There are a few things in life that stand out as truly luxurious pleasures, pursued with gusto by those who appreciate the refined and the curated. Travel that feels seamless, destinations that shimmer with exclusivity and natural beauty in the mind’s eye, lodgings that make you feel like a king or queen tended to by an entire court. Indulging in these experiences brings so much richness to one’s life that it truly can never be overstated. Imagine this, if you will: a sun-drenched orchard replete with rolling hills just begging to be strolled across, followed by a deep, rich, welcoming glass of wine and maybe even a little bit of pampering. Doesn’t that sound heavenly? It certainly does to us.
With warm sun-warmed fruit, fresh from the tree, and body and soul rejuvenation on the horizon, we cordially invite you to be a part of the experience: a luxury trip around the world’s most delightful, meticulously tended estate orchards and spa spaces where self-care is less an activity and more a way of life.
The Voyage of a Lifetime
Rather than just “taking a trip” to some of the world’s best spas and vineyards, let’s make this into a voyage of a lifetime. Let us introduce you to the world’s agricultural luxury belt: magnificent estates that include accommodations fit for royalty and wellness experiences that are inseparable from the splendour of the visit. Indulge in a private jet charter flight westward through some of the most beautiful manicured landscapes in the world.
Why This Route Works
The itinerary follows an almost continuously westbound path:
- South Africa
- Southern Europe
- United Kingdom
- Eastern United States
- Japan
This minimizes the need for you to take a number of incredibly long-haul flights and still manages to keep the most individual flights within comfortable private-jet ranges. A larger jet will be able to complete this trip with very little repositioning required.
First Stop: Cape Winelands, South Africa
Let us begin with one of the most beautiful and well-known areas of the winelands in the world: South Africa’s Cape Winelands. The Delaire Graff Estate is the only place to stay, blending the country’s most refined vineyard destination with holistic spa experiences. Perched above the Helshoogte Pass, which lies between Stellenbosch and Franschoek (one of South Africa’s first settlements and the home of its first wines), this magnificent estate brings indigenous gardens, local and international art, sculpture collections, and award-winning wines and vineyards together in one space that overlooks the Banghoek Valley. What can you expect from this leg of the voyage?
- Sunrise strolls through vineyards and gardens
- Private wine tastings led by experts
- Wellness in an exquisite setting
- Art and sculpture tours
- Helicopter excursions along the Cape coast for spectacular views and a profound connection to the landscape
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany’s Castello di Casole reclines like a Grand Dame amongst gnarled olive groves and picturesque Tuscan hills. This thousand-year-old (flawlessly restored) vineyard has seen time come and go and remains one of Europe’s most atmospheric iconic countryside spa experiences. Here, you’ll get to steep in everything that is Italy’s glamour and grandeur and be able to enjoy
- Wine-inspired spa rituals to restore body and soul
- Olive grove walks that keep space for solitude
- Truffle hunting the traditional way
- Harvest participation (September to October)
- Private cellar tastings led by some of the best sommeliers in the region
Somerset, England
Splendid, pastoral Somerset holds the keys to England’s cider industry and what is perhaps the finest modern orchard estate on the planet. Here you can lose yourself in literally hundreds of acres of gardens and orchards, all encompassed by a contemporary wellness destination that invites you into a perfect blend of classic English country refinement, rustic refinement, and modern luxury amenities. Here you’ll experience both deep comfort and agricultural authenticity as you indulge in
- Guided orchard walks that take you back in time
- Cider tastings of drinks produced on the very land where you lay your head
- Garden tours that will leave you feeling serene
- Botanical spa treatments to relax and rejuvenate
- Seasonal harvesting experiences that allow you to connect to the land
Tennessee, USA
While Tennessee is known as a “down home” state, the level of thoughtful luxury and understated exclusivity that Blackberry Farm provides challenges that idea. Nestled safely in the foothills of the imposing Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm has come to represent the pinnacle of refined American farm luxury. Surrounded by bright, rich gardens or orchards ripe with promise, locally sourced culinary excellence, and a celebrated, well-loved wellness program, they intersect to create an unmissable, luxurious, and still magically down-to-earth experience.
- Farm-to-table culinary immersion morning, noon, and night
- Orchard and garden tours that connect you to the North American soil
- Fly fishing and horseback riding for those who wish to immerse themselves in nature
- Mountain-view spa treatments that transport you out of your daily life
- Seasonal harvest dinners, which highlight the bounty of the land
Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
The last leg of the voyage: a taste of Eastern culture that brings dimension and depth to round out the experience. Aman Kyoto in Japan brings precision to the table: horticulture that has flourished for hundreds of years, traditional forest bathing, and deeply restorative wellness that has been practiced in Japan in many forms for millennia. While this isn’t an estate orchard in the traditional Western sense, Aman Kyoto is ornamented by lush gardens and natural landscapes that elevate every moment you spend there.
- Forest bathing to infuse your day with a feeling of centered serenity
- Traditional Japanese wellness rituals
- Garden meditation for increased mindfulness
- Seasonal culinary experiences that prize freshness, health, and flavour
Bloom in Beauty
The orchard, vineyard, and wellness destinations are vastly different, but all are founded around one common thread: providing the guest with an experience like no other. These escapes will leave you rested, relaxed, and restored on every level…and likely ready to start the whole experience again.
