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TRAVEL

MASAI MARA SAFARI, TRAVEL

Hotel Lust: &Beyond Kichwa Tembo

March 7, 2017
Hannah Shelby: Hotel Lust: andBeyond Kichwa Tembo

Located where the famous final scene in Out of Africa was filmed, this sprawling oasis is what safari dreams are made of. There’s just something about the way the infinity pool pours out into the sweeping plains of the Mara—a perfect place to relax after an early morning game drive to see the Big Five. And because the camp is set on a privately owned Mara conservancy, guests can enjoy night-time game drives, bush walks, guided hikes, and visits to local Masai villages, as well as sundowner cocktails, private bush dinners, and hot air ballooning.

From &Beyond:

“Known as Kenya’s best loved safari camp, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp offers a quintessential game viewing experience, with sweeping vistas of the Masai Mara and the Sabaringo River.

Located where the riverine forest and plains meet, directly in the path of the awe-inspiring Great Migration, the camp provides an authentic dose of African wildlife delivered with legendary Kenyan hospitality. Set on a private concession leased from Masai landlords in the north of the Mara, the camp offers total seclusion and abundant wildlife.

Simple yet contemporary, the Maasai-inspired suites are elegant and timeless. As guests arrive at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo, they are instantly welcomed by the awe-inspiring view. The spacious guest areas provide a place where guests can relax and unwind. The large windows invite the Mara inside, making it feel like part of the guest area.

Guests can escape to the massage room to indulge in a relaxing treatment or browse the redesigned Safari Shop, which offers the finest Kenyan handicrafts. And the infinity swimming pool—literally on the edge of the Mara—boasts one of the world’s most extraordinary views.”

Hannah Shelby: Hotel Lust: andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Hannah Shelby: Hotel Lust: andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Hannah Shelby: Hotel Lust: andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Continue Reading…

MEXICO, TULUM, TRAVEL

Hotel Lust: Hotel Esencia

February 21, 2017
HANNAH SHELBY: Hotel Lust: Hotel Esencia

What if you could drop everything you’re doing. Right now. And jet off to a blissfully serene tropical hideaway. You wouldn’t even think twice, right? With it’s own private beach located on the crisp white sands of the Rivera Maya, Hotel Esencia is an oasis for pure unplugged relaxation. And if the private beach isn’t enough, the immaculately landscaped grounds, calming decor, and fresh local food are a few more of the high points that make Hotel Esencia completely lust-worthy. I’m already mentally packing my bag now, which doesn’t include much more than a handful of swimsuits, a few breezy dresses, and some easy slip on sandals. Continue Reading…

TULUM WEDDING, TRAVEL, LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

12 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

February 17, 2017
HANNAH SHELBY: Tulum Wedding

Wedding planning can be incredibly exciting—it’s finally time to decide how you want to celebrate your love and make things official. But it can also be extremely time consuming and stressful, especially if you are planning a destination wedding from afar. After spending 8 months planning our wedding in Tulum from our hometown in Chicago, I’ve put together my top 12 tips to help ease the stress and make the process go more smoothly. Continue Reading…

TRAVEL

Is This Place Real? Architect Ricardo Bofill’s Masterpiece: La Muralla Roja

January 25, 2017
HANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla Roja

Not that you need another reason to take a trip to Spain, but one look at this architectural wonder from Ricardo Bofill, and you won’t want to waste any more time before hitting the “purchase” button on those plane tickets. Located in Calpe, Alicante, along the southern coast 1.5 hours south of Valencia, this housing project is undeniably mesmerizing. And the good news? While it may not be a public hotel, you are able to stay in this magical structure and adventure through the colorful maze-like walls with a little help from AirBnb.

Your Instagram feed will thank you.

Book Now:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3982593

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1482982

HANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla RojaHANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla Roja HANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla RojaHANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla Roja HANNAH SHELBY: Architect Ricardo Bofill's Masterpiece: La Muralla Roja

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GREECE, TRAVEL, FASHION

Mykonos | Photo Diary + Travel Guide

December 4, 2016
HANNAH SHELBY: Mykonos | Photo Diary + Travel Guide

For our final stop on our Greek Honeymoon, we made our way to Mykonos. A perfect compliment to scenic Santorini and charming Folegandros, Mykonos is a “jet-setter” island full of lavish beach clubs, high end restaurants, designer shopping, and lots of beautiful people looking to have a good time.

We arrived into the new port in Mykonos via SeaJets from Folegandros. The ride took about 3.5 hours and was EXTREMELY choppy. The day we took the ferry was an extra windy day but I would not recommend this to someone who is prone to sea sickness or generally creeped out flailing around in a boat on large bodies of water. SeaJets are much smaller in size (and faster) compared to the larger lines such as BlueStar. So if you’d prefer a smoother ride over saving time, that would be your best option.

Most hotels will pick you up at the port. I would recommend setting up this service as the island is very busy and this promises a stress free experience. 

We decided to stay just off of Platis Gialos beach. There is a bus station located right in Platis Gialos with easy access into Mykonos town and to all the beaches along the southern coast of the island: Agia Anna, Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, Kalo Livadi and Kalafati. This makes it a great location if you’re looking to explore most of the island without a car. Once we arrived at our hotel and settled in, we walked around and checked out the nearby beaches, hotels and restaurants. You can feel the energy of the island immediately, with lots of people and excitement all around.  nammos-mykonos-32829-10226196image credit ^^Psarou is one of the more upscale beaches with a “see and be seen” vibe and is home to the well known Nammos beach club and restaurant. There is never a shortage of yachts hanging out in the Psarou bay, or champagne bottles being popped at Nammos.

After getting ready, we took the bus up to Mykonos town (which only takes about 15 mins) and made our way to Little Venice.HANNAH SHELBY: Mykonos | Photo Diary + Travel Guide HANNAH SHELBY: Mykonos | Photo Diary + Travel Guide Continue Reading…