THR E E WAYS
To give back 1
Support Himalayan communities on the Trans Bhutan Trail
For centuries, the Trans Bhutan Trail was the only way to cross the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The 300- mile route stretched from east to west, connecting the country’s fortresses and serving as a pilgrimage route for Buddhists travelling to Tibet. The construction of a national highway in the 1960s saw the trail fall into disrepair, but a project to rebuild it in 2018 has brought this historic path back to life. Connecting the town of Haa in the west of Bhutan
to Trashigang in the east, the newly restored Trans Bhutan Trail, which must be hiked with a licensed Bhutanese guide, passes through dozens of remote Himalayan villages, Buddhist temples and stunning mountain landscapes. The NGO Trans Butan Trail aims to funnel tourism dollars into some of Bhutan’s most isolated communities, with proceeds supporting rural communities and maintaining the trail. Luxury hiking packages include fine dining and stays in five-star hotel chains like Six Senses and Como Hotels & Resorts. HOW TO DO IT: Packages start from £230 per person for a two-day trip, excluding Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee which is £160 a day. Luxury accommodation packages, including signature camps and five-star hotels, are organised on request and come at an additional cost.
transbhutantrail.com
2
Protect Africa’s last wild spaces at Wilderness Mokete
Set on a 123,500-acre private wildlife concession in the Mababe Depression in Botswana, the newly opened Wilderness Mokete offers one of Africa’s most intimate safari experiences. The camp — nine minimalist tents with plunge pools overlooking the Mababe grasslands — is unfenced, allowing elephants, cheetahs and impalas to roam freely. Best of all, Mokete is the only safari camp in the entire Mababe Depression, meaning guests often have a lion’s kill or a 10,000-strong buffalo herd to themselves. Through its high-value, low-impact approach,
Wilderness — an early pioneer of conservation tourism in Africa — has protected six million acres of land since its founding in Botswana in 1983. By staying at a Wilderness camp, guests contribute to the protection of wild spaces and conservation projects saving endangered species like the rhino and wild African dog. Wilderness Mokete also trains and employs people from the nearby Mababe village to work as safari guides and onsite rangers. HOW TO DO IT: All-inclusive rates start from £895 per person per night in the low season and £1,105 in the high season. Wilderness Mokete can only be accessed by off-road vehicle or private helicopter, which usually depart from Maun International Airport.
wildernessdestinations.com
3
Safeguard Italy’s ancient crafts at The Place Firenze
The Place Firenze, housed inside a luxurious, mid- century-style townhouse in the centre of Florence, is one of Tuscany’s most iconic hotels. Located opposite a striking gothic church on the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, The Place Firenze is a rebooted version of JK Place, one of Italy’s earliest boutique hotels. The Place has prime outdoor dining space and a rooftop terrace serving smoky negronis and rare Calvano beef tartare, but for guests looking to give back, the highlight is the opportunity to contribute to Florence’s artistic community. For every stay, a small sum is donated to The Place
of Wonders Foundation, a project set up by the hotel in 2022 to fund scholarships for aspiring craftspeople to study at prestigious art schools in Florence, Venice and other cities in Italy. In addition, guests can pay for exclusive, behind-the-scenes visits to historic workshops across the city, where some of Italy’s most celebrated artisans give an insight into the country’s ancient craft traditions, from leather work to glass blowing. All proceeds from workshop visits go towards funding student scholarships at Le Arti Orafe, one of the finest jewellery schools in Florence. HOW TO DO IT: Double rooms start from £425 in low season to £552 in high season, on a B&B basis.
theplacefirenze.com
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – LUXURY COLLECTION 53
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