The Tempus Christmas Gift Guide 2024: Luxury Experiences

With Christmas right around the corner, Tempus is compiling gift guides across a range of different categories — from food and drink to watches and luxury experiences — for you or your family and friends. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the best luxury gift items — from an indulgent drink to a coffee maker that featured on Succession — for you to gift your loved ones this Christmas. 

In this fifth instalment, we cover the world of luxury experiences, and round up some of the best luxury getaways and wellness activities to indulge in for a perfectly relaxed holiday season. From afternoon tea masterclasses and luxury getaways to a dinner with diamonds, these are the best experiences you can gift your loved ones this festive season.Take an afternoon tea masterclass with Mariage Frères

Mariage Frères has unveiled their afternoon tea masterclasses, where guests can experience and learn about the tea fundamentals, including its history, varieties, and preparation techniques. Through hands-on experience, you can learn how to brew different teas while discovering the subtle flavours and aromas, followed by a Galette des Rois cake tasting. These masterclasses are running all through December and would make a great gift for the afternoon tea enthusiasts in your life.Gift a membership to The Arts Club

London has some incredible private members clubs, but The Arts Club in Mayfair is a step above. Founded in 1863, the Arts Club is a sanctuary for those who have a “professional or amateur relationship with the arts, literature or sciences”. From distinguished art exhibitions to fine dining, live music and an exceptional programme of events, the club remains at the heart of contemporary cultural life in London. Writers such as Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Thomas Hughes; musicians like Paolo Tosti, Charles Halle and Franz Liszt; artists such as Frederic Leighton, John Everett Millais, Auguste Rodin and James McNeill Whistler, have all played an integral part in the club’s history. Give the gift of being a part of a distinguished legacy this Christmas by grabbing a membership of the Arts Club for yourself or your loved ones.Indulge in a spa treatment at The HVN in Knightsbridge

The HVN (pronounced ‘haven’) in Knightsbridge is the first sanctuary of its kind in the UK, bringing future-facing, evidence-based wellness technology that dares to ask: what if we were the architects of our own wellbeing? With detailed personalised plans and consultations with in-house doctors, practitioners and experts, HVN aims to curate a one-of-a-kind spa experience curated to your needs. From hydro-bed massage (a British first) and Fotona non-surgical laser treatments, to fusing ancient therapies with modern sciences in a range of indulgent yet effective products, HVN offers unique treatments that focus on supporting a range of issues from hormonal imbalance to body posture and hair loss. HVN is, no pun intended, a haven for personalised wellness, curated to cultivate the most important relationship in our lives — our relationship with ourselves. A festive getaway to Mas des Infermieres residences

Mas des Infermieres, acclaimed director and Tempus cover star Sir Ridley Scott’s wine estate, has three luxury residences that would make for a wonderful festive getaway. These three magnificent residences are comfortable, light and spacious and can be booked throughout the year for the holidays or just a good boost of sunlight. At the foot of the Massif of Luberon, on the Mas des Infermières wine estate, they are surrounded by vines in a private and calm setting on the outskirts of the spectacular medieval village of Oppède-le-Vieux. These exceptional villas are an ideal starting point from which to explore the region — and a great gift for the luxury travellers this Christmas.Vacation on a private island at Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos is filled with its share of glorious getaways and luxurious resorts, but the 1,000-acre tropical hideaway of Como Parrot Cay is a cut above the rest. This gorgeous hideaway (on an island only accessible by boat) is filled with secluded coves, pristine beaches and unspoilt reefs. Accommodations range from ocean-facing rooms to beach houses — as well as six celebrity-owned private beachfront estates that can be rented for ultimate privacy. Guests can enjoy sports like diving, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing, or luxuriate at tho Como Shambhala Retreat Spa, which offers Ayurvedic therapies, meditation, yoga and pilates. The resort also provides the option of a vitamin-rich, clean-eating menu at all restaurants.Indulge in a dinner and diamonds experience with Pavyllon London x Boodles

Pavyllon London at Four Seasons Hotel at London Park Lane has unveiled an exclusive partnership with Boodles — blending Michelin-starred fine dining with world-class diamonds. The perfect gift for those with a taste for luxury, the experience pairs exquisite cuisine from legendary French chef Yannick Alléno with a journey through the dazzling world of gemstones. The experience begins with a private appointment at the Boodles Sloane Street showroom with an expert gemologist, where guests can enjoy an exclusive diamond viewing and receive a Be Boodles gold diamond pendant to treasure. A private chauffeur will then drive guests to Pavyllon London for a six-course tasting menu. The entire experience includes the Boodles appointment, a luxury diamond pendant gift, and a dinner for two people at Pavyllon London — perfect for festive gifting this year or celebrating a special occasion in 2025 in true style.

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