To celebrate the arrival of spring here’s a list of our favorite destinations in the coming months.
New York:
The Grand Opening of Hudson Yards
Unless you live under a rock, New Yorkers and its visitors are flocking to the newly opened Hudson Yards, a very enormous mall with 25 restaurants and 100 retail businesses situated in a seven-story complex with 720,000 square feet.. The city has also welcomed its first Neiman Marcus and ultimately will offer residential and hotel living as well as office space. There’s also a crazy amazing art piece known as The Vessel which is a 16-story staircase.
The food choices are vast with heavy-hitters topping the marquee with names like José Andrés, Thomas Keller, and the Spanish legends of the famed El Bulli and Tickets (Ferran and Albert Adriá). Keller’s restaurant TAK takes up two floor with a lounge which will have live entertainment. The Andrés and Adriá crew have created Mercado Little Spain, a Spanish food hall with three restaurants, two bars, 15 tapas kiosks and a food market that spans more than 35,000 square feet.
Another notable chef is David Chang of Momofuku and though he opens Kāwi he won’t be running the operations there. Belcampo Meat Co. will offer butcher-to-grill eating and perhaps another highly anticipated opening is the well-regarded upscale Greek cuisine presented by Chef Costas Spiliadis. He will open Estiatorio Milos and Milos Wine Bar and will offer his signature fresh fish dishes (fish is flown in daily from Europe).
In 2020 expect the Edge, an observation deck located on the 100th floor and standing more than 1,000 feet in the air. It will be the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. Note-there will be a glass-floor area so if you have vertigo look out!
The Empire State Building
One of New York’s famous landmarks the Empire State Building will offer an “All Access Tour” – allowing exclusive access to areas not normally open to the public.
The experience is available for up to six guests and the start of it is in the Celebrity Entrance corridor, which offers private access to its green room. Visitors will be treated to snacks and beverages and see memorabilia gifted by celebrities. There’s also the Halo Photo Booth where one can take selfies. A chilled bottle of Veuve Cliquot is also available for an extra charge.
After visiting the green room, participants will head to the new guest-only entrance on 34th Street, where they will receive a complimentary photo in front of the 25-foot model of the building.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at archival construction photos on the Concourse level, a visit to the 86th floor open-air Observatory, and its Art Deco Fifth Avenue lobby.
The tour is available five times per day from Monday – Sunday and costs $500 per person.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is a dream destination in the Gulf of Mexico just off the west coast of south Florida. Boasting 300+ days of sunshine a year, incredible colorful sunsets, and a slow pace of life, Sanibel Island is sure to cure your hunger for tropical bliss. Book a stay at a five star resort with views of open water and easy boat access. Snorkeling, kite surfing, fishing and a variety of water sports are available if you are feeling adventurous. Or, take a nature hike or walking shell tour on one of the islands white sugar sand beaches. Sanibel Island will not disappoint!
Puglia
When deciding where to go for your next vacation, think about the wonderfully quaint and off the beaten path in the area of Savelletri di Fasano in Puglia. Situated on the Adriatic coast, the area is dripping in olive trees and now a 16th-century farmhouse called Masseria Torre Maizza will open on May 1.
The boutique property has many rooms with private patios and original fireplaces. Suite guests can expect in-room check-in, personalized concierge services for the duration of the stay, full in-room bar, full breakfast in the suite or in the restaurant, butler-style services to pack and unpack luggage (along with complimentary pressing up to four garments), a curated cultural or gastronomic experience, and a one-way transfer from or to Bari or Brindisi airport or train station.
Of course the food is a focal point as much of the dishes are from the hotel’s own gardens. Guests can even take cooking classes. Separately, there are plenty of off-site tours including a visit to Matera, which is recognized as this year’s European Capital of Culture.
Lake Tahoe
Spring skiing is here so take advantage of dramatic snowcapped mountains and the glistening blue hues of the lake. Stay in one of the area’s five star properties such as Edgewood Tahoe where your afternoons are filled with après ski, s’mores, and martinis. For those more adventurous try the heli-skiing at Squaw Valley, but there are plenty of runs, trails and mountains for everyone.
Napa
This area in Northern California has much to offer year-round including events and festivals like Auction Napa Valley (for serious wine collectors) and Festival Napa Valley focused on the arts and entertainment. Katy Perry will be headlining at this year’s Auction Napa Valley and expect Seal and Patti LuPone at Festival Napa Valley. Explore the best of the vineyards and enjoy gastronomic private picnics and tours.
Provence
They say April showers bring May flowers. From seaport cities like Cassis and quaint country settings like St Rémy and Ménerbes to the dramatic history of Avignon and the beauty of Gordes, there’s plenty of historic castles and Roman ruins to explore. Consider following in the footsteps of Impressionists like Vincent Van Gogh and spend time wading through olive groves, sunflower fields and farms of lavender. Take cooking classes and stay at the home that once belonged to chef icon Julia Child. Immerse yourself in the language; the culture as you peruse fine cheese and bakery shops along with VIP vineyard tours and Michelin-star restaurants.
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