hip destinations

Short Break: Valencia's Renaissance

Valencia on Spain's eastern coast is experiencing a renaissance. Not only will Valencia host the 2007 America's Cup, the first held in Europe, it has caught up with other hip cities in Europe. The skyline has been embellished with everything from an impressive contemporary art museum to the sprawling Ciutat de les Arts i de les Cienes, Santiago Calatrava's swooping collection of white, organically contoured museums and theaters. The special charm of Valencia is a mix of Seville with its crowded cafes and tree-shaded plazas, the Moorish traces and ancient monuments of Granada as well as the tumultuous nightlife of Madrid. Yet this old city by the sea also has an identity all its own, as just one spin around town will attest.
Where to stay There are a few new upmarket desinger hotels that signals Valencia's change in fortunes. We recommend the Palau de la Mar, housed in a adjoning pair of eleganat 19th-century mansions, mingles grand marble entryways and staricases with 66 sleek rooms. The white walls, chocolate-brown floors, and antique tubs provide a tranquil respite from the glamourous streets.

Just back from Marrakech . . .

Do you want to experience something different? Fly to Marrakech and indulge yourself in the fascination of this bustling city. Stay at the Riad El Fenn and enjoy a luxurious oasis. Carefully designed - this place makes you forget that you are in the middle of the Medina. The food, served on the rooftop terrace with a spectacular view of the high atlas, is home grown and organic, tastefully arranged by the skillful chef.

Private Collection: La Gioia - A charming country house in Umbria

Whatever your heart desires - La Gioia extends a warm welcome. Daniel and Marianne Aerni-Kühne, a Swiss couple, have converted a 300-year-old defunct oil and grain mill into a charming country hotel. La Gioia is an oasis of tranquility and "joie de vivre". Enjoy the inspiring remoteness from everyday routine. Relax in the heart of Italy's lush green hills. An ideal place to start exploring Umbria with its small medieval villages such as Montefalco or Spoleto.
The Country House La Gioia offers one single and eleven double rooms, all of them reflecting the harmonious earthy hues of the region. The rooms are individually furbished with loving attention to detail (Marianne is a former interior designer).
A special treat is the restaurant with its open terrace. Enjoy an evening under the stars with delicious food, excellent wines from the region and the charming, discreet attention from the hosts.

Private Collection: Christian Laxroix's Hôtel du Petit Moulin in Paris

Christian Laxroix has designed his first hotel, the Hôtel du Petit Moulin. Located in the trendy Marais, this 17th century building, the site of an ancient bakery, has been completely renovated. The facade, dating back to 1900, as well as the shop sign, both of which are registered as historic monuments, have been preserved. 17 rooms, ranging in style from baroque to Zen are waiting for the urban traveler. Contemporary furniture is mixed with old beams, reproduction wallpapers and screen-printed mural panels, some of which incprporate Lacroix's fashion drawings. The café is pure french bistro: tables, chairs and the bar are salvaged from old Parisian restauants.

Paradise Regained: Verana - an enchanting retreat in Yelapa, Mexico

Located on a hillside overlooking the pacific ocean with a panoramic view of the mountains deep in the Valle della Sierra Oriental, Verana is for travelers looking for beauty, intimacy, tranquility and privacy. The bungalows are part of an ongoing play between inside and outside, combining traditional and modern design with the natural landscape of the jungle. The spa at Verana is carved into the rocks with a panoramic view of the bay and is surrounded by a variety of tropical plants. Verana offers a variety of activities and excursions in case you should get bored by the stunning view you can enjoy from almost every place in this exceptional resort.

Private Collection: Casa Howard - A designer B&B in Rome

Casa Howard was one of the first designer B&Bs in Rome and consists of five distinctive guestrooms. Owners Jenifer Howard Fornieris and her husband carefully watch over all the details that mean a lot to experienced travelers; best quality fabrics, an Italian breakfast with freshly-baked cornetti (sweet croissants) and home made jam from the owner's Tuscan estate served in the guest rooms, soaps from the historic Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence. The concept was so successful that Jenifer added a second casa on via Sistina which is slightly more expensive than the first one on via Capo le Case. Architect Tommaso Ziffer who was brought in to apply his retro-modern touch to the rooms worked only on one other project in Rome, the much more expensive Hotel de Russie. Both casas have small hammams, and via Sistina has broadband Internet connection in every room.

More to explore: The first boutique hotel in Damascus, Syria

Damascus has its first boutique hotel, the Al Mamlouka, a flawless transformation of a traditional Damascene house into a well designed oasis of tranquility. Original features of the eight en-suite rooms include a 200-year-old fresco and a 17th century archway. Step out of such luxury and you will be within a short walking distance from vast mosques and souks that are definitively worth exploring; and for weary sightseers, there's a hammam nearby and plenty of nice little restaurants to eat.

Short Breaks: A gourmet hideaway in Brittany

Are you longing for a break away from big cities, trendy designer hotels, party crowds and unbearable noisy restaurants and bars? A place to unwind, relax and get pampered by a couple who lives for their guests and their well-being is Jane and Olivier Roellinger's "Maisons de Bricourt" in Cancale, Brittany, France.
Overlooking the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, Chateaux Richeau, an old castle-like building with 18 rooms, including 2 suites, each individually designed with a lot of charm, host the casual restaurant "Le coquillage". There you can enjoy a fabulous "plateaux de crustacés" while enjoying the view over the bay. The signature restaurant, where Olivier Roellinger and his talented crew combine local specialties with spices from his trips to the most exotic places, is located just a short drive away in the village. A private shuttle takes you there, so the rigid regulations about drinking and driving in France will not affect your experience.
During the day you can relax in the wonderful gardens overlooking the bay, walk along the cliffs or visit St. Malo, a small city with a rich history.