Jul6

When in doubt , head to Italy ! 

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Italy is my favorite country in the world.  New York is where I wanted to live as a child , Italy (  Regions of Tuscany or Umbria ) are where I would love to retire. 

Day 1 in Milan. We checked in at the Bulgari. A true test of a hotel is what they do when they are in trouble. With that internet down , printers not working the hotel was in trouble. But with a smiling face and no stress visible they handed it like complete pros. 

We had the 4 th floor room , garden view. Very nice. 

Candy and a tamarind drink at the lobby. 


Drinks at the ever popular bar with outdoor seating. Felt like an oasis in a busy city. Loved it. 

We did lunch at convivum restaurant. It overlooks this piazza.  Everything is gorgeous here. 


We dined at the 2 Michelin star restaurant , Seta. We really enjoyed our meal. The lamb was one of the best I have ever eaten. ( At the Mandarin Oriental ) 


Day 1 – a success !! We also went to the gym – so that was great. Could slightly justify the over eating. 

Apr4

There are hotels, homes and then VILLAS !

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We went to the Dominican Republic for spring break and decided to stay in a villa versus a traditional hotel for the week that we were there.

It was a great decision, we had a chef and also another couple friend that went with us and their son.

This is the place we stayed at. Direct flights with Jet Blue, short drive to the property.

 

http://www.casaphil.com

Pictures from the website, not my own.

The kids rooms, was so fantastic! Definitely going back.

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We played the “festival of colors- Holi” while we were there. The kids loved it! These pictures make me want to go back!

Dec30

Vermont – Ski season 

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We decided to take the kids for a winter break to try out skiing for them and snowboarding for us.

This is what the 25 Th in Manchester , Vt looked like.  
It was 65 degrees. We went to the playground ! 

Luckily we have snow covered peaks now. Will post a picture later.

👏🏼😀

Oct30

Four seasons Mumbai 

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I had a short (2 night ) stay in the hectic city of Mumbai. It’s a super hotel , centrally located and not super large. 

It has fewer than 300 rooms and an amazing rooftop bar ( aire). 

I had the premier executive Room, city view. It came with a complimentary transfer and breakfast daily plus a cocktail hour and free wifi.  Room was over 300 sq ft with a nice sized closet. 

In addition as a preferred travel agency , a complimentary 60 m massage ( with Kim- who was amazing ) was a nice perk. 

Nice small gym, good restaurant and the a great location. 

What’s not to like ? 

Did I mention their signature deep soaking tubs ,  extra comfortable mattress and pillows ? 

   
    
    
 

May26

Day 4,5 and 6- Italy 

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after bidding adieu to Portofino, our next stop was Porto Ercole. A Tuscan Island where locals go on holiday. 

Before heading there we decided to do a slight detour to “The Mall”. A big designer outlet shopping center in Rappello , Tuscany. 

We then headed to Porto Ercole. We stayed at the Argenterio Golf and Spa resort. It’s a member of the design hotels. There is one Leading hotel of the world on the island , Il  Pelicano , incase you are wondering. 

  

  

  

 

  Modern property with a black and white decor. We had a  junior suite with a terrace. 

Dinner Herrera was modern Tuscan good with local ingredients. 

     
We decided to explore the island a little Porto Stefano was the nearest to followed by Orbetello. 

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We ate dinner at a beach restaurant called “I Due Pini”. It was just beautiful. 

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Hubby did a golf lesson at the hotel. I used the gym. They had 2 pools.indoor and outdoo the gym was well equipped. 

The next day we decided to return to one of our favorite Tuscany cities- Siena. It was just a 90 m drive. It was the only day it rained but it was still wonderful. 

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After a fantastic lunch at a cave restaurant ( boar’s meat sauce on Papadelle) , we had some great coffee followed by gelato. 

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Since we couldn’t get a table at Pelicano due to the inclement weather  , we ended the trip with some delicious wine and dessert.   

 

  The drive to the airport was just 90 m. 

Bye Italy. See you again soon !!!

May20

Day 3 – Portofino-Cinque Terre

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Day 3 we had decided to eat breakfast at the hotel ( delicious ) and head to Cinque Terre. We took the train from Santa Margarita to the furthest village Monterosso. There is an unlimited train ride option which we purchased. Monterosso is beautiful but due to the tourist influx, become a tourist town. 

  
         It was gorgeous. 

     Edit  Edit  Edit  EditWe thought we could take  the ferry from Monterosso to Manarolo but at lunch time the ferry wasn’t working so we took the train to Vernazza. We ate lunch here and then decided we were going to do the hike back to Montirosso. (1:45 m).

The hike was not super easy. This was my first real hike and it wa a super fun but stressful in places where there was nothing to hold on to !

Made it back with my recovering achilles  tendon , so all good there.  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

  

A drink after this crazy hike followed by a train ride back to Portofino  and another dinner at Puny. ( yes – again!). 

Off to Tuscany next. 

May20

Day 2- Portofino, Italy 

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We were well rested this morning , having slept 12 hours !! The bedroom was so dark and we had no screaming kids ! 

We got ready and walked down to the town on Portofino. The Belmond has 2 properties here. One high up on a hill ( where we were staying ) and one right on the water ( Belmond Splendio Mare). The hotel has a shuttle service back and forth every 20 mins as well. 

   

Walking this path led to the habor. For a fishing town , it has some very beautiful high end designer stores. 

I love buying fruits as they taste so different and natural. 

  
Morning espresso. A Double. 

  

Pictures below of the harbor. 

   
     
Lunch was at a restaurant called o Magazin. Delicious fresh pasta and seafood. 

   
 

Portofino is around 1:20 mins drom Thr UNESCO world heritage site of Cinque Terra. More on that day 3. 

We ate dinner at a restaurant called PUNY. Super food. They take themselves quite seriously and if they don’t think you should , they will advise against cheese in their food lol. 

The speciality if this area is pappardelle pasta , made with pesto and tomato sauce. 

Steven our waiter shared that Denzel Washington is a big fan and has come back at 1 am ( after an earlier meal) to prepare this with the chef. 

In any case ,  the pasta and the fish we ate were so delicious we decided to come back the next night. 

Dessert was gelato ! 

May20

Day 1 – Portofino, Italy 

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DH and I arrived in Rome and headed to pick up our rental car. ( better signage would have helped at the airport ). After an hours wait we got our cute Audi and we were off on the long drive to Portofino. (4 hrs ). 

  
The long windy roads from Rapello to Santa Margerita to Portofino were out of a James Bond movie ( though we were not chasing nor being chased lol).  

Hotel Belmond Splendido was just gorgeous. Old school charm. We had a junior suite with 2 terraces to lounge in. Just brilliant views.  

  View from terrace 

  The hotel was full of regulars. People checking in had been there multiple times. It’s a place where everyone knows your name. Also well loved by movie stars ! 
We ate dinner at the Hotel the first night on ther terrace , taking in the beautiful  scenery. 

A hotel with only 62 rooms , it sells out quick. Contact me for specials and exclusive deals.