A "Year of Yes" to Travel + My First Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas!
I'm not one to make new year's resolutions but this year I did come up with a theme for 2018. Welcome to my "Year of Yes" for Curated Travel.
I'm not one to make new year's resolutions but this year I did come up with a theme for 2018. Welcome to my "Year of Yes" for Curated Travel.
I said yes to a Princess cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with my husband and dear friends.
Yes to a hosted luxury event with Nebe Club at Lake Como, Italy.
Yes to a family vacation in Maui. Yes to getaways to Walla Walla, Washington, Portland and Bend, Oregon.
Yes to a birthday weekend away in Napa Valley.
Yes to writing my first feature article in Upgraded Living Magazine.
Up Next:
Yes to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas for a week.
Yes to a hosted luxury travel event in Los Cabos to check out the latest in luxury hotels with my wonderful travel agency, CADENCE.
Yes to another hosted travel event at the Phoenician in Scottsdale.
Yes to a CADENCE event at Lowe's in Hollywood. Most definitely this travel schedule ought to keep me busy for the next 7 weeks!
The only event I had to say no to, due to a prior commitment, was a hosted Ferrari/Pavoratti Gala Event in Italy. That one hurt just a bit, I must admit. Jet lag would have been tough combined with all the other travel commitments this month but I do love how the Italians celebrate.
As I pack for my first Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, I'm feeling a bit nervous. These events are jam-packed with luxury travel brand meetings, events, networking, cocktail parties, dinners and galas that sometimes last into the wee hours of the morning. This is a far cry from the rare travel I did in the field of education and I want to keep up the pace. The more I learn about the latest in the travel industry the better for my clients. So wish me luck!
If my luggage shows up this time, rather than the 6 day delay when I flew to Italy, I should be in good shape to enjoy this jam packed travel week in Vegas.
On another note: I'll be meeting with travel brands from all over the world. If you have questions about certain destinations, hotel brands, cruise lines or experiences let me know. I'm here to do the research for you!
Follow along with my travels to Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas on Instagram:
Vegas Baby!!
An Invitation to a Hosted Luxury Travel Event in Italy (Bonus: Sneak Peek)
On Tuesday I will touch down in Nice, France, and be whisked away to the elegant and luxurious Royal Hotel San Remo on the Italian Riviera. I will receive a 2-night stay, a foodie tour of San Remo and a range of spa treatments at the hotel. This sounds like the perfect way to relax and adjust to the time difference in Italy before I head to Lake Como for the luxury travel event. I feel honored to attend as a hosted travel buyer for my Curated Travel business.
Just last month I received an invitation that made me want to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. The email popped up in my phone notifications at 3:00 am because it was sent from Italy. It was an invitation to attend a fully-hosted luxury travel event at Lake Como, Italy, in mid-March. Stick with me and I'll show you why this invitation is a dream come true for me.
On Tuesday I will touch down in Nice, France, and be whisked away to the elegant and luxurious Royal Hotel San Remo on the Italian Riviera. I will receive a 2-night stay, a foodie tour of San Remo and a range of spa treatments at the hotel. This sounds like the perfect way to relax and adjust to the time difference in Italy, before I head to Lake Como for the luxury travel event. I am honored to attend as a hosted travel buyer for my Curated Travel business.
Enjoy this sneak peek:
Photo Credits: [Royal Hotel San Remo]
Up next on the itinerary will be three hosted days at Lake Como, based in Cernobbia, on the western shore of this iconic lake. The event, hosted by the esteemed Nebe Club, at Villa d'Este and Villa Erba, will be filled with 1:1 meet-ups with luxury brands, immersive travel experiences, combined with relationship building over elegant cocktail and dinner parties. Yes, there will be wining and dining, yes, there will be fireworks and, yes, there will be red Ferraris (for those of you who helped me make my selection of preferred excursions).
This is the video Nebe Club created from this spectacular event last year. Enjoy!
The final part of my trip will be another hosted stay with GB Hotels in Abano Bagno, the thermal spa region near Venice, for three days of spa treatments and relaxation Italian style. This gallery is a glimpse of the spa hotels offered by the GB brand. I love the classic Italian aesthetic with the modern, cool spa vibe.
[Photo Credits: GB Hotels Abano]
I've been asked a number of times if my favorite travel companion, Mr. C.T., will be joining me on the trip. Yes, he was invited to join me, however, the timing is such that he has previous commitments in California at the very same time. Though I wish Mr. C.T. were going to share this luxurious travel experience, there is part of me that looks forward to stretching my travel wings, and challenging myself to solo international travel for the first time.
By the way, I can't promise that George Clooney will make an appearance at the lake this month but his villa is just up the road a bit in Laglio.
I hope you will follow along with me on Instagram as I share glimpses of these iconic destinations and my Italian style travel adventure.
Ciao!
CURATED TRAVEL on Instagram
My personal Instagram at Style*Mind*Chic
Packing a Bag for CURATED TRAVEL!
I'm excited to welcome you to my new blog site at Curated Travel. If you haven't followed me over on Style*Mind*Chic, let me introduce myself. I'm Heather Lindstrom, passport stamp collector, mermaid wannabe, Italy aficionado and luxury travel expert. I've written the lifestyle blog, Style*Mind*Chic, for six years and have recently launched a dedicated home here on the web for my Curated Travel services.
My vision is to create a chic, modern, visual space for travel inspiration, travel tips, travel stories and travel planning resources. I'm hoping it will be a bit of eye candy inspiration with a global vibe. As a travel advisor, creating unique, bespoke travels for my international clients is a passion for me. I'd love to make your travel dreams come true. To get started visit here.
Welcome!
This was me capturing the Curated Travel vibe in Turks and Caicos earlier this month.
I'm excited to welcome you to my new blog site at Curated Travel. If you haven't followed me over on Style*Mind*Chic, let me introduce myself. I'm Heather Lindstrom, passport stamp collector, mermaid wannabe, Italy aficionado and luxury travel expert. I've written the lifestyle blog, Style*Mind*Chic, for six years and have recently launched a dedicated home here on the web for my Curated Travel services.
My vision is to create a chic, modern, visual space for travel inspiration, travel tips, travel stories and travel planning resources. I'm hoping it will be a bit of eye candy inspiration with a global vibe. As a travel advisor, creating unique, bespoke travels for my international clients is a passion for me. I'd love to make your travel dreams come true. To get started visit here.
If you've been a reader of Style*Mind*Chic over the last six years the travel destinations, travel tips and lifestyle posts will all still be available in the archives and linked to Curated Travel for easy reference.
Capturing images of our travels is one of my favorite ways to bring memories home as souvenirs. I'm just back from a Caribbean cruise (that's me on the left!) and am looking forward to creating many posts on the tropical paradises my husband, Scott (Mr. C.T.), and I visited. Oh, and I'm already packing for what is sure to be one of THE MOST exciting trips I've ever embarked on.
Destination: Italy!
Stay tuned for more and please do follow our travel adventures on Curated Travel Instagram:
Curated Travel on Instagram
Ciao!
“And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.
”
A few favorite souvenir images from my travels.
Curated Travel Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como
While exploring lodging options at Lake Como today for my clients, a lovely honeymoon couple, I discovered Villa Castiglioni on the shores of Lake Como, and just next door to George Clooney’s Villa Oleandra. This is truly a dream destination and not just due to the charming movie star neighbor. Enjoy this bit of travel eye candy.
Dream Destination: Villa Castiglioni at Lake Como
While exploring lodging options at Lake Como today for my clients, a lovely honeymoon couple, I discovered Villa Castiglioni on the shores of Lake Como, and just next door to George Clooney's Villa Oleandra. This is truly a dream destination and not just due to the charming movie star neighbor. Enjoy this bit of travel eye candy for #TravelTuesday.
For more:
"Villa Castiglioni is the original name of this fantastic historic villa which was built by a famous Italian architect E. Sommaruga in 1900.Now beautifully restored this architectural pearl stands over 3 floors on top a hill overlooking the Lake Como. Villa Castiglioni is located between Villa D'Este five stars resort and Villa Oleandra owned by a Hollywood star George Clooney.The rental property occupies the whole upper ground floor( 220 sqm) with 2 bedrooms( queen size bed + 2 twin beds which can be joined together, extra long beds), 2 spacious and lavish bathrooms, one with a hot tube Teuco and the second one with a power shower Teuco, 80sqmt living-dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen. There 2 more sofa beds in the living room.The third bedroom has 2 twin beds, the 3rd bathroom is spacious with natural light and is located in the lower ground level apartment. You will also find a TV/ fitness area, with TECHNOGYM equipment, laundry/ironing facilities. The interior design of this property was created by a renovation studio in Milan.The outdoor features a panoramic terrace for outdoor dining with a table for 8, a private garden with a hot tub for 4, sun beds and umbrellas. The whole property has a private access from a manicured garden facing LAKE COMO. Wifi, satellite TV, free parking are also available at no additional charge.The villa is located on top of a hill with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Como and surrounding hills. The distance from Como is 15 km, from Milan- 60 km, from Lugano( Switzerland) - 45km. In the area, there are many very excellent restaurants, bars, and shops. Tennis courts and golf courses are located a short distance, a boat station and a bus stop are also at a walking distance from the property."
To book Villa Castiglioni or other dreamy destinations contact me. I'm currently offering a complimentary Curated Travel Consultation. Let's talk travel!
How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality
This image was taken at the romantic and luxurious Ladera Resort while Scott and I were traveling in St. Lucia several years ago. For me, this island was definitely on my list of dream bucket list destinations and it did not disappoint. For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind and they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles. For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.
How to Make Your Dream Bucket List Trip a Reality
This image was taken at the romantic and luxurious Ladera Resort while Scott and I were traveling in St. Lucia several years ago. For me, this island was definitely on my list of dream bucket list destinations and it did not disappoint. For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind and they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles. For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.
We all know that the best way to make something happen is to start intentionally giving it shape — something to look at, imagine, talk about, and (most importantly!) plan for. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself so you can get started working out the details of that trip you fantasize about during those hectic workweeks.
- What’s your “happy place” when you have bad days? Again, for some, this might be a specific place — Bora Bora or the Alps or Johannesburg. But more than that — what’s the feeling you go to when you’re stressed out or stuck in traffic? Do you imagine the lazy perfection of pristine beaches? The thrill of craggy mountains? The rush and sensory feast of busy marketplaces? The smells of spicy foods? Make a quick list: 10 things that come to mind on the most fun, free, relaxed, no-obligations, open day you can imagine.
- What do you crave? Think of what you say you wish you had more of — free time, adventure, romance, time to learn a new skill, sunshine, purpose. What are you truly, deep down, just plain hungry for? What do you long for? When you imagine being your best self — what are you doing? And who is with you? Jot down 10 things you are longing for in your life right now.
- What season suits you best? Do you love to soak in the sweltering heat in your swimsuit? Or the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot? Or the intense blue quiet of a mountain snowfall? When do you feel most at home in your body and most in love with your environment? Your perfect vacation doesn’t have to be the most popular! It’s your perfect vacation, remember?
- What’s one crazy luxurious thing you secretly wish for? For some people, it’s as simple as a pile of books and no emails to answer for three weeks. For others, it’s endless room service or all-day spa treatments or king-size feather beds and huge whirlpool tubs. No matter how big or small — go ahead. Write down five luxuries that would make you feel like you’d won the lottery if someone handed them to you right now.
- When you scroll through magazines, which images grab you the most? What colors draw your eye? Spicy and exotic? Cool and laid back? Misty and mysterious? Go to a bookstore, and pick up four or five travel magazines — and just notice which images you keep going back to, the ones that make your heart skip a little. You might be surprised. Some people assume that their “dream” trip is an all-inclusive resort somewhere. But if you keep coming back to the pictures of a bike tour through Tuscany — well, that’s worth paying attention to. That experience might feed something in you that an all-you-can-eat buffet might not even begin to touch. Cut out the images that speak to you the most and look for common themes, even (and especially) in images that seem to be opposites.
When you’ve had time to assemble your thoughts — and if you’re working on this with your partner or friends or family members — look for overlaps, recurring themes, those quiet nudges you can’t seem to shake. Listen to your gut. And start to dream big.
You can set a goal, start saving if you need to and start giving shape to your plan. Put your images and any accompanying words or phrases up on a cork board, or glue them to a big piece of tag board, or make a digital collage that can be your screensaver on your computer at work — anyplace where you’ll see it multiple times a day — and let those images inspire you as you get closer and closer to making your bucket list trip a reality.
The best part? I can help you design this trip down to the last customized detail. Send me an email or give me a call and let’s get started!
Yours in wanderlust!
Heather
Ocean Vs. River Cruising: Which One is for You?
When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.But each one comes with its own unique perks, and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So what are the major differences?
One big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members.
Ocean vs. River cruising: Which one is right for you?
When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it's pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.
But each one comes with its own unique perks, and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So what are the major differences? One big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members.
That smaller scale translates to all areas of the river cruise. You dine on a regular schedule at tables with other passengers (wine is included in the price of the cruise). Instead of 50 different things to do on board, amenities tend to be more modest with river cruises — think libraries, a workout room, cultural programs, and free Wifi vs. ten kids’ playrooms, glitzy Broadway shows, and a skydiving simulator. There tend to be fewer kids on river cruises, making them popular for couples seeking quiet and relaxed time together.
You stop almost every day at a new port with river cruises, often for walking tours through quaint towns with little tourist traffic, and you’re always in view of land. With ocean cruises, you can go days without seeing land, and ports of call and excursions tend to be more exotic and high-adventure.
Because of their larger size, ocean cruises offer plenty of options for many ages, from young kids to octogenarians, and they are often more able to accommodate a wide variety of special health needs. For this reason, they tend to make the best option for multi-generational family gatherings that include young children. For the traveler who is into high-octane adventure, ocean cruises provide a wide variety of activities on board, as well as exotic and more daring day excursions.
River cruises do tend to be more expensive per person — but that price also includes more things. Ocean cruises have a lower sticker price per person, but you are often charged extra for alcohol and other amenities.
When you’re getting ready to plan your next on-the-water trip, here are a few questions to consider:
- How many people are traveling? What are their ages?
- What time of the year do you want to travel?
- Do you need the amenities of a mega ship — spas, gyms, a dozen restaurants, and many activities? Or are you looking for something calmer, more intimate and easy-paced?
- Are you seeking authentic intercultural experiences? Or do you prefer more familiar settings?
As always, I’m here and would love to discuss your next cruise or vacation. We can look at all the moving parts of your upcoming trip — what you need, what you want, what your dream is — and together we can come up with a cruise you and your loved ones will remember fondly for the rest of your life.
For more info on this cruise or others with Princess: Princess Cruises - Eastern Caribbean Explorer
Contact Heather to book your next getaway!
