21May

La Petite Maison Opened in Nisantasi neighborhood of Istanbul

New York has 5th, Zurich has Bahnhofstrasse, and Istanbul has its Nisantasi neighborhood, a very fashionable area with an impressive number of Designer Stores, hip restaurants, cafes and exclusive hotels. Among the many designers shops, most of them second outposts in the City, is Chanel, Prada, Lanvin and Christian Louboutin. Walking around the neighborhood today I came across the new La Petite Maison that had just opened up one week ago. The French Mediterranean restaurant which originated in Nice, France is now owned by a London Company. It has other locations in London, Dubai, and now in Istanbul. The quaint restaurant with an outdoor terrace is located in The Park Hyatt where the interior design is the beautiful work of the Architecture Interior firm Sagrada and lighting designer Thierry Dreyfus. We had a great lunch at the outdoor terrace which has an aura of “jardin a la Francaise” where I took a few pictures until you visit Istanbul one day. 🙂 Enjoy!

29Dec

Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

If you are like me, and travel for architecture, food, culture and fresh air then Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly a place you should go. The main attractions of this city is enclosed within a fortified wall built around the 1530’s to protect the city from pirates who seem to be more than interested in the gold existing in ancients tombs as well as in Cartagena’s strategical trading location. We were expecting a devastating heat while we were there however the weather was perfectly comfortable. Sunny everyday but also breezy and very little humidity in particular during the late afternoons when the sun is setting. Between admiring the colonial architecture and trying out the ceviche we had a very memorable Christmas and I highly recommend it.

22Feb

Buenos Aires Review

The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas. A Buenos Aires review. As I shared with you last week, if you haven’t been to Buenos Aires you haven’t seen Europe in South America. My first time in Buenos Aires was in December, 2012 where we spent our Christmas Holidays, I absolutely and instantly fell in love with the city. It has everything a savvy travel looks for when traveling. Stunning Architecture, wide boulevards and avenues, small and charming if not breath taking little neighborhoods inside the very walkable city, where all streets are pretty much connected. We would walk for hours without needing a taxi except for the times we would opt for safety and decided to grab a cab. Think of a walkable New York city. We stayed at a boutique Hotel called Casa Sur precisely a block away from the famous and exclusive Avenida Alvear. Casa Sur is a small boutique hotel with excellent service and rooms so comfortable and cozy that totally eliminate the chances of you missing home. The room walls are upholstered in gray linen fabric displaying black and white photographs and mahogany lacquered furniture. It gives you the feel of a sumptuous art deco era. On our first day we walked on Avenida Alvear where chic shops are embedded in breath taking Neo Classical mansions. One thing that caught my eyes was how each building would display the name of the Architect responsible for its creation. The feeling of being in Europe instead of Latin America is blatant. Look below by yourself at just a few of the amazing architecture you can find at Buenos Aires.

a Buenos Aires review via belle vivir blog

A building in the Botanical Garden.

02Jan

Copacabana Palace Hotel review

Copacabana Palace Hotel via belle vivir blog

I suggested by hybby Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro for our first visit to the City. I wanted to see firsthand the recent renovations this Orient Express landmark went through under the responsibility of French Architect Michel-Jouannet. After purchasing our plane tickets three weeks in advance (transaction done in Portuguese) it turned out we didn’t really buy any tickets so we had to drive 6 hours to get to Rio. We thought it was going to be a pain but the drive was actually pretty beautiful and it ended up being faster than I thought. There are still some renovations going on in some areas of the Hotel but, the main areas are finished. The lobby was expanded, including the steps and this sitting area below was added. Everything looks as it’s been there forever. We had a great time and can’t wait to go back to Rio.

07Dec

Fasano Boa Vista Hotel: A review of The ultimate country estate

Fasano Boa Vista Hotel review via belle vivir blog

A spectacular shot of Fasano Boa Vista Hotel lit at night.

Most of the people think of beaches, sun, pretty women wearing sexy bikinis when they think of vacationing in Brazil. In other words Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro. Little do they know what they’re missing when they choose the beach over the countryside. Two weekends ago we spent a weekend at Fasano Boa Vista, a country estate at merely one hour and 15 minutes outside of Sao Paulo and my amazement can’t be put into words but, I’ll try. It’s without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in Brazil. The stunning architecture, which perfectly blends with its site, was accomplished by the very renowned Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld. It covers 100 acres of secured and preserved forest with 15 lakes, groves and gardens, 18-hole golf courses, a polo field, stables, tennis and soccer courts and a kids activity center. The hotel also offers real estate inside the property and a lot of wealthy proprietors owned second or third “French-looking” homes there. You can see the families relaxing among adults while their babas (nanies) spend time at the kids club where there is usually a lot of fun happening. There were instances that while we were biking around its beautiful century-old trees-lined-uphill-boulevards I thought I was in Provence. And if you don’t believe me then believe Hermes. Yes, “In 2012, Boa Vista hosted the Hermès Cup, in association with the centenary French saddlery, marking the first time the organization has given its approval to an equestrian event outside of France.” Fasano Website

The entrance to the reception of the Hotel is just beautiful. Couldn’t help to take a picture.

The veranda was one of my favorite spaces of this place.

The infinity swimming pool.

Love this place for breakfast in the mornings. Below, how it looks.

The decor has a very Scandinavian influence.

One of the restaurants.

The decor is minimal but so cozy you feel home as soon as you walk in the rooms.

The view from the room. All of the rooms have a beautiful view out to the country side.

My hubby biking with our little one.

Our little one at the stables.

The Hotel has a huge and great selection of design books.

Adorable ponies.

The swimming pool restaurant. Below, two of the beautiful homes.

The House Hotel Istanbul
Munich Review

19Oct

While in Turkey: An Istanbul Review

I wanted to share with you some images of my trip to Turkey. Rather than a travel guide, this is more of an Istanbul review. Istanbul treated me with a lot of what I love the most: a mixture of old and new, innovation and tradition and I couldn’t be happier to absorb it all in. On the first day, our discoveries of Istanbul started at the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more famously known as the Blue Mosque (first 3 pictures). The neighborhood, also called Sultan Ahmet, is situated on cobble-stoned sloped streets were you can also spot the Golden Horn part of the Bosphorus. It’s a non-ending contemplation of beauty.

Above, Hagia Sophia’s opulent Byzantine architecture where Islamic influences meet the original Church with Christian-depicted golden mosaics. Surrounding the center of the structure is a loggia supported by magnificent marble pilasters and arched yellow and gray geometric design mosaic ceiling. Below are images of the Topkapi Palace which is located on one of the highest points of Istanbul’s shoreline overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The palace, today a museum, is divided in many courtyards and buildings among which you can see a mixture of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Eclectic Europeanized architecture.

Tag: Belle Vivir travel guide

La Petite Maison Opened in Nisantasi neighborhood of Istanbul

Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

Buenos Aires Review

Copacabana Palace Hotel review

Fasano Boa Vista Hotel: A review of The ultimate country estate

While in Turkey: An Istanbul Review

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