Connextions Magazine | The Parent-HOOD! | June 2015 2

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Deluxe Life | December 2015

ConnextingCONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Manny Velasquez-Paredes

CREATIVE DIRECTORXioger Sandoval

FEATURED WRITERDavid Duran

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lilly Chris

Ross ChristiansonH. Luiz MartinezCarlos Mayorga

Aaron Paiva LeytonDavid Perry

JJ VegaManny Velasquez-Paredes

Sarah Stanley-Evan

Read Connextions Magazine online: ConnextionsMagazine.com

Write to us: Have a question or comment regarding this issue or future issues of Connextions Magazine? We would love to hear from you! E-mail responses and press releases are always welcomed.

All submissions become the property of Connextions Magazine.

Connextions Magazine, LLC publishing mailing address:PO Box 242Calverton, NY 11933

Connextions Magazine and Connextions Magazine en Español will not knowingly publish or advertise text which is fraudulent or misleading. The publisher reserves the right to edit, limit, revise, or reject any text without cause. Connextions Magazine assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors. If any errors are found, please notify Connextions Magazine immediately. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISSN 2160-4347 (print)ISSN 2160-4355 (online)

The views and opinions stated throughout this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of staff at Connextions Magazine.

mvp@connextionsmagazine.com

Connextions Magazine Issue 19: Travel Lite, published on August 2015, features resources for your trip on a budget! We take you on a journey to New Orleans and Las Vegas, where the parties never stop. A budget-friendly Europe-an adventure through Barcelona and London. Plus “15 Vacation on a Budget Tips!” Our LGBT Family takes you on an eco-friendly and unplugged trip to the Poconos.

Find us, Follow us, Like us, Tweet us, Pin us, Share us on all social media sites @ConnextionsMag #ConnextionsMag

Cover Photo by: Xioger SandovalModel: William RootpeterLocation: Starlight Charter, Sag Harbor, NY

Actor, Model, Entrepreneur, Student & World Traveler William Rootpeter sits down with Connextions Magazine for an in-depth interview. He opens up about growing up, sexuality, and the future.

Starlight Charter in Sag Harbor, New York is the perfect backdrop for William’s photo shoot. He has worked with celebrities, has been photographed countless times, and he now graces the cover of Connextions Magazine Deluxe Life issue.

Captain Toby of Starlight Charter was our host for this exciting cover shot!

Read Starlight Charter article on page 84 & William’s interview on page 90.

Connextions Magazine, the Travel & Lifestyle magazine for the LGBTQ Traveler since 2010, is a proud member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association,

National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, Gay European Tourism Association & National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, as well The travel Media Sponsor of

HRC Greater New York.

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Letter from the Editor

ConnextionsMagazine.com

MVPEditor In Chief

Lima, Peru was founded on January 18, 1535. Known as the Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings), it became the capital and the most important city in the Republic of Peru. Lima, with almost 10 million inhabitants, houses around one-third of Peruvians, and is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru, and the third largest city in the Americas, just behind São Paulo and Mexico City. Lima is also where I was born a few decades ago. My father passed away when I was a child, and my mother decided my sister and I needed a change of scenery and moved us to the United States. 25 years later, I decided to return to visit. This was the most exciting and scariest trip I have ever taken.

Exciting - because I was looking forward to all the new adventures and seeing all of the changes in the past 25 years, and of course to see family members I had not seen in

decades. Scariest – because the last time I was there, I was so young that I had not even realized I was gay. I wasn’t sure at all what it would be like to return after coming out of the closet abroad. As a Writer and Editor, I write about my personal experiences, and therefore, I have been very open about my sexuality and family. So returning to the place that witnessed my birth, and seeing relatives who have read my articles featuring my husband and our kids, was a worrisome time for me. However, luckily for me, I had an absolutely wonderful experience.

Although I have family in Peru, I decided to connext with Aaron Paiva Leyton of “TOURGUIDEPERU Tours tailored by Aaron” in order to make this trip an unforgettable one. Aaron guided us on where to stay and visit, and how to truly enjoy Lima. Aaron and his team at Tour Guide Peru, took the time to help me and to ease my worries and concerns during the planning process and while in Lima. The Connextions team enjoyed this adventure so much that we decided to choose Peru as the “Top Luxury Destination” and we highly recommend contacting Aaron and his Team to help you to create your Peruvian adventure.

Deluxe Life, Connextions Magazine issue #20, features the most luxurious destinations. For a vacation to be considered “luxury travel,” a lot of factors must be taken into consideration, but the main one is where you will rest your head and body. The hotel or resort you choose will determine just how luxurious your trip will be, this is why in this issue we are focusing on those places that scream Deluxe Life! For this issue, we traveled all over the world and had lots of fun at photo shoots from Oslo in Norway, to California, Maui, Connecticut, Lima in Peru and Florida where Connextions Magazine visited the Diplomat Resort & Spa for an unforgettable photo shoot with Lithuanian Model Paulius Paražinskas. We also take you to the DANDI Awards ceremony, where Connextions Magazine was the winner in the Media category; and introduce you to Starlight Charter, an LGBT owned and operated sailing experience providing you with unique and private adventures, which served as the location for this issue’s cover photo shoot with French Model William Rootpeter.

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LIVEThe Food Trail 82

How to Cook that $#@% TurkeyIn Review Books 98

“The Christmas Truck”

TRAVELMaui: A Foodie’s Dream Destination 10

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in KaanapalilOslo: The Grand Trip 16

A visit to The Grand Hotel in OsloPeru: The Hidden Jewels in the Land of the Gods 26

Lima: The World’s Culinary CapitalHOTEL B: The B Is For BeautyJW Marriott: The Crown’s Jewel

California: The Pink’s Lady Facelift 50La Valencia Hotel

Florida: It’s So Beachy! 56The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia IslandDiplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood

LGBT Family Travel: Connecticut 72Delamar: A Weekend Getaway

CONNECTCruising Through Life 84

Meet Toby Stull, Owner of Starlight CharterWilliam Rootpeter: Under the Spotlight 90

Interview with Model, Actor & World Traveler

Contents Winter 2015