Departures Middle East Autumn 2019

DEPARTURES TRAVEL THE

DEPARTURES TRAVEL THE AGENDA 40 The Best of Ecuador Set amid tropical menageries of rare wildlife, breathtaking tracts of dense, lush rainforest and the enchanting, historic environs of Quito, an intriguing crop of eco-conscious escapes further adds to the diminutive country’s off-the-radar allure. by Thomas Midulla HOTEL DEL PARQUE, Guayaquil Guayaquil isn’t an obvious luxury destination, but its lack of sophistication is amply compensated by this delightful historic wooden edifice, which, saved from demolition, was moved to a beautiful riverside park and converted into a Relais & Châteaux hotel in 2017. Off the airy corridors that fringe a central chapel and two courtyards stuffed with tropical flora are 44 serene bedrooms with sumptuous beds, marble bathrooms and botanical-inspired interiors as well as charismatic touches like shutters and rattan chairs. The cuisine is a definite highlight, from fruit platters at breakfast (a meal tunefully accompanied by squawking parrots in the nearby park) to gastronomic feasts at the neighbouring Casa Julian. hoteldelparquehistorico.com From top: Hotel del Parque’s façadem at dusk; exploring the secrets of the cacao bean on the hotel’s expert-led chocolate experience FROM TOP: SEBASTIAN CRESPO, © HOTEL DEL PARQUE

LAKE LUCERNE LUXURY HIDEAWAYS Lucerne – Lake Lucerne Region The Lake Lucerne Region has all you need for your exclusive holidays or your business event. Six first class Luxury Hideaway hotels offer a unique blend of naturalness, hospitality, exclusivity and privacy. Enjoy unforgettable excursions to the regions easily accessible mountains and on the Lake of Lucerne. Discover more at www.luzern.com/LLLH Luzern Tourismus | Tourist Information | Zentralstrasse 5 | CH-6002 Lucerne Tel. +41 (0)41 227 17 17 | luzern@luzern.com | www.luzern.com