INCREDIBLE JOURNEYS

By Kristy Alpert

Four Seasons’ bespoke journeys take place over the course of two to four weeks, and whisk passengers around the world via a 48-passenger Airbus A321neoLR. (Photos courtesy Four Seasons Private Jet Experience.)

Since I was 13 years old, Machu Picchu has been my goal. My dad and I had often talked

about traveling to the mystical ancient Incan citadel as if it were a dream, and for decades, that’s exactly what it was to us both. It wasn’t until nearly 15 years later, as the distant whistle of an approaching train resounded off the tracks near the Cusco train station, that my father and I realized our dream journey was about to begin … and we would quickly learn that our “goal” was much more inclusive than merely arriving at our destination.

I had assumed seeing the city itself for the first time would be the moment my breath was taken away, but it was the sight of the impressively blue and gold Hiram Bingham train as it entered the station that first incited my speechless anticipation. The three-and-a-half-hour

ride to the town of Aguas Calientes took us through stunning landscapes marked with archeological sites and rushing rivers. Daring switchbacks and river crossings set the backdrop early on to an elegant lunch matched with Peruvian cocktails and live music, where floor-to-ceiling windows and the sounds of an Andean panpipe generated an atmosphere of wonder and exploration for the rest of the route.

Entering the citadel itself was an incredible experience, but, looking back, my father and I both agree that it was the entire journey that left the biggest mark. From taking off on a days-long adventure on a custom private jet, to embarking on an island-hopping adventure via a luxury yacht, these incredible means of transportation prove that getting there is all the fun.

AMAN JOURNEYS

The Aman Group long ago surpassed being a mere luxury retreat brand when it turned its attention to providing guests with authentic experiences and delivering a sense of belonging to anyone who checks in. The brand extended their ambitions to the land, sea, and air when it launched Aman Journeys, a series of multi-day and multi-destination itineraries that go deeper into each region and resort.

The new “Journey Through Java By Train” begins in Jakarta and takes passengers along on a luxury train ride to Amanjiwo onboard the Kereta Api Wisata. An onboard anthropologist is on hand for any questions, and a private chef prepares an exquisite breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea for passengers before arriving at the Amanjiwo for a three-night immersion. Another popular journey is the “Around the World in Three Continents,” which travels from Kyoto to Marrakech over 20 nights via private jet, seaplane, sailboat and hot air balloon to explore the destinations through Aman’s delightfully rose-colored lenses.

aman.com/journeys

THE ORIENT EXPRESS

The name “Orient Express” has become synonymous with a bygone era of luxury travel, conjuring images of steamer trunks and rosewood clad bar cars. The first Orient Express route departed Paris in 1883, bound for Istanbul, and in 2025 the route will return as passengers board 17 completely renovated and restored original Orient Express cars. The entire aesthetic was reimagined by architect Maxime d’Angeac (most known for his work with Maison Guerlain on the Champs-Elysées), where the already glamourous experience will take on an almost theatrical quality with mirrored ceilings, embroidered curtains, and, yes, a rosewood clad bar car. The suites will be spacious on this multi-night journey, where they can easily transform from day room to bedroom during what has become known as “the Great Transformation.” One modern touch remains one of the most impressive for culinary-minded passengers, as a glass wall is all that separates the chef’s gastronomic empire from the effortlessly chic dining car, so diners can witness the artistry as their meal takes form.

orient-express.com

RITZ-CARLTON LUXURY YACHT COLLECTION

Traditional cruising has historically fallen into either one of two sets: There are ships that highlighted offshore offerings and ships that focused on the onboard experience. Never, until Ritz-Carlton launched their Luxury Yacht Collection in 2022, has there ever been a voyage that excelled at both. The Ritz-Carlton yachting experience is seamless, where the brand’s high standards of service and comfort extend between destinations, as well as once in port. The ultra-luxury superyachts — which will soon comprise a fleet of three — traverse the seas of the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean, with select offerings in Central and South America. Life onboard is relaxed, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows and private terraces in every suite entice guests back to their spacious guest rooms, while exquisite common spaces and lounges create a refined atmosphere of leisure. Even dining options onboard take on an immersive quality, ranging from fresh catch of the day served poolside, to dinners curated by a Michelin-starred chef. Voyages range from five to 10 nights, giving plenty of options for onshore immersions through overnight calls, curated excursions, and even tours with local guides.

ritzcarlton.com/en/yachts

FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET EXPERIENCE

When Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opened their first property in 1961, they changed the travel experience by focusing only on the guest. They did it again in 2015 with the inaugural departure of their first private jet, forever altering the difference between “getting there” and “being there.” Now in their ninth season, these bespoke journeys take place over the course of two to four weeks, and whisk passengers around the world via a 48-passenger Airbus A321neoLR. The luxury jet becomes somewhat of a home base as travelers jet off on curated itineraries around the world. One of the most popular is the World of Adventures itinerary, which takes place over 24 days on four continents and includes bucket-list experiences like seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and cruising the Galapagos Islands on a private ship. Onboard the jet, the experience is equally as rare, where guests enjoy no less than 6.5 feet of personal space with lie-flat seats and custom-designed Mongolian cashmere blankets and goose down pillows. Along with a floating bar and wine cabinet, guests will have the attention of a dedicated staff that includes an onboard chef and highly skilled doctor. The experience is all-inclusive of meals, beverages, ground transportation, excursions, Four Seasons accommodations, private jet transportation, and carbon offsetting, where, along with incredible memories, guests return home with their own custom cabin tote bags and personal Bose headphones.

fourseasons.com/privatejet

COQUELICOT, A BELMOND BOAT

The inland waterways of the Champagne region opened in 1866 as a means of transporting goods and cargo, but today, they serve a more sophisticated purpose as guests leisurely navigate the canals aboard the brand new Coquelicot, a Belmond Boat. The river boat is the latest addition to Belmond’s fleet of seven Les Bateaux Belmond, which has been taking a select number of passengers through these lesser traversed waterways throughout France since 2004. The boat itself was designed by French architects and takes joie de vivre to a new level with three grand staterooms, an indoor salon, a well-stocked Champagne bar, and a partnership with Maison Ruinart that provides guests with even more exclusive experiences onboard and off. The voyage starts off with a toast in Épernay, and then continues on for six nights, slowly floating along picturesque villages and vineyards while the Champagne continues to flow onboard. Market visits with the onboard chef and private tours of the region’s most historic sites and Champagne houses mark the days, as evenings onboard are reserved for elegantly long dinners served in the boat’s outdoor dining room.

belmond.com