the grandest tour€¦ · america, japan and italy, as well as southeast asia. witness spectacular...

1

Aman Jet Expedit ion21 March – 11 Apr i l 2021

J A P A N • C A M B O D I A • V I E T N A M • T H A I L A N D • B H U TA N

I N D I A • G R E E C E • M O N T E N E G R O • I TA LY

The Grandest Tour

WHAT’S INSIDE

Page 3-4: YOUR PRIVATE JET

Page 5-7: THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Pages 8-63: THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

Chapter One... Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanChapter Two... Amansara, Siem Reap, CambodiaChapter Three… Amanoi, Vinh Hy Bay, VietnamChapter Four… Amanpuri, Phuket, ThailandChapter Five… Amankora, Thimphu, BhutanChapter Six… Amanbagh, Alwar, IndiaChapter Seven…. Amanzoe, Peloponnese, GreeceChapter Eight…. Aman Sveti Stefan, MontenegroChapter Nine…. Aman Venice, Venice, Italy

Page 64: TOUR LEADERPage 65: CLIENT AGREEMENT

3

SCHEDULED FLIGHTS:

DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE DURATION

24 March 2021 Tokyo (HND) Siem Reap (REP) 09:00 14:30 7 hours 30 minutes(–2 hours time difference)

26 March 2021 Siem Reap (REP) Cam Ranh (CXR) 11:30 13:10 1 hour 40 minutes

28 March 2021 Cam Ranh (CXR) Phuket (HKT) 11:30 13:45 2 hours 15 minutes

30 March 2021 Phuket (HKT) Paro (PBH) 09:00 11:333 hours 33 minutes

with touchdown in Dhaka(–1 hour time difference)

2 April 2021 Paro (PBH) Jaipur (JAI) 11:00 13:02 2 hours 32 minutes(–30m time difference)

4 April 2021 Jaipur (JAI) Athens (ATH) 11:00 15:46 7 hours 16 minutes(–2.5 hours time difference)

7 April 2021 Athens (ATH) Montenegro (TIV) 15:00 15:27 1 hour 27 minutes(–1 hour time difference)

9 April 2021 Montenegro (TIV) Venice (VCE) 11:00 12:23 1 hour 23 minutes(–1 hour time difference)

TokyoGMT +9

Siem Reap

Vinh Hy BayGMT +7

PhuketGMT +7

ThimphuGMT +6

RajasthanGMT +5:30

Porto HeliGMT +3

MontenegroGMT +2

VeniceGMT +1

4

YOUR PRIVATE JET AIRBUS ACJ 318

• 3 lounges• 2 restrooms • 3 flight attendants• 2 pilots• 1 engineer

5

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 Sunday, 21 March 2021Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)D

• Arrive in Tokyo, Japan, on your long-haul flight.• Private transfer to Aman (1 hour + traffic).• Welcome cocktails and dinner with special guest.

DAY 2Monday, 22 March 2021Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)B

• Full day touring in Tokyo.

DAY 3 Tuesday, 23 March 2021 Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)B

• Full day touring in Tokyo.

DAY 4 Wednesday, 24 March 2021Amansara, Courtyard Suite (Siem, Reap, Cambodia)B L D

• Private transfer to airport at 07:30 (30 minutes).• Private jet to Siem Reap, Cambodia (09:00-14:30).• Lunch on jet.• Afternoon touring.• Cocktail party and fashion show.• Dinner is included at Amansara. If you wish to dine elsewhere, you will pay directly.

DAY 5 Thursday, 25 March 2021Amansara, Courtyard Suite (Siem, Reap, Cambodia)B

• Full day touring.• Helicopter excursion.• Private temple dinner.

DAY 6 Friday, 26 March 2021 Amanoi, Mountain Pool Villa (Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam)B L D

• Private transfer to airport at 10:00 (30 minutes).• Private jet to Cam Ranh, Vietnam (11:30–13:10).• Lunch on jet.• Private transfer to hotel (90 minutes). • Welcome cocktails and dinner.

DAY 7 Saturday, 27 March 2021Amanoi, Mountain Pool Villa (Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam)B L D

• Morning at leisure.• Complimentary massage.• Afternoon touring with lunch at fishing village.• Farewell cocktails.• Farewell dinner on the beach.

DL

6

DAY 8 Sunday, 28 March 2021Amanpuri, Garden Pavilion (Phuket, Thailand)B L D

• Private transfer to airport at 09:45 (90 minutes).• Private jet to Phuket, Thailand (11:30–13:45).• Lunch on jet.• Optional elephant experience (included).• Private transfer to hotel (35 minutes). • Welcome cocktails and dinner.

DAY 9 Monday, 29 March 2021Amanpuri, Garden Pavilion (Phuket, Thailand) B L

• Optional morning helicopter ride (additional cost).• Afternoon yacht excursion to Phang Nga Bay with lunch (13:00–17:00).

DAY 10 Tuesday, 30 March 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)B L D

• Private transfer to airport at 07:15 (35 minutes).• Private jet to Paro, Bhutan (09:00–11:33).• Lunch on jet.• Private transfer to hotel (1 hour). • Afternoon at leisure or touring if you wish.• Welcome cocktails with special guests. • Welcome dinner.

DAY 11 Wednesday, 31 March 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)B L D

• Full day touring.

DAY 12 Thursday, 1 April 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)B L D

• Hike to Tiger’s Nest (with 1 hour transfer to and from Paro).• Farewell cocktails and dinner.

DAY 13 Friday, 2 April 2021Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)B L

• Private transfer to airport at 08:45 (1 hour).• Private jet to Jaipur, India (11:00–13:02).• Lunch on jet.• Afternoon touring in Jaipur.• Private transfer to Alwar at your leisure.

DAY 14 Saturday, 3 April 2021Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)B L D

• Morning touring.• Afternoon cow dust tour.• Fire Meditation.• Farewell dinner.

7

DAY 15 Sunday, 4 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece)B L D

• Private transfer to airport at 08:05 (2 hours).• Private jet to Athens, Greece (11:00–15:27).• Lunch on jet.• Helicopter to Peloponnese. • Welcome cocktails and dinner with history expert.

DAY 16 Monday, 5 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece)B L

• Boat excursion to Spetses Island with lunch.

DAY 17Tuesday, 6 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece) B L

• Day at leisure.• Optional boat excursion to Hydra Island with lunch.

DAY 18Wednesday, 7 April 2021Aman Sveti Stefan, Cottage (Montenegro)B

• Morning touring to Athens or morning at leisure and private transfer to Athens. • Private jet to Montenegro (15:00–16:00).• Private transfer to hotel (30 minutes). • Welcome cocktails and dinner with history expert.

DAY 19Thursday, 8 April 2021Aman Sveti Stefan, Cottage (Montenegro)B

• Touring to Kotor town.

DAY 20Friday, 9 April 2021Aman Venice, Palazzo Bedroom (Venice, Italy)B

• Private transfer to airport at 09:45 (30 minutes).• Private jet to Venice, Italy (11:00–12:23).• Private transfer to hotel (30 minutes). • Afternoon touring.

DAY 21Saturday, 10 April 2021Aman Venice, Palazzo Bedroom (Venice, Italy)B D

• Full day touring.• Farewell cocktails and dinner.

DAY 22Sunday, 11 April 2021B

• Private transfer to Venice airport for your flight onward. D

8

TOKYO, JAPAN A trip to the ultra-modern city of Tokyo is unforgettable – from Aman Tokyo, one can gaze upon the multi-coloured glow of the city leading straight to the horizon, an awe-inspiring sight. Tokyo has been the nation’s capital since the start of the Meiji Restoration in 1868 when, among other major changes to the nation’s political and social structure, Japan came out of its self-imposed isolation. Prior to 1868, Tokyo was a small castle town known as Edo, which had become Japan’s political centre in 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. Edo was renamed Tokyo, ‘eastern capital’, in 1868.

9

AMAN TOKYOAn urban sanctuary atop the shimmering Otemachi Tower, Aman Tokyo is a monument to the modern-day Japanese capital, a place where dynamism is tempered with serenity. History, commerce and culture fuse truly cosmopolitan yet intrinsically Japanese aesthetics, offering fascinating juxtapositions at every turn. Gleaming skyscrapers reach for the heavens beside nineteenth-century palaces; humming intersections exist alongside quaint lanes lined with convivial yakitori-ya, ramen shops and shochu bars; state-of-the-art shopping centres overlook beautiful parks, pink with cherry-blossom in spring.

10

ROOMS & SUITES

Aman Tokyo’s rooms and suites are lofty urban havens drawing design inspiration from traditional Japanese residences. Blending wood, washi paper and stone with modern technology and luxurious fabrics, they offer magnificent views including the Imperial Palace Gardens, and Mt Fuji on the horizon on clearer days.

DINING & WELLBEING

Aman Tokyo offers a selection of sublime dining experiences. Arva brings Italian seasonal ingredients and cooking techniques, while maintaining a distinctly Japanese emphasis on clean, refined flavours. Early every morning the Master Chef travels to the fish market, to select the freshest, seasonal fish and seafood for Edomae style sushi at Musashi. The vast garden and bar lounge, designed to resemble the inside of a traditional shoji paper lantern is the perfect spot for all-day dining in Tokyo. During the day, sample Afternoon Tea – an Aman Tokyo speciality – high above the Imperial Palace Gardens. The Café by Aman features French delicacies with a menu that changes every two months.

Aman Spa Tokyo is a vast, light-filled space set high above the Tokyo skyline. A complete range of treatments, therapies, and facilities draws on the Japanese principles of nature and balance. Multiple treatment rooms are available, and the signature Spa Journeys focus on Japanese natural ingredients and philosophies. The Spa features large Japanese-style hot baths and steam rooms, a light-filled 30-metre pool with panoramic city views, a world-class fitness centre with the latest cardiovascular and weight-training machinery, and dedicated yoga and Pilates studios.

11

DAY 1 Sunday, 21 March 2021Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)Included Meals: D

Arrive in Tokyo, Japan, on your long-haul flight.

Private transfer to Aman Tokyo (approximately 30 minutes from Haneda airport/1 hour from Narita airport).

Welcome cocktails and dinner with special guest, starting at 18:00.

DAY 2

Monday, 22 March 2021Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)Included Meals: B

TODAY’S SCHEDULED SHARED EXPERIENCES

Choose one of the following:

Sushi Experience and Lunch: Learn how to prepare sushi’s basic rice with rice vinegar, slice various fish and vegetable ingredients, and roll, cut and display the pieces, before enjoying your own (as well as your professional instructor’s) creations for lunch.

Sword Fighting Lesson: Japan’s ancient samurai swords were once employed during battle, and their use is today considered an artform. During your sword lesson you will practise movements evolved from the techniques used by samurai in battle.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local casual restaurant on your own (not included unless you do the sushi experience).

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

The rest of the day is yours to explore Tokyo with your private car, driver and guide. Discuss with your guide what you would like to see.

Jogai Market: Jogai is the outer market area surrounding the famous Tsukiji Market. A variety of fresh produce, seafood, and kitchenware are sold daily. You can also visit an Aritsugu store front and browse the world renowned knives. Founded in 1560, Aritsugu originally supplied swords to the Imperial House of

12

Japan, before becoming a knife manufacturer in the 18th century. This particular store, Tsukiji Aritsugu, opened in 1918 after gaining independence from the original store in Kyoto.

Imperial Palace East Gardens: The palace was once the world’s largest, though now only the inner circle remains. Seeing the palace itself requires joining a tour that lasts over an hour; instead, we recommend heading into the beautiful East Gardens, which are open to the public. During cherry-blossom season, this is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to take in the sakura (cherry blossom), as the grounds of the Imperial Palace and nearby Kitanomaru Park are covered in a pink-white floral blanket during the peak of the blossom season.

Ginza: Tokyo’s premier shopping district is brimming with department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. The department stores’ basement-level food courts are a must-visit for local delicacies, freshly packed bento boxes, exquisite teas and more.

Akihabara: Japan’s fascination with technology, fashion, Manga and youth culture come together on the ‘Akihabara scene’. Stroll through the flashing pachinko or video game parlours, a street dedicated to musical instruments, and electronics stores showcasing the latest gadgets.

Maid Café: Drop in to one of Akihabara’s many iconic maid cafés and experience this unique cultural phenomenon.

Asakusa: Visit the historic Asakusa district. One of the area’s most popular sites is the Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s largest Buddhist temple. Before heading to the temple, visit Nakamise Shopping Street. This busy covered shopping arcade leads from the Kaminarimon gate to the temple, selling all sorts of Buddhist paraphernalia. While walking around, sample local snacks such as senbei rice crackers, grilled on the spot, flavored with soy and usually wrapped in seaweed.

Fukagawa Fudo Fire Ceremony: Visit Fukagawa Fudo, an active temple in Tokyo where fire rituals called goma take place daily at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Sutras are read, drums are pounded, and various amulets and objects are passed over the flames in blessing. Walk down the prayer corridor and marvel at the 9,500 miniature crystal Buddha statues. Upstairs is a gallery depicting all 88 temples of the 850-mile pilgrimage route on the island of Shikoku. It is said that

13

offering a prayer at each alcove has the same effect as visiting each temple.

Kitchen Town: Kappabashi Dougu Street, also known as Kitchen Town, is a famous restaurant and kitchen supplies shopping district. Browse the bargains on cups, bowls, trays, pottery, lacquerware, chopsticks, sashimi knives and copious other items. Don’t miss Maiduru, maker of the plastic food found in restaurant display cases. Practically an art, these plastic models are made as real and accurate as possible and look delicious enough to eat.

Return to Aman Tokyo at 17:00.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner on your own at Aman or a local restaurant. Please ask the concierge about reservations and transportation. Let us know in advance if you would like to pre-book.

DAY 3 Tuesday, 23 March 2021 Aman Tokyo, Deluxe Room (Tokyo, Japan)Included Meals: B

TODAY’S SCHEDULED SHARED EXPERIENCES

Tea Ceremony: Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu. The Japanese tea ceremony originated more than 1,000 years ago when Japan adopted the Chinese practice of drinking powdered green tea, and following Zen Buddhist beliefs. A traditional Japanese tea ceremony is a spiritual experience that embodies harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. The ceremony is a choreographed ritual of preparing and serving Japanese matcha green tea; traditional sweets are also served to balance the tea’s bitter taste. The aesthetics of the ceremony are paramount: one’s attention must focus on movement and gesture; even the placement of the tea utensils must follow a certain method. In this lesson you will learn the subtle yet significant ceremony etiquette shaped by Zen Buddhism.

Sumo Lesson with Retired Wrestlers: Meet with retired sumo wrestlers to learn more about the ancient artform. Sumo is a serious sport that combines weight, speed, intellect, technique and guile, and many ritual elements such as purifying the ring with salt. Matches

14

can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, until one wrestler forces the other either out of the ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of his feet. Contrary to appearances, being gigantic and overweight is not de rigueur for becoming a successful sumo wrestler; it is even common to see a smaller wrestler defeat a larger opponent. In this private informational session, you will be free to ask questions and, if you wish, you can also don a ‘sumo suit’ and try your hand at the sport.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local casual restaurant of your choosing (not included).

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Explore Tokyo with your private car, driver and guide.

Omotesando Street: One of central Tokyo’s smartest boulevards, with broad pavements, tall trees and hip boutiques and cafés lending it a European feel. Omotesando Street is also a great place to begin a tour, by car or on foot, of the Aoyama neighbourhood. Here you’ll find high-end global fashion, but it’s the cutting-edge architecture designed by world-renowned names, including Herzog and de Meuron, Tadao Ando, and Jun Aoki, that is the real draw.

Aoyama Flower Market Tea House: Set inside the Aoyama Flower Market, this whimsical garden-room tea house serves delicate herbal and petal-infused teas which guests savour as they chat under vined canopies among the freshest, delightfully fragrant blossoms. Pop in for a light snack or a midday break from the hectic Tokyo scramble.

Nezu Museum: Tucked away from the bustling commercial boulevard of Omotesando in the fashionable Aoyama neighbourhood, this museum was established in 1941 by Japanese industrialist Nezu Kaichiro to preserve his personal collection for posterity. Today the museum is housed in a striking modern building designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Kaichiro’s collection of Japanese and other Asian pre-modern arts forms the core of the museum’s collection, while donations from private collectors have helped the overall collection grow to more than 7,000 objects, including calligraphy, painting, sculpture and ceramics. A number of pieces are now designated as National Treasures.

Harajuku: Although Sundays are famously the day for Tokyo’s youth to flaunt their sartorial style, you can

15

still get a sense of the unique local scene here along Takeshita Street; every afternoon, local teenagers swap their staid school uniforms for something a little more on-trend.

Meiji Shrine: The shrine’s giant torii gates, surrounded by the lush environs of Yoyogi Park, are another of Tokyo’s iconic sights. Originally built in 1920, the shrine was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in 1958. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, who ruled from 1868 to 1912, presiding over Japan’s transition from centuries of shogun rule to imperial power. Shinto is Japan’s indigenous faith, with a uniquely beautiful reverence for nature. The shrine’s natural setting, amid the expanse of Yoyogi Park, is a rare sight.

Tokyo Skytree: Head towards the Tokyo Skytree, currently the tallest broadcast tower in the world. The tower stands at a height of 634 metres, and houses an observation tower at the top, from which visitors get a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Shibuya Crossing: Visit Shibuya crossing, one of the world’s most heavily used pedestrian intersections. When the light turns red all vehicular traffic comes to a halt and the crossing is momentarily filled with a frenzy of criss-crossing pedestrians. Neon lights and enormous video screens create a lively atmosphere.

Hachiko Statue: From Shibuya Crossing visit the nearby Hachiko statue, perhaps Tokyo’s most famous meeting spot and a popular tourist destination. Hachiko is a small akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty. In the early 1920s a professor who lived near Shibuya station would come home to find Hachiko waiting for him at the station every day. The professor died in 1925 but the dog would continue to come to the station to wait for his owner until his own death ten years later.

Cat or Bunny Café: Enjoy this curious experience where you can sip a drink and pet animals.

Bonsai Museum: Visit the Bonsai Museum and learn about the history and cultural significance of various bonsai and bonsai-related traditional arts from multiple perspectives, including art history, craft history and the history of horticulture.

21–21 Design Sight Museum: Visit this striking collaboration between two of Japan’s leading

16

contemporary figures in the arts: fashion designer Issey Miyake and architect Tadao Ando.

Other special experiences related to art, architecture, birding or almost any other interest are available on request and possibly at an additional cost.

Return to Aman Tokyo by 17:00 and freshen up.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner on your own at Aman or a local restaurant. Please ask the concierge about reservations and transportation. Let us know in advance if you would like to pre-book.

DAY 4 Wednesday, 24 March 2021Amansara, Courtyard Suite (Siem Reap, Cambodia)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the Restaurant before checking out.

07:45: Private transfer to Haneda airport (30 minutes).

09:00: Private jet from Tokyo to Siem Reap (7 hours 30 minutes, - 2 hours time difference).

Lunch will be served on board the jet during this flight.

17

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA The Kingdom of Cambodia has rightfully become a traveller’s mecca due to the magnificent cultural heritage of Siem Reap. In addition to Angkor Wat, one of the great man-made wonders of the world, and other remarkable temples throughout the Angkor area, the heart of the country also offers natural marvels like Boeung Tonlé Sap, Cambodia’s vast freshwater lake, which sustains a unique culture of floating villages. Angkor was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire which controlled most of Indochina (the former French colonies of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia) from the eleventh to the fourteenth centuries. In addition to this region, there is the French colonial heritage of the capital, Phnom Penh, the authentic rural life of Battambang and excellent beach destinations, like Kep, along the southern coast. The scars of war under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge have healed a lot in the past 30 years, and today Cambodia is a lovely Buddhist constitutional monarchy of extremely gracious people, delicious cuisine and rich cultural history.

18

AMANSARAOnce a residence for guests of the king, Amansara is a masterpiece of 1960s New Khmer architecture - an unabashedly modern style. A careful and sensitive restoration brought the building back to its former glory, retaining the original single-level layout, curvilinear pool and monochrome minimalism. Gardens and a canopy of mature trees create an introspective atmosphere, continued in the suites, which open onto private courtyards and ponds. Custom itineraries lead guests intuitively towards less-explored destinations – cycling through crowd-free ruins, meditating amid ancient forest or cruising to the floating villages of Tonlé Sap lake.

19

SUITES

Finished in pale terrazzo and timber, Amansara’s suites offer a combined bedroom and living area which steps down into a light-filled bathroom with an island bathtub. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to a private garden courtyard with sun loungers, a reflection pond and, in 12 suites, a private plunge pool. Sandstone reliefs reference the famed ruins of Angkor temples just minutes away.

DINING

Amansara’s sleek circular restaurant offers Cambodian-centred cuisine under soaring ceilings, or outdoors at pergola-shaded tables by the pool. The daily changing menus focus on simple flavours, using organic produce direct from the market and local suppliers. For a unique experience, private dining is available at the resort’s rustic Khmer house at Angkor, where meals are prepared over charcoal to the sounds and sights of village life.

20

DAY 4 Wednesday, 24 March 2021Amansara, Courtyard Suite (Siem Reap, Cambodia)Included Meals: B L D


14:30: Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

TODAY’S SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Ta Prohm Temple: The ruins at Ta Prohm date from 1186 and have been allowed to be reclaimed by the jungle. This atmospheric temple complex is a must-see on any visit to Siem Reap and offers amazing photo opportunities, as well as the chance to view the latest archeological discoveries made here, such as 2011’s two headless stone statues, which date from the twelfth century and are the biggest excavated finds since the 1930s. Explore the ruins with an archaeologist who has led the preservation effort at Ta Prohm for more than a decade, and who can provide fascinating insight into the temple’s history.

Private transfer to Amansara (30 minutes).

THIS EVENING’S SCHEDULED ACTIVITY:

Fashion Show and Cocktails - 18:00: Arrive at haute couture designer Eric Raisina’s atelier for cocktails and a special private fashion show.

Dinner: Have dinner at the hotel (it is included at Amansara). If you wish to dine outside of the hotel, note that you will have to pay directly.

DAY 5 Thursday, 25 March 2021Amansara, Courtyard Suite (Siem Reap, Cambodia)Included Meals: B

Morning pick-up time: 5:00 amMorning return time: 7:00 am

DL

21

Sunrise at Angkor Wat: With your private guide, get close up to Angkor Wat where your first impressions of the monuments’ grandeur at daybreak will be relatively private. Angkor Wat has become one of the world’s most famous attractions, on a par with the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Built in the twelfth century as the capital of King Suryavarman II’s kingdom, it is the largest and best-preserved of the Angkor temples, and the only one to have remained a significant religious centre (first Hindu, then Buddhist).

Breakfast: Return to Amansara for breakfast and relaxation before stepping out for further touring.

Second pick-up time: 09:00Second return time: 17:00


Helicopter over Angkor Wat: Proceed to the airport for your private helicopter aerial tour of Siem Reap. This bird’s-eye view of the Angkor area is a terrific complement to your exploring on the ground. Your 14-minute helicopter flight path provides a thrilling experience of the Angkor region, especially Angkor Wat, western and eastern Barays, Prasat Kravan, Sras Srong, Pre Rup, and the eastern Mebon temple. The helicopter is a French-manufactured turbine engine AS350 Squirrel with seating for five passengers plus pilot. All maintenance procedures comply with the highest international civil aviation standards (and in particular conform to New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority regulations) and all passengers are covered by a comprehensive insurance package. Pilots have expert knowledge of Cambodian flying conditions and love to share the experience of Angkor-from-above with visitors.

Lunch: Return for lunch at Amansara.

Banteay Srei: Banteay Srei is a small gem of a temple that Remote Lands highly recommends. Built in the 10th century and nicknamed the “Citadel of Women,” Banteay Srei is a jewel box of red sandstone, famed for its intimate size and the intricacy of its carvings.

22

Rural Water Well Development: Fund the building of a water well for a Cambodian family through the Cambodian Child’s Dream Organization (CCDO). Each water well and filter provides a family and its immediate neighbors with easily accessible hand pumped clean water. On average about 11 people use each water well, and without these wells villagers ultimately travel long distances to retrieve water from pools and streams. After construction of the well is completed you will have the opportunity to meet the family and have your photo taken together in front of the newly constructed well.

Return to Amansara.

THIS EVENING’S SCHEDULED ACTIVITY:

Private Temple Dinner - 7:00 pm: Enjoy a private dinner of gourmet Khmer cuisine on the grounds of Banteay Samré. Drinks will precede your multi-course meal, and the evening will include a performance of traditional Cambodian dance.

DAY 6 Friday, 26 March 2021 Amanoi, Mountain Pool Villa (Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast – from 07:00: Enjoy breakfast before checking out.

09:45: Private transfer to the airport (approximately 30 minutes).

11:30-13:10: Private jet from Siem Reap to Cam Ranh (1 hour 40 minutes).


23

NINH THUAN, VIETNAM Well known for its natural beauty, crystal blue coastlines and white pearly sand, the area of Ninh Thuan Province has one of Vietnam’s most beautiful shorelines and notably includes Nui Chua National Park. Sandy beaches like Ninh Chu and Vinh Hy line the coast. Coral reefs fringe Nui Chua National Park in the northeast.

24

AMANOIAmanoi (‘place of peace’) is a contemporary beachside resort with 9 freestanding guest Pavilions, 18 Villas with private pools, two Wellness Villas and six Residences. Overlooking Vinh Hy Bay on Vietnam’s dramatic central coast, the property is embraced by Nui Chua National Park and features a lakeside Aman Spa. The property enjoys magnificent views from its clifftop infinity pool and Central Pavilion; down on the private sandy shoreline, the Beach Club includes a dining area and a second swimming pool.

25

PAVILIONS & VILLAS

From their curving roofs peeping above the treeline to their latticed windows and discreet natural materials, Amanoi’s Pavilions and Villas are at one with their magnificent surroundings. They draw on the grace and artful simplicity of Vietnamese design, offering combined bedroom and living areas, and large bathrooms that open onto spacious decks. The Villas enjoy private pools and expansive views.

DINING, WELLBEING & FACILITIES

Inside the Restaurant soaring columns and sloping rooflines frame the surroundings, while at the Beach Club meals are accompanied by pristine sand and the gentle sounds of the surf. Fresh fish from the azure waters of Vinh Hy Bay takes prominence on the menu. Delivered daily directly from the fishing boats, the fish are cooked simply and complemented by other locally sourced ingredients as well as panoramic views over the bay and rolling hills. Amanoi’s Spa Houses provide access to modern equipment as well as the full range of traditional East Asian spa treatments.

26

DAY 6 Friday, 26 March 2021 Amanoi, Mountain Pool Villa (Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam)Included Meals: B L D

Have lunch on the jet.

13:10: Arrive at Cam Ranh, Vietnam (1 hour 40 minutes).

Private transfer to Amanoi (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes).

Cocktails and Dinner - 18:00: Enjoy welcome cocktails and dinner by the pool.

DAY 7 Saturday, 27 March 2021Amanoi, Mountain Pool Villa (Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast from 07:30: Have breakfast at the Restaurant.


Offroad Cycling: Take a bike ride through local villages to visit morning markets.

Temple Cove (Ong Thinh Beach): Alternatively, start the day with a 45-minute hike to one of the area’s best-kept secrets, located within the National Park. The intimate cove features spectacular rock formations and provides a breathtaking view of Amanoi in the distance.

Group complimentary Yoga or Pilates class.

Morning at leisure to enjoy the Beach Club. Amanoi provides complimentary water sport activities (kayak, paddle board, hobie cat, snorkelling) - no reservation required, weather permitting.

12:30 - Lunch: In the afternoon, meet at the beach and take a boat to a floating restaurant for a local seafood lunch.

27

Vinh Hy Bay: After lunch, explore Vinh Hy bay by boat and visit a fishing village, where you can enjoy tea with local villagers.

14:30: Return to Amanoi for an afternoon at leisure.

Goga Peak: Hike 15 to 20 minutes from Amanoi up an inclining pathway to Goga Peak. Enjoy spectacular views from the top and take in Vinh Hy Bay, the East sea, coastal rock formations and the southern city of Phan Rang.

Hanging Lake: Just 10 minutes from Amanoi is the entrance to Hanging Lake. From here you can hike through the dense forests of Nui Chua National Park en route to the expansive lake.

Spa: Recharge with a complimentary afternoon massage at the Aman Spa. Valid once per person any time during stay.

15:30–16:30: Complimentary afternoon tea.

Cocktails and Dinner - 18:00: Enjoy farewell cocktails and dinner at the Beach Club.

DAY 8 Sunday, 28 March 2021Amanpuri, Garden Pavilion (Phuket, Thailand)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast from 07:30: Enjoy breakfast at the Restaurant.

09:45: Private transfer to the airport (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).

11:30: Private jet from Cam Ranh to Phuket (2 hours 15 minutes).


28

PHUKETPhuket is the largest island in Thailand and sports fine beaches, constant sunshine, and an enviable proximity to a multitude of attractions and dive sites – among them the Similan Islands, Koh Phi Phi and the limestone peaks of Phang Nga Bay.

29

AMANPURIScattered with coconut palms overlooking the Andaman Sea, the Amanpuri peninsula on Phuket’s west coast provides a peaceful enclave in which to relax and rejuvenate in complete privacy. The Ayutthayuan-style upturned roofs of the guest pavilions shelter sleek, spacious interiors, their contemporary appeal matched by the array of globally influenced venues for dining and entertainment – with cuisines and cocktails originating from South America, Japan and Italy, as well as Southeast Asia. Witness spectacular sunrises practicing yoga outdoors, or lose days on the private beach, where a fleet of boats lies ready to whisk guests away to dive sites and neighbouring islands.

30

PAVILIONS & VILLAS

Set on a hillside overlooking a secluded white-sand beach on Phuket’s west coast, Amanpuri’s Pavilions are elegant and contemporary with oversized bathrooms and spacious dressing areas. Coconut palms cast tropical shadows onto private terraces, each with an outdoor lounging sala. Views are of the gardens or the ocean, and a number of Pavilions offer private pools. Amanpuri’s Villas lie towards the tip of the peninsula, with ocean-front or garden settings. With a choice of two to nine bedrooms, extensive living and dining areas are arranged around a private swimming pool. Interiors feature Thai furnishings, art and antiques, and live-in staff attend to guests’ every need.

DINING, WELLBEING & FACILITIES

Dine at your choice of Japanese, Thai, Italian and South American restaurants and enjoy the Beach Club. Open seasonally for lunch, Amanpuri’s Beach Club restaurant is reminiscent of a bustling food market, showcasing the freshest catch of the day and prime meats, grilled to order, along with wood-fired pizzas and a vibrant array of Mediterranean salads.

At the Aman Spa, natural herb-infused treatments are offered in six light-filled pavilions that include a private steam room, shower, bath and outdoor meditation sala. These are joined by a gym and Pilates studio with panoramic views, a yoga and meditation pavilion, and four floodlit tennis courts.

31

DAY 8 Sunday, 28 March 2021Amanpuri, Garden Pavilion (Phuket, Thailand)Included Meals: B L D

Enjoy lunch on the jet.

13:45: Arrive in Phuket, Thailand (2 hours 15 minutes).

Private transfer to hotel (35 minutes).

TODAY’S SHARED EXPERIENCES

Elephant Experience: If you wish, stop at an elephant sanctuary where you can feed, walk and observe the elephants as they roam throughout the sanctuary, socialise and bathe.

Alternatively, feel free to go directly to the hotel to check in and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Spa: If you wish, book a treatment at the Aman Spa at your leisure, on your own account.

Welcome cocktails and dinner, starting at 18:00.

DAY 9 Monday, 29 March 2021Amanpuri, Garden Pavilion (Phuket, Thailand)Included Meals: B L

Enjoy the morning at leisure.

TODAY’S SHARED OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Helicopter Charter: Charter a private helicopter for an exhilarating ride over Phang Nga Bay, where hundreds of limestone karst peaks thrust up out of the sea in a variety of formations, towering over the turquoise water. Please note this experience comes at an additional cost.

ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Beach: Spend your free time soaking up the sun and trying out Amanpuri’s water sports, all overlooking the bright turquoise sea.

32

Golf: Borrow a set of clubs from Amanpuri and play a round at one of the six courses in the area. Amanpuri can assist with reservations. Additional cost.

SCHEDULED GROUP EXPERIENCE

Yacht Excursion to Phang Nga Bay: Board a yacht and cruise on the sparkling blue waters and between the limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay. The shallow bay comprises 42 islands and at least 28 species of mangrove and is home to many diverse and endangered species, including the dugong. Stop on an island to spend time on the beach and swim. Have lunch on your cruise. Scheduled for 13:00–17:00.

Return to the resort and freshen up.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at leisure in any of Amanpuri’s venues or a local restaurant.

DAY 10 Tuesday, 30 March 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Take breakfast on the terrace before check-out.

07:15: Private transfer to the airport (approximately 35 minutes).

09:00: Depart on private jet from Phuket to Paro (3 hours 33 minutes).


33

THIMPHU, BHUTAN Set in a steep valley at an altitude of 2,350 metres (7,709 feet), Thimphu is surrounded by richly forested mountains dotted with ancient monasteries and temples. The town, Bhutan’s capital since 1961, is built up from the Thimphu Chhu (river) and is centred around the Clock Tower and its surrounding lanes of shops and vegetable and meat markets. Although Thimphu is home to some 104,000 people and is an architectural hybrid of past and present with monasteries, palaces and dzongs side by side with more modern additions, the town is still entirely free of traffic lights. Elsewhere in the valley, you can visit Pangri Zampa, two sixteenth-century buildings that now house a monastic astrologer training school, and, at the head of the valley, walk across one of the country’s oldest cantilever bridges, which leads to Cheri Goemba, where the Kingdom’s first monk community was based.

34

AMANKORACombining the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ with kora or ‘circular pilgrimage’ in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of lodges across the central and western valleys of Bhutan. The sole surviving Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom, Bhutan is located between the Tibetan Plateau and India, making it one of the most remote and pristine environments on earth. Descending from 7,000m-high peaks in the north to the low-lying plains of the south, Bhutan’s rivers have forged deep valleys separated by high mountain passes. Historically isolated, each valley’s scenic beauty and topography affords visitors an opportunity for unique journeys of discovery.

Situated in a blue pine forest in the upper reaches of the Motithang area of the Thimphu Valley, the 16-suite Amankora Thimphu is close to the capital’s sights and shopping, while remaining a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom’s main commercial centre. The resort’s dzong-inspired architecture incorporates whitewashed stone buildings accessed through an enclosed arrival courtyard. Stairs lead from this entryway to a combined Living and Dining Room with soaring ceilings and wood-panelled walls. An outdoor dining deck provides views of the nearby stream and surrounding forest. The Spa features three treatment rooms (two single and one double), a steam room and changing areas.

35

ROOMS, SUITES & VILLAS

Amankora Thimphu suites combine a bedroom and lounge, and feature a kingsize bed, a reading chair and a window banquette. Each suite’s interior features wood panelling and chocolate brown walls, and the spacious bathroom opens from the bedroom and provides twin vanities, separate shower and toilet, hanging space, and a terrazzo-clad bath.

DINING

The Dining RoomDine on traditional Bhutanese cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a warm ambience of soaring ceilings and wood-panelled walls. Amankora Thimphu’s Dining Room, looking out on the nearby stream and forest, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, specialising in Indian, Western and Bhutanese dishes. The stay at Amankora includes full board of breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

36

DAY 10 Tuesday, 30 March 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

11:33: Arrive in Paro (3 hours 33 minutes; –1 hour time difference).

Private transfer to Thimphu (approximately 1 hour + traffic).

You will be escorted to your suite. Freshen up and relax; spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. If you wish, step out and explore Thimphu town.

Cocktails with Special Guests - 18:00: Enjoy welcome cocktails and meet Lhatu Wangchuk, the former UN Ambassador from Bhutan. Engage in a discussion about the Gross National Happiness (GNH), the Bhutanese philosophy which serves as a beacon in the search for greater wellbeing and advancement. Crafted by the fourth king of Bhutan, the concept of GNH offers an index system within which material and spiritual needs are measured as a way of ranking citizens’ contentment.

Dinner - 19:00: After cocktails, have dinner in Amankora’s Dining Room at your leisure.

DAY 11 Wednesday, 31 March 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Your stay at Amankora is all-inclusive; enjoy your meals on your own.


Astrology School – Pangri Zampa Lakhang: This former temple is now used as an astrology centre by the state clergy, and is home to around 100 monks studying astrology.

National Library of Thimphu: Home to ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts, this stunning example of Bhutanese architecture was established in 1967. The library holds more than 10,000 volumes of scriptures

37

in classical language and, on the top floor, rare and sacred classical texts are displayed.

National Textile Museum: Learn about the art of weaving, one of the Kingdom’s most important arts. The exhibition displays the major weaving techniques, and styles of local dress and textile made by the Bhutanese people.

Memorial Chorten: Drive to the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The basic structure of the chorten consists of a square foundation symbolising the earth, a dome symbolising water and 13 tapering steps symbolising the element of fire. The shrine is surmounted by a golden sphere that resembles a shimmering crown.

Motithang Takin Preserve: The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. There is a folk legend that when the Buddhist saint known popularly as the Divine Madman visited Bhutan in the fifteenth century, he was asked by the people to perform a miracle to demonstrate his credibility. He first demanded to be fed and he quickly devoured a large cow and a goat. The saint then placed the remains of the goat inside the cow’s carcass and ordered this new creature to rise and run into the fields, thus creating the takin.

Handmade Paper Factory: Visit Thimphu’s paper factory, where lovely sheets of traditional Bhutanese paper are made, which sometimes incorporate flowers or plants into their fibre. The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the eighth century, although usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today it is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The tiny factory allows guests to view the papermaking process and purchase samples and gift items from their shop.

Trashi Chhoe Dzong: Also known as Thimphu Dzong, this monastery and fortress serves as the seat of the government and the centre of all religious affairs of the Kingdom.

Hiking: Bhutan is famous for its misty mountainous landscapes and offers a range of hiking options for all ages and fitness levels. Speak to your guide about options.

Cocktails with Special Guests - 18:00: Enjoy cocktails and meet Dasho Tashi Wangyal, an Eminent Member of the Bhutanese National Council - one of the two houses of Parliament. Tashi sits on the Council’s Economic Affairs Committee and Foreign Relations Committee, and is the right-hand man and childhood friend of the King. He completed his higher education in Canada and at Cambridge University.

38

DAY 12 Thursday, 1 April 2021Amankora, Suite (Thimphu, Bhutan)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room. Don’t forget to pick up your packed lunch to take on the hike (let Remote Lands know in advance if you wish to order one).

Private transfer to Paro (approximately 1 hour).

Tiger’s Nest: Rise early for a half-day hike to Tiger’s Nest. We recommend you leave no later than 08:30 for this activity. Tiger’s Nest, or Taktshang Goempa, is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It hangs off the face of a cliff 900 metres (2,952 feet) above the valley floor - and has an altitude of 3,120 metres. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. An approximately 2-hour trek of moderate difficulty straight uphill will bring you to an observation pavilion at the halfway point to the monastery, where you may pause for tea and contemplation. Many people turn back here, but we recommend that you brave the final approach to Taktsang, which takes about 45 minutes longer.

After the hike, return to Thimphu (approximately 1 hour).

Relax at the hotel and enjoy a hot stone spa treatment.

Farewell Cocktails and Dinner - 18:00: Come together and enjoy cocktails, then a special menu of seasonal Bhutanese cuisine, on your last night in Bhutan.

39

DAY 13 Friday, 2 April 2021Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)Included Meals: B L

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Dining Room before checking out.

08:45: Departure via private transfer to the airport (approximately 1 hour).

11:00: Private jet from Paro to Jaipur (2 hours 32 minutes, –30 minutes time difference).


40

ALWAR, INDIA Under the British Raj, Alwar was the capital of a ‘princely state’, a semi-autonomous kingdom typically ruled by a Maharaja. In contrast to much of the rest of Rajasthan’s desert and arid hills, Alwar is set in a picturesque valley and enclosed by the verdant Aravalli Hills. The city is home to a wealth of historical and natural attractions, and serves as a centre of agricultural production.

41

AMANBAGHAmanbagh is a verdant oasis of mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees lying within a walled compound once the staging area for royal hunts. Evoking the palatial elegance of the Moghul era, Amanbagh provides a tranquil base from which to explore the rich heritage of Rajasthan, India’s dramatic frontier region. The topography of the surrounding Alwar region consists of sandy plains interspersed with craggy hills, a stark contrast to Amanbagh’s verdant setting, which give the property its name, from aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and bagh, meaning ‘garden’ in Hindi.

42

SUITES

Garden Haveli SuitesEight Garden Haveli suites are located on the ground level on either side of the swimming pool. The entrance to each suite is via a courtyard with an outdoor dining area. Inside, a living area includes a large daybed, two armchairs and a writing desk. Beyond is a private courtyard. The adjoining bedroom features a domed ceiling high above a kingsize bed and a bathroom filled with natural light.

DINING

The RestaurantThe Restaurant is positioned on the ground floor of the main building and provides a regal atmosphere beneath a double-height ceiling. The menu’s focus is fresh and seasonal Indian and Western cuisine. Salads, herbs and many vegetables are grown in the Amanbagh organic kitchen gardens.

The Library TerraceLocated on the second floor of the main building, the Library Terrace is ideal for informal dining in the evening, particularly under a starlit sky.

The Roof TerraceElevated above a canopy of trees, the Roof Terrace provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape and is another option for dining and refreshments.

43

DAY 13 Friday, 2 April 2021Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)Included Meals: B LHave lunch on the jet.

13:02: Arrive in Jaipur (2 hours 32 minutes; –30 minutes time difference).


Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace): Built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Wind Palace is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The five-storey, semi-octagonal monument has 152 windows with overhanging latticed balconies and is now a museum.

City Palace Museum: Home to the ruling families of Jaipur since the mid-eighteenth century, the palace’s many courtyards and sprawling grounds occupied one-seventh of the old walled city of Jaipur, and its ornate architecture perfectly blends Rajput and Mughal styles.

Market: A treasure trove for shoppers, Jaipur’s markets and bazaars offer a wide range of handicrafts, most of which are produced in and around the city. The city is also one of the most important centres in the world for cutting and polishing precious and semi-precious stones, including diamonds.

Visit Johri Bazaar for silver jewellery, Tripola Market and Chaura Rasta for textiles, utensils and ironware, Bapu Bazaar and Nehru Bazaar for local perfumes and shoes made of camel skin, and finally Mirza Ismail Road (M.I. Road) to find a large number of shops selling a variety of goods ranging from jewellery and brasswork to textiles, blue pottery and woodwork.

Amber Fort: Drive 30 minutes out of town to Amber, which was the ancient capital of this region and an active centre until 1727.

Depart for Amanbagh in Alwar at your leisure (approximately 2 hours); we recommend you leave Jaipur no later than 17:00.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner in Amanbagh’s Restaurant on your own. Alternatively, have dinner in Jaipur.

44

DAY 14 Saturday, 3 April 2021Amanbagh, Courtyard Haveli Suite (Alwar, India)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the Restaurant.


Bhangarh: 12 kilometres from Amanbagh, 15 minutes by Jeep, sits the intriguing old ruined city of Bhangarh. A medieval site of great archeological importance, the city was built in the late 1500s and legend has it that the now uninhabited city of once magnificent bazaars, palaces, gardens, temples and bathing pools was deserted overnight just a generation after its completion - it is famously named the ‘Bhangarh of Ghosts’.

Somsagar Lake: Head to Somsagar Lake, a manmade body of water dug out in the late 16th century in honor of the Mughal Emperor Akbar..

Ajabgarh Fort and Village: Visit Ajabgarh, a remote tribal village of the Meena minority people, who have maintained their own separate and distinct customs as a result of their isolated lifestyle. The Meena, who are said to have descended from the Matsya Avatar, or the fish incarnation of Vishnu, inhabit the area from Jaipur to Sikar in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan.

Lunch: Return to the resort for lunch and escape the midday heat.

Cowdust Tour - 15:30: Shared open Jeep (four guests per Jeep) Explore the villages surrounding Amanbagh in the afternoon when our local neighbours are herding their goats, cows and buffalos home after a day’s grazing. The locals will wave and the children will run after the car, and you may even be invited for chai in one of our neighbours’ homes – for many guests, it is a profound and inspiring experience.

Don’t forget your camera, your warm smiles and your genuine respect. You are welcome to support our local neighbours by way of a donation back at Amanbagh.

45

Fire Meditation - 17:45: If you wish, take part in Fire Meditation, based on the idea that fire is the most pure of the five elements. Participants sit on cushions around a fire called a hawan, which is made up of natural herbs and fragrant wood from the Himalayas. The session consists of chanting the Gayetri mantra, one of the most powerful mantras in Hindu, intended to energise all of the body’s 24 chakras, or centres of spiritual power. If you wish to participate, please wear the white clothes in your room.

Farewell Dinner - 19:00: Come together for a final dinner at Amanbagh.

DAY 15 Sunday, 4 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece)Included Meals: B L D

Breakfast: Have breakfast at the Restaurant before checking out.

08:05: Departure via private transfer to Jaipur airport (approximately 2 hours).

11:00: Private jet from Jaipur to Athens (7 hours 16 minutes, –2.5 hours time difference).


46

PELOPONNESE, GREECE The historic peninsula of the Peloponnese is home to great archeological sites such as ancient Olympia, Epidaurus, Byzantine churches and castles. Alongside history and culture, the natural beauty is replete with white-sand beaches, warm clear waters, mountains, forests and caves, making the Peloponnese a coveted holiday destination.

47

AMANZOEDrawing its name from the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ and zoe, the Greek word for ‘life’, Amanzoe is situated on a hilltop close to the town of Porto Heli on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese. Situated on a gentle rise surrounded by undulating olive groves, Amanzoe’s 360-degree views take in the Peloponnese countryside and rocky coves. Designed by renowned architect, the late Ed Tuttle, Amanzoe’s design is influenced by classical Greek architecture, reminiscent of the Ancient Greek Agora and the Acropolis.

48

PAVILIONS & VILLASDrawing on classical Greek architecture, with strong lines and a pared-back aesthetic, Amanzoe’s standalone Pavilions all open onto terraces with private plunge pools and views of the surrounding land and sea. Each Pavilion is accessed via a stone-walled courtyard, leading to a high-ceilinged living area and kingsize bed positioned in a marble alcove with views. Amanzoe’s Villas are cool, spacious abodes surrounded by olive groves.Overlooking the Aegean Sea, each of the Villas features an open terrace with sand-coloured marble floors, traditional dry stone-clad walls, and concrete columns and cornices. A chef and a host serves each one.

RESTAURANT, WELLNESS & FACILITIESSimple, contemporary Greek and Mediterranean dishes emphasise locally sourced ingredients at Amanzoe, which receives daily deliveries of local bass, bream, grouper and crustacean, as well as locally reared lamb and pork.Meals are served in the airy Restaurant, with its deep-blue sea views, as well as at the Pool Terrace, Nama, the Japanese restaurant, the informal Beach Club or surrounded by candles in private.

The holistic healings of Hippocrates are the inspiration for Amanzoe’s light-filled 2,850-square-metre Spa,combining diet, gymnastics, exercise, massage and sea bathing with modern natural products and treatments. A gym is also available, and studios host yoga and Pilates sessions.

49

DAY 15 Sunday, 4 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece)Included Meals: B L D

Have lunch on the jet.

15:46: Arrive in Athens (7 hours 16 minutes, –2.5 hours time difference).

Take a helicopter transfer from Athens to the Peloponnese. Your luggage will be transferred separately by van.


Welcome cocktails and dinner with local historian, starting at 18:00.

DAY 16 Monday, 5 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece)Included Meals: B L


The private beach and Beach Club are set belowAmanzoe on a sheltered bay. Complimentary transfers take guests down to the Aegean, where nonmotorised water sports can be enjoyed. The serene Beach Club is home to four swimming pools, as well as a casual eatery and a two-room spa.

SCHEDULED GROUP EXPERIENCE

Shared Boat Excursion to Spetses Island – 11:00–14:00: Take a short boat trip over to Spetses Island. Enjoy lunch together at a local tavern along the pebbled coast before going off on your own to spend the afternoon strolling the idyllic island. Explore the picturesque Spetses Town and waterfront promenade. Don’t forget to bring your swim gear and take advantage of Spetses Island’s beach.

50

Meet at 14:00 to return to the resort together by boat.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner in Amanzoe’s Restaurant on your own.

DAY 17

Tuesday, 6 April 2021Amanzoe, Pool Pavilion (Peloponnese, Greece) Included Meals: B L

Today, enjoy your day at leisure at the Beach Club, set below Amanzoe on a sheltered bay. Complimentary transfers take guests down to the Aegean, where non-motorised watersports can be enjoyed. The serene beach club is home to four swimming pools as well as a casual eatery and two-room spa.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Shared Boat Excursion to Hydra Island – 11:00–14:00: Take a short boat trip over to Hydra Island. The special thing about Hydra is that cars and other vehicles are prohibited, so all transportation is done on foot, by boat or by donkey. Explore the island’s many hiking trails, stroll the streets and enjoy the architecture, or relax on the beach.

DAY 18

Wednesday, 7 April 2021Aman Sveti Stefan, Cottage (Montenegro)Included Meals: B


This morning, enjoy Amanzoe and the beach at your leisure. By 11:30, private transfer to Athens airport (2 hours 45 minutes).

Alternatively, check out and depart from Amanzoe around 09:00, and enjoy touring and lunch on your own in Athens.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES IN ATHENS: You will have a private car, driver and guide.

D

51

Epidaurus: Along the way to Athens, stop at Epidaurus Ancient Theatre, which sits within the Sanctuary of Asklepios, one of the most extensive sacred sanctuaries in ancient Greece. The theatre is the best- preserved monument of the Sanctuary. Athletic and artistic contests were held at the Sanctuary in honour of Asklepios, the god of medicine. The original layout of the Epidaurus Theatre stage shows that it was intended for the performance of dramatic works at the level of the orchestra. During the second phase, actors would have performed on a raised proscenium, leaving the orchestra for the chorus.

Acropolis of Athens: Visit the ancient citadel, built in the fifth century BCE, that sits above the city of Athens.

While at the Acropolis, explore its many famous structures. To the south of the entrance is the tiny Temple of Athena Nike. At the centre of the Acropolis is the Parthenon or Temple of Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin). East of the entrance and north of the Parthenon is the temple known as the Erechtheum. South of the platform that forms the top of the Acropolis there are also the remains of an outdoor theatre called Theatre of Dionysus. A few hundred metres away, there is the now partially reconstructed Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

15:00: Private jet to Montenegro (1 hour 27 minutes).

52

MONTENEGROSituated in the south of the Adriatic sea, Montenegro is a small Balkan country bordered by Croatia and Albania. The richness of its cultural history can be seen in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, flamboyantly painted Orthodox monasteries, ornate Catholic churches, elegant minarets of mosques and the sturdy fortresses built by the numerous powers that have fought over these lands. While the whole country is not even 300 kilometres from tip to toe, Montenegro beckons travellers worldwide to hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, kayak and traverse its dramatic landscape of looming mountains, ancient walled towns, primeval forests, coastlines and everything in between.

53

AMAN SVETI STEFANOnce the summer residence of Queen Marija Karadjordjevic, Villa Milocer overlooks the Adriatic Sea and is embraced on three sides by dense forests of cedar, pine and olive trees. A fortified village dating back to the fifteenth century, the island of Sveti Stefan is a uniquely atmospheric setting of cobbled lanes, handsome courtyards and serene sea views. Attached to the coast by a narrow isthmus, Sveti Stefan lies across the bay from Villa Milocer. Together these historic sites comprise Aman Sveti Stefan.

54

SUITES, COTTAGES & VILLAGE ROOMSOn Sveti Stefan island, hand-restored stone buildings house the 50 Rooms, Cottages and Suites, each one individually styled to showcase original details and to harmonise with the centuries of history that give the isle its inimitable charm. At Villa Milocer, the stone-walled manse is home to elegant Suites as well as the airy communalLiving Room, expansive Meeting Room and book-filled Library. The Villa sits above Milocer Beach and also offers easy access to Queen’s Beach, in the neighbouring cove, as well as the standalone Aman Spa.

RESTAURANTSLocal ingredients fill the menus at Aman Sveti Stefan’s varied dining venues, from the Aman Restaurant to the convivial Piazza and intimate Dining Room at Villa Milocer. Organic vegetables and fruits are accompanied by sea bass, octopus and rock oysters direct from the Adriatic and pasture-fed beef from the north of Montenegro, as well as a variety of local cheeses, honeys and jams, olive oils, and herbs.

55

DAY 18

Wednesday, 7 April 2021Aman Sveti Stefan, Cottage (Montenegro)Included Meals: B D

15:27: Arrive in Montenegro (1 hour 27 minutes; –1 hour time difference). Private transfer to Sveti Stefan (30 minutes).

After checking in, freshen up and relax.

Welcome cocktails and dinner with local historian, starting at 18:00.

DAY 19

Thursday, 8 April 2021Aman Sveti Stefan, Cottage (Montenegro)Included Meals: B Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at the Restaurant.

With your private car and driver, explore Kotor town.

Suggested collection time is 11:00. Suggested return time is 16:00.

Kotor: Located on a beautiful bay on the coast of Montenegro, Kotor is a city steeped in tradition and history, with scenic views. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive and picturesque Mediterranean landscape. Kotor has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is a Unesco world heritage site. Stroll the cobbled streets and explore the medieval maze of museums, churches and cafe-strewn squares.

Have lunch at a local casual restaurant in Kotor on your own.

Return to the resort and freshen up.


L D

56

Dinner: Have dinner at Aman Sveti Stefan’s Restaurant on your own.

DAY 20

Friday, 9 April 2021Aman Venice, Palazzo Bedroom (Venice, Italy)Included Meals: B

Breakfast: Have breakfast at the Restaurant before checking out.

09:45: Departure via private transfer to Tivat airport (approximately 30 minutes).

11:00: Private jet from Montenegro to Venice (1 hour 23 minutes).

57

VENICE, ITALYSituated across a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges, Venice has long been a popular and unique destination. Renowned for its splendid architecture, artworks, classical music, landscapes, gondolas, the alternance of high and low tides, the reflections of light and colours, and the unusual daily scenes in a city living on water, Venice is a designated Unesco World Heritage Site that beckons travellers from across the globe.

58

AMAN VENICEAs sumptuous and romantic as the city itself, Aman Venice – set in a sixteenth-century palazzo on the Grand Canal – is home to museum-quality treasures including Tiepolo frescoes, gilded ceilings and centuries-old leather wall coverings. More home than hotel, Aman Venice offers the rare privilege of space in the centre of the Floating City. High ceilings and spacious light-filled salons are joined by two mature outdoor private gardens – a rarity in the city. Moments of beauty are everywhere, from St Mark’s Basilica to chance encounters with a door embellishment or fresco.

59

ROOMS & SIGNATURE ROOMS

Aman Venice’s Rooms and Signature Rooms, which vary in size and configuration, feature works by a number of Italy’s greatest artists – including sixteenth-century architect Sansovino and eighteenth-century painter Tiepolo. Contemporary furnishings complement authentic silk wall coverings, chandeliers, wood panelling, chinoiserie and painted ceilings, while many suites offer Grand Canal views.

RESTAURANTS

A sweeping staircase rises through two levels to the piano nobile, where the Ballroom looks out over the Grand Canal and leads to the Bar and the Yellow and Blue Dining Rooms. With a magnificent fireplace and Cesare Rotta ceiling mural, the Yellow Dining Room overlooks the canal, while the Bar features silk wall coverings and views of the hotel’s canal-side garden, where an alfresco dining venue is available in summer months. Open for lunchand dinner, Arva channels Italy’s cucina semplice culinary tradition, transforming fresh, seasonal ingredients into dishes that celebrate simplicity and flavour. Welcoming and convivial, the restaurant offers guests an authentic, sustainable dining experience, inspired by the timeless and inventive heritage of Italian cooking.

60

DAY 20

Friday, 9 April 2021Aman Venice, Palazzo Bedroom (Venice, Italy)Included Meals: B

12:23: Arrive at Venice airport (1 hour 23 minutes).

Private transfer via boat to your hotel (30 minutes).

Check in and freshen up.


EXPERIENCES: Explore Venice with your private guide.


Piazza San Marco: Also known as St Mark’s Square, this famous square is the social, religious and political centre of the city. It is commonly seen in movies as the square with flocks of pigeons.

St Mark’s Basilica: At the eastern end of the Square is the imposing St Mark’s Basilica, a cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is the most famous church in the city and one of the best-known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. It is also known as the Church of Gold for its opulent design and gold ground mosaics, and served as a status symbol of Venice’s wealth and power.

Doge’s Palace: Connected to St Mark’s Basilica is the Doge’s Palace. By the fourteenth century, the hierarchy of Venice decided that a grand palace was needed, a building befitting the city’s new wealth and power. The palace became the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice, opening as a museum in 1923.

Torre dell’Orologio Clock Tower: On the north side of the Square stands the Clock Tower at the entrance to the Merceria, which links the Square to the commercial and financial centre. Both the tower and clock date back to the fifteenth century, although the clock’s mechanisms have been updated over time.

61

Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal: Take a gondola on the Grand Canal. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries and demonstrate the wealth and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or at Aman Venice. Please let us know if you would like to make reservations in advance.

DAY 21Saturday, 10 April 2021Aman Venice, Palazzo Bedroom (Venice, Italy)Included Meals: B D

EXPERIENCES: The day is yours to explore Venice with your private guide. Discuss with your guide what you would like to see.


Rialto Market: Foodies must make a stop at the Rialto Market, where Venetians have been buying their daily supplies of fish, vegetables, fruit and other foodstuffs since 1097. Jump in amid the hustle and bustle of vendors hawking their wares, workers unloading crates of produce from barges, restaurant chefs examining fish and creating their menu du jour, and delivery men zipping around with handcarts laden with produce. It’s best to arrive early to see the vegetable and fish markets in full swing.

62

Museums and Galleries: Also known as the Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia, the Academy Gallery Museum of Art is Venice’s premiere art museum and houses masterpieces by Venetian greats of the Renaissance period such as Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and more. To see one of Italy’s finest collections of modern art, step next door to Peggy Guggenheim’s Museum of Modern Art. The American heiress’s personal collection contains works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock and many more. There are numerous other notable museums and galleries such as Ca’Rezzonico, Museo di Storia Naturale, Museo Correr, Ca’ d’Oro, La Bottega dei Mascareri, and more. Speak to your guide for further suggestions.

Churches: There are over 100 churches across the sprawling city, running the gamut of Byzantine, medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Titian admirers should visit the Frari (Chiesa di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari) to see his altar painting of the Assumption of Mary, the Pesaro Madonna, and his actual tomb. The Madonna dell’Orto, tucked away in northern Venice, is the parish church of Renaissance artist Tintoretto and where visitors can view his pieces and his tomb. Across the bridge is the home studio where the artist lived and painted. Santa Maria della Salute sits at the entrance of the Grand Canal, built in memoriam to the lives lost to and Venice’s victory over the Black Death in 1630. Speak to your guide for further suggestions.

Shopping: Venice has a long history of artisanship, and within its large city are shops and boutiques dedicated to quality items alongside the typical myriad of souvenir stores. The most famous craftworks from Venice are Murano glass, carnival masks and Burano sweets. Bibliophiles should make a stop at Libreria Acqua Alta, a bookshop where books are stacked on bathtubs and gondolas, and a purveyor of obscure literature about Venice. Speak to your guide for specific suggestions.

Farewell Cocktails and Dinner - 18:00: Enjoy final farewell cocktails and dinner with your travel group.

63

DAY 22

Sunday, 11 April 2021Included Meals: B


Official check out time is at 12:00. Leave your luggage with the bell desk and enjoy the hotel’s facilities until your private transfer.

Private transfer to Venice airport (approximately 30 minutes).

End of Aman Remote Lands Private Jet Expedition.

64

Some of her most memorable travel experiences include having a private lunch with the Queen of Bhutan in her palace; a magical New Year’s Eve in Mongolia sharing a ger with a nomad family at -35°F; hiking to far-flung hill tribe villages off the grid in eastern Myanmar; off-piste skiing in Gulmarg, Kashmir, in 1989; trekking alone in the Everest region of Nepal; taking a private helicopter up to view the peak of the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga in Sikkim; cruising in Siberia from the Arctic Circle to Vladivostok in a Russian icebreaker; chartering a private plane to visit remote corners of the Gobi Desert and eastern Mongolia; getting married in an Iban tribal longhouse in Borneo, a Hindu temple in Kerala, and a Buddhist temple in Bhutan; and traveling solo across North Korea.

Catherine (née Evans) graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, and then headed to New York to attend Columbia University (Barnard College) in 1980. This was the first year Columbia offered Computer Science as a major, and her instinct told her computers would become increasingly integral into business and life in general. She earned her BA in Computer Science in 1984 and then spent four years writing code for Wall Street’s L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin while attending NYU’s Stern School of Business, but she left for Hong Kong before earning her MBA.

She lives with her husband, Donald Heald, a collector and purveyor of rare books and manuscripts, and their white Labrador, Bali, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and in Sherman, CT. Her proudest accomplishments include having been the youngest female CEO of a publicly traded American company at age 33 (as Catherine Winchester); being featured onstage with Bill Gates in two of his major keynote speeches in 1991 and 1993; and finishing the 1985 NYC Marathon in 101st place with a time of 3:17. She still runs 40 miles a week, albeit rather slowly now, and credits running and the self-discipline she learned from daily training as being the foundation for all her achievements in life.

TOUR LEADERCatherine E. HealdCEO and Co-Founder of Remote Lands

Catherine is an adventurer, an Asiaphile, and a serial entrepreneur. She describes her greatest fear in life as mediocrity, and her second greatest as boredom and the combination as the stimulus for Remote Lands. A former software engineer and technology entrepreneur, she considers herself lucky to have found her true calling at the age of 42, and to have been able to turn her life’s passion for Asian travel into her profession.

65

Client AgreementI, the client, acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied for the trip as specified above. I understand that I may travel to remote countries and areas in Asia that are inherently risky including the above-stated destinations. I am prepared to assume the risks associated with this trip including: forces of nature; weather; terrorism; civil unrest; war; strikes; local laws; accidents; and all transportation including land vehicles, boats and aircraft that are not necessarily operated or maintained to standards found in North America. I assume all risks associated with altitude, illness, physical injuries sustained, disease, alcohol consumption, physical exertion and sporting activities, knowing that access to evacuation and/or suitable medical supplies and support may not be available. I also assume full responsibility for my own baggage and personal possessions and effects.

Remote Lands, Inc., including its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and successors, does not own or operate any entity which is a service provider for client journeys. Remote Lands purchases all transportation, accommodation, dining and all other services from a variety of independent entities. Remote Lands is not responsible or liable for the gross negligence or intentional acts by any service provider or other third party.

I agree that I am responsible for purchasing comprehensive travel and emergency medical insurance that will cover all expenses related to trip cancellation; loss of luggage and personal effects; medical expenses including evacuation; and all other issues related to personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any service provider including airlines, hotels and restaurants, or their employees or agents or any other third party (2) any defect or failure of any vehicle, equipment, aircraft or instrument owned by any service provider (3) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any third party.

I understand that unforeseen events beyond the immediate control of Remote Lands may occur, such as flight/train/boat/other transportation cancellations, hotel issues/problems, and other unexpected schedule changes. I agree that Remote Lands is not responsible for such unanticipated and uncontrollable changes, and that any expenses resulting from such changes (e.g. additional hotel, transportation, or guide fees, etc.) would be my sole responsibility, and I further understand that I may be eligible to recoup such costs from my travel insurance carrier.

I hereby agree that everyone in my party, including myself, is of adequate health, and no one has any physical condition or disability that could prevent them from taking part in the journey or present a hazard to themselves, or have, hereby, disclosed any conditions that may hinder our/my ability to endure the exertions of this trip.

By accepting this document I agree to take full responsibility for my own and the members of my party’s actions, safety and welfare, including unanticipated events including injury, illness, theft, emotional trauma, death, forces of nature, war and terrorism. I hereby release and discharge Remote Lands, Inc. and its agents and employees from and against any and all liability arising from my participation in the above trip. I agree that this release will be legally binding upon me, my heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives, it being my intention to fully assume all risk of travel and to release Remote Lands, Inc. from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law.

For information concerning possible dangers at destinations, Remote Lands recommends contacting the Travel Warnings Section of the U.S. State Department at (202) 647-5225 or www.travel.state.gov. For medical information, Remote Lands recommends contacting the Centres for Disease Control at (877) FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel.I assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability, and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s). It is my responsibility to obtain any vaccinations or medications. Any issues or claims relating to terms and conditions or in any way relating to the journey shall be settled by binding arbitration in the State of New York, in accordance with the current rules of the American Arbitration Association.

66

For reservations or more information, email [email protected] or call +1 212 518 1801

the grandest tour€¦ · america, japan and italy, as well as southeast asia. witness spectacular...

Documents