Category: Travel

The Best Time To Visit Rome: Weather Events and Attractions

November 26, 2024

Rome is an enchanting city which of course has much to offer active visitors.  It is one of the world’s most popular cities and it is the capital of Italy. Tourists come from all parts of the world to watch ancient structures, eat delicious Italian food, and hear about its wonderful history.

If you are dreaming of spending your time in such a city as Rome, this guide will make your trip great. We’ll discuss when it is appropriate to visit, what attractions the passengers might not want to miss, and how the passengers can locate the perfect accommodation. Are you prepared for information blasts of Rome hotel bookings, luxury hotels in Rome, and more? 

Many people know that Rome is a city of incredible history, unique art, and delicious cuisine. Because of the heavy historical background, it is often referred to as ‘the eternal city. No matter if you like history, like eating pizza, or visiting museums, you will enjoy your time in Rome.

But when is the best time to visit Rome? That again depends on what you want to do. Discover the perfect times to travel to Rome by examining the seasons, weather, and events to keep in mind.

When Should You Visit Rome?

Essentially Rome is beautiful if visited at any time of the year, however, it depends on the kind of climate you are interested in.

Spring (March to May)

That which makes spring a suitable time to visit Rome is not exhaustive but some of the reasons include; The climate is actively warm with no extreme heat and everything is in bloom; flowers.

Weather: Fresh temperature being about 15 to 22 degrees Celsius or 59 to 72 Fahrenheit is good for walking outdoors.

What to Do: See lovely places such as Villa Borghese, taste delicious Italian ice cream, and visit extraordinary places like the Colosseum.

Summer (June to August)

The average temperature during the summer season is often high, and the sky is mostly clear. We seem to get into festivals and outdoor events with the weather and time.

Weather: 27–31°C (81–88°F) so clothing should be light and do not forget your sunscreen.

What to Do: Watch summer festivals, eat lots of ice creams, and visit some interesting museums during the summertime.

Fall (September to November)

Autumn also means more comfortable temperatures and fewer people to disturb. A good moment to check the city.

Weather: 15–25°C (59–77°F), perfect for wearing comfortable shoes for a walk. 

What to Do: With several streets to wander around including the Tiber River, you can taste coffee, and not neglect visiting Basilicas such as the St. Peter’s Basilica.

Winter (December to February)

It is cold and sleepy in Rome in winter. With it, you can view the Christmas decorations around the city while enjoying fairly decent prices.

Weather: It’s generally around 10 degrees Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit so make sure you carry your warm jacket with you.

What to Do: Go to museums, attend Christmas fairs, and taste the hot Italian pasta.

How To Clove A Hotel In Rome

So, to make a great trip you have to start with the right place to spend the night. Rome has a lot of great places to stay, everything from extravagant accommodations to small quaint places.

Luxury Hotels in Rome

If you prefer the luxury feel you can choose from many luxury hotels in Rome. These hotels have large comfortable beds, good food and yes you will find spas in these hotels.  Some are close to tourist attractions, for instance, the Colosseum or the Vatican City.

Exclusive Rome Resorts

If you want to go the extra mile, then you need to visit exclusive Rome resorts. These places could be in a dream.  They can sunbathe by the swimming pool; take a walk in the well-tended garden or even eat in a starter restaurant.

Budget-Friendly Hotels

That’s it, do not worry if you want to save some money.  Of course, there are also affordable hotels in Rome. They may not complement the high-end gadgets, but they offer clean surroundings, comfort, and most importantly family accommodation.

Booking Tips

  1. There is another way to look for the best hotels in Rome, it is to use the Website to get information on the price difference.
  2. It is advisable to make an early reservation, especially for the visitors who are planning to travel during the spring-summer season.
  3. Search on Rome travel packages for hotels, flights, and other tour-inclusive offers.

Best Events In Rome

Spring Events

Easter Week: Welcome Easter with a religious event featuring mass and procession at the Vatican.

Rome’s Birthday: Rome was founded on the 21st of April. Enjoy parades and fireworks.

Summer Events

Republic Day (June 2nd): Take in parades and even enjoy the anniversary of Italy itself.

 Music Festivals: Listen to live music at the Rock in Roma or any other summer fest.

Fall Events

Notte Bianca (White Night Festival): Savor music and art that happens at night in September.

Rome Film Festival: Watch international movies and interact with celebrities in October.

Winter Events

Christmas Markets: Visit the Piazza Navona area for shopping for gifts and small treats.

Carnival In February: It is an entertaining occasion during which one must watch parades and wear colorful masks.

Tips for Booking Your Trip

Plan Early

Tours to Rome remain high, especially during the season, from spring to summer. Rome hotel bookings and flight bookings should be done well in advance to get the best on offer.

Choose the Right Hotel

For more information on luxury hotels, look at Luxury Accommodation in Rome or Rome’s Best Hotels. Given the nature of these places, they deliver excellent service, have outstanding rooms, and are located in strategic places.

Look for Travel Packages

If you want to have an easy vacation without thinking of so many things, you have a Rome travel package that you can try. These range from flight bookings, bookings in accredited hotels, and even guide tours meaning the consumer saves time and sometimes even cash.

Top Places to Visit in Rome

The same can be said by stating that Rome is an open-air museum. The beauty of art and architecture can be found around every corner, just astounding.

Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the best-known constructions in the world. It is a very old place where gladiators used to battle. You may visit the place and be enlightened about its history.

Vatican City

The pope has a home that is a small country inside Rome. It is the place of the Pope and wonderful such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is something of an enchanting fairy tape that becomes a coin-tossing site to wish for something. Oh, and do not forget that it is tradition here to throw a coin into the water over their shoulder.

Roman Forum

The Forum Romanum is a large zone with architectural remains. It is always interesting to guess what life would have been like in ancient Rome.

Piazza Navona

This is a large beautiful paved area with water features and artists and some cafés. This is a nice meeting and eating place where they offer gelato.

Fun Activities for Families

Rome Is Not Only For Adults But Also For Kids.

Take a Pizza Class

Find out how real Italian pizza is made. It’s fun and yummy. 

Explore Castles

Click the Castel Sant Angelo, an interesting castle which has underground tunnels and the best view in Rome.

Ride a Bike

Hire out bicycles and travel through Villa Borghese parks. It is a beautiful place, a bit away from the noisy city life.

Eat Gelato

It is a fact well known to anyone who has been to Rome that their ice cream is the best in the whole world. It is recommended that one should try theatres of pistachio, chocolate, or strawberry.

Rome Travel Packages

It is always difficult to plan a vacation; however, Rome travel packages simplify everything. These packages often include. 

  • Flights to Rome.
  • Accommodations in a few of the best hotels in Rome.
  • Visiting famous places as tourist attractions.
  • And some will even let you throw in meals or even transport. 

 

Handling travel packages often is time and cost-effective; this is especially true for people who believe in family. Go online to locate promotions that match your price range.

Rome’s Delicious Food

Italian food must be one of the most enjoyable aspects of having a vacation in Rome. 

Pizza

Rome’s pizza is crunchy and very thin. Other toppings you can use include fresh tomatoes, cheese, and basil.

Pasta

For example, don’t leave without having tried some pasta such as spaghetti carbonara, cacao e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper).

Gelato

Gelato is Italian ice cream, and by its flavor and taste you feel amazing the whole day. 

Tiramisu

This is a dessert prepared from coffee, cream, and cocoa and is taken as one of the desserts. It’s perfect after a meal.

Tips For A Great Trip

  • Wear comfy shoes. You’ll walk a lot in Rome.
  • Carry water. Oh especially in summer, it gets hot here.
  • Book tours early. Destinations such as the Vatican are likely to get crowded.
  • Learn a few Italian words. Just a simple ciao, hello, or Grazie, thank you are always welcome.

Wrap up:

Rome is a wonderful city indeed. If it is the historic Colosseum or delicious gelato, there is something for everyone. Whether you decide to stay at luxury hotels in Rome or other relatively cheaper kinds of hotels, your trip is going to be awesome. Remember to use some hotel recommendations to make your bookings early, also Rome Travel recommends Useful and might find better discounts in Rome travel packages.

Rome is the most beautiful city, beautiful no matter the season it is. Something is engaging and inviting during the spring and fall, the weather is great, and there are things to do. Summer is busy and tropical while winter is calm and warm. Whether you select the time that suits you the most, you will have a wonderful journey.

Whether you have decided to holiday in luxury and book one of the best hotels in Rome or choose to discover the appeal of boutique Rome resorts, Rome will provide memories for a lifetime.

How To Plan A Trip To London

November 25, 2024

Planning a trip to London is an exciting experience. But it all depends on how you plan your trip. The wrong planning can often lead to the worst experience. How often do you think about staying in a luxurious hotel? Something with big comfy beds, yummy food, and calm swimming pools? However, this is the time to look at the luxuriousness of hotels and discover as many features as possible. You will also learn where to get the best luxury hotels and sweet deals and where to have your next vacation. 

Every day in London is an adventure; there are simply too many things to see and do. If you are thinking about going on a trip, don’t panic. It can be simple and enjoyable if done the right way. Here are guidelines you should consider to ensure your trip to London is a unique world experience with luxury hotel deals.                                                                                                                                                           

Plan A Trip To Pick the Right Time To Visit London

The first decision one makes is when to go. London is charming all year round, but every season has its appeal.

Spring (March to May): There are flowers, and the parks are tender to the green. The weather is good, not extremely hot or extremely cold, so many people prefer to tour within the city.

Summer (June to August): Days are long and sunny. You can also attend events or festivals in the open sky or on the grounds.

Autumn (September to November): The sky is blue, the temperature is lower, and the trees become yellow. It’s perfect for walks in the park in London.

Winter (December to February): Enjoy Christmas tree lights and winter markets. London just looks magical, especially when there is snow.

Decide How Long To Stay

For a good trip, one has to spend at least 3-5 days in the place of visit. It provides enough time to undertake significant activities, such as visiting the London Tower and Buckingham Palace. If you desire more, try booking for a week.

Set A Budget: Knowing the maximum amount one can spend on a particular item is less complicated. London can be expensive, but you can still break the bank and have a good time.

Save on attractions: Some places like the Museum and Hyde Park have been free.

Spend on comfort: If you like comfort, seek to book luxury hotels online that offer good discounts.

Book Your Stay: Where you stay matters. London offers affordable options for fast food lovers and luxurious hotels.

Why Choose a Luxury Hotel?

They help to make your trip even more enjoyable.  

  1. Comfy beds.
  2. Fancy restaurants.
  3. Good locations near significant landmarks.

Seek the digital coupons on the hotels, then ensure you book a luxury hotel; this will allow you to get Quality service at an affordable price.

How to Book?

  • Look for brands such as the famous luxury hotel brands you can find on the market.
  • When looking to book luxury hotels online, it is graceful to do so on the Internet to ensure they get the best deal.
  • Take advantage of reasonable prices when you can get luxury hotel brands at a cheaper price.
  • Don’t forget to visit bellhopping to spot the best deals on hotels.

Plan What To See And Do

London has so much to offer. Here are some spots. 

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament: Culture icons: People are aware of famous cultures with which everyone is familiar.

Tower of London: A castle related to historical events and chilly tales.

London Eye, Ferris Wheel

The Natural History Museum: Want to learn about dinosaurs? How about more? It’s all free. 

Parks: During the day, tourists can relax at Hyde Park or St. James’s Park, among other parks.

Book Flights

Getting to London is easy. Most people fly into one of these airports. 

Heathrow: The biggest airport.

Gatwick: Perfect for tourists from other countries.

City Airport: Good if you’re coming from Europe.

Airlines should employ web development to enable clients to check flight costs and purchase early to get cheaper flights.

Pack Smart

Make a list of what you need. London weather can change quickly, so pack. 

  • A jacket or umbrella.
  • Comfy shoes for walking.
  • Eyes, too, for all the great scenes.

Plan Your Transport

London’s transportation is quite friendly. Occasionally, public transport includes the Underground (the Tube), buses, and even boats. You can get an Oyster or contactless bank card to pay the fares.

Enjoy the Food

There are foods from all four corners of the globe in London.

Fish and Chips: A classic dish.

Afternoon Tea: Guernsey of sandwiches, cakes, and tea are available in unique places.

Street Food Markets: Savor meals from different parts of the world.

Save Money With Deals

Namely, the traveling does not have to cost a lot of Money. Look for. 

  • Free attractions.
  • There are low ticket charges for you to attend shows and tours.
  • Some of the finest luxury hotels offer to stay comfortable and not hit your pocket too hard.

Why Stay In A Luxury Hotel?

Five reasons why luxury hotels are fantastic are because they make you feel special. Here’s why people love them. 

Comfy Beds: The bed bottoms are as soft as clouds, ensuring sleep well at night.

Great Food: From pancakes to pizzas, in luxury hotels and everywhere else, you get to eat the best food prepared by the best chefs in the world.

Cool Pools: At some hotels, you can swim to your heart’s content as they have pools you can swim in all day. 

Friendly Staff: Employees are friendly and prompt with their services.

Unique Views: Imagine waking up to the beach or the lights of the big city. 

The most important lists of Holiday destinations are cities, Countries, Islands, mountains, and for those who like sunshine, Sea, and Sand.

Best Luxury Hotels

Here are some of the best luxury hotels where you can have fun. 

Burj Al Arab (Dubai): This hotel resembles a jumbo sailboat, but it is quite luxurious and has golden embellishments.

Ritz-Carlton (Paris): This hotel also has a royal feel, which is fine if you like castles and formal-looking designs.

Plaza (New York City): The furniture is familiar from movies, and this hotel is perfect for children who wish to discover New York.

Marina Bay Sands (Singapore): Its rooftop swimming pool is amidst the rippling sky, and it can be an excellent experience. 

Four Seasons (Worldwide): These hotels are in one or the other corner of the world and are known for their excellent service delivery.

All these hotels are part of the most famous luxurious hotel chains often mentioned in conversations. 

Because luxury hotels are one of the most critical considerations and areas of spending when traveling, many people may need clarification when booking such accommodations.

It is stimulating to always look for top luxury hotel brands. Here’s how you can do it. 

Search Online: Search for the images and opinions about the hotels online.

Read Reviews: Friends alert each other to the situations they are likely to encounter.

Look at Pictures: Photos of the rooms,  pools, and restaurants.

Check Locations: Choose the locations of hotels where you wish them to be, such as near the shore or culturally significant areas.

Booking Luxury Hotels

You are booking it very fast. When it is time to book your stay, you just follow these simple steps.

You can reserve the hotels you have always wanted on websites. These sites display the prices, pictures, and sometimes the deals. Some popular ones are. 

Conclusion

Luxury hotels are that extraordinary world where dreams come true. Whether you are a business traveler, a tourist visiting a new city, a beach volleyball player, or simply having fun with your family, the best luxury hotels only add color to it.

So, the next time you plan a trip, search for top luxury hotel brands, search for the best hotel deals, and even try how to book luxury hotels on the net. It’s tons of fun, and you will have the best time of your life.

Italy is a country known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine.

November 1, 2024

Italy is a country known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. Italy offers countless opportunities to create unforgettable memories from exploring ancient ruins and vibrant cities to indulging in world-class food and wine. Check our insights below to help you plan the perfect trip tailored to your interests and preferences.

Choose your favorite itinerary and let the experts take care of the rest.

Roman ruins, verdant countryside, endless pasta, and cliff-hugging coastlines – it’s no wonder Italy is known as Il Bel Paese. (The country consistently heads Virtuoso’s list of top destinations.) Whether travelers are first-time visitors or la dolce vita experts, it’s nice to let someone else handle every on-the-ground logistic. To help travelers experience it all, tour company Classic Vacations works with Virtuoso travel advisors to craft curated private itineraries across the country. Trips include luxe accommodations in iconic hotels, private transfers, and exclusive tours. Here, highlights from five sample itineraries to inspire a little Italian wanderlust.

The Classic Jaunt – Venice, Florence, and Rome

While travelers could spend unlimited time in three of the world’s greatest cities – Venice, Florence, and Rome – ten days is a good start for appreciating the history, charm, and gelaterias of this Italian trifecta. In Venice, check into a lagoon-facing suite at the 52-room Londra Palace Venezia before heading out on a private walking tour that reveals La Serenissima’s rich history, followed by a gondola ride through the city’s mesmerizing canals.  

In Florence, revel in views of Renaissance architecture from the 63-room Hotel Lungarno and take a stroll in the city’s famous square, Piazza della Signoria, before visiting the Uffizi Gallery to admire the great works of Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Giotto. Travelers can learn the art of cooking authentic Tuscan cuisine – and taste the results – or savor world-class wines on an excursion to the rolling hills of Chianti.  

In Rome, the trip’s final stop, travelers immerse themselves in millennia of history via escorted tours to some of the city’s most spellbinding ancient monuments, including the Forum and the Colosseum. On a guided tour of Vatican City, marvel at the Renaissance-era Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica. End the journey with a toast to the Eternal City from atop the Spanish Steps at the 87-room Hotel Hassler. 

The Grand Tour – Milan to Sicily

This epic, two-week journey stretching from northern to southern Italy begins in Milan, where travelers banish jet lag in the 104-room Mandarin Oriental, Milan’s spa before spying da Vinci’s Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie and indulging in some retail therapy in the city’s elite fashion district. On a day trip, travelers explore Lake Como by boat before an exclusive dinner at the lavish 84-room Grand Hotel Tremezzo.

From Milan, spend a few days soaking in the Tuscan countryside in the medieval hill town of Siena or go coastal on the Cinque Terre for seaside afternoons and alfresco dinners. Then it’s onward to the Amalfi Coast, where dips in the sea near Capri pair with an afternoon walking Pompeii’s ancient streets and idling in the good life at the 66-room Hotel Santa Caterina. The journey ends in Sicily, known for its beaches, medieval ruins, and flaky cannoli. While you’re on the island, trek one of the many panoramic trails along Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, before sampling local wines at a nearby vineyard.

The Unexpected Getaway – Verona, Bologna, and More

Travelers can stray from the well-trodden path on a 12-day tour that starts in Verona and takes in some of Italy’s most fascinating under-the-radar sights. In Verona, check into historic, 89-room Due Torri Hotel, then set out to explore the city’s elegant centuries-old piazzas, shopping arcades, and Roman arena, before setting off to Vicenza, birthplace of renowned architect Palladio.  

A stay at Bologna’s 106-room Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni, housed in an eighteenth-century palazzo originally built for Pope Benedict XIV, is the gateway to the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants and automobile museums. After sneaking away to Porto Venere, a charming seaside town on Liguria’s romantic Gulf of Poets, travelers explore the picturesque Cinque Terre coastline by boat or train before returning to the 48-room Grand Hotel Portovenere. The trip concludes in the Tuscan countryside at the 53-room Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, an ideal home base for bike rides through ancient hill towns, a few rounds of golf, and sampling some of the region’s award-winning brunello wines.

The Unforgettable Family Trip – Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome

The memories from a ten-day family vacation in Italy will last a lifetime – and this itinerary puts a kid-friendly spin on one of the country’s classic jaunts. After settling into a two-bedroom suite at Venice’s 92-room Baglioni Hotel Luna, take the family for a gondola ride or to a mask-making workshop, or just enjoy the freedom and fun of getting lost in the Floating City’s maze of streets and canals. From there, it’s off to Florence, where the kids’ program at Rocco Forte Hotels’ 80-room Hotel Savoy pampers everyone from tots to teens. See who can climb to the soaring dome of Florence’s cathedral the fastest, learn about Galileo’s remarkable cosmic discoveries, and, of course, sample gelato in the city where it was invented.

An excursion to Pisa gives families the chance to take turns “holding up” its iconic leaning tower, before a grand Roman finale. The 120-room Hotel de Russie hosts families in the heart of the Eternal City, where they can choose among a pizza and gelato crawl, bike rides in Villa Borghese park, or private kid-friendly tours of Rome’s ancient highlights.  

The Romantic Escape – Milan, the Cinque Terre, and Rome  

Italy is every bit as alluring as you might expect, and Milan is the starting point for this sweet eight-day getaway. The 106-room Park Hyatt Milano places travelers in the heart of the action, with the Duomo and belle epoque Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade just steps away. Tour the city in a luxury sedan, then sip negronis along the canals of the buzzy Navigli district.

Travelers move to the Italian Riviera and Santa Margherita Ligure’s 72-room Grand Hotel Miramare, where a sea-facing balcony suite is an ideal hideaway after a private yacht excursion to the five postcard-perfect villages of the Cinque Terre. In Tuscany, an overnight at the 14-room Castello Banfi Wine Resort allows time for spa treatments, Michelin-starred dining, horseback riding, and winetasting on the hotel’s working wine estate.  

Finally, love springs eternal in Rome, where legendary landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are the backdrop for romance. The 114-room Bulgari Hotel Roma offers a private spa suite for two, and from its doorstep, travelers indulge in private market tours, cooking classes, and nighttime winetasting tours through Rome’s charming backstreets.

Discover the best ways to experience Italy’s beauty and culture. Explore our curated selection of the finest luxury hotels and resorts worldwide with exclusive rates. Find hotel deals & discounts at Bellhopping. Contact us today to start your journey and check our IG for more inspiration.

Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/five-bellissimo-ways-to-travel-through-italy]

Discover the Vibrant Meatpacking District

October 1, 2024

New York City’s Meatpacking District is a vibrant hub of fashion, dining, and nightlife. Today, this trendy district is home to high-end boutiques, world-class restaurants, and stylish bars. From exploring the High Line to indulging in delicious cuisine, here we will help you discover the best of this exciting neighborhood.

High Line pit stops, hot-spot restaurants, and more. 

Long before NYC’s Meatpacking District became well-known for its high fashion, trendy restaurants, and late-night parties, the neighborhood had humbler beginnings. On Manhattan’s far West Side, tucked between Chelsea and the West Village, the Meatpacking District got its name in the 1880s for the throngs of butcher shops and meat wholesalers that lined its brick streets. In the 1970s, as the highway system and the rise of supermarkets altered the meatpacking landscape, the area became one of Manhattan’s burgeoning zones of arts, culture and LGBTQ+ nightlife. In the late 1990s, fashion designers such as Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, and Alexander McQueen opened studios and boutiques, ushering in a new creative era for the district. 

Today, the Meatpacking District is still one of Manhattan’s coolest areas, where travelers can shop, stroll along the High Line, and sip spritzes on rooftop bars before spying celebrities on the dance floor in glitzy clubs and hidden speakeasies. Here, a few places not to miss. 

Prairie grasses, birch trees, ferns, and more border the High Line park’s walking trail.

New York City Tourism.

Green Spaces, Art Galleries, and City Beaches

Check into the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel, which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, debuting a lobby filled with large-scale art pieces, two new restaurants, and 187 redesigned rooms, including the art-filled, lavish penthouse suite by Italian furniture designer Poliform. Not to miss: a Sicilian Sangria cocktail by the pool at the Gansevoort rooftop bar.

The centerpiece of the Meatpacking District is the 1.45-mile High Line park, which sits above street level, stretching from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street. The former rail line features art installations, beautiful landscaping, spectacular city views, and more.

Before or after strolling the High Line, make time to explore the Whitney Museum of American Art, located near the park’s southern entrance. The building – an asymmetrical marvel of modern architecture designed by architect Renzo Piano – stands out among the neighborhood’s brick facades. Inside, the space encompasses more than 26,000 pieces of contemporary American art, including a series of rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection that features works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Louise Bourgeois, and Donald Judd.

Just a short walk away, Fort Gansevoort – a two-story gallery housed inside a nineteenth-century Greek Revival brownstone – showcases rotating exhibitions and hosts annual art fairs. Named after an abandoned army fort on the Hudson River, husband-and-wife founders Adam Shopkorn and Carolyn Tate Angel established the gallery in 2015 to host artists-in-residence who could sell their pieces and teach weekend craft workshops for the public.

Summertime travelers should be sure to leave plenty of time to hang out at Manhattan’s first public beach. Just across the Hudson River Greenway from the Whitney, Gansevoort Peninsula, which opened in 2023, is home to a sandy stretch fronting the Hudson River, a salt marsh, pine groves, ball fields, and Day’s End, a permanent art installation by David Hammons presented by the Whitney and Hudson River Park. For more fresh air and beautiful views, walk five minutes up the street and across the pedestrian bridge to Little Island, an interactive public park on top of a floating pier. Attend a theater, dance, or music performance in the amphitheater; walk to the park’s highest point at 63 feet above the Hudson; and explore the interactive dance chimes, spinning discs, and tilted spun chairs.

 

Pastis, a neighborhood favorite, stuns with vintage mirrors, mosaic floors, and subway tiles.

New York City Tourism.

Can’t-Miss Meatpacking District Restaurants and Bars

The Meatpacking District blends both well-established, see-and-be-seen institutions and trendy new upstarts. Start with brunch reservations at local staple Pastis for French dishes such as buttery escargot, Niçoise salad, Gruyère omelets, and classic croque madames. New Greek restaurant Meduza Mediterrania is the latest place to nibble on mezzes such as dolmas and whipped eggplant, fresh Greek salad, and grilled branzino with charred lemon and grassy olive oil under an undulating ceiling decorated with basket-woven pendant lighting. Genesis House, located on the second floor of the Genesis car showroom, offers upscale Korean cuisine in an intimate setting. Try the Wagyu beef mandu (dumplings) and risotto with snow crab and uni, or choose to be surprised by the chef’s curated tasting.

The Whitney recently scored a new partner to run its café, the Frenchette Bakery, which showcases flaky pastries as well as several popular menu items, such as duck confit and a spring pea salad, inspired by the Frenchette restaurant in Tribeca. Grab a refreshing pre- or post-dinner drink at Brass Monkey, The Standard Biergarten, or Coffee + Cocktails inside the Gansevoort hotel. The swanky, wood-paneled Dining Room hidden on the lower level of the RH New York complex, is a discreet spot to to indulge in grilled avocado with caviar, Australian Wagyu rib eye, or Branzino cooked over Japanese Binchotan charcoal. 

Good news for night owls: The neighborhood’s long-standing reputation as a nightlife capital still holds true. Make a table reservation at popular clubs such as Le Bain, Buddakan, and TAO Downtown Nightclub, where DJs spin tracks well into the early hours of the morning. Join nightlife stalwarts (Susanne Bartsch and Eli Escobar may be among them) on the dance floor, indulging your hedonistic side beneath elaborate chandeliers and beside overflowing Champagne buckets.  

A day out in NYC’s Meatpacking District.

New York City Tourism.

Designer and Well-Curated Souvenirs to Bring Home 

With so many boutiques to choose from, shopping in the Meatpacking District requires a strategy. Flagships from longtime residents Christian Louboutin and Diane von Furstenberg have been joined over the years by outposts of high-fashion favorites such as Rag & Bone, Marni, Alice + Olivia, Brunello Cucinelli, Eberjey, Loro Piana, Hermès, Vince, Zimmermann, and Theory. Most recently, Gucci and the Parisian brands Sandro and Maje joined the fray, along with Spanish porcelain-figurine maker Lladró, caviar spot Petrossian, and cult camera brand Leica.

For an only-in-NYC experience, step into contemporary eyewear store Lucky Selectism, which stocks a selection of vintage eyewear, apparel, and accessories from a wide range of independent designers, all curated by owner Heewon Kim. Local brand Saint Art keeps its only shoppable showroom in the Meatpacking District, as does fine-jewelry designer Temple St. Clair, who decided to open her first retail shop in 2023 in an intimate space on Washington Street.

A few other must-visits: the apparel boutique two : minds, launched in 2021 by a pair of friends who were dismayed by the many retail closures during the pandemic; grand, six-level home-furnishings emporium RH New York; and the new Maiden Home, which debuted its first retail shop in 2023 on Little West 12th Street. Finally, stop into the intimate Parfums de Marly to pick up a new scent to bring home – each future spritz will recall memories of an afternoon spree in one of NYC’s most special neighborhoods.

Indulge in the best of New York City. Experience the Meatpacking District’s world-class dining, shopping, and nightlife. With Bellhopping, you can book your perfect stay and receive cashback after booking a hotel for you, friends, or family. Check our IG for more.

Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/where-to-eat-shop-and-play-in-new-york-citys-meatpacking-district]

The Beauty and Conservation of Coastalegre

September 16, 2024

Mexico’s Coastalegre region offers a stunning blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. High-end hotels beckon travelers, but a majority of the Pacific region remains wild and untouched. This pristine coastline, with its diverse ecosystems and vibrant marine life, is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers

More than 200 miles of dense jungle, mango orchards, and golden beaches make Mexico’s Costalegre (“Happy Coast”) feel much farther away than just a couple of hours south of buzzy Puerto Vallarta. In this remote section of Jalisco along the Pacific Coast, a small group of private landowners protect unspoiled shores and surrounding mountain forests from the kind of tourist development that pervades other coastal communities.  

“Costalegre is Mexico’s crown jewel, not only because of its natural beauty and varied ecosystems, but because it’s being developed in a very mindful way,” says Ricardo Santa Cruz, the co-founder and CEO of Xala, a new eco-conscious planned community along Costalegre’s northern shores. Santa Cruz has spent 17 years carefully developing the 3,000-acre beach destination with an organic farm and agave plantation amid nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Like other major landowners in this area, he hopes to inspire travelers while diligently preserving a part of Mexico’s spectacular – and still wild – landscape. 

In 2008, Santa Cruz and his partners started reforestation efforts at Xala, and nine years later, they received Ramsar wetland designation for two estuaries that support more than 100 bird species. Abutting the estuaries, 300 acres of mango trees supply fresh fruit to Xala and its surrounding communities. Still to come: a 51-room Six Senses hotel, slated to open in 2026, along with affordable employee housing that’s currently under construction.  

The coastal Xala community will open an ultra-luxe hotel in 2026.

Xala

“When you’re developing a large tract of land in a remote location containing [fragile] ecosystems and neighbored by marginalized communities, you have to consider the environmental, social, and economic impact on all stakeholders,” Santa Cruz says. 

A Fledgling Sanctuary

Just a few miles south of Xala on Highway 200, another community, Careyes, marks the metaphorical beginning of modern Costalegre. When Italian banker Gian Franco Brignone arrived at this stretch of the Pacific Coast in 1968 looking for untouched wilderness, he began creating a blueprint. Back in the Mediterranean, Brignone had witnessed tourist enclaves take over with little regard for the local ecology, so he kept conservation at the forefront of his plans in Jalisco for an arts and nature destination backed by a community foundation.   

In four decades of operation, Careyes has only developed two percent of its 7,000 acres – for Mediterranean-style lodging, local restaurants, and arts programming, including annual music festivals. Most of the community remains wild.   

Travelers visiting Careyes might watch migrating humpback whales and participate in sunset releases of sea-turtle hatchlings. Biologist Alejandro Peña de Niz opened the community’s own turtle sanctuary in 1983, before the Mexican government’s official ban on turtle-egg harvesting. More than 40 years later, and largely because of Careyes’ protection measures and public education, four of the world’s six sea-turtle species – three of which are on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s critically endangered list – return to the Costalegre to lay up to 5,000 eggs daily during the high-summer mating season. Now similar sea-turtle camps dot Jalisco’s shores, protecting turtles from poachers and natural predators such as coatis and jaguars.

Sea turtle sanctuaries are spread across the Costalegre’s protected shores.

Costalegre Tourism Board

The Goldsmith Effect

In 1987, Brignone sold some 20,000 acres of land to James Goldsmith, a French-British financier who was similarly interested in preserving the Costalegre. Through the Cuixmala Ecological Foundation, which Goldsmith founded in 1988, he established a private land stewardship; today, the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve spans 32,000 acres of dry tropical forest that’s home to 70 species of mammals, 270 bird species, and more than 1,200 plant varieties. It’s one of the most diverse forests along the Americas’ Pacific Coast.  

Just 20 miles from Careyes, the 18-room Las Alamandas resort serves as a small, public-facing portion of the Goldsmith family legacy. Here, Isabel Goldsmith-Patiño, one of Goldsmith’s daughters, oversees the solar-powered adobe guest rooms, an organic farm and orchards, a private landing strip, and a driftwood-furniture workshop that together make up just two percent of the 1,982-acre forest and beachfront property. Isabel’s grandfather, Bolivian businessman and diplomat Antenor Patiño, had once hoped to build a marina and a golf course on the land, but when she inherited it in 1982, the younger Goldsmith abandoned those plans and let nature take over.  

“When I arrived and saw this unspoiled beach, I wanted to save this little piece of the world, protect the area with organic farming, and encourage travelers to disconnect from their everyday [routines] and reconnect with nature,” Goldsmith-Patiño says.  

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, where a small farm and pollinator garden complement the natural ambience.

Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo

Teaching Future Generations

Mornings hiking in the jungle and afternoons spent on secluded beaches draw travelers farther down the Costalegre, where more than 2,000 acres of protected eco-reserve surround the Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo. Here, 157 serene suites carved into ocean cliffs share the land with a 35-acre farm growing nopal cactus, avocados, peppers, and more produce for the resort’s three restaurants. At a new on-site pollinator garden, butterflies and bees busy themselves among the dahlias and arnica.   

Four Seasons’ nature-based programming extends to the surrounding communities. A new project, Sal a Pajarear (“Go Birding”) has introduced 2,200 local schoolchildren to native bird species such as the glossy ibis and northern jacana. Tamarindo resident biologist Francisco Javier León González says that this and more ecological offerings, from guided ethnobotany walks to tactile exhibits in the hotel’s Discovery Center, teach foundational lessons in sustainable resource use and the conservation of vulnerable ecosystems. “These programs with the [surrounding] towns allow us to talk about conservation and instill a love of animals and nature,” he explains. All along the coast, initiatives such as these entice travelers while cultivating a love for the land where it matters most – at the local level.

Discover the hidden gem of Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Find a luxurious hotel in Coastalegre and experience the beauty of nature. Book your stay through our platform and enjoy cash-back hotel bookings. Check our IG for more inspiration.

Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/meet-the-people-preserving-paradise-on-mexicos-costalegre]

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