Style Jaunt - A Fashionable Travel Blog

Photo Tour: Lake Como

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 22:36:00 +0000

It probably goes without saying, but Lake Como is the kind of place that you'll want to photograph all day, every day of your trip. After a few days in Florence and the Tuscan countryside, I was surprised to see just how different the vibe was there.

The lake is massive - 56+ square miles - and so it actually feels a lot like a seaside town in its personality. In fact, the architecture reminded me a lot of Bakar, the small Croatian town where I was born, on the northern coast of the Adriatic. There are boats all over the lake and, although the adventurous choose to swim in its frigid waters, most people opt for the public lidos, or lakeside pools. (Unless of course you're staying at a hotel or villa that has its own pool!)

There are several small towns clustered around the shores of the lake, each one just as charismatic and romantic as the next. We stayed in Como, the main, most metropolitan of the collection, and did a day trip to Bellagio. For as tiny as Bellagio is, it really, really packs in the charm. The best way to get acquainted with the area is to take a boat ride around the lake on your first day and then decide which towns you'll want to come back and visit. Just make sure to make note of them because there are so many!

One of Lake Como's main attractions are all of the beautiful villas that surround it. Yes, of course, George Clooney is probably the area's most famous resident. But the villas are really a mix of private homes, hotels and museums or gardens that are perfect for visiting. We stopped by Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo to tour the 18th century art and Italian gardens - stunning!

MORE INFO: Lago di Como

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic

Cooking Class in Italy with Walks of Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 17:03:00 +0000

Scroll down for more photos!

I'm back to blogging after a bit of a hiatus to run a Kickstarter campaign and, you know, do a bit of paid work. Getting back into the game in one of the best ways possible, I think: With some posts about our trip to Italy earlier this month! It was my first time visiting Italy and, just as expected, I fell in love.

It was a whirlwind week-long trip with stops in Florence, the Tuscan countryside, Umbria and Lake Como. I'll blog about some of the other highlights in the next few days, but I wanted to start off with probably my favorite memory from the trip - a cooking class in Umbria at an agriturismo called Il Fontanaro. The experience was organized by Walks of Italy.

This is the second time I've taken a Walks of Italy tour and it definitely won't be the last. They do such a great job of tracking down truly authentic experiences that are more than worth the money. We were at Il Fontanaro for almost a full day of olive oil and wine tasting, and a hands-on cooking class.

Lunch was served with plenty of wine (made on the farm!) and overflowing plates of handmade tagliatelle and ravioli. They even urged us to kick back and swim in the pool after lunch! But, alas, we had to get back to Tuscany. I wish I could have jumped in!

There's an obvious amazingness that comes with a farm-fresh pasta and wine lunch (oh, with homemade tiramisu for dessert!), but my visit to Il Fontanaro was eye-opening for other reasons. Like my visit to Singh Farms in Scottsdale last year, I left Il Fontanaro with more of an understanding about how important it is to eat real, wholesome food. When we talk about "eating healthy" here in the U.S., it's so often associated with counting calories and depriving ourselves of certain foods.

But what if, instead of constantly telling ourselves "NO," we learned how to say "YES" to foods that are nutritional and delicious? Real meats, real pasta, real cheese, real fruits and veggies. I just feel like we have the cravings that we do for a reason and if you're filling your body with a balanced diet of non-processed goodies, there's nothing wrong with a bit of quality cheese for breakfast. Or lunch. Or a midnight snack. No?

Any way, I could go on about this topic forever because I've become passionate about it over the past few years, but I won't do that here! Instead, what I will say is that Alina (owner of Il Fontanaro, winemaker, olive oil sommelier and all-around bad ass) and her mom Lucia opened our eyes to just how easy it can be to eat real and homemade meals. When your ingredients are fresh, you don't really have to do a whole lot to them.

The day started a bit off-kilter because we were so late to meet our group (Italy traffic!), but as soon as we stepped out onto the gravel in front of Il Fontanaro's stone farmhouse, all panic and stress faded. Alina and Lucia were there with the espresso. There were hugs, genuine smiles...a feeling like I was having a reunion with family, not arriving at a stranger's inn. Alina and Lucia's family friend from the States, Carolyn, was there and hung out with us off and on during the day.

We talked life, travel, food (and wine and food). I felt like I knew them for a lifetime, not for an hour. There were a lot of laughs. Lots of hard work (beating eggs by hand for tiramisu takes muscle!), and a lot of reward once we sat down on the open-air patio to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Nothing but sun, trees, rolling hills and the family dogs and cat in sight. It was absolutely unforgettable.

I've done a couple of similar tours in the past for work, some have been amazing like this one at Il Fontanaro and others haven't been worth the trip. When you're coming into a person's home, especially, it can sometimes feel awkward. Or, occasionally you leave feeling like the experience wasn't worth what you paid. But that just wasn't the case here.

Alina, Lucia and Carolyn were so warm and welcoming. The wine flowed freely, there was cheese, olive oil and bread to snack on throughout the whole day, and our final lunch was more food than you'd get at any restaurant, that's for sure. Even at home, probably!

I honestly think this speaks to the quality of Walks of Italy. They really vet out every one of the experiences and tours that they offer. You can tell they have personal relationships with their vendors. The difference in tours I've taken with Walks of Italy and some other companies is astounding. I honestly can't say enough good things about them.

The day's full syllabus (yes, because you learn a lot as you go), included an olive oil tasting with tips on how to spot the good stuff, cheese and honey tasting (they just started caring for their own hives), pasta and sauce making, a brief tour of the farm, and of course the lunch and wine.

At one point Alina pulled out a truffle the size of my fist and asked "Are you guys OK if I shaved a little bit of this on the pasta?" and I almost fainted from happiness. I'm pretty sure I salivated. THE THING WAS HUGE.

Any way, Stjepan took so many great photos from our farmhouse visit and I had a hard time editing them down, so...there's a lot to see here. Enjoy!

MORE INFO: Walks of Italy

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic

I'm on Voice of Croatia!

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:03:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I did an interview with HRT Radio in Croatia for a program about Croatians living in the U.S. They interviewed me about life in the States, and my work as a writer and about RUBY.

If you want to listen, follow this link to Croatia Today - Magazine, and hit the play button under the second image. My interview starts at 7:00.

I'm so happy with how it turned out!

Happy Friday!

Have You Checked Out RUBY on Kickstarter Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:24:00 +0000

By now you've probably all noticed that I've taken a bit of a break from my typical blogging calendar to share more about a BIG new project - RUBY magazine.

RUBY is an idea I've been playing with for a few years now and, while we've still got a road to launch, I'm really encouraged by all of the support surrounding our Kickstarter campaign. I expected to feel the love from family and close friends, but my colleagues, social media friends and even a lot of people that I don't know have stepped up to pledge in a big way. I am so grateful!

My goal for RUBY is to create a different kind of online woman's magazine - one that inspires from the inside out and sparks a sense of adventure. But, most importantly, RUBY's mission is to support sisterhood...to build female camaraderie.

I don't want to give too much away about the editorial lineup just yet (spoiler alert: travel will be in there!), but I can tell you this: We'll be looking to hire bright and talented journalists, photographers and videographers. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

If this is something that excites you, please do check out the Kickstarter and make a pledge if you can. And of course, share it with all of your friends...shout it from the rooftops! There's also a comments section on the Kickstarter page where you can ask questions or leave feedback. I'd love to hear from you.

In the meantime, you can read EVEN MORE about RUBY on some of my favorite sites:

Travel Women I Love + New RUBY Magazine, Annie Fitzsimmons (anniefitzsimmons.com)
International Women's Day & An Interview with Katarina of RUBY, Kirsten Alana (aviatorsandacamera.com)
Beyond the Table 22 #ISawRed, Julie Wampler (tablefortwoblog.com)
RUBY, for Those Who Want to Dig Deeper (women2.com)
Kickstarting RUBY, Megan Finnerty (e-newsletter)

#ISawRed: Why Life Is Better When You’re a Girl’s Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:04:00 +0000

I haven’t always been a girl’s girl. As a teenager, there was the typical adolescent cattiness between me and my friends: Two of us would hop on the phone, call the third and try our hardest to pull out some piece of scandal from the unsuspecting girl.

Or, we’d buy the same pair of shoes and tell the other girl she wasn’t allowed to follow suit because they “just wouldn’t look right on her.” The next day, we’d switch alliances...it was my turn to feel left out, then it was hers, and then it was the first one’s again.

It was all very immature. Very Mean Girls. Very silly.

I assumed this haughtiness would fade as we all aged and, with my close girlfriends, it (thankfully) did. But even as those bonds grew tighter and more supportive, our relationships with females on the “outside” - that is, not within the cozy confines of our tight clique - remained icy at best.

Add in the pressures of work and dating, and you’ve got an entirely new level of unhealthy competition. To be completely honest, I’ve been on the giving and receiving end of ugly behavior...and then somewhere around my mid-20’s it’s like someone snapped me back to reality and I realized - life is much happier when you stop competing and start supporting.

I can’t tell you exactly what caused this “a-ha” moment, but it was there. It was very real. It was a tectonic shift. Opening my mind and heart to new female friendships changed my perspective. Life felt richer, fuller. Suddenly, I was no longer alone and on the defense. I was part of a team.

No one understands the ups and downs of being a woman as much as your fellow woman - imagine that! I know, it sounds so obvious...but it was a big revelation for me. In the midst of all of this, I was working as a freelance journalist, specifically in digital media. I was thinking a lot about what I wanted to do with my career.

And so, years later, my work and my personal journey with female relationships led me to this: RUBY magazine - a new online lifestyle publication I’m launching whose biggest mission is to promote female camaraderie, support sisterhood and inspire women to make a difference.

I’d like to invite you to check out our Kickstarter campaign, which is raising startup and launch funds for RUBY. More importantly, I wanted to invite you to the conversation.

Coming to the realization that championing my fellow female was better than competing with her was my “I Saw Red” moment, meaning I learned something very valuable that changed my perspective.

So, I want to know: What was your “I Saw Red” moment? What life event changed you into a girl’s girl? Was it a particular interaction with another woman? Or was it just a personal epiphany like mine?

Leave a comment below or connect with me on Twitter using the #ISawRed hashtag to tell me about your experience. (I’m @Little_K) I’d love to hear all about it! I hope that you’ll also take a moment to read and hear more about RUBY and maybe even contribute to the cause.

Donations will build an inclusive and supportive online environment with one goal in mind: To lay the foundation for future generations of confident, motivated and inspirational women who make it a point to champion their fellow female.

Because if we don’t do it, who will?

Donate to the RUBY Magazine Kickstarter!

Check out RUBY Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:25:00 +0000

I've been working on a really exciting passion project for a long time: RUBY magazine. It's a new kind of online woman's magazine that will promote female camaraderie, support sisterhood and inspire women to make a difference in the world. To help raise start-up funds for RUBY, I'm launching a month-long Kickstarter campaign Monday morning. Here's a preview of the Kickstarter video. I'll post the link to the campaign once it's live early next week. I hope that you'll follow along and help spread the word about RUBY!

Where to Stay in Connecticut: Winvian

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:42:00 +0000

I've spent most of the post-holiday season trying to avoid winter. There have been a lot of Netflix and red wine marathons in the apartment. And anytime I go outdoors, it's usually underneath three layers with my chin tucked in and eyes on the ground, trying to avoid slush and ice. (Well, except for yesterday...yesterday was beautiful, slush and all.)

But a couple of weeks ago, we decided to embrace winter with a quick getaway to Winvian in Connecticut. I've been wanting to visit for a long time, so it was really nice to get the chance to stay here. It's a quick drive from New York City - just under 2 hours - and really a perfect spot to enjoy the season as it's meant to be...quiet, with feathery snowfall and a real wood-burning fireplace.

It's so easy to get caught up with the busyness of the city and forget just how different the rest of New York is from Manhattan and the other boroughs. You drive about 45 minutes northeast of our apartment and the scenery changes entirely. Highrises are replaced with towering pine trees and the snow turns from gray sludge to brilliant white powder.

Even without the signs, it was easy to tell when we crossed from New York into Connecticut. We opted for a path with no tolls and it led us through some of the most charming small towns I've seen. Really, there's something about Connecticut that just makes you feel like you're in a movie set. There's also so much history in that part of the country. It's pretty awe-inspiring.

Speaking of history, Winvian's definitely got it. It started as a family home and the original structure was built in 1775 - a year before the Declaration of Independence made the United States of America its own country. Later, in the 1940s, the property and surrounding land was purchased by Winthrop and Vivian Smith (he was a founder of Merrill Lynch and she was a model). They turned it into a working farm and summer getaway.

Now, Winvian is a collection of 18 luxury cottages, each with their own design, plus the Hadley Suite, which was the family's home. It's still owned and operated by the Smith family and you're likely to meet them during your stay.

We stayed in the Woodlands Cottage, a spacious cabin with tall ceilings propped up by towering tree trunks...one of which doubles as a chimney! There was so much beautiful detail in this cottage and I'll never forget the warm, calming scent of pine. I loved the placement of the bed. It served as the divider between the bedroom and bathroom and on the back of it is a trickling waterfall.

At night you could watch the sunset from all around and, in the morning, I could see the blue sky and icicles peeking in from windows placed just below the roof. Everything about the cottage was relaxing...it was exactly what you'd want in a woodsy retreat.

We toured a couple of the other cottages that weren't occupied, including the Beaver Lodge, which had the coolest bed I've seen in a long time! A winding staircase led up to a loft area where you could play a game of chess with the snowy branches as your backdrop. Every cottage at Winvian has these kinds of thoughtful details.

The details extend into their public spaces, too. In the main house, where you'll find the bar, restaurant and games, walls and shelves are decorated with old American art and Smith family photos. When we first checked in, I felt like I was coming to a friend's house to stay for the weekend. We played some pool and shuffleboard, drank some wine and then got ready for dinner at Winvian's restaurant.

I wish I had photos of our dinner, but the restaurant is just so quiet and intimate that I didn't want to disturb the experience for anyone. There are a handful of small dining rooms with just a few tables in each. We sat in a dining room with three other couples, in front of a roaring fireplace, and were treated to what I can only describe as a "beautiful" four-course meal.

Winvian's menu is pre-fixe and you can do three or four courses. Almost everything the restaurant serves - about 80 percent of the ingredients when we were there - comes from their own onsite farm. They grow produce and raise their own livestock. It makes sense, given Winvian's farming history. The selection changes almost daily.

One other thing I don't have a photo of for blogging is the spa, which is more modern than the main house but still really cozy. I booked a facial with Susan and am so glad I did because her facial massage skills, I'm almost positive, cured my congestion-fueled headaches.

Winvian was beautiful in the winter, but I'm sure it's equally enchanting during other months, too. In the spring and summer, they roll out free lawn games for guests and I can only imagine the brilliant foliage in fall.

MORE INFO: Winvian
GOOD FOR: Weddings, Romantic Retreats
PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic

Oh, Hi, 2015!

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 17:28:00 +0000

I thought it would be fun to take a look at the 5 most-popular blog posts from 2014. I know you're all on the edge of your seats...

Travel Gear: Lo & Sons O.G. Carry On: No surprise here! This bag is still my favorite piece of luggage and, I've discovered, Lo & Sons is really popular with my industry friends.
Photo Tour: My Croatia: The fact that this post made it into my top 5 most popular of 2014 really warms my heart. Some pretty shots of my birthplace and other under-the-radar spots.
Destinations: Singh Farms in Scottsdale: Guys. I love you. I love that you go for the stories and posts that have more soul and meaning behind them. And Singh Farms is all soul.
Where to Stay in Scottsdale: Hotel Valley Ho: One of the coolest hotels I've ever stayed in! A sweet mid-century design and great vibe.
Destinations: Downtown Owego, N.Y.: New York's "gateway to the Finger Lakes" is definitely worth a stop on your road trip. Quirky shops, good food and beautiful scenery.

Wow, putting that list together was actually a pretty fun look back at my 2014 travels. What a ride it was! This year is shaping up to be a great one, too. In the next few weeks alone, we're heading to Connecticut to stay at Winvian and then later this month flying to the British Virgin Islands.

And then the trip I'm most excited for: Back to Arizona for a few days to celebrate my brother and sister-in-law's Baby-Q. YES, the first grandchild on our side of the family is due to make his appearance 4th of July weekend. (As my SIL pointed out - how beautifully ironic that the little half-foreign babe may share a birthday with America.)

Winvian is a sweet setup. I first wrote about it a few years back for SheKnows when I did a piece on hotels for music lovers. It's got a really cool lineup of themed cottages - even a tree house! - and I'm looking forward to a peaceful overnight in the Woodlands Cottage. All I can think about is snow falling out the window and a quiet, wintry night.

Winter just doesn't have the same charm here in the city, where the snow comes in several shades of gray, yellow and brown, but not so much powdery white.

And then of course our trip to the British Virgin Islands is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum: Sandy beaches, blue water and hopefully a lot of warm sun. I'm still in disbelief that we're staying at Peter Island and am really interested to see how the B.V.I compare to the US Virgin Islands, which we visited last summer.

But, mostly, I'm just trying not to jinx myself here because there have been so many travel delays in and out of NYC this past month. I just hope we make it down in time!

Other than that, still working to flesh out the travel schedule for this year. I have so many places I want to go and many potential trips in the works. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

In the meantime, I'm putting the final touches on a Kickstarter campaign for a really exciting passion project of mine that I've been working on for the past year or so. I'm actually launching a new online woman's publication!

It's all about female camaraderie and supporting sisterhood. I can't wait to share more details in the upcoming week. Stay tuned.

It's going to be a very exciting New Year, indeed.

Photo Tour: On the "Rum" in St. Croix

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:40:00 +0000

All three of the U.S. Virgin Islands have a very different vibe. St. Thomas has the nightlife, the cruise ships and the big-name resorts. St. John has the outdoorsy activities, the hiking and the snorkeling. St. Croix is where you'll find remnants of the Danish influence - historic towns, pastel buildings and lots and lots of expats.

We stayed at three different hotels during our USVI visit (two on St. Thomas) and our stay on St. Croix, at Renaissance St. Croix Carambola, was my favorite. It's a trek to get there - up a mountain, along winding roads, but so worth the trip. Renaissance Carambola is secluded and quiet. The beach amenities aren't as luxurious as what you'll find at Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, naturally, but it's a pretty and clean beach with plenty of space and chairs.

The drinks are fairly priced, the food is really good (the dinner menu was actually downright impressive, I thought!) and the resort is beautifully designed with dark wood finishing, billowing white curtains and spacious rooms. It's a very lush, tropical setting. The staff was friendly, helpful and chatty. I loved it!

If you have some time to kill on St. Croix, definitely visit the Cruzan Rum Distillery. Tours aren't particularly earth-shattering, but the distillery is a local point of pride and it's a cool 45-minute-or-so geek-out session. For $8, you get the tour plus four tastings and two full drinks in the bar afterward! In one visit, we snagged up cheap souvenirs (duty free booze!), tasted really good rum, got introduced to the wonder that is Velvet Cinn and learned where bananas really come from. (Random, I know.)

PHOTOS BY: Me and Stjepan Alaupovic

MORE INFO: Renaissance St. Croix Carambola

Photo Tour: Snorkeling St. John

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:07:00 +0000

Our day exploring St. John had a lot of those "I don't ever want to forget this" moments. First, it's absolutely beautiful. Sixty percent of the island is a natural preserve, so it's mostly emerald-green, overgrown foliage that cascades from the mountaintop down into white sandy beaches and crystal-blue waters.

Second, it's super easy to reach from St. Thomas...just a quick (and scenic!) 20-minute ferry ride. Because our trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands was a relatively quick one, we decided to only overnight on St. Thomas and St. Croix. If I could do it all over again, I'd probably opt out of staying on St. Thomas and just split my time between St. John and St. Croix. Nothing wrong with St. Thomas - it's just a little more built-up than the others and St. John is, well, everything they say it is.

If you plan on trekking around St. John, I recommend hiring a taxi service. We (me, the husband, my brother and my sister-in-law) worked with a man named Kenneth Louis and he was great. (He's a preferred vendor of the USVI tourism board.) We did a kayaking, hiking and snorkeling tour with VI Ecotours, which was awesome because it gave us access to the otherwise very exclusive Caneel Bay. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen! The water was perfect. The kayak over to the beach from the meeting spot is really pretty and the hike - albeit too long in my opinion (really, you should be in the water as much as humanly possible in a place like St. John!) - was an interesting view into island life.

(Plus, we saw deer at the Caneel Bay Resort!)

It was one of those perfect-weather days and I didn't want to get out of the water. My brother loves anything to do with snorkeling and seeing as how we don't see each other much these days (he's still in AZ), I was mostly just happy to have the time with him. The little things, you know?

The sun was just starting to set as the four of us kayaked back to the meeting spot from Caneel Bay. I'll never forget that fiery sunset or the clear Caribbean water...or the fact that I got to see it with three of my favorite people paddling alongside me.

PHOTOS BY: Me and Stjepan Alaupovic

MORE INFO: VI Ecotours

Photo Tour: Beaching it in St. Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:25:00 +0000

It's been a gross pattern of snow, freezing rain and in-your-face wind here in New York City lately, so in an effort to at least mentally escape, I started combing through pictures from our U.S. Virgin Islands trip last August.

As fate would have it, we were able to line things up so that we could visit at the same time as my sister-in-law and brother, so the four of us got to spend a few days together enjoying the island vibe. Our first night was at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas and we just spent our stay on the beach, which, as you can imagine at a resort like that one, was pretty perfect: plenty of lounge chairs, free standup paddle boards and snorkeling gear, and a full day of sun and blue skies.

The sunny weather was a happy treat considering a hurricane had come through the islands just days before our trip. That's the trade off when you go during low season - less crowds and less hassle, but a risk of storms. As a result, the island dealt with rolling power outages for the first two days of our trip, but it really wasn't anything too bad. It was resolved fairly quickly and then we enjoyed a stretch of great beach days.

PHOTOS BY: Me!
MORE INFO: Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas

Destinations: Charlottesville, VA

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

I wish I had had more time in Charlottesville. The few days that I spent in Virginia were mostly packed with back-to-back site visits of destination wedding venues. That's what most people don't tell you about travel writing - when you're on assignment, you're lucky to spend an hour in any one place.

In fact, you're often rushing from appointment to appointment, connecting with and interviewing sources, snapping photos for reference, burying your head in a notebook, trying to write down all of the things that you'll need to remember for that article that's due next week, next month, maybe a year from now. It's a lot of fun, but it's no vacation.

Travel writing is my job, but it's also something that I love to do. So, I've decided to try and slow down on my trips and take the time to really enjoy a moment when it draws me in. In Charlottesville, that moment was the two hours (!!!) we spent at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. After a lunch of cheese, brick-oven pizza and an arugula salad (for good measure), we took advantage of the free picnic blankets they hand out to guests and sat down with our bottle to take in the rolling hills of fall foliage.

How do I describe the vibe at Pippin Hill? I'm not even sure...it just...was. It was busy enough to have a good flow, but not too busy to where you couldn't find your own plot of grass on the lawn. There were couples, groups of friends, families with infants flailing about happily in their Baby Bjorns. There was a carefree Saturday afternoon buzz in the air. Staff was friendly; not for the tips, but because they just are friendly in Virginia. It was perfect.

Pippin Hill is owned by a husband and wife team. He's got a background in advertising and she's a local weddings expert. It makes total sense. They've nailed it as far as hospitality goes...and it's not all about the superficial. Pippin Hill is absolutely beautiful, yes, but the food is also delicious and the wine is great.

While in Charlottesville, we stayed at The Boar's Head Inn, another place I would have loved to spend more time. It's charming, comfortable and very low-key - the kind of inn where guests congregate in the living room for coffee every morning and tea and pastries every afternoon. Our room was cozy but also very modern and it looked out onto the lake.

We woke up early one morning to take a walk around the property and ended up chatting with a couple who's daughter is going to college here in New York City. They were both UVA alums, in town for the big homecoming game that weekend, and en route to catch a party bus that was taking them to the stadium. They almost missed it because they were giving me their recommendations on other beautiful wedding venues to check out for my story. This is Virginia, friends.

I also wanted to mention - on our ride up to Charlottesville from Richmond, we made a stop at Tuckahoe Plantation (pictured up top). It's Thomas Jefferson's childhood home. Now, the family that lives in the house rents the outdoor spaces for weddings and special events. The Southwestern girl in me still can't believe places like this exist...

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Virginia Is For Lovers

Photo Tour: Richmond, VA

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:58:00 +0000

On a trip to Virginia in October, I spent a few days in Richmond. Most of the time was reserved for touring the city's weddings venues as part of research for a story, but I did manage to sneak in a few nerdy-fun history stops, The Virginia State Capitol being one of them (where a lot of movies have been shot, including Lincoln...they used it as The White House).

I hopped on a Segway to tour the city's other historical landmarks and of course made sure to try out some of Richmond's best restaurants. My favorite was Comfort, where Chef Travis Milton's Appalachian family recipes take center stage. During a site tour at Maymont, a preserved 1800s mansion with vast lawns and beautiful views, I spotted one of the coolest and most ornate beds (IT'S A SWAN!) I've ever seen.

Fall was in full swing during my visit and I'll never forget the colors that I saw peeping out around the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Virginia Is For Lovers

Photo Tour: Riviera Nayarit

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 19:07:00 +0000

Somehow it's already Dec. 4. I say this every time, but I really don't know where this year has gone! Is it possible to ever get to a place where "busy" isn't the first adjective you use to describe life? I really freaking hope so. I need to stop saying "Oh, good, busy..." in response to "How are you?" Maybe that will be a New Year's resolution. Add it to the list!

Any way, it's been a year of very happy travels. One trip I never got the chance to share on my blog, but wrote about for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, is Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. I can't say enough how much I loved my time here. It's a beautiful region with some of the most delicious food I've ever had.

I stayed a couple of nights at the St. Regis Punta Mita, where the design and architecture were great, but also where I spent most of my time at the pool or at the Mita Mary food boat...fresh seafood caught from off the shores and then served up just minutes later. I also caught the staff setting up for a beach dinner reception just before sunset.

Even though I would have been perfectly happy with my beach --> pool --> Mita Mary food boat routine for those few days, I did make it a point to venture off into Nayarit's charming towns: the laid back, surf-town happiness of Sayulita (choco-banana!), charming Bucerias (tuna tartare on the beach at El Brujo), and artsy San Pancho (where I didn't get a pic, but lunch at Don Pedros is a must).

Enjoy the pics, friends.

PHOTOS BY: Me!

MORE INFO: Riviera Nayarit

Photo Tour: Oahu's North Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:35:00 +0000

During my stay at Disney Aulani Resort & Spa, I did venture off property one day for a few delicious hours on Oahu's North Shore. The group and I made a stop to visit some sea turtles, hiked to Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau historic site for scenic views, and then went to Haleiwa for much-needed Matsumoto shave ice and, of course, a stop at the Leonard's Bakery truck (in the K-Mart parking lot!) for some pillowy malasadas, aka Portuguese donuts. (These.)

PHOTOS BY: Me!
MORE INFO: North Shore

Where to Stay in Oahu: Disney Aulani Resort & Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:19:00 +0000

Going to a Disney resort for a spa retreat may not seem like an obvious choice, but the Mouse House is working hard to change that perception. This past spring, I visited Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu to check out and report on its relaxation offerings. The idea is to make spa and fitness a family affair, but trust me when I say that you can easily escape to Laniwai and feel worlds away from screaming kiddos (yours or anyone's).

In fact, at no point in my visit did I feel overrun by children or "Disney," for that matter. I think the resort is beautifully designed...definitely an island vibe, but it doesn't feel kitschy. You can have the full Disney experience if that's what you want - there's a "character breakfast" every morning where Mickey and gang hang - but, in general, Disney Aulani is just a really nice resort. So many places for adults to escape for some quiet time.

It was my first time experiencing the hospitality machine that is Disney...everything that you've heard is true. I had a nightmare of a flight from the East Coast and my travel day ended up being 19+ hours. By the time I finally got to Aulani at about 1 a.m. local time, the overnight concierge, somehow aware of the day's flying mishaps, whisked me right past front desk check-in straight to my room...which was dimly lit and quiet, and obviously prepped for a weary traveler who was ready to crash in a big, comfy bed.

Throughout the rest of my stay, resort employees I came across at the restaurant, on a property tour, and in the spa would greet me with things like, "We're so glad you finally made it after that flight!" and "I hope you were able to get some rest...heard you had a long trip!"

Let me just say that this subtle, but super-effective, level of hospitality doesn't happen without a very organized workflow and careful attention to detail. It makes a big, big difference in a guest's world.

Even with travel delays, I managed to fit in a couple of quiet hours on the beach the next day before the rest of my group got in. Aulani's beach is a quiet cove, lined by a scenic path that's connected to a handful of other resorts in the area. It makes for a really fantastic morning walk. (Two of my favorite snaps from this walk below.)

ANY WAY: The spa! "Laniwai" translates to "freshwater heaven," so naturally there's a big h2o theme. You'll find an outdoor hydrotherapy garden - adults only - where you can dip in and out of vitality pools, minerals baths and rain showers. (Side note: It's also a perfect place to enjoy lunch and maybe even some champagne...OK, definitely champagne.)

You can also book a private 30-minute vitality bath, which includes a personalized DIY body scrub and colorful salts purposely chosen to aid whatever is ailing you. (Jet lag, maybe?) I had a traditional Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage and a custom facial. What I really like about Laniwai is that the treatments feel like a treat, but they're also designed to be effective. There are no over the top, weird ingredients for the sake of attention...just really good, trusted products and results-oriented techniques and ingredients.

That being said, it's definitely a destination spa. Between your appointments, the outdoor hydrotherapy garden, a really nice salon, delicious lunch and wine, and an all-around calm setting...you could spend an entire day here. Some treatments are pricey, even by Hawaiian resort standards, but you really do feel like you're experiencing a special escape that you won't find elsewhere.

For families, there's The 'Ohana treatment, which is designed for 3 to 6 people and includes a Lomi Lomi massage for all in a private room with its own garden patio. There's also the Painted Sky Teen Spa where kids can get facials, manis and pedis, and dig into some frozen yogurt while mixing up their own scrubs and face masks at a hands-on station. Think of Painted Sky as more of a relaxing teen hangout where they can kick back in their beach gear and "chill" with their friends. (By the way: LUCKY KIDS!)

If you visit Disney Aulani, the early wake-up call for beach yoga is totally worth it. Just get your butt in gear - you'll be happy you did, I promise!

After a few days of surprising quiet and grown-ups only fun, I had to give in to my inner child and take a few photo opps with everyone's favorite power couple. It's their vacation home, after all! What kind of a guest would I be if I didn't say hello?

PHOTOS BY: Me!
MORE INFO: Disney Aulani

Photo Tour: Visiting MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora, N.Y.

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 13:30:00 +0000

Even if you've never heard of the name MacKenzie-Childs, you'd probably be able to recognize some of the brand's bold patterned pottery, especially if you're fond of certain E! and Bravo reality shows. Pieces are handmade in Aurora on a sprawling 65-acre estate, which was once a dairy farm. You can shop the store, stroll some beautiful gardens and even tour the family's old farmhouse.

MacKenzie-Childs isn't exactly my personal style, but I still appreciate the craftsmanship. And, as a person who also appreciates design...and, well, pretty things...I really loved touring the grounds and getting a peek into the farmhouse. Photo opps everywhere! I'd definitely recommend a visit if you're in the Finger Lakes area. It's a fun detour.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: MacKenzie-Childs

Destinations: Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trails

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of foodie trails in the Finger Lakes - wine, cheese, chocolate, beer. Did I forget one? Probably! But one of my favorites is the Sweet Treat Trail, which is based in Cayuga County (Auburn, Aurora, Fair Haven, et al) and takes you to some of the smaller, more off-the-beaten-path places. Many of the farms and stands we visited are women-owned and operated businesses, and you know how that makes my little heart sing.

We kicked things off with breakfast at New Hope Mills - homemade pancakes! (OK, OK, and a donut) - and then headed to Bee Attitudes Honey, where I learned more than I ever thought I would about bees from owner Stephanie Williams. Years back, Stephanie received an empty bee hive as a Christmas gift and now she's operating her own 3-acre farm with 23 hives and fields of some of the most beautiful, most deliciously smelling French lavender. Besides honey, she makes and sells tonics, essential oils and salt scrubs from her crops.

Oh, and she does it all from her family's garage. Her kids are learning all about the trade and her daughter even does some of the company's design work. It's all very adorable and inspirational. I loved chatting with Stephanie. She's extremely passionate about the role bees play in nature and about healthy living in general.

Next it was on to Strawberry Fields Hydroponic Farm, where I fell in love with the mother-daughter duo who run the roadside operation. Yes, you read that correctly: A hydroponic strawberry farm. Linda's strawberries were the sweetest I've ever tasted. You can pick them fresh or buy jam, honey and olive oil made from the fruit. The barn store was decked top-to-bottom in Halloween decorations and full of great gift items like wine, cheese and handmade jewelry.

The tour de desserts ended at Owen Orchards with some homemade cider donuts. (More donuts!) Besides being an apple orchard, Owen's is also a farm stand where you can pick up fresh eggs, cheese and produce. We toured the grounds on a tractor and went home with a bushel full (I think? What's a bushel, any way?) of Empires, Cortlands and Jonagolds. It was a quintessential fall experience...I'll honestly never forget it.

Two other places I want to mention that aren't technically a part of the Sweet Treat Trail, but are in the area and absolutely something I'd recommend: Long Point Winery for its attentive tasting room staff and unforgettable vineyard views of Cayuga Lake (I think you can even do a guided boat tour of it and other nearby wineries!), and Springside Inn as a place to stay. Springside is another one of those really special family-owned places where hospitality just courses through the owners' veins. Its grounds are mesmerizing at sunset and the restaurant, Oak & Vine, is delicious and so cozy.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Tour Cayuga

Where to Stay in Ithaca: Argos Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000

On our quick overnight in Ithaca last year we stayed at Argos Inn, which remains one of my all-time favorite hotels.

The building itself has been a number of things over the years, including the mayor's mansion and an old Duncan Hines headquarters, before owner Avi Smith took it over and meticulously restored its wood, stone and glass details to create a LEED-certified inn. Avi was born and raised in the area, worked in tech on the West Coast, and then returned to Ithaca to develop a couple of local projects.

He hand-picked every piece you see at Argos Inn, from the doorknobs and sink fixtures to the decorative typewriters and color-coded antique books. Working with all local craftsmen and vendors, he breathed new life into flea market furniture, creating an aesthetic that somehow perfectly balances out old timey accents with modern hues and patterns. I love, love, love Argos Inn. Everything here - the vibe, the design - feels intentional, but not forced. A lot of thought and love went into the inn's development and it really shows!

There are 10 guest rooms, each unique in design but fitting into a handful of themes, as well as a bar and lounge that's open to the public. We visited a couple of weeks before Argos' big grand opening fete, so the bar was still in its final planning stages but it seems as though Avi and crew have beautifully carried out their plans for a local, craft cocktail-focused hangout.

We stayed in the King Slate Room, which I loved (of course) for its sunny closed-in porch with the writer's desk. I'm not one to typically gush about things like bathroom design, but my husband and I still talk about the shower in this room as the prototype to our dream, "someday" home. Every room at Argos has some kind of "wow factor," but two of my other favorites are the Glass Porch Room for its floor-to-ceiling windows and the White Peacock Room because THAT WALLPAPER! (Photo below is of the Grey Peacock Room.)

You get free continental breakfast in the sun-drenched dining room with your stay and Argos Inn is also within walking distance of Ithaca's main drag, which is full of great bars and restaurants. (It's a college town, of course, with Ithaca College and Cornell University close by.) We took a short drive to Buttermilk Falls for a glorious fall foliage hike, but you can also visit the famous Cascadilla Gorge if you have a little more time.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Argos Inn

Photo Tour: Farm Fun in Tioga County, N.Y.

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000

I'm the kind of person who thinks it's completely rational to visit multiple U-pick pumpkin patches in a single day.

What, you didn't get enough golden gourds at farm #5?

Nope.

A table can never have too many miniature squashes, in my opinion.

The drive from Owego to Ithaca has plenty of visitor-friendly farms and we checked out two that I thought were particularly worth a stop: Stoughton Farm for raspberries, peppers, fall mums and a corn maze if you're into that sort of thing. (Grab a bag of homemade kettle corn before you venture in!) Then, Iron Kettle Farm to check out the quirky pumpkin displays and Grandma's Barn gift shop. If you have kids, you'll also love the games and rides...scooters, tractors, a train, "pumpkin sling shot" and more.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Visit Tioga County

Destinations: Downtown Owego, N.Y.

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:00:00 +0000

The first stop on our fall Finger Lakes tour brought us to Owego, a small town on the Susquehanna River that makes a great "gateway" to New York's Finger Lakes region when you're driving in from the city. Owego's downtown is small but charming and full of the kind of shops you'd hope to find in a place like this...

For example, Hand of Man. It looks fairly unassuming from the front window but inside is a cavernous collection of Halloween, Christmas and other holiday trinkets. I live for these kind of places, but I know at least a handful of my friends who would cringe at the thought of such a massive compilation of kitsch.

BUT! I have to say, the store is extremely well organized and easy to navigate...it makes roaming and getting lost in the season fun. Plus, they really do stock things you'll actually want to buy - from high end and fancy to understated, minimalist gems. Altogether, during the Christmas season, Hand of Man stocks 10,000+ ornaments and 100 decorated trees. They also have a cafe that overlooks the river, but we didn't get a chance to check it out. Looks great, though, and had a good crowd!

I really, really loved it! One of my favorite finds on this trip.

Across the street is Riverow Bookshop, another store that turned "I'll just take a quick peek" into an hour-long visit. You can pick up a cup of tea or glass of wine and browse three stories of new and old books. I spent a lot of time in the local section and then left with a handful of antique postcards that I'll...do something with, someday, when I don't live in a shoebox.

Before heading off to some of Owego's surrounding farms, we stopped in for brunch at The Cellar Restaurant, which has great views of the river and really delicious seafood crepes. It's owned by a husband and wife, and everything the restaurant serves is made from scratch, so it's especially a great pick if you have any dietary restrictions. I don't, so I went to town on the aforementioned crepes smothered in lobster sauce. Yum.

They're also known for their homemade danishes, salad dressings and other desserts, which you can pick up to-go. Oh, and, Nerd Alert! The bar pictured below was reclaimed from an old 1900s speakeasy. Really cool.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Finger Lakes Travel NY

Photo Tour: Fall in the Finger Lakes

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:28:00 +0000

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Like many women, I am unabashed about my love for the fall season. Now that I live on the East Coast, my obsession over the months of October and November has only grown to fresh, more ridiculous levels. Later this month we're off to Virginia for some fall hiking and nerdy history tours (and to check out the weddings and honeymoon scene in Richmond and Charlottesville), but this time last year we were exploring the Finger Lakes region of New York.

We hopped in a rented Volkswagen Beetle, which the husband was more than slightly embarrassed by and I embraced with typical abandon, for a tour of Owego, Ithaca, Geneva and Aurora. Like most of my work-related trips, it was a fast and jam-packed itinerary but we managed to sneak in plenty of QT at the region's family-owned farms. There was pumpkin-picking, apple orchard-frolicking (me, mostly) and an all-around eye-opening lesson on just how many independent farms and producers there are in New York.

More details on fall activities in the Finger Lakes to come. In the meantime, PUMPKINS!

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Finger Lakes Travel NY

Photo Tour: Biking Greenville's Swamp Rabbit Trail

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:30:00 +0000

Now that I live in New York City and don't have easy access to the "great outdoors," I'm a total sucker for a good biking trail when traveling. In Greenville, we rented bikes (cute ones, at that!) from Reedy Rides and hit the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The 17.5-mile path runs along the Reedy River and it's an easy, enjoyable ride.

We shared the road with other tourists but mostly the path was full of locals on their morning exercise route. The husband and I rode to Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery for an organic fruit smoothie (him) and coffee (me) and then made our way back through downtown Greenville. The Swamp Rabbit Trail also connects to Falls Park on the Reedy.

Definitely one of my favorite memories from this trip!

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic and Me!
MORE INFO: Yeah, That Greenville

Destinations: Eating & Drinking in Greenville, S.C.

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:10:00 +0000

I mentioned in an earlier post that Greenville's food scene is what first attracted me to the city. It's been covered by the likes of Esquire magazine and is a regular in regional pubs like Garden & Gun. But beyond these third-party reviews, I knew little about Greenville's local flavor. So, I decided to head down and get a taste for myself. And...it was delicious.

You'd expect a city like Greenville to have plenty of tasty takes on Southern cuisine (and you'll definitely find it here), but because the area is home to headquarters for global companies like BMW, there's also plenty of international influence. So far most of Greenville's tourism is a result of the meetings and conventions crowd, but that's quickly changing thanks to its great restaurants and lively Main Street.

I have to start by saying that my favorite meal, hands down, came from Soby's. Unfortunately, we had a major delay in our flight and ended up spending 12+ hours at LaGuardia here in New York City (YAY!), so we missed our reservations at the restaurant and I subsequently have no pictures to show. But I'd heard such great things about Chef Shaun Garcia's food that we decided to order takeout.

Even delivery at midnight, the food was amazing.

Chef Shaun was born and raised in the area and his Soby's menu mixes old Southern staples with contemporary and international techniques. I can't even begin to describe the joy that is Chef Shaun's homemade spicy pimento cheese. It comes with baguette chips and pickled okra, and eating it was a downright religious experience for me. Other highlights included watermelon salad with local feta cheese, crab cakes with sweet corn and a chocolate peanut butter layer cake (with caramel popcorn!). Unreal.

Recent changes to alcohol legislation have made it easier for microbreweries and distilleries to operate in South Carolina, and Greenville has plenty to offer by way of booze. We made a stop at The Greenville Growler Station to taste local and regional beers. I could have stayed and talked with "Big Jon" all day long. He's just a really cool guy and a great host.

The station is set up like a coffee shop up front so you can kick back with your tastings and there's also a row of refrigerated craft brews as well as taps for filling up growlers. Big Jon also leads Greenville Brew Tours, which we didn't have time to try but I'd definitely spend a few hours with him!

Our last full day in Greenville was rainy and chilly. So, lunch at Nose Dive was the perfect comfort-food meal. We did a round of grit "tots" topped with pulled pork and chili jam for an appetizer and then I moved on to the massive, delicious Mason-Dixon sandwich - New England lobster salad with fried scallops in a dill vinaigrette. (Pictured at the top.)

Afterward, I walked off the sandwich and its accompanying sweet potato fries all the way down the street to Dark Corner Distillery, where I proceeded to taste and buy homemade moonshine and whiskey. It's owned by a husband-wife team and is a great place to pick up some souvenirs that you'll actually want to take home. (If you're able to hold on to the bottles that long.)

We topped the week off at American Grocery, which is more of a fine dining experience. Like all of the restaurants we visited in Greenville, American Grocery uses local fruits, veggies and cheeses as well as goods from artisan producers around the country. The menu changes frequently, but my favorites were steamed mussels in a smoked paprika cream and a Caesar salad with Parmesan croutons that tasted like a giant, freshly baked Cheez-It...but even better.

Of course one of my personal highlights of the entire trip was taking a cooking class with Mark Pollard at Charleston Cooks. And other spots I'd definitely recommend are Roost for breakfast and Blues Boulevard Jazz for live music and drinks.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic
MORE INFO: Yeah, That Greenville

Photo Tour: Charleston Cooks in Greenville

noreply@blogger.com (Katarina Kovacevic) — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:09:00 +0000

We cook a lot at home, so I'm always collecting fresh recipes to try. I have a pocket on the side of my recipe binder where I file new ideas, and once they've been tested and pass the "keeper" criteria, they get filed into the binder under the right category - cocktails, mains, sides, desserts, so on and so forth.

One thing I've always wanted to do is take a cooking class. I love learning about ways to combine flavors and make even the staples taste better. And I finally got to sink my teeth into a class at Charleston Cooks in Greenville last month! If you're a hands-on foodie, I definitely recommend taking a class with Mark. He's so friendly, helpful and highly entertaining.

Plus, he's generous with his wine pours. So that never hurts.

Our class was a mix of couples, families and girlfriends. In fact, there was a group of women who said they take a girls' trip together every year and a cooking class is something that's always on their itinerary. GENIUS. Note taken.

The theme of our class was all about working with fresh herbs. We made poached salmon with some kind of a dill creme sauce, steak and an amazing chimichurri, pesto pasta with tomatoes and peas, and zucchini fritters with a sour cream and chive dollop on time. I've already made some of the recipes at home and, needless to say, they all went straight to the "keeper" categories.

PHOTOS BY: Stjepan Alaupovic and Me!
MORE INFO: Charleston Cooks