The Flip Flop Forecast // 04.24
Introducing the Flip Flop rebranded!! Travel matchmaking hacks and trends, an important reminder that Rome wasn't built in a day and a very special guest <3
My sister (a successful side hustler and PR witch) WAS a fan of impromptuly reminding me how much she hates the Flip Flop ‘brand’. After reluctantly deleting the picture of the topless man from my Instagram so people would take my travel advice “more seriously”, she introduced me to her sweet friend who is the brains behind my beautiful new branding. Flora was right, she always is. But most importantly - what do you think?
PS This is my favourite edition yet of FFF, I hope it is yours too 💚💚
In Casa by Paboy: A Colourful Weekend in Naples
Meet Paboy, a Gambian native and creator of what Vogue calls “the Most Joyful Cushions on Instagram”. Here he now inspires us on how to spend a colourful weekend in Naples, the city he now calls home.
A Colourful Weekend in Naples, Paboy Bojang
& when you are finished shop his creations HERE
May Bank Holiday Match Making
As of yesterday, all of the below had availability over the first and/or second May Bank Holiday with the rates as per below.
For Hikers - Drei Berge Hotel, Switzerland (€370 a night)
Accidentally Wes Anderson meets Bernese guesthouse where each room is named after a famous mountain. In summer there are 125 miles of hiking trails to choose from.
For (Hairy) Bikers - Ard Na Sidhe Country House, Ireland (€365 a night)
County Kerry, Ireland - a cyclists paradise with Irelands highest mountain range stretching one way and beaches making up the other. Needless to say, there are feasts of fish and Guinness to enjoy at the end of the day.
For Beach Bathers - Villa Zoe, Crete (€190 a night)
Five minutes drive from the beach and with hosts with hearts of gold. Think freshly squeezed orange juice under pink bougainvillea in the morning and snoozing off a big lunch under a parasol in the sand in the afternoon.
For Lovers - Maison Acacia, Provence (€159 a night)
In the port of La Ciotat, just south of Marseilles this is a sun soaked guesthouse where the food is as delicious as the interiors. Live a little French seaside life for a little while.
For City Slickers - Hotel des Grands Voyageurs, Paris (€250 a night)
Elegant and minimalist, the ultimate city base on the corner of Saint Germain, Paris’ Left Bank. Jardin du Luxembourg is your garden and Musée Rodin or Musée Bourdelle will scratch that culture itch.
For Digital Detoxers - Manna, Peloponnese (€275 a night)
This is Greece, but not at all how you imagine it. Turn off Mamma Mia 2 and retreat in the ancient fir forest of Mount Mainalo. Hunker down or venture out, this is a place to switch off from the noise of the world and breath deeper.
For Bitching Over Wine - Casa Fortunato, Lisbon (€375 a night)
I just spent a weekend with the girls, it’s good for the soul. Located in Lisbon’s chicest neighbourhood, you are not far from a swish bar selling wine or a restaurant crawling with locals who don’t care for your gossip meaning no need for hushed tones.
A 5* Holiday Hack - from me to you
All new borns have teething issues. In hotel speak that might be opening your doors to guests whilst the hose is still filling up the pool or Italian staff looking bemused when you ask for oat milk in your latte. ALL WORTH IT in my opinion for the compensated rate the hotel gives you for trusting them in their infancy.
The cut price only lasts a month or so but it means you sleep there first (smug) and you’ll pay half anyone who comes next year (smug again). Keeping up with Europe’s hottest new openings is tough work but someones got to do it. Here are three hotels destined to be the talk of the town…
Beaumier Hôtel Grand Belvédère, Wengen rates now £370 a night this year from £550 next year
Odera, Tinos Opening in July from £340 a night all summer, next summer another story
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Salzburg Opening on the 1st July from £685 and from 1st August £1,150
Rates are yet to be released for these hotels projected to open later this summer… If you are planning a trip to Rome or Nice in July/August you might want to book something on a cancellable rate should an opportunity to stay here come up.
Casa Monti, Rome / Hotel du Couvent, Nice
Where Tay Tay Would Stay
My current favourite fact: Hotel rates in Paris are higher over Taylor Swifts concert dates than they are over any night of the 2024 Olympics. ‘Gig Tripping’ is a real and growing trend that Taylor wears the crown of.
^^ from Conde Naste 2024 travel trends
Here is where I would book for her if I was her Travel Agent on the European leg of the Eras World Tour.
Before your people come for me Taylor, this is only silly, educated guesses. I will be flabbergasted and flattered if you follow any of this advice. I am not your stalker, I am your friend and fan. X
PARIS 9 & 10 May
Brach, in the Georges Suite if Travis is there or Le Bristol Terrace Suite with SPA if she was travelling solo
STOCKHOLM 17 May
D’Angleterre in the D’Angleterre Suite
MADRID 24 May
Rosewood Villa Magna in the Marquis of Salamanca House
AMSTERDAM 5 & 6 July
Pulitzer in the Music Collectors Suite (where else?!)
MILAN 13 July
Palazzo Parigi in the Imperial Suite (Google classes this as the safest bet)
EDINBURGH 7 & 8 June
The Balmoral, JK Rowling Suite (where she finished HP & The Deathly Hallows)
21 & 22 June, 16 & 17 August LONDON
Claridge’s in the Grand Terrace Suite but it’s not too late to accept the invitation to my house
ROME
Finally, I had the pleasure of attending a Rocco Forte Showcase in Rome with my travel agent hat on. I slept a couple of nights at Hotel de la Ville which looks like a birthday cake and hosts you like it’s your birthday every day. The best hotel in the city (IMO), I thought I ought to write a little about it.
Grand Damn - Hotel de la Ville
We all deserve a taste of Hotel de Ville magic but not all of us can afford it. So, I asked the concierge for their Roman tips and spruced up the Rome Budget, Boutique, Blowout.
Some tips I could not squeeze in here:
Most Romantic Spot - La Terrazza del Pincio
Best Coffee - La Tazza D’Oro
Most Under Rated Attractions - Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore & Galleria Colonna
Most Over Rated Attraction - Trevi Fountain </3
fun fact - 1.5 million euro is lobbed in the fountain annually and the water that flows through it still comes from the ancient aqueduct it started on
Caio Caio for now & PLEASE let me know what you think of the rebrand!!!
Looks amazing✨♥️♥️