So, You Think You Know Paris? Think Again.

Introducing The Savvy Traveler Guide | Paris

For the “Been There, Done That, Back for the Good Stuff” kind of traveler.

You’ve walked the Seine. You’ve posed in front of the Louvre.
You’ve had the croissant. You’ve skipped the line.
But have you seen Paris unfold?

This isn’t a list of things to do.

It’s an invitation to move differently, to wander with intention, dine without compromise, and linger in the Paris that locals don’t post about.

We created The Savvy Traveler Guides for travelers like you:
Curious. Discerning. Done with the obvious. Hungry for the layered.

Now live: Paris — five immersive, curated days of hidden ateliers, quietly exquisite restaurants, and rooftops you won’t find on travel blogs.

🧭 Explore the Guides
🖼️ Thoughtful. Beautiful. Printable.
💬 No fluff. Just the good stuff.

Latest Luxury Travel News

🌍 Slovenia: Europe’s Worst-Kept Secret is Officially Out

Once the whispered escape plan of savvy travelers, Slovenia is finally having its moment. (Slovenia Tourism Board). Bookings are up 473% for summer 2025, and with good reason. It's a land of alpine lakes, wine routes without the crowds, and castles that don’t feel like movie sets. With Croatia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic also heating up, Europe’s quiet corners aren’t staying quiet for long. CNTraveler

If you want bragging rights, get there before your neighbor’s Instagram does.

🐆 Tulum’s Newest Star Isn’t a Beach, It’s a Jungle

Forget the Tulum of beach bars and Instagram swings. The real show is happening inland. Parque del Jaguar, a massive new ecological reserve, has just opened its gates to protect jaguars, Mayan ruins, and over 2,000 hectares of tropical wilderness. Visitors can now hike, bike, and spot wildlife where club beats once echoed. LONELY PLANET

It’s a refreshing pivot from selfies to safaris, and a reminder that the wildest parts of Tulum were never beachfront.

🛁 Puglia’s Most Peaceful Check-In Comes With Olive Trees and Steam Rooms

Tucked along the Adriatic coast, Canne Bianche Lifestyle Hotel (link) is proof that luxury doesn’t need marble columns or rooftop DJs. Here, it’s all about spa mornings, locally sourced dinners, and sun-soaked afternoons that stretch like a siesta. With just 53 rooms, hand-painted tiles, and a scent of lemon trees in the air, it’s the kind of place where time slows down. LUXE GETAWAYS

… or just forgets to show up entirely.

🏁 Explora Journeys Makes the Monaco Grand Prix Even More Ridiculous (In a Good Way)

Just when you thought the Monaco Grand Prix couldn’t get any more extra, Explora Journeys (link) adds a luxury cruise to the mix. Their new experience bundles superyacht-style sailing with VIP trackside access, glamorous dinners, and more Monte Carlo than you probably need. LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR

It’s the kind of itinerary where the dress code includes “nautical chic” and “just casually ran into a prince.”

🍽️ Four Seasons’ New Yacht Menu Could Sink Your Favorite Restaurant

As if launching a $4.5 billion yacht weren’t enough, Four Seasons Yachts just revealed the onboard culinary line-up—and it’s frankly unfair. Michelin-starred dishes, sushi omakase, caviar tastings, and a traveling pastry chef? Yes, really. This isn't dinner with a view; it's fine dining on a moving five-star hotel. DOTWNEWS

Just try not to drop your truffle foam when the sea gets choppy.

Brought to you by The Savvy Traveler Guides

The Savvy Traveler | Paris

So, you’ve already done the Paris everyone talks about:

The Eiffel Tower sparkles.
The Mona Lisa stare-off.
The sunset picnic at the Champ de Mars.
The café crème with an overpriced view.

Now let’s explore a quieter, cooler, more cinematic Paris; one that trades the landmarks for layers, the crowds for corners, and the familiar for the forgotten.

This is Paris for those who crave surprises, and know they often hide in plain sight.

🛏️ Where to Stay (Beyond the Obvious Names)

Maison Proust – A romantic fantasy set in the heart of Le Marais, this boutique hotel blends Belle Époque opulence with modern indulgence. Think velvet, candlelight, and a private hammam that feels lifted from a 19th-century novel.

Hotel des Grands Boulevards - Tucked behind a secret passageway near the Grands Boulevards, this hideaway offers dreamy interiors by Dorothée Meilichzon and a rooftop bar that locals actually go to.

Le Pigalle Paris - For those drawn to the bohemian energy of the 9th arrondissement, Le Pigalle is a love letter to the neighborhood, with turntables in every room and croissants that could win medals.

Hotel de Nell - Tucked into the 9th arrondissement near the Grands Boulevards, this serene Relais & Châteaux property blends understated luxury with Japanese-inspired minimalism. Rooms feature solid oak furniture, stone soaking tubs, and windows that frame the quiet rhythm of the neighborhood.

Maison Villeroy - A private mansion turned ultra-bespoke hotel, Maison Villeroy offers just 11 suites, and a level of service more akin to staying in a billionaire’s pied-à-terre. It’s discreet, decadent, and dripping in Italian marble, with a butler assigned to every guest. The spa, by Officine Universelle Buly, is intimate and otherworldly.

🍷 Where to Eat (and Linger)

Le Maquis - Tucked away in the 18th, this intimate bistro serves unpretentious yet perfectly executed French dishes. The wine list is poetic, and the vibe feels like you’ve stumbled into someone’s secret.

Le Saint Sébastien - A neo-bistro gem where the boundary between kitchen and dining room practically disappears. The menu changes often; the hospitality never does.

Tapisserie - A café by day, natural wine bar by night. Located in the 11th, it draws artists, writers, and the type of people who know where to find the best anchovy toast in town.

🎨 What to Do (If You’ve Already Done the Seine)

Pavillon de l’Arsenal - A museum dedicated to the architecture and urbanism of Paris. It’s free, fascinating, and always evolving — just like the city it documents.

Guided Photography Walk with a Parisian Visual Artist - Forget Instagram shots. Learn how to frame Paris like a filmmaker and capture the soul behind the postcard. Ask your trusted travel designer about this experience.

The Hidden Courtyards of the Marais - A self-guided detour through secret alleys, ivy-covered archways, and quiet pockets of history you won’t find on any map. Wear comfortable shoes and follow your curiosity.

🎟️ Bonus for the Curious

Download Our Free Savvy Traveler Cheat Sheet
“Hidden Speakeasy Bars in Paris You Should Know About”
Discover the passwords, the unmarked doors, and the candlelit jazz basements, and impress even the most Paris-weary friend.

Download now →

The Savvy Traveler Guide | Paris is LIVE | Bali is coming soon.
And this time, you won’t just visit; you’ll arrive.

🌍 Global Events to Keep on Your Radar

April 30th May 15th, 2025

🎾 Sports

🏇 Royal Windsor Horse Show 📍 Windsor Castle, UK | 🗓️ May 1–5, 2025 The British royals’ favorite equestrian event returns with show jumping, carriage driving, and serious hat game. Held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, this is posh countryside spectacle at its finest.

⚽ UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals 📍 Europe-wide | 🗓️ May 6 & 7, 2025 The four best clubs in Europe clash for a spot in the final. Expect drama, late goals, and fans so tense they forget to Instagram the moment.

🏎️ Miami Grand Prix 📍 Miami International Autodrome, USA | 🗓️ May 2–4, 2025 Formula 1 returns to Florida with tropical heat, celebrity sightings, and a track that wraps around a football stadium. Fast, flashy, and very on-brand for Miami.

🎶 Music & Entertainment

🎭 Met Gala (aka Fashion’s Super Bowl) 📍 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC | 🗓️ May 5, 2025 The red carpet event that breaks the internet. This year’s theme? “Neo-Baroque: Excess & Echo.” Expect wearable drama and celebrities dressed like 18th-century chandeliers.

🎷 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Weekend 2) 📍 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA | 🗓️ May 1–4, 2025 Soul, brass, crawfish, and legends. Weekend two of Jazz Fest features a mix of gospel, funk, and jazz royalty. The soundtrack to your Southern spring fling.

🎵 Primavera Sound Festival 📍 Barcelona, Spain | 🗓️ May 5–8, 2025 One of Europe’s most respected indie music festivals, Primavera brings cutting-edge artists and serious sonic street cred. Come for the lineup, stay for the Mediterranean sunsets.

🏛️ Cultural Events & Celebrations

🎏 Golden Week 📍 Japan (nationwide) | 🗓️ April 29–May 5, 2025 A cluster of national holidays turns Japan into a joyful blur of parades, family reunions, and full trains. It’s both festive and frantic — and a fascinating time to visit.

🎡 Fête du Pain (Festival of Bread) 📍 Paris, France | 🗓️ May 6–13, 2025 Held outside Notre-Dame, this fragrant fête celebrates France’s baking mastery. Watch artisan bakers in action and sample loaves so good they should come with a warning label.

🕯️ Buddha’s Birthday 📍 South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore & more | 🗓️ May 12, 2025 Temples are lit with lanterns, streets glow with processions, and travelers are welcomed into sacred spaces. It is a radiant time to reflect and connect.

We’ll Always Have Paris.

Rick Blaine, Casablanca