Living in New York City comes with endless perks, but the one thing it always seems to be lacking is space. Quiet is a close second. So when I was searching for Airbnbs to stay in during a weekend trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a dear friend’s baby shower, the apartments and townhouses directly in the college town didn’t have much appeal. For that reason—and to be closer to some of the wineries my travel buddy and I wanted to visit—I expanded our search to include the wider Charlottesville area, and came across this gem of a property in Crozet, about a 35-minute drive away from the Downtown Mall.

To reach the rustic two-bedroom cottage, situated on a 400-acre farm, we drove down a long, unpaved dirt road—I’ll admit, a bigger car, or one with four-wheel drive, would have been nice, but ultimately wasn’t necessary so long as we drove slowly. Upon arrival, we could just barely make out the yellow house further down the road where the host family lives—it really felt like we were on our own endless stretch of land surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sounds of birds chirping and cicadas buzzing were the soundtrack of the weekend; it couldn’t have been more serene.

The home has a bit of a summer camp feel to it, with a badminton net out front (rackets can be found inside, near the wood stove) and a hammock, grill, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit in the back. It’s the perfect place for slow, lazy mornings soaking up nature, sipping a cup of coffee while reading a good book on the screened-in porch. There’s an easel, canvas, and paints available for those feeling creative, and a shelf of board games and puzzles in the front hall closet. Given the remote nature of the property (the nearest general store is about a 15-minute drive away), if you plan to cook, you’ll want to stop somewhere bigger on the way in for provisions.

The host family has taken care to show off the area, with QR codes directing guests to playlists of local bluegrass music and a comprehensive guidebook with food, drink, and activity recommendations; we consulted it before heading to Pro Re Nata for pizza and live music, and were not disappointed.

For those looking to visit some of the area’s many, many wineries (as we were), you’re an easy drive away—we stopped by Stinson Vineyards, just down the road, before making our way closer to Charlottesville for the views, apple cider donuts, and Bold Rock cider at Carter Mountain Orchard.

Back inside our little weekend abode, there’s a cohesive hodgepodge of vintage furniture and decor—funky armchairs and layers of rugs that add a coziness to the space, Architectural Digest magazines from the ’80s, a coffee table that may or may not have once been a drum. There are two bedrooms, one on either floor, one bathroom downstairs, and a small office upstairs if work calls or the inspiration to write strikes (the desk is positioned right in front of a window overlooking the mountains). It’s a perfectly cozy space for two, though you could sleep up to four across the two rooms; past guests seem to include a mix of couples, small families, and groups of girlfriends.

The one thing we sadly missed: a chance to say hi to the family’s pony, Sampson, who roams the property along with two sheep (we did spot a herd of cows up the hill). All the more reason to make a return visit the next time I’m craving some peace and quiet.

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Travelers passing through one of the largest airports in the US will soon have access to a plush new private terminal housed inside a historic Jet Age building.

PS, the company formerly known as Private Suite, is restoring the historic Pan Am building at Miami International Airport, transforming it into an ultra-exclusive lounge space for paying commercial airline passengers.

PS currently operates out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), with plans to expand to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) in 2026. The luxe spaces, popular among high net-worth and celebrity travelers, are separate from the main airport terminals and offer bespoke services as well as private security checkpoints.

When the project at MIA is complete, travelers will feel as if they’re stepping back into the glamour of the “Golden Age” of air travel in the 1960s—but with upgraded, modern amenities. The terminal will feature private TSA and customs clearance, private suites, a bar, an outdoor courtyard, decorative pools, work spaces, and more.

Originally constructed in 1963 to serve as Pan Am’s regional headquarters, the building is a shining example of midcentury modern Miami architecture. It was nicknamed the “Taj Mahal of Miami” for its similar layout to the real Taj Mahal and design that “resembles that of the US Embassy in New Delhi from 1959,” according to RJ Heisenbottle Architects, the firm overseeing the restoration project.

The Pan Am building was declared a Miami-Dade Historical Site in 2014. The structure has an intricate, lace-effect facade, delicate pillars that encircle the exterior and support the wafer-thin roof, and a dramatic undulating awning over the lobby entrance. Out front, a long reflecting pool with several fountains stretches toward the entrance.

It’s a space that once was a befitting home for Pan Am—a leading airline in the 1960s that was known for its over-the-top luxury and stylish design features, from its aircraft cabins to its flight attendant uniforms. The team of architects plans to honor the airline’s storied history by restoring the building’s original Pan Am logos, gold panels, and accents in the lobby and courtyard walls.

What travelers can expect at PS MIA

Once inside the private, pay-to-access terminal, travelers will have a few different areas where they can relax in luxury before their flight. PS offers two tiers of spaces and will be bringing both to its new Miami terminal: a semi-private lounge called The Salon and a truly private personal retreat called the Private Suite.

The Salon is similar to an exclusive airline lounge with a full bar, gourmet meals, and shared transportation to the aircraft. Guests can also request access to a shower suite. Renderings of The Salon area in Miami show an opulent design that’s both nostalgic and modern, with a vibrant color palette, a wooden wraparound bar, and several cozy seating areas. The space is meant to evoke “Miami’s lively culture and Palm Beach glamour” while preserving the existing midcentury details, according to a PS spokesperson.

And yet, even then, there were signs of resurgence. Pausing at a mortuary pole, he spoke of young carvers reviving old skills and children learning Xaad Kil, the Haida language. His words hinted at a change already taking root. “Someday,” he said, “maybe people will know this is our land.”

According to both oral history and science, the Haida have lived here for at least 14,000 years. As the glaciers of the last Ice Age retreated, the ocean rose some 150m, stranding the people on the newly detached islands. Their stories speak of a great flood in the time before trees – of survival, separation from the mainland and life shaped by the sea. Over time, the forests regrew, food sources shifted and the Haida adapted by cultivating clam beds and rainforest gardens and becoming master seafarers.