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The Cape Grace Hotel , in South Africa’s mother City of Cape Town, is the city’s top hotel experience. An elegant and stately building sitting against the city’s famous waterfront, you can’t help but be impressed when pulling-up through the gated drive. A warm welcome by the hotel’s staff in the living room-like lobby and you’re instantly at home. The hotel has hosted celebrities, head-of-state and everyday people – all treated the same. 120 rooms and suites, a spa, Bascule Whiskey Bar, Signal Restaurant and a sparkling pool all make for a well-rounded experience. I stayed here for three nights, each one of them fantastic. After landing in Cape Town in the evening, I arrived to the Cape Grace and was welcomed by the staff with a glass of champagne and speedy check-in. I was escorted to Bascule Whiskey bar, which impressed with a luxurious nautical theme, and indulged in a glass of Cabernet from South Africa’s Stellenbosch region. I then retired to one of the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop luxury rooms – with sweeping views of the city, waterfront, marina and Table Mountain. The next morning, I enjoyed a decadent breakfast in the beautiful dining room – with local specialties – including South African milk tart (similar to a custard pie). I was then escorted to the rooftop spa, for a signature Kalahari massage. My therapist was sweet and knowledgeable, and massaged the jet lag away in no time. After that morning, I was ready to take-on the day – exploring the city’s Bo-Kaap neighborhood, Table Mountain Park and waterfront. While at the Cape Grace, I experienced their fine dining restaurant, Signal, which was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Cape Town. The chef specializes in cooking local dishes with international flavors – but you’ll find regional favorites like Kingklip white fish and Springbok, too. The service at the restaurant and throughout the hotel is exceptional. South African hospitality is remarkable in general, but add-in the fact that the concierge here is willing to organize custom itineraries and score hard-to-get reservations at favorites like La Colombe or Test Kitchen , and you have the perfect hotel experience. I can’t wait to return.

If you’ve ever had a meal that truly had the power to shift your perspective on food, the art of cooking and creative usage of ingredients – a meal at La Colombe , in Cape Town, would be the one to do just that. A remarkable dining establishment tucked into a mountainside in the wine-making suburb of Constantia. Chefs Scot Kirton, James Gaag and Andre Steyn work together to bring South Africa’s incredible ingredients together in dishes that will shock and impress even the most jaded foodie. Of course, the setting of Constantia, with views over the restaurant’s own gardens and vineyards beyond, is impressive. On sunny and warm days, the restaurant offers inside and outside dining – with exceptional service. The menu for lunch is best enjoyed at the chef’s whim and accompanied by a strictly South African wine pairing. I indulged in lunch here, an eight-course dance of flavors and visual stimulation so impressive, I was left with my jaw on the ground. The meal started with ceramic quail eggs served in “nest”, stuffed with an egg custard. A bread course with warm lamb drippings, puree and other juices for dipping. South African Kingklip fish with roasted vegetables, and, my favorite, the La Colombe tuna – served in an actual La Colombe branded tuna can. The edible flowers on top, revealed when the can was opened at the table, were a beautiful touch. Each glass of wine poured at the table was fantastic – and took me on a journey on South Africa’s wine offerings from vineyard to vineyard in regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. After lunch and dessert, petit fours were accompanied by a pot of fresh mint tea from the garden. Service at La Colombe was stellar and the ambiance memorable. I didn’t want to leave. You cannot miss this experience when in Cape Town.

The world knows Delta Air Lines, one of the largest carriers in the sky; but what they really need to know is the airline’s one-stop-shop resource for complete luxury travel – Delta Vacations . This segment of the brand is a MUST USE tool that can help you bundle flight and hotels around the world in more than 300 leisure destinations – all in the lap of luxury. Aside from flights and hotels, Delta Vacations can aid in richening your travel experience through activities, excursions, rental cars and tours that will create undoubtedly priceless memories for yourself or with those you care about. I used Delta Vacations on a recent trip to Europe, where the service is expanding their luxury offerings. Visits to cities like Paris, London, Rome, Dublin and Barcelona are now easily navigated through Delta Vacations’ online tools and features – as well as through their dedicated support team. The brand’s team and online tools help you piece together an unforgettable travel experience – and guide you in choosing from over 4,000 hotel offerings. Although Delta Vacations offers choices within every budget, their luxury portfolio is growing rapidly. This is ideal for those who want to fly in comfort aboard one of their newly revamped flights in business class – Delta One – which is unsurpassed in the industry. Package the flight with a stay in an Irish castle, a fashionable hotel along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoreé in Paris or in the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon. On top of the new luxury offerings, customers should note that Delta Vacations also offers other benefits for booking through the service. By packaging your flight and hotel together, you will save money – sometimes a very hefty amount – as a result of booking through them. Also, members of Delta’s award-winning SkyMiles program will earn bonus miles for booking with Delta Vacations – which is a plus, as other vacation package providers don’t offer this directly. Also, you can use SkyMiles to redeem dollars off your vacation, and even put trips on hold before paying for a period of time while you organize offline. If you’re a fan of hotels like Park Hyatt, Ritz Carlton or St. Regis, as I am, Delta Vacations will offer you access to stunning hotel properties within those collections. Aside from Europe, you can also expect a slew of luxury choices in destinations like the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico. And, what’s even more exciting, at least to me, is that Delta Vacations is now offering their services in one of my very favorite places, Tahiti and French Polynesia. Using the service is easy; if you click here you can begin planning your travel. All you have to do is plug-in your dates, destination or choice and a few more pieces of information and Delta Vacations will do the rest. Don’t be afraid to play around a little bit, as it’s actually very exciting and fun to plan your trip through this site. I know when I planned my trip; I was impressed by Delta Vacations’ breadth of information and service. On an even more personal note, I was traveling on a flight to Europe with a connection from New York through Atlanta. My flight was delayed in New York, which was going to cause me to miss my connection in Atlanta. This had me quite worried, to say the least. I called Delta Vacations’ U.S.-based support team and they rebooked me on an alternate option within a few minutes. I was amazed at the care they showed for my piece of mind. Anyone looking for the top one-stop-shop luxury vacation package provider with one of the world’s leading airlines, look no further than Delta Vacations. I promise you won’t regret it.

Everyone has heard of the iconic Palm Beach hotel, The Breakers , which has been a mainstay in the area for decades. The stunning oceanfront property is, of course, a perfect place to hang your hat while in the area, but, even if you’re not staying on-site, can make for a lovely afternoon as well. I recently experienced the stunning spa and revamped Seafood Bar , over the course of many hours, and have to say that the experience was unforgettable. The spa here is breathtaking, expansive and offers treatments to fit anyone’s needs or wants in terms of pampering and true wellness. The spa is indoor/outdoor and features top of the line skincare (facials by skincare icon Tammy Fender), therapists and facilities. I had a 90-minute massage by a male therapist, probably one of the best massages I’ve ever had in my life. And, I enjoyed it while sipping sparkling water, champagne and gazing out over the turquoise waters of the Southern Atlantic. After the spa, a lunch reservation awaited at the stunning new Seafood Bar. I sat at the window, with views of the ocean, and indulged in a glass of Veuve and course after course of seafood. Everything from ahi tuna tacos to fresh oysters, lobster salad and stone crab claws were brought out. The service at the restaurant was unbelievable and the atmosphere, perfect. Between the spa and lunch, one couldn’t ask for a better way to indulge in a little luxury in one of the most beautiful areas of Southern Florida. You just can’t miss The Breakers.

Creed is iconic in the world of fragrance. This French, family-owned company is constantly reinventing themselves and unveiling new offerings, while staying true to their heritage. This isn’t always easy with such a loyal fan base who have become addicted to their current lineup of fragrances and rely on them to keep their scent game at its peak. This summer, Creed unveiled 1 liter (1000 milliliter) sized flacons, which come housed in stunning glass vessels and offer you your own personal reservoir of scent that can easily be poured into smaller bottles or atomizers for travel. The flacons of this size are not offered in every fragrance, however, my favorite is in the delicious Silver Mountain Water. The scent was inspired by sparkling rivers flowing through the snow-capped Swiss Alps, perfect for the winter season. In it, you’ll perceive notes of black currant, green tea and bergamot. My favorite scent from Creed, hands down, is their Virgin Island Water. Olivier Creed was inspired by the air of the West Indies, concocting a perfect mix of rum, kaffir lime, coconut and salt. Whether you’re traveling to the Caribbean to escape the weather, or hunkered-down in a snow bank – people will literally stop you on the street to ask you what you are wearing. Creed is the ultimate fragrance source for the autumn, holiday gifts and these two offerings are definitely going on my list from here until forever. Photo taken at Villa Marie on the island of St. Barths in the French Caribbean

The iconic Copacabana Palace , a part of Belmond Hotels, is a staple in the city that continues to innovate with their constant renovations and improvements of the rooms and public spaces. On a recent trip to one of my favorite cities on Earth, I was given the opportunity to experience one of their incredible luxury suites, a newly renovated room that offered panoramic ocean views, a bedroom, living room, massive bathroom and dressing area. I toured some of the other suites on offer as well and, after, realized that the hotel really is the only choice for luxury suites in the city. The Copacabana Palace is, indeed, a palace – fitting for any luxury travel aficionado who loves the idea of staying in a historic yet modern and relevant property that caters to your every needs. Walking-in, the particular scent of the lobby is a welcome home of sorts, a familiar fragrance that permeates the space. Warm smiles always greet you here, and that is part of why I love it so much. as a guest, you can stay in the palace part of the hotel, or the tower – both equally stunning. I’ve stayed in both, and don’t have a preference. The suites on offer in both parts of the hotel are fabulous, yet the tower does offer views from higher floors. The suites at the Copacabana Palace are all grand, roomy and decorated to within an inch of their lives. Perfection. The beds are always my favorite, as they are large, sumptuous and wrap themselves around you at bed time. The sheets are always placed perfectly pressed, and the housekeeping staff take the initiative to organize your clothing and bathroom products – as to keep the place tidy at all times. Bathrooms are marble, sinks are deep, rain showers forceful and bath linens overflowing every corner. The bathrooms make you want to linger in the suites a bit, taking your time to get ready in the morning or before dinner in the evening. The Copacabana Palace provides Etro branded bath amenities, which are some of my favorites of any hotel I’ve stayed in, and are constantly replenishing them to keep them fresh. The reasons I love this hotel include the beautiful pool, the stunning gym and spa and, of course, the amazing dining options. But, on this trip in particular, I fell in love with the suite experience, creating yet another bond and attachment between myself and the iconic Copacabana Palace.

Copa Airlines is growing. Based in Panama City, Panama, this modern carrier is expanding its route network and revamping its business class product to position itself as one of the leading carriers in Latin America. I flew the airline recently on a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – and truly fell-in-love with its service, ambiance and business class experience. On a recent flight from New York to Brazil, I boarded my aircraft at JFK for the roughly 5-hour flight to Panama City. I was on my way to Rio and, despite the fact that I have been there countless times, was excited to try-out Copa Airlines and their route to this exciting South American destination. My flight was scheduled to depart New York in the late afternoon and it was on-time – which always makes me happy. Copa Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, so they also operate from Newark, New Jersey – home to United Airlines. Once on-board, I settled into my business class seat, ready for takeoff. The flight was full, but flight attendants were courteous and kind, and my environment comfortable. The seats were new, large, wide and offered plenty of legroom. The large flat screen television showed my route and, very soon, we were off to Panama City. Copa Airlines route network is expansive, and it is well planned. Flights connecting in Panama City, that originate from places like Los Angeles, Miami, New York or New Orleans – all make it in time for connections further afield to cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and others. You can also connect to closer destinations like San Jose, Costa Rica, Cartagena, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Panama City offers a new, clean and easy airport for transfers, which makes flying Copa Airlines that much more attractive. My flight to Panama City was easy breezy, a new release on the television and an early dinner and I was only one hour from arrival. I had an hour between flights and could enjoy the Copa Airlines lounge at Tocumen International Airport, or just go right to my gate. I stopped by the lounge for a glass of wine, and then headed right to the gate. My connection was operated on a revamped Boeing 737 aircraft. It felt new, clean and ready to take me to Brazil. The flight from Panama City to Rio was overnight, a 7-hour journey that allowed me enough time to recline my seat into a deep resting position and go to sleep. I woke-up 30-minutes before landing to a light breakfast and a safe arrival in Brazil. What I love about Copa Airlines is the effortless of it. Easy to fly and with superb connections, I would choose their flights over and over again for my travels throughout Latin America.

What was once the Caesar Park Hotel on Ipanema Beach is now the Sofitel – and it’s an excellent hotel option in Rio de Janeiro looking for luxury with a fantastic location. This hotel has gone through many iterations over the years and is most known as being the Caesar Park. When it fell into disrepair and desperately needed a makeover to compete in Rio’s luxury hotel landscape, Sofitel came along and saved the day. Today, it is a fantastic option on the beach in one of the city’s best locations. Within the hotel, you will find a modern and well-put-together lobby, as well as a coffee and dessert area – my favorite. A business center is offered to guests, pool, restaurant and views of the Atlantic from many rooms. Rooms were redone, creating a simple and modern appearance that is indicative of many other Sofitel properties across the globe. This was my first time staying here, and I enjoyed it. My room wasn’t large, but did offer sweeping views of Ipanema Beach. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom a little small for my taste – but functional and nice. Inside the room a Nespresso machine called to be used, and ample closet space made hanging-up clothing simple and easy. What I truly loved about this hotel was breakfast. A beautiful spread was offered in the mornings, including a stunning smoothie and juice bar that hosts more that 15 flavors of juice and types of smoothies. The fruit bar was, too, beautiful and allowed me to choose between guava, papaya and other tropical varieties. That’s the beauty about being in Brazil. My weather over the time I was in Rio wasn’t perfect, but it was still beautiful. I suggest anyone looking for a luxury hotel, who want to be in Ipanema on the beach to choose the Sofitel. You’ll enjoy it.

Aprazivel is one of Rio’s best restaurants, and is beloved both by locals and visitors. As a frequent visitor to the city, I make an intention to dine here every time I’m in town. It’s a fairly good sign when people, who don’t live in the city, continue to return, over and over, without hesitation. The treehouse-like atmosphere and stunning regional Brazilian cooking keeps me coming back again and again. Ascending the hills of Santa Teresa isn’t easy, but taxis and Ubers both can get you there. The restaurant also has a hired car service that can collect you at your hotel, and take you back, too. The hilly neighborhood of Santa Teresa, with its charming crumbling Portuguese architecture and huge colonial mansions make for a great backdrop. But, the food here is the star. Cozy wooden tables on platforms in the trees and on the hillside, all lit by candles, create one of the most magical spaces in Rio de Janeiro to dine. Open for lunch and dinner, any time of day is perfect to dine, but dinner is my personal preference. Seated at your table you can look across Rio’s hills and onto the twinkling lights of the city below. What’s incredible about Aprazivel is that that its founder, the amazing Ana Castilho, harnesses the best ingredients and home cooking from around the country. Many of the recipes come from her native state of Minas Gerais. Every dish on the menu is phenomenal, and you can’t go wrong with anything. Whether you choose the grilled hearts of palm, the arroz con pollo, tropical fish or something else – you won’t believe your mouth. Flavor explodes and the intensity of each bite hits you like a ton of bricks, in a good way. If you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro, Aprazivel is a must. A personal recommendation, ask the waiter to point out selections from the Brazilian state of Bahia – as the food there is insanely delicious. Missing Aprazivel would be like not seeing Corcovado. It just doesn’t make sense.

Capim Santo , a stunning culinary effort founded in the Northern Brazilian state of Bahia, at the center of the tranquil town of Trancoso, has spread its kitchen and culinary prowess to Rio – all headed by Morena, the daughter of the original founder. But, Morena has added her own touch – a focus on a healthy kitchen using French technique with Brazilian ingredients. Located inside a luxury shopping venue, the Village Mall, in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood – Capim Santo has quickly become my favorite place to dine in Rio de Janeiro. The space is modern and chic, yet feels as if you’re sitting in a rainforest of sorts – greenery spilling-out of every corner. Wooden tables with white china and glassware make a simple backdrop to allow the cooking to be the star of the show. And, is it ever. I was seated immediately and brought-in to the fold and ethos that makes this place special – a healthy mindset and premium Brazilian ingredients. A starter of Pão de Capim Santo, lemongrass scented parsnip bread, was heavenly. A cocktail menu with numerous fresh caipirinhas was delivered. I sampled the original, cashew and mango – all delicious. Spoons of fresh ceviche arrived, with a flavor so intense, you had to take a moment to sit with the lingering taste on your tongue. Fantastic soups were accompanied by tapioca doughnut sticks with cream, Roasted duck rolls with “pitanga” (surinam cherry) and Jambu (Amazon toothache plant) and Pupunha’s palm heart croquette served with rangpur lime sauce. My favorite were the Cassava balls stuffed with “Serra da Canastra” cheese. Heaven. Fish, coconut and pupunha’s palm heart ceviche served in a coconut was a clear winner. I fell in love with Capim Santo, in a way I cannot describe. It truly helped to redefine Brazilian cooking in my eyes – and made me believe there is much to be explored in the country in terms of food. I cannot wait to return.

Karine Kazarian is one of  New York’s most sought after aesthetician-entrepreneurs. Having worked with the famed French Biologique Recherche skincare line for decades, she opened her own haven devoted to skin on West 8th Street in Manhattan. An oasis of relaxation and serious skincare, Karine presides over the practice, taking clients into her private room and working on their skin and facial muscles for 90 minutes. Some facials are a waste of time, but not here. Karine’s approach is in line with the Biologique Recherche method, highlighting manual manipulation and using specific methods and machines that tighten the facial muscles and fight skin laxity. Her fingers are magic, and the expansive Biologique Recherche skincare line she carries and uses, produces real results. It’s important to remember that after summer, and months in the sun, you need to address the damage that has taken place on the beach or elsewhere over the past few months. Karine knows just how to fix you up, and will leave you looking better than ever, ready to take-on the fall season.

Cathay Pacific  is an iconic Hong Kong-based airlines with direct flights to the United States. Cities like New York JFK, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago all enjoy the ability to offer an easy and luxurious connection to Kong Kong and beyond. I recently traveled from New York’s JFK Airport to the exciting city of Hong Kong on a non-stop (roughly) 15-hour journey in the airline’s business class cabin on a stunning Boeing 777 aircraft. And, in all honesty, it was one of the most pleasant flight experiences I’ve had in quite a while. The muted grey, green, blue and white color scheme put me at ease as I settled into one of the seats in the reverse herringbone configuration. I was greeted by a flight attendant after I stored my carry-on in the large bin overhead. A warm welcome of champagne got me in the mood for my long journey. Shortly after take-off, I was presented with an elegant dining menu – one that featured an ample amount of choices for dinner. I was very excited to sample the airline’s legendary food, and chose accordingly. The window shades were closed for ambiance and to prepare passengers for dinner and their future bedtime. I wrapped myself in the luxurious warm and thick blanket, which made me feel at home – in bed. My amenity kit was compact, elegant and offered Australia’s Jurlique skincare products, a sleeping mask, lip balm, socks, a shoe horn, comb and ear plugs for my journey. As dinner was served, I sank into a fresh salad with smoked salmon. The salmon was followed by fresh linguine with alfredo sauce, peas and sun-dried tomatoes. A blueberry and cream tart was the perfect end to the perfect meal. During dinner, I enjoyed a selection of red wine from France, and followed that with a mug of peppermint tea to prepare me for bed. My in-flight entertainment screen came out and my fully-flat bed went into position perfectly. The large, modern screen was the perfect size for me to view my movie selection while nodding-off. After sleeping nearly 8 hours, I awoke with just under three hours to go. The service on-board Cathay Pacific is flawless, each flight attendant catering to passengers needs without hesitation. I wasn’t a needy passenger, but knew they were there if I needed something. They cleared by plates and dinner tray promptly, offered to help set-up my bed and even wished me a pleasant sleep. After I woke up, a light breakfast was served – both Western and Eastern options offered. Beef congee was my choice, but I could have enjoyed eggs, fruit and more. I landed in Hong Kong safely and was actually sad that the flight had come to an end – but looked forward to my return journey back to New York. Cathay Pacific is one of the best business class experiences in the air, hands down. It doesn’t get better when flying to Hong Kong and, with their extensive route network within Asia and onward, it’s fantastic for those going further afield. In October, their route from Newark, New Jersey to Hong Kong with offer the beautiful Airbus A350. Don’t miss a chance to experience this incredible airline in luxury.