Five over-the-top itineraries to have on your travel hit list

Those in the market for an unforgettably indulgent travel experience would do well to consider luxury travel agency Travelcall’s list of five adventures that register high on the scale of extravagance. From the slopes of Antarctica to a restored ghost town in Colorado, these are guaranteed once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Five over-the-top itineraries to have on your travel hit list

1. Get close to gorillas at Bisate Lodge, Rwanda

   Boasting views of the Bisoke, Karisimbi and Mikeno Volcanoes, and located within easy reach of the spectacular Volcanoes National Park, the Bisate Lodge presents a unique experience of sustainable luxury for those seeking a close encounter with Rwanda’s gorillas.

    
   
   
   
   
   

   Built on sturdy environment principles and drawing inspiration from rural Rwandan culture, the Lodge’s six villas are decked out in local textiles, and each features a private deck and floor-to-ceiling windows.

   Guests can opt to contribute to the Lodge’s biodiversity efforts and make a positive impact on the endangered mountain gorilla’s plight.

2. Mix history and luxury at Ashford Castle, Ireland

   Ashford Castle, the former home of the Guinness brewing family, offers an intriguing mix of history and luxury, with modern amenities coexisting alongside exquisite examples of Gothic architecture.

   Modern amenities coexist alongside exquisite examples of Gothic architecture.

   Guests are welcomed by the famed hospitality of the Irish, and are spoiled for choice when it comes to the activities available in the area.

   Standard offerings like golf and tennis compete with archery, clay pigeon shooting, and an opportunity to learn about the ancient form of falconry, while a cruise on Lough Corrib affords a new perspective of the castle and its lush surrounds in Ireland’s County Mayo.

3. Discover a ghost town in Dunton, Colorado

   Dunton sits on the west fork of the Dolores River, in the San Juan mountains in Colorado’s south-west.

    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Located across the mountain from Telluride, this restored 1800s ghost town comprises a range of hand-hewn log cabins, named for characters and events of the town’s mining history, as well as a saloon and a luxury spa.

   Guests can take their pick of seasonal activities, with fly-fishing and horseback riding through the Rockies popular options in summer, and dog-sledding, snow-shoeing and heli-skiing on offer in the winter.

4. Go skiing on pristine slopes in Antarctica

   Antarctica serves up a skiing experience unrivalled by any other continent. Pristine slopes are complemented by matchless scenery, with penguins, seals, glaciers and icebergs forming a familiar part of the landscape.

   Accommodation is available on yachts moored offshore, and with no ski lifts in operation, the activity requires a certain level of fitness.

   November is the best time to head south: snow conditions are ideal in the spring, when the daylight lasts for up to 18 hours and warmer temperatures than the negative-60 degree winter average can be found.

5. Embrace a slower pace on Fogo Island, Canada

   A colourful maritime history suffuses the fishing village of Fogo Island, found in the Atlantic Sea off the coast of Newfoundland.

    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Best visited during the summer months, the island is a place for visitors to take life at a slower pace, and is home to galleries, hiking trails, museums, and magnificent star-gazing.

   A 29-room boutique hotel, the Fogo Island Inn, provides luxurious accommodation inspired by the local lifestyle, and its Flat Earth Suite (with prices starting at around C$4,000 per night) is a cheeky nod to the Flat Earth Society of Canada’s belief that Brimstone Head, found on the island’s north-western coast, is one of the four corners of the earth.

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