Luxury Hotels and Resorts group Aman has launched Road-trip experiences, allowing guests to explore the different locations of its properties.
Designed for people with “a passion for motoring and independent travel”, Aman Driving Journeys allows guests to get behind the wheel of sportscars, SUVs or classic vehicles for 3 to 5 day bespoke trips.
The itineraries are flexible and allow guests to set off in their own time and use select properties in Asia, Europe and the United States as a base. Guests will be provided with personalised Aman iPhones, which will be pre-loaded with personalised guides recommending “off-the-beaten-track stop-off points” such as coffee shops, galleries and picturesque areas. Lunch stops, for instance, are all arranged by Aman and range from picnics to authentic roadside eateries and fine dining restaurants.
Should guests lose their bearings, the GPS systems “ensure easy route-finding” while the brand promises that a support vehicle will always be nearby. Guests can also bring their own vehicles, with Aman assisting with any shipping required. There are also routes that allow for non-drivers to skip a day on the road and spend it at the resort instead.
The Road-trips as mentioned by Aman on its website, are:
The American West
Discover the sublime, almost alien, landscape of Monument Valley, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon on one of the most picturesque drives in the US. Amangiri’s Driving Journey plunges travellers into the heart of Utah’s extraordinary topography, taking in iconic rock formations such as Mexican Hat and Elephant Butte, incorporating breathtaking picnic spots, the wild waters of the Colorado River, and even a ghost town of the Old West. For those thirsting for still more adventures an off-road alternative takes guests down dirt tracks into the depths of canyon country, offering access to otherwise inaccessible landmarks and sites of mind-bending beauty.
A very different landscape can be explored from Amangani in Jackson Hole, gateway to vast National Parks including Yellowstone and Grand Teton. From Old Faithful and the Teton Pass to the Palisades Reservoir and Granite Hot Springs this itinerary takes drivers high and low to some of Wyoming’s most picturesque sights and memorable settings – and offers an unrivalled opportunity to spy a phenomenal range of wildlife, including majestic herds of moose and elk as they move between mountain and plain.
Morocco, Venice and the Peloponnese
In Europe and North Africa, Aman Driving Journeys offers unparalleled access to extraordinary landscapes ranging from the deserts and mountains of Morocco, to the rugged coasts and scenic islands of Greece’s Peloponnese, and the drama of the hills and mountains outside Venice. From Amanjena, drive across the desert to the oasis city – and film-industry favourite – Ouarzazate; head up to the peaks of the Atlas Mountains for lunch at Kasbah du Toubkal; and, with a short helicopter interlude, take the winding road through the geological wonder of the Dades Gorge.
Amanzoe’s epic itinerary takes in secluded villages, peaceful ports and serene island landscapes, as well as one of the best-preserved Ancient Greek structures in existence, the theatre of Epidaurus. In between, expect dramatic mountain viewpoints, rustic Greek lunches in off-the-beaten-path tavernas, invigorating sea swims and serene boat rides. Aman Venice, meanwhile, is the base for a road to Padua and the volcanic Eugenean hills, home to Fiorano and Ferrari’s private racing track and museum; to Lake Garda and Verona; and to the Unesco-protected natural spectacle of the Dolomites.
From Kyoto to Ago Bay
Between the serene secret gardens of Aman Kyoto and the hot-spring forest sanctuary of Amanemu, lie some of the most spellbinding landscapes in all of Japan. This itinerary takes guests through the heart of it, on an unforgettable journey packed with enriching cultural and spiritual experiences. South from Kyoto, the Nara Okuyama Driveway is a spellbinding route through the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, to Todaiji Temple, recognised by Unesco as home to one of the world’s biggest wooden buildings. To the north, Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater body in Japan, rewarding visitors with astonishing birdlife, idyllic beaches, and the historic Edo-period castle of Hikone.
A third day’s driving brings drivers through sacred forests of Ise-Shima to the Grand Isle Shrine, the most important sacred site in Japan’s Shinto religion, and along the celebrated Pearl Road over the mountains, and the shimmering waters of Ago Bay beyond. From Amanemu, the whole of Mie Prefecture is ripe for exploration, including the pristine, wildlife-rich Miya River and the renowned Suzuka motor-racing circuit.
The hotel brand advises that the trips are best suited for spring and autumn.
The hotel brand is also offering a calendar of curated jet expeditions throughout the year for up to 16 passengers. The expeditions last 1, 2 or 3 weeks, with stays at several Aman resorts incorporated into the schedule.
Aman recently launched a partnership with Luggage Free to transport guests’ baggage from home to one of its resorts or hotels in a bid to make travel more hassle-free.
Learn more about Aman Road-trip experiences here.
What do you think of Aman’s new Road-trip experiences? Let us know in the comments section below.