We stayed at Ambiente ("A Landscape Hotel"), which had been open about a year as of March 2024. It's a collection of "atriums" which are separate little buildings for each room/bathroom/bar with its own rooftop deck. I recommend 16 if you can get it. We stayed in 15, which was amazing too. Location really matters here. Some atriums line up near the highway. The forest atriums are on the other side of the little pool/restaurant so better location but pretty close to each other. The row where 16-14 or so are have a view of the landscape without other atriums obstructing the view. They are also close to the other atriums but feel much more private.
Kids under 18 are not allowed, which was really nice for a weekend getaway with husband. The pool is tiny but heated with an adjacent hot tub and is open 24 hours per day. They give you a $40 per person breakfast credit for use at the restaurant or via room service. If it had been warmer, we would have had breakfast on our rooftop. Other than the stunning views and stargazing with the little fire pit on your rooftop, the best thing about the hotel was the free shuttle service. It was like having a driver that you can text when ready to return at any time within a 2-mile radius (which is most everything).
The lighting at night was a little cheesy for my taste, but the atriums are very well-done. The spa was very small and ok. It's hard to make reservations there, so plan ahead if you want treatments during your stay.
We rented an electric SUV to drive from Phoenix and the complimentary valet charged it up whenever it was parked at the hotel - so that was easy. Bring cash to tip bc of all the complimentary services like the bellman golf cart, valet, drivers.
Hike
There are "energy vortexes" in Sedona, and the easiest ones to visit are Airport Mesa and Chapel of the Holy Cross. We got dropped off at the bottom of Airport Mesa (short easy hike) then picked up at the parking lot near the top. Afterwards, we got dropped at the trailhead to Soldier Pass. This was a beautiful and easy hike to the 7 Scared Pools. For the most popular hike, Broken Arrow, we brooked a Pink Jeep Tour. Glenn was our driver, and we absolutely loved him. He would be worth trying to get! The jeep fits 8 with one passenger sitting in the front near the driver. The two seats in the back (facing forward) are the bumpiest, then there are two seats on the right side and three seats on the left. We got great pics and it was a fun and informative ride.
Shop
We got our car out and drove a few minutes over to Chapel of the Holy Cross. I recommend going in the morning when they open at 9am to miss the crowds. On the way back, we parked at Center for the New Age to get crystals for the kids. My energy healer bff told me to go there, so I wasn't going to miss it. Directly across the street is an arts and crafts shopping village called Tlaquepaque, where we found lots of vintage records for my dad. They have an amazing bead store and carved candle shop too.
There are lots of apothecaries, which I love. Husband was laughing at my potions. I was on the hunt for some black seed oil and local roller oil fragrances and found wonderful ones at the best coffee shop, ChocolaTree, as well as Apotheca Imports.
Eat
We had dinner off property two nights - first at Dahl & Diluca Ristorante Italiano. It was amazing! The decor is a bit cheesy, but the food is delicious. This is owned by Lisa Dahl, who seems to be the best chef/restauranteur in the area. We also tried Mariposa by her for lunch. The view from the dining room at lunchtime is amazing, and the salad was wonderful.
The second dinner reservation we made was Cress on Oak Creek at the L'Auberge. It was way overpriced. I would not recommend going there unless the tables on the creek are open so you can sit at the waterside. Maybe go for lunch instead of dinner too. Our apps were $40 each and entrees were $80 - pretty ridiculous.
We wanted to go to Elote Cafe, but couldn't get a reservation. If you have time to plan, try them a month in advance.
Weather
We spent three nights and felt like it was the perfect amount of time. The weather was beautiful in March, but still cold at night. I definitely needed sweaters, jeans and a coat at night. I wouldn't want to go in the severe summer heat but wouldn't want to go in winter either. We tried to book a hot air balloon, but it got canceled due to wind conditions. If you want to try that, go to Red Rock Balloons. They are the best.
]]>Not going to lie, travel from the States to Thailand is a whip. It took us about 24 hours to get to Thailand and 35 hours to get back to Dallas. There are no direct flights from the States, so we went through Tokyo. We went to the Japan Airlines lounge where we had ramen and laid in massage chairs. This was my second international flight on Japan Airlines. The food is terrible, but the service is amazing. Also, the layflat beds aren't quite long enough in my opinion and they don't seem to keep the cabin quite as cool as American Airlines. The jet lag from this trip was worse than other trips. The flight from Dallas left at noon, so we didn’t sleep any of the 13 hours to Japan. Then the flight left Japan during their afternoon but we slept most of those 6 hours to arrive in Bangkok around 11pm. We had an incredible customs agent arranged by Four Seasons that met us as we deplaned and sped us through customs straight to our car. It was the quickest, easiest customs experience I have ever had - highly recommend the “fast track”. The time is exactly opposite of Dallas, so 11pm in Thailand was 11am in Dallas.
Bangkok
The Four Seasons Bangkok was incredibly beautiful. The staff was friendly and helpful as well. We stayed in a new category room that has a balcony overlooking the pools and the river. My girls had a river view room which was amazing too - floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Chao Phraya River.
The breakfast buffet is incredible and beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. I love the tropical fruits in Thailand: mangosteens, lychees, passion fruits, rambutans and especially pomelos (mild white grapefruits). Orchids also grow in the wild and are used in all the decor.
Yu Ting Yuan is a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant there at the hotel. The food was great; they specialize in a sweet BBQ pork dish. I don’t eat much meat so didn’t try that. My family really liked it though.
BKK Social Club is a gorgeous bar also there at the hotel. CNN named it #3 best bar in Asia while we were staying there. It has a stunning interior, stylish server costumes and an incredible cocktail menu.
The Cover photo shoot was with photographer Sean Chen (@directedbysean) and Kaehla (@kaehla). I loved getting to know them! Sean is Thai and gave me a list of places to go in Bangkok to get a real Thai experience along with some places you wouldn’t find if you didn’t know an insider :)
Here is Sean’s list:
Iconsiam - amazing mall with indoor floating market
Talat Noi - happy cafe
The So Hang Tai Mansion
China Town
Widdershins - cool speakeasy
Lhong Tou Cafe
Mahanakhon Skywalk for a panoramic view of Bangkok
OJO also great view rooftop restaurant at The Standard Hotel
Chiang Rai
From Bangkok, we flew about an hour to Chiang Rai to drive about another hour to the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak River separates 3 countries: Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). We read about some serious drug and human trafficking going on in this area unfortunately. The Thai government has been working diligently to curb opium production and increase education in the area.
After a 10 minute boat ride in a motorized canoe, we arrived at Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. This property is what started the glamping trend; it’s about 16 years old. There is a foundation that rescues elephants adjacent to the hotel that collaborates in supporting elephant care. As hotel guests, we had a lot of interaction with the gentle giants, from morning feedings to helping bathe and hydrate them to walking alongside the elephants and their mahouts to learn about their behavior. It’s really fun to feed the elephants every morning at breakfast. They love to be fed coconuts, cucumbers and bananas. On the elephant walk, we saw them eat sugar cane and figs. The elephants are precious, very calm and gentle despite their strength and size. They are well-trained and comfortable with humans. Their relationship to humans reminds me of a cross between horses and dogs in the US. The first night, we were invited to a private “Elephant Camp Dinner”. We gave the elephants bananas for desert and were then serenaded by a trio of Thai musicians and fed a wonderful traditional Thai meal. After dinner, we released lit lanterns to wish away our worldly problems and symbolize a new beginning.
The tents are built high above the trees and air-conditioned, but the doors to the patio, outside shower and toilet room are all zip-up plastic with zip-up screens. The decor is jungle safari with horns as handles and hooks, elephant motifs everywhere and an elephant-sized bathtub. There are shockingly loud jungle sounds like birds and cicadas that sounds like lawn equipment throughout the day and night. Sunrise (at least during the “rainy season”) happens around 5:30am. Apparently July is the beginning of the rainy season, but it wan’t raining much at all. The weather was warm but not uncomfortable. I think July is a great time to visit, as well as the coolest months in November/December. The spa is at the far end of the Camp up high in the tropical trees. It’s a dual-treatment open-air room with a spectacular view. They have fans blowing, and I didn’t notice any bugs. My technician, Elle, was amazing at Thai massage.
Food and drinks are covered in the all-inclusive nature of the resort. They have a western and a Thai menu with two entree options in each type that change every night. You can elect to have room service at any time or go to the open-air restaurant. The food was great, and the service was incredible. I communicated all requests (room service, housekeeping, activities) through the Four Seasons app, and they were very quick to respond.
After three nights (which was the perfect amount of time) at the Camp, we were transferred by hotel car to the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, stopping along the way to see the famous White Temple.
Chiang Mai
The ride took about four hours and was pretty winding over the last hour. If you get motion sick, you might take something ahead of time. The Four Seasons Chiang Mai was a stunning property as well but in a unique way. The pool villas are individual little houses with outdoor showers, a pool, hot tub, lounge chairs, an outdoor dining table and hammock swing. The property has a gorgeous working rice field and resident water buffalo that help immerse you in the culture. Their pools are stunning with green tiles and all the green rice grass, palm trees and tropical flower trees surrounding. There is a big lap pool and a smaller infinity pool down a level towards the rice fields. We loved the food at the main restaurant as well as the pool restaurant. They grow some of their vegetables, and everything seemed very fresh. There are plenty of Western options in addition to Thai cuisine by region. We loved sampling Thai food based on region. The staff was amazing, especially the guest relations manager, Marina. When we picked up our girls from their elephant service trip, they secured the pool villa across from ours along with late checkout for both rooms. They also arranged a quick tour of Chiang Mai’s most famous temple on the way to pick up our girls. Thai people seem very friendly and polite. Apparently they are known for their smiles. The airline we flew on internally is called Thai Smiles. Wai is a common Thai greeting to say hello and show respect where you put your hands in a praying position close to your chest/face. Also like Japan, they often don’t wear shoes inside. I actually saw monks traveling barefoot through the Bangkok airport.
The visitors we saw were from all over the world. In Chiang Rai, we met a family with teenagers from Mexico City and another one from LA. There was a European couple there as well. In Chiang Mai, there were a few American couples, a French couple, a German family and some couples and families from China and Japan. Ben Harper was playing when we arrived at the pool, but otherwise I didn't notice anything else that was influenced by America (other than a couple of the tv channels). There was also a Russian news channel which was interesting to watch.
Thailand is currently going through a political upheaval to choose a new Prime Minister. The Move Forward Party won in May but it remains to be seen if they will gain actual power. This article sums it up well in my opinion:
It's also a punishable crime in Thailand to speak negatively about their king.
As we were headed home through Tokyo, we basically flew over Typhoon Doksuri as it passed from the Philippines to China. Typhoons can certainly pose a risk when traveling during the rainy season. I bought trip insurance and recommend World Nomads or Roam Right. I usually buy trip insurance for major international treks but haven't had to use it 🤞
]]>Culture – If someone offers a business card, take it with both hands and be thoughtful and respectful about placing it in your wallet/bag.
No loud talking or trash.
Everyone was so nice. We LOVED everyone and the entire experience.
You have to take your shoes off in temples and some restaurants, so always wear socks and shoes that aren’t hard to take on/off. You take them off before stepping up, but you don’t touch your socks to the platform the shoes were on.
Make bullet train reservations at below link maybe a week in advance. We picked the reserved seat tickets around 1pm, and it worked great. We forwarded our luggage the day before from the hotel so no need to buy luggage tickets. You have to remember to do that on return too. Just let the hotel know that morning, and you need to have bags packed by around 4pm.
Look out the window for Mt. Fuji if you are headed towards Kyoto - maybe 20 mins outside of Tokyo. You can watch your apple map to see when you are about to pass it up close.
https://smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
Use the below email address to book important rides in advance like airport, train station – the vans are really nice, but they have no luggage room if all the seats are up. We had 5 passengers, so we had to book another taxi for our roller bags from the airport.
A couple rides were unavailable, so I booked through hotel. It's the same company just a bit more $$.
Make animal café reservations (there are a few owl and cat, so pay attention to which one you book. We only found one capybara cafe. You don’t eat at the “café”, you just hold/pet the animals.
Get team lab tickets.
Email the hotel concierge for some dinner reservations, especially sushi bc they are tiny sushi bar only restaurants. Ramen is basically fast food and everywhere - and delicious everywhere.
The best Japanese consultant is Chris Rowthorn. He helped me plan our Tokyo guide, Kyoto guide and Geisha Dinner. You can pay via PayPal before to avoid the need to bring cash in envelope (handing cash outright is considered rude).
Arrival Day
There is a Japanese tourism app on the state department site where you can pre fill out all the covid vaccine info called fast pass. It didn't seem to save much time though. Customs sucks pretty bad - prepare to wait in long lines and go through several steps. Tell kids to go to the bathroom before exiting the plane.
Taxi from airport booked in advance with MK Taxi -We added the greeting/name board service, and were glad we did.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
Gorgeous hotel with great service! Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom were staying there too :) It's nice to have the address in Japanese in case you hop in a taxi.
Room service dinner first night.
Full day 1 Tokyo, night Park Hyatt
Buy Suica cards (subway cards) for everyone from the hotel. Ask the concierge to map the line and the terminal to make it extra easy to find where you are going. The subway system is very well done and nice/clean! You need your Suica card to both enter and exit the stations. Suica card balances can be used at the hotel to pay your balance at end of your stay and also at convenience stores and many retail stores.
Go to a 7-11 and get cash, because you need cash at all the shrine and temple entrances and also at all the ramen order machines. *Use your google translate photo/camera option to translate the types of ramen on the machines and any signs you need to read.
Go to Shinjuku Station.
Check out Akihabara (Mandarake store, etc) in the morning.
Tokyo Dome City in afternoon: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3039.html
Dinner:
GONPACHI NISHIAZABU - I was not impressed. It felt like tourist trap, because Kill Bill was inspired by this place.
Full day 2 Tokyo, night Park Hyatt
Set up luggage forwarding for tomorrow with hotel so you don’t have to carry it to the train or buy special luggage ticket for train.
Take the Yamanote Line from Shinjuku to Harajuku Station.
Get off train and walk into Meiji-jingu Shrine.
12pm Owl café
1pm Tokyo 4-Hour Private Walking Tour / Customized tour (Meiji-jingu Shrine, Yoyogi-koen Park, Hachiko Statue, and Tokyu Hands)
Guide's Name: Hitomi Onishi through Chris Rowthorn. We loved our guide.
Takeshita Street then Omotesando Street. Many shops, boutiques and cafes on Omotesando.
You can use Google maps to walk down to Shibuya (check out Yoyogi-koen Park en route), or you can take the Yamanote Line one stop south to Shibuya.
Explore Shibuya (including famous crossing, Hachiko Statue and Tokyo Hands).
Dinner:
*Very small wonderful sushi omakase experience
KYUBEY SHINJUKU - Policy: 3days prior 15,000JPY per person penalty fee for any change/cancel of any reason
Full day 3 Tokyo > Kyoto, night Aman
Park Hyatt Tokyo to Tokyo station
2 hr/40 min bullet train
Full day 4 Kyoto, night Aman
Taxi to Arashiyama/Tenryu-ji Temple.
12pm Kyoto 4-Hour Private Walking Tour / Walk5
Guide's Name: Chisako Demachi through Chris Rowthorn.
We loved her and this walk – we actually took a bus up to the top and walked down ending at the temple of the meeting place.
Meeting Place: The main ticket gate of Tenryu-ji Temple – This was confusing, maybe meet at the bus stop in front of this temple.
Otagi Nenbutsu-Ji is the temple we started at with 1200 of moss covered carved rakan statues (followers of Buddha).
Nembutsu-ji at Adashino was next, and it has a smaller, amazing bamboo forest with very few tourists.
We stopped and ate at an amazing udon place walking on the way to the next place.
Okochi-Sanso Villa – gorgeous Japanese garden.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – the famous Bamboo Forrest is right across the street.
You walk down through it and come out right back at Tenryu-ji, which is also beautiful to go through.
Evening: private geisha dinner- booked also through Chris Rowthorn.
*We loved this – my teenage girls bonded especially with the younger maiko.
Full day 5 Kyoto, night Aman
This was booked through Aman but if not staying there you can contact the interpreter:
Akemi Koyama akemi.koyama@kyotoconciergeservice.com +81 9092215688
Zen meditation for 2 people before the Tea ceremony at Myoshinji Temple.
Dinner: Tempura Yasaka Endo – tons of food in a coursed meal. I don’t know if I recommend this. You would need to go really hungry and be open to trying tiny whole fried fishes and other weird little things.
Full day 6 Kyoto, night Aman
The below was booked through Aman. We loved our driver and got his contact info. He also works through MK Taxi - so hopefully you can save money and book directly ;)
Nobuto Shimizu ukshimizu@gmail.com +819066033072
From the Aman to Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Temple)
We changed our original plan, because I wanted to go across town and see the red gates but our previous itineraray said: From Kinkaku-ji Temple to Ryoan-ji Templethen to Tofuku-ji Temple, be sure to visit the garden (Hojo Hall).
We actually went from the Golden Temple and stopped by the Nishiki Market (where Nobuto hopped out and bought us his favorite little treat) then to:
Fushimi Inari-Taisha (red gates) then to:
Kiyomizu-Dera – one of the famous 5-tiered buildings.
There is lots of traffic, so maybe book 6 hours if you want to see more temples. My kids were not interested in too many temples, so I think we nailed it.
Dinner at Aman, sushi restaurant, private dining room.
We didn’t love this so given how $$ it was – I think at Christmas menus change. We were expecting sushi for an omakase, but instead it was an omakase of fancy Japanese dishes that included pates and other delicacies. Everyone always asks about food allergies, but I should have checked about the menu details.
Full day 7 Kyoto > Tokyo, night Grand Hyatt
*We had to rush – LEAVE EARLY bc traffic in Kyoto isn’t fast to get through. Aman is also 30 mins. out of the city, so that could have been our issue. Also checkout took forever at Aman. I think the Park Hyatt would have been a great alternate hotel, but the Aman was incredibly magical.
Bullet train ride - reservations made before the trip (QR code tickets already loaded in apple wallet) and taxi ride booked before the trip via MK Taxi or through the hotel.
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Didn’t love the hotel rooms/decor as much as Park Hyatt, but the area is amazing (better to walk to things), so I am very glad we stayed there too. Best shopping (Kapital, my son's fav), tons of walking distance great food basically in the beautiful mall it’s attached to – also right by Tokyo Tower and Takashi Murakami’s office/showroom, Kaikai Kiki Gallery. Have the hotel make reservations in advance. The sushi restaurants are tiny and hard to get into last minute.
6pm-6:30pm TEAM LAB BORDERLESS TICKETS *They have vegan ramen outside the museum.
Explore Roppongi after arriving (including Mori Tower for view).
Full day 8 Tokyo, night Grand Hyatt
We drove really far out to a capybara café, and I loved our driver, Peter +81 9065103265.
He also works for MK taxi. I would text him or try to reserve him through MK. Remember the time difference if texting from the US.
The below was on our itinerary. However, we skipped it since going to the capybara cafe took half the day, and the kids wanted to hit some shopping one more time. Peter drove us and waited for us at the shops.
Asakusa (Senso-ji) or just Skytree. Evening, consider exploring East Shinjuku, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai.
Sushi Mitsukawa on December 27th at 7pm for 5 people - LOVED THIS – small, special sushi bar omakase dinner. Notice strict cancellation policies.
Karaoke afterwards – the hotel made us a reservation for a private room at one that was close to hotel. Not hard to get reservations for karaoke; it’s everywhere.
Departure day Tokyo (Haneda)
More taxi reservations – My son went to Singapore and left earlier, so we only had to book one van for the rest of us and our luggage.
Our cover shoot for high summer 23 was at Kujukuri Beach Tower about an hour outside of Tokyo. There are lots of beaches right there.
]]>Our itinerary was practically perfect for spending two weeks exploring Australia and New Zealand. We arrived in Sydney in the morning which worked well for jet lag, since we slept the night on the flight and basically just leapt a day forward. Qantas has much better business class lay-flat seats than American Airlines on their double decker A380.
The Park Hyatt was the perfect hotel. You can reserve balcony rooms with the most incredible views of the Sydney Opera House. Our room view is in the collage. I had a photo shoot that first afternoon, so Gwyn and I drove to Bondi Beach with Josh Howlett, the photographer. Icebergs, the iconic public pool, is adjacent to Bondi Beach.
For our first full day, we hired a great tour guide named Lloyd (through the Park Hyatt) to take us to Scenic World in the Blue Mountains. We stopped at Featherdale Wildlife Park on the way, where I had arranged koala feeding encounters and photos. The kangaroos are very friendly too. After Featherdale, we stopped in a small mountain town called Leura. We loved the vibrant town. My daughter found a vintage ACDC sweatshirt that she wore the rest of the trip. We also loved the cafe we ate at called Landseer’s. At Scenic World, we took a cable car over the valley, rode a fast moving train down a mountain and walked through the rainforest.
The next day, we flew to Cairns then drove to Silky Oaks Lodge in Daintree Rainforest. The amazing luxury resort is nestled into the rainforest and sits along a gorgeous river where you can swim and kayak. From there, we took a car about thirty minutes to Port Douglas to snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef. My husband saw a big reef shark, and my daughter got stung by dangerous Irukandji jellyfish. Thankfully the guide squirted vinegar all around the stings to neutralize them. I highly recommend wearing Cover or a wetsuit to protect not only from the harsh sun but against jellies. I was swimming right next to her and saw the tiny jellies, but didn’t get stung, as I had on Cover leggings and a Cover swim shirt.
From Cairns, we flew to Auckland, New Zealand where we rented a car. They drive on the other side of the road, so our Hertz agent advised us to buy the collision insurance and always look to the right at the roundabouts. We checked into another Park Hyatt. We loved that hotel too. They are very modern and beautiful. You can request an amazing view here as well. Our room view from here is also in the collage. We booked Sealink Halfmoon Bay tickets to drive our car onto the ferry to Waiheke Island. We stayed at Delamore Lodge, which has the most incredible views, grounds and staff, but pretty ugly, dated interiors. We should have booked dinner at Mudbrick instead of using their hired-in chef. Mudbrick is an incredible vineyard and restaurant about five minutes away. The town is great, and likened to the Hamptons of New Zealand.
We ferried back a couple days later to Auckland and headed south to Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua. We passed through Hobbitown, which is the set of Lord of the Rings. Also not too far are the glow-worm caves. Our group didn’t want to spend the extra time to go to those attractions though. We only spent one night in Rotorua. Wayne and I woke up early, and a host at Solitaire boated us across Lake Tarawera to the most incredible natural hot spring. Then we loaded up and stopped by Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the geysers. The smell of sulfur is pretty pungent. They have a cute little kiwi conservation there too!
About an hour drive later, we arrived at Hula Lodge in Taupo. This was my favorite hotel I have ever stayed at. It sits on a turquoise river with the most lush, beautiful grounds and accommodations. The chef is incredible. This is the epitome of a luxury lodge. I didn’t want to leave. During our full day there, we went for a soak in the natural thermal baths and went jet boating, both only five minutes from the property.
We flew an Air New Zealand prop plane back to Auckland, then went on to Sydney to return the following day to the US. We had stored some luggage at the Park Hyatt, which was a nice way to lighten our load throughout the trip. What a special part of the world! I can't wait to go back and see the South Island of New Zealand and the Outback middle of Australia.
]]>When I went in 2019, I stayed at We Care Spa. It was under renovations, and I booked one of the new rooms. It was nice and clean. The main hall had more of a granola health food store vibe. I'm not sure if they have renovated the main building yet. You go on a cleanse when you stay there, and colonics are a big part of their detox program. To make a difference, I think you need to stay a full week. The weekend program didn't seem like enough of a reset.
After the spa, we stayed at ARRIVE. It's a motel with a pool in the center and a lively bar. It has a young hip vibe, and the rooms were cool and modern.
I recently went back and rented the "dome home" out in the middle of the wind farms through AirBNB. The owner was lovely, and the house was very clean and modernly decorated. My only complaint was that there aren't any comfortable seating areas in the main living space or outside to hang out and enjoy the surroundings. Also, the loft room isn't an ideal bedroom for anyone that doesn't want to be woken up early, as the ceiling is made of skylights.
The best brunch in downtown Palm Springs is at Chi Chi (Avalon Hotel). The avocado toast is piled high with fried egg, radishes, greens and the option to add smoked salmon. The chips, salsa and guacamole are handmade and delicious.
We loved Dillon's Burgers for a motorcycle vibe and casual burger or veggie burger with onion blossom pieces.
Lunch poolside at Ace Hotel was nice and fresh. They have great dips, salads and sandwiches.
Sushi at Sandfish is wonderful. It's a small restaurant, so get a reservation if you can.
Coffee at Gre Coffee House & Art Gallery is yummy, and they have an incredible collection of vintage first edition vinyl records to shop.
I was interested in the mineral water baths in Desert Hot Springs, so we booked some spa services at The Springs. The staff was great, but I didn't love the way the facilities were set up. I will try Two Bunch Palms next time. We Care Spa doesn't allow for day visitors.
Joshua Tree National Park is beautiful and definitely worth a 20-30 minute drive from downtown Palm Springs. It's an easy park, as you can drive through most of it. There are plenty of spots to hop out and get a photo or take a walk around the giant rock stacks and Joshua trees.
There is a cute Joshua Tree shop right across from the visitor center down the road a few miles from the park entrance. We found t-shirts, hats, stickers, posters and water bottles there.
My favorite shops in downtown Palm Springs are Gre Coffee for vinyl, Palm Springs Rock Shop for crystals, The Shops at 1345 (N Palm Canyon Drive) for 14 curated shops - think Fred Segal in the 90s, Thick as Thieves for gifts, blankets, cool finds.
]]>We loved the people in Peru. Everyone seems happy, nice and glad you're there. My family went over the week of Thanksgiving in November, and it was perfect weather.
You can't drink the water, so only use bottled water. It's fine to brush teeth and shower though.
Belmond Miraflores Park, Lima:
Alejandro, the manager in Lima, went beyond expectations for every single request, from arranging rides and activities to upgrading our room to…THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE.
The hotel was exceptionally clean and beautiful. They are washing carpet between guests. I even saw someone touching up paint in the hallway near our room. Belmonds (in Peru at least) are maintaining 50% capacity to provide social distance. The rooms are large with big windows, comfortable beds and the showerheads are amazing.
Belmond Monasterio, Cusco:
Edson In Cusco was awesome. He gave me his personal WhatsApp number. I suggest you download it to communicate with everyone in South America if you don’t already have it. Edson got us an oxygen tank when our youngest got altitude sickness, which immediately made her better. He also suggested an amazing restaurant in Cusco and coordinated with the Belmond in Machu Picchu for tickets and the Belmond in Lima to send back some clothes my kids left in their room.
The hotel building is a protected national monument with one of Cusco’s finest collections of 18th century colonial religious art. Every room is different and special. It has a very unique old world vibe that I loved. The rooms surround a courtyard with a 300-year-old cedar tree and gorgeous flower gardens.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu:
I did not love this hotel, but the location was incredible. It literally lives at the gate to Machu Picchu, so it could not be more convenient. The room and showers were small. Apparently it was the research facility before a hotel. The staff is friendly, but they do not speak English as well, which is to be expected since it is such a tiny city. I feel like an idiot that I can’t speak Spanish, but I used my google translate app.
We set out to show our kids Machu Picchu and have my photo shoot in Lima. Our itinerary was:
We arrived in Lima direct from Dallas at 1am. The customs line was long and took 2 hours. I had booked us rooms at the airport Holiday Inn so we could just go straight to sleep. I asked inside the airport before the exit doors if they could locate the “shuttle” to the Holiday Inn. It was just outside the airport gate but all the way to the front of the line. The Wyndham is actually adjacent, so I would have booked there instead.
2 nights Lima - Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel
Fly LATAM Airlines to Cusco
Latam is a challenge. If you don’t read Spanish, you need to translate the website, and if you book more than one person on a single reservation, you will need to use the terminals at the airport entrance to print the individual boarding passes. They require double masks.
1 night Cusco - Belmond Monasterio Hotel Book oxygen rooms and *go ahead and ask for an oxygen tank on arrival, drink lots of water/little alcohol while adjusting the the altitude. I also brought electrolyte packets, Advil and Zofran. We loved walking around the ancient city. There is a great crystal shop called Shaman Shop and some lovely Peruvian embroidery shops. We got to hold baby llamas too. Everyone takes US dollars. You can use a credit card if you spend enough.
*A note on currency - Basically divide Sol by 4 to get USD amount. Servers except 10% gratuity, but drivers don't expect tips. We had some good service, so we tipped anyway. Pictures with the ladies dressed up with their llamas are $2-$5 per lady, so carry cash for small items in/around markets. Everyone takes USD.
Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu
This is the luxury train option. It’s a beautiful old train, but you feel the age, as it’s a pretty rickety ride. Possibly worth the high higher price if traveling with adults. Might not be worth it with kids who can’t enjoy the alcoholic beverages and might not enjoy the fancyish meal and old-world feel. I booked this because it was my daughter’s 16th birthday (and they sang to her and gave her a special dessert). I thought it was a good value to take it on the way, because they include the transfer to Machu Picchu and a private guide. You don’t have to deal with the tickets to Machu Picchu. Our guide was great, and they serve tea/snacks after the two hour tour at the hotel. If you are staying the night at the hotel, you can checkin before heading out on the tour.
*The bus ride up the mountain from the train to Machu Picchu is very high, windy and incredibly steep. If you get scared of those type rides, maybe have some Xanax.
1 night Machu Picchu - Belmond Sanctuary Lodge
*A note for Machu Picchu: Wear long pants, long sleeves (cover swim!) and high socks because the biting minges are really bad, especially if you sit down in the grass area. We actually had to get our hotel in Cusco to get steroid cream for my husband, because he was so reactive to all the bites on his arms. Also sunscreen on your face/neck is necessary even if you just go for the hour-long loop instead of a two-hour tour.
Perurail train back to Cusco
You walk through a great Peruvian market on the walk from the bus to the train station. They don’t serve water or any food/drinks to purchase, so buy some here. They require double masks and a face shield to board, but you can take the face shield off in your seat. They sell those at the gate to the train. I would have bought extra seats around us if I had thought about it. The seats and arranged in tables of 4 or 2. They are reclinable large chairs with panoramic windows. They have a short show with a masked dancer and some modeling of alpaca scarves. It’s about a 4 hour ride. Seemed longer but less bumpy that the Hiram Bingham.
1 night in Cusco - Belmond Monasterio Hotel
We had left our rollers and a few things to wash here, and everything was waiting for us in our previous rooms when we arrived back.
Fly LATAM Airlines back to Lima
They only have vending machines to buy water after security, and they do not serve water on the flights. The vending machines only take physical Sol (Peruvian currency). No one could change $5 for me but the sweetest lady gave me S10 and wouldn't let me give her USD.
1 night in Lima - Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel
We asked our driver to stop at Basilica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima to see the famous library and catacombs. Our guide, Zaida (I have her WhatsApp number too), walked us a few blocks from there to the Centro Historic de Lima which is a beautiful square with their Presidential Palace, gorgeous cathedrals and intricately carved wooden balconies.
1/2 night at Holiday Inn before flying out at 2:45am
*Some notes on departure: You have to go through an immigration line after you go through the x-ray security line. They start boarding very early, because they hand check (unzip and go through) every carry-on for liquids. We left the Holiday Inn 1 hour and 45 minutes before our flight and had very little wait time. We stopped at an airport shop once at the gate to get some of the cutest ultrafluffy alpaca llamas for friends. It was the perfect amount of time to get to the airport, but the immigration line wasn't too long. It seems like it could've been longer, so 2-3 hours ahead could actually be necessary. They are pretty slow moving compared to the US.
We traveled only with a carryon roller and backpack each thinking we could wash clothes at hotels if needed. I am so glad we didn't have big bags to check during all the travel!
Lima:
Central did not disappoint. We chose the territory experience, which was 11 courses focusing on different ecosystems of Peru based on altitude. I highly recommend Central. They take reservations about 5 months in advance, so book very early. Everything from the earth-toned marble tables to the splatter-painted dishes to the artistry/taste/texture/color of the food was exquisite. I can see why this restaurant is #1 in South America, and top 5 in the world.
Maido was a great mix of Peruvian and Asian cuisine. It’s a small restaurant with ropes hanging from the ceiling. The server was great, and everyone loved their food. I’m surprised it’s ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, but it was all around pretty great.
Astrid y Gaston serves a wonderful Peruvian meal. Astrid, one of the most talented pastry chefs in the world, walks around talking to the guests. There is a big tree with colorful streamers in the middle of the somewhat open-air concrete format. We loved it.
Huaca Pucllana is a casual restaurant overlooking Incan ruins. The atmosphere is unique, and the food is good. This would be a great place to take younger kids.
Matseui was great sushi. It was the first sushi bar in Peru in the 70s. Nobu trained here. It was the biggest influence of Japanese cuisine in Peru.
Cala is right on the beach, and probably has the best view in the city. We had lunch, which was slow and wonderful. It’s a great place to have wine and fresh seafood overlooking the ocean.
Cusco:
Limo was a great Peruvian/Japanese restaurant on a second floor overlooking the main square, Plaza de Armas. We all loved the sushi and ramen. They have a great vegetarian fried rice dish too.
El Tupay at the Monasterio is wonderful. The mushroom soup was the best I have ever had. They have excellent fish dishes, and my husband had the classic Peruvian sliced steak in sauce and loved it.
]]>First of all, rent a Kia Sorrento. It was the perfect vehicle for exploring Iceland. Secondly, pack hiking gear, comfortable walking shoes and rain coats. Special items I wish I had: a roll of painter’s tape to fully close the blackout curtains during summer solstice, a water bottle to collect fresh glacier water on our glacier hike (and clean beautiful water everywhere in Iceland) and an extra duffle for purchases. I should’ve packed less dresses and more leggings. Also coming from me this is crazy, but pack a skimpier bathing suit so your skin has plenty of contact with the yummy silica-enriched salt water in the Blue Lagoon. You also need it for the body scrubs and masks during “the ritual” at the Retreat. Everyone speaks English brilliantly so communicating couldn’t be easier. We made friends for life on our cover photo shoot. Great people, Icelanders.
We rented a car (said Kia Sorrento) at the airport and spent one night in the capitol city, Reykjavik. The next day, we drove east for a two-night stay at Skalakot Luxury Manor. Last, we headed back west (near the airport) for two nights at The *incredible* Retreat at the Blue Lagoon. I think it was perfect. If we had planned to stay longer, we would have gone from Skalakot to stay somewhere in Vik, which is another three hours or so east. But our trip couldn’t have been more perfect, so here are all of my travel notes. Please use and enjoy – as always, reach out with questions lisa@coverswim.com. xoxo
We loved the Sand Hotel in Reykjavik. It had the most comfortable cloud-like bed and a great shower. It was in a fantastic location right on the main drag in the capitol city.
The Skalakot Manor was amazingly charming. It only has 14 rooms and is a seventh-generation working farm. The location is incredible - right near two major waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and the Sólheimajökull glacier. There is a precious church next door that would be perfect for a small wedding.
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon was magical – completely otherworldly. It’s a “not to be missed” stay. The rooms are modern and gorgeous with rain showers, comfy beds and a bathtub and balcony that overlook a private milky turquoise lagoon surrounded by moss-covered lava rocks. The rooms have everything you could desire, from complimentary champagne, wine and beer to q-tips, eye masks, face wash and a hair straightener. Staying at the Retreat gives you access to the private lagoon which has very few people in it at any given time. And there’s nothing better than enjoying after dinner drinks while listening to music in big mid-century modern chairs behind your own private lagoon balcony.
Reykjavik Street Food has the best lobster soup I've ever had. Wayne loved the beef noodle soup. Apparently, their fish and chips are really good too. For dinner, we went to Kol in Reykjavik and loved it. They serve fresh Icelandic food and lots of drinks- we had amazing scallops and cod with truffle polenta. The famous church, Hallgrímskirkja, is right up the block. It is one of the tallest buildings in the country and made in the Expressionist architecture style.
When we left Reykjavik, we drove up to an amazing tomato farm, Friðheimar. I recommend making a lunch reservation in advance – they are great on email. They grow tomatoes and basil in their greenhouse hydroponically all year using "fake sunlight" and bumblebees. Lunch was wonderful. The tomato soup bar is everything you hoped it would be.
At Skalakot, the home-cooked style food is wonderful. They serve their own lamb and fish from the farm, true farm-to-table style. The vegetable soup is thick and incredible.
The sushi at the Retreat Spa (Blue Lagoon) restaurant was fresh and delicious. The Icelandic iced tea was flavorful and special. The restaurants in the hotel are both amazing – especially the fine dining one, Moss. We tried the five-course tasting menu and loved everything from the soft interior/crusty exterior bread baked in their in-house bakery served with Icelandic skyr whipped butter to the succulent lamb that was presented smoking on an individual wooden grill of sorts surrounded by a garden of pine branches.
In Reykjavik we walked over to the Harpa Concert Hall and watched a short video piece about Iceland. Harpa was designed by the Danish firm Henning Larson in co-operation with artist Olafur Eliasson. The structure consists of a steel framework clad with geometric shaped glass panels of different colors.
On the way from the tomato farm to Skalakot, we drove through part of the Golden Circle and got to see all three sites: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall. They were all amazing. The Strokkur geyser in the hot springs area spouts water up 100 feet in to the air every few minutes.
The first full day after arriving at Skalakot, we booked a glacier tour (hike) through Arcanum. Google maps finds the parking lot easily. They have coffee, water, restrooms and hiking boots for you to use there if you don't want to pack your own. You also get crampons (ice cleats) and ice axes for the journey. There is about a 20-minute walk to the bottom of the glacier. You hike up the glacier to the plateau then back down. It takes around 2.5 hours total and is completely breathtaking. I wasn't very cold but had on two layers of leggings, a long-sleeved t-shirt, sweatshirt and raincoat. I never really needed my hat or gloves. I was glad we went on the glacier hike during the summer when the ground gets a bit chunkier than solid sheets of ice with snow on top during the winter.
Just near the glacier is one of the most magnificent waterfalls, Skogofoss. It's right off the gorgeous two-lane highway. And just beyond Skogofoss are two man-made caves built into the moss-covered rock. They are magical - you need to pull over and take a closer look. Then google the tales surrounding them – quite interesting.
The next day, we drove east to Reynisfjara Black Beach, and it was breathtaking. The black volcanic sand and the towering basalt columns were like nothing we had seen before. There are incredible rock formations surrounding the beach, and apparently the waves are so strong that they have been known to carry picture-snapping tourists away in a blink (yikes).
The spa at the Blue Lagoon Retreat offers wonderful in-water massages that are like nothing we had ever done before. They also have a special area for “the ritual” where you shower, steam and scrub with their natural salt then apply an earthly silica mask over your entire body then shower again and apply an active algae mask over your entire body. It was dreamy. I could tell a massive difference in my skin immediately. I am forever ruined for spas after this – it is the very best of the best.
There are amazing hand-knitted wool sweaters and blankets everywhere. I got a zip-up cardigan style but loved them all. They also sell rolls of yarn everywhere. Wool is obviously a major industry in Iceland. There are sheep dotting the entire countryside - sheep and Icelandic horses. Reykjavik has tons of tourist shops with t-shirts, snow caps that say “Iceland” and stuffed toy puffins. They have these items at gas stations too and for the same price. I ended up buying some at the gas station along with some rubber boots and wool socks.
At Blue Lagoon you get 15% off all of their amazing products so I bought two mask sets. Hopefully they last until I can get back there next. I googled the price and you can buy them from the States but they are about $350 versus $200 on the ground (what a deal). I am counting on the Earth’s natural anti-aging properties. That plus cover swim of course.
In Venice, the timelessly glamorous Belmond Hotel Cipriani did not disappoint. The concierge was amazing and helped me schedule a photo shoot before we arrived. Their pool is gorgeous and heated all year. While my husband and I were still at the pool, our kids were seated for dinner at their gorgeous restaurant terrace by the lagoon. The staff treated them exceptionally well. To welcome us, they brought by a bottle of champagne and non-alcoholic champagne for the kids.
My mother-in-law rented a perfect villa in Tuscany called Villa le Ginepraie. I loved the owners. Valerio is a yogi and travels to India for three months every year. He is happy to host private yoga lessons for his guests every morning. The decor is rustic country, but there is plenty of space for a couple of families and the bathrooms are clean and newly renovated. The property is expansive and beautifully manicured, and the pool is immaculate. It is perfectly situated in between two medieval walled towns, Siena and Volterra. The gothic architecture from the 1200s was incredible to see in person, especially the stripes duomo di siena. There is a wonderful winery and five star hotel, Borgo Pignano, just down the street within walking distance. We hiked to an incredible natural waterfall nearby. Gretchen found a porcupine quill, and we saw a jack rabbit the size of a fawn.
In Rome, we loved Hotel Vilon. It is a small luxury hotel in the most amazing location just a few blocks from the Trevi Fountain but hidden off the main streets. We loved the rooms, the showers, beds and restaurant. The staff was amazing. We stayed there when we arrived in Italy and the night before we returned to Dallas. I don’t think I would stay anywhere else in Rome; it was perfect both times.
In Rome, we walked from Hotel Vilon to Alfredo Alla Scrofa, where fettuccine alfredo was born. It reminded me of old school restaurants like The Palm in New York or Javier’s in dallas – lots of old celebrity photos adorned the walls and traditional white cloths covered the tables. The fettuccine alfredo was buttery and simple – much better than American versions.
Paola, the owner of the Tuscan villa was an amazing chef. She cooked traditional Tuscan dishes like guinea fowl, lasagna with boar and ravioli with asparagus and freshly dug-up truffles. Everything was delicious.
We met our friends in Florence at Trattoria 4 Leoni, and it was packed and lovely. It definitely seemed like a local favorite. They also love Osteria Santo Spirito, but we didn’t have time to try it.
I highly recommend getting a couple short private tours if you plan on showing your kids rome for the first time. We had an amazing guide named Irene through Flaminia Travel. I think it is perfect if you only book the minimum amount of time for the guide and driver. Flaminia got us fast track/vip tickets to the coliseum and the Vatican museum to the sistine chapel, so we didn’t have to wait in any lines.
We wanted to show the kids art in Florence, so we booked our Uffizi tickets online the day before we wanted to go. The Accademia requires a few days planning in advance to see the statue of David. We went on a short private boat ride down the Arno River under the Ponte Vecchio at sunset which was a fun way to enjoy the scenery and learn some history about the city.
In Venice, we just wanted to walk around with the kids and show them the unique feel. We went on a gondola ride so they could boat around the city too. One night in Venice was plenty of time in the magical city. I recommend getting business class train tickets in advance so you can be sure to sit with your kids. As you might already know, the trains get assigned about 15 minutes before departure, so there is no need to arrive too early.
I wasn’t going to drag my family around shopping, but I did find an amazing square bag made of straw with a leather strap on the street in Siena just outside the duomo. We also grabbed a handful of alabaster wine stoppers for friends in Volterra, since they are known for the stone. The kids picked up some bracelets for their friends in Murano at a glass factory. Finally, I stopped for a Bottega Veneta cross-body bag at their Rome airport duty-free shop. I had forgotten that every major Italian luxury brand has a store in the airport.
]]>My favorite collaborators and I went to Amangiri, the most incredible resort I have ever stayed at, to shoot my basics collection. Will Graham is one of my oldest friends and the most talented photographer I know. Makayla Harmon has modeled for Cover since its inception and is my fashion little sis. I knew Amangiri would be incredible, but my expectations were exceeded upon arrival. The modern architecture of concrete and wood built into the Mars-like topography and desert pools are simply breathtaking. The resort is all-inclusive in a luxuriously chic kind of way, so you can try anything/everything on their beautiful menu without worrying about steepening your bill.
If you have not seen the Grand Canyon before, it is too close to miss. Pictures don’t do it justice. It is incredible and really puts the wonder of our Earth in perspective. We went on a tour (booked ahead of time online) of Antelope Canyon. There are a few different slot canyons around and they are incredible. It is completely worth the extra time and cost. Wear running shoes and workout clothes, because you will be hiking through some sand to get to the canyons from where the jeep can drive to.
I loved the Native American stands in the Grand Canyon. I bought some super cool necklaces and anklets as gifts. Bring cash, as they do not have mobile service and cannot take digital forms of payment.
]]>We were celebrating my mom’s 65th birthday, so my family all wanted to stay together. We rented a truly incredible private villa through Eden Rock called Villa June. The house has 6 bedrooms, an infinity pool overlooking the harbor with a big adjacent outdoor dining table, a workout room and a theater. We spent a few days at Eden Rock’s beach which was beautiful. I would stay there if not in a private villa. The staff that took care of us did an amazing job. Axel was our super talented chef, and our “butler”/concierge/assistant, Naura, was just the best.
My favorite lunch on a chaise was at Eden Rock beach. The lobster salad and crudités were fresh and delightful. A fun shady group lunch spot is Shellona at Shell Beach. It’s called Shell Beach because shells take the place of sand, much like rocks in Nice. Nikki Beach is fun for day partying, and the beach is stunning. Our favorite dinner was at Bagatelle. The servers are all gorgeous and the food was delicious. We also loved Red Thai. It’s a casual, enclosed but open-air restaurant with fresh Thai cuisine. The place to have a drink with the most stunning view is Bonito.
We loved the beach at Cheval Blanc. It felt a bit more excluded and the big beach beds are beautiful. You can have lunch at many beach-front restaurants and reserve lounge chairs or beds at their respective beach. A fun way to see all around the island is renting a boat for a half day. The captain brought hover boards on board which the kids loved. That’s a great way to search for the turtles by Nikki Beach. My husband and 15-year-old son went fly boarding with Dom at Jet Ski Racing (590 0690237007) and loved it.
There are tons of luxury brand stores, but I loved the small local finds. We found a little jewelry store where my girls got little silver and gold island shaped necklaces. I discovered cover-up brands I now love: Innikachoo and Pitusa. My friend, Libby, loves the stores Coconut and Poppies in Gustavia. My teenagers found cool things at Black Swan near Nikki Beach, and I found more cover-ups at Soraya.
]]>We love Hotel Monteleone for old school charm and a great French Quarter location. My great uncle is a ninety-five-year-old Catholic priest from New Orleans, and he loves to stay with my great aunt at the luxurious Windsor Court Hotel.
Acme Oyster House is just across the street from Monteleone and not to be missed. New Orleans is known for so many great restaurants but our favorite is La Petite Grocery. The crab beignets are la bombe. Compere Lapin is good too. They have adorable copper rabbit drink mugs but only eleven of them.
Hearing the band at Preservation Hall is our favorite thing to do at night. We always order VIP reservations online so we can go in the quicker line and get closer seats in the tiny wooden theater. They have five show times per night, so you can go to dinner before or after the show. They don’t serve drinks, so we always start next door at Pat Obrien’s and bring our drink to the show. During the day, my favorite thing to do is grab coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde’s coffee stand in City Park with the big oak trees then walk into the incredible Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden (which is adjacent to The New Orleans Museum of Art). It is hands down the best sculpture collection I have ever seen.
I love vintage and one-of-a-kind finds, so naturally my favorite store is Funky Monkey. A killer copper, metallic long pleated skirt was my latest find there. Cool gift shops surround Funky Monkey on Magazine Street, and are always fun to find really off-the-wall stuff to bring friends and family. I found camp trunk stickers for my kids and computer stickers for me including Alice in Wonderland and The Secret of Nimh! This area is the Garden District which is also home to Ashley Longshore’s studio. Ashley is the reason I went to New Orleans this last time. She is one of my absolute favorite humans (along with her COO, Kate Grace Bauer Rouchell). Ashley's art studio is open to the public and is an absolute must see. It is bursting with color and humor. She has several works for sale in varied sizes as well as some accessories, like beautiful cloth napkins and plates.
]]>Carmel-by-the-Sea: We have a family home in Carmel and spend as much of the summer as possible in this tiny heaven. I would rent a house online (but avoid car week in August). You can work with the local rental company if you can't find what you want on the major rental sites. In town, La Playa Carmel has beautiful grounds with a pool. However, I’m not familiar with the rooms. Some of our friends just opened a new boutique hotel called The Getaway. It's in a great location at the top of the Ocean Avenue drag. There is an adorable market right next door and awesome restaurants across the street. They serve breakfast (including salmon toast and mushroom quiche) in the mornings and snacks/drinks in the afternoons, all included in the super reasonable rate. The older, iconic Cypress Inn is right in the center of town and allows pets. They have a lively piano bar at night.
17 Mile Drive: If you are a golfer, The Lodge at Pebble Beach is a great place to stay since you get preferential tee times on the world-famous course.
Towards Big Sur: Hyatt Carmel Highlands is a beautiful option if you have rented a car. Post Ranch Inn is the luxury hotel in Big Sur, situated on a cliff. It's gorgeous and definitely worth a night's stay.
Carmel Valley: If you are into spas and wine, Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley is beautiful. The restaurant has live music on the weekends. They keep a vast croquet and bocce court situated in the middle of all the rooms. Carmel Valley Ranch has a great pool, a beautiful golf course and a big firepit with bountiful s'mores supplies. Carmel Valley is sunnier and warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The Bench at Pebble Beach has a gorgeous view of the 18th hole with fire pits outside for drinks and apps. We love La Bicyclette in town for wood-fired pizzas and classic French country cuisine. I met Reese Witherspoon and her mom there when they were in town filming the first Big Little Lies. Casanova is a great cozy spot for a festive dinner. Vesuvio has amazing pizzas, insane artichokes and a rooftop bar with a great view. Katy’s (cash only) is awesome for breakfast. They have amazing lobster and avocado omelettes.
For lunch, my kids love Sushi Heaven right next to a great Chinese foot reflexology place. There is a coffee shop with fantastic ramen, quiches and my son's favorite coffee cake (cash only) at Carmel Coffee and Cocoa Bar in Carmel Plaza. We also love to order soups, juices and toasts at Carmel Belle. Bruno's market has a deli counter that is great to pack sandwiches to take down to Carmel Beach or along for a hike at Big Sur or Point Lobos. Rocky Point is about a 15-minute drive toward Big Sur and totally worth it for a drink (not great food) because of the magnificent view.
For drinks, we love to go hear the bagpipe player at Spanish Bay around sunset. So you don't miss it, call and ask the time he/she will end at the fire pits. In town, we often meet on the rooftop of Vesuvio for drinks before or after dinner. Barmel is the only bar in town that is open late. They have a DJ some nights and a small dance floor.
Drive ten minutes to Point Lobos to hike through the forest to the coast. There are always seals and whales depending on the time of year. If you are an avid hiker, Big Sur, which is a 30/45-minute drive on Highway 1 along the ocean cliffs, has some of the best hikes in the world. The redwoods are incredible. Mobile phone coverage can be spotty, so plan/map ahead of time. Our favorite hikes are Soberanes Canyon Trail at Garrapata State Park and Pfeiffer Falls. The drive is gorgeous, but it can be challenging in fog and darkness so I suggest driving on a clear day.
We love to take the kids to the Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley to walk around and pick raspberries and grab some organic groceries and prepared foods. They have my favorite salad bar for lunch.
Horseback riding through the trails near Cypress Point Golf Club is chill and scenic. Book that through Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. You do not have to be a member of the club. However, there are some age requirements.
We love making fires on Carmel Beach after dinner. Check with the city online for the rules.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is world-class and not to be missed for adults and kids alike. Kayaking around the bay is really fun too, because the waters are calm and you always see seals and otters in their natural habitat. Monterey has an awesome bike trail that runs along the coast and past the aquarium. You can also book whale watching tours leaving from Monterey.
I don’t do a lot of shopping while I’m in Carmel, but there is a fantastic vintage store called Foxy Couture. My friend, Meredith, found an incredible 1970s chain-mesh top and they have all kinds of designer bags and a big collection of vintage Chanel jewelry. It is a tiny shop but the owner is very knowledgeable and has great taste. There is a cool estate jewelry store called Viau where I have found several cool pieces over the years. The local chocolate shop, Lula’s, a few doors down is amazing. They give tours of their facility near the Monterey Airport.
Carmel Plaza is home to branded stores like Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany's and also an amazing local cheese shop. The people that work there are friendly, very knowledgable and happy to hand out samples of several world class cheeses. It's definitely worth going by to pick up some wine and cheese for the beach or for hostess gifts.
Lastly, if you didn’t pack enough sweaters for the chilly nights, GBG and its sister store, Paloosh, have the best selection.
]]>I used to accompany my dad on business trips to LA when I was in high school and now I produce all of Cover in LA – the city holds a very special place in my heart. I love the Beverly Hills Hotel. The nostalgia, the pool, the Polo Lounge and the little tiny coffee shop are hard to beat.
2022 update: On my latest trip, I stayed in Culver City, because I wanted to be central to several neighborhoods and LAX for a super quick trip. The little boutique hotel, Palihotel, was perfect. They also have a location on Melrose.
I recently had dinner with my friend, Donald, at The Sunset Tower Hotel. I ordered the chicken pot pie which was amazing. I love Gracias Madre, a little vegan Mexican food place. The SoHo House is also a favorite in LA, but I’ve only been there twice with members Jaime King and another industry friend that's a member. There were tons of local vendors at the Goop conference that I attended, so I will be looking to Goop for those healthy lunch spots next time.
If you haven’t been to Venice Beach, it is worth a trip. I love the local shops and restaurants. Gjelina is a great place to stop for a bite. I really love Venice Plants. I have a slight problem buying cacti everywhere I see cool ones. If I lived here, I would be in trouble. I call this store to send plants to my friends though. Royal Heritage is the best piercing (and tattoo) shop with very knowledgeable and careful staff members. Made in Earth is a great rock and jewelry shop across the street.
2022 update: We caught a show at the Laugh Factory which was really fun. Most shows are 18+ but some are 21+.
My friend, Amy, loves a store called Permanent Vacation Shop. I love to walk around the shops on Melrose and also the shops around The Ivy on N. Robertson Blvd. Next time I am in LA, I want to go by the new Palisades Center and see Jen Meyer’s store.
2022 update: I recently took my teenagers vintage shopping on La Brea and Melrose. We loved American Rag Cie, Wasteland, Jet Rag and Golyester. My friend, Stephanie of Libertine, loves Recess. It has lots of sparkles and great finds for fair prices. We also love Chrome Hearts (make an appointment in advance) and The Elder Statesman on N. Robertson.
]]>All of the Bahamas are beautiful but the best attraction for Eleuthera specifically is the ability to fly directly in. We stayed at The Cove with our kids and another family and loved how easy and safely the resort is situated. The kids were able to roam around without us worrying about their safety. There is a rock cliff and two coves on either side. The pool and restaurant are right in the middle of those two private beaches. Our older kids were jumping off the rock cliff and swimming back around to the beach. The restaurant has a super fresh sushi bar, perfect for light lunches. We ventured out one night, but the restaurants around the town were closed.
2021 update: While my older kids went on a service trip to Costa Rica, I took my youngest to Nassau. We stayed at the Rosewood Baha Mar. I was expecting a quiet luxury hotel based on the website, but it is attached to two other properties with a casino...not exactly the vibe I was going for.
Since it is only a short boat ride away, we planned a day at Harbor Island. Ferry boats run every 15 minutes from Jean’s Bay Dock, and rides cost $5 cash per person. My friend, Tricia Besing owns The Dunmore, which is gorgeous and quaint. Lunch was fresh and beautiful and the pink sand beaches were stunning. We rented a little golf cart through The Dunmore to get from the port to the hotel. The town is adorable with cute local shops. Cover was stocked at India Hick’s boutique, The Sugar Mill, so we made that our first stop.
Another day, we booked a private boat tour with Captain Shaw Underwood, a local favorite. He took us to Pig Beach to swim with the pigs. They were super aggressive once they saw the hot dogs. It was hilarious but could be a bit scary for littles. Along the way, we stopped at a gorgeous sand bar and saw manatees, turtles and rays. I would ask for Captain Shaw specifically as he was truly awesome.
2021 update: Marine animal experiences are best at The Atlantis. I do not recommend the experiences through the Rosewood Baha Mar or any adjacent properties. We did the sting ray experience with them, and the operation was very unorganized. At The Atlantis, "Dip & Discover" was our favorite. You get time to play with the dolphins in the water the most during this one. "Swim in Wonder" was fun, but it was more swimming in open water with the dolphins versus interacting with their personalities. "Playtime with the Sea Lions" was a lot of fun. The sea lions do lots of tricks and interact with you. They reminded me of dogs. The animals seemed very happy and well taken care of, while the trainers seemed very kind and seemed to have close relationships with the animals.
]]>When traveling to Hawaii, we usually go to Maui since Dallas has direct flights. I think the Four Seasons Maui is my favorite. It is a casual, well-kept property with friendly staff. It's also right next door to the Grand Wailea. We have actually stayed at both during the same trip, so the kids could play at their massive pool situation. I love the orchid lei and kukui nut necklaces they give everyone at check-in. The Grand Wailea has a fun luau night. The performers are really great, but I try not to look at the whole roasting pig. Grand Wailea also has an amazing collection of nine Fernando Botero bronze cast sculptures throughout its open-air lobby.
We swam with tons of sea turtles and paddle boarded right outside of the aforementioned hotels. Taking a boat out snorkeling was fun too. Don't forget to pack cover swim leggings and swim ts. My husband got stung by a jellyfish on his arm and wished he had on protection. Leggings are also great sun protection for your backside while snorkeling. Sunscreen gets wiped off from sitting or isn't applied high enough under the bathing suit seam = a burned bum. Oxybenzone, the most common ingredient in chemical sunscreens, is being banned in Hawaii by 2020 due to its toxic effects on ocean life (can't be good for your skin).
I highly recommend chartering a helicopter through Blue Hawaiian to see all the amazing waterfalls around the island. You can get right up near them; it's amazing. We had an awesome female pilot. My son felt a bit ill from the unique motion of the helicopter. They sell motion medication and bands in the Blue Hawaiian lobby. I would have given those to him before we went out if I had known that basically anyone that ever feels motion sickness at all will probably feel motion sickness on a helicopter ride.
An open-air mall called The Shops at Wailea is walking distance from the hotels. Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and Gucci have stores there, and Gucci offers a 20% at this particular store due to its proximity to Asia. I bought new collection luggage and bags when I was there. I bet the other stores offer the same discount, but I didn't check. Worth a trip!
]]>We love GoldenEye as our one stop Jamaican destination. You drive up to a small gate with barely any markings then enter into a laid-back secluded paradise. It’s called GoldenEye because it was the private residence and occasional filming location of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series. Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, now owns and lives on the property. Everyone on staff seems friendly and happy, aways available, but never overly attentive. We stay in little private bungalows on the little river type body that curls from the ocean through the property. Every room comes with kayaks so you can paddle down the water to the spa or beach. There is a special little calm water cove of ocean water perfect for snorkeling, paddle boarding - awesome/safe for kids. The staff told us they were fully booked but the resort never seemed full of people. It was only at the casual buffet-style dinner restaurant or at the main house cocktail party where you noticed there were actually lots of other guests staying there as well. Jamaica is such a special place with so much rich influence. We love the authenticity of the resort, the local cuisine like callaloo, rice with peas, jerk chicken and salt fish and Reggae music. They have lots of cute beaded bracelets in Rasta colors in the shop to bring kids or friends.
]]>Cabo is a super easy flight from Dallas, so I have been many times. I’ve stayed at private homes, rented villas and a few different hotels. Rosewood’s Las Ventanas is by far my favorite. The rooms are minimal, modern and luxurious. The grounds are kept impeccably well with sand designs and cacti everywhere. The restaurant serves delicious food and the staff is the most attentive I have ever experienced. The private hammocks on the beach in your covered lounge chair area are a beautiful addition.
Being from Texas, my favorite foods are chips, salsa, guacamole and margaritas. Edith’s is a fun place to sit outside under string lights. Flora farms is a bit outside of town but well worth the drive for the beautiful, fresh farm to table cuisine.
I love to relax and catchup on reading when I am in Cabo, but I know there is awesome deep-sea fishing around Cabo. Lovers Point is fun to take a boat over to, and The Office is a great dive bar right there by the boat taxis.
I live in Dallas but if I were a visitor, I would stay at either:
-the Joule if you are into art and fashion
-the Mansion if you are into privacy and luxury
-Lumen is a small boutique hotel right across from SMU
My dear friend, Jules Barsotti, owns the best Italian food restaurants in Dallas. My favorites are Nonna for my favorite dinner anywhere and Fachini for awesome food and a great Highland Park Village location. For the best Tex-Mex, Mi Cocina, also in the Highland Park Village, is my favorite.
I spent years on the board of the Dallas Theater Center and love every play they run, some are original productions. I also love our Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and Klyde Warren Park with food trucks across the street. We have a wonderful zoo and arboretum that are both nice to visit during the cool/warm weather in the spring and fall. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is extremely well-done. We have President George W. Bush’s Library on the SMU campus and the Sixth Floor Museum/Texas Book Depository in honor of President John F. Kennedy. Finally, Dallas has a lot of professional sports – Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars.
The Highland Park Village is a gorgeous outdoor shopping center in the most beautiful residential neighborhood and houses all the luxury fashion brands, along with my close friend's store Elisa’s beautifully curated store called Market and my other close friend Deborah’s social club, Park House. My absolute favorite brand, La Ligne, opened their second store in HPV. My sister's caftan brand, La Vie, also has a store there. I spend by far the most of my time as a non-digital consumer in this shopping center. Forty Five Ten, Stanley Korshak and Neiman Marcus were all founded in Dallas.
]]>