All posts by Stefanie

Castello del Nero. Tuscany.

August 7, 2015Hotel of the Week12th century castle, castello del nero, Italy, luxury hotels Tuscany, luxury italian villas, top hotels in Tuscany, TuscanyStefanie

Castello del Nero is one of three amazing stops along Backroads’ six day adventure throughout the winding roads of Tuscany. It will likely be your first stop on the adventure, and it will set the tone for your Italian love affair over the next week.

A 12th Century castle that sits perched on 740 acres of land overlooking all that Tuscany has to offer, this hotel will be the absolute perfect reward to come home to after 20+ miles on the bike. With 50 guestrooms (and 18 suites included) you are certain to feel like a royal here. Choose a room in the main castle, or go for more privacy in a secluded farmhouse that sits just next to the castle.

You will be super excited to hit the pool shaded by lovely Italian trees after a long days work, so sit back, relax and enjoy a cocktail or two, poolside. If your muscles are aching from all that hardcore cycling (go you!) stop by the amazing on-site spa for an olive oil and pink clay head massage, or our very favorite, the Castello del Nero Relaxation Ritual.

You are sure to have worked up an appetite, too, and La Torre will give you the meal you earned. This Michelin star spot serves up the best in Italian fare – from yummy ham to added white truffle, everything on the menu is to die for. Try the scallops with walnut oil and white truffle, or the wild boar ragú paired with a local Chianti.

And if all of this is not enough, the view alone should make you swoon. Whether you are adventuring with Backroads or just looking for a spot under the Tuscan sun, Castello del Nero is absolutely perfect and not to be missed. Don’t expect to do too much venturing outside of the hotel – the surrounding town is a bit teeny, but we promise the hotel and the view more than make up for it.

Photos Courtesy of the Hotel

Travel Tip: Backroads Active Travel

August 5, 2015Travel Tipsactive travel, backroads, Backroads active travel, biking through europe, biking through italy, biking tours, cycling, tuscany bike tourStefanie

When I embarked on my first Backroads trip throughout Tuscany in 2008, I had some doubts about the week of biking to come. At the end of the trip, however, I was floored by how amazing my experience was, by the knowledge of our guides, and by the luxury that followed us along the Tuscan Hills.

Backroads is the World’s #1 Active Travel Company that began in 1979 and has since been building on trips all around the world. They strive to discover the best places to take you in each country, and thrive in making sure that your trip is the very best it can be. Today, they offer 246 unique itineraries throughout 45 countries for clients of all fitness levels. They have not only biking trips, but also multisport and walking/hiking trips, so people of all ages and ability levels can be sure to find a wonderful adventure in store.

Backroads is known for creating itineraries and amazing excursions, and for their extremely knowledgeable guides. They take you to places you never even knew existed, and spend weeks in each destination town to make sure they know everything there is to know before they show you around. The Premiere Inns trips are the best option, as they take you to at least three hotels that are the epitome of the region’s finest.

The Tuscany Bike Tour will take you through Italy’s gorgeous winding roads and rolling hills, where you will end your days with the yummiest food there is. Stop for wine tasting and a little lunch, and then head on to the local truffle farm, and that’s all in a days work. You will spend your week sipping the finest Chianti and local flavors, but you will also be working hard to earn it. The Premiere Inns are always changing from one that is better than the next, and you will fall in love with Tuscany again and again.

With charming little towns and a glass that is never empty, the Backroads trip to Tuscany is one that will not disappoint. Get ready to eat, drink, work it all off on the bike, and then start again – a Backroads trip is an adventure in pure luxury that you will not want to miss.

Ashford Castle. County Mayo, Ireland

July 31, 2015Hotel of the Week5-star hotels ireland, ashford castle, castles you can stay in, county mayo, Ireland, irish castles, luxury hotels in county mayo, top hotels ireland, top luxury hotels ireland, tops hotels in county mayoStefanie

The Ashford Castle is an absolute gem and a stand alone spot in terms of greatness for all of Ireland. Built in 1228, the Castle sits on 350 acres of lush green and on the shores of Lough Corrib. Voted the third best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2015 and number two in the Top 10 Resorts in Europe by Conde Nast Traveler’s readers in 2014, the whole world has given us an extra vote of confidence on the fabulousness of this hotel.

With 82 rooms total, Ashford Castle has 68 guest rooms, each of which are unique and have amazing views, as well as 14 luxury suites. Due to much renovation and refurbishing of the ancient castle, each guest room is unique in its decoration and has been designed to stand apart from one another. Rooms have amazing artwork, antique furniture sourced from all over the world, and bespoke beds that you will never want to leave.

Sip on afternoon tea, a tradition that has been preserved at Ashford Castle since 1868. They serve the yummiest pastries, homemade scones and even cupcakes…indulge in champagne instead of tea, or both if you want the full experience.

Dine like a royal in the George V Dining Room, where they have been hosting famous guests, and even real-life royals, for over 800 years. The Prince of Wales, who then became George V, was the most distinguished guest, and after he came in 1906, the dining room proudly boasted his name. They are famous for their slow roasted beef rib, cut right at your table from their serving tray, accompanied by bérnaise sauce, made in house. Desserts are equally as amazing.

Discover the ancient art and ever-present fascination with falconry at Ashford Castle. They are home to the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland, and here you can learn to fly hawks right on hotel grounds. This leisurely activity has been around for 4,000 years and is a highlight for guests at Ashford Castle. Note too, that no previous falconry experience is necessary, and all ages can participate, so bring the kids along!

Enjoy all of the other amazing on-site activities at the estate, including the serene and stunning sanctuary that is their spa, where you can treat yourself to just about any type of service you can imagine in the purest of luxury and relaxation. The Castle also has on-site tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course, so be sure to pack your tennis whites and golf shoes! If you are still looking for more activities, and trust us, you should be, try fishing, horseback riding, cycling, kayaking, archery, skeet shooting, and boat trips galore. You will want to stay here forever, and if you do, please take us with you!

City Guide: 72 Hours in Dublin

July 29, 2015City Guidebest activities in dublin, best bars in Dublin, Best hotels in Dublin, Best restaurants in dublin, city guide of dublin, Dublin, Dylan Hotel, Ireland, luxury hotels Dublin, Westbury HotelStefanie

Now that you have followed us through an exploration of the lovely Scottish city of Edinburgh, let us take you all around Dublin. To see our favorite looks from this city check out our lookbook below!

Thursday:

1:00pm– Check-in to the Westbury Hotel, a perfect place to stay that is just as vibrant as the city you are so lucky to find yourself in. The Westbury is located right in the center of eccentric Dublin, and surrounded by all of Dublin’s best shopping, restaurants and pubs.

If you would like a hotel with a bit more history, try the Dylan Hotel. It was once a Victorian boarding house and now is a beautiful, 44-room boutique hotel. This is a great spot for you if you want a little bit of a quieter place to escape to, but still want to be walking distance from the action.

2:00pm– Wander around the area of your hotel of choice to get your bearings with the city. All hotel options are centrally located and near to all sorts of Irish drinking and debauchery (in the best ways, of course).

8:00pm– Dinner at at Wilde. Here you will find yourself immersed in some of the finest dining that Dublin as to offer, right in the comfort of the Westbury Hotel. They serve wonderful dishes with the freshest produce from the surrounding lush and beautiful areas of Ireland. You cannot go wrong with ordering the caviar to start and then the duck confit.

10:00pm– Drinks at 777, a 12-foot tequila bar that hosts Dublin’s most beautiful city goers.

Friday:

10:00am- Dublin is one of the most famously walkable cities in the world. Start your morning strolling along Grafton Street before heading into San Lorenzo’s for their, appropriately named, “Breakfast of Champions”. There has been much chatter about their brunch lately, and the eggs with caviar and champagne is to die for. If you’re looking for something sweeter, order the french toast with coco-crust and caramelized bananas.

11:30am– Continue your walk after brunch by continuing along Grafton Street, where you will find some of Dublin’s best shopping. This could take up an entire day if you want it to…but if not, keep strolling onto St. Stephen’s Green, a stunning park known for staying flawlessly green all year around.

1:00pm– Have lunch at Dublin City Food – the city’s best sandwich shop, and since you will probably still be a bit full from brunch, a sandwich sounds perfect, doesn’t it? All meats are smoked and roasted in house, and their pastrami and pulled pork are to die for.

2:00pm– Continue on your walking adventure after lunch by crossing the famous Ha’Penny Bridge and then wander into Phoenix Park, another beautiful park that showcases the stunning green of Ireland.

8:00pm– Dinner at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only two Michelin Star restaurant. This restaurant has been written up in practically every major publication, including the New York Times and the Irish Times. They strive to make every dining experience impeccable, and they do an unbelievable job. If we had to start recommending dishes, we would have to recite the whole menu. Each dish is delicious, but make sure you book in advance.

10:00pm– After-dinner drinks at House for a more casual experience to counter your crazy, tequila-filled bout last night. Here you can cozy up in one of their wine rooms in front of a wood-burning fire. You’ve had a long day, so it should feel great to relax in front of a warm fire with a glass of red wine.

Saturday:

10:00am– Have breakfast to fuel your busy day to come at Forest Avenue, a spot that locals rave about because of their 5-course brunch. Just over the Grand Canal, this spot is known for its high-end dining experience and delicious food. The menu is always changing, so you’re sure to find the best and freshest ingredients. Expect a yummy, sweet starter, followed by a traditional breakfast dish like granola, and then prepare to move slowly into more brunch/lunch-like items.

11:00am– Head to the Dublin Castle, which was originally erected in the 13th century. Since then, it has undergone many renovations, but is still strikingly beautiful. During the summer, the castle doubles as a venue for many art, music and cultural events.

1:00pm– Since you recently finished a 5-course brunch, you have solidified a hefty layer for a typically-Irish afternoon of drinking. Choose from either the Jameson Experience or the Guinness Brewery tour this afternoon. You can’t leave Dublin without doing at least one of the two. The Guinness Brewery tour takes you through the brewing process of the world famous beer. The best part is The Gravity Bar, which features a 360° view of Dublin, where you can enjoy a pint of the Irish stable that you just learned how to expertly pour. If Jameson is your favorite, head that way, where the original distillery began in 1870 and today offers tours and tastings. Be sure to book online for both.

3:00pm– Go to Anseo for a truly Irish experience – it is a perfectly traditional Irish pub that will make you feel right at home. You can drink Guinness’s all afternoon if you chose the Jameson Distillery earlier.

8:00pm– Have dinner at L’Ecrivain, a Michelin Starred French Restaurant that has been wildly popular for years and years. With six and ten course tasting menus, this spot brings French fare to new heights. Their Sommelier has also been renowned as the best of the best, so be sure to take expect advice on wine pairings for your meal.

10:00pm– Go to The Twisted Pepper for the epitome of Dublin’s nightlife scene. They consistently book some of the best in the electronic/dance music scene, as well as local musicians. On Fridays and Saturdays, each of the three stories fills its stages with a different act, so there is sure to be something for everyone.

Shop:

City Guide: 72 Hours in Barcelona

July 28, 2015City Guidebarcelona city guide, best barcelona hotels, best restaurant in barcelona, best tapas restaurant in barcelona, hotel arts, hotel neri, la boqueria, llamder, luxury barcelona hotel, mandarin oriental barcelona, what to do in barcelonaStefanie

Posh Voyage’ founder and her 5-month old baby have just touched down from an unbelievable time in the lively city of Barcelona. After days of eating and exploring their way up and down the city, PV has created the ultimate city guide to fully experience this captivating city. Whether you are a hotel snob, foodie or history geek, this article is your ultimate guide.