­If you take your design cues from 'Out of Africa' and 'The English Patient' and think that life was more fun when it was tradition to embark on The Grand Tour with your servants and steamers in tow, then Fine English Company is your one stop shop. The company is continuing the tradition of fine British craftmanship along with with a hint of rebellion and eccentricity. They sell revamped furniture like a Gunroom chair upholstered in tweed (around $9,000) and a giraffe skin fire fender (about $8,900). These skull and crossbone bespoke slippers are about $562. There's even antique taxidermy (a lion from 1947, about $6,000) and a child's rocking zebra with real zebra hair.

­­Rome is one of our favorite European cities – and one of the most accessible. Where else can you spend a morning walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, viewing the masterpieces of Raphael and Michelangelo, and seeing the papal seat of power- followed by an afternoon of power shopping and dining on gourmet food, or downing cups of espresso standing up for a quick caffeine fix? No other city offers the same heady blend of architecture, art and vibrant street life.

­"Get thee to a nunnery" may not be such a bad thing after all, considering the recent slew of monasteries converted to luxury hotels. There's the Four Seasons in Prague, as well as The Augustine there, and the Certosa di Maggianoin Tuscany. One of the most interesting hotels with a divine pedigree is the Parador de Santo Estevo in Galicia, Spain, a former 10th century monastery. There are 77 rooms dotted around three cloisters, and one of the hotel's top selling points (apart from its secluded location) is its new $2 million spa. The 9,6000 square foot space features a flotation tank, Vichy showers, and an extensive spa menu (Celtic massage, anyone?)­

­Every once in awhile I will come across a shop and think, this is so me, and I want to buy everything in sight. I felt this way when I clicked on Bungalow. This Copenhagen-based shop sells Indian hand-blocked textiles infused with a modern Scandinavian design sense. There are plenty of florals and paisleys (my favorite) popping up in adorable kids clothes, bedding, cushions, curtains and even paper products. The humble storage box has been transformed (pictured) by this acid green print. Bungalow goods are available in stores across Copenhagen and in many European countries (but I can’t seem to find the products Stateside, boo).­

­It figures that as soon as I leave London, many of my favorite American stores open up there. Now Londoners can enjoy Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic and the latest, Anthropologie, which is the grown up sister to Urban Outfitters. The new store, located on Regent Street, is housed in the former Wedgwood shop and the window displays features lots of tea bags in a nod to the store’s heritage. Like its States-side branches, the London Anthropologie (UK website here) sells quirky clothing, housewares and jewellery. A second branch is due to open on the King’s Road in Chelsea in 2010.

­If I weren’t living in a rental, I think I could go seriously nuts with wallpaper. I’m a huge fan of contemporary wallpaper from the likes of Timorous Beasties, Cole and Son (my favourite is their Jaipur paisley print) and Designer’s Guild. Yup, they are all British companies and the Brits have cornered the market on cool, contemporary prints – and they are about to get some stiff competition. One of the newest companies to enter the market is Barneby Gates. It was launched by former Vogue journalist Vanessa Barneby and her artist pal Alice Gates.

You know how some occasions call for a five-course meal with caviar, truffles and champagne, and other times you just want a really good, homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner? I see base2Stay’s budget-boutique style as the comforting mac ‘n’ cheese of the hotel world – not the fanciest thing around, perhaps, but it sure does the job, maybe even better than its upscale counterpart.

It was a cold, pouring-rain November evening the night I stayed at the “aparthotel” in London, so I may have been biased, but the comfy-factor seemed high from the moment I arrived.

­The Black Legend...a blaxploitatio­n film with a badass soundtrack? No. It's a hot new nightclub in the French Riviera, paying tribute to Motown in the 70's. On October 29th, in the tiny principality of Monaco, The Black Legend held an exclusive grand opening for 1800 guests featuring both the "The Supremes" and “Martha Reeves and the Vandellas." For the rest of us, The Black Legend Monaco officially opened its doors on October 31 at 12:00 Noon.  Noon?  Really? 

­Autumn is my favourite time of year to travel. The summer crowds with noisy children are gone, airfare has plummeted and you can still nab good hotel deals. If you’re thinking of heading to Paris this fall, check out the new Radisson Blu Metropolitan hotel. This is the second Radisson Blu in the city (there’s also the st­ylish Le Dokhan which opened in February). Located in the 16th arrondissement, this 48 room boutique hotel is housed in a traditional building but the rooms are thoroughly modern. The in-house Metropolitan restaurant is helmed by a former Alain Ducasse protégé, and there’s also a gorgeous swimming pool and spa. Rates start at 215 euros.

The Piedmont hills in northwestern Italy are famous for their truffles and full bodied Barolo and ­Barberesco wines. The Relais San Maurizio, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group, gives travellers another reason to visit to this part of the country. By far the most luxurious property Piedmont has to offer, the hotel has a fairytale like setting perched on top of a hill in the charming village of San Stefano Belbo. Views of the surrounding Langhe hills and perfectly lined vineyards greet guests wherever they look. Once a 17th century Franciscan monastery, the sprawling property has 31-rooms which were once monks quarters that have been lovingly turned into upscale guest rooms, each uniquely decorated and featuring flat screen televisions, oversize baths and Etro toiletries.