Mayakoba, Playa Mujeres, Maroma, and Cancun

Early in January, I (Becky) conducted site inspections with a few Travel Experts colleagues from the Southeastern region.  I just love hanging with these smart, savvy ladies who are...

Armchair Traveler: Floating in Glacier Bay, Alaska

I was seriously unprepared for the beauty of Alaska.  Oh yeah, I heard about the glaciers calving—dramatically splashing in the water.  I saw the photos of the wilderness, and...

Arm Chair Traveler: Shelter in Place at Hermitage Bay

So here is sit in my comfy chair overlooking my outside deck dreaming of the last time I experienced total Caribbean Bliss—at Hermitage Bay.

The Best of 2018

Wow 2018 just flew by—like at warp speed!!! Here at Bella, we are already in full planning mode for 2019 travels and beyond—but I wanted to take a moment this morning, sit by the fire, sip some...

What does Luxury travel mean to you?

At Bella Travel Planning, we create custom, luxury travel experiences. When you hear the word "Luxury," what comes to mind?  What picture do you see?  What does luxury mean? More importantly, what...

Introducing the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection!

Ritz Carlton is set to introduce its first mega yacht this Spring. Look for new innovations and the Ritz Carlton service standards you expect.

Toes in the Sand at Ritz Carlton Cancun

Like you, sometimes The Man and I need to get out of dodge…to have a frosty cocktail delivered to us in our private cabana…to wake up to the azure ocean water….and have some sand decorate our flip...

Restaurant Review – Bardot Brasserie – Las Vegas

Each year I head west to Vegas for our annual Virtuoso Travel conference where I rekindle relationships with the best hotels, tour operators and cruise lines in the world. It’s a whirlwind! I always...

A Girl’s Gotta Eat: Chi-Town

Whenever I get the chance to go to Chi-town, I take out my list of Must-Try food experiences. This trip gave me the opportunity to try a few more and to revisit a favorite spot, which makes me a...

Five Things I Loved About Vegas

Each year, our travel consortium, Virtuoso, conducts its annual travel conference, Virtuoso Week, in the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. The conference is held inside one of our Virtuoso...
Mask Making in Venice

Mask Making in Venice

Our tour guide met us at the lobby of our hotel to give us a quick art-based walking tour of Venice on our way to the Venetian Mask Artist’s studio. We strolled through the labyrinth of alleyways and bridges--soaking in the colors of the canals, balconies and...

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Bellini al la Cipriani

Bellini al la Cipriani

It's Friday--the start of the weekend.  The spring weather takes me back to my time in Venice last spring…before the crowds and the summer heat.  One of my favorite experiences was sipping a bellini poolside at the Hotel Cipriani.  A Bellini is a delightful mixture of...

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The Best Hotels in the World

I wrote a guest blog on The Travel Agent, Inc's website regarding the nominations for Virtuoso's best hotels in the world.  I will be finding out the winners at the gala dinner on Wednesday, August 14th in Las Vegas.  My dinner host will be the Clift Hotel in San...

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Arenal Nayara Hotel Costa Rica

Arenal Nayara Hotel Costa Rica

Imagine walking into your hotel suite, gazing at the wonder around you, and then announcing "They can't make me leave here!  I want to stay forever!"  Those were my exact words when I walked into the Nayara Suite at the Arenal Nayara in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. La...

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Thinking of a River Cruise??

Today, in our office training, our Ama Waterways Rep gave us the skinny on what's new with Ama's wonderful river cruise product.  Ama is one of our preferred River Cruise companies because of the level of service they offer, the competitive pricing and the...

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Virtuoso Travel Week Las Vegas

Last week, I had a marathon Vegas Week....at the tables...looking for that jackpot supplier that will make my clients' dream vacation become a reality.  I met with the top hoteliers, cruise executives and tour operators in the world - for four minutes each - from...

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