In-the-know, travelers come to Aspen for vacation because of it's reputation of being the IT place (not unlike Manhattan, the Hamptons, Malibu, or Beverly Hills). Even if people don't ski or mountain bike, Aspen draws jet setters to its chic yet authentic mountain town for the lifestyle, dining, àpres, shopping, and to enjoy the good life. The charming town is understated and inviting, but yes pricey!
This is an account of my personal journey, spending a week at The Ranch Malibu, a results-oriented, no-nonsense, no-options wellness retreat located in Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Iceland is one of the most geologically active areas on Earth. It offers lucky visitors the opportunity to be a first-hand witness to the creative forces of nature at work. With over thirty active volcanoes—and an abundance of glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls— one feels that everything around them is constantly in motion. What you see on one trip likely won't be there the next time you come, or at least it won't be the same!
The Piedmont wine region is situated in Northeastern Italy, with the stunning Alps in the backdrop, and famous for wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero – and rich and savory food, including decadent truffles. In Piedmont, we stayed at Relais Villa d'Amelia in Alba, which is renowned for its truffle market and slow food movement. Days of tasting the region's best grapes, paired with Michelin-starred dining, were complemented by cycling, hiking, and hunting for fresh truffles.
For two thousand years, Lake Como, has attracted the world's jet-set to what might be one of the most romantic locations in the world. The legendary historic villas of Lake Como are an incredible opportunity to go back in time and experience the life of the wealthy European and Noble families who lived there, the famed novelists who wrote, the composers who created, the artists who painted, and the people who fell in love, all inspired by the charm of this one of a kind Italian paradise.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife activities in Africa. The experience differs from a game drive in the Serengeti of Tanzania, the Mara, Kenya, or Kruger National Park in South Africa. Intrepid travelers who have been on a safari before often yearn for that next African wildlife adventure of Gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are only found in three places on earth: the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. This opportunity is extraordinary because lucky trekkers hike into this region's hilly, forested mountains to find gorillas in their natural habitat. To encounter a family of gorillas is like no other wildlife encounter because they look and behave so much like humans, which is not surprising given the fact that data confirms that humans and gorillas are about 98 percent identical on a genetic level!
Visiting Normandy is powerfully emotional and especially impactful when considering the region's role in changing the course of World War II and the countless souls who selflessly gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy today. What some might not now is that the region of Normandy has impossibly picturesque towns, spectacular culinary delights, and wonderfully hospitable hotels.
The Rhone valley has diverse and very high quality red and white wines that will impress any serious oenophile and satisfy more any palate. The wines can perfectly compliment most world cuisines. They can be much better values than what you will find in Bordeaux and Burgundy, yet it astounds me that many wine drinkers don't appreciate this section of the wine list as often as they should. The gastronomy, charming villages and cites, and lovely weather make the Rhone an absolute home run. Ill be back!!
A visit to Bordeaux’s stunning vineyards and fairytale chateaux must feature on any wine lover’s bucket list. For this fabulous group of 11 wine-enthusiasts, the trip to the region was barrels of fun!
With its laid-back island French seaside chic vibe, I refer to Ile de Re as the Nantucket of France!