Sparkly Manhattan & Arty Austrian Alps
- Danielle Dybiec
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." ― William Arthur Ward
Happy Thanksgiving week! I hope whether you're traveling near or far this week that you arrive safely and have a wonderful holiday. I'm in Pittsburgh to visit with family and old friends, and last night I got to check out the brand-new landside terminal at PIT airport. I've missed the airport's grand, signature Calder mobile during renovations, but it's back and showcased better than ever at the new airport.
Last week I got to hang out with friends from the Austria tourism office when they hosted a glittering event at the Swarovski flagship store on 5th Avenue. Ski resorts and tour operators came from the Austrian Alps to share all about their Tirol region, which is actually where Daniel Swarovski created his special crystal cutting machine in 1895. The store's interior design is filled with pink and green colors, but now with their exhibit of original Wicked costumes and jewelry on display, it could double as a very fancy Wicked gift shop, which I heard a lot of tourists believe it is! Swarovski crystals are used on several buildings and window displays in Manhattan, and I learned how to arrange a private guide through Swarovski for a unique, creative tour to see their work all around you.
The most unexpected thing I learned about the Austrian Alps in the Tirol region was that you'll find a very cool James Thurell lightroom there called skyspaceLech. The skyspace is open year-round for viewing during sunrise or sunset, and you can either ski right up to it, or hike to its mountainside home. It's set in a beautiful, inspiring location, and I would love to experience it myself!
Earlier that afternoon I was around the corner for a site visit of the also very sparkly Baccarat Hotel New York, directly across the street from MoMA. It's a hidden-in-plain-sight gem, and since their Grand Salon is open to the public for great food and drinks, I recommend coming here to relax and admire the work of this French crystal maker and the secret lair vibes. Each of the 17 custom Baccarat chandeliers inside has at least one red crystal on it somewhere, and I had fun spotting them while I stayed to work in the lounge after my property tour. You might spot visiting celebrities who stay here since it's a discreet luxury hotel close to Rockefeller Center, SNL, The Tonight Show, and Radio City Music Hall. As a guest, you can also swim in their 55-foot marble pool and lounge in a private pool-side cabana.
If you're looking for glittering good fun in Manhattan this holiday season, I have other ideas for you too!
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Danielle Dybiec
Founder & President
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