Luxe Beat Featured Articles

There are plenty of delectable liquors and liqueurs available to suit any taste, whether you like smooth or sweet. If you want something that steps out of the box in terms of flavor, then we have some ideas for you. Look at these options for something with nuanced or pronounced flavors that you can sip over ice or turn into a lively cocktail. To read the full article by Carmen Varner visit luxebea...

Some years back, when I was working at Different Pointe of View , I was asked to travel to New Orleans and cook.  I was beside myself with excitement. Not only is New Orleans a big food town, but it also is a magical place filled with beautiful architecture and even more beautiful people. I made sure to stay a few days so I could eat my way through the city before I had to return home. I started m...

I love all mushrooms, but I must confess that I’m partial to king trumpets. Savory in flavor with a firm meaty texture, they live up to their royal title. Only one thing could make these wonderful gifts better… Cognac ! It is warm and nutty by nature, but when you combine it with butter it is transcended to a roasted sweet caramel. In this recipe, when the cognac & butter meet the smoky piquil...

Ahhhh antipasti, is there anything better? That magical word of delight, what you are going to eat before the pasta! I am crazy for good antipasti plates. But I do have one problem with them, what do I eat first?  I want a little of everything all at once! So I created these Prosciutto Di Parma Rolls. The buttery prosciutto, the sharp Parmigiano , the sweet creamy mascarpone, the tangy basil danci...

Set amid black rock lava fields in the southwest corner of Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, a top attraction for visitors to the Land of Fire and Ice . The area where the lagoon is located is at the convergence of the North American and Eurasian plates, which is a geothermal hotbed of activity. Named a wonder of the world by National Geographic in 2012, the Blue Lagoon is a place of mystical, otherworl...

I found it hard to resist the emotional pull of the wondrous Duomo in Florence, Rome’s ancient Coliseum or the colorful row of houses on the tiny island of Burano . Italy’s towering mountains, sunny landscapes and rustic charms accompanied by fabulous food and wine and Italian hospitality make it one of the finest travel destinations anywhere. The abundance of Renaissance art alone made my head sp...

A trip to Venice is often on many travelers’ bucket lists. With its picturesque canals, narrow streets and numerous historic sights, this renowned destination is a magnet for tourists, who flock there en masse. Some keep to the main areas, never venturing off the beaten path during their stay. Others wander into the quieter and less frequented spots, delighted to find quaint and peaceful scenes to...

The Aria Hotel Budapest sings with excitement the moment you pass through the door of the original 1880s exterior into its modern décor. No doubt the tone is the result of its inspiration and musical concept by master designer Zoltan Varró . The luxury boutique hotel followed his passion to “simultaneously recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace while also embracing vis...

The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest sits on fabled history almost as long as its name. The renovated historic venue along the Danube River was constructed from 1904-06 over the Nákó House, a neo-classical palace built in 1827. Visitors now wander the lobby, off Széchenyi Square , and experience the grandeur of old-time Budapest. The smart ones book a room. Originally, the palace served...

When Hemingway first came to Idaho—on September 19, 1939, to be exact¬ home was Suite 206 at the Sun Valley Lodge . “Glamour House,” he nicknamed it, and so it remains. The Sun Valley Resort is the granddaddy of U.S. ski resorts, the first in the nation, founded by W. Averell Harriman in 1936. Since then it has attracted the rich and famous for seasonal recreation:  golf, hiking, horseback riding,...

Downtown Asheville, North Carolina  buzzes with a collective hum. Perhaps it’s due to the city’s membership in the Bee City USA national pollination program. More likely it’s because Asheville resonates for everyone: the rich and famous who came in the 1920s, today’s health enthusiasts who bicycle, jog or hike the mountainous roads, musicians who perform on street corners and micro-breweries that...

New Orleans , Louisiana promises and delivers good times year-round. Mardi Gras brings the biggest and most boisterous crowds, summer is laid-back, but the days following Thanksgiving through Christmas are the best. Temperatures are ideal; the streets are clean and warmly festooned with green boughs, red bows and white lights. New Orleans follows its deep Catholic roots and celebrates Christmas, n...

Mention you’re going to the Balearic Islands, and you might get a quizzical look. More likely, the four islands will be recognized by their individual names: Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and the least well-known, Formentera. They lie off the coast of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea between the mainland and Africa. Catalan and Spanish are the official languages, but many locals understand Englis...

Private hotel perks are what dreams are made of. Couture experiences that will have you coming back for more, or thrill you enough to move on to the next. We’ve done our research and pulled together a list of a dozen luxury experiences available at hotels around the world. Most importantly taking into account staying safe,while traveling during these trying times. These perks are sure to tickle yo...

When the urge to curl up with a cream-based, indulgent cocktail hits (we’ve all been there), Disaronno Velvet is the bottle you want chilling in your fridge. Your future self will thank you for stashing a bottle so you can easily shake up a boozy, creamy libation when those sweet tooth cravings call. Disaronno Velvet embodies La Dolce Vita Italian lifestyle and combines the unmistakable taste of D...

Every evening stealth-like black and white manta rays soar from the depth of Keauhou Bay up to the newly renovated Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. The resort shines a light on the waves gently crashing on black lava rocks. This light attracts schools of glimmering silver fish that enormous manta rays enjoy feasting on, by scooping them into their cavernous mouth. To read the full article by Jill...

Hilo, Hawai‘i has the distinction of being the wettest city in the U.S. with an average of 276 days of rain per year. I can personally attest to this fact, having recently been to the city and experiencing intermittent heavy squalls and downpours during my visit! The silver lining in all this “liquid sunshine,” however, were all the spectacular waterfalls that thundered down from the cliffs. I was...

Before I share part 10 with you, I’d like to tell you how the pairing project came to fruition. The idea was born on a walk with my husband. I mentioned I wanted to write about something that, to my knowledge, hadn’t been done before. He asked me if all states made wine, and I said yes, to which he responded: well, all states have an iconic food or recipe; why don’t you collaborate with wineries a...

In part 9, we are wining and dining along the East Coast, covering many New England states. As you can imagine, we will be sampling some seafood in these regions. I mean no disrespect to any state’s dish, but tasting a ‘somewhat’ lighter fare will be refreshing. There is, however, a cookie pairing in the mix! To read the full article by Darla Hoffman and all articles in this 10-part series visit l...

I credit the Native American people for most of Part 8 as they are largely responsible for the recipes. Their resourcefulness and ability to create flavorful dishes from land and water are commendable. I also give kudos to the state wineries of Part 8. They were some of the sweetest people, and their willingness to participate in the project touched my heart. To read this article and all articles...

One of the highlights of the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) was the wine seminars presented by Wine Spectator and hosted by Bruce Sanderson, the magazine’s Senior Editor. I attended three seminars during the festival, including one examining the Burgundy Terroirs and wines of Maison Louis Latour . Our gracious host was Louis-Fabrice Latour , general managing director of...

My husband and I have passed by Indianapolis numerous times over the years as we traveled north from Lexington , Kentucky to ski resorts in Michigan or getaways to Chicago . We often remarked how we were passing a city that looked very intriguing, was only three hours away from our home, and that we should make time to visit the city affectionately known as the Crossroad of American because it is...

Whenever I visit New York City , I have to see a Broadway show, usually several. I’m a consummate theatergoer and love both musicals and plays and will attend performances wherever and whenever I can. But Broadway’s special and there’s nothing more exciting than being amid its bright lights. I’m always giddy with anticipation sitting in the audience waiting for the curtain to rise, then being trea...

Table settings are something that many of us grew up with and many did not. They used to be taught in schools and summer camps, but it seems they have been dropped from many. They are so different around the world, I simply cannot cover them all in one column, so this month we will focus on the U.S. and Europe. In general, I will stay focused on settings. But I may toss in some manners along the w...

Wake-up calls sound harsh in any language. But, they ring hideous when you’ve gone to bed just a few hours earlier, following a 24-hour flight. However groggy I was, dawn beckoned and I had little time to waste. I’d traveled thousands of miles and was scheduled for a full day of touring. I glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows, and then stood, agog at the glistening new city rising from the sea...