Curated Hotel: Living 'Pura Vida' at Secrets Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Curated Hotel: Living 'Pura Vida' at Secrets Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Our recent trip to Costa Rica was a travel bucket list item for us as our first trip to Central America. We fell in love with the casual, tropical vibe and the stunning natural beauty that surrounded us. Costa Rica is infused with the attitude of ‘Pura Vida’, more eloquent than mere words can express, it’s an attitude of living the essence of pure life.

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CURATED TRAVEL: Dream Destination - Bora Bora in French Polynesia

CURATED TRAVEL: Dream Destination - Bora Bora in French Polynesia

One of the destinations at the top of my travel bucket list is Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The shimmering turquoise waters and sparkling sugar sand beaches speak to a tropical paradise. The Tahitian experience, in over-water luxury bungalows, is the stuff of fantasy.

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An Afternoon in Beguiling Bellagio on Lake Como

An Afternoon in Beguiling Bellagio on Lake Como

One afternoon Scott and I pointed our rented Peugeot northeast, from our villa in Lezzeno, to beautiful Bellagio for the afternoon. Known for grand hotels, elegant villas, voluptuous flower boxes and stunning views from the steep staircases of the city center. Bellagio is beguiling.

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Curated Travel: Tips on Prepping for an International Getaway

Curated Travel: Tips on Prepping for an International Getaway

I've spent the weekend packing for our first getaway to Central America--Costa Rica--to be exact. I'm expecting a lush, tropical jungle, bold adventures, and a bit of luxury pictured above--and I'm excited. After 11 days home with the flu, I am feeling good as new and ready for a getaway to Secrets Papagayo with my favorite guy. Over the years, I've found that packing requires different strategies for different types of vacations. International travel has a few additional requirements.

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Curated Hotel: A Cozy Wine Country Getaway to the Wydown Hotel in St. Helena

Curated Hotel: A Cozy Wine Country Getaway to the Wydown Hotel in St. Helena

Wydown Hotel has a well-appointed suite including luxury linens, super plush robes, slippers, gourmet coffees and fun touches like free bottles of Izze sparkling clementine. After settling into our rustic luxe suite we opened a bottle of wine and relaxed in the cozy leather chair for two. I spotted a hefty stack of stylish coffee table books on wine country life and knew this would be a cozy way to relax after the rainy drive.

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Our Lakeside Stay at a Villa in Lezzeno, at Lake Como, Italy

Our Lakeside Stay at a Villa in Lezzeno, at Lake Como, Italy

If the Amalfi Coast is shimmering pastels and Siena is rich, brushstrokes in oils, then Lake Como is bathed in watercolors mingling shadows with light. The views of mountain, sky and water are made chameleon by the microclimates in the Lombardy region of the Italian Alps. From sunny and brilliant to dark and stormy, punctuated with raindrops, no wonder this moody vista is considered magical to those who visit.

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Curated Travel Featured on The Knot Website For Destination Weddings, Honeymoons + Romance Travel

Romance Travel 

I have some exciting news about Curated Travel services. My travel advisor business is now being featured on The Knot's wedding website as a vendor of romance travel. Romance travel is big these days! It has expanded from destination weddings and honeymoons to bachelor parties, engagement parties, and even bridal shower getaways. Babymoons, rekindle moons (as I call them) and retirement moons are also hot these days. It's clear that travelers are finding fulfillment in celebrating milestones of life in unforgettable destinations.

 

The Link:

Curated Travel on The Knot

If you followed have Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you may remember that I received an invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in wine country a couple of years ago. I was honored to be invited for an all expenses paid trip to wine country to cover the wedding as a lifestyle blogger. Unfortunately, I had two events in Chico on the same day, including graduation for students in the adult program where I worked; it was a difficult decision but I had to decline the invitation. I was lucky enough to attend via live- streaming. The Knot staff sent me the professional images of the wedding so that I could blog about the event: My Invitation to The Knot's Dream Wedding in wine country.

As you can imaigne, I'm excited to be partnering with The Knot, again, for my Curated Travel services.

As Seen in The Knot Magazine

In my book, travel inherently has an air of romance to it.

It's all about the adventure and the fresh experience.

If you are looking to add the romance of travel to your life,

contact me below to get started.

 

All Images Heather Lindstrom, Style*Mind*Chic Life/Curated Travel

Curated Travel Dream Destination: Amanyara Turks & Caicos

Curated Travel Dream Destination: Amanyara Turks & Caicos

Amanyara in Turks and Caicos features a combination of pavilions and villas which sit in harmony with the environment. The buildings have low roof lines that converge with the landscape, embracing lakes, ponds and an oceanfront setting that includes low rocky headlands and a sweeping white sand beach. The contemporary design villas have a dramatic overhanging roof line that creates shaded outdoor areas on the three terraces.

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Our Stay in a Luminous Apartment in Centro Storico of Siena, Italy

Our Stay in a Luminous Apartment in Centro Storico of Siena, Italy

Thick stone walls create a sense of velvety silence and the stone stairway, leading up to the second-floor apartment, is worn with footsteps of the ages.

There are so many options of where to stay while traveling that it makes the decision all the more challenging, but also intriguing. I love to pour over the images and descriptions of each destination under consideration; our trip to Italy was no different. After months of flirting with various lodging ideas - a villa in the countryside perhaps - we happened upon a charming apartment in the historic city center of Siena. The second-floor apartment is housed in a former monastery and it looked like the right place for us.

As with most of our travels, Scott and I crafted what we wanted our experience to be in Siena. We wanted an authentic, medieval city living situation in the heart of the city.

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A Summer Getaway to Siena, Italy

A Summer Getaway to Siena, Italy

Scott and I spent a day in Siena, back in 2003, punctuated by wrong turns, a stint mistakenly driving in the no-vehicle zone and an epic heat wave. When we finally settled in and enjoyed the charms of an al fresco dinner, we vowed to return to this hilltop city someday. Siena was Scott’s top choice as a destination for our summer in Italy, so this was our time to revisit.

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5 Reasons to Book Your Next Vacation Through a Travel Consultant

5 Reasons to Book Your Next Vacation Through a Travel Consultant

As a well-seasoned traveler, I can attest that I've already seen these types of benefits in trips that I've booked for my travel clients and it is exciting. Whether you are looking to travel the alluring views of Italy, the romantic streets of Paris, a sun-splashed beach in the Caribbean or any dream destination, I've got some fantastic resources for your next getaway.

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