Cultural

Buenos Aires

Experience this enchanting side of Buenos Aires with a scholar guide on a two hour relaxed walking tour. Be immersed in the authentically vintage and resplendent surroundings of the Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore, not only to marvel at the opulent theatre of books (declared one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by Brian Howard, Senior Writer at National Geographic) but to absorb the cultural significance of books for Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires). Porteños consider their book stores as sacred as their churches. A holy site of wooden shelves and paper that resembles a maze of thought. 

The Buenos Aires Cafés are as sacred as their bookstores and just as grand! Tones of Paris and Vienna are evident throughout the cafés of the traditional business neighbourhoods of the city. The opulent Café Tortoni has barely changed since 1858 and is a fascinating example of the wealth that grew from the European merchant pioneers. They have been left completely intact and a stop for coffee to delight in the service and atmosphere (not to mention wonderful coffee and pastries) will be a memorable moment in this wonderful city.

Cape Town

The Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is in an eye-catching building. This public, not-for-profit contemporary art museum which is a partnership between the V&A and Jochen Zeitz, collects, researches, preserves and exhibits twenty-first century African art. This exquisite space houses a diverse range of contemporary African art spread out over nine floors. (Please note it is closed on Tuesdays).

Have lunch at Harbour House, where the specialty is seafood. Think game fish crudo, crispy prawns and white fish goujons. Have sushi with friends upstairs or share a lavish seafood platter with a glass of local wine.

After lunch, spend some time shopping at the nearby Watershed, which is the home of South African design and is located in the heart of the V & A Waterfront. It offers a beautiful indoor market with over 150 stands with handmade crafts made by local artisans, ranging from textiles, to ceramics, furniture to jewellery, toys to fashion etc. 

Buenos Aires

Located in San Telmo, the oldest district in Buenos Aires "El Zanjón” is internationally recognised as an archaeological calendar of the city.

Excavations of the mansion which dated back to 1830 led to the uncovering of the ancient Zanjón (ravine). The mansion was built for a wealthy family with six slaves in 1860 but by 1890 had been turned into a tenement. By 1985 it had been abandoned and walled off, with its ground floor four meters deep in debris. Now fully restored, elegant new steel and glass elevators transport visitors to and from the illuminated depths of the tunnels and ravines of El Zanjón. It is a magical space where poetry, history and myth coexist an important urban archaeology project and highly recommended.

We can arrange transfers and a recommendation for lunch around the visit.

Buenos Aires

Begin your evening with a pre-concert dinner at Tomo Uno, a traditional and sophisticated restaurant with an exceptional menu.

Then continue for just a short walk to the Thetro Colón, where you have the opportunity to see an opera, ballet or concert, in the magnificent auditorium. 

It is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world by National Geographic, and is acoustically considered to be amongst the five best concert venues in the world.

Performances usually commence at 8pm.

Okavango Delta

Helicopter flights can make some of the most remote villages in the Okavango Delta accessible to those looking for a cultural side to complement its amazing wildlife, providing an unforgettable insight into a way of life that has changed very little for many generations.

The excursion, which lasts approximately 2 hours, begins with guests being picked up from their camp for a scenic flight to the village to which we have been invited. This journey and the return flight provide amazing photographic opportunities of the landscape and wildlife en-route. The tour is led by a local guide who explains aspects of village life such as architecture, religious beliefs, hunting and fishing, and there is also the opportunity to meet local craftspeople.

From USD 375 to USD 710 per person depending on pick up location. Please contact your Destination Specialist to find out more on +44 1993 824198.