How to Make the Most of 72 Hours
in Iconic Cities

Whether you’re looking for some respite from the everyday hustle or are heading off for a special weekend away, figuring out how to maximize a quick stay in any city requires both planning and a healthy dose of spontaneity. Though every destination and traveller are different, Four Seasons Concierges are masters at helping you fill your itinerary with as many (or as few) experiences as you’d like.

Travelling for an event? Why not stay an extra day and explore the city or take the opportunity to tend to your self-care needs with some rest and relaxation. In advance of your trip, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the hotel team to learn about what’s available on-property during your stay. It’s also a good time to fill the Concierge in on your interests so they can arrange for after-hours tours, tickets to the latest theater show or concert, and even book you those hard-to-get restaurant reservations.

Sometimes, the quickest trips can be the most fun, especially with Four Seasons in your corner. Read on for some ideas on how to make the most of a 72-hour stay.

Explore the city like a local

One of the best ways to discover the most interesting things a city has to offer is by talking to locals. Luckily, the Concierge teams at Four Seasons are comprised of local insiders whose passion it is to uncover the best of their city and share it with their guests. Tip: Choose one specific thing to do each day and leave the rest of your schedule open – you never know what opportunity might present itself.

Dinner and drinks in New York

A master of reinvention, New York is always a good idea for a weekend getaway. Base yourself at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, where the sprawling and serene suites offer gorgeous views of Tribeca and downtown Manhattan. When you’re ready to venture out, apertivo bars, art galleries, jazz clubs and some of the hottest restaurants in the city are at your feet. Drop in at Bar Pisellino for the delicious Pistachio cocktail made with gin, cardamom, pistachio and lime, followed by dinner at Dante, a New York institution for Italian food and drinks since 1915, or Ito, a modern 16-seat omakase restaurant close to the Hotel. Tomorrow, borrow bikes and explore nearby neighborhoods, including SoHo, Chinatown and Dumbo across the East River. Or have the Concierge arrange a private sailing through New York Harbour, past Lady Liberty, and see the city that never sleeps from the water.

Spend the weekend in New York

An artful weekend in Madrid

Lovers of art, shopping and soccer can easily fill a three-day stay in Madrid. The stunning Four Seasons Hotel Madrid – situated between the Puerta del Sol public square and Barrio del las Letras neighbourhood – puts you in the center of it all. The three-year-old property boasts a 1,500-piece art collection with paintings, sculptures and photographs by emerging Spanish artists such as Eduardo Pérez-Cabrero, Jose Cháfer and Sandra Val. For some retail therapy, the Hotel offers direct access to Galería Canalejas, a high-end shopping haven (think Valentino, Aquazzara and Jimmy Choo) worth stepping into just to see the Art Deco architecture alone. The Hotel and shopping complex sit within a collection of seven historic buildings dating back to 1887. Choose a new outfit before heading out for your own private flamenco lesson, arranged by the Concierge. Several must-visit cultural institutions sit within walking distance, too, including the Real Academia del Bellas Artes de San Fernando (located just across the street and home to a room dedicated to Goya paintings) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional, along with the Prado Museum and Reina Sofia galleries. If soccer is more your thing, have the Concierge reserve you tickets or a private box to watch a Real Madrid game.

Explore the art of Madrid

Effortlessly iconic in Paris

A room with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Oui. But that’s just the start at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. Fitness buffs will enjoy the complimentary early morning jogging tour of Paris’ sights with a running guide leading the way. The five-mile route takes in the Eiffel Tower, Seine riverbank, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Tuileries Gardens before returning to the Hotel. After the morning workout, you’ll be more than ready to take a private lunchtime culinary masterclass led by Chef Christian Le Squer at the property’s three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq restaurant. For something really special, the Concierge team can arrange a daytrip to Maison Belle Époque, the former house of the founders of Perrier-Jouët in Épernay, Champagne – just two hours from Paris. This country manor houses the largest private collection of French art nouveau in Europe, including etched glassware and works by Rodin and Toulouse Lautrec. Tour the home, enjoy lunch in the gardens and finish with a visit to a Champagne vineyard. Have some extra time? Ask the Concierge about a one-night stay at the Maison.

Plan a romantic trip to Paris

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Indulge in on-property amenities

If your idea of a weekend well spent involves putting in as little effort as possible, we don’t blame you. In fact, we highly recommend taking at least one day – if not three – to fully embrace the joy of doing nothing. At Four Seasons, though, doing nothing can still be glamorous, given the depth of on-property amenities you’ll find at your disposal.

Make time for self-care in Dubai

From spa treatments and fitness classes to lounging in a private beach cabana, wellness takes many forms at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. Head to The Pearl Spa for a rejuvenating day and let the experts help you organize a personal spa journey including massages, facials and signature experiences such as sound healing and workshops combining meditation and art. The Meditation in Colour experience begins with a guided meditation in the Hotel’s lush gardens followed by a painting session through local partner We Love Art. While Dubai is known for its dazzling luxury and modern skyscrapers, the Resort’s private stretch of beachfront along the Arabian Gulf offers a different side of the city. Spend the day relaxing on the gold-sand beach or cooling off with a dip in the freeform outdoor pool. Just the two of you? Have the Concierge arrange for a private meal on the moonlit beach, retreat to the comfort of your room or suite and wake up the next morning to a delicious breakfast in bed.

Relax in style in Dubai

Epicurean delights in Tokyo

Much of Tokyo’s appeal is its frenetic energy and fast pace, but when you walk through the doors of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, it’s a welcome sanctuary amid the urban delights. Located in the central Chiyoda district, the 190-room Hotel overlooks the Imperial Palace and offers idyllic views of Mount Fuji. The culinary highlights on property alone are enough to fill a long weekend, including the Michelin-starred est, which deftly highlights Japan’s bounty with French cooking techniques. The Hotel’s 39th floor rooftop bar VIRTÙ, helmed by renowned bartender Keith Motsi, is also not to be missed. Motsi recommends trying the Yuzu Nagi, made with Japanese gin, cognac, yuzu juice, yuzu liqueur, yuzu bitters and sugar or the Takara, made with Japanese whisky, vermouth rouge, Chartreuse Jaune, Denki Bran and orange bitters. For a drink of a different kind, have the Concierge arrange a private visit to tea master Shinya Sakurai’s tea shop, Sakurai Tea Experience, for a modern take on the traditional tea ceremony service.

Sip your way through Tokyo

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How will you spend your 72 hours?

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Wellness Is on the Menu

At its core, wellness has much to do with what we feed ourselves. That includes the things we watch, read, think about, surround ourselves with and, of course, what we eat. All of these play a role in our general well-being, but perhaps nothing as impactful as what’s on our plate.

When you’re travelling, eating a balanced meal can become an afterthought. Sticking to your health goals or making sure you have access to options that fit your needs (and wants) can be harder to do when you’re on the go or far from home. Add to that the fact that many vacation memories are formed during meals shared with family and friends, and it can be a challenge to find the right choices for everyone. But food shouldn’t be stressful – especially not when you’re on vacation.

Four Seasons knows how important it is to feel good about what you eat. From menus filled with vegan options to on-property farms and gardens to health-conscious cooking classes, you’ll find many ways to eat well with Four Seasons. Here are just a few examples:

Plant-based menu options for vegans and non-vegans alike

“I believe the key to a long, healthy, joyful life begins with what you eat,” says plant-based chef and healthy-living educator Leslie Durso. “I create healthy dishes using recognizable foods in unexpected ways to support that.” It’s this philosophy that has led Durso to make Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita one of the most vegan-friendly resorts in the world.

For many vegans and vegetarians, travelling comes with the extra step of making sure there will be something in their destination that they can eat and enjoy. Since coming on as the culinary team’s resident vegan chef, Durso has created more than 250 unique, seasonal dishes at the Resort. The idea was to have plant-based options available across all 10 of the Resort’s restaurants and bars. It was also to make sure that the plant-based dishes feel right at home on the menu and can appeal to anyone – like coconut ceviche at Dos Catrinas and plant-based, Asian-style bowls at Tamai Pool Bar. Many of Durso’s dishes are also allergen-friendly, making each menu even more accessible to people with various health and dietary requirements.

At Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, the sentiment is similar. “Eating healthy does not have to result in a compromise on pleasure,” says Vincent Chasseignaux, director of food and beverage. Folia, the Resort’s fully plant-based restaurant, offers guests the chance to try dishes such as watermelon poke or a wild mushroom pizza, filled with vibrant and sometimes unexpected flavours from celebrated chef Matthew Kenney. “Matthew Kenney is one of the world’s most successful chefs at making healthy, green cuisine that anyone can appreciate,” Chasseignaux says. The setting at Folia is just as green, with tables surrounded by blooms and lush leaves that perfectly complement Kenney’s plant-based creations.

The fresher the better

One of the easiest ways to eat more nutritiously is to consume whole foods. Minimal processing – if any – is best, and the closer to the source you are the better. This focus on natural, fresh ingredients is also something chefs of all disciplines can agree on. In fact, a number of Four Seasons chefs take the idea of farm-to-table quite literally.

At Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, the kitchens are filled with ingredients sourced directly from the on-site permaculture vegetable garden, keeping menu options local, seasonal and incredibly fresh. The seafood served here is also sourced from local fishermen who supply the team with wild turbot and other fresh-caught delights found right off the Mediterranean coast.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Resort Hoi An (The Nam Hai) both have their own on-site herb and vegetable gardens that help provide produce and garnishes for their restaurants. This not only makes sure fresh ingredients are being utilized, it also allows each property to cultivate its own varieties, allowing guests to sample dishes created with ingredients grown the way they have been for centuries. These gardens also provide an immersive way for guests to experience local cuisine. Both resorts are home to cooking schools – Rim Thai Kitchen and the Nam Hai Cooking Academy, respectively – with classes that invite you to join a chef in their own garden to examine indigenous ingredients and embark on a hands-on, multisensory culinary adventure you won’t soon forget.

Bringing it all back home

Having healthy dining options curated for you can be incredibly valuable. But learning how to cook these dishes for yourself can help nourish your body and your mind. The Center for Health & Wellbeing at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village takes a holistic approach to wellness through immersive, person-centered retreats. These often include personal consultations with nutritionists as well as cooking classes hosted in the Center’s dedicated Wellness Kitchen. The variety of interactive cooking classes are helpful regardless of how well you know your way around a kitchen, showing cooks of all skill levels how to put a spin on daily cooking with health-conscious techniques. Taking it one step further, you can also opt for a grocery store tour with a Registered Dietitian who will walk you through a local grocery store giving you tips on how to find and choose healthier products that are right for you.

Over at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, cooking classes are all the more intriguing thanks to the sublime riverside setting of the Resort’s Sokasi Cooking School. Here you can take a deep dive into Bali’s rich local culture while tapping into your inner chef. The plant-based cooking class highlighting healthy and light cuisine inspired by Ubud is bound to inspire at-home dinners for years to come.

Four Seasons has long made it their mission to give guests the best and highest-quality experience possible, no matter where they’re staying. That dedication to every guest’s well-being extends to each thoughtfully curated menu. Because if living well is the ultimate luxury, travelling well should be, too. Bon appetit!

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Eat balanced no matter where you are.

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3 Luxury Real Estate Hot Spots to Keep on Your Radar

The way people think about their living spaces has changed tremendously over the last few years. The rise of remote work has enabled us to live our lives untethered from the office (at least physically), which has stirred up an idea that most people dream about only when on vacation: What if we lived here?

Because of this newfound flexibility, some of the most alluring vacation destinations have quickly become something else entirely – booming real estate markets. And luxury buyers are taking note. Coastal areas like Cabo San Lucas and Fort Lauderdale are high on everyone’s list, especially for retirees, but modern and amenity-rich cities such as Nashville and Dubai are also making plenty of waves during the Great Relocation.

Thinking of making the shift to full-time vacation mode? (Or at least living in a place that feels like it?) Here are three real estate hot spots to keep your eye on for when you’re ready to live the dream.

A relaxation haven in Los Cabos

With its unique and rugged coastal landscape and rich marine life, Mexico’s Baja peninsula is one of the country’s most visited vacation destinations. So, it makes sense that it’s also home to one of its hottest markets, particularly for buyers from the U.S. and Canada who are just a quick flight away. In Cabo San Lucas, the ocean is your inspiration and your playground. This booming resort town offers plenty to see and do on both land and sea, the ideal place for those looking for a dynamic yet easy-going atmosphere where you can really unwind.

Homeowners can embrace a quintessential Cabo lifestyle at Four Seasons Private Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol, where you can play golf barefoot on your terms, explore the Golden Corridor or spend your lunch break at the private Cove Club. Take your calls on your residence’s private pool deck or in your open-concept living room framed by ocean views; then head out to paddleboard, snorkel, or relax on the white-sand beaches once the work is done.

For even more seclusion, a place on the East Cape may be just what you need. With fewer tourists and more swimmable beaches thanks to its perch on the Sea of Cortez, this once off-the-grid location has become one of the area’s most up-and-coming communities. At the centre of this new development is Four Seasons Private Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. Homes here are beachfront, marina-side or ocean view, with access to two miles of swimmable beach – a rare find in Cabo – as well as plenty of water sports and a front-row seat to what Jacques Cousteau dubbed the “aquarium of the world.” There’s “something for everyone or every family at Costa Palmas,” says Ricardo Medina, Senior Director of Marketing at Irongate, the real estate firm that owns Costa Palmas.

The (Southern) comforts of home

Florida has long welcomed international travelers and snowbirds from the north for temporary winter stays, but the pandemic has made the state an even more appealing work-from-home option for the long term.

If you’re curious about the Sunshine State, vibrant Miami is always an option worth considering. Resting along the Atlantic Ocean in nearby Surfside, The Surf Club residences provide privacy on the water along with panoramic ocean views from every home, ranging from one to six bedrooms in size. Owners here also have access to private beach cabanas and all the amenities at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, including three pools, lush gardens, the Spa and The Surf Club Restaurant helmed by renowned chef Thomas Keller. If Old Hollywood glamour is your style, this historic property could be just what you’re looking for.

A little farther up the coast, you can live the yacht life on shore at Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, with the same turquoise Atlantic Ocean view. Everything Fort Lauderdale has to offer is at your doorstep. The Intracoastal Waterway is to the west, the Atlantic to the east, Taylor Birch State Park to the north, and Las Olas Boulevard, with all of its shops and restaurants and entertainment, is just a quick drive south. If the sea constantly calls your name, the “Yachting Capital of the World” may be the perfect place to dock your boat.

Moving inland may mean sacrificing ocean views, but gaining exclusive access to lakes, rivers and vibrant city life is often well worth it. In Austin, Texas, you can easily enjoy the perks of a big city along with the open spaces and laid-back charm of country living. A residential paradise awaits on Lake Austin, with a marina and clubhouse, 145 acres of pristine nature and 3,070 feet of private waterfront. Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin is only 20 minutes away from downtown, letting you mix city life and country living with unbelievable ease. At the end of the workday, there are few greater luxuries than a massage, a dip in the thermal pools or taking the glass-walled funicular down the hill to your own private lakeside playground.

Another Southern U.S. city you may want to keep on your radar is Nashville, Tennessee. Dubbed a “supernova city” because of its astounding growth, Nashville’s cosmopolitan vibes include amazing music venues, cutting-edge restaurants, and world-class artisans, all in a very walkable city. With more and more millennial homebuyers looking to live in places where everything they want and need is within easy reach, living in a place like Nashville makes a lot of sense. Here you can wake up overlooking the skyline and go out for an authentic hot-chicken dinner at the end of the day. “[Our residents] love that they have Nashville at their doorstep and Four Seasons at their service,” says Marie-Laure Frere, Director of Sales for Four Seasons Private Residences Nashville, home to one of the most sought-after new addresses in the city, located in the upmarket SoBro neighbourhood.

A luxe lifestyle along the Arabian Gulf

Gleaming metropolises along the sea are trademarks of the Middle East’s Arabian Gulf. Business is certainly booming here, but places like Dubai and the up-and-coming island country of Bahrain are also catching the attention of cosmopolitan travelers all over the world, and for more than just a quick visit.

“Since the launch of our standalone residential offerings in 2019, we have been looking for strategic opportunities to expand the Four Seasons luxury lifestyle experience in markets where homeowners want and demand the very best in serviced living,” says Bart Carnahan, President of Global Business Development and Portfolio Management at Four Seasons. “We have achieved this and beyond with Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah.”

The demand is clear: “All 28 units have already sold, marking a first in the over 35-year history of Four Seasons residential offerings – the first time a project has sold out without going to public sales,” continues Carnahan. “As homeowners look for luxury residential experiences of the greatest quality, Four Seasons continues to be the address of choice for discerning buyers worldwide.”

The Four Seasons Middle East portfolio will soon expand even further with some additional highly anticipated real estate offerings. Slated to open in 2023, the waterfront Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay will feature an exclusive collection of 112 bespoke homes, with architecture by Gensler and interior design by celebrated London-based design firm Rive Gauche. In Doha, Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar is currently underway, with residences set on a private beach surrounded by landscaped gardens and pools, offering city and sea views. And over in Muscat, a relaxing mountain and seaside setting will await homeowners at the upcoming Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Muscat, Oman, located in the heart of an ancient city with a thriving culture.

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When you live with Four Seasons, it’s worry-free home ownership at its most intuitive. Each property has a dedicated residence team to tend to housekeeping, maintenance, concierge services, culinary requests, security and anything else you could possibly need. Your home – be it a second home or primary address – should be your sanctuary, wherever you decide to live. With vibrant metropolises, turquoise seas, private pools, luscious landscapes, culinary delights, and the epitome of service at their fingertips, homeowners can love where they live any time of year with Four Seasons Private Residences.

See what it’s like to live with Four Seasons

The Flavours of Ramadan

Community, charity, delicious food: These are some of the things that come to mind for Muslims who celebrate Ramadan. Approximately 2 billion people practice Islam worldwide and participate in the 30-day celebration of Muhammad’s reception of the initial revelations of the Quran.

The Holy Month is marked with prayer and self-reflection – as well as fasting daily from dawn to sunset.

Every day, those who observe the holiday enjoy a suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, before fasting until sunset. Then, a communal gathering commences for the iftar, the larger evening meal to break the day’s fast. For many, these meals are the highlight of the holiday and create memories that last a lifetime.

This year, Four Seasons has curated a menu of dining events and activities to help guests celebrate Ramadan and make memories with loved ones. Here’s a taste of some of the experiences on offer – an iftar with a private chef, Ramadan tents and more.

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A sky-high suhoor in Dubai

Begin your day with a five-course suhoor feast served 32,000 feet above Dubai, thanks to a partnership between Jetex and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

“Dreaming up inspired experiences is a core passion for us,” says Leonardo Baiocchi, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Four Seasons Dubai. “We are delighted to partner with Jetex throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan to create a suhoor experience that is nothing less than spectacular. With our trademark Four Seasons hospitality and the exceptional private aviation standards that Jetex is known for, we will be elevating luxury to a new cruising altitude.”

The five-course meal, served daily, is curated by Executive Sous Chef Rami Nasser and includes a selection of mezze, Canadian lobster, lamb chops in traditional spices, and sea bass. Adding to the experience is a three-piece band playing traditional Arabic music as you dine.

Reach new heights in Dubai

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Celebrate with a chef in Riyadh

Break your fast in a Ramadan tent at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre featuring a family-friendly buffet, live cooking stations and a children’s table with kid-friendly activities. To take your celebration to the next level, reserve a seat at the Chef’s Table, where Executive Chef Stefano Andreoli will offer personalized recommendations based on your tastes, with a dedicated butler on hand to bring each course from the iftar buffet straight to your table.

“This year, guests will enjoy exceptional culinary creations with our rich buffet showcasing the diverse talents of our chefs and featuring an extensive range of Saudi and international dishes,” he says. “Every dish has been created to surprise and delight our guests.”

The menu includes more than 100 dishes spread across seven culinary islands, including Saudi ouzzi – a traditional lamb dish served with rice. End the meal with kunafa filled with cream, a popular iftar desert.

Mark the Holy Month in Riyadh

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A glamorous iftar in Amman

There’s room for everyone at the table at Four Seasons Hotel Amman, where the largest ballroom has been transformed into an iftar celebration. Break your fast under the crystal chandeliers as you and your loved ones sample dishes like kharoof – roasted whole lamb with rice, cucumber and yoghurt – hot and cold mezzeh, and katayaf, a sweet dumpling filled with cream and walnuts.

“Our live culinary stations will revive the traditions of unity and generosity during the Holy Month,” says Chef Francesco Greco, who carefully crafted the menu with Executive Pastry Chef Anas AlQusairi to include traditional favourites and special dishes. “We wish a happy and peaceful Ramadan to everyone.”

A bespoke menu is available for private Ramadan events in the ballroom. The Hotel also offers special iftar and suhoor menus for in-room dining during the Holy Month, as well as a lobster and Wagyu brunch at Olea to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr – the end of the monthlong Ramadan celebration.

Celebrate in style in Amman

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Connect in a majlis in Abu Dhabi

Honour the spirit of the Holy Month with meaningful moments that help you connect with friends and loved ones. Celebrate your time together with platters of Ramadan classics served to your majlis – a seating area designed to encourage people to come together.

“This is going to be my fourth Ramadan here in this exciting capital city, but my aim has always been the same: to bring people together,” says Christian Buenrostro, the executive chef at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island. “I could not be more excited to share my knowledge of international cuisine with the local community during a month that is exceptionally precious for them.”

Mezze range from the traditional warak enab – grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice – to Italian platters including semolina-fried calamari and quinoa salad.

The celebration continues in the Hotel’s Spa with treatments inspired by Ramadan. The Arabian Oud Escape includes a soothing oud oil massage, followed by an exfoliating Himalayan salt therapy treatment to relieve stress and fatigue. The session ends with a signature crystal massage on your face to refresh your mind and skin.

Gather with family in Abu Dhabi

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A moonlit meal in Cairo

Embark on a culinary tour of the world aboard the First Nile Boat – a stationary yacht overlooking the Nile River – at Four Seasons Cairo at First Residence. Curated by Executive Chef Erwan Laurenceau, the iftar and suhoor menus at the ship’s three restaurants include flavours from Lebanon, Greece, Italy, Asia and Egypt, with sweeping views of Cairo and the Nile as a backdrop.

“Egypt is one of the best places to experience Ramadan – while the city is quiet and reserved during the day, it awakens and re-energizes after the sun sets,” says Laurenceau. “This year, I am proud to introduce a more varied Ramadan menu, which includes items such as chicken biryani, lamb murgh makhani, Thai shrimp noodles, and Greek-inspired salads and appetizers. Even pizza and risotto will be featured in this year’s Ramadan buffets. Our varied offerings will be unlike any other in the city.”

Looking to stay on dry land? Enjoy a family-style iftar under the stars at the poolside Aura, where Chef Ahmed Zoghbi is serving hot and cold mezze, grilled options, tagines and Arabian desserts. Subhoor feasts feature an à la carte menu served in Aura’s private cabanas, set to live music.

Plan your visit to Cairo

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Sun by building in India

Ski Patrol: Surprising Places
to Find Fresh Powder

Most skiers are familiar with the popular slopes, like those in Whistler, Vail and Chamonix. But what about ski runs in Greece, Dubai or even Hawaii? Point your planks towards these one-of-a-kind alpine adventures in unexpected destinations.

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Reach new heights in Morocco

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech can catch a glimpse of snow-capped peaks from their private terrace – the Atlas Mountains are just 90 minutes from the Resort. They’ll want to get closer to see the skiers who flock to the mountain village of Oukaïmeden, Africa’s highest ski spot, sitting at 3,271 metres (10,722 feet) and offering 10 kilometres of fresh powder. The season typically runs from late December through March, says Jihane Barehmi, the Resort’s guest services manager, but the high elevation provides the best conditions in January and February. Seven lifts will carry you to slopes fit for all ability levels, from a beginner’s course to the most difficult runs, with hard off-piste ice in some sections. After a day on the slopes, Barehmi recommends a stop at Chez JuJu to refortify with traditional French comfort food like cassoulet with sausages and tartiflette with smoked bacon and reblochon – also available in vegetarian version, or halal with smoked beef ham – served in a casual setting overlooking the village. Upon your return to the Resort, head straight to the Spa for a massage or steam in the authentic Moroccan hammam.

Find new adventures in Marrakech

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Unexpected adventure in Dubai

The name “Dubai” conjures images of a busy city of ultra-modern skyscrapers surrounded by desert – snow sports like skiing and tubing are not the first thing to come to mind. Those in the know, however, point their skis to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski centre in the Middle East – just 15 minutes from both Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. The snow park’s indoor mountain, 85 metres high – equivalent to a 25-storey building – has five slopes of varying steepness and difficulty for skiers of all ages and abilities, plus top instructors on hand to offer coaching. With 6,000 metric tons of real snow, there are plenty of fluffy flakes for sledding, tubing and building giant snowballs, plus an indoor ice cave to explore. The temperature is kept at a chilly minus 4 degrees C (25 F), but a stop at one of the park’s cafés for hot chocolate will create a nice contrast. And be sure to say hello to some of Dubai’s most unusual inhabitants: a colony of king and gentoo penguins. Watch them waddle around the snow park, and learn how the species survives in some of the coldest conditions on Earth. You can get an up-close look at the birds during an encounter or training session.

Explore Dubai with Four Seasons

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Slopes and sea in Sicily

The Dolomites aren’t Italy’s only eminent peaks. Mount Etna has its own claim to fame: It’s Europe’s highest active volcano, with a summit at nearly 3,320 metres. From November to early April it’s also a surprising ski destination, a place to slalom down a volcano while enjoying stunning views of the sea. At the alpine and downhill slopes at Rifiugio Sapienza and Piano Provenzana – just a short drive from the new San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel – the crowds tend to be small and there is plenty of backcountry to explore. When you’re not on the slopes, savour a wine tasting or meal at Dai Pennisi, a local favourite; schedule a day of pampering at the Hotel’s Botanica Spa; or explore the Hotel’s history – once a convent, the Hotel is a prime example of ancient architecture and rich character, with traditional cloisters, choir stalls and restored frescos on display.

Plan your Sicilian adventure

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Ideal conditions in Hawaii

Swap your surfboard for skis during a winter visit to Hawaii: “During those special times of year when we are blessed with snow-kissed peaks on Mauna Kea, everyone takes an opportunity to rush to the summit to enjoy a snow day in Hawaii,” says Chenin Mathews, Chef Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. It isn’t always easy going, though – there’s no ski lift to the top of the mountain. “You’ll drive your four-by-four up about 14,000 feet, and then hike on foot as far as you can before shredding your own path down the mountain,” Mathews says. “Some take their snowboard or skis, but locals grab a boogie board from the ABC store to sled.” Hawaiian ski afficionados call the snow that covers Mauna Kea “pineapple snow,” a play on corn snow – soft and forgiving but not too wet and slushy, beloved by springtime skiers in other locales. Depending on the conditions, the mountain offers 2,500-foot to 4,500-foot vertical runs, and the snowpack is usually best January through March. But the view is always beautiful: On a clear day, you can see the Big Island’s other massive volcano, Mauna Loa, and Maui’s Haleakala, with the sparkling sea stretching for miles. Celebrate your Hawaiian snow day with an après-ski cocktail – Mathews recommends a mai tai at one of the island’s newest restaurants, Kuleana Rum Shack. “Home-grown on the Big Island, the rum is made from 40 heirloom varieties of sugar cane and is distilled into exceptionally flavourful rum,” she says.

Explore Hualalai with Four Seasons

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An elevated approach in Athens

When summer ends on the sun-kissed Athens Riviera, the Concierge at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens directs guests to the nearby mountains, home to two of Greece’s top skiing destinations. Chef Concierge George Vournazos says locals flock to Mount Parnassos, just a few hours by car from the Hotel, for its extensive season – runs are open from December to early May – and its scenery. With ski lifts as high as 2,260 metres, skiers enjoy views from the Gulf of Corinth to the Gulf of Euboea. In search of even higher elevation? Head to Kalavrita, in the Peloponnese, for the biggest verticals in Greece, plus snowboarding, paragliding and snowmobiling from December through April. “The surrounding villages offer a more traditional feel, and, most importantly, it’s not as crowded” as Parnassos, Vournazos says. “It’s a true skiing destination for enthusiasts who want first tracks rather than a place to be seen.” After a day chasing fresh powder, head straight to the Spa upon your return to the Hotel for an Entsi Massage: This muscle-releasing treatment uses sage and eucalyptus oils applied by your masseuse’s elbows and forearms “to stimulate deeper tissue and relieve tension – especially for the legs and low back area – to help you recover from skiing,” Vournazos says.

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A snow day in Beijing

Beijing may only get about six days of snowfall each year, but skiers there make the most of them – and the city’s cold winter climate means even the lightest flurries cover the ground for weeks. The best chance of snow in Beijing is from late November till late February, and at the first sign of flakes Beijing’s skiers head for the slopes. One of the largest ski spots in the country is Nanshan Ski Village, about an hour from Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, with 5 kilometres of slopes accessed by 13 lifts, plus an advanced mogul trail. Its snowboard park is the largest in China and has quickly become a favourite training spot of China’s top snowboarders. If the mood strikes, bypass your skis in favour of a day of pampering at the Hotel’s Spa. The Calming Restoration Ritual will help you focus on being in the moment, calming mind and body. Start with a fragrant bath scented with lavender, chamomile and jasmine essential oils, and then a warm, aromatic slow-movement massage will ease you into a restful state.

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