Adventures may be closer than you think...

Ya hopping on a plane to escape to a far away city or a mysterious country is great and all, but sometimes all it takes is a few hours in the car for an equally exciting adventure. Don't get me wrong, traveling to countries with unknown cultures and exploring different languages is something that everyone should experience, but what ever happened to the simple joys of a road trip? Pack some necessities, grab some snacks, burn a great CD and pile in the car...simple as that! Sometimes the best trips are the spontaneous ones. So I have a challenge for you. This summer, when you are complaining and bored with "nothing to do," grab a friend or two, pick a spot you've never been before, and indulge in a little weekend getaway. 

Take Note...

I never would have thought that a little book of scribbles and thoughts could mean so much and bring back so many great memories. When I took my very first trip to Europe my mom insisted that I write in a journal to record all of the days events. As a typical 12 year old, I thought no way I was going to waste my time writing! But as we we all know what mom says always goes, so I did it (very unwillingly). 

But as the trip went on I started to enjoy writing in my journal because it allowed me to really soak in all the things I saw and ate and heard all in that one little day. And now, years later I could not be more thankful for that little journal I thought I hated so much. In fact, every time I've left the country since that first trip to Europe I have continued to keep a detailed journal of my journey. I write down the activities I've done, the different foods I've tried, and all the things I saw. I also always take a little brochure or keep my ticket from each monument or landmark and stick in my journal too! 

Sure pictures are great, and boy do I take a lot of them, but a journal helps you see the pictures from a different point of view. Its a little insight of what you were thinking or feeling when you were exploring that new culture and adventuring all over a different country.

So remember, take a little journal to come away with you and devote a little time to it each day....I promise you won't regret it!

Keep Tahoe Blue

I’ve been a lot of places and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to spots all over the world. But few places compare to a spot that is only and hour and a half drive from my garage door—Lake Tahoe, CA. No matter the season and no matter the temperature, Tahoe is always a picture of pure beauty. It’s a whole town encompassing a lake as clear as glass. Tahoe is down to earth and peaceful with activities centered around the great outdoors.

Even though a majority of your time in Tahoe is usually spent soaking in the fresh air, you still want a great place to come back and relax after a long active day. No matter if its winter or summer, these are a few of my favorite spots to stay in Tahoe.

Sunnyside-recommended for summer

Grand Residences Marriot at Heavenly-recommended for summer or winter

Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe at Northstar-recommended for winter

Gondola at Heavenly

Nothing beats a delicious meal at the end of a long and active day. Or try a great breakfast spot to fuel you throughout your Tahoe adventures.

The Beacon—the go-to summer time hot spot

Sprouts—my absolute FAVORITE restaurant ever.

Rustic Lounge at Cedar Glen Lodge

Evans American Gourmet Café

Fire Sign Café—the most famous breakfast spot in Tahoe

Hike to Angora Lake-know for some of the best lemonade in the world!

I hope you like being active, because Tahoe can wear you out! But it is important to remember that Tahoe is like two totally different places during the different seasons.

Lets start with winter activities.

Skiing or Snowboarding on one of the many mountains. I recommend Heavenly, Northstar or Sierra.

Ice Skating

Sledding or Tubing

Snow Mobiles

Snow Shoeing

Time for summer!

Bike Riding

Horse Trails

Walking Trails

Mountain Hikes

Boating all around the lake

Parasailing

Jet Skiing

Be on the lookout for wildlife on your hike!

So come away with me whether it’s summer, winter, fall, or spring, to the most breathtaking lake you will ever see.  

London

Don’t we all wish we could be a part of the Royal Family? I know I do. Or can I at least have the accent? London is home to more than just the Royals though; it is one of the most well known cities in the world with seemingly endless things to see and places to go. I have been there twice but I feel like I could go back one hundred more times and still no see it all. Every pub, every shop, and every little church has a story and strong history that is ready to be shared with its visitors.

Tower Bridge 

Like I said, London offers an endless amount of possibilities and activities. Whether you want to stick strictly to historical landmarks, walk through all the different gardens and parks, or spend your day trying to make one of the Palace guards crack a smile (good luck), there is something for everyone. But here is a little list of some of my favorite spots!

The Tower of London

Madame Tussaunds

London Eye

London Theatre—definitely try and see the Lion King if you can!

Covent Garden’s Market

Tower Bridge

Westminister Abbey

Piccadilly Circus

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Buckingham Palace

Bukingham Palace 

London, like most big cities, provides an eclectic mix of cuisines from different cultures all over the world. But I want to direct you to a few of their best English eateries…because if your gonna have pasta you should have it in Italy!

The Wolseley—One of London’s premier destination restaurants—the perfect spot for weekend brunch—try a cream tea and a fruit scone and you will really feel like a true Brit.

Odettes—Welsh chef Bryn Williams makes sure to keep his restaurant true to English cuisine and he does a great job. Sit inside their beautiful dining area or ask the waiter to escort you to their beautiful ‘secret’ garden terrace.

Rhodes Twenty-Four—Hope your aren’t afraid of heights! Rhodes Twenty Four is located on the 24^th floor of London’s tallest building, offering breathtaking views of the city, as well as outstanding British cuisine.

So, now that you know where to eat and what to see its time to put your feet up after a long day! London is filled with great places to stay and you can find spots in a range of budgets. Here are a few of my favorite spots that offer a variety of amenities.

Timeless glamour encompasses this Mayfair hotel. Claridges’ location could not be more perfect for exploring the best parts of the city. Its luxury is incomparable! And make sure to indulge in their famed afternoon tea.

Chic and trendy is the best way to describe The W- Leicester Square. Its rooms are modern and hip and it amenities are luxurious. This upbeat hotel is best for those of your who love the night scene!

No.11 Cadogan Gardens is a unique hideaway; located in the streets of Knightsbridge and Chelsea, it’s the perfect spot for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle in the heart of London. Its old world charm has a modern twist and it is beautiful luxury boutique hotel.

Big Ben 

So there it is, some of my tips and tricks to exploring the iconic city of London. So come away with me and maybe if we spend enough time there we will pick up accents and even spot Prince Harry!

Travel in Style

For this week’s post I’m going to take a little detour from exploring the world and talk about what to bring along with you. Luggage is often the most overlooked accessory, but when it comes to traveling, it’s the definitely an important one! People underestimate the importance of luggage; it’s your ultimate traveling companion, keeping your possessions safe and organized. It’s also a way to express a little bit of your personality while you are making you are making your way from gate to gate.  Make sure you find luggage that is not only fashionable, but sturdy too. Everyone has his or her own unique style, so make sure to find the luggage that fits you. Here are some of my favorites and I would absolutely love to have them come away with me.

 

1. Disturbed Stripe Hatbox Graphic Wheelie  2. West 57th Patent Contact Case  3. West 57th Passport Cover 4. West 57th Travel Jewelry Box 5. West 57th Small Patent Train Case 6. Henri Bendel Jewelry Trunk  7. Ted Baker Washbag 8. COACH Leather Cabin Bag 9. Lolo 'Eiffel Tower' Luggage Tag 

10. Steamline Luggage 'Editor Series'

Paris

In honor of Valentines Day yesterday, I thought there would be no better place to blog about than the city of love itself. Paris is known for its romantic atmosphere and breathtaking views. Every inch of the city’s beauty has been immaculately preserved for hundreds of years. The intricate architecture and the winding cobblestone streets provide an incomparable Parisian charm to all of the city’s visitors. I absolutely adore Paris. I’ve only been a couple of times, but each time I step foot in the city I get an overwhelming feeling of pure bliss. Give me an apartment on the Right Bank and I could stay there forever!

Although Paris is surrounded in grandeur, its greatest pleasures are the simplest ones. The charm of a street side café, the distance sound of jazz accompanying you while you meander through the streets at night, or the first bite of a warm baguette--just to name a few.

            With beauty on every corner, you’re sure to find plenty of good hotels right? Well, that’s not always the case in Paris. Lots of the little hotels are in need major makeovers and could use some serious spring-cleaning. But don’t worry, there are plenty of exceptional hotels too. And whether you are a fan of the artsy Left Bank or the refined Right bank, you will definitely appreciate these few hotels that I have for picked especially for you.

            I know we are always supposed to save the best for last, but I’m too excited to wait. Hôtel Plaza Athénée takes luxury to a whole new level. Its meticulous attention to detail and expertise is incomparable. Its location is perfect—between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower—and the amenities are beyond five star. It has been immortalized as the backdrop in the season finale of Sex and the City. Well if it’s good enough for Carrie Bradshaw its good enough for me!

            The next spot is a little more budget friendly. Hôtel Thérèse is only steps away from the Louvre and the Palais Royal and offers the perfect mixture of contemporary and old-world charm. The interior is warm and welcoming, just like the staff.

            Want the real royal treatment? Shangri-La Paris, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower, was once the stately home of Prince Roland Bonaparte and has been carefully restored and re-created into a hotel. Although it’s fairly new, its already become a classic. The hotels array of great restaurants and lounges make it hard to ever want to leave.

Trying to pick your favorite Parisian restaurant would be like trying to pick a favorite child…impossible because they all have something great to offer! Whether it’s a five star luxury adorned restaurant, or a quiet little café at the end of a cobblestone street, the food is pretty much guaranteed to be out of this world. I will admit, this is one of the most over-whelming things about Paris. You want so desperately eat at the finest restaurants and most delicious cafes but you have no clue where to go. This is one of those moments when you just have to trust in the city and know that no matter which little bakery window you pass by, its going to be delectable.

Its safe to say most people know about the Eiffel Tower, but what else is there to do in Paris? Here is a list of some of my favorites.

Eiffel Tower

Shopping on the Champs- Elyees

Montmartre—my absolute favorite place in Paris!

Notre Dame 

Arc de Triomphe

Palace of Versailles

The Louvre

Come on, you owe it to yourself to explore the depths of Paris and bask in the city of romance!

Venice

No matter how many pictures, paintings, or postcards you see of Venice, nothing compares to actually being there. The atmosphere is magical and the sights are spectacular. Enveloped in history, Venice always maintains a unique air of mystery. And if you’re looking for romance, look no further than this floating city. But hurry over because you never know when this beautiful city on the sea will one day be lost. 

 Whether you’re with your family, your friends, your lover, or just yourself, Venice is filled with beautiful sights and awaiting adventures. Want to take in some history? Easy—just walk through the winding side streets and across the dozens of bridges. The foundation of Venice is found in its preservation of architectural tradition and everlasting excellence. Venice offers several spots to visit and explore, and here are a few things that you simply cannot miss.

St. Marks Square and Basilica. 

St. Marks Square continually maintains its position as the most popular destination in Venice. Take in the awe-inspiring architecture of the Basilica and meander around the square, which is perfect for people watching and, if you are brave enough, bird feeding. 

 Gondola Rides 

An adventure to Venice would not be complete without a gondola ride I know it sounds cliché, but gondolas truly are the symbol of Venice’s romance! Glide through the canals, under bridges and around corners in a gondola pushed by your very own gondolier—yes, that is what they are called—and if you are lucky he might even sing you some Italian love songs.

 Shopping 

No, I’m not talking about popping into Nordstrom for some new shoes. The shops sprinkled throughout the streets of Venice are much different than your typical shopping mall. Within these little shops are some of the most unique handmade items you will ever see and the quality of the merchandise is unmistakable. Be sure to check out the intricate masks and hand blown murano glass, which are Venetian trademarks. 

We all know Italians adore food. So the greatest thing about traveling to Italy is that no matter what little hole-in-the wall café you decide to eat at, it’s usually delicious. So how do you choose your top favorite spots to wine and dine in Venice? Well, you can’t. They are all over-the-top amazing, but I do have some recommendations of a few of the more popular picks. 

 Osteria Orto dei Mori. 

 Famous for their incredible seafood dishes, with a fish selection so fresh you would think that they caught it themselves…because they did. 

Vini da Gigio 

 Go for the food, stay for the friendly service and homey atmosphere. They will make sure you leave beyond satisfied. Bacareto Da Lele A favorite among the locals, this little hole in the wall is perfect for brunch. Many people make this spot a priority stop on their trip. 

Pizzeria All’Anfora 

You can taste the tradition and quality in their handmade dough and homegrown ingredients. These pizzas will have you coming back two or three more times during your stay. 

La Mela Verde 

WARNING: This will be the greatest thing you have ever tasted. Words can’t even describe my love for gelato, and La Mela Verde hosts the best gelato in the city. 

Last, but certainly not least, I have some great hotel suggestions. Seeing that Venice only reaches about twelve miles, it is small enough that you can stay in any part of the city and be able to head over to the other side without a problem. If are picking a hotel based on location, of Venice’s six quarters, I recommend staying in San Marco for the most convenience. But if it were up to me, I would definitely be putting my feet up at one of these three resorts after a long day walking around the city. 

Bauer Il Palazzo 

 One of Venice’s most valued hotels, Bauer II Palazzo is the perfect blend of ancient and contemporary. Its beautiful and authentic interior evokes a romantic spirit, and the views this hotel offers of St. Marks Square are incredible. 

 San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort 

A private Island, what could be better? An ideal spot for holiday getaways and group trips, this resort offers space for weddings and private events. An exclusive oasis in the heart of the Lagoon, San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort proves to be the ultimate relaxation destination. 

http://www.sanclementepalacevenice.com/en/

 Hotel Danieli 

Calling this hotel “five stars” would be an understatement. It’s the definition of luxury. Located right in the heart of Venice, this restored 14th century palace hosts some of the best dining spots in the city.

So there it is, some tips and hints on your trip to Venice, from me to you. But here is my number one tip…go! Venice is a place that every person must experience for themselves. So come away with me and lets soak in the ancient buildings, uneven streets, salty air, and the enchanting mystery that Venice has to offer.