Travelogue 2009

Masseria Torre Coccaro in Pulgia ranks near the top of my travel list. Set in a historic fortified farmhouse it's a short distance from the Adriatic.

One of Masseria Torre Coccaro's beautiful bathrooms. Every room comes with it own private garden.

As most of you know, travel has become central to my life these days. In part, living in Scotland has facilitated countless transatlantic flights to be with my family in the States. However, it is more than just the distance and a desire to see family and friends, travel is now a passion and way of life.

On the agenda is the majestic Calistoga Ranch tucked into a private canyon in the Upper Napa Valley.

A big part of our decision to move aboard was the travel opportunities it afforded our family, especially our son. Over the course of the past few years I have become a sufferer of wanderlust. I relish searching for an out of the way destination, a charming village or the perfect hotel. I especially enjoy the occasion to travel and meet the many wonderful people I have encountered since founding All the Best—and the list is ever growing.

Grand Hotel Central in Barcelona is on our list of places to stay this fall. The boutique hotel in Barcelona city centre boasts a spectacular rooftop pool.

This year travel will play an ever-increasing role in my life and on my blog. I plan to take All the Best “on the road” when possible, to meet the many fabulous readers I have come to know and the extraordinary talents that have been central to this blog. A few destinations include New York, California, Texas, DC, West Palm Beach, Pennsylvania, Berlin, Barcelona and London.

70 Park Avenue was one of my favorite places to stay in 2008. It felt like my very own Park Avenue pied à terre. It was designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber and each evening guests are severed wine in the in living room.

I will unveil more exciting details over the next few weeks. Rest assured that the hotels, the interiors, the people and the destinations will not disappoint—there will also be a few surprises for all of you!

Hotel Luna Convento

The romantic Hotel Luna Convento at dusk


Lemons fell at the guests’ feet throughout the night

Once again I have itchy feet. Yesterday I was captivated by my colleague describing his fabulous trip to the Almafi Coast to attend a wedding. The wedding reception was held at the Hotel Luna Convento, a renovated convent built in the 1200's. The Hotel Luna Convento occupies an enchanting position overlooking the bay of Amalfi.

In addition to its wonderful location and stunning sea views, the building is of undisputed historical and architectural interest. The cloister, in the heart of the complex, was founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1222. The small private chapel of the same era is still used for intimate wedding ceremonies.

The hotel first opened in 1821 and has welcomed everyone from Henrik Ibsen to Ingrid Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, Humphrey Bogart and many others. Perched on a cliff directly above the sea, the complex, built around the Cloister, has a fabulous swimming pool filled with water from the sea. Does it get any more romantic?

The Amalfi Coast has been on my ‘to visit’ list for years. Of course one huge benefit of living in the UK is easier and more affordable access to such wonderful destinations. The Hotel Luna Convento is certainly now at the top of my list.