The Front Door by La Revista (ENG) #1 by The Front Door by La Revista

N O. 01 | W IN T E R 2014 | T H E - F R O N T D O O R . C O M

TRAVELLING MATTERS

THE FRONT DOOR BY LA REVISTA, EL MUNDO DEL BUEN GUSTO

Reality Transforming Experiences

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PUERTO VALL ARTA: A BE ACH TOWN GOING FURTHER THAN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS

the Letter from the Editor No. 01 | Traveling Matters | Winter 2014

“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” —L AO T S E

Starting a new adventure is always exciting, especially when it is a new and fresh experience. With this in mind, The Front Door by La Revista is born: a publication aiming to share with members of this exclusive group of travelers the latest in cultural, artistic and social events in Mexico and around the world. The only requirement is your passion about discovering and exploring. So step right up and take your place in the world, as you walk through The Front Door. In this, our first issue, you will find an intimate look into traditional destinations like Puerto Vallarta: timeless port of call whose golden shores have beckoned Spanish galleons arriving laden with treasures from the Orient and whose beaches have been the perfect setting for passionate love affairs. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were so smitten that they made Vallarta their home. Famous film directors have chosen the area as the ideal backdrop for their films. Puerto Vallarta today is also an important culinary center that attracts gourmands from around the world who enjoy local creations withan international touch in the city’s dozens of award-winning restaurants. Art exhibits, galleries, music and film festivals are only a few of many activities that Puerto Vallarta offers constantly. The natural charm of Vallarta is best experienced in the wide variety of golf courses and marinas that dot the area and place travelers in direct contact with this jewel of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Before long you will be fall-

ing in love with Vallarta just like Hollywood stars have done for decades. “Only art will save the world,” poets and writers everywhere have claimed… As we discover the endless artistic and cultural activities Mexico offers, we can confirm this phrase is as true today as it has ever been. We are proud to present in these pages a tour of the most prominent art galleries and museums our country has to offer, that in most cases are works of art in their own right. Siquieros’ Tallera in Cuernavaca, the Alfredo Zalce Museum of Contemporary Art in Morelia, the Botanical Gardens of Culiacan, the mcay Modern Art Museum in Merida, the Cultural Center in Tijuana, and the Amparo Museum in Puebla are only a few examples of the vast range of dynamic cultural venues that Mexico has to offer. Exploring new horizons, being astonished and feeling rejuvenated, are just some of the many benefits of traveling. And although we all love to fondly remember our journeys or the priceless moments they evoke, let’s not forget that any trip begins with the proper planning and packing. To help our members get the most out of their vacations, you will find in this magazine tips, ideas and the latest trends for you to be a truly informed and prepared globetrotter. Yachts, cars, golf courses, as well as the latest in technology and accessories, The Front Door by La Revista will be the key to a world without borders, a sophisticated and ever-changing landscape that awaits us with open arms. We hope you enjoy it!

Gerardo Rioseco CEO / The Front Door

La C as a Que C anta A pArADise ThAT will refresh your life perspectives with the Most aMazing views. Discover

this

intimate,

romantic

and

very

exclusive

refuge surrounded by the ocean. The panoramic views of Zihuatanejo welcome you every moment, framed with the archs and terraces of the hotel. The arquitecture is modeled with different levels of palapas, tropical woods and Mexican handcrafts that reflect the looks of tradional Mexico.

reservations:

01 800 841 83 90 myfrontdoor@posadas.com www.the-frontdoor.com

the Contents No. 01 | Traveling Matters | Winter 2014

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FEATURES

24 A Talk With: Gerardo Rioseco

16 The Profile: Walter Reuter

by Marcela Aguilar y Maya The CEO of The Front Door tells us about the bizarre story of time-shares and how this concept has evolved to acomplish the ultimate luxury for clients who demand the best.

by Marcela Aguilar y Maya Getting to know this amazing german-born photographer was an easy and interesting task by talking to his own daughter. We talked about his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy and the plans she has to show the world his work.

FRONT

08 The Editorialist

Take a walk around two of the most culturally rich capitals: Paris and Mexico City.

10 The Blog

Get to know the products youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be swearing by in the next season.

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BACK

30 The Journey

Puerto Vallarta is a classic Mexican destiny, we give you the best tips to enhance your journey in this city by the sea.

34 Leisure

Getting to know new places by sailing is a pleasure reserved for few privileged, but its popularity is increasing by the minute.

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MA R IN A VA LLARTA Welcome to The Front Door at Marina Vallarta, a private and residential clubhouse that offers an exclusive experience of luxury and freshness to those seeking unique vacations in a relaxed, different and

ResiDenTial hoTel seRVices

flexible environment.

Concierge Daily Room Atendants Dresser amenities Free Local Phone Calls WiFi Gym SPA Activities Lounge

club Marina condo 160

2 rooms. 1 King and 1 double (2 double beds), both with terrace

Grand club Marina condo 235 m2

OCUPATION Recomended: 4 people Max: 6 people

3 rooms. 1 King and 2 dobles (2 double beds), both with terrace

Reservations:

01 800 841 83 90

myfrontdoor@posadas.com www.the-frontdoor.com

OCUPATION Recomended: 6 people Max: 10 people

the Masthead

No. 01 | Traveling Matters | Winter 2014

Management Eduardo Sanmiguel Chief Executive Officer Marcela Aguilar y Maya Associate CEO

Editorial Santiago Oria Probert Editor in Chief santiago@aeditores.com Julieta García Content Adviser julieta@aeditores.com Andrea Villanueva Executive Editor andrea@aeditores.com Fátima Rateb Translator

Art Cynthia Márquez Art Director cynthia@aeditores.com Yair Orozco Graphic Design yair@aeditores.com Fernanda Carrasco Photo Director fernanda@aeditores.com

Gerardo Rioseco Chief Executive Officer Mauricio Carreón Commercial Director Carlos Velázquez Product Director Hugo Jiménez Brand and Communication Director Ricardo Sánchez Brand and Communication Manager Anne Marie Chorné Brand and Communication Coordinator

Editorial Board Marcela Aguilar y Maya | Anne Marie Chorné | Carmen Cordera | Allan Fis | Hugo Jiménez Bruno Newman | Santiago Oria Probert | Mónica Patiño | Ricardo Salas | Ricardo Sánchez Eduardo Sanmiguel | Gonzalo Tassier The opinions of contributing authors don’t necessarily represent the ideas of the editors or the publishing house. The Front Door by La Revista, es una publicación de A/EDITORES sobre estilo de vida y viajes especialmente creada para The Front Door. A/EDITORES, Leibnitz 20, piso 8-801, Col. Anzures, C.P. 11590, México, D.F., Teléfono: 5281 1778. The Front Door, Paseo de la Reforma 155, 1er. piso, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, C.P. 11000, México, D.F., Teléfono: 9138 5700 The Front Door es una marca registrada propiedad de Grupo Posadas, S.A.B. de C.V., todos los derechos reservados. Revista trimestral. Número 1, invierno 2014. Editor responsable: Marcela Aguilar y Maya. El contenido de los artículos es responsabilidad de los autores y anunciantes. Todos los derechos reservados. Prohibida su reproducción parcial o total incluyendo cualquier medio electrónico o magnético para fines comerciales. La información contenida se ha obtenido de fuentes que se consideran fidedignas. Distribución interna por: The Front Door. Impresa por Documaster, Av. Coyoacán #1450 Bis Col. Del Valle C.P. 03220, México D.F., Teléfono: 5524 2383. La Revista, el mundo del buen gusto: Número de reserva al Instituto Nacional de Derechos de Autor 04-208-092913333400-102. Número de certificado de licitud de contenido No. 11997. Número de certificado de licitud de título No. 14424.

On the cover: Walter Reuter La Revista, el mundo del buen gusto was created as a book-magazine. It is a collectible product with a high quality, aimed at a select, critical and connoisseur audience. Every issue is an in-depth exploration of the nature of different aspects of lifestyle and good taste.

Deseo a SENSUaL, MaGiCaL aND PROvOCaTivE PLaCE THaT SET THE STaNDaRDS Of SOPHiSTiCaTiON iN PLaya DEL CaRMEN. DESEO [ HOTEL + LOUNGE ] is located in Playa del Carmen, just 35 minutes away from Cancún, in the Riviera Maya. DESEO’s design focus is contemporary, accomplished using local and traditional materials, like mangroves and mayan marble. The hotel has only 15 unique and dinstinctive rooms.

Ame ni t i e s • Handcraft amenities • Desire Beach Kit • King Size Beds • in-Room Music • aC • Wifi • Cordless Phones • SPa • Minibar • Safety Boxes • Room Service

Reservations:

01 800 841 83 90 myfrontdoor@posadas.com www.the-frontdoor.com

Tattooists, Tattooed

F FRONT

“Give me the luxury and I can dispense of the necessities.” —Oscar Wilde

The Editorialist

Pompidou Center

by: Marcela Aguilar y Maya photography: Cortesía

Ai Weiwei

8 | The Front Door by La Revista

The fall brings with it an endless number of activities, places to visit, exhibitions and gastronomic events. While in the northern hemisphere the trees are taking on ochre and red hues, the beaches in Mexico are at a warm temperature, ideal for a weekend escapade. Before entering the end-ofyear vortex, the fall is a perfect season to travel and get lost in some European capital, even if only for a few days. “Paris is always a good idea,” said Audrey Hepburn, and I couldn’t agree more, especially in this time of year. The great exhibition of Gustave Doré and Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux at the Orsay Museum; Henri Cartier-Bresson and Marcel Duchamp at the Pompidou Center; Lucio Fontana at Paris’ Museum of Modern Art; Bill Viola and Niki de Saint-Phalle at the Grand Palais; Monumenta 2014 with Ilya and Emilia Kabakov also at the Grand Palais; the exhibition “Tattooists, Tattooed” at the Quai Branly Museum. Could it be any better? New hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental in Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the Peninsula in Kléber Avenue, a few steps away from the Arc de Triomphe, have opened their doors. Also worth mentioning is both the Plaza Athénée and the Bristol, which have been spectacularly renovated. One of the things that makes the French capital so special is precisely that it is in constant renewal. Back to Mexico City, there are three exhibitions from abroad that are a must. The first one is at the National Museum of Anthropology, which as well as its exceptional permanent collection—I will never tire of walking through its rooms—today has a temporary show by controversial Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei on Chinese zodiac signs, monumental heads escorting the museum’s main staircase. Ai Weiwei is China’s most prestigious artist, but also the most persecuted because of his fierce criticism of the Communist Party. “China’s most serious problem,” he says, “is the lack of freedom of speech. As a result, there is no freedom for information to flow nor is there mental health to speak in public or in private. Society is dead. You cannot be critical, you cannot be passionate, you cannot have responsibilities or go anywhere.” Ever since 2011, when he was confined in a secret jail for almost three months,

Mandarin Oriental Paris

Ai Weiwei

Orsay Museum

he has not been able to leave his country because he is facing a Kafkaesque trial: tax evasion, pornography, and even bigamy. He is under constant camera surveillance by the police in his studio, and yet his artwork leaves those confines, is exhibited and applauded in the most important contemporary art museums and galleries worldwide. And Mexico is not an exception. At the Jumex Museum of Contemporary Art there are two interesting shows: one is of Danh Võ and the other of Mexican Abraham Cruzvillegas. And for the first time in Mexico, at the Tamayo Museum, artwork by Yayoi Kusama, the most prominent living controversial Japanese artist, is presented under the name Infinite Obsession. The exhibition includes works made of paper, sculptures, videos, and installations. A wonderful show that cannot be missed. And what a treat it is to have a city where gastronomic variety is increasingly rich, sophisticated and affordable! The cuisine found in the Roma neighborhood is particularly good. Perhaps everything began with the success of the Rosetta restaurant on Colima Street, but new culinary stars have been emerging slowly: a few feet away is the restaurant Sesame, where chef Josefina Santacruz has discovered the perfect combination of curry, dumplings, pad Thai and… martinis! It is a very pleasant environment and there is no better choice for the weekend because everything takes second place as the food is truly delicious. Furthermore, mixologist Khristian de la Torre has created amazing cocktails like the Phuket whose recipe includes Tanqueray, grapefruit juice, tonic water, ginger, clove and cinnamon; or the delicious Sticky Gin that has Hendricks, Sake Sochi Ban, limoncello, basil, thai and tonic water; or one of the favorites, Chiang Mai with lemon tea, Fortuna mezcal, ginger beer, clove and grapefruit. Maison de Famille opened its doors a few weeks ago. Paquita Avernin heads this place and has an entire generation of urban sybarites feasting and toasting for a Mexico City classic that is reborn with the same quality as the capital’s best restaurant, Champs Elysées, did for decades. Its classical dishes like the eggplant paté, kidneys au cognac, fish with Béarnaise sauce—nothing like it—and the best oysters, cheeses and of course, French wines, are a great reason to celebrate. And thus, with a notebook under my arm filled with addresses, notes and anecdotes, I continue this endless journey of discovering and rediscovering delicious corners of the city: everyday places that surprise us and make us feel—at least for a few hours—that we are traveling, even without leaving the city.

Yayoi Kusama

Marcel Duchamp

Rosetta

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F FRONT

The Gentleman Wager By British director Jake Scott, this short is the story of a bet between two successful gentlemen. Jude Law represents a man who despite having it all, fights for something he wants and that money cannot buy. However, Giancarlo Giannini’s character denies him this pleasure, a boat. Filmed in St. Lucia in the Caribbean and London, this short film represents the essence of Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label.

the Blog by: The Editors photography: Courtesy

pág. 010 In this issue we will talk about how to act (and look) like a real gentleman, including wine, shoes and art suggestions.

A Sea Adventure Johnnie Walker Blue Label johnniewalker.com |

JohnnieWalkerMx |

@ JohnnieWalkerMx

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is undoubtedly one of the favorites among whisky lovers. Unlike others, it breaks the traditional rules of taste and in addition to exceptional taste, it offers a personality that other whiskies lack. Inspired by 190 years of history, this year Blue Label presents The Gentleman’s Wager campaign that tells the adventure of Jude Law and his gentlemanly bet to win a sailboat unique in the world. Johnnie Walker and the idea of man walking forward. Johnnie Walker Blue Label offers the experience of a high-end whisky created by leading artisans in the world: it is a barrel blend of extraordinary whiskies from the four corners of Scotland. Its quality is such that only one in 10,000 barrels has enough character to release its flavor. And, what better than Jude Law and Giancarlo Giannini to star in a short film representing the essence of Blue Label?

10 | The Front Door by La Revista

THE BLOG

→ Faces by The Sartorialist facesbythesartorialist.com |

@Luxottica |

@facesbythesartorialist

Scott Schuman, founder of The Sartorialist, is probably the most renowned blogger. This is the reason behind Luxottica Group hiring him to create a digital project named Faces by The Sartorialist. Both in this project’s website and Instagram account, the brand will showcase common people—that is, no models or celebrities—wearing Luxottica glasses in cities like New York, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai and Paris, images captured by Scott Schuman. Schuman removed fashion from his usual world of glamor to place it within reach of a wider audience since 2005, when he established his blog. In recent years, prescription eyeglasses have gone from being a mere necessity to become an accessory; and for this project, he will choose to photograph people and the glasses they wear. His photographs, which will be published several times a week on the Faces by The Sartorialist website and Instagram account, will show different eyewear models each with a direct link to purchase them. “Glasses are a fascinating accessory, able to both reveal the essence of a person as well as transform them. I have noticed that nowadays people are much bolder when it comes to choosing a pair of glasses like a fashion accessory,” said Schuman.

Scott Schuman, the man behind The Sartorialist Photographer Scott Schuman founded The Sartorialist aiming to establish a dialogue with his readers regarding the fashion world and its relationship with everyday life. Besides his blog, his work has been published in GQ, Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris and Interview. In 2009, Penguin published an anthology of his photographs in a limited

edition that sold out—over 100,000 copies—in less than three months, and his second book was released in 2012. Schuman’s work is exhibited in permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography.

thesartorialist.com

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→ The Obsession of the Year

comes to the Tamayo Museum

Yayoi Kusama: Obsesión infinita

September 26, 2014 to January 18, 2015 | Paseo de la Reforma 51, Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City |

After being presented —successfully so— in numerous cities where people had to wait hours in line to see the exhibition, at last “Infinite Obsession” is shown in Mexico City —the first retrospective show in Latin America of one of the most relevant Japanese artists of our time, Yayoi Kusama. The exhibition presents an exhaustive tour through more than 100 works created between 1950 and 2013, which include paintings, works in paper, sculptures, videos and installations by the woman who started seeing circles and polka dots everywhere when she

12 | The Front Door by La Revista

Museo Tamayo

was a child. Today, at 84 and voluntarily living in a mental institution, her work has already toured Argentina and Brazil, and will conclude its voyage at the Tamayo Museum of Contemporary Art in Mexico City. Among the most eagerly awaited pieces is Infinity Mirror Room-Filled with the Brilliance of Life, which has been seen on thousands of photographs published on social networks this year. If you are a fan of contemporary art, you cannot miss this impressive show in one of our favorite museums.

Victoria Miro Gallery.

FRONT

Eikon House.

About the Polka Dot Woman Born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929, she began her career in the forties with a poetic ensemble of semi-abstract work on paper. In the late fifties, Kusama created the famous series Infinity Net, characterized by the obsessive repetition of polka dots she painted on large surfaces following rhythmic patterns. She moved to New York in that period, where she shared the art scene with Donald Judd, Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg. From painting she moved to soft sculptures—known as Accumulations—and then went on to experiment with live performances and happenings. In 1973, Yayoi Kusama returned to Japan, where in 1977 she committed herself to a psychiatric institution where she still resides.

THE BLOG

Castellana → La 10 tips for storing wine (55) 5698 9890 | lacastellana.com |

La-Castellana

It is unavoidable: wine has a life, and hence, also dies. That is why La Castellana —a Mexican company with Spanish blood— shared with us these ten basic tips to store wine and enjoy it at its best. La Castellana has ten stores in cities across Mexico, so one can definitely trust them. 1. 2.

Evolution and decadence: some wines improve over the years, others go off quickly. Life line: the average is three years, although some do not even last one year, and others need decades to reach their maximum splendor. Great harvests: consult vintage charts to see the best years of each region. But be careful, not all wine form an excellent year in a particular region will last long. Wine category: young wines must be drunk quickly; reserves and great reserves can be kept longer. Temperature: between 14°C and 18°C (57°F to 64°F) to better preserve it. The best places in a home are under the stairs, basements and attics, as well as a wine cellar refrigerator.

Light: needs to be avoided like the plague because it makes white wine go yellow and rancid, and weakens the color in red wine. 7. Humidity: optimal when the cellar exceeds 50% relative humidity. Some spaces may be conditioned with a humidifier and hygrometer to keep the corks moist. 8. Cork or screw cap: with a cork, oxygen makes wines mature and then die, while with a screw cap, it does not allow for any improvement. 9. Noise: needs to be avoided because it damages the wine’s structure, especially red wine. 10. Space: the cellar must be a specific place and nothing but wine must be stored there.

To improve your cellar and learn more about wines, we recommend you seek advice from a sommelier and/or take a course to try different wines and learn to recognize those wines that have great aging potential and those that need to be drunk immediately. Cheers!

y Lola → Bimba A Legend Collection Antara Mall, Polanco, Mexico City | bimbaylola.com @bimbaylola Bimba y Lola |

We do not like having favorites but Bimba y Lola… The Spanish brand based its latest season on darkness, magic and fantasy creatures of the Middle Ages. Wool apparel, sweaters and beautiful coats are the perfect foundation for embroidery, fringes and colorful prints that already characterize the brand. Unicorns, Pegasus, snakes, pagan rituals and Gothic stained glass endow these prints with mystery, the theme of this collection. Silk scarves, handbags and jewelry are part of a legend collection. We have already mentioned we have no favorites, but we cannot help wanting the blue print clutch, the blue-striped pencil skirt or any of the amazing jewelry pieces. It is a statement of strength and femininity that only Bimba y Lola can offer women, limitlessly. Made in Spain Like many other Spanish fashion brands, Bimba y Lola has witnessed more growth outside its country due to the economic crisis. The Domínguez sisters—Uxía and María—come from a family

of fashion, since their uncle is Adolfo, from the Adolfo Domínguez brand, and decided to establish Bimba y Lola in Galicia, Spain in 2005. In 2008, they opened their first store abroad, in Paris, and have not stopped

growing ever since. Mexico, of course, is one of its biggest markets.

the-frontdoor.com 13

FRONT

→ Ingredienta, Only the Best (55) 5540 5128 | ingredienta.com

Ingredienta sells and home delivers gourmet products, a service that began thanks to a group of friends with a passion for good ingredients. “After having a company that sold ingredients to restaurants and hotels […] we decided to launch, virtually, a new concept to sell gourmet products and see if it worked,” says Julieta Ferrer, one of the partners. For five years, this online store has been dedicated to pampering its customers, bringing from supplier to consumer, organic, gourmet and high quality food to please the most demanding palates. Mexico produces incredible ingredients —like sea urchin, crab, Bluefin tuna or beef from Sonora— that until recently were only exported. They have also focused on —since the beginning— organic, natural and artisanal products. Some people look for their products because they want the same ingredients they ate in a restaurant and loved, or because these are only found abroad. Everything is sold upon request, since they have no stock; this in order to ensure all products are as fresh as possible. Depending on what ingredient you want, Ingredienta requires your orders to be placed a few days ahead, and up to a week for very special products, since they have to be imported. Once all products on your list have arrived, they are delivered to your doorstep. Orders can be placed via e-mail, telephone or its website —although only bestselling products are found on the latter. Ingredienta offers over 2,000 products that range from live seafood, organic chicken, grains and superfoods, to Kobe beef, fresh truffles, caviar and foie gras. We recommend you sign up to their weekly newsletter —in which they present seasonal products, tips and exquisite recipes— or speak directly to one of the sales representatives who can guide you depending on your needs and tastes.

Raspberry, carob and almond milk smoothie (pictured), an Ingredienta recipe Ingredients: • 1 cup of raspberries • ½ cup of diced pineapple • 1 ½ cups of almond milk or 20 peeled almonds soaked overnight • 1 or 2 teaspoons of agave honey • 2 teaspoon of carob or cocoa • ½ cup of ice (optional)

14 | The Front Door by La Revista

Preparation: 1. Put all ingredients in the blender and mix until smooth 2. We recommend serving it in glass jars in order to maintain the temperature (and incidentally, reuse them)

THE BLOG

Stories → Long by Gregor von Rezzori von Rezzori, Gregor, Sobre el acantilado y otros relatos (Beyond the Cliff and Other Stories), Colección Narrativa, Sexto Piso, Mexico, 2014

Three long stories —that could also be three short novels— make up this collection named Beyond the Cliff and Other Stories that tells the story of three characters who are very different but at the same time, try —in their own way— to change the society they live in and to a large extent despise. Unpublished in Spanish until today, “The Swan,” “Beyond the Cliff ” and “Afanjáuer or The Prolongation of Love Through Other Methods” show that one of the great feats while writing is achieving perfection in those texts in which there is no time for long descriptions, nor can one afford the surprise of something shorter. The first two titles have an “anonymous” narrator; while the last one seeks to expose terrorism in Italy during the sixties and seventies. Rezzori writes in an elegant and precise manner, seeking to capture events that define the existence of his characters, of the societies in which they live, and of the times we did not live.

The Author Born in 1914 in Chernivtsi, Bukovina, son of a well-known official of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, lived in Bucharest, East Germany and Tuscany. He studied medicine and mining, and ended up in literature thanks to his drawing talent. He wrote over 20 novels before passing away in 1998. In 2015, Sexto Piso will publish (in Spanish) one of his best-known works, The Death of My Brother Abel.

aboard → All with Sperry! Centro Comercial Santa Fe |

Collaboration with Jeffrey Jeffrey Kalinsky, founder of Jeffrey, has collaborated once again with Sperry creating models with special textures like pony leather.

These shoes sport the well-known Sperry non-slip soles, but are much more cutting-edge. The collection can be found exclusively at the Sperry store in Santa Fe.

SperryMx |

@SperryMexico

In 1935, Paul Sperry —sailor and inventor— almost died on the slippery floor of his boat. Due to this, he invested many years in trying to perfect a shoe with a non-slip sole. One day, after seeing his dog run over ice, he decided to carve out wave-like designs into a rubber sole, emulating his dog’s paws. And that is how the first boat shoe was born. Since that moment,

Sperry is a favorite among those who go on yachts and other boats, and also people at the beach and even in the city who have adopted this fashion. Sperry has become a classic, comfortable both under the rain as in campfires at the beach and long walks in the most visited cities of the world. A classic that should be in your closet.

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WA LT ER R EU T E R Walter Reuter was born in 1906 in Berlin, but he eventually settled in Mexico. He was a photographer, filmmaker, revolutionary, and traveler. His photographic legacy highlights all these facets.

16 | The Front Door by La Revista

FE ATURES

page

017

Walter Reuter

A traveler for freedom who used his camera as a weapon by: Marcela Aguilar y Maya photography: Gilberto Chen and courtesy of Hely Reuter

Nearly ten years after the death of her father, Hely Reuter is paying tribute to him. Reuter was one of the great photographers of the twentieth century, and Helyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homage to him is a unique piece: An artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book that naturally uses images to narrate the incredible life of a photographer who arrived in Mexico by chance and who made this land his own, capturing it with his camera until the end of his life.

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FE ATURES

Walter Reuter and Don Manuel.

While everyone has a story and everyone has an interesting life, some are remarkable. Walter Reuter’s life is one of them: He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1906, the second of three boys in a working-class family. His father, a streetcar operator, was called to serve in 1914 when the First World War broke out. He and his brothers were taken to East Prussia with their family. His extended time away from Berlin kept him from regularly attending school, and he only spent two years sitting at a desk: his real school was Wandervogel, the German youth movement, where he learned about the problems of the day and developed his interest for literature, music, painting, and theater. When he was 14, at Sahm & Co., he began a four-year training program in photoengraving. At the same time, he dedicated his time to sports, and won a skiing marathon for the Wandervogel. In those days, he also encountered the world of dance and theater, and watched shows fea18 | The Front Door by La Revista

turing Nijinsky, Isadora Duncan, Mary Wigman, and Anna Pavlova. As the political differences in Germany grew more severe, he bought his first camera and created his first photo essay, which exposed the living conditions of workers and the places where the government was sending them. This drew the attention of the magazine Arbeiter Illustrierte Zeitung (AIZ), the most important left-wing publication in Germany. On February 27, 1933, when the Reichstag fire broke out, Walter was arrested. After many a vicissitude, he was able to escape, as he was on the Nazis’ blacklist. He fled Germany with his wife, Sulamith Siliava —who was Jewish— to France, and later to Spain, where they made a living singing in cafés.

He left his photograph library in the hands of his brother Erich, who burned it out of fear that it would be discovered. Walter lost all his work from those years. He would later join the Republican forces and decided that his only weapon would be his camera. That is how he met several members of the International Brigades and people such as Gustav Regler, Ernest Hemingway, Anna Seghers, André Malraux, and Federico García Lorca, among others, who proposed making a film on the Spanish Civil War, which due to very complicated reasons never came to fruition. In 1936, months before the murder of García Lorca, Walter visited him at his home in Granada. He spent the evening with him. Federico played the piano and spoke enthusiastically about his new book: La casa de Bernarda Alba (The House of Bernarda Alba). They made plans to turn it into a photo essay, but the project was ruined by the death of the Spanish poet. However, Reuter would do so in Mexico many years later, in 1987 —as an homage to García Lorca— with the Universidad Libre dance group.

T H E P R O F I L E : WA LT E R R E U T E R

He escaped to France in 1937 after the fall of Barcelona, where he was captured and sent to Casablanca as a prisoner in a concentration camp, chained to 17 other men. Later on, he was shipped to Algeria, to work on the construction of a Trans-Saharan railway. As a prisoner, in 1942, he received a letter from his wife who had gotten a visa and a ticket to escape to Mexico. Walter was able to escape the concentration camp and embarked for Morocco en route to Mexico. In March of the following year, he arrived at the port of Veracruz, aboard the Portuguese ship Saint Thomé, along with other refugees of war. The first two years of exile were full of obstacles, especially to get work. Reuter used a borrowed camera to begin taking portraits of the Jewish community. With that money he was able to buy a Rolleiflex camera at a pawnshop, the famous Monte de Piedad. From that point on he dedicated himself entirely to photography, and also eventually to cinema.

REUTER HAD FRIENDS FROM A LL WA LK S OF LIFE, INCLU DING FEDERICO GAR CÍA LOR C A , E R N E S T H E M I N G W AY A N D ANDRÉ MALRAUX. Reuter healing the foot of one of his indigenous friends.

He finished his first photo essay in 1944, Los techos de México, which was published in Nosotros, a magazine along the lines of Life. With this work, he is believed to have introduced modern graphic journalism to Mexico. In 1946, Holiday magazine assigned him to do a photo essay on the Paricutin Volcano. This would be the first of several journeys to visit and photograph different parts of the country. Writer Gutierre Tibón would later on lend him money to buy a 35 mm film camera, and Walter filmed his first documentary, Historia de un río, featuring the Temascal Dam. During the next 30-plus years he continued to pursue this work: tireless traveler, photographer extraordinaire, and a lover of Mexico as a whole. He never let his camera rest, and conveyed rural Mexico in thousands of photos. He showed his work and received prizes and recognition wherever he went. In 1995, with his daughter Hely by his side, he began cataloguing the Walter Reuter Archives, containing 97,000 images. In 2005, Walter Reuter died in Cuernavaca, Morelos. He was 99. But his legacy is more alive than ever, present in books and retrospectives. However, perhaps the most fitting way to know Walter is through his artist book created by Hely Reuter, who certainly inherited her father’s gift and creative eye. She spoke to us about the book narrating the life —and work— of this great photographer and artist.

Wind cleans the soul, 1988.

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MARCELA AGUILAR Y MAYA: In one sentence, who was Walter Reuter to you? HELY REUTER: Walter

Reuter was a very peculiar person in the good sense of the word. An honest man, with a clarity of where his ethical and moral compass lay. Although his life led him to unexpected places because of the wars he lived through, he was always thankful and ready to do what he had to do. He was a complete man.

At what point did you actively get involved in the preservation of his legacy? From the time my father broke his hip, when he was 89. The purpose was to have him active, since it was hard for him to get around. He couldn’t take photos anymore. So I applied for a grant from fonca (the National Fund for Culture and the Arts), I created a workgroup and we began cataloguing his archives. He very eagerly participated in reviewing the images and everything he said about photography was very enriching. This motivated him during the next years of his life. All of a sudden I was really involved in my father’s project, showing exhibitions, a book and everything related to his archives. As I got more involved in his archives, many surprises emerged, like documents, wonderful unpublished images, anecdotes, letters, etcetera.

I imagine this work changed you entirely. The more I discovered other facets of his work and life the more I admired my father. I was in contact with materials that were so valuable, which are also part of my history. I felt the need to do a project with him and that’s how the idea emerged, La Maleta de Walter Reuter-Viajero por la Libertad (Walter Reuter’s Suitcase—Traveling for Freedom). With this piece, I could combine my creative pursuits as a book maker, paying homage to his life and work.

Tell me some more about this piece. The piece consists of eleven books with some aspects on Walter, who had a very intense, adventurous life. He participated in and was witness to important events of the twentieth century, such as the World War I, the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He also worked for the great transformation of this country, which gave him asylum, and where he lived for more than half his life. He lived for 99 years with his trademark happiness and fulfillment. 20 | The Front Door by La Revista

Hely Reuter, daughter of Walter, with the book on her father’s legacy.

W A LT E R R E U T E R H A D M U C H R E S P E C T A N D FA S CIN AT ION F OR T H E TR A DI T ION S A N D F O OD OF MEXICO’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. Combining my skills as a bookbinder and my father’s legacy, I was able to create a unique object: Walter Reuter’s Suitcase. This piece is magical because it puts together his life through images, as if it were a jigsaw puzzle, where you discover different aspects of his persona in each piece.

Your father was fascinated by Mexico. What was this relationship like? His relationship with indigenous peoples was authentic, sincere and above all with much respect. He was captivated by their traditions, clothing, food and philosophies on life. He truly approached the people; he was interested in their stories and their problems. He knew them and was their friend. He was always photographing the positive aspects of their cultures, never the poverty or misery.

T H E P R O F I L E : WA LT E R R E U T E R

His legacy (outstanding works)

Do you think his work had more photojournalism purposes than artistic ones? Walter was truly a very simple man, not pretentious at all. He was very cultured, even though he was self-educated, since he never had the opportunity to go to school. His school was life itself and his readings. He was always highly drawn to all kinds of arts: dance, painting, theater, and literature. I think that in his work as a photographer he was more interested in the contact with people and situations, since he highly enjoyed his work. That enriched him quite a bit. That was enough for Walter. His intention was to convey a dignified aspect of indigenous realities. One that’s quite different than what you’d see in traditional media.

Of this formidable legacy that you have of your father, what moves you the most? What moves me is a man who lived such a hard life, who witnessed terrible events, who was persecuted, imprisoned and abused, who had to flee his country and leave his family in Germany —and didn’t see them for 26 years— who lost everyone in his wife's family, witnessed several friends die, yet always held on to the best part of everything that happened to him. He always had a positive attitude amidst those events, and you can see that in his photos. You can perceive a kind and harmonious photographer. In peace with life, despite all odds. Much of the archives include works he did on commission, but the photos of indigenous Mexico are truly wonderful. That’s where his quality as a human stands out.

In 1953, Reuter filmed the movie Raíces, which won the Critics’ Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. He also made the documentary Tierra de chicle, which earned him the Espiga de Plata award in Rome. In 1957, he filmed La brecha, shot in the town of Ixcatlán, Oaxaca, with Mazatecos indigenous people, which aimed to raise awareness on the lack of physicians in rural zones. In 1958, he made the film El brazo fuerte, which was “canned” for many years for dealing with caciquismo (chiefdoms) in Mexico. It did not premier until 1974. In 1987, during a visit to San Andrés Chicahuaxtla, Oaxaca, a group of Triquis indigenous people captivated him with their traditions, arts and crafts. His recurring visits led him to become a member of the community. The following year, he showed Cuerpo y movimiento at the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, in honor of this group of people. The book Berlin-Madrid-Mexico, 60 Years of Photography and Cinema, Walter Reuter was published in Germany in 1991, accompanied by an exhibition in Berlin. In 1992, Madrid’s Goethe Institute held a retrospective exhibition and published that book in Spanish, including material from the Spanish Civil War. He received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, through its ambassador to Mexico, Peter Dingens.

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T H E P R O F I L E : WA LT E R R E U T E R

The suitcase The suitcase identifier includes images by Walter Reuter and some personal documents. When you open it you see an image of how Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitcase would look: his clothes, camera, pipe, German songbook, among other items. The piece contains a portfolio of 16 photos of himself. From his first photograph at eight months, up until a few months before his passing, at 99. When we look beyond those photos, we find a close-up of his face divided into four parts. Each contains a book: one on his time as a prisoner in

Algeria during the Second World War. Another with a beautiful letter he received from his Triqui friends and images from the town of Chicahuaxtla, Oaxaca. Yet another one that includes loose photos of the Spanish Civil War. And finally, a handwritten timeline of his life illustrated with some photos. Under these pieces we find the book Lorca, with photos of the play La casa de Bernarda Alba; a book whose pages are the plates of his old Linhof camera. The pages feature people of Mexican

cultures, an image of the Chihuahua Sierra, and finally a more personal book containing a caricature by Gonzalo Rocha, a text written by Hely Reuter as preface of the book El viento limpia el Alma, photos of his family and himself along with an object that traveled with him for much of his life: his small harmonica. At the bottom of the suitcase is a portrait of the older Walter, smoking, and the inside of the suitcase is plastered with maps of the four stages in his life: Berlin, Spain, Africa and Mexico.

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A TALK WITH:

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Gerardo Rioseco by: Marcela Aguilar y Maya photo: Ignacio Galar & courtesy of The Front Door

Gerardo Rioseco, director of The Front Door, has a clear understanding of the opportunities and benefits that the time-share system offers and how to perfectly adapt them to the needs and demands of new travelers—those who seek luxury, exclusiveness, and above all the most outstanding experiences.

As Director of The Front Door Club, Gerardo Rioseco is an expert on the trips we would all love to have on our travel itineraries. Backed by the extensive yet highly select portfolio of The Front Door’s properties, Gerardo encourages travelers to leave it all in his hands; to stop worrying about the logistics and instead enjoy the best destinations in the world, to travel in his style with all their whims resolved, since the only requirement here is availability. After all, he says, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” The Front Door is the best thing that has happened to vacation plans in the past few decades. As traveler demands increase, the supply of sites is also growing and people’s time is becoming even further limited, so fortunately there exists a club where flexibility is key, the destinations are unbeatable, and both services and attention are impeccable, leaving members free to enter a new world of vacation right through the front door.

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MARCELA AGUILAR Y MAYA: Has the concept of time-sharing vacations changed much since it emerged?

Customers evolve over time for different reasons: the simple passage of time, age, family structure, their own socio-economic needs, and also the act of taking a vacation, which has had much more relevance in people’s lives in recent years. The mobility of modern society is much greater than in previous generations. The second aspect involves the development of vacation properties themselves. This concept was born 40 years ago and it is quite curious, since like many great things in the history of humanity, it emerged for the wrong reason. It was not a conscious development of the industry in modern Mexico, which by the way is No. 2 in the world, only after the United States. GERARDO RIOSECO:

How did it arise? The time-share concept comes from a developer who was stuck with his property 40 years ago, in one of the recurring real estate crisis, especially in Europe. Unlike what is commonly believed, time-share was born in Europe, particularly in Monaco and Paris, where the value of real estate is quite high, and real estate that gets stuck over the lack of credit or a market, emerges onto the market. What made developers at the time “divvy up” their property in smaller pieces, and go out to sell only what people were using—that is where the time-share concept came from. After it arrived in the United States in the 1970s it was adapted to a sales model inspired by the used-car market. In fact, most of the terms that are used in timeshare sales, such as Outside Personal Contact (OPC), queue, lead, or closing percentage, among others, are from the North American used-car sales industry. Developers hire these types of vendors, explaining that they are now going to sell a service. 26 | The Front Door by La Revista

A TALK WITH GERARDO RIOSECO

“PRODUCT DIVERSITY AND FLEXIBILITY ARE THE E S S E N T I A L R E A S ONS W H Y A C US TOM E R BU Y S A M E M B E R S H I P. T H A T D O E S N O T C O M P A R E T O T H E T IM E - S H A RING MODE L OF 25 Y E A R S A GO.” How did it arrive in Mexico? It essentially emerged among developers who were bringing in a product that was not being displaced, and the concept was “tropicalized.” And again, it was for the wrong reason: it started as a “use right” and not as a deeded property, since in Mexico, after the war of Independence and later in the Constitution, there is a law that says that no foreigners can buy private property on the socalled border zones —including all the coastlines and the Baja California and Yucatán peninsulas— and in the border area with the United States. This law was just reformed three years ago, but since you cannot sell this land to your main client —who are foreigners— then Mexicans learn to sell one thing that is called “usage right” through a property in a trust to ensure that beneficiaries can use it, but what they are really buying is a right to use it. They start by having a term of ten, fifteen, and up to 25 years. So Mexico is becoming a very important leader with this time-share model, which other companies are beginning to copy. Over time, Mexico has reached the forefront of these types of vacation properties: since they are meant for the long term, they eliminate many of the problems with condominium property plans, such as payment of monthly maintenance fees, administration, etc. So for the wrong reasons we got it right with a fantastic product. That is why the Mexican market is the sales leader of time-share.

What is the competitive handicap that Mexico has had with companies of this kind in the United States? The issue of security —both legal and commercial— as well as the security of permanence and perhaps public security. But Mexico makes up for it based on quality and service. And this, leveraged on a cheaper workforce, leads to much higher quality product development and top-class destinations, which has produced a massive demand for this product around the world, with a wordof-mouth recommendation mechanism.

How has the concept of time-share evolved in recent years? In the 1970s, “weeks of the year” of an apartment were sold, year after year, and that was the reservation system. A decade later, the concept of property “exchange” emerged, in which a partner is no longer limited to going to the same place year after year, and can literally get a change of scenery with the same membership. This was the first quantum leap for the concept of vacation properties. The next major step was to leave the fixed-season and fixed-unit world and enter the universe of floating season and unit.

What does that mean? It’s where you can buy a week at a condominium somewhere, whenever you can go. And the possibilities to reserve in different

areas and seasons are endless. Then there’s the ability to divide a unit or combine two and you’ll get much more flexibility. The most important thing is that the company gives the customer the ability to make decisions. Period. Technology and communication have driven this new model and increased flexibility even more, using points systems for example, including more activities, creating partnerships. Now, product diversity and flexibility are the main reasons why a client buys a membership, and this does not compare to the model from 25 years ago. Before, people would buy for the price. Now they buy for flexibility, options, and luxury.

Since it is clearly an aspirational product, it makes a lot of commercial sense... Of course. This form of vacation properties has also made the owner “stop wasting” money on second homes that are empty, on maintenance, and makes them focus on wellequipped super vacations. This drives the level and standards of products that we offer to customers. And we have an increasingly sophisticated and higher-level market, which seeks unique experiences. The search has become much smarter in the sense of belonging, looking to be an innovator, and being on the cutting edge of vacations.

Who is this vacation program targeted at? The Front Door is for customers who for the-frontdoor.com 27

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years have preferred the Grupo Posadas brands, customers who have stayed at our hotels, partaking in our experiences, and have asked us to raise our quality standards. That’s why we’ve created this exclusive and superior product. These customers know our quality, they know the advantages of a vacation property. We then package it, we add the luxury component, and we tell them, “Let me be the expert, while you just enjoy it. Once you’re a member of the club, don’t worry about the where or the when.” That’s what we design, creating the necessary partnerships so that we can cater to any need. It’s that simple. That’s the concept of The Front Door: the major virtues of vacation property extracted for a select group of people who like exclusivity, luxury, and adventure. In a phrase, a memorable experience.

That’s like having a second home. The topic of exclusivity goes in hand with the residential concept: “I want to travel during my vacation as I would travel to my second home. I want service, I want the gastronomic experience, exclusivity and innovation, but I want it as if I were at home: surrounded by my family, have privacy, space, and comfort. I don’t want to feel like I’m in a hotel room. It’s essential to be able to seclude yourself and enter an exclusive world where this concept is possible, while at the same time you have all the experiences of ‘outside’ offered to you by the accommodations of these luxury spaces. It’s a change in lifestyle for the better.”

Without a doubt, the key word is flexibility. Flexibility nowadays is the equivalent of hot water: you cannot conceive a hotel room without hot water. You cannot conceive a vacation plan that is not flexible, and more so with modern technology. The Front Door is not a club with standardized destinations, 28 | The Front Door by La Revista

A TALK WITH GERARDO RIOSECO

T H E F R O N T D O O R H A S A D VA N T A G E S F O R I T S M E M B E R S E V E N W H E N T H E Y A R E N O T T R AV E L I N G : A C ON C I E R G E S E R V I C E T H AT C A N BE U S E D Y E A R ROUND. it is a club with destinations tailored to the customer’s desired experiences. That’s one of the program’s great benefits, as it adapts the physical product and the offer to the experience that all customers want, as we all have different ways to vacation. At The Front Door, customers have the authority to decide what they want to do, and how and when to do it. That’s essential.

What properties do they have? The program is leveraged in the properties of Grupo Posadas, giving customers access to the world of hotel suites of any of its brands, as well as condominiums in Puerto Vallarta, and we’re in the process of opening in the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos and Acapulco Diamante —in other words, essentially the destinations where our clientele wants to make reasonably frequent use of their vacations. We also have partnerships with companies focused on a similar line of business in the world of exchanges, such as The Registry Collection, and we’ve affiliated it, as we believe it’s important to include other properties that have that profile, that experience for customers, so as to be a massive enrichment to the options of the club’s portfolio: from a golf club on a volcano in Antigua, Guatemala, to Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, apartments in central Manhattan, to dreamlike properties in Tuscany. In short, there is an enormous variety to go on luxury escapes, and the ability to do so frequently; we create our own vacations— those we experience in Mexico City.

Are there any time restrictions, in the sense of having limits on the annual use of club properties? The answer is no. What The Front Door does is sell a package of points that are posted to the individual account of each customer, every year, for the next 40 years, which can be used quite flexibly: in various stays of 2,000 or 3,000 points, or all the points in a single stay, in one or more units, as the customer decides. And more points can always be purchased if necessary.

Time, as a concept, is the most valuable luxury. How are vacation plans adapted to this new lifestyle? Often when we don’t take advantage of our free time it’s because we don’t know how, and that’s exactly what The Front Door does. One of our objectives is to tell customers that we’re experts in vacations, in free time management, and your time in our hands is going to be worth so much more, since we’re masters of the topic.

What benefits are there when you aren’t traveling? We have concierge services and we constantly promote ideas for customers to make the most of their free time, or for business travelers to have an extraordinary lifestyle as well. Having access to experiences, be they for tourism or work. That’s what we want. Being a member of The Front Door is a very important experience in your life.

You also get access to different private clubs in Mexico City, to lounges and different services that a traveler would use. We also provide prompt day-to-day information. In short, The Front Door is a proactive and unique butler.

Our travelers are definitely much more informed and therefore more demanding... We endeavor that customers aren’t concerned about their membership, but that the membership is concerned about the customer: payments, reservations, selecting places... There’s no need to worry. The rules should be in your favor and not working against you. That’s why there’s the concierge system of The Front Door. Nowadays, travelers don’t prioritize that things are cheap, but that they make sense. They want exclusiveness. That they recognize me without invading my privacy. They want to experience new things, to step out of their routines.

And that’s where the Grupo Posadas expertise is present… It’s essential to know the member even better to give him or her access to whatever services they need. The service offered must be perfectly targeted to their likes and be tailored to them. That is The Front Door.

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Leisure

by: Santiago Oria Probert

The Pleasure of Sailing Touring the world on a boat translates to exploring hidden places and participating in unique activities. It means eating and playing, discovering oneself based on the different situations that everyday life offers. It is a lifestyle that thanks to the numerous companies that offer yachts, sailing boats or catamarans, is at your fingertips.

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THE PLEASURE OF SAILING

Modern travelers may well be considered experience hunters, bons vivants in search

AND IF THIS LIFE AND THIS WORLD GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE, THERE IS NO BIGGER OPTION THAN THE SEA, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT SIZE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY AND DREAMY ATTRIBUTE.

of moments and situations that meet their standards of comfort, adventure and novelty. For many, this hobby has become a lifestyle surrounded by luxury, transformation and adventure. And if this life and this world give us the opportunity to explore things, there is no bigger option than the sea, not only because of its great size, but also because of its beauty, dreamy attributes and the plethora of activities it allows you to embark on; starting by sailing it, listening to it and observing it to where the eye sees no more. In order to enjoy it to the fullest, with elegance, freedom and a touch of luxury that always enlivens any trip, there is nothing better than a yacht or a sailboat; those who sail regularly liken this hobby to an addiction. One of the advantages of living in today’s world, is that sailing surrounded by friends and family, or in total privacy and being able to make decisions at any moment, does not require owning a boat or even knowing how to sail it, as companies that rent these —of all sizes, manned or unmanned, equipped to be at sea from one afternoon to many days— are increasingly numerous and willing to offer their guests personalized experiences. Below we will present some of the privileges of vacationing in such a fashion. Visiting places that can only be reached by water. Strange and abandoned places that remain pristine, with wild fauna and flora waiting to capture your senses and subject them to extraordinary sensations. A clear example dwells near Puerto Vallarta*, south of Boca de Tomatlán, where places like Yelapa present themselves like a perfect space, a paradise to which one can only get by boat, a privilege for a few. the-frontdoor.com 31

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SOME SEARCH FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BACKDROPS, THE MOST REMOTE ISLANDS AND THE MOST EXCLUSIVE DESTINATIONS; OTHERS WANT ROMANCE AND SOLITUDE. THE SAILING EXPERIENCE IS NEVER-ENDING. Keeping an itinerary that befits any whim. Eating whenever one wants to eat, swimming whenever one wants to swim, drinking whatever one wants to drink and sleeping when one’s body demands it. Additionally, depending on whether you like a place a lot or a little, you decide if you stay or leave. Flexibility is part of daily life and perhaps one of the most alluring things about being onboard. To do what one enjoys most. Amenities vary from boat to boat and the client chooses these, including the “toys,” that range from personal submarines to control-remote boats. Having Internet, surround sound equipment or high definition televisions are, for example, some of the luxuries available but that many prefer to steer clear from in order to “disconnect” from the urban world. Trying unique activities. Depending on the characteristics of

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the place and the type of trip you are embarking on, the proximity to water allows you to scuba dive in spectacular reserves, which fortunately abound in Mexico. Cabo Pulmo— located between La Paz and Los Cabos* —one of the few reefs still alive in North America and extremely important ecologic reserve in Mexico, deserves a special mention. For those who have an aversion to depths, snorkeling is also unique and highly recommended. Other interesting water activities involve kayaks, surfboards, skis, and wakeboards, among many more options for all tastes. There are, precisely for all tastes, options in the vast ocean as there are people who prefer going on adventures with their family, looking for quiet places to spend quality time, swimming and finding activities suitable for children and the elderly alike; a few others make luxury and lifestyle the center of their vacation; others pursue activities and the places to perform them; there are those who search for the most beautiful backdrops, the most remote islands and the most exclusive destinations; or even those who want romance and solitude. The sailing experience is never-ending.

THE PLEASURE OF SAILING

SAIL OR ENGINE?

For beginners in the sailing field, deciding to buy or rent a boat may seem to be the most complicated issue, but many have faced a blank later on, when they have to choose if their vessel will be powered by an engine or the wind. But there is no reason to worry, even the most experienced struggle with this question and constantly change their minds about it. Here are a few points that will help make up your mind. The main difference is the use of fuel, a feature that is directly reflected in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finances, as expenses for a yacht with an engine are much higher than for a sailboat. On the other hand, the constant or sporadic use of fuel limits the distance that can be covered, since a yacht is faster but needs constant refueling to continue moving forward. The sailboat, however, allows for endless hours at sea, traveling hundreds of nautical miles without looking back and with the peace of mind that, if the boat is not becalmed and the wind allows it, your return is guaranteed. Knowing that there is this dependence on the wind makes for patient sailors, calm and in no hurry to get to one place from another, men who enjoy

the journey more than the getting there. Thus, if a person simply wishes to get from one place to another, to settle in total serenity and enjoy the continuous rocking of the sea, a yacht is the best option. Thinking about the ease with which both sailing versions are operated, beyond the size of the crew, a motor yacht is considerably easier and requires fewer people trained in navigation. On a sailboat, everybody has to work on the sails, masts, ropes, sheets and halyards. To top it off, it is essential to have some knowledge of meteorology. Lastly, onboard comfort and stability. A trip on a sailboat is silent and pleasant like very few moments in life. However, you can forget about trays with snacks on them or glasses over tables while sailing with heel (leaning over). A yacht, on the other hand, allows for greater stability, better control and perhaps more safety and calmness for the men, women and children aboard. Though obviously catamarans are also available. But that is another story. What we can guarantee is that regardless of the type of boat you select, the feeling of pleasure, luxury, exclusiveness and, above all, freedom you will experiences while sailing, is unique and unparalleled. Worthy of kings and The Front Door experience. *Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are merely two among many destinations where The Front Door has properties. For more information, go to the-frontdoor.com.

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the Journey by: Andrea Villanueva

Puerto Vallarta, a Classic in Constant Renovation

Puerto Vallarta is a unique destination in Mexico. In addition to its renowned beaches, it offers the possibility to practice sports in unparalleled natural settings, visit art galleries, explore the flavors and aromas of its great cuisine, and even discover villages hidden deep in the mountain.

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page 034 This season we recommend our favorite beaches and sailing the high seas.

PUERTO VALL ARTA : A CL ASSIC IN CONSTANT RENOVATION

Itan emblematic is no coincidence that property of The Front

Door is in Puerto Vallarta. With its beautiful bays, stunning sunsets and an increasing number of culinary options, in addition to its closeness to Mexico’s most important cities, the beaches in this region—Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Punta Mita—framed by the peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental, are a paradise for travelers. Known by some as Mexico’s Gold Coast, the Puerto Vallarta area begins in the village of San Blas and stretches all the way to Costalegre, a perfect area to practice all sorts of activities as diverse in interests and objectives as one can imagine. Of course, lying on the beach under a parasol with a colorful cocktail in hand

is an option, probably the first choice for many, but for others total passiveness and silence sounds more like a punishment. For the latter group of people there are extreme sports, and for those who are looking for a cultural experience, workshops and world-renowned art galleries, as well as the best restaurants, they are all at their fingertips.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS

In the waters of Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings, you can practice activities ranging from scuba diving and surfing lessons at all levels, to a new sport known as flyboard. If you are an admirer of marine life, you cannot miss a trip to the Marieta Islands, where you will see whales and dolphins, and also be amazed by rays, sea turtles and exotic tropical fish.

Another option is to visit Las Caletas private beach, where film director John Huston lived in the sixties. This tropical hideaway offers spa treats—body exfoliation with sea salts and natural coconut cream is one of the most asked for, though the classical Swedish massage is also available—as well as snorkeling and kayaking in crystal-clear waters. You can only get there by boat. We recommend taking the first-class catamaran from Vallarta Adventures. For the more restless and adventurous spirits, the options are endless as well: renting a sailboat and enjoying the sea; going on whale watching tours (as long as the season allows it); rappelling; and of course, sport fishing. In short, there is plenty to do for people who cannot keep still.

Flyboard.

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Photograph: Manuel Cerón

PUERTO VALLARTA’S LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS GIVE IT AN ALMOST PERFECT SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE. THIS PARADISE DESTINATION BOASTS OVER 300 SUNNY DAYS A YEAR AND AN AVERAGE TEMPERATURE OF 77°F. WHAT MORE CAN ONE ASK FOR?

GOURMET TRIP

If traveling for you means discovering dishes and trying new wines, Puerto Vallarta has much to offer. Since the eighties, chefs from around the globe— Switzerland, Spain, Argentina and France, among other countries—have migrated to the coasts of Jalisco to join the growing gastronomical variety of this destination. One of the first settlers was Thierry Blouet, born in Puerto Rico but of French descent, who owns one of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Café des Artistes. Blouet was one of the first chefs in the area to mix gastronomical ideas—he uses ingredients and techniques from Mexican, French and Asian cuisines—and today owns, in addition to the aforementioned establishment, the Tuna Blanca restaurant. The former offers French food with hints of Mexican flavors: think of escargot ravioli, now a classic of Puerto Vallarta. Tuna Blanca, in Punta Mita, has a more experimental type of cuisine with a beachy feel, a little more easygoing. This, of course, does not mean the food is not just as delicious: organic duck chilaquiles; barbacoa-style lamb; cream of prawn soup; the entire menu is succulent. Chef Alfonso Cadena owns the in-vogue restaurant which is on its way to becoming a must: La Leche Almacén Gourmet. With an almost all-white décor, it is an irreverent place, worthy of a chef who once was a graphic designer and musician. Almost exclusively using local ingredients, La Leche is a favorite among locals for its duck tacos, lobster risotto and extra-fresh salads, although since the menu changes on a daily basis, one never knows what surprise awaits. It has been so successful that they recently opened a food truck and its bar is now a must in Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife. Other restaurant options include El Dorado, Mariscos 8 Tostadas, and Trío. Whatever you choose, we recommend you enjoy the port’s excellent range of fish and seafood.

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La Leche Almacén Gourmet.

PUERTO VALL ARTA : A CL ASSIC IN CONSTANT RENOVATION

A DDRE SSE S Café des Artistes Guadalupe Sánchez 740 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco T. (322) 222 3228 cafedesartistes.com Jardín Botánico Vallarta Carretera Puerto Vallarta-Barra de Navidad km. 24 Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco T. (322) 223 6182 vbgardens.org La Leche Almacén Gourmet Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio km. 2.5 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco T. (322) 293 0900 lalecherestaurant.com Tuna Blanca Av. Anclote, Lote 5 Punta Mita, Nayarit T. (329) 291 5414 tunablanca.com Vallarta Adventures (for tours and water sports) T. 01 (800) 0000 823 ext. 1425 vallarta-adventures.com

THE FRONT DOOR AT M A RIN A VA LL A R TA Av. Paseo de la Marina 121 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta the-frontdoor.com FB: TheFrontDoorMX Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

THE HIDDEN SIDE OF VALLARTA

We have covered restaurants and water activities, and we know many of you just want to relax while admiring the sea, but it is worth mentioning other activities you can also do around Puerto Vallarta, ones that go beyond walking up and down the boardwalk. Besides the numerous art galleries in the surrounding areas, there are surprises yet to be discovered in this beach destination. A secret of that region is the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, not very far from the city, a beautiful botanical haven. The project began in 2004 in a then abandoned 50-acre area which is now home

to hundreds of species ranging from roses and palm trees to perhaps the most beautiful orchids ever seen. Running this garden is Robert Price—from Savannah, Georgia, one of the places in the United States with the most tropical flora—who settled in this tropical forest near Horocones River. As you finish the tour, admire the view along with Mexican food at the Hacienda de Oro restaurant. San Sebastián del Oeste is another wonderful option if you want to visit magical towns. Like the Botanical Gardens, this town is near Puerto Vallarta and will transport you to a completely different world. The magic begins on the

way there, with the natural landscape emerging as you enter the mountainous area. Upon arrival at San Sebastián, you will see a place that seems to have frozen in time with a charming cobbled square, elegant, white buildings, including haciendas and an eighteenth-century church. San Sebastián now grows coffee and agave plants on its fertile foothills; a place worth setting aside a day for. Whether you decide only to rest from daily life or plan on going back home more tired than when you arrived, Puerto Vallarta’s charm will make you come back. No wonder it is a The Front Door destination.

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La P urificadora LoCated in tHe City oF PuebLa, it iS known aLL over tHe worLd For itS interior deSign and arquiteCture. La Purificadora is situated in the most antique area in Pueblaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Historical Center, just nearby the church of San Francisco, and close to a shoping mall and the Convention Center. Just a few steps away thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beautiful garden and a contemporary art gallery. From the terrace on the third floor the views of the city are unrivalled.

reservations:

01 800 841 83 90 myfrontdoor@posadas.com www.the-frontdoor.com