BLACK FRIDAY EXCLUSIVES!
OK, Explorateurs...here we go...our latest and greatest collection of exclusives, ONLY available to you- our loyal subscribers! Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday weekend.

AN ANTARCTIC DREAM
Literally...Antarctic Shipping, the cruise line that made these explorations famous, is offering an amazing deal for their 18 Feb 2010 departure. Explorateur readers receive 20% off their 11 day/10 night journey departing from Ushuaia and cruising through the Drake Passage, over to the Shetland Islands and through some of the world's most majestic natural scenery. The modern vessel features all the comforts you'd expect, so no need to rough it! Final payment must be made by 31 Dec 2009 to take advantage of the savings. Visit http://www.antarctic.cl/ for more details or contact rkern@antarctic.cl / Tel. +5624816929 for more details.

CULINARY WONDERS
Discover a whole new world of gastronomic delights in Morocco with an amazing experience personally led by ingenue Tehra Turnbaugh Thorp, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu who is as comfortable cooking her delights for celebrities as she is in her own kitchen, preparing dishes for her loved ones. This incredible package includes cooking classes with Tehra herself, a class cooked by traditional women of Fez, cultural & historical walks, biking & hiking excursions, 3 nights at the ultra-chic Riad El Fenn in Marrakech, 1 night at Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot, 2 nights at Heure Bleue (a Relais & Chateaux) in Essouira, and culimnates in a spectacular Moroccan farewell feast. This is a gorgeous way to see such an amazing place who, beyond its natural beauty and historical charm, is a true culinary paradise. Visit http://www.tehrathorp.com/ for more details.

SURF'S UP
That's right, a surfer's paradise where you'd least expect..Taghazout, Morocco. This hip village just a few miles from Agadir has a rhythm all its own...funky shops, cool cafes, constant sunshine, and some of the best waves around. Not to mention the VALUE, it's unrivaled and staying in an apartment or villa is the way to go here. HomeAway Holiday Rentals has an Explorateur deal for you- 10% off a great 2-bedroom holiday hideaway- Visit www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p95590 for more details

MEXICAN SPA BLISS
Take advantage of a unique, personally hosted & guided spa-infused journey in the charming historic spa town of Ixtapan de la Sal. Mexico spa & hospitality expert Phyllis Stoller has created a 7 Night group itinerary complete with an all inclusive stay at the Hotel Spa Ixtapan, 21 organic spa treatments, golf or tennis lessons, yoga, aerobics, and pilates daily. Explorateur readers will receive a special excursion into the village for unique shopping experiences and off-the-beaten-path walks. Dates are 17-24 Jan 2010, contact phyllisnycity@gmail.com for more information.

And...be sure & tell 'em, THE EXPLORATEUR sent you!
 
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URBANE NOMADS' "WORLD'S MOST LUXURIOUS TRIP"

It takes quite a bit to bowl us over with travel-related shock and awe, but when we learned of this experience, we did a triple-take and proceeded slip into a suspended state of intense curiosity as to the composition of what they dub "The World's Most Luxurious Trip". While that's subject to opinion, we ceratinly find it one of the "most interesting". Leave it to Urbane Nomads to painstakingly design something like this, a group famous for its "no holds barred/nothing is impossible" attitude to creating absolutely incredible experiences.

The journey strings together a collection of truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences all relating to equestrian, falconry and hunting themes. Actually, what it is at the very core is a recreation of a hunting expedition of Kublai Khan himself. The trip begins at the Presidential Suite of the Park Hyatt Beijing for a reason...to completely pamper guests and prep them for the road to come which takes travelers through western Mongolia, led personally by an award winning filmmaker and hunters who know the region like the back of their hand.

The itinerary is not for the faint of heart - Mongolian terrain can be notoriously unforgivable though, and activities like eagle hunting and horseback falconry are not engaged in with considerable ease. But, made ever so much more bearable with the comfort of a luxurious private jet, personal chef, butler, abjectly lavish mobile accommodations that travel along with you throughout your Mongolian jaunt. Price tag? US $2 MILLION. Hey, we told you it wasn't for the faint of heart...

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Book any journey with Urbane Nomads and receive a special gift reflecting the heritage of the destination you're traveling to...from a batik pareo in Trengganu, to the "world's best chocolates" in Damascus, to a kilkoy cloth in Zanzibar...you get the idea. Contact http://www.urbanenomads.com/ or info@urbanenomads.com for more information and be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!. To know more about Luxury Travel Destinations around the world please browse the www.theexplorateurportfolio.com

PLAY THE MARTINIQUE MATCH GAME AND WIN A FRENCH CARIBBEAN ESCAPE FOR TWO

Do you know where the colorful Caravelle Peninsula lies on Martinique? Can you point out the spot where the volcanic Mt. Pele looms over the island? Find out the answers in our Martinique Match Game and your newfound knowledge could be your ticket to the Caribbean! You could win a 5 day stay for two at the beachside Carayou Hotel and Spa, airfare and spa passes included!

After you try your luck in the Match Game, check out the special deals that will have you in the "Flower of the Caribbean" in no time! With flights from JFK and connections throughout San Juan, its easy for Americans to get in on the vacation destination Europeans have enjoyed for decades. Package deals include a 5-Night Escape + Air from only $205/Night* and 5 Nights of Luxury + Airfare for just $1307!*

For the more adventurous, there's even a 5-Night Scuba Package starting at just $495*

Do your research. In Martinique, the catch of the day is never complete without its own creative French-Creole twist, and the best of Paris fashions can be found during a day of window shopping in Fort-de-France. And that's not all! Imagine scuba diving and snorkeling near beautiful Diamond Rock, staying in quaint beach-front chateaux, and wandering the lively village streets full of exciting cafes. Martinique is truly the best place to find the Art of Living in the Caribbean.

*See terms & conditions

CRETE LUXURY VILLAS

It's such a fabulous thought to imagine yourself lazing around in a European villa, high in the hills, taking in the vistas, breathing in the gorgeous aromas of fresh food being carefully prepared nearby, and starting each day deciding what to do first (beach? village shops? shopping for today's bread & fruit?) When reality sets in though and you realize you just may not be able to swing a stint in that Tuscan home you had your eye on, consider Crete. Why? Well, we're glad you asked. Crete is all you imagine a Mediterranean island to be- verdant hills, fresh food, authentic traditions, sparkling shores, and a general snail's pace of life...yet not without its Ibiza-style nightlife for those that crave the club-til-dawn option. We've discovered three stunning villas, just a short hop from just about everything- the airport, the local village, the shops, and the beach. The collection offers options that accommodate up to 8 people, all decorated in traditional island style and offering private pools, outdoor patios, TVs, A/C and absolute privacy. Best part? The price tag, just a fraction of the cost of what you'd pay in Tuscany, Marbella, Sardinia and the like. Crete is easily accessible with frequent flights from Athens, or even London if you opt to connect there instead.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- 10% Savings (in HIGH SEASON, people!) Book by 31 Jan 2010 for travel between 01 April - 31 October 2010. Contact info@cretefamilyvillas.co.uk to book and be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!
Explore our Europe Travel Guide and know about the luxury villa, hotels and exclusive travel deals in europe.

Clean Water For All- Asking Your Help

CLEAN WATER FOR ALL- ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
Yes, that's our goal. But, every exploration must start with the first step, and we're respectfully requesting your help. Clean water should be a given. It should be a basic essential in everyone's life, but sadly this is not the case. Imagine if it was your child, or your parent, having to walk miles for an glass of water that may or may not be disease-free...it's just not right, and we can all do something about it. We ask for 2 quick favors:

1. We've embarked on a quest of our own with MyCharity:Water to raise enough funds to ensure clean water for an entire African community. Please take a look at our page at http://mycharitywater.org/theexplorateur to read all about the impact your donations will make. Our first goal tier is US $5000, and we know it can be done and please remember, no amount is too small. EVERYTHING HELPS.

2. Please spread the word about theExplorateur and ask your travel-savvy friends to subscribe to our e-newsletter by clicking HERE . This is just the beginning of our initiatives and we want to keep as many people informed about what's yet to come! The bigger the network, the more effectively we can all help.

It couldn't be any easier to help save a life, save a child, and save a community one at a time.

THANK YOU ALL!

THE BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS- Argentina
There certainly is strength in numbers, and we love this new collection of Argentina's absolute best boutique properties that truly feel more like warm, inviting homes rather than the typical hotel. The collection, comprised of such standouts in our minds like Hotel del Casco, MINE, & Legado Mitico Salta, banded together under one common philosophy- the neverending pursuit to create the PERFECT HOTEL. A hotel that evokes emotion, inspiration, and most of all, an indelible mark on a traveler's memory. This collection is veritable one stop shopping when planning the ideal Argentina journey, and if the ease of use wasn't enough, each traveler who books via BBH receives an exclusive added value benefit offered by Exclusive Hotels in the collection.

Intrigued? Here's just a sampling of the special experiences:

-Free polo class at El Colibri


-Personalized wine tasting at Hacienda de Molinos
-Moonlight speedboat excursion through the Ibera Marshes at Posada de la Laguna


and many, many more. Visit the site for more information- http://www.thebbh.com/
NB- Argentina, with its diversity from the puslating vibes of Buenos Aires, to the mellow Patagonian plains, to the luxe serenity of the winelands, is an excellent destination for a fly-drive. Use the BBH site's intelligence to help you plan your very own "boutique route" rather than the standard pre-packaged itineraries. You'll enjoy your experience much more this way!

SANDRA'S WALKS- London

We all know London is so much better on foot than by train or car, and walking this fab city has never been so much fun thanks to Sandra Shevey. She knows the ins and outs of EVERY market and is all too happy to share her insider knowledge with you on her signature London Street Market Walks. These 3-hour personally guided jaunts celebrate the city's multicultural diversity, while taking care to ensure you're still getting the whole true cockney market experience, true to the city's roots. She keeps it even more interesting by mixing up the markets and route each day, so you're always sure to get a great surprise. Departing daily at 11 AM, £25

Shopping not your thing? Channel your inner mystery-movie-loving self and embark on the Alfred Hitchcock walk, where you'll pass by locations used in the multitude of movies in the brilliant writer/director's collection, and even be treated to audio clips of Hitchcock interviews along the way. Departing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 11 AM, £25

Get to steppin' and see London in a whole new way...

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- 10% off all of Sandra's Walks, and her DVD documentary about London's ancient markets until February 2010. Contact Sandra herself to book at sandra_shevey@yahoo.com and be sure & tell her The Explorateur sent you!
Browse our Europe Travel Guide and know about the Luxury Travel Destinations of Europe. 

CONRAD BANGKOK, Thailand

Thailand often plays tricks on your senses...the taste food that is perhaps more spicy or creatively playful than you can imagine, the sight of beaches so exquisite they look other-worldly, the sounds the chaotic noise of the city streets where somehow life flows at a strangely fluid pace, and believing that luxury this tremendous can actually be affordable. Case in point, the Conrad Bangkok. A palatial property in the heart of the business district, and more importantly close to the city's best shopping at alarmingly affordable prices. Rooms are litoral cocoons of stylish design and top technology, done up in silks, sweet-dream-inducing bedding, entertainment systems, and note to those traveling kids or husbands that refuse to grow up... Playstation 3 in the Suites.

Working off the delicacies is easy here, take advantage of individual classes for yoga, boxing, Pilates and Tai Chi or opt for a spa treatment, especially with the Explorateur discount. It's well worth the splurge.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE-Save 20% off Advance Purchase Rate for travel now through 31 Dec 09, plus save 15% on all Food & Beverage, and 20% on a-la-carte spa treatments. Amazing deal, contact reservations@conradbangkok.com or Tel : +66 2690 9999 to book and to view conditions, and be sure & tell 'em The Exploratuer sent you!

Browse The Explorateur and find the Exclusive Hotel deals around the world 

VILLA MANDARIN BOUTIQUE HOTEL, Faralya, Turkey

Warning- read this only if you have the capacity to RELAX and literally, DO NOTHING on holiday. We know, it's not always easy but then again that really is the point of a holiday, isn't it? Villa Mandarin is one of those places that brings you back to understanding what a true break is all about. Perched on the magnificent Turquoise Coast in Turkey, this is a stylish, private hideaway for those looking to check in, and truly check out of reality even if only for a few days. Everything is so personalized that it feels as if this villa is actually your own, complete with a resident pup named Pacha who you completely want to take home with you, and the service from the staff is so spoil-centric that it's instantly addictive.

Guests here generally like to laze about, sit on their balconies, relax in a large chair or hammock looking out to sea, knowing anything you need is just a quick ring of the bell away. If the view and the pampering isn't enough, indulge in a visit with the property's local spa celeb who is on hand for a marvellous array of theraputic treatments. Wholesome meals prepared fresh on property round your do-nothing day. Eat, relax, daydream, sunbathe, eat, sleep, repeat.

Getting here isn't terribly difficult, there are connections from most major European airports to Dalaman, which is about an hour from Villa Mandarin.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- 10% off on stays of 5 nights or longer. Consult http://www.villamandarin.com/ to book and be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

Browse our Luxury Travel Guide and know about Exclusive Hotels deal around the world.