Art tips

On the coast of the western Mexico state of Nayarit, the Pacific Ocean meets the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. The lush, sand-cushioned shoreline, dependably blue skies, and warm weather offer an ideal—and idyllic—winter pause. Perfect for swimming, surfing, humpback whale watching, and multihued sunsets, the lush and hilly peninsula of Punta de Mita (also called Punta Mita) is home to a slew of luxury resorts, private real estate, and white sand beaches. Its close proximity to many other coastal spots on the Riviera Nayarit means there’s plenty to explore.

It’s been a busy year for the capital’s luxury hotel scene. A string of high-profile, and often high-priced, openings was crowned this autumn when the long-anticipated Raffles London at the OWO flung open its doors, taking over the building that once housed the Old War Office. Beyond such headline-grabbing launches, the accommodation offering in the city remains in rude health, with plenty of character available for travellers looking beyond the very top end of the market. There are boutique hotels squirrelled away in Georgian townhouses, budget pads in the midst of Piccadilly and huge complexes offering a world of bars, restaurants and entertainment across multiple floors. 

Japan sparks all the senses with everything, from temple bells, capsule hotels and breezy cat islands to outdoor sculptures, pine-forest hot springs and umami flavors in world-class dining.

Norwegian Viva is the newest vessel of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and the second ship in its award-winning Prima Class. Following its debut this past August and its inaugural summer season of European voyages, the ship hosted over 1,500 guests at the ceremony held in the Company’s LEED® Gold Certified terminal at PortMiami.

There are many places where you expect to see jaw-dropping architecture, but the quiet Brittany countryside isn’t one of them. As we walked toward Hotel l’Essenciel (not a typo, ciel means sky) with its 36 rooms, or “nests” suspended around its central structure, with the flying-saucer shaped restaurant La Table des Pères at its foot, I had to wonder if I’d stepped into a parallel universe or on to another planet.

In Strasbourg, France, throughout the holiday season, Santa-capped teddy bears festoon a restaurant’s facade. Stuffed polar bears adorn another. In a Yuletide arms race, buildings are affixed with giant, gift-wrapped packages, glittering white deer and oversize gingerbread men. Turning the central medieval quarter into a Christmas maze, curtains of lights glow above cobblestone lanes lined with food and gift stalls. And in the central Place Kléber, lights on a nearly 100-foot-tall Christmas tree flash and glow, synchronized to carols.

Famed for its cheddar and cider, Somerset has a rich food and drink heritage. Around a decade ago, the town of Bruton shone a spotlight on the county’s gourmet credentials encouraging travellers to linger for a weekend of gourmet food and art at its new Hauser & Wirth gallery. The influence of the town’s restaurants — among them Osip and Roth Bar & Grill — grew and has spread to nearby pockets of countryside including expansive rural estate, The Newt that packs in three restaurants largely fueled by its farm, kitchen gardens, butcher, baker and cider press. Tour South Somerset and the Levels and you’ll stumble across artisan producers that are putting a spin on traditional methods. Capitalising on this, a handful of well-known chefs have relocated from London to south Somerset to open farm-to-table restaurants in former coaching inns and other historic golden-stone buildings.

In our 5 Shops series, we’ll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world’s best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we’ve found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces.

Amsterdam continues to carve out a niche as one of Europe's most exciting food and drink scenes.

On a bone-chilling December morning, a thick sea mist shrouds Venice’s towers and palazzi. The alleys are filled with damp, salty air and infrequent hurried footsteps. At this hour, few people are out enjoying the city, but it is a truly magical moment.

As I sat under the waning sun, eating a traditional Bedouin meal of fire roasted lamb and rice with my fingers and watching the twinkling stars begin to appear in the sky, our host said, “You have to earn visiting AlUla,” and he was not wrong. It’s a place that insists upon admiration of its natural beauty and remarkable history, and with that comes a luxury price tag that is well worth saving for.

Founded in 1850, Cartersville, Georgia, rests between Atlanta and Chattanooga at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. A charming small city, Cartersville is carving a niche of its own as a cultural and historical hub for tourism. Headlining are a slew of museums: the Booth Western Art Museum, Tellus Science Museum, and Savoy Automobile Museum. In addition, Cartersville is home to two state parks, Red Top Mountain State Park and the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. Despite the attractions, the small town feels connected with a welcoming community.

What started over 500 years ago as a lookout post on the top of a tall hill is now Villa Ardore, a luxury rental villa in the heart of Chiantishire, the Chianti wine region of Tuscany.

Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, is scattered across a sequence of islands. Beyond the mega malls and golden beaches, the chief emirate will keep you busy with kayaking in the mangroves, ogling art at the Louvre, and marveling at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. In between sights, you can sip 24-carat gold cappuccinos and collect trinkets in souks. The slower pace makes Abu Dhabi a choice destination for families, honeymooners, and remote workers. Make a date to stay at one of these deluxe Airbnbs in Abu Dhabi’s coolest neighborhoods.

For many travelers, a Florida vacation means one of two things: white-sand beaches or Mickey Mouse. But if you drive north of many of Florida’s most famous coastal resorts, and continue on past Disney World, you’ll find Ocala, where streets are lined with majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and rolling farmlands are edged with gleaming white ranch rail fencing. Everywhere you look, there are reminders of the area’s biggest business: horses.

South Florida’s Gold Coast is renowned for its blue skies, pristine beaches, and ritzy lifestyle. Anchored by Miami to the south and Palm Beach to the north, this stretch of Atlantic coastline has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Smack dab in the middle of the Gold Coast is Fort Lauderdale. The tropical metropolis is sometimes overlooked for its glitzier neighbors when it comes to vacation locales — the city was once best known as the capital of spring break pilgrimages and, in more recent years, as a popular cruise ship port — but thanks to recent development, a thriving arts and culture community, an evolving culinary scene, and its laid-back vibe, Fort Lauderdale is now one of the state’s must-visit destinations.

Travelers flock to Paris for the art and the macarons but next summer all eyes will be on the 14,900 Olympic and Paralympic athletes going for the gold. The 2024 Paris Games will break with tradition and host contests in the city’s grandest monuments and provide free viewing areas. Running in tandem with the sports program, the Cultural Olympiad offers arts and immersive events for the entire clan.

Set in the upscale Bunker Hill neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles and walkable to iconic landmarks like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Park, The Broad, and The Music Center, the Conrad Los Angeles seamlessly blends with the city’s high-class cultural atmosphere. The legendary architect Frank Gehry designed the property, drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s impressive surroundings.

Park Güell, a public park system in the district of Gracia, Barcelona, is spread over 17 hectares of hilly land and welcomes approximately nine million visitors annually. Originally designed by Antoni Gaudí as a residential estate, the failed housing project became a municipal park in 1926 and a World Heritage site in 1984. Within the park, every path you tread, bench you rest on, and vista you admire are a testament to Gaudí’s architectural brilliance. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or not, Park Güell deserves a spot on your travel itinerary of Barcelona. Because of its popularity, the attraction can be extremely busy, especially in the summer months. On all days of the week, between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, you’ll be jostling for a view. One way around this is to stay close by in a Park Güell Airbnb and visit first thing in the morning or at sunset. The vacation rentals below are in or around the Gracia area and have rave reviews, outdoor spaces, and beautiful decor to complement the experience of visiting one of the world’s most colorful parks.

As the seasons change, there’s no better time to escape the busy city life and take a road trip. The New England region has a rich history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for scenic drives. If you’re in the northeastern United States looking for an escape, here’s an extended weekend guide sharing the best places to visit on a road trip through Central and Western Massachusetts, including small towns, historical landmarks, mountainous terrain — all with a stunning backdrop.

Prepare to be wowed: Djemaa El Fna is the dazzling heart of Marrakesh, with hordes of people all day long and into the night. It’s an exciting place to be, with shops, restaurants, herbalists, cats, kids going to school, drummers, fruit-juice carts, motorbikes, groups of tourists, bugle-players, women going shopping, and the odd snake.