Elite Traveler May-June 2017

BY THE NUMBERS $500,000 poker game $178,000 of wine at one dinner 1,100 pairs of socks onboard 50 18K gold and diamond swizzle sticks 25 personalized cocktails 24 -hour command center 8 British butlers 6 -person film crew 2 former US Secret Service agents 1 in-flight yoga instructor

Sailing with America’s Cup Champions Those in search of a once-in-a-lifetime Bahamas experience will find it with the help of Black Tomato, the London-based luxury tour operator known for masterminding insanely over-the-top itineraries around the world. “The Bahamas has always been synonymous with glamour and exclusivity,” says the company’s co-founder TomMarchant. “And with some of the best coastal views and landscapes in the world, they make the perfect destination for a sailing adventure. This is the ultimate way to gain insight into what it’s like to race in America’s Cup, the prestigious competition for the oldest trophy in international sport.” $124,230 per person for a three-night sailing experience, accommodation on B&B basis, winner’s dinner and presentation, blacktomato.com DAY 1 Morning: Fly into Nassau by private jet. A guide will transfer you to the One&Only Ocean Club, which will be your base for the next few nights. Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxed lunch, then unwind by the beach. Snorkel or take a guided dive in the Great Bahama Bank to view the incredible underwater reefs and marine life. Evening: Before dinner, guides will brief you on your sailing activities for the next few days. After dinner, explore the historical port of Nassau and its famous nightspots. DAY 2 Morning: Get acquainted with the aerodynamic boats you’ll be sailing for the next two days and meet your America’s Cup crew and skippers. Afternoon: Go out on the water and try your hand at sailing the boats alongside your expert crew. Evening: An exclusive private dining experience for you and your crew at the Graycliff restaurant, renowned as one of the best on the island. DAYS 3-4 Morning: For the next two days you’ll be part of a championship- winning team. You’ll take part in four different races, experiencing it just as the racing teams do in the annual competition. To chronicle every moment as you glide across the waters of the Caribbean, a video teamwill film each race, while drones flying overhead will capture each maneuver from a bird’s-eye-view. Afternoon: After a truly exhilarating two days out on the water, you’ll be presented with your very own Baccarat limited series trophy, designed especially for you. Evening: The grand finale: a special supper and party hosted at the Ocean Club villa’s private beach for you and the crew to relive the magic of your time at sea.

Passport to 50

It no longer takes 90 days to travel around the globe, but we’re unsure if there has ever been anything quite like Passport to 50. Take 49 of your nearest and dearest for the trip of a lifetime with DreamMaker. You’ll travel the globe in absolute luxury on a fully-customized Boeing 767, followed by a second plane with support staff, and spend 20 nights in 20 cities, each one with an over-the-top experience. In London, each guest will have a custom-fitted white-tie outfit delivered to their hotel before taking helicopters to a private estate for a decadent dinner inspired by the early 1900s. Throw a villa party for 200 with a Grammy-award- winner co-host in Ibiza. Other highlights include a candlelit dinner at a Cambodian temple, racing your friends in a Ferrari California on a scavenger hunt near Barcelona, learning about the stars and the science behind the universe with quantum physicists in Hawaii, and watching the Palio di Siena horse races with Laura Gucci. In between, you’ll stay at top-notch properties including some of the world’s most luxurious villas and hotels, such as Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii, Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, Amanpulo in the Philippines and Hotel 41 in London. In addition to the Boeing 767, you’ll take seaplanes, limousines, Ferraris, helicopters, superyachts and even a camel to see the incredible destinations. To make your time onboard fly by, there’s a veritable retinue of staff to accompany you and to take care of every whim, including butlers, chefs, master sommelier, mixologist, acupuncturist, doctor, yoga instructor, hypnotherapist, fitness trainer, two spa therapists, hairstylist and even a social media secretary who will create personalized memories of your experiences. The program has a large charity component that benefits Water.org, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Whole Child International and Make-A-Wish Foundation, and during your trip you will witness some of the contributions, including 50 monks blessing 50 bicycles for children in Cambodia. The trip is scheduled for August 11-30 but alternate dates are possible. From $13,875,000 for 50 guests and 50 staff members, contact Gregory Patrick, gp@gregorypatrick.com, +1 713 529 7117, houseofdreammaker.com

Photo MARKA / Alamy Stock Photo