Luxe Beat Featured Articles

Some people spend a lot of money on a pair of sunglasses because the bright sun really does hurt their eyes.  Some put the projection of cool before UV protection. Others wear sunglasses to help them read. When does glare reduction not shade into sheer posing? When does clarity really become a top priority? When you are reading a line. Not in a book or online. But out on the golf course on the gre...

I am not the son of an Ajaccio winemaker. I didn’t get a commission on the recent £1.7m bicorne hat sale. I have never founded a newspaper, had a pastry, Cognac and deep-sea wrasse named after me, constructed a sewerage system or designed a national flag. I am not scared of cats and I have never seen myself as Charlemagne’s natural successor. Or, as the founding father of food preservation. Neithe...

Recently I walked aboard the new Condor Airbus A330neo with a group of travel journalists, along with a few LAX and Condor Air Executives. Excitement was building as we went through the TSA check to tour the sleek airliner that just arrived in Los Angeles . While being cleaned after a transatlantic flight from Germany, we had a small reception in the Air France Lounge. Condor Air is partnering wit...

Iceland has its own Loch Ness Monster. Not a lot of people know that. They call it “The Wyrm”. The elusive creature is supposed to live in Lagarfljot, a very deep, glacial-fed, freshwater lake near Egilsstadir on the west coast of Iceland. It was first sighted in 1345 and described as a serpent with humps.  A myth grew up that it incubated gold at the bottom of the fjord. The skrýmsli (monster) wa...

Don’t be surprised if you tell someone you’re going to Dominica that you might get a puzzled look, or they might assume you mean the Dominican Republic . There’s often confusion because Dominica is a bit under the radar. This Eastern Caribbean Island is home to about 70,000 people, and between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the South. It’s called “The Nature Island” and rightly so. You’...

Glide through central Vietnam in a private carriage where spa rituals, fine dining, and cinematic scenery redefine the meaning of slow travel. Waking early in Da Nang , we stepped into the morning buzz outside the central train station: a tangle of scooters, street vendors, and the metallic voice of the PA cutting through the chaos. But within moments, we were greeted by a crisply uniformed staff...

The luxury houseboat, Mantis Kivu Queen uBuranga travels along one of Africa’s great waterways, Lake Kivu. The vessel is the first of its kind to sail the western region. Traversing the lake south bound from Gisenyi to Nyamasheke and North Bound from Nyamasheke to Gisenyi. The houseboat offers 2-3 night cruises. It has ten cabins, including two executive suites and two deluxe cabins. The vessel al...

Monasteries are sanctuaries of tranquility. Now they are sanctuaries of gastronomy. And magnets for bon vivants. For a week, from June 16-22,  the five-star Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp in Belgium – a former 13ᵗʰ-century monastery and member of  The Leading Hotels of the World- hosts a star-studded gourmet festival featuring internationally-acclaimed master chefs, including Viki Geunes (Zilte, Antwer...

One of my most memorable stays in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula was at Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge . The lodge is on Ismailof Island near Halibut Cove , a short water taxi ride from Homer. The wide range of activities at its doorstep and the stunning home make Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge stand out. Kachemak Bay State Park is one of Alaska’s hidden Gems. This wilderness paradise has over 400,000 acres of...

When words fail, a heartfelt Namasté speaks volumes. I’ve used massage therapy as part of my self-care routine for many years, yet I’d never heard of a masseuse working with tuning forks as part of their practice, that is, until I scheduled what I hoped would be a pleasant visit at the Namaste Spa & Wellness Center last month. When I studied the website, I saw an ‘invitation to come enjoy peac...

White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, delivers classic Western vibes with a splash of luxury. Think movie-set charm, daily adventures on horseback, hearty buffet meals, and cozy casitas. Guests of all ages find something to love—whether riding trails, joining fun activities, or stargazing under pitch-black skies. I tried it all and share the details here. History of White Stallion Ranch White S...

Drinking Christ’s Tears is one of the best things that can happen to a Christian and wine lovers of any denomination. So when in Naples, the Amalfi coast and Italy’s Sorrentine peninsula, do what the bon vivants do. Drink from the slope of Mount Vesuvius and the “Campania felix” (fertile countryside). Go with the lava flow. Lacryma Christi is a Neapolitan wine made from grapes grown on the slopes...

When I am playing tennis – whether singles or doubles- I like to attack the net. Not because I have a particularly strong volley game – forehand or backhand- but I do like to gain the psychological advantage over my opponent by showing off my luxuriously comfortable and effortlessly dainty Etoile Sport Paris ruffled trim crew tennis socklets and giving her a close up and impossible-not-to-envy vie...

“Early gingerbread followed by angelica. A long, peppery finish, a floral bouquet and intensely smooth herbal warmth, a hint of candied lemons and a delicate lingering note of Turkish Delight mingling with crispy, resinous oil juniper” doesn’t hack it anymore. “Sleek and lightweight” are the new buzzwords in the gin world. “Properly Improper” Brockmans Gin has just launched the lightest bottle in...

Imagine waking to the sound of calming waves as they reach the shore, stepping onto your private balcony, and gazing out at the powdery white sand over the Gulf of Mexico. Welcome to the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa , a coastal haven located on Miramar Beach in the Florida Panhandle. Fresh off a $35 million renovation in celebration of its 40th anniversary, this iconic resort blend...

Paradise on earth is a “Secret Garden”. With birds and butterflies, lemon, palm and yew trees, white climbing roses, golden pineapples and lots of blue water as well as pink pepper ice cream and lots of Altos Plaja, Cocchi Americano, Cointreau and absinthe. And “Kisses of Fire” ( Don Julio Blanco , Bruxo mezcal, tamarind, grapefruit and red-eyed chillies). And a “Roman Aurora” (Casamigos Reposado,...

It’s not Tuscany or Santorini but this landlocked country has emerged from behind the iron curtain with its gorgeous historic castles and chateaux set in romantic forested landscapes to punch above its weight in the world of wonderful wedding destinations. These are real fairy-tale settings—without the crowds or clichés. Welcome to Czechia : a destination that’s quietly redefining the luxury weddi...

“Beauty for Ashes” read the marquee sign in front of Living Water Family Fellowship church, as we drove through the town of Blue River on a cloudy day earlier this year. The barren landscape was littered with standing dead trees, otherwise known as snags. Although the Holiday Farm Fire of 2020 was over four years ago, remnants of its force remain scattered throughout this region of the McKenzie Ri...

Stepping aboard The Queen Mary near the Carnival Cruise Terminal in Long Beach, is like stepping back into the Golden Age. The historic ocean liner is a testament to elegance, grandeur and artistry from the 1930s. Discover the rich history of this luxury ocean liner by Cunard Line. Not only did the ship serve as the quintessential passenger transport across the Atlantic, but she was also a troopsh...

Often described as one of th best-kept secrets in Santa Ynez, Demetria Estate is located in one of the best wine neighborhoods in the region. Just off Foxen Canyon Road, in the idyllic town of Los Olivos, drive about two miles down a dirt road to arrive at the 213-acre ranch. This is one of the first vineyards in Santa Barbara County to be farmed bio-dynamically. They planted forty-five acres of R...

A historic mountain retreat showcases a reverence for nature through art. Tucked above a glacial lake in New York’s Hudson Valley, the Mohonk Mountain House is a place where nature has always been more than a backdrop—it’s the heartbeat of the experience. Since 1869, this Victorian castle resort has invited guests to step into a world shaped by mountain air, meandering forest paths, and rocky emin...

It seems the city of Branson , MO, has employed a team of hospitality mind readers when it comes to families planning a multigeneration vacation. The attractions, activities, and experiences offered by this quaint city of 13,000 residents is so spot-on that the television program 60 Minutes declared Branson “The Entertainment Capital of the Entire Universe.”  To read the full article by Oceanviews...

Best known for its signature red rock formations and stunning vistas, Sedona is the ideal spot for families, couples, and even solo travelers. Less than two hours from Phoenix and with less than 10,000 full-time residents, the small city boasts a variety of hotel options, an exciting culinary scene, and plenty of activities, from hiking to energy healing. Here is how to spend a perfect long weeken...

One of California’s coastal gems is the town of Dana Point, located between Los Angeles and San Diego. Recently while staying at the newer  El Caminante Bar & Bungalows.  we explored the beach town to discover a blend of natural beauty, along with an array of outdoor activities, immersive ocean adventures, and cultural experiences. To read the full article by California Dreaming columinst Jill...

Dude ranches spark curiosity—and lots of questions. After saddling up at eight ranches and penciling in a few more, I’ve picked up plenty of firsthand insight. Whether you’re wondering what to pack, how meals work, or which ranch fits your style, I’ve got answers straight from the trail. To read the full article by Julie Diebolt Price visit Luxe Beat Magazine .