Hi Reader, We’re picky about new hotels. Like, annoyingly picky. Why? Well so that you don’t have to be! So when we tell you these openings made us stop what we were doing and start replanning trips, that should tell you something. We’re talking a private island off the Provence coast, a 16th-century farmhouse in the Swiss Alps, and the most cinematic thing to happen to Venice in years. Here are eight properties on our radar. And, of course, if you want help booking them with perks, we can...
10 days ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, The spring is always beyond busy around here as we travel for research, and the travel rush kicks into high gear. So, I thought I’d share what’s been on my mind, on my plate, and on my reading list. A Postcard from Cherry Bombe Jubilee I just spent the last few days in New York for Cherry Bombe Jubilee, and it was phenomenal, per usual. This event brings together women business owners in food, hospitality, and pretty much every corner of the industry we love. I reconnected with old...
24 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, One of the most common questions we get before a big trip: should we go during the holidays or avoid them entirely? The honest answer is that it depends. But “it depends” is actually useful advice when you know what questions to ask. The two big ones: Do crowds energize or exhaust you? And are you likely to find half the city closed? Your answers will tell you more than any travel calendar ever will. Hawai’i: The Holidays Worth Planning Around In Hawai’i, certain holidays are...
30 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Summer is close enough now that we've stopped dreaming about it and started booking. Same for a lot of our clients. April is when the "maybe" trips turn into real ones, and for good reason... after this month, the best lodging tightens up and prices start climbing. Here are five summer trips we're especially excited about right now. Big Sur & California’s Central Coast Big Sur is open again, and the drive is every bit as dramatic as you remember. We love starting in Los Angeles or...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Bonjour Reader, I just got back from two weeks in France, and I am not exaggerating when I say I came home more excited about this country than I have been since I lived there for culinary school. I landed in Paris, then headed off to Burgundy, and ended at a kind of speed-dating conference in Nice where I met dozens of partners. Some we already work with, some gave us their latest info on their offerings, and others I'm thrilled to be bringing into the fold. It was research and revelation at...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Bonjour Reader, I’m writing this from Nice, where I’ve spent the last few days eating my way through the city. Every trip, I have to visit the Cours Saleya market and get some absolute classics, like the chickpea pancake socca, and of course salade niçoise (no cooked vegetables, as any local will firmly remind you). On the road, I tend to live on the simple things. A good French carrot salad from a market vendor is my go-to when I need something quick. It’s simple and light, the kind of thing...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Italy has trains, buses, ferries, rental cars, private drivers, and flights connecting every corner of the country. That’s the good news. The bad news? Knowing which one to use, and when, is the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one. Our team has spent more than ten years figuring out the best combinations for every kind of traveler. Rachel’s personal record is twelve transfers in a single day (we don’t recommend this). Read our Italy transportation guide for all the...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Planning a honeymoon in Hawai’i sounds simple until you realize there are six main islands, hundreds of resorts, and everyone on the internet has a very strong opinion about where you should go. Most of that advice is wrong, or at least, wrong for you. There’s no single “best” island. But after years of planning honeymoons here (and eating an unreasonable number of musubis in the name of research), we’ve gotten pretty good at matching couples to islands. Our full Hawai’i honeymoon...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, If spring break is on your mind but not yet on your calendar, consider this your friendly nudge. The first week of February is pretty much your last chance to plan a spring break trip without paying through the nose. If that's something you're looking to do, don't fret! Reach out and we can help you make it happen. Here are a few places our clients love that are really special for families during spring break. Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley The desert is hitting that sweet...
4 months ago • 3 min read
