The Haute Travel Writer

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Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa:California's Wine Country Retreat

It is one of Wine Country’s most iconic hotels, built a century ago with a history as rich as the nearby gold rush towns located throughout the region. It is literally a beacon for the well-to-do seeking the good life with a fitting three-story high water tower that sits at the center of the property like a trophy. One could surmise the tower is a symbol of admiration bestowed by guests for the 5-star resort’s sublime setting, luxurious accommodations, and dining experience created to impress th
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Explora Patagonia National Park: An Adventure in the Untouched Wilderness of South America

Sometimes you have to go very far to get far away from it all. This unbelievable adventure is just about as far as you can get from the northern hemisphere, tucked away in one of the most remote parts of South America. The nearest commercial airport is a 45-minute private flight away or a six-hour drive on a bumpy gravel road, the Carretera Austral highway. Along the way, you’ll pass gorgeous landscapes t
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Exploring the Last Frontier: An Unforgettable Adventure in Alaska with Princess Cruises

They refer to the rest of America as the lower 48. Almost like it's another country, foreign, and on the other side of the world. And to add to this idea of being so far away and separated in more ways than one, visitors from southern states would even ask if they need a passport to go there. This is Alaska, America’s most raw and untouched territory where bears still roam free and bald eagles are as common
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MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa: Sonoma Wine Country's Hautiest Hideaway

They come to this region in droves and with good reason. This sun-drenched hamlet is the ideal escape from the manic pace of San Franciso and Silicon Valley or for those from around the world who love good wine. Here they find an ideal base to explore all that this bountiful wine region has to offer from epicurean experiences and the lovely drop and all of the lifestyle that goes along with it. It is Sonoma and one of its most iconic and beloved retreats is the MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa. Th
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Experiencing the Rolls Royce of Miami's Oceanfront Resorts, The Acqualina Resort & Spa

Miami is known for the bling and bustle of South Beach or, in more recent years, its emerging art and fashion scene. South Florida is a place where cultures collide with a strong Latin culture as well as “up north” transplants snow birding south to escape the bitter cold of winter. In fact, Miami has been a winter playground for the well-to-do for almost one hundred years yet somehow continues to recreate itself offering ever better options throughout the year for the fun-in-the-sun seeking trav
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The Magic City's Icon of Luxury Hotels, The JW Marriott Marquis, Miami

Miami is one of the world’s most popular destinations and with good reason. From the idyllic beaches and exciting night life of South Beach to the art and cultural offerings of the Midtown and Design districts. Brickell and Downtown are centrally located within a short distance to all that Miami has to offer and where you’ll find its most uber luxurious hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The JW Marriott Marquis Miami adds to the Miami skyline with 41 floors in a decadent shiny skyscraper ove
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Miami's Iconic Enclave for the Privileged Class, the Fisher Island Resort and Spa

Miami's Iconic Enclave for the Privileged Class, the Fisher Island Resort and Spa Across a Miami’s waterway and only accessible by ferry or yacht is another world called Fisher Island. This iconic landmark for the well-to-do is a surreal and secretive place that is not only separated by water but by wealth and privilege. The zip code is the wealthiest in America with a median income over $1 million and as evidenced by the steady flow of Bentleys, Rolls Royce’s, Lamborghinis as well as the ubiqu
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The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club: Miami's Glitz, Glam and Cabana Culture

For most, the image of Miami is of its glitzy South Beach night-life, the exotic Latin culture, or the toned and oiled bodies lazing about on beaches perfecting their tans. Greater Miami is so much more than that and along Miami’s coastline, far removed from the hustle and bustle of South Beach, is the calmer and more mature town of Surfside where you’ll find its icon of Miami’s golden era, the suave and sophisticated Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club. The hotel has an undeniable gravitas tha
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Discovering What’s Fresh and Delicious at the Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, Miami’s Zen-Chic Japanese Beach House

Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past 30 years, you know Nobu as the exceptional Japanese Restaurant chain led by the power team of Robert DeNiro and Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. What makes Nobu so special is not only the great food; there are countless Japanese restaurant that do not have his cult following. It is the irreverent style and culinary excellence of Chef Nobu and his quest to make Japanese food better and to give guests a memorable dining experience. Nobu’s success comes from
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Finding Nirvana in Oregon's Wine Country and the Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn

For those who love wine, nirvana is a long weekend in the most stunning of wine regions surrounded by rolling hills of grapevine trellises as far as the eyes can see. We love to be immersed in the wine land staying at a boutique inn where we can walk out of our villa into the rows of our favorite grape variety and feel the terroir beneath our feet. Such a place exists in the rolling majestic hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This beautiful hamlet is where you’ll find Oregon’s premier wine cou
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Exploring Jungle Luxury in Costa Rica and a stay at Manuel Antonio's Tulemar Resort

For those who have never been, Costa Rica is one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Its rich tropical forests are of legend with all types of exotic wildlife and fauna to be seen. Costa Rica’s forefathers also loved the unique beauty of their country so much so that 25% of the entire country’s land has been set aside in the form of protected national parks. One of their most beautiful coastal destinations is Manual Antonio and an ideal way to take in all that this incredible destination
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Proving them Wrong:Washington State Celebrates 50 years of Exquisite Wines at the Chateau Ste. Michelle

Once upon a time, it was thought that good wines could only be produced in France, Italy or perhaps California.  50 years ago, the founders of Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington state set out to prove them wrong. This year the winemakers are celebrating 50 years of producing award-winning wines and putting Washington state’s winemaking industry on the stage with the best wines from around the world. Wine lovers seeking to explore Washington’s premier wine, dine and play experiences can take the
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An Oenophile Getaway to the Washington Wine Country and a stay at the Willows Lodge

In the United States, outside of Seattle is the little hamlet of Woodinville. It is the ground zero of Washington Wine Country with a bounty of winemakers, wineries, and countless places for lovers of the grape to sip, taste, and explore. It is here that oenophiles stray for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle or travel in from around the world. Savvy travelers to this region invariably choose Willows Lodge as the ideal respite to take in all of the wine and wonders of the Pacif
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An Oenophile Getaway to the Washington Wine Country and a stay at the Willows Lodge.

In the United States, outside of Seattle is the little hamlet of Woodinville. It is the ground zero of Washington Wine Country with a bounty of winemakers, wineries, and countless places for lovers of the grape to sip, taste, and explore. It is here that oenophiles stray for a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle or travel in from around the world. Savvy travelers to this region invariably choose the Willows Lodge as the ideal respite to take in all of the wine and wonders of the P
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The Mandarin Oriental, Miami, So Close Yet So Far.

Miami is a vibrant city known for its amazing beaches, night life and acclaimed art scene.  In the center of it all is Miami’s Brickell Key, the banking center of Latin America and home to a number of upscale condo buildings. That’s also where you’ll find the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, a haven of solitude and a world away from Miami’s manic and frantic pace. The hotel is located on a petite island, separating it from the bustling downtown area. Everything is relatively close by, including South
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The Miami Beach EDITION: The Studio 54 of Luxury Hotels

40 years ago Ian Schrager converted a New York City music hall into the hottest disco in the world and the night life industry would never be the same. It was Studio 54, a decadent place where mega celebs like Michael Jackson and Cher would party with writers, street kids and drag queens alongside Wall Street tycoons. It was a place that brought a diverse crowd together who had one thing in common; the love of disco music and the party.  Now four decades later and he has done it again. The EDITI
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The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne: Miami's Luxury Island Escape

Key Biscayne is the not like Miami. Other than the tropical climate and beautiful beaches, the two nearby areas could not be further apart. Miami is known for its manic pace and over-the-top lifestyle. Key Biscayne is an intimate and slow paced five mile barrier island of stately beach front condos and private estates. Residents opt for golf carts as the chosen mode of transportation over Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The bridge between Miami and Key Biscayne gives wonderful skyline views of Miami
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The Breakers Palm Beach Resort, Florida's Respite for Unapologetic Luxury and Seaside Glamour

A long red-brick driveway passes through manicured gardens toward the imposing turn-of-the-century style respite for the well-to-do. One cannot help but wonder what it was like 125 years ago here when the industrialist Henry Flagler built his homage to opulence, the Breakers Hotel. Today this grand dame of hotels continues as a modern mecca of elegance on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Beach, Florida. The oil and railroad tycoon Henry Flagler built the Breakers Hotel in 1896 and it is
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The SLS South Beach: Miami's Most Seductive Hotel

There is a sexy crowd of models, business moguls, and artsy types gathering at Hyde Beach, Miami’s place to see and be seen in the SLS Miami Beach. The centerpiece of this orgy of colors, patterns, and sculpture is a 12-foot silver duck, reminiscent of the yellow ones found in baths. Anywhere else in the world it would be completely out of place, but not here. This is the SLS South Beach and this scene was created by one of the most renowned designers Philippe Starck. A Rembrandt of modern day
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Giving Back to the Dominican Republic With Fathom Cruises

We all love travel—going to an exotic place to have a new experience and the personal growth that comes from it. But some travelers want more, a sense of purpose and doing something meaningful with their time and giving back to the communities they visit. One company helping sojourners do just that is Fathom cruises. The brand has partnered with not-for-profit organizations in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and has developed a series of volunteer activities where passengers work side by side w