Family holidays
GIVING THE GIFT OF TIME
TOGETHER THIS CHRISTMAS
Whether helicoptering into the Pennine Alps for a night in an off-grid hideaway, wandering Luxor’s temples by torchlight or discovering MOMA after hours, these immersive journeys offer families of all ages the opportunity to trade presents for presence. Take your pick from four extraordinary experiences.
MAKE TRACKS TO VERBIER’S ULTIMATE PRIVATE CHALET
SWITZERLAND
New for this season and more like a Bond villain’s lair than a traditional chalet, this fully staffed property offers minimalist comfort in an extreme environment:
3,000 metres above sea level, on a rocky outcrop above the Tortin glacier in Switzerland’s Pennine Alps. Built on the site of a refuge that served as the hangout of the Nendaz ski club for decades, it is now an off-grid sanctuary for athletic families who value privacy. Inside, four sleek double bedrooms offer views resembling those from an eyrie, while a sauna and log-burning fire provide opportunities to recharge tired muscles. Outside, a world of pulse-raising adventure awaits. Whether heliskiing, tandem paragliding or dog-sledding appeal, the cabin’s mountain guides are on hand to ensure your family’s safety and enjoyment.
TOUR NEW YORK’S MUSEUM OF MODERN ART AFTER HOURS
USA
If one were to turn the MoMA inside out and shake it, the pavement of West 53rd Street would be littered with the world’s greatest modern-art treasures.
From Claude Monet’s Water Lilies to Marcel Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel, this extraordinary museum houses one of the most influential collections in the world. Although a major refurbishment in 2019 added around 30% more gallery space, a visit here often involves queuing — which is why an hour’s private tour before or after opening is a worthy investment. An art historian will curate an experience that reflects your family’s interests, whether they
wish to dive deep into a particular artist’s oeuvre (such as Van Gogh) or explore a thematic thread or medium.
EXPERIENCE A NIGHT AT THE CURSED TEMPLE WITH HOWARD CARTER
EGYPT
The year is 1922; the setting, Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. British archaeologist Howard Carter has just made a hole in the plaster that has sealed Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb for 3,000 years. No one could have imagined the extent of the treasures within nor the untimely deaths of key members of the expedition, which some attributed to a mythical curse said to befall anyone who disturbed the tomb. Part history lesson, part immersive theatre, Cookson Adventures’ unique experience begins with a cruise on the Nile, followed by a night-time quest through one of Luxor’s temples with a full cast of actors playing Carter and his team. The evening culminates in a fireside feast in the shadow of the temple, with a soundtrack provided by local musicians.
LEARN TO COOK FORAGED INGREDIENTS IN THE HIGHLANDS WITH RAYMOND BLANC
SCOTLAND
Among the mist-cloaked peaks of the Scottish Highlands, nature-loving gourmands will find one of the UK’s most ambitious rewilding projects. Alladale Wilderness Reserve spans more than 23,000 hectares of rolling hills and emerald forests haunted by endangered species such as red squirrels and Scottish wildcats. Over the course of Satopia’s four-day trip, travellers will forage with the reserve’s rangers before cooking their haul under the tutelage of master chef Raymond Blanc, who has been a leading light in the UK’s organic food movement since the 1980s. Other experiences including whisky tasting, clay-pigeon shooting and bagpiping make this one ideal for families with grown up children.
The Festive Issue
Next Article – Welcome to Mayfair
For those drawn to snowy linen and beurre noisette, 43 Upper Brook Street has been a Mayfair landmark for decades. Behind a discreet door, Albert and Michel Roux—and later Michel Roux Jr—created La Gavroche, an industry-defining address known for French classics including a soufflé Suissesse which featured on the menu from the day the restaurant opened in 1967. As well as becoming the first in the UK to gain three Michelin stars, La Gavroche also launched the careers of some of the world’s most prestigious culinary names including Marcus Wareing, Pierre Koffmann and Monica Galetti.