The most unforgettable travel moments often unfold in those quiet, reflective spaces where you find yourself unwinding after a day of discovery—swapping stories with new friends, letting the day’s sights sink in, or simply absorbing the beauty surrounding you. For our new 2025 adventures, we’ve sought out captivating, one-of-a-kind stays that elevate these intimate moments in settings that invite a deep, lasting connection to the story of each destination.
These unique accommodations aren’t just places to stay; they’re experiences that resonate with even the most seasoned travelers, reminding us that the best adventures never ask you to sacrifice comfort for authenticity, or rich cultural experiences for modern luxuries. Instead, they blend them effortlessly into something altogether more profound.
The only question that remains, is where will you stay first?
Silk Heritage and Contemporary Elegance
Vietnam unfolds as an epic feast for the senses, where the aromas of Michelin-starred kitchens mingle with delicate notes of time-honored tea ceremonies. Our Best of Vietnam journey charts a course through this captivating landscape, from Hanoi’s dynamic streets to the limestone pinnacles of Lan Ha Bay, culminating in three exceptional nights at the Mulberry Collection Silk Village. This elegant retreat in Hoi An pays homage to the Maritime Silk Road’s 300-year legacy, where traditional craftsmanship finds new expression in luxurious surroundings. Between discovering paper flower artisans in Hue, drifting in bamboo basket boats through Duy Xuyen, and savoring celebrated cuisine from street food to garden villas, return to this haven where silk production still weaves its way through daily life. Here, modern indulgences—spanning from poolside relaxation to spa treatments—complement the property’s living museum, creating an experience that honors Vietnam’s artistic heritage while celebrating its contemporary spirit.
Glamping in the Clouds
Few journeys capture the imagination quite like the Inca Trail, where mist-shrouded peaks give way to emerald valleys and ancient stone fortresses stand sentinel over cloud forests. Threading through the mighty Andes, this legendary path follows in the footsteps of emperors, each step revealing another layer of Peru’s magnificent past. Our Glamping on the Inca Trail premium adventure takes this classic hike to an unprecedented level of comfort. After each day’s exploration, return to spacious tents perched in pristine mountain clearings, where raised beds and plush mattresses offer restorative rest. As evening falls, gather in the dining tent for locally sourced gourmet meals crafted by expert chefs, or surrender tired muscles to skilled hands in a dedicated massage tent. We’ve carefully paced the journey to savor these moments, arriving at the trail’s end when the crowds thin, the light turns golden, and Machu Picchu emerges in quiet grandeur.
A Mindful Mountain Retreat
In the shadow of the mighty Himalayas, northern India presents its most mesmerizing face—a realm where faith, tradition, and nature converge. Our Foothills of the Himalayas expedition unveils a fascinating tapestry: incense-wreathed monasteries, the shimmering dome of Amritsar’s Golden Temple, and the vibrant pulse of Tibetan culture in Dharamshala. Here, nestled among pine-clad peaks, Rakkh Resort stands as a pioneer of mindful hospitality. This groundbreaking, all-inclusive retreat infuses every experience with purpose, from its plastic-free philosophy and stream restoration initiatives to its staff of local storytellers who share generations of wisdom. Between enlightening encounters and cultural discoveries, find respite in thoughtfully crafted spaces where regional flavors, contemplative activities, and sweeping mountain panoramas create moments of transcendent connection to this remarkable corner of the world.
Timeless Charm in Misty Highlands
High in South India’s emerald-clad Nilgiri Mountains, where morning fogs curl through cypress trees and tea plantations carpet the slopes, sits The Savoy—a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture that has drawn adventurous souls since 1829. Our premium Discover South India tour embraces this spirit of exploration, venturing beyond familiar paths to places where narrow-gauge trains climb through hidden valleys and traditional boats drift along Kerala’s maze of waterways. The Savoy’s 40 rooms and cottages, scattered across six acres of flowering gardens, blend colonial splendor with modern comfort. Each space holds whispered stories of the past—from ceiling beams transported by elephants to time-honored recipes prepared in modern kitchens. As evening falls, gather for house-made scones and aromatic teas, savor regional delicacies by firelight, or simply gaze across the mountains from your private veranda, drinking in the same views that have captivated travelers for nearly two centuries.
Geothermal Sanctuary Amidst the Andes
Ecuador defies expectation at every turn, from the mist-wrapped peaks of the Andes to the evolutionary wonderland of the Galápagos, where marine iguanas glide through turquoise waters and giant tortoises traverse their primordial realm. Our extraordinary Highlights of Ecuador and the Galapagos journey weaves together the country’s most compelling stories: indigenous Amazon cultures, active volcanoes, and islands where wildlife moves with remarkable grace in the presence of respectful visitors. Between these adventures lies the sanctuary at Termas de Papallacta, where geothermal springs create a sublime natural retreat. Here, wooden bungalows nestle into the mountainscape, offering private access to therapeutic hot pools and hydromassage jets surrounded by endemic Andean vegetation. It’s a masterful pause between mainland discoveries and island encounters, where the day’s wonders can be absorbed while soaking in volcanic springs beneath cloud-veiled summits.
A Forest Escape Like No Other
In eastern Sri Lanka, where dawn light reveals elephants gathering at gleaming reservoirs and leopards padding through pristine forests, a remarkable story unfolds. Here in Rathugala Village, our Sri Lanka: Wonders and Wildlife premium adventure discovers its most compelling moment—an inspired alliance between luxury and legacy. Wild Glamping Gal Oya’s intimate collection of safari-style tents rests lightly on the land, but it’s the deep connection to the indigenous Vedda people that sets this retreat apart. As Sri Lanka’s original forest-dwellers, they share not just their ancestral homeland but generations of wisdom, guiding guests through Gal Oya National Park’s secret valleys and teaching traditional ways of living in harmony with the land. With 95% of the staff drawn from the Adivasi community, every aspect of your stay—from organic garden-to-table dining under brilliant stars to guided wildlife encounters—weaves together conservation, culture, and genuine exchange.
