A DAY AT THE BEACH R
A VOYAG E E B
TRAVEL MORE RL
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October 2021
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Famed Photographer
GRAY MALIN CAPTURES MAGIC FROM the AIR while shooting FLORIDA’S SCENIC HIGHWAY 30-A
NUMBERS DON'T LIE
HOMES SOLD
AV G P R I C E SOLD
60% Increase from 2019
28% Increase from 2019
HIGHEST SALE PRICE
AV E R A G E DAY S ON MARKET
2019 Highest $8,995,000
6% Decrease from 2019
©2021 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Market data for 2019-2020 as of 6/16/21. Information reported is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. ©2021 MLS and FBS
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Full moon rising on Western Lake as photographed by Jeff Landreth.
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In this issue On the Cover
Beautiful Rosemary Beach, Florida, is just one of the New Urbanism communities along Scenic Highway 30-A, where renowned photographer Gray Malin shot his latest aerial collection. Part of his À la Plage series, the photos were released in late August and feature pristine white-sand beaches and sunbathers against the turquoise Gulf of Mexico, dazzling swimming pools from above, winding beach walkovers, and iconic architectural landmarks. Malin says the area has “been on my list for quite some time, and it was a delight to finally release a collection of images from this location.” See and read more on page 26! Photo by Gray Malin
Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.
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THE RICH VIRIDESCENCE OF THE SWIMMING POOLS AT DAIOS COVE LUXURY RESORT AND VILLAS ON THE ISLAND OF CRETE WAS AN INTENTIONAL DECISION MADE BY THE ARCHITECTS AT LONDON–BASED D-RAW STUDIOS, WHO WERE INSPIRED BY THE COLOR OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA BELOW.
Photo courtesy of d-raw studios
FEATURE 26 À la Plage: A Bird’s-Eye View
VOYAGER 24 33 L’intermission L’intermission:: Man-Made Magic 34 Tales from the Deep: Documenting
86 How Travel Has Changed the Real Estate Market
88 Petite pause: Smooth Sailing Ahead
LA VITALITÉ 91 92 An Elemental Journey
Another World
98 Paradise in the Andaman Sea
40 Space Travel: The New Frontier
104 Petite pause: pause: Magic in the Air
48 Get Lost! Endless Summers on Montauk 54 Grecian Getaway: Santorini Is Simply Divine
C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION 106
60 Petite pause: Meadows in Bloom
LE MONDE 113
62 Sands of Time
114 Point Breaks and Providence:
68 Rustic Refinery in the North Carolina Highlands 73 L’intermission L’intermission:: The World Is a Canvas 74 Between Sail and Sea: Golden Horizon Charts
Surfing El Salvador
120 Bringing the World Home 126 Venetian Splendor: The Floating City
Its Course
131 L’intermission L’intermission:: Swimming Elephants
80 A French Escapade: Memories Await
132 Traveling Through Memories
with Beaumier
146 Petite pause: pause: Above the Alps
PUBLISHED BY
THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM INFO@THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM 114 LOGAN LANE, SUITE 4 SANTA ROSA BEACH, FLORIDA 32459 V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 15
CREATIVE TEAM CEO / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com
CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SALLIE W. BOYLES, FELICIA FERGUSON, SARAH FREEMAN, ANTHEA GERRIE, STEVE L ARESE, SALLIE LEWIS, SUSAN LOVEL ACE, MYLES MELLOR, KELSEY OGLETREE, CAROLYN O’NEIL, TORI PHELPS, SUZANNE POLL AK, NICHOL AS S. RACHEOTES, KEVIN REVOLINSKI, SHANE REYNOLDS, L AURETTE RYAN, COLLEEN SACHS, AMANDA SUANNE, XENIA TALIOTIS, JANET THOMAS, MEGAN WALDREP
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS Tracey@VIEmagazine.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER SALLY NEAL
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS TIM HUSSEY, HANNAH VERMILLION
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JONAH ALLEN, SHAY BABB, BRANDAN BABINEAUX, HUNTER BURGTORF, MIKE COPPOL A, YULIA DENISYUK, ANA FL ASKER, JACK GARDNER, LEANDRO JUSTEN, AL AN K ARCHMER, BRENNA KNEISS, INGUS KRUKLITIS, DAN LECCA, JODY MACDONALD, MARTIN MAEGLI, GRAY MALIN, JAMIE MCCARTHY, NICK MELE, MIRELLE, CARLO PIERONI, GUILL AUME PLISSON, KEVIN REVOLINSKI, ROMONA ROBBINS, AMANDA SUANNE, KEVIN TACHMAN, 20/30NORTH STUDIOS, GETT Y IMAGES, GLOBAL IMAGE CREATION, SHUTTERSTOCK
ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIRECTOR OF BRAND AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AMANDA SALUCCI Amanda@VIEmagazine.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING KELLY CURRY Kelly@VIEmagazine.com
MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER EMME MARTIN Emme@VIEmagazine.com
BRAND AMBASSADORS LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com MARTA RATA Marta@VIEmagazine.com
AD MANAGER AMANDA SALUCCI Amanda@VIEmagazine.com
INTERN EMMA CROWLEY VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2021 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published twelve times annually on a monthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $49.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.
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Editor’s Note
The FUTUR E Is HERE
H
EMBRACING a New WORLD
appily, fall is finally in the air—an occurrence that never fails to invigorate me. I bid adieu to the dog days of summer and say hello to cooler days ahead as the holiday season approaches— my absolute favorite time of the year!
My mind reels from the diverse destinations curated here in our annual travel issue. From Egypt to Santorini and from a deepwater adventure to out-ofthis-world space voyages, this issue has it all. On the cover, the beautiful In Surf We Trust: Members of The Idea Boutique and VIE team on set shoreline at charming Rosemary filming a documentary for E. F. San Juan last fall at In Surf We Trust, a beautiful family home in Seaside, Florida—Lisa Burwell, Jordan Staggs, Beach proudly represents Florida’s Tracey Thomas, Sammi Accola, and Amanda Salucci Book Signing: Female power at its finest! Amanda Salucci, Scenic Highway 30-A, which is also Kelly Curry, Tracey Thomas, Jordan Staggs, Lisa Burwell, and Jeff Bezos’s New Shepard, the reusable suborbital rocket under the home to Grayton Beach, where VIE Emme Martin at isidro dunbar Modern Interiors for a HOME— Inspirations for Home and Life by VIE book signing hosted by helm of Blue Origin, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceline is headquartered. The iconic image owner/creative director Todd Reeves and the idMI team and Virgin Orbit satellite launch service, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX was captured by Los Angeles–based and a project to colonize Mars. His article resembles a sci-fi space novel from thirty fine-art photographer and author Gray Malin. Malin is well known for his collections or forty years ago—except that it’s not fiction but really happening. The world will of aerial photographs of various destinations and remote locations. Read more about never be the same once space becomes a full-fledged travel destination. There is Malin and marvel at his captivating aerial beach photography in “À la Plage: A Bird’smuch to process, and Larese does a stellar job of helping us make sense of it all. It Eye View” by editor Jordan Staggs. feels very foreign to learn of such new and never-before-seen possibilities. To quote Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise from the fictional television series Aquatic Life Star Trek “to boldly go where no man has gone before” might be an appropriate For the average person, experiencing the beauty of aquatic life is limited to looking at summation for this new frontier of space travel tourism. photographs and watching films and videos. This is not the case for seasoned scuba diver and award-winning underwater photographer Romona Robbins. The recently We hope you enjoy your journey with us in one of our favorite travel issues to date. certified diving instructor shares her photos and love of life beneath the sea and its Voyaging to destinations outside our everyday circles can provide new perspectives serene beauty in “Tales from the Deep: Documenting Another World.” Her beautiful and appreciation for the world we live in. It’s a great blessing to be able to travel as we and beguiling photography captures one of the least-explored frontiers left on earth, both rest and learn about other cultures and places, but it’s also good for the soul to where one can truly get away from it all. One of the goals on my bucket list is to musknow that it is truly a magnificent world. ter up the courage to get my scuba certification and experience the peace and serenity that Robbins has preached about for the fifteen years I’ve known her. My journey of creating VIE is not a solo voyage but a collaboration with other creatives who share a like passion and vision. We’ve traveled to many places together over Space Tourism the past thirteen years, and I would be remiss not to give a shout-out of appreciation Speaking of other worlds—humans have the desire to explore innately built into our to my team. Thank you for joining me in this eventful odyssey! DNA. This fact has never been highlighted more than it is now, with space travel evolving before our very eyes—and it’s fascinating to watch! Between the U.S. Space Force being named an official branch of the U.S. Armed Forces within the Department of the U.S. Air Force in December 2019 and überbillionaires scampering to make their mark in the new space race, we are living in an unprecedented time in history. Travel journalist Steve Larese, who writes for various titles including Travel —Lisa Marie Channel, Lonely Planet, and NatGeo Travel, shares a wealth of knowledge in his CEO/Editor-in-Chief story “Space Travel: The New Frontier.” He covers cutting-edge projects, including V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 19
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The Creatives We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.
XENIA TALIOTIS
ROMONA ROBBINS
Writer, “Between Sail and Sea”
Writer and photographer, “Tales from the Deep”
@xeniataliotis
IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO TRAVEL AND WHY?
When I was younger, I loved the excitement of air travel—the energy of the airports and the masses of people, all buzzing with anticipation. That infatuation has long since died, and I now view air travel as a necessary evil. If I could, I would walk everywhere. I love the freedom my own legs give me and, as I’ve gotten older and more aware of my body’s fallibility, I’m more appreciative of it. Driving is my second favorite—or rather, being driven around. A road trip is all about the journey—the dawns that yawn and stretch into days that fade into dusks that fold into nights. The days roll into weeks and sometimes months on the road, with new junctions and random detours to towns that people neither leave nor intentionally visit. It’s about the things you see, the people you share a smile or a coffee with. The fleeting interaction with other lives—that, to me, is an essential part of travel.
@romonarobbinsreynolds
Embarking on new adventures, meeting new people, and immersing myself in different cultures are all the ways I love to see the world. However, with this global pandemic, traveling afar has its challenges. My favorite destinations to visit now are out at sea. I love traveling to remote scuba-diving spots that are only accessible via liveaboard boats. I prefer being aboard the smaller, more intimate vessels with a small group of like-minded folks. All I do during the trip is dive, eat, explore, take lots of photos, then repeat. I can’t think of a better way (for me) to social distance and have an epic adventure all at once!
STEVE LARESE Writer, “Space Travel: The New Frontier”
AMANDA SUANNE
@stevelarese
Living in the Southwest has made road trips my favorite way to travel. The beauty of the desert opens up after leaving the city, and dramatic skies make great backdrops. Exploring the ruins of Route 66 or some rutted road off the highway is often more rewarding than my original destination. When I fly into a city, walking is my favorite way to explore, supplemented with public transportation and bike rentals as needed. I discover more local spots and meet many more people this way. In Santo Domingo, I was invited to sit in on a neighborhood jam session one night. In Munich, I found myself drinking beers with Krampuslauf participants after their parade. I’m a get-up-and-go traveler; there’s so much to learn, and the clock is always ticking. I relax at home, but I feel like I’m crunching years into days when I’m traveling.
Writer and Photographer, “Grecian Getaway” @amandasuannephotography
SHANE REYNOLDS Writer and Videographer, “Point Breaks and Providence” www.ColorEarth.tv
I’m a practical traveler with ADHD, so I prefer planes for arrival (to get me there faster), a rental car on the ground (for the freedom and efficiency to go where I want when I want), and then traveling by board (skateboard, Onewheel, surfboard, paddleboard, et cetera) in order to experience my destination in an adventurous way.
I always consider how I can travel greener. Carbon dioxide emissions from traveling contribute significantly to global warming. As someone who loves to explore our planet, I want to be conscious of my carbon footprint. The best way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is to avoid flying; however, reaching some destinations requires it. If you must travel by plane, try choosing direct flights or ones with fewer stops. Stopovers increase emissions, so I try to avoid them when possible. When I arrive at my destination, if I can walk or bike, I do, but if I need to travel a longer distance, I choose shared or public transportation.
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La conversation
Social Status WE LOVE TO COMMUNICATE AND INTERACT WITH OUR READERS! AND WE LOVE IT EVEN MORE WHEN THEY PROUDLY SHARE THEIR STORIES AND POSE WITH VIE FOR A CLOSE-UP! THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT: SHARING, LOVING, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. WE THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND WE APPRECIATE YOU!
@summerhouselifestyle One day closer to the weekend! This corner of the @viemagazine Beach House show home makes all midweek blues disappear.
@heritagedunes30a The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home is the first of nine exclusive homes under development by Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings, LLC in Heritage Dunes on 30-A. We love the plans that resident architect Gerald Burwell of @burwell_associates designed, and we are thrilled that construction is currently underway thanks to @grandbayconstruction. The official @viemagazine Heritage Show Home sign recently went up, so be sure to look for it on 30-A the next time you are in Seagrove Beach! For more information about this luxury legacy community, contact @laflorida30a or visit HeritageDunes.com.
@jordanlstaggs New York Fashion Week is alive and well! So happy to be back for @viemagazine, especially getting to see our former cover stars @maleenapruitt and designer @romeyroe on the runway!
@sarafrankino My version of heaven: @csiriano runway show with @viemagazine, wearing @kesnyc. And I brought my bestie @elizabethyxz! Thank you to VIE for having me and Kes NYC for dressing me!
LET’S TALK! Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation!
@neatbottleshop A good read, a good glass . . .
@thewellpensacola Wow—what a spread! A huge thank you to @viemagazine for the unforgettable write-up in the September 2021 issue. Be sure to grab a copy!
VIEmagazine.com
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Voyager
Voyager
SEE THE WORLD
This striking image of the Moonbeam IV with her crew, featured in Yachts: The Impossible Collection by Assouline, displays the chaos behind the beauty of yacht racing. Moonbeam IV is a voyager’s dreamboat, often recognized as one of the most beautiful yachts ever built. Christened in 1914, the sailing beauty took home the King’s Cup in 1920 and 1923, only to be neglected until 1995 when she was pristinely restored with modern features. Moonbeam IV continues to define beauty and vitality as she still races to this day.
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Read more about the Moonbeam IV and other legendary yachts that define time and design in Yachts: The Impossible Collection, available for purchase at Assouline.com. Photo by Guillaume Plisson
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 25
Voyager
À la Plage
A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW By Jordan Staggs Photography by Gray Malin
As avid explorers and lovers of travel photography know, all beaches were not created equal. Those who live, vacation, or work along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida will undoubtedly attest that beaches don’t get much better than the area’s white sands. They’re often compared to sugar, thanks to the clear grains, soft texture, and sparkle as they accompany the emerald-to-aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Destin, Florida, is called the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village, while Panama City Beach is known for having the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches—but what do you know about the twenty-six-mile swath of shoreline and smattering of rare coastal dune lakes between them? Welcome to Scenic Highway 30-A, or as most of its locals and visitors call it, simply 30A.
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Orange Umbrellas, Rosemary Beach, 30A Florida Right: Blue and White Striped Umbrellas, Seagrove Beach, 30A Florida Photos © Gray Malin, 2021
“30A
is such a stunning destination,” says renowned travel and lifestyle photographer Gray Malin, whose whimsical aerial shots have captivated viewers from around the globe. His first coffee-table book, Beaches, debuted in 2016 and blew audiences away with its collection of coastal scenes from above.
The area, also known as South Walton (the southernmost point of Walton County), has been recognized as having some of the most desirable beach destinations in Florida and indeed the country. It has been touted by Forbes, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, the New York Daily News, and Southern Living, to name a few. Last year, Grayton Beach—the funky residential beach community at the center point of 30A and home to the famous Red Bar—was named the top beach in the United Stated by Stephen Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach. Leatherman is a coastal scientist and professor at Florida International University and has ranked the nation’s beaches for three decades. On his visit to this unique string of beach communities along 30A’s scenic corridor this spring, Malin shot some of the area’s most iconic New Urbanism towns, including Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach. His new collection of photos from 30A was released on August 24, 2021, as part of his existing À la Plage series (“at the beach,” in French). Highquality art prints of the photos are now available to purchase from his website. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 27
Voyager
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White sand and mesmerizing water make for an incredible sight!
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“W
hite sand and mesmerizing water make for an incredible sight!” Malin says of his time visiting 30A, during which he chartered a helicopter to catch the seagull’s-eye view and capture the waterlines, renowned architecture, and sunbathers on the beaches below. “It was particularly special to be able to see the beaches of this fun community from an aerial view. 30A has been on my list for quite some time, and it was a delight to finally release a collection of images from this location.” Other spots along 30A in the collection include the sprawling landscape of dunes and winding wooden beach walkovers adjacent to the WaterSound Beach Club and the peaceful shoreline of Seagrove Beach. There are also a few stunning swimming pools that frequent visitors might recognize, such as Caliza Pool in Alys Beach. “I had a wonderful time going up and down the coastline to capture these photographs,” Malin says. “Each quaint and unique beach along the water provided for colorful and dream-worthy images.”
WaterSound Beach, 30A Florida Right: Beach Day Vertical, 30A Florida Photos © Gray Malin, 2021
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Voyager
T
he collection speaks for itself and is sure to pop some new decor ideas into the heads of 30A locals, part-time residents, tourists, and dreamers alike. It fits in nicely with the other destinations of Malin’s À la Plage series, which includes photos of other beaches in Florida, Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Italy, and the Bahamas, all of which can be seen and purchased in various sizes and framing options from Malin’s website. To celebrate the new collection launch, Malin partnered with The Seaside Style to give away one of his 30A prints and a bundle of Seaside merchandise. Malin’s whimsical, wonderful photo collections don’t end with aerial beach shots. When they visit his website or social media pages, fans can step into his colorful world to see shoots from iconic locales, including The Beverly Hills Hotel, Palm Springs, Positano, Palm Beach, and even Antarctica (seriously, you need to see the penguins with the beach umbrella). His world travels have taken him from the deserts of Namibia to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond, and his unique perspective and use of modern props transport viewers into a dreamlike version of each destination—perfect for building your new travel bucket list!
Visit GrayMalin.com to shop now or see more on Instagram @graymalin.
Seaside Beach, 30A Florida Left: Seaside Paddleboarders, 30A Florida Photos © Gray Malin, 2021
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“
Each quaint and unique beach along the water provided for colorful and dream-worthy images.
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31
Deck
the Halls Christopher Radko’s unique European glass ornaments are the perfect stocking stuffers and the most fabulous holiday decor for your home. A Duce & Company area exclusive, available beginning October 15!
3 6 1 3 2 E m e r a l d C o a s t P kw y, D e s t i n , F L 3 2 5 4 1 | d u c e @ d u c e a n d c o m p a n y. c o m | ( 8 5 0 ) 6 5 4 -74 9 0
L’intermission
Man-Made Magic Lake Powell is located in northern Arizona and stretches into southern Utah. It’s part of the Colorado River in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Photo courtesy of Aramark
Activities abound on Lake Powell, and beauty is never in short supply. Claiming the title of the second-largest man-made reservoir in the United States, it was formed in 1966 following the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona. The 186-mile lake offers visitors many opportunities for adventures through informative boat tours, water-skiing, campgrounds, houseboat rentals, and plenty of beautiful scenery to admire.
Love, VIE xo V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 33
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A nighttime shot of sardines frantically trying to escape predators near the back of our diving boat in the Sea of Cortez
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" I F E L L I N LOV E W I T H S C U B A T H E F I R S T T I M E I T R I E D I T ,” SAYS UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER AND NEWLY CERTIFIED DIVING INSTRUCTOR ROMONA ROBBINS, WHO GREW UP AROUND THE SPARKLING GULF OF MEXICO AND CRYSTAL CLEAR SPRINGS NEAR DESTIN, FLORIDA. Robbins’s father was a combat controller and scuba instructor for his military team, but he was “old-school protective,” as Robbins says, and didn’t think her diving was a good idea. Still, she decided to give it a go later in life. Her husband, fellow photographer and filmmaker Shane Reynolds, had gotten certified in college and gave her extra inspiration to do the training so they could dive together. Robbins was hooked from the start and immediately wanted to take her love of photography under the waves with her.
“I got really excited about all the cool things down there,” she says. “I wanted to share those experiences with friends and family. I had this cheap point-and-shoot camera, and I got a clear toy-like underwater case for it, but that was more of a novelty. When I saw what a real camera could do underwater, it blew me away. Underwater gear is expensive, though, so I started with an underwater camera bag from Ewa-Marine, and it did the job.” Now, nearly fifteen years later, Robbins has honed her skill of capturing images beneath the surface. She recently became certified as a scuba instructor with the goal of teaching others what she has learned in both diving and photography. We are excited to catch up with her as she recently returned from the Sea of Cortez with these dazzling photos and many more.
Above left: Photographer Romona Robbins takes a self-portrait under the sea. Left: A playful sea lion poses on a rock; “This was truly the most magical moment on this trip for me,” says Robbins. Opposite top: Robbins’s friend, Helen, photographing a juvenile whale shark filter feeding at the surface. Robbins says, “It is a humbling experience to be graced by the presence of these gentle giants.” Opposite middle: Two colorful starfish mating Opposite bottom: “While diving in Sal Si Puedes, I spotted this cool, tiny hydroid colony on a wall,” shares Robbins. “I struggled to shoot it while trying to stay still in a strong upwelling current. It’s hard to believe that one day these little hydroids will become jellyfish!”
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S H O O T I N G U N D E R WAT E R I S A LOT M O R E C H A L L E N G I N G THAN SHOOTING TOPSIDE BECAUSE LIGHT BEHAVES SO D I F F E R E N T LY U N D E R W AT E R . VIE:
Do you remember the first underwater
photos you took?
Romona Robbins: I bought the Ewa underwater bag specifically for a big African tour in 2008 and tested it out free diving at the springs off Econfina Creek before we left. I officially dove with it for the first time in Egypt, and it was so awkward, but it got some decent shots. You have to train your eye to see things differently underwater. You naturally want to find big things to shoot, but most of the time, the gems are the little guys. The first underwater photos that I remember taking were of goldfish Hanadai on coral and some blurry nighttime shots of giant lionfish in Hurghada, Egypt. When I saw how the cheap bag compressed my expensive camera the deeper I dove, I knew I had to upgrade to something more serious.
VIE:
What can you tell us about the batch of
photos and the creatures we see here?
RR: The Sea of Cortez (aka the Gulf of California) in Mexico was the second solo liveaboard dive trip I’ve taken recently to diversify my portfolio. It’s amazing for both macro and wide-angle photography. An upwelling current brings nutrients from the depths, drawing so much life there, even whale sharks, but I was disappointed not to see any other sharks there. I am a huge fan of nudibranchs because they are so adorable; I love the micro-world because it seems so Avatar-ish. But my favorite photos from this trip are of the charismatic sea lions. These girls were the life of the party—they are so playful, curious, and photogenic!
VIE:
What makes underwater photography
more challenging compared to photographing above the surface?
RR: Shooting underwater is a lot more challenging than shooting topside because light behaves so V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 37
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VIE:
What’s your favorite thing about
shooting underwater?
RR: I am in my zen place whenever I’m diving (I am a Pisces, after all). It’s just me, in the now, in this beautiful space. I get excited by everything I see underwater that isn’t trash, from tiny worms to giant whale sharks and everything in between. It’s an otherworldly experience. I especially love shooting sharks. Their grace and power are mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. I specifically planned my first solo liveaboard trip to Socorro Island, Mexico, to face my fear of sharks. Now I’m addicted to being around them! My favorite spots to shoot, so far,
are in Mexico and the Red Sea. The clarity and blueness of the water in those places are just stunning.
VIE:
Will you be teaching underwater photo
workshops?
RR: I recently became a dive instructor, teaching at Emerald Coast Scuba for the PADI Underwater Photography certification. My husband and I are planning to teach photo and video workshops together on liveaboards around the world. I’m so excited, mainly because I want to share this beautiful world with everyone! I hope these budding underwater shutterbugs will do the same.
VIE:
Is there a big difference between diving
for fun and diving with a camera in hand?
I AM IN MY ZEN PLACE WHENEVER I’M DIVING (I AM A PISCES, AFTER ALL).
Above: A male orangethroat pikeblenny displaying all his beauty for a mate Left: A friendly spotted snake eel slithering on the seabed
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Right: “A curious sea lion swims by to check me out,” says Robbins. “I used a long shutter speed and a second curtain flash to capture her swift movements.” Middle: A brilliantly colored flabellina nudibranch is always a treat to find on a dive! Bottom: A shy male Gulf signal blenny cautiously peeks out of his home.
RR: Diving and photography are two completely
on my list. And when it comes to subjects I want to photograph, the bigger, the better!
different technical skill sets. You have to be a competent diver before handling an underwater camera, or any other underwater apparatus, for that matter. Diving is a fun and considerably safe sport, but it can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to your air supply, depth, time, et cetera. (Safety first!) You also have to be mindful of your environment. You need to master your grace, or buoyancy, underwater so you don’t damage fragile ecosystems. All this might seem daunting, but it truly isn’t. Once you’ve had enough practice, diving becomes second nature. That’s when you can start exploring scuba from behind the lens. Nowadays, I feel naked when I’m diving without my camera. Plus, there’s the FOMO—you never know what you’ll see while you’re underwater, and I would hate to miss any photo ops (that’s wildlife for you). To answer your question, I always have my camera with me when I’m diving for fun; I love hunting for the perfect shot, so there isn’t much of a difference for me.
VIE:
Where will you be traveling to dive and
shoot next?
RR: My husband and I do a lot of shark diving in
VIE:
Is there anything else you would like to
share with our readers?
RR: As the oceans are getting warmer and more acidic, decimating these fragile ecosystems, it’s more important than ever to keep telling this story to inspire change. Underwater photographers and videographers are the vessels carrying that message to dry-landers who would otherwise never be able to see what’s happening (they’re typically better divers, too). So if you are ever curious about diving, come see me or my buddies at Emerald Coast Scuba, and don’t forget to sign up for my underwater photography class!
VIE: Jupiter, Florida, and the Atlantic goliath grouper aggregation is happening now, so that’s probably my next adventure. The pandemic threw a wrench into a photo workshop that I was going to teach in the Maldives back in 2020, so I hope to get that back on the books ASAP. Of course, nothing compares to the protected areas—places like Cuba, Raja Ampat, the Galápagos Islands, and Guadeloupe are high
Thank you, Romona!
CHECK OUT MORE AMAZING PHOTOS BY ROMONA ROBBINS ON INSTAGRAM @ROMONAROBBINSREYNOLDS AND HER WEBSITE, ROMONAROBBINS.COM. FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN SCUBA DIVING ALONG THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA GULF COAST, VISIT THE EMERALD COAST SCUBA WEBSITE AT DIVEDESTIN.NET.
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SPACE TRAVEL
THE NEW FRONTIER
BY STEVE LARESE
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hen Sir Richard Branson blasted off aboard SpaceShipTwo Unity and skimmed the boundary of space above the New Mexico desert on July 11, it solidified the reality of space travel. From Virgin Galactic’s base at Spaceport America near the town of Truth or Consequences, customers who have paid deposits on $250,000 seats aboard the spacecraft watched as the Virgin Mothership Eve carried the VSS Unity to 52,000 feet, where it detached and rocketed at Mach 3 fifty-four miles above Earth. Branson and five other Virgin Galactic employees experienced eight minutes of weightlessness before gliding back to Earth and landing like a conventional aircraft back at Spaceport America to the cheers of the celebrity-sprinkled crowd. Stephen Colbert hosted the live broadcast of the historic flight, and Khalid played a new song for the starstruck audience. DJ-driven music thumped paradoxically in the New Mexico desert in the early hours. 40 | O C T OBE R 2 021
“Having flown to space, I can see how Virgin Galactic is the space line for Earth,” Branson said after his landing. “We’re here to make space more accessible to all, and we’re going to turn the next generation of dreamers into the next generation of astronauts.” But Branson wasn’t the only billionaire to travel to space in his own craft in July. Days later, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his all-civilian crew flew to more than sixty-five miles above the desert outside El Paso, Texas. Aboard were his brother, Mark, and eighty-two-year-old Wally Funk, a woman chosen in the 1960s for NASA’s Mercury 13 program but who had never made it to space until now. A fun fact was that the last passenger, Oliver Daemen, an eighteen-year-old student, was the youngest person ever to go to space, while Funk was the oldest. Whereas Virgin Galactic resembles a plane carrying a plane, Bezos’s consists of a rocket, New Shepard, and a capsule that returns to Earth via parachutes. Bezos’s entire flight was ten minutes, and the crew experienced four minutes of weightlessness.
Left: Space Perspective is the world’s first luxury spaceflight experience. Based out of Kennedy Space Center, it expects to begin commercial flights via the Neptune balloon craft in late 2024. Opposite: Visit DarkSky.org to discover seventy optimal stargazing locations throughout the US.
“MY EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH AND THEY WERE DRAMATICALLY EXCEEDED.” Not to be outdone, Elon Musk’s SpaceX craft, Crew Dragon, successfully splashed down off the Florida coast in September after orbiting Earth for three days with an all-civilian crew of four. Billionaire Jared Isaacman paid for himself and Hayley Arceneaux, Christopher Sembroski, and Dr. Sian Proctor to fly to 363 miles above Earth, more than 100 miles higher than the International Space Station. Although the four trained physically for months before the flight, all flight operations were controlled from the ground, demonstrating that anyone capable of withstanding three times the force of Earth’s gravity can enjoy space travel without operating the craft. The SpaceX Inspiration4 mission raised more than $200 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux works. After billions of dollars spent and several deaths occurring during tests, private space travel is set to become a common pastime in this century, albeit an expensive one. Virgin Galactic says it has sold more than six hundred tickets and has a waiting list. A ticket aboard a future Virgin Galactic flight is currently $450,000. A Blue Origin flight is estimated to be at least $500,000. Each of the four seats aboard the SpaceX flight is thought to have been in the ballpark of $40 million (SpaceX hasn’t disclosed the cost). A ten-day stay on the International Space Station through Axiom Space will be $55 million. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 41
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f the waiting list to fly to space with a US company is too long, space tourists can pay to take a Russian Soyuz craft to the International Space Station. (American Dennis Tito paid $20 million in 2001 to fly aboard a Russian Soyuz craft to the ISS, making him the world’s first space tourist.) It is expected that these prices will decrease as more tickets are sold and operations streamline, but they will still be astronomically out of reach for most people.
Virgin Galactic, Bezos’s Blue Origin, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and, most recently, Steve Wozniak’s Privateer Space will certainly be joined quickly by other private space travel companies hoping to profit by transporting commercial cargo and paying tourists past the Kármán line, the accepted beginning of space fifty miles above sea level. Florida-based Space Perspective expects to take passengers to the stratosphere beginning in 2025 and says it has already sold more than four hundred tickets. Unlike other companies, Space Perspective plans to use a round capsule, Neptune, suspended from a huge balloon to take passengers one hundred thousand feet above Earth, where they’ll see the planet’s curvature during the six-hour journey. A successful test flight in June saw the unmanned capsule safely reach its apogee before descending and landing safely in the Gulf of Mexico. At $125,000 a seat and measured in hours and not minutes, it is perhaps the best bang for the buck of those wanting to see Earth from the heavens. Experiencing weightlessness, the inky blackness of space, and the curvature of our blue-green home gently spinning some sixty miles below will become as common as cruises in the coming years for those willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a few minutes of exhilaration and awe. But for those who can’t afford a seat that costs the same as some houses, there are plenty of other ways to peer even farther into the reaches of our solar system and beyond. And many of these ways are free if you know where to go and where to look. For the earthbound, inns, public lands, and observatories cater to those curious about the cosmos. From curated sky tours at well-appointed properties to desert camping in the middle of seemingly nowhere, these stellar destinations have dark skies and telescopes to literally peer through time and space to star clusters, nebulae, moons, and planets in our own Milky Way galaxy and neighboring galaxies beyond. Knowledgeable guides at properties train telescopes on celestial objects for guests and explain what they’re looking at. Here are just a few destinations around the country where telescopes are focused on star lovers:
This page and opposite bottom: Blue Origin completed New Shepard’s first human flight on July 20 with four private citizens aboard: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen, who officially became astronauts when they passed the Kármán line. Photos courtesy of Blue Origin 42 | O C T OBE R 2 021
This page top and middle: Concept images from Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson’s commercial spaceflight company; its VSS Unity craft successfully reached space on July 11, 2021, with Branson and three other crew members aboard. Photos courtesy of Virgin Galactic
KIMPTON VERO BEACH HOTEL & SPA IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA, offers its new Stargazing on the Sea package that takes up to six guests on a private float trip down the Indian River Lagoon with a member of the local Mission Astronomy Group. The free experience for guests must be booked forty-eight hours in advance; check the resort’s website for dates. VeroBeachHotelandSpa.com/event-space/hotel-meeting-packages
PRIMLAND RESORT IN MEADOWS OF DAN, VIRGINIA, sits at three thousand feet above sea level with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At night, the resort’s on-site observatory is open, and docents guide guests on a tour of the night sky. The altitude and lack of light pollution make for excellent viewing, and large telescopes allow guests to peer perhaps deeper into the atmosphere than they ever have. Diurnal activities at this Auberge resort include golf, mountain biking, yoga, hiking, and other outdoor activities. AubergeResorts.com/primland
AMANGIRI RESORT IN SOUTHERN UTAH, just north of Page, Arizona, has an in-house astronomer to help guests navigate the starchoked nights. The quiet luxury resort has six hundred acres free of light pollution and is built around a central swimming pool surrounded by red rock mesas of the high Utah desert. During the day, guests can explore nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and other public lands, luxuriate in the Aman Spa, find adventure on the via ferrata, take guided hikes, and enjoy fine dining. Aman.com/resorts/amangiri
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EXPERIENCING WEIGHTLESSNESS, THE INKY BLACKNESS OF SPACE, AND THE CURVATURE OF OUR BLUE-GREEN HOME GENTLY SPINNING SOME SIXTY MILES BELOW WILL BECOME AS COMMON AS CRUISES IN THE COMING YEARS.
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For those preferring to study space from the ground, several destinations around the US, including Primland Resort in Virginia, offer astronomy-themed packages and even on-site planetariums. Photo courtesy of Primland Resort Opposite: Up to eight guests aboard Space Perspective flights will experience space for $125,000 each. The capsule will include plush reclining seats, a bar, and a bathroom. Photo courtesy of Space Perspective
CAT MOUNTAIN LODGE AND ROADSIDE INN NEAR TUCSON, ARIZONA, features Spencer’s Observatory, which has several powerful telescopes that allow guests to take advantage of southern Arizona’s dark skies. During the day, explore Saguaro National Park, Mission San Xavier del Bac, and other Old West Tucson sites. CatMountainLodge.com
DOWN BY THE RIVER B&B IN SAINT DAVID, also in southern Arizona, partners with nearby San Pedro Valley Observatory to bring a professional astronomy experience to guests. Downbytheriverbandb.com; RemoteObservatories.com
CASITAS DE GILA NEAR SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO, caters specifically to skywatchers by placing telescopes in each Southwest-style room for scanning the dark New Mexico skies at night and spotting wildlife during the day. Guests with their own telescopes can use one of the telescope pads that has power and WiFi.
just outside of Glacier National Park, features sky domes for a glamping experience that caters to budding astronomers. Large clear windows and skylights allow guests to drift to sleep looking at the stars from the comfort of their beds, and telescopes are available for those who’d like to get a closer look. ClearSkyResorts.com
Award-winning travel journalist Steve Larese enjoys star-filled nights at his home in New Mexico. Follow him on Instagram @SteveLarese. Discover Dark Sky Parks The United States has more than seventy locations that the International Dark-Sky Association has designated as Dark Sky Parks, many of which are national parks. These sites have been noted for having exceptionally dark skies and measures to mitigate light pollution. Visit DarkSky.org to learn about areas near you and NPS.gov/subjects/nightskies/ stargaze.htm for national parks that emphasize the night sky through astronomy programs and viewing events.
CasitasDeGila.com
CLEAR SKY RESORT IN PINNACLE, MONTANA, V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 45
THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE SEASIDE IS TO STAY IN SEASIDE . ®
Coming Fall 2021 THECOURTSEASIDE.COM
®
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The Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, is a seaside inn boasting an artistic flair that celebrates nature. Its concept and design are led by creative director Jayma Cardoso.
By Emme Martin | Photography courtesy of the Surf Lodge
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Get Lost! ENDLESS SUMMERS ON MONTAUK Spending a summer by the sea never fails to evoke those true human feelings of contentment. Salty air and sun-kissed skin remind us that joy doesn’t have to be complicated. Mother Nature always surpasses materialism, no matter what. Artistry joins her in this realm of superiority, as it enables us to step outside our thoughts and imagine another experience, even for just a moment. In Utopia, these principles could embody our everyday lives, but a weekend stay in Montauk will suffice for now. Jayma Cardoso, owner and creative director of the Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York, recognized the property’s authenticity the moment she saw it in 2008. It was built in 1967 as an Irish dive bar beloved by surfers, artists, and musicians. The creative energy flowing through the walls was palpable for Cardoso. As the daughter of a wellrespected Brazilian architect and natural visionary, she intrinsically knew this place was special. Before we expand on the fruition of the largely successful Surf Lodge, let’s start at the beginning. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 49
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ardoso’s journey to discovering the lodge is as fascinating as it is organic. A Brazilian girl moves to America to study biology and finds herself working at Boom, a bar in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. Cardoso was not unlike most young people in the city, trying to sustain herself during those precarious college years. The distinction was that Boom is where she found her calling. She soon noticed that her skills lay in hospitality and her sixth sense for juggling the books, dealing with operations and vendors, and managing staff made her the perfect personality for the multifaceted business. “If you can’t get your hands dirty and juggle a lot, then this industry isn’t for you,” insists Cardoso. Her natural talent led her to partner with and own other nightlife establishments in the city—Cain, GoldBar, and LAVO, to name a few. Cardoso realized the fundamental ingredient for providing a luxury experience is the staff ’s ability to make guests feel warm and welcome.
Right: Incubus lead singer and visual artist Brandon Boyd with his mural at the Surf Lodge, which debuted in the summer of 2021 Opposite top: Snapchat’s director of fashion and beauty, Rajni Jacques, created a series of custom-painted surfboards for Lightbox jewelry as part of the Surf Lodge’s 2021 wellness series. 50 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Intuitively aligning with her vocation, Cardoso evolved to create an elevated guest experience in the hotel industry. Her heart drew her to Montauk, the quintessential beach town at the end of the world—a symbolic moniker the destination acquired by being the easternmost point in New York State. Travel was Cardoso’s recipe for inspiration, as she considers exploring an essential aspect of the creative process. However, Brazilian pousadas (small, often family-run inns) gave Cardoso the most enlightenment when forming her concept for the Surf Lodge. A native Brazilian, she discusses how she’s been to what seems like almost all of them and admires the laid-back, charming feel. “They are so connected to nature, allowing an honest reflection of the towns they reside in, and that represented exactly what I wanted to accomplish with the Surf Lodge,” she remarks. Cardoso and her design team’s ability to execute a perfect beach-chic aesthetic has made the Surf Lodge the destination of choice for contemporary travelers visiting Montauk. The original bones of the building, married with new, luxurious finishes, create an authentic charm. The rooms encourage blissful feelings through all-white bedding and walls with pops of color that are good for the soul. The minimal vibe is beautiful without being pretentious—just what high-quality design is all about.
THEY ARE SO CONNECTED TO NATURE, ALLOWING AN HONEST REFLECTION OF THE TOWNS THEY RESIDE IN, AND THAT REPRESENTED EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE SURF LODGE. Naturally, sustainability was a relevant factor in conceptualizing an establishment that embraces its natural surroundings. The Surf Lodge boasts a sustainable wastewater system, and one would be hard-pressed to find any single-use plastic on the property. The in-room beauty products continue the trend as they prioritize brands that follow sustainable and ethical practices. One of Cardoso’s favorites is the Biography glow drops. “The product is cruelty-free, and all of the packaging is recyclable,” she explains. Not to mention it is gorgeous—a prerequisite for great twenty-first-century beauty branding.
The Surf Lodge’s dedication to green operations has made it possible for guests to feel good and appreciate the beauty of Montauk without contributing to further deterioration through pollution. They can do this in style, too, thanks to the Surf Lodge’s partnership with electric carmaker Polestar for the season. Guests can take one of the fully electric vehicles as their method of transportation around town for an unsullied adventure. Beach cleanups every Tuesday offer another opportunity for guests to act virtuously while on vacation, no doubt a therapeutic and contrasting experience for those who are visiting from nearby New York City. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 51
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Left: The Surf Lodge serves contemporary coastal cuisine starring local ingredients in a bohemian indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Below: Chic and minimal yet art-focused decor pervades the Surf Lodge’s interiors to evoke a sense of relaxation and thoughtfulness.
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ardoso and the design team at the Surf Lodge have ensured the bohemian and creative spirit of the original dive bar remains through their dedication to making art one of the core experiences at the inn. Cardoso compares it to a blank canvas, repainted every season to tell new artists’ stories. “The design of the Surf Lodge changes each year, but the principles of our aesthetics always remain the same,” she sums up. The Surf Lodge features up-and-coming celebrities in the art and music worlds, such as Daniel Arsham and Brandon Boyd. Cardoso enjoys finding unique ways to incorporate the arts. Rajni Jacques, the creative director of Snapchat, created custom-painted surfboards for Lightbox, a lab-grown diamond company that partnered with the Surf Lodge this summer for their wellness series. It involved weekly workouts led by fitness favorites such as Isaac Boots, Nina Agdal, Stephen Cheuk of S10 Training, and Sarrah Strimel of Damn Good Yoga. Cardoso is keen on making
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these connections between creatives, tastefully benefiting everyone involved. Luckily, Cardoso plans to expand the Surf Lodge modus operandi with slightly different vibes through new locations in other cities. She has already started to do this through the Snow Lodge in Aspen. The Snow Lodge, like the Surf Lodge, highlights creative energies through concerts and social events, though its mantra is more “après-ski” than “hang loose.” Whether for a weekend getaway or a day party, a stay at the Surf Lodge offers all guests an authentic Montauk experience. The sustainability factor not only adds to the inn’s allure but is also necessary for protecting the planet. And while they’re not relishing the natural surroundings that encompass the Surf Lodge spirit, guests can contemplate the stories told through seasonal art exhibits. The Surf Lodge is a tastefully organic and charming experience—the epitome of a chic beach summer by the sea.
Visit TheSurfLodge.com to learn more or book your stay.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED A BOHEME DESIGN, LLC / NICK MCGINN PHOTOGRAPHY 2021 WDR AR0015281
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e G t aw ay
Grecian
SANTORINI Is Simply Divine
Story and Photography by AMANDA SUANNE 54 | O C T OBE R 2 021
More than just a pretty backdrop for weddings or Instagram content (though it certainly is both of those things), the Greek volcanic isle of Santorini is a place where visitors can slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Located in the Cyclades chain in the southern region of the Aegean Sea, Santorini provides the ultimate vision of a Greek island.
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he charming towns of Oia and Fira boast the all-white houses and blue-domed churches that have become known throughout the world, cascading down the cliffsides overlooking a deep-blue crater lake, the caldera. Fishing boats and pleasure vessels ferry to and fro across it daily under the blazing sun. There is truly no other place like it on earth.
The town of Oia lies on Santorini’s northwestern shore and boasts ancient archeological sites, luxurious accommodations, fantastic restaurants, and a stunning view of the caldera.
Following a voyage this summer to photograph a wedding on this gorgeous crescent-shaped isle, Amanda Suanne shared some of her favorite places for dining and exploring in Santorini’s northern community of Oia. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 55
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With a tagline of “Savor the Sea,” it’s easy to guess what’s in store here. WHERE TO EAT PETRA RESTAURANT BAR Located in the Canaves Suites Oia resort, Petra offers delicious food with a stunning panoramic view of the caldera, the volcano, and the Aegean Sea. If you’re staying at Canaves Suites, you can enjoy an exquisite Greek breakfast here to start each day on the right note. Canaves.com/canaves-oia-suites
PELEKANOS There’s a worthwhile surprise when you walk up the stairs of Pelekanos—an incredible 360-degree view of the caldera. Their food is fantastic, and the warm staff makes sure you have a wonderful experience. Make sure to try some local Red Donkey beer! PelekanosRestaurant.gr
ARMENI This restaurant is worth the hike down 150 steps to the Oia Port, but you can also arrive in style when you take a boat across the bay. With a tagline of “Savor the Sea,” it’s easy to guess what’s in store here. The quaint restaurant serves fresh fish daily and was voted one of the top twelve once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences by Travel + Leisure magazine. ArmeniSantoriniRestaurant.gr
THALAMI You can enjoy a seat inside this ambient cafe or outside on the terrace for a spectacular view of the volcano. Thalami offers traditional Greek cuisine and seafood and is open daily from noon to midnight. You have to try the Feta from Oven appetizer with grape syrup and black sesame, plus one of the unique cocktails! ThalamiRestaurant.gr 56 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Above: An afternoon coffee break at Canaves Oia Suites always comes with a great view. Left: The picturesque Church of Saint Anastasi in Oia Opposite: Flowering bougainvillea trees create a pop of hot pink against the iconic whitewalled architecture of Santorini. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 57
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Above: The Canaves Oia Suites resort offers chic interiors, private balconies and plunge pools, and unforgettable getaways. Right and opposite: A view of Santorini from the water provides a whole new perspective on this gorgeous destination. Don’t forget to book a cruise with Sunset Oia! 58 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Sunset Oia offers morning and sunset cruises aboard its beautiful sailboats and yachts. THINGS TO DO SUNSET OIA SAILING CRUISE Sunset Oia offers morning and sunset cruises aboard its beautiful sailboats and yachts. It’s sure to be one of the highlights of your trip to Santorini. Each cruise includes stops for swimming, snorkeling, and a delicious barbecue, plus a beautiful tour with incredible views of Santorini and the caldera. Take a plunge into the cool water and then sunbathe on deck as you listen to music and enjoy drinks from the open bar. Sailing-Santorini.com
ATLANTIS BOOKS Book lovers will enjoy stepping down into one of the most interesting bookstores in the world. Located on Oia’s main street, this unique hub of knowledge offers literature in English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, and, of course, Greek. For a real treat, be sure to browse its selection of antique and rare first-edition tomes. AtlantisBooks.org
OIA CASTLE A can’t-miss ancient site in Santorini is the ruin of Oia Castle, located on the island’s northwest coast. Also known as the Castle of Agios Nikolaos, this Byzantine stronghold was built in the 1400s and was later home to Turkish soldiers, the Catholic church, and, today, a luxury hotel. Its history is fascinating, and it’s also one of the best places on the island to catch a spectacular sunset. Whether you are traveling to Santorini for a wedding, a special occasion, or just to see and explore new places and cultures, it’s time to let your Grecian getaway commence!
Amanda Suanne is a Northwest Florida– based fine art wedding and travel photographer. Visit AmandaSuanne.com or follow on Instagram @amandasuannephotography to see more of her work. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 59
This blooming crocus meadow is located near Zweisimmen in the Swiss canton of Bern. Crocus is usually one of the first spring flowers in Switzerland, spreading across the lowland regions in February and March. In the mountainous regions, they blanket grassy areas in late April and May with their bright purple and white blooms. Visit MySwitzerland.com to discover more. Photo by Martin Maegli © Switzerland Tourism
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Petite pause
Meadows in Bloom
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Sands of Time
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Pair a luxurious cruise along the storied Nile with a cultural crusade to Egypt’s historysteeped capital and journey back in time to one of the world’s greatest civilizations. BY SARAH FREEMAN
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hese were the first lattice windows ever built,” my guide Mohammed says, gesturing to the southern corner of a grand hypostyle hall where 134 columns soar skyward. “Every king left their mark here,” he continues, standing a hand’s span from four thousand years of history in the world’s largest ancient religious complex. Dubbed the Vatican City of Ancient Egypt, Karnak Temple is one of the country’s most venerated sites, located in the legendary city of Luxor. Karnak’s avenue of sphinx-like statues once ran all the way to Luxor Temple, another must-see monument situated two miles south on the east bank of the Nile. Temples are sites of sacred mysteries in ancient Egypt that warrant a licensed Egyptologist like Mohammed Ezzat to decrypt their extraordinary reliefs. Still used as a place of worship today, Luxor Temple was added to by the likes of boy-king Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great throughout its 3,400-year existence, Mohammed explains. Left: Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt Photo courtesy of Egyptian Tourism Authority Opposite: The destinations are colorful and chock-full of culture and history as passengers embark on a four-day Nile riverboat cruise with Sanctuary Retreats. Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats
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Voyager This is just one of the innumerable cradle-of-civilization-grade sites that modern-day pilgrims can tick off on a 150-mile-long, four-night trip with Sanctuary Retreats. An exercise in time travel, the luxury cruise operator’s trio of river yachts journey along the Nile’s most storied stretch from Luxor to Aswan. Brushing off layers of ancient dust, I return to my new floating home: Sanctuary Retreats’ Sun Boat III. Welcomed with an iced hibiscus karkade tea (the pharaohs’ drink of choice), I wend my way up a spiral staircase to the Sahara Lounge, modeled
after an Egyptian royal hunting tent. The elegant cruiser’s teak-floored communal spaces span two decks, blending British colonial style with bedouin flourishes like embroidered ottomans and Persian rugs. By contrast, it’s the Roaring Twenties that serve as inspiration for the boat’s fourteen cabins, spread across its Nile and Promenade decks. My presidential quarters (one of four suites at the vessel’s bow) vaunts a grand four-poster bed designed with post-excursion siestas in mind! I discover another place to escape Egypt’s searing sun in the friezed corridors of the limestone-cut tombs at the Valley of the Kings. Encircled by cliffs on the Nile’s west bank, this dusty desert tract is where the bodies of New Kingdom pharaohs like Ramses VI were laid to rest. Stepping into the pillared hallway of his 340-foot-long tomb, I’m starstruck by its ceiling’s astronomical scenes. “The colors are as arresting as when they were first painted thousands of years ago,” Mohammed remarks. Equally vibrant are the hieroglyphs gouged into the walls of the Temple of Khnum— a sunken Ptolemaic-Roman edifice visited on day two’s antiquity-packed itinerary. 64 | O C T OBE R 2 021
The elegant cruiser’s teak-floored communal spaces span two decks, blending British colonial style with bedouin flourishes like embroidered ottomans and Persian rugs.
This page: Explore everything from vibrant markets to ancient cultural sites on the Sun Boat III riverboat tour from Luxor to Aswan, and enjoy luxury accommodations onboard. Opposite: The iconic Temple of Philae in Aswan. Photos courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats
Centuries of soot, caused by cooking from the Egyptian Christians who took refuge here, have preserved its interior’s ochre red and sulfur yellow pigments. Speaking of cooking, Sun Boat III manages to rustle up feasts fit for a pharaoh twice daily, with lavish buffet lunches and themed dinners in its Nile Deck restaurant. I devour Middle Eastern salads made of okra and fried cauliflower, followed by grilled perch fished from Egypt’s Lake Nasser. A bonus is watching scenery
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The final day welcomes more watery explorations as we enjoy a breezy boat ride to the island temple of Philae. seemingly unchanged for millennia roll by as you tuck into seconds. Today, it’s buffalo wallowing in the Nile’s shallows and farmers in gallebayas (robed garments) tending to their sugar cane crops. Ancient Egyptians were bound, heart and soul, to the fabled river, which conveyed everything from camels to coffins on papyrus reed boats. Another transport of yore beloved by Egypt’s elite was the chariot. The following day, I get my own taste of these racing cars of the ancient world on a spirited horseand-carriage ride to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Swallowed up for centuries by drifting desert sands, the sandstone stunner was excavated to its former glory in 1860 by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. Yet another monument built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom (when temptress Cleopatra ruled) is Kom Ombo, which glows golden in the setting sun. Stand66 | O C T OBE R 2 021
ing tall on a bend in the Nile where crocs once lazed, the perfectly symmetrical double temple claims the world’s first depictions of surgical instruments. It also holds a collection of 2,500-year-old mummified crocodiles (housed in an on-site museum)—an animal both feared and worshipped by ancient Egyptians. Thankfully, no fearsome reptiles lurk in Sun Boat III’s upper deck pool when I indulge in a twilight dip! Instead, silhouetted date palms wave from the riverbank, signaling the approach to our last port of call: Egypt’s southernmost city of Aswan. The final day welcomes more watery explorations as we enjoy a breezy boat ride to the island temple of Philae. It’s impossible not to relish the absence of crowds as I move unhurriedly through the palm tree-strewn complex’s courtyard and inner chambers. The seat of the Christian religion and ancient Egyptian faith, Philae was built in 280 BCE to honor the goddess Isis: mother, healer, and protector.
According to local lore, it was Isis’s single tear—wept for her ill-fated husband Osiris—that caused the Nile’s annual life-giving flood. Five miles upstream is Elephantine Island (formerly a pharaonic-era trading town), where white single-sailed feluccas slip silently through the waters, as they have since time immemorial. A highlight is gliding past the Old Cataract hotel— the muse for Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery Death on the Nile.
Egypt’s golden age, carried here in a livestreamed procession from Tahrir Square in April.
Even enveloped by high-rises, the Nile still maintains an air of mystery. It’s a conclusion I draw while gazing at another island, this time from my twenty-story balcony at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. The said isle is Zamalek: an upscale neighborhood in Cairo—the Arab world’s largest city and the final chapter of my Egyptian odyssey. A bastion of calm in Egypt’s restless capital, the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza is a whisper from Tahrir Square’s Egyptian Museum. And the hotel has some impressive exhibits of its own. Scattered across the vast thirty-floored property is a two-hundred-piece art collection by celebrated painter Farouk Hosny, which begins in the opulent lobby. The lobby itself is a vision of polished brass and marble, holding the kind of riches a pharaoh would choose to accompany him into the afterlife!
This winter, an even shinier new temple to antiquities is slated to open its doors. Billed as the largest archaeological museum in the world, the much-delayed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will sit in the shadow of the great Giza Pyramid Complex. As I make my way to the airport, I’m rendered speechless by the sight of the 4,500-year-old trio’s haunting form hovering in the distance, hazy in a nimbus of ancient dust. Even from afar, the only “standing” wonder of the ancient world takes my breath away, just as magnificent to twenty-first-century travelers as it was for pilgrims several millennia ago.
Above and left: End your Egyptian journey in the capital city at the sumptuous Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza and be sure to catch a glimpse of or explore the famed Giza Pyramid Complex. Photos courtesy of Four Seasons Opposite: Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Retreats
THE SANCTUARY RETREATS FOUR-NIGHT NILE CRUISE DEPARTS FROM BOTH LUXOR AND ASWAN. LEARN MORE OR BOOK A TRIP AT SANCTUARYRETREATS.COM. TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA OR EXPLORE
More understated is my floor-to-ceiling windowed executive suite (one of 365 rooms in the hotel), which channels a quiet intimacy for its nine-hundred-square-foot size. The pièce de résistance is its marble-clad bathroom furnished with a deep-soaking tub worthy of Cleopatra! There’s more indulgent bathing to be had in the property’s twin pool area, which feels more like a Mediterranean resort thanks to swaying palms and striped parasols.
OTHER DESTINATIONS, HEAD TO FOURSEASONS.COM.
The Med flavors continue into the evening over lobster spaghetti at Bullona, an achingly cool haunt on the hotel’s second floor. Being the acclaimed Milanese restaurant’s first venture outside of Italy, it has a lot to live up to. Satisfyingly, the sweet, succulent roasted king crab and tiered plates of teppanyaki certainly deliver. Still craving some cultural sustenance, I spend my final afternoon in Old Cairo poring over the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization’s rich cache of treasures. The venue’s star attraction is a tomb-like mummies hall, displaying twenty rulers from V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 67
Highlander Mountain House in Highlands, North Carolina Opposite: Highlander Mountain House owner and creative visionary Jason Reeves 68 | O C T OBE R 2 021
RUSTIC REFINERY IN THE
NORTH CAROLINA HIGHLANDS By EMME MARTIN Photography courtesy of HIGHLANDER MOUNTAIN HOUSE
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hen taking a vacation, we often don’t realize that our intention should be to return to ourselves rather than escaping reality. A getaway should remind us of the beauty in life’s simplicities. The formula for achieving this sense of bliss doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes, all it takes is an aromatic cup of tea by the fire or a locally sourced meal shared with good company. These simple moments remind us to slow down and soak it all in, especially when visiting somewhere as charming as the North Carolina Highlands. No one understands the meaning of life’s simple pleasures better than Jason Reeves, owner of the Highlander Mountain House. Growing up in a series of old country homes in Lexington, Kentucky, taught him a thing or two about the rustic charm his inn exudes in every detail. “My mother was a curator of several museums and had a career in the decorative arts, so it was in the blood,” says Reeves. He graduated with a degree in economics from Sewanee before moving to Charleston, South Carolina, to focus on historic preservation and restoration of historic homes. Furthering his enthusiasm for restoration, he later moved to Boston to pursue a master’s degree in preservation from Boston University and a master’s in real estate and urban design from Harvard. Fully equipped with three degrees, Reeves enjoyed a career in real estate development and finance in New York City that ultimately led him to the boutique hotel industry. “The Highlander Mountain House is the coming together of all my meandering personal and professional pursuits—it all finally makes sense,” Reeves reveals.
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ooking back at his childhood, Reeves sees he was preparing his whole life to open the Highlander Mountain House. “I was inspired by coaching inns and country house hotels in the Cotswolds where my family was fortunate to have a small cottage growing up,” recalls Reeves. He elaborates on his childhood memories of watching these English countryside properties transform through design-forward renovations and their adaptation of better seasonal cuisine. “I watched as flocks of Londonites descended upon them seeking a scale, landscape, and authenticity they couldn’t find in the city.” Reeves realized from a young age the value of authenticity. It was fate when he acquired the alleged second oldest building in the North Carolina Highlands, built in the 1880s for a retired sea captain from Charleston who became the keeper of the town’s first inn. Reeves knew the building was special after it sustained itself through a series of hurricanes and still held strong. “I was immediately drawn to the bones and potential. I just wanted it to be more,” he describes. The vision was clear from the moment he walked in the 70 | O C T OBE R 2 021
door; Reeves set out to create a place where he would like to stay when he traveled. “It’s the antithesis of the branded, commodity hotel experience—a restaurant with rooms if you will.” Guests visiting Highlander Mountain House can look forward to the welcoming and warm atmosphere. Reeves describes the feeling as staying at your very own mountain retreat. Beauty is all around as the property is distinguished by its rustic, old-world style and mix of modernity throughout—a vision of Reeves’s long before the inn came to fruition. “I am far from a purist in any sense of the word—good design, to me, is not one particular style or element but more of the sum of all parts,” he says when describing his inspiration. It was vital for him to maintain the original elements of the building so guests could feel the layers of history that make this place unique. The “English eclectic” theme of the hotel gave him license to create spaces that feel well-worn and comfortable. “Nothing is too precious or perfect, so it feels authentic and approachable,” he adds.
“I WAS INSPIRED BY COACHING INNS & COUNTRY HOUSE HOTELS IN THE COSTWOLDS WHERE MY FAMILY WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SMALL COTTAGE GROWING UP.”
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isitors can choose to stay in the Main House or the Bunk House, each bringing a different style to the table. Those staying in the Main House can enjoy the English and French botanical wallpaper, period antiques, funky artwork, and mid-century modern furniture and fixtures. Vinyl records from Reeves’s personal collection are sprinkled throughout many rooms to give a rock ’n’ roll vibe, making for a fresh design juxtaposition. “The Main House is essentially an English country house hotel transposed in Appalachia, layered with the area’s rich history, and infused with a heavy dose of music, literature, and culture,” Reeves describes. For those looking for a more quintessential Appalachian summer camp experience, the Bunk House is the perfect spot. It embodies a more rustic design, with coziness being the most prominent element. The hickory beds, Pendleton blankets, and mountain art give these rooms a nostalgic feel that will take you back to your fondest summer camp memories. Those staying in the Bunk House can enjoy all of the same luxury linens, mattresses, and toiletries as the Main House at a lower price and even have the option of bringing a furry friend.
Left and opposite: Reeves’s childhood homes and his family’s vacation cottage in the English Cotswolds inspired the rustic, comfortable design and feel of Highlander Mountain House. Below: The Ruffed Grouse Tavern is the inn’s restaurant, which is open to the public and serves locally sourced seasonal fare.
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“UNPLUG, UNWIND, AND LET YOUR LIFE SLOW DOWN AND FOCUS ON THE SIMPLE THINGS— WARMTH, SUSTENANCE, HUMAN CONNECTION, AND INSPIRATION,”
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armth and comfort are abundant at Highlander Mountain House, as the fireplace stays burning and the music is playing at all times. Patrons are encouraged to start their day by the fire, in the café, or outside on the terrace with a coffee, croissant, and newspaper. The common areas are also open to the local community, furthering the Highlander Mountain House’s ethos as a place for good conversation and human connection. As guests begin their day with stillness and simplicity, they can explore the nearby mountains and towns with a clear mind and open heart. The North Carolina Highlands are ideal for fishing, hiking, or simply connecting with the magic of nature. Reeves prefers fly-fishing for native trout on the Cullasaja and Chattooga Rivers or the myriad private waters accessed through local guides. He also recommends hiking to an inspiring mountain vista or waterfall—followed by a cocktail in front of the woodburning fireplace, of course. The Highlands are notorious for being one of the highest towns east of the Mississippi River, so gorgeous views are abundant. The evening options at Highlander Mountain House are just as enriching, as they frequently showcase authors, musicians, makers, and artists in a nineteenth-century salon-style setting. “Basically, we feature super cool people who have a lot of inspiration to share, set in the most intimate of environments,” adds Reeves. Guests can also enjoy a memorable dining experience at The Ruffed Grouse Tavern, the in-house restaurant that offers seasonal dishes from the surrounding area. The local fare is sourced from farms and fisheries in western North Carolina, striving to showcase the integrity of the ingredients and keeping it simple. When asked about his favorite dish on the menu, Reeves insists on the trout but says the burger also gets an honorable mention. Reeves ends our conversation by reminding us of the purpose of a getaway: “a chance to unplug, unwind, and let your life slow down and focus on the simple things— warmth, sustenance, human connection, and inspiration.” It’s all the fundamental elements of Highlander Mountain House. He further explains, “Twenty-first-century life is fast-paced and overwhelming, so we want to offer a brief respite where you can go from digital back to analog, if only for a moment.” Reeves’s deep understanding of warmth and comfort through Highlander Mountain House has us excited to turn off our phones and connect with nature.
Visit HighlanderMountainHouse.com to learn more, book your stay, or make a reservation at The Ruffed Grouse Tavern. 72 | O C T OBE R 2 021
After a cozy cup of coffee and breakfast, guests should get out and explore the gorgeous trails, waterfalls, mountain views, and quaint villages of Highlands, North Carolina.
L’intermission
The World Is a Canvas Zhangye National Geopark in northern China lies about midway along the nation’s border with Mongolia. To learn more, visit National-Parks.org/china/zhangy Photo by Ana Flasker/Shutterstock
Located in northern China, Zhangye National Geopark is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. At first glance, it looks like the mountains could have been painted by a deity. However, the colorful formations were actually created as sandstone and minerals layered atop each other over the years when tectonic plates shifted. You’ve outdone yourself once again, Mother Nature!
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SAIL SEA AND
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bove, vast sails that would nearly cover a soccer field if laid out. Below lies the cool blue of the English Channel. Ahead we see the Isle of Wight, and receding from view are the White Cliffs of Dover. Between sail and sea, between land ahoy and land left behind is Golden Horizon, the tallest sailing vessel in the world.
A five-masted, square-rigged athlete who plans to circumnavigate the globe by harnessing the power of the wind and the currents for 70 percent of each season, she is a classic beauty from another age—from 1913, to be exact. She is a replica of France II, the second-largest commercial sailing ship ever built. Yet, in going back to the past, she may be heralding the future. Seafaring is currently under scrutiny for its environmental impact. Ships like Golden Horizon, which combine engines with wind power, could help reduce the industry’s carbon emissions. Each time she switches from the engine to sails, her fuel usage—and therefore her carbon footprint—shrinks enormously. Despite being berthed in a port where liners that can accommodate thirteen times as many passengers routinely dock, Golden Horizon is the headline-maker, the eye-catcher. Compared to those blindingwhite beasts, she is diminutive, yet it is her elegant, golden form that draws the crowds on the evening we set sail. We’re on a five-night COVID-adapted return cruise to Plymouth—285 miles by road to the west of Dover—and this is her maiden voyage. It’s mine, too, since this is my first cruise, which accounts for my high excitement levels. What pushes them up even 74 | O C T OBE R 2 021
With passenger cruises operated by Tradewind Voyages, Golden Horizon is currently the world’s largest sailing vessel. She will make the rounds to luxury destinations throughout the Caribbean in the coming months. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 75
Voyager further is that this is also my first trip since England relaxed its travel restrictions and, most significantly of all, my first time on a sailing ship. We may only be traveling about five hundred nautical miles forth and back along England’s coastline, but the fact that as many of those as nature permits will be under sail imbues the trip with a sense of tradition and romanticism that most travel has long since lost. We embark on a beautiful evening in July. The English summer has been a washout, yet on this day, the sun beams down on us as we enjoy cocktails on the deck while waiting to start our voyage. Suddenly, the specially commissioned fanfare announces our imminent departure. We cluster around the five masts and watch, transfixed, as 6,300 square meters (almost 68,000 square feet) of sails begin to unfurl. Their release is semiautomated, and without the distraction of all hands on deck, I feel I’m at the theater. The sails dance down gracefully, veiling the setting sun and shimmering gold against the fading light of day. It is a sight that neither my cell phone nor my photographic skills can capture, so I give up trying and instead enjoy the drama of the moment. The sails catch the wind, and forward we go! The next day begins gradually and lazily. There is none of the urgency associated with the fear of missing out. Instead, life aboard is relaxed and without the pressure of having to do, well, anything. Golden Horizon is a traditional sailing ship, not a floating theme park, so there are no zip lines, climbing walls, go-karts, or guilt-inducing high-intensity workouts to swerve on the way to breakfast. Instead, there are early-morning yoga and meditation classes, afternoon quizzes and lectures, and nightly live music. Above all else, there is the old-fashioned romance of sailing under the wind’s power. The hub of Golden Horizon’s more vigorous activities is the generously proportioned marina, which drops into the sea. It’s sophisticated and so beautifully designed that you might be tempted to forego the water sports for more supine relaxation. Still, it would be a shame not to try paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, 76 | O C T OBE R 2 021
or snorkeling. Except for the Seabobs, the water sports are nonmotorized to reduce the impact on the environment. The ship also has three saltwater pools, although only one is for swimming. The second is a plunge pool, and the other is a four-meter diving tank where passengers can have a forty-minute session with the ship’s diving instructor, Craig. This is a first for me, and after a thorough health and safety check, I flop in only to discover that it is yet another sport I am not designed for. However, the laughs it gives me (and Craig) are worth the effort of getting in and out of the wet suit. The marina and deck are my favorite parts of the ship— by virtue of being open to the air and the views—but
THE SAILS DANCE DOWN GRACEFULLY, VEILING THE SETTING SUN AND SHIMMERING GOLD AGAINST THE FADING LIGHT OF DAY.
Left and opposite middle: The five impressive masts climbing from Golden Horizon’s deck hold thirty-six sails. Opposite bottom: Three saltwater pools aboard the ship offer guests swimming, lounging, and diving lessons. Below: From Captain Mariusz Szalek and his crew to the ship’s attentive waitstaff and its beautiful common areas, every detail ensures passengers a comfortable and safe voyage.
there is beauty inside, too, particularly in the dining room where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. It’s a showstopper with a double staircase, curved wrought iron balconies that lead to the Piano Lounge, and a skylight that is actually the glass bottom base of the swimming pool. Despite its elegance, it’s a place of ease that makes few demands on passengers. Of course, guests can dress to the nines if they so wish, but those of us who would rather stop at five (or even four) are made to feel just as welcome. The pomp-and-ceremony dressing is not my style, so it’s great that I experience no awkwardness over arriving for dinner in a pretty blouse and trousers rather than anything showier. The staff, too, are attentive but not overwhelming. They are there when needed and unobtrusive when not, which is what great service is all about in my book. Though the menu is not wildly exciting, all dishes are well executed and flavorful, and there is always an Eat Well, Be Well option. Alternatively, you can grab a burger and potato chips in the Horizon Bar & Grill and biscuits and cakes in the Piano Lounge. You can always burn off the calories in the well-equipped gym or sweat them out in the spa. The four days drift by effortlessly. A few hours of rest on the split-level wooden deck delivers the same restfulness I would ordinarily feel after several days away. Even when the engines are on—which they are for much of our time—their thud, thud seems unable to throw my newfound zen off balance.
“NATURE IS EVERY SAILOR’S GUIDE. IT TELLS US WHEN AND WHERE WE CAN GO.” Our pace under sail seems slow, so I am surprised to learn from Captain Mariusz Szalek that we are moving faster than when the engines are running. Perhaps it is the mental stillness I have found that dupes me into imagining we are scarcely moving. “Sailing ships bring you closer to nature,” says Captain Szalek. “You feel more in tune with the elements, and without the noise of the engines letting you know you are in motion, it is easy to imagine we are making little headway. That’s not the case, however.” He has been sailing since he was a child and says the wind and currents have always been his teachers. “Nature is every sailor’s guide. It tells us when and where we can go.” Unfortunately, the pandemic also has a say in Golden Horizon’s travel plans. Her original itinerary, which would have seen her heading to Australia, has been canceled, and a new schedule was devised. “Golden Horizon is a sun seeker,” says Alan McGrory, CEO of Tradewind Voyages, the ship’s operator. “Her cruises are planned so that they follow the traditional maritime trade routes to less-visited places. When we realized it would be impossible to visit Australia this winter, we went back to old routing charts and drew up a new itinerary that would make the most of the prevailing conditions. We are now taking her to Saint Barts, Saint Kitts, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Tobago, Grenada, the Grenadines, and Saint Vincent.” No matter where she goes, Golden Horizon will sail with grace and dignity. Her combination of seafaring tradition and luxurious contemporary amenities provide an unforgettable experience that is as much about the journey as the destination.
XENIA TALIOTIS WAS A GUEST OF TRADEWIND VOYAGES DURING HER JOURNEY ON THE GOLDEN HORIZON. FOR DETAILS ON UPCOMING CRUISES, PLEASE VISIT TRADEWINDVOYAGES.COM
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Photo by Brandan Babineaux
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French Escapade Memories Await with Beaumier
This page and opposite: The glorious Mediterranean Sea is visible from every guest room at the stunning Les Roches Rouges, Beaumier’s boutique hotel in the French Riviera. 80 | O C T OBE R 2 021
By EMME MARTIN Photography courtesy of BEAUMIER
France is always a good idea. Visiting a Beaumier hotel is an even better one. Beaumier offers discerning travelers three unique and unforgettable French experiences. The newly renamed group derives inspiration from August Beaumier, nineteenth-century French geographer, writer, and explorer. The brand’s mantra, “The Art of Living Differently,” applies to each of its eight hotel destinations, emphasizing authenticity in the French Alps, Provence, or the French Riviera. Clean architecture and aesthetic design allow the guests to focus on their natural surroundings in a chic and casual atmosphere. Service is another top priority, as the highly skilled hospitable staff is a trademark of Beaumier. To travel is to live, Beaumier affirms, so let them introduce you to the possibilities. Those who want a more elevated experience can discover the French Alps with L’Alpaga in Megève and Hôtel Le Fitz Roy and Hôtel Le Val Thorens in the Val Thorens ski area. Megève is one of the most exclusive luxury ski destinations and home to the first French winter sports resort in history. L’Alpaga provides an array of chalets facing Mont Blanc. Guests have access to the spa of Alpaga and the two-star Michelin restaurant La Table de l’Alpaga. The chalets, ranging from three to six bedrooms, are perfect for large groups or families for an incredible stay anytime of the year. All have huge balconies with even more extensive views. Although it’s difficult to focus on anything but the surroundings, as the mountains offer vistas like fine artwork, the rooms are tastefully appointed. The common areas are open to guests and day visitors alike.
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The local roots, modern aesthetics, and warm atmosphere allow good feelings to flow from the moment guests arrive.
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oving upward to the highest ski village in the Alps, Val Thorens boasts the Hôtel Le Fitz Roy and Hôtel Le Val Thorens. Both offer a paradise for skiers who want to immerse themselves in the mountain culture. Currently, both resorts are undergoing renovations and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The restorations will provide a new experience in each location while holding the same values of comfortable elegance that Beaumier holds dear. Keen visitors may make reservations on the Beaumier website to be the first to experience the new alpine fantasy. In the heart of Courchevel, Les 3 Vallées offers the same idealistic mountain experience. Here, welcoming guests is considered an art form, and first impressions are a specialty. The local roots, modern aesthetics, and warm atmosphere allow good feelings to flow from the moment guests arrive. The guest rooms’ style is a blend of 1950s spirit and modernized furniture. Whether you’re into hang gliding, skiing, or driving snowmobiles, Les 3 Vallées will make adventure possible, followed by the ultimate après-ski relaxation at the spa and dinner at L’Épicerie for a generous and charming dining experience. Moving west toward Provence, the village of Bonnieux provides a fairy-tale experience. Beaumier’s Capelongue resort in the botanical town complements the scenery with linen curtains, hexagonal floor tiles, and minimal yet minimalist furnishings. Take a nap in the shade of an almond tree, relax at the spa, and follow up the perfect day with dinner at one of Beaumier’s restaurants in the
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Luberon region—La Bastide and La Bergerie, where chefs Noël Bérard and Mathieu Guivarch create experiences like no other. Feasting on the finest local produce and enjoying quality time with friends and family is the vibe here. Le Moulin and Le Galinier reside in the village of Lourmarin, recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Le Moulin is an old mill converted into the village grocery and an inn. The rooms are warm, reflecting the colors of the nearby Roussillon quarries. Life at Le Moulin is all about appreciating life’s simple pleasures, such as hunting for truffles or practicing yoga amongst the landscapes of South Luberon. Le Galinier estate offers the dreamlike beauty of Provence when guests arrive at their room or flat. The property’s vacation homes and more extensive flats are ideal for families, while the smaller apartments and rooms provide a more intimate experience. Here, the rooms continue the idea of honoring Provence’s impossibly charming surroundings with a minimally chic aesthetic and fresh country flowers. Endless possibilities present themselves through swimming pools, orchards, kitchens, and rose gardens. A stay at Le Galinier is pure magic.
In the iconic French Alps, Beaumier offers L’Alpaga in Megève (opposite top and this page top and middle left), Hôtel Le Val Thorens and Hôtel Le Fitz Roy in the Val Thorens ski area, and the lodge at Les 3 Vallées in the heart of Courchevel. The brand’s properties in Provence include Le Moulin (above and opposite bottom), Le Galinier, and Capelongue.
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Beaumier embraces a disconnection from city life as travelers tap into the present moment and routines fade away.
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n the coast, Beaumier presents Les Roches Rouges in the French Riviera. This resort brings a whole new meaning to “postcard-worthy,” as every view here is strikingly gorgeous. The white mid-century contemporary buildings make a serene contrast against the deep-blue sea. At the same time, the minimalist, light-filled spaces are inspired by the sea and red rocks of the Estérel, with touches of orange, ocher, and lemon yellow. When they’re not enjoying the lush grounds, the restaurants, or the surrounding scrubland of the Riviera, guests can unwind on their private balconies. The resort offers a comprehensive sports program with hiking, yoga, and cycling, perfect when followed by spa treatments or a relaxing dip in the saltwater pool. Les Roches Rouges encourages guests to do nothing, as being in the presence of all of the beauty here is enough to make them want to stay forever. “The Art of Living Differently” provokes the idea that guests are allowed to escape to a more simplistic existence, where less is more. Beaumier embraces a disconnection from city life as travelers tap into the present moment and routines fade away. All Beaumier locations offer a remarkable story through the surrounding environments—it is only a matter of travelers deciding which experience they wish to indulge in first.
Visit Beaumier.com/en to learn more or book your dreamy French getaway. This page and opposite: From its vistas to its seaside dining experiences, Les Roches Rouges always presents an abundance of beauty and style. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 85
HOW
Voyager
TRAVEL REAL ESTATE MARKET HAS CHANGED THE
Story and photography courtesy of CORCORAN REVERIE Over the course of the last year, travel has seen a drastic change along with the way people work and where they choose to live. For many, travel once included visiting exotic destinations, jet-setting overseas, and exploring the far ends of the country. However, studies show preferences have since changed, with travelers seeking to fly less and stay closer to home. In addition, many are choosing to visit places with ample outdoor activities instead of those with mainly indoor attractions and landmarks.
Along the Emerald Coast, we saw our drive market grow to include places such as Chicago, New York, and other northeastern cities as we became a destination for more families. We are a place of solitude for many, where they can enjoy the privacy and comforts of home in a new destination while still spending quality time together and experiencing new things. The real estate market benefited from this change in traveler behavior as the buying and selling of homes continued rapidly, with many homes going under contract hours after being listed. For sellers, it was the perfect time to list properties for top dollar, and buyers saw this as the ideal time to find their dream home along the coast or to purchase an investment property so they could benefit from the change in travel.
ith this shift in travel trends also came a change in real estate, as many investors see an opportunity to profit from people vacationing in destinations close to their homes. For the Southeast, that includes the beautiful coastal communities in Northwest Florida. This also brought about many new investors seeking to break into the real estate industry.
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One factor that led to the increase in local travel, as well as the spike in the real estate market, was the ability of many people to work remotely. As this became the new normal for the vast majority, remote workers also started moving to popular travel destinations, with vacation homes and second homes highly favored among buyers. The National Association of Realtors even reported that vacation home sales rose by 16 percent in 2020 from the previous year, which continued into 2021 as sales were already up 33 percent by April compared to 2020.
As travel began to increase, many see it now as a way to escape the isolation and disconnection they experienced due to the circumstances experienced globally in the past couple of years. People wanted to get away and spend quality time with their friends and family rather than spending time in crowded tourist destinations, so most are seeking a domestic or local getaway.
Because of the low inventory and high demand due to the influx of travelers now wanting to call their vacation destinations home and investors quickly taking advantage of the increase in traveler profitability, the sales price of homes has increased drastically. Yet, buyers are prepared. Many are even prepared with cash, and from a seller’s perspective, an all-cash transaction makes for a much more attractive offer.
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Compass Point at Watersound, Florida
The change in travel also brought about a shift in luxury—specifically with the properties that luxury consumers are searching for, where they are choosing to live, and what amenities come with the property and location. Like many others, luxury consumers are seeking out properties in destinations that they at one time only considered for a vacation. As a result, the secondary home market became the co-primary market, where these home buyers now spend most of their time. The luxury market in Northwest Florida certainly benefited from this change, as many of these luxury home buyers have sought a location near the sugar-white sand beaches and emerald waters. The real estate market has been redefined over the past year due to the change in travel and travelers’ mindsets, as now more people are turning to their vacation destination as their new primary or co-primary home. As this trend continues to gain momentum, the high demand and low inventory in the real estate market continue to increase the competitiveness of the market. This, of course, leads to many listings receiving multiple offers well over the listing price. But, even more notably, many of the buyers were at one point visitors who are now calling their vacation destination home.
PEOPLE WANTED TO GET AWAY AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY RATHER THAN SPENDING TIME IN CROWDED TOURIST DESTINATIONS.
Whether you’re searching for your coastal dream home or your next investment property, Corcoran Reverie is here to help you turn your reverie into reality. This locally owned boutique brokerage specializes in the luxury home market in Northwest Florida from Destin to Panama City Beach and the coastal communities along Scenic Highway 30-A. With a team of over 140 agents led by broker and owner Hilary Farnum-Fasth and partner Jacob Watkins, and offices in Seagrove and Destin, Corcoran Reverie holds the No. 1 office ranking in Northwest Florida based on a closed sales volume of over $750 million in its first year as a Corcoran affiliate. For more information on Corcoran Reverie and to search available listings, visit CorcoranReverie.com. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 87
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Award-winning lifestyle and travel photographer Jody MacDonald captures the essence of an adventurous life in her photographs taken worldwide. She is no stranger to aquatic voyages, as she spent ten years living on a catamaran and running a kiteboarding business. Pictured here is a unique perspective of the catamaran traveling through the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean—a view made possible through MacDonald’s gutsiness to shoot from the mast. If you look closely, you can see that the boat is towing onlookers as they admire the reef below. To learn more, visit JodyMacDonaldPhotography.com Photo by Jody MacDonald 88 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Smooth Sailing Ahead
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Soups | Salads | Sushi | Dessert Handcrafted Sandwiches Open 11:00 a.m. daily
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La vitalité
Amangiri is a remote hideaway tucked within the breathtaking canyons of the American Southwest. Visit Aman.com/resorts/amangiri to book your stay. Photo courtesy of Aman Resorts
La vitalité A ZEST FOR LIFE
Find inner light through the desert’s rocky beauty and a stay at the Amangiri Resort in Canyon Point, Utah. The modernist suites let the surroundings do the talking as guests immerse themselves in Western bliss, complete with a wellness program and tours of the nearby national parks. The dynamic shapes and colors of the untouched red-rock country are more than good enough reasons to visit one of the world’s most dramatic and secluded settings.
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An
Elem ental Jour ney WELL-BEING MEETS WORLD-CLASS ARCHITECTURE IN A REMOTE SWISS VALLEY WHERE GUESTS FIND REJUVENATION IN HEALING WATERS AND HYPERLOCAL CUISINE. BY SARAH FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY GLOBAL IMAGE CREATION, 7132 HOTEL
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Shad owy figures float in steam-saturated air that hovers like a swirling mist over glowing water. Above, a blanket of stars picks out the contours of a mountain ridge. With hushed whispers, more ghost-like silhouettes slip through a chain-link curtain that leads to secret grottoes, scented pools, and reverberation chambers. This ethereal experience happens three nights a week at 7132 Therme—a modernist maze of stone and healing mineral waters in Switzerland’s mountainous Graubünden region. Credited with catapulting the little-known village of Vals into the global spotlight in 1996, the vast spa complex is a temple to both wellness and design. Back inside, I gravitate toward its catacomb of chambers, where water ranges from a teeth-chattering 14°C (around 52°F) to a sweltering 42°C (around 107°F). Accessing one high-ceilinged room via a narrow tunnel is very like discovering a lost cave. In another, I listen to a recording of a symphony composed for the spa. My personal favorite is the blossom bath, scented with yellow calendula petals pumped from water jets that tickle your legs! 7132 Therme, the mineral baths that lie within a mountain beneath the 7132 Hotel, draw visitors to Switzerland’s Vals Valley with their healing waters and beautiful scenery.
This interplay of mist, temperature, water, light, sound, and scent is no accident. Peter Zumthor—the cabinetmaker turned celebrated architect behind the baths—thinks in multiple dimensions, uniting all the sensory qualities of a space.
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Designated a protected monument just two years after it opened, the spa embodies the architect’s masterful use of materials and attention to place. Bunkered into the hillside, the cavernous baths are barely visible from above, thanks to a grassed rooftop, which mimics Vals’s emerald-green meadows. These flowerfreckled pastures, studded with hay barns and two-toned goats, climb right up to Vals Valley’s dizzying mountain ridges. It’s a scene I drink in over breakfast the next day from the sweeping terrace of 7132 Hotel: a white futuristic-looking building connected seamlessly to the spa by elevator. Formerly owned by Vals’s one-thousand-strong community, the hotel (named after Vals’s postcode) and its thermal baths were bought by local Remo Stoffel in 2012. Much like the spa, the 1,200-meter-high chocolate-box village of Vals owes its very existence to water and stone. The same Vals quartzite used in the baths also roofs the traditional Walser houses. A type of local gneiss birthed millions of years ago when the Grison Alps formed, Vals quartzite is quarried from the village’s “backyard” mountain. The bath’s monolithic horizontal and vertical quartzite slabs (all sixty thousand of them) also serve a practical function: to conserve the heat of the thermal water. Tapped for its curative benefits for centuries, more than four hundred liters of it gushes every minute from Vals’s two springs. Around half is bottled as Valser mineral water in the village, with the rest conveyed to 7132 Therme, where bathers can wallow in the champagne of Swiss thermal waters! I let its rich minerals work their healing magic as I drift across the spa’s centralized, sunken interior pool, where the splashing sounds of water echo throughout the space. The baths take on a completely different atmosphere by day. Inside, light cascades down from slits in the ceiling, revealing the quartzite walls’ gray-blue color. Outside, cutouts in the edifice serve as giant frames for Vals’s bucolic alpine scenery. Somehow, the space—where walls both hide and reveal—manages to be monumental and intimate all at once. The ritual of purification, it turns out, is a tiring one. Like a Roman who has overindulged on bath time, I find myself snoozing on one of the stone benches that radiate the warmth of the thermal spring beneath.
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Zumthor deliberately omitted clocks here to suspend bathers’ sense of time. It’s liberating—until you realize you have a massage appointment waiting! A snaking walkway leads me to the spa’s monastic-like treatment rooms, sunken one floor down. My muscles (already relaxed by the therapeutic waters) are kneaded with hot polished quartzite stones for ninety blissful minutes to the soundtrack of chiming cowbells. Revitalized, I retreat to my Spa Deluxe Room, feeling like I’ve never left the bath’s watery environs. A vast circular tub takes center stage in the bathroom that also features a steam shower and luxurious twin vanities. At over three hundred square feet, it’s as big as the bedroom, which is a vision of neutral tones, luxe linens, and warm oak carpentry. It’s one of twenty-three guest rooms spanning five categories in 7132 Hotel. By far the most lavish are its three penthouses, dreamed up by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma who is known for his high-tech remixes of traditional design elements.
Above: 7132 Hotel boasts some of the world’s most gorgeous views and offers a focus on achieving well-being through nature. Opposite: The hotel was designed by a team of creatives from the 7132 House of Architects, including Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, and Thom Mayne.
DESIGNATED A PROTECTED MONUMENT JUST TWO YEARS AFTER IT OPENED, THE SPA EMBODIES THE STARCHITECT’S MASTERFUL USE OF MATERIALS AND ATTENTION
TO PLACE.
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He joined three Pritzker Prize–winning architects in masterminding the four-star 7132 House of Architects, tethered to its five-star sister via a glassed-in passageway. It’s here you’ll also find a sumptuous library. Stacked with art tomes, it’s a choice spot to linger in the early evening when the fire crackles and a pianist tinkles away on a Steinway and Sons. A design purist’s dream, each 7132 House of Architects room honors a single material—from locally harvested oak to the Vals quartzite. While former professional boxer Tadao Ando draws inspiration from Japanese teahouses, American architect Thom Mayne’s rooms feature sculpture-like showers. Zumthor, meanwhile, plastered his ten guest rooms using the Italian Renaissance stucco lustro technique, painting them in singular hues of red, yellow, and black. The next day, I head for the hills, searching for the elemental forces that inspired 7132 Therme’s elemental beauty. Oh, and to live my best “Heidi” life! My hike begins spectacularly by crossing the 151-meter-high curving dam wall of Lake Zervreila —a gateway to eighty-seven miles of invigorating mountain trails. It’s backdropped by Zervreilahorn, nicknamed the Matterhorn of the Grisons on account of its pyramidical peak. Wending past larch-timbered mountain chalets blackened by the sun, I delight in ringing the bell of a tiny eighteenth-century chapel, which clings to a rock face. The fleeting glimpse of a lone ibex (a species of wild goat and Graubünden’s heraldic symbol) is a sure sign we’re in wild terrain—wild terrain that’s just a three-hour drive from Italy’s Lake Como and a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Zurich, my hiking guide Katrin tells me. The seven-mile-long trail descends gently through wildflower grasses and shaded forests, with uninterrupted views of the snow-covered Lepontine Alps that border Italy. The halfway point is the picture-postcard hamlet of Leis, where once again Zumthor has left his mark, this time with a trio of stylish vacation homes modeled on the valley’s eighteenth-century hay barns.
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Left: The charming village of Vals is just a short walk from the hotel. Photo courtesy of Visit Vals AG Below left: A stunning view of the Zervreilahorn peak in the Swiss Lepontine Alps south of Vals Opposite top and bottom: Each guest room at 7132 Hotel boasts a unique design by the House of Architects and features local building materials. Opposite middle: The 7132 Blue Bar is the perfect spot for a light lunch, coffee, or cocktails with a view during your stay.
Opposite, the oh-so-rustic, family-run Ganni restaurant serves up hyperlocal dishes like trout salad (wild-caught from alpine lakes) and home-churned quince ice cream. I refuel with a goat burger, procured from the very herd we pass on the trail’s final stretch from Zorts to Vals, which tobogganists careen down in winter! Back in Vals village, I tour Hof Padanatsch—an organic farm owned by Marlies Tönz (a certified animal homeopath) and her volunteer firefighter husband, Fritz. The duo grows eighty-six different vegetables, alongside Sundheimer chickens, Highland cattle, and Europe’s oldest breed of pig, across their eighty-six acres. A few years ago, Vals’s farmers elected to go exclusively organic. One of the Tönzes’ prized Turopolje pigs has already been “reserved” for the fine diners of Michelin two-star 7132 Silver, which indulges guests with a nine-course tasting extravaganza. I settle for a sunset cocktail on the deck of the hotel’s Blue Bar, raising a glass to the elemental quartzite bathhouse, which celebrates its quarter-century anniversary this year. Something tells me this symphony of water, acoustics, stone, and light will still be calling travelers to the Vals valley twenty-five years from now. So, too, will the clanging cowbells!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 7132 HOTEL AND 7132 THERME, VISIT 7132.COM/EN. ZURICH AIRPORT IS A TWO-AND-A-HALF-HOUR DRIVE FROM VALS OR A THREE-AND-A-HALF-HOUR JOURNEY BY TRAIN AND BUS.
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IN THE
PARADISE
ANDAMAN SEA By KEVIN REVOLINSKI
Photography courtesy
of THE RACHA
The Racha luxury resort lies on an island off Thailand’s southwestern coast in the Andaman Sea. 98 | O C T OBE R 2 021
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stepped through sliding glass doors and onto my patio, an infinity edge pool between me and a view of undulating turquoise lapping at a crescent of white and a verdant hill rising across a small bay below me. The sounds of the waves and rustling palm fronds rose up the hill to me on a breath from the ocean, and I felt the tension release one feels from a good massage. My wife and I had sought an island escape, and several friends had already assured us the answer was The Racha. This five-star luxury hotel takes its name from its island: Koh Racha Yai (koh means “island” and yai means “big” in Thai). Situated a half-hour boat ride from Phuket, Thailand’s most famous island destination, The Racha Resort is a retreat from overdevelopment tucked away along Batok Bay on a modest stretch of sand as soft and white as flour. Here, elegance and comfort blend with unspoiled natural beauty. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 99
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The Racha is one of only four hotels on the island.
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he collection of eighty-five villas occupies twenty acres. The resort grounds and the designs of the villas themselves follow the contours of the land, rising from the seaside into broad-leafed and blossoming greenery—coconut palms, frangipani, ferns, banana trees—granting all accommodations privacy and a hidden garden atmosphere. The paved lanes and stepping stone paths meander through the property, past a central pond, where one might see an egret or hear frogs at night, down to the common areas—the restaurant, reception area, library, gift shop, and main pool—and then the row of palms backing up the beach. The villas range in size from spacious garden suites to airy multiroom affairs with beach views, many of which feature private pools, outdoor rain showers, and shaded day beds. Our unit perched above the next one down the hill, but whitewashed walls and abundant foliage maintained privacy. Within, we had a king-size bed on a platform that overlooked a lounge area and the pool, a full sitting room with a mounted flat-screen TV and minibar, and an expansive dressing area with double basins, two showers, and a two-person bathtub with floor-to-ceiling windows for that same view of the sea. A Bose sound system allowed me to broadcast my playlist to the living area, the daybed shelter on the patio, and even into the pool itself through underwater speakers. Only that picturesque sea could tempt us to leave this space.
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The Lighthouse, an intriguing five-story structure just up the hill from our villa, offers two master bedrooms, a 360-degree view, an even larger pool, and the most exclusive experience in the resort. But even the standard villas seem nestled in their own little worlds. Residents on the island total ten—and most of those are landowners who return only briefly each year, if at all. The island has but a handful of businesses to serve day-trippers and the guests that come for a mere four hotel properties. While tourism has developed Phuket into a bustling island destination, Koh Racha Yai recalls the low-key, laid-back feel of the late 1990s with an unstrained, natural appeal. Think of the Phi Phi Islands before its thick cluster of hotels along the beach. “About 30 percent of our clients are returning,” said Devan Bhaskaran, general manager, “and not for two or three days, but fourteen days to a month.” While the resort accommodates families—see the Lighthouse for lodging—The Racha enjoys great popularity among honeymooners, he added. Wedding packages are prominent on their website.
HERE, ELEGANCE AND COMFORT BLEND WITH UNSPOILED NATURAL BEAUTY.
NATURE OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR In the morning, a brahminy kite—a large brown eagle-like bird of prey with a white head—soared just above the palm trees, circling for a meal from the sea. We saw it daily where it took up a regular perch on a bare tree branch at the edge of the bay. On our way to breakfast, we watched black reef herons find theirs along the water’s edge. Bird life is abundant, and egrets and pond herons poke through some wet areas along the island’s interior, but the only large animals are a few domesticated water buffalo and the occasional monitor lizard. In May, hundreds of zebra-striped butterflies and a black species with iridescent blue patches descend like fluttering haloes above the flowering trees, and it’s absolutely dreamlike.
Top and middle: The Racha offers fine dining, wellness, relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty all in one dreamy destination. Bottom: The resort’s extensive menu includes a mix of traditional Thai foods from regions around the country and a variety of dining experiences. Photo by Kevin Revolinski
ISLAND OF EATING The Racha features three restaurants: a Thai-style grill along the beach, an international dining room, and, unsurprisingly, a Thai-focused restaurant. One night we dined on Phuket lobster and Australian beef with lobster bisque; the next night, we chose green papaya salad and the recommended northern-style curry. The local fare is nothing short of amazing—with traditional dishes from all regions of the country—khao soi curry from the north, larb ground pork salad from the northeast, and southern beef curry with noodles. Spice fans, be warned: chefs tend to add a few more peppers to most dishes here in the south, though nearly all of them can be made mild on request. Breakfast in bed? Of course. And make a reservation for In-Villa Barbecue. A chef grills your meal on your villa’s patio—or you can go it alone and show off your grilling skills. With a day’s notice, guests can reserve the Ultimate Dining experience, a private dinner on the resort’s Timber Deck overlooking Batok Bay or at the elevated Star Deck. The chef consults with you to customize a leisurely paced multicourse dinner paired with select wines, beers, or craft cocktails.
STAY ACTIVE There are always options to get out of the villa, whether you’re up for a round of tennis or prefer a couple’s massage and body scrub at Anumba Spa, voted the top island resort spa in Asia in the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards. A water sports center loans bodyboards, snorkeling gear, and kayaks for independent exploration and fun. In the off-season, a change of weather patterns brings nice rolling waves into Batok Bay, and the gradual slope of the sea bottom makes it great for beginners on bodyboards. Nine named reefs—two in the bay alone— encircle the island and give variety for snorkelers. A dive center on-site has a special training pool. Dive here or along the island’s east coast, or take a boat excursion to Koh Racha Noi (Little Racha Island) another half hour to the south. This smaller undeveloped island is surrounded by emerald waters rich with sea life. Deeper dives here provide the chance to see manta rays or even a whale shark. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 101
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hree pools present options: one has a waterfall and abundant shade and greenery; another is near a beachside bar; and the adults-only main pool is a sprawling affair with a water jet area and an infinity edge looking out to the bay a stone’s throw away.
A day trip by speedboat can put you among the exotic towering rock islands of Phang Nga Bay to the north. Among them is the famous James Bond Island, so called for its appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun. As the sun sank toward the sea to the west, we took a short hike along a path just above the rocky shoreline on the north side of the bay. A gentle climb brought us to a scenic overlook of the bay and The Racha. We watched the day end in glorious colors and then began down the trail to go back and change for a starlit dinner.
Visit TheRacha.com to learn more or book your stay. Kevin Revolinski is the author of several books, including The Yogurt Man Cometh: Tales of an American Teacher in Turkey and Stealing Away. He also writes online at TheMadTraveler.com.
lemontree A FRESH APPROACH TO DESIGN D E S I G N + B U I L D + C R E AT E
Q Tile Announces a Fresh Approach to Customized Design with Its New Brand, lemontree 17 Uptown Grayton Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | (850) 213-0000 | Q-Tile.com
Don’t forget to catch a sunset over the Andaman Sea!
A Partnership Beyond Expectations Luxury 30A Vacation Rentals & Property Management royaldestinations.com | info@royaldestinations.com | 5365 East County Highway 30A, Suite 101 | (850) 534-0841
Yulia Denisyuk is an award-winning travel photographer and writer who aims to capture moments of magic in her work. On a trip to Turkey’s Cappadocia region (which has since become a favorite of hers), she found that magic in the early mornings as hundreds of hot-air balloons rose into the skies. The whimsical peri bacalari (“fairy chimneys” in Turkish) dotted throughout the region add to the fairy-tale setting. These ancient rock formations once sheltered early Christians trying to escape persecution. Visit Yulia-Denisyuk.com to learn more. Photo by Yulia Denisyuk
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Petite pause
Magic
in
the Air
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A SWEET ESCAPE
To travel, we must embrace the feeling of the unknown. Whether it’s through our closets or homes, a little exploration through style is always well warranted, too. Nature and travel often serve as some of the best sources of inspiration for stimulating design, such as this Fitzroy Sofa by Brabbu Design Forces inspired by Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia. This month’s C’est la VIE is all about exploring the bounds of comfort and design, old and new. We hope these pieces inspire you to wander stylishly through life.
1
Feeling Fitzroy
Fitzroy Corner Sofa by Brabbu Design Forces Price on request – Brabbu.com 106 | O C T OBE R 2 021
2
Tide Me Over
Yachts: The Impossible Collection $895 – Assouline.com
Gallivant in Green
3
Safiyaa Tomesha Cape-Effect Belted Stretch-Twill Gown $1,255 – NET-A-PORTER.com
Modern Femme
4
Cult Gaia Zadie Sandal $428 – CultGaia.com
5
Fragrant Foliage
Stoneglow Urban Botanics Tumbler Candle in Coconut & Lime Zest $58 – AMARA.com
Ocean Eyes
6
Oliver Peoples Remick Aviator-Style Acetate and Silver-Tone Sunglasses $435 – NET-A-PORTER.com
7
Tuned Out
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ Adaptive Noise Canceling Wireless Earphones $399 – Bang-Olufsen.com
Tote-ally in Season
8
Chloé Woody Medium LeatherTrimmed Cotton-Canvas Tote $950 – NET-A-PORTER.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 107
C’est la vie
Butterfly Away
9
Koket Nymph Chandelier Price on request – ByKoket.com
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10
Cutout Cutie
Cult Gaia Jana Knit Dress $498 – CultGaia.com
Pouch Perfect
11
Anke Drechsel Madame Bovary Cosmetic Pouch $115 – Aerin.com
Relaxing in Rose
12
Maiden Home The Muir Sofa $4,200 – MaidenHome.com
Cherry Picked
13
Tom Ford Beauty Eau de Parfum – Lost Cherry, 100ml $500 – NET-A-PORTER.com
See You Later!
15
CoAway Luggage The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition $565 – AwayTravel.com
14
Touch of Turquoise
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Celine Bar Cabinet $2,700 – MGBWhome.com
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PROJECT: VIE Magazine Headquarters, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida ARCHITECT: Gerald Burwell FURNISHINGS: Modern Interiors, Miramar Beach, Florida
A MODERN WORK SPACE
114 Logan Lane, Suite 4, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 BurwellAssociates.com | (850) 231-6377 Florida LIC AA0003613
OPENING OCTOBER 2021
MODUS LIMITED EDITION
ModusPhotography.com
@ modusphoto
39 Logan Ln #9, Grayton Beach, FL 32459
Le monde
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is now open to the public with enhanced safety measures for patrons and staff. Visit NMAAHC.si.edu to learn more or plan a trip.
Le monde GOES ROUND AND ROUND
Photo by Alan Karchmer, courtesy of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, pays tribute to African Americans throughout history and their contributions to society. Given the past year’s events surrounding racial justice in America, the widespread need for education on African American history is more crucial than ever. The museum’s current exhibits include Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers jersey and a portrait of Breonna Taylor by renowned artist Amy Sherald. It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture, making it a distinctive experience for those visiting the nation’s capital. The mesmerizing structure opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the nineteenth and newest branch of the Smithsonian Institution.
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POINT BREAKS & PROVIDENCE SURFING EL SALVADOR
BY SHANE REYNOLDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONAH ALLEN
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YOU’RE GOING WHERE?? OH MY GOD, BE CAREFUL! That was the typical reaction I got when I started planning my first trip to El Salvador back in 2015. But that was exactly why I wanted to go. Not because I’m a glutton for punishment, but because showing the beauty of “dangerous” or “scary” places is what I do for a living. And, well, I also love to surf. But let’s start at the beginning. I officially started my production company, Color Earth, in 2001 with an intent to explore the brighter side of the world’s darker corners. The goal was to inspire others to reach beyond their comfort zones to make traveling to unusual places feel less, well, unusual. Personally, I wanted to find adventure, which always tends to involve the water in some way. Twenty years and sixty countries later, I think I’ve seen a few gems—and El Salvador tops the list.
When I first searched El Salvador online, I literally could not find a positive word about it. According to the media, this was an epicenter for violence and danger. But I had explored every country south of El Sal in Central America, so I knew it had to be a pretty place. I also knew that there were endless right point breaks and fewer tourists—to a regular foot surfer from Florida, that’s the holy grail—and it was just a cheap three-hour flight away. So, as an experienced traveler, this was a risk worth taking, especially when you realize that there isn’t a country on earth immune to danger. What I found in El Salvador was well beyond a tropical destination with perfect waves. I was welcomed warmly into a culture that was starving to show visitors what the media had been ignoring all along. It was a surfer’s paradise that offered far more than surfing. So, I’ve spent the last six years going back with various surf buddies and even my wife and daughter (who was three at the time). Every person I’ve brought down there has returned at least once. Some are even regular fixtures now.
Chance Stone, Shane Reynolds, and Tim Malambri reading the surf at Playa Las Flores in El Salvador in the summer of 2021 V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 115
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Right: Tim Malambri, Jonah Allen, Marcos Bigueur, Chance Stone, and Shane Reynolds at Playa Las Flores
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Photo by a Salvadoran local
o change things up on my eighth and latest visit, I structured a special crew. After all, those you travel with can be as important as where you travel—in many cases, more so. First to commit was Tim Malambri (a.k.a. El Jefe), a powerful surfer (in his sixties) who sells yachts for Galati; he had been to El Sal only once before with me on a quick strike mission in 2020. Tim’s friend, Chance Stone, a stylish surfer and former surf shop owner in Panama City Beach (in his fifties), was the second to sign on for his first look at El Sal. Finally, first-timer Jonah Allen, an energetic, well-traveled surfer (in his twenties) and renowned photo artist from the 30-A area, rounded out the group. I’ve found that if you keep it to four (or fewer) like-minded people, the generation gaps tend to create a bonding environment of unique perspectives, meaningful moments, and inside jokes that put the “rad” in camaraderie. Yes, a few dad jokes get snuck in there too. Then comes the “itinerary,” which is a scary word when it comes to a surf trip. There aren’t many surfers more surf starved than the ones who reside in the Sunshine State. That’s why the typical travel cycle for us is (1) surf, (2) eat, (3) sleep, (4) repeat. But in El Salvador, there’s a fifth element: explore. With typical onshore winds messing with the surf in the middle of the day and world-class excursions nearby, including Mayan ruins, volcanos, waterfalls, and wildlife, there is legitimate adventure abounding in and out of the water. So, yeah, that much moving will cut into your hammock time, but you’d be a kook not to take advantage of it. Our dry outings for this expedition included looking at the marine sanctuary on the far western end of the country and the volcanic islands in the Gulf of Fonseca on the far eastern end. We took a four-by-four up to the top of the Conchagua volcano for breathtaking views and walking tours along the crystal clear El Jocotal Lagoon. But the unanimous favorite was going deep into the rain forest to see the spider monkey sanctuary in Bahia de Jiquilisco. As I got to know Pancho, the alpha male, and Maria, the alpha female (who was really running the show), I could only smile at how this tight-knit community of monkeys mirrored the same immaturity and laughs as the crew I was traveling with. But that’s no surprise when you are operating on the pure stoke of perfect waves from the moment you arrive. 116 | O C T OBE R 2 021
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WHEN YOU SURF AND ALL THE ELEMENTS COME TOGETHER IN FAVOR OF PERFECTION, GRATITUDE IS A VERY EASY THING TO RECOGNIZE— AND EVEN EASIER TO EXPRESS.
Shane Reynolds drops into a bomb at Punta Mango. Photo by a Salvadoran local Left: One of the locals at the spider monkey sanctuary in Bahia de Jiquilisco
With an established home base in the family-owned Esencia Nativa hotel, nestled between the reeling right point break and river mouth A-frame (a peaky wave shaped like an “A”) of El Zonte, just an hour from the San Salvador airport. We caught some fun head-high waves before branching out to more renowned spots like K59 and Punta Roca. Then, with the swell building to a peak of nine to eleven feet with an interval of nineteen seconds (we are lucky to get four feet at eight seconds in Florida!), we headed southeast to catch the world-class waves of Las Flores and Punta Mango (my favorite wave on earth). To say that we scored would be an understatement. At one point, Tim and I scratched (paddled our asses off to avoid being caught inside the barrel) over a set so big and perfect that it was forever burned into our memory as momentous—and we didn’t even ride one. But for every wave of that set we missed, there were a dozen more that we screamed to each other down the line for, throwing shakas to the sky. When you surf and all the elements come together in favor of perfection, gratitude is a very easy thing to recognize—and even easier to express. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 117
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The point at Playa Las Flores
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hroughout my years of exploring El Salvador, I’ve made friends who feel like family, among both the Salvadorans and my travel companions. I have surfed waves that I dreamed about while growing up on the Gulf Coast. I have seen the country grow from less of a third-world country to more of an exciting tourist destination. I’ve scored incredible photos and videos of my best sessions, thanks to all the local shooters out there every day working to make a living. I have avoided any dangerous
situations (minus a bad wipeout into the rocks now and then), and I continuously find myself surprised at what this small Central American country brings to the table of beauty, culture, and adventure—despite the lack of credit given to it. I’m not gonna lie, though—if you want to keep thinking El Salvador is too dangerous to visit, go right ahead. More for me. ¡Salud!
Visit ColorEarth.tv to learn more about Shane Reynolds and YouTube.com/ShaneReynolds to see more from his travels. To see more work by photographer Jonah Allen, head to JonahAllen.com.
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BRINGING THE WORLD HOME
Interview by Emme Martin Photography courtesy of d-raw studios
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THE TERM TRAVEL STARTS TO
Set against a secluded bay, Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas is nestled on a hillside on the beautiful northern coast of Crete.
reenter our vocabularies, we remember why we love it. Immersing ourselves in a new environment reinvigorates our curiosity for the world and evokes a sense of wonder. Fresh aromas and sights seem to have a way of allowing us to step out of our mundane ways and simply be present. The lack of travel this past year has led many to try and recreate this feeling at home. No one understands creating a resort feel better than London-based architectural collective d-raw studios, the interior design team behind the leading Cretan resort, Daios Cove. We talked to d-raw studios about the design process of Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas and how you can still “travel” through design in your own home. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 121
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VIE:
What makes Daios Cove unique from other resorts in Greece?
d-raw: Daios Cove is completely site-specific; it’s grounded in the unique heritage and traits of the location, conceived to feel and function like a village destination, not a traditional hotel complex. Exemplifying this are its five levels built around a natural amphitheater-like arrangement that rises from a sandy bay, flanked by the privacy of rocky cliffs on both sides. It’s like stepping into a secluded Cretan hamlet.
We felt it was imperative to take an “art of placemaking” approach, so there’s a subtle sense of immersion already in play the moment visitors arrive. That’s signaled very literally as you come through an entrance almost entirely hidden to the outside world—the antithesis of conventional hotel lobbies, which tend to broadcast their locality with a not-so-seductive shout. VIE: How does respect for the natural environment enhance the design aesthetic?
Daios Cove is minimalist, modern, and chic with a carefully curated designer style.
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The power of nature is so potent here—the light, the heat, the sounds, and the smells—and we wanted to plug into that energy and sense of mystery. Tell us about the importance of sustainability in the design.
VIE:
Nature provided both the design cues and the context for Daios Cove. Here, creating a sense of harmony with the natural environment—specifically the incredible beauty of the Aegean Sea, the rugged landscape, and the clandestine coves of Crete—really led the architectural and design thinking. The colors of the sea, the angles and contours, the inherent d-raw:
Every part of the design accentuates or enhances the incredible surroundings, so no standard design treatments or features were concocted to be readily transferable to another resort somewhere else. Instead, it’s full of small nods and design cues intended to reveal special elements—the secrets, if you like—of the cove.
privacy and drama of the cliffs, and the local flora and fauna inspired the color palette and materials we used. They also gave us a baseline narrative, a sort of cinematic understanding of how the ambience should be, which was really critical.
Sustainable design solutions underpin a lot of the architectural thinking at Daios Cove, driven by the desire to preserve its incredible natural gifts and present a design that could be a benchmark for eco-hospitality. In addition to making a conscious
d-raw:
Left: The resort’s architecture has been crafted from the natural environment. It recently underwent an extensive renovation and enhancement conducted by London architecture firm d-raw studios. Below: Each room and common area of Daios Cove offers a distinct indoor-outdoor sensibility, blending the accommodations and the environment.
THE POWER OF NATURE IS SO POTENT HERE—THE LIGHT, THE HEAT, THE SOUNDS AND THE SMELLS—AND WE REALLY WANTED TO PLUG INTO THAT ENERGY AND SENSE OF MYSTERY. decision to use local materials throughout, we were very lucky because numerous initiatives, particularly concerning water conservation, were already underway. Most notably, the resort has its own desalination plant that provides all running water to the cove. The plant is a feat of engineering that avoids using local water reserves; the need to circumvent depleting local resources often gets overlooked in hotel design. Additionally, all the wood has been locally sourced and treated to allow it to “gray” gracefully, advocating for the beauty and allure of organic aging. Other (also local) materials include antique terra-cotta, fluted traditional limestone, calacatta oro marble, polished brass, blackened steel, and chevron-patterned teak marquetry.
key to retaining the multilevel structure. When the resort was created in 2010 by Athens-based 3SK Stylianidis Architects, they’d already established a design that respected that lineage, creating an amphitheater-like curve of villas and other spaces that follow the natural incline of the terrain to give an unimpeded view across the bay.
VIE: What was the inspiration behind the multilevel architectural design?
VIE: What inspired the emphasis on indoor-outdoor living at Daios Cove?
The historical, archaeological significance of the site—it includes an ancient Roman quarry—was
d-raw:
d-raw:
We wanted to honor those key elements of the original design and build on them, so we worked with that sweeping half-moon contour and continued to develop the green, bio-rich rooftops of the rooms. It ensures the built environment blends into its natural surroundings even further as time goes by.
Treating the outdoors as a space in its own right has always been a vital tenet of the joys of V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 123
Left: Every aspect of the design and programming at Daios Cove, from the infinityedge pool to the spa facilities, the use of locally sourced building materials, and the focus on seasonal local ingredients in all its dining establishments, draws inspiration from Crete and keeps sustainability in mind.
Mediterranean living. It’s part of the very seductive notion of an endless summer, so it was a logical focus for us to accentuate the idea of a blended indooroutdoor experience. We wanted visitors to be able to breathe in and soak up the colors, scents, and 180-degree views of the Aegean Sea even when they weren’t entirely outdoors. A great example is a poolside beach bar, sun terrace, and dining space halfway up the cliff face. It features a wooden pagoda and a cluster of low-level cabanas, blending “inside” and “outside” to create a convergence of the senses. VIE:
How has the pandemic affected the redesign?
We completed the redesign pre-pandemic, but a lot of the work champions sentiments that have become much stronger since distancing: the greater desire to connect with nature, the thrill of heightened sensory experiences, and a sense of calm amid an escape. These were important pre-COVID, but now they feel absolutely vital.
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VIE: Tell us more about the gastronomic experience offered at Daios Cove.
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d-raw: The design for The Beach House, the Ocean Level restaurant, and the Culinary School (the first of its kind beyond Paris) were all crafted in collaboration with Ducasse Conseil, a catering consultancy helmed by the Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. They aim to take fine dining on Crete to new gastronomic heights. At the core of this is a series of menus designed to raise the visibility of Crete’s rich culinary heritage. The island sits at the crossroads of three continents, surrounded by four seas, and bears cultural influences from several civilizations, providing plenty of opportunity for incredible fusions.
When planning the Culinary School, we traveled to Alain Ducasse’s training school in Paris to observe the team there and reimagine the kitchen workshop interiors for the resort. We adapted the Daios Cove space to specifications so they’d be perfectly conducive to creating the optimum cooking experience (just as they are in Paris), but with our stylistic amends. These included hydraulic tables that allow students to cook while standing and sample/dine when seated, matching the overarching aesthetic of Daios Cove. Tell us about the decision to make the pool emerald green and the use of color throughout the hotel.
VIE:
The decision to make the pool emerald green was also part of the focus on blending the natural world and the man-made environment. Breaking away from the “piscine blue” usually used for pool tiles is surprisingly rare, but that color felt far too clinical for Daios Cove. Instead, we retiled the entire pool so the interior exudes a wonderfully rich viridescence. The emerald tiles subtly darken the color of the water, creating a seamless match to the Aegean Sea directly beyond it, so there’s a sense of swimming out into the ocean—no limits, blissful freedom. We echoed that same beautiful green in the mosaic jade stone and crackle-glazed porcelain tiles in other areas of the hotel.
d-raw:
VIE: How does the design of the GOCO Spa encourage optimal relaxation?
A number of rejuvenating elements in the design of the GOCO Spa promote that sought-after feeling of ultimate relaxation. Serene color schemes, soothing scents in the air, and music to calm the nervous system all set the tone for the perfect spa day. The spacious 146-square-meter heated pool for swimming and hydro movement, as well as a 94-square-meter vitality pool, bring the
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impactful way to emulate a resort feel, especially for anyone with green fingers. Smell is one of the most evocative senses, and for Daios Cove, the key scents we chose were honeysuckle jasmine and lemon blossom.
swings! Color (see above for the importance of emerald green at Daios Cove) and design treatments that you can adapt to any size space, such as beautiful tiling, can also work exceptionally well in invoking a sense of place.
VIE: What are some of the mood-enhancing elements of the gardens throughout the hotel?
VIE:
Do you have any advice for our readers on how they can still “travel” through design?
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d-raw: The destination’s landscaping is critical because of the joyous combination of colors and scents and the use of lush foliage to create pockets of privacy. Native fan palms, banana leaves, and regal birds of paradise weave between the apartments and restaurant spaces, so visitors are always extremely close to some degree of sensory delight, whether it be stimulating or calming.
d-raw: This is an interesting question because of the shift we’ve seen over the last eighteen months. At the start of the pandemic, the major focus was on nesting—to an extent, escapism via retreat and cocooning at home—whereas it’s now much more about wanting to adapt your personal space to expand your horizons, including adding reminders of amazing travel experiences.
VIE: What are some tips for our readers to create the resort feel in their own homes?
For some people, this might happen through scent, plants, or flowers. For others, it could be more extensive, something that emulates resort-like amenities—for instance, building an outdoor dining or fire pit area, maybe even with hand-crafted oversize
d-raw: The aforementioned power of scent, or olfactory design, is probably the most instant and
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Venetian As intrepid voyagers venture safely back out into the world, travelers to Venice will find plenty of room to explore this magical seaport city and the surrounding Veneto region as Italy welcomes visitors again without the usual throngs of tourists. Enchanting Views of Venice One of the most elegant ways to truly experience Venice, the City of Water, is from the water aboard the Uniworld S.S. La Venezia. This sleek river ship cruises along ancient canals past Renaissance and Gothic palaces and out to a wide lagoon dotted with picturesque islands and fishing villages. After a complete renovation in 2020, Uniworld welcomed S.S. La Venezia as the fleet’s newest oneof-a-kind floating luxury hotel.
Right: The luxurious Uniworld S.S. La Venezia river ship offers passengers an unforgettable way to explore the city of Venice and its myriad waterways. 126 | O C T OBE R 2 021
The river ship is a jewel box of design elements inspired by the artistry of Northern Italy. Murano glass chandeliers, gilded decor accents, mosaic tiles, and rich Fortuny fabrics create an onboard atmosphere of elegance and nostalgia. The size of the ship is intimate, with fifty-seven luxuriously appointed staterooms and six suites. But the 126 or fewer guests on board will find everything they need, from cocktails and entertainment in Hari’s Bar and Lounge to multicourse dining paired with exceptional wines in the Ristorante Rialto. There’s a small spa and a well-equipped fitness room with water level views. Atop the 360-foot length of the ship, the Lido di Venezia sundeck is outfitted
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C ity By Carolyn O’Neil | Photography courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 127
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with comfortable seating shaded from the sun to feel sea breezes, sip an Aperol Spritz, and gaze at the passing scenery. Guests are transported even while they’re sleeping, thanks to the handcrafted Savoir beds in each stateroom. Marble bathrooms are outfitted with Asprey bath and body products. An onboard staff of over forty ensures excellent service, but guests can ultimately thank Bea and Toni Tollman, the mother-daughter duo overseeing every detail of each Uniworld family-owned boutique river cruise experience.
Venturing into Venice
Above and right: S.S. La Venezia is an architecturally stunning vessel whose interiors and amenities are just as lovely as its destinations. 128 | O C T OBE R 2 021
A photographer’s dream, the beauty of Venice is magnified by the brilliant reflections of its bell towers and red-roofed palaces cascading across the waters that surround and entwine this city built on one hundred plus small islands. There are no roads, only canals that pulse with the daily activity of water taxis, gondolas, and all manner of little boats delivering the mail, groceries, and other needed supplies, not to mention performing the necessary business of garbage collection. This ancient network of canals winds through Venice, a city of over four hundred footbridges and a labyrinth of winding alleyways.
Expert-guided walking tours on Uniworld’s visit include the must-see fourteenth-century art-filled Doge’s Palace and the expanse of Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square) with its colossal bell tower, Campanile di San Marco, the tallest structure in the city.
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he capital of the Veneto region, Venice has a history that comes alive with every footstep as you wander and wonder at the architectural gems and learn stories of the lives lived and lost in this magically unique destination. Expert-guided walking tours on Uniworld’s visit include the must-see fourteenth-century art-filled Doge’s Palace and the expanse of Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square) with its colossal bell tower, Campanile di San Marco, the tallest structure in the city. Today, visitors will find shorter lines to climb the tower and plenty of room to take photos in the piazza as Venice is just awakening to the new reality of far fewer tourists. The pigeons that once flocked here to perch on outstretched hands for a vacation photo and a bit of corn are mostly gone too, as the practice of selling bird feed was discontinued. Not gone is the chill of walking over the Bridge of Sighs, where doomed prisoners were once led to their death, or the quiet reverence as you absorb the Byzantine architecture of the Basilica di San Marco. One of the perks of being on a luxury river cruise is the connection made to gain special access to popular attractions. S.S. La Venezia passengers were treated to a private after-hours tour of the Basilica di San Marco just at sunset, as the last of the day’s bright rays shot through the windows to illuminate the walls of glittering gold mosaics. Also shimmering at sunset was a thin layer of water across Saint Mark’s Square, a sign of the rising tide and Venice’s love-hate relationship with its watery boundaries. Today, Venetians carry an app on their smartphones alerting them to possible flooding that might mean wearing rain boots that day or, at worst, the possibility of school and event cancellations.
Cruising the Venetian Lagoon A trip to Venice shouldn’t stop at the city limits. Stretching out over 210 square miles, the Venetian Lagoon is a watery world of its own pulsating with classic wooden speed boats, large and small sailing vessels, fishing boats, ferries, and vaporetto water buses making their way from seaport to seaport. Fed by the Adriatic Sea, this shallow saltwater bay is home to the famous handblown-glass factories on the island of Murano and the lesser-known artisan lace makers on the tiny island of Burano with its rainbow of brightly painted houses. At the southern end of the lagoon sits
Above: A morning aerial view over Saint Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy Photo by Ingus Kruklitis/ Shutterstock Left: The famous Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) in Venice with a row of gondolas headed toward Ponte della Canonica in the background Photo by Mirelle/ Shutterstock V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 129
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Above: Venice’s gorgeous Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute as seen from the water at sunset
charming Chioggia, a fishing village where open-air markets are great places to shop for local handicrafts. A day trip from Chioggia takes you to the gastronomic epicenter of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region and the medieval town of Bologna and to Ferrara, just south of the Po River. Ferrara is home to Al Brindisi, the world’s oldest wine bar (founded in 1435), and the not-to-be-missed cappellacci—tortellini pasta filled with pumpkin.
Another trend noted is an uptick in trips planned around enjoying foods and wine. Passengers aboard S.S. La Venezia showed that to be true on their final full day in Venice: they enthusiastically joined the ship’s executive chef on a shopping trip to the city’s iconic Rialto Market. Menu selections of market-fresh octopus and branzino (European sea bass) with local artichokes and tiny seasonal plums were the stars of the gala farewell dinner. The ultimate magic arrived via the dining room windows, where Venice was revealed in all its glory, glistening in the sunset under the light of a rising moon.
Venetian Sunsets
Visit Uniworld.com to learn more about their many cruise offerings or to book your trip of a lifetime!
Travel has changed. Where once it was common to hop from country to country on a European vacation, now it’s often more manageable to navigate one nation at a time due to evolving health regulations. The upside is that it allows time to relax and explore the nuances of a destination when you concentrate your travel time in one place. According to a recent survey by Virtuoso, Italy remains at the top of the list for US travelers even in these changing travel times.
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Carolyn O’Neil is an award-winning Atlanta-based food writer who specializes in culinary travel and healthy lifestyles. She believes that travel is the ultimate way to learn about the people of the world and that cuisine is the most exciting way to learn about their histories and cultures. Visit her blog at TheHappyHealthyKitchen.com.
L’intermission
Swimming Elephants Renowned photographer Jody MacDonald spent a week with Rajan and his caretaker, Nazroo. The pair had been together for over thirty years. She remarks how their strong bond left an indelible impression on her. Visit JodyMacDonaldPhotography.com to read more of Rajan’s story. Photo by Jody MacDonald
Before 2002, ten Asian elephants were brutally forced to learn how to swim in the Indian Ocean to bring logged trees to nearby boats off the Andaman Islands. Logging was banned in the area in 2002, and the elephants, including Rajan, who is pictured here, lived out their retirement walking through the forest and swimming in the ocean on their terms. Award-winning photographer Jody MacDonald remarkably captured sixty-year-old Rajan on one of his weekly swims several years ago. Rajan
Love, VIE xo
passed away in 2016. He likely was one of the last swimming elephants in the world. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 131
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M EM O RI E S I write about my life in Africa because my father didn’t write about his. The day he spent telling me stories, ranging from receiving his last rites at twenty-two to being the last American in eastern Nigeria during the Biafran War, I saw a movie in my mind. I wondered why he’d never shared any of this with me before. He was dying of cancer, and we spent a day traveling through South Carolina from Hilton Head to Charleston, then to Savannah, Georgia, and back again to Hilton Head. In the seven hours that I drove, he talked. I knew I should take notes, or better yet, record him, but all I could do was listen.
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H
e told me about safaris from another era, long before big game animals in Africa were becoming extinct. He shot a charging elephant, gazelles, ostriches, and the most dangerous animal of all, a Cape buffalo. Nothing went to waste. We ate the gazelle meat, my mother had an ostrich purse made, and the Africans used every part of the rest of the animals.
My father earned a reputation as the Great White Hunter. This legend was born the day he accidentally shot two gazelles through the lungs with one bullet. The fact that the animals were lined up one behind the other didn’t matter to the Somalian hunting guides. They were convinced that my father was a god, a man who divined what was happening and how to handle it. He told them it was an accident, that he didn’t know there were two gazelles. But from that moment on, he was invited to the opulent safaris usually booked exclusively by wealthy Europeans. In addition to hunting the exotic (not yet endangered) African animals, it was a week living like no other: sleeping tents, eating tents, and multicourse dinners; cigar smoking and cognac drinking in the African bush; an atmosphere of gorgeous, seductive, often menacing wildlife, including a charging elephant ready to run over the only tree separating him from my father. Later on, he described his time at the University of Chicago, listening to Louis Armstrong play the trumpet at nightclubs and learning from Enrico Fermi, the physicist known for developing the first nuclear reactor. My father tried to get me interested in quantum theory and nuclear physics by giving me Scientific American magazines during my youth. I was more concerned with making a friend before we moved again. After Chicago, he attended Columbia and drove an MG packed with two tuxedos (in case one of his friends forgot theirs). He lived in Greenwich Village with his vast record collection—a library that grew substantially throughout his life. It became large enough to cover several walls from floor to ceiling in our African houses. That’s when I learned about western music—at the age of nine in the off-beat Nigerian city of Enugu. I listened to music with my father at night after dinner, and later on, we listened to the opera every Saturday in Liberia. Knowing he was dying of cancer at age sixty, he tried to make me feel better by saying he’d lived on borrowed time since he fell mysteriously ill at age twenty-two. He was sick enough that his parents traveled from Connecticut to Fort Benning, Georgia, and he received his last rites there while he was a Green Beret and an Army Ranger. He shared aspects of CIA life: how spies recruit agents and deliver secrets and what happens when you have a dozen names. I learned the depth of my father’s love for Beethoven’s late quartets, his secrets for hosting the most sought-after parties, and his wiring abilities honed at the American Embassy offices so his cohorts could listen to his music. Unfortunately, he died a few weeks after our drive before I could put any of his stories to paper in his words.
I WISH MY FATHER HAD WRITTEN HIS STORIES DOWN BECAUSE HIS LIFE WAS FROM ANOTHER ERA, SHARED BY FEW OTHERS. I WRITE ABOUT MINE BECAUSE I WANT MY GRANDCHILDREN TO KNOW ABOUT MY GIRLHOOD THAT IS SO DIFFERENT FROM THEIR UPBRINGING.
My memories are different from his because I was a child in Africa. I wish my father had written his stories down because his life was from another era, shared by few others. I write about mine because I want my grandchildren to know about my girlhood that is so different from their upbringing. A strange part of my African life was returning to the United States every two years for vaccinations and my father’s new posting. Africa was not a foreign continent to me; it was the only normal part of life within my crazy family. In Africa, I felt free, accepted, and stable. In America, I found the streets too wide. Instead of flame trees stretched across dirt roads, billboards crowded the sides of highways. I found the grocery stores weird. How many choices of dry cereal does a human need? I wondered at the time. And without our staff to play with, I had to be more dependent on my unstable mother. I had no idea how to connect to American children my age. When they asked me if I chased lions away from our house, I wanted to cry. I felt separate and estranged in this country.
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I AM BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF GRANDPARENTS. WE CAN REPORT ON ANOTHER ERA, AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN THINK IT’S FASCINATING. THEY MAY BE THE ONES TO TRAVEL THROUGH OUR MEMORIES AND RECORD OUR STORIES FOR US.
W
e never visited America long enough for me to get a better understanding of life there. My ideas exploded when I left Liberia to attend St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. Before the term was ever used in this country, I considered myself African American. But when I said hello to the Black students at St. Paul’s, I couldn’t seem to make a connection. They hardly ever said hello back to me and gave me strange looks when I sat down beside them in the school cafeteria. It took me two decades to get used to America. Diplomats are sent overseas to places so different and difficult that some countries are labeled “hardship” assignments. Languages, customs, manners, the role of women, the style of dress—every prior view requires an adjustment. Growing up in many of these countries, the customs and people were familiar to me, and I also realized that humans everywhere have the same needs, desires, and concerns. At thirteen, my Chinese friend and I couldn’t speak one another’s languages, yet we played tennis every week and could understand each other well. When she spoke and her mother translated her Chinese sentences, I usually guessed what she’d said. My life in Africa was a long time ago, and large chunks of my memory lay dormant. When my eldest granddaughter, Anna, was born, some memories began to return. When I cared for her, I saw flashes from my life when I was her age. Sometimes I thought these memories could not be real, but they came, some strange and unsettling, and pieces of my past returned. When Anna turned four, I wanted to tell her my stories. She brought back my girlhood feelings.
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I was born in Beirut, the Paris of the Middle East. Naturally, I don’t remember Beirut or anything about Libya either. I cannot recall Tripoli or Benghazi where I lived when I was two and three, respectively. My memory starts in Somalia. When Anna tells me her favorite color is pink and she wishes her house was painted pink, I know exactly what she means. I lived in a pink house—pale pink surrounded by a walled garden covered with bougainvillea vines. The house sat on top of the highest hill in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. I don’t remember the Paris of the Middle East, but Mogadishu was Paris to me. The whole city lay below our house, and I could stand outside the gate and watch everything. Camels walked through the streets. The world’s most beautiful women balanced pots on their heads and babies on their backs, and the Indian Ocean shimmered in the distance. Anna is the eldest of my eight grandchildren and she is still curious about my childhood. I am beginning to understand the important role of grandparents. We can report on another era, and our grandchildren think it’s fascinating. They may be the ones to travel through our memories and record our stories for us.
Suzanne Pollak, a mentor and lecturer in the fields of home, hearth, and hospitality, is the founder and dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. She is the coauthor of Entertaining for Dummies, The Pat Conroy Cookbook, and The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. Born into a diplomatic family, Pollak was raised in Africa, where her parents hosted multiple parties every week. Her South Carolina homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal Mansion section and Town & Country magazine. Visit CharlestonAcademy.com or contact her at Suzanne@CharlestonAcademy.com to learn more.
LEADER IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE
THEPREMIERPROPERTYGROUP.COM | 850.337.1555 SEACREST BEACH | WATERCOLOR | DESTIN
C H R I ST I A N S I R I A N O S P R I N G / S U M M E R ’ 2 2 R U N WAY S H OW “In a time when so many of us need an escape from the world, fashion is a great place to explore,” says award-winning designer and CFDA member Christian Siriano. For his Spring/Summer 2022 line that debuted at New York Fashion Week on September 7, he says, “I was inspired by the Italian women in my life. The old photographs of my grandmother in the 1960s and ’70s on holiday in Positano wearing her apricot-orange dress inspired an Italian coastal collection filled with color and joy.” A full house and celebrity-stacked front row at Gotham Hall swooned as pop sensation MARINA performed live during the presentation wearing a custom fringe jacket and skirt by Siriano.
MARINA and Christian Siriano with the models of Siriano’s Spring/Summer ’22 runway show Photo by Kevin Tachman 136 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Aquaria, Leah McSweeney, Lil’ Kim, Alicia Silverstone, Katie Holmes, Kristin Chenoweth, and Busy Philipps Photo by Leandro Justen
Kristin Chenoweth Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
MARINA performs Photo by Mike Coppola/ Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Alicia Silverstone, Christian Siriano, and Busy Philipps
Christian Siriano and Katie Holmes
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
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Photo by Mike Coppola/ Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Christian Siriano
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La scène
Le Bilboquet Sag Harbor and yacht membership club Barton & Gray joined Out East for its second Ladies Who Launch luncheon on July 15.
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?? Lydia Fenet and Sofia Crokos
Lunch at Le Bilboquet Sag Harbor
O U T EAST P R ES E N TS LA D I ES W H O LAU N C H – N EW YO R K Out East, the sustainable female-founded wine brand, partnered with Le Bilboquet Sag Harbor and yacht membership club Barton & Gray for its second edition of the Ladies Who Launch luncheon series on July 15, after a successful launch event in Palm Beach this spring. An intimate Hinckley yacht cruise around Sag Harbor was followed by a beautiful bayside afternoon lunch and wine tasting at exclusive eatery Le Bilboquet. The luncheon series brings together notable female executives and entrepreneurs in an intimate setting to celebrate their achievements and provide a platform for connectivity.
Cori Lee Seaberg, Sofia Crokos, Alyse Ruth, and Amelie Lonergan
Photography by Nick Mele
Sofia Crokos, Alexis Moses, Sarah Wetenhall, Lydia Fenet, and Cori Lee Seaberg
Out East founder Cori Lee Seaberg
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Volunteers unload donations at Food For Thought Outreach for the nonprofit’s annual Stock the Pantry food drive. 140 | O C T OBE R 2 021
Food For Thought founder Tiffanie Nelson
The Ohana Institute donated over 6,500 food items.
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties raised nearly $60,000 and donated food items.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT OUTREACH STOCK THE PANTRY 2021 Northwest Florida nonprofit Food For Thought Outreach recently hosted its annual food drive and fund-raiser, Stock the Pantry, which culminated on August 27. Community teams worked throughout the summer to raise money and gather food items to help FFT prepare for the school year when it serves over 3,400 students in Okaloosa and Walton Counties who are dealing with food insecurity. Stock the Pantry raised over $208,000 and 36,800 food items this year! The team from Legendary Marine donated the most food, over 10,000 items. The Seaside Style team raised the most money with nearly $68,000.
Seaside Neighborhood School principal Kim Mixson; The school donated over 3,700 food items.
Photography by 20/30north Studios The team from Legendary Marine donated over 10,000 food items.
Emme Martin, Kelly Curry, Jordan Staggs, Lisa Burwell, and Gerald Burwell of VIE; VIE magazine donated around 1,500 food items.
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La scène Coach Spring/ Summer ’22 Photo by Dan Lecca
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PatBO Spring/ Summer ’22 Photo by Dan Lecca
Kelly Curry, Jordan Staggs, and Emme Martin of VIE with Christian Siriano, Benjamin King, and VIE’s Christian Siriano Runway Show Ticket Giveaway winners Sara Frankino and Elizabeth Zeng
Coach Spring/ Summer ’22 Photo by Dan Lecca
Designer Romey Roe and model Maleena Pruitt
N E W YO R K FA S H I O N W E E K SPRING/SUMMER ’22 Designers and fashion labels pulled out all the stops for their runway presentations at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer ’22 in early September. Following a year of chaos, the storied event brought a breath of fresh air and familiarity to the city as fashion lovers, buyers, designers, models, celebrities, and press flocked to shows across Manhattan and beyond. This year, many designers opted for outdoor venues and unique runway setups to accommodate social distancing, sparking new creative alternatives to the traditional catwalk.
Alessandra Ambrosio models for PatBO Photo by Dan Lecca
Coach Spring/ Summer ’22 Photo by Dan Lecca
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Meredith Neese, Heather Cleveland, and Dana Hahn
Christine Tarpey, Better Together Beverage
Y PWC H OSTS K I N D N E S S FO R K AT H E R I N E
Blake Jones, Jonathan Thomas Page, Dave King, and Gavin Young
The atmosphere at SOWAL House
Young Professionals of Walton County (YPWC) hosted an educational evening benefiting Kindness for Katherine on August 11 at SOWAL House creative studio in Rosemary Beach, Florida. The evening featured a happy hour by Better Together Beverage, sushi from Shaka, and programming about the importance of bone marrow donation with speakers from Be The Match and Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast. YPWC board member Katherine Green was diagnosed this year with a rare form of blood cancer called myelodysplastic syndrome and recently underwent a bone marrow transplant to prevent acute myeloid leukemia. Photography by Hunter Burgtorf
Jordan Staggs and Kelly Curry
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Dr. Mose Hayes and Heather Cleveland
E P I S O D E 1 : “ R E S C U E M E ” - w ith La u r ie Hood E P I S O D E 2 : “ V I E A D V E N T U R E S , PA RT 1 ” - w ith Tra c e y T h om a s E P I S O D E 3 : “ P I V OT W I T H Y O U R T R I B E ” - w ith B r ittne y Ke lle y E P I S O D E 4 : “ V I E A D V E N T U R E S , PA RT 2 ” - w ith Jorda n Sta ggs E P I S O D E 5 : “ LO V E T H E R E P ” - w ith B r ook Ste tle r E P I S O D E 6 : “ F I T F O R L I F E ” - w ith Z olta n “ Z oli” Na gy E P I S O D E 7 : “ L I F E I S A B AT T L E F I E L D ” - w ith Ge of f Spe y re r E P I S O D E 8 : “A RT O N T H E S P E C T R U M : S E E I N G W H AT OT H E R S C A N N OT ” - w ith Na th a n A la n Yoa k um E P I S O D E 9 : “A D Y N A M I C D U O : L I V I N G A N A D V E N T U R O U S L I F E ” - w ith Rom ona Rob b ins & Sh a ne Reyn o l d s E P I S O D E 1 0 : “ K E E P I N G T H E A RT S A L I V E I N 2 0 2 1 ” - w ith A le xis Mille r E P I S O D E 1 1 : “ T H E G O D FAT H E R O F N E W U R B A N I S M ” - w ith Rob e r t Da v is E P I S O D E 1 2 : “ D A N C I N G T H R O U G H F I R E ” - w ith Da nie lle Tor le y E P I S O D E 1 3 : “ S U N S H I N E S TAT E O F M I N D ” - w ith B r ia n Ke lle y E P I S O D E 1 4 : “ F E E D I N G A C O M M U N I T Y ” - w ith Tif f a nie Ne ls on E P I S O D E 1 5 : “ FA S H I O N , A RT & M O D E R N D E S I G N ” - w ith Todd D. Re e v e s E P I S O D E 1 6 : “ C H A S I N G W AV E S ” - w ith Jona h A lle n
W AT C H O R L I S T E N T O V I E S P E A K S | C O N V E R S AT I O N S W I T H H E A R T & S O U L L i s t e n o n S p o t i f y | Wa t c h o n Yo u Tu b e | S u b s c r i b e o n i Tu n e s | v i e m a g a z i n e . c o m VIE Speaks Episodes 13 & 16 were produced and filmed at SOWAL House, a production studio and events venue that fosters creative culture on 30A by supporting the individuals who shape it.
“There is nothing quite like climbing to the top of the Alps and looking down upon the earth. Everything in the world suddenly makes sense.” —Anonymous Visit MySwitzerland.com to discover more. Photo by Martin Maegli © Switzerland Tourism
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Petite pause
Above the Alps
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The Last Word
Solution on next page
TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION BY MYLES MELLOR
ACROSS
DOWN
1 5 8 9 10 12 13 16 17 18 19 21 24 26 27 29 30 31
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 13 14 15 16 17 20 22 23 25 28
Fun ocean trips Suite spot? Airport shuttle vehicle Relaxing form of transportation Throw stones to bounce on a lake surface Cool Animal you might see on a safari Me-time destination Landscape Special deal Fastest medium for transport Take a hop-on, hop-off tour Large spreading tree Place to stay the night Type of bag for a short trip Nickel, for short Essential Cultural attraction
Vacation home in the hills Luxurious Ride a wave Go downhill fast 50th state (abbr.) Start of a plane trip Flow onto the shore, as a wave Place to go to take it easy Interest rate (abbr.) Aye’s opposite Continental currency Beach area Railroad terminal Many mountains Valley Magnificent bird Flower part Edge of a canyon, say
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The Last Word Puzzle on previous page
“
Some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost. —Erol Ozan
”
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COMING SOON: THE CASANOAH DESIGN OFFICE! Debuting in early 2022 in Rosemary Beach, Florida, the Casanoah Design office will be a beautiful and functional space where clients can meet and consult with our elite team of designers to discuss residential and commercial projects on 30A and beyond.
OTHER SERVICES: EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN 3D RENDERING & VIRTUAL REALITY CONSTRUCTION DRAWING BUILDING MATERIALS CUSTOM FURNITURE HOME STAGING
S H OW R O O M N O W O P E N AT 4 9 3 N O R T H R I C H A R D J A C K S O N B O U L E VA R D , PA N A M A C I T Y B E A C H , F L 32407 O F F I C E C O M I N G S O O N TO 8 2 S O U T H B A R R E T T S Q U A R E , S U I T E 2 G , R O S E M A R Y B E A C H , F L 3 2413
CA S A N O A H D E S I G N G R O U P . CO M | 850-249-1944
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Au revoir!
Lauren Layne is wearing the Mila Top and Jagger Bottoms. Visit LaurenLayneSwim.com or follow on Instagram @laurenlayneswim to see more. Photo by Shay Babb
Au revoir! BEFORE YOU GO . . .
As an internationally sought-after model, Lauren Layne is no stranger to sunbathing on exotic beaches. Years of modeling swimsuits helped fuel her natural love of fashion design, leading her to create the inaugural collection of Lauren Layne Swim in 2018. Layne’s attention to detail, intimate understanding of construction (she sewed her first clothing designs at age thirteen), and instinct for creating eye-catching silhouettes have propelled her collection to become a fast favorite among fashion’s most discerning beach babes.
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THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM Santa Rosa Beach, Florida: (850) 231-3087
1848 E COUNTY HWY 30A UNIT 19 PROPERTY FEATURES: PRICE: $3,995,000 BEDROOMS: 3 FULL BATHS: 3.5 SQ FT: 2,698
GULF-FRONT LIVING ON 30A This incredible WaterColor condominium presents so many coveted options. As a top-level residence, it boasts panoramic views of the beach and Gulf, as well as the Seaside community just 1/4 mile away. A spacious two-story design, a wraparound porch from the south to east, and a parking garage are additional highly sought-after features. One of very few Gulffront opportunities in WaterColor, the property’s neutral spaces and open concept create the perfect canvas for building your ideal 30A retreat!
BRAD DAHLER 850-842-8 800 Brad@bpfla.com 30ARea lEstateFL.com
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