GO TWO BY TWO TO KENYA AND HONEYMOON ON THE HIGH PLAINS

NAIROBI, Kenya (09/2013) Once the wedding is over, the adventures never have to stop: newlyweds can enjoy romance, adventure, and luxury through Marasa’s honeymoon package at the Aberdare Country Club (ACC) and The Ark. Enjoy four nights at the ACC, followed by one at the Ark.

Set on a stunning 1,300 acre wildlife preserve outside of Nairobi, the Aberdare Country Club (booking automatically enrolls one in the club) is located in the Aberdare Highlands, part of the Great Rift Valley. It has retained the charm of a private home with the simple comforts of a country inn as highlighted in Monty Brown's book, Haven Under the Hill: "Today, despite the fast-changing tempo of the outside world, the old home still retains that comfortable, solid feeling based on traditions from a time when life proceeded at a far more leisurely and gentle pace."

Newlyweds can indulge in that gentle pace during a day that is luxurious and relaxing from start to finish; beginning with a champagne breakfast in bed, followed by an afternoon at the spa with a steam and a couples massage. Then, lovebirds can soak in their beautiful surroundings with a sundowner on the Kamatongu hill, capped off with a private dinner for two either on their balcony overlooking the preserve, or in the bushveld.

Days at the ACC can be filled with a variety of activities like horseback riding, nature walks in the sanctuary that culminate in picnic lunches at the top of the hill, or trips to the Solio Ranch to view the white rhino in its natural habitat. Honeymooners share the club’s well-appointed amenities, such as a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a pool, with the animal kingdom. 

Imagine tee-ing off as a pack of wild dogs chase an impala across the course!

After four sybaritic nights at the ACC, newlyweds will be taken on a game drive en route to The Ark. The Ark is situated in the Aberdare National Park, near Mt. Kenya, which is the highest in the eponymous nation. The lodge is whimsically modeled after Noah’s Ark, and its multitude of windows and four levels of decks allow for unparalleled views of the elephants, rhinos, buffalos, impalas, leopards, giraffes, and other animals that flock to the nearby watering hole and salt lick. Couples can also enjoy game drives through the park, guided walks, and hikes to the stunning Gura Falls waterfalls.

Rates start at and include full use of the Club’s facilities, one champagne breakfast, one sundowner, one private dinner, one couples massage, and a welcome drink.

 For more information or reservations, contact Corne Schalkwyk: corne@marasa.net or visit Aberdare Country Club or The Ark

FITNESS AND REJUVENATION AT ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE

ARDGAY, SCOTLAND (3/10) - Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve, a member of the elite Mantis Collection, is offering health and vitality retreats throughout the summer. Located just an hour north of Inverness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Alladale’s 23,000 acres of rugged landscape offers the perfect secluded backdrop for the upcoming series of fitness and rejuvenation getaways, including an ‘Escape and Rejuvenate’ retreat, a ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ retreat, a ‘Yogoloji’ course, and a ‘Method Putkisto’ retreat.

•The Escape and Rejuvenate Retreat, May 16-20, 2010
Alladale’s ‘Escape and Rejuvenate’ Retreat is a four-day holistic health getaway that aims to uplift and refresh through gentle detoxification; delicious, nutritious foods; invigorating walks in the surrounding countryside and relaxation by the fireside. Under the care of an expert in health and wellbeing, guests will enjoy interactive workshops in raw chocolate making and transforming seasonal, natural ingredients into healthy food, drinks and cordials; food-dynamics demonstrations providing empowering recipes to transform your health; and colonic hydrotherapy treatments. This retreat package costs $1,483 based on double occupancy. To book, please call +44 (0) 7788 714960 or email sophia@healthessentials.org.uk.

•The Fitness and Nutrition Retreat, June 13-18, 2010
The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ Retreat, hosted by Nature & Kind’s wellness expert, offers a unique opportunity to look after your health without distraction. Through group activities and classes, individualized exercise therapy, personal training sessions, and relaxation treatments, participants will achieve immediate results, including weight loss, body toning, improvement in energy, increased mental clarity, and de-stress. In addition to participating in the designed fitness and nutrition program, guests are encouraged to take advantage of Alladale’s 23,000 acres with guided Highland nature walks, 4x4 Highland safaris, mountain biking, Nordic walking, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, and Highland pony trekking. The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ retreat package costs $1,940 based on shared accommodation. To book, please call +44 (0)845 299 7776 or email info@natureandkind.com.

•Yogologi Retreat, July 14-18, 2010
Alladale will host the ‘Yogologi’ Retreat, training in the ancient technique of Vedic Meditation led one of the UK's leading meditation teachers, Jillian Lavender. Vedic meditation is the oldest form of meditation in the world and promises improvements in health and energy and a decrease in the ageing process. The course will be complemented by a Pranayama (breathing) course and gentle Hatha Yoga each morning to awaken the connection between mind and body and facilitate the rebalancing process. This four-day course is priced at $2,172 based on double occupancy. Please call +44 (0) 207 730 7473 or email francesca@yogoloji.co.uk for bookings.

•The Method Putkisto Retreat, July 18-25, 2010
The ‘Method Putkisto’ Retreat will combine indoor and outdoor exercise and rest and relaxation to rebalance body and mind. With the ‘Method Putkisto’, guests will take full advantage of Alladale’s great outdoors, descending glens and climbing mountains to heal and tone their bodies. Floor-work classes will stretch and elongate tight muscles and strengthen and align the spine while walking through Alladale’s acres will improve breathing and increase blood flow and lymph drainage. A special ‘Method Putkisto 3D Natural Face Clinic’ will de-stress by balancing the facial muscles and freeing the neck, shoulders and head. This package is priced at $1,871 based on double occupancy. For bookings, please call +44 (0)20 8878 7384 or email office@methodputkisto.com.

With these packages, guests will work hard to balance and tone their bodies. And, at day’s end, they will unwind at the beautiful Alladale Lodge, where they will stay in beautiful en-suite double rooms, with full access to the Wilderness spa, sauna, fully-equipped indoor gym, cozy drawing room (complete with blazing log fire) and games room. For additional information on Alladale Wilderness Reserve and Lodge, please call (01144) 1863 755338 or visit the website at www.alladale.com.