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Escape the Crowds: New England’s Charming Summer’s End

When most travelers picture New England, they think of crisp October air, blazing red maple leaves, and apple cider donuts on winding country roads. But for those in the know, the true magic happens before the foliage crowds roll in.

Late summer in New England is an elegant, sun-drenched secret — where breezy yacht days meet quiet coastal towns, and the region’s iconic charm is paired with off-season serenity and five-star experiences. From private sailing excursions in Newport to oceanfront dining in Nantucket and spa weekends tucked into the Berkshires, August offers a curated blend of warmth, exclusivity, and timeless East Coast glamour.

In this guide, we’re sharing the top luxury reasons to visit New England before fall — whether you’re chasing culinary excellence, coastal escapes, or simply the joy of discovering classic destinations without the crowds.

Signature Experiences & Activities

1. Private Yacht Charters in Newport, RI
Explore Narragansett Bay aboard a captained sailboat or luxury motor yacht. Book a sunset champagne cruise or a full-day coastal escape with catered lunch and water toys.

2. Vineyard Tours & Tastings in Martha’s Vineyard
Savor crisp rosés and coastal blends at local vineyards like Shepherd’s Run Winery or Isle of Shoals. Add a private chef picnic among the vines.

3. Spa & Wellness Retreats in the Berkshires, MA
Unplug in the rolling hills with a custom retreat at Miraval Berkshires. Think forest bathing, equine meditation, and farm-to-table cooking classes.

4. Beach Days & Boutique Biking in Nantucket
Cruise to Sconset or Madaket Beach via vintage-inspired bikes. Stop for lobster rolls and shop at upscale local boutiques like CJ Laing or Serenella.

5. Jazz & Classical Evenings in Newport
Attend intimate garden concerts or the Newport Jazz Festival. Book VIP passes or private viewing from historic mansions.

Where to Stay: Refined Retreats

Chatham Bars Inn — Chatham, MA
Iconic beachfront elegance on Cape Cod with private cabanas, world-class dining, and spa cottages.

The Wauwinet — Nantucket, MA
Relais & Châteaux property offering exclusive beach access, top-rated seafood, and a private launch from downtown.

The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection — Newport, RI
A former mansion turned stylish hideaway, featuring rooftop cocktails and curated cultural experiences.

Mayflower Inn & Spa — Washington, CT
Country estate vibes with English gardens, marble bathrooms, and an award-winning culinary program.

Fine Dining by the Coast (and Country)

The Proprietors Bar & Table — Nantucket, MA
Globally inspired, hyper-local cuisine served in a stylish, cozy atmosphere. Seasonal tasting menus available.

White Barn Inn Restaurant — Kennebunk, ME
Michelin-starred experience known for its classic New England ingredients presented with French finesse.

The Port Hunter — Edgartown, MA (Martha’s Vineyard)
Fresh seafood, lively energy, and a curated wine list in one of the island’s most sought-after dinner spots.

Cara at The Chanler — Newport, RI
Elegant tasting menus with ocean views. Opt for the chef’s wine pairing to elevate the experience.

Mezze Bistro + Bar — Williamstown, MA
Modern American cuisine with a strong focus on local farms and sustainability, nestled in the Berkshires.

August in New England offers a golden window for luxury travelers: the weather is idyllic, the crowds are thinner, and the experiences are rich in refinement and charm. Whether you’re drawn to coastal indulgence or countryside calm, now is the moment to soak up the soft luxury of the Northeast before the leaves (and tourists) fall.

Quick NYC Trip? We’ve Got The Itinerary For Culture & Views

If you’re planning a night or weekend in one of our favorite cities, let us do the planning for you. We’ve got THE itinerary for your trip.

First, to experience to true magic of NYC, you *must* book at least one Broadway show during your stay. We suggest an evening show that allows time for pre and post-show experiences.

When your show is confirmed, you can confidently book your tickets to experience one of the City’s best views at sunset, the rooftop at The Met. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art boasts fabulous exhibits year-round, and on the weekend they host Date Night at The Met. This ticket allows patrons access to all exhibits PLUS the rooftop bar experience with a 360 degree view of the city. Yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds. One tip here is that there are only two elevators to access the rooftop, you’ll want to locate these when you enter the museum and expect a line.

Before the show we highly recommend pre-show drinks (or dinner!) at the legendary Sardi’s. Here, you’ll be enjoying your dirty martini with Broadway regulars (and likely the talent as well).

After the show, you’ll head to the Upper Eastside’s luxury celebrity favorite The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel. Why this hotel? It houses the legendary Bemelman’s Bar, where you’ll wait in line for a true New York experience. The exclusivity, the vibe, the dark aesthetic, and the people-watching make Bemelman’s worth the wait.

With this itinerary you’re guaranteed a quintessential, exclusive NYC experience. Now all that’s left to decide is your outfit. And that deserves a separate post. *wink*

BÉIS – Anything but Basic

Our *Friday Feature* for travel must-haves of the year and well into the future is our favorite (for so many reasons!), BÉIS Travel luggage and accessories.

No stranger to this brand, BÉIS has been taking us from Sky Club to Sky Club and beyond since actress Shay Mitchell launched the lifestyle and travel brand in 2018. From the beginning, the quality of the luggage has maintained it’s superior quality including the materials, smooth navigating, inside capacity and variety of compartments. The color options are so sophisticated, it’s hard to choose. Our obsessions for this holiday season are the newly released Maple and Atlas Pink.

BÉIS offers a variety of sizes for your Travel needs from the mini roller (great for your tiny travel too!) to the large check-in roller.

We can’t feature BÉIS without also mentioning the super-versatile Weekender Bag, a seriously swoon-worth travel accessory ranging from mini to regular sized. The mini will definitely fit beneath your seat on a plane, while the regular size may fit depending on the airline. We plan to test our recently-purchased regular-size weekender on our upcoming Delta flights.

Another great feature of this brand is very user-friendly App, making is so easy to track your purchases and receive notifications of sales, promotions and new releases.

*Happy Jet-Setting*

Gothic Luxury at The Witchery, Edinburgh

With spooky season upon us, we’re featuring the most perfect destination for a moody, gothic, luxe (and at the same time, romantic) stay in Edinburgh, Scotland. On the doorstep of the famed Edinburgh Castle, no less.

*SPOOKY SWOON*

The Witchery by the Castle is a luxurious boutique hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh, just steps from the historic Edinburgh Castle, in a collection of buildings built around 1595. Known for its opulent decor and enchanting atmosphere, the hotel features richly adorned rooms, each uniquely designed with lavish furnishings, deep colors, and elegant touches that evoke a sense of magic and history.

The Witchery combines elements of Gothic architecture with modern comforts, and boasts a renowned restaurant that serves exquisite Scottish cuisine, complemented by an extensive wine list. The ambiance is both romantic and mysterious, making it a popular choice for couples and travelers seeking a unique experience in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic locations.

We can’t get enough of this moody, maximalist decor!

A stay at The Witchery starts around $550 with a choice of nine unique suites with breathtaking views of Edinburgh. Visiting Edinburgh without adding The Witchery to your itinerary would simply be… creepy.

Skybox Loft at Ludlow Hotel: Spacious NYC Accommodation with Stunning City Views

In honor of this years NYFW, let’s review The Ludlow Hotel in NYC’s storied Lower East Side!

Our review begins with two words: Skybox Loft. The loft spans 325 square feet with separated rooms for the queen bed and sitting area. The sitting area boasts an incredible 180 degree view of the city. It’s difficult to find an NYC hotel room this spacious and with this kind of view (it’s stunning). We can’t recommend the Ludlow, specifically the Skybox Loft, enough. If you’re traveling with a mini, the Loft has been reviewed as an ideal accommodation due to the separate area for a travel crib or cot. Yes, there are other accommodation levels including rooms with an outdoor terrace – need we say more?

The Ludlow is one of New York’s most effortlessly cool, unique hotels. The lobby is large & dimly lit boasting a huge fireplace and a chic bar. During our stay it was constantly buzzing with people from Noon to the the early morning hours.

We can’t review the Ludlow without mentioning it’s equally as notable restaurant, Dirty French. Offering French cuisine with a modern twist and an energetic bistro atmosphere, Dirty French offers something delicious for everyone from brunch to late-night cocktails.

Some snaps below of our most recent visit while we await our next…

MICHELIN Showcases Atlanta’s Hotel Clermont as Affordable Winter U.S. Destination.

The respected MICHELIN Guide has recognized our local favorite, Hotel Clermont, as a KEY hotel and one if it’s most affordable destinations for a Winter escape in the U.S.

Being designated as a KEY hotel by MICHELIN puts hotels in a status of their own, being dubbed the “most exciting hotels in the world” often housing a restaurant of notable cuisine and standing. In this case, we have Tiny Lou’s that has received plenty of acclaim and stellar reviews from Conde Nasté Traveler to Bon Appetit.

Hotel Clermont’s rooftop bar is one of Atlanta’s finest, and we can’t mention this local favorite without mentioning is equally (if not more) popular basement bestie, the Clermont Lounge. IYKYK, and if you don’t, look it up.

Rooms here will cost $450/night and it’s well worth the trip to Atlanta or as a staycation for a local Atlien.

Delta SkyMiles: Enroll Your Tiny Traveler In Less than 5 Minutes

Did you know your tiny traveler can be enrolled in the Delta SkyMiles travel rewards program no matter how young? It’s true and the process is ridiculously easy. Follow our steps so your little one can start earning their frequent flyer status!

Visit the Delta SkyMiles Program rules website to review the conditions of enrollment.
Members who wish to enroll their child who is younger than the age of 13 in the SkyMiles Program can sign up the child for SkyMiles here and will need to check the box confirming the Member is the parent or guardian of the child after entering the child’s birthday.
Complete the required information for your child and identify yourself as the guardian of the child you are registering.
The SkyMiles account for your child is now ready to use and to add to all upcoming flights – they will thank you later!

AMEX Delta Reserve Card: Exclusive Benefits for Delta Enthusiasts

Is the purple princess of AMEX travel reward cards worth it?

Without hesitation, the answer is YES, but only if you’re planning to do a decent amount of traveling each year on Delta. The annual cost of the card is a cool $650 so our recommendation is to make the SkyMiles Reserve Card your solo credit card with the intent of racking up travel rewards with Delta. We are Atlanta-based and the Delta loyalty makes 100% sense for us, but it may not for everyone.

Let’s highlight the benefits we’ve experienced and what we can look forward to since upgrading to the Reserve card.

Exclusive access to any Delta SkyClub, in any airport, when traveling a same-day Delta flight. If you’re not familiar, SkyClub access includes completely complimentary (quality) food and alcoholic bevy’s – SO WORTH IT.
Exclusive access to any American Express Centurion Lounge – these lounges are the most upscale of any airport lounge we’ve experienced.
A $200 Delta Stays credit per calendar year when a Basic Card or an Additional Card on the Account is used to pay for a new Delta Stays prepaid hotel or vacation rental booking on the Delta Stays platform.
A $240 RESY credit! Enrolled Basic Card Members can earn up to $20 in statement credits each month when the Basic Card or an Additional Card on the enrolled Account is used to pay for eligible Resy purchases.
20% back on Delta in-flight purchases.
A favorite annual perk with this card: the Enhanced Companion Certificate. With each annual renewal, card holders will receive one Companion Certificate to be used on flights originating within the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to the following destinations: the United States, Puerto Rico, USVI, Mexico, Antigua, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador. We are hopeful Delta will add European destinations to their enhanced program in the future.

Michelin Guide Atlanta 2023: Top Awarded Restaurants Revealed

the coveted culinary award has finally arrived in Atlanta and we’ve got bragging rights.

a total of 45 restaurants were recognized in the guide with 5(!!) of those receiving the top honor of a MICHELIN star. We’re so excited to share in the excitement of Atlanta being recognized for the diverse culinary destination it is. Below are the winners with more details on the extraordinary chefs here on the Guide!

Special Awards

Service Award: Miller Union
Exceptional Cocktails Award: Boccalupo
Sommelier Award: The Chastain
Young Chef Award: Little Bear

Green Star

Bacchanalia
The Chastain

Recommended Restaurants

The Alden
Boccalupo
The Chastain
Deer & the Dove
Chai Pani
Delbar
Food Terminal
General Muir
Georgia Boy
Gunshow
Han Il Kwan
Homegrown
Kimball House
Lanzou Ramen
and so many more!

Bib Gourmand

Antico Pizza
Banshee
Bomb Biscuit Company
Busy Bee
Estrelita
Fishmonger
Little Bear
Fred’s Meat & Market
Heirloom Market BBQ

One Star*

Atlas
Bacchanalia
Hayakawa
Lazy Betty
Mujo

Exclusive Amanzoe Resort: Luxury Getaway in Greece

an AMAN luxury resort in Porto Heli, Greece

If you’re unaware of the AMAN brand and legacy, let’s just say the name AMAN is synonymous with some of the most secluded, exclusive resort and villa destinations on the planet. Due to the secluded nature of many of it’s destinations, AMAN typically attracts clientele who are able to yacht, private jet or helicopter their way to their chosen oasis. Of course, driving to and from the resort is acceptable. If you’re a lover of Greece like us, and are looking for an ultra luxurious getaway to a literal mini-Acropolis, look no further than Amanzoe. Let’s discuss.

Amanzoe is a 2.5-hour drive or 25-minute helicopter ride from Athens International Airport. Or a 2.45-hour drive from Kalamanta International Airport. The resort lies in the midst of many archeological sites and is not a far trek to the lively island of Spetses. The beach is as close as 3km and the resort boasts 360 degree views of the Aegean sea.

The luxury amenities here are endless. Accommodations range from stand-alone Pavilions, Beach Cabanas and Villas, all of different sizes ranging from one to nine bedrooms. Each with their own private amenities including terraces, pools and indoor/outdoor dining options. Villa 20, with nine bedrooms, also includes it’s own private spa.

Amanzoe focuses on Wellness by offering a state of the art spa, yoga & pilates classes, two tennis courts and saunas. AMAN uses it’s own line of spa skincare products developed in Japan to create a truly exclusive sanctuary and wellness experience.

The resort offers two dining options of the Beach Club or it’s fine-dining Japanese restaurant, Nama. The club serves locally sourced seafood, lamb and pork providing the most upscale taste of traditional Greek cuisine. Nama serves exceptional sushi and sashimi, with an extensive selection of premium sake.

A stay at Amanzoe will start at around $1,100 per night. BRB while we check our jetset itinerary (and bank accounts)!