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Europe and North Africa Reawakening

With the arrival of spring with its warmer climes and the vibrant bloom of flora and fauna, Aman’s properties across Europe and North Africa are poised to welcome guests once again for the season. Promising moments of renewal, each Aman sanctuary, from the verdant pine forests of Turkey to the rose-hued desert of Morocco, has crafted new cultural and culinary experiences for all ages, meticulously designed to enthrall and create lasting memories. In addition, new wellness offerings and initiatives unveiled this year harness the restorative powers of Aman’s serene natural settings enabling complete rejuvenation.

Amanzoe, Greece - Accommodation, Villas, Villa 20, Art_7451

Amanzoe, Greece

Set on a peaceful Peloponnese hillside overlooking the Aegean Sea, Amanzoe is a modern-day Acropolis, surrounded by fragrant gardens and olive groves. Reopened on 1 April 2023, the resort offers a range of new experiences this season.

Those visiting Amanzoe early in the season can discover the culinary philosophy of renowned three-Michelin starred chef, Norbert Niederkofler with two exclusive dining experiences. On 30 April, Chef Norbert will collaborate with Amanzoe’s Executive Chef Melemenis to create a five-course ‘Four Hands’ menu with optional wine pairing. Experience this one-off dinner as part of a two-night Culinary Discovery stay complete with accommodation in a Pool Pavilion and one spa treatment per person. On 1 May, Chef Norbert will further showcase his very own ‘Cook the Mountain’ food philosophy with a special meal of shared dishes featuring the region’s exceptional natural bounty.

Several other new dining experiences take full advantage of the Peloponnese sunshine this season. The Beach Club is now open for dinner three nights a week, with a pop-up Arva menu of rustic Italian dishes available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. A new alfresco lounge area beside the resort’s hilltop swimming pool features Nama’s exquisite Japanese cuisine with sunset cocktails in a more relaxed setting. This is in addition to a garden-inspired Bostani Breakfast providing homecooked traditional favourites, such as spanakopita – a spinach and cheese pie - served within Amanzoe’s sun-dappled olive groves and cooked in the outdoor wood-oven, alongside freshly-picked fruits and seasonal marmalades.

Surrounded by the same olive groves is Amanzoe’s 2,788 square-metre (30,000 square-foot) Aman Spa where those wishing to focus on wellbeing can take part in a new five-night Optimal Living Mindfulness Retreat from April until 26 May. Inspired by four ancient Delphic Maxims including ‘Know Thyself’ and ‘I am’, the retreat features a comprehensive programme of mindfulness, energy awakening, breathwork and meditative movement classes, as well as spa treatments and expert talks.

Available throughout the season, Amanzoe’s new adventure experiences provide the opportunity to explore the peninsula by boat or helicopter. The resort’s updated fleet of highspeed watercraft – including a Wally One Powerboat and Pershing 62 – enable fully-customisable half- and full-day charters to the nearby islands of Spetses, Hydra or to hidden private coves, all departing from the Beach Club. Four new helicopter tours deliver a unique way to visit several of the region’s most exceptional sites – from Nafplio and Epidaurus, to the islands of Milos and Santorini – in just one day. Back at Amanzoe, the Summer Series programme of dance performances, live music and theatre provides world-class entertainment in the resort’s own dramatic amphitheatre with dates to be announced.

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Aman Venice, Italy - Chapel Room_694

Aman Venice, Italy

This June, Aman Venice celebrates its 10th anniversary as a gracious gateway to the Floating City’s historic glories and vibrant cultural life. Once a month throughout the year, the hotel hosts an exclusive evening of cocktails and canapés to mark this special milestone. For a full decade, the 16th-century palazzo has provided the most unique and memorable encounters from its enviable canal-side perch, drawing on cherished local connections that enable unparalleled insider access to the city. Ranging from bespoke chef-led tours of the Rialto market and unrivalled access to the city’s artisans to private boxes for the opera at Le Fenice, these experiences introduce a rarely seen side of the city. This summer will reveal a whole host more, including gastronomic dining experiences, private boat excursions and exhilarating family activities.

Paying homage to the serene waters of Venice, Chef Norbert Niederkofler brings his Michelin-starred talents to the palazzo this year with a ‘Cook the Lagoon’ dining series. The unique six-course gastronomic experience is available on select dates from April to October, with each tasting menu drawing inspiration from his sustainable ‘Cook the Mountain’ philosophy established in the Dolomites. The series at Aman Venice introduces dishes such as nettle cappelletti pasta in a seaweed and mushroom broth and others using the finest locally sourced ingredients. For those unable to attend the gastronomic events hosted by Chef Norbert, Aman Venice also serves a seasonal ‘Cook the Lagoon’ menu in the hotel’s Blue Room restaurant every evening from Tuesday to Saturday throughout the year.

Getting out on the water is part and parcel of daily life in the city and Aman Venice provides several new boating experiences this season. In the late afternoon, head west down the Grand Canal on the hotel’s elegant 1930’s Art Deco-style Venetian launch and out into the lagoon. As the sun begins to set, pair a Lagoon Aperitivo with a selection of delicious Venetian cichetti and watch fishermen hauling in their nets in the mellow dusk light. Alternatively, enjoy a tailormade island-hopping excursion exploring the charming isles of Murano, Burano and Torcello, famous for their glass, lace and mosaics respectively. Birdwatching can be incorporated into any boating tour, as the lagoon is the largest wetland along the Mediterranean coastline and home to prolific birdlife.

Later in the summer, boating is once again the best way to experience Redentore, a festival celebrating the city’s deliverance from the plague in 1577. Taking place on 15 July, locals and visitors alike moor decorated boats alongside each other and feast on typical Venetian fare before the climax of the evening – an incredible firework display.

The romance of La Serenissima does not preclude it from being a fantastic multi-generation destination, especially with the new family activities available at Aman Venice this summer. Arts and crafts see little ones creating their own Venetian masks, learning to blow glass in Murano and trying their hand at the art of paper marbling. Tailored tours of the Naval History Museum bring the city’s intriguing past alive, while a real-life Game of the Goose around San Polo is an engaging and interactive way to discover the city’s sights for all ages.

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Amanruya, Turkey - Accommodation, Pool Pavilion Deluxe Sea View, Pool_9269

Amanruya, Turkey

Claiming an idyllic bay all to itself on Bodrum’s serene north coast, Amanruya rests on a hillside with its own pebble beach amidst ancient pine forests scenting the air. An incomparable location for revelling in summer’s balmy days while enjoying unparalleled access to the region’s historic ruins and culinary delights, the resort reopened for the season on 1 April 2023 with an exciting new array of experiences.

With new Executive Chef Omer Ozkan Cam at the helm, Amanruya’s cuisine will imbue an even deeper Ottoman influence with focus given to ingredients sourced from local producers. Alongside his expert team, the chef is collaborating with boutique wineries from across Turkey to introduce a new series of wine dinners showcasing indigenous grape varieties – held once a week from May to mid-June in atmospheric settings across the property. Throughout the season, Amanruya’s olive oil takes centre stage as the foundation of the resort’s food concept, drawing from the exceptional harvest that the resort experienced from its 3,000 olive trees last year – a record yield of over two tonnes.

From food as an artform, to art itself, Amanruya has some exciting plans for its Gallery in 2023. A new partnership with Galeri Bosfor in Istanbul sees an exciting calendar of exhibitions and art events – from breakfasts and dinners to live screenings – being curated by Galeri Bosfor founder, Gökşen Buğra. Exhibitions will feature artists the likes of Ahmet Çerkez, Olga Ülkenciler and Erman Özbaşaran, as well as local talent who draw inspiration from the rich history and natural beauty of this storied land.

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Amanjena, Morocco - Entrance Pavilion_9932

Amanjena, Morocco

With minimal rainfall and plenty of warm sunshine, Morocco presents the ideal seasonal escape. Inspired by the rose-hued buildings of old Marrakech, palatial Amanjena lies close to the fabled Red City within its own expanse of lush gardens, fringed by the emerald fairways of the Amelkis Golf Course. With fountain-centered courtyards leading to a vast central bassin and views stretching over olive groves to the High Atlas Mountains, the secluded resort is a magical destination for all ages.

Amanjena’s interconnecting Pavilions and spacious Maisons – many with private gardens and individual swimming pools – are an ideal base for family getaways exploring the region’s many attractions. Whether discovering the otherworldly landscape of the Agafay dunes deep in the desert via quadbike or relaxing by the main swimming pool, a holiday at Amanjena this summer can be as active or laidback as each family member desires.

Children staying have a plethora of activities to choose from including carriage rides with Amanjena’s pet donkey, calligraphy or clay workshops, as well as tennis and golf lessons to hone their skills. Family yoga sessions and cooking classes strengthen bonds and make unforgettable memories, while falconry experiences reveal the secrets of this ancient art with local tribes showcasing both high and low flying birds. Storytelling in Marrakech is a sacred practice with ancient roots, and Amanjena hosts Moroccan storytelling sessions for the whole family to help preserve this ancient custom while delighting a new generation of listeners. Private movie screenings bring more recent narratives to life – with hot chocolate and popcorn on the side.

Over the school holidays, enthralling arts and crafts activities entertain children in Amanjena’s cosy Library, presenting a daily activity hub and hangout families. Between this inviting and stimulating space and the resort’s main swimming pool (as well as a dedicated heated swimming pool for smaller children and toddlers), there’s a chance little one won’t want to leave.

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