On my travel list: Hotel Agua Baru Island

Yesterday my hubby and I were going over our plans for the last trips of the year while researching Cartagena, Colombia, a place I've been dying to go to, I came across this amazingly tasteful Hotel Agua in Baru Island, a 45 minutes boat ride off Cartagena city and I was like what...! This amazingly beautiful, stunning, to-die for Hotel is so irresistibly charming that I couldn't think of anything else to post about today.  The entire design and concept of this hotel is so in sync with nature and breath taking that my whole body and mind are itching to go there to breathe in nature at its best and surround myself of beautiful design, just how I like it.  I love places that make me happy and I'm sure this one is going to be one of them!  Enjoy!

Karakoy Rooms Hotel in Istanbul

When I went to Istanbul back in 2010 one of the things I most admired was the mix of beautiful antique and modern architecture and most of all the modernity of its people.  I was surprised at how rare was to come across with someone with conservative world view.  On the contrary the people were extremely open minded and very Westernised.  I loved it and it breaks my heart to see what some smart people need to go through to defend their country’s identity, freedom and democracy. I hope everything gets back to normal soon and Turkey continues on its road to what every country is supposed to have: fundamental freedoms.

These beautiful images belong to Karakoy Rooms a hotel overlooking the bosphorous, I know a dream, eh? and if my in-laws didn't have an apartment in Istanbul this is where I would stay.  Enjoy!

Buenos Aires Review

 The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas.  A Buenos Aires review.

As I told you last week, if you haven't been to Buenos Aires you haven't seen Europe in South America.  My first time in Buenos Aires was in December, 2012 where we spent our Christmas Holidays, I absolutely and instantly fell in love with the city.  It has everything a savvy travel looks for when traveling.  Stunning Architecture, wide boulevards and avenues, small and charming if not breath taking little neighborhoods inside the very walkable city, where all streets are pretty much connected.  We would walk for hours without needing a taxi except for the times we would opt for  safety and decided to grab a cab.  Think of a walkable New York city.  We stayed at a boutique Hotel called Casa Sur precisely a block away from the famous and exclusive Avenida Alvear.  Casa Sur is a small boutique hotel with excellent service and rooms so comfortable and cozy that totally eliminate the chances of you missing home.  The room walls are upholstered in gray linen fabric displaying black and white photographs and mahogany lacquered furniture.  It gives you the feel of a sumptuous art-deco era.  On our first day we walked on Avenida Alvear where chic shops are embedded in breath taking Neo Classical mansions.  One thing that caught my eyes was how each building would display the name of the Architect responsible for its creation.  The feeling of being in Europe instead of Latin America is blatant.  Look below by yourself at just a few of the amazing architecture you can find at Buenos Aires.

A building in the Botanical Garden.

Avenida Alvear

When people think of Buenos Aires, Argentina the first thought that comes to their minds is Tango.  And it should!  Not until I saw my first Tango show did I realized everybody should see one in their lifetime.  I'm not kidding!  We decided to go to one of the best tango shows in town.  It was our first impression and we did not want to ruin it.  Not that I know if this is possible with such a climactic show dance.  And so we went to Tango Rojo at the Hotel Faena located in Puerto Madeiro, one of the newest and chices neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.  The show offers the option of pre-fixed menu which is very good and tasty.  The show is electrifying! 

Casa del Congreso

La Recoleta neighborhood

At the chic and artistic neighborhood of Palermo is easy to find a lot of restaurants mingling with small local designers boutiques.  I loved sitting at one of the outdoor restaurants on one of the many cobblestone streets.  The center of Palermo fashionable neighborhood is summed up to a number of streets from Armenia to Thames and from Honduras to Paraguay.  Don't you worry these are just street names.   

But there is one restaurant that I particularly love in La Recoleta neighborhood.  Fervor located at the corner of Posadas and Callao where we try to go every time we are in Buenos Aires.  My mouth still waters when I remember the tenderness and juicy of the grilled seafood platter we paired with a local Sauvignon Blanc. 

Even the flowers sold on the streets are just beautiful.

Inside La Catedral.  That is our little one.  cushi cushi

La Recoleta Cemetery

I want a door like this, I want a door like this!

Me, myself and I and I want a building like this too.

Beautiful window display in La Recoleta neighborhood.

Park Hyatt Hotel.

Munich Review

Packing for the Hamptons

I was there: Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you haven't been to Buenos Aires yet, you haven't seen Europe in South America.  We spent this past Christmas in Buenos Aires and we loved it so much that we're here again with family and friends with us.  We are going to spend a week between Buenos Aires and Mendoza, Argentina's wine region.  I've been meaning to make a decent post about our previous trip to Buenos Aires but have been caught up with other posts.  For now here are a few pictures from our last visit here that will speak for themselves.
image by me

Copacabana Palace Hotel review

I suggested by hybby Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro for our first visit to the City.   I wanted to see firsthand the recent renovations this Orient Express landmark went through under the responsibility of French Architect Michel-Jouannet.  After purchasing our plane tickets three weeks in advance (transaction done in Portuguese) it turned out we didn't really buy any tickets so we had to drive 6 hours to get to Rio.  We thought it was going to be a pain but the drive was actually pretty beautiful and it ended up being faster than I thought.  
There are still some renovations going on in some areas of the Hotel but, the main areas are finished.  The lobby was expanded, including the steps and this sitting area below was added.  Everything looks as it's been there forever.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back to Rio.

It's funny how we take airplanes, drive for long hours and go through all the hassles that comes with traveling and then we love to stay in and order room service.  This photo above illustrates how Copacabana Hotel doesn't stay short of exquisite when it comes to food.  We were only two and a half people and the half doesn't even eat!  We promised ourselves that the next time we go there we'll bring plastic containers with us to either not spend one extra dime on food for the rest of our stay or to take the leftover to homeless people on the streets. 

The Hotel's restaurant, Cipriani

The stunning swimming pool area transported me to the glamorous days of the 20's

One of my favorite experiences was when we went to visit Corcovado to see the big Jesus, as my son calls him.  The experience is pretty impressive and special. 

Pao de Azucar is that huge mountain that you see in many photos and it's also the place where many famous Rio de Janeiro pictures were taken.

We drove all along the beach coast and my favorite beach was a very quiet beach, yes you read that right, named Sao Conrado along Av. Neimeyer.  This picture above was taken there.

A Buenos Aires Review
While in Turkey: An Istanbul review