hidden ireland...

Just returned from a fabulous holiday in Ireland, County Kerry to be exact. We toured this beautiful and rugged southwest corner of the country, traveling along the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic for a little over a week. I can’t say we saw the sun much on this trip, but we discovered so many shining things while on the Emerald Isle!

Never have I met such amazing people when traveling- casual, comfortable, welcoming and fun. It was seven days of hikes through green rocky countryside finished with meals of the absolute freshest seafood I have ever eaten in my life (and coming from a coastal person, that is really saying something).

As an equestrian, I made sure to ride some of the sturdy Irish cobbs and draft horses while there- along beaches and down winding cliffs. Once we even rode straight through the middle of a town, past cafes and stunned shoppers, around a round-about, past an eighteen wheeler, and out to the beaches.

The trip had its share of sights, including stone circles (a’ la Stone Henge), castles, fishing villages full of lobster traps and brightly painted boats, stone cottages and bridges and fences, traditional Irish music, and Guinness of course! The final day was by far the most impressive, as we toured the great Blaskett Island, one of the last bastions of traditional Gaelic culture. The people of this island had a rich oral traditional and maintained their traditional way of life until the mid twentieth century, when the peat bog depletion forced them to move to the Irish mainland. A chartered boat delivered us to the island through rough seas, and left us to explore abandoned stone houses, overgrown hedgerows and fences that once held sheep and cattle, down tiny paths that wound around the rugged island. What a fascinating place.

Pictured below are (left to right, top row down) stone circles outside Kenmare, Lobster Traps in Port McGee, Cart Rides through the Gap of Dunloe, Great Blaskett Island, Dingle Bay, a Cottage on Great Blaskett, Dingle Horse Riding, a Tower Overlooking Dingle Bay, Placing Bets at the Dingle Races with less than professional-looking bookies.

A few spots to not miss if you ever make it to this part of the world:

The Lime Tree Restaurant, Kenmare, Ireland

An intimate “Double Award Winner” Michelin restaurant that serves fabulous seafood and local lamb set in an 1800’s building in the heart of quaint Kenmare.

http://www.limetreerestaurant.com/index.php

Stop by the Park Hotel for drinks before or after dinner. While we didn’t get a chance to stay at the Park hotel, which overlooks the beautiful bay of Kenmare, it definitely seems to be the best hotel in the area.

http://www.parkkenmare.com/

I also recommend Out of the Blue in Dingle for seafood lovers- their slogan is “Meat eaters need not apply”, and you wont be disappointed.

http://www.outoftheblue.ie/

And don’t miss Fenton’s in Dingle as well. While it may seem like a casual, ordinary seafood restaurant, the food was divine. “Crab Thumbs” as they call them (seemed to be just like stone crab claws to me) kept me thinking about Fenton’s for days.

http://www.dinglerestaurants.com/fentons.html

Finally, if you want help planning your own vacation to Ireland, I have to recommend Hidden Ireland Tours, who planned our trip from top to bottom and didn’t disappoint at all. My good friend Binky organizes the trips and has fabulous contacts over there to get you to the most out of the way, unknown spots, the best local restaurants, the best sights and walks that you would never find on your own.

http://www.hiddenirelandtours.com/

new inspirations: saudi arabia ...

One of our favorite friends (who is always spreading the word about cerulean on his travels around the world!) just sent us these pics from a trip through the Saudi Arabian desert. They were so majestic and foreign that we had to share as inspiration! Of course, we are fundamentally against any nation that inhibits women's rights. This is where we would normally make some stupid joke about being forced to cover up our fabulous clothes and accessories with drab robes and head scarves, but this is serious business, so we will refrain. But we do think that the (American) women in the snapshot below in billowing black robes looks tres chic! Enjoy the images- i hope they inspire some Arabian nights of your own!

precious cargo…

The cerulean travelogue is most often a place to reminisce about adventures around the world, or share stories of other people’s travels in order to inspire us all to live a more exotic and open minded life. One of our favorite quotes is “Travels’ greatest purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” That just about sums it all up.

However every once in a while, we find something so unique or inspiring a little closer to home that we have to share it. Enter the Madsen bicycles. I would normally write my own little review on this amazing product, but what the company has says it so well, so we have just copied it below.

I can picture myself riding the bicycle in one of my favorite brightly colored tunics and some ballet flats, a Moroccan straw basket in the back is filled with groceries and produce, and the cerulean mascot, Julep, has her black and white head peeking out over the top of the bucket. A perfectly chic mode of transportation for all my precious cargo! MADSEN Cargo Bikes">Click to learn more.

“Madsen Cycles was started with the idea that a bicycle should do more. Whether you want to work more or play more, a Madsen utility bike gets you and your cargo there in style.

After hauling six neighbor kids around in a wheel barrow bucket bolted to the front of our first prototype, we started to realize what a bicycle can really do. But the bucket on the front, like the box of the European design, creates an awkward center of gravity. So we stretched the chassis and put the bucket on the back. With the natural feel and balance of the rear bucket, you can ride with confidence knowing your load is secure and your cargo is protected.

Our production models have come a long way since that first prototype but our mission has stayed the same; a bicycle should do more. We are not the first to place a load on a bicycle but we are the first to do it right. Tested for up to 600 pounds, the Madsen kg271 is as burly as it is elegant.

So whether you use your Madsen Cycle to drop the kids off at soccer practice, pick up your groceries from the market, or pile in your tools for your next project, we hope you’ll fall in love with your new Madsen Cycle—like we have.”

destination: austin texas...

Austin is one of those towns that everyone says is fabulous. Great shopping, great music, great food, young and vibrant, urban and outdoorsy at the same time. A town of bicycles and Vespas, dogs on leashes sitting outside of sidewalk cafes, sculling on Town Lake, environmentally minded, music at the forefront, modern but TexMex through and through. I recently took my first jaunt to this great spot in the Texas Hill Country and am sharing a few of my favorite tips. I am sure I missed some of the best places while I was there, as time was limited, so if you feel passionate about a better BBQ hole-in-the-wall, or hotel, or boutique, send us your tips and we will share them, too!

Click here to see our must-do list for Austin!

a pirate's life for me...

I spent the weekend at a sailor’s outpost called Pirates Cove that’s reminiscent of something from a far flung Caribbean hideaway. The dress code is bathing suits and bare feet, the drink of choice is a bushwacker with a rum “topper”, cheeseburgers are divine, and the best way to get there is by boat.

Give your captain these coordinates and you cant steer wrong. L 30‘ 19.2 N Lo 87' 32.0 W, right by Intercoastal Waterway Marker #65.

The place is full of local character, which is exactly why I love it, and its been open for business for the last 87 years. Dozens of dogs wander around the place, waiting patiently for cheeseburgers to hit the decks. Some dogs sit on benches like humans and watch the sailboats and speed boats pull up onto the beach and throw anchors overboard. Some retired pirate is usually playing a guitar on the deck in the sun, and tough waitresses walk around shouting out names for people to claim their food. If the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse, batten down the hatches and stay to dance in the rain! A few rain drops won’t spoil your bushwacker. Our black and white mascot Julep is a huge fan of Pirate’s Cove. She stands on the bow of the boat whining as soon as the pirate’s flags of the place come into view on the horizon. She hasn’t won their Dog of the Month yet, but we are still holding out hope…

Of course there’s no need to impress when you’re at Pirate’s Cove, but its always a good idea to bring one of our tunics or pareos to cover up after all these cheeseburgers and buchwackers! We always have something Cerulean in hand…

new obsession - juli b…

We are thrilled to be gracing the (online) pages of e-zine, Juli B - your one-stop shop to get in-the-know about everything for the fab lifestyle. It features editions for cities all across the country, so there’s guaranteed to be a locale near you. And we are obsessed with the travel edition, which features fabulous destinations, new resorts across the world, spas and more. Its sensory overload of beautiful, wonderful things. In just a few moments on the site, I found a gorgeous one-of-a-kind Nanette Lepore beaded collar that everyone in Miami is coveting, read up on the newest Aman resort opening in India, discovered a new art exhibit that is a must-see, and was informed that farmers are the new celebs (love it). There is so much info, so much style, so much to love about Juli B.

Check it out.

best job in the world…

I have mistakenly been under the impression that I have the best job in the world. Think about it- I get to shop for beautiful things all across the world and share them with all of my friends (and fans of Cerulean). I get to write about my adventures, interview designers, and help people find the perfect outfit for the special occasions in their life! I am surrounded by beautiful things all day long and spend hours talking and writing about all of it.

But as I said, I was mistaken. I have just found THE BEST job in the world, and they’ve been taking applications.

Im afraid you are too late if you want to apply, however. Sadly, I bring you this news just a bit too late. Good thing, or I would have applied and left the Cerulean life behind in a heartbeat! The islands of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia are looking for a “caretaker”. I use the term caretaker loosely, because it seems to me that all that is required of you is to enjoy everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, and then report back about how great it is. Snorkel and dive, hike and explore, soak up endless hours of down-under sunshine… and then blog about it, give a phone interview about it, share with the world the fabulosity of it all! What a deal.

I visited the Whitsunday Islands several years ago (the name of that string of islands around The Great Barrier Reef) and was blown away by their beauty. Endless hours of snorkeling and tranquility are offered to those who hop the boat for the jaunt from the mainland. I stayed on an island with one tiny hotel, nothing more, and hiked the length of the island on both sides without once crossing paths with another soul. As fabulous as my trip was, it pales in comparison to the three-bedroom house on glamorous Hamilton Island where the “caretaker” will keep his “office”.

They’ve narrowed down the applicants to a sweet sixteen and will pick the finalist soon. But the good news is that he or she can bring a friend… there is till hope for us all!

The above images are from the job's website. I'm trying to track down the photo album from my own trip to the Great Barrier Reef (including some horrendous pictures of me trying to windsurf (classic) but as yet no luck. Will keep you posted.

classic bride honeymoon...

We are thrilled to be featured this week on Classic Bride! Sarah Darcy brings fabulous images and insights into planning the perfect wedding (or party for that matter) and honeymoons, too! Sarah, planning her own second honeymoon, grabbed a pair of our new Mystique turquoise stone sandals to wear while on her warm-weather trip. We are thrilled to have her as a fan, and we love her beautiful blog! Check it out at http://classicbride.blogspot.com/.

on the move…

Planning and preparing for a trip is an enormous part of the fun. Reading guidebooks and reviews of restaurants and hotels, planning visits to out of the way spots, and of course, organizing your wardrobe and packing the essentials is an integral part of the travel process. The trip is rewarding from the moment you being to ponder the possibilities.

We’ve been pondering the many possibilities of the new luggage that arrived at our offices this week. Fabulous cotton canvas carry-ons and cosmetic cases in basket weave and ikat prints will let you schlep your belongings around the world in style. The bags have comfy shoulder straps, a big top zipper that opens wide to help you find your things, and perfect pockets to keep it all organized. The outside pockets are sized perfectly- one to hold your passport and plane tickets, the other to old magazines and books for the long journey. I wouldn’t have designed it any differently.These bags leave us inspired and dreaming of a vacation faraway, and so after surfing away our lunch break on our favorite site for travel inspiration, Conde Nast Traveler, we came across a Top 20 List of Journey’s of a Lifetime. I can’t imagine anything better! Below are our top three, pulled straight from their list, and we are packing our bags in our heads already…

Pan American Highway , From North To South America
The Pan-American Highway is a network of interconnecting roads stretching some 22,500km, as the condor flies, from north of the Arctic Circle down to the tip of Chile through a vast range of landscapes and climates. You can cover the North and Central American section from Anchorage to Panama City in 16 weeks, or travel the entire journey from Anchorage to Ushuaia in 25 weeks (including a short flight from Panama to Quito). The list of highlights is almost as long as the journey itself and includes National Parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion), ancient sights ( Machu Picchu, Tulum, Chichén Itzá) and many cultures (Navajo, Mayan, Aztec and Inca). Safety might be a concern in some parts, and various companies lead trips with groups, but we love the idea of renting a Land Cruiser and heading off on this adventure!

Trans Sahara Journey, Africa
Journey into the awe-inspiring wilderness of the largest desert and one of the hottest places on earth on a five-week camping safari through the Western Sahara from Morocco to Senegal, organised by adventure and discovery holiday specialist Guerba (01373 826611; www.guerba.com). Starting in Casablanca, the route takes in the cities of Rabat and Fès (including a tour of the Roman ruins at Volubilis), and, after a camel trek into the desert at Merzouga, crosses the High Atlas past Todra Gorge to Marrakech. The remaining weeks are spent following the Atlantic Ocean coast southwards, through the vast expanse of desert and the Banc d'Arguin National Park, rejoining Tarmac roads beyond Nouakchott. At Dakar, the final stopping point, there is an excursion to the former slave-trading centre on Goree Island. The thought of all the marketplaces full of leather goods and jewels, plus the image of us riding a camel, have us entranced by the possibilities!

Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express runs between St Moritz and Zermatt, a journey that takes about seven to eight hours along a narrow-gauge track through unsurpassed Alpine scenery. Highlights include the Albula Pass valley where the Express climbs quickly, reaching the village of Bergün and looping through superbly engineered tunnels to Preda, the Oberalp Pass (where you wind down a valley from 1,525 metres), and the climb to Zermatt with the Matterhorn in view. We are hoping to go in the winter to see the snow.

lucky you...

We just found out that Lucky Magazine has picked one of our fabulous scarves as a "Top 10 Scarves for Spring" on the Lucky List! We have always loved Lucky and their ability to poke out the cool, new, wearable and affordable items for all of us shopaholics, and we are honoreed to be included (again!) on one of their Top Lists! Check out the scarf by clicking the image at right, and check out the Top 10 List on Luckmag.com!

new inspirations in kuala lumpur...

One of our favorite bloggers is jumping ship for the far east. Courtney Barton of In(side) the Loop has left her Houston home for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! We tracked Courtney down in an airport halfway between her former Texas home and her new one to get the scoop on what is happening to her fabulous blog. Courtney assures us that In(side) the Loop will continue under its name, but with slightly different inspirations.

As a blog on fashion, design, lifestyle and more, Courtney finds daily inspiration from the world around her, and until this week, that world was inside the loop of Houston, Texas. Her travels also heavily influence her writings, as well as the time she spent living and working (designing!) in New York City. Courtney and I worked together at Hollywould Shoes during its early days (sigh- it is now closed and so is my access to those fabulous ballets and girly stilettos!), and we are two Southern gals who love the big city and find our inspirations in very similar things.

So In(side) the Loop continues, but will be just as interesting, if not more so now that Courtney’s surroundings will be incredibly exotic! We can’t wait to find out what she has to say from her new Malaysian outpost!

Below is an excerpt from In(side) the Loop. Courtney often features a list of things to see, eat, shop and drink in the cities to which she travels. It is only fitting that her last list from the old USA covers Houston. Enjoy…

“Last but not least, I'd wish for more time in this city I now call home. I think Houston is the one of the most overlooked and misjudged cities in the States. It's far hipper than most people imagine and literally has something for every walk of life. It's warm, engaging and treats you like a friend the longer you stay. But then again it should be pretty special because, after all, Houston was the first word spoken when the Lunar Module touched down. This city's list may be a tad longer than the rest, but isn't everything bigger in Texas?”

Click here to read the who, what, where of Houston on In(side) the Loop.

mardi gras revelry...

Spent this year’s Mardi Gras at the real home of the celebration, from back before New Orleans made it famous (and a bit trashy I have to say), Mobile, Alabama. An old colonial town that was ruled by the French and Spanish during its early days, Mobile could have been the oldest city in the United States, surpassing St. Augustine, had it not been for a vicious hurricane that wiped the town away in its early years, forcing it to be re-founded at a later date.

My favorite part of Mardi Gras is not the parades or the beads, "Chattanooga" Moonpies or King Cakes- it is a Sunday street party that I never miss full of steaming oysters, bloody Marys and chic ladies in pastel suits and stilettos. The sun always seems to shine on this party, put on by a parading organization that was founded in the 1860s. Party goers enjoy fresh seafood, cocktails, and jazz from the Excelsior band, an ensemble also founded back in the 1800’s. The day was perfect.

I found among Cerulean’s new Spring accessories the perfect clutch for such a fabulous party- the yellow and green beaded clutch shown at right. While it might seem an obvious pick for a sunny Mardi Gras Sunday, I also love it worn more casually. Picture it this spring with white jeans, gold ballets and my chocolate brown safari jacket. Very chic, just the right pop of color to wear with all my browns and neutrals. You’re going to see this clutch pop up often in my wardrobe as Spring turns into summer… keep watching!

the lost art of letter writing...

I was surprised to find, this week, amid the stacks of bills and junk that usually clutter my mailbox, no less than four hand written thank you notes. While it is not completely uncommon to receive thank you notes these days, it is less frequent an occurrence, for sure. Four in one week was an anomaly. Was I just that wonderful to people? I don’t think so. One was for a wedding present (I sent months ago…), one was a birthday gift. The things I did to deserve a thank you note were completely unremarkable, and yet those hand written messages from friends near and far really does make you feel somewhat… remarkable. Special. Someone took the time and their very own hand to write words just for you. The words are not fleeting, they are permanent. These four little notes leave me a little bit sad over the lost art of letter writing.

I was once a proficient letter writer. My grandmother who lived three hours away and I would write back and forth every few weeks. Of course, each of my letters was neatly returned to me with red markings up and down (she was a former high school teacher, so you can imagine), but I cherished the special feeling of receiving each letter, and of sealing and stamping each one I sent. Computers and cell phones have replaced the letter, and I am sure we are the better for it. Or are we?

After all this pondering, a package arrived at the doorstep of our Cerulean headquarters, filled with the most beautiful hand made letterpress stationary, all neatly packaged in printed gift boxes. What timing! Before these gorgeous boxes of paper could make it to our stock room shelves, I had to reserve one box for myself so I could try my hand at letters once more. I don’t think it’s too late to revive this art form. Now if everyone gave a box of this beautiful stationary to someone they love (and its perfect for the person who already has everything!) then each of us would surely get a beautiful handwritten thank you note in return, and we would have then done our part to revive a beautiful tradition of hand written letters! While I plan to use every last notecard in the set to write something special to friends and family, the box just looks gorgeous sitting on my desk in the meantime. This set puts the “art” back into this “lost art”.

cuba by way of nolita…

We at Cerulean travel the world looking for the newest, most unique, or most exquisite items possible for the pages of our catalog and website. These travels often lead us to New York, epicenter of design and fashion for the US. When in NYC, there is only one restaurant we can not pass up. Every trip, without fail, rain or shine, regardless of the long line or any other deterrent, we hit Café Habana.

Nestled on a quiet corner in the Nolita neighborhood, Café Habana has been serving up home-style Latin food with unique Cuban and Central Mexican accents for two decades now, and it is unforgettable. Modeled after the famous Mexico City diner with the same name, this family-run home-style hangout features a sleek metal diner-style façade and a retro interior. Sip on Mandarina Jarritas or Horchatas while you wait for the luscious grilled corn with cheese and spices, the huevos rancheros, or the tortas (sandwiches) with chorizo and beans. The atmosphere is enticing, the clientele perfect for people watching, and the ceiling glows a bit, thought we can’t figure out why. Maybe it’s from the energy of the place???

Speaking of energy, you can feel good about your carbon footprint when eating at Café Habana or its sister outpost in Brooklyn. Owner Sean Meenan strives to make his restaurants Eco-Eateries- restaurants that use earth-friendly practices in their design, construction, and day-to-day operations. This jewel box of a restaurant is packed day and night, but its worth the wait every time.

inspiration: the sartorialist...

www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Style comes from inspiration. And nothing will inspire you to try something new like seeing the coolest girl in the world rock the look down the streets of New York, or seeing the most elegant outfit slip into a waiting car on the street somewhere in Europe. You get inspired to try that look you’ve always wanted to achieve, or motivated to experiment with a new style. The Sartorialist recreates these moments for you, online, simple and edited, with everyone from the street removed except that one inspiring person. The Sartorialist describes it as what “real people (really cool people) are wearing in real life.”

Selected as one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Design Influencers, the Sartorialist is the only place to get inspired without leaving the comfort of your home. “I thought I could shoot people on the street the way designers looked at people, and get and give inspiration to lots of people in the process. My only strategy when I began The Sartorialist was to try and shoot style in a way that I knew most designers hunted for inspiration. Rarely do they look at the whole outfit as a yes or no but they try and look for the abstract concepts of color, proportion, pattern mixing or mixed genres. I’m really touched when I get emails from everyday people who say they have been inspired to see themselves and others in a new and usually more accepting way.” Be sure to get your dose of inspiration today...

maharaja’s tent…

Two of my great friends (and possibly the two most intriguing people I know) had me to a little birthday soiree with a Chinese theme over the weekend. As importers of fabulous trinkets, jewels and furniture from the world over, but namely China, Marty & Rex entertained a bevy of close friends in their mid-century gas station-turned Chinese antique emporium.

The room was glowing red with twinkling lights and red curtains, Moroccan glass lanterns and tea lights, but the centerpiece was the handmade Indian tent they had erected in the center of the old mechanics bay. The simple and clean white cotton canvas exterior revealed a stunning printed ceiling as you stepped inside. Scalloped edges and hand-tied tassels adorned the sides, and lanterns hung from its ceiling. It was the most glorious little world in that tent- perfect for a patio or courtyard at your home, or in the middle of a field transformed for a gala or wedding. If your yard is lacking, you need one of these amazing tents to spice thing up.

I also caught a glimpse of an amazing all-white tent specially imported for a wedding, complete with a hand-embroidered inner lining in whites and creams with tiny pieces of mirror inset into the embroidery. Stunning. It even had coordinating lanterns that hung from rich cords and tassels inside.

When I came home, I looked again at my dismal courtyard and have decided that a maharaja’s tent is exactly what is needed to create ambiance for my little cocktail parties. Want one too? Each tent is special ordered and hand made, so it take time, but the beauty is it’s made to your exact specifications. Size, even shape, color and detail is all dictated by the buyer (but Marty has fabulous taste if you don’t know which direction to head, so anything she picks is a winner). Mine will, not surprisingly, be all white on the exterior but have rich indigo blues and jade greens, with tassels of cerulean blue, of course!

Their website of amazing import goods is coming soon… www.martimports.net. Email Marty and Rex for info on ordering your own maharaja tent!

destination: madrid...

Hoss-Intropia designer Paloma recently shared her insider tips into a spectacular day in Madrid with us, and we wanted to share them. Paloma writes... Madrid is a big city, full of wonderful places to get lost in and not to miss!

THE FIVE BEST THINGS TO DO IN MADRID:
1. ART TRIANGLE
Stop by and see what we call the Art Triangle of Madrid- The National Museum of El Prado, one of the most important museums of art in the world, The National Museum of art Reina Sofia which is the Spanish museum of contemporary art from the 20th Century, and The Museum Thyssen- Bornemisza, in the Palace of Villahermosa, which has one of the biggest private art collections of the world.

2. MUSIC IN THE CAPITAL
Visit The Royal Theatre, Madrid’s opera theatre, is located on the Plaza de Oriente and is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city. Or for a more relaxed concert, try the Café Central located on the Plaza Santa Isabel. Known as the best jazz club in all of Spain, it is frequented by the most important names of the international jazz arena.

3. THE RASTRO OF MADRID
The Rastro is an open air flea market held every Sundays in the historic old town of Madrid. You are sure to find really interesting things and - don’t forget to bargain. Around midday, shoppers usually head to the bars around the Plaza de Cascorro to have a "vermut" or beer and tapas.
4. SHOPPING IN THE BARRIO DE SALAMANCA
Its a must to shop the streets of Ortega y Gasset and Serrano- in the Barrio de Salamanca. Here you will find the most important fashion brands and names of the city, such as Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel or Spanish renown brands such as Hoss Intropia , Pedro del Hierro or Agatha Ruiz de la Prada.

5. A WALK
End with a nice stroll in the park of El Retiro. Situated in the middle of the city, the gardens of El Retriro are one of the most significant places of Madrid. Inside you will find several monuments and interesting landmarks, like the Cristal Palace, (Palacio de Cristal), the Puerta de España (the "door" of Spain), the Rose garden, the lake and numerous and grandiose fountains. Really worth it if you like the opulent green.

destination: amuleto...

It is hard to believe that such a magical place is only a sort flight from the US mainland, tucked away on a cove on the pacific coast of Mexico. Zihuatanejo is a fishing village on a protected bay with charm and local flavor, but the real gem rests up on the hillside overlooking the bay. Amuleto is an exquisite boutique hotel founded by a Brazilian ex-pat (Ricardo has also lived in LA) who knows what a luxury traveler needs. With an exceptional restaurant, palapa style thatched roof rooms, open air showers, and an infinity pool perched over a cliff make for a spectacular experience when you stay in one of only a handful of suites and rooms. It’s the best way to get away from it all (no phones or alarm locks at Amuleto) without traveling half way around the world.

Zihuatanejo, Mexico
www.amuleto.net