Luxury Hoteliers Magazine 3rd Quarter 2017 | Page 9

Dome tents Uyuni Salt Flats ( Bolivia ) Photographer : Stéphane Gautronneau best of the best and these offerings are key in how we evaluate which luxury hotels to align with . To really get to the heart of a destination , to experience its culture , take in its smells , its sunsets , experiential offerings are essential . Our travelers aren ’ t the type who wants to lay on a beach for the entirety of their stay . They want to take a hand in their overall experience , customizing the trip so they can fully immerse themselves in everything that interests them . For the serious oenophile , we curate a marvelous trip to Argentina and Uruguay , where guests will meet some of the most notable winemakers behind the storied houses , including horseback riding through the vineyard , wine blending and replete with stays at some of the most magnificent estate properties that we know of .
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A RECENT TRIP YOU MADE THAT TOOK YOU TO A NEW PLACE , BOTH LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY ?
I recently took a trip to Cuba , a destination that ’ s receiving a lot of attention at the moment . Cuba is one of those places that totally challenges previous perceptions , so working with a trusted operator who can offer an insider experience into the reality of Cuba today is essential . What really surprised me was the amount of progressive art and culture that Havana offered . For travelers interested in art and design , Cuba , and Havana especially , is a hot-house for emerging talent . We visited Havana ´ s Higher Institute of Art where many current students who have not yet graduated are already producing extraordinary work . Our local expert guides arranged for us to visit the students ’ home studios to meet these raw talents and enjoy their work up close and personal . This is a real insider ’ s view of the incredibly powerful art that ’ s coming out of this region right now . Outside of Havana the landscapes of eastern Cuba are definitely worth visiting and offer travelers the chance to experience the sizzling melting pot of cultures in the former capital , Santiago de Cuba .
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