Lisa Frederick

1 week ago | ciaobambino.com | Lisa Frederick

One look at the giant gong that sits near the entrance to Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, and it’s clear right away that this isn’t your average vacation retreat. It’s a sanctuary of mindfulness and intensive self-care, where you might hear the distant beats of a spiritual drum circle from your room, where your cell phone rests in its own tiny sleeping bag and where you can show up at dinner in your bathrobe without anyone batting an eye.

2 weeks ago | ciaobambino.com | Lisa Frederick

As you bump your car down the rugged road that leads to Castle Hot Springs Resort, you might feel as though you’ve been let in on a well-guarded secret. This stretch of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert is remote and barren, populated mostly by saguaro cacti stretching their arms to the endless blue sky, and there’s nothing to hint at the lush paradise that awaits at the end of the dust-clouded drive.

3 weeks ago | ciaobambino.com | Tanvi Chheda |Lisa Frederick |Amy Andrews

A melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, New Orleans is multilayered and fascinating. From the grand homes of the Lower Garden District to jazz along Frenchmen Street, there’s much to enjoy and appreciate. Though it will never shed its party town reputation (Mardi Gras!), the Big Easy has grown up quite a bit in recent years, with lots of art museums, inventive fine dining and luxe digs to rest your head.

1 month ago | ciaobambino.com | Lisa Frederick |Tanvi Chheda

Ambiente Sedona captivated me from the moment it came onto my radar. I’d long been intrigued by Sedona itself (the dramatic red rock formations, the mystical energy, the endless outdoor adventures), but a posh resort where every accommodation is wrapped in a swath of glass to maximize the panorama? Sign me up. Fortunately, my experience didn’t just live up to my sky-high expectations — it surpassed them.

1 month ago | ciaobambino.com | Amy Andrews |Kristi Marcelle |Lisa Frederick |Tanvi Chheda

Barcelona and Andalucia often monopolize the travel planning limelight when it comes to Spain. But consider casting your sights slightly farther north to the coastal beauty of the Costa Brava with an active, immersive holiday on the Camino de Ronda.