Art Deco tips

Situated around 20 miles from Spain on the tip of North Africa, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, Tangier has been a coveted naval prize for centuries. Phoenicia, the Roman Empire, various Islamic caliphates, Portugal, Spain, England and France all laid claim to this hilly port town. After World War II, the city was an international zone — administered by several countries — until Morocco achieved independence in 1956 and regained full control of it. It was this colorful heritage and these scenic surroundings that helped to entice a steady stream of writers, artists and eccentrics in the mid-20th century, the city’s bohemian heyday.

Miami and Orlando are the two most visited cities in Florida. Miami is nicknamed the Magic City and known for its white-sand beaches, pastel-hued tropical Art Deco architecture, dynamic nightlife, and Latin vibes. Orlando is home to the Magic Kingdom and the world’s most famous mouse. Until recently, out-of-towners who wanted to experience both sides of the Sunshine State either had to hop a flight between Orlando and Miami and then take a taxi or ride-share to their destination or rent a car, navigate the oft-congested interstate, and endure the hassle of finding (usually pricey) parking during what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation.

To celebrate the holidays in style, some iconic luxury hotels around the world have collaborated with top designers and brands to create enchanting holiday tree displays that fuse fashion, art, and design. Take a look and enjoy the magic of the season.

Belmond, the luxury company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), made a historic announcement this week that will delight those who love luxury European luxury train travel. The company said that in June 2024, the VSOE will travel to the Italian Riviera for the first time on a three-night experience that links Paris and the Ligurian coastal resort of Portofino. Once in Portofino, guests check into the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, for two nights.

Miami Beach is witnessing the rebirth of a legend. The Raleigh, an iconic Art Deco gem since 1949, is set to become the city's most exquisite resort and residential retreat.

Visiting Belfast for a romantic break is probably not the first place that comes to mind. Instead, you probably picture west Belfast's segrated areas with their murals that were most affected by the Troubles. However, there is another side to Belfast, showcased in the recent Sky original series The Lovers, which visited some of Belfast's more charming spots.

Perla La Paz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton mark the brand’s arrival in the region adding to the company’s Baja California portfolio of award‑winning hotels.

A diverse crop of new ships will set sail in 2024, including intimate yacht-style vessels to never-before-seen mega ships from luxury players like Silversea and Cunard. There will be plenty of bells and whistles expected of these brands, including restaurants from top chefs, but also a few features new to the industry (think glass domes on the hull). Some are sister ships to those already on the waters, but with enough points of difference to feel like something entirely new—including the soon-to-be-sailing largest ship in the world, from Royal Caribbean, of course.

While the Caribbean is teeming with picturesque islands, few destinations can match the beauty of Puerto Rico. From the scenic shores of Rincon to the bioluminescent waters of Fajardo, this dazzling island has earned worldwide acclaim for its lush landscapes and pristine beaches—and as an added bonus, all of this abundant natural beauty has ushered in a wealth of world-class accommodations over the years, with the Condado Vanderbilt serving as one of the most lavish hotels to grace the grounds of San Juan.

Hotel bars have had a bit of a patchy reputation in the last few decades, often with drab, soulless decor and an uninspired clientele. But recently, they’ve come into a category of their own as somewhere you would choose to spend your night, even if you’re not a guest. They employ pioneering bar professionals who create avant-garde drinks menus and have brought much-needed pizzazz back into the surroundings. Here are four hotel bars in Europe you’ll want to have on your radar for your next visit.

Emerald Palace Group (EPG) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Raffles Branded Residences, heralding a new era of high-quality living with the unveiling of “The Contemporary Collection” of Raffles The Palm Residences & Penthouses, strategically situated on the prestigious West Crescent of The Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai.

For every world-famous European museum like the Louvre or Prado, there’s one that flies under the radar. The following collection is made up of both quirky & unusual museums and those that are home to world-class collections but just aren’t as well known as they should be. 

San Francisco has always been synonymous with creativity. From the Beat movement of the 1950s to the boho period that birthed hippie culture in the 1960s, this hilly city situated at the tip of a peninsula along the Northern California coast is nothing if not progressive – and that creative spirit extends to its rich architectural heritage. 

Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is set to launch an extravagant new rail itinerary that combines riding one of the world’s most storied trains with a glamorous European ski trip.

In May 2024, almost 3,000 guests and more than 1,200 crew will set sail from Southampton on the maiden voyage of the Queen Anne, the 249th vessel in the storied history of Cunard Line.

As the grape growing season winds to an end, vineyards and wineries across Europe are moving into their busiest time of the year, the annual harvest. Visitors can get stuck in with traditional grape picking, wine trails, open cellars and harvest festivals during this period. Here are the best places to stay for a vacation tailor-made to the oenophile.

Marigold-strewn altars to deceased loved ones, revelers dressed as skeletons, and colorful parades make Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) a big spectacle in Mexico and U.S. border states. The somber-meets-celebratory holiday November 1 and 2 honors the dead with a fusion of Catholic and pre-Columbian traditions. It sees locals decorating family graves at cemeteries and travelers joining public celebrations from Mexico City to California.

The Waldorf Astoria Chicago is filled to the brim with Art Deco design details.

Auckland’s best beaches are a diverse bunch, ranging from the surf-trimmed expanses of the region’s west coast, to the cafe culture and family-friendly city beaches lining the serpentine bays of Tāmaki Drive.

Pâté en croûte, the centuries-old French dish composed of meat terrine baked in savory pastry, was first developed out of economy as a way to preserve and use up bits of offal. But today, with skilled kitchen staffs in short supply, the labor-intensive delicacy — which requires multiple days of confiting, jellying, laminating and simmering — feels like a luxury item. “I like the technical aspect of it,” says the chef Nicolas Delaroque, 42, who serves a classic rabbit-and-tarragon version modernized with a little less fat and a bit more spice at his restaurant, Maison Nico, in San Francisco. Markus Glocker, 42, of New York’s Koloman, likewise set out to create a lighter take on the original. “You’re not going to feel like you just ate a stone,” he says of his salmon en croûte, in which slices of tramezzini, a fluffy Italian bread, are wrapped around a rare salmon filet slicked with scallop-and-parsley mousse and topped with gherkins and a beet-infused butter. At Melbourne, Australia’s Aru, the pâté en croûte is reminiscent of a fancy bánh mì. Chả lua, a ground Vietnamese pork loaf, is combined with chicken liver pâté for the filling, and the jelly layer between the meat and the pastry is seasoned with rice vinegar, soy sauce and Maggi, an MSG-spiked seasoning. “It’s quite a humbling experience,” says the charcutier George Jephson, 39, of assembling his iteration, which is stuffed with pork belly, confit pork tongue, crisped chicken skin, pistachios and port jelly, and can be found at his East London wine bar, Cadet, and at nearby restaurants, including Chiltern Firehouse. Still, making use of the whole pig, he says, is worth the effort. “I worked 10 years as a butcher, and we didn’t sell a single piece of pork liver,” he says. “Now I sell 60 kilos a week.” —

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2023)? Look no further than Amtrak. Get ready to journey across the US by train to explore Hispanic culture by visiting historic landmarks, museums, restaurants, and art galleries.