Many of our partners at JG Black Book are known for giving back to the community and Ellerman House is certainly no stranger to that. From the luxury of Bantry Bay, this Cape Town hotel is not only dedicated to the perfect pampering of the international luxury traveler, they also incessantly devote their efforts to improving education in South Africa. With a weekend full of auctions, tours, and a night full of art, music, food and wine (of course), there is no doubt the true culture of Cape Town will be brought to life—and all for a great cause.

Continue reading "A Truly Angelic Weekend: Ellerman House's ArtAngels Initiative" »

At JG Black Book, we've been endlessly ranting about our excitement for this summer. With new hotel openings, outdoor festivals, and time to soak up the sun (and some non-virgin pina coladas), there's so much to look forward to. Add another way to spending this sultry season with your loved ones at...weddings! Slip on your dancing shoes and get ready to catch the bouquet at one of these romantic retreats:

Grande Provence (Franschhoek, South Africa)

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Our Top 8 Worldwide Wedding Destinations" »

At JG Black Book, we get the intimidation factor of navigating a brand new city without the comforting voice of a local friend, a tour leader, or your loyal GPS. In the past couple of years, however, we've been turning to City Walks as our trusty travel guides and navigation saviors. With these brilliant deck of cards- each deck of 50 representing a city around the world- we've been led to the cutest cantinas, the most glorious gardens, and the chicest of shops. Each card outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on the front and information on the back filled with insider tips. And the best part: you go at your pace, whenever you'd like, however you'd like!

City Walks-Paris with Kids

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It's Friday, the JG Black Book crew is gearing up for happy hour, and our partners are hopping on board with some killer cocktail recipes! Fruity, chocolatey, or cinnamon spiked, we've got it all covered in today's Bartender Series. From South Africa to Brazil, let your taste buds transport you to a new part of the world with each sip of these dangerously divine drinks:

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Bartender Series: The World's Best Cocktails" »

Everyone has a different coping mechanism for stress, but today, in honor of Stress Awareness Month (yes, this exists), we're mapping out a path to relaxation ecstacy à la JG Black Book. While we support journal-keeping, exercise, and mindful meditation as anxiety reducing mechanisms, our favorite form of detox includes warm oil-covered fingers kneading our shoulder blades and a pair of fresh cucumber slices. Whether by Carribean waters or in a European city center, the five following worldwide spas are our go-to destinations to think less, undress, and de-stress:

Conservatorium Hotel - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Continue reading "Travel Necessities: Our Top 5 Rejuvenating Retreats" »

One glance at Worlds Apart and it appears to be yet another glamorous coffee table book. Flip through its pages, however, and you'll realize that what it actually is is a magnificent, 3-stop JG Black Book journey around the world. 

Continue reading "Travel Necessities: New Huka Retreats Book, Worlds Apart" »

An awesome travel blog can yield some of the most inspiring content online. If you're like us at JG Black Book, you want in on the action. What's the funkiest undiscovered South East Asian city, the most unusual European dining experience, or the ultimate South American beach getaway? For those of us non-nomads, the following bloggers provide a beautiful glimpse into the world of expert adventure, motivating us to gear up for our next vibrant voyage. Check out five of our favorite travel blogs here and follow them for your daily around-the-world digest:

Continue reading "Travel Necessities: Top Travel Blogs Roundup" »

After a week of posts geared towards sustainability, the day we have been waiting for has finally arrived: World Water Day! At JG Black Book we're choosing to observe the refreshing United Nations celebration by raising a glass to our eco-friendly partners. From growing their own organic produce, to preserving the Amazon river, to leading anti-poaching efforts, these luxury destinations do much more than pamper guests with awesome accomodations and amazing adventures. Thank you to the following hotels and tour companies for your efforts in making this world a healthier, safer, and all-around better place! 

About Asia (Cambodia, Laos, & Vietnam)

ABOUTAsia Schools-Funding Local Education

Continue reading "World Water Day Tribute: Eco-Friendly Hotels & Travel" »

Carrying on with this week's theme of sustainability, humanitarianism, and conservation, we at JG Black Book have chosen to feature a partner who has admirably mastered the mission of bettering their slice of the world. In a war to protect remarkable creatures on the brink of extinction, JG Black Book Collection member Singita Game Reserves has joined forces on the battlefield against rhino poaching. With an outstanding death toll—1 rhino every 11 hours accounted for in 2013, as well as 100 park rangers in the past year—each Singita lodge is equipped with a dedicated conservation team focused on preserving the surrounding wildlife.

Continue reading "Singita's Mission: Ending the Poaching Epidemic" »

At JG Black Book we're always searching for music from another corner of the world to flow through our earphones and transport us to a different time zone. Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, this week's discovery has us contagiously head-bopping, hip-swerving, and shoulder-rolling to a colorfully sensual soundtrack about love and loss. Fusing pop, r&b, funk, soul, and reggae, Asa (pronounced Asha), gets listeners into a feel good groove with her new album, Beautiful Imperfection. Check out our favorite track, Why Can't We, here:

Continue reading "Traveler's Playlist: Asa, Beautiful Imperfection" »