Five unique & memorable travel experiences to book this autumn

From reliving the story of Alice in Wonderland in Oxfordshire to discovering Egypt’s ancient tombs on horseback, here are five immersive experiences on our radar this year

Tap into your inner child

A good book can really take you places – whether that’s down a rabbit’s hole or all the way to an exotic treasure island. Luxury tour company Black Tomato is celebrating the transformative power of our favourite books with a series of expeditions that take you in the footsteps of your favourite fictional characters. Educational and immersive, the tours venture around the globe and include ‘Alices Adventures in Wonderland’, a five-night journey inspired by the Lewis Carroll classic. A series of exclusive experience take you through the heart of rural Oxfordshire, perhaps playing flamingo croquet or attending a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

blacktomato.com

Bend it like Bond

Whether you’re a James Bond fan or not, few would pass up the chance to live like him for a day. Now you can do just that thanks to a new offering from Queenstown-based purveyors of luxury, BLACK. The ‘James Bond Aston Martin’ experience gives you the chance to ride in a rare Aston Martin 007 Vantage car – one of only a hundred worldwide, and the only model in Australasia. The vehicle’s design pays homage to the original Aston Martin V8 which appears in the 1987 James Bond film, The Living Daylights. Take the day to the next level with a private helicopter ride, perhaps to a glacier for lunch, and a guided 1.5-hour snowmobile tour.

blackzqn.co.nz

Desert awakening

Tucked away among towering dunes in a palm tree oasis, Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Nights Village was created to offer a taste of the beauty of traditional Emirati life. The village offers a range of accommodation offerings, including traditional Bedouin tents and beautiful houses, as well as desert activities and authentic Emirati cuisine. Think of this as a little oasis, and a place to take a deep dive into the cultures that have shaped this part of the UAE.

visitabudhabi.ae

Tonic for the soul

For centuries, Indonesians have consumed a herbal elixir known as jamu to improve digestion, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and improve overall health and vitality. Now you can, too, thanks to Ayana Estate’s new ‘Traditional Herbal Remedies Workshop’. The dreamy Balinese resort recently unveiled its revitalised Ayana farm, where you take place in hands-on activities that see you pick herbs from over 130 plant varieties cultivated on the farm, before learning about and crafting personalised jamu to cure what ails you.

ayana.com

Egypt in a new light

Ride Egypt, the leading equestrian adventure company in Egypt, is taking you on a wild adventure across the country with its new ‘Tombs, Dunes and Kingdoms’ ride. This remarkable journey a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the country’s rich history, diverse landscapes and ancient cultural heritage on horseback, from the storied pyramids and tombs of Giza to the majestic dunes of the Sahara Desert, all while uncovering the intriguing tales of ancient civilizations.

rideegypt.com