la minervetta / italy

14 November 2012

when we travel we always like to stay in al least one special place, after having worked for more than 10 years in luxury hospitality, i really enjoy analyzing how hotels go the extra mile to be the favorites – how does it make it a better experience.

la minervetta conquered me from the very first sight, when i stumbled upon it on tablet hotels (we like choosing the hotels for our trips through tablet, and you?). we tried to book it when planning our honeymoon, but it was fully booked for the whole stay – not strange since it’s a 12 room boutique hotel and september is high season…

but when i want something so bad, i think positive, i do all i can to get it…(ok, and i get on all waiting lists possible and bug them for possible cancelations every other day!) and a week before traveling the hotel was opening a new room – available to book!

the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, but breakfast, served in the terrace, is as good as it can be. i could have breakfast, with the stunning views to the bay of napoli and mount vesuvios, all day long.

the decor is incredibly stylish, with the perfect mix and match of blue and red marine stripes, sicilian ceramics all over, and corals and conch in-between.

the location is perfect, perched above sorrento’s harbor, we adventured down the steps for dinner, and walked back from the city centre after having gelato – but basically just wanted to hang out in the hotel.

ok, we only had one night to enjoy it, but it was well worth it and a good start of our vacation before heading across the bay to the crazy city of napoli.

hotel la minervetta sorrento’s website

and other places i stayed and liked.

cycling in ponte de lima

22 October 2012

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i have recently become addicted to spinning here in provo, so when i was away in the north of portugal, i made sure i went for a few cycling tours.

some say ponte de lima has one of the best cycling routes of portugal – i went a few last times before the wedding, it was perfect to relax. and since we had a few friends who stayed over for the weekend, we also went on the day after the wedding!

we rent the bicycles at the nautical club of ponte de lima and we cycle through the path alongside the lima river towards ponte da barca. the scenery is beautiful, green everywhere, you really feel in contact with nature. it’s a pretty big contrast with the one i’m used to in turks and caicos, maybe that’s why i appreciate it so much.

i like passing through little water falls and seeing people’s orchards and vineyards along the way. had it been warmer we would’ve stopped for a dip!

can you notice that one of my friends was 7 month pregnant? very brave of her for sure!

first picture by me, other’s by anh-tuan’s instagram, thanks anh-tuan!

our day

2 October 2012

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we’re back, and i can’t believe how fast it was all – one month of fast track preparations; arrival of guests from chile, brazil, california and abu dhabi; the wedding weekend flew; and our honeymoon in italy is already over. it really was the happiest day of my life!

i had never dreamt of getting married, or better, i had never dreamt of my wedding day. bridal magazines never inspired me. and somehow everything turned out as i have always wanted. i would love to share this picture of our day with you, and can’t wait to share a few more in the weeks to come.

i am now enjoying a couple of weeks back in lisbon, before i head back home to my paradise island in turks and caicos.

image by andre from branco prata

a little update

11 September 2012

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hey friends – i know i’ve been a little switched off from my myseastory, but believe me, it’s been hard and i miss it! if you’ve been following my pictures on instagram, you know that i’ve been traveling back and forth from lisbon to the north of portugal, where our wedding is taking place, in just three days!

i’ve had a gazillion things to do, since, even though we are planning a small wedding, it will take place in our family home. plus, catching up with family and friends, whom i haven’t seen since the last time i was in portugal.

the one thing that has helped me relax on my breaks is pinterest – logging on and pinning away has helped me forget any obstacles and stressful moments. some of you might think it’s kind of creepy, but it really helped me switch off from the bride mode and live some inspirational moments.

i am finally in the north of portugal now, the list of things to do is almost empty, james is on his way and so is my family and some friends. i really look forward to friday, seeing james after a month and a half, and enjoying the weekend with those who are closest to us.