Paris is known for its world-class dining, with a mix of traditional French cuisine, modern gastronomy, and exquisite venues. Here are some of the best restaurants in Paris that offer a luxurious and unforgettable, Michelin-starred dining experience:

• Michelin-starred restaurants Paris

1. Le Jules Verne

located in the Eiffel Tower provides an unforgettable fusion of gastronomy and panoramic views of the City of Lights, perfect for those craving the ultimate in culinary sophistication.

• Location: Eiffel Tower, 2nd floor
• Cuisine: French Gastronomy
• Vibe: Iconic, Romantic, and Exclusive

• Overview: Located inside the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne is an unforgettable dining experience with breathtaking views of Paris. The Michelin-starred restaurant offers exquisite French cuisine curated by renowned chef Frédéric Anton, with dishes that are as artful as the views.
• Must-Try Dish: Lobster with citrus fruits and shellfish bisque.

Bookings can be made via their official page or OpenTable.

2. Guy Savoy

• Location: Monnaie de Paris, 6th arrondissement
• Cuisine: Contemporary French
• Vibe: Opulent, Artistic, and Classic

• Overview: A three Michelin-starred restaurant, Guy Savoy is one of the city’s culinary jewels. The restaurant features modern interpretations of French cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients, combined with exceptional service and a luxurious atmosphere.
• Must-Try Dish: Artichoke soup with black truffle and layered truffle brioche.

3. L’Ambroisieu

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, Europe transforms into a dreamy paradise, perfect for those who love luxury and elegance. If you’re looking to indulge in the finer things while experiencing the magic of autumn, here are five destinations that promise a classy and fabulous escape this fall:

1. Paris, France – Timeless Elegance

The City of Light is even more captivating in the fall. Stroll through the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, visit the Louvre without the summer crowds, and enjoy a warm croissant at an outdoor café. Don’t miss a private shopping experience at the iconic Rue Saint-Honoré for the latest in haute couture.

Here are our  luxurious and elegant hotel recommendations for your accommodation in Paris.

1. The Ritz Paris – Iconic Glamour

Located in the heart of Place Vendôme, the Ritz Paris is the epitome of Parisian luxury. With a rich history dating back to 1898, the hotel offers opulent suites, impeccable service, and a world-class spa. It’s a favorite among celebrities and royalty alike. Enjoy a sophisticated afternoon tea at the elegant Salon Proust or sip on a cocktail at the famous Bar Hemingway.

2. Le Meurice – Art and Sophistication

Overlooking the Tuileries Garden, Le Meurice blends classic Parisian charm with contemporary luxury. This palace hotel is a haven for art lovers, featuring design by Philippe Starck. Indulge in two-Michelin-star dining at Restaurant Le Meurice, helmed by renowned chef Alain Ducasse, or unwind at their rejuvenating Valmont spa. Its grand interiors and impeccable service make it a top choice for discerning travelers.

3. Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Haute Couture Experience

Famous for its striking red awnings and prestigious location on Avenue Montaigne, Hôtel Plaza Athénée exudes timeless elegance and style. Known for its connection to the world of haute couture, the hotel is a favorite among fashionistas and designers. Enjoy gourmet dining at the Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée or relax at the serene Dior Spa, inspired by the elegance of the iconic French fashion house.

-These hotels embody the classy and fabulous essence of Paris, offering an unforgettable blend of luxury, elegance, and impeccable service.

2. Florence, Italy – Art and Opulence

Florence in autumn is the epitome of Italian charm. The rich history, stunning Renaissance architecture, and world-class galleries make it an ideal destination for those who appreciate art and luxury. Explore the Uffizi Gallery, sip on fine Tuscan wines, and enjoy a serene stay at a boutique hotel overlooking the Arno River.

Here are three exceptional hotel recommendations for your accommodation in Florence.

1. Four Seasons Hotel Firenze – A Renaissance Palace Experience

Nestled in a 15th-century palazzo surrounded by 11 acres of lush gardens, the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze offers guests an exquisite blend of history and luxury. The hotel features beautifully restored frescoes, opulent suites, and an award-winning spa. Dine al fresco at Il Palagio, a Michelin-starred restaurant, or unwind in the tranquil private garden—a hidden oasis in the heart of Florence.

2. Hotel Savoy – Contemporary Chic with Historic Flair

Located on the Piazza della Repubblica, Hotel Savoy seamlessly combines modern luxury with Florentine history. Its elegantly designed rooms and suites are infused with the sophistication of Italian fashion, thanks to the touch of renowned designer Olga Polizzi. The hotel’s restaurant, Irene, offers a refined Tuscan menu crafted by celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini, making it a culinary destination in its own right.

3. Villa Cora – Opulence Overlooking the Arno

For a more intimate yet equally luxurious experience, Villa Cora offers an elegant retreat just outside the city center. Set in a grand 19th-century mansion, the hotel boasts stunning views of the Arno River and the Boboli Gardens. Lavish décor, including intricate stuccoes and frescoes, evoke Florence’s rich artistic history. Relax by the outdoor pool, enjoy gourmet dining, or indulge in treatments at the luxurious spa.

-Each of these Florence hotels offers a distinctive take on luxury, ensuring that your stay will be as classy and fabulous as the city itself. From Renaissance opulence to contemporary chic, these are the finest options for an unforgettable Florentine escape.

3. Vienna, Austria – Imperial Grace

Vienna’s regal charm makes it one of Europe’s most sophisticated cities. Fall is the perfect time to visit as the city’s parks turn golden, creating a picturesque backdrop. Enjoy a night at the Vienna State Opera, followed by a stay in one of the city’s grand palaces-turned-hotels, where history meets luxury.

Here are three magnificent hotel recommendations for Vienna, each offering a luxurious experience steeped in imperial elegance:

1. Hotel Sacher Wien – A Royal Viennese Experience

Known for its rich history and famed Sachertorte, Hotel Sacher Wien is an icon of Viennese luxury. Located near the Vienna State Opera, this hotel exudes classic charm and imperial grandeur. Each room is elegantly decorated with antiques and fine art, offering guests a true taste of royal opulence. Indulge in world-class dining at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Rote Bar, and enjoy the timeless ambiance of the Café Sacher for an authentic Viennese coffeehouse experience.

2. Palais Coburg – A Grand Palace Retreat

For those seeking to immerse themselves in the grandeur of a true palace, Palais Coburg is the perfect choice. This five-star hotel, set in a 19th-century palace, offers spacious suites with stunning views of Vienna. The hotel’s wine cellar is legendary, boasting one of the most extensive wine collections in Europe. Dine at the two-Michelin-star Silvio Nickol Gourmet Restaurant or relax in the private spa, complete with a sauna and pool, all while surrounded by the timeless splendor of imperial Vienna.

3. Hotel Imperial – Classic Elegance with Imperial Splendor

Originally built in 1863 as a palace for the Prince of Württemberg, Hotel Imperial remains one of Vienna’s most prestigious hotels. The grand marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, and historic décor create an ambiance of old-world sophistication. With its impeccable service, the hotel ensures a regal experience. Dine at the award-winning OPUS restaurant or sip champagne at the majestic 1873 HalleNsalon bar for a truly imperial evening.

These luxurious hotels capture the essence of Vienna’s imperial past while offering modern-day comforts and indulgence. Staying at any of these properties guarantees a classy and fabulous journey through the heart of this elegant city.

4. Prague, Czech Republic – Gothic Allure

Prague is a city of stories, and in the fall, its Gothic architecture takes on a mysterious beauty. Take a stroll across the Charles Bridge under the autumn skies, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, and explore the city’s vibrant arts scene. Prague’s boutique hotels offer a cozy and stylish retreat after a day of exploration.

5. Lake Como, Italy – Lakeside Luxury

For those looking to relax in opulence, Lake Como is the perfect destination this fall. Surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Italian Alps, the lake’s luxurious villas and five-star hotels offer breathtaking views and unmatched privacy. Enjoy gourmet dining, private boat tours, and the ultimate Italian escape.

Europe in the fall is a symphony of colors, culture, and luxury. Each of these destinations offers a unique blend of history, sophistication, and indulgence—perfect for those who live life the classy and fabulous way.

Our luxury travel tips…!

‘The isles of Greece, the isles of Greece, eternal summer gilds them yet…’

Lord Byron was on to something when he waxed lyrical about the Greek islands. But with more than 200 to choose from, which one is right for you? After a difficult decision to be taken, because of the fact that each one is unique and there is so much beauty to be  revealed in any case, here are the best Greek islands to visit this summer.

These sunny islands are the perfect half-term hideout. Easy to get to, with fabulous beaches, clean waters, delicious food and a cheek-pinching matriarchal love of local  people.

HYDRA

Best Greek island for: a long weekend with the art crowd

You know when Dakis Joannou, Greece’s foremost art collector, is on Hydra. His yacht, Guilty, is painted in garish ‘camouflage’ by Jeff Koons. Every summer, Joannou invites big hitters such as Matthew Barney and Maurizio Cattelan to create site-specific installations in the Greek island’s old slaughterhouse. Even the school is commandeered for exhibitions in the summer holidays. Car-free and protected by a preservation order, Hydra has always been the artists’ muse of the Greek Islands. Leonard Cohen, Brice Marden and Juergen Teller have homes here. Athenian artists take up residence at the SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, one of the vast, grey, stone mansions overlooking the horseshoe harbour.

Less than two hours from Athens, Hydra fills up with chic Greeks at weekends. Wily cats and weary donkeys patrol the back alleys, but all the action happens along the waterfront. Oh look! There’s Olivia Palermo at THE PIRATE BAR and Chloë Sevigny shaking her tail feather at HYDRONETTA BEACH BAR. Who cares if there are barely any beaches? You can always find a slab of rock from which to dive into the clearest water in the world.

Where to stay in Hydra
Built in 1796, nine-room Orloff Boutique Hotel oozes old-world charm. If a pool is a priority, check into atmospheric Bratsera. To get in with the art crowd, stay at a leading local Artist’s Villa .

Search for Hydra’s Hotels and Villas here

MYKONOS

Best of the Greek islands for: Decadent parties and five-star hotels

Mykonos has seduced glamorous hedonists since the 1960s. It had gay clubs and sunrise parties before rave culture was even invented. Its bohemian allure has never faded, although nudist beaches now have nail bars, personal trainers and house music pumping out all hours.

The influx of supermodels and superyachts has inspired ever more decadent resorts and restaurants. The latest place to show off your abs is SCORPIOS, a louche beach bar that puts Ibiza’s finest in the shade (book a cabana to watch the sunset). After hours, it’s always ASTRA, where you might find Keith Richards chatting up Karolina Kurkova.

If the glitzy excess gets too much, escape to KIKI’S, an off-grid grill-shack overlooking AGIOS SOSTIS BAY, where even Naomi Campbell has to queue for a table. Or cruise over to the tiny island of DELOS, an archaeological sanctuary that once thronged with 30,000 sun worshippers (the temple is dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of light).

Where to stay in Mykonos

Kenshō hotels

Definitely Kenshō hotels in Psarou & Ornos, combine high-quality services that go beyond the standards for a truly luxurious hospitality experience. Amazing relaxing environment, extraordinary service and one of the best restaurants in Mykonos are only some of the main reasons to stay there.

Book your accommodation in Kensho here :

Kenshō hotel Psarou

Pale and interesting, Bill & Coo Coast on Agios Ioannis beach, opened in 2016. San Giorgio, overlooking Paranga beach, captures the original bohemian spirit of Mykonos.

And of course the Legendary ,

SANTA MARINA, MYKONOS proves to be the Best choice…

see why…!

Beach-chic interiors offer modern, natural luxury, opening to balconies with hypnotic Aegean views. Besides, the only private sandy beach on Mykonos is located there, gorgeous infinity pools, the international-calibre Ginkgo Spa and four options for dining and drinks, highlighted by the world’s first-ever Buddha-Bar Beach.

Santa Marina invites you to savour the glamorous lifestyle of Mykonos in the island’s most fashionable and sophisticated setting.

 The Greek island of Mykonos has, just like Ibiza, a calmer family-friendly side. This hotel other than being bliss for children , it is also close to the airport, with super-friendly staff, and gorgeous views.

Whether you’re staring out to Ornos Bay with its bobbing boats and backdrop of sugar-cube houses, or out the other way over the turquoise sea, with the hazy outline of Paros and Naxos in the distance – you’ll be serenely happy. Even more so, perhaps, on discovering the kids’ club, set right next to the main pool and free for those aged between two and 12. There are stacks of games and cheery English-speaking staff, so they probably won’t even notice you’re gone. Add to this a tennis court with resident coach, a brilliant playground and a pretty beach.

It’s goodbye terracotta tiles and dated furnishings, hello minimalist cool. If you want to avoid steep steps, of which there are many, plump for connecting rooms rather than the villas at the top of the hill. The groovy little spa has a host of Ila treatments.

And as night falls, the BayView restaurant does all it can to make parents feel cool again, with front-row seats looking over the Aegean Sea and a resident DJ. You may not be dancing till dawn, but you’ve still made it to Mykonos.

SANTORINI

Best for: Honeymooners and first-timers

Cooing American and Japanese honeymooners line up to take selfies as the sun sinks behind Santorini‘s flooded volcanic crater. That view may be a romantic cliché, but it still takes your breath away. A volcanic explosion blew out Santorini’s heart 3,500 years ago, leaving black-sand beaches, vertiginous cliffs in psychedelic hues, and swirling rumours about Atlantis in its wake.

The breathting view from the incredible & stylish Cavo Tagoo Santorini

The eruption also preserved the ancient city of AKROTIRI under layers of ash, and created fertile ground for exceptional Assyrtiko grapes and Vinsanto wines.

Apart from a boat trip to the smouldering crater of NEA KAMENI and hot springs at PALIA KAMENI, there’s not much to do but gaze at the mesmerising views from your suite, dangling on the edge of the caldera.

The breathtaking view from Grace Hotel, Santorini

The best hotels are concentrated in OIA, but the inland village of PYRGOS is up-and-coming. Go for a twilight Bellini at Franco’s then dinner at SELENE, a pioneer of new Cycladic cuisine.

Stay

Trendier pretenders come and go, but Perivolas is still the most stylish place to stay. If you have cash to splash, Perivolas Hideaway is the ultimate waterfront villa. I also like Grace Hotel  and Canaves Oia , with its unique unlimited pool and relaxing atmoshere.

Besides,  Cavo Tagoo Santorini  is really a certain place to be, where the views are Breathtaking from any side, the  staff is excellent and  the amazing minimal design promises relax and serenity.

Book Hotels & Villas in Santorini here

SYMI

Best for: Castaway coves and a picture-perfect port

Little Symi has the prettiest port in Greece. As you round the headland, neoclassical mansions in every shade of apricot and peach rise like a mirage from the sea. Built by 19^th-century sponge and spice merchants, the whole town is now a national monument. You need strong legs to explore – it’s about 500 steps up to the crumbling acropolis – but you won’t need a car.

The only proper road peters out at PANORMITIS MONASTERY, a major pilgrimage site. Ravishing beaches such as AYIOS YORGOS DISALONAS (backed by monumental cliffs) and MARATHOUNDA (where goats will try to filch your picnic) are only accessible by boat or on foot. In the rugged hinterland, more than 100 monasteries are hidden among the pine and cypress forests.

With its laid-back glamour, luminous sea and almost tropical microclimate, Symi is a hit with French and Italian yachties.

You’ll find them eating flash-fried baby shrimp, a local specialty, at THOLOS, a sensational taverna where the harbour views almost steal the show.

Stay

The Old Markets is the only smart hotel, but there are just five rooms so be quick and book one. Serendipity rents a handful of outstanding villas.

CRETE

Best for: Antiquities, active adventures and sunshine all year round

Crete  is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, 88th-largest island in the world and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.

Crete forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece, while retaining its own local cultural traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the centre of the Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), which is currently regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.

Balos

Crete is mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east, formed by three different groups of mountains:

• The White Mountains or Lefka Ori 2,452 m (8,045 ft)
• The Idi Range (Psiloritis ) 2,456 m (8,058 ft)
• Kedros 1,777 m (5,830 ft)
• The Dikti Mountains 2,148 m (7,047 ft)
• Thripti 1,489 m (4,885 ft)

These mountains lavished Crete with valleys, such as Amari valley, fertile plateaus, such as Lasithi plateau, Omalos and Nidha; caves, such as Gourgouthakas, Diktaion, and Idaion (the birthplace of the ancient Greek god Zeus); and a number of gorges.

Gorges, rivers and lakes

The island has a number of gorges, such as the Samariá Gorge, Imbros Gorge, Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Ha Gorge, Platania gorge, the Gorge of the Dead (at Kato Zakros, Sitia) and Richtis Gorge and (Richtis) waterfall at Exo Mouliana in Sitia.

The rivers of Crete include the Ieropotamos River, the Koiliaris, the Anapodiaris, the Almiros, the Giofyros, and Megas Potamos. There are only two freshwater lakes: Lake Kournas and Lake Agia, which are both in Chania regional unit. Lake Voulismeni at the coast, at Aghios Nikolaos, was formerly a freshwater lake but is now connected to the sea, in Lasithi. Lakes that were created by dams also exist in Crete. There are three: the lake of Aposelemis dam, the lake of Potamos dam, and the lake of Mpramiana dam.

Climate

With the exception of ELOUNDA – a pocket of bling popular with oligarchs – the north-east coast is scarred by over-development. Instead head south, where there are miles of empty sand dunes, sprinkled with  SIMPLE yoga retreats such as YOGA ROCKS at TRIOPETRA and YOGA PLUS  at AGIOS PAVLOS. Or take a back-to-nature break with WILD FITNESS  at MILIA, a 17th-centruy hamlet powered entirely by solar energy.

Paleochora, Chania

Time slows almost to a standstill in the mountain villages, where locals with formidable whiskers welcome you with shots of raki (Cretan grappa) for breakfast and celebrate saints’ days with a volley of gunshots. Even the road signs are peppered with bullet holes.

Transport 

The island has three significant airports, Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion, the Daskalogiannis airport at Chania and a smaller one in Sitia. The first two serve international routes, acting as the main gateways to the island for travellers.

The island is well served by ferries, mostly from Athens, by ferry companies such as Minoan Lines and ANEK Lines.

Although the road network leads almost everywhere, there is a lack of modern highways, although this is gradually changing with the completion of the northern coastal spine highway.

Archaeological sites and museums

There is a large number of archaeological sites which include the Minoan sites of Knossos, Malia (not to be confused with the town of the same name), Petras, and Phaistos, the classical site of Gortys, and the diverse archaeology of the island of Koufonisi which includes Minoan, Roman, and World War II ruins. The latter, however, has restricted access for the last few years due to conservation concerns so it is best to check before heading to a port.

There are a number of museums throughout Crete. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum displays most of the archaeological finds of the Minoan era and was reopened in 2014.

Stay
A 300-year-old hamlet surrounded by olive groves, Kapsaliana Village Hotel exudes peaceful authenticity. On a sandy bay just beyond Chania, Ammos Hotel smartly combines Scandi chic with a child-friendly vibe.

Chania, Old Town

Elounda’s finest hotels offer VIP services, luxurious rooms and suites with exclusive view and exclusive deals for conferences, honeymoons and more.  Guests can choose from several luxurious resort experiences including Beach and Bay, Domes, Blue Palace and Daios Cove.

Amirandes

Amirandes is an exclusive beachside resort that epitomizes Crete’s most inspiring features. It is known for its beautiful architecture, warm hospitality, excellent cuisine and stunning land and seascapes.
Just 20 minutes from Heraklion Airport, the Resort also offers good sea links and is just a short drive from attractions including the Palace of Knossos and Crete Golf Club.

Creta Palace

Styled after the sprawling palaces of the Minoan kings and Venetian nobles who once ruled Crete, Creta Palace introduces guests to the easy elegance of true European luxe including olive trees, tropical palms, brilliant blue skies and sparkling teal waters. Fragrant gardens lapped by azure waters and palm-fringed lagoons swirling past natural stone terraces are the hallmarks of this relaxing yet sophisticated beachfront resort that offers the highest standards of Mediterranean luxury and refinement.

Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. Fifteen percent of all arrivals in Greece come through the city of Heraklion (port and airport), while charter journeys to Heraklion last year made up 20% of all charter flights in Greece.  Overall, more than two million tourists visited Crete last year, 2016.

Today, the island’s tourism infrastructure caters to all tastes, including a very wide range of accommodation; the island’s facilities take in large luxury hotels with their complete facilities, swimming pools, sports and recreation, smaller family-owned apartments, camping facilities and others. Visitors reach the island via two international airports in Heraklion and Chania and a smaller airport in Sitia (international charter and domestic flights starting May 2012) nor by boat to the main ports of Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.

Popular tourist attractions include the archaeological sites of the Minoan civilisation, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, the gorge of Samaria, the islands of Chrysi, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, and Spinalonga and the Palm Beach of Vai, which is the largest natural palm forest in Europe.

NAXOS

Best for: Endless sandy beaches & Amazing Homemade Food

Naxiots once made considerable fortunes exporting potatoes, cheese, marble and emery. Locals bequeathed undesirable seaside plots – useless for farming – to their laziest offspring. When tourists cottoned on to the island’s scores of fabulous beaches, these wastrels found themselves sitting on gold mines.

The west coast of Naxos is fringed with mile upon mile of powdery sands. AGIOS PROKOPIOS and AGIA ANNAdelight toddlers and teenagers alike with their shallow waters and beach bars.

As you head south, the beaches get wilder: PLAKA, where you can gallop across the dunes on horseback, MIKRI VIGLA for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and crystal-clear KASTRAKI.

Should you tire of frolicking on the shore, three supersized kouros statues are hidden in the hills and there are dozens of drowsy villages to explore.

Try kitron, the local citron liqueur, at the VALLINDRAS DISTILLERY in HALKI or sample homemade wine and arseniko cheese under the plane trees in ANO POTAMIA VILLAGE. No wonder Herodotus described Naxos as ‘the happiest of islands’

Stay
Corona Borealis is a seven-suite retreat with a pool poised for sunset and a private cove where you can have supper under the stars.

TINOS

Best for: Traditional villages and knockout tavernas

In antiquity, Tinos was also known as Ophiussa (from ophis, Greek for snake) and Hydroessa (from hydor, Greek for water). The closest islands are Andros, Delos, and Mykonos. It has a land area of 194.464 square kilometres (75.083 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 8,636 inhabitants.

Tinos has more than 50 villages, each vying to be fairest of them all. In PYRGOS, famous for its marble craftsmen, sculpted birds and flowers decorate every doorway. In VOLAX, basket weavers squat outside cottages carved from giant boulders, seemingly flung from the heavens by Zeus in a fit of pique. There’s even a village called love, AGAPI, where you can tuck into wild-fennel fritters at the only taverna.

Tinos takes its food culture seriously: there are artichoke, caper and honey festivals. Greeks travel for days to eat cuttlefish risotto at THALASSAKI, served on the jetty in ISTERNIA BAY, then watch dusk bleed into the horizon from EXOMERIA BAR.

Tinos is only 15 minutes from Mykonos, so it’s a wonder it isn’t overrun with tourists. The harbour is swarmed on 15 August, however, when Orthodox pilgrims flock here to kiss the icons at PANAGIA EVANGELISTRIA MONASTERY, one of the holiest sites in Greece.

Tinos is famous amongst Greeks for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, its 80 or so windmills,  about 1000 artistic dovecotes, 50 active villages and its Venetian fortifications at the mountain,  Exomvourgo. On Tinos, both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic populations co-exist, and the island is also well known for its famous sculptors and painters, such as Nikolaos Gysis, Yannoulis Chalepas and Nikiforos Lytras.

Otherwise, the island is miraculously untouched. Solitary chapels and whimsical dovecotes stud thyme-scented hills, dropping to sandy bays whipped by the meltemi wind. There’s a nascent surfer scene on KOLIBITHRA BEACH.

The most impressive outdoor pool worldwide is located in a modern residence in Tinos, in  Mirage.

The island is located near the geographical center of the Cyclades island complex, and because of the Panagia Evangelistria church, with its reputedly miraculous icon of Virgin Mary that it holds, Tinos is also the center of a yearly pilgrimage that takes place on the date of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (15 August, “Dekapentavgoustos” in Greek). This is perhaps the most notable and still active yearly pilgrimage in the region of the eastern Mediterranean. Many pilgrims make their way the 800 metres (2,600 feet) from the ferry wharf to the church on their hands and knees as sign of devotion.

Following the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, Tinos was one of several islands ruled by private Venetian citizens and belonged to Andrea Ghisi, whose heirs held it until 1390 when the last member of the family branch bequeathed both Tinos and Mykonos to Venice.  It was ruled by Venice until 1715, when Tinos was captured by the Ottoman Empire (see Ottoman–Venetian War), and became known as İstendil. The Ottomans held Tinos until 1821 when the inhabitants joined in the Greek War of Independence. 

Tinos has a varied landscape. From the shores of Panormos and Kolimbithra on the North Shore to Kionia, Agios Yannis O Portos, and Agios Sostis on the Southern Shore, Tinos has many beaches. Tsiknias is the highest mountain on the island at 750 metres (2,460 feet) and hides the village of Livada. The mountain of Exobourgo is quite distinct, and unlike its more rounded Cycladic neighbors, has a jagged appearance that would be more at home in the Alps. Between Tsiknias and Exobourgo lies the fruitful plain of Falatados. This area is unique on the island as its relatively flat terrain (albeit with an elevation of about 300 metres (980 feet)) is rare on the island. This made it a strong candidate for a proposed airport on the island. The Meltemi winds and concerns of local villagers of the towns of Falatados, and Steni have all but halted the project.

The area around Volax is a surreal and very unusual landscape with giant boulders some the size of multi-storey buildings. The village of Volax lies at the center of this landscape. To the west, the mountains surrounding Pyrgos are full of some of the most beautiful green marble in Greece.

All around the island of Tinos, the islanders have made the most unusual things out of stone. The hills are all terraced with stone walls and every village is connected to its nearest neighbors by stone walkways set between a parallel set of stone walls.

The island’s mineral resources include marble, Verde antico, asbestos and a granite mine near Volax (also known as Volakas).

Stay
Hipaway has villas with real personality, including Loutra house, a masterclass in Cycladic minimalism. For fancier villas, try Five Star Greece.

MILOS, the Untouched Greek Island You’ve Been Looking For…

The island has a mythological landscape, uncrowded tavern-lined port towns, and the bluest water in the Cyclades.  It is a volcanic Greek island in the Aegean Sea, just north of the Sea of Crete. Milos is the southwesternmost island in the Cyclades group.

The island is famous for the statue of Aphrodite (the “Venus de Milo“, now in the Louvre),

and also for statues of the Greek god Asclepius (now in the British Museum), the Poseidon and an archaic Apollo in Athens. Milos is a popular tourist destination during the summer. The Municipality of Milos also includes the uninhabited offshore islands of Antimilos and Akradies. The combined land area is 160.147 square kilometres (61.833 sq mi)  and the 2011 census population was 4,977 inhabitants.

AMONG THE ISLANDS OF THE CYCLADES, even of the world, Milos stands luminously in the history of art. Not because a great artist came from here, or was inspired by it, but rather because of a chance discovery in its soil.

“…The luminous Greek Island of Milos has the best beaches in the Aegean, a fascinating history and superb seafood – and yet it is so often overlooked. All the better for the few who do go there, entirely alone in its turquoise bays..” Conde Nast Traveller

Some things about the Statue of Aphrodite…,

On 8 April 1820 an ensign in the French navy and amateur archaeologist named Olivier Voutier went ashore to dig in the vicinity of the island’s ancient theatre. He noticed a farmer a few paces away pause in his labours, peer through a gap in an old wall, register an expression of surprise, and then turn away. Voutier was curious. He went to the wall to have a look. In the recess within he saw a shape, the naked torso of a woman, carved in marble, lying on her side. He paid the farmer to help him dig it out. Torso was followed by draped legs, a wedge from the hip, plinth, foot and other fragments. Wedge and torso were stacked on the legs and in the afternoon light what would become known as the Venus de Milo stood before Ensign Voutier.

Sarakiniko Beach

Once displayed, the multitudes thronged to see her, as they still do. Whatever her age, she paid back for the attention given her with her mystique, serenity, timelessness and ease with her own beauty. The life force in the Venus’s cocked leg, her gaze and slight twist of torso as the robe slips from her hip make her godliness proximate, earthy, even human. She’s been salt cellar, lamp, promoter of Mercedes-Benz cars and subject of a song by Chuck Berry. The artists Rodin, Dalí, Max Ernst and Jim Dine have all remade the Venus according to their own visions. When she travelled to Japan, 100,000 people went to the harbour to greet her.

How the gouged, dusty, battered figure, arm-, foot- and noseless, became the entrancing star of the Louvre is a tale of disputatious and counterfeit scholarship, lies, cover-ups, vanity and restorations both inept and artful. Above all it is a tale of one-upmanship among imperial nations, for not long before the Venus arrived in Paris, the British government acquired sculptures taken from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, who had refused a higher bid from Napoleon, and installed them in the British Museum, making it the pre-eminent institution of its kind in the world. The directors of the Louvre were piqued. The Venus would be an eloquent riposte, but there was a problem. It would only be important enough if she was from the Classical Age and evidence suggested that she dated from the later, more prosaic Hellenistic period. Patriotic scholars were deployed. It was as if the empire depended upon it. The scholars delivered the verdict expected of them, the Germans were suspicious, war was waged in academic journals, evidence was destroyed, veils drawn and ambiguity allowed to prevail.

Many of those involved in the struggle to get the Venus off the island and on her way to Paris were scornful of the place that had been her home. It was a barbaric outpost, a source of resentment. A Texan named Gregory Curtis who wrote a book about the Venus declared that when tourists leave Milos, it ‘returns to its unlovely self – dull, remote, harsh’. In the travel marketplace it tends to be overlooked in favour of its more glamorous neighbours: dramatic Santorini, gastronomical Sifnos, hedonistic Mykonos, the chic and diminutive Folegandros.

There are about 70 beaches on Milos Island. Hivadolimni Beach is the longest at about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). The rest of the beaches are starting from (North): Sarakiniko Beach, Papafragas, Kapros, Pachena, Alogomantra, Konstantinos, Mitakas, Mantrakia, Firopotamos, Nerodafni, Lakida, Plathiena, Fourkovouni, Areti, Pollonia, Gourado and Filakopi. (South): Firiplaka, Paliochori, Provatas, Tsigrado, Agia Kyriaki, Psaravolada, Kleftiko, Gerontas, Gerakas, Agios Sostis, Mouchlioti, Katergo, Spathi, Firligos, Pialothiafes, Kalamos, Krotiraki, Psathi, Svoronou and Sakelari.

(West): Agios Ioannis, Cave of Sikia, Agathia, Triades and Ammoudaraki. (East): Voudia, Thalassa, Paliorema, Tria Pagidia and Thiafes. (In the Bay Area): Hivadolimni, Lagada, Papikinou, Fatourena, Klima, Skinopi and Patrikia. The North and South and bay beaches are tourist attractions. The east beaches are very quiet, and those to the west are also quiet beaches.

In Milos they are in rock-backed villages around the cape on the eastern side of the immense harbour – at Klima, Areti, Fourkovouni, Firopotamos and Mandrakia, whose beauty is incredible.

Milos’s colours and wealth and the shaping of its history derive from its having been flung out of the sea by volcanoes that blew around two million years ago, the principal crater forming one of the largest harbours in the Aegean at Adamas (‘diamond’ in Greek). Hot springs praised by Hippocrates still bubble up around the island. Obsidian was its first star mineral, the traders at Phylacopi selling it to the Minoans for weapons and razors. Pliny wrote of alum that rivalled Egypt’s and declared that it had the most abundant supply of sulphur in the known world. At Theorychia you can see the haunting remains of a sulphur mine clinging to a cliff striped in yellow, rusting wagons still on the tracks, the water crystal clear, the beach stones like a painter’s palette with the colours running together, an odour of rotten eggs in the air. An 11,000-year-old mining industry still thrives through the collection of kaolin, baryte, pozzolan and bentonite. All this geological munificence has produced crystals, solidified volcanic ash and streaks of oxidised metals that make you feel you are in a place that has been dreamed up rather than naturally evolved.

Getting There
In high season, there are regular flights from Athens on Olympic Air, but these are small planes that have to be booked in advance. Most people still arrive by boat from Athens (four-and-a-half hours on the Speedrunner) or on a Seajet/SuperJet boat from Santorini.

The Best Time to Go
The days are long in June and early July and everything’s open (seasonal businesses operate from April to October).

Where to Sleep

Most small hotels (and the best restaurants) are in Pollonia, including the new Milos Breeze, which has an infinity pool overlooking the town, and the popular Salt Suites. Design-conscious villas are popping up too, including three (and soon three more) at Skinopi Lodge, between the port of Adamantas (a.k.a. Adamas) and Trypiti, and Five Star Greece’s luxe compound, Voronoi’s Corrals, at the end of a winding road on a remote cliff above the southern coast.

Eating Out

Pollonia’s beach is lined with restaurants, including Armyra—in what was once the owner’s grandfather’s house—which specializes in seafood mezedes like fried baby shrimp and whatever is freshly caught. After evening drinks at Outopia, in Plaka, cross the cobblestones to Archontoula, a classic, no-frills taverna with traditional dishes from stuffed squid to rabbit stew. The waterside taverna MEDOUSA  at  Mandrakia (+30 2287 023670) for late lunch or sunset dinner , was memorable as much for the setting as the food.It is located opposite the church and above the syrmata in the village of Mandrakia, known for its grilled sardines, octopus (you’ll spot it drying in the sun), and salads.    NAVAGIO in Adamas (+30 2287 024124), where chef Konstantines Papaioannou conjured a succession of brilliant cold seafood dishes after his oven broke; and above all, ARMENAKI in Pollonia (+30 2287 041061), where it’s best to allow chef/owner/sommelier Adonis Mavroiannis choose for you.

Locals (and the emir of Qatar) love O Xamos, on the shore outside of Adamantas, for its old-school menu, including chickpea casserole and piglet in parchment. You’ll probably keep going back to Ergina, in Trypiti, where the owner serves his grandma’s traditional recipes. The short sail to the satellite island of Kimolos is worth it for a meal by the water at To Kyma.

FOLEGANDROS

With its beautiful main town, small hotels, picturesque houses and secluded coves, Folégandros offers the ideal Greek hideaway. However, as is so often the way, this fantastic island in the southern Cyclades is not the easiest to reach. Remote and rocky, it has no airport, no package tours and no chain hotels.

It is a small barren rocky island with an area of surface area is about 32 km² E of Milos and S of Serifos. The used to be one of the most isolated islands in Greece where political exiles were sent, as recently as during the Junta of the Colonels (1967-72). Also, its town Chora has some of the best examples of Cycladic architecture. Unfortunately, the island has been “discovered” and its 600 hundred inhabitants multiply many times over every summer with tourists, complete with bars, discos etc. Still, it does have wonderful architecture and one can take many nice walks in its stark terrain.

Folegandros gets its name either from the son of King Minos of Crete or from the Phoenician word Phelekguduri meaning rock-built.

The main point of interest is Chora with its fantastic architecture. In Chora there is a small Folkloric Museum. Near Chora there is the church of Panayia which is built over a sheer cliff right over the ancient temple to Artemis. Legend has it that the church was looted by pirates who stole the icon of the Virgin. As the were getting away their boat capsized and they were drowned.

The icon returned to the foot of the cliff. Every year the islander take the icon for a tour of the island to commemorate the miracle. Under the church there is a large grotto Chrissospilia (Golden cave) with stalactites and ancient inscriptions. Again legend has it that Barbarossa’s treasure is buried within the grotto but no one has ever found it.

 

Where to Stay :

• Anatoli Hotel

  Ano Meria, Folegandros(+30 22860 41069)

  http://www.hotelanatoli.gr/

  Six well-priced rooms on a hillside in Ano Meria with stunning views of Chora and the sea.

• ANEMOMILOS APARTMENTS

  Chora, Folegandros(+30 22860 41309)

  http://www.anemomilosapartments.com/

  Teetering on the abyss on the edge of Chora, these bright and airy studios aren’t fancy, but the location is unbeatable. It’s worth paying the extra for the Blue Studios: they have the best views and biggest terraces. Relax with apricot daiquiris by the pool.

• 

• Agali Beach

• FATA MORGANA

  Chora, Folegandros(+30 22860 41237)

  An effusive welcome and spectacular sea views compensate for the slightly kitsch interiors. Exuberant owner Fani Anastasiadi also rents rooms in her grandmother’s house across the street.

The Church of Panagia , above the Town.

• THEMONIES

  Chora, Folegandros(+30 22860 41517)

  http://www.themonies.gr/

  A cluster of 19^th-century stone houses on a hillside overlooking Chora, this is a secluded hideaway close to the action, with quietly stylish interiors in earthy tones, exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings.

• ANEMI

  Karavostasis, Folegandros(+30 21072 54871)

  Quirky photographs of Folegandros inject a dash of colour into the interiors of these whitewashed bungalows. Chef Themis Papadopoulos serves contemporary Cycladic cuisine at the poolside restaurant. The only drawback to this swish 44-room resort is the location: a barren hillside overlooking the port.

SIFNOS

Best for: Big, fat Greek feasts

Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to its most famous descendant, Nicholas Tselementes, who wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. Forget souvlaki and moussaka: here, chickpea croquettes and stewed capers are taverna staples.

The island is peppered with potteries that produce the earthenware casseroles used for revitháda (baked chickpeas) and mastello (lamb with red wine and dill). Traditional dishes are slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven at TO MERAKI TOU MANOLI, a local institution on sheltered VATHY BAY.

In postcard-pretty ARTEMONAS, all roads lead to THEODOROU, purveyors of nougat wafers and almond sweets since 1933. You can eat in your bikini at OMEGA 3, where locally foraged and fished ingredients are given an exotic twist: baby-calamari tempura, crayfish, saffron, and ouzo risotto. Lobsters are plucked straight from the sea at HERONISSOS, then served with spaghetti on the jetty. It’s just the right balance of low-key luxury and unspoiled authenticity. Rather like Sifnos itself.

Stay
With its cliff-top infinity pool and soft-focus sunsets, Verina Astra is effortlessly sexy. Verina Suites on Platis Gialos beach is more family-friendly.

ASTYPALEA

Best for: Escaping the crowds

A throwback to a gentler, slower, more elemental way of life, Astypalea is surprisingly easy to get to (daily one-hour flights from Athens). Every gap in the burnished hills frames a different view of HORA, cascading from the Venetian castle to seaside SKALA. The scent of saffron biscuits wafts through the whitewashed lanes. Tucked beneath the battlements, CASTRO BAR has a magical terrace that seems to float above the archipelago.

The nearest beach is LIVADI, a sort-of-resort surrounded by citrus orchards. The rest of the island is stark and wild. Treacherous tracks hurtle down to shingle bays such as VATSES, with a rocking beach bar, and KAMINAKIA, where Linda’s farm-to-table taverna serves the best roast goat in the Dodecanese.

If you really want to be alone, rent a motorboat from MALTEZANA, an old-time fishing village, and putter to   KOUTSOMITI and KOUNOUPES, tiny islands connected by a double-sided beach. At VATHY, a lagoon where erotic graffiti was etched into the rocks 2,500 years ago, the only taverna is called GALINI (Peace). Which sums up Astypalea perfectly.

Stay

Well-appointed Melograno Villas , Aphrodite studios , or Oltre Mare, simple maisonettes with endless blue views.

Patmos

Best for: Stark mystique and show-stopping villas

Patmos has an indefinable je ne sais quoi – an otherworldly quality that radiates from its crowning glory, the medieval monastery of St John. This turreted fortress, bursting with Byzantine relics, is named after John the Divine, who conjured up his apocalyptic revelations in a cave nearby.

Pure-white CHORA, a World Heritage Site, is where A-listers and fashion editors stay. High walls and heavy doors conceal magnificent mansions dating back to the 16^th century.

The almighty church has kept nightlife in check. If you must see and be seen, head to ASTIVI for watermelon Daiquiris or GEORGE’S PLACE on KAMBOS BEACH, where the full-moon parties last until sunrise. Beach life is generally languid and low-key; PSILI AMMOS and LIVADI GERANOUare our favourite hideouts. Dinner reservations are essential at BENETOS, for Med-Asian fusion on an organic farm, and LAMBI for grilled fish on a purple pebble beach.

STAY
Archontariki is a gorgeous, five-suite hideaway in Chora. If money is no object and privacy is paramount, Serendipity has the most exclusive villas.

Other than personal preferences,

Part of  Source :

Condé Nast Traveller

Big Thanks !

Nuzzled amidst the gracious nature, three unrivalled luxury villas in Porto Heli, Greece,  harmoniously blend into the miraculous seascape providing an intimate hideaway for families  and discerning travellers in search for a heaven on earth. Brilliantly positioned in a scenic area near Porto Heli  town,  these exclusive private villas with pool, have been brilliantly appointed and designed to ensure a prestigious holiday experience for all treasured owners or guests.

The development’s location was strategically chosen for its close proximity to the center of Porto Heli, (only 2km from main port), perfect elevation with unobstructed views onto the sea and backdrop of the Peloponnese, and yet only 50 meters away from a secluded charming pebbled beach directly across from the villas.  Every villa has a slight variation in design, build-up area and land size, sharing a common private road in the back of the development, allowing access to each of the villas through a privately gated entrance.

About Porto Heli.

Porto Heli is one of the most famous and luxurious holiday destinations in Greece, as this cosmopolitan spot in the Peloponnese features beautiful beaches and a breathtaking Mediterranean landscape, attracting the wealthiest of visitors each summer.

Porto Heli is a summer resort town in the municipality of Ermionida in the southeastern part of Argolis, Greece. It is situated on a bay of the Argolic Gulf,  40 km southeast of Nafplio. It is located on the “Greek Riviera” on the north-eastern Peloponnese coast, which is a three-hour ferry ride from Athens, or 25 minutes by helicopter.

The stunning area is surrounded by protected coves and bays on the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean and the region is renowned for drawing in large crowds of wealthy Greek families, whose million-dollar villas can be seen all over town. From royals, elite athletes and actors to shipping magnates and entrepreneurs, you are bound to bump into plenty of rich and famous people everywhere you turn.

Among the famous personalities that have chosen the area for vacations or as permanent residency , is  The former King Constantine II of Greece who lives there, with his wife, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. 

And it’s not only local Greeks who love Porto Heli, as every summer discerning international visitors also book getaways to Porto Heli, the “Southamptons of Greece,” as Vanity Fair described it.

Let’s explore the villas…!

1. Villa Elies

Each of the villas have been respectably positioned and designed to feature a very high standard of luxury and privacy with the same common basics, consisting of 5 bedrooms, each with its en-suit bathroom, multiple sitting/lounge areas, fireplace and outdoor fire-pit, infinity pool, a kitchens & a kitchenette, laundry room, and ample storage space.  Allowing you to enjoy the true Mediterranean essence of luxury living overlooking the Saronic Gulf in the heart of the Greek Riviera.

Villa Elies

plot size: 4,600m2

build-up 650m2

5 bedrooms – All en-suite (2 master bedrooms)

4 lounge areas

2 dining areas

2 kitchens

2 kitchenettes

media room – studio

laundry room

80m2 infinity pool

Idyllically situated on  a privileged  location ,  the properties seem to reach for the sky whilst enjoying commanding panoramic vistas of the endless horizon and the enchanting Porto Heli town of the magnificent insular complex of the “Greek Riviera” in Peloponnese.

2. Villa Daphne

Villa Daphne

Plot size : 4,100 m2

build-up 620 m2

5 bedrooms – All en-suite (2 master bedrooms)

4 lounge areas

2 dining areas

2 kitchens

2 kitchenettes

media room – studio

laundry room

80 m2 infinity pool

3. Villa  Dione

Villa Dione

Plot size : 4,200 m2

build-up 580 m2

5 bedrooms – All en-suite (2 master bedrooms)

4 lounge areas

2 dining areas

2 kitchens

2 kitchenettes

media room – studio

laundry room

72 m2 infinity pool

Why Porto Heli..?

There is a number of reasons :

Portoheli has benefited from tremendous development in the past few years, with the opening of the exclusive Amanzoe Resort and Nikki Beach hotel, the current extension and revamp of the main port marina, along with the upcoming 18 hole golf course in Kilada, making a residential investment there,  a perfect luxury holiday home but at the same time a great investment opportunity for those potentially seeking capital appreciation, golden visa in Greece, or rental yield.

Besides, the car-free islands of Spetses and Hydra, are known for their sea-faring traditions, neoclassical mansions and horse-drawn carriages. The cosmopolitan islands of Spetses and Hydra are practically attached to the mainland. Spetses, this glamorous and historic island, is a 5 minute water taxi ride away.It is easily to explore this quaint village and verdant pine forests by scooter, quad bike or bicycle. As for Hydra, renowned for its vibrant dining scene and nightlife, is the favourite destination of so many famous artists and poets is only 40 minutes away by boat.

The island of Spetses is located 6 km south of the town. There are ferry connections from Porto Heli to the islands of Spetses, Hydra and Poros,  to Ermioni and Piraeus.In sedition there is a small private airport, Porto Cheli Airport, south of the town.

Spetses Island

What is more, the ancient city of Halieis , excavated by Michael H. Jameson, is situated near Porto Heli.

This region is steeped in Mythology with several important Archaeological sites, including The Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the citadel of Mycenae, protected by UNESCO World Heritage.

Nafplion which is among the most beautiful towns in mainland Greece, is situated approximately one hour drive from Portoheli.

From fine dining to boutique stores and beach bars, there is something here for everyone and the beaches themselves, especially Ververonta with its clear water, Hinitsa with its golden sand and pine trees and Kounoupi, which is an extension of Agios Emilianos, are always packed with people of all ages.

The yacht marina within the bay has become a popular wintering port for pleasure vessels. 

Porto Heli’s fine little harbour is well protected from the wind and is a favourite for yachtsmen. Across the water are the ruins of the ancient city of Alieon, the almost enclosed bay includes a large marina facility that is a must-visit spot for famous visitors and their yachts.

From rich history to fun family activities and a buzzing nightlife, Porto Heli is breathtaking and definitely worth a visit when you are in this part of the world.

The Peloponnese has a 1,200 kilometre coastline that stretches between the Aegean and Ionian seas. It is Greece’s largest wine and olive producing region as well as being home to former capital of Greece, Nafplio, and also home to Unesco World Heritage sites including the wondrous amphitheatre at Epidaurus and Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games.

The Peloponnese has largely been a well-kept secret by Athenians, as the capital is only an hour’s drive away from the Corinth canal, the entrance to the Peloponnese. European royalty like it, too. The King of the Netherlands and ex-King Constantine of Greece own holiday homes close to Porto Heli in the east.

In this magic place , anyone can combine casual elegance with cosmopolitan refinement.

Set so high above sea level these three luxury private villas in Porto Heli,  seem to reach for the sky in an exceptional  location blessed by nature. All  villas offer gracious indoor and outdoor living spaces, finely appointed and uniquely designed to  boast the most awe-inspiring panoramic view to the sapphire waters of the sea and the iridescent sunset.

For further information or special inquiries, please contact me via : iokasti75@gmail.com

Prices upon request.

By Georgia Papadon & Team

Whether you are a Netflix lover or you simply don’t want to spend your free time indoors, you’ll have undoubtedly heard of Emily in Paris, the glitzy and glamorous new show from creator of Sex and the City and released in early October on Netflix.

Starring Lily Collins as the titular Emily (a less psychotic Carrie Bradshaw stand-in), the show is so delightfully true-to-life, despite being as fantastical as one would expect from a series called Emily in Paris, because of how blissfully basic its American-Girl-In-Paris protagonist unknowingly is. That, however, must be the result of really good writing, because there’s just no way they could have captured the essence of such basicness if it wasn’t on purpose.

From her mannerisms to her Insta captions, click through for a recap of every embarrassingly relatable thing Emily (in Paris) does in Paris.

Besides , the show is a real heaven of fashion treasures from ZARA to CHANEL and so on…!

Get inspired…!

Firstly who is Emily ?

She’s an American girl , probably in her  22-ish. She’s had enough experience at her company in Chicago to have earned the respect of her boss. She’s a smart cookie and really innovative – and this is not her first rodeo doing what she does. She’s gone to school for this, and she’s completed internships. However, she’s not the person who travelled during college. She was really, really focused on her jobs in the Midwest, and I don’t think she’s been abroad. Basically, she’s always kind of been a big fish in a small pond – and then suddenly in Paris she’s a fish out of water. If she had gone to a different company in Chicago, she would have been taken seriously – but in Paris, she’s not prepared for the cultural shift that she experiences at Savoir. Her only real experience of Europe is through movies and TV.”

The contents of Lily Collins’s LA wardrobe are consistent with her polished brand of girl-next-door charm – from the high-school sweatshirt that inspired her book, to the Levi’s jeans she wore to Karl Lagerfeld’s last Chanel show – but there are some show-stopping pieces, too, namely the bespoke Chanel shoes the French house made for her debut at Le Bal des Débutantes, or the Crillon Ball.

The haute couture is real.

When Emily has to turn model in “An American Auction In Paris”, her Pierre Cardeau dress is in fact an haute couture gown by Stephane Rolland; after filming wrapped, Rolland sent Lily a recreation of the look to keep as a memento.

For Emily’s trip to the opera in “Ringarde”, Field put Collins in a Christian Siriano gown, a pair of Agnelle gloves, a rhinestone-studded vintage purse, some Cosmoparis heels, and head jewels by La Compagnie du Costume – creating the 2020 equivalent of Hepburn’s Givenchy LBD in Funny Face.

Emily is a keen lover of Chanel 

Emily wears a gown by Dope Tavio lifted from Field’s ARTFashion Gallery in New York, then deconstructed and turned into a mini-dress. She  pairs it with a metallic emerald jacket and bag from Chanel’s autumn/winter 2017 collection – Chanel being quite possibly her favourite designer throughout the series. Keep an eye out for her green cotton jacket from the Cruise 2020 collection, as well as her pearl-studded quilted bag from spring/summer 2019.

She builds an entire online brand around being A BASIC AMERICAN GIRL IN PARIS

She puts the words “fabulous” and “French” together unironically , in front of actual French people.

She sends back her food in a restaurant (& makes a really big deal about it)

The only unrealistic part? The hot chef finding her Karen-ass behavior charming.

Terra Nera- the restaurant is re-imagined as a French bistro for Emily in Paris

Of course you can shop  the leading Outfits From “Emily In Paris”  Right Now…!

As is true for any show styled by Sex and the City’s costume designer Patricia Field, the show itself has two narratives — that which lives within the plot, and that which is told by the clothes. Upon arrival in Paris , Emily’s style is certainly chic, albeit sometimes a bit on-the-nose — the mesh Eiffel Tower button-up that made it to her first day of work being a shining example. While picking up some new French vernacular (le plouc, ringarde), Emily absorbs notes on taste from her colleagues, clients, girl-friends, and the greater Parisian beau monde — all while staying true to her exuberant personal style. Pieces from GANNI and Off-White were quick to go viral first, and have since disappeared off the web. That said, there’s still tons of other chic pieces that you can grab right now, ranging from Staud to Veronica Beard.

To browse her best looks from her tour around the Ville de l’Amour , or City of Love, most-all of which feature a touch of Chanel, continue ahead:

After her rendezvous with Thomas, Emily stepped out in an ultra-polished look. Beyond her Chanel shearling bag and Stuart Weitzman boots (both of which are available), her outcoat is from Zara, believe it or not — and it’s available secondhand on Poshmark.

817 €

By Georgia Papadon & team..!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out

The Aurora borealis, or northern lights,are among nature’s most spectacular displays. They  begin high in the Earth’s atmosphere—at altitudes from 60 to more than 250 miles—when charged particles from the sun become trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field. Specifically it occurs when electrically charged solar particles collide with atmospheric gases to produce a dazzling neon light show that illuminates the night sky. The result is a colorful, dancing light show. Even experts can’t always predict exactly when and where the lights can be seen, but your best bet for catching them is during winter in these high-latitude polar regions.

Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska, is considered one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights.

Where to go: In Alaska. Fairbanks is a popular hub for northern lights tourism thanks to its international airport and its prime position under the “aurora oval”—a ring-shaped zone where aurora activity is concentrated. The city is located approximately 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle and sits north of Denali National Park, which makes it an accessible base from which to travel.

From Fairbanks, 1st Alaska Tours runs aurora viewing evening trips to the Chena Hot Springs, one of the best hot springs in the United States, where travelers will visit the area’s ice museum, then soak in healing waters while watching solar activity above.

Where to stay :  Aurora Villa ,  Fairbanks

Aurora Villa ,  Fairbanks

When to go: From mid-August to late April.

Canada

Where to go: Many parts of northern Canada witness the aurora borealis regularly, but the extremely remote Yukon and Northwest Territories are some of the greatest spots to see the natural light show.

How to go: In Yellowknife, the northern lights are visible up to 240 days of the year. At Aurora Village —an Aboriginal-owned and operated gathering of 21 tepees surrounding a frozen lake—guests who book the three-night viewing package have an estimated 98 percent chance of seeing the aurora at least once, according to the tour operator. From $245 per person for three-night tour

Where to stay : Grace Lake Villa,  Yellowknife

Grace Lake Villa,  Yellowknife

When to go: From late August to mid-April

Norway

Where to go: Sitting at 69° north in the center of the aurora zone (and above the Arctic Circle), Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s most popular destinations for aurora viewing. Offshore, the remote Svalbard archipelago offers the opportunity to see polar bears, Arctic foxes, and reindeer in addition to the northern lights.

How to go: Sail through Arctic fjords while searching for the northern lights on a three-hour guided boat tour with Tromsø Safari (from $164 per person) or embark on a four-day Nordic Wildlife and Northern Lights adventure led by a Sámi guide with Off the Map Travel (from $2,402 per person).

When to go: From late September to early April

Greenland

Where to go: Most of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle, making it a prime location for spotting the northern lights. The small town of Kangerlussuaq hosts an international airport where most travelers arrive on the island and is also situated right in the middle of the area where the aurora borealis is best experienced.

How to go: Each year from November through March, Greenland Tours offers a four-day Northern Lights and Icebergsadventure around Kangerlussuaq that includes snowshoeing, dogsledding, and aurora viewing along the famous Icefjord. From $917 per person

When to go: From September to early April

Finland

Where to go: In Lapland, Finland’s sparsely populated northern region bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia, the northern lights are visible on roughly 200 nights of the year thanks to extremely minimal light pollution.

How to go: The Nellim Wilderness Hotel boasts a handful of glass-domed igloos, dubbed Aurora Bubbles, where guests can watch the aurora borealis while sheltered from the -22°F winds in the sub-Arctic reaches of Finnish Lapland. From $199 per night

When to go: From early September to late March

Sweden

Where to go: Abisko National Park in Sweden has developed a reputation for being one of the world’s top aurora-watching destinations due to its particular microclimate, which sees less precipitation than other locations within the aurora zone, allowing for clearer skies.

How to go: Between December and March, Lights Over Lapland offers specialized, three-hour aurora borealis photo workshops in Abisko National Park. Small groups are provided with high-quality cameras and led by professional photographers who teach basic skills for photographing the northern lights. From $122 per person

When to go: From early December to late March

Iceland

Where to go: Iceland’s dramatic landscapes—among them the Snæfelsness peninsula, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, and Reynisfjara black sand beach—are particularly spectacular spots from which to view the northern lights. Easily reachable by car from Reykjavík, Thingvellir National Park is another crowd favorite.

How to go: At the Buubble Lodge (nicknamed the “5 Million Star Hotel”), guests can watch the aurora borealis dance across the sky from within a transparent glamping bubble nestled in the woods outside Reykjavík. Book a bubble as part of the lodge’s Golden Circle Tour, which includes visits to waterfalls, hot springs, the Secret Lagoon, and Thingvellir National Park. From $480 per person

When to go: From early September to late April

source: This article originally appeared online in November 2018; it was updated on October 11, 2019, to include current information by www.afar.com

Where to stay :

AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado

Verride Palácio Santa Catarina

Where to stay :

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Bosphorus 

Temperature: 22°C high; 10°C low
Season: autumn
Travel time from UK: 1 hour 20 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1

This UNESCO-listed river valley is the epitome of bucolic bliss. Little wonder French royalty of yore ditched Paris for its gentle pastures, scattering myriad romantic châteaux across the landscape, plopped amid sprawling manicured gardens or perched on placid lakes. As the back-to-school crowds filter out, take advantage and meander its villages and vineyards in relative peace. Plus, the first weekend of September is marked by the annual Vines, Wines and Walks festival, where visitors choose between various wine trails, led by local winemakers – so you can stroll, sip and chomp the finest cheese with the help of an expert guide.

In a majestic location on the left bank of the Loire River, the Château of Chambord is the most emblematic Renaissance monument in France. A breathtaking sight to behold, this enormous castle provided inspiration for the building of the Château de Versailles. The estate was created in the early 16th century (at the height of the French Renaissance) for King Francis I, who spared no expense.

Where to stay :

CHATEAUX CHATEAU DE MARCAY Chinon

Temperature: 33°C high; 19°C low
Season: autumn
Travel time from UK: 3 hours 35 minutes
Time difference: GMT+1

Morocco saturates the senses. See Marrakech ’s chaotic medinas; the raggedly isolated mud-wall towns of the High Atlas; Essaouira’s salty sea air and sun-dappled surf. All are at their finest in September. As the summer sizzle mellows, both Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts remain bikini-balmy, while the winter chill that grasps desert nights and mountain villages is yet to take hold. And a smart new crop of design hotels — typically airy riads with crisp courtyard pools, renovated by French fashion photographers and Italian aristocrats — makes Morocco an especially stylish place to lay one’s head. Fez,  a vast, medieval warren of a city, expects to complete an impressive, 30-year restoration project this year.

Where to stay :

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Temperature: 18°C high; 11°C low
Season: spring
Travel time from UK: 13 hours 45 minutes
Time difference: GMT-3

They call it the Paris of South America, but Buenos Aires has long tangoed to its own beat. Nothing feels quite like wandering the tree-lined streets of its largest barrio, Palermo, past rainbow-hued street art and bohemian coffee haunts, quirky galleries and fashion boutiques. It’s more seductive still in September, when the cold winter is easing off, but still-thin crowds largely comprise fun-loving locals and expats. Life-changing steaks and chic cocktail bars beckon at every corner; new — and hard-to-get-into — speakeasy Uptown BA recreates a New York Subway station. On the bright side, low-fare long-haul airline Norwegian just launched a direct flight from Gatwick, so there should be plenty of pesos in your pocket for bribing the bouncer.

Where to stay :

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

Temperature: 28°C high; 22°C low
Season: winter
Travel time from UK: 23 hours
Time difference: GMT-10

July and August are the busiest months in French Polynesia. Hold out until September and, as well as having more overwater bungalows to choose from, the weather’s still heaven. No heavy rains until November; none of the later months’ humidity to force on the air-con. Just blue, blue lagoons and the kind of peace you only find at the end of the world. Though it’s the very picture of paradise, locals call Bora Bora “boring boring”. For a quick culture dose, visit the pearl farms of quiet Taha’a, or meet the blue-eyed, giant sacred river eels of lush Huahine (but maybe leave it to your guide to feed them).

Where to stay :

St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel

Temperature: 26°C high; 20°C low
Season: autumn
Travel time from UK: 11 hours 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT+9

Cherry Blossoms be damned. The madding crowds are less maddening in autumn, when trees brushed scarlet and gold make Kyoto’s sublime temples and gardens an even more precise image of perfection.

HAVE A CHERRY-BLOSSOM SUNDOWNER BY THE RIVER

During balmy evenings join the groups of Kyotonians who gather on the banks of Kamogawa, especially when the cherry trees are blossoming (there are extensive weather reports predicting the percentage of bloom in the run up to the season). It’s right near Sanjō Keihan station, so pick up drinks snacks from the nearby conbini (convenience store), kick back on a patch of grass and enjoy the gentle hubbub of buskers, street artists, and fire-eaters. It won’t be long before a humble local asks you to join their group as a guest of honour.

Where to stay :

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

AVERAGE SEPTEMBER TEMPERATURE: 25°C

Spring has arrived in South Africa and what a glorious season it is. The weather is warm in all regions, making it an ideal time to explore everything on offer: southern right whales breaching off the coast of Hermanus; the Garden Route at its lushest; and optimum game-viewing, particularly as newborns begin taking their first shaky steps. Combine the country’s most famous road trip with primo surfing at Mossel Bay en route; close to Mossel, Gondwana private game reserve has guests track the Big Five in 4x4s, on horseback and on foot. Thrilling safari days end in the Gondwana spa, swimming pool and suites-on-stilts.

South Africa is an extraordinary country, rich in captivating culture, spellbinding scenery and fascinating wildlife. It also has a wide range of luxury accommodation, which makes it a great destination for a family adventure, unforgettable honeymoon or multi-centre combination. Stay in an independent boutique hotel in a buzzing city or check into a serene lodge in the middle of an epic national park. Whatever the trip, you’ll find it easy to connect with the great outdoors in a country that is as dynamic as it is diverse.

Cape Town

Where to stay :

One&Only Cape Town

Tsala Treetop Lodge and Villas

Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges

From Georgia Papadon & team,

Happy September …!

Istoria Hotel, Canaves Oia Epitome, Andronis Arcadia, Andronis Concept Wellness Resort, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini and Kivotos Santorini are the most important new hotels in Santorini that we highly recommend for you.

Canaves Oia Epitome

In May 2018, Santorini welcomed a new kind of luxury in form of Canaves Oia Epitome. Perched above the picturesque fishing town of Ammoudi, the property is inspired by traditional Cycladic architecture, combining natural and earthy materials with modern design and style.

It is the only property on the island that offers both sea and sunset views from the privacy of each of the 24 luxury villas.

Located on the northern part of the busy island is this hidden and very exclusive all-villa property. Positioned above the picturesque fishing town of Ammoudi, these stunning villas are quickly becoming the ultimate celebrity escape.

Canaves Oia Epitome

The Canaves brand has become among the most popular in Greece after Ioannis and Anna Chaidemenos transformed 17th-century wine caves dug from the volcanic rocks into luxury hotel rooms. This led to the birth of their first hotel, Canaves Oia Hotel. In 2010, Markos Chaidemenos and his brother, Alexandros, took over the brand.

Andronis Arcadia

Arcadia Hotel is the newest addition to the Andronis Exclusive family of five-star hotels, villas and honeymoon retreats on the idyllic island of Santorini.

Named after the mythical home of the god Pan, Arcadia was a place of natural harmony and pastoral enchantment.

This earthly Arcadia is located on the fringe of picturesque Oia, an easy stroll from the village centre, but far enough away to ensure peace and privacy.

The all-suite hotel offers guests the highest standards of comfort and elegant living space, in keeping with the Andronis Exclusive reputation for excellence and personal service. Every suite has its own pool, situated to capture the magical views towards the Aegean sea and the island’s unforgettable sunsets.

Andronis Concept Wellness Resort

Moreover, the Andronis Concept has its own helipad and offers up the unique opportunity of taking a helicopter from Athens directly to your hotel and also day trip charters over the islands.

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Santorini

Located on the east coast Monolithos Beach, the resort offers up a collection of 62 stunning rooms and suites, 10 offering a private Jacuzzi and 37 with private pools. The large main pool will be the attraction for the trendy crowds wanting a unique beachfront experience on the island.

This 5-star Santorini lifestyle beachfront resort  , features spectacular views over the Aegean Sea.

Stylishly outlined rooms and suites, their relaxing colors in combination with the energy variations of sounds and lighting, create a lifetime experience. Every space offers a Zen retreat feeling by itself.

The accommodation types feature a variety of private Jacuzzies, pools, gardens and decks. The resort brings sophisticated cuisine in its Restaurants and lounges, as well as relaxation and fitness experiences at Nikki Spa and Tone Gym.

Kivotos Santorini

Brothers Philip and Jason Michopoulos run the Kivotos properties with the sister property in Mykonos.

This stunning new property located in Imerovigli,

the most private area of Santorini.

On an island bustling with visitors for many months of the year, Imerovigli is definitely the quietest, most intimate district on the island with only a few hotels and a couple of gourmet restaurants to shatter the ambience.

Unlike many of the properties on the island there is no climbing down involved in accessing the hotel. You can drive straight to a waiting parking space in front of the entrance to the first building with a mere twenty steps leading down to the second.

Kivotos Santorini features five suites and two villas with stunning views; a swimming pool next to the restaurant.

All of them with indoor or outdoor pools and Jacuzzi, a Hammam, en-suite treatment rooms and other unique five star elements are offered which in combination with the hotel’s  gourmet restaurant and skybar are here to further enhance your accommodation experience.

All the bedrooms not only look out onto the magnificent view but the  supremacy that the windows are specially curved so whatever the time of year you stay the last rays of day will stream directly in onto your bed!

180 degrees worth of pure majesty, across the entire bay and caldera. You are drawn first to the remains of the ancient acropolis of Santorini, called Skaros, perched on a single defiant turret of rock in the sea. Cast your gaze wider to take in the magnificent sunset and world famous volcano of Santorini.

Istoria Hotel

Istoria derives its name from the Ancient Greek word for story, and its design, by Athens-based firm Interior Design Laboratorium, opens a new chapter in the island’s unique architectural narrative. Here, the simplicity of the spaces blends harmoniously with the island’s traditional building materials of volcanic stones and colored plaster and a few well-chosen pieces of wooden furniture and handcrafted textiles.

Far from the tourist-clogged sunset spots of western Santorini, Istoria is located on Perivolos Beach on the island’s paradisiac eastern half where there are still very few high-end accommodations.

From Santorini with love…!

Winter is the season of romance: candlelit dinners, fireside cuddles, evening strolls beneath street lamps as snow dusts your sleeves. How better to entice your loved one than with a magical getaway to a winter wonderland? Our favorites span the planet from the Rockies to the Arctic Circle , each home to its own frosty form of allure. So grab your partner for a trip to one (or more) of the following nine destinations—because the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is even better there.

Finland

One of the world’s most romantic winter destinations lies in the European arctic. Finnish Lapland is perfect if you and your special someone want to see the northern lights. Snuggle in a glass igloo at

(pictured above) as colors dance across the sky overhead, making what is unequivocally one of the planet’s most enchanting stays. A cooler alternative is to check into an ice hotel, such as

The Snow Hotel

Book here

at Snow Castle of Kemi. This combined resort and art exhibit is sculpted anew each year (this year, in the spirit of the 2018 theme, Animal Wonderland) and entails a snow chapel in addition to the world’s largest restaurant made of snow. While exploring this glistening region, popular activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, relaxing in saunas, hanging with reindeer, and visiting  Santa (you may have thought his home was in the North Pole, but it’s here.

Canada

One of the most romantic destinations on Earth is unquestionably Québec, Canada. Our vote for most charming place in this French-Canadian province goes to Québec City; its Historic District is so historic that it’s actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander cobblestone streets past centuries-old buildings, boutiques, and bistros all covered in snow. For a splurge, check into

The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Book Here

(or simply enjoy its views of the St. Lawrence River over wine and cheese at 1608).

A second Québecois city that’s made for winter romance is Montreal. Relax with a spa day at Bota Bota, which floats atop the river in a converted ferryboat. If your idea of a winter wonderland is more outdoors than urban, you’ll want to head west to Banff National Park. Explore frozen waterfalls on Johnston Canyon ice walk; speed along behind a dog sled; try a triple Salchow atop Lake Louise; or strap in for unbeatable aerial views with a heli-snowshoe tour. After adventuring, unwind with a couples’ massage or a soak in Banff Hot Springs —an experience that’s undeniably romantic no matter where you are in the world.

Switzerland

Badrutt’s Palace Luxury Hotel opened in 1896 and is one of St. Moritz’s swankiest stays.

Switzerland is full of elegance, all the more prevalent when it’s also draped in snow. Fall in love with the Alps in the resort town of  St. Moritz,  where soaring down world-renowned slopes comes with views of the Engadin lake district. Stroll the town for art galleries, fine dining, luxury boutiques, chocolate shops, and five-star hotels, then cuddle up for a horse-drawn carriage ride atop frozen Lake St. Moritz.

Where to stay in St. Moritz ?

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

Book here

Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski

Book here

However, this entire country was made for love—so if you’re having a difficult time choosing just one destination, a train ride is an ideal way to explore the best of everything. The Glacier Express winds over stone bridges and past waterfalls from St. Moritz to Zermatt; Jungraujoch climbs upward through mountain tunnels until it reaches the highest altitude railway station in Europe (read: views!); the Gotthard Panorama Express tours from Luzern to Locarno—German- and Italian-speaking, respectively—past castles galore; and the Bernina Express, which travels from Chur to Tirano, Italy ,  along the continent’s highest altitude train journey, is so marvelous it’s recognized by UNESCO. Whatever you do, don’t leave the country without indulging in cheese fondue ..! We highly recommend..!

Where to stay in Zermatt ?

Monte Rosa Boutique Hotel

Book here

Colorado

While our 50 states include some seriously romantic winter contenders, our vote for the snow-sport variety goes to the Centennial State. Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are brimming with world-class skiing across the likes of Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge, to name a few places. Aspen is the go-to for winter glitz and glam; eco-friendly Vail touts European charm; modern luxury meets the Wild West in majestic Telluride; and Breckenridge is not only one of the best places to ski in the state, but also made our list of top six ski resorts in the country last year. Romantic activities abound in whichever wonderland you choose. Take your love to new heights with a gondola ride; cozy up by the fire for après-ski hot toddies; melt into a well-deserved couples massage; then settle in for the night at any number of five-star hotels.

London

 is great for: theater buffs, artisan admirers

December in London has a certain kind of magic—twinkle lights hang in the streets, a giant menorah and Christmas tree stand in Trafalgar Square, and carol singing wafts in the air. For music and theater lovers, a night out is a special way to spend a long winter evening. The West End is home to more than 40 theaters alone, and this season patrons can see the landmark A Christmas Carol, edgy comedy The Night Before Christmas, and Doctor Faustus onstage.

The English capital is a stellar place to finish holiday shopping, too. London has long been home to tailors, who began creating garments there in the 18th century, and a new class of artisans is bringing bespoke goods to the fore. For luxury, you can’t go wrong on posh Bond Street, renowned for exclusive brands and designer luxury labels, including the U.K.’s own Alexander McQueen. Meanwhile, Mayfair is chock-full of high-end shops: Vivienne Westwood’s Flagship Store is a top destination for her rebellious statement pieces.

For an extra wintery outing, head to some of the city’s Christmas markets or, better yet, go ice-skating at one of the many rinks throughout the city, in the shadow of places such as the Tower of London and the Museum of Natural History.

For night life there are plenty of fabulous places , but don’t skip to spend a night at Annabelle’s Mayfair.

Where to stay ?

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park,

book here

Corinthia Hotel London 

Book Here

The Ritz London 

Book Here

Japan

Fall head over heels with winter activities in Japan—all served with a side of some of the world’s best food. Chill out by soaking in a traditional onsen, where natural outdoor hot springs will send you to a steamy sense of zen. The country is also ideal for snow sport fanatics: hit the slopes with your loved one all over the country, from Hokkaido to Nagano and beyond (we recommend trying out a local method called snowsurfing; lessons always make for a cool date!). For an even more adorable date idea, check out one of the country’s many winter and snow festivals, such as the Sapporo Snow Festivaland Asahikawa Winter Festival. Admire dramatic ice sculptures while embracing your inner child with snow slides, snowmobile rides, and stalls selling traditional treats. Most romantic of all is the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, when the city and its river glimmer and glow for 10 days in February.

Where to stay ?

The Ritz Carlton Tokyo 

Book Here

New Mexico

Winter in New Mexico means snow and, in Santa Fe, lots of lights.

This state may not be the first place that comes to mind when you hear “winter wonderland,” but that’s about to change. Winter in Santa Fe is paradise: where frosted adobe walls house art galleries galore (the city is America’s third-largest art market), and world-class restaurants make the chill air smell like chilies and other savory southwestern flavors. After sharing your fill of fajitas, dive into history at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museumor Bandeleir National Monument , just outside the city. New Mexico is also ideal for athletic couples, thanks to its nine downhill ski areas (Taos and Angel Fire are two of the most popular) and some of America’s best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing—specifically Valles Caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater that’s teeming with wildlife, as well as the dog-friendly Enchanted Forest. Get toasty in another epic hot-spring destination at Ojo Caliente spa, which is the only one in the world with four different types of healing mineral waters.

Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle

Milan is a paradise for Christmas time ! Apart from being the fashion kingdom ,  the things to do, to see and to experience surely never disappoint. In December the city is particularly rich with recreational opportunities, with its usual offer, of course, but also with something more special, unique opportunities, that you can only come across this time of year.

Milan is fortunate to be a city in which the public decorations for Christmas are always grandiose and spectacular. Starting from the swarm of lights shining on the waters of the Naviglio Grande, walk towards the Duomo: this year’s tree, with its thirty meters, is the tallest ever in Milan. A green colossus covered with one hundred thousand lights that dominates the entire square. Moving to the Gallery, then, the lights and garlands multiply. There is still another tree, “only” twelve meters tall, but loaded with over ten thousand ornaments, including one thousand Swarovski stars. Finally, complete the walk in the Quadrilatero della Moda, but do not stop there: this year there are 180 streets decorated for a total of 35 kilometers.

Where to stay ?

Armani Hotel Milano,

book here

Bulgari Hotel Milano  , 

Four Seasons Hotel Milano ,

book here

Style will out and at the Four Season they know it very well. Their Christmas installation this year is called Urban Chalet and is curated by artistic director Vincenzo Dascanio, who for the occasion has transformed the Camino Room of the Four Seasons, a former 15th century church, in a magnificent, luxurious mountain chalet . A true triumph of warm colors, candles and cozy seats. Every day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, a “Christmas Afternoon Tea” will be held with a selection of tea blends from the Dammann house, hot chocolates, pastries and a selection of specially created winter cocktails. At the Urban Chalet the magic of Christmas has already begun. Book your visit in advance to get the most out of the experience.

In the Winter season, Milan becomes the stage to beautiful Christmas markets selling decorations, traditional food and hot drinks, as well as small hand-made objects.

Vienna

 is great for: art lovers, market mavens

Vienna is a city for time travelers—marvel at a palace from the Hapsburg Empire, explore Roman ruins, or walk out of a medieval church tucked in a back alley, and throughout December, Vienna’s famous Christmas markets populate the city’s streets.

Spittelberg has a Christmas market, but there are numerous other holiday markets in Vienna, including the Christmas Village on the grounds of the old hospital; Christkindlmarkt Rathausplatz, Vienna’s most popular holiday market; and the Christmas market at Schloss Schönbrunn, with the palace as its backdrop. All have decorations, caroling, roasted chestnuts, and stands selling warm mugs of mulled wine.

A fun shopping quest is to pick up a snow globe, which was invented in Austria. You can purchase one of more than 350 designs at the Snow Globe Museum (and learn about their history at the same time).

Where to stay in Vienna ?

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

Book here

Hotel Imperial – A Luxury Collection Hotel

Book Here

We wish you to have fun,

&

Merry, merry Christmas…!

It happens every year, December rolls around and it’s go, go, go. Our calendars fill up with back-to-back parties, canapés become diet staples, we sleep less, drink more and rush around buying last-minute gifts. All these are nice until the time  we need to be a little bit more private… Why don’t go somewhere away with beloved ones and enjoy the best time of the year as unique experience this Christmas…?

Here you can find some of our previous wisdom for places, spaces and favorite hotels especially in New York City. Enjoy..!

WHISTLER, CAPITALS

Why: Dreaming of a white Christmas? It doesn’t get much merrier than North America’s favourite ski resort, where snow is guaranteed, as are festively freezing temperatures. As well as a heap of family entertainment (the weekly Fire & Ice show sees skiers jumping through fiery hoops), there’s everything from ice skating to snowmobiling for the kids, and the slopes stay open on Christmas Day. Large, luxurious chalets are plentiful around Whistler Village: many with gorgeous viewsof Blackcomb Peak, patio heaters for outdoor evenings, and games rooms to keep all ages entertained.

Insider tip: Canadians are more likely to feast on pumpkin pie than Christmas pud on 25 December. Save the hassle of making your own and pick one up at local favourite Peaked Pies – it’s actually an Aussie bakery, but Whistler’s hungry skiers love it.

NEW YORK CITY, USA

Why: Sure, everyone knows Christmas in New York is special – but do they know it’s romantic, too? From ice-skating under the Rockefeller Center tree, to riding the gorgeously restored, vintage Jane’s Carousel on the East River-front, and strolling hand-in-hand across a twinkly Brooklyn Bridge, this is movie-grade amour.

This being NYC, of course, you can also find some cutting-edge takes on Christmas classics. Such as an erotic spin on The Nutcracker by neo-Baroque dance troupe Company XIV, performing in Bushwick until 13 January 2019.

Insider tip: Cuddle up on a Christmassy date at Williamsburg’s Nitehawk Cinema, showing It’s A Wonderful Life and Scrooged on 23 December 2018. Even better, you can order food and cocktails right to your seat.

Perhaps there’s no city more magical than New York City at Christmas. An already vibrant metropolis transforms into a dazzling wonderland; a reminder that December 25 and all the marvel that comes with it awaits. During the festive season, New York’s most lauded hotels play a key role in the city’s parade of festivities. From in-room decorations with all the trimmings to shoulder-high kicks from the world-famous Rockettes, some New York hotels pull out all the stops, suggesting special menus and holiday packages to welcome visitors to the city at the most wonderful time of the year..!

Where to stay :

Lotte New York Palace

Christmas here feels fit for royalty, all tinselled marble pillars and grand staircases lined with baubled pines. A showstopping 30ft Christmas tree towers in the centre courtyard.

This year’s headline seasonal package includes 25 per cent off tickets to see the renowned dance troupe the Rockettes on stage in the Christmas Spectacular, an extravagant pageantry at Radio City Music Hall, and discounted accommodation (from $689/£522 for two people, until 2 January). Head to Tavern On 51 for a wintry cocktail like Cranberry Garland with rosemary and gin, or stock up on Christmas macaroons in the on-site bakery.

The Plaza

This New York classic’s Todd English Food Hall has cooked up child-friendly Christmas meal packages that include a VIP photo with Santa (until December 22). Father Christmas will also be doing story readings at select times in Eloise’s Tea Room. Meanwhile adults can indulge in yule-time afternoon tea in the stained-glass-domed splendour of the Palm Court; think turkey sandwiches with cranberry aioli and egg nog cream eclaires. Christmas Day brings an extravagant Grand Buffet with turkey and soaked pears, cabernet-soaked beef, and smoked-pit ham.

Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York

An opulent addition in Midtown, it’s directly across from MoMA and Manhattan’s Museum Mile, where you’ll find the Met, Guggenheim and many more.  The first spa by La Mer in the US is located there and about 15,000 iridescent crystal pieces throughout the 50-storey property, including 2,000 Harcourt glasses affixed to LED lights build into the foyer wall producing a light show that sits within the realm of magic. To learn more about this top hotel, your correspondent spoke with Baccarat’s chief concierge, Francisco Andeliz. Having worked in New York’s hospitality industry for 14 years, there’s little Andeliz does not know.

Start off the day enjoying breakfast in the hotel’s sun-strewn Grand Salon. From there, set out to discover the city’s rich French history, which dates back to 1621. Take a ride down Lafayette Street, named for Marquis de Lafayette who served as a major-general under George Washington, while en-route to Battery Park to see France’s most beloved gift to NYC, the Statue of Liberty. Then head to SoHo to sample some of the world’s best macarons from Ladurée, a Parisian tea restaurant founded back in 1862, and enjoy authentic French pastries in the restaurant’s garden setting. In the evening, I would have to recommend dinner at master chef Daniel Boulud’s temple of gastronomy, Daniel, followed by a Broadway show.

The St. Regis New York

Ideally placed alongside the Fifth Avenue shopping district with its iconic holiday window displays. At Christmas, the hotel is decorated with thousands of sparkling holiday lights, fragrant pine, and life-sized toy soldiers. A giant tree and menorah steals the show in the Cognac Room. Guests can quaff winter-warming cocktails like the rum-based Maxfield Parrish, named after the muralist of the same name whose artwork adorns the bar. Children will love the gingerbread-decorating workshop on December 16. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a special menu features the likes of lobster bisque, Hudson Valley pheasant and egg nog gelato.

The Peninsula New York 

This 1905 landmark gets some serious jingle-jangle treatment in winter, all garlands, reindeer, sparkling Christmas lights, and poinsettias. The ‘Nights Before Christmas’ package for children includes an in-room gingerbread playhouse, candy cane scavenger hunt, and biscuit decorating kit (from $1,145/£867).

Guests can also tour the tens of thousands of Christmas lights that take over Dykers Heights Brooklyn in a chauffeured car (from $1395/£1056). Sip on a rum and nutmeg cocktail in the bar or book in for a five-course Christmas Eve feast with pepper-crusted duck breast and bûche de Noël accompanied by Victorian carols.

Four Seasons New York 

The merriment begins November 30 with the annual lighting of the dramatic 33ft tree accompanied by Louis Roederer champagne and carols from a children’s choir to raise money for the Toys for Tots charity. Holiday Brunches are being held every Saturday and Sunday in The Garden (November 25 to December 31), all gingerbread waffles, ‘slice of yule’ French toast, and belly-warming pork belly with broth. On Christmas Day, a slap-up breakfast in the morning, cookies and spiced apple cider, and a dinner with chestnut bisque, Wagyu beef, and rack of lamb complete the stonking food offerings.

The Chatwal 

Their package in partnership with Bloomingdale’s will appeal to Christmas shoppers; a chauffeur whisks guests away in a red Mercedes Benz for a personal shopping appointment at Bloomingdale’s Suite, ‘At Your Service’. A ‘Little Red Brown Bag’ courtesy of The Chatwal + Bloomie’s is also thrown in (from $620/£470). Every Saturday in December (as well as December 24 and 25), The Chatwal’s Lambs Club is hosting a carols brunch complete with eggs en cocotte and stuffed French toast; a selection of hot cocoa with tempting toppings warm the bones. Sunday Suppers throughout December spell Christmassy treats like sautéed foie gras and Nova Scotia lobster.

Le Parker Meridien New York

This option near Central Park decks the halls with style so much that you feel like an A-lister. Guests can browse the indoor-outdoor Christmas market for homeware, jewellery, and last-minute gifts, as well as sweet treats ranging from Glazed & Confused donuts to Brazilian bon bons (until December 23). Enjoy a festive glass of champagne with bitters and orange in the Knave bar or grab some temporary respite from the franticness of the holiday season in the wellness centre. Custom facials, Christian Louboutin manicures and Red Carpet Ready makeovers promise to get guests party ready.

BERLIN, GERMANY

Why: If you’re looking to combine Yuletide cheer with a breathless party scene, you won’t go far wrong with Berlin. The Germans practically invented Christmas (we have them to thank for embellishments including decorated trees, baubles and tinsel), and they’re the undisputed world champions of the Christmas market (find a toboggan run and ice rink at Potsdamer Platz; Alexanderplatz packs a Ferris wheel and Christmas ‘pyramid’ with more than 5,000 lights). The city’s club scene hardly closes down for Christmas, however; on the contrary, it often ramps up. Notorious Berghain traditionally throws a 12-hour Christmas Day bash, kicking off at midnight.

Insider tip: A 12-hour club stint requires planning: regular Berghainers recommend sturdy shoes and at least one T-shirt change. Dresses and heels aren’t simply impractical – and usually induce the bouncers to turn you away.

Where to stay :

HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI

This glamorous dame has had some hard knocks, but she still turns heads. The hotel was bombed in the war and only restored to its former glory in 1997. The clientele is star-studded – Charlie Chaplin nearly lost his trousers in a scrum of fans in the foyer; Greta Garbo came here when she wanted to be alone.

The intimate Lorenz Adlon restaurant has won a Michelin star for its fine French food; the Quarré restaurant brings a light cosmopolitan touch to some familiar Central European staples. If you prefer a quieter snack, the lobby bar serves up a delicious Wiener schnitzel. There are 303 rooms and 81 suites.
Unter den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin

VAL D’ISERE, FRANCE

Why: This St-Tropez-on-snow is the party ski resort, and a Christmas card-worthy delight this time of year, too. Here in the powder-swept Alps, there’s no shortage of festive markets, steaming vin chaud, or decadent Christmas menus paired with Champagne. On Christmas Day, ski lifts are open as usual and Dick’s Tea Bar, the party place-to-be, brings the après with resident DJs. Plus, Val has been outdoing itself with ultra-luxe chalets lately: seven-room Chalet Husky has a climbing wall, infinity waterfall and space for rifle shooting and archery; at Arctic Townhouse, you’ll find a sauna, indoor hot tub and screening room.

Insider tip: Luxury travel specialist Scott Dunn tells us you can’t beat L’Atelier d’Edmond for a decadent Christmas dinner. This double-Michelin-starred stunner typically rustles up a tasting menu that forgoes turkey for the more refined flavours of Arctic char and deer.

FINNISH LAPLAND

Why: Christmas in Lapland needn’t just be for kids: throw over Santa and snowmen for cosy nights in glass igloos, and romantic husky-sled rides through forests glittering with frost. Head up to Ylläs and you can even get steamy in a sauna gondola: a cable car converted into a sauna, which takes guests on a 20-minute ride. An outdoor Jacuzzi session and traditional sauna are included in the (admittedly steep) price. Note that a typical Lappish Christmas dinner often involves reindeer, which seems like a truth only suitable for an adult.

Insider tip: If you’re looking to work off all that Christmas food, Ylläs National Park recently opened up its snowshoe tracks to fatbikers, so you can pedal your way around this wintry wonderland and work up a real sweat.

DUDE RANCH, COLORADO

Why: For a solo Christmas with just the right mix of adventure and home comforts, playing cowboy (or cowgirl) at a dude ranch in the Rocky Mountains could be ideal. You’ll spend your days getting active in that crisp mountain air – riding horses, learning to shoot and lasso – and evenings sharing hearty home-cooked meals, swapping stories around a campfire or square-dancing at the local saloon. Colorado’s little mountain towns come alive with holiday lights and festivities this time of year, and the region is stuffed with dude ranches offering seasonal packages, which typically include a snowy horseback ride and family-style feast on Christmas Day.

Insider tip: Dude ranches come in all styles and sizes, so do your research on the vibe. Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, for example, is small and low-key, with a real focus on a homestay-style experience, while C Lazy U Ranch is more like a hotel and goes all-out with sleigh rides and Santa PAs.