Here are a few absolutely stunning hotel pools I encountered on my recent travels through Italy…

Belmond Hotel Caruso ~ Ravello, Italy

Hotel Caesar Augustus ~ Capri, Italy

Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco ~ Montalcino

Villa Cora ~ Florence

Villa d’Este ~ Lake Como

Grand Hotel Tremezzo ~ Lake Como (they also have a floating pool like Villa d’Este, but I love this one.)

Who is ready to dive into summer??

xoxo

Just one sip of these iconic cocktails will transport you to a faraway destination from which they originate…

Dreaming of the Amalfi Coast?

An Aperol Spritz will take you there…

Go here for recipe…

Having visions of Venice?

Only a Bellini will do…

Go here for recipe…

Longing for London?

…Sip a Pimm’s Cup

Go here for recipe…

Hankering for old Havana?

A Mojito is a must…

Go here for recipe…

Missing Mexico?

Mix up a pitcher of Margaritas!

Go here for recipe…

Pining for Provence?

Just open a chilled bottle of your favorite French rosé and call it a day!

When you can’t be somewhere in reality, why not enjoy a refreshing cocktail, close your eyes and just pretend for a few minutes? And, then call me to make your cocktail daydreams come true!

xoxo

Photo credits from top: Gray Malin, Deposit Photos, Rudy Balasko, Cipriani, Pinterest, Nick Solares, CN Traveler, Emeril, Hotel Esencia, Martha Stewart, Patricia Thomas, Aix Rose

First up…the magical isle of Capri…Many people think of Capri as a day trip destination from the Amalfi Coast – that is certainly one way to visit this special island. But, I highly recommend that you consider spending at least three nights ON Capri. It changes the experience entirely once the day trippers have left. With just a handful of hotels and local residents, the island takes on a small town vibe once the last ferry leaves. While Capri town may be the center of the action, the charming village of Anacapri is the quiet little sister.  You won’t want to miss this charming town offering a more authentic feel than the lower part of the island. In my opinion, it is the place to stay…you can venture into Capri town later in the day once the crowds have thinned.

We stayed at the magnificent Hotel Caesar Augustus – a family owned and operated property in Anacapri that is part of Relais & Chateaux. I was enchanted from the moment I walked in the door…and that feeling has not left in the month since I have been home. I absolutely LOVE this place! Perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary trip – it is simply the most romantic place in the world!

The view from our “Cliffside Suite”

Taking a “topless taxi” up, up and up to Anacapri…

Don’t miss the gorgeous Villa San Michele in Anacapri with its beautiful gardens and breathtaking views…

A perfect early evening activity…head to Capri town for drinks, aperitivi and people watching from the terrace of the Hotel Quisisana…

Followed by some shopping and a late dinner in town…

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A boat ride around the island is a MUST…skip the famous (and uber-touristy) Blue Grotto and opt for some of the hidden grottoes instead…

Logistics…

If you are thinking of staying on Capri, plan ahead! During the high season, hotels sell out months in advance.

You must take either a ferry (hydrofoil) or a private boat to reach the island (unless you have deep pockets, in which case you can arrive by helicopter). Ferries run from Naples and Sorrento – and Amalfi and Positano, in season.

Better yet, call me – I will share my love of this island, a few insider secrets AND will plan you a trip of a lifetime on spectacular Capri!

xoxo

Today I am feeling a bit of wanderlust for the low country of Georgia, the setting for the latest novel by my dear blog friend, Kristy Woodson Harvey – The Secret To Southern Charm.

I have been a HUGE fan of Kristy’s since her very first book was published back in 2015. Kristy is part of the mother/daughter duo behind the fabulous design blog, Design Chic  in addition to her work on the blog, she is a wife and mother AND she has managed to turn out four novels in three years! Talk about talent!

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Secret To Southern Charm – the latest in the Peachtree Bluff series. Needless to say, I could not put it down!

The Secret To Southern Charm whisks the reader off to Peachtree Bluff, Georgia. Kristy sets the scene beautifully – when I read her descriptions of Peachtree Bluff, I imagined small southern communities such as Tybee Island, Dafuskie Island or Palmetto Bluff…

Palmetto Bluff, via

Cumberland Island, Georgia – via, Southern Living

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina – via, Southern Living

Palmetto Bluff, via

Palmetto Bluff, via

Don’t those photos just ooze Southern Charm? Each one reminds me of Peachtree Bluff.

In addition to describing her settings in such a way that you feel transported, Kristy is a master of character development – The Secret To Southern Charm features a family of strong Southern women, each of whom you would love to have as your best friend.

Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore – for a copy of this wonderful novel…okay, realistically you may be downloading it on your Kindle, but whatever you do, don’t miss this book. Just be sure you have a nice big pitcher of sweet tea and a comfy chair (or even better, a porch swing!) at the ready. I predict you will not be able to put this book down!  Congratulations, Kristy, on a job well done!!

I am off today to do a bit of wandering myself…follow along on Instragram at @youmaybewandering!!

xoxo

Photo via DUCO

I recently had the honor and pleasure of attending the inaugural DUCO Travel Summit in Florence, Italy…it was four days of meetings and networking events, connecting the top Italian hoteliers and travel suppliers together with luxury travel advisors from around the world.

To say it was a whirlwind event would be an understatement. The kick off event was a black tie gala at the incredible Salone dei Cinquecento at the Palazzo Vecchio. Unfortunately, my luggage was delayed for three days and, yes,  my formal dress was in my suitcase somewhere between London and Florence on the night of the gala. There was no way I would miss that evening, but I only had the clothes on my back (travel tip: always pack a change a clothes in your carry on!) With a little help from my fairy godmothers at La Rinascente (the Florentine department store) and a charming shoe salesman at Ferragamo, I managed to look presentable enough to attend the ball – which was an event of a lifetime.  All said, my four days of DUCO in Florence were AMAZING! I look forward to sharing more about my time with you in later posts.

But, today, I want to share my post-DUCO weekend in Tuscany…sit back, relax and pour yourself a double cappuccino (or even better a nice glass of Italian wine) and get ready to be transported to the Tuscan countryside…

I traveled with five other travel advisors from the US and Canada – none of us had met before, but by the end of the weekend, we are all fast friends.  We shared three days that will stay with me forever – beautiful scenery, delicious food, incredible wine and wonderful new friends…all in the pouring rain, but that didn’t matter – we were in Bella Toscana!

Our home for the first two nights was the lovely Relais La Corte dei Papi – the lovingly restored Tuscan home of the Papi family, now a luxury hotel outside of Cortona. David Papi who grew up on the property was our charming host.

Prosecco awaiting our arrival…

Our first night, I crossed something off of my bucket list that I have been wanting to do FOREVER…a cooking class in Tuscany! After our lesson, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor (with a little help from Chef Giuseppe) along with the best wine EVER grown from grapes on the Papi estate…

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The chef only speaks Italian so we had a translator...

We were up and out early the next morning to head to Cortona, Pienza and Montecchiello…

After a delicious lunch, we drove into the heart of the Val d’Orcia to the luxurious Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco for a tasting of their famous Brunello di Montalcinos and a tour of the stunning property…

Clearing skies and a rainbow!

Vines as far as the eye can see…all soon to be the famous Brunello di Montalcino

The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco was not yet opened for the season so we had this gorgeous property all to ourselves – it is stunning and deserving of a post all its own, but until then, here is a sampling of this gem in Tuscany…

Our exhausted group headed back towards Cortona for yet another amazing dinner courtesy of La Corte dei Papi and Chef Giuseppe…we would all be sad to leave in the morning…but Forte dei Marmi on the Tuscan Coast awaited…

That’s all for now, my friends…I promise to share more later! I am leaving yet again in just over a week – back to Europe for another trip. If you aren’t following me on Instagram, you will want to (go here), as I promise it will be a feast for the eyes…

Tanti Baci…

All photos except the first one taken with my iPhone 6.