Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

Explore the Vibrant Alberta Arts District and Book Your Vacation with MWR LIFE!

Colorful murals splash across the Alberta Arts District, decorating bicycle shops, parking lots, and bar patios. This lively Portland neighborhood bursts with eclectic charm, blending bookstores, galleries, cozy cafes, and a diverse array of global cuisines. You’ll even spot a marijuana shop adding to the mix.

At the heart of it all lies Eem, a standout restaurant fusing Thai flavors with BBQ flair, capturing Portland’s unique culinary spirit. Stroll down Alberta Street, the district’s main artery, and soak in its funky, vibrant vibe—perfect for adventurers seeking creativity and flavor.

Book your vacation with MWR LIFE today and dive into the unforgettable energy of Portland’s Alberta Arts District!

The exterior of CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel.

On the western edge of the street, the corner of 11th and Alberta, a very serious, very modern building opened in March: CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel. The first hospitality project by Solterra, a company specializing in sustainable buildings, it might be an outlier in the neighborhood’s style with its sleek, contemporary look but its spirit is definitely in sync.

CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel’s Wellness Facilities

The swimming pool at the tropically heated Conservatory at CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel.

Key to the hotel is that sustainability; every aspect of it is of cutting edge, environmentally friendly composition and function, earning it status as LEED Platinum (solar power, rainwater harvesting, energy efficient lighting and much more.) What is more visible to guests, though, are the cossetting setting and the extensive wellness facilities starting with a 32 foot long pool in the Conservatory bordered by a 25 foot wall of rare plants and maintained at 82 degrees. Not surprisingly, it invites socializing while draped poolside on loungers.

The lower level Sanctuary with four thermal pools at CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel.

A floor below is the dark, atmospheric Sanctuary with its centerpiece the hydrotherapy circuit comprised of four thermal pools of varying temperatures (one enhanced with trace minerals and magnesium) with water emanating from the pristine rivers and streams of the Bull Run Watershed east of Portland, then heated and purified with state of the art technology. Around the pools are a hammam, steam room, ice fountain and treatment rooms for rituals combining European, Mayan and Middle Eastern elements with botanicals and advanced techniques. There’s also an outdoor Secret Garden with another pool, cold shower and café as well as a daily roster of fitness and wellness options such as sound healing, breathwork, pilates and infrared, flow, and power yoga.

Sustainable, Well Equipped Hotel Rooms

A suite living room with sustainable upholstery at CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel.

Upstairs, the 100 black/white/grey rooms in contemporary, minimalist style also mirror the sustainable focus with materials such as recycled cork furniture upholstery (which is smooth and comfortable) and wool, fire-retardant mattresses. There are also features such as kitchens and washer-dryers which encourage long stays and balconies for hanging out and watching the goings on in the neighborhood.

Portuguese/Japanese Cuisine At Terra Mae

Oregon Black Cod with a red palm coconut seafood broth at Terra Mae.

The restaurant, Terra Mae, a fusion of Portuguese and Japanese cuisine, is already a Portland favorite and one unusually open on a Tuesday night; some top restaurants in town are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The room is buzzing and the menu creative without being crazy: really delicious dishes such as Dumplings with the Portuguese pork sausage Linguiça, leeks, cabbage, peri-peri chili crisp, curry, scallion and black garlic; Mentaiko Udon, the chewy Japanese wheat noodles with spicy pollock roe, garlic, cream, soy cured egg yolk and garlic furikake, a salty Japanese seasoning; Wasabi Salad of King neighborhood pea tendrils, edible blossom, tempura flakes and creamy wasabi dressing and a Fisherman’s Stew with Black Cod, miso, tiger prawns and clams in a rich seafood broth.

The Lobby Coffee Bar

The lobby of CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel.

The hotel also has a lobby level café Alberta Street Coffee for coffee and croissants or muffins in the morning along with a grab and go case of sandwiches, salads, prepared foods and cheeses; the restaurant Forbidden Fruit is due to open in October for breakfast and brunch. In the meantime, Alberta Street is studded with other options as is Portland, overall, regarded as the top culinary center of the Pacific Northwest.

Alberta Street Breakfast Spots

Three blocks away, Mèmoire Cà Phê, the Vietnamese brunch café started by three friends as an homage to their parents celebrates the food they shared with them when they were growing up such as Đặc Biệt Waffle, a waffle with fish sauce, bacon, fried egg, arugula, crunchy stuff, scallion, and spicy syrup and pastries such as matcha cinnamon rolls. The Australian Proud Mary Café veers from spins on breakfast classics such as Ricotta Hotcakes (in theirs: lemon chamomile syrup, blueberries &raspberries, yogurt & white chocolate namelaka, poppyseeds, pistachio cookie crumble plus flowers) to sausage rolls and a pulled pork sando with gochujang & fish sauce braised pork, daikon,cilantro, carrot, red cabbage, pickled onion, miso aioli, sesame seed bun, and chili cukes.

The Tin Shed Garden Café patio, setting for dogs accompanying their humans for lunch or dinner

For more traditional choices, The Tin Shed Garden Café is popular for breakfast dishes such as Fetch, a bacon, tomato and green onion scramble over potato cakes or cheese grits served with a homemade buttermilk biscuit and sandwiches such as Salmon & Spice: Blackened Alaskan Sockeye with pepperjack, roasted red peppers, arugula, red onion and chipotle aioli on a grilled potato bun. Guests’ dogs are encouraged to accompany their humans on the patio; they have their own dish on the menu, Fido Food: free range chicken thighs and sweet potatoes.

Italian and Hawaiian Cuisine on Alberta Street

Salmon poke, Kalua pig and Mac salad at Kau Kau.

Two popular restaurants also settled on the street after stints as a pop up and food cart. Gumba, a handmade pasta specialist moved in after four years as a food cart five years ago. Oahu raised couple Brandon and Tracee Hirahara opened Kau Kau on the street in February serving family recipes for Hawaiian specialties such as Loco Moco, Kalua Pig, Lomi Salmon and an elevated crunchy, sweet and spicy mac salad.

Locals favorite: Cafe Olli

A few blocks away but still in the neighborhood, Café Olli, recently anointed one of the 25 best Portland restaurants by the New York Times, is a locals’ favorite not just for what they serve but for the overall spirit of the place due to their employee-owned, generous benefit laden democracy. (A 20% health and wellness fee is added to checks in order to pay employees a living wage and offer health care coverage.) Open all day, it’s known for house made baguettes, ricotta toast, crisp pizzas, particularly the Pomodoro, and in the evening, pastas such as chitarra with sungold sauce, garlic, basil, chili and Parmigiano.

Eem: A Successful Thai/BBQ Fusion

Sweet & Sour Fried Chicken at Eem.

Down the street, Eem, open for lunch and dinner every day, is the result of three major Portland chefs joining forces: Chef Earl Ninsom (Langbaan, Paadee), Matt Vicedomini (Matt’s BBQ) and Eric Nelson (Shipwreck) with the result a mix of Thai and BBQ that produces deeply flavored, exciting food. Among the choices: Green Curry with Crispy Pulled Pork, roasted cauliflower, lime leaf, oyster mushroom, coconut cream, green onion and fried shallot and Smoked Pork Krapao with pork belly burnt ends, Thai basil and fried egg. But the dish that regulars order again and again, for good reason, is White Curry with Brisket Burnt-ends with roasted cauliflower, coconut cream and green onion. It is that delicious.

A New Wine Spa

Discover Relaxation at Portland’s Wine Spa

Nestled near the Willamette Valley, Portland’s Wine Spa offers a unique way to enjoy the region’s renowned Pinot Noirs. Instead of a day trip, you can soak in local wine and sip a glass right in town. Owner Kelly Lewis launched the spa after exploring vinotherapy in Eastern Europe, inspired by its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The spa partners with local vineyards, using unsaleable wine from bottling errors or overproduction. Each soak includes at least a bottle and a half of wine, plus a glass to enjoy. Add a massage, and you’ll feel instantly relaxed—the perfect way to unwind after a busy day.

Book your vacation with MWR LIFE today and experience the soothing luxury of Portland’s Wine Spa!

Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

Fairmont La Hacienda Hotel with its view to Gibraltar, in Andalucia. Spain.

This notion of ‘quietness’ is not only one of the leading travel trends for 2025, (see the rise in ‘quietcations’), but it is also a USP of the new Fairmont La Hacienda, found a short drive south from Marbella, in San Roque. Despite its proximity to Costa del Sol’s more famous and lively towns, such as Malaga, Fuengirola and Benalmadena, the latest address from Fairmont is instead found in what feels like an undiscovered part of this stretch of southern Spain.

Overlooking La Alcaidesa beach, a 4km sandy bay complete with the picture-postcard Punta Carbonera Lighthouse, the hotel’s suites and villas are set camouflaged into the hillside. It is circled by the 18-hole La Hacienda Golf Course, the only links course in Andalusia with sea views. Further along the coast, and spiking the horizon with its jagged contours, is the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolith that reminds you that this part of Spain is actually closer to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar than it is to the bars of Marbs.

The hotel’s beach is overlooked by the Punta Carbonera Lighthouse.

Spanish architectural agency, Daar Studio, took six years to create the hotel, which is made up of a collection of terraced, luxury rooms, suites and stand-alone villas. The resort’s flat roof architecture and stone-coloured facades mean that the buildings seem to fade into the terrain; while the whimsical landscaping throughout—think: herb gardens that add scents of rosemary and lavender to the breeze and undulating grasses that root you to the shoreline—make you feel at one with the natural surroundings. Its winding lanes and palm trees also give the sensation that you’ve arrived in a modern take on a typical Andalusian village.

One of the hotel’s villas with views of the Rock of Gibraltar.

Wherever you are in La Hacienda, the sea is never far from view. In fact, it is the first sight that greets you when you step inside the double-height, airy lobby. Facing you is an oversized, floor-to-ceiling glass wall—a picture frame to the glittering Alboran Sea beyond. In front of this, a huge sculpture of a whale’s tail is another reminder of the ocean life outside the walls—where guests can set sail for day trips, surrounded by giddy dolphins, and where the edge of Morocco can be seen on a clear day.

Throughout the public spaces, curated like a series of living rooms, art and artisan objects are on display which give nods to Andalusian craftmanship. The interior design also references the region’s rich tradition of ceramics, as well as its Moorish connections, with locally-sourced pottery, dusty pink textiles and textural wall art.

The hotel has a series of three outdoor simminmg pools.

Rooms and suites (there are 153 in total) have been designed by Studio Ibu and ooze a quiet luxury with their minimalist—yet luxurious—feel. There’s a whole gamut of sizes to choose from—whether it is a cosy room for two or one of the 47 Spanish-style villas that come with up to three bedrooms, private gardens and swimming pools. Natural materials, such as Campaspero stone and dark wood furniture, have been used sympathetically, and these are juxtaposed with jute, linen and rattan to give an added interest to each space. The neutral palette of cream-on-cream is lifted with textiles in soft colours and muted prints, while large canvases reflect the sunshine and burnt sienna colours of the local landscape.

Hotel interiors boast natural colours and materials.

Bathrooms are deliciously indulgent—just what you want from a stay in a luxury, holiday hotel—with egg-shaped tubs, walk-in showers and stocked with Le Labo’s heady Rose 31 toiletries. Meanwhile, if you didn’t know it already, a ‘hidden’ highlight at any Fairmont hotel is the Fairmont mattress (more specifically the Fairmont Posturepedic® Luxury Plush Euro Pillowtop mattress, made by Sealy), that has proven so comfortable over the years that guests are now able to order one for their own homes (in the US only). Sink in and you’ll drift away.

Michelin-starred chef Benito Gómez is overseeing the hotel’s fine-dining offering, Dalmar.

Dining at Fairmont La Hacienda is a world away from the usual ‘resort fare’. While you can order casual lunches and quick bites, such as poke bowls and pulled-pork burgers by the pool, as a whole, the resort has a sharp eye on its elevated culinary offering, with artisanal produce used for even the most simple dishes. Most impressive is the fact that the Michelin-starred chef Benito Gómez (famed for his renowned two-Michelin star restaurant, Bardal and contemporary tapas restaurant, Tragatá) is overseeing the hotel’s fine-dining offering, Dalmar.

Dalmar fine dining restaurant.

Working closely with local producers, Gomez’s menu celebrates authentic Anadalusian cookery, taking simple ingredients to new heights. With its open kitchen and bright décor used in the dining room, a meal here brings a sense of drama. Menu highlights include silky Agur anchovies, sea bass cured in seaweed for three days, tuna belly and oysters, focaccia with homemade stracciatella, ‘garden pearl’ peas from the Maresme region of Catalonia, known for their sweet taste and seasonality, a signature beef tartare and a Retinta beef chop.

Dalmar’s chef Benito Gomez.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s breezy, open-air Umbra restaurant is a chic outpost for lunch. Its coastal Mediterranean dishes mean you can try Cádiz tuna and fire-roasted espeto, a local specialty where sardines are grilled over wood in a sand-filled boat, and paired with fresh, seasonal salads. Handcrafted tableware, hanging rattan lighting and a chilled-out soundtrack gives it a beachy, Ibizan feel.

The terrace at Faro restaurant gives widespread sea views.

Meanwhile, the main dining room of El Faro—open for breakfast and dinner—sees sharing dishes take centre stage. Terrace dining means you can gaze out over the sea, which is dotted with the white sails of yachts; while, inside, the dining room is more intimate, with exposed brick walls, ocean-inspired artworks and artisanal pottery. From plates of Jamon Iberico and piquant tomato salads to fresh sea bass and succulent steaks, the vibe here harnesses a hyper-local sensibility that roots you in the destination. Do not miss the oxtail croquettes, which you’ll be lusting after long after you’ve arrived home.

Days can be spent exploring local towns, such as Estepona and the harbour of Sotogrande, where you can browse boutiques and night markets. The hotel can also organise local experiences, such as a Mini Moke hire to drive to Castellar de la Frontera, one of Spain’s most stunning villages; or an olive oil experience at La Almazara La Organic, an olive grove and museum designed by Philippe Starck set at the foot of the Serranía de Ronda.

The hydrotherapy pools in the spa.

Whether you have been out exploring or have hit a round at the golf course (the hotel offers an exclusive partnership with the two 18-hole courses that are close by), a visit to the spa is the perfect antidote to any activity. As well as an indoor swimming pool, there is a series of hydrotherapy pools, a snow fountain, hammam, steam room, sauna and tepidarium. Treatments on offer include manicures and pedicures by Bastien Gonzalez, facials by 111Skin and bespoke massages by aromatherapy brand, Subtle Energies.

Sun sets over Fairmont La Hacienda.

Early morning yoga sessions in the studio mean that you can watch the sun light up the sea for an inspiring start to the day. While, if you head down to the beach before breakfast, you’ll probably have it to yourself, save for the odd dog-walker. Days segue seamlessly into evenings in this peaceful corner. As the sun dips, head for cocktails at the Vista Lounge terrace, a sedate and sun-dappled space which hits just the right notes before night falls. It’s the ultimate in quiet luxury.

Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

Discover Dolly Parton’s Dollywood: A Gift to Tennessee

American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton is beloved by many. She has used her fame to give back in remarkable ways. One of her biggest contributions is the Dollywood theme park, located in the heart of Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood has become a major attraction, drawing millions of visitors every year. It’s a place where Dolly’s love for her community shines through, offering both entertainment and economic support to the small town where she grew up.

Ready to experience Dollywood and the beauty of Tennessee? Book your vacation now with MWR LIFE and enjoy an unforgettable trip to one of America’s most iconic destinations!

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is an upscale, family-friendly destination.

Parton expanded the Dollywood experience with two lodge-style resorts near the theme park: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. These resorts bring the magic of Dollywood beyond the park. Although they share many similarities, each offers unique amenities. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best resort for your next Pigeon Forge getaway.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is the more upscale option of the two Dollywood resorts.

Since opening on July 27, 2015, it has offered unique experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains. The resort features a charming butterfly theme and plenty of Dolly’s personal touches. One highlight is the album corridor, showcasing a vast collection of her album covers and a large portrait of Dolly singing.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa features an album corridor showcasing Dolly’s iconic album covers.

The resort offers a luxurious spa and a range of amenities, creating the perfect vacation spot for all ages. Designed as a home away from home, guests can unwind on porches with rocking chairs or gather around the fireplace in the grand living room to enjoy games like checkers.

The spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa is a haven for adults who need rest and relaxation as part of their vacation.

There are 299 guestrooms and suites at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. There’s a grand lobby with two indoor fireplaces. The 20-acre resort has live entertainment, a grand pool complex, and an onsite restaurant. There’s also an outdoor pool with fire pit areas for guests to enjoy the outdoors in cool and warm weather.

A wide range of accommodations are available at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.

And did you ever wish you knew what it was really like to be a touring superstar? In 2022, the resort added Dolly’s Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience. You can book an overnight stay in the tour bus that Parton used from 2008 to 2022. And it’s all for a good cause! The net proceeds from every stay in Dolly’s tour bus are donated to the Dollywood Foundation.

Dolly Suite 1986 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans.

If you’re visiting during the holidays and love extravagant décor, you’ll want to stay at the DreamMore Resort and Spa. It goes all out for the holidays. From the awe-inspiring gigantic Christmas tree in the lobby to the set-up for the perfect holiday card family photo, this resort is extra special during the holidays.

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort embraces its Smoky Mountains surroundings.

With a modern lodge feel and homey atmosphere, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort shows off the nature and hospitality that welcome visitors to Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. According to CNN, Parton described the resort’s aesthetic as “high-fashion rustic”.

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort has communal spaces for guests to enjoy time together.

It’s quite grand, too. When you walk in the lobby, your eyes are drawn to the four-story stone fireplace with a depiction of a young Dolly with trees and butterflies. There’s also a portrait of an adult Dolly in the lobby on the opposite side of the lobby.

Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which opened in 2023, is a charming destination inspired by Dolly Parton’s 1994 song “Heartsong.” The resort, with its dragonfly theme, features Dolly’s personal touches throughout its public spaces and accommodations. It offers 302 guestrooms and suites, many with balconies to enjoy the scenic Smoky Mountains.

Located in Pigeon Forge, HeartSong Lodge & Resort is just minutes from Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country, and other attractions in Gatlinburg. It shares its location with Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, both offering the popular Camp DW summer program for families. Activities include arts and crafts, pool parties, and storytelling.

Guests of both resorts enjoy complimentary trolley service to Dollywood parks, free daily parking, and hydration stations. Extra perks for theme park visitors include one complimentary TimeSaver pass per day, expedited entries to attractions, early park access, and preferred parking. Additionally, purchases over $25 in the parks can be delivered directly to your resort room.

Both resorts offer ADA and hearing-accessible rooms, and Dolly Parton has expressed her love for all Dollywood expansions, describing them as equally cherished.

Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

Социальный GPS для цифровых кочевников помогает преодолеть одиночество в 47 странах через архитектуру человеческих связей.

In addition to Trinidad, the tufted coquette can also be found in Venezuela, northern Brazil and the Guianas region.

Immediately upon arrival, visitors can bask in the splendor of the Spring Hill Estate building, with high-definition photographs and detailed wildlife paintings lining its walls—but it’s the open-air verandah that draws birders in droves, with fresh bananas and other fruit set out each morning to attract all sorts of native species. Within minutes, visitors can marvel at eye-catching birds like the green honeycreeper, silver-beaked tanager and purple honeycreeper, while state-of-the-art spotting scopes are also in place across the verandah, providing visitors with a chance to glimpse species like the channel-billed toucan or common black hawk resting far off in the treetops.

Amidst the fresh fruit, the area is also brimming with hummingbird feeders, transforming this idyllic space into a captivating flurry of beating wings by mid-morning. Classic South American species like the blue-chinned sapphire and white-chested emerald are abundant across the gardens, while the ruby topaz is a particular favorite thanks to the brilliant yellow and red plumage of the males—but there’s one species in particular that draws birdwatchers in droves. Known as the tufted coquette, this tiny hummingbird is renowned for its striking appearance, with males boasting a prominent orange head crest and lengthy neck plumes that give the animal a polka-dotted appearance.

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Searching for Trinidad’s Natural Wonders

The oilbird is one of few avian species that use echolocation to navigate its surroundings.

Guests can have a truly fulfilling day of birdwatching without setting foot beyond the main lodge, but there’s plenty of can’t-miss avian opportunities to be found across the property’s hiking trails as well. While there are more than 15 kilometers of trails to explore across the entirety of Asa Wright Nature Centre, you don’t have to venture far from the main lodge to find one particularly fascinating site—the white-bearded manakin lek, to be precise. Each day, this small patch of forest springs to life as males compete for the attention of watching females, engaging in a time-honored ritual that involves leaping, head-bobbing and loud, firecracker-like wing snaps—and to sweeten the deal, the eye-catching bearded bellbird can be found just a short walk away from the lek, inviting birders to cross off two species from their life list in one fell swoop.

Beyond the manakin lek, guests can also embark on a guided journey to spot one of Trinidad’s most elusive creatures. Known as the oilbird, this cave-dwelling animal is an evolutionary oddity, serving as the sole flying nocturnal frugivore in the bird world—and the Asa Wright Nature Centre provides the perfect viewing opportunity during daylight hours. After a brief hike along one of the preserve’s most scenic rivers, guests will arrive at the mouth of a small cavern, with plenty of native frogs and crabs to spot along the way. Upon entering the cave, several nesting oilbirds can be found dwelling within as they gear up to search for food at twilight, providing visiting birders with a megatick that’s otherwise particularly difficult to accomplish.

Exploring Beyond the Birds

The Asa Wright Nature Centre grounds measure in at more than 525 hectares of protected rainforest.

Though Asa Wright Nature Centre offers some of the finest birdwatching opportunities in all of the Caribbean, the property also comes equipped with a wealth of other amenities to keep guests occupied during a stay. After a long birding session, explorers are welcome to cool off with a trip to one of the estate’s natural bathing pools, with roaring waterfalls and verdant foliage found at each site. Meanwhile, entomology buffs should be sure to embark on a guided night hike that showcases the many species that roam the forests of the Northern Range in the dead of night. Stick insects, scorpions and spiders are a common sight, while lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of a porcupine scurrying through the canopy.

In addition to ecotourism, the Asa Wright Nature Centre is also a top spot for a thorough immersion into the richness of Trinidadian cuisine. During morning hours, guests can look forward to a superb breakfast spread that offers some of the island’s most beloved dishes, with options spanning from melongene choka—a hearty eggplant dish that’s brimming with notes of garlic—to saltfish buljol, a vegetable-heavy dish that’s infused with salted cod. Later in the day, visitors can dine on savory plates like curried goat and curried shrimp, but no visit is complete without sampling some of the fresh fruits that grow across the island, with options including governor's plum, papaw and Julie mango.