19 minute read
STYLING TRAVEL TREASURES Wolfe Design House
Carry- Ons
How to creatively display your most TREASURED TRAVEL FINDS
By Maren Bartels
IT ALWAYS SEEMS like a great idea to purchase sentimental knickknacks on your trip . . . until you’re home and realize the mementos are just cluttering up the joint. It can take some work and a trained eye to make those souvenirs shine like curated art in your home. But lucky for you, globe-trotting interior designer Katie Wolfe Agron of Wolfe Design House has just the ticket.
“When we travel, I look for items that speak to me and will add something of value to my life and my home,” shares Agron, whose design approach is sophisticated yet effortless, with an appreciation for old and a nod to new. “Traveling is one of our passions and it makes sense to want to bring those experiences to life in our home, but it does require some finesse to make them look poised and purposeful instead of like a tourist shop.”
And with countless trips to Europe, Israel, Hawaii and everywhere in between, Agron has fine-tuned her eye for what will work and what won’t. “When we travel I search for things I can carry home that I love that speak to me. Not necessarily all art or all jewelry; I’m not looking for a complete collection of something but rather subtle hints that evoke memories and emotions.”
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Instead of staged vignettes, Agron advises scattering these treasures throughout your home and working them into your existing décor. “For example, we have this vintage ashtray we collected from a hotel in Positano. We don’t smoke but it adds a touch of the unexpected on a side table in our den.”
Repurposing items is another great way to weave in your finds. “I fell in love with these prayer beads from Israel and wanted to place them where we could all enjoy them. So now, they’re draped over a picture frame in our hallway, and it brings new life into the space.”
On the flip side of scattering your finds, Agron says that if you must have a collection, try making it whimsical, like collecting local postcards to create decoupage coasters. Or collect sand from every beach you visit in bottles or glass jars and put it in containers. “Tuck them in a corner in your home—not a designated travel area but just placed onto a bookshelf or console table. All these little glass bottles are reminders of where we’ve been and help us to appreciate our global environment. In fact, our girls have taken them to school, to study so having them all in a collection, in this case, can be an interactive experience. Everyone always wants to hold each bottle and compare the sands.”
Keeping our travels close to our hearts is a powerful reminder of how lucky we are to get to experience the world outside our four walls. “When I walk around my home, I’m flooded with emotions and memories which will last for years. It’s part of the legacy we want to leave our girls—that life is to be experienced and shared.”
tourist shop.” — Katie Wolfe Agron,Wolfe Design House
Mágico
Mazatlán
This family-friendly destination is a top-pick for 2022 travel
By Heather Shoning
MAZATLÁN IS A MAGICAL TOWN for travelers of all types, and it’s a great choice for introducing children to international travel and beautiful beach destinations. The city is on a revitalization mission and in recent years has experienced growth in hotels, restaurants and attractions designed to draw visitors. It has watersports, golf, a vibrant arts community and a variety of festivals throughout the year—including the third-largest Carnival celebration (behind Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans) and the annual Day of the Dead festival. And, of course, it has beaches. Lots of beaches. With so much to see and do, we’ve helped narrow down the list to some favorites to ensure your Mazatlán vacation is one to remember.
Clockwise from top: PLAYA BRUJAS, CENTRO HISTORICO, CATEDRAL BASÍLICA DE LA INMACULADA CONCEPCIÓN and ACUARIO MAZATLÁN VAMOS Since its opening in 1980, Acuario Mazatlán (Mazatlán Aquarium) has been one of the best of its kind and the largest in Mexico. However, this fall (anticipated for September 2022), the city will open its new aquarium which will be the largest in all of Latin America. Located within the city’s Central Park, the New Mazatlán Aquarium will be nearly 540,000 square feet. (To put that in perspective, the Denver Aquarium is 107,000 square feet.) Looking like something out of Jurassic World, the three-level building will feature an oceanic fish tank, containing more than 660,000 gallons of water with a gigantic acrylic window nearly 20 feet tall by 65 feet wide. In addition, the aquarium will have a coral tank, jellyfish, seahorses, rays, turtles, reptiles and a variety of other species. It will be a must-see multimedia aquatic playground.
VIEJO MAZATLÁN Plaza Machado is the old town area’s central hub. From here, you’ll find shopping, restaurants, galleries and cultural attractions in addition to street performers and musicians. The ornate yellow spires of the Basilica of the
PHOTOS: COURTESY PUEBLO BONITO GOLF & SPA RESORTS
From top: PUEBLO BONITO MAZATLÁN, EMERALD BAY and GASTRO PATASALADA PESCADO Immaculate Conception loom large over the north side of the square. This gilded stunner with Gothic, Moorish and Baroque influences, holds a lesser-known secret. The Catholic church has 28 stained glass windows featuring the Star of David. This Jewish symbol serves as a tribute to the local Jewish community that helped fund the final construction of the church. Be sure to see this beauty lit up in the evening.
EL MALECÓN Mazatlán’s malecón is one of the longest in the world—stretching 13 miles. Along this famous boardwalk, where you’ll want to get a photo in front of the colorful letters spelling out Mazatlán, and the kids will love the variety of statues to admire along the way. High cliffs, monuments, historical buildings and more dot the surrounding area. It’s pedestrian friendly so plan to spend an afternoon walking along the water and checking out the shops and restaurants.
EL FARO LIGHTHOUSE If you’ve got some good lil’ hikers (although by Colorado standards, this is really just a walk), you’ll want to visit El Faro Lighthouse. Like all the attractions above, the lighthouse is on the peninsular section of the city—and it’s right at the southern tip. It sits 515 feet above sea level and is the highest natural lighthouse in the Americas—and one of the highest operating lighthouses in the world. The kids will love the glass-bottom lookout after a trudge to the top! COMER Mentioned below, if you choose an all-inclusive resort, there are so many dining options you might not want to leave the resort. However, you should really try some of the street vendors. There are so many tasty options—you’ll find many on the malecón and in Old Mazatlán— from seafood to al pastor tacos to elote (cornon-the-cob). Note about elote: It’s not the sweet corn we get from Olathe, but it does come slathered in mayo, sour cream, ancho chile powder and cotija cheese. And definitely keep your eyes peeled for a churros vendor!
LA VIDE EN PLAYA A beach vacation with kids doesn’t get any easier than when you stay at the all-inclusive, newly renovated Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort. It has suites and junior suites with kitchenettes so you can keep snacks handy, but there are also five restaurants on the property. You’ll enjoy two pools and daily on-site activities—including ones for children. In addition, you can visit the sister property, Emerald Bay, to access another two pools and five additional restaurants included in your allinclusive package. The resort is in the Golden Zone, just north of the malecón, so it’s a quick cab ride (the kids will love the golf-cart-turnedtaxis running around this area). But the best part about Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort: the beach. It’s long, flat and the water is shallow and calm, making it a perfect spot to introduce the kids to beach life.
NOTE: If you’re looking for something more extreme, you’ll also find the typical vacation destination activities such as ziplining, parasailing, ATV tours and more! PLAN YOUR MAZATLÁN VACATION, visit gomazatlan.com and pueblobonito.com
Artwork Signage Installation
WeListen. WeLearn. WeCreate.
Our fantasy getaway? Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a circa 1661 castle just a 50-minute drive from Paris
By Kathryn O’Shea Evans
To The Manor Reborn
To The Manor Reborn
CALLING ALL FRANCOPHILES. Visiting Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte may require a long travel day—thanks to its 12 hours or more of flying time from Denver International Airport, plus another hour in the car upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle … but, like the hours spent making your own buttery croissants and pain au chocolat, it is absolutely worth it.
“I have been twice, in the summer of 1997 and February of 2018,” says Jaala Sheldon, a Colorado native and the event planner and designer behind Jaala & CO. “You start to realize you’re somewhere special as you approach via the road lined with trees, all of which are perfectly planted and towering into the sky. Arriving at the gates of the château takes your breath away as you witness the architectural masterpiece. The magnitude of the structures and garden are incomprehensible. The history of how it came to be is fascinating and the preservation through all the years of wars and revolutions is miraculous.”
Sheldon isn’t overstating it. Not even a little bit. The team behind it—André Le Nôtre, gardener of the King, and architect Louis Le Vau—did such an exquisite job when they built the 100-acre grounds in the 17th century that the duo were later enlisted by Louis
PHOTO: BRUNO LEPOLARD, COURTESY CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE “You start to realize you’re somewhere special as you approach via the road lined with trees ... The magnitude of the structures and garden are incomprehensible. The history of how it came to be is fascinating and the preservation through all the years of wars and revolutions is miraculous.”
XIV to erect Versailles. (Yes, that Versailles). In all those centuries, only four families owned the magical grounds before it became open to the public by the current owners, the de Vogüé family, in 1968. These days, the interiors are perfectly preserved. “I love to explore the various rooms of the château (especially the Grand Salon) and learn about the history of Nicolas Fouquet and poet Jean de la Fontaine amongst others,” Sheldon says.
One of her favorite activities? Wandering the manicured gardens, which as she says, go on for days. “It doesn’t get much better than taking in the fresh air while walking the pathways of this extraordinary place,” she says. “I enjoyed being surrounded by the perfectly curated garden and studying the fountains and statues as I dreamt about what it must have been like in the 1600s as a guest.” Hollywood directors, who know a star when they see one, have filmed movies and TV shows aplenty here. You can see Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker and 1998’s The Man in the Iron Mask.
The cherry on top is having a French picnic with a glass of wine or Champagne while taking it all in. After a picnic, it’s especially satisfying to walk to the far end around the Grand Canal to get a closer glimpse of the monumental Farnese Hercules, [a gold gilt statue of Hercules]. He’s HUGE, but he looks very small from the back steps of the château! Then, turning around and looking back from where you’ve just come from to take in the stunning beauty and scale is amazing. That’s when you realize the true magnitude of Vaux le Vicomte and its stunning beauty. It makes one feel very humble but full.”
PHOTO: CWA PHOTO, COURTESY CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE
Her plan—visiting again, and soon. “On the first Saturday of every month from June to October, they light up the château and gardens with thousands of candles”—some 2,000 flickering candles, to be exact, which are lit to recreate an infamous party that was held on the estate on August 17, 1661. This summer, the hotel is also offering this illuminated evening on Fridays from July 8th through August 27th, ball gowns not required. “I have not experienced this magic yet but hope to this summer.” Did we mention a day ticket to the grounds costs a mere $19? Say it with us, Mais Oui.
CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE vaux-le-vicomte.com
Enchanting Maui
Maui
By Chad Chisholm
THE VALLEY ISLE welcomes visitors as they make their final approach to this tropical paradise—spreading wide welcoming arms in the form of East and West Maui peaks, sparkling Pacific waters at either end and the Spirit of Aloha permeating the air. Maui is one of the few places on the planet where I feel like I’m coming home to every single time I visit. With varied activities, climates, resorts and dining, Maui has something for everyone and is a true gem of the Hawaiian islands.
For those who have never ventured beyond the pristine white-sand beaches and chilled cocktails of the shores, Malama (which means “to take care of, preserve, protect”) is an initiative to give back to the islands and is a fresh way to experience Maui in aquaculture, habitat stewardship, reforestation and sustainable farming. A plethora of volunteer Malama opportunities provide a deeper understanding of the land and culture, and several hotels and resorts incorporate these Malama programs, offering special discounts and even free nights in a win-win for both the island and visitor.
When thinking of Hawaii, coconuts and palm trees often come to mind, maybe macadamia nuts and mangoes. But cacao? On Maui? That may soon be the case with Maui Ku ‘ia Estate, the burgeoning working chocolate farm on 20 acres of agroforest and factory on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains near Lahaina. The business was opened in October 2019 by Gunars Valkirs, longtime resident and philanthropist, and 100% of profits from the chocolate sales are donated back to the community. Named for the ahupua ‘a (historic land division) on which the farm now stands, the term means “spearhead” as it was previously an area where battle was practiced and training took place.
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM
Clockwise from top: KU’IA ESTATE chocolate tasting platform. Chilled cocktail by the beach made with local OCEAN VODKA. MORIMOTO MAUI at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Waterfall on scenic ROAD TO HANA drive. Pools at ANDAZ MAUI AT WAILEA RESORT.
PHOTOS: COURTESY ANDAZ MAUI AT WAILEA RESORT
INSIDER TIPS
A popular drive on Maui is to take the Hana Highway to Hana. An insider tip is to leave early in the morning to avoid crowds; stop by a local coffee shop for some Hawaiian coffee, rent a convertible and enjoy the meandering drive to Hana. Right before you reach the town itself on the right side of the road, my favorite “banana bread stand” is by Hana Farms. Definitely try the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and fresh lilikoi (passion fruit). Beyond Hana, the Pipiwai Trail or Bamboo Forest hike is spectacular. It is possible to drive the entire circumference of East Maui, the road will lead to you Kula, and I highly suggest to make an entire day of it.
PHOTO: COURTESY AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT MAUI WAILEA
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM
PHOTO: COURTESYANDAZ MAUI AT WAILEA RESORT
Clockwise from top: KAI AT AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT MAUI WAILEA. Beautiful beaches near HANA. Fresh fare by KIAWE OUTDOOR. Lobby of ANDAZ MAUI AT WAILEA RESORT. HULA DANCER performing on stage.
GETTING THERE
Direct flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Maui (OGG) are available on United Airlines. Several connecting flights are available on other carriers.
PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM
and sustainable factory where the chocolate is produced. I even have some mailed home in a chilled shipping package, a great way to keep my bag from having a melted chocolate lava field of its own.
Located in the magnificent Olowalu Valley, the Olowalu Valley Cultural Reserve is an incredible way to experience a day of discovery. Weeding invasive species, planting indigenous plants and listening to spoken stories beneath tree branches is an eye-opening opportunity to be educated in the land and culture, whilst giving back and strengthening the connection of people.
WHERE TO STAY For a luxury stay on the sunny shores of Maui, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is just the spot. Whether enjoying the sumptuous suites or private villas, several infinity pools or lounge terraces, you can’t beat Andaz’s beachfront location, fine-dining at Morimoto Maui and top-tier service.
The recently constructed AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea is a chic spot to take in sunsets, lounge by the pool and enjoy the island breezes from its perch on the hill. One of my favorite spots to hang out is KAI, (“sea” in Hawaiian), where tropical cocktails and tasty tapas-style food pepper a creative menu.
On the Western side of Maui, the Ka ‘anapali Beach Hotel is a historic favorite of generations of travelers. Recently undergoing a hotel-wide renovation, the crown jewel is the new Huihui restaurant. Focusing on local flavors, the mouthwatering cuisine can be enjoyed at this breathtaking beachfront hale ʻaina, complete with stage for evening performances. For a different and unforgettable perspective on the ocean, start the following day with an outrigger canoe experience from the beach of the hotel. OUTDOOR COOKING Kiawe Outdoor is an experience that marries all these concepts together—exquisite dining, luxury services, sustainability, breathtaking nature and an all-around good time. After we head Upcountry, watching the valley reveal itself below, we take in a sweeping view of the ocean while sipping a glass of champagne as a pineapple slowly roasts over an open fire made from invasive Kiawe wood. We consume the gracefully presented appetizers—my unexpected favorite is a venison tartare, the invasive deer actually being hunted by the chef the previous day. You can’t get more organic than that. Several courses of sophisticated food are served on a boho-chic community table, as I get to know my fellow diners and laugh until the stars come out and our grilled pineapple arrives atop a cake with fresh farm-grown mint and a rum foam.
Maui always has surprises in store; just when I think I’ve done it all and seen everything there is to see, there’s more. So much more. Whether taking a family vacation, seeking adventure in the South Pacific, or saying your vows on the shores of this idyllic location, Maui is a wayfarer’s paradise.
