Below:

• This week's highlight - ÓX in Iceland
• Hot New Hotel Opening - Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia
• Where in the World is Jessie? Riviera Maya, Mexico
• Inspiration + Information

ÓX

Iceland is the land of adventures. 

Exploring hidden caves, trekking icy glaciers, hiking immense mountains, helicoptering above volcanoes, horseback riding black sand beaches, snorkeling between tectonic plates, gazing in awe at some of the 10,000+ waterfalls. 

And luxuriating...

Soaking in hot springs, indulging in a hot stone massage, exploring Reykivik boutiques and tasting delicious foods. 

It's active. 

Cultural.

Luxurious.

Rejuvenating.

Delicious.

Sounds perfect right?

After we plan your adventures, experiences and lodging, it’s then that we get to work on the “extras” – spa appointments, dinner reservations, golf etc. 

One of the places we recommend to our clients is dinner at ÓX in Reykjavik.

Just like the rest of your stay in Iceland, eating at ÓX is an adventure - starting with finding it. It's hidden behind Amma Don Cocktail Bar.

And it feels so very Icelandic. The sense of place is illustrated with the use of serving platters made of stone, lava, shell and wood. 

The restaurant seats only 17 people, and there is one seating each night, creating an exclusive vibe for the magical evening ahead. 

Once you settle in, you sit around the chef watching him prepare your plates and play with your senses throughout 12 courses and drink pairings. Although it sounds formal, it’s quite a casual, friendly atmosphere. 

They blend traditional flavors with modern touches, and some of the dishes even come accompanied with a story. Over the period of three hours your taste buds will be surprised and delighted. 

This will likely be the best meal of your trip and one of the finest tasting menus you have experienced. Only at the end of your meal will you receive the menu, as a symbolic reminder of your unforgettable evening. 

📷 ÓX

🌟Later this year, the Southern Ocean Lodge will reopen on Kangaroo Island in Southern Australia. This iconic resort burned down in January 2020 and has been entirely rebuilt. It is one of the most loved luxury lodges in the world and we are so happy it will be back.

Why visit Southern Ocean Lodge?

• Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island and sits nine miles off the mainland. With 21 national and conservation parks, it is home to abundant native wildlife, including fur seals, koalas, kangaroos, sea lions, ospreys and echidnas. 
• The lodge appears to float along its secluded clifftop setting. There are 25 luxury suites, all with views of the Southern Ocean and coastal wilderness. 
• A stay at the lodge is all inclusive - all day gourmet dining, help yourself bar with premium beverages, in suite bar with snacks and beverages that is restocked each day and guided experiences exploring the island. 
• Signature experiences include a guided tour of Flinders Chase National Park, a guided walk along the limestone cliffs on Hanson Bay, a tour of Seal Bay - the third largest colony of sea lions in Australia and a sunset trip to Grassdale with kangaroos and a pop up bar. 

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.

📷 renderings by Southern Ocean Lodge

(For those new to the newsletter, Jessie is our 19 year old daughter on a gap year. She spent the fall exploring Europe and is now adventuring around South America)

Until yesterday Jessie was loving life in Isla Holbox. She was dancing salsa, lounging on the beach, swimming out to a sand bar and in a bioluminescent bay, eating veggie tacos and taking shelter dogs for walks.

She's also been spending time with new friends. The current group happened to be 3 women who are 26+years old from Europe. The majority of her time abroad has been spent with people older than her because in other parts of the world it's common to take a year to travel in between university and graduate school. She's already recognized it is going to be an interesting transition for her to go to college and be in a class with mostly 18 year olds (she turns 20 this fall).

But for now, the most exciting news is that Jessie is with me!

We are in the Riviera Maya at a resort called Palmaïa the House of Aïa ("Aïa is our connection to nature"). I'm stepping a bit outside of my comfort zone - it's a plant based resort and I'm not vegan or vegetarian and it has many wellness programs that I've never done before. The jury is out on if I'll be converted to coconut, almond or oat milk latte before I return home.

"The House of AïA is a place for meaningful connections, to explore mystical paths towards healing mind, body, and soul, paths to experimentation through our senses, challenging our comfort zones with new flavors, smells, and sounds."

It is highly focused on wellness - yoga, meditation, spa, temazcal (I've done this once and love it!), cenote, visiting guides, sound healing, watercolor painting, breath work. And also fun - DJ, swim up pool bar, food truck, bikes, a variety of restaurants and an adults only section of the resort.

Yesterday we picked up a nachos, tostones and a cold beer from the food truck, enjoyed it on the beach, took a watercolor painting class, tasted sake at the beach bar, biked to a dinner of sushi (plant based or fish - they do offer this for some dishes), pad Thai and taiyaki and fell asleep in a second, both tired from our day. The picture above was from just this morning when I woke up to see the sun rise. I'm not sure what we'll do today, but I'm sure it will be fun!

I'm taking Jessie home with me from here and we are all happy to have her back stateside!

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