michelle gross

Harvest season is now well underway in California’s Napa Valley, and with an estimated 400-wineries that span across the region’s roughly 35-mile stretch between Napa and Sonoma, choosing where to go can be just as persnickety as the very grapes that grow here. From the cooler climates found in Carneros that turn out some of the areas best chard’s and pinots in the south to Calistoga’s fabled zinfandel’s, cab sauv’s and slight warmer climate to the north, there’s really no going wrong when it...

In an exclusive interview with Forbes, Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam discusses the importance sustainability on the high seas and why it’s imperative that cruise ship operators conform to more sustainable practices before it’s too late.
When it comes to sustainability, cruise ships have always been somewhat of a boondoggle. However, Norwegian cruise operator Hurtigruten is working to change that with the launch of MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid electric–powered expedition ship....

It was a warm night in late August as the Napa Valley Wine Train slowly made its way past the rolling hills and vineyards that dot Napa’s illustrious valley. On board, around a hundred or so of Beaulieu Vineyards wine club members and special guests were celebrating the launch of the winery’s 80th anniversary bottling of Georges de Latour.
Considered the area’s first cult Cabernet, BV’s reputation as one of Napa Valley‘s longest running wineries is reason enough to celebrate; but between this...

Even for the savviest of travelers, the journey to Antarctica is anything but easy. Best case scenario you're talking multiple flights and then there's the infamous Drake Passage. But once you're there, electric blue icebergs piercing through cobalt colored water and an entire continent dotted with hundreds of thousands of waddling penguins awaits you. It’s a bucket list destination like none other, however unlike other places, traveling to Antarctica takes a f...

After a devastating fire tore its way through the Bungalows Key Largo last May, the luxury, adults-only hotel will officially reopen its doors just in time for the holidays. The only all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys, the hotel is back and better than ever, featuring 135 private bungalows each of which are outfitted with its own bougainvillea-laden veranda complete with oversized alfresco soaking tub and garden shower.
Located on the Northernmost part of the Florida Keys just 63 miles ...

Follow the antique balustrade that guides you to reception on the mezzanine level where a classic fireplace, original chandelier and plush velvet armchairs awaits. This is LABOTESSA, a brand new luxury boutique hotel that opened in the heart of Cape Town earlier this month and is now accepting reservations.
Formerly a 17th-century congressional church turned lifestyle hotel, LABOTESSA is the love child of South Africa natives and childhood friends Johan Du Plessis and Jan Fourie. With six sig...

Sometimes confused with its island cousin Antigua, Anguilla has nevertheless long held a certain cache amongst celebrities and savvy travelers. Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Sandra Bullock, and Beyoncé / Jay Z have all held court here. Even Justin Bieber owned a home on the eel shaped island once upon a time.
It’s not just the electric blue water and diverse culinary scene that set Anguilla apart (although they both serve as major draws), but the prestige that comes with the island’s ...

We’ve all been there. The race to the airport followed by long security lines and ubiquitous flight delays due to “weather” or “mechanical issues.” And once you’re comfortably seated and settling in as best as can be expected at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, turbulence starts to fray your last remaining nerve. Sound vaguely familiar? For some, the rush that comes with making it to the gate with seconds to spare can be exhilarating. But for the rest of us, the stress that’s associated wi...

For Naples, Florida residents Jayne and Jack Lahti, picking a cruise is no easy feat.
“We’re not your typical cruisers,” Jayne told HuffPost. “We’ve tried a few different (cruise) lines, and you really start to figure out what you like and don’t like. We mostly cruise because we like the itinerary. It’s a great way to see a lot of places, or even places we may have been but want to see another side of.”
According to a study conducted by Cruise Lines International Association, 26 million passe...

All due respect to Florence + the Machine, but the dog days are definitely not over and depending on where you are in the northern hemisphere, August is shaping up to be one hot one mother. Despite the instinct to retreat into air-conditioning, August is one of the best months to travel for music and food festivals -- like Fringe Fest in Edinburgh, Scotland, or a lobster festival in Rockland, Maine. And speaking of Florence, she’s headlining at Sziget, one of Europe’s biggest parties of the s...

Millennials, influencers and fast food lovers rejoice: The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort officially opened their doors in Palm Spring, California today.
To commemorate the historic event, The Bell has scheduled a variety of taco-themed activities for their guests that include everything from lounging on hot sauce packet rafts in the hotel's Fire! Pool to watching dive-in movies and dancing to sunset performances by artists including Wallows. Of course, there will be plenty of time to #tr...

A 90th birthday is always cause for celebration: A nice big cake, a few dozen candles. But when Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Elizabeth II, turns 90, the world takes notice (and with more than just a pastry.)
According to royal records, Queen Elizabeth II was born at 2:40 a.m. on April 21, 1926 in Mayfair, London, and she’s led a pretty busy life ever since. Over her reign, she’s worked alongside international diplomats and policymakers like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher; she ...

The brilliance of the Philly cheesesteak is its simplicity — bread, steak, and cheese (if you can call the Cheez Whiz concoction that goes on top that). But that's also why it is imitated everywhere, in ways that some would argue better the original (you didn't hear it from us). So if you're not in near Geno's or Pat's, these 10 places should more than satisfy your craving.
Shorty’s — New York City
Shorty’s bills itself as New York City’s most authentic Philly-style cheesesteak, and their thi...

It’s safe to say Sir Richard Branson knows a thing or two about traveling. Fresh off of a red-eye flight from New Orleans for the opening party of Virgin’s new $80 million property in the emerging South of Market neighborhood in San Francisco, Robb Report had a chance to catch up with the jet-setting billionaire in the hotel’s Shag Room to talk all things cruising, Virgin Galactic and the one thing he wouldn’t even consider going into orbit without.
Talk to me about Virgin Voyages. What are y...

The ability to work remotely while having the flexibility to travel is becoming more important for workers. We rounded up nine jobs that will let you travel the world while getting paid in the process.