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" »

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" »

At JG Black Book we love St.Barth's for several reasons: for its beckoning blue waters, for its romantic French culture, and most of all, for its Hotel Taïwana. With bright red furniture, walls, and beach pillows sprinkled throughout the beautiful beach resort, love is in the fresh Carribean air year round at Hotel Taïwana. Circulating in and around each suite, pool, and cabana, l'amour de Taïwana makes its way to the kitchen daily, where it manifests itself in delicious fine fare made from the heart. Thanks to our talented friends behind the scenes at Taïwana's waterfront restaurant, we can take the love home with us to our own kitchens in the form of this rejuvinating lunch or dinner delicacy:

Continue reading "Foodie Friday: Hotel Taïwana's Lobster Casserole" »

In honor of spring break, we at JG Black Book have rounded up six great getaways for your spring and summer family vacations. From the canals of Venice to the majestic mountains of Peru, these hospitality hot spots welcome entire families - grandparents, children, and all - to join them as they open their doors, balconies, and pools to wonderful weather. Featured last but certainly not least is The Quin, our fellow Manhattanite, prepping to greet guests for the first time this summer. So, gather your good times and your laughter too, 'cause these hot spots are gonna celebrate this spring and summer with you!

Luna Hotel Baglioni Venice, Italy

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Spring & Summer Family Travel Hot Spots" »

At JG Black Book, we believe that the next best thing to traveling is participating in a forum that allows us to share our adventures with others. In addition to mantaining the amazing high that follows us back from a trip to Uruguay's southern coast or Italy's capital of couture,  engaging in the world of online blogging opens doors to the most authentic up-to-date travel tips and ideas. That being said, choosing which of the gazillion travel blogs to follow can be dangerously dizzying, so we've come up with five of our favorites to quench your thirst for global getaways:

Continue reading "Travel Necessities: Top 5 Travel Blogs to Follow" »

While Valentine's Day is the ultimate excuse for unleashing our inner googly-eyed cupid, celebrating love is certainly not an activity limited to February 14th. At JG Black Book, our partners constantly remind us of the inevitable romance that accompanies such glamorous retreats. Whether savoring an elegant dinner isolated amongst nothing but Tanzania's wildlife or cuddling on a chaise, sipping champagne with a panorama of Paris, the following are amongst the most exquisite destinations for your next I love you!

Hotel de Vigny Paris, France 

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Romantic Retreats Around the World" »

If you're braving the cold like we are at JG Black Book this winter, your dreams may be bombarded with images of sun-lit turquoise waters, smells of suntan lotion, and the feel-good sound of steel drums, all accompanied by a not-so-virgin Pina Colada. As Chris Brown sings, Don't wake me upppppp!

The magic of Winter Wonderland had its moment. And now that moment is long gone. Thanks to many of our partners, however, simulating summer during months that were surely meant only for penguins and polar bears is a simple flight away. From the Caribbean to Cambodia, these tropical treasures are amongst the world's best spots to make your warm weather wishes come true:

Dolphin Island, Fiji

Continue reading "Photo Friday: Summer in the Winter" »

If you're trying to avoid the sedentary syndrome in 2013, we at JG Black Book are behind you all the way! No matter the vehicle-bike, boat, or bungee-we're avid oglers of the outdoors and bona fide believers of fresh air maximazation. Check out images from our worldwide partners and you'll discover some of the most exquisite backdrops for your next action packed adventure:

Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, Italy)

Continue reading "New Year Resolutions: Photo Friday: Get Active!" »

PACK for a PURPOSE is a charitable organization designed specifically for travelers who love to give back to the destinations they visit. With minimal effort, we can all participate and truly make a difference in world communities!

Continue reading "Charitable Travel: PACK for a PURPOSE" »