Sage Russell, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Tuscan connoisseurs wanted: your very own castle, world-class golf course and Michelin-starred chef

By Sage Russell on Apr 30, 2015 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Halfway between the Tuscan jewels of Pisa and Florence, there is a smooth, wide valley framed by fields of silver wheat, rows of vineyard grapes and thick swatches of undisturbed forest. Perched at the high point of a ridge above the valley is a tall, stone castle. The castle is 800 years old. It sits

Becoming an Italian food and wine expert in one luxurious week

By Sage Russell on Apr 28, 2015 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

I can hardly believe that the road will lead anywhere. It is steep, rutted, and folds back on itself over and over again. My ears pop and the greenery around me transitions from pale green Tuscan river valley to soft pines that cast stippled shadows. But the road does end. It levels out and my

Feasting, fishing, shooting and world class golf in the Scottish Borders

By Sage Russell on Oct 18, 2013 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

In less than four hours you could be living the idyllic British sporting life. In less than four hours, a sleek train could whisk you from the bustle of central London to the quiet green banks of the crystal clear River Tweed, where the only sounds are the swish of your salmon line and the

5 steps to the ultimate romantic luxury escape in Venice

By Sage Russell on Jun 29, 2012 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Western Europe

For me, just saying “Venice” transports me completely. It conjures up the low sun casting warm light on the crumbling pastel walls of the palazzos; their heavy facades rising up from the green waters of quiet canals. If you’re not careful, Venice can be a sweltering study in weaving your way through slow moving ranks

London’s best hidden wine bar

By Sage Russell on May 14, 2012 in Bars, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Rush-hour on the Strand can make London feel like a town of nothing but tourists and theatre-goers. The black cabs and red buses whirl by as confused, map touting foreigners scamper across the streets. The well-heeled, well-suited business men pile into the posh hotels and swanky gastro pubs. If you watch carefully, however, you’ll see a

3 steps to ultimate Mediterranean luxury in Puglia, Italy

By Sage Russell on Apr 14, 2012 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Among whitewashed seaside villages, glowing golden hill towns and the pink and yellow blossoms of a million never ending orchards, food is life in the Itria valley of Puglia. Miraculously, tourism is just taking hold in this agricultural heartland. The warm Southern Italian people still embrace outsiders like prodigal sons; inviting them to homemade meals

3 steps to ultimate luxury in Bath

By Sage Russell on Mar 14, 2012 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Everybody has a romantic mental image of what Bath, England should look like: tidy rows of stately Georgian terrace homes of gray stone and slate roofs set among green hills of pastures and woodland. With its rejuvenated pedestrian center, a slew of Chef’s leading the culinary charge and hotels and inns ranging from swanky to

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