The ultimate in indulgence and the pinnacle of luxury, flying privately is a way to make even the most opulent of first class commercial cabins seem somehow lacking. And for island hoppers, it’s the only way to fly. While there may be no doubt that the “wow factor” of flying privately is alluring, the drawback traditionally has been a price tag that puts it out of range – unless of course you know where to look.

Flying empty legs – or deadheading as it’s known to some – is one way those in the know enjoy the benefits of exclusive travel without spending exorbitantly on fares.  In a nutshell, seats are available on private jets as they return from delivering or head out to collect primary passengers.  The cost?  On those formerly passenger-less flights, seats are made available at greatly reduced rates – reductions of 40% or more are not uncommon.  The trick is to know where to find them.  The benefits?  Nearly priceless.  Private travel means no TSA lines, no crowds, impossibly plush seats.  Care to bring your four legged companion with you?  No problem. Rover or Kitty can come aboard and curl up in your lap as opposed to in a carrier or worse, in the belly of the beast.

Magellan Jets, who estimates that nearly a full third of all private jets are flying empty legs; has a one-way search feature allowing passengers to plug in their desired dates and destinations to help match them with the best options. Return Jet, a online broker matching passengers with flights and the Manhattan-based Blue Star Jets are two other solid options for finding empty leg flights.  Luring passengers with the concept that flying privately may be more economical than traditional first class, they may be right and with good reason.  While travel booked without advance purchase in a first class cabin can come with tremendously inflated fares, last minute departures are actually more attractively priced when it comes to empty leg flights on private aircraft.  While every itinerary may not work with all would-be flyers, most will find the options to be plentiful.

It’s not only flight brokers who offer these empty leg flights.  Charter companies and private aviation groups have joined in as well. JetSuite is a private aviation group that makes its fleet available by the seat – or by the entire plane. The west coast based company offers a mobile app to let you fly on the fly and with the company’s ‘Suite Deals’, offers fares that are often well below what you would expect to pay – even in coach – on the commercial airlines.   It’s another world of travel that provides you with the best of both worlds:  the luxury of private air travel and the affordability of commercial.

By Gina Samarotto

The 2016 British Virgin Island’s Food Festival is coming in bigger and tastier than ever! November will be filled with competitions, demonstration kitchens and cooking with the island’s best chefs. In celebration of this year’s event Peter Island Resort & Spa will be hosting its very own Food Festival in support of the Peter Island Culinary Scholarship Fund. This fantastic scholarship program assists the further education of BVI’s aspiring culinary professionals.

Peter Island will be bringing in top chefs and mixologists from across the region for a weekend of flavorful food and culinary competitions. Some of the celebrity chefs and culinary legends that will be at the event include: Alex Ewald of St. John, Mixologist Abigail Gullo from New Orleans, Lisa Sellers from Antigua, Roberto Trevino of Budatai and La Pizza La Pasta in Puerto Rico, as well as the resort’s Executive Chef Joseph Johnson and other internationally renowned chefs.

On Friday November 11th a ‘Taste of the BVI’ 4-course dinner will take place in the resort’s main restaurant to start off the weekend. Diners and celebrity chefs will be invited to sample and judge a range of dishes prepared by chefs from some of the BVI’s favorite restaurants.

The event will continue the next day with a beach relay race and gourmet beach barbecue. This is followed by a ‘Caribbean Cocktail Challenge’ where guests will judge a bartending challenge and choose between cocktails prepared by the BVI’s top mixologists. That evening, attendees are invited to enjoy a 7-course tasting menu which is designed to showcase local Caribbean ingredients and cooking techniques, with each course being created by a different celebrity chef. To end the evening, the region’s best musical bands will keep the beat going for a night of dancing on a moon-lit beach.

The resort will be offering special getaway packages during the BVI Food Fete:  The 3-night Caribbean Food Festival Getaway Package starts at $2,148 and includes accommodations, a welcome kit with local spices and a recipe book, a festival t-shirt, and an all-access pass to all events at the resort’s festival.

Guests can also choose the BVI Food Fete Celebrations Rum Package, which includes 5 nights for two in either Ocean View Room or Ocean View Deluxe Room, a welcome bottle of rum and mixers, full breakfast buffet daily for two, and private rum appreciation and cocktail classes with expert mixologists.

About Peter Island Resort and Spa
Peter Island Resort & Spa is the largest luxury private island resort in the British Virgin Islands with 1,800 acres of unspoiled Caribbean island, features 52 rooms and suites, 3 extravagant villas, 5 breath taking beaches, and boasts one of the best spas in the Caribbean. It also has two renowned restaurants — head to Tradewinds for infused Asian-Caribbean cuisine and Deadman’s Beach Bar & Grill for more casual ocean-side dining.  Peter Island Resort & Spa’s elegant beachfront has been a treasured secret among yachtsmen and sophisticated travelers for over 30 years.  For more information about the event visit:
http://peterisland.com/events/peter-island-resort-spa-caribbean-food-festival

Discriminating travelers and foodies-alike will enjoy some of the world’s finest cuisine at the 3rd Annual St. Barth’s Gourmet Food Festival from November 3rd to 6th.  For three evenings during this luxurious gastronomic event, specially chosen and highly acclaimed chefs will offer a four or eight course menu in the restaurants of St. Barth’s finest hotels, including:  Le Guanahani, Cheval Blanc, Tom Beach Hotel, and Le Barthelemy.

This year’s Patron Chef is the talented Christian Le Squer, head chef at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris. The winner of three Michelin Stars, his cuisine and contributions are a guaranteed to impress.

Christian Le Squer

Among the very best in the world, this year’s guest chefs will be arriving from Paris, Béziers, St. Tropez, and will include a few elite local culinary stars. Together they will create their signature versions of french-inspired cuisine with an island twist.

It is an honor to welcome such talented chefs to our island. The Saint Barth Gourmet Festival is a major event that helps confirm the dominant position of
the island as a world-class tourist destination in the Caribbean, while allowing guests and residents of the island to enjoy the best of French gastronomy
in a friendly, festive ambiance that conveys the spirit of Saint Barth! – Nils Dufau, president of the Territorial Tourism Committee of Saint Barthélémy

Now is the perfect time to book a Caribbean getaway and treat yourself  to this unforgettable fine dining event. Surely there is no better combination than savoring world-class cuisine with the stunning backdrop of St. Barth’s Island.

Select luxury villas and hotels on St. Barth’s are offering special packages for the event.  Allowing you to enjoy the island’s finest accommodations, as well as reservations at one of the 4-course Festival dining events.  Some of our top picks for staying on St. Barth’s:  Le Barthelemy, Eden Rock, and private villa rentals with WIMCO.

Eden Rock Luxury Hotel

Everyone dreams of  white Christmas. But, if your version is paved with powdery sand and festive cocktails rimmed with salt, then a trip to one of our top destinations to spend the holidays in Paradise may be the way to get your holiday wish. And not to worry – a trip to a tropical beach won’t have you leaving the season behind. Each destination on our list will be decking the halls (or poolside tiki bars) with lights, gingerbread houses and plenty of ways to celebrate your holiday season. Here are our top picks for the sandy shores that will let you indulge the holiday spirit.

St. Kitts

With two weeks of celebrations, full of carnivals and parades every day leading up to Christmas, it doesn’t get more exotic than a Christmas on St. Kitts. Unlike most islands, St. Kitts and Nevis hold their annual Carnival from late November through the first week of January, rather than in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, which is in February. The celebration, Sugar Mas, combines elements of Carnival with Boxing Day activities, parades and street parties. Highlights include musical events like the Calypso Semi-Finals and Band Clash, followed by a variety of parties. The Queen and the Calypso Monarch are crowned on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, while The Grand Parade occurs on Jan. 1 with the Cool Down Fete wrapping up the season on Jan. 5.

St. Kitts & Nevis National Carnival

Nevis

While a stay at Four Seasons Nevis will have you feeling joyful anytime of the year, the holidays are a special time for Merrymakers to enjoy the elegance of this beachside luxury resort.  This time of year, the lobby, restaurants and main areas are lined with seaside, holiday-themed decor. Each restaurant will feature special holiday menus and Coral Grill, in particular, will host a traditional Christmas Eve dinner. For an even more pampered holiday, choose to stay at one of the exclusive Villas on Pinney’s Beach where you can step outside your door and ring in the New Year at the resort’s White Party. There, you’ll enjoy live entertainment, dancing under the stars and a champagne toast under a private fireworks display. Talk about capping your year off with a bang!

Costa Rica

New Year’s Boat Parade in Costa Rica

Not only does Costa Rica offer visitors fantastic beaches, awesome surf, and unforgettable sunsets year-round, but during the Christmas season resorts along the Pacific Coast offer an array of Holiday activities. Choose from boat parades at the Los Suenos Resort & Marina or Marina Pez Vela, or dazzling firework shows that line the Pacific shores. Resort communities like Hacienda Pinilla, in the popular province of Guanacaste, host events throughout Christmas and New Years. From Christmas Eve dinners at the JW Marriott to rockin’ New Years Eve parties watching the stars over the golden Costa Rican sands, the jewel of Central America has plenty of events to have you ringing in the new year saying, “Pura Vida.”

The Bahamas

Winter is the high-season here, and for good reason.  From December – April, the islands get very little rain and daily temperatures range from 75-85 degrees, making the Bahamas the perfect escape from the bone-chilling rains of winter farther north. Drawing tourists from around the world, Christmas in the Bahamas is celebrated in the traditional gift-giving and feasting form. On the shores of the sandy beaches you’ll find special parades, parties and chef-crafted holiday menus with a tropical flare to bring you and your companions an unforgettable holiday season.

A White-sand Christmas in the Bahamas

Followed immediately by Boxing Day celebrations on the 26th, the festivities only continue.  Parades are held to ring in New Year’s Day and an event called Junkanoo is held both on Boxing and New Year’s Day, as it’s one of the biggest events on the islands. Resorts, like Atlantis, are decked out with holiday decor and hold an endless list of events for you and your family to enjoy.  Looking for a more private holiday – check out the “outislands”.  Places like the Abacos and the Exumas offer smaller celebrations rife with laid-back luxury and Bahamian hospitality.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The dazzling lights in Puerto Vallarta

While things are cooling down in many other places around the world, Puerto Vallarta is sunny and warm, with holiday activities that are just heating up. In this delightful Mexican beach town, the Christmas spirit abounds and celebrations begin weeks before Christmas. With a variety of parties, dazzling lights and festivals, people in Puerto Vallarta love to share in the magic of the season. During the Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the beginning of December, masses of “Vallartenses” parade through the center of town in an elaborate display that shows off their religious devotion and vibrant local culture. These parades take place on the first 12 nights of December and create a magical scene for visitors at one of Vallarta’s largest events of the year. December is also whale watching season in Vallarta, when Humpback whales can be seen in the Pacific Waters turning your holiday into the adventure of a lifetime.

Resorts in Puerto Vallarta decorate lobbies, drape string lights both pool and beachside and dream up festive cocktails that make for a delightful holiday in paradise. Special services are also offered to make your holiday even more unforgettable. Garzana Blanca Resort and Spa offers guests the option of having a Christmas tree put up in your room to ensure your Christmas in Vallarta is everything you wished for.

St. John, USVI

Christmas on Caneel Bay

Located in the USVI,  Americans won’t even need a passport to enjoy a tropical holiday on the charming island of St. John. Here, Santa travels to the historic Caneel Bay by boat, arriving on Christmas Eve to hand out presents to the children. And while snorkeling isn’t a traditional Christmas activity, it may just top your list of holiday experiences. Thankfully, there is no better place to try it. Sip on a Gingerbread Martini and soak up the sun on the sands of the beautiful Virgin Island beaches.

Going to Cabo San Lucas anytime soon? If so, there’s really only one place to stay. As Cabo’s ultimate luxury destination, the Resort at Pedregal has made it so that you never even have to leave the grounds, if you so choose. Accessed by a kilometer-long private tunnel, guests emerge from the darkness to a vacation wonderland filled with pristine beaches, infinity pools as far as the eye can see, and a stark desert landscape.

Guests have several room options to choose from – like the indulgent one-bedroom Estrella suite, which offers the best perch from which to view the whole resort and ocean beyond, or the two-story casitas, perfect for small groups or families. Each comes fully stocked with a minibar, top-of-the-line toiletries and linens and features a private terrace (or two). They’re all smartly designed with Mexican craft details, like Otomi pillows or specially-made votives. All is intended to invoke the understated chic atmosphere of Baja California Sur. Oh, and we forgot to mention the best part: every room has its own plunge pool. If you’re a bit of a homebody or just not feeling like you need to leave your digs, you can take as many swims as you like in your personal pool, all of which overlook the Pacific Ocean.

For spa junkies, The Resort at Pedregal is one of the best options you can find on the globe. The Luna y Mar Spa, designed and run by award winning director Alan Naverrete sits at the heart of the resort and offers several treatments guaranteed to relax you to your core. The spa’s flagship program focuses on different lunar phases and offers several different massages, wraps, scrubs and more to correspond with different aspects of each phase. Another program features the ancient Mexican healing principles of curanderismo as well as Baja ingredients, drawing from local culture and tradition to bring the most authentic experience to the resort’s guests. Further still are it’s hydrotherapy treatments, a must for any spa operating nearly on top of the ocean. In keeping with The Resort at Pedregal’s extreme attention to detail, the spa facilities are truly impeccable. Each treatment room opens up to a meditation pool and waterfall, which overlooks the ocean just beyond its perimeter.

Unsurprisingly, the dining options are varied and top notch. El Farallon is the resort’s seafood restaurant and, fittingly, is located cliffside at the far edge of the resort. The only thing you’ll have to worry about, besides which fresh fish to choose, is whether or not you’ll get wet from the crashing waves. On your way to El Farallon is the resort’s new Champagne Terrace, offering mole and salt tastings alongside France’s finest bubbles. Don Manuel’s is split into a craft cocktail bar and a farm-to-table restaurant, serving Mexican classics like cochinita pibil alongside roasted chicken with roasted vegetables. Another hybrid favorite is the poblano risotto with parmesan and morel mushrooms. Fresh fish lovers will delight at Crudo, which is dedicated to serving sushi, aguachiles, ceviches and other raw fish options next to the covert swim up bar.

“Pedregal” means rocky in Spanish, and this slice of heaven built into a mountain reflects that perfectly. One of theresort’s best features is its design: even when it’s fully booked, its careful arrangement of spaces, like spreading the pool throughout the ocean’s edge of the resort rather than building around it, ensures you’ll feel like you’re just one of a few guests. Whether you’re doing yoga at the ocean’s edge or taking in the cotton candy sky of a Baja sunset, there’s little doubt you’ll fall completely in love with The Resort at Pedregal.

Article By:  Jackie Bryant

In the world of food, no place has a greater buzz around it right now than Mexico does. One of its epicenters is off in the far northwestern corner of the country, just an hour and a half south of the United States border at San Diego. Baja California is one of Mexico’s most far-flung states, both geographically and culturally, and recent years have found it finding its own culinary identity. Using its ocean bounty and variety of fresh produce, a new and distinctly Mexican cuisine has begun to take shape. Ingredients commonly used include locally produced olive oil and wine – two things Mexico isn’t historically known for producing.

The coast of Baja California

It’s true, though – Baja California is producing wine and olive oil in spades, and this new culinary capital is looking toward the Mediterranean for inspiration. Think street tacos with grilled abalone and a drizzle of olive oil, for example. Sides could include freshly plucked vegetables and a full bodied wine to accompany it. Just inland from the port city of Ensenada lies the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s largest grape growing region, which accounts for 95% of the country’s wine production. Lacking a signature varietal or regulatory oversight, winemakers are free to experiment, and you’ll find no shortage of diverging styles and opinion on what grows best here and how. The dry, hot climate means that certain grapes – like pinot noir, for example – could off the table, though that doesn’t stop some winemakers from trying. A visit to the Valle de Guadalupe means inventive restaurants, exciting wines and a bevy of gorgeous boutique hotels to choose from.

To DRINK

Villa Montefiori

Family-run Lechuza Vineyards is a favorite on both sides of the border – word has it that famed chef Thomas Keller just put some of their wines on the list at The French Laundry. A visit to their winery puts you directly at the Magnussen family home, where they let you sample the best their land has to offer. Across the valley, Villa Montefiorispecializes in Italian, old world-style wines, which is fitting as its winemaker, Paolo Paoloni, hails from Italy originally. There’s also an excellent Italian restaurant on-site, called Tre Galline, which provides the best Italian food on either side of the border. As for the wine, favorites include their inky Nebbiolo, dynamic Aglianico and their Mexican “Brunello.” Dr. Victor Torres Alegre originally studied winemaking in Bordeaux and brings that expertise home to Mexico. Vinicola Torres Alegre y Familia is another special experience, also fusing the old world with the new in the form of exciting blends unique to the Valle de Guadalupe.

To EAT

Deckman’s en el Mogor

TrasLomita is on the grounds of a well-known winery in the area, Hacienda la Lomita. A walk through its gardens leads you to a sort of backyard oasis in the form of TrasLomita, where Chef Sheyla Alvarado brings the best of his Baja experience to your plate. Deckman’s en el Mogor is headed up by Michelin-starred American Drew Deckman, who is a true grillmaster. Favorites include his yellowtail collar and rib eye steak, but anything you get will be lovingly and expertly prepared in his outdoor “anti-kitchen,” which revolves around an open-air grill and prep station. Chef Roberto Alcocer also loves grilling, but dresses it up a bit at his restaurant Malva, which is tucked away against the hills just at the entrance to the valley. The tasting menu is the best way to showcase Alcocer’s expertise, giving diners the true range of Baja-style cuisine. Corazon de Tierra is the valley’s most famous outpost, where Chef Diego Hernandez shows off his range of Mexican taught and trained techniques, using strictly local ingredients. This is the valley’s hottest ticket, to be certain, and a meal here, under the backdrop of the mountains beyond and the restaurant’s garden beside it, will be unforgettable.

Corazon de Tierra

To STAY

The cherry on top of a Valle de Guadalupe vacation is its incredibly chic boutique hotels. Adobe Guadalupe is a hacienda-style property where gourmands, wine-lovers and horse aficionados can rest easily in the center of the valley. Their wine is top-notch, as is the food on-site, and the decor eclectic, chic and cozy at the same time. For those seeking more modern-designed accommodations, look no further than Encuentro Guadalupe. The rooms at this hotel are individual eco pods set atop the hills lording over the valley, creating a stunning vantage point whether you’re staring up at the pods or scanning the vistas below them. Bruma is a yet-to-be-finished eco-luxury resort, with five stunning bed and breakfast suites completed at time of print. The goal is to have more rooms, winery operations and a restaurant, but visitors will have to make do with comfortable and smartly-designed rooms, a gorgeous pool and beautiful valley sunset views for now.

Encuentro Guadalupe

By Jackie Bryant

Overview – GVRN Febrero 2016 from Velas Resorts on Vimeo.

Dedicated menus at each restaurant feature four to five adapted traditional dishes of French, Italian and Mexican cuisine as well as international favorites and comfort food for the specialty diet. Frida, serving authentic Mexican food, offers standout dishes such as raw coconut ceviche with serrano chili and cucumber Aguachile, plus marinated wild mushrooms Mayan-style with baked plantain, brown rice and sautéed spinach in a homemade tortilla.

Italian options at Lucca include a bruschetta sampler with crushed tomato, garlic, basil, arugula, olive oil and lemon over rustic bread, gluten-free penne pasta with broccoli, cauliflower and grilled Portobello, and espresso and chocolate cake with raspberry sherbet and marinated fruit. French dishes at Piaf include vegan nut pate with fermented cashew cheese and black pepper crust, smoked sausage with sauerkraut, antique mustard and green apple compote, and chocolate mousse with orange essence and forest berries over hazelnut glaze.

At any time of day or night, in-suite dining delivers vegan cheeses, breads, ice creams and sour cream, as well as burgers made with almonds, mushrooms, 10 different vegetables, onions, and garlic, with chia seeds and chickpeas for protein (pumpernickel bun or lettuce wraps available). Another savory option includes a vegan pizza melt made with cashews, tapioca and sunflower seeds. Committed to serving nutritious meals with sufficient protein, all dishes created at the property are free of processed foods and are made with healthy cooking oils and techniques.

Soon to come are pressed juices and shots of ginger, turmeric and cayenne, which are known for giving health benefits and helping the immune system. The new culinary offerings come on the heels of the property’s first annual multi-generational Wellness Week inclusive of top chefs, vegan menus, culinary workshops, fitness activities, and spa offerings, which took place October 24-30, 2016.

For more information on Velas Resorts or for reservations, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://www.velasresorts.com.

Deep Water Cay – Bahamas

From February 9-19, Deep Water Cay is celebrating the holiday by offering the Lover’s Package which includes a four-night stay in a private oceanfront cottage. Located in the Bahamas, couples booking this package will be afforded exclusive use of a private guide and boat each day as well as the option to enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing. Should you catch anything on your outing, the chef can grill up your fresh catch for that evening’s dinner. On Valentine’s Day, lovers will get to savor a gourmet dinner in the resort’s private dining room, complete with complimentary Champagne and surrounded by locally-sourced flowers. The Lover’s Package begins at USD $10,752 based on double occupancy.

Malliouhana – Anguilla

Sitting on the white sands beaches of Anguilla, Malliouhana is a four-star, boutique resort built atop a panoramic bluff overlooking the Caribbean. This February and March, the hotel is showcasing a four-night offer for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day with them. Before you even step food in Anguilla, your package begins with a private plane ride from San Juan, Puerto Rico courtesy of Tradewind private charters. Guests can choose between either an Ocean View Premium room or Junior Suite and will be welcomed with chocolate truffles and Champagne in your accommodation upon arrival. Along with a daily breakfast, travelers will get to experience a 90-minute couples Coconut Dream Duet treatment and dinner under the stars with a three-course meal prepared on the beach. The package begins at USD $13,530 per couple.

Le Barthélemy – St. Barths

St. Barths is always a good idea, and this Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect destination to show your loved one how much they mean to you. Situated right on the beach, Le Barthélemy is chic resort with interiors by designer Sybille de Margerie and Michelin-starred French chef Guy Martin at the helm of its signature restaurant. For V-day, the property is offering the Love St B’heart Package, a five-night experience which includes a variety of perks to choose from. Couples can choose five of 10 exclusives which range from a 60-minute massage to dinner for two at Guy Martin’s eatery, a private picnic lunch on the beach, a mixology lesson and SUP lessons. But don’t worry, if you don’t make it for Valentine’s Day, the offer is good until August 31, 2017, so take all the time you need. The Love St B’heart Package is priced at around USD $732 a night.

CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa – Anguilla

Inspired by the Greek island of Mykonos, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa is a five-star resort oozing with charm. Located in Anguilla’s Rendezvous Bay, the property is home to 98 suites and private villas with pools, fine dining venues, the award-winning Venus Spa featuring Aquatherapy, and the 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Design Championship Course. This Valentine’s Day, the resort is offering a Sea of Love Package for eight days, seven nights in a beachfront one-bedroom suite. Upon arrival, guests will be treated to Champagne and strawberries, the perfect start to your romantic week. The package also includes daily breakfast, three complimentary lunches, two dinners and chef’s tasting menu at Le Bistro or Omakase at Tokyo Bay, a 50-minute relaxation massage, a couples 105-minute couples treatment, private dinner on the beach, wine tasting, and a one-day car rental. The Sea of Love offer is priced at USD $10,465.

Round Hill – Jamaica

The secluded Round Hill resort sits on a lush 110-acre peninsula west of Montego Bay, and luxe property is celebrating V-day as only Jamaica can, with the One Love package. Couples who book a three-night stay by February 12, 2017 will receive roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast, chocolate covered fruits upon arrival, complimentary Wi-Fi and daily afternoon tea service. When it comes time to relax, enjoy a 50-minute couples massage at the spa before jetting off on a glass-bottom boat ride for the afternoon. Should you wish to wander around the local area, a daily shuttle is available to take you to Montego Bay for some shopping or to Tryall Golf Club to practice your swing. The One Love package starts at USD $729 per night.

Written by Nicolle Monico

Two exciting concepts are making their way to Tulum. Noma Mexico will be popping up at the Colibri boutique hotel La Zebra this summer, bringing its world-class dining experience from Copenhagen to the Riviera Maya. René Redzepi reunited with friend and former sous-chef Rosio Sanchéz, of Copenhagen’s Hija de Sanchez, to develop a new and original menu using only local and indigenous Mexican ingredients.

Rene Redzepi in the kitchen- Noma Mexico © 2016 Vincent L Long

Working with Sanchez and a small group of international chefs, the Noma team have already begun to develop their vision for the Mexico residency. By traveling across the country in search of inspiration, they’ll incorporate flavors and preparations from Mexico City to Ensenada, Chiapas to Puebla, Oaxaca to Guadalajara, and throughout the Yucatán Peninsula.

At Noma, shorts and sandals are the norm but good taste always sets the standard.

Noma Mexico will be situated outdoors between the Caribbean Sea and the canopy of the jungle, just steps away from La Zebra boutique hotel, where shorts and sandals are the norm but good taste is held to the highest standard. Its doors open April 12, 2017.

La Zebra Hotel situated on the Caribbean Sea

Also at the La Zebra hotel will be another pop up from New York’s lauded cocktail bar, Mulberry Project. Featuring tequila, mezcal and rum, in particular, guests will be able to suggest a favored base cocktail for the mixologist to start off from, rather than ordering from a standard preconceived menu. Jasper Soffer, co-founder and owner of the original Mulberry Project in downtown Manhattan, says, “We don’t believe in boredom. We want to surprise you and please you at the same time. We’ll give you a cocktail you’ve probably never had before, something that fits with the magic that is Tulum.” Clearly, it seems that the place to be in Tulum this year is eating and drinking at La Zebra.

By Jackie Bryant

We’re already deep into the heart of winter, which means you’re most likely ready for the snow to subside and the sunshine to make its way back to your area of the world. But if you’d rather not wait for the temperature to heat up, St. Barths is calling your name. March and April are some of the best times to visit the picturesque island, with temperatures resting at a breezy 84-86 degrees F.

The sophisticated French island is a hotspot for the well-to-do and jetsetters hit its beach each winter in search of its perfectly-turquoise bays, powder-soft sand and wonderfully-luxurious hotels. Along with its postcard-worthy landscapes, the archipelago is also known for its chic boutiques boasting the latest French fashions, high-end restaurants featuring local cuisines and of course, its many megayachts parked in the harbor.

Because of this, St. Barths is one of the region’s most expensive islands and indulging in a week stay here is reserved for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Although you could spend most of your time lounging beach side or sailing around its 21 beaches, the benefit of a springtime trip means you’ll get to enjoy some of the island’s best events and activities.

From March 16-19, the St. Barths Bucket Regatta takes place around the island featuring three days of races between 40 stunning sailboats and yachts. The regatta is one of the most established and prestigious invitational sailing yacht races in the world, and this year marks its 26th year in operation. Each March, guests from across the globe come to check out exclusive vessels, charter yachts and mingle with international designers to discuss their next boat purchase. The weekend also includes a number of chic social events to enjoy such as the invitation-only owner’s reception, the Bucket Bash at Hôtel de la Collectivité and the Final Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Party.

If you’re planning on visiting in April, look into coming towards the end of the month to check out the island’s 23rd Annual St. Barth Film Festival from April 25-30. The affair highlights filmmaking in the Caribbean through a series of screenings, debates and meet-and-greet opportunities to chat with film makers, actors and notable producers. Last year’s shindig showcased three films from Cuba ranging in themes such as sensual and nostalgic fiction to a historical film about the end of the Spanish-Cuban-American War. This year’s films have not been released, but you can be sure you’ll find some unexpected surprises among its titles. Throughout the fest, guests can also participate in round-table discussions on Caribbean cinema to get a better understanding of the region’s arts and culture scene.

Other springtime events include the Les Voiles de St. Barth from April 10-15 and the St. Barths Theatre Festival from May 18-27. The former draws in over 1,000 sailors to participate in a week-long regatta boasting racing events, concerts and other beachside activities. In May, the theater fest offers performances by local St. Barths companies and visiting troupes from neighboring islands and France.

By Jackie Bryant