Slow Travel is a term you may be familiar with; it has been used frequently over recent years as a term to describe how to experience a destination in an authentic, immersive and truly enriching way.
Simply put, it suggests spending longer in one destination than island, city or country-hopping, meaning you can really get to know the area and the unique culture and charm it has to offer.
With The Hideaways Club, your base is your home. The holiday can be tailored to your personal taste, and there is no rush to nab a sun lounger or make a dinner reservation. Your home-from-home will be waiting for you, so you can explore as slowly - and mindfully - as you wish.
Here are a few experiences we promise will make a trip to your Club home truly unforgettable…
Heli-skiing in Niseko
Just a short drive from Niseko, you will find the 1,107m volcano, Shiribetsu-Dake. There are few things more exhilarating that being shuttled up a mountain by helicopter, before being dropped off in deep, dry powder with quiet slopes for the taking. The terrain is impressive, with steep ridges, bowls and a few cliff drops, and there is a mixture of open powder lines and birch tree skiing. Not for the faint hearted - or beginner skiers!
Olive oil tasting in Sicily
Departing from the country's capital, Palmero, spend the day discovering the land and its fruits with a guided tour of olive groves, orchards and a renowned production mill. The Antica Tenuta is in the heart of the Valle de Belice. Behind the walls which once enclosed the hunting grounds of the Spanish Princes of the Pignatelli Aragona cortes family, you will find 70 acres of orchard. Here you can visit the workshop and taste the authentic extra virgin olive oil, 'Becchina Green Oil', which is expertly made to create the freshest, highest quality oil. You will then enjoy lunch in the peaceful garden surrounded by groves. En route back to Palermo, explore the 'la via del sale' (the Salt Road), a coastline characterised by salt-pans which are divided by strips of land which, for centuries, were where salt was produced. It is believed the pans were established by the Phoenicians and to this day, the thousand-year-old culture is still alive.
Christmas city break in Prague
Winter is a wonderful time to experience the magical Czech capital, Prague. The bohemian city is consistently voted one of the best cities to visit in the world. With its gothic skyline, striking architecture, and charming cobbled streets, it's easy to see why. As cold weather descends on the city and a dusting of snow coats St. Charles Bridge and Old Town's church spires, Prague transforms into a winter wonderland. With some of Europe's best Christmas markets, you can succumb to trdelník (fried dough) and mulled wine and soak in the magical ambience, or enjoy dinner and a classical concert at the Mozart Ballroom, watch the ballet at the Hybernia Theatre, or discover mythical legends on a guided ghost tour…
Natural springs forest spa in Thailand
Imagine a blooming tropical garden surrounded by rainforest, swaying palms, granite boulders, the sound of birds, waterfalls, plunge pools and total tranquillity. Tamarind Springs on the Thai island of Koh Samui is a natural oasis and has been internationally recognised as one of Asia's best and most unique day spas. From a 'steam and dream' package, where you can simply float away the day in the three rock plunge pools, to the more comprehensive experiences which include stone massages and reflexology, you can restore balance to your physical, mental and emotional well-being at this holistic hideaway.
Whale watching at Hermanus and Walker Bay
Between June - December, whales migrate to South Africa's Cape Whale Coast from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to breed and raise their young. The Hermanus Cliff Path and Gearing's Point both provide elevated vantage points where spectators watch from the land as whales play just a few hundred feet from shore. The town even has its own Whale Crier, who alerts locals and tourists whenever a whale is spotted by blowing into a kelp horn. It is an awesome sight.
Slow travel, the right way.
When you join The Hideaways Club, your personal concierge team, all of whom are hospitality professionals, will be available from booking to departure to ensure every trip exceeds your expectations. They will help organise transfers and trips so you can simply enjoy precious time in a stunning setting with your loved ones.