Travel Trends 2023 – Shoulder Season is Dead.

Where to GO – Japan, better book now for 2024, Cherry Blossom Journeys for this year sold out last summer. A combination of Covid rollover reservations and cherished Cherry Blossom Customs, this tradition has always been popular. It may be a secret, but spring in South Korea is just as magical as the country shrugs off winter and reemerges bearing the pop of Cherry Blossom shades and scents. The most popular place to see cherry blossoms in Korea is the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival, which has attracted over 2,000,000 visitors per year in past years.

Cherry Blossoms, Japan

Sicily, led by the outrageous popularity of White Lotus, clients clamor to trek the trails and plop at super swanky Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina. Even if you just make the hotel your only seaside destination, the 14th-century Dominican convent turned luxury hotel in the coastal town of Taormina, has stunning views not just of the Ionian Sea, but also of Mt. Etna volcano and the Greek Theatre of Taormina, a historical landmark. Famous guests, including our chic clients, who have shared their praise include Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren, King Edward VIII and Oscar Wilde. History, art, and delicious food – everyone loves Italy, even if you are island based. Sicily’s luxury hotel scene has been enriched in the last few years, by the classic Belmond properties, Grand Hotel Timeo, and Villa Sant’Andrea, as well as newer hotels Il san Corrado di Noto and Rocco Forte Hotel Villa Igiea. Imagine two weeks crisscrossing the island – I once settled into a village for an inspiring week in summer to participate in a David Tanis cooking school.

Italian charisma, is that redundant?

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Sicily
Sicily

Spring Summer or Autumn in Paris? – if you haven’t booked yet, get out your candle’s, rosary, and Bhutanese prayer beads. The Rugby World Cup train visits 51 cities in France during a 4-month Journey.  Veuillez m’excuser” – please accept my apologies if you have not reserved Paris yet. One of our savviest sophisticated couples will spend a glorious month as Parisians at La Réserve Apartments. At home in Paris with the Eiffel Tower as your neighbor.

Sleekly neutral and lavishly roomy, the first-class serviced apartments facing the Eiffel Tower, are perfect for travelers wanting to blend as chic locals, invite the entourage. This is not Emily in Paris! Carry your cashmere and smart walking shoes.

La Réserve Apartments, Paris
La Réserve Apartments, Paris

Bhutan was one of my most glorious adventures ever. Slowly western culture will invade and diffuse the pureness of the Happiest Kingdom. Visit before the traditional values, beliefs are modified. Nothing prepared me for my Journey to this tiny Himalayan country, memories still wash over me in waves. Staying in five individual Amankora properties, meeting gentle and kind locals, hiking through mountain landscapes unlike any other, dining on local delicious delicacies, wandering through colorful ancient temples, and learning Bhutanese customs. With the recent opening of the Trans Bhutan Trail, a 250-mile sacred hiking trail for the first time in 60 years, more hikers will be drawn to this mountain Paradise!

Captivated by rich history and ancient culture? Egypt is overrun by Americans this year, plan now for next spring or fall. In sharing once in a lifetime adventures, it’s hard to ignore the allure of Africa and the Middle East, and in particular, Egypt – the pyramids are still magnificently standing, having withstood every imaginable world crisis. The history, the pyramids, the sphinx, and the ancient burial tombs all standing amid a hectic twenty first century life.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

Morocco – if you read my posts, you appreciate my obsession! Our clients are following my lead, as is most of America, Morocco is one of The Hottest travel destinations. Book in advance for the best five-star properties and stand by in fall, as I uncover the new luxury hotels in Tangier and visit a small riad in the Atlas Mountain’s – opened by well-known Marrakech hotelier, giving Kasbah Tamadot a little healthy hotel competition.

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Also, on the hot list is Colombia. With world-class coffee plantations, amazing beaches to the north and west, remarkable dining, rich history, and friendly people, Colombia tourism is exploding. Colombia’s diversity runs from mountain peaks to tropical grasslands, from spectacular museums and private art collections to coffee plantations, from ancient history to natural wonders.

Ancient mysteries come to life in cities rife with culture and charm. Near the city of Agustin more than 500 life-sized carved volcanic stone figures and tombs litter the Forest of Statues, amid native trees and flowers.

Four Seasons Vasa Medina Bogota

Cartagena has become one of South America’s most vibrant cities – and the undoubted queen of Columbia’s northern coast. Offering old-world luxury, exquisite fine-dining options, and a hip nightlife. Having witnessed 500 years of piracy, wars and slavery, Cartagena’s Walled City is steeped in history. Every house and street here have meaning – right down to the intricate door handles used to signal your hierarchy in society.

Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, Cartagena

Colombia’s capital of Bogota is rich with vitality, a blend of world-class restaurants, and sophisticated shopping. The energy and creativity of Colombia’s capital city are best experienced with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá. In the buzzing Zona Rosa area, find yourself just steps away from the city’s best shopping, nightlife, and cafés, then come back to settle in at the intimate, modern Hotel, where contemporary elegance is found everywhere from the spacious suites to the perfectly poured Colombian espresso.

More than 99.5% of Colombians speak Spanish. Oh dear, un poquito Español!

Why Visit Beverly Hills? The Peninsula Promise

Since the 1950s, Beverly Hills has marketed itself as a high-end shopping paradise and home of the rich and famous, which still rings true today. Beverly Hills may be one of the world’s most glamorous places to live, but it is also a city designed for visitors. High-end tourism is crucial for the city’s legendary hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, and the beauty, health and wellness services to thrive.

The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills

We have a few favorite hotels on our dossier of Highly Recommend properties. Like our individual fingerprints, there is a hotel for every taste and need. Do you prefer to stay a bit out of town and hideaway in a Bungalow or is your jam to see and to be seen? Enjoy leisurely strolls and window shop, pop into a cafe for an espresso?

The Peninsula outpost in Beverly Hills offers many options with 195 rooms, including 38 suites and 17 private villas, located in its lush tropical gardens. Gossip has it that one guest so loves the Villas, they’ve stayed for 24 years! Forbes rates it at the ultimate Five Stars.

A Grand Dame of a property providing sophistication and the ultimate in glamour in the city’s swankiest neighborhood. Roll into the circular driveway, sunglasses on and be prepared for fabulous people watching, exceptionally high service and pampering! Purse puppies abound, guests dressed to the nines enjoying the best that life has to offer in Los Angeles! There were whispers of Bill Barr arriving for a noon lunch and book signing.

Set at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire near Canon Drive, just around the corner from the Holy Grail of chic high-end shopping, 20 minutes away to popular museums and 30 minutes to LAX or Burbank airport. Rolls Royce courtesy car for transport within the city limits, what else? There is a jaunty pink Perrier Champagne Citron out front as well, if you prefer to be less seen.

The grand lobby with polished marble floors is a flurry of stylish and well-dressed patrons and locals. You may see royalty and eccentricity milling through, it’s a haven for all temperaments!  The lobby is flanked by the ornate Living Room, where the hotel’s wildly popular afternoon tea is served, come dressed! High Tea is accompanied by a harpist and on Thursday evenings, the room comes alive with a pianist. The Club Bar is a sophisticated chamber clad in dark wood panels made of California birch and deep leather chairs that circle the fireplace. A traditional yet timeless ambiance, reminiscent of an elegant gentleman’s club, if you arrive a wee early, it’s a lovely place to perch while your bags are whisked to your room. A British pair who looked as if they had just dismounted from a Hunt, were sipping G&T’s with their furry four legged friend.

Oh, don’t miss the fine-dining Belvedere Restaurant, which features a beautiful courtyard terrace. An elegant European Brasserie offering a blend of art and cuisine in a classic French-country aesthetic steeped in Southern California luxury. Here, diners are immersed in a creative experience surrounded by magnificent artwork while relishing the artistically plated cuisine, and the high fashion of their loyal patrons featured in the illustrations on the restaurant’s menus. The Belvedere truly embodies the essence of its meaning, “beautiful view.”

Advice: pace yourself as it’s easy to overindulge. When I dine with my hoteliers, they never want to deny you any delicacy! Champers at lunch is de riguer, and oh, you must try the Caviar and Lobster flatbread, do nosh on these cheese sticks, they are heavenly – morphs into the Charred Caesar with Salmon, it must not be missed – and of course, dessert…Ms. Books? Everything Chocolate or a classic Grand Marnier Soufflé?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here; every dish is skillfully prepared with local produce – apart from the exceptional Dover Sole, which is flown in fresh every day from the UK. Hotel guests and Beverly Hills residents alike enjoy weekend revelry with the Bubbles & Bells Free-flow Champagne Brunch.

By nightfall, if you can rouse from the food coma, the Roof Garden is a lush casual spot for a less filling meal. Accented by its iconic yellow and white striped umbrellas, it’s a favorite among area residents and hotel guests alike.

Rooms, Suites, and Villas. The expansive rooms are all nattily appointed in a chic European style, with elegant furnishings and canopy beds draped in pastel or floral-printed fabrics. All have French windows that open onto a garden or city view, but the best come with private patios and hot tubs. The large bathrooms feature original pink marble from Greece and plenty of smart touches, such as monogrammed towels and Oscar de la Renta toiletries. The pink marble originates from the hometown of the owner. Villas are surrounded by lush gardens and range in size from a studio to the two-story Peninsula Villa which feels like a luxurious residence.

At check in, I was escorted to a gorgeous suite with petite Juliet balcony, in pretty pastels and colorful touches of pinks, creams, blues and greens, Happy as a clam at the pool, I was shaken out of my sun slumber by a text from my dear rep, Jake: Ms. Books, we had a cancel in the glammy Pink Suite you swooned over, would you like us to move you? Just like that, Lickety Split to pack up the laptop and mosey to the sumptuous Grand Deluxe Pink Suite. ‘Pink,’ ‘Blue’ and ‘Silver’ Suites, are some of the grandest suites at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. The ‘Pink Suite,’ with its hues of deep rose and elegant Dior grey, is accented by crisp white wainscoting, gold and silver-leaf. My kitchen was swoon worthy, although I had no intention of meal preparation, the fridge would keep the Champers chilled. A spacious terrace with loungers and a massive dining table for late afternoon tea or in my case, perfect for al fresco brekkie. I drooled over this brilliant 2250 square feet suite of tailored raspberry walls – a deep rose suite with one bedroom, a kitchen, dining room and two bathrooms! One bathroom the size of an average living room. In The Pink Indeed!

The Peninsula Beverly Hills made staying in a suite even sweeter! Guests who book one of the hotel’s elegant suites are offered the complimentary use of a luxury BMW for the length of their stay. 

Kiddos coming along? Family travel at The Peninsula receives an upgrade with Camp Peninsula, a children’s experience that recreates the spirit of camping right in the heart of Beverly Hills. An experience that can be added onto any room reservation, the Camp Peninsula Journey begins with a special welcome from Peter Bear, the hotel’s lovable mascot, at check-in. After taking a picture with the life-sized teddy bear, kids will be whisked away to your luxurious guest-room where a charming teepee awaits.

Life Live Well at The Peninsula Spa. Named one of the Top 10 Spas worldwide by readers of SpaFinder, the Peninsula Spa incorporates highly effective treatments with the finest therapists and products.

Pool Cabanas are available for day use.  Surrounded by panoramic views of the Los Angeles and Century City skyline, The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ 60-foot outdoor rooftop pool and hot tub is an idyllic spot for hotel guests to relax and cool down in true Peninsula style.

Proper indulgence at the rooftop pool. Luxury Relax & Revive poolside in a spacious cabana with much needed pampering. Bask in the sun, with rejuvenating reflexology, a mani-pedi, gourmet dining and panoramic city views. Based on availability Wednesday and Thursday for glam grooming.

The Peninsula Hotel Spa Beverly Hills

Old school attention to service, and the recent upgrades include state of the art technology. Friendly professional staff, I ask questions everywhere! My room attendant has worked there for over ten years mentioning how employees are well treated.  Bill, the room manager escorted me to my suite, regaled with a cheerful history of the hotel, he’s been there for over 20 years. Peninsula Love is abundant, to me, that is a defining character of a brand and a hotel.

Oh, did I mention my monogrammed Pillowcase? It occurred to me to stay for 24 years!

Peninsula Pets!

Highly Recommend for luxurious comfort, serious shopping, fine dining and the ultimate in people watching – small gift shop with glorious hats if you are the Star and need to be undercover!