I felt feral for it all. Relieved to be outside without a jacket, I was struck by the condition that often afflicts me in these conditions: I forgot how to cook for myself. In fact, this past week, I ate out more times than I can even count, savoring new and old favorite bites that deserve their own moment in the sun. The fried chicken sandwich at Empire Diner. The burger and exceptionally creamy vanilla custard at Wild Cherry. The oven-roasted chicken that tastes like Paris at Raoul’s. A scoop of pistachio and cannoli ice cream from Salt & Straw. The shaved brussels sprout salad from Left Bank. The mint chocolate chip smoothie from Sunlife Organics. My favorite lunch for when I’m just a ~littleeee~ hungover: the chicken caesar wrap from Edith’s. The fried artichokes at Hudson Clearwater…actually, come to think of it, I had fried artichokes three times this week, including at Bottino, a beloved spot that returned our request for the check with a receipt showing no amount due, just “THANK YOU!” scrawled in Sharpie.

God, I love New York.

There was real work, workouts, therapy, 10,000+ steps a day, and lots of laundry, too. But for the sake of the letter, let’s talk about what this warm weather did to my psyche…naturally, it had me fixated on summer plans. Or rather, my lack thereof. I became particularly obsessed with how and where I’ll spend Labor Day, a holiday that just so happens to fall the day before my birthday this year.

If you’re new around here, perhaps you don’t know about my birthday trip tradition. Let me catch you up about just how insufferable I am!!!!! Since turning 21 in Barcelona, I’ve made a point to be away on my actual birthday (Virgo much?) every single year. From Sri Lanka to Vietnam to Mallorca to Mexico, I’ve held strong on this shtick for a decade and counting. So, with years and years of recon under my belt, I’ve got lots of ideas about where to celebrate your birthday solo, with a partner, or with a gaggle of friends.

If I’m being honest, for many years, my birthday trip plans have fallen together rather last-minute. But not this year. No, this year, I have a clear vision of the twelve-room hotel in Northern Africa where I dream of waking up the morning I’ll turn 33. So instead of hemming and hawing and trying to line something up via work, I did something unusual for me. I went straight to the hotel’s website, booked and paid in full for our stay, five full months in advance.

Committing to a trip of this caliber when there are soooooooo many other destinations I could choose instead has historically been hard for me. I like to change my mind!!! I like to see what might pop up!! But having something to look forward to—and actually relishing the anticipation of that—feels like progress in a different way.

And it’s exactly this indecisiveness, this constant urge to keep options open, that gave me the idea for this Substack. I’ll never be able to take all the summer trips I dream up (at least not in one season), so I figured I’d feed you a few of them—some from places I’ve visited and loved, others from the ever-growing list currently on my radar.

My credentials for compiling such a list? I’ve worked in the travel industry for more than a decade—and if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s Euro summer. Naturally, travel is ever-present in what I share here, and paid subscribers to The Sunday Series have access to my travel guides, in addition to my top hotel stays of all time which includes the check-ins around the world that are at the top of my list.

And on that note, the majority of this letter will be reserved for paid subscribers, as I want to make sure those who support my work here are genuinely feeling that value. These recommendations are the result of more than fifteen years of investing in my own travels—and I really appreciate the support that allows me to keep doing so!

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While places like the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Lake Como, and St. Tropez surely have their appeal, I’m not personally in a season of life where I’m gravitating towards these hotspots in high season. To me, going somewhere super trendy during peak June, July, or August dates is just asking to be amongst a heavily American jetset crowd, and that doesn’t do it for me. I mean, if I wanted to wind up at a restaurant cozied up next to a table of my NY neighbors in summer, I’d just go to the Hamptons! No need to trek to Italy for that. So, my Euro summer suggestions are going to be a bit more off the beaten path.

Turkish Riviera Meets Greece—Combine Bodrum and Kos: I turned 30 at Maçakizi Hotel, and my mind wanders to this Bodrum paradise often. I desperately want to go back, and this time, I’d combine it with Kos, a Greek island that you can reach by ferry in about half an hour from Bodrum. I’ve personally got my eyes on Ikos Aria in Kos, which feels easygoing and unfussy. The island is known to be flat and bikeable, unlike many Greek islands, making it ideal for cycling from beaches to town.

Charter a Turkish Gulet with Friends: I looked into booking a gulet boat for the same birthday and know it’s an idea I’ll come back to one day. What makes it so appealing is just how attainable it is, price point-wise—especially when split among a group—without sacrificing any of the magic. Think slow days hopping between hidden coves, long lunches on deck, and the kind of sun-soaked, slightly unstructured rhythm that makes for the best kind of group trip.

A Greek Island Hopping Trio with Athens, Milos, and Sifnos: I fell in love with Athens last summer. We combined a few nights at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens with Zakynthos (loved Lesante Cape and our boat day, but the towns on the island weren’t the most charming IMO), which reminded me how much Greece has to offer. For my next island-hopping adventure, I’d combine the mainland with Milos, where Skinopi Lodge looks like actual paradise, before taking a ferry to Sifnos, where Stamna Sifnos has my eye.

The Car-Free Greek Island Calling My Name: I once read a book set on Hydra (Beautiful Animals by Lawrence Osborne), and the island has been humming in my subconscious ever since. Perhaps what appeals to me most is that cars are banned here, and if you didn’t know this already, I actually don’t have a driver’s license, so this is my literal dream! I’m crushing on Bellevalia Hydra, which sits between the mountains and the sea with just eight rooms.

Marseille over St Tropez: Some of the chicest girls I know are forgoing St Tropez for Marseille and its surrounds. A grittier, more multicultural version of the Riviera, Jacquemus is just one of many creatives hailing from the region—a place that acts as a hub for chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs. Specifically, Tuba Club, located forty minutes from town in a small fishing village, stands out as the cool-kid hotel with its rocky swimming cove and yellow beach chairs that seem to have my name all over them.

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I’m sending this Sunday’s edition from Tokyo—a destination that’s lived on my vision boards for so long that it’s surreal to be seeing it with my own eyes. For the full rundown on all things Japan, be sure to subscribe to Stay Awhile by where I’ll be breaking down everything about our time here with Four Seasons. In the meantime, we just shared some exciting updates on an initiative built around female-owned hotels that I think you’ll also love.

As far as today’s edition of The Sunday Series, I’m beyond thrilled to be collaborating with none other than , the discerning writer behind Corner Booth. Together, we’re using International Women’s Day to gush over the female-owned and led restaurants we both love across the city. Because each time you dine out is a chance to vote with your wallet—and when we can, we LOVE to put our money behind women, right?

I’ve been fangirling over Courtney’s Substack for quite some time, so this felt like the perfect moment to collaborate. If you’re on the hunt for someone who always knows the coolest bar, the coziest corner booth, and even the right book to bring along, she’s your girl. Brooklyn-based, Courtney’s New York restaurant recommendations are decidedly more geographically diverse than my West Village-centric recs—and for my fellow travel peeps, her curatorial lens extends even further. In particular, I know TSS subscribers would especially adore her little black book of 12 Paris mini itineraries. So without further ado, shall we dive in?

Corner Booth

Where to dine, drink and linger, told through stories and scenes from the corner booth.

By Courtney Presley

To honor International Women’s Day, Courtney and I did a fun little Q&A spotlighting some of our respective favorite female-owned and led restaurants in New York. I have a feeling you’re going to walk away from it with more than a few spots on your list!!!! We’d be thrilled to hear from you in the comments on where you’ll be prioritizing next—and if you’re feeling extra generous, a like or share on Substack to help this post reach more readers.

When you think about the women who shape New York’s dining scene, what spaces or people come to mind?

Courtney: My mind first goes to Rita Sodi and Jody Williams. With rigorously consistent, unwaveringly excellent restaurants like Via Carota and I Sodi, they’ve built institutions that define modern New York dining. Missy Robbins did something similar in Brooklyn with Lilia and Misi, bringing technical ambition to pasta but also instilling each with an energetic, slick swagger. I’m constantly amazed how chefs like Ayesha Nurdjaja at Shukette and Claire de Boer at King seem to deliver better and better meals every time I visit, raising the bar higher and higher.

And don’t even get me started on the meteoric rise and ongoing chokehold that Ha’s Snack Bar has on this city, thanks to co-owner Sadie Mae Burns. In the bakery world, Zoe Kanan at Elbow Bread and Kelly Mencin at Radio Bakery are reshaping how New Yorkers line up for carbs. I could keep going, but I’ll end with Annie Shi of Lei, who feels emblematic of where I like to think the city’s dining scene is headed: daring to invest in deeply personal projects, subverting expectations and continuing to expand the conversation.

Kayla: Echoing Courtney a bit here, but some of my favorite restaurants are under Rita Sodi and Jody Williams’ restaurant umbrella. I’ve been living in the West Village for over five years now, and Rita and Jody’s spots have fingerprints all over some of my most cherished memories! From the cozy brunch vibes at Commerce Inn, Paris-meets-New York charm of Buvette, lasagne with layers for days at I Sodi, aperitivo that makes you feel like you’re in Italy at Bar Pisellino, and of course, few moments are more iconic in downtown dining than a prime table at Via Carota, truly too many to count.

And when it comes to women influencing New York’s dining scene, I can’t not mention Ariel Arce. She’s behind so many of New York’s coolest spots, including owning Tokyo Record Bar and Pearl Box. Plus, she’s a part of the team that brought Roscioli from Rome to New York! As if that wasn’t enough, she has her own caviar company, Big Pearl Caviar.

Why does it matter who is behind the restaurant?

Kayla: Just like it matters what brands we shop, I do think it matters who is behind the restaurant. In an age where everything feels like it’s becoming more impersonal and an inundation of AI into all we do, hospitality is an industry that will always be powered by people. I’m a big proponent of becoming a regular somewhere, and the number one factor that influences me to want to come back to a restaurant time and time again is the people behind it. You can tell if you’re dining at the kind of place where someone wants to show up—where they have banter with their fellow servers and barbacks and the team in the kitchen. I want to support restaurants that feel like a place where people want to be.

Courtney: Kayla said it best! Behind any great thing, there’s a pair of hands that shaped it, a brilliant mind that dared to imagine it and a heart that injected it with soul. Restaurants are no exception, and learning more about the who, how and why behind them imbues dining experiences with so much more purpose and texture for me. There’s a story behind every corner booth, and I’m obsessed with uncovering it, supporting it and sharing it.

Tell us about a female chef or restaurateur you deeply admire.

Kayla: I’m low-key one of Caffè Panna’s biggest fans, so that admiration extends to its owner, Hallie Meyer. Sure, she’s the daughter of one of New York’s most legendary restaurateurs—so you could argue it’s in her blood to be in the hospitality business, but what she’s built feels distinct. I am forever in awe of the creative collaborations they churn out each week, as well as unique flavors at grocers like Murray’s Cheese and Meadow Lane. I just had a flavor last weekend (cherry oatmeal cookie with a cinnamon base!) that blew my mind.

Courtney: Ok now I have an intense craving for ice cream…

I’ve developed a slightly parasocial bordering on obsessive admiration for Patricia Howard, the co-founder of Dame, Lord’s and Crevette, after religiously following her since the pandemic-era fish and chips days. Along with her husband Ed Szymanski, they’ve now built an ambitious, sharply defined collection of restaurants, each with a distinct identity and carefully-crafted point of view. The palpable passion she pours into each project is magnetic, from sourcing vintage plates across Europe for Lord’s to figuring out creative solutions for the floor-to-ceiling black bathroom tiles that were once at Crevette. She also brings a sense of brutal honesty to the work, especially when it comes to sharing the realities of building a hospitality group while raising a newborn. She’s a force, both for what she builds and how she builds it.

Where do you go when you want to have a cathartic dinner with the women in your life?

Kayla: In the spirit of prioritizing female-owned, I’d like to plan my next girls dinner at King! I had the chance to go up to their sister restaurant, Stissing House, with my sister, mom, and aunts and was blown away. I love that the two are led and owned by chefs Jess Shadbolt and Clare de Boer, alongside GM/beverage director Annie Shi, with such a clear vision. King is so cozy, and the forever-changing menu is super seasonal—so, it goes straight to the top of the list for a little kiki.

Courtney: I spent about four hours at Stissing House the last time I was there to celebrate getting engaged with my sister, so I second that pick. In the city, I don’t even know how many hours I’ve spent locked in deep conversation with my closest girlfriends at the tiny wine bar Della’s, founded by Liz Nicholson, in Tribeca and Cherry on Top, founded by Cerise Zelenetz, in Bushwick. And yes, I know the question was about dinner, but the most cathartic moments often prioritize heavy amounts of wine.

What would your ideal three-part night celebrating women in the city look like?

Courtney: I have two itineraries up my sleeve that are on my mind to do this month with my sister or some girlfriends:

• A literary evening with seafood small plates in Cobble Hill: Head to one of the many upcoming book events I have my eye on at Books are Magic, featuring inspiring women in conversation, like Zahra Tangorrain with Helen Rosner or Holly Brickley with Coco Mellors. Afterward, I’d stroll down to Saint Julivert, a French wine bar from chef and co-owner Alex Raij, nestled right next to the peaceful Cobble Hill Park. End the night at one of my favorite women-owned bars in the area, such as Clover Club from Julie Reiner or TALEA from Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland.

• A cozy crafting-centric, pasta-fueled outing in Fort Greene: Peruse the workshops I’ve always been intrigued to try at ReCreate Collective, founded by Liz Chick, such as funky still life drawing or vintage beaded jewelry making. For dinner, savor Silvia Barban’s delectable pastas at LaRina Pastificio & Vino, before heading over to try a variety of wines at the Parisian-style bar from Cali Faulkner.

Kayla: Okay, the Books are Magic idea is soooo good! I love that New York always has a cultural activation we can sink our teeth into…one offering that’s been on my mind lately is frequenting the galleries in Chelsea more, particularly on Thursdays when many of them are buzzing. I’m looking forward to a warm spring night soon, when I meet up with friends at Nicola Vassell Gallery on W10th before moseying over to Shukette for dinner. I’m fortunate to work down the street, so it’s been a go-to for some time! I love nights when chef and owner Ayesha Nurdjaja is in the kitchen cranking out her signature Middle Eastern dishes. For a nightcap, we’d go to Bar Bonobo on the way back to the West Village; this female-owned bar on 8th has such fun cocktails, including a “CornStar Martini” that’s served with popcorn.

What’s one small way we can be more intentional about supporting women in hospitality?

Courtney: I’m going to cheat and say a few! Seek out and sip wines made by women—places like Aperitivo by Carta are even spotlighting women-owned and produced bottles this month, curated by wine director Rebecca Powelson. When you’re buying a hostess gift or dinner party essentials, skip Amazon and support women-led shops like Big Night from or Coming Soon from Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria. Read the work of women writing about food and hospitality, like All Consuming by Ruby Tandoh, Care and Feeding by Laurie Woolever, Save Me the Plums by or Will This Make You Happy by Tanya Bush. Put in an order the next time there’s a Fillings drop or a Sour Cherries pop-up. And of course, show up and eat! This month is the perfect time to visit places on your list to try, like Bong from Chakriya Un, Sunn’s from Sunny Lee or Hellbender from Yara Herrera.

Kayla: Personally, I know I can do a lot better job of keeping a running list of female-owned restaurants that I can support. Courtney has given me so many ideas by way of this Q&A that I’ll for sure be taking note of!!!

What book would you bring to a solo dinner at a women-led restaurant right now to match the vibe?

Courtney: I’m itching to dig into the new short story collection Brawler, from one of my all-time favorite authors, Lauren Groff. Her lyrical writing packs the kind of profound, provocative punch that lingers with you long after the tale is over. The nine stories, described as reflections on “the ceaseless battle between humans’ dark and light angels,” deserve a setting that feels intimate and intentional, a place where you can take your time sipping some wine solo and letting each story settle in, somewhere like Plus du Vin in Williamsburg, co-owned by Carenn Mackinnon.

Kayla: Okay, I know the idea of solo dining puts most people into a tizzy, but I happen to love it—so long as I have my book in hand. I’d like to do a solo sesh at The Odeon bar, one of my favorite spots to walk-in in Tribeca. Female-owned since the 90s, it’s also an iconic watering hole. For this solo sesh, I’d bring along the copy of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath that has been sitting on my nightstand for six months, as I’ve prioritized newer titles.

If you could invite three women to dinner in New York, who would they be and where would you go?

Courtney: To bring the conversation back full circle from the first question, I’d want to bring together Rita Sodi, Ayesha Nurdjaja and Annie Shi for a rich conversation on the past, present and future state of dining in New York. I wouldn’t be upset if Rita offered up a corner table at Via Carota for it.

Kayla: Reese Witherspoon, and Dua Lipa…the three book club magnets.

If you missed my post pairing tables to titles, may I humbly suggest you start there? I loved building on this list with Courtney, who is also using Women’s History Month as a reason to reach for books by women authors that dissect deeply female experiences, from sister dynamics (a plotline that always gets me!!) to marriage struggles to workplace pressures. Below are a few titles at the top of our lists, each paired with a women-owned bar or restaurant that matches the mood.

Courtney: Blue Sisters + L’Apero by L’Appartement 4F

Ever since devouring Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors—an all-time fave of mine—Courtney has been eager to read her second novel, Blue Sisters, which tells the story of three estranged sisters as they navigate the unexpected death of their fourth sister (cheery!). We both agree that Coco’s witty, beautiful, character-driven prose would unfold best when enjoyed in a candlelit, intimate space over wine and cheese, like L’Apero by L’Appartement 4F, co-owned by the lovely Ashley Coiffard.

Kayla: The Sicilian Inheritance + Lilia

Lilia in Williamsburg is a temple of handmade pasta and golden-hour light—where every bowl and every guest is treated like a small act of care. Pairs well with The Sicilian Inheritance by because Lilia will keep you guessing, just like this fun, fast-paced book set in Sicily.

Courtney: Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage + Ci Siamo

With so much chatter and buzz around Belle Burden’s new memoir Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage, Courtney’s curiosity to pick it up has been sufficiently piqued. She knows this one may require a stiff martini and a rich bowl of pasta to pair with it, perhaps at the bar at Ci Siamo, from the always-impressive Chef Hilary Sterling.

Kayla: Broken Country + I Sodi

I Sodi in West Village is a jewel-box trattoria beloved for its lasagna and ritualistic simplicity—equal parts intimacy, precision, and tenderness. Pairs well with Broken Country by Clare Lesley Hall, a book that stuck with me for its powerful prose on the threads that bind us through decades, much like the delicately constructed I Sodi lasagne.

Courtney: Workhorse + Jupiter

You can always count Courtney in for a story on the wild world of New York’s prestigious fashion magazine scene. To tide her over until Devil Wears Prada 2, she’s been intrigued to read Caroline Palmer’s Workhorse, which follows an editorial assistant as she competes with wealthy colleagues to climb the ranks. A book like that deserves a glitzy setting in the heart of Manhattan’s media empires, such as Clare de Boer’s snazzy Italian eatery Jupiter, right in Rockefeller Center.

Kayla: The Guest + Pearl Box

Pearl Box in Soho is an upstairs cocktail lounge draped in 1970s-velvet glamour—red-carpeted stairs, mirrored walls, caviar, and a signature candy box that makes every martini feel like an event. Pairs well with The Guest by Emma Cline, intoxicating, elusive, and the kind of read that will give you the same hangover as Pearl Box.

Thank you so much to Courtney for joining me to create this piece. Wishing a very Happy Women’s History Month to all!! xxKD

Did you catch that nail-biter gold medal win for the US men’s hockey team today?? Full body chills. Between the men’s team snagging their first gold since 1980, the women’s hockey team also claiming an OT win against Canada, and Alysa Liu’s poetic performance, these last few days of the Games feel like they’re following a movie script.

Before we dive into all of our Milano fun, I need to take a beat to look back at last Sunday’s letter. If you haven’t had a chance to read it just yet, I’m shamelessly going to redirect your energy to what was a very special “Between the Lines” edition with . I’m still not over her thoughtful answers and what an honor it was to feature a creator whom I’ve admired for so long.

Go "Between the Lines" with Julia

Before we dive in, a quick note on what this recap is—and in equal measure, what this Mini Milan Guide isn’t.

I’ve written plenty of destination guides for my paid subscribers in my years of writing TSS (including Nantucket, Paris, Mallorca, and more), each meticulously crafted after multiple visits to a destination—once I’ve wandered enough neighborhoods, tested plenty of tables, and stayed in enough hotels to feel like I can offer holistic recommendations.

And while it wasn’t my first visit to Milan, I hadn’t been back since I was seventeen, so it may as well have been. With the Games as our primary focus, our time at leisure was limited. So, think of this as my curated edit of Milan, shaped by Olympic energy, tables recommended by trusted locals, all anchored by two very chic hotel stays. It’s not exhaustive, but a roundup of exactly what I feel is worth your time. As always, I’m reserving these tidbits gleaned from my visit for paid subscribers.

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On that note, let’s dive in. The city was absolutely abuzz with energy during our time on the ground—from brushing up with Martha Stewart at the original Prada store to spending a perfect 60-degree Sunday having lunch at a local friend’s favorite trattoria, we were riding a major high the entire trip.

For fear of being too name dropp-y, to further paint a picture of just how vibrant Milan felt this past week, beyond Ms. Stewart, Tieghan of Half Baked Harvest-fame struck up conversation with us while having coffee at Principe di Savoia, Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton) was checking out of The Carlton as we were leaving the hotel for the day, and Seth Meyers was checking into our Emirates flight at the same time as us at Malpensa yesterday. Needless to say…VIBES WERE HIGH.

There are so many sensational hotels in Milan, even more so this year, with a great deal of development happening in the city. We did a split stay since we broke up our time with FORESTIS (more on this Dolomites oasis in a future letter) at two very different properties!

• Hotel Principe di Savoia: We were fortunate to start our trip in a well-appointed suite at the Principe. I’m a huge fan of the Dorchester Collection properties, and this stay was no different. Their team always nails it from a service perspective—they made us feel SO special, even going so far as to make our Valentine’s Day arrival extra sweet with red balloons anchored by photos of us! The club sandwich we got from room service on arrival revived me, and the sensational daily breakfast spread was also a treat to wake up to each morning. Notably, this hotel is turning 100 next year, so it’s got some old bones—you’re not coming here for the freshest product in town, but instead a property that has a soul.

• The Carlton, A Rocco Forte Hotel: On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, on our final two nights, we stayed at the newest property in Milan. Opened in November 2025, The Carlton is an elegant 71-room oasis. As with all other Rocco Forte properties, this family-owned gem was designed by Olga Polizzi and is bursting with color. The subterranean Irene Forte spa (her products are incredible!) and fitness center stood out as feeling especially fresh. Don’t miss ordering the carbonara omelet at breakfast. Especially love the location, with a back entrance directly onto Via della Spiga, a spectacular shopping street.

• Nuova Arena (Piazza Lega Lombarda, 5, 20154 Milano MI, Italy): This spot was the aforementioned Sunday lunch, and I can’t overstate how much we loved it. Probably my favorite meal of the trip, not just because we were the only table speaking English, but because the ambiance, service, and food were everything you want from a no-frills Milanese trattoria. Will be 10000% be back.

• Trattoria Milanese (Via Santa Marta, 11, 20123 Milano MI, Italy): Located in the narrow streets of the historic city center, this has been a meeting point for posh Milanese for decades. Here, we opted for prosciutto and melon, the classic veal Milanese, sauteed veggies, saffron risotto, and tiramisu. No notes.

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Hello from midnight on Summer (!!) Solstice eve, friends!

What more poignant place to be writing to you than from my Park Hyatt Sydney balcony overlooking the Sydney Opera House? Spoiler alert: this hotel just made it onto my fifty-five best stays of all time list.

If the very existence of this list is news to you, let me provide some context. Last December, I published my first installment fresh off a frenzied week of work-meets-raucous-fun, also known as ILTM Cannes. This year, I’m checking in with you on a whole different kind of high—the one I get from checking off somewhere on my personal bucket list. I’ve just spent the last ten days in Australia, and what a whirlwind it’s been. Stay tuned to ’s channels for more, because from my flight there aboard United’s inaugural San Fran to Adelaide to my check-in at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, it’s been the trip of a lifetime—a phrase I certainly don’t use lightly.

In my role at SmartFlyer, I’m always in search of the next story—be it about the hottest new hotels set to open, bucket list trips that would make epic gifts for the person who has everything, or a local’s guide to Lower Manhattan, I’m constantly thinking in terms of what travelers are craving. And while I actively aim to keep my “work self” separate from The Sunday Series, the reality is, there’s no personal and professional separation between my deep appreciation for exceptional hospitality. So, here we are…talking about some of the experiences that have left their mark on me this past decade, plus a hundred more I’m dreaming about that I think you’d love too.

But, how did a girl from a rural upstate New York town wind up here with the chance to experience some of the world’s best hotels? During my last 10+ years working in the travel agency space, I’ve been fortunate enough to take research trips, attend events, and indulge in more than a few vacations across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and now, Australia. I’m motivated by the act of constantly changing my environment and seeing how, in turn, it changes me.

So, as I look ahead to 2026 travel plans, I thought that this recap of fifty-five (sorry for the random number, but I really couldn’t narrow the list any further) of my most memorable hotel stays ever could help spark some inspo for your upcoming travels. Plus, for paid subscribers, I’m also rounding up 100 hotels around the world that I’m dying to check out. Of course, every single stay on this list would be enhanced by the perks that come with booking with a travel advisor. So if you ever find yourself needing one, I’m close with dozens of savvy agents and am constantly matching acquaintances and friends with different experts based on their personalities and destination interests. So, you know where to find me if you’d like an intro! xKD

For so many of us, travel planning starts with a place on the map: a country, a city, a coastline. But over time, I’ve found that the most memorable trips often unfold the other way around—beginning not with a destination, but with a hotel. The right property can shape the entire rhythm of a journey: how long you stay, how you move, what you prioritize, and most especially, how you connect with people and place while you’re there. These are the kinds of hotels that don’t simply anchor a trip; they define it.

When brainstorming which properties would make my list, I had a few stipulations in mind. For me, it’s not always about the buzziest hotel. In fact, I’ve stayed at several that garnered spots on the World’s 50 Best list, but that didn’t personally resonate, and in turn, won’t be listed below. Instead of award credentials, I’m seeking places that afford you the chance to sink into a sense of timelessness. I adore a property that feels like it’s always been there—wherever ‘there’ is. Exemplary service and impeccable design go without asking, but first and foremost, it’s a feeling of belonging I’m after when I check into a hotel.

After much deliberation, here are fifty-five check-ins that are near and dear to my heart. In no particular ranking order…

1. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (New York, New York)

2. Aman New York (New York, New York)

3. Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club (Surfside, Florida)

4. Rosewood Miramar Beach (Montecito, California)

5. The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Collection (Wanship, Utah)

6. Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel (Anguilla)

7. Malliouhana (Anguilla)

8. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection (Santa Teresa de Cajón de Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica)

9. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Hotel (Los Cabos, Mexico)

10. Esperanza, Auberge Collection (Los Cabos, Mexico)

11. Maroma, A Belmond Hotel (Riviera Maya, Mexico)

12. The Dorchester (London, England)

13. The Chancery Rosewood (London, England)

14. Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel (Cusco, Peru)

15. La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa (Paris, France)

16. Four Seasons Hotel George V (Paris, France)

17. Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Paris, France)

18. Le Meurice (Paris, France)

19. BULGARI Hotel Paris (Paris, France)

20. Carlton Cannes, A Regent Hotel (Cannes, France)

21. Hotel de la Ville (Rome, Italy)

22. Portrait Firenze (Florence, Italy)

23. Villa Igiea (Sicily, Italy)

24. FORESTIS (The Dolomites, Italy)

25. Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel (Venice, Italy)

26. Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid (Madrid, Spain)

27. Six Senses Ibiza (Ibiza, Spain)

28. La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel (Mallorca, Spain)

29. Grand Hotel Son Net (Mallorca, Spain)

30. Hotel Can Ferrereta (Mallorca, Spain)

31. Finca Cortesin (Costa del Sol, Spain)

32. Marbella Club (Marbella, Spain)

33. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (Athens, Greece)

34. The Gleneagles Hotel (Auchterarder, Scotland)

35. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl (Lake Fuschl, Austria)

36. Hotel Sacher Vienna (Vienna, Austria)

37. Four Seasons Hotel Prague (Prague, Czech Republic)

38. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace (Budapest, Hungary)

39. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet (Istanbul, Turkey)

40. MAÇAKIZI (Bodrum, Turkey)

41. Babylonstoren (Cape Winelands, South Africa)

42. Ellerman House (Cape Town, South Africa)

43. The Silo Hotel (Cape Town, South Africa)

44. Singita Lebombo Lodge (Kruger National Park, South Africa)

45. Singita Sabora Tented Camp (Serengeti, Tanzania)

46. Singita Faru Faru (Serengeti, Tanzania)

47. Kwessi Dunes (NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia)

48. Shipwreck Lodge (Skeleton Coast, Namibia)

49. Zannier Omaanda (Windhoek, Namibia)

50. Kasbah Tamadot (The Atlas Mountains, Morocco)

51. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Danang Sun Peninsula, Vietnam)

52. Rosewood Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

53. Southern Ocean Lodge (Kangaroo Island, Australia)

54. Saffire Freycinet (Coles Bay, Tasmania)

55. Park Hyatt Sydney (Sydney, Australia)

WOW! It was so fun for me tweak this list off last year’s edition…I’d say it’s changed about 20% in the past twelve months—a result of staying at a fair number of the places that were on my wishlist (it’s called MANIFESTING, and it’s actually the Winter/Summer Solstice today depending on where you’re reading this…) plus, taking new openings into account. Personally, I aspire to use the list sort of like I use my ‘Want to Read’ list on Goodreads. Meaning I try my best not to walk into a bookstore without at least consulting one of the hundreds of books I’ve already noted that I wanted to read. So, in the case of these 100 hotels, I’ll continue to refer to it as I plan future trips and try to work off the list versus always just flailing my way toward whatever hotel check-in comes next.

1. The Greenwich Hotel (New York, New York)

2. Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection (Aspen, Colorado)

3. Amangiri (Canyon Point, Utah)

4. Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur, California)

5. San Ysidro Ranch (Santa Barbara, California)

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Hi, it’s meeeeeee! I’m that person. And you could be too. Which is why I’m here to share the method to my maddness.

Before we get into the ‘how’ it’s done, let me give you my credentials in case we don’t (yet!!) know one another. I’m Kayla, and I’ve worked in the travel industry for a decade and counting, with the vast majority of my most intrepid travels (Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Peru, etc, etc) involving some type of work component.

And over those precious years tightening up my travel method, I’ve developed a severe aversion to being the person who:

• holds up a group airport transfer waiting at baggage claim when others carried on

• misses a flight because I’ve hit insane traffic on the way to the airport and in turn, doesn’t make the STRICT cutoff time to check a bag…a time constraint I know all too well after a curfuffle on the way to Mexico City that required my most persusive begging of an airline employee ever for me and my bag to make it to CDMX!

• has a checked bag wheel *break* while in the hands of the airline and is then stuck hefting a broken suitcase around (see below)

• has their checked bag lost by the airline and is without 80% of what they need for the duration of a trip (dear reader, note that this has unfortunately happened to me…in combination with getting the suitcase back three days later and broken!!!!!)

• has to pack and repack multiple bags and bring said bags on multiple legs of a journey, in turn feeling like a chaotic caravan rather than a human person!

As you can see by the photos and scenarios described above, the truth is, sometimes, I check. Sometimes I even send a suitcase ahead of time if I’m combining too many climates on an itinerary and don’t want to be burdened by checking for the entire trip. I used this method this last year during a six-week trip combining Colombia, France, and Italy, and it saved me.

Another example of a trip I’d check for? In the spring, I’ll go to Japan and Korea for work and absolutely plan to check because I plan to shop…how the heck could I not account for wanting to bring back vintage from Tokyo and skincare products from Seoul? I share this all because I’m not CRAZY. There is a time and place for checking, of course.

But, for the most part, I really aim to simplify my life by being a carry-on queen. I’m happiest when it’s just me and my Rimowa gliding through a terminal, not the least bit concerned about ‘whether my bag is going to make it.’ Of course, summer trips are ideal for this, and while we might be far from summer in the Northern Hemisphere, on Thursday, I’m headed Down Under (!!!!!) and was inspired to share with you how I’m prepping for it in real time. So, below I’ve outlined my entire system, step by step, including the ChatGPT prompts I use so you can replicate my method!

Additionally, if you want to check out all my go to travel products including the bags I use, my exact monogrammed packing cubes (on sale right now!!), tech organizer, and travel sized toiletries, everything is linked on my ShopMy.

my ShopMy

If you’d like to access the complete version future posts, please consider upgrading your subscription! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, A No-Gatekeeping Guide to Mallorca, A Mini Formentera Guide, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I’ve been following your newsletter for the past few months and it’s such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I’m glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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Before the suitcase even comes out, I begin to envision my upcoming trip (type of activities, level of formality of dinners, climate, etc.) and do a full sweep of my closet and drawers. I physically touch everything. I pull the pieces I feel my best in—the ones I reach for instinctively in my everyday life. Ultimately, your real-life favorites know how to take care of you better than any “aspirational” dress you’ve been saving for someday, so my goal is never to buy a bunch of new things for a trip or pack stuff I don’t usually wear. I want to feel as myself as possible when traveling, and that starts with wearing my ride or dies.

Due to limited space in my apartment, I use my bed for this next step. I pull everything I’m loving at the moment and could envision potentially bringing. This initial pile should be outrageous. Mine always is. But it’ll give you the raw material to cull down and seek clarity later when editing becomes logical instead of emotional.

This is where ChatGPT/your AI method of choice becomes your meteorologist!!!!

Here’s the AI prompt I use:

I’m packing for a trip. Here is my itinerary with dates and destinations: [paste itinerary]. 
Can you give me a day-by-day weather overview for each stop, plus any packing considerations (humidity, rain, wind, elevation changes, etc.)?

Suddenly, you have an actual climate roadmap—not a vague idea.

Turn your weather results into a simple note in your phone. Include:

• climate summary by destination

• daily temps

• wind/humidity/sun considerations

• notes of activities or reservations to dress for

This becomes your grounding document throughout the next steps. Here’s a peek at what my Notes app looks like for this trip!

The game-changing step: get a blueprint!!!

Here’s the AI prompt I use:

Here is my itinerary and weather summary: [paste your note].

Based on this, can you tell me:
– How many daytime and evening outfits I realistically need?
– What categories of clothing I should pack (and how many of each)?
– What specific considerations I should keep in mind based on flights, climate shifts, activities, and dress codes?
– What items are likely unnecessary or redundant?

Optimize for versatility and keeping everything carry-on only.

Now, you’re able to return to your initial pile with clarity and your blueprint in hand. At this stage, I’m specifically looking at the categories of clothing I should pack, in which Chat tells me how many tops (in sections), bottoms, dresses, layers, shoes, and accessories to bring.

• Sort your clothes into the categories matching the above. All of a sudden, you may realize you have seven pairs of pants out when you only have room for three or four.

• Remove anything that’s not a top-tier pick. Back to the pants example, I had four different linen pairs out but had to edit down to two.

• Prioritize outlier items that can’t be reworn. Evening outfits tend to be the toughest to ‘rewear,’ especially dresses, but I do think if you’re going to commit to the carry-on life, you have to pare back on much of anything that’s a one-time wear.

• Respect the climate swings. I have so often wished I packed warmer, so this is the time to favor sweaters or scarves to layer on over that pair of heels you’d only pull out once on the trip.

Et voilà…your pile has dramatically shrunk!

This is the step that changed everything for me. Once you’ve edited down to a tight selection, you MUST try on every outfit you plan to bring and photograph it on your body. Why?

• Your decision-making becomes visual and objective

• You instantly see redundancies and gaps

• You avoid overpacking “just in case” pieces

• You arrive at your destination with a literal lookbook in your phone!!!!

• Getting dressed while on the trip now becomes effortless—you already solved the puzzle at home

I make an album on my iPhone titled [insert destination] OUTFITS and add each look. This step ensures everything works together and nothing sneaky ends up in the suitcase.

I’m not going to lie, shoes are one of the hardest categories to edit, but it is critical to our mission that you remain vigilant here! And as tempting as it may be to buy new shoes to get excited about, unless they are sneakers, that is against my religion because we can’t be risking an uncomfy shoe when we only have a few pair to pull from to begin with!

• 4-5 shoes max: sneakers that you can workout in, a functional/walking shoe, one or two pair of sandals, and an evening shoe.

• Accessories that transform outfits: scarf, belt, earrings

Ohhhhhhh this is always the fun part. I typically show up with three cosmetic bags of toiletries, so long as I’m not flying through the UK, where they are vigilant about the liquids in one bag thing (another reason to potentially check LOL). Rules of the road are:

• No full sizes

• Multi-use products only

• Travel meds in a micro-kit

I’ve written about and linked all my fave travel products (particularly for a warm weather trip) before! Check out this post.

Now we get down to brass tax! The edit done, it’s time to get going with packing cubes. The physical strategy:

• Roll soft items

• Fold structured pieces

• Heaviest pieces by the wheels

• Pack outfits togher

Your suitcase should feel like a filing system, not chaos. I’ve even go sofar as to put notes on top of each packing cube with what’s inside if I want to stay hyper organized and avoid having to unpack my entire suitcase on a trip that has multiple stops…aka every single one of my trips.

Basically, everything in this bag has to be filed away into a pouch. You have to find your own system there, but I can share mine visually with you thanks to a TikTok of mine filmed on the way to Austria that went viral. Amongst the 425k people who’ve seen this video, not all loved my method but I DO and that’s all that matters!

@curatedbykaylacarryon doesnt mean skimping on skincare though #skincareroutine #inflightskincare #inflight #frequentflyer #europeansummer #europetravel #overnightflight #redeye #skincaretips #traveltips #businessclass #luxurytravel @Caudalie @La Roche-Posay @StriVectin @Tommy John @BODYARMOR @Lunya

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It’s travel day! I suggest wearring your bulkiest pieces on travel day:

• heaviest layers

• largest shoes

• comfortable, re-wearable base layer

• compression socks, always.

Then, in my hand luggage, for overnight flights, I will have a packing cube with fresh clothes that I’ll change into after waking up, putting the old clothes into that packing cube.

Ultimately, packing in a carry-on isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about clarity. By the time you’ve photographed your outfits and built your weather brief, the guesswork disappears. You’re left with pieces you love, outfits you’ll actually wear, and the joy of traveling lightly.

If you want the follow-up installment, I can share my exact packing list for Australia, complete with links and why each piece made the cut. Let me know!!! xKD

First thing’s first!!!! Coming here was a bit of a hairbrained, last-minute endeavor fueled by a remote work week. While I’m typically in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a scheduling change just ahead of a work trip on the books created a window of opportunity for me to be nimble. Naturally, I ran with it. That said, this stretch of days means maximizing morning sun before being on my computer to stay on task with various projects and meetings once New York wakes up. Fortunately, I’ve honed the discipline I need over the years to make stretching the time zones look easy…even if no one is seeing the 1 am sessions on my laptop in a hotel bed (including the one that got me over the finish line to send this very newsletter—my fourth session sitting down to work on it…cue perfectionist Virgo *sigh*).

I mention this all because I think the perception of what frequent travel entails and the reality are quite different—any of my travel industry colleagues reading this who are constantly fieled with accusations of, “but you’re always on vacation!” can relate. I used to get annoyed by these comments. Now, I realize they are actually compliments. It’s a gift to have a bit of flexibility, and as a maximizer by nature—I’m someone who always wants to make the juice worth the squeeze, if you will—I’ll always try have work and personal travel intersect in a way that reaps optimal impact. So, as I find myself on an Ionian island that I had zero plans to visit about a week ago, I thought today’s letter could be an exploration of my island obsession.

I’d begun to feel a huge pull to Greece earlier this summer (oh, the power of social media!), and considering I haven’t been back since college, when a friend and I spent a couple of weeks bopping between Crete, Santorini, and Mykonos, a seed was planted. Islands like Paros, Antiparos, Milos, Kos, and Sífnos have been earning IG bookmarks from me left and right…not just for their freddo espressos and towering mounds of fresh feta, but for the lesser-trafficked beaches and boutique hotels that may not have the name-brand appeal, but a whole lot of soul. Suddently, I felt woefully overdue to return. Watching and ’ (I’m linking up Lucy’s epic island breakdown below) recent Greece trips were the ultimate catalysts in swaying my need to come back for myself!

Remotely by Lucy Williams

Everywhere we stayed in Greece this Summer

It wasn’t a conscious decision but we ended up staying entirely at hotels for this 3 week trip to Greece. A total luxury for sure but I do find it a lot easier when you’re moving around a bit - no last minute rush to buy breakfast supplies, confusion over lockbox codes or crap wifi and hotels can store your bags for you after check out which is really helpful for afternoon ferries. I love a great Airbnb but sometimes finding them for two people with outside space where you want to be is quite hard I find (my husband is 6ft 3 so those cute iron-framed antique beds are a deal-breaker too sadly). So we based ourselves at hotels for this trip and didn’t have a single dud stay the whole trip which felt like a big win. Let’s go through everywhere we stay on this mini tour through some of my favourite islands plus one newbie…

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9 months ago · 140 likes · 8 comments · Lucy Williams

There was a lot to learn coming to Zakynthos because while I’ve had this island on my radar for a couple of years, I actually didn’t know much about this particular brand of Greek paradise until arriving yesterday. The destination really came about as a viable idea based on its connectivity to Athens (where I flew from New York a few days ago), and it offers a direct flight to Amsterdam, where I need to be in a few more days. So, voilà! Logistics I thought worth mentioning in case you too are looking for a cheeky Greece extension one of these days and want to circumnavigate the somewhat unpredictable Greek ferries…

Despite my 6:30a alarm this morning to get more time in with The Sunday Series, today wasn’t an official workday. This meant we got out on the island to explore with a seven-hour, seventy-mile boat journey around Zakynthos jam-packed with highlights that included seeing a sea turtle in the clearest blue water to reading my latest book happily teethered on a tube to our boat for just long enough not to get burned before stopping at the famous Shipwreck Beach.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself! Since I’ve practically just arrived and don’t tend to do guides for places unless I’ve visited multiple times and feel I really, really understand the destination on a granular level (enter A No-Gatekeeping Guide to Mallorca, A Mini Formentera Guide, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket) today’s edition of The Sunday Series isn’t about Zakynthos or our time precededing it on the Athenian Riviera, but instead, a more broad love letter to islands, and an attempt at an expoloration into why I/we can’t seem to get enough of them—incuding, the ones I’ve loved most and those on the top of my list to get to next.

• An island-inspired packing edit

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): A love letter to islands. Why I adore them, which ones I’d go back to, and the top islands on my hitlist.

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): A curation of things I’ve consumed and loved this week: stories that have caught my eye

If you’d like to access the complete version of today’s and future posts, please consider upgrading your subscription! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, A No-Gatekeeping Guide to Mallorca, A Mini Formentera Guide, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

Subscribe now

But, before we get into the island adoration of it all, can we talk about the fact that packing for a beach trip is half the fun? I’ve managed to do these two or so weeks away in three different countries and climates in a carry-on, much in part to the fact that packing for a beach trip is a breeze! In this mini packing edit, I’m sharing some faves to keep on your radar. But first, I’m linking up a post from April where I dive into the nitty-gritty, including my favorite suitcases, packing cubes, beach-friendly makeup, and travel tech.

Shop My Beach Trip Curation

• Athleta Retreat Linen Top and Retreat Linen High Rise Wide Leg Pant | Funny enough, I’d already drafted this section when I got the below texts from my bestie, Lianna. She was looking for my link to buy a second set! So here you are with the links to buy my fave travel set—literally wore it yesterday on the plane from Athens.

  

• With Nothing Underneath The Boxer: Seersucker (Rain Blue Stripe) | If you follow me on Instagram (@curatedbykayla), you know I rideeee for With Nothing Underneath. Their linens and seersucker sets are a dream for any beach trip.

• Lavanda Orquidea Pareo | This wonderfully versatile piece features tie fastening at the waist and can be mixed and matched with bikini sets and one-piece swimsuits alike.

• Dôen Pamelina Ruffled and Lace Yellow Midi Dress | This is one I eyed in the Bleecker Street boutique, then saw on someone and was like oh WOW that’s fun!

💸 Aaaaaand as a disclaimer, this shopping section—as always—includes affiliate links. These little babes help me continually reinvest in making The Sunday Series better. I make a small commission when readers click and shop through my links at no additional cost to you—so if you found something through a link I sourced, please do consider purchasing through that link so I’m credited! Speaking of, I’ve been using the ShopMy platform for several months and love it. Want to start making commission on the links YOU share? Sign up with my referral link for a 10% bonus on your fist six months of linking.

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Today’s edition is dedicated to my undeniable pull to islands. That visceral, inexplicable desire to be surrounded by turquoise water and a salty breeze. The healing warmth of vitamin D. The evergreen allure of boat day. The impossible-to-replicate pleasure of eating grilled seabass caught that morning mere hours later, served barefoot at a beach club. The freedom of diving into the sea, knowing your phone is on airplane mode—or, better yet, being on a body of water that doesn’t get a signal to begin with. The beautiful mess of a paperback getting wet—its pages waving and wrinkling—knowing you’re going to leave the book behind at the resort for the next person to discover. The restorative power of poolside giggles with my girlfriends. The sweet spot when the third cocktail sets in, beach lounger situated in the sun, a fire playlist in your ears. The giddy delight of winding through olive-tree-lined backroads.

And because I know many of you share this same magnetic pull toward islands, I’ve put together something special on the other side of the paywall: a guide to the island experiences I think are most worth prioritizing. Think of it as the short list—the places where the boat days hit on an even deeper level, the beach bar/chiringuito/taverna/bar de plage is worth flying across the world for, and the UV index is hopefully hovering at a solid nine.

Islands that live rent-free in my head

• Anguilla: I went on a girls’ trip to this magical Caribbean island a few years back and it remains a top trip in my memory bank. We did a split stay between Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel and Malliouhana and fell in love with each of them for different reasons. The spa at Cap Juluca was just redone, so I’d say that’s reason enough to go back!

• Île de Ré, France: When it comes to nostalgia, my memories tied back to this tiny island off the West Coast of France date back over a decade, from when I studied in La Rochelle. I had the chance to go back a couple of years ago with a stay at Hotel de Toiras, which is super historic and charming, but next time, I’d like to check out Villa Clarisse.

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I’m writing to you freshly home from a week spent in Maine with family. It was my first time ever setting foot in the “Vacationland” state, and naturally, my primary goal—aside from QT with my family, including celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday—was to track down the best lobster roll. After much R&D, I have thoughts…which we’ll get to at the end of today’s edition by way of a Mini Maine Guide!

Also in today’s send, we’re going back to our roots a bit (recent issues have been very guide focused with all my travels!) and I’m sharing a curation of what’s happening in the cultural zeitgeist that’s really resonating for me, from sneak peeks of the looks on the Devil Wears Prada 2 set to an editorial on the rise of hotel-branded merch and the social cachet that comes with carrying a galley in your beach bag. Which, speaking of books, considering we are just over halfway through the year, I wanted to round up the favorite reads of the year so far; I’m excited to be sharing my top 13 titles of 2025, as well as 13 books on my radar to read next.

After over five years sending this newsletter and a decade working in the travel industry, I’ve perfected the art of romanticizing real life—preferably with a cortado or glass of Sancerre in hand. I’m a textbook Virgo, three-time marathoner, the friend most likely to ask, “So…when are we booking flights?”. I’d love for you to fully benefit from your subscription with a dive into my back catalogue of content, so I actually just reorganized some sections within TSS to make it easier to find top-performing posts, including my Travel Guides, Between The Lines Q&As, and Bookish Things. Enjoy! xKD

• A curation of things I’ve consumed and loved this week: podcasts that left their mark and stories that have caught my eye

• A moment for the art of accessorizing: including a 20% off code for a Mignonne Gavigan!!

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): the 13 best books I’ve read so far this year, plus 13 more I want to read before the end of 2025

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): Mini Maine Guide

• The longlist for the Booker Prize 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, July 29th. The shortlist of six books will be announced on September 23rd, and the winner of the Booker Prize 2025 will be announced on November 10th. Judges this year include Sarah Jessica Parker and Kiley Reid, amongst others!

• Are You At Risk Of Being “Forever 31”? Three fashion experts share their tips for finding your style in your 30s (and it's not just buying The Row). (Coveteur)

• Every Look From the Set of The Devil Wears Prada 2. The film's on-set fashion still reigns supreme. (Harper’s Bazaar)

• Are You Experiencing Posting Ennui? Sharing casual moments from our lives on social media doesn’t seem to make sense the way it used to. (The New Yorker)

• Galley Envy. Could the most coveted object of the summer be an uncorrected manuscript you can’t even buy? (Airmail)

• Why Luxury Hotels Are Selling Everything From Rocking Chairs to Swimming Trunks. You can check out anytime you like, but a wave of clothing collaborations, homewares, and other goods ensures you never really leave your favorite luxury hotels. (Robb Report)

• For the Privileged Few, Airport Food Hits a New Height of Luxury. In pursuit of well-heeled fliers, airlines and credit card companies are stocking their elite lounges with caviar, sushi bars, and big-name chefs. (The New York Times)

Plus, a few podcasts I listened to and loved this week, including an interview with previous guest of The Sunday Series, and my dear friend Meghan, the creative behind .

With all my back-to-back travels and strict carry-on only rule, I am feeling the importance of accessorizing now more than ever. So in the spirit of summer, I wanted to put a spotlight on a brand I’ve been loving. Mignonne Gavigan’s jewelry is all about playful luxury with a statement-making twist. Her designs blend intricate craftsmanship with bold, feminine energy—think oversized floral motifs, hand-beaded detailing, and vibrant color palettes that feel both whimsical and elegant. The pieces strike that sweet spot between artful and wearable, perfect for elevating everyday looks or finishing a chic, party-ready outfit.

I’ve gone ahead and rounded up some of my favorite pieces below, each of which you can use code kayla20 for 20% off!

See My Curation

• Emmi Necklace | Since sharing this one a couple months back, it has been a best seller on my ShopMy! It’s no wonder I’m attracted to this eclectic mix of hand-painted seashells, pearls, and gold charms because each element is a nod to the shells and treasures found on beach walks across Mallorca’s shorelines.

• Baroque Freshwater Pearl Necklace | This freshwater pearl strand necklace is strung in NYC with one-of-a-kind baroque freshwater pearls and could be pulled off on the beach or at home!

• Calista Necklace | Delicately strung with turquoise beads paired with colorful enamel fish charms, this necklace captures the playful charm of a tropical reef. Would be cute with a white tank and light wash jeans.

• Crosby Necklace | A collar silhouette, this 14k gold-plated brass necklace was designed with sleek organic curves and a modern and feminine feel. It’d be chic with or without a charm.

• Irida Necklace | Another kitschy option in this curation, this beaded necklace is playful with a colorful layering style that makes it an easy way to add intrigue to any outfit.

• Rocio Necklace | This sun charm necklace pictured above features rich tiger's eye beads that bring out golden brown hues and, in turn, embodies earthy beauty. I adore how the sun charm symbolizes positive energy.

• Esperanza Scarf Necklace | I find the scarf necklaces (part of this brand’s origin story) such a unique offering. This one is covered in stunning hand-embroidered motifs of blooming flowers, delicate butterflies, and lush greenery, against a baby blue silk scarf base.

• Elsie Bandana | New for fall, this chambray bandana is leaning into the Western moment I’m having in my personal style right now. It features iridescent hand-drawn celestial motifs in an opulent and artful pattern.

• Wynnie Pearl Hoop Earrings | Notably the best priced accessory on this list, these minimal hoops are lightweight hoops designed to be lived in.

• Xia Earrings | Pictured above, this playful mix of intricately triple-tiered layered petals pops in shades of lilac, magenta, and tangerine. These ones bring the beauty of a blooming garden to life!

• Mariela Earrings | This cutesy double-drop embroidery of orange sardine cans is dropped below juicy red tomato toppers. I especially appreciate how “Majorca” is embroidered on them, as you know, I can’t get enough of this island!

• Emery Studs | These simple 14k gold-plated brass earrings offer a bit of intrigue at a fabulous price point.

💸 Aaaaaand as a disclaimer, this shopping section—as always—includes affiliate links. These little babes help me continually reinvest in making The Sunday Series better. I make a small commission when readers click and shop through my links at no additional cost to you—so if you found something through a link I sourced, please do consider purchasing through that link so I’m credited! Speaking of, I’ve been using the ShopMy platform for several months and love it. Want to start making commission on the links YOU share? Sign up with my referral link for a 10% bonus on your fist six months of linking.

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To access the complete version of today’s edition and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, A No-Gatekeeping Guide to Mallorca, A Mini Formentera Guide, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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As I described when rounding up my favorite books of 2024, my reading taste lives at the intersection of emotionally rich storytelling, contemporary wit, and a hint of intrigue or suspense. I adore character-driven fiction that explores life’s messy middles—marriage, friendship, ambition—with sharp, stylish writing and settings that feel like characters themselves. For me, it’s all about tension with substance and stories that mix vulnerability with deep-rooted secrets. As far as tropes, I’m most drawn to rich people behaving badly, a second chance romance, forbidden love (be it age gap or affair!), living a double-life, celebrity/normal‑person romance, and messy women making even messier choices.

When it comes to nonfiction, I can’t resist voicey memoirs that spill secrets from fascinating worlds—restaurants, publishing, media—alongside reflections on pleasure and self-discovery. Always smart but never pretentious, my favorite nonfiction books made for late-night conversations and long Sunday afternoons. Which, speaking of, let’s start with my favorite so far of the year—all of which I listened to on audiobook because I have a real thing for the author delivering their story to us first hand (all of the below audiobooks are read by the author with the exception of Keith McNally).

And while we’re on the topic of audiobooks, I have a monthly subscription to Libro.fm, and app that’s an employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation that shares profits from audiobook purchases with your chosen bookstore, giving you the power to keep money within your local economy. So, I support ’s Brooklyn bookstore, Books Are Magic with each audiobook purchase.

Get Libro.Fm

• Care and Feeding: A Memoir by Laurie Woolever | I just finished this book this week and am sure it’s going to stay with me for quite some time. Woolever’s sharp writing paints a moving portrait of food, grief, marriage, cheating, and life after loss. Her work with both Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain as a longtime collaborator puts equal parts candor and heart into this story.

• I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir by Keith McNally | Another epic memoir from the hospitality world, this unapologetic, darkly funny tell-all comes from the legendary restaurateur behind Balthazar and chronicles the chaos of New York dining and a life lived loudly. For anyone who appreciates the NY dining scene, I think this is a must-read. The impact his stroke had on his business, marriage, and writing life is particularly poignant.

• More: A Memoir of Open Marriage by Molly Roden Winter | A raw and riveting deep dive into love, desire, and the complexities of non-monogamy—this memoir is equal parts confessional and cultural critique. It was my first time listening to such a detailed chronicle of an open marriage and definitely kept me sucked in at a level that’s difficult for a memoir written by a ‘regular person’ (versus a celebrity).

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Hi, friends!

Today’s post is a big one. Honestly, if there’s one guide I’ve been intimidated to tackle, it’s this one.

Since first visiting Mallorca for my 28th birthday (if you’re new here, I’ve made an annual tradition of birthday trips for the past decade!), I’ve found myself drawn back again and again—four visits later, I’m still under its spell. And based on the number of DMs, texts, and emails I get about this magical Spanish island, I know I’m not alone. In fact, aside from my Paris recs, it’s probably the destination I get the most questions about.

So, consider this my Mallorca master list: a meticulous guide built on four trips’ worth of discoveries, detours, and deeply memorable moments with absolutely zero gatekeeping. I hope it helps make your time on the island just as meaningful.

• The basics: When to go, favorite route to fly, and Spanish hotspot combinations to consider, including four different ways you could match Mallorca to the other Balearic islands, plus how long to plan to stay on each island.

• What people get wrong about Mallorca.

• Why you need a car rental…a guideline that’s RICH coming from someone who doesn’t have a driver’s license! But let me explain.

• A breakdown of the six hotels I’ve stayed at, five more I’d recommend, and four I’m dying to see.

• The structure I’d recommend for a seven-day itinerary, including where to stay, beach, and dine!

• Things I haven’t done yet in Mallorca but are on my list for next time…because there will always be a next time.

To access the complete version of today’s edition and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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While Mallorca is beautiful year-round, timing your visit makes all the difference. High season runs from June through August, bringing peak crowds and with it peak prices—not to mention sometimes sweltering temps that make sightseeing a sweaty endeavor. I’ve visited in June, July, and twice in September. Without a doubt, my favorite time to visit is September, when the summer rush has thinned, the Mediterranean is still warm from the months of sun she’s been basking in, and the pace on the island slows just enough to let you breathe a bit slower. Think: golden light, balmy evenings, and easier access to tables at beloved beachside restaurants. If you’re more into spring blooms and cooler hikes, April to early June is also lovely. But if you want that sun-drenched, postcard-perfect Mallorca moment without the chaos? September wins every time.

For fellow New Yorkers, my favorite way to get to Mallorca is the direct flight on United that operates roughly May through late October, with flights three to four times per week. If you’re not taking that flight but coming from the States, you’re likely flying via Madrid, which makes a great stopover. I’ve done this routing, plus a few others, which I’m going to include below to help spark inspo for your itinerary.

• Mallorca, Start to Finish! Fly direct in and out of Mallorca to really sink into the island’s rhythm; I wish more people would do this, but Americans often love to overcomplicate trips, so I've included other combinations below. That said, if doing it this way, I’d recommend 7-10 nights! Trust me, between hiking the Tramuntana and lingering over long lunches in Deià, you won’t get bored.

• The Mainland and Island Combo: Madrid (2n) → Marbella via Malaga (3n) → Mallorca (5n). We did this in 2021, and it was such a fun Spanish sampler platter! Think: a hit of culture in the capital, a little coastal glam down South, and then pure Mediterranean magic to close it out.

• The Party and Peace Plan: Mallorca (5n) → Ibiza (4n). Start mellow, then turn it up in Ibiza. Or, reverse it if you prefer to recover on the tail end! Either way, you’ll get your fill of beach clubs, boat days, and Balearic bliss.

• The Calm, Cool and Collected Itinerary: Mallorca (6n) → Formentera (3n) via Ibiza. This is what we just did, so I can fully sign off on this nine-night combo! If you thought Mallorca was relaxing, then you’ll really unwind when immersed in Formentera’s turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and barefoot lunches.

• The Island Hopper: Mallorca (5n) → Menorca (3n). Start with Mallorca’s vibrant mix of mountains and beaches, slow it down in Menorca’s sleepy coves. We did this combo a couple summers back, and while there is a ferry, we flew between the two, which was super simple.

For more on the distinct qualities of each Balearic island, check out my post from last Sunday, which includes a mini guide to Formentera.

This is going to be an unpopular opinion…but I don’t think you should categorize Mallorca as a “beach vacation.” There are beaches. And you should go on vacation—perhaps even here. But I’m not sure that this island actually qualifies as a place where one takes a “beach vacation.” There are countless places where you can maximize sun and sand that are a hell of a lot easier to reach and navigate once there.

But Mallorca is more than that. I think it’s a place to explore! Get lost (no really, you’ll definitely get lost at some point). Stay at a sickeningly good hotel. And eventually, when the weather is *just* right and you’ve worked up the audacity to wake early enough to make it to the beach before it gets too crowded…you’ll have those few blissful hours where you’re perfectly lathered in sunscreen and oscillating between swimming in the sea and reading on your carefully placed beach towel.

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Hi, friends!

Once again, I’m writing to you from 35,000 feet. Today’s travels (which involved having to journey via taxi-ferry-taxi-plane-layover-plane-taxi) home from Formentera have felt like a real feat following our beach club finale as ’s birthday celebration yesterday. But having The Sunday Series to help distract me from this long trip home is such a treat! I’m checking in with you today about all things Euro Summer. Let’s get into it…

• The Magic of €uro Summer

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): breaking down the differences between Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera

• The Vault (Paid Subscriber Exclusive): mini Formentera guide including where we stayed and the beach clubs we loved!

To access the complete version of today’s edition and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, Your Guide to Bozeman, Your Guide to Nantucket, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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Call me basic, but there’s just something about summer in Europe—specifically on the Mediterranean—that hits different. The moment you arrive, it washes over you: this might be the whole point. The days stretch wide and unhurried with beach clubs chock full of every age group imaginable, toddlers napping under striped umbrellas, kids running barefoot through 10 p.m. dinners like it’s the most natural thing in the world. No one’s rushing. No one’s apologizing for wanting beauty, rest, or pleasure. It’s not just a vacation—embodying Euro summer serves as a reminder that life can be arranged differently.

So many of my own Euro summer moments have been shaped by word-of-mouth magic—the kind of recs you get from someone who’s really been, who’s figured out how to avoid the tourist traps and snag the last table at that tucked-away cove-side restaurant. Over the years, I’ve become a collector of those kinds of details—testing, tweaking, and passing my favorites on to you here. And yesterday, during a conversation about how crucial it is to “have a guy on WhatsApp” for every destination, I realized: that’s who I want to be for you. The one with the shortcut, the plug, the low-key gem.

What I mean by “a guy on WhatsApp” is this: it’s often someone I’ve never actually met—a friend of a friend who lives there, works in hospitality, or just knows what’s good—who sends a voice note with three perfect dinner spots, or hooks us up with a last-minute table at a beach club. (Which, fun fact, is how a random club promoter’s recommendation to go to Beso ended up sparking an entire trip to Formentera three summers later.) And the key to unlocking the ultimate summer mood? Trusting the rec and running with it, while still leaving plenty of room for spontaneity.

How to Get There: Fly into Palma (PMI) with direct flights from most major European cities, especially in summer. Excitingly, there is also a direct flight from Newark on United, which is a complete game-changer for New Yorkers! While I wouldn’t go this route, there is also a six-hour ferry from Barcelona.

What Makes It Special: Mallorca has range. You can be sipping cocktails at a five-star hotel in Deià, then hiking in the Tramuntana mountains or swimming in quiet calas the next day. It’s big enough to have contrast: sleepy villages, stylish beach clubs, and a surprisingly solid arts scene.

Do You Need a Car? Yes! Unless you’re staying put in Palma or Sóller, you’ll really need a car to explore the island properly and beach hop.

How Long to Stay: I always recommend staying for at least six nights, with a split stay between the Western side of the island (Deià or Valdemossa) and the second half in the southwest of the island (Santanyí). Unless you’re literally just coming for a resort stay, you’ll want time to slow down—this isn’t a hop-in, hop-out kind of place.

How to Get There: There are short flights from mainland Spain or connections through Barcelona or Palma. Ferries also run from Mallorca and Barcelona.

What Makes It Special: Quiet, unpolished, and perfect for long swims and simple pleasures. Menorca is more local-feeling, less glam. It’s known for its turquoise coves (Cala Macarella, Cala Mitjana), rustic seafood restaurants, and a pace that never feels rushed.

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Writing to you from 35,000 feet en route home to New York from Bozeman. What a wonderful long weekend it was in the mountains! Our dear friend, , generously hosted our crew at her ranch for our summer camp offsite, and I’m returning teeming with Bozeman recommendations!!!!

But before we dive into those, it seems we have lots of new friends following me posting a Substack note about a five-figure milestone I hit thanks to my paid subscribers! The Note has reached 10k+ people, which in turn has meant a wonderful influx of new faces reading today’s edition. Since the essence of that Note was about encouraging fellow Substackers to summon the courage to turn on paid subscriptions, I thought it might be helpful to link up my “Six Months Since Going Paid” post, which details my approach to how I differentiate what content goes in front of versus behind the paywall. I’ll be sure to do another version at our one-year mark in September, considering how many changes continue to happen as I double down on the paywall.

Otherwise, if you’re new here, here’s the TLRD about me—the author behind The Sunday Series, a weekly love letter that I’ve now penned for over five years. I’m Kayla Douglas, a New York City-based writer, runner (I just ran my third marathon this fall!), avid traveler, Virgo, foodie, and curator of beautiful things. I document my life in the West Village, travels, and other musings on my Instagram, @curatedbykayla. And for the past seven years, I’ve worked at , a luxury travel company where I look after the stories on our site and Substack, . I’m also the founder of —a beloved group of six downtown New York-based readers and generally fabulous humans.

Life these days is pretty crazy, as evidenced by the fact that in this one week span alone, I’m going to have been horseback riding in Paradise Valley (Montana), going to work at the SmartFlyer Penthouse (what we loving call our gorgeous office in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood), attending my friend ’s book launch at The Strand, having dinner in Rome with Gary Janetti and Brad Goreski (who are on a trip we organized for them), and by Friday, I’ll be basking on the beach in Mallorca with my girlfriends. Needless to say, as a subscriber here, you get a bit of everything: my New York recommendations, anecdotes from the window seat of a plane, guides curated from the places I travel, and a smattering of shopping links.

Speaking of shopping…should we start this guide with a roundup of a few things I packed for the mountains? This trip was a fun one to pack for, especially coming off of multiple 100° days in New York. The weather in Bozeman was sunny but crisp, and I managed everything in my Rimowa Cabin Plus with no issues!

• Ralph Lauren | Polo ID Suede Western Mini Shoulder Bag (pictured above)

• We Wore What | Midi Pull On Skirt (pictured above), which has a matching Lace Button Up Top

• Madewell | Studded Western Leather Leather Belt in Ivory (pictured above)

• Madewell | Denim Popover Tunic Shirt (pictured above)

• Reformation | Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans

• Ganni | White Basic Jersey Cherry Relaxed T-Shirt (my exact t-shirt that I swiped when at their Copenhagen flagship is sold out but this is close!)

• Stetson | Crushable Bozeman Hat in Brown

• Twisted X | Embroidered Western Boots (not my exact boots as I got mine in Santa Fe years ago, but these are similar!)

• Salomon | XT-WHISPER Sneakers

• La Bonne Brosse | N.04 The Miracle Detangling Scalp Brush…I no longer go anywhere without her!!!!

💸 aaaaaand as a disclaimer, this shopping section—as always—includes affiliate links. These little babes help me continually reinvest in making The Sunday Series better. I make a small commission when readers click and shop through my links at no additional cost to you—so if you found something through a link I sourced, please do consider purchasing through that link so I’m credited! Speaking of, I’ve been using the ShopMy platform for a few months and love it. Want to start making commission on the links YOU share? Sign up with my referral link for a 10% bonus on your fist six months of linking.

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To access the complete version of the Bozeman Guide below and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Guide to Nantucket, Your Local’s Guide to West Village, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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Now, before we dive into the Bozeman Guide, it’s important that I share I consulted with my host this weekend, whose family has had a house out in Bozeman since 2007. She has impeccable taste—as evidenced in her own Substack, , which is a must-subscribe. Shall we dive in?

Feed Café (1530 W Main Street, Bozeman) | Housed in a charming red barn with soaring ceilings and rustic-chic touches, Feed is where locals gather for slow mornings and farm-fresh fare. Don’t miss the bacon and huckleberry pancakes—fluffy and golden, they’re practically Montana on a plate!

The Coffee Pot (80795 Gallatin Rd, Bozeman) | Equal parts café and country gift shop, this cozy roadside gem is perfect for a pre-Yellowstone pit stop or post-hike refuel. Order the famous cinnamon roll—sticky, warm, and worth every bite.

Wild Crumb (600 N Wallace Avenue) | A bright, modern bakery nestled in the Northeast neighborhood serving fresh-baked loaves, seasonal pastries, and strong coffee. Grab a huckleberry scone and one of their hearty turkey sandwich to go.

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Hi, friends!

Freshly back from my third trip to Nantucket, I’m still riding the high of this very special island located thirty miles off the coast of Massachusetts. This time, I had the divine pleasure of staying for a full week, meaning I could wholly commit to the cause: eating, drinking, shopping, beach-hopping, and essentially treating it like an unpaid (and extremely self-indulgent) research trip.

I finally feel like I’ve cracked my own personal code for how to do ACK right—where to eat, what to order, which beaches to post up at, and which stores you absolutely cannot walk by without “just popping in.”

Because here’s the thing about Nantucket: for a tiny island, there are a lot of options. Everyone has their “must-do” list, but with limited days, it can feel a little overwhelming to sort through what’s actually worth your time (and your precious restaurant reservations). After a full week of back-to-back field research—which, yes, is really just a roundabout way of saying I ate an obscene amount of lobster rolls (!!)—I’m finally ready to share my fully updated, carefully vetted guide.

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, I hope this serves as a little blueprint to make your next Nantucket trip just a tiny bit easier—and a whole lot chicer. For easy viewing, I’m breaking this guide down into the three perfect days on the island, plus a category-by-category breakdown of where to go for car/bike rentals, workouts, breakfast, coffee, provisions, beach-hopping, dinner, and post-dinner drinkies.

As always, this guide will be exclusive to my paid subscribers! Before we dive into Your Nantucket Guide, to access the complete version of this and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Local’s Guide to West Village, Your Ultimate Paris Guide, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

“I've been following your newsletter for the past few months and it's such a delight! It always makes me smile and I feel like your content is thoughtful and unique every week. I'm glad to finally be able to support you with a subscription.”
– Gina C., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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Day One: Morning Buns, Beach Time, and Live Piano Nightcaps

• Start the day early by snagging the famous morning bun from Wicked Island Bakery!

• Head to 1111 Nantucket for a class—whether it's yoga, breathwork, or one of their signature wellness sessions, prepare to sweat.

• Post-class, reward yourself with an iced coffee from Roastd (they make their own nut milks—highly recommend).

• Shower up and get ready for the day! Be sure to pack some provisions for the beach.

• Jump in the car and head out for lunch at 167 Raw; their tuna burgers, ceviche, and one of the best lobster rolls on island are all divine.

• Spend the afternoon at Surfside Beach—easy parking, a wide swath of sand, and solid waves make for full summer mode.

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I spent the better part of a decade daydreaming about living in the West Village. Like so many others who romanticize New York before they ever call it home, I imagined the cobblestone corners, flower box-covered windows, and unhurried walks down tree-lined streets like they were scenes from a movie I hadn’t yet been cast in. And now, four years into calling this seemingly magic neighborhood home, not a day goes by that I don’t feel lucky to wake up here.

Lately, the internet has a lot to say about what it means to be a “West Village girl.” In case you missed it, “It Must Be Nice To Be a West Village Girl” was this week’s cover story of New York Magazine. If you didn’t have the chance to read it yet, the article was an attempt at a takedown piece on the supposed sameness found on our streets. The piece went super viral—and depending on who you ask, made living here more of a punchline than a life goal. (Though, curiously, the article had nothing to say about the men of the West Village—because apparently, gentrification, vanity, and lifestyle curation are only crimes when women commit them? God forbid we critique a 38-year-old dude watching the game at Wogies in his daddy’s hand-me-down Rolex, whose Hinge profile says he’s “still figuring out his dating goals.” No, it’s the women ordering matcha and going on walks on the West Side Highway who are the real menaces...)

But here’s the thing: neighborhoods don’t belong to any one archetype. And the version portrayed in that article? It doesn’t reflect my experience or the experiences of the women I’ve built community with here, from neighbors who’ve lived in my building since before I was born to my fellow members of the West Village Book Club—a group I founded in 2022.

The neighborhood has been mythologized, adored, and dissected for decades, and it will continue to be. As seen above, New York Magazine ran a cover story back in October 1976 titled “The Booming West Village: The Only Place to Live if You Miss Europe.” Of course, it’s changed a bit in fifty years, but that’s the nature of any living, breathing place: it evolves. Even in just a few years, I’ve watched favorite shops close, buzzy new spots open, and beloved characters fade into memory. But what’s remained, for me, is its magnetism. Its charm isn’t just in its aesthetic—it’s in its pace, its sense of community, its ability to feel like a small town tucked inside a very big city.

People come from all over the world to wander these blocks, and I get why. There’s something deeply personal and poetic about the way the West Village makes you feel, whether you’ve lived here for decades or are just visiting for the afternoon. This guide isn’t about gatekeeping; it’s about celebrating the magic of a place I feel endlessly grateful to know, one matcha, martini, and magazine shop at a time.

But, before we dive in, to access the complete version of this and future posts, upgrade today! Paid subscribers of The Sunday Series unlock an exclusive section of paywalled content in each send, access to the full archives (including Your Ultimate Paris Guide, 100 Hotels I’m Dying to Check Into, My Holy Grail Rules for an Overnight Flight, 31 Ideas for Your Next Birthday Trip, A Playbook for How to Make Friends As An Adult, and 16 Prompts for a Personal Quarterly Review), the commenting feature on each post, exclusive giveaways, and more. Plus, your support directly helps ensure this newsletter can continue to grow! Subscriptions are $8/month or less than $7/month if paid annually—also known as less than one fancy Starb*cks order. But don’t let me be the one to tell you why you should upgrade! I’ll leave that to a fellow reader…

"I decided to become a paid subscriber because I appreciate how much info you still give to free subscribers *before* they get to the paywalled part of your email. Counter-intuitive? Maybe! So often a writer turns on paid subs and EVERYTHING is behind the paywall. That's how I thought yours would be too, but I've been pleasantly surprised. It made me make the jump to converting to paid!" – Alison Z., paid subscriber of The Sunday Series

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Purely for coffee and good vibes:

• Caffè Aronne (112 Greenwich Avenue) | Where you go when you want your espresso with a splash of Moroccan flair.

• PlantShed (46 8th Ave at Jane Street) | Sip your latte surrounded by lush greenery—there are prime people-watching seats outside that I adore.

• Kobrick Coffee Co. (24 9th Avenue) | A century-old roastery turned café-bar hybrid—start with a cortado, end with a craft cocktail in their indoor or outdoor seating.

• Rosecrans (7 Greenwich Avenue) | Another floral shop meets café where the scent of fresh blooms pairs perfectly with their prime corner seating (this one looking at Jefferson Market Garden and the library!).

For a coffee plus a baked good, a bagel, or a more proper takeaway breakfast:

• L’Appartement 4F (119 W 10th Street) | The croissants are flaky perfection, particularly the pistachio rose, which is practically a love letter in pastry form.

• Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery (28 Greenwich Avenue) | Home to the kind of pastries that make you believe in butter as a love language.

• Fabrique Bakery (348 W 14th Street) | Swedish cardamom buns that will make you question whether you’re in Stockholm or New York.

• Cafe Panino Mucho Giusto (551 Hudson Street at Perry Street) | A cozy, no-frills spot where the paninis are hot, the coffee is strong, and the vibes are effortlessly European.

• Apollo Bagels (73 Greenwich Ave) | Sourdough bagels so good, they caused a neighborhood line drama that was written about in the New York Times—worth every minute of the wait, though I try to only go on weekdays to avoid said line.

• The Elk (128 Charles Street) | A tucked-away gem on the way to the West Side Highway, where you can grab a turmeric latte while browsing their curated selection of direct-to-consumer products.

For sitting down to linger over tea or coffee…

• Paquita (242 W 10th Street) | A tiny tea haven where vintage charm meets an encyclopedic wall of loose-leaf blends—perfect for when you want to sip slowly and romanticize your life.

• St Jardim (183 W 10th Street) | A sun-drenched corner café that effortlessly transitions from morning lattes to evening natural wines—ideal for lingering with a book (they have a strict no screens policy!) or a friend.

  

• McNulty’s Tea & Coffee Co (109 Christopher Street) | A century-old shop where the scent of global teas and coffees hits you before the door even closes behind you.

• Greenwich Letterpress (15 Christopher Street) | A delightful stationery boutique run by sisters, offering witty cards and custom letterpress that make snail mail exciting again.

• Goods For the Study (50 W 8th Street) | A stationery lover's paradise where you can find everything from sleek pens to chic notebooks—perfect for elevating your desk game or finding that thoughtful gift.

• Big Night (236 W 10th Street) | A treasure trove for the host(ess) with the mostest—think chic tableware and gourmet goodies that turn any night into a big one.

• Murray’s Cheese (254 Bleecker Street) | An iconic cheese shop that's been delighting dairy lovers since 1962—perfect to stock up for a park picnic (park recs below!).

• Travelers Poets & Friends (457 6th Avenue) | A cozy Italian café and market where you can sip espresso, browse artisanal goods, and nab fresh pastas.

• C.O. Bigelow Chemists (414 6th Avenue) | America’s oldest apothecary, dispensing remedies and beauty secrets since 1838—because some things never go out of style, like their epic selection of claw clips.

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putting pen to “paper” on this one feels…BIG. like something I’ve been meaning to do for years but didn’t make sense until exactly this moment. speaking of this moment, I’m writing to you from my bed at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris which feels…kinda insane to say to be honest!! after a month of staying in an apartment in the 11th arrondissement, checking into one of the city’s (world’s?) most iconic hotels is such a treat.

which leads me to my next point. what makes me qualified to be the person compiling a Paris guide when I don’t live here? well, my love affair with Paris far pre-dates my nearly a decade working in travel agency space. my first trip outside North America found me in Paris in 2011. from there, francophile fever had me in a chokehold. I studied across France for two semesters in college and may or may not have fallen in love with a man with a French passport, which found me back here often.

fast forward to today, and I’ve been to Paris more times than I can count (I know, annoying, but true!!!!). I’ve been lucky enough to stay at some of the city’s finest hotels including Bulgari Paris, Park Hyatt Vendôme, Peninsula Paris, La Réserve Paris, La Fantaisie, Plaza Athénée Paris, Le Meurice, Hotel de Crillon, and Lutetia Paris! that said, I’d like to say that not only do I know the city, but I’ve gotten to see it through the lens and armed with the recommendations of top concierges in town, in addition to all those that I’ve culled from in-the-know travel advisors and local friends.

so, without further ado, let’s dive in!!! *paid* sunday series subscribers will get dozens, and dozens, and dozens of tested recs covering the following categories:

• hotels, hotels, hotels: which to prioritize for what kind of trip (first timer’s Paris, mother-daughter trip, girls trip, seasoned Paris visitor, honeymoon splurge, boutique on a budget)

• shopping beyond the big brands: specifically, I’m breaking down where you can get some really epic personalization (think: monogrammed, lasercut, and hand-painted initials on leather goods, lipstick, perfume, and beyond)

• did someone say boulangerie? I’m rounding up not just my favorite bakeries, but top recommended pastries…

• fave spots for lunch: there are few things quite like a multi-course lunch on a Parisian terrace. I’m rounding up where you can’t miss dining mid-day!

• wine and cocktail bars: because, well, duh.

• top Parisian brasserie picks for dinner: as someone who adores French food, I nearly never tire of it and have tested dozens to narrow down my go-tos.

• fave non-French food restos: I often hear “French food is so heavy” when talking to people about dining in Paris. fear not. there’s a ton of fabulous international cuisine on offer here, too.

• museums worth the fuss: as a person who thrives on a quickie museum visit, I will recap the ones I think warrant the time, no matter how efficient you are!

• cool experiences for ultimate memory making: for when you really want the “WOW” factor!

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