Connecting with curiosity

ByEmmanuel Kwakye

Published December 4, 2023

Luckily, the future of travel isn’t reserved for those visiting the deepest oceans or endless space, we can also reward our curiosity by journeying into the breathtakingly wonderous places within our grasp.

Sometimes, it takes a specially curated journey to really soak up the essence of a place and its people. It is with this in mind that luxury brand Bentley Motors has carefully crafted an Extraordinary Journey experience that does just this: a once-in-a-lifetime journey across the UK, filled with experiential gems that money can’t buy – ready to trigger our curiosity and awaken the adventurer in us all.

But this unique experience is about so much more than taking in the iconic locations that the UK has to offer – it’s also about the people you meet on your way, and the connections you forge.

An extraordinary start

Your journey begins in the unassuming region of Cheshire in the northwest of England, setting the tone for a trip far removed from your typical run-of-the-mill holiday experience. Here, the home of Bentley Motors invites explorers to start their voyage as they mean to go on, in a location that embodies the car maker’s spirit that has pushed the luxury automotive industry forward for decades.

The iconic brand’s sense of duty, inventiveness and attention to quality is crystalized in the first stop on its UK Extraordinary Journey: CW1 House, Bentley’s state-of-the-art showroom.

Enjoying an immersive, behind the scenes factory experience, you and a group of like-minded souls will explore the state-of-art facilities, immersing yourselves in the iconic brand’s vision for the future. It is here where your first opportunity to build meaningful connections begins, as together you meet Bentley’s beating heart: the skilled craftspeople at the centre of cutting-edge, high end, luxury car manufacturing.

In a series of moving encounters, you’ll be able to meet the people who make the Bentley brand what it is, hearing their sentiment-filled stories of the personal lives that underpin their professional lives. Of these consummate craftspeople, many have a special, multi-generational connection to Bentley that spans decades, with sons and daughters inheriting a passion for luxury craftsmanship from family members before them. You will witness their genuine love and commitment to design in real time, care imbued into every chassis – their dedication palpable.

Complementing this special connection is the notable ‘Dine on the Line’ evening. This one-of-a-kind culinary experience, using only the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, allows you to celebrate your shared love for human ingenuity with fellow enthusiasts, enjoying top-tier dishes prepared by distinguished chefs from within the factory itself. The entire evening takes place only a few steps away from the production line where Bentley vehicles are as carefully and skillfully assembled as the meal you enjoy. This totally unique environment allows creativity and inspiration to pour onto your plate, with each course reflecting the many facets of Bentley’s rich and storied personality.

You then retire for the night in anticipation of the next leg of your journey. If your first date was with human ingenuity, your next is with nature.

For the scenic explorer

Covering 1,438 square kilometers, the Peak District is blessed with awe-inspiring landscapes, and is home to fascinating wildlife. The Yorkshire Dales provide excursionists with breathtaking views and scenic routes. Both reflect some of Britain’s most beautiful ecosystems.

With so much to take in, day two starts as soon as day breaks. Warmly welcomed by your tour host, you’re invited to explore and discover a range of Bentleys, from which you can select the car that resonates most with your personal style and that will whisk you away on your journey for the day. Today’s itinerary, as with other days, is made effortless by an expertly designed convoy experience, offering opportunities to feel a kinship with fellow travelers on this unique road trip across some of the UK’s most scenic locations. Open and thirsty for knowledge about the sights that lie before you, a route expert brimming with facts and information is always on hand to share stories on the breath-taking sights from your journey in real time, all from the comfort of your vehicle via radio.

After an afternoon of exploration, Grantley Hall, in the heart of North Yorkshire, is your destination for the evening. Once a magnificent private home, the hall has been transformed into a luxury five-star hotel and spa. Here, you have abundant opportunity to rest and relax, and the chance to swap stories from the day.

For the wild explorer 

The following day, you will glide in your chosen Bentley to the enchanting Treehouses at Lanrick. Up until now, you’ve driven through nature, but now it’s time to live in it. A night at these extraordinary treehouses is unforgettable as you enjoy comfort and quality service amid the leafy canopy.

The River Teith is barely 100 meters from the treehouses, and, coupled with the native trees and wildlife, this is a golden opportunity to recharge your batteries, enveloped by natural surroundings. Nature is well-known for generating emotions of calm, joy, and creativity, and this stop marks a blissful change of pace and environment for those more accustomed to higher pressure, metropolitan lifestyles.

Along with the numerous physical and spiritual benefits of immersing yourself in nature, your stay here is also an opportunity to connect with your fellow guests, conversing on how this Extraordinary Journey differs from your previous travel experiences. Your fellow adventurers may come from all walks of life, but you are all united by the same desire to explore, to connect and to enjoy good food and conversation.

Sharing meals under the night sky provides a unique chance to truly unwind and savor seasonal produce, while bonding over stories, reflections, and learnings of the trip so far.

For the cultured explorer 

As you spend your final day driving from the north of England into Scotland, you’re able to bask in the countryside’s magical, enduring energy.

Nowhere is this more apparent than at the next stop on your adventure: The Macallan Estate in Speyside. This contemporary distillery aptly reflects the nation’s propensity to create timeless, quality experiences.

Almost 200 years old, the brand has stood the test of time with its incomparable single malt whisky garnering global popularity and awards. This commitment to craftsmanship is reflected and exemplified in The Macallan’s partnership with Bentley Motors. As it looks forward, The Macallan continues to build on its reputation and innovate. Few see the countless hours of behind the scenes work from the whisky mastery team to create this coveted whisky.

You and your fellow explorers, however, will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of The Macallan’s 485-acre estate, where its distillery and visitor experience come together in a symphony of glass and steel; all under an undulating wooden roof, complete with a living meadow above, fusing the building with nature and neighboring wildlife.

Bentley’s five-day Extraordinary Journey lets you experience the UK through a new lens, forming fresh and lasting connections, due to its unique blend of nature, culture and people.

It’s a revelation and a reminder of the wonder that comes from connecting with our planet and fellow travelers, and more importantly, the unparalleled beauty of connecting with the curious explorer that exists within us all.

Discover Bentley’s Extraordinary Journeys here.

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