The document describes a safari experience where a solar eclipse caused unusual wildlife interactions. It began getting dark at midday during a solar eclipse. This confused a leopard and impala antelope. The leopard was able to kill the impala that was left out in the open during the brief period of darkness caused by the eclipse. The eyewitness described it as a unique opportunity to see both a solar eclipse and unexpected wildlife behavior within 10 minutes on the same day.

1. 128epicure 0613 0613 epicure129
frequent flyer
for us to view a solar
eclipse. It was midday
when it started to get
dark, and we suddenly
spotted a leopard
coming down from
the trees to hunt. As
it got bright again,
an impala antelope,
which usually hides in
the bushes after dark,
suddenly found itself standing in the middle
of a clearing with the leopard close by. Both
animals were completely confused by the
eclipse, and in a split second, the leopard
had made its kill. The whole sequence took
only 10 minutes, but we had the privilege
of witnessing both a solar eclipse and an
amazing wildlife interaction in one day.
What would you recommend for a five-star
safari experience?
The Serra Cafema Camp in Namibia
is situated at the banks of a river and
surrounded by one of the driest deserts on
the planet. Despite its remoteness, you are
still comfortably ensconced in luxurious
C
aptivated by his first safari
experience in the mid
90s, Victor Dizon left his
investment banking job
in 2002 and volunteered
as a conservationist at a
South African reserve. The
experience placed him in direct contact with
the animals and further deepened his love
for the continent’s rugged landscapes. With
over 15 years of experience in the industry,
the adventurer now champions the safari
experience through his bespoke travel firm,
Asia to Africa Safaris.
Did you really skin a whole zebra once?
Yes I did. While volunteering as a
conservationist at the Shamwari Game
Reserve, my travelling group came across one
that had just died of natural causes. The head
conservationist decided that if we skinned
it, we could sell the hide to tanners and use
the money to further conservation efforts.
The whole process took several hours of hard
labour, and the team even had to fend off
some hyenas and lions in the process. It wasn’t
a typical safari encounter, but definitely one
that I will never forget.
What has been your favourite safari
experience to date?
The staff at Mombo Camp in Botswana once
prepared a special breakfast of Eggs Benedict
and champagne in the middle of a floodplain
Having tracked a rhino on foot and
canoed down the Zambezi river,
safari enthusiast Victor Dizon is a
treasure trove of insights into the
African continent. He shares his
favourite spots with Amanda Ang.
elevated villas overlooking the river. One of my favourite
lodges in Kenya is the Elephant Pepper Camp, located
in a private conservancy just outside the Masai Mara. It
is an intimate traditional camp with just eight tents, and
is one of the best places to witness the great migration.
Lastly, Tswalu Kalahari in South Africa is a truly magical
100,000-hectare private reserve that’s totally separated
from most of the other lodges in the country. The desert
scenery and variety of wildlife are incredible and there is
also a wide array of activities for adults and children alike,
with stylish suites to boot.
What is usually served at these safari camps?
Home-style hearty meals cooked with rustic equipment
is often on the menu. In the southern African countries,
there is a strong tradition of grilling meats, so a braai
(or barbecue) where they serve beef, lamb, sausages and
game meats is very popular. In other places like Kenya,
which has a strong Italian influence, there are excellent
pastas cooked with fresh vegetables and herbs grown in
the gardens of the camps. You really can’t beat eating
dinner outdoors on a cool starry night with a nice glass of
South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are some of your favourite places to dine in Africa?
The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek
offers delicious tasting menus, and I’ve had excellent
dishes such as a memorable waterbuck loin with sorghum
there. I’ve also had an amazing lamb sweetbread dish
and ostrich tartar at La Colombe in Constantia, as well as
delicious homemade gnocchi and ravioli alongside grilled
kingklip at 95 Keerom in Cape Town.
Are there any great destinations for a side trip?
Cape Town is a great place to conclude a southern
African safari tour because you can ease back into
civilisation with top hotels, cool shopping and world class
dining. My favourite hotels there include the Cape Grace
for its proximity to the waterfront and old world charm,
as well as Le Quartier Français in the Cape Winelands,
for its location at the foot of the Franschhoek mountains
and remarkable food. For a romantic honeymoon, the
magnificent Victoria Falls (one of the seven wonders of
the natural world) is a must-visit. The River Club boasts a
great colonial feel and elegant service right on the banks
of the Zambezi river while The Royal Livingstone Hotel
has an unbeatable location at the edge of the falls. If you
want to follow in the footsteps of Prince William and Kate
Middleton, there’s also North Island in the Seychelles—
an amazing private island with crystal clear blue waters
and white sand—where they spent their honeymoon.
The spacious villas are very comfortable and the service
is impeccable. e
Destination hits
95 KEEROM
95 Keerom Street
Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 422 0765
CAPE GRACE
West Quay Road,
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town 8002, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 410 7100
ELEPHANT PEPPER CAMP
Narok, Mara North Conservancy
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 600 3090
LA COLOMBE
Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel : +27 21 794 2390
LE QUARTIER FRANÇAIS
16 Huguenot Rd,
Franschhoek 7690,
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 876 2151
MOMBO CAMP
Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Tel: +44 20 7471 8780
NORTH ISLAND
North Island, Seychelles
Tel: +248 4 293 100
SERRA CAFEMA CAMP
Kunene River, Namibia
Tel : +27 21 702 7500
THE RIVER CLUB
Nakatindi Road,
Livingstone, Zambia
Tel: +27 21 702 7500
THE ROYAL LIVINGSTONE
HOTEL
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road,
Livingstone, Zambia
Tel: +260 21 3 321122
TSWALU KALAHARI
Kuruman 8460, South Africa
Tel: +27 53 781 9331
Into the
wild
VICTOR DIZON
BUTTERROASTED
CAULIFLOWER,
AMASI, HAZELNUTS,
GRANDAILLA, THE
TASTING ROOM
Elephant Pepper Camp’s
canvas dining and bar mess
tent offers family-style dining
with a self service bar.
Raised riverfront
Meru-style tents at
Serra Cafema overlook
a lush oasis. .
The sun-kissed deck at Tswalu
Kalahari’s main property—The
Motse faces westward across
the grasslands.
Guests seated in a Land Rover enjoy
the sight of a zebra herd passing by.

2. 136epicure 0413
frequent flyer
Charmed
by Europe
W
ith over 30 years of experience in the
travel industry in firms such as Contiki
Holidays, German tour operator ITS
and Insight Vacations, John Boulding
understands the importance of
knowing his product. This passionate
globetrotter is known for his hands-
on approach to the business, travelling extensively throughout
the year to meet his sales teams and unearth hidden gems for
guests. Having spent 50 of his 58 years in Europe, Boulding is
uniquely positioned to showcase the timeless
treasures of the region, which currently
accounts for 60 percent of the company’s
business.
What are some of the new tours that Insight
Vacations has planned for 2013?
We have many exciting new itineraries
along the beautiful Mediterranean
coast. Treasures of Greece and the
Islands takes you through Athens
and lets you enjoy unrivalled
sunsets from your hotel on
In his role as president and chief
executive officer of Insight Vacations,
John Boulding spends over half of
his year trawling through Europe’s
treasures. He shares his favourite
travel destinations with Amanda Ang.
Rome’s famous Spanish Steps
is a popular meeting spot for
locals and tourists alike.
The Swallow’s Nest in Crimea

3. 0413 epicure137
Destination hits
AZURE RESTAURANT
Twelve Apostles Hotel,
Victoria Road,
Camps Bay, Cape Town
Tel: +27 21 437 9029
BOMBAY BRASSERIE
Courtfield Road, London
SW7 4QH
Tel: +44 20 7370 4040
BREEZE
52nd floor, The Dome at lebua
1055 Silom Road, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 624 9555
HOTEL IMPERIAL, VIENNA
Kärntner Ring 16
1015 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 501 100
LE STELLA
133 Avenue Victor Hugo, Paris
Tel : +33 1 5690 5600
PRIMO AL PIGNETO
Via del Pigneto 46, Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 701 3827
RAMBAGH PALACE JAIPUR
Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur 302 005,
Rajasthan, India
Tel: +91 141 221 1919
THE CAPRI PALACE HOTEL & SPA
14 Via Capodimonte, 80071
Anacapri Island of Capri, Italy
Tel: +39 081 978 0111
THE OBEROI AMARVILAS
Taj East Gate Rd,
Agra 282 001, India
Tel: +91 562 223 1515
Mykonos and Santorini. Spanish Gold, from our
extra luxurious Gold series, leads you through the
cultural centres of Spain, including a stop in Toledo,
which is rarely visited by other tours. Just beyond the
Mediterranean, we also have Highlights of Portugal,
where we take you to taste the country’s succulent
seafood and iconic wines like Madeira and Port.
Do you have a favourite city in Europe?
Rome pulls me back to its bosom time and again, not
simply because of its infinite variety of dining and
sightseeing options, but also for its electric mix of
ancient history, trendsetting culture and Bohemian
style. To relax with a chilled Prosecco on a hot summer
night beside the great fountains of Bernini, or to ascend
the route of poets and artists on
the Spanish Steps, is for me la dolce
vita. My favourite restaurant there
is Primo Al Pigneto—a medium-
sized, relaxed establishment with
chic décor and a no-frills menu
comprising an excellent seared tuna
with green pepper and basil.
Tell us about some hotels that have left a lasting
impression on you.
The Hotel Imperial, Vienna was built in 1863 as a
palace, and has since been converted to a five-star
hotel, which has seen emperors, Queen Elizabeth II,
Presidents Kennedy and Clinton, and the nobility of
the Hapsburgs walk through its doors. The grandeur
of its hallowed hallways and staircases channels a sense
of occasion that only 19th century Viennese culture
could impart. A favourite of royalty, statesmen and film
stars, this is the place to be seen in Vienna. Another
must-visit is the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa; it is airy,
light and modern, yet full of Italian flavour, and offers
extraordinary service. I also can’t forget The Oberoi
Amarvilas in Agra, which affords sweeping views of the
Taj Mahal, as well as the Rambargh
Palace Jaipur, a luxurious ex-
residence of the Maharaja. Both are
beyond imagination in opulence,
scale and service.
What are some of the more
surprising destinations you have
encountered on your travels?
The Swallow’s Nest in Crimea is an
incredible Neo-Gothic castle perched
precariously over the edge of the
Aurora Cliff. The observation deck
provides guests a dramatic view
over the Cape of Ai-Todor. Also,
Romania’s Bran Castle, known by
some as ‘Dracula’s Castle’, is an eye-
opener with its narrow corridors and
secret chambers.
What restaurants are on your must-
visit list?
Bombay Brasserie in London has
charcoal-fired ovens that produce
flawless fluffy naans. The char-grilled
prawns there are also deliciously
tender and moreish. Across the
Channel, Le Stella executes French
classics like the steak tartar, steak au
poivre and the sole meunière perfectly.
I also love Bangkok’s Breeze, which
serves delectable lobster spring rolls
and a memorable wok-fried Kobe
beef tenderloin dish with black
pepper and Pinot Noir. Finally, I
recommend Azure in Cape Town for
its delicious beef fillet and elegant
colonial décor. eImperial hotel vienna
capri palace hotel & spa
Paltrow-Suite

4. 118epicure 0513
frequent flyer
Capitals
of chicRenowned make-up artist Ellis Faas
regularly jet sets between the fashion hubs
of New York, Paris and Milan but says her
best hotel and meal experiences are actually
in Asia. By Amanda Ang
S
ince she bid farewell to a professional
career in photography, Ellis Faas has
enjoyed a swift ascent in the fashion
world, with her work earning her the
label of “one of the most influential
make-up artists of her time” by
Vogue. Discovered in 1999 by famed
Peruvian photographer Mario Testino, Faas has since
collaborated with some of the world’s most celebrated
fashion designers, models and stylists on campaigns for
elite fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Moschino.
With her eponymous make-up collection and a hectic
globetrotting schedule to juggle, Faas tries to seek out
the little pleasures while on the road.
What is your favourite city?
The more I travel, the more I feel glad to be back in
Amsterdam. The beautiful architecture, combined
with the fact that you can practically walk or cycle
anywhere you want to go, makes the city very special.
I like that it is close to the airport, the sea, museums,
cinemas, and concerts halls; there are also many bars,
restaurants and markets to enjoy. While the city can
feel rather small and sometimes gives you the urge to
escape, its layout is actually rather complicated, so you
can easily discover hidden gems as you walk around.
My favourite time of the year there is spring, when
flowers and plants seem to appear everywhere.
10 CORSO COMO
THE BOWERY HOTEL
Ellis Faas
THE FRAGONARD ROOM,
THE FRICK COLLECTION

5. 0513 epicure119
What’s an intimate spot to relax with
friends in New York?
I like this cosy restaurant in the West
Village called The Spotted Pig. It serves
seasonal British and Italian dishes like
Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi and Smoked
Haddock Chowder, and stays open until
2am nightly. With the look and feel of a
local pub, the setting takes you out of the
hectic New York pace and puts you in a
very relaxed mood. I also like Washington
Square and Union Square to sit and watch
musicians or artists perform. The latter
organises a great organic farmers’ market.
Where do you like to dine when you are in Paris?
I always eat around rue Montorgeuil in the second
arrondissement. Because many streets in the area are
designated for pedestrians only, it is intriguing to stroll
about and watch the interaction between the residents,
workers and tourists. There are also many market stalls
to browse through, and if you don’t feel like cooking,
you can easily pop into one of the many restaurants in
the area. Stohrer, a pastry shop which has been on rue
Montorgeuil since 1730, sells the best croissants.
What other destinations do you enjoy there?
My favourite museum in Paris is the Musée National
Picasso Parais in the Marais. It is set up in a beautiful
mid 17th century mansion, and you get a fantastic
overview of Picasso’s development through his various
artistic periods. Place des Vosges, Paris’ oldest planned
square, is also particularly magical with its beautiful
architecture and pleasant eateries bordering the well-
manicured garden.
Tell us about the best hotel experience you have had.
This would be the Pangkor Laut Resort, located on a
300-acre private island off the West Coast of Malaysia.
The property has exclusive use of the pristine beaches
and boasts Sea Villas perched on stilts over the sea.
When I was there, the staff was very hospitable and
made me feel really pampered and well looked after.
Where did you have the best meal of your life?
It was at a Vegetarian Kaiseki restaurant in Taipei
called Yu Shan Ge. I have been a vegetarian since I was
a child, but it has not always been easy to have filling
and delicious meals without meat or fish in Europe.
However, there I had a stunning multi-course dinner
with a wide variety of gorgeous dishes that were made
with ingredients like monkey head mushroom, which I
had never tasted before. e
What is a good place for fashion
deals in Milan?
I always visit 10 Corso Como,
an eclectic store owned by the
sister of Italian Vogue’s chief
editor. The converted garage
houses a multifunctional space
comprising a gallery, bookstore,
three-room hotel, as well as a
design and fashion store that
sells the best designer goods and
household items. Some clothes
are from last season, but I have
found great dresses, shoes and
winter hats there. If you just
want to window shop, Via della
Spiga and Via Montenapoleone’s
fabulously decorated shop
windows are a great joy.
Do you frequent any hidden
gems in New York?
My favourite hotel is The Bowery
Hotel on the Lower East Side. It
feels like an English gentlemen’s
club but without the stuffiness. I
also enjoy art, but don’t like
strolling around museums
for too long, so I prefer art
galleries and smaller museums
like The Frick Collection. The
building used to be a wealthy
industrialist’s mansion, and
the historic space transports
you away from New York once
you enter. I find it fascinating
to walk through what used to
be someone’s home and look
at what other people collected
during their lives.
Destination hits
10 CORSO COMO
Corso Como 10, 20154 Milan
Tel: +39 0265 4831
MUSÉE NATIONAL
PICASSO PARIS
Hôtel Salé, 5, rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris. Tel: +33 1 4271 2521
PANgKOR LAUT RESORT
Pangkor Laut Island, 32200
Lumut, Perak, Malaysia
Tel: +60 5 699 1100
STOHRER
51 rue Montorgueil
75002 Paris. Tel: +33 1 4026 4164
THE BOWERY HOTEL
335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Tel: +1 212 505 9100
THE FRICK COLLECTION
1 East 70th Street, New York, NY
10021. Tel: +1 212 288 0700
THE SPOTTED PIG
314 West 11th Street, New York,
NY 10014. Tel: +1 212 620 0393
YU SHAN GE
14 Beiping East Road, Taipei
Tel: +886 2 2394 5155
PhotoofTheBoweryHotelGregoryGoodPhotooftheFrickCollectionmichaelbodycomb
PANgKOR LAUT RESORT
the spotted pig

6. 120epicure 0313
frequent flyer
In search of
the perfect
meal
For acclaimed Financial
Times restaurant
correspondent Nicholas
Lander, traversing the globe
to uncover hidden gems is
just part and parcel of the job
description. He shares some
of his favourite destinations
with Amanda Ang.
The Bar at Union
Square Café.
C
redited with transforming L’Escargot
into one of London’s hippest
restaurants in the 1980s, Nicholas
Lander understands firsthand what
it takes to succeed in the toughest
business in the world. Now restaurant
critic of the Financial Times and best-
selling author of The Art of the
Restaurateur—a tribute to the
individuals behind some of
the world’s best restaurants—
Lander continues to captivate
readers with his unique insights
into some of the globe’s most
exciting dining destinations.
What sparked your interest in
becoming a restaurateur and
what prompted you to become a
writer afterwards?
My restaurant career only began
when I started to import wine
from California and realised
I needed an outlet to sell it to
make a decent living. L’Escargot
was housed in an 18th century,
five-storey townhouse, which was
stunning, but needed a lot of
repair. Despite the difficulties,
we took on the challenge, and
I ran the restaurant until 1988
when ill health forced me to sell. The following year, I
became the Financial Times restaurant correspondent
after I sent in an article that appealed to the editor
because it combined the customer’s perspective with
inside knowledge of how restaurants work.
Are there any winerie restaurants in California you
would recommend visiting?
étoile Restaurant at Domain
Chandon—the only fine dining
restaurant in Napa Valley within a
winery. It proposes seasonal menus
to diners and currently serves dishes
such as Anderson-Avilla Farm Rabbit
with roasted squash, apple chutney,
hazelnut gremolata and thyme.
In addition to étoile, I have happy
memories from supper at the Robert
Mondavi winery during the jazz
concert season.
nicholas lander

7. 0313 epicure121
Destination hits
ALMADRABA PARK HOTEL
Avinguda Díaz Pacheco,
70 (Platja de l’Almadraba),
17480 Roses,
Costa Brava Nord, Spain
Tel: +34 972 256 550
CIBRÈO
Via Andrea del Verrocchio 8r,
Florence, Italy
Tel: +39 055 234 1100
ÉTOILE RESTAURANT
1 California Drive, Yountville,
CA 94599, USA
Tel: +1 888 242 6366 Opt. 2
FRATELLI FRESH WATERLOO
7 Danks Street, Waterloo,
NSW, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9699 3161
LE SERGENT RECRUTEUR
41, Rue Saint-Louis-en-l’Isle,
75004 Paris, France
Tel : +33 1 4354 7542
Rekondo
Paseo de Igeldo, 57, 20008
Which restaurant in recent memory has most
impressed you?
Le Sergent Recruteur on the Île St Louis in Paris boasts
friendly, knowledgeable service and a terrific wine list.
We had an excellent sea urchin dish with butternut
squash and a savoury pithiviers full of duck, foie gras and
slices of truffles with a well-dressed green salad. It was
truly fantastic. The pithiviers, a round pastry dish named
after the town of Pithiviers in France, can contain either
a sweet or savoury filling. It is my all-time favourite dish.
What are some of your favourite restaurants around
the world?
I enjoy sitting at the bar at Union Square Café in New
York with a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine. I also
like Zuni Café in San Francisco for their oysters, Cibrèo
in Florence for its offal dishes, Fratelli Fresh in Sydney
for a Campari and soda in the sunshine, Semilla in Paris
for their desserts, and Rekondo in San Sebastian for
anything on their grill and wine list. Finally, there’s The
Quality Chop House in London, which my son opened
in November last year, for its rhubarb trifle.
What has been your most memorable meal to date?
To celebrate my 60th birthday, I took 40 of my friends
and family members to the Almadraba Park Hotel
in Roses, Spain, for three nights in June 2012. The
restaurant there is perhaps my favourite in Spain; we
had a cherry gazpacho, ‘fisherman style’ sea bass, a
broad bean salad with ham and mint, and suquet, a
Catalan fish stew. Everything was delightful. e
photoofNicholasLanderSteveRyan
PhotoofunionsquarecafÉNathanRawlinson
PhotoofLeSergentRecruteurKlunderbie
Le Sergent Recruteur
Broad bean salad
with ham and mint,
Almadraba Park Hotel.
Donostia, San Sebastián, Spain
Tel: +34 943 212 907
ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY
7801 Saint Helena Highway,
Napa, CA 94574, USA
Tel: +1 707 226 1395
SEMILLA
54, Rue de Seine,
75006 Paris, France
Tel : +33 1 4354 3450
THE QUALITY CHOP HOUSE
92-94 Farringdon Road,
London EC1R 3EA,
United Kingdon
Tel: +44 20 7278 1452
UNION SQUARE CAFÉ
21 East 16th Street,
New York, NY 10003, USA
Tel: +1 212 243 4020
ZUNI CAFÉ
1658 Market Street,
San Francisco,
CA 94102, USA
Tel: +1 415 552 2522

8. 122epicure 0313
travel news
• INVERLOCHY CASTLE, SCOTLAND
Nestled amongst the spectacular glens, lochs
and mountains of the West Highlands of
Scotland is this stunning Relais & Châteaux
property. Royals and celebrities such as Queen
Elizabeth and Anthony Hopkins have stayed
at this stately hotel, which boasts 18 elegantly
decorated bedrooms, roaring fireplaces
and a one Michelin-starred modern British
restaurant highlighting local ingredients
like crabs from the Isle of Skye and produce
from the hotel’s own garden. At select times
during the year, the castle also offers outdoor
enthusiasts various hunting, fishing, walking
and photography tours.
Highlight: Inverlochy Castle serves a popular
daily afternoon tea in its drawing room with
freshly made sandwiches and scones.
Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN. Rates from £320
(S$622) per night. For reservations and enquiries,
call +44 1397 702 177 or visit
www.inverlochycastlehotel.com
Regal
retreatsMake your royal fantasies
come true with a stay at these
beautifully restored properties.
• TAJ LAKE PALACE,
UDAIPUR
Built on a four-acre
rock in the middle
of Lake Pichola, this
marble palace was
originally constructed
in 1746 by Maharana
Jagat Singh II as a secret
spot for his moonlight
picnics. Today, this
‘island unto itself’
channels the opulent
lifestyle of yesteryear
with its 83 luxurious
guest rooms, delicately
restored pavilions,
and cusped archways.
Adding to the old-
world charm are scenic
terraces and charming
courtyards, where
PhotosofInverlochyCastleInverlochyCastle
PhotosofTajLakePalaceTajHotelsResortsandPalaces
PhotosofAmberleyCastleAmberleyCastle
The Chandraprakash
Suite, Taj Lake Palace.
The drawing
room at
Inverlochy
Castle.
INVERLOCHY CASTLE

9. 0313 epicure123
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT
RIO DE JANEIRO,
BRAZILAll year-round, sun-seekers flock to this vibrant city for its
infectious rhythms, spectacular views, and gorgeous people.
• Experience Rio’s vibrant art scene in the bohemian Santa
Teresa neighbourhood. As you explore its cobblestone streets,
mosaic sidewalks and galleries, stop by a traditional Brazilian
eatery to sample local treats such as Feijoada, a black bean
stew with pork or beef, and pão de queijo, a chewy cheese bread.
• Give in to the beat of the sexy samba and party with free-
spirited locals at the live music venues of Lapa, which come
alive after dark. Classic late-night spots include Scenarium,
celebrated for its vintage décor and impressive line-up of
Brazilian music, as well as bars like Nova Capela, which has
been serving classic Brazilian dishes since 1903.
• Mingle with the cariocas, or Rio natives, at the city’s most
iconic beaches—Ipanema and Copacabana. Join in seaside
sports like futvolei, the Brazilian version of volleyball played
without using hands. On Sundays, Ipanema’s Crafts Market
offers a wide selection of jewellery, leather goods and
souvenirs.
• Spend a day exploring the great outdoors at Rio’s Tijuca
National forest—the world’s largest urban rainforest with over
3,200 hectares of flora and fauna. On a clear day, hike to the
summit of Pedra Bonita Mountain and hang-glide off its ramp
for a bird’s eye view of Rio’s iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and
Corcovado Hill.
guests can feast on specially tailored degustation menus
or traditional Rajasthani meals under the stars.
Highlight: Cruise the serene waters of Lake Pichola
at sunset on a 150-year-old ceremonial barge once
featured in the James Bond classic Octopussy.
Lake Pichola, Udaipur 313001, Rajasthan, India. Rates from
Rs35,500 (S$825) per night. For reservations and enquiries
call +91 294 242 8800 or visit www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/
Grand-Palaces-And-Iconic-Hotels/Taj-Lake-Palace-Udaipur/
Overview.html
• AMBERLEY CASTLE, GREAT BRITAIN
This 900-year-old
medieval retreat
is located in the
picturesque village
of Amberley in
the West Sussex
countryside. Within
its 18 metre-high
curtain walls sit 19
lavishly appointed
bedrooms, each
furnished with
antiques and
outfitted with an
en-suite whirlpool
bath. With 12 acres of landscaped gardens and an 18-
hole putting course, the castle allows guests to enjoy a
leisurely stroll or round of golf while taking in the views
of the South Downs. Lucky visitors might even spot
one of the resident alpacas or Bob the white peacock
making their morning rounds.
Highlight: Book Mistletoe Lodge, the Castle’s tree
house nestled amongst poplar trees, for a private meal
with magnificent views of the estate.
Amberley, Nr Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9LT. Rates from £315
per night. For reservations and enquiries call +44 1798 831
992 or visit www.amberleycastle.co.uk
A private terrace at the
Taj Lake Palace.
The bedrooms at Amberley Castle are
decorated with precious antiques.
Sun-seekers relaxing on
Ipanema beach.