Blog — Trip Styler

Roam+Board :: Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa

terme manzi trip styler review

[trip style = luxury + spa + food + wine + beach]

Editor's Note: Expedia just launched an exclusive, seal-of-approval program called Expedia Viewfinder Pick {EVP}, and I'm tickled pink to be one of 12 correspondents worldwide. With the common denominator being the fabulous-factor, EVP's goal is to highlight extraordinary travel experiencesthink: stay, play, eatfrom steals such as the best taco truck in Austin to the most exotic escape in the Maldives. With this, my first EVP awardee and our latest R+B {Trip Styler's own savvy stay stamp of approvalis this serene spa stay just off Italy's Amalfi Coast. 

What
When I checked into Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa, it was unclear if I was at an out-of-the-way resort or a covert Relais & Chateaux training facility. My stay was that utopian. 

Seventh heaven status was confirmed when I stepped into the 17,000-square-foot spa cocooned in wood and intricate mosaic murals befitting an ancient church. As a hotel guest, I was granted unfettered access to the facility’s Romanesque, spring–fed thermal pool, cold plunge, steam, sauna, light therapy room, and tropical showers, prompting me to turn to Mr. Trip Styler and say, “Ciao. I’ll see you in a week.”

Feeling like I should probably peel myself away from the spa and enjoy the light of day, I moved on up to the blue-tiled rooftop pool where Mr. Trip Styler and I got into the daily habit of ordering flutes of prosecco accompanied by petits fours. In retrospect, we should have just ordered a bottle, but the anticipation of these bite-size delights kept us ordering bubbly by the glass. 

Our VIP experience continued as we walked through the ornate-come-comfortable lobby—adorned with Murano-glass chandeliers and an orchestra of orchids—and three front-desk staff simultaneously greeted us by name. It was as if the hotel thought our hat-and-sunglasses getup meant we were A-listers who just arrived by private yacht. 

We were only slated to stay for four nights. By night duo, we were so lovestruck by the spiffy stay—not even a napkin was out of placewe reorganized our vacation plans so we could soak in Terme’s hospitality and healing waters a little longer.

Trip Styler approved.

Where
Ischia, an hour from Naples, Capri or the Amalfi Coast by boat or hydrofoil. 

When
Terme Manzi is open April to October to capture the hottest and brightest weather. 

Who/Why
You're inspired by details: hand-painted tiles, always-buffed Carrera marble, perfectly arranged plates of petits fours, and service so stealth you didn't even know the three-piece suit-clad server came and went.        

Cost
Rates hover around USD$285/night and include WiFi, island Mercedes shuttle including arrival and departure port pick-up, beach lounges and umbrella, an elaborate breakfast complete with prosecco, and access to the spa's thermal water circuit.  

Photos

terme manzi hotel restaurant
Petits four terme manzi
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pool terme manzi trip styler
terme manzi terrace
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breakfast area terme manzi
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nearby beach terme manzi
view terme manzi

Jetset Style :: Linen Love

Linen is having a moment, fashion wise. Linen culottes, linen curtains, linen crop tops, linen cushions... The linen list goes on {and yes I said culottes—embrace them!}. My linen clothing collection has grown over the years, but those pieces rarely make their way into my suitcase because I've always thought of linen as the nemesis of carefree, carry-on travel. Who wants to spend their time away shackled to an iron—especially when they've only packed a handful of items?

Well, you can and should travel with linen, whether you choose to embrace or manage the wrinkles {with a few easy tricks listed below}. Linen is not only stylish, it's also a great fabric to keep you feeling fresh whether you're heading into the balmy tropics or the cooler fall months.

Did you know? Linen is made from the flax plant, which goes to show that flax is more than just a healthy source of omega-3, fiber and phytonutrients! It's also one of the oldest fabrics in the world, dating back as far as 36,000 years.

The benefits of linen

  • Lightweight, breathable and comfortable
  • Linen's natural fibers keep you cool in hot weather and won't cling to your body
  • Dries quickly
  • Provides UV protection and repels insects 
  • Durable, long-lasting and holds up well to washing

How to pack linen

  • Fold as little as possible
  • Smooth out any wrinkles
  • Lay at the top of your bag without over stuffing your luggage
  • Remove linen garments from your luggage as soon as you arrive at your accommodation

How to keep linen wrinkle-free

  • Pack a travel steamer in your luggage—they're about the size of a travel hairdryer {this one heats up in a minute}!
  • Spritz your garment with water and blow dry while holding it taught
  • Use a wrinkle-reducing spray 
  • Hang your garment in the bathroom while you shower {leave the fan off}
  • Smooth out any folds in the fabric while seated
  • Opt for a linen-cotton blend instead of 100% linen
  • Embrace the wrinkles!

Trip Styler Tip: Wash linen clothing a few times after purchase to soften the fabric. 

TOP: Ilana Kohn lisa trench, Rachel Comey reunion top, Sunja Link x Banquet Atelier dress 
MIDDLE: Black Crane overalls, Rachel Comey olympia jacket, Demylee justine pullover 
BOTTOM: Club Monaco slim-fit linen shirt, J.Crew stanton short, Apolis washed linen field jacket

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Jetset Style :: Jean Jackets
Jetset Style :: The New Tunic
Fashion Friday :: Shoulder Season

[top image via humanoid.nl]

Bon Appétit Hot 10

[trip style = food & wine] 

It's the third week of August and that means one thing for gourmet globetrotters: the release of Bon Appétit's Hot 10 list of the best new restaurants in America. This annual list is our go-to source for first-rate restaurants from casual luncheonettes to approachable fine dining. When we're looking for a great restaurant in a city we're visiting, we always reference the Hot 10 list, as well as the magazine's list of top 50 nominees from the past few years.

One of my most memorable dining experiences—and my number-one recommended restaurant in San Francisco—was in Bon Appétit's best new restaurant of 2012, State Bird Provisions. At this gorgeous hotspot in the Western Addition, food is served dim sum style off carts rolled past your table by friendly servers. With unique dishes and a great wine list, this restaurant is way more than a gimmick and definitely worth the inevitable line-up!

As a Trip Styler team we've dined at several other hot 10 restaurants: Luce, Ava Gene's and Måurice in Portland, Westward and The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle, Grand Central Market Los Angeles and Rolf & Daughters in Nashville. All Trip Styler approved!

Trip Styler Tip: If you can't make it to San Francisco, Seattle, Indianapolis, Austin, Chicago, Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Davidson, NC this year, bring these award-winning restaurant meals to your kitchen with these recipes.

What better reason to explore a new or favorite city for a weekend getaway than a few outstanding meals? Is San Francisco calling? Or is it North Carolina? I can't wait to sink my teeth into Austin. Check out this year's Hot 10.

#1 - AL's Place / San Francisco

#1 - AL's Place / San Francisco

#2 - Gjusta / Los Angeles

#2 - Gjusta / Los Angeles

#3 - Petit Trois / Los Angeles

#3 - Petit Trois / Los Angeles

#4 - Semilla / Brooklyn

#4 - Semilla / Brooklyn

#5 - Parachute / Chicago

#5 - Parachute / Chicago

#6 - Dai Due / Austin

#6 - Dai Due / Austin

#7 - Kindred / Davidson, NC

#7 - Kindred / Davidson, NC

#8 - Rintaro / San Francisco

#8 - Rintaro / San Francisco

#9 - Manolin / Seattle

#9 - Manolin / Seattle

#10 - Milktooth / Indianapolis

#10 - Milktooth / Indianapolis

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
San Francisco :: Eat
Spotlight :: Miami
Oregon Travel Diary :: Feasting on Portland
LA, Seriously

[top image and photo collages by @heatherlovesit, all other images via bon appétit]

That Travel Meal: T-H-E Italian Cocktail

AperolSpritzRecipe

[trip style = food + wine]

It's on every menu. It's on top of every table. It's on every set of lips. Enter the Vespa of Italian apéritifs.

To call the Aperol Spritz a meal {per this post's title} is a bit of a stretch; however, as this series profiles palate-pleasers from around the globe, for today's purposes, this tart, fizzy bevvy is the latest inductee into our That Travel Meal hall of fame.

I give you Italy's most in-demand drink—and the official Trip Styler summer cocktail—sure to transport you to a trattoria on a cobblestone street pronto.

Trip Styler Tip: Do like the locals do and pair it with prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe or salty chips. 

Aperol Spritz
- handful of ice
- 2 parts Aperol
- 3 parts prosecco
- 1 part soda
- orange slice to garnish

Trip Styler Tip: To spice up your spritz, add a splash of Lillet and/or Hendrick's gin, and switch up your garnish to lime or grapefruit.

Related
That Travel Meal :: Pok Pok Som Thai Basil Gin Rickey
That Travel Meal :: Best-in-Show Burrata at Ava Gene's
That Travel Meal :: Chevre-Prosciutto-Pear-Arugula Pizza

[photos by @tripstyler featuring @MrTripStyler's hands] 

Dressing for La Dolce Vita

[trip style = any]

Being in Italy this summer for almost a month taught me some major packing lessonsones that are easily applicable to Italy, as well as every other trip. 

My BIGGEST take-away: Don't treat your clothes like fine china. Bring AT LEAST one special-occasion garment with you. 

I recently wrote about my top Italy packing pointers in the Expedia Viewfinder Travel Blog; here's the skinny. 

How to Pack for Italy
1. Map your wardrobe
Once you figure out where you’re going in Italy, and in what season, map your travel wardrobe. For example, I went to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Capri during summer, so my suitcase was filled with nautical stripes for the coast and flowy silhouettes to stay cool {in every sense of the word} in the Eternal City’s musty heat.

trip styler packing for italy

2. Pack with passion 
Italians are passionate people—from fashion to football—so channel this all-or-nothing attitude in your travel attire. Don’t reserve your perfect-fit tailored pants or red-soled shoes for a once-a-year occasion; bring them to Rome where Italians dress as if they’re runway ready every day. Furthermore, edit and re-edit your suitcase contents before you leave so you’re only tempted to bring your Sunday best.

IMG_4917.JPG
Wearing made-to-fit Capri sandals in Rome.

Wearing made-to-fit Capri sandals in Rome.

3. Be a shoe-in
Don’t flash your tourist card sporting a pair of I’ve-just-gone-for-a-jog sneakers thinking “they’re practical for sightseeing.” Repeat after me: Runners and flip-flops are a no go (and you won’t see any Italians grabbing an espresso con panna looking like they’ve just gone to the gym). Italian-made shoes are iconic for a reason: They’ve managed the near-impossible task of fusing comfort and style. So think like a local and pack for a well-heeled journey. 

Trip Styler Tip: If you are visiting the Amalfi Coast or Capri, save room in your suitcase for custom-made shoes, starting around 40 Euro. 

4. Dolce-ify your wardrobe
Never fear, practical packers! Dolce-ifying your wardrobe does not mean you have to fill a Louis Vuitton trunk, ship it overseas, and dress like Donatella during Milan Fashion Week. Instead, take cues from the catwalk and add one piece of glitter to your getup. For example, choose an I-might-be-famous hat and sunglasses combo, a pair of statement shoes, or an unexpected bracelet. I followed these rules and was mistaken for an Italian actress on several occasions!

5. Strut
Finally, whatever fine-tuned attire you choose to include in your travel wardrobe, strut your stuff. All of the head-turning Italians I spotted had one thing in common (in addition to a fashion-forward ensemble): Confidence, which is always in style

how to pack for italy

[photos by @tripstyler]