Author: Jennifer Sanchez

Sometimes the end of something can be the sweetest part – the last bite of a perfectly ripe peach, your favourite musician playing your favourite song as their closing encore, a last-minute getaway to soak in the final moments of the season. Each of these things is made all the sweeter precisely because it’s experienced at the very end.

If you want to linger just a little while longer in the sun-drenched joie de vivre that only summer can bring, consider booking a last-minute summer vacation. From New York to London to Paris to Tokyo, these popular urban escapes (plus a few off-the-beaten-path destinations) are filled with late-summer activities you won’t want to miss. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite insider recommendations and exclusive experiences you’ll only find at Four Seasons to inspire your end-of-summer plans. All you need to do is pick where you want to go, pack your bags and let Four Seasons take care of the rest.

Music and summer go hand in hand, and Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane is transforming concerts with their exclusive Gig-Tripping experience. Perfect for those attending performances at Wembley Stadium or any of London’s iconic music venues, this bespoke experience adds an extra dose of style and comfort to an already exciting evening. Upon arrival at the Hotel, you’ll be welcomed with a Glitter Groove cocktail to set the tone for your visit. A curated Insider’s Gig Guide will fill you in on all the best restaurants and hot spots, while an in-room karaoke set and Concert Comfort Kit (a tote bag filled with concert essentials) provide added touches of fun and luxury. If you’re booking a last-minute trip and are in need of tickets, Four Seasons has you covered. The Concierge team is equipped to help you find seats even to sold-out shows.

Looking for a more subdued way to spend a summer evening in London? Twilight Terrace – a summertime pop-up at Pavyllon London’s Bar Antoine – invites you to unwind with a glass of champagne or a cocktail expertly crafted by Head Mixologist Michele Lombardi, along with elevated bar bites and larger plates. For something crisp and fruity, order the Mayfair Royale, made with Bombay Sapphire gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, blueberry cordial, Amaro Santoni and Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut Rosé 2015. Inspired by Chef Yannick Alléno’s Parisian heritage, the ultra-chic terrace is perfect for lunchtime gatherings, evening drinks and al fresco soirées.

Even if you’re just staying in London for a weekend, a private cruise on the Thames River is the perfect ending to your trip. Available through both Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, this experience offers a fresh perspective on some of the city’s most iconic sites.

Paris is always one of the most popular urban destinations, and all eyes will be on the French capital this summer. Planning a trip once everything has settled into a laid-back summertime schedule can be a great way to experience the city. Parisian neighbourhoods are famously quiet come August as many locals head out on vacation. However, the city isn’t as sleepy as it used to be and the main attractions are still open. With the games wrapping up in mid-August, there’s just enough time to squeeze in a last-minute getaway.

Take advantage of the summer sun in this beautiful city with an outdoor movie, a favourite local pastime. The Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, can fill you in on screenings happening during your stay, as well as arrange for everything you need to make your evening memorable. Or ask the Concierge about the best place to grab a spot at one of the Paris Plages, temporary faux beaches that pop up along the Siene in the summer months. This year, the Paris Plages are changing a bit with a new location at the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement. Here you can swim, relax on the banks of the river and soak in those final summer moments.

Back at the Hotel, the Concierge can also book you a table at one of the three Michelin-starred restaurants found on-site. With three stars for Le Cinq, two stars for L’Orangerie and one star for Le George, the Hotel now holds six stars total, a new record in Europe and the Middle East region for the number of stars awarded within one hotel. Sample some of Chef Simone Zanoni’s sustainably sourced dishes at Le George, or opt to join him in the restaurant’s garden located just southwest of Versailles on the grounds of Domaine de Madame Elisabeth. Here you’ll hand-pick the freshest seasonal produce before indulging in an al fresco cooking class and a rustic yet chic lunch with the chef.

Enjoying warm, sunny days is a quintessential summer experience, but what about those equally delightful summer nights? In Tokyo, the fun doesn’t stop just because the sun goes down. Start with dinner at two-Michelin-starred SÉZANNE at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi before embarking on a curated night-time tour of the city with an expert guide to explore famous landmarks under the cover of darkness. Or catch an evening baseball game at the Tokyo Dome – the team at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi can arrange for everything from tickets to transportation.

August is also the height of summer festival season in Tokyo, offering plenty of opportunities to sample local street food, see live music and dancing, and take in some incredible firework displays.

If you’re looking to spend a day outside the city, Four Seasons can also arrange for a personalized trip to Hakone, tailored to your interests. Located about 90 minutes by train from Tokyo, Hakone is home to thermal hot springs, beautiful mountain scenery and one-of-a-kind museums. The town itself is part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, so you may get a glimpse of nearby Mount Fuji across Lake Ashinoko.

For many, the preferred mode of summer transportation is a bicycle. Plan a last-minute getaway to Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown and you’ll have the Hotel’s Biria Bikes at your disposal to explore the city at your own pace. Lower Manhattan has plenty of bike lanes and nearby places to explore, and the Hotel can stock your bike’s basket with a custom-made picnic and blanket to take with you on your ride. The Concierge can also curate a custom route for you, including jaunts into other neighbourhoods like the West Village for a stop at Bar Pisellino. Try their delicious Pistachio cocktail (a local favourite) and pair it with homemade cacio e pepe chips and tramezzini for the perfect aperitivo experience.

And since the end of one season means the beginning of another, no stay in New York is complete without a little shopping. Get your wardrobe ready for fall with the Hotel’s Fashion First Experience, created in partnership with the luxury online shopping platform Moda Operandi. “We’re delighted to bring the world of innovation and high fashion to our guests by partnering with Moda Operandi,” says General Manager Thomas Carreras. “Much like Four Seasons, Moda prides itself on curation and personalization.” Available exclusively for Hotel guests, the experience begins with a pre-arrival virtual styling session with Moda to set the tone. Once you arrive, a personal stylist will organize an in-person fitting of a thoughtfully curated wardrobe tailored to your preferences in one of the Hotel’s specialty suites. You’ll also receive a USD 1,000 credit to Moda Operandi so you can start planning your fall fits before the temperatures start to dip.

Located on the tip of Vouliagmeni peninsula just 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from the city centre, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is a summer haven that stretches out across 30 hectares (74 acres) along the Athenian coastline, including three private beaches. This idyllic address makes it the perfect jumping-off point for a favourite late-summer activity: island hopping. Climb aboard one of the Resort’s Technohull Rib Boat Omega 47 vessels for a private boat tour to the islands of Hydra and Spetses. Spend the day swimming in crystal-clear waters, exploring stunning Zogeria Bay and savouring classic Greek cuisine in a local seafood taverna.

Like the majority of Europe, Athens quiets down a bit come August, but that bodes well for last-minute visitors. With smaller crowds, a guided tour of the Acropolis or the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion feels even more exclusive. Let the team at Four Seasons create a personalized itinerary for your stay filled with visits to famous archaeological sites as well as laid-back days lounging in and around the sophisticated seaside Resort. If you can, plan your trip around the August full moon, when museums and historic sites stay open free of charge late into the night so visitors can see them lit beneath the brightest moon of the year.

Prefer to venture somewhere a little off the beaten path? Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas offers laid-back luxury on the secluded East Cape of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Here, the call to adventure is as thrilling as it is carefree. Hike along the hillsides, go off-roading through a rugged landscape, dive deep beneath the surface of the sea, see the night sky ablaze with stars, or simply relax on a pristine private beach. With so much to see and do, the team at Four Seasons can help tailor your stay and make sure you make the most of your late-summer getaway with a host of exclusive experiences.

On land, the Resort’s off-road waterfall tour is the perfect way to explore the wonders of the landscape and also enjoy a refreshing dip in the water. You’ll drive through canyons and dry riverbeds, stopping to explore the beautiful desert town of Santiago before continuing on to the 12-metre (40-foot) Sol de Mayo waterfall at Cañon de la Zorra. A short hike leads you up to a freshwater pool where you can swim next to the towering waterfall and sunbath on the giant boulders that line the pool.

And while there’s good snorkelling and scuba diving in the area year-round, summer and early fall are when visibility is at its best and water temperatures are nice and warm. For the ultimate experience, let Four Seasons arrange a snorkelling excursion to Cabo Pulmo, the UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site that Jacques Cousteau dubbed “the aquarium of the world.” Set off from the Resort’s private marina and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by schools of colourful porkfish, bigeye jacks, snapper and several types of rays. If there’s something specific you’d like to see, just let the team know and they’ll do their best to find it for you.

Set on 200 hectares (500 acres) of rolling countryside, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is the embodiment of a quintessential English estate. If you’re wanting to get away from the city for a long, late-summer holiday, Hampshire offers a relaxing alternative. At Four Seasons, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities such as archery, clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing, fly fishing and horseback-riding to fill your days, as well as a unique opportunity to get to know a Harris hawk as an on-site falconry expert fills you in on the fundamentals of falconry.

With so much natural beauty surrounding you, let the Hotel’s culinary team arrange for a custom gourmet picnic for you and your loved ones to enjoy on the grounds. Tuck yourselves away in the estate’s orchard or private gardens – wherever you lay your blanket, the scene is guaranteed to be picture-perfect.