boutique hotel pick – grand hotel quisisana – capri, italy

While travelling through Italy, I always make a point to take a ferry to the island of Capri. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful exotic destinations on this planet.  The charm and elegance of the island is a simple reminder of classic Hollywood. Don’t ask why, but the moment I step foot off the ferry, I feel as though I am back in the 1950s.

To celebrate my love and appreciation of this amazing romantic destination, I have included one of my favorite hotels - Grand Hotel Quisisana :  Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.

 

travel photography: oahu, hawaii

There isn’t too much to do, in my opinion on Oahu, outside of the tourist sites and shopping, so the only other hobby one can enjoy is definitely photography. The funny thing is, I walked in and out of a dozen wall art stores and wondered how the photographers painted photos with extreme colors. Meaning, I felt most of the photographs were color enhanced.

Last night, while I walked back from the pre-wedding dinner get together, along the beach, back to my hotel, I actually were able to capture photographs, with seemingly enhanced colors. I didn’t touch up any of my photos, but was proud that I was able to capture, such colorful photography.

{photos are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsaffron.wordpress.com please ask if you wish to borrow}

travel: – oahu, hawaii – day 1

I haven’t been to Hawaii for ten years. I think ever since I decided to stop sun tanning aggressively. I figured if I stayed away, I wouldn’t be tempted to lay in the sun for hours on end. The funny thing is, maybe the universe knew I was not going to sunbathe again this time around, so it’s been raining, cold and cloudy from day one, forcing me to stay mostly inside my hotel room. The wedding isn’t until Friday, with a few pre-parties scheduled two days before hand, so I could pretty much do what I want until Wednesday. The only thing I did forget was what day and time it was, so I also forgot to post anything: on my blog

Anyway, here are some photos I took, of course with my i-phone, since I also forgot my camera, from Saturday night. Enjoy.

 

hawaii bound: destination wedding

I can’t believe it’s time for my trip to Hawaii to see my good friend marry the man of her dreams. I’m excited for her and most of all excited for the fact, I get to share this wonderful occasion with her.

This doesn’t mean, I will not blog for a week, it just means, I will blog mostly about travel, food and photography.

Have a great weekend everybody and I will see you right here on Monday

 

 

boutique hotel pick – le boutique hotel – bordeaux, france

Okay, vacation planning is in full swing for me, so while I search for new accommodations to try out, I stumbled upon this wonderful place in one of my favorite places in the world. Bordeaux, France.

So, if you happen to be a wine connoisseur like myself, you’d appreciate the location of Le Boutique Hotel in Bordeaux or if you happen to be just looking for a romantic getaway that works too.

Have a great weekend!

boutique hotel pick – casa angelia – amalfi coast, italy

Now that vacation planning is in full swing and perhaps even late in getting some great deals, I decided it’s time to talk boutique hotel picks.

Every year, I imagine a romantic getaway and although I stick to Paris as my safe haven, I can’t help but think of exotic coastal retreats to spend a romantic week.

One place, which I’ve frequented quite often in my lifetime is the Amalfi Coast and with it, I have fallen in love with many properties to spend six nights/seven days. For that thought and of course a romantic destination recommend, I suggest Casa Angelia.

this weeks inspiration: paris or bust

Here I go again. Mid April and I am itching to take my annual trip to Paris. And although 2013 has already started on the wrong foot or note or page, I am determined to squeeze my trip to Paris, one way or another.

paris on my mind

Right about now, oh who am I kidding, all the time, I think about Paris and how I see myself living there, six months out of a year to full-time at retirement. It’s not a dream, it’s something I am definitely pursuing. You know what they say, if you put it out there, it will happen.  But, in the meantime, have a great weekend:

doctor’s orders: much needed rest

I had a health scare Thursday, which somewhat put a lot of things into perspective. I mean, why is it that, we push ourselves to the limits and only react when we are faced with an emergency visit to the doctor’s office?  I just don’t understand. But anyway, we are human and this is what we do. With that said, I have to say my doctor’s orders are much-needed rest and time to wind down. Something, of course, I hadn’t been doing.  His instruction was to go home and think of ways to relax or find relaxation and hence, I spend the greater part of yesterday afternoon thinking of ways to do just that:

1. A walk through the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park – San Francisco

2. Spend an afternoon at a neighborhood old fashioned bookstore – West Portal, San Francisco

3. Spend a day at a hot spring spa in Calistoga, California (near Napa)

4. Rent a paddleboat for Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park and circle the lake while listening to the sounds of nature

5. Have dinner in an exotic restaurant to imagine you are far, far away from home – La Colonial Restaurant – in San Francisco.

boutique hotel pick – baccara resort and spa – santa barbara california

I woke up this morning with a sudden need to travel somewhere, even if only for the weekend. I guess it’s that time of the year again, when I get the travel bug and no matter what I shift my focus on, I remain distracted until I finally organize a holiday getaway of some sort.

Baccara Resort and Spa is a place I’ve been to, twice. Once for a wedding and the other, just to run away. I had forgotten about the destination until I scanned my memory for quick get-away places from San Francisco and lucky for me, I remembered.

The hotel is sprawled on the sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean, in the middle of California, very close to the town of Santa Barbara and offers some of the most prestiges   resort and spa amenities one would need to get their bearings back.