Paros is one of the Greek Cyclades and is easy to ferry to from another island such as Naxos, Mykonos or Santorini. I ferried to Paros from Mykonos, only a 45 minute ferry ride on the fast ferry.

Everyone has heard of Mykonos and Santorini, but Paros has been generating buzz for the last couple of years.

Why? Because it’s a smaller, less crowded, less expensive version of Mykonos! It has the beautiful unspoilt beaches, cute shops, cafes, tavernas and clubs; cool designer hotels, and that gorgeous blue-green water to swim, fish, boat on.

I stayed at Parilio, voted one of the best new hotels by Travel & Leisure magazine (along with it’s sister property Cosme). Parilio is all white and beige and has a very understated, minimalistic clean-line design aesthetic. It’s “Mr. E ” restaurant has been voted best hotel restaurant in Greece and I can say that I had some fantastic food there. I imagine the pool is a scene when in high season and full swing.

Don’t miss the charming fishing village of Naoussa on the northern part of the island…it’s a delight to stroll the whitewashed alleys and have a meal along the marina, and take in some nightlife.

I can absolutely recommend a meal at Sigi Ikthios right on the marina. Their shrimp orzotto was insane!

And the sunset here (other side of the marina)-

A boat ride on the water is a must, just look at this water-

Other activities on the island include hiking, bike tours and cooking classes. And do not miss a day trip to Antiparos, an island off Paros. I didn’t make it this trip, but the next time!

So go to Paros to get a taste of the local’s Greece before it becomes as busy as Mykonos!

Any questions about Paros or island hopping in Greece? Feel free to contact me!

The post Why You Should Go To PAROS-Now appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Athens is a lively city filled with historical wonders, great food and shopping, along with fab luxury hotels.

I stayed at the Hotel Grand Bretagne, which is the grand dame of hotels in Athens due to its history of hosting celebrities and world leaders for over 100 years. It was even the headquarters of the British Expeditionary Forces during WWII and was the site of many conferences attended by Winston Churchill. That’s why there’s the famous Churchill Bar (below) and private dining room at the hotel, where you can also do a masterclass in Greek wine with a sommelier. Definitely recommend!

The Grand Bretagne was also the site of a famous Lady Gaga nude photoshoot right here in the blue and white marble master bathroom in the Grand Suite. Google it!

The Grand Bretagne is right across the street from Syntagma Square and Greek Parliament, where you should not miss the Changing of the Presidential Guard, which takes place every hour on the hour.

The Acropolis and The Parthenon are known world-wide as symbols of Athens and even Greece. It’s unthinkable to visit Athens and not visit the Acropolis!

And you can easily walk to the Acropolis from most any downtown location as it’s literally right in the middle of the city.

The Acropolis is an ancient citadel comprised of many structures including the Parthenon, the Theatre of Dionysios, statues, altars, temples including the Erectheion with its famous “Porch of Maidens” (see below) which was dedicated to Athena and Poseidon.

Biggest Tip: Visit the Acropolis very early, or very late! It was already pretty hot and steamy in May, I can’t imagine being up there in July and August. AND tour with a private guide so you understand what you are looking at!

You should check when you are in town because they actually hold concerts and operas in the Theatre of Dionysios, the oldest theater on the planet!!!!!

From the Acropolis, you can walk down into the neighborhood known as Plaka, with its narrow maze of cafes, shops and galleries A do-not-miss!

Besides the Grand Bretagne, other fine hotels are the King David which is right next to the Grand Bretagne, Hotel Milos is just around the corner, and M Gallery is adjacent to the Parliament building. This area is such a great central location that allows you to walk everywhere and see Athen’s major sights.

My first night in Athens I enjoyed a superb dinner on the rooftop restaurant at Athens Gate Hotel, with a spectacular view of the Acropolis. Authentic Greek salad (no lettuce and caper leaves!) with a dollop of fresh feta cheese and a super fresh shrimp saute. I had dinner in Tudor Hall at King David with a very sophisticated menu with this killer dessert and the next night I sat outside at a local fave tiny shop ‘Hoocut’ that supposedly has the best souvlaki in town. I say yes!

The food in Greece will get its own blog post!

On my last evening, friends took me for drinks to an in-the-know rooftop bar, Ermou 18, having perfect views of the city. A great way to end my time in Athens!

Clients of ours who stay in the Hotel Grand Bretagne Hotel in Athens receive special perks:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• Complimentary lunch for up to two persons on a 3 course set menu in Winter Garden or GB Pool Bar & Grill, excluding alcohol and gratuities, once during stay
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

The post My Athens Travel Tips appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

I loved Marrakech! It’s a cacophony of sights, sounds, colors and smells.

I was traveling with female clients and we stayed in a two-bedroom, three-story riad at The Royal Mansour that was stunningly beautiful. Each riad (palace) has an indoor courtyard at its center with a retractable roof, and comes with your own butler who takes excellent care of you, from having a fire going in the fireplace in the living room when you get back, to popping champagne upon arrival on the rooftop terrace, where we also had our own pool.

Each riad is in very traditional design with very elaborate woodwork and tile, but features high-tech everything at the push of a button. Every TV has its own Netflix account. The bathrooms are stocked with full-size French toiletries (even makeup remover!) and Dyson hairdryers and straightners. And there is always a tray of yummy treats to munch on.

The Royal Mansour is a hotel with no hotel rooms-just 53 private free-standing riads. It was built by the King of Morocco to showcase the very best in Moroccan art and design, and it certainly delivers, with service and hospitality to match. The spa, outdoor pool, restaurants and grounds are all breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a very special place to stay.

The souks and medina in Marrakech are very different than Fes, they are wider and more open. And here you will find anything you may need, from a camel head to a perfume to ironworks.

The night market in Jemaa el Fna Square is brimming with musicians, magicians, snakecharmers, hagglers and many food stalls. Our guide took us to a rooftop cafe bordering the market for some mint tea at sunset, it offered a great vantage point to see the entire market.

Bahia Palace is not to be missed! Once again, just unbelievable beauty.

The Majorelle Gardens with their signature blue gardens are synonymous with Yves Saint Laurent and the YSL Museum, which is right next door. FYI-the botanist who YSL hired to maintain the Majorelle Gardens went on to become a famous perfumer, and we took a private perfume workshop in his atelier in the Marrakech medina, making our very own signature scents. Fun!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

The post Marrakech in Pictures appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

I just did a fabulous tour of Morocco and it is an absolute FEAST for your senses!

The food, the fragrances, the mosaic tile and pottery, the artisans, the craftsmanship, the architecture-it’s all amazing. I have been all over the world and I was blown away by the wonders of Morocco. It offers so much: imperial cities, breathtaking mountains, the ocean AND the desert. The shopping will make you buy another piece of luggage to bring all your new baubles back with you. And the welcoming hospitality of its people will have you planning your return before you leave.

The quick topline of MUST-SEES and some MUST-DO’s in Morocco:

–The old medina in Fes with its twisting, narrow alleyways and PUBLIC kitchens!

-The Al-Attarine Madrasa (university) right in the middle of the Fes medina

-A visit to a mosaic and/or pottery workshop to see how they are still handcrafting in the centuries-old traditional methods

-The Chouara leather tannery in Fes is a sight to behold, with all the different colored dye vats outside in the sun but nothing can truly prepare you for the smell (they give you fresh mint to hold to your nose but that cannot purge the odor!)

–Staying in a riad as opposed to a hotel is a MUST (and if you have the budget, The Royal Mansour in Marrakech may well be the most beautiful place you have ever stayed, anywhere)

–The wine area outside Meknes will have you believing you are in Tuscany, no kidding! The olive oil and wine are fantastic!

–The ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis (I had no idea they were so extensive, like Pompeii)

-a hands-on tajine cooking class or a perfume workshop

–Bahia Palace in Marrakech, unbelievable mosaic and woodwork

-The massive wooden doors of the impressive Kasbah (fortress) of the Oudayas in Rabat

–Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the few mosques non-Muslims can enter, with its huge chandeliers and beautiful setting on the ocean

-a glamping stay in a desert camp either in the Agafay or ideally, in the Sahara if you have the time

-a camel ride in the desert at sunset, a must!

-a hike in the Atlas Mountains and lunch in a Berber village while looking at the snow-capped peaks of Mt Toubkal

These pictures below are all from only Fes! I will put up other pics in separate posts.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

IMAGES FROM FES

The post MUST-SEES in Morocco appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Cruise in sleek style onboard this high-tech beauty

The Celebrity APEX is an Edge-class ship and brand-new build that started sailing in Nov 2021.   

I sailed the 2/5/22 Western Caribbean in a Sky Suite in The Retreat, and it was a fabulous experience from start to finish.  And-I didn’t get Covid.

First Impression of the 2,910 passenger APEX:  It’s sleek, modern and stylish with incredible artwork onboard and lots of tech including streaming WiFi.  The Retreat, basically a ship within a ship reserved for suite guests, is worth every penny-has its own concierge lounge, sundeck, pool, hot tub, bar and even restaurant.  

FOODIE Credentials:  29 restaurants and bars!  And famous, acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud is the global culinary ambassador and offers a special Chefs Table.

Who is it for:  Adults and families with older kids who like an upscale environment with a cuisine-focus.   The Retreat is for guests who sail Silversea & Regent but want the variety and amenities of a larger ship 

One dish to rave about:  Lemon-poached lobster with melted leeks, shitake mushrooms, lobster ravioli and beurre blanc sauce. Perfect!  Luminae Restaurant.

Happy Hour Hot Spot:  EDEN, a high-concept, high-design area with bar that is filled with artwork and (real) hanging plants, and has an amazing cocktail curations menu!

Most pleasant surprise: The nightly onboard entertainment was WAY better than I expected!  The high definition, gazillion pixel wrap around screen in the theater and round stage is truly incredible.  The “Rockumentary” show with a live band doing Classic Rock mega hits was really good as was the “Crystalize” high energy show with acrobats.

Most Unique Spa Treatment:  The Hot Mineral Body Boost treatment on the pioneering MLX Amber and Crystal Quartz heated bed. The heated minerals help alleviate muscular pain and remove toxins and serve as a catalyst to warm and deeply relax the body.  Of course I tried it!  Thumbs up!

Stateroom that delivers the most bang for your buck:  The Sky Suites, which are entry level suites but still part of The Retreat and come with premium beverage package, streaming wifi, prepaid grats and $300 per person onboard credit.

Biggest Splurge:  The 2,600+ sq ft Iconic Suite with 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows. Pictured above. WOW.

Being completely honest here-I am not a cruiser at heart BUT this ship is so spectacular I might become one!  

See video clip below of my suite tour, and some ship pics. 

The post A FIRST LOOK AT CELEBRITY APEX CRUISE SHIP appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Here is what it’s like to sail on a major cruise line right now, Stateroom tour at the end!

COVID PROTOCOLS

-This was a fully vaccinated cruise, both crew and passengers.  No one under 12 allowed onboard. 

–Passengers also had to present a negative Covid test on embarkation day, along with your physical vaccine card.  No phone pics or photocopies allowed.  These documents were thoroughly checked multiple times before embarkation.

-There was no restricted occupancy, the ship could sail at 100% capacity; this ship has a max of 2,100 passengers and we sailed with about 1,500 people.

–Masks were required to be worn ONBOARD and INSIDE the ship at all times but not on outside decks or at pool or hot tubs.   And no masks when eating and drinking of course, and this applied in all the bars and lounges as well.  Plenty of people were sitting around on couches and chairs mingling and drinking with no masks.  It’s one of the few times you actually felt things were “normal”.

-There was no required social distancing in any restaurants, lounges or main stage.

-No temperature taking (like I have experienced at many hotels)

-Hand sanitizer everywhere and required to enter any eating area

-HAL-branded cloth masks provided in your stateroom

-Lido Buffet was open but fully partitioned and you could not serve yourself, you pointed and masked/gloved staff made your plate.  No getting drink refills yourself, staff served.

-Explorations Coffee Café was open but crew made your drinks and put sugar and creamer in, you could not touch anything. No condiments out and everything served in paper cups.

-Masks were required on all bus transportation and on all shore excursions due to local mask requirements. Local regulations were strongly recommending wearing masks inside AND outside.  We always wore our masks unless we were whale watching on boats and outside on deck.

-The ship was spotlessly clean;  I saw staff regularly wiping down stair handrails at all times of the day, constant cleaning.

-Crew were ALWAYS masked and anyone working in the buffet area were gloved as well.

The crew could not have been happier to welcome guests onboard, and provided stellar service throughout the entire week.

I did not stay locked away inside my stateroom for the whole week! We were out in a specialty restaurant for dinner every night, an afterwards closed down the BB King Blues Club. We had cocktails in various lounges, went to the spa for and pretty much did whatever I usually would do, except I wore a mask whenever I was inside.

Yes, it is annoying to wear a mask indoors but for me, it’s worth it if allows me to travel and have new experiences while feeling like I am living somewhat of a normal life again. This is a highly personal decision, everyone has their own threshold. Even wearing a mask all the time, I still had a great time.

Thankfully, an Alaskan cruise means that you will be spending a good amount of your time outdoors and out on deck, so that definitely made things easier.

VERY IMPORTANT POST SCRIPT to this story: I took a PCR test after a few days home and tested negative! So happy that I traveled safely and responsibly to the absolutely beautiful 49th State- I will be back!

Any questions about Alaska or cruising in Alaska? Feel free to contact denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

The post CRUISING during COVID appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

I cruised for a week, stopping in Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. We sailed all day through Glacier Bay National Park, which is full of glaciers such as Marjorie Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in the world with a 21-mile span back from its face! And, it moves 7 feet every day. WILD. And we saw lots of humpback whales, sea otters, bald eagles and even a bear!

Here are some of my best pictures from my glorious week in Alaska, and my best humpback whale video:

The post (My) BEST OF ALASKA in PICTURES appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

When people talk about a Caribbean getaway, the little island of Curacao is usually not top of mind. But it should be, especially if you have already “been there, done that” on the more well-known islands.

Curacao is one of the “ABC” islands along with other Netherlands Lesser Antilles islands of Aruba and Bonaire. It sits conveniently outside of the hurricane belt, just 50 miles east of busy Aruba. The island may be best known for its capital Willemstad, a mini-Amsterdam which delivers its own brand of Euro-Caribbean charm with its pastel-colored Dutch colonial architecture lining a gorgeous bay.

Yes, it’s a bit off the beaten path but well worth seeking out for its vibrant culture, art scene, great food, warm hospitality and that gorgeous turquoise water!

I just had clients return from a special birthday getaway to Curacao at the under-the-radar lux Baoase Resort.

A peaceful, romantic retreat set on Curaçao’s south end, this resort is designed to magically wash away your every care. Tucked away in tropical foliage are 23 suites and villas. A hidden haven of relaxation, barefoot elegance, and impeccable service, the rich woods, Balinese-inspired surroundings, and Asian stonework add to the Zen vibe. Find restoration in the mineral-rich infinity-edge pool or an in-room massage, and explore the streets of colonial Willemstad or the idyllic private beach.

Here are some pictures that my client Tiffany took while staying at Baoase in a Beachfront Villa with Private Pool. Her food pics are to die for!

They did a snorkeling safari around the island, scuba dived, had massages, drove ATV’s, spent alot of time in their private pool and generally had a blast. My contacts at the hotel made sure even their room was decorated for her special birthday, and delivered a passion fruit mousse birthday cake and champagne on birthday morning. The evening was topped off with a spectacular multi-course dinner in a private gazebo on the beach!

Our clients receive these special perks at Baoase Resort:

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort/Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Welcome drink and welcome platter as well as daily tropical whole fruit in the room
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Early check-in/Late check-out, subject to availability

Contact Denise for more details!

denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

The post CURACAO appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

Interested in Egypt? Questions? Just reach out to us, we are happy to help you!

LUXURY TRAVEL ADVENTURES

A Boutique Travel Agency

email: denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

phone: 240-744-4749

The post Highlights of Egypt in Pictures appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.

For me, this was a true highlight of my time in Egypt…..to go into the actual tombs of pharaohs that lived and ruled thousands of years ago. The Valley of the Kings and Queens is where you feel like Indiana Jones. Talk about living history…. It IS where Howard Carter and team found the undisturbed and completely intact tomb of Tutankhamun, or “King Tut” as we commonly call him.

These tombs are decorated with so much detail that it will floor you.

The tombs are in a remote and barren landscape, you can see why it was chosen as a royal resting place. And they are still excavating here! The newly found “Golden City” was just unearthed in the Valley of the Queens.

So far, 62 tombs have been discovered here, and you have to pay extra to visit some exceptionally well-preserved tombs such as Seti I and Nefertari. Totally worth it!

Queen Nefertari was the wife of Ramses the Great. She was highly educated and able to both read and write hieroglyphics, very rare at that time. She is one of the best known Egyptian Queens, along with Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Her tomb in the Valley of the Queens is very large and very colorfully decorated!

A DO-NOT-MISS is the tomb of Seti I (son of Ramses I and father of Ramses The Great (II) who ruled around 1290 BC.

His lavishly decorated tomb (the longest at 446 feet and deepest in the Valley) with detailed reliefs and colorful paintings set the precedent for all royal tombs after him. INCREDIBLE!

By the time you reach the bottom line, your jaw is about to hit the floor…..every inch of his burial chamber is decorated, including the ceiling. This is phone video and it’s dark, but at least you can get an idea.

King Tut’s tomb is very small and only his burial chamber is decorated, probably because he died so unexpectedly and it was a rush job. Really.

His mummy lies in repose in his tomb.

The descent into Ramses the Great (Ramses II) Tomb. Ramses II is regarded as the greatest and most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom. He built the temple at Abu Simbel, the famous 134-column Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, and added temples at Luxor among many others. It is said that he reigned for 67 years and fathered over 100 children!

Questions about Egypt? Just reach out to us!

denise@luxurytraveladventures.com

Office: 240-744-4749

The post The “MUST-SEES” in EGYPT-Part 2 appeared first on Luxury Travel Adventures.