The Haute Travel Writer

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Another Place, The Lake District: A Restorative Escape in England’s Countryside

I have to admit that I was a bit afraid of jumping into a freezing cold lake, especially at night, all but paralyzed by the thought of what might be lurking beneath the surface.  My mind races, half-jokingly imagining the Loch Ness Monster’s distant cousin lurking somewhere in the depths. But still, off we go into the dark, frigid waters, the chill biting at our skin. Thankfully, our wetsuits serve as armor against the cold, a reassuring shield as we step deeper into the unknown. Colin, our gui...
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Montenegro’s Rising Star: The Chedi at Luštica Bay

Luxury travel has entered its age of oversaturation. Once-rare enclaves now exist in a near-constant state of exposure—filtered, tagged, and reposted until their allure begins to dull. What was once discreet has become performative. And so, the truly discerning traveler begins to look elsewhere—not for extravagance, but for atmosphere; not for hype, but for hush. Enter Montenegro. A destination that, until recently, seemed content to remain just beyond the frame. While the Côte d’Azur, Ibiza, a...
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Castle Elvira: Salento, Italy’s Darling of Castle Hotels

As children, many of us have had the fantasy of one day living in a castle. But as we grow older, those dreams fade away replaced by more practical ambitions. But not for all of us. When growing up Harvey B-Brown always dreamed of living in a castle and be it manifestation, fate, or just luck, his life’s cards played out in such a way that is exactly what happened. He and his husband Steve Riseley would become the owners of one of the hottest new hotels in the world which just happens to be a ca...
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Exploring Porto Venere in the Italian Riviera

Italy has so many gifts to offer the intrepid traveler that it’s hard to figure out which one to unwrap next. In the Italian Riviera, in a peninsula that juts out into the Ligurian Sea, is where you’ll find one of those gifts. Porto Venere is an idyllic coastal village complete with an old town and picture perfect views into the endless horizon. There is no access by train and with little parking, it is one of the few places along the sea shielded from mass tourism, especially in the evening whe
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The Thornbury Castle: A Regal Stay in King Henry VIII's Royal Abode

To be a king is to sit at the pinnacle of wealth, power, and privilege. Arguably the most revered kingdom is the United Kingdom which through the millennium, has remained an icon of this institution. During the Tudor dynasty of the 16th century, King Henry VIII ruled as one of the British Empire’s most iconic figures. To breathe the rarified air that he once breathed and to stay where he once stayed in a castle he once owned is an experience that one would think almost unattainable. However not
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Exploring Spain's Green Coast: A Walking Holiday in the Asturias with S-Cape Travel (part 1)

Spain offers so much for the intrepid traveler from thriving cosmopolitan cities including Barcelona and Madrid to sultry sandy hotspots for jetsetters Ibiza and Mallorca. But for the traveler who is looking for something a bit more grounded in the earth, the outdoor adventures are many. The natural beauty of Spain boggles the mind from rocky shores, powdery sand beaches, and verdant mountains beyond
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Noto Sicily and the Seven Rooms Villadorata: A Sublime Stay in Italy's Most Enchanting City

There is no such thing as a hidden gem anymore. This worn-out cliché was ruined decades ago with the rise of social media and the Instagrammers and TikTokkers that have made the most special places passé. Today it seems that the exceptional destinations around the world have been over-exposed where everyone has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. We are inundated with an ad nauseam stream of flowing satin dresses from the big swing over the rice fields of Bali or the blue domes and white
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The Locke at Broken Wharf: London's Hip Hotel Showcasing the Future of Urban Travel

There’s no place on earth like London. The most prestigious monarchy in the world, Big Ben, double-decker buses, afternoon tea, and fish and chips. The Thames River cuts through the city and gives it so much of its personality and inspiration. At the foot of the pedestrian-only Millennial Bridge that crosses the Thames River is where you’ll find a dashing lifestyle hotel made for today’s travelers who want to
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Germany's Bewitching Black Forest and a Stay at the Parkhotel Adler

Germany's Bewitching Black Forest and a Stay at the Parkhotel Adler There’s a reason why so many of us love being immersed in nature. The sounds, smell, and being surrounded by pure fresh air that seems to restore our souls. In southern Germany is its gift of the Black Forest, a region far away from it all covered with dense pine tree forests. The ideal place from which to explore the region is in a hotel that has been welcoming guests for over 570 years and is this region’s iconic five-star
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London's Uber Posh Address: Chelsea and a stay at the Sloane Place Hotel

It is one of Big Smoke’s most posh neighborhoods. There you’ll find some of London’s top galleries and museums, walking streets with all manner of restaurants and cafes, and, of course, shop after shop offering the utmost in glorious shopping. The locality exudes class but not in a gaudy or over-the-top kind of way. There is an aura of discrete opulence that is refined and cultured. This wonderful part of the world is Ch
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Prost! A Guide to the Munich Oktoberfest, The Greatest Beer Festival on Earth

To the uninformed, Oktoberfest may be nothing more than a time of year when Germans get together while wearing odd costumes and drinking beer. That misperception is far from the truth of what Oktoberfest really is. It is a celebration of Bavarian culture and tradition and the love of what it means to be German. The home of Oktoberfest is Munich and to fully appreciate the richness of the tradition, one must go there a
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England's Funtown by the Sea: Brighton and a stay at its Toniest Townhouse, The Blanch House

It is one of the most famous places in England and clearly one of its most rich when it comes to nostalgia. A place to go to the sea, with boardwalks, carnival rides, and seafront bistros serving the freshest fish and chips money can buy. But Brighton is so much more than that with a buzzing downtown area with shops and restaurants as well as a calendar full of cultural events and shows. The Blanch House is a lovely townhouse hotel close to it all and created for guests to enjoy all that this wo
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Exploring Spain's Green Coast: A Walking Holiday in the Asturias with S-Cape Travel (part 1)

Spain offers so much for the intrepid traveler from thriving cosmopolitan cities including Barcelona and Madrid to sultry sandy hotspots for jetsetters Ibiza and Mallorca. But for the traveler who is looking for something a bit more grounded in the earth, the outdoor adventures are many. The natural beauty of Spain boggles the mind from rocky shores, powdery sand beaches, and verdant mountains beyond
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Exploring Spain's Green Coast: A Walking Holiday in the Asturias with S-Cape Travel (part2)

Exploring Spain's Green Coast: A Walking Holiday in the Asturias with S-Cape Travel (part2) Asturias, with its diverse landscapes ranging from the majestic coastline to the towering mountains and fertile farmlands, makes the ideal destination for a walking holiday. Each facet of this region tells a unique story, from the geological wonders of the coastal cliffs to the timeless tranquility of the valleys. The rich cultural heritage of Asturias, deeply rooted in its landscapes, makes it a desti
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Perfecting The Art of Slowing Down: Thyme Retreat in the Cotswolds

Perfecting The Art of Slowing Down: Thyme Retreat in the Cotswolds There is something thrilling about big cities. The frantic pace, the action, and all there is to see and do. They are definitely exciting places to live. But they can also drain the very life out of us and exhaust us to the point of collapse. When life needs recharging, there’s no better place to do it than in the countryside. This is the antithesis of city life, where bucolic scenery replaces concrete and skyscrapers and where
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Spellbound by Iceland and a Stay at Hotel Ranga

There’s nowhere on Earth like____. Fill in the blank. You can pretty much say that about anywhere. And it is completely true as all destinations are unique and special in their own way. Be that as it may, some are a bit more special than others and Iceland is such as place. It is, in a word, incredible with an endless offering of natural wonders from magnificent waterfalls, and spectacular glaciers, to breathtaking landscapes with volcanoes that have left behind ethereal moss-covered lava fields
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Bad Ragaz Grand Resort: Switzerland's Fountain of Youth

For thousands of years, humankind has recounted the tale of The Fountain of Youth, which is told to have magical restorative powers to grant eternal youth, yet was never found. However, in Switzerland, there is a place with thermal waters that have welcomed worn-out and weary bodies for over 200 years. Today it is a well-being sanctuary for those seeking physical healing, such as restoring sore muscles and treating irritable skin conditions like eczema. Tucked away within a quaint village in the
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Slovenia's Bastion by the Sea: The Kempinski Palace Portoroz Istria

Slovenia’s most popular coastal city is Portoroz. The namesake of this seaside haven along the Adriatic coast is the rose which you’ll find everywhere, along with manicured gardens with brilliant bougainvillea bushes and trickling water fountains. This sun-drenched town on the Mediterranean coast is where Europeans have flocked for centuries for some vitamin D therapy, lazing on the well-groomed beaches, and time and in and on the water. This is the Istria region and where you’ll find the countr
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The Burgenstock Hotel and Resort: Switzerland's Wellness Nirvana [Video]

Switzerland is a destination known for several admirable attributes; some of the world’s best ski resorts, the finest watches, and, of course, chocolate. Switzerland is also known for having the most highly regarded wellness resorts in the world, offering a range of treatments far beyond the massage. One of Switzerland’s most iconic wellness retreats is remote and exclusive, sitting high atop a mountain range, and overlooking Lake Lucerne. It is a vacation, a sanctuary and a retreat of the highe
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