Tag: travel tips

Raising a Foodie: 7 Tips on Travelling with Picky Eaters

Posted on by Nikki Ridgway

One of our first family holidays was to an island in the Caribbean — an easy hop from New York City with plenty of kid-friendly beach activities and local spots serving up fish-of-the-day and curried rôtis. Unfortunately, at the time we arrived, our toddler son was going through a culinary beige stage and rejecting any new flavour. So instead of risking mealtime tantrums and eye-rolls from our fellow (generally honeymooning) diners, we’d resigned ourselves to a drama-free menu of cereal, cheese sandwiches and cheese pasta.

It was on a boat trip out to the cays that we had a breakthrough. While my son and I splashed around in the sea, my husband and our captain dived for conch, which we took to a deserted beach to prepare in the afternoon sun. When we’d cleaned, prepped and chopped the catch into a citrusy ceviche, our captain handed a few pieces to my son, who ate them without ceremony.

“Was that nice?” I asked, trying to hide my utter joy. “Mmm,” he replied, then went back to building a sandcastle.

A gourmet feast it wasn’t, but I couldn’t help feeling proud and relieved that he’d at least tried something new.

Novelty is one thing you’re absolutely guaranteed to encounter on the road. I use it to lure my boy from his comfort zone on all our travels, along with a host of other tricks to encourage and foster adventurous eating. Read on for my seven best tips, from crafting culinary treasure hunts on city trips to perfecting the foodie sleight of hand wherever you are in the world.

Get a taste before you travel

Kids are creatures of habit, so take some of the surprise out of their vacation menu and introduce new dishes at a local restaurant before you travel. This is easy in cities like New York and London, where you can travel from Little Italy to Chinatown in a few blocks. But you can also set up a restaurant night at home and have the kids research ingredients, draw up a menu and help with some of the prep.

With younger children, get them excited about weird and wonderful food in general and pick up a copy of food critic Joshua Daniel Stein’s beautifully illustrated Can I Eat That?, which is stuffed full of foodie facts and addresses important questions like “Do eggs grow on eggplants?”

Visit local food markets

Photography courtesy Nibble+squeak

A visit to a local food market on Day One is a great way to familiarize your kids with the types of ingredients they’ll encounter over the course of the trip.

When visiting London, for example, combine a trip to the South Bank’s Tate Modern museum and kid-favourite London Eye Ferris wheel with a stop at Borough Market. Here, kids can note regional edibles like hand-collected scallops from Dorset, Cumbria’s prized Galloway beef and prize-winning Cheddar cheeses. As you order new dishes throughout the trip, make a fun game out of having them point out any special ingredients they recognize.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Guests at Four Seasons Hotel Santa Fe can join Executive Chef Kai Autenrieth on a tour of a local food market and get acquainted with all the staples of his fiery Southwestern cooking.

Embrace street food culture

Photography courtesy Shutterstock

Street eats are perfect family fare: fast, casual and available at all hours. In Istanbul, you can pick up a bagel-like simit from one of the carts on virtually every street corner to stave off hungry tantrums, while in Hanoi, children can enjoy the independence of ordering for themselves thanks to the simple picture menus used at most stalls.

The key is that the dining room can be the sidewalk, a scenic walking tour or a bench nearby, which means you won’t have to worry about disturbing diners at the next table. And since street food doesn’t call for proper table manners, you and your family can relax while eating, instead of continually ensuring that everyone is sitting quietly in their chairs.

Combine your street food with a picturesque view by finding a great local picnic spot, like the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, or Fort Point in San Francisco, California.

Try edible sightseeing

Kids quickly tire from back-to-back rounds of sightseeing, but combining the big attractions with a pre-plotted restaurant crawl around a new city is a perfect way to see the sights and keep everyone fed and happy.

In Hong Kong, Michael Lau and Jacky Cheung, managers at three-Michelin-star Lung King Heen restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, suggest a dining crawl that takes in many of the city’s iconic dishes: Milk tea at Lan Fong Yuen, wonton soup at Mak’s Noodle, dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, tofu custard at Kung Wo Dou Bun Chong and egg tart at Tai Cheong Bakery.

“The key to discovering Hong Kong street food [and thus the country’s culture] is to be a bit adventurous,” says Lau.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

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In Paris, score serious brownie points on a small-group chocolate walking tour of the city’s best chocolatiers and patisseries (tastings included), or keep it classic in New York City with a pizza crawl around Manhattan. Four Seasons Hotel New York Concierge Austin Herzing suggests long-time favourite Don Antonio by Starita, which is just four blocks from Times Square and therefore a prime pick for pre- or post-theatre dinners. Farther downtown, Herzing recommends Marta, a popular spot that puts you within snapping distance of the Flatiron Building and busy Madison Square Park, as well as Chef Mario Batali’s upscale pizza restaurant OTTO — perfect after exploring the boutiques and cafés of the nearby West Village.

Get the kids cooking

As parents of picky eaters will attest, playing chef is one sure-fire way to get kids out of their comfort food zone. “Having children involved in food preparation really helps make food less of the enemy,” explains Paulette Lambert, Director of Nutrition at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, which offers a variety of cookery classes for young ones. “Most kids want to fit in, so they are generally much more adventurous in class than at home.”

At Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi budding chefs don small aprons and chef’s hats and learn the basics of making breads, pastries and other delicacies at the Hotel’s market-inspired Crust restaurant. At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, the Kids For All Seasons programme gives young ones the chance to make anything from Thai pancakes to cookies.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

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Don’t skip the posh restaurants

Travelling with children who are picky eaters doesn’t mean giving up memorable dinners at upscale restaurants. In fact, parents should take advantage of kids’ early-bird mealtime and score a reservation before rush hour at a local hot spot. Add some theatre to the occasion by choosing a restaurant with an open-plan kitchen or chef’s counter, so kids can engage with the team and appreciate just what goes into preparing their meal.

At Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s fine-dining restaurant TRIO, children can order from a dedicated kids’ menu (from a PB&J to grilled white fish with vegetables and rice) and dine with custom dishes and silverware that were specially designed for little hands. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane offers two children’s menus at its upscale Italian restaurant, Amaranto – the Il Bambino menu for early eaters and one for older diners, with teen-favourite paninis, pasta, pizza and gelato.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Alternatively, seek out a family-focused dining club like Nibble + squeak, which hosts popular parent-and-tot meals at some of New York, London and Washington, DC’s best restaurants. The most recent lunch in NYC was a sold-out takeover of Chef Enrique Olvera’s white-hot Cosme restaurant, and there are upcoming events at the President Obama-approved Vermillon in DC, and London’s award-winning Modern Pantry.

Serve their favourites, with local spice

“Como se dice french fries?” Ideally, you don’t say it at all, but if your children won’t stray from their favourites, find the local equivalent. At Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, for example, Chef Patricia Ramos at Nuestra Secreto restaurant recommends tempting kids with the pacu croquettes, small fillets of fried fish that will seem very familiar to lovers of fish fingers.

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

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Playing translator can be key to getting kids on board with strange-sounding foods. You might get a “no” to trying chicken roti in the Caribbean, for example, but not if you suggest ordering the chicken wrap – its exact equivalent. Or pitch the “cheese sandwich” instead of an arepa in Colombia, or “pasta” over dumpling-like manti in Turkey.

And remember, wherever you are in the world, ice cream (gelato, kulfi, dondurma, mochi ice cream) is always a hit.

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15 Photographs That Capture the Best of Europe

Posted on by Caroline McCoy

JB Qorz has spent his career creating beautiful images, acting as a special-effects artist for international brands such as Saint Laurent and Renault, and stepping behind the camera lens for the likes of Coca-Cola and Sony. The French-born photographer and perennial traveller has also earned acclaim through his Instagram feed, where nearly half a million followers admire his dreamy, atmospheric images.

I do not want to capture one second, but rather timelessness. Back home, a photograph is all I have left, between fantasy and reality. – JB Qorz

He shoots without a filter and often in the early morning hours, capturing rays of sunlight breaking through a pine forest or a streak of pink sky illuminating city streets. His aesthetic transcends language; he rarely titles or captions his work in great detail, preferring that his images communicate the essence of the places he visits.

“For me, photography is sharing emotions or even ideas that words cannot express,” Qorz says. Despite his serious talent, Qorz doesn’t take himself too seriously. “Creation is about living the moment,” he says. “It is all about revealing [a feeling] rather than trying to intellectualize it.”

The artist recently returned from a 10-city tour of Europe, during which he captured quiet corners and iconic landmarks with the nuanced perspective that continues to draw fans. We asked him to share some of his favourite shots, from the banks of the Bosphorus to the narrow streets of Florence. Here, he reveals the best of Europe through his lens.

Starlight at sunrise in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France


The gardens at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

“If hundreds of people walk through [a place],” Qorz says, “what would they have in common?” With this image, the photographer attempted to capture both the fantasy and the reality of a stroll through the gardens.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

On a quiet peninsula between Nice and Monaco, the historic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, fronts the Mediterranean Sea. Qorz captured this image of the Hotel’s fragrant gardens just before daybreak. “I can see both the sun and the stars!” he remembers.

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Ancient meets modern in Istanbul


Ortaköy Mosque

At 160 years old, the Ortaköy Mosque is one of Istanbul’s newer landmarks. The ornate structure replaced the mosque that was destroyed during a civic uprising at the end of the Tulip Period in 1730.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

The 19th-century Ortaköy Mosque stands at the water’s edge very near Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. The photographer was compelled by the juxtaposition between the neo-Baroque architecture of the mosque and the modern bridge that stretches behind it. “Istanbul is a city of many contrasts,” he says. “Sports cars and carriages, ultramodern bridges and old streets and mosques . . . it is a rich blend.”

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

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Streetcar scenes in Lisbon


Streetcar in Lisbon

Lisbon’s early streetcars were crafted in Philadelphia by J.G. Brill Company. Its newer cars maintain the Brill aesthetic, which you can still see today.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Lisbon’s streetcars are iconic. For Qorz, capturing one in motion required a quick eye and some daredevil collaboration. “Here’s the tip,” he says. “Travel with your partner. Once you have found the right angle . . . [your partner] crosses the street and drops an item in the road to block traffic. Then you only have to take the picture and check that your partner is all right!” Our tip: Snap your streetcar photos from the safety of a sidewalk.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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Famed landmarks in London


London's Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster

“We cannot see the face of the character in the photo,” says Qorz. “I always try to make it possible for everyone to identify with the person featured in a picture.”

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Qorz’s many fans admire his ability to find a new perspective on oft-photographed destinations. “My goal is not to achieve a completely realistic photo,” he says, “but rather to . . . amplify travel through [a sense of timelessness].” The layered perspective of this image lures the viewer into the scene, which is, of course, London’s famous Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Perspectives in Paris


Eiffel Tower

Qorz says he dealt with the prestige of the landmark by approaching it as he would a nondescript landscape.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Though he was not born in Paris, Qorz spends much of his time there. Seeing the city with the fresh eyes of an artist “is a very interesting exercise,” he says. “Being confronted with a well-known place is like being confronted with oneself.” To capture this image of the Eiffel Tower, he pretended he was seeing it for the first time.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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A view of Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence


The narrow streets of Florence

The narrow streets of Florence beckon travellers with Old World charm. Qorz urges the guest to set out on foot and wander.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Just a sliver of the city’s most iconic landmark, peeking from beyond a quintessentially Italian street, “illustrates very well the moment I first saw Brunelleschi’s Duomo,” says Qorz.

I love the feeling of seeing things that have been seen by thousands of people before me; it is a kind of communion.

This view invites a long look at the city’s quieter, more charming side, and conveys the experience of stumbling upon something magical while exploring a new destination.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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Life on the Vltava in Prague


The Charles Bridge in Prague

The Charles Bridge, the oldest of the city’s bridges, was constructed in the 14th century, and was the only connection between Prague Castle and Old Town until 1841.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

As much as the photographer enjoys the improvisation of his craft, many of his shots require careful research and a lot of walking. To capture this image, he climbed above the city and waited for the boat in the foreground to come into view. The series of bridges that stretch across Prague’s Vltava River emphasize the city’s beauty and historic significance as a trading route between Eastern and Western Europe.

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Building a story in Budapest


The Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge, which extends from the entrance of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, connects the Buda and Pest sides of the city.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

During his visit to Budapest in early December, Qorz came upon a father and son feeding a pair of gulls by the Chain Bridge at the bank of the Danube River. “In the morning I . . . discover what I did not see at our arrival by night. I hurry because I know it will be possible to capture the birds and the bridge at the same time. The bridge alone would not be enough. I have to build a story.”

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

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Explore more of Europe through Qorz’ eyes

In Budapest, Qorz photographed the Hungarian Parliament Building from a perch across the Danube at the Buda Castle.

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During a sunrise stroll on the grounds of Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, Qorz captured a young man preparing the famous pool for the day. “The pool and the Mediterranean Sea mix up,” says the photographer. “A beautiful memory.”

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Of the pool at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Qorz says, “I have seen a lot of pools, [but] you cannot help but be impressed at the sight of this one.”

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Qorz snapped this perspective of Lisbon’s Bélem Tower during a photography tour, from the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle.

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An aerial view of Prague’s Old Town Square captures the city’s history and charm.

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“This couple in front of the Louvre embodies this popular imagery of Paris, the romantic city,” Qorz says.

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pool at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Where the Birds Are: 8 Places to Enjoy Avifauna

Posted on by Adam H. Graham

Some of the most colourful guests at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are positively fair-weather types: birds. From brilliant migratory songbirds to resident waterfowl, the fine-feathered friends that frequent the destinations below are among the world’s most stunning and sought-after avifauna for birdwatching.

Some of them frequent the properties’ grounds; others require an excursion to encounter. And although birders and naturalists know that sightings are never guaranteed, if you pay attention while visiting these locations, you may catch a glimpse of their bright, elusive plumage.

Hawaii: Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Drepanis coccinea)

With its coral-coloured bill and vivid feathers, the Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper fits perfectly within the bright, flowering gardens at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

Photography courtesy Randy Bartlet/500px Marketplace

Also known as the ʻiʻiwi, this blazing-red bird with the sickle-shaped bill is a favourite of birding visitors to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. One of the 44 Hawaiian endemics, the altitudinally migratory ʻiʻiwi resembles a hummingbird, with a similar appetite for nectar. It can be seen at higher altitudes, such as on Mauna Kea (about an hour and a half away from the Resort), and has occasionally been spotted at higher elevations on Hualalai itself, just 20 miles from the property. Although these honeycreepers were once plentiful on most Hawaiian islands, they’re currently endangered on Oahu and Molokai and have been extinct on Lanai since 1929.

Twitchers who want to birdwatch on the grounds of Four Seasons Hualalai can visit its Waiakauhi Pond, a convalescent habitat for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds, such as the slender and elegant Hawaiian Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with the Resort to develop the habitat and help preserve this endemic and endangered subspecies.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Dubai: Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Hoopoes frequently perch on the lawn of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, where guests can hear their hoot-like call.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock


Audio courtesy Sheldon R. Severinghaus/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The lawns of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and other Arabian Gulf hotels are becoming desert sanctuaries for many birds, thanks to water features, beautiful landscaping, and abundant native plants and trees. The Dubai property also plays host to Red-vented Bulbuls and the occasional Purple Sunbird, but the funky hoopoes, with their “Mohawk” look, are the staff favourite.

The bird’s unusual name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the elegant black-and-cinnamon bird’s double hoot-like call. Though subspecies exist, the hoopoe is the only extant member of its family in the world.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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Costa Rica: Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

A view of the Keel-billed Toucan’s striking, bright chest and rainbow bill in Costa Rica’s fruit trees or forests is the sighting of a lifetime.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy David L. Ross, Jr./The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Costa Rica is rich in bird biodiversity: The small tropical country is home to roughly 850 species, from Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds to dazzling quetzals. But let’s face it: Everyone wants to see a toucan. Six members of the toucan family Ramphastidae call Costa Rica home, including the Keel-billed. These yellow-chested, rainbow-billed beauties are occasionally visible in fruit trees and forests on the nearby lower slopes of Cordillera de Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, both about 90-minutes from Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Papagayo.

Papagayo is not without its own brilliant avifauna. The peninsula is named for the numerous colourful parrots that inhabit its lush canopies. Visitors who attend the 930-hectare (2,300-acre) Resort’s morning and afternoon nature walks can learn about the 25 species of endangered trees found on the peninsula and the birds who visit them, including Crested Caracaras, Great Kiskadees, Tropical Kingbirds, Inca Doves and Yellow-naped Parrots – each of the parrots a bright green marked with a vivid yellow line along its forehead and the nape of its neck.

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

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Thailand: Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, is a rare but beautiful highlight at Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy Roger D. and Megan J. McNeill/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Many brightly coloured passerines flit through the moist bamboo thickets and steamy riverine forests of the Golden Triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand converge. But few are as elegant and photogenic as the elusive Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Sightings of the birds from Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle are rare, but not impossible. They’re more likely at Chiang Saen Lake, about 45 minutes from the camp, or on trees at nearby fruit gardens where you can watch them quietly nibbling on figs and buah cherries. They may be one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, but their deep ruby red, sparkling white and navy blue markings are unmistakable.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

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Australia: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one of the most familiar and beloved birds in Australia, and it’s not unusual to see this bird’s snow-white feathers and brightly coloured crest in parks and green areas across Sydney.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

When you first sight one of these flamboyantly feathered birds, you might think you’ve spotted an escaped pet. But these large, cacophonous, snow-white cockatoos with the butter-coloured crest live wild in Sydney and appear in spots throughout the country, including the Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park, both within walking distance from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. It’s a vivid reminder that you’ve crossed the Wallace Line, a faunal boundary marking two distinctly different ecozones.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are known for their curiosity, screechy calls and longevity. One legendary Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, christened Cocky Bennett, lived for over 100 years.

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

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Geneva: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Audio courtesy Dolly Minis/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

It’s not a long wait before a wild white swan glides along the shoreline of Lake Geneva. Just steps outside Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, these grand birds with black masks and orange beaks can be seen along the lake, and on the tiny island of l’Ile Rousseau in front of the Resort, often with their S-curve necks in perfect formation like ballerinas.

From the 13th to the 19th century, western European swan populations were nearly exterminated by hunting. Protective measures to save the lake’s waterfowl took effect in the late 1800s, allowing the swans to reclaim their former range. In the 1960s, numbers declined again, but fortunately they are increasing today.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

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Florida: Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® can take a break from the bustling city to spot Florida’s only endemic bird, the deep blue Florida Scrub Jay.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

This jay is Florida’s only endemic bird, and one of only 15 endemic bird species in the continental United States. Because Florida’s scrub oak habitat has rapidly dwindled in the past few decades, and therefore the number of birds has, the jay has been designated a threatened species.

It’s possible to see this bold and feisty bird at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Tranquilo Golf Club, both of which are home to dozens of replanted live oak trees, the preferred habitat of the Scrub Jay – not to mention shrubs, ground cover, bushes and palms that it and other birds can use for food and shelter. For birders who want a more guaranteed sighting, the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is a mere 30 miles (48 kilometres) away.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

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Serengeti: African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)

Audio courtesy Linda R. Macaulay/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The chance to sight the Big Five beasts may draw travellers from far and wide, but Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is also a fine spot for observing African birds. Right on the grounds, it’s possible to come face to face with mischievous African Grey Hornbills, which are sometimes spotted amid the fig trees along the Lodge’s boardwalks.

With its heavy-looking, downward-curving bill, the bird has an oddly primitive appearance, but it moves with the agility of a lion, both in the air and on the ground.

“While flying, they dip in mid-flight, which is quite distinctive, and as the most pronounced of all the hornbills in this region, their piercing, whistle-like call is also quite distinctive,” says the Lodge’s Discovery Centre Manager, Oli Drieke.

Guests who wish to see more of these creatures should cover more of their habitat by embarking on the game drives and walking safaris offered at the Lodge.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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Four Seasons Hotel Bergues Geneva, Switzerland

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Santa Barbara in Style

Posted on by Lenise Willis

Jenny Cipoletti’s work often takes her around the world, from attending a charity polo match in the Hamptons to previewing the latest collections in Paris. So when she finds a free weekend to get away with her husband, Fred, and their beloved French bulldog, Margo, a worry-free escape where the three can relax and reconnect is ideal.

“To us, the true definition of a vacation is relaxing and not having to worry about a thing,” says Cipoletti.

Recently, the trio spent three days tucked away at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, exploring the tranquil charm of the city. And when perusing the Cipo- lettis’ vivid vacation photos, it’s clear the destination provided a chic sanctuary.

“Four Seasons Santa Barbara makes it near impossible to lift a finger – the epitome of relaxation. The Resort is all-encompassing, from food and dining to experiences and activities. Everything is waiting for you on the property.”

Created in partnership with Tory Burch

“Fashion is the ultimate accomplice to travel,” says Cipoletti. “It’s an opportunity to channel the most stylish literary characters and silver-screen starlets, like Sophia Lauren in the Italian Riviera.”

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“To complement The Biltmore’s lush scenery and California-cool vibe, I wanted to channel my inner free-spirited bohemian.”

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Located on the beautiful California coast, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara offered Cipoletti tucked-away tranquillity in its private bungalows.

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Cipoletti carefully plans her outfits according to her surroundings, to make her vacation snapshots more vivid. Before heading to Santa Barbara, she did some shopping at Tory Burch. “It’s as if the pre-fall collection was made for this trip.”

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“I knew I’d be packing refreshingly bold colours, fun prints and patterns, summer sandals – of course with a few bathing suits as well.”

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“The most romantic part of this resort is the bungalows – your private little oasis tucked away in a tropical paradise.”

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“We loved waking up each morning and opening up the French doors to our private patio, where we could enjoy breakfast before heading out in the morning. We loved the privacy element of it. It’s as if you are staying in your own home with no one else around you.”

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Parts of the historical, original Resort, like this building which houses the Honeymoon Suite, still stand on the grounds. “When arriving at any destination, we love taking the time to explore the property and its charming corners.”

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“Walking the grounds, it’s near impossible to ignore the calming smell of jasmine exuding from the gardens. Four Seasons Santa Barbara sets the bar high for ‘California Riviera decadence.’”

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The exclusive, members-only Cabana Club overlooks Butterfly Beach and features a rooftop tanning deck. “As if you stepped into a time machine back into 1950, it is one of the most wonderful historic, hidden gems of Santa Barbara.”

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“The most breathtaking detail on this property is its Moreton Bay fig tree [the second-largest in the city]. It’s absolutely remarkable, and speaks to the property’s rich culture.” The largest Moreton Bay fig, in downtown Santa Barbara, dates back to the 1800s.

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The Resort, situated near the entrance to beautiful Butterfly Beach, has convenient beach access.

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The Resort is home to one synthetic grass tennis court and two hard-surface courts dressed in an azure shade that perfectly complements this athletic look.

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“Margo’s favourite toy is her tennis ball. We took her with us for a casual singles match [at the Resort’s tennis court], but little did we know she would turn into our ‘ball boy’! Seeing her sprint back and forth on the court was the funniest thing.”

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While dipping her toes in the cool water of the Resort pool, Cipoletti enjoyed some light reading.

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Resort guests have access to the exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. “I couldn’t believe my eyes, everything from the perfectly pink-umbrella–lined, Olympic-size pool to a rooftop tanning deck, and all overlooking Butterfly Beach.”

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In addition to the exclusive Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, Four Seasons Santa Barbara boasts a Resort pool, which is situated among lush gardens and features underwater music.

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Surrounded by Kentia palms and Australian tree ferns, the Resort Jungle Pool offers a welcome respite from the city bustle.

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Adjacent to The Spa is the shaded Resort Jungle Pool, which offers a cool and relaxing retreat, complete with refreshing beverages and chilled towels.

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The Spa has 11 personalized treatment rooms, most with views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands.

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“Before starting the massage, my therapist presented me with an à la carte menu, with services that can be added onto the massage. With all the travelling we do, I’ve never seen this offered, and really appreciate the personalization element. I opted for the scalp mask, which includes a Moroccan Oil leave-in mask and scalp massage.”

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“We have a weakness for Italian food. We heard the charcuterie boards [at Bella Vista Restaurant] were a must-try – paired with cheese and wine. We were in heaven! After watching the sun set, we had to order some of their fresh house-made pasta. The Tagliatelle Alla Vongole transported me to Italy!”

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