MAN VS BEAST

Posted on 2010-10-18

When you’re caught in the hum of city life it’s easy to forget that there are wild expanses of the earth that are just inhabited by animals. Just animals. And nothing else (well, nothing much). That’s quite a comforting thought when you’re dealing with some of the greyer aspects of urban dwelling.

Here’s our favourite luxe safaris ideas to bring you back to life, wildly:

The African Queen of safari lodges: Catch the Big 5 at the Singita Sweni Lodge, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The barefoot experience: Go walkabout on Africa’s grassy plains on a walking safari, Tena Tena Camp, Zambia

The remote option: A gorilla safari is more like people watching, get acquainted at the Apoka Lodge, Uganda

The jungle than inspired Kipling: Cat lovers can observe their favourite striped predators in the wild on a tiger safari in the Kanha National Park, Rajasthan, India

Meet hippopotamus amphibious: On land as in water…experience adaptation an aqua-safari at the Mvuu Wilderness Resort, Lake Malawi

To find out more about luxe safaris visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet

DUNHILL X BLACK TOMATO

Posted on 2010-10-11

It would be hard to pick up an old well-worn travel journal without feeling drawn to its stories and scrawled descriptions of places that no longer exist in the same way today. There’s something within the intimacy of the writing that triggers the compulsion to abandon everything and follow its path.

…which is pretty much what we did. Dunhill gave us exclusive access to the leather-bound journal recording the 1930’s expedition by their luxury goods expert Clement Court from Paris to Kyoto via Moscow and the steppes of Mongolia. We hadn’t seen anything quite like it.

Inspired by excerpts of Court’s book we set about re-interpreting his epic overland voyage as a series of unique, bespoke experiences…

Take tea in the wings of the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, wander the Louvre long after closing-time, hunt on horseback with eagles on Mongolia’s wild plains or complete Court’s journey from start to finish on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Here at Black Tomato, we believe the luxury of travel lies in discovery, and that is timeless. To find out more about our modern adventures inspired by the doyen of luxury apparel visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet

BE THE FIRST IN BHUTAN

Posted on 2010-10-04

It’s a bit rare to find something totally unique these days…‘off the beaten track’ is more likely to be the first exit from an a-road; a ‘hidden gem’ ends up being a bar that had its best days twenty years ago. Fortunately, there are still places in the world that really are one-offs. You’ve probably heard of Bhutan, but maybe you don’t know all its secrets. It’s only been open to tourists since 1974 and is still pretty unscathed. Bhutan still adheres to a daily dress code, worships the penis to ward off evil and places Gross National Happiness far above Gross National Product.

Remember when you didn’t have a phone attached to the palm of your hand? Welcome back to the good old days. Whether you’re into trekking or looking for something a little more laidback, Bhutan’s Himalayan paradise offers an authentic escape from everyday life.

Hike western Bhutan’s turquoise glacial rivers, lush valleys and winding roads lined by peach orchards, willow trees and fertile rice paddies. Journey to the breathtaking Mt. Chomolhari (Bhutan’s snow-capped Tibetan frontier), where the Taktsang Monastery (the Tiger’s Nest) clings to a sheer cliff, 3,000 feet above the Paro valley.

Bhutan is best known for its mountainous terrain, but this isolated Himalayan Kingdom is perfect for a spiritual break. For photography, ecological wonders (ever seen the mysterious red panda?), or yoga under the stars, there’s no doubt that Bhutan serves it all up in a feast for the soul.

Move to Mongar in the east and the terrain drops from 3,800 metres to 650, taking you from Alpine cool to sub-tropical bliss. Take in Trashigang to meet the Sakteng people who are known for their clothing made out of yak hair and hats with five fringes. Stop to chat and you’ll hear their numerous tales of the infamous Yeti, (who, apparently, is a well-known local).
Bhutan is about freedom from the norm. Discover it while it’s still that way.

For more information and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet

FASHION FUEL

Posted on 2010-09-27

With fresh inspiration from the big names in fashion, here at Black Tomato we’ve been musing the places in the world that hold the time-honoured secrets of our shared costume heritage…Those (often rather illusive) places where you can not only re-invigorate your wardrobe but also encounter an entirely different cultural tradition and way of life from our own.
We’re looking forward to skipping across the continents to broaden our style horizons…

Wonder the streets of Tokyo to photograph its charismatic trendsetters and predict the next fashion movement, or feel the original quality of rare Alashanzuoqi white cashmere direct from the four-legged manufacturer’s grazing spot in Mongolia’s Alashan Terrace.
Let authentic fashion from around the globe enhance your travel and your world.

For more information about our very latest world fashion destinations and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet

A VINTAGE AFFAIR

Posted on 2010-09-20

Before there was Gaga’s knicker flashing exploits to get the tabloids in a frenzy, there was Ms. Jean Harlow and her breezy attitude to undergarments, and Lilyan Tashman’s raucous A-list parties…In homage to the leading ladies of early celluloid success, who knew how to kick start a scandal with a little elegance, we’ve been having a think about how to add a hint of old school glamour to modern Hollywood. LA is of course still a byword for decadence, but we wanted to turn the clock back.
And that’s why we came up with our Vintage Hollywood experience. Utter the words Chateau Marmont, quietly, and you’ll invoke the spirits of bygone movie stars of the 1930’s. The secretive garden bungalows of this actor’s residence are well known as the location du jour for Hollywood’s inner circle of first generation studio fodder to let off a little steam. Return to the Chateau Marmont and toast to a new era of insouciance…

Opposite – Lounge at Chateau Marmont

For more information and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet

GET OFF THE GRID

Posted on 2010-09-13

It’s not very often that you can truly say you’re off the grid.
In homage to film character Shirley Valentine, our favourite runaway wife with a penchant for chatting to rocks, we’ve been scouring the world for places that lift you out of the monotony of everyday life.

Getting off the grid may not be that easy these days, so here’s our definitive top 10 places to disappear to where you can finally hear yourself think:

1.The Atacama Desert, Chile

2.Diving between tectonic plates, Iceland

3.Tari Valley, Papua New Guinea

4.The Kingdom of Bhutan

5.The Gobi Desert, Mongolia

6.The Skeleton Coast, Namibia

7.Pansy Island, Mozambique

8.Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

9.Damascus, Syria

10.Devil’s Island, French Guiana

Here’s to being out of the loop… For more details and to book, visit www.blacktomato.co.uk or call on 020 7426 9888.

   Tweet