World Cocktail Day is a celebration of mixology, where each drink serves as a passport to its country's culture and history. It acknowledges the publication date of the first definition of a cocktail, May 13, 1806. To celebrate, we invite you to join us on a spirited journey worldwide. From the historic bars of Italy to the sunny beaches of Mexico, discover how local ingredients, traditions, and stories blend into the intoxicating cocktails that have become symbols of national pride and joy.
Read MoreThere are five crazily constructed fishing villages, set amidst the coastline in the Italian Riviera that we fell in love with: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. It is no surprise that the coastline and the surrounding hillsides which make up the Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rugged, steep landscape interacts with the cliffs where some homes and and farms are built.
Read MoreBoutique hotels offer a unique blend of intimate ambience, personalised service, and distinctive style. These establishments, often smaller in scale, contrast the uniformity of larger hotel chains. A boutique that left a lasting impression on us was Masseria Potenti. The property is vast; it isn't technically a hotel; it's a country house or masseria that offers core amenities and has several rooms available to reserve. We had an informal booking process, and the receptionist went above and beyond, helping us plan out every detail of our trip.
Read More2024 has been an exciting year for boutique hotel enthusiasts. Our hotel directory has welcomed a variety of unique and exquisite boutique properties, each offering its distinct charm and luxury. These hotels, spread across the globe, promise exciting travel experiences whether you're seeking cultural immersion, romantic escapades, or tranquil retreats amidst nature.
Read MoreEvery year on July 2nd and August 16th, the city of Siena, Italy, comes alive with one of the world's most unique and captivating events, the Palio di Siena. Ten horses, each representing one of Siena's seventeen contrade, or districts, race around the historic Piazza del Campo in a heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled competition.
Read MoreConverting a traditional house into a hotel is no easy feat and most certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Owner Marko Giunta and his wife Viviana Haddad, took the brave step whilst in Sicily, creating an oasis for slow-living in the traditional baroque city of Modica. In essence, it’s a group of individual houses that make up a stylish and intimate bed & breakfast.
Read MoreHi everyone, How are you all doing? We've been quiet as we have been adapting to some changes after being quarantined in Barcelona. We decided to take the time to process all that is taking place, given the current situation with the COVID-19.
Read MoreFlorence is a city in the Tuscan region of Italy that crams together art aficionados, hopeless romantics, culture vultures and foodies alike. Commonly referred to as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, street art has also now taken its role in the new urban Renaissance movement of the city.
Read MoreFlorence has the magical recipe for making Tuscany the key point of interest in Italy. A Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany; Florence has some of Italy's best museums, beautiful cathedrals, interesting squares with elegant buildings and their historical center is classified a World Heritage Site.
Read MoreBologna is the historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, in northern Italy. Those that aren’t in the know, often overlook this impressive and architectural laden city, opting for Rome, Florence and others. With a plethora of piazzas, medieval structures and references to the Renaissance, this is one place that should most definitely be on your list. It is well-known among literary, history and art fans thanks to the art scene.
Read MoreCharming country houses with freestanding bathtubs. Picturesque views from idyllic and palatial stay up on high. Opulent hotels with all the amenities two can fathom. Personalised service and indulgent dining experiences. Sometimes you just need to escape. There is something about exploring a new place, or simply allowing yourself to be still, whilst you're with your significant other.
Read MoreThe trulli are limestone dwellings found in the southern most region of mainland Italy. This remarkable, prehistoric building technique is still used to this date, designating this uncommon find a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Alberobello is described as a white-washed village serenaded amongst white cylindrical buildings with conical stone roofs. It was truly a magical experience to walk through this fairytale-like village, as there is nothing else like it in the world.
Read MoreSunday's Brunch culture has taken a new twist with JK Place's sophisticated display. They offer a distinguished Florentine and American buffet as well as JK Place's vegan delicacies. A selection of top Tuscan cheeses and freshly hand picked seasonal organic fruits are on display like you are being treated for your birthday. Organic cakes, excellent wine pairings and the extra flamboyant of waiters will have you frequent here if you only lived in Florence. The entrance to JK Place Firenze is on a low-key corner of Piazza Santa Maria Novella
Read MoreThe Ballarò street market in Palermo, Sicily is one of the most entertaining of its kind in the whole of Europe. This market combines two Italian greats, food and clothes. Primarily a food market, the Ballarò market is a street eaters delight. It is also home to large numbers of discount clothes sellers, making vintage clothes shopping easy and finding Italian fashions cheaply possible. Look for its vendors in the streets around the Piazza Carmine. Search around for good finds while having your eyes on their street food. We tried the typical Palermitan sandwich with pannelle, chick-pea fritters – with a bit of lemon they are delicious!
Read MoreBalancing on the forefront of a mountain lies Taormina, a populace touristic town high above sea level. The location is splendid for commuting to nearby Messina and Catania, with the winds blowing east to mainland Italy. The lavish flora and fauna restores the natural elements best enjoyed in this town, with rare climate changes almost year round and enough monuments to keep travellers on the tip of their toes.
Read MoreThe Gulf of Naples or the Bay of Naples is a 15 kilometre-wide gulf located along the south-western coast of Italy (province of Naples, Campania region). It opens to the west into the Mediterranean Sea, bordering on the north by the cities of Naples and Pozzuoli, and on the east by Mount Vesuvius. The area is a booming tourist destination, with the seaside Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum at the foot of Mount Vesuvius; and the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida...
Read MoreLucca is a city of quiet pleasures with the charm of the Tuscan countryside. This is a city where the shady streets open into tree-lined squares and the waiters at the cafes recognise their frequent visitors. Noteworthy is the fact that the shops tend to sell less-commercial goods and focus more on the symbolic nature of hand-made crafts. The location is perfect as Lucca is in the middle of...
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