June 2019 Hideaway Report

FROM THE EDITOR: This month we explored Champagne, France, a region known for its fine restaurants, sparkling wines and alluring hotels. We also visited Los Angeles and came away completely enamored. Our focus there was on hotels close to downtown, which boasts great restaurants and bars, as well as major cultural institutions.

Articles

New Orange County Restaurants

On our recent visit to Southern California, we found three new restaurants worthy of note, two in Laguna Beach and one in Newport Beach.

Whale Watching Off the Coast of Southern California

We went on two whale-watching tours: one in the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara, and another, farther south, off Newport Beach.

Southern California Coastal Retreats

After assessing several small hotels in the heart of Los Angeles, a little time along the coast seemed like just the thing. One hotel in Malibu made the cut.

Video: The Best Beaches of Orange County

Each beach has its own character and crowd (or lack thereof). Our editor evaluated several beaches along a scenic stretch of Southern California.

A New Hideaway in the Andes

Arequipa, Peru's second city, is spectacularly located beneath a 19,101-foot volcano. The only thing the city has lacked is a hotel, until now.

Touring the Surprising Architecture of Los Angeles

Though preservation guidelines came late to the city, Los Angeles is full of architectural jewels -- if you know where to look. This tour helped us find them.

Best New Los Angeles Bars

Los Angeles has seen a wave of interesting new bars open up, ranging from beer halls to candlelit speakeasy-style cocktail lounges. Here are four we enjoyed.

Literary Los Angeles

In preparation for his trip to Los Angeles, our writer delves into a book about the city and later enjoys time in one of L.A.'s most interesting bookstores.

An Unforgettable Walk in Runyon Canyon

An afternoon hike in Runyon Canyon, a park rising from Hollywood up into the hills, proved exhilarating in the cool air and ultimately "very L.A."

Top Contemporary Art Museums in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has become one of America's most important centers of contemporary art. Here we visit four notable museums with exciting collections.

Hiking Los Angeles: 4 Parks to Explore

Los Angeles has a reputation for endless urban sprawl, but in fact it's easy to find scenic hikes within the metro area. Here are four parks we explored.

Newly Recommended Hotels in Southern California

Our editor ventured to Southern California where he scouted out hotels in Los Angeles and Malibu in search of a hideaway. He found two.

8 Best New Los Angeles Restaurants

Los Angeles now ranks among the great dining destinations of the United States. Here are 8 of the best restaurants that have opened in the past year.

In Search of Luxury Boutique Hotels in Los Angeles

We visited sunny Los Angeles hoping to fill out our roster of recommended hotels with smaller properties. Of the three we visited, only one made the grade.

Beyond the Bubbly: Our Favorite Restaurants in Champagne

The Champagne region has recently emerged as one of the great gastronomic destinations in France, with an impressive constellation of great restaurants.

Barging Through Champagne on the Belmond Pivoine

From March through October, the Belmond Pivoine, a 128-foot barge, plies the waters of the Marne river and the Canal Lateral à la Marne.

Touring Champagne Province

Endowed with great restaurants and many of France's best hotels, Champagne is a more alluring destination for oenophiles, gourmets and history buffs than ever.

Newly Recommended Hotels in Champagne

We spent 10 days in Champagne, France, a region known for its restaurants, hotels and fine wines. Here are three new hotel recommendations from our trip.

Discovering the Fascinating Medieval City of Troyes

Troyes has yet to attract hordes of tourists and remains a quiet and atmospheric place. There is so much to do that we recommend a two-day visit.