I think this is my favorite beach. It doesn't seem real, with this looming beautiful piece of the inner earth, thrusting out over perfect, flawless sand. And a delightful beach bar. And nobody else.

The paradise nobody really knows about Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

My sign of a perfect vacation?  Not seeing another American for the whole trip.  Fernando de Noronha is one of those places.  About 200 miles off the Pernambuco coast of Brazil, there’s a small group of volcanic islands rising 13,000ft off the ocean floor that’s Fernando de Noronha.  Its history is a little bit like Alcatraz; it was a Portuguese then Brazilian penal colony and military base for hundreds of years, then they finally found it so amazing, they turned it into a huge nature preserve. About 70% of the island is protected. Everyone in Brazil knows of this place, often cited as the penultimate Brazilian vacation spot — “Ahhh, Fernando….the most beautiful.”  It’s a little hard to get to, you have to fly to Recife or Natal, then take another hour flight out, but that makes it better.  Almost … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereApril 20, 2012

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LOOK OUT ALL OVER BARCELONA. AND MORE GAUDI. Parc Guell | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — I debated and debated: “Do I really want to go all the way out there?”  Boy, am I glad I did.  Park Guell is a park set in the high hills on the edge of Barcelona.  It’s a little bit of a hoof, but well worth it when … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 21, 2012

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A 300 HUNDRED YEAR WORK-IN-PROGRESS La Sagrada Familia | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — You’ve read about it in your school textbooks. You’ve seen pictures of it. But once you get inside, it all makes sense. Really magical. You should go hang out here, wait for when the sun is out and streaming though the windows. Don’t let the constructions cranes scare … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 21, 2012

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GAUDI GAUDI GAUDI Gaudi's Casa Mila and Casa Batllo | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — If you’re going to Barcelona, you’re going to see a lot of Gaudi.  After all those schoolbooks and tests, never really got him. Walking around Barcelona with my head up for a week, I do now. These are some shots of two favorite houses along Passeig de Gracia. … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD See ThisMay 20, 2012

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SCOOTING ALONG THE EDGE OF THE ALPS Lufthansa Flight from Frankfurt to Barcelona

(25,000 ft) — Not a big story here, just a nice ride along the edge of the Swiss and French Alps on the way to BCN. On a crystal-clear morning, it felt like you could just reach out and touch ‘em.  

YOU SHOULD See ThisMay 20, 2012

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A CHILL NEIGHBORHOOD IN BARCELONA EL BORN | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — El Born is a cool, quiet neighborhood away from the crazy crowds. Perfect for walking around, cool shops, mellow restaurants and beautiful streets.  There’s a great little square with four or five outdoor cafes, perfect to just sit and watch Barcelona go by.  Go here. Here’s a good … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 20, 2012

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A TEMPLE TO WINE Vinopolis | London

(London) — A picture says a thousand words. Here are several pictures.  If you love wine, go here. Vinopolis  An incredibly well-designed Ode To Wine, tucked into the barrel vaults of a bridge, or whatever it is, in Bankside.…

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 14, 2012

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THERE ARE MARKETS, THEN THERE IS BOROUGH MARKET Borough Market | London

[London) — A perfect cloudy afternoon thing to do in London is to go walk among the stalls of Borough Market.  Tucked under a viaduct and carved out of various nooks and crannies, the Borough is just a great place to while away a morning, then head out to see ... [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Do ThisMay 14, 2012

Relais Christine

A ROOMY ROOM IN PARIS, RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE Relais Christine | Paris

(Paris) — Most Paris hotel rooms are teeny, most noisy. But my buddy Rex turned me onto Relais Christine. On the Left Bank, but not in it, it is on a quiet street just blocks south of the Seine, the perfect central location to explore the city. Rue Christine extremely quiet, … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Stay HereMay 14, 2012

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WAKE UP TO THE PANTHEON STARING AT YOU Albergo del Senato | Rome, Italy

(Roma) — There are fancier places to stay in Rome, but one of my favorites is the Albergo del Senato, directly across from my favorite building in the world, The Pantheon. It is small, Old School, but delightful. You can’t beat the location, smack in the heart of everything good. … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Stay HereMay 14, 2012

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IN THE PERFECT LITTLE BEACH TOWN, THE PERFECT LITTLE HOTEL Posada del Faro | Jose Ignacio, Uruguay

(Jose Ignacio, Uruguay) — Posada del Faro is one of my go-to places. I’ve been four times now and each time it is like coming back home. It’s a small place and one of the few hotels in Jose Ignacio. Just a handful of rooms, it books up early and … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Stay HereMay 14, 2012

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THE PERFECT BEACH TOWN Jose Ignacio, Uruguay

(Jose Ignacio, Uruguay) — That’s right, this might be it.  About a half hour north of the Miami-like Punta del Este is a small peninsula that juts just right out into the ocean. Surrounded on three sides by beaches, Jose Ignacio is the definition of “rustic elegance”. A sleepy town … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 14, 2012

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Just when you’re having fun, along comes a circus Walking along the harbor | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — Not much more to report here, just a nice surprise I ran into while walking along the waterfront over Christmas time.  I don’t think Spielberg’s set designers could have come up with a more perfect looking Old School circus.

YOU SHOULD Do ThisMay 13, 2012

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Living like a rockstar, right on Passeig de Gracia El Palauet | Barcelona

(Barcelona) — It’s rare when you arrive at your hotel and it is actually as good as the pictures, if not better.  El Palauet Living Barcelona is one of those places. Good lord, I literally dropped my bags and ran around my two bedroom flat like a little kid.  More … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Stay HereMay 13, 2012

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A villa in the vineyards Patios de Cafayate | Cafayate, Argentina

(Cafayate, Argentina) — This is really a pretty place. The Patios de Cafayete — almost the most perfect Spanish style villa and grounds you can imagine.  The reviews are sometimes mixed, but  I loved it.  Maybe while pretty, it might be lacking a soul with some of the people working there. … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Eat HereMay 13, 2012

Ruta 40

DRIVING DOWN THE SPINE OF ARGENTINA RUTA 40 | SALTA, ARGENTINA

  (Salta, Argentina) — In the northwest province of Salta, you run into the famed Ruta 40 which runs 5K kilometers of Argentina, from tip to tail. At this section its more like a dirt road than the highway it is named. I picked it up near the dusty Andean … [+] Read More

YOU SHOULD Go HereMay 11, 2012

YOU SHOULD

EL PALAUET 15
EL PALAUET 15
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Living like a rockstar, right on Passeig de Gracia

(Barcelona) — It’s rare when you arrive at your hotel and it is actually as good as the pictures, if not better.  El Palauet Living Barcelona is one of those places. Good lord, I literally dropped my bags and ran around my two bedroom flat like a little kid.  More … [+] Read More

LABOCA 1
LABOCA 1
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A POSTCARD ON EVERY BLOCK

(Buenos Aires) — La Boca, you’ll read all about it, see pictures of it in your Spanish textbook, but it’s kinda cool. I hear it is a little dicey at night, I was only there during the day. A little too touristy for me, but worth a stop.  

posisea1
posisea1
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Mountains rolling into the sea

  Positano — Every street, every room, every window…there’s a view. The whole Amalfi Coast is a string of towns south of Naples, roughly starting from Sorrento on down.  Each has it’s own charm and personality. Not a big fan of Sorrento, more of a modern city that cruise ships … [+] Read More

Ruta 40
Ruta 40
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DRIVING DOWN THE SPINE OF ARGENTINA

  (Salta, Argentina) — In the northwest province of Salta, you run into the famed Ruta 40 which runs 5K kilometers of Argentina, from tip to tail. At this section its more like a dirt road than the highway it is named. I picked it up near the dusty Andean … [+] Read More

Park Guell 21
Park Guell 21
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LOOK OUT ALL OVER BARCELONA. AND MORE GAUDI.

(Barcelona) — I debated and debated: “Do I really want to go all the way out there?”  Boy, am I glad I did.  Park Guell is a park set in the high hills on the edge of Barcelona.  It’s a little bit of a hoof, but well worth it when … [+] Read More

SENATO06
SENATO06
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WAKE UP TO THE PANTHEON STARING AT YOU

(Roma) — There are fancier places to stay in Rome, but one of my favorites is the Albergo del Senato, directly across from my favorite building in the world, The Pantheon. It is small, Old School, but delightful. You can’t beat the location, smack in the heart of everything good. … [+] Read More

Room with a view. I believe this one was #7, overlooking the fishermen below.
Room with a view. I believe this one was #7, overlooking the fishermen below.
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Nothing but you, the sun, and the fishermen

(Praino) — Two villages down from Positano is a small little hillside village called Praino. Clinging between the cliff and the roadway, it is like a suburb of Positano — once removed, quiet and friendly. And zero tourists. What few hotels there are cheaper. It’s a great place to stay away from the … [+] Read More

PATIOS DE CAFAYETE 1
PATIOS DE CAFAYETE 1
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A villa in the vineyards

(Cafayate, Argentina) — This is really a pretty place. The Patios de Cafayete — almost the most perfect Spanish style villa and grounds you can imagine.  The reviews are sometimes mixed, but  I loved it.  Maybe while pretty, it might be lacking a soul with some of the people working there. … [+] Read More

POSADA DEL FARO 038
POSADA DEL FARO 038
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IN THE PERFECT LITTLE BEACH TOWN, THE PERFECT LITTLE HOTEL

(Jose Ignacio, Uruguay) — Posada del Faro is one of my go-to places. I’ve been four times now and each time it is like coming back home. It’s a small place and one of the few hotels in Jose Ignacio. Just a handful of rooms, it books up early and … [+] Read More

CIRCUS 010
CIRCUS 010
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Just when you’re having fun, along comes a circus

(Barcelona) — Not much more to report here, just a nice surprise I ran into while walking along the waterfront over Christmas time.  I don’t think Spielberg’s set designers could have come up with a more perfect looking Old School circus.

EL BORN 7
EL BORN 7
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A CHILL NEIGHBORHOOD IN BARCELONA

(Barcelona) — El Born is a cool, quiet neighborhood away from the crazy crowds. Perfect for walking around, cool shops, mellow restaurants and beautiful streets.  There’s a great little square with four or five outdoor cafes, perfect to just sit and watch Barcelona go by.  Go here. Here’s a good … [+] Read More

SALINAS GRANDE 1
SALINAS GRANDE 1
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IT’S LIKE BEING IN YOUR OWN DREAM SEQUENCE

(Salta, Argentina) — Play the voiceover from the Voice of God dude in movie trailers: “In a world where…” and you’ll get a feeling what it’s like to make the trip to Salinas Grande, a well-worth-it side detour from traveling up the Humahuaca Gorge in Salta province. Taking a steep … [+] Read More

Casa Cosenza
Casa Cosenza
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The best terrace and the best price?

(Positano) – Stayed here years ago, it was like 80 bucks a night, very mom & pop B&B and more like a private guest house. Spartan but super clean. Low services. 186 steep steps up from the beach or down from the road, so have little luggage, although they’ll send a porter. One of … [+] Read More

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RUTA332 1
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See the entire geological history of the world in a four hour drive

  (Salta, Argentina)  You probably haven’t heard much about Salta, in the far northwest quadrant of Argentina, but the word is starting to spread. While everyone knows of Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Patagonia, it seems like Salta has just opened up. You take a two hour flight from Buenos Aires … [+] Read More

GAUDI 2
GAUDI 2
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GAUDI GAUDI GAUDI

(Barcelona) — If you’re going to Barcelona, you’re going to see a lot of Gaudi.  After all those schoolbooks and tests, never really got him. Walking around Barcelona with my head up for a week, I do now. These are some shots of two favorite houses along Passeig de Gracia. … [+] Read More

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012
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THE PERFECT BEACH TOWN

(Jose Ignacio, Uruguay) — That’s right, this might be it.  About a half hour north of the Miami-like Punta del Este is a small peninsula that juts just right out into the ocean. Surrounded on three sides by beaches, Jose Ignacio is the definition of “rustic elegance”. A sleepy town … [+] Read More

Proof that simple can be good. Damn good.
Proof that simple can be good. Damn good.
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The only restaurant in Praino. Who needs another?

(Praino) —  A teeny little restaurant right on the water underneath the Onde Verde, we avoided it at first…just some bamboo and plastic chairs clinging to the rocks right on the water. It was one of the best meals all of us every had. While we were eating, a fisherman pulled his boat right … [+] Read More

You have to walk a bunch of steps to get to it, but you're perched right on the edge of the hill.
You have to walk a bunch of steps to get to it, but you're perched right on the edge of the hill.
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Hang right out over the sea.

(Positano) — This is my second favorite place in Positano. It’s a hoof to get down the steps from the main road, but when you’re there, you are just clinging to the side of the cliff. It really doesn’t suck.  Very nice people, exceptional rooms. Can’t go wrong. Expensive.  http://www.miramarepositano.it/english/index.php … [+] Read More