All posts by Stefanie

Fasano. Punta del Este, Uruguay.

October 31, 2014Hotel of the Weekbest hotel in Punta del Este, best hotel in Uruguay, Fasano, luxury hotel south america, polo hotel, Punta del Este, top hotel punta del este, UruguayStefanie

Hotel Fasano Las Piedras has privacy that one can usually only find in a personal country estate. Located on 480 hectares of stunning and rugged Uruguay country land, Fasano is one of a kind in charm. This is the first Fasano hotel created outside of Brazil and was designed by famed architect, Isay Weinfeld. Think Uruguayan country rustic meets modern casualness. Many of the buildings are even carved out of the natural rocky landscape. Peak season for this hotel is November- February, and especially for New Years when the models flock to this private oasis – it is the St. Tropez of South America.

One of these buildings is the Fasano Spa, which comes with 180-degress panoramic views of the landscape. It also comes equipped with a modern gym and beautiful heated pool to relax body and mind. Fasano also comes with an Equestrian center and Polo Field for the horse-lovers. For the discerning rider they provide private classes to show you the ropes! Also, be sure not to miss a fabulous 18-holes at their Arnold Palmer-designed Golf Course. Fasano even has it’s own private beach (the only not amazing part of the property) nestled next to a river that runs all the way to the ocean. Rent a boat and make your way down the river to Jose Ignacio Beach, one of the best beaches in South America.

The Hotel offers two fine-dining experiences, Las Piedras and Fasano, which focus heavily on Uruguayan food with a modern twist. My favorite meal is the Asado, an exquisite traditional Uruguayan barbecue, which is served every second Saturday of the month, so be sure not to miss it! The hotel also has a Lounge Bar next to the pool, perfect for the ones who want to experience the famous Punta del Este sunset followed by a Clericot, the spot’s typical drink. I can’t stress enough how amazing the food is, from poolside pasta to a room service club sandwich, the food is off the charts!

There are three options for accommodation: bungalows, villas, and cabanas. The Bungalows come in two standards, deluxe and suite. Designed for uninterrupted panoramic views of the landscape. Each room is individually designed and all offer large private terraces, spacious living rooms, and a super comfy cloud-like bed. The bungalows also come with their own golf cart, so you can zoom around the property in speed and style. Then there are the one-floor villas, which are more like giant cement houses than a villa. Each villa comes equipped with all the amenities of the bungalows. The cabanas also come with contemporary architecture but are nestled in the woods with a view of the lake. This allows for more privacy and seclusion. Ask for a western facing room so you can watch the sun set next to your loved one.

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Top 5: Spookiest Haunted Hotels

October 29, 2014Top 5Haunted Homes, Haunted Mansions, Ireland, Luxury Haunted Hotels, New OrleansStefanie

Just in time for Halloween, we have collected the Top 5 most luxuriously haunted mansions and hotels in the world, for a price. If you are faint of heart these places are definitely not for you, however if you’re the thrill-seeking-scared-of-nothing type, this may be right up your alley!

The Stanley. Estes Park, Colorado.

Most famously known as the isolated ski lodge from, The Shining, this glamorous mansion of a hotel also comes with the amazing mountain backdrop and a beautiful lush interior. While the Hotel is very well haunted, every year The Stanley celebrates the presence of the hotel’s supernatural with their annual Shining Ball and guests can enjoy murder mystery dinner and Ghost Adventure Package. Just don’t forget to ask to stay in rooms 407, 217, or 418, the hotels most haunted rooms. In room 407, the tobacco smoke from The Earl of Dunraven can still be smelt. Stephen King and his wife stayed in room 217 and experienced some extra ghostly housekeeping services: bags unpacked and clothes folded neatly into the dresser without any explanation. But room 418 is the most haunted of all, the stay say they’ve seen ghosts of children and even their impressions left behind on the mattresses. SpoOoOoOoky!

Chillingham Castle. Northumberland, England.

Chillingham became a fully fortified castle in 1344 and since then has up kept its medieval luxury and royalty feel. Kings and Queens would come to here to hunt and for leisure vacations. The staterooms are known for their Elizabethan ceilings and antique originals. Fresh from his royal triumphs at Windsor Castle, Sir Jeffrey Wyatville created a garden so extensive Queen Elizabeth would be proud. And yes, there is a dungeon and a torture chamber, standard right? Due to multiple executions during the castle’s battle days, many spirits stayed behind such as The Blue Boy, whose screams can be heard in the night, and Lady Mary Berkeley, who is still in search of her long lost husband. Don’t let these things deter you, I assure you the ghosts are perfectly friendly!

Dragsholm Slot. Sealand, Denmark.

Located in the picturesque and idyllic town of Sealand, one would think this castle just provides the perfect long-weekend getaway. With expanding lawns and gardens perfect for a wedding, the 34-room mansion is built for the wealthy of Denmark to come eat, drink, and be merry. It is also one of the oldest castles in Denmark, built in 1200 and remodeled over the years. One thing they do not like to advertise are their 3 resident ghosts: The Earl of Bothwell, The White Lady, and The Grey Lady. During one of the hotel’s renovations, a body of a nobleman’s daughter was said to have been found entombed inside the castle walls. Her father imprisoned her after she fell in love with a commoner. The Earl has been said to ride through the courtyard with a full horse and carriage, so be sure to watch out to not get run over.

Hotel Monteleone. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Known as “The most haunted city in America” due to its dark and mysterious voodoo past, the Hotel Monteleone was built in 1886 and has had multiple renovations done to it since then to expand into over 300 rooms in the heart of the French Quarter. 5-generations have owned and operated this 15-story hotel since then, all while keeping up the Beaux-Arts style interior and antique decorations. In the late 1890s Josephine and Jacques Begere, their 3 year old son, Maurice and his nanny came to stay at the Hotel Monteleone. Josephine and Jacques Begere went to the Opera, while the nanny stayed with Maurice at the hotel. Disaster was just around the corner. Tragedy struck when Jacques was killed in a carriage accident. Their son, Maurice caught yellow fever, and died at the hotel. Josephine never got over losing her husband and son, and died a year later of a broken heart. This is one of the many many instinces in which the hotel is claimed to be haunted. The International Society of Paranormal Research even spent some time at the hotel to investigate these claims. If you want to know what they found, try checking out the hotel for yourself.

Honorable mention: Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans. Equally luxurious and especially haunted.

Ballygally Castle Hotel. Larne, Northern Ireland.

Built in 1625, Ballygally Castle is a beautiful and regal hotel on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. It overlooks Ballgally Bay and has stunning views of the Scottish coast. The rooms are fit for a king, quite literally actually and each room comes equipped with a ‘cloud mattress’, for the nights too scary to get out of bed. Which may be many nights, according to the Castle staf,f there has been a ghost haunting the mansion for over 400 years. The ghost is said to be that of Lady Isobella Shaw, who was the wife of Lord James Shaw. Lord Shaw wanted a son to be his heir, however when Lady Shaw delivered him his heir he snatched him away and locked her up in a room at the top of the castle. In an escape attempt, it is believed Lady Shaw fell to her death. Another theory is that Lord Shaw himself thorugh her to her death or he paid someone to do it. The ghost of Lady Isobella is said to be friendly and is regularly seen wondering around the old castle, perhaps in search of her beloved son. There are countless reports of eerie activity around the castle with several guests feeling a presence in their rooms, hearing unexplained noises, and witnessing the inexplicable. A mysterious green mist has also been reported hovering above the castle. Ballygally Castle hotel is proud of its resident ghost, dedicating a room to her in one of the towers in the older part of the castle, so beware!

Also receiving honorable mention: The Langham Hotel. London, England

Cavas Wine Lodge. Mendoza, Argentina

October 24, 2014Hotel of the WeekArgentina, Best hotel in Mendoza, Cavas Wine Lodge, Luxury hotel in Mendoza, Mendoza, wine tasting in MendozaStefanie

The road to Cavas Wine Lodge has nature scenes that rival even the most spectacular sights in Patagonia. With a backdrop that consists of the daunting snow-capped Andes Mountains, coupled with rows and rows of vineyards on either side of you, it’s an experience that can only be described with emotion. Located 20 minutes outside of the city of Mendoza, it is the first South American lodge completely dedicated to wine and wine lovers alike. Argentina is growing to be a prominent contender for some of the best wines in the world rivaling that of the top dogs in France and Italy.

The lodge is nestled in 35 acres among the vines and has 17 villas. They each are in their own private house and are beautifully decorated with fur throws and beautiful Argentine art. Every room and villa comes equipped with its own private plunge pool, one fire place in the room and one in the rooftop, which is perfect for stargazing and offers beautiful views of the Andes Mountains. The lodge was designed as a place to savor food, wine and flavors, to say the lodge is romantic would be an understatement.

The heart of the hotel, unsurprisingly, is the wine cellar, also known as the cava. The cellar holds only the best Argentine wines, including Malbecs, which Mendoza is famous for. It is underground to ensure the wines stay cool, with a winding staircase leading up to the library, restaurant, and the Spa. The Lodge’s restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients to produce traditional Argentine cuisine. In my personal opinion, there is nothing better than a great sirloin steak and red wine pairing. My favorite wine was a 2005 Achaval Ferrer Quimera, it was so good that I still buy it for every dinner party to this day.

The Spa is famous for it’s vinotherapy treatments, an ancient Roman practice using honey, wine, and grape treatments to nourish the skin. I wonder if you could just put a straw in the bathtub and have a drink at the same time? What I love most about Cavas Wine Lodge is your freedom to have privacy, romance, and relaxation all at the same time while staying in an exquisite natural setting. As I write about it, it makes me want to book a flight there right now!

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Travel Tip: Stay Fit While Traveling

October 22, 2014Travel Tipsequinox, fit travel, fit while traveling, healthy airport meals, lulu lemon, mini excercise routineStefanie

Do you feel like you fall off the wagon every time you travel? Do you eat too many carbohydrates and not exercise enough? Or perhaps you drink too much and don’t sleep your much needed 8 hours? Eating healthy meals is hard while traveling, let alone sticking to your exercise routine. However, worry no more, our 9 steps will make it easy and fun.

Over the years I have met two kinds of travelers: The ones who are consistent with their exercise routines and the ones who completely forget about it and start over every time they come back home. Usually the ones with a routine always look much fitter.

When I travel I must have my routine in order to avoid relapsing and starting from scratch Monday morning. Follow these 9 easy steps and you will feel and look great all the time:

Eat healthy while en route:

Do you ever feel like you are eating a stick of butter every time you order a meal at the airport or on an airplane? If so, click here for a healthy alternative.

Drink water:

My rule is 8 glasses of water every day, and 10 the days I am flying. It is no surprise that flying dehydrates you to the point of a dried fruit, it also increases your chances of catching respiratory viruses and makes you age faster. So try drinking half of them before you depart for the airport, and buy two large water bottles before you board the flight.

The Perfect Waterbottle

Eat bread/desserts or alcohol, not both:

My nutritionist always says, pick one, not both. This will cut half your calorie intake while traveling. I always try to rationalize that this very special chocolate dessert is in fact necessary to my dining experience, spoiler alert, it’s not. Unless this restaurant has been rated #1 worldwide for a dessert or cocktail, it’s okay to skip it, it will be there when you come back next time.

Do a mini exercise routine in your room:

When I travel by myself for work it is usually easier to stick to this step since I have no distractions once I call it a day. This 20-minute route was implemented by my trainer at Equinox Dallas and I swear by it:

12 push ups

8 burpees

25 squats

20 single leg lunges

80 jumping jacks

60 second wall sit

60 second plank

30 second plank each side

*Repeat this order 3x, and the best part, you can do it from the comfort of your own room!
5. Jog every morning: What better way to explore the city than by foot? First make sure the hotel is located in a safe neighborhood, if it is, ask the concierge for a good jogging route and take off. My favorite running path when I travel is Parque Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo and Paseo Reforma in Mexico City. I usually do walk or jog 5km (3 miles) before I start my day.

Lock the mini bar:

Ask the front-desk keep the mini-bar key in advance. This will help avoid the unhealthy midnight snacks. If only you could put a lock on the room service to help prevent the drunchies (drunk munchies).

Never take escalators:

Using the stairs is an easy way to burn extra calories when you are not in your daily workout routine. I love the D terminal at DFW Airport because they have the steepest stairs I have ever seen. I am THAT person going up and down like a woman on a mission while I wait for my flight to start boarding.

Say no to continental breakfast:

When hotels offer a free continental breakfast, it is their nice way of saying: we are filling you up with bread and pastries because it is cheapest for the hotel. Chances are that an hour after your continental breakfast you will be starving for more food, why? Because you blood sugar levels spike and then crash, creating an insatiable feeling. Remember to always have these three components in every meal: protein, fat and carbohydrates. This keeps those blood sugar levels steady. The easiest breakfast idea is a veggie omelet, half an avocado and a piece of whole-wheat toast.

Sleep on the plane:

In the past I would watch every movie on the On Demand menu during long-haul flights, and would land feeling like a zombie. Now every time I board a flight longer than 5 hours I force myself to sleep, this helps me adjust to the new time zone and give me the extra kick of energy I need to survive the first day of jet-lag. American Airlines also has a booklet of yoga moves you can do in your seat: think knee to chest and spine stretching. Many airports, such as the ever-cool San Francisco Airport, offer yoga studios for a quick between-flight handstand.

Remember that these tips are mainly to achieve a healthy mind and body. Everything in moderation is key for me. If I am in Paris, I love having a croissant for breakfast and macaroons as a desert. Allowing yourself a treat here and there is the only way to keep cravings away, as well as avoiding falling off the wagon.

Some of our favorite workout gear:

Palacio Duhau. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

October 17, 2014Hotel of the Weekbest hotel in Buenos Aires, luxury hotel in Buenos Aires, Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt, Park Hyatt Buenos AiresStefanie

The first thing that crosses your mind when you walk through the grand front entrance into the lobby is: “wow, this must have been a palace for royals”, and you wouldn’t have been wrong.

Built in 1934 as a home for the Duhau family, a prestigious and wealthy family of Argentina’s elite, the hotel covers 4,400 square meters with it’s gardens covering more than half of that space. It is a hotel that embodies Park Hyatt comfort mixed with belle-époque elegance and a touch of tech-savvy modernity. Detailed iron and bronze work coupled with natural light and neutral colors identify the glamour of a Parisian mansion. The hotel is located in the fashionable district of Recoleta, surrounded by some of Buenos Aires’ best shopping and architecture in the city.

Walking into the first lobby the first thing you see is this larger-than-life chandelier. It sheds light all over the travertine marble floors and the famous artwork that adorns the walls such as, “La Ronda”, by Guillermo Roux (1993) and “Torso” by Guerrero Medina. The Alvear lobby then leads you into the Vinoteca and unique Cheese Room, so you can sample some fine cheese with a fantastic wine pairing to start your afternoon. * If you are sensitive to smell stay out of that room.

If you’re in need of some fresh air, head to Los Salones del Piano Nobile, where you can enjoy some High Tea and biscuits. If you’re looking for dinner with fine Argentine cuisine, head to the Duhau Restaurant & Vinoteca, which is where all of society’s most prestigious go to dine. You can choose to eat in the restaurant or in the garden but wherever you go, order the Filet de lomo, Argentina is known for its meats, so do as the Romans do and get yourself a prime cut!

The Palace has 165 guestrooms, including 39 stunning suites. The grandest of these suites is the 1,800 square foot Duhau Suite, which comes with a wrap-around terrace and the most spectacular views in all of Buenos Aires. It is beautiful decorated with dark wood furniture, chandeliers, and silk. It is a maximum-security room with bulletproof windows and special key access to the floor. However, even the lowest category room has equal elegance to the suites. The rooms are richly decorated with antique Persian carpets over wooden floors and the walls are adorned with black-and-white photos of Buenos Aires. Don’t forget to check out the hotel’s spa, Ahín Wellness & Spa. Your stay wouldn’t quite as relaxing without one of their extraordinary traditional massages.

However, the scene-stealer of this hotel would be the Gardens. The Park Hyatt offers a “Paradise Found” among the hustle and bustle of the city; it is your own Parisian garden in a forest full of skyscrapers. Elegant staircases lead down to the Posadas lined with red roses in the spring, water lilies in the summer, gilded ginkgos in the autumn, and fuchsia azaleas in the winter. Whatever your reason for traveling to Buenos Aires, Park Hyatt is the place you have to stay. It embodies the city of Buenos Aires in the way that it has luxury, modernity, and the spice of Paris mixed into the hotel’s own historic grandeur. It is a place that needs to be experienced, much like Buenos Aires.

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Faena Hotel. Buenos Aires, Argentina

October 16, 2014Hotel of the WeekBuenos Aires, faena, faena miami, hotel faena, luxury hotel argentina, luxury hotel buenos aires, puerto madero hotel, top hotel buenos airesStefanie

Possibly the most spectacular modern hotel décor of all times, this Philippe Starck creation is both swanky and sleek.

What was once a granary housing grain and animal feed, now houses the most discerning travelers looking for modern luxury at its best.

As you drive up to the red brick building you will never imagine what is inside. The Cathedral entrance is a long red velvet hallway, which takes you all the way to the check-in desk. It took me about 25-mintues to walk from the entrance to the desk because I kept peaking inside every door, each common area was more beautiful than the one before.

The hotel has 66 guest-rooms and 22 suites, and all of them are magnificent. My personal favorite was the Porteño Suite. When you walk in you will feel a vibrant harmony of light, color and glass. The décor in the Suite (as well as in most of the hotel) is bold red velvet sofas and matching drapes soften with white leather furnishings. The suite’s showpiece (and where I spent an hour every day) is a claw foot bathtub at the center of a spacious marble bathroom.

There are three restaurants in the hotel, my favorite being their fine dining restaurant, El Bistro. The modern all-white décor with white unicorn heads is spectacular. The menu used to be molecular cuisine, but they figured people went to Argentina for the juicy Bife de Chorizo and not to eat foam, so they changed their menu recently. One of the crowd’s favorite is the charred steaks.

After dinner walk to El Cabaret, a bar inspired in 1920’s tango clubs. The tango show performs every night with no exception. It is called Rojo Tango and it is the most exclusive and chic tango show in town.

El Mercado is another dining option inspired on open-air European markets and the historic neighborhood, San Telmo. The cozy atmosphere makes your dining experience intimate and casual. My favorite thing in the menu is the wood fire asado.

Finally The Library Lounge decorated with antique books and red velvet drapes is the perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a pastry while you catch up on the daily news. I went there at night and the cocktails were exquisite, they also had a live band playing in the middle of the room while we all danced around them.

The Faena product is the most authentic Argentinean experience out of all the hotels in Buenos Aires. Everything in the hotel tells you something about the country and culture. All of their Chefs are Argentinean and so all of their wines. They have more than 450 different labels including their own Faena Malbec produced in Mendoza.

After a big night do not forget to visit the Faena Spa, probably the best part of the whole experience. It is a true oasis for meditation and relaxation. The Turkish inspired hammam is ideal to detox your body from the previous night. However, the complimentary daily yoga and meditation sessions will sure get you ready to tackle the day.

Before you arrive, just remember these 3 words and everyone will love you: Che, Vos and Boludo.

Photographs courtesy of the property.

City Guide: 72-Hours in Buenos Aires

October 15, 2014City Guide72 hours in buenos aires, Argentina, BA, best hotels in Buenos Aires, best hotesl in buenos aires, Buenos Aires, buenos aires city guide, faena, latin america luxury hotels, legado mitico, luxury hotels in Buenos Aires, oasis collection, palacio duhau, park hyattStefanie

Posh Voyage partnered up with the fabulous Lesley Murphy, better known as the sweetheart contestant for the popular reality show The Bachelor to create the best 72-Hours in Buenos Aires Guide. After not finding love on the show, she moved to Buenos Aires where she later discovered her true love: Travel.

While in Argentina she started her South America Travel Blog, The Road Les Traveled. Combining my numerous voyages to Argentina with her expertise, we created the most spectacular city guide for travelers looking for the ultimate luxury experience while in BsAs.

Many say Buenos Aires is the Paris of Latin America. I say Buenos Aires is the Champs Elysees of Paris; elegant and sophisticated, with a splash of grandeur.

Everything about this city makes me fall in love with Buenos Aires over and over again. From the architecture to the food stands in Recoleta, these are the place to go if you are in need of a European getaway with a Latin twist, especially during the start of their Summer.

Thursday:

10:00am Check in at the Park Hyatt. It didn’t take me long after landing to discover the unique and regal Park Hyatt. This mansion was built in the Belle Époque era and belonged to an aristocratic family for many years, before becoming the Park Hyatt in 2002. This is one of the most enchanting buildings in Buenos Aires, so if you don’t plan on staying there, be sure to stop by for an afternoon tea on the hotel’s terrace.

If you like a trendy and modern vibe during your stay, try the Faena Hotel. Designed by Philippe Starck, this is perfect hotel for contemporary travelers. Their rooms are exquisite, the Library Bar is gorgeous and the restaurants are eclectic and out of the ordinary. The only drawback is that it is in Puerto Madero, a relatively new development 10 minutes away from the city center.

If your cup of tea is a little bit more “boutique-y”, then Legado Mítico Hotel is the place for you. Before you arrive and choose your room, be sure to read about Argentine personalities as each of the 11 distinctive rooms encompasses a different one.

Finally, if you enjoy feeling like a local, try Oasis Collections. They have the most spectacular selection of high-end apartment rentals all over the city. You also gain access to their small and quaint club house in Palermo Soho.

Thursday

Recoleta

11:00am Breakfast at the new adorable Four Seasons restaurant, El Secreto. Lesley from The Road Les Traveled couldn’t stop raving about the place: “The best part about the whole experience was the actual venue. Or maybe it was the chorizo. Or maybe it was Max, my friendly waiter. Hmm. Come to think of it, the best part about it was everything. Todo. Whatever the case, I’m about to let the world in on Four Seasons’ little secret”.

1:00pm Explore Recoleta. Most affluent neighborhood in the city, it is also the oldest and most traditional area in BsAs.

2:00pm Lunch at Sottovoce. The place might not impress you at first, but sit tight until your burrata arrives, seafood pasta and home made lasagna. After that, I assure you this will be your go-to Italian spot during your stay. It’s okay to repeat restaurants in this case!

If you feel like something a little more French, try Croque Madame. The carrot and ginger soup is decadent.

3:00pm Next to Croque Madame you will find one of the most beautiful museums in Buenos Aires, Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo.

5:00pm Visit the most famous site in Argentina, the Cemetery. These are not your average tombs, they are big and lavish. It servers as the resting place for Argentina’s most important personalities, among them possibly the most famous is Eva Peron.

8:00pm Dinner at Tomo 1. I need to start by saying that the best sommelier in Argentina is in this very restaurant, so be ready for an off-the-charts wine tasting experience. Chef Ada Concaro has astonished diners from all over the globe with discerning palate by mixing her Italian and French roots with an Argentine savor.

10:00pm Head over to Million or Gran Bar Danzon for a few drinks before calling it a night. If you still have some energy, head over to the famous nightclub, Shampoo.

Friday:

Palermo Soho

12:00pm Walk around Palermo Soho. The most fashionable neighborhood in Buenos Aires

1:00pm Japan and Peru had a baby and named her Osaka. Who doesn’t love Peruvian-Japanese fusion? Excellent sushi and ceviche oozes out of this beautiful restaurant, perfect for a romantic date, business meeting or group dinner. It’s so diverse that anybody can find what they’re looking for here. Order the white fish in leche de tigre, Osaka Roll, fried king crab and king crab salad in a fukimaki roll, or the Kobe beef, served raw with a Japanese mustard butter and spring onion. The prices are well worth the quality cuisine and service.

Feel like a true Argentine Bife de Chorizo instead? Then head for lunch at La Cabrera. Touristy? Yes. Gimmicky? A little. Delicious? Absolutely. Tried and true? Definitely. This restaurant may be touristy, but that doesn’t take away from it’s scrumptious menu. From the Argentine steaks to the chorizo to the various side orders, you won’t go wrong with La Cabrera. Although you’ll leave full and happy, your wallet will most likely be much lighter than when you walked in the place.

3:00pm Walk around Plaza Armenia. The plaza has artisanal vendors scattered all around. After shopping you can go relax at the park while looking at the bustling city from afar.

8:00pm Dinner at I Latina. If you’re a foodie, you can’t miss out on what’s behind closed doors. It’s time to open your eyes, mind and mouth for the unique Argentine take on dinner. All about blurring the lines between a licensed eatery and a dinner party, these gastronomical experiences are held in unadvertised locals. I Latina will transport you to Colombia with its fixed 7 course dinner. Voted #1 of 2,336 restaurants in Buenos Aires on TripAdvisor, I’d say this is a sure bet on a good night. Bring a large handful of pesos with you, and leave with a much lighter wallet to sleep off that food baby.

10:00pm If you didn’t have enough fun Thursday night, our top bars around Palermo Soho are Post Street Bar, Rio Cafe and Thames 878.

Saturday:

Palermo Hollywood

10:00am Breakfast at Oui Oui. The “Gallo” is amazing with their homemade granola plus yogurt! The medialunas are also mouthwatering.

11:00am Walk around Palermo Hollywood. The epicenter for great restaurants, boutiques and local designers.

2:00pm Lunch at Don Julio. The best steak in Buenos Aires (bold statement) can be found right here at Don Julio. With people acting like nothing short of wild beasts to get a table here, you should go ahead and make a reservation before trying to dine among quality beef and delectable wine. Your taste buds will thank you after. If you’re lucky, you’ll be handed a bottle of wine for your autograph on the way out that will adorn the walls of the popular eatery. The place is surrounded by bottles and bottles of drunk wine from patrons past – which lets you know you’re in good company.

8:00pm Dinner at Fukuro. An amazing switch up to the Argentina steak is this noodle bar and pork bun eatery. The decor is funky and the owners are beyond friendly. The Argentine take on an ice cream sandwich is a must-try too. Secret ingredient that’s not so secret: Fernet! Order the #HuangBrother steamed buns with the #KeepItRealRamen noodles. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.

Another great dinner spot is Azema Exotic Bistro. This bistro serves an innovative fusion of Creole, Caribbean, Vietnamese, and French cuisines… yes it might sound odd, but somehow it works extremely well. Order the Tandoori salmon.

10:00pm Drinks at Makena Cantina Club and Niceto Club.

Sunday:

Palermo Viejo/Nuevo

11:00am Brunch at Ninina. In the land of red meat and redder wine, it’s hard to find a good salad. This spot not only lures in passerbys with its stark white marble and chic copper lighting, but it goes one step further with providing kale – a green almost unheard of in Buenos Aires. Lesley: “If you’re in for something light, go for one of the many smoothies or juices on offer. You can’t go wrong with the pollo de granja grillado salad either. On the hungrier side? Find a friend and dive into the brunch”.

Another of Lesley’s favorite spots is In Bocca Al Lupo Cafe. According to Lesley, “This charming Italian cafe is a little slice of heaven. The coffee is strong but the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. It is so easy to return time and time again for breakfast meetings, lunch dates, coffee dates, all-day-work-day sessions. With a full menu of pastries, cakes, breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, homemade Italian food, complimentary wi-fi and an oh so inviting vibe. I can’t say enough good things”.

12:00pm Visit the most famous museum in Buenos Aires, MALBA. It features modern and contemporary Latin American art. After a few hours soaking up some art, walk over to the Botanical Garden. It’s only a short 20-minute walk.

2:00pm Since you only have half a day left, take a cab over to Puerto Madero and explore the up and coming part of Buenos Aires. If you are hungry, have a quick bite at I Fresh Market, an artisanal sandwich shop or at D.F, a Mexican restaurant with the best taquitos al pastor.

8:00pm Dinner at Astrid & Gaston. Plain, good Peruvian food. Rated as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by the Pellegrino rating. The ceviche is amazing.

If you prefer to stay in Puerto Madero and want to finish the trip with a cherry on the top, Chila Restaurant is your stop. The French restaurant is flawless, I recommend doing the tasting menu.

Finally if you feel like something less stuffy and more exciting, try Asia de Cuba. It might have closed down in New York, but the Argentinians LOVE this place.

If you have more than 72 hours in Buenos Aires, do not miss San Thelmo. This is the oldest barrio in Buenos Aires, known for the charming cafes, tango parlors, cobblestone streets, trinket vendors and antique shops. Or stop by el Caminito, a colorful street in La Boca neighborhood famous for inspiring the world-renown Tango, El Caminito. Very touristy, but doesn’t get more Argentine than this!

Shop:

Eolo. Patagonia, Argentina

October 10, 2014Hotel of the WeekBest hotel in Patagonia, best hotels in Argentina, Eolo, Luxury hotels in Patagonia, Southern PatagoniaStefanie

This week we focused on Southern Patagonia, known for it’s barren seascapes, glacier lakes, and proximity to the Antarctic Circle. Long before we arrived, glaciers chiseled and carved these majestic landscapes into a beautiful array of shapes and colors.

Which is why we wanted to show you our favorite place to relax and experience all that Patagonia has to offer.

Eolo, also known as Patagonia’s Spirit, is located in El Calafate, in southern Patagonia along the Andes Mountains. Due to its ideal climate and bountiful nature, a thorny bush native to that region grows extremely tasty fruit popular with the natives. So popular in fact, that it has it’s own legend. The location provides such magnificent scenery; one might think that this backdrop is actually out of a movie set. Your only neighbors are the mountains, the sky and the stars. The hotel has only 17 suites each with different views of the Lago Argentino, La Anita Valley, Torres del pain, or the Rico Branch. The hotel’s design is modern, but still has a rustic vibe to match the hotel’s location. Filled with warm earthy tones, Eolo embodies a homey country lodge, filled with a friendly and inviting staff.

We think that the most amazing views in the house are that of the restaurant and bar, which overlooks the giant, creamy blue glacier lake, Lago Argentino. While watching one of the grand sunsets, order a glass of red wine from the bar, their wine cellar is expertly and handpicked. For dinner, order the Lamb Al Asador, better than any lamb dish out there! Since you’ll be staring at Lago Argentino for all of your meals, you might want to request a room with a different view for your stay. Our favorite room would have to be one of the Corner Suites because they come with 180-degree views of the property.

Eolo has the best excursion staff who have all already lived, or are from, Patagonia, so the expert guides know their way around the area like the back of their hand. The hotel can coordinate adventure excursions while you’re staying at the hotel. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance excursion, the hotel provides horseback riding treks across trails and mountains. Some other excursions include a 4×4 trek on Estancia Cristina to a lookout point of the Upsala Glacier and 4×4 trek on to the top of the mountain to the Chile border lookout. But my favorite excursion, for you thrill-seekers out there, would be minitrekking to the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier. The staff at Eolo will prepare a backpack full of healthy and yummy snacks for your trek, which takes up most of the day. One cautionary note: There is a hole in the ozone layer above Patagonia, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen!

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Travel Tip: Stay Healthy Traveling

October 8, 2014Travel Tipsairplane food, airport food, best airplane food, best meal on a plane, detox travel, healthy recipe, healthy travel, healthycorde, stay healthy travelingStefanie

Do you every feel like you are eating a stick of butter every time you order a meal at the airport or on an airplane? If so, we’re here to help.

Healthy eating while on the road is by no means an easy task. Most of us usually hop on a plane several times a month to embark on a different journey, only to find ourselves feeling guilty on Monday morning due to our poor meal choices during the trip.

On average I travel twice a week, which makes my weekly health regimen challenging to achieve. My life, like yours, is unpredictable and hectic, especially when last minute trips to new fabulous destinations arise. The temptations are everywhere, but the airports and airplanes are what get to me. In fact, my habits were so bad one point, that my usual “once a week free meal pass” to eat whatever I wanted slowly started to increase to three times per week. This was of course until I decided to put a stop to it and work on a healthy solution.

Posh Voyage teamed up with the amazing health coach in Dallas, Healthycorde (Instagram: @Healthycorde), to come up with the ideal lunch boxes for both short and long-haul flights. These recipes are full of antioxidant, hydrating, anti-inflammatory and non-smelly meals so you can feel and look your best:

Long-Haul Flight:

Kale Salad: This popular vegetable (also known as the most complete Superfood) is the perfect lunch to throw in your bag before you head to the airport. It is not only packed with low-cholesterol benefits, fiber, protein, iron and magnesium, it also strengthens your ability to fight the hundreds of diseases flying around airports and planes, prevents puffiness on the face due to the anti-inflammatory benefits and promotes circulation due to the vitamin K.

Recipe:

4 cups packed finely chopped raw kale
1 large red apple chopped
1/2 cup of roasted and salted pistachios
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of one lime
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

*Disclaimer: I usually go to my favorite juice and salad bar in Dallas called The Gem and get a few containers to go, their salads are to die for!

Pair it with a yummy quinoa salad.

Quinoa Salad: This tiny grain won the Crop of the Year’s recognition due to it’s high nutrient content. Eating carbohydrates is the only way to make sure you wont be starving to death an hour after your meal. Carbs are essential, however I am talking about the good kind, not the white starchy kind of carbs. Quinoa is a great source of magnesium to help you sleep through your dreadful long-haul flight, fiber to improve your daily bathroom visits abroad, protein for extra energy when you touch down, and anti-inflammatory benefits to put your shoes back on without feeling like you have Elephantiasis due to the inflammation.

Recipe:

1 cup of quinoa cooked in 1¼ cups water
1/2 red bell pepper chopped finely
Lemon juice
Chopped cilantro
¼ Green onion chopped
1 teaspoon of chopped ginger
Juice of one lime
1 pinch of sea salt
1 pinch of pepper

Pack a hummus snack for later in the flight.

Hummus: Chickpeas are very healthy because they do not contain any cholesterol or saturated fats. They are also rich in protein and can maintain correct blood sugar levels, which are extremely important so your body can feel satisfied while traveling.

Short Flight:

Chicken Salad Lunch Box: According to HealthyCorde, in order to keep your blood sugar levels balanced (and avoid an unexpected visit to Five Guys Burgers & Fries) pack this yummy lunch exactly as it is. The chicken and leafs are the perfect balance between lean protein and fiber. A few slices of pita bread will help you calm the urge for carbs. A few veggies are always a great way to hydrate your body. Lastly, chocolate covered pomegranates and blueberries are the best way to treat your sweet tooth while filling your busy traveling self of antioxidants.

Snacks:

They call me the snack queen, I cannot go anywhere without a few items to munch on while I am on the go. HealthyCorde says I am on the right track, here are a few of her favorite options:

Apple and Almond Butter: Cut an apple and dip it in almond butter, make sure you dip the apple slices in water with a pinch of salt to prevent the apple from oxidizing before packing your lunchbox.

Kind Bar: My favorite bar is the dark chocolate with sea salt because it tricks my taste buds into thinking they are having a yummy desert.

Roasted Almonds: A great source of protein, calcium, fat and protein. It also has potassium, so pairing this with a banana means you will most likely have superman strength by the time you land.

Greek Yogurt: I am obsessed with the Chobani yogurt with flavors you can mix in. It is packed with probiotics, which helps your digestive system stay right on track.

Do not forget to drink an 8oz bottle of water for every hour you are airborne.

Llao Llao Hotel. Patagonia, Argentina

October 3, 2014Hotel of the WeekBest hotel in Patagonia, best hotels in Argentina, best outdoor hotels, Luxury hotels in Argentina, Luxury hotels in PatagoniaStefanie

The month of October is all about Argentina. Summer in Argentina is right around the corner which means the trees are blooming, the cities are vibrating, the warm weather is finally here, and the long awaited polo season is finally here.

After visiting this part of the world three times in the past five years, it’s safe to say that this month will be one of my favorite months on the Posh Voyage’s blog.

Starting with the Patagonia region, today we are featuring our favorite hotel in the mountains of Patagonia, Llao Llao.

Experience Patagonia in a luxurious setting that perfectly combines the rustic of nature with the plushness of a 5-star hotel. Situated spaciously between the Moreno and Nahuel lakes and the Cerro Lopez and Tronador mountains, this is hotel is breathtaking in a non-understated way. The hotel was built in 1938 while the territory was completely un-inhabited. A fire partially destroyed the hotel in 1940, but it managed to come back and reopen at Llao Lao Hotel & Resort, Golf-Spa. The hotel is handcrafted from Cypress and Pine-hemlock trees and contains two wings: Ala Bustillo and Lago Moreno.

The Bustillo Wing is part of the original hotel overlooking the Cerro Lopez mountain peak and Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lakes. The charming history of the hotel is found imbedded within each of the 162 rooms, 11 studios, and 12 suites. The Lago Moreno Wing is a blend of classic Llao Llao style and modern Patagonian design. The Lago Moreno Wing comes with 43 deluxe studios, 17 Lake Suites, 2 Master Suites, and 1 Royal Master Suite overlooking Lake Moreno and Mt. Tronador. The standard rooms are on the smaller side, but a tall person could fit in them just fine! Our favorite room would be the Lake Moreno Cabin. It has majestic views and all the amenities of the hotel while feeling like you’re on your own private land. It has two bedrooms- perfect for a family or couples’ getaway.

This resort is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. They have every outdoor activity imaginable including windsurfing, kayaking, hiking, and even mountain repelling. They offer 4 types of guided walks: Aerobic, Recreational, Nordic, and Naturalistic. Depending on your inclination towards hiking, each of these walks offers something different. The hotel staff’s favorite walk is the Recreational walk. The guide will take you on a 2-3 hour trek to gorgeous destinations depending on the weather and group’s personal opinion. If you’re there in the winter I would opt for the Nordic Walk, they provide you with telescopic poles to keep you from slip and slide.

Llao Llao also has a gorgeous mountainside private golf course, offering 360 degree views of the lakes and mountains. If you’re not a cold weather fan, this is the perfect place to escape the winter and enjoy the outdoors in the summer weather December through February. Or, if you’re in the mood for some skiing mid-July, Mount Catedral is open to the public in general. Personalized and exclusive assistance could be found in our mountain lodge “Llao Llao” at the base of Mt. Catedral during the months of July and August.

Those who have stayed at Llao Llao rave about the exceptional service and surprise those with even the highest of standards. Many people cannot go just once, most of their guests are returning for their 3^rd or 4^th time! Picture yourself sitting by the fire after a long day of skiing or hiking enjoying a courtesy sunset cocktail, is it perfection? If so, I think it’s time to head to Patagonia.

Photographs courtesy of the property.