Destinations: Europe

Explore Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts destinations in Europe.

From Prague and Budapest, With Love

Posted on by Natalie Bogan Morgan

Dan Calle has amassed a loyal Instagram following that can’t seem to get enough of the Toronto-based talent’s travel and art snapshots. When he’s not dabbling in industrial design or graphic design projects, Calle enjoys jet-setting the globe with his camera in tow.

“Travel photography is my passion. The more I travel, the more I’m influenced creatively,” he says. “It inspires me to photograph the beauty and diversity of the world.”

Recently, Calle – one of three winners in the Focus on Four Seasons Instagram contest – and his girlfriend, Mrinali, spent six days enjoying the red-carpet treatment at the historic Four Seasons Hotel Prague and Budapest’s Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. Now he is back to share his romantic and history-infused vacation images.

“It was my first time in Budapest and Prague,” he says. “I’d always heard great things, so it was what I expected and more. I truly got to see the best parts of the cities in the best way possible.”

Exploring Prague

The Petrín Lookout Tower, one of Prague’s most prominent landmarks, as seen from the castle gates. “It was an interesting view, since various examples of 18th-century work are seen in the image: decorative 18th-century statues, the gate’s forged metal details, and the Petrín Lookout Tower, inspired by the famous Eiffel Tower.”

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“I’m a sucker for symmetry and detail in architecture, and this awesome corner building, where Bakeshop Praha is located in Old Town Prague, is a lovely Art Nouveau creation that offers both.”

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“Prague’s architecture, the history, the landscapes and the people, everything comes together, and I feel like it creates this notion of romance in the city.”

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The astronomical clock at Old Town Square is one of Prague’s most famous attractions. It indicates the sun’s movement; phases of the moon; the equinoxes, seasons and zodiac; and the day.

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See the sights of Prague from below, along the Vltava River. Four Seasons Prague offers 50-min excursions abroad the Hotel’s 12-person boat. Each trip includes Prosecco and promises picture-perfect views.

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“The most memorable experience in Prague would have to be the private tours,” says Calle. “Both the walking tour and the vintage car tour were amazing, rich with culture and architecture. I couldn’t stop looking up at the buildings and snapping photos of all the details.”

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CottoCrudo, the modern Italian restaurant inside Four Seasons Prague, is known for its chic urban setting and authentic dishes. “A beautiful view of the Vltava River, eating jamón ibérico Joselito and drinking local brews — this became my afternoon routine during my stay in Prague. It was perfect to enjoy lunch while watching people stroll through the city.”

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“The mix of architectural styles found in Prague is definitely a clear asset of the city – the Gothic castles mixed with old fairy-tale European charm and modern standouts. At times I felt overwhelmed, because I didn’t know what to focus on and I wanted to capture every single detail in every corner of the city.”

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Completed in 1735, St Nicholas Church at Prague’s Old Town Square is a Baroque edifice inspired by the chapel of St Louis-des-invalides in Paris. Peter Adam executed the frescos, which Calle captured during a walking tour.

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In addition to serving as a place of worship, St Vitus Cathedral is also a prominent museum, a mausoleum of Bohemian kings and a popular point of interest for Prague visitors.

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“The suite at Four Seasons Prague could not have had a better view – the Charles Bridge was in full display and the sunsets were surreal,” remembers Calle. “I was in awe throughout my entire experience.”

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The best of Budapest

“I loved walking and exploring narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and admiring the architecture as a whole. There’s something about visiting cities with so much history that I find truly inspiring.”

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“Budapest offered a mix of architectural styles, with the buildings having a more rugged appeal yet full of character and history. The way these structures light up at night adds another layer to the already grand and majestic buildings — it feels like the city is putting on its best for a night out, and looks awesome doing it.”

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Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest is centrally located, at the end of the renowned Chain Bridge, which means great perspectives on the Danube and the hills of Buda.

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“The Széchenyi Thermal Baths were the perfect way to end the day after a busy day of sight-seeing around Budapest.”

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“Just before the baths closed was a good time to take a photo of the usually crowded and busy outdoor pools. The moonlight peeking through the clouds was an ideal backdrop for the beautifully lit baths. It was a chilly night, which made the thermal baths even more enjoyable.”

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St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent istván Bazilika) is the largest church in Budapest. Visitors can go up the cupola and take in sweeping views of Budapest from above. The lookout tower is open to visitors from spring through autumn.

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Calle was not the first photographer to be drawn to the grand Art Nouveau ceiling and chandelier at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest.

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“I was inspired by the history and European charm the city had by day and how it transformed at night.”

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Built in 1894, Budapest’s eight-story House of Photography (Mai Manó Ház) is a historic landmark that hosts world-class exhibitions by Hungarian and international artists. Located in the city’s theatre district, the building also features a bookshop, library and cafe.

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A view of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest.

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The Hungarian Parliament Building, one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings, lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube. It’s within walking distance of Four Seasons Budapest.

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Follow the other winners of the Focus on Four Seasons Instagram contest to Hawaii and California.

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City by river

Where the Birds Are: 8 Places to Enjoy Avifauna

Posted on by Adam H. Graham

Some of the most colourful guests at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are positively fair-weather types: birds. From brilliant migratory songbirds to resident waterfowl, the fine-feathered friends that frequent the destinations below are among the world’s most stunning and sought-after avifauna for birdwatching.

Some of them frequent the properties’ grounds; others require an excursion to encounter. And although birders and naturalists know that sightings are never guaranteed, if you pay attention while visiting these locations, you may catch a glimpse of their bright, elusive plumage.

Hawaii: Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Drepanis coccinea)

With its coral-coloured bill and vivid feathers, the Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper fits perfectly within the bright, flowering gardens at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

Photography courtesy Randy Bartlet/500px Marketplace

Also known as the ʻiʻiwi, this blazing-red bird with the sickle-shaped bill is a favourite of birding visitors to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. One of the 44 Hawaiian endemics, the altitudinally migratory ʻiʻiwi resembles a hummingbird, with a similar appetite for nectar. It can be seen at higher altitudes, such as on Mauna Kea (about an hour and a half away from the Resort), and has occasionally been spotted at higher elevations on Hualalai itself, just 20 miles from the property. Although these honeycreepers were once plentiful on most Hawaiian islands, they’re currently endangered on Oahu and Molokai and have been extinct on Lanai since 1929.

Twitchers who want to birdwatch on the grounds of Four Seasons Hualalai can visit its Waiakauhi Pond, a convalescent habitat for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds, such as the slender and elegant Hawaiian Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with the Resort to develop the habitat and help preserve this endemic and endangered subspecies.

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Dubai: Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Hoopoes frequently perch on the lawn of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, where guests can hear their hoot-like call.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock


Audio courtesy Sheldon R. Severinghaus/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The lawns of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and other Arabian Gulf hotels are becoming desert sanctuaries for many birds, thanks to water features, beautiful landscaping, and abundant native plants and trees. The Dubai property also plays host to Red-vented Bulbuls and the occasional Purple Sunbird, but the funky hoopoes, with their “Mohawk” look, are the staff favourite.

The bird’s unusual name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the elegant black-and-cinnamon bird’s double hoot-like call. Though subspecies exist, the hoopoe is the only extant member of its family in the world.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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Costa Rica: Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

A view of the Keel-billed Toucan’s striking, bright chest and rainbow bill in Costa Rica’s fruit trees or forests is the sighting of a lifetime.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy David L. Ross, Jr./The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Costa Rica is rich in bird biodiversity: The small tropical country is home to roughly 850 species, from Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds to dazzling quetzals. But let’s face it: Everyone wants to see a toucan. Six members of the toucan family Ramphastidae call Costa Rica home, including the Keel-billed. These yellow-chested, rainbow-billed beauties are occasionally visible in fruit trees and forests on the nearby lower slopes of Cordillera de Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, both about 90-minutes from Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Papagayo.

Papagayo is not without its own brilliant avifauna. The peninsula is named for the numerous colourful parrots that inhabit its lush canopies. Visitors who attend the 930-hectare (2,300-acre) Resort’s morning and afternoon nature walks can learn about the 25 species of endangered trees found on the peninsula and the birds who visit them, including Crested Caracaras, Great Kiskadees, Tropical Kingbirds, Inca Doves and Yellow-naped Parrots – each of the parrots a bright green marked with a vivid yellow line along its forehead and the nape of its neck.

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

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Thailand: Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, is a rare but beautiful highlight at Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy Roger D. and Megan J. McNeill/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Many brightly coloured passerines flit through the moist bamboo thickets and steamy riverine forests of the Golden Triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand converge. But few are as elegant and photogenic as the elusive Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Sightings of the birds from Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle are rare, but not impossible. They’re more likely at Chiang Saen Lake, about 45 minutes from the camp, or on trees at nearby fruit gardens where you can watch them quietly nibbling on figs and buah cherries. They may be one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, but their deep ruby red, sparkling white and navy blue markings are unmistakable.

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Australia: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one of the most familiar and beloved birds in Australia, and it’s not unusual to see this bird’s snow-white feathers and brightly coloured crest in parks and green areas across Sydney.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

When you first sight one of these flamboyantly feathered birds, you might think you’ve spotted an escaped pet. But these large, cacophonous, snow-white cockatoos with the butter-coloured crest live wild in Sydney and appear in spots throughout the country, including the Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park, both within walking distance from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. It’s a vivid reminder that you’ve crossed the Wallace Line, a faunal boundary marking two distinctly different ecozones.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are known for their curiosity, screechy calls and longevity. One legendary Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, christened Cocky Bennett, lived for over 100 years.

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Geneva: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Audio courtesy Dolly Minis/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

It’s not a long wait before a wild white swan glides along the shoreline of Lake Geneva. Just steps outside Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, these grand birds with black masks and orange beaks can be seen along the lake, and on the tiny island of l’Ile Rousseau in front of the Resort, often with their S-curve necks in perfect formation like ballerinas.

From the 13th to the 19th century, western European swan populations were nearly exterminated by hunting. Protective measures to save the lake’s waterfowl took effect in the late 1800s, allowing the swans to reclaim their former range. In the 1960s, numbers declined again, but fortunately they are increasing today.

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Florida: Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® can take a break from the bustling city to spot Florida’s only endemic bird, the deep blue Florida Scrub Jay.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

This jay is Florida’s only endemic bird, and one of only 15 endemic bird species in the continental United States. Because Florida’s scrub oak habitat has rapidly dwindled in the past few decades, and therefore the number of birds has, the jay has been designated a threatened species.

It’s possible to see this bold and feisty bird at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Tranquilo Golf Club, both of which are home to dozens of replanted live oak trees, the preferred habitat of the Scrub Jay – not to mention shrubs, ground cover, bushes and palms that it and other birds can use for food and shelter. For birders who want a more guaranteed sighting, the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is a mere 30 miles (48 kilometres) away.

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Serengeti: African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)

Audio courtesy Linda R. Macaulay/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The chance to sight the Big Five beasts may draw travellers from far and wide, but Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is also a fine spot for observing African birds. Right on the grounds, it’s possible to come face to face with mischievous African Grey Hornbills, which are sometimes spotted amid the fig trees along the Lodge’s boardwalks.

With its heavy-looking, downward-curving bill, the bird has an oddly primitive appearance, but it moves with the agility of a lion, both in the air and on the ground.

“While flying, they dip in mid-flight, which is quite distinctive, and as the most pronounced of all the hornbills in this region, their piercing, whistle-like call is also quite distinctive,” says the Lodge’s Discovery Centre Manager, Oli Drieke.

Guests who wish to see more of these creatures should cover more of their habitat by embarking on the game drives and walking safaris offered at the Lodge.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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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.

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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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