...because survival is insufficient.
*a proud partner of TRAVELLUSTRE*
Scenes from...Quito, Ecuador!
Ecuador's capital city has such a blend of culture, architecture, and history - with some of the best chocolate to boot!
Fun fact: Nacional is recognized as one of the highest quality cacao beans, grown in Ecuador, and results in some of the finest chocolates. Any guesses on which countries they export these prized beans to?!
In honor of World Book Day, we present you what we've deemed to be some of the most classic libraries in the world. These all can and should be visited, breathed in, and explored. Add it to your next trip!
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Image Credit: Willian Santos via Pexels
Image Credit: Skitterphoto via Pixabay
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Where in the world are our clients traveling this month?!🌍
We have had the privilege of planning...
..a family trip to Ireland, during which they'll have a private session with a genealogist in order to trace their Irish heritage. We can't wait to hear about their stays and .
..a mother/daughter trip to the UK - exploring Scotland and London and checking out some universities along the way. Calling home for a couple of nights is a no-brainer - and the perfect home base for some Highland and castle exploration!
Seeing these trips come to life is one of the coolest feelings - one that I don't think I could ever tire of. Can't wait to share what we've been working on for this summer!
Image Credit: Mark Dalton via Pexels
Image Credit: Pixabay via Pexels
BTS...
Exploring Zurich and parts of Graubünden with fellow TRAVELLUSTRE colleagues and travel partners this month.
Switzerland is always a good idea. ✨
"To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,
To gain all while you give,
To roam the roads of lands remote,
To travel is to live."
-Hans Christian Andersen
Hotel Highlight: Baur au Lac
The words "comfortable luxury" come to mind when wandering the halls of this iconic property. Comfortable enough to feel like home, but with the impeccable service and attention to detail that can only mean luxury. After learning that this hotel has been owned by the same family for 7 generations, I'm not surprised. At 180 years young, there's a reason it has been nicknamed "the living room of Zurich". Come and see for yourself - I promise you they're eagerly awaiting your arrival.
📍Zurich, Switzerland
Hot tip: Check out their wine shop, , for an incredible wine selection and a tasting (and bring me back a bottle of 2022 Petite Arvine, please)! 🍷
Happy Spring!
Grateful to the women before me and with me who have made this possible and make navigating the world I live in all that easier.
I will never get tired of celebrating my fellow women and I have the privilege of knowing some of the best.
Happy International Women's Day!
📍 Steall Falls hike - Glen Nevis, Scotland
Here's what my to-do list looks like today, on .
✔ Put travel research on hold for a few hours
✔ Skip the next episode of the show I've already watched through twice (until tomorrow, not forever...let's be real)
✔ Start the book that has been collecting dust on my nightstand
✔ Get out for a bike ride to the coffee shop that I never seem to have enough time for
What are you doing to "celebrate"?
📍Glen Nevis, Scotland
LEAP Day!
We are gifted an entire additional 24-hours in 2024 with the appearance of the unique 2/29 date. One extra day for traveling the world!
How do you plan to spend your extra hours this leap year?
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Image Credit: via Unsplash
“Live your life by a compass not a clock.” – Stephen Covey
And with any luck, your compass will guide you to see some gorgeous clocks. 🧭🕰🌍
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Image Credit: Nelson Sousa via Pexels
Happy National Margarita Day!
Does it strike anyone else odd we "celebrate" this in February? Maybe it serves as a compelling middle of winter reminder for us to hop on a plane somewhere sunny where the margs are aplenty.
Where is the best margarita you've tasted from?
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Image Credit: via Unsplash
The first Raffles Hotel in the US is now open in Boston!
I recently had the privilege of experiencing some serious service and luxury synonymous with the Raffles name.
By far one of the best butler teams I have ever experienced. And don't get me started on that tub!
Hot tip: make sure to ask for a Boston Sling!🍹
May we all find a valentine who looks at us the same way I look at a travel magazine. 🥰
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Credit: via Unsplash
Happy Galentine's Day to all the Gal pals out there, and especially to the TRAVELLUSTRE team of amazing women!
We recently gathered for our retreat at , which was such a wonderful time to connect in-person with one another after such a full year of travel planning. Through all of the laughter, food, fun, and business, I was reminded again how lucky I am to have so many brilliant females in my life.
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Today is Darwin Day, so what better way to mark the occasion than by sharing more of my images from the Galapagos.
It was the Galapagos Islands that inspired much of Darwin's work as he spent five years in the early 1930s aboard a vessel on expedition across South America's coast.
Encountering such a wide variety of unique and interesting creatures is just one of the many adventures to be had aboard Silversea. It is a perfect match for cultural and natural immersive experiences while returning each day to the luxurious haven of your own vessel, the Silver Origin.
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In the Hudson Valley of New York sits Wildflower Farms - a haven and escape.
I love this Auberge Resorts Collection property. It is a serious retreat, finding the perfect blend of relaxation, cuisine, and understated luxury. Feeling at home is such a rarity in hotels and this property strives to create an ease and familiarity for its guests.
The fact that my Wildflower stay was SUCH a treat, even in the gray, snowy, and cold January weather speaks volumes about the quality of the property and its attentive staff.
Who is ready to curl up with a book and latte around that fire pit?
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Spending the second half of January traveling & working from the road has me appreciating being back in my office, designing some incredible itineraries. The more screens, the better the trip - right?
Informal poll - do you prefer to stand or sit at your desk?
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“FIND SOMEONE WHO IS A HOME AND AN ADVENTURE ALL AT ONCE.”
– ANONYMOUS
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The rare hotel where you find yourself wanting to call home and have your things shipped to you. You never want to leave!
Hotel Relais de la Magdeleine in Provence, France (Gémenos) had such an effect on me. I love it and am excited to share such a treasure with my clients.
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Happy National Hot Chocolate Day!
With roots in ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations, hot cocoa has been a celebrated treat for centuries. It was the Europeans who decided to sweeten the bitter cocoa beans with either honey or sugar when it was introduced by 16th-century Spanish explorers.
Today, there are endless combinations and recipes of one of our favorite indulgences. What is your go-to way to enjoy hot chocolate - marshmallows, hazelnut, cinnamon?
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Image Credit: .co via Unsplash
Hotel Kitzhof in Kitzbühel, Austria offers a relaxed haven for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, year-round. The modern mountain-inspired design makes for an elevated, "at-home," feel whether you are a cross-country skier, winter hiker, or visiting in summer to cycle and golf.
We find ourselves torn between the cozy ambience of the hotel and the incredible scenery just steps beyond your room.
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Exploring the iconic Paris neighborhood of St. Germain-des-Pres, is a blend of art nouveau and timeless sophistication. Style greets from around every corner.
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“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” – Anita Desai
Whether its moving abroad, or visiting far off places on holiday, the lands and people we encounter change us. I like to think for the better.
Have you traveled somewhere that impacted you in a similar way?
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For a more peaceful, eco-luxe Bavarian experience a favorite spot is Das Achental Resort in Grassau, Germany. Das Achental offers a unique and picturesque Bavarian escape while still being only 40 minutes from Munich. Set within the Achental Valley, the resort is surrounded by stunning landscapes.
The town of Grassau is situated near the foothills of the Chiemgau Alps, providing sweeping views from all over the resort, not to mention plenty of opportunities for hiking and skiing.
I love how even the spacious suites at Das Achental offer a cozy luxury with true Bavarian charm.
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Happy Penguin Awareness Day! 🐧✨ Did you know Galapagos penguins are the only species found north of the equator? They are also unique among penguin species for being the smallest and rarest penguins in the world. Their petite stature and distinctive markings make them stand out, adding an extra touch of charm to the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Swipe left for the glimpse into the exclusive island lifestyle of these cute creatures!
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Smack in the heart of London sits a sustainable sanctuary for the eco-conscious luxury traveller, .mayfair. From the art installation/bar crafted entirely of fallen feathers from racing pigeons, to the massive hanging moss fixture that is lowered each night for watering, there are surprises of nature in every corner.
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One of the greatest benefits of slower-paced travel is having the time to wander and explore your destination. The avenues of Marseille, France, for example, offer a kaleidoscope of history, modern street art, and diverse architecture. From the centuries old Byzantine cathedral to the modern-day murals, the blend of architectural influences and artistic interpretations share their stories as you stroll.
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One of the greatest benefits of slower-paced travel is having the time to wander and explore your destination. The avenues of Marseille, France for example offer a kaleidoscope of history, modern street art, and diverse architecture. From the centuries old Byzantine cathedral to the modern-day murals, the blend of architectural influences and artistic interpretations share their stories as you stroll.
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So excited for my clients to experience the Glacier Express in Switzerland this winter! 🚂
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Here's what my to-do list looks like today, on @globaldayofunplugging. ✔ Put travel research on hold for a few hours ✔ Skip the next episode of the show I've already watched through twice (until tomorrow, not forever...let's be real) ✔ Start the book that has been collecting dust on my nightstand ✔ Get out for a bike ride to the coffee shop that I never seem to have enough time for What are you doing to "celebrate"? 📍Glen Nevis, Scotland
Smash-able chocolate?! Yes, please! Such a fun amenity from my time at DUCO France this past fall. Clearly I need to brush up on my mallet skills - practice makes perfect, right? Please send chocolate. // #ducofrance #sovirtuoso #virtuoso #raisondetretravel #travellustre #paris #hotellutetia #sweetsinparis #thesetcollection
Love it when spas incorporate a great indoor/outdoor pool - missing this one at Waldhotel in Switzerland! 🏊♂️✨ @waldhotelburgenstock #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Experiencing Munich's Oktoberfest in the Käfer Tent 🍻 #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Gliding above Kitzbühel 🪂⛰️ #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Descending from the heights of Burgenstock to the shores of Lake Lucerne 🚡✨ #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Just back from a weekend trip to Barcelona! Made Hotel Alma my home base ✨ #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Explore the paradise of the Maldives - Soneva Fushi 🌴💙 #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
It doesn't get better than this view of St. Moritz in Switzerland from Muottas Muragl ⛰️ #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Cruising from the Burgenstock to Lucerne on the Burgenstock catamaran ⛵ @burgenstockresort #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Maldives - Soneva Fushi! 🏝️ #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
The Catarata del Toro waterfall 💙 #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
The Royal Scotsman Train departing Edinburgh Waverly station. Full of guests embarking on the next journey! 🚂 #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Escape to the enchanting AlpenGold Hotel, where dreams come alive amidst the snow-capped wonders of Davos, Switzerland. ❄️✨ Immerse yourself in opulent comforts, relish in exhilarating mountain escapades, and surrender to the awe-inspiring vistas that will ignite your wanderlust. #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
Embraced by the majestic beauty of Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful stands as a timeless wonder. 🌿⛰️ Its faithful eruptions, accompanied by the symphony of bubbling hot springs, offer a mesmerizing display that will leave you speechless. #travellustre #raisondetretravel #sovirtuoso #virtuoso
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