nature Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Luxury Homes – Luxury Real Estate

Explorers looking to stray from the usual sightseeing routes or tropical destinations and go off the beaten path are in luck as high-end travel companies begin to offer more journeys that embrace wildlife and nature.

Enjoying 24 hours of daylight on a cruise through icy waters, standup paddle boarding in the vicinity of pink dolphins and trekking through a national park to appreciate the sight of tigers and elephants are just a few of the many exceptional offerings from luxury travel companies.

“Travelers are now more than ever looking for extraordinary moments filled with authenticity and personal value,” says Sarah Casewit, co-founder of curated experiential travel company Naya Traveler. “It’s no longer enough to check off the must-see list, or come home with a suitcase full of souvenirs. They’re seeking personalized experiences that go beyond the tourist sightseeing route, in favor of opportunities to engage with locals and their traditions.”

When it comes to the exact locations that allow for unique, nature-driven travel, destinations all over the globe have a lot to offer, but Casewit notes that a few particular locations are of high interest lately. “These destinations attract a similar traveler profile due to the adventurous nature of the experiences, complete with adrenaline-filled activities,” Casewit says, noting that clients usually look for rustic chic lodges and a high-end glamping experience that infuses unique cultural elements including music, art or cuisine to complement the journey.

According to luxury travel company Natural World Safaris, one such location is Norway — experience life under the midnight sun with 24 hours of daylight while cruising the icy waters of the Svalbard Archipelago. “Great for those seeking a niche experience with an interest in wildlife, polar regions and conservation efforts,” is NWS’ Polar Bear Explorer trip, starting at $9,305 for 11 days.

Set sail north from Longyearbyen aboard some of the smallest expedition ships to cruise these waters with just 12 passengers for a uniquely intimate voyage. “This small ship expedition isn’t possible to book yourself, plus NWS offers the expertise of specialist leaders including National Geographic photographers,” says Will Bolsover, NWS founder and managing director.

The Polar Bear Explorer journey includes walking and sailing through incredible landscapes, fjords and waterfalls, and searching for colonies of walrus, polar bears and other marine mammals. The small ships are perfect for exploring the icy waters, creating the opportunity to have unrivalled up-close encounters with Arctic wildlife.

For a warmer destination, adventurous families looking for a multi-activity break can venture to Costa Rica for NWS’ 10-day, tailor-made trip, starting at $3,520. The excursion can include activities such as whale-watching, observing turtle nesting on the beaches, learning more about the species found in Costa Rica at butterfly, frog and iguana farms and exploring tropical Tortuguero, home to tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, sloths and more.

The safari is full of adventure, with jungle walks, horseback riding and canoeing, as well as the chance to witness four species of primate in Manuel Antonio National Park. If Bolsover had to pick just one experience that every client or visitor must take advantage of in Costa Rica, he says: “It has to be zip lining through the jungle canopy.”

Marine wildlife and tropical birds abound in Peru, where Naya Traveler offers a three-night journey in Puerto Maldonado combined with three nights aboard River Cruise in Iquitos starting at $900 per person per day. The country has three distinct regions, one of which is the virgin rainforest, which covers about 60 percent of the country and is rich in a biodiversity that is native to the Amazon. Journeying from Iquitos, travelers can explore the rainforest from the river on an intimate cruise, or stay in a missionary-style hacienda on the banks of the river in Madre de Dios.

“Visitors can cruise along the Amazon River and witness the meeting of the waters, standup paddle with pink dolphins surrounding them, and fish for piranhas at night,” says Casewit. She recommends taking a “night safari” through the Amazon rainforest, where travelers can see the animals that come out at night.

Across the South Atlantic Ocean in South India, Naya Traveler’s six-night journey consists of trips to Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Coorg, starting at $600 per person per day. This journey can be curated to include trekking alongside a tribal villager through Periyar National Park, a wildlife sanctuary that is home to some of India’s most majestic creatures including tigers and elephants, riding a skiff through the backwaters of Kerala to see locals living in equilibrium with nature, or spending the night on a traditional houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala.

Cultural diversity and a rich heritage abound all throughout South India, including Kerala, where language, music, art, cuisine and architecture can vary from one state to the next. The region also boasts a varied topography, with rolling hills, winding backwaters and tropical valleys to explore during the trip.

The land throughout the Southernmost continent in the world is barely touched by humans, offering breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Travelers can ride among whales, pinnipeds, albatross and penguins, and take a flight over the Geographical South Pole on a journey through Antarctica with Naya Traveler’s ‘The White Desert by Cruise’ trip.

“Cruise through Drake Passage with Antarctica on the horizon, take a dinghy to walk on Earth’s White Continent, witnessing Emperor Penguins breeding,” Casewit says of the trip, consisting of 10 nights starting at $1,300 per person per day. The excursion can also be altered to travel from South Africa to Antarctica by private jet and stay in luxury pods for eight nights, starting at $80,000 per person.

If you’re looking to explore more than a single continent in one sweeping trip, Natural World Safaris’ 18-day multi-destination experience, starting at $37,391, takes travelers on a journey from the red African deserts to Antarctica’s white landscapes. This safari expedition includes activities such as quad biking across the deserts of the Makgadikgadi Pans, a hot air balloon flight over the sand dunes of Sossuvlei, and discovering the desert-adapted wildlife of the Kalahari.

Each day offers a unique experience, such as flying in by jet to land on an ice-runway in Antarctica, where you can spot penguins and trek on the tundra. Bolsover says, “This is a finely-tuned safari which is coordinated to maximize on time and uses the expertise of the team to ensure the best experiences in each destination.”

No matter what destination your wildlife-oriented journey brings you to, Casewit recommends taking advantage of a travel company to enrich the experience, noting “These trips are designed to provide a unique space for clients to discover a destination through the eyes and knowledge of those who know it best.”

Making an iconic design statement in a minimal aesthetic, the Dawn to Dusk lighting fixture is the newest product released by the award-winning London-based design studio haberdashery that invites you to experience the magic of sunrises and sunsets from right inside your home.

The intricate design was inspired by the “the memory of the sun” and creating a strong connection with this memory, according to Ben Rigby, creative director and co-founder of haberdashery.

“We want to reach beyond the industry’s current expectations for a lighting product and push for a more ambitious blend of quality, creativity and narrative-driven design all wrapped up in an iconic, useful and aesthetically beautiful design statement,” says Rigby.

To do this, Rigby and other designers chose to work with an uncomplicated design to demonstrate the clarity of a rising sun, as well as identified the perfect color range that would create a strong, emotional resonance.

Available as a table and floor-standing lamp, the diffused circular light source explores a palette of warm colour hues during its transit of the vertical stand, delivering these as direct light, or as a flood of light on a wall.

When at the base the sliding light head sits in an off position, and then as it is moved upwards it activates a low intensity red hue, which transitions into orange, then 2700k white light as slid upwards. This custom LED light array, developed by Rigby and his team, replicates the transition of light from the deep, rich red of the late evening to the white light of midday. The light is also capable of rotating 360 degrees around, providing a range of uses from outward facing task light through to a backward-facing ambient light, creating a subtle wash.

Dawn to Dusk is meant to not only showcase a naturally beautiful occurrence but to also utilize this power to support our natural rhythm throughout the day. The high-quality white light helps users to wake up more naturally, while the richer, relaxing red colors help regulate the circadian cycle and prepare for sleep.

“haberdashery believes light is a transformative power in the world; we challenge what is possible with light, and through our products are defining a new category of contemporary lighting,” says Rigby.

All photos & video courtesy haberdashery.

Whether it’s using bold colors or finding new ways to embrace the sunshine, here are a few tips to brighten your home in time for summer.

By Alyssa Gautieri

Add Pops of Color

Summer is the perfect time to bring bright colors into your home to create a fresh look. From throw pillows and cozy blankets to candles and vases, there are endless ways to bring new color into a space without a complete renovation. Sunny yellow, water’s edge blue and tropical pink are among the top shades of the summer, according to HGTV.

Swap Out Dark Curtains
Embracing natural light is important year-round, but it is especially important for homeowners in the summer. Natural sunlight creates a brighter and lighter feel, which parallels the ambiance of summer. Dark curtains trap natural light from entering a room, which can make a space feel dark and cold. Meanwhile sheer, bright-colored curtains help to bring the outdoors in.

This garden floral pillow from MacKenzie-Childs embodies summer with its cheerful colors — available at $295.

Freshen up your space with Safavieh’s Ivey’s hand-knotted rug, offered at $1,799.

Offered at $26,000, Jay Strongwater’s leaf and flower mirror can brighten any space.

Don’t Fear Floral

Although floral patterns have been around forever, they never seem to go out of style. Whether hoping for a vintage feel or a modern look, bring personality into your home with new curtains, a rug or tablecloth. If you’re feeling bold, a floral chair or lampshade can completely transform a room. While floral prints may seem intimidating, Real Simple reminds us not to be afraid to mix floral with floral.

Get Creative with Mirrors

In addition to their obvious function, mirrors can help to prepare your home for summer. Using mirrors creatively in your home can help to capture light and project it into dark corners. Depending on the angle and placement, mirrors can create illusions to make a space feel bigger and brighter, according to Country Living.

Embrace Plant Life

Whether living or faux, greenery and flowers bring life into any space. Resembling the outdoors in the summer, the bright yet soothing greens, pinks and purples of plant life can bring a summer-like feeling into your home.

This hand-carved wood log filled with silk succulents and cactus, by T&C Floral Company and priced at $625, is the perfect addition to any living area.

Photos courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Today, travelers are increasingly seeking, and easily finding, accommodations that allow them to be more in tune with their surroundings — be it a forest, beach or conservation preserve.

Through water, air and earth, these communities are connecting residents with the beauty mother nature has to offer.

Water — Chileno Bay Resort & Residences

Nestled along a protected cove with pristine coral reefs and tranquil waters, this property prides itself as having one of Los Cabos’ largest year-round swimmable beaches offering a new, unparalleled way to immerse in the very best of the Baja region. Guests can kayak, take out a Schiller bike to try biking on the water, or go on a guided paddle boarding tour. The resort’s H2O Cave — a watersports center that is carved into natural granite bluff — lends out snorkel masks with GoPro attachments to explore and capture the local coastline and waters teeming with aquatic wildlife.

Earth — Snake River Sporting Club

Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson, Wyoming brings a whole new meaning to “home on the range.” Situated on 800-acres of verdant topography with nearly seven miles of private access to the famed Snake River, the private club and residential community offers true outdoor-lovers authentic Western experiences and curated excursions. Members and guests can take in the stunning scenery of old-growth forest and surrounding mountain ranges via the club’s network of horseback riding trails.

Air — Palmetto Bluff

Take a deep breath of the fresh air at Palmetto Bluff, which is surrounded by 32 miles of riverfront and an abundance of lush, maritime forest. With so much natural landscape, owners and guests alike can partake in outdoor pursuits by land and sea, but what’s really magnificent is watching what goes on in the air through birdwatching. Palmetto Bluff has a natural bird sanctuary on-property called Bird Island, a breeding ground which thousands of egrets, herons and ibises call home.

Redefining “resort-style living,” these luxury real estate communities are taking it one step further by offering unique and unexpected amenities that buyers didn’t know they needed:

Maravilla
Los Cabos, MX

A private oceanfront residential community, Maravilla Los Cabos stretches across 260 acres overlooking the sparkling Sea of Cortez. Prospective buyers can choose between villas, townhomes, or opt for custom homes and home sites that embrace the natural environment and history of the area. Amenities run the gamut at Maravilla.

Hidden Campsite.

Built on the edge of a canyon where two arroyos meet, the hidden campsite is two miles from Maravilla and offers residents the opportunity to experience the Baja desert uninterrupted. The campsite features a main palapa with a kitchen. The luxury camping tents feature one bedroom with a separate living area and outdoor shower. Residents also have access to picnic packages or chef service for dining. A camping butler is on hand for overnight stays as well. Activities include world-class hiking and mountain biking with plans for archery and ax-throwing sites.

Splash Pad and Park.

Perfect for family frolicking, The Park features badminton and basketball courts, and fields for soccer, Frisbee golf, croquet and horseshoes. Parents can sit back and relax while the kids enjoy the jungle gym, splash pad and playground area.

The Club.

Not only is the 60,000-square-foot clubhouse the community centerpiece and social hub, it has several standout features including a 3-level infinity pool with a water slide, lap and plunge pools, a full-service spa, fitness center and 2-story climbing wall, lawn sports courts, an outdoor amphitheater and indoor theater, as well as fully-equipped kids’ activity center.

Palmetto Bluff
Palmetto Bluff, SC

Situated in the heart of South Carolina Lowcountry between Charleston and Savannah, Palmetto Bluff is surrounded by rich history, stunning beauty and cultural heritage. The largest remaining waterfront property on the East Coast, this 20,000-acre development is surrounded by 32 miles of riverfront and features extensive nature trails and a vibrant Village center. Palmetto Bluff also offers a new approach to a beloved camping delight with a s’mores cart for residents and guests.

S’More Situation.

The cart is custom-designed with six bins, offering a variety of flavored and classic marshmallows, a tray of graham crackers, bins for roasting sticks and a mini refrigerator to keep house-made milk and dark chocolates perfectly crisp. After a day of biking along the property’s many trails, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding along the May River or golfing on the May River Golf Course, unwind by “s’moring” which begins at 7 p.m. each night.

The Cliffs
The Carolinas, SC–NC

Situated in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This collection of residential communities is set among a million acres of protected national forest reaching north to Asheville, North Carolina and south to Greenville. Homeowners can choose between three distinct community settings — Mountain, Lake and Asheville — and enjoy every clubhouse, golf course, wellness center, hiking trail, tennis court, marina and restaurant across all seven communities. Plus, it offers a unique, exclusive wine club.

A Wine Club.

Dubbed “uncorked!” The Cliffs Wine Consortium is a monthly wine club led by The Cliffs Beverage Director, Eric Cooperman, a certified sommelier and wine specialist. Exclusively offered to more than 6,000 Cliffs members, the program offers unbeatable wine deals up to 40% off retail price. The subscription-based program encourages members to enjoy different wines, including an array of varietals and regions. The Cliffs offers tastings on a weekly basis and hosts wine pairing dinners.

Four Seasons Resort & Private Residences Napa Valley
Calistoga, CA

Four Seasons Resort & Private Residences Napa Valley is the brand’s first Napa Valley property and slated to open early 2019. Initial site work has begun on the hotel and 20 residences under the management and direction of Bald Mountain Development. When open, owners and guests will have access to the Resort’s impressive amenities, including an exclusive, experiential and world-class on-site winery in the heart of the renowned Calistoga AVA, which will be led by renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.

Your Own Family Wine Label.

Led by renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, this winery and vineyard is one of the most unique offerings available to residents. Residence owners can collaborate with Brown in the winemaking process and coordinate sessions with him to partake in harvesting, fermentation, blending and bottling. They can also store their wines in the Residence Owners’ Private Wine Library until the perfect occasion arrives.

Photos courtesy of Four Seasons Resort & Private Residences Napa Valley, Maravilla Los Cabos, and The Cliffs

As homeowners begin to seek all things natural and organic, luxury real estate developers are beginning to design their new projects with luxe natural elements and features that replace typical art. From walls of limestone art in Turks and Caicos to a driftwood chandelier in Anguilla, these island spaces cater to nature lovers and art appreciators alike.

Rock House

Hand-crafted by a local artisan, stone walls bring natural art to each Capri-style cottage. Extending from the exterior to the interior of each cottage, the walls will be built by hand, much like an artist creates his art. These one-of-a-kind homes are selling fast, with nearly 50 percent of them already sold in just four months. Prices range from $600,000 to $1.5 million.

Photo courtesy of Rock House

The Beachfront Residences Collection at Sugar Beach

Situated between St. Lucia’s famous Piton mountain range, this resort traded traditional exterior siding for natural untreated timber. The natural timber extends throughout the residences through layered sliding timber screens and private timber pool decks, which offer stunning 360-degree views.

Photo courtesy of Williams New York

Zemi Beach House

As you enter Zemi Beach House, you are greeted by a chandelier constructed entirely of island driftwood. Situated on Anguilla’s East End, Zemi Beach House was created with the island’s natural environment in mind. Designed by Architect Lane Pettigrew, the luxury boutique hotel and residences blend modern clean lines with classic Caribbean building details.

Photo courtesy of Zemi Beach House

Zemi Beach House is currently closed due to the September hurricanes and will reopen in early 2018.

In light of the environmental climate, we’ve seen governors and business leaders from both political parties join together in support of sustainability efforts. Tourism and real estate industries are also stepping up and using their own money and resources to maintain their commitment to helping Mother Earth. Palmetto Bluff, Hualālai and Mayakoba are a few example of leading resort and real estate communities paving the way for a better future. This is how they are doing it:

Hualalai

Hualālai, a luxury oceanfront community on the exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, offers a comprehensive conservancy program committed to sustainability.

David Chai, director of natural resources, has revitalized the area with a coastal wetland ecosystem featuring native plants, fish and wildlife.
The Marine Life Advisory Committee manages fishery resources at the Kaʻūpūlehu shoreline.
The Natural Resources Department at Hualālai maintains an aquaculture program to raise fresh seafood.
The property offers interactive educational programming, including behind-the-scenes tours for guests and children.

Palmetto Bluff

Palmetto Bluff is the largest remaining waterfront property on the East Coast, a 20,000-acre nature preserve in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. When Crescent Communities purchased the land in 2000, it created the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy to ensure that the stewardship practices of previous owners were continued. Crescent set out to develop the community with one priority: preserving the unique natural environment of the property.

The Conservancy

ensures the Bluff’s natural resources and vast wildlife are not only intact but flourishing.
operates with an “anti-developer” mindset, slashing the originally planned 8,000 homes to 4,000.
ensures a portion of all sales go to the non-profit organization.
offers educational events for both owners and guests.

Mayakoba

Mayakoba is an eco-conscious luxury resort development amid lush mangroves lining a white-sand beach that is home to four hotels: Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Andaz Mayakoba. It has implemented significant practices to encourage sustainability.

The property…

was specifically created to be a model luxury enclave that preserves and protects the beach, jungle and wildlife for future generations.
employs a team of onsite biologists to conduct general monitoring of the over 200 species of birds and wildlife to ensure favorable physical conditions.
implemented a project to rehabilitate its coastal ecosystems in order to increase sea levels, rebuild coastal sand dunes, recover reefs and create new coral barriers.
received the Sustainable Standard Setter Award from the Rainforest Alliance and the Ulysses Prize for “Responsible Tourism Development” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2011.

With skyline views, outdoor kitchens, infinity pools and rooftop terraces, these over-the-top penthouses serve as the perfect space for hosting a summer soiree. They’re also the ideal spot to view the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse on August 21st.

Miami Beach

2901 Collins Ave
Located at The Residences at Miami Beach Edition, this sky home boasts breathtaking sunset views over the ocean and downtown Miami. Equipped with an outdoor kitchen and rooftop jacuuzi, this expansive outdoor space is perfect for entertaining.
Price: $10.9 Million
Listing agents: Anna Sherrill and Ivan Chorney of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty