A Little Americana. P lus, P lus, P l. $6.95 US display until June 29, 2018 $8.95 CANADA. swankyretreats.com

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "A Little Americana. P lus, P lus, P l. $6.95 US display until June 29, 2018 $8.95 CANADA. swankyretreats.com"

Adele Cross
5 years ago
Views:

1 A Little Americana P lus, P lus, P l $6.95 US display until June 29, 2018 $8.95 CANADA swankyretreats.com us...

2 THE SWANK TEAM ALEXANDRA MAE When you look up "wanderlust" in the dictionary odds are that a picture of me is in the definition. AMY SEDEÑO As a I do quite a bit of traveling, and from holding a tarantula in an ancient site in Guatemala to drinking high tea in Dubai, and petting grey whales in Baja, you bet I ve got stories to tell. ANDREW INNERARITY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY I Prefer to let the images do the talking. ANN MARIE SCHEIDLER "Thailand was the trip of a lifetime for this Chicago girl...a sensory overload in the best of ways. The people, the food, the landscape: all unforgettable." AVA ROSALES FEATURES EDITOR So, what s the best part of traveling? Meeting new people and immersing myself in the culture! DANIELLE KRAUSE Exploring the fascinating variety of this exquisitely beautiful blue planet nourishes and fulfills my spirit. Being able to delight and inspire you, by sharing some of these travel gems is an even greater gift. Enjoy!' DYLAN BENOIT CONTRIBUTING EDITOR I m a chef with Champagne taste and a beer budget, but always seem to find myself surrounded by the most amazing people in the most amazing places. From eating termites in the Honduran jungle to learning how to make dim sum in Hong Kong, for me treasure is in the story. ERADA SVETLANA Fun! My fondest memory traveling was to Eleuthera in the Bahamas. On the last day of our trip the beautiful island shut down their "downtown" area on the water and hosted a mini festival of about 150 people dancing to music, drinking, and eating in the street. My friends and I got so lost in the moment that a crowd of people formed around us watching us dance. It was one of the best nights and trips of my life. JOE WORTHINGTON When I travel I can forget the strains and stresses of everyday life. I get to meet interesting people who I would otherwise know nothing about. The experiences that I have, both good and bad, make for countless tales to tell. ROBIN SUBAR I'm a photojournalist in the Chicago area and a regular contributor to many luxury lifestyle magazines. I've lived in Madrid and Sydney and traveled extensively throughout Europe, Central America, Mexico, Caribbean, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Southeast and Northeast Asia. I live my life by a Susan Sontag quote: "I haven't been everywhere, but its on my list!" SERGIO OLIVARES CREATIVE DIRECTOR When I am not at a music concert, you might catch me hunting down new and exciting roads to drive on the weekends. "I live my life a quarter mile at a time." - Dom Toretto. SwankyRetreats.com 3

3 LETTERS FROM... By The Swank Team

A LETTER FROM The Pacific: OAXACA, MEXICO By Amy Sedeño Hello from paradise, Puerto Escondido, located on Mexico s Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, literally translates to hidden port, and I

The road to Vivo Resorts, where I stayed, was bumpy and filled with sensorial stimulation, a cow here, an endemic flower there, mountains and greenery everywhere, and the soft light of a

4 A LETTER FROM The Pacific: OAXACA, MEXICO By Amy Sedeño Hello from paradise, Puerto Escondido, located on Mexico s Pacific Coast in the state of Oaxaca, literally translates to hidden port, and I like it that way. Although I ve visited Mexico more times than I can recall, upon arrival I instinctively sensed something special and almost magical about this little-known destination. The road to Vivo Resorts, where I stayed, was bumpy and filled with sensorial stimulation, a cow here, an endemic flower there, mountains and greenery everywhere, and the soft light of a lavender-pink sunset. It s no wonder why two-time Canadian Olympian, Cary Mullen, chose this as the setting for his oceanfront resort and Real Estate development. Vivo, which means alive in Spanish, is a name quite representative of the area, bustling with surf, festivals, outstanding Oaxacan cuisine and an active expat community. At the center of it all, there is, of course, an impressive stretch of coastline which has put the town on the map as a world-class surfing destination. While Playa Zicatela, Playa Carrizalillo and Playa Principal are a must-see for beach lovers, Puerto Escondido has other waves to ride. Think food. Oaxaca is one of Mexico s top culinary destinations and in Puerto Escondido, for very little cash, one can find fresh seafood in every corner as well as traditional dishes like the mole sauce and even chicatanas (flying ants), a delicacy only found twice a year at the start of the rainy season. Coffee enthusiasts will enjoy a pit stop at Bi Nisa, a charming organic café offering fresh brews, cacao, hibiscus jam, nut butters, honey and hot sauces all made in-house, all very well received by my taste buds. Nature lovers will enjoy Laguna Manialtpec, come early in the morning for its impressive bird watching

and at night for its bioluminescent waters. The town is also a gem for shopaholics, like myself, where one can find traditional textiles and crafts.

where you ll find woodwork, freshly-baked pastries, jewelry and traditional black pottery (yes, I took home one of each).

5 and at night for its bioluminescent waters. The town is also a gem for shopaholics, like myself, where one can find traditional textiles and crafts. Make sure to stop by the local market for fresh flowers, authentic food and souvenirs, or stroll El Adoquin, a colorful street lined with local artisans where you ll find woodwork, freshly-baked pastries, jewelry and traditional black pottery (yes, I took home one of each). And there you have it; the secret has been spilled because it would have been selfish to keep too much of a good thing to myself. Until next adventure, Amy SwankyRetreats.com 39

Vancouver, BC (Canada) October 20-25, Dear Friends,

Vancouver, BC (Canada) October 20-25, Dear Friends, Dear Friends, Here come some more greetings from me this time from the Pacific Ocean and a pleasant 6- day trip to Vancouver. An excuse was another conference. I did not complain much about packing my