Travel

Men’s Fashion Getaway Experience in Rome

May 15, 2023
By Karen Escalera

Here's a special idea for self gifting for you men, for a birthday or surely one of the fathers day unique gift ideas, a travel and fashion experience created by Yours Truly, her team and Roman client.

Travel

A Workcation For Those Who Want a Career Change

February 6, 2023
By Karen Escalera

Been thinking about changing your career? Entering the workplace and not sure what you want to do? Here's a novel travel getaway. For the price of your all inclusive stay at a top hotel (my client) you get 4 1/2 hours of workshops along with a question and answer period with a top New York career counselor and life coach. Casa Velas, a luxury boutique hotel for adults only in Puerto Vallarta, invites guests to rethink, reimagine, and reinvent their career during a transformational retreat with career counselor and life coach Ruth Beltran.

Culture, Entertainment, Things to Do, Travel

Unique Things to Do in October

October 3, 2022
By Karen Escalera

Have I ever got unique things to do in October -- Latin Restaurant Weeks, film, smash hit SIX The Musical, Redland orchid festival, international auto show, and an art trip to Rome. Plus, disturbing news about the Tower Theater and what to do about it.

Beverage, Travel

Fabulous Friday – Marques de Riscal Hotel and Vineyards

September 9, 2022
By Karen Escalera

A stay at the 61 Room and Suite Hotel Marqués de Riscal designed by Frank Gehry has always been on my “to go” list. Having seen many images of it over the years, I expected it to be an extraordinary design along with memorable food and wine. What I didn’t expect was the exquisite taste and style of the furnishings and art which were also designed or chosen by Gehry. And then there’s the setting in almost 30 acres of vineyards in Spain's Basque country, picture book worthy countryside. Its bodega (wine cellar) dates from the founding of the winery in 1860 along with wines of the period .The bodega tours with tasting have been named among the world's best.

Fabulous friday, Food, Travel

Fabulous Friday – Breakfast at Maison Dedine

August 5, 2022
By Karen Escalera

Blueberry pancakes the size of a plate with lots of Amish butter and bacon at Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, lox and bagel at Barney Greengrass in New York, jamon serrano on a crusty roll at a bar in Spain, they all make for a delicious breakfast. But then, on another level are the breakfast buffets at top hotels – the lavish spreads with a highlight of cheeses and cold cuts at the Adlon in Berlin, all matter of herrings and other fishes at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Asian and European buffet at the Peninsula in Bangkok, and now there’s a new and very different edition to the list worthy of Fabulous Friday—breakfast at Maison Dedine, a five room Small Luxury Hotel of the World in Tunis, This make you hungry for breakfast in Miami? Read on until the end for my eariier two part series on where to go here.

Travel

Tips When Traveling, Summer/Fall ’22

July 11, 2022
By Karen Escalera

Tips when traveling this summer and early fall 2022: Where for the past two years the challenge in international traveling has been staying healthy, navigating differing COVID requirements and lockdowns, and getting COVID tests before returning to the US, this year it’s the sheer number of people traveling. But don’t dismay, it’s still very much worth it, and there are strategies to keep traveling and keep stress levels low! As I write this I'm on an extended trip to Europe (Paris, Istanbul, Greece, Spain) and Tunisia and thought it’d be helpful to share some advice from my travels. Here are my tips and insights along with images of some trip highlights:

Travel

Uvence Arte + Hotel, Chiapas

June 8, 2022
By Karen Escalera

The best Chiapas hotel hands down is the 18 suite Uvence Arte + Hotel, a totally intriguing blend of contemporary architecture by Julio Amezcua in the finest Mexican tradition. It encompasses an 18th century flour mill converted to suites, its own museum and outdoor sculpture garden, all within walking distance of the historic center of San Cristobal de las Casas. Its special qualities will come as no surprise as soon as you hear it’s the passion of Mario Uvence, the foremost antique dealer in Mexico as well as collector and cultural figure. In case you missed part 1, things to do in Chiapas, click here.

Travel

Getaway: Chiapas, Mexico

June 1, 2022
By Karen Escalera

Finally, after wanting to go to the state of Chiapas in southeastern Mexico bordering Guatemala and Belize for many years. Mr. W and I headed there recently. I’d always heard from well traveled friends about its authenticity, diverse and beautiful natural settings and soft adventure, no fewer than ten indigenous cultures with their rich tradition of crafts for shopping, and great value for the dollar. And after a week, that’s what we found and then some. Here are things to do in Chiapas, Mexico Part 1. Part 2 is where to stay.

Travel

Divine Momcation or Solo ‘Scape to Rome

March 21, 2022
By Karen Escalera

A special "momcation" to Rome or a solo getaway for singles or a group of girlfriends, the Solo 'Scape, is divine. And just in time for spring, summer, and Mother's Day gift planning! I'm ready to pack my bags! The 5 day/4 night getaway was designed by yours truly and my client, the chic boutique hotel Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese overlooking the famed Borghese gardens and Eternal City. Guests enjoy a wardrobe styling with a top Italian fashionista, yoga among the historic ruins, a food market tour and private cooking class with the chef plus more. Sound enticing?

Travel

Updated: Things to Do in Naples + Best Restaurants

March 14, 2022
By Karen Escalera

Now is a good time to go to Naples, when the performing arts are in full swing, and before it's too hot to visit the lovely gardens and nature attractions. Here's an updated list of the top things to do including shopping and best restaurants, from a Staycation I took. It's a short drive from Miami (about two hours), very different in tone, low key, and affluent (median income is about double that of Miami ). It also has a Midwestern cultural vibe, and it's friendly. We were surprised at how small the population is of Naples Itself -- about 22,000 -- so most places you want to go are within a convenient 20 minute drive. Stay tuned at the end of the post for where to stay.

Category: Travel