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}.

Travel :: Mallorca, Spain

On this cold and rainy Friday I'm dreaming about the golden sun and sea breeze of Mallorca, Spain. My perfect trip? Start by visiting the design mecca that is the Hotel Cort in the beautiful Balearic capital of Palma De Mallorca. Be sure to check out the 13th-century Santa María Cathedral—a sea-side Gothic architectural feat commonly called La Seu—and Avenida Jaume III for fantastic shopping, restaurants, and bars. Then head north to the stunning mountain town of Deia to the Belmond La Residencia which offers sweeping views of the countryside, private art classes with local artists, and guided walks through the property's olive and citrus groves. Can't you almost smell the salty air?

Travel :: Ko Lanta Sunsets

I had heard that Thailand boasted some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer magnificence we witnessed every night at 7PM. The Pimalai Resort & Spa was located on the western side of Ko Lanta, giving us a front row seat to watch the sky change colors over the Andaman Sea. Our favorite place for sunset viewing was our resort's beach beds. We'd order a fresh coconut or a Bellini, curl up together under our beach towels, and soak in nature's brilliance. The pictures don't even do it justice - it was pure bliss.

Travel :: The Charleston Food Scene

A month and a half later, I'm finally wrapping up my posts from Charleston.  And of course I saved the best for last -- the FOOD!  Asides from it's seaside location, historic architecture, and overflowing charm, one of the main reasons we chose to go to Charleston for a girl's weekend was it's booming restaurant scene.  As soon as we booked our hotel we got straight to business on picking restaurants {just one of the many reasons Brooke is my best friend}, and to be honest it was nearly impossible to decide!  Read on for my favorite spots...

Travel Guide :: Val D'Orcia, Tuscany

There aren't many places that have captivated me more than the Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany.  Perhaps it's the fact that the rolling hillsides dotted with dancing cypress trees, grape vines, and clear blue skies make you feel like you've just stepped into an Impressionist painting.  Maybe it's the fact that some of the best wine in the world is just steps away from nearly everywhere you are.  It could be the pasta.  Or the incredibly kind people.  But whatever it is, I absolutely fell in love with this region and dream about the day I will return.

Travel Guide :: The Cinque Terre

I have a confession to make.  I'm going through a serious case of FOMO.  My mom and stepdad just left for a three week trip to Italy, one of my best friends is currently jet-setting in the Greek Isles, and two of my other friends are hopping through Europe.  As much as I love social media sometimes it does make you feel like everyone is off on fabulous adventures but you.  

Travel :: On Being a Solo Female Traveler

As a perpetually timid person, many of my close friends and family were shocked when I decided to follow my dreams and travel through Europe solo in Fall 2012.  To be honest, there were quite a few times when I didn't think that I could do it {I planned my entire trip in less than a month!}.  However, the experience ended up being one of the most amazing of my life.  

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 :: Our St. Maarten Villa

It's safe to say that our family vacation to St. Maarten was absolutely perfect.  So perfect in fact, that I'm suffering from a serious case of post-vacation blues.  One of the best parts of our trip was the gorgeous villa we rented for the week - La Croisette.  The open-air villa featured a huge pool overlooking the ocean and the island of St. Bart's in the distance.  I loved the coastal chic decor and framed antique prints scattered across the house.  Our king-sized four poster bed with it's silky French Linens was one of the more comfortable I have ever slept in, and waking up to a view of the Caribbean from our French Doors wasn't bad either.

Travel :: Capri, Italy

Ever since our trip to the beautiful Amalfi Coast two years ago I have been dying to go back.  There are some places you visit, love, and check off the list...and there are others that you know you will return to for the rest of your life.  For me, one of those places is the Amalfi Coast.  We stayed in Positano for five days and one of which took a day trip to Capri.  The mythical island was even more stunning than I could have imagined, and our one takeaway from the day is that we just HAVE to go back!  Next time however, I'd like to stay in Capri for at least 3-4 days so we could enjoy it's luxurious hotels, stunning sunsets, top-notch shopping, and fine restaurants.  

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!

Travel :: Pimalai Resort & Spa, Thailand

When Bri of DesignLoveFest posted about her Thailand trip, I eagerly read through her posts and comments time and time again.  The major takeaway I had from doing this was that we need to visit Koh Lanta.  Many explain the island to be what Ko Samui was 20 years ago...before it became covered with hotels, American chains {McDonalds!!}, and tourists galore.  We were looking for something quiet, tropical, and peaceful with just the right amount of seclusion.  After doing some research we decided that the Pimalai Resort & Spa fit the bill to perfection.  It is on what many say is the most beautiful beach in Koh Lanta.  It is set in 100 acres of lush tropical gardens and while it has four different restaurants on the property it also is within walking distance of several beach bars & restaurants to allow us easy access to cheap and authentic Thai food.

On days we want to be active, the hotel has it's own Dive Shop on property if we want to visit some of neighboring Koh Rok's famous dive sites.  It offers complimentary sail boats and kayaks.  We can rent a car or hire a driver through the hotel and spend the day exploring the island of Koh Lanta.  We can go on a sunset cruise with canapés and wine.  Or, if we want to do nothing we can relax on the golden beach or in one of the hotel's infinity pools.  The beautiful spa is personally high on my list, and I definitely think we are going to take a cooking class.  All in all it looks like five days in heaven and I can't wait to visit!

Travel :: Santhiya Resort & Spa, Thailand

My excitement about our trip to Thailand is bordering on insanity.  The fact we planned it nearly a year in advance makes it that much harder...I have already been shopping and planning like mad!  The part of the trip I might be most excited about is staying at the Santhiya Resort & Spa on the island of Koh Phangan, as we will have a private sea view villa with our own infinity pool {you can see pictures of it here}!  I have been taking a "virtual tour" of the hotel compulsively for the past month {see, I told you I'm insane!} and can't wait to watch the sun rising over the sea from bed and jump into the pool for an early morning swim.

It was almost impossible to choose our hotels in Thailand as we were open to any resort in the Gulf of Thailand and/or the Andaman Sea, but something about the Santhiya just stuck in the back of my mind.  I loved the authentic Thai decor, which is unique in the fact that most of the other hotels we looked at were much more contemporary and modern.  I loved how lush and tropical it seemed and the fact that it is an eco-resort.  I loved the fact we will be able to take day trips to some of Thailand's best scuba diving sites as well as the beautiful Angthong National Marine Park.  But mostly, I loved how romantic it looks!

In addition to the hotel's gorgeous location, I love that it is within walking distance of a little beach town filled with inexpensive massage parlors and authentic Thai restaurants.  While I will most definitely be eating quite a few meals at the resort and spending some time in the spa, I also want to make sure that we are able to venture out and explore.  I can't wait to be there!