Travel

By Kitty Pilgrim • Photography by Will Croxton

“How’d you like to go to the coldest darkest place on Earth?”

By Narbeh Minassian

As many of you will no doubt be aware of, air travel has long-since become much more than just getting from A to B. In the modern era of travelling, the holiday begins once you board the plane. Many airlines are now adopting a policy of hospitality and high quality personal service to ensure that the excitement begins at the gate.

By Christopher A. Pape

Truth be told, I’m not a beach guy. I don’t have the right body type and to schlep here or there for some sand and sun doesn’t seem appealing; being around European history and culture is my idea of a great time. But, after a stressful 2012, I knew I had to get away from civilization and relax in pure beach beauty.

By Travelin’ Gal Maxine Albert

PARIS:
Swathed in wintry finest and accessorized in holiday glam, Paris looks even more beautiful in winter. There’s the scenic Seine, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, great food, fine wine and The Louvre. What news to hear that a second Louvre was to grace France. I came for the December opening of the Louvre in Lens and wanted to explore the less traveled North Pais de Calais, where Lens is located. What I found was a region rich in history and culture with superb cuisine, which may be France’s best kept secret.

Exclusive Charter Service has taken fitness to new heights, literally. Destination Fitness is a magnificent two-month world trek that incorporates the luxury of word class charter travel with a health and fitness focused itinerary.

BY TRAVELIN’ GAL MAXINE ALBERT

MADRID:

Tapas, flamenco and reveling till the wee hours in those cool Madrid bars, no wonder everyone takes a siesta in the afternoon. The fabulous nightlife is just one reason to be enthralled with this happening and sophisticated city. There’s the extraordinary Prado Museum where you can get up close and personal with Spanish Masters – Velazquez, El Greco and those wondrous Black Paintings of Goya.

By Narbeh Minassian

Il Salviatino is a hotel of delightful contradictions. Its very location combines two worlds into one, with a rural surrounding so tranquil and so green yet with the buzzing urban energy of Downtown Florence just a fifteen minute cab ride away. While the building may look like a contemporary hotel, it is actually a hand-restored 15th century villa; offering all the luxury and grandeur of a modern boutique but also all the timeless charm and atmosphere of an antique villa.

By Narbeh Minassian

As you will have already seen just a few pages to the left, the Salviatino collection of hotels has a philosophy that marries the legend of the past with the beauty of the present. The Palazzo Victoria in Verona, Italy is no different. Theirs is not just a hotel; but a museum with traditional artwork, décor, and even the building is north of two hundred years old. All in all, The Palazzo Victoria offers a first-hand and altogether unique experience of a city that champions one of the most unmistakable and richest cultures in the world.

By Anja Mutić

We arrived to a rain shower in Cochin. It was the second monsoon season in Kerala, one of India’s southern states, when each afternoon brings a few hours of rain. We drove south, first along busy roads of Cochin’s suburbs, lined with flashy roadside ads and car dealerships. As we veered off the main strip and into the back roads, the surroundings became more lush and scenic, offering glimpses of the waterways through dense foliage. We were, quite clearly, in the tropics.

By Travelin’ Gal Maxine Albert

Ischia:
My fascination with Ischia began when a native Tuscan raved to me about the island’s thermal waters, top spas and delicious cuisine. Ischia also offers sandy beaches and a culture with authentic flavor. You’ll find picturesque villages like Sant’ Angelo and a medieval castle, Il Castello Aragonese. Americans have yet to discover this favorite haunt of Europeans in search of curative springs. Located in the Bay of Naples an hour ferry ride from Capri and the Amalfi Coast, a visit to Ischia will not disappoint.