A Tropical Luxury Hideaway

Hotel: Viceroy Bali
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

You’re invited to the Viceroy Bali, a family-owned and operated boutique property, featuring luxury private pool villas that truly capture the Balinese spirit. Perched atop a river ridge with vistas of the Valley of the Kings, hotel Viceroy Bali sits looking regal out over Ubud. The infinity pool edge drops off a cliff, a design feature matched in beauty by the breathtaking panorama of the jungle canopy below. Take in the lush countryside, chill out at the Lembah Spa, or immerse yourself in the local culture. Make the Viceroy part of your next escape with Just Escape Travel.

Exclusive Value Add: Enjoy an exclusive 2-hour Balinese massage when you book through Just Escape Travel.

Remote Adventure Luxury

Hotel: Nihi Sumba Island
Location: Sumba Island, Indonesiaxx

Return to a life well lived on your next trip to Nihi Sumba Island. Find yourself in the midst of rugged luxury and unregulated freedom, in a place where you can connect with something larger than yourself.

Whether you’re into yoga or taking surf lessons at coconut cove, hiking into local villages or relaxing with a sunset massage, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. Make Nihi Sumba Island part of your next escape with Just Escape Travel.

Romantic Cliffside Luxury

Hotel: Post Ranch Inn
Location: Big Sur, California, USA

At Post Ranch Inn, you will enjoy unparalleled views of the pacific coast. This luxurious boutique resort, carved into the side of a 1,200 foot cliff, offers its guest an escape into modern, ranch-style lodging. Whether you’re looking for morning yoga classes, mindful movement, meditation classes, guided nature hikes, stargazing or some relaxing time at the spa, you can find it all here.

The Post Ranch Inn combines the beauty of its rustic-chic rooms, suites and treehouses with great food and perfect views, making it the perfect romantic getaway, a little closer to home. Make the Post Ranch Inn part of your next escape with Just Escape Travel.

Eat your Heart Out in Italy. How to Order like a Local.

Let’s face it, many of us dream of traveling to Italy to eat.

We have all fallen in love with the classics – you know the ones. Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccini Alfredo, Italian Dressing, and breadsticks are all typical staples at neighborhood restaurants. However, in Italy you won’t find any of those items on a menu.  

Since eating is one of my favorite cultural experiences when I take a vacation, I wanted to share some tips on how to make the most of your dining experience abroad.

First things first? You need to understand how to order more like a local and less like a tourist.

That means no Chicken Parm.

MEAL TIMES

Lunch is between 12pm-2pm
Dinner is between 7pm-10pm

DRESS ATTIRE

There is no formal dress code. However, Italians are fashionable and eating is more of a formal occasion in Italy.

TO DRINK

Da Bere? | What will you be drinking?

For water your options are Still (Aqua Naturale) or Sparkling (Aqua Frizzante). In Italy, all water served at a dining table comes with an additional cost.

Un bicchiere di vino rosato, per favore? 

A glass of rose please.

You can also order by the quarter, half, or full liter and costs are very reasonable. At nicer restaurants, your wine order might be taken following your meal order. If you prefer, a Sommelier (waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service: a wine steward) will look at your order and make the perfect pairing selections.

Not sure what to choose? Ask for a taste.  

This could be the perfect addition to a romantic escape.

TO EAT

Da Mangiare? | What will you be eating?

Italians take eating seriously, which means they enjoy their lunch and dinner and can take two to three hours to eat.

One of my favorite Italian traditions is the Aperitivo, an alcoholic beverage that is consumed prior to a meal with the intention of stimulating the appetite. Who doesn’t like a complimentary Prosecco, Spritz, or Negroni served with a delicious little snack? Each region features different variations.

Traditional Italian menus consist of five sections – appetizer (antipasto), first course (primo), and a second course (secondo), with a side dish (contorni), a salad (insalata), a dessert (il dolci), and coffee (café).

appetizer (antipasto): The small bites. Generally cured meats, olives, bruschetta, and cheeses that can be shared and passed around the table.

first course (primo): The carbs. Generally risotto, pasta, polenta, and/or gnocchi.

second course (secondo): The protein. Generally a meat, fish, or cheese focused dish that is unique to the region.

side dish (contorni): The vegetables. Generally grilled or fresh vegetables.

salad (insalata): The salad. Generally a Caprese or Misto green salad.

dessert (il dolci): The finale. Typically Italian desserts are less sweet than what we are used to.

coffee (café): The espresso. This is the traditional after dinner drink. Somehow most Italians are not affected by the caffeine intake! Guess it makes a good digestive system.

It’s not necessary to order from every course, but it is typical for people to order at least two or three. My perfect combination is the following: Aperitivo – Antipasto (to share) – Primo (to share) – Secondo – Insalata (to share) – Il dolci (to share).  Sharing items allows you to try more!

Aperitivo, appetizer, first course, second course, side dish, salad, dessert, coffee

SERVICE

Don’t be surprised if you don’t receive service for a while – eating is a luxury in Italy and it is never rushed. Waiters will not typically check in except to re-plate and clear dishes.

When you’re ready to get back to exploring, all you have to do is say, “Il conto!” Bill please.

As you review the bill, don’t be shocked to see a coperto added, usually $2-4 Euro per person. The coperto is a charge just for sitting. It covers the management, lines, bread, and olive oil that come with the table. This is not a tip!

Tipping in Italy is different than we are used to. If service was good,  leaving a few Euros or rounding the bill up is sufficient. If you receive exceptional service, you can leave an additional 10%.  

Now let’s eat!

I hope these tips will help you enjoy the Italian dining experience a bit more.

Mangia bene!  | Who eats well, lives well!

Michelle is the Chief Escape Organizer of Just Escape Travel. When travelling, I am passionate about connecting and emerging into a destination. I saw the growing demand for others wanting similar experiences and as a result, Just Escape Travel was created inspiring travelers to escape the ordinary.

The Hills

The Hills, designed by Darby Partners, sits on 500 acres of land across glacier valley and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open.  This Championship Course is a challenge even for those accomplished golfers but enjoyable for all skill levels. Throughout the course, golfers will find an array of sculptures made by local and International artists if the lake and mountain views weren’t enough. Guests will enjoy an unparalleled experience with full practice facilities & the finest clubhouse hospitality.

The Hills is located in Arrowtown just 20 minutes outside of the adventure capital Queenstown, New Zealand.

Aboard the working freighter Aranui 5, you will discover the fascinating history, culture, and scenic beauty of Tahiti and the remote Islands of the Marquesas on an unforgettable French Polynesia trip. See for yourself why this ruggedly beautiful archipelago has captured the hearts of many and inspired famous artists like Paul Gauguin.

This 14 Day cruise escape begins in Papeete and includes stops at Hiva Oa, the resting place of Paul Gauguin; Ua Pou, an island with towering volcanic spires; snorkeling in Rangiroa, enchanting coral reefs; and ending at the romantic Bora Bora.

Onboard, you will stop to deliver supplies to isolated villages, giving travelers rare encounters. Interact with Marquesans, learning about their ancient culture, or fish for pearls with a Tuamotu fisherman. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time on these islands, one thing is for sure: this cruise is unlike any other!

The Aranui 5 is a freighter carrier; however, it was built and designed with plenty of passenger space and comfortable accommodations.  It offers two lounges, four bars, conference rooms, a swimming pool, a spa/massage room, a gym, and more. 

The Brando

Tetiaroa is located 30 miles’ northeast of Tahiti offering stunning beauty and pure rejuvenation. Tahitian Royalty were the first visitors who retreated to the island but it is most famously known for being Marlon Brando’s personal sanctuary. In 2014, The Brando became open to the public, setting a new resort and environmental standard.

The Brando Resort is an all-inclusive resort with 35 villas – one, two and three bedroom villas, all with private plunge pools. The property features two gourmet restaurants, two hotel bars, a fitness center, swimming pool, library, tennis court, luxury pearl shop, boutique, an organic vegetable garden, and a luxurious spa.

The Brando offers bicycling, snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding, tennis, fishing, fitness classes, along with daily nature guided walks.