Swanky Retreats Spring 2024

ALEXANDRA MAE EDITOR-AT-LARGE When you look up "wanderlust" in the dictionary odds are that a picture of me is in the definition. ANDREW INNERARITY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY I prefer to let the images do the talking. AVA ROSALES FEATURES EDITOR Wherever the destination may be, it’s the villa life for me. DAVID BLAIR EDITOR-AT-LARGE As a Scotsman, exploration and whiskey are in my blood. One Swanky sip at a time, I’m discovering new and magnificent places to share with you. Stop looking at my sporran! DYLAN BENOIT CONTRIBUTING EDITOR I’m a chef with Champagne taste and a beer budget, but always seem to find myself surrounded by the most amazing people in the most amazing places. From eating termites in the Honduran jungle to learning how to make dim sum…

art’otel, Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands Life equals art at Amsterdam’s swankiest hotel. Signature artist Atelier van Lieshout, one of the biggest and most prolific names in the Dutch art world, has waved his magic wand across the appropriately-named art’otel, filling every space with more than 120 of his sculptures and curating an inspiring calendar of ever-changing exhibitions and cultural events. The hotel also has a partnership with the STRAAT Museum, Amsterdam’s impressive gallery of street art and graffiti, which is a short ferry ride away. art’otel occupies an enviable location, overlooking a canal and Amsterdam Centraal Station. It is a grand historic building, but the traditional architecture belies the funky interior. In fact, stepping into the lobby, your first impression may well be that this is a contemporary art gallery, or…

A LETTER FROM Europe: Tbilisi, Georgia Gamarjoba! Welcome to the most vibrant, exciting capital in Europe. No, it’s not Berlin or Madrid: I am in Tbilisi in the cultural melting pot that is Georgia. It is hard to wrap your head around how old Tbilisi is. Archaeologists have found evidence that this area was inhabited in Paleolithic times, and by the late Bronze Age it was already the largest settlement in the Caucasus. Alexander the Great invaded, the Georgians went to war with the Ancient Romans, and by the mid 4th century, Christianity had been adopted as the state religion. You can still bathe in the same hot springs that King Vakhtang discovered on a hunting trip more than 1,500 years ago, and walk along streets which show the architectural…

Stepping into the grand lobby of El Palace Barcelona together, we were immediately wrapped in an atmosphere of elegance and history that promised an unforgettable couples' retreat. The hotel, with its stunning marble floors, majestic chandeliers, and warm, intimate welcome, felt like a portal to another era, a place where luxury and romance have danced together since its opening in 1919. This iconic establishment, which has played host to countless discerning travelers over the years, seemed to welcome us into its storied fold with open arms. Our room was a testament to the perfect blend of classic elegance and modern amenities, designed to provide an enclave of comfort and luxury for us to retreat to. The high ceilings, plush furnishings, and rich textiles made it a sanctuary where we could…

(Turin, Italy) --- Tourissimo is thrilled to announce a NEW culinary cycling tour of Sicily being led by two different celebrity chefs. Chef Mary Sue Milliken, a James Beard and Julia Child Award-winning chef, cookbook author, activist, and media personality best known for her modern Mexican concept, is back for her seventh tour with Tourissimo. She will be accompanied by her friend, Chef Bob Blumer, Food Network TV host, author, artist, and eight-time Guinness World Record holder. Guests will spend seven days cycling their way through the heart of Southeast Sicily, a seductive and bold region, where every pedal stroke includes a gastronomic journey that mirrors the island's vibrant cultural tapestry. The tour is scheduled for May 26 - June 1, 2024, and starts at $5,495 per person double. That…

he country of Georgia is building its brand as the birthplace of wine. Those in the know also rave about Georgian cuisine, including delicious khinkali (steamed dumplings) and khachapuri, a loaf of bread stuffed with melted cheese and which is altogether superior to pizza. What surprised and delighted me, however, was the breathtaking scenery of the Caucasus Mountains, a destination offering everything from ancient churches to lively music festivals. Georgia’s Mtskheta-Mtianeti region lies close to the capital, Tbilisi, and it is an all-season tourist magnet. The historic town of Mtskheta is known by Georgians as Little Jerusalem; it’s the country’s former capital and holiest site, as it was here at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers that Christianity was proclaimed as the official religion of Georgia in 337…