SOUTH OF FRANCE
LOCATION: ST. TROPEZ
STAY: LILY OF THE VALLEY: Down by the sea along the famed coastal region of St. Tropez, there’s a quiet reprieve overlooking the bay of Cavalaire on the protected lands of Cap Lardier in La Croix Valmer. It’s a destination dedicated to rest and relaxation, with a unique design touch by Phillipe Starck that draws on the area’s native beauty. It’s a wellness retreat featuring spa treatments by Biologique Recherche, a hammam, a snow shower, outdoor pool and gourmet vegan restaurant. But perhaps our favorite part is the beach club; its serene, not stuffy and holds a special place in our heart all year round (yes, its not just open in the summer months)
SWIM: As mentioned, the beach club at Lily of the Valley is a ten out of ten. If you want to venture out, we suggest Le Club 55 on Pampelonne Beach and Loulou in Ramatouelle.
SHOP: The port of St. Tropez is filled with designer shops, yet somehow finds a way to bring in a quaint sense of place.
SIP + SNACK: Hotel La Ponche in the port of St. Tropez is divine, the back garden at Airelles Pan Dëi Palais, L’Opera is another must, or perhaps La Vague d’Or at Cheval Blanc.
DAY TRIP: Some other towns and attractions we love include the inland village of St. Paul de Vence where you must dine at La Colombe d’Or. There’s also Marseille, where we highly recommend exploring the local village of Goult, sipping on a cocktail at Tuba Club before taking out a private boat to Calanques National Park.
2. PROVENCE
LOCATION: THE LUBERON VALLEY
STAY: AIRELLES GORDES: Hidden in the hills of Provence’s Luberon Valley, Airelles Gordes takes an effortlessly chic approach to hospitality. The former private residence is laden with antiques, toile fabrics, leather-bound books and artful interiors, complemented by valley views of ancient olive trees and those ever beautiful cypresses.
SHOP: Everyday a different town hosts a market day filled with Provençal linens, lavender soaps, handmade leather sandals and lots more goodies. Save this schedule for your next visit:
- Mondays: Lauris,
- Tuesdays: Gordes, Aix en Provence
- Wednesdays: St. Remy, Venasque
- Thursdays: Aix en Provence, Roussilon, Menerbes
- Fridays: Lourmarin, Bonnieux
- Saturdays: Arles, Aix en Provence, St. Remy
- Sundays: L’Isle Sur la Sorgue (known for antiques, too!)
SIP + SNACK: Le Saint Hubert and Café les Valdeuses in Apt, La Bastide de Marie in Menerbes, La Petite Maison in Cucuron, Le Bistro du Paradou, Auberge La Feniere in Lourmarin, Le Chardon in Arles, Chez Paulette in Eygaliere and La Domaine de Citadelle for wine tasting.
3. PARIS
LOCATION: PARIS
STAY: JK PLACE PARIS: The former embassy is a rive gauche dream. Designer Michele Bönan brilliantly restores the bedrooms, each individually unique but common in their mid-century motifs and oversized geometric rugs. We're particularly partial to the Junior Suite, with its picture perfect parquet flooring and marble-clad ensuite bathroom.
SHOP: Just head to Le Marais for streets lined with French shops. We love Merci, Le Mont St. Michel, Officine Universelle Buly 1803, Tom Greyhound, Maison Labiche, Galleries Lafayette and then of course your high end French picks like Celine and Goyard are always better in Paris.
SIP + SNACK: We have a very long list of special Paris bars, restaurants and cafes, but if we had to chose a couple, our list would look a little like this: Le Chateaubriand, Chez L’Ami Louis, Paul Bert, Le Chardenoux, Septime, Clamato, Early June, Au Passage, Le Baratin, Le Servan, Allard, and Loulous in the Tuileries for lunch. For cocktails, Cheri Cheri, Dirty Lemon and Sister Midnight won’t disappoint.
BENEFITS OF BOOKING WITH ITKE:
Expertise of the destination
Full-service management and customization of trip
On-property/off-property experiences & reservations
Access to private inventory and special rates
Additional amenities & benefits
Seamless booking experience
