Services Provided: Travel

Three seasons, two weeks, one wondrous Japan

Posted on December 13, 2023 by - Cultural, Fine Dining, Leisure, Luxury

Japan Luxury Trip

Japan is a country with a bounty so generous that here at Blend Group we have been able to put together a trip that exposes you to three different seasons in just two weeks. Offering unique cultures, an ancient and diverse history and picturesque scenery, Japan is a place like no other and we’ve made sure you can experience it all.

Your first stop are the snowy mountains of Hakuba, one of Japan’s most renowned ski areas. Comprising multiple resorts and boasting the enviable trait of almost guaranteed snow fall, it truly is a world class ski destination. Situated within the stunning mountain scenery of the Japanese Alps, this is where your incredible adventure begins.

The area gained worldwide recognition during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, hosting several of the skiing events, and over the years has developed into a winter paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Whether your preference is gentle pistes or tree-lined powder runs, Hakuba has got you covered. Despite its credentials, however, it remains a relatively quiet ski area, renowned for the magical combination of reliable snowfall and sunny days.

Japan skiing holiday

Whilst here you’ll stay at the Phoenix Hakuba, situated at the heart of the Hakuba skiing experience and offering complete luxury. Your two-bed chalet comprises of; a master bedroom, with a large walk-in en-suite; a secondary bedroom; a spacious lounge area; a drying room and underfloor heating. On top of this, a state-of-the-art smart television and speaker system is installed to keep you entertained during any down time.

Throughout your stay you’ll be able to enjoy the exquisite culinary options available at Mimi’s Restaurant and Bar, where beautifully crafted meals are prepared using local produce. Massage services will ensure you’re able to fully relax as you unwind after a day on the slopes.

After the mountainous beauty of Hakuba it’s on to Japan’s former capital, Kyoto. For eleven centuries the emperors of multitude of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Samurai Castles, palaces and gardens ensure Kyoto is regarded as the cultural capital of Japan. Also contributing to this reputation is one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Aligned with all of the culture on show, you’ll be able to marvel in the beauty of the early stages of the cherry blossom season, as the city becomes covered in clouds of the stunning national flower, Sakura. It truly is a sight to behold and one of the most breathtaking spectacles this magical country has to offer.

Kyoto is also famed for its cuisine. Not only does food here have a rich and historic tradition, comprising of various culinary styles that are centuries old, it is also the home of many of Japan’s most famous sake breweries. Be sure to lose yourself for an afternoon amongst the numerous authentic wooden teahouses and traditional restaurants.

During your time here you will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, one of the city’s most luxurious accommodations. It is centred around an 800-year-old ikeniwa (pool garden) which provides an immensely tranquil and relaxing setting, giving off the feel of a modern garden sanctuary.

Japan cherry blossoms holiday

Boasting the characteristics of a traditional Japanese house, your Deluxe Room is the perfect place to unwind after a day’s exploring, whether in the comfortable sitting area or the traditional Japanese tub. Expansive windows offer plenty of natural light and stunning views of the ancient Myoho-in Temple and an on-site spa is sure to help you find your zen.

The hotel offers multiple exquisite cuisine options, including; Brasserie, a sleek and modern waterside bar; Sushi Wakon, a Michelin star sushi restaurant; and Fuju, a traditional lounge which serves local sweets and matcha tea by day and sake and champagne by night.

Relax to your heart’s content over the next four days from your base at the Atta Okinawa. Complete opulence is assured here, with ocean views, incredible scenery and fresh Ryuku cuisine. Your Deluxe Suite has its own private pool and you’ll have stunning beaches on your doorstep.

UMITO PLAGE The Atta Okinawa

After enjoying the slopes in Hakuba and seeing the sights of Kyoto, this Pacific paradise is the perfect place to unwind and revel in some you-time.

If you would like to enquire into a bespoke trip to Japan, please get in touch here.

Aviation

Posted on December 17, 2020 by -

Booking flights is often seen as a hassle. As a Blend Group member, you will be able to utilise our network of scheduled flight, private jet and full charter companies, ensuring a smoother process and the highest level of service. Our team understands your preferences when flying, specific dietaries, your favourite seat in first class, or if you prefer a Challenger 650 or Legacy 600 when flying private. The membership team are here to create a seamless booking process.

Additionally, should you fly frequently and require long term ‘hours’ memberships, or indeed wish to own your own jet, we have the knowledge and contacts to assist.

Two Prestigious Cities and the Ultimate Football Experience

Posted on November 21, 2020 by - Event, Fine Dining, Luxury, Sport

2022 World Cup Packages & Luxury Travel

Experience Inclusions

3 x Match Club Hospitality & Category A Tickets
8 x Airport transfers in Mercedes S Class
12 Nights in Deluxe Room – Four Seasons Abu Dhabi – Al Maryah Island
Welcome Gift

The upcoming football World Cup in Qatar promises to be a footballing celebration like none seen before. The tournament is being held in the Middle East for the first time ever and will consequently showcase the game in a completely new light. From stadium design to hospitality, the tournament will joyously celebrate this stunning part of the world and its unique culture.

The occasion has generated amazing interest from our client base and so we’ve put together an idea of what we can do to get you out there and into the heart of the action. Please note that itineraries will be tailored specifically to fit your exact bespoke needs and relevant matchday kick-off times.

You’ll be greeted at Abu Dhabi airport by a Mercedes S Class 30-minute luxury private transfer to the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, located on Al Maryah Island. You’ll receive a welcome gift upon arrival and be able to instantly settle into the opulence on offer.

The 34-storey hotel, which will be home for the duration of your stay, is perched on a collection of over 200 islands and boasts all you need for a luxury getaway. One of the reasons we’ve selected this hotel is because of the variety and magnitude of cuisine available. There’s a total of six restaurants and bars, including Butcher and Still – a 1920’s Chicago steakhouse, Café Milano – an Italian seafood and pasta restaurant with accompanying waterfront views and Zsa Zsa – a gourmet cocktail and snack bar.

Whilst at the hotel, you’ll also have the opportunity to indulge yourself in the Pearl Spa with treatments including; all-encompassing relaxing and reviving therapies; head-to-toe treatments designed to bring your body back to life; and a wide range of relaxing and healing massages. With all of this on offer you’ll be sure to return home recharged and revitalised.

2022 World Cup Packages & Luxury Travel

With an outdoor swimming pool terrace, fitness centre, modern shopping centre and barbershop and salon all on-site you may be forgiven for losing sight of the real reason for being there. That reason of course is the World Cup. From your location in Abu Dhabi you’ll have the benefits of being away from the hustle and bustle whilst still being able to access the matches without any hassle.

On matchdays you’ll be privately transported to every location. From the hotel, a short transfer will get you to Abu Dhabi airport for a quick flight over to Doha. In Doha, you’ll be privately transported to and from the stadium and depending on kick off time, will be able to enjoy what Doha has to offer either before or after the match.

At the stadium you’ll enjoy matchday hospitality and the game itself in Category A seating. Our on-the-ground transfer partners will ensure that you are transported to every location in a luxurious and seamless manner. With Doha such a short flight away from Abu Dhabi and all of the stadiums within close proximity of Qatar’s capital, we can assure you that the transportation side of things will run smoothly and swiftly.

In between matches you’ll be able to relax at your leisure in Abu Dhabi. Whether that involves playing a round of golf at the prestigious Yas Links Abu Dhabi, ranked in the top 50 courses in the world; riding the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World; visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; enjoying a desert safari or simply relaxing at the hotel, there is plenty to keep you occupied! Additionally, with Dubai a mere hour and half down the road you’ll have easy access to one of the world’s most visited destinations.

When this trip of a lifetime comes to an end, you will be transported back to Abu Dhabi airport for your outbound flight. If you would like to find out more please get in touch with the Blend Group so we can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.

Grand Slam at Roland Garros

Posted on October 25, 2020 by - Accommodation, Event, Leisure, Travel

Over the past few years, there has been one name etched into the thoughts of anyone attending Roland Garros. Rafa Nadal. The undisputed king of the clay court, Nadal was the one to see. And that was exactly what a group of tennis fans had in mind when they approached Blend Group to organise a trip to Roland Garros, the only major tennis tournament on clay.

Our clients wanted to see both the men’s semi-final and the final, while also experiencing the fine art and dining that Paris has to offer. A four-night stay at the five-star Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg put the group close to both the sporting action at Le Stade Roland Garros, and within easy access of the city’s cultural hotspots.

The tennis was accompanied by a full VIP hospitality package, with canapés, seated dining for lunch, and category one seats for the match. In between sets, the lounge was available for refreshments and champagne. The latter was much needed when, true to form, Nadal took the championship prize, after an exhilarating match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem.

The French Open experience

Paris is always about art, culture, and fine dining, amongst whatever else visitors find to do. The bells of Notre Dame ringing over the Seine, the intricate sweetness of freshly crafted patisserie, and the scent of French classics winding out from the doors of a brasserie. Our guests wanted to indulge in everything that Paris has to offer, but with just one day between the tennis matches, we had to curate an itinerary that offered a comprehensive experience of the French capital, in just a few hours.

Tickets to the Louvre were booked in advance, giving the group the chance to admire world-class artworks without the queue. Lunch on the river provided that classic French café fix, followed by a stroll through the still bohemian streets of Montmartre. Guests then took in Paris’s most iconic landmarks from the water, as a private cruise along the Seine gave them the opportunity to see as much as possible from one spot.

Paris is the home of French fine dining, and there are big name restaurants in every arrondissement. However, our guests wanted to experience something a little less obvious, so we prepared a gastronomic adventure through four nights of dining at some of the city’s lesser known names such as La Min, Picotte, La Fontaine Demars and L’huitrerie Saint Germain. View the itinerary below to see how the trip was planned out.

If you would like to combine a major tennis championship with a city break in between, please get in touch via the Contact Us page.

 

Experience the Masters Like a True Champion

Posted on October 25, 2020 by - Event, Fine Dining, Luxury, Sport

Tiger Woods - Augusta National

Simply put the Masters is a spectacle that all golf fans should try to experience at least once in their life. Held each year at Augusta National Golf Club, this prestigious event showcases the best players in the world on a sincerely stunning stage.

We have booked an experience for a group of clients who want to be a part of this world-famous tournament in an unrivalled way. The group will be staying at Champions Retreat, the epitome of elite golfing exclusivity.

The 1999 Masters Champions Dinner was the setting for the inception of this iconic hospitality and golf venue. It was here that Gary Player approached Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer with his vision of a 27-hole, private golf and members club located at the home of the Masters – Augusta, Georgia. This distinguished and concealed facility presents a place that like-minded golf fans can make their home during Masters week.

These three legends of the game share 13 Green Jackets between them and their collective passion and knowledge of the greatest golf tournament in the world has been drawn upon to create a truly revitalising, remote, and coveted golfing and hospitality experience.

Champions Retreat promises to deliver the world-famous Southern hospitality experience in a manner where everything is taken care of, down to the very last detail. Built on one of the most beautiful and varied tracts of land in the region, the Retreat will offer our guests complete solitude within tranquil and strikingly spectacular surroundings.

From a golfing perspective, Champions Retreat is completely unique. It is the only course in the world that these three icons of the game have collaborated on together. Constructed amongst the Southern pines, hugging the dramatic Savannah River and spanning almost 1,200 acres of sumptuous Georgia landscape, each of the legends designed a course of their own. The result of this collective vision is magical. The three courses are built around dominant natural landmark – a bluff, a creek and an island – and all present a unique and encouraging challenge, allowing golfers of all abilities to thrive.

Tiger Woods - Augusta National

Comfortable and charming cottages will provide homely accommodation for the group during their stay. Blended in among the pines and complete with fireplaces, fire pits and porches the cottages ensure that guests enjoy a rustic and genuine experience and the opportunity to completely unwind and recharge.

Additionally, the Retreat’s onsite cuisine options are truly authentic and provide exquisite culinary experiences dedicated to satisfying every palate in the truly accommodating Southern style. Spa facilities and a fitness centre add to the impressive on-site amenities.

Of course, the pinnacle of the experience will be attending the Masters tournament itself. On Days 2 and 3 of the event our clients will have access to a VIP hospitality venue which sits a mere 200 yards from the South Gate Entrance of the Augusta National. Badge access will ensure they can get up close to the action and follow whichever golfers they wish. The hospitality facility will remain open to them throughout the duration of the day providing unlimited food and a premium open bar. Additionally, multiple television screens within the facility and on-demand shuttles to-and-from the course will ensure the group won’t miss a thing.

The final day of the action will be taken in at Champion Retreat’s very own venue, The Barn. A celebratory atmosphere is guaranteed, and the relaxed setting is the ideal way for the group to conclude this bespoke experience.

If you would like to enquire about a Masters experience that is tailored to suit your specific needs, please get in touch.