local community still sustains traditionally through ocean gathering and hunting,” says Jay Ballesteros, Cultural Guide at Four Seasons Resort Lanai.

The Resort’s cultural fishing expedition allows guests to understand this important lifestyle first-hand by gathering directly from the sea themselves. “The guides are all local and culturally connected, and go between the lines to personalize the experience,” Ballesteros says, including hands-on practice with different types of coastal fishing, accompanied by a beach picnic and tales of history, culture and authentic island life.

The experience deepens with stops at the old Keomoku fishing village and 800-year-old Waia‘ōpae Fishpond, being rebuilt today to revive the unique Hawaiian aquaculture system that was based on it. At day’s end, if a guest’s catch is big enough, it can be prepared for dinner back at the Resort for a truly sea-to-table experience.

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Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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Canoe | Oahu

Heading out for a day at sea has been ingrained in island life since Hawaiians first arrived in voyaging canoes using the stars to find their way.

This ancient art of voyaging comes to life at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina as guests climb from the sand and into the wa‘a (canoe) Ka‘aumoana, hand-built by experienced navigator Nakoa Prejean.

“Being in a traditionally styled Hawaiian sailing canoe is completely different from any type of adventure,” Prejean says. “It gives guests a cultural connection to some of the ancient ways prevalent in our culture for thousands of years.” As the Ka‘aumoana sails out of the lagoon along the west coast of Oahu, the the ocean’s pure intimacy and thrill unfold while Prejean’s team shares stories of voyaging and wahi pana (storied places).

The canoe then heads to private snorkelling spots so guests can dive in and explore pristine marine environments abundant with sea turtles and spinner dolphins. “Out there in the wa‘a,” Prejean says, “they feel connected with the ocean and make unforgettable memories.”

Your Journey Begins Here

Answer the call of the islands.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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