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Top 10 Luxury Adventure Resorts In Europe, Asia, and Oceania

luxury adventure resorts

The top ten picks for luxury adventure resorts in Europe, Asia and Oceania each utilize their unique location, culture and activity to offer once-in-a-lifetime vacations:

Europe

Mountain resorts are prime spots for outdoor activity and breathtaking vistas. Arlberg slopes in Austria have become “the cradle of Alpine skiing” ever since Thurnhers Alpenhof came into the scene. Know for it’s unrivaled snow sports – 80 mountain railways/lifts, 260 km prepared slopes, 180 km virgin snow slopes – this winter destination provides service to match the splendor of panoramic alpine views. A free-of-charge instructor is on hand to give tips and the gourmet food is exactly what’s needed after a day of snow and spa.

Another winter-time resort that becomes equally impressive during warmer seasons is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Graubhenden, Arson, Switzerland. Here guests can golf at the highest 18-hole course in Europe and take a hot air balloon tour afterwards. A complimentary Arosa card means free admission into many local spots while various land and air transportation options make getting around an ease.

Asia

Medieval towns set a unique backdrop for The Banyan Tree in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Golf awaits between horseback, bike or foot excursions into Baoshan Stone Village. Natural sights like the Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain add fascination to the already stunning medieval setting.

Immerse yourself in the bamboo jungles of Thailand by visiting Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. At Chiangmai Rai guests are at the intersection of three countries and many cultures. Among the things to do are all-terrain vehicle excursions, Hill tribe visits, jungle trekking, nature walks and river boat excursions. There are also opportunities to interact with some favorite local residents – the elephants.

Gayana Eco Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, has dedicated itself to preserving and re-generating marine ecosystems. This resort promotes non-motorized water sports and has a PADI certified dive center to accommodate divers of all skill levels. Guests can experience underwater marvels through snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing. Outside of the water there are mangroves to explore, jungles to trek through, and lots of sun to soak in.

In the mystic deserts of Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarters a luxury gem can be found – The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. The experience is rich and picturesc, from the Anantara Spa to sun-kissed camel rides across impressive dunes. Private villas are decorated with Middle Eastern fabrics and artifacts. Wind-down time is made exquisite with four gourmet dining venues, a kids club, business center, library and more.

On the edge of India’s Rathambore Tiger Preserve is luxury resort Oberoi Vanyaviles, where guests stay in sophisticated tents featuring finely embroidered canopies, luxury bathrooms and private outdoor decks for sunbathing. When relaxing at the spa you’ll take in the scent of nearby fruit groves. In the luxury dining hall local specialties are prepared and served among the hand-painted fresco ambience.

Few locations are as magnificent as the Himalayas in Shimla, India, where the Wildflower Hall forms a tranquil sanctuary. This appropriately named fairy tale resort is the former residence of colonial era Lord Kitchener. The original artwork has been kept while the property has been renewed to accomadate private spa suites and pavilions. Trails wind through fragrant pine forests and gourmet picnics envelope guests in old world charm. Among the virgin woods of Pine Cedar guests are invited to river raft, trek, mountain bike, ice skate, play billiards or try archery.

Oceania

Adventure characterizes New Zealand, and Matakauri Lodge is situated at the heart of it all in Queenstown. On the banks of Lake Wakatipu this luxury resort offers 12 mountain view suites and villas as well as the four bedroom owner’s cottage. Horse riding, trout fishing, scenic flights and tours of wineries are made available through the spa resort where knowledgeable staff consult with guests on where to river raft, bungee jump, jet boat, hike, heli-ski and more.

The Royal Pines Resort, Australia, is a world renown destination for golf enthusiasts. The 21-hole golf course with state of the art driving range has earned host privileges for the Australian PGA championship through the next 5 years. Conference and event facilities cater to groups while the day spa and soon-to-be-completed gymnasium make the resort a Gold Coast relaxation leader.

[photo credit: Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre via photopin cc]

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Glamping Trend Becomes Fundraiser to Help Inner City Kids

 Marketing and Development Director Sandi Weindling was hosting a fundraising dinner for the Dunes Learning Center in Chesterton, Indiana, featuring the usual live music, awards and a silent auction when she took notice of the people in attendance, all well dressed for a formal event, which stood in stark contrast to the usual attire at the environmental learning center, where employees dressed casually, spending their days as Sandi puts it, “covered in mosquito bites and mud.” She pointed this out to her Event Committee, and together they combined the two, thereby creating a brand new kind of fundraiser they call, “The Ultimate Glamping Package,” an assemblage of all the things a beginner or serious glamper would need in a single purchase.

Glamping Fundraiser 1

It was designed by her friend, interior designer Robert Northington who himself was bitten by the glamping bug after reading an article in Town & Country magazine about a safari in Africa. “The campers were from England, and it was a higher end safari, and I just remember looking at the images of the tents with oriental carpets and actual lamps, and their dinner area was set with china and napkins and I was really impressed and I thought wow, if camping is like this then I can have friends who are totally against sleeping on the ground come with me and experience nature in a different way!”

Glamping Fundraiser 3

Potential buyers of The Ultimate Glamping Package will be enticed by luxurious furnishings and some items unique to glamping such as a pair of stainless steel martini glasses and a copy of Martinis & Marshmallows, a Guide to Luxury Camping. The centerpiece is a Wenzel Grandview tent, which is said to sleep two “very comfortably.” The winning bidder will also receive a consultation and $150 gift certificate with which to customize their package, courtesy of Robert Northington Interiors, located in Valparaiso, Indiana.

The fundraiser seeks to raise money to give inner city children who have never camped or been in a green space the opportunity to camp. Those who wish to bid on the package can find it on Ebay by searching for The Ultimate Glamping Package. The winner will be announced at the organization’s annual fundraising and awards dinner on September 13.

Glamping Fundraiser 2

Robert is enthusiastic about this unique fundraiser as well as the future of glamping. “It’s improving your overall sensory experience, having nice linens with a higher thread count inside of your sleeping bag or bringing a pillow that you love or having lanterns or electricity, or enjoying wine out of a nice glass, having your meal with some silverware and linen napkin, it increases the sensory experience of camping.”

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DIY Glamping

lotus belle glamping tent

Can’t wait until your next glamping vaca? Pin It has gone glam camping crazy, and we’re catching the DIY fever too.

The possibilities are endless. With all the glamping options out there it’s good to know what style of accommodations draws your attention. Canvas or dome? Isolated or in company? Check out this impressive lotus handcrafted tent running for $2500. It’s summer time and the intent of a glamping vacation is to be pampered and not worry about setup, labor, etc… but how about at the cabin or lake house? Adding an elegant canvas touch to refine the outdoors, a cozy zone for afternoon wine and cheese, can transform causal into tasteful.

But perhaps you’re looking for something to accommodate you while on the move. Or maybe the family wants to go camping but after a taste of glamping you just don’t find the concept of ‘roughing it’ appealing any more. We have a suggestion: The Camper.

Yes, the camper is back. It’s ‘cool again’ according to Mehrzeller, and their modern take on the camper trailer is the epitome of cool. This is a multicellular caravan customized before purchase, and it looks like a futuristic home-hive. Then there’s the more traditional fold out caravan to offer maximum space, such as “De Markies” (The Awning) by Bohtlingk. They feature their caravan set by a river with one side fully covered and the other providing shade for a fisherman dangling his feet playfully off the side of his temporary living space. A portable home and a dock all in one! Never a dull moment when searching through the trends…

Glamping is all about personalizing comfort. It’s for us nomads-at-heart who can’t bear to lose the finer luxuries when it comes to living indoors or out. Naturally, if you are as excited as we are, you’ll want to share the passion of glamping. What better way to do that than by incorporating the concept into your events? For the next family reunion try a modern tent festival. With A/C and chef prepared food, of course! Glamping has become a widespread theme for weddings as well. If you have ownership of any large and tranquil pastures it’s a theme you might want to consider. It’s all about Pinterest lately, so let’s continue the theme with some unique wedding accents to add to your glamping happily-ever-after occasion.

Glamping is rustic and ethereal. Candles are a must and candles in mason jars are even better. Flowers EVERYWHERE (for the ladies) and oak-barrel tables are something we can all obsess over. Vintage everything, and, naturally, you’ll want to add in some archery or potato bag races for entertainment. If you want to go to the extreme bring in some horses for an evening ride into the sunset.

Resorts might be offering the best of glamping, setting the bar high for DIY projects, but rising to the challenge is worth it. It may take storage and preparation time to add the subtle essentials like restaurant quality food and five star bedroom amenities – but watching the stars unobstructed at night with the promise of a signature hideaway is a payoff all it’s own.

[Image credit: http://www.happyglamper.com.au/glamping-hire/lotus-belle/]