To me, the magic of traveling begins the moment I walk into my intended hotel.  I am not like a lot of travelers who believe that one’s hotel experience is not of signifigance, since the majority of one’s journey will be spent exploring outside the hotel’s front doors.  While I do lose myself in the world of travel when I am abroad, I also care deeply about my accommodations and spend quite a bit of time researching the best choice/s for my trips.  Over the years, I have developed a strong passion for boutique hotels, especially ones that offer an incredible personal attention to detail and service.  In this post I explore three unique boutique hotels in England:

Hope Street Hotel

When looking for hotels in Liverpool, look no further than Hope Street Hotel.  What is unique about this hotel is that it is located within a gorgeous historical building that was built in 1860 in the style of a Venetian palazzo.  The rooms are spacious with a contemporary design —  along with these rooms that are so luxurious that you will never want to leave them is a restaurant, The London Carriage Works, with world-class dining.  Another perk of the hotel is that it is only steps away from the best shopping and sightseeing in the city.

The Berkeley

A favorite of celebrities when visiting London is The Berkeley.  What is unique about this hotel is that retro movies are played on a big movie screen for guests on its perfectly manicured rooftop garden no matter what season of the year it is.  The hotel is located in the fashionable district of Knightsbridge.  The rooms are designed to impress and any need, want, or desire can be met by the staff.  The hotel also houses two of the city’s finest restaurants: Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley and Koffmann’s.

Malmaison Oxford

Elysian Chicago: Chicago, Illinois

First Impression

I was smitten from the moment I walked through the Elysian’s front doors, as I was now in the land of ultimate luxury.  I could not wait to explore the entire hotel, however I was most eager to see my Deluxe Suite.  I was completely taken aback as I entered the room.  For a hotel in a major city, when space is extremely limited, it was almost impossible to believe just how large the room was!

Location

Having never been to Chicago before, I had no idea what part of the city to stay in.  Thus, I took a chance with the Gold Coast neighborhood, which is where the hotel is located.  This historical area is filled with designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and high-rise penthouses all within walking distance.  The Elysian fits in perfectly with its glamorous surroundings.

The Room

The bedroom in the Deluxe Suite is designed with a strong aura of simple elegance.  The bed was so comfortable that I never wanted to leave it — in fact I hardly left my room for the three days I was there.  My excuse as to why I hardly saw any of Chicago: the Elysian.

The flat-screen TV and iPod docking station were the perfect amenities in the already perfect room.

The Bathroom

You know that you are in a luxury hotel when there is a TV in the bathroom mirror.  It might be ridiculously indulgent, however I loved being entertained while relaxing in the bathtub or getting ready to go out.  I also very much enjoyed the designer bath products and terry-cloth robes.

The Extras

The Deluxe Suite had another room attached to the bedroom that functioned as a kitchen/living room/office.  In an appointed nook there was a sink, an ice maker, a refrigerator, and a microwave.

My absolute favorite part was the fireplace, which immediately turned on and filled the room with warmth with a press of a button, and that was a necessity since I was visiting in December.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

Every luxury hotel should care about the details like the Elysian does.  No matter where you looked, there was a special touch that added sophistication and class to make certain that you would want to return over and over again for years to come.

Social Media

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook

This post is dedicated to all those people who just cannot give up their crazy night fever.  Those people who do not remember the last time they had breakfast on a weekend.  Those people whose hangover pushes them to the fridge on Sunday midday and obliges them to eat a sad margarine sandwich.  Yes, you people with sparkling eyes at 4AM, here is your solution: it is called “save-the-last-drink’s-money-to-buy-yourself-brunch-in-the-morning”.  In all seriousness, it will supply you with loads of vitamins, carbohydrates, sugar, and probably optimism so that you can recover easily and look like a decent person again.

Today, I propose the awesome city of Berlin, where I realized this past summer while staying in one of the Berlin apartments, that the city offers more than just curriwursts (I cannot understand how they can like a sausage with ketchup and curry?)!  Thus, here you have some of the trendiest places for brunch in Berlin:

Café 100Wasser: Simon-Dach-Strasse 39

This is a place where for the price of a drink at a fancy bar (7.90€ Sat – 9.50€ Sun) you can have an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet with an international menu.

Café Einstein Stammhaus: Kurfürstenstrasse 58

Undoubtedly, one of the best places in Berlin for brunch; many consider it a classic.  Moreover, they have a cute leafy garden where you can eat.

Café Anita Wronski: Knaackstrasse 26-28

Excellent brunch served here, although space is taken advantage of as much as physic laws allow.  There are a great variety of coffees available.

If you prefer, you can also prepare your personalized brunch in your apartments in Berlin.  You only need to go to the supermarket the day before and even though you might be tempted to buy a dozen packs of donuts, remember to include fruits, natural juices, something salty and something lactic too.

Maria Climent is a 27-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Despite having a five hour bus ride to Rome ahead of me, I had butterflies in my stomach — if my unforgettable Trafalgar Tours trip needed to come to an end anywhere — I could not think of a better place.  During the long drive an enormous full moon, which turned the sky a gorgeous shade of pink, kept me company.

Upon arrival into the Eternal City, we immediately checked into the Kolbe Hotel, a stunning 15^th Century luxury hotel, with the the Roman Forum in its backyard.  Unfortunately, I would not be able to truly enjoy my two-level suite, as I had to be at the airport at 4AM for my flight back to the States, however when I return to Rome in the future I will definitely be staying there again.  Before our farewell dinner, we stopped at one of the most famous landmarks in the world: the Colosseum.

Dinner could not have been at a better restaurant, The Cabiria, located in the Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora, and Chef Luigi Sorrentino could not have created a more memorable last meal in Europe; even the table setting had creative touches!

The culinary journey began with fresh cherry tomato focaccia.

Our next course was rigatoni pasta “Amatriciana style.”

Our final course was a white fish with natural green beans and fried potatoes.

And to complete the meal, we had a delicious fruit tart with vanilla ice cream.

Our Travel Director Marco thought it was essential that we see Rome illuminated at night, thus we made two important last stops.  The first was to St. Peters Basilica, where the Pope just so happened to be that evening.

The second was to the Roman Forum, which as previously mentioned was conveniently next to our hotel.

As I was finishing packing, I was overwhelmed with the thought that I always have when traveling: life should be about exploring the unknown and embracing the joy of new experiences and relationships in other places.  We must begin the expedition and follow wherever the path leads.  And I highly recommend allowing Trafalgar Tours to lead the way from time to time.

Our final Trafalgar Tours Be My Guest lunch at Fattoria di Maiano was truly an experience that I will never forget and without a doubt my favorite of the trip.  If you have been following my European adventures, then you know that is a bold claim, as the previous Be My Guest lunches were extraordinary!  Prior to our meal, we had a quick tour of the olive oil factory on the property.

There are nearly 20,000 olive trees throughout the completely organic agricultural estate.  The Frantoio and Moraiolo olives are picked by hand during the months of November and December and then pressed in the mill.  The finished product is Laudemio, a premium extra virgin oil with a high nutritional value and a taste that leaves you wanting more.

Lunch was served at Lo Spaccio, the estate’s restaurant, which also has an attached gift shop, where you can purchase the Laudemio along with other olive oil products such as soap and lotion, as well as a delicatessen that offers typical Italian products such as cheese, meat, and wine.

Besides the fact that the restaurant contained cosy rooms filled with charming furniture and crackling fireplaces, the panoramic views from the windows would make any meal taste sensational.

I could not wait to drown my pasta and bread in the Laudemio while looking out onto the Tuscan countryside.

I do apologize deeply for not taking any pictures of one of the many outstanding courses that we enjoyed, however I was too consumed by the greatness of the moment to capture it on film.  Before leaving though, I took one last, longing look out the window and made sure to count my blessings, which were abundant.

Now it was time to travel south to the ‘Eternal City’. . .

Australia is an absolute prime location with thousands of attractions for literally everyone seeking adventure.  Be sure to visit and participate in a few of these daring excursions.  You are only limited by your imagination and sense of excitement.

Tip: Australia is a huge country to travel around and if you want to travel at your own pace then consider saving a bunch of money and renting a car through Drive My Car Rentals.  They offer car hire in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Darwin through a peer to peer car rental community, which will save you at least 80% of the cost of a traditional car rental company.

Whale Shark Diving in Ningaloo Reef Western Australia

Ningaloo Reef is located in the small town of Coral Bay in Western Australia.  The reef draws people offers a wide variety of fish life, coral, and manta rays.  However, it is the whale shark experience that delights and thrills visitors to no end year after year.  Visitors describe the experience of swimming with the whale shark as a once in a lifetime occurrence they will never forget.  The attraction is managed by expert teams available to guide, assist, and teach visitors about these magnificent creatures.  There is no pre-set agenda, so the experience flows starting out of the water to into the water at each individuals’ pace; making this one of the most well rounded adventures anywhere in the world.

Scuba Diving at Yongala QLD

A scuba diving excursion at Yongala is not just your run of the mill dive.  In fact, it is one the top wreck dives on the planet.  The S.S. Yongala remained undiscovered for close to fifty years after a cyclone sank the ship in 1911.  total of 100 passengers perished in the 14 to 28 meter water depth.  Today it is the largest intact shipwreck in the waters of Australia.  This diving jewel literally swarms with incredible marine life too numerous to name.  Among the wondrous sights that divers are treated to include sea snakes, schools of trevally and cobia, clown fish, and eagle rays.  Beneath the stern of the ship live fascinating giant Queensland gropers.

Hot Air Ballooning in the Hunter Valley NSW

Hunter Valley in New South Wales is located about 310 kilometers north of Sydney, Australia.  You would have to experience to believe the exhilarating hot air balloon ride that takes you above the wine recluse in this peaceful valley.  Fun and adventure, mixed with peaceful romance, begins on a balloon ride that takes about one hour to complete.  Adventurers can take flight as the day dawns to get the most breathtaking views imaginable.  A champagne and fruit juice drink is included with the price of the ride.  A fabulous gourmet breakfast after landing concludes this picturesque flight.

Sky Diving in Mission Beach QLD

In a little village along Queensland, Australia’s Coral Sea lays Mission Beach.  This idyllic setting is the ultimate location for adrenalin rushing skydiving.  The courageous souls that participate in these tandem skydives are rewarded with a sixty second free fall from 14,000 feet in the air.  Untold numbers take this fun and thrilling sky dive every year.  Yet, Mission Beach skydiving maintains a superlative safety record.  When you visit Mission Beach, show off your bravery to friends and family with a copy of your own DVD of your skydive.

Crocodile River Cruises in Northern Territory

Do not miss a heart pounding up close, personal visit with “jumping crocodiles” on one of many river cruises.  The tropical Adelaide River, 114 kilometers south of Darwin, is filled with fresh and salt water crocodiles and other amazing creatures.  The crocodiles are the main attraction, so much so that some cruises have names for these food seeking aquatic reptiles.  The adventure does not stop there.  It also offers visitors a chance to see unique bird species, ocean eagles, and Black flying fox for a well rounded tropical adventure.

 Hiking in Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory

Kakadu National Park is one of the four sites in Australia that are on the World Heritage list, and for good reason.  The park offers adventurers of all ages and levels everything nature has.  Kakadu National Park includes: 25 walks ranging from one half hour for beginners to an overnight, more difficult graded walks.  Be prepared to be awestruck at the landscapes, wetlands, and other amazing sights including rocks with etchings that date back 44,000 years.

Hiking around Cradle Mountain Tasmania

BestHike.com named Cradle Mountain one of the best hiking locations in the world.  The world famous World Heritage area wilderness in Tasmania encompasses 40% of protected wilderness and purely surreal vistas.  Your hike lets you breathe in miles of gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, and tarns.  The trek can be made year round to give explorers an all weather experience.  For the most challenging fun adventure make this hike between December and May.

Gold Panning in NSW

Try something different this holiday vacation.  Gold panning in New South Wales is an exciting, romantic, and potentially profitable vacation adventure.  Since gold was first discovered in the region, dozens of gold prospecting areas have sprung to life.  This activity is so much fun because you have such a wide choice of places to search for gold and other valuable metals including, copper, lead, and zinc.  Tours can be found in the middle of civilization or the dusty Outback areas.  The variety of gold mining tours allows visitors to mine with expert tour guild find treasures on their own.

Make sure to keep your eyes open for cheap domestic flights Australia, so that you can all of these magical wonders all within the same trip!

If I was asked, “Quickly, think of a city where you can travel solo,” the first place to come to mind would undoubtedly be Madrid.  Of course, I have not been to all of the cities in the world, so I am sure you can contribute very positively with your points of view in the comment section.

The following are my 5 reasons why you can go to Madrid alone and why you will not feel alone there.  You must know that I will be generalizing and that is usually frowned upon, but this is what I have concluded from my stay on my own in one of the Madrid apartments for some months:

1.  People are very sociable.  It is a cliche, but it is true.  There are few shy people; most of them strike up a conversation easily with others.  And, more importantly, they seem to be less worried.

2. There are a lot of people.  I know that there are more people in New Delhi, however compared to Barcelona, life in the street, bars, and shops is more vivid.

3.  People are regular bar goers.  It is normal to have a 2-hour pause for lunch and then return to work.  Thus, at midday bars are full.  It is typical to have an aperitivo before having lunch and also it is the first thing to do after work. This bar culture is probably the reason why there are so many bars in any district (approximately 1 for each 180 people).

4.  They shout a lot.  You may already suspect this, but I will confirm it for you: Spaniards shout.  Yes, we shout a lot no matter what region we are from, although I am sure Madrid is one of the noisiest cities in all Europe.  This can be annoying if you are not used to it, but on the other hand, people’s voices make you feel accompanied all the time.

5.  Bar tenders make you feel at home.  Maybe it is because of this carefree attitude I have told you about?  Perhaps it is that they give you free, cooked food along with your drink and this somehow causes you to reminiscence about your mother or it is just that being in a bar is so normal that bar tenders take you in immediately.  Remember, find the bar closest to your apartments in Madrid and go to the bar for 2 consecutive days and then it will become “your bar.”

Note: These points are extracted from my own experience.  Maybe yours is not as pleasant as mine?  But having good vibes, good karma, or just a good mood — call it as you wish — helps!

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

There should be a sign on the door of Villa di Maiano at Fattoria di Maiano: Warning entering this villa may make your heart stop.  It certainly caused mine to skip a beat.  The first thing that I noticed were the magnificent chandeliers.  If I owned a Tuscan villa every single room would have one (even the bathrooms).

The villa features all original furniture from the 17 and 18th Centuries.  The rooms are filled with richly colored frescoes, elegantly refined tapestries, and furniture fit for royalty.  Can you imagine getting married in such a grand place?  Count Francesco Miari Fulcis’ wife is in charge of organizing all of the events on the property.

The history of Villa di Maiano is incredibly fascinating, in fact I hope that someone writes a book about it one day, since I would be the first person to buy a copy.  The details are what make it so special and are which I chose to photograph.

Our walk through the villa was brief, as we had a tour of the olive oil factory and a Trafalgar Tours Be My Guest lunch awaiting us.  But first, I took a moment to stop and smell the roses olives.

Of course, I had to pick one, so that I could now say in the future: I remember that time that I picked an olive from a Count’s olive grove in Tuscany. . .

Golfing has always been a special part of my life, even though I do not necessarily follow the sport or play it regularly.  However, my Mother was the first woman to work at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia and I have very fond memories from my childhood searching for errant golf balls in the surrounding woods and catching tadpoles in the lakes scattered around the courses.

While I personally do not golf when I am on vacation, many people enjoy getting active with their clubs and plan their trips completely around golf courses.  Some of the best are located in the United States and the following three cities are perfect examples.  However, there are excellent golf courses in other cities as well — some are even a part of the upcoming 2012 LPGA tour schedule.

Las Vegas Golf

When most people think of Las Vegas, they think “party capitol.”  That is in fact true, but outside of the Strip lies an abundance of golf courses that are worth skipping the casinos for.  One of the best is the Arroyo Golf Club, which affords players not only challenging courses, but also spectacular views of Red Rock Canyon, one of Las Vegas’ most famous landmarks, and sweeping panoramic views of the cityscape.  Another place that is worth checking out is the Badlands Golf Club.  It is set amongst some of Nevada’s most breathtaking desert scenery and offers an exciting day out for all players, regardless of  being a novice or having a low handicap.

Myrtle Beach Golf

Can you imagine anything more relaxing than zoning out on the golf course to the sound of the ocean in the background?  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has quickly become a golfer’s paradise — attracting thousands of players every year and for good reason.  The Myrtle Beach area is recognized as the leading packaged golf vacation destination in the world, as it has over one hundred courses to chose from.  Legends Resorts is home to six of the finest golf courses in the state, as well as the country, including the famous TPC.  It is the former home of the Senior PGA Championship and is a both a masterpiece to look at and a joy to play.

Augusta Golf

Golfing will always and forever remain immensely popular in Augusta, Georgia thanks to the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club.  It is easily one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world, attracting players such as Presidents of the United States.  The course is a tough test of skill, though renowned for its beauty with the greens lined with flowers and hundred year old trees.  It is not the only grand course in the city, thus if you are not able to gain access to its greens there are plenty of other places to make a tee time.