My Top 16 Travel Moments of 2017

2017 has been a fantastic year of travel for me. I’ve visited seven new countries (Iceland, The Maldives, UAE, Austria, Hungary, St Vincent, Mexico) plus been to Spain FOUR times, Italy twice, revisited Greece to see Santorini for the first time plus really enjoyed seeing more of my own country. I’ve also managed to tick a fair number of things off my bucket list this year which really does feel amazing. That being said these are my top travel moments of 2017.

1. Taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon and the geothermal pools of Iceland

Iceland was top of my list for places to visit and it was every bit as good as I hoped. I always wanted to visit the famous Blue Lagoon and experience the geothermal water and see the beautiful pool.

Whilst in Iceland we loved our stay at Deplar Farm where we also experience a dip in a random geothermal pool in the middle of nowhere. Both were truly pinch yourself moments.

2. Brunch on the Belmond British Pullman Train 

A journey on the Belmond British Pullman Train, sister to Venice Simplon Orient-Express, is a bucket list experience for many people – myself included. I was lucky enough to experience brunch on the famous train this year, a day that made me feel like I was going back in time to the Golden Age of Travel. 
I was also delighted that I was able to have this incredible experience with Lauren, who I met through blogging and has become on of my closest friends. 

3. Watching a Santorini Sunset

I’d seen the photos so many times on Instagram, the beautiful sunsets on the Greek Island of Santorini. Though I’d visited Greece several times before, I’d never been to this paradise island so it was a dream come true when this year I stayed in the Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa as part of a collaboration with Classic Collection and I finally got to see one of those fabled sunsets from our gorgeous hotel. 

4. A Beautiful Road trip through Turin 

I couldn’t say yes fast enough when I was invited on a beautiful road trip through through Piedmont in North-West Italy as part of a collaboration with Ford Cars. On this trip we visited the utterly gorgeous Cerreto Monsordo Bernardina Estate, ate lunch from the chefs at three Michelin starred Piazza Duomo, went truffle hunting in Alba and visited a chocolate factory in Turin.

5. Revisiting Lake Como

Lake Como will always be a really special place for Mr S and I since our first visit five years ago. Last time we only had a day trip to the lake, this time we stayed for three nights in one of my bucket list hotels, Grand Hotel Tremezzo. 
As well as experiencing this hotel for the first time, we returned to Villa D’Este for lunch – hotel that holds so many wonderful memories for us, experienced a private boat trip on beautiful Lake Como and visited the brand new hotel, Il Sereno. 

6. First Time in Mexico 

At the beginning of the year I was invited to Mayakoba in Mexico to experience everything this wonderful resort had to offer. It was my first time in Mexico and I totally fell in love with the incredible food and the beautiful Rosewood Mayakoba. 
I would really love to revisit this gorgeous country and see more of the cultural aspects – Mr S would love it here too.

7. Flying from Gatwick to Heathrow with British Airways

When I was invited to fly from Gatwick to Heathrow with British Airways, I had to do a double take… the journey would be to experience the new premium products that British Airways had to offer but honestly I didn’t understand what was actually going on until I got there. 
It ended up being a really fabulous and unique experience from start to finish with three hours in the air experiencing all the new food and beverage offering from British Airways and hearing about everything that they had coming up in the next year.

8. Staying on a Private Island in the Caribbean 

I’m so grateful for the wonderful experiences that this blog has given me and one of the best ever was staying on the gorgeous private paradise island of Petit St. Vincent. 

A true digital detox, staying on this island in your own little cottage allows you to take a break from the rest of the world and enjoy the fantastic food and service of this magical place.

9. Eating Tapas on the beach Barcelona 

Barcelona: a city I’d never visited but one that Mr S loved, I finally visited this year. I certainly fell in love with the city too and the incredible Gaudí architecture. For both Mr S and I one of the best things about the trip was simply enjoying the beautiful beach front restaurants and sampling incredibly fresh fish and paella.

10. A Whirlwind Visit to El Celler de Can Roca

A matter of weeks after my first trip to Barcelona, I returned for a whirlwind press trip in collaboration with the Macallan. We touched down in Barcelona, checked into Hotel Omm and quickly got ready for what was to be an utterly magical night. 
After quickly changing we hurtled an hour and a half down the road to Girona and El Celler de Can Roca, a three-Michelin star restaurant that has twice been placed the best restaurant in the world. Here was met the three Roca brothers and ate one of the best meals of our lives, we left a midday the following day having not even spent 24 hours in Spain.

11. Staying in the  Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest and a Festive trip to Budapest 

Budapest was a city I’d heard so much about and it had been on my bucket list for so long so it was a dream come true when Mr S whisked me off to the city to stay at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. A trip spent enjoying a gorgeous hotel, the very best restaurants and the cutest of Christmas markets – I can’t imagine a better place to spend Christmas.

12. Coffee Culture in Vienna 

The beginning of the year saw my first ever trip to Austria and a visit to the capital city, Vienna. We absolutely loved our stay at Hotel Imperial Vienna and took every opportunity to experience the coffee houses and the famous coffee cultural in this gorgeous city. We tried a fair amount of wine too!

13. A Gastronomic Road Trip through Spain

Having not seen much of Spain before, I really got to explore it more this year especially when I was invited on a trip in collaboration with Gin Mare that would take me across the length of the country. We started in Rioja visiting the architecturally stunning hotel and vineyard, Marqués de Riscal before a three hour drive to Madrid where we checked into Hotel Urso and enjoyed the in house restaurant for dinner. 
It was an early start the next day with a three hour train ride to Jerez to see the sherry bodega’s before finishing with lunch at two Michelin starred Aponiente. A rather exhausting whirlwind journey but incredible from start to finish.

14. Driving a Rolls-Royce to Soho Farmhouse

You probably got seriously fed up of me going on about Soho Farmhouse in Oxford but this English countryside retreat is truly my happy place! Mr S and I visited twice this year and the first time it was made even more special because we were leant a Rolls-Royce Wraith to take us there!
We also had an utterly wonderful time when we returned a few weeks later to spend my birthday at my beloved Farmhouse.

15. Staying Converted Monastry in the Spanish Countryside 

I know a hotel is truly spectacular when Mr S is blown away – and he really was impressed by Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – once a twelfth century monastery now a five star hotel and vineyard with a Michelin star restaurant.

With much of the original architecture preserved, this was truly a sensational place quite unlike anywhere we’d ever been!

16. First Time in The Maldives

I think visiting The Maldives is a dream for most people and we finally got to do it at the beginning of this year. We chose two very different hotels; three nights in rustic, bare foot luxury, eco-chic Gili Lankanfushi and three night in uber glamorous and elegant Velaa Private Island. 

I mean what an amazing year!! Watch this space for my 2018 plans and January’s Travel link up – Travel Wishlists and plans for the year of adventures ahead.

What were your best travel moments of 2017?

 

The post My Top 16 Travel Moments of 2017 appeared first on SilverSpoon London.

from SilverSpoon London

New Planning Pages from TSLL for 2018

One of my annual rituals to wrap up the old year and begin fresh in the new is to not only set goals, but to set up a fresh planning year in my handheld planner. And with a new illustration from Inslee for TSLL shared just a few months ago, a new daily planning page is now available for all three planner sizes: Classic, Compact and Personal.

The Cup of Tea and Palmier illustration is available exclusively to TSLL on the daily planning pages for $2 a la carte, and is also now available in an all-inclusive planning package for each size for the prices of $5, $4.50 and $4 respectively.

As well, I have updated the Cover Page for the planner. You will notice new font for the title and the current cover girl of the blog. The cover page (which includes four total pages for your planner as you receive three lined blank pages for quotes of inspiration or space to simply take notes) is only $1 for all planner sizes.

If you choose to purchase the Tea Cup All-Inclusive Package, the new Cover Page will be included as well for no additional charge.

View all of the options for the new planning pages here and happy almost 2018 for TSLL!

~SHOP all of the new planning page options here.

With the topic of resolutions on my mind, I found this statistic quite reassuring that indeed making resolutions is not a bad idea: “Contrary to public opinion, about 44% of people who make specific New Year’s resolutions stick with them after six months.” You can read the entire article here, and below are a handful of posts from the Archives to offer inspiration as you too may be sitting down to make New Year’s Resolutions.

~Turning Goals into Reality

~Why Not . . . Make This Your Year?

~Back to Simple in 2015

~TSLL Planner: Building a Simply Luxurious 2016!

~Looking Ahead to a Simply Amazing 2011

from The Simply Luxurious Life®

Breaking Time Barrier with Supersonic Business Jet

Aerion is working with Lockheed Martin and GE Aviation to develop the world’s first supersonic business jet, imbuing new aerodynamics, new engines, and the capabilities of the largest producer of supersonic aircraft.

The post Breaking Time Barrier with Supersonic Business Jet appeared first on LUXUO.

from LUXUO

The Year in Bites Highlights of 2017

Join us as we take a look back at the most fascinating and exciting topics, interviews and stories we covered this year at Fine Dining Lovers.

from Fine Dining Lovers

A Luxurious Bungalow on Sixth Avenue: Embracing the Finesse Versatility

Renowned Singaporean interior designer transformed a bungalow on Sixth Avenue into a luxurious home fitted with building materials such as treated steel and reflective surface to reflect his passion for design and all things sophisticated.

The post A Luxurious Bungalow on Sixth Avenue: Embracing the Finesse Versatility appeared first on LUXUO.

from LUXUO

Furniture Designer Profile: Warren Platner 1919–2006

Warren Platner was a furniture designer who produced a furniture collection that has proved to be a continuing icon of 1960s modernism

The post Furniture Designer Profile: Warren Platner 1919–2006 appeared first on LUXUO.

from LUXUO

How to Avoid Crowds in NYC

It’s no wonder so many tourists flock to New York City each year. With the best museums, dining, and entertainment in the country, it’s really a top destination. Unfortunately, having so many tops sights and attractions in one area draws a large crowd all year round, which can be bad news for people who don’t enjoy wading through crowds to enjoy their trip. While it’s impossible to avoid all the crowds in the Big Apple, there are some things you can do to make sure your trip to the big city is more pleasant and crowd-free. Here’s how to avoid crowds in NYC.

Avoid peak seasons in the city!

While you can’t always control when you’re able to take a trip to the city, if you have the option, it’s best to avoid the more crowded times of year. Winter can be a great time to visit New York because the weather scares off most tourists. However, avoid holiday weekends and the few weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s. Avoiding popular visiting times is also a great way to have your pick of the amazing hotels and restaurants the city has to offer.

Skip the crowds and take a bus tour

The best way to see the top landmarks without waiting in line or fighting through a crowd of photo-takers is to just skip the walking altogether. Double decker bus tours offer the perfect view of all the best sights in the city from above the other tourists. That means you won’t have to wait in line for photos or lean around someone’s head to see your favorite buildings or statues. Save yourself the headache and take a tour with TopView in Midtown, New York. Not only will you get to learn more about the city from an expert guide, but you’ll also be able to hop on and off as you please.

Avoid the tourist-trap attractions

While it’s hard to skip iconic attractions like the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station, there are a lot of things you could probably do without. Instead of taking a crowded ferry to the Statue of Liberty, for instance, take the Governor’s Island Ferry or the Staten Island Ferry. These are generally filled with locals instead of tourists, and they offer the same stunning views of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty, but without the crowds. If you must visit places like Grand Central Station and Times Square, try to go at off times, like late in the evening or during meal times.

Explore the world outside of Manhattan

New York City is made up of five boroughs, but most tourists only go around Manhattan on their visit. The outer boroughs, like Brooklyn and Queens, offer a lot of their own attractions, but without the hordes of tourists. In addition to having their own flavor, the boroughs are integral parts of the city, which gives you a more complete experience on your visit. These boroughs are still connected by the same metro system, so it’s easy to hop between Manhattan and the outer neighborhoods without losing much time. Some of the best restaurants, bars, parks, and museums are actually found in these other boroughs, so it’s definitely worth exploring the world outside of Manhattan!

Make the most of your trip to the Big Apple

Whether it’s your first time in the city or your tenth, you want to make sure you make every moment count. That means you don’t want to waste valuable time waiting in lines or fighting through crowds of tourists with iPads and selfie sticks! As long as you’re willing to be flexible with your itinerary in the city and you do the right research, you’ll be able to steer clear of most crowds in the city!

The post How to Avoid Crowds in NYC appeared first on Carmen's Luxury Travel.

from Carmen's Luxury Travel