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Swiss International Airlines is known amongst the traveling community as one of the very best travel products in-flight, but one of their most incredible offerings is on the ground in their business class lounges . Zurich Airport is their hub and so, naturally, throughout the well-organized and easy-to-navigate space, SWISS operates six lounges for first and business class passengers. Flying from New York’s JFK Airport to Zurich to connect to the tiny town of Adelboden, SWISS’s on-ground facilities made the journey incredibly easy and comfortable. Not only do they operate the most incredible lounge at JFK Airport, which features a modernly-designed space filled with delicious food, cocktails, beer and wine just steps from your gate, but their business arrivals lounge in Zurich is a refuge for weary travelers just in from their long-haul journeys. After landing in Zurich, having endured a very comfortable but long flight, SWISS invited passengers to use their “business arrivals lounge”. Here you can ease yourself into Europe time with a generous breakfast of scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, grilled tomatoes, cheese selections, yogurt with muesli and a variety of other food options. Also, inside the beautifully-lit and architectural space, you’ll find access to fantastic showers that are equipped in a spa-like manner. You can shower, clean and brighten yourself to take on the day – all without the need of checking-in to a hotel. SWISS offers slippers, towels, a robe and bathroom amenities to buff away your journey. You’ll leave the SWISS business arrivals lounge feeling like a million dollars. This perk is worth the ticket alone and, in true SWISS style, will exceed your needs. It’s, quite simply put, the best.

Adelboden Infinity Pool - 1 Spending time reflecting on your life’s goals and dreams is appropriate in Adelboden. There is nothing to do but admire the serenity and harmony of the nature that surrounds you. I took three days recently to do just that – sitting at the edge of the infinity pool at The Cambrian hotel to admire my surroundings. I’ve never felt closer to myself or to a power higher than me. It was truly a moment I will never forget.

Sitting in the middle of the village of Imerovigli on Santorini, the entrance to the Chromata Hotel comes out of nowhere. Just a white sign and an arrow from the street lead you up a steep hill to the edge of a cliff. How could a hotel be located here? There’s nothing in sight. But, just as you’re about to give up the search, you look down. Spilling out over the cliff’s edge and along the rocks, small buildings in a shade of the whitest white congregate together to make one of Santorini’s most beautiful five-star hotels. Stairs that run between the buildings and over limestone rocks dotted with wildflowers take you from the street down to the reception area. A welcoming smile from the staff and a glass of champagne is a nice way to arrive. Rooms here are tucked into cavernous spaces dug out of the rocks and are furnished with marble stone beds with sumptuous mattresses and linens, flat screen televisions, large bathrooms, rain showers and some even have built-in hot tubs. They are truly unique. A beautiful bar and restaurant encircle the cliffside infinity pool where you can stare-off for hours at boats sailing in the distance or the sun rising and setting over the picturesque village of Oia. The Chromata Hotel is truly one of a kind and an excellent option on the cliffs of Santorini.

Being that Portland, Oregon is such a nature-driven city and the people of the city seem so connected, it makes sense that they have one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Located at the base, on the slopes and tucked within a beautiful mountain – these gardens are a sight to witness. The 5.5 acre plot of land consists of five separate gardens – a tea garden, a flat garden, a strolling pond garden, a natural garden and a sand and stone garden. There is also a museum to visit which has permanent and rotating exhibits of Japanese handicrafts, porcelain and sculpture collections. This is one place to get away from downtown and find serenity, all within the city limits.

The village of Oia is probably the most iconic on the island of Santorini. Located on a point that juts out into the sea, Oia is a picture-perfect conclave with white stone houses, blue church roods and colorful doors which reflect the sun during beautiful sunsets. The place is easy to mistake for nirvana – if you visit, you’ll see why.

The world-renowned Hagia Sophia , from the Greek words Ἁγία Σοφία, or “Holy Wisdom”, is a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica. It later became an imperial mosque, and now stands as a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its construction in 537 until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from May 29, 1453 until 1931. It was then secularized and opened as a museum on February 1, 1935. Today, the museum serves as one of the most visited spots in the vibrant city of Istanbul. It’s large, beautiful and is a living piece of history. Any visitor in Turkey should make a point of stopping-in.

One of my favorite things to do in Athens, especially during the shoulder season, is to journey on a day trip to the idyllic island of Hydra . Hydra is located roughly 2 hours via boat from Athens’ port, Piraeus. The island is essentially a slice of heaven, with colorful buildings and villas dotting the rocky hillsides, donkeys running about, quaint cafes lining the harbor and no vehicles in sight. It really is the Greece you read about. There are several boat charter companies which offer group travel to the island, but, when you want complete luxury and privacy, a yacht hire is in order through the incredible Alpha Yachting . Alpha Yachting offers a plethora of options for visitors and locals to hire boats of all sizes, with a range of crew members, to take them wherever their heart desires in the Aegean Sea. We chose the 78-foot San Lorenzo . Manned by a six person crew for the day, our captain led us through the crystalline waters, past the postcard-perfect Poros island and into Hydra’s stunning port. But, getting off the boat was a massive problem. All 78 feet of the San Lorenzo was dressed to the nines. Built from the finest materials and indulging its passengers with four bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a living room, dining area, lower deck and top deck – this spacious wonder was nothing short of perfect. Entering the boat, we were welcomed with an incredible spread of delicacies – from finger sandwiches, spinach pies, cheese pies, baklava, desserts and other Greek delights. The bar was stocked with champagne, wine, fresh fruit juices and waters. The two hour journey was pure bliss and we were able to enjoy both the indoor and outdoor facilities – stepping onto the upper deck when we cruised past small islands, and remaining inside when the wind picked-up. The San Lorenzo, and its crew, provided the most memorable of journeys. The day on Hydra was spent relaxing at a local taverna, shopping and snapping photos of the remarkable scenery. It was a day one would remember for a lifetime. We couldn’t have asked for better hosts – the incomparable Alpha Yachting.

Originally constructed in 1696 as a hunting lodge, Schonbrunn Palace later became the official Hapsburg summer residence. Under the supervision of Maria Theresa (the only female Hapsburg ruler), Schonbrunn evolved into an expansive paradise with ornate rooms and vast elaborate gardens comparable to King Louis XIV of France’s palace at Versailles. Tours are available throughout the year and will lead you through apartments belonging to Maria Theresa as well as Emperor Franz Joseph, his wife Elisabeth, and Archduke Franz Karl. Other highlights include the Blue Staircase, the Mirror Room and the Hall of Ceremonies. Also plan to spend at least an hour in the gardens. The gardens are connected by shaded promenades that extend diagonally from the Gloriette, a stunning Roman-style arch overlooking a vast pool. Located within the grounds is Tiergarten , which is the oldest zoo in the world. Don’t miss an opportunity to experience this architectural and historical marvel.

Gaia wine - 1 Situated on a beach, on the east side of the island, between Kamari and Monolithos settlements, Gaia Winery is a must for any fan of delicious Greek wine. This industrial stone building used to be a tomato factory, built in the beginning of the 1900s. Here, local cherry tomatoes were made into an aromatic tomato puree until the 1970s when the factory was closed along with the other thirteen tomato factories on the island. The building was eventually purchased and renovated, giving it new life as a winery. Gaia’s transformation of the space helped to preserve a piece of island heritage through reclamation of this architectural example of industrialization. Today, the high-tech equipment and the cutting edge facilities of the winery aid contemporary winemaking and ideal conditions for high quality production. Gaia makes their own wine, from various grape blends, as well as other wines for local vineyards. Reds and whites are on offer for tastings from May through October.

Portland’s rose garden is officially known as the International Rose Test Garden – which is,  in all actuality, a more accurate description of this beautiful plot of land in Portland. More than 10,000 roses fill the area and is the oldest continually maintained public rose garden in the United States. Started in 1915 and set in a location on the mountain which looks out over the city and nearby Mount Hood, this stunning garden offers visitors educational opportunities and the glorious fragrance and sights of rare and unique rose varieties specifically contained here. Admission is free and it will soon become any visitor’s favorite spots in town – with these incredible colors and immaculate tending-to, who could you not?

With an unmarked glassy entrance in the charming Istanbul neighborhood of Galata, Georges Hotel is a haven for visitors seeking quiet and understated luxury while still remaining at the heart of the city’s most desirable location. A historic apartment building renovated and converted with a French sensibility, the hotel invites you to experience Istanbul as a local, but wrapped in an blanket of comfort and style. As a recent guest of the hotel, we enjoyed two evenings within its walls. A small lobby with original Turkish tile work, a reception area and bar instantly informs guests that they are someplace truly unusual and unique. There is no bustling reception area, no concierge desk, no large flower arrangement. These usual markings of a luxury property are useless here – because Georges believes their customers can see past these trappings and straight to the cool details that prevail. Once checked-in, the hotel manager showed us to our room. Up a beautiful curved stairwell lit with candles, we were led to a small glass elevator which took us to the 3rd floor. Room 10 was our home away from home – a large space with soaring ceilings, all white, stark and modern. All of this was juxtaposed with a brilliantly blue tiled bathroom boasting sexy glass walls. Outside on the large terrace overlooking the Galata neighborhood and over to the Bosphorus, we found a quaint iron table and chairs where we could enjoy a cup of coffee provided by the complimentary Nespresso pods in the room. The bed was a large king, the floors wooden and the crown molding visually stunning. You felt as if you had stumbled into an impossibly chic apartment owned by an international friend who used it on occasion as their Turkish crash pad. Aside from the rooms, there aren’t too many other amenities offered by the hotel. They do provide beautiful robes and in-room features like a mini bar, coffee, tea and concierge services. On the rooftop, where breakfast is served, there is a beautiful little restaurant with incredible views over the neighborhood and water. Here, you can cozy-up with a Turkish coffee, small snacks and enjoy a sunny afternoon. It all feels very “Soho House” – but in a less pretentious way. Staying with Georges is opting to feel like a true local in Istanbul. If you’re a lover of predictable luxury, this may not be your cup of tea. But, if you are someone bored with the “norm” and want a place you can stay for a while and truly integrate yourself into the local scene and culture – in comfort – Georges is for you. We’d definitely visit again.

Sitting like a refined lady on Athens’ beautiful Syntagma Square since 1878, the luxurious Hotel Grande Bretagne invites you-in to experience a world of refinement and luxury in Greece’s iconic ancient capital. This incredible property, a member of Starwood Hotels Group , is the only hotel to choose when contemplating hotel options for a stay in Athens. Offering a storied history, beautiful amenities and impeccable service – the Grande Bretagne caters to those who pay attention to the subtle details which take a hotel from good to great. Entering through the double doors armed by attractive doormen dressed in the hotel’s signature green overcoats, you are instantly taken by the sheer beauty and grandness of the lobby. As staff hustle about catering to the needs of discerning guests, you can’t help but notice the nuances of the room which make it special. Pieces of period furniture dot the marble floors, lush flower arrangements fill every corner and a reception and concierge desk sit quietly in the distance. Directly in front of the entrance a “winter garden” awaits for you to enjoy a moment over high tea with friends or Alexander’s Bar calls for you to sip ouzo over ice late in the evening. There is much to offer in the “heart” of the hotel. The Grande Bretagne has so much more aside from its beautiful lobby. This property boasts 320 rooms and suites, stunning indoor and outdoor pools, a spa with several sauna and steam experiences, a salon, conference rooms, event spaces and more. “The Cellar” offers an experience for any wine lover, including private chef dinners with over 3,000 bottles at guests’ disposal. The incomparable GB Roof Garden is an ideal place for lunch with views over Athens and the Acropolis. And, Alexander’s Cigar Bar is an intimate and cozy space with a roaring fire, inviting guests-in to experience a late night digestive and smoke. Truthfully, you don’t have to leave the hotel. The dining and activities geared towards relaxation will keep you occupied for days. The rooms at the Grande Bretagne, from the standard to the suites, all nod to a period of elegance and graciousness. The thread of period furniture marries well with modern conveniences like rain showers, jacuzzi tubs, entertainment systems and more. Staying in a suite means access to your own butler, there to assist you with everything from dinner reservations to a tour of the local shopping district. Whatever your needs, they are met and exceeded. The rooms are comfortable and act as a lovely respite from days exploring the city. Staying at the Grande Bretagne is a must for anyone who wants to exist in total comfort throughout their stay in Athens. Although the city offers several other hotels in the luxury category – it’s not everyday that you come across a property as truly magical as this one. And, upon departure, when  the acts of kindness and service from the staff remain ingrained in your memory, you know you’ve made the best choice in town.