Luxury launches site VeryFirstTo.com has launched The Ultimate Summer Trip to 8 of the coolest summer destinations across the globe as decided by a survey of its members who are wealthy, early adopters of luxury. VeryFirstTo has identified Maria’s bags as an accessory of the season, and so will present participants on the trip with 8 bespoke bags, specifically curated to complement each destination.
The Greek Islands shone like the summer sun on the Aegean as the hippest destination for well-heeled travellers. The natural beauty and famed facilities of islands such as Mykonos and Crete has helped ensure that the economic and migrant crisis the country has suffered in recent years hasn’t dampened the appeal. Whilst the Greek Islands proved the most voted for destination, Italy gained the accolade of being the most popular country by far. Four of its jewels – Capri, Lake Como, Tuscany and Sicily – featured in the top 20 hottest destinations.
Maria’s bags was founded by Alida Boer, former Miss Guatemala and international model after her fellow contestants in the Miss World pageant fell in love with her traditionally woven blouses. Maria’s bags, available from Mariasbags.co.uk, represent not only timeless luxury, but a commitment to Mayan tradition, the pride and empowerment of generations of Guatemalan women.
Alida Boer, says, “Many of the places you visit on the trip encompass our brand’s ethos of mixing the modern and the traditional. The designs and shapes of many of the bags are inspired by natural beauty and history, perfectly offset with modern ideals of culture and luxury.”
Your first stop on the summer sojourn is Cuba where you will be staying in a trendy apartment in Old Havana. Grab your Santiago Sacatepequez and explore the magnificent architecture and take a tour in a matching 1956 pink and white Ford Fairlane. In a landmark move America began restoring relations with Cuba in 2014 and since then pop princess Rihanna, Kate Perry, Natalie Portman, and numerous glitterati have been spotted on the island.
On to Lake Como in Italy where you will be staying at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Of course some of the best shopping in Italy’s fashion capital, Milan, is less than a 2 hour drive, or you can take the antique railway.
A short flight and a private speedboat away is the island of Capri - long established as the summer playground for Europe’s elite. The Blue Grotto, ‘Grotto Azzura’ is one Capri’s most famous sites and is lit as sunlight passes through a cavity under the water giving it a distinctly ethereal hue. What better than the Santa Catarina Palopo bag to compliment the natural wonder?
St Tropez is a summer destination that never goes out of style, playing host to royalty, rock stars, models, plus the wealthy and stylish alike for decades. Whether you take up a sunbed by the luxury pool of the subtly luxurious and exclusive Hotel Byblos, or if you feel like exploring the beaches, the combined colours of the Provencal fishing town with the flash of the Cote D’Azure are reflected in the one of a kind design of your Santiago Atitilan Tote bag. The hotel is also home to Caves du Roy, possibly the Var coast’s trendiest nightclub and Rivea by Alain Ducasse.
Get some rest by the pool before you fly out to join the likes of Kate Moss, the Jaggers and superstar DJ’s Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclair and David Guetta in Ibiza. Take up residence at the Pacha Hotel. Channel your inner boho babe with the spacious Bucket Almolonga – perfect to fill with all those necessary bikinis and sarongs you won’t be able to resist.
The privacy of the largest of the Greek Islands - Crete is next on the month long vacation. Kick-off your Louboutins at The Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites a favourite luxury resort set in the beautiful natural environment that Crete is famed for. Ideal for carrying all your essentials around the resort is the San Antonio Aguas Calientes mint green bucket bag - laid back luxe at its most spacious.
And next, armed with Maria’s ‘Aga’ bag and matching wallet you will be ready to take on the shopping in the pedestrianised Mykonos old town and stop for a drink overlooking the famous windmills. Then relax and unwind with sea views and easy access to the private beach of Agios Stefanos below the luxury boutique Grace Hotel.
It is then off to the idyllic Maldives for rest and relaxation at the magnificent One&Only resort and all its exclusive amenities. To end the scorchingly luxurious trip you will travel to Bali and experience paradise at the W Retreat & Spa in Denpasar. The hotel is located in Bali’s capital, which is also the Island’s most dynamic neighbourhood. Your Cross Body Concepcion Chiquirichapa not only stores your much-needed plastic to snap up Balinese crafts but has a beautiful jade clasp.
Marcel Knobil founder of VeryFirstTo, Superbrands and Cool BrandLeaders says: “This is the first time one has ever had the opportunity to enjoy all the hottest summer vacation destinations in one remarkable month. You will be in with the in-crowd, time and time again, and experiencing the world’s most stylish holiday locations.”
The remarkable trip, organised by luxury travel specialist Hurlingham Travel, can be taken from July 2016 onwards.
The survey was conducted amongst registered members of VeryFirstTo (466 responses across 57 countries)
Top 20
1 Greek Islands
2 Maldives
3 St Tropez, France
4 Bali, Indonesia
5= Havana, Cuba
5= Ibiza, Spain
5= Capri, Italy
8 Lake Como, Italy
9 Marbella, Spain
10 Monte Carlo, Monaco
11 Seychelles
12 Sardinia
13= Dubrovnik, Croatia
13= The Hamptons, New York
13= Tuscany, Italy
16= Dubai, UAE
16= Hawaii, USA
18 Barbados
19 Sicily, Italy
20 Florida, USA
