JUST IN Latest in Luxury Experiences Tanzania, Vietnam, Oman, Australia, London, Paris, Chicago, Bangkok, New York
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JUST IN Latest in Luxury Experiences Tanzania, Vietnam, Oman, Australia, London, Paris, Chicago, Bangkok, New York
Get 2015 off to a roaring start by choosing an extraordinary wildlife adventure with the world famous Cincinnati Zoo! Join the Zoo’s very own naturalists on three specially designed voyages through Tanzania, Belize and Argentina to experience the regions’ fauna and flora in their natural habitat. Witness the Serengeti wildlife migration on the Tanzania Migration Safari, led by Cincinnati Zoo’s Curator of Primates, Ron Evans. From May 16 to 27, 2015, enjoy guided close-up viewings of majestic lions, grazing wildebeest and cheeky hyenas within the diverse vegetation and landscape at Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
At Olduvai Gorge, see hominid fossils discovered in 1959 at a prehistoric archaeological site while a visit to the Mto Wa Mbu Village introduces you to their distinctive medical, agricultural and cultural practices. A journey to see the gorillas in Rwanda is an enticing add-on to this trip.
Being on safari does not mean going without creature comforts as the tour provides exclusive luxury lodgings including stays at Maisha Kikoti Safari Camp, Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp and the historic Lake Duluti Lodge.
For an awe-inspiring expedition filled with magnificent nature coupled with historical mystique, you can make a booking on the Belize: Reefs, Rainforests and Mayan Ruins tour from June 19-28, 2015. Dive deep into the eclectic Central American rainforest within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, boasting 300 bird species or spy on the elusive jaguar in the world’s only jaguar preserve.
Opportunities for bird watching and Howler monkey spotting abound with a boat ride through the winding Monkey River, and from your stay at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, go jungle trekking and discover 3,000 year old Lamanai temples. Visit the Xunantinich rainforest to see the ancient pyramid “El Castillo”, explore the extensive cave systems of Rio Frio and cross over to Tikal National Park, Guatemala and marvel at primeval structures like the Grand Plaza, built around 700AD. Complete your trip with an extended jaunt to Ambergris Caye, home to the world’s second largest reef.
From October 25 – November 7, 2015, journey through towering tropical forests and incredible coasts on a Wildlife Argentina Expedition, led by Cincinnati Zoo’s horticulturalist expert Brian Jorg. Visit the Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve along the Patagonian peninsula, where over 350,000 Magellan Penguins migrate annually. Take in views of magnificent cliffs and geological formations on drives through the Pedral Coast to see Cenzoic age fossils and spot colonies of Magellan penguin and elephant seals.
Observe creatures like guanacos and capybara at the El Pedral Safari and go whale watching at The Peninsula Valdes Provincial Reserve, a protected habitat for the area’s sea creatures. More wildlife adventure awaits at the Temaiken Wildlife Park, dedicated to preserve endangered species.
An expedition highlight is a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iguazu National Park, with its subtropical rainforest, glittering waterfalls (including crossing over to the Brazilian side of the park to view the Falls), and wide ranging species of animals and plants. www.cincinnatizoo.org/education/travelwith-the-zoo/.
While Greg Norman (A.K.A. The Great White Shark) is largely recognized around the world for his illustrious golf career spanning 25 years on the US, European and Australasian Tours that resulted in him being the number one ranked player in the world for 331 consecutive weeks; it’s his entrepreneurial spirit that has defined him as one of today’s most successful entrepreneurs.
One of Norman’s wildly successful business ventures that continues to expand each year is Greg Norman Golf Course Design, which is now responsible for more than 95 golf courses in 33 countries that spans across 6 continents. “Each project presents me with the opportunity to work with the design client to create a course with its own unique character,” says Greg Norman.
Norman’s success goes far beyond the world-class designs that deliver a challenge with a number of risk reward opportunities, as it’s the attention to detail and constant desire to work harmoniously with the land’s topography and nature that sets Norman and his design team apart from many of today’s modern course designers. “Rather than impose artificial features on the landscape, I believe it’s best to work with what the land has to offer,” explains Norman.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design was launched in 1987, and while many things have certainly changed in the game of golf during these years, the reputation and work ethics of Norman and his team have not waivered, which explains why there are more than 70 additional projects in various stages of development around the globe.
“My design team and I have worked in concert with the development team to create golf courses that blend with their surrounding environment and enhance the property’s natural features,” adds Norman. The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Vietnam, Almouj Golf The Wave in Oman and The Eastern Golf Club in Australia are prime examples of the dynamic designs and overall ingenious use of the raw land to develop and mold these masterful golf courses.
The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip
Vietnam
Bringing together the scenic coastline with a links-style course, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is a prime example of Norman’s team making the most of the towering sand dunes that have been shaped naturally for thousands of years to create an awe-inspiring golf course that provides golfers a truly authentic links golf experience. Mother Nature was not only largely responsible for the direction Norman and his team took when approaching the course design with a ‘least-disturbance methodology’, but also everyday, as the wind is almost always a factor here for golfers of every level.
“The experience of playing true links golf among the dunes of southern Vietnam and having dramatic ocean views throughout your round makes The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip one of the most unique golf experiences in the world,” says Greg Norman.
Almouj Golf The Wave
Oman
It was 2006 that Norman and his team first surveyed the property, and the true potential was seen almost immediately in terms of how this land could be best utilized in creating a masterful design that captures the true essence of the area. While many courses in this region still believe in fairways and greens consisting of mostly sand, Almouj Golf is one of the few grass courses in the country. Thanks to careful planning, the panoramic views of the ocean andthe Hajar Mountains are simply spectacular.
“Oman is really the antithesis of a Dubai or an Abu Dhabi,” says Greg Norman. “We’ve worked hard to make sure Almouj Golf has much of the same character, so the golf experience is just as unique.”
The Eastern Golf Club
Australia
Currently in the final stages of renovations, The Eastern Golf Club is a very unique project for the Greg Norman Golf Course Design team since it’s giving new life to a treasured Melbourne golf course community. Together with the members of the Club, Greg Norman and his team feel strongly that this updated design will not only be a great asset for the future of The Eastern Golf Club, but also further assist in establishing the Yarra Valley region as a golfer’s golf destination.
“My goal is to improve upon the rich tradition and heritage of a golf club with origins dating back to 1896, by creating a golf course that we hope will one day rank as one of the top golf courses in Australia,” says Greg Norman.
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