Stories

Photo courtesy of The One & Only Rheeti Rah, Maldives 

Rheeti Rah, Maldives

Before I share the locations that I’d love to check-out, I couldn’t help but talk about my favorite place in the world. For the past seven years, I would be entranced every time I stared at my brother Saul’s screen saver, a breathtaking image of his over the water villa at The One & Only Rheeti Rah in the Maldvies. The color of the clear blue water drew me in every time I saw it and I knew that one day I would find myself there. So when planning our May honeymoon, my husband I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to go.  

You arrive by yacht from the airport, and the second you set foot on the island, you know that your worries are over. Our butler, Mohammed, made sure we never had to think about dinner, tennis or any type of reservation. He took care of it all. Since there is not one single paved road on the island, we rode our bikes everywhere. The spa was pure heaven, part indoor and part outdoor.  We had our own private pool and beachfront, where we spent many blissful hours lounging on a hammock. The food was fresh and delicious and the service was perfection. I told my husband I want to go back every year for our anniversary, but we may have to alternate with some of these other fabulous destinations listed below!

Kashmir

According to Conde Nast Traveler, Kashmir is the “most exciting new place to ski”. Gulmarg, the country’s main ski resort, is located high in the Himalayas and boasts uncharted ski slopes and the world’s highest gondola lifting you up to 13,400 feet. If that’s not high enough for you, a helicopter can take you even higher. I can’t think of a more exotic and fabulous place for a ski trip! 

Photo courtesy of Icehotel

Icehotel

Although I usually dream about warm sand and dipping my toes in crystal blue water during the frigid winter months, I have always been fascinated by this hotel in Northern Sweden made entirely of ice and snow. Guests spend the night in thermal sleeping bags on a bed built by ice blocks, a wooden frame and topped by reindeer skins. Instead of sipping margaritas on the beach in Mexico, this may be the perfect romantic getaway for my husband and I. 

The Seychelles

If it was good enough for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their honeymoon, it is certainly good enough for me! The Seychelles are a breathtaking chain of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, and have become a popular travel destination over the past few years. Desroches Island - one of the spots visited by William and Kate - is listed as one of Forbes top ten remote destinations in the world. With secluded white sand beaches set amongst an exotic island jungle, I may never want to leave.

Mustique

The private Island of Mustique has been a favorite vacation locale for everyone from Manhattan society types, Queen Elizabeth’s sister Princess Margaret when she was alive (she received her plot of land from the island’s founder as a wedding present), to Mick Jagger, who owns a spacious villa there.  The place to stay is The Cotton Club, or you can rent your own villa, and cocktailing at Basil’s Bar is a must. Because of the island’s intimacy and security, it’s also a great place for families.