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Tag: Travel Guides

  • A First-Timer’s Guide to the Dolomites

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    Where to stay in the Dolomites

    The Dolomites have no shortage of extraordinary accommodations, where design-forward hotels often become the destinations themselves. Forestis, perched 6,000 feet above sea level in Brixen, is a sanatorium-turned-five-star hotel with a minimalist aesthetic that embraces its surroundings. The Dolomites provide a breathtaking backdrop, visible through every angle, including the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling lobby windows or from the outdoor bed of a Tower Suite—the property’s signature among its 62 guest rooms. Daily wellness programming includes sound baths, guided Wyda forest walks inspired by Celtic wisdom, and Aufguss rituals, a 10-20 minute sauna experience where an Aufguss Master pours essential oils over hot stones and skillfully twirls a towel to circulate the air, all set to the rhythm of the music. This summer, Forestis quietly debuted Yera, the 14-course (cellphone-free) multi-sensory dining experience paired with housemade, fermented alcohol-free drinks, all set inside a cave. 

    About 90 minutes east in Avelengo, Italy’s German-speaking region, Chalet Mirabell feels like a whimsical fairytale. Anchored by a natural swimmable pond and roaming alpacas, the family-owned five-star resort caters to both families and couples with dedicated dining areas and pools for each. Adults can enjoy the variety of wellness programming offered daily, retreat to one of three pools, or head to the 65,000-square-foot spa at the heart of the property. 

    The hotel’s 70 cozy guest rooms blend natural wood and modern accents with plush furnishings in warm tones. Many of the guest rooms are equipped with fireplaces, free-standing tubs, and private balconies overlooking the mountains. For large groups or multi-generational families, choose from one of three mountain villas that can accommodate up to 12 guests. This winter, the sister property Chalet Zuegg debuts, with ski-in, ski-out access to Merano 2000, the town’s premier ski area.
    In Pinzolo (population: 3,000), Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti is the only five-star resort in Madonna di Campiglio. The nearly 54,000-square-foot spa is the resort’s crown jewel, with nine saunas and steam rooms spread out across three floors. Of the resort’s 88 alpine guest rooms and 21 residences, the Exclusive Spa Suites elevate your wellness experience to the next level. At just over 1,000 square feet, each suite features a massive whirlpool, private sauna and walk-in wardrobe for all your cozy mountain layers, hiking gear and après-ski essentials.

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    Leila Najafi

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  • A Guide to Gruyères: Why You’ll Want to Visit the Picturesque Swiss Town with Edge

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    Much more than just its namesake cheese, Gruyères is a charming Swiss village filled with quaint cobblestone streets, delicious food, and a museum filled with unexpectedly daring art. Located in the canton of Fribourg, it’s an ideal day trip from cities like Bern, Zurich and Geneva via train. But if you really want to dive into Swiss traditions and the striking surrounding landscape, it’s worth staying in the village and exploring Gruyères for a day or two. 

    The Gruyères region entices throughout the seasons; in the colder months, you can enjoy the museums and hearty cuisine, while in the summer, you can hike and enjoy outdoor dining in the town square. 

    History fans will love Chateau de Gruyères, an impossibly photogenic medieval castle with lush gardens and sweeping views of the alps. Here, you’ll find stained glass windows, knight’s armor and period furnishings, as well as contemporary art exhibitions. Looking for a sweet treat? Chocolate lovers will thoroughly enjoy spending time at Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory, where you can learn about the history and production of chocolate and explore the various shops in town, including Chocolaterie de Gruyères. Of course, you’ll also have to indulge in ample cheese eating—after all, you’re right where one of the world’s most renowned cheeses is produced, with must-see cheese shops like La Maison du Gruyère and La Chaudière Fromagerie Crèmerie. And if you find yourself in Gruyères in late September, you’ll witness one of the most adorable cow parades in Switzerland, filled with live music and centuries-old traditions.

    Much more than just a fairytale alpine village, Gruyères is a place where Swiss history collides with sci-fi realism, where traditional fondue meets daring culinary sophistication, and where cows in floral headdresses walk steps away from contemporary chic hotels. It’s Switzerland with a twist, where historic customs and futuristic imagination live side by side.

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    Rana Good

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