Luxe Beat Featured Articles

The Lofoten Islands are one of the worst things that can happen to a man’s self-esteem. But they also provide consolation. They epitomize luxury hygge. You can only truly appreciate Norwegian coziness after a long time at sea. I had promised the chef that I would bring him back a cod so he could cook me something which was not “Lutefisk”.  I had first tasted that in Oslo’s famous “Engebret Café”,...

When a new restaurant opens, Greater Palm Springs, California residents take notice. If we weren’t foodies when we arrived in Coachella Valley, it is a pretty good bet our friends from afar will notice on our social media posts we seem to be hanging out at restaurants a lot and enjoying great meals. Of course, we have beautiful weather, but I believe something else is causing outstanding chefs to...

For travelers wishing to experience a grand tour of French Polynesia while unpacking only once and dining well, a great option is to cruise aboard Oceania Cruises Nautica. Long capturing the hearts and minds of travelers seeking the natural beauty of the South Pacific and the generous spirit of the Polynesians, French Polynesia, boasts 118 islands with five distinct archipelagoes: the Society, Tua...

For busy professionals, international lawyers, generic jet setters and others who travel the globe regularly, or often to certain countries, you may be best served by obtaining a second U.S. Passport. Also, American university students planning to study abroad for a semester or year often need a second passport while their long-term student visas are being obtained. This is especially the case for...

Fiji has 333 sun-kissed, dramatically beautiful islands, of which just 111 are inhabited. The first time I came to Fiji several years ago I remember constantly looking over my shoulder on the airplane’s gangway, in baggage claim, customs, and immigration. Everyone was exuberantly calling out “Bula, bula” while broadly smiling. I had correctly assumed then it was the Fijian equivalent of the Hawaii...

There is certainly no shortage of luxury places to stay in beautiful locations. However, few places can compete with the ultra-luxury offerings of the fully-staffed Villa Avellan a in Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. Julie L. Kessler shares her luxury experience at Villa Avellana .

Silversea Cruises launched the 12th ship of its ultra-luxury all-suite fleet with a pre-debut architectural voyage on the Silver Nova. Attending this four-night event departing from Trieste, Italy, it quickly became clear that this was no ordinary ship. The 728-passenger Silver Nova’s arrival – the largest of Silversea’s fleet – marks the cruise line’s milestone towards ‘Net Zero’ and is one of th...

On a Saturday morning in February, temperatures hovering around 2 degrees Fahrenheit, who would consider jumping into an outdoor pool, even a heated one, in a snow-covered Quebec City , on the banks of the St. Lawrence River?  As it turns out, dozens of folks were lined up at the Strom Spa just as it opened, waiting in line to trade their boots and parkas for rubber slippers and robes, and I’m so...

Located in the heart of Miami Beach, at The Palms Hotel & Spa, sits Essensia Restaurant & Bar —a South Beach dining destination purposefully designed to nurture both its guests and the planet. This sanctuary for the senses offers healthfully prepared Mediterr-Asian dishes exemplifying bold flavors mindfully sourced ingredients. Merilee Kern interviews Tanja Morariu, Director of Marketing &...

Kevin Pilley explores ROMEO Hotels, owned by lawyer  Alfredo Romeo , has hotels in Rome and another one planned for the Sorrentine peninsula.  They house Mr Romeo’s extensive art collection. His hotels are “dedicated to relaxation and aesthetic allure.” As well as “sanctifying the simple perfection of everyday objects.”

Nestled at the end of a secluded country road, Rockin’ Star Ranch  is located between Houston and Austin , Texas. This family-owned and operated working ranch is one of the most popular wedding and vacation destinations in the state. Sitting on 150 acres of open pastures filled with cattle, those seeking their inner cowboy or cowgirl will appreciate the beauty and serenity of the ranch. Weddings i...

Driving through the Milk & Honey Ranch gates, guests will see Texas Longhorns and miniature Scottish Highland cows nibbling on tender grass blades. Flocks of guinea hens scurry along dirt paths, and tiny goats buck and play in a fenced pen. Visitors immediately feel welcomed at this private ranch sanctuary. Listen in to hear all that Milk & Honey Ranch has to offer!

Tamil  love for food would beggar even the proverbial Punjabi obsession with food. The first question you will ever be asked in Tamil Nadu is “Sapadingla?” “Have you eaten?…” The Tamils need no excuse to eat. The Christmas holiday season, the best time to visit  Chennai , is when travellers flock to the city pulsating with Music and Dance concerts that occur during the Tamil month of Marghazi (15...

If you have never visited New England, as my husband and I hadn’t, a cruise of the area is the best way to visit and really enjoy your trip. And the Islands of New England cruise on the Grande Caribe from Blount Small Ship Adventures is the best cruise to take. One of the best things about cruising is that you can take your cozy, comfortable cabin along with you on your travels! Spend your week re...

Travel Columnist Debbie Stone says, "There’s nothing like strolling on a pristine ocean beach with nary a soul in sight and only the occasional gull or plover to share the space. Far off in the distance, a pair of whales spout, while nearby, several seals play peekaboo in the water. The air is fresh and crisp, and Mother Nature’s good mood means ample sunshine. It’s April on Cape Cod and the crowd...

Travel Journalist Terri Colby shares the incredible history about Casa Kimberly. In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, just a few cobblestoned streets away from the beach crowds, a boutique hotel offers an old Hollywood-style romantic getaway that delivers luxury, serenity and fine food and cocktails along with its history of one of the most celebrated and passionate love affairs of...

Lifestyle Columnist Jill Weinlein shines through with her Hawaiian Luxury piece on The Four Seasons Oahu .  Escape to the tropical paradise of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, where luxury and relaxation meet the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian coast. Indulge in spacious accommodations with stunning ocean views, unwind by the sparkling pools, or rejuvenate at the world-class spa. Explore...

Travel Journalist Janice Nieder starts her piece with, "Let’s begin with why I strongly dislike (only because it’s not nice to say HATE) ocean cruises; seasickness, queuing up with thousands of peeps who all seem to be vying for the 'how-high-can-I-load-my-plate-with-mediocre-food-from-the-buffet-table' award, long, boring days of bobbing around the high seas with nary a speck a land in sight, was...

Travel Journalist Jenna Intersimone says, "When the well-traveled look to plan their next destination, their minds jump to the most notorious of cities: Los Angeles , Paris , New York City. Even as a travel writer, I am no exception to this rule. I relish visiting a new city, where I can book my hotel, grab a guidebook and explore without any complications. However, when recently planning my first...

North Alabama is one of the few places in the world where rockets, golf, and the Rolling Stones are connected. Whether you step into an astronaut’s shoes for a day in Huntsville, play 18 holes at The Schoolmaster Course in Hampton Cove, or stand in the same spot where Jagger recorded “Brown Sugar” in Muscle Shoals , North Alabama has a lot to offer. Travel Columnist Tim Cotroneo shares his North A...

Travel Columnist Debbie Stone says, "I’m a sucker for a room with a view. It doesn’t matter if it’s water, mountains or a cityscape. I’m not picky. But, some views deserve extra special recognition, like the one at The Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs . All the guest rooms and suites offer breathtaking vistas of snow-capped Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods landmark, with...

Looking our absolute best. For most of us, it doesn’t come without a good amount of effort. From making sure that favorite suit is perfectly pressed, to having shoes impeccably shined, no detail, however small it may seem, goes overlooked. In tourism circles, the same holds true. And no one wears it better than Québec City . Lifestyle Journalist Mary Haban shares her luxurious visti to Québec City...

As part of our Young Writers Series, Elizabeth Bernstein shares her travels to 7 European diestinations in four months! First top London... all aboard!

On December 16, 1773, more than 5,000 American colonists met at Old South Meeting House to decide the fate of three shiploads of tea docked in Boston Harbor . Emotions ran high as the colonists bitterly denounced the British troops who occupied the city, the taxes the Crown imposed on everything from household goods to window panes. Especially hated was the tax on tea, a daily staple for the peopl...