Best Road Trips in a Maserati Levante: Bellevue to Malibu

Most luxurious destinations in the U.S. anyone? Here’s Cecilia and Christiana’s ultra-fabulous Bellevue to Malibu drive.

In Joyous Pursuit of #Luxurylifestyle

My close friend Christiana and I have always had a passion for nice things.

Mutual friends would even describe us as living the #luxelife (we wouldn’t disagree).

It’s a blissful Saturday morning when we decide to leave our apartment in Bellevue, Washington for sunny Malibu, California.

Of course, we just have to take Christiana’s charming Maserati Levante.

PCH, Santa Barbara Hotels, and Beachside Stops

While we’ve been on the road for only a day, our getaway has already proven to be the refreshing pick-me-up we were both looking for.

And, as Christiana’s Levante glides past Salinas, we’re quickly realizing that Pacific Coast Highway is among the most enchanting sights we’ve ever seen.

*These roadside views are just not to be believed.*  

While beauty is difficult to communicate, I’d describe the scenery as *extravagantly blissful*.

We make time to hit a few beachside stops along the way.

Taking in the sunset, we decide that right now is the perfect time to stop at the hotel in Santa Barbara we’ve heard so much about.

Its spa and stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture are a real treat.

Malibu, California

After a good night’s rest, Christiana and I wake up ready for Malibu. 

Thankfully, the previous night ended on a high note thanks to the fine dining and local wine.

After a few more hours on the road, we’re know that we’re in Malibu when we begin seeing narrow shoreline and sprawling homes.

“What do you want to do first??” Christiana asks me.

“Everything,” I answer excitedly.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Malibu ended up being just the trip that we needed.

We ended up spending most of our time at Malibu Lagoon and shopping.

Of course one great luxury destination experience gets you thinking about where you’d like to go to next…

Cecilia and Christiana’s Top 10 Most Luxurious Destinations

Our trip to Malibu got us thinking where we’d like to go next. Here are the top 10 luxury destinations on our list.

Miami. When we think of synonyms for the term luxury city, Miami is the first that comes to mind. This high-class city is known for South Beach, art deco, and luxury shopping. You can also find an abundance of boutique hotels and upscale golf courses.

Macau. This lesser-known luxury destination is located in China. Located near Hong Kong, Macau boasts rejuvenating luxury spas, casinos, and hotels, among its many other hot spots.

The city is even referred to as “the Vegas of the East” (even though, after careful consideration, it might rightfully be considered a better version of it).

Hong Kong. Hong Kong picks up where Macau left off. This city’s luxury touchpoints—which compete with the Vegas of the East—include the Causeway Bay deluxe shopping neighborhood (this area houses SOGO, Hong Kong’s largest department store), luxury cruise lines, and Po Toi Island.

The Caribbean. Unlike many of the other entries on our list, what’s most luxurious about this part of the world is its actual location itself. Spanning from the tip of Florida to the top portion of South America, the Caribbean is a veritable slice of paradise.

Monaco/ Monte Carlo. As this area is where Grace Kelly, the princess and Hollywood actress lived, this entry might be our sentimental favorite.

Major points of interest include the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Musée Océanographique de Monaco, Casino Monte-Carlo, and Place du Casino.

As is only fitting, the Monaco/ Monte Carlo area of the French Riviera is as elegant as Grace Kelly was!

Dubai. Glamour on a scale that’s not to be believed. This includes white sand beaches, designer shopping, and stunning architecture. For Westerners, there’s also the unmistakable charm of the city’s overall exotic-ness.

Milano. The crown jewel for all aspects of fashion, Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is as classy as any high-end clothing item you’ll come across in this amazing city. When you walk through the Galleria, you’ll come across high-end designers like Versace, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent.

The Lake Como area of Italy. This area of Italy is home to stunning lakeside views and some of the world’s most limited/ sought-after real estate. In fact, Lake Como is so exclusive that A-listers like George Clooney have homes there.

Las Vegas. This city is known for so many different things. The one that sparks our interest the most, however, is its fine dining. Being in Vegas means being immersed in some of the world’s best fine dining. The city’s stellar lineup includes Kabuto, Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Raku, and Le Cirque.

Tokyo. The amount of luxury hoteling that you’re able to do in greater Tokyo is hard to believe. The ones we’re interested in most include The Tokyo Station Hotel, the Peninsula, Aman, and the Shangri-La Hotel.