Learning to live (and travel) more lightly

A fresh perspective for 2025, plus five hotels that master effortless luxury #97

Hello everyone! I hope your 2024 is off to a gentle start.

You know how sometimes a word just finds you? That's how "lightness" became my theme for 2025. Not the superficial kind of lightness, but the kind that comes from letting go - of perfectionism, of rigid expectations, of the constant need to achieve.

This emerged naturally from last year's journey. While my previous newsletter touched on how 2024 didn't bring the external changes I'd anticipated, it opened the door to a different way of being. The weight of striving to achieve something - a new job, a house in Ile de Ré - gradually lifted, replaced by something more sustainable, more joyful.

This year, I'm embracing this lightness in every area, and I'm already seeing the benefits. In our search for our French base, letting go of that specific house in Ile de Ré that I'd set my heart on has been surprisingly liberating. Instead of feeling disappointed, I trust that the right place will find us when the time is right. At work, this lighter approach made the first week of January flow with unexpected ease - no new year pressure, just showing up with presence and purpose. With Mademoiselle heading to university soon, it means supporting her journey with excitement rather than anxiety.

This affects my approach to travel too. Unlike previous years where I'd have our entire calendar mapped out by now, I'm embracing a more relaxed rhythm. With Mademoiselle focused on her exams and revision until June, our travel plans are deliberately light - just a romantic Valentine's break at Heckfield Place with Mr Big in February. And you know what? It feels right. Instead of stressing about securing the perfect summer bookings months in advance, I'm trusting that the right opportunities will present themselves when the time comes. (Though I confess, the hotel researcher in me still keeps an eye on interesting properties, just more gently now!)

Do you have a word of the year or a general direction you want to follow? I’d love to know so maybe you can reply to me or share it in the comments?

In the spirit of lightness, I'm sharing some lovely boutique hotels I've discovered recently - places that don't try too hard to be perfect but somehow end up being just right. Enjoy!

5 extra finds

Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel, Ibiza

From 225 Euros- Check latest prices and availability

Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel is a luxury rural retreat nestled in the heart of Ibiza. Set on a 13-hectare estate that includes a 300-year-old finca, the property features 24 rooms, each offering private pools or terraces and gardens, with some rooms including fireplaces and four-poster beds. The property maintains a strong farm-to-fork ethos with its own 3-hectare organic vegetable garden supplying the restaurant. The estate's sprawling gardens, orange groves, and natural setting make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. The hotel boasts an impressive 43-meter freshwater pool and comprehensive spa facilities, including saunas, a garden jacuzzi, ice bath, hammam, and a fully equipped gym.

La Mission, Ile d’Yeu

From 185 euros - Check latest prices and availability

The other island close to my heart! We were going there for lovely weekends when I was a child. At the time there were less people than now but it’s still worth discovering it. Hotels have opened recently and this new one has 22 light-filled rooms overlooking an interior garden. The hotel’s restaurant serves local and seasonal dishes, perfect for family lunches or romantic dinners, with a terrace for summer evenings.There is a Spa by Nuxe, which includes treatment cabins, a steam room, and a swimming pool. And there is also an outdoor swimming pool.

Ansitz Schneckart, Dolomites

https://ansitzschneckart.com/en/

Located in Tramin, South Tyrol's wine capital, Ansitz Schneckart is a beautifully restored 15th-century estate featuring 15 unique rooms and suites where “friends” is the keyword! The property offers excellent amenities including a sauna, communal kitchen accessible to guests all day, and eight complimentary e-bikes perfect for exploring the surrounding vineyards or cycling to Lake Caldaro. The location is ideal for wine enthusiasts, with renowned wineries nearby, and Bolzano is just 20 minutes away. For entertainment, there's even a karaoke room by the pool in the former saddle house. The property boasts a magical elongated swimming pool with stunning views across the South Tyrolean lowlands and Lake Caldaro.

La Malvina, Gers

From 500 Euros per night for the whole house - Check latest prices and availability

This house seems one where you could have a nice simple holiday with friends or family. Located in the rolling hills of Gers, it is a charming countryside retreat that can accommodate up to 13 people. It features a swimming pool and renovated interiors that maintain their historic charm through carefully curated antique furnishings and decor. The house centers around a welcoming kitchen that serves as the heart of the home. During summer, guests can dine outside under the ash tree, while winter evenings can be spent around the fireplace enjoying local Armagnac. There is a big pool in the garden.

Helenekilde Badehotel

From 180 Euros - Check latest prices and availability

Helenekilde Badehotel is a historic seaside hotel located along the Danish coastline in Tisvilde. Originally built in 1896 as a private summer residence, it was converted into a hotel in 1904 and renovated in 2008. The hotel features elegant rooms and suites and is known for its award-winning cuisine. It offers guests a luxurious and tranquil atmosphere with beautiful coastal views. No pool but you are just by the sea.