The Future of Luxury Travel: Highlights From Virtuoso® Travel Week 2022

THE FUTURE OF LUXURY TRAVEL: Highlights From Virtuoso® Travel Week 2022

New York (October 19, 2022) – This year, more than 5,000 luxury travel professionals (from 100+ countries!) gathered in Las Vegas at Bellagio, Aria, and Vdara resorts for Virtuoso Travel Week. Virtuoso is a global network renowned for creating meaningful experiences in luxury travel, and its annual Virtuoso Travel Week serves as the pinnacle by bringing together the group’s world’s-best travel partners and the industry’s most influential travel agencies and advisors. With a laser focus on driving future sales while establishing the latest travel trends from around the world, the event sets the stage for the future of travel. Judging by the numbers, the 2022 Virtuoso Week was a tremendous success, providing measurable value to the group’s members, advisors and preferred partners. Some statistics from this year’s event:

  • 98 percent of Virtuoso Week attendees said the event achieved the primary business objective of offering Virtuoso members the opportunity to network and build/further relationships with preferred partners
  • 97 percent of people said that attending Virtuoso Week was a good investment of their time.
  • 90 percent of attendees felt that the new eight-minute meetings were the right amount of time for the one-to-one appointments
  • Globetrotting was among the highest rated events, achieving a score of 9.1 out of 10

New additions featured at this year’s event proved successful as well. For the first time, Virtuoso introduced a Technology Summit featuring speakers from well-known tech entities such as Hopper and Expedia and Virtuoso’s own Senior Vice President, Digital & Consumer Products Travis McElfresh, while also including venture capitalists that fund travel technology. Virtuoso also joined forces with Condé Nast Traveler for the first time, revealing research each brand had conducted during an hour-long panel featuring Condé Nast Traveler Senior Features Editor Rebecca Misner and Virtuoso Senior Vice President, Marketing Helen McCabe-Young.

Additional features included the first-ever Pinnacle Lounge, a by-invitation-only setting for Virtuoso’s top producing advisors to meet with select partners, the Cruise Café, and partner lounges that invited advisors in for a glimpse at various experiences they can offer. Virgin Galactic was a standout as it brought in an actual seat from its spacecraft and provided attendees with a feel for what suborbital space looks like.

As an added nod towards sustainability, this year’s event totes were responsibly made from recycled plastics pulled from oceans. Attendees also had the ability to opt out of receiving the bag and everything in it, and instead make a donation (paid for by Virtuoso) to one of three charitable organizations: World Central Kitchen, Fairtrade International and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Sustainability remains top of mind, not just for the organizers behind Virtuoso Week, but for travelers as well. Below, five other trends from this year’s event, plus the destinations to watch and must-know insider news.

This Year’s Top Travel Trends

Sustainability Remains a Top Priority

In a recent survey, 74 percent of Virtuoso travelers said they’re willing to pay more to travel sustainably if they know where their money is going. And 70 percent agreed that traveling sustainably actually enhances their vacation experience. Travelers are increasingly committed to purposeful travel, and not just in a strictly ecological sense. They’re also seeking out companies and experiences that focus on “benefitting local people and the economy” and “preserving natural and cultural heritage.”

Travelers of All Ages Are Willing to Splurge on Value-Added Services – Like a Good Travel Advisor

According to a recent Virtuoso survey, 76 percent of travelers have accepted that we’re living in a “new normal,” which explains the growing demand for – and increased value of – an expert advisor who can save travelers time, energy and the headache of sitting on the phone for hours with customer assistance. Even Millennials and Gen Zers are turning to travel advisors. “My daughter is 25 years old and she’s an advocate of using a travel professional,” said Virtuoso travel advisor Susan Bowman. “She tells everyone and her friends also agree. They appear to be a generation that gets it, and they’ve figured out that we add value.” Between navigating airport travel and handling trip logistics, many travelers are opting to work with a dedicated travel advisor. “One of the simplest definitions of luxury goes like this: ‘Of course I can do it myself. I don’t want to’,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “Travelers want to find someone who really knows what they’re doing, has great connections, saves time and has their back.”

Travelers are Back to Planning Ahead

With people hitting the road in record numbers, there’s never been so much frenzy around booking flights and hotels. In response to this pent-up demand, travelers are now booking their trips an average of 58 days in advance for domestic hotel stays, and 80 days for international trips (compared to 2019’s 44 and 60 days, respectively). “We’ve seen so much last-minute demand and literally the space is not there,” said Virtuoso advisor Beth Washington. “We’re seeing people now willing to think about things for 2023 instead of planning so last-minute.”

Off-Season Travel is Gaining Steam

If it seemed like everyone was in Europe this summer that’s because they were. According to a Virtuoso poll, seven of the top ten international destinations this summer were in Europe, with Italy and France leading the way. The surge in bookings has some destinations, like Italy, concerned about the effects of overtourism. As a result, travel professionals in Italy – the second-most popular spot for fall travel – are urging travelers to visit in the off-season. It’s a win-win for destinations and for travelers who get to see beloved places without the crowds. In a recent survey, the majority of Virtuoso travelers said they’d be willing to visit a popular destination during the off-season. Virtuoso’s own editors suggest booking a room at Passalacqua, the new Lake Como villa from hotelier Valentina De Santis and the Grand Hotel Tremezzo team, which is open year-round – a rarity in the Lake Como region.

The Destinations to Watch

Palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, island-hopping. No, we’re not talking about the Maldives, but India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Located on the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal, the archipelago is known for its spectacular diving and bioluminescent waters, which travelers can experience with nighttime kayaking off Havelock Island.

About a 45-minute drive north of Cabo San Lucas is the East Cape, a relatively unknown stretch on the Sea of Cortés where a new Four Seasons resort has just landed. According to the tourism board, the destination is a nature lover’s dream, situated near the Cabo Puma National Marine Park, a UNESCO Marine World Heritage site.

All eyes are on Greenland! Silversea is set to launch new itineraries in the Arctic country—the world’s largest island—next year, with other cruise lines, including Quark and Lindblad, set to expand their offerings.

Virtuoso on-site tour connection Access Italy let Virtuoso in on one of their hidden gems: the beautifully preserved hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio. Located between Rome and Florence, the medieval town is only accessible by a pedestrian bridge. And as for right now, it remains blissfully under-the-radar.

More Insider News from the Week

One of the best ways to plan for future travels is by creating a Wanderlist and sharing it with a Virtuoso advisor, who can make dreams of pearl harvesting in Australia or taking a private tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio a reality. Virtuoso tapped into its worldwide network to find out what else was on the experiential horizon for its global citizens.

A new camp inspired by astronauts is touching down in Antarctica in December. Echo, from super high-end tour operator White Desert, will comprise six futuristic sleeping pods and a common area inspired by a visit from Buzz Aldrin and co-founder Patrick Woodhead’s love of Star Wars. The experience runs $104,000 per person and includes an excursion to the South Pole and private flights to and from the ice landing strip on the property’s doorstep.

On November 3, Auberge Resorts will open a relaxed surf retreat in Punta de Mita, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Susurros del Corazón will feature 59 rooms and 30 villas clustered around a three-tier infinity-edge pool, which fronts a glorious white-sand beach. Activities include a “surf safari” that will take guests to lesser-known beaches with consistent breaks and little-to-no crowds.

Fiuggi, Italy is the setting of The Ranch’s newest outpost. The wellness retreat will offer weeklong detoxes and hikes along ancient trade pilgrimage routes.

Armendaris is the newest addition to Ted Turner Reserves, known for its sustainable wildlife preserves in the American Southwest. The four-bedroom hacienda is situated on 360,000 acres in New Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert and comes with a private chef plus experiences like nature photography workshops, wildlife tours and mountain biking.

Iceland is due to get its first rooftop bar! Next spring, the Reykjavik Edition will debut a rooftop perch where guests can sip cocktails while taking in the Northern Lights.

In November, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace will unveil six vegan suites, constructed without animal products and featuring vegan menus and amenities.

Starting this fall, guests of Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole can hop a private plane and discover a remote corner of Yellowstone National Park, where they’ll meet with an expert naturalist to learn about the area’s elusive gray wolves – and maybe even see a few up close.

Safari operator Singita has created art galleries at its Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park Lodges. These spaces will showcase the work of pre-eminent and emerging African artists. The initiative is part of Singita’s overarching mission to celebrate and incorporate local culture into its offerings.

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About Virtuoso

Virtuoso® is the leading global travel agency network specializing in luxury and experiential travel. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 1,200 travel agency locations with more than 20,000 travel advisors in over 50 countries throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Drawing upon its preferred relationships with more than 2,200 of the world’s best hotels and resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour companies and premier destinations, the network provides its upscale clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Normalized annual sales of (U.S.) $25-$30 billion make Virtuoso a powerhouse in the luxury travel industry. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com.

 

Unique Perks of the Suite Life – From Private Speed Boats to Unlimited Champagne

Extra-Special Suites

Many travelers, especially those traveling with their families or for business, opt to splurge on a suite for extra room to spread out. But added space isn’t the only reason to upgrade your digs. In some cases, reserving a suite unlocks special perks like private guides, access to your own speedboat, free-flowing champagne, and VIP dining experiences—not to mention bragging rights. From a designer suite on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to the world’s largest overwater villa, here are 5 suites worth the expense.

andBeyond Phinda Mountain lodge Family Suite

Designed to provide the right balance of privacy and together-time, the Family Suite at andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is cleverly laid out to help you make the most of your group safari getaway. A central living room connects the two wings of the suite, each of which have bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and outdoor showers, and interleading children’s rooms. A private veranda off the shared lounge offers panoramic views of the surrounding bush (keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five) and connects directly to the lodge pool.  But that’s not all — book the Family Suite and you’ll get your own dedicated private guide and vehicle for exploring the lodge’s 70,560 acres of protected wildlife land, where wildlife like cheetah, black rhino, and nyala roam.

Images Courtesy of andBeyond: https://we.tl/t-cBqthjvYwU

The Marylebone

Get the royal treatment in London by booking the lavish Marylebone Suite. Offering 860 square feet of living space, it’s like owning your own stylish pied-a-terre in the heart of the city, steps from Hyde Park and Manchester Square. The best place to take in the views is the suite’s Scandi-style terrace, complete with a retractable roof and blinds, plush sofas, a fireplace and TV. Or relax inside, where a Julian Chichester dining table, a marble bathroom and whirlpool bath, freshly cut flowers, and complimentary selection of alcoholic and soft drinks will make you feel right at home. Other perks of booking the chic suite include VIP airport pick-up (London City & Heathrow only, one way), in-suite check-in, and access to a dedicated guest liaison who can hook you up with dinner reservations, in-room meals, or anything else you should need.

Images Courtesy of The Doyle Collection: https://we.tl/t-TjR2QQfRr0

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train

In June 2023, eight new suites will be unveiled aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train. Two original 1920s and 30s carriages, accommodating just four suites on each car, will be carefully restored, their design inspired by pastoral European landscapes and featuring plush fabrics and furnishings from renowned brands and makers like Majorelle, Dufrene, Leleu, Rousseau, and Lalique.  The La Forêt Suites will evoke Germany’s Black Forest, while the La Campagne Suites will be adorned with rich velvet greens and intricate flower marquetry in homage to Northern Italy’s rolling pastures and vineyards. Les Montagnes Suites will mirror the mountainous peaks of Austria’s Arblerg massig, and Les Lacs Suites will reflect the serene beauty of the likes of Lake Zug in Switzerland and Lake Como in Italy. The suites are portals to the golden day of train travel, with luxuries like private marble ensuite bathrooms and lounging areas that transform into either double or twin beds by night. Additional amenities might include personal 24-hour cabin stewards, complimentary kimonos and slippers, and free-flowing champagne. Cheers!

Images Courtesy of Belmond: https://we.tl/t-XGDz3pabSI

Gili Private Reserve

A Robinson Crusoe fantasy come to life, the Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi is the world’s largest overwater villa, stretching across the Indian Ocean in multi-level tiers. Guests spend their days lounging by the infinity-edge pool and in the overwater catamaran nets; working out in the air-conditioned gym; pampering themselves with treatments at the private couples’ spa (complete with a steam room and indoor/outdoor treatment rooms); and sliding down the top-deck waterslide into turquoise waters. Running late on dinner reservations? Luckily guests of Gili Private Reserve have access to their own speed boat, which they can use to travel around the resort or farther afield. By night, enjoy movie screenings at the private cinema, and retire in the guestrooms (of which there are two en suite master bedrooms and a guest suite), which have doors that open to the breathtaking scenery. Other perks of the Private Reserve include a fully equipped kitchen and the option to curate your own wine selection from the 400-label cellar.

Images Courtesy of Gili Lankanfushi: https://we.tl/t-yvZQxT8FTJ

Master Casita at Paradero Todos Santos

Guests of Paradero’s indulgent Master Casita can do as much (or as little) as they want, enjoying access to all the resort’s immersive experience from energizing morning yoga, and taco tours, to farming tutorials, cliffside champagne tastings, and sunset walks. No matter what activities they partake in, guests will come back to the ultimate hideaway in Todos Santos: spread over three floors and designed to feel like a luxurious home away from home, the Master Casita comes with a kitchenette, a spacious dining room, and a plunge pool and suspended “star net” with 360-degree views of the mountains, the Las Palmas Beach, and the La Mesa farming fields. Like all of Paradero’s suites, the Master Casita embraces triangular geometries—a sacred symbol of the Mayan culture–to promote a sense of balance and wellbeing.

Images Courtesy of Paradero Todos Santos: https://we.tl/t-8k9RYFxaLW

 

Belmond Announces New Suites on Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for 2023

Belmond unveils a new cabin category aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe. Eight new Suites will launch in June 2023, further elevating the original legend of the rails as it crisscrosses through Europe. A classic one-night journey in a Suite will start at EUR 5,500 per person.

Bridging the train’s iconic history and authentic craftmanship with modern comfort and luxuries, the lavish new accommodations will feature a private marble ensuite bathroom and a spacious lounging area by day that seamlessly transforms into either double or twin beds by night. Additional amenities will include a personal 24-hour cabin steward and a complimentary kimono and slippers.

Two original 1920s and 30s carriages, accommodating just four Suites on each car, will be carefully restored and reimagined by expert French craftsmen and designers. Paying homage to the dramatic European landscapes through which the train passes, the Suites are inspired by four regions: La Campagne (the countryside), Les Montagnes (the mountains), Les Lacs (the lakes), and La Forêt (the forest). The interiors will be a celebration of nature’s landscapes, and plush fabrics and furnishings will channel famed Art Deco designers, such as Majorelle, Dufrene, Leleu, Rousseau, Prou and Lalique.

La Forêt Suites will echo the Black Forest, the mountainous region in southwest Germany – a route taken when traveling from Prague to Paris. From wilderness to countryside, La Campagne Suites will be adorned with vivid velvet greens and intricate flower marquetry as an ode to the pastures and vineyards of Northern Italy and the picturesque vista along the Cȏte d’Azur in the South of France. Les Montagnes Suites will mirror the mountainous peaks of Austria’s Arlberg massif, a backdrop on the train’s classic route to Venice. Les Lacs Suites will reflect the beauty of the spectacular lakes passed such as Lake Zug in Switzerland and Lake Como in Italy.

The new Suites will complement the two existing cabin categories, Historic Cabins and Grand Suites. The Historic Cabins exude timelessness in the Art Deco carriages, transforming from day-time lounge into cozy upper and lower beds at night. For the epitome of luxury, the Grand Suites feature private ensuite bathrooms with showers, double beds, and a living area with underfloor heating for private dining experiences. Grand Suite amenities include 24-hour cabin service, free-flowing champagne, and private transfers to and from the train.

From March to November, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express travels through Europe with routes through Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris and Cannes), Italy (Florence, Venice, Rome and Verona), Austria (Vienna and Innsbruck), Hungary (Budapest), Romania (Bucharest), Switzerland (Geneva), Belgium (Brussels), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam), as well as the iconic route from Paris to Istanbul once a year.

For more information on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, please visit Belmond.com.

 

About Belmond

Belmond has been a pioneer of exceptional luxury travel for over 46 years, building a passion for authentic escapes into a portfolio of one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the world’s most inspiring destinations.

Since the acquisition of the iconic Hotel Cipriani in Venice in 1976, Belmond has continued to perpetuate the legendary art of travel, taking discerning global travellers on breathtaking journeys. Its portfolio extends across 24 countries with 50 remarkable properties that include the illustrious Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train, remote beach retreats like Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Italian hideaways such as Splendido in Portofino, or unrivalled gateways to world natural wonders such as Hotel das Cataratas inside Brazil’s Iguassu National Park. From trains to river barges, safari lodges to hotels, each unique property offers an incomparable experience with its own story to tell. The essence of the Belmond brand is built upon its heritage, craftsmanship and genuine, authentic service. Belmond sees its role as custodians of timeless heritage, dedicated to preserving its assets through sensitive ongoing restoration plans. Belmond is part of the world’s leading luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. www.belmond.com

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International Yoga Day

On June 21st, yogis from around the world will come together to celebrate International Yoga Day. While yoga’s easy enough to practice on your own or at your local gym, we’ve been looking for some of the coolest places to find your inner Zen. Here are just a few spots that can’t be beat:

On a Rooftop in Barcelona

At the Majestic Hotel & Spa in Barcelona, you can practice yoga on the roof with panoramic views of the city from the hotel’s prime location on Passeig de Gracia. From there, you’ll see Barcelona’s famous mountains and Gaudi’s modernistic Sagrada Familia, all while staying above the bustle of city life. The Majestic Hotel & Spa offers both group classes and private lessons that can be adapted for any level of experience.

Above the Jungle in Bali

At COMO Shambhala Estate, you can take complimentary classes or schedule private yoga lessons in a studio overlooking the Bali forests and mountains. There they practice Hatha Yoga, which combines asanas (postures), better breathing, and meditation. At COMO Shambhala Estate, a 23-acre property set on the River Ayung, yoga is just one part of the holistic wellness regime that begins the moment you set foot on the grounds.

On a Private Beach in Turks and Caicos

At COMO Parrot Cay, yoga classes are offered right on the beach. There’s nothing like the sound of the surf to soothe your senses and get you in a meditative state of mind, and the resort’s location on a private island is the ideal place to find inner peace. The only thing better than Yoga Day is five yoga days, COMO Parrot Cay offers five-day yoga retreats with top instructors like America’s Rodney Yee to allow you to fully dive into the experience.

In the Rainforest in Costa Rica

Nayara Springs has a pavilion set in the heart of the Arenal Volcano National Park in Costa Rica, where you can relax and enjoy one of the many complimentary group yoga classes or a private yoga lesson with an experienced instructor. When you’re completely surrounded by the forest and fresh air, listening to the humming birds sing, and feeling the warm Costa Rican sun on your body, you’ll feel at peace with the world.


Foodie Getaways

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and while we all have food on the brain…

It’s not your average tasting menu; AMPR clients are stepping outside of the expected luxury culinary offerings to provide guests with experiential, and often hands-on, foodie vacations. Yes, you can go to a Michelin-starred restaurant most anywhere, but can you shop souks with the chef? What about a hotel with its own dairy farm? Ever hand-painted an éclair? And, what’s the best way to get kids to eat their veggies? Have them go farming with chef, of course. Keep reading for a selection of hands-on epicurean experiences, trends, “healthy” eating, and a few other noteworthy food happenings across the globe.

Bon Appetit!

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES

Tree-to-Table Chocolate

At UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa in Trancoso Brazil, cocoa trees grow in the hotel’s garden. The cocoa pods are harvested on property and the beans are left to dry and ferment in the sun. Guests are invited to take part in the rest of the process and make their own chocolate with UXUA chefs who also use the fruits of their labor to create UXUA’s desserts and ice creams.

Michelin Shopping List

Among the souks of Marrakech, Royal Mansour Michelin-starred Chef Yannick Alléno frequents the Jamaa el Fna marketplace for ingredients such as lemon confit from the Bab Ftouh stand and olive oil sourced from the nearby Atlas Mountains. Chef Alléno welcomes guests on his shopping trips.

Eat (and Pick and Cook) Your Veggies!

Children at andBeyond Kichwa Tembo join the chef in the organic vegetable garden and fill a basket with veggies of their choice. After, the chef works with them to create a custom lunch creation.

Catch of the Day

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, offers guests the opportunity to meet, and fish with local fisherman in a simple row boat for local favorites such as: wahoo, dorado, and king fish.

Before It’s Gone, Tsukiji Fish Market Private Tour

The days of the Tsukiji Fish Market are numbered as Tokyo plans to close the institution to build roads in support of Olympics 2020. At Park Hyatt Tokyo, Chef Angerer brings guests on private market tours, enabling them to skip the hour-long wait and experience the tuna auction. Guests will meet with the hotel’s fish suppliers who offer fresh-from-the-sea sashimi tasting.

Périgords on the Burgundy Canals

Belmond Afloat in France luxury barges take guests through the truffle fields of Burgundy to spend the afternoon hunting Périgords, the aromatic jewels of France. Then, back to the ship to enjoy their well-earned spoils, made-to-order.

Learn to Shuck an Oyster

TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet serves ocean-to-table oysters – plucked from local Retsyo Oyster Farm. Guests enjoy a Bay Cruise led by island legend Captain Rob to see the oyster bed, learn about how they’re harvested, and receive a tutorial about how to properly shuck an oyster.

TRENDS

Latest Fashion Trend: Éclairs

Specialty éclairs are popping up on the menu of luxury hotels from New York to Barcelona.

Park Hyatt hotels serve the confection with interesting flavor pairings worldwide, such as Pistachio and Cointreau in Paris. In New York, Pastry Chef Scott Cioe hand-paints his signature raspberry rose éclair and teaches éclair-making classes at the hotel.

Majestic Hotel & Spa launched a new menu of éclairs for their Majestic Fashion Tea, inspired by the creations of Salvatore Ferragamo, Bulgari, Jimmy Choo, Rosa Clara, and more. The Perugia is Vanilla & Tonka Bean Mousse described to be as delicate as Brunello Cucinelli cashmere.

“HEALTHY” EATING

Gluten-Free Wine Pairings

B Cellars Vineyards & Winery in Napa Valley recently launched a wellness tasting experience. A three-mile hike through the vines is followed by a healthy “B-Bite” food and wine pairing comprising gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan selections prepared in B Cellars open kitchen (an element not found in other wineries in Napa Valley).

Food is Science at COMO

COMO Shambhala Cuisine from COMO Hotels and Resorts was created to boost concentration, balance blood-sugar levels, and encourage overall mental and physical wellbeing. Food is described on the menu as “enzyme-rich” and is primarily raw and vegan. Dishes (such as: zucchini carpaccio; flax and walnut flat bread with cashew nut “hummus,” avocado, and tomato salad; and pineapple sundaes made with cashew nut milk and young coconut sorbet) are available at 12 COMO properties worldwide – including the new room service menu at the recently renovated Metropolitan by COMO, London.

NOTEWORTHY

Buy the Farm

To guarantee the freshest and highest quality dairy products for guests, Nayara Springs created its own local dairy farm where all of the milk and cheese is sourced for the hotel’s restaurants.

Stay at Chris Blackwell’s Farm


Chris Blackwell, the man who discovered U2 and Bob Marley, recently opened Pantrepant, his farmstead in west Jamaica to guests of Island Outpost resort group. Visitors can stay in the two-bedroom guest cottage and have full access to the grounds – enjoying farm fresh dishes using just-picked callaloo and mangos, milking cows at the dairy, and plucking eggs from chickens.

CIA-Only in Napa Valley

The fifth annual Flavor! Napa Valley wine and food festival will be held March 16-20, 2016. Participating chefs are all graduates of the historic Culinary Institute (CIA) of America. Area vintners will host wine-paired dinners at their wineries and top winemakers will lead wine tastings at the CIA California campus.

New Celebrity Chef Restaurant in Bermuda

Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson recently opened his latest culinary endeavor, Marcus’ at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club Hotel in Bermuda.

We hope these brief bites were enough to whet your palate!

and they say print is dead…


Seussville’s newest resident has seen record-breaking sales and has been the #1 bestseller according to Publishers Weekly. With more than 200,000 copies sold in the first week, What Pet Should I Get? is Random House Children’s Books’ fastest-selling picture book to date. This all comes as the result of the long-anticipated transformation of Theodore Geisel’s lost manuscripts, a posthumous picture book for the ages. Once again, Dr. Seuss reminds us of the joy that the innocence of childhood (and a few furry friends) can bring. In honor of the release’s success, we’re highlighting a few animalistic experiences crafted for the youngest travelers.


“If I Ran the Zoo”- Belmond Northern Belle allows kids to “run” the Chester Zoo of the United Kingdom. They will walk among the wildlife, discovering some of Britain’s most exotic creatures. The grounds include several play areas, where kids ages 3 and up can monkey around and get their faces painted like their favorite creature.


“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”- To fish, you wish? We’ve got the dish- go to Jamaica. At GoldenEye, there are a variety of water activities for kids of all ages. From snorkeling and kayaking to jet skiing and deep sea fishing, GoldenEye is the perfect place to swim with the fishies of the Oracabessa Bay.


“Horton Hears a Who”- Point Yamu by COMO, overlooking the Andaman Sea in Phuket, organizes family excursions to the Gibbon Primate Sanctuary. Here, kids can ride bareback through elephant village, making friends with Horton’s endangered Asian cousins.


“The Cat in the Hat”- But these cats don’t use a litter box! At andBeyond Phinda Homestead, we’re tracking cheetahs. Kids can join andBeyond’s WILDChild Programme for a day of crafts and activities, or embark on a private guided safari with their family to spot these elusive predators first-hand.

fall to-do list

To commemorate the first day of fall, here’s what we’re putting on your to-do list…

Keep your beach bod going…
Run: Site-running on Crystal Cruises’ new excursions
Climb: Mountains in Phuket at Point Yamu by COMO (opened this month)
Swim: Laps to the sounds of Carnegie Hall (hint: underwater speakers) at Park Hyatt New York


Follow the colors…
Yellow: Belmond’s new Brussels journeys wind through German, Austrian, and Swiss foliage
Red: Flavor! Napa Valley wine and food festival celebrates the kick-off of Cabernet Season, here’s your chance to rub elbows with star chefs
Blue: A new TropicSurf excursion at Maalifushi by COMO takes you to secluded Maldivian surf spots

Move with the Migrations…
Africa: Feel the beat of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest as they pound through the Maasai Mara at the newly opened andBeyond Kichwa Tembo
Caribbean: Watch the hatching of baby sea turtles while staying at GoldenEye
Northeast: Set sail from Nantucket Boat Basin on The Grey Lady to watch Humpback whales

world’s best pools

When it comes to the pools we dip in, we prefer ones hanging in the Costa Rican rainforest or perched on a mountain range in Jamaica. Or anything at all like these:

1. Aventurine healing waters at UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa

2. Swimming with Pitons Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

3. The high life at Strawberry Hill

4. Treetop swimming at Nayara Springs

5. 100 meters of awesome at Point Yamu by COMO

6. Desert oasis at Park Hyatt Dubai

7. Dripping in gold at Park Hyatt Vienna

8. Birds-eye view from the rooftop at Park Hyatt Sydney

9. Soaking up Low Cay Beach at GoldenEye

10. Sunset sailing and swim on Crystal Cruises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stepping out

Harper’s Bazaar just called on the “in” shoes of this season and next. We feel utterly compelled to decide precisely where they should be shown off.  Read on to see where we’ll be taking these styles first…

 

Isabel Marant

See and be seen during fashion week next month at Park Hyatt New York.

 

Proenza Schouler

The only thing hotter than wearing these out, is wearing them at Metropolitan by COMO, Miami Beach.

 

Saint Laurent

Stroll the galleries of SITE Santa Fe in these cowgirl-chic booties before heading over to Inn on the Alameda for a southwestern-style evening.

Sophia Webster

Polka dots were meant for Paris and these shoes were meant for Pavillon de la Reine.

Stella McCartney

These “sneakers” scream Tokyo high design, much like Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Valentino

“Beautifully Boyish,” wear these at The Living Room cigar and whiskey lounge at the new Park Hyatt Vienna.

Chloé

Wear a work of art in a work of art, such as the ROOM suite by Antony Gormley at The Beaumont.

Laurence Dacade

A disco ball has nothing on these boots shining brighter than the London city lights; wear them at The Halkin by COMO.

Delpozo shoes

Classic, timeless beauty, sounds just like Belmond trains to us.

 

 

Gianvito Rossi

These chic suede boots will be fall’s best accessory at Flavor! Napa Valley. Reservations at The Restaurant at Meadowood anyone?

AMPR TOP FIVE: spa treatments

Brazil: UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa

Travel by horseback to Taipe Beach where the stress-relieving, mineral-rich clay deposits will leave skin softer and fresher.

 

St. Lucia: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Take advantage of Saint Lucia’s most unexpected spa: its volcanoes. Natural sulfur mud and the Piton’s black water springs restore skin.

 

France: Guinot Institut Paris

Ionize, oxygen charge, and lift your skin with a Hydradermie treatment. Tailored products mean firmer and more radiant skin.

 

Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives

The Rejuvenation Path at the COMO Shambhala Retreat on Cocoa Island is a day-long series of treatments designed to relax and refresh the body. After a morning of energizing Hatha yoga, relax with a soothing bath and massage, replenish with COMO’s Shambhala’s specially designed healthful cuisine, and release any final strands of tension with a deep tissue massage.

 

Visit Napa Valley

Find your relaxation 40 feet underground in Spa Terra’s wine cellar hideaway. The “Have a Grape Day” treatment uses grape seed extracts in every step – the scrub, massage, and facial – even ending with a glass of bubbly.

 

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