Skimbaco lifestyle issue 3: Coastal Family Summer

COASTAL FAMILY SUMMER

ISSUE 3

2014

JET-setting kids 13 Coastal Family Destinations

ISSUE123 4567890

VOLUME1234567890 2014

SUMMER AND ICE CREAM ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS PHOTO: KATJA PRESNAL

COASTAL FUN WITH THE KIDS School is out!

Do you remember the summer fun you experienced when you were a child? Eating cotton candy at the boardwalk, or at the summer county fairs. Taking bikes rides and digging sand on the beach. What about running barefoot?

In our summer issue, we are featuring some of our favorite coastal towns. We also interviewed 10 jet-setting kids to get their thoughts on traveling.

Even if you don’t have children or your children are grown, we think you’ll still find these summer stories interesting. After all, you are never too old for sunshine, and sand between your toes. Oh, and don’t forget the ice cream.

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WEEKLY FEED EDITOR’S NEWSLETTER.

FOR EDITORIAL REQUESTS, GUEST WRITING O P P O R T U N I T I E S , O R A D V E RT O R I A L I N Q U I R I E S A N D A L L S O RT S O F F E E D B A C K .

E M A I L K AT J A . P R E S N A L @ S K I M B A C O . C O M

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FROM THE EDITOR | KATJA PRESNAL

Welcome summer!

Our family is heading to my parents’ summer house in the archipelago of Turku in Finland this summer. I still cherish the childhood summer memories of sailing in the archipelago, so it only makes sense to take our children back to Finland. It also makes sense to dedicate our summer issue to coastal travel and to family.

This wouldn’t be a real family issue without the help from our families. My favorite feature is an interview spread of 10 kids, all telling their favorite travel tips. It brings me such joy to be able to make the kids the stars of this issue. Our own children helped create this issue. Skimbaco Team’s Leigh Hines’ son and Reeta Laaksonen’s daughter are among the young global citizens interviewed, and my daughter illustrated the feature.

I wish you the same kind of enthusiasm for this summer that you felt when you were a kid and school was out for the summer. I hope you will get to spend as much time as possible with the people that matter you the most.

Enjoy the backyard parties with family and friends, time at the beach and take some bike rides. Speaking of bike rides - read what our team’s Satu Vänskä-Westgarth is up to this summer, and stay tuned for more, in our next issue!

Katja Presnal Editor-in-Chief / Owner of Skimbaco Lifestyle

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ISSUE: COASTAL FAMILY 14

GLOBAL PARTIES: Summer party in

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TRAVEL: The Carolina beaches of

Nantucket Style

the yesteryear

20 INTERVIEWS with 10 Global Citi-

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zens.

destinations in California

(Individual interviews are spread throughout the magazine)

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TRAVEL: Californication: 3 beach

TRAVEL: Galveston, Texas. The little

island that could

Special feature: 13 COASTAL FAMILY DESTINATIONS, From page 29

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TRAVEL: Like a movie scene: Rock-

port, MA.

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TRAVEL: Explore Canada

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IN every issue 51

TRAVEL: Art in Archipelago,

Parainen, Finland.

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TRAVEL: Wild Atlantic Way in Ire-

land.

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FOOD: Coastal food. Catch these sea-

food dishes in your travels.

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Letter from the editor

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COMMUNITY: Featured Skimbacoer

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COMMUNITY: Featured Skimbacoer

83

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FOOD: two summer recipes

ments

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SHOP: Summer love list

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INSPIRATION: My top Skimbaco mo-

Story behind the cover photo

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SKIMBACO TEAM KATJA PRESNAL | editor-in-chief/owner | Sweden Likes cooking big family dinners. Her three children were all born in different countries, within three years. Award winning social media strategist. Unstoppable, making dreams come true.

SATU VÄNSKÄ-WESTGARTH | project manager | Norway Adventure traveling mom. Kayaked around the world. From Finland, currently lives in Norway. Knows travel industry and marketing. Always ready to go to destination unknown and try new outdoor sports.

LEIGH HINES | luxury travel editor | North Carolina, USA Obsessed with luxury hotels and loves the afternoon tea. Former TV journalist. Southern girl who loves everything European. Thinks a good luxury hotel is a destination of its own. Mother of two.

ADRIENNE SHUBIN | fashion writer | California, USA Sonoma chic fashionista who knows how to accessorize. California wine country expert. Visits Paris every year. Lives the rich life on a budget, which is also her blog’s name. She often travels with her dogs.

WES HOLLAND | fashion & men’s lifestyle writer | New York, USA NYU business student. Mover and shaker, champagne lover. Write down his name so you can say you heard about him “already when”. Fashion & luxury lifestyle expert. Preppy jet-setter.

REETA LAAKSONEN | global lifestyle writer | United Kingdom Global luxury lifestyle expert, jet-setter, mother of three. Little known fact: a last minute injury prevented her from being an Olympic athlete. Lived in more countries than most people ever visit. Has extensive business and finance background. ix

FEATURED CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SVITLANA FLOM | entertaining expert | NYC, USA Svitlana Flom, editor-in-chief of Art de Fete www.artdefete.com, is offering elegant entertaining ideas for hosting the perfect summer party. Art de Fete is an informative website that helps women transform their home décor form ordinary to extraordinary.

Get Svitlana’s Nantucket beach house party ideas on page 14.

LAURA JOHANSSON | entrepreneur | FINLAND Laura Johansson was born and raised on the island of Stormälö, in the archipelago of Parainen. She is a social media consultant, a freelance journalist and an entrepreneur at lvngroom.fi/en Singing and photography are her passions.

Read Laura’s favorite thing in her coastal home town on page 46.

TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED BY THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T DO THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID. SO THROW OFF THE BOWLINES, SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR. CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. Mark Twain

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SUMMER PARTY IN NANTUCKET STYLE

An ultimate quintessential summer getaway place in America is the island of Nantucket, off the coast of Cape Cod. The famous and society’s elite have been coming to this beautiful place for decades. I understood the reasons for that after we visited there, and realized that the celebrities and luminaries didn’t flock to this island because of some faux sense of exclusivity but simply because of something the local inhabitants have known for generations – the inescapable magic of Nantucket.

My husband and I have traveled to this island last year and fell in love with the place. Inspired by the island itself, the idea for our first Fête en Blanc, the White Party, was born. Salty ocean air and sizzling summer parties reminiscent of a weekend in the Hamptons inspired our vintage nautical décor for this party.

Read my tips how to achieve the perfect nautical chic look and the warm intimate ambiance for your Nantucket-style summer party.

Text by Svitlana Flom artdefete.com Photos by Katie Kaizer katiekaizerphotography.com 14

COMPASS GUEST TAGS Let these fun compasses serve as an inspiration for your next summer soiree.

Simply attach the tags with your guests’ names with a twine or a nautical style ribbon and let the compass guide them to their table.

WHITE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS White cube vases with the arrangements of blooming hydrangeas, white roses and succulents are a wonderful accent for the escort card table.

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OCEAN BOUNTY INSPIRED TABLE DÉCOR The dining table décor conjures images of ocean’s bounty– the scattered sea shells, pieces of driftwood, sea urchin shaped small votives and nautical lanterns with pillar candles along the center of the table, and adds height variance and different texture. Fresh white flowers like stunning orchids, lush roses and blooming hydrangeas, as well as succulents and sea grass offers depth and dimension to the tablescape.

COLOR ACCENTS The aquamarine bottles, holding the blooming single stems of white hydrangea, add a splash of color to the otherwise one-toned table.

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INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE One long table, warmly lighted by the candlelight is dramatically impressive.

The sounds of guests’ laughter, cheers and the clinking glass exude intimacy, warmth and amity.

ELEGANT DETAIL Having a basket of pashminas in Caribbean blue in the lounge area added another cool element to the party. The pashminas have a functional purpose of keeping the ladies warm in the evening chill and also made a nice party favor.

For more entertaining tips and recipes, please visit www.artdefete.com 18

SPECIAL INTERVIEW FEATURE:

10 GLOBAL CITIZENS

WORLD AS I SEE IT You know when you travel and meet new people, and they ask you “where are you from?” When people ask that question of our family it’s kind of difficult to give a straight answer. Mom is from Finland, Dad from Texas. The kids were born in Finland, Germany and New York, and we currently live in Sweden. It’s enough to confuse anyone.

“At school, I often feel I am different, and more mature than the other kids” said 11year old Kristian when we discussed about our traveling lifestyle.

“Yeah, and we are like witnesses of life, and see it evolve everywhere” said 12year-old Gabriella.

Traveling, and moving to new places is an exciting and adventurous way of life, but it’s not always easy. As parents, we are raising global citizens who have respect for different cultures, religions, and ways of life, and learn as they adjust living their everyday life. On one hand our children have learned to adjust so much that they can feel at home in many places, but when asked about roots, home or truly belonging somewhere, the answer is “Home.

What home?”

We also wanted to hear from other children who also trek the world. We wanted to know how they feel about a nomadic lifestyle, or how travel enriches their lives.

We interviewed 10 traveling kids for this summer issue. Some of the children have lived in the same place all their lives, but have visited over 20 countries whereas some children have moved around the world.

I hope you will take time to read all of the interviews, because they gave us so much to think about. For example when asked what is different between their previous country and the one they are in now, the answer can be something obvious, like people speaking a new language, or something that doesn’t have anything to do with a new culture, like now going to a new school.

The everyday life is very similar around the world, and children can see the cultural differences often only as they apply it in their own daily lives. What unites Maria from Norway, Emma from Canada and Dakota from Australia is their excitement to discover something new, and learn as they travel the world Above all, we all highly recommend taking your entire family for an adventure - together.

Text & interviews by the Presnal family Illustration by Gabriella Presnal

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ANAÏS AGE: 9 Nationality: Finnish and Spanish Lives in: close to London, in UK Countries visited: 14 “I can speak four languages well, and now I also study French and studied German in China.”

Q: You have lived in several countries and in the past two years you have moved from California to China to England. Can you tell some of the biggest differences you have experienced when living in the different countries?

In China the pollution was so bad that we could not go outside often, and it got really cold in the winter. in California and England the air was great and we got to play a lot outside. In California there was almost no sports at school and no breaks. In England we have a lot every day. in every country the school started 8.30, but in England the days are longer. I finish at 4 or 5 if I have a sports club. in China I took a bus to school and it was 45 minutes. Now we live near school.

Q: You have taken tennis classes in Spain, and seen how tea is grown in Sri Lanka. Do you think you have learned things in your travels that you haven't learned at school yet?

Yes, I have learned a lot. In Philippines we saw tarsiers in a sanctuary (they look like little monkeys but they are not monkeys) and they are endangered species. In Sri Lanka I saw lots of elephants in a reserve and saw how mommy and daddy elephant have the baby in the middle so they protect them and then they run really fast past people to go to where the other elephants were. I am studying Sri Lanka at school now and could tell a lot about growing tea that the teacher did not know because we visited the tea factory and plantations.

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P H O T O S : R E E TA L A A K S O N E N | H O U S E O FA N A I S . C O M

Q: You also know several languages. How many languages do you speak and can you tell us what they are? Which one has been the most difficult to learn?

I can speak four well: English, Finnish, Spanish and Chinese. Now I study French at school and in China I studied German.

Chinese is the hardest to learn because you have to remember thousands of characters so you can read and write it. Speaking Chinese is not that hard. I think speaking French is harder because of some of the sounds.

Q: Do you ever feel like "wow, this is really fancy" or "I can't believe I am doing this" in your travels?

We always do some fun things. Sometimes I feel a bit scared. I didn’t want to put my feet in the water first with the fish because they tickle a lot but then I did. It was fun but sometimes a bigger fish bites your toe and it can hurt. In China we were in a hotel that had a piece of old Great Wall and we could go hiking there. It was difficult because it was broken and had lots of bushes growing on it.

Q: If you could send a message to hotel owners, what would you say? How do you think they could do even a better job to make traveling girls like you happy?

I think it would be great to have books, games and sand toys to use. My brother and sister would like to have bath toys also. Once we stayed in a hotel (mom

adds: Kempinski in Beijing) where they brought us a little table and chairs and kids shampoo and all nice things and fruit every day. Then we got backpacks with puzzles, dominoes, coloring books, and all fun stuff.

I liked it a lot. Sometimes the food is not so nice for children and I like a hotel where they bring you milk and cookie and oatmeal in the evening.

In my dream hotel there would be nice warm pool with water slides, playroom, great food for children like fish, but not fish fingers, and broccoli. The little presents they give could be some crafting too. I would love beads and my brother would like a little toy car or a train. Sometimes hotels don’t have big rooms for my family (5 people) and we need two rooms and then we have to run from one room to another and it is not nice.

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BRAD THOMSON AGE: 11 Nationality: American

Currently lives in Malaysia.

Countries visited: 11 “ I picked Italy for our family’s next destination because it’s warm and has a lot of familiar foods like pasta and gelato.”

Q: You moved from Texas to Malaysia three years ago. Can you tell about the similarities and differences between them?

The biggest difference is that there is a lot of authentic Asian food in Malaysia, but in Texas, you only see a lot of Western food.

In Malaysia, there are a lot of fake videogames and consoles. So, I can’t get many games. I miss my friends, house, school, family, and Western food.

and has a lot of familiar foods like pasta and gelato. I looked up “Italy for Kids” on the internet and picked Venice because it has canals, gondolas, and glass-blowing factories.

Q: You are a frequent flier. What kind of tips you have for long flights?

If your flight doesn’t have snacks, bring your own. Don’t eat it all on one flight. If a family member is planning to be awake, ask them to wake you up for meals. If you are taking multiple flights on the same airQ: Can you tell us about your summer line with personal TVs, don’t watch all the travel plans? And how you helped to plan videos you want to watch on one flight. I it? always pack my Nintendo DS with games, The kids got to pick the trip, and my sugges- a USB charger, comic books, and an eye mask. tion won. I chose Italy because it’s warm 23

P H O T O : M I C H E L E C H A N -T H O M S O N | M A L AY S I A N M E A N D E R S . B L O G S P O T. C O M

COCO AGE: 7 Nationality: American Currently lives in Southern California.

Countries visited: 3 “On my birthday, U2 played right in the dining room,.”

Q: You are a true luxury traveler! What feels "luxurious" to you?

Mom, what's luxurious mean?... Oh! I like to dress up fancy when traveling on airplanes. It’s fun to wear 'fashiony' outfits and pack. I want to be a fashion designer who travels to places like London, Paris and Tokyo so I'm practicing. Wheels up!

Q: What are your favorite hotel featured and what's your idea of a perfect hotel?

Bathrooms with TVs and tubs so big you can swim are very fancy. Fluffy pink robes and club lounges like The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles are very oh-la-la. I pretend I'm Eloise. Sunset Marquis has my favorite things: travel, food and rockstars. They have Dave Grohl room keys and the coolest gallery. Cavatina makes the bestest octopus. On my birthday, U2 played right in

the dining room. Rod [GM] is the nicest and Francois let’s me feed the koi. If they had a super giant water slide and snow cones, it would really be PERFECT! Also, the Grand del Mar was SO nice. They heard me say that I wanted to learn how to play golf when we arrived, so they surprised me with my own private lessons with a real golf pro! When I walked into my room at the Montage Beverly Hills, there was the biggest “Welcome, Coco” sign I’ve ever seen!

Q: Where do you hope to visit the next?

The Cove, [Eleuthera, Bahamas] reminds me of my favorite Coldplay song “Parapara-paradise”. I’ve never been to the Caribbean. It’s at the tippy top of my wish list with Italy, Australia and New Orleans."

P H O T O : N I C O L E S TA N D L E Y | J E T S E T FA M . C O M

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HUDSON FELLMAN AGE: 7 Nationality: American Lives in: Costa Rica Countries visited: 5 “I thought about being Superman and I wanted to fly!”

Q: You moved from Los Angeles, California to Costa Rica. Are there some similarities and what’s different?

The thing that is the same are that I have my family with me. We have a two story house. Different is that we go to a different school and there is more greeness, we live closer to the ocean, we have a pool and now we have two dogs. We have some black-outs when the power goes out. It rains more here.

Q: Do you have any tips for long flights?

I have my iPad, paper pencils, crayons, markers and little snacks. Put headphones on so you don’t hear a baby crying. Don’t barf on your Mom. Don’t yell in the plane.

When you go to the bathroom make sure

the other person flushes first. And stay safe.

Q: I heard you like to stick to eating pizza and chicken fingers - is difficult to find them on travels and where was the best pizza you ever had?

The pizza in Costa Rica is not that great. I like to eat chicken fingers, almost every single day. I’ll probably have chicken fingers tonight. The best pizza was in New York City. We ate it sitting on the street!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world – what are some of the places you really want to see?

Italy, Paris, China, Brazil and Egypt. And a few more parts of South America.

P H O T O : A N D R E A F E L L M A N | WA N D E R L U S T L I V I N G . C O M

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MARIA JENSEN AGE: 5 Nationality: Norwegian Lives in: Askøy, in the West Coast of Norway Countries visited: 3 “I like trying new foods on travels, but not shrimps!!”

Q: What is your favorite place you've visited?

Q: What is the weirdest food you have eaten in your travels?

Cyprus. It was fun to play there, I loved all the kittens and the beach was beautiful!

Me and my dad had octopus when we visited Mallorca.

Q: Is there something you don't like about traveling?

Q: Where do you want to go next?

I don’t love to fly, but it is okay... But it gives me a lot of butterflies in my stomach...

Q: If you could go to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Mallorca! I loved it there too!

Q: Do you like tasting the different foods when you travel?

Cyprus! And we are going there this summer!

More global citizen interviews thoughout the magazine!

Yes! But not shrimps...

PHOTO: MONICA JOHANSEN | MONICAJOHANSEN.COM

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FEATURED SKIMBACOER NAME: Reggie Escalante MY BLOG IS: OakleyOC.blogspot.com I’M FROM: Orange County, California, USA

Follow OakleyOC on Instagram!

I AM: I'm referred to as the "Date Doc," serving as a dating/relationship coach to private clients, not unlike the movie, "Hitch."

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST MEANS TO ME: Living the "skimbaco" lifestyle means creating unique memories with my family and friends that encourage others to look around them and embrace the moment, instead of planning for the one perfect moment.

MY LIFE CHANGED WHEN I REALIZED I was diagnosed with a rare condition that was internally destroying me, and that my aging father would outlive me. I found comfort in the dreams/visions I "had" in my senior years when our two boys were already adults, and my wife and I sitting at a sunset remembering all the memories we shared in our lifetime. These dreams reminded me to cherish every moment I have and to skimbaco with family and friends in the process!

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Jamaica I DREAM OF TRAVELING TO: In the short term my family has not yet explored Hawaii. In the medium term we are while working through logistics of the boys' current schooling, Ruth and I plan to relocate to a  different nation, that currently will be officially unnamed until wonderful stories from a close friend living there eventually accelerates our timeline!

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13 COASTAL VACATION SPOTS WITH THE KIDS

The Carolina Beaches of Yesteryear

Text & Photos by Leigh Hines HinesSightBlog.com 29

OLD-FASHIONED IS IN FASHION HERE There is just something about North Carolina beaches that evokes a feeling of tradition. Their beauty remains timeless. Sure, modern development has encroached on the coastline somewhat throughout the years, but for the most part Carolina’s beaches have remained unchanged.

Usually families pick a certain beach they go to each year, and continue going to that destination year after year. North Carolina families don’t tend to switch beach destinations, either, unless it’s for a short weekend. Typically, multi-generational families rent the same beach home year after year, and tradition sets the stage. beach of yesteryear filled with good, family fun. It’s a place where memories are made.

North Carolina’s coastline has few highrises and even fewer larger hotels. The North Carolina has approximately 300 Carolina coastline is about playing on the miles of beautiful coastline for families to beach from sunup to sundown, boiling enjoy. shrimp in your rental, and bicycling to the local ice cream shop after dinner.

On one of your nights of vacation, you have a challenging game of family putt-putt. Topsail Beach is one of the islands that seem to let time stand still. The local church runs a youth group all summer to give the teens coming to the island something to do. The local bookstore and coffee shop has given it a modern edge now with free WiFi and a wine bar at night. But overall, it is still like a

Leigh and her husband’s family have been vacationing at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, for over a decade. Follow Leigh on Instagram this summer as she continues this family tradition in June.

HinesSightBlog on Instagram.

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JACK HINES AGE: 8 Nationality: American Lives in: Raleigh, N.C. “I have not traveled outside the U.S. as of yet, but I want to go to Europe, and start my journey in England.”

Q: Can you tell me of some your travels, and what made them special for you?

Like my Mom, I love checking into a hotel. I really like room service. My favorite places are Biltmore Inn in Asheville because I got to see the Biltmore House, which is really neat. The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia is a cool historic property where Presidents have stayed, and I got to ride Zip, the horse, there. The Primland Resort where this photo was taken is really nice. I found the barrel while on a geo-caching hike with my dad after a picnic lunch. They have ATV’s too.

Q: If you could build your dream hotel, what would be in it?

My dream hotel would be built on a tropical island. It would have a pool, a museum

about the history of the area, a large movie theatre, big TVs in the rooms, and comfy beds.

Q: Do you have any tips for road trips, and what to do on the long rides?

I take a DVD player with me. Bring lots of books with you and don’t bother your sister because that will irritate your parents.

Q: You have also been to DisneyWorld a few times. Would you recommend parents to take their kids to DisneyWorld?

I love the rides, the hotels, and the food at Disney, especially France in Epcot. I love Mickey Pancakes, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mission Space, and Tom Sawyer’s Island. Disney has lots of rides and activities for little and big kids. Parents will enjoy it, too. Don’t delay. Take your kids.

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PHOTO: LEIGH HINES | HINESSIGHTBLOG.COM

HINES SIGHT BLOG LEIGH PUTS A SOUTHERN SPIN ON LIFE AND L O V E S T O PA C K H E R B A G S F O R L U X U RY H O T E L S .

READ MORE ON HER BLOG HINESSIGHTBLOG.COM

CALIFORNICATION Text & Photos by Reeta Laaksonen HouseOfAnais.com

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My three Northern California hot-spots for family beach time are all located along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway 1, which runs from Orange County in greater LA to Mendocino, some 160 miles north of San Francisco. There are numerous captivating places to stop by and here is my top three list for family beach time: Carmel and Half M o o n B a y l o c a t e d s o u t h o f S a n Francisco and the breathtaking Point Reyes National Seashore 40 miles north of SF Bay area.

year you are visiting, but the rugged beauty of the area is breathtaking. This 71000+ acre park area in the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County is a heaven for nature-lovers: this is your destination if you are looking for hiking, spotting whales (in late spring), sea lions, elephant seals, elks and birds. Camping is a very popular way to experience Point Reyes, but there are also lovely Inns and hotels in the area, of which my favorite is the idyllic seaside Bodega Bay Lodge.

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

Our family loved hiking to the lighthouse despite the windy and somewhat cloudy weather at the time. As a reward when we My first pick is an experience a little differ- reached the beach and spotted a huge eleent from the other two: Point Reyes Na- phant seal, we also got to witness the mist tional Seashore. As this beach area is rising and revealing the beautiful beach north of San Francisco, it also tends to be with the rugged coastline stretching to the a bit colder depending on the time of the horizon while enjoying a little beachside picnic.

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CARMEL Carmel is maybe best known for previous mayor Clint Eastwood, but the main reason why everyone goes there are pictureperfect streets filled with boutiques, art galleries and great restaurants – as well as long, golden beaches where you can spot dolphins during your morning walk. Also, the world-famous golf course Pebble Beach is just miles away. The way to make

this trip memorable is stay in the gorgeous Carmel Valley Ranch which offers activities for kids, golf, tennis and a fabulous spa.

Enjoy the beaches in Carmel or explore other smaller ones along the Highway, stroll in the town, enjoy a leisurely lunch, drive then famous, private 17-mile-road with seals and hidden beaches to nearby Monterey for a visit -to the famous Aquarium- and you are guaranteed a heavenly weekend enjoyed by the whole family!

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HALF MOON BAY While we lived in the Silicon Valley, we headed numerous times over the mountains to the small, picturesque Half Moon Bay. Like Carmel, the town has lovely restaurants and little stores to enjoy, but on a smaller scale. The key attraction, however, is the long coast with many beaches to choose from. The children will love running and playing in the sand, waddling in the water and depending on your location and time of the day you could explore those famous tide pools for sea creatures

and shells. In this heaven, time seems to stop and you’ll mostly hear seagulls and the wind whistling.

If you are driving along the Highway 1 then the perfect place to stop is, of course, the gorgeous Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay right by the sea. Drop your kids in the Ritz Kids Club and enjoy the heavenly spa after a morning on the beach. The Santa Cruz mountains have a couple of nice wineries to visit and if you are around midDecember to March, spotting a whale in a whale-watching tour is also a great experience!

Follow Reeta’s travels on Instagram: HouseofAnais

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GALVEston, TEXAS Text & Photos by Katja Presnal SkimbacoLifestyle.com

THE LITTLE ISLAND THAT COULD When you think of Texas, the beach isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, Galveston Island, just an hour from Houston is a perfect spot for good oldfashioned boardwalk fun.

Several cruise ships stop or leave from Galveston. The next summer, even the Disney Cruise line stops at Galveston. It’s a great day trip destination for shopping, experiencing the Texas culture, for long beach walks, and for enjoying some TexMex food.

One thing to warn you though about Galveston: the beach at Galveston did not make me want to go for a swim regardless of the hot Texas summer day. The water was pretty muddy, at least on the day I visited.

Many families were still swimming though and teenagers were surfing the gentle waves.

I saw people bicycling the shoreline, and one of the main attractions is the brand new Pleasure Pier amusement park.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is built 1,130 feet over the Gulf of Mexico, where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943. The original Pleasure Pier featured rides, an arcade, an aquarium, con-

cessions, a large ball room, and fishing at the end of the pier. The new Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier opened in 2012, and it offers perfect summer time fun for the entire family.

In addition to the beach, the downtown is worth the visit. Galveston’s history spans from the 1500′s, and the historic Downtown District has well-preserved Victorian iron-front architecture, and currently more than 2,000 buildings in town are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The downtown offers great shopping and dining - the Texas style.

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DAKOTA LUNA

AGE: 5 Nationality: Australian Currently traveling in Australia.

Countries visited: 3 countries, and 4 islands. “ I had to learn Spanish in Mexico, but my Dad speaks to me in Spanish now too.”

Q: Your picture is taken in Tulum, Mexico with some impressive corals. You spent several months living in Mexico, can you tell how it’s different than Australia, and are there any similarities?

Q: What is your favorite place you've visited so far?

I really liked it when we were in Fiji an Islander climbed a palm tree & got me a fresh coconut. And in Mexico I snorkeled People play games in both Australia & Mex- with the turtles & stingrays & also got to ico. The difference is that in Australia peo- drive a golf buggy on the island Holbox. ple speak English & in Mexico they speak Q: What about foods. Do you like trying Spanish. I had to learn Spanish in Mexico, out new foods in your travels, and what but my Dad speaks to me in Spanish now has been the weirdest thing you’ve eaten? too.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Not at first I didn’t like trying new foods, but I do now. The weirdest is kangaroo spaghetti my mum cooked for me in Australia.

But my sister ate grasshoppers in Mexico, I didn’t try them because I thought it was gross!

I would like to visit India because thats where my favourite food is from. I would also like to visit China because they have different food, big cities & it sounds interesting.

PHOTO: AMBER LUNA | OURLUNADVENTURES.COM

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like a movie scene Text & Photos by Katja Presnal SkimbacoLifestyle.com

PICTURE PERFECT CAPE ANN, MASSACHUSETTS

started laughing and said “it was not filmed in Sitka, it was filmed in Rockport, Massachusetts, and I go there every summer!”

Fast forward a few months, and I met up with Linda at the Helmut’s Strudel in Rockport, and we had some of the best Austrian strudels found on this side of the Atlantic while watching the boats in the bay.

Have you ever seen a place in a movie and wanted to visit? After seeing the movie The Proposal (2009), I almost went to Alaska, where the movie is set, but thankWe were both in town for the 4th of July fully found my way to Cape Ann in Massawith our families. It’s the perfect time to chusetts, where the movie was filmed. visit Rockport, and experience the parade, I was actually sitting in a ski lift in Park fireworks over the sea, and the AllCity, Utah, telling my friend Linda how I American coastal family summer. Rockreally wanted to visit Sitka, Alaska, after port is in Cape Ann, only about an hour seeing it in the romantic comedy with San- drive from Boston, and easily accessible dra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Linda also by train. The town has several cozy

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B&Bs: beachside old Victorian houses, plains that even Sandra Bullock bought with walking distance to idyllic town cen- some of her art when in town for filming. tre and its art galleries and restaurants.

The best part about trying to find a family friendly beach in Cape Ann: there are plenty to choose from. In addition to beaches, you can find kayaking, sailing in a pirate ship and many other seaside adventures.

Rockport is also known as an artist town, and for its Motif 1 as an inspiration and subject for many paintings - the perfect red boat house with great proportions. When we visited the area, you could also find art classes and camps for children. I liked two local artists above the others. Karen Tusinski sells her art on the Main Street, and ex-

My favorite local artist is George Anderson, whose contemporary art with sailboats and the shore life, is like made for my home. It was very difficult to walk away with only one piece of his art, I wanted to buy it all.

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MOTIF 1, ROCKPORT

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EXPLORE CANADA

Text & Photos by Katja Presnal It’s almost impossible to try to sum up my HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA favorite coastal family destinations in Canada, so I am starting with a river.

I discovered Nova Scotia, when I took the kids on a Disney Cruise, and Halifax was THOUSAND ISLANDS, one of our ports. We did a quick day trip ONTARIO around Halifax and returned a year later to see more. While Nova Scotia is a great We used to live upstate New York, and I destination for family adventure travel fell in love with the Thousand Island area. with so many opportunities for water (With “upstate” I mean Watertown, 30 sports, we saw a different side. miles from Canadian border, not an hour with MTA from NYC.) The Thousand Is- Halifax is a quirky port with an exciting hislands is an archipelago of 1,864 islands on tory, making it a perfect destination also the Saint Lawrence river that forms the for the history-buffs. the Canadian MuCanada-U.S. border as it emerges from seum of Immigration at Pier 21 is a perfect the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. We spot to start learning how people arrived used to go to Kingston, Ontario, to see the from Europe to Canada. The Maritime MuUNESCO World Heritage designated Fort seum of the Atlantic is where you can Henry, and see the historic architecture of learn all about the Titanic and how Halifax Kingston.

We took sightseeing boats became the final resting place for many of down the Saint Lawrence river to see the its passengers. majestic Victorian-style summer houses I also recommend experiencing two on the islands, and enjoyed the summer unique Halifax traditions at the Citadel Hill breeze on the river. Thousand Islands area National Historic Site, the British and Canais like the perfect mixture of the Turku Ardian naval base. Every day at noon, the chipelago, where I grew up, and the NorthRoyal Artillery fires the old gun at the Haliern lifestyle in New York, what I now also fax Citadel, and the sentry change hapcall one of my many homes. pens every hour on the hour.

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PEGGY’S COVE, NOVA SCOTIA When you travel to Nova Scotia, I highly recommend renting a car (or doing a road trip if you live within driving distance).

There are so many gorgeous, smaller coastal villages to see. My favorite is Peggy’s Cove.

Peggy’s Cove is a 45minute drive from Halifax, in the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay, and it is a must visit. The Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is in the eastern entrance of St. Margarets Bay is one of the most famous lighthouses in the world, and the village is picture perfect.

A visit to Peggy’s Cove wouldn’t be complete without some lobster chowder at the Sou’Wester Restaurant, finished with gingerbread cake with lemon sauce on the top.

LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA Picturesque Lunenburg is another great coastal town to visit in Nova Scotia. While the town is known for its famous Bluenose ship, it’s much more than a fishing town.

Some of the Lunenburg's Old Town buildings are over 250 years old, and now are painted in bright colors to highlight their beauty. UNESCO recognizes Lunenburg as one of the World Heritage Sites, and you can’t help but imagine what the town was in the 18th century as you walk the streets.

While in town, stop by the Ironworks Distillery for some apple brandy. Naturally, just for mom and dad.

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HOPEWELL ROCKS, NEW BRUNSWICK One of the most majestic tidal waves in the world can be found close to Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Hopewell Rocks tides get as high as 52 feet/16 meters, and the rock formations are over 70 feet/20 meters tall at the highest. It’s unbelievable how you can walk on the bottom of the sea, and a few hours later come back and see the rushing waves. I highly recommend taking the tidal wave tour with AnnaMarie Weir of Roads to Sea. She is a real local character, who sold her former business to daily enjoy the beautiful Bay of Fundy region and started a guided tour company. Anna-Marie Weir is a great example of Canadian hospitality, and the welcoming hospitality is one of the reasons I will keep returning to East Canada.

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EMMA AGE: 10 Nationality: Canadian Lives in: Near Toronto, Canada Countries visited: 24 “I love beaches but my favorite vacations are to big cities like New York and London!”

Q: What can you tell me of this picture?

Q: Do you have any tips for long flights?

I really liked Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy has some of the highest tides in the world!

We went when the tides were low and walked on the floor of the ocean and touched seaweed. We went back at high tide and the water was higher than the stairs to the beach. Some people were kayaking around the rocks but we didn’t do that because my mom thought I was too little.

I always make sure that I have some books and my iPod with me on flights so I don’t get bored. I also bring some earphones to watch movies on the plane. If it’s overnight then I try to sleep and I bring my own travel blanket and pillow because they are cosier.

Q: Do you prefer nature or city trips?

My favourite vacations are to cities like New York, Paris, London, and Chicago because I like to go sightseeing and to museums. I love to go see shows, especially musicals, and in cities there is lots of shopping!

PHOTO: LISA GOODMURPHY |

Q: I noticed you had been to Stockholm and Copenhagen, we’ve been visiting both a lot, what did you think of them?

I loved the Pippi Longstocking museum in Stockholm because I love that book. It was fun playing in Pippi’s house. The Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen was fun too. I had the biggest cotton candy ever there!.

G O N E W I T H T H E FA M I LY. C O M

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ART IN ARCHIPELAGO HOW DID SALVADOR DALI’S WORK END UP IN MY SMALL COASTAL TOWN IN FINLAND? Text & Photos by Laura Johansson

l

WELCOME TO MY HOMETOWN

season. I was born and raised on the island of StormälÜ, in the archipelago, and now live in Parainen with my family.

In the heart of Parainen there is an unexParainen is a small coastal town in Southern pected treat for art lovers. Mr. Ted Wallin, a Finland, just a 30-minute-drive from the sea- local entrepreneur and art connaisseur side city of Turku. The Archipelago of founded the ArtBank in February this year.

Parainen is vast and consists of thousands of ArtBank is one of the favorite places in our islands in the Baltic sea. It is one of Finland's hometown - and in the world- for my 6most popular places to visit in the summer year-old son and me.

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ART BANK IS A UNIQUE FINE ARTS GALLERY. The Salvador Dalí Private Exhibition presents stunning Dali sculptures, furniture, graphic work and other pieces of Dalí. The Art Bank Gallery also comprehends quality art by Finnish and international front row artists. But the ArtBank is not just a gallery.

The gallery is also the only place in Scandinavia and Russia from where you can purchase some of the surrealistic furniture known from the art of Salvador Dalí.

The gallerist, Mr. Wallin, is a very excentric person and an exellent guide. Make sure to take a tour with him when you visit ArtBank.

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VISIT PARAINEN

Europe, just a few hundrer meters from the town center!

I bet you didn’t expect to find Salvador Dali’s art in a coastal town in Finland, but art, of course, isn’t the only reason to visit.

You will enjoy visiting some of Parainen's cozy cafés and restaurants, and shop in the small local boutiques on Kauppiaskatu.

On the other side of the small canal, locally referred to as ”Suntti”, there is one of the oldest churches in Finland and the lovely old town called Vanha Malmi with pittoresque small houses from earlier centuries.

On the other side of the town centre, there is a unexpected and spectacular view to the largest limestone quarry of northern

For more information, please visit www.artbank.fi and www.parainen.fi.

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SIMON CHINO

AGE: 7 Nationality: American Lives in: Scotland, UK Countries visited: 5 “

I love trying new foods.

My favorite thing I’ve learned to eat in Scotland is Shepherd’s Pie! I could eat it every day” Q: You moved from Arkansas to Scotland last year. What can you tell us about it for kids who might be moving to a new country?

I’d never been to Europe before moving here. Scotland is much colder, but there is lots of nature in both places.

Well, it’s really hard and you just need to be prepared that for a few days you might have to play by yourself on the playground until the kids get to know you. But after about a week or so, you will meet some other kids and start to play with them Q:What has been your favorite trip so far?

Colorado! First of all, they have buses that are free to take to the Rocky Mountain National Park, and you don’t have to use a car seat in the bus! We hiked from Aspen to

Crested Butte and it was a long way. It took us three days to do it and we all carried backpacks and slept in tents. There were lots of wildflowers everywhere and we went with another family which made it more fun.

Q: Do you think you have learned things in your travels that you haven't learned at school yet?

Yes. I’ve learned that when you are walking in the mountains, you can have any kind of weather. Even if it’s not raining when you start, it still might rain. When we went to Edinburgh, we saw a guy doing a funny kilt demonstration in a castle. I learned how you put on a kilt and that it's actually like a really big blanket that you fold up. You can undo it and use if for all sorts of things like protection from the weather.

PHOTO: ALISON CHINO | ALISONCHINO.COM

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WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Text & Photos by Satu V채nsk채-Westgarth ToDestinationUnknown.com 55

SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT BEACH IN IRELAND’S WILD WEST Would you go looking for the perfect beach in Ireland?

For many, the answer would probably be not, as Ireland is not known as the most stable of the destinations when it comes to sunshine. But for our family, we found the perfect beaches for camping and outdoor adventures on a trip to Ireland’s west coast and the new Wild Atlantic Way. If you fold open a map of Ireland and first locate Galway, almost directly west from Dublin all the way over on the west coast, and then move along the coastline even further into the North Atlantic to the small town of Clifden, you will eventually arrive at the Clifden Eco Beach Camping.

geous views of the sun setting in the Atlantic from our tent, on our first camping trip with our toddler, while I was heavily pregnant with the next arrival.

It would have been easy to waste away the days either on the beach or on the grassy greens of the campsite, but another A campsite that even when it’s full, has a beach awaited for us during the low tide. feeling of space as the site guarantees a Omey Island, which is only an island dursustainable, cluster free, 'natura camping' ing high tide, as the sea escapes revealing experience on their grounds. The best the ocean floor during low tides, is a hiking spots are those that are just above the distance away from the camp. Although small, secluded sandy beach, reserved there was strange giddiness about driving only for campers with tents. And it is ex- across the seabed that only opens up for actly there that we set to sleep with gor56

traffic when the water escapes with the movement of the moon.

The island, which in the early 19th century had hundreds of inhabitants, stands now still in time with only a few summer farms and rental cabins. On a weekday we had the island to ourselves to explore from rocky outcrops to small sandy beaches, but when we returned on a weekend it was swarming with activity from campers to kaykers and swimmers.

We had only planned to stay along the coast for couple of days - a mistake we are not quick to repeat. It would have been easy to enjoy the sun, sea and Ireland’s west coast beaches for many days more. Hence I feel lucky to return this August for five weeks more to explore the whole length, 2500 kilometers of the new Wild Atlantic Way by bike!

Read more about Ride Wild 2014 in Destination Unknown.

SIGN UP FOR DESTINATION UNKNOWN UPDATES. 57

Coming this August #RIDEWILD2014 3 women + 2500 kilometers of Ireland's

Wild Atlantic Way BY BICYCLES Join along the way, or follow Satu of DESTINATION UNKNOWN online!

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9 - 1 1 O C TO B E R, 2 0 1 4

R I M I N I , I TA LY TBD-Italy is a project by TTG Italia dedicated to digital travel and travel bloggers.

TBD-Italy facilitates networking and connections between travel industry and bloggers.

Join the networking event in Rimini from 9 to 11 October 2014 within the TTG Incontri/ TTI fair, one of the largest travel trade shows in Italy.

TBDI will select 300 bloggers and the top 100 will be fully hosted by TBDI/TTG. Three days of countless opportunities to connect with the tourism sector, attend great workshops, join wonderful social events and much more.

Apply by filling the application form here: http://www.tbd-italy.com/index_en.html

SKIMBACO LIFESTYLE O F F I C I A L M E D I A PA R T N E R F O R T B D - I TA LY

lix

We are going! Join us!

The first TBD-Italy was held in Rimini last year. Over 180 bloggers and more than 200 tourism operators from around the world connected during the "Meet Your Blogger Day,” and the networking events.

My favorite party was when the musician Don Pasta performed live - and literally cooked pasta on stage in an event sponsored by Puglia-region of Italy.

I had an honor to speak in a workshop together with Kate McCulley of the Adventurous Kate. I remember to listening to the speakers, for example Liz Carlson, the girl everyone wish they could travel with from the blog Young Adventures (pictured), viral-sensation video-producer Rick Mereki from Australia, high-energy travel host and filmmaker Kelly Ferro of Tripfilms.com, and photographer Daniel Nahabedian of Canvas of Light, and feeling wow, I get to hang out with these people!

I will be speaking at TBD-Italy again this fall, and I am honored that Skimbaco was asked to be an official media parter, following last year’s partnership.

I hope to see YOU in Rimini this October, and talk about where social media and travel industry intersect!

Katja Presnal lx

WORK WITH US -

- CONTENT & LIFESTYLE MARKETING - EVENTS, MEETUPS, INSTAGRAM WALKS - SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS & CONSULTING - 10 YRS SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE - MARKETING, PR, JOURNALISM, TV, FASHION & TRAVEL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS - 6 WEBSITES, CLOSE TO MILLION ANNUAL READERS - OVER 130,000 SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS - GLOBAL TEAM (USA, UK, SCANDINAVIA) CONTACT: KATJA.PRESNAL@SKIMBACO.COM 100K+ SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS.

COASTAL FOOD Text & Photos by Katja Presnal skimbacolifestyle.com

CATCH THESE I admit. It’s not just the boats, the sea, and the beaches that appeal me in the coastal lifestyle. It’s the food! Nothing quite says summer than freshly caught fish cooked on an open fire, a steaming pot of lobster, or some shrimp on the barbie. When I started thinking of the coastal destinations I loved, I was reminded of some of the great dishes in each location. Here are some favorites.

LOBSTER IN CANADA

CRAB CAKES IN PROVINCETOWN Baltimore, and the rest of Maryland are known for their crab cakes, but if you are anywhere in New England, you most likely will have luck finding some great crab cakes. I loved the crab cakes at Lobster Pot, which isn’t the fanciest restaurant in town, but they sure know how to make crab cakes and lobster sandwiches! (Picture of the crab cakes on the previous page).

You could travel to Nova Scotia or New Brunswick in Canada just to eat lobster, and it would be worth the long trip. I was on a tour with Roads to See in New Brunswick and while the main purpose of the day tour was to see the Hopewell Rocks and the tidal waves of Bay of Fundy, learning about lobster was equally important part of the day.

We visited , Shediac, known as the lobster capital of the world, and saw the largest lobster (statue) in the world. Slightly creepy, and not that appetizing, but interesting nevertheless. Same kind of goes for our other visit, the Alma Lobster Shop, where we saw lobsters worth millions of dollars, growing 63

in underwater pens. It can take up to six years for a lobster be large enough to be caught and sold! The Bay of Fundy lobsters are among the best in the world due the food the lobsters eat, and the cold bay water that makes the meat tender and the lobster larger in size. I think I missed half of the information just thinking about how the lobster in the pens did not look that appetizing, but the fresh sea breeze and nature walk in the Hopewell Rocks most certainly made me ready for lunch.

We arrived at Alma fishing village at lunchtime when the tide is low, and the fishing boats are laying on the rocks. It’s an odd thing to see, but it’s a great time to catch the local fishermen and see where and what they have for lunch.

It’s lobster, of course. And here, they eat lobster in a way not even the tiniest bit of the meat is left uneaten, and you can’t be afraid to start cracking the shells, even when it gets messy. It’s part of the experience. It’s a messy experience, and you can’t fuss about it.

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BBQ OYSTERS IN BALI I almost feel it was a dream, and I don’t even have a photo to prove that some wonderful barbequed oysters and I had a very short love affair at the Jimbaran beach in Bali - a few short minutes and they were all in my belly!

The seafood restaurants in Jimbaran beach look more like hole-in-a-wall/shack-onthe-beach type of places on the street side, especially with all of the shredded coconuts piling on the street. Once you go through the restaurants and see the dinner tables are set up on the beach, you realize it is much more than seafood on the

beach. The sun sets, the champagne flows, there is a man with a cart with hot corn in the cob, and you can smell the smoke coming from the kitchen.

You see, most food is still cooked on an open fire in Bali, simply because it tastes better. I received a green coconut with a straw in it, and drank the coconut water directly from the shell. I know that once I have finished the drink, the shell is chopped and used as fire wood to cook the dinner.

The oysters are covered in sweet and spicy Balinese BBQ sauce and grilled. They are soft smokey sweetness, seafood delight that I can’t quite even compare to anything else. Something to experience, that’s for sure.

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SHRIMP SANDWICHES IN COPENHAGEN The Nyhavn in Copenhagen is a harbor area dating from the 17th century, and you can’t get a more traditional and idyllic historic fishing dock than Nyhavn. You can’t see fishermen bringing their catch to the harbor anymore, but you can see the old sailing boats and eat what’s very traditional Danish seafood dish, the Smørrebrød, an open faced sandwich.

The Danish smørrebrød, dates to 1840s when workers would take sandwiches to work. Basically smorrebrod means buttered bread, and like your typical lunch sandwich the Danish kind also comes in 66

several different types. While smorrebrod started as a worker’s lunch, in 1883 the famous Restaurant Nimb in the Copenhagen Tivoli put this sandwich on the menu, and the rest is history, as they say. One of the most well known open faced sandwich, is the shrimp sandwich.

The food scene in Copenhagen is world famous for its “best restaurant in the world”title-bearing Noma, and there are much more imaginative restaurants serving fancier food than the restaurants in the Nyhavn. However, in Nyhavn, you experience authentic Copenhagen. Open-faced sandwiches may not be the trendiest cuisine in town, but it’s a culinary staple in Denmark is really known for.

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ÖSTERMALMS SALUHALL IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Visit any European city and you will find the most authentic cuisine at the food markets. One of my favorite places with the best seafood assortment is Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm. This isn’t your farmer’s market. The butchery shop has a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and you can find imported caviar right next door to horse and moose meat.

The best: there are several restaurants where you can eat a fantastic seafood lunch, from sushi to local favorites like cold smoked salmon with chantarelle sauce at the restaurant Lisa Elmqvist.

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PHOTO & RECIPE: KATJA PRESNAL

SMØRREBRØD

DANISH OPEN SANDWICH WITH SHRIMP (SMØRREBRØD) You will need: (makes one) 1 slice of bread, preferably dark rye, but any will work lettuce 1 hard boiled egg 5 oz s of cooked shrimp (frozen shrimp works just fine) Mayonnaise (or I use sour cream) dill lemon wedges salt and pepper

1. If you purchased fresh shrimp, peel and cook the shrimp, let cool down. Already cooked shrimp from your local store works just fine. If frozen, thaw the frozen shrimp in cold water and rinse well.

2. Boil the egg. Let sit in cold water before peeling. Peel and slice.

I recommend using an egg slicer.

3. Assemble the sandwich. Layer the ingredients on the slice of bread: lettuce, egg slices and shrimp. Add a dollop of of mayonnaise (or sour cream) and garnish with fresh dill.

4. Serve with lemon slices, and snaps, Danish like their akvavit, but as a Finn I say vodka will work as well. Champagne or dry white wine aren’t bad companions for the Danish smorrebrod either.

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PHOTO & RECIPE: KATJA PRESNAL

SALMON WRAP You will need: Tortilla Lettuce Sour cream Lettuce Fresh dill Lemon pepper

This is the easiest summer lunch with left-over cooked (cold) salmon, or with a few slices of cold-smoked salmon. Spread sour cream on the cold tortilla, add salmon, and sprinkle with some lemon pepper (or pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice), top with lettuce and fresh dill. Serve with potato salad.

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POTATO SALAD WITH NEW POTATOES, DILL & RADISHES

Recipe for 4-6 people.

You will need: 1 pound of new potatoes (about 20 small potatoes, if you use regular size, 5-7 is enough) 1 onion 1/2 English cucumber 2 cups of Crème fraîche (or sour cream) 10-15 radishes with salt and optional vinegar lemon pepper (or 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice and black pepper) fresh dill

1. Wash the potatoes well. Boil the potatoes with salt and dill, and let completely cool down, No need to peel if you are using new potatoes. Cut the new potatoes in half or in four pieces and put in a salad bowl.

2. Slice the radishes to thin and put on a plate, sprinkle with salt and a dash of vinegar and let sit while chopping the onion and cucumber.

3. Chop the onion and English cucumber and add to the salad bowl.

4. Add crème fraîche and radishes, season with lemon pepper and fresh dill.

NOTE: Don’t substitute the fresh dill to dried, and stick with English cucumbers 72

FEATURED SKIMBACOER NAME: Matt Presnal I LIVE IN: Linköping, Sweden PROFESSION: I oversee an aftermarket aviation maintenance facility in Sweden for a major US helicopter manufacturer.

HOW TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST is a huge question. Thinking back, I’ve done some crazy things, some stupid things, been conservative, been liberal. In all the experiences, the most meaningful times Follow MattPresnal were with my family. I am a lucky man to have the love and support of my wife, on Instagram three beautiful children, mom & dad, and sister. My family defines and fills my life.

Sure there are fast cars, fancy clothes, and a black diamond or two that I wouldn't mind charging down. But what really matter, is the people in my life.

MY LIFE CHANGED WHEN I REALIZED what really matters the most in life, and that life is too short. Do it now, go to those places, eat exotic food, climb mountains, ride a train, maybe even get on a boat or two. Just don’t put it off until tomorrow, we may not be here to enjoy it.

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: Anywhere with the family, but I’m pretty partial to Italy. I mean, pizza and wine… yes.

I DREAM OF TRAVELING TO: A tropical beach hut, with clear blue waters and the smell of salt water on the warm sea breeze. Drifting in and out of sleep under the shade of swaying palm trees as a fresh caught fish that I just speared grills on the open fire that Katja just made with her mad Girl Scout skills. Ok, maybe I'll just buy the fish.

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SUMMER LOVE LIST What we love for summer 2014 WITH LOVE, THE SKIMBACO TEAM

“Don’t forget a good beach/ picnic blanket and a waterproof camera for beach fun.”

Summer product picks from Wes Holland of Life Through Preppy Glasses.

Bottle Opener Sunglasses - do I need to say more? You have deserved a few cold ones this summer. Plus, protect your eyes and be the savior when your kids are wanting a root beer or cream soda on the sand.

Titanium bottle opener sunglasses $145 from William Painter

Carry all the essentials for the day in a stylish tote in hues that match the ocean water.

Sangster Tote $425 from WANT Les Essentials de la Vie 75

Taking a picnic to the beach, pool, or mountains is always fun. A great way to relax, enjoy the summer weather, and catch up with family and friends.

Pas de deux picnic basket $128 from Sundance Catalog

There is nothing like a soft, plush beach towel and this option from Ralph Lauren fits the description. It is not only large but eye catching as well.

Cabana striped towel $95 from Ralph Lauren

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“Keep your hair shiny & styled this summer and you can get away without having too much makeup. And don’t forget sunscreen!”

Katja Presnal, Skimbaco Lifestyle

This instant repair spray is a life savior in our family, making brushing hair easy for my girls, and I. Keep it in your beach bag this summer. Bonus: it’s only ten bucks!

Rowenta Beauty Inspiration Pro is the 2014 Travelers’ Choice Hair Dryer at TripAdviror Italy.

Also the Versa Style Styling Iron is a great all-in-one tool. It includes a flat iron, roller set and three curling irons.

OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Rowenta Hair Dryer $159.99 and Versa Instant Repair Weightless Style Styling Iron $159.99 from Ulta Healing Oil $9.39 from Amazon

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Aren’t you glad the maxi-dress trend isn’t over yet? This jersey dress is perfect for traveling, and takes you from day to night.

As a mom of three, I haven’t had a bikini body for years.

However, this tankini is perfect for any body type, and gives the support you want and it looks great.

Ava tankini top $108 and bottom $88 at Sundance Catalog

Sloane V-neck maxi dress $198 from Lily Pulizer

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Entire outfit from Tea Collection

This perfect 4th of July dress glows in the dark! $58 from Lilly Pulitzer

Jr Garcia boat shoes $80 from Geox

The Jopo retro-bike is as trendy today as it was in 1965 when it was designed. $679 from Finnish 79 Design Shop

SUMMER FAVORITES FOR THE KIDS

Snow cone machine $60 from Pottery Barn Kids

Favorite summer dresses for girls from Benetton, starting at 80 $24.90

CELINA AGE: 7 Nationality: Canadian Lives in: Near Ontario, Canada Countries visited: 10 “My mom takes us on lots of road trips when it's warm and we visit new places every year.!”

Q: So you live in Canada and your travel photo is from a sunny beach… Do you like snow or beach vacations better?

I like camping in a yurt in the winter. It's fun.

We stayed in bunk beds and my mom made pasta outside on the barbecue. At night I loved to roast marshmallows. Snow tubing is my favourite! We went to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan this year and went tubing down a bunch of hills. I can't wait to do it again.

In the summer, we go camping in our trailer with our friends. I also like to watch movies in the trailer. My mom takes us on lots of road trips when it's warm and we visit new places every year. I love swimming at the beach with my sister and brother!

Q: What has been your favorite beach vacation so far?

I like them all, but my favorite beach was Passion Island in Mexico. We had to take a boat to get there and it was really pretty.

Q: Some children might be going to their first vacation trip this summer. How would you help them to get ready for the trip?

I like to pack my own suitcase and bring clothes, my teddy bear and my swim suit. I also bring coloring books for when we are in the car.

Q: Do you like to try different foods in your trips?

I don't like to try new foods but my mom always tells me to try at least one thing new.

Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't.

P H O T O : N A D I A C A R R I E R E | C H I L D M O D E .C O M

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MY SKIMBACO MOMENTS

By Reeta Laaksonen HouseofAnais.com

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My past two years have been an adventure after an adventure. Little did I know when we moved from California to China in 2012 that the following year I’d already be packing our bags again and heading back to the old continent and England. I am not sure how, but we manage to travel to all sorts of cool places and do a gazillion local castle and garden visits – mostly with last minute planning.

I love the Skimbaco lifestyle of living life to the fullest. For me every day is precious, a little adventure waiting to happen. Maybe it’s meeting a friend, painting a wall and a walk in the beautiful Knole Park, or a monster-truck trip at night to an Icelandic glacier while hunting those magical Northern Lights. A moment alone, with friend or my family.

Every day is special and unique and these are my top ten Skimbaco Moments from the past year or so.

Read the full article at Skimbacolifestyle.com

every day is precious, a little adventure waiting to happen.

I traveled alone with three children to Philippines, and loved it. The people are so friendly and this country is made of such beautiful islands.

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A family adventure of lifetime in Sri Lanka.

Rendevouz in France.

Thermal baths, nature, delicatessen and the Northern lights in Iceland.

Enjoying the beaches of Southern Spain

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Road-tripping and castle-hopping in Scotland, and seeing the Harry Potter movie backdrop- the Alnwick Castle, and logging over 2400 kilometers!

C h a s i n g Rom a n s i n Wales, staying in a spa resort - and test driving a Range Rover Sport model!

Breathing fresh air in England after living in polluted China. Little adventures, beautiful scenery and exercise, often finished off with a lovely cream tea is pure happiness for me.

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TEXT & PHOTOS B Y R E E TA L A A K S O N E N H O U S E O FA N A I S . C O M I N S TA G R A M : H O U S E O FA N A I S T W I T T E R : H O U S E O FA N A I S

Living in China was an adventure. We didn’t quite manage to stay a year in China. The pollution got unbearable and we just missed home (England).

THE STORY BEHIND THE COVER PHOTO

WHAT DOES IT SAY TO YOU? FOR EACH ISSUE I ASK MY INSTAGRAM-FRIENDS WHAT THEY THINK OF OUR COVER IMAGE. HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID WHAT THIS PICTURE SAYS!

AngelConstance: Adventure, Juliana_92107 Living the good I'm on my way life - wherever the wind blows you MargalitFrancus: Never too early to plan my next adven- Wheyceniza Adventure is out ture... there waiting to be discovered.

BrowsingItaly: I see summer's OakleyOC "Where to, wind?" coming our way DeaneAdler "The Young Man Priyavishy: Where is that new and The Sea" like Hemingway world to conquer?! legendary story.

BE A FEATURED INSTAGRAM-FRIEND! FOLLOW SKIMBACO ON INSTAGRAM AND PARTICIPATE. SHARE YOUR #SKIMBACO MOMENTS OF LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST, WE FEATURE BEST PICS. SEE MORE AT SKIMBACOLIFESTYLE.COM/INSTAGRAM.

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THE STORY KIND OF GOES LIKE THIS...

The cover photo was taken already a few years ago, on our trip to Rockport, Massachusetts, a town featured in this magazine. It was right before 4th of July, and I loved how the sailboats were flying celebatory flags. The kids loved playing on the beach. It was a warm day, but there was a nice breeze. It was East Coast after all.

Afterwards we went to eat ice cream. It was almost like the perfect vacation, but I was just taking a lunch break from my telecommuting job. That same day, I decided I wanted to quit my job and focus on building Skimbaco Lifestyle so that the next time I had two weeks to be at the beach, I wouldn’t have to spend most of the time inside working. Guess what? I quit my job six months later.

LOCATION: ROCKPORT,, MASSACHUSETTS

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