Europe Hotels

The Most Picturesque Hotels In Italy

In September, I was lucky enough to spend the entire month savoring “la dolce vita” to its utmost degree in Italy. My time in Italy has always been dear to my heart. The country has seen me through many chapters of my life and has never, ever failed to make me fall head over heels for its age and romance. Today, I’m sharing some of my absolutely favorite lodgings I’ve experienced in my dear Italia. From sun drenched bedrooms to sherbet colored seascapes, I’ve collected quite a few stunning stays… and I want you to experience them for yourself. Here are my picks of the most picturesque hotels in Italy!

Belmond Hotel Caruso

It’s hard to rank favorites. But I honestly believe that booking the Belmond Hotel Caruso is the closest thing I’ll have from a home away from home. Each time I visit, it doesn’t matter how long I’ve been away, I’m greeted by such warmth and hospitality. This former 11th century palace is a modern setting to a traveler’s fairytale. Standing on the edge of their infinity pools overlooking the scattered and colorful Ravello skyline below is the kind of peace I wish I could tap into everyday.

Hotel Santa Caterina

The Amalfi Coast is well loved for a reason. Seeing the light settle and sparkle over the ocean in the evening, feeling the warmth of the Italian sun, the little moments of bliss and happiness – it’s all waiting for travelers to experience. Hotel Santa Caterina’s views of the crashing Mediterranean ocean is, simply put, stunning. Watching the beauty unfold below the deck while sipping on cappuccino is pretty much the Italian version of heaven, if you ask me! It’s the perfect setting and resting place for your Italian dream.

Portrait Roma

As I woke up to watch the sunrise during my stay in Portrait Roma, I witnessed a sight of the ancient city I knew very few would be able to see for themselves. Portrait Roma’s special rooftop view of the Spanish steps is unlike any perspective found in the city. This hotel had my heart from the moment I entered and noticed the collection of 50’s and 60’s vintage photos of beauties, including my soul sister Audrey Hepburn. The perfect mix of cool, unique and heartfelt care adds up to Portrait Roma’s special mix. Staying here is so incredible. I just know Dame Traveler will love it too!

NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi

Slow walks through NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi’s 13th century grounds, filled with stories of the old world and floating above the cliff tops of the Amalfi Coast – my love language. As an old soul and absolute romantic, I found myself tracing the steps of this former monastery of an Arab-Norman cloister with such revere and intrigue. The panoramic trail between the gardens and the coastline is meant for any traveler who longs for the old world.

Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento

The Italian elegance of this boutique hotel is truly magical. The sunsets over the cliffs of Sorrento, the authentic hospitality and ethereal atmosphere are some of my favorite elements about the Hotel Mediterraneo Sorrento. The hotel is also easily walkable into the city center and a paradise for anyone wanting to soak in slow, languid Italian lifestyle.

I hope you enjoyed our round up of my picks of most picturesque hotels in Italy. What other cities’ most picturesque hotels would you like for us to share?

3 Comments

Beaches Caribbean Dame Traveler Trips Hotels Instagrammer's Guides

An Instagrammable Guide To Bermuda

Bermuda is the land of crystal clear waters, sandy, cliffside beaches and pure natural beauty. In the midst of rainy, dreary weather, I was thrilled to team up with Cheap Caribbean, an online travel agency focused on tropical beach vacations, to explore sunny, warm Bermuda with other Dame Travelers in tow on our second Dame Traveler Trip of the year! In between soaking in the delicious warmth and swaying palm trees, the brilliant and genius Jess of The Wondering Dreamer and I took a deep dive into our how-tos travel photography and were able to give our insight and expertise to some absolutely wonderful girls. This deliciously beautiful island nation has plenty of gorgeous vantage points to photograph. But where should a girl start? Jess and I spent a lot of time curating the perfect spots for you to capture some lovely photographs of Bermuda. Here is our Instagrammable guide to Bermuda, its many beaches, outlooks, photogenic alley ways and quiet corners!

An Instagrammable Guide To Bermuda

With two photograph-obsessed leaders like Jess and I creating an itinerary with Cheap Caribbean around Bermuda, it’s easy to see how much fun it is to explore a new place with a camera in tow. Our goal was to give our gal pals the chance to explore the island nation with a photographic eye, while also teaching them how to capture their travels. In between traipsing through sunny Bermuda, we hosted tutorial sessions and photo shoots throughout the trip and even gave the girls a fabulous book of tips for them to keep!

Elbow Beach

If there’s ever been a perfect setting to watch a stunning sunset, it might be right on Elbow Beach. The girls, Jess and I had so much fun savoring the watercolor skies and cotton candy clouds as the sun said goodbye for the day. No better way to end the day.

Exploring St. George’s

This quaint and charming little town is filled with so many gems! Wandering down the narrow streets of St. George is a feast for the eyes – so many textures, colors and sights to see. Be sure to visit St. Peter’s Church and its iconic and photogenic staircase, as well as the many local restaurants and boutiques. We had an absolute ball capturing portraits of each other throughout the city.

Jobson Cove

Nestled and tucked away, Jobson Cove is the perfect little escape. It’s also incredibly photogenic with the craggy stones that catapult directly into the electric ocean blues. Couldn’t you just imagine Ariel from The Little Mermaid brushing her hair in this cove? It’s oh so dreamy!

Horseshoe Bay

Bermuda’s best scenes are those that make you feel close to the power of the ocean. That’s why I loved shooting Horseshoe Bay’s volcanic looking rocks and crystal clear ocean tides. Doesn’t this bay look like a place stuck in time? Maneuvering around these rocks was quite a fete, but absolutely worth it!

Sunset On Abbotts Cliff

Who doesn’t love a sunset overlooking a sprawling, colorful scene? Jess and I knew that we wanted to have as many opportunities as possible to capture Bermuda’s iconically gorgeous sunsets, so we did our research and discovered Abbotts Cliff. Although it can be a hike to reach the top of the cliff, all of us did it in dresses… yeah girl power! Taking a few minutes to be grateful, appreciative and mindful on top of the cliff while hearing the crashing and lapping of the ocean waves was so rejuvenating.

Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club

The Hamilton Princess Hotel is the cutest, chicest and Instagrammable lodgings in Bermuda. The iconic millennial pink is the perfect color that pops against the swaying, green palms and the bright sky blue. We had a blast finding tucked away corners to shoot portraits against the pastel pink facade of the hotel! Be sure to sip on some wine or enjoy a luxurious tea here in between beaching, sunning and exploring this beautiful island nation.

Admiralty House Park

Pack a picnic (sushi was divine, if you want to follow our lead!), slip your shoes off and be sure to aim your camera because the Admiralty House Park is so lush… it’d be a shame not to capture its beauty. Feeling so close and connected to the water, dipping our toes in between playing with photo compositions and long talks about the good things in life…. HEAVEN!

If you’re looking for paradise, it’s only about a two hour flight from JFK airport! Here’s hoping when you visit Bermuda that you find peace, relaxation… and capture some stunning photographs along the way!

Trip sponsored by Cheap Caribbean.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. All opinions are my own.

SaveSave

0 Comments

Europe Hotels

Hotels We Love: Four Seasons Florence

While there are many lush and luxurious hotels in the world, not many feel like a fairy tale brought to life as much as the Four Seasons Florence does.

Home to the second largest private garden in Florence, the Four Seasons boasts some absolutely dreamy scenic views. It’s really no shock to learn that it was even owned by a Pope at one point in time! Rich in history, the hotel feels like a refined jewel of Florence. The Palazzo Della Gherardesca, dating all the way back to the 15th century, and a former convent from the 16th century houses the main hotel and event space. The surrounding gardens, sculptures and villa are so magnificently well maintained, the history seeps from every nook and cranny of the space. You can imagine a fairy tale unfolding in its lush gardens.

Inside, the enormous frescoed hallways, marbled floors and hand painted roofs house some of the most elegantly detailed Renaissance suites. If there were ever a place to feel like a princess in her castle, this might be it!

The Four Seasons Florence is so perfectly placed in the epicenter of the Renaissance city. Quiet and secluded, yet centrally located within walking distance to the Uffizi Gallery, The David and Florence’s Duomo, the hotel feels like a little slice of history worthy of Michelango, da Vinci, Botticelli or Raphael to traipse through.

In between the rushing crowds and feasting your eyes on Florence’s mountains of art and history, The Four Seasons feels like an absolute retreat. If you’re needing a moment of absolute peace and relaxation from the hustle and bustle, their Michelin starred restaurant Il Palagio might be the perfect way to end your day. Savoring their signature cavatelli pasta cacio e pepe with red prawns and baby squids (titled “dish of the year” and made by hand by the “chef of the year”) is one serious treat. And by treat, I mean, probably one of the best meals you’ll have ever!

The Four Seasons Florence is also all about serving up unique and total bucket-worthy experiences for guests… a big perk for a gal who wants to make the most of her time abroad. Their “Firenze Yes Please,” program gives private tours, ranging from historic gondola rides down the Arno River, after-hours events in the Uffizi Gallery and dinner on the Ponte Vecchio. It’s always nice when your lodging can also add special experiences like these to your itinerary.

When in Florence, the shining light of Renaissance art, invention and history, it feels like a special treat to immerse yourself in every aspect of its age… including your lodging. Staying at the Four Seasons Florence is just the place to do that. Every detail of the hotel is like a slice of intentional Renaissance art put on display. It’s the perfect setting to start a romance with the city of Florence.

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

1 Comment

Hotels Tech Travel Planning

Last Minute Adventures Done Right: Booking With Hotel Tonight

This season of my life is especially exciting, filled with new chapters and fresh starts. If you haven’t heard already, I’m ready to call Paris my new “home” for a few months starting in June! I’ve always dreamed of living in Paris. (I mean who hasn’t?) Making this dream into a fully fleshed out reality is fueling my creativity and deep love for Europe. It’s a leap of faith I’m so eager to make! So, when I realized that it was time to start researching logistics for my big move, I was very thankful to have Hotel Tonight help me with booking my stay in the City Of Light last-minute! Without a doubt their app saved my spur of the moment adventure to Paris for apartment hunting purposes.

With the instantaneous nature that our world seems to be embracing, having resources to make last-minute decisions is a lifesaver. Spur of the moment travels shouldn’t cause stress! It should be the most exhilarating, unexpectedly romantic experience a person can have. Using the Hotel Tonight app has literally saved me from massive headaches during my travels around the world. Should I have a weird layover or an unexpected business trip, I’m able to book some seriously gorgeous hotels with ease (and without the anxiety)!

For my stay in Paris, I was able to book a few nights in the Hoxton Hotel and Hotel La Comtesse. If you haven’t seen these two hotels smattered on your feed, welcome to an Instagrammer’s heaven!

Hotel La Comtesse is perfectly situated in the lively and classic left bank of the Seine. Probably my favorite feature of this concept hotel is its once-in-a-lifetime view of the Eiffel Tower from the windows. It’s the most perfectly Parisian scene to wake up to! The Hoxton perfectly combines the beauty of the old world’s architecture with new and innovative approaches to style. The hotel is quickly becoming influencers’ go-to lodging when in Paris, and for good reason. It was so amazing to have a place to reset while I was sifting through listings and running in-between apartment showings. Not to mention, the hotel is so easy on the eyes, it’s sure to spark anyone’s love and fascination for all things Paris!

I was so pleased to see both of these lovely lodgings on Hotel Tonight’s list of available hotels… as well as so many other gorgeous alternatives around the city. Without the ability to find a Paris hotel that morning, my successful hunt for an apartment might not have happened!

Invest in your free spirited travel whimsies, ladies! And don’t be afraid that the logistics won’t work out. With Hotel Tonight, you’ll be able to find last-minute hotel rooms that are just what you’re looking for. Whether you’re deciding to take a spur of the moment weekend trip or needing an extra night to extend your travels, Hotel Tonight is there to save your last minute trips. Their app quite literally saved my trip to Paris, and I’m so grateful. It’s always nice to collaborate with tech companies that I wholeheartedly believe in, such as this!

Stay sponsored by Hotel Tonight.

1 Comment

Hotels Luxury North America

Hotels We Love: Four Seasons Chicago

With newly renovated rooms and views overlooking the Magnificent Mile, John Hancock tower, Lake Shore Drive AND the Chicago skyline, it’s no wonder why the Four Seasons Chicago is considered one of the best hotels to stay in the Windy City. It doesn’t just stop at the bird’s eye views, the building of the hotel offers indoor access to The Shops at 900 North Michigan (VERY convenient during Chicago’s cold winters), is equipped with a full organic spa, is decorated with original Art work from famous photographers and artists alike, a world class restaurant and more.

Room
With a multi-million dollar renovation unveiled last year, the Four Seasons Chicago‘s 280 guest rooms are shining brighter than ever. With light and airy tones and hints of blue inspired by its neighbor, Lake Michigan and plenty of natural light shining in from its massive windows, the rooms will make you never want to leave the hotel.

Lakeview Executive Suite
This room offers a sliding door that separates the bedroom from the living room offering the ultimate privacy and making this room feel like home. Windows cover the walls from the living room to the bedroom that boast views of Lake Michigan, Michigan Avenue and the city skyline.

Room Service
A wide selection of (delicious) options are offered in the hotel’s breakfast, all-day dining and late night menus.

Martini Man
The Four Seasons is always a winner when it comes to creative experiences making every stay at their hotels more than just a place to rest your hear. Case in point, the Four Seasons Chicago offers an in-room bartender in the evenings that will create a martini to your liking with tons of options and fun garnishes!

Allium
The Modern American Restaurant at Allium has just topped my list of favorite restaurants in the Windy City. We sampled a ton of delicious dishes from from Chef Sean Murray: and the Lobster Nachos with avocado, goat cheese, pickled jalapeno and corn tortillas and the Brick Chicken were some of my favorite highlights.

Healthy juices to kick start your day: Turmeric Tonic (orange, cayenne, apple cider vinegar, sea salt) and Green with Envy (kale, honeydew, fennel, pear, lime, ginger).

Power Grain Bowl (wild rice, freekeh, kamut, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberry-miso dressing)

Spa
With a 50 foot indoor pool (that was actually the location where the cannonball scene in the movie Home Alone 2 was filmed by the way!) is a pure dream with views of Michigan avenue from its windows. The Spa also offers world-class organic treatments where you can relax in the spa lounge, whirlpool and or steam room before and after. The Lake Shore Hydrating Facial was the perfect solution to our super dehydrated skin being exposed to the cold winter months in NYC. The Spa uses Sothys, one of the best product lines in the skin & beauty industry.

SaveSave

0 Comments

Older Posts

Newer Posts