Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

Raising a Foodie: 7 Tips on Travelling with Picky Eaters

Posted on by Nikki Ridgway

One of our first family holidays was to an island in the Caribbean — an easy hop from New York City with plenty of kid-friendly beach activities and local spots serving up fish-of-the-day and curried rôtis. Unfortunately, at the time we arrived, our toddler son was going through a culinary beige stage and rejecting any new flavour. So instead of risking mealtime tantrums and eye-rolls from our fellow (generally honeymooning) diners, we’d resigned ourselves to a drama-free menu of cereal, cheese sandwiches and cheese pasta.

It was on a boat trip out to the cays that we had a breakthrough. While my son and I splashed around in the sea, my husband and our captain dived for conch, which we took to a deserted beach to prepare in the afternoon sun. When we’d cleaned, prepped and chopped the catch into a citrusy ceviche, our captain handed a few pieces to my son, who ate them without ceremony.

“Was that nice?” I asked, trying to hide my utter joy. “Mmm,” he replied, then went back to building a sandcastle.

A gourmet feast it wasn’t, but I couldn’t help feeling proud and relieved that he’d at least tried something new.

Novelty is one thing you’re absolutely guaranteed to encounter on the road. I use it to lure my boy from his comfort zone on all our travels, along with a host of other tricks to encourage and foster adventurous eating. Read on for my seven best tips, from crafting culinary treasure hunts on city trips to perfecting the foodie sleight of hand wherever you are in the world.

Get a taste before you travel

Kids are creatures of habit, so take some of the surprise out of their vacation menu and introduce new dishes at a local restaurant before you travel. This is easy in cities like New York and London, where you can travel from Little Italy to Chinatown in a few blocks. But you can also set up a restaurant night at home and have the kids research ingredients, draw up a menu and help with some of the prep.

With younger children, get them excited about weird and wonderful food in general and pick up a copy of food critic Joshua Daniel Stein’s beautifully illustrated Can I Eat That?, which is stuffed full of foodie facts and addresses important questions like “Do eggs grow on eggplants?”

Visit local food markets

Photography courtesy Nibble+squeak

A visit to a local food market on Day One is a great way to familiarize your kids with the types of ingredients they’ll encounter over the course of the trip.

When visiting London, for example, combine a trip to the South Bank’s Tate Modern museum and kid-favourite London Eye Ferris wheel with a stop at Borough Market. Here, kids can note regional edibles like hand-collected scallops from Dorset, Cumbria’s prized Galloway beef and prize-winning Cheddar cheeses. As you order new dishes throughout the trip, make a fun game out of having them point out any special ingredients they recognize.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Guests at Four Seasons Hotel Santa Fe can join Executive Chef Kai Autenrieth on a tour of a local food market and get acquainted with all the staples of his fiery Southwestern cooking.

Embrace street food culture

Photography courtesy Shutterstock

Street eats are perfect family fare: fast, casual and available at all hours. In Istanbul, you can pick up a bagel-like simit from one of the carts on virtually every street corner to stave off hungry tantrums, while in Hanoi, children can enjoy the independence of ordering for themselves thanks to the simple picture menus used at most stalls.

The key is that the dining room can be the sidewalk, a scenic walking tour or a bench nearby, which means you won’t have to worry about disturbing diners at the next table. And since street food doesn’t call for proper table manners, you and your family can relax while eating, instead of continually ensuring that everyone is sitting quietly in their chairs.

Combine your street food with a picturesque view by finding a great local picnic spot, like the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, or Fort Point in San Francisco, California.

Try edible sightseeing

Kids quickly tire from back-to-back rounds of sightseeing, but combining the big attractions with a pre-plotted restaurant crawl around a new city is a perfect way to see the sights and keep everyone fed and happy.

In Hong Kong, Michael Lau and Jacky Cheung, managers at three-Michelin-star Lung King Heen restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, suggest a dining crawl that takes in many of the city’s iconic dishes: Milk tea at Lan Fong Yuen, wonton soup at Mak’s Noodle, dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, tofu custard at Kung Wo Dou Bun Chong and egg tart at Tai Cheong Bakery.

“The key to discovering Hong Kong street food [and thus the country’s culture] is to be a bit adventurous,” says Lau.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

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In Paris, score serious brownie points on a small-group chocolate walking tour of the city’s best chocolatiers and patisseries (tastings included), or keep it classic in New York City with a pizza crawl around Manhattan. Four Seasons Hotel New York Concierge Austin Herzing suggests long-time favourite Don Antonio by Starita, which is just four blocks from Times Square and therefore a prime pick for pre- or post-theatre dinners. Farther downtown, Herzing recommends Marta, a popular spot that puts you within snapping distance of the Flatiron Building and busy Madison Square Park, as well as Chef Mario Batali’s upscale pizza restaurant OTTO — perfect after exploring the boutiques and cafés of the nearby West Village.

Get the kids cooking

As parents of picky eaters will attest, playing chef is one sure-fire way to get kids out of their comfort food zone. “Having children involved in food preparation really helps make food less of the enemy,” explains Paulette Lambert, Director of Nutrition at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, which offers a variety of cookery classes for young ones. “Most kids want to fit in, so they are generally much more adventurous in class than at home.”

At Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi budding chefs don small aprons and chef’s hats and learn the basics of making breads, pastries and other delicacies at the Hotel’s market-inspired Crust restaurant. At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, the Kids For All Seasons programme gives young ones the chance to make anything from Thai pancakes to cookies.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

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Don’t skip the posh restaurants

Travelling with children who are picky eaters doesn’t mean giving up memorable dinners at upscale restaurants. In fact, parents should take advantage of kids’ early-bird mealtime and score a reservation before rush hour at a local hot spot. Add some theatre to the occasion by choosing a restaurant with an open-plan kitchen or chef’s counter, so kids can engage with the team and appreciate just what goes into preparing their meal.

At Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s fine-dining restaurant TRIO, children can order from a dedicated kids’ menu (from a PB&J to grilled white fish with vegetables and rice) and dine with custom dishes and silverware that were specially designed for little hands. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane offers two children’s menus at its upscale Italian restaurant, Amaranto – the Il Bambino menu for early eaters and one for older diners, with teen-favourite paninis, pasta, pizza and gelato.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Alternatively, seek out a family-focused dining club like Nibble + squeak, which hosts popular parent-and-tot meals at some of New York, London and Washington, DC’s best restaurants. The most recent lunch in NYC was a sold-out takeover of Chef Enrique Olvera’s white-hot Cosme restaurant, and there are upcoming events at the President Obama-approved Vermillon in DC, and London’s award-winning Modern Pantry.

Serve their favourites, with local spice

“Como se dice french fries?” Ideally, you don’t say it at all, but if your children won’t stray from their favourites, find the local equivalent. At Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, for example, Chef Patricia Ramos at Nuestra Secreto restaurant recommends tempting kids with the pacu croquettes, small fillets of fried fish that will seem very familiar to lovers of fish fingers.

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

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Playing translator can be key to getting kids on board with strange-sounding foods. You might get a “no” to trying chicken roti in the Caribbean, for example, but not if you suggest ordering the chicken wrap – its exact equivalent. Or pitch the “cheese sandwich” instead of an arepa in Colombia, or “pasta” over dumpling-like manti in Turkey.

And remember, wherever you are in the world, ice cream (gelato, kulfi, dondurma, mochi ice cream) is always a hit.

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15 Photographs That Capture the Best of Europe

Posted on by Caroline McCoy

JB Qorz has spent his career creating beautiful images, acting as a special-effects artist for international brands such as Saint Laurent and Renault, and stepping behind the camera lens for the likes of Coca-Cola and Sony. The French-born photographer and perennial traveller has also earned acclaim through his Instagram feed, where nearly half a million followers admire his dreamy, atmospheric images.

I do not want to capture one second, but rather timelessness. Back home, a photograph is all I have left, between fantasy and reality. – JB Qorz

He shoots without a filter and often in the early morning hours, capturing rays of sunlight breaking through a pine forest or a streak of pink sky illuminating city streets. His aesthetic transcends language; he rarely titles or captions his work in great detail, preferring that his images communicate the essence of the places he visits.

“For me, photography is sharing emotions or even ideas that words cannot express,” Qorz says. Despite his serious talent, Qorz doesn’t take himself too seriously. “Creation is about living the moment,” he says. “It is all about revealing [a feeling] rather than trying to intellectualize it.”

The artist recently returned from a 10-city tour of Europe, during which he captured quiet corners and iconic landmarks with the nuanced perspective that continues to draw fans. We asked him to share some of his favourite shots, from the banks of the Bosphorus to the narrow streets of Florence. Here, he reveals the best of Europe through his lens.

Starlight at sunrise in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France


The gardens at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

“If hundreds of people walk through [a place],” Qorz says, “what would they have in common?” With this image, the photographer attempted to capture both the fantasy and the reality of a stroll through the gardens.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

On a quiet peninsula between Nice and Monaco, the historic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, fronts the Mediterranean Sea. Qorz captured this image of the Hotel’s fragrant gardens just before daybreak. “I can see both the sun and the stars!” he remembers.

Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

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Ancient meets modern in Istanbul


Ortaköy Mosque

At 160 years old, the Ortaköy Mosque is one of Istanbul’s newer landmarks. The ornate structure replaced the mosque that was destroyed during a civic uprising at the end of the Tulip Period in 1730.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

The 19th-century Ortaköy Mosque stands at the water’s edge very near Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus. The photographer was compelled by the juxtaposition between the neo-Baroque architecture of the mosque and the modern bridge that stretches behind it. “Istanbul is a city of many contrasts,” he says. “Sports cars and carriages, ultramodern bridges and old streets and mosques . . . it is a rich blend.”

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

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Streetcar scenes in Lisbon


Streetcar in Lisbon

Lisbon’s early streetcars were crafted in Philadelphia by J.G. Brill Company. Its newer cars maintain the Brill aesthetic, which you can still see today.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Lisbon’s streetcars are iconic. For Qorz, capturing one in motion required a quick eye and some daredevil collaboration. “Here’s the tip,” he says. “Travel with your partner. Once you have found the right angle . . . [your partner] crosses the street and drops an item in the road to block traffic. Then you only have to take the picture and check that your partner is all right!” Our tip: Snap your streetcar photos from the safety of a sidewalk.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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Famed landmarks in London


London's Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster

“We cannot see the face of the character in the photo,” says Qorz. “I always try to make it possible for everyone to identify with the person featured in a picture.”

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Qorz’s many fans admire his ability to find a new perspective on oft-photographed destinations. “My goal is not to achieve a completely realistic photo,” he says, “but rather to . . . amplify travel through [a sense of timelessness].” The layered perspective of this image lures the viewer into the scene, which is, of course, London’s famous Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Perspectives in Paris


Eiffel Tower

Qorz says he dealt with the prestige of the landmark by approaching it as he would a nondescript landscape.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Though he was not born in Paris, Qorz spends much of his time there. Seeing the city with the fresh eyes of an artist “is a very interesting exercise,” he says. “Being confronted with a well-known place is like being confronted with oneself.” To capture this image of the Eiffel Tower, he pretended he was seeing it for the first time.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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A view of Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence


The narrow streets of Florence

The narrow streets of Florence beckon travellers with Old World charm. Qorz urges the guest to set out on foot and wander.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

Just a sliver of the city’s most iconic landmark, peeking from beyond a quintessentially Italian street, “illustrates very well the moment I first saw Brunelleschi’s Duomo,” says Qorz.

I love the feeling of seeing things that have been seen by thousands of people before me; it is a kind of communion.

This view invites a long look at the city’s quieter, more charming side, and conveys the experience of stumbling upon something magical while exploring a new destination.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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Life on the Vltava in Prague


The Charles Bridge in Prague

The Charles Bridge, the oldest of the city’s bridges, was constructed in the 14th century, and was the only connection between Prague Castle and Old Town until 1841.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

As much as the photographer enjoys the improvisation of his craft, many of his shots require careful research and a lot of walking. To capture this image, he climbed above the city and waited for the boat in the foreground to come into view. The series of bridges that stretch across Prague’s Vltava River emphasize the city’s beauty and historic significance as a trading route between Eastern and Western Europe.

Four Seasons Hotel Prague

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Building a story in Budapest


The Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge, which extends from the entrance of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, connects the Buda and Pest sides of the city.

Photography courtesy of JB Qorz

During his visit to Budapest in early December, Qorz came upon a father and son feeding a pair of gulls by the Chain Bridge at the bank of the Danube River. “In the morning I . . . discover what I did not see at our arrival by night. I hurry because I know it will be possible to capture the birds and the bridge at the same time. The bridge alone would not be enough. I have to build a story.”

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

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Explore more of Europe through Qorz’ eyes

In Budapest, Qorz photographed the Hungarian Parliament Building from a perch across the Danube at the Buda Castle.

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During a sunrise stroll on the grounds of Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, Qorz captured a young man preparing the famous pool for the day. “The pool and the Mediterranean Sea mix up,” says the photographer. “A beautiful memory.”

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Of the pool at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Qorz says, “I have seen a lot of pools, [but] you cannot help but be impressed at the sight of this one.”

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Qorz snapped this perspective of Lisbon’s Bélem Tower during a photography tour, from the sidecar of a vintage motorcycle.

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An aerial view of Prague’s Old Town Square captures the city’s history and charm.

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“This couple in front of the Louvre embodies this popular imagery of Paris, the romantic city,” Qorz says.

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pool at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

The Best Destinations for Solo Travellers

Posted on by FourSeasonsMagazine.com

A lot of us take vacations because we need to get away from home. Winter is too long, work is too stressful, or we just need a change of scenery. But then there’s another kind of vacation: the one where you need to get away from being you.

Some vacations don’t get rid of those home-thoughts. You sit on a beautiful beach and keep worrying about work or how much screen time to give your kids, and then you get mad at yourself for not feeling at peace in that beautiful place. You feel like your vacation isn’t working.

There is one way to guarantee that your vacation will come with a mental restart: Travel alone.

In the U.S., 11 percent of adult leisure travellers go it alone. And in much of the world over recent years, solo travel for women has become something of a cultural phenomenon.

We talked with three frequent travellers about their motivation to travel solo and why they feel it’s so valuable to the modern-day globetrotter. Read on to hear what Kristin Newman, author of What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding; David Farley, author of An Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church’s Strangest Relic in Italy’s Oddest Town; and Elizabeth Carlson of Young Adventuress have to say about independent travel.

Kristin Newman: Newly single and ready to explore


Kristin Newman

TV writer and world traveller Kristen Newman found that travelling alone was the best way to get a fresh perspective and a mental restart.

Photography courtesy Kristin Newman

The first time I travelled alone, I was 31, between jobs, and newly single after breaking up with a great guy because I wasn’t ready to settle down. If I was going to give up a relationship to keep my freedom, I figured I should do something with that freedom.

So I went to Argentina by myself for two months. I knew no one in South America, I didn’t speak Spanish, and the whole thing was pretty terrifying. Despite my fear of the unknown adventure ahead, I got on the plane, found an apartment in Buenos Aires, took Spanish and tango lessons, and met travellers and locals who took me in and became a new family of friends.

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

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The overwhelming nature of just moving through the day when I’m on my own far from home completely took over, and that’s the special sauce that always delivers a new outlook.

I have learned that when you travel alone you not only get to think a little different; if you want, you can even be a little different. Finding that alternate version of yourself is hard to do when you’re travelling with a buddy. I’ve taken trips with significant others, and girlfriends, and had magical times on those, too. But they didn’t transform me the way my trips alone did, because they didn’t deliver the greatest vacation of all: the vacation from myself.

Newman’s favourite places to visit solo

Rice fields in Bali

Bali, Indonesia: Just north of Ubud, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces provide beautiful panoramas amid Bali’s tropical climate.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

London West End

London, England: Take yourself on a theatre binge in London’s West End and feel great about how cultured you are, even when no one is watching.

Art in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina: It has the glamour of a European city and the warmth of Latin America. Take a tango lesson at La Viruta and a milonga in the basement of the Armenian Cultural Center, then stay late to watch the cool kids dance.

Photography courtesy Peter Adams Photography Ltd/Alamy

Queenstown New Zealand

Queenstown, New Zealand: New Zealand wins in my book for best place to travel alone. It’s safe, gorgeous, and exotic, yet easy, and crowds are nearly non-existent, so you don’t have to make a single plan ahead of time. Hike lodge to lodge on the Milford Track, kayak beach to beach in Abel Tasman National Park, or swim with wild dolphins in Kaikoura.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Siem Reap Cambodia

Siem Reap, Cambodia: Pretend you’re Indiana Jones or Lara Croft while scrambling alone in the ruins and jungles of the UNESCO-inscribed Angkor Archaeological Park – including the famous Angkor Wat. It’s just about as romantic a solo adventure as you could hope for. After, belly up to an expat bar and meet people from around the world who chose to move here.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

David Farley: Travels to learn about the world, and himself


David Farley

For meaningful personal growth, journalist David Farley (pictured here in Istanbul) finds that solo travel helps him to break out of his comfort zone.

Photography courtesy David Farley

During my first year of college, I had become infected with a desire to learn in ways that I didn’t have the opportunity to in high school. When my humanities professor announced a group trip to Central Europe over the summer, I begged my parents for the money to go. They agreed. And it changed my life.

I discovered the best beer in the world in Prague. I ate goulash in Budapest. I saw Prince in concert in Munich.

When the group tour was over, I visited Paris for a few days on my own. As the train rolled into the city, I had my first look at the Eiffel Tower from a distance. I was star-struck. Or, rather, landmark-struck. I spent a couple of days wandering around the City of Light, never really terribly comfortable.

I was 19 years old, alone in the world for the first time, in a country where everything was foreign to me. – David Farley

It wasn’t until I got home to Los Angeles a couple of weeks later, with my friends circled around me, hearing my tales from Paris, that my time there seemed a lot more fun and stress-free than it actually was.

“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect,” writer Paul Theroux once said.

Solo travel is a great metaphor for many other aspects of life. You can’t just move through time and space like a sloth, hoping other forces will step in and take care of it. When things go wrong on the road – and they often do – it’s up to you to fix it.

That’s why solo travel is so important for our personal growth. When you’re travelling with another person or people, you’re essentially bringing your quotidian world, your comfort zone, with you across the planet.

When you’re alone, the habitual you is peeled away because your mind can’t rest in the familiar. Your soul is stripped bare, and you have to resort to being a child again, asking for help from others and using the rational side of your brain to figure out how this new world works.

When I’m on my own, I end up feeling quite lonely after a few days, propelling me to crack open my shell and talk to people. If I haven’t arranged to meet friends of friends in the place – always a great way to get to know the city you’re visiting – then I go to an event, like an English-language stand-up comedy show where you can chat about the performance with other attendees afterwards.

Farley’s favourite places to explore alone

Prague Czech Republic

Prague, Czech Republic: To foreigners, Czechs may appear to have a frosty exterior. This quickly melts away with one tiny attempt at conversation. Within minutes, you’ll be clinking pints of beer in a pub or chatting about the best restaurants in town. Hang out in cafés, restaurants and bars away from Old Town – namely Žižkov, Vinohrady and Karlín – to maximise your chance of meeting locals.

Dublin Ireland

Dublin, Ireland: There may not be a more welcoming, less intimidating place on the planet than Ireland. Sit in a pub in Dublin – John Kavanagh, aka “Gravediggers,” on the north side, or O’Donoghue’s on the south side – and someone is certain to strike up a conversation before you can drink half your pint of Guinness.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

New York City

New York City, New York: The Big Apple’s reputation as a bastion for rude or different behaviour may precede it, but it’s not necessarily accurate. New Yorkers, crammed into a tiny piece of land together, are really just giving you mental space. Engage them, and you’ll encounter some of the warmest people in the United States. Drinking spots, particularly in the West Village, East Village and Lower East Side, are great places to sidle up to the bar and chat with your neighbours.

Mumbai India

Mumbai, India: Big, bustling Bombay, as some locals still call it, is sensory overload. But the people are curious and friendly enough that travelling solo here is a lot easier than in other places around the globe. Hang out in the expat spot Leopold Café, or stroll around the food hub Crawford Market, and you’ll be chatting with locals in no time.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Elizabeth Carlson: Teaching English and falling in love with travel

I moved to Spain to teach English for a year when I was 20 years old. I didn’t know anyone there or whether my limited knowledge of Spanish would be more of an asset than a hindrance.

I was eager to plan a weekend getaway to somewhere in Europe. I was thinking Paris, but unfortunately – and surprisingly – none of the other teachers were.

Taking a chance, I booked a flight to Paris for my very first solo trip. I knew I was in for an exciting weekend, but I didn’t know how long-lasting its impact would be on me. Unbeknownst to me, a weekend exploring the streets of Paris until my feet bled, eager to see everything, eat everything and meet anyone, put me on a journey to self-discovery.

Since then, solo travel has been my main way of seeing the world.

Carlson’s top destinations to see solo

Dubai United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai may not spring to mind as a solo traveller’s destination, but I stop through Dubai all the time on my way to Europe and always make a point of staying for a few days. It’s an unapologetic city if you want to pamper yourself – eat well, shop a lot and relax in serious comfort. Plus, roughly 84 percent of the city is made up of expats from around the world.

Photography courtesy JandaliPhoto/Thinkstock

Koh Tao Thailand

Koh Tao, Thailand: Tucked away from the bigger islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao is an easy boat ride away. It’s a must-visit if you love the water and want to scuba-dive or snorkel, as there are amazing reefs here. It’s a perfect place for solo travellers to meet people, since many of the people here are in the same boat. Literally.

Photography courtesy Soren Egeberg

Banff Canada

Banff, Canada: Banff is a great spot if you love nature and wilderness but don’t want to sacrifice a vibrant downtown scene and lively nightlife. Many who visit or live here are solo travellers passing through for a season, so it’s easy to make new friends.

Photography courtesy Gavin Heillier

Helsinki Finland

Helsinki, Finland: I recently spent a week in Helsinki, and it blew me away. In this capital with an eye for design, the shopping is amazing. A growing culinary scene and a quirky café culture round out the city. Finland is notorious for its introverted culture, so if you like to keep to yourself on your solo trip alone, this is the place for you.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

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Your Ticket to the World’s Most Epic Culinary Adventure

Posted on by Veronica Chambers

Noma is considered by many to be the world’s most influential restaurant. In 2017, the Copenhagen restaurant’s team and Four Seasons partner for a nine-city, 19-day, once-in-a-lifetime Private Jet journey. Noma Chef René Redzepi curated the food tourism itinerary to connect guests with his culinary friends around the world.

Look behind the scenes


Noma Kitchen Copenhagen

One of two Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences available in 2017, the Culinary Discoveries trip introduces guests to top chefs and producers for discussions, foraging expeditions, cooking classes, communal meals and street-food adventures – each experience designed to reveal something not only about the destination’s culinary heritage, but about its culture.

As with every Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, the in-air services and amenities – from the hand-stitched Italian leather flat-bed seats to the latest vintage of Dom Pérignon – are unbeatable, helping to make the journey as enjoyable as the destinations.

SEOUL | May 27–29, 2017

Seoul Old City Skyline

A blend of historic tradition and modern accommodations, Seoul offers travellers an immersive cultural and culinary experience.

Photography courtesy Reabirdna / Thinkstock

Chef cooking duck in Seoul

At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, dine at Yu Yuan, which features a Peking duck oven for preparing the restaurant’s signature dish.

Seoul Fermenting Urns

Temples use soy sauce and kimchi fermenting pots as a part of creating traditional temple food, which enriches the practice of meditation.

Photography courtesy Alex Barlow / Getty Images

In this burgeoning food destination, the journey begins with a truly exclusive experience: dining at the home of Chef Jong Kuk Lee, a pioneer in the city’s farm-to-table movement. Lee was trained as a painter, but his passion for authentic Korean food has made him a self-taught master of traditional cooking and fermentation. Although he’s more likely to shy away from a spotlight than to seek one out, he has gained renown among those in the know. “I’ve personally been to his home for dinner, and it’s a very sought-after experience,” Redzepi says.

The next day, guests will visit Mount Bukhan and Jin-Kwan temple for a private demonstration of the centuries-old practice of creating temple food – meals designed to enhance meditation. A trip to the pioneering “New Korean” restaurant Jungsik, noted as the first restaurant to apply molecular gastronomy to Korean ingredients, rounds out your time in Seoul.

Between outings, guests will find that Four Seasons Hotel Seoul mirrors the city’s intoxicating mix of venerable history and modern sensibility. Here, Noma Managing Director Peter Kreiner will begin the conversation series with insights into innovation and creativity at Noma. As managing director, Kreiner has created a business model that prioritises the kitchen staff’s inventiveness and the guest’s experience. That deep respect for artisanship has proved wildly successful for Noma, and it is a value widely embraced in Korea.

TOKYO | May 29–June 1, 2017

Tokyo food vendor

Experience authentic, traditional street food in downtown Tokyo, and shop at the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Photography (right) courtesy Getty Images

Tokyo Ginza District

Home to flagship luxury stores and the latest in Tokyo fashion, the Ginza district promises a lively shopping excursion.

Tokyo Tea Ceremony

The Tokyo experience begins with a traditional tea ceremony, which involves the preparation and presentation of green tea made from matcha, the powdered form.

Photography courtesy fancy.yan / Getty Images

In 2015, the entire Noma team, along with their families, moved to Japan for six weeks to open a pop-up restaurant with an entirely new menu, new ingredients and new techniques. The Tokyo stop invites guests to see the city the Noma way, from foraging in the city’s outskirts to attending a private dinner with Chef Namae Shinobu at his Michelin-starred L’Effervescence.

For me, Japanese cuisine is on par with all of the greatest cuisines of the world. The range of food, the culinary traditions and the products are amazing. – René Redzepi

Here, you’ll get to explore the famous Tsukiji fish market, one of the largest in the world. “The best fish market I’ve seen is the one in Tokyo,” Redzepi says. “When you go to good ones – the ones that have all of the weird creatures that are in the ocean – it’s like watching a documentary of all of the shapes, sizes and colours of the ocean.”

From Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, venture out to visit a Redzepi favourite, Switch Coffee, or take a private samurai sword-fighting lesson with the choreographer for the movie Kill Bill. Redzepi hasn’t tried the latter yet; he jokes, “I don’t think knife skills in the kitchen would get you very far in a sword fight.”

HONG KONG | June 1–3, 2017

Hong Kong Red Sailboat

Sipping cocktails at sunset, cruise across Victoria Harbour in one of the ancient Chinese sailing ships known commonly as red-sail junk boats.

Photography courtesy Yongyuan Dai / Getty Images

Hong Kong Street Chef

Taste fresh, local cuisine as you work your way through traditional food markets in downtown Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Temple Street Market

A bustling market filled with local delicacies and performers, Temple Street night market will appeal to all of your senses.

Photography courtesy Nikada / Getty Images

Hong Kong is the perfect next “course.” Although the city moves fast, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is a luxurious getaway, with stunning views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and the mountaintop known as the Peak. Enjoy dim sum at the Hotel’s three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen, cocktails in a red-sail junk boat and a traditional banquet with a whole suckling pig at Fook Lam Moon. “I’m personally very excited about Hong Kong, as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go,” Redzepi says.

Excitement is certainly on the menu at Bo Innovation, where Chef Alvin Leung, Jr., hosts an “X-treme Chinese Dinner” to immerse you in the avant-garde intersection of molecular gastronomy and modern Chinese cuisine. Get a taste of more traditional local cuisine and culture with a visit to the labyrinthine market to purchase ingredients like dried seafood or the spiky-skinned durian fruit, or to grab a quick bite of roast chicken and an ice-cold beer.

CHIANG MAI | June 3–6, 2017

Chiang Mai Strawberry Field

In Chiang Mai, strawberry fields are plentiful, surrounded by beautiful mountains and filled with delicious fresh berries.

Chiang Mai Elephants

Explore the verdant jungle of Thailand as you ride atop an elephant to a nearby hill tribe village.

Shopkeepers and rice bowls in Chiang Mai

Discover fresh, organic food with a visit to the bustling Warorot Market (at left) and the Royal Project farm, where Thai jasmine rice (at right) is grown.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, surrounded by a lush mix of jungle and mountains, offers a distinct change from the urban destinations. Former Noma Chef Garima Arora, whom Redzepi describes as “one of the super talents that has been through our kitchen,” joins the group here for a meal and a visit to a Royal Project farm to see sustainable farming models under development in Thailand. The Royal Project is an initiative of the king’s to replace opium farming with agricultural production that provides far-reaching economic and social benefits to the communities in the country’s highland areas.

Guests will begin their stay in Chiang Mai with an elephant excursion to a nearby village, and at the end of the first day they will embark on another local adventure: the nightlife. Bo.Lan restaurant founder Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, recently named one of Asia’s best female chefs, hosts a “Not Your Average Curry” dinner and a night on the town.

MUMBAI | June 6–8, 2017

Mumbai Rooftop Bar

Take in the views of the vibrant city from 34 storeys above it at AER, the rooftop bar at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai.

Mumbai Indian Spices

Learn about spices from an expert as you prepare traditional Indian specialties with former Noma chef Garima Arora.

Photography courtesy Natasha Breen / Alamy

Mumbai Dabbawala

Mumbai’s dabbawala workers pick up freshly made meals from their clients’ homes daily and deliver the containers to the workplace in time for lunch.

Arora, originally from Mumbai, joins the journey here too. “I wanted her to become one of the lead managers in the kitchen at Noma, but alas, she was homesick,” says Redzepi – and this colourful and flavour-filled conclusion to the Asian portion of the adventure will explain why.

Guests can head out from Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai to find some of the most innovative street food in the world. Arora leads guests through Crawford Market to sample kebabs, mutton biryani and other beloved dishes, and then leads them through the preparation (and enjoyment) of a meal of traditional Indian food. Back at the Hotel, cocktails and conversation await: Noma Chairman Marc Blazer will share his thoughts on the behind-the-scenes workings of Noma as a global business model.

FLORENCE | June 8–10, 2017

Florence Skyline Duomo

During your stop in Florence, admire gorgeous views of the main monuments, including the Duomo.

Photography courtesy Nuno Alves / 500px

Florence Butcher Dario Cecchini

For the last 40 years, butcher extraordinaire Dario Cecchini has been perfecting the art of cutting and cooking meat.

Photography courtesy SFM ITALY A / Alamy

Florence Vineyard

With hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, Tenuta di Valgiano offers both beautiful views and delicious wines of Tuscany.

Photography courtesy Tenuta di Volgiano

From an optional day trip to Damiano Donati’s bistro in Lucca to a deep exploration of history and terroir at Tenuta di Valgiano winery, together Noma and Four Seasons Hotel Firenze present the best of Tuscany. Meet a member of the extended Noma family: eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini in Chianti. “Dario comes from an amazing tradition of craft and skill, something that is increasingly rare these days,” Redzepi says. “There is always something to learn from him through watching and appreciating his craft.”

Your time in Florence includes a tour of the city to see such landmarks as the Duomo museum and the Uffizi Gallery, and a private opening of the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. On the way back to the airport, you’ll stop to hunt truffles – a perfect final souvenir of your time in Florence.

LISBON | June 10–12, 2017

Lisbon skyline

In Lisbon, enjoy Portuguese delicacies as well as exciting street food, all while soaking up views of the beautiful city.

Photography courtesy J.M.F. Almeida / Getty Images

Seafood in Lisbon

Situated near Morocco and Spain, Lisbon has a rich culinary tradition marked by fresh seafood and delicate spices.

Photography courtesy Lissette Giron / 500px

Lisbon Sidecar

See some of Lisbon’s most spectacular sites – Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge, Bairro Alto – through the lens of a camera and in a vintage moto-sidecar.

Photography courtesy Cheryl Howard

See how a seafood-rich culinary tradition has evolved into something new and exciting with the influence of neighbouring cultures. Join acclaimed Chef Nuno Mendes for a petiscos dinner, much like Spanish tapas; he can also introduce you to Lisbon’s nightlife and the street food that sustains it.

From Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, depart in a motorcycle sidecar for the Hotel’s Extraordinary Experience – a tour with a professional photographer who gives guidance on how to capture the best images of Lisbon’s most impressive miradourous (sites). A customised Street Art Tour reveals large-scale murals created by local and international artist collectives.

The last night in Lisbon concludes with a gala dinner at Belcanto, José Avillez’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the historic Chiado district.

COPENHAGEN | June 12, 2017

Boats in Copenhagen

The Danish capital offers a mix of Old World charm and modern architecture, complete with an incomparable culinary experience with the renowned Noma team.

Photography courtesy Peter Zelei / Getty Images

Noma Chef Rene and Interior

Chef René Redzepi, one of the most influential and innovative chefs in the world, takes you behind the scenes of Noma during a private dining experience.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography (left) and Mikkel Heriba (right)

Noma dish

At Noma, enjoy innovative dishes that feature ingredients foraged from the surrounding land.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography

Redzepi welcomes the group to Copenhagen for a truly special Noma experience. Up until its final night of service on February 24, monthly reservation requests at Noma’s original location numbered around 100,000. Getting a seat at the Noma table has historically been a nearly impossible feat, and Noma’s new urban farm location is expected to be just as in-demand when it opens this summer.

Guests on this journey will forage with the Noma team for ingredients like samphire and beach coriander, and share aperitifs on the beach. And during an intimate conversation, Redzepi will take guests through the evolution of Noma from a modernist formal dining setting to its next incarnation.

PARIS | June 12–14, 2017

Paris Eiffel Tower

Thousands of years of history, art and fine dining converge in the cultural hub that is Paris. Take in the beautiful view of the city from Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris.

Le Cinq in Paris

At Le Cinq, dine on exquisite cuisine to celebrate the final night of your journey.

Paris Le Cave Wine Bottle

Designed in 1928 in a former quarry 14 metres below ground, La Cave wine cellar is filled with vintage treasures and modern classics.

The trip ends in Paris with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. Redzepi is excited about Parisian food right now: “Paris is very much at the forefront of what’s called ‘bistronomy,’ a sort of mix of fine dining and a bistro. It’s a new type of restaurant with a new comfort feel to it, but the food being very focused and not driven necessarily by traditional foodstuffs like a normal bistro is.”

Noma offers a curated list of the team’s favourite Parisian eateries to explore. At the Hotel, guests on this journey will visit La Cave, the historic 50,000-bottle wine cellar. And on the final night in Paris, the Hotel’s own three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq, led by Chef Christian Le Squer, is the perfect spot to toast your adventure and enjoy a farewell dinner.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Select one of the destinations on the Culinary Discoveries itinerary to learn more

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