Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Archives - Page 3 of 6

World Class

Posted on April 29, 2021June 3, 2025 by Heather Greenwood Davis

During a recent trip, my sons gingerly made their way through the rice paddies at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai as a guide pointed out the long grasses in the waters around their boots, the sounds of the resident buffalo in the distance carrying across the still air. As we walked, our guide explained how the animals and the farmers work together, and how much land is required to create a bag of rice we’d purchase without a thought at a supermarket back home. Later, we sampled the product: In a cooking class, the executive chef showed the boys how to make mango sticky rice and other tasty Thai dishes. We headed home with recipes, a new appreciation for a dinner staple, and knowledge of another culture and way of life.

Our visit to Thailand was just one stop on our family’s trip around the world. Without class curricula, we let the journey school our sons. We learned new languages at playgrounds and restaurants, explored conservation efforts in wild spaces, tested our math skills while figuring out currencies, and practised reading with signs at museum exhibits.

Over the past year, terms like “remote schooling” have become a part of many families’ vocabularies. But for us and other avid family travellers, learning has always been a part of the adventure. Every trip we’ve taken has taught us, kids and adults, something new. As we look forward to future journeys together, here are some of the exciting opportunities offered by Four Seasons to help us learn about – and from – local destinations and people.

WILD OCEAN ENCOUNTERS

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Who needs a biology classroom – or a playground – when your family can explore the incredible marine life that surrounds Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México? As part of its “Schoolcations” program, marine learning activities for kids include an expert-guided whale-watching tour, a sea foraging excursion and the chance to assist with the release of olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings.

At Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, families (including kids as young as 9) can keep an eye out for sea turtles and other marine life – including migrating humpback whales, in season – during a private outrigger canoe paddle. Championship-level guides teach you the basics and show how this ancient tradition continues to play a role in Hawaiian culture.

In a new partnership with WiseOceans, and with a new Resort marine biologist and educator, Louise Sabadel, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is now more certain than ever to appeal to conservationists of all ages. Snorkelling the calm lagoon and reef is an easy way for multiple generations to discover local underwater life together.

STAYING FIT AND FOCUSED

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Healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand in hand, so learning a new skill that strengthens physical and mental muscles is good for the whole family. At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, kids as young as 4 can learn the traditional art of Thai kick-boxing (muay thai) from a professional boxer. Every member of the family will enjoy gazing out over the gulf from a hilltop ring, practising this sport that promotes flexibility, strength and coordination.

On the flip side, sometimes it’s important to concentrate on quiet minds and calm spirits. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, kids age 6 and older can develop both. Board a dhoni boat together and sail over to the Island Spa, where children can relax with treatments all their own, including oil blending, nourishing seaweeds, or yoga on land or sea. “Kids are never too young to learn the importance of self-care or the role of nature in our well-being,” says Spa Assistant Manager Angelica De Leon. “Our children’s treatments all include an educational aspect.”

And it’s easy to turn a sport your child already loves into a teachable moment. At Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, sign your student up for a one-hour golf lesson with PGA professional Rod Cook, the Resort’s Director of Instruction, to learn different golf skill sets like chipping, putting and driving. Afterwards, explore the science behind the sport: Director of Golf Maintenance Stephen Tucker will explain the winning formula of water, fertilizer and care that goes into keeping the course in prime condition.

ARTS, CRAFTS AND CULTURE

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From a fairly young age, many kids have had some exposure to ancient Greek mythology and culture. In Athens, a visit to local museums will show them how important pottery remains are to the archaeological record and our modern understanding of the era. Bring the stories to life and engage kids’ hands-on creativity with pottery lessons at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens.

Prefer your art in 2D? Learn about Italian artists and the techniques used in their work when you try your hand at reproducing pieces by legends like Raphael and Caravaggio. The exclusive collaboration between Four Seasons Hotel Milano and the Pinacoteca di Brera museum includes a sketchbook, colouring kit and private tour options. “The children who participate are captured by the colours, by the thousands of stories that the paintings tell,” says Pinacoteca di Brera Deputy Manager Alessandra Quarto. “They are totally fascinated; they sit on the floor and listen, observe, draw.”

Or make art that takes to the sky: At Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Nevis, on-site kite experts will help kids build their own creations to soar high and challenge others. Kites play a cultural role in both destinations; spring brings kite competitions in Nevis, and summer in Bali is the time to watch locals battling it out in the skies with kites up to 5 metres wide.

Inspire any budding chefs in your family with a hands-on French culinary experience – starting with a drive to Versailles to see the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, kitchen garden—with the Hotel’s Michelin-starred Chef Simone Zanoni. Or book a family lesson in Vietnamese cuisine at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An. The skills kids learn here from an expert chef, such as rolling rice paper, can add spice to mealtimes back home.

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

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For kids, history books can be boring. Interactive activities bring the facts more vividly to life in experiences the adults can share. Pay a lantern-lit evening visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, exclusively arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, where you’ll learn about the first U.S. president and explore spaces that aren’t open to the general public. “Mount Vernon looks like it was frozen in time during Washington’s life—it is truly living history,” says Concierge Supervisor Michael Chase. “No tour is duplicated from one family to the next; the guide tailors to the ages and curiosities of the children.”

At Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, a local expert will guide you on a walking tour along the Pearling Trail in the old city of Muharraq, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a glimpse into its history and its pearling traditions. Pair it with a family snorkelling or diving trip to search for fresh wild pearls.

If the legend of El Dorado has caught your children’s interest, a visit to Bogotá’s Museo del Oro is in order, and a helicopter tour over Lake Guatavita, arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogotá, can add a sense of place to the fabled city of gold. The lake was a sacred site for the indigenous Muisca civilization, where chiefs threw offerings including gold to the gods; the story grew into the myth of El Dorado.

For the ultimate adventure, the Four Seasons Private Jet may be just the ticket: The first family-friendly journey, African Wonders (December 28, 2021, to January 9, 2022), includes stops in seven countries and a visit to one of the world’s most compelling historical sites, Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, with expert guides and special access. It’s just the type of experience to inspire your children’s love of learning, and your favourite family memories, for years to come.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your adventures take you next?

Across the Universe

Posted on February 19, 2020February 11, 2021 by Sam Kean

This year, the universe has gifted us with 366 days. Leap day represents the perfect opportunity to look back and look forward, to develop new traditions and step out of your comfort zone, to explore the world and come home different – one unforgettable experience at a time.

Take the Leap With Four Seasons

What will you do with your extra day? Use it to do something you’ve never done before. The time is yours to take.

1 minute in Chiang Mai
A Gesture of Giving
Start your day by offering temple monks a token of respect as they stop by during their morning ritual.

1 hour in Budapest
Take Tea at the Palace
Sit back beneath the magnificent glass cupola of the historic Peacock Passage at
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest and taste lavish cakes and savoury delights.

1 day in the Serengeti
In Search of Rhino
During a full-day safari, see the rare black rhinos that inhabit the southwest Moru Kopjes as your Maasai guide explains the significance of pockmarked Gong Rock and the nearby rock paintings.

Because it happens only once every four years, leap day has historically been seen as an oddity, a day for declaring that the normal rules don’t always have to apply.

On the last day of February in 1948, for example, single women in Aurora, Illinois, seized control of the fire and police departments, and jailed every unmarried man they could round up. They took over the city council as well, where they debated outlawing corncob pipes and flew bloomers as flags over City Hall.

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first – or last – women’s takeover of Aurora. It happened every four years from 1932 to 1980, always on February 29: leap day. This city’s tradition was just one of many around the world.

One of the best-known leap day traditions flips the script on marriage proposals. No one knows how it started, but the custom was well established by the 1800s. If the man refused a woman’s proposal, he had to pay a fine – usually cash or a new gown.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

One day, one hour or even one minute can change the way we view the world. That’s especially true when we step out of our routines. Transform your perspective with Four Seasons.

1 minute in Hoi An, Vietnam (the Nam Hai)
A Goodnight Kiss
Set your intention and then release your wishing candle onto the lotus pond to the healing and evocative music of singing bowls.

1 hour in Jackson Hole

Experience Via Ferrata
Join expert guides for a climbing adventure. Scale suspended bridges and walls of granite with the help of iron rungs, pegs and carved steps. You’ll never forget the view of the alpine terrain below.

1 day in Athens (Astir Place)
Slow Down on the Sea
Take to the Aegean aboard a traditional kaiki boat: Go fishing, see ancient sites and swim in the Saronic Gulf. Later, savour local flavours during a romantic sunset dinner aboard your private vessel.

More modern traditions include tree planting in Germany and leap day cocktails around the globe. In Paris, you can kick back with a copy of a spoof newspaper published only on February 29 – La Bougie du Sapeur (The Sapper’s Candle), named after a French comic-book character born that day.

In contrast to these light-hearted traditions, in Scotland the whole leap year is considered unlucky. (“Leap year,” Scots say, “was ne’er a good sheep year.”)

But many consider leap day a lucky day, particularly families welcoming “leaplings” to the family. There are two recorded cases of families with three siblings all born on February 29 – one in Norway in the 1960s, and one in Utah between 2004 and 2012.

Roman dictator Julius Caesar is considered the father of leap year. The ancient Roman calendar system was based on 355 days a year – slightly over 10 days shorter than a solar year. To keep the calendar in line with the seasons, Caesar consulted with the top astronomers of the day, and in 46 BC added one day every four years to the calendar to make up for the discrepancy.

Come Home Different

Travel is a time to experience new things, reflect on ourselves and embrace new ways of being. What skills, hobbies and interests will you bring home to expand your personal horizons?

1 minute in Abu Dhabi
A traditional welcome
Begin to learn Arabic at check-in: “Al-Salaam-Alaikum,” or “peace be unto you,” is how the Concierge will greet you, along with a warm smile and a freshly poured cup of traditional coffee.

1 hour in Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Go to Market
Watch fishermen return in colourful jukung boats with their overnight catch at Jimbaran Fish Market. Later, head back to the Resort for an educational cooking class and fresh seafood lunch.

1 day in Oahu at Ko Olina
Earth, Wind and Fire
In a private helicopter, glide high above rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls to see the blazing glory of the erupting Kilauea volcano first-hand. Afterwards, plant a tree – as children did in Germany on leap day – in the Hawaiian Legacy Forest.

Non-European cultures that used different calendars have fewer customs associated with February 29. But because the solar year isn’t a precise number – Earth’s orbital revolution around the sun takes about six hours longer than 365 whole days – all calendars need to fudge things with their own leap days and leap months, which often have their own traditions.

China historically used a lunar calendar that incorporated seven leap months every 19 years. And the Hebrew calendar sometimes deletes a day, but more often adds days and months in what are called “pregnant years.” The extra month is considered lucky.

Breaking things down even smaller than leap months and leap days, there’s the leap second. We need leap seconds because the Earth’s rotation is constantly slowing down (and has been for ages: in dinosaur times, a seasonal year lasted around 400 days). So every few years since 1972, the world’s timekeepers have added a second to our clocks at midnight on June 30 or December 31 – at which point the time is officially 11:59:60 pm.

No matter how you perceive leap day, its fundamental purpose is to keep our calendars aligned with the seasons, thereby providing stability in our lives. It’s ironic, then, that the day itself is often the opposite – whimsical and exciting. But sometimes we need that release, a little break from routine. However you choose to take your time on February 29 – lingering under the stars in Costa Rica, diving into Anguilla’s hidden cays, escaping to Lake Como from Milan via a helicopter ride over the mountains – take advantage of this rarest of days and make it somehow your own.

Travel Easy in Southeast Asia

Posted on October 2, 2019September 19, 2024 by Brittany Johnson

No matter where you happen to be in Southeast Asia, you can seamlessly combine urban and rural experiences that showcase the region’s shopping, art, food, beaches and wildlife.

Designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River feels like a resort in the heart of the city.

Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River welcomes guests in the heart of Bangkok’s dynamic Creative District, channelling the area’s contemporary take on tradition.

Architect Jean-Michel Gathy’s forward-thinking design echoes the energy of the river, with a cascading structure of indoor-outdoor spaces arranged around green courtyards, delicate gardens and water features.

“The inspiration was urban resort,” Gathy says, “bringing the soul of the landscape, the outdoors, into a sophisticated Four Seasons hotel.” Many of the 299 rooms and suites have river views, and all have 4-metre [13-foot] ceilings for an airy aesthetic. Thai culture is referenced in the design details and the artwork Gathy chose.

Another aspect of Thai culture is easy to discover there. “Near the Hotel, both locals and tourists enjoy the scents and tastes of a variety of street foods,” says Chief Concierge Thanart Menbangphung. “Food stalls and restaurants can be found in almost every corner of the city, especially along Yaowaraj Road.”

Get to know Bangkok’s vibrant culture by exploring its street art and sampling the variety of street food found in stalls along Yaowaraj Road..

The long life of Northern Thailand’s fascinating culture makes a magic blend with its natural beauty. Discover the region with bespoke tours from Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. The Resort team can arrange a trip to the hilltop temple that houses an important relic of the Lord Buddha, a shopping excursion for local handicrafts or a deep dive into Chiang Mai’s famous coffee culture.

Learn more about the native elephants; trek past gushing waterfalls, terraced rice fields and hill tribe villages on a hike up Thailand’s highest peak. And new custom art tours give guests access to some of the area’s top galleries.

At the Resort, you’re invited to become a rice farmer for a few hours, or learn the secrets of local plants and flowers on a guided walk through its spectacular gardens. And the Resort has recently introduced a journey of well-being for guests who seek personal renewal. Spend two to seven customized days that incorporate yoga, cupping, massage, Thai herbal steams and personalized wellness cuisine.

The villas at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai offer serene, private sanctuaries surrounded by nature.

To the south lies your chance for laid-back island life at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Consider a yacht trip to Angthong National Marine Park – 42 pristine and protected islands full of limestone caves, white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs. “There are many neighbouring islands around Koh Samui that you could visit for a half- or full-day trip,” says the Resort’s Boat Captain, Anuchit Chaisuk. “Whether your idea of the perfect holiday is to do nothing at all, anchor off a remote beach for a day of pure tropical relaxation, or head to the best snorkelling or diving spots in the Gulf of Thailand, there’s something for everyone.”

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui exterior / Yacht with kayak

At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, your days can be filled with adventure, relaxation or a little of both.

Get a taste of Muay Thai – Thai kickboxing – at the Bill Bensley–designed Muay Thai “ring with a view.” In a one-on-one session with the Resort’s in-house expert Anuphong Deesamer (Kru An), guests can try their hand at throwing a few punches and honing the technique.

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is perfectly positioned for uncovering the area’s the natural wonders.

Malaysia: Langkawi

The island where Four Seasons Resort Langkawi stands is home as well to fantastically diverse wildlife and one of the world’s most ancient rainforests. And there’s the water.

Kayaks, catamarans and windsurfing gear are available for those who want to explore along the island’s longest stretch of beach. The Resort is located within Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, where Resort naturalists can take you on kayak tours through lush forests to spot pythons, otters, eagles and sleeping bats.

On land, sign up for a guided rainforest walk, which will be accompanied by plenty of birds. For more adventure, the Resort can arrange a guided trek to Gunung Mat Chincang, the island’s second-tallest mountain, to traverse the rocky terrain near the famous Seven Wells waterfall. Or channel your inner Alex Honnold and scale a 40-foot natural limestone outcrop with the guidance of the Resort’s Adventure Team.

People on small blue boat on river under small rocky mountain, with eagles flying above

Explore the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark with expert guidance from Four Seasons.

At the far end of the Resort’s pristine beach, time stands still. Spend the afternoon with the Adventure Team at Rumah Ikan Fish House, a traditional fish house suspended above the Andaman Sea. Experience an old-school method of fishing, a fascinating process that involves a structure of wooden splints. Afterwards, join Pak Din, a local fisherman, as he uses his sharp eyes and fast hands to harvest the freshest lobster from the Andaman Sea. The Resort’s culinary team will turn his catch into an ocean-to-table dining experience.

The breezy, open-air lobby of Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay immediately sets the tone for your visit.

Indonesia: Bali and Jakarta

Further south at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, there’s no time like mealtime. “Bali has a cultural and culinary mix like nowhere else on Earth,” says Executive Chef Phillip Taylor of Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. “Like other areas in Bali, including Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Seminyak and Canggu, the Ubud dining scene has evolved in the last few years and offers world-class restaurants and high-profile local chefs as well as international names who now call Bali home.”

Sample dishes from across the Indonesian archipelago at Ayung Terrace at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

Less than two hours from Bali by plane is the bustling city of Jakarta, and within the city stands its urban oasis, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. “The city is full of hidden gems,” says Rizky Pratama, Concierge Supervisor. He recommends visiting Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, “Indonesia’s Beautiful Miniature.” This green space in East Jakarta celebrates the archipelago’s heritage with 34 traditional house pavilions, one for each of Indonesia’s provinces, displaying its traditions.

Jakarta skyline and Four Season Hotel Jakarta exterior

The all-suite Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta is the the centrepiece of award-winning Capital Place, putting you right next to some of the city’s best dining and shopping.

“Pay a visit to the biggest Chinatown in Indonesia,” says Administrative Assistant Vera Catherine. “While you’re there, don’t forget to check my favourite coffee in town, Kopi Es Tak Kie at Pecinan, Glodok.”

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you go first?

A New Season in Napa: Fall Fashion
Inspired by Wine Country

Posted on August 24, 2019April 8, 2026 by Alycee Byrd

California’s Napa Valley is ideally suited for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes: The region offers a sunny, warm climate; good drainage; and volcanic soils that add an earthy, rich complexity to its wines. At the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, where the vineyard is protected by the Palisades mountains and oak-covered hills, world-class winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown and his team at the on-site Elusa Winery have carefully designed and planted it to intensify the grapes’ flavour. Take part in the winemaking process, from harvesting grapes to blending and ageing the wine, or learn about Calistoga’s unique terroir during a tasting session – the Resort provides the most complete grape-to-glass experience in Napa.

“The moment guests step foot on the property, they are welcomed into an extraordinary wine country oasis,” says General Manager Mehdi Eftekari. “Awe-inspiring views of the vineyards and Palisades Mountains are an idyllic backdrop to enriching experiences at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar and Elusa Winery. In guests’ suites, the vines are mere inches from their terraces and balconies.”

The dramatic scenery of North America’s wine capital – and the Resort, set to open later this year – also provide an idyllic background for the season’s most stylish new fashions. The looks pair perfectly with the Resort’s natural colour palette, rich textures and easy elegance.

Explore Napa Valley with Four Seasons

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The Resort spreads across 22.5 acres (9 hectares), offering dramatic scenery and viticultural discovery at every turn. It’s a natural hideaway for relaxation and indulgence, framed by picturesque forests and majestic mountains.

Left to right: On Julia: Genny top and skirt; Alexander McQueen boots. On Miki: Reem Acra dress. On Breanna: Valentino gown, Sethi Couture earrings.

Make the most of Napa’s idyllic setting with a swim in the Resort’s two outdoor pools – the adults-only pool overlooks the vineyard, while the Resort Pool features shallow splashing areas that are perfect for families. Or celebrate the sunshine with elevated Napa cuisine at the modern TRUSS Restaurant + Bar or Cal-Mexican favourites at open-air Campo Poolside.

Left image, left to right: On Julia: Stella McCartney dress and boots; JYE ring (index finger); Sethi Couture ring (middle finger); Guess bag. On Miki: Gucci cardigan, jumpsuit and sandals; Wolford undergarments; Alexander McQueen clutch; Fabergé necklace and rings. On Breanna: Alyson Eastman dress; Chelsea Paris shoes; Tiffany & Co. necklace; Grace Lee ring (index finger); Katkim rings (ring fingers); Vhernier pink gold and jade bracelet; Sethi Couture bangles (near hand); JYE bangle (near sleeve). Right image: On Breanna: Reem Acra dress; JYE earrings.

Taste the Flavours of Napa

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Elusa winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown is celebrated for his non-interventionalist approach, letting the vineyard’s character shine. It’s a style that has paid off: Renowned wine critic Robert Parker Jr. has awarded him 23 perfect 100-point scores for his Cabernet Sauvignon projects over the past decade.

Left to right: On Breanna: Chloé coat, skirt, top and boots; Adeam earrings and ring. On Miki: Chloé poncho; Partow dress; Michael Kors Collection skirt; JYE ring (right hand); Vhernier ring (left hand). On Julia: Chloé jumper and skirt; Brunello Cucinelli boots; Sethi Couture necklaces, rings and earrings.

Savour Napa Valley wines

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Spa Talisa celebrates Napa’s rich vineyard heritage with treatments incorporating grape seeds – long recognized for their potent antioxidants and skin-pleasing polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Try an exfoliating scrub of sugar and grape seeds to give your skin a soft, luminous glow. “Spa Talisa is rooted in Calistoga’s 150-year history as a wellness destination,” says Eftekari. “Guests can enjoy holistic treatments and private patios, or head to the steam decks for a locally-inspired steam experience.”

On Breanna: Gucci jacket, vest and trousers; Tory Burch ring.

Relax at Spa Talisa

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Century-old olive trees dot the Resort, adding character to the rustic yet elegant ambience indoors and out. Acres of vineyards, farmhouse-chic villas and romantic private terraces: It’s California wine country at its finest.

Left image: On Breanna: Brunello Cucinelli dress and cardigan; Katkim earring; Sethi Couture band (left hand) and stacked rings (right hand); Tiffany & Co. ring (middle finger). Right image, left to right: On Breanna: Dolce & Gabbana jacket, skirt and earrings; Akris top; Dior sunglasses. On Julia: Prada dress, top and stole; Tory Burch necklace; Katkim earring and rings (index and middle fingers); Grace Lee ring (index finger); Aaron Basha ring (right hand) and beaded bracelet; Vhernier gold and carnelian bracelet; Dior pearl necklace worn as bracelet; Stella McCartney sunglasses. On Miki: Altuzarra dress; Tory Burch top; Dior scarf; Max Mara head scarf; Dolce & Gabbana earrings; Alexander McQueen sunglasses.

The Resort’s Vineyard Barn – with lofty beamed ceilings and prime views of the vines – is a coveted venue for weddings and events. Say “I do” in the vineyard, or gather with friends and family for a dinner party in The Cork Room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the winery.

Left image: On Miki: Chanel coat, boots and earrings; Grace Lee ring (index finger); Sethi Couture rings (middle finger). Right image: On Julia: Harry Winston earrings, necklace, brooch, ring and cuff; Marina Moscone pajama shirt.

Photographer: Eric Ray Davidson

Stylist: Julie Matos

Assistant Stylists: Alyson Eastman and Johanna Houska

Makeup: Karina Moore

Hair: James Harris Jr.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you explore next?

Reconnect With the World:
How Travel Can Transform Your Outlook

Posted on July 8, 2019April 8, 2026 by Jennifer Sanchez

Human brains are hard-wired to connect. It’s how we learn about the world around us and how we learn about ourselves. And in the series of moments that make up our lives, it’s moments of genuine personal connection that shine the brightest. This is never more true than when we travel.

For Jessica Nabongo, writer, entrepreneur and the first Black woman to visit every country in the world, making those connections is one of the most important and cherished parts of her journey not only throughout the globe, but through life.

“One question I ask people a lot is, what makes you happy?” Nabongo says. “Whether I’m talking to royalty or if I’m talking to someone who has nearly nothing living in a village, the messages remain very, very similar. It’s all about our personal relationships.”

The daughter of Ugandan immigrants, Nabongo has been travelling internationally since she was 4 years old. In 2008, she left her corporate job and moved to Japan to teach English. She ended up living abroad for seven years, with stints in London, Benin and Rome, before returning to her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. But in 2017, with 60 countries already under her belt, Nabongo decided that she would set out to visit every single country in the world and share it all on Instagram under the handle @jessicanabongo. Two years and 136 countries later, she accomplished her record-breaking feat.

Recently, she connected with Florence, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and centre of the art and culture of the Italian Renaissance, during a visit with Alicia Miller Corbett – editor of Four Seasons Magazine – to record a podcast sharing more about her personal journey and perspective on connection.

At Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, centuries of history lie within reach in the Hotel’s expansive private garden – the largest in the city. Originally planted in the 15th century and filled with statues, fountains and a small Ionic temple, the garden retains its ancient beauty and charm. After a stroll under centuries-old trees and a Michelin-starred dinner garnished with views of iconic landmarks like the Duomo, Nabongo could maintain the Renaissance mood in her guest room, where frescoes and original architecture bridge the gap between their time and ours.

Explore With Your Heart

Deep in the Tuscan countryside, Giotto, a curly-haired Lagotto Romagnolo, goes sniffing through the woods in search of the elusive truffle. His owner, Luca, is close by. About an hour’s drive from Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, this truffle-hunting expedition offers Nabongo a rare glimpse into the rural heart of the region, both through the bucolic scenery and, later, through the cuisine. “To learn so much about the history of truffles, and to learn about it through [Luca’s] clear passion for it, it was such an amazing experience,” she says.

Explore Florence with Four Seasons

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Extending an exploration beyond the major cities is one of the best ways to get know a new country. And for Nabongo, experiencing a destination is much more than a change in geography. “I think even beyond going outside the main cities, it’s about how you explore any place you visit,” she says. “My passport into a country – my entry point – is always the people.”

What happens if you don’t speak the language? No problem, says Nabongo. Her philosophy? “I speak with my heart and not with my mind.”

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Whether you’re worried about travelling alone, visiting certain countries or even sampling the street food, Nabongo always encourages people to leave their fears at home. “I would say that my travel philosophy is to travel without fear. And to travel with positive energy,” she says. “I always say positive energy coats my stomach, because I’ve never had food poisoning!”

It’s true that one of the easiest ways to connect with a new culture – and with new people – is to sit down for a meal. In Florence, it could be a four-course gourmet meal designed by the Hotel’s Michelin-starred chef and served on the famed Ponte Vecchio – an experience available exclusively to Hotel guests – or standing in line with the locals for an order of trippa or lampredotto at one of the city’s ubiquitous food stands. Either way, being open to new foods and new people doesn’t just satisfy your body, it satisfies your soul.

Explore the World with Four Seasons

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“I’m constantly living outside of my comfort zone. I think my comfort zone is discomfort,” Nabongo says, laughing. “Even beyond travel, my life philosophy is to live fearlessly – and live a life without limits.” By documenting and writing about her travels, she hopes that her journey and everything she shares can help inspire people to move past their limits, whatever they may be. “Because for me, I feel like I’ve created the life that I want to live,” she says. “And I feel that the reason I was able to do that is because I realized everything that I need is already inside of me.”

Redefine Your Idea of Home

Connections, expected or unexpected, can help inform how we interact with the world. And that can ripple out beyond us. A friendly encounter at a restaurant may inspire you to recommend it to a friend who’s visiting the same city. A conversation with a tour guide or fellow traveller might change your itinerary for the better. Or a new dish or drink is shared with you and you in turn share it with your family back home.

Nabongo can think of many of these moments that have impacted her throughout her travels, particularly when it comes to hospitality. “I think that hospitality comes from the experiences that I’ve had because so many strangers around the world have welcomed me into their home and cooked me meals,” she says. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve made sure to sort of perfect how I’m welcoming people in my home. And honestly, it’s also redefined my definition of home. For me, now, home is in people. Yes, I physically live in Detroit, but I have homes in London, Accra, Dakar, Bangkok, Rome – I can think of so many places that I have homes because my people are there.”

To feel at home in the world. What more could a traveller – or a human, for that matter – ask?

Four Seasons Experiences That Can Inspire You to Connect

At Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, you’re in the heart of the world’s most celebrated wildlife reserve. Set out with a Maasai guide for an intimate look at the animals who call Africa’s stunning savannah home.

See the wonders of the universe like never before at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. Join a world-renowned scientist for an astronomy lesson in the Hotel’s park – one of the top places for celestial observations in the French Riviera.

Explore new flavours and take home a delicious souvenir during a cooking class at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Shop for fresh ingredients in local markets with a Resort chef, then learn to prepare them during a hands-on lesson in traditional Thai cuisine.

Tequila might be Mexico’s most popular drink, but mezcal is a close second. Set out from Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City for a day trip to Oaxaca to visit local distillers to see how this agave-based spirit is made, then try your hand at making your own.

RECONNECT THROUGH LIFE-CHANGING TRAVEL

Your journey begins here

Destinations: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

World Class

WILD OCEAN ENCOUNTERS

STAYING FIT AND FOCUSED

ARTS, CRAFTS AND CULTURE

HISTORY COMES ALIVE

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Across the Universe

Take the Leap With Four Seasons

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Come Home Different

Travel Easy in Southeast Asia

Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui

Malaysia: Langkawi

Indonesia: Bali and Jakarta

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE