INTRODUCING THE

Travel Theory Winter 2023 Collection

Our top picks for winter destinations and the must-have items to get you there. Celebrating escapes for snow-enthusiasts and snow-birds alike, this collection has it all.

Hail to snow sports! Hokkaido is a must-visit destination for powder snow enthusiasts. Hot springs, snow festivals, and igloos!

What to do

·Hit the Slopes – It’s not unusual for Niseko, located on the southwestern coast of Hokkaido, to receive 50 feet of snow during the winter season, making it a global ski capital. Four ski resorts make up the Niseko United ski area, with several villages to explore with restaurants and nightlife. Find deep powder for both day and night skiing and enjoy the beautiful terrain.

·Sapporo Snow Festival – Held every February, this festival is famous for snow and ice sculptures, which can be over 50 feet tall and 80 feet wide. Think life-sized buildings of ice including recreations of palaces, castles and famous monuments. Indulge in food and drink stalls serving local specialties like super-fresh sushi, corn butter ramen and soup curry, as well as Nikka whiskey and Sapporo beer. Have fun at a karaoke stand and enjoy the snow sculpture contest.

·Shikaribetsu Igloo Village – Held on Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan, this annual festival takes place January through March on the longest freezing lake in Japan. Historically a place of worship, kamakura, or snow huts, make up an incredible sight to behold – a man-made ice village constructed on the frozen water. You’ll also find open-air onsen hot spring baths, a concert hall and ice bars that serve drinks in all-ice glasses. At night, the lake and surrounding area is completely dark, and if you’re lucky, you may witness stardust, a winter phenomena that appears only in cold and dry winter conditions.

Where to Stay

Tuck into Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, a year-round mountain retreat in the heart of Japan’s top ski area. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Mount Yotei and the Annupuri ranges outside 100 simply refined rooms; signature suites feature their own onsens. Guests find every way to play in wintertime’s powder, while summer months offer rafting, golf, and hikes in nearby Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Book through us and get:

·Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability · Daily buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom · $100 USD equivalent resort credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full) · Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability · Complimentary Wi-Fi

A popular destination for snowbirds, there’s more than just shopping and golf in this desert oasis. Winter is a great time to experience the desert with slightly cooler temperatures.

What to do

·Soak in the Desert – From deep within the Bradshaw Mountains, a mineral elixir debuts above ground in a stunning canyon at Castle Hot Springs. Surrender to this desert oasis as you traverse alongside this natural spring creek under towering palm trees, casting serene sounds through the crisp Sonoran air as you make your way up to the top pools, relaxation deck, and locker room. Let the canyon walk calm your mind and prepare your body for an immersion as you have never experienced before.

·Explore the Desert Botanic Gardens – This 140-acre garden stuns with a significant collection of plants from deserts around the world. Explore nature paths and hiking trails where you can take in sweeping mountain views and cactus forests. Every winter you can experience Las Noches de las Luminarias where there you can enjoy over 8,000 hand-lit Luminaria bags to light up the gardens, along with live music and hot cocoa.

·E-Bike Through the Scenic Desert – Glide up the hills and cruise through the canyons with ease on this desert e-bike tour! Fat tire bikes provide optimal stability on the dirt and knowledgable guides lead you through the pristine landscape to scenic outlooks, historic stops and the perfect ride.

Where to Stay

Nestled in the pristine Bradshaw Mountains is Castle Hot Springs, a lush and magical oasis in the Sonoran Desert. The 30-room resort’s idyllic accommodations boast amenities like a custom outdoor Sonoma stone tub, custom bath amenities, and patios or decks. Make time for soaking in the natural hot spring pools with minerals that promote joy, serenity and renewal.

Book through us and get:

·Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability · Daily full breakfast, for two guests per bedroom · $100USD equivalent resort credit utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full) · Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability · Complimentary Wi-Fi

Seek out the Northern Lights and explore remote lakes and forests. Learn about Sámi culture and join in on the local snow sports.

What to do

·Go On a Reindeer Safari – Take a relaxing journey into the Lapland forests with local reindeer herders. Meet the local Sámi people and enjoy a sleigh ride through a storybook experience. Take the opportunity to try handling a sled and afterward, warm up with hot berry juice.

·Take an Icebreaker Cruise – Witness the power of an ice breaking vessel in the frozen Bothnian Sea of Lapland. You will have the opportunity to walk on ice and go swimming in the icy waters (dry suits included). Relax in a cozy saloon on board with hot drinks after your arctic adventure.

·Hunt for the Aurora Borealis – The Lapland region lies at 67 degrees north, and at these latitudes your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are high when skies are clear and dark. Take a nocturnal adventure in the wilderness by sleigh, snow tank, snow mobile, or even cross-country skis to view the magical glow of the arctic sky.

Where to Stay

Arctic Bath is a one-of-a-kind hotel that immerses guests in the epic scenery of Swedish Lapland: its frost-crowned forests, where moose and reindeer leave tracks in the snow. Striking Land, Water and Suite cabins are modern architectural marvels that seem to hover above the ground – or water. Glass walls, floating walkways and sky-gazing decks connect the inside with the great outdoors.

Book through us and get:

·Á la carte breakfast · Full SPA-access (2 dry saunas, a steam sauna, 2 outdoor jacuzzi’s and a cold bath) · A Bespoken SPA-set (bathrobe, swimwear and a selection of SPA products from C/O Gerd)