If the South Island is dramatic and elemental, shaped by ice, wind, and time, the North Island offers a softer seduction. This is where culture, adventure, and cinematic landscapes come together in harmony. There's cosmopolitan Auckland, the geothermal wonder and Māori heart of Rotorua, and the cool, creative rhythm of Wellington. Each is distinct, each …
CANTABRIA: Wild Beauty & Prehistoric Wonder Leaving the Pyrenees behind, we descended into Cantabria - where every curve in the road seemed to reveal a different mood. Cantabria surprised me at every turn with its blend of rugged coastlines, misty mountains, and unexpectedly lush valleys. Here, prehistoric caves open into emerald hills, and charming villages …
Continue reading Northern Spain Part 2: Cantabria & Asturias
Northern Spain has long tugged at my travel heartstrings - an untamed blend of alpine drama, verdant coastlines, and food so rooted in its surroundings, it tells the story of the land with every bite. This summer, Gil and I set out on a two-week road trip with dear friends - our besties in travel …
The Allure of the Dolomites The Dolomites are, quite simply, a marvel. Rising from the northern Italian Alps in a dramatic collage of vertical limestone walls, jagged cliffs, and deep-cut valleys, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to eighteen towering peaks, many cresting above 9,000 feet. Spring is especially beguiling. The upper slopes remain …
Continue reading Dolomites in Bloom: Spring Skiing and Alpine Indulgence
Just an hour outside Milan, where the gentle hills of the Alps begin to rise, lies Franciacorta - an enchanting, yet curiously under-the-radar wine region. It’s here, in Lombardy, that some of Italy’s most elegant bubbles are crafted, often compared to Champagne, but with a distinctly Italian soul and a fraction of the global spotlight. And …
There’s something about Melbourne that just pulls. It doesn’t announce itself with grandeur, but rather draws you in with a knowing smile, making you want to stay awhile. It’s a city of contrast and creativity, where 19th-century architecture sits comfortably beside industrial-chic laneways and edgy street art. The Australian Open It was pure luck that …
Continue reading Australia: Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula
The history of Quercus is a delightful, if surprising, story with Quercus Farm founded in 1977 by Duke and Duchess Visconti di Modrone, who fell in love with a piece of heaven in Gay, Georgia while looking to escape a troubling political time in Italy. They wanted to raise their family on a working farm, …
Arriving at a Four Seasons anywhere in the world always feels like a homecoming to me, especially in Mexico – which is double meaningful, having lived and worked there during my hotelier days. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is tucked away on a private peninsula on Mexico’s rugged Pacific coastline. The hotel is nestled inside a …
I used to travel to Brazil annually for five consecutive years when I worked for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. It was a wonderful place to visit and do business, and I made such close friends with so many Brazilians in the industry. I fell in love with the people and the fantastic cities of …
Uruguay is a virtually unexplored destination for traditional tourism. This small, peaceful country referred to as the "Switzerland of South America" is proud of its 200 years of democracy with the lowest corruption rate, fairest wealth distribution, and highest literacy rate on the continent. Boasting over 400 miles of coastline on the River Plate and …