JP Brownlow Travel, 1560 E. Southlake Boulevard Suite #100, Southlake, TX (2025)

04/22/2025

Acqualina Resort On The Beach
Sunny Isles, Florida

Not all Miami beachfront hotels are created equally. Specifically, there is a boardwalk that runs the entire length of Miami Beach. While this is a good thing if you are a walker or jogger, it’s not so good if you want to stay at a beachfront hotel and look out at the water.

All the top beachfront hotels have thick 20ft tall hedges between the boardwalk and the pool area. This prevents the constant stream of humanity from gawking at guests, but also keeps guests from laying out at the pool and looking at the ocean.

The solution? Stay at Acqualina Resort at the north end of Miami Beach in Sunny Isles, Florida.

There is no boardwalk and no hedges that block the view. Lounging at the pool you can see straight out to the ocean and be in the water in about 20 seconds. It’s so quiet here and the perfect place to rest before or after a cruise.

The rooms are beautiful and have recently been updated. There are 4 great restaurants on site and a fabulous spa with 16 treatment rooms. It’s a Forbes 5 star resort and spa!

Book with me to get Virtuoso amenities that include $100 resort credit, free breakfast each morning and top of the list for upgrades and early check in and late checkout.

Acqualina Resort & Residences

04/10/2025

Ship Tour: Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

I was invited to Fort Lauderdale to tour Ilma, the second ship in the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection.

It’s a beautiful ship, but it really does look more like a yacht and is one third of the size of a normal cruise ship. With only 224 suites, it feels intimate and like you are at a Riz Carlton hotel at sea.

50% of the passengers are first time cruisers and everyone quickly learns “cruising” doesn’t have to mean 6,000 people fighting for pool loungers.

There are 5 restaurants and 7 bars that offer so much variety. Celebrity chef Michel Mina was chatting on the phone next to us before his staff training.

The spa is amazing with 11 treatment rooms and next door is a large gym. Another yacht like feature is a drop down water deck with direct access to the sea with kayaks and paddle boards.

Marriott loyalists will love that you can earn Bonvoy points on the cruise fare.
All in all, it’s a luxury yacht experience that’s completely opposite of what most people think a cruise is.

Book with me for special perks and benefits not available booking direct!

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

03/17/2025

Ashford Castle
Is This the Best Castle Stay in Ireland?

On this St. Patrick’s Day, you don’t have to have the luck of the Irish to find the best castle stay, just let me book a room for you at Ashford Castle!

Standing on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years, this place is an Irish Wonderland!

This 5 star resort is spread out over 350 acres and features falconry, horse riding,
fishing, golf, cycling and so much more!

Go on a walk with their Irish Wolfhounds Mulligan & Molly or hit the spa for a relaxing treatment.

If you can ever pull yourself away from the resort, my Irish specialist can design guided tours of Dublin, The Ring of Kerry and the Di**le Peninsula.

Contact me today to start your own lucky streak of travel on the Emerald Isle!

02/21/2025

Michelin Birria Tacos? Only in Texas

The humble Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez in Fort Worth was recently awarded Michelin status for its outstanding birria tacos and things have never been the same for this family run business.

Birria started as a flavorful stew in the Mexican state of Jalisco and over time morphed into these griddled tacos that are dipped into a broth consommé.

The Cortez family hail from this part of Mexico and originally opened a food truck in Fort Worth to pay medical bills.
That went over so well that they opened a traditional restaurant.

Things got really crazy when they heard from a friend that they had been recommended by Michelin, the French culinary guide known the world over. Now they are selling 5,000 tacos a day.

I had the quesabirria tacos, which are an offshoot of the original and have melted cheese between two griddled flour tortillas and shredded beef in the center.

The generous portions of diced onions, cilantro and lime slices gave them extra kick and three different squeeze bottles of salsa give you flavorful combinations.
Wash it all down with a real sugar Mexican Coke and it’s the perfect meal!

It’s a madhouse on Friday and Saturday nights so come early or sneak in on a weekday for lunch. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wed to Sun 9am to 10pm.

02/14/2025

SeaDream Yacht Club
Small Ships Are a Game Changer

As our week came to a close, the crew put together a memorable Beach Party on Prickly Pear Island in the BVI’s. They pulled out all the stops, starting with champagne and caviar from a floating surfboard serving table followed by a full lunch with grilled meats, salads and sides plus a pop up bar.

I cannot emphasize enough how much the small size of the yacht makes everything better. 112 passengers max means the servers know your name at the end of the first day and everyone can get off the ship in 10 minutes to see near empty beaches in small ports across the Caribbean.

SeaDream sails the Caribbean in the winter and the Mediterranean in the summer. The small ship format even enables them to sail way up the fjords of Norway where the big ships can’t go.

While you can certainly book it yourself, booking through me gets you a $200 spa credit and I can help with flights and shore excursions.

SeaDream Yacht Club

02/12/2025

St. Barths French West Indies

Having small ships (112 passengers) gives SeaDream longer times in ports than the big guys. We had almost 36 hours in port than to see St. Barths and its European shopping and chic cafes.

We rented “Mokes”, the colorful open air dune buggies to tool around the island.
Our first stop was the airport, which only has a 2,000 ft runway between a mountain and the water. Small planes swoop right down over a public road and then straight down to the runway. These are dramatic landings for the passengers and bystanders often stop to watch at the top of the mountain.

After that we went to tour two luxury hotels: Rosewood Le Guanahani, a traditional resort and Le Toiny, a villa property. Both were impressive in different ways and because they are VIP partners, I can get you extra perks.

Then it was lunch at the raucous Eden Rock right on the beach. During the day it’s pretty chill, but at night things heat up with DJ’s and dancing on the tables.
We left that to the younger ones!

That afternoon we took the tender back to the ship and had massages from the Thai certified spa onboard with five treatment rooms. The evening ended with a dinner on the outdoor deck with a beautiful sunset.

Contact me today to help you experience this corner of France in the Caribbean!

02/10/2025

SeaDream Yacht Club
“It’s Yachting, Not Cruising”

With only 112 passengers and 95 crew members, this is the cruise for people who think they don’t like cruises.

There are no lines to eat, no lines to disembark, no kids and no theme park atmosphere. It’s sophisticated and luxurious without being stuffy. All meals
are ordered from a menu, no buffets and no heat lamps. The servers know your name and drink order on the second day.

A ship this small can visit the small ports the big ships can’t touch: St Barths, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Nevis. As for shore excursions, the captain of the ship himself took us on a tour of the Admiral Nelson Dockyards in Antigua.

As a Virtuoso travel advisor, I can get you a $200 spa credit not available booking direct. Join DeeAnn and I this week for a relaxing trip through the Caribbean on SeaDream. As they say, “It’s Yachting
Not Cruising”.

01/17/2025

Restaurant Review:
Elizabeth Street Cafe in Austin TX

For several years I have been hearing about this cute French Vietnamese cafe in Austin. When Jackson and my Dad and I went down to see Auburn play Texas in basketball, it was the perfect time to stop in.

As we walked up, the bubble gum pink front door and turquoise shutters were indeed oh so cute! Inside, there was a beautiful Japanese blossom print wallpaper and stylish light fixtures.

I had the Marinated Pork Bahn Mi and it was excellent. House baked baguette with savory pork, cucumbers, daikon, carrots, cilantro and homemade mayo.
The cool and crispy vegetables paired so well with the warm pork, French bread and creamy mayo.

Jackson had the Beef Pho, which came with the traditional side of bean sprouts,
garden herbs, radish and slice of lime.
It was hearty and a great choice on a cold day. My Dad had the Fried Rice with Crispy Fried Texas Redfish and he brought half of it back to the hotel.

The prices are higher than your average strip mall Thai joint, but the ambience, presentation and strong menu more than make up for it.

If you are in the Austin area and looking for a stylish lunch or dinner spot, swing by the Elizabeth Street Cafe for tasty Thai French classics.

01/13/2025

Commodore Perry Estate in Austin TX

Among the funky indie hotels on South Congress and the standard luxury chains in town, there is a special place 10 minutes from downtown Austin where you might think you are in Europe.

In 1928, Commodore Edgar Perry wanted to build a European style estate for his wife Lutie. The 10 acre spread had gardens and a pool among the live oak trees. After the Perrys passed, it became St. Mary’s School for Girls and then a long slow decline almost doomed the place.

It was then that Auberge Resorts spent years renovating it back to its former glory and adding more rooms in the same vintage style. When it opened as a hotel in 2020, we were facing Covid and it largely has been under the radar.

Auberge has expertly harmonized the Italian & Spanish revival architecture with downhome Texas notes throughout the property.

Terracotta floors, oriental rugs, roaring fireplaces and exotic game mounts are featured in the public areas. The rooms have plush beds, antiques from Round Top and vintage wallpapers. There is even complimentary Topo Chico in each room.

The signature restaurant, Lutie’s, has a gorgeous garden ceiling with lush emerald green velvet chairs and an innovative menu with “Texan Fine Dining Classics.”

Out back there is a 50ft oval swimming pool with bright yellow loungers and umbrellas, very reminiscent of the South of France.

All in all, it’s a truly unique stay in the heart of Austin. While you can book yourself, booking with me gets you free breakfast for two, $100 resort credit and top of the list for upgrades.

Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection

12/30/2024

Cheers to the Champagne Region of France!

If you have been on several winery tours in Napa or Italy and are looking for something different, consider the Champagne region of France, where I can set you up with my specialist guide for three days of touring this fascinating region.

Just 90 minutes from Paris, this region is only 132 square miles, but its namesake drink is synonymous with celebrations all over the world. The biggest names in the business are here: Tattinger, V***e Cliquot and Moet et Chandon, plus many boutique producers. Unique chateau lodging and Michelin restaurants round out this special part of France.

Only sparkling wines from France can be called Champagne (in Italy it is called Prosecco) and this area has the perfect climate and chalky, white soil.

Many Champagne houses offer great tours of the vineyards and even the cellars, where the bottles are aged for 15 months by French law. More prestigious brands like Dom Pérignon are aged for 8 years or more.

Speaking of that name we have all heard, Dom Perignon was a real person, a Benedictine monk who oversaw wine production at Hautvillers monastery in Reims. He did not create champagne, but rather improved its quality dramatically and there is even a statue of him in Epernay.

Let my Champagne specialist guide take you on a wonderful 2-3 day tour of the vineyards and cellars and tell you the stories and history of this renowned part of France.

12/23/2024

Texas BBQ Says Bonjour to Michelin

The storied Michelin Guide has finally come to Texas, and rather than focusing only on fine dining venues in our fair state, the Frenchmen have bestowed “Recommended” status to our own Panther City BBQ.

Over the weekend, the Brownlow Boys made their way to Panther City on the Near Southside of Fort Worth, our first visit since they received this global honor.

While the bright red Michelin badge was now outside the front door, not much else had changed at this temple of smoked meat.

The brisket still had excellent bark and smoke ring, the sausage still had a snap in every succulent bite and the sides once again almost steal the show.

One thing that sets Panther City apart from the competition is the Mexican influence on the menu. Case in point:
the Brisket Elote is out of this world.

Throughout Texas, vendors outside Mexican markets and grocery stores offer a popular takeaway of corn, queso fresco, cilantro and lime. Panther City ups the ante with a big dollop of chopped brisket on top.

On your next visit to Fort Worth, stop by Panther City and see what all the fuss is about. As you sit down to a tray of smoked goodness, you too can say
“Bon Appetit Ya’ll”.

Panther City BBQ

11/15/2024

She Believed in Me from the
Very Beginning

This week I celebrated four years in business as a luxury travel advisor. It all began during a global pandemic when many thought I was a little nuts to make this career change when no one was traveling.

But there was one person who believed in me from the very beginning. My sweet wife DeeAnn said “I believe in this so much I am willing to leave my school nurse job and go back to the hospital while you start your business and have no income. Just you wait and see, three years from now this is going to be wonderful.”

And four years later, it has been wonderful! While I am working more hours and spending my days dealing with canceled flights, train strikes and solving problems, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The smiles on my clients faces when they return home make it all worthwhile.

In addition to DeeAnn, I want to thank Keith Waldon and everyone at Departure Lounge for taking a chance on me. I also want to thank my suppliers around the world who make the magic happen everyday.

And finally I want to thank my clients who have entrusted me with their time and money to bring their travel dreams to life. Serving you gives me true joy!

11/04/2024

St. Andrews - The Home of Golf

The St. Andrews Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world, with a written history dating back to the year 1400.

While it is actually also a public course, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get on. My golf specialist is an official partner with the R&A (The Royal & Ancient Golf Club),
and can get guaranteed tee times, but it can be a year 1-2 wait time.

If you don’t need to play the course, you can have a great visit anytime. We walked the edge of the Old course and I even got my photo on the Swilcan Bridge.

We had lunch at The Jigger Inn, “the most famous 19th hole in the world”. The building dates back to 1852 and was originally the station master’s house for the railway station. I had fish & chips and a pint and felt right at home.

Then we explored the nearby fishing village of Ansthruther with quaint houses and boats in the harbor.

My trip has come to an end, but we can start planning your own bucketlist trip to Scotland in 2025!

11/02/2024

Scotland Road Trip - Royals, Hairy Coos and Nessie

Only 15 minutes from Braemar in the Scottish Highlands is Balmoral Castle, the summer home of the British Royal Family and the one place where Queen Elizabeth was truly at home. She was known to ride the estate horseback and drive her Range Rover all over.

After an overnight in Inverness, my guide Ian and I headed south through several picturesque villages before the seeing the most beloved animal in Scotland: the Hairy Coo. Also known as Highland Cows, these lovable long haired cattle have reddish coats and long horns.

Then we finished the day at Loch Ness, the largest body of water in the UK and home of the Loch Ness Monster. Hearing my guide talk about Nessie, a stranger asked “When does the monster usually appear?” He politely told him “after your fourth whisky”.

Seriously, though, the lake is beautiful and the Nessie stories just add to the aura of the place. Scotland’s landscapes are nothing short of awe-inspiring with rugged mountains, deep lochs and rolling green hills as far as the eye can see.

We’re coming to the end of this amazing trip, but there’s still a few surprises coming up!

JP Brownlow Travel

04/22/2025

04/10/2025

03/17/2025

02/21/2025

02/14/2025

02/12/2025

02/10/2025

01/17/2025

01/13/2025

12/30/2024

12/23/2024

11/15/2024

11/04/2024

11/02/2024

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