Bucket List Adventures The Super-Wealthy Need To Take This Year

Photo Credit: Jodee Debes

Bucket list adventures for the one percent. 

A KENYAN SAFARI

Photo Credit: Cottar’s Safaris

It’s a dream to see the Big Five out in the wild (leopards, rhinos, elephants, lions, and African buffalos), but it is not easy to do so. Forget about the logistics of actually getting up close and personal with these majestic beasts in their natural habitat, and think about yourself for a second. After what could be upwards of 30-plus hours of traveling from the States, most will want a cozy bed, a great place to stay, and a stiff drink — and not necessarily in that order. Sadly, not all safaris are built the same — which is why we recommend staying at Cottar’s 1920s Camp, located in the private, 7,608-acre Olderkesi Conservancy, on the border of Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara National Reserve (and letting the experts at ProAfrika Safaris do all of the logistical planning for you). This is truly one of the most bespoke, upscale experiences available — especially in that one with deep pockets doesn’t have to “glamp.” In addition to its own private airstrip (a true essential when arriving from Nairobi) Cottar’s Safaris offers one of the most truly exceptional places to stay Mara-wide in its Private Bush Villa. This behemoth, 10,000 square-foot retreat comes with eight dedicated members of staff, has its own private 82-foot swimming pool, and boasts breathtaking views onto the savannah plains with a backdrop of the Olentoroto Hill. Although the Bush Villa is part of the main camp, it feels like it’s set apart, and that could be because it is: guests will need to be escorted by jeep, security guard, or Maasai Warrior to the main mess tent — which is where the action happens. Situated with a hilltop view of the rolling savannahs, the camp’s center encompasses an Art Nouveau bar where dedicated staff members make a mean Mint Julep amid vintage-era décor such as first-edition books, sextants, binoculars, and telescopes. This particular safari features a spa, and also offers a traditional safari bath, best enjoyed with bubbles and champagne at sunset, as well as unique activities including immersive walks with a local Maasai medicine and foraging expert, a vulture xxx (an immersive raptor experience), evening talks on the history of African travelers, and visits to local Maasai villages — which is among one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences modern-day travelers can have. Perhaps most importantly, however, Cottar’s Safaris has become known throughout Kenya for its conservation efforts, becoming the first camp in Africa to attain Preferred by Nature’s “Ecosystem Restoration Validation” certificate, and are one of only 11 accredited Long Run Global Ecosphere Retreats in the World, working via its Cottar’s Wildlife Conservancy Trust (CWCT) to conserve critical wilderness and wildlife corridors and areas bordering the Maasai Mara and Serengeti National Reserves.

Photo Credit: Cottar’s Safaris

CRUISING TO ANTARCTICA

Photo Credit: Swan Hellenic
How many people in the world can say they’ve been to Antarctica? The answer: not many. It’s expensive, precarious — the Weddell Sea being one of the most dangerous in the world — and time-consuming, in that you’ll be at sea for days at a time without land in sight. But if you’re going to make the trek, you had best do it right, and glamorously — and that’s where Swan Hellenic comes in. The British company relaunched in July 2020 with the sole purpose of offering upscale cultural expedition cruising via its purpose-built boutique ships that feature elegant Scandi-design interiors, extensive outdoor spaces, and dedicated expedition facilities. SH Diana, a PC 6 ice-class vessel, launched in May 2023 as a luxury expedition vessel, with on-board elements inclusive of a dedicated presentation and lecture theater, on-board Tender boats to take guests ashore more comfortably than customary expedition Zodiacs, a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room, swimming pool, and three restaurants. But what sets Swan Hellenic apart is its experts: famous explorers, seasoned expedition guides, and leading authorities in their fields join in on the Antarctic fun, as do unique organizations such as JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Chopra, and the SETI Institute. On many cruises, you can also participate in Swan Hellenic’s Citizen Science partnerships, contributing valuable data obtained during your expeditions and on board, reporting cloud data with NASA, recording whale sightings with Happywhale, monitoring phytoplankton with the Secchi Disk Study, and Antarctic seabird numbers with Stony Brook University. And best of all, you’ll be able to witness, first-hand, an untapped part of the world: the emperor penguin colony at Snow Hill Island, Adélie penguins, blue-eyed shags, humpback whales, minkes, and leopard seals at Pléneau and Petermann Islands; and finally, finally say you’re among the few to have conquered that tumultuous Weddell Sea.

Photo Credit: Swan Hellenic

LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER DURING MARDI GRAS

Photo Credit: Melanie Walker/Shutterstock.com

Mardi Gras is something that should be experienced once in a lifetime. It’s a rite of passage, an opportunity to really let laissez bon temps rouler in a cloud of purple, gold, and green. French for “Fat Tuesday,” the season, known best as Carnival, begins on January 6, and continues until the midnight before Ash Wednesday. It’s wild to think that this ode to revelry didn’t become a renowned event until the late 1830s, with street processions of carriages and horseback riders, all featuring masked and mysterious patrons, lit by gaslight torches. Today, there’s a decidedly more hedonistic bent to Mardi Gras; a revelry that consumes the city via costumes, krewes, balls, dining (including the ever-present King Cake) and, of course, drinking. Becoming part of this giant party is unlike anything you’ll be likely to experience in life. That being said, when it comes to a place to stay, those who like their creature comforts will want to confine their French Quarter ministrations to partying only. Stay at the tony Four Seasons New Orleans, which is just far enough away to take a break from the crowds should you need some peace and quiet, and close enough that you can easily join in. Plus, the property features the crème de la crème of the Big Easy in Donald Link’s Chemin à la Mer eatery, Alon Shaya’s Miss River restaurant, the gorgeous and glorious Chandelier Bar, and a spa that will melt all traces of late Mardi Gras nights away.

Photo Credit: Four Seasons New Orleans

CAMPING UNDER THE STARS IN WADI RUM

Photo Credit: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp

In Wadi Rum, Jordan — otherwise known as the Valley of the Moon — the stars appear so close that you can touch them. Or it seems that way, at least. In this valley, cut into the sandstone and granite rock of southern Jordan near Saudi Arabia’s border, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ideal spot for a proper Bedouin experience under the stars. Which, as it happens, is one of the many reasons to go: throughout the year, Jordan becomes a popular destination for astronomy enthusiasts and skywatchers alike to catch spectacular starry displays and meteor showers (including this past summer’s Perseid meteor shower, November’s Leonid meteor shower, or the upcoming Geminids meteor shower in mid-December). The Memories Aicha Luxury Camp is definitely the most luxurious glamping experience in the area — 55 tents, bordered by rugged mountains and the stunning Arabian desert — a standout being its lavishly-decorated panoramic luxury suite with plush furnishings inspired by the colorful sands of the desert. Beyond that, Jordan also now has a Hollywood pedigree: Olivewood Film Studios, located just outside of Amman, consist of two 16,000-plus square foot soundstages, where the likes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Dune 1 & 2 and The Martian were filmed.

Photo Credit: Prystal/Shutterstock.com

TAKING A DIP IN THE BLUE LAGOON

Photo Credit: Bhushan Raj Timla/Shutterstock.com

Blue Lagoon Iceland was founded in 1992 to unlock the benefits of geothermal water, but it’s become one of (if not the most visited) tourist attractions in Iceland thanks to its unusual natural phenomenon of ocean water and freshwater converging in a tectonic realm of searing heat and extreme pressure, creating geothermal seawater over a mile beneath the earth. The water, which is enriched with silica, algae, and minerals, is known for its healing, rejuvenating, and nourishing abilities. It’s a great introduction to the Land of Fire and Ice, though Sky Lagoon, a man-made geothermal spa just 13 minutes from the center of Reykjavik, is certainly as incredible, though in a more convivial, less wildly outrageous way. We recommend trying both — though the latter is certainly more convenient in that it’s closer to our recommended, over-the-top, five-star hotel pick, The Reykjavik EDITION, which opened its doors in 2021, the very same year as Sky Lagoon. Located in the historical, scenic heart of downtown Reykjavik by Old Harbor port next door to the Olafur Eliasson-designed Harpa Concert and Conference Center, the sleek, sensual hotel boasts a variety of distinctive food, beverage, and entertainment outlets. On a good night, you might even see the Northern Lights from the seventh floor bar, The Roof, though hidden sanctuary TÖLT, which is named after the unique fourth gait of Icelandic horses and which is inspired by Icelandic culture, with local Icelandic spirits dominating the menu, is much cozier —and what we feel is the perfect venue for late night cocktails come winter.

Photo Credit: Henner Damk/Shutterstock.com

EXPERIENCING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN NORWAY

Photo Credit: Vegard Stien

There is nothing quite so majestic as the aurora borealis. Seeing the colors swirl and dance, live in person, is nothing short of incredible. In our experience, the very best place in the world to see the Northern Lights is directly beneath the Aurora Oval in the coastal city of Tromsø, Norway. Though many believe winter to be its peak time, statistically, the most active seasons are autumn and spring, when the earth’s orientation towards the sun maximizes the probability of solar flares interacting with the planet’s magnetic field. Plus, as a bonus, you’ll be able to see the aurora without freezing your buns off, and it’s less crowded, which is much more appealing. Despite being in the Aurora Zone, the aurora can be a finicky bombshell, and as such, you definitely need the right guide to get you to witness her glory. Should all else fail on a cloudy night, North Experience can take you to their nearby aurora base station for a glimpse of this outrageous spectacle; they’ll take care of everything — including showing you how to best take photos to witness the lights. While in Tromsø, there are a variety of activities to engage in outside of aurora hunting. Float peacefully on a lake — underneath the stars or in broad daylight — with Authentic North; tour the Troll Museum and Arctic Cathedral for pieces of Norway’s legendary folklore; and indulge in some incredible meals with local, native fare at restaurants like Bardus Bistro, Smak, Fiskekompaniet, and Walter & Leonard. Should you choose the more convenient option of staying near the city’s center as a opposed to a more private luxury lodge outside of town, Clarion Hotel The Edge — a Scandi-cool stay located on Tromsø Harbor — is our top pick.

Photo Credit: Vegard Stien

WINE-TASTING IN SOUTH AFRICA’S STELLENBOSCH

Photo Credit: The Royal Portfolio

In the States, we have Napa and Sonoma, along with the Willamette Valley, Central Coast, and newer wine regions in Virginia and Texas. But wouldn’t it be a dream to sip and swill in South Africa’s Cape Winelands? We think so, at least. Indulge in some of the best food and wine in Franschhoek, which is considered the gourmet capital of the Cape and is home to some of the country’s best restaurants, before heading to Stellenbosch, the country’s most famous wine region — and what is considered to be the birthplace of Pinotage — home to over 150 wine estates. You can stay where it all began in Constantia, which is considered to be the first-ever wine estate in South Africa, located just 20 minutes from Cape Town, and known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux-blends, and Muscat Blanc. For your stay, we recommend first checking into the magical Royal Portfolio collection properties of The Silo Hotel, a sanctuary in Cape Town celebrating art, style, and design that is defined by its shimmering pillowed-glass windows with panoramic views stretching from Table Mountain to the Table Bay harbor and which is located six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (which houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art) and is close to some of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, such as Fyn Restaurant and La Colombe. Then, head to La Residence, a glorious property located on a private 30-acre estate in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley. Here, you can enjoy the best of the region with private wine tastings at nearby wineries; helicopter flights through the Winelands; strolls through a natural backdrop of olive trees, vines, and roses; and dinners at one of the many award-winning restaurants in the Valley.