Truth? Adventure is not my gig.

I’m the luxury guy. On a perfectly fabulous day, I’d rather spend hours poolside in a cabana sipping frosty cold cocktails, with intermittent visits to a spa, than hike to a waterfall. True story.

For me, the up close and personal beauty of nature is most often best viewed through the lens of National Geographic or Bear Grylls. And yet, I am commonly called upon to detour from those activities to which I am naturally inclined in order to truly experience the heart and soul of a destination. It’s part of the job (and for the record, I’m not complaining because I am well aware that exploring the world and sharing my insights about it isn’t exactly the most taxing of professions).

Lately, my more exotic excursions have taken place at the side of YouTuber Davey Wavey, my great friend and travel compatriot, who unfortunately, not only fails to share my affection for the luxe life, but insists on drawing me out of it. Here again, I would complain but the reality is that, difficult as it is to admit, I always walk away from my adventures with Davey having done some memorable, perspective-shifting thing that I would otherwise never have done left to my own devices. And that can’t be a bad thing, right?

Take for example our most recent visit to Curaçao, the splendidly sunny and diverse Eden that along with Aruba and Bonnaire comprise the Dutch Caribbean trifecta known as the ABC Islands. Now, in the past, I have visited many Caribbean hotspots from Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas to St. John and St. Bart, always with an eye toward escape and doing as little as possible.

However, such was not to be the case on this trip. Quelle surprise!

Rather than kicking back for a few days, Davey had, in tandem with the Curaçao Tourism Board, arranged for us to partake in an Amazing Race-like escapade that would carry us to just about every corner of the island’s 171 square miles.

Did I mention that I have issues with adventure?

The escapade began sedately enough with check-in at the Floris Suite Hotel, a tropical adults-only, all-suite resort of the billowing white curtains and plush white sofa variety that would be just as at home on South Beach or in the Florida Keys. With beyond spacious accommodations, a private beach club called Moomba, a spa and ample poolside cabanas, I began to get a very good feeling about this trip.

However, when I was later introduced to the Floris Hotel’s Ocean Front Spazio Suite (in which I was not accommodated for the record) my spirits soared even higher. The 650-sq. ft. modular, luxury designer suite with its own private beach looking out over the Caribbean Sea and high-end amenities including butler service and upscale Italian designed furniture spoke fervently to me.

I wanted to stay. But, alas there was no time for dithering. There was a race to be run.

The first leg of our journey into the unknown kicked off approximately 10 minutes away from the hotel in Willemstad, the island’s capital city and thriving heartbeat. As we descended into the epicenter of activity on the colorful and vibrant island, the uniqueness of Curaçao relative to its neighbors immediately struck me – as did the famous breezes for which the isle is known.

Kome, a popular restaurant packed with a mix of locals and tourists in the trendy Pietermaai district, was where we would get our first challenge but not before sampling the eatery’s largely locally sourced, island-inspired menu and getting an introduction to the island from a few well-informed locals. Again, this didn’t seem like such a bad start to things. That is, of course, until our hosts turned the conversation to the next day’s challenges.

Why oh why couldn’t I just sleep in? There was a perfectly lovely suite with a terrace and all the fruity cocktails I could consume awaiting me but here I was being forced to do things.

Our first challenge called upon us to locate Willemstad’s famous Floating Market, track down a Venezuelan banana and sample it, while our second required us to partake in a local delicacy — a whole fish fried from gills to tail.

Okay, it’s just food. I can probably do this, I thought to myself.

Skipping a nightcap at Luke’s, another trendy Pietermaai favorite, we turned in early to prep for the day that lay ahead. The next morning, I was up bright and early ready to take on the first challenge.

I mean…that is to say…I would be ready after tucking into a spot of breakfast, of course. After all, one needs nutritional fortification for adventure and ours came via a sampling of arepas stuffed with chicken and crab salad, omelets and smoothies at the friendly and inviting Willemstad-based Chilean bistro with the French name known as La Boheme.

Hunger sated and armed with the help of a guide (nothing about the rules precluded us from obtaining assistance), we wandered around the colorful buildings of the UNESCO World Heritage site that is Willemstad taking in the town for the first time in daylight. Along the way, we explored the brightly hued Governor’s Mansion as well as the iconic Queen Emma Bridge, a pontoon bridge designed to swing its entire length parallel to the shore (a feat that makes it more than merely functional in terms of the fact that it connects the Punda and Otrobanda sides of Willemstad, but also a must-see attraction for tourists).

With little actual assistance we finally stumbled upon the Floating Market, which would be pretty difficult to miss given its location in the heart of the city. That said, the name of this popular destination is a bit of a misnomer because the market itself does not float. Instead colorful boats filled with fruits, vegetables and seafood dock in the center of town, set up stalls and offer the bounty of Venezuela, Columbia and other nearby locales to residents of Curaçao and tourists alike. Among this panoply of vendors, it didn’t take long for us to find and sample a “Venezuelan banana” which is essentially what we know as a plantain and a proper staple consumed with nearly every meal served on the island. Who knew?

Challenge 1 of 5 complete.

A bit more meandering around town and then it was off to our next stop, Saltwater Rif Terrace, for the whole fried fish challenge. Essentially, Salt Water is an open-air, waterside shack serving freshly caught seafood alongside regional favorites. I was immediately so taken by the clearly local and totally unpretentious vibe of this off the beaten path spot, that my initial anxiety about the challenge faded.

Then out came the fish and it wasn’t nearly as imposing as expected. It was a completely manageable size. I’d dare say it was almost cute until I recalled we were expected to eat the whole thing, including the tongue, which is apparently quite revered for its flavor by Curaçaoans.

I took the lead here and ate the tongue, attacking the head with fervor, while Davey tucked into the body. We finished the fish and with it the second challenge. And you know what? I loved it.

Not only did I enjoy the crispy, salty fried fish and Salt Water’s freshly made hot sauce (a revelation in and of itself), but I loved the place and the experience. But for the race, I might have missed this hidden gem. Thankfully I didn’t as it was one of the highlights of our visit.

After lunch, and to my surprise, there was another surprise. Yet another challenge.

I suspected the challenges would escalate and it was at this moment they did.  Our next trial would involve an underwater excursion called Aquafari and, judging from the name alone, I was pretty sure this might be the challenge that would break me.

But, surprisingly, it didn’t.

Despite my apprehension, a few shaky moments and a general lack of understanding about the technology behind the adventure, I found Aquafari to be quite fun. It’s basically like scuba diving or snorkeling on an underwater motor scooter. Best of all, from my perspective, aside from swimming out to the scooter, there wasn’t really much physical exertion involved making it my favorite kind of adventure.

With the Aquafari teammates as guides, all we had to do was rev our engines, steer through the cool depths of the Caribbean Sea, marvel at the schools of crayon-colored tropical fish, the colorful coral reef, and other residents of the crystal clear deep-sea underworld and basically enjoy the ride. Easy.

As the journey came to an end, I reflected that the experience was one for the bucket list. I had always wanted to go scuba diving, but had no desire to go through the training. This was probably as close as I would ever get and I was good with that.

I was also happy that Challenge 3 was completed.

Unsurprisingly, our next challenge involved yet another beach. It’s interesting to note here that Curaçao is not blessed with long stretches of white sandy beaches like some of the other ABC islands. It is however blessed with these extraordinary coves and smaller beaches with the clearest waters lapping their shores. They feel like a well-kept secret and that is their charm. One such beach is Playa Knip on the west side of the island, which was where our next challenge was to take place.

Somewhere on the beach, there was a bracelet that we were charged with finding. Sounds simple enough but though Playa Knip isn’t exactly expansive, it isn’t exactly small either. As we searched the beach, taking breathers to enjoy the environs, I just couldn’t stop looking out at the sea.

No matter how many times I see the turquoise-colored waters of the Caribbean, I can’t help but be a little in awe and those surrounding Curaçao are among the most spectacular I have seen. Thankfully, my daydreaming and distraction proved useful because as I stared out at the waves, I spotted what looked to be a bracelet in a cove just off the beach.  As Davey is the better swimmer among us, he swam out to the rocks in the cove and to both our great delight, my eyesight hadn’t failed me – there was indeed a bracelet in that cove.

Crushed it! Another challenge done and dusted.

While visiting that side of the island, we stopped in for lunch at the Cactus Café in Christoffel National Park, where another quirky aspect of Curaçao’s topography was revealed – cacti. On the west side of the island, cacti is ubiquitous and the dry, dusty landscape is more reminiscent of the desert than a tropical island. It was very similar to the kind of dichotomy in terms of geography that you might see in the Canary Islands. But, I digress. There was still another beach to explore and a final challenge to be completed.

Our final stop was Playa Piskado, where we were to engage in a SeaBob Excursion. Now the SeaBob is billed as a jet powered personal submarine. No disrespect, but when I think of submarines, I think of an enclosed underwater vehicle and this was anything but.

Despite a concerted effort – that included promises of mind-blowing sightings of sea turtles and more of those awesome colorful schools of fish – I could not be convinced to change my mind about engaging in this particular activity. Davey was on his own for this one.

So, while he explored the depths of the sea in his personal submarine, I enjoyed the views of Playa Piskado…from the air-conditioned confines of our transport. In the final analysis, however, my resistance to the submarine outing didn’t matter much because Davey loved it, we still got our bracelet for the challenge and I got a nap. Everyone was happy. I call that winning.

To celebrate completing the race and all five of its associated challenges, we booked in for dinner at Oporto, a swank steak and seafood house located in one of the trendiest venues in Curaçao. At this point, by my estimation, we certainly deserved a little pampering after all that activity and that is precisely what we got at this upscale boite. Perched at the apex of fine-dining on the island, Oporto specializes in a continental menu that includes oodles of tantalizing options ranging from Red Snapper Fillet a la Meuniere and Seafood Stew to Queen Rack of Lamb and Fillet Mignon Tournedos. It was the perfect place to wind down with a glass of wine or three after a few very busy (and very fun) days.

At this point, the only thing missing was our prize. What exactly had our mad dash exploits across Curaçao earned us?

The next morning, we awoke to just that. We both received massages in the spa at the Floris Hotel, and they were heaven.

All’s well that ends well, as they say.

Listen, I’m still not the adventure guy and I probably never will be. But getting in touch with my inner Bear Grylls in Curaçao helped me to discover a side of the island that I wouldn’t normally see while holed up inside a resort and it gave me a whole different perspective to share. And I still managed to squeeze in a fair amount of pampering. How fab is that?

So if you, like me, find yourself wary of adventure on holiday, I say don’t be scared, be inspired my journey.

And for inspiring this new inflection point in my travels, I say ‘Hoorah for Curaçao’.

To watch Davey’s take on our exploits in Curaçao watch below:

The LivingWells List Curaçao:

Stay

Floris Suite Hotel – Spa & Beach Club
Piscadera Bay
Willemstad, Curaçao
Phone: +599 9462 6111

Play

Aquafari
Piscaderaweg
Willemstad, Curaçao
+599 9513 2625

Seabob
Tugboat Beach (at Caracas Bay)
Curaçao, Curaçao
+599 9510 8800

Eat

La Bohème Curaçao
Columbusstraat 4
Willemstad, Curaçao
+599 9465 1966

Kome
6 Johan van Walbeeckplein
Willemstad, Curaçao
+599 9465 0413

Oporto
C.C. Renasseince shopping mall, unit 213
Willemstad, Curaçao
+599 9465 6605

Saltwater Rif Terrace
John f kennedy blv z/n (Koredor)
Willemstad, Curaçao
+599 9462 6660

For more information about Curaçao, click here.

To read this article on the Huffington Post, click here.

The post Curaçao: Color and Character in the Caribbean appeared first on .

“I can’t see anything,” I shouted to a kayak disappearing into darkness on an especially black night. On the horizon, lightning shattered from storm clouds gathered over the Gulf of Mexico. It was the Night of the New Moon that would usher in “Día de los Muertos” – All Souls Day. There was something spiritual – ghostly even – on the sea at that late hour.  I felt excitement with a twinge of trepidation. About a half-mile offshore I wondered quietly to myself if there were sharks in these waters.

Then, suddenly, “Put your hand in,” the kayak in front shouted back.

As I dipped my hand into the murky wake of the kayak it instantly lit the water on fire. Thousands of tiny sparklers like firecrackers bursting beneath the surface scattered around my hand rendering it awash in neon light. I reached further down. Thousands – millions perhaps – of tiny phosphorescent particles swarmed across my arm. What spirit had conjured this phenomenon, I wondered.

“This is the magic of Holbox,” said the guide.

Isla Holbox is perhaps most famous for a phenomenon called the “afuera aggregation” which, outside marine biology circles, refers to the largest migration of whale sharks anywhere in the world. In season, tour operators across the island organize trips by boat or kayak for visitors to swim with the largest fish in the sea. But, when I arrived, whale shark season was more than a month gone. That being the case, I was instead recommended to take a tour by kayak to experience another phenomenon unique to Holbox: the bioluminescence.

In the past I had heard stories of beaches in Puerto Rico or Thailand where one could see the bioluminescence― particles of shimmering, neon light that wash ashore but are quickly extinguished. Nobody I knew had actually witnessed this, however, so I assumed it was an urban travel legend. I therefore remained dubious as to what could actually be seen with the naked eye, having been tricked by lush photography of the aurora borealis in Iceland several years back. But, with an affable local guide named Arnoldo leading the way, we launched two kayaks into the warm ocean water under the cover of darkness and set out in search of the lights.

For a short while we paddled along the shore, bathed in the glow not of bioluminescence, but of the lights from the hotel properties that dotted the coast. As we pointed the kayaks due north – straight out into the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, I began to wonder if this was a good idea. We paddled for about 30 minutes even further into darkness. Arnoldo was several yards ahead and I feared I might lose him entirely as I squinted to make out his white polo shirt in the distance.

Finally, we arrived to a spot where Arnoldo suggested we park our kayaks and place our hands in the water. As I slid my fingers slowly into the sea they immediately sparkled a type of bright yellow light you might expect from thousands of miniscule fireflies jetting in all directions just below the surface.

At first, I was not quite sure what we were seeing. Arnoldo explained that the effect was caused by a unique variety of plankton that, when oxygenated through movement, created a temporary luminescent effect. If I  moved slowly, I could see the individual flagella appearing like bright embers no greater in size than the head of a pin. Rapid motions produced a blur of solid light that lasted for only a few seconds but contrasted sharply with the darkness of the night.

Arnoldo, to my surprise, hopped out of the kayak and it was then that I noticed we were in water only about waist-deep even though it seemed we were far offshore. We were hovering above a long sandbar spread out in the middle of the bay. As we jumped in, the bioluminescence took charge around our legs and feet. Fish swam by and they too became incandescent streams of light jetting through the void.

“This is incredible!” I yelled to Arnoldo.

“I don’t just take you to the bioluminescence, I take you in the bioluminescence,” he replied proudly.

We spent close to an hour just floating – looking at the effect from various angles above and below the water. We attempted to devise new ways to showcase the light show and made “bioluminescent sea angels” by lying in the water on our backs the way children play in snow drifts.

I looked up from the water and absorbed my surroundings. Something about the sea at night has always frightened me. The idea of being lost, floating on a life raft or clinging to a piece of debris through the long night as waves tossed about has always seemed to me to be the most terrifying prospect that could befall a man at sea. Yet somehow, here, I was unafraid. Quite the opposite – surrounded by the light I felt a sense of total peace.  It was more spiritual than anything I had ever experienced in a house of worship.

Arnoldo lit a smoke while we talked about life, nature and the changes that had come to Holbox in only the five years since he’s lived on the island. He fears for the future and what additional development and tourism might bring. Last year he helped organize one night – the first annual Bioluminescent Festival – where every hotel on the beach turned the lights off for an hour so everyone could partake in this wonder of nature.  With the wonder of social media, however, it had the unintended consequence of drawing out hundreds from the mainland who camped out on the beach in anticipation of the big event.

“You can imagine the mess they left behind,” he said woefully.

At the same time, he spoke optimistically of the education and conservation efforts underway as well as the children he had introduced to the bioluminescence. “When they finally put down the glow of their smartphones and enter the glow of this water, they come alive again.”

Isla Holbox has the power to bring travelers back to life as well – but only for as long as it can hold onto its identity and nature. It has the power to heal and to transform. For adaptable travelers, now is the time to absorb its magic before it fades away like the ephemeral light of its bioluminescent sea.

Explorer of gastronomic and luxury hideaways, Marc Destito is an essayist, travel consultant and communications guru. He has represented leading global wine regions including the region of Champagne, France and has traveled extensively to premier destinations throughout Europe, Asia and North America.  Having previously lived in Washington, D.C. he is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. Follow Marc on Instagram @marcinmotion.

The post The Bioluminescent Lights of Isla Holbox appeared first on .

“Someone should do a study of the human brain and how quickly it can adjust to luxury.”

― Tina Fey, Bossypants

The stock market continues to soar to new heights. Silicon Valley continues to mint shiny new titans whose net worth is nothing short of staggering. And, according to recent studies, the number of millionaires in America continues to climb, reaching a record 10.8 million nationwide as of the end of 2016.

These trends, have not gone unnoticed by many brands, least of all those whose business intersects with the world of travel. Not only are these brands ramping up their services and offerings to accommodate this burgeoning class of travelers who are looking for and, indeed, expect the height of luxury when they travel, they are taking luxe, access and comfort to new levels.

So which brands are the ones to watch? Here are just a few.

Among the brands taking the lead in the luxury travel arena is American Express. Currently, the global services company’s American Express Global Lounge Collection provides Platinum Card and Centurion Members with access to more than 1,100 lounges around the world, in 500 plus cities, across 120 countries. To that already extensive network, the company has added its Centurion Lounge product, an upscale signature lounge program, with locations at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Miami International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Houston’s George Bush International Airport.

And that’s just for starters.

This month American Express turned up the luxe as it celebrated the opening of its sleek and modern new 8,000-square foot Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong. The first of its kind in Asia, the latest Centurion Lounge is a spare but elegant space, offering an array of top drawer benefits and amenities including a premium buffet and complimentary full bar created by renowned mixologist Jim Meehan complete with wine selections handpicked by renowned wine authority Anthony Giglio, meeting rooms, private phone areas and a spacious, private shower suite outfitted with L’Occitane products.

Meanwhile ultra-exclusive Centurion members, who receive their status by invitation only, are invited to bypass the buffet and enjoy a private room in the new Honk Kong lounge which boasts an a la carte menu of delights designed by Michelin star chef, Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong. Just for good measure, a dedicated Member Services Professional is also on hand in the lounge to assist Centurion members with any specific travel, reservation or card services requests while they relax in its environs.

It’s all a part of the special and exclusive world that American Express’ glamorous and forward-thinking executive vice president and general manager of Global Charge Products, Benefits & Services, Janey Whiteside, has envisioned for Platinum and Centurion card members. Taking a personal approach to the design and layout of these signature lounges, Whiteside has been involved in every detail of their design right down to the most minute. Her pride in the finished product and the new level of comfort it will offer card members was evident as she introduced the product for the first time during a preview last week. Describing Hong Kong as “a top destination for our Card Members and an epicenter for contemporary culture” Whiteside expressed unqualified excitement about the first Centurion Lounge in Asia.

Later this month, American Express continues to expand its offering with the opening of its 9^th Centurion Lounge in Terminal A West of Philadelphia International Airport. A 6,300-square foot space this new lounge promises an Israeli-inspired food menu designed by four-time James Beard Award winning Israeli Cuisine Pioneer, Chef Michael Solomonov, as well as a complimentary full bar with those same distinctive cocktails created by mixologist Jim Meehan, wine selections handpicked by Anthony Giglio, floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive internal and external views and other essentials for upscale travelers.

If you’ve ever wondered if it was time to upgrade your AMEX, then now would be the time give it serious consideration.

sWanna drive from the North to South Pole in style? Quintessentially is at the ready to make it happen.Another brand that is upping the proverbial ante on luxury is Quintessentially, which began as a 24-hour concierge service and has now evolved into a global lifestyle management service with “fixers” on hand in over 60 cities around the world to service their ever-expanding roster of high-end members and their ever more whimsical needs.

It’s not enough that Quintessentially is already known for making the seemingly impossible happen – they have, after all, closed the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a private climb and unique marriage proposal, arranged a party for 300 at the Pyramids in Egypt, created a romantic meal for two on an iceberg, and even built a replica ‘bat cave’ in a member’s home – they too are finding new ways to upscale their offerings for members with liquidity and a dream.

“Innovation for Quintessentially means truly expanding our member programming and thinking out of the box for travel,” says Quintessentially CEO, Annastasia Seebohm. “That means bespoke and curated experiences in members’ homes, bringing the brands and thought leaders to them and their circles – a great example of this being our exclusive partnership with Hennessy Ultra Prestige where we’ve organized traveling gastronomic tastings and dinners around the country, some of which have featured appearances by brand ambassador Maurice Hennessy.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Quintessentially also continues to press boundaries to turn their members’ fantasies into realities.

“We had one client whose dream it was to visit real James Bond locations and destinations by private charter and sports car on holiday and we’ve had others who have requested to motorcycle from the North to South Pole,” Seebohm continues in explanation of the extent of Quintessentially’s capacities. “We have more than 60 global officers [along] with travel experts and industry insiders that collaborate together to offer both remote and on-location support in planning and execution for even the most lavish vacations and far-flung adventures.”

Bottom line: If you can afford it, Quintessentially can probably make it happen.

Meanwhile, for luxury villa companies like industry leader, Beautiful Places – which boasts a staggering collection of jaw dropping properties ranging from sprawling mountaintop vineyard retreats, restored farmhouses, stately contemporary homes and even large chateaux and villas throughout Northern California wine country, France, Italy, Mexico and the Caribbean, among other destinations – innovation is in the personalization of their services.

“In addition to living among the vines in one of our villas, we create personalized local itineraries and hands on experiences for our guests,” says Beautiful Places President, Liza Graves of some of the ways her company augments its services for premium guests.

“One of the popular premier guest activities is a Day with Our Chef,” Graves continues. “[Guests] explore local artisan food outlets and farms, go on market tours, create a dinner menu and select ingredients to make it; meet the winemakers who pair the perfect wines for their feast, and then work side by side with the chef to prepare the perfect wine country feast.”

Finally, even unexpected venues like PagnatoKarp, an independent wealth specialist firm based in Reston, VA with $3 billion in assets under advisement, are raising the stakes in the luxury travel game with innovations of their own. For its Fiduciary Family Office clients, PagnatoKarp offers personalized in–house concierge services for customized travel planning, lifestyle management and luxury procurement.

So, basically, in addition to managing your wealth, PagnatoKarp will help you spend it.

From customized trip itineraries and exclusive access to VIP amenities & benefits (think Super Bowl tickets or impossible to get Adele tickets), to accessing an exclusive network of international properties and arranging private aviation membership, charters and purchases and so much more, PagnatoKarp’s concierge team of premium specialists is at the ready.

derstanding our Family Office clients’ unique and individual needs, our in-house concierges can build a luxury travel experience of their dreams,” explains Lorrie Zimecki, Director of Concierge Services at PagnatoKarp. “Currently, we are focusing on the trend of luxury destination clubs, those that not only manage properties but offer the same level of service as we do once clients are on site. Additionally, we’ve integrated the use of a travel app for our clients with interactive, content-rich itineraries provided in mobile form.”

All of the above suggests one trend very clearly – though travel has become a more arduous experience than ever before, there are more than a few brands aiming to take luxury travel to the next level by bring more than a little glam back to the experience. And that is nothing if not good news for luxury travelers.

The post Luxury 2.0: Brands Up the Ante for Travelers appeared first on .

Picture floating peacefully above the city of Albuquerque during the calm wee hours of the morning with the Sandia Mountains and one of those famous New Mexico sunrises as a backdrop and you can begin to imagine why droves of visitors annually descend upon sleepy Albuquerque to attend the city’s annual International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

Begun over three decades ago with 13 balloons and 10,000 guests, this week-long festival has grown into a Disney-esque spectacle featuring some 600 Balloons and attracting more than 750,000 guests, nearly doubling the size of the city over the course of the event. This week, I was invited to check out what has become not only the world’s largest ballooning festival but also one of the most photographed (aka most Instagrammable) events in the world and it didn’t take long for me to clue in on the fact that this annual fiesta of fun is at once a part of the fabric of the city of Albuquerque and also a point of pride for residents.

In fact, when I arrived at the airport to take my turn on one of the hot air balloons, my Uber driver, abuzz with excitement about all the international teams she had picked up and the week’s festivities, proudly became my de facto tour guide – recommending restaurants, giving me the low-down on the Breaking Bad tour of the city (the show was filmed in Albuquerque for those unfamiliar with that fact), and giving my choice of hotel (Hotel Chaco) the thumbs up. She also gave me important advice about how to dress for my first hot air balloon experience for which I would become eternally grateful.

The next day I was up at 4 AM, enrobed in six layers of clothing (basically everything I had packed along with a newly acquired Breaking Bad baseball cap) and en route to the Fiesta unsure of what to expect. What I arrived to was what I can only describe as the equivalent of a Southwestern county fair bordered by an Alice in Wonderland-like collection of hot air balloons being prepared for takeoff. The morning was chilly, but the mood was light as I milled about the stalls of local purveyors hawking everything from clothing and coffee to arepas, green chile burritos and other local favorites. It was “International Day” and, along with my fellow amateur balloonists, I was filled with childlike exhilaration about the new experience that lay ahead.

Things kicked off with the Dawn Patrol, a sort of hot air balloon light show, choreographed and set to music, that occurs as the first balloons inflate and take off in the dark, offering other pilots an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes. Then, just after sunrise, it was time to join the team, inflate our balloon and hop into the basket for takeoff.

I had expected to feel some anxiety or, at the very least a jolt, as we took to the friendly skies, but, in fact, I had none. The launch was remarkably smooth and within minutes we were airborne, joined by an explosively colorful array of hundreds of other balloons drifting across the Albuquerque horizon. It was, in a word, spectacular. The sky was crystal clear as we sailed across a downtown that had yet come to life, glided over the hustle and bustle of neighborhoods waking up to the dawn of a new day, and even hovered above the famed Rio Grande River, before landing in a school yard, where we were welcomed by waving junior high school students whose giddiness at the sight of our balloon descending onto their school’s grounds reflected the infectious quality this annual festival brings to the entire city.

Talk about one for the bucket list.

The flight was a truly magical and utterly tranquil experience and it is also one that you too can still experience if you happen to be in Albuquerque this week. Over the years, many companies have supported the festival including everyone from Hendricks Gin, which registered its own balloon this year, to Canon, which has a tent where visitors can get a complimentary photo taken and borrow a camera to test out in flight.

Not to be outdone, rideshare giant Uber is also getting into the hot air balloon game this year. On the heels of UberBOAT in Croatia, UberCOPTER in Cannes, and UberVALLE in Guadeloupe, Uber is launching Uber Hot Air Balloon this Saturday, October 14^th, the most popular day of the fiesta.

For this one day only, Uber users in the Albuquerque area can request a free hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders in the Uber app just as simply as ordering a normal ride with no advance notice or reservation required. A special “Hot Air Balloon” option will appear in the app beginning at 4 AM on Saturday which users are invited to tap. If successfully connected, an Uber representative will call to confirm the request and a complimentary UberX will be sent to pick users up for their free hot air balloon ride.

How cool is that?

So all that magic that I just referenced above will available to visitors and residents of Albuquerque come Saturday morning via Uber Hot Air Balloon. In fact, Uber may be the only way to book a ride at this point as most of the spaces on the various balloons have all been reserved well in advance.

Of course, you can always just buy a ticket to the festival and watch the lovely balloons from the ground, which is pretty extraordinary in and of itself. But why watch when you can fly?

For more information about the 2017 International Hot Air Balloon Festival and all the attendant activities, click here.

To read this story on the Huffington Post, click here.

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As I begin this account of my self-described “royal tour” of Scandinavia, allow me to say from the outset that if European royals or their biographies hold little or no interest to you, then you might just want to skip ahead to the “48 Hours in” section of these chronicles where I relay my findings about some of the buzziest places in each of the three destinations I visited on my recent whirlwind trek through the northernmost corner of Europe. There you’ll find swell accommodations, notable bars and restaurants, and some of the fun, not-to-be missed attractions that I consider to be the natural accoutrements of any great itinerary.

However, if you are in fact, a royal-watcher like myself, then do follow along from start to finish as my travels showcase the aforementioned, as well as the glittering worlds and occasionally extraordinary histories of Scandinavia’s seemingly ever more popular royals.

Before we get started, a bit of housekeeping.

Why Scandinavia, you ask? Well to be honest this whole exploration was primarily inspired by several books I read about Queen Victoria. I became intrigued not only by the astoundingly good and politically savvy marriages the progeny of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made within Europe’s royal circles, but also by how broad and lasting were the legacies of those alliances as evidenced by Scandinavia’s most notable royals, all of whom are direct descendants of that noble and fondly remembered regent.

Secondarily, I was fascinated by the progressive nature and interconnectedness of the monarchies of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, all of which embody a modernity that has not only solidified their public appeal but seems certain to guarantee the longevity of these centuries old institutions in an age where some might think them superfluous. Just as my travels had taken me to Buckingham Palace and Palacio Real de Madrid, I wanted to see firsthand the seats of power of Scandinavia’s monarchs and make my own assessments.

So with my brief settled and my bags packed I set off on my royal tour. My mode of travel throughout was not a royal carriage but instead Norwegian Air because it occurred me that me that if I was going to tour Scandinavia, I should probably patronize a Scandinavian airline, particularly one that has frequently been ranked among the best in Europe, nay the world. As modern and efficient as the royal dynasties on my itinerary, Norwegian Airlines and their multiple daily flights between Europe’s capital cities made the mechanics of my travel an unexpected delight (particularly given that travel anywhere can be so trying these days).

Now, that said, on to my first stop – Copenhagen.

The Royal Story

The Danish Monarchy can be traced back more than a thousand years, but for the purposes of this narrative, the House of Glücksborg, which acceded to the throne in 1853 is of most interest because it was this royal house that produced Christian IX who would become known as the “father-in-law” of modern European royalty. While Christian IX’s daughter Princess Alexandra married the future King Edward VII of England (son of Queen Victoria), another of his daughters, Princess Dagmar married Czar Alexander III of Russia and his son Prince Vilhelm became King of Greece. I think one might call that a trifecta wouldn’t you say?

Moreover, the House of Glücksborg still reigns today, marking 150 years on the Danish throne in 2013. The current sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, is Christian IX’s great great granddaughter and the first Danish sovereign to accede to the throne since the Act of Succession of 27 March 1953 which gave women the right of succession to the Danish throne.

The Next Generation

When I speak of the progressive nature of the Scandinavia’s monarchies, I am largely referring to the willingness of the scions of those monarchies to break with the tradition of marrying other royals. The result has been a series of Cinderella-esque unions (including one Cinderfella-esque alliance if we are to be precise) that have captivated the world and added a patina of modernity to the notion of monarchy as a whole.

Case in point, HRH The Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian, Prince of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, who in 2004 married Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, the youngest daughter of a professor of applied mathematics, transforming her from a commoner to Mary Elizabeth, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess, Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat. (For the record, that would be approximately seven years before Prince William, Duke of Cambridge would marry his commoner Duchess, the former Kate Middleton, to much fanfare).

Modern Connections

Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie, one of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II’s two sisters, and consort of King Konstsantin II of Greece is also the mother of HRH Crown Prince Pavlos who is married to HRH Crown Princess Marie-Chantel.

Now here’s where it all gets interesting.

HRH Crown Princess Marie-Chantal is one of the famed Miller sisters, American duty-free shopping heiresses, whose lives, exalted marriages and splashy weddings dominated society pages during the 1990’s and still make copy today. While Princess Marie-Chantal’s elder sister, Pia, married oil heir, Christopher Getty, grandson of J. Paul Getty, one of the wealthiest men in the world, her younger sister, Alexandra became Her Serene Highness Princess Alexandra of Fürstenberg upon her marriage to Prince Alexander von Fürstenburg, son of fashion icon Diane von Fürstenberg and Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, great-grandson of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli and stepson of media billionaire Barry Diller (von Fürstenberg’s current husband for those who might not have been paying attention).

In addition to managing a family of five with her husband Prince Pavlos, Princess Marie-Chantel is also the creator of the exquisite Marie Chantel line of children’s clothing, which is often seen worn by young Princess Estelle of Sweden, among other royally pampered tots. Yet another subtle connection between the royal families.

Speaking of connections, it is also worthy of note that Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is godfather to Prince Constantine, the eldest son of Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantel, while Prince Pavlos’ father, King Constantine ll is one of Princes William’s godfathers in addition to being first cousin once removed to Prince Phillip, consort of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the brother to Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.

Now if you have to read that twice, don’t feel bad because untangling the connections of the European royals can be quite the complicated affair.

The Palace: Amalienborg

Located near the harbor and the popular Nyhavn district, Amalienborg, the Danish Royal Seat, is in actuality a complex consisting of four palaces built around an octagonal courtyard. Originally designed for four prominent noblemen, A.G. Moltke, Christian Frederik Levetzau, Joachim Brockdorf and Severin Løvenskiold, who committed themselves to building identical palaces, designed by the court architect of the day, Nicolai Eigtved, the four palaces that now make up Amalienborg became the royal residence after Christiansborg Palace burned down in 1794 and they continue to be so today.

HM The Queen and HRH Prince Henrik use Christian IX’s Palace, or Schack’s Palace, as their winter residence. The Crown Prince Couple’s private residence is located in Frederik VIII’s Palace which was built during 1750-60 for Baron Joachim Brockdorff. Christian VIII’s Palace, or Levetzau’s Palace, built in the period 1750-60 for Privy Councillor Christian Frederik Levetzau is current residence for Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte. And Christian VII’s Palace which previously belonged to the Lord High Steward AG Moltke is today Her Majesty The Queen’s representative palace.

48 Hours in Copenhagen

Day 1

As mentioned about, my Scandinavian adventure fittingly began with a flight out of JFK airport on Norwegian Air. In the spirt of full disclosure, I must admit to being bit of a doubting Thomas when it comes to ‘discount’ airlines which have left me sorely disappointed in the past. However, from online check-in, which, by design, takes place just two hours before departure via text message, to a seamless, if somewhat DIY, baggage check process at the airport, to the ultra-simplified classes of service (Economy or Premium only), Norwegian is the picture of modernity in air travel.

Courtesy of the carrier, I tucked into a Premium Class seat on a Dreamliner 787 that would rival a traditional business class seat on any other airline, and my journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun began in earnest. After a quick stop in Stockholm and a change of planes in Stockholm, I touched down in Copenhagen (CPH) in the late afternoon where I collected my luggage and hopped on a train conveniently located in Terminal 3 at the airport.  Approximately 13 minutes later, I exited the train at the Copenhagen Central Station (København H) in the thriving heart of the city.

Fortunately, the description of the distance between the station and my accommodations turned out not to be the slightest bit exaggerated and I found myself in the lobby of the Absalon Hotel checking in within less than 10 minutes, despite getting lost as I am still wont to do though I readily admit to a steadfast dependence upon Google Maps. Located in the Vesterbro district, which is considered an up-and-coming area (think the Meatpacking District in Manhattan a decade ago or DTLA in Los Angeles and the Tendernob in San Francisco, today), the recently renovated Absalon Hotel is a 4-star property defined by oodles of charm, strikingly contemporary design and magnificent wallops of color throughout, all wrapped up in a lovely 19^th-century building.

Conveniently located near just about every noteworthy attraction in central Copenhagen, the Absalon is ideally suited to exploring all the city has to offer. Pure luxury enthusiasts, should however be advised that, though perfectly comfortable, the Absalon is not a 5-star property. If over-the-top luxe is what you seek on your visit to Copenhagen, you can expect such at the Nimb Hotel or the Hotel d’Angleterre (at about three times the price, of course).

Food was high on my agenda in Copenhagen as Danish cuisine has soared to new heights thanks to the likes of chefs like René Redzepi, whose two-Michelin star restaurant, Noma, has set the culinary world alight. Sadly, Noma was closed during my stay (and I hardly think I might have gotten reservations on such short notice had it been open) but thankfully there are many more exciting eateries to explore in the city.

Once settled into my cozy room overlooking the courtyard at the Absalon, I showered, changed and headed out to dinner in Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District, just a 10-minute or so walk from the hotel. Along my short walk I passed gaggles of hipster youth lolling about on benches and park-like grassy knolls as well as a bevy of restaurants with terraces filled to overflowing with locals enjoying the fine weather on that particular evening.

My dining choice for my first night in Copenhagen was Fiskebaren, a Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded upscale casual “Fish Bar” (which is literally the translation of Fiskebaren) specializing in locally sourced produce, sustainable fish and shellfish and fine wine. Upon arrival, I was greeted by yards of patrons lounging at outdoor tables enjoying the last rays of the evening sun and a lively bar buzzing with activity. Since I was flying solo this trip, I chose to eat at the bar, rather than my usually preferred corner table, so that I might soak up some of the energy that lit up the place while sampling its wares.

While the expert bartender/sommelier poured a flight of wines more impressive than many I have enjoyed at much fussier dining spots, I sampled oysters from Normandy (a personal long-time favorite), smoked mussels served with seaweed, pickled burnt onion and rye, poached Turbot plucked from the Western Shores of Scandinavia and a range of other menu items that celebrated seafood in every way imaginable. At the end of the meal, I was absolutely bowled over by the place and went back the next day to tell the chef just that in person. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.

After dinner, I strolled around the Meatpacking District peering into the windows of closed art galleries, checking out other nearby restaurants like WarPigs, a pub specializing in beer and American BBQ that caught my eye, and scanning the Vesterbro club scene, which is alive and pumping well into the wee hours of the morning. Tempted as I was to explore longer, I had a prior date to meet a friend at Ruby (Ruby Cocktail Chronicles), a swank, elegantly appointed cocktail bar in Central Copenhagen. Reminiscent of a private, members-only club right down to its location in an unmarked townhouse dating back to 1740, once inside this chic watering hole, I found a handsome bar attended by knowledgeable mixologists, an outdoor patio and a host of warmly lit seating areas kitted out with leather wing back chairs and intimate booths perfect for schmoozing or simply enjoying a smart cocktail. Speaking of which, distinguished by a menu of first-class cocktails [Note: Try the 866, a blend of Campari, pink grapefruit juice and dill aquavit from Danish micro-distiller, Den Ny Sprit- fabric, which is served in a salt-rimmed glass and an unexpected delight], Ruby’s was the perfect nightcap to the first of my two evenings in Copenhagen, and a most excellent way to mark the launch of my weeklong sojourn in Scandinavia.

Day 2

The second half of my 48 hours in Copenhagen began with breakfast at the Absalon and a quick uber ride over to Amalienborg Palace (see above) where I joined swarms of other tourists to watch the changing of the guard. Buckingham Palace it is not, but this little show of sorts is full of pomp and a tremendous treat to behold in addition to being a great reason, for royal watchers like myself, to visit the royal residences of Her Majesty the Queen, The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess. The weather was especially glorious on the day I visited the palace, so I made a quick pivot and took a walk along the harbor, where I enjoyed a spectacular view of the stunning Copenhagen Opera House, which sits on the shore directly across from the Palace, and is considered to be one of the most expensive and best equipped opera houses in the world. I didn’t have the chance to step inside, but from the exterior I can certainly say the structure lived up to its hype.

Next, I headed for the quays of Nyhavn, a collection of colorful and charming houses that formed the heart of a vibrant commercial port centuries ago. Today theses houses, some of which date back as far as 1681, are home to a different variety of vibrancy supplied by a host of cafés and restaurants that are among the most popular destinations in the city. Since I would be back in Nyhavn for dinner that evening, I didn’t linger long there in the afternoon, instead opting to head back over to Vesterbro and the Meatpacking District for lunch at Kul.

Unlike, the other meals I would enjoy in Copenhagen, there was something particularly rustic about my lunch at Kul. Perhaps it was global influences and unique flavors apparent in the hearty menu choices which include the likes of Oysters with Jamón Ibérico Foam and Yuzu, Steak Tartare with Hoisin, Mushrooms, Crispy Chicken Skin and Horseradish, and Glazed Pork Rib with Blueberry Cream and Rhubarb/Herb Salad, among other delectable options. Perhaps it was the funky décor of the restaurant and its people watching-perfect location in Copenhagen’s hipster haven. Perhaps it was the sublimely paired wine selection and the sun at my back that accompanied my meal. Or perhaps (and this is what I believe to be most likely the case), it was some magical combination of all of the above that made the meal such a standout but suffice it to say, Kul ranks among the ‘musts’ for any foodie visiting Copenhagen.

Sated by a memorable lunch, I spent the balance of the afternoon meandering around Tivoli Gardens, the famed amusement park that lies at the heartbeat of Copenhagen. I admit, that I was initially a trifle uncertain that an amusement park would make for a worthwhile visit in spite of all the advice I had received to the contrary.  But, then again, this is no ordinary amusement park. Since opening in 1843, the park has attracted fans from all over the world, among them Hans Christian Anderson and Walt Disney. Yes, there are rides and carousels and typical amusement park fare but there are also gorgeous gardens, rolling lawns made for picturesque picnicking, restaurants of all varieties and, of course, the Nimb Hotel, arguably home to Copenhagen’s most desirable luxury accommodations. When the time came for me to leave, I found myself wishing I had allotted more time to spend at Tivoli (something I will most certainly do on my next trip).

The final stop on my whirlwind tour of Copenhagen was a visit to Chef Bo Bech’s, Geist, one of those sparkling restaurants along Nyhavn that I referenced earlier. A cluster of soigné rooms with contemporary furnishings that would seem equally at home in London, Paris, New York or Los Angeles provide the backdrop for Chef Bech’s eccentric menu of mouthwatering small plates. Think Salted and Dried Breast of Young Duck with Cherries, Lobster with Strawberries and Beach Roses, Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Cod and Spring Onions with Sorrel and Jalapenos and you’ll start to formulate a picture and profile of the Geist experience. I said from the start that I had made it my goal to explore Danish cuisine on this trip and Geist sent me out on a high note to be sure.

After dinner I decided to spend my final evening hours strolling the streets of Copenhagen. I toddled along the quays of Nyhavn a bit, took a final turn past Tivoli Gardens, which was by then lit up like something out of a fairytale, and then meandered back to my hotel. Back inside the lobby of my hotel, I let out a little sight as I couldn’t help but think a new love affair between myself and Scandinavia was indeed budding.

Next stop Oslo.

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Lights! Camera! Action!

Like Hepburn and Tracy or, more contemporarily, Lawrence (Jennifer) and Cooper (Bradley), Tinseltown has enjoyed a long and fruitful alliance with our neighbors to the south. And, by neighbors, I am of course referring to Mexico, and more specifically to Puerto Vallarta, that cinematic hamlet on the Bay of Banderas that has long been a go to destination for filmmakers.

In fact, for more than seven decades, Hollywood and Puerto Vallarta have acted as confederates, working in tandem to produce memorable moments on the silver screen that have earned a bevy of accolades and yielded millions at the box office. To say that the relationship has been symbiotic would be an understatement, but to understand how each has often been cast in a starring role in the narratives of the other, is by far the more fascinating tale.

Then

Just to put Hollywood’s role in changing the face of Puerto Vallarta into perspective, it could quite easily be argued (and it often is), that Hollywood, perhaps more than anything else, put the destination on the map.

Consider this. In his best-selling book, Blow: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel And Lost It, Bruce Porter recounts tht until after World War II Puerto Vallarta was a coastal town so sleepy in nature, that it was not even accessible by car thanks to the rushing waters of the Cuale River which split the town down the center.

But a funny thing happened when Tennessee Williams vacationed in Mexico in 1940.

Williams’ visit spawned the short story, The Night of the Iguana, which was published in 1948. The short story gave birth to the film of the same name for which Puerto Vallarta was chosen as the location. The production, directed by John Huston and starring Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr and Richard Burton, brought masses of paparazzi to the quiet (and largely unknown) seaside town during filming thanks in no small part to the immense star power of Burton and his famous soon-to-be new wife, Elizabeth Taylor. The film went on to become the 10^th highest grossing film of 1964 and earn four Academy Award nominations (winning one), while John Huston so fell in love with Puerto Vallarta that he bought a house in town, as did the über glamorous Liz and Dick, whose Hollywood pals followed them like pigs to a gin-filled trough of good times.

More Hollywood productions followed. They included everything from films like Predator, Kill Bill Vol. 2 and Limitless, in which Puerto Vallarta featured prominently, to the Johnny Depp-starrer Blow, based on Bruce Porter’s book set against the backdrop of the destination in the 1960’s and 70’s.

And the rest is, as they say, history. The fledgling beachside town of 12,500 grew up and was transformed into a metropolis by the sea boasting a permanent population of over 250,000 and more than four million visitors a year.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Now

After decades of providing a backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters, Puerto Vallarta is now enjoying its just desserts. An off the beaten path fishing village no more, the city is coursing with an ebullient life and starring role of its own that seamlessly meshes classic charm with fresh appeal.

The Malecon, the once sparsely populated stretch of beach that was Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s introduction to Puerto Vallarta, is now a thriving hub of nightlife in the city. Behind it, narrow cobblestone streets laced with historic buildings housing vendors and business of all sorts dominate the landscape. However, at the well-trafficked boardwalk’s heart, lies scores of distinctive bars and restaurants, like the popular Cuban chain, Bodeguita del Medio, where the mojitos are perfection and the music is authentic and sensual. Likewise, open air nightclubs in this popular zone overflow with tequila swilling tourists who embrace the free-wheeling, devil may care abandon that Liz and Dick inspired when the latter bought the former a breathtaking local spread with stunning views as a gift for her 32^nd birthday.

Speaking of that breathtaking local spread, Liz and Dick’s former home is today a spectacularly luxurious, nine-suite boutique hotel called Casa Kimberly (as so named by its previous owners}. Be warned however that, though Dame Elizabeth reportedly left all her belongings in the home when it was sold after Richard Burton’s death, not much history of the Burton-Taylor misalliance remains to be found in the remodeled environs of the property – beyond the sheer glamour that is its calling card. There is, of course, the bridge between the two “houses” that comprise the property, which Burton had built so that he and Elizabeth could cross the street and visit one another without having to face the prying eyes and lenses of the paparazzi.  And then there is the Elizabeth Taylor Suite which boasts, among other amenities, the original pink jacuzzi installed for the lady of the house herself. But beyond that, it’s just acres of Swarovski crystal chandeliers and marble peering out over the city that has since grown up around the property.

That said, In a fitting homage to La La Land’s reigning former first couple, with its dramatic views of Banderas Bay from every room, grand furnishings as ornate as anything one might expect to find in a superbly appointed Italian palazzo, private patios adjoining each suite, stellar open air rooftop restaurant and intimate but substantially extensive spa, Casa Kimberly sets a new standard for luxury  in a town that in recent years has come to be more often associated with discount package deals than grandeur and pampering. Which explains why something tells me, Liz and Dick would approve.

Elsewhere, the bay city’s once quiet outer boundaries continue to heat up with modern, sexy new nightlife and dining options. On Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, for instance, you’ll find the ultra-contemporary De Santos, a restaurant cum happening bar/nightspot perfect for mingling with the locals where Mediterranean small plates dominate the menu. And just up the street, on the same boulevard in the “hotel zone”, you’ll find swank new nightclubs like La Strana paired with chic eateries like La Madalena, both of which attract a well-heeled, upscale crowd, not of the variety that would find wearing their underwear as a headdress either fashionable or acceptable.

As for the haunts of the current generation of celebrities who continue to rediscover and flirt with Puerto Vallarta, look no further than the exclusive enclave of Punta Mita, located at the northern end of Banderas Bay, which has attracted the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian in recent years. Popular stops for the A-list include the St. Regis and the Four Seasons, where they can be seen in their natural habitat frolicking in the sand.

Finally, one other not to be missed hidden treasure is the Grand Miramar, an exclusive all-suite luxury hotel located high above the Malecon in Conchas Chinas, an exclusive neighborhood that might best be described as the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta. Perched on the highest point in PV, with sweeping views of the Bay. the Grand Miramar is an elegant escape within the confines of city made for escape. That it is a 20 – 30-minute drive from the more popular beaches and the heartbeat of the city is surprisingly a positive rather than a negative because, from its rooftop bar with unobstructed views of the shoreline, to its top-flight restaurant, in-house spa and excellently crafted cocktail menu, the Grand Miramar is more than self -sufficient in terms of meeting the needs of its demanding clientele. So much so that one might even imagine that this would be where Richard and Elizabeth might choose to live today if given their druthers. That is, of course, were Casa Kimberly not available.

All its Hollywood charms aside, perhaps the most endearing quality about Puerto Vallarta is not it’s celebrity-littered history or its swell new range of accommodations. It is instead the fact that it is still a destination where celebrities and mortals alike can let their hair down and just be. Viewed in this light, it’s not so much different from that tiny, scarcely visited fishing village whose natural sparkle first caught Hollywood’s attention all those many movies ago.

And that is a very good thing.

And scene!

Find out more about Puerto Vallarta at visitpuertovallarta.com.

Stay

Casa Kimberly
Calle Zaragoza 445
Puerto Vallarta
48300 Mexico
+52 322.222.1336
casakimberly.com

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita México
Punta Mita, Bahía de Banderas
Nayarit
63734 Mexico
+52 329.291.6000
www.fourseasons.com/puntamita

Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
Paseo de los Corales 139
Conchas Chinas
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48390 Mexico
+52 322.226.2520
www.grandmiramar.com

St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Carretera Federal 200
Punta De Mita, Nayarit
63734 Mexico
+52 329.291.5800
www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis

Eat

Bodeguita del Medio
Paseo Díaz Ordáz 858
Centro
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48300 Mexico
+52 322.223.1585
www.labodeguitadelmedio.com.mx

De Santos
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485
Zona Hotelera Nte.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.221.0240

La Madalena
Avendia Francisco Medina Ascencio 2025,
Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.245.1596
LaMadalenaPuertoVallarta

Play

Strana
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2125
Zona Hotelera Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
48333 Mexico
+52 322.108.4358
www.strana.mx

To read this story on the Huffington Post, click here.

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Like much of the breathing world, last November I found myself staring at a television screen as it panned across the streets and landmarks of New York City. Despite the momentous nature of the events that would unfold over the course of that evening, the travel scribe in me could not help but be transfixed by the fact that, for the first time in memory, all eyes were on NYC on election night. Not only were both the candidates New Yorkers and both election night parties being staged in New York, even the runner up on the Democrat side could boast Brooklyn bonafides. When was the last time anything of the like had happened?

The renewed focus on New York, struck me as a corollary to the return to form of the city that I once called home. Which is not to say, that New York has ever been anything but one of the most exciting cities in America, nay the world, but rather that to say that just as a peacock is still a peacock whether it sprouts its plumage or not, it is all the more impressive a species when it does sprout said plumage. And so, it is with New York City which will always be New York, though it will at times sparkle with more brilliance than others.

With that in mind I reflected on a recent, whirlwind 72-hour trip to the proverbial city that never sleeps. What follows are not only the highlights of that visit but the new plumes at which this former Upper Westsider marveled over the course of his meanderings.

Day 1

Because I now live in more laid back Los Angeles, I always find that I need to relax into the hectic pace of the City before diving into the swim of things so my first stop after landing was at Aire Baths NYC, the popular TriBeCa – based escape inspired by the ancient Greek and Roman baths about which I had heard so much. Though I’ve been called ancient by younger friends, I can’t exactly speak to what bathing facilities looked or felt like in the period Anno Domini when they would have been in the height of their popularity. However, I can say that, if television and film are to believed, Aire Baths would be a pretty spot on approximation.

A world unto itself, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city in a 19^th century building, this spa-like facility is primarily comprised of baths of varying temperatures in which patrons dip in and out between breaks in the relaxation room which is equipped with heated marble seating and refreshments. A steam room, propeller-jet bath and a Flotarium round out the offerings along with a menu of spa treatments ranging from various massages and aromatherapy to a red wine experience, which includes a bath, massage and access to the baths. For the record, the baths alone suit me just fine.

Refreshed and relaxed, I eased into the stream of things by meeting a friend for lunch at another Tribeca hotspot, Añejo. Though this chic outpost is primarily known for its small plates and modern Mexican fare, the margaritas were the star of the show for me but then again, I am an Angeleno and as such a bit of a snob when it comes to Mexican cuisine.

A spot of shopping followed lunch as I circled around Hell’s Kitchen, which is perhaps one the plumes of Manhattan that never ceases to amaze me. When I lived in New York more than a decade and a half ago, Hell’s Kitchen was just turning the corner to popularity. Now, it is parked, spiffed up and kitted out like a vintage Aston Martin. I always get a thrill from stopping in at Fine and Dandy and, though it is probably pure superstition, I always look in at H&M because I am convinced that, as in those halcyon days before H&M arrived in Los Angeles, there are particular items available for sale in New York that are not available in my corner of the world.

Next stop, cocktails at a stalwart favorite, Cafeteria. It’s not easy to remain cock of the walk in Manhattan, but Cafeteria, the little 24-hour upscale diner that could, seems to have found a winning formula – comfort food + cocktails + ambiance. It is a formula that has evolved without losing its heart and one that never disappoints. An event at another of those aforementioned newly discovered plumes, the Rubin Museum, which houses art that traverses Asia’s diverse cultures, regions, and narratives, rounded out the evening with the quintessential NYC moment without which no visit for me is complete – wine and mingling with a cross section of the city’s idiosyncratic personalities.

Day 2

An early start served me well on my second 24-hour stretch in NYC, as I began my day in Red Hook, Brooklyn, a neighborhood about which I knew little as it was a virtual no-man’s land when I called New York home. A cluster of hipster shops, boutiques and restaurants now dot this island-like precinct and serve as the first indications that this is a hamlet that will be unrecognizable (in the best possible way) two decades on. But for now, hotspots like Hometown Bar-B-Que, where I lunched on a massive platter of the pit-smoked ribs, chicken and Texas-style sides, will provide the clarion call to this very up and coming NYC gem.

From lunch, I rushed into the city for a show because New York and theatre go hand in hand. I saw Humans, an extraordinary little show about family that unfortunately closed last month. But like the city, Broadway never sleeps. On tap for 2017 is a dizzying line-up of must-see productions that include Glenn Close in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard reboot, Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon in Little Foxes, and the divine Bette Midler in one of the most anticipated productions of the year, Hello Dolly!, which begins previews in March of this year.

Post the show, I stopped in at the trendy, crystal-laden Real Housewives friendly Bar at the Baccarat Hotel for a rejuvenating drama-free libation before whiling away the remainder of the afternoon at the Met Breuer on the Upper Eastside, the one extension of The Met that I had not yet visited. A bastion of contemporary and modern art as well as photography, the Met Breuer proved be one of the highlights of my visit and will now join its sister museums as a regular stop on extended visits to the City.

On the menu for dinner was the Lucky Bee on the Lower East Side (the one neighborhood where one seems to spend a great portion of one’s time in NYC these days). Everyone has been raving about this farm-to-table Thai street food restaurant which is big on spice, kitsch and tantalizing libations. Within minutes of sitting down I understood why. First there was the fact that the scene that owners Rupert Noffs and Chef Matty Bennett have created in the eatery is a delightful jumble of cultural references that feels less like a traditional restaurant and more like a party given by a quirky, cool friend. Second, and perhaps best of all, the party continues on the plate with notable menu items like steamed pork and sesame dumplings, crispy, spicy salt and pepper wings and local oysters served with a memorable Nahm Jim Chili Sauce. A hipster haven, an urban hangout, an eatery so cool that it publishes a music playlist, the Lucky Bee is a celebration of the vibrant culture and life of the lower East Side. Speaking of which, Nitecap is a casual nearby speakeasy, that more than lives up to its name as an ideal spot for an after-dinner libation in this neck of the woods.

Day 3

Sundays in New York are, to my mind, made for leisure. An early stroll led me to the Gotham West Market, one of the many food halls that have become prevalent across the city. I couldn’t resist pulling up a seat at Cannibal and ordering a couple of hot dogs because you gotta have a hot dog in New York. My personal favorites at Cannibal are the signature Cannibal Dogs topped with spicy tripe chili and Chinese Mustard and the Voice of Mikey, a dog topped with deviled egg aioli, scallions and fried onion. These aren’t street dogs but they are delicious as are many of the other offerings at this mid-city epicurean treasure trove.

For my final night in town, I checked into the WestHouse Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel located just steps from The Shops at Columbus Circle, which would occupy the rest of my afternoon, and only short walk from an assorted array of Hell’s Kitchen bars that would herald the twilight of my visit. It’s no secret that when staying in New York, I have always been fond of boutique hotels and that, in the past, I have always been partial to the Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District as well as the Hotel Belleclaire and the NYLO on the Upper Westside, among others. Now I will add to that list the WestHouse Hotel, a property inclined to inspire the feeling of a residence rather than a hotel.

Spacious by any standards, the rooms at the Westhouse are comfortably appointed in a casually sophisticated style with excellent views of midtown favorites like Radio City Music Hall and MOMA. That said, the most winning quality of the Westhouse is that it is the kind of hotel in which one can feel at home. For a nightly resident’s fee of $42, guests can access a bespoke range of amenities including breakfast, afternoon tea, an all-day Barista bar serving complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and even a light dinner with curated cocktails. In an era where nickle and diming has become de rigueur the Westhouse feels like an oasis. All of which creates an environment where one can truly live like a local which means feeling no guilt for spending the day hanging around the hotel and the neighborhood. And, in New York, that is a luxury beyond measure.

And so, my 72 hours in NYC came to an end. I left the next morning for my next destination with the realization that not only was the city in fine form but that there will always be more to see in New York and that quality alone is what makes the city great.

Stay

Hotel Belleclaire
250 West 77th Street
New York, NY 10024
P: 877.468.3522
www.hotelbelleclaire.com

The stately Hotel Belleclaire is the Upper Westside’s grand dame. Once characterized as one of the flashiest buildings in NYC, the Beaux Arts Style Hotel Belleclaire has welcomed a parade of celebrated guests ranging from Mark Twain to Babe Ruth since opening the doors to its regal lobby more than a century ago in 1903.

NYLO New York City
2178 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
P: 212.362.1100
www.nylohotels.com

Completely unpretentious and captivatingly cool, the NYC edition of the NYLO is all about modern luxury. In sleekly designed rooms dominated by palettes of neutrals, hanging lamps dangle rather than clutter metal door-clad nightstands while original artwork from local artists adorns the walls. Meanwhile all rooms also offer complimentary Wolfgang Puck coffee and the brand’s signature NYLO NYTE beds, which are award-winning in their own right.

Westhouse Hotel
201 W 55th St
New York, NY 10019
P: 212.707.4888
www.westhousehotelnewyork.com

Five-star luxury boutique hotel in Midtown where the rooms are comfortably appointed in a casually sophisticated style, gifted with excellent views of midtown favorites like Radio City Music Hall and MOMA, and the general vibe is upscale residence living.

Play

Aire Baths NYC
88 Franklin St
New York, NY 10013
P: 646.878.6174
www.ancientbathsny.com

A world unto itself, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city in a 19th century building, this Greek and Roman inspired, spa-like facility is primarily comprised of baths of varying temperatures in which patrons dip in and out between breaks in the relaxation room which is equipped with heated marble seating and refreshments. A steam room, propeller-jet bath and a Flotarium.

The Bar at Baccarat
Baccarat Hotel
28 W 53rd St
New York, NY 10019
P: 212.790.8800
www.baccarathotels.com/bar

This stunning bar is distinguished by a grand over-the-top assortment of red Baccarat chandeliers, sumptuous leather seats on checkerboard floors, a well-managed and decidedly orderly bar possessed of a deep selection of spirits more Baccarat, and an expert staff of mixologists

Met Breuer
945 Madison Ave
New York, NY 10021
P: 212.731.1675
www.metmuseum.org/met-breuer

A bastion of contemporary and modern art as well as photography.

Eat

Añejo
668 10th Ave.
New York, NY 10036
P: 212.920.4770
anejonyc.com

Though this chic outpost is primarily known for its small plates and modern Mexican fare, the margaritas are actually the star of the show.

Cafeteria
119 7th Ave
New York, NY 10010
P: 212.414.1717
cafeteriagroup.com

An NYC classic 24-hour upscale diner that has a found a winning formula – comfort food + cocktails + ambiance – that has made it a legend.

Gotham West Market
600 11th Ave
New York, NY 10036
P: 212.582.7940
gothamwestmarket.com

An upscale food hall in Hell’s Kitchen showcasing the creations of a range of the city’s hottest chefs in a decidedly accessible environment. Personal favorite is Cannibal, known for its charcuterie and gourmet dogs.

Hometown Bar-B-Que
54 Van Brunt St
Brooklyn, NY 11231
P: 347.294.4644
hometownbarbque.com

Ranked as one of the best, if not the best, BBQ joint in all of New York, this Red Hook favorite serves of massive platters of pit smoked ribs, chicken and sausage alongside Texas style sides. Lines are long and it can be tricky to get here but it is well worth the effort.

The Lucky Bee
252 Broome St
New York, NY 10002
P: 844.364.4286
luckybeenyc.com

This farm-to-table Thai street food restaurant is big on spice, kitsch and tantalizing libations. Owners Rupert Noffs and Chef Matty Bennett have created an eatery that, from the eclectic décor to the menu, feels less like a traditional restaurant and more like a party given by a quirky, cool friend.

To read this article on the Huffington Post click here.

The post 72 Hours in NYC: The Return of a Local appeared first on .

The final leg of my latest roadtrip across the American Southwest with Davey Wavey was, thankfully, decidedly less rustic and more in the vein of how I generally prefer to travel. That is to say, it was more luxurious and there was not a teepee or recently slaughtered animal anywhere on the itinerary from this point on out.

But before I launch into my diatribe about our adventures in Las Vegas, allow me just a general mention of the fact that, while the city is known for its glitz and gaming, there is far more on offer in this sea of mega hotels and bright lights than only that. In fact, as you will note from the diary of our escapades included herein, there is indeed quite a bit to entertain a pair of road-weary visitors like ourselves who have little interest in gaming tables or slot machines. Over the years, I’ve had a chance to sample quite a few of the finest jewels in Vegas and though I’ll never be a gambler, I can certainly say that the sparkle of gems like those included below, are certain to keep even the likes of me coming back for more.

Now onto the stay.

Our first stop was at the elegant, five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel in the newish Aria complex – a welcome respite after our little WigWam detour down Route 66, I must say. For the non-gambler, hotels like the Mandarin Oriental, along with the Vdara and the Delano, are as close as you can possibly hope to get to an oasis in the heart of the city. One might even go so far as to describe these more tranquil properties as escapes in a destination defined by escapism.

Blissfully peaceful, with the most superlative service, the Mandarin Oriental more than earns its distinction as the only five-star property on the Strip. From the spacious, comfortably appointed rooms that tower some 47 stories above the city to the sleek, sophisticated dining options like Twist (the only venue in the America to offer the celebrated cuisine of Chef Pierre Gagnaire) and the sumptuous Mandarin Bar, the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas is a case study in understated refinement. It may be all razzle dazzle just steps away but once inside this pristinely stylish outpost, where even the scent of the place is redolent of luxury, serenity reigns supreme.

Fittingly, one of my favorite things to indulge in at the Mandarin Oriental is Afternoon Tea which is served in the zen-like Tea Lounge. What more relaxing way to begin a stay in Las Vegas than by enjoying a classic English tea service, complete with scones, clotted cream, and an array of savory and sweet treats while peering out over one of the best views Las Vegas has to offer? Double down on the luxe with a treatment at the 1930’s Shanghai style Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, which is spread over two floors, and offers some of the most unique treatments in the most distinctive environs to be found in all of Las Vegas.

After soaking up as much luxe as an afternoon and evening would allow at the Mandarin Oriental, it was time for a dash of adventure which was amply provided courtesy of Maverick Helicopters whose transport team scooped us up from the hotel lobby the next morning, escorted us to the McCarren Airport and tucked us into an Airbus helicopter for what can only be described as the flight of a lifetime. Over the course of what would be a four-hour tour, we sailed across spectacular sites including the Hoover Dam and Fortification Hill (an extinct volcano) before landing in the Grand Canyon and enjoying a Champagne toast. On the surface, it sounds a glamorous way to experience the Grand Canyon, and indeed it is, but it is also surreal and extraordinary to be afforded a bird’s eye view of one of the seven great wonders of the world.

With our appetites excited by all that adventure, it was time to engage in that other pastime for which Vegas is famous – dining. The great thing about Las Vegas is that there is at least one of everything you could possibly desire. From White Castle and Shake Shack to Alain Ducasse’s Rivea and Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie, the Strip is a foodie paradise and certainly one that we were not remiss in enjoying.

For breakfast or lunch, Della’s Kitchen, is a casual spot perfect for a spot of comfort food prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. More hearty than fancy, Della’s is always a great stop for anyone in search of simple, unfussy food that is prepared well and served in a low-key dining room pleasantly located far enough away from the nearest casino floor so as to make it seem a world apart.

Tender Steak and Seafood, the definitively upscale restaurant that is the crown jewel of the Luxor’s dining establishments, is to the contrary right off the casino floor and yet once one crosses its threshold, the outer world seems to disappear. Kitted out in traditional steakhouse grandeur, Tender’s inviting leather booths are but a precursor to the kitchen’s magnificent parade of artisanal cheeses, seafood and dry and wet-aged steaks, which are sourced from Oregon to New Zealand. Other highly recommended favorites include Carbone, the pricey but fabulous retro-Italian Vegas outpost inspired by the iconic New York eatery of the same name where a rotating menu of Vegas exclusives is among the highlights; and the Bellagio’s Lago by Julian Serrano, where striking views of Lake Bellagio and its dancing fountains pair perfectly with small plates inspired by the Mediterranean.

Come nightfall, though my partner in crime is not a drinker at all and prefers an early night in to an early night out, I must admit to always feeling a trifle frisky when in Las Vegas and few places satisfy my urges like the Skyfall Lounge. Perched high up on the 64^th floor of the Delano and possessed of an obstructed 180-degree view of the city, the Skyfall Lounge epitomizes the “go big or go home” aesthetic that defines Las Vegas. If you’re going to have one drink or take one selfie at a bar in Las Vegas this is the one guaranteed to be most memorable.

On our final day in Vegas, we departed from the Strip and headed to the Fremont Street Experience in historic downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Here I was again, against my better judgement, coaxed into ziplining, which is a unique new way to see old Las Vegas to be sure. Despite my reservations, however, SlotZilla at Fremont Street Experience, as the 12-story, slot machine-inspired zip line attraction is known, was a breeze by comparison to our adventures in Austin. Instead of hikes, there were elevators, beds automatically raised and lowered so that all gear could be appropriately attached by what seemed like a small army of techs, and the ride was as smooth as butter. Not a bad away to kill an hour or two in downtown Las Vegas.

For our final evening, it was off to see Zumanity, the sexy Cirque du Soleil show that has been winning raves since it opened in 2003. In 2015, the show got an update which include a new range of acts and was, for a brief stint, hosted by Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes. Having had the benefit of seeing both incarnations, I can honestly say the show is fresher, funnier, more risqué and more sexually fluid than ever. While new acts bring a sexual daring to the show, the combination of live music, exposed flesh and saucy banter with the audience is eroticism personified. After the show, we had a chance to interview a pair of the acts, Brandon Pereyda and Michael McNamara, who turned out to be even more endearing than their stage personas, which was a bonus to behold.

Another favorite Vegas entertainment of mine at the moment is Spiegelworld’s Absinthe show which takes place in a big top tent on the forecourt of Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas. Part circus, part cabaret and part vaudeville act with just a hint of burlesque this wickedly sexy production is more intimate than many Las Vegas shows and as such is filled with drama. While The New York Times sums up the entire Absinthe experience as, “Cirque du Soleil as channeled through Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and the Las Vegas Sun call it “the most inventive and daring show to open on the strip in years,” I simply call it revolutionary and a show not to be missed on a trip to Vegas.

And with that another road trip comes to a close and I am only slightly worse for the wear as a result. Small blessings.

Don’t forget to watch Davey’s latest video recapping our adventures while traveling the great American Southwest below. Be sure to send us your comments and let us know where you want us to go next!

Stay

Delano Las Vegas
3940 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: 702.632.7888
https://www.delanolasvegas.com/en.html
A golden, elegant all-suite boutique retreat proximate to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Luxor Las Vegas
3900 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: 702.262.4000
https://www.luxor.com/en/hotel.html

Opened in 1993, renovated in 2008 and 2009, the Egyptian themed Luxor Las Vegas hotel and casino is the fifth-largest hotel in Las Vegas

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89158
Tel: 702.590.8888
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/

Luxe defined, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is the only Forbes triple five-star luxury hotel at the heart of The Strip.

Play

Absinthe
Caesar’s Palace
3570 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 702.749.5881
http://www.absinthevegas.com/

https://youtu.be/OI1YDYlMtU0

A wickedly sexy production that is part circus, part cabaret and part vaudeville act with just a hint of burlesque.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Maverick Helicopter
6075 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89119,
Tel:  702.261.0007
http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/

The only way to see the Grand Canyon is by helicopter. On a four-hour tour enjoy breathtaking views of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the Vegas Strip and more along with a very special Champagne toast at the base of the Canyon.

Slotzilla Zipline
Downtown Las Vegas
425 Fremont St, Suite 160
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Tel:  702.678.5780
https://slotzilla.showare.com/

SlotZilla at Fremont Street Experience is a 12-story, slot machine-inspired zip line attraction located in the thriving five-block entertainment district in historic downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.

Zumanity
3790 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 866.606.7111
www.cirquedusoleil.com/zumanity

Created for adults 18 and over, Zumanity is Cirque Du Soleil’s sexiest, raunchiest show featuring sensational acrobatics, naughty fun and more than a little flesh.

Eat/Drink

Bardot Brasserie
Aria
3730 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 877.230.2742
https://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/las-vegas/bardot-brasserie/

Celebrity chef Michael Mina’s take on a classic French brasserie serving traditional brasserie fare for dinner and weekend brunch alongside a menu of classic cocktails.

Tender Steak & Seafood
3900 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: 702.262.4778
https://www.luxor.com/en/restaurants/tender-steak-and-seafood.html

Luxor’s signature steakhouse specializing in an impressive selection of dry- and wet-aged steaks from various corners of America and the world.

Della’s Kitchen
3940 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel:  702.632.9250
https://www.delanolasvegas.com/en/restaurants/dellas-kitchen.html

Open for breakfast and lunch only, Della’s Kitchen serves classics, comfort food and seasonal specialties centered around fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Carbone
Aria
3730 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 877.230.2742
https://www.aria.com/en/restaurants/carbone.html

This celebrated concept restaurant from Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick serving elevated classics such as Lobster Fra Diavolo, Chicken Scarpariello, Veal Parmesan and Octopus Pizzaiolo in an atmosphere designed to pay homage to the Italian-American restaurants of the mid-20th century.

Lago by Julian Serrano
Bellagio
3600 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel: 702.693.8865
https://www.bellagio.com/en/restaurants/lago.html

Looking out over Bellagio fountain views, at Lago Chef Julian Serrano’s menu of signature Mediterranean flavors is perfectly paired with one of the most iconic settings on the Strip.

Rivea by Alain Ducasse
3940 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: 877.632.5400
https://www.delanolasvegas.com/en/restaurants/rivea.html

The name of Chef Alain Ducasse is synonymous with the elegant French and Italian influenced cuisine that haunts the most popular boites from Saint-Tropez to the shores of Italy. Fittingly then, it will come as no surprise that such fare is precisely what is on the menu at Rivea along with jaw dropping 180-degree views of the city below.

Skyfall Lounge
3940 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
https://www.delanolasvegas.com/en/nightlife/skyfall-lounge.html
Tel:  877.632.5400

Adjacent to Rivea, Skyfall Lounge offers the most spectacular 180-degree views alongside a celebrated menu of cocktails from legendary mixologists Proprietors LLC.

Tea Lounge – Mandarin Oriental
3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89158
Tel:  888.881.9367
Enjoy Classic English Afternoon Tea featuring a selection of freshly brewed loose leaf teas, pastries, sandwiches and scones in this zen like retreat overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard.

Vice – Versa Bar
Vdara Hotel & Spa
2600 W Harmon Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89158
Tel: 702.590.2111

This unassuming lounge, offers tasty bites and handcrafted cocktails in a stylish setting far away from the smoke-filled casino floors.

Relax

Bathhouse Spa
Delano Las Vegas
3940 Las Vegas Blvd South,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Tel: 877.632.9636

Located in the Delano Las Vegas, this distinctively modern spa features steam rooms and saunas, as well as 12 treatment rooms for massages, wraps and facials.

The Spa at Aria
3730 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tel:  702.590.9600
https://www.aria.com/en/amenities/the-spa.html

With 62 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, a 16,000-square-foot advanced fitness center, boutique, fire lounge, poolside spa cabanas, and the first co-ed spa balcony in Las Vegas history, The Spa at Aria is a goliath in a city where size absolutely matters.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89158
Tel: 702.590.8886
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/luxury-spa/

This serene 1930s style Shanghai spa spread over two floors, offers16 treatment rooms including seven private couple’s suites, Chinese foot spa, men’s and women’s relaxation lounges with views of the Strip, heat and water experiences including steam rooms, a hammam, a laconium, vitality pool, ladies’ rhassoul, men’s sauna and ice fountain.

To read this article on the Huffington Post, click here.

The post Out on the Road Southwest: Las Vegas, Pt. 2 appeared first on .

Call me a sucker, or a glutton for punishment even, but when my good friend, YouTuber Davey Wavey invited me to join him on a new roadtrip, I didn’t hesitate even an instant before saying yes – despite the obvious foreboding that should naturally have accompanied such a decision given our most recent escapades in Texas.

This time around our destination was to be the great American Southwest and, as per the usual, there were to be more than a few surprises along the way – some of which organic, others of which were manufactured – but what would a roadtrip be without at least a hint of the unknown, no?

The trip got off to an inauspicious start on a rainy Monday in Los Angeles, when I arrived, as per instruction, at Escape Campervans in Inglewood, California to pick up our transportation for the trip. From the moment, I saw the brilliantly hued van emblazoned with images of ice cream cones and cartoonish characters, I knew this would be no ordinary roadtrip. Game on!

Admittedly hazardous to the safety of those around me, given that I am unaccustomed to driving a vehicle of that size, I made my way through traffic to Palm Springs to meet up with Davey, often occupying more than the one lane allotted to me en route and constantly praying the whole way that I might arrive unscathed (which I did). On that first night, Davey had booked us in at the clothing optional INNdulge resort in the popular Warm Sands neighborhood of Palm Springs. This was to be the first salvo in the onslaught of terrors he had prepared for me.

Not that the room was anything but comfortable, right down to the ample bed, full kitchen and other amenities. It was the clothing optional thing that made me wary which Davey knew. Unlike him, I wear as many clothes as possible and never consider the opportunity to wear less, a bonus of any sort. Needless to say, however, as I arrived late and checked out early, my choice of apparel or lack thereof ultimately posed no issue at all.

Our next stop was at one of my personal favorite spots in Palm Springs, The Parker Hotel. We were booked elsewhere for the night but we still nipped into the Parker to enjoy breakfast at Norma’s, the property’s popular diner where creations like Banana Macadamia Nut Flap Jacks, Lobster Frittatas and Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash are the menu’s stars. Bright and casual, and bordering the lush grounds of the hotel, dining al fresco at Norma’s is the perfect place to herald one’s arrival in the desert.

Breakfast complete, we checked in at Arrive, a sleek, contemporary boutique hotel just off Palm Canyon Drive. With just 32 rooms surrounding a pool, a casual chic restaurant (Reservoir), a cozy bar, a lively atmosphere and all sorts of fun amenities (like, for instance, the fire pit that adorned the deck attached to my room) Arrive turned out to be an unexpected treat. From the complimentary drink at check-in (which is at the bar) to the attached ice cream shoppe cum gift shop to the property’s first-rate coffee house. As an added bonus, the hotel is ideally located near the hubbub of downtown Palm Springs so no driving required post check-in unless you so choose or the weather dictates otherwise.

For dinner, we mixed things up a bit and headed up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto to take in the sunset views and enjoy dinner at the more upscale Peaks restaurant. Never let it be said that Palm Springs is only about pools and sunshine, because from the vantage point of the summit of Mount San Jacinto (elevation 10.834 feet), the city and its neighbors sprawl out in a blanket of lights revealing the rough balance between desert and urban life. It is one of those picture-perfect moments that capture that unexplainable desert magic everyone is always raving about.

On the next day, as we properly set off on our journey, things got interesting. First there was the stop at Fort McDowell Adventures for a little horseback riding and unfortunately a few cowboy chores as well. Why the chores, other than to torment me I’m sure I will never know, but chores we did against the stunning landscape of picturesque Southwest, which somehow mitigated (to some degree) the discomfiture of the activity itself.

Now Davey wouldn’t tell me where we were ultimately going, but I did know that after his cowboy excursion, we were stopping at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale for the night. Now for those unfamiliar with the Hotel Valley Ho, the property is well known retro-luxe, Mid-Century Modern urban resort that is every bit as cool and hip today as it was when it opened its doors more than 60 years ago. Not to put too fine a point on it but It’s a bit like stepping back in time in the best possible way because while the vibe may be retro, the spacious accommodations and amenities are very au courant. So much so in fact, it is the kind of hotel that one wants to linger in, lazing about and taking full advantage of every well-appointed nook and cranny.

That being the case, of course we had no desire to part from the hotel, its myriad pools and general comforts during our limited stay, so we dined on property at Zuzu, the equally retro eatery known for its menu showcasing local ingredients, memorable burgers and craft cocktails. It was a perfectly civilized and relaxing stay that lulled me into false sense of security about the day ahead.

Back on the road the next morning, all I could determine was that we seemed to be headed somewhere remote. Towns appeared only sporadically and wide open plains interrupted only by the road we traveled and the occasional truck or SUV that rolled up behind us was all there was to be seen for hours.

But then it appeared.

Just off the famed Route 66, nestled next to the railroad tracks in the town of Holbrook, Arizona, we turned into the parking lot for the WigWam Motel – the very same one that Oprah Winfrey and her gal pal Gayle had stayed in (or rather reserved) for their now legendary road trip across America. And just as in Texas, Davey had snookered me again. There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide in this town with a population of just over 5,000. In fact, I couldn’t even remember how far away the last town was so clearly this was just one of those moments in life that had to be borne. Much to my chagrin I learned that there were four remaining teepee motels in America and after this evening I would have the dubious honor of having stayed in half of them. Thanks Davey.

Key in hand, I retreated to my teepee to make my peace with the situation but the terror was not complete.

After settling in as much as I could, I heard a knock on the door of my teepee. I answered and found a curious (and somewhat alarming sight). Standing in the doorway was a man wearing what appeared to be a flak jacket and dragging behind him a dead coyote. Not computing what was happening, I was dumbstruck when the man said to me in a completely serious tone that he was told to deliver the animal carcass that he was so casually handling to me.

For the record, not even once did I consider that I was part of an elaborate prank that Davey had orchestrated. Instead, after shooing the man and his carcass away from my door, I began to gather my things, sure I could not spend the night in this town, because my life was obviously in danger. Just then, my phone trilled indicating that I had a text message. I picked up the phone and saw a text from Davey which read, “Do you hate me?”. I breathed the breath of life.

Hate? I was relieved! Somehow Davey had gathered a bunch of Holbrook locals including the wonderful hotel manager (who really was wonderful) along with the gentleman in the flak jacket, who I now knew to be named Connor, and together they had concocted this little plan to terrorize me. In retrospect, it really was quite funny as we all sat in the reception area of the WigWam motel on a cold January night having a good laugh about it all. In fact, it was almost surreal as for just a few hours it felt like we were honorary citizens of Holbrook and all that was incumbent upon that designation.

But let’s not get crazy, I still woke up bright and early the next morning with but one thing on my mind, “Get me to Vegas!”.

Watch Davey’s latest video recapping our adventures while traveling the great American Southwest below:

Stay

Inndulge
601 S Grenfall Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Tel: 760.327.1408
http://inndulge.com/

A comfortably appointed, clothing optional resort in the popular Warm Sands neighborhood of Palm Springs which counts a 24-hour 12-man jacuzzi and heated pool among its many unique offerings.

Arrive
1551 N Palm Canyon Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Tel:  760.507.1650
https://arrivehotels.com/

A very hip, boutique hotel in the heart of Palm Springs, comprised of 32 rooms furnished with a king-sized bed, rain shower and wet room, Lola headphones by Blue, DirecTV, Apple TV, a sensibly priced minibar, and Malin & Goetz bath products.

Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Tel: 480.376.2600
https://www.hotelvalleyho.com/

An iconic 60 year-old Mid-Century Modern hotel in downtown Scottsdale that offers all the charm of a bygone era without sacrificing one ounce of modern luxury.

Wigwam Motel
811 W Hopi Dr
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Tel:  928.524.3048
http://www.sleepinawigwam.com/

Get your kicks at this Route 66 motel which was built in 1937 and is as famed for its 28-foot red-and-white concrete-and-steel freestanding teepees as it is for the vintage cars that dot the property.

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Fort McDowell Adventures
Cowboy Experience
14803 N. Hiawatha Hood Rd
Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
http://www.fortmcdowelladventures.com/

Go horseback riding, grab a gang and do a cattle drive or take a Segway tour at the Stables of Fort McDowell Adventures in the Sonoran Desert.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
https://www.pstramway.com/

On the north edge of Palm Springs, soar10,834 feet to the peak of Mount San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Once at the top enjoy the view, take a hike or grab a bite and enjoy the cooler climbs.

Eat

Norma’s
Parker Palm Springs
4200 E Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92264
Tel: 760.770.5000
http://www.theparkerpalmsprings.com/dine/normas.php

A five-star diner, serving indulgent comfort food and breakfast all day at one of the chicest addresses in Palm Springs.

The Peaks
1 Tram Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
https://www.pstramway.com/dining/

Fine dining restaurant offering spectacular views of the Coachella Valley at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Zuzu
6850 East Main St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Tel: 480.376.2600
https://www.hotelvalleyho.com/zuzu

A retro fave specializing in American fare, noted for its burgers and craft cocktails.

To read this story on the Huffington Post, click here.

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The final chapter of our Lone Star State trek finds us in Austin (aka Hipsterville).

Austin

On the second to last day of our journey across Texas, we zipped into Austin and made a beeline to Lake Travis Zipline Adventures. O ye of little faith who thought this trip could possibly end without a spot of discomforting outdoorsy adventure for me (teepee motel aside, that is).

It was Davey’s idea that we should try ziplining in Austin, so he made all the arrangements. The little fact that he overlooked however was that the package he booked did not simply involve a one-off dash down a zipline. It was instead a 3 ½ hour excursion that required a van ride, a boat ride and hiking as well as whooshing down not one, not two but FIVE different ziplines from ever increasing heights. It was hot, it was dusty, it was exhausting but, shocker of all shockers, it was also fun (in retrospect, at least).

For years, I had heard about Lake Travis and I could not have asked for a more picturesque introduction to this Austin-based treasure than strapping in, holding on for dear life and whizzing down a series of ziplines each of which offered a bird’s eye view of the Lake and the appeal for which it has become famous. I won’t say that it was not hard work but I will say that the memories were worth the effort.

After recouping a bit and washing off the dust from the Lake Travis excursion, it was off for a bite and some further exploration in the 6^th Street entertainment district. Here in this always buzzing neighborhood, Austin’s renown for standing apart from its popular sister cities in Texas came clearly into focus. The patrons of the establishments in this district sport longer hair, tattoos, piercings and eschew convention in dress as much as they do in other aspects of their appearance. It’s more hipster, more new age, more artsy and more urban. In essence, it is clearly and unequivocally less beholden to traditional Texan narratives than the other more populous destinations in the Lone Star State.

Now to be clear, there are various entertainment districts in Austin, each imbued with a character and personality of its own. The 6^th Street district, in particular, was my choice because it is chock full of bars and restaurants of every variety along with famous live music venues and historical landmarks like The Driskill hotel, which was built in 1886 and remains one of downtown Austin’s crown jewels even today. With only one night to explore, I felt obligated to make what is widely considered a safe bet on 6^th Street but be well advised other entertainment districts like the Warehouse District, Rainey Street and East Austin, tell their own stories and appeal to specific personalities so please don’t allow me to sway your opinion. I say experience them all and decide for yourself.

That said, amid the swirl of 6^th Street nightlife there are a wide array of food trucks begging to be sampled, so there’s no need to feel bound to making formal dinner reservations unless you absolutely want to. With so many choices, you can just as easily eat on the run in order to maximize the nightlife experience. Terribly convenient, no? We opted for the slightly off the beaten path Via 313 pizza truck, because why not have Detroit-Style pizza in Texas? (As a matter of fact, who even knew that there was such a thing as Detroit-style pizza?)

For the final day of our trip, it was back to downtown Austin for a ‘farewell to Texas’ lunch at Wu Chow because there could perhaps be no better place to end this tour through Texas than at an ultra-modern Chinese food restaurant, listed as one of Zagat’s Most Anticipated Restaurants of 2015, right? Because Chinese food is absolutely what we all think of when we think of Texas no? I’m being facetious of course, but not wholly.

Serving elevated farm-fresh dishes representative of all eight styles of Chinese cuisine, Wu Chow shines. While menu items like Hot & Sour Soup and Shanghai Soup Dumplings sound familiar, the Wu Chow spin on them takes them to a new epicurean level. Ditto for less familiar offerings like Wok-Tossed Cumin Lamb and Mapo Dofu with Minced Pork.  If as James Beard Award-winning chef, José Andrés has said, “Modernity is a subtle change in a very traditional dish” then there can be little doubt that Wu Chow is the sole of modernity indeed.

And so, with a toss of our chopsticks and tip of our hats, our trek across Texas came to an end, leaving me with just one final thing to say to you dear reader: “Ya’ll come on down to Texas!”

Eat

Wu Chow
IBC Bank Plaza
500 W 5th St #168
Austin, Texas 78701
wuchowaustin.com

Elevated farm-fresh Chinese menu showcasing all eight styles of Chinese cuisine in one of Zagat’s Most Anticipated Restaurants of 2015.

Via 313 Pizza
1111 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78702
+1 512.939.1927
www.via313.com

Food truck serving up Detroit-style pizza.

Stay

The Driskill
604 Brazos Street
Austin, Texas 78701
+1 512.439.1234
www.driskillhotel.com

Built in 1886 as a residence, this property still offers some of the most luxurious accommodations to be found in downtown Austin.

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Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
14529 Pocohontas Trail
Leander, Texas 78641
+1 512.614.1996
www.ziplaketravis.com
Zipline specialists in Lake Travis.

6^th Street Entertainment District
6street.com=

Popular destination for bars, restaurants and live music in Austin.

Find out more about planning your trip to Austin by visiting www.austintexas.org/visit. And don’t forget to check out our adventures in Dallas and Houston.

To read this story on the Huffington Post, click here.

To watch Davey’s take on our Texas road trip, click here.

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