Travel Like A Diva

09/08/2026

Provence has a different rhythm when you experience it from the river. 🇫🇷

A journey along the Rhône with AmaWaterways pairs vineyard-dotted landscapes, historic cities, and unhurried mornings on a private balcony with evenings spent savoring regional cuisine and celebrated wines.

From Avignon to Arles, the Colors of Provence itinerary offers an immersive way to experience one of France’s most captivating regions. ✨

Discover more here: https://virtuoso.com/advisor/keelycrowder/travel/luxury-cruises/cruise-lines/6215377/amawaterways

09/06/2026

The most requested amenity in Courchevel this winter? No other guests.

Le Chalet is the private residence of Airelles, set in the Jardin Alpin with ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes. It’s booked exclusively, never shared, and it comes fully staffed with a private chef, butler service, and a team that handles everything down to warming your boots before first tracks.

Outside, fresh snow at the door, dog sledding, gondola rides, long lunches on the terrace. Inside, your own spa and pool, a movie theater, and a fireside dinner from your chef that beats any reservation in town. The services of the legendary Airelles palace nearby come with it all.

A great Courchevel trip needs more than a lift ticket. Get in touch to start planning!

09/04/2026

“What should I do after safari?” I’ve answered that question the same way for years: the winelands, and this estate in particular.

Delaire Graff belongs to diamond dealer Laurence Graff and crowns the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with just 16 lodges facing the vineyards, each with a heated pool and terrace. The trophy shelf here is genuinely absurd: two Michelin Keys, and the top prize at the global Best of Wine Tourism awards, which effectively named it the world's finest wine stay.

What makes it singular is the collection. One of South Africa’s most important private art collections is displayed throughout the property, alongside two standout restaurants, a serious winery, and a spa with those same valley views.

Stellenbosch deserves more than a rushed tasting day. Reach out, and I’ll help balance the lodge, the wine, and the rest of South Africa.

09/03/2026

San Francisco has always known how to reinvent itself, and the city is in the midst of another comeback. New art trails, illuminated landmarks, buzzy restaurants, and revived neighborhoods are bringing a renewed sense of energy to the Bay Area's beauty. 🌁🥂

Read on about its new golden age, then let’s work together to plan your next vacation:

📷: Natasha Lee

New restaurants, buzzy bars, and fresh openings – from JouJou and Frankie’s to the Big Art Loop and A Bathing Ape’s new flagship – are fueling a comeback in this Bay Area beauty.

09/01/2026

In the heart of Rome, Hotel Hassler Roma offers a welcome sense of calm, with gracious service, elegant rooms, and aperitivi served just so.

Here are five reasons this storied stay is a must-visit, from its vast wine collection to its enviable location above the Spanish Steps. 🇮🇹❤️

The Roman standby recently reopened with two refashioned lounges and a facelift for Michelin-starred Imàgo.

08/31/2026

“Wait, hotels have Michelin ratings now?” I’ve been asked some version of this a dozen times this year, so let’s decode it.

Michelin Keys: launched in 2024, awarded to hotels rather than restaurants. One Key means a special stay, two means exceptional, and three places a hotel among the world’s very best.

Forbes Travel Guide Stars: the long-standing gold standard for service. Inspectors visit anonymously and grade hundreds of touchpoints. Five Stars is the top honor and genuinely hard to earn.

Here’s my take as an advisor: awards are a useful signal, not the whole answer. Plenty of Three Key hotels would be wrong for your specific trip, and some of my favorite properties fly below the award radar entirely.

The ratings tell you a hotel is excellent. I tell you if it’s excellent for you. That’s the difference. Reach out anytime to learn more!

08/31/2026

The whole family, one roof, zero hotel hallways. Private villas are how my favorite families do the festive season, and the best ones are booking right now.

A villa solves what hotels can't for multi-generational trips: everyone together under one roof, a private chef instead of restaurant reservations for twelve, space for the grandparents to nap and the kids to run.

Where I'm sending families this year: jungle villas in Costa Rica with monkeys in the trees, catered chalets in the Alps with ski-in access, staffed oceanfront estates in Cabo, villa compounds in Hawaii where three generations can spread out, and private safari villas in South Africa with their own guide and vehicle.

Festive villas require the longest lead time of anything I book. The question worth asking at the dinner table this month: where does the whole family want to wake up this holiday season?

08/28/2026

I plan trips to the Alps, Aspen, and Japan every winter. So it means something when I say one of the world's great winter stays is in Canada.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise stands directly on the shore of its namesake lake in Banff National Park, facing the Victoria Glacier. No other hotel gets this position, and in winter it becomes something out of a storybook: the lake freezes into a skating rink framed by ice sculptures, horse-drawn sleighs trace the shoreline, and the mountains stay dusted in white for months.

Skiers are spoiled here too. Three resorts are within easy reach, including Lake Louise Ski Resort just minutes away, with some of the most scenic runs in North America and none of the lift lines you'd expect for terrain this good.

Advisor tip: Lakeview rooms are worth every penny, especially in winter when the frozen lake and glacier fill your window. They sell out first, so this is a book-early property. Message me to start planning.

08/27/2026

A softer corner of Patagonia awaits in Chile's Lake District, where volcano views, glacial lakes, and peaceful fjords replace the rush to the summit. Discover why slow adventure shines here, then reach out to start planning your escape. 🌋🏞️

📷: Laura Macías Acuña

Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue, Reloncaví fjord, and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park reward travelers willing to trade summit fever for a slower pace.

08/25/2026

Exceptional dining doesn't happen by chance, especially at sea. Get an inside look at the cruise lines raising the bar with gourmet cuisine, thoughtful sourcing, and world-class culinary experiences, then reach out to plan your next voyage. 🛳️🍽️

An inside look at how Oceania Cruises, Abercrombie & Kent, Atlas Ocean Voyages, and Silversea serve gourmet meals at sea.