Travel Tips

Arrive in Style

Arrive in Style

What do Bond girls, the Pope and Boris Johnson have in common? They all know how to make an entrance (who can forget Boris swinging from that zip wire?). And while we don't necessarily recommend 'doing a Boris', the slightly smug feeling of having really arrived in style is something we can all relate to. This is never truer than when on holiday; sometimes the journey can be just as exciting as the destination. So here are some of the very best ways to arrive in serious style...

 

Fly by the Seat of Your Pants

Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman offers guests the chance to paraglide into the hotel. Obviously. Drink in the views, from craggy mountain to deep blue sea, as you serenely glide through the air. Cars are so last year.

 

A Hel(i) of a Hello

The only way to reach Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, in New Zealand's wilderness, is by helicopter. Fly over glaciers and past waterfalls to this luxurious lodge which sits in a secluded mountain landscape.

 

A Wing and a Prayer

Of flying into Bhutan, Asia expert Miranda says: ""the best arrival into any country I have been to is the flight into Bhutan - you feel like the tips of the wings are going to touch the sides of the mountain as you weave down into the Paro Valley.""

 

Is it a Boat? Is it a Plane?

This technically qualifies as both an air and sea arrival: taking a float plane into your lodge in British Columbia, Canada. It's the best way to reach places like Knight Inlet Lodge, which itself floats on a river in the remote Pacific Northwest.

 

Mush!

One of the best ways to travel full stop has got to be by dog sled across a snowy landscape, which is exactly how you arrive at Swedish Lapland's Aurora Safari Camp. Neat.

 

Biker Chic

It's said the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana stretch so far that you can see the earth's curvature. Quad biking to your camp for a night under the stars is an unforgettable experience.

 

Training Day

The train has got to be one of the most civilised modes of transport. Never more so than when weaving your way, aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham, through the Peruvian Andes to your lodge at Machu Picchu (Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is our top pick).

 

Game Time

Go quite literally off the beaten track on your way to Jawai in India's remote Aravalli Hills. You will be met on the road and taken on a game drive through this amazing landscape to the camp, (hopefully) spotting the leopards that roam free here along the way.

 

ARiva in Style

Turn the smug factor up to 11 by taking an old-school Riva motorboat into Venice. Think sparkling sunshine bouncing off the water and the faint hint of spray on your face as you cruise into one of the planet's most beautiful cities. La dolce vita indeed.

 

Messing About in Boats

There was only ever going to be one way of reaching the remote luxury lodge of Sindabezi Island on the Zambezi river: boat. And while you're bobbing down the river watch out for the locals, which include elephants, hippos and some amazing birdlife.

 

White Water Welcome

Adrenaline junkies, step this way. One of the more unique hotel arrivals sees guests white water raft to Pacuare Jungle Lodge in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest.