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
“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: Natalie Joos
OCCUPATION: Casting Director / Writer
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Gent, Belgium
HOTEL: I stay at my parents’ house in Destelbergen, or at (ex-model) An Oost’s Design and Breakfast B&B.
RESTAURANT: Martino is not swanky at all, and the food is the opposite of delicate but it’s where you are bound to bump into your friends, musicians, actors and artists. Try “Pannekoekenhuis” for crepes and waffles. Gent is known for its signature dish “Waterzooi” which is served in most of the better restaurants. There is really not any place with bad food. Belgians love to eat, and they love to eat well! (Expect to gain a few pounds…. oops!)
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Summertime… Winter gets too wet and depressing.
FURTHER AFIELD: You can take trips to the beach or surf ponds, go wakeboarding on the river (Leie), hang out for hours on the “terraces” in the city and visit other cities like Bruges, Antwerpen or Brussels (all less than 1 hour away by car or train.) Belgians also love to party so try the nightlife on the Beestenmarkt or Charlatan.
"Don't forget to stop by one of the many mobile Belgian Fries shacks. They are scattered all over the country!"
Natalie wakeboarding on the Leie river. "Warm water and barely any traffic, so more room to play!"
Bright and cheerful rooms at Design and Breakfast B&B.
"Martino is one of my favorite places to bump into friends."
“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: Stewart Shining
OCCUPATION: Fashion Photographer
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
HOTEL: Capella Pedregal, www.capellapedregal.com
RESTAURANT: El Farallon (at the hotel) is an unbelievable setting. Panchos are provided if it’s chilly. “The Office” for great local fish.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Now! (Spring). Don’t be afraid of what you hear about safety in Mexico. This area is fine.
PHOTOGRAPHER’S NOTE: If you’re famous or with someone that is, look out for paparazzi on the fishing boats!
All photos courtesy of Stewart Shining ©2010.
“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: Lisa Marie Fernandez
OCCUPATION: Fashion Stylist/Consultant/Designer, Lisa Marie Fernandez
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bali, Indonesia
HOTEL: Begawan Giri Estate, www.begawan-giri.com
RESTAURANT: Metis (formerly Kafe Warisan, www.cafewarisan.com)
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: August
BEST BEACH VIBE: Nammos Beach Club
The beautiful infinity pool at Begawan Giri. Photo Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Begawan Giri. Photo Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Nammos Beach Club. Photo Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Nammos Beach Club. Photo Lisa Marie Fernandez.
Fragrant Balinese Frangipani flowers. Photo Jean Bernard Carillet.
Nammos Beach Club.
Nammos Beach Club.
“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: Carlo Tagliapietra
OCCUPATION: Design Director, Toms Shoes
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Montauk, NY
HOTEL: The Surf Lodge www.thesurflodge.com
RESTAURANT: Joni’s, and Duryea’s for lobster rolls.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Any time the surf’s up!
Fashion Confidential featured us today along with the likes of designer Alice Temperly and blogger Kristin Knox. Click here to see it. Thanks Fashion Confidential!
Kate's faves on FashionConfidential.com.uk: Paul + Joe stripy cardigan and leopard/ikat bikini, Henrik Vibskov pareo, Philippe Audibert cuff, Antik Batik bag, Stella McCartney sandals.
“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: Colombe Jacobsen
OCCUPATION: Personal Chef and Food Consultant / Core Fusion Teacher
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Poggi Del Sasso, Italy
HOTEL: Castello Di Vicarello, www.vicarello.it
RESTAURANT: The Kitchen at the Castello Di Vicarello. Everything there
is homemade. Aurora cooks traditional Tuscan recipes with vegetables
from the garden. Olive oil and wine is house-made.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Late April – early June.
MUST TASTE: Make sure to ask for the aged Balsamic vinegar while you’re there; it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.
Home cooked meals at Costello di Vicarello.
The kitchen and interior.
Castelo's fresh pecorino. Photo Colombe Jacobsen.
The infinity pool.
The garden.
Dining al fresco. Photo Colombe Jacobsen.
Photo Colombe Jacobsen.
“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: Luigi Tadini
OCCUPATION: Editor, Paper Magazine; Vice President, Tadini Jewelers
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Puebla, Mexico (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
HOTEL: La Purificadora, www.lapurificadora.com, is conveniently located in the heart of the historic center.
La Purificadora. Photo Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times.
RESTAURANT: The hotel has excellent contemporary cuisine and a fresh breakfast. Also head to nearby Casona de la China Poblana’s where you can enjoy a delicious poblano meal on a beautiful patio.
Pueblo is famous for traditional Poblano mole sauce.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: January, when the weather hits 80 degrees during the day and a comfortable 40 degrees at night.
MORE: The New York Times did a great slideshow of Puebla; see it here.
Luigi in Puebla. Photo Luigi Tadini.
Plaza de la Constitución in the old city. Photo Luigi Tadini.
SITE SEEING: For those seeking a little culture, Puebla is home to 365 gilded baroque churches, Aztec pyramids, and awe-inspiring 17th century libraries. Here are some highlights:
Biblioteca Palafoxiana – 17th century residence of an important Bishop, now used for cultural events and the magnificent second-floor library founded in 1646. The vast and ornate room holds 50,000 volumes.
Museo Amparo – Among Mexico’s most extensive private collections of pre-Hispanic and colonial art.
Escuela de la Talavera Poblana – Artisans from Talavera, Spain brought their ceramic techniques to Puebla back in the colonial era. Today, dozens of local artist studios continue to produce the vivid Talavera pottery: colored tiles and dishware are featured and for sale at the schools courtyard and shops.
Capilla del Rosario – Puebla’s most dazzling chapel, built in 1690 is the tantamount of Mexican Baroque architecture features the use of onyx and an altar made entirely of gold.
Capilla del Rosario chapel. Photo Luigi Tadini.
Catedral de la Concepcion Inmaculada – One of Mexico’s largest churches is also located in the historic center’s square, a perfect place for an afternoon drink and for people watching. The interior of the impressive monument features 14 chapels and an unparalleled display of colonial religious art.
Hotel Meson Sacristia de la Compania. Photo by Meson Sacristia.
“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: Graham Day Guerra
OCCUPATION: Artist; Rhode Island School of Design Professor
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
HOTEL: Limetree Hideaway at Dunns Creek Estate’s in Red Hill
WINE TASTING & RESTAURANTS: Spend an afternoon enjoying the small plates and local wine at Foxeys Hangout Wine Company, then head to Merricks General Store to stock up on more wine for the evening. A trip to Red Hill’s La Petanque is worth it for the pork belly alone. Don’t miss TGallant Cellar Door.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Late October to mid December.
Point Nepean, Mornington Peninsula, Australia.
Vineyards
Foxeys Hangout Wine Company
