Category: travel

chic and stylish guide to uzes france 1
chic and stylish guide to uzes, france

Away from the hustle and bustle of the South of France’s sunny cost line you will find Uzès.  A historic town  located in Le Gard, a geographical Department in the South of France.  Uzes is an enchanting hilly old town which is entirely pedestrian.  We recently had the pleasure of spending a few days in this charming region and we had a great time.  The town wasn’t always as chic and charming as it is today.  Fifty years ago Uzès was a sad forgotten town with dilapidated and ruined homes until the French government took matters in their own hands and took the town under a major restoration.   Uzes has recently been designated a historic town.  In the center of tow is Place aux Herbes, a square featuring a big fountain, outdoor cafes and cute little shops.  Almost every building in Uzes is of Renaissance architecture made of limestone.

A Chic and Stylish Guide to Uzes, France. Map

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hotels with private boats lake como hotel tremezzo via belle vivir

Raise your hand if you haven’t ever gotten the travel bug… after you come from a vacation?  In my case, everywhere I go I wish i had a house there and every time I come back from a vacation my first thought is, you guessed it… where to go next…?  One of my dreams is to charter a private boat, get family and friends on board and sail away for days.  Doing nothing but enjoy fresh caught fish, drink rose and let those who like to swim swim at their leisure… While in St. Tropez, we had breakfast at one of the cafes across the marina and I couldn’t help admiring a family that was taking their breakfast out on their deck of their mega yacht… very fabulous indeed… One, perhaps less expensive way to get to live this dream is staying at one of those fabulous hotels with private boats.

8 fabulous hotels with private boats via belle vivir

Hotels know what luxury travelers like… they are looking for one of a kind experience such as sailing around the Greek islands in your own private boat… or sailing around the Aegean sea on board of a very Mediterranean Blue Voyage… Any style that feeds your fancy… These hotels with private boats are as luxurious as they can be because they mostly have old boats with all the charm and elegance of old days travel…

 

8 Fabulous Hotels with Private Boats…

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Our holidays in Provence are coming to an end.  After two very relaxing weeks we are ready to pack and head back home.  This time around we were able to visit charming little towns that we missed the last two years as well as also revisiting those others that we can’t miss.  I’ll be posting more about our trip soon.  Over many glasses of rose, good food, fields and fields of lavender and this place intoxicating beauty, the possibility of buying a small property in our future has come up more than once in our conversations.  But, for now, we just keep visiting and returning as often as we can…

 

Hollidays in Provence, belle vivir blog

 

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When traveling to one of the most dynamic and fast paced cities in the world like New York City, I’m sure guests would appreciate staying in a hotel that feels like a home rather than a hotel.  Tim and Kit Kemp, founders of Firmdale Hotels are known for their layered and cozy atmosphere they bring to their hotels.  The Whitby Hotel located in the heart of Upper Midtown Manhattan, is the couple’s second Hotel in New York City, after The Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo.  The 86 bedrooms and suites were designed by Firmdale Hotel’s design director Kit Kemp in her characteristic English style.  Each room in The Whitby Hotel has its own color scheme, floor to ceiling windows, a great feature in any New York City space where light seems to be missing in Winter.  Bathrooms are in either marble or granite with a free standing bath tub.  I’ve seen a few pictures of the hotel bar and restaurant with its rich saturated upholstery and high ceilings.  Definitely, The Whitby Hotel a place to go and feel cozy in.

1-The Whitby Hotel New York City belle vivir

2-the whitby hotel nyc Bar belle vivir

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Bellevivir-travel-guide-Domain-de-Fontenille3

There is elegance and then there is French elegance furthermore if it comes in the form of a Chateau completely restored respecting its history and functioning as a hotel.  Domain de Fontenille is located in the Luberon region of Provence, France and it appears as time has not passed it by since it retains a luxury that is discreet and classic while offering modern amenities and excellent food.  My family and I had the joy of staying at Domain de Fontenille for a weekend last year during our two week pilgrimage of
excellent cuisine and wine tasting in The South of France.  The hotel is conveniently located only 30 minutes’ drive from Aix-en-Provence.  The Domain has only 17 rooms which makes it even more enjoyable and more of a personal experience in lieu of more crowded and busy hotels.  The beautiful property is situated amid Provencal hills on an idyllic park setting with green lawns, gravel pathways dotted with terracotta planted topiaries, flower gardens, century old trees and cypress pine.
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