Wanderlust

Do you feel it too?  With longer days, I find myself getting the urge to pack my bags, find the sun and get away from it all.  Unfortunately, I don't see that happening until at least the end of summer.  Right now I'm researching a trip I'm planning to Italy--more about that later.  If you're anything like me, you probably hate those large chain hotels that tourists flock to in droves (the exception being the Four Seasons).  I usually tend to gravitate to the smaller boutique hotels--fewer guests, attention to detail and service, and exceptionally beautiful rooms. While searching for the perfect luxurious lair, I came across a wonderful British site--www.chicretreats.com. This site specializes in listings and bookings for small, hip hotels around the world. Considering that travel is no easy feat these days--weak dollar, endless security, luggage restrictions, packing regulations and so on, it's imperative that when you finally reach your intended destination that it is well worth the trouble you've had to endure.  At least thats what I'm telling myself in order to justify the extra expense of chic.