Every New Yorker knows that sometimes, the best part of living in the city is getting out of the city...especially in the summer. New York, being the center of the universe and all, is a hop, skip and a jump away from a ton of easy weekend escapes. Here are some of our favorites.
India: land of spices, saris, Bollywood blockbusters, bangles ... and wildlife! From the sunsoaked grasslands of Ranthambore in the north, to the plateaued cliffs of central Bandhavgarh, to the deciduous jungles of Nagarhole in the southwest, India’s National Parks are some of the natural world’s most paradisiacal sights—once you’ve glimpsed the majestic stripes and jasper eye of its king, the Bengal Tiger, part of you will never leave the jungle. So, we’ve picked out India’s top luxury safari lodges: places that organize safaris so unforgettable you won’t need to bring a camera and so comfortable that only the morning chirpings of the hoopoes and cuckoos will give away that you’re in the heart of the jungle.
As Samuel Johnson uttered back in 1777, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Despite the imminence of Brexit, it’s still true that London contains multitudes—the nightlife of New York, the resplendence of Rome, the stylishness of Paris and the antiquities of Athens (quite literally, thanks to our friend Lord Elgin). And, of course, an embarrassment of riches when it comes to luxury hotels. Here’s a local’s perspective on the city’s best options.
The entire office was seething with jealousy when Skylark’s jack-of-all-trades Jess Bauer returned from a bucket-list trip to the Galápagos Islands. Fortunately, while he was deciding whether to add “marine biologist” to his About Me section, he also took notes and photos to share with Skylark members. Here’s his report:
“Don’t bother with churches, government buildings or city squares,” Ernest Hemingway once opined; “if you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bar.” We may have a loftier opinion of government buildings, but we agree that drinking is a surefire way to get to know a destination. In one healthy sip of a local specialty (or two, or three, or twelve—no one’s judging), you can taste a place’s culture and climate, its personality and passions. Channeling the spirit of Papa, we present to you our list of worldwide summer cocktails—and where best to enjoy them. Cheers!
The snow may be gone, but that doesn’t mean the season’s over for America’s top ski resorts. It turns out the gorgeous scenery, wide range of activities and clean mountain air are just as appealing in the summer—and come with zero threat of avalanches. Here are a few top choices. See them all in our Ski Resorts in Summer Collection.
Have you found yourself yearning, ever since a particular day in late January, to escape from the daily chaos of life, the furious tweetstorms and breaking news alerts? You’re not the only one who wants to get away. In fact, the Obamas have been on an epic vacation spree since bidding their final farewells from the White House. Whatever your political persuasion, as world travelers the Obamas are pretty successful at creating enviable #vacationgoals. Here are a few of the places they’ve been—and how to follow along.
Deserted white beaches, charming Mediterranean architecture, cuisine and wine to rival Italy’s—but with fewer crowds and lower prices. Croatia’s appeals are many, and recently we’re seeing a lot of interest from our clients. (It might also have to do with some little show called Game of Thrones that’s filmed there).
But with its attractions spread along a rugged coastline and countless islands, it can be a tricky vacation to plan. We usually recommend exploring the country in a luxury chartered gulet—a traditional wooden sailing yacht—but those need to be reserved well in advance and can be pricey. Here’s an alternative that takes in the highlights and also gets you off the beaten path.
How do you quickly summarize Hong Kong? Quick answer: you don’t. Roast geese hanging in steamy shop windows, just two streets and an alleyway from the crystal dagger that is the Bank of China Tower. Milk tea and custom suits. Watching the sunrise from the top of Victoria Peak. Street food good enough for a Michelin star and cocktail bars that require a secret password. Hong Kong is a city of serious extremes—and fittingly, home to hotels that represent the pinnacle of luxury. So how do you decide where to stay? Here’s our abridged guide.