Croatia’s Impresia Collection: Luxury Hotels in Idyllic Places

Hotel Adriatic is a luxury hotel in Rovinj on the Istria Peninsula of Croatia.

Blazing sunsets, dreamy islands, and Roman ruins lure millions of visitors to Croatia.   Fortunately, this picturesque country lapped by the turquoise Adriatic Sea can still be experienced by luxury travelers with minimal crowds. On a recent trip to Croatia, I discovered the Impresia Collection of Croatia Hotels, a group of luxury hotels scattered across the country that immerse guests in Croatia’s natural wonders, rich culture, and medieval architecture.   Impresia is not a hotel chain. Instead, it’s a prestigious mix of unique accommodations that can...

Big brands, boutiques spice up the New Orleans hotel scene

Seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and sugar-dusted beignets entice visitors to New Orleans. Along with Mardi Gras and the Jazz and Heritage Festival, of course.   But these days, the city’s hotel scene is also getting some special attention.   Luxury hotel brands Caesars and Fairmont are set to add new properties in the Crescent City. Plus, new boutique hotels are opening, and historic favorites are being renovated.   Plus, most of the new additions include restaurants that are offering the food that’s helped make New...

Fairmont Tazi Palace Hotel adds a Touch of Mystery and Luxury to Tangier

The colors, the furnishings, and the decor of the Fairmont Tazi Palace are reminiscent of an earlier time when an advisor to the sultan of Morocco built this hilltop retreat in Tangier. After a major renovation and expansion, the Fairmont hotel now offers modern luxuries still fit for royalty—and curious visitors like me interested in exploring magical Morocco. I stayed at the palace, which has 133 rooms and several eclectic restaurants, on a recent press trip to Tangier.   To find out more about the...

Anna Maria Island offers a taste of the simple life on Florida’s Gulf Coast

The Florida Gulf Coast has been a favorite of mine since my college days, when I interned one summer at The St. Petersburg Times (now The Tampa Bay Times). In my free time, I explored the beach communities north and south of St. Pete, where I lived in a retirement hotel with my Irish-American grandmother (that’s another story…).   The Bradenton beaches on Anna Maria Island were idyllic, with long stretches of blindingly white sand, clear blue water, and few crowds. While kayaking in the...

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