Palazzo Newsletter/Tuscany

Viaggiare

[viad'dzare] vi - to travel

Prepare for Take Off

Wall Street is crumbling, stocks are down, and your financial institution has caved. Can you really afford that vacation of your dreams? Why not? You're still flying high with your golden parachute.

If you've decided to go it alone in planning your journey, include Skytrax at www.airlinequality.com in your research. User reviews provide information on 560 airports and 545 airlines. The site also features seat reviews so that you can decide whether you really do want that aisle seat.

However, if by the slim chance you've outmaneuvered your hedge fund and are still financially solvent, there's no need to do the dirty work yourself. When time and money is no object, look to a luxury travel company.

Abercrombie Kent, founded in 1962, offers premier travel service with packages that include everything from African safaris and Nepal expeditions to a private jet journey tailored to your specifications. Their European Villa package offers all the amenities necessary to accommodate a sybaritic experience that is lineage worthy. AbercrombieKent.com

Luggage Check

Given the skimpy baggage allowances, ridiculous regulations and excessive surcharges, you may be wondering why bother to pack at all. Assuming that your flight wasn't canceled or delayed, the list of annoyances continues--higher airfares, fewer perks, and long lines. But depending on how often you travel, you may just consider avoiding all of the madness by purchasing a $130 enrollment in the Registered Traveler Program to zip through the express security line. (Think no more bare feet!) Of course, terrorists need not apply, a thorough background check is required. Check www.tsa.gov. for details as well as current regulations regarding luggage restrictions.

Pack Like a Pro

Take less than you think you need. I won't argue that the Manolo Blahniks are unnecessary--but you probably won't need three pairs.
Choose neutrals for your getaway wardrobe in fabrics that resist wrinkling--knits and cottons. Use accessories for color.
Consider wearing your cashmere pashmina to double as a blanket. (Some airlines have nixed this "perk.")
Avoid the risk of loss or theft of your valuable jewelry and go--shall we dare say that four letter word--faux?
Roll garments tightly and place on the bottom of your suitcase. Items that absolutely must be folded should be placed in your bag next with the top of each consecutive item placed on either end and leftover fabric draped inward.
Stretch belts around the perimeter of the suitcase. You shouldn't need more than two.
Depending on the type of trip you are taking (five days or less), you probably won't need more than two extra pairs of shoes--one casual and one dress--aside from the comfortable pair you'll be wearing during your flight. Put each pair of shoes into a shoe bag and place along the sides of your bag.
Your hotel should provide the essential toiletries. However, many cosmetic companies now offer mini-size versions of your favorite luxury beauty items. Choose items that can do double duty and segregate bags in your check-in luggage for specific purposes i.e. skin, hair, make-up. Remember that liquid items filled all the way to the top may burst due to a lack of pressure in the storage cabin.

Shrink bags are an excellent way to bring back your dirty laundry. The bonus is with all the reduced space, you'll have plenty of room for any newly purchased items from your trip.
Remember that for international travel you will need adapters and converters to use any electrical gadgets from the U.S.

Fly Right

Because size does matter, travel lite with these beauty essentials.

Makeup

Too Faced Glamour to Go $18.50

Six glimmering glosses and four shimmering shadows in a pocket-sized palette for eyes and lips. (Alas, this will have to go in your checked bag as gloss is not allowed in your carry on.)

Cargo Color Cards $24

Single use eye shadow in stunning jewel tones embossed on super flat cards.

Cargo Lip Gloss Quads $24

Set of four pretty shades in an oversized lip gloss tin. With names like Naples, Casablanca, Argentina and South Beach you're primed to go.

(Ditto--checked baggage.)

Skin, Body, Bath

Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack $25

Travel size six pack of the famous Bliss bath and skincare formulas. (Liquid soap, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, body butter.)

Philosophy-The Travel Agent $35

(Facial cleanser, moisturizer, firming body emulsion, hair conditioner, shampoo/bath/shower gel, clear zip-top bag)

Bliss "Face Value" Trial & Travel Skincare Essentials $45

All around skin care line in travel friendly sizes. (lid/lash wash, clog dissolving cleansing milk, facial toner, sunscreen, energizing mask, eye cream packet, clear PVC zippered case)

Evian Travel Trio $16.50

A cool mist spray to refresh tired skin and rehydrate from the drying effects of stale plane air. (Three 1.7 oz)

Bliss Baggage Handler $28

Lightweight eye treatment with cucumber and cornflower extract to reduce puffiness. (.5 oz)

Lollia "Believe" Shea Butter Handcreme Triplets $40

Crisp, light fragrance with hydrating extracts of aloe and shea butter. (Set of 3 tubes, 1.5 oz)

Hair

Frederic Fekkai Travel Faves $40

Five piece set of travel-size products for colored and chemically treated hair. (sheer hold spray, shampoo, conditioner, glaze, mini-comb)

Ted Gibson Hair Sheets $25

On the go hairstyle refresher sheets when you don't have time to shampoo, condition, or blow-dry.

Sephora Pop Up Travel Brush $8

Mirrored compact opens to reveal pop-up brush.

Men

Anthony Logistics for Men-Grab & Go Portables $35

Everything for the man on the go. All the basics for face, body and hair. (facial cleanser, facial scrub, cleansing gel, shampoo, aftershave, shave cream, clear zip top bag)

Accessory

Sephora Diamond Handbag Atomizer $15

Travel size perfume atomizer and funnel.

Tweezerman Petite Manicure Set $20

Portable trio of mini nail care essentials

Seda France Travel Tin Candles $

Hand-poured with premium ingredients to freshen your room. (2 oz. 12-14 hr burn time)

Triple Pleasure

Shea Butter Handcreme Trio

Believe - A Lollia Fragrance

Treat Yourself Today

www.palazzo-ub.com/grotto2

Plane Pretty

How to Look Glamorous on Arrival

Despite the super drying effects and germs du jour from recirculated and pressurized cabin air, it can be difficult yet still not impossible to look glamorous when you reach your destination. Follow these 10 tips and we wouldn't be surprised if the paparazzi were waiting for you.

If you have a special food requirement (no, not caviar) such as vegetarian, be sure to pre-order your meal at the time of booking. Long flights tend to make one feel bloated and eating less during the flight can help to alleviate this discomfort.

This is also not the time to order bubbly. Avoid coffee, tea and caffeinated drinks and opt for water, water and more water instead.

Carry a handy packet of moistened towelettes scented with your choice of essential oils like lemon, peppermint and lavender. Aside from their antibacterial properties, aromatherapy benefits counteract nausea and motion sickness. (herbanessentials.com offers a great pack as well as a travel kit)

Board the plane wearing a tinted moisturizer and lip balm to add a healthy glow while protecting your skin. Slather your hands with lots of creme as this area gets particularly dry.

No matter how comfortable your shoes may be, you'll probably want to remove them during flight. Carry a pair of super cozy cashmere socks to keep your feet warm.

Use an eye mask to aid in sleeping and to help keep intrusion at bay. Upon waking, dab eye treatment to minimize puffiness. Periodically walk the aisles to stretch muscles and relieve tension and bloating.

Carry a fabulous designer scarf. You can tie this on when your hair calls it quits.

Throughout the flight and right before descent, spritz liberally with Evian face mist to hydrate and refresh your skin.

Last, don a great pair of sunglasses regardless of the weather. It's so very Jackie O!