Introducing our new travel correspondent, Megan Napier-Andrews, who may reveal the answer in her premier post.

I’ve spent my entire career in the event business, 15 years in Canada and now more than six years based in the United Kingdom. During that time, I’ve travelled to almost every corner of the globe. Years ago, I was introduced to a game where one has to have travelled to more countries than one’s age. So far, I’ve managed to keep ahead of the curve. How many? Don’t ask!

Over the next few months, I hope to tell you about some of my favourite spots, in Canada, in the UK, and on my travels far and wide. 

Last Autumn an event took me to California and Las Vegas, Nevada. What really happened in Vegas? I’m afraid that story will have to stay in Vegas! But we had lots happening that I can reveal.

After an enjoyable business class flight on British Airways surrounded by multiple famous people, we flew into Los Angeles from the UK, before making our way via luxury coach to Palm Springs, California.

This is a famous desert resort city within the Colorado Desert’s Coachella Valley. The population of 45 thousand trebles during the winter months, mainly because of its popularity as a snowbird destination. It also has a growing popularity with the younger cool kid crowd, probably largely driven by the epic Coachella Festival in April. The town was formerly home to such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Liberace, Patrick McNee, Sonny Bono, Truman Capote and Dorothy Lamour. Leonardo di Caprio, Brad Pitt, Barry Manilow and the Obama family still winter there. 

The city is noted for its mid-century modern architecture, design elements, arts and cultural scene, and recreational activities. We had the opportunity to check out di Caprio’s residence in the beautiful desert oasis. Probably the only time in my lifetime that I will be able to claim that I was in Leo’s house.

We enjoyed being able to experience two gorgeous historic boutique properties. L’horizon Resort was built in the 50s and became a favourite of the Hollywood set. La Serena Villas was built in the 30s and is fully restored. It has a lovely rooftop terrace with a very impressive tequila collection.

A delicious poolside lunch at the Colony Club in the Colony Hotel was up next where we admired the Art Deco installations. In the afternoon, we travelled on the revolving Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which rises two-and-a-half miles ‘from desert floor to Alpine beauty.’

The next morning, it was over to the Thermal Club, a development surrounded by a race track, where membership starts at an easy US$175,000 initiation fee along with the requirement of building a 30,000 sq ft house onsite within five years (which translates to a minimum US$5 million house). We were treated to the opportunity to take a spin on the BMW racecourse with professional drivers before we took to the course ourselves. I’ve noted that I definitely don’t have a future in race car driving as I was told that my grandmother could walk faster than I was driving.

As we were in the Coachella Valley, we had a gorgeous and fresh farm-to-table lunch at the Aziz Farm, an interesting combination of date farm and event space. We learned that 90 per cent of the dates produced in the US come from Coachella Valley. And I have to report, they were delicious.

If you are into art (although I do realise that everyone’s definition of art is different), then the Coachella Murals are definitely worth a tour, especially with a stop at artist Armando Lerma’s studio. He was the one who instigated the mural project back in 2014 with five original pieces. Now that number has grown throughout downtown Coachella’s Historic Pueblo Viejo District. The day was capped off with dinner at Nobu, located within the Indian Wells Tennis Garden grounds. The fresh sushi and sake were flowing as we celebrated an exceptional experience falling in love with everything Palm Springs has to offer.

The next morning, we were treated to a row of new convertible Mustangs that were our luxurious ride from Palm Springs up to Las Vegas. Equipped with a map and road trip treats, we were divided into pairs with the opportunity to drive the Mustang ourselves.

Our first stop on this full day adventure, was Joshua Tree National Park.  After a hike through the unique looking rock formations, we enjoyed a picnic lunch (in the shade) before we hit the road again, this time taking on Route 66.

The original highway has been allowed to deteriorate and most of the ancient gas stations are abandoned which provided for very long stretches of road where we let our imagination run wild with what had happened at each of these desolate locations. Fortunately, the petrol tank (oops, there I go talking Brit. Of course, I mean gas!) had enough fuel as we had our last stretch towards Vegas. Although this wasn’t the last experience before we hit the City of Lights.

Our final adventure of the day was exploring the Mojave Desert in off-roading buggies before enjoying a well-deserved dinner and refreshing beverage in an isolated desert saloon. Thankfully our next mode of transportation was a stretched luxury Hummer with the bubbles flowing and the music blasting which took us the final stretch into Vegas.

One of the best evenings was spent seeing U2 in concert at the fabulous new venue: The Sphere. The New York Post reported that U2 received US$10 million upfront and 90 per cent of the ticket price for each concert. To say that this was the best music experience of my life, is an understatement. It was two hours of absolute visual and musical immersion that kept everyone engaged and cherishing every special moment of this unique show.

Although U2 have now ended their time in Vegas, if you have the opportunity to experience The Sphere, I have one piece of advice – go! 

As I write this post, I’m on the road again. This time in Europe. It’s a fantastic voyage as well. But that’s for another day.