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  • FIVE FAVES / MÉXICO CITY | Hither & Wander

    Our top five favorite things to do in the living metropolis of México City. 1 National Museum of Anthropology A massive mushroom-like umbrella balances atop a sequoia-sized pillar, perpetually bestowing a mesmerizing rain dance onto the museum courtyard below. Inside, galleries dazzle with artefacts from México's indigenous Maya, Aztec and Olmec cultures. A must-see, must-absorb experience in beautiful Polanco. MÉXICO CITY, MÉXICO 2 San Ángel Inn A Colonial era Eden where shaded verandas and verdant courtyards meet like lovers. Temptation here is the signature margarita, served “up” in salt-rimmed martini glasses. One’s second dose is kept chilled in a personal-size silver ice bucket. Any pain or suffering carried in upon arrival no longer registers as of the 2nd round. The table-side Caesar salad takes two waiters to whisk to perfection, but leave room (and time) for the bakery and gift shop! MÉXICO CITY, MÉXICO 3 Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Studio Standing in artful contrast with its Colonial-era San Angel neighborhood, “Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo” appears like an architectural space craft. Its Martian-orange moderne facade glows like the masterworks that were created inside. The co-habited home/studio of iconic artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo still seems abuzz with their artworks and tools displayed just as they left them. MÉXICO CITY, MÉXICO 4 Juárez Home to artists and intellectuals in past eras, this historic neighborhood now thrives with contemporary shops and restaurants nestled comfortably in 19th century townhouses. Modern Korean cuisine sizzles in the area’s K-Town, as does a proud gay community in its “Pink Zone”. Juarez is all about bespoke clothes, cultural curios, swank salons, and dreamy cafes. MÉXICO CITY, MÉXICO 5 Panadaría Rosetta The best reason to wake up in México City, no matter how bad the jet lag. Slip onto a stool and just ponder the truly phenomenal array of pastry options. We’re talking the best pastries of all time. This is why we travel to México City. Not to mention Rosetta’s scrumptious cortado, which assures a bright-eyed start to your CDMX morning. MÉXICO CITY, MÉXICO Image courtesy of Panadaría Rosetta Back FIVE FAVES Next

  • KOTOR | Hither & Wander

    A medieval jewel set in a silvery fjord, hidden from time and the outside world. Its cobblestone paths are a crosshatch rendering of life in previous centuries. KOTOR, MONTENEGRO A medieval jewel set in a silvery fjord, hidden from time and the outside world. Its cobblestone paths are a crosshatch rendering of life in previous centuries. Stairway to Heaven Mount Lovcen slants straight down to sea level, framing the village like a theater curtain. One’s early morning hike, straight up a Roman era staircase, the Ladder of Kotor , is a view so sweeping it seems perched at the top of the sky. ___ Bay of Kotor The sensuous bay is host to all variety of vessels, from the world’s largest square-rigged sailing cruise ship, the Royal Clipper twinkling in its evening mooring, to the tiniest fishing boat that somehow stays afloat despite its ballast of two full-grown Montenegrins intent on catching their illusive dinner. ___ Kotor by Candlelight Stroll this walkable walled village through narrow stone lanes, each lined with curio shops, cafes and ample antique stores, beckoning one’s curiosity. At night, the plazas are luminescent with laughter and clinking glasses at The Square Pub as plans for the next day come together. ___ Back DESTINATIONS Next

  • FIVE FAVES / PORTO | Hither & Wander

    Our top five favorite things to do in the modern and medieval city of Porto, Portugal. 1 Jardim De Morro at Sundown This view never leaves one's heart, just across the Rua General Torres bridge from the historic center. Make it a picnic with wine and cheese from Dourum Restaurante . PORTO, PORTUGAL 2 Portuguese Centre of Photography Formerly a prison in which children were among the incarcerated, this remarkable space now offers vision and light, where there was once only darkness. PORTO, PORTUGAL 3 Armazém Luxury Housing A 19th century iron warehouse in Porto’s historic centre now houses the Armazém hotel. Just 9 dreamy and inventive guest rooms and 3 apartments comprise this unique property near to the Ribeira district. PORTO, PORTUGAL 4 Funicular Dos Guindais This heart-stopping railway-meets-rollercoaster makes a very vertical descent on its express route from the heights of Centro Historico down to the waterfront. PORTO, PORTUGAL 5 Clérigos Tower & Parque Dos Clérigos The winding climb inside the sinewy tower is rewarded with a stunning 360 view of Porto. Directly below is the delightful lounge-meets-city-park, Parque dos Clérigos. PORTO, PORTUGAL Back FIVE FAVES Next

  • FIVE FAVES / BIG BEAR LAKE | Hither & Wander

    Our top five favorite things to do in Big Bear Lake, California. 1 The Wilkie Cabin This rustic retreat with a modernist twist is one of Big Bear Vacations ' star rental cabins. Designed in the 60’s and hand-built over three decades, it now has a new kitchen, huge back deck, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 5 bunkbeds in the loft …and a zillion stars overhead. BIG BEAR LAKE, CA 2 Juniper Point Picnic in the scented shade of twisting old Juniper trees. Take a stroll along the lakeside meadow or an e-bike along the Alpine Pedal Path for a sweeping view of the lake in all its glory. Watch as the clouds slip by like floating castles, casting polka dot shadows on the forest peaks. BIG BEAR LAKE, CA 3 The Pines Lakefront A favorite daytime dining spot for its 180° lake view, this sunny beer-on-tap terrace is a lovely place for a leisurely mile-high lunch, alfresco. Arrive by car or by boat! Have some flatbread pizza with a variety of craft beers and watch the day go by. BIG BEAR LAKE, CA 4 Woodland Interpretive Loop This charming trail is good for all ages and staminas. Pets too, (safely on a leash). Numbered points of interest describe the tree types, rocks, and wildlife seen along the way, as the terrain and flora changes dramatically with each turn. BIG BEAR LAKE, CA 5 Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk Discover a wetland ecosystem that attracts a wide variety of birds, from ducks and geese to herons and hawks. This 145-acre preserve offers a peaceful escape and a peek at the workings of nature, as seen from a wooden boardwalk/pier. An easy 1.6 mile round trip. BIG BEAR LAKE, CA Back FIVE FAVES Next

  • United States | Hither & Wander

    The American landscape stretches out intently across half a hemisphere. A scene so vast it takes two oceans to frame it. Great forests and deserts meet patchwork farms that hopscotch their way to the bustling cities circled in highways. Add to that, the beauty of Alaska and Hawai’i waiting on the adjacent horizon. UNITED STATES The American landscape stretches out intently across half a hemisphere. A scene so vast it takes two oceans to frame it. Great forests and deserts meet patchwork farms that hopscotch their way to the bustling cities circled in highways. Add to that, the beauty of Alaska and Hawaiʻi waiting on the adjacent horizon. CALIFORNIA Treasures of the Golden State HAWAII The Spirit of Aloha ARIZONA (Coming Soon) LOUISIANA (Coming Soon) NEW MEXICO (Coming Soon) NEW YORK (Coming Soon)

  • FIVE FAVES | Hither & Wander

    Quick lists of our five favorite things to do in the most captivating places. Five Faves Explore from A-Z by CITY. Big Bear Lake, CA Kauai, Hawaii Kyoto, Japan Lisbon, Portugal México City, México Oahu, HI Paris, France Porto, Portugal Provence, France Tokyo, Japan

  • OAHU | Hither & Wander

    Like a sampler box of each island, Oahu has Maui’s beaches, Kauai’s waterfalls, Lanai’s pineapple fields, Molokai’s mountains and Hawaii Island’s ancient relics, plus groundbreaking art, music, food, nightlife and of course, surfing. The only thing missing is an active volcano. OAHU, HAWAII Like a sampler box of each island, Oahu has Maui’s beaches, Kauai’s waterfalls, Lanai’s pineapple fields, Molokai’s mountains and Hawaii Island’s ancient relics, plus groundbreaking art, music, food, nightlife and of course, surfing. The only thing missing is an active volcano. FIVE FAVES / OAHU Surf Lore Oahu is known as the Gathering Place–and most gatherings come with surfboards. They are everywhere, in all colors and sizes. In Honolulu, shirtless surfers tote their prized accessory through luxury shopping centers along well-known shortcuts to the sea. Satisfied smiles and sandy toes return home after a morning of balancing atop unfurling waves powered by the pull of the moon. ___ Leahi & Makalei Beach Parks Almost hidden at the foot of Diamond Head are two oceanfront pocket parks so charming one wonders where the impressionist painters are. The lawn at Makalei Beach Park gives rise to yoga classes and meditation, while a little farther down Diamond Head Road lies Leahi Beach Park, where a stately vine-encased gazebo holds court at the seas’s edge. Down its salty steps at low tide, much is revealed in the receding surf. ___ Kaimana Beach If ever there was a “local’s” favorite beach, this is it. Home to all-day ohana picnics, morning paddle boarding, midday snorkeling, and the dreamiest of sunsets–and moon-sets, Kaimana Beach is warm and welcoming, like family. Sheltered by a reef that shreds the surf into a lake-like calm, a swim here ‘neath the swaying trade winds is (literally) an immersive sensory experience. ___ Kaimana Beach Hotel Arriving here feels like home, (assuming one’s home is a paradise of warm sand, shaded in brushstroke palm shadows, set to the rhythm of gentle waves and the occasional howl of a blender). Far from the frenzy of Waikiki, but close enough to walk to it, the Kaimana is perfectly located and right-sized, between the vast greenery of Kapiolani Park and the blue infinity of the Pacific. Simple rooms and a beloved beachside cafe tucked beneath a twisting Hau Tree. The same tree Robert Lewis Stephenson wrote poetry under in 1889. ___ Kapiolani Park Named after Queen Kapiolani, with Diamond Head forming its unmistakable crown, this great park nestles deep in the heart of Oahu locals. 300 acres of serenity located just east of Waikiki’s commotion. Expressive banyan trees generously canopy picnic areas, as manicured lawns host myriad activities. Kapiolani Park includes the Honolulu Zoo where Giraffes can be seen taking advantage of their height, peering over the perimeter fence at passersby below. ___ Shangri la Perched like a stately white seabird on a slab of black lava, Doris Duke’s Hawaiian estate is now a museum “dedicated to the furtherance and preservation of Islamic art”. In fact, the only museum dedicated exclusively to Islamic art in the United States, open to scholars, students and the public, as so directed in her will. Ms Duke, in her day the wealthiest woman in America, commissioned architect Marion Sims Wyeth, to realize a vision inspired by travels to Arabic countries, along with life and culture in Hawaii. Islamic architectural precision meets Hawaiian ease and openness. Quirky ingenuity also plays into the design with a massive glass livingroom door that, instead of sliding open, retracts into the floor—with a stop-setting at three feet high so she could enjoy the ocean breezes indoors while also keeping the dogs in. Tour tickets are available through the Honolulu Museum of Art . ___ Honolulu Museum of Art Perhaps the most satisfying art museum anywhere, this humble space, assembled around airy courtyards invites guests to enjoy its casual grace the way a favorite neighbor might welcome you in. A stunning permanent collection that celebrates the Hawaiian landscape and royal heritage forms the foundation for inspiring temporary exhibits and events. Not to mention the lovely alfresco cafe and extensive gift shop, themselves reason enough for a visit! ___ Downtown Inspirations Adding soul to state bureaucracy are some sculptural and architectural surprises in downtown HNL, amid the lawns of the state capital and Iolani palace. Noguchi’s Skygate (1977) is an imposing black steel “portal” linking the earth and cosmos, (or as Noguchi put it, “an evocation to the skies of Hawaii”). Its undulating form celebrates the twice-a-year phenomenon nicknamed “Lahaina Noon” where shadows normally cast by the sun vanish as the solar rays are angled straight down. Come see for yourself on May 26th, 12:28 pm, and on July 16th, 12:37 pm. Ever beautiful Queen Lilioukalani stands with “steadfast devotion in the hearts of her loyal people”. Fresh flowers are thoughtfully placed upon her likeness, an act of aloha that she appears to graciously offer in turn. The State Capitol rises like a modernist temple, its open-air architecture incorporating Hawaiian symbolic references to tall coconut palms, surging volcanoes, and the surrounding sea. –Between Beretania and King streets at Punchbowl Ave. ___ In the Pink The Royal Hawaiian Hotel opened in 1927 like a pink hibiscus bloom welcoming the sunrise. Today, as then, its windows frame the angular contours of Diamond Head and languid curve of Waikiki bay. Its pink walls the perfect complement to the turquoise surf. Built on the exact location in paradise where King Kamehameha slept and Queen Liliuokalani summered, “royal” is indeed its reality, but in family-style. Bellmen, bartenders and housekeepers exude “ohana”, some having worked at the hotel for decades. Join the sunrise salutation on the beach and find your aloha as you immerse in the gentle waves. And by all means, rehydrate at the Mai Tai Bar, saluting the sunset with Hawaii’s ultimate elixir. ___ Chinatown A gritty quirkiness is etched into the old storefronts and aged faces along these fading movie-set streets. Asian calligraphy flickers and sways beneath 1800’s overhangs that still shade the sidewalks. Fantastic vintage shops, lively restaurants, and the best prices on fragrant lei are found here. The best lei shops are Cindy’s and Tina’s. Single Double and Hound & Quail are world-class vintage stores selling delightfully kitschy local wares. Native Books is a treasured emporium of Hawaiian heritage and innovative crafts. As tiki bars go Skull & Crown is so unique you’ll need a reservation. Oʻahu’s favorite food truck has evolved into a destination Vietnamese restaurant here, The Pig & The Lady . CHINATOWN TIPS: Cindy’s Lei Shoppe Single Double GQ’s take on Single Double, Hawaii Hound & Quail Native Books Skull & Crown Trading Co. ___ Honolulu Botanical Gardens Eucalyptus trees in skintight camouflage stand tall like tent poles supporting the jungle canopy, while their long scissor-shaped leaves cut the afternoon sun to ribbons. Trails sidewind down to a creek that one can hear but not see in this dense showcase of Hawaiian flora. Each standout species is definitively labeled along paths of discovery in this, one of Honolulu’s five well-maintained but wildly-natural gardens. ___ The Art of Lei Hawaii’s floral gift of aloha is a thread that binds peace, love, honor and friendship. A petaled chain linking us to the honored traditions of Hawaiian ancestry. A lei represents love. Giving a lei is an offering of one’s love. For this reason, never throw away a lei, as it would suggest throwing away the love of the giver. Instead, return the lei to the earth by hanging it in a tree or burying it, or let it dry naturally and eventually place it onto a fire. May Day in Hawaii is Lei Day, honoring the custom of lei making with symbolism and pageantry. Each island joins in the celebration, represented in its official-color and flower: Hawaii: red, ohia lehua Maui: pink, lokelani Kahoolawe: gray or silver, hinahina Lanai: orange, kaunaoa Oahu: yellow or gold, ilima Molokai: green, kukui Kauai: purple, mokihana Niihau: white, pupu o Niihau shells Our two favorite lei shops can be found on the same quiet block of Maunakea Street in Chinatown. Cindy’s : 1034 Maunakea St. (808) 536-6538 Tina’s: 1136 Maunakea St. (808) 888-5310 ___ Allure of Diamond Head 19th century British mariners who came ashore at the foot of this now iconic mountain thought the sparkling calcite crystals in the sand were diamonds, hence the name. Its Hawaiian name is Leahi (brow of the tuna) in reference to the formation’s ridge line which resembles a dorsal fin. Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu reward one’s hike to the top of this 300,000-year old crater, the centerpiece of Hawaii's most popular State Park. ___ Diamond Head Community Gardens Diamond Head smiles down upon this sinless garden of Eden where ceramic Buddha’s and metal frogs frolic at the feet of bean stalks and stands of Swiss Chard. Neatly-arranged, beds of rich soil are tended to by their respective gardeners, each producing a stunning bounty of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Guests are welcomed to stroll through and admire–but not touch. Adjacent to Kapiolani park, one block south of Monsarrat Ave, between Paki and Leahi Avenues. ___ Local Eats (good and cheap) Island grocery store deli counters are as thrilling as seeing sea life through the widows at the Oahu Aquarium. The standout is Foodland stores, where thoughtfully prepared sushi and poke is made daily with the freshest fish at the most affordable prices. Small mom ‘n’ pop delis also crank out daily picnic plate lunches, featuring Ahi tuna rolls, Kalua pork, Lau Lau Chicken and much more. Among the best are Hawaii Sushi , Masa & Joyce and Waiahole Poi Factory , Diamond Head Market & Grill . ___ Kaimuki This delightfully eclectic neighborhood rests on the inland slope of Diamond Head. In the 1800’s, "Kai-moo-key" was King Kalakaua’s ostrich farm. Today, “ostrich”, might be found as a fabric pattern in several boutiques along Waialae Avenue, the main (but quirky) shopping corridor that cuts through the neighborhood. Creativity is a common chord resonating in Kaimuki, the boyhood home of revered Hawaiian musician, Israel Kamakawiwoole. Not to miss : The ever-scrumptious Mud Hen Water restaurant, the inventive and elegant Island Boy boutique , the mid-mod charm of Bean About Town coffee, and the vast and tasty Saturday Farmer’s Market at Kapiolani Community College. ___ KCC Farmer's Market Saturdays in Honolulu have added reason to celebrate the weekend with an amazing gathering of farmers, food trucks, bakers, florists, artists and healers known as the KCC Farmers Market. Nestled in the shaded parking lot of Kapiolani Community College, the combined superpowers of homegrown-Hawaii converge to trade their wares with an adoring public. Come early, it’s that good–and popular! ___ Tongg's Beach Towers These days, developers are required to build apartment and hotel towers at a responsible distance from the shore, but this eclectic collection of condos-in-paradise were built before those thoughtful state ordinances were introduced. Forgiving their shoreline proximity, each of these buildings at Tongg’s Beach, (where Kalakaua Ave meets Coconut Ave at the foot of Diamond Head), is a modernist marvel, designed by foremost architects of their day. Most notably, Vladimir Ossipoff , considered Hawaii’s Neutra, whose inventiveness and variety of styles is evident in many buildings on Oahu. Here, Ossipoff envisioned an Asian theatrical fantasy, complete with arched bridges dancing about like an over-caffeinated Kyoto temple. Ossipoff’s ultimate masterpiece is the Liljestrand House , a residence that seems to naturally emerge from its perch in the foothills high above Honolulu. One must reserve well ahead, but it’s worth the effort. ___ Waikiki Beach One might believe that Hawaiian gods poured sugar along this heavenly crescent to form the world’s most stunning beach. (The truth is, it’s civil engineers who, over time, have repurposed sand from nearby shoals–and faraway Manhattan Beach, CA in an effort to restore this 2 mile stretch of paradise). ___ In Hawaiian, Waikiki means spouting fresh water, for the springs and streams which fed the ancient wetlands here on the south shore of Oʻahu. In the 1800s, the grounds of Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian Hotel once served as a retreat for Hawaiian royalty who surfed the local swells atop longboards. It was here that “Duke” earned his fame as the king of surfing. Also on this hallowed ground is the beautiful Royal Hawaiian Center, the crown jewel of retail and dining, with daily cultural performances set in its Royal Grove. Waikiki is indeed a wild contrast between glorious nature rolling in on turquoise waves and delirious shopping tugging on your wallet like a riptide. And that’s just by day! As evening arrives, slip on that new Fendi for sunset cocktails and truly great hula at House Without a Key, followed by dinner at Morimoto Asia. Then cap the night off with jazz at the Blue Note. Finally, you’ll want to kick off those shoes you just bought and walk back to your hotel with your toes in the sand. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel Royal Hawaiian Center House Without A Key Morimoto Asia Waikiki Blue Note Waikiki ___ Duke Paoa Kahanamoku He greets the dawn each day, offering warmth and aloha to the early sunlight headed straight for the beach like so many surfers. The sculpture of “DUKE” at Kalakaua & Uluniu avenues honors the ultimate surfer and Hawaiʻi’s first tourism icon. He introduced the term “aloha” to the world, always noting that it is much more than a greeting. The spirit of aloha. “Alo” means “face”, as in to “face one another”. “Ha” means breath, to “breathe kindness and compassion into the world”. Duke proved that every day of his life. Including one stormy day in 1925, off Newport Beach, CA when he rescued eight fishermen tossed from their capsized boat using just his hands and his surfboard to pull them from the roiling sea one by one. Such heroism stands eternal now in bronze, perpetually-laden with fresh Lei, embodying the spirit of aloha amid sidewalk passersby and Waikiki beachgoers, just as he did in life. ___ Riding the Oahu Railway The breeze rustles our hair as we speed along at a mighty 2 miles-per-hour. Patience is a virtue aboard this vintage train as it trudges up the coast towards its one whistle stop for ice cream. We can nearly spy our destination on the horizon as the converging tracks point like a compass needle to Ko Olina Station. At times our goal appears to move farther away despite the earnest huff and puff of the locomotive. But arrive we finally do, to the shaded lawns of this hand-created oasis amid the sun-baked hardscabble of Oahu’s western shore. Children wave their Black Sheep Cream cones as adults hail mai tais topped with lilikoi foam at Monkeypod Kitchen bar. Then it’s back on the rails for the reverse ride back to Ewa Beach where a toy train museum completes our adventure. We highly recommend booking seats on Parlor Car 64, the deluxe personal coach of railway founder, Benjamin Dillingham, resplendent in oak, mahogany and birds-eye maple decor and rattan seats, running every second-Sunday of the month. Oahu Railway Black Sheep Cream Co. Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman ___ Byodo-In Temple A structure resplendent in a shade of red so loud one may feel it from afar. Or, perhaps that’s the sound of the three ton “bon-sho” brass bell ringing with repeated resonance like a mantra. We queue up to send a wish flying on a long log-on-a-rope that pounds into the side of the sacred bell, rendering a tone said to bring happiness, blessings, and a long life. The temple, a replica of a 1,000-year old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan is set against the heaving green velvet curtain wall known as the Koolau mountains. The temple’s primary resident, Amida Buddha sits in golden splendor amid this hallowed fold in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, Kaneohe on the windward side of Oahu. ___ Pill Box Trail (aka: Kaiwa Trail) This is why God created all-terrain sneakers and Tevas. A heavenly 30-minute slippery slope that delivers hikers to a spectacular view of Lani Kai beach with its busty twin islands rising from an impossibly-turquoise sea as the languid windward coast stretches out in both directions, all poised against the wickedly jagged wall of the Koolau Mountains. Not to mention the two namesake WWII “pillbox” lookout bunkers to contemplate atop once you reach the heights. The Kaiwa trailhead is located in Lani Kai, on Kaelepulu Dr, opposite the Mid-Pacific Country Club. ___ KAILUA During the Obama era, I used to refer to Kailua as “paradise at the presidential level”, given the then president’s penchant for this perfect beach on his home island. In any era, this is perfection. Especially mornings, walking the dogs along the sugary-white crescent of sand from one end to the other—and back. Nico’s Kailua serves great meals and local music at the north end of town while Buzz’s Steak House tantalizes the south end with strong mai tais and a menu of favorites. Kailua Beach Park Nico's Kailua Buzz's Original Steak House ___ Kawela Bay A blissful Sunday drive around the entire island of Oahu is a day spent visiting every Hawaiian island, as Oahu is a sampler of all of them. Perhaps the best part of the drive is the least-known. The hidden pleasure of Kawela Bay, with its gentle surf and crescent beach. A fruit stand on the inland side of Kamehameha Hwy 38 marks the spot at Kawela Camp Rd, just west of Turtle Bay. Park on the roadside and slip through the official gap in the fence, then amble straight to the seashore under the haunted arms of ancient Banyan trees to the crystal blue bay. Stretch out your towel on the warm sand and ponder the years that have passed without you knowing of such tranquil beauty. ___ Drive-Through Paradise Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is a drive-through paradise. Every pull-off along the tranquil roadway represents a unique tropical region from around the world. Leaves of every sort and size wave as we pass while crazy arrays of birds chirp and flutter. Known as "a peaceful refuge”, the park was designed to provide flood protection for Kaneohe, in perhaps the most artful work ever built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Even the restrooms and picnic pavilions blend in as modernist tributes to the natural surroundings. Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden ___ A Tale of Two Heiaus The Hawaiian Heiau is a place of worship from ancient times. Some were sacred religious complexes where rituals involving human or animal sacrifice and other ceremonies took place. Today, their geometric black lava ruins rest in reverent silence on beds of verdant grasses. KEAIWA HEIAU This kinder, gentler temple is believed to have life-giving powers where Hawaiian herb doctors once practiced, using select herbs grown in nearby gardens. PUU O MAHUKA HEIAU A massive shrine embossed on the landscape atop an high cliff, this, the largest Heiau on Oahu overlooks Waimea Bay and the abundant Waimea Valley. It’s torchlights served as a communications system with neighboring Kauai island. Top two images: Keaiwa Heiau Bottom image: Puu O Mahuka Heiau ___ Back DESTINATIONS Next

  • FIVE FAVES / PARIS | Hither & Wander

    Our top five favorite things to do in the City of Light, Paris, France. 1 Rodin Museum The studio, home and garden of sculptor and national treasure, August Rodin is a living inspiration. Not to mention the excellent cafe and incredible sculptures amid the landscape. PARIS, FRANCE 2 Rozell Café Crêpes Halfway up one's pilgrimage to Sacré Coeur, there's a little hole in the wall crêperie named Rozell Café that folds paper-thin buckwheat pancakes into edible origami. PARIS, FRANCE 3 Bourse Pinault Collection Formerly the Paris Stock Exchange, Japanese visionary architect Tadao Ando has reimagined this financial palace into a brilliant and enthralling art exhibit space. PARIS, FRANCE 4 Le Pigalle Hotel A classic Parisian setting set to a new groove. Each room is curated with a superb collection of vinyl, and a vintage record player featuring some of the best french jazz ever heard, —matched by a great selection of books within reach of your pillow. At night, the concierge is a DJ. By morning, the lobby returns to a calm mix of fresh croissants and juices riffing with the sunlight which slips in incognito. PARIS, FRANCE 5 Sunsets at the Pompidou Center Escalators snake up the façade of Paris' groundbreaking modern museum as the sun slips away and the City of Light switches on. Follow that line to Georges for happy hour. PARIS, FRANCE Back FIVE FAVES Next

  • FIVE FAVES / OAHU | Hither & Wander

    Our top five favorite things to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 1 Honolulu Museum of Art One of our very favorite museums in the world. This humble space of courtyards and galleries hosts great artworks, an inspired gift shop and a dreamy open-air café, altogether the perfect museum experience. OAHU, HI 2 Diamond Head Beach A treasure of sparkling sand that inspired its name lay nearly hidden at the bare foot of Oahu’s iconic peak, just east of Waikiki. A haven for surfers, lovers and dreamers, accessed via a manicured trail at the Diamond Head Lighthouse. OAHU, HI 3 Chinatown Honolulu‘s most historic district is lined with great shops, funky bars, and unique dining. And, importantly, the most affordable, and fresh lei shops on the island. OAHU, HI 4 Nico's Pier 38 & Upstairs at Pier 38 The best chef in the Pacific, Nico serves up fresh-caught tuna (the daily fish auction is next door!) and a consistently award-winning burger among other greats. “Upstairs” features the finest local musicians, creative cocktails and elevated cuisine. OAHU, HI 5 Kaimana Beach Hotel A perfect boutique inn perched on the edge of paradise with palm trees hula dancing in the breeze outside your window. The hotel’s famous beachside Hau Tree Lanai restaurant serves island favorites beneath the same twist of tree branches where Robert Lewis Stevenson wrote poetry in 1888. OAHU, HI Back FIVE FAVES Next

  • VIS ISLAND | Hither & Wander

    Indulge in timeless charm on this island between Italy and Croatia. Life between the rolling azure sea and the rows of verdant hillside vineyards is like a dance on this romantic outpost on the Adriatic. VIS ISLAND, CROATIA Indulge in timeless charm on this island between Italy and Croatia. Life between the rolling azure sea and the rows of verdant hillside vineyards is like a dance on this romantic outpost on the Adriatic. Dress Code : Swimsuit Giving new meaning to “Palm Sunday”, fireworks-shaped palm tree shadows lead the way from an afternoon dip back to the boat, where the only question will be whether to stay in your wet swim trunks or change into dry ones. After that, the island of Vis awaits further exploration, be it by land or sea. Either way, you’re guaranteed a beautiful time, as only a Croatian island can deliver. But one thing’s for certain, those trunks won’t be dry for long. ___ Intoxicating Beauty The swim-up town of Vis rests in the nook of a yacht-studded bay. The westernmost island of the south Dalmatian archipelago, Vis is located 32 miles from the mainland of Croatia and 94 miles from Italy. This comfortable distance in either direction has kept Vis less crowded than its neighbor islands. Terracotta rooftops and verdant hillsides, etched with family vineyards make the beauty of Vis all the more intoxicating. ___ Stiniva Beach A jewel treasured since the 4th century BC when Dionysus settled a Greek colony here, Vis is rich in turquoise coves and blessed with tranquil waters that beckon an afternoon dip. Secluded Stiniva Beach is reached only by boat or a steep cliff trail that's not too terrifying (once you're down) where the gods have saved you a spot. ___ Back DESTINATIONS Next

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