Ker & Downey’s most notable villa vacation spots are ideal for the entire family. If you’re considering getting away, consider these villa vacations.  Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman Take in the dramatic views from the private villa Beit Musandam, set on a stretch of beach that looks out onto the Gulf of Oman. A wine cellar, private gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and live-in butler round are exclusively yours, with activities on the tranquil Musandam Peninsula or in the comfort and privacy of the villa possible during your stay. Grootbos Villa, South Africa Nestled in the indigenous Fynbos landscape of the […]

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Katy Heerssen previews the paradise on Rubondo Island, a secret gem on Lake Victoria that proves as unpredictable as it is peaceful. The island home of Asilia Africa’s newest addition, Rubondo Island Camp, is a bit of an enigma to me. One-part relaxed waterfront retreat and one-part field day for active adventurers, I found it so different from the traditional safari, jungle or island experience. Still, all three are a part of its identity. Uninhabited and unexplored for decades, Tanzania’s Rubondo Island is the largest island national park in Africa, and Rubondo Island Camp is the only property on some […]

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In the Summer Issue of BESPOKE Magazine, Ker & Downey’s Katy Heerssen explores the hidden culinary treasures of Portugal with this must-have food and wine guide. Portugal’s history is enriched by generations of trade and seafaring. This epic past has evolved its food into an eclectic art and the act of eating into an experience. Tracing the country’s culinary prowess from coast to countryside features encounters with vintners and chefs who pride themselves in putting the traditions and trends of its native cuisine on display. PORTO | Sip and savor Vinho do Porto in the oldest defined wine region in […]

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In the latest issue of BESPOKE Magazine, Martine Bury explores the hottest shopping districts around Istanbul. High and low, haute and hip, the ancient city on the shores of the Bosphorus is a shopper’s paradise. A shopping spree in Istanbul takes time. Storeowners often offer chocolates, tea and Turkish delights, tell engaging stories and invite customers to participate in an ageold dance of buyer and seller. With a rich tradition as a center for trade and retail that dates back 2,000 years, Istanbul is the ideal destination for modern day hunters and gatherers up for adventure. First, visit the illustrious […]

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Martine Bury tours South Africa’s modern art and wine scene. Already home to one of the world’s most captivating and most affordable wine regions, South Africa is fast becoming an exciting place to collect fine art. The eyes of the world are fixing their gaze on the continent’s largest economy, in search of something new. Woefully underfunded by government entities, the biggest benefactors of South Africa’s creative output, until recently, have been wealthy local collectors and South African expats living abroad. In the last decade, this has been changing with the participation of the country’s artists and influential galleries at […]

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In search of the perfect, water-front hideaway for your next relaxing escape? We’ve gathered 15 of our favorite luxury private villas from all over the world. The breathtaking views of the water and all the amenities calm the senses and leave you speechless. Australia, Qualia Beach House Surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef, Qualia’s private beach house is set on 30 acres of garden landscape at the northern-most tip of Australia’s Hamilton Island. It’s designed to draw the outside in. To begin with, an open layout with a wall of glass doors can be completely pushed open. This effectively blurs […]

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In the current issue of Ker & Downey’s BESPOKE magazine, we travel down to Brazil, where the country is preparing to host the 2014 World Cup. Read on to find out the four most-coveted spots to watch the World Cup unfold. In the 10 years since it was announced that Brazil would host the 20th FIFA World Cup, the whole country has been preparing for a party. And in the capital of Carnival, you know they know how to celebrate. Brazil last hosted the event in 1950, and this will be the first World Cup in South America since 1978, […]

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In September 2012, Ker & Downey President David Marek and his wife Gana traveled through Tanzania. He recalls his journey – an incredible adventure of unexpected wildlife and unrivaled luxury on the edge of the Great Migration – in the current issue of BESPOKE magazine. September 2012 found my wife, Gana, and me headed to Tanzania, our “reward” after completing an emotionally draining two weeks at a medical mission in Uganda, handing out 12,000 mosquito nets and assisting doctors and nurses who saw more than 20,000 sickly individuals – most of them women and children. The dichotomy of this trip […]

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In this incredible fourteen day journey across New Zealand, Ker & Downey takes you by private jet to some of the world’s best golf courses. Preview the article below and download the current issue of BESPOKE magazine for information on more bespoke journeys. Even after being quickly catapulted into popularity by The Lord of the Rings, New Zealand has maintained a unique charm that seems untouched by the outside world. The pristine wilderness of Taupo and the Bay of Islands, contrasted with the cosmopolitan cities of Auckland and Queenstown, provides a harmonious balance between adventure and relaxation in luxurious accommodations. […]

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In the current issue of BESPOKE magazine, Ker & Downey explores the history behind Scotland’s whisky heritage with a journey through Speyside and Islay. In his 1880 poem “The Scotsman’s Return from Abroad”, Robert Louis Stevenson declared whisky “the king o’ drinks” and connoisseurs of fine spirits agree. There is no better place to experience the world’s finest whiskies – and the stories behind them – than Scotland. Usquebaugh: The water of life. Sure it’s water, happily enhanced with a little peat, grain, yeast, and time, aged for years and even decades until its golden hue is just so, its […]

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