Despite what Taco Bill and Old El Paso have taught us to believe, there’s more to Mexican cuisine than burritos, frozen margaritas and lashings of chips and guac. Which is why the Mexico Food Adventure with Exodus Travel will give you insight into the country’s rich culinary history. You’ll learn about traditional Mexican cooking techniques, visit local markets and restaurants, partake in mezcal tastings and eat straight from street vendors.
There’s even a guided tour of the Mundo Chocolate Museum, where you can join in on an authentic chocolate metate class – tastings are a given, of course. This gastronomic expedition requires a good appetite though, so best not to start that diet until you return.
Sleek, stylish, minimal… If we had to pick three words to sum up Casa Pueblo, it would be those. With its muted palette, whitewashed walls and simple timber finishes, this boutique hotel in the heart of Tulum (although it’s so peaceful you’d never guess) is a calming haven for global nomads. Set around a greenery-filled, open-air atrium, the hotel caters to its free-spirited guests with yoga classes, guided meditation and Reiki sessions.
With a new restaurant, swoon-worthy pool and 16 gorgeous rooms to choose from, each oozing stripped-back tropical boho vibes, the hardest decision you’ll have to make is whether to order an organic coffee or kombucha. When you really need to realign your chakras in a chic, instagrammable location, Casa Pueblo is your place!
A treehouse literally at arm’s length from the slopes of one of the USA’s top ranked yet almost unheard of ski resorts? If it sounds perfect that’s because it’s hard to fault a two-bedroom penthouse surrounded by nature. Montana’s Snow Bear Chalet team, which runs two other properties nearby, ensures your boot warmers are labelled accordingly and the balcony spa is heated. You literally fall down the front stairs onto a run and slide to the chairlift while pulling on your ski boots. You cannot get any closer to the action.
A word of warning though – if you sleep late and saunter into the kitchen sans clothes, the snow seekers on chairlift number three will get an eyeful. They’re so close they can peer right in the window. In fact, you could almost high five them. It doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to ski-in, ski-out. And this part of Montana is off the tourist trail, so there are no lines and awesome locals to ski (and après) with.
On a narrow tree-lined side street hidden between manic Melrose Drive and iconic Santa Monica Boulevard and set among a quaint cottage garden sits a series of picturebook English apartments and bungalows that have harboured many a star over the years. At The Charlie there is no rooftop pool, kitchen run by a celebrity chef or Instagrammable gym. In fact, this is so far removed from the standard West Hollywood scene it instantly soothes you on returning from a day walking the nearby streets.
The Charlie is old-school Hollywood – more Clark Gable than Johnny Depp – with each of the bungalows and suites named after stars of yesteryear. We recommend the two-storey Valentino apartment, with all the mod cons and louvred doors opening to a huge balcony with luxe deck chairs placed to enjoy the LA sun. So, why stay at The Charlie? It used to be Charlie Chaplin’s cottage and you’ll feel like a star living in luxury in WeHo.
The entrance to the small green shed that is home to the Northern Lights Wolf Centre is covered in the skulls and antlers of Canadian Rockies natives. And a door the same colour as the nearby mountain town of Golden is our gateway to an experience for which I’m not fully prepared.
We’re going to walk with wolves, and I’ve watched enough Game Of Thrones to wonder whether I’ll have to adopt a Yorkshire accent to ensure the world’s largest wild canids know I’m friend rather than foe.
The centre was established in 2002 when Casey, a former Hollywood animal trainer, and Shelley Black decided to educate people about the majestic wolves and the important role they play in the environment. They started with just one wolf, but now have a pack of seven that live in a 5000 square metre enclosure.
A chorus of howls adds a backing soundtrack to Shelley’s warnings as she prepares us for what’s to come: “It’s important to remember, we’re on wolf terms.” Thankfully, the wolves, which have been born and raised in captivity, are used to the presence of humans. As a result, they act more like dogs than wild animals.
A leash is attached to young female Flora, who follows Casey to his sedan and is loaded into the back. Riding behind with Shelley, I see Flora’s yellow eyes peering through the back window. She has a pup-like appearance, but this is a 45-kilogram grey wolf with the strength to take down a cow.
It’s a combination of the breath-stealing scenery and majestic nature of the long-legged creature padding beside me that makes me want to pinch myself through my puffy jacket. Flora disappears then reappears far ahead or behind us. It doesn’t faze me until, as I crouch down next to a glacial creek snapping photographs, she starts running towards me. I freeze before remembering Shelley’s words: “Always stand taller than the wolf.” I don’t realise Casey is holding a treat, which is what has Flora’s attention, but before he says, “Don’t panic,” I’ve jumped up and moved well out of her way.
With my heart pounding, we continue. I’m still unsure of my relationship with Flora. She’s not let me pat her, nor has she sniffed my feet as a normal dog would. Shelley instructs me to stand next to a log, and I oblige. Within moments, Flora has jumped up on it and run her tongue along my face, leaving a trail of saliva. It’s the most action I’ve had on this trip to Canada and, wearing the remnants of her sloppy kiss, I’m no longer left wondering whether I’m friend or foe
It’s hard to believe the biggest thrills in Las Vegas happen about 30 minutes from the famous Strip. And, no, we’re not talking about a hedonistic pool party or an all-night club. This is dirty, dusty and easily the biggest injection of adrenaline you’ll have in years. Strap yourself into a dune buggy and hit the bumpy tracks of the Mojave Desert with the guys from Vegas Off Road Tours. This is definitely no ‘stay in line and follow at slow speed’ experience. Far from it, actually.
An instructor in full denim overalls and looking a bit like Jeff Lebowski offers up a few instructions before thrill-seekers hit the accelerator. “Don’t go too hard on the corners. Some dude died out here last week. Not with us, but watch your turns. Oh, and keep up.” With that he’ll shoot through in a cloud of Mojave dust. During the following two hours of insanity there are times when you’ll be sure all four wheels leave the ground, as well as moments when you – whether you’re driving or reluctantly filling the passenger seat – will find yourself screaming from a combination of fear and exhilaration. The trip ends with local craft beers and a barbecue lunch at the Pioneer Hotel. Viva Las Vegas indeed!
Protected from the harsh elements of the Southern Utah desert by nothing more than a rocky, rugged escarpment, luxury hotel Amangiri appears like a too-beautiful-to-be-real mirage. Minimalist lines and neutral tones allow the luxe digs to blend into their age-wearied backdrop, while concrete walls, timber fittings and blackened steel elements serve to enhance the features of the natural surroundings. Private pools, courtyards or rooftop terraces adjoin each of the 34 suites, further ensuring the desert landscape remains the focal point for visitors.
If you do manage to tear yourself away from the stunning vistas, adventure awaits in the form of pre-dawn hot-air balloon rides, rock climbing and horseback riding. Navajo guides are also on hand to share stories, traditions and ritual dances. Amangiri’s open-plan kitchen, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the ever-changing outlook, is the ideal dining location, the views matched only by the impeccable quality of the food. Your tummy will rumble at the sight of traditional southwestern dishes served with a modern twist. It may look like an mirage, but we’re sure glad this desert oasis is real.
Canada’s convention centres generally don’t come to mind when imagining indigenous cultural gatherings and celebrations, but Manito Ahbee is an event unlike any other. Held annually in Winnipeg, the festival draws its moniker from the sacred site in Manitoba’s Whiteshell National Park, where First Nations people gather to share their traditions and teachings and perform ceremonies (its name means ‘where the Creator sits’). The celebrations kick off with the lighting of the sacred fire, held at the Forks National Historic Site, which signifies the opening of its numerous events.
Witness Pow Wow – the celebration of culture and friendship among First Nations communities – where more than 800 dancers come together to show off their skills. See the square dance exhibition and the jigging competition in honour of the Metis community. Discover myriad artefacts and traditional artworks at the Indigenous Marketplace and Tradeshow, and marvel as artists put brush to canvas in live art challenges.
Named for the sunset views that drench this rooftop establishment in a golden hue come late afternoon, Last Light is the newest addition to New York City’s crowded skyscape. Perched atop Sister City hotel on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, it’s positioned itself as a relaxed neighbourhood haunt – it’s far more chilled out than you’d expect from a hotel bar, with a first-in, best-dressed door policy, no bottle service and generous happy hour specials.
While the two outdoor decks are the obvious drawcards here, the creative and surprisingly affordable cocktail list, plus the tasty small plates from Floret, the ground-floor restaurant, make a trip up to the 11th floor worthwhile. Oh, Last Light is also completely cashless, so don’t forget to stick your credit card in your pocket.
Although unassuming from the surface, La Jolla Cove hides more than just a colourful array of marine life. Sprouting from the rocky reefs that blanket the ocean floor, with stalks reaching between nine to 25 metres in height, is a stunning kelp forest. Swaying dreamily in the underwater currents, flashes of red and orange-hued native fish and colourful reefs are a vibrant contrast against the green and brown kelp and, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot an excitable sea lion twirling through the tall stalks.
The only way to truly experience it is to suit up and take the plunge. As you glide between the long, rippling ribbons of kelp, you’ll feel as though you’ve left the world behind and entered the pathway to Atlantis – not bad for a place just a 20-minute drive from the busy streets of downtown San Diego. There are a number of dive companies that offer guided scuba tours of the spectacular aquatic world, so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to experience it.
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