Jet Set Jess

Buongiorno! At long last, I'm excited to share a few photos from stop number one from my tour of Italy in April 2022! Florence, like most of Italy, is a gorgeous, sprawling city filled with amazing food, warm people, majestic vistas, and endless history. But with so much to do and see, it can be a little overwhelming. That's why I'm here to share recommendations to anyone considering a trip to Firenze. Where to stay, where to shop, and of course...what to eat! Mangia bene! STAY 🛎 Four Seasons Hotel Florence DO 🌐 Duomo  🌐 Santa Croce 🌐 The Baptistery of St. John 🌐 Giotto's Campanile 🌐 Palazzo Vecchio 🌐 Uffizi 🌐 Pitti Palace 🌐 Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David 🌐 Ponte Vecchio 🌐 Boboli Gardens 🌐 Piazzale Michelangelo Most importantly, be sure to spend time wandering the adorable streets and visit the Oltrarno neighborhood for cozy local restaurants and bars. Shop along the famous Via Roma and take advantage of the strong dollar! A day trip to ...

Last October I jetted down to New Orleans for a stay at the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans ! Draped in classic Southern elegance, the Four Seasons is located along the water at the end of Canal St., which is walking distance to the French Quarter but still far enough removed from the chaos should you want to avoid any rowdiness. New Orleans is a city like no other, with so much history, culture, music, and incredible food to experience! I ate, I drank, I explored every inch and every thing the Big Easy had to offer. Miss River at the Four Seasons is a must for dinner and don't even think about leaving without hitting up the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons for a Gin Fizz!  And just a few additional recommendations from my stay: ⚜ Parkway Bakery and Tavern for Po Boys ⚜  Bacchanal Wine  ⚜  The Carousel Piano Bar and Lounge at Hotel Monteleone ⚜  Pat O'Brien's Bar ⚜  Bar Marilou for drinks ⚜  Magazine Street for shopping ⚜  Comma...

Last month my mom and I finally got a chance to cross a Middle East trip off our bucket list. We had an absolutely life changing experience exploring both Egypt and Jordan, home to endless beauty and countless historic treasures dating back millenia. It's not easy to pick a highlight but the Pyramids, a private visit to a working archaeological dig, and a sunrise hot air balloon ride are not to be missed! With such busy days, the Nile River Cruise is the perfect way to travel and the Oberoi Philae staff is truly top notch. Plus, as usual the service at the Four Seasons was exceptional! EGYPT In Egypt we explored Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, the Pyramids of Giza, took a hot air balloon ride at dawn, and a luxury river cruise on the Oberoi Philae ! We had a jam packed itinerary but had plenty of plush accommodations to help us recharge. In Egypt we stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza , the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, and of course aboard the Oberoi Philae Luxury Nile ...

Quickly becoming one of Africa's safest and most sought after tourism destinations, Rwanda has been on my radar for quite some time. Though COVID forced me to push the trip back a bit, I'm ready to officially book my adventure and experience this beautiful country in Summer 2022 for my mom's birthday! Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest, and sweeping plains. Volcanoes National Park is home to about half the world’s mountain gorilla population, making Rwanda a top choice for a gorilla trekking safari. As for the setting, the country is extremely beautiful with its steep slopes covered in dense tropical rainforest. And though travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, there is so much...

Newark Liberty International Airport Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all my travel in 2020 was both domestic and within a 4-5 hour drive. As someone with perpetual wanderlust, this isn't a statement I thought I would ever make in my lifetime, but due to global COVID travel restrictions, international travel was either impossible or very difficult. Though, I am grateful that  this allowed me to both get to know some resorts in my own backyard and plan some getaways I may not normally have experienced. In early January 2021 I boarded an airplane for the first time since March 2020. No flights in nearly a year? Unthinkable. And even though it was just for a short United Airlines flight from New Jersey to Florida, it was refreshing. So, in order to ease concerns and any confusion, I wanted to share my experience with COVID safety protocols and changes to security, check-in, and boarding (some of which were long overdue!). I should note that your experience may vary by airp...

Slovenia Europe, Asia, Africa. Castles, pyramids, mountains, rivers, and more history than you can shake a staff at. That's what my 2021 is shaping up to look like!  2020 has been a rough year for many and the pandemic has hit the travel industry especially hard.  That being said, I've tried to stay positive throughout! All of my travel in the past year has been to domestic, drive-able destinations and has been socially distanced in one way or another, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's resulted in a lot of "me time," and has allowed me to focus on wellness, surrounding myself with both luxury and nature, and planning trips that I may not have otherwise. Still, I always have my eyes on the next adventure! The uncertainty surrounding global travel in 2020 has provided a number of opportunities that I wouldn't be able to take advantage of normally. Zero fee cancellations and re-scheduling with most airlines and at most luxury hotels allows for flexibi...

Dev at the Colosseum in Rome I'm excited to introduce a new feature on "Jet Set Jess". Each month we will be profiling a new guest blogger; either a friend, colleague, or in this case a friend of a friend who shares the same love for travel, exploring new places and new experiences just as much as myself and all of you. This month I'd like to introduce Dev Kaneria, a logistics agent, former teacher, and part-time counselor with Rein Teen Tours , which provides travel opportunities for teens that would like to do service projects both domestically and internationally. Name: Dev Kaneria Age: 32 Current Location: Philadelphia, PA Occupation: Logistics Agent, Part Time Summer Counselor As a teacher, Dev had the luxury of relatively unoccupied summers and has luckily been able to continue his travels post-teacherdom as his current field also tends to be slow during the summers. In addition, his role with Rein Teen Tours has allowed him to travel the globe whil...

Patagonia, Argentina What comes to your mind when you think of a travel consultant? For some, it conjures up images of an 80's strip mall. Maybe some big hair? A few undercover Soviet spies working out of a wood paneled office in D.C.? Or m aybe it's what your parents used to plan trips before the internet came to be. Either way, most have a pretty outdated and ill-conceived notion of what it means to work with a luxury travel advisor like myself.  So what does it really mean? Working with a luxury travel advisor opens your vacation to a world of possibilities and exclusivity that you simply wouldn't have access to if you booked the trip yourself. Lisbon, Portugal In addition to access to exclusive experiences and locations, working with me means added amenities, top tour guides, and what may be the most important and overlooked aspect: zero stress. You're headed off on a grand adventure. A few days or weeks or pure relaxation. Why should the trip plann...