AMPR Global’s Annual Gift of Travel Guide 2024 

Image courtesy of Tintswalo Siankaba

The Oenophile: Coquillade Provence, France

Check in to Coquillade Provence for a taste of its new vintages and vinotherapy. Led by a female winemaker and female spa director and drawn directly from its own (newly re-named and re-launched), biodynamic, organic Domaine de la Coquillade vineyard, brand new vinotherapy treatments harness the potent, antioxidant-rich properties of grapes and vines for the skin, providing drainage, antioxidant benefits, and anti-aging effects through grape seed scrubs, wine-infused facials, grape body wraps and more. Add a case of Domaine red as a souvenir for a different kind of “vinotherapy” back home. Starting rates: $425 per room, per night. Download images here.

Image courtesy of Coquillade Provence

The Intelligentsia : Les Lumières, Versailles, France 

“The greatest gift you can give is your time, because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back.” – Voltaire 

It’s the Age of Enlightenment at Les Lumières Versailles, where each of the 31 rooms is named after a renowned French author, poet, or philosopher from the era, including luminaries like Voltaire, Rousseau and Sartre. The property soft opened pre-Olympics, and this fall, it unveiled is new Gramont building with five rooms and the Gramont Suite, named after the prominent French family that held famed salons which contributed to the intellectual ferment of the time by supporting the exchange of Enlightenment ideas among the French elite. Starting rates: $435 per room, per night. Download images here.

The Bookworm: Hôtel Belles Rives, Juan-les-Pins, France

Calling all literary aficionados! Next year (2025) marks 100 years since F. Scott Fitzgerald arrived in Antibes and began writing Tender is the Night at what is now Hôtel Belles Rives, where the rooms, the views, everything embodies the breezy extravagance of a bygone era. Enhance this special gift by adding a stay in the Zelda Suite where luxurious Art Deco design meets stunning sea views of Cap d’Antibes, followed by aperitifs at the renowned Bar Fitzgerald (legend says F. Scott had a few gin rickeys here), and dining at the Michelin-starred La Passagère, immersing in the glamour and literary legacy of the French Riviera. Give the gift of inspiration to that aspiring writer (or tortured artist) in your orbit…we all have one! Starting rates: $250 per room, per night. Download images here.

Image courtesy of Hôtel Belles Rives

The Inner Child: The Treehouse at Château d’Audrieu, Normandy, France

When I was a little girl, I slept one night in the treehouse atop our swingset in the backyard. I had my Scooby Doo sleeping bag, a Pink Panther nightgown and some popcorn. Somehow, I think this slumber situation might be a bit different! At the heart of the 18th century Château d’Audrieu estate (with gorgeous accommodations so you’ll be spoiled for choice anyway!) soars one luxury wooden cabin on the edge of the forest. A veritable cocoon (almost) perched seven meters high on a magnificent 100-year-old tree with glowing foliage, the little house built in 2018 is ideal for city dwellers seeking total disconnection and optimal comfort. Picture windows, a private terrace with panoramic views, king-size bed, and bathtub. New is their gastronomic journey which is now on offer offering a customized menu for your picnic in the treetop. Situated near the Landing Beaches, the property offers a profound connection to the region’s rich history and the Château has been listed as a historical monument since December 27, 1967. Starting rate: $435 per night for the Treehouse. Download images here.

The Workaholic: ZihFit Retreat, Zihuatanejo, Mexico

You know the type! Gordon Gecko obsessed, Oura ring depressed, vitamin D and ZZZs deprived… Enter ZihFit. The non-intervention intervention they never knew they needed. No phone, no computer, no distractions, plus it’s just far enough away to truly shed the work stress and embrace a rejuvenated you. Call it a well-being destination, we call it Mexico’s best-kept secret. THIS is the gift that keeps on giving…the gift of life, the gift of longevity and the gift of physical-spiritual balance restored. Starting rate: $4,720 per person, double occupancy for a four-night retreat including accommodation, meals, airport transfers, daily massages, yoga, ceremonies and more, per night. Download images here. 

Image courtesy of ZihFit

The Longevity Seeker: Autograph Collection Hotels, Costa Rica

Home to one of the original Blue Zones, this paradise is all about living longer, happier, and healthier. At Nanku Wellbeing Spa at Punta Islita, Autograph Collection, ancient Chorotega traditions blend with modern wellness. Jade-infused rituals, lunar phase alignment, and fresh herbal infusions from the permaculture farm offer a rejuvenating experience deeply rooted in Costa Rican culture. For an equally transformative retreat, Bearth Spa at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection invites guests to reconnect with nature. Nestled in mangroves, it offers treatments using seaweed, coffee, and tropical fruits, providing balance and vitality through sound healing and immersive therapies. Guests can also savor El Mangroove’s new Botanical Marine Menu, featuring dishes like a fresh lettuce heart salad with caponata and seaweed water, Sea Lettuce salad with confit tomatoes and shallots, and Ceviche de Pesca in an aloe vera-based leche de tigre. This holiday season, gift the ultimate in holistic well-being and gourmet indulgence, rooted in Costa Rica’s Blue Zones. Rates start at $663 per night, per room at El Mangroove and $619 per night, per room at Punta Islita. Download images for El Mangroove here and for Punta Islita here.

The F**k-it List: Moskito Island Estates, British Virgin Islands

You only live once! So why not say “F-it” and splurge on Moskito Island Estates while you can? At only $10,000 per person for the week, this island in the BVIs is the most exclusive week you never knew was on your vacation bucket list. You just need 99 friends to tag along and a cool $1million for the week, and the island’s all yours. If an island buyout isn’t in your budget this year, Moskito is still at the top of my list as the ultimate gift for the family that’s been everywhere. Chartering yachts is old hat; been there, done that. Book Cape Stout estate with the swimmable canal running through the first floor and, trust me, that experience alone tops anything else you could stuff in their stocking. With four luxurious estates to choose from, there’s ample space for even the most challenging sibling rivalry. Whether it’s relaxing by the infinity pool at The Point, meditating at The Oasis, enjoying water sports at the newly opened Cape Stout, or being the life of the party behind the DJ booth at The Village, Moskito Island offers something for everyone. Starting rates: $10,000 per person for a one-week stay. Download images here.

Image of Cape Stout, courtesy of Moskito Island Estates

The Intrepid Explorer: Tintswalo Siankaba, Zambia, Africa

Give the gift of an unforgettable escape at Tintswalo Siankaba, an enchanting lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River in Livingstone, Zambia. More than just a sanctuary, Tintswalo Siankaba is your gateway to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. With its intimate riverside setting, it promises an exhilarating adventure in the heart of Africa. Guests can dive into immersive experiences like serene river safaris, mokoro excursions, vibrant cultural interactions, and relaxing sunset cruises—making it the ultimate holiday gift for the world traveler craving both adventure and tranquility. Starting rates: $520 per room, per night based on double occupancy. Download images here.

Image courtesy of Tintswalo Siankaba

The History Buff: Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece

If these (150 year old) walls could talk! From hosting royalty, celebrities, and heads of state, to being a backdrop for pivotal historical events, the Grande Bretagne’s walls have absorbed stories that intertwine with the nation’s own. For more than a century, the facade of Hotel Grande Bretagne has been witness to critical moments in history: GB (as those “in the know” so lovingly call it) hosted events for both of Athens’ modern Olympics (1896 and 2004); Winston Churchill stayed while fighting the good fight in 1944; Maria Callas resided there while performing Norma in 1960; and it was the site of key meetings when Greece entered the European Union, to name but a few highlights. Toast this momentous anniversary with a drink at Alexander’s Lounge as the hotel enters the next 150 exciting years. The legendary GB Roof Garden Restaurant recently underwent extensive renovations, offering guests a brand-new experience of the same breathtakingly unobstructed view of the Acropolis. Starting rates: $1,060 per room, per night. Download images here.

GB Roof Garden Restaurant, image courtesy of Hotel Grande Bretagne

The Art Snob: The Dolli, Athens, Greece

The Athens art scene is abuzz with its own Gagosian gallery, a trendy Jeff Koons affiliation, and Cindy Sherman’s exhibition this year at the Cycladic Art Museum, but it’s the city’s newest maison-hôtel, The Dolli that is truly leading that charge with an ever-evolving art collection. The Dolli is a museum in its own right. Guests spend hours in the hotel lobby alone, viewing and exploring original pieces from Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, designer works by François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne, 18th century antiques, ancient Greek ceramics, custom-made furniture from the contemporary designers such as Pierre Augustin Rose and Seung Jin Yang, as well as a collection of ancient Greek ceramics and artisan workshops. It now even has a private “Nyx at the Museum” behind the scenes night tour of the Acropolis Museum for guests only. Starting rates: $530 per room, per night. Download images here.

Image courtesy of The Dolli

The Stocking Stuffer (they really want): Anthologist Goddess Bottle Opener

Celebrating the divine feminine, the Anthologist Goddess Bottle Opener is a striking addition to any space, seamlessly blending function with artistry. Made in Greece, this compact and elegant piece is perfect for home use or on-the-go adventures, making it an ideal holiday gift for anyone who appreciates unique, artisanal craftsmanship. A great conversation starter, this stocking stuffer is the perfect gift for the stylish host, art lover, or anyone who harnesses the goddess energy in their life. Yamas! $85. International shipping available. Download images here

Anthologist Goddess Bottle Opener, image courtesy of Marco Arguello