5 Ways to Work Out Like a World-Class Athlete

No matter how far natural ability takes you, proving you’re the best demands thousands of hours of work and determination. Pro athletes know what it takes to win and have unbeatable insights that can advance fitness programs of any level – which makes them extremely valuable and effective trainers.

During these exclusive Four Seasons experiences, guests are paired with proven, acclaimed athletes for one-on-one training lessons in sports that range from freediving to triathlon. Work on your training regimen in Riyadh or master a unique fighting technique in Koh Samui – here are five ways to see the world (and yourself) through the eyes of a champion.


Man 1809 970x540

The Jack Nicklaus-signature Manele Golf Course is built on lava outcroppings and features three holes perched on cliffs.

Tee off in Lanai

Take your golf game from good to great using the scientific precision of biometric data at the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort.

The five-night program begins with a health consultation with physiologists, nutritionists and mindfulness coaches to provide personalised insight into how you can improve your game. Over the course of the program, a WHOOP wearable device will track your performance metrics with detailed video analysis and instruction.

“The opportunity to work with guests on their golf game really gives us a chance to dive deep through an honest assessment of what their game currently is, what their goals are and how we can get them to that point,” says Coach Scott Ashworth, PGA, Director of Golf. “By working with the practitioners at Sensei and sing technology such as the WHOOP Band, we gain a better understanding of focus areas for well-being to integrate with golf instruction and maximize guest’s enjoyment and potential.”

Improve your game in Lanai


Mas 766 970x540

A team of highly experienced trainers offers a diverse range of skills that can help you make progress on your fitness goals.

Work out with a world-class trainer in Riyadh

It can be tempting to skip leg day while travelling, especially when your personal trainer is hundreds of miles away. If you want to take your fitness goals on the road, join the trainers at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center.

In partnership with 24N – one of the leading personal training programs in the Middle East – the Hotel and 24N trainers offer an intense fitness program, including physiotherapy, personalised training sessions and health coaching to provide nutritional guidance that compliments your workout schedule.

“What differentiates 24N Riyadh is the understanding that everyone is different,” says Luis De Vera, Chief Executive Officer at 24N Riyadh, “We assess, program, re-assess and tailor for personal needs. This ensures guests and members achieve their short-and long-term goals.”

Set your fitness goals in Riyadh

Swim, bike and trek like an Ironman in Kona

Whether you’re a budding triathlete or an elite competitor, there’s one man who can help you get better — six-time Ironman world champion Dave Scott, who is leading five-day clinics at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. In this brand-new triathlon training program, running from June 20–24 and December 5–9, you can smooth your swimming style, get faster at transitions, become more efficient on the bike, and run across the finish line in less time than ever.

I want to help drive athletes, and share the reasons why you can become better. – Dave Scott

“It’s very interactive — I’m not showing them how many muscles I have, but instead how to minimize their time and maximize their workouts.” Scott designed each day’s training session based on his own lessons learned, not only in swimming, biking and running, but also in nutrition, flexibility and injury prevention. “A lot of people think more is better, and I was my own worst enemy in my heyday of racing,” admits Scott, who now offers a more balanced approach to students. “Do what you can do at the moment. Be present. Be mindful. It adds calmness and it adds clarity.”

Prepare for a triathlon in Kona

Master Thailand’s ancient form of fighting

Athletes who commit to mastering Muay Thai – the centuries-old practice of fighting with eight points of contact – will emerge stronger both physically and mentally. They’ll also gain a new appreciation for Thai massage.

Surrounded by breezy palm trees in the Bill Bensley–designed training ring on the Gulf of Thailand, guests participating in the full-day Muay Thai Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui begin with lessons from a Muay Thai pro in the seaside ring. Together, students and the master focus on the fist, forearm, knee and shin strikes that earned for this form of kick-boxing the name “the Art of Eight Limbs.” At the Resort’s spa, the recovery is all-out, too: an herbal steam, cool-water leg massage, and full-body massage with essential oils of cloves, ylang-ylang and black pepper.

Train like a warrior in Koh Samui


Cap Ferrat pool

The same breathing techniques used by freedivers can help improve your mindfulness practices and help you relax.

Freedive in the French Riviera

Using breathwork to become a world-class athlete may not sound conventional, until you talk technique with a champion freediver. Learn their tips and tricks as part of the new Mindfulness and Wellbeing Program at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel.

Led by freediving world champions Arthur Guérin-Boeri and Thomas Bouchard, the workshop takes a holistic view of health, based on the key pillars of exercise, relaxation, nature and wholesome food. Work on your asana and qigong under the Mediterranean sun, then head to the spa for a custom skin analysis and treatment session.

“Breathing, and even holding your breath, is a powerful and accessible way to balance your body and mind,” says Guérin-Boeri. “The connection with water makes the link even stronger. The program is open to everyone who wants to discover a unique relaxation experience, coming straight from our world-ranking expertise.”

After a day spent calming your mind, balance your body with a Michelin-starred meal prepared by Chef Yoric Tièche, made with greens from the Hotel’s garden.

Dive into adventure in Cap-Ferrat

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Select a destination and start training

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

A Weekend of Wellness

Sometimes a 60-minute massage or fitness class isn’t enough to fully relax and restore our minds and bodies. In search of a stronger wellness boost? Try a multi-day sojourn into self-care, led with empathy by Four Seasons experts. Work with exercise physiologists to fine-tune your performance in California, reconnect with your inner self during a retreat in the French Riviera or discover a holistic approach to healing in Bali. Whether you’re looking to get in shape, change your eating habits or clear your head, these wellness experiences will help you establish new life skills to help you for years to come.

Ghf 1641 Ghf 1607 970x540

A holistic twist on health

Unspoiled natural forests, stunning sea views, lush gardens: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, offers an idyllic setting for establishing a healthy lifestyle. The Hotel’s new Mindfulness and Well-Being programs – upheld by the four pillars of exercise, relaxation, nature and healthy eating – make the most of the beautiful surroundings, with exercises and workshops specifically designed to help participants disconnect from the stress of everyday life and reconnect with themselves, says Spa Director Marie-Cecile Rousset. Enjoy relaxing open-air activities like hiking or cycling along the Mediterranean coast, or take the plunge into wellness with a lesson from two French freediving champions in using mindful breathing to relieve stress . Or cultivate your creative side with a range of hands-on activities that encourage introspection and mental clarity – the tactile experience of making pottery, for instance, is deeply relaxing. End your day with a culinary experience: join Chef Yoric Tièche in the Hotel’s kitchen garden to select fresh herbs and greens, then accompany him to the kitchen to learn how to prepare them with health in mind.

Plan your wellness retreat in Cap-Ferrat

Koe 489 970x540

Deep dive into wellness

Get a jump-start on your quest for good health with help from the experts at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. “The ultimate kick-start to one’s journey, guests have the opportunity to meet Sensei Guides and expert practitioners for one-to-one sessions that may range from fitness, mindset or nutrition,” says Retreat Director Catherine Phillips. “Whether it’s peak fitness performance or a refreshed mindset, Sensei’s programs connect the three fundamental paths of the Sensei Way – move, nourish and rest – and align actions with intentions.” The Resort’s Wellness Deep Dive is a customized program tailored to your goals and based on biomarkers like heart rate variability and VO2 max analysis. Join a personal trainer for a one-on-one workout, try a forest bath in the lush Koele gardens, enjoy a lomi lomi massage in one of the spa hales, and fuel your body with meals made from fresh, local ingredients. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and renewed – and with an action plan for life at home.

Start your Sensei Journey on Lanai

Fs Outdoor 11 970x647

A lifestyle reset

Keep the focus on your fitness at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village during a four-day, three-night retreat at the on-site Center for Health & Wellbeing. Guided by the holistic WellWest Method, experts like registered dieticians and exercise physiologists will help reboot your lifestyle using tools like body composition analysis; guided hikes and daily meditation; individual consultations in life strategies, fitness and nutrition; and cooking classes in the Wellness Kitchen. “Our integrated retreats teach guests how to discover this holistic aspect to well-being and apply these practices at home,” says Akram Al-Kawasmeh, Executive Director of Wellness. “A long weekend retreat with Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village can become transformative and life changing.” Choose from three focused retreats – Sustainable Weight Loss, Optimum Performance or Spa & Beauty – each uniquely tailored to meet your personal wellness goals.

Find fitness in Westlake Village

Ubu 852 970x540

A practice centred on gratitude

Discover the healing power of gratitude during a transformative retreat at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, where the Guided by Gratitude program helps guests restore inner peace and strength. “Our spa invites people to slow down through holistic treatments that go back to ancient remedies and traditional well-being practices,” says Regional Spa Director Luisa Anderson. “These retreats remind us to return to wholeness, experience peace and open to greater levels of consciousness.” Resident wellness mentor Ibu Fera – a former Buddhist nun – will lead you through activities like kirtan chanting, guided candlelit meditation sessions and chakra-balancing spa treatments, inspired by Ubud’s unique healing energy and traditional Balinese daily rituals of thanks. Don’t miss the Sacred Nap experience: A relaxing “air nap” in an aerial silk hammock, soothed to sleep by Fera as she shares the life story of Buddha. The retreat requires a minimum three-night stay, but can be personalized to fit your needs and schedule.

Give thanks in Bali

Mlg 825 Mlg 526 970x647

Discover ancient healing

Immerse yourself in the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, whose focus on diet, exercise and sleep offers a transformational path to wellness. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, work with Ayurvedic physicians, yogis, therapists and chefs during a seven-day retreat to harness health, happiness and harmony through a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Looking to extend your focus on self-care? Try a 14- or 21-day Panchakarma retreat, focused on removing deep-rooted stress and toxins to cleanse and rejuvenate the body. Or have the Resort’s experts plan a bespoke three- or five-day Yoga Therapy Course centred on topics like stress management, spinal care or addiction management. You’ll also receive a lesson in gratitude and an appreciation for the earth during the nightly Rahumathuge Vaguthu, or Earth Blessing: a daily ritual of gratitude celebrating the earth through song, dance and mindfulness.

Explore the power of Ayurveda

Gen 712 970x540

Focus on peak performance

Channel your inner athlete during a three- or seven-day In Census retreat at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, created in collaboration with the prestigious Hôpital de la Tour in Geneva, a recognized Swiss Olympic Medical Center. The word incensus means “radiant” in Latin, and that’s how you’ll feel after a run along the shores of Lake Geneva, a hike up Mount Salève, a massage, a meditation session and a carefully prepared organic meal. Each retreat begins with an in-depth health consultation with blood tests, nutritional and osteopathic evaluations, and muscle strength and endurance assessments, and core programs include Detox and Weight Management, Muscle Development or Sports Performance. “My mission is to help you invest in yourself,” says Spa Director Margaux Poilvet. “In Census encourages participants to take care of their bodies and get back into shape, escape the stress of everyday life, and recover vital energy thanks to a 360-degree approach that encompasses both physical and mental wellness.”

Train for success in Geneva

Sey 205 Sey 496 970x647

Ocean-based therapy

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles taps into the healing powers of the sea with its new two- and three-day Ocean Connection Spa Journeys. “There is no set itinerary,” says Spa Therapist Pamela Dewkee. “The idea is to allow guests to be able to enjoy the treatments and sessions over a span of days, so the essence of relaxation and rejuvenation is carried from one day to another.” Treatments include a sea smoothing wrap, crystal ocean facial, and yoga on the beach, where guests are encouraged to let emotions flow without judgment, just like the flow of water. A highlight is the nightly Starlit Serenity experience, on Le Syel Spa’s rooftop and overlooking Petite Anse Bay. As the sea breeze sings and the stars shine, a therapist will perform a Shell Serenity Massage using a shell-shaped object filled with marine minerals and sea kelp to warm and relax the body.

Relax and recharge in Seychelles

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your quest for wellness take you next?

Two umbrellas on beach with turquoise water

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.

Doh 1757 970x540

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

Doh 1760 970x540

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

Bah 634 970x540

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

Bah 1349 970x540

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

Doh 1765 970x540

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

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you and your loved ones go next?

Sun by building in India

5 Ways to Find Your Centre 

Travel – and life itself – can be hectic. Finding a sense of inner calm, though, can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths. Add a dreamy backdrop to your meditation or yoga practice and you might discover a state of nirvana. At Four Seasons, mind-body sessions go beyond spa and studio walls; they’re travel experiences in themselves. Hold your tree pose while surrounded by swaying coconut palms during a runway yoga session in Seychelles. Dive into the pool for a new twist on boat pose, or lift off for an airborne warrior posture with an antigravity session, in Hoi An. Assume aquatic poses like dolphin or mermaid on a paddleboard yoga excursion in Costa Rica. With Four Seasons, your journey inwards is a true adventure.   

Cos 1233 970x540

Drift Into Bliss

Even experienced yogis will find new challenges in basic postures when they take their practice from land to sea. Paddling from the shores of Playa Blanca doubles as a moving meditation before you anchor your paddleboard and begin your flow. “Standup paddleboard yoga is all about trust,” says Jose Pablo Rodriguez, wellness ambassador at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. “There may not be a firm ground underneath, but relax, tap into your inner strength and youll find all the stability you require. The ripple of waves will test your balance, but it will also lull you into tranquillity when you settle into calming savasana.  

Find balance in Costa Rica

Sbt 261 970x540

Wild Thing Pose in the Wild

Don’t be surprised if the rhythmic sound of your ujjayi breathing – a technique that allows you to calm your mind by focusing on your breathing – is joined by the sound of trumpeting elephants or roaring lions at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. Embrace the bush and take your practice into the wild on a sunset nature walk along the kopje (hilltop): Kenneth Maluba, the Lodge’s resident yoga instructor, leads guests along a Maasai trail to a stunning hilltop with panoramic views over the plains – the ideal spot for peaceful meditation and stretching. He times his guided meditation to sunset and incorporates beginner-friendly yoga postures. “Watching the sunset over the Serengeti is both magical and soothing, helping achieve an inner sense of tranquillity,” Maluba says. “From atop the kopje, guests are able to lean into this serene experience with gentle, balancing yoga poses such as warrior pose.” 

Soothe your soul in Serengeti

Sdi 430 970x540

Reset on the Runway

At Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, the entire island is yours to explore: The Resort is the only one on the small coral oasis, making it your own private paradise. That also means you’re free to roll out your yoga mat wherever you’d like. Our recommendation? The airport runway. Steps from the Resort, the end of the runway boasts dreamy open ocean views, gentle sea breezes and peaceful quiet to help you turn your focus inwards. “Every month, the sun rises from the Indian Ocean and the moon greets from the opposite side of the island,” says Heriberto Peña, the Resort’s health and wellness expert. “This makes yoga on the runway, especially during sunrise, very powerful. The early sunrise light, the sound of the waves and the breeze coming through the coconut trees bring clarity, peace and creativity to the mind and body. As resident yogi, Peña uses the natural setting as his muse, even suggesting that guests sway in tree pose like the palms swaying in the breeze. If sunrise is a little too early for you, do your sun salutations later in the day and then toast your tranquillity: The runway doubles as the hot spot for sunset cocktail hour. 

Find inspiration on Desroches Island

Nvc 064 970x540

Vinyasa in the Vineyards

Napa Valley is known as the food and wine capital of North America, and grape-to-glass is on full display at the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley. Before you raise a glass at the Resort’s world-class winery, awaken your senses with a vinyasa yoga flow among the vines: The 4.7-acre vineyard offers a Zen setting to ground yourself, with the Palisades mountains and rolling oak-covered hills as a backdrop. During harvest season, the smell of crushed and fermenting grapes will help you focus as you inhale deeply to move through upward and downward dog and beyond. Once you’re present in the moment, transition from yoga mat in the vineyard to a bar stool in the barrel room for a tasting of Elusa Winery’s cabernet. The aromas of oak and notes of dark fruit will be even more pronounced when your mind is distraction-free. 

Find your flow in Napa Valley

Nmh 482 970x540

Feel Weightless

Take your yoga practice to new heights – literally – at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An. Cocoon yourself in a bespoke Harrison AntiGravity Hammock and discover the new range of motion that comes from feeling weightless as you lift off the ground. Performing poses like pigeon and star while upside down can help decompress and realign the spine, and savasana is even more restorative in the air.

Would you rather float than fly? Try the Resort’s unique hatha-based pool yoga class – the buoyancy of the water can help take pressure off your joints, making poses like dancer feel easier than they would on land so you’re free to focus on yourself. Practicing hatha yoga helps us find mind and body alignment,” says Spa Manager Dwi Susanti. “Doing this practice in the open air gives us the opportunity to connect to all elements of nature, such as the calm of the water and the warmth of the sun.” 

Try new moves in Hoi An

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your spirit of adventure take you next?

Hotel on beach

Travel With Purpose

Six curious faces looked up at my niece and me as we walked into the Big Brother Mouse bookstore in Luang Prabang, Laos. With a quick wave, we approached a group sitting at the large table, each person holding a well-worn notebook and pen. A curious young monk invited us to sit with them, excited to have native speakers join the bookstore’s daily English conversation class.  

 When I was planning this trip, the Big Brother Mouse organization’s grassroots mission to improve literacy in rural Laos captured my attention. So did its pitch to travellers: Make a difference by volunteering to help interested locals learn English. My 12-year-old niece and I were now travelling across Southeast Asia together in search of ways to use travel as a force for good. We revelled in the beauty of Cambodia’s ancient temples, Thailand’s iconic turquoise waters and the jagged karst rocks of northern Vietnam – while forming deeper connections with local cultures and supporting important conservation efforts.  

Fsh 1501 970x540

The English class at the Laos bookstore was just right for our abilities: In two short hours, my niece helped the young monk troubleshoot the pronunciation of the “th” sound and I helped the group decipher the nuances of a recent news article. In that time, we two gained a fresh perspective on Laotian culture – and our new friends recommended new ways to see their city, including an awe-inspiring sunset boat ride along the Mekong River.  

This was the first deeply meaningful occasion we experienced on our trip, and it motivated us to spend the weeks of our trip helping to empower disabled artisans in Cambodia, supporting Burmese refugees near the Thai border and working with elephant conservation groups in northern Thailand. These experiences gave us a deeper understanding of other people and cultures, as well as a better understanding of the world. And while some of our volunteer work took days, many of the most rewarding activities required just a few hours – easy to work into any itinerary.  

Looking to go beyond must-see spots and immerse yourself in your destination? Four Seasons can help you maximize your experience there while also benefiting its people and culture.  

Chr 331 970x540

Walk With Elephants

Watching elephants joyfully bathe in a local river is a highlight of any trip to Southeast Asia. My niece and I loved seeing wide, happy arcs of water sail through the air as elephants sprayed themselves (and the occasional spectator). Rescued from abuse and overwork on the streets of Thailand, the elephants at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle now live a life of luxury at the property’s Elephant Camp. Through a partnership with the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation, guests have helped adopt and care for more than 20 elephants, providing food and veterinary care through monthly memberships. For a hands-on experience, join the on-site mahouts and help bathe, feed and walk the gentle giants, or set out on one of three jungle excursions to see them in their natural jungle habitat. End your day with the tinkling sounds of traditional Thai folk music as you enjoy a candlelit al fresco dinner at the Elephant Camp. 

Bah 216 970x540

Encourage a Love of Learning

The gift of learning starts with the love of a good book, and guests at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo can help spark a lifelong passion for reading among local students. Through partnerships with Creciendo Juntos and Libros Para Todos, guests can collect and donate backpacks filled with school supplies – and your favourite books – to area schools. If school is in session, the Resort can arrange in-person assistance, from painting buildings and cooking for students and teachers to playing sports with the children and reading to them. The Resort can also connect you with local families to play, cook or visit with them, as well as ways to donate medical supplies and food. The deep connections you’ll make will help turn memorable moments into meaningful ones.  

 

Ubu 638 Ubu 639 970x540

Strike a Sustainable Balance

Dreamy beaches, lush jungles, ancient temples, deep spirituality: Bali will leave you breathless. Help protect this paradise at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, where cultural conservation is front and centre. Join students at the nearby School for Special Needs for a workshop in dance, Balinese gamelan music, painting, wood carving or pottery. Want to focus on your idyllic environment? Collect trash and debris on a beach walk to sell to Sampah Jujur, a group founded by jeweller John Hardy to show how recycling can be profitable. Or learn about composting, snail farming and tree planting with Zero Waste to Ocean, which responds to environmental challenges facing coastal communities. After a day of good deeds, unwind back at the Resort with an inventive zero-waste cocktail at Sundara, where Head Mixologist Sufian Mahmoud has embraced a philosophy of “minimum waste, maximum flavour.” Each drink features fresh aromatic herbs grown in the Resort’s garden.   

At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, get a hands-on look at one of Bali’s oldest traditions: Spend a day in the life of a local farmer in the bucolic rice fields along the Ayung River. Enjoy a picnic breakfast in a bale, or pavilion, then learn how the farmers plant and harvest rice. Celebrate a job well done with water from a fresh coconut picked and cut just for you and a bathing ritual at the Spa, including an invigorating river-stone scrub and soothing Balinese massage.  

Sbt 507 970x540

Protect African Wildlife

I was delighted to spot the Big Five – leopards, lions, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo – but during my once-in-a-lifetime Tanzanian safari, watching a mama cheetah frolic across the African savannah with two cubs in tow shines bright in my memory. Guests at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti should snap extra photos of cheetahs during their excursion into the savannah – one of the least-disturbed and best-studied areas in Africa. At the Lodge’s Discovery Centre, guests can share their images with the Serengeti Cheetah Project, which uses crowdsourced wildlife photos to help identify and track the felines. Each cheetah has its own unique spot pattern, and the photos help researchers record the animals’ movements. And they’re not the only big cat of interest: Set out with a guide to set up remote-camera traps, then spend an afternoon monitoring and classifying animals captured on film with help from The Serengeti Lion Project.