Category Archives: italy

December 28, 2012 · 2:20 pm

thank you, děkuji, grazie, gracias, merci beaucoup!

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dear Europe: thank you for one of the best months of my life!

please accept my long overdue thank you for hosting me last month for 30 lovely days. it will go down as one of the best trips of my life! i have so many i wish to show my gratitude to, so please bare with me while i do my best to remember those who went above and beyond to make my month so incredible.

go with oh cities

1) Go with Oh for the perfect apartments in Prague, Florence, Rome, Barcelona & Paris

marionette

2) Truhlar Marionety for the wonderful 4 hour lesson in making your own marionette with the master himself Pavel

pubcrawl

3) Pub Crawl Prague for the fun tour of bars & clubs

dinner at Four Seasons Prague

4) Four Seasons Prague for the delightful dinner at CottoCrudo

shopping in milan

5) Melanie Payge for the amazing behind the scenes shopping tour of Milan & bubbly company at the Four Seasons Milan Barolo dinner

barolo wine dinner

6) Four Seasons Milan for the gorgeous room & divine VIP white truffle & Barolo wine dinner

chef vito four seasons florence

7) Four Season Florence for the princess treatment by both Luca, Italian Barman of the Year & Vito, genius Executive Chef

il fontanaro cooking class

8) Walks of Italy & Il Fontanaro for the memorable cooking class & stay at a Tuscan Farm House in Paciano

rome food tour

9) Walks of Italy for the behind the ropes tour of the Vatican, the mouthwatering food tour of Rome & the day trip to Orvieto in Umbria

orvieto

10) Chef Lorenzo for the custom made lunch & educational tours of a cheese & olive oil factory

pompeii, vesuvius, naples

11) Walks of Italy for the fascinating discovery tour of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius & the Naples National Archeological Museum

positano - amalfi coast

12) Walks of Italy for the entertaining tour of the gorgeous Amalfi coast

flamenco lessons

13) Go with Oh for the oh-so-fun flamenco lessons at Flamenco Barcelona to indulge me

cocktails at Eclipse

14) W Barcelona for the tasty lunch at Wave & cocktails at hip lounge Eclipse

photo shoot with Eduardo Frances

15) Go with Oh for the fabulous photo shoot with photographer extraordinaire, Eduardo Frances

thanksgiving in Barcelona

16) Sara & Arno and the Go with Oh staff for the fun multi-culti Thanksgiving celebration

dinner at W Paris Arola

17) W Paris for the awesome tour of your property & the “spark” design explanation as well as the outstanding dinner at Arola

how to become a Parisian in an hour

18) Go with Oh for the hilarious “How to Become a Parisian in one Hour” show

parisian tattoo

19) Abraxas for the parfait tattoo to always remember Paris by as if i could forget

burgundy wine tasting

20) Caveau de Chassagne-Montrachet for the delicious wine tasting in Burgundy

lunch at Four Seasons Paris

21) Four Seasons George V Paris for the restful retreat & most indulgent lunch of my lifetime at Le Cinq

Lionel Richie

22) Lionel Richie & Co for the unforgettable Friday evening dinner in St. Germain Paris

Henley-on-Thames

23) Mr. & Mrs. O Around the World for the warmest welcome to Henley-on-Thames with a holiday party & lovely friends

Four Seasons London Park Lane

24) Four Seasons London at Park Lane for the stunning suite & Rolls Royce ride, Amaranto for the delicious dinner & cocktails tasting, the spa for the best massage yet AND the entire property for the best staff ever encountered

Jeff Leatham

25) The incredibly talented Artistic Director for the Four Seasons George V Paris,  Jeff Leatham, who wows the world with his floral designs but made time for a chat with me

kevin at Louis Vuitton

26) Kevin, Louis Vuitton personal shopper to the rich & famous, for the fantastic history lesson behind the LV brand

52 martinis

27) Miss 52 Martinis for a quick cocktail tour of Harry’s Bar, an old haunt of Hemingway’s, on a busy Tuesday night in Paris

AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST

lola & leah

28) Leah Travels thank you for being the best travel partner in crime i could ever EVER imagine. our month of adventures will bring us a lifetime of laughter!

XO – lola

 

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November 6, 2012 · 5:52 am

Lola & Leah Eurotour commences – we want your photo dares!

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we’re all packed & ready to go

it’s that time gang! while Leah has been methodical in her plans & packing, i’ve been more concerned about my props for my stunts i’ll be pulling for you all.

speaking of stunts, here’s the list of dares so far…

PRAGUE

  • photo with a musician or street performer – bonus points if a viola player!

ITALY

  • pics of silly faces in Rome
  • photos with raunchy Roman statues

BARCELONA

  • surfing photo op on the ‘wave’ in Parc Guell

PARIS

  • pic with the boa at the Eiffel Tower on one of the observation decks
  • photo of us drinking wine out of baby bottles in Montmartre
  • standing over the subway grate as the air blows up our skirts photo op in Pigalle

it’s certainly not too late to participate & you can even WIN prizes for doing so with Go with Oh multiple time for the cities we’re visiting. check it out!

OVERALL DARES THROUGHOUT EUROPE

  • drinking a shot of the national beverage pics in front of famous landmarks
  • photos with cute bartenders & hot men
  • pics of men in each place visited with the boa & us
  • photo op of people spelling out LOLA with their bodies in each city
  • photo of a cute European man mooning us (not sure how we verify he’s cute if we’re photographing his bum) 😉
  • and then there’s the topless beach or thong bikini photo ops
  • finally, a nudie photo with our boas covering any inappropriate lady parts

NOW, i cannot promise we’ll do all of these. i like your thinking and feel you’re on the right track BUT i do think you can be more creative.

THAT’S YOUR CHALLENGE FROM MOI!

now tweet to @GowithOh your creative photo dares with the hashtag #iDareGowithOh

 

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Filed under barcelona, czech republic, europe, france, italy, paris, prague, spain, travel

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October 31, 2012 · 8:22 am

i’m a winner & you can be a winner too!

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oui, i’m a winner & i’m tickled pink

sante lola – you are heading back to tres fantastique PARIS!

WHY? because i’m a winner of a FANTASTIC PRIZE even though i didn’t actually win! how is that possible, you ask?! well…

Go with Oh is putting on their TRES FAB Blogger Competition again and i suggest you join in the fun of attempting to win one of their amazing prizes. there are loads of winning opportunities through Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter contests as well!

i can honestly say that last April was one great ride during Go with Oh’s Spring Blogger Contest. between writing a creative piece about what i would do in Paris if i won the contest to promoting it in every way i could think of – it definitely kept my life lively AND got me dreaming about all things Paris! (who couldn’t l’amour daydreaming about that!)

i got a sidekick for photo stunts to promote my entry – lil french can can lola

plus, there were extra unexpected bennies too. like introducing me to a whole lot of other talented travel writers AND growing my own audience on my social media platforms. if you are really clever – like someone i know 😉 – you will partner up with an amazing writer and strike a deal to help each other. you may recall, i didn’t actually WIN this contest yet somehow i’m still getting the prize of a month’s accommodations for free through Go with Oh! may i suggest that you be SMART, WITTY & CREATIVE in your entry, your promotion & in your alliances! HAHA

give me 5 lil lola! we did it…we are headed back to Paris!

keep in touch, s’il vous plait, while i’m on my Eurotour with Leah Travels from November 6 though December 5. we’ll be in Prague, all over Italy, Barcelona, PARIS & London. you can enter the Twitter Bonanza Contest & give us city tips or photo dares.

you see, i’m a WINNER & you could be a winner too! wishing you the BEST OF LUCK on your blog post entries, tweets, Facebook posts, Instragrams, Pinterest boards, etc.

XO – lola

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October 29, 2012 · 8:54 pm

top romantic European destinations

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ooo la la romantic places, tres bien!

lola mixing cocktails with a cute bartender

i know i’m all talk about flirting with the bartender to score a free cocktail but really lola is a romantic at heart. even though i’m going on a Eurotour with my travel partner in crime, Leah Travels, and don’t have any romantic plans per se with her (HAHA) there is NO DENYING Europe is a tres romantic place!

whether you’re planning your honeymoon or just want to spoil your love interest, it’s hard to beat a romantic getaway to the charming streets of Europe. Paris, Prague, Venice and the Amalfi Coastline are just a few of the most romantic destinations in the world – and you can find them all in the breathtaking surrounds of Europe!

Venice, Italy

one of the most romantic cities, throughout the entire world, Venice is a lover’s paradise. winding canals and historical buildings set the scene for romance in Venice. St Mark’s Basilica is a popular destination amongst all tourists and provides a charming backdrop for the city. while the accommodation in Venice includes the finest lavish features, all of your senses will be delighted during this getaway, with some of the best food & wine in the world. whether you decide to take a leisurely stroll past the Grand Council Chamber or a romantic river cruise through the city, you are sure to enjoy your time in Venice.

the mysterious & romantic Venice

Prague, Czech Republic

imagine walking hand in hand, passing breathtaking sculptures and historical landmarks, as delicate snowflakes brush past your cheek. romantic elegance is the name of the game in Prague, with high-end fashion & chic boutiques lining charming lanes. dining options are virtually endless in Prague, particularly for couples who enjoy fine wines and world-class service. if you’re looking for the perfect place to pop the question, how could they possibly say no, in a city so passionate.

the city of light & l’amour

Paris, France

commonly referred to as the ‘city of love’, Paris is a truly the most romantic destination in Europe, if not the world. cobblestone pathways and historical buildings ooze romance and charm, as you get lost in the streets of this captivating city. if you’re planning to spend a romantic day, exploring the breathtaking sites of the Eiffel Tower & the Louvre, be sure to research Paris holiday deals, for packages that often offer the best prices. exploring the city, hand in hand, or snuggling up beside a crackling fireplace is the picture of ideal romance in beautiful Paris.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

carrying on with the beautiful regions of Italy, a list of the most romantic European destinations would not be complete without a mention of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Moorish-style architecture can be seen covering the coastal cities and towns of the area, providing breathtaking views for travelers. the luxury resorts, which cover the cascading mountainsides, are a popular attraction for couples & honeymooners who want to experience the finer things in life.

traveling BFFs heading off to 3 out 4 romantic destinations! MWAH!!

Leah & i will be hitting 3 out of 4 of these fabulous places. as much as we love each other, there will only be funny moments shared between us! 🙂 having said that, Europe truly is one of the most magical destinations in the world. historical buildings and intricate architecture provide old-world charm that is undeniably captivating. if you’re planning a romantic getaway, jump on a plane to one of these wonderful destinations, for a vacation you’ll always remember.

XO – lola

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October 22, 2012 · 8:04 am

Europe’s most iconic landmarks

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where i’ve been + where i’m returning!

LOLA – an icon in the making

lola loves iconic things! like famous fashion designers, old school actors, even the classic iconic cocktail. i think you know i’d like to be a bit of an icon myself! and then there’s Europe, home to breathtaking views, magical cities and some of the most iconic attractions throughout the globe. a European adventure would not be complete without a trip to one or all of these magnificent historical sites. i’ll be blazing a trail through Europe next month & will see quite a few of these famous iconic landmarks once again! *EXCITED*

Eiffel Tower – France

found in the city of love, Paris is home to the iconic Eiffel Tower. cruising down the city’s famous river Seine, travelers are lost in awe of the true beauty of this manmade structure. LOLA’S FAVORITE…brings a tear to my eye!

Stonehenge – England

the historical landmark of Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. truly a sight to be seen, this enormous stone structure dates back to 2600BC, when construction first began. this is one sight lola hasn’t seen!!

Cologne Cathedral – Germany

one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, the Cologne Cathedral is a spectacular Roman Catholic Church. with building beginning in 1248, this historical structure displays breathtaking gothic architecture. it’s been many years but this landmark is gorge!

Grand Place – Belgium

representing the centre point of Brussels, the Grand Palace is truly a spectacular site. one of the most memorable landmarks, for travelers to Europe, the Grand Palace houses the breathtaking town hall and various other important buildings in Brussels. never been to Belgium – must go, MUST GO!

Colosseum – Italy

located in the historical city of Rome, the Colosseum is one of the most visited landmarks in Europe. commemorating the barbaric history of the country, the ruins of the Colosseum remain as a reminder of what life was once like. flights to Rome, combined with tour packages of the Colosseum, can be found for a very reasonable price. it is awe-inspiring for sure! i’m going on a special tour of the Colosseum when in Rome – CAN’T WAIT!!

The Louvre – France

one of the most famed art galleries in the world, the Louvre attracts millions of visitors each year. home to the brilliant works of the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, amongst numerous others, this is one landmark that should not be missed. been there, done that. BUT will be doing again…LOLA-STYLE! stay tuned people.

St Mark’s Basilica – Italy

representing a period of the most brilliant architecture of all time, St Mark’s Basilica is visited by devout followers, history buffs and everyone in between. LOVE this square in Venice – even if it hosts the largest pigeon population in the world!

Buckingham Palace – England

this London landmark is home to the Royal Monarch and the primary place of official royal proceedings. while travelers are unable to enter this prestigious landmark, photo opportunities are aplenty. dear Queen Elizabeth, lola is still waiting for her royal invite!

Acropolis of Athens – Greece

the most well-known acropolis around the world, the Acropolis of Athens is perched atop a staggering cliff and is home to the remnants of several historical structures, including the famous Parthenon. LOVE! this was one of my MUST SEE sites of my lifetime. so happy i’ve seen it with my own eyes & walked those historical paths.

Brandenburg Gate – Germany

once a city gate, the reconstructed Brandenburg Gate is now a valuable insight into the history of Germany. situated in the city of Berlin, the gate is now one of the most famous landmarks throughout all of Europe. it is a beautiful gate. it’s almost as if you can feel all the history alive around you as you go through it!

which of these iconic landmarks have you visited?

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Filed under europe, france, italy, london, paris, rome, travel

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