Travel Tribe Journeys – Summer Enticements

The days lengthen and warm and we begin to dream of escape. Where to go – spring break to fall – our Clients are plotting & planning – some have already left footprints on sandy beaches and scoured the souks in Marrakech.

Morocco – it is hot, hot, hot! Spring break found many of the five-star hotels sold out, we prevailed for a last-minute request.  We also have May travelers headed to Morocco. We love La Sultana in Marakech and Kasbah Tamadot in the scenic Atlas Mountains, activities include mule trekking to Berber villages. Side car excursions, hot air balloon escapades, Tagine cooking classes, private visits to Yves Saint Laurent home at the Majorelle Garden.

Mustique – Indigo seas and the year around perfect weather combined with an embarrassment of stunning Villas, make this a superb crowd free destination One advantage, our Villa team can offer many properties for 5 nights minimum- some don’t require a full 14 day stay- 5- 8, 10 days – many owners are flexible.

The Maldives, recent booking for two weeks at The Four Seasons Landaa & Kuda Huraa – my faves! Swim with manta rays hovering above and below you, floating in the gentle turquoise seas. Sail away to the spa across the bay, nothing prepares you for the sapphire seas and sugar white sandy beaches. I’m pining to return!

Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives
Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives

Japan – oh my, take a number – you are certain to run into friends at the sacred temples! A plethora of new offerings, innovative exclusive luxurious experiences; gardening with a master designer, with a long lineage of acclaimed gardeners who is currently entrusted with palace and temple gardens. Visit little known private Kyoto gardens. VIP experiences await fans of traditional theatrical performances. A master of Noh, an ancient performing art known for its fantastical masks and flowing robes has created a contemporary and well-designed space dedicated to the craft in a private theatre in the masters own home.  Long list of unique offerings.

Japan Journey

New York, spring fling at The Whitby, in midtown. Kit Kemp’s most recent addition to the city vibrant color and pattern abound!

France, in particular, the iridescent Cote d’ Azure. You may bump into friends at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc or the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, summer sizzlers! Days spent bobbing on yachts in private coves, followed by exceptional French cuisine.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, Cote d’ Azure.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cote d’ Azure.

Paris in June- doesn’t it sound dreamy? Le Meurice return guests love their VIP attention.

Le Meurice, Paris Luxury Suite

Oh, a multi generational family of 12 is headed back to The Ranch at Rock Creek – they’ve visited multiple times and can’t get enough of Ranch and Rodeo life, Giddy Up !

The Ranch at Rock Creek
The Ranch at Rock Creek

Peru – Machu Picchu adventure for Spring break- the world-renowned complex, a sublime jewel of Incan civilization, built on a towering ridge of granite and tropical forest. As you enter the Sanctuary see the iconic Sun Gate you will be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences. Adventure awaits. Another smashing stay at Belmond Hotels!

Machu Picchu Belmond Hotels

One lucky dad is cruising with his son, on a Linblad National Geographic Alaska Journey to the Bering Straits wilderness touching coast of Russia Journey. Visit Provideniya, Russian Federation, at the western limit of the rich transboundary area known as Beringia, Provideniya is often called “The Gateway to the Arctic”- no Russia visa required!

One of our VV sophisticated art collectors swooned at the latest gallery collections at the recent New York Art Fairs while luxuriating at The Lowell this week!

The Lowell Hotel New York

Big Five – African Safari for eight friends at the VV best lodges with our private safari team. Our fourth African safari and gorilla trek this year.

Rwanda Gorilla Trek mom & baby & toddler
Kenya Safari endless horizons

The eternal city of Rome will enchant a family of summer travelers, ask about our exclusive activities. Practice The Art of Doing Nothing Italian Style: L’arte di non fare nulla.

Hotel de Russie Roma

Tuscany a romantic Journey of exploration and staying at all three Belmond retreats. These foodies are checking off the top trattorias! A romantic honeymoon encompassing Five Luxury Belmond properties throughout Italy and Sicily – The Ultimate Grand Tour!

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Sicily
Belmond Villa San Michele Florence

Amsterdam – always a great add on following Italy, Anne Frank, Van Gogh – private boats to cruise the canals.

We are plotting a fall Munich, Paris, London and Paris Journey for a group of eight friends – in memory of a dear friend and family member, an intrepid traveler who passed away this year. A Toast to a Well Lived Life and Enchanting Travel.

Paris

Last but not least, Punta Mita Four Seasons was chock a block full of our spring break clients!

Four Seasons Punta Mita

The globe is whirling with exotic options – days are lengthening, plan a Journey!

Le Dalí Le Meurice Paris

My first professional introduction to the Dorchester Collection Parisian properties was in the first months of my business. A dear client requested a few days of quiet at Plaza Athenee after a long Villa month in Italy. Almost 15 days later, she departed, apparently rested. As a child, she had stayed many times at Le Meurice in the dazzling penthouse suite. You can imagine after 15 days, the Plaza Athenee was very happy to have me as a new contact.

Le Meurice and Plaza Athenee to me, are the ultimate in all that is French – if you think luxurious Paris hotel, these two grand properties come to mind. They may be a bit larger in scale than a few others, and actually smaller in scale than some very lovely Parisian hotels. My mantra: there is a perfect hotel for every client. I’m fortunate to stay here every time I visit Paris. On some visits, I’ve been ensconced in suites that could host half a dozen guests, truly Madeline at the hotel experience! My most recent visit found me in a petite suite on the top floor with two Juliet balconies looking out to the Festive Ferris Wheel and the branches of the winter bare Tuileries Garden and the Palace.- it was awe-inspiring!

Frequently dining by myself, Le Dalí is a very comfortable restaurant to enjoy a magnificent dinner. Amazing people watching, especially if you dine traditionally late, as the Americans have gone to bed, they just aren’t as glamorous as the French! Dress up, people!

Alain Ducasse, world-renowned chef, oversees both Le Meurice restaurants. Le Dalí setting is a combination of chic high style and French elegance by Philippe Starck. Restaurant Le Dalí is a unique homage to Salvador Dalí’s unmistakable spirit and flair. Philippe Starck has recently updated his previous vision of the restaurant’s distinctive interior, enhancing Dalí ’s love of quirky design and distorting reality. Eye-catching additions include a new carpet designed by his daughter, Ara Starck, and chairs covered with her canvas drawings. It is truly a very glamorous setting, luxury with a twist of whimsy in the art.

Le Menu: traditional French brasserie specialties or a creative culinary journey of delicious Mediterranean cuisine. The dishes are designed to be shared or served in half portions for light apéritif dining. From the site: The journey upon which guests embark begins with the Catalan lands of Salvador Dalí, with specialties such as stuffed pimiento del piquillo with romesco sauce or black rice, baby squid and shellfish.The voyage then continues in Italy through some of that country’s finest foods, like black pork culatello from Massimo Spigaroli, straight from Emilia-Romagna. But also home-style cooking – slow-simmered and colorful – like aubergine caviar, a Provence-style vegetable caponata or minestrone broth and vegetables with garlic-basil condiment. Guests can also sample patatas bravas with an authentic tasca taste and enjoy down-to-earth specialties like salt cod, aioli and coco beans sourced from Valence up to the County of Nice, served here with Catalan accents.

In the “Timeless” selection, the restaurant is faithful to the Parisian brasserie cooking, dishes that have been the bedrock of Le Dalí’s popularity across several generations. These classics include Grenoble-style sole with croutons and cubed lemon and the light and creamy free-range chicken fricassee. Smaller appetites will succumb to the celebrated Hansen & Lydersen Norwegian smoked salmon for example.

I questioned the ripeness of a tomato & mozzarella di bufala dish and was assured: Madame, summer tomatoes were, of course, available in November. Summer somewhere, indeed…the dish was scrumptious!

The attention to detail and care in the chef selections is evident if you ask questions about the provenance of the entrees. A petite book has been created: Histories in Carnees, providing a complete description of the meats served in the restaurant. My question on menu item: Duck from Mrs. Burgaud House, citrus and red chicory. Le duck: Semi-freed raised in the damp swamp grass of Vendee, this little plump duck is fed with corn, wheat and all the small treasures found in the rich and fertile soils. It has a strong and yet subtle flesh. Are you not enticed?

Melt in your mouth flavor is assured; Le Dalí takes time to produce a small descriptive book on exceptional and seasonal offerings, their passion for perfection is evident in the devotion to details. Swoon!

Le Dalí…one must always make a pilgrimage!