Buenos Aires
If the natural beauty of this seaside splash of Argentina doesn’t wow you, the culture will. Where else can you dance the tango while having a fernet with Coke? Mendoza has the fine wines, Cordoba has awesome 17th-century architecture, but for a sense of sheer energy with a cosmopolitan flair, Buenos Aires has what you’re looking for: big, bustling and sophisticated. It is, after all, the Paris of South America.
Tucked into one of Buenos Aires’ most elegant neighborhoods, the Algodon Mansion comes highly recommended. The sleek, neoclassical-style boutique hotel, with a rooftop pool and spa, is a ten-minute walk from the ornate tombs in La Recoleta Cemetery, a 15-minute walk from the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (fine arts) and a mere stroll from the city’s main shopping boulevards.
For instant cultural immersion, visit the La Boca neighborhood at the mouth of the Riachuelo River. The Italian influence is unmistakable amidst the artist colonies and tango-infused street life.
Florence
Our base hotel is really an elegant historic retreat in the heart of Florence surrounded by resplendent shopping districts. The Helvetia and Bristol Starhotels Collezione boasts flawless marble, superb service, original art nouveau, Murano glass chandeliers and stunning views of the city. And it’s near Brunelleschi’s Dome. Between Piazza della Repubblica and Via de’ Tornabuoni.
Everything in Florence is near something else. For example, it’s a five-minute walk from Il Duomo Square Cathedral to the Gallerie Degli Uffizi, two top attractions. Florence was ground zero for the Italian Renaissance and there is just so much to see. Planning is key.
Definitely swing by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo. Visit Galleria dell’Accademia where Michelangelo’s best-known work, David, resides. Don’t miss Pitti Palace on the River Arno. And while you’re in the area, check out Ponte Vecchio, a multi-level bridge over the Arno with built-in shops which sell mostly jewelry.
Nantucket
Nantucket is a bit less accessible than its big sister, Martha’s Vineyard, and that remoteness is part of Nantucket’s charm. The world’s former top whaling port is now a posh Massachusetts tourist destination and summer colony with whaling and shipwreck museums and 300-year-old harbors lined with upscale restaurants, quaint inns, specialty shops and chowder shacks.
Bicycle or take the shuttle around the 50-square-mile island for a leisurely look at Nantucket’s many snug seaside cottages, old whaling captains’ mansions, lighthouses, sand dunes and rugged beaches. Bike trails traverse the entire island.
In the center of Nantucket, the White Elephant has been an exclusive summertime retreat since your grandfather was in short pants. Accommodations range from residences to garden cottages to luxury suites in the picturesque Harborside Hotel. Casual fare and a spa are on premises; many fine restaurants, including Lola 41, are nearby.
Jackson Hole
The town of Jackson is the southern gateway to two of America’s gems: Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The snow-fed waters of the Snake River find their way to the Yellowstone Plateau and then wind south through the alpine valley called Jackson Hole.
Once popular with trappers and Western explorers, Jackson Hole, Wyoming has been around for a while and has the museums to prove it. Now, the town is known for world-class snow skiing with resorts to match, summer hiking, wildlife, spas and a booming downtown full of unique shops and restaurants.
Book yourself a couple of days at the Amangani, a luxury Aman lodge right outside of town that specializes in spa treatments – from deep tissue and shiatsu to Thai, hot stone and Himalayan salt scrubs. Hit the Amangani Grill and then enjoy the mountain views from the heated, outdoor infinity pool or from your own in-suite soaking tub.
