Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: Marbella Club Hotel

As a part of our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, we had the sheer pleasure of interviewing Carlos Quereda, director of sales and marketing at the Marbella Club Hotel, on the experience travelers receive when they visit the acclaimed Marbella Club Hotel. Located on the glistening shores of Spain, this hotel is one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations. 

See below for the interview:

1. How does the Marbella Club Hotel stand apart from other luxury hotels in Spain?

The Marbella Club Hotel, located in a natural paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the heart of the Golden Mile and only five minutes from Old Town Marbella and the world famous Puerto Banús, enjoys 325 days of sunshine. Open year round, the renowned hotel, one of the “The Leading Small Hotels of the World,” was once the private residence of Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe. Since opening its doors over half a century ago, the hotel has been regarded as the European playground for the international jet-set: aristocrats, stars of the entertainment industry, and business and political leaders from all over the world. 

Count Rudi, who was the general manager when the hotel first opened is still there greeting guests and VIPs as they arrive. Everyone from the Duke of Windsor to Elizabeth Taylor to the Rolling Stones to Britney Spears and the Beckhams have stayed there. They have a saying at the hotel “No glossy past outshines the present. Here the good old days are what’s happening.” And it is so true. 

The beachfront retreat has it all—121 luxury bedrooms and suites and 14 Andalusian-style villas throughout 42,000 square metres of lush subtropical gardens, golf, riding, tennis, fitness, world-class restaurants, stunning beach and pools and accommodation to suit the needs of any entourage, family or couple (as well as private 2 – 5 bedroom Villas with private gardens and pools). 

In 1968, a Town & Country article is quoted as saying ‘The Marbella people have come up with a new set of rules to live by. Daytime, no matter how sunny and dazzling, gets the short end of the stick; after dark is when all the sensible folk come out to shine.” And they still live by this sentiment today—days are spent at the beach or beach club, a late afternoon siesta is followed by dinner at midnight and then a dance club until dawn. The Marbella Club and later Puente Romano opened some of the first discotheques in the region. 

Voted “Best Beach Hotel of Europe” by the members of the American Express Platinum & Centurion Card, the Marbella Club Hotel offers a wealth of experiences and activities. It is the ideal destination for male trips and female getaways, site-seeing excursions, romantic getaways, sport and golf vacations, family holidays, and rejuvenation and spa trips.

The Marbella Club Hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafés, a beach club surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens, private golf club, riding stables, tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness facility, children’s club, and the exquisite Thalasso Spa.   

2. The Marbella Club Hotel is located in the center of “the Golden Mile,” on the southern coast of Spain. Tell us a little bit about this area and how guests benefit from the hotel’s location. 

What is known as Marbella’s Golden Mile begins at the western edge of Marbella city and stretches to Puerto Banus. The area is exclusive and home to some of the area’s most impressive villas and estates.

The Golden Mile is divided into two parts by a motorway that runs through it. Along the motorway are strings of business centres, five-star hotels, a golf course, and other services. The beachside of the motorway is fully developed, while the mountainside is still undergoing development. Investment opportunities in this area include spectacular views of mountain and sea.

Urbanizations in the area’s seaside are Alhambra del Mar, La Alcazaba, Las Torres, Los Verdiales, Marbellamar, Marina Marbella, Oasis, Rio Verde and Santa Margarita.

On the mountainside  of the motorway, the following urbanizations are currently developing: Sierra Blanca, Nagüeles, Cascada de Camoján, Jardines Colgantes, Marbella Hill Club, El Venero, El Batatal, La Capellania, La Virginia, Carolina, El Vicario, Altos de Salamanca, Casas del Señorio de Marbella, Coto Real, Ancon Sierra.

3. The golf course at Marbella Club Hotel is absolutely stunning! What makes this golf course unique compared to other golf courses found throughout Europe?

With its magnificent 18-hole golf course, designed by Dave Thomas, and its superbly equipped riding stables, the Golf Resort and Riding Stables of the Marbella Club Hotel are a haven where enthusiasts, riding fans, and nature lovers can enjoy their favorite pastimes. It is also an ideal spot for lovely walks among the hills and for taking in the spectacular views of the Sierra, Gibraltar, the North African coastline, and the Mediterranean.

 Seasonal watersports are available on the beach, as well as the Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness, located at sister hotel Puente Romano (only a 5 – 10 minute beach walk away), which includes 10 tennis and four paddle courts and a state-of-the art Fitness Centre with a selection of aerobic courses, saunas, and steam baths.

4. Describe the hotel’s Thalasso Spa. Specifically, what type of experience can visitors expect and what are the spa’s most popular signature treatments?

The Thalasso Spa is, without a doubt, one of the best spas to be found in a major European destination. Located on the beach with the Mediterranean at its doorstep, the spa is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a dynamic indoor seawater pool, hammams (Turkish baths), saunas, a relaxation room, and 12 treatment rooms. Guests can also enjoy the heated outdoor pools and the renowned Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness club.  

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

The culinary offerings at the Marbella Club Hotel are simply spectacular. The famous Beach Club buffet, the romantic Grill, the avant garde MC Café, the brand new MC Beach and the delightful Pool Bar and, of course, the Golf Resort Club House restaurant, all offer delicious dishes and the exquisite service that characterizes the hotel.

Truly a place of magic, almost anything imaginable is possible when it comes to romance and events at the Marbella Club Hotel. In the past, wedding guests, honeymooners, and loving couples have been dazzled by fireworks, entertained by performers such as Julio Iglesias, privately dined on the shores of the Mediterranean, rode horseback through the mountains or along the shores on a private yacht, and even danced on a glass dance floor suspended over the pool.

About the Marbella Club Hotel:

Marbella Club Hotel has come to be recognized the world over as one of the most prestigious establishments in the hotel world. And the Prince’s vision has become reality with the Marbella Club Hotel Golf Resort & Spa that we know today, included as it is amongst the “Leading Small Hotels of the World.”

Connect with the Marbella Club Hotel:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marbellaclub

Website http://www.marbellaclub.com/welcome.html

Celebrate with the Gift that Keeps on Giving: Travel

Travel is an experience that changes your life in a far more lasting way than any material gift you use or display on a shelf. It is one gift that is treasured forever, and travel is meaningful beyond the time it takes place for several reasons:

Travel creates memories you’ll always remember and cherish. Unlike material possessions, memories are not lost, stolen, or broken. You’ll remember that river cruise along the Rhine well into your 80s, and the sights, sounds, and smells of your trip will come flooding back to you like it was yesterday.

No matter where you go or what you do, travel changes you. We don’t pay much attention to the lives of others until we experience them firsthand. You’ll remember helping that community water well project in Africa or visiting that quaint village in Switzerland. You’ll carry the faces of the people you meet in your heart forever, and you’ll realize what truly matters in your life and what doesn’t. Travel is a deeply felt transformation that we all experience differently.

You realize the true worth of your free time. Time is the only resource we have that does not renew itself. You can spend money and make more, and you can buy more food when you run out—but after time is gone, you can’t get it back, and you can’t create more of it. All you can do is use what you have as wisely as possible. Travel helps you make the most of your free time and takes you to visit the people and places that are valuable to you.

Family traveling creates precious moments you can’t buy at any price. You purchase tickets and hotel reservations, but you can’t buy that comical moment your daughter realized what escargot is. You can’t purchase the joyful tears of your grandfather when he stepped foot on the land of his ancestors. No amount of money could give you the awe and wonder in your mother’s eyes when she stood at the one historical site she’s read about and always wanted to visit. Only travel can do that.

Compare all these moments, memories, and experiences to material gifts, and travel is the perfect gift for you or anyone on your list. Consider celebrating a holiday with the gift that keeps on giving, and schedule your next trip today. 

Holiday Culinary Inspirations from Sweden

Sweden’s holiday celebrations include some of the most unusual and delicious cuisine, beverages, and desserts you’ll ever find.

Courtesy of kungsomen.se

The darkest month of the year in Sweden, December is a month for celebration. In addition to Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas, also known as Jul, Lucia Day falls on December 13. This holiday commemorates St. Lucia of Sicily, who was murdered for her religious beliefs. Lucia is depicted wearing a long, white dress or robe with a red sash or ribbons, with a wreath of candles and lingonberry leaves on her head.

On Lucia Day, the women of each home traditionally serve ginger cookies and lussekatter (saffron or St. Lucia buns) to their family before dawn. Churches and schools hold Lucia processions, where a woman dressed as Lucia leads girls dressed in white, as well as boys wearing cone-shaped hats, to an area where more lussekatter, ginger cookies, and glögg, which can be either mulled wine or a hot drink made with apple juice and berry syrup, are served.
  

Courtesy of Norrsken

During the weeks of Advent, families make desserts and sweets such as knäck (toffee with chopped almonds), buttery caramels, marzipan, and Christmas cookies. Other homemade Christmas cuisine includes pickled herring and pigs’ feet, meatballs, potato sausage, and pâté. Families work tirelessly during Advent to prepare for the largest feast of the year on Christmas Eve, or Julafton. Lunch on Christmas Eve is a smorgasbord of the meats, sweets, and breads the family has spent the last few weeks preparing.

For the Christmas Eve evening meal, families traditionally serve lutefisk, dried codfish with a dipping sauce, as the main dish. Julgröt, a porridge much like rice pudding, is also served, with one porridge containing an almond that brings luck to the person who finds it. Christmas Day feasts include Christmas pike or roasts of duck or goose, depending on local traditions. 

As the holiday feasts in Sweden typically feature several different meats, side dishes, and sweets for dessert, if you travel during Christmas, be prepared to sample a variety of treats, and rest assured that you’ll never go hungry. 

Enjoy the Magic of German Christmas Markets

If you’re looking for an enchanting, unique way to celebrate the holidays, consider traveling to a German Christmas market. Held throughout Germany, these festive holiday fairs are becoming more popular every year. Visitors enjoy the magic of Christmas with mulled wine, hot chestnuts, gingerbread, and handmade gifts such as woodcarvings, candles, and marionettes. 

Christmas markets normally open during the last week of November and run every day through Christmas Eve. For variety and the ultimate Christmas magic, visit at least two Christmas markets in different cities. Three of the most popular Christmas market cities are Baden-Baden, Cologne, and Munich.

Baden-Baden

Surrounded by dense forests and mountains, Christkindelsmarkt, Baden-Baden’s Christmas market, is a romantic, fairy-tale place to celebrate the holidays. Choirs and bands serenade you throughout the day as you browse dozens of festively decorated stands with handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, silver, and toys. Be sure to sample the wide variety of traditional holiday cuisine, sweets, and drinks as you shop.  

A live nativity scene, complete with a life-sized manger, animals, and actors, sits in front of the Kurhaus and brings the magic of Christmas to life.

Cologne

The seven picturesque Cologne Christmas markets celebrate the season in style and offer something for everyone. The oldest market is on Neumarkt, with artisan products and old-style booths, while the Rudolfplatz enchants with fairy-tale figures and festive decoration. The Alter Markt sits in front of the old town hall and features a puppet theater and a variety of toy stands.

Whether you’re browsing for trinkets on the Floating Christmas Market or enjoying mulled wine and a spiced apple at the Medieval Christmas Market in front of the Chocolate Museum, every market has its own personality, and you’ll want to visit them all. Listen to a variety of music at the Christmas concerts at the market in front of the Cologne Cathedral as you marvel at the largest Christmas tree in the region.

Munich

A 350-year-old tradition, Munich’s Christkindl Markt sits in front of the old town hall and Frauenkirche church. With its more than 160 decorated booths, expect to see traditional Bavarian craftwork, exquisite crystals, and handmade traditional toys. Enjoy Christmas concerts on the balcony of Munich’s town hall.

The Christmas Markets of Germany are perfect for anyone wanting to get right away for a real traditional and romantic holiday celebration. You’ll enjoy a festive atmosphere, plenty of music and food, and handmade, quality craftwork gifts.

Holiday Celebrations Worldwide

Christmas is celebrated in many countries worldwide, with each country having unique customs and traditions. Australia, Mexico, and Great Britain are highlighted here.

Australia

In Australia, December 25^th falls during the summer, so people often spend part of Christmas Day at the beach or camping, and Bondi Beach near Sydney is a popular Christmas destination.

As we do, Australians set up Christmas trees and send out greeting cards, and children excitedly look forward to a visit from Santa, whose sleigh is pulled by six white boomers, or large kangaroos. On Christmas Day, family and friends exchange gifts, and the Christmas feast is often light fare such as salads and seafood, with traditional desserts such as Christmas pudding and Christmas cake with currants and raisins.

Boxing Day, December 26, is an important day for sports fans. The Boxing Day Test pits the Australian cricket team against an international touring team and takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Also on Boxing Day, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, a highly prestigious ocean race, begins.

Mexico

Christmas, or Navidad, celebrations in Mexican neighborhoods begin December 16 with Las Posadas. This celebration represents the journey and tribulation Mary and Joseph endured the night of Jesus’ birth. Each night of the Posadas, a group approaches a home to ask for lodging for Mary. After they are refused, they plead for help a second time. The homeowner invites them in, where a manger scene, or nacimiento, is waiting and the group prays and sings.

Soon afterward, the children try to break a piñata, a container filled with candy and toys. The piñata hangs from a tree, and the blindfolded children try to hit the piñata with a stick to break it and release the goodies. On Christmas Eve, Christ’s birth is announced at midnight with fireworks and bells. Many Mexicans attend midnight mass, and then feast on common Mexican foods such as tamales, rice, and menudo.

Great Britain

With centuries-old traditions still celebrated today, Christmas is Great Britain’s most popular holiday. Many Christmas traditions found in the U.S. originated in Great Britain, such as sending Christmas cards and decorating our homes. Mistletoe was thought to have miraculous powers, and our custom of kissing under the mistletoe comes from an ancient pagan tradition. Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to England in the mid-1800s.

As in the U.S., Christmas Eve finds carolers strolling around neighborhoods, and children hang stockings for Father Christmas to fill. Christmas Day begins with opening presents, and Christmas dinner traditionally includes roast chicken, turkey, or goose with potatoes and stuffing, followed by mince pies and Christmas pudding. One difference in the dinner celebration involves Christmas crackers, which are paper tubes full of gifts such as paper hats and toys. As two people pull it open, it cracks. After dinner, Britons listen to the Queen’s Christmas Message on radio and television.  

At Christmas, traditions are often as meaningful as the reason for the holiday itself. What did you find fascinating about the customs of these countries? 

Southwestern Spas to Indulge the Senses: Part I

Turn a vacation into a transformation. Visiting some of the nation’s finest spa resorts can awaken your mind, revitalize your body and renew your spirit. These choice spas will intrigue all your senses from tantalizing tastes, and tender touch, to spectacular sights, calming sounds and serene scents.

Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

This award-winning spa resort is hands-down one of my favorites. Nestled in the majestic Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch offers more than just luxurious spa treatments and accommodations, you will also enjoy fine cuisine, outdoor adventures, golfing and more, at this all-inclusive spa resort.

Spa pleasures from around the world including Asian therapies, Yamuna treatments, restorative therapy, replenishing facials, tanning, nail and hair treatments. During your stay you can also take advantage of the 80,00 square foot Spa Complex that includes relaxation rooms, yoga and dance studios, a salon, whirlpools, wellness education rooms, and state-of-the-art cardio and weight-lifting equipment.

Delight in the sights of the rich landscape of the Santa Catalina Mountains and red canyons nearby. The Ranch was once a working cattle ranch, but now offers a serene and clear desert setting, perfect for mind-clearing and focus. As part of your vacation experience, take advantage of the gorgeous surroundings by going hiking, biking, or even nature and bird observing.

Whether your goal is to discover new activities, explore the outdoors, lose weight, improve your golf game or fine-tune your fitness, the encouraging fitness physiologists will custom-tailor a plan for you during your stay. Take advantage of all the offerings of fitness classes, guided hikes and walks, wellness presentations and workshops, private consultations and assessments. With more than 40 fitness classes and outdoor activities each day, there is something for everyone.

Your comfort is a top priority of Canyon Ranch, and to ensure that you are most comfortable and relaxed, guest suites are equipped with feather cloud beds, luxury Italian linens, robes and all the essentials to help you relax. The resort is tastefully tied together with modern southwest-inspired decor and art throughout, enhancing the experience in the Tucson desert.

In addition to the amazing spa treatments and pampering, the award-winning cuisine at the Ranch will spoil your taste buds. Not only are the meals indulgently delicious, each has been carefully designed for maximum nutritional value. The healthy gourmet cuisine is always prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Canyon Ranch is all about your health and pleasure. It’s a luxurious way to revitalize your mind, body and spirit.

Ten Thousand Waves, Sante Fe, New Mexico

Centered around Japanese values of relaxation and serenity, the Ten Thousand Waves Spa in Sante Fe, New Mexico is a truly unique and luxurious spa destination. Based on the traditional Japanese spa, or onsen, Waves believes that a spa is a place to relax and have fun, not just a place to get something done. In Japanese tradition, spas and bathing are mostly about meeting friends, relaxing, spending time with family and unwinding from the day. Waves uses hot water bathing as an integral part of its spa treatments.

This unique Japanese spa oasis, set in the mountains just outside Sante Fe, offers everything from hot water bathing and therapeutic massages to hot oil treatments, herbal wraps and sea salt exfoliation. Lounge around in your Yukata robe, snack on handmade sushi, and enjoy the lush nature surroundings.

Even though Ten Thousand Waves is mainly a day spa, they offer some of the most unique and serene lodging accommodations, all based on traditional Japanese lifestyle. Just a short walk through the towering pinions and fragrant juniper trees, the 12 hotel suites are privately nestled along the hillside. Each suite is completely unique, offering anything from the quaint “capsule” trailer or high-tech modernist “Sailor Moon” room, to the traditional simplistic Japanese elegance or blended Southwestern Japanese rooms. All rooms encompass a peaceful blend of tranquility, luxury and romance.

This spa getaway is all about letting go, transporting your mind and calming your soul.

The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards, Colorado

Whether you are looking to unwind or rejuvenate, or both, The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera will help you accomplish that in supreme luxury. High atop the majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains, Cordillera has world-class views of the Vail Valley and Sawatch Mountain Range.

Refresh your body and soul with amazing spa treatments, for men, women or couples. Continually voted as one of the top spas in North America, you are guaranteed not to be disappointed. The amazing massages and body treatments uniquely blend traditional touches with unique ingredients and scents such as coffee, sandalwood, volcanic ash, Dead Sea Salts, local river rocks and fresh mountain water.

In the warm months you can become part of the mountain scenery with a relaxing gazebo or poolside massage in the open, fresh mountain air. In the winter, Cordillera is a one of the world’s most renowned ski destinations. After a day of winter sports, ease sore muscles with a Backcountry Pedicure or one of the signature massage treatments. The resort also specializes in high-altitude skin treatments to revitalize your body from the dry mountain air.

The entire resort was inspired by a Belgian chateau and is decorated with a unique mountain rustic elegance. Suites are equipped with balconies with uninterrupted mountain views, cozy fireplaces, and plush feather beds.

During your stay at Cordillera, enjoy award-winning cuisine from two on-site restaurants. For an unforgettable fine-dining experience set with breath-taking mountain views, eat at Mirador; where the innovative menu and extensive wine list are sure to pleasure your palate. For a relaxed yet upscale authentic Irish pub, visit Grouse on the Green.

The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera is the best place to experience a spa vacation full of solitude, contemporary comfort and mountain luxury.

What is your favorite part of a spa?

Experience the Ultimate Romantic Getaway to Bali

When it comes to romantic getaway destinations, Bali is often at the top of the list. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world, Bali’s pristine white and black sand beaches, clear sapphire water, and magnificent sunsets enthrall couples looking for a tranquil, picturesque place to enjoy. From the stately mountains to the lush vegetation including the bright green mazes of rice fields, the spectacular scenery is like nowhere else in the world.

Accommodations are luxurious and spacious, and Bali has an abundance of premier resorts near the beaches and mountains. Private villas overlook the sea and offer couples privacy, freedom, and all the comforts of home plus the amenities of the finest hotels. Many villas have swimming pools and gardens with staff such as chauffeurs, chefs, and butlers at your service.

Dining in Bali is a gastronomic delight. Restaurants and cafes offer a wide variety of cuisine ranging from satay, marinated barbecued meat served with peanut sauce, to black rice pudding. Chinese food is also popular in Bali, and fresh seafood is plentiful. Vegetarian fare is easy to find, and it is made with the freshest ingredients from local markets. The Balinese enjoy snacking, and food carts serving soup, spring rolls, and ice cream are available almost any time of day. 

No matter what you do in Bali, there is an air of romance surrounding you. The most romantic Balinese experiences include . . .

• Private champagne and seafood dinners at sunset on Jimbaran Beach.
• A rejuvenating couples massage with steam and sauna at your villa or at one of the many spas, followed by high tea.
• A cooking class for two followed by a catamaran dinner cruise with live music.
• Relaxing horseback riding or intimate horse-drawn carriage rides.
• Strolls along the sea on isolated beaches, nature hikes in remote forests, and sightseeing helicopter rides followed by romantic picnic lunches.
• Scuba diving and snorkeling in the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean.
• A guided tour of Mount Agung, the holiest mountain in Bali and an active volcano. 

Bali is a serene, breathtaking place that welcomes couples from all over the world and offers not only romance but also excitement, fun, and luxury. For an intimate, relaxing getaway for two, look no further than this island paradise.

Images courtesy of our partners at Four Seasons

The Seven Natural Wonders of the World: Part II

Click here to view Part I of this post.

Courtesy of National Geographic

Great Barrier Reef

Located off the coast of Queensland in Australia, the world’s largest coral reef system stretches over 1,500 miles and consists of nearly 3,000 separate reefs. It includes over 900 islands and can be seen from outer space. The reef system supports dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles, birds, sea snakes, and other species, many of which are endangered or vulnerable.

The best way to see the spectacular reefs and their vibrant sea life is to get up close by scuba diving or snorkeling. You can take a boat tour or cruise and experience the Great Barrier Reef for any length of time you choose. For a bird’s-eye view of the immense size and magnificence of the reefs, you can also take a helicopter tour.

Courtesy of mexonline.com

Parícutin

A cinder cone volcano in Michoacán, Mexico, Parícutin is the youngest volcano in America, and it is unique among the wonders of the world because humans witnessed its birth. In 1943, a farmer named Dionisio Pulido and his family saw the first eruption of ash and watched the volcano grow to five stories tall in one week. Within a month, Parícutin could be seen from a distance. During its first year, it buried the nearby villages in lava and ash.

The volcano continued erupting for the next eight years, and in 1952, the volcano went dormant. Parícutin is unlikely to erupt again, as cinder cone volcanoes do not normally erupt after their creation. To see Parícutin any time of year, hike or ride horseback to the top. You will be amazed at the buried buildings and lava fields that surround it.

Courtesy of VictoriaFalls.com

Victoria Falls

A stunning waterfall in southern Africa fed by the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls measures one mile wide and 360 feet high. It is the largest sheet of falling water in the world, and is the widest and highest waterfall as well. Victoria Falls lies on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and visitors often cross the border to enjoy the view from different vantage points.

To experience the falls, take a helicopter tour, and you’ll also see abundant wildlife, such as hippos and elephants, set against the breathtaking view of the water. A microlite, which is a two-person aircraft that resembles a hang glider, lets you see the falls and enjoy the crisp air, making for a rejuvenating, exciting trip. To get close to the falls, try one of the hiking trails that take you within 200 feet of the water. Here you’ll see, smell, and hear the spectacular falls and see why Victoria Falls is also called Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “smoke that thunders.”

Courtesy of famouswonders.com

Mount Everest

The highest point on earth, Mount Everest’s summit peaks at just over 29,000 feet. It is located in the Himalaya Mountains between Nepal and Tibet, and is known as Mount Chomolungma.

If you wish to see Mount Everest, you can either climb it or fly around it. If you don’t wish to hike to the peak, you can hike to the base of the mountain and stay at base camp. If you wish to climb it, the Nepalese government now charges $25,000 for a climbing permit. If you’d rather have an aerial view, flights around the mountain are offered by guides who have vast knowledge of the mountain and surrounding areas.

Have you ever witnessed one of the 7 natural wonders of the world?