Jennifer Coppolino

If you’re looking for an Italian lake that feels beautiful without feeling overly polished or predictable, Garda is one I’d put very high on the list. Italy’s largest lake has a little bit of everything: charming villages, beautiful lakefront hotels, mountains, gardens, boating, excellent food, and enough history to keep things interesting without making the trip feel like a history lesson. The landscape changes dramatically as you travel around the lake, which is part of the fun. The southern end feels softer and more Mediterranean, while the northern part becomes increasingly mountainous and dramatic. And unlike Lake Como, Garda still feels like a place where you can discover your own favorite corner.

Most visitors to South Tyrol beeline straight for the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, and rightly so—they’re spectacular. But tucked into the Adige Valley, just far enough from the high mountains to catch its own microclimate, sits Merano, a town where palm trees line the promenades, vineyards climb sun-warmed slopes, and snow-capped summits still frame the horizon. It’s the rare place where Alpine and Mediterranean worlds overlap, rather than just sit near one another, in architecture, cuisine, and personality. That contrast is Merano’s whole identity. While the Dolomites deliver drama, Merano offers an elevated bit of ease, complemented by unique design and calming vibes.

One of the questions I get asked all the time is, “Where should I stay in Rome?” My answer? "Well...that depends.” Rome isn’t a city you simply visit, rather it’s a city you live while you’re there. Your neighborhood, your morning coffee spot, the walk back to your hotel after dinner, even the view from your window all become part of the story. Choosing the right hotel isn’t just about thread counts and breakfast buffets (although those certainly don’t hurt). It’s about finding the place that fits your version of Rome. Three hotels I find myself recommending again and again are Donna Camilla Savelli, Chapter Roma, and Palm Suites. They’re all wonderful four-star properties, but they each have their own personality. Think of them as three very different Romans you’d love to have as friends. It is important to note that in Rome there is a HUGE swing in quality across 4* properties. Some, like the three will discuss, are amazing. Others, that still have 4*, are far more lackluster. If you’re on a 4* budget, the following hotels are definitely worth considering.

If you're wondering how to visit Venice in the height of summer without feeling overwhelmed by the heat and crowds, the answer is simple—stay on the Lido’s beach at my favorite hotel in the area: The Hotel Excelsior Venezia Lido. This property offers the best of both worlds: a beachfront escape where you can spend mornings swimming in the Adriatic, afternoons lounging beneath one of its iconic cabanas, and evenings wandering the canals of Venice. With refreshing sea breezes, ample space to unwind, and a quick 15-minute boat ride to St. Mark's Square, it transforms a summer visit to Venice from an endurance test into a genuinely relaxing vacation.

Like every Italian travel aficionado, I love Lake Como. For decades, it has dominated the conversation around Italy’s lakes, and deservedly so. Its dramatic scenery, grand villas, and celebrity clientele have made it one of Europe’s most recognizable luxury destinations. But increasingly, it’s suffering from overtourism, overworked restaurant staff, traffic, ferry lines, and relentless prices. Therefore, I am here to tell you about its often overlooked neighbor, where insiders (including myself) have been visiting for years: Lake Maggiore.

London’s luxury hotel scene is robust, featuring well over 100 five-star hotels throughout the city. I recently had the opportunity to visit a dozen of them. Here are three of my favorites, why I love them, and the type of client they may work best for.

Tucked into the rolling hills of Tuscany, Il Borro is the kind of place travel advisors dream about recommending: authentic, beautifully restored, and deeply rooted in the land around it. Owned by the Ferruccio Ferragamo family, the estate blends centuries-old Tuscan heritage with attentive hospitality, making it one of the region’s most distinctive countryside retreats. Complete with an onsite farm, wine production, pools with panoramic views, and countless quintessential Tuscan details, it surpassed every expectation when I had the privilege to visit the property.

My parents became snowbirds about 20 years ago—flying south to Florida to escape New Jersey's brutal winter weather, trading frost for sunshine. Over the decades, I've had the pleasure of visiting and staying in some of the area's best properties, sometimes traveling with just my husband, and other times with my kids, so I have lots of thoughts on how to make the most of this area for different types of guests.

Last week I had the opportunity to take a break from NYC’s frigid temperatures, to visit Barbados with my family. In addition to spending some amazing quality time with my husband and two young children, I also conducted several hotel site visits to share a POV on how to select the best property for my clients on the island.

As a mother of two young children—a 3-year-old and an almost 2-year-old—travel has become an ongoing adventure. While I still love exploring the world, my once-treasured leisurely seaside afternoons and endless aperitivi at sunset are now a bit more fleeting. That said, my children haven’t exactly cramped my style. My older daughter has been to Italy five times, and my younger son three times; at one point, he had spent more of his life abroad than in our New Jersey home. Because of this, clients constantly ask me: What is your favorite family resort in Italy? My answer is always the same—hands down, Borgo Egnazia. And with new direct flights hitting the calendar from the US to Bari, it’s an easier win than ever!

In November of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel with Hyatt and personally explore several of their top adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the Mexican Caribbean. Using Cancún International Airport as our hub, we visited properties stretching from an hour north to an hour south of the airport. I was genuinely impressed by the caliber of the accommodations, food, and service across the board. Still, each resort offers a distinct personality. Here’s how to decide which one is the best fit for your style of travel:

When clients dream of Tuscany, they envision romantic cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, warm trattorias brimming with local flavor, and, of course, world-class wine, but are sometimes disappointed with the hecticness of the region as they pass through. However, tucked into the rolling hills of eastern Tuscany near Umbria, the lesser known area of Cortona delivers on these expectations. Picture-book perfect and rich in character, Cortona offers all the charm of its more famous neighbors, yet retains a sense of intimacy and authenticity that’s increasingly rare in the region.

If you're captivated by Florence’s Renaissance charm, romantic streets, and rich culture, let me introduce you to its equally enchanting, but slightly less-trodden cousins: Verona and Bologna.

Dreaming of rolling hills, world-class wine, and farm-to-table cuisine—but without Tuscany’s tourist-packed towns and steep prices? Head east to Marche, Italy’s best-kept secret. This under-the-radar region offers all the charm and richness of its more famous neighbor, but with a refreshing sense of authenticity, tranquility, and value.

The stretch of coastline along the Adriatic Sea—from Ravenna through Rimini, straddling the southern part of Romagna and northern Marche—will always be my favorite corner of Italy. Nearly nine years ago, when I first arrived in this region, I had to pinch myself every time I wandered down a cobbled street into a medieval borgo or sat down to a plate of spaghetti alle vongole by the sea. To this day, I still don’t understand why more Americans don’t explore this incredible part of Italy. It may not have the yachts of Portofino or the cliffside drama of Amalfi, but its rich culture, vibrant food scene, and laid-back local charm make it the kind of place you never want to leave.