This week Melissa sits down with renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin to discuss his latest venture: a boutique hotel in the scenic hills of Portugal. Christian is widely recognized in the fashion industry for his glamorous footwear line featuring coveted red-bottom shoes. He has now, however, ventured into the world of hospitality with his latest project, the Vermelho Hotel.

Vermelho is located in Melides, a quaint fishing village in Portugal, and opened this April. Christian collaborated with his talented friends, architect Madalena Caiado and textile designer Carolina Irving, to create a unique and elegant property that also feels like a cozy home. The Vermelho Hotel has 13 distinct rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a spa. The name "Vermelho," which means "red" in Portuguese, pays homage to Christian's love for the region. In this episode, Christian shares his journey of opening Vermelho (it was originally going to be only a restaurant) and why he fashioned the property to feel more like a home than a hotel. He also dives into the beauty of Portugal and what motivates his nomadic lifestyle creating homes in different parts of the world.

And on Ask Melissa, summer travel, the most popular locations of summer 2023, where to go off the beaten path and strategies to deal with delayed connections are all covered.