Good morning! Still in Greece as you read this - I will have so much to share when I get back. A quick shoutout to my kids before I get this newsletter going today. It’s Mother’s Day (in the US) and I have to say, I am the luckiest that I get to be Henry, Rosie, and Charlie’s mom. Mothering those three is the joy of my life. I’ve known since I could properly vision a future that my future was to be a mom, and even though I thought I would love it, I had no idea the depth to which I would LOVE IT. The pure joy I have when they reach milestones - like Henry losing his first tooth last month, or the sacred connectedness I feel when Rosie leans in closer to be next to me, or giggling with Charlie when he whispers in my ear that we should sneak off for a walk just him and me, just fills my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible. Being a parent is one of the most common unique experiences you can have, and I’m so thankful it’s one that I am immersed in.

On to the travel stuff!

Why You Should Work with a Travel Advisor

Working with a travel advisor is the bee’s knees. Truly it can take your trip from good to great, and can save you a ton of stress and time, so I wanted to take a minute and detail out my top five reasons why you should work with a travel advisor, aka me.

VIP Perks + Access - You can’t “VIP” yourself. So let me.

My clients enjoy:

✔️Upgrades on arrival (when available)

✔️Daily breakfast

✔️Resort credits for spa & dining

✔️Early check-in and late check-out

✔️Personalized notes + amenities throughout your stay

Stress-free planning - close the tabs and let me handle it.

Many of my clients USED to love planning their own trips, but now are too busy with work/kids/life or feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to parse through. If you find yourself asking “did the hotel write this review?” - that’s a sign to give me a call.

Curated, exclusive experiences - Let me show you the coolest experiences!

Gladiator camp in Rome for your kids? ✔️

Private catamaran off the coast of Greece? ✔️

Behind-the-scenes access to sold out events? ✔️

Harry Potter tour of London ✔️

Reservations at Michelin dining ✔️

“What about AMEX FHR? Isn’t that the same thing?” - Actually, no.

AMEX FHR is last in line for upgrades behind all travel advisors.

AMEX FHR often gets a lower value resort credit + breakfasts

And the biggest reason? Travel advisors have personal relationships with hotels and on-the-ground teams, and have much more leverage for upgrades, personalization and support if something goes wrong.

“Ok, but I like planning my trips!“ - I love planning too, so I get it. I can help with as much or as little as you’d like, while still passing through all the perks.

Just a hotel? Great, I got you. Just a few activities while you’re there? Happy to help! Fully-planned itinerary? That’s my specialty, put me in coach!

“Isn’t working with a travel advisor expensive?”

X Myth - travel advisors cost a LOT!

✔️Reality: I often save my clients money through exclusive perks, upgrades and insider rates.

Plus, my relationships will get you priority treatment, which no booking site can guarantee!

Getting away – whether it’s 3 days or 10 days – should feel exciting, not stressful. Stop reading hotel reviews for hours upon hours, stop crossing your fingers hoping for an upgrade, and stop cross-checking activities across multiple sites … and just let a luxury travel advisor (me) handle it all instead. The best part is - I can do as much or as little as you’d like. Just want to book a hotel with my perks? Done. Prefer I make you a full itinerary custom to you? Also done. Either way, you’ll get the insider intel that no forum or booking site can match.

Ok, that’s my pitch! Reach out if you want to get going on a trip!

Paros/Antiparos Restaurants

I have a lot more to say about the two islands of Paros/Antiparos, but let’s start with some restaurant recommendations.

Paros

Yemeni - traditional wine restaurant

Barbarossa - Paros on a plate v

Blue Oyster - fresh oysters with a view

Sigi Ikthios - “The Silence of the Fish” - fresh, local, delicious

Siparos - fresh fish every day, amazing sunsets, and you can arrive by and be served on your boat

Mouragio - traditional seafood tavern on the water with amazing sunsets

Cabana Paros - Beach Bar & Restaurant

The Faragas Beach Club - come for the beautiful views, stay for the vibe.

Antiparos

Kalokeri - Refined Aegean

Soros Beach Club - beer, chicken tacos and the sand

MINI BLACKBOOK: ANGUILLA

Anguilla is a tiny island - just 16 miles long - but in those 16 miles you’ll find the most beautiful snow-white sandy beaches and some of the best dining in the Caribbean.

Wake up with a view of the crystal clear turquoise waters, spend the day snorkeling, and cap it off with a sunset dinner of fresh seafood and champagne sabering.

Fun fact: Anguilla has no street address, and just one postal code for the entire island.

Where to Stay

Cap Juluca - the best sand on the island

Four Seasons Anguilla - great dining, great for families

Malliouhana - luxury boutique vibe

Where to Eat

Sharky’s - local favorite

Jacala - consistently considered the best food on the island

Blanchards - one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean

Salt- on property at Four Seasons, worth a visit

Cap Shack - dine under the stars, on property at Cap Juluca

What to Do

Boat out to Sandy Island

Champagne sabering

Snorkeling

Explore the beautiful white sandy beaches

Tips

Fly into SXM (St. Maarten) and ferry over to Anguilla (25 minutes)

Great for a long weekend

Shoulder season is May & August

Links

1. 19 Underrated spots to travel to this summer. I’ve got my eye on Catalina Island and Sardinia (plans in the works for September!)

2. Best new affordable hotels list! I’d love to see The Standard, Singapore

3. Newark, still the worst airport.

4. Jane Austen’s 250th birthday will be celebrated all over southwest England this year.

5. Two senior best friends (aka TikTok Traveling Grannies) went around the world in 80 Days—here’s their travel advice.

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive - and already have inquiries for Spring Break 2026. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

If you enjoyed this, would you be kind enough to give it a little heart? I hope you have a nice week!

Walkable sandals

As you read this I’m on my way to Greece (!). I’ve never been and I am so excited to check out. Our itinerary is PACKED - less lounging on the beach with drinks and more zipping around taking hotel tours and island hopping. Our plans include getting all 10K+ of our steps in every single day, so even though I LOVE my heels, I’ll be bringing mostly flats this round. I’ve carefully curated my collection of comfortable sandals - all of which fit my super high arches and are cute enough to wear trekking through cities but also to dinner with the GM.

The Finch sandal by Beek. This is a new to me brand (out of California - shout out to my home state), and I wore these sandals all over the Maldives last summer. They had zero break-in time, are beautiful and lightweight, and even when I broke my toe on that same trip they were the only shoes I could wear comfortably.

Reef sandals (bought on Amazon). Reef as a brand has been a go-to for me since I was a teen. These sandals manage to be cute and comfortable - and I’ve had several people ask me where I got them. Love the platform, and they are water-friendly.

Hermes Oran. I have two pairs of these and would buy more. They are elegant, very packable and break in so very nicely.

Freedom Moses slides. I have a pair of these in hot pink and they are an excellent dupe to Birkenstocks. Great for the beach or for walking around town.

Sunbeam flip flops by Beek. These are my “fancy” flip flops. I have them in black and love them. They hit the mark of being practical and stylish. Love.

Chicago Hotels + Eats

After returning from our annual academy last month in Chicago, I reached out to one of my fellow travel advisors, David Barclay, who lives in Chicago to get his take on his top spots to stay and eat in Chicago. His taste is impeccable, so if you’re headed to the windy city, bookmark this for your trip.

Hotels

The Peninsula

In my opinion, this is the best hotel in Chicago. Impeccable service, the staff goes above and beyond for guests. It also has a great spa and is close to many boutique shops in the Gold Coast. If you like Peninsula hotels in other cities, this hotel delivers on the Peninsula experience. They also have one of the best afternoon tea services in the city, many locals go there just for tea.

The Langham

A great location and great views of Chicago & the river. This hotel is great for both leisure and business travelers, and upgrading to include the Club Room is a must. Staff is very friendly and goes out of their way to make guests feel special.

The Four Seasons

A great hotel for families, as with all Four Season hotels it has many amenities focused on kids & families. I love the ice cream cart that will come by the room (or the martini cart for the adults). I have several clients that live in the Chicago suburbs and use the Four Seasons for their “staycations” as the hotel provides a relaxing experience in a great location in the city.

Restaurants

Next

Part of the Alinea group, I think the food and presentation here is just as good and creative as at Alinea. What I like about Next is that every year there are 3-4 dinner themes (each running for 3-4 months before the restaurant switches to the next theme). Every dinner theme has been highly creative and a lot of dinner theater in addition to great food, and for travelers who visit Chicago a few times per year, it’s a great option since the menu will change for each visit.

Cabra

One of Stephanie Izard’s (winner of Trop Chef) restaurants, Cabra means goat (a theme for her restaurants) and Cabra’s menu is Peruvian inspired. The food is incredible; many small plate options perfect for sharing with a group of friends. It’s located on the top of the Hoxton hotel and has great views of the city.

Momotaro

My favorite Japanese restaurant in the city. In addition to some of the best sushi I’ve ever had, the menu adds other Japanese foods including a variety of noodle dishes and robata. For those looking for something a little more casual, the basement is the Izakaya at Momotaro, a cozy sister restaurant that serves small plate dishes in the theme of Tokyo street food and drinks in the theme of a Japanese whiskey bar.

Condé Nast Traveler New Hotel Hot List

May means the annual new hotel hot list drops from Condé Nast Traveler. This is the 29th year of this tradition, and here’s where I’m going to highlight three on this list that I’ve been to (or will by the end of this week!).

One&Only Kéa Island

This is one of the stops on our trip this week to Greece (pictured above), and I am so thrilled to see this space. Designed by the same architect as the Aman, and located a stone’s throw from Athens, this spot has been five years in the making and since it’s a One&Only I am expecting the service to be top notch.

The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection

Located on John Island about 40 minutes from Charleston this spot is an amazing weekend getaway. Dubbed Coastal Grandma-chic by Condé Nast it is a beautiful addition to one of my very favorite hotel collections.

The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel NYC

Being a local to NY I get a lot of inquiries for first-timers to the city, and this hotel is now one of my top recs. It’s on the UES and hits all the classic NY notes: white-glove, centrally located, classically art-deco.

Links

1. Here’s the entire hot list for your perusal.

2. The only US beach to make the world’s top 50 beaches is in Florida… which one do you think it is?

3. The French Riviera is still a hot spot, duh.

4. Is AI a good way to plan travel? Spoiler: sometimes.

5. This awww-inspiring meet-cute compilation of people meeting people in airport lounges.

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive - and already have inquiries for Spring Break 2026. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

If you enjoyed this, would you be kind enough to give it a little heart? I hope you have a nice week!

La Dolce Guida Como

My friend Britt is a tour de force. She runs a travel business, is in the middle of a gut renovation of her house in Lake Como, has two little boys, AND is launching a tour company - La Dolce Guida - which is filling a gap in the Lake Como area - there’s lots of sea travel, but nothing to speak of in terms of ground game. La Dolce Guida opens this summer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to give you all a little peek behind the scenes of La Dolce Guida Como.

Give us the backstory - about you, and your new company.
As the founder of Unfolded Travels, a luxury travel agency, I plan many client trips to Italy—especially since I live here. When designing itineraries for Lake Como, I kept noticing the same thing: while boat rides are undeniably beautiful (and definitely a must!), there was a major gap when it came to land-based experiences. The lake’s charm isn’t just in the water—it’s in the winding roads, panoramic views, and quiet villages that are often overlooked. Getting around Lake Como can be surprisingly tricky. Private transfers are limited, taxis even more so, and public transportation doesn’t always align with a seamless, relaxed itinerary. I wanted to offer a better way for guests to explore—something thoughtful, immersive, and unforgettable. We created something special: immersive tour experiences in the most charming little cars—authentic vintage Fiat 500s that have been hand-restored and converted to electric. No fumes, no noisy engines—just quiet, open-air drives through some of the lake’s most breathtaking corners and hidden gems.

Hopes and dreams for your first seasons out?
This first season in Lake Como, our goal is to spotlight the local businesses and experiences that make this lake truly unforgettable—many of which our clients might never find on their own. We believe that visiting a destination is just as much about the people you meet as it is the beauty you see. That’s why we’ve curated unique private dining experiences, hands-on cooking lessons hosted in local homes, and scenic tours filled with moments that offer a genuine connection to the culture and traditions of the lake.

Who is your ideal guest?
Our ideal guest is curious, friendly, and open-minded—someone who values meaningful experiences and enjoys connecting with new people and places. We love welcoming travelers from around the world and sharing the beauty of the place we call home. Please note: for safety reasons, we’re unable to accommodate children under the age of 6, as car seats cannot be securely installed in our vehicles.

What is the entry point to take a tour?
Starts at 1,050 EUR

Something you just can’t miss in Lake Como?
Oh, this is such a hard one—there's so much to see! But if I had to choose, I’d say visiting one of Lake Como’s iconic villas is an absolute must. They offer the kind of beauty that photos just can’t do justice. No trip to Como feels complete without experiencing at least one of them!

A few favorite local hotels you recommend over and over again?
If you’re coming to Lake Como and want to do it right, these are the hotels to have on your radar:

Grand Hotel Tremezzo - an absolutely iconic classic. Think: that iconic floating pool, epic views of Bellagio, and vintage glam vibes. It’s luxurious and full of personality—perfect if you want the full Lake Como experience with all the bells and whistles.

Passalacqua - This one’s a total dream. It feels more like staying in a private villa than a hotel as it only has a few dozen rooms. Super intimate, beautifully restored, and full of little touches that make it feel really special. Go here if you're into quiet luxury and a more relaxed, tucked-away vibe.

Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como - If you're all about peace, style, and spa days, this is your spot. It’s sleek, super calm, and surrounded by gorgeous nature. It's a great pick if you’re craving some serious downtime in a beautiful setting.

Your favorite spot for a meal in Lake Como?
Locanda La Tirlindana, located in the charming village of Sala Comacina, is known for its delicious, famous lemon ravioli. They have a beautiful lakeside terrace which provides a romantic setting, especially during sunset. Accessible by boat, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner.

How old are your kids and where’s the best place you’ve taken them?
My boys are 3 and 5, and they've been lucky enough to travel to so many countries across five continents. But, I’d say our favorite family trips so far have been to Thailand and Mallorca.

Where do you want to go next and why?
I’m really excited about the idea of taking my kids to Sri Lanka — it feels like such an authentic, untapped destination compared to places like Bali that we've been to before and have been a bit overrun with tourism. It has all the natural beauty and adventure— lush jungles, amazing wildlife, and stunning beaches— without the heavy crowds. It’s a place where you can really experience local culture and traditions in a way that feels much more raw and genuine. Plus, I think it would be an incredible learning experience for the kids, and I love that it’s still a bit of a hidden gem!

Under the radar place and the place you’re dying to try out?
Sardinia is definitely becoming more popular amongst American tourists, and it’s easy to see why! The beaches are absolutely stunning— crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and some seriously beautiful scenery. It’s been a favorite amongst Italians for years, but now more people are discovering it. We’re also dying to check out the Turkish Riviera! Places like Bodrum and Antalya are perfect for relaxing by the sea, but you can also dive into some pretty incredible culture and food. Can you tell we’re all about beautiful beaches in my family?

Best way for people to reach you?
@unfolded_travels, hello@ladolceguida.com

Hotel Addict: Four Seasons NY Midtown

I.M Pei’s birthday was yesterday (4/26)– the famous architect responsible for the glass pyramid he designed for the Louvre in Paris, as well as The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and more locally - the Four Seasons NY, midtown. In honor of him and his incredible designs I took a walk through the Four Seasons, NY, midtown and saw the stunning lobby and the jaw-dropping views of the park, it is truly something to see for yourself.

Name/Location: Four Seasons NY, Midtown, New York NY

Dates of Stay: 4/25/25

In Short: Art deco modern, classic chic New York

Vibe: Well-heeled respite in the middle of the city

The rooms: The decor is hushed, muted, classic, uptown. They downsized the room volume in the refresh to give more square footage to each room and it shows. The views are the real showstopper here though, the vantage point to the park is unparalleled and when I was there it was spring had sprung and the park was just bursting with green. I hear the fall foliage is even more spectacular.

Of Note/Tips: They are building out long-term residences that will be open in the next few years, and they’ve kept intact the soaring ceilings in the lobby and the interiors designed by I.M Pei himself.

If this hotel was a:

Celebrity: Natalie Portman

A brand of shoes: Jimmy Choo

A cocktail: Manhattan

A TV show: Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Ranking my top 3 eats at Moynihan train hall in NYC

Found myself in the gorgeous Moynihan train hall a few weeks back and was immediately impressed by the spread on offer there. There’s so many spots to grab something before or after you hop on a train. Here’s my top-three on what to eat if you happen to be there.

1. Alidoro - so this joint is an outpost of the infamous sandwich shop near one of my very first apartments in the city - so I’m definitely biased here - this sandwich shop was the cornerstone of many of my first NYC memories. My roommate and I used to get The Matthew and sit outside on a sunny day, and although this has a bit of a rose-tint to it, I still stand by the deliciousness of these Italian sandos. Note, they don’t offer The Matthew at Moynihan, so I’d sub in the Alidoro as my order.

2. La Esquina - excellent tacos to be found here (and also the downtown OG spot). Highly recommend the corn as well.

3. Pastrami Queen - this pastrami is up there with Katz’s and in my top 3 pastramis in the city. At least stop by for a pastrami sample.

Links

1. Where do you think The Saddest Airport Lounge is? (Spoiler: it’s in O’Hare).

2. Would you fly somewhere just for lunch? Check out these 8-hour vacationers.

3. Here’s an inspiring story of three friends who renovated a resort in California and is bringing an entire town back to life.

4. The real ID is really coming (May 7th!). Read more here.

5. 8 scenic Amtrak routes (my favorite is the Pacific Surfliner!).

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

If you enjoyed this, would you be kind enough to give it a little heart? I hope you have a nice week!

The art market and a taco tour in CDMX

Sending some clients to Mexico City this fall, and I am so excited for them. One of the top ways I describe CDMX is vibrant, but second to that would be romantic, and that’s probably because the city is full of sensory experiences. The way the trees arc over the sidewalks, dappling the streets with breezy shadows; the way bachata is practiced in the parks with boomboxes and scattered applause; and the way the subway entrances make you feel like you could enter in Mexico and exit in Paris, (perhaps because they feature Art Nouveau-inspired entrances resembling those designed by Hector Guimard in Paris).

Beyond the ambiance and the general insouciant vibe in CDMX, I always recommend two things to travelers heading that way.

The first being the art market aka “El Bazar Sábado”, which is held on Saturdays in the San Angel neighborhood. It’s just large enough to feel like you can wander for a few hours, but not large enough that it feels overwhelming or that you can’t see everything in one visit. Most items there are handmade by local artisans - paintings, photography, pottery, and jewelry - whatever your preferred medium, you can find it there. Prices are very reasonable, you can pay with a card or your phone, and they wrap it right there for you to take home.

The second must-do on this list is a taco tour. The one I recommend takes you to five locations, so arrive on an empty stomach. My favorite was the Argentinian taco - the steak was perfection, the salsas immaculate, and the truck itself an art-deco aluminum dream come true. If steak isn’t your top choice, don’t worry, there’s four more stops with menus full of chicken, pork as well as wilder (tongue) or milder (vegetarian) options.

Anguilla Eats

Two of my favorite clients are off to Anguilla today (!), and we’ve worked up quite a restaurant itinerary for them, I’ve shared a few spots below. While Anguilla, and the Caribbean in general– might not be the culinary cradle of the world, there definitely are destinations to be had.

Sharky’s - For local dishes like jerk shrimp, crayfish, and a casual beachy vibe.

Jacala - beachside French fine dining. Adult dinner.

Salt - Go for the panoramic ocean views and the fresh seafood. On property at Four Seasons.

Blanchards - Both the beach shack and the restaurant are amazing, one of the best in the Caribbean.

Cip’s - Italian alfresco. Order the carpaccio. On property at Cap Juluca.

From the Greece group chat

Hot tip from the group of advisors in my Greece group chat: for those of you utilizing a clothing rental company, like say Rent the Runway or Nuuly, AND you run across issues like hems being too long (ahem, me), or you need to make a quick, reversible edit to those clothes (or the ones you own!), behold The Stitchy. Self-proclaimed a “closet superhero” it’s an “at-home tailor” that is extremely DIY friendly. You can hem pants, close gaps, and make a semi-permanent half-tuck in any shirt you want. I think I need one?

Links of the week

1. AFAR’s list of the best new hotels of 2025. I’m most intrigued by these three in the US: Populus in Denver (this design!), The Dunlin in South Carolina, and Warren Street Hotel in Tribeca (NYC).

2. Vintage shopping at Airports. What a great idea! The comment about the LV Bag also reminds me of my favorite hand painted bag artisans - you can either send in your own or have them source one for you.

3. Here is a roundup of the Best Premium Wireless Earbuds. I’m still on the hunt for the best ones for small ears.

4. Ok, so I must know more about this golf course in Nebraska that apparently sells out the year’s worth of tee times in approximately 50 minutes. The course itself is public and is $150????? Oh and the 17th green is 36,000 square feet.

5. This park in New Jersey has more cherry blossom trees than Washington, D.C.

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

If you enjoyed this, would you be kind enough to give it a little heart? I hope you have a nice week!

Take your kids everywhere

There’s a couple of mantras I repeat to myself about being a parent, one of which is that one of my big goals is to raise kids who always want to come home. Conversely, another one I like to roll around in my head when I’m planning out my travels is — take your kids everywhere. This week I leaned into the latter. At least once a year I take each of my kids on a solo trip, and this week I took my 7 year-old to Philadelphia for a quick stay to see my brother but also to hang out and order room service (his first time) and check out the Please Touch Museum.

He was, as always, a delight to travel with – the enthusiasm he rolls with is infectious, but this time I got to see what a kind and gentlemanly guy he’s growing into. And by that I mean - he held (or tried to hold) every door for me, tried to wrangle both the suitcase and the backpack, and he liberally used the phrase “ladies first” as we went places together. Definitely one of those moments that I was very clearly aware that kids watch what you do more than what you say - he picked up these habits DIRECTLY from his father who has never once let me carry anything larger than a coffee when we go places together, and who holds the door for everyone.

We had a great time, 10/10 recommend solo trips with your kids.

Clients coming back from Vietnam today:

One of my very favorite client families is arriving back in the states today from an adventurous spring break in Vietnam. What I love about them is that they aren’t afraid of a long-haul flight – even with three young-ish kids in tow, and they’re always up for an adventure. They split their week between Saigon and Phu Quoc which in my opinion and city-beach combo is a win on any trip (city first, beach second).

Highlights of their itinerary:

Stay:

The Reverie Saigon - vibe is extra-luxe and opulent

Regent Phu Quoc - the epitome of fly-and-flop, serene beachfront.

Activities:

A half day tour of Ho Chi Minh City

Mekong Delta boat tour

Cu Chi tunnels tour

Of Note:

We booked fast track service upon landing which I recommend if you are either flying long-haul or traveling as a family (or both!) and want to get through immigration as quickly as possible.

NY Hotel Uptown Short List:

A question that gets asked a lot - of me, and in our slack channel, what are the hotel gems near Central Park?

Here’s my top three suggestions –

The Whitby - thoughtful, curated, funky chic - feels more British than American.

Park Lane - hidden gem with park views and relatively reasonable room prices.

The Wallace - stylish boutique hotel; clean, modern and contemporary.

Links of the week

1. There’s an old post from a jeweler I keep in my head about layering necklaces, which is an easy hack to make more outfits with less space in your suitcase. I tried to find it, but it’s lost in the archives somewhere. But I did find this article in InStyle which gives some depth to “how-to” in the layering art.

2. The Real ID deadline seems to be actually May 7th, 2025 (please note this law was passed in 2005, so we’re about two-decades delayed). The consequences for not having one while traveling are still a little vague, but if you don’t have one, you should get one, and plan on delays at TSA while this starts to get enforced this summer. Read up on how you can tell if you already have an ID that is compliant here.

3. you are not overworked.

   you are under-walked.

   Under-danced.

   Under-sunned.

   – words from one of my favorite poets, Christopher Sexton

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

Here’s my ever-evolving list of things – besides clothes + shoes– I usually pack for every trip, give or take depending on the weather and length of trip.

Updated March 2025

Luggage AKA Suitcase/Duffels/Backpack

This one is heavily dependent on length of trip. Basically for shorter trips I rotate through my soft-sided duffels. I’ve got a leather one from Very Troubled Child that I love, and a smaller, more “rugged” one from my days at Google that makes a great weekender. Otherwise I have two hard-shells and one aluminum Away rolling suitcase – the aluminum one (in black) is slightly smaller than the hard-shells and so usually I make that call based on how many shoes I want to bring. And finally I have one bag that is too big to carry-on, the Rimowa Hybrid-Check In Medium. I love it. Generally I always travel with my backpack (also from the Google days) that has a lined laptop pocket in the very back part.

Packing cubes

Currently, I have these navy blue ones from Paravel and they are great. I like that they are soft-sided so they can pack flat if need be and also stack/squish in around things easily.

Hair/Makeup

Generally I run very minimalist with hair & makeup. I have a small travel hairbrush, and my hair wrap that I will sleep in for curls/volume (it’s basically a fancy bathrobe tie). Makeup is just minis of my regular stuff. The only thing of note here is that I do love the Cadence containers for bath/face/hair (and vitamins!). They’re magnetic so they stick to each other (and sometimes my AirTag) and they are the perfect size. I have a different color for each type of product.

Read more

Bora Bora, Yes Please.

I love working in hospitality.

Working in hospitality is like being surrounded by a bunch of get-shit-done people pleasers who have the inside track on where your next adventure could and should be. Full of people who are interested in and obsessed with curating experiences and figuring out ways to surprise and delight. It’s … a lot of fun. I was reminded of this lovely aspect of this industry last week when I attended my annual travel conference (this time in Chicago). Talked to SO MANY people about where to go and what to do this year and next, but I’m plucking out one conversation in particular to share this week – and it’s about going to Bora Bora.

Ran into my friend Cate who is part of the Four Seasons Bora Bora crew - and she dropped this little nugget on me about Air Tahiti Nui AKA Air Moana - that kids fly (almost) FREE in 2025 - which seems like a boondoggle to me, so I’m sharing it here in case this moves Bora Bora up on your 2025 list.

Bora Bora is often compared to the Maldives, which is fair in the category of over-water bungalows, and in bucket-list destinations, but the comparison trails off after that. Maldives is more of a “disconnect” kind of place. A place where the time zones change from island to island - based on what each hotel wants - and the water goes on for miles in all directions. Bora Bora on the other hand is more of a “connect” kind of place - connect to the more external - the rich Polynesian culture, and the geography – the water also goes on for miles and miles but there are mountains to contend with as well. Oh plus the whole Moana was “filmed” here thing. My kids are (still) obsessed.

Bora Bora is high on my list, especially as a family destination, and so this Air Tahiti Nui deal is appealing. The free flights for kids are offered out of SEA and LAX so a little sample itinerary I have in my head is shaping up to be NYC to LAX/SAN for a few days and then on to Tahiti (PPT).

Details:

Here is the link to the Air Tahiti flight deal details.

Kids up to the age of 11 fly free (you must pay the taxes on the ticket) with the purchase of 2 roundtrip economy tickets from Seattle or Los Angeles to Tahiti. Book by 12/31/25.

Ticket taxes depend on the fare class and date but should run a couple hundred dollars.

Greece Planning

Headed to Greece in May – I’ve never been, and am very excited about going. Our schedule is PACKED - this is a work trip - but I have a feeling this might be the first of many trips there.

A few things I’ve been eyeing/reviewing as departure gets closer:

We are staying at the Canaves Epitome in Santorini and wow it looks stunning. Modern but also timeless.

Another stop on this trip is at the One&Only Kea near Athens. I’ve stayed at the One & Only Mandarina in Mexico, so I’m anticipating another bombshell of a property with top notch service.

I’m picking back up one of my favorite books of all time - the Pulitzer Prize winning Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (he also wrote The Virgin Suicides) - which is partially based in Greece, and follows a Greek immigrant family in the US. This book is one of those books where at different points in the story I had to stop and marvel at the sentences he wrote - just in awe of how he puts things together, how he can string a paragraph, a sentence, a phrase in a way that just feels like perfection in word form. 10/10 recommend.

I wore a pair of Magoosh earrings to my rehearsal dinner when I got married, and they remain the perfect gold dangly option in my jewelry box. The designer, Margarita Chrissaki, is from Athens and I love the way she puts movement into the majority of her pieces. I don’t see the exact pair I have, but these are very close.

Lastly, I’m on the hunt for some white sneakers to take on this trip as the forecast is calling for thousands of stairs and multiple boat rides. Leaning towards the Reebok Club C 85 Vintage but also am side-eying the Nike Air Force Ones. Thoughts?

Do you have any other Greece recs?

Links of the week

This upcoming week features a train-ride to Philly with my oldest to see my brother (who is graduating from medical school, WOW) and to check out the Please Touch Museum. Oh, and we will of course be trying to hunt down the best Cheesesteak, please weigh in if you have an opinion.

On to the links:

1. This long-ish read on High Agency is excellent. It starts with a question that really gets at the heart of what it means to be high agency - “You wake up in a 3rd world jail cell. You’re only allowed to call one person you know to get you out of there. Who do you call?” and it gets more thought provoking from there. Go read it!

2. Jumby Bay in Antigua, which is one of the only all-inclusives I whole-heartedly recommend is up and running with their beach-club on Little Jumby island called “The Hut.” It was referenced to me as “a splash of St. Barth’s” and it sounds absolutely dreamy.

3. Are you watching The Pitt? White Lotus? I’m anticipating the season finales of both this week, and in honor of that here is a link to watching the White Lotus cast imitate Victoria Ratliff (Piper nooo!), and then an article to the reason why The Pitt is SO compelling (and no the answer is not Noah Wyle - or is it?).

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!

This list is a compilation of the recommendations that kept coming up from my most well-traveled friends and colleagues. I keep adding to it as I hear of or think of other spots that should be on this list! – B.L.

Updated March 2025.

AZ

Bishops Lodge (Auberge) in Santa Fe

• Bishop's Lodge is awesome, 10 minutes outside of town with a shuttle. Best for those who want a break from crowds, and like nature and art. Book one of the Kiva Suites or the Chapel House.

Mi Amo in Sedona

• Mi Amo is a spa destination, a wellness retreat jewel. It has an incredible program, even the toughest-to-please guests report back with rave reviews. If you like Miraval or Canyon Ranch, you’ll love Mi Amo.

Read more

Let’s Go Legos

I didn’t know I was a lego mom.
Or a Minecraft mom.
Or a mom who would know so many things about Hot Wheels.
But oh man I am so glad I am.
I told you yesterday that the best part of my day is when you come home.
And it’s true, every single day.
What a gift.

I wrote that about my oldest son (age 7) in an attempt to describe the way that adoring someone means you then find all kinds of new interests because they are interested in them. In falling in love with what they love, you can access a part of them, and also the parts of you that come into being because of them.

All that to say, I now love legos. And I’m here to tell you that if you too love legos, or love someone who gets jazzed about a fat step-by-step guide on how to build a lego rocket or lego car, this experience might be up your alley.

Once a year the Lego HQ “home of the brick” - somehow I say this in the Arby’s commercial voice in my head - opens the lottery to gain a spot on “The ultimate 3-day LEGO® fan experience.” This behind-the-scenes tour at the headquarters in Denmark is for the true fan - you get to see behind the lego veil - access inaccessible parts of the factory, tour the founders house, have dinner with lego designers, and of course get access to exclusive (and sometimes retired) sets. It’s been called both awesome, and “well-worth it” by past attendees so if you’re a fan, put this on your calendar.

Details:

Bookmark this page for the lottery opening, registration generally opens in October for the following year.

You must be 12 to attend, and if you’re between 12-17 you must bring an adult with you.

Runs about $3400 for the three-day tour, which includes accommodations.

Swimsuit Season!

We’re thisclose to April which means that like clockwork I’m VERY MUCH anticipating bathing suit weather/season and all the lovely summery things that go with that - slightly sticky sunscreen skin, cold salty sea water, picnics by the pool, margaritas and Rosé all day - a girl can dream until the temperature rises!

On that note - I have a short list of my five bathing suits that I reach for when packing for warmer weather, and let’s be honest I always pack at least ONE bathing suit no matter what because I want to be ready for an impromptu cold plunge or hot tub. Strong proponent for classic colors for bathing suits - white, red, black, and then of course a great print. Oh and also I have a love for high-waisted 50s silhouetted suits - so I threw an option in for that as well.

White
Up first, a bikini from Marysia, in coconut. I have the Santa Clara top and the Spring-Tie bottom. The scalloped edges are a hallmark for this brand, and they take the suit just beyond basic to classic. The suit itself is lined and stays put. It’s a favorite of mine, and I also have the cut-out one-piece if I’m more in mom-mode.

Red
To go with the classic red, I went with the ever-classic, Eres. These suits LAST, and they really hit the venn-diagram of simple and sexy. I have the Mouna top in Grenadine (seems like the closest color they stock now is Corail), and the Fripon bottoms.

Black
I have this Vitamin-A one-piece which is very comfortable, stays put, and also manages to go the distance if I want to put on pants/shorts over it and stroll to dinner in it too.

Print
Love love love La Double J prints, and have a couple of her dresses, but fell in love with this suit and it did not disappoint. It’s cute, stayed put while snorkeling in the Maldives, and did I mention how cute the print is- it is so fun!

50s Silhouette
So I have a Lisa Marie Fernandez suit in a pink seersucker (discontinued color), but this black version seems just about as perfect an option in this genre as one could get.

Note: I love bathing suits (grew up in SoCal) and have lots more options if you want more recs! Just hit respond and we can chat all things bikini and one-piece!

Links of the week

As someone who can sometimes be chronically online, OF COURSE I was inundated with the Studio Ghibli explosion with the ChatGPT update this week. Mostly I thought it was fun and cute, and it reminded me that you can take a tour of Studio Ghibli while in Japan, see link here. *As a side note I can set up a private tour if you wish instead.

And speaking of Japan, here’s a cool thing I found about how local Japanese people are offering free guided tours in Japan which seems like something my very extroverted and/or adventurous friends and clients might be into. Check it out here.

In honor of Brownell Academy–my host agencies annual meetup of advisors and partners - which is both an amazing time and held in Chicago this year, I have three links for you:

1. A discussion of the best Italian beef in Chicago. A discussion that alas I will not be able to join in on myself as our schedule is PACKED, but I thought you should have it here anyway. (Spoiler: the answer is always Johnnie’s)

2. A link to the “Yes Chef, the Bear Tour” - which comes highly recommended, and would be perfect for anyone who calls themselves either a foodie or a Jeremy Allan White fan (I claim both).

3. And three, when asked what to do in Chicago, the chorus of travel advisors aligned on one-note, and it was: take the architecture boat tour. Bundle up (because, Chicago spring), but do it. It’s worth it.

I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!