Suitcase Tuesday: Fasano Hotel, Sao Paulo

The Fasano Hotel and where I saw Kate Hudson in Brazil over at www.lovelyvelo.ca!

Suitcase Tuesday at Lovelyvelo.ca!

For more, come to our new site at www.lovelyvelo.ca!

what's on your wish list?

My wish list was small this year; I've been feeling completely overwhelmed by all the joy and happiness in my life that I really can't imagine needing anything else.

But because my family drops a a few goodies into each stocking, I gave this little list:

* Luxe City Guides for New York, Chicago, Melbourne and Sydney (all places I'm headed in 2011!)

* Glue refills for my ATG 700 (I can't live without this thing, it makes magic!)

* Anything fromThe Paper Place on Queen West.

What's on your list?!

* photo from here.

{suitcase tuesday: la mamounia...}

A trip to Marrakech would not be complete without at least a sneak peek at the legendary La Mamounia. Recently re-opened, this is the place to see and be seen in the Red City. I have to say, for me, it did not live up to the hype. Although the gardens were mystical, I found the interior to be dark and a tad pretentious. I had only a chance for a quick look about, but perhaps next year I'll get to see for myself what has the celebrities buzzing...

{suitcase tuesday: el fenn in marrakech...}

I've been home from Morocco nearly a month already and can't believe I have yet to share with you the property gems of Marrakech!

I have to start with Vanessa Branson's Riad El Fenn because it is such a magical little hideaway in the bustling Medina. I was fortunate to spend one night here and felt perfectly at home. The boho-rustic decor is cozy and inviting, especially in the crisp air of November. Each of the 21 rooms has its own personality (mine had red leather walls!) and there are no keys for the doors.

In the morning, a beautiful tray of mint tea and fruit waits outside each room and can be enjoyed in one of several courtyards or on the breathtaking rooftop. At night, the roof twinkles with hanging lights and candles and offers a stunning view of the Katuba Kasbah.

For a serene and romantic spin on Marrakech, this is absolutely the perfect choice.

{advent begins...}

hello lovely readers! thank you so much for still visiting lovelyvélo even in my long absence. I am just back from over 2 weeks in Morocco for an incredible trip to the High Atlast Mountains and a phenomenal conference in Marrakech. I am overwhelmed with riad photos to share, but while I busy myself preparing them, I had to let you in on Black Tomato's holiday countdown. Starting tomorrow, visit their site daily for beautiful photography and prezzies of course! can't wait to see what's behind door number one!

{sonoma bound...}

Time at home goes by in a blink, I am off again! This time to beautiful northern California and the rolling countryside of Sonoma county. Looking forward to a lovely dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen.

I'll be gone for a week, back in time to blitz about madly in search of a Halloween costume. Any ideas? I need help!

{Le Tour!...}

It's official! The 2011 Tour de France course has been released. What better way to celebrate than to imagine ourselves high up in the Alps. From the cozy restored 1771 farmhouse, Mas de Coutettaz, we can get a marvelous panoramic view of the mountains and phenomenal access to the riders!Looks like winter would be pretty wonderful at the farmhouse too! I think I may do better skiing downhill in the Alps than trying to tackle those climbs on my bike, n'est-ce pas?!

{globetrotting i do's...}

I'm doing a little destination wedding reconnaissance for my day job. So tell me, what's your idea of the perfect wedding away? Quiet vows on the beach? By candlelight in the courtyard of a tuscan villa?

Are warmth and sun a must or can a foggy, rustic farm be just as romantic?

{traveling anthropolgie...}

With Fall the perfect time to travel through Canada and the best season for Anthropologie shopping, I'm taking my favourite of the October collection to B.C.'s Hastings House on Salt Spring Island.A little morning pedal past farmland with ocean and mountain views, followed by an afternoon lunch and warm coffee overlooking Ganges Harbour, then cozying up by the fire with fresh bread and cheese before a delicious local lamb dinner prepared by Chef Marcel sums up a perfect day on the island.

*photos via Kiwi Collection and Anthropologie

{an autumn pedal with Audrey...}

Ahhhh... what could be better than a bike ride with Audrey Tautou? Trombone & company at the end are my favourite!

Found via Riding Pretty.

{suitcase tuesday: a manhattan penthouse...}

I'm headed back to New York tomorrow (via Porter Airlines of course!) and will be staying this time at the Mansfield Hotel at 44th & 5th. Sadly, I won't be crashing in the penthouse. But how amazing is the sunken tub?!

It's just a quick trip with a fundraiser tomorrow night (for the Mario Batali Foundation!) and appointments all day Thursday. What's in my mini suitcase? My Nanette Lepore pants, Banana Republic blouse, J. Crew pencil skirt and a gem of a purchase from Spain, my Bershka black leather jacket.

See you Friday!

{suitcase tuesday: an egyptian oasis...}

A colleague came to me today giddy with the inside scoop on this amazing new property in the Saharan. With just 20 suites, Al Tarfa, a new eco-lodge in Egypt's Dahkla Oasis, pulls off perfection with its rustic, breezy charm. Explore the agriculture fields and sand dunes on horseback, camel or 4x4. Guided walks navigate the desert at sunrise and sunset. Finish the day with a candlelit dinner al fresco. Pure magic.

{mañana in texas...}

Hello lovelies! Thank you so much for still popping over to lovelyvélo even though I've been ignoring her for weeks, gah!

After Vegas, I jumped back out West to work in Vancouver for a few weeks and attend a stunning vintage-styled wedding in Kelowna (pics coming soon!).

In the meantime, get a load of this boho-chic getaway in Texas. Remember PUBLIC bikes? Well, they've teamed up with the H2 Hotel in Healdsburg, California and this quirky spot, the El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas. Each property hosts a fleet of PUBLIC bikes that you can take for a spin anytime. Imagine your vélo parked outside your yurt or teepee?! I'm game to embrace mañana and set up camp! Are you?

*photos via here, here, here, here, and here.

{vegas bound...}

I'm off tonight for a full week travel conference in Vegas, baby! We'll be staying at the Bellagio (how stunning is this photo of umbrellas hanging from the Bellagio lobby ceiling?) and while most of my time will be spent in conference rooms, I hope to have a little fun too ;)

The week ends with a global styles-themed gala. I found hair orchid ornaments at H&M... a perfect match to my yukata!

*photo via flickr.

{suitcase tuesday... a ryokan rest}

My aching muscles have asked lovelyvelo to take us to the soothing hot springs of Japan today. There is nothing more serene than a beautifully designed onsen bath. Of course, a bath amongst volcanic rock would be lovely too, but I`m in the mood for a private soak in a ryokan with lush bamboo views.

Coincidentally, I am actually packing my suitcase tonight with my grandmother`s beautiful white and navy Yuakata to wear to a costume gala in Vegas next week. I just need to find the perfect hair piece to go with it. I`m thinking bright pink cherry blossoms!

{air bnb... room for rent!}

Move over Craigslist, there's a new kid on the block! Looking to rent a room in a unique B&B or an unusual alternative to the standard hotel? Airbnb just may be your answer. This new website offers a secure place to rent simply a room in a London flat or an entire beach villa off the east coast of Borneo.

Hosts post their own listings and you can contact them directly for reservations. What to do when you live in a shoe? Why not move to a boot?! Like the one above in the beautiful artisan town of Nelson, New Zealand. Hidden in a grove of hazelnut trees, the hosts welcome couples here for a romantic getaway.

{suitcase tuesday: let sleeping dogs lie...}

I got to sit through an amazing presentation by Virgin Limited this morning and spent all afternoon daydreaming about a stay at The Lodge in Verier, Switzerland.

What was once a 35 room chalet, has now been converted to an exclusive 9 suite getaway nestled in the French Alps. See that little stuffed pup on the bed? When you'd prefer not to be disturbed, just place the pup outside your door and his little collar that says "let sleeping dogs lie" keeps visitors at bay.

After a full day of skiing, a dip in the indoor pool and a visit down to the wine cellar, I'd say a little R&R is well deserved ;)

{so, so hot...}

I'm sorry for the spotty posting this week, it has simply been too hot to be creative ;) The only thing I want to do is spend all day in a bikini and jump in a crisp, cool, turquoise body of water.

Need inspiration for your next refreshing trip? Check out your travel profile over on Triporati. Looks like I'm off to Dodecanese, Greece!

{pollença market...}

I've always believed that the best place to learn about a new place is at the market. Food tells you so much about a culture, but the way the locals sell and shop for their wares tells you so much more!
We started our Mallorca trip with a morning at the local Sunday market. The local olives were to die for.

I'm a people watcher (I get it from my Dad), and could sit in an old square for hours at market time just watching the folks go by... How precious is this old couple? It took them about 10 minutes to walk across the tiny courtyard, I think they're off to a party! Look at the little gift bag he's holding ;)

photos by me.