LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER
CULINARY TRAVEL TO NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
KINGDOM OF GOLF MOROCCO’S STUNNING LINKS
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GLOSSY MEDIA
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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JUNE DAGNALL
CONTRIBUTORS
STEVE DRAKE, ALLISON FOAT, ZOEY GOTO, JEFF GREEN, AUSTYN JABLONSKI, MICHELLE LAWSON, MICHAEL LINDSAY, ANDREW MARSHALL, PAUL MARSHALL, JOSIE JOY SALDAT, MATTHEW SCHUELLER, SYLVIA TENNANT, DIANE TIERNEY, STACEY TORMA
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Penguins, plunging and snowy paradise in Antarctica
28 Sonoma
BY MATTHEW SCHUELLERA peaceful escape to California’s other wine country
34 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
BY ALLISON FOATAn eco-conscious walk on the wild side
46 Cruising Katy Perry Style
BY DIANE TIERNEYA floating all-inclusive experience on the Norwegian Prima
52 Golf in Morocco
BY ANDREW MARSHALLAn unforgettable five day Moroccan golf journey fit for a king
60 Las Vegas
BY JOSIE JOY SALDATSlots is only a small part of what attracts millions of tourists each year
66 Eurail Pass
BY MICHELLE LAWSONSeven reasons to travel Europe by rail this summer
72 Phoenix
BY ZOEY GOTOArizona’s most glamorous desert destination for sun and fun seekers
BY: ANDREW MARSHALL
A proud heritage of jazz and blues music, an undercurrent of voodoo magic, and the thrilling Mardi Gras carnival - these are just some of the reasons why New Orleans is one of the world’s most fascinating and colorful cities. But what really makes this place tick is its vibrant food and drink culture - and its non-stop celebration of eating. In fact, it has often been said that any stay here is best measured in meals instead of days.
"Last one through the door is the pot washer" jokes chef Michael DeVidts as I join an eager group at the New Orleans School of Cooking (524 St. Louis Street) for my initiation into the city's cuisine. Michael has been teaching cooking at the school since the 1990s and is a powerhouse of culinary information. He reminds me of comedian Steve Martin, as he speaks at a million miles an hour blending humorous anecdotes of New Orleans life with the origins of Creole and Cajun cooking.
The three-hour demonstration features everyday Creole cooking, and the experience is rather like being part of a television audience at a cooking show. Best of all, you get to eat what has been made with the cost working out at not much more than an equivalent lunch in the city.
The menu consists of corn and crab bisque, shrimp Creole, bread pudding with a whisky sauce and pralines (the most popular of Creole confectionery-native pecans coated in sugar) served with the local brew: a Dixie beer. On other days
it's gumbo, the region's signature dish (traditionally an African soup thickened with okra and containing seafood or chicken) and jambalaya (a one-dish meal of rice cooked with onions, peppers, celery, ham, and sausage)
Creole cooking reflects the diversity of Creole culture, combining elements from around the world. In the 1700s French settlers founded this important port city near the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River. When they first arrived, they encountered Native American peoples successfully living off the land, and it was they who introduced the Europeans to the abundant larder on their doorstep, featuring such tempting items as crawfish, crabs, oysters, turtle, wild game, squash, berries, and maize.
This infusion of new ingredients combined with the settlers’ own cuisine gave birth to Creole food. Influences followed from Spain, Italy, Africa, the Far East, and the English countryside, to create one of the USA's most distinctive regional cuisines. There is often some confusion about Creole and Cajun food, but their origins are quite similar. Put very simply, Creole food is urban cooking and Cajun food is rural cooking. If it comes from the swamp with things like crawfish, frog legs, alligator meat etc., then it is probably Cajun food. Cajun food is also generally hotter and spicier with the use of cayenne and other peppers.
"We do the Cardiologists Convention every year," jokes Michael, dropping a huge slab of calorie-laden butter into a bowl to start the bread pudding. “Dessert is one of the most important parts of any meal and I encourage everyone to look at the dessert menu first when in a new restaurant so you can allow room for it," he says, putting on a pair of rubber gloves and enthusiastically turning the mixture.
After enjoying a sumptuous meal with a lively and sociable group, I leave the New Orleans School of Cooking to explore the famous French Quarter - an extensive district of historic architecture unrivaled in America. The weather is typically hot and sultry as I stroll the narrow streets and passageways, stopping now and again to watch street musicians and performers and to admire the distinctive overhanging balconies decorated with lacy iron railings.
Later in the afternoon, friend Miles Wright takes me to his favorite eating spot, Johnny's Po-Boys (511 St Louis Street) established in 1950. Everybody in New Orleans it seems has a favorite spot to eat. The po' boy, so named since the Depression when you could have a large oyster po' boy for a quarter, is basically a sandwich containing catfish, oysters, fried shrimp or even alligator. Behind the counter, four women are busy crafting the dish, piling hot crispy fried shrimp, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise onto crusty French bread. Po' boys are the perfect gap-filler to keep you well fueled for further exploration of the city.
Another popular big easy eatery worth a visit is the Central Grocery & Deli (923 Decatur Street) where the muffuletta (a gigantic sandwich that's easily a meal for two) was invented in 1906. As I enter the store with its wooden shelves bulging with pasta sauces, jars of olives, imported pasta and olive oil, the aroma of cured pork and aged cheeses fill the air. The place is like a time capsule, unchanged over the years. “We’ve always made our muffuletta’s with meats sliced in house, locally baked handmade bread, and our family’s Italian Olive Salad”, says Tommy Tusa who along with Frank Tusa currently owns and operates the store which has remained in the same family for three generations.
No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to a local oyster bar for a 'dozen raw and a beer'. It's early evening and I head down the legendary Bourbon Street, with its bright lights, jazz bars and perpetual party atmosphere towards the Acme Oyster House (724 Iberville Street) - one of the city’s great eating institutions.
When I arrive the place is crammed with tourist and locals, so I order a dozen oysters and a Dixie Blackened Voodoo lager, and settle down to watch the scene unfold. Behind the main bar the 'shuckers' (oyster openers) are hard at work. The guy immediately in front of me splits open a rough oyster with a clean and well-practiced stroke of his blunt-bladed knife and cuts the tough muscle from the shell. Within moments a full dozen of the plump rocky mollusks are placed in front of me ready for a squeeze of lemon.
You can discover much about a place by experiencing its market,
and New Orleans is no exception. The Crescent City Farmers Market operates weekly yearround in different New Orleans neighborhoods where you can rub shoulders with locals, get a chance to see the regional produce before it hits the kitchen, and shop for Cajun spices, sauces, and accompaniments.
3 of the best Creole restaurants
Antoine's (713 St Louis Street)
Antoine's is New Orleans’s oldest restaurant run continuously by the same family. Dishes like Oysters Rockefeller and Pompano en Papilotte (fish in parchment) are some of the more legendary inventions to have come out of its traditional French Creole kitchen. www.antoines.com
Bourbon House (144 Bourbon Street)
Bourbon House features the fruits of the sea in a variety of dishes, including shrimp, raw oysters, lobster, as well as traditional Creole dishes. Some recipes belong to the chef and others are adopted from the fishermen he has sought out for particular seafood. www.bourbonhouse.com
Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal Street)
Creole sisters Emma and Bertha Camors opened a couple of shops on the site, including a coffee house, before the Court became a restaurant. Through the last century (the Camors both died in 1944), it became a legendary restaurant featuring traditional Creole cooking. www.courtoftwosisters.com
1. Cruise the Mississippi River on a paddle steamer.
2. Convince yourself that voodoo is alive and well in New Orleans by visiting the Voodoo Spiritual Temple (1428 N Rampart Street).
3. Enjoy a streetcar ride (the 6.5-mile St. Charles Avenue ride), a great sightseeing adventure that rumbles through the heart of the Garden District, one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in America.
4. Stroll the historic French Quarter and don't forget to visit Bourbon Street at night.
5. Visit one of the 'Cities of the Dead' (cemeteries). One of the best is St Louis Cemetery No 1, within easy walking distance of the French Quarter. Alternatively take one of several cemetery tours.
6. Watch the buskers and jazz musicians near Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
7. Shop for Cajun spices and other foodstuffs at the historic French Market.
8. Check out the intricately arranged collection of voodoo artifacts at the Historic Voodoo Museum (724 Dumaine Street).
9. Spend a night at a jazz or blues club. The House of Blues, Preservation Hall, Arnaud's New Orleans, and The Spotted Cat Music Club are just a few of the many choices.
10. Catch one of New Orleans' key events of the year such as Mardi Gras or the Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Featured Artist: Austyn Jablonski
Austyn Jablonski is a travel photographer based in Nashville, Tennessee. She enjoys exploring destinations that are off the beaten path, and firmly believes that a bucket list is never finished.
Instagram: @AustynAway
Gear: : Canon 5D Mark IV
Lens: 16-35mm f/2.8
Seeing Double: Two Gentoo penguins stand side by side, their bright orange beaks providing a colorful contrast amongst the delicate white snow.
First Day in Antarctica: Visitors are guided to shore by Zodiacs in small groups - the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) has imposed strict guidelines on how many tourists can set foot on the frozen continent at any given time.
Penguin Colonies: An Adélie penguin wanders into Gentoo penguin territory, wings splayed wide, seeking stones to help build its nest.
Port Lockroy Views: A beautiful pop of color against Goudier Island’s mountainous backdrop, Port Lockroy proudly displays the flags of Great Britain and the LGBT community.
Hurtigruten Expeditions: The Norwegian expedition ship, Ms. Fridtjof Nansen, floats peacefully in a sea of ice.
Landscape Antarctica: A Gentoo penguin runs into view across the vast expanse of snow and ice. During the team’s first day in Antarctica, the temperature averages at around 0 degrees Celsius.
Port Lockroy in the Clouds: A personal favorite, a faraway photo taken on arrival in Port Lockroy at one of the only operational post offices located on the continent. Lovingly referred to as the “Penguin Post Office”, four female scientists currently run the site, while also spending time furthering their scientific research.
BY: SYLVIA TENNANT
Modern-day Rome is a masterpiece for the senses. As a first-time visitor, I was in awe of the monumental sights rising from the cobblestoned streets. Ancient sculptures and intricately decorated historical buildings are often flanked by bustling cafes and beautifully curated shops. In the span of 28 centuries, Rome has had many rebirths, all of which left evidence of cultural shifts that have defined history as we know it.
With limited time to explore, I was grateful for the speed and passion my taxi driver employed as he escorted me to the heart of the city. Here is my hit list of the places and spaces I discovered in 48 hours.
A central location is absolutely necessary. Thankfully the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is just that. Minutes on foot from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, this 19th century palazzo is outfitted to luxury standards and near some of the finest shopping in the city. Rooms are sizable and contemporary, with stylish marble and Baroque design touches throughout. Complete with personalized concierge service, this property is both convenient and quiet. It borders the beautiful Borghese gardens - Rome’s third largest park and a destination for those who find joy in wandering landscaped grounds. Ensure you pop into the on-site gallery if you have time.
If you time your 48 hours right, you’ll be able to indulge in two Aperitivi, and one of them must be at Mimi e Coco. Prosecco flutes glistened in the sun as I sat on their patio, completely enamored with the generous portions of fresh complimentary snacks and wonderfully Italian street ambiance. If you feel like another drink there’s a bookstore across the street with a hidden pub.
The Trastevere neighborhood was not on my hit list for this trip until a chance encounter at a coffee shop. There I befriended a woman named Valeria and she graciously took me for lunch at a restaurant known for its mastery of the art of pasta. I knew I was in for a culinary experience when we arrived to a chef lovingly hand-forming pasta in a picture window by the entrance. Inside was as authentic as it gets. Third-generation owners and family recipes are all different in Italy. Get the carbonara.
Settimo
Luckily, one of the best places to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset was just an elevator ride away. Perched upon the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is the luxe rooftop restaurant called Settimo. The solarium-inspired ambiance extends to a large patio where you’ll have front row seats to magical views of the city and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Just around the corner from Piazza Navona lies a true treasure chest of designer vintage. Am I biased because the saleswoman was also named Sylvia and served me prosecco upon arrival? Or was it the vintage Chanel silk scarves as souvenirs that I was envisioning for myself. For those of us on the never-ending hunt for unique designer finds, Ciao Vintage delivered an incredible experience. If the door is locked, wait patiently as only a few people are allowed in at a time.
BY: MATTHEW SCHUELLER
As summer began to wind down and we witnessed the temperature drop, it was enough of a sign for my husband and I to seek a peaceful escape to California’s wine country. While Sonoma is sometimes overlooked from the nearby Napa Valley, we were not only curious to see what the other side of the hills may look like but we were also drawn by its distinct reputation as the perfect home-base to exploring California wine country. While Napa holds a world-class reputation, Sonoma offers more accessible accommodations in an arguably just as beautiful setting. Sonoma and Napa Valley run parallel from one another, moving from north to south and only divided by the small Mayacamas Mountains. The cooler marine air traverses through Sonoma County but is shielded by the small mountain range, lending to unique climates that produce extremely versatile grapes in both valleys. So no matter which wineries land on your itinerary, you’re sure to have a truly unique experience.
We caught a direct flight on Alaska Air from Portland International Airport to Santa Rosa, and within just a few hours door-to-door, we arrived at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. It’s amazing what an hour and a half flight can change in your surroundings. From the Pacific Northwest autumn rain, we pulled up to the resort only to be greeted with glasses of oaky Chardonnay and the heat of the golden Californian sun.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is a luxurious resort located in the heart of California’s wine country. The resort offers a unique blend of history, luxury, and relaxation, making it the perfect destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Established in the early 1900s, the resort has since been renovated to include modern amenities while still maintaining its historic charm. The elegant Spanish design is ultimately most admired from the adobe-style guest rooms featuring vaulted ceiling and airy balconies overlooking the Mission’s expansive gardens throughout the property. Guests can indulge in a range of activities, including swimming, hiking, wine tasting, and exploring the beautiful surrounding landscape — much of which we enjoyed as we drove from winery to winery.
While the Mission Inn and Spa is home to Michelin-starred Santé Restaurant, we had our stomachs set on a more humble establishment that we actually heard about prior to visiting. Just a short walk from the resort, El Molino Central is a colorful Mexican casa home to freshly made Mexican classics including some of the best tamales we’ve ever tried. Though the salsa verde pork tamales make an incredible argument, the chicken mole tamales take-the-cake on the most sought-after dish in the area. We were actually so impressed with
the quality of their organic ground masa that we returned to El Molino to purchase a batch of tamales to take home to Oregon with us! Other popular must-tries include the swiss chard enchiladas, house-made chips and guacamole, birria beef tacos, and wild halibut tostadas de ceviche. The quality of tortillas, tamales and chips does not go unnoticed!
If looking for a quicker bite without the line, Los Magos Mexican Food Truck just across the street from El Molino serves incredibly tasty and affordable tacos and burritos. After a full day of wine-tasting, this served as the perfect evening stop on our way back to the resort.
Apart from exploring the wineries in the region, we were excited to visit Sonoma because a dear friend of ours was tying the knot with their fiancé. As this provided a fantastic excuse to dress up, we put on our best suits and ventured over the Mayacamas. Being able to drive around through the country between towns added to the allure of the region. It was surprising how different the natural plant-life varied between Sonoma and Napa, but it just helped us to build even more appreciation for how the farmers and vintners work the land.
After a night of sips and frivolity, it was time to head back to Portland, but not without one last gourmet breakfast at the Mission Inn along with a spa treatment to refresh us before the flight.
The Mission Inn’s spa boasts a range of treatments that incorporate local ingredients, such as grape seed oil and lavender, to provide a truly tantalizing experience. Featuring multiple hot spring pools, we got to choose from a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments. Though the spa was exactly what we needed, what we remember most from our last morning was the Mission Inn’s custom fresh-baked banana bread, which was smothered with espresso crusted peanut butter. It was so delicious, we actually asked for the recipe!
We’ll savor the memories from Sonoma (along with the Banana Bread recipe), until we can return. Whether flying in to Santa Rosa, or venturing up from San Francisco, Sonoma is the perfect anchor to explore California wine country and enjoy a peaceful escape.
BY: ALLISON FOAT
If eco-conscious travel into untamed places quickens your pulse, gorilla trekking in Rwanda has your name all over it. In the realm of integral conservation this diminutive country is making an outsize impact and for explorers seeking meaningful, immersive experiences, what awaits is nothing short of extraordinary.
While most come to this equatorial nation to trek the mountain gorillas, there is much more in store in this neck of the woods. From tracking golden monkeys, to bird watching, to cultural tours and hiking the plenteous Virunga mountain trails, the tourism offering in Rwanda is
impressive. Four national parks, with a fifth about to open, are the gateway to a stunning catalogue of natural assets and wildlife. Think prehistoric caves, turquoise lakes, rare fauna and flora, the Big Five, and no fewer than twelve other primate species. It is no surprise that the post-pandemic tourism sector is bullish and estimated to turn a staggering US $800 million by 2024.
The Volcanoes National Park in the Northwest, a biodiverse mosaic of open grassland, wooded savannah and Afro-montane forest, is where twelve habituated gorilla families are living their best lives. Once driven to the brink of extinction by conflict,
poaching, habitat loss, and disease, their numbers have increased over the past few years thanks to a fierce commitment to the preservation of their habitat. While their status has been downgraded from critically endangered to endangered they remain vulnerable, however with continued government-sanctioned protection and the community buyin, their future looks bright.
Trek day began with a rendezvous at the national park HQ in Kinigi to meet the guides, secure our permits and find out which family we’d be visiting, which turned out to be the Sabyinyo troop, a growing family of more than 30 members. After kickstarting our journey with an espresso at Gorilla Cafe (the coffee in Rwanda is excellent) we drove
to the starting point of the safari. Two rangers ran through the gorilla rules of engagement one more time, and introduced us to porters, hired (for a fee) to carry backpacks and physically assist hikers when challenging terrain calls for it. With formalities out the way, we strapped on our gaiters, donned raincoats, and headed for the hills. The hike was tough going, made more strenuous after the recent rains. Squelchy ground underfoot meant boot-sucking mud in places, and the occasional bad-tempered buffalo on the path had our guides hacking new routes through the undergrowth. A fun fact is that gorillas hate the rain and will often retreat into the forest canopy to escape, so it can take a little longer for trackers to pin down their location. There is excitement in
the air as each step takes you closer to your great reward and when you finally set eyes on the gorillas it’s absolutely exhilarating.
During my sixty minutes a lot happened. At first the troop appeared listless, peeved by the persistent drizzle. The dominant Silverback sat regally and motionless in an elevated nest with just his bare face and torso visible, with thick fur beaded with rain droplets. Big Ben, as he is called, watched nonchalantly as our rain-bedraggled band trickled into the clearing, whispering in awe. At one point, as I lifted my camera I stared straight into his eyes. In those riveting few seconds I saw wisdom and kindness and was reminded again that these great beasts share 98% of our DNA. Luckily for us it
stopped raining, the clouds lifted, and the mood followed suit. There was a rustle of foliage as family members began to emerge from all sides, walking casually past us as if we were part of the furniture, to forage and snack on bamboo shoots that only sprout in rainy season. There was one hair-raising moment when a Blackback came haring down the path showing a chestthumping display of dominance. I almost bolted, however was saved from doing so by a vigilant ranger’s firm hand on my shoulder. Fleeing in panic is not an option, and neither is making deliberate eye contact. To mitigate unwanted drama, trackers and guides continuously make a grunting sound that in gorilla-speak signifies submission. Contrary to popular
belief, gorillas are non-territorial and docile, and when you’re in their presence you really do sense their gentleness. It’s a mesmerizing hour and all too soon your time is up.
On our drive back, my Wilderness tour guide Didier suggested we stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Center that opened last year. As a primate research facility-comemuseum, it’s a trove of info and a must-visit either before or after your gorilla experience. Didier was on point with my itinerary, clocking immediately what made me tick, right from the time he met me at Kigali International Airport with his ebullient smile. In the capital we drove through the Old Town and pristine city center, drank espresso at the now-famous Question Coffee,
and visited the gut-wrenching Genocide Memorial. Long road trips through the most beautiful landscapes were peppered with great conversation, and getting to know Rwanda through his eyes truly elevated my experience.
My trek was bookended by five memorable nights at Wilderness Sabyinyo (the word ’sabyinyo' is derived from the Kinyarwanda word ‘Iryinyo', meaning ‘tooth'), located twenty minutes from the entrance to the Volcanoes National Park. Wilderness is the frontrunner in this business and all of their properties are underpinned by blue chip service and manned by staff that go the extra mile. The Sabyinyo team led by General Manager Eric Dushime have their hospitality game down and are extremely generous
in spirit. The property itself is all charm and quiet luxury, built from local stone with classic décor and unfussy interiors. Lush gardens flank the paths between the various accommodations, flush with exotic plants and delicious monsters the size of small trees, and spectacular views across the valley and peaks are best appreciated over apéritifs on the verandah. With so much of the forest so close to Sabyinyo you may even have a surprise visit from one of the Families! Recently, in the first recorded incident of its kind at the lodge, the Hirwa gorilla family passed through camp and made themselves at home on the steps. Who doesn’t love a definitive turndown? At Sabyinyo, Room Steward and head of Housekeeping Peter Havugimana has made this
hallmark pre-slumber ritual into a luxe event, complete with a crackling fire in the hearth, freshly laundered clothes neatly folded in the dressing room, mud-caked boots made good as new, and a handcrafted gift waiting on a plumped-up pillow. This is the ‘x’ factor of room service that we all relish!
Gorilla-tourism has been the game changer in the Kinigi and Nyange districts. Rwanda’s first community-owned lodge operated by Wilderness, Sabyinyo keeps the needs of the locals front of mind through the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA for short), an organization established almost twenty years ago to drive socio-economic change and conservation initiatives
in communities adjacent to the National Park, using funds accrued from Sabyinyo’s lease fees and guest levies. This is the beauty of a Sabyinyo stay as you know that every cent spent finds its way into a trusted organization committed to people and planet. Running point between lodge and village elders is Leonard Harerimana, the SACOLA and Wilderness press officer. An inspiring chat over tea unpacked how it all works. From planting hundreds of avocado saplings (Wilderness has also planted in excess of 100,000 trees in Rwanda), to building and equipping schools, classrooms and health centers, to establishing vegetable gardens, building bridges and donating livestock, SACOLA is involved in every aspect of local life. A recent intervention saw the
Sabyinyo’s General Manager Eric rally his team to assist with the rebuilding of roads washed away by heavy rains. This past February SACOLA handed over 26 brand new homes to families of widows of the 1994 genocide, and other vulnerable individuals. Wilderness Sabyinyo provided USD $227,000 for the construction and houses that came with furniture, mattresses, food supplies, and a financial contribution. On an arranged walk through the village below Sabyinyo, I met farmers, basket weavers, beekeepers and bakers with thriving micro businesses, a clear example of how SACOLA is succeeding at grass roots level. Eco tourism benefits
everyone and where people might once have poached primates for bushmeat, they now see themselves as guardians of both the gorillas and the environment.
The Land of a Thousand Hills is all about charisma, conservation and courage, and it’s the people who make it happen. Next on my bucket list? The Kwita Izina gorilla babynaming ceremony in September. Who’s coming?
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BY DIANE TIERNEY
On Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship Prima, there’s a really, really, fast way to get from deck 18 to 8.
Walk over to The Drop spiral slide, step into the clear capsule, and after an ominous countdown, the floor hatch will open and drop you to deck 8 with a G-force faster than an accelerating F1 race car. Keep your eyes open for this freefall and you’ll also get jaw-dropping views of the ocean and sky because the slide hangs over the side of the ship.
This is just one of many thrills on the 3,215-passenger Prima. There are two more spiral slides that intertwine called The Rush; a three-storey wet slide with a vertical bowl called The Wave; a three-level go-kart track; and Galaxy Pavilion with world-class virtual reality rides. Even if you don’t have the nerve to try any of these features, the people-watching of those who do is entertaining itself.
It should be no surprise that Prima is a blast because pop star Katy Perry is the ship’s gorgeous godmother who christened her. This is ironically similar to the lyrics of “I kissed a girl and liked it” if you swap the cherry ChapStick for a bottle of Champagne on a rope.
The Rush spiral slides also hang over the side of the ship and you can race against friends and family. Sit at the top of the tube on a mat, wait for the green light and the first one to the bottom wins.
Prima also gets a checkered flag for the Speedway, the largest three-level racetrack at sea with 15 go-karts. The track goes through the ship’s funnel and there are 14 hair-raising, hairpin turns. The go-karts can reach speeds of about 50 km/h and sections of the track rise and fall for an adrenaline rush.
For the faint of heart, above the Speedway is The Stadium that has pickleball, beer pong, ping pong, foosball, mini golf, and five dart lounges.
To cool off try The Wave, a gushing three-storey water slide. Ride on an inner tube that flushes you down the slide and into a steep banked bowl at the edge of the ship for a final spin before a fast straightaway.
For simulated thrills, head to Galaxy Pavilion where there are 14 attractions including four large-scale simulator experiences such as being in a flying spaceship, motorcycle racing, as well as two scary, challenging escape rooms.
For those who prefer to just chill, there are several pools and hot tubs (some infinity-style for great sea views) to keep you calm, cool and collected. There’s also an aquapark with sprinklers for kids.
Shade and sun-worshippers will be comfortable on the many loungers, sunbeds, hanging chairs and couches. Prima has almost double the outdoor space of some of its other ships, including a stylish promenade called Ocean Boulevard that wraps around the entire deck 8 with unobstructed ocean views. If you dare, walk across one of the two glass-floor bridges that hang over the side of the ship above the waves.
There are 18 dining venues and many offer outdoor seating so you can also breathe in the fresh sea air.
Two main dining rooms offer traditional menus. Hudson’s has spectacular 270-degree views through floorto-ceiling windows, and the Commodore has a low-key luxurious environment. Surfside Café & Grill is the ever-popular buffet.
The Indulge Food Hall is a unique marketplace with 11 different culinary venues and you order from a tablet. There’s the Q Texas Smokehouse, Coco’s (sweets), Seaside Rotisserie, Tamara (Indian), Nudls, The Latin Quarter, Tapas Food Truck, Garden Kitchen, Just Ice Cream, Just Desserts and Starbucks.
With 17 bars and lounges there’s plenty of options for whatever mood you are in, whether quiet and relaxed or dancing and fun. Choose from the quiet Observation Lounge; busy Penrose in the threestorey, glass-walled atrium; lively Speedway Bar above the go-kart track; sunny Soleil at the aft; Humidor cigar lounge; Studio Lounge that’s exclusive to solo cruisers; Luna; Metropolitan; Belvedere; Waves Pool Bar; Whiskey Bar; Vibe Beach Club Bar and more.
Spend your evening being entertained. The three-storey Prima Theater and Club converts from a performance stage to a dance floor due to the custom seating layout that can be changed quickly. The headliner show “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” gets rave reviews as it features the Queen of Disco’s life story with about 20 of her biggest hits. When the front row seats are put away, the show turns into a disco experience.
Also featured is “Noise Boys” a beat-box experience. Sensoria is a Vegas-style show that’s a combination of Coachella, Burning Man and Woodstock. Other productions combine high-energy choreography and acrobatics as well as a kaleidoscope of special effects.
The Improv at Sea has hilarious stand-up routines and Syd Norman’s Pour House features rock and roll bands. Game shows such as Supermarket Sweep Live and Press Your Luck Live are popular.
For an overall more exclusive experience onboard, book a suite in the Haven area of the ship. It’s an upscale section that has its own restaurants, bars, lounges, infinity pool, hot tubs, concierge and more. Some guests also enjoy butler service who will unpack and pack your clothes, run errands, manage laundry, and other requests.
With so much to enjoy on board, it hardly matters where Prima cruises. However, for the summer of 2023, she’ll sail from Southampton, England to Reykjavik, Iceland including port stops in Belgium, Holland and Norway. She’ll eventually return to Galveston, Texas to cruise Mexico regions for winter.
BY: ANDREW MARSHALL
The first port of call for our five day Moroccan golf journey was the Palmeraie Rotana Resort, an oasis of luxury and refinement nestled in the heart of a lush, cool palm grove ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. This exquisite property is richly decorated in intricate Moorish designs that feature large archways, opulent furnishings and a décor in rich earth tones. After checking in we were asked to make ourselves comfortable on a collection of carpets and cushions by a water fountain in the tiled foyer area.
Before long, resident tea-maker Mr. Aziz Igouzoulen appeared through an archway wearing a flowing white robe and a maroon fez hat, carrying a silver tray with an elegant metal teapot packed with fresh mint leaves, tea and sugar. After the tea had brewed for a few minutes, Aziz made a spectacle of pouring the fragrant golden liquid from a great height into the small decorative glasses. With a grin wider than Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters, he handed us the tea overflowing with the delicious aroma of fresh Moroccan mint saying, “Welcome to Marrakech and I hope you play some good golf.”
Although the mint tea was certainly refreshing, we were keen for a different kind of tee time at the resort's adjoining golf course, Golf Club Rotana Palmeraie designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the early 1990s. This 27-hole layout is a good introduction to Moroccan golf and out on a spacious valley featuring generous fairways bordered by hundreds of palm trees and several lakes that come into play. Numerous sand hazards add the pearly whiteness of the Atlantic beaches to this lush scene, with the ochre walls and green tiles of the magnificent Moorish styled clubhouse forming a striking centerpiece to the whole design. Caddies are available for hire to add some local color and knowledge to your round.
In the late afternoon we visited the center of stunning and exotic Marrakech, founded more than 1,000 years ago with its distinctive ochre ramparts, Andalusia-inspired arches, souk marketplaces and distinctive skyline of mosques set against the majestic snow-capped High Atlas Mountains.
We got thoroughly lost in the souks of the medina, where labyrinthine passageways and lanes seethed with a human tide of endlessly streaming humanity. Covered bazaars were crammed with fruit and spice stalls and workshops of every kind, where artisans worked away fashioning slippers, weaving rugs, dyeing textiles and hammering metals.
In the heart of the city is the world famous Djemaa El-Fna, a town square named by UNESCO as part of Humanity’s Universal Heritage. This cultural and artistic crossroads is used not only as a meeting
place for local people, but also for storytellers, acrobats, musicians, healers, fortune tellers, magic potion sellers and snake charmers. We grabbed a prime seat and a chilled drink at Le Grand Balcon overlooking the square and watched the drama unfold. It was frantic non-stop activity that overloaded our senses.
As the orange sun traveled across the sky and the minarets and palms gradually fell into silhouettes, chefs began to cart in the makings of hundreds of food stalls and before long the aroma of barbecued meats, kebabs, meatballs and harira (a thick soup of meats, garbanzos, tomatoes and lentils) filled the air. When the sun finally set, all the music in the medina ceased for one of the most evocative of travel sounds, the muezzin’s call to prayer. Soon, another muezzin in another mosque started up, then another and another until the entire city was filled with these evocative and fervent sounds.
In addition to street eats, Marrakech offers some wonderful fine-dining opportunities at palace restaurants most of which are converted riads (a traditional house or palace with an interior garden). Part of the charm of these places is that they are difficult to locate, and the Narwama restaurant is no exception hidden away down a narrow alleyway covered in Berber rugs, a short stroll from the medina. Situated in a glorious 19th century riad with 21st century Zen décor, the Narwama offers an award-winning combination of Moroccan and Thai cuisine and the best Moroccan mint mojito in town. After your meal relax in the rustic bar that has hookah pipes at each table.
“The food we serve is Fez cuisine, the finest in Morocco and one of our house specialties is lamb tajine with pears,” said the restaurant owner. “The tajine is one of Morocco’s most famous dishes and the name refers to the conical-lidded pot in which it is prepared, as well as the intricately spiced stew of meat and vegetables, sometimes with dried fruits and nuts, cooked very slowly over a charcoal fire.”
Moroccan golf courses are renowned for their visual appeal, and the 27-holes at Amelkis Golf, a short car ride from our resort through olive groves and orange trees, is possibly one of the most eye-catching and exciting courses to play. Located at the foot of the ever-present Atlas Mountains, the Amelkis owes its name to the queen of a Berber tribe in the Atlas.
Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, this is an expansive course with undulating fairways, is seductively mounded and heavily bunkered, to say nothing of the lakes, fountains and the unique waste bunkers created from crushed rock whose color complements the landscape. The large greens are relatively easy to find, but three putts are not unusual. Paul seemed to really take to Amelkis Golf and shot a very memorable all-time best round of 10 strokes less than his 20 handicap.
Amelkis Golf's next door neighbor is the Royal Golf de Marrakech created in 1923 by the Pasha of Marrakech, and is the second oldest course in Morocco. Throughout the club’s history, distinguished players such as Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George, Ike Eisenhower and
his late Majesty King Hassan ll, have experienced its fairways and greens.
This is a course that suit all levels of ability and the main attraction here is the lush setting with fairways lined with standing cypress, eucalyptus, olive, orange, apricot and palm trees. A new addition of nine holes called the Menara now complements the original two nines (the Koutoubia and Agdal).
On the Menara nine course look out for the 481-meter par-5 fourth hole. It plays over a pool of water, that is an exact replica of the Menara of Marrakech, bordered by hundreds of olive trees and ending with a superbly defended dogleg. When we stood on the tee of this unique hole, we were of two minds as to whether to pull out the driver, or change into our swimming trunks. Other memorable holes include the par-4 fourth hole on the Agdal course with the snowy Atlas summits in the background, and the 173 meter par-3 ninth hole on the Koutoubia course. The green is hidden behind two grassy mounds separated by a bunker, plus an additional hazard of two high palm trees blocking the angle of the tee shot.
In the last decade or so, there has been some heavy investment in some excellent new golf courses, helping to establish Marrakech as the Moroccan city offering the most for visiting golfers. The Samanah Golf Club (a Jack Nicklaus Signature design, has won numerous awards for its excellence and quality); Assoufid Golf Club (designed by Niall Cameron and built on a naturally undulating desert landscape complete with a stunning Atlas Mountains backdrop
and luxurious clubhouse); and Golf Al Maaden (a links-style parkland layout designed by Kyle Phillips, and featuring luxury on-site selfcontained accommodation in the form of traditional Moroccan riads).
Kyle Phillips had this to say about Golf Al Maaden: “The golf course has been designed in grand rolling terrain, placed at the foothills of the nearby Atlas Mountains. Strategically placed bunkers give players multiple lines of play from the tee and tightly cut spill off areas around the greens gather errant shots, providing a variety of exciting recovery opportunities. Keeping with the traditions of golf, Al Maaden is designed as a walker friendly course, with surrounding landscape and geometric water features that give a feeling of playing through a Moroccan garden.”
Other Marrakech courses worth building into your golf itinerary if you have the time include:
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, The Montgomerie Marrakech Golf Club, Palm Golf Marrakech Ourika and Noria Golf Club with its amazing signature par-3 eighth hole, featuring a rectangular biarritz green which lies between a reflecting pool and a traditional Moroccan bell tower.
The next day we loaded our clubs into the rental car and headed to Agadir. As the last dwellings of Marrakech were left behind, expansive stony plains opened up and offered a window on Moroccan rural life. Berber nomads sat on rocks keeping a watchful eye on their goats and sheep, women carried bundles of firewood back home and kids played football on
dusty pitches at the foot of soaring mountains, where simple earthen houses clung defiantly to their precipitous slopes.
Sitting by a vast sweep of protected beach, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, Agadir is perhaps best known as a short stay holiday destination for European package tourists. However, Agadir is fast developing into its own golfing center with plenty of options to choose from including Agadir Royal Golf Club (9 holes), Golf les Dunes Agadir (27 holes), Golf Du Soleil (36 holes), the Golf de l’Océan (27 holes) and Tazegzout Golf (18 holes) – a spectacular coastal layout designed by Kyle Philips.
Our home in Agadir was the fivestar Tikida Golf Palace, where the luxury suites open onto Golf Du Soleil’s splendid 36 holes (Championship Course and Tikida Course) that feature water fountains and several lakes with water coming into play on ten holes. There are plenty of bunkers to negotiate, and if you take a caddie get used to one of their favorite comments: “You’re in the Sahara again.” The beauty here is that you can just stroll from your room to play a few holes which is especially pleasant later in the afternoon when it starts to cool down.
With warm weather, an exciting culture, only a short flight from major European countries, and a strong golf development program with many big name designers, Morocco is set to become an increasingly popular destination for the traveling golfer.
• Go haggling in the souks of Marrakech for carpets, slippers, metalwork, home decorations, ceramics and more.
• Visit historical monuments and places of interest such as Koutoubia Minaret, Badia Palace, the tanneries out by Bab Debbagh, Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Gardens) and the Menara in Marrakech.
• Eat traditional spice-laden Moroccan food from a restaurant in the Medina.
• B ook or self drive a “High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Trip” (from Marrakech) that includes a 70 km climb up the spectacular Tizi n’ Tichka Pass; a visit to the exotic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou where many famous movies have been filmed (including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth); explore the Dades, Draa and Ziz Valleys lined with palmeraies, ancient kasbahs and towns where life has changed little in centuries; and finish off with a camel safari into the sculpted dunes of the Sahara at Merzouga.
• Go skiing or trekking in the Atlas Mountains.
• Relax at the Cascades d’Ouzoud (one of Morocco’s best waterfalls about 167 km northeast of Marrakech) where the three-tiered falls drop 110m into the river below.
• Go to a hammam for a traditional Moroccan bath or massage.
• In Agadir visit the Kasbah of Agadir for fantastic views over the city.
• Take a trip to the relaxed coastal town of Essaouira and take a walk through the historic center and port area. With its magnificent beach, Essaouira is also Morocco’s best-known wind and kite surfing center.
BY: JOSIE JOY SALDAT
Vegas has become one of the top cities in the world to flee to for play. From bachelorette and bachelor parties, family gatherings, trips with friends or solo excursions - Vegas is filled with visitors from all over the world and of all ages. The city is a bustling hub of excitement. Upon arrival you can feel the energy of Vegas from the lights that fill the strip to the sounds and attractions! After visiting Vegas for the first time, I noticed that there are some hidden gems and unique ways to experience the city of play. Whether through five-star dining, jaw-dropping shows, speak-easy cocktail lounges or immersive attractions, there are endless ways to spark the senses. Below are some of the attractions and dining experiences that you should add to the list for your next venture to Vegas.
If you crave adventure, the ultimate family-friendly flying experience, FlyOver has opened its doors on the Las Vegas Strip. Situated next to the iconic Hard Rock Café, FlyOver transports you off the busy strip and into their world of natural wonders. You can feel that a journey is about to begin as you enter the long corridor lined with lights and abstract nature-inspired moving graphics set to mesmerizing atmospheric sounds. Before each showing, the pre-show sets the tone with a short film giving a quick glance into the history of the land and the people who inhabit it.
Seated on a platform where your feet dangle in the air and surrounded by a spherical screen reaching 52.5-feet wide, this immersive ride shows high definition 4K footage of famous as well as remote landscapes from around the globe. You experience a sensation of soaring as the platform dips, shifts and turns all while special effects of mist, scent and wind bring you further into the adventure.
My favorite ride was: Riding the Windborne Call of the Canadian Rockies as it was an emotional experience being a Canadian, and seeing home from a new perspective. Other rides currently offered are: Wonders of the American West and Legendary Iceland.
Adding to the flight experience, FlyOver offers an in-house cocktail bar called The Lost Cactus. This is where you can sip on flight-themed cocktails such as my pick - The Prickly Pear Margarita. Inspired by the desert cactus, this drink is a refreshing blend of sweet and sour making it the perfect pre or postflight thirst quencher.
Prickly Pear ingredients: Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Prickly Pear Syrup, Sweet & Sour Mix
The moment you arrive and enter the lobby situated in the original La Concha hotel you are entering the most exciting artistic history lesson in Vegas. The Neon Sign Museum is an entire destination dedicated to preserving one of the oldest and most well-known art forms in the city – neon signage. I would recommend this stop to any traveler as it was a fascinating way to learn more about the city through signage from shows and companies over the past century. When you have had too much daytime sunshine, or need a break from the bustle of the strip this is a playful way to still enjoy the evening. The outdoor forty-five minute walk is guided by a museum interpreter with numerous stories of the signs and their contribution molding Vegas into the city it is today. Make sure you bring layers to keep warm when the desert temperatures drop for this evening experience.
With their long standing and welldeserved reputation, Cirque du Soleil does not fail to impress with their seamless blend of humor and talent in their Mad Apple show. Premiering their in-house show inside New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas May 2022, the show holds its very own unique identity while staying true to the Cirque trademark we all know and love. Inspired by the noises, colors and magic of New York, the show is a concoction of acrobatics, dance, comedy and music for two hours of high-energy and interactive play. If you are looking for a sip or snack while you enjoy the show, venture up
onto the stage pre-show as it doubles as a bar decorated with an apple shaped disco ball and mini replica of the Empire State Building.
Inside the Aria Resort & Casino you will find an elevated food hall experience called Proper Eats. Here you can expect to ignite your taste buds through curated global cuisine outlets within a 24,000 sq. ft. space. Simplified menus with exciting offerings include everything from crispy eggplant bao buns from Laughing Buddha, to Seoul chicken sandwiches from Food Network star, Judy Joo’s creation Seoul Bird.
A must-try is Pizzaoki, Steve Aoki’s New York-style pizzas where each creation on the menu is named after one of the Grammy-nominated artist’s song titles. Various topper options are offered as well as crusts, including a cauliflower one! If you seek mouthfuls of flavor, visit Shalom Y’all where they focus on high-quality ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.
Step through a hidden entrance from Easy’s Donuts to find their Speak Easy cabaret lounge. Here you can find a moody atmosphere with live music and artistic cocktails. Mixologist, Eric Hobbie is behind the inventive sips that delight the eyes and palate. Venture to the woods with their gin matcha and honey show-stopper cocktail, “Shroomin”, presented in mushroom shaped glasses on a smoking moss wood platter. Emerge into the sea with their “Heart of the Ocean” served in a glass seashell on white sand and shells with tastes of
Casamigos tequila, orgeat, lime, blueberry and black sea salt.
Located inside the grand Park MGM hotel, Eataly is a destination on its own. The space was inspired by open outdoor seating in Italy. As you enter the court the aromas of fresh bread, pastries and pizza fill the air. With two sit-down restaurants, three bars, a dozen counters and an expansive marketplace, Eataly can host and accommodate all ages and all group sizes making it a versatile place to dine on the strip. Play with food as you watch chefs, bakers, butchers, pasta and pizza makers all create your dish before your eyes after you pick your ingredients. A must-try is the Polenta Fritta’s - crispy polenta fries that burst with flavor and delicate crunch.
Inspired by the iconic library in New York, NoMad is a theatrical yet intimate dining destination. Dine in a replica of a two-story library where you can enjoy elevated dishes while surrounded by approximately 25,000 books! Chandeliers and a wooden spiral staircase add to the ambience as you relish in their menu featuring everything from seafood to steaks all in a casual yet elegant experience. Spark a fire by ordering the Baked Alaska - a sponge cake and ice cream dessert with meringue coating which the servers will light up right at your table.
A Eurail Global Pass is a flexible train ticket that lets you travel across 33 countries in Europe, using more than 35 train companies and includes more than 30,000 destinations. But why bother with a Pass when you can easily buy a pointto-point train ticket as you go?
How about the sheer joy of boarding Europe’s trains on a whim? The reasons don’t stop there. Read on for seven reasons why Eurail offers one of the best ways to discover Europe at your own pace.
If you buy individual train tickets, you’ll need to book in advance for the best prices. These usually restrict you to a specific train. What if your plans change?
The Eurail Pass doesn’t pin you down like that. The Global Pass is adaptable, offering 15 days, 22 days, a month, or even two or three months of continuous travel.
If you don’t plan to travel extensively, some Eurail Passes offer noncontinuous travel, such as 7 travel days per month. You don’t need to decide on the travel days in advance.
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Each adult Eurail Pass allows two children under 11 years old to travel for free with a Child pass. Accompanied children under 4 years old don’t need a Pass at all.
The Eurail mobile Pass uses the Rail Planner app, which is a great toy for armchair traveling. You can play around with it for hours, experimenting with trains and destinations. It’s only when you’re ready to board that you make a journey live.
The Rail Planner app gives you a daily QR code that includes all the trains you’ve made live for that day. If you decide at the last minute to make a lunch stop in Pisa before arriving in Florence, you simply add the journey, generating a new ticket.
Some turn up their noses at the mobile Pass, complaining it isn’t as romantic as the old Eurail paper ticket. The app, however, generates a map of your route as you travel along. Screenshot it at the end, print it, and frame it if you need a physical reminder of your trip.
Are you tired of ticking off the mustsees, bucket lists, and Insta hotspots? Liberate yourself with a Eurail Pass and take a gentler approach to travel.
Slow travel doesn’t have to be slow. You’re allowed to take one of Europe’s comfortable high-speed trains. Slow travel is all about experiencing a region by traveling through it -- rather than flying over it, or speeding down a freeway.
Ditch the over-saturated tourist areas and focus on connecting with places and their people. On a train, you’ll get a genuine sense of going somewhere, along with opportunities to strike up conversations.
Countries like Switzerland, which is stunning however costly, are included in the Global Pass. A Eurail Pass also gives generous discounts on many of the private Swiss mountain railways, such as the one that climbs to the foot of the mighty Eiger.
If it’s raining, use the Pass to hop on the train and take a day trip to Lucerne or St Moritz for free.
Salzburg, Budapest, Prague, and Turin are all cities worth a journey in their own right. You’ll reach many of them via unbelievably scenic journeys. Look out for routes that cross the Alps or hug the coast. The Arlberg route, for example, takes you from Salzburg to Innsbruck through famous Austrian ski resorts such as Kitzbühel.
The appeal of a Global Pass is flexibility, right? Does this mean you don’t reserve any trains or accommodation?
Not exactly. The faster intercity trains usually require seat reservations. This applies particularly in countries such as France, Spain, and Italy. You can reserve seats via the Eurail site, but it’s sometimes cheaper to make the reservation on the train company website.
Take Poland, where you can open an account (in English) at PKP Intercity and make the reservations online for a few cents. Sounds complicated? Go to the Seat 61 website, where you’ll find instructions for making Eurail reservations across Europe. Think about reserving accommodation in popular cities and at peak travel times. You can still take advantage of the Eurail’s flexibility by changing plans.
Let’s say you’re traveling from Salzburg (Austria) to Augsburg (Germany) on unreserved slower trains. You plan to leave the train at Munich to visit the famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall. But when the train pulls into Munich, it’s pouring rain. The Eurail Pass allows you to change your mind on a whim and stay on the train.
If being spontaneous appeals to you, then travel light and ideally just take a backpack you can carry across a city and lift on and off the overhead racks.
BY: ZOEY GOTO
Boasting over 300 days of glorious sunshine every year, it’s no wonder that Arizona has long been a hotspot for winter snowbirds. A new crop of high-end wellness resorts, teamed with world class golfing and scenic hiking trails, have been attracting discerning visitors to the Sonoran Desert year-round.
Most of them will arrive via Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is just a short drive from the Rise Uptown. This stylish boutique hotel has transformed a former mid-century office block into a hip hangout, popular with locals and overnight guests alike. Fresh fruit popsicles are handed out at check in, rooms feature retro-chic interiors, sumptuous Egyptian cotton beds and in-room vinyl record players. At the buzzy Lylo Swim Club restaurant, dive into tacos served around a photogenic swimming pool, where you’ll also find DJs spinning tunes on balmy evenings. Heading up to Don Woods' Say When rooftop bar, you will enjoy classic cocktails served against a backdrop of panoramic city views.
Nearby is the Heard Museum, a leading light in telling the histories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective. Set around a tranquil courtyard, the museum galleries display Indigenous artwork and storytelling with a particular focus on the southwest. Try to time your visit with the annual Heard Hoop Dance Contest in February, a stunning artistic expression that celebrates Indigenous traditions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Traveling from Phoenix through the sun-baked Sonoran Desert, dotted with outcrops of saguaro cacti just 20 minutes by car is Scottsdale. In recent years this resort town has carved out a niche as an ultra-luxe hideaway, drawing parallels with the gated opulence of Beverly Hills.
Serving up a serious dose of oldschool glamour, Hotel Valley Ho in downtown Scottsdale has been attracting Hollywood stars since it first threw open its fabled doors in 1956. Now considered a midcentury modern masterpiece, the hotel has managed to retain its vintage glamour, while also updating the guest rooms to offer all the mod cons one would expect nowadays. Pampering options at the onsite day spa include massages and antioxidant facials, while the palmfringed pools offer shelter from the sun under colorful parasols. Be sure to stop by at the hotel’s ZuZu restaurant, where Chef Russell LaCasce serves up fresh takes on contemporary America cuisine and the clink of cocktail glasses can be heard at the handsome cocktail bar, a favorite with former guests including Marilyn Monroe and Bing Crosby
Just a lasso throw from Hotel Valley Ho is Scottsdale Old Town, where a giant cowboy sign at the entrance proudly declares that you’re entering ‘The West’s Most Western Town’. Here saloon bars jostle for space with kitschy western curiosity shops, selling a treasure trove of Stetson hats, tasselled shirts and cowboy boots in a rainbow of colors.
The great outdoors is one of Scottsdale’s biggest selling points. At the Phoenician resort guests get to tap into the natural beauty of the rugged canyon landscape that unfurls on the doorstep. Grab a map from the front desk and hit the nearby hiking trails, wander the cactus garden, or take a dip in one of the nine sparkling, multi-tiered swimming pools. A sundowner at the Thirsty Camel, voted one of the world’s best hotel bars, offers ringside views for dramatic fiery sunsets. Exceptional steaks are served at the Mowry & Cotton casual dining restaurant. The Phoenician makes a solid choice for families, with child-friendly activities including crafting and games out on the lawn.
Design lovers will appreciate a visit to Taliesin West, the winter home of architectural visionary Frank Lloyd Wright, where he adapted his organic prairie style to the Sonoran Desert. Take a guided tour of the home and school, or join the new monthly yoga class that takes place on the lawn before the landmark building.
Scottsdale is a golfer’s playground with over two hundred courses to choose from. Stay at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa and you won’t have to walk far from your hotel room to tee off. The resort’s courses are considered some of the finest in Arizona, with bespoke lessons and technique clinics also on hand. Once you’ve spent the day perfecting your swing, drift along the 900-foot lazy river in the resort’s adventure water park or put your feet up in a poolside cabana.
Those looking to get away from it all in style should head to the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. This gorgeous five-star retreat is nestled into the mountains and valleys. Two hundred blush hued adobe rooms and suites, many with firepits on the patio, melt into the surrounding Red Rocks desertscape.
Make a splash in the dazzling pool, voted one of the finest in America. Be sure to book in at the heavenly spa where the menu taps into the local desert with aloe vera massages to sooth sun kissed skin. There’s even a golfer’s massage treatment, using warmed golf balls to gently knead tight muscles after a day on the course or trails.
Round off your desert escape with a meal at the Four Season’s Talavera restaurant. Chef Jesus Figueroa recently took over the helm and has already created waves with his exquisite menu of elevated Spanish origin cuisine using traditional Iberian ingredients. Feast on paella and dry aged steak in the Talavera dining room overlooking the iconic Pinnacle Peak Mountain, or dine al fresco on the patio, basking in that soul-warming Arizona sunshine.
Thailand is a fantastic destination for travelers with a rich and fascinating culture that is reflected in its architecture, art, music, and cuisine. Visitors can explore historic temples, learn about traditional Thai dance and music, and sample delicious street food.
