LA by Diana - Personal Style blog by Diana Marks: Travel

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Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

January 7, 2019

Why Flying Club World British Airways Is Absolutely Worth It

As you know from my Instagram, I took a weeklong trip to Europe during Christmas period last month. I attended my close friends' wedding in Cambridge, England, and spent Christmas with one of my old friends in Vienna, Austria and even took a day trip to Budapest, Hungary. The trip started the day after my birthday, which I celebrated for the first time in a while (so obviously the celebration went way past midnight), and the day after I landed in London Heathrow, I needed to be fully ready for a wedding day of my friend. Quite an intense schedule, but I honestly don't think I'd be able to do it without Club World Amenities of British Airways. As you know I have been flying with British Airways Club World facilities for the last few years, and here is a recap of my top 4 reasons why this is an absolute best travel experience.

August 15, 2018

Kayumanis Jimbaran - The Ultimate Luxury stay in Bali

It's been over three months since I came back from Bali, yet I am frequently going back to my epic trip in memories, and my mind takes me to Jimbaran in particular, which was the last stop of my Bali adventures. I am sure, it has a lot to do with the hotel, where I stayed - Kayumanis Private Estate and Spa. It’s a high end property with massive private villas and excellent customer service, that is beyond any other I have ever experienced. As mentioned, it was my last stop in Bali, so I was already pretty exhausted from moving around and having explored Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak and Gili Islands. I wanted a quiet place to relax and recharge before returning to my hectic lifestyle in the USA, and Kayumanis exceeded my expectations in that matter.
I stayed in a private 1 bedroom villa, that consisted of a separate bedroom with an outdoor bathroom (a dream!), open plan living and kitchen area, a separate personal spa room and a huge private pool. Beyond the excellent customer service, guests enjoy a personal 24 hour butler, daily high tea, a complimentary bike service,and a shuttle service to anywhere in Jimbaran/Nusa Dua area. Hotel stuff feel like old freinds, they have many stories to share and are always happy to assist. Every single one of your needs is met and exceeded to make sure you feel comfortable and welcome. 

May 4, 2018

My Bali Trip: Blue Karma Resort Seminyak

It's time to continue my story of exploring Bali. After introduction to the island in Canggu, and cultural zen experience in Ubud, it was time to check out the most stylish and upscale area in Bali - Seminyak, famous for the best Bali shopping, beach clubs, top restaurants and the most luxurious resorts. 
I stayed at the beautiful luxury boutique hotel Blue Karma, which is a bit tucked away from the action yet just a short walk away from the best local shopping streets, restaurants and the beach. Artistic creativity, ethnic design and a beautiful garden came together to create a unique hidden paradise in the middle of all the action. With only 9 villas from 1 to 4 rooms, the hotel feels very private and peaceful, and of course their service is beyond excellent. I stayed at a 1 bedroom villa called Lavender, and I was completely in love. I think the designers were building it specifically for me, because I would literally live in that place! Minimalistic ethnic decor with lots of wooden elements, a private pool and so much space - it is truly my personal interior dream.
Unfortunately I had to leave the hotel very early on the last day, hence cut my stay there short. But I was up for a spontaneous last minute adventure trip to Gili islands, that you can check here :)
Check out the video tour on my INSTAGRAM (scroll right for the video!)

April 25, 2018

My Bali Trip: Tugu Hotel in Canggu

As you know from my social media accounts, I recently went on a solo trip to Bali, which was full of adventures and self-transformational experiences. I managed to go to 5 different places (one of them is not even in Bali, it's another island in Indonesia!) over a span of 2 short weeks, but it seemed like I spent a lifetime there. I only had my first and last two nights of the trip planned, everything else was meant to be figured out as I go. I was following my heart and local advice, and ended up having the best travel experience of my life!
Bali is truly a magical island, with its own spirit and way of life. It is made up of fascinating history, a blend of religions and spiritual atmosphere all around. Local people are warm and welcoming, they believe in karma and energy, live in the moment and practice gratitude. I learned a lot from the local way of life. All areas in Bali are different from one another with their own unique twists, however they all unite under one balinese spirit. So without further adieu, let me introduce you to each area (and the place I stayed at) individually. 
My first stop in Bali was at a coastal village Canggu beach famous for great waves for surfing, cute cafes, co-working spaces and also known to be an up-and-coming resort area. I chose to stay at Hotel Tugu, which is a family owned museum-like property owned by a renown Indonesian art collector Anhar Setjadibrata. He owns a few hotels in Indonesia, all of which store his unique collections of art, therefore being on a mission to bring back to life the art, soul and romance of Indonesia. No wonder the hotel feels like his private property, and it seems that you are just vacationing at your friend's place. From museum-like decorations and a huge collection of antiques to the greenest tropical garden area, everything at the hotel looks dreamy and surreal.
The staff treats you like family, and goes above and beyond to meet each one of your needs. I felt like I am the only person staying there, despite the hotel being fully occupied. My suite had an oceanfront view, and I had a hard time leaving my balcony both in the morning and at night - sunrise and sunset ocean views are stunning! The location of the property is just footsteps away from the beach, where I took my surf classes despite myself never being an avid surfer. Weather you are into surfing or not, I definitely recommend it for an intense workout, super fun times and even a spiritual journey. 
As for the food, I was obsessed with Tugu Hotel's cuisine, which is almost upsetting as I didn't even get to try many other places in the area. Their breakfast bowls were delicious and dreamy, and dinner at JI Restaurant, which is located on the premises serves the freshest sushi that melts in your mouth! Check out full photo diary below:

January 12, 2017

Augustine Prague: A Luxury Collection Hotel

Last year was full of travel experiences for me. I stayed in lots of lovely hotels, from big chains to boutique ones, and one of my favorites and freshest in my memory is Hotel Augustine in Prague. It was my first time visiting Czech Republic, and the hotel was a perfect choice. It is centrally located in a quiet neighborhood walking distance to city's sights like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, and, most importantly, it has the most fascinating history. 
The hotel's suites feature amazing views of Prague castle, the monastery or garden courtyards. But the most impressive room is the 360-degree-view Tower Suite, a three-story penthouse that once served as the monastery's observatory. You can see the whole Prague from there!

October 1, 2016

Travel Giveaway with See Monterey

This year is full of travel adventures for me. From busy city getaways to tropical Caribbean destinations, I am really taking it to the next level. However, I am not forgetting about my California, Monterey County in particular. As you might know, I visited the county back in April and am yet to go back and explore it in more detail. It’s hard to say what my perfect getaway is, it really depends on my mood and company. Sometimes I like outdoor activities, sometimes all I want is just spend a few leisurely days filled with food and wine. But what I know for a fact is that Monterey County has it all. It’s a vast geographic region that encompasses a life-enriching array of experiences – with places like Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, etc. From the coastal to inland, there is something unique for everyone.
READ ON FOR AN EXCITING TRAVEL GIVEAWAY!

September 7, 2016

Win A Trip Around The World: 5 Cities In 30 Days

This post is sponsored by Radisson Blu but my love for their hotels is all my own.
You all know that I love to travel and try to get out of LA as much as I can - and it's not nearly as often as I'd like to! My longest trip this year was a three week non stop European tour, and I tried to share every detail with you guys. But more than that, now YOU have a chance to take 30 days and travel around the world yourselves and visit 5 amazing destinations (airfare for two included). 
I partnered with Radisson Blu - one of the world's leading brands with nearly 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories to give away this phenomenal experience. And participating in the giveaway is also super FUN! To enter, take a journey through Paper City, and discover fun facts/clues about each location, helping you guess the city. It's simple and fun!

Here are my top 5 destinations that I would definitely recommend :
1) Athens, Greece - I started exploring Greece this year, and I definitely fell in love with the country. I am yet to see it's beautiful capital - Athens.

August 7, 2016

London Diary with British Airways #Bleisure

You guys are definitely aware that I had quite a busy July traveling non stop around Europe, and the center of it all was my favorite London. It has a very special place in my heart as I used to live there and it definitely feels like home every time I go back. Not to mention that my best friend lives in London, and we always have tons of adventures when we get to meet. Since London makes me so happy I try to go back there as often as I can. Most of the time, it's still for business, but I am an expert at combining both business and leisure, and I highly recommend doing that to everyone who travels. I always take some time off my busy schedule for catching up with friends or simply exploring the city. You can't go to a place like London and not take advantage of countless activities and places it has to offer. So if you ever travel there for business, make sure to squeeze in an extra day or two for additional exploring ;)

July 22, 2016

Huge Travel Giveaway with Country Inns & Suites

You guys know how much I enjoy travelling and staying at cool hotels. As of right now, I am typing this from Bodrum, Turkey, prepping for a boat tour along the Mediterranean coast until the end of the month. I love exploring other countries as much as I love to travel around my local California. There are so many essential things that I need for comfortable travel, but perhaps the most important one is proper lodging. I need to stay as productive and comfortable as possible, especially since I am always on the go. So good hotels are extremely important to me. They don't have to be upscale, but I need a proper comfy bed, great customer service, fast internet everywhere and "at home" atmosphere.
LEARN HOW TO GET A FREE TWO NIGHT HOTEL STAY in the US and Canada BELOW:

May 13, 2016

Enjoy Life and Experience Monterey

One of my new years resolutions this year was to be more adventurous, spontaneous and to make the most out of life. Not just every day, but every hour, and every moment. In other words, to embody the spirit of Grabbing Life by the Moments. That's when the best memories happen anyway! So when my friend asked me to go join her on a road trip along the California coastline back in April, I immediately said yes. I would normally take a few weeks to think about it and plan everything out, but this time we decided to be spontaneous and fun. We had no particular plans and no hotel reservations. We just took Highway 1 and drove. And it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of this year so far!
I got to discover places in California that I didn't even know existed. My favorite part of that trip was definitely visiting Monterey County. That's where we spent most of our trip anyway! Even though we didn't have even remotely enough time to see everything Monterey has to offer, we were mesmerized by the little that we saw. From scenic views along the coastline on Highway 1, to breathtaking beaches and cutest beach towns, there are countless things to see and do there. Whether you are going on a local food and wine tour, outdoor adventure trip (biking, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, hang gliding, horseback riding and surfing are just a few of the adventures that lure visitors there), or a family and friends road trip, Monterey County is the best place for all of it! 

April 12, 2016

Hotel d'Angleterre: Luxury Boutique 5 Star Hotel in Geneva

I know, I know. I promised this post for quite a while and have been teasing you guys with gorgeous photos of this beautiful hotel for the whole month. But here it is, the highly anticipated review of my luxury experience in Geneva.
While traveling to Switzerland, I stayed at a luxury Hotel d'Angleterre, conveniently located on the banks of Geneva's Lake Leman and set in a refined building dating from 1755. The first thing I noticed was the warm welcome each guest receives while staying there. You don't feel like a hotel guest, you feel like a family friend thanks to excellent service and meticulous attention to details of the hotel's staff. 
The hotel boasts 39 luxury guest rooms and 6 elegant suites, which are individually designed in a combination of refined Swiss style and traditional charm with modern amenities. No room looks similar to one another, making the hotel feel like a warm and welcoming luxury estate, full of tastefully selected and placed antiques and exquisite works of art.
My favorite place to relax at night was their swanky and wildly popular Leopard Bar offering live music in a luxury cozy library setting enhanced by a lit fire.

April 4, 2016

Captain Obvious Runs for President with Hotels.com

Time flies and I can't believe it's another election season. Aside from the presidential race, there is another fun race to be followed. "Captain Obvious running for President" race...but he is actually physically running! He will be providing his own satirical insight on the election along the way, which you can follow on his microsite here. Captain Obvious also has over 300K Twitter followers who follow his updates and the #ObviousPresident hashtag.
Hotels.com is supporting Captain Obvious during his race because they believe in simplicity as much as he does - and he'll need a place to sleep at night! They’ll be providing him with running shoes, socks, shorts and everything else he needs for his run.

February 3, 2016

Miami Vibes

If you follow me on social media, you already know that I spent the past few days in Miami. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it. Tropical climate is not something I experience often, so it was definitely fun to watch the weather change so fast: heat waves, high humidity, heavy rains and cold evenings (in January only) could all happen in one day. I spent my time exploring the city and hanging out in South Beach. Even paid a few visits to the beach itself ;)
Packing for any trip is quite a challenge for me, but it has gotten much easier thanks to my favorite Lulus. I picked out an outfit which was perfect for Miami – a beautiful yellow body, a high waisted skirt, sexy high heels (Miami style!) and an elegant clutch, which I am sure I’ll use a lot in upcoming seasons. Oh, and by the way, I am obsessed with the choker necklace – such a sexy and charming piece!

December 16, 2015

Scotland Fashion

My trip to Scotland was brief but full of memories. The weather was terrible that weekend - it was rainy, windy and very very cold, but it didn't stop us from having a great time full of adventures. From visiting the Edinburgh Castle, exploring spooky Greyfriars Kirkyard, having coffee breaks at the Elephant House Cafe, where JK Rowling wrote her first Harry Potter, and ending the day on a bar tour around town, there wasn't a moment not to feel bored.
As promised here is one of the looks that I wore during the trip. I was so excited to visit the country for the first time and took time to decide what look I am going to wear - tartan was on my mind and I found this perfect mini-skirt at my favorite Lulus. I wore the skirt from day into the night, switching a few items around for a glam look.

December 11, 2015

London Gal

As you might now from my social media, I recently took a trip to the UK. It was such a great experience to come back to a place, which I once called home - rediscover myself and more importantly, reflect on my life especially considering the important changes I am going through. One might say that vibrant London is not the best place to reflect, but since it has a special place in my heart, it definitely was the perfect option. I walked around local streets, caught up with friends and met a few new interesting people, but most importantly, I recharged myself emotionally and simply had a great time. 
To stay stylish on this trip I relied on my favorite Lulus, which saved me on my previous European trip back in June. I managed to find perfect outfits both for London and Edinburgh (where I went for a weekend) and this one is my London look: vegan leather pants, true Londoner booties and obviously a hat. Stay tuned for my true Scottish look in Edinburgh :)

July 30, 2015

Hotel Pullman Brussels Centre Midi

As I continue my hotel reports, it's time to talk about my stay in Brussels. I stayed at the ultra modern and chic Pullman Brussels Centre Midi, which is located right outside a major local and international train station of Brussels. Considering that I spent two out of three days traveling outside Brussels, and left Brussels for Amsterdam by train, I couldn't imagine of a better place to stay. But regardless if you need to travel outside of Brussels or prefer to spend your time in the city, the historical heart of Brussels is only a 15 min walk away, or a short 5 min metro ride, with the station located right next to the hotel. 
Location aside, the whole hotel is simply superb. Designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, this 4 star upscale hotel is definitely a place to be - sleek, modern, minimalistic and glamorous! Out of all the places I stayed at, this one was by far the hardest one to leave! I am just too addicted to cool designs and great customer service :) And of course, the best part of any European hotel stay is... breakfast! It was definitely superb and the variety was just insane. I wished I stayed there longer so that I could try everything they had :) So delicious!

July 24, 2015

WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam

It's already been two weeks since I am back, but I am still not over my post-trip depression :) It was such an amazing experience, particularly due to the beautiful hotels I got to stay at. 
Today I'll tell you a bit more about my stay in Amsterdam. First of all, I arrived at the airport and got a TESLA cab - that's how you ride in Amsterdam! Definitely in style ;) Then it took me to the WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam and I can't imagine a better place for your home away from home in this vibrant and international city. My hotel choice was pretty straightforward for two reasons. First, I am a fashionista (hence "the fashion hotel") and second, its convenient location. The hotel is close to public transportation which takes you directly to the center of the city, an airport is only a short drive from it and, most importantly, it's located right across the World Fashion Center. The rooms are very convenient (and quiet, which is kind of a big deal for me!) and the design throughout is all about fashion and glamour - definitely my vibe! 
My favorite amenities of this hotel are The Wellness Garden with 2 saunas and Turkish steam room, indoor swimming pool, and the SKYY bar on the 10th floor with great views of the city. And I was definitely obsessed with breakfasts there - seriously I don't think I ever ate so much food at once. But I don't regret it at all - it was healthy and definitely delicious. I can't wait to get back to this beautiful city and come back to WestCord Fashion Hotel Amsterdam.

July 15, 2015

My European Vacation

For those who still don't follow me on the social networks, it's time to tell you a bit more about my European trip. This year it was packed with gorgeous locations, great company and amazing food. I spent 3 weeks in Europe, kicking off my tour with a week in Cannes followed by a road trip around Tuscany and three day stays in Brussels and Amsterdam. I managed to see a total of 16 big and small towns all over Europe over the course of my trip. It was a little exhausting, but very exciting. I came back with a huge baggage of great memories and I think I even got a little depressed upon arrival, because this trip was like a dream and yet it was over so soon :( 
I was freaking out for a couple of weeks before leaving since I had absolutely no idea what to pack with me. I wanted to have a lot of outfit options, but didn't want to take a big suitcase in lieu of the amount of travel that I was planning to do. I also had to plan warmer looks in case of chilly nights or temperature changes from country to country. I also refused to take anything that I couldn't wear more than once and anything that wasn't pretty enough. I bought so much stuff from different online stores in hopes to get those ideal outfit options, but ended up returning most of it. I was getting desperate... 
But then I remembered about one store that somehow slipped my mind - my favorite Lulus. After spending hours on the website, I finally chose a few great summer dresses, pants, tops and a cool white jacket - perfect for summer nights. Whether it was surviving extreme heat in Cannes, getting lost on the streets of random Tuscan towns, admiring the architecture of beautiful Brussels or having the time of my life in vibrant Amsterdam, Lulu's made it easy for me to look stylish and feel comfy. Check out my looks that I wore in different cities and let me know which one is your favorite!
CANNES (France):

July 1, 2015

Cannes Diary - What to Wear and Where to Eat

As you know from my social networks, I am currently traveling across Europe, and as part of this amazing trip I spent last week in Cannes. I had so much fun there, going to the beach, eating unlimited seafood and croissants and catching up with my friends. My summer fashion consisted of very light items with thin materials due to hot weather in Europe and trying to minimize my luggage size. Here is a photo diary of my looks and places to visit via my Instagram @byDianaMarks. Enjoy :)
Hat: Club Monaco. Romper: Sandro. Flats: Soludos.

December 26, 2014

Christmas in Canada - Breathtaking Views

Happy Holidays, my friends! Hope you had a beautiful Christmas! If you follow me on social networks you already know that I spent my Christmas in Vancouver. I fell in love with the city's beautiful landscape, perfect winter weather (it's cold enough to wear hats and scarves, but still sunny and dry) and what seemed to be the most festive Christmas atmosphere. Seriously, I met a few Santa Clauses who approached me first (!) and were more than happy to chat and take photos with me. And I am still obsessed with a perfectly decorated Christmas tree in every single building. 
As for fashion, I tried not to pack too much, so I ended up wearing the same accessories (boots, a bag and a hat) in 2 completely different looks over the past 2 days. Check out both outfits below and let me know which one you like more ;)