Travelers seeking a journey that feels like stepping back in time may find themselves immersed in destinations where nostalgia and elegance blend with modern comforts. These experiences transport guests to another era, evoking the timeless allure of past generations. Whether it's celebrating Jane Austen’s legacy through Regency-inspired experiences at The Gainsborough Bath Spa, or stepping into old Hollywood opulence aboard the M/Y Grace with Quasar Expeditions, these escapes invite travelers to savor the beauty of the past with all the comforts of today.
Celebrating 250 Years of Jane Austen at The Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough Bath Spa (pictured) ffers a unique chance for fans of Jane Austen’s to step back into the Regency era and celebrate the timeless appeal of one of English literature’s most beloved authors. In honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birth anniversary, The Gainsborough will host a special series of events and experiences in the Spring and Fall of 2025, allowing guests to explore Austen's world in the city that inspired her work. From guided tours of nearby Lacock where scenes from the Pride and Prejudice film adaptations brought the town of Meryton to life to optional Regency attire delivered directly to the hotel, visitors can immerse themselves in this period. Those bringing their own costumes will feel right at home in this historic setting. The Gainsborough is also home to Spa Village Bath where guests can unwind in the soothing natural thermal waters, a luxurious retreat Austen herself might have enjoyed. This experience captures the spirit of a bygone era, blending Bath’s rich history with the elegance and charm of Austen’s world for fans who long to indulge in nostalgia while enjoying refined modern comforts.
Go back in time with Stanley Safaris and Natural Selection
Featured in the “Luxury Botswana Safari” itinerary by Stanley Safaris, a bespoke safari tour operator, Natural Selection’s Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans offers a classic East African safari for travelers seeking a nostalgic experience. After a 2021 refurbishment, the camp retains its 1940s look with muslin-draped walls and wooden furnishings, enhanced by local artisans inspired by the Botswana landscape. Each of the nine guest tents features spacious canopy beds and antique decor, creating an old-world atmosphere that harmonizes with the Kalahari elements. Outside, private decks include plunge pools and daybeds with stunning views, while the dining area showcases local artifacts, and a Persian tea tent adorned with rugs. Guests can explore over 5,000 preserved relics in museum cabinets, offering a fascinating insight into Botswana’s rich history.
The Nostalgic Design Philosophy of Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon located right outside Reykjavík, invites travelers to experience Iceland’s early days, through its architecture and surroundings, allowing guests to embrace traditional bathing culture from the country’s first settlers. The entrance of Sky Lagoon features Klömbruhleõsla (turf wall), a traditional Icelandic building technique that uses volcanic ash to create durable structures, with its tightly assembled herringbone pattern highlighting the artistry of this ancient craft. Throughout the property, guests will see Turf Houses- inspired by Iceland’s first settlers who used this technique by stacking layers of swamp turf to insulate against harsh winters. Guests can further immerse themselves in The Cold Plunge pool, inspired by Snorri Sturluson’s historic pool at Revkholt- one of Iceland’s oldest known natural pools- which serves as the second step in the seven-step Skjól Ritual. Every detail of Sky Lagoon reflects the commitment to creating an experience that connects guests to traditional elements with luxury amenities.
The Timeless Elegance of Ellerman House
Ellerman House invites guests to experience a sense of nostalgia through its classic Cape Edwardian architecture and refined elegance. The historic mansion, originally built in 1906, features traditional design elements that evoke the charm of early 20th-century Cape Town. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of South African art, showcasing works that span two centuries and provide a rich narrative of the country’s artistic evolution. Complementing this cultural experience is the hotel’s impressive wine cellar, which boasts a collection of over 9,000 bottles of vintage South African wines. This carefully curated selection allows guests to appreciate the region's rich wine heritage, highlighting both celebrated labels and unique finds. Through its architecture, art, and wine offerings, Ellerman House provides a unique opportunity to connect with South Africa's heritage while enjoying modern comforts.
Celebrating the Golden Age of Safaris at Singita Explore
Singita Explore transports guests to the golden age of African safaris, offering an authentic tented camp experience in the vast Serengeti plains. Comprising up to six custom-designed tents, Singita Explore evokes the spirit of early 20th-century expeditions while providing modern comforts. Canvas walls and classic safari furnishings create an atmosphere of adventure, allowing travelers to feel intimately connected to the surrounding wilderness. The camp's flexibility allows it to be positioned in prime wildlife viewing areas, giving visitors front-row seats to the Great Migration and year-round game viewing. Evenings at Singita Explore are filled with timeless safari rituals—dining under the stars, gathering around crackling campfires, and falling asleep to the sounds of the African night. By day, guests explore the 350,000-acre Grumeti Reserve on game drives or guided walks, observing diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. This back-to-basics approach, combined with Singita's renowned service, offers a nostalgic journey that strips away modern distractions and allows guests to reconnect with nature. Singita Explore provides an immersive experience that harkens back to the romantic era of safari, satisfying the yearning for an unfiltered African adventure.
Transport back 100 years at Klein Jan
At Tswalu, South Africa's largest private game reserve located in the Southern Kalahari, Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen restaurant Klein Jan offers a culinary journey that transports guests back to 100 years ago. The experience begins at the 100-year-old Boscia House, where visitors step back into the past before embarking on a unique dining adventure. From this historic farmhouse, guests descend a helical staircase 13 feet below the sands and explore a 65-foot root cellar for storing ingredients, reminiscent of storage methods used before modern refrigeration. The main dining area has a glass wall that opens to the undulating Kalahari plains, seamlessly blending the restaurant's carefully curated interior with the timeless landscape that inspired Chef van der Westhuizen to create Klein Jan.
Forsthofgut: A Homage to Austrian Heritage
Forsthofgut Nature Hotel in Leogang, Austria, offers a unique blend of luxury and nostalgia that transports guests to the golden age of Austrian hospitality. The hotel, which began as a simple forestry business in 1617, has evolved into a five-star resort while maintaining its rich heritage. Guests can experience a taste of the past through traditional Austrian cuisine served in the "1617" restaurant, named after the hotel's founding year. The property's design incorporates elements of its farming roots, with rustic wooden beams and cozy fireplaces creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Music lovers can relive the magic of "The Sound of Music" by exploring filming locations in nearby Salzburg or joining guided hikes through alpine meadows reminiscent of the iconic movie scenes. With its combination of modern amenities and timeless charm, Forsthofgut Nature Hotel provides a nostalgic escape that resonates with guests seeking a connection to Austria's cultural heritage.
A Journey Through Florence’s Heritage at Grand Hotel Minerva
Located in Florence’s historic heart, Grand Hotel Minerva takes guests on a journey through the city’s rich past, with the Maestrelli family's dedication to preserving Florentine heritage in every detail. The family-owned property combines historic frescoes, curated art, and timeless Italian architecture by Carlo Scarpa to infuse each room with nostalgic charm. For a truly immersive stay, the 103 Open Space Frescoed Suite—featuring a Venetian chandelier and Italian marble accents—provides a refined glimpse into Florence’s elegance. Boasting scenic views of the city’s landmarks, family traditions and artistic legacy converge to create an experience that beautifully captures the nostalgic allure of Florence’s cultural heritage.
The Saxon Hotel's Blend of Nostalgia and Modern Elegance
The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg completed a comprehensive refurbishment and transformation throughout several areas of the hotel. Guided by South African designer Nelson Kubheka, the refurb not only speaks to a new generation of guests while bringing a unique blend of African creativity to the luxury setting the Saxon is renowned for. Nelson crafted a nostalgic, locally inspired ambiance to make returning guests feel at home, while adding modern touches to appeal to younger visitors. The design incorporates curved lines, brass accents, authentic textures, softer furnishings, and lower ceilings, striking a perfect balance between the Saxon’s rich heritage and a fresh, contemporary vision.
A Timeless Alpine Retreat: eriro
eriro is a new luxury mountain retreat elevating the Alpine experience within the Alps of Ehrwald, Austria. This haven is deeply rooted in the origin and preservation of mountain culture, offering an authentically romantic escape guided by tradition, seasonality, and simplicity. With just nine intimate suites, guests can privately soak in the serene natural setting that has a whimsical and old time feeling to it. To compliment this, each suite embraces a whimsical, retro charm with a personal record player connected to a Marshall speaker, accompanied by a curated collection of records. Guests can also browse the lobby’s collection, adding to the enchanting, old-time ambiance that makes every stay at Eriro feel like a step back in time.
Quasar Expeditions’ Old Hollywood Opulence
A gift to Grace Kelly for her honeymoon, Quasar Expeditions’s award-winning M/Y Grace has had a deep history sailing the high seas. Originally known as Monica, she has since known many names, brushed the coasts of Dunkirk, and engaged in firefights. She was restored to her former glory and gifted to Grace Kelly as a wedding gift to her and Rainier, until she eventually became the beloved luxury charter she is today. Exuding the elegance and charm of Grace Kelly herself, the ship’s interior was upgraded in late 2022 by Chilean interior design studio Enrique Concha & Co., who revitalized her with new, contemporary décor including tailored furniture and modern lighting, which adjusts to different rooms. The staterooms, social areas, bar, and coffee lounge were redesigned to match practicality with modernity, optimized to make the most of its space for its 16 passengers and transport them to a time of opulence. Additional updates to the ship allow it to travel at 15 knots, minimizing travel time to maximize time spend on each secluded island, and have equipped the ship with intentional engines, generators, and propellers meant to navigate the ship smoothly and quietly, as not to disrupt the archipelago’s inhabitants.
Hotel Eden Roc: A Classic Escape on the Shores of Lake Maggiore
Perched on the tranquil Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore, the Marina Wing at Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona captures a retro ambiance, evoking the charm of a classic movie. Adding to the allure, the hotel’s Riva Rivale 56 boat offers a stylish, James Bond-esq experience gliding across the lake’s calm waters. Guests can also enjoy the unique landscape of the Swiss Alps set against the lakeside, where mild temperatures invite peaceful strolls along Ascona’s main piazza and moments of sunshine year round. After a day out and about, Hotel Eden Roc invites travelers to enjoy a meal at the Marina Restaurant and unwind in the vintage yet refined setting, a perfect escape to embrace every season in timeless style.
Cape of Senses: A Nostalgic Italian Escape by Lake Garda
Perched 600 feet above Lake Garda in Italy, Cape of Senses is an adults-only, five-star retreat dedicated to life’s simple pleasures. With panoramic lake views and towering Alps, the resort embraces a nostalgic ambiance rooted in nature and tranquility. At its heart, the 21,000-square-foot Senses Spa offers holistic experiences inspired by the five senses, promoting a slower pace. The fragrance of olive trees and herbs permeates the property, enriching guests' experience through scent, while natural sounds amplify their sense of hearing in this peaceful sanctuary. Guests can further explore the region with quintessential Vespa rides through idyllic landscapes or embark on a sailboat adventure that promises a day of embracing the dolce vita. The property also curates visits to limonaia, where the fresh citrus aroma evokes a sense of simpler times, further enhancing the sensory journey with each scent and experience.
