Becca Hensley on LinkedIn: Los Cabos: Things to Do, Places to Eat and Where to Stay (2024)

Costa Rica, like other cultures, has a soul speak-like phrase — “pura vida” — which translates to Pure Life (perhaps actually meaning sacred life).LikeHawaii’s aloha, pura vida conveys a variety of emotions and communications, from greetings to goodbyes. It can be used to mean “you’re welcome,” “no worries,” “that’s life,” “cheers,” and more depending on the conversation.While the words pura vida might sound like an elixir from the Fountain of Youth or a tropical libation from your favorite juice bar, the words aptly embody the curative and organic essence of Costa Rica, a treasure trove of natural wonders, unsullied biodiversity,untarnished beaches— all inhabited by an affable populace. Amazingly, six percent of the world’s biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica, with more than a quarter of its landscapes passionately protected. Wedged between the Pacific andthe Caribbean, this unique swathe of terrain teems with flora and fauna — legions of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Poison Dart Frog? Ocelots? Tapirs? Howler Monkeys? More than 900 species of birds? That’s just the beginning. Rainforests, jungle canals, coffee plantations nestled on steep volcanoes, natural hot springs and fish-rich coastal waters define the destination. Rustic pueblos and urbane cities contain a well-educated populace responsible for the small democracy’s ambitious awareness of its virtues and deep commitment to conservation. For eco-conscious travelers in search of luxury, Costa Rica is . . . Pura Vida. Ready to experience it? Here are the best luxury hotels for your trip to Costa Rica.https://lnkd.in/gspPmr8Y travelcurator #costarica

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https://lnkd.in/gwbjTS5D#Mexico #Rockport #PortA #Galveston

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In a palatial room aglow with gleaming marble, velvet chairs, mid-century modern-shaped furniture and Jazz Agearchitecturalflourishes, I could easily be in a restaurant in a buzzy city in Europe. But, I’m not in Amsterdam or Copenhagen or Paris. I’m in Mexico at Grand Velas Los Cabos at Cocina de Autor,the five-star all-inclusive hotel’s premier restaurant.And thecoup de gras? Cocina de Autor has just garnered one Michelin Star in Mexico’s long-awaited, inauguralMichelin Guide– as has its sister (but not twin) restaurant of the same name, located at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, helmed by a differentchef.Stop for a moment to ponder that… a Michelin-starred restaurant at an all-inclusive resort inMexico– in two places. As small plates of serendipitous bites come before me – Australianwagyuwith smoked parmesan and figs; an oyster in its shell floating in green apple aquachile, fig and arbequina juice — I swoon, gobsmacked that this caliber of food is being served at a pay-in-advance resort. Offering an exhilarating foray of courses, Cocina de Autor in Los Cabos serves visually eye-popping dishes, food profound with flavor and unexpected textures.Each offering surprises me with its urbanity and earthiness. The presentations and combinations feel decidedly familiar but extraordinary – like hearing a poem recited in a different accent or seeing a favorite chair in a new room. That’s not to imply the restaurant derives inspiration only from global gastronomy or is mundane. On the contrary, each delight creatively weaves in Mexico’s own bounty, whether as a spice, a main player or, as in the wagyu dish, a fig grown in a nearby garden.For foodies who travel to eat, wellness aficionados, families, those on a romantic tryst and even solo travelers, Grand Velas’ two most peerless hotels,Grand Velas Riviera MayaandGrand Velas Los Cabos, both offer more than myriad restaurants, a multiplicity of activities, stellar spas and lavish suites.Now travelers can eat at aMichelin-starred restaurantevery night of their trip for their all-inclusive rate. Here’s more about these two exceptional, family-owned hotels.#michelin #mexico #loscabos #RivieraMaya #grandvelas #cocinadeautor #allinclusive #elitetraveler #luxurytravel https://lnkd.in/gpVuqtie

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If you’re the sort that realizes with dread that your wife has signed you up for another death-defying holiday adventure—like a cliff-hugging, crevice-leaping Via Ferrata, swimming with colossal whale sharks or ice climbing to the top of a steep mountain in boots with knife-like spikes, you may admit that sometimes you’d prefer escapades of the less extreme variety. Perhaps all you really want to do is relax during your vacation? It’s not that you don’t like a challenge or that you abhor the outdoors. You just prefer lighter capers, a less rigorous path to earn your repose. Likewise, she’d blanche at the thought of sitting around a pool for hours with a fat book or taking a meditative slow walk through a forest before a nap. Whether traveling with friends or families, compromise is key. Why not book a getaway that finds that sweet spot likely to please all travelers? From soul satisfying sensible decompression to full on adrenaline rushes, these summer holiday breaks do the trick to please every type of adventure junkie. Choose between safaris in Africa, hikes along Spain’s Santiago de Compostela trail, quietude in high altitude Bhutan, falconry in Scotland and hot air ballooning over the Sonoran Desert in Arizona —among other memorable lighter adventure jaunts around the world. https://lnkd.in/gvwEiT8H (In the June issue of ST Charles Avenue we celebrate all the degrees of adventure travel from Bhutan to Africa to Spain.

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