A few weeks ago, one of my girlfriends described our Magpie community as “strategic.” She was so right — I am constantly delighted and informed by the thoughtful ways you approach everything, from meal planning to skincare while traveling. I routinely pick up tiny, well-considered insights in the comments section. (Just this morning, I pulled up a Magpie comment from a few weeks ago with recommendations on where to eat in Charlottesville, VA! Thank you Hayden!) We’re just returning from a quick overnight trip there (we stayed at Keswick Hall, seen above), and the visit spurred lengthy conversations on the subject of travel and travel preferences, as we find ourselves with more time and inclination to get away, just the two of us, or as a family. (I found traveling with two young children over-intimidating, and we largely avoided it, for better or worse, for the past few years. Yet another reminder that the only constant is change.) Knowing how strategic and informed Magpies are on the subject of travel (fascinating Magpie tips on better travel days here), I wanted to toss out some nosy questions on how you approach and plan travel for leisure:
01. How do you decide where to visit? Do you keep a spreadsheet of ideas? Is it driven by ticket prices, or seasonality? By recommendations of friends or trusted travel resources? (And what are those resources?)
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why?
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why?
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why?
05. How do you plan an itinerary? A girlfriend of mine recently said that Facebook Groups are a gold mine for this kind of information. Mr. Magpie and I tend to lean on Reddit. But how else do you plan what to do in a given destination?
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R?
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?)
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation?
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I’d love to compile a list of “Magpie approved” destinations / hotels / resorts, especially if you can include a quick note, e.g., “Great for family,” “The most romantic place you’ll ever visit,” etc.
10. Where are you traveling next?
I should mention that my perspectives on all of these questions are half-formed at best and am looking forward to being taken to school in your responses. The only element that I have found myself consistently drawn to and happy with: splurging on an exceptional hotel. I find that the amenities, finely appointed rooms, gracious common areas, and typically exceptional service frequently “make” a trip for me and play the largest role in the feeling of getting away and being cared-for.
I also wanted to mention that I recently discovered the travel Substack Yolo Intel and have been obsessing over its posts! I’ve only read a few posts but know I will be mining it for intel!
Please share your thoughts!
Post-Scripts.
+On the magic and mayhem of traveling with young children. I think about the comments on this post a lot. One of you made the point that traveling as a family unit (without extra friends, families, etc) makes a world of difference when your children are young, as you aren’t balancing the needs and routines and moods of your children with those of others. You can eat dinner at 5 without apology, call an audible and quit mini-golf early, stay an extra hour at the pool, etc. We’ve since traveled just as our immediate family and it really does make an enormous difference — feels much easier!
+ Notes on a recent successful family trip to Deep Creek Lake and a fabulous trip with just Mr. Magpie to Napa Valley.
+The saltings of motherhood.
+One thing I love about traveling with just Mr. Magpie: it brings me back to “the befores.” Laying in a hotel bed with no definitive endpoint, no place to be, no drop off to get to, feels like such a delicious luxury at this phase of my life. Of course, we’re always ready to get back to the babies, but it is a really wonderful break, with the tap fully off.
Let’s Go Shopping.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.
+I wore these $60 mules all weekend long — they were the only shoes I packed for Charlottesville despite three very different outfits (one for wine tasting, one for dinner and a concert, one for wandering around Grounds), and they suited every moment! They look much more expensive than their $60 price tag suggests!
+Another quiet luxury find: this Soldout.NYC “everything shirt.” OMG. The quality is insane — the fabric/material is unlike anything I’ve ever touched, with a silky satiny finish. The top runs oversized/boxy — you can size down, if you can snag one in your size! (Selling fast!)
+Run — my favorite Vitamin C product has finally been restocked. I ordered so fast!
+Have we talked about Glamsquad recently? I know I yapped about them last fall after a string of great experiences, but I find it so convenient to have a blowout at home, and not *that* much more expensive than going to a DryBar (especially if you factor in parking / the time you spend in transit / etc) — plus I find the quality more consistent. I think it ends up being around $80 for an at-home blowout (including tip) versus $70ish at a Drybar. (PS, do you remember when it used to cost $35 to get one?!). I’d happily pay an extra $10 to have it done in my home. Anyway, I’m thrilled because Glamsquad is offering us a discount code: $20 off for new users with code JenniferS and $15 for returning users with code JenniferS15. I will absolutely be using this code myself, as it makes the blowout that much more reasonable. Treat yourself the next time you’re heading out for dinner, have a big meeting, etc. I think it was Mally Goldman who said that (paraphrasing) a good blowout makes your outfit look better. I couldn’t agree more — when my hair is done, I feel like a different woman.
+Speaking of beauty: Emese Gormley has been raving about this splurgey bronzer and I’m totally bought in. I am nearly done with my most recent order of Guerlain’s Terracotta powder (which I have used and loved for probably a decade now) and think I’ll test this one next.
+Recently spotted this cropped trench on the ever chic Lilly Sisto and think I need it!!! I had my eyes on this lace-inset trench style coat from VB but I don’t know…now I might need the Rails one instead.
+I think I need these for the Easter table.
+These little skirt and top sets from Julia Amory are adorable. Like vintage Lilly!
+I received a handful of questions about my hair strengthening routine over on Instagram. I have been using Mielle’s rosemary oil and Anablue’s treatment oil (15% off with code JEN15) every few days — basically if I’m going to exercise or know I plan to take a shower early in the day, I’ll wake up and apply a dropper full of each to my scalp, then massage into my hair and apply a tiny bit to the ends, too. This is heavy duty oil and you are really not in any shape to be interfacing with the public while wearing it — ha! — so I will then tie my hair back and put on a baseball cap for my run. Then I get home and shower it all out. I think this has been really helpful as I try to grow my hair out. I was also using Vegamour’s shampoo and conditioner but the scent was not for me, so I’ve been skipping. (BTW, Katie at Beach Reads and Bubbly recently shared these genius terry cloth scrunchies for use while applying a hair mask or hair oils. Really holds hair in place, and won’t stain like my satin scrunchies do. Ordered them immediately.)
+Have heard such good things about these “Find It” capsules for young children — such a clever activity! I have this earmarked as a gift for car travel or maybe just for my son’s fifth birthday.
+We’re all in an indigo mood right now — so many Magpies have bought my Gabriella dress (see me in it here), and these flared “Mer” jeans have also been majorly trending. I have codes for both: 20% off the dress with JEN-20 and 10% off the jeans with MAGPIE10. (Codes also work sitewide.). More great denim finds here.
+Finally, on the denim point: I wore this little denim jacket over this slip dress to go to a concert and it was PERFECT. The unfinished hem dressed things down but has a great, snug, stretchy fit that made me feel still pulled together. I also love this iconic denim jacket from La Ligne!
My husband is taking me in a ten day Eastern Mediterranean cruise in June. We will be in many cities from Rome to Athens to Sicily. It will be warm and I want to wear sandals on my excursions and there will be lots of walking. Can you recommend sandals (not flat) that will be both comfortable and beautiful?
Hmm this is tricky! My thought was these ones from Larroude:
https://go.shopmy.us/p-3949606
I have not tested for comfort or anything but the heel height and fact that it has a back strap are promising. I find walking long distances in mules EXCRUCIATING.
Will keep my eyes out for other options but that style would look so good with dresses, jeans, shorts, etc.
xx
Hi Joann! Sounds like an amazing vacation. have you considered the “comfort” line of Ancient Greek sandals? They have a more cushioned and molded footbed than their regular flat sandals. As much as I love the minimalist look of their flat sandals, I do not find them supportive enough for lots of walking. I have the “Hypatia” sandals.
GREAT tip – thanks Mia! Love that brand!
01. How do you decide where to visit? Do you keep a spreadsheet of ideas? Is it driven by ticket prices, or seasonality? By recommendations of friends or trusted travel resources? (And what are those resources?) Bear with me as I try to be as concise as possible about my favorite subject, travel! I keep a “Master Travel List” in Google Docs that’s everything from cities to visit to hotels to stay at to specific dishes to eat at specific restaurants. It’s a compilation of word-of-mouth recommendations I receive from friends, coworkers, family, etc., and recs sourced from blogs (your Calistoga post!) or articles from a trusted publication (CN Traveler, Travel + Leisure, NYT, etc.) or travel-related books. I go through the Master List (which is now about 65 pages long) 1-2x per year and review/update my “Travel Priorities” for the coming year+. From there I sort the list of destinations into the best month(s) to visit. I typically view shoulder season as the best time to visit most places. Better prices, good weather, less crowds! That said, some places merit going in the high season (ex: ski trips can only be done when there’s snow) while others, with some flexibility, can be done as well in the low season (ex: if you’re okay with variable weather, go to Europe in the winter). I also keep a running list of “events” to attend. Some are open ended (Summer Olympics, no specified year or location) and others are super specific (Monaco Grand Prix in 2029 for my husband and my joint 40th). When I look at how a year is coming together, I’ll look at what month(s) we can fit in trips and refer to my “Travel Priorities” and events lists. From there I’ll start to look at flights or hotels or run it by my husband to gauge his interest in different options. I’ve been known to book a fully-flexible hotel rate on the day reservations open for the following year. I’ll think about what else we’re doing that year and cost. It was time consuming to start the list initially, but now I just keep a note on my phone and I’ll pop things onto the master periodically. If it wasn’t obvious, we don’t yet have kids and we each have unlimited PTO through our companies. Travel is a priority for us and we’re fortunate that we have flexibility to execute on it at this stage.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why? With regards to accommodation, trips generally divide themselves into two categories for me. The first where the accommodation is just that: temporary lodging, and the second where the accommodation IS the destination. Example 1: Paris has many fabulous/famous hotels, but that is not a place I anticipate spending much time at my hotel. I assume a certain level of comfort everywhere I stay, but it’s not what I am going there for. However, if I was in Paris for say, a full week, I may cash in points for a once-in-a-lifetime couple of nights at the Ritz or something. But I wouldn’t blow my whole budget staying there the entire time. Example 2: Anywhere that you will be “on campus” more than 50% of the time is worth the splurge. That could be a house on Nantucket (we’ll spend at least half our nights cooking in), a villa in Italy (with an amazing pool and perhaps a vineyard or town within walking distance), a luxury camp on safari (so I can watch elephants graze from my plunge pool), a ski-in ski-out condo (so we don’t have to rent a car while we’re there). In summation, anywhere that the house or hotel can seriously enhance the trip.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why? As others have mentioned, whenever possible, a direct flight is paramount and something I will rearrange things for. I try to avoid red eyes, but if you’re going from the east coast to Europe for example, it’s really the best/only way.
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why? At this point, I avoid Airbnbs entirely. It seems like more and more there are so many rules while you’re there and/or at checkout (ex: you must remove your own trash, but the only place to dispose of it is 30 minutes away and closed on certain days?!?!). They’re not worth the headache and the unknowns. As someone else mentioned, I love using a local home rental agency. They have a better, more reliable quality of inventory, are often professionally serviced (trash removal, housekeeping, etc.), and the agency can help with local recommendations! Win-Win-Win. For hotels, I touched on this in question 2, but totally depends on the destination. There are times to splurge and times to save. One tip I do stand by though: in major cities, always research what is within proximity to the hotel. Is there a nightclub next-door that’s open until 4AM? Is it on a major roadway where you’re going to hear traffic at all hours? I find the best places are 4-6 blocks off “the beaten path”. A basic suggestion, but Google Street View can be really helpful here!
05. How do you plan an itinerary? After I refer to my Master Travel List, I start a Google Doc that has everything on my list for that destination. Once I start booking things, it has all the booking details for each day broken down (flights, hotels, dining reservations, tour times, etc.). Then on the last page of the doc I list separate categories for: Useful Info (usually links back to articles), To Dos (tours, museums, sites), Restaurants (divided by area and meal as applicable), and then Costs (paid and unpaid). I’ll Google the spots on my list and group things together by location. Usually there’s a few big things I’m trying to see on the trip and those will take priority (example from a recent trip to Peru: it was easy to triangulate our trip between Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu. Lake Titicaca was also on the list, but would have required an additional, roundtrip flight, and we were already moving around enough for our liking, so it got dropped.).
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R? For the first day, I consider the jetlag factor depending on how long and how many flights it takes to get there. After that, I generally try to stick to the same intensity/duration of activity we do at home. We are physically active people at home so we are fine walking around for 6+ hours in a new city. Some trips require deviation here, but I try to keep it as close to our normal routines as possible. Building in refresh time (1-2 hours) between daytime activities and nighttime activities helps everyone reset. Lastly, understanding that you or someone you’re with may need to do their own thing at different points on a trip and that is OKAY.
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?) I don’t have a one size fits all answer for this.. it so depends on the trip. One thing I always factor in is if I think I’ll ever visit there again. I’ve been to London a dozen times and am fortunate to live a 5 hour direct plane ride away. It’s reasonable for me to go for a long weekend, see one or two things, and call the trip a success. When I eventually do Australia, I’d love to go for a month and cover everything I want to see knowing I may not get back there. My extraordinarily well-traveled Aunt and Uncle always say two weeks anywhere is ideal; one to see everything you want to see and one to relax. Obviously not always feasible!
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation? A rule of thumb that has served me well: for a 10 day trip, see/stay 3 different places; for a week long trip see/stay 2 different places; for 5 days or less, don’t change accommodations, but a day trip from home base is fine. More than any of those is too much moving around. And I echo others that basic understanding of customs/decorum in other countries goes a long way. This could be knowing how to greet someone in the native language or dressing modestly out of respect for local religion.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? Domestically: Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Charleston. Internationally: Vietnam, Jordan, Mallorca. Honorable Mention: Banff National Park.
10. Where are you traveling next? Scotland, New Orleans (Jazz Festival), Nantucket (Wine & Food Festival), Maine, Malta, Zermatt
Wow – just wow! I am absolutely going to be revisiting each bullet point as I prepare for upcoming travel. I love the practicality and non-dogmatic-ness of your approaches to everything (e.g., hotel – will you spend most time “on campus”)? But especially love this rule of thumb: “for a 10 day trip, see/stay 3 different places; for a week long trip see/stay 2 different places; for 5 days or less, don’t change accommodations, but a day trip from home base is fine. More than any of those is too much moving around.” Brilliant. I so agree — moving around too much on a short trip is disastrous.
xx
I’m about to copy and paste this comment to start my own Google docs master list! What a treasure trove of information and things to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing!
How apropos – currently finalizing details on our spring break itinerary to Hawaii and zeroing in on a location for my 40th birthday trip (2 weeks – sans kids!). As the designated cruise director for our family and friends, I have lots to say on the subject.
1. I keep Pinterest boards and Chrome bookmark folders for destinations – Europe, beach, and more local travel – and pull them up when we’re ready to plan a trip. I’m always stumbling across a restaurant, hotel, or museum I want to visit and this way I have a jumping off point for itineraries. My husband is from Ireland and we travel regularly for family reunions in the late summer, so a lot of our plans stem from side trips once we’re already across the Atlantic. It’s so much easier (and cheaper) to hop a plane from there. Travel is mainly dictated by the kids’ school vacation schedules at this point, as well as the financial close calendar (accountant husband), but we do take into account the seasonality of our destinations and whether it’s off-season or peak season. This sounds like a no-brainer, but check to see if there are any major events happening while you’re traveling to your destination; we’ve stumbled into some amazing cultural happenings before (Las Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain), but also been “stuck” in Paris during fashion week which caused major issues with Ubers and CDG travel, as well as restaurants canceling our reservations for private events. Last summer, we inadvertently planned a travel day between countries that fell on a lesser known local holiday of sorts – every restaurant at our destination was shut down except the one at our hotel and there were political protests that made for less than ideal travel conditions.
2. Depends on the destination and the vacation. If our itinerary is heavily scheduled, our hotel functions as just a place to sleep and I won’t be overly discerning or feel compelled to overspend on amenities. Depending on the time of year, we’ll pay more to have a pool for the kids, although I sometimes specifically avoid a hotel with a pool because I know time won’t allow for swimming and it will become a point of contention with the kids. For trips that have more downtime, I will absolutely invest more in the hotel because that becomes the primary activity. Reasons I can justify spending more: proximity to destinations on our itinerary and/or subway/train stations, walking distance to coffee shops/restaurants, property-specific amenities, discounted or waived parking and/or resort fees (at $60+/day these add up, so I’d gladly take a slightly higher rate if it means eliminating these hidden fees). During our most recent trip to Disneyland, we stayed at the Grand Californian and it was invaluable to us to avoid lengthy entry lines and breeze back and forth between the park and hotel.
3. Convenient travel time, every time. For us this includes departures, arrivals, and avoiding connections. Not everyone in our house is a morning person, so later flights make for a better travel day and we don’t feel we’re rushing to get on the road. Plus it gives time for getting in a full meal, dropping our dog off for boarding, avoiding traffic to the airport, and the busiest times at the airport.
4. We’re fairly loyal to Marriott because we strategically signed up for their Visa card to further leverage the status my husband racked up over years of extensive international business travel. We’re able to frequently cash in points from everyday spending on free nights, plus they offer free upgrades, late checkouts, discounted rates, and 5th nights free. They have a wide range of properties in their portfolio that mostly fit our travel needs. The late checkouts (4:00pm) are so convenient on travel days because we can spend time lounging at the pool and still have plenty of time to shower afterwards and pack up the final odds and ends. We’ve gotten some fantastic, free upgrades in addition to perks like private lounge access and free breakfasts.
5. Planning the itinerary is always a lengthy process for me. I start with the fixed items: tickets for a show, event we’re specifically traveling for, restaurant or museum that’s only open specific days/times, and go from there. Google Maps is always open when I’m building my itineraries so I can factor in transit times and ensure the destinations make sense geographically so we’re not wasting time back tracking. We have several food allergies and preferences to work around, so I always thoroughly vet restaurants and menus to avoid meal-time complaints when patience and blood sugar are both low. I will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned out every day with reservations whenever possible, and backup options just in case. The days run smoother when this detail has been planned out and we’re not showing up hungry and facing an hour wait for a table. When we’re traveling with the kids, I try to make sure the days are balanced with something for us and something for them and strategically plan activities after meals so the kids are at their best. If we have a few hours of quiet focus at a museum or train travel, I follow it with active time at a park or the pool.
Identify and plan first the must dos! I make a list of options and review with my husband and kids. Everyone gets at least their top choice so there is something for everyone and it doesn’t feel like anyone missed out.
It’s not an exact science and things don’t always go according to the itinerary, but I find it works for us. Our European tour last summer was 30 days and just about as many itinerary pages long and there were only 2 things I had scheduled that we ended up having to forgo. My husband is not a planner, but saw firsthand how much we benefitted from the upfront organization.
As far as resources used to build the itinerary, I always start with Conde Naste Traveler, Travel and Leisure, and Fodors (Fodors used to be my holy grail, but over the years I’ve found it to have outdated information). I will also go through travel blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram to gather information on restaurants and points of interest. Goop isn’t always the most accessible, but I’ve found a number of excellent recommendations through their travel guides. Facebook has destination specific groups, but I find them to be mostly filled with tourist traps and I prefer hidden gems. I’m a huge Top Chef fan and am always on the lookout for a restaurant run by a contestant or judge when we travel. Those meals are always memorable and we’ve gotten to meet some wonderful chefs (they always have the best recommendations for where else we should eat too).
6. My vacation vibe is “Carpe Diem”! Unless we’re actively seeking out an R&R trip, our vacations are structured so we can take advantage of where we are and what we can do/see while we’re there. I balance the busy days out with late starts in the morning (we don’t typically plan anything before 10) and rarely anything after dinner. I hate leaving a place with regrets of not getting to a particular restaurant or museum, so I try and do it all – within reason.
7. For me, a week minimum, ideally excluding travel days. More if there is significant jet lag to consider, less if it’s domestic travel with a short flight and less to do at the destination.
8. If you’re traveling with kids, get them involved in the planning! I love the “This Is” series by M. Sasek to get them familiar with the destination, but we’ll also watch movies and listen to music to get them ready for a trip. They get so excited to learn about where we’re going and have a say in what we see and do. Bringing along cameras and journals for them has been fun to see and read how they document their experiences. I’m always struck by the things that most stood out to them each day.
There are things I travel with consistently that make for a better experience:
a card game in my purse for unexpected delays or passing time while waiting for food to arrive
this backup battery to refresh my phone (pulling double duty all day as both camera and navigator for excursions on foot) and other devices: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNC27DCM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
pouches or gallon ziplock bags to create outfit “bundles” for the kids – socks, underwear, and full change of clothes for each day to avoid rummaging through luggage
wet/dry bags to transport wet bathing suits for last day swims
breakfast bars for the first morning at the hotel – it’s always a slower start and kids inevitably wake up early and hungry
9. Scotland blew us all away last year. The coastal towns reminded us of Maine, the beaches of Cape Cod and the islands, and the lochs were like nothing we had ever seen before. It was an instant and unanimous opinion that we would make a return trip. For adults only trips, we loved The Claremont Hotel in Bar Harbor, Maine and Hotel Esencia just outside of Tulum. Both were exceptional and worth the splurge, but the hospitality and details at Hotel Esencia were truly memorable.
10. Traveling to Hawaii next week for the kids’ spring break. Direct flight, only doing one island, and trying to minimally plan for this one. Dinner reservations are secured and most other things will be spur of the moment because we’re all in need of some R&R. Later in the year, a longer birthday trip to either Morocco, Italy, South Africa, or maybe Paris? Honestly struggling with this one because it’s the first time since our honeymoon that I planned a trip without taking nap or bedtimes into consideration. One day I want to check off a bucket list trip, the next the sound of revisiting a previous destination, but really immersing myself in it because I’ve already done the “must dos”. I reread an Anthony Bourdain quote about Paris last week and haven’t been able to get it, or Paris, out of my head…
Wow – these are incredible tips! I’m borrowing your Pinterest board approach immediately. Such a great way to quickly save reference points for the future. And the way you approach designing your itinerary is brilliant! Love the emphasis on finding/vetting food options. We’re much in the same boat after too many terrible “we’ll just find something when we get there” situations. I remember one particularly hairy one in Times Square — this was in our 20s, before we knew anything about the city. YIKES.
Thank you!!!
xx
My husband and I just got back from a long weekend in Mexico City (we left our toddler daughter at home for this one) and it was magical. A lot of our trips tend to be about which city/region we want to eat our way through, and CDMX far exceeded hopes in that regard, from street food to fine dining and everything in between. It’s like Europe, but with a warmer welcome and a better pace. Sightseeing highlights were going in a hot air balloon over the Teotihuacán pyramids and watching lucha libre!
In terms of picking new destinations, one thing we’re trying to do going forward is planning our trips around local events. On our list are the summer tomatina festival in Bunol, Spain, catching the aurora borealis, New Orleans jazz fest, World Cup and Olympics, and Tomorrowland in Belgium… hope to tick some of these off our list soon.
Sounds amazing, Iris, and so funny to see another Magpie is going to the jazz festival this year!! I definitely want to see the aurora borealis and go whale watching in my life. I must!!!
xx
01. How do you decide where to visit? Do you keep a spreadsheet of ideas? Is it driven by ticket prices, or seasonality? By recommendations of friends or trusted travel resources? (And what are those resources?) – It has a lot to do with what my husband and I are trying to get out of the vacation! We opt for places that have a combination of amazing places to relax and activities, but occasionally we will go somewhere for a specific event (like SXSW in Austin). I love a beach so I keep those in the back of my mind too! I use Lonely Planet, Travel & Leisure, and once I’ve picked where to go TripAdvisor for places to stay/activities.
I’d say we try to travel in late May or early June because northern hemisphere weather is decent, kids are usually still in school, and (if visiting a country with Latin heritage) there are tons of Festival of St. John celebrations which are SO FUN!
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why? – In order we spend most on getting to our destination, then accommodations, then attractions. The hard part of going somewhere amazing is getting there! From then on there are so many places to see, things to eat, etc. and we don’t want to be tied down to a schedule. We like to self-guide our vacations so those tend to be low cost; my favorite example is when we rented a moped and visited cenotes around Tulum on our own!
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why? – Always convenient travel time and for flights that are 8+ hours upgraded seats. To me airline travel is a necessary evil to be able to travel so anything I can do to make it more comfortable I try to accommodate!
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why? I select our accommodations based on their proximity to things we want to do and comfort. In larger cities/towns (for example Lisbon) we usually stay in an AirBnB because there are more options and we get to stay outside of tourist districts. In smaller areas (for example Tulum) I like boutique hotels that are mid-range price-wise. TripAdvisor is a goldmine for information about smaller hotels.
I absolutely never stay in an AirBnB that is shared (filter by “entire home”) or a hostel for the same reason. Having a private space is paramount to me.
05. How do you plan an itinerary? A girlfriend of mine recently said that Facebook Groups are a gold mine for this kind of information. Mr. Magpie and I tend to lean on Reddit. But how else do you plan what to do in a given destination? – Lots of Googling! Again Lonely Planet and Travel & Leisure are super helpful here. Once you’ve narrowed down types of activities you like TripAdvisor is great to find highly rated options.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R? – Unless we have a planned reservation somewhere we usually wake up and decide over breakfast what our day is going to look like. Planned naps/downtime are key if you have several places to be on the same day! If the trip is longer (5+ days) we like to pick a day to be lazy at our hotel or the beach, order Uber Eats, and just do nothing. It doesn’t feel like a vacation to me if our schedule is too packed!
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?) – I agree with what other magpies have said for this question. A long weekend or 10-14 days are the best trips! We have no children so our plans tend to be fairly flexible.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation? – I think knowing going into your vacation the “vibe” or feeling that you are trying to achieve really helps make a trip successful. Not over-planning so you can seek out or repeat things. Talking to taxi drivers/shop clerks/fellow restaurant guests and getting recommendations have led us to have some amazing experiences!
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I’d love to compile a list of “Magpie approved” destinations / hotels / resorts, especially if you can include a quick note, e.g., “Great for family,” “The most romantic place you’ll ever visit,” etc. – We loved Portugal in general but specifically:
Lagos, Portugal: A small historical town in the Algarve with lots of little hole-in-the-wall spots to eat. I want to buy a flat here someday!
Lisbon, Portugal: Stay in the Alfama District for a gorgeous historical neighborhood that still follows the Medieval layout street layout. Amazing music, great little food spots.
10. Where are you traveling next? Fortaleza, Brasil! My little sister is getting married there in the fall so it will be great to see family that lives down there. I grew up there and have visited many times as an adult so it will be like coming home. I think we are adding on a couple of new destinations after the wedding festivities too – can’t wait!
Hi Sandra! I appreciate your focus on comfortable travel arrangements (“a necessary evil”). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that this has been changing my experience of travel in general. Just having an easy start to the morning with a good flight departure time, no stops, more leg room sets the right tone and makes the travel feel less onerous!
Love all your recs — thank you for sharing! Hoping to compile a list of recommended places soon.
xx
01. How do you decide where to visit?
Combination of who’s traveling (just my husband and I, kids, extended family), and convenience factors (easy to get to in allotted number of days). Also word-of-mouth recommendations from friends.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why?
Definitely accommodations, and meals. Leisurely mornings and late-afternoon siestas are highlights for me. Also trying great food and new restaurants.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why?
Upgraded seats, especially when flying overseas. Getting sleep on the plane allows you to make the most of your time upon arrival.
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why?
We will return to hotels that we have loved and stayed in before. I look at reviews and word-of-mouth from friends. Prefer hotels when traveling with adults and airbnbs with kids.
05. How do you plan an itinerary? A girlfriend of mine recently said that Facebook Groups are a gold mine for this kind of information. Mr. Magpie and I tend to lean on Reddit. But how else do you plan what to do in a given destination?
I will browse Facebook groups and also rely on hotel concierges for recommendations. Will also look at dining sites like Eater for restaurant ideas.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R?
We will plan around meals and restaurant reservations. I like to leave part of the day, like late-afternoon, open for rest.
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?)
I think with kids, 5-6 days is ideal. Long weekends are more doable with just my husband. It’s hard to be away from the kids for more than 4-5 days, logistically.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation?
Nothing wrong with returning to a place you love and know you’ll enjoy.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I’d love to compile a list of “Magpie approved” destinations / hotels / resorts, especially if you can include a quick note, e.g., “Great for family,” “The most romantic place you’ll ever visit,” etc.
San Ysidro Ranch – beautiful, serene, absolutely amazing service and food.
10. Where are you traveling next?
Palm Springs for the Indian Wells tennis tournament, and Miraval Arizona in May with another couple.
Beautiful, well-considered notes here! Thank you! This one really jumped out at me: “Nothing wrong with returning to a place you love and know you’ll enjoy.” Landon and I often feel like we have SO many places to go and yet are drawn to visit the wonderful ones we’ve already visited — our favorites being San Sebastian, Aspen, Napa. You’re making me realize there’s nothing wrong with repeat visits if you know what you like!
My sister is going to the Indian Wells tournament too!!!
xx
01. How do you decide where to visit? Do you keep a spreadsheet of ideas? Is it driven by ticket prices, or seasonality? By recommendations of friends or trusted travel resources? (And what are those resources?) For trips longer than a week, we always travel in the fall. Better weather, fewer crowds, better ticket prices. Our travel is pretty much Europe-only at this point, with quick weekend trips to Chicago or New York. I am fortunate in that I married someone who dislikes the beach as much as I do! We also do vacations on our own which is great fun.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why? Not too fussy about hotels. Clean, safe and convenient is enough. I would rather spend money on experiences.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why? Nonstop flights only! Worth every penny for me.
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why? I ask friends for hotel recommendations and have found Facebook groups to also be helpful. I tend to go for smaller boutique hotels and after some truly anecdotal-grade disasters (drunk hosts, pulling glass out of my scalp from nearby construction) I will not use Air B&B again. I did have one great AirB&B experience; I always wanted to stay on a houseboat in Amsterdam; our host and the boat were each lovely. Great experience.
05. How do you plan an itinerary? I Google to craft an intinerary. I look for museums, plays, local one-off events that look interesting. Sometimes it’s just dumb luck. On our last trip to London, I researched “what’s on?” at Royal Albert Hall (a venue I’d always wanted to visit). We ended up going to the United Kingdom Brass Band Championships, which was wacky and totally fun. I also try to line up a cycling or running event; great way to beat jet lag, upgrade my too-extensive collection of t-shirts, and see the area in a unique way.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R? We pick one or two “musts” for each day and then just see what happens.
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?) It is hard for me to get away for more than 10 days at this point, so 7-10 days. This will change in time. I like long weekend trips too.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation? Already some great recommendations,here. Some knowledge of local language and customs goes a long way. I am lucky in that my French is good and my Spanish is functional. That has been great. I don’t like to overthink or overplan. Vacation (for me) is about being flexible and open to experiences along the way.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I loved our trip to Seville.
10. Where are you traveling next? London to visit friends we didn’t see on our last trip. After the Olympic fever dies down, then on to Paris to see friends.
These are great! I share your perspective on “picking one or two musts each day” and then letting the rest of the day hang open for happenstance. I like leisurely, unexpected lunches and meandering walks. And nonstop flights, too – I can’t do the layovers!!
xx
01. How do you decide where to visit? Depends on who I’m traveling with. My friends and I are fairly collaborative and have generally known each other long enough that we have a running list of places we want to go, the list does not diminish.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why? Historically, I have been less likely to splash out on attractions though this does depend on how long a trip is. I generally go middle of the road on accommodations but sometimes I splurge if I can manage it. I’m off for a work trip in a couple of weeks and am staying on a couple of days and splurged on that hotel since I’m speaking on a panel (which I loathe, public speaking just awful) and moderating another (slightly less awful potentially) as a treat to myself for doing the thing.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why? Honestly, a total toss up. It really depends on what the travel is and if someone is picking me up on the back end etc., though I will always opt for a direct flight if that’s an option. If someone is picking me up, I try to the best of my ability to land at a time that’s convenient for them. If I’m going internationally, as long as I get a window seat I’m ok sitting at the back of the plane if it means I can do more/splurge on meals etc.
04. How do you select a hotel? I’m a big AirBnB fan, especially for group travel. My best friend is an absolute whiz on hotels so I always defer to her when we travel together and she has yet to steer us wrong. I will say if I have a great stay at a hotel, that hotel is now the only place I’ll stay unless someone I trust has a truly 10/10 recommendation for some place else.
05. How do you plan an itinerary? A lot of googling! Also talking to people who’ve been, searching for blogs that have travel tips. My best friend and I did a hiking trip to Scotland last summer (the best, so fun!) and we plotted things down on a shared Google Map and put together an excel itinerary of what the plan was adding in check-in/check-out times, driving time and distance, as well as any dinner reservations. The actual day to day was more casual in that we’d pick a hike from a list we put together at breakfast and would change course if we needed to throughout the day.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R? I think knowing the people you travel with helps, and never being afraid to say I need to tap out for a bit to re-charge. There’s a line from a book where the main characters are visiting NYC and spend the evening in their hotel eating pizza and watching HGTV about how luxurious it is to do nothing in a city like New York, what gift it is and how lucky there were to be doing so. It can be hard when you visit someplace new and want to see everything but always reminding yourself you’ll have a better time if you let yourself relax and breathe, otherwise why take a vacation.
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?) I don’t have children so for me a long weekend and then also 10 days. I love a long weekend, leaving Thursday night and coming back Monday is such a good amount of time to plop a trip in, it doesn’t require taking a lot of time off and from a price perspective is usually an easier lift. On the other hand, a 10 day to two week trip is also great so you can really settle yourself in someplace new.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation? No expectations! They ruin it.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I spent more time than usual in the UK last year (a friend moved over) and have only good things to say about Scotland. The roads/driving are the hardest part but if you can stomach it, it is well worth it! You see so much more when driving and it gives the option to do things like hiking or going up to the islands that aren’t as easy if you’re doing it via coach or rail. Plus people are always so impressed when an American gets out the car so that’s a nice little ego boost after the windy roads. Highly recommend all the hotels we stayed in, Perle Oban (Oban), Marmalade Hotel (Portree, Isle of Skye), Kimpton Charlotte Square (Edinburgh). Also highly recommend the Montague on the Gardens in London, truly wonderful!
10. Where are you traveling next? Amsterdam for work! Likely London then onto Oxford to see friends before buckling up for a boatload of family obligations this summer throughout the US.
“No expectations – they ruin it!” AMEN! Expectations in general are unwieldy — too low and you go in with a negative outlook, too high and you’re disappointed! I need to know some of the hotels your hotel whiz friend has recommended! Any standpouts? Were the Perle Oban, Marmalade, Kimpton Charlotte Square her doing?
xx
The Kimpton Charlotte Square was her doing, it was perfectly placed for walking around Edinburgh and in a beautiful quiet square + a complimentary aperitive hour each night. The other two were recommendations from another friend but she had veto approval on them. I’ll ask if she’ll compile a list of her favorites and share.
Thank you!! xx
Ohh I LOVE this kind of prompt! I’ll try not to write an entire novel, but here I go…
01. How do you decide where to visit? Some of my most memorable trips have come from just coming across an article or blurb about a particular place, having my interest piqued, then doing a deep dive. I really like to stay open to all possibilities and keep my horizons broad. One of my most adventurous trips, a road trip through Namibia, was the result of a random NYT blurb + a really old memory of drinking Windhoek beer (a brand of beer named after Namibia’s capital city) all the time when I studied abroad in Nairobi. The name just stuck in my head after all those years, and it felt like a fun full circle moment to actually visit it in person.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? I’m most likely to spend on the flight, to get somewhere rather far-flung. But the older I get, the more I value a good boutique hotel.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Convenient travel time, for sure. Upgraded plane seats are PRICEY and if I can avoid a red-eye or a super late arrival, I will.
04. How do you select a hotel? If I’m visiting a city, I always go for a low-key but nice boutique hotel that reflects the character/culture of the place I am going. The idea of traveling halfway across the world to stay in the same Hilton that is down the block from me is majorly depressing. I do a lot of googling and sometimes just clicking around on google maps and cross-checking the reviews. If I’m in a really remote/rural area, then I go Airbnb for sure.
05. How do you plan an itinerary? The itinerary is guided generally by what attracted me to the place to begin with- hiking, cultural sights, food. etc. I read guidebooks and travel blogs and start making a list of stuff I want to do, then start dropping the items into my itinerary calendar google doc. I try to look for travel blogs that are really niche rather than just generic travel influencers. For example, for my recent trip to the Faroe Islands I got a lot of my hikes from this travel blog I found that entirely about hiking in the Faroes, written by a woman who had taken like 8 trips there. The generic travel influencers aren’t as trustworthy because they’re mostly just affiliate link farms.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R? I value R&R time more and more as I grow older. I will book a few “anchor” events for things that require booking far ahead of time (for example, the Alhambra in Grenada) then slot other stuff in around it as I feel. I don’t plan down to the hour, because half the joy of travel is discovery along the way. And taking time to rest! On that trip, we had so much fun just hanging out drinking beers in random cafes in the afternoons.
07. What is the ideal length of trip? (This is probably going to be different if traveling with young children, no children, etc?) At least a week. For Africa or Asia, two weeks.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation? Think about your goals for the trip and let them guide you. Are you wanting to relax and unplug/unwind? Do you want to get out of your comfort zone and have a true adventure? Do you want to connect with a friend/relative in the place they live and just drop into their daily routine with them? Decide what you want and let go of any feelings of guilt/obligation for not doing it the way others might think you should.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional? I adored my trip to the Faroe Islands and am already scheming how to go back. My favorite travel destinations are super rural ones with as few other people around as possible. (probably because I live in NYC!) The Faroes were a great combo of remote and otherworldly and yet relatively easy to navigate as a foreigner. They are not the place to go if you expect to be constantly stimulated/entertained. But they’re great if you value beauty in sparseness and crave the feeling of surrendering to the forces of nature.
10. Where are you traveling next? Taking a return trip to Copenhagen in April/May by myself, then ending with 4 days in Oslo with my sister to visit a cousin.
Totally agree about niche blogs, Anna! Our trip to Cinque Terre had recommendations from a blog about traveling northern Italy with backpacks (and 2 toddlers); since we had a car and 1 toddler it felt like we did her itinerary in easy mode!
Such smart insights. One thing that’s striking me as I read through all of the rich comments you and other Magpies have left — how non-dogmatic you are about it all. “Well, it depends –” and then you share the inputs. Thank you for this! Very helpful when weighing pros and cons on various points of travel. I also love the concept of “thinking about your goals for the trip and then letting them guide you.” Yes!
xx
I am eager to read fellow Magpies tips on travel planning! We have yet to plan a “big” vacation (such is life on a shoestring budget while my husband finishes medical training!) but hope to do so in the next year to celebrate fellowship completion!
Our favorite vacation is a week at the beach doing nothing but reading a book a day, only shaking off the sand come dinnertime. We splurge on a secluded beach front rental for the week and opt to prepare most meals at home versus eating out. We use a local property management company/rental agency for lodging (much better all around than VRBO or AirBnB, in our opinion).
My grandparents are seasoned travelers and my grandma swears by using a travel agent, a nonnegotiable for international travel especially. She subscribes to all the big travel magazines and is a voracious reader of the travel section in all major newspapers. She is the “cruise director” for all group travel as a family. All-inclusive resorts are great for this. We’re headed back to Beaches Turks & Caicos later this year. A surprisingly lovely resort with a variety of accommodations (from price point, and all nice), activities and “something” for everyone, good service, and better food than expected – I still think about an almond cake I had there several years ago. For me it’s all about the literal beach. Heaven on earth! I am the person waking up at sunrise to grab a coffee and pastry on the way to claim the best spot on the beach and settle in with my book (also possibly to see how long I can hide from the other 19 people on my vacation…we roll deep!).
These are such great little notes – I wouldn’t have thought, for example, to check a local rental agency over VRBO/AirBnB. Pocketing that one for immediate use! I’m intrigued by the travel agent / travel planner rec your grandmother and Rachel below have floated. Interesting idea if you are running short on time/energy.
xx
For my last anniversary trip with my husband to Portugal, I felt out of my depth so ended up hiring a travel planner- may never go back as it was the most seamless incredible experience- and trip! Just a thought for those who don’t have a ton of time to research and feel paralyzed by choosing the “best” thing.
I love this idea — we have been planning a trip to Italy and when I say “planning,” I mean “talking about planning.” It feels so overwhelming to narrow everything down and get what we want out of it (great food, great hotels, not too touristy, etc). I might need to look into this for that trip. Thank you!
xx
01. How do you decide where to visit?
I read blogs or talk to other people in the same season of life, which is right now moms of young toddlers. Generally we start with how we want to get there (short flight/long flight/drive 2-6 hours) and that narrows our options.
02. Are you more likely to spend on accommodations or destination/attractions? Why?
Destination/attractions. I have stayed in super luxury hotels with my in-laws, and it’s simply not something my husband and I value very much. Our honeymoon we were at a budget motel 12 days (simply for the location, and it was wonderful) and then a luxury hotel the last 2 nights to take advantage of their spa. As nice as it was, we would’ve been bored there the whole time, and all our best memories were from walking around town at the first location.
03. What are you more likely to splurge on: a convenient travel time, upgraded airplane seats, or upgraded accommodations? Why?
I’m willing to spend for a direct flight or shorter flight, because I have young kids and I’m pumping and otherwise transporting milk! I also prefer to plan for a time of day when everyone’s happy and can manage their regular naps. I’ll spend for an upgrade in terms of location (we hate schlepping!) but not usually for amenities beyond the basics (these days we need a washer and a dishwasher for all the kid stuff) unless there’s something unusual. That said, I dream of Blackberry Farm, which is as luxe a location as I can imagine (and not one I’ll likely vacation at since we’re based in Europe).
04. How do you select a hotel? Are you committed to one loyalty program / hotel group? Do you have a chain that you tend to prefer? What resources do you use to learn about and vet a hotel? Are there categories of accommodation that you routinely avoid (e.g., bed and breakfasts / AirBnBs / chains), and why?
I’m a devoted reader of reviews. If I’m going boutique hotel, I’m partial to Kimpton group, since we got married at one and I frequented another when I’d go to Chicago regularly for work. They’re such lovely spaces. I avoid a b&b simply because I’m gluten free and I need options from whatever room service/restaurant, though I’m happy to fend for myself at an AirBnB. I will say in Europe I have the best experience with Booking.com.
05. How do you plan an itinerary?
I like a combo of Reddit and blogs, even better if a local weighs in. Once I know what I’m looking for I’ll do a search in the native language. Finding a gluten free pizzeria in Cinque Terre? Difficult. Finding one “sends glutine”? Easy. Then I make a list on google maps, starting every single thing that looks good. That way as we wander I have lots of things close by to choose from. I also always check google reviews, we won’t generally eat anywhere less than a 3.7! It’s also a good way to figure out allergy accommodations or stroller/kid accommodations. On the way home my husband and I write reviews for our favorites.
06. How do you balance structured/planned activities with downtime for R&R?
My husband and I generally like 1 activity per day. I try to have a mix of morning and evening activities. We start early when we’re with the kids, and coffee is essential. I only schedule the first half of the trip because I want time to repeat stuff we loved or include things we discovered IRL. Our honeymoon we went to the same Healdsburg restaurant (SHED, now gone) 14 times, we loved it so much! Our 4 days in Monterosso last year there were 3 restaurants and 1 bakery we repeated.
07. What is the ideal length of trip?
If it’s a destination, I like 10-14 days, with a day to recover when we’re back.
If it’s a local drive (for us Milan, Cinque Terre, Aix, Marseille), 4 or 5 days is perfect.
08. Any other guiding principles for planning a great vacation?
If going international, learn polite phrases in the language. It goes a long way.
Ask a local when you get there. Our best restaurant meals in Milan weren’t just the big buzzy ones but the lunch spots recommended by the shop clerks. A physical map was nice for them to mark up!
Be open to serendipity.
Do what makes you happy, not what everyone else is doing.
09. Is there anywhere you have visited in the past year or two that you found truly exceptional?
Monterosso al Mare was great with small kids!! The beach and playgrounds are excellent, the old town is charming, and the high end restaurants were relatively affordable and happy to have a delighted toddler grabbing everything. I do recommend midweek/off season since it gets ridiculously crowded. We went in April, and I think Monday to Friday would be perfect, we were overwhelmed by the Saturday tour group influx. Also everyone speaks English because so many Americans go there, we met more Americans that trip than we ever do. Italy in general is good with kids and good with gluten allergies. We stayed at “Bea’s Apartment” (on booking.com) and it was literally right on the water, views were great and we heard the sea all day and night.
10. Where are you traveling next?
We’re awaiting my baby’s passport, so staying local a while.
I want to plan something for the end of May to avoid Grand Prix crowds, I’m thinking maybe somewhere in Tuscany? Or if we get my daughter’s passport in time, we could go to Bath to visit my SIL who’s at university there.
Aix or Luberon in June with my in laws. The photographer Jamie Beck is an American expat with many recommendations in the area!
Being tourists at home/staycationing in July since my Aunts are visiting for the Tour de France!
Back to the states in August (just a family trip).
Paris in the fall, maybe September or October. It’ll be my first time!
Dreaming of Lisbon, Stockholm, Treviso, Lake Garda, Corsica.
“Senza glutine,” curses to autocorrect
Another gem: Hotel Firefly in Zermatt, Switzerland. Spendy, but great breakfasts, an incredible spa/sauna/pool you could spend the day in, and it’s run by a nice family.
Hi! Thanks for this rec – a few Magpies have recommended this over the years! Definitely on my radar.
xx
I expected nothing less from you, Kelly! Thanks for this rich list of travel suggestions / insights / thoughts, especially searching for things in the native tongue (“senza glutine”) and leaving the second half of a trip looser to accommodate repeat experiences / what you’ve learned you like. Brilliant!
xx
If you find yourself in Monaco or Eze at all we’d be happy to show you the local sights!
Thank you!!!
As a fellow celiac/non-gluten person who travels to Italy a fair amount, I’m *quite* familiar with senza glutine life, but have never thought to search for it in reviews – genius! I always search “gluten” but it makes so much more sense to search for the phrase in the local language. Great tip.
Emm, Roughly 1% of Italy has celiac so everywhere I’ve been takes it really seriously! They tend to know about sealed packages or different cooking surfaces to avoid transfer. Night and day in small-town Italy vs small-town France. We stopped at a McDonalds at the rest stop on our drive that had a burger cobranded with Schär, it was nice to have an option
Yes! I’ve always appreciated that about Italy – it’s as if they feel so badly that you can’t have the real thing, they’ll do their best to give you a fabulous substitute. Definitely a bit of a challenge in smaller towns (we’re headed back to Umbria this fall!) but I agree, it’s one of the easiest places to travel as a celiac person.
Agree – brilliant!