Tag: luxury travel

An Exquisite Evening at El San Juan Hotel

I recently enjoyed an exquisite evening of dinner, dancing, and (a few) drinks at the newly remodeled and quite fabulous El San Juan hotel located in Isla Verde area of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Now part of the Fairmont luxury properties, this vintage resort oozes classic Caribbean opulence and splendor.

An Exquisite Evening at El San Juan

El San Juan hotel offers cozy spots for a romantic evening, and a healthy nightlife for an exciting night out.  Saturday night may be filled with fashionable activities like formal school dances (Prom), wedding receptions, or other celebrations.  Or check for out some of the upcoming events at the Cabaret lounge.

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Visit London’s Borough Market | Best Food Market in London

The Borough Market in London is a foodie lover’s dream come true.  With fresh fruit and produce stalls, meals to go available in every type of cuisine that you can imagine, nibbles galore, and refreshing beverages of all kinds there is still more to explore.Visit London's Borough Market

Located a few feet from London Bridge tube station for easy access and nestled against the spectacular Southwark Cathedral, the Borough Market is one of the oldest markets dating around 1,000 years in some form, and certainly a permanent fixture in London. The market is a mix of mobile kiosks, tents, and built in structures. Continue reading “Visit London’s Borough Market | Best Food Market in London”

Guerlain Spa Review at the Plaza Hotel New York City

In March 2017, Guerlain Spa relocated from the Waldorf Astoria to the Plaza hotel in New York City.  Just a few weeks after relocation, I booked a facial for an afternoon pick-me up spa treatment and to check out the newly open location.Guerlain Spa Review Plaza Hotel in NYC Continue reading “Guerlain Spa Review at the Plaza Hotel New York City”

Beginner’s Guide for Americans Visiting the UK

Traveling to England was my first real foreign travel, and my first real solo trip.  During college, I went to Mexico and the Bahamas with friends, but since I did not get a stamp in my passport it never seemed foreign (enough).  Traveling to the UK is a rite of passage for many Americans, usually following high school or college graduation.  Like me, it is often the first stamp in our passport and we finally get to travel abroad by crossing the pond, aka Atlantic Ocean.  The UK is notoriously expensive, but it is a great destination to take off those travel training wheels and start to explore this big, beautiful world.  Warning – I have made this crossing many times over the last 20 years and it is absolutely to blame for my wanderlust now.

As I find myself back in England after an eight year break, I am reminded of everything that I wish I knew before my first trip to Merry ole England.  Here is my Beginner’s Guide to London/UK, specifically for Americans.

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Exploring the Champagne Region of France

Champagne is my go-to beverage for celebrations, Sunday brunch, a quiet night in, and every other occasion that I can think of. 

In February 2002 I spent a week in Reims, France to explore part of the Champagne region.  The main purpose of my visit was to enjoy as many varies of Champagne as I could!  I called to reserve my cellar tours (before online reservations), booked my hotel (through a travel agent), and rode the TGV train from Paris Gare de l’East to Reims.  My hotel was a short walk from the train station, and I stopped at a local café for dinner and pastry.

Between Champagne tastings and cellar tours, I managed to visit the Palais du Tau and nearby cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims.  I walked to most places with the occasional taxi ride.  Exploring the city as a solo female traveler was easy and safe.

The down side of travelling solo all those years ago (before smart phone with built in cameras) is that I have a fuzzy memory and very few, poor quality photos.  Admittedly, the photos were made even worse by the massive amounts of Champagne consumed during operation.

My friend Lisa recently went to the Champagne region, and was kind enough to share her experience and photos. 

During a recent trip to Europe to visit family, my husband and I snuck away to France for just a couple of days.  We thought about visiting Paris, but then I ruled against it… I wanted to go to the Champagne region instead.

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