Travel Tribe Journeys – Summer Enticements

The days lengthen and warm and we begin to dream of escape. Where to go – spring break to fall – our Clients are plotting & planning – some have already left footprints on sandy beaches and scoured the souks in Marrakech.

Morocco – it is hot, hot, hot! Spring break found many of the five-star hotels sold out, we prevailed for a last-minute request.  We also have May travelers headed to Morocco. We love La Sultana in Marakech and Kasbah Tamadot in the scenic Atlas Mountains, activities include mule trekking to Berber villages. Side car excursions, hot air balloon escapades, Tagine cooking classes, private visits to Yves Saint Laurent home at the Majorelle Garden.

Mustique – Indigo seas and the year around perfect weather combined with an embarrassment of stunning Villas, make this a superb crowd free destination One advantage, our Villa team can offer many properties for 5 nights minimum- some don’t require a full 14 day stay- 5- 8, 10 days – many owners are flexible.

The Maldives, recent booking for two weeks at The Four Seasons Landaa & Kuda Huraa – my faves! Swim with manta rays hovering above and below you, floating in the gentle turquoise seas. Sail away to the spa across the bay, nothing prepares you for the sapphire seas and sugar white sandy beaches. I’m pining to return!

Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives
Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives

Japan – oh my, take a number – you are certain to run into friends at the sacred temples! A plethora of new offerings, innovative exclusive luxurious experiences; gardening with a master designer, with a long lineage of acclaimed gardeners who is currently entrusted with palace and temple gardens. Visit little known private Kyoto gardens. VIP experiences await fans of traditional theatrical performances. A master of Noh, an ancient performing art known for its fantastical masks and flowing robes has created a contemporary and well-designed space dedicated to the craft in a private theatre in the masters own home.  Long list of unique offerings.

Japan Journey

New York, spring fling at The Whitby, in midtown. Kit Kemp’s most recent addition to the city vibrant color and pattern abound!

France, in particular, the iridescent Cote d’ Azure. You may bump into friends at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc or the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, summer sizzlers! Days spent bobbing on yachts in private coves, followed by exceptional French cuisine.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, Cote d’ Azure.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cote d’ Azure.

Paris in June- doesn’t it sound dreamy? Le Meurice return guests love their VIP attention.

Le Meurice, Paris Luxury Suite

Oh, a multi generational family of 12 is headed back to The Ranch at Rock Creek – they’ve visited multiple times and can’t get enough of Ranch and Rodeo life, Giddy Up !

The Ranch at Rock Creek
The Ranch at Rock Creek

Peru – Machu Picchu adventure for Spring break- the world-renowned complex, a sublime jewel of Incan civilization, built on a towering ridge of granite and tropical forest. As you enter the Sanctuary see the iconic Sun Gate you will be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences. Adventure awaits. Another smashing stay at Belmond Hotels!

Machu Picchu Belmond Hotels

One lucky dad is cruising with his son, on a Linblad National Geographic Alaska Journey to the Bering Straits wilderness touching coast of Russia Journey. Visit Provideniya, Russian Federation, at the western limit of the rich transboundary area known as Beringia, Provideniya is often called “The Gateway to the Arctic”- no Russia visa required!

One of our VV sophisticated art collectors swooned at the latest gallery collections at the recent New York Art Fairs while luxuriating at The Lowell this week!

The Lowell Hotel New York

Big Five – African Safari for eight friends at the VV best lodges with our private safari team. Our fourth African safari and gorilla trek this year.

Rwanda Gorilla Trek mom & baby & toddler
Kenya Safari endless horizons

The eternal city of Rome will enchant a family of summer travelers, ask about our exclusive activities. Practice The Art of Doing Nothing Italian Style: L’arte di non fare nulla.

Hotel de Russie Roma

Tuscany a romantic Journey of exploration and staying at all three Belmond retreats. These foodies are checking off the top trattorias! A romantic honeymoon encompassing Five Luxury Belmond properties throughout Italy and Sicily – The Ultimate Grand Tour!

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Sicily
Belmond Villa San Michele Florence

Amsterdam – always a great add on following Italy, Anne Frank, Van Gogh – private boats to cruise the canals.

We are plotting a fall Munich, Paris, London and Paris Journey for a group of eight friends – in memory of a dear friend and family member, an intrepid traveler who passed away this year. A Toast to a Well Lived Life and Enchanting Travel.

Paris

Last but not least, Punta Mita Four Seasons was chock a block full of our spring break clients!

Four Seasons Punta Mita

The globe is whirling with exotic options – days are lengthening, plan a Journey!

Hotel de Russie – Roma

Is there somewhere you would rather be?  I rarely make a repeat visit to a city unless it is Paris; however, a recent visit to Barcelona and Mallorca left me besotted and I am already plotting a return. Having the VV best guides and land team managers in Italy, I had nearly forgotten how much I adore all that is Italia. A few days in Rome at Hotel de Russie renewed my lost love. They say all roads lead to Rome, all roads should lead directly to Hotel de Russie!

Understated elegance combined with the most discreet and gracious staff, a sojourn at Hotel de Russie is incomparable. In a sense, the small size makes one feel you are cocooned at a private Villa estate with the grandest garden tucked against the terraced hillside. Step inside the inconspicuous entrance and leave the flurry of Rome behind till tomorrow.

Hotel-de-Russie-Rome-Secret-Garden-View-3277Between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, with its own 18th Century terraced garden, Hotel de Russie once hosted the poet Jean Cocteau, who wrote that he could pick oranges from his balcony, and described the hotel as “paradise on Earth.” This paradise was later turned into an office building before Sir Rocco Forte fashioned it into one of Rome’s most stylish luxury hotels.

Built in 1818, the locals, in describing the early visitors, the Russian personalities who used to hide out here – the Romanoff’s, Stravinsky, the Ballet de Russie, a long list, probably invented the name Hotel de Russie.

The finer details: superb styling in the 32 classic suites, executive to full blown Italian penthouse luxe. The ultra special Vaselli suite offers views of the secret blossoming garden, and has a small terrace for breakfast or afternoon Proseco. Popoli suite and Picasso suite all have amazing roof terraces and a long list of appealing amenities. Your private apartment in Paris with full services: the Nijinsky Suite at the top of the hotel has the largest terrace with outside dining room, overlooking the gardens, the Villa Borghese, the Pincio and the rest of the Eternal City. It also has a fantastic mosaic steam room.

Off the main lobby, the library is decorated in subtle tranquil tones; oversize sofas and comfy wing back chairs, linger with your morning papers and a double espresso. After a day of Roma retail therapy, plop down for a spot of tea and people watching. De Russie is a celebrity magnet and the ultimate location to indulge in indiscreet glances at the ultra chic visitors. Afterwards, slip downstairs to the spa and indulge in a traditional Roman soak in the salt water marine hydro pool. Glamor abounds in and about the hotel.

Fabled restaurant Le Jardin de Russie, where two-Michelin-star chef Fulvio Pierangelini creates rustic Mediterranean dishes; the garden restaurant is one of the most romantic places to dine in Rome. Amid beautiful old roses and fragrant orange and cedar trees, the secret garden restaurant is the perfect oasis after a day of walking the cobblestone streets. Don’t miss the Beef “Tagliata” with wild mushrooms, prepared on the Himalayan Pink Salt grill, nothing compares.

Hotel de Russie GardenLinger for hours in the garden, be spoiled and delight in the flirtatious banter of the ever-hovering waiters – one never forgets the charms of Italian men. Nor will you ever want to depart from the elegant Hotel de Russie. A month feels just right!