Five Frivolities: July 16
Solo travel, luxury hotels under $500, my favorite books of the 266 I've read the last three years, a gift idea for the aesthete in your life, and discussing Il Pellicano vs Mezzatorre.
1. The case for solo luxury travel & dining alone
We’re trained to think the “big trip” must be saved for something special. Or, more specially, to spend with a special someone. But, in 2019, I started testing the waters of splurging solo, and haven’t turned back. Can I afford it? Not really. Is it worth it? Yes, definitely. I think of it this way: at the end of the year, the end of the decade, the end of your life you will cherish memories, not things. So, maybe you don’t need that Bottega bag or those Loro Piana shoes. Actually, you definitely do not need them. And sure, maybe you don’t need to travel either - but, you will make memories. And yes, it’s easier to make memories with a partner or a friend or with your family, but the solo memories are a special kind of special.
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from treating yourself to time, to experiences, to frivolities. And, deciding to do it now, instead of waiting until the “right time.” Because the right time is now. If COVID taught us anything, nothing in this life is guaranteed. And if you’re worried about sitting solo at your $400/night hotel breakfast, or by the pool, or having a spritz in the lobby…don’t. In my experience, people find it admirable if they think about it at all. It’s an opportunity and a gift to yourself to be able to be present for the here and the now, soaking up the soul of where you are on planet Earth. With all your senses. I find that this magic happens more easily when you don’t have an agenda or anyones else’s expectations to meet.
It’s a special feeling to dress up for yourself and for the experience you’re rewarding yourself with. What a treat to bring a book with you everywhere and only read a page here or there because you’re so engrossed in witnessing humanity unfolding in front of you.
This excerpt from an article in Town & Country written by Andre Aciman states it well, “What I’m looking for is more in me than outside of me, just as sitting in this café allows me not to stop time but to distend it, to dispel all my thoughts and indulge in the eros of something unusual.”
But also, I’m a proponent for taking this mentality home, too. Dining solo has some strange taboo, but why?! Por que? Per che? Pourqoi?! Eating at the counter (bar) – reading a book, bantering with the bartender or even playing Candy Crush, goddamnit – is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Book the trip, even if no one can come. Go to dinner, even if you’re your own date. LIVE! Now. Why not?
And yes, even when I have a husband and kids, I will still travel and dine solo.
2. Luxury Hotels Under $500
Rayavadee on Krabi island in Thailand. I want to stay here on my next trip to Asia.
As your Travel Agent, I would be able to get you a room upgrade upon availability (minus Villas), complementary roundtrip transfer from Krabi airport, 1,300 THB property credit on stays of 3+ nights, complimentary breakfast and early check-in and late check-out if available.
Domaine de Fontenille in the countryside of Provence, France. For this year, there are certain dates in August, most dates in September, and every date in October that are under 500/night.
As your Travel Agent, I would be able to get you a room upgrade upon availability (minus Villas), complimentary breakfast, early check-in and late check-out if available, a complementary bottle of wine in-room upon arrival, a one-way complimentary airport transfer, and one complimentary resort experience.
Hotel de Toiras on Ile de Ré, France. If I could teleport anywhere right now, it would be there.
As your Travel Agent, I would be able to get you a room upgrade upon availability (minus Villas), complimentary breakfast, early check-in and late check-out if available, a one-way complimentary private transfer from La Rochelle to Ile de Ré.
Ps. this will be one of my eleven things in my paid Wednesday newsletter going forward :)
3. I’ve read 266 books since the beginning of the Pandemic, here are the standouts
First of all, if you think this is a humble brag, there’s nothing humble about it. I’m highly discerning when it comes to hotels and fashion and design and branding, but not at all when it comes to books. Proceed with caution.
“The Only One Left” by Riley Sager. The best thriller I’ve read this year, and I’ve read a lot.
“Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson. Wonderfully strange in every way.
“Rock Paper Scissors” by Alice Feeney. The perfect thriller. I love a thriller.
“Save Me the Plums” by Ruth Reichl. A memoir that was both entertaining and enlightening and has stuck with me since I read it Summer 2020.
“Evvie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes. A Nancy Meyers movie in book form.
“The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Literary fiction meets thriller in what will forever be a favorite book of mine.
And so many more, of course.
4. The best gift for travel hounds and aesthetes
Cabana Magazine is what the kids call a flex. It’s an “if you know you know” display on your bookshelf or coffee table. But also, it’s a fantastic publication. Wonderful contributors, quality editing, beautiful photography, and the absolute most enviable curation. Next time you don’t know what to get that “good person with good taste” in your life, Cabana it is.
5. Il Pellicano vs Mezzatorre
This year, my first as a Travel Agent with Fora, my two most-booked hotels have been Il Pellicano, on Monte Argentario on the Tuscan Coast, and its sister hotel, Mezzatorre on the island of Ischia. Last year I stayed at Pellicano, this year at Mezzatorre. Let’s compare.
If we’re looking for the winner, it’s clear: Il Pellicano. It is, quite literally, the stuff dreams are made of. As soon as you set foot on property you’re engulfed in this energy that’s quite hard to describe, so if and when budget affords, I highly recommend you experience it for yourself. The rooms are homey but not too homey. They’re cool but not too “of the moment.” The beach is iconic and lives up to its legacy. The branding…divine. But it’s really about the specific corner of Italy, of Earth really. There’s something about it, hard to put your finger on, that can’t be beat.
Now, Mezzatorre. Less expensive. But also a little bit less special. Still special. It’s a whole lot easier to get to. And the service is much better, as is the food. But it lacks the wow factor that Il Pellicano undeniably has. And, the AC doesn’t work very well.
I would still definitely recommend both hotels, and will return to both again. But, I hope this answers the question you may (or may very well not) have.
For both Il Pellicano & Mezzatorre, I have a good relationship with their Reservations team, and am able to get clients a room upgrade on arrival if available, $100 food and beverage credit, complimentary breakfast and early check-in and late check-out if available.