Alli Talley

September 15, 2015

New York, USA

NYC: The Paramount Hotel and 10 Must-Do's in Photos

Alli Talley

September 15, 2015

New York, USA

We were recently in NYC and we're obsessed. There is so much to do, see, and eat that we could probably write a blog like this every month and have something different to say every time. This time we stayed at the chic Paramount Hotel. It has a great location in Midtown Manhattan right next to Times Square and has great personality. The two-story lobby has a beautiful reflective fireplace and the lighting gives it a really hip vibe. The rooms are comfortable and modern, making for a perfect place to rendezvous in between the endless adventures of New York City.

10 Must-Do Adventures...

1. Explore Times Square

2. Go to a Broadway Show...Via the Lottery

3. Visit the Seinfeld sights

4. Eat lots of Pizza and lots of Cookies from Levain Bakery... Trust us.

5. Go to Ground Zero and to the top of One World Trade Center

6. Hang out in the Subway and people watch

7. Explore Grand Central Station

8. Get lost in Central Park

So many beautiful spots in Central Park!

9. Jump in the fountain or play chess in Washington Square Park

10. Explore. Explore. Explore. And maybe find T Swift's house.

Alli Talley

September 9, 2015

Italy, Europe

A Roman Marathon!

Alli Talley

September 9, 2015

Italy, Europe

We had two days in Rome, and ran a marathon. Basically.

We walked over 27 miles. In TWO DAYS! That may sound crazy, but it's easy to do when you're in such a big, bustling, and beautiful city! In honor of our blistering feet, here are approximately 27 photos from our Roman adventure (just about 1 per mile).

Our first day started with us arriving in Rome at about 10 AM. We took the train from the airport to the Colosseum (Alli nearly cried when we first saw it... the Colosseum is breathtaking) and then walked about a mile to our bed and breakfast, La Finestra Sul Colosseo. From the moment we arrived, we felt like locals. With only five rooms, La Finestra Sul Colosseo is small and unassuming, which we LOVED. The staff warmly welcomed us, pointed out their favorite places to grab a bite, and brought us to our room. We had a gorgeous, spacious room with a great air conditioning (a MUST if you are traveling in the summer!), and a stunning view of the Colosseum. They even gifted us with some fresh fruit and a lovely bottle of Italian red wine - it's those little touches that make a place memorable! While we were tempted to relax in our air conditioned room, the city was calling us!

First stop: the Colosseum. We decided to go in on the following day, but we were still able to capture some cool photos and enjoy the massive structure.

We continued on and meandered through the streets until we found an incredible hidden gem. The Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. In this small Piazza there were a couple small restaurants, and picturesque fountain in the middle, complete with an accordion player serenading the passerby's. It was dreamy. Here we shared a yummy pizza (we're convinced you can't order a bad piece of pizza in Italy) and salad before continuing on our stroll.

Our next stop was another hidden gem. The Vittorio Emmanuel II Monument. For €7 you can go to the top of this monument and enjoy amazing views of the city. We're not sure why this is a hidden gem, as it was one of the highlights of our time in Rome. There was nobody up there, and it was so beautiful! GO - this is a must-do!

View from the top. You must go up here! There was nobody around and INCREDIBLE views!

Next, we headed to the Pantheon (Bobby’s favorite) and got some gelato (Alli’s favorite). When traveling, it's all about meeting each other's needs! ;) Alli bought some local hand made jewelry and we headed back to our hotel for a quick air conditioned nap. After the recharge, we made our way to the Spanish Steps for the sunset. While it was a treck to get there, it was definitely worth it. The weather cools down significantly in the late afternoon, so we recommend taking advantage of your evenings!

The day was capped off with an amazing dinner, and more exploration of Rome’s beautiful streets. 14 miles in one day, and it was time for some sleep.

We woke up to our B&B's signature breakfast in bed. Talk about feeling pampered! This breakfast gave us the energy and ability to go out an do another 13.5 miles today. We started with touring the Colosseum, which is best first thing in the morning. You can easily avoid the crowds, and the mid-day heat! While we explored on our own, there are several tour options as well.

Can you find Alli in the Colosseum wall?

We hiked around Palentine Hill and took on some Colosseum Gladiators... because, "When in Rome!" Please note.. these guys will try to charge you €10 per photo. Negotiate your price first or be prepared to battle!

We decided to head back through Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, and there we scored some AMAZING caprese sandwiches. Definitely take advantage of the hole-in-the-wall deli's, they're everywhere throughout the city. You can score some cheap and delicious sandwiches that you can eat on the go. Pair them with a cold beer or a bottle of white wine, and it's the perfect lunch!

You can’t go to Rome without seeing the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican. It would be a crime. So, we hopped on the metro and made our way to Vatican City. Keep in mind that the museum gets HOT, but seeing the Sistine Chapel was worth it. We recommend going first thing in the morning, or early evening. Lesson learned. We considered going in St. Peter’s Basilica, but when we saw this line…

We decided we should just get some gelato. Because, gelato.

From there we walked through Piazza Navona, to Campo de Fiori, across Tiber Island, across Ponte Palatino (where we took this photo).

Next, we walked by the Bocca della Verita, around the backside of Palantine Hill, past the Colosseum, and started looking for a place to eat. We ended up at Naumachia, and we were obsessed. As incredible as it was (and looks), from the time we had gotten gelato we probably walked 6 miles to get here. So we were EXTREMELY hungry. Regardless, it was an incredible meal and definitely a local vibe. Make sure you get the tiramisu.

We headed back to our lovely (and chilled) room, and had a great night of sleep. You definitely rest easy after a marathon. It may have been strenuous at times, but there are SO many amazing sights in Rome that we would do it all over again tomorrow!

Alli Talley

September 1, 2015

Airlines, Europe

Flying in Luxury Aboard Lufthansa Business Class

Alli Talley

September 1, 2015

Airlines, Europe

This summer we had the incredible opportunity to partner with Lufthansa USA on a trip from Los Angeles, California to Copenhagen, Denmark. As frequent flyers (and airplane enthusiasts!), we were so excited to experience all things Lufthansa - from their chic airport lounges to their luxurious business and premium economy seats!

Let's start off by saying that this experience ruined us. We're used to waiting in long lines, dealing with big crowds, and all the frustrations that come with air travel. This trip, however, was FLAWLESS. (Is that even possible?!) Our check in process was quick and easy. The Lufthansa staff was friendly and over accommodating. And the flight itself was an absolute dream! But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's start at the beginning...

Our journey began at LAX where we had access to the Star Alliance Lounge. This lounge is perched high above the scrambling travelers in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Within a matter of minutes we were sipping champagne, snacking on cheese and crackers, and relaxing in their cozy seats. Heaven exists - in the airport!! All too soon it was time to board, and as hard as it was to leave the lounge, we were anxious to see the plane!

There is nothing more exciting than boarding an airplane when you are embarking on a new adventure. ESPECIALLY when you are loading onto a gigantic A-380 and are headed towards business class! We arrived at our seats and could not contain our excitement. As we "oo-ed and ahh-ed" over the amenity kits and tinkered with all the seat functions, our flight attendant greeted us with a welcome drink. Is this a dream?! We both agreed that it was going to be hard to sleep on this flight because we wanted to soak it ALL in.

Pretending to sleep in this glorious fully flat seat!

During the flight, Lufthansa treats their guests to complementary Bose Noise-Canceling headphones, as well as an entertainment center with tons of options. Having never flown with noise-canceling headphones, we had no idea what we had been missing. It makes such a difference! We might have to pick up a couple pairs of these headphones when we go home.

Dining in Lufthansa's Business Class was an experience all to itself. Instead of coming in small, plastic packaged trays, the food was delivered on pristine fine china, making us feel as though we were dining in a five star restaurant. No detail went unnoticed, as even the glasses, flatware, and salt & pepper shakers were exquisite! As for the food, it definitely did not seem like we were on an airplane. Everything was high quality and presented beautifully.

While all of the indulgent amenities on the flight were amazing, the REAL highlight for both of us was our seats. With a simple touch of a button, we could automatically convert our seats into a fully flat BED. That's right, a bed. Those of you that often fly long hauls can understand what a true commodity this is! We had fun experimenting with the intuitive seat controls, as we were able to stretch our legs as much as we needed in our spacious, cozy seats.

The in-flight entertainment selection seemed endless. Every new release we'd been wanting to see was there, including several of our favorite TV shows, documentaries, and classic films. We found ourselves plotting out our flight entertainment schedule, making sure we had enough time to watch everything on our list! Forget sleeping - there's too much to see! This truly was a flight that we didn't want to end.

Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Frankfurt

After the flight of our dreams, we had a layover in Frankfurt before heading to Copenhagen, Denmark. There we had time to enjoy Lufthansa’s Business Class Lounge... Because obviously we are now obsessed with lounges. This lounge was really big, and featured a variety of seating areas including lounge chairs, bar stools, relaxation rooms, and a business center. There was a large selection of reading material, plenty of places to charge your devices, and various areas with TVs and comfy couches. It also had a buffet area that with both hot and cold food, and all the drinks your heart could desire. They even had a big fridge filled with ice cream! Once again, we found heaven in the airport! We both stocked up on some snacks and headed to the relaxation room, there we took naps until it was time to board our next plane (since we refused to waste any time sleeping on our business class flight). One detail we appreciated was that there were monitors displaying how long it would take for us to walk to our gate. So we could squeeze in EVERY last minute.

Over the next couple weeks we took a few short flights around Europe, and eventually ended up back in Frankfurt for our flight home. While our flight back to LA was not quite the luxury of business class, we were still very impressed by Lufthansa’s Premium Economy seats. The seats were wider, they have much more leg room along with a foot rest, and your seat once again comes with an amazing amenity kit. The little amenities like a toothbrush, eye mask, and ear plugs can be a lifesaver on a long-haul flight. Especially when there are crying children on board! The food was delicious, we got some rest, and before we were ready to say goodbye we touched down in Los Angeles.

Overall, we had an amazing experience with Lufthansa, both in the airport and in the skies. Their lounges provided delicious food and drinks, a place to relax and unwind, and both Business and Premium Economy Classes exceeded our expectations. Thank you, Lufthansa, for cultivating an unprecedented travel experience!

Alli Talley

August 25, 2015

Panama, Central America

Journeymakers - Moroni

Alli Talley

August 25, 2015

Panama, Central America

This month, American Express Travel has asked us to contribute to their #Journeymakers campaign in an effort to encourage travelers to acknowledge and thank those special people that have made their journeys unforgettable. It wasn't long for us to think of a handful of incredible individuals who have greatly impacted some of our most recent adventures. Let's start with where it all began! Our first trip abroad together was on our honeymoon to Panama... In true newlywed fashion, we were glowing with excitement, expectation, and curiosity towards our first adventure together.

Our first stop was the American Trade Hotel in Panama City. When we arrived, our jaws dropped. Fixated on all the incredible details of this hotel, the bellhop Moroni gathered our luggage and slowly guided us to our rooms. As we walked us to our room, he told us about the hotel’s history, things we needed to know during our stay, and asked about us. We quickly felt welcomed by his warmth, hospitality, and quirky sense of humor.

During our four days in Panama City, Moroni greatly influenced our stay. On our first day, he recommended we explore Casco Viejo. We wandered the streets for hours, in awe of the historic quarter filled with beautiful restored buildings. Later that afternoon we stopped by the hotel when our stomachs were rumbling and Moroni pointed us towards The Fish Market. Saying these were the best fish tacos we ever had is an understatement. As foodies, this meal was one of the highlights of our honeymoon, and we are so so thankful for Moroni’s recommendation.

Aside from guiding us towards amazing restaurants each day, Moroni really made us feel at home. If we were sitting in the hotel lobby or sipping on coffee in the lounge, he would come by and ask us what we did that day. It did not seem forced or fake, but rather a genuine interest in finding out how we were enjoying our stay. It was easy to see that Moroni loves Panama and loves people. This love allows him to be an incredible asset to the American Trade Hotel. While the hotel was one of our favorites in the world, it was Moroni that made it truly special. He made this first stop of our honeymoon unforgettable, and we look forward to returning someday to visit him!

*Sponsorship Note: This post was created in partnership with @AmericanExpress Travel celebrating their 100th year anniversary through the #Journeymakers campaign. Share your Journeymaker story here. All content, words and ideas are our own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that allow us to create and maintain original content for this blog.

Alli Talley

August 18, 2015

Italy, Europe

The Royal Treatment at Relais Santa Croce

Alli Talley

August 18, 2015

Italy, Europe

We arrived in Florence eager to find good food, visit Michelangelo’s David, and spend our evenings sipping wine and watching the sun go down from the Piazza Michelangelo. To be honest, we had no idea what we were getting into when we arrived at our hotel, the Relais Santa Croce. This eighteenth century residence is an incredible blend of luxury and modern comforts, right in the historic centre of Florence. Upon entering, you quickly feel and see the luxury of this magnificent property. While we were impressed by the facade and lobby of the Relais Santa Croce, our jaws nearly dropped to the floor when we entered our room.

The Verrazano Royal Suite is nothing short of majestic. It has TWO large living rooms full of original 18th century frescoes, and a bedroom with (what we would argue) the most comfortable bed in Florence. The living rooms have numerous areas to sit and enjoy tea, a large conference type table for meetings, a office area, and more comfortable couches to relax. There are two bathrooms - one with a gigantic bath tub and amazing shower, and another full bath with all the necessary amenities. The closet was bigger than some of the rooms we have stayed in. Not kidding.

Being avid foodies, many of our favorite elements of the Relais Santa Croce had to do with food! They had a phenomenal breakfast every morning - with fresh fruit, baked goods, cereals, lattes, and made-to-order omelets. They also have a bar that is open for hotel guests throughout the day, with several drinks and snacks. Which was a perfect treat right before our midday naps! ;)

Can we remind you that it was just two of us staying here? We didn’t want to leave. We spent time sitting in every area of our room and soaking it in. Bobby pretended to work in his office while Alli enjoyed the luxurious bath. We spent time on opposite ends of our suite, hollering at each other - just because we could! While we had plans to explore a good chunk of Florence during our short stay, it was really hard to leave the Relais Santa Croce.

As frequent travelers and hotel-stayers, it may seem weird that we're gushing about this hotel. But the Relais Santa Croce provided us with a royalty-like stay that we have never experienced. We literally felt like a royal couple, or important foreign dignitaries, or celebrities. Did we mention that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have stayed in our suite?

Thank you for the elegant stay, Relais Santa Croce! We can’t wait to return!

Alli in front of the Basilica Santa Croce in Florence, Italy