Come at It From a New Angle
A small island in Japan, an all-inclusive in Mexico, a tour of Thailand, a town in Jasper, and a peek at the Venetian ball scene.
Here’s the latest on Fathom:
a luxurious Mexican all-inclusive for the wellness-curious
a charming and affordable exploration of the Portuguese wine valley
a remote and culturally rich island in the Sea of Japan
a town revival in a spectacular swath of Canadian nature
a tour of Thailand’s Four Seasons Resorts (including that one)
an open letter to millennials (who like their parents): don’t waste time
a breakdown of the Venetian ball scene
An All-Inclusive Retreat to Wellness in Playa del Carmen
Tucked away in a special area of Riviera Maya, Palmaïa - The House of Aïa features lush jungle on one side and crystal clear ocean on the other, with private cenotes and wildlife — like the spider monkeys and coatis who join you for breakfast. The family-owned and -operated resort strikes the ideal balance between a spiritual journey and a luxury getaway. Rooms are spacious and equipped for the wellness-minded traveler, down to the local kombucha in the fridge, and there's nary a single-use plastic in sight.
Off the Beaten Path in Japan: A Few Days in Sado Island
Given the well-documented pleasures of intra-Japanese transportation, getting to Sado Island is a joy in and of itself. Awash in lush landscaping and a thriving ecosystem (somehow bugs and frogs here struck me as part of nature's sublime composition and did not irk me in the slightest, a big change from my usual reaction) Sado is well known to domestic tourists. Most come to see the UNESCO World Heritage-recognized gold mines, to bob along in taraibune tub-boats (as seen in Spirited Away) and to appreciate its prized rituals and performances, including onidaiko drumming. But the relative lack of foreigners means its villages and countryside are clear of the throngs that fill the streets and sites of destinations like Kyoto.
Douro Valley’s Charms Flow Like Wine
History buffs who enjoy a back-to-the-roots wine perspective should consider Porto and the Duoro Valley — a global epicenter of history, culinary tradition, and — yes — port. A jet-lagged first night dinner provides our initial peek into the pride of local food and wine. Lemon Calabrian chili butter, breaded shrimp in savory banana sauce, and the country’s famous piri piri chicken coat our bellies while we settle in for a full spectrum of wine tasting. The hospitality and warmth is next level. As we make our way around the city, we are given little gifts: splashes of wine, recommendations for exploring near and far. This desire to share is an intrinsic one — several locals tell us that exploration is in the blood of the Portuguese.
Breakfast With Elephants and Other Tales from Thailand
Thanks to the third season of White Lotus, you are seeing, reading, and hearing about Thailand and a certain Four Seasons hotel in Thailand everywhere this spring. We've been. Here's what we found on a ten-day, three-hotel retreat as a guest of Four Seasons Hotels. (There's more to see than Koh Samui.)
Millennials, If You Love Your Parents, Read This Now
As we had our sundowners amid Zimbabwe’s sweeping savannahs, my parents (who have been married for 41 years) reminisced about their younger years, sharing stories about Miami and Bogota in the ‘80s — all the disco and debauchery. “We promised we would never tell her!” my mother screeched, laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. For the first time in my adult life, my parents and I had stepped down from the pedestals we placed each other on and laughed and swapped stories like friends.
Just Back from the Canadian Rockies
Jasper is a tight-knit community of 5,000 residents and sits within its namesake national park. The town is deeply ingrained in the tourism sector, with boutique hotels, dining, and expedition companies. Almost a third of all businesses and homes were destroyed by the Jasper Complex Wildfire in the summer of 2024, and wildlife, flora, and fauna were altered. But this Canadian Rockies town is eager and beckoning for tourism to return — in a more evolved, thoughtful manner than before. They are building back in a regenerative, intentional way that is mindful of both the past and the future of climate forces, indigenous histories and cultures, and the environment’s needs.
Ball Season in Venice: An Adventure at Il Ballo del Doge
The winter ball season in Italy represents the pinnacle of social calendars for those fortunate enough to secure invitations to these exclusive affairs. From January through March, aristocratic palazzos and historic venues across the country are transformed into dreamscapes of opulence and fantasy. Nowhere is this tradition more splendid than in Venice during Carnevale, when masked revelers slip through fog-laden calli, participating in a centuries-old tradition of mystery and decadence. While Rome, Florence, and Milan host their own prestigious events — like the annual charity ball hosted by the Doria Pamphilj Trust at their Rome palazzo (a palazzo three quarters the size of the Vatican) — Venice reigns supreme in the art of the carnival ball.