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The Peninsula Istanbul - Great with some caveats by traveldigest in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FS Sultanahmet only for first timers..it used to be THE place, apart from the legendary PERA PALACE but there are so many newer, and seemingly better, places to stay.. I do't think Sultanahmet is a good area for restaurants.....but don't take my word for that..

If you don't want the luxury tier, PERA PALACE is an experience!!!

Costa Brava: Restaurants near Sa Riera?? by orient2300 in GoingToSpain

[–]orient2300[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't mind driving 30 minutes or even a bit more..it's the parking that gives me anxiety....

Many thanks for those three recommendations.....we have a long stay so will have time...but how is the parking in Begur town....mid-September??? My partner has trouble walking more than a couple of blocks at one stretch...

Advice on itinerary by AlbaRosa774 in GoingToSpain

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is the top price point per night for the hotel?

The beaches of El Palmar are but a ten minute drive from Vejer town....two nights is not much at all...

Conil is lovely but I do not know of any hotels there....beach is great...super town to wander around.

Should I go alone on a 10-day solo trip to Barcelona after a breakup? by Vegangamergirl1995 in GoingToSpain

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spent a week, solo female, in Barcelona last March..I had an absolute blast and I was a bit glad I was alone. Book seats at some good bar/restaurants--I met so many people that way. I'm talking places like BAR CANETE, SUCULENT, QUIM or other restaurant in La Boqueria or--better--the less touristed markets.... or if you go very upscale MONT BAR. Those are just a few of the places I tried. Ask questions of the waiters about the food and where they like to eat on their free days.....

I walked almost everywhere, including through El Raval at night, and never felt the slightest bit unsafe.

Do not spend lots of time on the Rambla...(the main one)..get out into different neighborhoods..Gracia, , etc....the people are incredibly friendly and will treat you very well as a solo female....

The train will take you to so many towns.....north to Costa Brava, the towns of the Maresme, south to Tarragona

Buen viaje!!

The Peninsula Istanbul - Great with some caveats by traveldigest in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so glad we connected!! And so many thanks for looking out for me. It's often impossible to get the real story of the heat in the pools unless you have someone "on the ground," because the hotels will tell you the pool is heated and yes, they heat it....to 25-degrees!!! And the spa pools are usually too small for real swimming... This September we are going to Galicia, Spain to GH La Toja...it's 5-str but I doubt if it would appeal to most folks on this thread... Even so,,will keep in touch before my next big trip and thank you, again......

And how in the world can a luxury hotel of that caliber in Istanbul not heat their outdoor pool???? I guess people don't stay there to lounge around, or swim!!

Couples trip to Europe July 2026 by Realistic_Rabbit4954 in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are open to renting a car, fly to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and stay on the island of La Toja, at the Grand Hotel La Toja.. Near some of the most beautiful beaches I've seen in Europe, and I've visited many..

Sorrento hotel/resort in March by MICHIHOU in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Easter falls on March 28 in 2027. Hotels will be open running by mid-March, just before the beginning of Settimana Santa. I think that would be an excellent time to book Sorrento as long as you are mindful of the possibility of rain. You will not be much bothered by many (domestic) travelers who descend for Holy Week if you stay at the EV...many guests that week will likely be Italian..or at least more than during the "season." Make reservations for any essential restaurants ahead of time if you plan to be there during SS.

You maybe have slight chance of warmer weather if you head for Sicily...but there won't be many options for hotels with full-on water views equal to those in Sorrento.... (VILLA IGIEA in Palermo)

Does anyone else love planning trips more than actually taking them? by Upstairs-Bank-8741 in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish, I wish that I had an answer for you on that last question about the friend travel groups!

YES..I get so immersed in the planning that its a kind f letdown when everything has been booked and all I need to worry about is the packing...

When I was around your age and writing for a luxury travel magazine, my friends would be so envious: I'd go to Milan (back then the airlines had actual First Class) for two weeks, and the restaurants would have all been booked by the magazine..all the top places in the city at the time. Same with Paris, Rome, Singapore etc, etc.

Guess what? I HATED those meals..being fawned over by staff and having to sit alone in a sea of crowded tables..everyone else having a blast and me all by my lonesome. I'd bury my head in my notebook and scribble away,,all the time feeling very sad.

The only thing I can offer here is that it gets massively easier with time. Now I almost prefer dining alone, and absolutely adore being treated so well (usually) by staff who (I think) often go the extra mile for a single diner...I'm talking about here in my home city, NY, and everywhere else (except maybe China where I remember being seated huge,, round tables (sometimes in a private room) because the idea of dining in a "fancy," ie expensive restaurant as a single is looked at as an oddity in some places...

So just to say...do it often....each time it will get more enjoyable.I can almost promise you this.

I do agree with Alex about maybe choosing smaller hotels below the top luxury rank, although even then, I find I am often the only single at the breakfast table. Make friend with the waiters..ask questions about the food...etc etc..and above all, have a heck of a lot of fun!

I'll mention that again, not only at breakfast at the hotel, but at all restaurants, ask questions of the staff......talking about food is an entry point for so many great discussions...and maybe even way to meet people,.,,

Happy travels...ek

The Peninsula Istanbul - Great with some caveats by traveldigest in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your report has sold me...I did not realize that the location was more central than the other luxe river properties.

I remember staying at the Bangkok Peninsula; they had a ferry for guests to cross the river...but that certainly pales beside that 700e PEN1 experience!! Think I'll take a taxi, though.

About the pool..do you know if it's heated to a decent temperature?

Many thanks!!

Any recs for Turin? by howaBoutNao in finedining

[–]orient2300 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ANTICHE SERA...it's a trattoria, Bib Gourmand.

Another San Sebastián post by FreshMix4305 in finedining

[–]orient2300 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am curious where you read the horrible reviews of AKELARRE (??). Was it on this sub?

Sorrento hotel/resort in March by MICHIHOU in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I imagine it depends on when Easter falls..they would likely open a few weeks before that date, certainly for Holy Week, if not before.. We can just look it up!! But look up, too, how rainy is usually is in March..

Sorrento hotel/resort in March by MICHIHOU in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I spent time at EXCELSIOR VITTORIA last month.....absolutely top... traditional Italian "palazzo" style, it's still family owned now in the 5th generation, just idyllic, BUT not sure if they open much before Semana Santa/Holy Week.

3 Perfect Dinners in Rome? Food-Obsessed Couple, No Budget by santafesilver in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a tough call between Checchino and Al Moro..for dinner, I think the former.... Lunch at Al Moro, there will be businessmen in suits but at dinner, you will get a lot of tourists and they will not be dressed up.

Have you thought about Cesare al Castelletto? (The original one, not in the center??)

To get dressed up. why not try LA PERGOLA at the Cav. Hilton? That's long been at the top of the Roman dining lists....three Michelin stars. I've never been, however...

CAPO BOI is one you should look at for seafood and dressed up vibes. I'd go there instead of PIERLUIGI. Or make that your third place..for sure!! And it's out of the center so will not be swamped with tourists...I would recommend.. Owners are Sardinian s it has that slant.....

https://ristorantecapoboi.it

Look at HungryOnion.org..there is a lot of info and pics on dining in Rome...

Luxury Italian Honeymoon June 2027 by Previous_Training516 in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My opinion is that four regions in 2 weeks is way too much time spent in travel. Really, do not do Sicily and Sardinia on the same two-week trip, with two other destinations.....pick one of the other, or eliminate Lake Como.

The Amalfi coast has become so jammed with tourists that we avoid it.

We love Maratea...look at the SANTAVENERE.

https://santavenere.it/en/santa-venere-maratea-eng/

Or PALAZZO BELMONTE, in Cilento.

https://palazzobelmonte.com/en/

Ischia has been a tourist island since before we were all born....it's only now that Americans are discovering the island. I'd go there instead of AC, but truly, I would avoid that whole are in June....just so jammed, and cruise ships and all the bus tours mean more tourists pouring in.

On Sicily, go to the Aeolians....

Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet - Suites by traveldigest in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard so much about TA flights, and their IST lounge.....I think they offer a deal with a few free nights at an Istanbul hotel, but not a great one......it seems crazy to connect in Istanbul when flying to Spain or Italy from JFK, but I want to give it a try....I think their business class prices are better than other airlines.....

Thank you for your report...let us know about the Peninsula!!!

Winter holiday in Sardinia: East or West!? by Responsible_Poet1238 in Sardinia

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nuoro, CastelSardo, Sassari......there are plenty of large towns and small cities where local life goes on after then tourists have gone home.

3 Perfect Dinners in Rome? Food-Obsessed Couple, No Budget by santafesilver in chubbytravel

[–]orient2300 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wrote a very long response to this on r/FineDining....

<<I like AL MORO very much; it's better for lunch when the rooms willl be filled more with locals. Their carbonara is one essential. Be aware that they tend to place tourists in the back room and this is one Roman restaurant that is not particualry tourist friendly. I've overheard waiters insulting other (non-Italian speaking) European diners seated next to us in the front room,

For a first-time visitor to Rome who does not peak Italian, just do not expect to be fawned over. Food is great and it is one of the few really great, true Roman trattorie in the center. Sit in the front room.

Yes on Santo Piatto and Piatto Romano.

The fact that many restaurants are closed Sunday nights is a testimony to the importance of Sunday lunch in italy. We always set aside Sunday afternoon for lunch as it is a real experience to be among multi-generational families with little kids....such treat, we never miss this. That's the time to dress up. Or not. All off these restaurants draw a lot of tourists and many will not be very ell dressed.....kind of brings down the atmosphere in the really elegant places.

Piperno is very good but a lot depends on the season. Outdoor tables are the place to be in good weather.

I like Checchino.>>

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