Bucket Regatta – Photo: Billy Black

The Regatta season officially began in St. Barth last week. The incredible Bucket Regatta and spring break drew large crowds to this tropical island. The St. Barth Bucket Regatta is 3 days of regattas around St. Barth for a fleet of the largest, most prestigious sailing yachts.

St Barth is one of the world’s most glamorous destinations and a frequent getaway for both the rich and famous, and well-heeled travelers, offering style and sophistication in a friendly and laid back environment.

With April’s arrival, there is more exciting competition planned for St. Barth with the Les Voiles de St-Barth and the relaxing pleasure of the St. Barth Film Festival.

It took just three short years for the “Les Voiles de Saint-Barth” to get boating racers from around the world used to this concept of yachting for pleasure and to develop this passion.

Owners, yachtsmen and sailors will once again converge on St. Barth from April 8-13, 2013 for a full week of racing dedicated to the joys of yachting and which will remain forever etched in their minds. This incredible event draws teams from around the world who enjoy extending their competitive sailing season in a warm, dependably breezy tropical clime.

The yachting action doesn’t stop there as May rolls around. The West Indies Regatta is a three day event held annually over the Mayday weekend (May 3-6) in St. Barth celebrating traditional West Indian sails. More of a wooden boat festival than a competitive regatta, the purpose of the event is to promote & encourage traditional boatbuilding in the Caribbean.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request and book a reservation in St Barth. We will promptly get back to you.

OHL Classic at Mayakoba – El Camaleón Golf Club

The OHL Classic at Mayakoba is scheduled the week of November 11-17, 2013. Before you know it, all eyes will be on the stunning El Camaleón Golf Club when the world’s top PGA TOUR players have the opportunity to compete on the Greg Norman designed, 7,000-yard, 18-hole championship course.

Offering a $6 million purse that’s the largest of any professional tournament in Latin America, the OHL Classic at Mayakoba made history in 2007 when it became the first PGA TOUR event contested outside the United States and Canada.

Rosewood Mayakoba is the amazing, 128 all-suite luxury resort located within Mayakoba – in the heart of a 1600-acre resort enclave in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. This gorgeous property is positioned along a mile-long arc of white Caribbean sand and will be at the heart of the excitement.

In celebration of the high profile tournament, Riviera Maya’s award winning resort is introducing The Ultimate Golf Package that will provide bragging rights and cocktail party conversation for years to come.

The $175,000 package, designed for three golfers, boasts a private lesson with world famous golf instructor Jim McLean, a round of golf with sport legend Greg Norman at Playa Mujeres with private helicopter transportation to and from, as well as three positions in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba Pro-Am.

Throughout the tournament, guests will have honorary observer positions and access to the exclusive Founders Club and will stay in the 6,272 square-foot Presidential Lagoon Suite. It is sure to be a dream come to true for any golf enthusiast and two close friends.

The seven-night package that begins on Tuesday, November 12 has been thoughtfully curated to provide an exclusive golf experience with the comfort of exquisite cuisine, lavish accommodations and extraordinary amenities.

By day, guests will enjoy preferred seating at the tournament’s official grand opening ceremony, sit at the VIP table at the Pairings Party,” take private lessons with world-famous golf instructor Jim McLean, sip cocktails with the PGA TOUR Players, and take part in the limelight while playing in the tournament Pro-Am.

The trip culminates on Monday, Nov. 18 with a private BBQ on Rosewood Mayakoba’s pristine beach and a tequila tasting during which the resort’s resident Tequiliers will provide guests with an in-depth experience demonstrating the art of making and appreciating the “drink of the gods,” well sampling some of the best labels.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request and participate in the The Ultimate Golf Package – OHL Classic at Mayakoba Pro-Am. We will promptly get back to you.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji

As Earth Day nears on April 22, we’ve discovered that not only smaller, boutique hotels are “going green” but also many of the larger and luxurious resorts around the world.

Three award-winning hotels and resorts have been praised for their strong commitments to going green – Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona, and El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

These top, luxury “green” hotels and resorts have gone above and beyond in striving to eliminating waste and preserving their environments, including various guest amenities as well as employee initiatives.

· Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji (www.fijiresort.com<http://www.fijiresort.com)
One of the most renowned and environmentally friendly vacation destinations in the South Pacific, the amazing Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji offers spectacular ecological exploration, relaxation, understated natural luxury, and warm hospitality in the traditional Fijian style.
This luxury property is located on the island of Vanua Levu and built on 17 acres of a former coconut plantation, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort requires sustainable fishing and agricultural practices and does not permit reef fish or threatened species when selecting seafood for its dining menus.  The resort’s landscaping features a large number of indigenous fruit trees – including mango, papaya, lemon, lime, guava, pineapple, passion fruit, breadfruit, and coconut – which are irrigated using recycled water from the resort’s wastewater treatment plant.  Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is home to an extensive organic herb and vegetable garden that is meticulously cared for by the staff and provides the resort’s kitchen and bar with fresh produce for guests.  The culinary garden also benefits from the composting of green kitchen waste.  The resort’s full-time Fijian naturalist/marine biologist, Johnny Singh, guides Bula Club (kid’s club) outings, providing a delightful educational experience for children.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

· Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (www.scottsdaleprincess.com<http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com)
a luxurious Southwestern resort that has just completed a $60 million renovation, is committed to a number of green initiatives year-round. Given the desert climate, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess takes significant water conservation measures and landscapes only with indigenous desert plants. The resort’s grounds are also home to wildlife, including Cecil, a rescued desert tortoise with his own habitat. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a recycling program that collects more than 125 tons of refuse each year, as well as 700 gallons of used cooking oils from its kitchens which is converted into biodiesel fuel. “Driving” the conservation message further, hotel guests who drive hybrid vehicles enjoy a 50 percent savings on overnight valet parking. As part of its renovation, the resort built a Living Wall that is formed of thousands of panels and plants on the front and back façade columns. All water for the Living Wall is sourced from irrigation overflow and its own lagoons. The design also includes a catch basin at the bottom of the wall, which captures water that flows back into the resort’s watering system and is treated for further use. As a LEED point, the addition of foliage adds oxygen to the air and also increases the efficiency of insulation, helping the resort reduce the need for air conditioning in months when the heat is less intense.

· El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma (www.karismahotels.com<http://www.karismahotels.com)
are a premier collection of adults-only and family-friendly Gourmet Inclusive properties in Riviera Maya, Mexico offering the best in food and service.  Through a 100,000-square-foot onsite greenhouse at El Dorado Royale that services all ten sister properties and neighboring resorts, produce exchange with local farmers, educational programs and tours, signage on eco-efficient practices throughout its properties, a major recycling initiative, and ongoing certification programs, the resort collection is setting a new standard for eco-conscious tourism and living in Riviera Maya and Mexico.  As a part of its commitment to sustainability, El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma launched and participates in several programs designed to engage guest, staff and partner participation in environmentally-friendly practices, including Pasión por el Medio Ambiente (“Passion for the Environment”), a program that encourages guest and staff participation in environmentally sustainable practices that was inspired by the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI).

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request and stay at one of these “green” luxury hotels. We will promptly get back to you.

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection – Photo: Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the world’s largest musical instrument retailer. In partnership with Eric Clapton, Guitar Center is proud to announce the launch of the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection.

This limited-edition collection will feature five Eric Clapton tribute, replica and signature guitars and is now available for sale in North America exclusively at Guitar Center locations and online at GuitarCenter.com

All guitars in the one-of-a-kind collection were developed in partnership with Eric Clapton, Guitar Center, Fender, Gibson and Martin Guitar, drawing inspiration from the guitars used by Clapton at pivotal points throughout his iconic career.

The result of this incredible collaboration with Guitar Center is two tribute replica guitars with rich ties to Clapton’s career as well as three new Eric Clapton signature guitars that will launch in conjunction with Clapton’s upcoming U.S. tour and Crossroads Guitar Festival.

The Eric Clapton Crossroads Collection is the result of a unique and significant history between the music retailer and famed guitarist. This incredible collection of worship worthy instruments is definitely a “must have” for the true music junkie.

The stunning guitar collection includes a replica Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton, “Brownie”, “Tribute Stratocaster® guitar, Gibson Harrison-Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul, and Eric Clapton Signature Martin 000-28 and 000-45 models, as well as Eric Clapton “Crossroads” guitar straps from Ernie Ball.

Not only is the construction of and history behind the Eric Clapton Crossroads Collection of guitars notable, but a significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of each of the guitars in the collection will be donated to benefit Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Centre http://crossroadsantigua.org/

For more information on the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection please visit www.guitarcenter.com/Clapton.

Learjet 85 – Photo: Jason Tinacci

The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance has been named one of the “300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World” by popular travel publisher Frommer’s.

To honor of the 50th anniversary of Learjet, the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance has created their event’s themed this year’s show “The Jet Age.” The main event will be showcasing the first-ever jet to be parked on Rodeo Drive on Sunday, June 16th (Father’s Day) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The revolutionary Learjet 85 aircraft was the first business jet made using carbon composite materials. Rodeo Dr​ive for Concours d’Elegance is proud to display a full-scale mock-up of the Learjet 85 on the 200 block of Rodeo Drive. The Learjet will also be surrounded by a wide variety of vintage and racing cars and motorcycles from world-renowned brands.

The Learjet 85 is designed by Bombardier Aerospace, the world’s largest business aviation manufacturer, and is available for fractional jet ownership exclusively through Flexjet.

Learjet 85 – Photo: Flexjet

The all-new Learjet 85 aircraft was designed from a clean sheet, and is the first part 25 business jet built using composites in both the wings and the fuselage and features the latest advances in aerodynamics, structures and efficiency.

The 300 block of Rodeo Drive will feature autos inspired by the Jet Age, with smooth aero-dynamic body shapes from the 1950s and 60s, representing the optimism of the future with exciting visual elements such as fin tails, chrome-plated steel grilles and white-wall tire applications.

On the 400 block of Rodeo Drive, the event will once again showcase “The Best of the Best” with pre-1975 classic cars of any brand considered by the show?s curators. This year’s Concours will also feature a special tribute to other marques celebrating special anniversaries.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request and attend this year’s Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. We will promptly get back to you.

Photo: Jaguar

Jaguar Cars Limited is a premier manufacturer of luxury sedans and sports cars and the luxury car maker offers unparalleled design, along with tremendous performance.

At the New York International Auto Show, the new 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE was named 2013 World Car Design of the Year.

The luxury Jaguar F-TYPE car is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable sports cars ever built.

Photo: Jaguar

Each year, the World Car Design of the Year is judged by a design panel of five highly respected world design experts who review candidates based on their innovation and style that push established boundaries.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, was quoted, “No design project has given me greater pleasure
than the creation of the F-TYPE. It’s a project I’ve looked forward to from the moment I joined Jaguar, and it’s one that’s given my team and I great satisfaction. The F-TYPE is a sports car that is true to Jaguar’s design values – beauty of line and purity of form – and I’m honored that the World Car of the Year Design jury has recognized our work with this award.”

The new Jaguar F-TYPE represents a return to the company’s heart: a two-seat, convertible sports car focused on performance, agility and driver involvement.

Photo: Harvest Inn

Many say there is no better time to visit world famous Napa Valley in California, than in the spring. The scenic Napa area comes alive with vibrant colors as flowers bloom and the grape vineyard foliage turns bright green.

The incredible Harvest Inn welcomes arts and wine lovers to the heart of Napa Valley with its “Arts in April” package.

Harvest Inn is a luxury retreat that’s found in St. Helena, just north of Napa the heart of Napa Valley. The Harvest Inn offers patrons an enchanting country-style estate setting, and features well-appointed and oversized brick and wood guest accommodations spread over eight acres of gorgeously landscaped gardens.

Guests who reserve a stay with the “Arts in April” package will be greeted with a Welcome Basket filled with local gifts, including a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from our gracious neighbor, Whitehall Lane Winery; handmade chocolates from St. Helena’s Woodhouse Chocolates; a charming cookbook; a package of savory and sweet treats; and passes for complimentary wine tastings at Del Dotto Vineyards and Turnbull Wine Cellars, both of which showcase beautiful collections of visual and viticultural art.

The Harvest Inn’s Arts in April package also includes:

– Personal concierge assistance in planning guests’ Napa Valley itinerary and activities
– Complimentary wine country breakfast each morning
– Complimentary wine and cheese tasting on Friday and Saturday evenings in the Inn’s Great Room
– Access to the Fitness Center and swimming pool
– On-site parking
– Free Internet access

You can book the Harvest Inn’s “Arts in April” anytime during April and package rates begin at just $285 per night, plus taxes.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your request or make a reservation at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena in the scenic Napa Valley. We will promptly get back to you.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2013 celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in England. But that’s not all, England has numerous other anniversaries, openings and milestone events this year.

It’s never been a better time to visit England and experience the country’s rich culture and amazing sightseeing. Here are several of the top picks to enjoy:

Flex Your Gardening Muscles
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be largest new urban park in England for a century and its redevelopment is an incredible undertaking. The northern part – opening in July 2013 – will focus on wildlife, biodiversity and ecology, with reed beds, grassland and brown field areas and broad-leaved woodland and hedgerows, designed to create habitat for different species. The southern part – due to open in spring 2014 – will be more urban, featuring a 21st century pleasure garden and a series of “outdoor rooms”. The two will be linked by a 13-metre wide tree-lined avenue and in total more than 4,000 trees, 127,000 shrubs and over a million herbaceous plants will be planted across the park. You can visit now on limited ‘Park in Progress’ tours. Tours will run on weekends and school holidays from March 29 to May 6 2013 and cost £15 / $22 for adults, £7 / $10 for children under 17. Children under four go free. www.noordinarypark.co.uk<http://www.noordinarypark.co.uk>

On the Rhododendron Trail
Bowood House & Gardens in Wiltshire is one of the best spots in the country to enjoy rhododendron walks and in March the 18th century house opened a new four-acre section of garden to extend the walks even further. In flower from late April until mid-June, rhododendrons (as well as camellias and azaleas) brighten up over 60 acres of these fantastic gardens, which have been a labour of love since the 1760s when Capability Brown first put his stamp on it. Also new for 2013 is ‘Tractor Ted’s Little Farm at Bowood’. Based on the series of books, the attraction gives children the opportunity to meet friendly farm animals and try their hand on a mini tractor track and digger den. A great addition to what is already one of the best adventure playgrounds in the country. The highly popular series of monthly guided tours of Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s Private Walled Gardens have made a welcome return for 2013.  Enjoy admission to Bowood House & Gardens, a two course lunch in the House Restaurant and the tour for £27.50 / $41 per person.  The Rhododendron Walks are just £3 / $4.50 extra. www.bowood-house.co.uk<http://www.bowood-house.co.uk>

150 years of Stephenson R Clarke
2013 marks the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Stephenson R Clarke, creator of one of the most stunning gardens in the country: Borde Hill Garden in Sussex. As patron to some of the most prolific plant collectors, Clarke created the garden with many rare trees and shrubs from exotic locations. Today, his foresight and hard work allows visitors to experience a world-renowned botanical collection surrounded by stunning Sussex countryside that has hardly changed in the last century. A Grade II* listed Garden and park listed by English Heritage as being of historical interest, ensure Borde Hill Garden ranks high among England’s great gardens. www.bordehill.co.uk<http://www.bordehill.co.uk>

Blossoming Thirties
The UK’s only Blossom Trail in Worcestershire ‘s Vale of Evesham celebrates its 30th birthday in spring 2013. 50 miles of pink and white flowers comprising apple, pear, plum, damson and cherry blossom stretches from the Cotswold village of Broadway to Pershore to the west, a stretch said to be the inspiration for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. People can walk, cycle or drive the Blossom Trail by themselves or they can take one of the official Blossom Coach Tours. As well as enjoying the spectacular scenery, the tour takes in a host of farm shops, pubs and nurseries who all celebrate the Blossom Trail and attempt to make the connection between blossom and fruit through themed produce, menus and demonstrations for example Apple scones, Blossom Marmalade, Pershore Plum Jam and Blossom Cake. The best time to visit is mid-March to mid-May. www.blossom-trail.org.uk<http://www.blossom-trail.org.uk>

Getting back to nature
Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds has launched two new gardening tours this year: Available the first three Fridays and Saturdays of the month, the 75-minute tours of the award-winning gardens cost just £18 / $27 per person; its “Gardening for Wildlife” tours has been created by Sudeley’s Head Gardener, Jon Hodder, in support of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Living Gardens. On the 75-minute tour, visitors will see how the castle’s grounds support hundreds of wildlife specifies within its many niche gardens, castle ruins and medieval stew pond including slow worms, toads, bee orchids, disease resistant elms, bumble bees, dragonflies, kingfishers and nuthatches to name a few. The tours run throughout May and September and cost £14 / $21 per person. www.sudeleycastle.co.uk<http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk>

Saying it with Flowers
New for this year, Salisbury Cathedral has launched ‘Cathedral Flowers’ group tours. The two-hour visit will include: a short guided tour around the Cathedral floor to learn about its flower themed architecture and windows; a specialist talk about cathedral flowers including plants suitable for use; and a demonstration of an arrangement suitable for a cathedral or church.  You might also get to see ‘behind the scenes’ and visit the Cathedral’s cutting garden. Designed by the Cathedral’s Creative Director and Chelsea Gold Medalist, Michael Bowyer, the tour costs £18 / $27 per person, based on a group of 10. www.salisburycathedral.org.uk<http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk>

Chelsea Flower Show Turns 100
Last but by no means least, one of England’s most iconic events, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (May 21 – 25, 2013) celebrates its centenary, with a big nod to the influence and inspiration of England’s landscape and flora. Established in 1913, on the grounds of the Chelsea Royal Hospital in London, the show has become one of the most celebrated annual events in the world. Since its beginning, the show has grown from 244 exhibitors to over 500 and today the show attracts 161,000 visitors. Over the last century, the Chelsea Flower Show has seen radical changes in horticultural fashion, ranging in style from Japanese dwarf trees to an 80ft high pyramid garden. At the heart of Chelsea is the exhibition of plants staged in the Great Pavilion by nurserymen and women, professionals and amateurs. Today, Chelsea is still viewed as the most important event in the horticultural, not to mention social calendar; a fashionable event, the hats and frocks are as much admired and elaborate as the flowers. www.rhs.org.uk/chelseaflowershow<http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelseaflowershow>

88 Rue Du Rhone

The watch brand 88 Rue Du Rhone, offers a new and unique type of luxury with high quality, modern timepieces to a new generation of urban watch-lovers.

88 Rue Du Rhone co-founders are the Bernheim Brothers (Elie and Pierre), who are grandsons of a reputable watchmaker.

The original mission of Elie and Pierre was to create a luxury watch brand from the ground up with stylish, high-quality and value-minded timepieces. The brothers saw an unfulfilled niche and drove to meet it.

88 Rue Du Rhone started in the summer of 2012 and was recently named the official time partner of the BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Art. The watch brand is ready to launch their new 2013 Swiss watch collection – Double 8 Origin. The luxury timepiece collection is offers quartz and automatic Swiss-made movements.

The two Bernheim brothers will also participate in this year’s Baselworld and introduce its Double 8 Origin collection, which consists of timepieces ranging from 29mm to 45mm. All pieces are recognizable through their refined and sophisticated design where the number 8, encompassing the ideology of good fortune and luck, is inherent throughout the entirety of the collection.

The Double 8 Origin was designed with a stronger focus on chronographs both in ladies and men’s models.

Luigi Bianchi Mantova

The luxury fashion brand Luigi Bianchi Mantova is noted for its classic style and uniqueness. The company’s jackets and suits use only high quality fabrics and are all made in Italy.

The annual Travel+Leisure Design Awards selects a respected jury o f fashion designers, interior designers, architects, art collectors plus other trendsetters. Their mission is to select the best hotels, museums, public spaces, and high-end design restaurants that represent the best trends for all the globetrotters.

Luigi Bianchi Mantova is proud to have been awarded Best Men’s Travel Award in the Travel + Leisure Design Awards annual competition.

The winning outerwear jacket in the fashion category was the Field Jacket from Luigi Bianchi Mantovain. The the Field Jacket is made with waterproof Loro Piana storm system fabric and is part of th eexciting new Luigi Bianchi Mantova Spring Summer 2013 Collection.

Since 1911, the Lubiam label has signified an award winning tradition of cutting-edge style and design. Research and care are evident in the choice of the finishing touches, treatments, and in the quality and finesse of the fabrics.

The noted fashion bran company has remained a family run operation for three generations of Bianchi’s.

Nakalele Blowhole

The Nakalele Blowhole at Nakalele Point is a popular destination on Maui for tourist who want to see this unique performance by Mother Nature.

The Nakalele Blowhole is actually a lava tube that shoots water greater than forty feet into the Hawaiian sky when the conditions of the Pacific Ocean waves are ideal.

After many years of constant surf pounding, the waves created an undercut and eventually wore away a lava shelf. A several foot wide hole developed. This process creates an amazing spectacle as the waves crash in and shoot straight up through the opening, called the Nakalele Blowhole.

Every wave that rolls in pushes water and air through the hole, creating the blowhole eruption that is similar to a geyser, like Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

Sadly, a California man recently drowned as he got too close to the Nakalele Blowhole. 44 year old David Potts of San Anselmo, California was killed Saturday when a large wave pushed the tourist into the hole opening.

Witnesses state that the man briefly surfaced from the hole when the next wave rolled in, but then disappeared and was not seen again. After an extensive search that lasted for several days that included divers and helicopters, the body of David Potts was not recovered.

Blowholes are very popular to watch and several can be found across the Hawaiian islands. On Oahu, the Halona Blowhole is another popular tourist attraction.

Back in 2002, a teenager from California – Daniel Dick, also drowned when he fell into Halona Blowhole near Sandy Beach on Oahu’s East side.

The jagged lava rocks off Nakalele Point are amazing to see but can be very dangerous. Be sure to keep a safe distance from the Nakalele Blowhole and the strong waves that pound this scenic area.

The easiest way to reach Nakalele Point and see the Nakalele Blowhole is to drive along the Honoapi’ilani Highway (Highway 30) until you reach a parking lot about a half mile past mile marker 38.
From the parking lot, proceed to walk toward the ocean. You’ll arrive at a magnificent lookout, offering a fantastic view of the Nakalele Blowhole.

To actually reach the Nakalele Blowhole, follow a path approximately 200 feet down the hill.