ESTANCIA SAN PEDRO VIEJO- Argentina
To discover a true reconnection with Argentina's past is to indulge in a visit to Cordoba's Estancia San Pedro Argentina is an intense experience, probably why we fell in love with it so hard and fast upon arrival for the first time. Intense flavors and aromas of delicious parrilladas, intense passion for everything from soccer to tango. Intense bargains...hello shoes, bags, and leather! Buenos Aires is a must-do for a gorgeously multi-cultural urban experience, but let's not forget the deeply serene and naturally gorgeous remainder of the country that evokes a sensation of the country's true soul.

Once used as a resting place for horsemen trekking to Alto Peru, it has been occupied by conquistadors, missionaries, warriors and patriots. Built with materials extracted straight from nature itself, and designed to preserve its uniquely beautiful personality, the open arms of its staff wait to greet you as if you're family into their home, and straight to one of their 6 cozy colonial-style bedrooms.

A stay here is an enriching experience, and they encourage you to delve into the splendor of Argentine rural life. Indulge in one (or all) of their unique sensory adventures including wine tasting, horseback riding, learning Spanish, partaking in regional cooking classes, hiking, even knitting on a loom. This is the other side of Argentina, serene but still just as intense.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Stay 3 nights and receive a complimentary trip to Ambargata Salt Lake- one of the region's best kept ecological treasures. Once you get past the overwhelming sensation of the multitude of colors that appears in time for the spectacle of the rising moon, you'll sit down to enjoy a traditional Picada Criolla complemented by fine Argentine wines at a table set on the salt sea. Click HERE for more information and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

ZESTY ZANZIBAR- 40% OFF- Dreaming of Africa? Rhetorical question, we know. And here's an answer for those that are thinking it's totally out of the realm of possibility this year. It's called Zanzibar (and lucky you, it's on sale just for you today)

Where? You'll start your journey in Stone Town, an eclectic fusion of winding curious alleyways, open air bustling bazaars, mosques and grand extravagent dwellings draped in ornate handiwork that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend 1 night luxing it up at in the fabulous Sultan Suite at Swahili House & be sure to spend some time on the sultry rooftop.

Beach time next, but not just any beach time...Zanzibar beach time where crystal clear waters gently lap the powdery white shores while you relax peacefully in total seclusion for 3 glorious nights in a delightfully imaginative Baobab Suite at Fumba Beach Lodge, wrapped around a 300-year-old tree with open-air bathrooms and beachfront access. We recommend taking advantage of the Zanzibari Scrub at the spa as part of your recharging efforts. Breakfast & dinner included.

Sail in style to your next destination, Unguja Lodge, on a magical journey in your own private dhow boat. Relax as your captain glides you through the untouched, breathtaking Menai Bay Conservation area while you look for dolphins and anchor for a delicious lunch on cast-away Miamembe Island prepared especially to your liking. Snorkel the day away and arrive in
a new state of bliss where you'll spend 3 nights in a secluded, open-air oceanview villa.

Why? Becauze Zanzibar is secluded, stylish, secretive, and mystical, with both cultural options, absolutely fabulous beaches + a wealth of water activities. And, because this 7 night package costs less than 1 night in most top hotel suites around the world!

What else should I do? Pair this with a safari on mainland Tanzania for a sensory experience like none other.

Want to go? Email info@theexplorateurportfolio.com to find out how...

ADRERE AMELLAL- Siwa, Egypt
Siwa is more of a unique character than simply a town, and Adrere Amellal is an overwhelming emotional and sensory experience not easily duplicated. It's been called a paradox, a "place out of time", and one indeed in fact feels suspended in time here in a blissful cocoon encircled by groves of date palms, shady olive trees and cool freshwater springs.

Adrere Amellal is a luxurious eco-lodge that rises from the mystical sands of the desert like a beautiful oasis. Created with the highest standards of conservation in mind, it serves not only to invite guests into their warm Siwa home, but also plays a grand part in local sustainable development.

40 rooms constructed in a juxtaposition of rock salt & clay, decorative beamed roofs and locally handcrafted rugs. Authentic beeswax candles abound, as there is no electricity here...guests are meant to enjoy the purity of the air, the perfect harmony of the surroundings, and guided by the stars and the torchlit paths at night. Palates shall be tempted by the gorgeous array of herbs and vegetables grown onsite in an organic garden, while underground Roman springs flow through to the pool providing a natural swimming experience.

Travel back in time with a walk through the town's historic fortress, take a relaxing horseback ride through olive groves or hit the dunes in a Toyota Land Cruiser. Adrere Amellal is ideal for guests seeking an environmentally and socially conscious experience...it has even exceeded the expectations of Prince Charles himself and countless editors of world renowned publications.

EXPLORATEUR EXCLUSIVE- Be gifted upon departure with a beautiful basket filled with authentic products grown and nurtured in full respect of nature including olive oil, black olives and homemade jam. Email info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for more info and as always, be sure & tell 'em The Explorateur sent you!

"Let those we honour today inspire us to start our own journey to make the world a better place and bring our human family more closely together."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon-Message for World Humanitarian Day 2011

On this day, we want to take time to honor each and every humanitarian aid worker, and celebrate their achievements and selfless struggles through the most difficult of circumstances for the greater good. If you're reading this, you're more fortunate than countless millions of others that lack food, clean water, education and basic needs. Take a moment today and think about what you can do to help. Find a cause that's important to you.

We all can make a contribution, no matter how small you think it may be, everything helps. Need inspiration? Email us at info@theexplorateurportfolio.com for some of the causes we help support. Thank you!

SOUTH AFRICA AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT
There are a million ways to see a country as magical as South Africa, but we happen to think our new Explorateur Exclusive Culture Noir itinerary is certainly the most fabulous. Begin your journey in Cape Town, one of the world’s most gorgeous cities framed by majestic mountains and vibrant with color, culture and a wealth of activities. You’ll not soon forget your days in this city as you’ll be taken on some incredible adventures beginning with a full day tour of Cape Point, where you’ll ride a funicular up to an incredible vantage point to see the tumultuous meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, all the while en route being witness to some of the region’s most amazing panoramic views and a return via famous Boulders Beach, home to penguins, not people. Rest up, for in the evening you’re being escorted to the homes of 2 Cape Town cultural characters, who have fascinating stories to regale you with while you dine and retire for coffee or a nightcap during this tremendous evening of local hospitality. Feeling hungry? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered, for the next day you’ll be taken on a fabulous Cape Malay cooking safari where you’ll get hands-on training in a Bo-Kaap family home where they’ll teach you how to mix Masala, fold Samosas and balance the delicate flavors of Cape Malay curry. And yes, you get to partake in all of the deliciousness capped by mug of faloodah while your hosts tell you more about the rich history of the Bo-Kaap culture. To work off your gorgeous meal, you’ll head to famed Table Mountain for some awe-inspiring views and some brisk walks. All the while spending your evenings at African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel, an absolutely unique icon of style that begins with an elegant engineered stone red carpet reception and ends with you feeling as though you’ve spent 3 nights being pampered in eclectic fashion. Oh, did we mention, breakfast is included and the 3rd night is FREE?

And then, it’s time for safari….you’ll head to Kruger National Park for three days of overwhelming sightings and experiences on your included game drives, where you’ll be accompanied by professional rangers that will show you the wonders of the wild where you’ll likely encounter everything from elephants to lions, giraffes to zebras and with a little luck, the elusive leopard. Your 3rd night is free here as well at Shumbalala Game Lodge and you’ll even be treated to an exquisite private dining experience in their lovely wine cellar with a view of the waterhole where animals often return to take a drink.

From the bush to a bustling city, you’ll head to Johannesburg next which is a city full of wonders. Begin with an interesting visit to the insightful and interactive Liliesleaf Museum which honors South Africa’s remarkable heritage. Once the headquarters of the military wing of one of South Africa’s primary political parties, it holds a position of esteem among struggle landmarks in the country. The next day will be one of wonder and emotion, where you’ll spend time in some of Johannesburg’s most significant and fascinating places that will help you gain a much more detailed perspective of this complex land. You’ll be taken to the famed township of Soweto, bustling with life and rife with history, and birthplace of two Nobel Prize winners (and yes, you’ll even get to see one of Nelson Mandela’s previous homes). First stop, a guided tour of the Hector Pieterson museum where you’ll embark on a journey of discovery of the racial segregation experienced by millions of South Africans not too far in the past. After lunch the emotional history lessons continue with a visit to the Apartheid Museum, an overwhelming story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Your host in Johannesburg? The luxurious African Pride Melrose Arch, an opulent blend of modern décor and sleek design. They’ll treat you breakfast, a room upgrade, early check-in and check-out and 25% off of meals.

Want to go? Click HERE to find out how…

MONGOL RALLY UPDATES!

MONGOL RALLY UPDATES FROM TEAM TEXAS 2 STEPPE!
Our most favorite group of adventurous Mongol Rally men have hit the ground running in grand fashion. En route to Mongolia (thus far via England, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria + Turkey) they've been on a madcap journey that has not been without its times of humor, shock, awe and hijinx that they detail so beautifully on their blog. They are continuing to fill it with fabulous tales all along the way that make us really want to be there (and for those that don't have the gumption to embark on a ride like this, their stories really make one feel as if they're actually there with them living every moment and soaking up every vivacious and fun drop of the trek). Where will they go next? Follow them and they'll tell you. You may be wondering how it is that they're keeping everyone so updated even from the most remote areas? Via their cool new Inmarsat I-4 BGAN satellite network from Satellite Phone Store, a James Bond-like configuration that makes connectivity possible from just about anywhere (and these boys will certainly be going here, there, anywhere and everywhere as they travel towards their final destination. Remember, these rock stars are doing all of this in a 2002 Ford Fiesta with a small engine and even less cargo space. And, they're doing this all for their charity of choice, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Show them some love and follow their blog, and make a donation if you feel so inclined. They certainly deserve it! http://texas2steppe.com/

Best Little Farmhouse In Helsinki- We weren’t quite sure what to expect from Helsinki, a city that tends to sit properly and quietly in the back row of the European theatre discreetly allowing all of its neighbors to take the global stage. Adorable? Yes. Quaint and charming? Check. Clean if not a bit sterile? Absolutely. The city had a kind, design-infused vibe but at first glance, nothing jumps out immediately. So, after a few laps around and a visit to the token tourist stops, we were content to venture outward in the capable hands of a stoic yet kind tour guide who gave us no indication as to what lay ahead. The emerald green hillsides and farmlands begin almost immediately where the city ends, where roads twist and turn over canals, through fresh-scented pine forests and curiously clear traffic-free highways that pass by charming villages. As we made a left turn into what appeared to be woodlands, she welcomed us to Saviärvi , a manor house on a stately farm about a mile down the lane yet a complete century away from real-time. This place is a truly unexpected slice of peaceful haven that somehow magically charms visitors over, leaving them fantastic fans of Finland for life with the simplest of actions and the warmest of hearts. Arrive and you’re met by young ladies dressed in traditional old world costumes, proffering glasses of fresh berry juice as you make your way to the green lawn, past the lily pond and just at the edge of the rolling hills where the owner’s daughter and her son come to greet you personally with a kind smile. Together, they take you through the journey of how the farm came to be, its journey from dairy farm to home to those in need from the fallout of WWII, to an equestrian paradise complete with bred horses, riding lessons and even equine therapy for children with special needs. The beautiful horses are soon paraded around the circle just before you’re called inside to a century-old home decorated with love. Embroidered linens line the tables set up for guests across the first and second floors, where guests are first treated to a prelude by the lady of the house who provides a bit of background on the health benefits of the homegrown food you’re about to eat which just makes you feel healthy, and then lunch is served. Delightfully creamy homemade nettle soup which we learned was beneficial for the blood, followed by a unique fish casserole and then the most divine cakes complemented by freshly grown berries and hot caramel sauce taken with coffee outside on the patio. Walking the grounds is extremely peaceful, and for those feeling a bit homesick (or pet-sick for some), the hosts bring out their kind dogs for a run outside and a little game of fetch. It’s an absolutely special way to spend half a day, and a most unforgettable display of genuine hospitality we’ve ever encountered. Worth the jaunt for the experience (and the nettle soup recipe!) www.savijarvigard.com