Entering Amtrak’s 1950s-era domed railcar was like stepping back in time. With my feet kicked up and my Australian Shepard, Max, in tow, I never knew a two-hour, car-free connection on the Downeaster train from North Station in Boston to Wells, Maine, could be so enjoyable and land me only 5 miles from Kennebunk. From passing New England’s most beautiful stretches of pristine coastline to enjoying vistas of the idyllic countryside, I enjoyed my steamy cup of chowder from the Downeaster Café while Max chewed on his favorite bone. Seated in the train’s upper level with panoramic windows on all sides, this daytime adventure proved an added perk before my vacation even began.

There’s nothing like biting into a steamy fried clam roll while sitting on the beach overlooking Sakonnet River, the juiciness of the oyster seeping out to form the ultimate creamy combination with homemade mayonnaise. It’s hard to believe this sandwich, one of our most illustrious traditions, was all but unfathomable at the dawn of the 1900s when New Englanders only ate their clams steamed, raw on the half shell, or chopped in chowder.

Thwack. The sound of a machete slicing through the air is not something most people hear every day. Yet one balmy Friday morning in March, I found myself hearing that thwack over and over as our guide Ratu led a group of guests and hotel employees through an overgrown path toward his village. As we reached a clearing and got our first look at the village we’d come to assist in building water filters, I glanced over at my teenage son in time to see his eyes widen. It’s safe to say, coming from the urban sprawl of San Francisco, neither of us had ever experienced anything quite like this before!

In my former life, I was the Spa Director at Mukul in Guacalito, Nicaragua, where I crafted a wellness program that specialized in indigenous rituals, crystals, and other local elements. Now, as the Spa Director at Madeline, I use the same natural approach to healing—and I get to incorporate my new favorite wellness ingredient: CBD. Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, so it’s only fitting we have CBD, or cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, on our spa menu.

To the rest of the country, Hunter S. Thompson might be best known as the godfather of gonzo journalism. Thompson lived and wrote on the edge in a style epitomized in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” which first came out in two installments in Rolling Stone before being published as a book that would end up defining the post-'60s counterculture. But to Aspenites, and especially here at Hotel Jerome, he’s best remembered for his 1970 run for sheriff of Aspen Pitkin County.

An unexpected friendship began at the open-air lobby during check-in, when we were greeted by Cal, the mild-mannered four-legged concierge with long white fur and a penchant for a petting. He crawled out of an emptied cabernet sauvignon wine barrel that lay on its side. The barrel’s top had been cut out and instead of wine, inside was filled with stuffed toys. Cal was carrying a stuffed toy monkey in his mouth and presented it to us as a personal invite to play. Fred, our Chihuahua, took the bait and the monkey.

Ahh, summer. The long awaited season of carefree afternoons, lingering poolside with bottomless glasses of crisp, refreshing, palate-pleasing Rosé. While this beautiful, multi-hued wine has long been the drinkable go-to for summer, Rosé has blossomed in popularity to become a year-round selection. Thanks to its food-friendly nature, Rosé now commands its own section in the supermarket wine aisle and has expanded beyond one or two offerings on restaurant wine lists to showcase domestic offerings from California and Oregon as well as international varietals from France, Italy and Spain, as winemakers expand on traditional Rosé styles and chefs and sommeliers embrace the versatility of Rosé as an ideal pairing companion.

How did Auberge capture your interest? Why did you choose Auberge?

How did Auberge capture your interest? Why did you choose Auberge?

How did Auberge capture your interest? Why did you choose Auberge?

I never knew I would find my perfect pair of Manolo Blahniks in the rolling hills of Connecticut. Beyond a pasture rife with bright red barns and hundreds of free-roaming cows, I traded in my exclusive invitation from the Mayflower to enter Arethusa Farm & Dairy, where Manolo Blahnik’s President and VP George Malkemus and Tony Yurgaitis have led operations since 1999.

We have a little secret brewing in Maine. Beyond our buttery lobster rolls, steamy chowders, and pillowy blueberry pancakes, Portland harbors the third-highest concentration of craft breweries in America. Though we’ve been ranked as one of the top 20 beer cities by publications like Travel + Leisure thanks to beer pioneers like Shipyard and Allagash, there’s something we have that those other cities don’t. While you may find craft beers flavored with pecans, bourbon, or even frozen lemonade elsewhere, our taprooms entice small-batch ale connoisseurs with what we know best: sweet and silky maple syrup.

Melody Rodgers, who’s estate jewelry has graced the pages of numerous publications and glimmered on the arm (or ears, necks and wrists) of many a celebrity, knows that the allure of vintage jewelry is about the story they so exquisitely hold. Our newly-engaged couples enjoy the opportunity to work with Melody one-on-one in creating their customized memory piece. With each repurpose and repair, Melody works as part designer, part storyteller, as she assists in weaving your cherished history with the precise kind of wearable sparkle you had envisioned.

In the early morning sun, just outside the family pool’s gate, I set out down a short path to the vineyard, which led me to Juan Luis, the son and assistant to the viticulturist on this 157-acre wooded paradise. I had no idea I would be embarking on a mystical journey filled with artistic transformations made with nature.

Whenever I travel, a full restaurant is a trusted choice as a place to eat, and Solbar was packed for lunch. Savory scents lured me inside and triggered a rumble in my stomach. With so many options on the menu, I took my seat to scope out the dining room for a view of what others were eating. The answer: fish tacos.

Chocolate is revered all over the world, but perhaps no more so than in Mexico, where it dates back to pre-Hispanic times. Back during the Mayan and Aztec eras, cacao beans were used as currency, and those of the highest ranks were known to have drunk copious amounts of frothy cacao out of clay-wooden vessels. At COMAL, we offer a fun tableside experience that lets diners create their own hot or cold chocolate drink with a molinillo, a traditional wooden whisk that dates back thousands of years. But using the molinillo isn’t just for historical integrity—it’s the secret to soft, almost cloudlike foam.

Wellness seekers have another reason to visit the Auberge du Soleil Spa in Napa Valley. In addition to the spectacular views, zen-like atmosphere and exceptional services, spa guests may now enjoy a signature wellness tea as part of their spa experience. Developed by ERDA, Napa’s ultra-premium organic tea farm, the custom blend features lemon verbena and spearmint, selected for the cleansing and clarity-promoting properties of the herbs. The Auberge du Soleil + ERDA Spa Tea is served at the conclusion of all services to enhance the wellness benefits of each treatment while guests linger and relax within the natural beauty of the Spa Courtyard overlooking the verdant vineyards and Mount Veeder in the distance.

Sailing away from Anguilla on a hand-crafted sailboat, we headed out to explore the small cays that dot the horizon. Looking for dolphins on the way became a game for the kids and us. The first stop brought us to a small sandy beach with nothing but the stunning turquoise water to look at. We swam and relaxed here listening to the stories of our captain about growing up in Anguilla. He tells the kids of the caves he explored as a child, and the kids are enthralled. Not long after, we are off again to explore the caves located on the eastern end of Anguilla.

Santorini is awash in glorious hues: bright white buildings, churches topped with cobalt-blue domes, dusky red cliffs, bright pink bougainvillea, and pops of red geranium. But ask us about our favorite Santorini colors, and my husband and I will immediately tell you they’re black and white. That’s because our wedding at Grace Hotel featured a special unity sand ceremony that incorporated Santorini's famed black and white sands, which we collected from our favorite beaches on the morning of our wedding.

Most people come to Telluride to ski, but I have a confession: I’m Madeline’s new General Manager and I’ve never strapped on a single pair of ski boots.  But I’ll let you in on another secret: I don’t feel like I’m missing out. With Madeline as Base Camp, I’ve discovered so many ways to enjoy Telluride’s incredible snow. My new favorite (and unexpected) winter sport is fat-tire biking. Cycling Bear Creek Trail pairs a great cardio workout on the trek up with an exhilarating descent. On five-inch tires, I feel like I’m almost floating down the slopes.