Throw back Thursday! I cherish running a family business 😂
Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.
You can’t VIP yourself, but I can!
We never charge to make a simple hotel booking. Why? Souvenir & Far is a “preferred partner” at most high-end hotels. Those affiliations and memberships entitle my clients to VIP perks like room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast, spa treatments, $100 hotel credits, early check-in and late check-out, etc.
#travel #luxurytravel #luxurytraveladvisor #youcantvipyourselfbutwecan #vacation #springbreak #souvenirandfar #summervacation #rumson #fairhaven #shrewsbury #littlesilver #monmouthbeach
The most special part of my job? Face-to-face meetings with the people who help me to help you have a wonderful trip. These are the owners, managers, and contacts I have spent years building relationships with. Why? So when I send my clients to their hotels, I have a direct contact and someone on-property I know who will ensure you have the best room, upgrade if possible, and a seamless experience.
And if something does go wrong, I’ve got your back! I have the muscle to leverage these relationships and make things right while you sit by the pool with a glass of rosé.
You can’t VIP yourself, but I can!
Ranked the #7 resort in the world. I am here in the Maldives with teen and Mr S&F (missing the twins 🥲). I’m inspecting 2 sister properties and have expert intel to share with my clients. What are the different ways to get here and why would you choose one over the other? Which side of the island should you stay on? Sunrise or sunset? (The answer might surprise you!) Which villas are closer to the kids club (or farthest away for my honeymooners!!)
Where you stay can make or break your travel experience and a perfectly chosen resort adds invaluable memories for a lifetime. This is why my team and I spend so much time (and money!!) personally inspecting and vetting hotels across the globe. We prioritize meeting with the owners and managers in person in order to build the relationships that benefit YOU!
Do you want to spend hours and hours researching, clicking websites, reading customer reviews, compiling lists of where to go, where to stay, where to eat…. Or WOULD YOU RATHER delegate and have a true travel professional be in charge and take this off your plate?
We never charge to make a simple hotel booking. Why? Souvenir & Far is a “preferred partner” at ALL high-end hotels. Those affiliations and memberships entitle my clients to VIP perks like room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast, spa treatments, $100 hotel credits, early check-in and late check-out, etc.
You can’t VIP yourself, but I can!
Thank you to my amazing friend and artist @susanculbert.art for this stunning drawing!
@artsc1
Did you know that Souvenir & Far is a yacht and catamaran specialist? We have the deep knowledge and connections to expertly help you select and reserve the one that best suits your requests. A crewed yacht charter is the BEST way to see multiple islands, instead of just one. Every day brings a new adventure, beautiful bay, beach, and island to discover! Your personal chef and crew will tailor make fabulous meals and cocktails. With complete privacy, you won’t have to stress about crowded beaches and fighting for a lounger. All the water toys - from sea bob scooters to eFoil boards, kayaks and paddle boards- are ready for you at your whim. This is a great option for families, couples, birthday celebrations, or girls trips!
Fun fact: the term “yacht” applies to both sailboats and power boats meant for cruising or private use.
#yachtcharter #caribbeanyachtcharter #travel #vacation #catamaran #crewedyachtcharter #bvi #travelspecialist #bucketlist #caribbeantravel #catamarancharter #springbreak #vacationideas
Welcome to the team! Meet Aurelie, our new Italy specialist (with a dash of Spain and South America), a passionate voyager with a devotion for uncovering extraordinary experiences. With 38 countries under her belt spread across all continents and having called home 6 distinct corners of the world, she is a true citizen of the world.
Her adventures span the globe, from a year-long odyssey around the world to a leisurely two-month bicycle journey from Norway to the Netherlands, and a memorable three-month road trip from the breathtaking landscapes of western Canada down to the vibrant streets of Mexico City.
Italy holds a special place in Aurelie’s heart, rooted in her Italian family heritage and her profound immersion in its rich culture.
Having resided in Italy for nearly 15 years, Aurelie first embraced the picturesque landscapes of Emilia-Romagna in the north before settling along the sun-soaked shores of Sicily. Throughout her journey, she has explored 15 out of Italy’s 20 regions, savoring each moment and cultivating an enduring connection with the country’s diverse beauty and charm.
Adela
Meet Adela Briz. While in Seville, I had a very special experience that I look forward to arranging for my clients. Adela is granddaughter to one of the most influential Spanish figures in the Second World War, Angel Sanz Briz, known as the ‘Angel of Budapest’. His improvised heroics in 1944 saved more than 5000 Hungarian Jews from deportation to Auschwitz.
Known as a Spanish Schindler, his story is not as widely known as there as no Hollywood movie or documentary on his life. He was a Spanish diplomat in Hungary that went rogue to ensure the lives of Jews could be saved. With the help of the Hungarian staff working at the Spanish legation, he used “ingenuity” and created loopholes so that the few passports he was allowed to issue were multiplied and even turned into a document that would guarantee safe passage not only for one person but for a whole family, thus massively increasing the number of people being helped. At the same time, and in breach of his diplomatic status, Sanz Briz also began to hide Jews on the legation premises and even in his own private residence.
In 1989, when Spain re-established diplomatic relations with Israel, The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority (Yad Vashem) awarded him the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The award was received by his widow. Sanz Briz had died in 1980 without ever having spoken publicly about his incredible work.
Adela and her family receive hundreds of emails, letters and visits from the descendants from the survivors thanking them and sharing stories of hope and love.
During our visit, Adela warmly welcomed us into her home and shared the book of love letters from survivors’ families that she has saved. Adela was incredibly engaging and passionate about telling the story of her grandfather. She poured us all wine from the region and dove into the history of her family with an authenticity and charisma that had us captivated.
These are the moments of a travel experienc
What a treat! The Royal Andalusian School is well known for its “dancing stallions” and is one of the “Big Four” - the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world.
The school is devoted to conserving the ancestral abilities of the Andalusian horse, maintaining the classical traditions of Spanish baroque horsemanship, preparing horses and riders for international dressage competitions, and providing education in all aspects of horsemanship, coachdriving, blacksmithing, the care and breeding of horses, saddlery, and the manufacture and care of horse harness.
The VIP box with the owner, and the opportunity to see behind the scenes to meet the trainers and riders was a unique opportunity that I love to arrange for my clients. You can’t VIP yourself, but I can.
@madeforspainandportugal @virginiairurita
Next stop? Madrid! I’ll be on the ground looking for unique and interesting experiences for my clients. And yes…. If you know me well 😉 … I will be inspecting hotels in order to find the perfect one for you!
There are hundreds of hotels in Mallorca and I’m driving around, inspecting my favorites. I am meeting with the owners and managers in person in order to build the relationships that benefit YOU!
Where you stay can make or break your travel experience and a perfectly chosen hotel adds invaluable memories for a lifetime.
Do you want to spend hours and hours researching, clicking websites, reading customer reviews, compiling lists of where to go, where to stay, where to eat…. Or WOULD YOU RATHER delegate and have a true travel professional be in charge and take this off your plate?
We never charge to make a simple hotel booking. Why? Souvenir & Far is a “preferred partner” at ALL high-end hotels. Those affiliations and memberships entitle my clients to VIP perks like room upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast, spa treatments, $100 hotel credits, early check-in and late check-out, etc.
Don’t trust your trip to random reviews on TripAdvisor. “Bob from Oklahoma” does not know you personally, doesn’t plan and execute hundreds of trips a year, hasn’t seen each hotel and each room, hasn’t test-driven dozens of activities, doesn’t have a dedicated team on the ground, and is not a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, nor a Forbes 5* endorsed agency like Souvenir & Far is. (Maybe someday, Bob!)
You can’t VIP yourself, but I can!
#travel #travelspecialist #luxurytravel #traveladvisor #souvenirandfar #vacation #luxuryresort #Mallorca #spain
Good Morning Everyone 🌞
The Souvenir & Far team cares deeply about you, our loyal clients, and we build relationships based on trust. We are responsible for your three most valuable treasures: your time, your money, and your people - be it family or friends. We keep that in mind every step of the way. I don’t think Expedia does, do you?
What a night! Thank you to the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) who brought in dozens of hoteliers from across the globe in one magical spot. My colleagues and I were able to spend hours going from property to property to ask questions, learn about new additions, and make those personal connections I cherish.
Why? So when I send my clients to their hotels, I have a direct contact and someone on-property I know who will ensure you have the best room, upgrade if possible, and a seamless experience. And if something does go wrong, I’ve got your back! I have the muscle to leverage these relationships and make things right while you sit by the pool with a glass of rosé.
Don’t trust your trip to random reviews on TripAdvisor. “Bob from Oklahoma” does not know you personally, doesn’t plan and execute hundreds of trips a year, hasn’t seen each hotel and each room, hasn’t test-driven dozens of activities, doesn’t have a dedicated team on the ground, and is not a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, nor a Forbes 5* endorsed agency like Souvenir & Far is. (Maybe someday, Bob!)
#leadinghotelsoftheworld @leadinghotelsoftheworld
#travel #luxurytravel #luxurytraveladvisor #youcantvipyourself #souvenirandfar #luxuryhotels
Have you heard of the “White Lotus Effect?” That’s when a location suddenly becomes popular due to a tv series or film. (White Lotus in Hawaii and Sicily, for example.) Well, the Emilia-Romagna region is about to get a HUGE boost with director Michael Mann’s film “Ferrari” opening on Sunday, December 24th. Set in the summer of 1957, with Enzo Ferrari’s auto empire in crisis, the ex-racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the edge as they launch into the Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy. Starring Penelope Cruz and Adam Driver.
I love creating unique client itineraries in this under-the-radar area in Italy. It is the home of “fast cars and slow food.” Motor Valley has all the production of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Pagani, Dallara, etc and I love booking test drives for my clients. On the food scene, this region is the home of the “slow food” movement and produces balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, Parma ham, dozens of kinds of pasta, the gelato university (yes! I can arrange a class for you!)…and Lambrusco wines. My clients get to explore behind the scenes with locals and learn about/taste these delicious Italian staples. Emilia-Romagna is also the home of Aqua di Parma perfumes, lovely towns, boutique properties, and wide open spaces.
#souvenirandfar #emiliaromagna #italy #italytravel #luxurytravel #luxurytraveladvisors
My colleagues and I are spending several days in the Champagne region of France inspecting a dozen or so Champagne houses, from big name brands to the small local producers. Why? When I build an itinerary, I can choose which experience best suits each client. Do you want an in-depth history? Behind the scenes access? Or just a quick tasting? 🍾🥂 Oh! And which has the best gift shop 🤫
I’m a little embarrassed to tell you, but when I was brought up to my room at Le Meurice where I am staying for the next four nights, I got a little choked up and teary. I remember as a broke student at La Sorbonne and jeune fille au pair (nanny), I would walk by this incredible luxury hotel and wonder who stayed there? Twenty+ years later, it’s me. I have the most incredible room with a view I never imagined. My 18 year old self would be blown away. And my 53 year old self is even more so because I’m old enough to truly appreciate it. Thank you Le Meurice and DUCO France for this opportunity. I will savor every moment.
On the ground intel!
Would you rather spend 19 hours googling and going down the TripAdvisor rabbit hole to pick which resort on St. Lucia is best for you…. or…. Because I just spent 8 days on the ground inspecting and reviewing each with a professional eye, let Souvenir & Far give you unbiased and objective advice?
