THE A-Z COMPENDIUM A
THE A-Z COMPENDIUM A VEXING DISCOVERY Last August, after two years of excavation in Amphipolis (theamphipolistomb.com), in the Central Macedonia region of Greece, archaeologists revealed the largest monument ever found in the country, dating to the time of Alexander the Great. The structure’s original function remains a mystery, with experts theorising that it could be anything from the Alexandrian Empire’s treasury to an occult Dionysian temple to the tomb of Alexander himself. Multiple chambers of unparallelled opulence, colourful mosaics, guardian sphinxes and massive caryatids add to the enigma of its nature. Before exploring the site, on Kasta hill, visit the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis (Serres Prefecture; +30 232 20 32474) to brush up on 5,000 years of history – and to ask for directions. Wintertime Wonders TWO EXHILARATING ARCTIC ESCAPES PROMISE FRESH ADVENTURES AMID THE SNOW AND ICE OF THE FROZEN NORTH — REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE CALENDAR SAYS Dramatic “summit to sea” Arctic skiing is the big thrill at the fjordside Lyngen Lodge, 186 kilometres east of the Norwegian port of Tromsø. Expert mountain guides offer experienced off-piste skiers the chance to ascend the steep and snowy flanks of the Lyngen Alps using specially adapted skis, then descend to the shoreline at speed with at least one kilometre covered in each direction. Other winter adventures include boat trips to remote islands to ski on untracked snow, and, as the season here runs from late February to late May, there’s the added incentive of potentially seeing the Northern Lights or enjoying some skiing under the midnight sun. Afterwards, back at the eight-room wooden lodge, treats include open fires; dinners of local lamb, reindeer and wolf fish; a hot tub with panoramic vistas; snug contemporary bedrooms – and then a breakfast, as your hosts put it, “fit for the longest mountain assaults”. lyngenlodge.com Iceland is well known for its sensational natural splendours, but that’s clearly not enough for its adventureloving citizens. Opening in June near Húsafell, Ice Cave Iceland is a colossal manmade network of caves and tunnels that burrows 30 metres below the Langjökull ice cap. The prize? A chance to behold the frozen blue heart of a centuries-old glacier – then escape. icecave.is FROM TOP: ANJE JAGER (ILLUSTRATION), GRAHAM AUSTICK, © DISCOVER THE WORLD 30 DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM CONTACT PLATINUM CARD SERVICE FOR BOOKINGS
MARKS THE SPOT: SECRET SCOTLAND The Knoydart offers refuge, a pair of new self-catering cottages and outdoor adventure – if travellers can get there A secluded cabana at the newly unveiled Nizuc resort The sleek penthouse, with endless views of the ocean A Shore Thing A view of the idyllic Loch Nevis The latest opening on the Yucatán Peninsula’s Riviera Maya breaks through expectations CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: © KNOYDART HOUSE (2), QUENTIN BACON, © NIZUC (2) The five-bedroom Knoydart House The only way into Knoydart, a peninsula 241 kilometres northwest of Glasgow in the Scottish Highlands, is by ferry, helicopter or a mountainous 29km walk. “We’re known as the last wilderness in Scotland,” says Jackie Robertson, who, along with her husband, Ian, own Knoydart’s only two luxury accommodations. Their three-yearold Knoydart House sleeps 10, while the one-year-old Knoydart Hide is intended for couples. Both can be equipped with a chef or self-catered. “I wanted people to feel connected to nature,” Robertson says, which is why both villas have outdoor hot tubs and wraparound decks overlooking Loch Nevis. knoydarthouse.co.uk. Until recently there was a rule that if you sought style on Mexico’s Riviera Maya you should not countenance staying north of Puerto Morelos. But the opening of Nizuc has changed all that. It may be within sight of Cancun’s high-density zona hotelera and the Wet’n Wild theme park (some way across the bay admittedly), but the upside is that it’s less than 15 minutes from the airport. And if you’ve just spent hours in the air there’s a lot to be said for that. Set on an 11.7ha estate that was once a presidential summer palace and conceived by Adrian Zecha of Aman Resorts fame, whose second hotel company, GHM, was originally slated to manage it, the property was designed by longtime Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy, hence the soaring ceilings and long low villas (those in the garden with their own pools are the ones to book), the expanses of reflective water, the sunken bar seating, the firelight – all his signature tropes are here, along with the odd nods to ancient Mayan architecture that will chime with connoisseurs of Uxmal, Ek Balam et al. There are formal restaurants serving deftly prepared Mexican and Asian cuisine, as well as a seafront steakhouse, an Italian joint and a daytime-only Peruvian cafe specialising in ceviches. And there’s no faulting the five fine swimming pools. But compared with the fabulous expanse of powdery white coral sand that runs south along this coast, its two narrow beaches and weed-filled seawater are a disappointment. nizuc.com Nizuc’s infinity pool reflects the picture-perfect sky above DEPARTURES-INTERNATIONAL.COM 31
