Get to the Peninsula Hotel

I am fortunate to have a very cush job in that while I've got my nose to the grindstone, I get to luxuriate in 5-star hotels. Last summer, I was lucky enough to stay at the Peninsula Hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. If I didn't think I was a hotel snob before the Peninsula, well, honey, I do now.

Upon flitting from the hallway into my room, I heard myself squeal like a newborn piglet. I can be a germophobe, but when my senses got a hold of this room, I wanted to take off my shoes, touch the TV's remote control w/my bare hands, throw away my hand sanitizer, and press my face against the glass windows. I did, however, run hot scalding water before taking a shower. (Some OCD habits are hard to kick.)

On top of having "her royal highness" service from all staff members I encountered, the food was incredible; the cleanliness of the meeting rooms was next to godliness; the surrounding restaurants and neighborhood were filled with top-rated options to dine, drink, dance, play, walk, tour, shop, and star gaze . . . if you're into that sort of thing, like (pathetically) me. Sidebar: On the weekend, I walked a couple blocks up in search of an airy-fairy dress, and I literally grazed Claire Danes and her fiance. I declare she checked me out from head to toe. I was rocking the cutest summer peach color skirt, a light cotton handkerchief top and my orange leather sandals from Anthro. Meanwhile, she was rocking an all-black ensemble with one of those summer scarves that are now so last year, aviator shades, freshly flat-ironed hair, and looking mighty thin. Nonetheless, she is gorgeous in a pale girl sort of way.

I'm going back to the Peninsula this July for another meeting, and now that I've started this blog, I'll be sure to carry my travelers notebook to record every spa, restaurant, store, and park I visit, to share with everyone.

Oh, if you're traveling with Fido, he/she is welcome to the Peninsula. Oh-oh, and the bar is a great place to mesh with Chicagoans and hotel guests. Everyone is so welcoming. The mood at the bar is sexy, dark, chic, and a perfect setting to make some new friends. Just remember to don your best cocktail dress and killer heels b/c the boys . . . they are a-lookin' ;). Keep in mind that Chicagoans in this neighborhood ooze class and status, so expect some great people watching opportunities.

Wrapping it up, you just can't go wrong with this hotel. It might cost you a bit more than most hotels in the area, but life's about indulging when you can. So, here's your license to indulge a little in the luxe life.

Get to staying at the Peninsula.

Get Thyself to Como, Italy

I have seen the wonder of Como, Italy. I visited this sleepy Italian town in June 2009 with my now ex. K and I had just arrived on the train from Germany (Stuttgart) and after traveling for over six hours, we were absolutely exhausted. It was around 6 pm when we got there and the sky looked like it was going to burst with some kind of storm--either hail or rain. But, since we were in this town that George Clooney calls his second home, I couldn't wait to start touring.

Even though it was turning cold and dark by late evening, I could sense something special about Como. Plus, I had heard that Como was like a "mom and pop" town from my hairdresser, Marco Ferrari, who hails from there. (I was already in love with Como even before I knew Mr. Clooney fell in love with it. So there.)

Moving on . . . K and I unpacked our suitcase, freshened up and bolted for the magnificent body of water in town known as Lake Como. Lake Como is right in the center of Como, so you can't miss it, even at night. It is surrounded by villas, so at night, all you see is this dark body of something--that is water--and millions of lights floating around it high into the mountains. It's truly a sight to behold day or night.

Because the sky decided to burst as we were walking to the restaurant that was supposedly holding our reservation, we got drenched. I had on a cute military type dress and some flat leather sandals from J. Crew that I had bought specially for this trip. Too cute! But, 30 minutes into our walk to the restaurant, the top of my left sandal decided to take a hiatus from the sole. I had been trudging around in so many puddles and standing water that the glue that held my sandal together decided to give. So, there I was, trying to keep my sandal from "talking" with each step I took. But, because I was in lovely Como, nothing could get me down. Not even the manager who told us--after those 500 miles of walking--that the restaurant was closed due to a wedding. Argh!

Without any other dinner ideas, the time now getting late, and our stomachs rattling w/hungry juices, we turned around and headed back in the direction of our hotel. Along the way, we found this divine Italian restaurant right by the water with all these Italians enjoying bottles of wine, platefuls of pasta and salads and laughing and sharing the gift of gab. Honestly, it felt like we had just entered an Italian family's dining room; it just felt cozy and homey. When my dish came out, I lowered my face right into the pasta and ate myself away into oblivion. Well, I didn't do that exactly, but I certainly inhaled my food when boyfriend wasn't watching.

Before heading off to Verona, we enjoyed the next two days in Como shopping, touring basilicas, eating large oval-shaped pizzas, gorging on tiramisu, watching Italians live life, took a boat ride on Lake Como, took scads of pictures, talked with the locals, laughed with them, and made ourselves at home.

In short, if you want to travel abroad and feel welcomed and loved, not ignored like most American tourists are when they're in Europe, visit Como. Just be sure to wear a smile, have an open heart and be ready to make memories. Como is divine.

Get to traveling. Get thyself to Como soon.