Virtuoso Life - September/October 2008 - (Page 50) T he Editors’ List Guest Experience That Goes Beyond SKY’S THE LIMIT The world’s driest desert is fertile ground for adventure at this Chilean outpost. Explora’s newly renovated 50room Hotel de Larache serves as a base for forays into the moonlike landscape of Atacama. From a mild three-hour trek along the salt-walled canyon of Quebrada Kari to a grueling two-day ascent of the 19,000-foot Volcán Licancábur, explora en Atacama’s lineup of 29 different trekking, biking, and horseback “explorations” EXPLORA EN ATAcAMA, SAN PEDRO, cHILE tantalizes the adventurer in everyone. By night, guests can prospect the skies at the resort’s new observatory, featuring a Meade LX200R telescope. The powerful scope makes the most of the area’s clear air and brilliant starry nights – and a bracket for mounting digital cameras to capture images of far-off galaxies and nebulae lets stargazers bring their out-of-this-world experience home. Four nights from $2,364 per person, including all meals and explorations. Post-adventure luxe at explora’s Hotel de Larache. Spa that Inspires SIX SENSES SPA, SIX SENSES HIDEAWAY SAMUI, KOH SAMUI, THAILAND BEYOND THE MUD BATH Indulgences ranging from traditional Thai massages to turmeric scrubs soothe muscles and smooth skin in any of seven private treatment suites or four open-air salas Spagoers can also sign up for Six Senses Hideaway Samui’s litany of holistic health activities, including smoking cessation consultations, yoga classes, and chakra-balancing treatments. While the treatment roster is exhaustive, location is the cherry on this self-care sundae: Positioned on a hill overlooking brilliant Gulf of Thailand waters, the spa basks in ocean breezes and the sounds of the surf below. Post-spa, guests can retreat to one of the resort’s 66 villas, most of which have private infinity-edge pools. Doubles from approximate $519, including breakfast buffet daily and one 50-minute spa treatment for two. 50 V I RT U O S O L I F E � � �
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