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My Trip to Karisma’s Azul Beach Resort

By | Article, Blogs

This past week 2 Youtubers and I had the opportunity to stay at Karisma Resort’s Azul Beach Resort in Cancun Mexico and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life! With just 3 and a half days to do everything, there is to do, we jammed pack all of our time. I  want to share with you everything we did so you can plan your Azul vacation.

The beach at Azul Beach Resort is stunning. The sand is pristinely white, and the water is bright blue. We had the privilege of sitting in the premium section of the beach where we were able to book cabanas and have food and drink brought straight to the sand.

There were very few people on the beach which made it the most relaxing experience. Our favorite drink was the strawberry mojito, and they brought us chicken quesadillas. They were even able to make mine with corn tortillas as I  am allergic to wheat.

There were people playing beach volleyball, suntanning, and even some exploring past the part of the private beach to even more secluded parts.

Here is what our premium suite looked like. The bed was enormous, and the room was as well. It came equipped with a jacuzzi style bathtub that overlooked the pool and beach. When you stay in the premium section of the Azul Beach Resort, your room comes with some premium customizations. We chose our pillows from 7 options, the scent of our pillows between fire, water, earth, and sensual, and our soap. The rather large mini-fridge was equipped with tons of snacks and drinks and an attendant came by my room every day to check if anything needed to be replenished.

Every meal we had was both visually appealing as well as delicious. Above is one of my favorite meals we had at the Italian restaurant, Siena. Again, I  was able to enjoy gluten-free pasta and even gluten-free bread and didn’t miss out on the experience.

(Sorry for the low-quality photo) Our best and most extravagant dining experience was at the restaurant Le Chique. Le Chique is voted in the top 50 restaurants in ALL of Latin America. It is a 20-course molecular gastronomy experience. The photo above does not do it justice, but those gold Ferrero Roche lookings orbs were….MARGARITAS. This is a perfect example of what all of the other courses were like. The tastes were all ones I  haven’t experienced before, and they were all presented in visually appealing and interesting ways.

On our final day, we had the opportunity to go to Maroma Adventures. This is a private beach with all sorts of activities including ATVs, deepwater fishing, and jetskiing. We got to ride camels through the jungle and onto one of the most beautiful beaches I  have ever seen. My camel Tara was so sweet, and I  even got to feed her carrots. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences!

 

If you want to book a trip exactly like ours, or any other trip you can think of, be sure to book it with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist.

The Most Beautiful All Inclusive Resorts in the World

By | Article, Blogs

Here at Luxevo Vacations (originating from Luxury Evolved), we specialize in luxury and all-inclusive vacations. Our travel specialists can book any vacation you could dream up; I thought today I would outline some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, and let your imagination run wild.

Royal Beach in Eilat, Israel

Royal Beach Eilat
The first resort is in Israel. This has made the list not only because of the beautiful amenities of the resort but because of its amazing location. The resort has a magnificent view of the Edom Mountains along with being near to the Dolphin Reef, a popular destination.
Royal Beach Eilat
Eilat’s Dolphin Reef is stunning and quite a spectacular experience. I was worried about the ethics of the reef, with places like SeaWorld, and dolphin boat tours that have proven to be very damaging to the animals and the ecosystem. The people at Eilat have expressed that they do not incentivize the animals to interact with humans with food or other tactics, and the animals lead regular lives in the reef.
As for the amenities of the resort, they are known for their outstanding culinary experiences; there is an Italian restaurant, a steak house, and plenty of Meditteranean food. The spa offers over 70 experiences including a Turkish bathhouse. The rooms of the resort are stunning with options that face the Red Sea.
Royal Beach Eilat
This is an easy contender for the best all-inclusive resorts.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Maldives

The next resort is an absolute no brainer (if you have a lot of money haha). Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives is a private island, only accessible by speed boat. The stunning resort is surrounded by powder white sand and the bluest water in the world…probably.  Such an exclusive all-inclusive gives you the feeling of total escape with the pleasure of beautiful pools, beaches, food, and total relaxation.
Here is one of the suites, directly on the white sands of the coast. This is paradise at it’s finest.
Every detail has been thought of at Banyon Tree.

 Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, Lucea Jamaica

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort is a mega-resort even being home to the biggest pool in all of Jamaica! The resort is on the more affordable side making it accessible to all, and even families wanting to do an all-inclusive option.

A closer look at the stunning Mega Pool

If you like Jamaican food, this is the place to be. Unlimited, authentic Jamaican food along with 10 restaurants, and 8 bars to choose from. The resort overlooks the Carribean sea.

This is a great option for those looking to visit Jamaica; the value is outstanding for what it offers.

Excellence Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

This 5-star all-inclusive is a swanky adult-only resort offering high-end amenities. The resort hugs the Atlantic coast with a beautiful palm tree-lined display. Some of the amenities offered are in-suite whirlpool tubs, ocean views, rooftop terraces, and even butler service.

With beautiful rooms, and no kids hanging around, this is the perfect resort for a romantic getaway.

Get room service to your private terrace or treat yourself to spa treatments at the luxurious spa.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Resort & Spa, Puerto Rico

This resort is nestled in El Yunque, the rainforests of Puerto Rico. The location alone makes this resort a contender for one of the best all-inclusive, along with its beautiful facilities and amenities (as you can see every resort on the list has amazing amenities haha.) The resort is very affordable for its class and offers all-inclusive food, drink, and even a round of golf.

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar is possibly the most modern, updated resort on the list thus far.

I included a lot of pictures because I am just blown away by the rooms. The rooms are equipped with private plunge pools, and the culinary experience is renowned, with Chef Marco Fistini leading the kitchen. This is an all adult resort so this is another perfect option for a romantic getaway or even an all-girls trip to real luxury.

Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun, Mexico

Azul Beach Resort is a Karisma Resort. Karisma all-inclusive resorts have become Luxevo Vacations favorite because of their amazing amenities, food, drinks, and attentive staff. This resort specifically is kissing the beautiful beaches of Cancun. Enjoy some of the best food in Mexico, and enjoy spa treatments and even swim-up suites. The price is reasonable for what you get: all of your food and drink are included. There are many Karisma properties in Cancun all offering varying amenities.

 

These are just a view of the leading all-inclusive resorts around the world. One of our Luxevo Vacation Travel Specialists would love to book your vacation from start to finish, for the same price as doing all the work yourself with a booking engine. Be sure to follow the links on this page to book your next vacation: wherever it may be.

Destination Spotlight: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

By | Article, Blogs, Destinations, Food for thought

I just came back from the best vacation I’ve ever had in my life! My whole family and I ventured to a small coastal region of Puerto Rico called Cabo Rojo: a place seemingly, and quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Unlike its popular counterpart destination of San Juan, there are no large buildings, 5 o’clock traffic, or bustling nightlife.

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What Cabo Rojo offers is the most stunning scenery, beaches, delicious and affordable food/drink, and a feeling of joy I’ve never experienced elsewhere. The people are the most helpful and genuinely kind I’ve ever encountered.

Food

Image result for santos cabo rojo puerto rico

The food in Cabo Rojo was very casual for the most part. We spent most of our time in the little hole in the wall restaurants and bars. The food is very seafood centered with lobster, red snapper, and shrimp being staples on almost every menu I saw. The restaurant photoed above is of my favorite local. This was only a 5-minute drive from our condo and featured a 4 piece live salsa band, amazing coconut cinnamon shots, and the freshest grilled fish I’ve ever had. The prices are unbeatable with large portions.

(low-quality image of my red snapper and Arroz con habichuelas)

We also spent a lot of time in bars… One bar, in particular, had a food stand outside. A sweet Puerto Rican mother who made all of her food from scratch. She made all of the fried food that you come to expect in PR along with pinchos, which are meat skewers. All the fried items were about 2 dollars apiece, and the pinchos were 3. That along with dollar twenty-five beers kept us entertained for hours. All of the bargoers were extremely friendly and we danced and ate communal style.

Scenery

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Cabo Rojo is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. There are rolling mountains, cliffs like the one in the photo above, gorgeous beaches, and some of the most insane sunsets that could exist.

I would suggest stopping at Faro Los Morrillos where this stunning lighthouse resides looking over a rocky cliff.

We also got to enjoy some water sports on my distant relative’s boat. We drove the boat to a part of the ocean that can best be described as a boat day club… All of the boats parked in the middle of the water and blasted loud reggaeton music and drank all day.

I had the opportunity to jet ski for the first time, and it was amazing!!!

There’s much to be said about Puerto Rico. It is a joyous, colorful, beautiful island with so much to offer. I really fell in love with Cabo Rojo and how it was able to bring me and my family so much closer, but even if small beach towns aren’t your scene, I would suggest adding PR to your destination list. You can drive across the entire island in just a little over 3 hours and there is so much to explore and see.

If you are interested in traveling to Puerto Rico for your next trip, be sure to book it with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist, and consider checking out Cabo Rojo!

 

The Best Things to do at Night on Vacation

By | Article, Blogs, Featured, Food, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

For night owls on vacation daytime activities and sightseeing won’t be enough to tire us out! When in a foreign place, you can get stuck in the hotel room wondering what there is to do. Here are just a few awesome night activities in some of the best vacation spots.

1. Night Kayaking in a Bioluminescent Bay 

The inspo for this blog post comes from my upcoming trip to Puerto Rico. I don’t have any excursions planned other than night kayaking in the bioluminescent bay. There are a few bioluminescent bays (or glow in the dark water!!!) around the world, but the one I will be visiting is The Farjado Bio Bay. This is an activity only done at night and is a uniquely memorable experience.

2. River Cruise on the Seine 

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A river cruise on the Seine is a good activity for anytime a day, but in the city of lights, this is one of the best ways to experience Paris. This can also be a romantic outing with the cruise offering romantic dinners on board.

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3. Bar Crawl in Cancun 

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If you are a partier, there is no place like Cancun. I don’t have to tell you that there are hundreds of bars and clubs: the nightlife in Cancun is very alive and will surely keep you entertained. You and your friends can do a bar crawl or even just sit back and people watch, either will keep you entertained.

4. Visit the Sky Garden in London 

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Image result for sky garden london

The Sky Garden in London is a great option for night activities. Get there before sundown and have an amazing view of the city. The Sky Garden is open until 9 pm, but the bars inside are open until 1 am. The photo above is from their New Year’s Eve party, so if you can make it to one of their special events, it’s worth it.

5. ArtafterDark Museum Tour 

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This photo does not do the Honolulu museum justice, but it shows how fun ArtafterDark is. This event is held one Friday a month by volunteer local artists who love art and partying. The museum is home to over 50,000 pieces of art, and who doesn’t love looking at art drunk? This is a very popular event with lines sometimes wrapping around the building. This would be a great change of pace after relaxing on a beautiful beach all day.

No matter if you are a day or night owl, be sure to book your trip with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist. We do all the work so you can focus on relaxing and not spending all of your time booking.

 

Places to Travel in America 2020

By | Article, Blogs, Destinations, feature, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

As the New Year rings in travel junkies are already planning their travel itinerary for 2020. We often talk about tropical destinations on this blog, but I thought it would be interesting to explore some cool American locations that are worth seeing this year.

1. Antelope Canyon, Arizona 

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Antelope Canyon is a pair of naturally stunning slot canyons. One of them is referred to as the corkscrew, and the other, horseshoe. The Canyon is so photographable, the aesthetic beauty brand Glossier has created a replica in their showroom in Malibu.

This is a photo of me and my friend at the faux Antelope Canyon.

You can take a trip to Phoenix Arizona and make the road trip to Antelope Canyon for a day trip. The Canyons are a guaranteed way to get amazing travel photos, with people taking photography tours.

2. Key West, Florida

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Key West is not an obscure travel choice, but I thought it was worth mentioning since it is a time-sensitive vacation: with the oceans rising, Key West will cease to exist in around 10 years. Of course, you can do the typical Key West activities, drinking, eating, and more drinking, but the Keys has made it onto my places to visit because of the home of Ernest Hemingway.

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If you are a literature buff, this is a great landmark to visit. I think it is an amazing piece of history and is allegedly a limited time availability.

3. Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming 

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This one speaks for itself. The Grand Prismatic Spring is a stunning natural rainbow wonder. It is a very large hot spring in Yellowstone National park. It is the 3rd largest hot spring in the world and is a sight to see.

4. Lake Tahoe, California 

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Lake Tahoe is in Northern California and its definitely a must-see. As you can see, the lake is crystal clear. I visited Lake Tahoe during Christmas last year, and there was sledding, skiing, and other snow activities that were very fun. I think Lake Tahoe would be great to see during the summer; the lake transforms with kayaks, blow-ups, and people swimming in the crystal Lake.

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5. Austin, Texas

Austin is often referred to as the only place worth visiting in Texas. I think the best time to visit Austin is during one of their renowned music festivals with SXSW (South by Southwest) in March, which is also a film festival, and Austin City Limits in October. This will ensure you have plenty to do, along with eating Barbeque and all of the other foodie restaurants that litter the city.

So these are just some ideas for you guys to explore this year. You don’t have to go outside of the country to experience some really beautiful places! No matter where your adventure takes you this year, be sure to book with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist. Not only will they get you to your destination, but they will also tailor your trip to you so you get the MOST out of your vacation, at the same price as booking it yourself. Be sure to visit our links at the top of this page.

 

How to be Sustainable on Vacation

By | Article, Blogs, Destinations

The topic of sustainability is coming up more and more. We are suddenly faced with the fact that our consumption turns into waste causing irrefutable damage. Although global warming is not new, it seems that everyone is playing their part in reversing its effects, whether that be switching to metal straws to save the turtles, or to the extreme of zero waste living.

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It is tricky to be sustainable while on vacation, but not impossible.

1. Eco Flying

This is a slight oxymoron since flying is not eco-friendly, but that is not to say that you shouldn’t fly. You can choose to go to closer destinations to lower your impact or fly on “Eco flights” which is a newer option cropping up that offer lower carbon emissions.

2. Transportation

Typically on vacation, you either rent a car or take Uber. A great way to minimize your footprint is to take an Uber or Lyft pool where you share a ride with someone going in a similar direction. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it is also typically a fraction of the price of having your own Uber.

You can also use rented bikes to not only be sustainable but slow down and enjoy the scenery.

3. Choose Sustainable Resorts

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There are many sustainable options for lodging now. Here at Luxevo Vacations, we book a lot of Karisma Resort all-inclusive vacations. They strive to be eco-friendly. To learn more about their sustainability initiative click here.

They are extremely dedicated to being as sustainable as possible with water cleansing systems, glass bottles for water, and their greenhouse that creates nearly 14 tons of its vegetables every year.

There are many other options in any location. Our Luxevo Vacations Specialist will go out of their way to find sustainable lodging if that is something you are interested in.

4. Sustainable Sets

Traveling often requires quick stops in between excursions which can mean a lot of plastic silverware, cups, and napkins. An easy fix to this dilemma is bringing your own sustainable silverware. These can be purchased on Amazon and are very inexpensive.

The one I found

5. Get Outside

Finally, get outside! Going into nature is usually free, and sustainable. It’s a great way to see the place you are visiting and connect with the world around you. Be sure to be careful of native fauna as to not disturb the vegetation.

All of this being said, enjoy your vacation. It is good to be mindful of your effect on the world around you. Unlike many other internet sources, I will not scare you with statistics of the world ending, or ice caps melting, but I will implore you to keep it in mind ;-).

No matter what style of vacation you choose, a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist is a great choice. They will customize your getaway to your specifications, and are knowledgable in all things travel. Click the link at the top bar of our website to book your next trip.

 

I’m Running Away to Puerto Rico for Christmas (You should too)

By | Article, Blogs, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

This morning it was 50 degrees in Bradenton, Florida so needless to say, it’s winter. Luckily for me, these 6 days of winter we will receive will fade quickly. For those of you just entering a real winter season, have no fear: Puerto Rico is here.

got GIF by Game of Thrones: #PrepareForWinter

This year I am escaping the 60-degree weather of Christmas in Florida for the year-round paradise of Puerto Rico and there are many reasons why I think everyone should be doing the same. Puerto Rico is predicted to be 85 degrees on Christmas day, making it a perfect candidate for summer emulation. It is also a good option for those who haven’t gotten around to getting a passport.

Puerto Rico Nbc GIF by Sunnyside

*Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S. that allows you to travel without a passport.

Being half Puerto Rican I am a little bias, but Puerto Rico has so much to offer. The food, the beaches, and the culture are unbeatable.

Food

jimmy fallon love GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Let’s get down to business and talk about the most important thing: food. Some of my favorite meals happen to be Puerto Rican, and if you have no knowledge of Puerto Rican cuisine or Spanish in general, choosing something off of a menu might seem daunting. Although you probably won’t go wrong, here are a few of my favorite things.

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ropa vieja dinner GIF

(this looks like Cuban rice and beans, which happens to be my other half, but that’s neither here nor there.) If you are new to Puerto Rican cuisine the easiest gateway is rice and beans. You can’t go wrong, and you’ll find it at almost every restaurant on the island. It is usually red kidney beans and in my mind, the rice looks like this: a perfectly shaped dome.

Image result for puerto rican white rice shape

There are too many good fried foods which are also staples. Every time I am at my Abuela’s house for dinner, the meal starts with fried foods straight from the fryer and onto a paper towel.

My number one favorite fried PR app is Alcapurrias which are Green Plantain fritters filled with ground beef.

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They may look lackluster, but they are crunchy, salty, and oily making them the perfect appetizer in my opinion.

Next on the list is Papas Rellenas which are stuffed potatoes.

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Next up is another weird-shaped blandly colored item that I will try to convince you is amazing. This consists of mashed potatoes filled with ground seasoned beef rolled in breading and fried. Usually, you cut them in half and drizzle a hot sauce in.

 

One of my fondest memories of visiting Puerto Rico was the time we were traveling across the island to the rainforest and stopped off at a random food truck on the side of the road. It had a stunning view of the ocean, and we ordered a full fish that had been freshly caught just hours before. It’s eyes still intact and it’s mouth agape, we dug into the crunchy lime sprinkled skin. I was only 7 years old and a fairly picky eater, but I contended that this was most definitely the best thing I had ever tasted.

Image result for puerto rican whole fish

It looked a lot like this fish, but I have never been able to find a fish that quite matched since leaving the island. I hope that on this return trip I will find my lost Pescado.

This being said, I think that when in Puerto Rico you should try the hole in the wall places because you never know what you might find. These are just a few of the things that stick out in my mind as being my favorite, but there is so much to be had.

Experiences

When I go on a tropical vacation I will spend 97% of my time doing as little as possible on a beach. Puerto Rico has plenty of jaw-dropping beaches with fluffy powder sand and blue waters filled with a multitude of exotic fish, so even if you do decide to vegetate on the sand, you are in for an experience.

The other times I have visited the island, and for my upcoming trip, I will be bringing cheap snorkeling gear to hopefully do some see fish.

The best thing about snorkeling in Puerto Rico is the fact that you can be in very shallow water and still see some cool things. You can see from the picture above how close this woman is to the surface. I am not that strong of a swimmer, and I was able to enjoy this at 7 years old.

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Don’t go chasing waterfalls? Or DO! El Yunque national park is home to one of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful waterfalls, La Coca Falls. This fall is easily accessible from the road and has a designated viewing area making it perfect for sightseers who aren’t ready to make a treacherous hike. This being said, if you are up for the challenge there is a trail that is quoted being “not for the faint of heart”, but sometimes more difficult things are worth it.

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There are also bat caves. They look like something out of 2001 a Space Odyssey- with bats! 

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Not only are the bats very interesting, and slightly terrifying, but the cave itself is beautiful and interesting. The photo above is not an accurate representation because you are typically in a large group of people slowly following a tour guide through the cave in an elementary style single file line.

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Talking about bats, you should take a tour of the Bacardi factory in Old San Juan. I took the tour when I was in second grade, following behind my parents tasting all of the various flavors of rum, including exclusive flavors. I would love to take this tour now as a 23-year-old who is an avid fan of Bacardi lol.

This is just a snippet of all of the things Puerto Rico has to offer. I could put together a whole other article outlining food, experiences, and places to see throughout the small jammed pack island. If you are experiencing a real winter, I would suggest running away!

If you are already planning to getaway, be sure to reach out to a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist that can make your escape plan super easy.

The Best Reviewed Restaurants in the World

By | Article, Blogs, feature, Places, Tips & Tricks, Vacations

There’s been a trend online of going to the Most Expensive Restaurant in My City. I was intrigued to find out what the most expensive, highly rated restaurants were in some of the most popular cities to visit in the world. These are not something most people get to enjoy, but I found it very interesting while doing my research, even if I’ll never get to eat at any of these places.

forget about it fox GIF by makinghistory

The first city on the list is London.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London

Alain Ducasse at the dorchester_

The first restaurant is located inside of The Dorchester, a 5-star hotel in the heart of London. To give you an idea of the caliber of this posh hotel, a King Room will cost you nearly $900. The restaurant is that of Alain Ducasse, a prestigious French chef. The restaurant holds 3 Michelin Stars and is home to the Cartier Race Awards (I’ve never heard of this, but it’s probably because I am too poor).

View image on Twitter

These people have what I like to call resting rich face

This is what one person had to say about the room service at The Dorchester hotel. I am sure it is not prepared by the kitchen of Alain Ducasse, but it is incredible to see what sort of luxury food is served even when just calling for room service. Pizza served a la morceau de Bois, translation: Pizza served on a piece of wood.

will ferrell lol GIF

As for the menu at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant, there isn’t one to choose from. You pay for a 7-course experience that will cost you about $200 per person. They base their menu off of the seasons: for the Fall season, they are featuring Wild boar, mushrooms, marigolds, leeks, grapefruits, walnuts, and figs.

Here are some photos of past meals served at the restaurant:

They even over an exclusive offer to sit at the Table Lumière or the Table of lights which is located at the very center of the restaurant and surrounded by thousands of fiberoptic strings. This table will cost you around $300 per person.

It’s like a rich person’s blanket fort!

Aragawa, Tokyo

Aragawa in Tokyo topped the charts for the most highly-rated restaurant in Tokyo, along with being voted one of the most expensive dining experiences in the world. They are most well known for their saki fed Kobe beef (Purebreed Tajima Cattle to be exact), which is sourced from only one local farm. A piece of this steak will cost you around $400 US dollars.

Excuse Me Reaction GIF by Mashable

But Agawa is rated as one of the best restaurants in the world for a reason. This will quite possibly be the best steak you’ll ever taste.

Ko, New York,  New York

We couldn’t possibly do a “best of” without including New York City. There were many restaurants to choose from in the city, but Ko topped many of the food blogger’s lists that I found. Along with the rest of the restaurants on this list, this is a Michelin rated restaurant garnering 2 stars. Ko is a unique eating experience: for $255 you’ll earn yourself a front-row seat to a culinary experience. Reservations need to be made 3o days in advanced to enjoy the curated menu. You do not get to choose what your meal will be, and the website warns that you may wait up to 2.5 hours to eat. For such a steep price and wait time, we must assume the food is outstanding. I’m not sure what exactly you will be eating here but it is described as “Asian accented American meals” (along with sushi).

If you are ready to splurge on your next vacation, any of these options would be more than suffice- the biggest understatement of the century. I have to say that a couple of these have no made it to my mental bucket list.

But no matter where your next vacation will be, or how many Michelin stars your meal will have, book with Luxevo Vacations. 

Best Gardens to Visit on Your Next Getaway

By | Article, Blogs, Featured, Places, Tips & Tricks

Every once in a while, you crave walking through a curated garden with exotic flower arrangements and meticulously carved bushes (maybe just me). Today I was thinking about the time I went to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco and reminisced on how relaxing an experience it was. Today, I set out to find some of the world’s coolest gardens- on Google. What I found were some very intriguing gardens in some very cool locals.

The first is called Lotusland in Montecito, California. The gardens are nothing short of impressive garnering over 3,000 different plants. If you are staying in the Santa Barbara area this is a perfect excursion: the gardens are by appointment only and fully worth it. Lotusland was part of Madame Ganna Walska’s life work who owned the estate from 1941 until 1984 when she passed. She aided in the intricate and unusual design of the sprawling gardens.

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I think the photos speak for themselves: there are sculptures of animals, carved trees looking like towering mushrooms, and a forest of cacti. This is definitely an interesting place to get lost in.

The next garden is the Spring Gardens Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands

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This is the largest flower garden in the entire world, and arguably one of the most beautiful. The rainbow arrangements are reminiscent of the color palette at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

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Every year, an astonishing 7 Million flowers planted. The flowers can be seen during the spring months between March and May. The garden is located in the small town of Lisse, which is just about 40 minutes away from Amsterdam.

Image result for Spring Gardens Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands

Image result for Spring Gardens Keukenhof, Lisse, Netherlands

The Garden of Versailles, Versailles, France

I wouldn’t feel right about making a garden list without mentioning the Garden of Versailles. I visited the Palace of Versailles on a tour when I went to Paris with my family. We packed into a long tour bus with many other tourists and were dropped off along with many more buses full of people at the gates of the palace. If you have the opportunity, the tour of the Palace is incredible: much of the palace has been restored with all of the original furniture intact. At a certain part of the tour, you get to see the  Garden of Versailles, and it is somehow more stunning than a freaking palace.

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This garden is nothing short of….well, royal. It’s absolutely pristine and a wonder to gaze upon. It isn’t the kind of garden to lay in the grass with a picnic basket and a cheap bottle of wine: it’s more so the type of place that you tiptoe through and whisper as to not to disturb the manicured tiny trees.

Suan Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya, Thailand

Image result for Suan Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya, Thailand

The next garden is in Thailand, a place that is definitely on my bucket list. Suan Nong Nooch is the largest botanical garden in South East Asia and is absolutely astonishing. The garden is extremely intricate and is accompanied by a gorgeous mountain backdrop. This is a great place to visit any time of year because of Thailand’s year-round tropical climate. Because of this climate, they are able to keep exotic flowers at all times, and even a pineapple garden. Get lost in the various parts of this tropical wonderland, and then stop by their center for a cultural show (I wasn’t able to find out more about what these “cultural shows” are, but if they are anywhere as impressive as their plentiful plant spread, it will be amazing).

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Kew Gardens, London, England

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Not only is the Kew Gardens just as gorgeous as the rest of the gardens on this list, but it is also internationally recognized for being important in botanical research. Not to mention, it houses the largest Victorian greenhouse in the world (I didn’t know what a Victorian greenhouse was before this, but it is gorgeous). The gardens house over 50,000 plants and is also known for its architecture.

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Image result for KEW GARDENS, LONDON, ENGLAND

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London is already an awesome place to visit, but I would add this to your itinerary if I were you.

 

These are just 5 of the many beautiful gardens around the world, but I chose these because they are accompanied by fantastic locations for a great vacation. I hope that some of these have inspired you to plan your next whimsical trip. If it has, be sure to book with a Luxevo Vacations Travel Specialist which can be found on this Website, or HERE