HNHO - Hôtel du Couvent | Highlight - coveted tee times for the Old Course at St. Andrews

📷 St. Andrews

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

The weather is getting cooler, our kids are coming home from college this weekend, the holidays are approaching and it’s our last tailgate of the season on Saturday. We are deep into fall in New England and we can tell winter is approaching!

I love this time of year. So much to look forward to – my house full of life and laughter and lots of extra time with extended family and friends.

I hope you are equally as excited for the holiday season!

My favorite news this week is…
Now boarding: Delta to serve Shake Shack burgers on flights. They are starting out of BOS, our home airport. 🙂

Last week’s most popular article was The 25 Best Places to Go in 2025. I pulled out a few of my favorites below. Which are at the top of your list?

Exploring ice caves in Antarctica?
Wildlife spotting via new river safaris Argentina?
Off the beaten path explorations in the Faroe Islands?
Visiting Vietnam at the 50 year anniversary since the Fall of Saigon ended the Vietnam War in 1975?
Safaris in Tanzania? (I’m already booked in January)
A super yacht or luxury treehouse stay in the Peruvian Amazon?
Art and scuba diving in Australia?
Cozy new hotel openings and a new cliffside walk in Sussex?
Immersing in the art, history and culture of Cuba? (I’m already booked in March)

This week’s inspirational articles include AFAR’s where to go in 2025, a live-fire dining experience (it’s now on my personal list!), breathtaking clifftop retreats in Bali and the best European winter destinations.

A special shout out to the Vogue article on the best Christmas towns in the USA for a dose of holiday cheer – top of the list Woodstock, VT – a mere 35 minutes from our house and where my friend Suzi’s absolutely charming boutique, Woody’s Mercantile is you’ve never been put it on your list!

Also articles on Asia, Paris, Sardinia and New Zealand.

The informational articles include an Italian village offering $1 homes to Americans upset by the US election result, European Sex Parties (it’s a NY Times article so not X-rated), what to know about moving abroad and getting dual citizenship, tips on handling Thanksgiving travel and airlines are now partnering with Apple’s AirTags to track luggage (it’s about time!).

As you head out for your Thanksgiving holiday make sure to read The best times to drive for Thanksgiving.

Where to next for you?

Have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

A special side note for those of you who like football….

This Saturday is a BIG day for football in our house. Dartmouth has their last home game against Brown and at the exact same time Indiana University is playing Ohio State.

For those of you who follow football or have read my recent comments – you know Indiana is having a storybook year under their new coach. 10-0. They are ranked #5 in the country (ahead of powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama!).

The game on Saturday will make or break Indiana’s chances of going to the Big 10 Championship game on December 7.

Ohio State has one loss to Oregon. Oregon is 10-0. If Indiana loses to Ohio State, even though they’ll each have one loss, Ohio will go to the championship. If Indiana wins Saturday I will immediately buy flights for us to go to the game (I already booked a hotel just in case).

If they lose this weekend, they won’t go to the Big 10 Championship but they’ll still go to the NCAA National Football Championship playoffs.

Everyone loves an underdog. Go IU!

Below:

This week’s highlight – Tee times at the Old Course at St. Andrews
Hot New Hotel Opening – Hôtel du Couvent
Inspiration + Information

TEE TIMES AT THE OLD COURSE AT ST. ANDREWS

“The Old Course at St Andrews is the most special place to play golf. The traditions, the history—it’s the essence of the game.” — Arnold Palmer

On the bucket list for any golfer is playing the Old Course at St. Andrews. With the holidays coming up, it is the perfect time to surprise your spouse or friend.

You could take your chance on lucking out with a tee time from the course ballot two days ahead of play (a charming tradition that has been going on for a long time) or you can secure tee times well in advance, have your clubs shipped, VIP airport arrival, transfers, accommodations, culinary and cultural experiences and other coveted course tee times completely taken care of by planning your trip with me.

Sometimes decisions in life are a no-brainer and this is one of them!

What’s it like on the course at this very moment? Check out the live webcam here.

The tee times we have for the Old Course come with a a stay at one of the best hotels in St. Andrews, the Old Course Hotel – with its views of the 17th hole (the famous “Road Hole”) or a charming boutique option, Rusacks Hotel.

Your adventure will also include tee times at other iconic courses including Kingsbarns, Carnoustie, Dumbarnie and St. Andrews New Course. Also with an option to add on courses further afield with a helicopter flight to make it all possible in the shortest amount of time.

As the demand for Old Course tee times is always high, in order to find dates that work for you, you tell me the range of times you can go between April and August and I will share live availability at that moment (it changes every day).

Package it up as a gift for your spouse – adding in some Titleist ProV1 balls and a St. Andrews baseball camp.

And as special of an experience as playing the Old Course is, there is also much more to do while you are in Scotland (which if you are a non-golfing spouse, you can do these while your partner plays):

Day trip to the Scottish Highlands – hiking to waterfalls, fishing, exploring castles, cooking classes, gravel or road biking, falconry lessons
Private whisky tasting at Kingsbarns Distillery
A behind-the-scenes tour of the British Golf Museum
St. Andrews historic walking tour, featuring the cathedral and university
A scenic day trip to Edinburgh for castle tours and shopping

This is a once in a lifetime trip that will surely be the highlight of a golfing career. From the sentiments of men who know much more than me…

“I fell in love with it the first day I played it. There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close.” — Jack Nicklaus

“To play St Andrews is to feel the presence of every great golfer who has walked these hallowed grounds before you. It’s a spiritual experience.” — Seve Ballesteros

Reach out to plan your trip to

St. Andrews

🌟 Imagine stepping into a sanctuary where history whispers through every stone, and modern elegance welcomes you with open arms. Hôtel du Couvent, nestled in the heart of Nice, France, debuted in June and invites you to experience its remarkable story. Housed in a beautifully preserved 17th-century convent, this boutique retreat effortlessly blends old-world charm with contemporary sophistication. Why visit The Hôtel du Couvent?

Perfection lies in its location: a leisurely walk brings you to the enchanting streets of Vieux Nice, the vibrant Cours Saleya market, and the iconic Promenade des Anglais. Whether you’re drawn to sun-drenched beaches, fascinating museums, stylish boutiques or world-class dining, the best of Nice and the French Riviera is at your fingertips.
Inside, every detail tells a story. Rooms boast soaring vaulted ceilings, graceful stone-tile floors and an eclectic mix of centuries-old art, bespoke furnishings and antique treasures. Some rooms offer sweeping Mediterranean vistas, while others gaze upon a serene garden that feels like a secret haven.
The hotel’s restaurants and café draw from their own lush gardens, where fresh herbs, vegetables and eggs are harvested daily. And the on-site bakery fills the air with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread each morning.
On Saturdays, the hotel’s courtyard comes alive with a charming local market, transforming the space into a convivial village square. Here guests can browse and savor the finest artisanal goods from nearby producers, immersing themselves in the authentic flavors of the region.
For those seeking serenity, the hotel’s Roman bath-inspired spa is an oasis of indulgence. From warm plunge pools to refreshing cold baths, this tranquil retreat offers the ultimate rejuvenation in a setting that echoes the grace of ancient traditions.

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.