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For Olympic athletes the Pentathlon draws on the skills displayed by participants in Ancient Greece, fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a final combined event with shooting and cross country running. For the seasoned traveler we would like to propose a modern pentathlon combining the Hotel, Bar, Restaurant, Indoor and Outdoor Activity and have three outstanding destinations in which to pit your skills. Get ready…
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The London Travel Pentathlon
Sky Garden, London, Sharkshock/ Shutterstock.com
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HOTEL
Stay in one of the newly refurbished suites at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London. Internationally acclaimed designer, Joyce Wang, drew inspiration from the natural beauty of Hyde Park and the 20th century Golden Age of travel. Each of the 181 guestrooms and suites were redesigned to exude contemporary London style and timeless British elegance with art deco-inspired features and carefully curated artwork.
BAR
Experience a Negroni from the mobile negroni trolley at BAR 45 at the 45 Park Lane Hotel on the grounds of the old Playboy Club. The bar interior has a rich décor and intimate feel.
RESTAURANT
Dine at GBR in Dukes Hotel, This Great British Restaurant offers all day dining sourced exclusively with domestic ingredients. Overseen by Norfolk-born Executive Head Chef Nigel Mendham, the menu feature traditional British dishes with contemporary twists.
INDOOR
Stay cool in the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London and experience the Tian Quan, a personalized bathing treatment inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Natural herbs, combined with Mandarin Oriental Signature products are used together to create a soothing and tranquil bathing experience, followed by a hydrating facial, a full body massage, relaxation time and a delicious wellness snack.
OUTDOOR
Head to the rooftop Sky Gardens of 20 Fenchurch Street – three stories of landscaped gardens atop the ‘mobile phone’ building in London. Tickets must be obtained in advance but admission is free. If all that smelling of the roses is making you hungry, the rooftop Fenchurch Restaurant won an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine this year.
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The Paris Travel Pentathlon
Ritz Paris, EQRoy/ Shutterstock.com
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HOTEL
Treat yourself at a 5-star hotel, Le Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli, close to the luxury goods shopping of Rue du Faubourg Sainte-Honore and Place Vendome. Enjoy patisserie from Chef Cedric Grolet and two-Michelin Star dinner at Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse. Stay in the new penthouse suite, The Belle Etoile, with a terrace offering 360-degree views of the Paris skyline and it will likely be impossible for you to ever leave.
BAR
Visit the speak-easy Bar 410 nestled inside a suite in the Shangri-La Hotel Paris. Push the buzzer and when granted admittance head for the cozy bar and outdoor patio seating with commanding views across the River Seine of the Eiffel Tower.
RESTAURANT
Savour a lunch to remember at Restaurant Le Cinq at the Four Seasons King George V Hotel. Chef Christian le Squer leads a team which has held a prestigious three Michelin stars for two consecutive years. Signature dishes include Deep-water sea scallops browned in Colombo spices, boulgour-style cauliflower with carica fruit and Young partridge, duck mallard and grouse pithivier flavoured with chestnut honey, autumn fruits and Armagnac gravy.
INDOOR
Whilst it requires little physical exertion, a visit to the re-opened, iconic Hemingway Bar in the Ritz Paris is a required pilgrimage. Head barman Colin cared for the artifacts which adorned the walls of the bar during the refurbishment which is now complete. Thought purists do not despair, whilst the back office of the bar might be modern, everything else is oh so classically perfect. The menu written as a newspaper is a fun momento.
OUTDOOR
Walk down Rue du Faubourg Sainte-Honore and combine a look at architecture, government buildings and embassies as well as the world class atelier. Hermes flagship store is located here and an experience in its own right.
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The Geneva Travel Pentathlon
Patek Philippe Museum, Bascar / Shutterstock.com
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HOTEL
Stay at the fifth-generation family owned and run Hotel Beau-Rivage. Attention to detail and an atmosphere which no corporate hotel can match, this home is one you will want to return to after discovering it. The recently added Celestial Suites are named due to the hotel’s association with the stars as well as the skylight windows above the bed through which you can observe the heavens – all whilst staying in one of the most heavenly suites you can imagine.
BAR
Visit the bar at the Four Seasons Hotel des Burgues Geneva. One of the more convivial meeting places features an all-day menu of imaginative light fare with innovative cocktails prepared by “Best Bartender in Switzerland 2016,” Sophie Larrouture
RESTAURANT
Experience La Terrasse by Dominique Gauthier, a legendary place at the Hotel Beau-Rivage Genève. Delicious breakfast buffets, divine lunches on the terrace, and succulent fun-to-share food cooked on the grill on Sunday lunchtimes will be on your summertime menu while enjoying the people-watching, alke and of course the mountains.
INDOOR
Indulge at Spa La Mer spa in the Hotel President Wilson. The first spa in Switzerland to use Crème de la Mer in all of its skincare treatments. Zen-like and intimate, in pure white surroundings and filtered light, the spa offers a serene approach to daily living with the exclusive La Mer products. Five treatment rooms, including one couple’s room, provide the perfect setting for exclusive sessions.
OUTDOOR
Take a river taxi or boat trip on Lac Leman, the largest lake in Europe. Some of the boats will stop in neighboring France at a village for Lunch. Be sure to enjoy the peche (local fish). Alternatively head for the Patek Phillipe Museum to remember why a (Swiss) wrist watch still matters in today’s world.
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IMAGE CREDITS
1. Lead-In Image – Composite:
London – Markus Gann / Shutterstock.com – “A photography of a red phone box in London UK.”
Paris – Giancarlo Liguori / Shutterstock.com – “Eiffel Tower, Paris.”
Geneva – RistoH / Shutterstock – “View from the tower of historic St. Peter’s cathedral to the old town of Geneva, Switzerland, fountain Jet d’eau in the background.”
2. Couple “Going On Vacation” – RetroClipArt / Shutterstock.com
3. Sky Garden, London – Sharkshock / Shutterstock.com – “London/England- 09/09/2017: Visitors to the Sky Garden enjoy views all over London which include the Shard.”
4. Ritz Paris – EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
5. Patek Philippe Museum – Bascar / Shutterstock.com
