The seasoned upscale traveller can as easily be on a local vessel cruising the exquisite Svalbard Islands of the Arctic, located midway between Norway and the North Pole, as on an 80-metre yacht cruising the Mediterranean.
An archipelago of 63,000 square kilometres enveloped in a glacial landmass…
The Arctic Svalbard Islands are the most extensive and inaccessible of the Norwegian territories. An archipelago of 63,000 square kilometres enveloped in a glacial landmass, this is a land of mountains, plains and frozen seas. Cross the terrain by snowmobile in winter, or by motor launch in summer, and explore the archipelago and its expansive wilderness by sailing boat.
In complete contrast to these icy shores, Africa offers many unique experiences. Botswana is one of our favourite countries for the quality and exclusivity of its lodges, extraordinary wildlife and beautiful topography. Travelling by light aircraft there are numerous options to see contrasting regions while sampling world-class safari lodges. It makes for an exhilarating experience, as does the combination of land- and water-based safaris. Gliding through the silent waters of the reed-banked Okavango Delta channels on a traditional mokoro canoe is another unforgettable adventure.
witness night turn to day as you soar over thousands of icebergs…
Reach the world’s southernmost continent by flying across the mighty southern ocean in a Gulfstream jet and then use helicopter for deeper penetration of this extraordinary region. witness night turn to day as you soar over thousands of icebergs and pass into 24 hours of continuous sunshine. Antarctica is one of the world’s most remote, unexplored destinations – an ice-white desert landscape with some of the planet’s most intriguing wildlife including the humpback whale, orca and enormous colonies of penguins. Ice climbing affords the panorama of the Antarctic coastline, while kayaking alongside colossal icebergs gives a true sense of the immensity of this formidable natural environment.
Light aircraft is the only way to get around certain far-flung regions of Africa and Indonesia, while helicopter is our preferred way to discover others. Papua New Guinea’s more remote corners, such as the highland villages of Aseki, allow us to uncover ancient ways of life and traditional rituals. A remarkable topography of wild coastline, active volcanoes and the remarkable cave systems of the Nakanai mountain ranges beckons. A highlight is the village of Galim where the Baining people perform their Fire Dance at coming of age ceremonies.
We love deserts. Australia, North and South America, Mongolia, India and Africa’s Sahara done ‘the Nota Bene way’ make for unique travel experiences. And then there are countries such as Egypt, which links Africa with the Middle East, where the Siwa Oasis and Bedouin culture are utterly unforgettable; and Jordan with its Eastern Desert or Badia Region; and Israel’s Negev. They all work beautifully with other cultural highlights of the wider region.
We are frequently asked to organise special requests or orchestrate the setting for exceptional events. These might be:
Zip-lining into a world-class lodge high up in Cambodia’s Southern Cardamom National Park, or flying in the yellow plane used in the epic film Out of Africa, are among the client experiences that Nota Bene has recently organised and curated.
Privatising one of the finest chateaux and wineries in France for a special birthday long weekend, featuring top chefs, sporting activities and world- class wines.
An unforgettable experience depends on the details, which are so often overlooked. It relies on experts in the design and curation of the truly unique. Nota Bene Global are those experts.