For East Coasters, options abound when it comes to a road trip. But for ultimate Americana nostalgia, few routes compare to winding from coastal Rhode Island to Maine. From Ocean House‘s expansive private, white-sand beach to a freshly caught seafood feast at Chatham Bars Inn, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite New England getaways, each easily combinable on a road trip.

Ocean House

Watch Hill, Rhode Island

With sweeping ocean views and a timeless elegance that evokes the ambiance of idyllic summers, the Ocean House in Rhode Island makes for a dreamy start to your New England road trip getaway. This boutique, luxury hotel with resort-like amenities is situated right on the beach and offers the highest level of service throughout the property and its forty-nine newly remodeled rooms and 18 suites. These spacious accommodations are each richly appointed to reflect the feel of a sprawling seaside estate, offering an unrivaled residential experience.

In the summertime, make sure you arrive early on Fridays so as not to miss the good, old-fashioned New England lobster boil on the beach, complete with a live band. We also love starting the evening with a glass of Veuve at the property’s Secret Garden champagne bar endorsed by Town & Country, Perks & Corks as well as Malted Barley. Other spots not to miss for a bite include Olympia Tea Room—recognized by Vanity Fair as being “famous not fancy“—as well as Ellas and Cooked Goose.

Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection

Newport, Rhode Island

Originally built by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, a scion of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, this property dates back to 1909 as a vintage Newport mansion that has been restored to its former glory. In fact, it’s one of the few private homes of the era to open its doors to welcome guests. Located right on the waterfront, The Vanderbilt is easily one of Newport’s best-kept secrets. Plus, with only thirty-three rooms and luxury suites, it’s perfectly private.

Should you want to get your legs moving, Vanderbilt is ideally situated to get out and explore – the 3.5-mile walk along the Newport Cliffs allows for the opportunity to see the town’s famous mansions. For some shopping, we recommend checking out Shore Soap Company and Thames Glass. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, a bite at The Mooring is hit the spot. Or, there’s the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Vanderbilt Grill, a sumptuous restaurant where the best local ingredients are on offer in imaginative menus which change throughout the year. For cocktails, check out Fluke and finish up at Dockside for some nightlife.

Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham, Massachusetts

Cape Cod has long been one of New England’s most honored and historic getaways, encompassing 17th-century towns and the spectacular Cape Cod National Seashore. Chatham Bars Inn is our favorite property in the region as it occupies twenty-five acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and sandy ocean beaches, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. Decades back, guests splashed in the surf, played golf in the tangy sea air, took afternoon tea on the wide veranda overlooking panoramic ocean vistas, and dined on the best New England cuisine, featuring fresh-from-the-ocean seafood. Today, you can enjoy the resort lifestyle as so many did, so long ago, at Chatham Bars Inn, lovingly restored to its original grandeur, yet completely updated with the latest amenities.

When you’re ready for an adventure, there are options abound. The property has a fleet of boats for sportfishing, sailing, and day trips to Nantucket Island. No matter if you choose to relax or take up one of the activities, you’ll be sure to feel the quintessential New England vibe. If you’d like to get off property, we adore Chatham Wine Bar and The Squire for cocktails before heading to dinner at Bluefin Sushi & Sake Bar.

Cliff House Maine

Cape Neddick, Maine

Conveniently located in Southern Maine between Ogunquit and York, your New England road trip will take you an hour’s drive north of Boston and a forty-minute drive from Portland. Cliff House is one of the most captivating oceanfront destinations of its kind after a landmark transformation. The property is set on the edge of the Atlantic on the rocky coast of Southern Maine with year-round activities. Cliff House offers panoramic ocean and coastal views from over 130 stylish rooms and suites. The hotel is also just a short distance from Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, one of the country’s largest.

Guests will have no trouble staying entertained and active at Cliff House Maine. In addition to having countless wonderful spots to simply relax and enjoy the remarkable ocean views, they also have many options for those who crave a more engaging experience. Amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a beautiful luxury spa, and access to the challenging course at the adjacent Cape Neddick Golf Club. Be sure to stop at Walkers, the ultimate stop for a bite, or The Front Porch for cocktails.

White Barn Inn, Auberge Collection

Kennebunkport, Maine

Located in the beautiful coastal town of Kennebunkport, your New England road trip culminates in a stay at White Barn Inn. This staple has been a beloved local landmark for over 150 years, synonymous with warm New England hospitality, rustic charm, and uncompromising attention to detail. Just a ninety-minute drive north of Boston, this inviting property is renowned as one of the country’s most distinctive getaways. The twenty-six-room inn is super cozy, offering guests supreme levels of quality, luxury, and service. Beyond our favorite waterfront cottages, there is a swimming pool and convenient access to fine shopping and art galleries in the charming coastal town of Kennebunkport.

Ocean and Earth at Hidden Pond are your go-tos for a bite off of the property, while we love Old Vines Wine Bar or 50 Local for a drink. But, for the best-kept secret, be sure to check out Little Barn for farm-to-table delights. For a fine dining experience, The White Barn Restaurant has both a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star endorsement to satisfy the ultimate foodie. Try the 9-course chef’s tasting menu for a true culinary experience!

If you too are seeking your next read – ideally one that’ll pair perfectly with vacation – look no further than The Summer Place by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner. We had the chance to chat with Jennifer about her latest hit. We loved discussing everything from her love for Provincetown’s inclusive vibe to how she was made to embrace the Coastal Grandmother aura that her characters so flawlessly embody.

SmartFlyer: “The Summer Place” is your third consecutive novel set on Cape Cod. What about this special destination draws you back time and time again?

Jennifer Weiner: The outer Cape is where I spent summers when I was a girl. My parents would rent a cottage and me and my four siblings would spend days on the beach, braving dips in the icy ocean water, walking on the dunes, and then spending nights in Provincetown, eating seafood and watching the drag queens work the crowds on Commercial Street before their shows. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and I wanted to bring readers there, if only in their imaginations.

SF: Your style of storytelling embraces places – in this case, a family home on the Outer Cape – as characters in their own right. How has your personal journey developed this connection to the places that we love acting almost like people?

JW: When I was growing up, home was the place that I couldn’t wait to leave. But I can remember so many details about the houses I grew up in – the color of the wallpaper in the kitchen; the feel of the velvet-upholstered sofa in the living room, the smell of the tomato plants in the garden. I’ve spent more than twenty-five years in Philadelphia, where I’ve lived in an apartment and two houses, all on the same block. I definitely feel like my neighborhood has a character, and it wasn’t too hard to imagine a house having a character, too. A house is the structure you buy, but a home goes beyond the physical. It’s an idea that you construct, in layers, over time, made of conversations and memories, the books and objects on the shelves, the art that hangs on the walls. Giving voice to a house was one of my favorite parts of writing THE SUMMER PLACE, and I hope it will make readers think about the ‘characters’ of their own homes.

SF: One of your characters uses the playground of P-Town to dip a toe into its robust LGBTQ+ friendly offerings. What is your favorite aspect of Provincetown’s inclusive daytime and nightlight scene?

…everyone feels welcome, from the straight married couples with toddlers wearing sunhats and sunscreen to the single men wearing Speedos and glitter.

JW: I LOVE Provincetown. I love how wild and free of a place it is, how it feels isolated and special and other-than, and how it invites people to be any version of themselves that they want to be in that moment. When you walk around, you can see every type of family and every kind of love (and if you’re in Provincetown for Pride or Carnivale, you’ll see some delightfully raucous parades in town). What I love the most is how everyone feels welcome, from the straight married couples with toddlers wearing sunhats and sunscreen to the single men in line for the tea dance, wearing Speedos and glitter.

SF: “The Summer Place” was serving Coastal Grandmother before it was even a trend! Tell us more about the CG promise that your best days are still ahead of you.

…the CG holds out the promise that you can still be the main character in your own life, that getting older hasn’t reduced you to playing the smaller supporting roles.

JW: Most trends are completely unattainable for the vast majority of women – especially women who’ve passed through their teens and twenties. The Coastal Grandmother is that rarest of aesthetics: she’s an attainable ideal who offers the promise of comfort – in your clothes, in your home, in your own skin. And, just like Diane Keaton in a Nancy Meyers movie, the CG holds out the promise that you can still be the main character in your own life, that getting older hasn’t reduced you to playing the smaller supporting roles.

I loved writing Veronica, the matriarch and Coastal Grandmother of THE SUMMER PLACE. In my own life, I feel like I’ve been prepping to be a Coastal Grandmother for years. I love linen, I love to garden, I’ve cooked a million Ina Garten recipes and I’m never happier than when I’m settling down for an early bedtime with a good book. I never thought I’d live to see the day when those things were the signifiers of a hip, hot lifestyle, but I’m overjoyed that it’s here!

SF: You’ve been proclaimed the boss of the beach read by the New York Times; what elements do you think are integral for a story that readers don’t want to put down – beach or not?

JW: There’s nothing more important than your characters. You have to write about people your readers care about. Once you’ve got your person, you can decide what her journey will be, and where that journey will take place, and who will be making that journey with her. You can layer in your gorgeous, beach-y setting, add romance or intrigue or a corpse on a kitchen floor. But every good story starts with a compelling protagonist, who’s got some kind of flaw or need or empty place inside of her that she’s figuring out how to fill. Once readers are on board with your main character, you can do almost anything — but it all starts with writing someone readers care about.

SF: Whether by bike or traveling on a book tour, you’re often on the road. What are your must-pack items when you’re away?

I am a proselytizer for packing cubes, which help me keep my clothes organized, and I try to remember to bring cash, especially smaller bills, for tipping.

JW: You’re going to laugh – God knows my husband and my bike-trip friends do – but I will not leave home without a scented candle. In these days of COVID, hotel rooms can smell aggressively of bleach or industrial-strength cleaners, or just funky, and a scented candle makes any place smell like home (my winter favorite is Maison Margiela’s By the Fireplace, and in the warmer months I like Linnea’s mint-scented candle). I am a proselytizer for packing cubes, which help me keep my clothes organized, and I try to remember to bring cash, especially smaller bills, for tipping. Finally and most essentially, I always have a backup battery for my phone, which is especially important when I’m cycling alone.

https://youtu.be/6by9F_bxTSI

Order Your Copy of The Summer Place on Bookshop!

This Southern staple is teeming with local gems across the culinary, music, and art spaces just waiting to be discovered  – so, it only makes sense that you select a stay in a hotel just as unique. Our friends at 21c Museum Hotels are here to offer the perfect place to make your Nashville home away from home as well as a launchpad for discovering the city’s local art gems.

Stay

21c Museum Hotel Nashville is an art-filled escape just a few blocks from Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena, and the entertainment along Broadway. This one-of-a-kind multi-venue property features a world-class contemporary art museum, boutique hotel, restaurant, spa, and rooftop penthouse suite. Originally built in 1900 as the home of Gray & Dudley Hardware Co., 21c and Deborah Berke Partners converted the hardware store into a 124-room hotel and one of the most vibrant Nashville art galleries.

One of the things that makes this hotel a top choice in Nashville is its vibrant contemporary art museum, open 24/7 and free to all guests. Along with their docent-guided tours, you can also partake in the art gallery’s weekly programming including a speaker series, curator talkbacks, poetry readings, and even yoga accompanied by its art collection. The accommodations are also as enticing as the hotel’s communal spaces; the exclusive penthouse suite – with sweeping views of the Cumberland River and downtown – embodies Nashville’s vibrant spirit. Additionally, a dining table for ten can be set on its spacious wrap-around terrace making this suite ideal for making memories with your travel companions.

The Gulch

The Gulch is the dynamic heart of Nashville. It’s the first LEED ND neighborhood in the South, meaning it’s engineered to be sustainable as well as filled with the very best in retail, dining, and entertainment. There are countless photo ops for you to take advantage of here, including the famous #WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural. To dive even deeper into the neighborhood, we’ve teamed up with 21c Museum Hotels to round up our list of Nashville art galleries you won’t want to miss.

Frist Art Museum

The Frist Art Museum is a cultural focal point for the Nashville art gallery community. Celebrating 20th anniversary in 2021, this museum presents over a dozen exhibitions including prestigious world art and exciting in-house shows. One highlight is their award-winning Martin ArtQuest (MAQ) Gallery. This experience guides multigenerational groups through a hands-on art experience. Whether it’s a crash course in animation or creating sand art through sound, this museum is ideal for those looking for more than the usual gallery walk experience.

Hatch Show Print

Nashville’s iconic illustrations originated here at Hatch Show Print. This working letterpress print shop opened in 1879 and continues to churn out a vast collection of vintage type and hand-carved imagery. Venues across the country also feature this Nashville art gallery’s vibrant layered prints, from the Ryman Auditorium to the International Printing Museum on the West coast. The shop now operates as a working museum within the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, providing educational experiences on this distinct style of graphic design.

Wine + Dine Nearby

Gertie’s Whiskey Bar
Station Inn
Adele
E+Rose
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Chauhan Ale & Masala House
Otaku Ramen

WeHo

Wedgewood-Houston or “WeHo” is an up-and-coming area that is quickly becoming the neighborhood with all the hot spots for locals. Many Nashville art galleries have popped up in this area such as The Wedge Building and Zeitgeist Gallery. If you happen to find yourself in town on the first Saturday of the month, you can even participate in the first Saturday Weho Art Crawl.

The Wedge Building

There’s always something exciting going down at The Wedge Building. This Nashville art gallery’s husband-and-wife team took this warehouse chic structure and transformed it into a multi-venue destination. The Gallery invites guests to lounge in a 2000 square-foot, semi-private exhibition room filled with local art. Then if you’re feeling peckish, the Loading Dock is right next door with its funky wall murals and tasty bites.

The Free Nashville Poetry Library

In addition to being a proponent for the city’s bardic community, The Free Nashville Poetry Library library also hosts an Open-Air Maker’s Bazaar the first Saturday of every month. This show-and-sell art crawl features a variety of works all from new artists across Music City. Some of these items include (but are definitely not limited to): experimental printing, indie illustrations, comic books, and textiles.

Zeitgeist

Since 1994, Zeitgeist serves as a brave space for new artists to experiment and showcase their works. Much like what its name entails, the artists and exhibitions featured here capture the current and future of the Nashville art scene. The body of work on display is why this gallery stands out amongst the many in the WeHo Art Crawl.

Wine + Dine Nearby

Diskin Cider
Never Never
Flamingo Cocktail Club
Earnest Bar & Hideaway

Downtown Nashville

From Broadway to Honky Tonk Highway, Downtown Nashville is the place to get a sampling of everything the city has to offer. Here, visitors can experience an electric blend of music, chef-driven dining, and shopping. In addition to the ample music and entertainment that echoes across the streets, you can treat yourself to some of Nashville’s art galleries that match embody the lively downtown.

Chauvet Arts Nashville

We love talking intentions here at SmartFlyer, which is why Chauvet Arts Nashville was a natural pick for this guide through the city’s art galleries. Dedicated to hyper-personalized art curation, this gallery commits itself to creating environments that “Stand Out with Art that Matters”. If you’re on the search for your next pièce de résistance, then look no further than their team of consultants ready to assist.

Tinney Contemporary

The Tinney Contemporary is a Nashville art gallery that features artists from across the globe. Located on the ground floor of the Kress building, this gallery helped establish the neighborhood’s First Saturday Art Crawl. Past exhibitions include a wide variety of sculptures, street art, wildlife photography, and immersive installations.

Wine + Dine Nearby

Assembly Food Hall
AJ’s Good Time Bar
Boqueria
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar

East Nashville

This neighborhood is the stomping ground for the city’s most culturally-diverse and eclectic locals and visitors alike. East Nashville helped make the city part of America’s cultural zeitgeist in the early nineties as a culinary destination with beloved restaurants such as Margot Cafe & Bar and Marche Artisan Foods. Locals still frequent the many craft cocktail joints, coffee shops, vintage stores, and Nashville art galleries sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.

Red Arrow Gallery

If you’re a contemporary art connoisseur, then Red Arrow is a must-visit if you’re on the lookout for your new favorite artist. The exhibits at Red Arrow are a highlight; the collection here is crafted to usher in a new wave of inclusive and experimental art. This manifests in many ways, from multimedium paintings to an immersive chapel dedicated to exploring queer narratives through glitter art.

Raven & Whale Gallery

Raven & Whale Gallery is your go-to spot for a dash of the surreal. Founded by Jason Brueck and Kate Harrold – husband-and-wife team – the gallery is dedicated to their body of photo surrealistic work. Here, guests are encouraged to engage with a blend of imagery that deals with the concepts of time and youth. There are also opportunities to both begin your art collection or find a stunning new addition to your own gallery wall.

Wine + Dine Nearby

Attaboy
Dino’s
Rosemary and Beauty Queen
Two Ten Jack

Ready to rock through Music City, U.S.A.? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisors to get started on your itinerary.

For this expedition through the southern tip of South America, SmartFlyer clients adore Rio Palena Lodge by Eleven Experience as a home base. This riverfront oasis provides guests with an exciting array of angling and adventure offerings. Couple natural beauty and Chilean customs with world-class guide teams and hyper-customizable itineraries, and you’ve got an unparalleled Patagonian escape.

Here’s your preview of one of Chile’s most exciting stays.

The Art of Accommodations

Rio Palena Lodge’s seven suites offer unmatched access to adventure and tasteful amenities. Situated directly along its namesake river, this luxury hotel occupies 35 acres in the breathtaking Andean valley. The lodge was designed by No. 12 Interiors, a design team that carefully considers the local architecture and cultural aesthetic when outfitting a space. The designers constructed spaces inspired by indigenous Mapuche textiles and Spanish colonial accents. Modern Chilean artists also stamped the space with the region’s signature flair.

Rio Palena’s suite interiors are sure to leave guests in awe. For example, each of the accommodation’s colossal windows open up to the emerald Chilean landscape. You can feel their love for detail as you step out from the shower and onto the Chilean-made cement tiles. After freshening up, kick back and read your book of choice by a fireplace fashioned from the Palena River rocks. If you’re looking to stay in for dinner, then step onto their river-facing patio with a quincho barbecue site. Gather here after an action-packed day to appreciate one of Chile’s greatest costumbres (customs): a Patagonian Asado. More to come on that in a bit.

Cultural Chilena

Upon arrival, Rio Palena Lodge’s local chefs, guides, and experience managers invite you to share the country’s rich traditions. Chile’s culture distinguishes it from all of its neighbors, right down to its one-of-a-kind colloquialisms and faster-than-light speech patterns. And on the dinner table, you can find native dishes and beverages from Patagonia topping this luxury hotel’s menu.

Native dishes and beverages from Patagonia top this luxury hotel’s menu.

Taste the comfort of Chilean empanadas prepped in a traditional mud oven alongside sopaipillas con pebre, Chile’s favorite appetizer. Additionally, the garden salads are delicious and topped with avocados bigger than your whole hand! If you’re craving a taste for the sea, then try the hotel’s colorful offering of mussels, scallops, sea bass, salmon, and congrio fresh from the Pacific. Thanks to Chile’s diversity of ecosystems, an expansive array of world-renowned wines are procured for any guest’s palate. But you haven’t tasted Chile until you’ve imbibed an ever-popular Pisco Sour, a citrusy tart cocktail poured with native Pisco liquor and topped with delicately frothed egg whites.

The pinnacle of Eleven Experience’s immersion into local tradition, however, is the world-famous Asados. The event kicks off outdoors in the special Asado zone, situated along the banks of the Palena across from the lodge’s sweeping lawn. Afterward, guests are invited to rendezvous around a large-scale barbeque marked with local lamb and beef. Enjoy gaucho games, live music, and traditional dancing while the lodge’s expert chefs put the finishing touches on your meal. In summary, this luxury hotel’s experience truly captures Chilean Patagonia, blending the many sides of the country’s culture into one spectacular night.

A Peek into Palena Life

Rio Palena Lodge prides itself on being steps ahead of its guests’ wants and needs in every occasion. Need waders? They’re already packed with every kind of rod, reel, and line you might want. Ready for dinner? It’s already been prepared, with locally sourced hors d’oeuvres and delectable entrée flavors. A bit parched on an excursion? A cooler’s within reach, containing a Chilean favorite mote con huesillo and – of course – a few bubbly options.

But instead of hypotheticals, we thought it’d be best to show how you can spend your Patagonian adventure.

Fish on the Palena

After a chef-prepared breakfast, head out with your angling guides for a full-day float. Eleven Experience’s guides live and breathe fishing outside of work and are experts in helping you land your dream catch. Firstly, wade or float right out to Chile’s famed fisheries outside the front door of the lodge. Then, allow the guides to help you snag a 20-inch brown trout out of the Palena, Rio Yelcho, or the lower Futa.

Hike through Patagonia’s rainforests

Fishing not your beat? Then let your guides lead you on a hike to indulge in one of Patagonia’s most remote corners. Step under the canopy of the region’s vibrant rainforests, strewn with cascading waterfalls and magnificent overlooks. While you explore, let the guides introduce you to the Alerce trees that have stood there for over two millennia. Perhaps catch a glimpse of the pudu, the smallest deer in the world.

Raft the Big River rapids

First, feast on a riverfront lunch accompanied by vino tinto after a morning on your own. Then, set out to whitewater raft the internationally-acclaimed Futaleufú River, named for its native Mapuche translation of “big river.” Let your adrenaline charge you through the rapids as your guide directs you down this thrilling aquatic excursion. Finally, polish off the day with stargazing from the outdoor wood-fired hot tub. Whatever your preferred agenda, your guides’ infectious spirit and unrivaled know-how will create a day that will exceed all expectations. Whether you’re enticed by the rich culture or want to unwind in a truly remote oasis, Eleven Experience’s Rio Palena Lodge luxury hotel packs a punch while connecting you to the heart and soul of Chilean Patagonia.

Ready to begin planning your Chilean adventure? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor to get started.

While we relish in an itinerary with ample off-property dining, a resort with exceptional culinary offerings allows for true relaxation. Our friends at Rosewood Miramar Beach – one of Santa Barbara’s most sought-after hotels since its recent opening – offer some dreamy eateries for you to enjoy without ever having to leave. Set along one of Southern California’s most beautiful coastlines, this estate-style stay takes full advantage of the sun-washed climate. Additionally, its coastal locale provides guests an exploration of local heritage and culture and – most importantly – exquisite culinary journeys. This luxurious resort is renowned for its exceptional service owed to the expertly crafted experiences by a Michelin-starred Italian chef.

But, before we take a taste of what the chef has to offer, here’s a little sampling of frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara.

Where is Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara – also known as the American Riviera – rests on the central California coast just a short drive away from the iconic Malibu coastline. With the Santa Ynez Mountains serving as a dramatic backdrop, this Mediterranean-style city reflects its Spanish colonial heritage with its white stucco buildings with red-tile roofing. A slow drive through the neighborhood reveals how this destination blends history with modern boutiques, wineries, and romantic restaurants. Then, choose from tours of the historical Mission Santa Barbara to sea kayaking through the Channel Islands’ vibrant caves.

What should I expect from Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Rosewood Miramar Beach?

“The world-class resort conveys an elegant yet casual atmosphere, offering iconic sophistication and refined modernity.”

At its core, each outpost from Rosewood Hotels & Resorts embraces A Sense of Place® philosophy that reflects the culture, history, and geography of its locale. And Rosewood Miramar Beach is no exception. Named one of the world’s best new resorts in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Hot List, this beachfront resort is one of the most cherished Santa Barbara hotels. This is largely because it’s located directly on one of the region’s most pristine coastlines and just a few minute’s drive from picturesque Montecito. California-based SmartFlyer travel advisor Katie Lee reflects back on her recent stay, saying, “The world-class resort conveys an elegant yet casual atmosphere, offering iconic sophistication and refined modernity. The resort’s unparalleled level of service is attentive and professional, yet never pretentious.”

Rosewood Miramar Beach immediately immerses guests in a timeless coastal retreat that encapsulates the hotel’s name “to behold the sea”. For example, Sense, A Rosewood Spa – Santa Barbara’s only Forbes Five-Star spa – offers treatments inspired by the coast’s native plants. According to Southern California-based SmartFlyer travel advisor Michelle Manas, even the rooms capture a feeling of belonging, adding that “Residential exclusivity inspires the resort’s 161 spacious accommodations across 16 acres of rolling lawns and mature landscaping.” In short, this blend of romantic experiences creates a truly idyllic beach escape.

What’s the food like at Rosewood Miramar Beach?

The romantic outlets here offer a delightful range of culinary options. Firstly, Massimo’s Garden is a quintessential Montecito experience with seasonal coastal cuisine harvested from the surrounding garden and string-lit ambience. The bounty of offerings from local farmers, foragers, and fishermen inspire this exclusive chef-led experience. Dinner features a custom menu fully prepared in the garden with the chef’s tips and tricks demonstrated throughout each course. The new selection of bespoke picnics features world-renowned wine and champagne brands including Chateau d’Esclans, Dom Pérignon, Krug, and Ruinart. Then, each is paired with customized menus of light bites and desserts and offers a multi-sensory experience as an escape-within-an-escape. These are stylish approaches to some very effortless food: always fun, unfussy, and comfortable.

Caruso’s is a particularly delightful experience, serving a colorful assortment above the sand with expansive ocean views. Described by the Michelin Guide as a “special-occasion haven” and one of their most delightful choices for those looking for a romantic restaurant, contemporary Californian food with Italian leanings is the kitchen’s dictum. Executive Chef Massimo Falsini dives more into how this restaurant’s menu is ethically crafted, explaining, “The only way to achieve greatness in food is to respect the environment, animal welfare, and health. This is the only way to deliver the experience. The menu is alive, dynamic with constant changes, tweaks, and adjustments. At times, we have ingredients that are available for a couple of weeks or even a one-off from a micro-farm. We always take the opportunity to find room in our dishes and have the guests enjoy it.”

Who’s the creative genius behind Rosewood Miramar Beach’s restaurants?

…this Italian-native’s enogastronomic touch is felt throughout every delicious bite and sip.

As you may have guessed, Massimo Falsini spearheads this beachfront haven’s culinary journey. Falsini joined the romantic Rosewood Miramar Beach with more than thirty years of experience in the food and beverage industry. He’s also worked in top restaurants across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. You may have heard of Rome’s legendary Harry’s Bar, where he helmed their kitchen and earned them a Michelin Star. And you can bet that whether you’re immersed in The Manor Bar’s sophisticated pre-or post-dinner libations, enjoying some light seaside nourishment at Miramar Beach Bar, or lounging poolside with a decadent dessert from the Scoop Shop, this Italian-native’s enogastronomic touch is felt throughout every delicious bite and sip.

We checked in with Massimo Falsini to get some deeper insight into what inspires his work at Rosewood Miramar Beach.

We understand you’re from Rome originally and over the past thirty years, have worked in kitchens all over the world. What was your inspiration to pursue the culinary arts in those early years?

Cooking is not just the process of preparing food by applying heat: we are changing its flavor, texture, consistency, and appearance. We are giving it something from our heart, something magic. This is what I live for and obsess over: the transformation. Obviously, Mediterranean cuisine is my forte, and while Italy and Southern France are the pillars of my culinary background, spending some time in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii has influenced my relationship with food. I strive to find harmony and balance in flavors.

A Chef is Chef in their hearth, and we are all passionate about ingredients, flavors, and colors. I would say that I interpret the flavors as color and vice versa, with the ingredients always being the stars. At the end of the day, I am just a cook. A cook that has been cooking like my ancestors used to. A cook that comes from the land of the myth, a land of explorers, poets, and artists where erupted landscapes meet the sea and the sky, just like the American Riviera.

How have you infused your Southern Italian roots into the coastal Montecito dishes across the various Rosewood Miramar Beach dining outlets?

…the South of Italy has been “the garden of Europe,” just like California is for the US.

I am from Rome, which is actually the Center of Italy, not South. My culinary background is mostly from the heart of the South of Italy because my mentors were from the Naples area where much of the greatness of Italian cuisine resides; historically, the South of Italy has been “the garden of Europe,” just like California is for the US. So, the correlation becomes natural. The influx of Southern Italian cuisine is not so much in the recipe development per se, but in the application of the freshest local ingredients while following the seasons and nurturing the relationship with the farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. Just like we do in Italy. My “Italianity” really comes to life in Caruso’s menus.

The guest experience at Caruso’s is so special, characterized by sustainable resources that highlight the region’s rich gastronomy. How did you design the menu with sustainability at the forefront while never sacrificing on taste?

Well, take the artichoke for example: an ugly, rough cardoon that’s difficult to clean, cook, and has a poor yield. While you are cleaning them, peeling them, carving them with your paring knife, you give them something from yourself. Again, something magic. Just place them in some good extra virgin olive oil, with some garlic and lemon and good salt, cook them slowly – with respect – making sure their leaves are not falling from the stem. The results are mind-blowing.

You know, the perfection of Mother Nature is under our eyes, every day. We just forgot how to look at it, how to spot it. Just look at a Romanesco cauliflower and observe its geometry. Really look at it, and you’ll know.

Ready to experience the most romantic restaurants in Santa Barbara? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor and get cooking.

But, Louisville is so much more than the Derby and there’s never been a better time to highlight the wide-ranging gems throughout this southern city. We checked in with Louisville-based travel advisor Erin Trager Kusman – momma of twins, avid runner, and equally dedicated foodie – and her right hand, Taylor Cremo, to round up their tried and true local favorites.

Stay

• 21c Museum Hotel Louisville: Swanky, provocative and chic with art around every corner, 21c makes you feel completely removed from the city outside its walls (in a good way). Its minimal and modern design is the perfect backdrop for the surprising art scattered throughout the hotel. From the award-winning restaurant and bar to the gallery space and interactive art, you could spend a weekend here without leaving the hotel.
• Omni Louisville Hotel: Nestled in the heart of downtown, the Omni arrived to the scene in 2018, mixing Louisville hospitality with luxe modernity. Walking its expansive footprint, you’ll find a refined leather-clad library bar, an exclusive bourbon tasting room, a classic steak house, a rooftop pool, the Mokara Spa, a food hall, and even stumble into a speakeasy-style bowling alley, Pin & Proof.
• Hermitage Farm: This five-bedroom a historic home on a thoroughbred horse farm will be the city’s newest product upon opening in mere months. A legacy project for 21c founders Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown, the site includes a bourbon lounge, a direct farm-to-table restaurant, and the exceptional modern art we’ve all come to expect.

Play

• ​Bernheim and Yew Dell​ Gardens: Kentucky is the land of limestone, which lends to great bourbon, and even greater waterways, rolling hills and steep cliffs for climbing. If you don’t have time to make it out to a state park, Bernheim Arboretum and the Yew Dell Gardens host well-marked trails with exceptional lookouts educational centers, at only 30 minutes away from downtown.
• Speed Art Museum: A stunning glass structure in the middle of the University of Louisville’s campus, you’ll find Dali to Degas, and a killer cinema schedule to boot. If you happen to visit on a third Friday, “After Hours at the Speed” boasts special exhibit activities, performances, a themed menu and bar, and always a silent disco.
• Portland Museum: Located on the west side of Louisville, this charming museum highlights the heritage and communities that make-up Louisville, engaging you in exploration.
• Rent a bike: Visit the lush parks and neighborhoods with a rented bicycle! From Cherokee Park – designed by Olmsted of Central Park – you can ride through the streets of the Highland neighborhoods even to Old Louisville, taking in all the charm of renovated mansions and their carriage houses.
• Night Racing at the track: Check out the Churchill Downs calendar to catch the thrill of the race with none of the crowds.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby Festival is heralded as a “two-week party for the fastest two minutes in sports” including Oaks, Thurby, a parade, and even a day off of school for the kids! The true local experience comes from attending one of the house parties hosted all over the city. But no matter where you celebrate, months of preparation go into custom Derby Hats and showy outfits. Don’t be afraid of color when picking out your Derby look – men are breaking out the patterns too!

Insider Tips:

1. While Derby is Louisville’s big holiday, horse-racing doesn’t stop there! With Oaks the day before, and “Thurby“ before that, there are ample opportunities to don a hat and place your bets!
2. For Derby Day, there are many seating options at the track and where you sit will greatly impact not just your view of the race but the vibe of your day. The infield is notorious for turning into a mudbath – rain or shine – so enter at your own risk. The 300 level boxes are thought to be some of the best seats in the house if you want cover (rain is notorious on Derby day!) but to still be in the mix for the wonderful people and hat watching. And of course, you’ll have stellar views of the track if you remember to watch the racing! Boxes seat six people and are truly just marked off blocks of concrete above the grandstand with six folding chairs – all part of the experience.
3. Pick your horses the night before. This will help expedite placing your bets upon arrival. Make sure you file your tickets safely away in your wallet for later reference!
4. Don’t forget, it’s “Lou-a-vul”, not “Lou-is-ville”. If you want to fit in, proudly use your best country accent and pronounce it like the locals do.

Classic Mint Julep

Of course, the traditional drink of the Derby is the mint julep, and over 120,000 are said to be consumed at the race each year. Here’s the classic recipe.

8 mint leaves plus a sprig

Add mint and simple to glass and gently muddle. Add the bourbon and enough crushed ice to fill the glass 3/4 of the way up, then swizzle your ingredients! Fill glass the rest of the way up with crushed ice and insert straw and mint sprig.

Sip

Bourbon distilleries have come back to downtown’s historic Whiskey Row, gentrification is preserving its oldest neighborhood and reviving another industrial pocket. A recent trend finds distilleries with their main locations out in the gorgeous rolling hills on the “Bourbon Trail” and bringing smaller interactive spaces into the city center.

• Quills Firehouse: To kick off your day with some morning espresso, this nationally recognized roaster is right downtown in a renovated Fire station. Find a seat in the backyard for a true reprieve.
• Angel’s Envy: Once you’re ready to shift to something strong, Angel’s Envy is located right next to Louisville’s Slugger Field. They offer one of the best Louisville tours where at the end, you get access the upstairs bar (with a cocktail!) which is not open to the public.
• Rabbit Hole Distillery: This spot takes distilling into the new age, where there’s no going back once you fall! In addition to the copper stills, the modern architecture houses, modern American art and mid-century style tasting room.
• Hell or Highwater: When you make a reservation here (a must), request the library room. Upon arrival, look for the brightly-lit closet-sized room on Whiskey Row, from there you’ll be led to the velvet-clad, dimly lit speakeasy.
• Expo: A brand new bar with an unsuspecting atmosphere, this dive does everything: high-class high ball drinks to a concoction you take with a special “berry” dreamt up by the well-traveled staff. If you go in the evening, expect locals and black lights.
• Castle and Key: After a long renovation, the beautiful grounds and European-esque buildings of Castle and Key are open for touring. Choose from five different personalized, sensory experiences that set it apart beyond the typical Kentucky gin and vodka offerings!
• Alex&er: A cocktail bar that toes the line between funky and serious with incredible city views. It happens to be in yet another distillery, but this time a brandy, gin, and absinthe distillery to expand the palette!
• Nouvelle: If you’re looking for a bourbon break, the seriously knowledgable staff and surrounding gardens at Nouvelle are your respite. Wine up and wind down, right in the city.
• The Champagnery: If bubbles are what you’re after,  sip on a bottle here in a bright, almost pearlescent atmosphere. Call ahead and see about live music for the perfect experience!
• Galaxie: For your spicy margarita pick-me-up, look no further. In the summertime, follow the locals through the back to an outdoor DJ set for late-night dancing. (beware: Louisville bars are open until 4am!)

Dine

• Blue Dog: The ultimate brunch spot to see and be seen, you’ll feel like a true local here. The real stars on the menu are their flaky European-style pastries and artisan bread.
• Red Hog: Walk down the street to from Blue Dog to this sister location, where they exchange ovens for an open flame. They also have a butcher shop with delicious to-go items.
• 610 Magnolia​​: Famed Chef Edward Lee’s 610 Magnolia is a world-class culinary experience housed in the historic Old Louisville neighborhood. The locally sourced prix fixe menu changes weekly, making it a stop for each visit.
• Decca: Louisvillians know her talent, but for those that don’t, know that the executive chef Annie Pettry was a Top Chef candidate, and in addition to crafting delectable dishes, she’s created a moody, unpretentious downstairs cellar with jazz each Monday.
• Gralehaus and Holy Grale: Cafe in the front and party in the back, with a beer garden in between. In this tiny restored 1905 church, you’ll find craft and European beers alongside gastropub fare, and the most knowledgeable bartenders. Find a spot to sit in the choir loft.
• Feast BBQ: There’s a line out the door for a reason. Don’t forget to add a bourbon slushie!
• Please & Thank You: Voted “best chocolate chip cookie” by just about everyone who walks in the door, you have to stop here when in town.
• Mozza Pi: A quick jaunt outside of the city will bring you to the charming neighborhood of Anchorage where a meticulously restored barn houses a serious wood-fired oven for perfectly charred pies.
• Mayan Cafe: A long-standing local favorite for authentic, seasonal Mayan food. Grab a table outside to watch the passerby’s on this boutique shopping street, and please order the lima beans. You won’t regret it!
• Barn8 at Hermitage Farms: Set to open soon, this highly anticipated spot will be the pinnacle of farm-to-table, with organic and local (like just-down-the-dirt-lane local) ingredients.

Ready to get your Louisville on? We can help.