Countries have different rules regarding vaccination status and testing but almost all destinations currently require masks in indoor, public areas (). With a bit of planning, you can have a wonderful and safe winter trip.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is open and accepting visitors for all mountains. Masks are currently required in all indoor public spaces throughout Aspen, regardless of vaccination status. Most outdoor spaces do not require masks, but it varies from business to business. Many of the hotels, including our favorite The Little Nell, require proof of vaccination for all overnight and dining guests aged 12 and over. All three of聽聽dining areas,听Element 47,听Ajax Tavern听补苍诲听The Wine Bar, are fully open, as is their 24-hour in-room dining and the complimentary mini-bar. The amenities are now open as well, including the sauna and spa, and twice per day housekeeping service (of course, if you’d prefer less, that can be arranged, as well). For concerned or high-risk visitors, call the hotel concierge ahead of your visit; they would be happy to assist with private transportation, one-on-one ski lessons, or a private visit to their wine cellar. If you’d prefer more space and privacy, consider booking a private chalet through聽; we love this聽, featuring exposed wood beams, rustic charm, a full kitchen, fireplaces throughout, and a hot tub.

Meg猫ve, France

Per French law, anyone over 12 years old entering restaurants, bars, or spas will be asked to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a COVID-19 test (rapid antigen or PCR) showing a negative result taken within the past 72 hours. Most luxury hotels require the same at check-in, as well as mandatory masking in indoor common areas. While there are several hotels in the area that offer consistently excellent service, including the聽and聽Armancette, our top choice this year is聽聽due to its secluded location and spacious accommodations. Book one of the suites (Suite 1 is the largest and our preference) to enjoy mountain views, a large patio, fireplace, private dining room, office space, and two bedrooms. Be sure to take proper safety precautions while traveling in France as it is still on the CDC’s list of聽(Very High Risk).

Whistler, Canada聽

British Columbia’s top ski destination is a favorite for families as the village centre is聽completely free of cars. Whistler’s village is a lovely area to explore with your family. Canada is open only to fully vaccinated individuals from other countries. While restaurants remain open, bars, pubs any other venues that don’t serve full meals are currently closed due to Covid-19. Social distancing is enforced in all public venues and masks must be worn. In Whistler, we recommend the classic聽Four Seasons; the hotel offers private walking paths and聽complimentary shuttle service to all the villages, as well as a beloved tavern, a steakhouse, and spacious accommodations.聽聽to enjoy a private whirlpool on the balcony surrounded by panoramic forest views.聽Canada is on the CDC’s list of聽Level 3 Covid Destinations (High).

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

If you’re looking for a safe escape to warm weather, consider the British Virgin Islands – they are ranked as a Level 1 Covid Risk (Low) by the CDC . The entry process is a bit more rigorous than other locations and does require testing but is very doable if you’re fully vaccinated. If you’re not fully vaccinated, or a member of your party is not, you will have to adhere to stricter quarantine guidelines, but a long trip could make it worth it.聽聽Visitors are asked to wear masks in all public indoor locations and any time they are in a crowd. Once your Covid-19 test and vaccination status have been approved, head to聽 for unbeatable luxury. Depending on the level of privacy you seek, book a room, suite, or villa to enjoy the hotel’s luxurious spa, private beach, pool, tennis courts, sailboats, and聽multiple restaurants embracing local聽Caribbean flavors. Each of the spacious private villas has a private pool and dedicated butler; these are an excellent choice for a private and safe beach getaway.

The post How is the Omicron Variant Affecting Winter Travel Destinations? appeared first on 百花视频.

ABOUT ZOL础:听
Zola is an experienced property expert whose energy, congeniality, and passion hope to make the entire real estate process fun and exciting for her clients. She is always willing to go the extra mile to achieve her clients鈥� goals, and her patience, calmness, and breadth of knowledge instill confidence in everyone she works with.

鈥淲e can never see too many listings,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of the education process. I want you to love your new space and enjoy the experience of finding it.鈥�

Zola has more than eight years of experience in luxury rentals, new developments, and sales. She promotes trust through honesty and confidentiality, and she seeks to educate and inform whenever she can. Zola works with domestic and international clients all over the city and is a member of the Tricia Lee Team.

A native of Sydney, Australia, Zola came to New York in 2003 and never left. She lives on the Upper West Side, one of the city’s most vibrant areas. She loves the ambiance, vitality, and culture that the city offers. In her free time, Zola enjoys listening to live music, specifically classical and jazz. She also goes to the theatre as much as she can. She is into fitness and ran the 2021 NYC Marathon, and she is passionate about travel. Other pastimes include reading and staying in touch with family who still reside in Australia.

How did you get into the real estate profession?

Through my good friend聽Brian! He introduced me to my first firm Douglas Elliman in 2014 and I’ve never looked back.聽 I rented my first apartment on the first day and knew this was it.聽 In those 8 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in some really great and upcoming areas of New York City.

Also, being from Sydney, I’ve been so lucky聽to explore some really unique parts of the city and homes in the city too.

What do you enjoy the most about being a real estate agent?

I really enjoy helping people find their perfect space. The NYC real estate market is chaotic and the search for or selling of your home can be stressful. I love making the transaction聽as effortless聽and easy as possible.聽 I also really enjoy helping my international clients navigate聽their way through this city and helping them find their perfect聽investment opportunity too.

Being from Sydney, I’ve been so lucky聽to explore some really unique parts of the city and homes in the city too.

I also love working with people, and more importantly, having fun with it all!

How would you describe the NYC real estate market at the moment?聽

Buzzing. Not enough inventory and we’re in a complete seller’s聽market. Due to the International borders opening in early November, we’re seeing an influx of international buyers aggressively back and purchasing.聽 They make up 31 percent of the market.聽聽More apartments were sold in Manhattan in the third quarter than at any other time in the last 32 years. This says it all.

As you said, the market is buzzing at the moment. What would you say buyers are looking for and prioritizing?聽

It is! We are struggling with inventory. Buyers are definitely prioritizing space at the moment, bonus for outdoor space, especially with the new hybrid home/work situation. Location is always a priority but proximity to parks and outdoor usable space is high on the list.

What neighborhood do you think is the most up and coming?聽

JUST ONE?!聽 Midtown. Lower East Side. East Harlem. Flatbush. Downtown BK.

What’s the most challenging part of the luxury real estate market?聽

The most challenging part we’re having right now is inventory. With the borders re-opened to international buyers, the luxury market is ultra competitive right now

On the transaction side, it’s really about maintaining the expectation of the seller. It’s finding the common ground between realistic pricing from the seller and聽 the negotiability of the buyer.

What advice would you give to those trying to sell currently?聽

There has never been a better time. Have your property market-ready.

What are the top qualities you look for in a listing that you know will make it attractive to buyers?

Modern renovation is key. Smart homes are big too. Again, proximity to outdoor space,听 and having access to schools and neighborhood amenities are ideal too.

Many people moved out of NYC and into the suburbs during Covid-19. Do you see those people returning now?

Absolutely. We saw a lot of people flee to their vacation homes, including a huge amount of the rental market. With the re-opening of NYC this summer, people are back! Real Estate data shows that we have more people moving to the city than we did in 2019.

What suburbs near NYC are the most popular at the moment? Are there any areas you particularly love?聽

Hamptons, Upstate and Hudson New York, and as a whole South Florida. I adore the Hudson region. With it being just under 2 and a half hours north of the city, it鈥檚 the perfect place for a weekend getaway or vacation home.

What’s the market like in the Hamptons at the moment?聽

Similar to that of the city. Very limited inventory, especially with owners looking to expand their space and it being a strong seller’s market.

What distinguishes Serhant from other top real estate agencies? What can clients expect when working with you or a member of the Serhant team?聽

What makes Serhant unique is the innovative merge of media and real estate. There is聽NO other firm doing this right now.

We have a 25 person in house production that uses mixed media and luxury video tours to market our listings.聽 They are produced on every platform, and go live right away which is beyond advantageous to both the buyer and seller.

We live in a world today where video listings/tours are how buyers are vetting potential properties. Serhant has mastered that.

What to expect? Besides having up to date knowledge of the luxury market, clients can expect access to off market luxury listings and user-friendly platforms that allow buyers access to inventory right away.

With me, your Real Estate experience will not only be educational, but we鈥檒l enjoy all parts of it too! This should be a positive experience.

You focus on New York primarily, is that correct? What other areas does Serhant service?聽

Yes, I primarily focus on the聽NYC area but we also service the South Florida, Hamptons and greater LA markets.

What trends do you foresee for 2022?聽

Again, I don’t see a change in the limited inventory, at least in the first quarter.聽 The Fed has predicted an increase in interest rates which I believe will influence buyers to move more quickly. What trends most excited me most right now are the move to smart homes and using聽digital currency for transactions! Wow!

Favorite part of NYC?聽

I absolutely adore every part of New York City! It is my second home of course after Sydney. There is a true favourite of course and that’s the Upper West Side. It’s where I call home and I wouldn’t聽live anywhere else! From both Central Park and Riverside Park,听 to the plethora of live music venues and theatres,听 to all the amazing restaurants and cafes, this part of NYC captures my heart the most. And it’s especially enchanting in Autumn!

We love the Upper East side too! Any hidden gems you can recommend to our readers?聽

础产蝉辞濒耻迟别濒测.听聽on 105th is a must.聽 Make sure you have a few minutes to spare as the lines are ALWAYS long, but well worth the wait.

聽on 94th is a true treasure too. They have such a wide range of performances from Classical trios to Big Band concerts, stop by!

“British聽American聽works closely with Zola for our clients鈥� real estate needs. She has an incredible inventory, she is discreet and always makes sure our clients are taken care of and get the best deals, whether they are selling, renting, or buying. We highly recommend her.”聽– Anita Rogers,听Founder and CEO,听British聽American聽Household聽Staffing

The post Meet Zola Abraham, Luxury Real Estate Agent appeared first on 百花视频.

Anita Rogers, founder of household staffing agency British American, has more than a decade鈥檚 experience in pairing families with household staff, from nannies and butlers to personal assistants and estate managers. She鈥檚 earned a reputation for finding successful matches鈥揳nd also for helping to handle any situation that may arise in the working household. Here, she shares her insights on why hiring for your childcare or home needs is profoundly personal, and how a staffing agency can help with the process. View on Goop.

A Q&A with Anita Rogers

Q: What are the upsides to using an agency?

A: An agency helps you determine what kind of help you really need, and devises the way in which you want your staff to fit your lifestyle. It also saves you time and keeps you safe during the interview process. Some families have limited experience interviewing and hiring childcare and household staff, which makes it easy to miss signs of danger, red flags, or dishonesty. We enforce strict standards as we interview thousands of candidates each year. This has allowed us鈥攁nd other reputable agencies鈥攖o become experts at spotting dishonest references and to be able single out specific personality traits and potential challenges. A staffing agency has seen how聽similar聽traits have played out with other candidates, which lends to its ability to find the best fit for you, your family, and your household.

Q: What are the biggest misconceptions about household staffing?

A: Both parties must be willing to give and take in order to find the best match. Often people think they can hire a candidate if they offer a competitive or high salary. Or if a nanny or butler has excellent experience, they might assume they can get a higher salary and an ideal schedule. But staffing is a matchmaking process, and both parties must be satisfied with the relationship and the circumstances in order for it to work.

Q: How do you recognize good talent?

A:聽It鈥檚 a long process鈥攁nd it鈥檚 so much more than just a great r茅sum茅 and reference letters. We look for candidates that have a balance of experience, training, and education in their field and glowing references from past employers. Other indicators we look for include personality, attitude, flexibility, grammar, responsiveness, and confidence.

The r茅sum茅 is always the first indicator of talent, where we look at formal level of experience, age appropriate childcare experience, the types of homes an individual has worked in, longevity聽in previous jobs,听and demonstrated professionalism and willingness. We screen all r茅sum茅s and references and do extensive state, federal, and international background checks, as well as a thorough screening of their social media.

Q: What鈥檚 the secret to finding a good match between a family and nanny?

A: 聽Everyone must be on the same page from the very beginning of the process. One family鈥檚 dream nanny could be another鈥檚 nightmare. It鈥檚 imperative that the candidate and the family have a similar approach to聽raising children, as well as complementary personalities. Someone who is really laid back isn鈥檛 going to work well in a聽formal home that thrives on structure. (The reverse is true as well.) The perfect nanny and family pairing has similar philosophies about discipline, education, and responsibilities. There has to be聽a mutual respect between the parents and the nanny regarding the decisions made concerning the child. As a parent, if you feel like you have to micromanage and instruct your nanny on how you鈥檇 like every situation handled, you聽will聽become frustrated and resentful of the situation.

One of the most important factors to consider during the process of finding a good match is assessing the needs and expectations of the family. There鈥檚 a huge difference between a parent looking for an extra set of hands to help with driving,听activities, and meals and a working parent who needs someone to be the child鈥檚 primary caregiver. A take-charge, independent, problem-solving nanny with sole-charge experience isn鈥檛 going to thrive as a helper. In the same way, a nanny without the confidence to make聽decisions on his or her own and聽proactively foresee situations isn鈥檛 the best choice for a family where the parents are gone most of the day.

Q:聽Once the hiring process is done, what other support do clients typically need?

A: It depends upon the family. Clients will often come to us for help with communicating with their new employee, especially during the transition process while the employee settles in. We always encourage regular, open and honest communication between both parties. On occasion, we will go into the home as a 鈥渕anager鈥� and help iron out any small issues that may exist. A relationship between a family and their household employees needs to be nurtured and carefully built, as this is a private home, where discretion is of utmost importance. We encourage clear communication and a weekly sit-down between a family and staff.

Q:聽If a match doesn鈥檛 work out, what is your advice for handling a potential change (or parting ways)?

础:听We suggest that each party be gentle but honest about their feelings. The parting should be done with kindness and care so that everyone involved understands that it isn鈥檛 a personal attack, just a relationship that has outlived its potential. When hiring staff, you are creating a business in your home. I have seen people distraught if something isn鈥檛 working out because they don鈥檛 want to offend someone, they don鈥檛 want to hurt their feelings.

In certain situations, we鈥檒l go into the residence and let the candidate go so that we can assure it鈥檚 done with delicacy. Every situation is very different. We鈥檝e learned it鈥檚 best to never point fingers and to make everyone feel good. We directly address and try to resolve any problems, serious or minor, that are brought to our attention, and to support the client or candidate. The ending of a professional relationship can be emotional, particularly if it involves an intimate household setting, so we work to minimize any potential animosity a much as possible.

Q:聽Is there a difference between a nanny and a career nanny?

A:聽Most definitely. A聽typical nanny is different from a career nanny in that they often have a lot of experience with families, but no background or education in child development. Other nanny candidates are great聽with聽children and may have teaching degrees or聽other聽formal education, but limited in-home experience (typically part-time babysitting work).

A career nanny is someone who has chosen childcare as his or her profession.聽Most聽often, these candidates have formal聽education聽in child development and/or psychology. This can include a college degree in education or or training from previous jobs. Career nannies also have an聽employment history of long-term placements in private homes, understand the dynmics of working in a home environment and are great with children. A career nanny knows how to anticipate needs, respect a family鈥檚 privacy and space, and handle the logistics of high-end homes. Being in a home is very different than working in a school or daycare; there is no way to prepare or train someone for it, it鈥檚 something you learn and understand only after having experienced it.

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The Bahamas

After over a year inside, many are eager for a beach vacation with top quality food, drinks and views. For vaccinated travelers, no advance testing is required (although a rapid test is required on day 5) to enter the Bahamas; unvaccinated travelers are allowed with advance Covid-19 testing.聽聽Stay at the luxurious聽聽to enjoy 5 miles of private beach, 35 acres of聽Versailles-inspired lawns and gardens, three pools, a golf course and multiple bar and restaurant options, including a restaurant led by聽Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. If you’d prefer to cook or bring your own chef for a private getaway, book a waterfront home through Airbnb Luxe. Whether you’re looking for an intimate oceanfront property or a sprawling estate, there are聽. We love the聽, which can accommodate up to ten guests. Located inside the gated community of Ocean Club Estates on Paradise Island, the home includes a private pool with ocean views, a 3,000 square foot outdoor area, a beautifully designed kitchen and living area and daily housekeeping service.

Provence, France

France plans to reopen to American visitors next month – and caf茅s and museums reopened just this week. While Covid levels remain high in France, we suggest聽avoiding Paris and other big cities and embracing the French countryside instead. It’s a lovely time of year to visit Provence and spend some time relaxing by the聽French Riviera or exploring the vineyards and聽lavender fields. Book a room at the聽聽to enjoy tastings and tours of the private vineyard, dinner at the Michelin starred聽, a massage or private yoga class聽at聽their聽聽or an easy day relaxing聽. For more privacy, reserve a private chateau through Airbnb Luxe; for a larger group, we recommend聽, a spacious and historic home featuring a heated pool, vaulted ceilings, ten bedrooms, and multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Portland, Maine

For those looking for a domestic waterfront escape, we love Portland, Maine. With聽, Maine is a leading state in terms of vaccination statistics. On May 24, the state will open in most regards but do be sure to pay attention to individual business’s varying policies regarding masks and social distancing. Consider staying at the historic聽, an oceanfront property built in 1878. The hotel offers a private beach,听heated swimming pool, in-room massages, use of kayaks and bikes, hiking trails, bird and nature sanctuaries, and much more. Head into town to support local restaurants and enjoy local farm to table dishes. We love聽, which offers elegant seasonal small plates and cocktails. The restaurant, a James Beard finalist for best new restaurant in the nation in 2017, offers a mix of hearty specialties like suckling pig with brown butter apple pur茅e alongside light and fresh favorites highlighting local produce. For oysters on the half shell and a glass聽of wine, head to聽, a small but excellent seafood bar offering indoor and outdoor seating and delicious bites.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

For those on the west coast of the United States, Santa Fe makes a wonderful quick trip. The city ranks as one of the top ten cities in terms of vaccination percentages and has plenty of safe, outdoor activities. Stay at the luxury boutique hotel聽 for true southwestern design and architecture. Enjoy multiple dining options (and a renowned tequila tasting), massage and aromatherapy treatments, cycling and more. Ask the concierge for聽advice on hiking trails in聽Santa Fe River Park, Hyde Memorial State Park, Santa Fe National Forest or one of the many other stunning parks in the area. They can also聽assist in booking equestrian lessons, hot air balloon rides and much more.

Travel Resources

Wherever your vacation takes you, we recommend booking through luxury travel website聽. The site has a huge range of carefully vetted hotels and villas, as well as exclusive perks available only to those who book through the site (welcome drinks, massages and more).

Make sure to visit the聽 for travel resources, up to date Covid guidelines and more before you book your travel.

This app allows travelers to easily check live exchange rates for nearly 100 currencies and transfer money, as well. Set rate alerts, view currency history and more in this easy-to-use app.

Proof of聽Vaccination聽

At this time, there is no one app or government issued “vaccine passport,” although many companies are working towards becoming the leader in this field. Be sure to photocopy your original proof of vaccine (and we recommend keeping a digital copy as well) and keep it secure with other travel documents while on the move.聽聽is currently being tested among 22 airlines; it allows travelers to easily manage and provide proof of聽COVID-19 tests or vaccines.聽New York City is one of the first locations to offer an easy-to-use online record of vaccination; once fully vaccinated, New Yorkers can download聽聽to provide digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results; while this app cannot yet be used for travel, it can be used for entry to certain sporting arenas, businesses and events.

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Many of our clients are art collectors and admirers and have found it quite difficult during the pandemic to be separated from their usual routine of visiting galleries and museums. This has been a challenging and complicated time for the art world. Closures, changing regulations, and limited funds have made it difficult for collectors, artists, galleries, and museums alike.

After being closed for almost a full year, some museums in Los Angeles are finally reopening this month at 25% capacity; for others, it doesn’t make sense to open with such limited numbers. New York institutions are mostly open and are slowly adapting to the new protocols and changes. Miami’s museums have been open for several months now, mostly operating with limited hours. Galleries in all U.S. cities have taken different routes; some have opened with limited capacity and schedules, others by appointment only, and still others have shut their doors for good. Meanwhile in London, most museums and galleries have been closed for almost a full year and remain closed. However, new guidelines have just been released – commercial galleries can reopen, with restrictions, on April 12 and museums in mid-May. Despite all this turmoil, contemporary artists continue to make new work, and serious collectors continue to support the arts by visiting open spaces and by acquiring new works when possible, both from commercial galleries and from the auction houses.

As many of you know, 百花视频’s CEO and founder also owns and runs聽, a contemporary art gallery in SoHo, New York that exhibits both primary and secondary market works.

The gallery聽is open Wednesdays and Fridays 11am-6pm.

The gallery is also open by appointment; please email聽Info@AnitaRogersGallery.com聽to schedule a private viewing of the current exhibition or of works by any artist on our roster.

.

Now On View – BAHS’ Recommended Exhibitions

The team here at 百花视频 has put together their list of recommendations for current museum exhibitions, both online and in-person.

New York (In-Person)

: Over聽11,000 square feet devoted to British decorative arts, design, and sculpture created between 1500 and 1900.

: 100 prints and drawings from the remarkable Spanish artist.

Los Angeles (In-Person)

: 5 acres of sculpture by artists including聽Alexander Calder, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and Auguste Rodin.

Miami (In-Person)

: Works in nearly every medium installed in Collins Park and around The Bass.

London (In-Person and Online)

: The 9th edition of this annual sculpture show is presented both outside in-person and online this year. The exhibition has been extended through mid-April.

Online

Van Gogh Museum’s ‘Here to Stay’: Features works acquired by the museum in the last decade accompanied by stories from curators and historians.

: A series of talks, images, and information regarding Basquiat and his influences.

: Incredibly detailed and beautiful view of the historic grotto.

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Yoga for the Whole Family

There are plenty of free videos on YouTube for families and children who would like to practice yoga together. One of our favourite channels for young children is聽; there are dozens of themed videos, from holiday celebrations to familiar storybook and movie characters – each video introduces children to different yoga and meditation poses, and helps to聽build strength, balance, and confidence. For older children (with options for younger too), we love聽. For $49/month, the whole family can enjoy unlimited access to both live and on-demand classes. They offer courses specifically for children, teens, adults, and families, as well as聽chair yoga聽for those with limited mobility. For little yogis, we suggest picking up a copy of the bestselling children’s book聽聽and a聽.

Go Noodle聽

聽is a valuable resource for families during this time; the site and free app has plenty of games downloadable for iOS and Android to keep children moving and get a healthy dose of physical activity each day, even indoors. The site states: 鈥淲e鈥檝e worked hard to ensure that the games use movements that are safe for kids鈥� growing bodies but still provide plenty of exercise. Kids should be panting by the time they鈥檙e done playing; these games are designed to tire kids out!鈥� 聽The games are interactive and require movement and engagement to succeed; all you need is a smart device and the free app. The site also features聽 with tips and advice for adults guiding children through the pandemic and more.

Obstacle Course

We do recommend trying not to rely solely on screen-led activities for children’s movement.聽 about creating a safe and fun obstacle course for children at home; they suggest inventing a storyline, involving kids in the setup and creation (and the cleanup too!), and setting a timer. This is a creative way to get children moving and involved in a friendly family competition; consider making it a weekly or biweekly activity with new plots and challenges each time.

Games for the Whole Family

Plan games that keep the whole family moving! Games like聽,听, and聽 are all great ways to spend time together as a family, while keeping everyone active and healthy. For a fun last-minute game with no equipment needed, play Freeze Dance – just put on your favorite music and dance! When the music stops, everyone has to freeze. Anyone who doesn’t freeze has to do five jumping jacks.

Embrace Winter Weather

Children are more resilient than we think, and while we might want to stay in on a snowy day, children often relish a cold day playing outside, sledding, building snowmen, or even having an old-fashioned snowball fight. For even more fun, plan ahead and get a聽聽to paint the snow or click here for a list of聽. To manage expectations and safety, agree on a time limit for staying outdoors and plan a fun activity for afterwards, like making s’mores or hot chocolate, or watching a cozy movie by the fire. And if you’re concerned about bundling your children up for the temperatures, consult聽聽to dressing children appropriately for winter weather.

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Play Together

Many games can easily be adapted for Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. Simple games like charades can easily be played with no advance notice. With a little more planning, themed bingo nights聽聽or trivia nights聽聽are a fun way to engage friends and family members from home. Many traditional games now offer online versions, including聽聽(similar to Pictionary and allows up to 12 players),听,听,听, and聽.

Learn Together聽

聽hosts a variety of interactive, live, customizable experiences suitable for a range of ages and interests. The platform makes it easy for many friends or family members to join. One of our favorites is the聽; during the session, children investigate the “theft” of the Mona Lisa, getting to know the Louvre and its collection along the way through fun games, quizzes and more. The experience is customizable with various themes and age ranges available. Some of our other favorites are聽,听,听, and聽.

Cook Together

With a little advance planning, your children can spend a whole evening cooking and eating with family and friends via Zoom. Consider teaming up with another family and each joining a subscription service, such as聽听辞谤听;聽plan regular virtual dates cooking the same meals from the service. You could also purchase a kid’s cookbook and take turns choosing weekly recipes to cook together. We love聽,听. and聽. Another fun idea is to purchase DIY kits and complete them together over Zoom; children will love聽聽(and writing their own fortunes!) or聽.

Watch Together

Have dinner and a movie together from the comfort of your own homes! Services like聽,听听补苍诲听聽offer options to watch together. Viewers can pause and rewind on all screens, so everyone is always on the same page!

Compete Together

Create friendly contests for children to compete with one another. You might create a Play-Doh competition for younger children, or a short story competition based on a prompt for older kids. For fans of聽, recreate the show at home over Zoom by competing to make Lego cities, racetracks, and more. We recommend judging in several areas so children have multiple chances to succeed, for example by creating winning categories based on speed, creativity, use of color etc. The top prize winner can pick the theme of the next competition!

Create Together聽

Consider asking another family to do a long-term project with yours. Children can check in and compare progress, difficulties, and brainstorm creative ideas. Younger children might enjoy raising a caterpillar or growing a houseplant. Older children might enjoy building a piece of simple furniture, caring for a small aquarium, growing an herb or vegetable garden, or creating a compost bin.

As always, we’re here to assist with all your household staffing needs during this challenging time. Both childcare and cleaning professionals are considered essential workers and we have implemented strict protocols to make sure your family is as safe as possible.聽Contact us聽today to learn more.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico聽

There’s a reason Santa Fe was voted number 2 on the list of best small cities to visit in 2020 by CNN Traveler, and regularly places on their best of the U.S. lists. The city features a range of outdoor sporting options, a flourishing art scene, plenty of historical sites, wineries, and the聽World Heritage Site of聽. If you plan on settling in for the winter months, look into聽听补苍诲听Two Casitas; both companies offer long and short term luxury rentals with full kitchens, outdoor areas, and more. For families who’d like to stay in downtown Santa Fe, we love Adobe Star’s聽; the apartment, located within a luxury high rise, features two bedrooms, three private balconies, a full kitchen, and a gas fireplace. For shorter visits, we love the Encantado Suite at the聽. This聽1,100-square-foot suite, set at the highest point on the property, includes a private patio, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, heated floors, and exceptional views. The hotel, set聽on 57 acres in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, is the perfect place for an outdoor escape; choose from daily hikes, skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, golfing, or simply spend a day soaking in the heated year-round pool.

Palm Desert, California聽

For those in Los Angeles or San Francisco who’d like to settle in and enjoy the warm weather and sweeping views of Palm Desert, consider booking a luxury home through聽; in addition to vacation rentals, the service can book exclusive tours, classes, and more. The聽聽offers a private helipad, a pool, a hot tub, outdoor firepit, and an 8-bedroom estate set among聽5-acres surrounded by blossoming orchards and groves, all with sweeping views of the San Jacinto mountains. As of mid-December, the聽聽has reopened to the public; the nature reserve and trail loops offer an adventurous way to spend time outdoors, while staying safe and socially distanced. For those outside California, please note that hotels and lodging facilities are currently unable to accept out of state reservations for non-essential travel, unless the reservation is over 14 days and the traveler intends to quarantine at the hotel/vacation property the entire time.

Vermont

If some quiet time in nature with good food and wine sounds like the right escape for you, consider聽聽in Barnard, Vermont. The hotel, set over 300 acres, has only twenty guest accommodations, the majority of which are private and freestanding, which makes it the perfect place to safely unwind for the winter. The property has adjusted its amenities to offer as many as possible in a safe way, including in-room champagne and canap茅 happy hours, contactless private dining, and safe outdoor activities including聽hikes, biking, fly fishing, and watercraft experiences. Here,听聽have their own style and personality; choose from an authentic log cabin, a fisherman’s paradise situated above聽a stream and beaver pond, or a Moroccan style suite, complete with a聽mosaic tile fireplace and tented ceiling.

Aspen, Colorado聽

For ski enthusiasts looking to escape to the slopes for the next few months, we recommend 颁耻惫茅别 for luxury vacation rental properties throughout Aspen (and Vail, as well). Choose from a variety of ski-in, ski-out homes and lodges from Red Mountain to downtown Aspen. Our favorites include聽, featuring panoramic mountain views,听a Jacuzzi tub, a private movie theatre, and a chef’s kitchen, as well as聽, a Red Mountain escape complete with a wine cellar and billiards room.

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If you’d rather spend the winter months on a beach than the ski slopes, head towards Hawaii; the state now offers聽a pre-travel testing option that allows travelers an alternative to the previously mandatory 14-day quarantine. It also consistently ranks as one of the states with the聽聽in the U.S. Note that Hawaii鈥檚 counties each have different, and regularly changing, rules for vacation rental properties. These can be difficult to navigate and, unfortunately, many websites online offer listings illegally. To avoid headaches and cancellations, we recommend booking through a reputable hotel or resort. Reserve one of聽聽for a comfortable, longer term family stay. All residences boast full gourmet kitchens, laundry facilities, multiple bedrooms (accommodating up to ten guests), and ocean views.

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Although the temperatures do drop slightly this time of year (expect mid to high 60s 掳F聽with the occasional day in the 70s through the early Spring), Bermuda remains high on our list of easily accessible and beautiful travel destinations. A quick flight from New York City, Bermuda offers pristine, blue waters, and pink sand beaches. Make sure to review the up to date聽聽(with a negative COVID test, you should be able to travel freely around the island within 24 hours of arrival) before making arrangements. Please note that the Covid-19 level in Bermuda is now rated as聽聽by the CDC so visitors must be vigilant about safety precautions. Once there, consider staying at聽;聽book a villa with a private pool and you won’t have any reason to leave the hotel!

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Please note that the Covid-19 level in Bahamas is now rated as聽聽by the CDC; for this reason, we do not recommend scheduling travel there unless you can be sure to travel privately and spend time only in your accommodations. Luckily, the Bahamas has over聽聽so guests can charter a flight to the closest location to their final destination, without the crowds of a public airport. Just 15 minutes by private boat from North Eleuthera lays 颁耻惫茅别’s聽聽with聽five luxury bungalows on the beach, accommodating 18 guests total. This would be a wonderful place for your family or quarantine pod to escape to together. Complete with a pool, beach access, volleyball court, ping pong, and jet skis, there is no reason to leave the island. Another secluded option is to rent a villa at聽; our favorite is聽, perfect for a family of four. The villa features a private plunge pool, an outdoor shower, a fully stocked (to your specifications) kitchen, and multiple outdoor spaces.

Verbier

Ski resorts across the French alps were forced to close during the holiday season due to Covid-19; some have been given the okay to reopen this month and are slowly doing so. However, the Swiss village of Verbier remains open and welcoming guests with new safety precautions in place. Private charters can fly into Sion where guests can then arrange a quick helicopter ride to Verbier or a one hour drive. Once there,听聽is a lovely choice if you’re seeking an intimate and quiet getaway; the聽boutique hotel is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Organisation. Book one of the聽 for extra space, a full kitchen and outdoor space, without sacrificing the hotel amenities. We also love聽, which offers luxury service in the rustic setting of an authentic chalet – and don’t miss the incredible swimming pool with mountain views!

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Tax Considerations

As of 2020, seven states –聽Alaska,听Florida,听Nevada,听South Dakota,听Texas,听Washington, and聽Wyoming –聽 have zero income tax. Two others,听New Hampshire听补苍诲听Tennessee, don’t tax regular earned income but do tax investment income. Of course, these states do make up for some of this loss by taxing other goods and services so, depending on your financial goals and circumstances, it might be wiser to take a聽state’s overall tax burden, which measures the percent of income paid in state and local taxes, into account. Alaska comes in first here with the lowest rate of聽聽just 5.16% (New York, for example, with 12.28%, is the highest in the country). Following closely behind Alaska are Delaware, Wyoming, Tennessee, Wyoming, Florida and New Hampshire.聽.

State Parks聽

Now that outdoors has become the safest way to see family and friends, many of us are looking for ways to incorporate more time in nature into our lives long-term. Eleven states have more than 100 state parks each. California ranks first with 270 state parks – the Golden State also ranks first for the number of national parks with 9, including Yosemite and Joshua Tree. New York and Washington follow closely behind with 215 and 212 state parks respectively. Others on the top ten list include聽Oregon (195), Florida (191), Massachusetts (154), Illinois (142), Pennsylvania (121), Alaska (119) and Connecticut (109).聽.

Food and Wine聽

If the idea of living near the country’s top wineries or best restaurants sounds appealing, you have more options than just the major cities. Many wine lovers might think of California, New York and Oregon as the top wine-producing regions of the U.S. While these states do have a lot to offer so do Washington, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio.聽Washington is now number聽 2 in the nation in terms of annual wine production, trailing only California. Virginia is home to 276 wineries, including the stunning聽, owned by AOL co-founder Steve Case and his wife Jean Case. In terms of food, New York and California rate highest for the number of Michelin starred restaurants but there are talented chefs making noteworthy food across the country.聽聽awarded the number one position to Texas due to the thriving restaurant scenes in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. In 2018,听Bon App茅tit聽awarded聽聽to Portland, Maine, which boasts a range of restaurants from upscale bistros like聽聽(a semi-finalist for 鈥淥utstanding Restaurant鈥� from the James Beard Foundation every year since 2011) to excellent seafood at聽 from award winning chefs Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley.

Education

There are many metrics by which the country measures education. According to US News, New Hampshire rates number one in the country in terms of college readiness based on SAT and ACT scores while Massachusetts comes in first for top NAEP math and reading scores. Overall,听Massachusetts ranked as the top state for public schools.聽. Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York lead in terms of ; by most rating systems, all of the schools in the top ten private school lists are located in those three states with California trailing shortly behind.

As always, we’re here to assist with all your household staffing needs during this challenging time. Both childcare and cleaning professionals are considered essential workers and we have implemented strict protocols to make sure your family is as safe as possible.聽Contact us聽today to learn more.

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Bermuda is one of our top recommendations at the moment – it is one of the safest and easiest places to travel to, with direct flights from London and New York City, and simple restrictions once visitors land. COVID tests are required but once the results are returned (usually within 24 hours), international visitors are not restricted in their movements around the island. Although not quite as warm as some other destinations on the list, temperatures are still expected to be in the 70s (Fahrenheit) this month. Once there, enjoy the pink sand beaches, clear blue water, and friendly locals. Stay at the聽聽for convenient access to beaches and downtown. For a secluded, luxury experience, consider the聽. Make sure to spend an afternoon in historic Royal Navy Dockyard, where you’ll find authentic handblown glass souvenirs, the National Museum of Bermuda, and gorgeous ocean views.聽.

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia in the Caribbean is now accepting international visitors; the rules are stricter than in Bermuda but they still allow for an exciting vacation. Those arriving from the US and the UK will be asked to stay in a COVID-19 certified hotel for the first 14 days; after that, they will be allowed to move freely around the island. At the hotel, visitors will be able to partake in all hotel activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing. A full list of approved hotels is聽聽but our top choice is聽, set on 100 acres of rainforest with sweeping ocean views. Choose from dolphin and whale watching, deep sea fishing, scuba diving or simply enjoy cocktails on your private patio. For families, we recommend booking the private villas, complete with indoor and outdoor spaces and private plunge pools.聽.

Saint Kitts and Nevis聽

Saint Kitts and Nevis opens to international travelers at the end of October. With聽just 19 confirmed cases and no deaths due to COVID-19, the island has a cautious reopening plan in place to ensure the island remains safe. International visitors will have to stay on their hotel property for the first 7 days of the trip and for the second week, are allowed on select tours around the island. Those who stay over 14 days will be able to move freely around the islands. There are six government approved hotels for international visitors to enjoy, including the聽. For a larger group or family, consider booking聽, featuring multiple outdoor spaces, a private pool and a dedicated golf cart to move around the property.聽.

All Destinations Rated as聽Very Low聽COVID-19 Risk

• American Samoa
• Anguilla
• Bermuda
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Falkland Islands
• Fiji
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Laos
• Macau SA
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• Mongolia
• Montserrat
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palau
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Taiwan
• Timor-Leste
• Vietnam

Entry rules for visitors to each country vary depend on country of origin; always check the most up to date travel restrictions before planning a trip.聽.

As always, we’re here to assist with all your household staffing needs during this challenging time. Both childcare and cleaning professionals are considered essential workers and we have implemented strict protocols to make sure your family is as safe as possible.聽Contact us聽today to learn more.

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