I’ve been deep in the craziest travel planning stretch of the year (aka lots to share) — new hotel discoveries that jumped to the top of my personal travel list, what’s hot for 2026, a region in Portugal I’m soooo into rn, and a peek at where my clients are traveling.
A personal ask: I want to take a domestic (passport being renewed) long weekend (or 4-5 day) trip in the next 1-2 months. Looking for a stunning hotel, warm-ish weather (no snow), and some cool activities (food, wine, art, culture, whatever). Pleaseeeee talk to me in the comments.
Little things I’ve loved lately
My winter weekend getaway to Sonoma and discovering a brand new gem: Casia Inn (guys, I booked the highest room category (a suite) for $300/night).
I’m now a converted fan of Flamingo Estate, which I truly thought was one of those culty/scammy brands that randomly gets popular out of nowhere. The coffee table book opens with an interview from Jane Goodall - if she approves, who am I to be skeptical?! Mother knows best. Plus, the bath products are sooooo good.
Touristing in my own city and visiting Warner Bros studios. Actually so fun. Did you know sitcoms still exist and you can sit in a live studio audience? Also, being a background actor in TV shows and movies has a very low (no?) barrier to entry. A riveting side quest if I ever have a moment of free time!
On the health front: my hungryroot meal kits <3 ~$100 for 4-5 meals and most take <15 minutes to make. We needed an intervention - Nnamdi orders shake shack literally EVERY DAY (help me).
I finally signed up for Ladder so I’m now a ~weightlifting~ girlie. I’m loving it.
The new Erewhon in West Hollywood is open. Which is both the best thing ever and also going to create so much chaotic traffic in my neighborhood. Warning you now, I will be making this my personality.
The construction crew who pushed (!!!) my car out of the road when it randomly broke down on La Brea and helped me restart it long enough to drive to a repair shop. Audi, you’re on my shit list!
One of my favorite travel advisor activities is hanging with the people behind our favorite hotels. Last week, I met the teams behind Passalacqua, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Forestis, Palazzo Avino and several other favorite properties.
This is how I’m able to give my clients informed, specific recommendations. I’m not just reading reviews — I’m having lunch with the GM and peppering them with hyper-specific questions. Deep, firsthand knowledge from people who grew up in these places and have spent years at these properties. Making friends in high places for your (and my) benefit!
Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como) - my pick for a first trip to Lake Como. Has the best location - 10 minutes by boat to Bellagio, 15 to Varenna and an easy jumping off point for exploring. The design is grand and luxurious courtesy of owner Valentina de Santis whose eye for design is spectacular. Pairs perfectly with Milan (just an hour away) or Venice for a classic northern Italy itinerary.
Passalacqua (Lake Como) - Valentina’s second property (she’s building quite the empire). You’ve probably seen photos of the iconic tennis courts. It opened in 2022 and was ranked the 4th best hotel in the world in 2023. It’s slightly farther from the main sights than GHT, which makes it better suited for a return visit or for someone who wants to slow down and stay on property. Pairs really well with Forestis because the settings are so different and both are top tier when it comes to service and design.
Palazzo Avino (Amalfi Coast) - otherwise known as the pink hotel, located in Ravello. Currently run by two sisters whose father originally bought the property. Every single room is different — some are funky modern, some contemporary and some vintage. Ravello is one of the quieter towns on the Amalfi Coast and ideal if you want an upscale, relaxed stay and great to pair with Positano and Capri. It has its own exclusive beach club too. They’re also opening a cooking school on property next year.
Forestis (Dolomites) - the name means “middle of the forest” and in my opinion, this hotel cemented the Dolomites as a must see destination. The design is understated – dark and simple, almost Nordic. This hotel is all about the views, so worth a higher category room like the Tower Suites.
Founders Podcast with Jimmy Iovine - fascinating, blunt, brilliant conversation. He opens with: we live in a corny world (social media drives us to be corny for attention)
Aspire with Emma Grede Interview with Bozoma Saint John - my girls! when someone pays Boz a compliment, she doesn’t say thank you. She says “I know.” iconicccc.
RHOBH - loooooving Rachel Zoe as an addition to the cast and I’m obsessed with the Scamanda story line
Shrinking - just brings me so much joy
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (a Bella Darden recommendation) - I have been begging everyone I know to read this book. I rarely re-read things, but will be re-reading this one for sure. TLDR: productivity is a trap, there is always too much to do and being efficient leads to more stuff to do, not less
The Wedding People - had more substance / a deeper message than I expected (silly but kinda deep rom com)
Parable of the Sower - I get the hype! So good.
Culpability - I do not get the hype
Anna Mackenzie’s The 1% Rule - focusing on micro-adjustments that have a big impact.
The Hard Parts of Growth by Ami Vora (surreal resume: Head of Product at Anthropic, CPO at Faire, VP, Product at WhatsApp) and this full catalog of everything she’s learned in her career
ICYMI: my guest post on Why is this interesting?
Yes, I’m still obsessed with Portugal (!!). My go to first-time recommendation has always been Lisbon paired with Porto/Douro Valley. Still is. But I’d like to introduce a new option: Lisbon + Alentejo region.
Open countryside, vineyards, olive groves, small towns and almost no tourists (appealing right?!). Alentejo is Portugal’s largest region, but has the lowest population. If you want a slow, nature-filled, more authentic Portugal experience, you’ll loveeee it (it’s what we all need). Think wine country, local culture, and easy access to Comporta’s beaches.
São Lourenço do Barrocal - a rustic luxury farm that’s been in the same family for over 200 years — eighth generation, working winery, olive grove, and farm. The vibe is Portugal’s version of Montana or Wyoming. Activities on property include biking, wine tasting, and gardening, plus endless villages nearby for cultural day trips. There are multi-bedroom cottages that work beautifully for families or groups. It’s also located on a dark sky reserve (stargazing!!).
Sublime Comporta - a Comporta classic that’s about to get significantly bigger — a whole new wing opening in May, nearly doubling in size with 43 new private two to four bedroom villas (with indoor and outdoor fireplaces), plus a new pool, reception, restaurants, nightclub and sports center.
Na Praia (opening June 2026) - brand new, super luxe, and the only beachfront hotel in Comporta. Multi-bedroom villas here too. The design is stunninggggg!!
Some highlights from fora’s 2026 hot list
An incredible destination for art, food, wandering, nightlife. CDMX has many small, charming boutique hotels. But, they sell out so quickly! Given the popularity, I’m excited for some new hotels to enter the scene, specifically:
SO/ - I stayed at SO/ Paris last year and loved it. The design is a bit funky (very modern), but the paris hotel is a super fun/youthful property with a vibey rooftop bar. Not much info yet about this property but opening this spring and one to watch.
El Cortes - a restored 1915 building in Roma Norte (one of the best CDMX neighborhoods). Very much fits the boutique hotel style of Mexico City - intimate with exceptional interior design. Rates are looking reeeeeally good for the March opening (was considering a spontaneous visit before i realized i needed to renew my passport).
If you’re tired of melting while summering in Europe, may I suggest a visit to the Nordics? Summer brings 20+ hours of daylight. Copenhagen is one of the best food cities in Europe (and amazing shopping) and really sets the standard for design.
Iceland’s also a fun one to add in this year with a full blackout total solar eclipse happening in August (won’t happen again until 2196). The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is a one of a kind spa experience (and you can dine in your robe at their restaurant, Lava).
five favorites from recent client trips
I love coming back from the holidays and jumping into the craziest travel planning period ever. That sounded sarcastic but I rlly do love it because it means people are prioritizing travel !!! (or that we were all so traumatized by the return to work that we immediately needed to start planning our next vacation).
I’ve primarily been planning honeymoons, couples getaways and some sprinklings of family travel (multi-gen / older kids) with a heavy focus on Europe, but some Asia sprinkled in (for my LA clients).
This time of year is perfect for the long weekend getaway — hotels are well priced, it’s a kind of random time to be traveling so cities aren’t hectic and it’s such a wonderful reset when you need to escape weather that tests your will to do… anything.
Mallorca - love, love, love the Balearic islands and Mallorca is such a gem, especially as many of the hotels are in refurbished original buildings and have a sense of place, but great combination of traditional exterior with new interiors. Clients are honeymooning at La Residencia and Can Ferrereta and a another couple staying at Finca Serena. I get so giddy working with clients who really see the hotel as (part of) the destination and we can just chat about design and basically fan girl over these properties. Obsesseddddd!!
Rome - a stay at Casa Monti, I have been dying to book this one. I’m obsessed with maximalist interiors and think the design of this hotel is so stunning. Very similar to Le Grand Mazarin and La Fantaisie in Paris
Paris and South of France - a spring break / birthday trip starting at Fouquet’s in Paris with private tours of the main monuments and a day trip to Versailles, then down to La Pérouse in Nice for some seaside relaxation. I’ve been obsessed with the Fouquet’s brand since they recently opened in NYC (incredibleeee) so I’m very curious to hear what these clients think of the Paris hotel
Cabo - a last minute long weekend at Esperanza (Auberge Collection), which I personally have been dying to go to bc it’s sooo stunning
Tokyo and Kyoto - first timers in Japan splitting their stay between The Okura in Tokyo and The Mitsui Kyoto. Both are such excellent properties and it always shocks me that Mitsui is both a Marriott and three Michelin key hotel - sooo good.
thanks for reading, until next time xx (don’t forget to share domestic travel recs plzzz)
I’m Waverly, a travel writer and trip designer based in LA. For more in-the-moment content, follow along on Instagram. If this kind of experience speaks to you, let’s chat and plan something special 🤍
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