I am an escapist and a dreamer more than anything. Today, I feel like escaping to the Maldives; a place where cliche descriptions are actually (supposedly) true: azure blue skies, crystal clear waters, lush greenery, tranquil bliss.

I want to go to there. *sniffs*

(images via Adelto)

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Song of the Day

Something Good This Way Comes, by Jakob Dylan

Allow me to introduce you to Villa Vals, a surreal home in a Swiss mountain.

That’s right. IT’S IN A FREAKIN’ MOUNTAIN.

Designed by SeARCH and CMA, this truly unique and beautiful villa was completed in 2009, and is available as a vacation home for anywhere between €1750 to €3450 per week. It sleeps up to 10 people so if you’re ever looking to do some skiing in Switzerland with your buddies, or if you just want to tell the world that you SLEPT IN A MOUNTAIN, well, now you can.

It’s really quite gorgeous, isn’t it? *sighs*

(images via Inthralld)

Ever since we stayed at Parkzijde (a gorgeous B&B in Amsterdam that comes highly recommended), I’ve become extremely particular about travel accommodation, especially with so many hotel rooms appearing insipidly ordinary. Sure, one may argue that since we spend most of our waking hours venturing out into an unknown locale, accommodation shouldn’t matter so much. Yet, at the end of a long day, there’s just something exciting about heading back and winding down in a gorgeous apartment. To me, it makes all the difference between a good holiday and a great holiday.

As we’re most likely heading to Barcelona this December, I started researching on accommodation and MY GOSH DID MY HEART STOP BEATING WHEN I SAW THESE APARTMENTS. And yes, caps lock is necessary to illustrate the extent of my love for these apartments by Destination BCN.

Cadaques @ 200 € per night (more):

Cañadilla @ 150 € per night (more):

Carabassa @ 225 € per night (more):

Finn @ 155 € per night (more):

Principal @ 350 € per night (more):

Reial @ 250 € per night (more):

Riva @ 140 € per night (more):

Tengujo @ 250 € per night (more):

Urgell @ 250 € per night (more):

Walden @ 165 € per night (more):

And that is just a taste of what each apartment has to offer. Crazy, I know.

Seriously, folks. Holiday apartments are the way to go.

(images via Destination BCN)

. . . . .

Song of the Day

Turn My Head, by Live

My very limited and extremely rusty Spanish is going to be put to a major test this December when I finally step foot onto this sunny European nation.

I don’t expect to be able to hold a conversation for more than 5 minutes. All I’m hoping is that I’ll be able to successfully ask for directions, ask how much that Loewe bag costs, and perhaps tell a cute guy that he is muy guapo. ;)

There are no plans made yet, other than WE ARE GOING TO SPAIN. We’re going to have heaps of fun doing all the research again (no, really!), and I know the buddy will do a real kickass job looking for places to eat. (No pressure! Heh.) I’ve already started looking at accommodation options in Barcelona on Airbnb but I have no idea what’s a good area to stay at – El Born? Barri Gòtic? L’Eixample? HELP?

I’m really looking forward to being back in Europe after a 3-year absence. As much as I rave about NYC being my absolute favourite city in the world, this medieval, fairytale-like quality embodied by so many of these European cities is simply too charming to ignore.

If you have any tips for Barcelona/Spain, be sure to let me know. :)

¡Vale! ¡Viajamos a Barcelona!

(image via kendocalrissian)

. . . . .

Song of the Day

Never Is A Promise, by Fiona Apple

How would you like to stay in a breathtakingly gorgeous 11th century castle in Tuscany?

Castello di Vicarello is a boutique hotel that is the epitome of rustic opulence. Surrounding the castle is a great expanse of rolling greens, a working vineyard, an olive grove, two freshwater pools and great views of the countryside. The owner, Aurora, prepares your meals with plenty of love and you can even walk in to the kitchen to help out. There are only seven suites so I imagine the service will be top-notch, and privacy won’t be an issue. The suites all feature original stone and brick walls, and have been elegantly decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture. Also, you’re free from technology here as there are no telephones and televisions in the rooms, so it’s the perfect place for you to connect with your loved one and to take in all that nature has to offer.

Can someone please send me there now?

(images via Castello di Vicarello)

This urge to travel is getting a little out of hand. Do you have any idea how many hours I have spent online this week looking at vacation homes? The fact that I was on a two-day medical leave wishing every waking minute that I was somewhere else did not help one bit.

Well, at least now you know where you can stay when you visit these gorgeous spots. ;)

Here’s an amazing 4-bedroom villa in Mykonos, Greece that has Travel + Leisure calling it one of the world’s coolest rental homes. Prices start from 4,500€ per week. Now, I know it may seem a bit steep, but if you work it out, it’s only 500€ per person per week (it can accommodate up to 9 adults comfortably)! Not bad, right?

(images via Boutique Homes)

Longchamp’s new Le Pliage Cuir launches in Singapore tomorrow and I can’t wait to see it upclose. The Le Pliage has become an essential for many travellers being a lightweight, foldable bag. Now that the classic bag also comes in supple leather and remains foldable, I won’t be surprised if it becomes a staple of many wanderlusters like myself. The only problem I foresee is deciding on a colour. ;)

And that’s just four of the many, many colours that are available.

I then started searching for other foldable travel essentials, because I’m sure we all know how important it is to travel light. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Pink ‘JetSetter’ with matching pouch (via FlexFlop)
2. White Snakeskin Ballerina Flats (via ButterflyTwists)
3. Premium Down Ultra Light Parka (via Uniqlo)
4. Folding Wayfarers (via Ray-Ban)
5. Elie Tahari Double Breasted Trench Coat (via Nordstrom)
6. Le Pliage Cuir (via Longchamp)
7. Angel Boots (via ButterflyTwists)

Do you have any foldable favourites?

I need to go to Spain soon. If only so that I can stay in this 16th century stone building that is an enchanting example of medieval minimalism.

Alemanys 5 is a vacation home designed by Anna Noguera which won the WAN Award in 2011 for Interior Design (Residential). Located in Girona, one of the wealthiest cities in Spain, the Alemanys 5 has two apartments that can be rented out separately, or if you’re travelling with a bigger group, you can choose to rent the whole house, which will comfortably fit 10 people.

It’s a truly gorgeous property and with prices starting from 225€ per apartment per night (for 2 people), I’d say it’s an excellent deal.

(images via Alemanys 5 and CheckYourRoom)

Located in a quiet village in Álava, Spain, this hotel certainly stands out with its avant garde architecture. Resembling random cubes stacked carelessly atop each other, Hotel Viura is designed by Spanish studio Designhouses. The rooms are equally contemporary, and suites have their own private terraces for you to soak in that Spanish sun. That it sits right next to a 17th century church and offers breathtaking views of this wine region is simply the icing on a very indulgent cake.

Will someone please hire me to travel full-time?

(images via Hotel Viura)

Is it crazy to want to visit a place just so you can stay in a hotel? More specifically, Les Deux Abbesses, a hotel nestled in a small, picturesque village in Haute-Loire (South-Central France), complete with cobbled passageways and rustic cottages that have been converted into individually designed rooms.

Where small, picturesque village means this:

And rooms in the rustic cottages look like this:

I am half-certain I’ll see fairies and plenty of magic happening here.

(images via Les Deux Abbesses and CheckYourRoom )