Authentic luxury - Julia Kostina - Luxury Travel Advisor

Matera. Basilicata.

Authentic Luxury, Basilicata, Italy, Matera, Unique experienceOctober 18, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

I always wanted to visit Matera, and when it finally happened, my expectations were high. The town is claimed to be the 3rd oldest urban settlement in the world still existing, and its believed to be inhabited for 3 millennia - can you imagine?. It started as cave living, and the Sassi, ancient town of…

Basilicata. Maratea. Terra incognita.

Authentic Luxury, Basilicata, Italy, Luxury Hotels, Luxury TravelOctober 15, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

When my clients say "oh, I've been to Italy", I laugh saying I've been there too. Can't really count how many times, but every time was (and is) a discovery of something I've never seen and experienced before. It can be little chapel few steps off the touristy zone in Florence or... it can be…

Morocco as it is.

Authentic Luxury, Marrakech, Mindset, MoroccoSeptember 27, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

I've been travelling to Morocco quite few times, and, to be honest, my first time was a hesitation. I didn't really know what to expect, and I was kind of not sure if Arabic culture is my cup of tea. I remember my very first visit to Medina of Marrakech on my own, everything…

Where to stay in Marrakech – La Sultana

Authentic Luxury, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, Marrakech, MoroccoSeptember 21, 20242KViews 1Like 0Comments

Marrakech has so many options to stay that you really need advice of someone who sampled this and that, who knows pluses and minuses of each location and much more. I'm the one. Through the years, I experienced most of luxury hotels of Marrakech, from authentic Medina riads to royal properties and high-branded resorts. …

Different Morocco – La Sultana Oualidia

Authentic Luxury, Gourmet dining, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, Morocco, Unique experienceSeptember 19, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

I've been visiting Morocco year after year for luxury travel conference in Marrakech called PURE and dedicated to authentic travel experiences, and every time I've been trying to explore another piece of this fascinating country of so many dimensions. This year I travelled to Oualidia, peaceful fisherman village by the ocean 2 hours drive…

Villa la Massa, in and out Florence

Authentic Luxury, Florence, Italy, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, TuscanyJuly 29, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

This property is in location which needs to be explained because it is somehow in and out one of my favourite cities in the world, Florence. In, because you are just 10-15 minutes ride from historical city centre by complimentary shuttle bus. Out, because staying at Villa la Massa, you would never believe bustle of…

Authentic Sardinia. Su Gologone.

Authentic Luxury, Gourmet dining, Italy, Luxury Travel, Sardinia, Unique experienceJuly 26, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

I always wanted to visit Su Gologone from the moment I first met Giovanna during one of the luxury travel shows, heard the story of the place, and seen the photos. It was one of those moments which clicks with your soul, aesthetics, or whatever is responsible for your travel desires and plans. I…

Dreaming of Sorrento

Amalfi Coast, Authentic Luxury, Italy, jetset lifestyle, Luxury Hotels, Luxury TravelJuly 15, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

You might know this feeling of being Alice in Wonderland, little child exploring enchanted world on the other side of the mirror, so unreal, so out of common and simply beautiful... That was exactly what I felt when I arrived first time, more than 10 years ago, to Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. I've…

Belmond Maroma Hotel, Riviera Maya

Authentic Luxury, Belmond, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, Mexico, Riviera MayaJune 27, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

If you experienced Belmond once, you get addicted, no doubts. Well, Belmond hotels are rather expensive, but I never had any single client saying that it didn't worth the money, because... Belmond is not about money, it is about experience, and when I speak about Belmond hotels, I often describe them like "hotel as a…

Croatia, chapter 3

Authentic Luxury, Croatia, Luxury Hotels, Luxury TravelMay 29, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Mali (and Veli) Lošinj was in my travel plans for a while, since I met beautiful young lady Iva at one of luxury travel conferences years ago. I knew I will make my way there at some point, but it took quite few years. Well, Lošinj is a very small island, part of not such…

Travelling Croatia, Chapter 2

Authentic Luxury, Croatia, Gourmet dining, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, Unique experienceMay 27, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Opatija. Imagine beautiful eclectic mix of Nice, Cannes, somehow Lago di Garda, somewhat Lago di Como, a bit of Austria, pinch of Florence, all in one, naturally stirred together and benefited by smells of the sea and pine trees, glorious Adriatic panorama and mild climate. This place was discovered and developed by Austrians, and during…

Travelling Croatia, chapter 1.

Authentic Luxury, Croatia, Luxury Hotels, Luxury TravelMay 22, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Oh well... You do need travel advisor to plan your trip through Istria (here I'm). The logistic is not that straightforward, but it worth the effort through and through. When I started to plan my trip (being a professional travel advisor with almost 30 years of experience), I was about to give up quite soon:…