Luxe Beat Featured Articles

Over the past several years, outdoor art installations have popped up across the country. It seems that everywhere I go, from major cities to small towns, I find colorful pops of creative expression adorning the streets and building walls. And many of the places offer self-guided tours with maps and info about each of the works.  Recently, I was in Lake Oswego to visit family and while meandering...

St. Augustine , Florida, is known to many, as the oldest city in the U.S. It also has the distinction of being one of the country’s most haunted towns. Its lengthy past includes numerous sordid and tragic events that have spurred a slew of colorful tales over the years. Add two historic cemeteries with graves dating back hundreds of years, a “brooding” Spanish fortress and significant, documented...

While movies like The Last Samurai and Shogun bring viewers back in time to a distinctly important period in Japanese history, visitors to Kanazawa can take it a hundred steps further and fully immerse themselves in what it truly meant to be an elite warrior.  Even if it’s just for a few hours. To read the full article by Merilee Kern visit luxebeatmag.com .

Miiro individually designs hotels with character, that are located in the heart of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Derived from the Latin word “miro”, meaning “I wonder”, the double vowel symbolizes reflection. Miiro encourages guests to pause, look around and savor every moment. Each hotel has its own personality and connection to the local community. Their hotels tell a story about the importance...

Mauritius is a very unspoilt island and I highly recommend it whether for a honeymoon, a young family or in retirement. The hotels are excellent. The service is wonderful, the rooms thoroughly thought through and the food local, fresh and delicious. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius:My first resting spot, the glamorous Four Seasons Resort , lies on the east coast at Anahita. It opened in 2008 and comp...

Despite economic downturns and the growing recession, the wedding industry continues its steady climb as one of the fastest-growing industries around the globe. Couples continue to demand the best for their “special day” while raising the bar for those that follow. As a Wedding and Romance specialist , I have planned and executed many weddings and wedding-related events throughout the years. I hav...

As a travel advisor, it is my job to design journeys for my clients that will leave beautiful and lasting memories. The complexity of trip planning becomes exponential when you add more people and the diversity multi-generational considerations of ages and interests as well as family dynamics. As a wife, mother and grandmother who has taken and planned many extended family vacations, I am also abl...

As a wedding planner it is my job to create weddings that are magical, romantic and seemingly flawless. Bridal couples put their faith in me to give them the wedding day of their dreams and this is no small feat believe me. In the following series, I will take you on a journey of love and romance featuring real weddings and highlighting some of the most romantic wedding locations around the globe....

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for luxury yacht charters, but with so much to see and do there, it can be difficult choosing where to focus your itinerary for the best trip. We spoke with Italian yacht brokers and Mediterranean charter specialists at Silver Star Yachting, for an insider’s view.  To read the full article by Colette Flowerdew-Kincaid visit luxebeatmag.com .

For many people a trip to Australia is a bucket list journey. But Australia is expansive and much larger than most people realize. And although it is the smallest continent in terms of square miles, it is the sixth largest country in the world. Travelers to Australia who want to explore more of this vast country will want to book a ticket on the country’s most iconic train trip – The Ghan. From th...

We found ourselves fortunate enough to enjoy an unexpected 2-day layover in the captivating city of Reykjavik, Iceland, on our way to London. We took advantage of the opportunity to extend our brief two-hour layover at Reykjavik airport to a two-day visit. Anticipating an unforgettable experience in Reykjavik, we were thrilled to be able to explore the capital city of Iceland , the treasure trove...

Traversing the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff is an awe-inspiring adventure, with its ever-changing landscapes, snow-clad peaks, and abundant wildlife sightings. While a road trip through these destinations is undoubtedly spectacular, envision relinquishing the wheel to a seasoned train conductor and entrusting your culinary experience to a talented executive chef...

Bobby greeted me at the buffet table as I put some of the fruit from the buffet in my mouth. We laughed, for it’s one of those things you don’t want to happen. However, in this case, it was fun, and he broke into a big smile and laughed, saying, “Perfect.” With lots of activity in the house, I helped select a quiet spot on the patio for the interview. The weather was perfect, and little did I know...

The streets of Healdsburg, California, are lined with sensational restaurants. From fine dining to casual cuisine, a foodie can’t go wrong. Want a drink with that dish? There are plenty of bars, wineries, and coffee shops too. My only regret about my visit is that I couldn’t indulge in all of them. However, I’d love to share a sampling of the stops I could make and, my favorite fare of the trip. T...

A peachy neat artsy town 18 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Patagonia, though tiny, offers plenty to do. Nestled between the Santa Rita Mountains to the north and the Patagonia Mountains to the south, the incredible views envelop the area. Whether you drive from Phoenix , Tombstone, or Tubac, you will experience some of the prettiest roads in the country. Furthermore, with a population unde...

Old Dominick Distillery has a rich past beginning in the 1800s with Dominico Canale, born into a family of entrepreneurial survivors. At a relatively young age, Canale created a food wholesaler business and, by 1866, offered a whiskey named Old Dominick. By 1880, he developed a bourbon-based cordial, the Dominick Toddy, of which he was quite proud. Dying three days before prohibition at the age of...

I was born and raised in Cleveland , Ohio, and I am proud of the incredible city it has become. While I no longer live there, I only have great things to say about my hometown. Hence, it always baffles me when people still coin the city ‘the mistake on the lake.’ Seriously, the unfortunate industrial incident they refer to happened in 1971. Moving on, Cleveland has many fabulous things to see and...

I lived in Arizona for 22 years before hearing about Arcosanti. To my surprise, this eco-friendly town began construction in 1970, and its concept was derived even earlier. More importantly, Arcosanti, an urban laboratory, continues to evolve socially and environmentally today. Before my visit, I learned that Arcosanti is the urban project and the brainchild of Italian Architect Paolo Soleri. The...

As the plane landed in Madrid , Spain, butterflies fluttered about my stomach. The trip had been a long time coming — initially planned for 2020. Furthermore, we decided to do most things on our own for the first time while traveling Europe. For instance, we chose to stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel, and we planned to explore the sights without the help of organized tours. But my research gave...

A quick hour and 20-minute flight on Iberia from Madrid, and we were in Lisbon . We jumped in a taxi and headed for our Airbnb, A Charming Penthouse in Chiado. The flat is in an excellent location for walking to just about anywhere you want to go. To help us get our bearings, our rental host said, “Down is toward the river and up toward shops and plazas.” He wasn’t kidding; we were situated on a s...

Mesa, Arizona , is the 3rd largest city in Arizona and the 36th largest city in the United States, with a population of over 500,000. Being the largest suburb of Phoenix and home to numerous higher education institutes and major employers, the city is exploding with things to do. Whether you are a resident or vacationer, there is much for you to discover in Mesa. Furthermore, with some of the most...

I gravitate to a wine shop’s French and Italian sections for affordable quality wines; many excellent bottles from these regions are under the $20 price tag. Your options are wide and varied if you know what to look for. First, understand that wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. However, consumers often choose what they are familiar with and overpay for sub-par or not-good wine. My advic...

Further, research the various kinds of wine experiences offered. And decide whether to go to tasting rooms or visit the wineries and vineyards. Some wineries will offer tours and packages, including a cellar walk-through and vineyard experience with or without food. If food is included, be sure to let the winery know of any food allergies. To read the full article by Darla Hoffmann visit luxebeatm...

Kousa Mahshi is a Middle-Eastern dish typically made with ground lamb and white rice. However, in an age of concern about getting more fiber and eating less refined grains and red meat, I tried my hand at these substitutes and was thrilled with the creation. Although I admit, I am not without guilt that I altered my late TaiTai’s recipe (she was brilliant in the kitchen!). But I digress; I kept he...

Amadio Ranch, a community farm in the urban village of Laveen, just south of Downtown Phoenix, is as much a tourist destination as a local hangout. Eric and Christina Amadio established the ranch in 2010 because they wanted more acreage for their family and to give their children an appreciation for growing their food. The abundance of quality crops they were getting from their land led to giving...