ONE: TAORMINA & CASTELMOLA Taormina is iconic for good reason and is one of those places worth braving the crowds. Down in Taormina Mare, the coastline puts Isola Bella on display as if an artist had envisioned the perfect ornament for the coast. Then ride the funicular or drive up the hill and the town itself unfolds: alleys that feel like discoveries, terraces that surprise at every turn, a piazza that is essentially a sublime balcony over the Ionian, and above all, the Greek Theatre. One of the most fabulous concert halls in the world, with its stage opening onto Etna’s smoking peak and the endless coastline, it is the…
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Mallorca #SINEQUANON: Coveted Coves and the Rare Drama of the Tramuntana
Mallorca is a wonderland that can be so easily ruined, it’s ridiculous. She’ll give you postcard perfection, a predictable luxury bubble, or something else entirely. To be fair, it’s almost too easy to get it wrong. She can be a revelation, she can become a habit, or it can be the beautiful and boring holiday paradigm. And it’s ok. You know why? Because this way we get to keep the best of it for ourselves ONE: Timing and Place Matter Most Skip the summer crush, go for the shoulder seasons: late spring or autumn. The air is freer, the crowds are whispers, and the seawater temperature is perfect. Shun the…
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#SINEQUANON LUBERON: THE ULTIMATE LAVANDER ESCAPE
From the excess of the Riviera to the wilderness of Camargue or the big ego of the historical cities, Provence is great from the highest mountain to the serene sea. But at the heart of it all you will find the Luberon - and that is a coup de coeur to last a lifetime.
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#SINEQUANON LONDON: THE UNCROWNED CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
ONE: THE CLASSICS, AT NIGHT 360 view in the heart of London: a late night stroll crossing Westminster Bridge, taking in the view up and down the Thames, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Eye, all in a splendid swirl. TWO: THE HIGH(EST) VIEW London seen from above is more than extraordinary, is utterly dramatic and incredibly enjoyable, especially with a glass of prosecco to complement the view. Book your ticket to The View from the Shard (yes, it’s worth every penny and then some) or/ and to Sky Garden for a true show of wonder. Tip 1: Sky Garden is free entrance, but you need to…
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AMALFI COAST #SINEQUANON: THE CORNERSTONES
ONE: RAVELLO This might just be a surprising number one for many. The usual day-trippers and rather ‘efficient’ travel guides tend to miss it entirely. And that’s a good thing, because the inevitable crowds already make it difficult enough to reach and truly savour its aristo beauty. Ravello, incidentally, isn’t actually on the Amalfi Coast at all, but rather perched elegantly uphill, just above Amalfi. It is spectacular, undeniably noble, and yes, rather expensive – but worth every penny. The narrow road leading up to Ravello is carved into the rocky mountain, feeling like an initiation path. It’s called, quite evocatively, the Valley of the Dragon. Ravello is also delightfully…
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NORMANDY #SINEQUANON: FROM D-DAY TO MAGIC DAY
ONE: MONT SAINT MICHEL There is only one possible number one. Though more intimately connected to Brittany’s wild coast, Mont-Saint-Michel remains the absolute top-of-mind wonder for any escape in Western France. It is an island fortress of faith, an ethereal vision, a pilgrimage of the sea, a place where tourist guides seem inadequate and only a magnificent mystery remains. I wrote more about “the Wonder” here. TWO: THE ALABASTER COAST AND PAYS DE CAUX The Côte d’Albâtre is the French counterpart to the famous white cliffs that define the English Channel coastline. It’s a road trip of striking beauty, with quaint villages and the high falaises. Stop in Etretat, Yport,…
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ROME SINEQUANON: Love Eternal For The Eternal City
Rome wasn’t built in a day and you can’t see all of it in a day. But if you have just a weekend or a few days for the Città Eterna? You’ll read hundreds of travel guides and a million tips on blogs and forums, most of them accurate in their own way. Here is the extra-intel you need to navigate Rome with your sanity intact – and actually enjoy it. INTEL ONE: THE ICONS Let’s cut to the chase. You are in the most magnificent city that has ever ruled the world and there are quite a few heavy hitters you absolutely can’t skip. Stand in the shadow of…
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VENICE #SINEQUANON: THE CORNERSTONES
ONE: VENICE, OFF-SEASON Off-season Venice: by all means, travel outside summer season or Carnival week (unless you have tickets to one of the official balls, then you simply have to throw it all in). Venice is so full of tourists that you can hardly call any time of the year “off season”, but I discovered that La Serenissima is only serene in winter, and maybe some blissful days in early spring or late autumn. Check this out for Venice in winter. The wind in the lagoon may be chilly at times, but you’ll discover a truer, more fascinating face of Venice. TWO: A ROOM WITH A VIEW A room with…
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VERONA #SINEQUANON: LOVE STORY, HAPPY ENDING
The city of Romeo and Juliet can become a love story, and not necessarily a tragic one. Of all the things to love here, the house of Giulietta and the famed balcony are the least lovable – in fact the tons of heart and Cupid and flashy red souvenirs are maybe the only real tragedy that happened to this place. So forget about that story, and bear in mind that Shakespeare wrote two more Verona-related plays: Two Gentlemen of Verona and the wonderful Taming of the Shrew. I very much wanted to see the house where Katherina was tamed, but no reference to that, I’m afraid. There is still the…
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Florence #SINEQUANON: How to See the Most Beautiful City
ONE: The view from San Miniato al Monte Let everybody else stop at Piazzale Michelangelo for the view over the city. While a very good spot for the pics, it is basically an over-crowded parking. Go uphill, Via delle Porte Sante, to San Miniato al Monte. This is the church with the most beautiful view in the world. TWO: THE ROOFTOPS OF FLORENCE Florence has a magical skyline to dream on to. The miraculous dome of the Duomo, the unmistakable tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, the tiled rooftops, the marbled facades and the Renaissance palazzi create an immersive feeling that becomes the city copyright. At your hotel, ask for a room…
