Travel off the beaten track and experience

By Susan Hanson For a few weeks each spring, Washingtonians trade politics for hanami , the Japanese practice of cherry blossom viewing. (The city’s 3,000 cherry trees were a gift of friendship from Tokyo in 1912.) The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. gets in on the action with a seasonal package that includes a private pedicab ride to Hains Point in East Potomac Park (one of the best viewing spots), a picnic, and, back at the 86-room hotel, cherry-themed snacks, cocktails, and treatments in the newly renovated spa. The cherry blossom package is available early March through mid-April this year. Top photo by Sean Pavone Photo/Getty Images.

With the release of the iPhone X, we’re reminded that it’s been ten years since the device revolutionized the way we communicate, travel, and live everyday life. In honor of the occasion, Virtuoso asked its professional, savvy, and, yes, well-connected-in-every-sense-of-the-word travel advisors about where to go when we want to relive those peaceful moments before touchscreens permeated our lives. What are the best luxury vacation escapes for cutting the smart-phone tether? Rancho La Puerta Fitness Resort and Spa , Tecate, Mexico At the peaceful Rancho La Puerta , just three miles south of the U.S. border, cell phones are verboten in public areas and service is very limited, even in guest casitas. No in-room TVs and limited Wi-Fi ensure that guests at this 4,000-acre resort focus instead on wellbeing of the body, mind and spirit. More than 25 miles of hiking trails, 32 acres of gardens and 70+ indoor and outdoor activities (think yoga, art, cooking and strength training) keep guests...

One of the most important villa rental tips: decide on a location Nothing will make you feel like an A-lister quite as much as your own villa. Besides the considerable glamor factor, renting a home away from home has several advantages. Depending on the size of your group, a villa may be better value than other types of accommodations. With your own villa, you’ll have more privacy. You’ll have the run of the house, so no hunting for a poolside lounge chair or squeezing into a crowded hot tub.  You’ll also have a more authentic experience in your destination as you’ll be living in an actual home. Add all that up, and it’s easy to see why villa rentals are growing in popularity. Everyone from multigenerational families to groups of friends are opting for villas to enhance their quality time together. As you look for the perfect home for your trip, keep these eight villa rental tips in mind. Choose a location Are you looking for privacy and seclusion? Want to be on the beach – or...

London is full of luxury hotels and I’m extremely fortunate to have a job that allows me to hop around the best hotels of London and see for myself what they have to offer and make recommendations here on World of Wanderlust accordingly. A couple of years ago I visited 41 Hotel on Buckingham Palace Road, which is part of the Red Carnation boutique luxury hotels in London and further abroad in exotic locations like South Africa and elsewhere in England. I had such a memorable stay that it quickly become a hotel I told everyone about, so when the opportunity came to experience another property from the collection, I instantly chose the flagship property, The Milestone Hotel in Kensington  (a.k.a the posh part of London). Here’s how amazing it was (and how you can experience this hotel, too)… Checking In to The Milestone London I arrived at 6:30am off a 23 hour flight journey from Sydney, Australia. Obviously my room was not ready to check in to, though the staff were ...

Every year, millions of tourists flock to the Dominican Republic, seeking to experience the country’s tropical paradise of lush rainforests, stunning beaches and picturesque villages. For this reason, the Dominican Republic features a great number of all-inclusive hotel resorts that are all designed with exquisite decor and equipped with various amenities and services to provide guests with dream-come-true vacations. While some all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic cater to families, others are geared toward adults only. An overview of the country’s best all-inclusive resorts. Surrounded by tropical gardens and sandy white beaches with coconut palms, the Gran Bahia Principe in Punta Cana fits the picture of the Garden of Eden. This gorgeous paradise features 780 rooms with choices between outstanding rooms with mini-bars, balcony and Jacuzzi tub, or luxury suites that include VIP amenities like bathrobe and slipper service. In addition to swimming pools, restaurants, ...