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Road Trips 

Lux team • February 18, 2021

With Luxury Travel PhD

A dining room table with a view of the ocean

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Kiawah Island, SC

When it comes to location, service and sheer number of incredible activities, this is a top choice on the Southeastern coast. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is designed to look like you've stepped into a third-generation seaside mansion right down to the hotel art, which is mostly from the 1800s. Definitely not centuries-old, however, are the posh facilities and 255 luxurious rooms and suites. The Club Level rooms are particularly memorable, as they come with a private concierge and elite lounge with four meal and cocktail presentations every day. The resort has five championship courses, including The Ocean Course, host of the 2012 PGA Championship. Beyond golf, there's still plenty to keep you occupied, such as biking along the expansive beach, pools for families and adults and many spectacular dining options. Charleston is just 21 miles away.

A bedroom with a bed , chair , nightstand and ottoman.

The Belmond Charleston Place

Charleston, SC

Where Southern charm meets timeless elegance

Located just 12.5 miles from the airport, Charleston is consistently ranked as one of the Friendliest Cities in America and is nationally noted for its flavoursome cuisine. The lobby of the Belmond captivates with its Georgian open-arm staircase, glistening chandelier and Italian. Enjoy the cosmopolitan serenity. Families with children can enjoy the large rooftop infinity pool and the many family friendly attractions of downtown Charleston.

The Club Level, available by private access only, is located on the top two floors of the hotel with amenities including all day complimentary beverage service, deluxe continental breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and after dinner cordials with desserts, all served in a private lounge.

The Concierge would be delighted to help plan exciting activities for guests; from culinary experiences to adventure activities such as fishing, golfing or boating excursions.

DINING - Acclaimed Forbes Four-Star Charleston Grill, café restaurant and bar


Belmond Charleston Place has been consistently honored as one of Travel + Leisure’s "World’s Best Hotels"

A large swimming pool surrounded by chairs and umbrellas

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Bulletin SC

Set on the banks of the May River - the plantation style property will take your breath away. Montage Palmetto Bluff of South Carolina is nestled between Hilton head and Savannah. The oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and the epitome of southern charm will transform you to a slower more genteel pace of days gone by. The inn captures the design of the grand estate that once stood on its grounds. The former owner R.T. Wilson was renowned for his gracious hospitality. Handsomely designed to celebrate the region’s rich history and architectural heritage accommodations are surrounded by the beauty of the South Carolina lowcountry. The historic hotel covers over 20,000 acres.Offering endless ways to explore, unwind and immerse yourself in this special place. You can enjoy horseback riding, golfing, biking, sporting clays, paddleboarding, fishing, scenic yacht cruises. One of my favorite pastimes is an old southern favorite called “porching” Late afternoon with a drink in hand enjoy sitting on the porch and striking up conversations or just daydreaming.


Luxury Travel PhD has an intimate relationship with each of the these alluring southern properties. They can customize your unique experience and are able to offer opportunities otherwise unavailable.

A row of rocking chairs in a field with a tree in the background

WHY BLACKBERRY FARM
Blackberry Farm is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. It is within a three-hour drive from many Southern cities, as well a short 25-minute drive from the Knoxville airport, which has direct flights from more than 19 different cities. Situated on 4,200 acres with access to an additional 5,000 acres of private wilderness, Blackberry Farm is nestled into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee.
The renowned resort is an elegant 68-room Relais & Chateaux resort that brings together a time-honored belief in not only enjoying the beautiful land on which it sits, but utilizing it to provide every guest an unforgettable experience.

Paying homage to locally grown and sourced ingredients, Blackberry Farm is celebrated as an unrivaled food and wine destination, providing farm -to-table cuisine, as well as a comprehensive wine cellar complete with more than 170,000 bottles of wine from around the world. Activities include fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, sporting clays, spa treatments, yoga, cycling, and mountain biking. The perfect destination for business and pleasure, Blackberry Farm offers various meeting rooms, and annual music, epicurean, enrichment and adventure events that are held various times throughout the year.

In 1939, Mrs. Florida Lasier of Chicago snagged her silk stockings on a wild blackberry bramble while exploring the idyllic Smoky Mountain foothills, and the name Blackberry Farm was born. Forty years later, the Beall family invested their hearts and souls in the same romantic site that has become their family home and lifelong passion. Today, one of America's most celebrated intimate luxury hotels beckons discerning guests who aspire to escape modern-day frenzy and slip into a Blackberry state of mind. Situated on a pastoral 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry will show you the many reasons why it is one of the top rated properties in the world. For centuries the land upon which Blackberry Farm is situated has provided for its inhabitants. The Cherokee and early Appalachians learned how to cultivate these foothill soils and how to forage what was already abundant in the field, forest and stream. Today, the hotel cherishes this understanding and continues to preserve these traditional land use practices.



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A book titled fifth ave 200 years of stories and legends

FIFTH AVENUE: 200 YEARS OF STORIES AND LEGNEDS

February 18, 2025
Fifth Avenue: 200 Years of Stories and Legends is a masterful blend of evocative storytelling and rich historical insight, chronicling the remarkable transformation of Fifth Avenue from a serene residential street to a global symbol of culture, wealth, and style.This exquisite volume celebrates the vibrant history and timeless allure of one of the world’s most iconic thoroughfares. Featuring a breathtaking collection of images, the visually stunning edition bridges past and present, offering readers a captivating journey through two centuries of evolution.The book provides a panoramic exploration of Fifth Avenue’s transformation, from black-and-white photographs of horse-drawn carriages passing grand mansions to vibrant modern-day scenes alive with energy and sophistication. Archival images juxtaposed with contemporary photography illuminate the Avenue’s enduring cultural, architectural, and social significance, capturing its legacy in every detail.More than a tribute, Fifth Avenue: 200 Years of Stories and Legendsis an immersive experience for history enthusiasts, architecture aficionados, and photography lovers alike. This edition is a must-have for collectors, offering a rare and unparalleled glimpse into the street that has been a cornerstone of New York City’s legacy for two centuries.
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Natalie Wood

By Colleen Richmond • February 17, 2025
A Legacy of Love, Grace, and Timeless Elegance

RADA REDEFINES DINING IN CHARLOTTE WITH NYC FLAIR

February 16, 2025
Rada, a chic new restaurant in Myers Park, introduces Charlotte to an elevated dining experience with tapas, biodynamic wines, and shareable plates. Helmed by Chef Callan Buckles, formerly of acclaimed NYC spots like Claud, Momofuku, and The Four Horsemen, the menu is a bold fusion of global influences. Owner Eloy Roy envisioned this contemporary American eatery in the former Little Spoon space, creating a cozy yet upscale 50-seat spot with mint green walls and a minimalist aesthet-ic. From a $3 Gilda skewer to a $110 sirloin, Rada’s offerings reflect Buckles’ culinary pedigree and adventurous flair. With dishes like eggplant escabeche and seabass paired with txakolina wine, Rada aims to carve out a niche in Charlotte’s emerging shared-plates scene.Rada blends fine dining with approachability, focusing on flavors that challenge Charlotte’s palate while embracing its neighborhood vibe. Highlights include crispy roast chicken with vegetable farcis and Asian-inspired touches like fish sauce and shio koji. The bar program is equally compelling, featuring a gin martini made with anchovy oil and Basque pepper brine. Roy believes Rada will resonate deeply with diners, offering something fresh yet familiar. This new spot, opened on Selwyn Avenue, invites locals to indulge in innovative cuisine and discover what they’ve been craving all along.
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