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...

Boating on the Amalfi Coast

In one of my favorite movies, Out of Africa, Karen von Blixen entertains Barkley and Denys with dinner on her beautiful Limoges (woman after my own heart), wine, and stories of faraway...

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...

Halfway Around the Globe and Back, 2017

We had a busy (and fun!) year traveling halfway around the globe in 2017.   We like to travel independently, and our first trip was to Mexico.  In the Spring, we flew to Japan where we spent five...

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...

Ritz Carlton’s Avocado Margarita

I love a good Margarita!!  If you watched our Facebook Live post this morning, you would have seen our morning cocktail shenanigans involving a blender, an avocado, and tequila.  It was a cold,...

Athens – City of Athena

Way way back in they day--like waaay back in the day, Athens needed a patron God or Goddess.  Poseidon and Athena both thought they were up to the task. They played a match of skill and wisdom atop...

Dining at Staplehouse Atlanta

Sometimes you wonder if it's all worth the hype...you know...the fabulous new kid on the block restaurant with a hip vibe...  I've wondered this about Staplehouse for the last year (although friends...

Girls Weekend in Naples, Florida–Inn on Fifth

Little Black Dresses, Buckets of Champagne, Gin and Tonics at the Pool, Dinner Reservations, Girl Talk 24/7....you gotta love a good girls' weekend!!!  Our group of fabulous women descended on the...
Three Days in Paris – Day Two

Three Days in Paris – Day Two

Paris, I belive, is a man in his twenties in love with an older woman--John Berger After a lovely breakfast at Esprit St. Germain (they have the *best* tea! and ooh la la the cheese!!), we met our private guide, Andre Paul, to dive into the history of Paris on a...

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Three Days in Paris – Day One

Three Days in Paris – Day One

Paris is always a good idea!--Audrey Hepburn When my girlfriend and I were planning our wine trip to Burgundy, I jumped at the chance to spend extra days in the City of Light, Paris! It's such a lovely city and I was itching to try a few restaurants.  Luckily she is...

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Restaurant Eugene – Atlanta

Restaurant Eugene – Atlanta

A few nights ago, we celebrated Junior's birthday with a tasting menu at Restaurant Eugene in Buckhead (Atlanta).  Junior has been working in fine dining for several years now and is working on his sommelier certification.  Since he has never experienced a paired...

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A Girl’s Gotta Eat: Chi-Town

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 happy girl. The Park Hyatt Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Chicago...

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La Morra

La Morra

My Fiat Cinquecento buzzes down the hills of Barolo to my first appointment and I try not to stall the engine…again.   We dubbed the Fiat St. Benito, patron saint of lost tourists and tight roundabouts.   St. Benito speeds through a maze of dirt roads past...

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Pintxos and Txakoli – Basque Delights

Pintxos and Txakoli – Basque Delights

San Sebastian, Spain has more Michelin Stars per square meter than any place on the planet.  The Parte Vieja (Old Town) also has more bars per square meter than any place on Earth--add surfers, a carousel, an urban beach and you have perhaps the perfect place to...

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Barca Beginnings

Barca Beginnings

Welcome to Barcelona--Capital of Catalonia! We wandered through the insane maze of travelers looking for our driver...a bit worried because we were a bit late....and immigration offered an endless labyrinth of people...and my bags were taking their sweet time. We...

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