Friday Fantasy Vacation: Bijou Cottage, Nonards, France

Ok, so just so my American audience is clear, the “d” is silent. That said, the town of Nonards is a village next to a village east of Bordeaux and north of Toulouse. So, really how could a vacation not be fantasy-worthy in those environs? Not to mention that if you stay here, you’ll be sleeping in a 15th century gatehouse well suited to a small family or four friends looking to escape the modern world. And isn’t that what a good vacation is all about?

Photos © Unique Home Stays

http://www.uniquehomestays.com +44 (0) 1637 881947

Friday Fantasy Vacation: Oia Villa I & II, Santorini, Greece

May 11, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, travel, Vacation Rental Tags: stylish rental Greece, vacation rental Santorini, white houses Santorini 3 Comments

It’s hard to look at pictures of Santorini and not feel relaxed and in a vacation mind-set immediately. The contrast of deep blue sea and ancient white washed walls is instantaneously calming. That feeling of well-being is even better achieved when you’ve got a great vacation rental like one of these refurbished, centuries old cave houses. Each house sleeps two and is simple in design, yet far from boring. There’s nothing here to interfere with your enjoyment of the stunning surroundings, and no one will blame you if you never venture out except for fresh bottles of wine.

Oia Villa I

Oia Villa II

Photos curtesy of:

Welcome Beyond – Luxury vacation rentals.

Wanderlust: Normandy

May 8, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Wanderlust Tags: travel inspiration Normandy, wanderlust Normandy Leave a comment

Unless you’re lucky enough to be on vacation where there is no internet, television, or mail then you’ve probably heard that France has a new leader. Francois Hollande hails from Rouen in Normandy and I will be lucky enough to go there later this Summer, but I thought now might be the perfect time to resurrect the wanderlust feature and take a luxurious look at this part of northern France. Bon Voyage!

For photo credits click on photo.

Friday Fantasy Vacation: Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza

April 20, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Hotels Tags: hotel en Sevilla, Hotel in Seville, luxury lodgings Seville 1 Comment

In true Spanish form this Sevilliana hotel has an exceedingly long name and a simple, welcoming demeanor. Smack in the center of Seville, the hotel was once an 18th century monastery, but now houses 41 rooms all around a central courtyard. Very Spanish, very much the perfect place to stay in Seville.

Friday Fantasy Vacation: Scudamore Court, Wiltshire

April 13, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Vacation Rental Tags: Cotswold holiday rental, unique vacation stays, vacation rental England Leave a comment

Every summer my family meets with another family who lives in a different state and we rent a cottage or house together. It’s something I look forward to all year and someday I’d like to take a few more friends to a large manor house like this one. I can hardly think of a more quaint and pleasant place to spend a week with friends than in the Cotswolds during spring. This 14th century manor house sleeps up to 12 and has a large kitchen, grill, and dining room. Set on an acre of gardens with a pond and near the village, it’s perfect for families. Maybe next year…

All photos © Unique Home Stays

Properties are available through Unique Home Stays http://www.uniquehomestays.com +44 (0) 1637 881947

Nearby Westbury and Warminster

April in Paris Hotels

April 11, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Hotels Tags: affordable hotels Paris, Banke Hotel, Hidden Hotel Pairs, Hotel Daniel Paris, Hotel de l'Abbaye, Hotel Saint-Louis en l'Isle, james Hotel Paris, La Maison Champs Elysee Hotel, Le Meurice, luxury hotels paris, Mama Shelter Paris, Seven Hotel, St 1 Comment

There’s a reason why people write songs about Paris in the spring. I won’t be going this year until Summer, but if I were able to now these hotels would be at the top of my wish list.

St. James Hotel, 16th Arrondissement

Hotel de l’Abbaye, 6th Arrondissement

La Maison Champs Elysees, 8th Arrondissement

Seven Hotel, 5th Arrondissement

Hotel Daniel, 8th Arrondissement

Hidden Hotel, 17th Arrondissement

Banke Hotel, 9th Arrondiessement

Hotel Saint-Louis en l’Isle, 4th Arrondissement

Mama Shelter, 20th Arrondissement

And Someday…

Le Meurice, 1er Arrondissement

Cornwall Vacation Homes

March 20, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, inspire, Vacation Rental, Wanderlust Tags: Bolthole Cornwall, Vacation Rental Cornwall 3 Comments

I have a love of fishing villages. Maybe it’s due to the fact that I’ve always lived on a coast and near the water. Maybe it’s because I love eating seafood. It’s certainly not because I like boating as I can get motion sickness in an elevator, but there’s something so relaxing and exciting about small fishing towns to me. The smell of the seawater and the constant coming and going of the boats combined just wake me up in a way that other places don’t. While there are fishing villages of great beauty all over the world, there is something special about those in Cornwall, England. They give new definition to the word quaint, I believe, and it’s hard not to love a vacation that includes boats, beaches AND sheep. I’ve compiled some spectacular spaces to call home base while you explore this gorgeous region. All of these (and many more) can be reserved through Unique Home Stays, a fabulous resource for vacation rentals throughout Britain and beyond.

Rosewastis Manor, Near Watergate Bay

The Sea Barn, Roseland Penninsula

Waters Reach, Lerryn

Mawgan, Near Watergate Bay

Worthyvale Mill, Near Tintagel

All photos © Unique Home Stays

Properties are available through Unique Home Stays http://www.uniquehomestays.com +44 (0) 1637 881947

Dublin, Ireland

March 13, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, inspire, Itinerary Tags: Dublin Ireland vacation, hotels in Dublin, Howth Ireland, luxury lodging dublin, pigs ear dublin, what to do in Dublin, Where to stay in Dublin, winding stair dublin Leave a comment

St Patrick’s Day is almost upon us, so it seems time to focus on one of my favorite cities in the world, Dublin. Depending on how much you enjoy crowds and parades, this time of year may or may not be a great time to visit, but whatever time you go, there’s great places to stay, eat and explore.

Where to Stay:

Dylan Hotel

photos courtesy of Dylan Hotel

The Morgan Hotel

photos courtesy of the Morgan Hotel

Merrion Mews Vacation Rental

photos courtesy of Irish Landmark Trust

Cliff Townhouse

photos courtesy of Cliff Townhouse

Clontarf Castle Hotel

photos courtesy of Clontarf Castle Hotel

The Westbury Hotel

photos courtesy of Westbury Hotel

Where to Indulge

Sheridan’s Cheesemongers

Guinness Storehouse and Gravity Bar

Powerscourt Centre (boutique shopping in Georgian Mansion)

Peterson of Dublin

Kevin and Howlin

Trinity College Library

photo by Candida Hofer

Day Trip: Howth

Wondering where the pubs are? I love them so much I’m doing a whole post on them at Inside Bars.

Manor House Stay

March 6, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Vacation Rental Tags: Manor House rental, Manor House stay Berkshire Leave a comment

It’s probably no coincidence that one of my favorite sites Remodelista is doing a whole Downton Abbey theme this week as the DVD of season two was just released. Of course they beat me to it as I just watched the last episodes last night and couldn’t wait to find a great manor house rental to post today. Well, it’s hard to find a more simply beautiful bolthole than this one:

Located in Berkshire on 25 acres of gardens and private park, this 10 bedroom manor house was built in 1609. I like the way it has been brought into the modern era with a more streamlined, clean look without losing the charm of period details. Yes, you can rent it and, yes, I’d be happy to meet you there.

Palacio Belmonte, Lisbon

February 29, 2012 By Morgan in Europe, Hotels Tags: Palacio Belmonte Hotel, Unique hotel Lisbon 1 Comment

Few things make me yearn for a sunny city day like watching a “wintry mix” of rain, snow, sleet, and sideways wind pelt the windows of my house. Instead of staring at that, I’m going to pretend I’m in the ancient city of Lisbon and staying here, at the oldest palace in that old city. Built in the 15th century into Roman and Moorish walls and right next to St. George’s Castle, this is the perfect place to soak up the history of the Portuguese capital. There are not televisions but there is a large library and a cafe. But really, I’d reserve one of the suites (10 in all) that comes with a private terrace and just sit in the sun.