A once-in-a-lifetime getaway is always a good idea, but after an unprecedented year like 2020? Consider it essential. To the rescue: incredible experiences, curated specially for the Robb Report reader and found nowhere else.
Adventure-minded travelers can take a 10-day journey by explorer yacht to witness a total solar eclipse above the Arctic, or set a world record by diving nearly 36,000 feet below the sea in a submersible. Those craving a bit of sport can play polo with Nacho Figueras in Uraguay, golf with Davis Love III on Sea Island or head to Japan for a skateboarding lesson with the coach of the country’s Olympic skate team. For the epicurean, how about a BBQ masterclass with pit master Matt Horn, or a night on Howell Mountain drinking 100-point wines from the PlumpJack founder’s private cellar (and, for the occasion, why not get outfitted head-to-toe by a foursome of Savile Row tailors)?
All that and more is on the list. The only thing missing is you.
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A 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Paired With California Wine Country
Image Credit: Rolls-Royce Now more than ever, cars have become mobile sanctuaries that allow the freedom to venture out while keeping the world at an acceptable social distance. So why not have a pampering escape vehicle with real spirit? As part of the exclusive Rolls Through Wine Country package, Rolls-Royce will bespoke its newly redesigned Ghost to one recipient’s specifications, which can include customized color schemes inside and out, personalized badging and embossing, and a tailored passenger-side dashboard display. The keys will be presented at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, in Paso Robles, Calif., your base for the next two nights.
You and a guest will explore much of the area’s roughly 40,000 acres of vineland before arriving at one of its crowning vintner locations, Daou, atop its namesake mountain. The estate will be reserved for your visit, which will include a barrel tasting of its acclaimed Patrimony portfolio, a wine-paired dinner and a few magnums to bring home. When the final glasses are empty, a chauffeured drive back to the resort will allow time to recline under the shooting-star display of the Ghost’s illuminated headliner and think of what else to possibly wish for. From $350,000, including accommodations for two people, pressna@rolls-roycemotorcarsna.com. Rolls-Royce Ghost must be purchased through an authorized dealer; offer expires March 31, 2021. Viju Mathew
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Design a Custom Kitchen With a Michelin-Star Chef
Image Credit: St. Charles New York With the future of the restaurant industry uncertain, it pays to be your own chef these days. You’ll just need the right kitchen first. Designing one can be an incredibly time-consuming, not to mention confusing, task. But this year, to make the process a bit easier, St. Charles New York, Gaggenau and Le Bernardin’s Eric Ripert are teaming up to offer one Robb Report reader the opportunity to create a new kitchen with the very best in the business.
You’ll start by designing your space with St. Charles, one of the industry’s most recognized brands, with a résumé that includes kitchens for such renowned modernist architects as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Creative director and principal Karen Williams will meet with you at the brand’s Manhattan showroom and help you choose everything from drawers and cabinetry to finishes and colorways. Like all of St. Charles’s work, the result will be both timeless and functional.
Then you’ll meet with Michelin three-star chef Eric Ripert at one of Gaggenau’s US showrooms, to select from the brand’s top appliances. Ripert, as luck would have it, recently remodeled his home kitchen with Gaggenau gadgets, so he’ll be able to draw on that experience, as well as his nearly four decades in the restaurant industry, to advise on things like which cooktop will best suit your culinary needs and which meals to make in a combi-steam oven. When all’s said and done, you’ll be whipping up restaurant-worthy meals like a pro—and in a chic new space to boot. From $315,000, travel not included, robbreport.kitchen.design@gmail.com Helena Madden
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A 100-Point Night on Howell Mountain
Image Credit: Cade Winery Napa Valley has endured a torrid year, with several wineries devastated by wildfires, which have incinerated more than 4 million acres of California. No one knows this harsh reality better than the governor, Gavin Newsom, who, besides running the state’s disaster response, is a founder of the PlumpJack collection of Napa wineries. The original PlumpJack estate, which Newsom started with oil heir Gordon Getty in 1995 (the governor’s stake is now in a blind trust), has been spared, as have the two more recent additions to the group, Cade and Odette.
PlumpJack is offering a Robb Report reader and a group of guests a chance to support the recovery efforts by enjoying a very special meal and tasting at Cade, the contemporary organic winery set on the slopes of Howell Mountain, with a contribution to Napa Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster included. Enjoy an elaborate multicourse dinner prepared and served by Dominique Crenn, the only female Michelin three-star chef in the US, in the company of winemakers from all three estates: Aaron Miller from PlumpJack, Danielle Cyrot from Cade and Jeff Owens from Odette.
The meal on Cade’s terrace, with 360-degree views of Napa Valley, will be paired with 100-point reserve cabernet wines from the founders’ personal cellar, the crème de la crème of the PlumpJack portfolio. Wines will include PlumpJack Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vintages from 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2016, as well as Odette Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vintages from 2015 and 2016. Guests will also sample the coveted 2018 Reserve releases. From $50,000 for 12 people, including donation; Adam Ryan, acryan@plumpjack.com, 707-690-1223. Lucy Alexander
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A BBQ Master Class With Matt Horn
Image Credit: Horn Barbecue For the past four years, pitmaster Matt Horn has grown a rabid following. All around the Bay Area, the 33-year-old hosted underground barbecue pop-ups at farmers’ markets, inside breweries and even at an abandoned service station. People would wait in line up to four hours to get a taste of his Central Texas–style brisket and pork ribs. At his newly opened Horn Barbecue in Oakland, Calif., he’s serving his brisket while also drawing inspiration from Black cuisine of the South, cooking up oxtails, pork chops, black-eyed peas and collard greens.
Now he wants to impart that knowledge to one barbecue-obsessed Robb Report reader and a friend. Horn will teach a one-on-one master class in ’cue, showing you how to source wood, set up your rig, light and manage your fire, trim and season your brisket, tend to the slab during the cook and wrap, and rest and slice your meat. You can choose to have Horn come to your home or take the lesson at Horn Barbecue. Either way, you’ll finish with a celebratory meal for you and your friend, complete with bourbon pairings and with Horn providing you up to five pounds of brisket, his personal spice rub and a special-edition sheet pan he developed with cookware brand Made In. From $5,000; Nina Horn, nina@hornbarbecue.com Jeremy Repanich
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A Private Concert
Image Credit: Adobe Many aspects of everyday life have been on hiatus this year, including much live music. If you’re missing mosh pits, Robb Report has teamed up with Los Angeles luxury concierge firm Element Lifestyle for an exclusive opportunity to enjoy front-row seats at a world-class concert in the comfort of your own home. The show will be presented just for you, either as a customized pre-recording or a livestream performance. Perhaps you want to surprise someone at a socially distanced birthday party with the ultimate superfan experience. Or virtually invite a rock legend into your living room. Select the ideal superstar to please anyone on your list. Michael Albanese
Subject to additional costs for production (dependent on production value required in each case). Price point quoted subject to additional cost of 20 percent for booking services. These are not fixed quotes but rather represent artists, management and agents feeling their way into the virtual space for the first time by reference to a percentage of standard private live fees. As mutually understood, all quotes do not represent offers and the final decision will rest with management/artist themselves + availability and context of the event, etc.
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A Trip to Sonus Faber and Custom Speakers
Image Credit: Ali Harvey/Sonus Faber For the most persnickety of music geeks: a rare visit to the Sonus faber manufacture center and factory in Vicenza, Italy, where you can help design your personal pair of speakers.
One Robb Report reader and a guest will be able to fully immerse themselves in the loudspeaker brand’s rich Italian heritage and history, and be granted exclusive access, including visits to the McIntosh Group Design Lab, the De Santi woodworking facility and the painting and polishing factory. As the pièce de résistance, you’ll work alongside chief designer Livio Cucuzza and chief of acoustics, research and development Paolo Tezzon to build your own pair of Sonus faber’s loudspeaker flagship, the model SE17, handcrafted from the finest wood and leather.
During your three-night visit, you’ll stay at the Palazzo Otello and explore the city of Vicenza in a Maserati with driver. Indulge in an intimate wine tasting, exclusive tour and private show at the 16th-century Teatro Olimpico (Palladio’s final project), followed by dinner in the hills at farm-to-table restaurant Crichelon, accompanied by a violinist. Back home, a certified McIntosh Group dealer will install your custom stereo system, featuring your new Sonus faber speakers and a suite of McIntosh Group components, including analog and digital sources, monoblock tri-amplification, racks and power distribution. $522,000, including first-class round-trip airfare and accommodations; David Mascioni, dmascioni@mcgroupinc.com, 607-237-2982. Robert Ross
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A Gonzo Trip to the Antarctic
Image Credit: Shelton DuPreez A total solar eclipse above Antarctica is so powerful and rare—the last one happened 75 years ago, the next will take place in December 2021 and the one after that won’t be until 2039—that it has become a seminal event for NASA scientists. Best seen from the water, the visual drama of the horizon-level eclipse is heightened by the region’s jagged icebergs. Witnessing the phenomenon is just one of a dozen singular experiences that Pelorus has designed for a Robb Report reader and 21 guests on its exclusive 10-day voyage aboard the 254-foot expedition yacht Legend from December 2 to 11, 2021.
Exploring the most remote treasures of the southernmost continent, you will also take a helicopter to visit the largest emperor-penguin colony, track humpback and minke whales by submarine, kayak near sea lions and seals, climb the ice of a glacier and enjoy cocktails on the summit. This immersive experience is not just a bucket-list slideshow but an authentic voyage into the heart of Antarctica, whether standing in the midst of the mating dances of 100,000 chinstrap penguins or stopping at research bases to talk with scientists about their latest findings. Leading the journey will be an astronomer (helpful for watching the aurora australis, too), naturalists and kayak and mountain guides, and a film crew will document the trip. Legend is the quintessential explorer vessel, combining an ice- breaker hull with an outdoor Jacuzzi for 16 and luxe interiors, including a full gym, a 14-seat cinema, a piano and whiskey bar, and ornate staterooms. There’s even a helipad, where two helicopters from a support vessel can land. From $1.4 million, 917-512-9777, yachts@pelorusx.com Michael Verdon
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A Private Yacht Tour of East Indonesia
Image Credit: Aqua Expeditions The anthropologist Lawrence Blair has spent the past few decades trekking to the most remote corners of Indonesia, living with indigenous peoples, climbing Krakatoa, sailing with pirates, seeking rare birds of paradise and researching ancient myths, as depicted in his Emmy-winning 1988 PBS documentary, Ring of Fire: An Indonesian Odyssey.
Now Robb Report readers can join the colorful explorer on private expeditions to some of Indonesia’s most spectacular locations aboard a private charter of the Aqua Blu superyacht. You can customize your trip from a range of itineraries, depending on the time of year, including tours of the volcanic Spice Islands, once the sole source of nutmeg on Earth. Here, the remnants of Dutch and British colonial periods blend with indigenous communities. Explore Fort Amsterdam, the old Dutch fortification on the island of Ambon, discover local pottery on Saparua, tour the oldest nutmeg plantations in the world and hike the active volcano Gunung Banda Api. At Pulau Manuk, look out for the sea snakes and reef sharks that flock to the volcanic thermal springs, then cruise to Pulau Run, an island traded to the Dutch by the British in exchange for Manhattan in 1667, in what must be one of the most head-scratching deals in history, and enjoy a cocktail party on the beach.
An alternative tour to Raja Ampat offers one of the world’s most diverse collections of underwater habitats and marine species. Saltwater crocodiles and hawksbill turtles are common, and the dive site at Cape Kri holds the world record for the most species spotted in a single 90-minute dive. Visit a pearl farm at Aljui Bay, snorkel off Wayag Island, home to blacktip reef sharks, and marvel at the manta rays off Dayang Island.
Blair and a team of expert local guides will host private groups of up to 30 guests each on board Aqua Blu, in 15 sea-facing suites. Expect five-star service, fine dining, an outdoor Jacuzzi, a spa and watersports equipment such as diving gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Travel dates for charters are subject to availability, but all bookings are flexible. Rates for a seven-night private charter for 2 to 30 passengers start from $297,500, reservations@aquaexpeditions.com Lucy Alexander
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A Private Chalet Under the Northern Lights in Norway
Image Credit: Audun Rikardsen There’s a long, dark, lonely winter ahead. How about spending it with your other half, gazing up at the northern lights from a remote hot tub in the Arctic? Maybe with a spot of skiing, whale watching, husky sledding and a private photography coach thrown in?
Aurora Lodge is a brand-new private chalet on the northern Norwegian peninsula of Lyngen and is offering Robb Report readers an exclusive buyout opportunity. Guests will fly in from Oslo via private jet and helicopter, soaring over fjords and mountain peaks. Lyngen, off the celestial tourist trail with almost no light pollution, is one of the best places to experience the aurora borealis. Enjoy the luxury of immersion in deep silence and glacial wilderness, either up close or from the comforts of the outdoor hot tub, sauna or glass-walled, fire-warmed rooms. The six-bedroom lodge, designed by award-winning architect Snorre Stinessen, comes fully staffed with housekeepers, drivers, a chef and your own in-house northern-lights specialist.
The Lyngen peninsula is famous for off-piste skiing, but guests can also opt for snowshoeing, snowmobiling or dogsledding. Take a private boat trip to watch (or even swim with) migrating orcas and observe pilot, minke and humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises, all captured by a photographer. Or take it up a notch and join a whale-conservation project in the company of Audun Rikardsen, an award-winning wildlife photographer and professor of freshwater and marine biology at the Arctic University of Norway. Help to tag whales by satellite, name a whale that you’ll be able to track long after your return home and learn the art of nature photography from a master.
Dates for the five-day trip are flexible and open-ended. The orca migration occurs whenever herrings arrive in the fjord, usually between November and February, and winter months are recommended for the northern lights. From $129,950 for two, from $161,500 for five, including private jet from Oslo to Tromsø and excluding international flights. Whale conservation and photography with Audun Rikardsen is subject to availability; additional price upon request. Sunil Metcalfe, sunil@blacktomato.com, 646-747-3059. Lucy Alexander
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A Fashion Lover’s Tour of France
Image Credit: Tommaso Sartori This insider’s view of iconic French fashion and beauty, both in Paris and along the Riviera, is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime thrill. Every element of TCS Travel’s exclusive nine-day itinerary for Robb Report readers is deep and intimate, beginning with your stay at the Shangri-La, a former palace built for Napoleon’s grand-nephew.
The first day sees you visiting La Galerie d’Asnières in what was the home of Louis Vuitton’s namesake founder, where custom pieces are still created, while the next day is devoted to learning about the art of handcrafting haute couture floral embellishments. Revealing the age-old process in an atelier, an expert artist will show you how Celine, Givenchy, Christian Louboutin and other revered houses create their silk and feather adornments. High on the list is a rare private visit to the Dior archives, where a curator will illuminate Christian Dior’s genius via his sketches, photographs and diaries. You’ll also stop at Guerlain, the nearly 200-year-old fragrance and cosmetics company, for a personalized workshop and, of course, dine at Michelin-star restaurants.
The second half of the tour will take you via private jet to the South of France, where Maison Molinard in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, will give you a personal how-to—and you’ll leave with a bottle of a scent you created. You’ll also embark on a day trip aboard a yacht on the Côte d’Azur and see the charming fishing village Cassis, the Picasso getaway Antibes and the medieval town Saint-Paul de Vence, or cultural centers such as Cannes. The Riviera stay will be at La Réserve Ramatuelle, outside Saint-Tropez. From $79,900 per person, up to six people per group (two groups maximum), double occupancy, including domestic transportation, 206-995-8655 or guestrelations@TCSWorldTravel.com Michael Verdon
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An Inside-Access Trip to Scotland
Image Credit: Curated Touring This experience is for all those who love Scotland, or love the idea of Scotland (not quite the same thing), and are yearning to indulge in a spot of romantic immersion in Caledonia’s finest culture, history, sports and landscapes.
Curated Touring, a private-travel consultancy founded by two art historians with privileged access to cultural sites, has put together an exclusive trip for Robb Report readers that showcases Scotland’s best Michelin-star cuisine, whisky, history, golf, art and dramatic Highland scenery, all in the company of a team of experts.
Traveling by Rolls-Royce and helicopter, you will spend eight days enjoying behind-the-scenes encounters, including a private viewing of the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle followed by a cocktail reception and dinner with the castle governor, plus a military-band performance. In the evening, the castle is closed to the public and will be reserved for your exclusive use. Another day will include an ultra-exclusive private tour and dining experience in the State Apartments at Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official Scottish residence, before joining Outlander star Sam Heughan for a private whisky tasting at one of the show’s filming locations. You’ll also partake in two Michelin-star private meals, one at Restaurant Martin Wishart in Edinburgh and another hosted by Tom Kitchin at historic Broomhall House in Fife.
Enjoy fishing, shooting and riding in the Borders at 600-year-old Borthwick Castle, site of one of Mary, Queen of Scots’ most daring escapades: Under siege, she dressed as a man and escaped through a narrow window. Experts on Scottish history and mythology will be on hand to entertain and inform. Paul Lawrie, winner of the Open Championship—that’s the British Open to Americans—will be at your disposal on the Gleneagles PGA course and join you for lunch in the Michelin-star Andrew Fairlie restaurant afterward.
The second half of the trip will be on the Isle of Jura, where you can luxuriate in a buyout of Ardfin, Scotland’s newest luxury hotel. Its 14,000 acres will be entirely at your disposal, as will PGA golfer Russell Knox, who will be on hand during your entire stay. You’ll take a helicopter tour of the Hebrides with an acclaimed landscape photographer, sample more peat-infused single malts and dine outdoors by a roaring bonfire, serenaded by traditional fiddlers. The smoke will keep Scotland’s most ferocious predator, the midge, at bay. $1.56 million for a seven-night stay with 10 guests, additional fees up to a maximum of 16 guests. Dates are flexible. reservations@curatedtouring.com Lucy Alexander
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An Exclusive Jet Card
Image Credit: Magellan Jets There’s nothing like creating a mood on the way to an event, whether it’s a long weekend away for Super Bowl LV or a stay at a private Caribbean hideaway. Magellan Jets is getting the party started with its Gulfstream 450 cards, offered exclusively to Robb Report readers. Each specially priced, 12-hour card for the large-cabin jet includes on-board massage, yoga and relaxation exercises, plus a 12-month subscription to the Headspace meditation app. Magellan has also arranged for a chef from a Michelin- star restaurant to do the catering. You can even choose a theme for each trip—say, a tailgate in the sky en route to your alma mater’s bowl game or a butterbeer-and-pudding social for a flight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando.
The G450’s cabin has spacious living areas, with two bathrooms and a full-size galley, allowing social distancing and room for yoga or massage. The jet has an advanced entertainment system in addition to satellite phone, Wi-Fi, printer and fax. Its range of 4,100 nautical miles means Europe is within reach. The exclusive 12-hour card, which comes with a fleece throw, gourmet doggy treats and a Lands’ End travel bag, allows for multiple trips. And with the plane seating up to 12 passengers (for overnight flights, lounges become six sleeping berths), there’s plenty of room for friends and family. $165,000, must be purchased by December 31, 2020, and expires after one year, 617-328-5387, ryanf@magellanjets.com Michael Verdon
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A Custom La Prairie Skin-Care Regimen and Preview of Rare Mondrian Works
Image Credit: La Prairie Sometimes even the greatest beauties can use a tune-up. The Swiss skin-care experts at La Prairie know a thing or two about maintaining appearances, which is one reason the brand is facilitating the restoration of four rarely seen Piet Mondrian paintings—and giving a Robb Report reader and guest an exclusive first look. Next in line for La Prairie’s conservation efforts? You. Over the course of this three-day trip, you’ll receive unprecedented access to the full extent of the brand’s beautification arsenal.
After checking into a top suite at Zurich’s Dolder Grand hotel, you’ll recover with customized facial treatments (the first of countless available during your stay) and a multicourse tasting menu showcasing caviar, the ingredient that powers many of La Prairie’s most innovative salves. Thoroughly refreshed, you’re on to a private consultation with the biochemists who head the brand’s strategic science and innovation efforts—a service that has never been offered before. The doctors will assess your skin and prescribe a regimen of La Prairie products tailored to your personal needs, including a one-of-a-kind cream. (The treatments and regimens are for both of you to enjoy, but only one unique product will be created.)
But it’s not all pampering: You will also be treated to a private, curator-led tour of Basel’s Fondation Beyeler and a behind-the-scenes viewing of the Mondrian works undergoing face-lifts of their own, ahead of their public debut in late 2022. Total restoration takes time, so La Prairie will also supply a year’s worth of your customized regimens to maintain your upkeep at home. $32,500 (airfare not included); must be redeemed by January 2022, exclusive of Art Basel fair week; Sarah Vicklund, 212-621-9223, sarah.vicklund@laprairie.com Kareem Rashed
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A Private Tour of Celebrated Gardens and a Bespoke Jewel
Image Credit: Mish New York Mish Tworkowski is as passionate about gardening as he is about gems. His vast knowledge of flora informs his meticulously detailed botanical designs, collected by horticulturists and jewelry lovers alike. As an avid member of the gardening community, Tworkowski is tapping his network to offer one Robb Report reader and a guest a VIP tour of some of England’s most important gardens. Along the way, you’ll work with Tworkowski to find inspiration for your own one-of-a-kind jewel.
Joining you and Tworkowski on the four-day journey will be Aaron Bertelsen, noted horticultural expert, author and vegetable gardener at Great Dixter, a mecca for green thumbs. You’ll start with a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanical garden, then head to more verdant locales. In East Sussex, you’ll tour Great Dixter’s famed grounds and enjoy a lunch highlighting produce grown on-site. Additional outings include Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, the former home of writer and garden designer Vita Sackville-West, and Prospect Cottage, an insider favorite.
Your home base in the countryside will be Gravetye Manor, a grand 16th-century estate with plush accommodations and a Michelin-star restaurant. Naturally, it also features exquisite grounds planted by William Robinson, father of the English wild garden. The trip will be memorialized in a jewel of your choice, re-creating any number of the botanical beauties observed. Back at his studio in New York, Tworkowski will use his goldsmithing mastery and your chosen gemstones. After all, flowers fade, but jewelry is forever. $275,000, plus the price of the jewel (including airfare and accommodations), 212-734-3500. Kareem Rashed
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Your Caviar Concierge
Image Credit: Sterling Caviar In the not too distant past, you’d be forgiven if you considered one cup of coffee no different from any other. We know better now. It’s not just a matter of Folgers versus Starbucks versus some hipster third-wave roast. From bean varietal to bean varietal, there’s a wide world of nuance and flavor possibilities. Well, caviar isn’t just caviar, either.
The little cured sturgeon eggs don’t merely fall on a spectrum of good to bad. Caviar varietals offer distinct sizes, textures and flavor profiles. So which one is right for you? One of America’s leading producers, Sterling, is offering an exclusive experience to Robb Report readers to help them find out. The company will provide a caviar concierge to discuss your palate in order to steer you to the types—as well as food and drink pairings—that are optimal for you. But, really, you learn from trying. So over the course of the year, Sterling will send you four curated shipments, based on your preferences and availability, totaling one kilo’s worth of caviar. And with the first shipment you’ll receive mother-of-pearl spoons to serve it and a cooler should you decide to share the delicacy with friends. $3,000, sales@sterlingcaviar.com Jeremy Repanich
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A Dom Pérignon Airstream Dinner
Image Credit: Dom Pérignon/LVMH Let the stars come to you. For this special dinner, one reader will get the ultimate in silver service—and safety. Chef Yann Nury will arrive at your home with his ultimate kitchen on wheels—a vintage 1971 Airstream tricked out with custom appliances—to prepare an incredible five- or seven-course meal for a maximum of 10 guests. The dinner is completely customizable and will include access to some of Dom Pérignon’s rare vintages as well as tastings of the 2000 P2 and 1996 P2 Rosé, two of the highest expressions.
Each course will be crafted to bring out the unique and unexpected qualities of the chosen Champagnes. Options may include oysters on the half shell with a cucumber emulsion or carpaccio of striped bass and thinly sliced grilled veal. Or perhaps you’d prefer dry-aged beef with smoked onions, chanterelles, garlic confit and potatoes with morel butter, or a Wagyu rib roast. Think freshly baked madeleines or a chocolate tart made with single-origin rare cocoa for dessert. The options will be up to you and the chef. Dining decor, tablescapes and any florals, as well as a team of (masked) servers and sommeliers, are included in the evening. From $30,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of guests, as well as which courses and Champagnes are planned, privateclient@moethennessy.com Janice O’Leary
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Build the Home of Your Dreams on the Hawaiian Coast
Image Credit: Kohanaiki The Island of Hawaii, the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago, has quickly become a sought-after vacation-home spot. High-end residences now dot the Kona-Kohala coast, a prime location coveted for its turquoise waters, serene beaches and spectacular lava-rock formations. Among these new developments is Kohanaiki, a private, 450-acre coastal community with a members-only clubhouse and 18-hole golf course, the only one on the island designed by renowned architect Rees Jones.
Kohanaiki is offering one Robb Report reader the remarkable opportunity to build on one of the best land parcels on the grounds. This choice oceanfront lot, which is about 1.5 acres, has never been listed for sale. You’ll work with Mark de Reus—a local architect known for creating striking homes that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living—to design a house there to your specifications. And for something extra-special, retired professional golfer and Hall of Famer Ben Crenshaw will design a three-hole putting green on the property, so you can practice your stroke at home before hitting the links. From $20 million for the lot and architects’ fees (construction and club membership additional), 808- 725-2218, realty@kohanaiki.com Helena Madden
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A Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa GMT and a Trip to the 2021 America’s Cup in New Zealand
Image Credit: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team Unless you are already a collector on Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroué’s speed dial, getting your hands on one of the brand’s exclusive and ultra-limited adventure editions is akin to sailing around the world solo—on a Sunfish. Last year, Panerai began offering watches with high-octane experiences attached that included everything from a training session with the Italian Royal Navy and diving with professional free diver Guillaume Néry in Tahiti to a glacier trek in Svalbard, Norway, with famed explorer Mike Horn. Each of the three iterations instantly sold out to Panerai VVIPs (as the brand refers to them). But this year, Panerai is setting aside one expedition watch, a 47 mm titanium Luminor Luna Rossa Tourbillon GMT (limited to just 36 pieces) for a Robb Report reader, and it comes with a front-row seat to the highly anticipated 2021 America’s Cup in New Zealand, scheduled for January 22 to 25.
The experience includes a first-class flight and five-star-hotel accommodations for one at the Park Hyatt in Auckland. But you won’t be spending much time perched at the hotel bar. Each morning will come packed with adrenaline-pumping excursions, including kitesurfing, white-water rafting and skydiving. Two dinners will be hosted: one with the Panerai, Prada and Pirelli-sponsored Luna Rossa sailing team and another at the famous Redwoods Treehouse, an outdoor venue that rests almost 33 feet high in a redwood tree in Warkworth, just north of Auckland. The yachting action includes a behind-the-sails view of preparations leading up to the big event and a private tour of the America’s Cup base with access to the Luna Rossa lounge. The trip concludes with a close-up experience of one of the key qualifying races in the Prada Cup—a leg that determines the final competitors of the race—aboard a new Pardo 38 speedboat during the heart of the regatta. $189,000, 212-891-2483, vipclient@panerai.com Paige Reddinger
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A Private Polo Experience With Nacho Figueras in Uruguay
Image Credit: Estancia Vik In the hills of the chic coastal enclave of José Ignacio in Uruguay sits Estancia Vik, a luxurious private retreat of just 12 spacious suites, which is an ideal buyout for a group whose passions encompass fine art, wine, cuisine, outdoor sports and horses. The beautiful Spanish colonial resort sprawls across 4,000 acres that include a golf course, two grass tennis courts, a pool, a spa and a gym as well as a stable full of horses to play on the private polo field, all for your exclusive use during your weekend long stay. To help you with your game—and offered exclusively to a Robb Report reader—celebrated Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras will be on hand to give lessons to your party.
Marked by warm, attentive service, the Estancia Vik is a true escape, surrounded by pastureland and very secluded, though it’s only a short drive to the shores of the Atlantic. Works by Uruguayan artists adorn the private suites and public spaces, including murals by Jose Trujillo in the gym and spa and a dramatic marble sculpture by Pablo Atchugarry in the living room. Cuisine at the on-site restaurant, El Asador, focuses on traditional gaucho open-hearth cooking, and wines include the estate’s own label as well as premium bottles from around the world. Additional activities such as Spanish lessons for both children and adults, horseback riding, cooking classes with the chef, historic sightseeing and workshops with local artists can also be arranged. From $75,000, for up to 24 people, double occupancy, some blackout dates apply, reservations@estanciavik.com Janice O’Leary
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A Weeklong Stay at Templeton House With a Private Dinner by Chef Raymond Blanc
Image Credit: David Griffen Winston Churchill once roamed the three-acre gardens of Templeton House, cigar in hand, when the mansion on London’s outskirts belonged to his family. Today, the home, which is over 32,000 square feet, with eight bedroom suites, carries the prestigious credential of a Grade II listing on the Historic England register and is selectively available for rental, one of the capital’s grandest private residences. Guests can stroll in its gardens like the former prime minister or swim in the indoor pool attached to the on-site spa; there’s an all-weather tennis court and a cinema, too, as well as a game room with a jukebox and bar. Conveniently, Biggin Hill airport is just a 10-minute helicopter ride away.
A week’s stay here would be rare and sumptuous enough, but this experience for one Robb Report reader and 15 guests comes with a unique bonus: the chance to have a private dinner party cooked by Michelin two-star chef Raymond Blanc. Born in Franche-Comté, Blanc is one of the world’s foremost masters in the kitchen and usually works his magic only at his own restaurant, Belmond le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, outside Oxford. He’ll make an exception for this occasion, decamping to Templeton House to prepare your meal there. Blanc will personally develop the seven-course dinner, tailored to your preferences, and walk you through each dish himself. $331,500 for seven-night stay, including one meal cooked by chef Blanc (excluding wines). Available during 2021, subject to the chef’s availability. genevievel@richstoneproperties.co.uk Mark Ellwood
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A Golf-Buddy Retreat at Sea Island
Image Credit: Sea Island Davis Love III has a hidden skill: The former two-time Ryder Cup captain isn’t just a Hall of Fame golfer but also a BBQ pitmaster. A Robb Report reader and three guests can taste his cooking—and play a round of golf with the major-championship winner—on an exclusive five-night, four-person retreat on Sea Island, the Georgia golf resort community where Love and about a dozen other PGA Tour pros train.
Love won’t be the only golf guru you meet during your stay: You can also take private lessons from topflight instructor Justin Parsons and putting pro David Angelotti, as well as undergo a customized club fitting for an all-new set to take home when you leave. Another souvenir of the stay: Each guest in your party will select a limited-edition bottle of Macallan, after one of the brand’s ambassadors has led the group through a personalized whisky tasting.
The Lodge at Sea Island has invested $30 million upgrading its amenities in recent years, and you’ll stay at one of the newest hideaways: a four-bedroom King Cottage, with its own private hitting bay, which connects directly with the driving range. Whenever you’re not playing, plan to tool around the five-mile-long island in four custom BMW M8 Competition Convertibles—and then take them home with you. All that, plus a private serenade at sunset from one of the resort’s bagpipers, a nod to a tradition established at golf’s spiritual home, St. Andrews. From $900,000 for four people, including four hours of private-jet service, marketing@seaisland.com Mark Ellwood
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The Ultimate Deep Dive
Image Credit: EYOS Expeditions Exploring the most remote, secret depths of the world’s oceans has largely been the stuff of sci-fi movies—until recently. Only a dozen people, the same number who have set foot on the moon, have experienced the sensation of descending seven miles to the bottom of the sea. Now EYOS Expeditions has created an exclusive February expedition for a fortunate few Robb Report readers, or mission specialists, to venture by sub as deep as any explorer has (or, if you’re lucky, a meter or two farther): to the Challenger Deep in the western Pacific, the lowest known point in the seabed.
“We’ll descend to about 35,840 feet, the deepest-ever dive for any human,” says EYOS founding partner Rob McCallum, who has coordinated adventure dives in four other oceans aboard DSSV Pressure Drop, a 224-foot research vessel and mothership to Limiting Factor, a two-person sub capable of withstanding pressure up to 16,000 pounds per square inch. It’s the first to make repeated trips to such extreme points.
The 10- to 14-hour journey will take place with Victor Vescovo, an experienced deep pilot and owner of the two crafts. Limiting Factor is equipped with lights and cameras, because even at the bottom the ocean abounds with rare sea creatures. “Every dive reveals something new to science,” says McCallum, noting that research will be a key component of this eight-day expedition. “Mission specialists are more than spectators and will help with collecting samples or filming specimens.”
There are two mission-specialist positions available, which include private accommodations for two (as each specialist may bring a guest at no additional charge). The trip will originate in Guam. “Diving to these depths is a rare privilege, but when you add embedding with the world’s most accomplished hadal exploration team, it becomes a truly one-off experience,” McCallum says. “Plus, how else can you get your name in the record books?” $750,000 per mission specialist, excluding airfare; Rob McCallum, rob@eyos.com Michael Verdon
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Lorraine Schwartz Rare Diamonds and One-on-One Design Experience
Image Credit: Lorraine Schwartz To red-carpet aficionados, jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz is a household name. But it’s not just photogenic rocks that draw Hollywood’s elite to the third-generation diamond dealer: Her expertise, access to the world’s best stones and larger-than-life personality keep clients such as Beyoncé, Barbra Streisand and Blake Lively in her fold. And those stars are buying her showstoppers, not just borrowing them.
Lately, her clients have been clamoring for her stash of rare pink fancy and blue fancy diamonds, prized for both their beauty and their investment performance. In 2015 billionaire Joseph Lau bought a 12.03-carat fancy vivid blue diamond for $48.5 million at Sotheby’s Geneva—then gifted it to his seven-year-old daughter and renamed it the Blue Moon of Josephine in her honor.
This year, Schwartz is presenting a unique opportunity for a Robb Report reader to get their hands on either a 7.09-carat pink fancy VS1 type-2A radiant-cut diamond or a 3.85-carat blue fancy VS1 cushion-cut diamond (or both). “Often, the best coloration comes in cushion cuts, radiant cuts or pear shapes,” she says.
Each loose stone can then be transformed into a custom piece through a one-on-one design process with the jeweler. Schwartz says she likes to create jewelry that can be worn multiple ways. “You could wear it as a clean and simple ring, but we could also create a jacket so it can also be worn as a cocktail ring. If you’re investing this amount of money, we want you to be able to enjoy it.” Or you could keep it under lock and key and consider it a sizable security blanket that fits in the palm of your hand. $2,117,500 for the 3.85-carat blue fancy diamond and $3.545 million for the 7.09-carat pink fancy diamond (prices are for the stones only and may increase depending on the settings), 212-268-2008. Paige Reddinger
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An African Conservation Safari
Image Credit: African Bush Camps A private African safari may be the definitive way to reboot and recover after the trials of 2020. Not only will you be far from crowds and isolated in your own bubble in the (very) distant wide-open spaces, but the adventure and exhilaration of Africa’s measureless landscapes and awe-inspiring wildlife are also balm for the soul.
But this year more than any other, going on safari is a good deed. Africa’s camps have been empty for months because of travel restrictions. Wildlife conservation depends on tourism, and the lack of international visitors has led to a rise in poaching, as local people seek other sources of income.
African Bush Camps (ABC), which operates a portfolio of boutique camps and lodges in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, has created a bespoke package for a private group of up to 10, combining an expert, luxurious safari experience with philanthropic support for conservation and community-empowerment programs. Uniquely for Robb Report readers, the trips will be conducted by the company’s founder, Beks Ndlovu, a vastly experienced and knowledgeable Zimbabwean guide who now rarely leads tours in person.
The itinerary can be customized to include buyouts of any of ABC’s 16 camps, among them Linyanti Bush Camp, a tiny outpost of six tents in the middle of a private, 125,000-hectare wildlife concession in Botswana, complete with bar, plunge pool and a panorama of wildlife that includes elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, crocodiles and hippos. Other camps feature outdoor bathtubs, spas, gyms and helicopter flights.
Travel within Africa is by private plane, and activities include game drives, walking safaris, canoe tours, fishing and visits to anti-poaching units. From $98,000 for a seven-night safari for 10, including domestic flights and buyout of two camps, safaris@africanbushcamps.com, 888-344-1126. Lucy Alexander
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A Skateboarding Session With a Japanese Pro
Image Credit: MURAKEN courtesy of InsideJapan Tours Skateboarding will make its Olympic debut next year, at the postponed Tokyo Games, and the home crowd will likely be watching closely, as both the men’s and the women’s teams from Japan are favorites, expected to secure more than half the dozen gold medals available between them. That’s because skateboarding has become a national obsession there, its brash image appealingly rebellious and daring to a generation of young people; skate parks have proliferated across the country over the past 10 years.
Daisuke Hayakawa is the Japanese team’s coach, and he’s one of the local pros available to host a private session for any visiting Robb Report reader (or offspring) who’s a skateboarding enthusiast in this exclusive package from VIP travel firm InsideJapan Tours. Other potential instructors include pro skater Daisuke Ikeda and the 16-year-old wunderkind Kyonosuke Yamashita. The firm will arrange coaching depending on these international athletes’ schedules, with the session potentially taking place at the skate complex in Komazawa Olympic Park, where Japan last hosted the Summer Olympics, in 1964. Other than finessed skills, each would-be pro will go home with some NikeSB shoes and a limited-edition board from the homegrown Japanese brand Evisen. $10,000 per person, 303-952-0379, info-usa@insidejapantours.com Mark Ellwood
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A Trip to the Monaco Grand Prix—and a Replica of the Track
Image Credit: Slot Mods Motorsport cognoscenti agree that no other Formula 1 contest has the prestige and panache of the Monaco Grand Prix, where royalty have witnessed drivers like the late great Ayrton Senna begin their competitive reign while flanked by the world’s glitterati. With the Make Room for Monaco package, Slot Mods is offering one Robb Report gearhead the chance to mark it off the bucket list—and bring the experience home.
You and three guests will get a trip to the event—scheduled for May 20 to 23—including airfare, accommodations and select qualifying sessions viewed from a yacht. On another day, you will be guests of McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and granted VIP access to a private suite, along with a driver meet-and-greet.
For the pièce de résistance, the buyer will receive a 1/32-scale slot-car version of the track—measuring 10 by 30 feet—built by Slot Mods, which is based outside Detroit. “Our handcrafted two-lane offering will be designed to capture the spirit of Monaco, featuring meticulous replication of the buildings, palm tree–lined streets, signage, elevation changes, hand-painted spectators and F1 cars,” says company founder David Beattie. “The circuit will also feature integrated cameras to capture the action through each turn and display it on a large monitor.” And the royal box? Feel free to populate it with the faces of your friends and family. Slot Mods is open to other customization requests as well. The build will take two years, but then, not everything’s a race. $1.25 million, offer expires February 15, 2021; David Beattie, slotmodsusa@yahoo.com Viju Mathew
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A Fender Custom Shop VIP Experience
Image Credit: Fender Envision the ultimate axe, then work with a top luthier at the Fender Custom Shop in Southern California to design your bespoke, never-to-be-repeated Fender electric guitar. One Robb Report reader will be able to express their individual musical and aesthetic sensibilities as they draw inspiration from such instrumental icons as Fender’s Stratocaster and Telecaster, selecting the wood and finishes unique to their instrument.
Begin the process with an in-person visit at the factory with one of the shop’s esteemed luthiers, principal master builder Ron Thorn or master artisan Yuriy Shishkov, who will share photos and videos that document your guitar as it takes form along the way. Then watch the final set-up and fine-tuning via videoconference when the project is complete.
Even sweeter music: All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Fender Play Foundation, a nonprofit that’s committed to equipping, educating and inspiring students in the Los Angeles public-school system. The foundation aims to put guitars in the hands of 10,000 middle-school students by the end of 2021 and 30,000 students over the next three to four years. From $250,000, depending on specifications, including first-class round-trip airfare for two, limousine and overnight accommodations; Joe Reynoso, jreynoso@fender.com Robert Ross
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A Pasta-Making Lesson From a Pro
Image Credit: Rezdôra When Stefano Secchi, the son of an Italian immigrant, decided to become a chef, he knew a first-class education would require him to hone his craft in the old country. Because of his love of pasta, he ventured to the north, eating his way across Emilia-Romagna before having his mind blown at the little, four-table Hosteria Giusti in Modena. He convinced the nonne running the place to let him work there for free so he could study pasta-making from the best. From there he went to work for Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana, furthering his training.
After returning to the States, Secchi poured all that knowledge into his pasta-focused restaurant, Rezdôra, in New York. Despite a glut of Italian spots in the city, his became an instant hit when it opened in 2019. Now he’s offering to share his pasta-making skills with a Robb Report reader and three friends. Inside the Flatiron District restaurant, he’ll teach a private class and serve a multicourse dinner paired with Barolo and Barbaresco wines. And at the end of the night, the host will take home a set of handcrafted pasta tools made by Marco Galavotti, a Modenese artisan with nearly 30 years’ experience. $6,000, 646- 692-9090, press@rezdora.nyc Jeremy Repanich
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A Vintage Rolex Submariner With a Private Tour of Pre-Owned Rolex Dealer Bob’s Watches Headquarters
Image Credit: Bob's Watches Bob’s Watches, one of the largest pre-owned Rolex dealers in the US, is offering a tour of its extensive inventory at its headquarters in Newport Beach, Calif., along with the chance to explore founder and CEO Paul Altieri’s personal vault. It’s an opportunity to get up close to his rare Rolex 14-karat yellow-gold “Paul Newman” Ref. 6241 or one of his four Rolex Submariner Ref. 6536/1 models.
This year Rolex dropped eight new 41 mm variations on the Submariner, a model that had already been enjoying an upswing on the secondary market. And when the crown deigns to update a coveted staple aboard its ship, prices for older versions usually rise. Bob’s Watches is offering a Robb Report reader a rare 1977 Submariner Ref. 1680 in 18-karat yellow gold on an Oyster bracelet. It comes with a tritium dial, a material used from roughly the ’60s through the ’90s and prized by vintage collectors because it can fade over time to develop a “tropical” patina. This model’s original cobalt-blue hue—a color still intact on the bezel—has aged into a unique turquoise offset by creamy hour markers and hands.
The model also holds an interesting place in Rolex’s history. “Launched in 1969, the reference 1680 is the first Submariner to feature the date function, thus eventually gaining the official name the Submariner Date,” says Altieri. “As a tool watch, the majority of these models were produced in stainless steel, with only a handful produced each year in 18-karat gold.”
Authenticity is increasingly a source of pride among watch aficionados: Watches that remain true to their original parts command top dollar. This Submariner not only has a finely aged face but is unpolished, with its original manufacture bezel intact.
The price of the gift does not include airfare to or hotel accommodations in California, but if you’re lucky during your visit, Altieri might just be willing to part with a Ref. 6536/1 after your deep dive into his private collection. $65,000, 800-494-3708, ext. 111 Paige Reddinger
