Lights, Camera Hollywood!

I will have to admit Los Angeles has never been one of my top choices for a long weekend getaway or even a family vacation. Just spending one night in LA I realized I needed at least three more days.  There is just so much to see and do and really something for everybody. 

You can go west to the beaches, north to the Hollywood Walk of Fame or south to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the La Brea Tar Pits on Museum Row. Feeling active? Travel east to Runyon Canyon, nestled into the famous Hollywood Hills for some hiking. You can even horseback ride to see the famous Hollywood sign. And don't forget the magic of TV & Movies with a trip to one of the major studios like Universal and Warner Brothers.

Remember these stairs?

With such a short amount of time I called on one of our fabulous Virtuoso partners Tour Du Jour.  Like most of our partners they are private and personalized.  They offer the ultimate experience to discover the true essence of this world class city. 

 
Where to stay?  We have so many fabulous partners with amazing hotels in the different neighborhoods of Los Angeles.  I stayed at the famous Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel.  This quintessential Beverly Hills getaway is just steps from the renowned boutiques of Rodeo Drive.  And when you book through McCabe World Travel you will have no problem using your $100.00 credit. I would suggest the famous Wolfgang Puck's restaurant Cut.  You never know who might be sitting next to you.

Finally... make your way to Disney Land!  But more on that later....

Recognize this church? Not only was this in Sister Act but this is where the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance took place. Name that movie!

Calling All Ladies

Don’t you miss those days of girl sleepovers and staying up all night gossiping about your crush?  I learned this month: it doesn’t have to be over.  But now it can be more grown-up… complete with champagne and a nice hotel bed to myself!

It takes a little more planning now, gathering five professional women with children, husbands, businesses, etc.  Once we picked a date and cleared our calendars, we had months to plan and engage in something that was just for ourselves.

Coming from Boston and DC,  we picked New York City as the perfect meeting ground.   The fun began the moment we boarded the train.  It was amazing to talk to my best friends for four hours without any interruptions or smart phones. When was the last time that happened?

The New York weekend included loads of great food & wine, an afternoon on Broadway to see Wicked (and go back stage!), and of course more food & wine. 

We choose the Plaza for an iconic hotel in a fabulous location.  The  Todd English Food Hall and The Plaza Food Hall are not to be missed.  

Fun fact - Eloise is a series of children's books written in the 1950s by Kay Thompson. Eloise is a girl who lives in the "room on the tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel with her Nanny, her pug dog Weenie, and her turtle Skipperdee. For a special treat don't miss the Eloise Suite designed by Betsey Johnson that provides young children and their families with an unforgettable Eloise experience.

In addition to the Plaza, we spent a morning at The Lowell for a delicious brunch, feeling right at home in this boutique hotel.  Of course we couldn’t leave NYC without having a famous Bloody Mary at the St. Regis!  These are just 3 of the many Virtuoso hotels in New York City where our partnership adds great value.

I love my job and working with families, couples and honeymooners… but don’t forget these very important girl (and guy) getaways.  We all deserve some time off! 

Jessica@mccabeworld.com

703-762-5056

Head to Bermuda

When you have a 3 day weekend, it's tempting to get out of town! But travel time to many destinations makes 3 days too short for a getaway.  Did you know Bermuda is about 90 minutes nonstop from NYC, Philly, or Atlanta?  It is easy to get to, making it a great place for a quick trip... but once you get there I'll bet you wish you had more time!

Bermuda is on the rise.  The island is home to the 2017 America's Cup, which means the best sailors in the world will be descending on Bermuda for the events. Between now and then, many qualifying races bring buzz to the island... starting with the World Series this upcoming weekend.  We were lucky to see many sail boats already in the harbor this weekend in anticipation of the races, and for the Gold Cup this weekend. 

Bermuda also offers some of the best beaches... white (and pink!) sand and clear blue water.  Even in October the weather is mild (high 70s) and the water was warm enough to go in.  The warmest times of year are March to October. 

Many travelers want to be able to go out to dinner and spend time in town outside their resort.  Bermuda is a safe and fun destination for this, with many great restaurants on Front Street and in town.  You are also able to take hikes and walks to explore the coastline, cove beaches, and the colorful houses that Bermuda is famous for. It is perfectly safe, clean, and charming to explore off your resort property.

With 5 Virtuoso properties to choose from, there is a perfect fit for everyone! Give us a call and we'll discuss which is right for you!

Calling all James Bond Fans - GoldenEye Jamaica

In 1942 the debonair Englishman, Commander Ian Fleming was sent to Jamaica by Britain's naval intelligence service on a secret mission. Fleming was in Jamaica only three days but wrote soon afterwards: “I have made up my mind. I'm going to live the rest of my life in Jamaica.”

The first James Bond book, Casino Royale was written at Golden Eye during the winter of 1952 and established a pattern that continues for the next 12 years. The peace and privacy of Jamaica allowed Fleming to draw on his own experiences, his fascination with military gadgets, his sharp wit and dry arrogance to create 20th century's most successful action hero - agent 007 James Bond.

After Fleming's death in 1964, GoldenEye remained a part of the family estate until Chris Blackwell, who founded Island Records, acquired by default. Blackwell's deep attachment to Jamaica extends well beyond resorts to include the restoration of Noel Coward's Firefly, the building and development of Island Village and much more.

Today, this 52-acre haute hideaway features 28 airy rooms dispersed among 19 villas and cottages, each adorned with custom furnishings, deep-soaking clawfoot tubs and high-end sound systems. Kayak or swim to the open-air spa for a salt scrub or meditation session, then head to the treehouse-style Gazebo for grilled lobster tail and glorious sunsets. Playful excursions include everything from sunrise fishing to twilight yoga, garden walks to Jet Ski safaris.

Fun Fact –

-All 14 Bond novels were written at GoldenEye, although only 3 have parts set in Jamaica.

-The ultra-private, five-bedroom Fleming Villa includes two satellite cottages, a pool and private beach. You’ll find the author’s original writing desk in the master bedroom.

Contact me for more information. As a guest of McCabe World Travel & Virtuoso you will receive:

-One $100 USD equivalent resort credit per stay    

- For Virtuoso guests purchasing optional meal plan One dinner for 2 in a local restaurant (not including beverages, taxes, or gratuities) once during stay       

- Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guest

- Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability               

- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

Jasper

We spent three nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge tucked within gorgeous Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage. The lodge is a scenic village of cabins with adventure and wildlife right outside your door.

There is so much to do here – hiking, fishing, horseback riding, biking, golfing, paddleboats, canoeing –  and truly something for everyone. We got to experience a beautiful hike, challenging bike ride, white water rafting (brr!) and a host of other amenities that the lodge has to offer. Jason enjoyed a round of golf while Joey and I lounged at the pool and took a stroll around the lake.

 

A highlight of our stay was a fabulous dinner on the lake, exclusive to Tauck guests. It reminded me a bit of having a bush breakfast while on safari. The kids had a ball playing ladder golf and soccer while the parents sat back with a cocktail. They even had a fire pit for all to enjoy s’mores!

Virtuoso Amenities, compliments of McCabe World Travel, offered at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge:

·         Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests

·         $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

·         Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

OH CANADA!

For my family’s summer vacation, I elected to explore Canada with Tauck Bridges, a tour product that Tauck offers geared toward families. After landing in Calgary, we enjoyed a two hour drive to the Fairmont Chateaux Lake Louise. The scenery is breathtaking – worth every minute of the drive. The Chateaux sits on breathtaking Lake Louise which boasts colors that you’d expect to see in the Caribbean: combinations of blues and greens.

On our first day, we enjoyed a wonderful hike with our guide who was great interacting with the kids making the experience both educational and fun. A little Canadian Wildlife Trivia: We learned about a tiny animal called the Shrew. In the winter, a Shrew will shrink their body size and brain mass in order to survive with lower energy intake. Average body mass will decrease by 19%!

 

After a fantastic first day at Lake Louise, we drove on the famed Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park. This gorgeous stretch of highway is one of the most  scenic drives in the world. Every time we turned a corner, we were treated to another spectacular sight: majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, massive glaciers and thundering waterfalls. You absolutely cannot miss this drive if you are in the Rockies!

 

Another fun fact: the Canadian Mountain Peak feeds three different oceans – Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic. They say the only other place in the world that this happens is Siberia!

Stay tuned for our adventures in Jasper!

Virtuoso Amenities offered at the Fairmont Chateaux Lake Louise

-Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

-Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guest in restaurant

-Souvenir personal portrait session with professional photographer during their stay with picture frame.

-Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Insider’s Tip - Take time to sip one of the superb ice wines and enjoy the fondue specialties, including bison and the traditional Swiss cheese.

Istanbul - The Spice of Life

I recently returned from Istanbul and was blown away. I had always dreamed of visiting this enchanted city and it truly lived up to all of my expectations. The city boasts history, culture, cuisine and some of the kindest most genuine people I have ever met.

While I visited many of the must-see sites including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, it’s not surprise to those who know me that the highlight for me was a visit to the Spice Bazaar.

This bazaar is the home to both locals and tourists who are in search of spices, dried herbs, nuts, teas, dried fruits and plenty of souvenirs. I walked away with three types of tea and spices that will last me for many meals to come. I have already enjoyed a number of new recipes and flavors thanks to my various purchases!

 

Fun facts about this beautiful city:

-Istanbul is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe.

-Tulips, the symbol of Holland, originated in Istanbul and were sent from Istanbul to Netherlands.

-The Grand Bazaar is the largest covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops

-Istanbul was the European Cultural Capital City in 2010, but has never hosted the Olympics.

Istanbul is a fabulous city to visit on its own, in combination with a full land tour of Turkey, or pre/post cruise.  Please contact me at jessica@mccabeworldcom for more details. 

Oahu - Sights & Tastes

Our first four days in Hawaii were on the island of Oahu, often called "The Gathering Place." This island offers a significant contrast between the ancient and modern. From the big city of Waikiki to the small towns of the North Shore, there is something for everybody and an island that shouldn't be overlooked.

 

The island boasts some incredible hotels and resorts, including The Modern, Kahala, Halukulani and Disney's Aulani. We enjoyed hiking Diamond Head; boating with dolphins; and of course experiencing the beach and resorts.

 

I must admit that one of my favorite reasons to visit Hawaii is the food. A long-term foodie dream of mine was to eat at Morimoto and I finally had the opportunity at The Modern in Waikiki. It was one of the best meals of my life. Somewhere between the tuna tartar and the Wagyu beef, I looked up and saw the legend himself... Morimoto! In his own restaurant! It was so exciting to see him and I must thank my friend and colleague Whitney for giving me a signed copy of his cookbook. I won't bore you with every meal I've had so far, but between the brunch at the Halukalini and lunch at Rainbow Drive-In (featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives), I'm in heaven. After all this food I just might have to hike Diamond Head again.

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Cameron House on Loch Lomond

The drive to Cameron House was an easy 40 minute drive from Glasgow on Loch Lomond. There are loads of activities - biking, golf, boating, clay shooting and much more to keep you busy. The hotel has fabulous facilities complete with a large gym and pool with a waterslide (Joey was a fan).

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National park covers 720 square miles. It's popular destination for locals and had a wide variety of natural attractions from lochs to rivers.

We took an hour drive into Sterling which which is a small university town.

The Stirling Castle is the major highlight and is one of the biggest and most impressive castles in Scotland.

You must enjoy a local beer at the Settlers Inn which is the oldest pub in Stirling. 



 

Glasgow

 

 

We arrived Glasgow after an easy flight on Iceland Air. Connecting in Iceland is extremely easy as the airport is small and very manageable.

We made our way to the Hotel Du Vin, an extremely charming hotel that is made up of 5 old town homes. Every room is unique, warm and friendly with each named after a winery. The Hotel is in the West End part of Glascow which I would compare to Georgetown with trendy shops, pubs and restaurants.

You have to make sure you have a drink at the Oran Mor, formerly Kelvinside Parish Church. I have to say it's the first time I have been in a bar that formally was a church.

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens is perfect for garden lovers. The gardens were created in 1817 and is the home of a large variety of plant collections.

Glasgow is definitely a city to see and the perfect way to start a Scotland adventure.