OLTRE Volume 14: The Sky's The Limit

THE Sky is the Limit ISSUE

Welcome to the newest volume of OLTRE — an Italian word meaning "over, above and beyond" — our exclusive quarterly magazine filled with inspiration and ideas for your next trip and beyond.

As summer heats up, we’re pleased to present the perfect warm-weather reading companion filled with the latest buzz on beautiful new hotels, villas, museums, restaurants, cruise ships and more.

A safari is unlike any other experience and Micato Safaris is unlike any other company: For every safari sold, we send a child to school.

Contact your travel advisor for details.

TEN-TIME #1 WINNER:

World’s Best Safari Outfitter, Travel+Leisure. Micato is the only tour company in the Travel+Leisure Hall of Fame

A Summer to Savour

This season, experience a summer where warmth is more than weather. From intimate hideaways to multi-bedroom retreats, let our personalized hospitality make every moment memorable. With exclusive experiences and access to hidden gems, we’ll ensure your time with us leaves a lasting impression.

CONTACT A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BENEFITS AVAILABLE WHEN BOOKING FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS

AT A GLANCE

Atacama to Pucón, Chile Extremes converge on a bespoke high-low adventure from the world’s highest desert to the verdant Lake District, with delicious discoveries at every stop.

It’s time for a new bag. Don’t look away — because even if you don’t need it, we know you want it.

Los Angeles, California

Seychelles

Aqua Expeditions’ newest yacht explores an archipelago rarely visited by other cruise lines.

CULINARY TRAVEL

New York, Bangkok, Hong

What a view! This year’s best cocktail spots aren’t just about the mixology. From rooftops to waterfronts, these bars serve the sexiest panoramas.

BOSTON

The South End’s Must-Visit Restaurant: It’s got scene, cuisine and the perfect patio.

Tourist Stops Bostonians Love: Because lobster rolls and cannolis aren’t just for travelers.

A Secret Speakeasy Downtown: The place to see and be seen, if you can find it.

The Perfect Date-Night Plan: For low-key romance and discretion. Where to Shop Like the Ivy League: The coolest boutique on Newbury Street. Where to Stay in Style:

Madrid. e soul of Spain in the heart of

Venice, London, Bali, Singapore...

THE LEGEND

Tokyo, Japan

The legendary Park Hyatt that starred in the movie Lost in Translation has finally reopened following an extended hiatus and refurbishment and is ready for its next close-up.

SCOUTED FASHION

For that next shopping spree: A rising-star designer creates stunning womens wear that blends urban

The newest member of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet® arrives Winter 2026 With beautifully appointed social spaces and all-balcony suites, Seven Seas Prestige™ ushers in a new era of all-inclusive, ultra-luxury ocean travel and Heartfelt Hospitality™ for Regent Seven Seas Cruises® Choose from 12 spacious suite categories, including the nearly 9,000-square-foot Skyview Regent Suite — the largest, most inclusive address at sea.

RESERVE YOUR VOYAGE TODAY

Inspirational escapes, tailored for today’s modern traveler.

The Paradox of Wanderlust

The massive T-bone steak was perfect. And the Barolo, sublime. The restaurant’s air filled my lungs with magic, and I found myself in love, and alone, in Florence. What does one do with a memory like that? Do I lock it away — or dare to replicate it and share it? Hospitality is live theater in which no two experiences can ever be the same, and unrealistic expectations invite discontent.

A few years ago, I chose the dare and returned to Florence — with a new love interest in tow — for a one-night dalliance, on our way to somewhere else, farther south. We didn’t have time for Florence, but this being his first trip to Italy, I needed him to know Buca Lapi, and thus me. My previous visit to this dank old steakhouse — famous for its quintessential bistecca alla Fiorentina impacted me in a way few other restaurants have. It had been serendipity at play, not some grand plan. It was a last-minute solo reservation finagled by the concierge at the Four Seasons, who dialed the restaurant by heart as my stomach growled. As the phone rang on the other end, he tried to manage my expectations: “It is Friday night, sir.” Someone eventually picked up, and the concierge negotiated intensely in Italian for what must have been 10 minutes. He hung up and flashed a smile. “Your table is ready, Mr. Johnson.”

The restaurant’s owner greeted me enthusiastically at the door. Everything about that trip, that dinner, that concierge stuck with me for years. Could a return visit possibly live up to the way that memory still lingers? The waft of humid smoke from the kitchen, the beautifully charred Chianina beef, a storied old wine, the solo laughs… Long story short: It did, and I now have a new favorite memory to cherish.

I recently dared like that again. I returned to the Park Hyatt Tokyo, 20 years after that hotel left an equally indelible impression, another memory I hope never to forget. Would returning erase it? Is it worth the risk? I told myself I could easily stay somewhere else, as I’ve done a half-dozen times in Japan since then. But this was a chance whose time had finally come. I chose the dare. ( See this issue’s Legend column, page 84 ).

BRAD A. JOHNSON

What would you have done? Editorial Director

Where the Caribbean meets absolute privacy — and nothing is left to chance. This is what the trip of a lifetime feels like.

LUXURY has a new HOME

Vice President, Publishing

Laura Sport

Editorial Director

Brad A. Johnson

Copy Editor

Jennifer Weston

Art Director

Devin Duckworth

Travel Desk

Gail Matini

International Correspondents

Nicholas Gill (Latin America), Carolyn O'Neil (Caribbean), Kathryn Romeyn (Bali), Chris Schalkx (Bangkok), Laura Schooling (London), Marina Spironetti (Milan)

Contributors

Lian Benoit, Rachael Berkowitz, Marina Bevilacqua, Abby Brenc, Steven Biller, Tanvi Chheda, Jenny B. Davis, Carole Dixon, Adam Erace, Lauren Gilgan, Genevieve Glenn, Chris Hanly, Marcus Lloyd, Don Nichols, Gabriella Onessimo, Kyle Peters, Carlin Phillips, Ramona Saviss, Eric Twardzik, Laurie Werner

Advertising & Marketing

Partner Relations

Dennis Grunden

Brian Hegarty

Stephen McGillivray

Vanessa McGovern

Haisley Smith

Pam Young

Marketing Operations

Alexandra Rivera

Alexandra Belorab

Devon Domanski

Melissa Ghazi

Laura Marchesano

Mariana Ramos

Account Management

Marshall Davenport

Melissa Dobmeier

Jodie Epperson

Giselle Garvey

Sam Holloway

Catherine Johns

Birgit Kohlstedt-Orozco

Ronald Laing

Pam Massey

Loyde Pires

Sofia Rivoir

Becky Serdar

Jeanne Watters

Danielle Whitmore

Database Marketing

Jocelyn Acosta

Felipe Castro

Adam Kemerer

James Nathan Katarzyna Turska

Advertising Consultants

Lisa Calderone-Spierings

Madelyn Roberts

Direct advertising inquiries to advertising@oltremag.com

Internova Travel Group

Chief Executive Officer

J.D. O'Hara

Chief Financial Officer

Robert Klug

Chief Information Officer

Jeremy Van Kuyk

Executive Vice President, Strategy

Henry Gilroy

Executive Vice President, Partner Relations

Albert M. Herrera

Executive Vice President, Partner Relations

Peter Vlitas

Senior Vice President, Public Relations

Elizabeth Gaerlan

Internova SELECT and CURATED Hotel & Resort Rate Key

$ = Less than $500

$$ = $500 – $1,000

$$$ = $1,000 – $1,500

$$$$ = More than $1,500

Categories reflect average mid-season rate for standard room.

Your travel advisor can secure complimentary Internova SELECT or CURATED perks such as hotel credits, breakfast for two, early check-in/late checkout (based on availability) and other extras.

ON THE FRONT COVER:

Shot on location in Boston Harbor: Carlin wears a Portuguese Flannel top and American Optical sunglasses from SAULT New England with Portuguese Flannel pants from Drinkwater's Cambridge, and a TAG Heuer watch. Photography by Marcus Lloyd.

ON THE BACK COVER:

Shot on location at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Photography by Brad A. Johnson

President, Global Travel Collection

Angie Licea

President, Nexion Travel Group

Jackie Friedman

President, Travel Leaders Network

Lindsay Pearlman

OLTRE is published quarterly by Internova Travel Group, one of the largest travel-services companies in the world. Internova brands represent more than 100,000 travel advisors in more than 6,000 company-owned and -affiliated locations throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries. Publisher assumes no responsibility for representations or changes to travel information and pricing described herein, which are subject to change and availability, and restrictions may apply. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written consent of Publisher. Direct editorial and subscription inquiries to editors@oltremag.com and advertising requests to advertising@oltremag. com. Internova Travel Group is headquartered at 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; Internova. com. Copyright © 2026 Internova Travel Group.

LOST IN BLUE

Theater

ARTIST DIEGO GRAVINESE UNFURLS A COSMIC JOURNEY ACROSS THE LOBBY OF MANHATTAN’S HOTTEST NEW HOTEL.

New York City

Diego Gravinese’s “Ascension, A Sephirotic Journey” commands Faena New York ’s cathedral lobby in a cinematic sweep with myth, religion and astrology braided into a fluid, luminous whole. Figures drift through constellations across more than 100 feet of cosmic narrative, the composition rising nearly three stories alongside a gilded spiral staircase. The scale is transportive and the effect, theatrical. Gravinese, known for combining hyperreal precision with spiritual inquiry, conceived the work as a passage from mind to spirit. His “love letter to the cosmos,” as the Argentine artist describes the mural, sets a confident tone for the hotel, whose expansive art program also includes Juan Gatti, Keith Haring and Damien Hirst.

WRITING:

STEVEN BILLER

SOUND

THE BAR’S LOW-KEY KICKING. THE PATIO’S OPEN. POOL DECK, TOO. IT’S ANOTHER COZY DAY AT THE PALIHOUSE WEST HOLLYWOOD — ALWAYS A VIBE.

Los Angeles, California

The bar and lounge at Palisociety’s flagship boutique hotel is more than just that. It’s the neighborhood’s quintessential hangout, an indoor-outdoor gathering space punctuated with an earworm soundtrack of downtempo electronica, modern French disco and wistful indie dream pop, curated by head of brands Kirsten Leigh Pratt. The reservations team sends guests a playlist in advance of their arrival to ease them into the right mood.

WRITING: BRAD A. JOHNSON

BAR

“Waiting for a Boy” by Say Lou Lou

“Butterflies & Benefits” by Aaron Childs

“All I Need” by Maribou State and Andreya Triana

“Ça Ne Fait Rien” by Soda Frizzante

“Touchante” by Présentables

“888” by Maybe Hugo

“Yours & Mine” by Zimmer90

“King of Possibilities” by Goldie Boutilier

“Adieu Tous Les Garçons” by Dora Surleau

“Petite Etoile” by Polo & Pan and Beth Ditto

“Sundown” by LEISURE

“Neon Nuptials” by Goldie Boutilier

“Je Plonge” by Miel De Montagne

“Enchanté” by Tim Atlas

“The Scene” by Dojo Cuts

“Ba Ba Ba Baby” by Madminton

“Who Knows” by Marion Black

“Echoes In My Head” by Velour

“So High” by DON WEST

“Dance” by Natalie Bergman

PALIHOUSE WEST HOLLYWOOD

Technically in Los Angeles (three blocks away from West Hollywood proper), this 95-room boutique hotel is a reincarnation of Palisociety’s original inn of the same name (RIP), which was officially born in WeHo. New digs; same cool scene. Your travel advisor can secure Internova CURATED perks, including a $100 hotel credit. $

Scan to open our playlist in Spotify.

WHAT’S ON

MUSIC, THEATER, BASEBALL, ART… ADD THESE MUST-ATTEND EVENTS TO YOUR SOCIAL CALENDAR THIS SEASON.

NOW – OCTOBER 4

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

JULY 14

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

JULY 17 – AUGUST 15 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

JULY 17 – AUGUST 30 SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

JULY 20 – SEPTEMBER 5

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, ENGLAND

Enter Art Fair

AUGUST 27 – 30 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

SEPTEMBER 11 – JANUARY 3, 2027 DETROIT, MICHIGAN

SEPTEMBER 23 – 26 MONTE CARLO, MONACO

SEPTEMBER 23 – 27 ISTANBUL, TURKEY

News & Buzz

PRIORITY INTEL FOR THE JET SET: NEW HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, ART MUSEUMS AND MORE.

Venice, Italy – We really didn’t need another excuse to return to Venice, but here are two back-to-back openings we simply can’t ignore. In Cannaregio, one of the city’s most authentic districts, the new Orient Express Venezia has opened inside the 15th-century Palazzo Donà Giovannelli. Following an eight-year restoration under the creative direction of Aline Asmar d’Amman, the 47 rooms and suites weave together the romance of grand travel with Venetian splendor — frescoed ceilings, sculpted surfaces and artisanal finishes. Add to that the refined cuisine at Heinz Beck Venezia, set within the former Orangerie. $$$$

Meanwhile, over on Giudecca Island facing St. Mark’s, the just-opened Airelles Palladio marks that brand’s first address beyond France. Spread across three restored historic buildings, the 45-key property offers a rare luxury for Venice: a vast garden and four yes, four swimming pools. Rooms range from opulent, Venetian-style suites to more restrained accommodations, with a culinary offering that spans from the high cuisine of South Tyrol-born chef Norbert Niederkofler to the unmistakable French pastries of Cedric Grolet. $$$$

WHEN DESERT CHIC GOES ULTRA

Canyon Point, Utah – Visually striking and yet seamlessly integrated into Utah’s high-desert landscape, Amangiri first opened in 2009, followed by its safari-style tented pavilions, known as Camp Sarika, in 2020. And now, as of this past spring, Aman’s poshest American resort has debuted its first six-bedroom villa — which starts at a cool $45,000 a night. Set on 9 acres, it’s a spectacular indoor-outdoor residence whose minimalist architecture frames unobstructed views of the cliff faces of the Grand Staircase-Escalante. Along with a fully serviced kitchen, dining and lounge areas, the concreteclad villa also features its own spa, fitness studio and 118-foot heated pool. $$$$

Los Angeles, California – The art world has been waiting 20 years for this: The $724 million David Geffen Galleries finally opened in May at Los Angeles County Museum of Art, better known as LACMA Designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the brutalist concrete-and-glass annex soars and curves over landmark Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of the city. The new structure adds 110,000 square feet of exhibition space, showcasing a permanent collection of more than 2,000 works. True to the spirit of L.A., the galleries encourage an unconventional flow: no beginning, no end, no proper direction of discovery. The idea is to make your own path through an oceanic framework of antiquities to a Matisse masterpiece, extensive modern art, furniture, textiles, costumes and even a 1961 Studebaker by Raymond Loewy. For the full Angeleno experience, grab a smoothie at the new cafe from Erewhon (California’s original health-food store) on the plaza level overlooking Alexander Calder’s 1964 fountain sculpture, “Three Quintains (Hello Girls)." lacma.org

GLAMMING IT UP IN THE ETERNAL CITY

Rome, Italy – The former fortress of the Bank of Italy has been reborn as Corinthia Rome, which opened this spring in the heart of the Italian capital. Echoes of its opulent past linger across its 60 rooms and suites, among which the Theodoli Heritage Suite takes center stage with its frescoed walls, soaring ceilings and a sense of history that feels almost overwhelming. The original underground vault now houses the spa, a quiet treasury of beauty. Upstairs, chef Carlo Cracco offers the most delectable contemporary take on Roman classics. $$$$

New York, New York – Ambassadors Clubhouse , the perennial hit Punjabi restaurant from London's Mayfair, has opened its first offshoot, in New York’s NoMad. Dark and moody decor channels a North Indian party mansion with inlaid silver tables, tiger-stripe curtains, wood marquetry, stained-glass walls — modeled after the owners’ ambassador grandfather’s house in India. The menu makes an equally bold statement with elevated feasts of Matka Beliram lamb curry, pastrystuffed Kotkapura Royal Atta chicken and towers of seafood. ambassadorsclubhouse.com

HIGH SOCIETY ’ S SOCIAL HUB RETURNS

Cartagena, Colombia – In the edgy, mural-lined Getsemani neighborhood overlooking lush Parque del Centenario, the palatial, 1920s-Beaux-Arts-style Club Cartagena, once the social hub of the city’s elite, has been reborn as the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena. Step inside a grand, lightfilled atrium that gives way to 131 rooms and suites spread across several heritage buildings (all connected by quiet courtyards and covered archways). Late French designer François Catroux was the visionary behind it all, intent on paying homage to the port city’s colonial history and melding of cultures. Employing bespoke furnishings and textiles by Bogotá-based Poli Mallarino and sculptural plasterwork by Alejandro Hernández Pinto, he more than met the task, even if he didn’t live long enough to see it completed. Two rooftop pools and eight restaurants (including one entirely dedicated to Colombian coffee) make it difficult to leave the premises. $$

Cruise through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America aboard spacious, custom-designed ships and explore the destinations along the rivers with curated onshore experiences.

Contact your travel advisor to start planning your journey.

HOT SHOTS: BITE-SIZE SCOOPS FOR TRAVELERS ON THE MOVE!

LONDON

The Dorchester in March unveiled its years-in-themaking, 5,145-square-foot Royal Suite, designed by PierreYves Rochon with panoramic views of Hyde Park.

A completely reimagined Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse has opened at Heathrow, decades after Virgin shifted the paradigm of what an airline lounge could be — more lifestyle hub than mere frontof-plane holding pen.

SINGAPORE

Taiwanese star chef André Chiang has triumphantly returned to Singapore with 1887 by André at the original Raffles hotel.

THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR ART ON THE BOWERY

New York, New York – The New Museum reopened in March after an $82 million, 60,000-square-foot expansion that annexed a building adjacent to its existing footprint on the city’s Lower East Side. The contemporary-art institution now boasts twice the exhibition space, plus a vastly enlarged lobby, an expanded bookstore and a restaurant. The museum reopened with the ongoing exhibit “New Humans: Memories of the Future,” which spans the entire museum and examines what it means to be human today in light of technological advancements and societal changes. newmuseum.org

FLORENCE

The 39-room Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence has officially reopened after an 18-month, status-elevating makeover that includes a Guerlain spa.

BANGKOK

Brooklyn-based Thai indigo fashion label Philip Huang has launched its first brickand-mortar: a workshop, cafe and gallery in a vintage printing house in Bangkok's Old Town district.

TOKYO

The much-loved but underhyped Edo-Tokyo Museum reopened in the spring after an extensive four-year renovation.

BALI

Chef Andrew Walsh closed his Michelin-starred CURE in Singapore last year and just resurfaced with an all-new version at The Regent Bali Canggu

LOS ANGELES

At LAX, Korean Air has unveiled its new flagship lounge — the brand’s largest outside of Seoul.

RE EXPL like never before

Experience Seabourn’s Antarctica, where luxury meets exploration. Ever-changing nature is an inherent and remarkable part of Antarctica’s charm, which means that each season comes with different rewards. Our hand-crafted itineraries offer you the best of Antarctica, no matter when you choose to answer the call of the wild.

Contact Your Travel Advisor to Book Your

OUT OF THIS WHIRL

YOUR NEXT SHIP HAS A CELEBRITY-CHEF RESTAURANT, BUT DOES IT HAVE A HELICOPTER?

The best shore excursions are usually private and often bespoke, but what can be even better is when cruise ships have helicopters waiting for you. Scenic cruise line deploys its own helicopters aboard Eclipse and Eclipse II , offering aerial excursions in Antarctica to view Emperor penguins on Snow Hill Island, for example, and in New Zealand to hover above Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Poverty Bay.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection doesn’t have landing pads directly on its decks like Scenic, but when sailing in the French Mediterranean, guests can catch a waiting whirlybird in Saint-Tropez for jaw-dropping Riviera tours, including one with flyovers of Cap Taillat and Porquerolles, before landing in Provence for a truffle tasting at the famed, Michelin-starred restaurant Chez Bruno. And when Seabourn Cruise Line ’s newest ship, Pursuit , tours Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley region, cruisers can sign up to fly over the Hunter River’s ancient sandstone cliffs toward Mitchell River National Park for bird’s-eye views of multitiered waterfalls before landing on-site for an even closer look (without the traffic).

Closer to home, most cruisers find viewing the coastline and fjords of Alaska magical enough from their cabins’ balconies. But with Holland America Line , guests can opt for helicopter tours from Juneau for stunning perspectives of the Juneau Icefield on a flight to Mendenhall Glacier for a walkabout or hike. And when sailing with SeaDream Yacht Club in the Caribbean, guests can lift off from Antigua to fly over Montserrat with an up-close look at the Soufrière Hills Volcano and the deep gorge and delta formed by its pyroclastic flows.

DETAILS

Scenic sails in Antarctica from November to March; heli-tour add-ons start around $700.

Ritz-Carlton cruises the Riviera from May to October; Chez Bruno heli experience, $5,900.

Seabourn visits the Kimberley from May to September; helis from $795.

Holland America explores Alaska from April to September; glacier heli experiences from $560.

SeaDream next calls on Antigua in December; heli tours, $599. Helicopter excursions are often extremely limited and book up fast. Your travel advisor can help secure an exclusive slot.

Aquatic Therapy

WRITING: DON NICHOLS

CRUISING HITS DIFFERENT WHEN YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO LOSE TRACK OF TIME ON A SUPERYACHT IN THE WILD WATERS OFF EAST AFRICA.

Seychelles, Indian Ocean

A manta ray with a majestic, 10-foot wingspan glides past with the grace of a ballet dancer, its beauty leaving me awestruck. In the deep-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, I’m snorkeling in one of nature’s best marine-life aquariums. Along with this ray, I’ve encountered a nurse shark, green sea turtles, redtoothed triggerfish, a moray eel and oriental sweetlips — and now here comes a lemon shark.

It’s another eye-popping afternoon on a nine-night cruise aboard Aqua Lares , the sixth and newest vessel in the Aqua Expeditions fleet. Originally built in the 1970s as a Soviet icebreaker, the 254-foot ship was converted into a 30-passenger superyacht for polar-region charters in 2003. But then Aqua acquired it last year and did a major upgrade of its own. The Aqua refit is welcomingly elegant: furnishings by Poltrona Frau, Minotti and B&B Italia, plus curtains, wallpapers and headboards made with bespoke Dedar fabrics. Veneer paneling adds to the opulence, as do amenities like a cinema and the spa.

The ship has only 15 guest cabins in five categories ranging from 139 to 710 square feet. Mine’s a Category III (the smaller the category number, the bigger the cabin) — which, at 279 square feet, feels amply roomy for this solo traveler — with a double bed and two large portholes, plus a two-sided closet, large desk area with extra storage, and an en-suite bathroom with double vanity and walk-in shower.

When visiting Seychelles, consider the 87-room Raffles Seychelles. It's beautiful, with guests from everywhere — a mix of couples and families. We took the ferry from Mahé, which was enjoyable but takes about an hour. A lot of guests prefer a helicopter, which gets you there in only 15 minutes.

—Marilyn Wexler, travel advisor

This cruise sails round trip from Mahé island in the Seychelles, taking me and 10 other guests — doted on by a combined land-and-sea crew of 30 to some of the archipelago’s most remote isles. With such an intimate group on board, it’s easy to get to know one another — dining indoors and alfresco, sipping sundowners on open-air decks, and chatting in the boat’s cushy lounge areas.

We’re all being very well-fed. Breakfast is a hearty buffet enjoyed at leisure. But come lunch and dinner, everyone dines together at two communal tables, with the chefs serving familystyle feasts: Zanzibar-spiced ribeye steak, Creole shrimp curry and the like, paired with mostly South African wines.

I look forward to Aqua’s twice-daily excursions, usually a choice between snorkeling or diving to offshore reefs reached by Zodiacs. Snorkeling’s more my speed, and I’m utterly spellbound by the reef off Astove Atoll. The nearly vertical coral wall vibrant and colorful, more than 3,000 feet deep — attracts a kaleidoscope of sea life. Magical sites like this, I’m told, used to be abundant in the Indian Ocean, but rising temperatures have sadly caused widespread bleaching throughout the region. There would be no way to find all of these amazing spots without Aqua’s expert local guides.

A few adventures need no masks or fins, like a morning visit to the Aldabra Atoll, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s here we’re swarmed by the world’s second-largest frigate bird colony as we glide through the atoll’s sparkling lagoon aboard the Zodiacs. The none-too-shy birds soar all around, swooping mere feet above our heads. We stroll ashore to view the world’s largest population of giant tortoises, who seem indifferent to us two-legged interlopers.

By the end of our cruise, we’ve sailed 1,293 nautical miles yet we’ve seen only one other ship, way off in the distance, and not even a cruise vessel. Having been so far removed from reality, immersed in such a beautiful, unchartered Eden the entire time, this disembarkation hits even harder than usual.

DETAILS

Aqua Lares sails the Indian Ocean of East Africa from November to April, transitioning to the Norwegian Arctic from June to September. Cruises range from five to 14 nights, starting around $9,500. Your travel advisor can plan a full itinerary, including pre- and post-cruise tours, plus the best Seychelles resorts with Internova SELECT perks.

Transportive Experiences for Body, Mind, and Soul

The magic of Mayan and Mexican culture, artful cuisine, and thoughtfully orchestrated service comes alive at Hoteles Xcaret—vibrant, seamless, and indulgent.

Families fi nd joy and discovery at Hotel Xcaret Mexico, while romance, creativity, and adventure unfold at adults-only Hotel Xcaret Arte At La Casa de la Playa, intimate luxury is defi ned by impeccable detail and personalized moments. Exclusive access to nine Xcaret parks and attractions, seamlessly included.

Step into an unforgettable world with your travel advisor and Luxe by ALG Vacations®

HOT

THREE NEW THIS SUMMER.

SUMMER READS

by Krysten Ritter

a sun-drenched thriller set within luxury resort scene of Punta Mita and brilliant con artist who slips into socialite's identity — with deadly consequences. Krysten Ritter's sophomore (after her acclaimed Bonfire ) already adaptation in the works, with the author/actress set to executive produce and in the show. Harper, $29

The Art of Tequila by Suleman Anaya Assouline’s latest coffee-table tome is a visually rich exploration of tequila as one of Mexico's most enduring cultural forces, tracing its history through rare archival imagery, beautifully photographed bottles and scenes from Mexican cultural life. The 287-page book shines a spotlight on Jalisco, where tequila has its sacred origins, while also extending a focus to tequila's broader role as a symbol of national identity. Much like the country, the spirit is complex and needs to be savored. Assouline, $120

WRITING: RAMONA SAVISS

El Bajío by Belmond

The fourth installment in Belmond’s series with publisher Apartamento, El Bajío: Recipes & Wanderings Through Mexico’s Heartland is a rich cookbook and wanderlust album capturing Mexico's rich heartland with recipes from celebrated culinary voices, including Pujol’s Enrique Olvera, who wrote the book’s foreword, as well as his longtime kitchen colleague, Daniela Soto-Innes. Many of the recipes come from Belmond’s own culinary workshop, Sazón, at Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende. Photographer Heather Sten brings the book to life with poignant images of the farmers, mezcaleros and artisans behind Central Mexico’s farreaching food culture. Apartamento, $57

ELEVATE YOUR BEACH DAY

Level up your boldest vacation at the award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay — and go all-out at the exclusive Coco Beach Club ® Drift between poolside and seaside in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Savor gourmet flavors from fried lobster to filet mignon from the Caribbean chic restaurant. For the ultimate beach day upgrade, kick back and cue the views of endless blue from Overwater Cabanas with a hammock, your very own slide, and personalized attendant service. And when the day is done, the adventure’s just begun back onboard the world’s most incredible ships. It’s time you discovered what award-winning is all about. It’s Big Time — only on Royal Caribbean ® .

Contact your travel advisor to learn more about exclusive benefits.

THE UPGRADE

OUT OF POCKET: NEW TOYS TO REDEFINE THE ART OF TRAVEL

Experience All-Inclusive Luxury

Introducing a new way to experience All-Inclusive. Where elevated service meets effortless luxury.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya and Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya now offer All-Inclusive experiences that blend the freedom of a luxury stay with thoughtfully curated dining, premium amenities, and exceptional value.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya

With unlimited gourmet dining, premium beverages, and gratuities included, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya’s All‑Inclusive experience is crafted for inspired indulgence. Set along a secluded stretch of coastline, this luxury resort offers a deeply immersive experience rooted in culture and thoughtful hospitality.

Timeless elegance meets the vibrant spirit of modern Mexico with Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya’s All‑Inclusive experience, where refined culinary offerings and personalized service unfold across 100 acres of pristine coastline, and every moment feels effortless, personal, and serene.

BEST CASE SCENARIOS

WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER BAG. BUT WHEN HAS THAT EVER STOPPED US? IT’S OK TO BE OBSESSED.

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Featured SELECT Hotels & Resorts by Internova

Raffles Singapore

SINGAPORE

Behind white colonnades and palm-lined courtyards, this landmark continues to define Singapore’s grandest hotel tradition. Storied suites, breakfast at the iconic Tiffin Room, attentive 24-hour butler service and restorative spa access create a stay shaped by quiet ceremony and old-world glamour since 1887.

BOCA RATON, FLORIDA

High above South Florida’s coastline, expansive suites and Atlantic views set the tone for a polished family escape. The Harborside Pool Club brings floating rivers, waterslides and private cabanas into the mix, while the exclusive Top of the Tower lounge serves cocktails and coastal panoramas from above, each evening.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

A private courtyard facing St. Patrick’s Cathedral gives this Midtown landmark a sense of calm rarely found in Manhattan. Built around the historic Villard Mansion, it pairs grand architecture with expansive suites and immediate access to Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway and the city’s rich cultural calendar.

BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Centuries-old oaks draped in Spanish moss frame this Lowcountry luxury inn along South Carolina’s May River. White clapboard cottages, river excursions, golf, horseback riding and Spa Montage shape the experience, alongside waterfront dining and access to thousands of acres of protected marshland and preserved marshes.

Your travel advisor has the connections to secure special rates, perks and amenities for these SELECT Hotels & Resorts by Internova.

Threading

Softly

FASHION BRAND SHWETAMBARI ARISES FROM THE INTERSECTION OF WHERE NEW YORK, PARIS AND NEW DELHI CONVERGE.

New York, New York

For Shwetambari Mody, design doesn’t begin in a studio. It begins in transit — jetting between global hubs. Or in the quiet of a vineyard in Bordeaux. Or wandering an unfamiliar street in India. Movement, she says, is what defines the creative process behind her label, Shwetambari, where collections fuse personal stories with global perspective.

“New York embraces individuality in a way no other city does, and that’s something I want in my collections,” she says of her adopted home. That instinct was sharpened through studies at ESSEC in Paris and completed in partnership with LVMH, which deepened her appreciation for process and precision. “It made me realize India has the same level of craftsmanship — karigari — and inspired me to build something around that.”

WRITING: GABRIELLA ONESSIMO

It’s also why her home country, where craft is truly enduring, remains her foundation. “I don’t think I could do this without either place. New York gave me my voice, but India gives me the substance.” That interplay is central to her design language. Each collection begins with an abstract concept, often sparked by travel. “It’s a mix of everything: research, inspiration, reset,” she says.

A trip to Rajasthan, where she was struck by the fierce beauty of its famed Bengal tigers, became a meditation on the jungle. Another collection drew from the Taj Mahal as an exploration of love, translated into delicate, garland-like embroideries inspired by traditional floral garlands known as gajra. “Sometimes, inspiration comes from the smallest detail: a leaf, a pattern, a moment,” Mody explains.

Carefully sourced natural-fiber textiles — namely cotton, silk and cashmere — form the heart of her brand. She prioritizes both form and feeling. “It’s what touches your body, so it’s deeply personal.”

Hot Takes WITH SHWETAMBARI MODY

Favorite city in India for shopping?

Delhi. The country’s top designers are there.

Must-try restaurant in Mumbai?

Trishna, in Kala Ghoda, Fort. The butter garlic crab is incredible.

Favorite hangouts in New York City?

Union Square and Central Park.

Drinks with a view?

In summertime, I like to grab drinks at Pier i Café, under the bridge off Riverside Boulevard. It’s very local and relaxed.

Rooftop uniform: pants or a skirt?

Definitely a skirt.

For Mody, clothing represents a kind of tapestry — tracing the intersections of culture, craft and identity — that honors each thread of those fibers. Each piece carries the imprint of its journey. Mody develops her collections in close dialogue with artisans across India, traditional makers whose expertise informs every stage of production.

“I want the same people who create the samples to produce the final pieces,” she says. “The best work comes when it’s not a one-way conversation.”

It’s a collaborative approach, but one that’s also deeply rooted in preservation. Many of the artisans with whom she works worry their craft may not continue into the next generation. By maintaining direct relationships and prioritizing continuity, Mody resists the industry’s tendency to separate origin from outcome.

This also necessitates a slower pace. Shwetambari produces only two collections a year, allowing months for development — particularly for embroidery, a meticulous craft that can’t be rushed. “Anything that’s worth it takes time,” she says.

DETAILS

Find limited Shwetambari collections at independent boutiques such as FELT (Chicago), Idlewild (Cincinnati), Boutique Calia (Bernardsville, NJ) and Nocca (Manasquan, NJ); also online at shwetambari.com.

THE ART OF SAILING REIMAGINED

Under the Spell

WRITING: ADAM ERACE

ON A REMOTE PRIVATE ISLAND 20 MILES OFF THE COAST OF PANAMA, A NEW VILLA BECKONS.

Isla Secas Archipelago, Panama

Casa Cavada ! It sounds like a spell from the world of Harry Potter. But there is a very real charm to this 8,300-squarefoot, four-bedroom villa, and it has nothing to do with wands. It has everything to do, as I found during a stay this past winter, with discreet hospitality in a jungle-luxe setting where daily discoveries range from never-before-tried añejo rums to new lizard species. Opened last year, Casa Cavada ( $20,000 to $50,000 a night, depending on the season ) is the new centerpiece of Islas Secas , the 32-guest-max privateisland resort in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí.

Conjured from local volcanic stone and eucalyptus trunks and outfitted with indoor-outdoor showers and linen-canopied four-poster beds, the villa conspired to keep me in situ as I rummaged through its vintage National Geographic s and surveyed the resort’s library of Indigenous artifacts. I repeatedly summoned the on-call bartender and explored every inch of the 83-foot infinity pool that reflected the cotton-candy sunsets like a mirror.

But I couldn’t isolate forever. Islas Secas’ aquarians and naturalists came prepared with a summer camp’s worth of archipelago activities. I Seabobbed across a coral reef, hiked through petrified termite nests and strangling figs, snorkeled with parrotfish and jellies the size of Skittles, spotted magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies and marooned myself on a literal desert island, where the resort’s staff set up a posh little beach club, grilled lobsters and served ceviche in hollowed coconuts.

I wished, unsuccessfully, for no one to rescue me.

DETAILS

The only way to get to Islas Secas is to hire the resort’s propeller plane, which departs from the private terminal of Panama’s Tocumen International Airport; it'll fly you across the country (and over the canal) before landing at the resort’s tiny airstrip, an hour away. Your travel advisor can secure Internova SELECT perks, including a $100 resort credit. $$$$

Inspirational escapes, tailored for today’s modern traveler.

Ask your travel advisor about how you can receive special Internova benefits.

LAT ADJUST ITUDE MENTS

OPPOSITES ATTRACT ON A HIGH-LOW CHILEAN ADVENTURE — FROM THE SALT FLATS OF THE WORLD’S DRIEST DESERT TO A SURPRISING ALPINE-CHEESE DISCOVERY IN THE VERDANT LAKE DISTRICT.

My excursions begin at the salar, the Atacama salt flats, which remind me of the vastness of where I am.

Traveling in Chile, a sliver of land that drapes the edge of the South American Pacific for 2,672 miles — from about 17 ° S latitude on the border with Peru to 56 ° S at Cape Horn, yet never more than 112 miles wide — means understanding how radically the elements can change as one moves from north to south.

In the Norte Grande, in the high altitude of the Atacama Desert, the landscape resembles pure brown nothingness at first arrival in Calama. On the road to San Pedro de Atacama, I spot a lonely guanaco (imagine a wild, extra-lean llama) gracefully galloping across the lunar landscape as the snowcapped spine of the Andes, which forms the border with Argentina and Bolivia, reveals itself in the distance. Then comes the plant life: dots of green brittle shrubs that grow so slowly, their aromas and flavors become the foundation not just of local culinary traditions, but also of uniquely Chilean spa treatments. By the time I reach my destination, Nayara Alto Atacama , the vibrancy of the desert becomes apparent.

The hotel rests within a narrow river valley surrounded by reddish hills, as if it were carved out of the rock, blending seamlessly into the terrain. I quickly fall into an otherworldly rhythm of electric-fuchsia drinks — dyed with airampo cactus seeds and flavored with the minty herb muña muña, both of which grow in the gardens — and collecting the dried fruits of the chañar trees that give shade to my suite and make the bittersweet syrup that I’ll drizzle over yogurt each morning. My first days unfold with rica-rica-scented face masks, long soaks in thermal pools and, when the sun goes down, stargazing in the hotel’s private observatory — where one can take advantage of the altitude, dry air and cloudless skies for impeccable views of Scorpio and the Southern Cross while never straying far from a clarified-milk Negroni.

But nobody comes this far to stay holed up in the lodge. So my excursions begin at the salar, the Atacama salt flats, which remind me of the vastness of where I am and that acclimatization should be done gradually. A short path through layers of crusted salt leads to lagoons full of Andean and Chilean flamingos wading through the water to feed on brine shrimp, whose beta-carotene gives the birds their pink hues. After a stop at the edge of the flats in the village of Toconao — where there’s now wine being made by a Lickan Antay cooperative and where Nayara’s guests gain private access to a 1744 adobe and cactus-wood church — the day ends at sunset in the surreal landscape of the Ckamur Valley, sipping Chilean Chardonnay as the moon rises above a string of near20,000-foot volcanoes.

The intensity of the altitude is most evident at El Tatio, the highest geothermal field in the world.

The intensity of the altitude is most evident at El Tatio, the highest geothermal field in the world, at more than 14,000 feet above sea level. We arrive at sunrise, dressed in heavy jackets, to be there when the geysers and fumaroles are most active. The warm waters feed an entire highwetland ecosystem that begins with cyanobacteria and frogs in bubbling pools and streams, as guanacos and vicuñas (like guanacos but smaller) strut by the dozens in the surrounding fields. There’s an Andean fox stalking a grouse-like rufous-bellied seedsnipe beside the bogs as I warm up over a well-earned breakfast of coffee and charcuterie in the nearby field. This one tiny point of latitude, the most arid, non-polar place on earth, is far from barren.

As I journey south, beyond Temuco, the Chilean landscape changes from arid to lush. Temperate rainforests of lenga and raulí, types of Nothofagus trees, touched with hanging mosses and a patchwork of lichens, peek out of the misty mountainsides along the Argentine border. Some call it the Lake District, but Araucanía, the land of the Mapuche people, is how Chileans know it.

Outside of Pucón, the country’s center of adventure activity, I arrive at the pristine, 3-acre farmstead of &Beyond Vira Vira , a collection of 23 oversize suites and villas. The area draws outdoor enthusiasts with flyfishing, mountain biking and white-water rafting. This is &Beyond’s first lodge in the Americas, a more year-round option than other comparable properties in Patagonia that, similarly, merge luxury and comfort with the rugged mountains and forests. Bonus: The resort operates its own Alpine-style cheese factory. And in winter (our summer, I have to remind myself), there’s heli-skiing via the resort's Robinson R66 Turbine helicopter, which empowers you to ski down the still-active Villarrica volcano, almost directly into any number of cushy hot springs facilities, for which the area is known.

Insider Insight:

I love pairing Atacama with Patagonia, which usually requires a stop in Santiago. From there, you can also include a day trip to the port city of Valparaíso. And maybe even fly to Uruguay in the end to do a stint in José Ignacio.

—Maggie Stein, travel advisor

My visit in the early fall (our spring) is focused on the area’s two national parks, Villarrica and Huerquehue, short drives away. When we’re not kayaking the clear Liucura River, my guide Diego and I hike through fairytale-like trails therapeutically free of other hikers, through fern-covered hillsides that lead to raging waterfalls. Along the way, we snack on chaura, the white and pink berries that taste of pears and cotton candy, while watching carefully to avoid stepping on the Darwin’s frogs that camouflage themselves among the fallen leaves.

Diego is as interested as I in the mushrooms of Chile, a country where fungi possess rare legal rights that preserve their endangered rarest species, the way other countries might look after plants and animals. He pulls out his identification guides, and we scour the moist soil for bright purple Cortinarius magellanicus, and the Aleuria aurantia, which resemble a pile of orange peels. We find plenty of prized edibles, like the coral-shaped changles known as Ramaria flava, which make a fitting addition to my dinner at the lodge.

I’m increasingly intrigued by the pehuen, an evergreen pine also known as the monkey puzzle tree, which climbs the volcanic soil up to the vegetation line. The tallest can grow to 160 feet. From an ancient lineage of conifers, they are a living fossil whose hard, spiky leaves may have once kept away dinosaurs. Undeterred are the forests’ green austral parakeets, who feed on the trees’ piñones, the nutritious, oversize pine nuts that are a staple among the region’s native people.

On a visit to a Mapuche ruka in the community of Quelhue, Doña Rosario shows me how she uses the piñones to make flour that the locals use for breads, like the tortilla de rescoldo she makes for me; she cooks it directly in the ashes of a fire, drizzling it with the ulmoflower honey she collects. It’s a scene that encapsulates her culture’s cosmovision: of living amid the natural world and not on top of it — a knowledge that traveling between latitudes can always serve to remind us.

DETAILS

Your travel advisor can create comprehensive Chilean adventures with Nayara Alto Atacama (from $800/night) as well as &Beyond Vira Vira (from $1,000/night), with stopovers in the capital city of Santiago or anywhere else in South America.

The CONNOISSEUR’S GUIDE to summer in BOSTON

EVERYWHERE TO GO — AND EVERYTHING TO SEE AND DO — RIGHT NOW IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Boston, Massachusetts

WRITING: ERIC TWARDZIK

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARCUS LLOYD

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARCUS LLOYD

CREATIVE DIRECTION: DEVIN DUCKWORTH

STYLING: ABBY BRENC @ ANCHOR ARTISTS

BEAUTY: RACHAEL BERKOWITZ @ ANCHOR ARTISTS

MODELING: CARLIN PHILLIPS @ NEMG, GENEVIEVE GLENN AND CHRIS HANLY @ MAGGIE

PHOTO ASSISTANT: KYLE PETERS

STYLIST ASSISTANT: LAUREN GILGAN

The summer of 2026 — the 250th anniversary of America’s founding — feels like a particularly ideal time to visit Boston, given the key role this city played in our country’s origin story. But look a little closer, and you’ll see that any summer is a good excuse to visit New England’s largest city. Walkable neighborhoods, fantastic shopping and entertainment, a hospitality scene bursting with creativity, a bevy of world-class hotels… What follows is everything we’re excited about right now in Bean Town.

Opened in July 2025, Capri is 7,000 square feet of la dolce vita, spread out across a voluminous interior with red-velvet curtains and chairs and an expansive stone patio with umbrella-shaded booths and a covered bar. It’s a see-and-be-seen setting for Italian steakhouse delights like beef carpaccio, handrolled rigatoni alla vodka and a 36-oz. Florentine porterhouse. capriboston.com

And if you have trouble getting a table, you're not alone. Don't worry. You’ll find the next best thing and similar vibes at La Padrona in the Raffles Boston hotel.

Neptune Oyster ( neptuneoyster.com ) in the North End regularly has a line around the block of folks waiting for its famous lobster rolls. And you know what? The cozy restaurant — which earned an overdue Michelin Guide recommendation last year — is totally worth it. Pro tip: Spring for the caviar-topped johnnycakes. Afterward, go cannolicomparison shopping on Hanover Street with stops at Mike’s Pastry ( mikespastry.com ) and Modern Pastry ( modernpastry.com ).

THE ULTIMATE SUMMER MARKET

BOSTON’S HOTTEST BAR

The Wig Shop is that rarest of cocktail bars — one that delights and surprises, yet never takes itself too seriously. Enter through the unmarked door beside a faux wig-store display (relax, there’s no password) to find a groovy lounge with velvet sofas and playful house originals like the Cinemax After Dark, made with mango-infused sherry. Stick around for sexy canapés (like lobster-topped buttermilk pancakes) and a traditional absinthe service. wigshopboston.com

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD FOR DATE NIGHT

There’s long been a sense of electricity around Central Square, which has forever catered to students and bohemians with its record stores and rock clubs. More recently, it’s become a bona fide dining and drinking destination for the rest of us. Consider starting the night with a tipple at the inventive, Asianinflected cocktail lounge Darling ( darlingcambridge. com ) before continuing to Si Cara ( sicarapizza.com ) for heavenly canotto-style pies or PAGU ( gopagu.com ) for an eclectic blend of Japanese and Spanish flavors.

In recent years, vintage watches and jewelry have made the move from pawn shop merchandise to highly sought-after grails. It’s a market sea change seized on by Material Good , which chose a secondstory space on the first block of Newbury Street for its third location. Within the airy, art-filled boutique, discerning customers can examine vintage Pateks and Piguets alongside a curated collection of rare jewelry and in-house creations. materialgood.com

COOLEST BOUTIQUE OF THE MOMENT

The Colonial Theatre, operated today under the auspices of Emerson College, has the distinction of being Boston’s oldest continually operating theater. The palatial looks with which it opened in 1900 have been largely preserved, and it’s become the home base for touring Broadway shows and celebrities: The 2026 season includes the John C. Reilly musical Mister Romantic , plus an evening with everyone’s culinary godmother, Ina Garten. (us.atgtickets.com )

WHERE TO STAY IN BOSTON

HOTEL DIRECTORY

BOSTON HARBOR HOTEL

* PICTURED

Few hotels can boast better real estate than the 232-room Boston Harbor Hotel, which makes the most of its waterfront location with an iconic, 60-foot archway that hosts an enormous American flag. Ooh la la: spectacular John Adams Presidential Suite. $$

FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA

The grand dame of Back Bay, the historic Copley charms with 383 guest rooms, a lavish old-school lobby and the perpetually packed OAK Long Bar + Kitchen on its first floor. $$

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BOSTON

The city’s elder Four Seasons, the 239-room original on Boylston Street reemerged in recent years after a fabulous Wes-Anderson-esque makeover. Up next: This summer chef Jody Adams (of Rialto fame) opens a new restaurant, serving caviar, prime rib and Dover sole. $$$

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ONE DALTON STREET, BOSTON

This 214-room Four Seasons occupies 21 floors of the Back Bay’s 61-story One Dalton tower and includes a just-unveiled, 2,000-squarefoot Presidential Suite with sweeping views, its own private workout studio and a Molteniequipped kitchen. Plus: A posh new French restaurant opens this summer. $$$

THE LANGHAM, BOSTON

A five-star, 312-room stunner located in the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Langham ties back to its London roots with an elevated, English-style pub, The Fed. $$$

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BOSTON

Located within the Prudential Center — steps from some of Boston’s finest shopping — this 148-room refuge is home to one of the region’s best spas. The Back Bay corner suites have swank kitchenettes. $$$$

THE NEWBURY BOSTON

Found at the historic intersection of Newbury and Arlington streets — ooh, did someone want to go shopping? — the chic, 286-room Newbury boasts one of the city’s best rooftop restaurants, Contessa, from the Major Food Group. $$

RAFFLES BOSTON

Every single one of this hotel’s 147 rooms comes with round-the-clock butler service. Raffles’ 35-story modern tower includes a dramatic, three-story sky lobby that overlooks Copley Square. There’s a Guerlain spa — ahhh — and a 66-foot lap pool. The Raffles Suite (aka presidential suite) is simply stunning. $$$

THE WHITNEY HOTEL

Nestled at the flat of Beacon Hill between Charles and Cambridge streets, the 65-room Whitney suffuses Old-World charm with a modern, boutique-hospitality touch and has become a landmark in its own right. $$

XV BEACON

Situated in a Beaux Arts building at the peak of Beacon Hill, the 61-room XV Beacon sweetens the deal by housing Mooo…., one of Boston’s premier steakhouses and most coveted reservations. Not necessary for summer, but every room has a fireplace. Dogs love this one. $$

Your travel advisor can arrange a detailed Boston and greater New England itinerary as well as secure extra perks, including resort credits and complimentary daily breakfast, at these Internova CURATED and SELECT resorts.

Insider Insight:

“The Newbury Boston has the perfect Back Bay location. The rooftop bar, Contessa, has spectacular views. You must order the squash carpaccio. It's amazing. And the espresso martini is the best ever."

—Tina Allen, travel advisor

Drinks-O-Rama

GULP, WHAT A VIEW! HERE ARE SIX OF OUR FAVORITE SPOTS — FROM COASTAL CLIFFS TO URBAN ROOFTOPS — FOR SUMMER COCKTAILS WITH BREATHTAKING PANORAMAS.

WRITING: BRAD A. JOHNSON, KATHRYN ROMEYN, CHRIS SCHALKX, MARINA SPIRONETTI AND LAURIE WERNER

LE 300

ROQUEBRUNE-CAP-MARTIN, FRANCE – As golden hour descends over the French Riviera, the rumble of supercars echos with increasing urgency across the Bay of Monte Carlo. Bar Le 300 doesn’t take reservations, so it’s first come, first served — and not everybody will get in. But when you do, ask the adorable head bartender, Julien Lecharpentier (bronze winner at France’s premier cocktail competition, Trophées du Bar), for his twist on a classic martini. Then brace yourself: not just for the drink — sage-butter vodka, Cocchi Americano aperitivo, sage hydrosol and peated olives — but for the view. It’s genuinely hard to overstate how truly breathtaking the sunsets are from The Maybourne Riviera , the highest Bugattiaccessible perch on the mountain behind Monaco, just across the border in France. Le 300 looks down on the former villas of Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld. Note: There’s virtually no difference in the view from Le 300 and the hotel’s adjoining restaurant, Riviera, which does take reservations. And if you see something on chef Guillaume Boumati’s Escoffier-inspired menu that appears to translate to poached leeks with egg white and anchovy sauce, don’t ask questions: Just get it. Ditto the 30-hour lamb shoulder with roasted potatoes, burnt onions and preserved lemon. @themaybourneriviera

AETHER

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Most of Bangkok's rooftop bars let their sky-high views steal the spotlight, but at the new AETHER, perched on the 44th-floor rooftop of the gleaming Central Park Offices, it’s the open-air bar itself that steals the show. The space revolves around two sculptural speakers, chromeclad monoliths that double as the DJ’s sonic backdrop. Come sunset, the light dances across the metal surfaces as the city shimmers below, while the high-concept cocktail menu by local mixology guru Noppasate Hirunwathit runs from smoky mezcal with paprika bitters and Thai tea curry to clarified milk punches laced with neem leaf or yuzu. @aether_bkk

OFF RECORD, and then some

TOKYO, JAPAN – The only thing better than one 43rd-floor drinking den looking down like a bird over Tokyo Tower is three bars rolled into one skyscraper bar crawl — each with a distinctive energy, soundtrack and menu. The top floor of the new Fairmont Tokyo is where the trio hovers, with fabulous views from all three. The smallest, OFF RECORD, is an intimate listening lounge with art–inspired cocktails and a hifi sound system that fills the atmosphere with vinyl stylings from the '80s and '90s. The largest of the three, the see-andbe-seen DRIFTWOOD BAR, merges international influences with Japanese culture, serving an encyclopedic list of libations. And then there’s Yoi to Yoi, a Tachinomiya-style standing bar for super-Japanese highballs, sours, sake and street food. Take your pick. @driftwood_fairmonttokyo

LEONESSA

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Most rooftop bars in Manhattan are sleekly designed perches positioned for admiring the surrounding skyscrapers. Stunning, sure. But at newcomer Leonessa, atop the Conrad New York Downtown , near The Battery, gentler views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty prevail. Still stunning; just a much broader vista. Islyn Studio’s design feels more Amalfi Coast than traditional Gotham with lemon trees, a splashing terra-cotta fountain and a color scheme of peach, yellow and green — the perfect setting for one of summer’s best Aperol spritzes. @leonessarooftop

QURA BAR

HONG KONG, CHINA – In a metropolis where a stiff drink by itself isn’t enough because cocktail hour here is a competitive sport — the decadent Qura Bar at Regent Hong Kong in Kowloon plays alchemist, gallerist and storyteller for cocktail journeys inside the kaleidoscope of glittering Victoria Harbour. The year-and-a-half-old bar has just revealed an eight-libation menu, dubbed Salon de Qura, that translates fine art into beverage for a museum of intoxicating taste. Elegant and luminous, the drinks reference sculpture, film, martial arts and even liturgy, with each crafted to elevate texture and aroma, color and mouthfeel. Take the Hermione, a rich gin punch with cream cheese–infused Botanist gin and strawberry notes, or the mineral-focused Beth-Luis-Nion, which marries a 2014 single malt Scotch with notes of sun-dried tomato, guava, elderflower and cucumber. @qurahongkong

TORRE

MILAN, ITALY – Porta Romana has lately become Milan’s most compelling district, shaped by new developments and cultural spaces, and sharpened by the recent Winter Olympics. To experience it from above, there’s no better perch than the terrace of Torre, the bar and restaurant of art hub Fondazione Prada. Designed by Rem Koolhaas with Chris van Duijn and Federico Pompignoli of OMA, the space plays on contrast: Eero Saarinen’s Tulip tables, works by Lucio Fontana, and a sculptural bottle wall in dialogue with a white concrete terrace suspended above an ever-changing skyline; best at sunset, with a flight of Negronis in four distinct expressions. @torre_ristorante

AS NEW AS GOOD

AFTER A 19-MONTH CLOSURE AND EXHAUSTIVE RESTORATION, A LEGENDARY PARK HYATT IS READY FOR ITS SECOND ACT.

Tokyo, Japan

The first thing that pops into my head when I open the door to my Diplomat Suite atop the Park Hyatt Tokyo is, “I really should have taken piano lessons when I was younger and still teachable.” There’s a gorgeous Yamaha grand in the living room, which will be completely wasted on me — although it'll make a lovely drink table for the old fashioned cocktail I’m about to scrounge up from the minibar. (Spoiler alert: There’s no minibar, but rather a fully stocked butler’s pantry and liquor cabinet.)

My second, almost simultaneous, thought is, “What’s that delicious scent?” I’m gobsmacked by an intoxicating aroma — a heady potpourri of that new-hotel smell mixed with something else that I can almost taste. It’s on the tip of my tongue. It smells like… like… like… strawberries ! And then I spot them, on the coffee table, next to a bottle of Ruinart Champagne on ice. Alongside, I find a minimalist note: “Yayoi Hime strawberries from Ibaraki Prefecture.” It includes a tiny map of Japan showing Ibaraki in proximity to Tokyo.

If you’ve ever explored the basement of a high-end Japanese department store, then you know the excitement I’m feeling right now. Those posh retail stores display stunning arrays of $200 melons and $90 pears and whatnot — the Hermès of fruits, raised with the love and attention normally reserved for an only child. Fruits in Japan are not grocery; they’re precious gifts. I pick up one of these berries and swallow it nearly whole. Then another. And another, obsessed. They melt in the mouth like little clouds. They are astonishingly delicious.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo reopened in December after a 19-month closure, during which every aspect of the hotel underwent a complete refurbishment at the direction of Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku of Paris’ Studio Jouin Manku, who spent the four years before that drafting the plans.

The hotel occupies the 39th to 52nd floors of the Shinjuku Park Tower. When it originally debuted in 1994, this was merely the third Park Hyatt worldwide, after only Chicago and Sydney. It was also, in those days, the most luxurious Westernstyle skyscraper hotel in Japan. Long before the arrival of Four Seasons (now two), Aman, Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, The Ritz-Carlton, Bvlgari, Fairmont… there was Park Hyatt. It was one of the most technologically advanced hotels of its era. And putting an indoor pool on a high floor with bird’s-eye views was almost unheard of. Park Hyatt became a symbol of what a modern urban hotel could be, which was ironic since Tokyo’s economy had just entered its Lost Decade of prolonged stagnation (while Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea all leapfrogged ahead). But this hotel not only thrived; it would soon star in the movie Lost in Translation

Thirty years on, it was probably overdue for a little nip/tuck, perhaps even a hip replacement.

Jouin Manku’s vision was not to give it an extreme makeover, but rather to bring it back to the beginning, to fully honor the original designer John Morford’s legacy: as an oasis of calm in a city of chaos.

The most dramatic transformation came to the guest rooms, which were completely gutted and redone in soothing palettes of beige and taupe with the hotel’s familiar anthracite black, faintly accented with the softest of greens and powdery blues. Plus: maple, hinoki, bamboo and elegant Italian marble.

In the hotel’s public spaces, the biggest change shows up in the 41st-floor French brasserie, Girandole, which is now overseen by Alain Ducasse’s restaurant group. The name was thusly changed to Girandole by Alain Ducasse.

Park Hyatt Tokyo has always taken dining (and its art) seriously, so the F&B renovations in particular had to be approached delicately. And at first glance, Girandole looks the same. German artist Vera Mercer’s vast collage of black-and-white photographs of French cafe culture still presides over the dining room from the second-story bulkheads. But when my gaze settles onto the restaurant itself, I realize that everything has been updated: gorgeous maple chairs and wall panels, crisp white linens and deep-red silks and velvets, with lots of intimate nooks for those romantic (or power-broker) moments.

Chef de cuisine Kojiro Tsutsumi has been cooking here since 2007, but during the closure, he decamped to Paris to work alongside Ducasse for several months. (The hotel retained around 70 percent of its total staff during the intermission.) Lunchtime tables seem to be Girandole’s most coveted reservations — so it would be wise to book one week in advance. Triple that lead time if you want a table for afternoon tea in the adjacent Peak Lounge (the de facto atrium lobby); it’s a socialite hot spot.

Refurbishments elsewhere were meant to be unseen. Major artworks remain untouched, like the aforementioned Mercer but also the stunning, two-story bamboo sculptures by John Morford in the Japanese restaurant, Kozue, and colorful murals by Italian artist Valerio Adami that hang from the rafters in the 52nd-floor New York Grill, a popular steakhouse and jazz club. Still excellent, by the way.

Japan’s obsession with Wagyu beef — not just Kobe but Kuroge, Matsusaka, Miyazaki, etc. — began long before Park Hyatt came to town. However, it was the New York Grill here in the ’90s that played a major role in ushering Japanese beef into the Western-steakhouse mainstream. To see this dining room and bar again today is to see it exactly as it debuted: the polished black floors, the sleek leather chairs, the zebrawood walls and central wine vault… Everything is exactly the same — except every inch of it is literally brand-new. Removed and replaced.

“It’s like refurbishing a vintage car,” says general manager Fredrik Harfors, who oversaw the entire project. “You might have to replace some things, but to do it right, you want to use only original factory parts. We wanted to stay true to the original vision.”

They even kept that odd little closet where the suit-clad bartenders quietly make all their drinks, hidden from view of customers, rather than moving the bar front and center for a more conventional layout. This sort of painstaking restoration is typically reserved for Renaissance palaces and Edwardian manors, not 1990s skyscrapers.

Meanwhile, the signature Japanese restaurant, Kozue, feels today just as it ever did, easily one of the best kaiseki restaurants in Tokyo. This is not a restaurant that’s been dumbed down for Western tourists. On my original visit to this hotel some 20-odd years ago, I naively considered myself an expert in Japanese cuisine because I worked as a food critic in Los Angeles, the epicenter of Japanese dining in America. But Kozue upended everything. My 15-course fugu dinner proved weirder, wilder and more humbling — but also infinitely more beautiful, sweeter and more memorable — than I ever anticipated. I dined back then with two local business associates, both women.

“What’s this?” I asked excitedly, after the chef had delivered something savory and slippery that slithered too urgently down our throats before I got an answer. “It’s from the fugu fish,” one of the women offered, telling me the one thing I already knew.

“Yes, but what part? It’s incredible.”

The two women whispered in Japanese, giggling, as they debated what to tell me. “There’s no English translation,” they ultimately decided. I spoke later with one of the chefs, who told me we’d eaten the fugu’s milt sac, a delicacy with a very short seasonal window.

So many details about that first experience at this hotel stayed with me for decades: the fully automated bidets, the advanced bedside tech, hypnotic night swims in the sky-view pool, even my first Suntory whisky. I’d never wandered so far outside my comfort zone yet felt so strangely at ease.

Now I find myself amazed, and at ease, once again — and, as luck would have it, during fugu milting season.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo is back — with Mount Fuji visible in the distance from my suite's window this time — as beautiful and as delicious as ever.

PARK HYATT TOKYO

The 171-room Park Hyatt Tokyo is now fully reopened, located in Nishi-Shinjuku, which is about 45 minutes by private car service from Haneda Airport, or 90 minutes from Narita. If taking the much faster Narita Express into the city from the latter, hop off at Shinjuku Station. Your travel advisor can plan a full Japan itinerary and secure Internova SELECT perks, including a $100 dining credit as well as complimentary daily breakfast for two at Girandole by Alain Ducasse. $$$

THE OLTRE with

Q&A CAROLINE

REID

WRITING: RAMONA SAVISS

Long before airline culture became social content, Caroline Reid — better known by her stage name, Pam Ann — was already turning it into a parody. She created the now-iconic routine to capture the glamour, hierarchy and occasional insanity of life in the skies, delivering witty impressions of international carriers and the personalities that define them. What began as a niche cabaret act has since amassed a global following, with brands such as British Airways, Qantas, JetBlue and Scandinavian Airlines inviting Reid to collaborate on advertising campaigns, in-flight safety programming and even crew training. Now entrenched in a 30th-anniversary tour, Reid, who is originally from Australia but calls Miami home, occupies a rare space — both celebrating aviation and exposing its absurdities. “I couldn’t live without it,” she says about traveling. “Pam Ann is the reason I have three passports. She’s turned travel into something even more extraordinary.” And by poking fun at the industry, including flight attendants, gate agents and pilots, her alter ego hasn’t ruined travel for her. Rather: “She’s just made it louder, messier… and a hell of a lot more fabulous.”

Where are your passports from?

Australia, Great Britain and the United States — enough to get me into most other countries… and out of most bad relationships.

Favorite hotel?

The Mandarin Orientals in New York and Hong Kong. They both understand service on a molecular level.

Best souvenir you’ve ever brought home?

A Frenchman. Unfortunately, customs didn’t let me keep him.

Do you wear sweatpants on airplanes?

Absolutely not. Sweatpants on a plane are the international uniform of giving up.

How many pairs of shoes do you bring on a one-week trip? If it’s just me: four. If Pam Ann comes: 10, and she still complains there aren’t enough options.

A trait you cannot tolerate in a hotel? Loud housekeeping

When and where were you happiest?

A few weeks ago, with my bestie at Oliver’s Bistro on West Ave in Miami — my go-to spot. Best fried chicken and lychee martinis. The servers don’t ask what we want, just: “How many?”

Proudest — or most disastrous — moment on stage?

Opening for Cher on her Farewell Tour in 2004… and absolutely bombing while opening for Cher.

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