For those of us without children attending school but still on nodding distance with our own school-aged personal histories, spring break seems to have in our absence morphed from its cute little 7-14 day hiatus into some huge unwieldy beast. It begins some time in March, and now extends deep into late April, ending definitively (I think?) after Easter. I am not complaining—I think spring is always something to celebrate—and my parent friends are grateful for the chance to get out of town with their progeny in tow, if with some occasional griping about the pains of lining up multiple school schedules. So, I thought, why not dive into the spirit of the thing with some timely little adventures?
First up! Four Seasons, the hotel brand long applauded for its reliably perfect professional grade hospitality and consistently cure-what-ails-you-comfortable beds (among the very best of any hotel brand out there, I think) invited me on a little jaunt on their secret weapon earlier this month: their jet.
The reason? White Lotus, basically. The hotel prizes the relationship they have with Mike White’s beloved HBO drama, which, despite the fact that someone is murdered at the thinly veiled fictional version of one of their hotels every season (and nearly everyone else in residence is deeply existentially miserable), regularly reaps them huge rewards in the press and booking departments. (You have to admit; the properties look wonderful on screen.) And now there is a whole wellness themed itinerary built around it, from May 7 to 26, 2026. Guests will take off from Singapore, before heading on to Four Seasons resorts in Koh Samui (aka the setting of this season of White Lotus), the Maldives, Taormina (season 2), Marrakech, Nevis, Mexico City, and finally ending in Maui—where we first all fell in love with the premise of watching beautiful people founder on expensive vacations, together.
So, look, I was not on board this plane for three weeks. I did not go to Koh Samui, the Maldives, Taormina, or anywhere else on the new itinerary. I was on the jet for a few days with flights from New Orleans to Manzanillo to Miami, and that brief jaunt still seemed likely enough to ruin me for normal plane travel. (I can report from today’s Delta flight that this has since proved true.) It was also enough to get a feel for the thing. All of the plane’s seats are sort of set up like La Premiere on Air France, with the little stool lounge thing, but with exponentially more space: around 6.5 feet. The service is doting, and attentive. It’s all managed for you, from the expeditions and outings you do at each location (if you want to do any at all) to the spa treatments you’ll receive while you’re there, and the little personal touches that such stays are known for. Plus, you never fly for more than 8 hours, and you always spend the night at one of the properties, in a Four Seasons bed (they get the importance of the bed!).
I think it’s a fab idea for couples looking for a super splashy special trip (a honeymoon? In lieu of a wedding, as a few of you suggested to me in DMs?) or for solo travelers looking to safely and comfortably and very luxuriously see the world alone. I cannot think of a more comfortable way to do that, honestly. (Be warned: the price reflects those pretty sublime comforts.) They do about 8 journeys a year, and a third of passengers are repeat guests, which feels like a bit of an in-the-know thing to me. And isn’t a bit of in-the-know what you’re here for? You can also charter the jet if you’re looking to really go somewhere in style. (And if you are, um, invite me?) Four Seasons is also getting into cruises, if that’s more likely to float your boat… I’ve never been a cruise girl (though they remain great essay fodder….) but until this I never thought I was a “luxury group travel” girl, either. And think of what Mike White could do with that sector!
Anyway, a real highlight was our stay at Four Seasons Tamarindo, along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, which is stunning and remote (located on an 3,000 acre private nature reserve) and my favorite FS property yet, I’m pretty sure. The last time I was in that part of Jalisco was shockingly over a decade ago, when we drove for hours into the countryside in the pitch black to get to another one of my favorite hotels, the Hacienda de San Antonio, before driving back down a few days later to Cuixmala. Very special places that I will always recommend, though because of the era I only have hilariously filtered photos of on my Instagram. Regardless! I will definitely be back.
And last weekend we joined the rest of Los Angeles, it seems, in Cabo, though we were there to celebrate the wonderful Mi Golondrina popping up at Rosewood’s Las Ventanas Al Paraiso. I am no stranger to Mexico but this was actually my first time staying in Cabo, and while I do traditionally prefer a place where not every single other person at the hotel is from the US, I do understand the appeal. Cabo is lush and gorgeous and so, so easy, especially from LA. The suites at Las Ventanas are stunning, with direct beach access or roof decks and hot tubs; the property has 8 pools (a mix of family friendly and adults only, but it is a VERY family friendly resort), really good restaurants, spectacular service, a top notch spa, and a wonderful beach cabana service that makes you feel like you’re on a private island. There’s also all the expected fun excursions like horseback riding and a speakeasy jazz club. We loved it. The Mi Golondrina collection is so special—Cristina, the lovely founder, enlists teams of Mexican artisans to handcraft the pieces, and the result is closer to an exquisite heirloom than a usual hotel boutique find. I am a little obsessed with my new caftan, which I will be wearing all summer. Act surprised if you see me.
More? More!
There is a new show about the Mitford sisters coming to Britbox, but it sent me straight back to this old documentary, whose plummy accents are too wonderful to leave in the past (apparently the showrunners thought they would be alienating to modern audiences, sigh), though much of the politics need be.
Faulkner House Books, in New Orleans, remains a wonderful, soothing place to stop in while visiting. What it lacks in selection, it more than makes up for in charm.
We went back to A Tí when my sister was in town, and when I tell you that has to be one of the best restaurants in LA, I am not kidding. Just spectacular food, wonderful service, a cool room. I know LA is not short on great Mexican restaurants, but this is really something. For the LA based, you should go before the hoi polloi catch on.
I am known for buying hats on vacation (serious sun protection remains the biggest skincare “secret!”) and this last one was no different. Corazon Playero makes beautiful straw hats and does customizable embroidery… if you have a group trip planned (bachelorette, wedding, baby shower, whatever) I can’t think of a cuter—or more useful during!— gift. Except maybe spf. Give that too. (Also available at Mi Golondrina!)
In between all the beaching, I went to our rainy nation’s capital with my sister to support our mother, who chaired the Garden Club of America’s national conference for the second year in a row. While there we visited Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture (my first time, after years of reading about it), and I was totally knocked out by it— it’s so incredibly thorough and so exceptionally designed. The layout of the building itself is so instructive on what’s inside, and the programming and exhibitions are exceptional. (News that its funding is under threat is deeply and seriously concerning for obvious reasons.) A must visit. Also in DC: A lovely Felix Gonzalez-Torres exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
Another highlight from the conference was seeing the great Bill McKibben speak about the climate crisis. He’s incredibly inspirational, and his latest initiative, Third Act, which encourages seniors to get involved in climate activism, is brilliant. I’m signing up all the seniors in my life.
That’s all for now. Thank you for being here. If you find this missive entirely annoying because the world is a tariff-riddled garbage fire, well, I do get that! I’ll be back to real life before you know it, which is most definitely not all five star escapades and sunswept vacations, I promise. Though, for what it’s worth, I was cheered by the election of Susan Crawford in Wisconsin, and by Cory Booker’s bravura performance on the senate floor. Let’s take the wins where we can.
Hope you’re well, and relaxed, and ready for school to start up again, whatever that means for you. Xx ATC