Settle In:
Extend Your Stay

Whether settling in to work and learn remotely or disconnecting on a sabbatical, life fills with opportunity when you extend your stay at Four Seasons.

A long weekend or week-long vacation provides time to relax and renew. But stays of 30 or more days truly allow guests to make Four Seasons destinations their home away from home.

Effortlessly Zoom with the office while your children carry on with supervised school sessions. Then take advantage of unforgettable experiences you’ve always put off, like learning to freedive or mastering the French language. Work and play have never been easier to combine, now that you can extend your stay.

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Channel your inner Jacques Cousteau in Costa Rica. This vibrant country is heralded for its lush, wildlife-rich rainforests, but its marine life is equally spectacular and diverse. You could view the sea through the lens of a snorkel, but the team at Four Seasons can teach you to experience it like a fish.

“Learning to freedive allows you to leave your comfort zone, literally, by immersing yourself in an unknown environment,” says Miguel Sanchez, Director of the Papagayo Explorers, the Resort’s in-house adventure centre. “You must start by first letting go of your fears and breathe through any discomfort. Once you learn to relax and be fully present, you will begin to enjoy this rich experience, and you will see your progression from one dive to the next. Our holistic approach is designed to be at one with nature.

“As you improve your skill, you will become addicted to the endless natural encounters in the Gulf of Papagayo, from the Catalina Islands to Santa Rosa National Park, diving alongside Pacific mantas, turtles, nurse sharks and some of the most stunning marine life imaginable.”

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

Guest Experience Supervisor Danielle Carp has worked with extended-stay clients towards achievements in winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. But her favourite educational adventure? Ice climbing.

“I have assisted our guests in curating adventure-based programs that have allowed them the opportunity to overcome adversity and to put their trust in a team, guide or leader,” she says. “These experiences allow guests to improve their communication skills and build their confidence.

“Personally, I have an affinity for ice climbing. You are provided with an ice axe, a harness and crampons. Your guide places ice screws into an ice wall, you climb the wall while the guide is belaying you on your way up. It’s similar to a pulley system. The climber must fully trust their guide as they climb the ice wall. The views are extraordinary, and the overall experience is truly like nothing on earth.”

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

The new partnership between Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and WiseOceans has been a hit with longer-stay guests. Travellers with less time can enjoy a complimentary snorkelling tour. When they have more flexibility, they can combine recreation with education and embark on a Private Lagoon Discovery Tour. This private, guided experience is an amazing way to learn about the marine environment while aboard a private chartered boat. Guests then join the Resort’s marine biologist, Louis Sabadel, under the surface.

“There’s a very special connection that guests and I share when we’re out on and under the water together,” says Sabadel. “We experience the magic of the marine environment as one, and we also become more aware of how we can each contribute to conservation efforts no matter where we are.”

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

Soak in the French culture with a long-term stay at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. General Manager François-Régis Simon recommends booking the Villa Rose-Pierre as your home away from home. “Nestled within one hectare of lushly landscaped garden facing the Mediterranean Sea, our Villa Rose-Pierre offers the intimacy of a private villa with an easy and direct access to the Hotel facilities, including our restaurants, Spa, the Club Dauphin and all our Four Seasons services,” he says.

“The Villa’s dedicated private assistant can share some of the Côte d’Azur’s best-kept secrets and arrange personalized activities that make guests feel like a local.” For full French immersion, he can set up French lessons, arrange a tour of the local market with our chef, and give guests pétanque lessons on the villa’s bowling ground.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii

The open oceanfront layout of the Resort make Hualalai the ideal environment for a long getaway. Guests in residence for an extended time are able to explore the Resort’s extraordinary Only at Hualalai experiences, providing exclusive access to the people and places on Hawaii Island.

“The ‘iliahi (sandalwood) tour encompasses the education and cultural immersion available during a longer stay at Hualalai,” General Manager Charlie Parker says. Guests who book the ‘iliahi tour are able to visit Háloa Áina’s native Hawaiian ‘iliahi forest on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

They’ll witness first-hand how sandalwood oil is extracted and learn about the healing properties of this native tree. After the forest tour, resident spa intuitive Maryanne Rose will lead a vibrational forest essence session, focusing on energy work with a sound bath, followed by an ‘iliahi body cocoon and sandalwood oil massage.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler

The team at Four Seasons Resort Whistler can customize long-term-stay experiences to fulfil guests’ dreams.

Possibilities include meeting with the chef to create a bespoke menu and arranging a personalized wellness journey with the spa team. When one family told Guest Experience Manager David Marissink they wanted to experience Whistler like true locals during their month-long stay, he made it happen.

“To create a mountain of memories you need to start on top of a mountain,” Marissink says. “We set up daily skiing lessons for both the parents and the kids with local ski guides, who truly know the hidden gems of our backyard.

These were followed by cultural and culinary itineraries all around town: the best places for a Canadian Caesar, the best cheese fondue, Crockpot customized dinners prepared by our kitchen team. Our team members also shared their local tips, and the family loved their insights. It was truly rewarding to watch these guests sharing interests and developing a bond that will last a lifetime.”

Luxury of the Workcation

You don’t have to wait for vacation to reward yourself with sunset treks on a deserted beach, fresh tracks at a ski resort or private cooking classes with a Michelin-starred chef.

Workcations have emerged as one of the top travel trends for 2021 – and for good reason: They allow us long-term stays in beautiful destinations with the benefits of work-life balance.

Four Seasons makes working from paradise even easier with services and amenities, including professional IT support, poolside Screen Doctors and office beach cabanas. Make the most of flexible schedules by getting away with friends or family and indulging your passions, with choices like skiing, golf, diving and relaxing on the beach.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies

Who hasn’t dreamed of working from a Caribbean island? Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies, makes the dream achievable with new perks such as executive lunch offerings and beach cabanas that can be converted to private workstations with ocean views. The Resort’s collection of more than 50 homes ranges from one to seven bedrooms each, so you can come with colleagues or bring the family and take advantage of the Resort’s new “schoolcation” programs. With dedicated ambassadors for daily needs or special requests, custom-tailored pre-arrival provisioning services, private in-home experiences, and full access to all Resort services and amenities, you’ll have more time for both work and play.

Start your day with a personalized sunrise yoga session overlooking the sea, and use your midday break to master a new skill during a golf clinic or hot-sauce–making class. Leaving out a long commute means more time after work to play foot golf on the Resort’s new championship course and enjoy sunset happy hour at On the Dune.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

If you’ve dropped into Hong Kong for business before, you probably didn’t have time to discover the city’s multifaceted cultural scene and fantastic hiking trails. Now is an ideal opportunity to explore beyond the board room.

The new Escape to Reconnect room package at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong beckons travellers to come for a workcation with 25 percent off room rates, inclusive of daily breakfast, and an additional 10 percent off in-room dining and The Lounge. Based on Hong Kong’s storied Victoria Harbour, you have a front-row view of all of the action. Before you power on your laptop, get out for a run along the waterfront or a swim in the Hotel’s outdoor lap pool.

Need to relax after video calls? Turn to the Hotel’s self-guided meditation app to help calm your mind and reset, or roll out your in-suite yoga mat for a few rounds of sun salutations. The talented therapists at the Spa are on call to help you achieve mind-body balance during your stay. Activate your creative side with an art therapy session, or shut down the laptop early to enjoy a half-day Well Feeling spa ritual that includes a guided meditation, a massage, a facial and a nutritious lunch on the pool terrace.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler

Embrace mountain living at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler. Framed by evergreen forests at the base of Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, the Resort puts you steps from the slopes, making it easy to field work calls from the gondola or sneak in first tracks ahead of the workday.

All rooms feature desks, seating areas or dining tables, plus balconies so you can enjoy an alpine view as you take video video calls. Short-term meeting room rentals are complimentary, and audiovisual support is always a call away. The Resort’s Ski Concierge can handle all of your mountain logistics, from ski rentals and fittings to guides and lessons. After a day on the slopes, soak in the heated outdoor pool or one of three hot-spring–style whirlpools.

Then either retreat to your room for an in-residence slow-cooker feast or dine at one of the Resort’s two reimagined restaurants. SIDECUT, its fireside steakhouse, has been newly renovated and features prime hand-cut steaks seasoned with Chef’s Classic Rubs, and Braidwood Tavern has been designed to evoke the warmth of a family mountain cabin.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Fresh off a multi-year, multimillion-dollar renovation, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a 52-acre coastal respite. Sprawling beaches, large pools with pre-reserved loungers, two Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and winding nature trails give guests plenty of ways to enjoy nature without having to join a crowd. And Four Seasons App and Chat technology gives guests the option of contactless engagement with Four Seasons team members. The Resort’s Villa & Residence Rentals makes working from a private hacienda-style villa or beach home a breeze. A personal host is dedicated to taking care of every detail throughout guests’ stays, from groceries upon arrival to special in-villa activities like poolside yoga sessions or tequila tastings.

Three-, four- and five-bedroom villas and beach homes are ideal for family getaways. While Mom and Dad work, kids can enroll in the Resort’s Schoolcations program. Hire a professional tutor to help your kids with chemistry and algebra, or rent the kids a study cabana outfitted with Wi-Fi, headphones, and energizing snacks like smoothies and popsicles. Travel can be the best learning opportunity: Spanish classes, folkloric ballet lessons and other activities immerse kids in Mexican culture, and sea foraging and sea turtle release excursions double as environmental education classes. At day’s end, families can come together on their private patio and grilling area, savour a seafood barbecue, and take a dip in their private pool.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

A sanctuary that feels truly away from it all, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the perfect setting for you to restore the mind, rejuvenate the body and refocus while working. A multimillion-dollar enhancement has made the Resort even more attractive for longer stays and family getaways.

A new bungalow consisting of six oceanfront guest rooms, including a suite with a private pool, will be built adjacent to Kumukea Beach on the Resort’s northern edge, and the top three villas at the Resort – Hawaii Loa, Makaloa and Ho‘onanea – will each acquire a second storey.

The golf experience will be taken to the next level with the addition of the Hualalai Golf Hale. This 3,000-square-foot (275-square-metre) instruction and practice facility doubles as an entertainment venue with games, audiovisual flexibility, and food and beverages. Up-to-the-minute technology and expert instruction make it the ultimate destination for golf enthusiasts of all ages.

The Resort makes it easy to maintain or enhance your fitness routine. Two private fitness studios can be reserved for personal training sessions or one-on-one yoga classes, and throughout the year the Resort offers sports camps led by elite athletes such as triathlete Dave Scott. You can reward your efforts with a Lomi Lomi massage in one of the spa’s 18 outdoor treatment rooms. The Resort’s creative programming gives the whole family new skills and knowledge to take home. A dedicated Culinary Academy will be added above ULU Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge, hosting interactive cooking experiences and guest chefs. And the newly renovated King’s Pond now has a dedicated Marine Activity Center where the Resort’s five on-site marine biologists run educational pastimes like feeding fish.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

You don’t have to be a ski bum to live out your fantasy of hitting the slopes every day. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail has introduced a new Extended Stay package that allows guests to work, stay, play and après. The 24 private residences in the Resort’s Villa & Residence Rental portfolio include two to six bedrooms. Fresh mountain air combined with the pristine natural beauty of the White River National Forest create a scene both relaxing and energizing. In addition to the epic mountain adventures for families including skiing, riding, sleigh rides, dogsledding and snowshoeing, the Resort also has a Kids For All Seasons room and dedicated Teen Centre.

Four Seasons Resort Vail is home to the premier après location in Vail, The Remedy Bar. With high-top seating, tables and chairs, couches near the fireplace, and firepits on the terrace, The Remedy is an excellent place to get work done between ski runs while taking in unmatched views of Vail Mountain. “It’s an ideal time to come to the Colorado Rockies, enjoy the fresh mountain air, relax, revive, and enjoy time with their friends and families in this sublime alpine location,” General Manager Meredith Macfarlane says. “The dedication and commitment of our exceptional staff, combined with their passion for Vail, create a familial atmosphere that allows our guests to feel as if they are at home, and an extension of our family here at the Resort.”

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Stay awhile. You’ll be glad you did.

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Discover The Ideal Home Base: Your
Four Seasons Private Residence

Warm sun, gentle breezes and a laid-back lifestyle: Your life is always a vacation when you live in a resort destination. Whether you’re looking to escape the winter chill with beachside bliss in Anguilla or embrace year-round adventure with a home in Vail, make the most of your time at home – exceptional service and amenities are just a few of the benefits of owning a Four Seasons Private Residence. You’ll live like a local in some of the world’s most sought-after vacation destinations, enjoying the privacy, security and comfort that you expect from Four Seasons.

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Your private oasis in Sharm El Sheikh

Discover a tropical hideaway on the shores of Egypt’s Red Sea: Sharm El Sheikh, situated on the Sinai Peninsula, is known for its sandy beaches, clear waters and diverse marine life. Your home at the newly expanded Four Seasons Private Residences Sharm El Sheikh is the ideal sanctuary, offering space to recharge, refresh and reconnect with loved ones.

Bask in year-round sunshine on the golden-sand private beach or dive under the waves to explore an underwater world – your new locale is yours to explore by land or by sea. Hundreds of coral reef sites make the waters of Sharm El Sheikh one of the world’s most breathtaking diving destinations – explorer and scuba-diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau once described the Straits of Tiran’s coral garden as one of the most magnificent he’d ever seen. Not in the mood to take the plunge? Set off to explore the Sinai Desert on a family-friendly camel tour, browse the stalls and boutiques at the Old Sharm marketplace or the upscale Il Mercato, or gather with friends at a waterfront café on palm-lined Naama Bay. Your dedicated Concierge can arrange it all for you.

Whether you opt for an Arabesque-style Private Residence or one of the newly added chalets or bespoke villas, you’ll enjoy endless ways to spend your time together: Raise a glass with friends and family at one of the Resort’s world-class restaurants, plan an evening soirée in your residence’s lush garden or celebrate with family over a dinner prepared by a Four Seasons chef in your fully equipped kitchen. Your home’s privacy and comfort, plus seamless Four Seasons service, make it easy to focus on being present in the moment.

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An island paradise in Belize

Between Guatemala and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula lies your own secluded beachfront haven – a distinctive island community in the heart of Belize’s largest marine sanctuary. Just an eight-minute flight or 30-minute boat ride from the mainland, Four Seasons Private Residences Caye Chapel, Belize offers easy access to the pristine, awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Belize coast, delivering equal parts adventure and barefoot bliss.

Tee off on the Greg Norman–designed White Shark Golf Course, where every hole presents water views, or set out with an expert from the Fabien Cousteau Nature and Conservation Center for an open-water excursion to the Great Blue Hole. Perched on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere – Caye Chapel is a diver’s delight, offering a look at marine turtles, manatees and ancient stalactites. Explore it all with the assurance that conservation is front of mind: Four Seasons is dedicated to preserving the area’s biodiversity with sustainable practices such as a native plants nursery; ecologically inspired architecture; and a residency program to bring ecologists, marine scientists and environmentalists to the region.

Also front and centre: A focus on your effortless ownership experience, including a dedicated team available around the clock via Four Seasons Chat to take care of everything from housekeeping, maintenance, and financial and lifestyle services to arranging early-morning yoga retreats at Sunrise Sanctuary and reservations at the Resort’s elevated dining outlets. You’re free to find inspiration in the pace of Belize and embrace the island’s laid-back lifestyle.

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Adventure for all seasons in Vail

Discover the thrill of life in Vail: majestic mountains, beautiful lakes and rivers, lively shopping and dining. At Four Seasons Private Residences Vail, you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy this history-rich village year round, with easy access to sought-after ski slopes, hiking and biking trails, and art galleries.

Known as one of the world’s top ski destinations, Vail Mountain offers 195 runs for skiers and snowboarders to explore, while the famed Back Bowls hold even more opportunities for deep powder. The Four Seasons Ski Concierge building – conveniently located near Gondola One – is your home base for mountain adventures, with team members on hand to provide ski equipment and trail advice or to arrange a guided snowshoe hike in the back country. Outdoor offerings are equally appealing in the warmer months: Take your mountain bike up via the gondola for breathtaking views of the Gore Range as you pedal downhill through aspen groves or paddle your way through heart-pounding whitewater rapids. Looking for calmer waters? Try a float trip that ends with a tasting session a local vineyard.

After a day spent exploring, gather with friends around a roaring fire in your private living room or host a family dinner in your open-concept kitchen: Your Private Residence is designed for quality time together in any season. Your concierge team handles all the details – such as stocking your kitchen before you arrive, 24-hour laundry services, and storing and delivering packages if you’re not home – ensuring you can make the most of each minute on the mountain.

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Barefoot luxury in Anguilla

Take relaxation to the next level at Four Seasons Private Residences Anguilla: Set out on a day trip to explore St Maarten or St Barts, discover the flavours that make Anguilla the culinary capital of the Caribbean, or simply breathe the salty sea air and let turquoise waters wash your worries away. Supported by your attentive Four Seasons team, your life at this secluded island sanctuary is effortless.

You’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that your concierge team is available around the clock, taking care of your residence whether you’re home or away. Your team can also schedule dining reservations, arrange spa treatments, and plan excursions for you and your guests – all you have to do is ask.

Greet the morning with yoga on the beach or breakfast on your sweeping private terrace as you watch the sun rise over the bay: The day is yours to spend as you like. Head to the Sea Centre for beach supplies like umbrellas or snorkelling gear and spend the afternoon in the sand. Stroll along serene Barnes Bay Beach, stopping for a light lunch or refreshing frozen drink at Half Shell Beach Bar, or soak up the sun at the adults-only infinity-edge pool overlooking the bluff. Homeowners have full access to the amenities at Four Seasons Resort Anguilla, including the Sports Pavilion with its basketball court, a multilevel rock-climbing area and three tennis courts. You’ll discover plenty of opportunities – join a game of dominoes, dance to the beat of SOCA music, cheer as boaters race across the water at one of the popular regattas – to embrace the island lifestyle.

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

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.

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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.

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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?

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Reconnect With the World:
How Travel Can Transform Your Outlook

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.”

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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.

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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

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.”

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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

“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.”

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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?

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