Friday (mini) Escape

Happy Friday, my friends! I don’t have time today for a full Friday Escape but I had to share with you this amazing home outside of Lisbon. It belongs to designer, Monica Penaguião, who obviously has impeccable taste! It’s no wonder her gorgeous store, Poeira enjoys much success. Enjoy the tour and imagine yourself stretched out next to that pool…sigh….

I’m pretty sure you would have to pry me away from this table…so dreamy!

I love the pops of rich color against all that white!

And I’m back at the pool…what a surprise. Seriously, I could lay there all day!

Hope you have a very relaxing weekend!

xo,

All images via Casa de Valentina

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Travel Visions 2

I know you may have been expecting a Friday Escape…but while I’m doing my Unravelling class, I’ve decided that I need to focus on my writing and photo assignments….so I hope you will forgive me and still enjoy this little collection of travel inspired images. I promise we will jump back into our vicarious travel when I’ve completed the course…which, by the way, is AMAZING!

Have a beautiful and inspired weekend!

xo,

Images via here.

Friday Escapes: Ireland

Happy Friday! With yesterday being St. Patty’s I thought it only fitting that we journey to Ireland today. I can’t wait! Let’s go…

Speaking of castles…you know I have a thing for them…what girl doesn’t? So of course, I found a gorgeous one for us to stay in! We are headed to Lismore Castle just outside of the town of Lismore in County Waterford. Map. If you want to stay at Lismore Castle you have to rent the whole thing out…it costs a fortune but I managed to pull a few strings and got us a deal. ;)

Oh and I have a surprise – I arranged for a coach to pick us up. Why? Because arriving at a castle in a horse drawn carriage is perfectly dreamy…

There is the castle up ahead!

Let’s check in and take a peek at our room and then we can explore the gardens.

So beautiful! Don’t you feel like a princess? Oh let’s stop in the drawing room and have tea and treats before we venture out…

image

Let’s go for a stroll through the manicured grounds…

Well…I must leave you now my friends. Have a rest on this bench, smell the roses and breathe in the gorgeous fresh air of the Irish countryside. Hope you enjoyed our little trip to Ireland.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

xo,

Images via here, here and here. Sounds via here.

Friday Escape: Maldives

Okay so are you ready for your Friday Escape? I am! Thank you so much to those of you who left suggestions. I really appreciate it. I made a list and we will be visiting all the lovely locations you recommended.

Today, thanks to one of my fabulous readers, Hera, we are going to the Maldives!

This gorgeous Island Nation is in the Indian ocean about 250 miles south-west of India. Amazing crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and decadent resorts…it’s a little slice of paradise. Let’s go!

I know…it doesn’t look real. I’ve only seen this kind of beach as a screen saver!  This must be where they get those shots!

We are staying at the Alila Villas Hadahaa resort. The resort is located on one of the tropical islands in the North Huvadhoo Atol. It’s reputation is stellar and many celebrities have stayed here…so it should be perfect for us.

Luxury – check. Amazing – check. Could never afford it in real life – check.

That’s it up ahead…see the little villas that are built right over the ocean! I booked us in one of those…of course. Only the best for my Friday escape travelers.

Welcome to the resort…wanna go see our Aqua Villa….

Isn’t it beautiful? Let’s go inside…

Yeah… this should be just fine. Follow me and I’ll show you where I will be spending most of my time…

So fabulous right? The colors of the water are so stunning! Who’s making cocktails? Oh heck, I’ll just have some brought over to us.

So what do you think? A couple of hours on the deck then we can hit the beach, a sunset soak at the spa followed by a massage then we will hit the bar and restaurant for dinner…sound like a plan?

The two restaurants at the resort, Battuta and Relish serve up Maldivian and Moroccan inspired cuisine. Yum! I love trying new dishes. Want recipes? Go here or here.

I ordered this delectable Moroccan chicken and chickpea dish with spicy avocado! Recipe.

That was delicious! Let’s stroll back to our villa. I am totally ready to fall asleep, listening to the waves…

Wow look at those stars. This place is magical. Okay…lets see take a vote…raise your hand if you never want to leave!

Hope you enjoyed this little jaunt to the Maldives. Pretty amazing place huh? Thanks for coming along.

I hope you have a perfect weekend.

xo,

Images via here and here.

Travel Visions

Hi there.

Well…unfortunately, I don’t have a Friday Escape for you today. My little Grace is home sick with an ear infection so my attention needs to be on her. But…I didn’t want to leave you with nothing, so I’m sharing some of the beautiful travel images I’ve collected for my Pinterest Travel board.

A majestic landscape in Val di Funes, Italy.

The gorgeous city of Prague.

Colorful hot air balloon over Paris.

Simply charming tea houses in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

Last but certainly not least, my beautiful home town, Sydney, Australia.

Hope you enjoy these. I want to hear from you – where would you like us to explore on our Friday Escapes? Any ideas? I’m making a list.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

xo,

 

Friday Escape: Ravello, Italy

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! Sorry for the late post, internet troubles this morning. ugh.

Okay, are you ready for your escape?

Look, I know we have already been to Italy on one of our Vicarious Vacations…but who can get enough of Italy? I mean, really. I know I can’t, especially since I’ve never actually been there.

Sad.

So, yeah you bet I’m going to go there vicariously as much as I can! Besides, this place is a completely different feel to our last trip. I think you will love it!

Enough chit chat. Today, we are going to Ravello, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. Map here.

Breathtaking isn’t it?

I’ve got us booked into the Hotel Palazzo Sasso.  It was ranked #8 in the World’s Best Hotels for 2010 by Travel + Leisure…so I think it will fit our extremely high standards! Let’s go check it out.

The Hotel, which is actually a 12th century villa, is perched 1000 ft above the glimmering Mediterranean sea. Drop dead gorgeous views are a given!

Let’s go see our suite! When you travel vicariously, you should always stay in the most extravagant room, don’t you think?

Please, go out onto our private terrace…the view is simply superb…

I know…amazing. I have a feeling we will back here later with a glass of something fabulous to watch the sunset!

So, since we got here so early, let’s have breakfast out on the main dining terrace.

Shouldn’t everyday start like this?

After we enjoy our lovely breakfast I thought we’d go on a bit of a boat ride. Gotta get some one on one time with the Amalfi coastline…

Come with me down to the lower terrace…my gorgeous friend Marco is picking us up. (Yes, Marco is imaginary…but just go with me on this one…)

Here he is now…perfect timing…meet imaginary Marco…( cue – giggle and toss hair)

Ciao!

Off we go!

Ooh…look it’s the beautiful city of Positano up ahead!

So pretty! We may have to come back here sometime.

Well, I’m starving and although, Marco provides eye candy, he doesn’t do much for my rumbling tummy so let’s head back, eat a huge lunch and go into a food coma next to the pool. Plan?

Sit back, enjoy the Mediterranean sun and relax. I told Marco to go whip up some cocktails for us…he should be serving them any minute! ;)

I hope you enjoyed our little getaway! Thanks for coming along!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

Images via HotelPalazzoSasso