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.

Maui

There’s something irreplaceable about the feeling you get in a foreign place. An overwhelming sense of curiosity, excitement, and a little uncertainty rushes through your veins. But often times, this wonderfully unique and all encompassing euphoric feeling is followed by the sudden “Well now what?” What do you do? What do you eat? Where do you stay? That’s where I come in. For most, traveling is a leisure, but for me it’s a passion.  So here’s the plan. Each week a brand new brilliantly beautiful location will be featured with the latest and greatest places to stay, dining hotspots, adventures to try and ultimate attractions that can’t be missed. Now let me warn you that I’m not an expert, but I am working on it. So come away with me and we can explore the world together one day at time.

For my first location I thought, what better place than my favorite place—Maui.

Sunset view from Kannapali Beach

Maui is a place I’ve been countless times yet I discover something new with every visit. In Maui, similar to most tropical spots, the place you stay is key. The resort is the essence of your relaxation and truly the crucial part to perfecting your Hawaiian getaway. With so much of your vacation’s success riding on this one critical decision you better make the right choice…But don’t worry, that’s where I come in. So let me lay it out for you plain and simple. Sure there are lots of nice places to stay, but there are only a few that are to die for. The island is split into two main sides…well at least two touristy sides: Wailea and Kaanapali. Wailea is ideal for the traveler who wants a luxurious, quiet, relaxed and rejuvenating vacation. The absolute best places to stay are the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the Fairmont Kea Lani. But any travelers venturing to the Wailea side and want a little more fun and excitement, you absolutely have to stay at The Grand Wailea. Famous for its amazing accomodations, the Grad Wailea is equipped with six water slides, swim up bars, a trazan rope swing, lazy rivers, a water elevator, and six waterfalls. Good luck getting your kids to leave the pool.

Head on over to the Kaanapali side and you'll be pleased to find that it is always filled with people and endless amounts of activities. Kannapali beach is the perfect strip of paradise. Lined with resorts, restaurants and shops there is always something to do. And where should you stay? Well if it were up to me I would say the Kaanapali Alii or The Sheraton Maui. Both are perfectly located on the Kaanapali beachfront and provide top-notch 

amenities.

The Four Seasons Maui

So know that you’ve established where you are staying the next most important thing is obviously food. There are tons of delicious restaurants all around the island, but there are a special few that you really can’t miss. Leilanis is an amazing restaurant with an even more amazing view. Located right on the Kannapali strip it is the perfect location for lunch or dinner. But what if you are walking up from the beach, sandy, wet, and starving? No problem. Hula Grill is the equally delicious sister restaurant to Leilanis and it has tables actually in the sand, perfect for a nice bite after the beach. So lets talk about fine dining. The best places to go for the ultimate dining experience are Sarento’s on the Beach, Pacific O, or Honu. Go around 5 pm and you’ll be in for a real treat—dinner and a seaside sunset.

Hula Grill on Kannapali Beach

Now that we got some great spots to eat squared away, lets find some exciting places to go. Don’t get me wrong, lounging on the beach all day is spectacular, but for the days that you get a little restless here are some things you can try.

Snorkeling.

Who doesn’t want to see what its like to be under the sea?

Horseback riding.

Take a ride through the pineapple plantations and see some inactive volcanoes all from a saddle.

Ziplining.

Dare to be, well, daring. Fly through the hills of Maui on ziplines and take in the amazing 360degree views.

Surfing.

The ultimate “picture” of the true Hawaiian experience. Get some lessons from a pro and you’ll be looking like a local in no time.

Parasailing

Warning: for thrill seekers only! Soar up to 1,000 feet above the ocean… and try not to look down.

Now what? Well if you aren’t worn out by all the activities go on some day adventures to some major destination locations.

The Road to Hana—the 68 mile long road is famous for its beautiful landscape, including water falls and the Seven Sacred Pools.

The Banyan Tree—it only gets better with age.

Lahaina—Don’t know where to go on Friday night? Drive on over to Lahaina. Strips of shops and restaurants line the beach and the environment is hip and exciting. Do a little shopping, grab some dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise, and don’t forget to indulge in a favorite Hawaiian treat—Ululani’s Shave Ice.

Part of Lahaina’s front street

Black Rock. Enveloped by mythical legends, this rock is a popular snorkeling area. But if you want to feel the spirit of the Hawaiin gods you must take a leap from the top, just as they did many years ago.

Black Rock at sunset

Helele’Ike’Oha Falls.

Some of the most beautiful falls on the island. The water is crystal clear and the views are spectacular.

Helele’Ike’Oha Falls

Pictures from:

harrishawaii.menumill.com

tripadvisor.com

Trialx.com

Mauinow.com

2pat.wordpress.com

wellreadhost.com