{"id":150572,"date":"2021-08-03T15:36:07","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T19:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/?p=150572"},"modified":"2024-10-17T12:53:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T16:53:54","slug":"maximize-your-micro-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fourseasons.com\/magazine\/discover\/maximize-your-micro-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Ways to Maximize Your Micro-Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sometimes you need a month away in a destination halfway around the globe. Other times, a couple of days are enough to relax with friends and family or find a fresh perspective. Four Seasons can help fill out even a short time: See San Francisco through a new lens, play fetch in Palm Beach, soak in a hammam in Marrakech. Here, we share some of the best ways to make the most of your destination.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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VIEWFINDER PERFECTION<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Enhance your vacation snaps, whether you\u2019re capturing images with the latest DSLR or using your smartphone. Set out from Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero<\/a> with award-winning photographer Adam Jacobs \u2013 whose subjects have included Nelson Mandela, former President Barack Obama and rock star Mick Jagger \u2013 for a private photography class with the city\u2019s iconic landmarks as your muses. Shutterbugs of all skill levels will learn how to perfectly frame shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman\u2019s Wharf and Union Square, or pick up tips on food photography or family portraits. After your photo tour of the city, return to the Hotel and review your photos with Jacobs, learning how to fine-tune and edit your own set of images.<\/p>\n

Prefer to see the city on your own? The Through the Lens experience<\/a> gives you the option of taking a self-guided tour at your own pace after an online session with Jacobs to discuss photography dos and don\u2019ts. Then reconnect with Jacobs online to review your images in the comfort of the Hotel.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore San Francisco Experiences<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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MORNING AT THE MARKET<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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One of the best ways to get a sense of place is by taste. In Tokyo, that means a trip to Tsukiji Outer Market, known as Japan\u2019s \u201cFood Town.\u201d Rise early at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi<\/a> and meet your guide \u2013 a local fourth-generation Edomae sushi chef \u2013 for an insider\u2019s visit to the market<\/a>, where you\u2019ll browse the day\u2019s freshest catches and local produce. Afterwards, enjoy a private meal at the chef\u2019s century-old, family-owned restaurant to savour the flavours you discovered during your shopping trip.<\/p>\n

For another taste of Tokyo, end your day with a traditional onsen bath in the Hotel\u2019s Spa<\/a>. Relax in the hot spring water as you sip herbal tea \u2013 and treat yourself with the addition of a massage, facial or body treatment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore Tokyo Experiences<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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PUPPY LOVE<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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What could be better than a day at the beach? A day at the beach paired with a welcoming nuzzle or the adoring gaze of puppy eyes. The newest team member at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach<\/a> is Fort, an Australian Labradoodle puppy. As the Resort\u2019s therapy dog, he\u2019ll help you settle into your home away from home, greeting you at check-in or stopping at your cabana during his walk around the pool to have his ears scratched. Pulling double duty, he also visits local organizations like schools and hospitals to provide affection and comfort to humans in need.<\/p>\n

After a day spent sailing the Intracoastal Waterway, browsing Palm Beach\u2019s world-class boutiques or exploring the tropical landscape by bike, a cuddle session with your new furry friend is an ideal way to relax with loved ones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Plan your visit to Palm Beach<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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CULTURAL IMMERSION<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Find inspiration in Bangkok\u2019s creative district, home to galleries, boutiques and the new Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River<\/a>. Thanks to a partnership between the Hotel and the city\u2019s Museum of Contemporary Art, you\u2019ll enjoy a unique opportunity to experience Bangkok\u2019s creative landscape, right at your front door: The innovative new ART Space gallery-style showcase extends from the Hotel\u2019s tranquil arrival lobby to the riverfront promenade and features a rotating selection of Thai artists. Gather with friends, sip bespoke cocktails and wander through garden courtyards taking in the display.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s more to discover without going too far: Just steps from the Hotel lies historic Charoen Krung Road \u2013 the oldest thoroughfare in Bangkok. Dotted with historic landmarks like Buddhist and Chinese temples and 19th-century neoclassical buildings, the road leads to an abundance of spots to explore. Let the Hotel\u2019s Concierge lead you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the small streets and alleys that make up the neighbourhood, from after-hours gallery tours to street food favourites.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore Bangkok with Four Seasons<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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You don\u2019t need a full-blown safari experience to reap the benefits of spending time with nature. Escape from the bustle of the city with a short stay at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti<\/a>, deep in the heart of the world\u2019s most celebrated wildlife reserves. Our favourite way to spend the day? Lounging on a sun bed by the free-form infinity pool, where you\u2019re perfectly positioned to spot elephants when they gather at a nearby watering hole. For something a little more active, set off with a Maasai guide or a park ranger for a 90-minute walk<\/a> and the chance to catch a glimpse of the Big Five \u2013 lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinoceros \u2013 and other wildlife at home in the Serengeti. Help install a \u201ccamera trap\u201d to digitally record these fascinating animals on the move.<\/p>\n

End your day with an uphill nature hike with a Maasai guide and a yogi to the Lodge\u2019s sunset kopje, where captivating views help clear your mind during a meditation session that will leave you re-energized and ready to return to your daily life.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore more Serengeti Adventures<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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SIP AND SAVOUR<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Your wine-country getaway can begin and end at the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley<\/a>, surrounded by acres of vineyards and framed by green forests and majestic mountains.<\/p>\n

Nestled in the Calistoga American Viticultural Area, the Resort\u2019s 7.4-acre organic vineyard<\/a> specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon and has been carefully designed and planted to intensify the grapes\u2019 flavour. Get hands-on experience in winemaking \u2013 help harvest the grapes, learn how to sort them and try your hand at blending wine \u2013 during a session with Resort winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, or join him for a tasting session, where he\u2019ll describe Calistoga\u2019s unique terroir and talk about the differences between floral and woody, balanced and rounded, and fruit-driven and terroir-driven wines. End your day with a meal at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, featuring the best of Napa Valley cuisine, and or gather in your private villa with friends and loved ones and raise a glass to your time together.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore the Napa Valley Winery<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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TRADITIONAL WAY TO REFRESH<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Hammam rituals have long been a part of Moroccan culture, adopted from Roman civilization in the seventh century and considered an important step in cleansing both body and mind. Steam away your stress with an authentic hammam experience at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech<\/a>. After a deep steam in the Resort\u2019s mosaic-tiled hammam, enjoy a full body exfoliation using traditional Moroccan black soap and a kessa glove, and a soothing body mask made from Atlas Mountains clay.<\/p>\n

Refreshed and replenished, join a Resort specialist in the Spa garden to harvest herbs for a custom tisane. Sip your tea as you wander through the Resort\u2019s 16 hectares of Moorish gardens and pools, or enjoy the mountain views from your private terrace. This private oasis is yours to explore.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore the Marrakech Spa<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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FIT AND FREE<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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What better way to spend a few days away than to focus on self-care? At Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles<\/a>, the entire fourth floor<\/a>\u00a0is dedicated to wellness, including new specialized guest rooms and suites with air purification systems, sound machines and hypoallergenic materials. A Wellness Office, designed to keep you engaged and energized during the workday, features a conference table with adjustable height, a standing desk and a variety of healthy snacks. These calming spaces minimize the impact of travel on the body and optimize your physical and emotional well-being.<\/p>\n

Short on time? Amplify your wellness benefits with a two-hour session in the Private Fitness Suite<\/a>. You and a couple of friends get exclusive access to the room\u2019s features, including a treadmill, Hydrow rowing machine, Peloton bike, yoga equipment, weights and SoulCycle bike. End your workout with a guided meditation session narrated by Deepak Chopra to restore mental clarity, or a soak in the suite\u2019s private shower.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Focus on Wellness in Los Angeles<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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Perched high above the Ionian Sea, San Domenico Palace traces its origins to the 14th century, when it was established as a convent for Dominican nuns. Today, it\u2019s home to the new San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel<\/a>. With magnificent views of Mount Etna and the ancient Greek theatre, the Hotel is an iconic Sicilian landmark. Explore its rich history with an expert Four Seasons guide, who will point out original architectural details like traditional cloisters, choir stalls and restored frescos, plus an extensive array of paintings, sculptures, restored artefacts and relics on display in the Galleria.<\/p>\n

Continue your historical journey beyond the Hotel: A guide will lead you to sites like the medieval village of Castiglione di Sicilia, Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile, where you\u2019ll learn about the many cultures that have occupied Sicily over the centuries. Or make the Hotel\u2019s Italian gardens, shaded by jasmine and hibiscus trees, yours for an afternoon of quiet contemplation or a romantic stroll.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Explore Taormina’s history<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE<\/h2>\n

Where will you explore next?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\"Pool <\/picture>\n

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