I recently spent a week on the coast of Croatia where all I did was swim in the sea and lounge on the beach with my book. In the past, I would have planned a busy itinerary, hired a car and made a long list of places to visit – but nowadays I prefer to travel at a much slower pace. 

The ferry arrives at the port of MESSINA and we anxiously wait for the doors to open and the strong Sicilian sun to greet the rows of cars shrouded in industrial darkness, all as eager as we are to drive towards the welcoming light. Patience is needed, but finally it is our turn to start the engine and roll towards dry land, further traffic and eventually, the open road.

Our first stop is the inimitable TAORMINA, town of endless elegance, ancient past, and legendary cannoli. We stop for a coffee at Bam Bar, uncertain of how we secured a free table among the busy August crowds, but we do not question our luck. The streets of Taormina are full but not unpleasantly so. Nonetheless, after our cappuccino, cravings turn to the sea and we stroll down to the beach.

During our endless search for Colombian artisan goods, we’ve gone on many long road trips visiting gorgeous pueblos and hotelitos along the way. Some of our favorite stops are just a few hours from Bogotá and others, a bit more remote. Colombia is a huge country with one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world - driving a few hours in any direction can feel like entering an entirely different country. We like to travel slowly; we try to spend at least 3-4 days in each place and we usually take long meandering walks, asking locals what to do, see or eat, if there are any regionally specific crafts, and generally just take in as much as we can. Over the course of 3 years we have travelled to 14 of Colombia’s 32 different departments and still have only scratched the surface. If you have a couple of weeks you can have a beach vacation, jungle adventure, and charming-colonial-town getaway all in the same trip. At the risk of sounding like a commercial tagline: Colombia really does have it all.

I draw a breath. Instantly hit with hot earthiness, toasted pine and a distant whiff of salt, I’m trying to have my eyes wide open to fully take these new surroundings in — but every inch of every thing seems to be drenched in blazing sun rays. It takes a while until my vision adapts a little, and an all-white backdrop starts to break into detailed pieces — magenta drops of blossoming bougainvillea upon white-washed walls of bucolic buildings, dusted green of old olive trees, shimmer of the sea in the distance.

Located in the charming Justicia neighbourhood Hermanas Arce is the project of sisters Elena and Ana, serving delicious pastries, natural food and artisan coffee. On the menu you’ll find simple but wholesome dishes: don’t miss the tortitas (pancakes), the avocado toast with chimichurri and the salted chocolate cookie for a perfect ending. The sunlit cafe space is the perfect space to bring a book or your laptop if you have to work- you’ll feel at home.

After spending a great part of the lockdown in New York, my husband and I travelled to Amsterdam for much needed time with family and old friends. What awaited us was an electric city, still warm with the last rays of summer, buzzing with restaurants, terraces and winebars.

As lockdowns begin to ease, it’s tempting to book those trips you’ve been daydreaming about over the past few months. However, it’s important to remember that the pandemic is far from over. It would be wise to travel closer to home this summer; to take advantage of open borders between neighbouring countries, to visit places accessible by road or rail, or to explore more of your own country.

Cover photo: Valentina Barabuffi

Vianca Soleil Roquero, the creative soul behind one of our favorite Instagram accounts, lives a true island life in Romblon, Philippines. Slow and peaceful, her home has truly a Hôtel Weekend spirit. During quarantine times, she is lucky to live in an isolated land by the sea, so we asked Vianca to show us a mini tutorial of what you can do with nature around you, like a palm leaf.

The endless love letter to Latin American culture, From Latin America with Love , curated a playlist for Hôtel Weekend’s community. Tune in for a nostalgic journey through Latin America’s dancehalls, clubs and barrios. Made for intimate afternoons of rum sipping and FaceTime serenades. #HWatHome

Júlia Juste, the mind behind Out Liers was born and raised in Barcelona. Passionate about finding unique and beautiful places, we asked her to show us her favorite hidden gems around Spain with the goal of promoting local tourism.“These days of quarantine I am on the hunt for places around Spain. We are lucky to live in a beautiful country, with very diverse landscapes and traditions and very special accommodations. Whenever I think of traveling, it comes to my mind to go far, the farther the better ... But there is nothing more exotic than discovering how beautiful it is at home” See below Julia’s secret places, now high-up in our wish list.

Clara Diez, #HWTraveler & Style muse Is one of the minds behind a soon-to-be-launched artisan cheese project in Madrid: Formaje. We We spoke with this inspiring creative, whose eyes light up when she speaks about her passion for cheese, her latest trips and future projects coming up with her husband, Adrián. Below, she will show us how to make a cheese platter that will immediately transport us to the African Savannah through exotic flavors.

The ultra inspiring woman behind organic skincare brand LESSE, Neada Deters, captivated us with her all natural approach to beauty and life. We had a chat with her about her home & daily rituals.

The sun cheekily slips through the curtains gently flapping against the calm, sea breeze. It catches my skin and a warm sensation rushes over me. It really does know all the slick moves to get me out of bed. As does the sea - with its fresh winds and distant sounds. A seasoned team they both are.