Leo Luxury Travel

29/04/2022

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Just off the coast of Cancun lies a charming little Island with beautiful white sand beaches and amazing locally owned restaurants. Just five miles in length, many people choose to explore the island via golf cart (we chose to utilize the bicycles provided by our Airbnb). These are a few of my favorite stops along the way:

Mango Café Isla: an incredible place to enjoy breakfast on the patio. I highly recommend the Stuffed Poblano Pepper with Fresh Mango Juice.

Punta Sur: The Eastern most point of Mexico and the first place to see the sun each morning. It consists of a gorgeous rocky coastline overlooking the most beautiful turquoise waters. A must see spot when visiting the island.

Playa Norte: My favorite beach on the island surrounded by cute little restaurants and bars. While we chose to stay on the southern “quieter” side of the island, it was so much fun to explore this area and try all of the tacos.

Xantolo: Super cool Happy Hour spot with delicious craft Margaritas. I love a bar with swings!

If you’re looking for an alternative to the massive all inclusive resorts in Cancun, this fun little island is just a 20 minute ferry ride away.

21/11/2021

Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. After a quick 4.5 hour flight from Boston, we landed on the “Green Island.” With only 5% of the land being used for commercial and residential use, the many cows who live and roam freely on the island are truly living the dream and produce the most amazing cheese! We made Ponta Delgada our home base so that we could spend our evenings enjoying the charming cobblestone streets while the days were spent hiking and exploring the many miradouros or “scenic viewpoints.” From volcanic hot springs and black sand beaches to the fresh local seafood and wine this hidden gem is a place that you definitely want to add to your travel bucket list.

Language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro

31/10/2021

We recently enjoyed a gorgeous fall day in New York celebrating my Mom’s birthday. We had just over 24 hours in the city. Here’s how we spent the day.

We took the 6 train to the City Hall - Brooklyn Bridge Station. The walk across the Bridge was beautiful. We enjoyed the stunning views from Pebble Beach and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The walk back to Manhattan was even more gorgeous.

Next, we checked out Loreley Beer Garden’s Fall Happy Hour. They had 60oz Pumpkin kegs of Southern Tier Pumking for $25! The patio space was decked out in spooky decor and they had an amazing autumn cocktail list.

Birthday Dinner was at Guantanamera in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s a lively Cuban Restaurant with live music nightly and complimentary hand rolled ci**rs on weekends. The best part?! Because it was Tuesday, they had $6 Mojitos. I take that back, the best part was the incredible hospitality and service given by the staff. It was hands down, one of my favorite dining experiences.

Just a side note, we were required and happy to show our vaccine cards at just about every establishment that we entered.

07/09/2021

Most of my travels consist of hiking, exploring and constantly being on the go. Sometimes you’ve got to just find a hotel with a rooftop pool, enjoy the southern hospitality and seek out the best local watering holes. This past weekend in Houston was spent doing just that. Here were some of my favorite stops along the way:

the breakfast klub consistently popped up in my “best breakfast in Houston” google search. We took the metro rail across town and arrived right around 7:30 on Sunday morning. Noticing that they didn’t open until 8, we weren’t sure what to do for a half hour. Upon looking closer we noticed a LINE forming at the door and around the block. After tasting their “Klub Benedikt” and experiencing their incredible service I can understand why. Rumor has it that when Beyoncé visits her home town this is where she eats breakfast. 10/10 recommend!

Built in 1847, La Carafe is in the oldest commercial building that is still in operation in Houston. With gypsy jazz playing on the jukebox, this candlelit hidden gem serves beer and wine and has a vintage cash register that accepts cash only.

Poison Girl Cocktail Lounge is a seriously cool dive bar located in the Montrose neighborhood. With bright red walls, a row of vintage pinball machines and an eclectic and diverse whiskey selection, you’ve got to check this place out.

Speaking of dive bars, Notsuoh is a place that you need to see to believe. Incredibly quirky and filled with antiques and taxidermy, this place is weird (in the best possible way!) Be sure to head up the spiral staircase to see the various art galleries and planetarium.

29/08/2021

The Finger Lakes region is the perfect location for a fall foliage getaway. The abundance of stunning gorges and beautiful waterfalls make it a great hiking destination. Follow it up with a stop at one of the many quaint wineries or breweries and you have a perfect autumn weekend away. Some of my favorite stops in the area are as follows:

Camp Ervay - The most adorable and cozy Scandinavian style cabin located smack in between Ithaca and Watkins Glen.

Taughannock Falls - an absolutely stunning waterfall. Stop by Hazelnut Kitchen afterwards for a seriously delicious meal.

Robert H. Treman State Park - be sure to check out Lucifer Falls in the upper park area.

Watkins Glen State Park - we arrived first thing in the morning and had the park to ourselves.

04/08/2021

We stayed at a Getaway House yesterday. They have outposts across the country, each located about an hour outside of a major city. We stayed at the Beaver Creek location which is between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. They are tiny minimalist cabins with incredible floor to ceiling windows right by the bed so that you wake up every morning in the trees. Each cabin comes with its own fire pit and is packed full of thoughtful touches and supplies. A tiny kitchen, bathroom and shower are all included in your cozy cabin. Their entire concept is geared towards unplugging, recharging (they even have a lock box for your cell phone!) and connecting with nature. While the cabin comes equipped with a Bluetooth radio on the inside, playing music outdoors is not allowed. This is the perfect place for someone looking for relaxation, peace and quiet. Check in and check out is completely contactless, with a key code being sent to you via text prior to arrival.

If you want to experience it for yourself, you can use this link to save $25 off of your rental ☀️
https://fbuy.io/getaway/hollyguyton

21/07/2021

Because life is short and the world is wide. ✈️🌎❤️

07/07/2021

Joshua Tree National Park

Located in Southern California, it’s where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. Known for its rugged rock formations and Dr. Seuss-like Joshua Trees, the park is slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. Here are a few must dos while visiting this super cool spot.

Visit Arch Rock at sunrise

Hike the Wonderland of Rocks Trail

Grab a coffee at Joshua Tree Coffee Company

Check out the Cholla Cactus Garden at sunset. While they are anything but soft, the sunlight shining through the Teddy Bear Cholla gives it a glowing appearance.

Enjoy amazing pizza from Pie For The People

We hired an incredible guide named Ethan from Joshua Tree Adventures. He helped keep Leo informed and safe during our hike by pointing out all of the different types of Cacti and rating them from 1-10 on the “spikeometer.” Highly recommend!

23/06/2021

Virgin Islands National Park

About 70% of the island of St. John, USVI is made up of National Park. The roads are STEEP and the views are amazing. A four wheel drive jeep rental is highly recommended (note: they drive on the left side of the road!) You’ll see wild donkey, goat and chicken roaming the streets. We packed up snorkel gear and lunches every morning and hiked to the most beautiful secluded beaches.

A few must dos while in St. John:

- Hike the Ram’s Head Trail and then cool off in Salt Pond Bay.

- Order the burger of the day with a VI Tropical Mango Pale Ale from Skinny Legs (Official Page, seriously.)

- Snorkel with the Sea Turtles at Maho Bay.

- Sushi lunch at 1864 The Restaurant in Mongoose Junction.

- Walk the Leinster Bay Trail to Watermelon Cay. You’ll see lots of parrot fish, which are my favorite.

- Snorkel the underwater trail at Trunk Bay. Get there early, as this beach gets busy!

I highly recommend downloading the St. John Off The Beaten Track app. It works on and offline and gives very detailed information and maps for the beaches and trails.

18/06/2021

Finally! ❤️🌎✈️

The European Union has added the United States to its list of countries approved for entry.

14/06/2021

Often referred to as Europe’s Hawaii, a flight to São Miguel Island in the Portuguese Archipelago takes just under 5 hours from Boston. Nicknamed the Green Island, São Miguel is known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, amazing hikes, whale watching and CHEESE! I’m heading there in November and will report back with all of the must see spots so that you can check them out for yourself!

The island is a place for people who appreciate nature at its most jurassic, technicolor and surreal (and people who own hiking boots and rain pants). The blues and greens of the lagoons and mountainsides are almost electrically charged—so vivid they practically make your eyes hurt.

10/06/2021

Filled with medieval cobbled walkways and 12th century castles, Tomar, Portugal is a charming town about 90 miles northeast of Lisbon. While it’s filled with history and beautiful architecture, it’s not at all touristy. There is something about enjoying freshly baked pastries with the most delicious coffee for less than €2 that feels magically authentic. I highly suggest renting a car or hiring a guide to step off the beaten path and explore the many quaint storybook towns in the center of Portugal. 🇵🇹

06/06/2021

My favorite underrated hikes at Zion National Park that do not require a shuttle ticket. While Angel’s Landing and The Narrows are both incredible, these alternatives provide amazing views without the crowds.

1. Canyon Overlook Trail - Short but sweet with a million dollar viewpoint at the end.

2. Pa’Rus Trail - The only trail open to bicycles and pets as it’s completely paved. It runs along the bank of the Virgin River and is a great walk with kiddos.

3. Watchman Trail - Perfect at sunrise, we had the entire trail to ourselves.

I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails app for helpful up to date hiking information and maps.

04/06/2021

The official trailer for the new Anthony Bourdain documentary was just released. In theaters July 16th.

It’s not where you go. It’s what you leave behind . . . Chef, writer, adventurer, provocateur: Anthony Bourdain lived his life unabashedly. Roadrunner: A Fi...

04/06/2021

Waking up to these magical views every morning before hiking to secluded beaches to snorkel with sea turtles was like a dream. Highly recommend if you are planning a trip to St. John, USVI ☀️

Came down to check on things.
Still as gorgeous of a view as ever from Coconut Hill Cottage 🌴👀

01/06/2021

Flying into Salt Lake City gives you endless options for a weekend road trip. In three days we traveled through Utah, Idaho & Wyoming. We saw Bison, Elk, Pronghorn, Grizzly Bear and so many beautiful birds. The gorgeous hikes balanced out all of the amazing local restaurants that we tried. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and think that maybe you don’t have enough time to get away, but don’t let that stop you. If you time your flights correctly and reserve a rental car you will be amazed at all of the beauty that you can fit into one long weekend.

Visit Salt Lake