Tea.O.Graphy TeaAssam from the northern hills of India, pink rosebuds and chamomile from a Provençal garden, a spicy tea blend inspired by Christmas in New Mexico — these are the cuppas that can transport you to another place any time you step into your kitchen. ($3 for a 3-cup sample; $11 and up for a 2 ounce package) - Jeralyn, editorial director The Japanese GardenWinter in New York City has me longing for greener days, which

A long weekend in a jaw-dropping French castle or a dreamy Spanish villa is more attainable than you think. Throw in a bunch of insta-friends and you’re bound to have a memorable trip. We chatted with Gillian Scatliff and Tess Stokes, co-founders behind G&T Weekends, a travel company offering luxury getaways in countryside mansions, villas, chateaus, and palaces around Europe and the United States.Tell us about G&T Weekends.Gillian: Tess an

Love is in the air. Find your next romantic weekend at an affordable boutique near you.UNITED STATES — Cheap weekend getaways for couples can be hard to come by — especially when style, design, service, and not having to drive eight hours to get there are top priorities. Hard but not impossible! Herewith, a selection of our favorite boutique hotels within driving distance of major U.S. cities with rooms starting under $250. They

On a small island off the coast of Washington State, award-winning chef and Noma alum Blaine Wetzel brings the forage-focused fine dining experience to Willows Inn, where locally harvested ingredients take center stage. LUMMI ISLAND, Washington — Im standing on Gooseberry Point looking out at Lummi Islands strange terrain. The southern half of the nearly ten-square-mile island is ominously mountainous; the northern half is f

AUSTIN — It should come as no surprise that Austin — eclectic, buzzing, innovative — has taken the conventional wisdom surrounding low-cost hotels and flipped it on its head. For less than $250 a night, the city delivers rooftop pool decks, award-winning restaurants, and Instagram-worthy design. And you get to feel oh-so-savvy for doing it all on the cheap. Our prediction? Youll probably end up using the money youve saved

Royalton HotelNew York, New YorkCozy, $$Looking for a quiet place to rest your head in Midtown Manhattan? Royalton Hotel is a debonair, four-star property mere steps from the hustle of Times Square, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, and the meetings that business travelers need to have in the neighborhood. And it has quite the hospitality pedigree: When it opened in 1988 as a buzzy collaboration between hotelier Ian Schrager and designer Philippe

Cuyana x Marie Kondo Jewelry CaseThe best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Cuyana, my go-to brand for simple, chic leather accessories and handbags, have partnered on a capsule collection of leather bento boxes designed for storing jewelry and other precious odds and ends while on the road. (From $115) – Berit, senior editorAdam Lippes Floral JacketLast week in Napa, I happened upon the Yountville outpost of

COLORADO – In search of a mountain getaway? Colorado is the answer any time of year. Whether you’re looking to relax at the spa, explore and shop around town, or be outdoorsy, there’s something for every kind of traveler. These are our top destination picks and what to do while you’re there.Aspen Think St. Barts on snow, and you’ve got Aspen. Local, small town vibes meet upscale, luxurious feels.Pine Creek CookhouseThe ultimate dining exper

Where do you go for good food in Scottsdale? If youre chef Gio Osso of Scottsdales Virtù Honest Craft, a James Beard Award semifinalist and Esquire Best New Restaurant, there are plenty of options — stick to the citys tried-and-true joints or take a drive for farm-fresh fare.SCOTTSDALE — I moved to Scottsdale in September 2002 to help a friend open a restaurant. When I stepped outside the airport and it was 109 degrees, I though

The luxury travel companies Four Seasons and NetJets have partnered on a ski adventure to Jackson Hole and Vail. Yvonne Yorke went along for the thrilling ride.THE ROCKIES — There are times when the sum is greater than its parts. The new collaboration between the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and private jet charter company NetJets is an inspired pairing – delivering insane access on trips to the Rockies, Hawaii, and Europe. I recen

There’s more to Atlantas top restaurant than the delicious seasonal food theyre serving. We caught up with Jen Hidinger, the restauranteur behind Staplehouse, a neighborhood joint with an inspiring story and do-good mission. Tell us about your restaurant.Staplehouse is a casual neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. Our menu changes regularly based on seasonality, the mood of the kitchen, and wh

Celebrated local chef Arthur Gonzalez made his way to Long Beach, right outside Los Angeles, some twenty years ago, and never looked back. These are the sunny and tasty places that keep him there.LONG BEACH, California – I’m a SoCal native. I grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos and lived and worked as a chef in New Mexico for many years. But 20 years ago, I came to Long Beach and fell in love. I knew it was where I wanted to open

Our love for the Amalfi Coast continues at Casa Angelina, a beautiful and modern hotel that hugs the cliffs in quiet Praiano, the next down south from busy Positano. Erica Firpo, our contributing editor in Rome, stopped in for some welcome me time.PRAIANO, Italy — The Amalfi Coast. When I imagine it, I think in blues, an infinite palette from lights to dark, just as moody as the Mediterranean, turning from a dramatic phthalo of a morn

The gang at the Experimental Group continue to open incredible, stylish, and affordable hotels in Europe. Their latest Paris entry is a refined and chic meeting of old and new.Hôtel des Grands Boulevards2nd Arr., ParisTrendy, $$PARIS — Nestled between the historic Bourse and trendy Sentier neighborhoods, just steps away from the energy of Strasbourg Saint-Denis, I discovered l’Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, the latest Parisian lifestyle

MAREMMA, Italy – Although at this point nothing along the Italian coastline can count as a secret anymore, there are pockets that are more frequented by Italians than foreigners. Like Punta Ala, the Tuscan beach town in Maremma, just over two hours from Florence and three from Rome. Its a little tip of land that juts into the sea, surrounded on the north, west, and south by the sea and to the east by pine trees as far as the eye can see. Th

Qantas debuts a new wellness-focused airplane program on its fuel-efficient, jet lag-busting Boeing Dreamliner. Will its self-tinting windows and roomy seating arrangements help your circadian rhythm? Fathom contributor Larkin Clark finds out on one very long flight.MELBOURNE, Australia — It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling for work or pleasure: Jet lag is a real drag. The last thing you want to do is spend your first day in a

From speciality food finds to beachy accessories designed to help you play comfortably in the strong Aussie sun, the shopping scene Down Under offers an eclectic mix of elevated everyday necessities and indie treasures. Here is a selection of our favorite goods to pick up on your next trip to Australia or to buy online when youre missing the Land of Oz.Sunnylife Beach PillowElevate your nap on the beach day with an inflatable pillow covered

The Betsy South BeachMiami, FloridaBeachfront, $$ ($250)SOUTH BEACH, Florida – Gauzy curtains and pastel throw pillows may not be a novelty in South Beach, a collection of barrier islands between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean connected by several bridges to mainland Miami, but few hotels can lay claim to an original desk used by a three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, in a room that’s housed U.S. Poet Laureates and Barack Obama’s inaugu

Inspired by the city’s iconic Star Ferry, the latest addition to Hong Kong’s boutique hotel scene is a handsome gem in the buzzing Wan Chai neighborhood.HONG KONG - For a certain kind of traveler, myself included, finding an attractive, moderately priced hotel can make a trip. After spending a few days on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, I was feeling ambivalent about the city. The traffic was intense, the high-rises were overwhelming, and th

After one too many Xiao Long Bao and enough city smog to last a lifetime, a long hike in the great outdoors is a fantastic way to see China. Kyle Long, co-founder of  UnTour Food Tour in Beijing and Shanghai, leads the way.CHINA – It doesnt have to be all ancient temples, museums, and big cities when traveling in the worlds most populous country. Here are two hikes that can be done as day or overnight trips from both Sha