By Shilo Urban
Craving a beach break? American Airlines launches daily nonstop flights on Nov. 20 to Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island — just in time for a holiday getaway. Go night snorkeling with manta rays, explore dramatic lava flows and sleep in lavish surroundings at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Attention shoppers: Milan has a stunning new five-star boutique hotel located in the heart of the fashion district. Opening on Nov. 6, The Carlton Milan by Rocco Forte feels like a private residence, with an immaculate spa and fine-dining restaurant. Some suites have wraparound terraces with views of the Duomo — and all are just steps away from Milan’s sizzling high-end shopping scene and designer boutiques.
Travel from one end of the earth to the other on Seabourn’s just-announced 94-day luxury cruise from the High Arctic to Antarctica. Pole to Pole: Grand Expedition will carry you over 20,000 nautical miles to 14 countries and territories, from the icy Northwest Passage to the sunny beaches of St. Lucia to the penguin-laden Falkland Islands.
No time for 94 days at sea? Windstar is introducing “Quick Getaways” yacht cruises with three- to five-night itineraries in Europe. Board a five-masted schooner or yacht-style small ship and explore cities in France, Italy, Belgium, Spain and the UK. #yachtlife
Walk alongside the elephants at Tatvani, Thailand, an esteemed elephant sanctuary near Chiang Rai, which has just opened a posh villa resort with personal chefs and massage therapists. There’s a 100-foot pool and organic gardens at this eco-friendly retreat, where guests can help feed and observe the free-roaming giants in ethical, unhurried encounters.
Hamburg is one of the best cities in Germany for Christmas markets, and you can walk to several of them from the new Conrad Hamburg hotel. Situated in a historic 1912 Art Nouveau landmark, the art-focused design features a colorful glass ceiling installation and Hamburg’s longest indoor pool.
Couples and families flying together have a novel option with SWISS’s new First Grand Suite: two adjacent First Class suites (including the aisle) combined into a single private area — like connecting hotel rooms. With 1.8-meter walls for privacy, the self-contained space can be configured as a bedroom, dining room or office.