The Lanesborough Gets In The Holiday Spirit
Photo Courtesy of Oetker Hotel Management Company
We all have them — those friends, partners and family members who seem to own it all. And then there are the ones who are trying to downsize, constantly shedding objects they no longer want or need.
This holiday season, gift these hard-to-shop-for loved ones with an unforgettable travel experience like one of the seven below. Who knows? A few of these might just make it onto your own Christmas list, too.
Shop Like a VIP in London
What better excuse is there for a holiday getaway than Christmas shopping? Stay at London’s The Lanesborough, a luxurious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property, between November 24 and January 9 to enjoy a number of lavish complimentary extras. Perks include a 20 percent discount at Harvey Nichols, chauffeur-driven transports, a personal stylist, breakfast at heralded Céleste restaurant, 24-hour butler service and more.
L’Auberge de Sedona’s Colorful Cruiser, Photo Courtesy of L’Auberge de Sedona
Explore Arizona’s Red Rocks in a Pink Jeep
Nestled in Sedona’s captivating Red Rock region is L’Auberge de Sedona, a naturally refined resort with outdoor cedar showers, private soaking tubs and lauded cuisine served on the banks of Oak Creek.
The hotel’s two-night Pink Jeep promotion comes with daily breakfast before a driver takes you on a four-wheel drive tour through Arizona’s canyons, mesas and famous red rock formations.
Go Truffle Hunting in Italy
When you book the Truffle Hunting Experience at Milan’s recently renovated Hotel Principe di Savoia, you will escape the city for a day of foraging in the medieval Italian village of Roddi before enjoying a three-course lunch in the town of Alba.
Afterward, visit the Alba Truffle Fair to shop for truffle-laced ingredients to bring home. Head back to the hotel, holiday munchies in tow, for an afternoon of relaxation thanks to the complimentary usage of the heated pool in the rooftop fitness center.
The White Barn Inn, Photo Courtesy of The White Barn Inn
Take a New England Road Trip
Flee the urban sprawl of New York City or Boston with this romantic New England jaunt spanning three states. The States of Grace package gives you a 10 percent discount, a $100 spa credit and the ability to upgrade with a stay of a minimum of two nights at three different world-class properties in consecutive fashion.
Begin at Western Connecticut’s Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Mayflower Grace, a spa hotel surrounded by gardens.
Two-and-a-half hours east in Newport, Rhode Island, enjoy a cooking class or glass-blowing lesson at historic The Vanderbilt Grace, nestled near the waterfront.
Finally, go north to The White Barn Inn, a Four-Star treat that offers high-end accommodations, award-winning cuisine and access to the marina and shopping in the coastal town of Kennebunkport, Maine.
The package also includes dinner for two and a bottle of wine at the hotel restaurant of your choice.
Discover a Bavarian Castle
Mandarin Oriental, Munich offers a deal fit for royalty this holiday season. The Fairytale Castle Excursion will take you on a whimsical trip to famous Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace located in southwest Bavaria.
Before hopping in the private limousine for the leisurely drive up to the fabulous fortress, have breakfast in bed or in the hotel’s restaurant. And in the event you forgot someone on your Christmas list, you’ll also receive a 10 percent discount in the castle gift shop.
Château Élan, Photo Courtesy of Château Élan
Become a Winemaker Near Atlanta
Seeking a gift for the oenophile with an unbeatable wine collection? Look no further than Château Élan, a festively decorated property only 45 minutes outside of Atlanta that has created the Winemaker Wannabe experience for the true vino lover, beginning with a guided tour of the vat room with a lesson on winemaking.
Next, partake in a guided wine tasting with cheese pairings that highlight each varietal.
You and your guest will then have the opportunity to blend your own wine and design a label for the customized bottle, which will be delivered to your room before your departure.
Mingle with Famous Cartoon Characters in Macau
Book a holiday vacation to Macau’s Four-Star Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central before the year’s end to treat the whole family to the DreamWorks Spectacular Macao package.
Kids will love having breakfast with their favorite characters from the studio’s hits, like Kung-Fu Panda and Shrek — of course, they’ll also get a plush toy to preserve the memory — while you will revel in the promotion’s other perks, including a shopping and dining voucher, and two nights in one of the sleek, spacious suites overlooking the city.
