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Grab your passports and get ready to embark on a virtual journey with me as I spill the tea on the crème de la crème of luxury hotel stays in 2023. With Amsterdam as a convenient home base, I clocked in miles and memories across 16 countries this year, and I've got the lowdown on the places that made my heart skip a beat. From the charming streets of Copenhagen to my home city of Boston, this year has been a whirlwind of plush pillows and top-notch turndown service. So kick back, relax, and join me on a vicarious voyage through the 10 Best Luxury Hotel Stays of 2023: My Awards edition.
I’m @girlgoneabroad on Instagram, and posting photos of my full-time travel life has (much to my surprise) resulted in a dedicated following of over 33,000. I am frequently asked what camera I shoot with, what lenses I use, what drone I fly, how I take my own photos, and if I have any recommendations for camera bags. Well, look no further! Here’s the rundown on all of the equipment I’m currently hauling around the globe.
If TreeHouse Villas in Koh Yao Noi have caught your eye, and you’re wondering if the luxury resort on a beautiful Thai island is worth the splurge, look no further. I won’t make you dig for the answer. In my well-traveled opinion, the answer is YES. TreeHouse Villas are magical, perfectly remote, and my three-night stay was worth every cent. Let’s dive into the features of this resort that make it as dreamy as the Instagram photos lead you to believe.
Did you land here because you were wondering if Bangkok, Thailand has a Four Seasons hotel? The new nine-acre riverside resort opened its doors in 2020 and is the perfect oasis amidst an otherwise chaotic city that never sleeps. Discover what I loved about my stay here!
Paros is the definition of work-life balance. Digital nomads love the sun and sea and an environment that’s energizing and conducive to productivity. The island is easy to explore and visitors are never at a loss for things to do. Idyllic villages, beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and mouth-watering food make the island an ideal stop along any digital nomad journey- whether it’s for a week or two months!
Pelion is a picturesque and affordable destination. It’s the perfect stop along any digital nomad journey to enjoy the quiet of the Greek mountains and connect to a more authentic side of the country. There is no shortage of things to do, delicious food to eat, and fascinating people to meet!
World-famous shopping, mouth-watering food, ample opportunities for sightseeing, and an air of sophistication and romance are just a few of the things that may come to mind when thinking about Milan. Having visited three times myself, I can confidently say it is a worthwhile stop on any trip to Italy. There is one thing, however, that made my third trip better than all the rest: a romantic two-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Milano with my boyfriend.
Otherwise known as the DAFT, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty is an agreement that gives self-employed Americans the opportunity to legally live and work in the Netherlands. You’ll get your very own resident card valid for two (renewable!) years and have access to the best continent on the planet.
Move over, Airbnb. There’s a new booking platform in town and it has all the makings for next-level stays, especially for remote workers! Meet flOasis. In this post, I share all about this exciting new company, and also detail my own experience testing out a flOasis property in the Tuscan countryside. (I basically lived in an Italian postcard for four nights. Just you wait!) Ps. stick around til the end for an exclusive discount code that you can use towards your own unique stay!
So you’re looking to visit Gran Canaria during the COVID pandemic. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, because I did too! While things are constantly changing, I hope that my experience can help give you the answers you’re looking for, and offer some photographic inspiration and tips along the way!
If you’ve ever applied for a job or opportunity and been asked for samples of your work, you understand the struggle that is piecing together specific examples that best suit the position. Thankfully, there’s a free way to put together a polished, custom portfolio in just a matter of minutes.
Every digital nomad will, at one point or another, ask themselves one question: do I carry on as a nomad, or become a settler? This is the digital nomad dilemma. Read on to see how I feel about staying still after years of full-time travel.
Looking for something free to do in London? How about a tour of the city’s most beautiful mews and iconic streets? Whether you’re in need of some fresh photo content or just some fresh air, here are 14 spots I recommend hitting up for a very Instagrammable day out in the city.
Looking for THAT Florence Airbnb with the amazing window and stunning Duomo views? Well, congratulations because you have found it! Allow me to flood you with aesthetically pleasing photos, tell you a thing or two about the Airbnb, and if you’re not intent on going to Florence by the end I’ll be shocked.
The air of romanticism that we all associate with France is not just a stereotype. It is deeply rooted in truth. I’ve felt it in Paris, in the Normandy region, and most recently, in Marseille. If you’re looking for a memorable place to rent during a stay in Marseille, this Airbnb may be exactly what you’re looking for.
So you’re ready for a dreamy desert escape. Maybe you want to spend a few days exploring Joshua Tree National Park and Pioneertown. Maybe you simply want to disconnect, and spend your nights soaking in a hot tub underneath an endless sky of stars. Either way, you need somewhere to stay, and I am here to help. Most suitable for getaways with a group, these multi-bedroom properties have everything you could ever need for a memorable stay in the desert.
I’ve stayed in some pretty spectacular places while traveling, but Chateau de Chantore had me feeling some kind of way. In fact, I would argue that this stay was one of the most memorable I’ve had in my 6+ years of full-time travel! If you’re exploring Normandy or planning a trip to Mont St. Michel, this is one accommodation option that you should definitely consider!
Looking for an Instagrammable and digital-nomad friendly cafe in Sofia, Bulgaria? Look no further! Before I even arrived in Sofia, two recommendations had already come my way from multiple sources: Made in Home and Made in Blue. After visiting both, I quickly understood why they were attracting digital nomads and Instagrammers like bugs to a light.
If you’re headed to beautiful Boston, Massachusetts, you’ll soon find an extremely walkable city with photogenic sights galore. From the cobblestoned streets of Beacon Hill to one of my favorite libraries in the world, there is no shortage of scenes to fill up your Instagram feed. While this list is by no means exhaustive, these 10 spots will certainly get you started!
So you’re stuck at home with nowhere to go and you’re running out of photos to post on Instagram. Creating fresh content can be a struggle when you’re confined to your house or apartment, but even when you can’t hit the road and travel or even explore new places locally, there are ways to stay active on your social channels and keep your audience engaged. Read on for 11 simple photos that can all be taken from the comfort of your own home.
Being productive while working from home is not easy. In fact, it can be really difficult, especially if you’re new to the lifestyle or have been working in an office environment for most of your career. These 10 tips will help you maintain your work-life balance, and kick ass when you’re technically “out of the office”.
Hunting for a unique photo opportunity near London, England that isn’t overly crowded? Look no further. The Ouse Valley Viaduct is one of the best photography spots I’ve found to date. Read on for more info about the location and photos from this architectural gem.
Planning a trip to Lanzarote? Read on for the 10 most noteworthy attractions, plus some great restaurants, and a highly recommended place to stay on this incredibly unique Canary Island.
Thinking about visiting Zakynthos, Greece in November? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful island in the off-season.
The only lakeside resort in the Yosemite area, The Pines Resort is located right on beautiful Bass Lake, just 18 miles from the park’s South Gate entrance. It’s also roughly 4 hours from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Yosemite National Park has long been on my USA bucket list, and I was thrilled to have the Pines as a base from which to explore it.
So you want to dress up and have a movie set straight out of Westworld all to yourself? Yeah, me too. That’s how I ended up in Pioneertown, California in the early morning hours, frolicking around in an orange dress. Read on for details and photos of this authentic Wild West movie set turned tourist attraction near Joshua Tree National Park.
When it comes to living the digital nomad life, there’s a lot of moving pieces. Not only are you scouring the Internet for affordable Airbnbs, hostels and hotels, you’re also trying to find quality cafes and co-working spaces with good WiFi. On top of that, you want to enjoy wherever you are, so you’re researching things to do and places to eat, while also juggling recommendations from friends and family. It’s a lot of information to stay on top of. To keep all of this information and ongoing research in one place, I’ve been using a new free app called Bublup.
Headed to Big Bear Lake, California? Looking for accommodation? Do I have a cozy Airbnb for you. And I don’t mean cozy in the typical real estate sense, where it’s used as a flattering word to describe a small space. The cabin I’m about to share with you is very spacious, but everything about it just makes you feel…well, cozy. And very much at home.
So you’re considering visiting Banff National Park in May? I’m here to tell you the things that I wish I’d known before visiting this Canadian bucket list item- namely that the picture I had in my head of turquoise lakes and boat rides was totally unrealistic! Don’t let this completely deter you, however- as Banff is pretty darn magical any time of year. Bring clothes for all seasons (you’ll be hot one day and freezing the next), get your camera ready, and consult this list of dos and don’ts ahead of time…it’ll help you plan accordingly!
Discover insider tips, top attractions, and hidden gems in Ischia with this comprehensive travel guide. Learn how to get to Ischia, where to stay, what to pack, and must-visit attractions.