Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 | peak seasons in Paris 2025 | WTN - Hotel Savoy

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Dear Traveler,

“This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel,” said David Pekoske, head of the TSA.

I don’t know about you but I feel like I hear the same thing every year, which must mean the trend is always upward. My hope is you are avoiding traveling on the peak days.

But sometimes we have no choice. That’s our family this year. To make it a bit better we are flying on Thanksgiving morning and coming home Saturday. Fingers crossed all goes well.

If you’ll be traveling check out NYT’s article How to Survive Thanksgiving Travel and WSJ’s Save Yourself From the Airport Snarl This Week to help prepare yourself.

Our house has been full of college kids and friends this week and I couldn’t be happier. Hockey, turkey trots, celebratory dinners, shopping. The festive season is starting and I’m embracing it fully.

Enjoy a shortened newsletter this week, but with a few key bits of info…

Our annual gift issue will be coming soon. In the meantime, I wanted to share a few Black Friday related travel items…

AWAY suitcases 25% off. I have both the expandable carryon and large checked suitcase and love them both.

Other early specials here… Washington Post’s 16 Black Friday travel deals you’ll actually want to buy.

And a few more tidbits…

I love finding a helpful resource so when I received an email from a contact at one of my favorite hotel groups in Paris, I immediately wanted to share it with you.

If you are planning a trip to Paris in the next year, check out the calendar below to know if your dates correspond with any Paris events, which might impact availability and pricing.

Paris Calendar-EVENTS-2025

Consider planning ahead for next year and getting a room with a view of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. Check out a few favorites in 5 NYC hotels with the best views of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, here is a good exercise….

Ask yourself the question “what do I want?”

What comes to mind?

For many it is often a list of things they don’t have. It’s a good list to know (on my list – a screened-in porch) but not the intention of this exercise.

I’ll rephrase the question..

“What do I want that I already have?”

A few of my answers…

a husband I adore and 3 incredible kids that love to work hard and play hard
a strong, healthy body that allows me to hike mountains with friends, play pickleball with my kids and mountain bike at Kingdom Trails
a loving extended family
Spanish potato chips (the best!)
a solid group of wonderful friends, neighbors and colleagues
a cozy, warm home on my favorite street in town
a career that is the collision of three of my favorite things – travel, entrepreneurship and connecting with people
our pup, Tigger, who gives me a reason to go on a walk even when it’s rainy or cold
a life full of adventures – it connects me more deeply with those I travel with and introduces me to different perspectives, people and places that I otherwise wouldn’t know

What about you – what do you want that you already have?

Last week’s most popular article was These Are the 14 Best 4-Star Hotels in Paris. I actually have a handful of favorite 4* hotels in Paris, and only one was on that list. Do you have a favorite? I’d love to know.

This week’s inspirational articles include 12 next-level happy hours around the country, ice skating beneath the aurora borealis, 11 Napa restaurants to try and a unique way to see a hidden side of Venice.

The informational articles include NY city’s record high hotel rates and how to plan a family heritage trip.

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

P.S. Reminder – the last year+ of newsletters are now fully searchable (the prior ones are just searchable on the title), so head over to this page and type in a destination you are interested in or a topic to see what’s been written about it.

Below:

Where to Next? Hotel Savoy
Articles to Inspire+Inform

🌟 This summer, our clients spent time in Rome and Florence. Their hotels were both part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group, which is known for its high standards of hospitality and personalized service. While in Florence getting their son settled in his study abroad semester, they stayed at the lovely Hotel Savoy.

Why is Hotel Savoy so special?

The hotel itself is an architectural masterpiece that combines historical Florentine elegance with modern, sophisticated design. Many rooms offer panoramic views of Florence’s rooftops, the Duomo and the surrounding Tuscan hills.
The service is renowned for its attention to detail and personalized touch. Guests consistently praise the staff for their professionalism and warmth. Our client shared after his stay, “They could not have been nicer to us and multiple people there told our son if he needs anything during his four months to reach out to them. Above and beyond.”
The hotel’s concierge service is particularly noted for providing insider tips on local culture, food and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Whether it’s arranging private tours of museums or securing reservations at top restaurants.
The hotel’s restaurant is a must-visit, known for its exceptional contemporary Italian cuisine. Led by Michelin-starred chefs, the menu features locally inspired dishes with a modern twist, offering a refined dining experience that showcases the best of Tuscan flavors.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Hotel Savoy is located in the heart of Florence, just a short walk from iconic landmarks such as the Piazza del Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria.
The hotel is surrounded by some of the best shopping in Florence, including high-end boutiques like Gucci and Prada and more approachable local designers.
Enjoy afternoon tea in the hotel’s elegant lounge —perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

‼️ Don’t miss….spending time on the rooftop terrace. Whether it’s day or night, the cityscape, with views of the Duomo and the Tuscan hills is beautiful.