All posts filed under: romantic getaways

escape from the fog – a summer in san francisco

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Well officially, perhaps a day earlier than some calendars indicate, we have entered the Summer season. I know this because yesterday it was freezing, foggy and drizzly in the city and today it isn’t any better.  So while I bring out my sweaters, coat and umbrella to the front of my closet for use throughout this season, I cannot help but think of anywhere that I could lay on the beach and soak up the sun. {click on the photo to get travel information to any of the destinations below}

boutique hotel pick – hotel brunelleschi – florence, italy

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Every city around the world has it’s own unique charm appeal and although most travellers may agree Paris is probably the most charming and romantic,  parts of Italy are right up there on the list.  Florence, is of course, one of the cities in Italy I frequent and find to be a great romantic getaway.  So, in case you are contemplating an escape to Florence (a.k.a. Firenze), I recommend Hotel Brunelleschi for your stay.

plans for memorial day weekend in san francisco

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Traditionally, my other half and I left town for the Memorial holiday (three day) weekend, but this year in particular we decided to stay local and explore all the festivities or not around the city and outside. The biggest one this year is the Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday May 27th and we wouldn’t miss it for the world, since we actually walked across the bridge for the 50th anniversary (25years ago). So, there are plans of a picnic in Napa, possibly the Carnaval in the Mission District, the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary celebration, a matinée and lots of good old-fashioned barbecue. Stay tuned…and oh happy weekend everyone!!!

boutique hotel pick – tharroe of mykonos, greece

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Right about now, exactly right now, I am seeing myself in a far away place, where I could nap alongside the pool, or sit on a lounge chair on the balcony of my suite and watch the world go by and just maybe make an effort to leave the hotel just to experience the nightlife on the island of Mykonos, Greece. To make this happen, I have to include one of my favorite hotels on Mykonos – Tharroe Of Mykonos, to set the stage for one of the most relaxing holidays/vacations imaginable.  BTW this would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift:  

shifting gears to travel

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By the beginning of April I am planning my next trip to (mostly) Europe. However, as we know it, the wedding got in the way 😉  But after taking a few days to recover I am now  mentally prepared to plan a trip. The problem is there are too many places I want to visit this year and not enough time to accomplish my goal, so while I click my way through the internet for ideas, I can’t help but include some of my favorite staircases around Europe from here to inspire me to make a choice:  

boutique hotel pick – baglioni hotel – london, england

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In light of the fact the Summer Olympics are in England this year, I had contemplated spending my vacation or holiday (I like that word better) attending some of the games.  I am still on the fence about it, but it doesn’t hurt to dream, just in case I can’t make it a reality. Anyway, here is my dream hotel pick for London: Baglioni Hotel , which according to the chain’s website  is “luxury with an Italian touch”. What more can I anyone ask for?

boutique hotel pick – royal hotel sanremo – italy

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After a crazy cold rainy day on Wednesday, we experienced a strangely hot day on Thursday which prompted me to get into the vacation planning mode. Since I experienced the sudden urge to plan my vacation for 2012, I realized it was time to do my Friday boutique hotel pick. Royal Hotel Sanremo came to mind because I am actually looking into a vacation or a holiday where I could lounge around the pool and nap my days away while sipping on some exotic drink., in Italy of course. 🙂

boutique hotel pick – bacara resort and spa – santa barbara, california

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Fall is a perfect time, in my opinion, to escape to a resort and spa hotel. I think, even though the weather may be a bit brisk and unpredictable, the romance of such a property do more than make up for it. I know I just got back from Italy but, I can’t help think about a weekend escape right before the holidays. My favorite is the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, California. I not only enjoy the drive down to Santa Barbara, but once at the hotel, I seldom leave for the entire weekend.

como italy by local bus

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I can never pass up a stop in Como Italy when I travel through Italy. Normally I spend two nights in Como, but  I figured this time since it is Autumn, I would stay in Milan and take a day trip to Como on RailEurope or in this case, the shuttle train from Milan  to Como S.M instead. It was about an hours ride, a bit uncomfortable and long since it made alot of stops along the way, but it was a reasonable cost. 4.50Euros each way, so I couldn’t complain much.  When I got to Como rail station, I noticed, like I did before, a bus labeled Bellagio, which was the area around the lake I wanted to visit. Since it was freezing outside, I decided this time to give the bus ride a try, I knew it was going to circle the lake and that it would take an hour, but I figured I had done the ferry thing about a dozen times before, why not try something different. Well, I must admit …