European Summer!
This summer I went to some of my favorite places in Europe - Amsterdam, Provence, London, and St. Tropez. While I didn’t spend too long in any one spot, I managed to curate some truly standout experiences. From charming hotels and memorable meals to the best shopping and activities, everything felt just right. I’m excited to share my travel guide to each of these cities, consider this your cheat sheet to a stylish European escape.
Amsterdam:
A cute and quaint 48-hour trip was really all I needed for this city. While there’s definitely more to explore, I felt like I got my bearings (and plenty of steps in!) during those two packed days. We stayed at The Hoxton, which is perfectly located right on the canals. That said, if I’m being honest, it was nothing over the top. It was perfect for what it was—but next time I visit Amsterdam, I’d love to stay at the new Rosewood.
Amsterdam is full of adorable dining spots nestled along the canals. One restaurant I’d recommend 10 times over is Nonna, the cutest little Italian place with amazing food and the warmest service. We also hopped around a few wine bars with outdoor seating, which made for the dreamiest golden hour moments. Since the sun didn’t set until around 10:45 PM, our nights naturally ended later, but never too late.
We made a stop at the antique market, where I scored the best clip-on earrings. For vintage finds, I loved AVC Amsterdam and Enso Vintage - both full of treasures. And finally, we were obsessed with Luuk’s Coffee for our daily caffeine fix.
Provence:
Next stop: Provence with Reformation! I mean… talk about a dream. Not only is Reformation one of my forever favorite brands, but Provence itself is absolutely idyllic. We stayed at a private château in the countryside, where our days were filled with poolside lounging, painting sessions, and wine tasting (naturally, all while dressed head-to-toe in Ref).
We took a day trip to explore a couple of nearby towns Bonnieux and Lourmarin - and they were beyond charming. Think: cobblestone streets, open-air markets, adorable wine bars, and the kind of shops you want to bring a second suitcase for. Every corner felt straight out of a movie. If you’re planning a trip to the region, I highly recommend both towns - Lourmarin is a bit bigger, but both are truly special.
London + The Countryside:
London is truly one of my favorite cities in the world. I studied abroad there years ago, so it holds a very special place in my heart. While some of my old go-to restaurants may not be as relevant now, I still make time for a few nostalgic favorites every time I’m back.
We kicked off the trip with one night at The TwentyTwo, a beautifully designed boutique hotel with the dreamiest wallpapered rooms. After landing and freshening up, we headed straight to dinner at Dishoom (an all-time favorite) and ended the night with a nightcap in The TwentyTwo’s glamorous bar-slash-club. The next morning, we made our way to the countryside for a quick two-night stay at the absolutely fabulous Estelle Manor.
If I do say so myself, I planned this London-to-countryside itinerary perfectly. Estelle Manor was magical - we dined at nearly every restaurant on the property (the sushi spot was next level), lounged, walked the grounds, and even squeezed in an afternoon trip to Bicester Village for a little outlet shopping. Aperol spritzes, long walks, delicious meals… I would absolutely go back.
After our countryside escape, we returned to the city and checked into the Charlotte Street Hotel for five nights. During that stretch, we had tickets to Wimbledon and Henley, which were both such fun, classic British summer experiences. On the other days, we explored the city, wandered through Hyde Park, and ate so much incredible food.
Restaurant highlights:
Dishoom (of course), Carlotta, Mount St. Restaurant, NAC, Mayfair Chippy, Gails (Nostalgic for me from when I studied abroad there).
Beauty tip:
I got the best blowouts of my life at Hershesons Blow Dry Bar - highly recommend booking in advance.
Shopping favorites:
London is a shopper’s paradise. My go-to stops include Selfridges, Realisation Par, Annie’s Ibiza, Liberty London, Emilia Wickstead, and KoiBird just to name a few
St. Tropez:
After our week in London, Joe headed back to the States while I hopped over to St. Tropez for a dreamy girls’ trip and let me tell you, I could easily spend weeks here. Between the sunshine, shopping, and rosé-filled lunches, St. Tropez is pure magic. The cobblestone streets, chic boutiques, and sparkling coastline never get old.
We stayed at Hôtel Les Capucines, which was charming in its own way each room is its own little mini house but it’s a bit outside the heart of town. It worked for this trip, but next time, I’d definitely opt for something more centrally located so we can walk everywhere with ease.
That said, I still managed to pull together a pretty perfect St. Tropez guide:
My St. Tropez Hit List:
Ju – Juice + coffee to start every morning. So fresh, so cute.
Club 55 – An icon for a reason. It’s a must.
Matsuhisa – Always a go-to dinner spot. Delicious and scene-y.
Boulangerie Aux Deux Frères – Life. Changing. Croissants.
Zhiggie – The cutest little boutique - only in St. Tropez!
Sénéquier – Dinner by the port + world-class people watching.
Market Days – Tuesdays & Saturdays in Place des Lices. The best food, flowers, and shopping.
Bleu Mon Jules – Local gem for graphic tees, swimsuits, and fun jackets.
Club Les Palmiers – Beach day bliss. The perfect place to tan, sip, and unwind.
Glaces Alfred & Barbarac – Two ice cream spots I love equally. I have a major sweet tooth, so naturally I had to include both.
xx
Sara