Five Frivolities: December 3
France>Montenegro>CPH itinerary, hotels in Santa Fe, colorful hotels around the world, unconventional bachelorette party ideas and four great Virtuoso luxury hotel sales
1. An itinerary from France to Montenegro to Copenhagen with only taking one week of vacation time
A summer trip. A spectacular one. One where you only miss a single work week. 5 days of PTO, 10 nights of international indulgence. First, France. A grand entrance, at a fair price. Then, to Montenegro. Specifically, the coolest hotel. A splurge. Lastly, to Copenhagen for a bit of Scandi spirit. Direct flights only, too. Let’s go!
Ps. Every once in a while, I share an itinerary on Sunday’s free edition. But, every week, I share an itinerary on my paid edition. Want to join? I’d love to have you.
Friday night, you’ll take a red eye to Paris, but have a car pick you up to take you outside the city to Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay. Just reopened after a long renovation, and it’s dreamlike. The perfect place to stay for 2 nights, to get over jetlag while taking boat rides in their pond, eating breakfast by candlelight, and playing pinball before bed.
On Sunday, you’ll fly on Transavia airline from Paris Orly airport (ORY) to Tivat Airport (TIV) in Montenegro, where you’ll have a car pick you up to take you to the coolest hotel in the country, Mamula Island.
5 nights here. Explore the tiny, supposedly majestic country. Swim! Soak up the sea. Do nothing, or a lot of something. That’s your prerogative.
Then, on Thursday, fly directly from Tivat Airport to Copenhagen, on either SAS or Norwegian airlines. CPH is home for 3 nights. Personally, I’d stay at Hotel Sanders.
Sunday, you fly home, sadly. There are direct flights from Copenhagen to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, DC, Boston, and NYC for my fellow North Americans.
2. A spotlight on Santa Fe
When I was little and my parents were getting divorced, my mom thought for a while we might move to Santa Fe. No clue why, we didn’t move, and I still haven’t been. But, I’ve always wanted to. If you didn’t know, I’m also a brand strategist and copywriter, and once I worked on a very fun project for a botanically-based skincare brand inspired by Santa Fe. I named the brand, did the brand strategy, and wrote the brand copy. It’s called Ayond, in case you’re curious, and it was done with the talented people at RoAndCo Studio. Anyway! I digress. That’s where the Santa Fe seed really grew. And now, it’s time I pass it on to you. Here’s where you could stay….
The Inn of the Five Graces - Where I’d stay personally, probably
Bishop’s Lodge, an Auberge Hotel - A beloved property by one of my favorite hotel groups and they currently have an offer for a complimentary 3rd night on stays through April 30th
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi - What most would consider the most luxurious choice, but it lacks a bit of individuality in my opinion
El Rey Court - The motel-turned-hotel for cool kids
3. Colorful hotels for colorful people, part 2
Part 1 can be found here.
I believe color adds to life. You don’t have to agree, but if you do, and like hotels that follow suit, these are for you.
Casa Beatnik, Galicia, Spain
Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur, India
Samode Haveli, Jaipur, India
Playa Grande Beach Club, Dominican Republic
Verana, Jalisco, Mexico (full stay review on this week’s paid post!)
Ignacia Guest House, Mexico City, Mexico
Mii Amo, Sedona, Arizona, USA
Salut Maroc, Essouira, Morocco
Villa Mabrouka, Tangier, Morocco
SALT of Palmar, Mauritius
Cobbler’s Cove, Barbados
Jake’s Treasure Beach, Jamaica
4. Cool bachelorette destinations, and where I’d stay
Cabo, Cabo, Cabo. Tulum, Tulum, Tulum. 30A, 30A, 30A. Nashville, Nashville, Nashville. Want to do something different? Less party, more personality?
If I were planning a bachelorette for a client, these are some options I’d throw out, depending on the personality or wedding destination.
Jucumba Hot Springs outside Joshua Tree, California - for the Burning Man bride
The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California - for the theatrical bride with California on the mind
A house or casita in Careyes in Jalisco, Mexico - for a bougie bride not on a budget
A house in Maremma in Tuscany, Italy - for brides getting married in Tuscany. My full list is on this past paid newsletter, here!
The Swag in North Carolina- for the rustic chic bride that does not reside on the West Coast
Finca Victoria in Vieques, Puerto Rico - for the boho wellness bride who wants to go international, without needing a passport
5. A curation of current Virtuoso offers for my clients
As a Fora travel agent, we are partners with Virtuoso, the largest luxury travel consortium in the world. I’m able to get my clients complimentary amenities at all of the hotels in their portfolios, but sometimes they have promotions that are legitimately good. Many don’t make the Happy Hoteling cut, but these do! marissa.klurstein@fora.travel if you’d like to book, you good people with good taste.
Chateau Saint Sabine in Burgundy, France - Stay 5 nights, pay for 4
Carlton Hotel in St Moritz, Switzerland - 15% off nightly rates as well as a daily 100 CHF food and beverage credit per guest (!!!), 24-hour limo service within St. Moritz, daily Swiss breakfast, and butler service. OR stay 4 nights, pay for 3. OR stay 7 nights, pay for 5. Valid for stays Jan 7-25, Jan 29-Feb 7, Feb 26-March 24.
Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal - 15% off nightly rates and a 25 eur spa credit for stays through February 29.
Alila Napa Valley in Northern California - Stay for 3 nights, pay for 2 on stays through March 31st.
Thank you for being here! I appreciate you.
xx Your Penpal,
Marissa
Hello! Do you have recommendations for car services to drive from Paris to Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay?