Luxury Escape around the World

To Relax:   Rest from work or engage in an enjoyable activity…

My dream form of a Luxury Escape is lying by a hotel swimming pool, with nary a care in the world.

No decisions other than which drink to order.

Sadly, as this is not my default position more than a few times a year – other forms of enjoyable activities are required to fill the ensuing months.

I could tell fibs and say I spend my nights applying myself to further education or supporting a worthwhile cause.

Truth be told – by the time I have completed my evening twirl of domestic goddess duties (aka feeding and cleaning the kids) –  I have just enough energy to collapse on the lounge clutching the remote control.

I know I am not alone in this method of relaxation because I see little quotes like this popping up on my social Media accounts.

I do love documentaries (recently I watched a fascinating report about Wallis Simpson – turns out her marriage to Edward wasn’t a mad love affair after all – more a case of be careful what you wish for). I digress.

Most nights on the couch are all about drama – and if I can escape around the world – all the better.

Luxury Escape around the World with The Urban Mum and Netflix

South Carolina with Frank Underwood and the House of Cards – I have never been further South in the US than Washington DC – I rather hanker after staying in one of those beautiful restored Southern hotels, the Belmond Charlestown Place sends visions of Scarlett O’Hara with the sweeping staircase entry.

Columbia sounds very exotic, I get there via the new Netflix Original Narcos (give it an episode or two and you will be hooked, it is fabulous). The premise is a real-life series chronicling the power struggle between law and cocaine industry. A prettier side of Columbia is Cartegena on shores of the Caribbean Sea, a relaxed holiday city of cobbled streets, colourful colonial buildings and outdoor cafes – it sounds like my kind of place.

I actually based myself in New York City, one long hot summer when I was 25 years old – wide eyed and naive. Goodness the fun my girlfriends and I had in the ‘city that never sleeps‘. At the time of my visit we worked for a hotel group so were able to secure accommodation in a five-star property (it far surpassed our budget).  

What luxury. We did live a little like Gossip Girls, dining daily on room service – although our shopping budget was not in their league.  

London, oh how I love London. My younger sister lives in Chelsea so my need for a hotel stay is diminished.

Nevertheless, if I were to rest my head elsewhere it would be at The Dorchester. My rather suave brother-in-law booked dinner for the three of us a few years ago. We spied a member of the Pussycat Dolls in the bar, which was very exciting.

V is for Vendetta set in futuristic Britain, an oldie but a goodie, starring Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman.

Possibly my favourite journey in the world is hopping on the Eurostar at St Pancras London, a few hours later arriving at Gare du Nord in Paris.

When I want to be transported there I watch Paris Je T’aime (modern French classic),  a whimsical journey through 18 five-minute shorts united by the common theme of love.  Although confession – my husband does not particularly like Paris – I know, I know shock horror. So the love I have for Paris is shared with my sister, which given all the shopping we like to do, it is just as well we leave the men at home.

We stay in the heart of St Germain at Hotel de Buci, sweet little rooms overlooking a typical Parisian streetscape – where the chic and beautiful pass by.

In anticipation of our forthcoming family Christmas holiday (goodness help me, is it really just around the corner) – I take a peek into famed explorer’s exploits in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th century China with another Netflix Original Marco Polo. A world of greed, betrayal, and rivalry in this epic series.

I expect my time in Shanghai to be more about the food and shopping (antiques markets in particular) – and the stunning hotel I have chosen (InterContinental Ruijin, in the French Quarter).

Here is the real Kicker though. Previously I have had to leave a favourite show mid viewing when I head off on holidays – now I don’t need to.

Netflix on Holidays

– Before you jet off, download the Netflix app on your tablet or mobile device. To use all you’ll need to do is pick up a connection to WiFi.

– Netflix is available in any territory where the service is live. Netflix is currently available in 50 countries

– When you log on overseas, you will actually get a different selection of movies and TV shows. For instance, if you log on in France, you will get a wide selection of French movies that are not offered in Australia.  You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy more than 100 million hours of TV programs and films per day, including original series, documentaries and features films.

– Note: do not expect to start a film in Australia and then finish overseas because it may not be available in the country you are visiting.

– If you happen to want to watch a foreign film while overseas, check out the subtitle feature that Netflix offers.

Have you actually travelled around the World to any of the Destinations on my Luxury Escape List?

Do you love a night on the lounge watching television as much as I do?

## The Urban Mum is part of the Netflix ‘Stream Team’ – giving me membership to the network (so I can loll around on the couch watching Mad Men all day). In addition I get regular updates on programming and opportunities to speak with Netflix ‘stars’ – I promise to raffle off any occasion I get to meet with Jon Hamm. xoxo