Luxury Patrol

I love the South of France, my favorite place on earth.But, just over the French/Italian border is another piece of Heaven. The Riviera of the Flowers – they grow in wild profusion and greenhouses all over the hillsides of this area. The flower stands are places of immense delight, just to stand and smell, and see God’s miracle of color and growth illuminate our lives.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS has morphed into a year-round elite resort. Whatever your pleasure, you can probably find it here. Beginning as a world famous ski-resort, over the years it has built itself into a year-round must attend place, with pleasures for everyone.

The radiant blue of the sky, melds seamlessly into the pristine blue of the ocean. BAHAMAS - by air or by sea, it is an island string with strong ties to its Colonial past, and 21st century companies using it as a tax haven.

Bangalore has that sort of inimitable notion of laid-back, luxurious living that is unique to the city. Opulence abounds, yet pretension is thankfully absent amongst the warm, cosmopolitan population of India’s IT hub. From the expansive Cubbon Park, which sits in the center of the city (a mini-central park if you will) to the expatriate filled suburb of Whitefield, the city is a charming destination. 

BERLIN – a city that stands alone,  mired in its own history, feverishly working to lead in the 21^st Century. It is a city of Ghosts, of great architecture, enormous cultural activities in all the arts.  A city with as decadent a nightlife scene as proclaimed by Sally Bowles in CABERET!  BERLIN is a MUST SEE CITY for most people, especially ones with a special interest in the immediate past.

It’s not usually atop most travelers’ wish or bucket lists. It’s not a place to go and relax, refresh, recharge and enjoy a vacation there.

No, Berlin is a destination, and usually with a purpose.

The Downton Abbey craze is the latest out-shoot of the world's romance with England's great Stately Homes. Jeremy Irons became famous because of his role as Charles Ryder, and Anthony Andrews, Julia Quick, Clare Bloom and the venerable Lord Laurence Olivier graced the screen bringing these larger than life characters into our homes and hearts.

Cala di Volpe, is a destination and an exclusive hotel, located on the breathtaking area of Sardinia, called Costa Smerelda. Discovered and developed by the Aga Khan, this area is noted for its exclusivity, extravagances, elegance and glamour. As you can imagine, Costa Smerelda means – Emerald Coast, because of the green sea surrounding the coastline. It’s as if someone color painted it different shades of green merging eventually into the blue Mediterranean.

The next time you’re picking between sipping rose on the beach, trekking up a lush mountainside and journeying through wine-country – stop. Don’t pick at all. Travel to Cape Town and get a taste of all three. Nestled between the Table Mountain and the Table Bay, this South African city is bursting with beautiful people. It boasts a plethora of different cultures, architectural styles and neighborhoods to keep you well satiated through your visit.  Whether you stay at Sol Kerzner’s unapologetically opulent One & Only, the majestic Mount Nelson Hotel or the quirky Hemingway House, warmth and charming hospitality await you. 

With its cocaine days in the past, the Colombian seaport of Cartagena has emerged as the belle of the ball. Cartagena, a fairy tale city of romance, legends, and sheer beauty, is a captivating place that can be hard to escape. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cartagena draws legions of tourists and thus, inevitably, aggressive touts and money changers. This is the place to drop all sightseeing routines. Instead, just stroll through Cartagena's maze of cobbled alleys, where enormous balconies are hidden and massive churches cast their shadows across leafy plazas. 

Christmas has always been the most special time of year for me. I’m a Catholic in a Protestant world, but at least Church of England members also went to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morn -Hundreds of years of tradition, everyone walking through the Silent Night.  Stars shining brightly in the midnight sky, leading us towards Churches to worship the birth of Christ.  For me, it has always been a more religious holiday than just a commercial one, and how I wish that were still so.

Whenever a trip is being planned, there are usually many “wishes” to be fulfilled. One thing for sure is the desire to taste the most fantastic food in the most luxurious settings. Of course, there is fabulous street food, but we’re all about making reservations, dressing up, and enjoying a dining experience for a true foodie!

We’ll journey to many great restaurants in these travels, but let’s start with a couple of my favorites, in my ultimately most favorite place – the French Riviera.  And, we’ll start at the top of a mountain. COLUMBE D’OR in St. Paul de Vence is arguably one of the most famous restaurants in the world. It has appeared in numerous movies, and attracts Royalty, Presidents, Movie stars, and the global uber-rich out for an amazing experience. 

Come Back to Jamaica... used to be the popular theme song of Air Jamaica. With its mouthwatering views of the island, the happy singing and dancing islanders, and the perfect weather to lure you, of course you're going back!

In years gone by, when the trip to the South of France was long and onerous, many Parisians slipped away to country/shore homes in Normandy and Brittany. In fact, Deauville and Trouville became so chic because of the Designer Boutiques, world famous restaurants, glamorous events and people; it was known as the 21^st Arondissement for Paris.  Little has changed since those days, although with the advent of air travel, trips to both the South of France and the Normandy beaches are shorter distances.

Guayquil, Ecuador, classiness and luxury come together in this small yet vibrant city. Situated along the Pacific Ocean, Guayaquil delivers exclusive shopping, dinning, culture and luxurious lifestyle.

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, may spell the thrill of First Nighting for we New Yorkers. But Autumn in New York is an outdoor person's dream.  Especially in the Hamptons, where the mixture of sea, sand, dunes, grass, fields and forests show a glorious display of  Fall colors.

You know it has to be close to Paradise, when one of America’s truly richest men at the time buys a part of Heaven on Earth and sets out to create Paradise. 

If you travel west, take the Highway that’s the best… So go the lyrics of one of the most famous songs of bygone days. Well, that Highway, Route 66 really isn’t one of the most beautiful in the world. HIGHWAY 101, between San Francisco in the north, to Los Angeles in the south, is truly one of the world’s most scenic routes.

The ancient name Constantinople merges seamlessly with the modern name ISTANBUL. An International City at the crossroads of the West and Europe, and the East and Asia. A City that pulsates with life, and tension, and an undercurrent of danger.

Remember when… English food was considered abominable? Except for we English who loved it, didn’t know better, and it wasn’t until the advent of the early Chinese and Indian cafes that we knew any other cuisine or cooking.  But over the years, especially with the EU making crossing borders easy, the wonderful influx of young chefs from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc., has brought fine dining to an Art form in London and beyond.  Let’s take a look at some of the venerable restaurants in London, and it’s all about adapting tried and true establishments adapting to the “latest” trends

Long Branch, New Jersey exudes sophistication and opulence in an elite group of New Jersey’s finest shore towns. Situated along the Atlantic coast, Long Branch delivers the trifecta: shopping, dinning, and luxury lifestyle. Whether spending the day or indulging in a weekend getaway, your Mimosa is waiting in your oceanfront suite.

Three luxurious locations for wonderful chocolate for the holidays - or anytime during the year!

Join Catherine as she unveils the secrets of the opulent and extravagant locales worldwide. As a publicist to the rich and famous, Catherine has enjoyed the pleasures of luxurious vacations and will be sharing her information with you. She will take you places that will make you feel regal. We also want to hear from you, so tell us about your luxe adventures. Cheers!

I love history - mostly European and English I confess. The grandeur, the splendor, the architecture, the "location," are all modern marvels. Except some of the greatest examples of extraordinary vision, architecture, paintings, design, landscape gardens were created centuries ago.  How did they do it then without design apps and computer programs? Without villages of people sitting around sewing, stitching, creating tapestries that tell vivid stories. How did...? There really is no answer, so, when you've spent a few days in Paris, had your fill of city-life, hop aboard a TGV train and speed away to the Loire Valley.  And the magic will engulf you.