DRIFT Travel Spring 2018

TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL 

TRAVEL MAGAZINE 

EYES OF ITS PEOPLE 

A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA 

SOUTH AFRICA 

ROAD TRIPPIN’ THE GARDEN ROUTE 

TAH’A, TAHITI 

VACATION OF A LIFETIME 

ESTORIL, PORTUGAL 

LUXURY HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRAVEL 

BC’S SPARKLING HILL 

A ROMANTIC RECHARGE FOR TWO 

SPRING 2018 

COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

2 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 3

PUBLISHER 

GLOSSY MEDIA 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

STEVE DRAKE 

PRODUCTION/EDITORIAL 

ERIC HIMEL, IAN PEDERSEN, RUSS WALSH, ERIN 

CEBULA, TODD TALBOT, JULIE LEVENTHAL, SYLVIA 

TENNANT. ALLISON LETHERBARROW, KARA LATTA, 

PAUL JOSEPH, STEFANIE NISSEN, BIANCA MARTINEZ, 

PAOLA ARENCIBIA 

CREATIVE | PHOTOGRAPHY 

ERIN CEBULA, THE MOORING, TODD TALBOT, SOPHIE 

MERRELL, JULIE LEVENTHAL, SYLVIA TENNANT, 

ALLISON LETHERBARROW, DOLPHIN POINTS VILLS, 

TRVL PORTER, PALACIO ESTORIL HOTEL, BOOKING. 

COM, ADOBE STOCK, SPARKLING HILL RESORT, PEAK 

DESIGN. DANNER, BARRIER METHOD 

ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING RIGHTS INQUIRIES 

sales@DRIFTtravel.com | www.DRIFTtravel.com 

Published by: Glossy Media 

All rights reserved. No part of DRIFT magazine may be 

copied or reproduced without permission. 

© COPYRIGHT DRIFT TRAVEL MAGAZINE 

GLOSSY MEDIA 

2015-2018 


INSIDE this issue 

6 ERIC HIMEL’S STYLE 12 TRAVEL GEAR 

Top 10 carry-on must packs 

A look at new travel products 

8 TAHA’S, TAHITI 

Floating tropical dreams 

14 SOUTH AFRICA 

Road trippin’ with Erin Cebula 

TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL 

EYES OF ITS PEOPLE 

A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA 

SOUTH AFRICA 

RAOD TRIPPIN’ THE GARDEN ROUTE 

TAH’A, TAHITI 

VACATION OF A LIFETIME 

ESTORIL, PORTUGAL 

LUXURY HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRAVEL 

BC’S SPARKLING HILL 

A ROMANTIC RECHARGE FOR TWO 


TRAVEL MAGAZINE 

COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COM 

20 B.C’s SPARKLING HILL 

The Talbots romantic retreat 

24 PEOPLE OF INDIA 

Sophie Merrell’s photographic journey 

THREE DAYS IN VAIL 

36 Leave your skiis at home 

40 NOVA SCOTIA 

Authentic maritime hospitality 

56 PORTUGAL 

Health & fitness travel 

LUXURY TRAVEL 

60 Private jets & more 


From Canada’s coasts and 

Tahitian islands, to the roads of 

South Africa and the streets of 

India, DRIFT magazine s taking 

you on the ultimate spring travel 

vacation. No passport required. 

NAXOS & AMORGOS 

46 A Greek holiday on foot 

50 LOS ANGELES 

Shop like a celebrity 

KEY LARGO, FLORIDA 

62 Dolphin Points Villa 


Eric Himel’s 

LIFE+STYLE 

BY: ERIC HIMEL 

Soft Lightweight Scarf 

Oversized, cashmere and paper 

thin, this multi-purpose piece 

doubles as both scarf and 

wrap for chilly restaurants and 

museums. 

FALIERO SARTI 

STYLISH SNEAKERS 

Designer sneakers are so 

omnipresent today that you don’t 

have to sacrifice comfort over 

style anymore. Choose a metallic 

pair to up the chic quotient and 

walk for hours, even up hills and 

cobblestone streets. 

TOD’S 

Rain Slicker 

These new crop of rain jackets 

are one part utilitarian, two parts 

style and they fold neatly into 

your bag for easy accessibility. 

Jersey Dress 

This material is forgiving for 

packing, comfortable for wearing 

and versatile enough to go from 

day to night. 

NORMA KAMALI 

HUNTER 

ERIC HIMEL (erichimel.com) 

is a widely known celebrity stylist, fashion expert and media personality. Himel attended 

Parson’s School of Design and trained under Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Now based in 

Los Angeles, Himel’s roster of celebrity clientele has included Jenny McCarthy, Giuliana 

Rancic, Pete Wentz, Gabby Douglas and more. Eric is best known for his signature Closet 

Purge and now offers Virtual Styling Sessions. 


Polarized Aviators 

Aviators are universally flattering 

and add that extra cool factor to 

any ensemble. Polarized is just 

smart. 

TOM FORD 

Statement Heels 

A block heeled statement shoe 

will be the only nighttime shoe 

you need seamlessly moving 

between multiple outfits. 

PRADA 

2-in-1 Bag 

A bag that doubles as a cross 

body by day and a clutch by 

night will optimize your packing 

space and simplify your options. 

VALENTINO 

Sexy Comfort Jeans 

Stretch, cropped and midrise, 

these jeans will have you 

covered in flats or heels without 

stretching out after a long day’s 

adventure. 

J BRAND 

Convertible Earrings 

An earring that converts into a 

stud for day and a drop for night. 

Well isn’t that clever! 

EQUIPMENT 

TRAVELING WITH 

A CARRY-ON – 10 THINGS 

YOU MUST PACK 

70’s Inspired Blouse 

Billowy like a cool breeze, this 

staple is the essence of casual 

vacation chic. 


Yacht 

Charters 

The Vacation of a Lifetime 

on the water in Taha’a, Tahiti 

BY: IAN PEDERSEN 


When people think of 

a dream vacation 

in the islands of 

French Polynesia, 

the island that is usually at the top 

of their list is Bora Bora. In reality 

though, the archipelago consists of 

several other islands worthy of every 

traveler’s bucket list. 

Those that have the privilege of 

undocking on a life-changing yacht 

charter vacation in Tahiti with a 

local skipper on board will be able 

to discover the hidden treasures 

and splendid beauty that reigns 

supreme throughout the crystalclear 

waters of Taha’a. Here is what 

an unforgettable Taha’a sailing 

adventure could look like for you: 


On your first morning, go ashore 

on Taha’a and tour one of the local 

vanilla plantations. The locals 

who own the small plantation are 

extremely friendly. The vanilla 

plants bloom between July and 

October. One flower lives for only 

six hours and all the blossoms must 

be hand pollinated to produce the 

vanilla beans. 

The plantation has a beautiful 

little shop where you can purchase 

gourmet vanilla beans, vanillainfused 

coffee & sugar, and a 

variety of other unique products 

to take home from your travels. 

The store even accepts credit cards, 

dollars and francs to cater to its 

international guests. 

Next sail to Apu Bay on Taha’a which 

is a great spot for an overnight 

anchorage. After a quick lunch 

on board your private Moorings 

sailing catamaran go ashore to tour 

a family-owned black pearl farm 

that is over 20 years old. This farm 

at Apu Bay produces 20,000 pearls 

a year. It takes the oysters five years 

to deliver their first pearl and their 

average life expectancy is 20 years. 

In the evening, have a traditional 

Polynesian dinner at the nearby 

Ficus restaurant. You will be greeted 

with a delicious cocktail and then 

seated in a hut made entirely of 

palm trees. Live palm trees serve as 

the pillars of the pavilion and palm 

leaves are used for the roof. The 

meal will be prepared on layers of 

coals and then covered in banana 

leaves. The food cooks for over 

four hours before its big reveal. 

Everything is delicious, especially 

the tapioca style pudding dessert. 

- And the live entertainment with 

traditional music and dancers 

makes the experience extra special 

and enjoyable. 

On your next day in Taha’a, sail 

to the northwest side of the island 

near Le Taha’a Island Resort & 

Spa. This resort has picture perfect 

bungalows on the water. You can 

anchor near the resort and take the 

dinghy (a small inflatable rubber 

boat that comes with every yacht) 

over to the coral reef garden and 

experience world-class snorkeling 

that you won’t forget soon. There 

is a current that will take you along 

over the top of the coral reefs that 

are teeming with butterfly fish, eels 

and other species that seem to be 

just as curious about you as you are 

of them. 

A trip like this is something you will 

be talking about for the rest of your 

life. While there are many other 

Society Islands in French Polynesia 

to discover and glide through on 

your Moorings catamaran, Taha’a 

and its turquoise waters could just 

become your favorite. You simply 

have to see it to believe it. 

Experience Taha’a Tahiti and 20 

other breathtaking destinations 

worldwide on a yacht charter 

vacation with The Moorings, to 

learn more visit moorings.com 


Call 800.669.6529 

moorings.com/drift 

unplug 

When sinking in life’s unyielding 

wave of technology, disconnect from 

the rush and slip into island-time. 

Cast off with The Moorings, let your 

worries melt away, remember how 

to live in the moment—one nautical 

mile at a time. 


TRAVEL GEAR 

HOT NEW TRAVEL PRODUCTS 

BY: RUSS WALSH 

Danner South Rim 600 

Built for warm-weather hiking, 

the South Rim is a lightweight 

hiker with classic Danner style and 

proven Danner comfort. Danner 

took the ultra-cushioning Vibram® 

SPE platform from their bestselling 

Mountain 600 hiking boot 

and added a lightweight suede and 

mesh upper for breathability. The 

Vibram® Fuga outsole features selfadapting 

lugs and MegaGrip® for 

maximum traction on slick and 

uneven surfaces, making the South 

Rim the ideal companion on the trail 

next summer. 

danner.com 

The Barrier Method 

Board the plane wrapping yourself up in this Infinity 

Scarf to reduce your risk of getting sick while 

traveling. Wearing it should ease your mind and 

put you in a state of relaxation so you can feel rested 

when you arrive at your destination. Antibacterial 

(Chitosante), odor resistant, lightweight, wicking, 

UPF 50, breathable, non-pilling, wrinkle-resistant. 

thebarriermethod.com 


CAPTURE 

Capture is a secure, convenient, accessible way to carry 

your camera. Unlike a camera strap, Capture keeps your 

camera rigidly stable while hiking, biking, or moving 

around the studio. Unlike a camera bag, Capture keeps 

your camera instantly accessible with the click of a button. 

peakdesign.com 

SLIDE 

Slide can be worn as a sling, neck, or shoulder 

strap. Dual quick-adjusters provide instant 

access and easy reconfiguration. Unique 

Anchor Link system connects quickly and 

dual points of connection keep your camera 

more stable than traditional sling straps. 

EVERYDAY BACKPACK 

A pack that adapts to your ever-changing gear, lifestyle and environment, 

the Everyday Backpack give you unrivaled accessibility, expandability, 

and organization. The patented MagLatch provides lightning fast top 

access, with dual side-loading via two weatherproof side zips. FlexFold 

dividers keep photo, drone, or everyday gear organized, protected, 

and not bunched at the bottom of your bag. Internally padded 

accessory pockets keep small items in check. Dedicated sleeve for up 

to 15” laptop, tablet, and documents. Ultra clean aesthetic, all-custom 

hardware, minimal dangling straps. Weatherproof 400D nylon canvas 

shell. Available in 20L and 30L sizes. 


ROAD 

TRIPPIN’ 

the Garden Route, South Africa 

BY: ERIN CEBULA 

Erin Cebula has been a fixture on Canadian Television since landing the 

coveted role of Community/Arts Reporter for BC’s #1 Station in 2000. 

Her compassionate approach to lifestyle reporting has graced the likes of 

Vancouver talk show Urban Rush, 6 Degrees of TV, Canucks Pay-Per-View, 

HGTV Canada’s feel good hit “Makeover Wish” and Entertainment Tonight 

Canada from 2005-2017. 


When I began researching South Africa, I came across dozens of must-dos. Bloggers and tour companies 

raved on about the majesty of Kruger National Park, the cool grittiness of Johannesburg and the bounty 

of the wine lands. But it was the Garden Route - a stretch of forested, coastal area between Mossel Bay 

and Port Elizabeth - that appeared near the top of every single list I dug up, and I’m a sucker for top 

tens. As I continued searching, I was thrilled to learn that this 300km stretch encompasses dramatic peaks, 

indigenous temperate forests, pine plantations, rocky coves and glorious sandy beaches. The wildlife and 

outdoor activities were continually described as “remarkable” and almost every beach town boasted fresh 

oysters galore. This was all I needed to hear! 

My adventure kicked off in what locals refer to as The Mother City. Cape Town is bright, bustling and home 

to 4 million people. It’s built on a peninsula beneath imposing Table Mountain and is the crown jewel 

of South Africa’s southwest coast. Some say it resembles the fair city of Vancouver, but Cape Town has 

something Vancity just doesn’t, and that’s drama. The mountains are jagged and rough, the neighborhoods 

are technicolor wild and the ocean is the aquamarine of your dreams. I loved it instantly, and my affection 

only grew when I checked into Kensington Place. 


I chose this award-winning 

boutique hotel for many reasons. 

It’s located in the charming suburb 

of Higgovale, which has a West 

Hollywood feel and is steps away 

from Cape Town’s coolest bars and 

restaurants. There are only 8 rooms 

and every single luxe one of them 

has a private terrace with views 

of the harbor and surrounding 

mountains. The design is cozy, 

but contemporary, and there are 

lush gardens at every turn. The 

staff turned out to be as helpful in 

person as they were on-line, and 

we relied heavily on their expert 

food and fun recommendations. I 

was particularly impressed by the 

fact that we were warmly greeted 

with a cocktail, and just the right 

amount of chit chat at (the very 

late check-in hour of) 11pm. 

At the top of Kensington Place’s 

food reco list was The Shortmarket 

Club, a new hot spot I had 

managed to secure a reservation 

for some 2 months earlier. This 

buzzed about offering from Luke 

Dale-Roberts of The Test Kitchen 

fame, is tucked away in a heritage 

building just off vibey Bree street. 

As the name suggests, it has a 

clubby feel, but not the icky kind. 

The space is sexy and opulent - in 

an old world way - and as soon as 

you enter you feel as if you’ve been 

let in on a juicy secret. The menu is 

beautifully balanced; with options 

for veggie and seafood lovers and 

for those who live for braai. BBQ 

is huge in South Africa, and The 

Shortmarket Club honors that 

tradition beautifully with grass 

fed cuts from local farmers. I had 

to indulge in one of these tasty 

filets, along with burnt leeks with 


stracciatella and the insanely 

delicious sambal matah tuna. I’ve 

had tuna a hundred ways, but 

never swimming in sambal oelek, 

ginger, hot coconut oil and lime. 

To. Die. For. 

The next morning - with a belly 

still full - I embarked on the first 

(driving) leg of my Garden Route 

adventure. The goal was to make 

it to Knysna, a charming town 

built on the northern shore of a 

large warm-water estuary some 6 

hrs away. This was to be our base 

camp for two days of wilderness 

exploring and oyster eating. So, 

with a strong Americano in hand, 

I bid a fond farewell to Cape Town 

and began the winding accent 

through the mountains and past 

the posh suburbs of Clifton and 

Camps Bay. Driving on the left 

took a little getting used to, but 

I managed to arrive in Knysna 

unharmed and ahead of schedule. 

After settling into my turbineturned-boutique 

hotel on Thesen’s 

Island (yes, you heard right), the 

hubby and I hit the town fixed on 

slurping back as many molluscs 

as possible. Seafood institution, 

34 Degrees South was by far our 

favorite, serving up delicious wild 

oysters direct from local waters. 

Next on the menu: hiking the 

world famous Robberg Bay Trail. 

This 11km loop circles a rugged 

peninsula that looks out on the 

Tsitsikamma mountains, and is 

both a national monument and 

a World Heritage Site. The views 

are spectacular at every turn, and 

some of the rocks you’re bound 

to climb date back over 120 

million years. The area is also a 

protected marine park and home 


to dolphins, Black Oystercatchers, 

Cape Gulls and surprisingly stinky 

Cape Fur Seals. My husband and 

I finished the challenging hike 

in just over 3hrs, but didn’t quite 

escape unscathed. I still feel bad 

for asking poor Shawn to climb up 

a slippery, lichen covered rock for 

a photo op. 

To ease Shawn’s suffering (and 

get myself out of the dog house) I 

took him for lunch at the famous 

East Head Cafe. This gem of a 

restaurant overlooks the Knysna 

Heads and serves up globally 

inspired seafood, salads and damn 

good cocktails. To me, this is what 

every waterfront cafe should aspire 

to be; buzzing, casual and all about 

fresh, no-fuss food. We scored one 

of the coveted outdoor tables with 

lagoon views and stuffed ourselves 

silly with spicy Cape Malay curry 

and the best fresh fish and chips of 

our lives. 

Next stop was Plettenberg Bay, 

or ‘Plett’ as it’s more commonly 

known. Thousands of local and 

international tourists flock to this 

resort town over the Christmas 

break - so if your looking for laid 

back beach vibes, keep on driving. 

Personally, I was looking forward 

to a little action after 2 nights in 

sleepy Knysna, so my injured 

wingman and I bee-lined it to 

Central beach for a solid afternoon 

of bar hopping followed by sushi 

at the very popular Fat Fish. The 

rest of our evening in Plett is a 

little fuzzy, but I’m pretty sure it 

was fun! 

Surprisingly, I hit the road early 


the next day with sights set on 

Tsitsikamma National Park and 

its mosaic of ecosystems. This was 

our final day on the Garden Route, 

and I wanted to spend it in a park 

with 80 kilometers of pristine 

coastline and an oceanfront pub. 

And yes, Tsitsikamma has both 

of these things! It also offer short 

scenic strolls, strenuous five-day 

hikes like the Otter Trail and even 

the worlds highest bridge bungee 

at 216 meters. And no, I didn’t do 

it. I threw myself off a bridge for 

my 24th birthday and I don’t need 

to do that again. Instead I chose 

to explore Storms River; hiking 

over suspension bridges, through 

deep gorges and along rugged cliff 

edges. And as I had hoped, we 

wrapped this final, incredible leg 

of the journey with a cold pint of 

Castle overlooking a raging Indian 

Ocean. And if that’s not a must-do, 

I’m not sure what is. 

Side note: Cape Town is currently 

experience the worst drought in 

its history. After three years of 

minimal rainfall, the city is now 

in a state of emergency, with locals 

and visitors limited to 50 liters (a 

90s shower and one flush) per day. 

Tourists are less affected by the 

drought than residents, as hotels 

and B&B’s have a dispensation 

to use more water - but if you do 

chose to visit, please do your best 

to conserve this precious resource. 


SPARKLING HILL RESORT 

a romantic recharge for two 

BY: TODD TALBOT 


You may or may not have heard of 

Predator Ridge, if you’re me you’ve 

heard of it, my wife, (no interest in golf) 

not so much. Now there is another reason 

to add Predator Ridge to your travel-log, and it may 

just get your wife fully invested. Sparkling Hill Resort 

is not just a Swarovski adorned hotel with 180 degree 

sweeping lake and mountain views, as if that weren’t 

enough to peak your interest, the resort is so much more. 


Rebecca and I have been “moving” 

for a couple of months now. With 

the ups and downs and issues 

constantly needing to be dealt 

with surrounding our home reno, 

spending quality time together, 

other than choosing finishings, 

takes a backseat. The opportunity to 

get away from it all and reconnect 

was a big reason why we booked the 

grandparents on kid-duty for the 

weekend and took a road trip to the 

Okanagan. 

We’d heard about Sparkling Hill 

before the need to visit presented 

itself. They tout themselves as 

a full-body wellness experience. 

There are yoga classes, therapists on 

site and 40,000 square feet of spa 

amenities to be enjoyed. 

Each room comes equipped with a 

built in starry sky to match the one 

that will present itself outside your 

window during European spa hour, 

as well as bath robes and slippers 

that one may don at arrival and 

lounge in for the duration of his/her 

stay. In fact dining for breakfast in 

robes is recommended which means 

you can do one of my favorite 

things, roll out of bed straight into 

your morning cup of coffee without 

a second thought. 

The highlight of our stay was 

our treatment in the Cryo Cold 

Chamber at the KurSpa. There 

was a lot of talk leading up to our 

afternoon appointment on our 

second day. Patrons who had 

already experienced it told us 

it was “fun” while shaking their 

heads, others laughed and said it 

was crazy. Our attendant, Paul, 

compared it to bungee jumping, 

to which, I thought, I would 

never go bungee jumping! But 

Paul’s assistant, who watches from 


the outside of the chamber and 

announces the halfway point, was 

much more ‘real’ about it. The 

gist of it is, it’s not an enjoyable 

experience but you can do it. 

Multiple treatments over time are 

said to heal injuries and afflictions 

like arthritis as well as possibly 

alleviate sleeping issues. But the 

main thing for Rebecca and I to 

get out of our one-time visit was 

an adrenalin rush and a boost 

in energy post-treatment. I was 

second-guessing signing up for 

it until I learned that Paul is in 

there with clients ten times a day. 

He’s spent those three and half 

minutes on the inside thousands 

of times. Well then, we could do it 

once. And now that we have- I can 

recommend it. 

The rest of our stay was just 

heavenly relaxation and indulgent 

couple-time bliss. The options of 

aromas and temperatures in the 

saunas and steam rooms make 

one feel like a kid in a candy store, 

the infinity pool is picturesque, 

the serenity room- even more 

picturesque, the food is great and 

the rooms are roomy with enough 

space for two in a crystal-shaped 

soaker tub. And if your wife is 

reluctant to share tub time at first, 

there are many other crystal-shaped 

adornments available in the on-site 

Swarovski retailer that are bribeworthy 

and may make your nights 

at the Sparkling Hill Resort truly the 

most exciting part of your stay. 

Wink, wink. 


an exploration 

of people 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

A ‘sadhu’ or holy person peacefully sleeps on the ghats in Varanasi that lead to the banks of 

the River Ganges, one of the most sacred rivers to Hindus. 


INDIA 

a photographic journey 

Featured Photographer: Sophie Merrell 

I was brought up in London and went to Edinburgh University where 

I studied Anthropology. The subject taught me a great awareness 

for and interest in different cultures. When researching the ‘Night 

Flowers’, a sub-culture based in London’s West End, I found that 

photography was a powerful tool to record those I interviewed. I 

continued my exploration of people in India with my 35mm camera 

always at hand. 

Equipment: Nikon FM3, 35mm - All shot in 35mm film. 

Website: www.sophie-alice-merrell.squarespace.com 

Instagram: sophalicemerrell 



Amritsar, Punjab 

Women seek calmness away from the main area of the Golden 

Temple. This area reveals an unfinished brick facade and a stained 

concrete wall, contrasting with the white marble ground. 


Bundi, Rajasthan 

The language barrier between us 

meant that all we could do was 

smile and laugh, but that was all 

we needed. They laughed, then I 

did, then they laughed harder. 

Udaipur, Rajasthan 

A Muslim man in his traditional 

Shalwar Kameez drinks a cup of 

chai as he watches the world go by, 

perched on a mat he has placed 

down for himself. 


Udaipur, Rajasthan 

A Rajasthani woman, clad top-to-toe in silver jewelry, plays a game using chalk and stones. 

Behind me people gathered to watch her play against her opponent. 


Orchha, Madhya Pradesh 

A ‘sadhu’ has covered his face and arms with ash and paint and dyed his beard with 

henna for a festival celebrating the wedding of their King, Raja Ram. 


Amritsar, Punjab 

A rickshaw driver takes a break in the hectic city of 

Amritsar, where tens of thousands of people come to 

visit the Sikh Golden Temple every day. 


32 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM 

Bundi, Rajasthan 

These men wear traditional Rajasthani clothes, with their 

brightly colored turbans and white dhotis. One of them 

smokes a ‘beedi’ cigarette.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 

A street barber shaves his customer’s beard attentively. No need 

for a shop, his bag is hung on the wall and tools are laid out. 


Rohat, Rajasthan 

It was the second time I walked 

past this lady and her son in their 

village so I smiled in recognition 

and gestured to my camera. 


“photography gives me an excuse to travel, 

and traveling gives me a fantastic opportunity to take photographs” 

Jodhpur, Rajasthan 

People wait their turn to buy packets of tea. Tea is a hugely important element to 

Indian culture and the constant queue of people outside this shop demonstrated this. 


3Days in 

Vail 

at The Sonnenalp Hotel 

BY: JULIE LEVENTHAL 

While most people go to Vail, Colorado for the epic ski conditions, the locals will tell you 

that they came for the winter and stayed for the summer. In the summer months, with the 

flowers in bloom and warmer weather you can enjoy the beautiful fresh air, scenic vistas 

and an abundance of water sports, hiking trails and golf courses. With 72 hours in the Vail 

Valley here is a perfect itinerary. 


Day 1 

9:00 am-9:30 am 

Take a moment to sit back and relax 

by Sonnenalp’s Tranquility Pool and 

enjoy Vail’s iconic views and crisp 

mountain air. 

12:00 pm-1:00 pm 

Bring your appetite to Vail’s 

landmark spot, Pepi’s Restaurant, 

which has been opened for over 

50 years. This vintage eatery serves 

up Old World Classics as well as a 

variety of unique meats such as boar, 

elk, venison and caribou, all carved 

table side for those looking to enjoy 

some local delicacies. 

4:00 pm-5:00 pm 

Relax in your luxury suite, recently 

renovated and boasting unique 

amenities including oversized 

bathrooms, Bavarian decor and 

lovely fireplaces. 

7:00 pm-9:00 pm 

End your night at the King’s Club 

offering nightly live entertainment. 

Enjoy a specialty drink from the top 

shelf selection, a glass of wine or 

German beer while you relax by the 

fireplace and listen to great music 

from local musicians. 

8:00 am-9:00 am 

Start your day off with a bountiful 

European style buffet at Ludwig’s. 

Breakfast is served on the beautiful 

glass enclosed terrace surrounded by 

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. 

10:00 am-12:00 pm 

Explore the town and shop through 

Vail Village enjoying favorites such 

as Valbruna and Gorsuch. 

1:00 pm-3:00 pm 

Treat yourself at one of Vail’s 

top rated spas- Sonnenalp Spa. 

Rejuvenate your mind and body with 

an array of unique treatment options. 

You can try the Bavarian Body Polish, 

which incorporates a full body scrub 

and a relaxing moisturizing treatment 

or the 80-minute Detoxifying Mud 

Wrap. Locals love to freshen it up 

with a Vitamin C Fresh Peel that 

leaves your skin immediately softer 

and smoother with noticeable 

improvements in skin tone and 

texture. 

5:00 pm-7:00 pm 

Wine and dine on European cuisine 

in a classic-Swiss style setting at the 

Swiss Chalet, offering guests the 

ultimate alpine dining experience. 

Traditional Käse Spätzle (homemade 

Swiss dumpling topped with cheese 

and crispy onions) and delicious 

fondues all make your dining 

experience quite delectable. Save 

room for freshly made desserts like 

their Austrian apple strudel and 

chocolate fondue. 


Day 2 

8:30 am-9:30 am 

Begin the day with something sweet 

at Big Bear Bistro like a nutella and 

banana crepe or enjoy something 

savory instead. Try the delicious 

wild-caught, smoked sockeye salmon 

served freshly on a toasted bagel. 

9:30 am-1:00 pm 

Take advantage of Vail’s summertime 

activities by exploring the mountain 

on foot. Take a hiking tour with 

Sonnenalp’s trusted guides like Kara 

Schmidt who have complete intimate 

access to some of the most beautiful 

trails in the Vail Valley. 

12:00 pm-1:00 pm 

Round-up friends and family and 

head over to Bully Ranch for a fun 

casual, western-style lunch. The 

Southwestern and American menu 

includes their signature chicken wings 

and famous Bully Burgers. Take a 

seat outside and enjoy a cold beer. 

Dogs are invited too. 

1:00 pm-4:00 pm 

Take a tour of the Rockies via 

bicycle with one of Sonnenalp’s 

adventure tour guides. With miles 

of trails and flowers in bloom, this 

epic trail ride will be a beautiful 

way to see the scenery. 

6:00 pm-8:00 pm 

Dinner at Mountain Standard is a 

must do on every trip to Vail and a 

definite local favorite. Enjoy some 

shrimp and grits and rocky mountain 

trout at this gastro-pub boasting a 

lively crowd and open kitchen. 

4:00 pm-6:00 pm 

Unwind from the day and begin your 

evening with a specialty cocktail by 

the fire at the Kings Club. 

8:00 pm 

Vail Ale House has over twenty 

local beers on tap. Hop on over and 

enjoy the evening as live DJ’s spin 

the night away or try a flight at the 

10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit 

Company at their new location by the 

covered bridge. 


Day 3 

9:00 am-12:00 pm 

Take some “tee” time at Sonnenalp 

Club’s 7,100-yard championship 

links style course. It sits in the sun 

drenched valley of Edwards, 16 miles 

west of Vail Village. Or, if golf isn’t 

quite your thing - try Sonnenalp’s 

morning stand up paddle-boarding 

class followed by a riverside lunch 

and some aerial yoga. 

3:00 pm-4:00 pm 

Need a boost of energy? 

Sonnenalp’s Oxygen Bar is the 

perfect fix. Choose scents like 

eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, 

wintergreen and lemon grass. 

The oxygen treatment also aids 

in symptoms related to altitude 

sickness including: shortness of 

breath, lightheartedness, dizziness, 

headaches, fatigue, weakness, and 

nausea. 

7:00 pm 

Afterwards, have a glass or two at 

Root and Flower from their extensive 

list of wine-by-the-glass selections or 

signature craft cocktails. 

8:00 am-9:00 am 

Fuel up on a mean cup of coffee 

and get down on some Southern 

style food such as Alpenrose’s biscuit 

and gravy dish - complete with their 

famous house-made sausage gravy. 

2:00 pm-3:00 pm 

Exercise your creativity with a 

poolside pottery class. Sonnenalp 

offers this unique opportunity to paint 

outdoors and decorate your own 

personalized souvenir to take home. 

Selections include but not limited to 

picture frames, flower pots or coffee 

mugs. 

5:00 pm-7:00pm 

Treat yourself to something fancy 

this evening and take the gondola 

ride up to Game Creek. You’ll be 

treated to a private multi-course 

tasting menu featuring unique and 

tasty international fare such as lamb 

tartare, rabbit with purple potatoes 

and venison with red onion jam. 

9:00 

End your trip at the Red Lion 

listening to live music with the locals 

reminiscing about great times in 

Colorado and pondering when you’ll 

be back. 


Nova 

Scotia 

BY: SYLVIA TENNANT 

As a West Coaster, I have to admit that 

my prior knowledge of the Maritimes is 

not extensive. In fact, up until this trip, I 

had basically just assumed that I was in 

for a wander around something similar to 

a postcard – rugged seaside landscapes, 

brightly colored homes, and fishing-related 

charm. And while all those things exist, 

Nova Scotia surprised me in ways I 

had not expected. My partner Rod and I 

had fell in love with this beautiful treasure 

tucked into the east coast of Canada. 

With only six nights to spare, we transferred 

quickly from tarmac to rental car 

and headed straight for the highway. Our 

road trip took us to three distinctly different 

towns, each shaped by its unique history 

and all within a morning’s drive of 

one another. 


Annapolis Royal 

Located in a trough between two 

parallel mountain ranges on the 

shores of the Bay of Fundy, the 

Annapolis Valley hosts over a dozen 

vineyards and orchards. The success 

of these crops is due in part to the 

shelter these mountains provide, 

and you can quite literally smell 

the apples in the air. On the south 

bank of the Annapolis River lay our 

destination, Annapolis Royal. 

Although small in size, this 

quaint town boasts homes grand 

in stature (some of which would 

surely be considered museums 

in my hometown of Vancouver). 

The Queen Anne Inn is the 

exemplification of this elaborate 

19th-century architecture. Built 

in 1865 as a private residence, the 

mansion appears almost exactly 

today as it did over 150 years go. 

It’s unique Victorian charm extends 

from floor to 10-foot ceiling 

and the rooms offer a balance of 

luxurious modern comfort and 

cherished heritage. I was in awe of 

the antique-filled chambers and 

discovered through chatting with 

innkeeper, Kate, that the home was 

once owned by an antiques dealer 

who tastefully filled it with prized 

pieces from all corners of the globe. 

A sunset stroll along the riverside 

led us to Restaurant Composé, 

featuring an eclectic mix of 

traditional Austrian fare and 

Neptunian favorites. If you’re 

feeling adventurous, do as the 

locals do and order the ‘surprise’ set 

menu. The haddock fillet beurre de 

noix was a savory way to kick-start 

a memorable week of East Coast 

dining. 


Lunenberg 

The next morning we cruised 

diagonally across the province, 

with a quick stop to have a paddle 

in Kejimkujik National Park 

(hourly canoe rentals available). 

Our destination for the next two 

nights was the working seaport 

of Lunenberg, named a UNESCO 

world heritage site in part for 

the preservation of its prismatic 

streetscape. The Mariner King Inn 

is centrally located in the heart of 

Old Town and a convenient choice 

for those wanting to explore on 

foot. From here, we didn’t have 

to go far to discover our best find 

in Lunenberg, Rime Restaurant + 

Wine Bar. 


Chef Jeffrey MacNeil has lined the 

walls of his establishment with 

hundreds of homemade canned 

goods. At the time of our visit, 

MacNeil had gone 11 months 

without buying tomatoes from 

California, opting instead to source 

his vegetables seasonally. “If it’s 

local, it’s in a jar downstairs,” he 

states, while pouring us cocktails 

made with gin from Ironworks 

Distillery down the street. My 

top pick on the exceptionally 

sustainable menu? His hot-pot 

inspired chowder. It features pork 

belly, smoked kohlrabi, maitake 

mushrooms, and a quail egg, all 

poached in a broth of diluted 

clam liquor and fermented pepper 

juice. This dish is a testament to 

his farm-to-table method, with all 

ingredients sourced from regional 

producers. 


Halifax 

Our last stop was the provincial 

capital, Halifax. Decidedly the land 

of boutique inns, our downtown 

accommodations were tucked 

three floors up in the attic of the 

elegant Waverley. We entered the 

chinoiserie-style premier room 

by turning on a lamp decorated 

with dragons and were welcomed 

by a statue of a life-sized gilded 

emperor. That night, we slept on a 

centuries-old Chinese wedding bed. 

Our curiosity led us to roam the 

decorated halls which turned into 

an encounter with visiting ghost 

hunters, armed with EMF readers 

and hoping for a little activity from 

some of the inn’s past visitors (P.T. 

Barnum and Oscar Wilde, to name 

a few). 

I tend to rank my love of cities 

by the quality of their vintage 

stores, and Halifax takes the cake 

with Elsie’s Used Clothing (1530 

Queen St). Their racks are filled 

with a bounty of high-end pieces 

at wonderful price points and I 

emerged hours later, teary-eyed and 

dressed in my new handmade finds 

- a wool beret, oversized leopard 

print silk blazer, and 1970’s woven 

mohair jacket. I returned multiple 

times to have conversations with 

owner Maureen Elsie, its Haligonian 

curator. Let me assure you - this 

shop alone justifies a cross-country 

flight. 

After rifling through decades of 

clothing, a well-deserved star 

anise and papaya gin and tonic at 

Highwayman was in order. Named 

after the novel by Alfred Noyes, this 

literary-themed restaurant and bar 

is filled on a Wednesday night with 

patrons and warm ambiance. As for 

the food, a refined and impressive 

multi-course tasting journey 

from ocean to land was served 

to us on inlaid tables. Although 


the menu changes seasonally, I 

highly recommend the charcuterie 

board, which incorporates a tasty 

array of sobrassada, chorizo, and 

salchichon-style pork sausages 

cured in-house. I can safely say that 

Highwayman has the talent and 

presence to set the bar for the next 

generation of dining establishments 

in this city. 

On our last morning, we popped 

into PAVIA Cafe on the top floor 

of the central library for one last 

view of the city and a quick espresso 

before our flight. We sat above the 

fog, overlooking the harbor. Halifax 

is in a growth phase, literally 

and figuratively. There seemed 

to be transition and refinement 

throughout, but one thing will 

forever be consistent: that good ol’ 

Maritime hospitality. 


Naxos and Amorgos 

on foot 

BY: ALLISON LETHERBARROW 


Perhaps the ferry should have put me off. The creaks and groans of the ship 

were only slightly outdone by the emphatic wailing of the Greek woman 

sitting opposite me, her husband’s hand caught in a death grip in hers. We 

all watched through the portholes as time and again, our brave little ship 

tilted so severely that the windows of the lounge were submerged beneath 

the roiling sea. However, this was just another ordinary day for the Express 

Skopilites; swift-hulled legend of the Cyclades. 

I had just spent four wonderful days on the island of Naxos, just south of its 

better-known cousin, Mykonos. Being an enthusiastic walker and craving 

some late autumn sunshine, I had booked a self-guided walking tour 

through On Foot Holidays to the islands of Naxos and Amorgos. Although 

I had walked with On Foot Holidays before, I had never visited the Cyclades 

and their centre-based hiking route offered an interesting itinerary. Four 

days of roaming the Naxian hills combined with a daily dose of swimming 

in azure waters, meant I was thoroughly relaxed when I boarded the ferry 

to take me from Naxos to Amorgos…. little was I to know what awaited. 

Overall, I found the turbulent ferry-crossing highly enjoyable, even if it 

was only for the pleasure of watching the impassioned antics of my fellow 

Greek passengers. Much to the Greek woman’s surprise I am sure, we finally 

arrived at the small island of Amorgos. 

Amorgos is much quieter than Naxos and the lack of the tourist taint has 

left the town and its inhabitants charmingly preserved. After lingering on 

the sea-view balcony of my hotel room, I went in search of dinner. I had 


spotted a few restaurants, their 

facades decorated with candles 

and tea lights. I made little 

progress however as I quickly 

found myself in the middle of a 

local celebration. A large crowd of 

people surrounded the vigorous 

movements of young men and 

women, all in traditional dress, 

dancing in synchronization as 

instruments were played with 

astonishing energy. Food and 

drink was passed around to the 

crowd and small children weaved 

their way in and out of the dancers, 

snatching honey-cakes from the 

food bedecked tables. I extricated 

myself from the throng before I 

too, was whisked away onto the 

dance floor and I went in search of 

dinner. 

The next few days saw me become 

thoroughly acquainted with 

Amorgos in the most personal 

way possible – on foot. My route 

notes from On Foot Holidays led 

me faithfully along tiny forgotten 

pathways and up over high ridge 

tops and never failed to deliver 

me safely again back to my hotel. 

I passed reluctant donkeys being 

led up ancient kalderimi (mule 

tracks) by cheerful old men, their 

white teeth gleaming in their sunbrowned 

faces. I sat on verdant 

hillsides and ate a picnic lunch 

while tiny lizards scampered over 

my legs and boots. I visited the 

unpronounceable Hozoviotissa 

Monastery and sipped at tea while 

monks proffered dishes of Turkish 

Delight. 

The walking directions were 

faultless in their accuracy and 

attention to detail, allowing me 

to roam (a single, female walker) 


completely at leisure across the 

undeveloped island. All the walks 

started from the town where I was 

staying, so I could pick and choose 

which walk I wanted to do when. 

It’s hard to settle upon a favorite 

walk. During my stay on Naxos 

and Amorgos I walked about six 

or seven trails, each in their own 

way delightful and interesting, but 

above all, beautiful. The ability 

to completely immerse yourself 

in your natural surroundings, 

undisturbed by the goings on 

of the world - whether it’s the 

numbing drone of technology or 

the exhausting buzz of human 

commotion - is a luxury peculiar 

to walking holidays, and one that 

On Foot Holidays has made their 

specialty. 

I’m not sure which of On Foot’s 

many walks I will explore next, but 

I know that wherever it may be, it 

will certainly be an experience to 

remember. 

For more information: 

www.onfootholidays.co.uk 


Shop Like a 

Celebrity 

in Los Angeles 

BY: KARA LATTA 


They’re just like us—those people 

we see on the silver screen and on 

our home screens—winning awards 

or landing in the gossip pages 

and TMZ. Some shop at the same 

grocery stores, malls and boutiques, 

eat in the same restaurants, and 

even get their prescriptions filled 

at CVS—just like us. But they also 

spend time shopping at stores that 

may just be above our paychecks. 

So in tribute to the more glamorous 

side of things—here are some 

shopping districts where you may 

see some of them— the celebrities 

while in Los Angeles. 

WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY 

With its $800 million dollar 

makeover, Westfield Century City is 

the shopping destination to watch. 

While the center is currently open 

with limited shops, dining, and the 

AMC 15, the renovation is expected 

to be complete in summer 2017. 

The result will be a glamorous 

shopping mecca spanning 1.3 

million square feet, including 

200 shops, a new three-story 

Nordstrom, a completely renovated 

three-story Bloomingdale’s, a new 

two-story Macy’s, a new state-ofthe-art 

Equinox fitness club and 

spa—and the West Coast’s first 

Eataly, an expansion of the giant 

food marketplace from New York. 

Celebrity designer Kelly Wearstler 

(who has her own store on Melrose) 

is creating a new environment 

with mid-century modern design, 

open space, shaded trellises and 

canopies of trees. Celebrities 

are sure to flock to new stores 

like Bonobos, Current Elliott, 

Equipment, Joie, Maje, Sandro, and 

Zadig & Voltaire, as well as Oprah’s 

favorite Compartes Chocolates 

and Sugarfina, coveted by Jessica 

Alba and Sharon Osbourne. And 

then of course, there’s California 

Pizza Kitchen’s partnership with 

Casamigos Tequila—owned by 

George Clooney and Rande Gerber, 

so there’s a little bit of ‘celebrity’ in 

your cocktail. 


THE GROVE 

Located adjacent to The Original 

Farmers Market at Third and 

Fairfax, The Grove evokes a 

little walking village that is 

both historic and modern. It is 

practically an everyday occurrence 

to see celebrities stroll the street. 

Nordstrom is a big draw here, as 

is Dylan’s Candy Bar, a celebrity 

favorite. Justin Bieber took his little 

sister shopping at American Girl; 

Niall Horan from One Direction 

was spotted at Crate and Barrel; 

Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich 

picked up some casual clothes at J 

Crew; Selma Blair bought Nikes; 

Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor 

take breaks from their schedules 

with shopping and lunch; Chris 

Pratt and Anna Faris have been seen 

strolling the grounds and hopping 

on a trolley with their young son. 

LARCHMONT VILLAGE 

There’s a low-key vibe to this small 

town street adjacent to Windsor 

Square and Hancock Park. Part 

of the celebrity attraction is that 

many live in the area, but the 

street is also around the corner 

from Paramount Studios and a 

good place to take a break from 

filming. Café Gratitude is the “it” 

spot for plant-based eating and 

counts Mandy Moore, Jonathan 

Jackson, Megan Fox, Diane Argon, 

Ariana Grande, and Emma Roberts 

among its customers. Trina Turk 

and Mr. Turk just moved from its 

West Third Street location - Mindy 

Kaling, Taylor Swift, Viola Davis, 

and Lisa Rinna are among its fans. 

Christina Ricci, Emma Roberts and 

Lucy Hale have been known to pick 

up products from the Larchmont 

Beauty Center. And Go Get ‘Em 

Tiger is known as one of the best 

stops for coffee and a pastry - 

Joe Jonas seems to like it. Dress 

like a celebrity with finds from 

Ampersand, a consignment/resale 

store that could carry one of your 

favorite celeb’s gently worn Prada, 

Christian Louboutin or Chanel. 


“THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE” - 

BEVERLY HILLS 

The world-famous shopping district 

in Beverly Hills known locally as 

“The Golden Triangle” attracts a 

mix of tourists, Angelenos, and of 

course celebrities. Chrissy Teigen 

and John Legend were recently 

seen shopping with daughter, Luna 

at Louis Vuitton. Sofia Vergara 

picked up shoes at Saks Fifth 

Avenue. Barneys New York is a 

favorite of Jennifer Aniston and 

Justin Theroux, as well as Bruce 

Springsteen and Patti Scialfa when 

they are in town. Dakota Johnson 

has been seen looking through the 

racks at Ralph Lauren. Emily Blunt 

and Michael Buble shop Harry 

Harris Shoes for their tyke. Jill 

Roberts’ boutique attracts Reese 

Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, 

Jordana Brewster, and Lena Heady. 

And for a quick snack while 

shopping, Go Greek Yogurteria 

is often a ‘go-to’ for Kylie and 

Kendall Jenner, Whitney Port, Ellen 

Pompeo, Harry Styles, Mila Kunis 

and Ashton Kutcher. 

STUDIO CITY 

The Sunday Studio City Farmers 

Market is a big draw with the likes 

of Julie Bowen, Ludo Lefebrve, Lisa 

Rinna and Harry Hamlin, Gwen 

Stefani, J.K. Simmons, and Dave 

Grohl—most often with kids in tow. 

Justin Hartley recently purchased 

an engagement ring at Matthew’s 

Jewelers designed by Michael B. 

on Ventura Boulevard for his now 

wife, Chrishell Strause. Sasha Farber 

proposed to Emma Slater during 

“Dancing With The Stars” with a 

custom design from Matthew’s. And 

just down the street, Hilary Duff 

picks up pup treats at Maxwell Dog. 

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel 

favor shopping at Whole Foods, 

while Angelina Jolie has been seen 

shopping at Gelson’s with - and 

without - Brad Pitt. For a onestop-shop 

for men’s fashion, Sy 

Devore famously dressed the Rat 

Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, 

Sammy Davis, Jr.,), Elvis Presley, 

Nat King Cole, and President 

John F. Kennedy. Modern stars are 

also customers, including George 

Clooney, Bryan Cranston, Matt 

Damon, and Andy Garcia. 


SANTA MONICA PLACE & MORE 

This sleek open-air mall is located 

at the western end of the Metro 

Expo Line, just a few blocks 

from the beach, and is anchored 

by Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, 

Barneys, and a 14-screen Arclight 

Theater. There is a mix of boutiques, 

but Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, All 

Saints, The Kooples, Hugo Boss, and 

DVF are among those that claim 

the star power and are the places 

most likely to spot a celeb. Take it 

to the rooftop dining deck to The 

Curious Palate or Sonoma Wine 

Garden to see if anyone famous is 

taking a shopping break—or take a 

walk to the newly redone Michael’s 

Restaurant where Gwyneth Paltrow 

is known to hold court. 

Located south of Santa Monica, 

Abbot Kinney in Venice is also a 

hot spot, particularly Gjelina and 

nearby shops where Leonardo 

DiCaprio, Lana Del Rey, Jessica 

Alba, and Zoe Saldana have been 

seen perusing wares. 

54 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM 

MALIBU 

The main shopping attractions in 

this beach side community are 

the Malibu Country Mart and the 

adjacent Malibu Lumber Yard. 

Hot tip for celeb sightings: hang 

around stores like John Varvatos, 

Madison, Oliver Peoples, Planet 

Blue, Ron Herman, Paige Denim, 

James Perse, Alice + Olivia, or 

take a class at Five Point Yoga. Eat 

at Tra Di Noi, Mr. Chow, Malibu 

Kitchen, Taverna Tony, Howdy’s, or 

the Cindy Crawford-Rande Gerber 

owned, Café Habana, and you’re 

sure to see a celebrity. It’s a favorite 

stomping ground of Miranda Kerr, 

Jason Statham, Tori Spelling, Simon 

Cowell, Pink, Justin Bieber, LeAnn 

Rimes, the Osbournes, Adam 

Sandler, the Beckhams, Suzanne 

Somers, Jane Seymour, Pierce 

Brosnan, Reese Witherspoon, Ray 

Liotta—and that’s just a start.


Health and 

Fitness Travel 

Palacio Estoril Hotel, 

Golf & Spa in Portugal 

BY: PAUL JOSEPH 


For those who appreciate 

grandeur and luxury, set in the 

heart of Estoril and a short walk 

from the nearest cafes, shops and 

beaches, Palacio Estoril attracts 

wellness, golf and spa lovers with 

a flair for culture offering lavish 

interiors set in lush gardens. Paul 

Joseph, co-founder of Health 

and Fitness Travel, the wellness 

holiday specialists, gives insight 

into Portugal’s hottest wellness 

spot; with a colorful clientele 

from politicians and pop stars, 

to footballers and royal family. 


Getting There 

Lisbon airport is a 30-minute 

drive from the hotel and the 

train station is a short walk 

away. The hotel is a 5-minute 

walk from Tamariz beach and 

its promenade lined with bars 

and terrace cafés to enjoy the sea 

and sun. Also, just yards away is 

the famous Estoril Casino, the 

largest in Europe. On the Estoril 

Coast and in Sintra alone, golfers 

can enjoy seven magnificent golf 

courses including Palácio’s own 

famous course, Estoril Golf, just 

1 km away, which presents a real 

challenge to all players. 

The Hotel & Accommodation 

1930’s elegance and history is 

reflected throughout the hotel. 

The lobby and entrance are so 

grand, it’s very entrancing. In 

keeping with the theme of the 

hotel, my room was lavishly 

decorated, providing a sense of 

timeless comfort and creating 

idyllic ambiance to relax and 

unwind. 

The Spa 

collagen and improve muscle 

tone. The thermal pool for Watsu 

(also known as water shiatsu) 

is an amazing therapeutic 

treatment with a mix of massage, 

floating and being cradled like a 

baby, whilst being slowly swirled 

around. 

The Hamman offers a sanctuary 

where I felt completely at peace, 

the water jets dissolved the 

tension from by body, specifically 

in my lower back and shoulders; 

words cannot describe just how 

revitalized I felt after, which 

encouraged the best night sleep 

I had in over a month. 

The state-of-the-art Banyan 

Tree Spa and medical facility 

at Palacio Estoril is a haven of 

thick white spa robes, subdued 

lighting and shiny decor. 

The spa has a two-method 

way with high-tech medical 

diagnostic tests to find out how 

we’re aging and what’s going on 

with our hormones and health, 

but also a range of treatments 

designed to ease stress, loss of 


The Fitness 

Fitness is a key component 

of wellness at Palacio Estoril, 

and there are a wide variety of 

fitness classes available, from 

Barre and yoga, to Tae Bo and 

Hydrogymanstics. Pilates was a 

genuinely pleasant experience, 

the class was small, permitting 

one-on-one time with the 

instructor. The body toning 

group class was intense, fun 

and encouraging to be around 

others doing the same workout, 

and although my muscles were 

sore after, it was nothing that 

couldn’t be fixed with a quick 

trip to the spa and hydro circuit 

to rejuvenate. 

In addition to all the group 

classes, there is also a 200m2 

gym. With the supervision of 

expert personal trainers, gain 

strength and improve your fitness 

through the resorts philosophy 

of functional training. 

Restaurants 

During my stay, I had the 

pleasure of frequenting both inhouse 

restaurants; Bougainvillea 

Terrace, a chic and stylish eatery 

overlooking the pool, and Grill 

Four Seasons, an elegant and 

sophisticated dining space. 

The first thing I noticed when 

perusing the menus was the 

enormous variety of dish options 

available. From international 

dishes to Portuguese staples, 

there were preferences to satisfy 

even the most discerning of 

palettes. 

I deemed it necessary to try a 

few dishes from the ‘healthy 

menu’ available at both 

restaurants. My first choice was 

the vegetarian ‘Wild mushroom 

and vegetable quinoa risotto’. It 

was outstanding. The chef, aka 

sorcerer, somehow managed 

to create a well-balanced, low 

calorie (370kcal), healthy meal 

without compromising the 

defining full-flavor and velvety 

consistency of a risotto. 

The Sights 

The view over the Bay of Cascais 

is not one I could forget easily. 

Just minutes from the hotels 

perimeter, which encircles 

beautiful gardens, you arrive at 

the attractive beach promenade, 

humming with shops, cafes and 

life. I would highly recommend 

one of the free morning walks 

down to here, with the refreshing 

sea air. Only 30 minutes (by 

car) or 20 minutes (by train) 

you arrive at Lisbon, Portugal’s 

bustling capital city. Named one 

of Europe’s most charismatic and 

vibrant cities, a must on the todo 

list. 

If you’re serious about improving 

your health and well-being, 

Palacio Estoril is the place for 

you. The central location gives 

you the freedom to leave the 

hotel and explore if you desire, 

yet by no means compromises 

your ability to relax. The 

selection of wellness programs 

and fitness classes on offer are 

extensive, and the staff go above 

and beyond their duty to ensure 

your stay is the best it can be. 


Luxury is no longer a thing of 

the past. As Samantha Shankman 

stated “Luxury is in the midst of 

a metamorphosis. While luxury 

once meant the most expensive 

or most well-known product or 

experience, today it’s become a way 

of being or moving throughout 

the world.” Luxury travel, fashion 

and technology go hand-in-hand 

and these areas are constantly 

evolving because our expectations 

of certain experiences are changing 

at a more rapid pace. Luxury travel 

is no longer about coveted brands 

or popular destinations, but more 

about the experience. 

“Our guests are seeking out 

experiences that help them express 

who they are, so their approach 

to luxury continues to be less 

formal, entirely more personal, and 

defined more by their interests and 

mindset than their geography and 

demographic,” Tina Edmundson, 

global brand officer at Marriott 

International, said in the report. 

Luxury Fashion in Travel 

Fashion and style have always 

been a form of self expression. 

We all know that style is a way of 

saying who you are without having 

to speak, in the words of Rachel 

Zoe. It’s the first impression that 

someone receives. 

BY: STEFANIE NISSEN & BIANCA MARTINEZ 

Trvl Porter is a new way to travel 

and experience fashion. They are 

a luxury style concierge service 

that personalizes a travel wardrobe 

Guide to Luxury 

Travel Reinvented 


ased on your trip and style details. 

They send clothing options for you 

to approve and then those items 

are shipped directly to your hotel 

upon check-in. Imagine opening 

the doors of your hotel closet and 

seeing your pre-styled designer 

wardrobe waiting just for you. 

The luxury of this service is that it’s 

entirely customized to your unique 

style and needs for your trip. They 

save you time by outfit planning 

and packing and eliminate large 

luggage, which saves you the hassle 

and also additional baggage fees. 

An additional perk of this service 

is that they are working with local 

designers to feature a flavor of the 

culture so you get to discover new 

brands and products in the city 

you are visiting. Also, if you fall in 

love with an item they provide a 

discount off the retail price. The fact 

that you get to “try before you buy” 

is such a fun way to add new pieces 

to your existing wardrobe. 

Luxury Hotels + Ondemand 

Private Jets 

Frequent travelers always appreciate 

a home away from home, but with 

luxury sensibilities. Hotels and 

residential towers are becoming 

top notch thanks to notable fashion 

designers like Missoni, Fendi, and 

Armani who are designing haute 

home goods and luxury real estate, 

which creates a unique experience 

that resembles each luxury 

brand. With such genius minds 

behind this transformation it’s no 

wonder people are drawn to these 

properties and it doesn’t stop there. 

On the transportation front, ondemand 

private jets are enhancing 

the overall travel experience with 

top of the line accommodations. 

Jet Smarter has made private jet 

travel more accessible, convenient, 

and infinitely more efficient. Their 

members can create shared and 

private flights on their own time, 

or find seats on flights created by 

fellow members. All through a 

simple mobile app. There are other 

private jet memberships with a 

similar business model, such as Surf 

Air, Wheels Up, XOJet and NetsJets. 

Luxury Travel Technology 

+ Products 

As jet-setters advance in the 

journey of discovery through 

travel, they are also redefining 

the way technology plays a role 

in their experience from finding 

the flight, booking the room and 

car, to reserving a table, exploring 

the city and even communicating 

in another language. We have 

become dependent on technology 

for traveling and as we continue 

to explore the world, technology 

will constantly evolve to make our 

experience even better. 

Remembering to print and bring 

along your plane ticket is becoming 

a thing of the past. TripCase has 

your back as your own personal 

travel agent. It has everything from 

your travel documents, an itinerary 

to hold all those trendy spots you 

discovered, to reminding you of 

reservations during your trip. It’s 

sometimes hard getting around a 

new destination if you don’t speak 

their language, but translation apps 

like Google Translate, TripLingo, 

and iTranslate are available to 

enhance your trip experience in 

foreign cultures. Away luggage 

is functional because it has a usb 

charger built in, which results in 

the ability to keep your devices fully 

charged at all times. All of these 

travel technologies and products 

make your journey that much more 

convenient. 


The 

Living is Easy 

At Dolphin Points Villa in Key Largo 

BY: PAOLA ARENCIBIA 


The laid back pastel feel of 

The Florida Keys makes 

if feel like it is springtime 

there all year. After 

a challenging summer in 2017, 

watching the patented ease of the 

Keys get tussled by Hurricane Irma, I 

was left wondering if the experience 

had somehow dampened or changed 

the character of the place. 

It has not. 

Dolphin Points Villa is a 

romantic quiet luxury getaway 

nestled right off Overseas 

Highway. It is elegance Key’s 

style, which means you’re just as 

welcome in your flip-flops and 

jean shorts as you are in your 

Sunday’s best. 

The magic of the Keys is as much 

about what you get to do as it is 

about all you don’t have to do. 

Everything is only minutes away 

- just take a left or a right on the 

highway. That is, if you want 

to leave the property at all. On 

impact, the villa looks like an 

inviting plantation style home 

in on the area’s signature pale 

blues. There are six such villas, 

and while the property feels 

tight nit and intimate, you feel 

miles away from each other too. 

Perhaps it’s because what you 

don’t have in horizontal distance 

is made up for in height. My 

family and I were in a spacious 

two story, three-bedroom villa 

with a wrap-around balcony. 

The vaulted ceiling went up 

another story. The open layout 

gave you a view of the kitchen, 

dining room, family room and 

seating area in one glance. Each 

room had its own TV, spacious 

closet and bathroom. 


A quick walk down the gravel 

driveway brought us to the dock. 

To the right was a gorgeous sandy 

lot that lends itself to picturesque 

wedding ceremonies, quiet 

sunset views or a play area for 

large colorful iguanas who dip 

in and out of the water with 

abandon. To the left is a small 

strip of beach from where we 

kayaked, paddle boarded and 

tossed sandbags during rounds 

of corn hole, all before noon. In 

the background we could hear 

the dolphins from Dolphin Plus 

chirping in the background. 

Dolphin Plus is a marine 

mammal home and research 

and education center adjacent to 

Dolphin Point Villas. Our guest 

relations’ manager, Sharon, made 

appointments for us to swim 

with dolphins on our first day. 

They provided us with wet suits, 

a short education session and 

then we were off. We got to pet, 

train, kiss and ride the dolphins. 

While the chill of the water took 

our breath away, we were quickly 

enthralled by the beauty of the 

animals and the bond they have 

with their trainers. 

When it was time to eat, dining 

options are cleverly curated 

right offshore. Many restaurants 

along the strip offer all manner 

of lobster, scallop and shrimp 

dishes. Some locations even 

offer to cook your BYO catch. 

And of course, the key lime pie 

is a must. We had more than a 

little of each at the Lazy Lobster, 

which offers fine dining options, 

indoor or out, in T-shirt or 

buttoned down. We also took 

advantage of the fully stocked 


and comfortable villa kitchen. 

We had both a Publix and a 

Winn Dixie just minutes from 

us to procure items for pancakes, 

sandwiches and sangrias. 

The next morning after drinking 

our coffee on the veranda and 

looking for manatees on the 

dock, we drove six minutes to the 

African Queen. This is a canal 

cruise on the actual African 

Queen from the Katherine 

Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart 

movie of the same name. This 

is an hour and half canal cruise 

aboard a seaworthy historical 

landmark. The ride takes you 

through waterfront mansions 

into open water and back again. 

You learn about the history of 

the boat and little bit about its 

most famous passengers. 

Guests of Dolphin Point Villas 

can count on the staff as both 

experts and locals for getting 

insider advice on living the easy 

life in Key Largo even if it’s just 

for a few days. 

For more information about 

Dolphin Point Villas, visit 

dolphinpointvillas.com. 


DRIFT travel magazine 

@DRIFTTRAVEL 

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Tidal bore rafting. 

There’s nothing quite like that moment when the river shifts 

directions and goes from serene to exhilarating. And just think, 

rafting the most extreme tides in the world is only one of the 

things in Nova Scotia that will make your heart skip a beat. 

A real-life 

discovery 

channel. 

Explore all there is to do at NovaScotia.com

DRIFT Travel Spring 2018

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