Private pool of a suite overlooking the Bosphorus, The Peninsula Istanbul
COUNTRY + CITY CHIC
Barcelona is no stranger to American travelers, but the surrounding Catalan countryside draws far fewer of them. Our recent foray there reintroduced us to this scenic region’s lesser-known pleasures, including hiking in the Pyrenees foothills, wine tasting amid rugged vineyards and beachcombing along dramatic cove-cupped stretches of sand. A stopover in Istanbul, one of the world’s most history-steeped cities, provided a welcome excuse to review two grand luxury hotels. And a first look at a glamorous new cruise ship gave us the opportunity to check up on top resorts in an utterly different coastal metropolis, Miami. All these destinations contrast with one another sharply, but each was a delight to explore.
