Every once in a while a hotel will blow my frickin’ mind. Words can not do justice to how the JK Place in Capri succeeds in rendering even the most jaded traveler to their knees. There are certain things that we come to expect when we stay at a high end hotel. Perhaps a great concierge, fantastic amenities or just some personal touches.

Well, kids, you’re not in Kansas anymore. The JK Capri is off the hizzle! OK, so, here’s the deal. To get to Capri requires you to bring out your inner Christopher Columbus. It’s a bit of planes, trains and automobiles.
We flew into Rome. Took a train to Naples. Then grabbed a ferry to Capri. When your ferry arrives, you’re greeted by an Armani suit holding a sign with your name on it. He grabs your bags and escorts you to a tricked out golf cart (think of what Bentley would come up with if they made golf carts).

When you arrive inside the hotel (think villa/mansion) on a bluff overlooking the Mediterranean, a receiving line of 5 people assemble with military precision to welcome you with a sincere open heart (it’s palpable). You’re then taken out to the veranda, which overlooks the ocean, to do a proper check in – while you’re being served delicious snacks and a cocktail. Over snacks you get to know the JK Place Capri hotel manager Samuel Porreca (we’ll get to him later).

So, lets stop and think about this for a second. You’ve just flown all night. Taken every conceivable mode of transportation to get here. And are suffering the jet lag of a 6 hour time change. You’re totally shot. But, as this JK Capri experience unfolds you seem to forgot all your woes. I am a major pain in the a** when I travel. When I sat down with Samuel I had list of questions about all the secret hidden spots in Capri. He totally picked up what I was putting down and told me what was hot and what wasn’t. In the end there were no less than 10 places that I needed set up for lunch, dinner and nightlife. I asked Samuel if he needed me to write down everything we discussed to book the various reservations. He tapped on his temple with his index finger and said “I got it all right here”. I looked at Kim and said this will NEVER happen!

Man, was I wrong! I won’t go into all the details about how perfectly he orchestrated every single detail, but I will tell you it was no less than AMAZING. Imagine that every restaurant you go to is expecting you with a reserved sign on the table and a chilled glass of Champagne. How about the hottest beach club in Capri, with a line out the door and when you arrive you’re taken directly to a waiting lounge chair with the best private view of the ocean. The JK Place in Capri can open doors on this island like I have NEVER seen a hotel do. It’s so much more than that. These people are just cool. I mean people that you genuinely want to hang out with. Before you go out at night they set up h’ourderves in their library that are made from all local ingredients and are incredible! You have your own personal bar man that remembers what you like, what you don’t and creates custom cocktails for you to try.

When you come home at night (because that’s what it feels like) you have someone that will ask you about how everything went. Everyone in that hotel knows who you are and where you went. It’s like they stick a GPS on you. It’s freaky. I guess I’ll stop here, because I really could go on for days. This place is not cheap. Though, in my opinion you get 100 times your money worth. In fact, I’m not sure you can even put a price on it.

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Odds and Ends

Kim and I just got back from our Fitness Competition in Vegas. It was a blast! We shot a fun video for our coach of the experience. Here it is.

I get emails from people who are trying to connect with me for the same reason.  Asking where to go when they are in such and such a place.  But, to be honest, I really don’t respond to all of them.  At times it’s just too much.  I also get asked to create some kind of newsletter to help them decide where to go next.  The truth is, I just have too much on my plate!

But, Kim convinced me to do it.  She said, “stop whining and just create one”, so, I did.  It came out great, too (if I do say so myself)! Here’s how I broke it down:

Every month you’ll receive a brand new Jet Set Secret Destination, along with our secret hidden spots to check out that we don’t tell anyone. This is going to be very cool!  Now, you’ll know what Kim and I know.  Nothing held back.  From the relaxed comfort of your iPhone/iPad/ or regular old computer — you’ll have a growing collection of the hottest spots on the planet and know exactly where to go and what to do when you get there.

Just for funzies, we’re going to offer something completely new and different. We’re going to record us planning our next trip.  Before Kim and I take a trip we find the ‘go to’ Jet Setter that knows the destination we’re going to like the back of his hand.  An ‘insider’, if you will.  Then, rake him over the coals and beat him into total submission, until he reveals the secret hidden spots that he doesn’t want to get out.

We then put it pretty for you. We package the Jet Set Insider Monthly Newsletter and Jet Set Insider MP3 recording and put it all on a silver platter for you. I’ve even gotten permission for you to contact the Jet Set Insiders we interview personally (as long as you’re cool with them and don’t abuse it).  These are VERY connected insiders.  This is the fastest way I know of for you to create your own Jet Set circle.

The idea is pretty simple.  Over a 12 month period we take you inside our world and let you know all of our Secret Spots.  So, how much should we charge?  I said A LOT! Kim said, “don’t be an a** hole, make it fair”.  We’re still debating on the price.  I don’t know how much I’m going to charge yet.

Here’s what I do know.  I’m going to offer to readers of this blog a special price and on a first come first served basis ONLY.  So, if you even think you might be into it, enter your email in the early list below and I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.

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Headed to Aeolian Islands tomorrow (off the coast of Sicily) in search of more cool spots! If anyone is going to be in that area just drop whistle and maybe we can hook up:)

There really is no “typical day” in St. Tropez (I just wanted to get your attention). But, here’s kind of how what we do it.

Morning: (let’s make that afternoon….there are a lot of late nights).

Usually begins with a walk down to the port to stop for coffee, croissants and people watching at Senequar (it’s the one with the red awning). All the chairs face out towards the ocean, the people and the mega yachts. Newspaper in one hand and a perfect cup of espresso in the other. Taking in the sounds of the port preparing to start another day. I think of it as “French Light”. All of the things you love about the French and none of the things you don’t.

Afternoon: There are a few different ways to spend the afternoon.

If we need a recovery day from the night before. We’ll usually spend it chillin’ at the hotel pool, working on our tan to a respectable “I just flew in from Jupiter glow”. This time around we stayed at the Kube hotel. Totally hip pool scene. Think lounge music, hot people and Mojitos overlooking the Mediterranean. We’ll usually polish off a bottle of Rose and have a great lunch while the music slowly picks up, until it hits it’s peak at around 5-ish.

If we want to save a couple of bucks (and believe me you will, too) we’ll sneak in to town and grab an amazing sandwich at the boullangerie. It’s where the locals go to grab great food at great prices. Think ham like you’ve never had before with fresh brie and a dressing that will make your eyeballs pop out.

If we’re ready to party we’ll set up camp at Nikki Beach. Nikki Beach is the opening scene in the video above. Imagine great house music, cool people with NO inhibitions. Nikki is all about a party. We actually had lunch next to Ivana Trump in a weird pink cowboy hat (which unfortunately will forever be imprinted in my cerebellum). You’ll see everything from people walking around with an army of body guards to Eastern European escorts trying to keep their man entertained. There are definitely a lot of the wanna-be famous crowd, but overall, if it’s a party you are after, it’s a party that you’ll get. It’s a crazy spot, but a fun kind of crazy.

Then it’s time for a disco nap. If you want to have a solid part II to your day– you MUST rest– or you will be yawning with the tourists at 9.m.

Pre Dinner Drinks:

There are some very cool spots that Kim and I hit before heading to dinner to sip champagne, gossip about the day and start working into our night groove. Think super chill lounge music, white outfits, perfectly baked tans and an air of positive expectancy of what the night is getting ready to bring.

Dinner:

Full disclosure – I usually spend about three months planning this one out, so it’s tough to wrap this in a bow. Dinner ranges from a sexy club scene with amazing food, to a restaurant with sand on the floor (that you’re not getting in unless you know someone), to a restaurant that hosts a fashion show while you’re eating (with crazy hot French models), to a hidden back alley (and I do mean back alley) brasserrie that only the locals know about. You really have to be dialed in to what’s hot in the restaurant scene or you’ll be throwing away ridiculous money at tourists traps.

Pre- Drinks:

Dinner will usually end at around midnight and clubs don’t really get going till around two am. That’s where “Pre-Drinks” come in. We’ll do pre-drinks at anything from an ice-bar to a sexy outdoor bar on the port. Unless you have your own Yacht, pre-stocked with hot girls, then none of this matters…

Party/Clubs:

Then it’s off to play with the big kids and get into some serious trouble. Imagine an international scene of very rich people wanting to party their a** off. Money is no object. The number one place to party – no bout adout it – is Cave du Roy, at at the Byblos hotel. Stupid expensive, as is most of St. Tropez. Think 50 bucks a Martini. But, I promise it’s totally worth the price of admission. Here’s a video we shot sneaking a camera in to Cave du Roy:

Crawl Home:

If your still walking, there’s nothing like winding your way back to your hotel navigating your way through the seductive alleys of the old town. Watch the dulled heels of the Manolo stilettos trying to find there way home.

St. Tropez is a scene like no other. Very expensive, very seductive but very worth it.

Kim and I recently took a trip to Vegas for her Bikini America competition and we decided to see what other trouble we could get in to while we were there.  We called upon the services of Kaori of Angelika boutique concierge.  Kaori is THE go to person in Las Vegas.  I asked her if she would give us a recommendation of  something that what would be cool and different to do while we were in Las Vegas.  She suggested that we try shooting machine guns.  You know that head tilt a dog does when they hear a high pitched sound?  That’s kind of how I reacted when she said machine gun.

Apparently The Gun Store in Vegas has completed slipped under my Jet Set radar.  It’s already been featured on the Travel Channel, Bravo T.V.’s Pawn Stars and Maxim magazine to name a few.  So, I figured what the heck!  Life is about doing different and interesting things.  Why not!

When we arrived at The Gun Store we were completely taken care of.  You have your own personal “tour guide” assigned to you (think Rambo) who sets you up with pretty much anything you want. They have everything from Tommy guns to  AK-47s.  You name it, you can get your hands on it!  Best of all?  You don’t need a special license for anything.  All employees are certified range safety officers through the National Rifle Association.  In addition, many of the staff members are retired military and law enforcement officers.

During our tour we got to select one gun from each of the following categories (a total of three guns):

• Handgun (20 shots): Glock, Springfiled, Beretta, Walther, FNH, Ruger, Smith & Wesson or Dirty Harry .44

• Shotgun  (5 shots) or semi-automatic rifle (10 shots): Benelli M4 12-gauge, Remington 12-gauge, AR-15, HK G3, Springfield M1A, HK G36 or Beretta Cx4 Storm

• Fully automatic machine guns (50 shots): Walther MPL, Madsen M50, Colt M16, HK MP5, Uzi, Sten MKII, Thompson, Grease Gun or AK47 / M4 (25 shots)

It was a total BLAST! Here’s a couple of quick videos we shot with our iPhone:

Handgun Video:

Machine Gun Video:

Sure, Vegas is famous for lots of other things.  But, how often do you get a chance to shoot a machine gun?  If you’re in Vegas and you want to try unique things to do like shooting a machine gun, taking a sunset helicopter ride over the strip (or whatever else Kaori can dream up) head over to Angelika Boutique Concierge.

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If you want to learn more about how Kim and I pay for our Jet Set Life check out our newest product Jet Set Money.

I do most of the pre-trip recon before Kim and I take a trip. I vet the hotels, restaurants and night life like an obsessive mad scientist.  The hard part for me has been to find cool and unique things to do during the day.  One of the tools I’m starting to use more and more is the services of a boutique lifestyle concierge.  They just have knowledge and access to things that you would have never thought to do.

Last month Kim and I sat done with Jacopo of Bravo! lifestyle concierge in Florence.  We asked him to give us his best ideas of what we can do in Florence.  We wanted something other than the standard tourist fare.  We met him at his “office”, which was located in a castle (literally).  He is a totally warm, loving and all around cool cat.  We asked him to give us his secrets of  interesting and unique things to do in Florence.  Kim and I are WAY picky when it comes to these things.  The truth is, I have to admit, he totally delivered. So, I decided to share his secrets with you.

Bravo! Dream Car

The first thing you’ll need is a “Dream Car” to discover the hidden beauties of Italy.  Jacopo recommended the Ferrari F430 Spider or the Lamorghinini Gallardo.  For those a bit more budget conscious, he could even hook up a mini cooper, as a very cool alternative.

Bravo! Uffizi Secret Passage Way

Everybody who goes to Florence visits the Uffizi museum.  No big deal.  But, almost nobody has access to the the secret passage way which connects the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti.  Jacopo explained to us, that this unique passage way was commissioned to Giorgio Vasari, the architect of the Uffizi, by Cosimo I in 1565 to celebrate the marriage of his son.  It enabled the Medici family to freely move between their private residence and the seat of the government without the need for an escort.  I would have never even known that this was there, or had any type of access, without Jacopo.

Bravo! Tuscan Food Workshop

It’s no secret that the food in Italy is beyond amazing.  In fact, it’s completely indescribable.  What if you could learn their secrets and bring it back to your own kitchen?  How cool would that be?  Jacopo put together an amazing workshop.  You start by walking through the open air markets of San Lorenzo, in the company of a world class Italian chef.  You walk through the central produce market learning exactly how to buy produce.  You move to the upper floor houses, to pick out the meats, cheeses, bread and even flowers for your meal.  You walk back, to their state of the art Tuscan cooking facilities and have a fun, exciting class on how to put it all together followed by an hour wine class.  Your chance to bring La Docle Vita back to your home.

Bravo! Hot Air Balooning Over Tuscany

If you’re like Kim and I and the windy roads of Tuscany make you a bit motion sick, then we have a totally cool option for you.  Hot air ballooning over Tuscany.  It’s a 3 hour adventure that begins with your participation in inflating the balloon before you begin your flight through beautiful Tuscan landscape.  After landing, Jacopo puts together an amazing spread of beautiful Tuscan appetizers accompanied by Champagne.  A complete unique way of getting a different perspective (and vantage point) of Tuscany.

Bravo! Secret Boutique Shops Tour

Finding places to shop in Florence on the surface may not seem very difficult. However, finding the unique and different shops that nobody knows about, is an entirely different story.  Jacopo knows where the hidden treasures are.  A professional shopper takes you through the unmarked hidden alley was of Florence to find tailor made clothing, handmade shoes, unique pieces of jewelry and hand made embroidery and paintings. If you’re in to shopping and don’t want to waste time feeling like you missed something, this is for you.

Bottom Line

I could go on for days sharing with you what Jacopo has up his sleeve.  Bottom line: If you’re going to Florence hook up with Bravo Concierge! and make your trip unforgettable.

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If you want to see what Kim and I did with Bravo! concierge in Tuscany check out Kim’s blog here.

Imagine, having your own place in Florence, Italy.  That’s always been a dream for Kim and I.   So, when we went to Florence last week we tried to find a place that felt like home, but, because we’re on vacation, also feel like a 5 star hotel.  With just a little research, we found it.  It’s called the JK Place Hotel.  After our stay, it was obvious why Travel and Leisure voted it one of the best hotels in 2010.

I don’t often go nuts over hotels, because I spend a lot of time in them and frankly it takes a lot to impress me, but the JK Place Hotel, completely, above and beyond, impressed me.  It impressed me so much that I asked that manager, Claudio Meli, if he’s was willing to go on camera to talk about it (see above video).

So, what’s the big deal, why is this place so unbelievable?  Oh, let me count the ways.  I generally make my decisions about a hotel before I arrive. I judge them based upon what my ‘pre-trip phone calls’ are like.  I sometimes call a hotel, a half  dozen times before I arrive, to sort through restaurants, night life and cool things to do.  Crazy, I know, but remember we are creating videos and guidebooks and our info just has to be right.  This pre-trip research is my first step.  Needless to say, I’m kind of a pain in the ass about these things.

When I called the JK in Florence,  I was greeted by a warm friendly voice (Lorenzo) who knew who I was (and it wasn’t a jet set life thing) and who was genuinely expecting me.  He really was.  It was kind of like having a very cool friend in Florence, who totally ‘gets’ the vibe you’re looking for and has all the connections to make it happen.

Within 24 hours I had the perfect list of restaurants, night life and cool things to do that were broken down by specific categories (like once in a lifetime, stylish, see and be seen and cozy).  The list was very tight and came with website urls and the name of the people that would be expecting us if we selected it.

After I made my picks from Lorenzo’s list, I called the hotel to book everything.  I spoke with Angela, a lovely soft spoken Italian woman  who was totally aware of what Lorenzo sent me and was sitting ‘on ready’ for me to green light our choices.  Twenty-four hours later, I had every detail of my trip handled exactly the way I wanted.  No begging.  No repeated phone calls like ” who are you again”.  I felt like I was Bruce Springsteen coming to stay with them.  Realize, I haven’t even left America yet!

Now, for the moment of truth.  After the long transatlantic flight from the states, I had to know if this place was for real or did I just get lucky with some really cool people on the phone?  We arrived to one of the most beautiful squares in Florence, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, to a building with no ‘obvious’ hotel sign on it (later I noticed a small nameplate on the wall to the side).  In the JK Place, the only way to gain entry, is to ring a bell.

Within seconds, Lorenzo (in Gucci from head to toe) lets us in.  His first words are “you must be Rob and Kim”, second words were “can I get you a glass of wine and some lunch”?  I was like, this isn’t a dream and there really is a Lorenzo!  He brought us in to a sitting room that was totally hip, sexy and baroque all at the same time.  He didn’t ask for a credit card, or for us to sign anything.  He sincerely wanted us to relax and enjoy our first few moments in our new home in Florence.

Out from nowhere comes what can only be described as an apparition.  A young 20 something, in a butlers apron, with a silver platter of wine goblets and a light amazing lunch.  I asked Lorenzo to join us so we could go over his itinerary.  He stopped everything he was doing and explained every single restaurant, club and event that we had scheduled, with the intellect of a historian and the warmth of a best friend.

After lunch, he brought us into what can only be called the non-check in area.  Imagine a private library, like Batman had, but was totally hip and historical all at the same time.  He gave us a brief tour of the hotel and gave us the keys to our room.  Kim and I were escorted in the hidden elevator (you would never know it’s there;  it’s cleverly hidden behind glass) to room 21.

We opened the door to our room and our heart stopped.  There it was, our own private palazzo in Florence!  Our room had two floors, with a window that opened up to the most amazing view of the  ancient piazza (square) below.  Oh yeah, there was a big bowl of fresh fruit waiting for us, with a beautiful hand written note.

I suppose, I could go on and on talking about how there are only 20 rooms and each one is different, or how the ‘pink room’ is the perfect sexy place to have a cocktail or lunch.  Or how the daily torts will make your eye balls pop out (not to mention your belly).  Or how there are more staff members than actual guest rooms. Or how, on a beautiful day you can lounge on the upstairs private deck and listen to the church bells announce the hour.  Or how from the penthouse bathtub you have a stunning view of Florence’s famed Duomo.  I’ll just tell you to get on the plane, right now, and run to the JK Place (if you’re lucky enough to get in).

My next blog will be about the Italian lifestyle concierge Bravo!, that the JK Place dialed us in to.  They totally hooked us up, with a private behind the scenes guided tour of secret hidden shops in Florence and gave us the keys to places in Chianti that almost no outsiders have access to.

With all the talk of the recession and the world about to implode economically, I was convinced that when I arrived in St. Tropez I would see a ghost town.  Nope.  In fact, I found the opposite.  The hotels were overbooked and I had to pull strings just to get a room.  The New Jet Set were there and ready to party!

If you’re looking for a place that will transcend you to another world of glitz, glamour and flat out excess, this is the place for you.  This is by far the ultimate playground of the Jet Set.  Don’t get me wrong – I did NOT do it on my 100 million dollar yacht, although I did party at the same places they did.  I didn’t fly in on my G5 private jet either, but I did share the same beaches they did.  I didn’t even drive my Bentley over from Monaco, but I did eat at the same restaurants that they did.

For me being a part of the NEW Jet Set means you get to experience it all AND have your muse making money while you’re doing it.  In fact, we made more money the month we were there then we did the month before we left.  What’s better than waking up a bit foggy from partying to see all the orders from the night before come in from all the different time zones?

If you haven’t joined our movement yet and want to become part of the new jet set just enter your info in the email box above and we’ll keep you in the loop.

Also, were only letting a small group of people into our member site, Secrets of Successful Muses, and the door is closing this Sunday at midnight.  I’m not really sure when we’re going to re-open it.  So, if you’re thinking of joining here’s the link.

For those who have asked – here are a few of our favorite spots in St. Tropez (in no particular order).

Restaurants

1. Villa Romana

Beach Clubs

1. Club 55

Night Clubs

1. Caves Du Roy

Hidden Secret Places:

You didn’t think we were going to give you ALL our Secrets did you?

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P.S. We get asked a lot how we pack everything for a month in Europe into one carry one.  Here’s the video:

This is a guest blog from travel guru Thomas Quinlan.

Is it possible that one of the best travel destinations on earth has been known about for 2,000 years, and that you’ve never heard of it? Or that you’ve seen it in Hollywood films and never realised it? That famous people from Julius Caesar to George Clooney have called it home?

All this (and more) are true of “Lago di Como”, or Lake Como, situated in the north of Italy. Carved out in the shape of an upside-down “Y” by glaciers long ago, the Lake Como area has had a human presence for thousands of years. With a Mediterranean climate, it can be visited all year.

Situated on the lower left portion of the “Y” is the town of Como itself. Established by Julius Ceasar around 49 BC, the town of Como has a rich history, and the evidence of that is everywhere you look. Most obvious is the Duomo, the cathedral in the town centre, which was started in 1396 and not finished until 1740. With intricate artwork on the outside, you can spend a fair amount of time just admiring the craftsmanship that went into the hundreds of years of work, and there’s something indescribable about touching stone that was laid down almost a hundred years before Columbus even set sail. There are several other churches in the area, and each one is situated off a Piazza, or city square. Most of the Piazzas are named for famous inhabitants of the area, with the most famous sons of Como, Alessandro Volta and Giuseppe Garibaldi, getting more than one.

One of the best places to stay in Como is the Hotel Barchetta, off the Piazza Cavour, which is right on the southern part of the lake. A 40 minute drive from Milan Malpensa airport, what minor flaws the hotel has (hard beds) are more than made up for by the gorgeous view and attentive staff. (You won’t want to spend much time sleeping anyway.) Getting a room on the lake side is worth the extra euros, and you’ll have a great view of any bands that play the Piazza at night.

Venturing out the rear of the hotel brings you to “downtown” Como with its cobblestone streets, restaurants, and shops. There is plenty to see and do, so plan to spend at least a day walking around. It will be difficult not to find a place to eat – you can’t walk far without the appetizing smells drawing you in. I didn’t get far the first morning before finding a great place for pastries and macchiato! The restaurants in the town are reasonably priced, the food is mouth-wateringly fantastic, and you’ll definitely want to eat outside whenever possible. Meals are cordial and unhurried, and you’ll likely make a few new friends even if you don’t speak the language. If you’re really lucky, you’ll be able to relax after your meal to authentic Italian accordion music as played by one of the locals!

Walking out the front of the hotel takes you directly to the lake itself. It splashes up against the cobblestones, and sometimes even spills over onto the street. Strolling along the right side of the lake will give you a better view across it, as well allow you a good view of the villas built into the hillside. When you can’t walk any further down that side, you’ll come to a very large fountain. A popular hang-out with the local kids (who climb the fence to actually sit under the fountain’s spray), its beauty can be appreciated from farther away, and when the wind changes direction, the cooling mist provides a nice contrast to the warm air.

The real beauty of the area is getting out on the Lake itself. It is here that the most magnificent views can be seen! Poets from Pliny the Elder (and his son, Pliny The Younger) to Shelley to Mark Twain have described it, and far be it from me to try to do outdo them. Shelley’s words are fitting: “This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…”. There are three ways to get around the lake by boat, which vary primarily by speed; I recommend the “slower boat” (not the arrow boat or the ferry) that leaves from right outside the hotel on a regular schedule and is about 15 euros. It stops fairly frequently at the various towns on the Lake, and each of the towns have their own unique charm, from spectacular villas, to ancient aqueducts, to lakeside beaches (where cheeky Italian boys may just moon you!), and you can get off and on the boat at each town if you like.

I recommend taking the boat from Como to Bellagio, which takes about two hours each way. While four hours in one day may seem like a long time to be on a boat, the time will fly by – the warmth of the sun on your skin, the fresh air in your lungs, the smell of the water, and the sparkle of the lake will mesmerise you. A mid-morning start will put you in Bellagio at approximately lunch time, and will give you plenty of time to explore. While you’ll have to prepare for a fair amount of walking on the narrow stone streets (Bellagio is quite hilly, though many places have steps carved into the stone), the stores and restaurants of Bellagio are not to be missed. (If you’re not the wandering type, there are tours that can be taken, which last about three hours.) I highly recommend the gelato that can be had there – it provides welcome refreshment and puts stateside Italian ices to shame. There are often concerts in the early evening, and there are few experiences on earth that can rival relaxing and listening to the music while a very light breeze drifts off the lake as the sun sets and the stars peek into view.

If you’d like to get another country onto your itinerary, Switzerland is only 5km from Como. It’s a fairly easy drive over some not-all-that-high Alps, and the closest town in Switzerland is Lugano, situated on Lake Como’s sister lake, the eponymous Lake Lugano. Switzerland is one of the few countries in Europe that isn’t part of the EU, so you’ll need Francs if you want to buy anything there. If you do decide to buy things, keep in mind that things will be more expensive, though they’ll be the genuine Swiss article – from the basics like Swiss Army knives and delectable Swiss Chocolates to the higher end items like Swiss watches from Movado and Tag Hueuer.

It’s not all shopping to be had in Lugano, of course. The walk around the Lake is replete with sculptures by various Swiss artists, and about halfway along you’ll come to the Museo d’Arte Moderna, or the Modern Art Museum. Exhibitions vary, obviously, but I was lucky enough to take in a Baselitz exhibit while there. The Lake itself is beautiful, in a manner similar to Lake Como, though I think Lake Como has a slight edge in the beauty contest, with the Alps as a sublime backdrop.

Chances are, though, that you’ve already seen Lake Como’s beauty, and not even realised it! Due to its natural beauty, it is a popular spot for filmmakers. If you’ve seen “Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones” (the wedding scene) or “Casino Royale” (Bond’s recuperation), you’ve already seen parts of Lake Como. Parts of “Ocean’s Twelve” were filmed there as well, and it’s no coincidence that Lake Como’s most famous resident, George Clooney, spent $7 million to buy property there. If you’ve got $7 million, you may want to follow his lead; if not, it’s worth the Euros to see in person, at least once in your life. It may be hackneyed to say that few places on earth can match its natural beauty, but people have said that for thousands of years, and it’s likely that they’ll continue for thousands more.

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There have been a lot of questions around the new product that JSL is launching. All I can say, is it’s gonna be big! It will finally answer all your questions. If you want to step to the front of the line, enter your name and email in the Early Alert List!

Jet Set Life St Tropez

St. Tropez has historically been the summer playground of the old monied Jet Set.  Not any longer.  The New Jet Set have arrived.  The difference between the two classes of Jet Setters on the surface may seem indistinguishable, but make no mistake they are very different.  One is concerned with making a bunch of cash and the other is concerned with creating an income that is automated, scalable and location independent.  Guess which one I’m after?

The Old Jet Set

The old Jet Set model has been primarily based around amassing a bunch of cash either through inheritence or a lifetime of hard work. Good old hard work and savings will produce cash, yes, but it has its price.  This deferred living model is flawed for many reasons.  The most evident of which is the state of our current economic crisis.  Fortunes are being lost over night and in many cases won’t ever be realized again.  Now, compare that to how the New Jet Set have things set up.

The New Jet Set

The New Jet Set (taking a hat tip from Tim Ferriss) has redefined Jet Set anew “A subculture of people who choose to live their life now, instead of deferring their dreams to later in life.  They have learned to leverage technology to create income, time and freedom……”. That’s it.  Right there.  ”They learned to leverage technology to create income, time and freedom.”

Leverage Technology and Create Income, Time and Freedom

We are in a new world.  We have CNN and Ashton Kutcher fighting it out for the top spot on Twitter.  Newspaper companies dropping like flys and grandma’s turning to Facebook to connect with their peeps.  We can’t look to the future using a rear view mirror any longer. Things are changed forever.  The information age isn’t coming – it’s here.  It’s time to leverage that technology, harness it and bend it to our favor.  The old model is d-e-a-d. Here’s something to consider.  Last night Kim and I were watching a 60 minutes report about the 401k collapse.  So many sad stories about peoples life savings gone, or almost gone, in the span of just a few short years.  Kim pointed out (brilliantly) that if all those nice folks had spent equal time in creating their muses as they did funding their 401k’s they would have a monthly income to access now.  No judgement here.  I really feel horrible for these families.  I’m not sayin’ I’m just sayin’.  What we’re really talking about is not focusing on the big pile of cash at the end of the rainbow, the defered life plan, but rather income now and savings second.  In NO way am I saying don’t save.  That’s stupid.  I’m saying work on creating income that is scalable, automatable and location independent FIRST!

Two Ways to Get to the Same Beach

Let’s get back to where I’m most comfortable.  The beach.  The same sexy beaches of the French Rivera will have two different people on it.  The ones who have stepped into this wonderful new world of leveragable, scalable, technology driven income and those who haven’t figured it out.  Save yourself the headache and the drama and get to work on figuring out how to create this for yourself.

Wanna Hang With Us in St. Tropez?

If you haven’t had the pleasure of kickin’ it with the best of them in St. Tropez – you owe it to yourself to check it out.  It is a surreal party that showcases living life like you have never seen.  Kim and I will be in St. Tropez for the month of July partying while our muses are ticking away generating income for champagne (and yes, to max out our retirement accounts as well – we do both)!

If you want your own muse and don’t know where to begin I have one recommendation that will take you from A-Z here.  This is absolutely the cutting edge in muse development.  This is NOT a crash course.  It’s definitely work to complete all 11 lessons, but well worth it.  If you’re even thinking about it you owe it to yourself to check it out.

If you already have your muse in place and will be in St. Tropez over the summer send us a Tweet here.  Try not to loose your shirt in these crazy economic times unless of course you’re in St. Tropez – then that would be a good thing :)

Post written by Robert Murgatroyd. Follow me on Twitter.

One of the many perks of what I do for a living is getting amazing access to some really cool people.  Today’s interview is with Jamison Laguardia, the regional event manager for Playboy Golf in South Florida and the Director of Events & Marketing for Passion Nightclub @ the Hard Rock Hotel in Miami.  Long title, I know, but what it really means is he gets to golf and hang out with Playboy bunnies and celebrities for a living.

1) Before we get into Playboy, I have to ask you about how you wound up on the front page of Perez Hilton’s website?

Yeah, that was interesting!  Basically, I got caught in the crossfire of  the paparazzi and the one and only Lindsay Lohan and her girlfriend, Samantha Ronson, as they were being escorted from their room at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino [in Hollywood, Florida].  I am the Director of Events & Marketing at Passion outside in the club district.  It was really something to see how much interest there is from celebrity to celebrity and who is hot at that time and what kind of pull they have in the media.

Rob: That’s Jaime below in the black suit navigating Lindsey and Samantha safely through the paparazzi.

2) Who are some of the more interesting celebrities that you have booked for the Hard Rock?

In the past  four years I have dealt with Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra (and her boyfriend Rob Patterson), Dennis Rodman (on a weekly basis), DJ AM, Diora Baird (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Brandy Roderick, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Dave Navaro, Matt Dillon, Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Alicia Keyes, John Legend, Tera Patrick & Evan Seinfeld, Ron Jeremy, Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson to name a few.

3) Could you describe for us the process that you go through to book someone, like say a Lindsey Lohan, to appear at one of your events (in other words – is there like a celebrity yellow pages that you refer to)?

There are a handful of agencies and celebrity bookers that I deal with out of LA and NY.  In the celebrity booking business, it is a pretty close circle of people who know the right people and how to get in touch with them.  It’s amazing to see how this kind of hosting job has been created and evolved over the past 8 years.  One of the most famous clubs in Miami in the 90′s called Liquid (which was made famous by owners Chris Paciello, Ingrid Casares & Madonna) had celebrity after celebrity in there every night and no one ever payed them to come in.  They just came to be part of the party to see and be seen like everyone else.  Now, everything has changed.

Once you agree upon the celebrity and the date you then begin coordinating their availability with their management.  Their hours are sometimes extremely tight.  For example, they maybe flying back from Europe, or on their way back to LA or NY and they may have to make a stop over [in Miami] first in order to make it happen.  Transportation issues are next.  Booking flights (class of service), limousines, etc. Then, it’s on to booking hotels for the celebrity.  I have to find out if they are willing stay at the Hard Rock or are they insisting on staying in South Beach.  Basically, it’s all about making sure the VIP is comfortable and happy.

On the day of the event I begin the process of physically getting them to the party. Working with local police and security to make sure they get here safely and with out any problems.  Once they are inside, I can finally relax.  They usually start drinking and then they are on their own.

4) Who was your most demanding celebrity to work with and what was that experience like?

The most demanding and most amount of work has been this latest booking of Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson.  We originally had them booked for Valentine’s Day on Saturday, February 14th.  We spent almost a month promoting the event.  We worked really hard and as a result wound up booking a huge crowd.  On the morning of the 14th, I was reading one of the celebrity blogs on the internet and learned that Lindsey and Samantha had a fight in the middle of the street (just a few hours earlier) in New York City.  I actually thought the fight (and it’s publicity) was great for us, because it would add ‘fuel to the fire’ for our promotion.

Then, I get a phone call at 3 p.m., (they were supposed to arrive at 6:30) saying that they were both “sick” and would not be coming.  I  had to immediately go into damage control.  I had a ton of people (as well as press) coming in to see them that night.  I had cancelled all the arrangements (hotel, flights, etc.) that were made on their behalf.  It was  a lot of work unwinding it all.

We wound up rescheduling the event [to last week] Saturday, March 7th.  Both of them came down (as scheduled) and the party went off without a hitch.  It was fantastic event and they were both really nice girls.

5) Give us the official description of what it is that you do for Playboy Golf?

Well, I’m the regional event manager for Playboy Golf in south Florida.  Playboy Golf is a national tournament that has 25 local tournaments all over the country throughout the year.  During the locals, we partner up with some of the best nightclubs, bars, new liquor, hottest car/limo companies, etc.  We find a golf course, bring in a sponsor for each hole and find golfers that want to have a great time.

6) I understand that you have local girls that want to get involved with Playboy Golf.  Would you explain how that process works?

Sure.  We have a casting for “Girls of Golf” where we invite local girls out to the parties and events and give them an opportunity to get involved with playboy.  At the end of each golf tournament we select 2 girls to win the local “Girls of Golf” and send them on to the Finals at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California.

7) What’s the criteria that you look for to select the two girls that go to the finals?

We’re looking for girls that have a personality and are fun to be around.  I have seen some of the most beautiful girls enter the competition that are uptight and boring and it just doesn’t work.  The golfers, sponsors, playmates and playboy golf staff select the girls by a vote.  The judges need to remember you (especially remember your name) in order to vote for you.  If you are forgettable they simply won’t remember to vote for you.

8) Other than the trip to the Playboy mansion what’s in it for the girls who win the finals?

Well, the girl who wins the competition gets two things.  First, she get a test shoot for Playboy magazine and second the possibility to become a playmate (and of course an all expenses paid trip to the Playboy mansion).

9) Describe your first experience visiting the Playboy Mansion (in other words what was it like in relation to what you thought it was going to be like)?

I tell everyone that the only way to describe it is whatever you think it is from what you have seen on TV and read about- double it- it’s so much better.  I’ll say this – every man has a check list (a bucket list) of everything that they want to do in their life – have a motorcycle, go skydiving, bungie jump, GO TO THE PLAYBOY MANSION.  Once you go for the first time, it’s like, OK, I get to check this one off, because I’ll never beat this.

10) What’s the experience like at the Playboy Mansion and are the parties as wild as I think they are?

They don’t let you drive to the mansion.  You have to take a bus from the Hotel Roosevelt.  It takes about 20 minutes to arrive at the mansion gates.  The anticipation is kind of  like when you were a kid in junior high school going to your first party with girls and no parents around.  Only at this party, there are girls walking around naked, with an open bar, and people having sex in front of other people in the grotto while you’re hanging out with celebrities, getting hammered and pretending that they’re your new best friend.

In other words…

It doesn’t suck

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Follow Rob and Kim in real time here

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Why are we so freaked out about this topic.  I know, I’m a man and obviously biased (make that very biased).  I get that and I’m happily willing to admit it.  Now, that that’s out of the way, what’s the big wup?  I mean, I’m in the Mediterranean all the time and they seem to have no problem with it.  The last time I looked our European counterparts were a heck of a lot hotter than our oversized, fanny pack wearing, fat american white asses.  I mean, really. Tell me if I’m wrong here.

The weird thing about this is we seem to have no problem squeezing over inflated jinormous boobs into a bikini but god forbid we see a nipple.  Maybe that’s it.  Is it the nipple we can’t handle?   I can’t figure this thing out.  I know, I know Im a guy.  But, what about all those European women that have no charge with letting it all hang out and going au naturale?  Are they just all floozies and we’re the civilized bunch?

Well, which ever way you stand on this, it seems that the Mirage hotel in Vegas has spoken.  They say “let’s give the people what they want”.  They just opened up a super sexy private pool called Bare.  Everyone loves a cool pool party, right?  What better way to pass the time than bikini’s and booze.  The Bare Pool lounge is a totally adult venue (better get that out of the way before the puritans start screaming).  Bare is the ultimate in poolside pampering. DJ spinning music mix sets against a hot sexy crowd enjoying European-style sun bathing secluded by towering palms.

Bare, offers an exclusive adult alternative to the typical Las Vegas pool experience.  There are two ultra luxury dipping pools that create a break from the hot Vegas sun.  Private day beds and what they call boat beds top off the ultimate in poolside pampering. They also have this really cool pitcher service, for pre-mixed cocktails, like Mojitos, Bloody Marys and Sangria that are served in this specially made pitcher that is guaranteed to keep your drinks ice cold all day.

The pool area is laid out really well.  They have two decks an upper and a lower.  The upper deck has an infinity pool, private VIP area that overlooks the Mirage’s dolphin habitat.  The lower decks are the elevated daybeds that are perfect for lounging with friends and sunbathing.  These private cabanas have curtain walls and bottle service that give new meaning to “what happens in vegas….”.

So, here’s what I want to know.  Ladies: would you go to Bare AND would you take your top off.  Guys: are you cool with your girl going and taking her top off? Thoughts?

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Follow Rob and Kim on Twitter here.

This is the first installment in the Jet Set Like A Rock Star series.  I couldn’t think of a better destination to kick this series off with than the European summer home of rock star living – Mykonos.  This place has it all.  Whether you want to party or chill (or do both) it’s all here. Here’s our short list to Jet Set Like A Rock Star in Mykonos.

Where to Stay

Here’s our top 2 picks (in priority order).

1. The Belvedere - The ultimate in chic luxury.  Always a scene.  This hotel is amazing in so many ways.  The staff anticipates your needs and always makes you feel like you’re at home and not in some stuffy hotel.  The scene is simple, chic, and sexy.  The location couldn’t be better. It’s at the edge of the port town and within 20 minutes of every beach on the island.  The pool is a who’s who of international tanned hard bodies.

2. Bill and Coo - The sexiest infinity pool in town.  Really.  This is an all suite hotel.  All rooms have fantastic balconies with views of the sea.  Higher class suites have private plunge pools with a small deck to chill and enjoy the sun.  This is a very quiet and very relaxed environment.  Here’s a short video we shot of some dude doing push ups while we’re touring the hotel (couldn’t resist shooting it).  Weird, I know, but it will give you a good idea of what the surroundings of the hotel is like.

Where to Eat

Here’s our top 5 picks (in order of priority).

1. KiKi’s - No electricity.  No sign.  No credit cards.  No reservations.  Just 10 tables.  Totally AMAZING food (did I say amazing).  This fantastic spot is on a bluff overlooking the ocean on Aghios Sostis Beach. DO NOT miss this place.  It is a MUST.  Get the grilled octupus, eggplant and the fresh catch of the day.

2. Nammos - See and be seen lunch/dinner spot on Jet Set Psarou Beach.  Think town and country meets the Greek Isles.  Open air dining overlooking the beach.  Get the to-die-for-caprese salad and fresh fish.  A perfect day at Nammos would be to get a beach chair right in front of the restaurant (if you can), have a late lunch (around 4 p.m.) and watch the action. Here’s a short video we took this summer of Psarou beach to give you a feel for the environment.

3. Gola - This Italian restaurant is the triple threat of food, wine and view.  It has it all. Upscale without being stuffy.  Situated high enough to see Mykonos town all light up at night.  Eat dinner outside, around its beautiful pool and under the stars.  An experience you will never forget.

4. Belvedere Club - I hate to put a hotel restaurant on this list, but this one is too good to leave out.  It’s a lunch spot pool side at the super chic Belvedere Hotel.  Simple, stylish with great food and amazing vibe.  Get the fresh bread with olive oil and black salt (from Cyprus) to start. Then move on to Greek salad (hands down the best on the island) and skewers of chicken, beef or veggies.  After lunch browse the Mykonos outpost of Scoop (the hip New York/South Beach clothing store).

5. Interni - Think Southern California vibe meets the Greek Isles.  A blend of traditional Greek and International cuisine.  Very cool design with an equally sexy crowd.  Go for dinner and stay for the drinks when the restaurant flips into a club filled with a very young and cool crowd.

* Note about dinner: Do not show up to any restaurants on the island before 11 p.m.- you’ll be the only one in the restaurant.

Where to Party

Here’s my top 4 picks (in order of priority).

1. Super Paradise - One of the most famous beach party spots in the world.  This is likely where Mykonos gets its bad boy party reputation.  A great mix of young, old, famous, not so famous, gay and straight.  Think stripper poles on the beach, topless sun bathing, off the chain partying and fun (crazy) people letting loose and enjoying life.  This is a personal favorite of mine – and for really good reason.  I so wish I could tell you why, but Kim just will not let me tell you.  The sad part is – you would really want to know – believe me.  Sorry.  Try an email her and see if she’ll tell you.  Good luck.  Seriously this place can bite you.  Take a taxi and avoid drinking and scooting.  Go on Saturday at around 5 pm and let loose. Here’s a short clip of the action on Super Paradise.

2. Astra - This is an exclusive, sexy lounge right in the center of Mykonos town.  Sit outside, sip fantastic cocktails and people watch or go inside and dance on the mini-dance floor; don’t be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two.  Here’s a short video of Mykonos town.

3.  Caprice - This tiny sea front bar is packed ALL the time.  It’ll be a flash back to high school/college.  You’ll know the words to every song.  It’s a little silly, but it’s a lot of fun and filled with locals and tourists alike.  Stop on your way in from the beach or on your way out to a club.  Watch the video below (Caprice is the white bar).

4. Cavo Paradiso - World famous DJ’s spinning while you watch the sun rise from the sea. Party kids, hip club goers and those that just want to see the sun rise with 1000 of their closest friends.  Also check out this video we shot at Cavo this past summer.  Check out this clip of us getting up at 3am to watch the sunrise at Cavo with D.J. Louie Vega.

If you’ve been to South Beach in Miami, you’ve probably walked past the famous Versace mansion on Ocean Drive.  If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve seen it,  just look for a really big mansion with an observatory on its roof, nestled between the cafes, restaurants and hotels of Ocean Drive.  You’ll know you’re getting close when you see the crowd outside its famous doorsteps snapping pictures (it’s the third most photographed house in America behind the White House and Graceland).

Before we step inside the Versace mansion we should probably cover a bit of history first.  If I’m honest, I’m just not that into history (it makes my head spin), but this story is just too interesting for me to ignore.  To make it a bit easier for you to follow, I’ll deliver it to you in easy-to-read-bite-sized-chunks for an easier understanding of this fascinating life.

**If you want to cut to the chase- go to the bottom of the post and watch the 1 minute video inside the house.

Brief Bio of Gianni Versace

Versace (born December 2, 1946) was an Italian fashion designer and the founder of the Gianni Versace international fashion house.  He and his companion, Antonio D’Amico, were openly gay and were regulars on the international party scene.  He hung out with some of the biggest icons of our time – Lady Diana, Madonna, and Elton John just to name a few.

The Tragic Story of Versace’s Death

In 1997, at age 50, and at the top of his fashion game, Gianni went out for his usual morning walk down to the News Cafe on Ocean Drive for breakfast (which was his regular morning ritual when in South Beach).  Upon his return, he was shot dead on the doorsteps of his mansion by Andrew Cunanan (a 27 year old serial killer who had been stalking him for over a year).  Cunanan shortly thereafter turned the gun on himself, committing suicide after fleeing to a nearby boat in a massive Miami police standoff.

Brief History of The Versace’s  Mansion – Casa Casuarina

Casa Casauarina (as the house is titled) was built in 1930 by architect/philanthropist, Alden Freeman, as a homage to the oldest exisitng house in the western hemisphere, the “Alcazar de Colon” in Santa Domingo.  The house in Santa Domingo was the home of Christopher Colubus’s son, Diego, in 1510.  One of the house’s cornerstones actually contains original brick from the “Alcazar de Colon”.

How Versace Obtained The House

In 1992, on a trip to Miami, Versace encountered Casa Casuarina for the first time.  Although it had fallen into great disrepair, Versace fell in love with it and purchased the residence for 3 million dollars.  He invested an additional 33 million dollars in to restoring it.  Yep, he put 33 million into a 3 million dollar house.  He exquisitely restored, expanded and embellished all its features.  He demolished the adjacent hotel to create the South wing, pool and garden.  The result was a triumph in Italian design and the Casa soon became part of the world’s stage.

What Happened to The House After Versace’s Death

Versace’s estate was massive and took several years to settle.  To give you an idea just how big his estate was, he left his 11 year old niece, Allegra, a half a billion dollars.  In September of 2000, telecom Executive Peter Loftin bought Casa Casuarina for 20 million from Versace’s sister Donatella (who now runs the famous brand).

The deal she made with Loftin was that she would sell the house to him for 20 million dollars, however this did not include the furniture.  He agreed to the deal and she later sold off the furniture for 90 Million!

Owning Casa Casauarina has been dream of Loftin’s since Versace remodeled the house.  After Loftin purchased it, he dedicated himself to both preserving its history and bringing vibrant new life to it. He hasn’t made any structural changes, but has done extensive work to preserve its architectural history.  He restored all of the interior walls and brought back the opulent style of Versace with lavish furniture and details.

Donatella and Alegra Versace

The Current Status of Casa Casauarina

Loftin initially turned Casa Casuarina into a private members-only private club and has since morphed it into a luxury boutique hotel.  Jet Set Life was recently granted unprecedented access to tour the house and check out some of the private bedrooms that are off limits to the general public.  We created a short video below of some of the areas that we were able to twist their arm and let us shoot.

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Want to follow Rob and Kim in real time?  Go here.

Restaurants

1. Meat Market- A sexier, more glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse.

2. Casa Tua- There are no words to say about this one except go. Really. Go. Now.

3. Wish- An outdoor garden illuminated both by candles and by the glowing ice cubes in the house’s signature cocktails.

4. Maison d’azur- Located at the new Angler’s Boutique Hotel.  A glamorous seafood restaurant that mixes traditional Parisian brasserie with the sexy ambiance of the Cote d’Azur.

5. China Grill- Near perfect Pan-Asian cuisine well worth a stop.  Keep in mind that China Grill is a family-style restaurant and that dishes are meant to be shared.

6. Nobu- Come on.  It’s Nobu AND Miami all rolled up into one.  Go.

7. Prime 112- A sleek steakhouse ambience and rocking bar.  Arguably the best steakhouse in the entire city.

8. Barton G- Looks like a trendy restaurant, but eats like a show.  Here, presentation is paramount.  Lobster pop-tarts come out in an actual toaster.  Crazy.  Good and fun.

9. Blue Door- Used to be Madonna’s restaurant.  Food is great and the eye candy is sick!

10. Asia de Cuba- New hotspot at the new Mondrain hotel. If you like the one in Los Angeles you’ll love its east coast sister.

Lounges and Clubs

1.  Set- On Lincoln Rd. between Washington and Collins – best nights are Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

2. Mokai- 23th and Collins Ave – nice on Tuesday night and best night on Friday or Saturday night.

3. Mynt- Collins between 19th and 20th – best nights are Thursday and Friday.

4. Glass at the Forge- 41st street a few blocks down from Collins – best night is Wednesdays.

5. Tantra- Drexel and 14th – best night is Mondays.

6. Sky Bar- at the Shoreclub Hotel on Collins and 19th.  Fantastic.

7. Florida Room- on Collins & 18th at the Delano Hotel – best night is Tuesday, stay and have cocktails at the pool.

8. Gemma Lounge-Lincoln Road, – pre-clubbing Fridays and Saturdays, empty by 2 am.

9. Mansion- Washington Ave and 12th street – best night are Wednesday night, Friday and Saturday night.

10. Nikki Beach- First Street and Ocean Drive – best on Sunday Afternoon.

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Follow Rob and Kim in real time here.

If I’m honest I’m not really all that into the the Ritz Carlton/ Four Seasons kind of thing. I find the whole thing to be a bit pretentious. It’s kind of -middle managers gone wild- for me . It’s just not my scene. I prefer something with a bit more soul like the Riad Lotus or Le Sirenuse. I had heard about the One & Only hotel group, but I kind of put them into the same stuffy category and just never went.

I was planning a mini retirement to Cabo and the two places that kept popping up on my radar were the Esperanza and the One & Only. I thought, what the heck, let’s give the One & Only a whack. So off we went.

Words can NOT describe the soul that’s in this place. OMFG. I have NEVER experienced anything like this. When you land you’re greeted at the airport by your valet who escorts you to an awaiting Hummer. When inside, you’re handed a bottle of Evian and moist towels to recover from your trip. “It will take us exactly 23 minutes to reach the gates of the property” the driver says. So, I pull out my chronometer (my iPhone) and time him- he was dead on- almost to the second!

When you arrive at the entrance, there’s someone waiting for you with- Popsicles. Yep. Popsicles. To be exact they were frozen strawberries made into the shape of a popsicle. After a private check in experience, you’re taken to your room to meet your butler. My Butler. Really. “Hi my name is José, please ask me for whatever you need during your stay. I will be here for you. If you don’t see me standing outside your door just hit this button next to your bed and I will be there in 2 minutes, Mr. Robert.” Ok. Ummm I’ll bite… “I’m training for a marathon and I need to stay on my running schedule, would you happen to know where a good place to run is?” He says he’ll find out. “I will find out for you right away Mr. Robert”. O.k. thanks I said. “Mr. Robert, If you and Mrs. Kim would like to sleep outside on the deck tonight, overlooking the ocean and under the stars, just let me know and I’ll have your bed prepared for you outside.” Ummm. Really. O.k., Lets do it!

After we unpacked, we left the room to go check out the rest of the property. The weirdest thing was happening, it seemed like every person I passed stopped and put their hand on their hearts and said hello to me with a genuine and sincere intention . Did I turn into the pope or was I having some weird out of body experience? No. Wait a minute. They actually were doing this. When I say everybody, I mean everybody from housekeeping to the gardeners. It was insane. I started to actually look forward to it after a while. You know, waving my pope hands in the air back at them.

So on we go to find the restaurant for lunch. I see my butler out of the corner of my eye kind of looking at me- but not. It was weird. He kind of looked like he needed to pee or something. I said “Jose how’s it going?” He said, “Oh, fine Mr. Robert, I just wanted to let you know that I have completed all my research and the length of the property around the perimeter is X square meters and I would recommend that you begin your training on the north side and continue along this route I have created for you.”‘ Ummmm. Thanks?

Next, it was back to the room for a quick shower before dinner. When we entered the room it looked like an elf had sprinkled Christmas everywhere. There were three shots of Tequilla, h’ourderves and two One & Only baseball caps. It was like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all wrapped into one. Ummmm. Ok, let’s do some shots and head out for dinner.

We walk into the restaurant, we’re shown our table and hear this big booming unmistakable laugh. Is that? No. Really? Will and Jada and 10 of there closest friends partying. Is this the s*** or what? After a night partying like a rock stars, we slept on our “outside bed” and hit the infinity pool in the morning.

I think this is probably the piest de resistance. This lady in a hat (kind of dressed like Jungle Jim but the girl kind) comes over to us with a basket (like a little red riding hood basket) and asks us if she could wash our sunglasses. Ummmm. Wash our sunglasses. Really? “Yes it is very nice and it will only take two minutes sir”. she said. Ummm. O.K., It’s kind of hard to explain this one so watch this video below.

One & Only Palmilla Cabo Sunglass Cleaning from Jet Set Life on Vimeo.

All in all I’m man enough to admit it. As Fonzie says i was rrrrrr….rrrrrrrr. Wrong. This place was totally amazing and I can’t wait for their next property to open in Cape Town.

On a recent trip to Marrakech. I had a connection in Paris with a change of airports from Charles de Gaulle to Orly. Turns out there was a transit strike in Paris which created massive traffic so my luggage couldn’t be transported to meet my connection. Bottom line: It took 5 days for me to eventually receive my luggage. I had NO clothes (except what I had on). I spent five days wearing this….

Sexy isn’t it? I swore to the Jet Set Gods above (you know David Beckham, Giselle Bundchen, Naomi Campbell) that I would never check another bag again- unless I was moving furniture. So, how was I going to pull this off?

I decided to go to the oracle. I consulted with my man Tim Ferriss. He wrote an excellent post about it. I got a lot of great ideas from him but… it was a little too back packer for my taste. So, I modified it a bit. I have since been asked to post my packing checklist. So here goes….

I have two checklists. One for my electronics and the other for clothing.

My equipment:

1. A Tumi Ducati Carry On (for clothing and personal products).

2. A Tumi Duffel Carry On Bag (for electronics).

BTW: Kim recently wrote a great post on: Why I will never cheat on my Tumi.

Checklist 1: Electronics

*All my gadgets fit comfortably in this bag and are easily removed in flight.

1. Nikon DSLR camera (This is a great higher end digital camera that allows a lot of photography options).

2. Panasonic HD Video camera (This is a fantastic inexpensive HD camera that works perfectly with Apple).

3. Sony Cyber Shot digital camera (You can easily stick it in your pocket when you go out at night).

4. iPhone 16 gig (I never turn it on when traveling abroad-I use Skype- I just cant seem to leave it home).

5. Skype Phone (Fantastic wired phone with a USB plug that allows me to make Skype calls on a handheld).

6. Amazon Kindle (Holds 400 books in the size of one paperback-looks and feels like an actual book).

7. Apple Lap Top (I use the black macbook- has stood up well all around the world.)

8. Ipod Classic (160 gig- holds more movies, tv shows, and music for the plane that I would ever need).

9. Skull Candy Headphones (Affordable great noise canceling headphones. I like them better than my Bose).

10. Extra Lap top Batteries (2 laptop batteries pre-charged for movies on a long flight).

11. Telephoto Lens for Nikon (I carry two lenses one for portraits and the other for distance).

12. Polarizing filter (Makes the sky bluer and and the clouds whiter.)

13. Dual Headset Connector (A little adapter that allows Kim and I to share a headphone jack).

14. Laptop to Ipod Connector (Allows me to connect my ipod to my laptop to watch movies on the plane).

15. Quarters- (I bring a few quarters to pull the back cover off my macbook to replace the battery).

Checklist 2: Clothing

*Note: The goal here is to have beach, daytime and nightlife outfits that could be rotated and intermixed with each other. I’m also willing to launder on a trip if it’s longer than 7 days. Use this list as more of a template to plug your own outfits into. The point here is to pre-select your outfits so you don’t bring the kitchen sink with you.

Outfit 1
Short sleeve Grey Shirt
Levi’s Capital E from Barney’s Co-op
Brown belt
Rosary necklace
White Aldo shoes

Outfit 2
Same as #1 except: Exchange shirt with green Guess shirt

Outfit 3
Same as #1 except: Exchange shirt with white Destination Unknown Guess shirt

Outfit 4
Same as #1 except: Exchange shirt with red Salvage Blue Genes shirt

Outfit 5
Same as #1 except: Exchange shirt with white Club Monoco linen shirt

Outfit 6
Same as #1 except: Linen long sleeve
And grey Club Monoco jeans

OutfIt 7
Light Blue New Ribbed Lacoste shirt
Blue AX shorts

Outfit 8
Black Lacoste Shirt
Tan AX shorts

Outfit 9
Pink linen shirt
Grey crepe slacks

SWIM
Penguin blue trunks
Ralph Lauren trunks
White linen shirt
Grey barney t-shirt

DAY SHORTS NON BEACH
White AX shorts
Grey AX t shirt
Flip flops

Yes this ALL does fit into two bags- realize that most of these outfit changes are just a shirt swap.

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For those who have been asking…. P90X continues to kick my butt and I’m loving it!

Most people are so excited to take their next trip, that they often overlook critical areas in their pre-planning process (if they even have one at all). To a large extent, my trips are a big part of my overall lifestyle design. The result I’m after when I’m traveling is to create sexy, effortless, living while I’m abroad. That’s very different than simply “taking a vacation” and having an outcome of say, “getting away”.

From time to time I get accused of wanting to be part of the see and be seen crowd for random gratuitous reasons. That simply just isn’t true. What I want is to be around a group of people that value experiencing life and international cultures in a big sexy way. As for my accusers…. Your boring and…

That said, here’s a few tips I use when selecting a hotel using Tim Ferriss’ 80/20 rule:

The Hotel

Selecting the hotel is probably the biggest area I put my attention on first (other than selecting the destination). If you do this right you’ll be in a hip hotel, enjoying great service and a perfect location which equals an amazing trip. If it’s done wrong you will probably be stuck in a tragically bad hotel and you’ll be spending time at the pool with a nice family from Nebraska (no dis to Nebraska- I love corn).

Ian Schrager, who by all accounts is regarded as the master of the boutique hotel, calls this concept “hotel as theatre”. His brand of hotel is so widely received that the Morgans hotel group bought his company for a reported 300 million and the Marriott hotel chain has just hired him to do 100 of their new hotels (probably to compete with the W ). The trick however is finding the right hotel that can pull off the experience without it feeling contrived.

Here’s a few of my picks for helping in this process:

1. Tablet Hotels

2. Mr and Mrs Smith

3. Hip Hotels

After I narrow down the list of hotels that I’m interested in, I go to Trip Advisor for the reviews on them. If you hear things like “there were topless girls at the pool all weekend- stay away! ” take it with a grain of salt.

The Concierge

When I’m satisfied with my hotel choice, I call the hotel and ask to speak with the concierge and say the following:

” I’m coming to your hotel on X day and my name is X. Here’s what I’m looking for. I need 5 restaurants, 5 lounges, and 5 clubs that fall into the following category: hip, chic, trendy, high fashion jet set type places. Please NO typical tourist destinations. Would you kindly e-mail them to me along with the website links for each so that I can check them all out and I’ll get back to you with reservation times. Thank you”. (Realize most concierges get kick-backs for sending you to certain places).

Stay with me here.

Virtual Tourist

After I check out the links, I’ll then take the list and go to virtual tourist and read the reviews on the restaurants or simply type into google “reviews of (name of restaurant)” and evaluate each.

This definitely takes some time and is probably a bit anal but I rarely have a crappy trip with this system. If you want to streamline the process, just use one of our lists on our site Jet Set Life; they’re free for my subscribers. Just subscribe to the blog here and send me an e-mail for which list you want. If you want to be a part of the Jet Set Life Community go here.