Africa & The Middle East Archives - Page 17 of 25

Romantic Getaways Around the World

Posted on February 6, 2018March 18, 2021 by Alexandra Sheehan

There’s no bonding experience for couples quite like travelling the world and discovering the unfamiliar together.

Maybe you’re planning to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to spend quality time away from home. Where to go? One-of-a-kind romantic getaways can’t be had just anywhere. Consider an evening of stargazing in Jackson Hole, or a look at Lisbon from the seat of a vintage motorcycle. Here are eight dreamy destinations offering epic escapes.

Soak in Splendour in the Seychelles

Photography courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Heat things up in your jungle-side villa at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles by climbing into a deep-soaking tub overlooking a wrap-around infinity pool and Petite Anse bay – a haven for romantics, marked by picturesque sunsets and powdery sand. Say the word and the Resort’s Bath Butler will prepare your bath, where you can soak in eucalyptus-scented and ylang ylang–infused water as you sip Champagne and feed one another fresh strawberries. “This is truly an unparalleled setting for couples to enjoy indulgent relaxation together,” says Jean Malubdos, Assistant Spa Manager, “and they may choose from a menu of bath rituals to suit their mood.”

Swim Under the Stars in Maui

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea don’t have to go far to find romance. With the Resort’s Serenity Pool After Hours package, reserve the adults-only pool to swim under the stars and enjoy a private dinner together. From dusk until dawn, the entire 2,650-square-foot (246-square-metre) pool is all yours, as well as the six luxury cabanas outfitted with flat-screen HD TVs.

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Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Another sweet exploit at the Resort appeals to food-focused duos: In the Taste of Island Life experience, couples will ride a helicopter to ONO Organic Farms for a private tour and exotic fruit tasting alongside the farm’s long-time owners. Afterwards, swim in nearby waterfalls and explore black sand beaches before heading back for a delicious finale: a multi-course dinner, made from favourite fruits from the ONO farms. “One of the best ways to connect is by experiencing new things together,” says Chef Concierge Sam Wilhelm. “A Taste of Island Life is perfect for couples who love food and adventure. And because this particular experience is set in Hana, where I grew up, it has a special place in my heart. I love sharing this magical town with couples looking for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary adventure.”

Capture Instagrammable Photos in Lisbon

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Guests at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon can capture the European charm of Portugal’s capital city during a private four-hour photography tour aboard a vintage motorcycle. Take a seat in the sidecar or directly behind your expert driver, and a professional photographer will lead you through winding cobblestone streets to the city’s top sites.

“The Pombaline-style architecture, the terra cotta rooftops and azulejo façades, the glorious Tagus river and the 25th of April suspension bridge are some of Lisbon’s most appealing features,” says Head Concierge Luis Miguel. His advice: Book the tour for early morning to make use of Lisbon’s prettiest light. At any time of day, though, “It’s the most authentic way to discover the city’s many fascinating twists and turns, hotspots and history.”

Have a Celestial Picnic in Scottsdale

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

There are few more charming sights for couples than starry skies. At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, you can ask the Resort’s professional astronomer to join you – or simply borrow a telescope – to take in an unbelievable view of the Sonoran Desert skies during your own night-time picnic. “Set apart from the city lights in the desert foothills, this is an ideal spot to sip a cocktail and view a spectacular sunset, and then watch as twinkling stars begin to blanket the sky,” says Resort Concierge Susy Alpert. “It’s magical.”

Yacht Together in Bora Bora

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Honeymooners and long-married couples alike are flocking to the overwater bungalow suites with plunge pools at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – but we’ll wager they won’t spend all their time in their rooms. Among the myriad special experiences for two offered at the Resort: chartering its Andreyale yachts for sailing the surrounding turquoise lagoons in view of Mount Otemanu. “One of the most memorable and romantic experiences couples can share in Bora Bora is a private sunset cruise,” says Etienne Baldeschi, Chef Concierge. “Your captain will anchor for the island’s ideal sunset viewing, and your bespoke menu is served.”Think Champagne and canapés – such as Tahitian Poisson Cru and Moorea shrimp with crispy gyoza. “We can also arrange for a musician, and a photographer or videographer to capture the magic of this special excursion.” As you sail, keep an eye out for spotted eagle rays, sea turtles and blacktip reef sharks in the glass-clear waters below.

Savour the Sunset in Bali

Few things are more romantic than a tropical sunset – except, perhaps, a tropical sunset cruise for two. Set sail from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and enjoy the view as you sip Champagne and nibble on canapés. Afterwards, return to shore for an intimate four-course dinner in a gazebo overlooking the ocean or unwind in The Longevity Garden in the Resort’s new Healing Village Spa – this private, open-air treatment room is a serene space where couples can pamper each other with body wraps, infrared sun lounges, and steam and sauna rooms.

Stargaze Mountainside in Jackson Hole

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

“There is something magical about travelling to Jackson Hole. The proximity to the mountains and access to wildlife and the vast open skies creates an intimate connection to one’s surroundings,” says Hope Maloney, Chef Concierge. Activities with romantic potential abound at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, including elk-drawn sleigh rides in the National Elk Refuge, a pause for sipping bubbly in the Resort’s Champagne bar and guided snowshoe tours of Grand Teton National Park. “But what could be better than enjoying a night of stargazing, huddled under the warmth of blankets, sipping hot cocoa and viewing other galaxies, nebulas and beyond?” Answer: All that with the addition of a discreet astronomer, who will point out the most impressive constellations as you cuddle.

Escape to Lake Como in Milan

Photography courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Travel back in time, and in style, behind the driver’s seat of a vintage Italian roadster as you set out from Four Seasons Hotel Milan. Channel Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief as you drive around scenic Lake Como in a vintage 1960s convertible, spotting lakeside villas, ancient villages and cinematic landscapes from the classic car. Bonus: You can pull over at your leisure to take in the view – and perhaps the view is of your happy, relaxed partner.

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The Family Trips You’ll Be Talking About for Years

Posted on January 17, 2018June 3, 2025 by Shannon Magann

When you’re travelling with your brood, you’ll need to know about top-notch activities those of all ages can enjoy. These five Four Seasons properties go above and beyond to make young guests and their parents feel like VIPs, whether exploring under-the-radar theme parks in Orlando, Florida, or taking a secret tour of the Crown Jewels in London.

Watch fireworks in Orlando, Florida

It’s no surprise that Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, located in one of the earth’s top destinations for families, is chock-a-block with child-friendly activities. Guests will find a 5-acre waterpark with a lazy river (complete with two curving water slides); sand volleyball and a rock-climbing wall; and Disney character breakfasts, to name a few. Parents can opt to send their little ones to the supervised Kids For All Seasons program so as to spend a few hours at the adults-only pool, and then pick them up for the nightly fireworks – best seen from the rooftop of Capa restaurant (or Park View guest rooms).

And there’s plenty more to see in town. “I-Drive 360, where the new Orlando Eye is located, has great family activities, including Madame Tussauds wax museum and the Sea Life Aquarium,” says concierge team member Alex Lum. “Just a few minutes away from our Resort, guests can experience the magic of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The Disney theme parks each feature special new activations and entertainment for the celebration. Plus, the complimentary shuttle from our Resort makes it an easy trip.”

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

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Go behind the scenes in London

Home of both Mary Poppins and Harry Potter, London is a children’s favourite by association. Parents choose Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge for its over-the-top children’s amenities – such as miniature dressing gowns, slippers and teddy bears in the rooms – not to mention a perk that’s all too rare in England: a 14-metre pool open to all ages, with adult supervision.

Once you’ve been to “The Making of Harry Potter” to see the sets created for the wildly popular films, Assistant Head Concierge William Sloan recommends that you ask him to arrange a secret tour of a more historic British attraction: The Tower of London. For centuries, only the British monarchy and their close affiliates have had access to the Crown Jewels there: 23,578 gemstones on site, unless they’re in use. “You’ll see places that haven’t been available to the public before,” Sloan says, “and we can even arrange for a Yeoman Warder to meet guests and show traitors to the gate.”

Another fun option, especially for young scallywags: the National Maritime Museum. “Just a two-minute walk from the Hotel to Tower Pier, guests can hop on one of the Thames River Boats and head to explore life on the sea,” Sloan says. Don’t miss the Cutty Sark, where you can “steer” the 1869 ship’s wheel and even climb into a bunk that will make you especially glad you’re staying at Four Seasons.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

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Learn guitar in Austin, Texas

At Four Seasons Hotel Austin, guests of any age can play giant Jenga on the leafy grounds, kayak and stand-up paddleboard at the adjacent Lady Bird Lake, and – every Friday and Saturday night – make s’mores in the glow of lanterns hung from oak trees at the Hotel’s two firepits. But the highlight for music lovers is the Taylor Guitars Concierge program: You can borrow either a Baby Taylor or a 214 DLX guitar for four-hour jam sessions, or book a lesson with a pro.

“If they’re brand new to guitar, most guests who take a lesson begin with a few basic chords,” says Concierge Cabe Thornton, a staffer at Four Seasons Hotel Austin since 2012. “After some practice, they’ll move on to easy pop tunes that most people know, like ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ or ‘Bad Moon Rising.’ You can leave having memorized at least a few chords – enough to impress friends back home.” Stay tuned for another amenity at this property: an Airstream playhouse, coming later in 2018.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Playing outside at Four Seasons Mauritius

Take a bike safari in Mauritius

If at first Mauritius, an island off the coast of Madagascar, seems a bit far to take the kids, consider the perks at the 64-acre Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita. Beyond the tropical climate, the resort boasts features families won’t believe. In the thatched-roof Hobbit Village, children can bake pizza in a miniature kitchen; the whole family can take a quad bike safari through nearby Casela Nature Parks, where you’ll spot zebras, wild boar and ostriches; and teens can learn to spin records with resident DJ Ashley Gai in Karokan, the young adult centre.

But one of the most beloved activities has to be catching (and releasing) fiddler crabs, ghost crabs and mud crabs at sunset on the Resort’s beach. “Growing up in Mauritius, crab hunting is something you’d often see families doing over the weekend,” says Kids Club staffer Sophie Beaublanc. “The kids love searching for them in the evening; it’s a great activity for parents to join in with.”

Four Seasons Private Residences Mauritius at Anahita

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Zip-line in Whistler, British Columbia

With Alaskan malamute Maola on staff for welcome cuddles, and Ski Concierges waiting with hot cocoa and house-made chocolate chip cookies, what else could wee guests of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler ask for? A lot, apparently – and their wishes would be granted. Families adore the on-site mini golf (not to mention lessons at Nicklaus North and Whistler golf club), the giant Connect Four set and nearby zip-lining courses. “The more kid-friendly option is offered by The Adventure Group and features a seat-like harness on a mountain-to-mountain ride,” says Kate Colley, a representative of the Resort. “Guests can even ride them side by side, two at a time.” Double the fun.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

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5 Spa Trends Worth Travelling For

Posted on December 21, 2017June 3, 2025 by Leigh Crandall

Whether it’s a singing bowl ceremony in Hoi An, Vietnam, or a mosaic-lined hammam in Cairo, Egypt, Four Seasons hotels and resorts across the globe have perfected on-trend spa treatments inspired by the destinations they call home. Here are five restorative experiences worth the trip.

The Blessings of Bali treatment includes a “sound bath” created by ringing a Balinese gong.

The ancient seaside purification ritual is performed by Balinese-Hindu High Priest Aji Ngurah.

SPIRITS RISING IN BALI

“When we design our spa experiences, we always offer something special that goes beyond the expected,” says Luisa Anderson, Regional Spa Director of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. For proof, look no further than Blessings of Bali, which is far more than your typical treatment (though it does include a traditional Balinese massage). At the seafront Spa surrounded by lush gardens, you’ll start with yoga and breathing exercises to reinvigorate your spirit, take a “sound bath” created by a Balinese gong, and then have an ancient seaside purification ritual with Balinese-Hindu High Priest Aji Ngurah.

“The entire treatment is very ritualistic and meaningful, and specifically tailored for couples,” Anderson says. “The blessing by our Balinese priest on the edge of the ocean, where the couple is literally bathed with holy water, is a wonderful experience to share together. This treatment supports the higher spiritual principle of intimate relationships, and if we can enhance that journey on any level – whether it’s reducing stress loads or reminding a couple why they first fell in love – then we have succeeded.”

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

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Singing bowl artist Oanh Ngo uses sound vibrations, combined with other treatments, to balance the body.

GOOD VIBRATIONS IN HOI AN, VIETNAM

Set on glassy koi ponds near three UNESCO World Heritage sites, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An is home to a surprising source of Zen: singing bowl artist Oanh Ngo, who’s in residence at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto for the month of November. The guru of calm combines seraphic treatments with the sonorous sounds of crystal singing bowls, each of them tuned to 432 Hz – reputedly the same frequency as the natural world.

You’ll want to book the 150-minute Nam Hai Earth Song, a euphoric blend of deep pressure massage with gem-tipped tuning forks, exfoliation with herbs from the on-site farm, a cleansing agarwood smoke treatment and, of course, sound vibrations, which Ngo asserts can heal imbalances down to your cells. “Oanh’s understanding of humans on a physical, emotional and spiritual level is quite incredible,” says Kyoto Director of Spa Chinnapat Veerasomboonsin. “Her singing bowl spa treatments offer a beautiful parallel to the Zen-inspired teachings we offer here, enabling us to better understand our inner self and the true nature of our place in the universe.”

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

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The Turkish hammam at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence transports guests back in time.

The Turkish hammam at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence transports guests back in time.

ANCIENT RITUALS REVIVED IN CAIRO, EGYPT

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence, situated on the cinematic western bank of the Nile, is now home to something ancient Egyptian pharaohs could only dream of: an authentic Turkish hammam, decked with warm marble and lined in mosaic tile. The newly opened facility furthers bathing traditions introduced into Egypt centuries ago, when the area was under Turkish rule. “Hammams were once reserved for royalty,” says Spa Director Mohammed Sabry. “There aren’t many Turkish hammams in Cairo, so the fact that we’re able to provide an authentic experience to our guests thrills me.” The accompanying hour-long treatment – which includes a steam bath, foam body massage and scrub in your choice of age-defying sandalwood, citrus or even coffee – is rumoured to reduce the appearance of cellulite and provide a burst of energy.

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

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Infuse your skin with pure oxygen at Four Seasons Hotel New York.

AN OXYGEN BOOST IN NEW YORK CITY

A byproduct of the city that never sleeps? Occasionally, your skin needs a major reset. Enter L.RAPHAEL Beauty Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York, where oxygen-infused treatments will leave you feeling completely refreshed. The eight-room day spa in the I.M. Pei–designed monolith has perfected an experience called the Oxy Cure C. “The treatment includes a high jet spray of pure oxygen combined with a high concentration of vitamins C, A , E and other anti-ageing agents that penetrate deeper into the skin to stimulate the endothelial cells and collagen production,” says Spa Manager Keren Deutsch. “It combines all the benefits of the others we provide and more; the result is radiant and rejuvenated skin.”

Four Seasons Hotel New York

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A spa treatment at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

Guests are scrubbed with organic British Columbian sea salt and seaweed during the Sea to Sky Massage treatment at the Spa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler.

“What makes our Spa so special is that we take all of our inspiration from the British Columbian outdoors,” says Spa Director Caitlin Hubbard.

UNWINDING IN WHISTLER

Inspired by the iconic Sea to Sky highway that guides guests from Vancouver to the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, the 80-minute Sea to Sky Massage is as local as spa treatments get. You’ll be scrubbed with organic British Columbian sea salt and seaweed to make your back feel brand new, then massaged with hot river rocks found in the surrounding mountains. “What makes our Spa so special is that we take all of our inspiration from the British Columbian outdoors, from the moss used in our décor to the products that include locally harvested ingredients and are produced nearby,” says Caitlin Hubbard, Spa Director. “Our guests travel here from all over the globe, and we want to show off all we have access to. There’s nothing like a great day on the slopes followed by a Sea to Sky massage – it’s absolutely delightful.”

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

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Tech Amenities You Have to See to Believe

Posted on December 20, 2017December 22, 2017 by Leigh Crandall

Strolling the grounds of Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is an eye-popping experience – 53 gardeners work on the 64-acre lagoon-side Resort, perfecting the lush grounds. But it’s also an educational one, thanks to the resort’s new garden tour—guests can use their phones to scan Quick Response (QR) codes along the walkways to identify local plants, like the Pandanus utilis (with spiny leaves and aerial roots) and the green leaves of the rare Cassine orientalis. The QR codes also detail “Fast Facts” on each plant, including growing advice for green thumbs. “Look for Traveller’s Palm, which has a fan-like shape that inspired the international airport here, and the tamarind tree, which is found near the tennis courts and has a sweet fruit that’s part of the welcome amenity for guests,” says Debbie Duval, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Resort. “All guests are able to enjoy use of complimentary bicycles throughout their stay, so this is the perfect way to learn more about nature while cycling around.”

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Calling all oenophiles: Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto has added Plum wine dispensers – which chill, preserve and perfectly serve full bottles of wine – to suites and select guest rooms. “One of the great things about Plum is that it allows us greater flexibility to feature hand-selected wines based on our guest preferences,” says Director of Food and Beverage Richard Lanaud. “The wines can also be easily changed out, so for instance if we know a guest prefers a specific type of wine, or if they are bringing a special vintage from their own collection, we can very easily place those wines in the machine, which then individually chills and preserves them at their perfect serving temperature.” The machines hold two bottles at a time – typically a white and a red – and they’re identified by a built-in database of more than 6,000 wines; it automatically shares the backstory of the wine’s varietal and vintage, and alerts management if one needs to be replenished. One of the first wines featured in the dispensers was Blend 122, a unique red wine blend created by Byington Vineyard & Winery exclusively for the Hotel.

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

In November, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort launched a new Style Chat service connecting guests to a stylist via text. The stylist hand-selects items from the Resort’s boutique, which carries brands like Tory Burch, Missoni and Jimmy Choo, that are then delivered directly to the guest’s room. “Many of our visitors are hurrying from park to park, or trying to squeeze in a few extra minutes in the Resort’s lazy river,” says Teresa Hughes, Retail Manager. “Letting us deliver curated fashion straight to your room allows you more time to enjoy your vacation.” It can also solve last-minute sartorial problems. “We recently had a guest whose husband wanted to take her to Capa, our rooftop restaurant, for dinner, but her luggage was lost by the airline,” Hughes says. “We connected with her via Style Chat, then sent a ‘Night Out’ look to her room. She stopped into the boutique to say ‘thank you’ and that she was so pleased she didn’t have to spend time away from her kids shopping.”

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

In December, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills unveiled five guest rooms and two suites tailor-made for a healthful stay, including amenities curated by Delos like circadian mood lighting, meditations by Deepak Chopra, and an in-room dining menu created by the Hotel’s Executive Chef Byron Thomas and approved by the Cleveland Clinic (including antioxidant-rich salads, seared salmon and avocado and pistachio dumplings). “The air is purified in the rooms four times per hour, which reduces pollen, mould spores, and other pollutants,” says Billy Cueto, Director of Rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. “And each comes with in-room yoga mats by Alo, a body ball and hand weights; suites even have Peloton bikes.”

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

If applying sunscreen to your entire body in 10 seconds without lifting a finger sounds too fantastic to be true, check into Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. In July, the property installed a SnappyScreen, which was invented by Cornell University alum Kristen McCllelan to apply your choice of PABA- and paraben-free sunscreen in SPF 15, 30 or 40 to your entire body. (Guests have easy access to disposable hair caps and eye protection.) “SnappyScreen was a huge hit with our guests – it was amazing to see so many people Snapchat and Boomerang videos of themselves using the device all summer long,” says Graham Williamson, Director of Food and Beverage at the Resort. “Even golfers have found the SnappyScreen, and sneak onto the pool deck before they hit the first tee to apply their sunscreen.”

Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon recently introduced the Art Collection by Ritz Lisbon app for iPhone and iPad — a behind-the-scenes tour of the property that even allows users to rate the museum-quality pieces by Portuguese artists like Carlos Botelho, Estrela Faria and Lagoa Henriques. “Don’t miss the three tapestries by José de Almada Negreiros in the lobby-level lounge named for him, the Almada Negreiros Lounge,” says Catarina Mendonça Social Media & Marketing Coordinator for the property. “They’re hand-made and based on the Centauro constellation; note how different coloured dots simulate earth and sky.”

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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The Insider’s Guide to Dubai:
6 People You Need to Meet

Posted on October 9, 2017April 5, 2019 by Laura Begley Bloom

Dubai is a study in contrast – a place where winding souks exist alongside modern high-rise buildings, glamorous beach resorts and dramatic desert landscapes share real estate and a dazzling city centre abuts lively residential neighbourhoods. The largest city in the United Arab Emirates, often described as a bridge between East and West, is also a mosaic of global cultures.

The people who live and work in Dubai are as compelling as the metropolis itself. From a Brazilian belly dancer to a falconer from South Africa, Four Seasons can introduce you to some of the most intriguing individuals – people who will make an extraordinary visit truly unforgettable.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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THE MIXOLOGIST

Born in Milan, with Sicilian roots, Mariano Ricciari, the assistant bar manager and lead bartender of MINA Brasserie, still starts his day with a proper Italian espresso. Friends joke that he’s a workaholic. Even though he’s a manager, he still likes to jump behind the bar for fun.

Here, you see things that you don’t find anywhere else.

“I love to create a sense of hospitality,” he says. “The interaction with different guests is what I like the most about my job. I get to listen to new stories and adventures. Some people share things that they might not even tell their wife or husband.”

Ricciari moved to Dubai three years ago and describes the city as a bubble in the world. “Here, you see things that you don’t find anywhere else, and you find a better way to recreate something that you’ve seen somewhere else,” he says. He’s constantly pushing his team to experiment and get creative with the cocktail program. “At the end of the night I like to sit down and share my feedback with the team and congratulate them for a job well done,” he says. “And of course, I pour myself a drink.”

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

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A belly dancer greets guests at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai

THE BELLY DANCER

Upon arrival at Four Seasons Dubai Jumeirah Beach, the unmistakable sounds of Arabic music wafts through the air and a pair of belly dancers appear, elegantly bending their bodies to the rhythm. It’s an ideal welcome.

[Belly dancing] brings you happiness when you watch it.

One of the dancers is Brazil-born Graciela Pischner, who always dreamed of performing in the Middle East and made her way to Dubai after stops in Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain and Tunis. “I like how people in Dubai appreciate and respect my work,” she says. “Also, it’s a safe place, and the perfect location for someone who wants to travel around the world.”

Belly dancing is a respected Arabic art form, with some differences according to location. In Dubai, the dancers perform in high heels and take big steps. “It brings you happiness when you watch it,” Pischner says.

THE RESTAURANT MANAGER

As the Manager of Suq Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Lawrence Raj believes it’s his role to make guests feel like part of the family. “It’s as important to start the day right as it is to end,” he says, “so beginning with breakfast, I ensure every guest receives astounding service.”

At Suq every day is always full of new discoveries.

The cuisine at Suq, a mix of flavours from the Middle East, Asia and the West, reflects the diversity of the city. Raj, who was born in Kanyakumari in South India, moved to Dubai 15 years ago, drawn to the city’s blend of ancient traditions with modernity. “Dubai reminds travellers of its heritage through its food, fabrics, dialects and desert tents,” he says. “The city is so alive, and at Suq every day is always full of new discoveries, new friends and personal growth.”

A falcon trainer does a demonstration near Dubai.

THE FALCONER

The art of falconry goes back more than 2,000 years. Although most people in modern-day Dubai don’t rely on falcons to hunt prey and find water in the desert, the falcon remains an important symbol in Arabic culture. It’s the national bird of the United Arab Emirates.

South Africa–born Liander Botes is the operations manager at Wild Flight Dubai, which introduces travellers to falconry and educates them about birds of prey. “This is not a pet – this is a dangerous animal,” Botes tells visitors, noting that when going for the kill, the bird can reach speeds of up to 300 kph (200 mph). “It is a hunting tool and can cause the same damage as a rifle.”

The falcon can reach speeds of up to 300 kph (200 mph).

The falcon can travel long distances, but, as Botes shows guests, it can also return to its owner, thanks to a natural form of GPS. Wild Flight Dubai can arrange for a falcon to perch on a well-protected arm or display a bird’s exercise and free flight at sunset. “The interesting thing about my job is that every day is different,” says Botes, who developed a love of animals while growing up on a farm in South Africa. “Every day something new happens.”

THE CAMEL TRAINER

Mohammed Ali doesn’t speak a word of English, but with simple motions he shows guests how to mount his camels carefully and ride them over sand dunes.

He assures nervous first-timers through his translator that camels are actually quite calm as long as you don’t create a noise that disturbs them. An expert trainer who has worked alongside camels since childhood, Ali was born in Pakistan and now lives with the Bedouins in the desert. He takes great pleasure in helping visitors live out their Lawrence of Arabia fantasies while interacting with his well-behaved animals.

A food expert teaches Four Seasons' guests about local Dubai flavors.

THE FOOD EXPERT

Dubai’s dining scene isn’t defined just by its plentiful celebrity-chef restaurants. Arva Ahmed, a respected food blogger and the founder of Frying Pan Adventures, provides an authentic taste of local flavours on her culinary tours of Old Dubai.

Dubai is a great preserver of food culture from around the region.

Ahmed, born in India, moved to the United States for college, followed by a high-powered job as a management consultant in Manhattan. But her heart was always in Dubai. Eventually, she returned to pursue her true passion: food. With her quick wit and encyclopedic knowledge of regional cuisine, it’s no wonder Andrew Zimmern featured Ahmed on his show Bizarre Foods.

An afternoon with Ahmed in the Deira neighbourhood emphasizes Dubai’s multiculti cuisine. Tastings might include Lebanese pizza, freshly made Egyptian falafel, and a sweet Arabic dessert called knafeh that’s made with noodles and stringy cheese. She clearly relishes the variety: “Dubai is a great preserver of food culture from around the region, the Middle East and beyond to North Africa and the Indian subcontinent.”

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Soak in Splendour in the Seychelles

Swim Under the Stars in Maui

Capture Instagrammable Photos in Lisbon

Have a Celestial Picnic in Scottsdale

Yacht Together in Bora Bora

Savour the Sunset in Bali

Stargaze Mountainside in Jackson Hole

Escape to Lake Como in Milan

Your Journey Begins Here

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

Four Seasons Private Residences Mauritius at Anahita

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

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Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Four Seasons Hotel New York

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

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Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

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