Experiences
The arrival, handled
The first hour of a journey is often the worst: a long walk, a queue at immigration, a wait at the carousel. At many airports it does not have to be.
Depending on the airport, you are met at the aircraft and driven across the tarmac to a private suite, away from the main terminal. Immigration and customs are dealt with there, privately, while your bags are collected for you, and your car waits outside the suite. Departures work the same way in reverse, with the car taking you to the aircraft.
It is available whatever class you fly. Where the private suite doesn't exist, a guided route through the fast-track lanes usually does. Where it exists at both ends of your journey, I arrange it at both.
Where the journeys on this site begin
Alaska Ice, Hawaiian Fire: the first stay, Stillpoint Lodge, gives its nearest airport as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), 117 Miles / 188 Kilometres.
The Algarve by Bicycle: the first stay, Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa, gives its nearest airport as Faro Airport (FAO), 27 Miles / 43 Kilometres.
The Andes by Road, Lima to Buenos Aires: the first stay, Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, gives its nearest airport as Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM), 9 Miles / 14 Kilometres.
Antarctica, Flying to the Peninsula: the first stay, Hotel Cabo de Hornos, gives its nearest airport as Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), Punta Arenas; distance not stated by the hotel.
Argentina and Chile in Depth: the first stay, Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, gives its nearest airport as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), 18 Miles / 29 Kilometres.
The Atacama and Argentina's North: the first stay, Mandarin Oriental, Santiago, gives its nearest airport as Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), 13 Miles / 20 Kilometres.
Desert, Ice and Falls by Jet: the first stay, Awasi Atacama, gives its nearest airport as El Loa (CJC), 49 Miles / 78 Kilometres.
Athens, the Cyclades and Crete: the first stay, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, gives its nearest airport as Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), 13 Miles / 21 Kilometres.
Athens, the Peloponnese and Santorini: the first stay, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, gives its nearest airport as Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), 13 Miles / 21 Kilometres.
Australia and Fiji, Desert, Reef and Island: the first stay, Park Hyatt Sydney, gives its nearest airport as Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), about eight kilometres.
Bali and Sumba for Two: the first stay, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, gives its nearest airport as Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS), 18 Miles / 29 Kilometres.
Barcelona, Seville and Madrid: the first stay, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, gives its nearest airport as Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN), 7 Miles / 11 Kilometres.
Belize, Rainforest and Reef: the first stay, Gaïa Riverlodge, gives its nearest airport as Not named on the sources read; Belize City is about two hours by road and San Ignacio about one hour by four-wheel drive.
Bhutan's Five Valleys: the first stay, Amankora Thimphu, gives its nearest airport as Paro International Airport (PBH).
Bhutan, Four Valleys: the first stay, Pemako Thimphu, gives its nearest airport as Paro International Airport (PBH), about 50 kilometres, around one hour 20 minutes by road.
Botswana, Four Camps by Air: the first stay, Jack's Camp, gives its nearest airport as Maun Airport (MUB), 143 Miles / 230 Kilometres.
Read on
When you’re ready