A Sunny Visit to San Remo, the 'City of Flowers', on the Italian Riviera (Part One)
The first stop on my trip to Italy was an invitation to the Royal Hotel San Remo on the Italian Riviera, just 10 miles east of the French border in west Liguria. Following a red-eye flight from San Francisco, I arrived at the airport in Nice, France, and was driven to the elegant and classic Royal Hotel San Remo. I was introduced to my luxurious suite and joined the formal dinner in progress where I met a wonderful group of fellow travelers from the luxury travel industry.
Lovely San Remo
The first stop on my trip to Italy was an invitation to the Royal Hotel San Remo on the Italian Riviera, just 10 miles east of the French border in west Liguria. Following a red-eye flight from San Francisco, I arrived at the airport in Nice, France, and was driven to the elegant and classic Royal Hotel San Remo. I was introduced to my luxurious suite and joined the formal dinner in progress where I met a wonderful group of fellow travelers from the luxury travel industry.
Click on image below for video of views of the Italian Riviera from my balcony at Royal Hotel San Remo
The next day dawned bright and clear with stunning sea views beckoning on the balcony of my suite. Following a leisurely breakfast, our group was invited to a food & wine walking tour of San Remo. Vibrant flowers were everywhere and showcased the iconic beauty of the sun-splashed Italian Riviera.
Espresso, gelato and a local wine tasting followed our walking tour. Next, we headed back to the hotel for a 2-hour, 4-course lunch. #livingladolcevita
The dining options at Royal Hotel San Remo are impressive. Each lunch and dinner brought multiple courses of fresh salads and vegetables, fish, unique pasta creations and meats dishes. The flavor combinations are a nod to local Northern Italian cuisine. Many of the plates were adorned with edible flowers from the region. Prosecco toasts kicked off each meal and wait staff kept our glasses topped off with local white and red wines. Service was always impeccable in the dining room by the handsome Italian wait staff.
Even a glass of wine to the suite was served with potato chips ( a lovely combination as it turns out) and the handsome smile was a bonus.
As you may already know, my luggage did not arrive with me at the airport in Nice. This was a bit of a panic, knowing I was scheduled for business events and 9 nights of cocktail attire for formal dinners and parties during my trip. I'll share more on how I handled 6 days without luggage in an upcoming post. Let's just say, I was happy to see that track pants are chic in Italy since they were the only pants I had with me when I arrived from the airport.
My thanks to the Royal Hotel San Remo managers and staff for the beautiful suite, gourmet dining, spa treatment, food and wine tour and hospitality during my visit.
First stop, the Italian Riviera, next up ---- Lake Como.
Ciao!
Heather
For more on the luxurious Royal Hotel San Remo. If you are considering a trip to the colorful Italian Riviera, contact me to get started today.
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A Postcard from Italy! xx, Curated Travel
Ciao!! I have just arrived home from my 10-day luxury travel event in Northern Italy. My jet-lagged brain is a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, scintillating views, the sparkle of chandeliers, prosecco toasts, and the delectable flavors of Northern Italian cuisine. Here is a peek of just a few of the experiences I enjoyed during this memorable experience Italian style.
Ciao!! I have just arrived home from my 10-day luxury travel event in Northern Italy. My jet-lagged brain is a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors, scintillating views, the sparkle of chandeliers, prosecco toasts, and the delectable flavors of Northern Italian cuisine. Here is a peek of just a few of the experiences I enjoyed during this memorable experience Italian style.
My Invitation to a Luxury Travel Event in Italy + New Posts on Curated Travel
I’m jetting off for a fully hosted, luxury travel event in Italy and I couldn’t be more excited. From the Italian Riviera to Lake Como to spa hotels near Venice, this is truly a dream come true for me and my Curated Travel business.
I'm jetting off for a fully hosted, luxury travel event in Italy and I couldn't be more excited. From the Italian Riviera to Lake Como to spa hotels near Venice, this is truly a dream come true for me and my Curated Travel business.
Read the post on my new Curated Travel blog and follow along on Curated Travel Instagram.
BLOG Post my new Curated Travel Blog
Images: Classic Vacations
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!
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My personal Instagram at Style*Mind*Chic
Cruising the Caribbean (Plus the Biggest Surprise!)
Last month Mr. C.T. and I cruised the Eastern Caribbean on the Crown Princess with my best friend from 4th grade, Deb, and her husband, Bruce. I chose this itinerary since it included several islands we had not visited on previous destination trips to the Caribbean. We set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for Antigua, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Thomas/St. John, Turks and Caicos on this 8-day cruise.
Last month Mr. C.T. and I cruised the Eastern Caribbean on the Crown Princess with my best friend from 4th grade, Deb, and her husband, Bruce. I chose this itinerary since it included several islands we had not visited on previous destination trips to the Caribbean. We set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for Antigua, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Thomas/St. John, Turks and Caicos on this 8-day cruise.
Can you tell we are just a bit excited at the Sail Away party on the top deck?
Though I've booked a number of luxurious looking cruises for my travel clients, I've only been on one cruise prior to this one. Mr. C.T. and I were never "cruise people" preferring to plant ourselves at a beach resort on some tropical island. We were hesitant to give up our early morning sunrise on the balcony, sunsets on the beach, a midnight stroll after a luxurious 2-hour dinner, and feeling like a local for that moment in time. The last thing we want on vacation is a rigorous schedule and too much structure.
As you can see, a cruise can be pretty chill, as it turns out. The island stops and excursions were sublime. Though we didn't have any overnighters on the islands, we did have beach time at Jolly Beach, Antigua, on Pinney Beach, Nevis and on magical Trunk Bay on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands.
I felt those sublime moments of pure relaxation, as I floated in the aqua waters of the Caribbean watching the clouds go by above me.
The most surprising thing about a cruise vacation is just how much I enjoyed Time on this luxurious ship.
Princess has blended a refined, elegant, yet modern approach to cruising. Voted the 'Best Large-Ship' by Fodor's and housing just over 3,000 guests I can imagine how it could feel claustrophobic, yet Princess has gone to great lengths to assure you never feel like one of the herd. With dining in elegant, full-service restaurants, specialty restaurants, like classic Italian at Sabatinos, and the Piazza with quick bites and wine tastings, the dining options are extensive. I've reconfirmed that I'm not a huge fan of dining buffet style (especially during flu season) but there are so many dining options that you never need to enter a buffet unless you choose. Even with buffet dining Princess has created intimate dining spaces and wait service so the experience is more refined than most. We had two formal nights on the cruise and it was fun to invite Bruce and Deb to our stateroom for canapes and sips, all dressed up, before our dinner reservation.
The Crown Princess itinerary included three days of, as we soon discovered, blissful days at sea. These days could be packed full of activities, from art auctions (the highest bid I heard was $40,000 for an original Peter Max!), singing competitions, drum lessons, on board book club meetings, wine tastings OR you could luxuriate on the balcony of your stateroom and finish that book you've been reading. Room service lunch? A spot of tea or a glass of wine? It's all at the touch of a button for those that enjoy stateroom time.
Wellness and relaxation is also a theme from Princess with the promise to "Come Back New". The Sanctuary offers adult guests a relaxing, intimate space to enjoy the serenity of the sea as well as a wide-range of spa treatments.
Our stateroom felt like a cozy cocoon with luxurious linens, a dreamy bed, an extra large balcony, spacious closet and dressing area with expansive sea views from our spacious triangular shaped balcony (one of three on the ship). We are not prone to motion sickness and found the rhythm of the waves rocked us to a deep sleep each night. It was not lost on me that you could order room service 24-hours a day without ever getting out of bed if you choose.
Our butler, Jacqueline, spoiled us with top-notch service and extra amenities. Due to my travel adviser status, and being a member of the 'Commodore Club' Captain's Circle, we received priority embarkation lounges, upgraded linens and towels, free daily laundry and dry cleaning, free WiFi, canapes before dinner, cocktails with Captain Vincenzo Lubrano and more. As expected, it is wonderful to visit 6 distinct islands without having to unpack more than once.
On this cruise, I was reassured that whether by beach resort, cruise ship or sailboat, the Caribbean remains a magical destination. As it turns out, I am a fan of cruising and can hardly wait to book our next one. We are thinking perhaps a group river cruise in Europe is next. Want to join us?
Thank you to Princess Cruises for making this a wonderful travel experience. Learn more about Princess Cruises here and the Caribbean Itineraries. Contact me to book an unforgettable cruise or inspiring getaway for you.
Ciao!
Launching My CURATED TRAVEL Website
There have been some exciting developments behind the scenes lately and I'm happy to announce that I have just launched my new CURATED TRAVEL website. If you have followed Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you know that my Curated Travel/Travel Designer business has been based on the same website. I've had the blog for 6 years and added my Curated Travel business 1 1/2 years ago. I think it's time for my CURATED TRAVEL to finally have its own space, a modern, visual destination on the web.
Launching the CURATED TRAVEL Website
There have been some exciting developments behind the scenes lately and I'm happy to announce that I have just launched my new CURATED TRAVEL website. If you have followed Style*Mind*Chic Life blog you know that my Curated Travel/Travel Designer business has been based on the same website. I've had the blog for 6 years and added my Curated Travel business 1 1/2 years ago. I think it's time for my CURATED TRAVEL to finally have its own space, a modern, visual destination on the web. For the time being, my Style*Mind*Chic blog archive will remain on this website. Both websites will link to each other for easy reference.
I'm excited that my family, friends, clients, and future clients, will now have a dedicated space to discover the latest in travel destinations, inspirations, trends, deals, and travel tips. I also include pages and links on the process of working together to create your unforgettable curated travels. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek. I look forward to connecting with you on the beauty and romance of travel on my new website.
Please bookmark it and feel free to share!
