On her first Friday night in Anguilla, Natassia Parker saw gray plumes of smoke rise and smelled the char of grilled meat in the air. “I didn’t know it then, but this island is a barbeque mecca and those were signs the weekend had started,” she says. “By now I’ve tried every roadside stand, but Ken’s BBQ is adored by locals and well worth the 20-minute drive from Malliouhana.

The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile loop that incorporates the famous Million-Dollar Highway, the most famous portion of which travels from Ouray to Silverton (US 550) over Coal Bank Summit and the Molas Divide. The route includes five passes, countless ghost towns and a smattering of some of the finest mining remnant towns in the West

Tasting our handmade chocolate is like traveling around the world— you can experience parts of Central America, South America, India, the Philippines or Africa through the bars and desserts we make from scratch. Take it from our chefs, sommeliers, and cooks that would join us for “chocolate tastings” when we first started roasting our own cacao beans.

Any fan of the television series “Gilmore Girls” has undoubtedly fallen for the show’s fictional town “Stars Hollow.” Boasting legendary New England charm, the parallels between Stars Hollow and Washington Depot, Connecticut are striking— and it’s no accident. In fact, Gilmore Girl’s writer, Amy Sherman-Palladino, drew inspiration for the comedy-drama during her stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa (later to influence the show’s fictional Dragonfly Inn). Seven seasons later, the cult classic’s first Gilmore Girls Fan Fest was held in Washington Depot, attracting over 1,300 fans in 2016. However, you don’t have to attend a fan fest to get a taste of life in Stars Hollow. In simply exploring the whimsical towns within Litchfield County, you might find yourself retracing the steps of the Gilmore Girls.

I can't say a spread of canapes, tropical salads or even the traditional Fijian barbecue got me to scale a massive palm tree. Though I don't mind working for my dinner, I can't say I would climb anything for enjoyment. But I'm glad I braved my fear of heights to reach Nanuku's treetop dining platform ...

Auberge Du Soleil has a 15,000 bottle selection, and lots to discuss about each of them. The only thing that is more precious and exciting than our wine list, is perhaps the rich conversation surrounding wine at Auberge Du Soleil. Between our sommeliers and knowledgeable guests, there is always something new to learn and discuss.

A trumpeting sound jolted me from my daydream as my family and I neared the entrance of Nanuku. The horn slowly grew louder as we rounded the corner, where I could see a band of drummers and greeters awaiting us. Our driver told me Fijians have used the Davui conch shell - marked by a small finger hole near the mouth of the shell...

Soothing percussive beats of pre-Hispanic music is the soundtrack to my Huichol inspired ritual. Instruments made with turtle shells, wood, bone and sea shells intertwine rhythmically, calming me and drawing my mind into clarity, peace and an openness to the cleansing and purification of my body.

A 27-mile ferry ride away from Anguilla lies mysterious Saba island. Chances are you’ve heard of busier St. Barts or St. Martin, but this unspoiled Dutch Antilles hideaway—which boasts incredible hiking and diving—is not on most tourist’s radars. “Of all the islands I’ve visited since moving to Anguilla, Saba is the most unexplored,”

It's 5 o'clock somewhere, and at Calistoga Ranch, I'm the official Yappy Hour host. When I'm not climbing in the fountains for an afternoon drink or racing through the property grounds to greet guests on their arrival, I'm the official good-time golden retriever. Donning my shiniest collar and slicking my golden coat to perfection, I welcome my canine friends to the most exclusive cocktail hour in Napa Valley. If you bring your human as a plus one, they can even have a cocktail, too.

"Ai Chi is a meditative movement carried out while standing in water. More often than not, I will meet guests seeking ways to quiet the mind and de-stress, but find it difficult to sit still through traditional forms of meditation. Ai Chi enables participants to experience the benefits that meditation promises through physical movement— it’s a stillness in motion, if you will. At an Ai Chi class, you can expect for the water to be a warm 92 degrees, and chest deep. There are always a few participants that are happy to learn that they will not be going underwater— you do not need to be an expert swimmer to take Ai Chi, and you can count on your hair and makeup remaining perfectly intact."

Hotel Jerome’s rooms look even more historically accurate than the original historic rooms did, thanks to the multimillion dollar renovation in 2012. Travel back in time and sink into leather furniture reminiscent of the 1930’s, be greeted by a grand portrait of Jerome B. Wheeler above the front-desk fireplace, or enter a room with new detailing that takes you back a century.

Along the trail we spy a jackrabbit, shy but curious, watching us walk. My sons want to pet it, but we need to move forward, our spot at Indian Head waits for us, but the sunrise won’t. Indian Head the best kept secret- a little known trail near the resort. I love to catch sunrises here, to take in the technicolor display of oranges, pinks, blues and purples that evolve above the sea.

The trick to navigating the Calistoga Food and Wine’s Grand Tasting like an expert? Start at the back of the event, and work backwards. You can beat the lines by going straight inside the Solstice event space and wine tasting your way to the lawn. Less time in lines equals more time sipping on the samplings from over 40 of the surrounding local wineries, savoring delectable small bites, and picking up tips from the live cooking stations.

After living in New York, Malliouhana’s Concierge, Becca Teklu, found paradise in Anguilla. Her best-kept secret for total escape is the island’s remote hideaway Little Bay, which is only accessible by boat and famous for its sugar-white beach. For your visit there, you’ll need our complimentary snorkeling gear to explore an underwater ecosystem thriving with turtles, eels, blue tangs, parrotfish, and stingrays. If wading into Little Bay's waters is not enough, climb up Jumping Rock and plunge 20 feet into the warm ocean below—one thrill Becca definitely prefers over riding New York’s subways!

It took a bit of sweat to reach Napa Valley's most picturesque lookout, a summit I wanted to photograph by morning. That's why I hit the under-the-radar private hiking trail near Calistoga Ranch with my husband by 9 a.m. sharp to reach the sleepy hill only locals know. Because I was a guest at Calistoga Ranch, I gained access to an exclusive property tour, ending at the vineyard's tasting room for a custom food and wine pairing menu. It's true what they say - it's all about who you know.

There are two things each new season in Telluride is sure to bring: a change in weather and unparalleled festivals. In my opinion, Telluride's smaller, lesser-known festivals are some of the town’s best-kept secrets. Take, for instance, the quirky Mushroom Festival. Here me out— it’s a celebration of full of cooking demonstrations, guided hikes for mushroom identification, and a parade where attendees get creative with fungal-themed costumes.

Arethusa Farm & Dairy is widely-known for its old-fashioned ice cream, but most people are surprised to learn that the farm’s award-winning, creamy goodness all began with the signature stiletto heels that regularly appeared on “Sex and the City.” That’s right— high-end shoe brand Manolo Blahnik’s President and VP, George Malkemus and Tony Yurgaitis, are the farmers behind Arethusa Farm, and have been since 1999. Now you know who to thank for the most delectable dairy products you can image.

You might think that having my first kiss on the free Mountain Village Gondola would be my favorite childhood memory in Telluride, but discovering the secret trail to “Little Hawaii” takes first place when it comes to magical moments in this mountain town.