Daryn Schwartz

I had the opportunity to tour Chateau Voltaire while wandering around Paris. It is a newly renovated boutique hotel in the 2nd ARR located between the Jardin des Tuileries, the Opera Garnier and the Louvre. The hotel offers 31 rooms and 1 suite. It is right in the heart of the city so it is perfect for someone that wants to hit all of the tourist spots while staying in a high end area with great shopping. The hotel now resides in the old Zadig and Voltaire headquarters and is owned by the founder himself.

I had the pleasure of touring Cheval Blanc Paris. The hotel overlooks the Seine and the new Louis Vuitton Yayoi Kusama art installation. The contemporary hotel houses 72 rooms along six floors. The spa has a 30-meter lap pool with views of the Seine, a Hammam, sauna, cold shower and fully equipped fitness and yoga studio. They also offer a hair salon on site with Dior products.

I visited Hôtel Madame Rêve located in the Sentier neighborhood of Paris. The hotel opened two years ago after undergoing a nine-year renovation inside the old, 19th century post office. The hotel takes up an entire city block. All 82 rooms are found on the 3rd floor, providing a city or garden view. Just down the street you’ll find Bourse De Commerce-Pinault Collection, Jardin du Palais Royal and the Louvre. Local Parisian shops, as well as high end shopping are steps away.

I had the pleasure of staying at Forestis, a five-star luxury spa escape in the Dolomites. The newly renovated hotel opened its doors in 2020, housing 69 rooms. The property is nestled between Plose mountain in the South Tyrolean Alps and the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

London is the perfect destination for travelers interested in a stopover enriched with culture and charm. The city is even more magical during the holiday season, decked out with elaborate Christmas décor with lights lining the busy streets. When you need a quiet escape, the London EDITION is the perfect place to stay.

The Faroe Islands are the ultimate, off the grid destination for any adventure enthusiast. The islands are located off the coast of Iceland yet are a territory of Denmark. Faroe Island translates to 'sheep island', which you will see many of! The 18-island archipelago offers incredible views and terrain unlike any other location in the world.

Africa is unlike any other place in the world. Couple beautiful sunsets, safari and culture all into one and you have the ultimate destination. Tanzania is particularly special due to its proximity to Mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Serengeti. Tanzania is great to visit at any age and is truly an unforgettable destination.

Sweden is the perfect escape at any time of year. My favorite time to visit is in the dead of winter when the Northern Lights are at their peak. While this country offers beautiful coastal beaches and sun until 1 am in the summer, I prefer a snow-covered landscape. The Swedish comfort food is quite complimentary to this time of year as well. You can enjoy the bustling city of Stockholm and venture out to the remote Lapland region to experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis.

I have been traveling to Paris over the last 10 years and it is the one city I will never get tired of. Paris offers the best food, fashion, culture and architecture out of anywhere I've been in the world. I have visited during every season and have loved seeing the city all throughout the year. When visiting Paris you have so many options when planning your itinerary. Their train system is so efficient you can travel to another county in under an hour or tour several wine regions throughout France without stepping foot in a vehicle. I can't think of anything better than sipping champagne on the lawn of the Eiffel Tower and watching it sparkle at dusk.

San Sebastian is the perfect coastal escape, found in the Northern Basque region of Spain. It is a great change of pace if you're visiting from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona or Madrid. This town offers incredible pintxos, bite sized food that can be found at every corner in their charming Old Town.

Copenhagen is consistently ranked as one of the worlds "happiest cities" and for good reason. The Danish capital is known for its bikeable streets, beautiful parks and amazing food scene. While you may have to endure a few months of intense winter weather, it is well worth it for the stunning summer months. Seeing that Denmark is surrounded by water, it is easy to access the sea wherever you go. Take a dip all year round if you wish to truly embrace Danish culture!