Category Archives: verbier

My Year in Travel – 2013

This year was a great year of travel for me, hitting some brand new destinations and revisiting some of my old favorites. BUT, for me, the VERY BEST thing about this year in travel are all the wonderful people who I met or was reunited with in various locations around the world. My travels wouldn’t be anything without the people on my journey.

photo 5-2

January saw me in NYC and meeting friends old and new – who knew how important they’d all become in my life over the course of this year. I count my blessings for you.

774127_10151185397921601_994829292_o

601969_10200541928127394_194750494_n

In January I also skied in Verbier, Switzerland and absolutely loved my time with the legendary Warren Smith. I truly hope to see him again in 2014.

c4e111ea7c3e11e2a2e222000a9e48a3_7-550x550

Rounding out January, I went to Copenhagen for the very first time and got to reconnect with a travel friend, Christoffer. I loved the cool capital city of Denmark.

photo 3  photo 2

February saw me catching up with a dear travel buddy, Anita, in Montreal, Canada for the very first time. We had a ball doing all kinds of wintery fun things like staying in an Ice Hotel and going to Igloofest.

841259_10151235633846601_1738422880_o  igloofest-2013-with-lola

March was my month for Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain. I was thrilled to meet up with a fellow traveler, Brian, in Barcelona and was lucky enough to see him again in London in November.

photo 1-1  photo 2-1

Going to Costa Brava was an incredible experience. I love that area of Spain and really cannot get enough, especially of the coast. But, the people on this trip really made it the very best. I can’t imagine a more fun press trip.

    photo 3-1  261302_10151487896017239_122331404_n

April found me in back in NYC. I always love my NYC trips because I get to catch up with very special friends like Jeff & Craig – 2 of my favorites!!

photo 4-1

526815_505830552837181_255731608_n

May saw me in my favorite, Miami. I cannot get enough of this city. While I had my usual fun of beach, pool, dinner, drinks and dancing, I particularly enjoyed working with the fantastic luxe swimwear company, Orchid Boutique, during this trip. Talk about a great collection as well as a staff of kindred spirits!

    photo 5-1  971831_468851856535051_1409297766_n

June was an incredible month chalked full of fun things. Kicking off in Toronto for a conference with so many of my favorite fellow travelers, I actually wonder if we’ll ever be able to beat our #RWTBEX time here. I love you all so much!

         photo 5 copy  1390651_839661210490_1835445924_n

I also got to spend a bit of time with one of my most lovely traveling partners, Mrs. O, Ana. I was able to show her a bit of Americana in the amazing seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island. We had a ball doing Newport the luxe way.

             954643_509536599133243_748824070_n  photo 1-12

Wrapping up my June, I had an incredible visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What a great girls weekend we had there and our host, the Bahia Hotel and Carlos, made my trip 100% amazing. Cannot wait to return.

      1052757_675038515846666_38249459_o-1  photo 2-9  1016160_489353757818194_125834310_n

July found me back in Euroland – one of Lola’s favorites. Although, this was a “repeat” journey of sorts, I did manage to do a few new things. One of which was going to the Henley Royal Regatta.

994215_681313055219212_963247126_n

Post-UK was a return visit to Prague and Budapest. Two of my favorites that I’ve never visited in the summertime. Absolutely stunning! So was hanging out with friends made on a previous trip. Always nice to share a beer with good people.

     photo 3-4  Screen Shot 2013-12-28 at 8.25.58 PM  photo 4-2

August took me back to Montreal once again and NYC. This trip was extra special because of the time well spent with lifelong friends and a last visit with a friend that would soon depart. Anita, Montreal will always make me think of you fondly. I love you and that city so much.

533946_512218672198369_1949562152_n

1185809_517287201673162_1039887376_n

September took me to two cities I wanted to know better. First was Seattle with my newly found soul mate, Erin. There is nowhere I wouldn’t go with this girl. And we both wanted to celebrate happy moments, like our dear friends, Captain & Clark’s wedding!

        1385658_836915862190_1444404729_n  photo 2-3  photo 1-3

Toward the end of September, Erin and I were reunited again in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I like to think of it as the city of sisterly love! We had a blast discovering different neighborhoods of Philly & laughing with each other all the while.

  photo 3-3  photo 4-3

October I was lucky enough to be reunited with 2 of my favorite traveling partners again, Ana & Mary Anne along with Mary Anne’s BFF Maxine, for a GLAM LA girls weekend.

  photo 1-2  photo 5-3

November was a busy fun month with a visit back to the UK for a conference and reconnecting with so many fun friends from around the world. I’m so glad our paths cross from time to time.

     1453522_635483179852993_1281758875_n  BYWKrKEIQAEhnn7  1385407_517352441693332_897159866_n

Followed up by a quick jaunt to France and Amsterdam for more girlfriend fun. I wouldn’t choose to travel any other way. Traveling with Ashley, Ana & Mary Anne was the very best.

     photo 2-2  photo 3-2  photo 4-2

And I managed to squeeze in a last minute trip back to NYC with my girlfriends and once again be reunited with some of my favorite people.

    1473060_565693536850882_288125293_n  942731_632191416791742_129447_n  1468759_456040737840106_609742148_n

In December I finished off my year of travel back in Miami to celebrate Erin’s birthday. I cannot think of a better place to end my year. It is my happy spot and it was made so much better being there, laughing and enjoying life, with two of my travel besties, Erin & Esther.

    996101_853046566002_965791577_n  photo 2-8  photo 1-9

Maybe you see some common themes in my travels. Repeat places, repeat friends, repeated silliness and smiles. Traveling is my lifeline and a huge part of my heart as are all the people I meet along the way. My world is better for all of you. Here’s to many more reunions on the road and good times ahead in 2014! Happy travels…

XO – Lola

16 Comments

Filed under amsterdam, barcelona, budapest, cabo san lucas, copenhagen, costa brava, henley-on-thames, london, los angeles, miami, montreal, new york, newport, philadelphia, prague, seattle, toronto, travel, verbier

#CTC13: Capture the Color with @travelsupermkt

being with LOLA is like being with Skittles

Screen Shot 2013-09-08 at 12.25.52 PM

here we are, a year later and it’s “Capture the Color” time again with Travel Supermarket. i actually enjoy participating in this because it makes me really look through all my travel photos and relive my trips! the idea behind it is you publish a post with pictures that capture these five colors – blue, green, yellow, white, and red – to try and win a boat load of prizes including the grand prize grand – a £3,000 travel fund. now, you know Lola cannot put her entry in without adding a token PINK category!  i was invited to participate by my pal Erin from The World Wanderer and so i hope i do her proud with my CTC photos.

BLUE my favorite kind of blue is the blue of the ocean. this is a photo i have many versions of from over the years. me, coming in for a landing over Miami Beach – LOLA’S favorite quick escape.

photo 1 copy 3

GREEN was the color of the day at the Montreal Botanical Garden. isn’t this butterfly just so pretty? there are so many wonderfully pretty things to discover in Montreal.

photo 1-6

YELLOW i love the golden yellow umbrellas these monks are carrying shading them from the Cambodian sun. my entire CTC post could have been full of just Cambodia photos. that county is so colorfully beautiful!

photo 1 copy

WHITE isn’t this such a gorgeous shot of the Swiss Alps? i was soooo very lucky to ski in the winter of 2013 in Verbier, Switzerland where this photo was shot. now i never want to ski anywhere else.

photo 3 copy

RED Paris is such a special city. red wouldn’t be the first color i’d use to describe it but it would certainly be the color i would use to describe the Pigalle neighborhood where you can find the Moulin Rouge.

photo 1 copy 2

PINK and my token pink photo! i just adore this pink sombrero that i was gifted during my trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico from the Bahia Hotel. now i need to return so i can wear it again. ANDALE!

photo 2-3

now for the tagging on my part…

Joshua from Engineer on the Road

Calan from Discovering Your Truth

Tom from Waegook Tom

Yishyene from Small Crazy

Keryn from Walking on Travels

looking forward to seeing your photos friends. i know you all have been doing some amazing travels over the last year so let’s see your colors shine!

XO – LOLA

15 Comments

Filed under cabo san lucas, cambodia, miami, montreal, paris, travel, verbier

The Great Escape – Verbier, Switzerland Edition

thegreatescape

Welcome to Verbier St-Bernard – One of Europe’s Premier Ski Resorts

Verbier St-Bernard is a winning combination for a winter ‘Great Escape’ being known for its extensive and reliable skiing as well as a town to match with lively nightlife and wonderful restaurants.  Verbier is part of the extensive 4 Vallees network of ski resorts and offers an abundance of activities for both the sport’s enthusiast or spa goer. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest playgrounds in the Alps.

408553_594346040582581_201450472_n

Although Verbier is becoming better known all the time, it still remains as it’s always been, an understated, charming alpine village that’s designed for the passionate. Verbier has over 250 miles of ski runs which makes the “4 Vallees” the largest ski area in Switzerland. Just 1.75 hours from Geneva and 3 hours from Zurich, Verbier can be easily accessed by the amazing and efficient Swiss rail system. Obviously, the wintertime may be the best time to visit Verbier St-Bernard, but there’s something for everyone in all four seasons with its mountain biking, golfing, horseback riding and even cultural events like the Verbier Festival where international classical music greats come together for a 17 day long festival.

eat

La Vache

LA VACHE

La Vache (meaning COW) is new on the Verbier scene and offers a great menu with local favorites, pizzas & a to-die-for burger all at very un-Swiss mountain resort prices. In a partnership with Farinet, Lawrence Dallaglio (famous English rugby player), James Blunt (of musical fame) and Carl Fogarty (world superbike champion), the group has completely renovated a restaurant in the heart of the ski runs.  La Vache is decorated with fur skins, old wood and antiques and may be the best spot to hang out and enjoy an exceptional panoramic view.

Le Caveau

photo 3-4

If you’re looking for good traditional Swiss food at an affordable price, Le Caveau is your spot. The cheese fondue and raclette are their specialties and, I say, when in Switzerland do as the Swiss do! It is a good idea to make a reservation because of its pricing, central location and popularity.

La Cordée Restaurant

CDA-Restaurant

Another newcomer to Verbier, La Cordée des Alpes’ intimate restaurant has a menu of seasonal local and fresh food. La Cordée’s stylish bar offers delicious hand crafted cocktails in a welcoming, chic space for apres-ski or pre-dinner drinks. This is definitely a see and be seen destination. Lola loved the detailed woodwork and gorgeous louvered shutters!

drink

Apres-Ski

1936 Bar

As much as skiing is a part of your winter holiday in Verbier, so is the apres-ski scene. It all starts as you make your way down the mountain. One stop along the way should be Bar 1936, located on the run from ‘les Ruinettes’ to Verbier. Mingle with ski instructors & fellow skiers over a hot wine or cold brew.

le rouge

Next stop at the foot of the ‘le Rouge’ run is Le Rouge Restaurant & Club. With its ski in, ski out links, Le Rouge’s environment is casual cool without any of the stuffiness. Whether you go for lunch, dinner or apres-ski drinks, it is a “must do” destination for visitors and residents of Verbier alike.

Bar Hopping

farinet lounge02

After a day on the slopes and an afternoon of apres-ski, the crowd moves on next to the Farinet Lounge Bar. Farinet has a fantastic selection of cocktails, wines & champagnes. People  typically party here with the DJ’s from 10pm to 1am.

casbah11

For the late night crowd there’s The Casbah, opening up at 11pm. There is something for everyone at the Casbah with its “Rockbah” playing pop-rock music or just getting down on the Club Dance Floor. DJ’s perform there every Saturday night from 1am until 4am.

stay

Le Chalet de Flore

chalet de flore

Le Chalet de Flore is a brand new beautiful, 20 room boutique hotel right in the heart of Verbier village that offers a central, quiet location with a view of the Alpine panorama. Chalet de Flore is a charming luxury 4-star hotel that is only a few minutes walk to the Medran lifts as well as the best restaurants & boutiques. As sister property to Chalet d’Adrien, Chalet de Flore is linked daily by a shuttle bus allowing guests to have full access to the spa and gym at the Chalet d’Adrien. Guests also have priority at the restaurants and benefit from all services at the Relais & Châteaux member establishment. Lola’s favorite thing at Chalet de Flore was the cozy Le Bar.

La Cordée des Alpes

hotel3

Opened just this past December, Hotel Cordée des Alpes is 4-star property and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World with 34 guest rooms and suites. You’ll feel right at home at this cozy, welcoming boutique property, decorated in sleek Swiss chic and a mix of old-school ski design elements. With an indoor pool, fitness room and lovely spa also on property, you may find it hard to leave  the sanctuary of Cordée des Alpes. To top it all off, their motto is service that reflects a passion for excellence. Tres bon!

Le Chalet d’Adrien

photo 1-12

Le Chalet d’Adrien, known as one of Verbier’s finest hotels, is a 5-star property and a member of the ooo lala Relais & Chateaux family. Chalet d’Adrien’s a charming luxury hotel, offering 20 rooms & 9 suites with an unrestricted view of Verbier and is located at the foot of the ski slopes. If you need to let off a little steam or recuperate from a day of skiing, Chalet d’Adrien has a spa, fitness center and indoor pool on property. The Michelin starred restaurant, Le Table d’Adrien, can also be found here.

play

Skiing

image

If you are visiting Verbier in the winter, chances are you’ve come to ski. With over 250 miles of ski runs in the “4 Vallees”, one could ski for days and not repeat too much. It’s also a perfect opportunity to take some lessons and work on some new ski skills. Warren Smith Ski Academy, led by Warren himself who is one of Britain’s leading professional freeskiers and an Internationally Certified Performance Coach and Ski Instructor, is the BEST place to go. The Ski Academy works with all levels of skiers offering private or group private lessons as well as 5 day long courses. I can vouch for the patience and persistence of my group private lesson and how my confidence was strengthened in just a few short hours on the slopes. It doesn’t hurt that the instructors are some of the friendliest and most fun out there!

Spa Day

cordee spa

If you need a break from the slopes or some rejuvenation, you’ll find many different options here in Verbier at a variety of spas to choose from. As previously mentioned, both Le Chalet d’Adrien and Hotel Cordée des Alpes have lovely spas on the premises and offer an array of treatments to pamper yourself. Another option is Chilali, a professional mobile massage service that offers treatments in the comfort of your hotel or private chalet. Quite handy if you don’t feel like going anywhere!

Shopping

photo_exterieure_xtreme_small

Even though Verbier is mostly understated glamour there is definitely good shopping to be had here. Obviously, the number one thing found here is a plethora of ski gear and equipment stores! While the branded stores like The North Face & Patagonia are represented here, for the best variety head over to Xtreme Sports Ski Boutique where you’ll find a large selection of skiing/snowboarding equipment and the best bargains. If you are looking for something of a local nature you can find Swiss items and handicrafts typical of the Valais region at Bagn’Art.

A note of thanks to Verbier St-Bernard for arranging the #GirlsSwissAdventure visits to the La Cordee, La Vache & Le Caveau restaurants, ski equipment rentals from Philippe Roux, ski passes and lessons with Warren Smith Ski Academy. AND, finally, the lovely sleep at Le Chalet de Flore.

And to Switzerland Tourism for the first class SWISS train pass. It’s the *BEST* way to travel in Switzerland!

My visit to Verbier was beyond my expectations of FABULOUS and if I didn’t ‘Lola Approve’ it I’d say otherwise. The views here are mine, merci beaucoup!

 

30 Comments

Filed under swanky luxe stays, switzerland, the great escape, travel, verbier