Auberge Resorts Collection And Black Tomato Unveil A New Series Of Luxury Road Trip Itineraries

AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION AND BLACK TOMATO UNVEIL A NEW SERIES OF LUXURY ROAD TRIP ITINERARIES

Powered by Mercedes-Benz and Surf Air, five epic new itineraries celebrate the return of the extended summer holiday by uncovering unexpected corners of the U.S.

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (May 6, 2021) – Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts and residences, and Black Tomato, the award-winning luxury travel company, have joined forces to create five brand new road trip itineraries to distinct Auberge Resorts Collection properties throughout the United States. Building on the success of the inaugural collaboration last year, the two brands are introducing a new program, Remarkable Drives of Discovery by Auberge and Black Tomato, for 2021, designed to take guests to myriad destinations to make up for lost time. Each itinerary is paired with curated, new experiential programming from Black Tomato and guests will be able to test drive 2021 Mercedes-Benz models on the new adventures. This year, the collaboration also takes to the skies with Surf Air, providing ease to select destinations.

Beginning today, travelers will have access to five bespoke, multi-destination itineraries that showcase some of America’s hidden gems that rival destinations further afield. Each itinerary, which begins or ends at an Auberge Resorts Collection property, offers an unforgettable escape marked by luxurious accommodations, captivating landscapes, exceptional culinary offerings, unique opportunities to meet with local artisans and creators and epic, once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

“Following a year of limited travel, multi-stop trips allow guests to discover more of the beauty that this country has to offer,” said Craig Reid, president & chief executive officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. “With the expertise of Black Tomato, we’ve conjured up some of the most exquisite stateside journeys, so guests can experience multiple destinations in one trip, all while staying at our award-winning Auberge properties.”

“As the past year for many has felt rushed and manic, these itineraries are an antidote and a call to embrace the luxury of being languid – taking the time to dwell in these mesmerizing landscapes, go off-the-grid and off-itinerary, and embrace the merits of a slower form of travel,” explains Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato. “We are thrilled to bring these destinations to life by creatively collaborating with our friends at Auberge Resorts Collection, as their unmatched luxury portfolio provides a seamless home away from home while on the road.”

Ensuring an exceptional driving experience, guests will have the opportunity to test drive Mercedes-Benz USA vehicles exclusively for the duration of their trip.  The program will offer models from their luxurious fleet including the highly anticipated 2021 S-Class and the ultra-luxe GLS600 Maybach. In addition, east coast itineraries will have the selection of the newest models from the C-class, E-class, GLC, GLE and GLS lines and west coast itineraries will feature the E450 Coupe, GLE 450 SUV, Maybach S560 and Maybach GLS600 to ride in superior comfort and luxury, guided and directed by Mercedes-Benz artificial intelligence, MBUX.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Black Tomato and Auberge Resorts Collection for the second year to provide luxurious vehicles for the premiere, road trip experience,” said, Monique Harrison, head of brand experience marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA. “Pairing a Mercedes-Benz vehicle experience with Auberge Resorts Collection’s breathtaking accommodations and Black Tomato’s expertise delivering unparalleled, rare travel moments, we invite those looking for an escape to rediscover the adventure of travel in the country’s most comfortable accommodations both on the road and off.”

The five itineraries include:

Sunrise to Sunset on the California Coast

Pairing the expanse of Big Sur with gourmet immersion in Napa Valley, this six-night road trip ventures along California’s coastline. The trip begins with exploration via a private horseback ride and guided walking tour of Carmel and Monterey from the cliffs of Ventana Big Sur, before following Highway One north to Napa’s vine-clad hillsides. Here, guests will spend a few days at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, a vibrant and newly renovated Napa Valley retreat. From dinner at the resort’s new restaurant, PicoBar, to rising with the sun for a champagne hot air balloon ride and local wine tastings, guests will delight in this west coast journey.

For those looking for a longer holiday, guests may choose to jet to Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, a private oceanfront sanctuary on the dramatic Kohala Coast on the Island of Hawai’i, via Surf Air.

Package starts from $8,650 per person, including six nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast  and a customized program of private experiences. 

Mountains and Maritime on the East Coast

Discover the wild beauty of the East Coast through a lens of luxury. At the first stop, Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, follow a guided hike to a gourmet picnic and take to the water with a private dinner and rosé pairing in a rowboat. The itinerary heads south to The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels on the Chesapeake Bay, where guests will sail on a private oystering experience and walk the town, learning about the life of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The journey concludes at Primland in Virginia, a stunning 12,000-acre property in the Blue Ridge mountains. At Primland, days will be spent off-roading trails with Recreational Terrain Vehicles (RTVs), before further connecting with nature with healing spa and wellness treatments. Guests will also spend a magical evening in the resort’s fully equipped Observatory, which features one of the largest telescopes in the country, where they will study stars, planets and other celestial objects.

Package starts from $7,750 per person, including eight nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and a customized private experience program.

Wild Gourmet in the Southwest

This ten-night itinerary will bring guests from the height of the Rockies to the depths of the Rio Grande. The journey begins at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection in Park City with an exploration of the property’s 3,500 acres, where guests will alternate between high octane adventures and leisurely pursuits, sustained by farm-to-table cuisine by the resort’s James Beard Award-Winning Chef and rare whiskeys. At the newly renovated Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Telluride’s backcountry will be unveiled through guided trout fishing and 4×4 tours, before heading south to Sante Fe to the new Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection (opening Summer 2021). In Santa Fe, native and new-world flavors will converge over a traditional Native American cooking class and an immersive chocolate tasting hosted at one of the original artful chocolate shops in the world: Kakawa. All culinary programming at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection has been designed by concept chef, Dean Fearing, the godfather of southwestern cuisine.

Along the way, guests may choose to add two additional nights in Robbers Roost, a secluded area of desert country in central Utah, for a private stay in a bespoke Black Tomato Blink Camp.

Package starts from $10,950 per person, including ten nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and a customized program of private experiences.

Arts & Culture Through the Desert

For those who love art, this ten-night trip through the deserts of Texas and New Mexico will bring travelers to some of America’s most dynamic art destinations. The journey begins in Austin at Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, the brand’s first urban resort designed by Ken Fulk, where guests will have the opportunity to participate in a graffiti street art class by a notable street artist who will share stories of the city’s most legendary public installations. Traveling out into the desert, guests will spend time in the artistic enclave of Marfa with a stay at El Cosmico, a one-of-a-kind accommodation with renovated vintage trailers, yurts, and safari tents. The trip continues north to the new Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection in Santa Fe, where rich art and cultural experiences await with gallery tours and exclusive access to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, including a tour led by the legendary artist’s former assistant.

Package starts from $8,950 per person, including ten nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast and a customized private experience program.

Artisan Masterclasses in New England

Delve into New England’s traditions with a twist on this twelve-night discovery along the Eastern seaboard. From a country base at Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, take an artisan tour of Litchfield County with a pottery class and antiques before going behind the scenes of historical Newport with a stay at The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection. In Kennebunk, guests will take a culinary turn at White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection, with an intimate chef dinner. Finally, a private flight will bring travelers to the bluffs of Nantucket for a dose of island life at Greydon House.

Package starts from $17,250 per person, including twelve nights’ accommodation, a private charter from Sanford to Nantucket, daily breakfast and a customized program of private experiences.

For further information on each road trip itinerary and to book your next road trip, visit https://www.blacktomato.com/auberge-road-trips/