Five Frivolities: November 19
An Italy to Croatia itinerary, a curation of historic home-like hotels, a French island you probably haven't heard of, a sale season curation, and where I'd stay in US ski towns.
1. An Italy to Croatia itinerary
Slowly but surely, my curiosity about Croatia has turned towards allure. It has everything to do with the hotels below. But, I would have to do Italy first, before I open my mind to the wonders of the rest of the world. Specifically, Croatia. Guess what! No car required for this itinerary. Planes, boats, and cars that you won’t be driving. Let’s do it.
You fly into Naples and immediately take a taxi to the port to take the ferry to Capri. I’m biased, I know, but if Italy has to be truncated in order to see more Earth, then Capri has to be the destination. So, 5 nights and we’re not breaking the bank on hotel here, but we are doing it in style at Hotel Canasta. For everything you will do to etch the isle on your heart, my comprehensive guide to Capri is your source.
So, 5 nights in Capri at Hotel Canasta, and then you’ll take a quick ferry to Sorrento.
Just one night in Sorrento, at La Minervetta (it’s worth fitting into any itinerary), before you’re back to the Naples airport to fly to Split, Croatia.
When you land in Split, you’ll take a taxi to get the ferry to Hvar island, where you’ll stay at Little Green Bay Hotel for 3 nights. Here, you’ll explore Hvar, and spend most your time in or around the sea. The place to be!!
Then, you’ll take the ferry from Hvar to Korkula, you then head to the opposite side of the island to take one more ferry to your next stop at Villa Korta Katerina. (Now this is when you remind yourself that the journey is often half the fun.) During your 3 nights here, you’ll explore the Pelješac Peninsula and Korkula, again in and around the sea, but also in verdant wine country (the hotel is a working winery).
Finally, you’ll take a car to Dubrovnik for 2 nights, where you stay at either the Pucic Palace (charm, history) or Hotel Excelsior (sea views, pool).
Then, you fly home, likely with a connecting flight. I always think it’s better to arrange your trip so a necessary connecting flight (where your bags might get lost) is on your way home.
On Wednesday’s paid edition, I’ll be sharing an itinerary for the beautiful and less-touristed Calabria and Basilicata areas of Italy.
2. If you like this hotel, then you might like these hotels
For the antique-lovers, the ones who like to feel like you’re staying at a hotel akin to a home, for the appreciators of curios, the curators of old-school cool.
The hotel embodiment: Charlotte Inn on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. If you love this, then I thiiink you’ll love…
Hôtel Jardins Secrets in Nîmes, France
VesConte in the Tuscia region of Lazio, north of Rome, Italy
Casa d’Anna ai Cristallini in Naples, Italy
Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina
Hotel Locarno in Rome, Italy
Il Salviatino in Fiesole outside Florence, Italy
The Madrona in Healdsburg, California
3. A cool French island you probably haven’t heard of, and where to stay, part 1
Île d'Yeu is the island on the menu today. I’ve heard it described as the Martha’s Vineyard to Île de Ré’s Nantucket. A mix of year-rounders and summer folk, beach and town. Located 17km off the coast of the mainland, accessed via ferry from Fromentine, with Nantes as the closest airport.
I’ve wanted to go to this quasi-remote isle for a while, but until recent years there wasn’t a decent hotel on the island (that I’m aware of). In 2021, the lovely French hoteliers Les Domaines de Fontenille opened the seaside boutique hotel, Les Hautes Mers. Happy hoteling has arrived on Île d'Yeu.
Rooms are simple but tasteful – I would certainly opt for one with a sea view. But, it’s the picturesque pool and charming restaurant that sell it. The hotel is open June through October, with rates starting at €195/night, but soar to €540/night in the height of July and August.
FYI: apparently, the island gets better with time as you ease into the slower routine. So, personally, I’d go here for a minimum of 4 nights. One day, I’d do a day trip to nearby island Noirmoutier, too.
On Wednesday’s paid edition, I’ll share another under-the-rader island in France and where to stay.
4. A list of Black Friday sales
Compiling all the early-access emails I’ve received! Of course, there are many others out there.
Luggage: Paravel (EVERYTHING30 for 30% off sitewide), Away (20% off suitcases), Monos (EARLYBF for 30% off), Calpak (up to 60% off)
Clothes: La Ligne (50% off), Hill House (up to 70% off sitewide), Fivestory (VIP40 for 40% off items tagged Fall Must Have), RHODE (up to 80% off), Donni (50% off), Araminta James (code SALEONSALE for 20% sale items), Suzie Kondi (up to 80% off), Stine Goya (30% off), Miaou (MIAOUMARCHE for 30% off sitewide), Desordre (code blackfriday for extra 30% off sale), Norma Kamali (25% off sitewide), Coach (code TAKE25 for 25% off select full-price), Lacoste (40% off)
Swim: Tropic of C (code TOC30 for 30% off site-wide), Solid & Striped (up to 75% off), Divino Seas (up to 65% off), Frankie’s Bikinis (up to 70% off), SAME (up to 60% off)
Handbags: Freja (code FREJA25 for 25% off)
Home: Brooklinen (up to 50% off), Sijo (25% off everything), Boy Smells (30% off)
Airlines: Iberia (sale goes until Nov 27)
5. Where I’d stay for ski, part 1
Continuing in my series on where I’d personally stay in popular vacation destinations, today kicks off a 3-part series for ski destinations in the US and the Alps. A bit of context: I am not a skier (I gave up in early teenhood when I had not progressed the slightest bit since age six) so this is not tailored to ski-in, ski-out prioritization. It’s definitely for skiers, but also for people who want a hotel that isn’t just a place to rest your legs.
Hotel Jerome in Aspen
Dunton Town House or Madeline Hotel in Telluride
Station House Inn, The Coachman in Tahoe (I don’t like the luxury hotels enough to splurge that much)
See you on Wednesday, good people with good taste?
Thanks so much for being here.
xx Your Penpal,
Marissa