The Luxury Collection Expeditions. Photo: Marriott The Luxury Collection has launched The Luxury Collection Expeditions , a new collection of immersive travel experiences designed to take guests beyond traditional hotel stays and deeper into the culture, history, cuisine and natural landscapes of destinations around the world.
The new program expands the brand's long-standing position as a "Destination Authority", giving travelers opportunities to explore places alongside local experts including historians, artisans, chefs, winemakers, conservationists and other specialists.
Photo: MarriottRather than simply sightseeing, the experiences are designed around hands-on participation and privileged access, from learning traditional food preservation techniques in Kyoto to exploring Greek islands by helicopter and yacht, creating bespoke wine blends in Spain and joining marine conservation projects in the Caribbean.
The inaugural collection includes 10 expeditions across North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, with additional experiences planned for later this fall.
The Luxury Collection has divided the new offerings into three categories: Private Tailored Journeys, Day Discoveries, and Residencies & Collaborations.
Private Tailored Journeys are bespoke, multi-day itineraries combining several destinations, Luxury Collection hotels, private transportation and locally guided experiences.
In Japan , The Imperial Journey, guests spend 10 days exploring Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, with experiences including a private visit to a samurai residence, sushi-making with a fourth-generation master, access to rarely opened temple spaces and an intimate geiko dinner in Gion.
In Italy , The Grand Italia Rally gives guests the opportunity to drive a classic Italian automobile along a six-night route connecting Milan, Venice and Florence. The journey includes routes through Franciacorta, Lake Garda, Tuscany and the Ligurian coast, combining classic motoring with luxury accommodation and private dining experiences.
Photo: MarriottMeanwhile, in Greece , The Aegean Odyssey takes travelers across Mykonos, Paros and Santorini over nine days using private helicopters and yachts. Highlights include exploring Delos with a local archaeologist, sailing to Antiparos and Despotiko, discovering Paros' marble heritage and experiencing Santorini's wine culture.
The Day Discoveries collection focuses on individual experiences rooted in local traditions, crafts, cuisine and natural environments.
In Kyoto, Farm to Fermentation takes guests from a local farm to a fermentation house, where they learn about nukazuke, a traditional Japanese rice-bran preservation technique, before enjoying a chef-prepared teppanyaki dinner.
At The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Desert Icons, A Private Journey Through Living Legacy explores the Sonoran Desert through conservation, architecture and food. Guests receive private access to the Desert Botanical Garden and its seed bank, herbarium and greenhouse before visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West and finishing with a farm-to-table dinner.
In Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Doors of Diriyah: A Najdi Palette & Palate combines local architecture, cuisine and craftsmanship. Guests explore the historic A-Turaif district, visit a private Najdi palace, prepare the traditional Henini dessert and create their own miniature Najdi door during an artisan-led workshop.
The third category, Residencies & Collaborations, puts specialists at the heart of the experience, allowing guests to learn directly from winemakers, scientists, conservationists and other experts.
At Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain's Rioja Alavesa, The Art of Winemaking: A Rioja Alavesa Masterclass gives guests a five-day look at the winemaking process, from harvesting grapes to creating a personalized blend. Their wines are then aged in French oak barrels before 40 custom-labeled bottles are shipped to their homes.
In South Caicos, three programs focus on the destination's marine environment and night skies.
Reef Revival Expedition introduces guests to coral conservation through marine science and snorkeling, while certified divers can participate in coral planting. Angler's Paradise Expedition focuses on bonefishing across the island's remote flats, while From Tides to Stars Expedition combines kayaking through the Northern Cays with private stargazing under South Caicos' dark skies.
According to Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of The Luxury Collection, the new Expeditions are intended to take travelers beyond hotel walls and into the "living fabric" of destinations.
The brand plans to introduce additional expeditions this fall, expanding the program across its global portfolio of more than 130 hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories.