604bc.ca - Hotels Which I Love

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria has been ranked #1 among the 10 Best Resort Hotels in Italy by Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards. This prestigious award comes at a special time as hotel is celebrating its 190th anniversary.

Check my story about this iconic property and some photos taken during my stays there.
https://luxurytraveladvisor.ca/dreaming-of-sorrento/

https://luxurytraveladvisor.ca/croatia-chapter-3/

Highlight of the day: truffle hunting with dog whisperer Benjamin and his queens, Lila and Gita. Followed by truffle inspired lunch after which I felt like I was a huge truffle myself. :-) Truffle hunting is a tough job indeed but fascinating. It takes great shape to jump like a Tarzan down the hill to save precious finding from the dog who found it (and happy to eat), and it also (and most) takes to love, cherish and understand the dog, the forest, the nature... I’m sure there are no random people in truffle hunting. It is an art, truly. Now I know why truffles cost that much.

More Istria. And this is, well, you know...was my first day there. And I only had a glance of the sea from the distance but already charmed. Istrian countryside is very similar and oh... so different from Italian. Similar culture, different history to learn and understand.

Hvala Roko Palmic for arranging my stay at beautiful San Canzian and for making this journey possible! I was planning it for a while but it would never come to reality without your brainstorm intervention!
When I was leaving San Canzian, my driver was laughing on me because I was hugging everyone from hotel staff - they all became friends during these two days so naturally. Thank you Suzana Vrticevic Tica for this wonderful experience!

My article about Istrian countryside. Follow the link and enjoy. :-)
https://luxurytraveladvisor.ca/travelling-croatia-chapter-1/

So sad to part with Croatia, its hearty people and beautiful scenery! Very early morning for me tomorrow. Much more photos and words when I'm back home. Could not check-in on line for Air Dolomiti... Fingers cross they board me!

My home/office in the middle of vineyards for tonight.

My little review of Taormina, Sicily http://604bc.ca/taormina-sicily/

My new blog article about Monopoli, Puglia
http://604bc.ca/speaking-puglia-monopoli/

Noto. Sicily.
http://604bc.ca/sicilia-noto-and-around/

My blog article about Ragusa, Sicily. I promise there will be one about Greece soon. :-)
http://604bc.ca/sicilia-ragusa/

I had few successful internet projects in the past (thanks a million to my fabulous, talented and pushy IT husband) which brought me most of my current clientele and gave me freedom to live and work the way I do and enjoy. Recent project is a blog, and let see how it works. I use my own photos and I speak about my very own travel experience. Not something which can be really exciting to my industry friends - everyone from my beloved crowd has tons of such experience or way better. But I would truly appreciate if you have a glance, or leave a comment or two. No harm to get a bit of traffic for start up. :-) http://604bc.ca/blog/

Appreciate abnormally! :-)

Blog - Julia Kostina - Luxury Travel Advisor Prestigious accommodation around the world: luxury hotels, exclusive prices, free amenities

My new article about Fairmont Royal York Golden Level http://604bc.ca/fairmont-gold-you-deserve-it/

I may not be the biggest fan possible of modern design, but Bulgari hotels stay apart from those which can be considered too cold, too slick, too plain. Well, anything but plain with all these meticulously chosen details, materials, colours, and details again. Bulgari hotels, all I was staying at, are pure delight for all senses, and my architectural background singing and jumping inside of me with joy while I'm wondering around.
Bulgari Roma is no exception from this architectural poem.
First, you need time to explore your room because it really worth exploration and photo shooting before you spoil this beauty scattering around your shoes, t-shirts and gadget chargers. The level of details and amenities is royal, and rare person would not sneak to each drawer and door to see what else is prepared there for the perfect soggiorno.
When you are finally out of the room, expect more wonders on every step. I would say, interiors are very grand, filled with exquisite details, but they are also very human and somehow cozy, designed to impress but also to cocoon guests in modern comfort. Well, quite noble comfort, I should say, so you may not want to wear your old travel sweatpants out here (I don't posses them, so I'm safe :-))
The main character on this impressive stage is marble. You see marble a lot in Italy, but the marbles chosen for interiors of Bulgari Hotel Roma are true masterpieces created by nature. Simply outstanding.
The building that houses the hotel is an example of rationalist architecture, designed by the architect Vittorio Ballio Morpurgo and built between 1936 and 1938. No doubts, quite dramatic era which changed the pattern of eternal city.
The only down point would be restoration works in progress around Mausoleum of Augustus just in front of hotel. It is not a true bother, windows are soundproof, and Rome is all about excavation, but clients should be advised that they may see bulldozers from the window of their beautiful room. Well, they also can see Mausoleum of Augustus itself.
And oh... you are steps from anything you want in Rome. Very few steps. You are actually in the middle of everything.

Sometimes I think (and I guess I'm about right) that there is no other profession in the world which would offer as many possibilities to meet extraordinary people as travel related profession.
When I say "extraordinary", I don't exactly mean famous or noble people even I was lucky to encounter few. I mean... simply amazing people which would definitely be out of my crowd geographically, socially, whatsoever, if I would be, let say, dentist or financial advisor (with all respect to these professions).
There is an other side of medal too, and I should admit it. Those with travel gene are never properly rooted to where they are. Well, no life is perfect.
But speaking of the extraordinary... I was really excited to meet in person Brunello Cucinelli. I'm not much about big expensive brands, but this guy stands apart of many others since he is armed with his philosophy of capitalism with human face, and it sounds very sustainable to me.
And oh... one more story to add to my one day to be written book (may never happen but I have title for that "My life in suitcase":-)
During the lunch with Brunello, I performed my very best of clumsy behaviour and nocked down full glass of red wine, just to make my plate look like a red soup. Brunello Cucinelli himself came to my aid, replaced the plate, and drained the stains on the tablecloth with napkin. Tells a lot about his personality. I think he is a Robin Good of our times: he robes wealthy (well, I'm far not cheap, but I could only think of buying shoe strings from his shop if they would be sold separately - the prices are tremendous), and, literally, gives it to poor. If everyone who's got wealth would adopt Brunello Cicinelli's philosophy, world would be better for sure. My man.

I recently renovated my website, and I added blog where I tell my travel stories and post lots of photos.
Please read my article about Naturalis Bio Resort in Puglia. http://604bc.ca/speaking-puglia-naturalis-bio-resort/

I don't know any other city in the world as easily lovable as Firenze. I was visiting, long and short, I was passing by number of times, I was even living there for months, and it was never ever enough. The beauty of Florence is overwhelmingly perfect but never boring, and between me and I, I call it treasure box with no bottom. There is a layer for tourists, there is another one for travellers, one more for explorers, and if you dig deeper, there is a layer for locals which was never even touched by crowds, populating area of Ponte Vecchio and Duomo.
Florence is a paradise for photographer: there are very few places in the world where light can be so soft-honey-golden or silvery-silky at certain hours of the day, and where the architectural details would be so architecturally perfect in every perspective.
And oh the people... My favourite thing is to have a chat with vendors - on the farmer market, flea market, in boutique shop... They are not about selling. They are about beauty of objects, doesn't matter if it is perfect tomato or vintage linen or modern dress.
I was discovering Firenze under guidance of different locals, and even city doesn't look big, and everything is more or less walking distance, every time it was different Firenze. Treasure box with no bottom. Wonderland for curious Alice, packed with enchanted gardens on every step and every turn of the head.
I'll be back soon!

Historical centre of Fiuggi. Unknown Italy to discover and enjoy.

When in Rome... Well, I never could embrace this eternal city tight enough to say "it is mine! I learned it!". But somehow I'm part of it so easily. From my landing to Fiumicino and so on. From passing via Condotti and being called by very familiar voice: Juuuuuliaaa!!! Just to see Anna Maria Coli and Lina Bartelli running to me with hearty hugs, and Silvia Baracchi leaving the car for one more hug... well, they are from Tuscany, just happened to be in Rome, but all roads end in Rome - are they not??? Mine for sure. Every time I come to this city, I'm in different city. Because Rome has so many layers, so many qualities, so many never ending amusements...and lessons... and wonders...And one more layer when you think you've got it, just to understand you knew nothing about this city. You just a very beginner to learn about its deepness.
The taxi driver from the train station to Bulgari Roma was something. He recognized my Russian accent, and the only my reaction to his following monolog about politics was "bravo!" "oh...Bravissimo!" "Ma bravo sei!".
My lust night before going home, I landed for dinner in one of random trattorias, all by myself. The couple next to me happened to be from Napoli, and as it happens in Italy, I was adopted for the evening - for lovely conversation, sharing food, lots of laughter, fun, and friendly hugs when we were parting. I keep thanking myself for taking effort to learn Italian... One of the most rewarding efforts in my life. Alla prossima, citta eterna!

About fabulous Palazzo Fiuggi in my blog http://604bc.ca/palazzo-fiuggi-how-to-live-longer-and-healthier/
All you want to know if you wish to change your lifestyle for healthier one. ;-)

Perugia, and Umbria in total, is very special place for me. Almost spiritual. Place from where somehow my love to Italy sprouted couple of decades ago thanks to my dear friends Enrico and Chiara, and later Stefano. Place where I've returned ten years later to learn Italian at Universita per Stranieri - one of the most remarkable back in times experiences of my life, totally out of comfort zone just to find myself within new (and oh so old) comfort zone I was always seeking for. ..The terrace of Francesco's apartment I was renting which felt like a deck of the ship navigating through November Umbrian fogs filling the valley - the most romantic view possible. More romantic than the sea (which is virtually impossible). Imagine, in this very building Dante Alighieri was writing his Divine Comedy (at least plate on the wall says that)! No wonder my apartment was haunted... But after couple of vulnerable nights I came to good terms with ghosts, and we were neighbouring peacefully.
...Etruscan ruins visible through glass bottom of Brufani Palace swimming pool where I was exercising after lessons. ..Raffaello's frescos in chapel next to my temporary home. ..Two young men (friends of Francesco) discussing poetry of Charles Baudelaire over spaghetti with freshest truffles ever. ..There is something truly special about this place. I guess it is all about people who grew up having Etruscan heritage, one of the most important Italian universities and Raffaello's frescos as their backyard and taking it as granted. These people go back and force through time portal so naturally few times a day... I guess I can write a poem about Umbria. One day.

About fabulous Palazzo Fiuggi in blog http://604bc.ca/palazzo-fiuggi-how-to-live-longer-and-healthier/
All you want to know if you wish to change your lifestyle for healthier one. ;-)

Selfie my style.

Enchanted park of Palazzo Fiuggi

Palazzo Fiuggi putting its spell on me little by little...

Burgundy wine anyone? And yes... this winery has a bit of history behind...

One of the oldest restaurants in Paris, La Tour d’Argent

Warm welcome at Hotel Lutetia, Paris. I’m now big fan of this exquisite, essentially Parisian and so Left Bank Parisian property. Contact me to book it for your next stay!

Enjoying Sultanahmet