Our Honeymoon: Borgo Santo Pietro

After a magical week celebrating our wedding in Paso Robles with our friends and family, we headed east to Europe for our honeymoon. The first stop - Italy. And not just anywhere in Italy, but the magical Relais Borgo Santo Pietro. I first read about Borgo on Cupcakes and Cashmere four years ago, and have been dreaming about visiting ever since. When we started tossing around honeymoon destinations and decided on Lake Como, I knew we had to spend a few extra days in Italy to visit Borgo. So after a long flight and a night in Florence we headed south through the winding countryside filled with excitement.

The Ritz Paris

Ever since my first trip to Paris in 2012, the Ritz Paris has been closed for renovations. I've walked by it countless times on the Place Vendome, eager to take a glimpse inside one of the world's most iconic hotels. Throughout its storied past, the Ritz has hosted a slew of famous guests including Hemingway who used it as his base when he covered the war and Coco Chanel who lived there for 34 years.

Ballyfin Demesne

Although we have been to Europe several times, we have not yet been able to make it to Ireland. It seems like every time we plan a European vacation one of us suggests it but we ultimately decide that we will wait until next time. Well, at least that was until I stumbled upon the majestic Ballyfin Demesne...

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal

This past November we decided to book a spontaneous trip to Paris for New Year's Eve, and decided that we wanted to check out a new hotel. On past trips I've tried out several different AirBnB's and hotels in Le Marais, on the Ile Saint Louis, and in St. Germain, but for this trip we decided we wanted to stay in the elegant 1st Arrondisement. Thanks to the gorgeous views, chic decor, and near perfect reviews we decided to stay at the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal, and couldn't have been more pleased with our choice.

Our Honeymoon Plans Part III: Santorini

Last but not least, for the final stop of our honeymoon we will be spending five days on the magical island of Santorini {a destination that has been on the top of my bucket list for many, many years}. After researching the options I decided that Oia, with it's chic ambiance and postcard views, would be the perfect town for us, and thanks to my travel buddy Sara's recommendation we will be staying at the Katikies Hotel.

Our Honeymoon Plans Part II: Lake Como

Though we have spent several weeks in Italy, we have never been able to make it far enough north to visit Lake Como. The pristine lake has long been a favorite European holiday destination and has been featured in films such as Casino Royal, advertising campaigns, novels, and regularly by the media {thanks in part to George Clooney owning a famous villa there}. Over the years I have daydreamed about visiting {as evidenced by this blog post}, and in the back of my mind I kept telling myself to wait, and maybe, just maybe, we could go for our honeymoon. I'm absolutely thrilled to say we will be doing just that, and will be spending three days on Italy's most beautiful lake.

Our Honeymoon Plans Part I: Tuscany

While none of the wedding planning decisions have been easy for me {I have a very specific vision yet am also quite indecisive - a challenging combination}, choosing our honeymoon destination has been virtually a nine-month long debate. We bounced around staying in over-the-water bungalows in Bora Bora, going on a safari, relaxing in Hawaii, exploring Portugal, and even adventuring in Patagonia {which, I quickly found out, does not exactly have honeymoon weather in September}. However, from the get-go we just haven't been able to get Europe out of our minds, and the two destinations that we kept coming back to were Santorini and Lake Como {both on the very top of my bucket list}.

The Hoxton, Amsterdam

If you follow me on Instagram you probably already know that we recently traveled to Paris and Amsterdam over the New Year. It was a spontaneous trip which I think could actually be the best kind! I had about a month to plan everything from our flights to our transportation to our accommodations, which was surprisingly a lot easier than I had excepted {one of the many perks of traveling in the “off season}. 

Travel :: Railay Beach, Thailand

Better late than never...I wanted to share the last bit of photos from our trip to Thailand. We spent the last three days at the beautiful Rayavadee Resort in Krabi. Accessed only by boat and situated on the stunning Phranang Peninsular on the edge of Krabi Marine National Park, the resort is nestled amidst pristine tropical gardens and coconut groves against a backdrop of breathtaking cliffs. 

Travel :: Ko Lanta, Thailand

Next up on our trip was the relaxed island of Ko Lanta. I had heard from many that this was their favorite island in Thailand, and I can certainly understand why. Much of the island is a natural marine park, meaning in many areas it is still completely untouched. The island has what the Thai people call a "sabai sabai" vibe - reminding me in many ways of the laid-back island of Kauai. 

Travel :: Koh Phangan, Thailand

Today I wanted to share with you photos from my happy place - Koh Phangan. This idyllic island is located in the Gulf of Thailand and can only be accessed by ferry or speedboat. Upon arrival into Koh Samui we were were greeted by our resort and after being given fresh water and lemongrass infused cold towels we were driven to the pier. A quick speedboat ride later we arrived to the beautiful Santhiya Koh Phangan.

Travel :: Hotel Muse, Bangkok

During our four nights in Bangkok we stayed at the Hotel Muse, a boutique hotel with a speakeasy meets Restoration Hardware vibe. While the location and service were great, what made this hotel special was really the details. 

Travel :: Market Pavilion Hotel - Charleston, SC

If you follow me on Instagram you already know I spent this past weekend in Charleston with my best friend and her mom.  It was my first time in the beautiful city and I think it's fair to say I fell head over heels.  It's just so charming!  I'll be sharing photos of our adventures plus some recommendations over the next week or so, but first things first - our hotel.  

Travel :: Charleston, SC

My best friend and I have decided to take a little girls getaway in October.  We will be spending four days in Charleston, SC and other than having our hotel picked out, we have absolutely nothing planned.  So tell me, have you been to Charleston?  If so, do you have any recommendations for places to eat, shop, and see?  We will have a car so I'd love to get away for a few hours and see some beautiful old plantations, moss-draped oak trees, and of course eat tons of fresh seafood.  It's my first time visiting and I'm so excited to visit the city that I have heard nothing but good things about!

Travel :: Ocean House Hotel

This Labor Day we will be back home for a wedding, but I'm wishing that instead we were visiting the famed Ocean House in Rhode Island.  A Relais & Chateaux property, this iconic New England resort is located on the bluffs of beautiful Watch Hill, RI.  The hotel first opened in 1868, however it was closed in 2004 thanks to years of neglect that left it "beyond repair."  In 2004 a new structure replicating the original exterior design was conceived.  Today, the hotel has been recreated to convey the romance of its storied past and the rich character of Watch Hill, Rhode Island.  More than 5,000 salvageable artifacts and furnishing elements were harvested from the original structure’s historic interiors.

Travel :: Rayavadee Krabi, Thailand

I have shared our hotels in Bangkok, Koh Phangan, and Koh Lanta...and for the last leg of our Thailand trip we will be staying at the beautiful Rayavadee on Railay Beach.  The Rayavdee is located on a peninsula that is only accessible by speedboat.  Surrounded by three beaches, Rayavadee sits on the edge of Krabi's National Marine Park amidst lush gardens, coconut groves, and the Andaman Sea.  We will be staying in two-story villa nestled in the jungle {read: monkeys everywhere!} that resembles a little mushroom house.  The resort houses four different restaurants including The Grotto, a bar and grill located inside a limestone cave with a postcard view of Phra Nang Beach.  Pinch me!

Images via Rayavadee

Travel :: Cabochon Hotel & Residence, Bangkok

Yesterday while surfing on Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a site specializing in hand-picked luxury & boutique hotels, I noticed that the hotel we were dying to stay at in Bangkok {but had been sold out for months} showed availability!  I quickly called Ryan, cancelled our existing reservation, and booked four nights at the beautiful Cabochon Hotel.

This eight-room boutique hotel, housed in a French Colonial building, was designed to "recreate the Shanghai chic of the 1920s for which that city reigned supreme in the Orient and was also famous for its modernity and aesthetics after the Parisian and Viennese styles."  The hotel {which looks like it could have come out of a Restoration Hardware catalog} is decorated with antique typewriters, prints, telephones, and model planes, and houses a highly-rated Thai-Laos fusion restaurant.  Rooms feature simple white Belgian linens, elegant four-poster beds, and balconies overlooking the tropical courtyard.  Plus, a rooftop pool offers the perfect place for an evening swim.  I can't wait!