Tag Archives: Travel

Nantucket Continued…


And we’re back! I went to Nantucket this past weekend with my husband and daughter to stay with friends. The weather was truly gorgeous and we had an action packed weekend. Growing up in New England, Nantucket has always been a favorite summer getaway. I could go on and on…but I won’t. I have included some photos I took this weekend of a few of my favorite spots.

Above: The view of the harbor as you fly in.

Above: We spent some time at The Westmoor Club with our friends who are members.  The landscaping and facilities are amazing.  We played croquette on the grass courts next to the grass tennis courts and ate dinner in the club house.  The Colonial Revival mansion built in 1917 for Alice Vanderbilt is now the clubhouse ( the large dining room was added on when the club was built).  The following day we went out on the club’s 77′ classic wooden boat Belle and had lunch and watched the regatta.

The Chanticleer is my absolute favorite restaurant on the island. Located in Sconset, the charming old restaurant is beautifully decorated and sits amidst beautiful gardens of wild flowers.  The food never disappoints with their modern French menu emphasizing New England and Artisan ingredients. I had the beet salad which had goat cheese and a chocolate truffle glaze. Unbelievable.  For my main course I had the swordfish with an onion ring on top.  Perfection. I cannot get back there soon enough.

The Chanticleer: 9 New Street • Sconset • Nantucket, MA • 508.257.4499

Below are photos I took while walking the bluff in Sconset.  This is a great way to see some of Nantucket’s most beautiful homes and gardens.  The walk along the bluff takes you through every waterfront home’s front yard.

I am all ready missing it!

Here are some great cocktail table books so you can bring Nantucket home with you:

Nantucket: Island Living

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Nantucket-Island-Living-Leslie-Linsley/dp/1584797231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314203080&sr=8-1

Nantucket: Gardens and Houses:

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Nantucket-Gardens-Houses-Taylor-Lewis/dp/0316523348/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1314203200&sr=8-12

xo,

S

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Memorial Day Getaway

In need of a break? Is there weather still a bit too cool for you? Get on Jetsetter and book yourself a vacation at a deep discount!

Hotel Luca- Napa Valley

Perfectly situated in Yountville, this boutique hotel offers you access to their Italian restaurant on site with a complimentary breakfast as well as a spa for that much needed massage after a long day of vineyard hopping. Yountville is also home to a few of my favorite spots: Maisonry, Bouchon, Bistro Jeanty, and French Laundry.

Round Hill- Jamaica

The interiors were designed by Ralph Lauren so you can expect a high end but relaxed vibe. Amazing views of the Caribbean from the restaurant, your room, and the infinity edge pool. You will also get a discount on your jet blue flight!

Fairmont- Southampton, Bermuda

Sink your toes into the warm pink sand f Bermuda’s beaches will sipping a Dark and Stormy. This 100 acre plantation estate boasts an ocean-view golf course, tennis center, and nine restaurants and bars.

El Bulli Hotel – Seville, Spain

Food and wine, a gourmet paradise. The 44 room Andalusian hotel is built around a 1,100-year old farmhouse. Bedrooms boast soaring ceilings with hand painted murals. Stroll among gardens carefully lined with orange trees and Mediterranean herbs, lounge by the pool on a luxurious day bed, or consider a massage in the spa. The hotel is quite but you can make the 25 minute drive into Seville for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

The Osprey- Beaver Creek

Is your idea of a getaway wide open spaces in the wild west? The Osprey is right on the mountain at Beaver Creek allowing their guests access to hiking, biking, fly fishing, golf, etc.

Sign up for free at Jetsetter: http://www.jetsetter.com/sales

Happy Travels.

xo,

S

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The Girl from Ipanema

We LOVED Rio and Sao Paulo! This was a trip we took last March so I am only posting the memories and images that really stood out!

Fasano- Rio:

The Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro was designed by French designer Philippe Starck and is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wood, glass, marble, and leather are the core materials used in the design. A giant Pekia tree was used to create the recption desk- truly stunning. The small boutique hotel overlooking Ipanema beach enjoys a spirit of sophisticated casualness, with many furnishings in the vein of 1950s and ’60s Brazilian design, including pieces by Studio Branco & Preto, Sergio Rodrigues and exclusive creations by Philippe Starck. I was immediately reminded of the decor of the Soho House in Manhattan. Modern yet casual with a few traditional pieces mixed in. Bedrooms have soothing white walls, leather-upholstered Mies daybeds, and private balconies. The butler service, egyptian cotton sheets, snuggly down comforters keep you relaxed and comfy. The two pairs of local Havaianas flip-flops they place in your hotel leaves you with no excuse not to hit the beach and watch a game of foot volley!

The rooftop pool (guests only) offers stunning panoramas of Rio’s storied natural skyline, including the nearby Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). There’s also a fitness center, nightclub (Londra), and upscale shopping options nearby. We would sit up on the roof for cocktails ( there are many delicious options to choose from including a freshly carved coconut- yum!) and watch the sunset behind Corcovada ( Christ The Redeemer).

The Fasano Rio also includes the Al Mare restaurant, which serves Italian/Brazilian seafood cuisine under the command of Chef Luca Guzzoni, formerly of Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. I had the risotto with saffron and rock lobster…. delicious!!

All colors seem brighter in Rio- I can still see the sun drenched yellows, greens, reds, and blues. The locals playing futbol ( soccer) on the beach and the beach vendors are all dressed in brightly colored clothes/ bathing suits.

We journeyed into Lapa for a night of live music. The band was incredible and never took a break.

Fasano- Sao Paulo

The hotel is located on a tree lined street in the Jardins section of Sao Paulo. The decor is similar with dark wood, stone, imported english furniture mixed with brazilian furniture from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. The scattered books, long fireplaces, and large leather club chairs make you feel like you have entered a private club rather than a hotel lobby. The long bar is dead ahead and they make a mean caiparinha. The large antique map of the world which hangs behind the reception desk is beautiful. To my mind, this hotel had the perfect decor for a manhattan bachelor. So stylish and chic but maintaining a sense of comfort.

The bar/ lounge was the spot to be at night. There was an amazing jazz singer performing Sinatra songs.

Favorite Restaurant: Figueria Rubaiyat – The prettiest restaurant in Sao Paulo. The outdoor tables are set up under the branches of a giant sprawling Fig tree ( thought to be over 130 years old). The baskets of Pao de Queijo ( bread backed with cheese inside…do not ask how many I ate) could not come fast enough.

Book your trip to the Fasano: http://www.fasano.com.br/

xo,

S

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An American Family In St Barth’s

This is our first blog, so here goes! We might as well start with a wonderful trip. It is helpful to think about a tropical getaway this time of year in freezing New York City! As you can tell from the title of this post, St. Barth’s was a family vacation. We were lucky enough to spend a week there over Christmas. If you have never been…dust off your high school French and get there! It is nothing short of breathtaking. The balmy climate of the deep Caribbean melts away all the city stress instantly. I have a large family ( mom, dad, two brothers, a sister, and a husband), and we were all ready for some fun in the sun. St Barth’s offers a little piece of France ( beware of the Euro!) in the West Indies. We have compiled a list of must do’s, where to go’s, and all around favorites below- enjoy!

Getting to St Barth’s: There are direct flights from New York City into San Juan, Puerto Rico as well as direct flights into St Maarten. Then it’s a quick hop in a puddle jumper over to St Barth’s. You can also take a boat from St Maarten to St Barth’s if your heart and stomach are not up for the drop from the sky onto the small runway!

Splurge: Fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico and stay the night at the Ritz Carlton. Dinner at Il Mulino ( A New York favorite- they make the pasta at the table) and hit the casino. The next morning we met our pilots at the Tradewind Aviation counter at the San Juan airport. You are whisked through security (no lines!) and brought to your plane. The flight is smooth and they have maps aboard to show you which islands you are flying over. They have thought of everything to make the flight as painless as possible. The total flight time is an hour and twenty minutes. Flying directly into St Barth’s allows you to skip the hassle of St. Maarten ( double customs, delayed flights, and missing luggage). For a family this was a great option. It takes the stress out of traveling.

Tradewind Aviation- an executive charter service: http://www.tradewindaviation.com/premiumScheduled.shtml


Where to stay:

Traveling as a family: Renting a villa is THE way to go. We rented our villa through Ici et La and worked with Remy. He met us at the airport and loaded our bags into his van. We followed him in our newly rented Jeep Wranglers to Villa Walhalla and Tiwa in Pointe Milou. Pointe Milou is a small community with AMAZING sunrise and sunset views. As an interior designer I immediately fell in love with our villa. The floor plan is perfect for an older family or group. Everyone had their own bedroom and the layout allows lots of space for everyone. The house is a wooden structure just like something out of an Ernest Hemingway novel. Painted floors, sisal carpets, rattan furniture, and built-in banquets with cushions upholstered in white linen created a casual beachy vibe. Two outdoor kitchens with long ceramic topped tables set the scene for many dinners cooked at home. After dinner we would move to the outdoor living rooms for a game of cards or dancing.

Ici et La- ask for Remy: They will handle Villa rentals as well as maid staff, cooks, and any on island activities you wish to do.

Private Chef: We debated many options but in the end went with “CANNELLE PAPRIKA” – private chefs and catering run by “Ms. Laurence and sophie”, whose mantra is “DELICATE FOOD MADE FOR EMOTIONS”.

http://www.icietlavillas.com/

Tél : (011) 590 590 27 78 78

Fax : (011) 590 590 27 78 28

The other preferred rental company on the island is Wimco. On a previous trip to St Barth’s we stayed in a different villa in Pointe Milou with a group of friends. Bon Temps Roullez (BTR) reminded me of Palm Beach home ( Palladian Style) with a distinctive Caribbean twist. All the materials used to build the house remind you of the sea and the landscape that surround you. With soothing whites, tans and blues the house combines textures ( Limestone floors throughout, hand painted tile banquettes, and stone tiled bathrooms) and soft color to create a relaxed elegance. Each piece of furniture is exquisite and you want to examine everything you see- details, details, details! The 50′ infinity edge pool looks out over St Jean Beach and St Maarten. You have all the modern amenities in a beautiful indoor/ outdoor beach home.

BTR Through Wimco: http://www.wimco.com/villa-rentals/st-barthelemy/pointe-milou/bon-temps.aspx

Maco Lodge: more modern Balinese style. Stunning both inside and out. This House is steps away from the Christopher Hotel. Bright strong colors remind you of the bougainvillea surrounding the house.

http://www.macolodge.com/

For a couple – We loved the hotels below:

Hotel Christopher in Point Milou – This Hotel is on the water on the sunset side of Point Milou. The pool sits right at the waters edge and is surrounded by lounge chairs and Palm Trees. Two restaurants sit on either side of the pool area( Mango for Lunch and Taino for Dinner).

Hotel Christopher: http://www.hotelchristopher.com

Eden Rock in St Jean – The history of this hotel is great- it evolved from an imaginatively sited house built sixty years ago by Remy Haenen. It has evolved and developed, starting in the 90’s, and is nothing short of breathtaking today. In 2003 they purchased the beach hotel next door, and on the other side of the rock they have Niki Beach. Staying here you are right in the heart of everything- shopping, dining, and beach.

Eden Rock: http://www.edenrockhotel.com

Le Serano- A minimalists dream with a beautiful beach. Le Serano was designed by the french master Christian Liaigre. Sophisticated yet unfussed. The freshwater swimming pool overlooks the beach.

Le Sereno: http://www.lesereno.com/

Boating: Rent a catamaran for the day: Meet your captain in Gustavia and hop on board! We sailed out to Fregate Island and spent hours snorkeling in the deep turquoise waters. When we swam back to the boat they had a feast of sushi, various salads, tomato and mozarella, and couscous prepared for us paired with a delicious Rose Wine. Champagne and cake followed and we set sail for Colombier Beach. The only other way to reach this isolated gem of a beach is by foot- a 30 minute hike. While out on the boat you get a unique view of the island and all of its coves. You also get a peek at all the major yachts that are moored just outside of the harbor.

Contact: Skipper Miguel Danet (phone 590 06 90 65 89 03) or Remy at Ici et La for information on our boat.


Favorite Shops– St. Jean and Gustavia boast the best shopping centers on the island.

Gustavia:

Lolita Jaca- beautiful silk and chiffon beach cover ups and dresses for an evening out

Poupette- same as above

Mia Zia- eclectic bohemian pieces

Vanita Rosa- find the perfect dress for dinner

Calypso- get your high fashion fix- YSL, Chloe, Balenciaga, Missoni, and Lanvin take up the racks in here.

Christian Celle– also in St Jean – cotton and linen beach cover ups and fun gold and silver jewelry.

Vilebrequin and Sundek- two shops for beautifully printed mens bathing suits. Sundek has a retro vibe.

Cafe Coton- around the corner from Le Select you will find a store that holds pressed cotton and linen shirts in every color of the rainbow. Striped, flora, checkered, and plain! A linen shirt is the STAPLE for men on the island so pick up a few!

Tek- A home store filled with teak furniture, coconut bowls and frames. A perfect store to pick up a house warming gift.

Christian Liaigre- The very well known minimalist chic designer has a home store in Gustavia. You may have seen his work at the Mercer Hotel in New York or at Le Sereno hotel on St. Barth’s. In the traditional whitewashed cottage with the red roof he sells sleek wooden beds, chairs and other home accessories made with exotic and tropical woods like wenge, wacapou, wamara, and ebony from Africa, and upholstered with muted, earth-toned fabrics.

St Jean:

Kiwi- great men’s linen shirts and bathing suits.

Lili Belle- womens day wear

Rock Shop- Designer duds for day and night- Milly, Pucci, Antik Batik etc

Terra- fashion for day and night

Casarina Surf: Pick up a snorkle and mask for your expedition to Gouverneur or Columbier!

Favorite Restaurants:

Cafe Santa Fe- Informal lunch above Gouverneur Beach. After a long day at the beach a late lunch served by the owner himself, Emanuel, is a treat.

Niki Beach – Jet set beach side lunch in St. Jean. Complete with Ti Punch, a fashion show, and music. White walls, muslin drapped everywhere, and large white cushions contrast nicely with the bright blue ocean a few steps away.

Le Ti – Dinner on Thursday or Friday night in Pointe Milou. The restaurant is walking distance from both BTR villa and Villa Walhalla Tiwa. Delicious food served with a side of burlesque dancing and amazing music. You will end up dancing the night away on the table tops amidst swaths of red velvet and disco lights.

L’Isola – A newcomer to St barth’s in Gustavia. Mouthwatering Italian food and the decor is beautiful. Long Tables with deep red drapes lend a romantic vibe. For an appetizer, the burrata was amazing. Try the fish special for your main course. From here you are ready to start your night on the town. A stroll down the street leads you to Le Bête à Z’ailes, a restaurant/ bar ( they serve delicious food as well) where they have live music and dancing. If you are ready for more you can continue on to one of the many night clubs in Gustavia and dance until dawn.

Le Select- Cheeseburger in Paradise! Jimmy Buffet wrote the his hit song about Le Select. This is an informal spot decorated with liscense plates, flags, and bumper stickers. Grab a cheeseburger with a side of fries and a Caribe beer. They have live music every night. Jimmy performed here this autumn!

Favorite Beaches:

Gouverneur – My personal favorite. The drive out there is long and winding- some parts of the road allow one car at a time. But the reward is an isolated beach with great snorkeling.

Saline- A close second. This is another pristine white beach close by Gouvernour.

Flamands – While we were in St Barth’s a storm passed off the coast which resulted in some big waves all over the island. Though St Barth’s is not known for its surfing there were plenty of locals who hopped right in. My family grew up on the coast in Rhode Island so we were thrilled to see some big surf! We found the biggest waves at Flamands. Hotel St-Barth Ile de France and La Langouste are nearby for lunch or a drink.

Columbier – also called Rockefeller’s Beach since David Rockefeller owned the land surrounding it for many years. Usually a fairly isolated spot due to the 30 minute hike. Bring a picnic lunch!

If you are someone who loves to travel, and who appreciates the little things that can enhance a hotel stay or a larger itinerary, then contact Bobby Zur at Travel Artistry. He loves the idea of “meaningful travel”, and helps his clients to seek out inspiring experiences.

Bobby Zur at Travel Artisty: Email Bobby Zur

xo,

S

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