Plan The Ultimate Quaint Retreat With These Cozy Winter Vacation Ideas

Imagine sipping Champagne above a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or indulging in a heavenly spa treatment with the Manhattan skyline in view. Even if your wallet can't quite stretch to a full-blown luxury getaway, sprinkling a touch of luxe into your travels can turn an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. That idea sparked our new series, Flights of Fancy, where we take you along for a trip to the luxury experiences around the cities we adore.

The list of Miami’s luxury experiences is seemingly endless from cruising around on a stylish yacht to helicoptering over the skyline or springing for bottle service at a glitzy nightclub. Of course, not everyone has the big budget needed to enjoy the high life that Miami offers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a small taste of it on your next visit.

If your wallet doesn’t lend itself to a fully luxurious vacation, leave room for at least one splurge-worthy activity that’s sure to be a highlight of the trip. As a South Florida resident and self-proclaimed foodie, I can say without hesitation that the rich culinary scene is one of Miami’s best features, and its many Michelin-starred restaurants offer the perfect, often pricey indulgence.

Choosing just one restaurant to experience might be tough, but for a truly unique meal that will titillate your taste buds, provide social media-approved photo ops, and even let you play with your food, then I recommend Elcielo Miami.

Colombian Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos first opened Elcielo in Medellin and Bogota before bringing his culinary talents stateside to Miami and then to Washington, D.C. The menu changes seasonally and also varies from one location to the next, but one thing they all have in common is that Elcielo is about more than just incredibly flavored food, layered textures and artistic presentations. Believe me, every single dish is a full sensory experience, but what makes them stand out even more is that they each tell a story about a different region of Colombia.

There are a couple of ways you can enjoy a meal at Elcielo Miami. To savor the full extent of Chef Barrientos’ creativity, opt for The Experience, a multi-course tasting menu featuring anywhere from 18 to 22 “moments'' for the price of $289 pp. Optional wine ($198), champagne ($168), cocktail ($80) or mocktail ($60) pairings can also be added to The Experience. For an abridged version, the bar experience menu offers four cocktails paired with three appetizers and a dessert for $138 pp.

Elcielo Miami is located in the Brickell neighborhood, tucked away in an inconspicuous space facing the Miami River. If you weren’t looking for it, you probably wouldn’t know it’s there, and that adds to the exclusive feel of this restaurant, which earned one Michelin star in 2022 and has retained it ever since.

The Experience was divided into three stages: snacks, main course, and dessert. To open our appetites, we were greeted with a smoky-sweet welcome shot made of tamarind, aguardiente (a very popular Colombian spirit), and mezcal topped with a pineapple chip. 

That was followed by a refreshing sorbet that combined the flavors of soursop, champagne, and white rum. With our palettes cleansed and our appetites ready, we moved on to the snacks.

Offering an elevated version of the Colombian buñuelo, a deep fried doughy ball with cheese, our first snack was a truffle buñuelo filled with creamy porcini mushrooms and truffle, topped with a black garlic emulsion. We had to eat it in one bite to avoid losing any of the warm, juicy filling, but that one bite was one of my favorites of the whole night.

Another snack I particularly enjoyed was the empanada filled with rice in a shrimp broth that was prepared using techniques from Colombia’s Guajira region. A delicate dollop of Meyer lemon foam graced the top of this empanada and though it immediately melted in my mouth, it left behind a citrusy punch that perfectly complemented the other flavors.

For the next step in this culinary journey, be sure to have your cameras ready. It’s the signature “Chocotherapy.” During this spa-like moment, our server poured warm chocolate ganache over our hands, encouraging us to rub it between our fingers before adding some sugar and coffee grinds to help exfoliate. Then we got to lick it all off.

The idea behind Chocotherapy is to help guests connect with their inner child, remembering times when they perhaps baked brownies, got a bit messy and licked the bowl clean. This was definitely a big highlight of the night not only because I love chocolate, but because it was such an unexpected and playful thing to do, especially at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Upscale eateries can sometimes feel unapproachable or a bit pretentious, but not Elcielo. Everything is thoughtfully explained, including tips on exactly how to savor the dish when it might not be so obvious, so anyone can partake and enjoy this truly hands-on experience with the food.

We revved up for the main dishes with the Tree of Life bread service, inspired by the chef’s trip to the Amazon. This flatbread, which is made to look like a tree, is made with yucca, mozzarella, paprika and basil, served with a toasted butter that had a subtle sweetness and a basil an oregano and cilantro sour cream that I could happily eat by the gallon. Call me basic, but that bread was another star of the meal for me.

The biggest dishes of the night were a yucca gnocchi topped with sweet plantain honey, served over pecorino cheese foam with slices of black winter truffle, followed by perfectly cooked lamb seasoned with Colombian spices and beer, served with goat cheese sour cream, sawtooth cilantro emulsion and red wine reduction.

Desserts were equally inventive as the rest of the meal, but my favorite was the coffee field moment. Small coffee plants were brought to the table as our server carefully prepared the perfect cup of Colombian coffee — a serving so smooth that it didn’t need sugar. And I always need sugar in my coffee. As we sipped on the coffee, liquid nitrogen was used to fill our table with fog, imitating the morning fog that often envelopes Colombia’s coffee fields. This was accompanied by a hazelnut truffle topped with a yellow butterfly and a bite of lulo gel and white chocolate cream made to look like the bright green emeralds that Colombia is known for.

By the end of the meal, we were certainly full, but most importantly, impressed with the creativity and thoughtful presentations of every single dish. If you can only splurge on one thing in Miami, make it this special dinner.

El cielo is the Spanish word for heaven, and that’s exactly where our taste buds were after The Experience.

Follow along for all your summer travel needs with our Flights of Fancy series and Jetset Journeys series.

Imagine sipping Champagne above a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or indulging in a heavenly spa treatment with the Manhattan skyline in view. Even if your wallet can't quite stretch to a full-blown luxury getaway, sprinkling a touch of luxe into your travels can turn an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. That idea sparked our new series, Flights of Fancy, where we take you along for a trip to the luxury experiences around the cities we adore.

Chicago is the U.S.’s third-biggest city, and one of its most exciting. While the city is undoubtedly the financial and cultural center of the Midwest, Chicago shouldn’t be relegated to a regional hub. A true global city, this diverse and sprawling metro has a lengthy history of influence in architecture, music, design, and the culinary arts, not to mention comedy and theater.

One of the benefits of taking a trip to Chicago is that it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, it’s not going to be super cheap to visit any major city, but in comparison to the U.S.’s coastal hotspots, Chicago is a fantastic deal. If you’re particularly intrigued by the Windy City’s emphasis on architecture and design, you shouldn’t miss The Robey hotel.

Located in one of Chicago’s hippest and most bustling neighborhoods — Wicker Park — The Robey stands out for its mid-century modern design, many amenities, and fantastic location for exploring the local shops, eats, and nightlife.

About the Neighborhood

One of the biggest benefits of The Robey is its surrounding scene. Wicker Park has made countless lists of the coolest neighborhoods in the country, and for good reason — from the art murals adorning its historic buildings to the many thrift shops, speakeasies, and gourmet bakeries gracing its streets, it has all the makings of a hipster oasis, even if it’s a little more established these days. Ukrainian Village also borders Wicker Park to the South along Division Street, and has its own share of incredible shops, restaurants and bars.

Here’s how to get the most out of visiting this iconic hotel, no matter your budget. Plus, what to do in the neighborhood!

Stay At The Robey (Budget: $160+)

Booking a room at The Robey can be pretty reasonable. You can score the best deal by booking in the off season, staying Sunday through Monday, and springing for a Queen-sized room. Even The Robey’s most modest rooms are stunning design-wise, boasting decor that looks straight out of a West Elm catalog.

The main draw of every room at The Robey may be the decor, but a close second is the Wicker Park neighborhood’s buzzing energy. You’ll get to view the city lights through your window and revel in all the neighborhood has to offer once you step outside The Robey’s doors.

Every room comes with full access to the hotel’s amenities, which include rooftop pool (open seasonally), personal care items from Le Labo (like we said, this place doesn’t mess around when it comes to good branding), and complementary bikes you can use to traverse the bike-friendly near northwest side of Chicago. You’ll be right on Milwaukee Ave., a busy corridor that has a bike lane connecting the fashionable neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Avondale.

Dine At The Robey (Budget: $50+)

If a stay at The Robey isn’t in your budget, consider checking out the hotel via Cafe Robey. Chef Michael Elliott serves up comfort food with a seasonal twist, and get this — you can get brunch at any time of day. Dreams really do come true.

If The Robey’s all-day brunch is what you’re craving, spring for the Duck Hash, Biscuits and Gravy, or the Chilaquiles, accompanied by refined yet indulgent sides like the Maple Glazed Pork Belly or the Whipped Ricotta with cherry pepper jam, honey, and sea salt.

More in the mood for dinner fare? We can’t recommend the Roasted Chicken enough, but if you’re more in the mood for something carby, the Ricotta Gnocchi is where it’s at. Wash whatever you choose down with Cafe Robey’s curated wine list or one of their many carefully crafted cocktail options.

Grab Drinks At The Robey (Budget: $20+)

If your budget is pretty limited but you still want a little bit of the Robey experience, head to one of the hotel’s three stunning bars. You could stay ground-level and check out Clever Coyote, a ‘90s inspired nostalgia bar that serves up tiki-style drinks and delicious bar food, all while letting you people watch from a cozy table in a gorgeous environment.

Got your sights set a little higher? Take the elevator up to the Up Room, The Robey’s 13th-floor lounge that allows you to take in the city skyline for miles and miles. The building is the tallest in the area, so nothing will block your view of the endless city lights.

Somewhere in the middle (more specifically, on the 6th floor) is the Cabana Club, which offers some great views that are a little more down-to-earth, though just as exciting. Take in all the sights and sounds of the city, from the El train passing by to views of the iconic John Hancock tower. This is also where the rooftop pool is located — and it’s open to all during the summer months!

Spend The Day In Wicker Park

Sure, you’ll find mainstay shopping destinations like Lululemon, Aesop, Free People, and Yeti along the corridors, but you’ll also discover some amazing and unique shops. Head to Una Mae’s for stylish clothing and gifts, or Kokoroko for curated vintage finds and kitsch items straight out of decades past.

Some must-visit culinary destinations include Big Star (seriously, the world’s best craft tacos and margaritas), Ina Mae tavern, and Folklore, an Argentine grill just steps away on Division. Oh, and cap off the evening with drinks at Violet Hour, the neighborhood’s famed speakeasy, or The Rainbo Club, an infamous dive bar that’s been in business since 1933.

In addition to all the shopping and eating you can do, there are plenty of opportunities to simply people-watch and spend time outdoors, too. Check out the neighborhood's eponymous Wicker Park, located right in the heart of the neighborhood. Sprawl out and admire the brick Chicago-style homes that line the street, or take a quick walk up to the 606, an old El train line that’s since been converted into a walking path and greenspace-boasting connecting corridor between many of the city’s neighborhoods.

With all that just outside your doorstep, it might be easy to forget the incredible scenery and culinary pleasures that await you when you return to your hotel for the night.

Main Photo: The Robey

Follow along for all your summer travel needs with our Flights of Fancy series and Jetset Journeys series.

Is there a movie about the book Verity?

Yes, a movie based on Colleen Hoover's Verity is officially on the way! The movie's in development at Amazon MGM Studios (the studio behind Florence Pugh's A Good Person and Zendaya's Challengers). Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script for the film, and Eat the Cat's Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund are producing.

What is Verity about?

In Verity by Colleen Hoover, Lowen Ashleigh is a writer struggling to make ends meet. That is, until she's offered the job of a lifetime by Jeremy, husband to the ultimate it-girl author, Verity Crawford. The thriller writer is no longer able to finish the remaining books in her series, and Jeremy wants Lowen to pick up where she left off. While Lowen is over the moon to step in (both into the job and their huge family estate), a secret manuscript and family secrets lead Lowen to realize Verity's hiding a lot more than she's letting on. B+C editor Haley Sprankle says this is one of the craziest books she's ever read, and I know this is definitely going to be one of the craziest movies we've seen!

Who's in the Verity cast?

Since the movie is just now in development, we don't have an official Verity cast list yet. But considering It Ends With Us is starring beloved actors like Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Jenny Slate, I'm confident the cast of Verity will feature some incredible names.

Popular fancasts for Verity include You's Victoria Pedretti or The White Lotus' Alexandra Diddario as Lowen, Rosamund Pike or Margot Robbie as Verity, and Shia LaBeouf or Theo James as Jeremy. Without a doubt, the cast of Verity needs to be warm and welcoming at first glance, but also have an unexpected edge that reveals itself as we move through the story.

One Reddit user points out that the characters need to offer "just toxicity but also feigned innocence," and each of these actors do exactly that, which makes them incredible picks for the movie. If Blake wasn't already in It Ends With Us, I know she'd do a great job because she proved her thriller acting chops in A Simple Favor!

When did Verity come out?

Colleen Hoover self-published Verity in 2018, and in 2021, the book was acquired by Grand Central Publishing. It sold more than one million copies in 2023, and has more than 340 thousand Amazon ratings and over two million Goodreads ratings. Talk about a hit!

What movie is similar to the book Verity?

If you love thriller books like Verity, then I'd recommend checking out other relationship-centric thrillers like Gone Girl, Rebecca, and A Simple Favor. For period drama fans, I cannot recommend Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton's Why Didn't They Ask Evans enough!