Michelle Gross

Tokyo is no stranger to themed cafes, and from the outside, Avatar Robot Café DAWN could easily be mistaken for another kitschy, ‘only-in-Japan’ experience. But once you step inside and sit down for a conversation with a robot being “piloted” remotely by a person from hundreds of miles away, the experience feels anything but gimmicky.
“Our mission is fundamentally based on the human side,” says Keiko Hamaguchi, public relations manager for Ory Laboratory, the company that owns and operates th...

The Lodge at Torrey Pines feels like stepping back into a bygone era. It’s campy meets California Craftsman luxury lodge with all the bells and whistles: a destination spa, two locally beloved restaurants, and a front-row seat to one of the world’s best golf courses that make this So Cal retreat, dare we say, an all-around hole in one. We wouldn’t fault you for being slightly confused when you pull into the circular driveway of The Lodge at Torrey Pines and are greeted...

La Valencia, La Jolla’s unofficial living room, also affectionately known as the Pink Lady, has undergone a series of renovations in recent years and now offers a true full-service resort experience in the heart of downtown. Just off Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla, there’s arguably no better location in town than La Valencia.

A longtime favorite for San Diego staycationers, Estancia blends boutique Rancho California–style charm with resort-level amenities, including a full-service spa, a romantic patio restaurant, and a cabana-flanked heated saltwater pool, making it an ideal spot for soaking up a few sunny days in Southern California.

A symphony for the senses, if you want a hotel with two centuries of history, thoughtful design, attentive service, and some of the best views over the Arno River, St. Regis Florence is the spot for discerning travelers who care as much about heritage as they do about comfort.

I was four years old the first time my parents packed my one-year-old brother and me into the back of—what my dad maintains was a red, and my mom maintains was a white—Mustang convertible and set off on a family road trip along Maui’s iconic Road to Hāna. Threading its way through lush rainforest..

Some 100,000 of these small dives are hidden in plain sight across Japan. Now, travellers are finally discovering these locals-only hangouts – and the beloved "mamas" who run them.

It’s just above freezing on a late August morning in Itilleq, Greenland. As I peel off my hiking shoes and head inside the home of Emma Davidsen, I’m immediately filled with a sense of relief that I decided to wear socks that are not only warm but, more importantly, matching. Inside, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, chocolate cake, and crumbly chocolate chip scones hangs in the soft morning air of ...

Driving cross-country is an ambitious journey that always sounded a bit more romantic to me in theory than in practice. But when my partner convinced me to expand my horizons a few years ago, we started planning with the Ralph Waldo Emerson adage "it's not the destination, it's the journey," as our guiding principle. We drove a total of 6,036 miles cross-country from New York to my hometown of San Diego and back — and I figured we might as well see as many cool and quirky things along the way...

Between the United States and Canada, it’s estimated that over 800 new hotels opened in 2025, adding to the nearly 100,000 hotels that already exist across both countries. In short, there are a lot of options when it comes to picking lodging for your next vacation.

The first time I stayed in a robot hotel in Tokyo was in 2019, and not only was the technology glitchy, but the humanoid robots creeped me out. So when a new hybrid-robot hotel, Yotel Tokyo Ginza, opened in the same neighborhood earlier this year, I thought I'd give it a try.
I've been covering Japan's travel and hospitality scene for the better part of the last decade, and as tourism reaches an all-time high in 2025, ongoing labor shortages have forced the service and hospitality industry to...

Taghazout has long attracted free spirits, surfers, and backpackers thanks to its bohemian vibe. It has quietly transformed into an eco-conscious capital of cool.
"What are you so afraid of?" Akrou Ayoub, my surf instructor who goes by “Ay," asks as I battle my way through another set of small waves off the coast of Tamraght Beach in Taghazout, Morocco. I'm not a surfer, but I grew up in a small surf town in Southern California, so I somehow feel right at home in Taghazout.
"Surfing at 40 is ...

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

In its late 1960’s heyday, there was arguably nowhere on Earth as discreetly glamorous as the Athenian Riviera.

A nearly 40-mile stretch of sun-kissed coastline stretching from the port of Piraeus to the southernmost point of Attica at Cape Sounion, the Athenian Riviera has been a popular destination for decades. Celebrities, soci...

Biohacking, bloodwork, transcranial electro-stimulation and an alkalizing daily miso soup for breakfast might not sound like the sexiest way to spend your vacation. But health is wealth and a growing contingent of high-net-worth, leisure-class travelers are trading R&R for self-prescribed “med-cations.”
“The trend of viewing vacations as investments in health and well-being is gaining momentum, with travelers increasingly seeking experiences that offer tangible health benefits,” Alejandro Bat...