There’s no better way to start the new year off than by taking an adventurous trip. If you’ve resolved to experience more in 2018, here are five destinations around the planet where you can crack oysters, nibble on the beach or feast on Egyptian culture.
Charleston
For more than three decades, a plantation a few miles outside of Charleston has hosted the Lowcountry Oyster Festival in January. The 35th rendition of the mollusk extravaganza is January 28 at the scenic Boone Hall Plantation. The charming Southern surroundings set the stage for 80,000 pounds of oysters, live music, wine, food and even a children’s area for playing.
Once you’ve shucked your share of shellfish, make the easy 20-minute drive to Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Market Pavilion Hotel in downtown Charleston for traditional, genteel place to lay your head.
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Uncasville, Connecticut
Another food-and-wine focused event is scheduled for the end of the month but, with this one, you have the chance to brunch with Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. The Forbes Travel Guide Recommend Mohegan Sun will host The Sun Wine & Food Fest from January 26 to 28.
On the docket is an assortment of ticketed events, ranging from the aforementioned star-filled brunch and a bourbon tasting to a couple different wine tastings and a celebrity chef dine-around where you can catch toques like Todd English and Rocco DiSpirito cooking signature dishes.
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Cayman Islands
To rub elbows with even more celebrity chefs and soak up a few rays in the process, the 10th annual Cayman Cookout is where you’ll want to be from January 10 to 14. Host Eric Ripert gets his famous friends like José Andrés, Anthony Bourdain, Daniel Boulud and more to Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman every year (which probably isn’t that difficult of a feat) to lead discussions, classes, tastings, boat rides and all sorts of other foodie-centric activities over the course of five days.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has even cooked up a coinciding package that includes overnight accommodations for four nights, daily breakfast, and two tickets to the Wine Fair & Auction, the Barefoot BBQ, and the Rum & Robusto events.
ME Milan Il Duca. Credit: ME Milan Il Duca
Milan
You might not think a trip to Italy’s fashion hub would lead to a journey through Egyptian history, but that’s exactly what visitors have found at Milan’s MUDEC museum over the past four months with the “Egypt. The extraordinary discovery of Pharaoh Amenhotep II” exhibit. Closing on January 7, the breathtaking show covers a wide swath of the Golden Age of ancient Egyptian life through multimedia exhibits, artifacts displays and even reconstructed rooms of the Pharaoh’s tomb.
After you’ve had a good taste of the past, head to nearby ME Milan Il Duca to immerse yourself in modern Italian craftsmanship. The sleek, fashionable hotel is a study in contemporary Italian design and has a buzzy rooftop bar perfect for sipping an aperitivo and reflecting on all you saw at the museum.
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Dubai
This is the ninth year for the McLaren Cup, a glitzy polo tournament at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club that is also the first competition of the season. Running from January 26 to February 9, this event will not only allow spectators to watch the matches but also participate in some of the finest people-watching, as the tournament annually draws an international crowd.
Another reason to visit the United Arab Emirates this month is to be one of the first guests at the just-opened Bvlgari Resort and Residences Dubai. This stunning property, situated just 30 minutes from the polo club on Jumeira Bay, features Italian-influenced rooms, suites, villas with private pools and all the amenities you can dream up (private beach, mosaic-lined swimming pool, yacht club, spa and five dining options).
