A 50th Celebration in Paris & the Italian Riviera

by Leave a Comment

Annette and Mike were looking for an incredible luxury adventure to celebrate her 50th birthday. Something classic, full of shopping, champagne, great meals, and maybe even a little beach time. We knew Paris had to be top-of-the-list! Adding a little bit of the Italian Riviera to relax and slow down created the perfect grand celebration for a milestone adventure! Here’s how their trip went:

We loved our trip and cannot thank you enough for your help in planning. Everything was so organized and exceeded our expectations!

Paris Tours

Paris was just amazing. Every sight, everything we saw in the short time we were there was amazing. Feret from Paris and Beyond Tours was more than amazing. We would never ever have been able to see as much as we did in Paris being there a short 3 days. He took us on a tour for the entire day of every possible place we would want to see. His knowledge was incredible. We learned so much history, it was incredible.

He also spent extra time with us helping me shop at Chanel and what a disaster that was. We were there on the day of the new launch for Fall collections so shopping in Paris was quite impossible the days we were there. He helped me navigate that process so well. The boat cruise was also a highlight. Ann and her partner (I forget his name) were so so amazing. They made homemade apps, and the cruise and history we saw was something out of a movie. Highly Highly recommend it. They were easy to find too as I was a bit concerned about meeting them at the correct spot.

Paris Hotel

Our hotel in Paris (Le Metropolitan) I have to say was just ok. Great people. An incredible spot, and the view was incredible. But it was very small. No amenities or concierges really. Maybe that is what you get and you pay for that view? The view was unreal. The location was great too in one of Paris’ most famous neighborhoods. (16th arrondissement- learn more about Paris neighborhoods here!) Paris btw, was also very safe and clean I have to say. Transportation was extremely easy with Ubers too when we didn’t have cars. We also just wandered at night and found local restaurants and we had the best meals. Overall it was terrific.

San Remo

We flew into Nice and had the most awesome driver meet us. We fell in love with this family-owned business. Luigi and his son Luca both drove us on subsequent days to Monte Carlo and Portofino/Santa Margherita. Hotel San Remo is a close 45 min drive from Nice airport and we arrived at an incredible room with the most amazing views of the Ligurian Sea. OMG. The hotel was beautiful and full of amenities we like — the spa, the pool, the outside bar and restaurant, and shop in the lobby for a last-minute bag to take home all my purchases lol. It has a very famous history of royalty staying there and it was beyond amazing. Our room was huge. Our day trip to Monte Carlo/Monaco was amazing. The most incredibly wealthy area of shopping, boats, restaurants, and casino I think I have ever seen. We shopped all day, and enjoyed Champagne at an outdoor Veuve Cliquot pop-up champagne spot. AMAZING. I wanted a day to shop, and Monte Carlo did not disappoint.

We then had a day at the pool and by this point in the trip we needed this so badly. The pool at the San Remo was built by a famous Italian architect and has a rich history. The lunch there and the view was amazing. It was a peaceful restful day. The hotel also suggested the best small local restaurants that we ate at the following nights and they were just amazing.

Portofino & Santa Margarita

We then did a day trip to Portofino and Santa Margarita and all I can say is wow. AMAZING. This was my 3rd and Mike’s 4th time in Italy and we have seen a lot of Italy including the Amalfi Coast. This compared.

Small coastal towns with beautiful colorful architecture and restaurants and shopping to die for. The place we had lunch at was amazing in Portofino OMG. La Terrazza at Belmond Splendido. Was a dream location. AMAZING.

Our driver Luigi again, was great getting us there. Gave us so much history along the way. Knew where to take us, how to get us there and tell us all the amazing things along the way. We never could have done our day trips without him. Professional and the best.

Then my bday ended with Roberta (owner of San Remo Experience). We were so moved by her. She took us off the beaten path to a very small village where we learned to make pesto and fresh pasta. Had the most wonderful tour of beautiful churches, the town square, and local osterias. She had such a beautiful heart and was so patient and kind. So knowledgeable. We loved her. We had the best day.

I honestly would not change a thing about our trip. We loved loved loved it. Thank you for all your help and guidance we couldn’t have done it without you!

Annette

Jungle and Beach in Costa Rica

by Leave a Comment

Steve and Julia were looking for a tropical honeymoon full of adventure and unique experiences that would give them stories for years to come. I knew the perfect place: Costa Rica! Splitting their trip between the new and unique Nayara Tented Camp and the beachy all-inclusive Secrets Papagayo allowed them to stay within budget while still having the luxury honeymoon they dreamed of! Here are their thoughts on their Costa Rica adventure:

costa rica

Nayara Tented Camp

So for me, I absolutely LOVED Nayara, I’m a sucker for service and I’ve never had better.  The privacy, little touches like water on the side of the bed, full breakfast in the room, secluded tents, and even when you were in public it somehow still felt a little private. There were more than enough hot springs to find one for just the 2 of us. 

The restaurants were great, imported steak from Japan (Waygu) and only for $40 including a glass of wine.  We were never hounded for tips, we did still tip and you should for the level of commitment but they didn’t expect it.  I will say their local meats are a little different, they’re good but just something a little off about the taste.  

costa rica

The wildlife is amazing! We had a Coatimundi that would hang out near the outdoor shower, didn’t bother us just enjoying the sun, saw Toucans from the bed and we had the same yellow striped bird that would join us for breakfast every morning. We named him Henry and he brought over a friend and we called her Marie lol.  The Coati was Freddie.  

costa rica
costa rica

Secrets Papagayo

Secrets was very nice. But we did miss out on the nice private pool room which we wish we got when we were there. And it did have a little of the “Cancun All-Inclusive” vibe, it was great don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t near the level of Nayara.  We loved the shows at Secrets. They did a really cool Halloween performance, dinner and, of course, not paying for anything when you’re there is nice.  There were huge iguanas just walking around the place which was cool and the spa was amazing, again, excellent service.

costa rica

Thank you so much, it was A+ and full of amazing experiences! We’re already considering an African Safari!

–Steve

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN

Subscribe to our newsletter for travel inspiration!
EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH US
@SharedAdventuresTravel
Facebook-square Instagram Pinterest-square
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
"It was truly magical, and the logistics were seamless. We cannot thank you enough for setting it all up in such a way that we really did not have to worry about transportation whatsoever. It gave us all the more time to enjoy the sun, ocean and culture. All the honeymoon amenities were such a great surprise too – and made us feel so special."
French PolynesiaNathan & Jackie
"The vacation was all we could have ever asked for or imagined. We even got engaged!!Thank you for all your help, we had an amazing time and will be contacting you again for our next trip and our honeymoon! We couldn’t be more satisfied with all of your suggestions and assistance"
Punta CanaKyle & Keith
"We had a great time on the adventure as always. Thank you once again for your help. Our trips wouldn’t be half as good and planning would be more than twice as stressful without your wisdom!"
Alaska Lydia & Tim
"Thank you for doing such a great job for us! It really was flawless. You will hear from us again. I am hoping to plan another European vacation next year -- I’m not getting any younger! LOL Recommending you to everyone I know!"
ItalyCynthia
"Hope you had a great weekend. Just wanting to get back to you with feedback from our Hawaiian honeymoon!! We truly couldn’t have had a better time & are so appreciative of all you did in putting together such a wonderful trip we’ll remember forever!"
HawaiiJoanna & Joe
"Thank you for everything :) :) we absolutely LOVED our trip!! Moorea is the definition of Paradise! The lush vegetation and the crystal clear lagoon had me staring at the views in awe every single day. I must have said a million times that the views just do not get old!"
MooreaMeagan & Cameron
"it was AMAZING! Kudos to Thad for picking Rovos and Sindabezi Island and then you helped the two seamlessly come together with transfers and your Private Safari Connections. We will definitely chat! I also have about a thousand pictures to share! THIS was truly a once in a lifetime trip!!!"
South AfricaRosemarie
  • An affiliate of Travel Planners International
  • A Signature Travel Network Agency
Facebook-square Instagram Pinterest-square
Top
Facebook-square Instagram Linkedin Pinterest-square

You provided excellent guidance for us. I appreciated that you really had us think about what was most important to us when we were selecting the right cruise – and not to totally focus on what other people had to say. THANK YOU for helping to make this a memorable trip for our family! It really was a trip of a lifetime!

– Clare and Mark (family cruise to Alaska)

The level of service we experienced was out of this world (and we did NOT make it easy on Ann). We weren’t quite sure where we wanted to go, when we would be able to go, or what “vibe” we were going for. After asking us some key questions (what we liked, didn’t like, why, etc.) Ann helped us narrow down our trip details and planned the honeymoon of our dreams. She helped book some of our excursions, answered some emergency questions while abroad and was always available/willing to help. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be using anyone else for future travel planning – Ann is a rockstar!

– Carli (Italy and Spain)