New York, NY May 12, 2004 -- The kids are out of school (or maybe they're tucked away at sleep away camp). You may still have work, but who says summer is only for child's play?
Like most hard working professionals, you are probably long overdue for some personal rest and relaxation time. With extended lunch hours, a condensed workweek and the proliferation of long weekend escapes, summertime fun โ€˜adult style' is upon us. No plans? No worries. In the May/June issue of Elite Traveler, the luxury travel and lifestyle magazine set to arrive onboard private jets worldwide today, editors map out their choices for the best elite weekend getaway destinations for the coming season.
With the official start of summer only a few weeks away, Elite Traveler editors made their picks for the best weekend escapes for busy jetsetters. โ€œWe've made suggestions sure to provide a perfect balance between professional obligations and personal pampering,โ€ Elite Traveler President and Editor-in-Chief Doug Gollan said. โ€œOur readers are the Elite Affluent celebrities, business owners and C-level executives who expect the best and most efficient ways to unwind. The choices highlighted are perfect short-flight destinations for anyone with the means to enjoy the most exclusive getaways this summer.โ€
The rigors of the rat race can be motivating, but a breezy New England beach, the Caribbean or the Virginia countryside can work wonders in the summer. Just be sure to leave your laptop and email trail behind. We're sure that you'll agree!
Elite Traveler Editors' Elite Long Weekend picks include:
From Chicago to Nantucket, MA, Approximate Flight Time: 2 Hours
Touch down in: Nantucket Memorial Airport
Summer climate: 85 degrees
Overall vibe: A quintessential New England people-watching island of cobblestone streets, dirt roads and perfect sunsets.
The well-heeled check into: The Wauwinet's Anchorage, a four-bedroom, three-bath, two-story private cottage on the property, with unobstructed ocean views from the master bedroom. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Ted Kennedy and Matt Lauer have all stayed here. The nightly rate is $2,300.
From New York to Monticello, Virginia, Approximate Flight Time: 1.5 Hours
Touch down in: Charlottesville Albermarle Airport
Summer climate: 80-90 degrees by midday
Overall vibe: Thomas Jefferson called it, โ€œThe Eden of the United States.โ€ We think that you will also love the white picket-fenced ranches, scenic roads, vineyards and equestrian distractions in the heart of Virginia hunt country.
Check into: Keswick Hall's Master Suite 19. With antique fans and china, French doors, a four-poster bed, parlor, dining room, shower and jet tub. The suite has already hosted Anthony Hopkins, Katie Couric, Michael J. Fox and Carol Burnett.
Hot summer tickets: During the Ash Lawn Opera Festival, from June through August, opera and musical theater performances take place in the beautiful Boxwood Gardens of President James Monroe's former home.
From Miami to Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos, Approximate Flight Time: 1.5 Hours
Touch down in: Providenciales
Summer climate: Breezy 80s
The well-heeled check into: The Residence, built last year and owned by Bruce Willis, is a secluded bay-front property with a main house, three three-bedroom villas and its own private butler. Donna Karan, Julia Roberts, Robert DeNiro, Donatella Versace, Jerry Seinfeld and Britney Spears have relaxed here. The nightly rate is $2,930.
Overall vibe: Except for one resort, this British West Indies island is completely uninhabited. Think private, secluded and so quiet that the sound of a Yoga mat unrolling will sound like a thunderstorm.
Hot summer tickets: Parrot Key's own Shiva Rea Yoga Retreat, August 4 through 8, is a yoga workshop that includes five hours of yoga, breathing and meditation a day, with lunch and dinner prepared from a special menu.
โ€œBest of the Bestโ€ Long Weekend Accommodations as named by Elite Traveler editors
Best New Resort: Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Best Family Resort: Cambridge Beaches, Bermuda
Best Spa: Paraiso de la Bonita, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Best Romantic Escape: Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley
Best Golf: American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
Best Nightlife: Maison Orleans, New Orleans
For a complete listing of the best destinations for โ€˜The Elite Long Weekend', contact James Henderson at 1-646-658-7596 or JHenderson@elite-traveler.com.
About Elite Traveler:
Elite Traveler is a bi-monthly luxury travel and lifestyle magazine published exclusively for the international community of Elite Affluent consumers ($1.1 million+ Net Worth). Launched in 2001, each issue of Elite Traveler explores subjects that embody the essence of luxuryโ€"the best in travel, fashion and jewelry, automotive, private jets and yachts. Elite Traveler is distributed exclusively through private jets, mega yachts, premier country clubs, first-class lounges, luxury spas, professional sports locker rooms and its subscriber-base. For more information, visit www.elite-traveler.com.