Linda Miller belongs to the Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, the most elite and comprehensive luxury real estate network in the world. It comprises a hand-selected group with properties in more than 70 countries that collectively sells over $300 billion in real estate annually showcased on the top portal for luxury properties online, LuxuryRealEstate.com. Luxury Real Estate has been named an industry leader by Forbes, The Webby Awards, Web Marketing Association, Maggie Awards, ADDY Awards, the Inc. 5000 List, and more. The Board of Regents is an exclusive network of the world’s most elite luxury real estate professionals and has a global collection of the finest real estate brokers in the world. With an exclusive membership of more than 500 firms with 130,000 professionals in more than 65 countries, it collectively sells over $200 BILLION in real estate annually, with an average sale of $2,450,000. In addition to the benefits provided by Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate membership, Regents have access to elite tools and resources to command international business. The digital footprint for Regents is unparalleled, with prime placement for every agent and luxury listing on LuxuryRealEstate.com, as well as Regents.com.
LindaMillerLuxury.com (850) 974-8885
Real Estate Broker in Rosemary BeachÂŽ ROSEMARY BEACHÂŽ is a registered trademark owned by Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC and is used with permission pursuant to a license from Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC.
Broker at Rosemary Beach Realty
11 Town Hall Road
333 W Water Street
2 Spanish Town Court
6 BED | 9 BATH | 5,816 SQ.FT. | $5,975,000
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UNDER CONTRACT | $3,999,000
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Linda Miller is the Broker of Rosemary Beach Realty, which topped Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A market in 2016 with $250 million in sales in a single office. With 19 years of sales experience, she has been the number one agent since 2015 with over $208 million in sales, and since 2016 has sold $163 million YTD on 30A. Miller brokered the largest sale ever on 30A, a Gulf-front home in Rosemary Beach for $12.5 million, and was the area’s number-one agent in listings in 2016 and 2017. Linda Miller has generated over $460 million in career sales. LindaMillerLuxury.com
#1 Sales Agent on Scenic Highway 30A
(850) 974-8885
Linda@TheSmileOf30A.com
#1 Sales Agent in Rosemary Beach®
#1 Listing Agent on Scenic Highway 30A
Board of Regents is a global collection of the finest real estate brokers in the world. With an exclusive membership of more than 500 firms with 130,000 professionals in more than 65 countries, it collectively sells over $200 BILLION in real estate annually, with an average sale of $2,450,000. ROSEMARY BEACH® is a registered trademark owned by Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC and is used with permission pursuant to a license from Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC.
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In this issue On the Cover
AeroMobil presented the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL on April 20, 2017, at Top Marques Monaco, the world’s most exclusive supercar show. It underlines AeroMobil’s leadership in this field and determination to transform travel by making the flying car a reality. The AeroMobil 4.0 is purposefully designed as a breathtaking, desirable, truly niche, high-technology luxury vehicle. The exterior is highly aerodynamic with the latest carbon composite construction found in the most sophisticated sports cars and performance aircraft to make the flying car lighter and stronger. It also incorporates the very latest in ballistic parachute technology, designed to bring an airborne vehicle back to ground safely should the pilot choose to deploy it. The AeroMobil 4.0 is one of several latest-generation vehicles discussed in “Keeping Up with the . . . Jetsons?— From the Highways to the Skyways” by Gerald Burwell. Photo by Mark Fagelson for AeroMobil
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FEATURE 110 Keeping Up with the . . . Jetsons?—From the Highways to the Skyways
C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION: TRAVEL & TECHNOLOGY 92 INTROSPECTIONS 97
VOYAGER 27
98 Tick, Talk, Tech
28 The Serenity of Life Underwater: Northwest Florida’s Hidden Gems
100 Grandmother’s Clock
34 Seaside by the Seashore: Beach Pavilions
104 The Remaking of a Landmark: The Rainbow Room Is Always in Style
40 Around the World in Forty-Eight Hours
LE NOUVEAU MONDE 109
46 See the Forest for the Trees
126 Where the Figayou? Online Tech
of Northwest Florida
52 Ice Is Nice: Sweden’s Most Unique Hotel 58 Caste Away: The Journey to Meet Preshanti 68 French Canadian Charm: Une visite à
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74 Journey through the Land of Smiles 80 FEEDing the World through Fashion 86 The Eternal City: Jerusalem’s Wonder
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132 Uber of the Sky: JetSmarter 136 Insta-Worthy! Miami’s Most ’Grammable Dishes
LA SCÈNE 138 AU REVOIR! 145
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CREATIVE TEAM FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com
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CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SALLIE W. BOYLES, ANTHEA GERRIE, CRYSTAL HAMON, CAROLYN O’NEIL, TORI PHELPS, SUZANNE POLL AK, NICHOL AS S. RACHEOTES, ROMONA ROBBINS, L AURETTE RYAN, COLLEEN SACHS, JAKE VERMILLION
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS Tracey@VIEmagazine.com
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VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2018 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published twelve times annually on a monthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $54.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.
16 | JUNE 2018
r e e D e h t t a H C N U L . . NOW.
FABULOUS FOOD. COLORFUL STORIES
Editor’s Note
THE NEW FRONTIER To Boldly Go . . .
T
here are certain stages in life that are pivotal turning points where you can just feel that there is no turning back. But I’ve never witnessed a collective and global sea change like we are currently experiencing. Technology and innovation are leading us where no man has gone before, and it’s epic. This, in addition to the unrest in global politics and the disappearance of civility, makes me wonder what the new frontier will be like ten years from now.
The conveniences of technology always seem good in theory—and usually in application—but only time will be the judge and jury. The social marketing platforms of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and so on were and are great connectors—until they’re not. Right? We overshared and overshared, and then we didn’t want anyone to know anything about us. As the saying goes, “It’s complicated.” We’re living in a world where it’s a retro concept to make a phone call, send a handwritten note, or ask someone you find attractive or interesting out on a date. I consider myself fortunate that my childhood occurred before technology took over. Even the rules of dating have dramatically changed. As I watch the young people in my life meander through the new dating scene, I get a glimpse of what the new dance is all about, and it leaves me feeling sad and perplexed. I prefer the old ways. Sitting in the library at college and noticing someone noticing me was such a thrill, and then meeting and commencing the courting process was exciting and full of joy. Now I’m told this just doesn’t happen. I know; I’m dating myself here (no pun intended).
And does anyone else feel as though emojis are the modern-day hieroglyphics or cave drawings? Do we really not have enough time to tell someone that we love them or that we’re happy for them when a heart and smiling face will do? It astounds me what vision and prophetic insight the creators and writers of television shows from the 1960s had. We’re practically living in The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and The Jetsons—or at least, we’re getting ready to see much of it realized, with driverless and flying automobiles, lifelike robots like the astounding Sophia created by Hanson Robotics, and much more to come in our near future. I’m very excited to present VIE’s inaugural Travel & Tech Issue with a feature by publisher Gerald Burwell, “Keeping Up with the Jetsons: From the Highways to the Skyways,” which is an insightful and informative read. Additionally, “Where the Figayou?” by Tori Phelps showcases a new app that gets people using their mobile devices to meet up and connect. Really connect. What a concept!
As much as I love many of the conveniences brought about by modern technology, in my heart and mind, I seem to crave all things retro and a return to glamour, goodness, and simplicity. I’m sure I am only remembering the good parts of a bygone time, but it doesn’t hurt to try and preserve a connection to civility and elegance whenever possible. I will welcome the day when, in the words of Huey Lewis, “It’s hip to be square” again!
VIE art director Tracey Thomas, fashion designer Christian Siriano, and VIE editor-in-chief Lisa Burwell at the grand opening of Siriano’s new store, The Curated NYC, on April 17 Photo by Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images
To Life!
—Lisa Marie Founder/Editor-In-Chief
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 19
The Creatives
We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.
the new social norms and laws that grow up around it. Those practices should help us balance the ways tech connects us to each other from the ways it divides and distracts us, the opportunities it gives us to be more productive from the ways it makes us lazy, and the access it gives us to lots of ideas versus how easily we encase ourselves in echo chambers. GRETA MESZOELY CEO and Partner, Figayou
FOR THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE CREATIVES: WE ALL SEEM TO HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW IT HAS SHAPED SOCIETY?
@figayou
Humans are natural innovators. Individuals and societies have creatively navigated obstacles using technological solutions for survival throughout time. However, while technological solutions emerge out of the need to solve unique problems and achieve positive outcomes, there are many examples of a failure to adequately define the scope of the issue and determine potential unintended consequences. Consequently, technology can bring about both good and bad outcomes. So, rather than condemning technology, we must carefully navigate how we develop and use it and incentivize individuals and societies to innovate and apply technologies to support a positive and sustainable long-term future.
LAURETTE RYAN Writer, “Grandmother’s Clock” @lauretteryan
Modern technology is just a tool. The world keeps progressing, and change is not only inevitable, it is also the lifeblood of a healthy society. Email, Facebook, Instagram, and the like will never destroy the yearning for in-person connection, in the same way the automobile did not destroy the desire for horseback riding, bicycling, or even walking. Modern technology can assist you, teach you new things, and open doors to other perspectives. You are in charge of these doors because modern technology is only a tool. Neither good nor bad—only a tool.
CRYSTAL HAMON Writer, “Journey to the Land of Smiles” @crystalhamon
Technology is like money—neither inherently good nor bad; it’s all about how you use it. My sense is that the more ingrained new tech becomes in our lives, the more we will have to think carefully about
JORDAN STAGGS Managing Editor @jojomonster12
As one of the elder millennials, my relationship with technology has been unique to my generation. We had Game Boys, a Sega Genesis, and an N64 in our home, but most of my childhood days (if I remember correctly) were still spent outside riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline, and seeing how far my neighbors or cousins and I could wander from our yards before the fear of impending punishment (which rarely came) made us head home. We got dial-up Internet when I was in middle school, and things changed. I became savvy in AIM chat lingo and spent too much time setting up clever away messages for when someone inevitably picked up the landline telephone—“Goodbye.” The graphics on the PlayStation 2 were so good. I got a flip phone for my sweet sixteen (but I had fifty text messages allowed per month and, unless you had a fancy BlackBerry, you used T9 to write them). I was seventeen when I signed up for Facebook (back when you needed a college email to do it). Where a generation above mine might still consider this Digital Age to be new, the one just below mine doesn’t remember a time with no Wi-Fi or smartphones. It’s exciting to watch how rapidly tech develops today, but I feel it is also crucial to experience playing outside, exploring nature, and playing pretend with nothing more than your friends and your imagination. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 21
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LET’S TALK! Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation! @Charlotte’s Got a Lot A destination for foodies, adventure seekers, sports fans, and shopaholics alike, VIE magazine gives an extensive list of reasons you should pay the Queen City a visit.
@Morgan James #tbt. Happy 10th anniversary, Christian Siriano! Flashing back and drooling over these CS gowns I got to wear for the VIE magazine shoot. Swoon.
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John Hott, Torrey Blackmon, and Laython Blackmon dive Cypress Springs while kayakers explore the surface. 28 | JUNE 2018
N O RT H W E S T F LO R I D A' S H I D D E N G E M S Story + Photography by Romona Robbins
E
very year, millions of people flock to Northwest Florida from every direction, anxious to dip their toes in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. But beelining to the beach means bypassing a different side of Florida’s Panhandle—one that is every bit as unique and nowhere near as salty. Florida is home to over seven hundred freshwater springs. Just a short drive from what’s known as the Emerald Coast—the area that stretches from Destin to Panama City Beach—lies a vast system of waterways fed by many springs. These aren’t your everyday swimming holes; they are diverse ecological playgrounds. But before we get into that, allow me to nerd out on them for just a bit:
When water permeates and dissolves the limestone directly beneath us, it causes sinkholes and extensive cave systems. Springs form where the excess groundwater exits the aquifer (also known as karst springs). Springs are categorized by their magnitude (first magnitude through eighth magnitude), which is the amount of water discharged per day in cubic feet per second. A first-magnitude spring pumps out the highest volume, which starts at one hundred-plus cubic feet per second—about sixty-five million gallons of water per day! An eighth-magnitude spring trickles less than a pint per minute. So, if you are looking for a solid spring to visit, look for first- through third-magnitude springs. These are the ones worth grabbing your snorkeling gear and taking a dip! V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 29
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T
here are about forty documented springs in Bay, Walton, Washington, and Holmes Counties in Northwest Florida, all of which are a constant 68 degrees year-round. I haven’t visited them all yet, but here are a few of my favorites so far.
PONCE DE LEON SPRINGS When it comes to simplicity, convenience, safety, and good old-fashioned family fun, there are plenty of springs, such as Vortex and Morrison, which you can drive right up to and access via a boardwalk or dock (or, preferably, a rope swing). These are the springs I think of when I picture the classic blue “swimming hole,” and Ponce de Leon Springs perfectly epitomizes that vision. This crystal clear second-magnitude spring pumps fourteen million gallons of freshwater every day. It was privately owned by the Smithgall family back in the 1920s, and they converted it into a local family hangout complete with a high-dive platform and even a skating rink. These days, Ponce de Leon Springs is a state-owned park, so its amenities aren’t as outlandish, but there’s still a concrete dive platform along with picnic tables, barbecue grills, pavilions, and nature walks. Ponce de Leon is the perfect spring for my hubby and me to visit with our five-year-old daughter for a quick half-day trip from Destin.
ECONFINA CREEK If you’re looking for something a little more ambitious, then pack (or rent) a water vessel (like a kayak, paddleboard, inner tube, or canoe) and go “spring hopping” down one of the waterways it feeds. Probably the most well known near the Emerald Coast is Econfina Creek, and for good reason. Econfina runs twenty-six miles through Bay and Washington Counties, from Deer Point Lake all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The most popular section is a five-mile stretch with eleven named springs to explore, including a first-magnitude, four secondmagnitude, and six third-magnitude springs. 30 | JUNE 2018
For a recent full-day excursion, I packed a cooler and met up with a group of old friends. We rented over a dozen canoes from Econfina Creek Canoe Livery and paddled through the hilly limestone landscape that is enveloped by a variety of Appalachian vegetation. It rained off and on that day, which affected how vibrant the blue-green springs would typically be, but it also created a mysterious mist that danced over the water and added to the beauty around us. Sharing this experience with a rowdy group of fun people made it even more special. There is nothing better than disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with Mother Nature and each other. Pace yourself, though, as it takes six to seven hours from start to finish, which can lead to exhaustion—or a severe hangover— depending on your “paddling” technique.
We rented over a dozen canoes from Econfina Creek Canoe Livery and paddled through the hilly limestone landscape that is enveloped by a variety of Appalachian vegetation. Apart from water excursions, Econfina boasts other exciting outdoor activities, such as hiking trails, horseback riding, and camping. It even has cascading waterfalls from an elevated creek. It truly is a local favorite.
Left: Brilliant clear waters abound at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. Opposite: Chase Cramer snorkels in a swimming hole along Econfina Creek. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31
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HOLMES CREEK
Opposite: The creek meanders through lush vegetation at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. Below: Torrey Blackmon explores the depths of Cypress Springs.
If you’re more of an adventurer looking to find something different without driving into the eastern time zone, then you’re in luck. Deep in the backwoods of Washington County, you’ll find Holmes Creek. It is by far my favorite waterway in our area. This wonderland of flora and fauna merges with the Choctawhatchee River and is fed by thirteen pristine springs. It has a thirty-four-mile paddle trail that starts at Burnt Sock Landing and ends at Cedar Tree Landing, with numerous access points in between. This semitransparent waterway meanders through cypress-tupelo swamps and wetlands. Its most well-known spring is the secondmagnitude Cypress Springs, located north of Vernon. It has two vents at the bottom of the spring where the water discharges, creating a brisk current. Giant bald
cypress trees hug its shoreline. The land is privately owned by Nestlé, but the good news is that waterways are fair game, so you can still take the plunge if you have a boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
The land is privately owned by Nestlé, but the good news is that waterways are fair game, so you can still take the plunge if you have a boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. With a max depth of twenty-nine feet, Cypress Springs is perfect for snorkeling, and divers can kick alongside a variety of fish and other freshwater critters. But if you are feeling more adventurous and have your cave-diving scuba certification, then head south of Holmes Creek down the river from Boynton Island. I was fortunate enough to connect with locals Torrey Blackmon and his wife, Candice, the owners of Holmes Creek Canoe Livery. They offer canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle services (for privately owned water vessels as well), and they also facilitate diving tours and “primitive camping,” which is the perfect break for those living life in the fast lane. Holmes Creek is Torrey’s stomping ground, and his knowledge of the area is unsurpassed. My dive buddy, John Hott of Ocean Technology Systems, and I recently joined Torrey and his son for a twoday private tour to see what so many Northwest Florida tourists (and locals) have been missing. There was a winter chill in the air, and fall colors still lingered on the trees in mid-March. The best part? Not a soul in sight. At one point, we were so far out in a tributary, we saw a coyote swim across the river in broad daylight (if only I’d had my telephoto lens on to capture it)! Not only did Torrey take us to his secret dive spots tucked away in remote streams to discover untouched caves and caverns, but he also helped me rediscover my own backyard. So, as you can see, the springs of Florida’s Panhandle offer boundless recreational opportunities for ecotourism, diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, and fun with friends and family.
32 | JUNE 2018
T
hese waterways may have similarities, but each is unique. More importantly, each is a window to the health of our groundwater and is vital to the many ecosystems of the area. If you want to escape the traffic, the sweltering summer heat, and tourists as far as the eye can see, then head to the springs. Just be mindful of leaving them the same way you found them—pristine.
To learn more or to plan your visit to Northwest Florida springs, visit WaltonOutdoors.com. Romona Robbins is a Northwest Florida photographer and dive master who specializes in travel and underwater photography. Over the past decade, she has worked on many network, commercial, and independent projects in over thirty-five countries for clients such as National Geographic, Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, and, of course, VIE.
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34 | JUNE 2018
SEASIDE BY THE SEASHORE
BEACH PAVILIONS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA Coastal architecture comes with a certain element of creativity—a f resh, open feel that re flects the beauty and calm of the natural sur roundings. For this visual roundup of some of the most charming beach pavilions along the Northwest F lorida Gulf Coast, photog rapher Jack Gardner captured the serene places that make visitors and locals alike say, “I ’m lucky to be here.”
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 35
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THE PAVILIONS 1. WEST RUSKIN PAVILION, SEASIDE Designed by Michael McDonough
This private beach walkover celebrates classic nautical style with a navy sailboat motif.
2. PENSACOLA PAVILION, SEASIDE Designed by Tony Atkin
A pelican weather vane watches over this private pavilion situated at the end of Pensacola Street.
3. CARILLON BEACH Designed by Lloyd Vogt
One of several unnamed pavilions in Carillon
Beach, this walkover inspired the community’s logo.
4. ODESSA PAVILION, SEASIDE Designed by Roger Ferri
Another private walkover in the community, the
Odessa Pavilion is the westernmost beach structure in Seaside.
5. TURTLE BALE GREEN, ALYS BEACH Designed by Page Duke Landscape Architects
This private beach access is named in honor of the sea turtles that return to nest along these beaches every summer.
6. NATCHEZ PAVILION, SEASIDE Designed by Jersey Devil
Climbing the steps to the peak of this unique
private pavilion provides a thrill as beachgoers
reach the top and view breathtaking sugar-white sand and clear water.
7. COLEMAN PAVILION, SEASIDE Designed by David Coleman
Perhaps the most iconic structure in Seaside, this is
also the only public pavilion. Here visitors f rom all
over get the chance to take photos, play in the waves, and enjoy Seaside Beach with f riends and family. 36 | JUNE 2018
V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 37
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AROUND THE WORLD IN
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HOURS BY COLLEEN SACHS
When people ask me about my travel bucket list, my answer is simple: I want to travel everywhere in the world.
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ut with so many places to go, there never seems to be enough time. If only it were possible to condense a week of travel into a couple of days! Enter Gabriella Ribeiro, founder of Explorateur Journeys and the 48 Hour Power Jaunt. A Power Jaunt is a specially crafted travel experience designed to give travelers an in-depth visit to a place in just two days. Itineraries cover everything from the point of arrival right up to the time of departure. Ribeiro wants you to “travel, not just take a trip.” She says that to do this “we jam-pack a lot in.” She develops itineraries with lots of little surprises. There is always a food component, with dinner on the first night being a unique experience no matter where you are. Access to a private collection in a local gallery is a common perk for her clients. The idea is to let people see a different side of any given location and really experience the destination.
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or example, Ribeiro’s beautifully curated itinerary for Bilbao, Spain, includes a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, an urban art bike tour, lunch at a pintxo bar (lots of wonderful small plates), dinner at a private house or art gallery, and expert recommendations for nightlife. That’s all on the first day! The second day gets you out of the city with a tour of the countryside that features a visit to a D.O. Idiazábal cheese maker and lunch with a winemaker. The evening of the second day is highlighted with a wine dinner back in Bilbao. To make everything work, Explorateur Journeys books hotels in convenient spots (Bilbao’s is close to the Guggenheim) with early check-in and late checkout prearranged. Tour groups are very small or private, making the experience both more efficient and more intimate. With many of the itineraries, including Bilbao, travelers are pampered with a welcome massage. The hotels have luxurious amenities such as spas and fine toiletries, and time to rest and refresh is part of every itinerary.
Tour groups are very small or private, making the experience both more efficient and more intimate.
Her 48 Hour Power Jaunt in Paris is based at the edge of Le Marais and includes shopping with a private guide in the many boutiques that line the narrow streets. The second day features a tour of Paris in a sidecar with a knowledgeable guide driving the motorcycle. There is also time for the age-old Parisian tradition of people watching as you enjoy a pastry and café au lait.
When I spoke with Ribeiro, she had just returned from Paris and was on her way to Tokyo the next day. I asked how she deals with jet lag. Her response: “Jet lag doesn’t exist for me.” She continues, “I sleep where I can and when I can and put myself in the moment of the day.”
Ribeiro’s Tokyo itinerary is centered on food. Visit the largest fish market in the world and then explore the street-food vendors and small restaurants found off the beaten path with the help of your guide. Dinner the second night is in the Golden Gai, where a bar master will guide you around this area of more than two hundred small bars. The adventure will also include tours of ancient temples and the center of Tokyo’s pop culture.
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Previous page: View of Paris at sunset with the Panthéon standing out against the horizon Above: Peru’s Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth a 48 Hour Power Jaunt! Above right: Colorful handcrafted plates line a market stall in Marrakech, Morocco.
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Power Jaunts make it possible for those of us with the world on our bucket lists to see more in the time we have available—and to do it as a traveler, not as a tourist.
A panoramic view of Marrakech with a minaret standing above the old medina
Ribeiro comes by her love of travel naturally. Her father was an entrepreneur in the travel industry. “We didn’t go to Disney World; we went to Morocco,” she says of her childhood. Now Ribeiro’s young daughter often accompanies her on her travels. In fact, it was a trip with her daughter that sparked the idea of the 48 Hour Power Jaunt. While on a boat looking for the Loch Ness monster, Ribeiro thought about how she rarely had much time in any destination. She says, “It was never abnormal to go to a city for two days, and I would cover the ground in such a way that I would get things done.”
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he developed the 48 Hour Power Jaunt and found it fits a variety of travelers. Ribeiro observes many multigenerational families are looking for ways to spend time together. She says people “spend the money on travel and get a huge return on life.” The 48 Hour Power Jaunt is a wonderful format for families. It is easier to fit a two-day adventure into the often-complex family schedule, and the small tours allow the family to explore together without stress. Corporate travelers often add a Power Jaunt to the end of a conference trip. They are already in a location they would like to explore, and they take advantage of that to learn more about the area than is possible while attending conference meetings each day. Solo travelers who are uncomfortable with spending a long time on their own find the Power Jaunt to be 44 | JUNE 2018
the perfect length. One recent traveler needed a few days away to help recuperate from a negative life event and turned to the Power Jaunt—it can be a powerful pick-me-up! The most common locations for Ribeiro’s Power Jaunts are Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. Her clients can enjoy tea and pastries in Marrakech, take a beer cycle tour in Madrid, or go on a desert safari in Dubai. While in glamorous Buenos Aires, they can visit a private restaurant, go to a speakeasy, take in a polo match, and learn the tango. They can even learn to make ceviche in Peru. To get a taste of Ribeiro’s travel style, read her book, 48 Hours In…: Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Global Jaunts. It is her take on travel to some of the nearly one hundred countries she has visited. Get a fresh perspective on frequently visited places such as London, Tokyo, Paris, and Lisbon, and read about the more exotic locales of Marrakech, Morocco; Samburu, Kenya; and the Galapagos Islands. The final chapter of
the book provides excellent travel advice, particularly for parents traveling with children—including how to climb the Athenian Acropolis with a stroller. Power Jaunts make it possible for those of us with the world on our bucket lists to see more in the time we have available—and to do it as a traveler, not as a tourist. As Ribeiro says, “The 48 Hour Power Jaunt is for someone looking for a journey that leaves a footprint on their soul.”
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Colleen Sachs loves food and traveling around the world, and she has been writing about both for twentyfive years. She lives with her spouse and a multitude of pets in Santa Rosa Beach and Pensacola, Florida.
Forest see the for the trees BY ANTHEA GERRIE
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t one end of England’s New Forest, I made my way at a snail’s pace across a meadow toward the trees. The ranger leading our group stopped periodically to sniff every blade of grass; it was clear she saw our three-hour session as a quasi-religious experience. When we reached the forest, we were invited to appreciate every nuance of the many different leaves—at that time of year a glorious blend of gold, green, and russet—to discover corners we were particularly drawn to, and to pause for a quiet meditation within our chosen space. Eventually, we reunited to celebrate our communion with nature over a tea made from ingredients found on the forest floor. At the other end of Hampshire, whose magical woods have been a playground for Brits since William the Conqueror named them his new hunting forest in 1079, I later experienced the forest in a very different way. I lounged on the terrace of the world’s most luxurious treehouse, one of a handful suspended like lily pads over the forest floor. A masseuse set up her table on the expansive deck and rubbed pine-scented oils onto my back, shoulders, and limbs in a divine “New Forest Flow.” The spring breeze on my bare skin and the music of rustling leaves added extra dimensions to the sense of well-being coursing through my body.
A picturesque forest trail near the Marriott Renaissance Tuscany Photo by Marco Pistolozzi Right: A relaxing seat in the forest at La Clairière in Alsace, France Photo courtesy of La Clairière
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elcome to “forest bathing,” a phenomenon named in 1982 by the Japanese, whose scientists were the first to document the healing power of trees in serious academic studies. Now American and European boffins have confirmed with their own trials that shinrin-yoku, as the Japanese call hanging out in forests, can lower the blood pressure, slow the heart rate, lift the mood, and even improve self-esteem. In 2008, the University of Michigan found that interacting with nature also produced cognitive benefits, while subsequent studies have suggested spending time in the forest can also lower blood sugar levels and boost the immune system.
Since word has spread about these amazing health benefits, forest bathing has become a “thing,” evidenced by the number of resorts touting the healing power of trees and offering activities built around it. At La Clairière (La-Clairiere.com) in France’s heavily wooded Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park, yoga takes place in the forest, and there are guided walks in the woods with a sophrologist leading meditations along the way. She encouraged me to walk barefoot, on my own, in the nearby meadow, where I felt the power of grass beneath and between my bare toes strangely exhilarating. Heading into the woods has always held a magical, storybook quality for those who hike, camp, and picnic within them. Guides and therapists do not necessarily have to be part of the offering. I did not undertake the optional Treetox at Chewton Glen (ChewtonGlen.com), where a stay in their treehouses commands a nightly four-figure sum. I merely basked in the pleasure of a vast, semicircular apartment where bed and sofa faced the trees rather than the television. This connection to nature was the prime directive from Andrew Stembridge, CEO of this five-star resort, to the architects when he conceived of these highly sophisticated spaces within nature eight years ago. “I used to walk the muddy path here with my dog and felt we should find a way to share this magical space with our guests,” he says. “At first, we were told it was impossible because we couldn’t cut down any trees or bring in heavy machinery— we even had to invest thousands in a temporary oak-framed home for the badgers, who had to be protected during construction! But we succeeded in creating these buildings that many guests never want to leave, even to visit the restaurant or spa; we bring the food and therapists to them.”
Now American and European boffins have confirmed with their own trials that shinrin-yoku, as the Japanese call hanging out in forests, can lower the blood pressure, slow the heart rate, lift the mood, and even improve self-esteem. 48 | JUNE 2018
It is not Chewton Glen’s style to offer the kind of scripted immersion experience found at Forest Holidays (ForestHolidays.co.uk) in Blackwood Forest, on the less fashionable side of Hampshire. Its rangers are trained by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT) based in Santa Rosa, California. But in truth, both resorts have got it right; what it lacks in sophistication, Forest Holidays compensates for with lodges that celebrate the natural beauty of the woods. Neither resort is quaint or overly rustic, and the glory of both is their large decks with private hot tubs overlooking the trees, bathing guests in relaxation and utter seclusion. In the United States, there are scores of forest guides from coast to coast who are certified by the ANFT to take you for a walk. There are two resorts offering their services in the Poconos and a certified forest guide in residence at L’Auberge de Sedona (Lauberge.com)
Opposite: One of the quaint Hideaway Huts at the Fish Hotel in the Cotswolds, England Photo courtesy of the Fish Hotel Left: A treehouse deck at Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in New Forest, England Photo courtesy of Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa Below: A guide from Forest Holidays leads a forest bathing session in Hampshire, England Photo courtesy of Forest Holidays
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Above: A view of Red Rock State Park from Oak Creek near L’Auberge de Sedona in Arizona Right: A luxurious Creekside Cottage at L’Auberge de Sedona Opposite: The terrace at L’Auberge’s Etch Kitchen & Bar, situated beneath towering sycamore trees Photos courtesy of L’Auberge de Sedona
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in Arizona. Enter “forest bathing” in a web search, and you’ll come up with resorts in Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York State, and Connecticut too. But not all aficionados feel the need to book into a resort; San Francisco’s Forest Bathing Club has 683 members who meet regularly in the California redwoods. You can even be an American forest bather in Europe, where Marriott clients can redeem their loyalty points at the Renaissance Tuscany, a remote resort high above the spa town of Bagni di Lucca, where Byron and Shelley nurtured their souls in the nineteenth century. There’s no tree hugging or grass sniffing involved in the three-hour experience on offer in the beautiful wooded hills, but there is something quite meditative about walking on forested trails between five medieval villages, each comprising just a few homes and an ancient church. Heavenly light reflecting off the stained glass at San Giovanni Battista in the hamlet of Pieve di Controne reinforced my feeling of enormous well-being after a three-mile stroll. That’s about half the distance on offer to sportier types happy to climb winding trails a few miles from the hotel where guides meet the forest bathers.
Do you even need a guide to get the most out of the forest? The academics say no, that it’s enough to get out there and breathe in the air. As John Muir, for whom some of California’s loveliest redwoods are named, famously wrote, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” Whether you hug a tree or merely hike past it and admire the beauty of leaves, bark, roots, and dappled sunlight, forest bathing is a delightful free pursuit that could save your life.
MORE FOREST BATHING DES T I N AT I O N S : Blackberry Farm in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains periodically offers a three-day forest healing immersion program, and hikes through the woods are available year-round along with daily “stretch and release” sessions overlooking the forest. BlackberryFarm.com The Fish Hotel in England’s Cotswolds brings guests to the heart of its forest acreage with treehouses featuring decks wrapped around a large oak. Also nestled in the woodland are secluded shepherds’ huts with outdoor baths and wood-burning stoves. TheFishHotel.co.uk Japan’s Forest Therapy Association has had sixty-two of the country’s woods certified by medical experts as official “forest therapy bases.” To qualify, each base must have at least two “therapy roads” featuring wide, flat, or gently sloping trails. Many have guides and/or therapists in attendance. Check out INFOM.org/forestmedicinebase/japan for a list of locations.
Anthea Gerrie is based in the UK but travels the world in search of stories. Her special interests are architecture and design, culture, food, and drink, as well as the best places to visit in the world’s great playgrounds. She is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, the Independent, and Blueprint.
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ICE IS NICE SWEDEN’S MOST UNIQUE HOTEL
By Sallie W. Boyles Photography courtesy of ICEHOTEL
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After landing at Kiruna Airport in Swedish Lapland, an hour-and-a-half flight from Stockholm, many travelers complete the last leg of their journey by dogsled. Along the way, a sign Photo by Asaf Kliger
informs “The Road Stops Here.” The surrounding woods affirm that the little village of Jukkasjärvi—“Jukkas” to the nine hundred or so permanent residents—is off the beaten path. The sheer beauty and serenity render an idyllic retreat from the everyday life’s hustle and bustle, yet ICEHOTEL is what draws tens of thousands to this remote piece of the Arctic every year.
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O Previous spread: ICEHOTEL insiders recommend guests spend their first or last night in one of the cold rooms and enjoy warm accommodations for the remainder of their stay. Below: Photo by Asaf Kliger Opposite: Because most of the ICEHOTEL’s cold rooms are seasonal, they are redesigned each year, allowing artists and architects to collaborate on a unique creation and returning visitors to enjoy something new.
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n the sixty-eighth parallel north, about fifteen hundred miles from the North Pole, Jukkas braces for winter temperatures that dip to minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit. For six weeks, the sun never rises above the horizon. Day after day, blue-grey hues enshroud the frozen land and sky. At night, however, from September to March, the heavens display the aurora borealis. Also, as if to make up for lost time, the midnight sun shines in summer. Spring skiing first enticed ICEHOTEL founder Yngve Bergqvist to visit Jukkas in the mid-1970s; he never wanted to leave. Fortunately, the mining company in Kiruna hired him for his engineering (environment and sustainability) expertise. Assigned to restore an eighteenth-century settlement on the Torne River, Bergqvist recognized the value of promoting the destination to outdoor-loving tourists.
Subsequently, he and his colleagues built a rental center providing canoes, rafts, river tours, and the like. Soon, thousands were flocking to Jukkas each summer. Meanwhile, few believed that any adventure involving the northern lights and pristine snow was compelling enough to prevent Jukkas from shutting down in winter. Considering how to sweeten the offering, Bergqvist attended the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan, known for spectacular ice sculptures. Inspired, he engaged the help of professionals from Japan to host his village’s first ice-sculpting workshop in 1989. When artists returned the next winter, they erected an igloo of well over six hundred square feet. Christened ARTic Hall, the structure served as an art gallery but also accommodated church services and film showings. Over the next few years, Bergqvist and his partners expanded the igloo to nearly twenty-five hundred square feet, refined and patented the design, and added a bar inside. While capping off one celebratory evening, a visiting group asked to spend the night in ARTic Hall. They received permission, along with reindeer skins, sleeping bags, and instructions for keeping warm. The next morning, assessing their exuberance, Bergqvist knew he had to build a bigger igloo!
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oday, the world’s original and largest hotel made of ice and snow, ICEHOTEL, is an architectural marvel. Besides twenty “standard” ice rooms, the hotel offers fifteen uniquely themed art suites that are individually designed and handfinished by select artists from all over the world. Other parts of the hotel include the ICEBAR, the figurative hot spot for adult beverages; an exhibition hall of ice sculptures; and an ice ceremony hall, where many couples wed. Amazingly, like Frosty the Snowman, the entire complex arrives with each year’s freeze and departs with the thaw. The labor begins in February or March of the prior year when about four thousand tons of one-meterthick, crack-free ice is harvested from the Torne River. (All winter, workers maintain a snow-free field on the river to foster a deep, solid freeze.) A house-sized freezer stores the large blocks. Usually, they’re transported to the job site by late October. As the cold sets in, construction workers gather from around the world to execute the ideas of chief architect Arne Bergh and his team, who are free to reimagine the exquisite details of each ICEHOTEL reincarnation. Aspects of the plan, including certain signature features, however, need not be reinvented. A set of metal casting forms are reused each year to make the grand hallway’s vaulted ceiling. For the most part, though, custom-cut blocks and bricks of ice and wooden arches are fashioned on-site to support the hotel’s many contours.
Besides twenty “standard” ice rooms, the hotel offers fifteen uniquely themed art suites that are individually designed and hand-finished by select artists from all over the world.
let the sunshine in, although the warmth is relative. When fully occupied, ICEHOTEL’s interior stabilizes at twenty-three degrees Fahrenheit, which is why the ICEBAR serves drinks in glasses made of ice! After about six weeks, toward the end of November, the building is ready for the artists to add their one-of-a-kind sculptures and finishes. Accustomed to other media such as wood and stone, some artists have never sculpted ice. Many from warm climates have never touched snow. The ICEHOTEL artists are chosen annually by a jury more interested in solid credentials, exceptional creativity, and real commitment. Ice experts offer tips and tools, and electricians install wiring to achieve the desired lighting; but the artists personally complete all the handiwork, even down to the chiseling of distinctive ice lampshades! It’s a nonstop labor of love. Artists have about two weeks to finish their designs before the hotel’s official opening on December 13, Saint Lucia’s Day.
To pack the floors as well as smooth and soften walls and furnishings, architects prefer a snow-and-ice blend called snice. Machine-made from Torne River water, snice beats natural snow, which falls in unpredictable quantities and consistencies. Also, snice freezes to a rock-hard solid, adding stability, even requiring a chainsaw to cut openings for doors and windows. Ice blocks, not glass, insulate windows and
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eant to be seen, ICEHOTEL hosts daily tours throughout the season. Thus, rooms are continuously spruced up by adding clean snow and polishing any smudged ice using a plastic bag filled with hot water. For many reasons, hanging out in one’s room all day isn’t practical; instead, overnight guests gain access to their cold accommodations after 6:00 p.m. They change in the hotel’s heated building and store personal items in lockers before entering their chambers. Each ice-block bed is topped with a wooden frame plus a soft mattress and fur. Individuals also receive a thermal sleeping bag, which gets quite warm. Some insiders recommend sleeping nude with clothing tucked inside by the feet. Others suggest wearing a single layer of clothing, warm socks, and a hat or a top with a hood. After taking care of practical matters, people find that the ethereal, silent surroundings and fresh air induce a tremendous sense of peace. Nurturing of mind, body, and spirit continues the next morning with a warm sauna, a shower, and a hot breakfast. ICEHOTEL’s award-winning cuisine delights foodies, especially those seeking fresh, locally procured ingredients such as Arctic chard, reindeer, and cloudberries. Accordingly, the international kitchen’s innovative preparations generate a high demand for
the restaurant’s fixed-seating dinners. From December to April, reservations should be made at least three weeks in advance. By mid-April, Mother Nature makes the ICEHOTEL uninhabitable. In a model recycling project, all ice returns to the Torne. In the past, many visiting Jukkas between seasons were disappointed. Where was ICEHOTEL? In response, ICEHOTEL 365 opened in 2016. Solar powered, the energy-efficient engineering masterpiece allows guests to spend any night of the year in one of twenty art suites. Even in winter, some visitors—especially honeymooning couples—prefer ICEHOTEL 365 over the seasonal ICEHOTEL because nine of the suites have a warm, private bath attached. The setting also accentuates the building’s innovative architecture. The grand hallway’s arched roof, for example, reveals the midnight sun and northern lights. Moreover, since ICEHOTEL 365 doesn’t shut down, visitors may take part in a guided
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Above: ICEHOTEL 2016’s ICEBAR designed by Elin Julin, Marinus Vroom, and Jens Thoms Ivarsson Photo by Asaf Kliger Left: The Chef’s Table on the Veranda welcomes guests to a food experience with the local culture in focus, as well as meetings between chefs, guests, artists, and locals.
Other parts of the hotel include the ICEBAR, the figurative hot spot for adult beverages; an exhibition hall of ice sculptures; and an ice ceremony hall, where many couples wed.
changing-of-art tour to witness the fascinating process of an artist at work on a suite.
For either ICEHOTEL option, staff members say that guests should plan to sleep cold on their first or last night and spend remaining nights in the hotel’s warm accommodations. Now that Jukkas is a “hot” destination year-round, tourists may want to enlist an affiliated travel agency’s help in coordinating flights and rooms.
For information or to book your stay, visit IceHotel.com. Sallie W. Boyles works as a freelance journalist, ghostwriter, copywriter, and editor through Write Lady Inc., her Atlanta-based company. With an MBA in marketing, she marvels at the power of words, particularly in business and politics, but loves nothing more than relaying extraordinary personal stories that are believable only because they are true.
Courtesy of Dekko
Such experiences are hard to describe and filled with pleasant surprises. Some lucky tourists, for instance, will land Bergqvist as their rafting guide. “Just before last summer,” he says, “I renewed my license so that I could personally guide our visitors along the beautiful Torne River. I’m probably Sweden’s oldest rafting guide and still find it fascinating to show our guests this incredible nature experience. And to think it’s the same water that created the conditions for the whole business with ICEHOTEL that invites to an unforgettable
rafting tour, on its own terms. That,” he concludes, “is powerful.”
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Caste Away THE JOURNEY TO MEET
PRESHANTI
By JAKE and HANNAH VERMILLION | Photography by HANNAH VERMILLION 58 | JUNE 2018
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It was five o’clock, the sun was setting, and I realized I was lost somewhere in the heart of rural India. Big white cows, men herding flocks of goats, and women resplendent in their saris lined the crowded streets as I pushed through them to make my way back to the orphanage that was my home for the next few days.
Preshanti and friends in the courtyard of the dormitory where they live
Below: A group of boys who study at India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF) Right: Preshanti in front of her school
How did I, a graphic designer from Florida, end up in the colorful whirlwind of a bustling Indian town? It was thanks to a beautiful little girl whose picture hangs on my fridge. She gave me the courage to face my fears, journey to the other side of the world, and experience the bittersweet reality of life in India. For more than a decade, my husband, Jake, and his family traveled every few years to Repalle, a smallish town in the Indian countryside, to support a ministry there that cares for India’s most vulnerable: orphans, widows, the elderly, and the indigent. When we first started dating, Jake would bring home pictures and stories from his trips to Repalle.
For years, I vowed to one day bring home pictures and stories of my own; but life just seemed to keep getting in the way. Then, just over a year ago, during his most recent trip to India, Jake sent me a video. I clicked Play, and a little girl appeared on the screen with shimmering eyes, long, loosely curled pigtails, and a smile that immediately warmed my soul. With a little coaxing, she looked sheepishly into the camera and explained that she was in the fourth grade and that her name was Preshanti. In that moment, hunched over in bed with my eyes glued to my phone, I knew with every fiber of my being that I had to go to India to meet her. Twelve months, forty-six hours of exhausting travel, and 9,500 miles later, I woke to the sound of students preparing for the day ahead: my first day in India. I hastily made my way to the courtyard below our guest house, where our team gathered for a tour of the compound. Buildings painted in bright colors lined the courtyard on three sides. To the north was a bright-blue dining hall, to the south a lime-green
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As the team was engulfed by the throng of children, Jake pointed to a little girl patiently waiting with a garland of flowers. Preshanti.
Right: Hannah Vermillion being welcomed to India by all the IREF students with flower garlands and fireworks Opposite: Students at IREF
dormitory, and to the west a white nursing station with red trim. But this morning, we were headed east, where 1,800 boys and girls waited to greet us with firecrackers, flowers, and a special handshake I would soon master. As the team was engulfed by the throng of children, Jake pointed to a little girl patiently waiting with a garland of flowers. Preshanti. This was the moment I had been waiting for! My eyes welled up with happy tears as I bent down to say hello, and she placed the flowers around my neck before leaning in for a hug. Awash with emotion, I clumsily introduced myself, explaining how excited I was to finally meet her. With a smile, she told me in broken English how happy she was that I was there. I was at a loss for words as I stood, slipped her hand into mine, and turned to meet her classmates—all 1,800 of them. One after another they introduced themselves, asking me to repeat their names back to them before hurtling a handful of loose flower petals at me, a uniquely Indian way of showing honor. Slowly my group made its way to a small stage, where we were handed a microphone and asked to address the assembled students. They laughed when I told them they were beautiful, just like their Maker. After the ceremony, we were invited to take a proper tour of the maze of school buildings and
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dormitories. Our first stop was a gleaming three-story pink building where Preshanti and four hundred of her classmates live. As we walked the dormitory’s halls, I noticed that each girl’s possessions were neatly packed into a trunk the size of a small moving box. I thought to myself, “Could I have packed for this trip in a trunk that small? Nope!” It would be impossible for me to put even my necessities in a box that size, let alone every possession I own. The children who live and study here mostly come from impoverished families and broken homes. Like many of her classmates, Preshanti comes from an impoverished village many miles away. Her father died when she was just a baby, and her mother, desperate for a helping hand, turned to India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF) for support. Members of the lowest social classes in India’s repressive caste system, families like Preshanti’s, are often denied government assistance. In some cases, entire villages are deemed “untouchable” and forced to fend for themselves in times of need. Our second day in India, we had a chance to visit one such village. As our bus rumbled through the vast grain fields that surround Repalle, IREF’s head caretaker, Dee, explained that the name of the village we would be visiting translates to “the far away ditch.”
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Clockwise from top left: 1. Primary school students playing in the IREF courtyard 2. A mother and child in an underserved village 3. An elderly worker at the local blanket shop 4. A typical hut in rural India constructed of mud and dried palm leaves 5. A child in need of a loving sponsor. Visit irefusa.org to learn more. 62 | JUNE 2018
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Dee handed me a crumpled one-hundred-rupee banknote— an offering from one of the villagers. My heart broke over the sacrifice someone had made.
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IREF’s head caretakers, Dee and Emmanuel Rebba, along with the student body, wish us farewell.
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I was overwhelmed by the fact that the beautiful little girl who welcomed me with a garland of flowers and a hug has been given hope for a better future. So many other children might not be as fortunate.
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Upon arriving, we split into smaller teams to walk from hut to hut to pray over sore joints, hurting heads, blind eyes, barren wombs, and broken hearts. It was devastating to see so many people suffering from preventable illnesses and debilitations—a sobering reminder of the privileges we enjoy in the West. But nothing shattered my worldview more than when we boarded the bus for the return trek to Repalle, and Dee handed me a crumpled one-hundred-rupee banknote—an offering from one of the villagers. My heart broke over the sacrifice someone had made. This would have fed a family for a week in that village, but instead, it was given as an offering that would be used to care for orphans at IREF. There was a stark difference between the extreme poverty we witnessed in that village and the oasis of care, support, and opportunity IREF offers its students. As the bus rolled to a stop and the team gathered in the courtyard once more, I was overwhelmed by the fact that the beautiful little girl who welcomed me with a garland of flowers and a hug has been given hope for a better future. So many other children might not be as fortunate. That night, the last of our trip, I struggled to fall asleep. I had met many amazing people, experienced overwhelming hospitality, and seen God move in
Opening gifts with our sponsor child, Preshanti
miraculous ways. There was a part of me that wanted to stay, to never answer another email, like another post, or regret another needless purchase. And yet, I knew it was time for us to go home and share all that we had seen and experienced with anyone who would take a moment to listen. Life in a place like rural India is incomprehensibly difficult, but thanks to amazing individuals like Dee and faithful ministries like IREF, anyone—even a graphic designer from Florida—can fall in love with a little girl or boy and play a small role in giving them hope for a better, brighter future.
If you would like to learn how you can help a child study at IREF, visit irefusa.org today.
ROSLEAGUE MANOR
Resting on the quiet shores of Ballinakill Bay, and beautifully secluded within 30 acres of its own private woodland, Rosleague Manor in Connemara is one of Ireland’s finest regency hotels. Member of Ireland’s Blue Book Awarded No.9 in Top 25 Small Hotels in Ireland on TripAdvisor CALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK AND EXPERIENCE IRELAND TODAY. info@rosleague.com • (+353) 095-41101 • Rosleague.com • Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland
SHOP A l tar ’d S ta te A nt h ro p o l o g i e B ro o ks B rot h e r s He m l i n e J . Ji l l J . Mc La u g h l i n Th e Je we l K i n nuc an’s Spe c i a l t y O u t f i t te r L i l l y P u l i t ze r Th e O r v i s C o m p a ny O phe l i a S w i mwe a r Pete r Mi l l a r Pot te r y B a r n To m my B a h a m a Photo courtesy of J. McLaughlin
V i n eyard V i n e s
D IN E A n ot he r B ro ke n Eg g C a fé C ant i n a Lare do Mo d e r n Mexi c a n The C ra f t B a r Em e r i l ’s C o a sta l Ita l i a n eve r k r i sp F l e m i n g’s P r i m e Ste a kh o u se & W i n e B a r Gr i m al di ’s C o al B r i c k- O ve n P i z ze r i a P F C h ang’s C h i n a B i st ro Star b u c ks To m my B ah am a Re sta u ra nt & B a r Th e W i n e B a r V i n’t i j Fo o d + W i n e (S u m m e r 2 0 1 8 )
Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse
grandboulevard.com
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Take a stroll along the promenade for a glorious view of Château Frontenac in Old QuÊbec City. 68 | JUNE 2018
FRENCH CANADIAN CHARM
Une visite à
Québec City
L By Carolyn O’Neil
Perhaps the fastest route to finding the culture and cuisine of France is to stay on this side of the Atlantic and head north to Québec City. Set in the Canadian province of Québec, this historic metropolis is as French as you can get in North America. When Samuel de Champlain founded it over four centuries ago on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, Québec City became the capital of New France and one of the region’s most important ports for colonial goods, most notably furs.
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oday Québec City invites visitors to enjoy strolls along charming cobblestoned streets and revel in the energetic mix of modern bistros, delightful little shops, and elegant art-filled hotels. Bring your best bonjour and bonsoir as you step into the fairy-tale allure of Québec City.
WELCOME (BIENVENUE) TO QU é BEC CITY
Right: Seeing the sights in Place Royale is more fun on two wheels! Photo by Camirand Photo Below: Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and Château Frontenac are like scenes from a storybook.
Set dramatically high above the wide Saint Lawrence River, Québec City appears as an old-world fortress, complete with stone walls, ramparts, and gates. But these centuries-old structures and streets are alive today with restaurants, bars, shops, music venues, art galleries, and fascinating museums. Old Québec (Vieux-Québec) was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Regimes from England and France took turns ruling here, and today visitors will find remarkably well-preserved examples of the city’s architectural, religious, and military histories as they stroll along the quaint narrow streets. When planning your visit—and to quickly get your bearings once you’re there—think of the area in two parts: the upper town and the lower town.
THE FUNICULAR You can hike up or down the hilly streets, but the best way to take in the view— and take a trip back in time—is to ride the funicular. Built in 1879, the cable cars carry passengers at a forty-five-degree angle as an easy form of transportation between upper and lower Québec. Hold on for the ride!
VIBRANT UPPER TOWN (HAUTE-VILLE) There’s so much history to discover in the Upper Town of Québec City. In summer months, you can watch the Changing of the Guard at the Citadelle of Québec, the largest active fortress in North America. The Musée Nationale des Beaux-Arts du Québec, with thousands of works dating from the 1600s to today, is located on the Plains of Abraham, where the British and French met in a historic battle. The open grassy plain is also a great place to go for a run or have a picnic. There are seasonal outdoor events held here, so check the activities calendar on the tourism website QuebecRegion.com. Towering above Upper Town is the imposing Château Frontenac hotel. Built in 1893, its architecture, with spires, turrets, and slanted green copper roofs, is in the style of Loire Valley châteaux. Nearby, you can promenade along the Terrasse Dufferin, a wide boardwalk overlooking the river with open-air pavilions and streetlamps. Climb even higher (with the help of an elevator to the twenty-eighth floor of Hôtel Le Concorde) to dine at Ciel! Bistro-Bar, a revolving restaurant. Experience Québécois cuisine with a lighter touch and a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the landscape fanning out to the horizon. It takes an hour and thirty minutes for the restaurant to make a full revolution—just enough time to sip and savor dishes and drinks from a menu that features many regional products. Toast with a sparkling wine produced in Québec, made in the style of fine brut champagne. CielBistroBar.com
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In summer months, you can watch the Changing of the Guard at the Citadelle of Québec.
LOVELY LOWER TOWN (BASSE-VILLE) Old Québec’s Lower Town is the city’s original settlement. The narrow cobblestoned lanes and Colonial-era homes make you feel as though you’re wandering through a quaint European village. Walking is the best way to explore the chocolate shops, fashionable boutiques, and art galleries. Think you know maple syrup? The selections in specialty shops here offer a sweet lesson in the many uses for the sap from Canada’s national tree; these include creative candies and varieties of syrup, many of which come in impressive collectible containers. If you arrive at an open plaza in Lower Town, you’ve found the Place-Royale. Beautifully restored buildings, many with flower-filled window boxes, surround this picture-perfect square just steps away from the Old Port. For visitors wondering what it was like to live here in the 1600s, docents dressed as historical figures (including Samuel de Champlain himself ) explain it all at the Musée de la Place-Royale. When it’s time to sit down, there is an impressive array of little restaurants where you can savor the area’s world-class cuisine for a light bite, a long lunch, or a romantic dinner. Here are three top picks:
LOUISE TAVERNE & BAR À VIN Located on the rue Saint-Paul, this tavern’s namesake is Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria’s sixth child. Known as the “rebel princess,” she was the wife of the governor general of Canada from 1878 to 1883. She spoke French fluently, supported the country’s arts, and loved visiting Québec City. The menu at Louise is an exciting (shall we say a bit rebellious?) take on regional cuisine. Enjoy the outdoor patio, the lively wine bar, or the open kitchen so you can watch chef Nikolas Couture and his team of passionate sous chefs at work. This relatively new gourmet tavern has a menu for all tastes, from fish and chips made from fresh-caught Canadian cod to an adventurous dish of braised lamb testicles. A portrait of Princess Louise graces the main dining room. LouiseTBV.com
Above: Photo by Olivier Lavigne-Ortiz Below: The architecture of Québec City is a prominent indication of its European roots
RESTAURANT TOAST! Known for elegant and inventive multicourse tasting menus, this intimate restaurant with chef Christian Lemelin at the helm pleases guests with precise presentations and Canadian ingredients. Wild flax seed oil anyone? On a chilly night, the Québec veal sirloin with mushrooms and poached potatoes is just the thing to warm you up. This is theplace to get your foie gras, sourced from Le Canard Goulu farms. RestaurantToast.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 71
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Opposite: The Auberge Saint-Antoine is a nineteenth-century warehouse-turnedboutique hotel that offers unique tidbits of Québec City history with every stay. Right: Chez Muffy at the Auberge Saint-Antoine serves farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed and charming atmosphere. Below: Bar Artefect, the hotel’s second eatery, is the perfect place to grab coffee, tea, cocktails, and light bites. Photos courtesy of Auberge Saint-Antoine
The cheerful pop of royal-blue armchairs welcomes you to this ferme à fourchette (farm to fork) restaurant set inside a nineteenth-century warehouse with stone walls and massive wood beams. Located at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, the cozy room fills up with locals having breakfast meetings or leisurely lunches (this is in the French style!) and discerning dinner guests who know they can choose from an impressive wine list. Chef Julien Ouellet’s menu is a classic French celebration of Canadian products, such as Atlantic halibut, Nova Scotia lobster, and a selection of cheeses from the dairies of Québec. The restaurant has a farm on nearby Île d’Orléans, an agriculture-rich island in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River. Saint-Antoine.com
AUBERGE SAINT-ANTOINE Not to be missed for a hand-crafted cocktail by the fire and certainly the ultimate maison for your stay in Québec City, the elegant boutique hotel Auberge Saint-Antoine is a living museum. Set on a site once home to fur traders and merchants in the 1680s, the hotel is owned by a prominent local
family dedicated to preserving history. Over seven hundred artifacts found during improvements and excavations are displayed in glass cases throughout the hotel. These lost-and-found items include shards of pottery, bits of china, broken glass, iron keys, clay pipes, and even a pair of spectacles. Descriptions tell a short story of what year they might be from and who might have owned them. Beside each guest room door, there’s a unique artifact, and a piece from the same cup or bowl is set into the room’s glass-topped bedside table. Can’t remember your room number? Tell the concierge it’s the one with a fragment of green glass outside. The hotel has ninety-five spacious guest rooms and suites located in three connected historic buildings. Each room is individually designed—you can relax in a comfy space with a view of the Old Port that could have been for a sea captain or in a sleek contemporary suite with its own remote-controlled fireplace and a terrace. While there’s a deep respect for history, the hotel is firmly focused on modern comforts, from the heated bathroom floors to the fitness facility complete with spa and yoga studio. The sleek and inviting Bar Artefact, located down a dramatic staircase in the hotel’s open lobby, is a hive for Québecois society and culture. You might take in a pop-up fashion show of Canadian designers or chat with locals over an Aphrodite martini made with ginger, lychee, and lime. Or, hide away in a little alcove with a glass of vin blanc or vin rouge and admire the beverage-themed artifacts chosen as artwork in the bar. Raise a glass to the hotel’s namesake, Saint-Antoine, the patron saint of lost things. Saint-Antoine.com
JE ME SOUVIENS The motto of Québec is Je me souviens—“I remember.” If your holiday plans include an escape to a 72 | JUNE 2018
The sleek and inviting Bar Artefact is a hive for Québecois society and culture. place to practice your French and stroll through storybook streets alive with history on your way to enjoy a glass or two of wine, remember you needn’t travel farther than the Canadian province of Québec.
Carolyn O’Neil is an Atlanta-based food writer who specializes in culinary travel and healthy lifestyles. She believes travel is the ultimate way to learn about people of the world, and cuisine is the most exciting way to learn about their history and culture. Find her blog at TheHappyHealthyKitchen.com.
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The Phi Phi Islands in Thailand’s Krabi Province is a must-stop for those seeking the ultimate tropical getaway. 74 | JUNE 2018
BY C R Y S TA L H A M O N
On one of those bright, crisp autumn days in New York— the kind that makes you feel like you’re walking through a movie—I met my friend, Shawnda, for brunch at Brooklyn’s Mediterranean gem, Olea. With full bellies and happy hearts during our walk home under the turning leaves, she told me she needed a change from the fast- paced corporate world where we had met and become friends. Soon after, she applied to teach English in Thailand. Cut to a little more than a year later. Shawnda was settled into her new home in Sam Phran, about an hour outside of Bangkok, immersing herself in the local culture and spending weekends in fairy-tale locales, when I unexpectedly hit my own turning point. I decided I needed a little perspective: a break, some excitement, something new. I needed Thailand. During what came to be known as the “bomb cyclone” of 2018, with hurricane-force winds hurtling snow against my brownstone window, I planned a getaway to turquoise waters and limestone cliffs. Two weeks later, I landed in bustling Bangkok to start my adventure.
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Right: The wats of Chiang Mai are popular and beautiful tourism destinations. Below: The Ratchada night market in Bangkok offers a cheerful, colorful view from above.
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With vibrantly colored tents, glowing lanterns, and the mingling aromas of freshly cooked street foods, mango sticky rice, and watermelon juice, Thailand’s markets are an experience of their own. After roughly twenty-two hours of travel, I hit the ground running at Bangkok’s night market Rot Fai Ratchada. Much like the sprawling Chatuchak Weekend Market we would later visit and Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar, Rot Fai Ratchada has everything from kitschy souvenirs to antiques, and every vendor expects some polite haggling. Tucked between the rows and crowds, food stalls served us pad thai for forty baht (about a dollar) and some banana roti. More adventurous eaters (not me) snacked on crispy grasshoppers or roasted roaches also on offer (I’m good, thanks). Surrounding the tightly packed Ratchada market are unique bars and restaurants; some of these are themed, but all are strung with twinkle lights and send out pulsating dance music into the sultry night air. This wasn’t quite The Hangover Part II, but it was the perfect start to my first night of music, dancing, commuting by tuk-tuk, and making great memories with wonderful friends.
Thailand, formerly Siam, is called the Land of Smiles, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it have stunning landscapes and cultural experiences, but also some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. My journey took me all over the country. Since Shawnda was teaching during the week, I did a lot of exploring on my own and felt safe and comfortable. Negotiating with tuk-tuk and taxi drivers or hailing a songthaew (a ride-sharing vehicle adapted from a pickup truck) took a little practice, but I found it easy to get around.
KRABI My fast and furious introduction to Bangkok left me anxious to settle into the warm and relaxing arms of Krabi’s Ao Nang beach. From my balcony, I watched the evening storms roll in over the mountaintops, bringing tropical thunder and rain perfect for inducing deep breaths and cozy naps. I got caught in one of these sunset storms, but that was after a fantastic six-dollar Thai massage, so I remained perfectly at peace.
With my toes still in the sand, I sat at one of the eateries that line the pedestrian street in Ao Nang to indulge in some spicy basil chicken and take in the postcard-worthy views. Traditional long-tail boats dotted the shoreline, ferrying passengers to nearby Railay Beach and gently reminding me that I was not in Brooklyn anymore. Made famous by movies such as The Beach and the James Bond classic The Man with the Golden Gun, the islands off this coast are some of Thailand’s prized jewels. You won’t find the fire dancers of Koh Samui or the nightlife of Phuket in Krabi, but the Phi Phi Islands, with their craggy white limestone facades and verdant green foliage contrasting against the translucent blue waters, were all the excitement I needed.
CHIANG
My two travel companions and I were each assigned our own rescued elephant cow to look after for the day. Mine was named Mea Noi, which means “small girl” in Thai. I would later meet her daughter when we bathed two rambunctious baby elephants in the stream that runs through the property—an absolutely magical experience! The elephants kissed and hugged us and sprayed us with water from their trunks as we covered them in mud and gave them massages. We took a walk through the jungle with the adult elephants. Halfway through, as Mea Noi reached for more of the bananas I was carrying, her mahout (caretaker) asked if we wanted to ride the elephants. I was a little nervous about this; I had read about how harmful riding can be for the animals, but the mahout explained that bareback riding one person at a time for short distances isn’t harmful at all. Mea Noi sweetly bent down to let me climb onto her back.
Below: Many people visit the Hong Islands near Phi Phi by longtail boat or speedboat. Photo by jointstar / Shutterstock
MAI
From the warm and sunny southern coast, I flew north to the beautiful—and mercifully cooler—Old City Chiang Mai. Surrounded by an archaic square moat rimmed by ancient ruins, the former seat of the Lanna Kingdom is today a charming, walkable downtown. A little jet-lagged, I checked into my hotel and asked about local spas. Within minutes, a private car pulled up to whisk me off to the luxurious Cheeva Spa, where I experienced the calming hospitality for which the region is known.
CHAI
LAI
ORCHID
My favorite part of visiting Chiang Mai, and maybe of my entire trip, was my day at Chai Lai Orchid. Elephant encounters and eco-tours at Chai Lai fund an anti-human trafficking nonprofit called Daughters Rising. Ending exploitation of both humans and animals is the mission behind this beautiful jungle hideaway and elephant sanctuary. I had never been around elephants before, and I was intimidated, but I was amazed at how quickly I became comfortable walking with and feeding such massive, playful, but, thankfully, sure-footed creatures.
Made famous by movies such as The Beach and the James Bond classic The Man with the Golden Gun, the islands off this coast are some of Thailand’s prized jewels. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 77
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THE WHITE TEMPLE
Above: Crystal Hamon poses with one of the adorable elephants at Chai Lai Orchid elephant rescue. Above right: The White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun, is a majestic sight to behold in Chiang Rai.
With nothing to hold onto but my trust in this newfound friend, we crossed streams and leisurely strolled the rest of the lush mountain trail, etching a rich memory of a dreamlike experience with each step. We wrapped up our visit by climbing onto a bamboo raft and sailing down the cool rapids that run through the valley, experiencing beauty, adventure, and the slight fear of being crushed against the rocks with each twist of the Mae Wang River.
THE
GOLDEN
TRIANGLE
Have you ever had second thoughts about a part of your trip and wished you had changed your plans? That is how I feel about the Golden Triangle. Known as the historic home to the opium trade, the Golden Triangle is found near Chiang Rai at the intersection of the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. This sounded like a cool destination to me. After several hours of driving, my passport was handed over to someone in a market stall while I boarded a not-so-seaworthy boat in a murky river to visit Laos. Men with military batons marched around a market filled with hungry kids and scorpion whiskey. It was not my cup of tea. Thankfully, the rice paddies and temples of Chiang Rai had more to offer. 78 | JUNE 2018
Part of the spellbinding beauty of Thailand lies in the ornate intricacies of its many ancient temples or wats. The artful chedis and prangs surrounding the cloisters of sacred structures at temples throughout Bangkok like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are enthralling; they convey a sense of both strength and delicacy. The temples’ detailed, colorful facades, built at immense scale, make you mindful of the historical context in which you are walking. In Chiang Rai, I explored one of the region’s newer treasures, Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the White Temple. Otherworldly and ethereal, this temple looks ancient and dreamlike. In reality, the wat was designed in 1997 by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and contains modern pop culture references on the murals inside.
With nothing to hold onto but my trust in this newfound friend, we crossed streams and leisurely strolled the rest of the lush mountain trail, etching a rich memory of a dreamlike experience with each step.
E R AWA N
FA L L S
Back in the heart of the country, two hours outside Bangkok, I was reunited with my friend, and we decided to climb Erawan Falls. To get to the seven tiers of waterfalls from our bungalow in Kanchanaburi, we rented a motorbike (sorry, Mom!) and made the one-and-a-half-hour drive through stunning mountain roads along the river with the wind in our hair and “elephant crossing” signs along our path. Emerald-green pools form at the base of each of the seven waterfalls, which are filled with the flesh-eating fish found in “fish spa pedicures” around the world (OK, so they only eat the dead skin). We came, we swam, we conquered.
KHOB
KHUN
KA
Mysterious yet straightforward, with misty mountains, teeming cities, and inviting beaches, Southeast Asia captures your heart in unexpected ways. Yes, I smelled like a combination of sunscreen, sweat, and bug spray most of the trip. I ate food that was too spicy for me and swam with flesh-eating fish. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Khob khun ka (thank you), Thailand, for being just the mini Eat, Pray, Love experience I needed.
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THE WOR LD THROUGH FASHION By Jordan Staggs | Photography courtesy of FEED
Lauren Bush Lauren is no stranger to the spotlight; being the granddaughter of a US president, a successful fashion model, and a cover girl for the likes of Vogue and Vanity Fair had a lot of perks. Perhaps one of the most unexpected advantages, though, was being able to take her experience and influence and use them to call attention to something really important: world hunger.
Opposite: FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren was inspired to start the company after working with the United Nations World Food Programme in nations including Chad and Guatemala.
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Lauren found her calling in the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations organization that works to wipe out world hunger and malnutrition. WFP assists an average of 80 million people worldwide each year. In 2005, while traveling as a student ambassador for the program, Lauren witnessed the devastating effects of world hunger firsthand and became driven to help directly and practically—by providing school meals for children in impoverished countries.
How would Lauren fund this critical and lofty endeavor? She drew from her experience in fashion as a model and as an intern at Zac Posen. Lauren founded FEED in 2007, creating a line of high-quality handbags and other products. Each sale translates directly into funding for WFP’s school feeding program, and stamped on each of the brand’s signature canvas bags is the number of meals provided through its purchase. Working with artisans in countries such as Guatemala, Peru, Kenya, India, El Salvador, Haiti, and Colombia has also allowed FEED to create jobs, another valuable commodity to the people of those nations and beyond. Since its inception, FEED has grown into a robust online retail business and also provides experiences through the FEED Shop & Cafe in Brooklyn, New York, the FEED Supper program, and sponsored events and seminars. It has provided over 100 million meals to children in schools around the world.
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Voyager This spring, FEED introduces its first-ever travel collection, which will be available for presale in mid-May and fully available in early June. The collection includes a new style of FEED’s signature market tote, an overnighter in three colors, and a weekender duffel bag, along with a matching cosmetics case and a stylish leather luggage tag. Lauren shares her excitement for the new travel collection, as well as FEED’s continued efforts to create products and experiences that will help end world hunger: VIE: What inspired the new FEED travel collection? Lauren Bush Lauren: Travel is in our DNA, so it was only a matter of time before we released our first official travel collection! I founded FEED over ten years ago after my work with the UN World Food Programme took me overseas to places like Guatemala and Chad, and my eyes were opened to the magnitude of the world hunger problem, which affects one in eight across the globe. We wanted to design a collection that works for all types of travel, whether it’s a short trip close to home or an extended stay abroad. VIE: What cause will benefit from the proceeds of the travel collection? LBL: As with all of our products, every item in the collection donates a specific number of meals (the number is printed on the bag itself ) to children in need around the world! Every purchase of our weekender duffel will donate seventy-five meals through the World
I founded FEED over ten years ago after my work with the UN World Food Programme took me overseas to places like Guatemala and Chad, and my eyes were opened to the magnitude of the world hunger problem, which affects one in eight across the globe. Food Programme’s school feeding program. Providing school meals is especially effective as it keeps children nourished and incentivized to stay in school. Sadly, it’s often the only meal children struggling with hunger will have that day. VIE: Why do you feel travel is important? LBL: Travel broadens your perspective and your horizons. I love to travel more than anything and think that being exposed to different cultures and foreign landscapes are some of the greatest joys in life. I am constantly plotting my next adventure. VIE: What is one lesson that travel has taught you? LBL: Travel has taught me to be more empathetic to other perspectives and ways of life. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine of your own life and forget what others are feeling around the world. Travel inspired me to start FEED after being exposed to the realities of hunger and poverty that unfortunately one in eight people live with around the world. VIE: You also recently released the Woman on a Mission collection, teaming up with four empowered women to create limited-edition FEED bags. What was the goal of this collaboration? LBL: After the success of our original Woman on a Mission tote last year, we wanted to find a way to reach new audiences and expand our giveback this International Women’s Day. We were so proud to partner with four inspiring women—Julia Turshen (chef ),
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Cleo Wade (poet), Arianna Huffington (founder and author), and Ulla Johnson (designer)—who embody the “woman on a mission” phrase. We launched a collection with totes inspired by their personal design aesthetics. It was so special to have them on board to help us raise funds to give much-needed school meals to children around the world, as well as to support other women’s causes they’re passionate about. VIE: FEED has branched out from bags to a range of accessories; are there any other products fans can look out for soon? LBL: We always have a few things in the works, but nothing we can talk about just yet! For now, we are super excited about our first official travel collection launching, given that travel is core to the FEED ethos. VIE: Which FEED bag is your favorite? LBL: It is impossible to choose a favorite, but if I absolutely had to, I would probably choose the FEED 1 bag. It was the bag that started FEED and it’s still one of our most popular styles to date. VIE: Tell us a little about your FEED Supper program and how people can get involved. What is the program’s mission? LBL: FEED Supper allows us to focus on the fight against hunger happening right here in the US through Feeding America. It works with over two hundred food bank affiliates and sixty thousand local food pantries across the country, so we’re
Opposite: The new market tote (top) and cosmetic case (bottom) from FEED’s travel collection Left: Lauren with the FEED 1 tote bag, which can provide 185 school meals with each purchase. Below: The travel collection’s new weekender bag
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Voyager able to reach the forty-two million Americans who are food insecure and often don’t know where they’ll get their next meal. Being able to provide a tangible way for people to give back within their local communities is an important part of FEED’s mission, and the Supper program is something we’re proud to offer. Anyone can visit our website (FEEDProjects.com) to create a FEED Supper site and host their own! From there, you just add good friends and good food, and you’ve created a chance for everyone to get involved in the fight against hunger. VIE: Even if they can’t buy a product from FEED, what is one thing people could do to help fight world hunger? LBL: Fighting hunger can start locally by volunteering at a nearby soup kitchen or food pantry. Even spreading awareness by hosting a FEED Supper with friends or just talking to your community about the issue are helpful to the cause. Hunger is an issue that will take all our efforts to help combat.
To learn more or to shop bags and accessories, visit FEEDProjects.com.
The travel collection’s overnighter bag in navy
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The
ETERNAL CITY J ERUSALEM’S WONDER KNOWS NO BOUNDS
The majestic domed ceiling over Christ’s grave in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Photo by Pavel Cheskidov / Shutterstock Right: A gently sloping alley in the Jewish Quarter Photo by Noam Chen / Israeli Ministry of Tourism
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By A N T H E A G E R R I E
F
rom the large corner window in my hilltop hotel room, I gazed out at a panorama almost too breathtaking to behold. On one side, an ancient golden-stone city of gleaming domes and spires climbed from a verdant valley; on the other, a pastel patchwork of barren hills stretched miles into the distance toward the Dead Sea. “That’s the Mount of Olives, and over there is the Garden of Gethsemane,” said the bellman, gesturing toward the city. “And this,” he added as we turned to face those timeless, bleached-out hills devoid of any sign of life, “is the Judean Wilderness.” To say I was gobsmacked to find myself gawking at landmarks I had believed the stuff of biblical legend is an understatement. No wonder Jerusalem Syndrome has been identified as a condition that strikes down many first-time visitors to the Eternal City. To arrive here is to feel you have stepped into the pages of the Bible, realizing perhaps for the first time that its locations not only exist but live on as part of the modern city. The reaction is profoundly emotional and makes several dozen visitors a year, according to Israel’s health ministry records, believe they have metamorphosed into Samson, King Solomon, or some other biblical personage.
restaurant scene, and the less-traveled neighborhoods surrounding the old Green Line that once divided west from east. That is where both Jewish and Arab residents are attempting to build bridges in a city that has survived millennia of repeated invasions. An excellent place to start understanding Jerusalem’s rich and multilayered history is the Tower of David. This citadel, built two thousand years ago by Herod, tells the story of the city’s development over centuries of invasion by Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans, as well as the contributions the invaders brought with them. This engaging museum overlooking the ancient stones is even better at night, when a spectacular sound and light show conveys Jerusalem’s history. Intimate concerts of world music are also held here in early fall every year as part of the Jerusalem Season of Culture. The Season of Culture also offers a series of mind-opening journeys that allow participants to cross the Green Line and meet Arabs working for peace with like-minded Jews. Meytal Ofer created Dissolving Boundaries, a highlight of the festival, after her father, a former senior Israeli Army officer, was murdered by
You never take Jerusalem for granted; the city takes your breath away every time you approach it. Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike consider it their holiest place. But over the decades, since I first laid eyes on Israel’s capital, I’ve come to realize there are many Jerusalems. There is the Old City with its holy places (and some distinctly secular retreats where you can escape the streams of pilgrims and other visitors), the modern metropolis with its buzzy market and V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 87
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Rooftops and windmill in Mishkenot Sha’ananim
The Tower of David
A chef at the trendy Machneyuda restaurant Photo by Fotokon / Shutterstock
Photo by Noam Chen / Israeli Ministry of Tourism
The Abbey of the Dormition on Mount Zion Photo by Noam Chen / Israeli Ministry of Tourism
Arab terrorists. Through these meetings, Ofer hopes to convince both sides that violence is not a solution. I learned about Ofer’s experiences over a meal with her at Satya, one of a new breed of sophisticated Jerusalem restaurants. The city was never a trendy dining destination until Machneyuda—a crazy, high-octane eatery named for the expansive market opposite it—changed everything a few years ago. Machneyuda is invariably packed but shouldn’t be missed, so book well ahead. Satya and others, including the fine-dining restaurants at the King David and Mamilla hotels, offer a calmer gourmet experience. The King David is a must-visit for the spectacular art deco interiors alone, but note it is also a place ingrained in the history of Israel. The hotel was formerly the headquarters of the British, the final foreign rulers before the country claimed independence.
little far-flung, American Colony hotel just across the Green Line. Jerusalem’s newest five-star hostelry is the much more contemporary Orient, which has put the quiet residential neighborhood known as the German Colony on the map. The hotel is opposite an old Ottoman-era railway station that is now an entertainment hub. Also a short walk from the station is the Mount Zion Hotel, which is more a
Holy Sepulchre and walk the Via Dolorosa. Here, even secular addresses are noted by their biblical location—Abu Shukri, famous for its hummus, is “just by the Fifth Station of the Cross,” while the Austrian Hospice is at Via Dolorosa 37. The latter’s café should not be missed for its excellent Viennese coffee, fantastic Sacher torte, and utter peace high above the city. The souk (marketplace), packed with every conceivable kind of religious souvenir, attracts crowds particularly on Saturdays, when regular shops close for the Jewish Sabbath.
To arrive here is to feel you have stepped into the pages of the Bible, realizing perhaps for the first time that its locations not only exist but live on as part of the modern city.
Today’s foreign emissaries tend to divide themselves between the King David and the atmospheric, if a
four- than a five-star hotel but is suffused with period charm. Ask for a room in the old wing to get a spectacular view of the valley. The Mount Zion and the King David are both within a leisurely stroll of the Old City, where Christians will want to explore the Church of the
Saturday is also a great day to visit the Western Wall, where families come from all over the world to hold bar mitzvahs for their sons—mothers and other female relatives must peek over the wall dividing men and women in this strictly Orthodox outdoor temple. The Western Wall is the last remaining fragment of the Second Temple destroyed by the Romans. Above it sits the Dome of the Rock, a holy site for Muslims; only they are granted access to the heavily policed mosque.
Voyager
Moscovia Monastery in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem village
Other must-sees include the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, the Israel Museum (home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, a fabulous art collection, and world-class relics of ancient civilizations), and the charming hillside neighborhood of Yemin Moshe with its famed windmill and artist colony. There is much to see in the city’s outlying areas as well. The City of David with its archaeological sites, picturesque Ein Kerem (birthplace of John the Baptist), and the Judean Hills wine trail are all worth allowing extra days. The area now has a dedicated wine hotel, the Cramim, which gives tutored tastings of local wines, offers winery tours, and boasts an excellent spa that dispenses “vinotherapy.” Israeli wines are beginning to win top international prizes—check out the Burgundy-style chardonnay from Castel and the syrahs from Flam. What goes around comes around—wine was first made in Jerusalem two millennia ago, and now, after centuries of repression by invaders and a further half century of conservatism under independence, the city is once again a joyous place of celebration, alive with wine, food, and song!
Anthea Gerrie is based in the UK but travels the world in search of stories. Her special interests are architecture and design, culture, food, and drink, as well as the best places to visit in the world’s great playgrounds. She is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, the Independent, and Blueprint. 90 | JUNE 2018
Tel Aviv’s colorful old town and port of Jaffa with the modern skyline in the distance
Tales of Tel Aviv As Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport sits halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, it makes sense to spend a couple of days in Israel’s largest, most sophisticated, and most cosmopolitan city. Founded more than thirty years before independence, this city by the Med has evolved into one of the world’s great party towns and dining destinations. Large family-oriented hotels line clean, sandy public beaches studded with bars and volleyball nets. The northern end near Tel Aviv Port offers more sophisticated waterfront dining. The southern beaches lead to the ancient town of Jaffa, which remains a warren of narrow alleys punctuated with cafés, art galleries, and a Friday flea market where Tel Avivers gear up for the weekend over brunch or a lazy late lunch. Tel Aviv’s greatest charms lie inland along beautiful Rothschild Boulevard, an avenue so broad that its median strip forms a pedestrian park dotted with
cafés, sushi bars, and summer sculptures. A new Independence Trail, mapped with an app, links many important heritage sites, and there are free weekly tours of the beautiful Bauhaus architecture, which has won UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Sophisticates will love the Hotel Montefiore with its elegant rooms and fine food, and design buffs will enjoy Karim Rashid’s out-there Poli House, while the Royal Beach is the best of the beach hostelries. It lies just steps from buzzy Neve Tzedek, the hip neighborhood where Rothschild Boulevard begins. Restaurants not to be missed include celeb haunt Taizu near the city center, Kitchen Market overlooking the Mediterranean in the Port area, and Manta Ray, perhaps the world’s most beautiful and atmospheric beach restaurant. The Royal Beach’s West Side restaurant offers inventive hotel dining.
A Marketing & Publishing Boutique Brand Curators Creative Influencers Boutique Publishing House Design Studio TheIdeaBoutique.com Santa Rosa Beach, Florida (850) 231-3087
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C’est la vie
TRAVEL & TECHNOLOGY
Style is something you can always carry with you, no matter where you go. Whether you’re taking the bus or train to work in the morning or jet-setting across the world, this C’est la VIE collection of fashion-forward and technologically savvy products will inspire you. Look great, bring along the gadgets that will help you live your best life, and take the leap for that bucket-list voyage you’ve been planning!
1
The Life Aquatic
Wonderboom Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker $99 – ultimateears.com 92 | JUNE 2018
On Track
3
Tile Pro Series Bluetooth Tracker $35 – thetileapp.com 2
Picture This
Steve McCurry: The Iconic Photographs $69 – phaidon.com
Sounds Good to Me
4
Bose SoundTouch 300 Wireless Soundbar $699 – bose.com
5
Flower Power
Just Fab
Frivole Diamond and 18-Karat Gold Ring $3,000 – vancleefarpels.com
6
Fabia Ruby, Sapphire, and 14-Karat Rose Gold Earrings $1,985 – enjistudiojewelry.com
7
Viva la Virtual
VIVE Pro HMD Virtual Reality Headset $799 – vive.com
8
Adapt to Survive
VSSL Supplies – Suunto Edition Survival Kit $142 – vsslgear.com
Very, Very Sneaky
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Christian Louboutin AC Vieira Spike Sneakers $895 – net-a-porter.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 93
C’est la vie
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Ready to Run
Liquid Floatride Run 3-D Printed Sneakers $180 – reebok.com
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Instant Gratification
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Prynt Pocket Smartphone Photo Printer $149 – prynt.co
Forgot About Dre
13
Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones $349 – apple.com
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Bow Down
Sahara Caroline Heels $750 – brothervellies.com
Pure Joy
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Wynd Plus Portable Air Quality Tracker and Purifier $199 – shop.hellowynd.com 94 | JUNE 2018
Blush Hour
Diane Statement Earrings in Blush Pearl $130 – kendrascott.com
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Go with the Flow Ulla Johnson Spring 2018 Collection ullajohnson.com
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Introspections
Introspections THINK DEEPER
Illustration by Fill Ryabchikov Find links to more of his work at FilianStudio.com.
The future has arrived! With the popularity of movies such as Blade Runner 2049 and other 1980s throwbacks, it seems there has also been a rekindling of love for retro-style futuristic art. Russian illustrator and designer Fill Ryabchikov employs neon shades, video game–inspired motifs, and surreal elements in his eye-catching artwork.
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Introspections
BY NICHOLAS S. RACHEOTES
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BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, IT WILL BE OBSOLETE.
I
n preparing this technological assault on your consciousness, I might have taken a road trip to Silicon Valley, spent hours among the robots at MIT, or dropped in for a briefing by my friends on Route 128 in Massachusetts, which is immodestly referred to as America’s Technology Highway. Why bother? You can learn all you need to know about that stuff on your phone. The only thing you can’t do on your phone is make a call. If you’ve ever asked, “Can you hear me now?” then you know what I mean. Instead of traveling, I’m picking up my pen (What’s a pen?) to go into print (What’s print?) with some random thinking (What’s thinking?) between crashes of my operating system. I love what’s been happening since my college graduation in 1969! Once, only blind people were reading talking books. Now, everyone is doing it. Once, you had to listen for hours until you heard your favorite song on the radio. Now, everyone is their own disc jockey (What’s a disc jockey?). Once, persons with no use or limited use of their hands were wishing, hoping,
and praying for a device that would take dictation. Now, everyone is a dictator whose virtual servant is asking in a computerized bedroom voice, “How may I serve you?” or some other virtual words to that virtual effect. This might seem cynical so far; however, I have not come to bury technology but to praise it. When Edison was perfecting the lightbulb and the phonograph (What’s a phonograph?), the US of A was agonizing over the question as to whether to back the greenback with gold or silver. Today, US currency is backed with current. I work. My employer electronically sends my pittance to the bank. I charge (get it?), and the bank sends electricity to my creditors. In the digital world, filthy lucre never stains my fingers. Once upon a time, the Rolling Stones sang, “Who wants yesterday’s papers?” Today, few people seem to want newspaper of any kind. Yesterday’s news occurred thirty seconds ago. And, chances are, if you belong to the right social network, you can make your own news, complete with pictures.
What used to be the perquisites of privilege are now common among us commoners. Once, Richard Cory and his ilk were chauffeur driven. Today, we are within an expectorating distance of driverless cars. Before this pen (Do you remember my pen?) runs out of ink, machines will be dreaming of other machines, talking to one another in ways beyond our imagination, and, more than they already do, programming us. Wait, I just got a text. I’m supposed to be somewhere in five minutes. Will a future scripture proclaim that humanity would have been fine, “if it hadn’t bit the app?” I doubt it. Anyway, got to go because my phone just told me so.
Nick Racheotes is a product of Boston public schools, Brandeis University, and Boston College, from which he holds a PhD in history. Since he retired from teaching at Framingham State University, Nick and his wife, Pat, divide their time between Boston, Cape Cod, and the Western world.
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In our modern world, we have lost touch with how things work. Our digital devices seem to make life easier, yet when they no longer function, we have a sense of panic and run off to replace them as quickly as possible. The old devices end up in the garbage. We seem to live in a throwaway culture, but in simpler days, we fixed things, patched things, and improvised. Figuring out how things work makes less waste.
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In 1962, seven-year-old Roger A. Reed went into his family’s attic to explore. In the shadows, there was an old clock. To the boy, the turn-of-the-century mantel clock looked more like a place than a timepiece. Its well-built, carved wooden case and Romanesque pillars on the front seemed magical to the child. He claimed it for his own. At more than a half century old, its age and wear showed, but Reed patiently dusted it off, reassembled its pendulum, and used his father’s oil can to oil the works. The clock was restored to a new life by the boy and stayed ticking away the seconds and minutes for the next three decades. The 1906 Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock had been a gift to Reed’s grandmother in the same year. She would have been turning thirteen; it was likely a gift bestowed to her on her Roman Catholic confirmation. According to the clockmaker’s biography, Thomas started as an apprentice in the clock business in 1807 and opened a factory in Connecticut in 1813. He specialized in metal-movement clocks and added shelf and mantel clocks a few years later. When Thomas passed away in 1859, his son Aaron took over the business. The company’s website states, “The name Seth Thomas has symbolized excellence of craft and a great variety of styles since its inception. The tower clock at Grand Central Station in New York was designed and produced by the company, as well as the 1876 Centennial tower clock at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.”
n 1990, after the passing of his mother, Reed took the clock from his family’s home and handed it into the care of his aunt. He figured it had belonged to her mother, so she should have it. When Reed inquired about the clock again in 2009, his aunt relayed that he could have it. It had been sitting in her basement, and once again, it was in a state of neglect. The clock was stashed away in a plastic bag; it had mildewed, the glass door on the front had fallen off, the pendulum was in pieces, and the mainspring was wound up as tightly as possible and had rusted. Reed reflects that the clock had probably missed him and that it was in a worse state than when he found it as a boy.
THE TOWER CLOCK AT GRAND CENTRAL STATION IN NEW YORK WAS DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY, AS WELL AS THE 1876 CENTENNIAL TOWER CLOCK AT INDEPENDENCE HALL IN PHILADELPHIA. Determined to restore the clock once again, he set to work. After delicately cleaning and applying several kinds of oil, including compass oil, tapping gently with a small screwdriver blade and hammer between the coils of the rusted mainspring, and swinging the pendulum painstakingly by hand, he was able to get the overwound mainspring opened up. Within a week, he had the clock running again.
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eed’s background includes, but is not limited to, playing around with player pianos and other instruments, phonographs, two-way radio systems, printing, painting (houses and, more recently, art), tape recorders, cylinder machines, music boxes, and more. I asked him what made him so successful at restoring the clock, and he answered, “I’m not sure there is a skill set involved as much as fearlessness and stubbornness. Restoring the clock was important to me because I had rescued it from obscurity as a youngster and felt it could be made to run again.” A few years later, the clock once again stopped working. By running it, studying its behavior, and listening closely, Reed learned that the escapement wheel was getting stuck on the thirty-ninth cog. By gluing a washer underneath where this gear rotated to compensate for wear on the bushing, he was able to get the clock to keep running past that thirty-ninth cog tooth and it once more kept time. Patience and persistence are precious commodities in this modern age. “I am almost always more pleased with the results of whatever my endeavor is if I’ve found the patience necessary to do the thing correctly,” Reed remarks.
create art from wood, strings, and brass. This piece of history is both personal and valuable, and it is maintained with reverential focus and care. Its ethereal sounds and elegant lines spark the imagination. Upon examining it, one can imagine both grandmother and grandson as children being mesmerized, daydreaming of the palace of cogs, wheels, springs, and chimes hidden inside, waiting to be explored like a puzzle. It’s a piece of machinery that is at once sophisticated and simple, functional and artistic.
UPON EXAMINING IT, ONE CAN IMAGINE BOTH GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDSON AS CHILDREN BEING MESMERIZED, DAYDREAMING OF THE PALACE OF COGS, WHEELS, SPRINGS, AND CHIMES HIDDEN INSIDE, WAITING TO BE EXPLORED
The clock sits in a place of honor in his music studio—on top of his piano, where his students are treated to its bells and chimes every half hour. The beautifully detailed wooden case is “nature’s amplifier,” Reed explains. The sound is astounding for the clock’s eighteen-by-twelve-inch size. His grandmother’s clock was 112 years old this past April. Reed never met his grandmother. She was also a piano player—quite a good one, he’s been told— and died eighteen years before he was born. How delightful that her clock sits atop her grandson’s piano, standing watch over hundreds of students learning to
Previous page: The Seth Thomas Clock Co.’s largest work was a centennial tower clock for Independence Hall in Philadelphia, completed on June 24, 1875. The clock cost twenty thousand dollars and its bell weighed thirteen thousand pounds. The clock was replaced in 1973. Right: Roger Reed’s restored 1906 Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock Opposite: Reed poses proudly with the clock that once belonged to his grandmother, now a special centerpiece in his music studio. 102 | JUNE 2018
LIKE A PUZZLE. IT’S A PIECE OF MACHINERY THAT IS AT ONCE SOPHISTICATED AND SIMPLE, FUNCTIONAL AND ARTISTIC. Some people are born explorers, puzzle solvers, and dreamers. These are the ones who keep the world ticking along. They seek to understand how things work. They are fearless tinkerers. Once upon a time, we were all like that. It was a necessity in life. “What will happen to the clock?” I query. “I think the clock will end up in a landfill along with everything else I’ve owned or created,” responds Reed, “though I think the Smithsonian Institution would be a more fitting resting place for it.” Maybe the real value in a thing is not in how much we buy or sell it for, but rather whether we care for it, fix it, patch it, use it, and make memories with it.
Roger A. Reed is a prolific and talented composer and musician who once handcrafted ivory picks for guitar maker Les Paul. Paul was delighted to learn that Reed had “embellished” old-time player piano rolls (in his
childhood, Paul had done the same). Denise Bacon, a pianist and the founder of the Kodály Center of America, heard Reed play in 1990 and exclaimed, “He makes music happy.” World-renowned tap dancer Jimmy Slyde, the “King of Slides,” said about him, “He’s amazin’ man; he makes music out of everything.” Reed is the composer of over 1,700 works of various types and in numerous genres: rock and roll, jazz, country and western, blues, ballads and other types of songs; works for orchestra, pipe organ, and string quartet; ballet, modern, and tap-dance music; and minimalist electronic and musique concrète. Reed’s commentary and photography have been published in Dancer magazine (“Jimmy Slyde Lives in Our Hearts” in July 2008 and “How Tap Dancers Can Improve Their Bebop Knowledge” in October 2009). He is a writer member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and his work has been published by DSM Producers in New York City. You can reach him by email at Rognkath@comcast.net. Laurette Ryan is a professional in the health and wellness industry and has been a national fitness presenter for over thirty years. She is the author of four books on fitness, self-improvement, and life coaching. She is also the mother of four amazing children.
Introspections
This page and next: The Rainbow Room on the sixty-fifth floor at Rockefeller Center has been one of New York City’s iconic event venues since 1934 and underwent a massive renovation before reopening in 2014. 104 | JUNE 2018
The Rainbow Room Is Always in Style By Suzanne Pollak | Photography courtesy of the Rainbow Room
ne of my favorite friends might be the coolest woman in the world. She should be Head Dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, but her life is too full, and she doesn’t have time to share her secrets. Luckily for you, the current dean does have the time and is willing to pull back the curtain on one of this doyenne’s extravaganzas: a white-tie ball held in honor of the host’s granddaughter at one of New York’s grandest party spaces, the recently redone Rainbow Room. An invitation to a party like this means invitees drop everything and book flights, hotels, and hairstylists immediately! Much like the Gilded Age socialite Caroline Astor, my friend can remake her world to fit any occasion. Her Rainbow Room fete was no exception. No detail was too tiny for the party genius, and not one of those details was over the top. Our lady executes plans with perfect pitch, which is rarely seen in this day and age. With particulars that ranged from creating a multigenerational guest list and a seating chart that thrilled each person to the even timing, pace, arrangements, music selections and volume, food and drink, and everything in between, each piece wove together to envelop everyone in a web of fantasy for one wonderful night. What can the rest of us take away from her expertise? The way to make magic boils down to the specifics, and they should be tailored to the tastes of your crowd.
Imagine what your guests would like and make it happen. Most people don’t even know what they want, just as the public didn’t know we needed screens attached to our eyes and ears at all times until Apple created the iPhone. The smartest thing you’ll ever do regarding entertaining is figuring out what will delight your guests. This means creating a mood, and not necessarily spending a fortune. Of course, if you have access to white tie and tails, the Rainbow Room, a twenty-two-piece-band, and eight-foot flower arrangements, then go for it! If not, try the pared-down alternative. The chicest dinner party I’ve attended happened the night after the Rainbow Room event and was hosted by a superbusy deputy director of a major institution. Somehow, this maven found the time to cook, set a glorious table, and pour champagne. Each summer, she even fills a kitchen shelf with
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bottles of her preserved tomatoes, peaches, and plums. She proves the Charleston Academy’s number one discovery: the busiest people in the world somehow manage to get the most done. Enter this beauty’s small apartment, and her dinner is nearly prepared, but not quite. Genius move! Guests see the host in action, and the house smells heavenly, making taste buds tingle. The entertaining atmosphere becomes cozy, soothing, comforting, exciting, and relaxing all at once because you are hanging out in the kitchen. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this event and its host? Her no-fail hors d’oeuvres are even more genius! Chips and cashews. No work— easy peasy. The water bottles on the table? Genius again! This exotic lady collects interesting-shaped liquor bottles; when the alcohol is finished, she keeps the beautiful bottles filled with water in her fridge for makeshift carafes. Confession time: I love peeking into powder rooms, whether I need to use one or not. These tiny rooms reveal a lot about their owners. This host’s powder room was moody and sexy with a dimly burning candle, scented but not too sweet. (Cloying candles are a major turnoff if you didn’t already know.) Here’s another tip: if you want all your guests to feel glamorous, mood lighting in the powder room is an excellent tool for your arsenal. The dark aura can make anyone appear beautiful when they check the mirror. Back to the guest number for casual dinner parties—three is perfect. You will have a chance to get to know someone new. Or, if you are old friends, then you can spend quality time catching up. Dinners for three or four are less work than larger ones, are easier to clean up, and deliver huge returns. Relationships glue together by the end of the night. So, whether you’re planning a party for three or three hundred, know your audience, pay attention to detail, and create an experience worth traveling for!
Suzanne Pollak, a mentor and lecturer in the fields of home, hearth, and hospitality, is the founder and dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. She is the coauthor of Entertaining for Dummies, The Pat Conroy Cookbook, and The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. Born into a diplomatic family, Pollak was raised in Africa, where her parents hosted multiple parties every week. Her South Carolina homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal “Mansion” section and Town & Country magazine. 106 | JUNE 2018
Le nouveau monde
Learn more at Genesis.com. Photo courtesy of Genesis
Le nouveau monde THE FUTURE IS NOW
Among an impressive lineup of new technologically advanced vehicles at the 2018 New York Auto Show, there was a clear standout: the Genesis Essentia all-electric luxury concept car. Manufactured by Hyundai’s Genesis brand, the Essentia was created by designers Luc Donckerwolke, SangYup Lee, Sasha Sepilanov, and Hans Lapine. It features a sleek design with an eye-catching windshield that spans from the nose all the way to the tail, horizontal slits for headlights, butterfly doors, and a relatively spacious—and immaculately designed—interior. The Essentia, according to Genesis, is the ultimate expression of their “athletic elegance design language.”
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KEEPING UP WITH THE . . . JETSONS?
From the
highways skyways to the
By Gerald Burwell
The AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL—This fourseat concept has two electrically driven rotors for vertical takeoff with horizontal thrust from an electricpowered rear-mounted pusher propeller. Each occupant will have a personalized in-flight experience, with flight or drive data, and advanced communications and media to ensure occupants stay connected while in the air or on the road. The company expects the AeroMobil 5.0 to be available within seven to ten years, in line with the reality of building and scaling the infrastructure and regulation for such innovative personal transportation. Artist rendering courtesy of AeroMobil. 110 | JUNE 2018
In 1962, Hanna-Barbera’s The Jetsons portrayed the typical American nuclear family of the sixties: a hardworking husband with his loving wife and two well-behaved children, a live-in maid, and, of course, the family dog. Only it wasn’t the 1960s—it was the 2060s, the maid was a robot, and George commuted to his job in a sleek antigravity aerocar. Though there hasn’t yet been a breakthrough in antigravity, advances in technology are propelling the concepts of personal travel—some of which would be considered by most as superfuturistic—to within a decade (or sooner) of becoming a reality. Between advancing technologies and the growing global concern to reduce greenhouse gases, the world is on the verge of witnessing a sea change in both the automotive and personal air travel industries. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 111
Drivers, start your engines. In 1808, the first “car” was little more than a horseless carriage, and the next eighty years saw several crude variations along the way. Propulsion systems were just as crude and ranged from electric, steam, and combustion engines of diesel, gasoline, and hydrogen. The first marketable automobiles in the late eighteen hundreds were German and French. The cost of these handcrafted machines made them accessible only to the wealthy. With the advent of the mass-produced car around 1905, the middle class was granted an affordable mode of transportation that presented new opportunities—both business and social. A hundred years later, humanity is about to be hurtled into yet another transportation revolution, and the combustion engine is not in the picture. Huge advances in technology are allowing man to begin to think outside of the box—and in some cases, way out of the box. With help from affordable, lighter, more powerful, and longer-lasting batteries, the unbelievable is now achievable.
The mother of invention. What may shock some is that the hybrid car—having a propulsion system of both electric motors and an ICE (internal combustion engine)—dates back to 1898 and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche’s P1. With an impressive range of about forty miles, it had four electric motors (one at each of its four wheels) that received electric power via a small onboard ICE generator. What may be equally surprising is that in Dr. Porsche’s era, the electric-powered car was preferred by consumers; they were quiet, they did not emit offensive exhaust, and they did not have cantankerous, gearboxes like those found in their gasoline-powered counterparts. But within a few years’ time, the limited range of the electric car was incapable of meeting the needs of the populace who wanted to travel farther and faster, giving way to the gasoline ICE as the preferred power plant by the automobile manufacturer. The hybrid made a resurgence in the mid-sixties when the US federal government was attempting to reduce air pollution, and then again in the early and late seventies with two oil embargoes that caused economy-crippling fuel shortages. Despite higher 112 | JUNE 2018
”
Environmentalists project that if the growth of greenhouse gases continues, it could be the tipping point to cause irreversible damage to our planet’s climate systems. prices at the pumps following each crisis, plentiful gas supplies prompted interest in the hybrid to fade. But Japanese and European automakers continued development efforts in response to higher fuel prices elsewhere in the world. Hybrids like the Prius began to make their way into the world markets in 2000, with environmentally conscious consumers being the typical US buyers; the cost of the battery components inflated sticker prices, however, and dampened consumer interest. Ironically, all the reasons the original hybrid was both liked and disliked remained consistent to majority opinion 120 years later.
But wouldn’t it be great to eliminate the car’s carbon footprint altogether? That’s what the state of California thought when it adopted the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) rule in 1990. This bill, along with the introduction of other federal clean-air acts, would push automakers to revive efforts to produce a viable plug-in electric vehicle (EV). In 1996, General Motors was the first with the EV1—a futuristic-looking package designed from the ground up. GM leased it through a special program, allowing the automaker to retain ownership and thus ultimately control the fate of each car. In 2003,
despite considerable backlash from lessees, GM made the controversial decision to recall and destroy all 1,100 EV1s (except for a few dozen “deactivated” units), which caused considerable debate as to the automaker’s motive behind canceling the program. One person to take note was SpaceX’s CEO, Elon Musk, who immediately took up the torch for jilted EV1 customers by promising to deliver an all-electric vehicle the likes of which the world had never seen. A decade later, in 2012, Musk delivered on his promise with the full-size luxury Tesla Model S sedan, and then again with the 2015 Model X SUV. With the Model S and Model X having been brought to market, Tesla was recognized as the first carmaker to finally give customers an all-electric option that had both performance and range—and with exceptional looks to boot. World confidence in the new automaker was overwhelming in March 2016 when over 325,000 reservations were procured for the Model 3 within a week of Tesla opening sales. If production hurdles can be overcome in the coming months, Tesla has high hopes for the $35,000 midsize to be the impetus to push the ICE car market over the proverbial cliff and into the EV revolution. The company’s many other developments include the heavy-duty Semi, the crossover Model Y, and the hyperperformance Roadster, which are all due out by 2020. Whether Tesla is successful or not in pulling off their coup, there have been other significant milestones in the last ten years that are helping to energize the EV tidal wave. Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes. The problem: environmentalists project that if the growth of greenhouse gases continues, it could be the tipping point to cause irreversible damage to our planet’s climate systems. The solution: eliminate as many sources of manmade greenhouse gases as possible—primarily the internal combustion engine. Since 15 percent of the world’s man-made carbon dioxide is produced by transport vehicles (cars, planes, ships, etc.) powered by fossil fuels, the ICE was clearly in the crosshairs of climate change organizations. In 2017, of the countries that were already committed to reducing greenhouse emissions, a handful made
further landmark pledges to ban the sale of ICE vehicles: Norway by 2025; India by 2030; China by 2035; and the UK and France by 2040. Eight additional countries have set similar goals with others likely to soon join rank. The United States has yet to set a policy. In fact, this past March, the administrator of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, was swimming upstream with the decision to roll back emissions policies that had been set by the previous administration. History will tell how long the US can remain an island while the rest of the world sails on toward improving the global environment. Despite the absence of leadership from the federal government in this department, eight states have adopted policies to ban fossil-fuel vehicles by 2050, with California leading the pack with the most aggressive goals. These imminent deadlines act as convincing persuaders for automakers to produce an inventory of zero-emission vehicles. This challenge is no small feat: production lines are predominantly tooled for ICE vehicles, and Tesla has yet to prove that it’s capable of producing an entire lineup of all-electric vehicles. Regardless of the daunting nature of the challenge, determined entrepreneurs are being drawn like moths to a flame.
The EV Revolution is Here. So who is lining up for the challenge? After all, those that achieve success in producing a marketable EV are guaranteed a place at the table with a growing customer base. In a paper published in July 2017, the research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predicted that as the cost of battery technology
Above: Brawn and beauty: With the Roadster, Tesla claims another first— producing a recordsetting supercar with stunning looks and room for four passengers. At 0–60 mph in 1.9 seconds, it is currently the quickest on the planet. It has other incredible stats, such as all-wheel drive, a top speed of 250+ mph, and a range of 620 miles. Its price tag of $250,000 is a bargain in comparison to the competition. Photo courtesy of Tesla
Opposite: Tesla’s Model 3 is a premium midsize high-performance sedan that can carry five adults, do 0–60 mph in five seconds, and has an all-wheel-drive option and a maximum range of 310 miles. If Tesla can survive the production woes that it is currently experiencing with the Model 3, the car will be the automaker’s golden goose. Photo courtesy of Tesla V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 113
In January, Fisker unveiled the gorgeous 2019 EMotion. Starting at $130K, this allwheel-drive luxury sports sedan can go 0–60 mph in under three seconds, has a top speed of 160 mph, and a range of four hundred miles. One of its most appealing features is the ability to get an additional 125mile charge in as little as nine minutes. Photo courtesy of Fisker, Inc. 114 | JUNE 2018
Left: EMotion’s illuminated flush touch handles open butterfly doors to expose an interior that defines the future of luxury, including ultrasoft premium leather (a vegan option is also available). Conveniences include luxurious seating for four (five with optional rear bench seat), inductive charging ports and personal holders for four smartphones, and individual four-zone adjustable electrochromic tinted glass roof. Photo courtesy of Fisker, Inc.
continues to drop, the percentage of EVs on the road will climb exponentially from less than 1 percent in 2016 to about 54 percent by 2040—a more than 5000 percent increase in a relatively short period. Of course, Tesla has established itself as the leader. But there are dozens that are clambering right behind them. Ironically enough, but not surprising, of Detroit’s Big Three, GM appears to be at the forefront with a clear intention to plow full steam ahead; they plan to have twenty gas-free models by 2023. Ford announced this past January that it was doubling their R&D spending toward EVs, with a promise of forty electric vehicles by 2022. What about Chrysler? In a September 2016 interview with Car magazine, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne expressed that there isn’t any profit margin in electric vehicles and that not enough exploration had been done for an alternative fuel base. At the time, FCA was the only major player in the automotive industry to take such a stance. Fast-forward one and half years later to January 2018, Marchionne was suddenly changing gears with the announcement that Alfa Romeo and Ferrari will both have electric vehicles on the way by 2020. The reason for the one-eighty decision to finally go electric may be powered elsewhere than by Marchionne, who has decided to step down as CEO starting in 2019. On the flip side, literally every other automaker in the world is fully invested in the future of electric vehicles. Volvo is currently on track to be the first major automaker to transform their lineup to completely all-electric by 2019, and Jaguar Land Rover is determined to do the same by the following year. And, it’s not just the big-name players. By gutting the complicated internal combustion engine with its fuel delivery and exhaust systems, the entire status quo of the car industry has been simultaneously ripped apart. With the evolution of the car’s
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drive system to less-mechanical components of batteries, electric motors, and software, the car has more or less evolved into a giant tech gadget. In fact, unlikely players are seemingly coming out of the woodwork, including Dyson—yes, the company that turned the household vacuum industry on its ear is now throwing the dice at the EV table. Following suit to Tesla is Fisker Automotive—another California-based company, founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker. The 2012 Karma was the company’s first debut off the line, but it fell on deaf ears, probably due to the roaring success of Tesla’s Model S that same year. But the veteran Fisker chalked it up to experience and moved on to the next challenge—the EMotion—which he unveiled this past January. Due out in late 2019, the EMotion promises to raise the bar of current lithium-ion battery technology with increased range and quicker charge times. Fisker also announced the filing of patents for a solid-state graphene battery due out after 2023, which is projected to increase the range further by at least 25 percent, get lightning-fast full charges in as little as one minute, and drop costs substantially. No matter if it is for land, sea, or air—the success of an electric vehicle will boil down to finding the perfect balance in the cost of battery technology, performance, and range. With the inevitable victory of the electric vehicle on the horizon, so comes ingenuity to harness the potential to monetize a new industry segment—autonomous vehicles.
Look, Mom . . . No hands! Variants of a self-driving car have been explored since about 1925; however, all versions—whether operated by remote control, by computer control, or with the assistance of buried wire—required some human input. If not for the advancement of several other technologies, such as GPS navigation, cameras, radar, lidar, mapping and data management, computing power, and AI (artificial intelligence) software, the autonomous car would not be a possibility. Significant advancements were achieved by mostly European engineers between the late eighties and early 2000s. But most autonomous systems currently in development are very similar to that developed by a group of Stanford University
engineers, which, in 2005, was the winning team among five finalists of the DARPA Grand Challenge. “Stanley”—a VW Touareg adapted with sophisticated sensors and computing equipment—navigated the 132-mile Mojave Desert off-road course autonomously in the quickest time and without incident. Scrambling to be the first to bring a reliable, fullyautonomous system online, automakers have either been partnering with or outright buying companies with patents that specialize in the technology necessary to achieve success. This approach ultimately leapfrogs the R&D and cuts years from the process. The reward to be the first to cross the finish line is a payoff that is certain to be multifaceted and lucrative. It seems that they can’t throw money at it fast enough—investing tens of billions of dollars in the last decade. It was 2009 when Google’s subsidiary outfit Alphabet announced the debut of Waymo—their autonomous vehicle project. It was no small surprise to learn that at the helm of the project was Sebastian Thrun, who was the project lead for “Stanley.” Waymo’s autonomous system has seen almost ten years of testing, having been retrofitted onto various car platforms including
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Above: The self-driving Waymo Jaguar I-PACE: This long-term collaboration will further Waymo and Jaguar Land Rover’s shared goals. To date, Waymo is the only company with a fleet of fully self-driving cars on public roads. Waymo will soon launch the world’s first self-driving transportation service, allowing the public to use Waymo’s app to hail a vehicle. Photo courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Left: In January, General Motors announced completion of testing two hundred Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles equipped with its next generation of self-driving technology and will begin commercialization of the autonomous platform in 2019, beginning with the Cruise AV. Photo by Steve Fecht for General Motors
Audi, Chrysler, Lexus, and Toyota. It has evolved into an incredibly sophisticated $150,000 system, and, as of this past March, Waymo has partnered with Jaguar to take the system into production in up to twenty thousand autonomous versions of Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles by 2020. When the race to perfect autonomy began, Tesla was in the midst of developing the Model S. With the technology and demand for self-driving cars just around the corner, Elon Musk had the vision and foresight to understand that the basis of the future car would hinge greatly on software and the ability for instant updates. So, much like the smartphone, a Tesla can receive software updates from a dedicated network via a satellite link, a practice that appears will be the norm with all autonomous vehicles. According to the automaker, every Tesla built after October 19, 2016, possesses the hardware necessary for fully autonomous driving, but Level 2 autonomy is the highest level achievable with the current software.
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The reward to be the first to cross the finish line is a payoff that is certain to be multifaceted and lucrative.
But GM was first to have a mass-producible, fully autonomous car. As of June 2017, the automaker had completed assembly of more than two hundred units of the Chevy Bolt EV incorporating the autonomous system developed by Cruise. The cars have been undergoing testing in Arizona, California, and Michigan, and this past January, the automaker announced that the self-driving platform would be commercialized in 2019, starting with the Cruise AV. GM estimates that by purchasing the tech start-up company Cruise two years ago, they were able to shave six years from the R&D process. Being the first to the party gives GM some pretty exciting options. But if the music keeps changing as much as it has been, it might be a little tricky for GM to know the dance steps. Regardless, there will be others showing up soon—like GM, other automakers and tech companies are forming unusual alliances in
Kitty Taylor, Broker, GRI, CRS, CIPS Catherine Ryland, Broker Associate “Grayton Girl Team” Selling Grayton and Beach Properties along 30A. 850.231.2886 | 850.585.5334 133 Defuniak Street, Grayton Beach, FL 32459 www.graytoncoastproperties.com
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The Uber of the skies is almost here, and like the automobile industry, the aeronautics industry is bracing for a shakeup in a big way
search of a match made in self-driving heaven: Mazda and Toyota are joining forces in a partnership with Amazon; VW with chip giant NVIDIA; and Ford with Argo AI, an artificial intelligence startup. Still, others are trying to do it on their own like Apple, Fisker, and Tesla—and there are many more. They just might have some great ideas on how to move to whatever groove is playing at the time. And the moves may not be limited to the dance floor—they may be flying overhead.
This is your captain speaking. The idea of a flying car has existed since the dawn of the airplane. Dozens of designs filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have never seen the light of day. Only two designs ever had prototypes complete FAA certification, but they weren’t very practical, roadworthy vehicles. With improvements and declining costs of carbon fiber, batteries, and electric motors, there are now at least four versions of “roadable” flying cars that are currently in various stages of development and taking reservations. The two-seat Transition, designed by the Bostonbased company Terrafugia, is slated to deliver sometime in 2019. The $300K-plus roadable plane is technically categorized by the FAA as an LSA (light-sport aircraft), and it does not require the removal of wings or fuselage like its predecessors. 118 | JUNE 2018
Powered by a single ICE engine in both road and air configurations, the Transition is rated at 70 mph on the ground, and 110 mph in the air. Having the first practical vehicle to solve the challenge of the firstto-last-mile personal travel with a four-hundred-mile range is pretty cool. What isn’t so great is that the overall performance is not very attractive in either mode, its curb appeal takes some getting used to, and you need a runway to take off and land. Alternatively, Terrafugia is in the design stages of the more exciting sister project—the TF-X—a four-seat autonomous flying car with a range of five hundred miles and a 200-mph cruise speed. In contrast to the Transition, having two collapsible-propeller tilt-rotors mounted on the wing tips provides a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, requiring only a fifty-foot pad for takeoff and landing. The company anticipates the delivery date to be around 2023 to 2025 and that its starting price will be in line with luxury cars.
The Switchblade by Samson is another two-seater design with an ICE power plant for both drive and flying modes. The name is derived from the way its wings deploy from the undercarriage during the three-minute transition from drive to flight mode. The three-wheeled flying car is expected to reach maximum speeds of 100 mph, and 200 mph in drive and flight modes, respectively, and have a range of about 450 miles. According to the company designer and CEO, Sam Bousfield, the Switchblade will be sold as an experimental aircraft; it will not require FAA certification. Slovakian-based AeroMobil has developed the two-seater AeroMobil 4.0 STOL (short takeoff and landing). Similar to the Transition and the Switchblade, the AeroMobil 4.0 receives its primary power from an ICE in both drive and flight modes but gets help from two electric drives for each front wheel while in drive mode. With attractive styling, the AeroMobil 4.0 is capable of respectable performance in both drive and flight modes. AeroMobil is accepting preorders for the $1.6M vehicle but has not yet announced a delivery date. The company also has an all-electric four-seater AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL in the works. And, like the TF-X, the VTOL capability requires only a small pad. The two-seat PAL-V Liberty, designed and produced by the Dutch company PAL-V International, is a little different in that when flying, it does not operate as a plane but as a traditional gyrocopter. However, it still requires a runway for takeoff and landing. Also, of all the vehicles in the review, the Liberty drives more like a motorcycle than a car. The $399K vehicle gets its power from a single 100 hp ICE, has a maximum surface speed of 100 mph, a maximum air speed of 110 mph, and a range of 310 miles.
Opposite: The TF-X by Terrafugia provides vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability with highly reliable electric motors and custom-made quiet rotors to get you closer to your destination. The TF-X gets its power in forward flight from a powerful turbine engine. Get to your destination quickly, safely, and efficiently. The TF-X seats four and drives like a typical car. It will be fully street legal. Photo courtesy of Terrafugia. Bottom left: The twoseater AeroMobil 4.0 STOL has an ICE for both drive and flight modes and two electric motors for front-wheel drive assistance while on the road. It can go 0–60 in ten seconds and achieve a top speed of 100 mph. It takes a short three minutes to transition from drive to flight mode, flies at an impressive 225 mph with a push propeller configuration, and has an operating range of five hundred miles. Photo by Mark Fagelson for AeroMobil. Left: On April 17, Volocopter presented its air taxi infrastructure for cities. The vision integrates air taxis into existing transportation systems and provides additional mobility for up to ten thousand passengers per day with a single pointto-point connection. Cofounder Alex Zosel expects the first full Volocopter air taxi systems with dozens of Volo-Hubs and Volo-Ports to be in place within the next ten years, capable of flying one hundred thousand passengers an hour to their desired destinations. Photo courtesy of Volocopter.
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Above: At the Geneva International Motor Show from March 8 to 18, Audi, Italdesign, and Airbus presented Pop. Up Next, an entirely electric, fully automatic concept for horizontal and vertical mobility. In the distant future, this vehicle could transport people in cities quickly and conveniently on the road and in the air, helping to solve traffic problems. The dominant interior feature is a forty-nine-inch screen, and the interaction between humans and the machine is performed by speech and face recognition, eye-tracking, and a touch function. Photo courtesy of Italdesign, Airbus, Audi.
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Except for the AeroMobil 5.0 and the Terrafugia TF-X, these examples of flying cars do not have autonomous control and to operate them in flight will require a pilot license. With the considerable difficulty to obtain the necessary license in addition to the very steep costs of these vehicles, I do not foresee these flying off the production line (no pun intended). Besides, there is something else in development that could impact the future success of the flying car.
It’s all in the prop. The impact of the multirotor drone has been significant since its commercial arrival, thanks to its many applications—military, rescue, security, law enforcement, photography, and film—and soon it will probably explode the current commercial delivery distribution model. Though its emergence a decade ago seemed to be something novel, the basic design is a hundred years old. The original goal was manned flight, but available technology wouldn’t allow for stable piloting. It wasn’t until recently that a combination of lightweight components, along with inexpensive computing chips, gimbals, controllers, cameras, and, of course, lighter and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries, allowed the prop drone to be controlled reliably and safely. By now, most of us have gotten used to the idea of drones roaming the countryside for aerial footage or carrying five-pound packages. But ride-hailing? You bet. The Uber of the skies is almost here, and like the automobile industry, the aeronautics industry is bracing for a shake-up in a big way.
It was only 2014 when the Chinese drone company Ehang introduced the battery-powered Ghostdrone—a compact and versatile camera drone that became a best seller among videographers. A short two years later, the company announced its plans to develop the all-electric Ehang 184 AAV (autonomous aerial vehicle), a single-passenger taxi drone to begin service with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority as well as the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems. Using a simple touch screen, the passenger programs the desired flight plan much like a smartphone navigation system, while actual piloting and flight controls are done via a computer-aided command center over a high-speed network. The 184 has not yet completed the testing phase, and the exact launch date of the taxi service in either Dubai or Nevada is yet to be announced. Daimler joined the passenger drone race by backing the tech start-up Volocopter in 2017. The aircraft designer flew their first single-seat prototypes, VC1 and VC2, as early as 2011. Significant strides were
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But as much as people want to begin utilizing these amazing passenger drones, there currently isn’t a system in existence to keep them from running into each other.
made with the introduction of the more sophisticated two-seat VC200 in 2013, which, after completing testing, was redesignated as the 2X. As of April 2018, the 2X is the world’s first manned multirotor electric copter to go into production. On a full charge, the aircraft can carry a maximum payload of 350 pounds at a maximum speed of 60 mph at 6,500 feet and has an optimal range of seventeen miles. The Volocopter 2X is also planned to participate in air taxi service in Dubai. At least three other major players in the industry have seen the future of ridehailing with plans for aircraft: Google has partnered with start-up Kitty Hawk to develop Cora, an all-electric two-passenger air taxi (production date 2020); Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, has announced an all-electric air taxi of similar capabilities (production date 2020); but maybe one of the ultimate concepts for the future of ride-hailing under development is the Pop.Up Next—a joint venture between Italdesign, Audi, and Airbus. Pop.Up Next is an allelectric vehicle system that incorporates three modular components consisting of a two-person travel pod and two autonomously controlled power chassis—a multirotor drone chassis, and a four-wheeled car chassis. The passenger pod is interchangeable with both chassis, making it possible for passengers to travel comfortably on the ground, but in an instant, the pod can be disengaged from the wheel-based carriage and whisked off through the air by the propeller-driven VTOL unit and vice versa (no production date is slated).
prices. Oddly enough, the majority of the US population may not see the need for all-electric vehicles just yet. But if the federal government isn’t quite ready, they had better get prepared—it appears the rest of the world is determined to give them to us. The developments covered in this article are only the tip of the iceberg. Technologies and situations are literally changing in the blink of an eye—whoever appears to be in the pole position one week may find themselves trailing by several positions the following week. There are considerable concerns and logistics that remain to be thought out. For instance, regulatory laws and safety requirements for the past hundred years have been established regarding vehicles and aircraft operated by humans, all of which will now have to be rewritten to account for autonomous computer operation.
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In addition, the impacts of these industry changes are bound to have innumerable effects that are likely to spread throughout our society. No one can be certain as to what these effects will be or to what magnitude, but there has been considerable speculation. For example, new technology may require improvements to road and air travel support infrastructures, but because of improved travel efficiency, possibly less infrastructure will be required. Or, with autonomous ride-hailing and sharing becoming more prevalent, large parking areas at retail and office buildings may become a thing of the past. And, more lives will be saved by removing human operator error, which is a positive benefit, but it will have an adverse effect on current organ donor programs.
When European and Asian governments made landmark decisions in 2017 to apply deadlines to the ban the ICE, they did so knowing that the technologies existed that were necessary to achieve a zero-emission vehicle. They also knew that, with effort, these vehicles could be made available to consumers at affordable
If ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are big successes now, their success would be exponentially higher with superefficient autonomous vehicles
Setting their sights to the sky, Toyota is partnering with the Japanese-based tech start-up Cartivator to develop the SkyDrive. If successful, the SkyDrive will be one of the most unique of any of the EVs—appearing more like a flying cycle than a car. Designed for only one person, it is an extremely lightweight threewheeled chassis with a protective covering and four rotors mounted at the frame quadrants. With speeds of 90 mph and 60 mph on the ground and in the air, respectively, the SkyDrive will almost instantaneously transition from drive to flight modes while moving. Toyota is hoping to unveil the SkyDrive at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony and showcase the vehicle’s nimbleness while lighting the ceremonial torch.
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that remove the bad and undisciplined driving habits inherent in human operation. These companies would not be the only ones to benefit; public welfare improvements would include vehicles that are more safely operated and consume less energy. Entire municipalities that suffer from overly congested streets and wasted fuel are eager for relief—relief that autonomy could deliver. No matter the concerns, like the technological hurdles that are being conquered today, pure necessity will cause problem solving to come sooner rather than later. Entire municipalities have already begun preparations to embrace autonomous travel. The ultramodern city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one such city to take on the challenge with gusto; they are on an aggressive track to have 25 percent of all passenger trips within the city to be via autonomous all-electric travel by 2030. All types of ride-hailing companies—for both ground and air—have been more than eager to participate; these include Ehang, Fisker, Nissan, Tesla, Uber, Volocopter, and many more. Other cities around the world—including in the US—have similar plans but are currently a decade or more behind Dubai. No one has recognized the potential of autonomous vehicles more than Uber. Last year, the ride-hail 122 | JUNE 2018
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Full autonomy in the transportation industry is about to have a profound impact on our future—and it is much closer than most realize.
giant formed Uber Elevate in preparation for the imminent arrival of air taxis. But as much as people want to begin utilizing these amazing passenger drones, there currently isn’t a system in existence to keep them from running into each other. So, in November 2017, the company signed a partnership with NASA to assist in developing the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)—a new air-traffic control system—with hopes to begin testing air taxis in Dubai, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Los Angeles by 2020. Well, for sure, it is one wild and crazy world we have out there, and we are witnessing some rather exciting times. Full autonomy in the transportation industry is about to have a profound impact on our future—and it is much closer than most realize. We are about forty-five years shy of 2062, but when you consider the breakneck speed with which technological advances are being made, George Jetson’s Orbit City may not be such a fantastic pipe dream after all. By the time our calendar catches up to George’s, our version of the robot is likely to make Rosie the maid look antiquated. But that’s another mind-blowing story.
Above: In 2016, Ehang announced plans to develop the all-electric Ehang 184 AAV (autonomous aerial vehicle), a single-passenger taxi drone. The 184 will carry a total payload of 220 pounds at 60 mph for up to twentyfive minutes. Photo courtesy of Ehang.
The Ambition to Fly the Skyways
National Flight Academy Offers Area Counties a Local Student Rate on Select Deployments This Summer Owning a flying car and enjoying its full benefits will necessitate having two different license classifications; in addition to a driver license, a pilot license is required. That is unless you just want to drive around in a car that is bound to turn every head you pass. The flying cars highlighted here in the feature article (except for the autonomous Terrafugia TF-X and the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL) are all classified as light-sport aircraft (LSA) and will require the completion of a minimum of twenty hours of flight training. Thanks to the generosity of a private donor, many area middle and high school students will have the opportunity to attend a six-day AMBITION Deployment at the National Flight Academy (NFA) for a significant discount this summer. The NFA, an aviation-based educational program designed to be thoroughly and intensively immersive, is offering a locals’ rate of $750 for the six-day deployment. The promotional rate is valid for the following dates only: June 10–15, July 8–13, and July 29– August 3, 2018. The NFA’s AMBITION Deployment program typically costs $1,250. With the promotional rate, however, local area families can receive a 40 percent discount. Students living in the following Florida counties are eligible for the discount: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, and Washington. Likewise, the following Alabama counties are eligible for the discount: Escambia, Baldwin, and Mobile. Attendees, or Ambition Experimental Pilots (AXPs), live aboard Ambition, a state-of-the-art virtual aircraft carrier that features forty-two network aircraft simulators. The program, which is
actually housed in a 102,000-square-foot building adjacent to the National Naval Aviation Museum, incorporates STEM learning objectives with crucial twenty-first-century skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, leadership development, and effective communication. AXPs plan missions with ultramodern and advanced technology; they learn to fly in networked aircraft and receive mission briefings in six fully electronic ready rooms. Additionally, they experience everyday life in the different areas aboard the virtual carrier, including dining on the mess deck, sleeping in berthing spaces, and working in the operations and intelligence centers and the hangar bays. Participation is limited for the select summer deployments, and spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The local promotional rate cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
The NFA is a selfsupporting, tuitionbased educational program that relies on a program of financial aid support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to enable a demographically and geographically diverse student population to attend. Next page: The NFA’s adventure begins with our landlocked virtual aircraft carrier, Ambition (CVT-11). Each deck of Ambition is designed scenically and theatrically to simulate a modern aircraft carrier.
For registration information and a complete breakdown of 2018 National Flight Academy programs, please contact the registration coordinator at (850) 308-8948 or visit www.NationalFlightAcademy.com. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 123
About the National Flight Academy The National Flight Academy, located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida, is designed to address the serious concerns of declining science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills and standards in our country. The Academy’s mission is to inspire students who subsequently return to their parent schools and seek out the more challenging courses in science, technology, engineering, and math. The NFA is a self-supporting, tuition-based educational program. We welcome support from individuals, corporations, and foundations for both our scholarship program and our general operation funds. The National Flight Academy, a program of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Inc., is authorized but not endorsed or funded by the US Navy or the US Government. For more information about the National Flight Academy, visit http://www. nationalflightacademy.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Le nouveau monde
ONLINE TECH DESIGNED TO GET YOU OFF-LINE BY T ORI PHEL P S – IM AGES C OUR T ESY OF F IG AYOU
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Imagine that you’re supposed to meet your BFF at a concert—or connect with your colleagues inside a large convention center. You’re there. They’re there, too. But where exactly? Now imagine pushing a button on your phone that locates your party and draws the fastest, most direct path between the two locations. No more endless group texting. No more peering around in a crowd, anxiously searching for a familiar face. Figayou, a breakthrough platform from the imaginations of Greta Meszoely and Hamid Benbrahim, does that and much, much more. Designed to answer the question, “Where the fig are you?”—sure, let’s go with “fig”—Figayou’s name is a takeoff on the query, but with a New England accent befitting the Boston-based company. Once you hear about Figayou (said fast with an emphasis on the “a”), Meszoely promises you won’t forget it. Not only because it’s fun and slightly naughty to say, but also because you’ll use it all the figgin’ time. Bringing tangible, life-enhancing value to the table was the only way Meszoely and her husband, Benbrahim, would consider entering the crowded tech world. A PhD-educated sociology professor, Meszoely has degrees in business, international relations, comparative politics, law, and public policy. So, yeah, she’s pretty much the smartest person in any room. But her goal has always been to find real-world applications of the information she gleans—to use it, rather than merely stockpile it.
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Le nouveau monde
eszoely spent her career creating mutually beneficial relationships between academia and global businesses, but she harbored a not-so-secret desire to innovate something of her own. She didn’t know what that something was until a conference in Santa Fe several years ago. She and her husband were trying to meet up with Meszoely’s sister, who was attending a different event in the city. “We each kind of knew where the other was, but we kept texting, ‘I don’t see you,’” Meszoely recalls. “And we said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to push a button on an app and find out where the other person is?’” That off-the-cuff remark quickly went from “ha-ha” to “aha.” Unlike many people with a good idea, Meszoely and Benbrahim knew where to begin, thanks to Benbrahim’s PhD in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as his career in the financial industry. But they also tapped two inhouse resources: their children. Now seventeen and twenty-one years old, their daughter, Sasha, and son, Zach, were brought in as Figayou founders to offer critical perspectives on how younger generations interact with technology. They might have needed some Generation Z pointers, but Meszoely and Benbrahim already knew the
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most important thing about technology: people of all ages use it for darn near everything today. That’s why Figayou wasn’t designed to be a one-trick pony. Its initial hook is the meetup-made-easy application, wherein you push a button, pick the people you want to meet, and follow the line on your phone to converge at the desired location. You can meet halfway or rendezvous at another site entirely, and a change of meet-up location is as simple as pushing another button. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps you and ten pals from across the country have nabbed tickets to a championship game. You don’t have to spend hours group texting about places to meet. Push the button, identify your ten companions, and set the location. Oh—did you discover a fun sports bar next door where you’d rather congregate? No problem. Drop a pin in that location, and everyone will be rerouted for pregame beers.
Or maybe you’ve just landed in Paris and want to see if anyone you know is there too. Let your contacts know that you’re in the City of Light. And if you’re, say, a Boston native visiting New York, you can find your fellow Patriots fans with the push of a button. Because Figayou is designed to help people find people, the team took safety seriously. There’s absolutely no tracking on Figayou, and users can only see someone else’s location if that person wants to share it with an individual or group. This feature makes it ideal for meeting a vendor or online seller, for example, at a neutral spot. Not only can you avoid giving out your address, but you don’t even need to give out your phone number. “You share your location at a café and then never see each other again,” Meszoely says. As a bonus—maybe because the founders have one child in college and another about to join him—there’s an SOS feature on Figayou. If the campus or local police are a connection, a user can simply push “SOS” in an emergency, and the authorities can immediately identify the fastest route to his or her location.
There are platforms out there that have components of what we do. The novelty lies in how we’ve done it. To me, life isn’t about ideas, but the execution.
Its long list of capabilities means users rarely have to leave Figayou to navigate their lives. From the map, you can text friends, make a “meet me here” post for events, set a timed message to remind you to take medicine, and even alert your spouse to pick up milk as he or she nears Whole Foods. It’s also ideal for professional group organizations, a niche Meszoely believes has been neglected. Soon Figayou will also include transaction validation, a contract tool that can do everything from pay for goods and services to document fault after a fender bender. Yes, other apps can do some of these things. But the beauty of Figayou is that it unifies many single-use apps in one place. “There are platforms out there that have components of what we do,” Meszoely says. “The novelty lies in how we’ve done it. To me, life isn’t about ideas, but the execution.” V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 129
Le nouveau monde
nd in Figayou’s case, that execution involves taking familiar elements—Google Maps is the background—and merging them with new functionality to create something both recognizable and original. The result is an intuitive platform designed, ironically, to facilitate more in-person interaction. Its real purpose is spelled out in Figayou’s tagline: “Giving mobile a heartbeat.” In simplifying and de-stressing the process of getting together, Meszoely hopes users will want to arrange more and more real-life experiences.
with more on the way. They’ve worked with a small army of volunteers all over the world who test the app, provide input for improved usability, and gather location-specific data that increases Figayou’s value for users. But perhaps most exciting for Meszoely has been the coalescence of a working team that’s among the best and brightest she’s ever encountered. The payoff for all the blood, sweat, and tears poured into Figayou finally came in April, when it officially debuted just ahead of the company’s selection into a prestigious entrepreneurship program. Now that it’s go time at last, Meszoely is riding a wave of accomplishment-fueled exhilaration while also maintaining focus on what comes next for Figayou. Of the platform’s future possibilities, she says, “We always think our best opportunity is the one we haven’t thought of yet.”
“Experiences” are the name of the game for the Meszoely-Benbrahim household. As marathon runners who’ve traveled the world with their children, they’ve built a life that’s successful by any metric. But when cancer hit Meszoely a few years ago, her never-say-die attitude got a reality check. Beating the disease only increased her determination to live with passion, and that meant finally launching a tech start-up with Benbrahim.
FIGAYOU IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE FROM THE APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY.
Armed with the money to self-fund their Figayou dream, they strapped in for the ride of their lives. And what a ride it’s been so far. In the process of developing Figayou, the company has created five patent-pending innovations,
Tori Phelps has been a writer and editor for nearly twenty years. A publishing industry veteran and longtime VIE collaborator, Phelps lives with three kids, two cats, and one husband in Charleston, South Carolina.
Le nouveau monde
UBER Sky B Y J O R D A N S TA G G S
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P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E SY O F J E TS M A R T E R
WHEN SERGEY PETROSSOV MADE THE SWITCH FROM FLYING COMMERCIAL TO PRIVATE IN 2009, HE MADE A SURPRISING DISCOVERY. “The private jet industry was very archaic,” Petrossov says. “Its brick-and-mortar process of picking up the phone, waiting hours, and speaking to numerous people to charter a jet was outdated and inconvenient.” The Russian businessman recognized the need for an update to the system that would bring it into today’s high-tech world of instant gratification and communication. As the cofounder of two IT projects and a board advisor to a South Florida private jet operator, Petrossov knew he was the right candidate to usher in a new era of private flying. Enter JetSmarter, the mobile application developed by Petrossov and his team that launched globally in 2013 and has since been growing to make private jet travel possible for a fraction of the price. How does that work? VIE sat down with Petrossov to learn more. V IE: How did JetSmarter get started and what is the company’s mission? SERGEY PETROSSOV: JetSmarter’s goal is to make private jet travel accessible to the masses and more than just the privileged one percent. JetSmarter’s starting point is $15,000, so we’ve essentially lowered the entry point for private aviation up to ten times, allowing many people with lower net worth to fly privately when they never could before. V IE: Why does this model work so well in today’s world? SP: We offer a unique business model unlike any other private jet venture. JetSmarter is the only private travel service company to operate by way of innovative app technology. We offer four thousand free flights each month to our members, who have access to these flights daily. Through the mobile app, members can book private jets in a matter of minutes, right from the palm of their hand. The mobile app aims to make travel fun, easy, and convenient for our members. With JetSmarter, you’ll no longer have to go through the TSA lines with unreasonable wait times or have to deal with uncomfortable airplane seats—we’ll get you to your destination with comfort and ease.
V IE: What are some of the most popular destinations for your clients? SP: JetSmarter is a global company, and members can charter instantly through the app to any destination, worldwide. With the JetShuttle option, some of the most popular routes members book in the US include New York to South Florida, Los Angeles to New York, and Los Angeles to Las Vegas. V IE: What does it mean to be a JetSmarter member? SP: Yesterday’s flyers settled for expensive brokers, inefficient jet cards, and crowded airport terminals. JetSmarter created a fresh alternative by introducing the sharing economy to private aviation. Being a JetSmarter member means having the flexibility to create flights on your own time or find seats on flights created by fellow members—all with the year-round reliability, efficiency, and service that are synonymous with flying private. Our fourteen thousand-plus global member community includes leaders in business, sports, entertainment, and culture, as well as savvy travelers who refuse to settle for less. JetSmarter has redefined the entire industry with one clear mission: to reimagine aviation as it was meant to be. V IE: How do shared charters work? What are the benefits of this?
Additionally, the mass affluent are looking for experiences tailored to the lifestyle they want to live. We just launched an events and experiences section within the app that allows members to book curated point-to-point experiences that can’t be found elsewhere. We offer travel experience packages, ranging from experiences with luxury brands like Dom Pérignon to exclusive access to VIP events. We think about three pillars: how you get there, who you meet, and where you go. Mass affluent want a one-stop shop for all three, and that’s what we strive to offer. This tailored approach seems to be working. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 133
Le nouveau monde “MY BEST TRAVEL ADVICE IS TO MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, TRY ALL THE NEW FOODS YOUR DESTINATION HAS TO OFFER, EMBRACE THE CULTURE AND SURROUNDINGS, AND DON’T FORGET TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT.” SP: Shared charter provides members with the flexibility to fly where they want and when they want while yielding vast savings compared to traditional private charter options. After a member books his or her charter flight, leftover seats from these personalized flights will become available for other members to view and purchase. Once the seats are booked, the flight creators will be reimbursed in credit to use on future flights with JetSmarter. Essentially, this service makes it possible for JetSmarter members to be reimbursed in flight credit for up to 100 percent of their charter cost. V IE: What types of jets are available through JetSmarter? SP: Our jets include a wide selection, based on what our air carrier partners provide. One higher-end jet that JetSmarter charters is the Gulfstream IV-SP. The cabin has a length of 45.1 feet, a width of 7.3 feet, and a height of 6.1 feet. It seats up to thirteen passengers and has a range of 4,500 miles and a travel speed of 528 miles per hour.
V IE: Why do you think travel is important? SP: Travel is important because it teaches a person great knowledge that cannot be acquired vicariously. Traveling is a gift, and when people can, I tell them to do it often. My best travel advice is to meet as many people as possible, try all the new foods your destination has to offer, embrace the culture and surroundings, and don’t forget to live in the moment. V IE: What’s coming up for JetSmarter this year? SP: We plan to continue our global expansion, and we’re currently focusing on expanding in the countries where there is enough supply to satisfy demand. We are continuing to partner with carriers across the globe to offer users more inventory daily. Our goal is to one day make all air travel private. Since our launch in 2013, JetSmarter has disrupted the travel industry for the better, and we will continue to democratize the industry, making private jet travel more accessible for those who never thought it’d be possible.
JETSMARTER.COM
DE SIGN DIS T R IC T — 175 N.E. 4 0 T H S T R EE T
(MIAMI)
Le nouveau monde
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INSTAWORTHY! M I A M I’S
M O S T
’G R A M M A B L E
D I S H E S
P H O T O G R A P H Y C O U RT E S Y O F B A RT O N G .
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f you didn’t take a photo of your meal to post on your social media accounts, did you really eat it?
The buzz around trendy restaurants and bars is all about creating an experience that people will want to share—both with the rest of the table and with their friends and followers online. Social media plays a huge part in marketing for restaurants and other businesses in today’s society, and creativity is key to building a strong following that will translate to more foot traffic. Restaurateur Barton Weiss knows the social media game (he invented the hashtag #foodporn, which has now been used by over 155 million users to describe their mouthwatering Instagram posts), and his Barton G. restaurant locations in Miami and Los Angeles reflect that savvy with their “dinnertainment” menu options. Weiss and his corporate chef and culinary director, Jeff O’Neill, along with the team at Barton G. Miami, have created an outstanding menu of fun treats, drinks, and entrées that will have guests coming back so they can try everything! “I live to create shockingly delicious and awe-inspiring dining and event experiences,” Weiss explains. “Every day is a celebration.” Visit Barton G. on Miami’s West Avenue, open nightly for dinner, and you’ll see what he means. Some of the restaurant’s most Insta-worthy new dishes include the Lawn Moo-er steak entrée, a garden-inspired array of small bites called Cocktails & Crudités, and Marie Antoinette’s Head – Let Them Eat Cake. Another classic Barton G. dessert is the Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all!!!!—a chocolate ganache and dulce de leche tart that will inspire your inner hustler.
“I LIVE TO CREATE SHOCKINGLY DELICIOUS AND AWE-INSPIRING DINING AND EVENT EXPERIENCES. EVERY DAY IS A CELEBRATION.” “Our dish and cocktail development is ‘chef driven’ in the sense of quality and seasonality, yet there is much more to it!” O’Neill says. “The team is challenged to bring ideas to the table, no matter how strange or insignificant they may seem. Sometimes it’s the food that comes first—for example, the ‘lobster pop tart,’ a play on a nostalgic childhood favorite, where the food itself inspired how to present it. ‘Toaster pastries’ served in, yes, a toaster.” Are you feeling the #FOMO yet? Visit Barton G. to see the full menu for yourself—and charge your phone before you go!
Make your reservation at BartonG.com. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 137
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO OPENS THE CURATED NYC On April 17, celebrities, style lovers, and press gathered to celebrate the launch of designer Christian Siriano’s high-end retail and lifestyle destination, The Curated NYC. The new concept store has taken up residence in a beautiful classic building on West Fifty-Fourth Street that once housed offices for FabergÊ, Cary Grant, and other impressive predecessors. VIE was proud to sponsor the evening, and we wish Christian much success in this new endeavor! Photography by Getty Images for Christian Siriano
Alicia Silverstone and Bella DebraHadid Messing
Isabelle Fuhrman and Brad Walsh
Shannon Siriano Greenwood and Christian Siriano
VIE editor-in-chief Lisa Burwell and Ashley Longshore
Hannah Vermillion, Crystal Hamon, Ty Hunter, and Brooke Miller
Fern Mallis and Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano and Jordan Staggs
Isabelle Fuhrman, Christian Siriano, Alicia Silverstone, and Debra Messing
Marquita Pring, Georgia Pratt, Christian Siriano, and Precious Lee
Dorinda Medley and John Mahdessian
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La scène
Billy Crystal and Clive Davis
DJ Pebbles and Randy Jackson
Chris Columbus
Eddy Moretti
TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS GALA Nearly six hundred alumni, donors, and supporters gathered at Capitale on April 16 for the NYU Tisch School of the Arts 2018 gala, honoring notable alumni Chris Columbus, Eleanor Columbus, and Eddy Moretti. The event featured several performances by current Tisch students in tribute to the three honorees. Photography by Sam Hollenshead
Alec Baldwin, Eleanor Columbus, and Chris Columbus Martin Scorsese
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Hilaria Baldwin
Steve and Lynn Dugas
ANIMAL PD PREMIERE PARTY Animal PD, a new series on Nat Geo WILD channel, features the work of the prominent Northwest Florida nonprofit animal welfare organization Alaqua Animal Refuge and its unique partnership with law enforcement. Alaqua and Walton County celebrated the premiere on April 14 at The Hub 30A in Watersound, Florida. Photography courtesy of
Laurie Hood and Breezy Adkinson
Alaqua Animal Refuge
Mike Ragsdale and Cosmo Nicole Paloma and Niki Noblin
Tim and Jennifer Creehan
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La scène
The Killer Bees winning barbecue team
Velia Lala and Aaron Sanchez with Lexie Lou
Mark Romig and David Briggs
CHI CHI MIGUEL THROWDOWN The annual Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown Benefit Auction and BBQ is a weekend full of food, fun, and philanthropy in Northwest Florida. The 2018 series of events, presented by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, raised over two million dollars for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Alaqua Animal Refuge, Camille’s Art for Autism, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought Outreach, the Ingram Lee Foundation, the Seaside School Foundation, and Sinfonia Gulf Coast! Barbecue judges Jim Richard, Trish Hines, and Jim Shirley
Photography by Kay Phelan
Mike “Chi Chi Miguel” Thompson and family
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Team Herbert Hermanos with Emeril Lagasse
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! ONE-YEAR FOR $29.95 V IE M A G A Z INE .C O M / S U B S C R IB E
Au revoir!
Au revoir!
Learn more or book a table at DorchesterCollection.com/Plaza-Athenee. Photo by Pierre Monetta
THE L AST WORD
Learn more at PowerVision.me. Photo courtesy of PowerVision
Taking the photography world by storm above and below the surface, the PowerDolphin is one of the newest gadgets on the scene. The PowerDolphin marine drone comes with a 215-degree dual-joint rotation camera that can capture videos and images above and underwater. It can be equipped with a container that holds bait to attract fish and a PowerSeeker sonar, allowing you to coordinate the waypoint route function with the Vision+ app. With three different speed controls, its top speed can reach up to fifteen miles per hour. It’s time to hit the water!
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