Category: Luxury Travel

The quintessential places where old-world charm meet modern curiosity are scattered like gold coins throughout Europe. We went off-the-beaten cobblestone path and uncovered a few hidden gems worth planning your next vacation around. Have a look.

Taormina, Italy

Robert Browning said, “Open my heart and you will see, graved inside of it, Italy.” This captivating and beautiful cliff-top town perched atop the island of Sicily is the stuff of poets and dreamers. During the day, you might find yourself wandering the café-lined streets hunting antiques or exploring the ancient ruins, while looking out to views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Mount Etna is Europe’s largest and most active volcano. And really the beauty here is unspeakably rare and rivals even the Amalfi coast.

Soglio, Switzerland

Italian-Swiss painter Giovanni Segantini called Soglio the gateway to paradise. It’s an enchanting village in the Bergell region near Italy and it’s famous for flowers. The narrow stone streets weave in and out and rejoin at the Church of St. Lorenzo, Soglio’s landmark. And while Soglio is a recent and wonderful discovery for many, the settlement and the town were recorded as early as 1219.

Aveiro, Portugal

Welcome to a prosperous town with an uncommon energy and a youthful spirit. This is Aveiro, which hugs the edge of a shallow coastal lagoon on the Ria. A bird-lovers paradise, Aveiro (uh-vey-roo), which might be Latin for place of birds, is the place occasionally dubbed the Venice of Portugal for its boats, bridges and picturesque canals. It’s a lovely spot best discovered on foot or aboard a moliceiro – the traditional seaweed-harvesting boat now used for tourists.

Esslingen, Germany

Southwest Germany’s Esslingen became a major trading center by building two bridges over the Neckar River, making it an obvious for medieval traders. Now the town has more than 200 timber-framed buildings from the 13th to 16th centuries, lining its canals. During the holidays, they are a backdrop for the German Christmas market, where 200 tradesmen in medieval costumes sell authentic crafts from the Middle Ages. But any time of year it’s fun to stroll the narrow streets, admire historic churches, and discover a new baked-good favorite.

Smogen, Sweden

Sweden’s western coast is graced by the small town of Smogen, where getting there is almost as fun as being there. You cross over a bridge with panoramic views of the bay below you. From there, every minute is a new discovery, from the small waterside houses splashed with vibrant color, to the charming and welcoming people.

There you have it – a few new places you might want to put on your travel bucket list for 2019.

For luxury travelers, world-class accommodation is the launching pad for a rewarding and memorable vacation. Leading hotels recognize this need and have made a conscious effort over the past few years to enhance the overall guest experience. To exceed expectations, hotels worldwide are offering activities that expand beyond their walls.

Wishing to immerse guests in the natural beauty and jaw-dropping scenery these hotels are fortunate enough to inhabit, they have embraced the latest trend in premium experiences – the luxury yacht.  Around the world, the harmonious relationship between land and sea delivers countless opportunities for adventure.  The following properties are leading the pack with incredible nautical experiences.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort commissioned the Azimut Flybridge 66. This sleek three-cabin vessel has charter availability that ranges from a few hours to an overnight expedition, discerning travelers are afforded endless opportunities to explore this stunning corner of the world on their own terms.  In addition to the obligatory sunbathing on deck, activities include diving, snorkeling, and champagne-soaked sunsets.  Setting sail on the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean could not get any better.

Nizuc Resort and Spa in Cancun is synonymous with wellness and luxury. They provide unrivaled service aboard their 56-foot customized catamaran.  The hallmark experience includes three suites, a personal chef, and butler. The catamaran itself is stocked with amenities, and the plethora of excursions beyond deck set this voyage apart from the rest.  How about astronomer-guided star-gazing or a diving trip to the Cancun Underwater Museum? Night or day, there are invigorating experiences not to be missed.

The Peninsula Hotels are in a league of their own around the world, and the Peninsula Shanghai is no exception. Their 50-foot yacht is a health and wellness mobile with yoga, tai chi, and massages, and a seaside view of the city’s unmistakable skyline along the Huangpu River. An afternoon on this yacht embodies the true mysticism of the Wonders of the Orient.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, the Five-Diamond resort located in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, will continue its tradition of offering seasonal once-in-a-lifetime experiences that celebrate the vibrant culture of the Baja region. The Winter 2018/2019 collection of “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences at Las Ventanas includes five experiences that range from beachside pop-up cocktail competitions to eye-opening tours of the breathtaking Cabo desert.

For more information email: lasventanas@rosewoodhotels.com or learn more online at: Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort.

Las Ventanas al Paraiso’s winter 2018/2019 collection of once-in-a-lifetime experiences includes:

Magic Dinner – Season 2:

After an enchanting first season at La Cava, the Magic Dinner series continues this winter with the resort’s resident magician host. Surrounded by catrinas, candles and other traditional décor at the resort’s magical herb gardens, guests will immerse in an unparalleled theatrical experience full of intrigue and mystery. While experiencing unforgettable and spectacular illusions inspired by local traditions, guests will indulge in a delectable five-course meal with wine pairings created by the resort’s distinguished chefs and sommeliers.

 

Beachside Pop-Up Mixology:

Every week, Las Ventanas will host a friendly competition on the resort’s white-sand beaches for guests to put their mixology skills to the test. Cocktail connoisseurs are encouraged to create their best cocktails for a special panel of judges. The following evening, winners will see their prized drinks served as the “Cocktail of the Day” at the resort’s signature restaurants!

 

 

Desert Racing:

The Baja desert is a spectacular terrain full of exclusive wonders to be discovered. During this exciting experience, adventure-seekers will have the opportunity to traverse the beautiful Cabo desert in a one-of-a-kind, all-terrain Baja buggy. Guests will travel to the depths of the desert and explore the natural beauty of Los Cabos as they witness the region’s sand dunes, canyons and other striking desert views.

 

 

PGA Masters:

At Las Ventanas, guests will experience golf like never before as they experience the stunning 18-hole Cabo del Sol Ocean Course, designed by legendary golf designer Jack Nicklaus. Guests will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from a PGA professional and receive one-on-one instruction as they swing together on one of the world’s finest courses. Complete with on-course bites, drinks and massages, guests will enjoy the luxuries of a true golf master while soaking in the intoxicating Cabo landscape on the award-winning course.

 

 

Ready, Set, Spray:

This winter, guests at Las Ventanas will experience effortless, state-of-the-art sunscreen application with SnappyScreen, the world’s first touchless sunscreen application system. With a revolutionary design, environmentally-friendly ingredients and a lightweight formula, SnappyScreen will protect the skin from harmful UV rays with head-to-toe coverage in just ten short seconds, allowing guests to relax in the brilliant Baja sun without worries.

Learn more about Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort here. 

When it comes to air travel accommodations, it is common knowledge that first-class, next to having a private jet, is the best and most luxurious way to fly. First-class describes the service, staff and exceptional amenities that are provided to pamper the air traveler.

Some airlines partner with professional Michelin-star chefs and high-end, recognizable brands to bring their flying experience to a superior level of first-class.

Qantas Airlines’ Australian chef, Neil Perry, recently introduced an eight-course tasting menu served with award-winning complimenting cocktails. Singapore Airlines brought on eight world-renowned chefs, including the U.S.’s famed Chef Alfred Portale, to form their International Culinary Panel. Its investment of $500 million U.S. in the inflight dining experience has led to Singapore Airlines effectively raising industry standards across the board.

Many different airlines offer unique travel amenities. Qatar Airways provides elaborate gifts such as pajamas from The White Company and amenity kits by Giorgio Armani, BRIC’S and Nappa Dori.

Other airlines impress with their unique luxury facilities. Etihad Airways takes hotel comforts to the skies with The Residence, a three-room suite containing a living room, bedroom and a private bathroom with shower, accessorized with Acqua di Parma toiletries. Emirates Airways offers private suites with mood lighting and beds that can be placed in zero-gravity position, to “reduce pressure on the person’s body and create a feeling of weightlessness.”

Singapore Airlines’ lavish, upscale, private suites feature, among other amenities, a Poltrona Frau upholstered leather reclining swivel chair, floor to ceiling sliding doors, and the option of a double bed for those traveling in pairs. Singapore Airlines won the Best First Class Experience for 2018, awarded by AirlineRatings.com.

For luxury options, regardless of provider, the aerial competition for excellence in first-class in-flight experiences is sure to benefit all discerning voyageurs.

Tricentennial: The 300th Anniversary of New Orleans

300 years of tantalizingly delicious carnival king cakes, second line brass band parades, and colorful Mardi Gras krewes filling the streets with vibrant floats and shimmering gold, green, and purple beads.

Those are the traditions that New Orleans locals are celebrating this year, as they ring in tricentennial celebrations, marking 300 years since this one of a kind city with bounds of rich history, a diverse culture, and unique traditions, was founded. And to commemorate with the down by the bayou natives, we’re rounding up our three most favored historic homes spanning from across the Garden District to Sugarcane Plantations. Here’s the scoop:

• Magnolia Mansion:

 

 A destination that boasts old southern charm. Located in the lush uptown neighborhood of the garden district – sitting next to two sets of street car train tracks – is an estate once home to notable debutantes and the American Red Cross, coined the Magnolia Mansion. Housing one and half centuries of socialites, bon vivants, champagne soirees, and Fat Tuesday dinners, this once influential hub lends homage to big easy living at its upmost finest. But with the ins and outs of neighbors like Vampire Novelist Anne Rice, legend states it’s haunted. But to know for sure, you’ll have to stay at their bed and breakfast, and find out yourself.

• Longue Vue House & Gardens

 

Nothing says New Orleans more than historic estates lined with pockets of tall oak trees. And at this old manor meets museum, beauty, elegance, and the magic of old world Louisiana charisma is exactly what you’ll see. A home and garden born out of New Orleans pillars, Edgar and Edith Stern, Longue Vue House & Gardens is an oasis of blooming Camellia blush petals and white crown Pansies. Consisting of three stories and a basement, this antique villa is a lodging center to original furnishings of English and American antiques, European and Eastern European carpets, Modern and Contemporary art, and haute couture and ethnic costumes. Working with landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman and architects William and Geoffrey Platt, the sterns produced one of the last great American houses still standing today that was built during the Country Place Era.

• Oak Alley Plantation

An antebellum sugarcane plantation for those looking to relive their southern pastimes with a “Gone With The Wind” feeling. Oak Alley Plantation, located at 3645 Louisiana State Highway 18 in Vacherie – nestled on the west bank of the Mississippi River, is a visual masterpiece. Between a canopied 18^th century path – with a double row of 28 southern live oak trees – and a Greek revival inspired mansion standing upright with 28 free-standing colonnade Doric columns, Oak Alley Plantation is nothing short of an architectural old age gem.  And with its archaic sugarcane fields, built by the “King of Sugar” and French Creole Valcour Aime himself, this property is one to not only tour for its exquisite features, but it’s Cival War history – serving as a National Landmark and time capsule to the enslaved community that once lived there and worked on the property.

The Ultimate Winery in Moldova

In the small eastern European country of Moldova lies a hidden gem.  As one of the least visited countries in Europe it is no surprise that few people know about Milestii Mici, an underground winery that could be home to an entire city.  Originally a mine, this site has a colorful history dating back before the Second World War.  In 1965 it was wisely converted into a wine cellar capable of storing wine not just in great conditions but substantial quantities.

It set the Guinness book of world records for most bottles of wine, 1.5 million back in 2005.  To say that it is a large winery would be a huge understatement.  Milestii Mici is a tour best taken by car since the total length is 200 kilometers (120 miles).   Each tour must arrive in their own car or taxi (with room for the tour guide) and reservations are necessary.  Enjoy packages from a variety of courses or snacks with wine pairing, accompanied by local musicians serenading you in the unique setting.

With over 45 years of experience this winery is not just famous for being large.  They have accomplished 76 medals at different competitions.  Winemaking is the primary occupation of Moldavians and during a prosperous period in the late 1980s, a ‘Golden Collection’ was formed including bottles of Pinot, Traminer, Muscat, Riesling, Feteasca, Codru,Trandafirul Moldovie, Utreneaia Rosa, and more.  “In each drop of these drinks is felt the fire of sun and vigor of earth.”

The constant temperature of 12-14 Celsius and high relative humidity ideally contributes to the storage of their own handcrafted wines as well as some of the best harvests of other wines.  These perfect conditions for aging bottles allows some reds to improve and mature beautifully.  Certain wines might be cellared for decades before being sold.  For the true connoisseur, space in the Milestii Mici wine cellar is available for rent.  Allow that exquisite red to age for a special occasion down the road and enjoy it to its fullest.

 

Nothing signals the changing of the guard from summer to fall like autumn’s leaves turning brilliant fiery hues of orange, red and gold. While it’s always an adventure to hop in the car and road trip along the tree-lined highways of spots like Aspen, Ontario or Vermont to witness the colorful transformation, we’ve explored a few leaf-peeping places that offer unconventional ways to capture the camera-worthy scenery.

Niagara Falls by helicopter

Go up, up and away over the most spectacular waterfalls and see the leaves changing, all in one breathtaking sweep. There are no bad seats on this roughly 30-minute flight that takes you above the action with views in every direction.

In September and October the tours are in full swing, which is also considered off-season, so hotel prices drop along with the temperatures and falling leaves. Plan accordingly as the fall foliage peaks around mid October. If you do decide to embark on foot, Dufferin Islands in Niagra, just south of Horseshoe Falls is an exceptional place to witness spectacular scenery from ground level.

Ziplining in New England

New Yorkers looking to escape the bustle flock to The Catskills Mountains for scenic hiking, horseback riding, antiquing and an array of fine gourmet restaurants and markets. For the adventure seeking types, however, there’s an escape of a different kind by way of the second largest zipline in the world. It’s also the longest, highest and fastest way to soar above the fall foliage. Embark from Hunter Mountain’s base Lodge and plan on three hours to complete the course.

Foliage in Finland

What autumn leaves are to North Americans is known as “ruska” to locals in Finland, a natural phenomenon that paints the northern landscape in gorgeous hues of red, yellow and green— blue even. A photographers’ haven for the two weeks of peak season, usually in late September, Finland becomes a blanket of color-filled forests and wilderness. The further north you go, such as Lapland, takes you deeper into leaf-peeping territory and is best experienced by boat. However, if you opt to hike or bike, you can stop and pluck blueberries right from the ground and witness spectacular autumn lights (solar flares) that reflect off the surrounding lakes.

 

Happy fall exploring the foliage wherever you are, and wherever your wanderlust takes you.

Unless you’re Richard Branson and have your own private island complete with butler service and a yacht, you probably don’t think that kind of exclusivity is in the cards as a vacation option. But it is, you just have to know where to look. We did some checking around and found a few off-the-map spots where you can rent your own island paradise for a night, week or a month. In fact, even Branson’s place is an option, for the right price.

Little Harvest Caye Placencia, Belize

Not far offshore from the gorgeous village of Placencia, is a 1.5-acre island that could be all yours for somewhere in the neighborhood of $1855 per night. If that feels pricy, it sleeps 14 and comes with five private suites, each offering beautiful seaside and mountain views, big bay windows and cool evening breezes that build off the Peninsula—at no extra cost. Bedrooms have soaring wood ceilings, and open onto a white sandy beach connected by thatch walkways. Also, there’s your own private pool. Wash the sand away in bathrooms with natural stone floors and admire the hand-carved accents. There’s also a staff on the island to attend to your every whim, a golf cart for your transportation needs and kayaks and a ping-pong table for recreation. If you start feeling landlocked, charter the boat and driver to the nearby village of Placencia.

Popa Island, Panama

This island getaway in the Bocas del Toro archipelago is for the budget minded travelers. The brightly colored eco-friendly bungalows go for $160 per night. The bungalows have thatched roofs and are suspended by sticks above the water. Here, mangroves and a coral reef are your neighbors, as well as two monkeys that are the islands mascots. Adventure seekers might be interested in the crocodile night safari.

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

Surrounded by the sparkling blue Caribbean waters, 74-acre Necker Island shines with its Balinese-style homes, each with private pools and never-ending views. This is the place where rock stars hide and celebrities seek. While it rents for 78,000 a night, it’s currently closed for renovations after Hurricane Irma’s devastating destruction last year, but will reopen in October of this year. The island has two private beaches, two infinity pools, a swim-up bar, a hot tub that seats 30, a gym, mini submarine and a personal chef and other staff.

 

See you don’t have to live like a millionaire, to vacation like one. You just need a few eager friends and loved ones to split the bill.

Unlike many Western ski resorts that evolved from old mining towns, Beaver Creek was envisioned and built from the ground up. Developers had a singular goal in mind: to provide the ultimate guest experience. You’d never imagine the opulence that awaits as you pass through the unassuming town of Avon. Once you’re through the front entrance, you know something special is in store. A private road skirted by a lush golf course takes you on a picturesque journey to the foot of the resort. There, a paved village links boutique shops and restaurants, while escalators (yes, you heard that right) whisks skiers up to the lifts. At the day’s end, warm chocolate chip cookies await. Not exactly roughing it. Beaver Creek has earned its reputation for fresh powder with a side of posh.

Beaver Creek offers three distinct mountain areas with everything from gentle groomers to heart-racing black diamonds. The mountain boasts a 4,040-foot vertical rise serviced by 16 lifts with 150 trails. Beginners will find easy runs at the top and they get the same spectacular view as the diehards. Intermediate skiers have more than 805 acres of easy-cruising “groomers” at their disposal. Coyote Glade near the Bachelor Gulch lift is a great place to explore—particularly if you like the trees. Beaver Creek is also the place to challenge yourself, so don’t shy away from the black runs near the Centennial Express lift. Experts will gravitate to the double-black diamonds at Royal Elk Glades and Bald Eagle off the Grouse Mountain Express lift. It’s every bit as challenging as Vail’s back bowls—don’t let anyone tell you differently. But the mountain is a lot mellower than Vail and that’s a good thing.

In the summer months when the snow melts, take the lift up and explore a different type of downhill—miles of rolling single tracks. (Views included.) The village in Beaver Creek is its own adventure with an open-air, ice-skating rink right in the center of everything. Dine at Toscanini for savory Italian or Blue Moose for NY-style pizza if the kids are in tow. In the off-season—spring and fall—you’ll find lots of deals on meals and places to stay.

There’s also fly-fishing nearby, horseback riding and the Beaver Creek rodeo. From the bull riding to calf roping and barrel racing, it’s a family-friendly night out complete with cotton candy and salty pretzels. Other activities include a scenic gondola ride up the mountain to Spruce Saddle. From there, you can explore several hikes such as the Royal Elk Trail and the Overlook Trail. At the base of Beaver Creek, there’s a small adventure area for kids that includes mini golf, a bungee trampoline and a rock-climbing wall. There are also tons of concerts and movies outside throughout the summer. If all of this activity has you feeling tired, rejuvenate at one of the many luxury spas.

Summer or winter, spring or fall, activity is always blooming in Beaver Creek. As the expression goes, locals come for the winter and stay for the summer. You’ll enjoy any season here.