WTN - Serras Barcelona | Highlight - Inspiration from my European travel conference

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

A very late hello this week!

On my way to the Lublijana Airport this morning I received an email from Delta…

“Your flight from AMS to BOS has been cancelled due to mechanical issues.”

After a call to Delta I was rebooked on a Lufthansa flight through Munich.

The problem?

Lufthansa is not Delta and there was no wifi on my flights.

Sometimes travel is unpredictable and bumpy.

I’ve had many cancelled flights that lead to long delays, so I’m choosing to feel grateful for arriving in BOS at about the same time.

The biggest impact? A late newsletter and lots of emails to catch up on!

Onward…

Last Wednesday I walked from EMOTIONS, the luxury travel conference I was attending, to my hotel down Calle de Hortaleza in the Chueca district of Madrid. From across the street I saw a little boy dressed in a navy blue and canary yellow uniform with a CD logo on the front. I recognized the outfit immediately. It was the gym uniform that my kids wore when they attended Colegio Decroly the year we lived in Madrid. (I dug up a photo below)

Memories flooded back.

This happens in various ways every time I am in Madrid. I have such fond memories of the year we spent here in 2017-2018.

Returning to my favorite city for a travel conference allows me not only to connect with partners and hoteliers from around the world, but also to stroll down memory lane.

I met formally with 51 travel industry people and had countless other conversations with travel colleagues over the course of three days. As is typical for these conferences, it was an immense amount of information in a short period of time.

A selected a handful of inspiring places to share with you in this week’s Highlight below.

Last week’s most popular article was NatGeo’s Why the Balkans should be your next summer destination.

This week’s inspirational articles include 9 Essential Food and Drink Experiences in Copenhagen, Nicole Kidman’s 5 Favorite Places in Sydney and 10 of the World’s Most Alluring Hidden Bars.

Also articles on Burgundy, Tokyo, Madrid, Canada and Paris.

The informational articles include an analysis of what airfare hacks actually work and upgrades to Global Entry.

I can not wait to be home tonight!

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

Below:

Highlight – Insights from a luxury travel conference
Where to Next? Serras Barcelona
Inspiration + Information

INSIGHTS FROM A LUXURY TRAVEL CONFERENCE

Enjoy reading about some of the places I learned more about last week….

VENICE

Ca’ Di Dio, a 16th century building that was a former homeless shelter has been re-imagined by the architect behind 6 Senses. I knew about this hotel but have never had travelers stay here.

Why it should be on your list:

It is like a retreat in the middle of Venice. You are removed from craziness of St Marks square, but only a seven minute stroll away.
The rooms surround a trio of blissfully peaceful courtyards.
The contemporary sophisticated design adds stylish touches to historical bones.
The restaurants serve authentic Venetian dishes based on centuries’ old culinary traditions.
Gaze out at the beautiful views over the lagoon and its fleets of passing gondolas.
No kids under 12 years old.
Dining – eat in the gardens or on the canal.
They have a speakeasy – hidden behind obscured doors, with cubicles that can be closed giving you a kind of James Bond experience (it is open to the public but hotel guests have priority).
Arrive by boat to the hotel – my favorite way to arrive in Venice.

DOLOMITES

We have clients arriving in the Dolomites next Wednesday. Having taken our own family adventure in the Dolomites two years ago, I know how spectacularly beautiful the mountains are! The scenery makes you feel like you are looking at a painting.

We’ve had many clients travel to this region and often get asked the question about what dates are best to avoid the summer crowds but also have great weather. Summer lift access is open mid June until the end of September/ beginning of October. I prefer to go during this period as I love hiking uphill and then having a lift-assisted descent (hopping on a helicopter is fun too).

The region is full of active adventures:

Hiking, biking (MTB, road and e-bikes), via ferratas and skiing and tubing in the winter

Also culinary and wine experiences… cheese workshops, visiting a local dairy farm, wine tasting (and these can be preceded with biking or hiking).

Looking for a delicious, but rustic, casual, rifiguio-like spot for lunch on an active day? El Brite De Larieto is a great choice. The more casual spot of the owners of San Brite – one of my all time favorite restaurants in the world.

One of the Dolomites hotels I met with shared an update that they are opening a new restaurant next week. Outdoor seating and an outdoor kitchen cooking only over a wood fire. They will host cooking classes and private dining. Sounds exquisite!

Another offers access to their remote private mountain hut that you can have a romantic dinner in together.

CINQUE TERRE

Have you ever been to Cinque Terre (5T) on the western coast of Italy? We took our kids there one summer and loved it! We did the coastal hike from Monterossa al Mare to Vernazza and it’s amazing to gaze at the towns from afar and then descend the trails to explore them up close (throwback photo from 11 years ago).

Lots of others also love it – so count on being there with 1,000s of your fellow travelers. If you’d rather avoid the crowds I have two suggestions:

Visit outside of peak season – later September or mid-May. The weather should be beautiful and there will be many fewer people.
Consider staying outside of Cinque Terre and visit just for the day. One of the hoteliers I met with has a property that is just 19 minutes by boat to the southernmost town. A boat is definitely the preferred way to get there because the train is mostly in tunnels with no view.

Other bonuses of staying outside of 5T?

It’s easy to visit Lerici and Tellaro – beautiful and less known towns with more locals and fewer tourists.
Visit an oyster farm to learn about their process and taste oysters fresh from the sea.
Spend ½ day in Portovenere – a favorite place to visit is the 5th century church built on ruins of pagan cemetery, on a peninsula that juts out into the sea.

PUGLIA

Vetera Matera

The General Manager, Marco, and I so enjoyed our conversation that it felt like we didn’t take a breath for 15 minutes.

This hotel was formerly a housing development and opened as a hotel April of this year. It’s a Relais & Chateaux property on the only drivable street in the historic city center. The boutique size with just 23 rooms including 4 master suites w private pool has a unique design. The rooms are mainly caves – cool and dark for a perfect night’s sleep.

Ostuni is a must visit when you are in Puglia. I am hoping to get to this region this fall and have it at the top of my list to see.

THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal.

A popular summer spot for Europeans, I suggest coming a bit in the shoulder seasons to avoid the crowds. I learned there are now non-stop flights from JFK to Faro, making it so easy to get here.

What to do? Spend time luxuriating on the beach, explore the countryside, enjoy fish straight from the sea and definitely include getting out on a sailboat to reach some impressive caves!

CROATIA

I have many clients that are avid fly-fishermen, as is my daughter. So when I learn about a new place for fishing I pay attention.

Outside of Split, Croatia you can spend the morning on the river fly fishing, followed by a picturesque lunch in front of waterfalls. In the afternoon hop on a boat to cruise down the canyon to see another waterfall before returning back to your hotel. A wonderful combination of fishing, eating and adventuring.

IRELAND

Adare Manor, my absolute favorite castle in Ireland, is hosting the 2027 Ryder Cup on Sep 17 18 19, 2027. Read about the details here.

Sadly no rooms are available as all of the golfers and their crews will be staying on property. But there are some nearby alternatives that would give you the best access to the Cup and immerse you in the Irish lifestyle.

A few of my pictures from our stay at Adare…

MARBELLA, SPAIN

Puente Romano is hardly a secret. This family-owned resort in Marbella has mastered the art of making you never want to leave—and you don’t have to.

Djokovic trains on their tennis courts, which tells you everything about the caliber.

Five pools give everyone their perfect spot (including two adults-only), while the Six Senses spa and their private boat ensure you’re either completely relaxed or out exploring the Mediterranean.

Add in yoga, boxing, and Pilates, and you’ve got days that can be as active or restorative as you want.

But what makes Puente Romano special? The dining scene has become Marbella’s social heartbeat. Twenty-three restaurants draw locals and travelers together, from Nobu and Cipriani to Gaia with its hidden speakeasy. Coya brings Peruvian-Japanese flavors with live music, fire shows, and 40 types of pisco sours under the stars.

Antonio Banderas owns El Pimpi, serving authentic Spanish cuisine, while Leña was voted the world’s most beautiful restaurant—it’s been on my must-visit list for years.

When you do venture out, horseback riding, golf, and pickleball are nearby, along with the charming shopping in Marbella and Puerto Banús.

While summer brings the legendary Marbella energy, the southern location and year-round operation make shoulder seasons quieter but magical in their own way—often with better weather than you’ll find anywhere else in Europe.

MALLORCA, SPAIN

Mallorca keeps surprising our clients with how much diversity one island can hold.

In Palma, they dive into buzzing local markets with a local chef and discover why the city’s food scene has everyone talking.

📷 Son Brull

Then they head to the Tramuntana mountains—the same dramatic peaks that captivated Miró—for some of the Mediterranean’s best biking and hiking trails. The coastal villages become their launching pad for boat days that end at restaurants you can only reach by water, where lunch feels like a secret worth keeping (I’ll of course tell you my favorite).

The island’s magic extends to what grows here. The climate creates perfect conditions for vineyards, olive groves and apiaries, and tasting your way through them becomes an afternoon adventure.

One farm near the charming villages in the Valley of the Oranges has become legendary among our clients—it’s the kind of place where teenagers suddenly care about how honey is made.

Your accommodation choices span centuries, from Relais & Chateaux hotels that are converted 18th century monasteries like Son Brull (above). I met with their manager and loved hearing the stories of their family owned property that offers lots of active options and has resident donkeys on site. To the new Four Seasons plus villas with enough space for everyone to spread out. Some properties embrace the seasonal rhythm (March through November), while others welcome you year-round.

For bigger gatherings, I suggest renting a villa and having a chef create a paella lunch in your garden (Spaniards do not eat paella for dinner). There’s something about that long lunch, with everyone lingering around the table talking, that makes the day feel so very Spanish.

🌟 Our clients recently stayed at Serras Barcelona with their young adult children. She messaged me before and after their trip, full of praise, saying “We are in Barcelona and this hotel is WONDERFUL! The Serras was great, I can see why it’s one of your favorites in Barcelona, we had so much fun!”

Why is Serras Barcelona so special?

It’s ideally situated in the Gothic Quarter, right across from Port Vell. This gives you both the charm of old Barcelona and scenic waterfront views.
Housed in a restored 19th-century building where Picasso once had his first studio, the hotel blends historical character with modern elegance. Rooms feature private balconies with sea or city views, soundproofing, rainfall showers and luxurious linens.
The hotel’s restaurant, Agreste Mar is run by a Michelin-starred chef, offering creative Catalan cuisine using local ingredients. The rooftop also has a casual bar/restaurant vibe with beautiful views and craft cocktails.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Step outside and find yourself moments from La Rambla, El Born and iconic sights like the Picasso Museum. Wander through Marina Port Vell, where luxury yachts, lively restaurants and stylish bars line the shore.
Head to Barceloneta Beach to soak up the sun, take a swim, play a game of beach volleyball or bike along the scenic seaside promenade.

‼️ Don’t miss the rooftop pool (rare in Barcelona!) with a chic terrace bar, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy sunsets over the marina.