Design Destinations Magazine Fall 2022 Issue

Follow our Journey

PREVIOUS ISSUES

LISBON Cool City

By Francisco Ruano

CROATIA

More than a Movie Set

AMSTERDAM

CANALS AND MUCH MORE

By Alicia Diez

Amsterdam is a must-see city in Europe. For some, it conjures images of a city that’s a bit edgy, with its reputation for coffeeshops selling other things, not coffee, and for its centuries-old Red Light district. For others, it is a city filled with many interesting possibilities from museums, such as the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, to amazing shopping. For me, Amsterdam is a place close to my heart and filled with wonderful memories from having stayed with my cousin back when he called Amsterdam home.

Amsterdam is an ideal city in which to get lost. These days we need to put away our phones so we can truly wander the streets and feel that sense of discovery from being “lost” and immersed in a city, venturing away from the major sights and experiencing the city as locals, far from the tourists. As a passionate amateur travel photographer, Amsterdam is a fabulous place in which to

stroll and capture its essence with my travel companion, my camera.

While getting lost, I found the Tulip Museum. Did you know there was a museum exclusively dedicated to the tulip? If you visit the Tulip Museum, you will learn of its beginnings. The word tulip is immediately associated with Holland; you couldn’t think of one without the other. But did you know the tulip has its origins as a wildflower in Central Asia, an area from southern Russia to Turkey and Iran? That’s certainly far from the flat plains of Holland! Turkey started the tulip mania when it arrived in Holland, where it then became world famous. If you don’t have time to visit the museum, a brief visit to their gift shop is a fun place to pick up some bulbs for your garden, a cute rain hat with a tulip design, or a tulippatterned folding umbrella.

I found the Tulip Museum while on my way to Jordaan, a great area to visit, once originally a working-class neighborhood. Now it has galleries, concept stores, vintage stores, quaint streets, brown bars, and Noordemarkt, where you will see locals shopping at the market. It is so easy to wander leisurely through the streets of Jordaan, but allow time to sit and have lunch at one of the local brown bars. I enjoyed my visit to Café t’Smalle where you can enjoy items from traditional snacks to sandwiches to soups, or just sip on a beverage. If you have a craving for something sweet, make sure you leave enough room for traditional Dutch apple pie. The Dutch are famous for their apple pie, but it is almost a meal in itself, so pace yourself!

Frequented by many visitors to Amsterdam, The 9 Little Streets area, De 9 Straatjes, located between the Singelgracht and Prinsengracht canals, is just too cute not visit.. It is filled with many shops containing unique items and specialty products. There’s a shop dedicated to bicycles which has an entire wall filled with bicycle bells to place on the handlebar. There are wonderful shops, hotels and restaurants, and canals lined with beautiful canal houses built between the 16th and 17th centuries as homes of wealthy merchants of the Dutch Golden Age. Just wander the streets and imagine all the stories of Amsterdam’s rich merchants and famous art patrons of that time!

Speaking of canal houses, a visit to the Canal House Museum should not be missed. As you know, Amsterdam has a series of canals, and the museum explains how the Singelgracht, Herengracht, Kaizergracht, and Prinsengracht were created. The beautiful gabled houses standing along these canals were built during the Golden Age and are literally built over water. More specifically, they were built on piles, or stilts, which are between approximately 50 to 82 feet long and were driven into the water until they went through enough soil, (really clay) to be able to sustain the weight of a home! The railway station alone has 6,000 piles! It’samazing how the houses are still standing, but you will notice several

throughout Amsterdam which are charmingly lopsided!

Something that is very typical to Amsterdam with its canals, as well as many Dutch cities with canals, is houseboats. The idea of living on houseboats came about after World War II as an innovative solution to the housing shortage. In the ‘60s and 70’ came the arrival of more modern luxurious houseboats which co-exist with original houseboats from the early 20th century. If you would like a glimpse of what it’s like to live on one of these houseboats, find your way to the Houseboat Museum created by houseboat owner, posed with daily questions about life on one of these boats who decided why not create a houseboat museum!

Although there are many unique and specialized museums in Amsterdam, a visit to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum should be obligatory. With many of its paintings having been part of our world, seeing them in their native land makes it even more meaningful. Each museum merits time to visit to appreciate those timeless works of art.

After your visit to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, you can stroll around Amsterdam Oud-Zuid (Old-South) with its beautiful parks, elegant buildings, and tree-lined streets filled with chic boutiques, trendy bars, and restaurants with terraces. Going from shop to shop can certainly build up an appetite so what better way to refuel than by stopping by the very quaint Brasserie De Joffers

and sample some tasty traditional bites before continuing your afternoon of shopping.

As you can see, there are many things to fill you days while in Amsterdam, but with their efficient and dependable train system, you can also create great day trips and visit other charming and interesting cities: Delft only 30 minutes away - full of beautiful architecture, stunning canals, cozy cafes, and historic churches and home to the world-famous Delftware, the quintessential blue and white ceramics synonymous with Holland. Utrecht, a 30-minute train ride - famous for its cathedral and canals. One canal has a portion built in 1,000AD! Leiden, another 30-minute train ride - the oldest universities in the Netherlands, the place where the tulip became the popular flower of Holland, and a windmill museum, Haarlem, simple 15-minute train ride - not frequented by many tourists, a typically Dutch town, nice market, many beautiful churches, and beautiful architecture.

There are many more areas of Amsterdam to explore, but it’s always a good idea to leave some things undiscovered to keep your interest piqued for future visits. Whether a first timer to Amsterdam or a repeat visitor, there are always wonderful surprises to discover. Just be open, get lost and get excited about uncovering its secrets.

By Franz Buchhalter To

HAVANA Something To See

Visiting Cuba is an amazing experience and a journey into the past. Havana is a city of historical importance that dates back to the 1600s, when the city grew as a primary port. Ruled by Spain for more than 400 years, Cuban architecture deeply reflects this colonial period. However, many historical events attracted many new residents, bringing a unique mix of cultural and artistic influences, including the fusion of Neoclassical and Baroque architectural styles into Cuban design. Havana’s architecture is often defined as a unique fusion of numerous architectural styles worldwide.

As an essential and commercial city in the 20th century and given its proximity to the United States, Cuba was deeply influenced by the American way of life. Many American car companies used Cuba as a testing ground for their new releases, meaning cars were often available for sale in Cuba before they hit the roads in the US. Today, many American vintage cars circulate on the streets, particularly in Old Havana, some in mint condition, becoming a primary tourist attraction. There are no official figures of how many of these cars are circulating, but word on the street is that more than 60,000 exists.

I grew up hearing of Cuba and always planned to visit; somehow, I never did until this past July when Cuba Private Travel invited me to experience this country.My visit will be forever marked as one of the essential trips in my life.

Yes, I rode in a white and blue 1960 ford driven by my new friend Yuniel Valderrama and my other new friend and tour guide Sergio Ameneiro Torres. During my four days in Havana, we shared many stories and learned about the challenges of living in Cuba. Those challenges became even greater due to the pandemic when tourism stopped. I visited Cuba under the “Support to the Cuban People” program, which allowed me to see the country and explore and learn about the culture. I stayed in a private mansion that was recently renovated and converted into a small boutique hotel, VOYA. The small, but elegantly decorated hotel offered amazing accommodations, excellent service, and wifi - something that is appreciated as your cellular service doesn’t work in Cuba. Our dining experience was superb as we dined in several privately owned restaurants. One of the highlights of my culinary experiences was a visit with Raul Bazuk, owner of Grados restaurant. Raul not only cooked a very

special meal but took me along to the market to buy the ingredients. We spent a few hours discussing his passion for food and how he started his private restaurant.

Another highlight was visiting several artists in their homes, where we had a private viewing of their work and future exhibits.

No first trip to Cuba is complete unless you visit the beautiful Vinales. This amazing and natural place is about 2 hours from the city of Havana, and this is where you go to see a tobacco farm and the process of creating the best cigars in the world. On our way back to Havana, we stopped at a restaurant where the owners serve farm to table. Owners Berta Carral and Jose Luis Gomez deliver an excellent meal and great conversation. A must-stop on your trip to or from Vinales.

There are many things that the people of Cuba don’t have, but one thing for sure that they have is plenty of is their warm hearts and friendly smiles.

Cuba Private Travel offers unique programs to Cuba.

Cuba is expanding with offerings to provide visitors new places to stay and dine. Cuba has allowed private investors to create their own businesses, creating unique hotels, restaurants, and art galleries. Cuba Private Travel prepares programs that include these new offerings and cultural and art experiences. Some favorite hotels, restaurants, and must-see art exhibits and artists are here.

Where to Stay

Voya: A fully restored mansion from 1925. The privately owned boutique hotel offers luxurious accommodations, a beautiful garden and bar, and a world-class restaurant.

Hotel Alameda: Just steps away from the harbor, this small, privately owned boutique hotel offers elegantly designed accommodations, impeccable service, and a rooftop where delicious breakfast is served.

La Reserva: Live the rich experience of Havana in the splendor of an old restored house, where art and design were the inspiration for the design. The small boutique privately owned hotel offers comfortable and luxurious accommodations, a relaxed environment, and a fantastic restaurant where cooking and cocktail classes are part of the experience.

Claxon Hotel Boutique is located in an elegant mansion on Paseo Avenue, the most elegant avenue in the city. The hotel has preserved the splendor of the eclectic architecture of the early 20th century and has incorporated a modern decor that brings back the theme of classic cars. The open spaces and patios boast abundant tropical vegetation, which provides a Caribbean ambiance in the heart of the capital.

Where to Eat

La Guarida is a trendy place right in the center of Old Havana; the building itself is a must-see, and the food served on the rooftop is eclectic and unique.

Grados Chef Raul Bazuk offers his take on traditional Cuban dishes with a special and unique twist. His restaurant itself is a combination of an art gallery and restaurant.

Cuajani Located in Vinales, is worth the two-hour trip. Owners Berta Carral and Jose Luis Gomez offer a farm-to-table culinary experience. The menu is designed based on the available vegetables from their garden—a must on your visit to Vinales.

La Bodega Inside La Reserva Hotel is a space where guests share regional culinary traditions, and like the art, they are curated by the chef and presented in a relaxed area.

What Not to Miss

Factoria Diseñó recently opened an art gallery that collects and exhibits visual art, furniture, and jewelry created by local artists and curated by Concha Fontella.

For a fantastic introduction to the cigars and rums of Cuba, do the Cigar and Rum Tasting with Michel Perez-Oliva Perez, a Habano Sommelier who takes you on a journey to experience the different cigars and rums of Cuba.

Chef Raul Bazuk at the market.

Habanero Sommelier Michel Perez-Oliva Perez

Voya Boutique Hotel

La Papina Drumming session

Photographer and Artist Lisandra Ramirez

Cajuani Restaurant

DESIGN

Cuba Private Travel Team Artist Raul Castro

Sergio & Hugo our Tour Guides Tobacco Farm

APEROL SPRITZ

The Everyday Drink

Though Aperol itself didn't come into being until 1919, the idea of a spritz has been around for much longer. The name appears to trace back to the 1800s when portions of the Veneto region of northern Italy were controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Visitors and soldiers from other parts of the empire were said to have found Italian wines too strong and so lightened them with a splash (a "spritz," in German) of water.

Wine may have been the starting point for spritzes, but the recipe slowly evolved, first substituting flat water for the lift of bubbly soda water, then progressively supplementing the flavors with fortified wines and progressively, liqueurs.

Aperol finally entered the picture in the early 1900s, when brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri inherited their father's liquor company , and after seven years of experimentation, debuted the bold, technicolor tipple Aperol, inspired by the French term for apéritif: "Apéro." The original recipe, which is still in use today, remains a secret, but does include both bitter and sweet oranges as well as rhubarb.

The brand grew in popularity throughout the beginning of the 20th century, but it wasn't until the '50s that the official recipe for the Aperol spritz was born.

ALICIA’S CORNER

Alicia C. Diez

THE RETURN TO SUMMER TRAVEL, BUT

The pandemic certainly made us re-evaluate many things, and one topic which continues to prevail is mindfulness and our impact on the environment. With easy steps we can make it part of our day-to-day life, part of our travel experience and have it become second nature. With fun and useful items, it will be a snap! It’s not only becoming aware of companies utilizing recycled materials, but companies which focus on fair trade, work with small family-run manufacturers, and upcycle unused materials.

Here are some picks for summer travel, whether travel takes us to urban destinations or to places almost off the grid.

QUINCE

Who doesn’t want to be stylish and cool when temperatures are high? Take a look at Quince (www.onequince.com) for comfortable linen items for looking fresh and crisp during summer travel. Keep them in mind for cooler temps as well as they have a whole line of cashmere. Quince is committed to partnering with factories with safety standards, fair salaries for their employees, and utilizing organically produced materials that have a minimal impact on the environment. Packaging is important to Quince and by using minimal amounts of packaging they will achieve no virgin plastic and 100% compostable packaging by the end of this year!

EREM

Getting back to nature and open spaces has continued to be a popular choice and visiting National Parks being one destination that comes to mind with hiking a favorite activity. Erem hiking boots (www.eremlife.com) is a perfect partner for getting prepared for hiking through red rock country in Arizona or Utah, through Joshua Tree, or hiking where the temperatures are high. These hiking boots are specifically constructed to keep you comfortable while giving you the proper support you need.

Have you ever heard of the term biocircular? Well, that’s when a product comes from nature and returns to nature when its lifecycle is over. The boots are sustainably produced by using leather which would normally be discarded because of slight imperfections; Tencel which is certified as compostable and biodegradable; cork; and 70% recycled rubber treated with an accelerant which will biodegrade in 7 years! Their boots have a lifetime guarantee, plus, every purchase goes towards planting a pear cactus. Did you know that a single pear cactus removes about 400 pounds of CO2, produces a fruit said to aid with controlling blood sugars and flourishes with minimal amounts of water? Who knew!

For summer travel, whether to the desert, to the beach, or anywhere life takes us, a pair of great sunglasses are a must. Consider MoNC (www.monclondon.com), a London-based eyeglass manufacturer and retailer. Without getting into all of the scientific words and processes as to why MoNC is a strong contender for your next pair of sunglasses, suffice it to say that the frames are made from bio-acetate which biodegrades in 115 days when composted. The lenses are made of mineral glass, not plastic; the wipe cloths are not made with of microfiber which is bad for the environment; and the cases are made from vegetable tanned leather. Yes, leather, because we all know that vegan leather uses a lot of chemicals and fossil fuels in its production.

OLIVE SURF

For some, the thought of summer conjures wonderful memories and hopes of spending time at the beach. Whether it’s relaxing like reading a book or active like surfing, you may need a new bathing suit. For those who are active and have not found anything stylish and comfortable, try one created by someone who wanted fill that void - Olive Surf (www.olivesurf.com)

Each swimsuit is functional and comfortable for an active beach vacation, and each is fashionably designed for persons of all ages and body shapes. Add to this to the fact that the fabric is made from 100% recycled plastic from fish netting and plastic water bottles collected from the ocean and dyes which are eco-friendly, you have a winning combination. Their swimsuits support the concept of removing plastics from the oceans and for enhancing our active beach experience.

ETIKO

What says summer more than a pair of flipflops? As soon as the temperature warrants, flipflops are out and about in full force. How can a pair of flipflops make a difference to the planet, you ask? Many are made from synthetic rubber which means petroleum by-products are used to make them. Not a good thing.

Although not mainstream, a company created because of their belief that buying apparel and footwear should not involve child labor, should pay their workers and should be aware of its impact on the environment is Etiko (www.etiko.com.au). They have a selection of tee shirts and hoodies for the family during those relaxing days at the beach, plus fun flipflops. One pair features whales, dolphins, and other marine animals with the slogan “Helping Protect Sealife.” 10% of the profits go to specific charities such as to Sea Shepherd which supports campaigns to fight against illegal fishing, to protect dolphins, and to protect biodiversity in the oceans. They are fun and for a good cause – great combo!

Robert De Niro is an American actor and producer. He is particularly known for his nine collaborations with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, and is the recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement. He is often described as one the greatest actors of all time.

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Design Destinations Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by Buchhalter International Group