School is back in session, so you know what that means…time to start planning your spring break trip! If you’re not sure where to go for spring break, I have five fabulous suggestions that you’ll look forward to all year.
If you’re thinking Caribbean……try a sailing trip! Enjoy staying at a resort before or after a few days on your own private catamaran. You can island hop with ease, unpack once, and avoid the crowds as you sail through the Caribbean. Your onboard captain and chef will ensure you have everything you need, and you can truly enjoy time with your family.
If you’re thinking a multi-generational trip……try renting a villa! I have countless resources for renting homes around the world. For a Caribbean getaway, Tryall Club in Jamaica or Belmond La Samanna in St. Martin have homes and villas that come complete with staff, a full kitchen, and swimming pools. If you want to explore Italy, I can help you find the perfect villa that has been vetted by our on-the-ground partners.
If you’re thinking a ski trip……try Deer Valley in Utah. Deer Valley is a ski-only resort located only 45 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport. It is in a lower elevation than some other ski destinations in the United States for those worried about altitude sickness, and the resort limits the number of skiers on the mountain so it is not too crowded. There are several fabulous properties within the resort, like the St. Regis Deer Valley and the Montage Deer Valley, or I can help you find a private home.
If you’re thinking East Coast adventure……try Washington DC. Let your children explore our nation's capital - and even learn something - during spring break. From the monuments to the dining to the shopping, there is something for everyone. Museums like The Newseum and The Spy Museum will captivate kids of all ages, and I can arrange for a private guide so you can make the most out of your trip. The Hay-Adams hotel makes your children feel like a VIP with their fabulous DC package that includes a backpack with a children's guide to DC and other treats.
Privacy and exclusivity with family and friends at Belmond La Samanna, St. Martin. If you’re thinking East Coast adventure……try Washington DC.
Sulu Sulu Villa
Some of the finest accommodation in St. Martin, Private Pool Villas at Belmond La Samanna are palatial yet comfortable. Master bedrooms have panoramic terraces, while fully-equipped kitchens are ideal for entertaining. Bathrooms feature a rain shower and spacious tub. Floor-to-ceiling windows, teak accents and Italian marble flooring add to the luxury.
Summer Vacations
IT'S BEEN A BUSY SUMMER season with lots of family, couples-only, multi-generational and friend group travel. Destinations have pretty much been all over the map, with a heavy emphasis on Europe.
My Fall Travel
When planning of others, I am almost always inspired to plan my own trips and, as I mentioned in last month's Maximizing Moments, I promised myself that I would have some definite (i.e., BOOKED!) plans for some Smith Family trips for the next 12 months.
What's on our agenda? My husband, Russell, and I will vacation in Italy in October, visiting Florence, Tuscany and Rome. I am over-the-top thrilled to finally travel with Russell to one of my favorite places in the world - especially since he's never been (Caribbean/Mexico loyalist) and he was a history major in college.
We’ll be exploring some of the highlights of Florence, including the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, the center of the political life in Florence for over 700 years. We’ll walk along the Arno River, admiring the charming riverfront houses of the Oltrarno district and its lovely bridges, especially Ponte Vecchio lined with tiny old-style shops.
Of course, no trip to the birthplace of the Renaissance is complete without a visit to the Accademia, home to what is undoubtedly the most famous sculpture in the world, Michelangelo’s David, and masterpiece paintings by Botticelli, Sarto and other Florentine and Renaissance artists. Our expert guide will also take us down roads less traveled, share fascinating tales from the city’s history and hunt down hidden treasures.
In Tuscany, we will explore the rolling hills and vineyard views of Chianti, treat ourselves to some traditional Tuscan fare, and wander in its quaint villages via some of Italy’s most scenic and beloved byways. We’ll hear about the people and the land, visit artisanal food producers and find just the right spots for stunning photos of this unparalleled landscape and the many hilltop castles dotting the horizon.
We end our vacation in the Eternal City – with so much to see and do, I’m still working on fitting it all in while still leaving us time to explore on our own. In addition to the obligatory (and always enlightening) tour of the Colosseum, we’ll binge on some of the many myths and legends that make the ruins come alive like the Basilica of Constantine with its imposing arches and the triumphal Arch of Titus.
A living history book laid out in front of us, we’ll climb the Spanish Steps, throw coins in the Trevi Fountain and admire the murals of the Pantheon. A visit to the famous Campo de’Fiori market to choose fresh ingredients is a must before our cooking class in a private apartment in the heart of the city to immerse ourselves in Italian life and discover the secrets to creating some of the gastronomic delights of Rome.
Here are a few of the hotels we will be visiting during our trip to Italy and
I look forward to sharing our experiences with you!
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL - FIRENZE
IL BORRO - TOSCANA
HOTEL DE RUSSIE - ROME
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Smith Luxury Travel!
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WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT YEAR?
Contact me to plan your amazing family/friend/couple/multi-generational trips
and see how you can make those special moments become a reality!
Joanne Smith
Luxury Travel Advisor
SMITH LUXURY TRAVEL
(860) 799-0460 (office)
(914) 420-7729 (mobile)
www.smithluxurytravel.com
joanne@smithluxurytravel.com
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MAXIMIZING MOMENTS is a periodic newsletter that is designed to help make your
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