“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.
NAME: Melanie Remai
OCCUPATION: Co-Owner,  The Ideas – Bespoke Trend Forecasting
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Galle, and Tangalle, Sri Lanka
HOTEL: The Amangalla in Galle; The Amanwella in Tangalle
RESTAURANT: The Sunhouse for dinner in Galle. Afternoon tea & scones at The Amangalla.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: April
WALK IT: Take a walk around the old dutch walls of Galle.
HISTORY: Galle is an old fort town and has some incredible architecture while Tangalle is even further south and much more remote but has some of the most exquisite untouched beaches I have ever seen. Plus there is surf! The locals couldn’t be more gorgeous in nature and attitude. I love their casual vibe mixed with the properness of an old British colony! Of course the tea is amazing!

Photo Melanie Remai.

Photo Melanie Remai.

Photo Melanie Remai.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Douglas Friedman & Bradley Garlock
OCCUPATION: Photographer & Production Designer (respectively)
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Mustique Island, Grenadines
HOTEL: Rent a villa
RESTAURANT: The Cotton House Beach Bar. But a beach picnic is best.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: It’s the perfect holiday there any time of year.
PACK: Bring plenty of books, and leave your shoes at home… you won’t need them (unless you’re a woman who needs a very high heel.)
MUST SEE: Never miss a sunset from anywhere on the island and try and find the Bat Cave…

All photos courtesy of Douglass Friedman.

Here are some watercolors that I painted of my hat (from Gana), Chris’s hat (purchased on island), our little cottage’s view, a plant with chartreuse leaves, and our bottle of Mount Gay rum that we couldn’t finish in a week.

Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Watercolor by Kate Schelter.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Julia Chaplin
OCCUPATION: Journalist / Gypset Author / Adventurer
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Aeolian Islands, Italy (a volcanic archipelagio in the Aegean sea between Naples and Sicily)
HOTEL: Raya (Panarea), www.hotelraya.it
RESTAURANT: Da Luciano (on the island of Stromboli) – the pizza is insane, with local capers and olives. The red wine is served with ice.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: June or September
RECOMMENDATION: Don’t go in August!

The islands are situated between the shores of Sicily and Naples, Italy.

The pools at Raya Hotel

Aeolian Islands captured by NASA satellite