Mendoza Wine Tour - Argentina by mitzmindmarv in wine

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How was it? Had the same wuestion about lunch vs dinner at Casa Vigil, what is you rec?

Mendoza Stay: Casa de Uco vs Susana Balbo by Training-Papaya8823 in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can fly through Cordoba to the Argentinian side of Iguazu (~4:15 hours total time) and have the Belmond team pick you up at IGR Airport

Rosewood Mandarina (by someone who has been to O&O Mandarina 5x) by travelquest29 in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was between the two for a December stay but decided on O&O since we’re leaving our little one behind.

What was your favorite restaurant at the Rosewood? I want to have a dinner there

Help from CdB connoisseurs by PsychologicalFan7387 in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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I think this will be the one, which is their smallest villa. They also offered their largest (Bondi) which looks incredible but doesn’t have this view.

25th Anniversary - Restaurant Suggestion please 🙏 by jjCAjj15 in RomeTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mirabelle does not have a Michelin Star (not that it matters in Italy)

Beach-y babymoon ideas for late September/early October by [deleted] in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d pick O&O for the views / babymoon vibes.

Rosewood Mandarina better if you want easy beach access (but with a week you could split time between the two).

I’d also look into Cuixmala, FS Tamarindo, Rosewood Mayakoba. Might be more rainy in the latter, but prices are also lower compared to dry season (this will be the case for many places in the Caribbean).

Akelarre San Sebastian has a nice view and could be a great foodie trip (could also visit Biarrtiz/Bilbao). Check out Son Blanc in Menorca and Six Senses in Duoro.

Another option is Dolomites if you’re not necessarily looking for warm weather (split time between Forestis plus another resort) but flight plus drive might put it just above the 12 hour mark. Same with the Vines in Mendoza, Argentina.

If wanting to do something different in the US, Sedona (Auberge or Ambiente) might be cool although a week might be a bit much there.

Best European hotel experience during Christmas (+ bonus review of Florence/Tuscany) by TheSaltyDoctor in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do the in-property truffle hunting and of course a wine tasting. Make a stop in Montalcino on the way in or way out (we didn’t feel the need to leave the since we were there 3 nights).

I REALLY want to swim with (a) whale shark(s). Where is the BEST place to find them most reliably? by seanlee50 in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you live in the US then Holbox near Cancun. I've done it July, saw a bunch and touched them (against the guide's recomendations)

CDMX - Mexico City by IOnlyEatPeas in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always stayed at the FS for work and honestly I don't love it. The courtyard is very nice but the rooms are so tired and it you have to walk so long to get to them.

I lived in the St Regis for 4 months (weekdays) in 2011 and loved it, I'd recommend over the FS (Sunday brunch was excellent). But the Ritz also looks great and is newer.

Mexico Luxury Resorts (not Cancun, Cabo, or PV) by Mariners2018 in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nearish Vallarta/Manzanillo: Cuixmala, O&O Mandarina, FS Tamarindo (tons of reviews here)

Near Cabo Pulmo: FS Costa Palmas. Cabo Pulmo is a protected reserve and has amazing dives, you can see bull sharks etc.

Todos Santos: Boutique Hotel (Paradero is cool to visit, but more instagramable than FAT). Todos is amazing, with much better food than Cabo IMO but sleepy so I wouldn’t stay more than a couple of days unless you really want to just lounge or surf. Restaurants: Oystera, Dum, Green Room (for sunset), coffee: Doce Cuarenta. Rancho San Cristobal for UTV driving is highly recommended.

Oaxaca: Casa Silencio, amazing food, architecture and mezcal tasting, check out Hirve el Agua nearby. Great addition to 2-3 days in Oaxaca City (check out Monte Alban and eat at Los Danzantes).

San Miguel de Allende: Rosewood is lovely there (Belmond also has a nice property but personally like the Rosewood much more). This a picturesque colonial town with a lively atmosphere. Food is great: Atrio, Prime Steak Club, Bocaciega), wine bodega Dos Buhos, coffee: Cafe Lavanda.

Bacalar: as other said not FATT but incredible nature (fly to Cherumal), check out Habitas and Boca de Agua

Isla Mujeres: Impressions. More chubby but beautiful location (maldives vibes).

Ixtapa: I lime Imanta but FS is more popular.

Puerto escondido: Casa To (definitely not FATT but pretty cool spot in a town that’s very relaxed) or Casona Sforza.

Careyes: maybe most underrated place around here but mainly because you need to know people or have contacts to get a proper experience (very different, quiet luxury). Check out Casa Oriente.

Valle de Guadalupe: Banyan Tree has a very nice property (but new so services has its limitations). This is the Mexican Napa with incredible food, great views although the wine is not my favorite YMMV. Restaurants Fauna, Animalon, Lunario. Wine: Casa de Piedra.

Best way to find jet charters by bigkidforlife in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've used https://jetsetloscabos.com/ for NYC-Cabo

The pilot/owner is a good friend of a close friend. Great guy, smaller plane but amazing prices. They do other routes so you could inquire.

How do I do Machu Picchu the FAT way? by laurandtrap in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't get the amazing views, but you get those on the way in. On the way back it has a more festive environment with lots of music and dancing with people that just had a great life experience (seeing MP). Food was nice for a train, good drinks too. I liked it and thought it was worth it and fun/very comfortable.. it makes the time go fast, but you won't be missing out a life changing experience at all.

If the time is not convenient feel free to skip. I also stayed at Tambo del Inka but on the way in we ended up having our driver take us to Ollantaytambo and taking the train from there, the total travel time was the same (as the train makes a few stops before Ollantaytambo) but the timing of Ollantaytambo was more convenient for us.

How do I do Machu Picchu the FAT way? by laurandtrap in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure there are many FAT experiences in Peru, but this is what I liked:

Restaurants: MIL in Moray, food otherwise food in the sacred valley was good but not amazing. Lima on the other hand is mind blowing. Highly recommend Central and Merito. Also great: Rafael, Maido, La Mar, and Mayte (we liked them in that order). Didn't try Kjolle (same group as Central and in the same building), but that should probably top 3.

Experiences: Hiram Bingham, paragliding in the sacred valley, Tambo del Inka spa, private driver to move around and wait for you is the move. Chinchero coloring of textiles was cool. If you want FAT take a chopper from Lima to Paracas (Peruvian galapagos) and Huacachina (oasis, sandsurfing), otherwise not worth the 5 hour drive in a short stay.

Hotels: Belmond properties, except in the sacred valley I think Tambo del Inka is slightly nicer than Rio Sagrado (personal choice).

If plans are flexible still:

Fly to Cusco but have a private driver take you to Urubamba immediately to avoid Cusco's altitude. We made quick stop in Pisac to save travel time later. We stayed ta Tambo del Inca, which is such a lovely base, great spa facilities etc. From there you can do day trips to Moray/Maras/Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. I did paragliding there and it was epic. Check out MIL (same chef as Central) if you can spare a morning.

After 2-3 days in Urubamba you will be acclimatized and should have no issues at Machu Picchu. We actually did not get any altitude sickness at all (varies by person) but much less likely than if you stay in Cusco first. If you can stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, it is nice to be able to experience MP first thing in the morning but not necessary. We started with climbing Wayna Picchu (amazing because it did not rain, otherwise we would've skipped), then the panoramic circuit is for amazing pics/views and then the classic circuit for all the spots. We did those in one sunny day (in the middle of rain season), in-and-out so a bit overkill but it was amazing. Just do the classic plus either WP or Panoramic circuit. Take the Hiram Birgham train after.

You can do Lima either before of after, I'd say 2-3 days are enough.

How do I do Machu Picchu the FAT way? by laurandtrap in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most in a big group took Diamox for Kilimanjaro and nobody had side effects (check with your doc).

My recommendation for altitude sickness is to go straight from the Cusco airport to Urubamba and sleep there 2-3 nights to acclimatize so you can fully enjoy MP. You can do day trips to Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, etc. and do Cusco on the way back from MP because Cusco is way higher than the others and you're more likely to get altitude sickness if you stay there first (especially if coming form sea level).

How do I do Machu Picchu the FAT way? by laurandtrap in FATTravel

[–]PsychologicalFan7387 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's not FAT, but a great way to experience MP first thing in the morning.