A special blend of Emerald Isle hospitality greets visitors at Sheen Falls Lodge, a lush five-star countryside hideaway just outside the storybook town of Kenmare in the southwestern corner of Ireland. Culinary magic, more than a bit of pampering, graded hiking and equestrian trails, hands-on falconry, fly-fishing, golf, and access to some of the best cycling and touring in Ireland, make the 77-room accommodations an ideal base for exploring the natural splendor of the region. 

To read the full article by Michael J. Solender visit luxebeatmag.com.

Upon my first visit to Pinehurst Resort more than a decade ago, I came to learn of the  resort’s ethos, “Always Pinehurst, yet always better.”  I discovered that while hospitality, classic North Carolina Sandhills golf, southern charm, and superb dining anchor the Pinehurst Resort holiday, it’s the continuous evolution, enhancements, and guest first focus that define Pinehurst as a venerable golf paragon.

To read the full article by Michael J. Solender visit luxebeatmag.com.

Perhaps it’s the Latin vibe emanating from the South American influenced menu, the sleek and stylized dining room studded with old-world European artwork, or simply the showcase open kitchen here that puts a heavy helping of passion into the air.

Add it all up and there’s a great deal to love about Mico. Add an extended wine selection of rarely seen Argentinian Malbecs and South American stunners, executive chef Duane Fernandes’ deft touch, and thoughtful plate combinations and guests leave here wowed.

To read the full article by Michael J. Solender visit luxebeatmag.com.

Less than an hour after navigating the throngs of tourist “greeters” at Cancun International Airport, my wife and I are enjoying a champagne cocktail and a reception of a more genuine and welcoming nature at Riviera Maya’s Grand Velas. We arranged for private transport upon arrival, were met with an extra cozy oversized SUV, and efficiently whisked southward along the Yucatan coast. Immediately, the travel stress began to melt away.

To read the full article by Michael J. Solender visit luxebeatmag.com.

Luxe winter escapes calling for cultural flavor, historic exploration, soft adventure, and mile after mile of sultry beaches find Puerto Vallarta high atop the list. Here in Jalisco, Mexico, the once remote sunny beach town was made famous by Hollywood A-listers in the 60’s and 70’s after Richard Burton and Ava Gardner starred in the John Houston-directed thriller Night of the Iguana. The film, based upon the Tennessee Williams play, was filmed in Puerto Vallarta, where Burton became so enamored with the sweeping ocean vistas, scarlet sunsets, and carefree vibe, he acquired a romantic hideaway home – Casa Kimberly – here with Elizabeth Taylor.

To read the full article by Michael J. Solender visit luxebeatmag.com.

“We have no stoplights here. The cows are our traffic control,” my guide says as we wait in the car for a mother and her calves to cross the road. They’re in no hurry. Neither am I. It has taken some doing to get to Paro, Bhutan, and I’m glad to have made it. To begin with there was the visa business. While the country is open to tourism it is not open to everyone. The government has made a decision to cultivate affluent travelers by limiting visas to those who meet a minimum spend requirement. “We don’t want backpackers,” I was told by several sources during my visit. Travelers are expected to be accompanied by licensed guides.

To read the full article by Fredric Hamber visit luxebeatmag.com.

The Scottish Highlands are a literary landscape full of tales of bravery and bravado, which I had been longing to visit. But since I lack the bravery and bravado to drive a rental car on the left side of the road, I needed another option. That’s how I found myself aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman for a five-day luxury train trip through the land of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. The nine-car passenger train holds just 36 passengers, and is part of the old Orient Express group. (The Orient Express company, which includes hotels and river cruises, recently renamed itself Belmond.)

To read the full article by Fredric Hamber visit luxebeatmag.com.

When I arrived at Inspiration Point for my first summer of performing with Opera in the Ozarks, I knew that at least some of my time would be spent exploring the gorgeous scenery around me. Driving the curving mountain roads, going for my daily runs, and strolling through the hilly, winding streets of downtown, I felt a profound peace settle over me as I relaxed into the feeling of the aptly named Inspiration Point. This place was truly chock full of inspiration and charm: a musician’s dream!

To read the full article by Christine Sallas visit luxebeatmag.com.

My husband and I don’t have what you would call a traditional family life. After all, as a musician that frequently travels for work, I’m gone a lot performing and travelling to auditions all over country. We got married on a Thursday, and by Monday morning I was back at work in Kentucky while he stayed at his work in Florida. Needless to say, we ended up having to skip a traditional honeymoon. Finally, just this past July, my husband and I decided to take a long weekend and call that our honeymoon. We live in beautiful, colorful Colorado, and though we’ve been based here for a little over a year now, we haven’t even come close to tapping into all the absolutely gorgeous destinations across the state. So we decided to look for something fun, luxurious and relaxing in our home state. After some searching, we landed on Pagosa Springs, Colorado, located down at the southern part of the state surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and near the San Juan River, close to the New Mexico border.

To read the full article by Christine Sallas visit luxebeatmag.com.

About 15 miles east of Asheville, North Carolina is a little gem nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains: Black Mountain. Voted ‘Best Small Town In Western North Carolina,’ Black Mountain is famous for its art, crafts, music, and beautiful scenery. But the area is special to me for more personal reasons. Black Mountain (and the unincorporated town of Ridgecrest) is where my maternal grandparents lived for a significant portion of their lives. Our visit this past weekend was a bittersweet one; we were meeting to pay tribute to my grandmother at her memorial service, as she passed away this past August.

To read the full article by Christine Sallas visit luxebeatmag.com.