Jane Henzerling

Lisbon is a magical city filled with winding cobblestone streets, sweeping vistas, outstanding seafood and unbelievable wine. One of the most traditional and unique experiences in the city is dining at a restaurant with a fado music performance. *Fado is the traditional music of the city characterized by mournful strains of guitar and vocals that evoke longing and nostalgia. Fado restaurants range from fine dining to mom-and-pop holes in the wall. In many places, you'll find a lovely mix of locals and tourists. Wherever you find fado, the custom is to maintain silence during the performance. It's a truly transportive experience!

Visiting San Miguel de Allende is truly a feast for all the senses: the bright colors, the smells of flowering trees, the smoky flavor of mezcal and the fresh tastes of the local bounty are joyfully intoxicating. Taking time to learn about the cultural origins of the city's signature foods makes the experience of savoring them even better!

Just 10 minutes from the historic Santa Fe Plaza but nestled in its own private mountainside enclave, Bishop's Lodge offers the perfect setting for an upscale family vacation or romantic getaway.

Our March 2024 family spring break trip to England started off with a 3-night stay at Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte property - purportedly the oldest hotel in London. In a nutshell, this hotel is stunning, but not stuffy; upscale, but never uptight. It's much lighter and more modern than many of its Mayfair counterparts, but there is no sacrifice of luxury, service, comfort or style.

Since it's opening in 1998, the Bellagio has been a focal point of the Las Vegas Strip. It's central location, dancing fountains, jaw-dropping conservatory, stellar restaurants, and elegant vibe keep it at the top of my list as the best casino hotel in Vegas.

San Francisco holds a huge place in my heart, and its historic hotels allow me to reclaim it whenever I’m back in The City. I spent happy moments exploring SF as a kid, my husband and I spent our first anniversary in Union Square, we raised our son in North Beach, and I started a school in the Mission District. I still return regularly for fun, for work, and for the undeniable beauty and magic that are unique to San Francisco. There’s something about The Palace, The Fairmont, and The Westin St. Francis that always rekindle my unabiding love for a truly majestic city.

Boppard is a quaint riverfront community situated in Germany’s Middle Rhine Valley. Though it’s relatively quiet, it offers plenty of hiking and biking opportunities, along with a range of lodging and dining options on the shores of the majestic Rhine River. Have a drink along the promenade, eat delicious food from all across the world, bike to nearby villages, taste local wines and explore ancient castles; you can do it all from this small but mighty Rhine town!

Freiburg in Breisgau, a college town in the Baden Württemberg region of Germany, is one of the quintessential Black Forest cities to visit. In fact, it’s known as the gateway to the Black Forest. It’s rich with local culture and packed with plenty of good beer, tasty cuisine and outdoor activities. It also serves as a central hub from which to travel to many other charming communities. These include the cuckoo-clock haven of Triberg with its gorgeous cascading waterfalls and the quiet municipalities of Sankt Märgen and Sankt Peter, perfect starting points for day hikes through the Schwarzwald.

Santa Fe is a truly unique American city. In fact, it's the oldest capital city in the US, having been established in 1607. The pueblo style architecture, the Sangre de Cristo mountains along the city's edge, delicious (and hot!) chile and of course ultra tasty (and strong!) margaritas make it a beautiful gastronomic destination. And yet there's so much more to explore in this small but cosmopolitan locale. Nature lovers will never run out of hiking trails, art buffs will find galleries and museums galore and history lovers will gain new perspectives in this dynamic mix of peoples and cultures. Enjoy the range of experiences here across all four seasons.

Edinburgh is filled with surprises – it just helps to know where to look. From the wilds of Holyrood Park, to the dark little closes between buildings to the array of incredible cuisine, Edinburgh is a place you can expect to find the unexpected. Keep your eyes peeled and let yourself wander.

Visiting Los Angeles can feel as trite as watching a B-movie: like you've seen it all before and know exactly what's going to happen. Peeling back the veneer and seeking out the city's array of hidden gems can be very rewarding - and heartening. There's a soul in LA, and here are some places you can find it and feel it.

New York City's jazz scene is thriving. Over the course of a three-day weekend, you can enjoy these favorite historic venues and hidden gems. Experience some of the world's top players alongside the city's up-and-coming musicians.