Departures Australia Spring 2018

28 DEPARTURES TRAVEL

28 DEPARTURES TRAVEL ESCAPE PLAN Clockwise from top left: mid-jump in the mountains high above Tucson; the relaxed ambience of Cayton’s Burger Bistro at the Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain; saguaro cacti surround the two courses at the Gallery Golf Club Stark mountain peaks and cactus-studded hills offer sublime panoramas – and hikes – in every direction splendid isolation amid the glowing rocky foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains (choose a villa with an unadulterated view), and a favourite retreat for a number of Hollywood A-listers. Golf was the original raison d’être of Tucson escapists, and there are more golf holes in the city than there are days in the year, nearly all of them picturesque. Highlights include the 36 at Omni Tucson National (tucsonnational.com), where Phil Mickelson won his first PGA Tour event in 1991, the two layouts at the Gallery Golf Club (gallerygolf.com) and the Robert Trent Jones Jrdesigned Arizona National Golf Club (arizonanationalgolfclub.com). Don’t miss the twin Tom Fazio courses at Ventana Canyon Club (ventana canyonclub.com) or the 27 Jack Nicklaus-designed holes at Dove Mountain (thegolfclubatdovemountain. com), which is set just next the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain ( ritzcarlton.com), the best spot for golfers to stay – and for families, too, thanks to an expansive spa, great kids’ programme and a superlative onsite restaurant. Much to the surprise of the coastal elites, Tucson’s burgeoning culinary scene was recently recognised as a Unesco World City of Gastronomy, the first such American city. Don’t expect Michelin-star sophistication, but do indulge in the eclectic creativity of local chefs making use of ingredients and techniques that date back thousands of years – a gastronomic fusion with indigenous culture that is rare in America. Try Cafe Poca Cosa ( cafepocacosatucson.com), which serves modern Mexican, or Downtown Kitchen (downtownkitchen.com), where local ingredients lead the way in dishes by James Beard Award- winning chef Janos Wilder. The atmosphere of the former train depot at Maynards (maynardstucson.com) suits the wonderful American staples on offer, but for true comfort food, the city’s latest Beard Award winner is El Güero Canelo (elguerocanelo.com), a purveyor of the Sonoran hot dog, a robust local speciality that comes wrapped in bacon. Those inclined to the truly surreal shouldn’t miss the Boneyard (pimaair. org), an outdoor garage with thousands of decommissioned military aircraft lined up in orchard-like rows. And for feathered rather than metallic flight, the winter nesting grounds of the majestic sandhill crane, just south of the city, are a breathtaking spectacle and a pilgrimage site for serious birdwatchers, best seen on a naturalist-led tour from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (sabo.org). On the topic of flight: the Tucson airport is in the middle of a US0m expansion, and the number of planes touching down seems to be growing each week – a sign that now might be the right time to take advantage not only of the inspirational landscape, which will never disappear, but also the whisper quiet of seclusion, which might not last long. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © CANYON RANCH, BARBARA KRAFT, © GALLERY GOLF CLUB

PIONEERS OF THE EXTRAORDINARY Handcrafted Private & Small Group Journeys | Luxury Expedition Cruises Born on safari in East Africa in 1962, Abercrombie & Kent has been reinventing luxury travel for more than half a century. Now with 55 offi ces and more than 2,500 travel experts on the ground around the world, we take the world’s most discerning travellers to the ends of the earth on unforgettable adventures. This is luxury travel redefi ned – exquisite, creative, courageous and enriching journeys – taking travellers out of their comfort zones, in comfort, to more than 100 countries and all seven continents. See the world in a new light and fi nd yourself somewhere amazing on an A&K private or small group journey or expedition cruise. To book, call Platinum Travel Service on 1800 673 760 (Australia) or 0800 377 421 (New Zealand). www.abercrombiekent.com.au SPECIAL OFFER FOR PLATINUM CARD MEMBERS – RECEIVE AU0 TRAVEL CREDIT* *Terms and Conditions: Valid for new International and Domestic land itinerary bookings of seven (7) nights or more, made by 31 December 2018, for travel before 31 December 2019. Bookings must be made via Platinum Travel Service, with payments made using a valid Australian or New Zealand American Express® Platinum Card or by redeeming Membership Reward points. A maximum credit of AU0 per Platinum Card Member per booking applies. Valid for international, domestic and Small Group Journey itineraries created by or offered by Abercrombie & Kent (Australia Pty Ltd). Not valid for existing bookings, quotes, or international airfares. The credit cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash.