Posts from the ‘champagne wishes and caviar dreams’ Category

Paraty, Brazil transformed into Breaking Dawn’s Isla Esme

Esme, Schesme! Call it whatever you like, but Bella Swan and Edward Cullen’s honeymoon took place in Paraty, Brazil, a quaint colonial town about three hours southwest of Rio.

Of course, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (along with Stephanie Meyer) did due diligence in the vibrant capital city (a few scenes were filmed in Rio’s Lapa district, a hotbed for samba and forro bars and they spent a night or two at Copacabana Palace), but it’s the old cobblestoned, colonial town of Paraty that plays “body double” for Isla Esme.

Probably a good thing, since Brazilian Twihards swarmed the young stars from the moment they arrived on a private chartered jet at Rio de Janeiro’s Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport.

Paraty (pronounced Par-ach-ie, like the sandals) is off-the-beaten path and charmingly subdued. In fact, its cobblestone streets (at least in the Historic Central District) have sworn off cars, letting them in on Wednesdays only for deliveries. Allowed vehicles are bikes and horse-drawn carriages.

Stewart and Pattinson spent much of their time on boats, frolicking in Pedra Branca and Andorinhas waterfalls and jetting to the 300 beaches of Paraty’s Bay of Ilha Grande.

Dotted with tropical islands, this picturesque bay was once the port from which gold from Minas Gerais, one of the world’s richest gold mines, was transported. Pirates, hiding in the many coves, plundered the ships and drank cachaca, a sugar cane liquor produced by more than 250 local distilleries. The 720-mile Gold Trail starting in Paraty and leading through the Bocaina mountains and one of the last stands of Atlantic rainforest is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After Brazil gained its independence from Portugal and gold production slowed down, Paraty was all but forgotten. The population declined from 16,000 to around 600. Today, it has been revived as a popular vacation spot for Brazilians who come to enjoy the pristine architecture, the low-key beaches and hikes through the rainforest.

As for Stewart and Pattinson, they enjoyed being “vampire newlyweds” in 17th century paradise.

 November 19, 2010  psgrout   Leave a comment
Categories: champagne wishes and caviar dreams, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

The other Beverly Hills

Punta del Este, Uruguay, often called the Riviera of South America, attracts so many vacationing A-listers that there’s now a Hollywood bus tour.

Stops include the hotel where George Bush stayed (it’s also a popular spot for international summits), the beach where Naomi Campbell was caught sunbathing nude, the bar where Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack drank martinis and the chic just-down-the-road village of La Barra where Ralph Lauren paid $12,000 a day to rent a villa. Oh, yeah, and did I mention there’s a section of town called Beverly Hills.

With 20 miles of beaches, three casinos, all-night discos, a popular yacht harbor (others prefer to fly into the helipad) and Calle 20 where designer-brand stores are as ubiquitous as pizza joints, this ultra-chic peninsula at the mouth of the Rio del la Plata has long been an exclusive getaway for well-heeled South Americans.

But then in the 60’s, the Rat Pack showed up, high-rise hotels and international attention followed and this once-sleepy fishing village became the “it” spot for such luminaries as Robert DeNiro, Princess Di and Fergie, Pablo Neruda and Leonard DiCaprio. Even happily-married Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon have been known to slip away to this glittery Latin American outpost for a bit of sunbathing, shopping and snogging.

When not partying hearty, Punta del Este’s holiday crowd amuses itself shark-fishing, surfing and oogling the 200,000 southern fur seals on nearby Isla de Lobos.

Another popular spot is Casapueblo, a whale-watching promontory outside of town where Uruguayan painter, sculptor, musician and all-around artistic treasure Carlo Paez Vilaro built a home and studio. It’s open to the public with a museum, hotel and a fascinating homage to what Vilaro calls “his personal war against the right angle.”

Also unique in Punte del Este are street signs sponsored by Visa, official parades of bikini-wearing models and restaurants serving seaweed omelettes.

But the most glamorous of all, if you can score it, is an invitation to power-boat racer Laith Pharaon’s annual end-of-the year bash. Held at Estancia El Noor, a rustic 280-acre property near La Barra, the party draws film stars, fashionistas, the world’s best DJ’s and other party people

Starting December 23 and continuing through Easter, Punta Del Este features 25 hours a day of shameless, shallow and tremendous fun.

 November 10, 2010  psgrout   Leave a comment
Categories: champagne wishes and caviar dreams Tags: , , , , , ,

Breakfast with the giraffes

Surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous bush, the Giraffe Manor, a small exclusive hotel just outside Nairobi, has a resident herd of giraffe who have a tendency to stick their long necks into everything. The butler, in fact, kicks off happy hour each night by offering nuts to Daisy, a 20-foot endangered Rothschild giraffe, and her clan.

In 1974, Jock Leslie Melville and his American wife Betty, concerned about the rare Rothschild giraffes whose natural habitat in western Kenya was disappearing, bought the 15-acre manor (they later added 105 additional acres), moved in Daisy and a partner and started the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife.

After Jock died in 1984, Betty opened the giraffe reserve and its faux Scottish hunting lodge to the public. Giraffe Manor has six bedrooms, one furnished with the furniture of writer Karen Blixen, the dining room is lit by candles only and meals are made with organic fruits and vegetables. Outside, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro to the south, warthogs strut their stuff next to the giraffes. Guests have included Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Brooke Shields, Stephen Sondheim and Sir Mick Jagger.

Stick your neck into their website at www.giraffemanor.com.

 August 24, 2010  psgrout   Leave a comment
Categories: champagne wishes and caviar dreams Tags: , ,

Vamizi Does It

The Zoological Society of London (along with the Mozambique government, a bunch of marine biologists and a cotton gin entrepreneur) recently opened a small ecoresort in the Quirimbas Islands, just off Mozambique’s north coast. The goal is to preserve the island’s diversity (marine biologist Isabel Silva says there are more species of coral here than in the Great Barrier Reef) and to support the local community whose fisherman monitor the green and hawksbill turtles, dugongs and humpback whales. In return, the lodge buys their fish and funds the local school and health clinic.

The resort has twelve thatched wooden bungalows perched on stilts. There’s no television or air-conditioning (cell phones do work), but to make up for it, guests enjoy sunken marble showers, expansive verandas and hand-carved Mozambican furniture and screens. Nelson Mandela and Leonardo DiCaprio are among the lodge’s guests who have hiked out to the island’s old Portuguese lighthouse, past yellow-bellied sunbirds, Samango monkeys and huge Friar butterflies.

Vamizi Island Lodge, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, 00 258 272 21299, www.vamizi.com.

 August 23, 2010  psgrout   Leave a comment
Categories: champagne wishes and caviar dreams

  • This week’s ooh-la-lah

    Where the Wrigleys, the Maytags and the Schwinns waited out the Chicago Fire

    and Isaac Hayes, Martin Luther King, Elvis and more reasons to visit Memphis

    Lodi, California: Where Ashton and Mila go to honeymoon

    Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s an unidentified flying jack-o-lantern.

    Chautauqua Harbor Hotel breathes new life into Lucy’s hometown.

    World’s first stand-up karaoke

    Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers about to start their 100th season.

    Dances with wolves and selfies with elk

    When you want to REALLY get away

    Quebec’s Gatineau Park about to open historic B&B with views of bears, wolves, porcupines and, perchance, hunky Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

    Mr. T, who can’t get enough of the curling, should go here ASAP

    Paul Newman, Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd were all here

    Barney Stinson could have saved himself lots of trouble if he’d just ordered gin and tonics at London’s Soho Hotel

    Stockholm, Pippi Longstocking and me

    Giving a flying fika: In Sweden, fika is the only word you need to know

    Restoring my cool factor at Stockholm’s Hobo Hotel

    Spider-man: Homecoming press junket at this new midtown Manhattan hotel

    Boodle Fighting in the Philippines–Yum!!!

    Five reasons to beat the Pope to Egypt

    Egypt’s Siwa Oasis like nowhere else in the world.

    Barcelona’s W and Mandarin Oriental are fine. Except they’re hotels. Here’s why stars prefer El Palauet.

    The 7 Habits of Highly-Effective Beach Bums

    Ah, but do the pirates look like Johnny Depp? New maritime museum opens on Port of Mobile

    Only in Helsinki : where heavy metal rock groups play children’s music

    Cameron Diaz, A.O. Wilson and Werner Herzog were here

    Best places to snap a selfie with Saul Goodman

    Nobel prize winners stay at The Grand. Rock stars stay at The Thief.

    Bentonville 21C combines Barney Fife with Alfred Steiglitz.

    Helsinki for Princesses

    Sweat equity in Finland: Where everyone’s in hot water

    Only in Australia: Selfies, giant cattle ranches and convicted forgers on bank notes

    Where Kristin Scott Thomas stays in Australia

    Crocodile Dundee and barbies, for the tourist

    Kenya for Optimists

    Adventure Travel World Summit goes to Namibia

    Why a piece of my heart will always belong to Rize, Turkey

    The Planet’s Most Challenging Destinations

    ME London’s rooftop Radio bring flower to the people

    But it’s only $40,000 per night!!

    Offbeat Chicago

    Chicago beaches where Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Jason Sudeikis have all dipped their toes.

    The Riviera Maya that few people see.

    Put those pinkies down! Wine-drinking isn’t mean to be elitist

    Cooking Albuquerque: A Foodie’s Tour of Breaking Bad

    Where Stephen Covey might go when not being highly-effective.

    Only in Charleston: Why Funnyman Bill Murray has a home in Charleston

    With a moo-moo here. Why Maggie Gyllenhaal and Neil Patrick Harris sing “E -I -E – I- O.”

    Apparently, Bill Murray doesn’t restrict his diet to Baby Ruth candy bars.

    What would Walter White do? Find out in Albuquerque.

    They don’t shoot Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues here for nothing.

    How the West was Worn

    Macklemore and me were here.

    Denver’s exploding Art Scene captures one of this century’s most influential artists: Clyfford Still.

    Cook Islands: swaying to its own unique beat

    South Africa’s Cape Winelands more than a day trip from Cape Town

    Survivor Cook Islands: Are you freaking kidding me?

    You don’t need an armored car in the Cook Islands.

    Four fashion weeks? Exhausting! The A-list needs a break.

    Latin America paradise for non-Spanish speakers.

    Celebrity ghosts outlive their shears-wielding mother.

    Where celebrities go for space travel.

    And the Oscar goes to Placencia’s Nirvana Inn.

    Venice’s Harry’s Bar may be in financial trouble, but Hotel Cipriani, now owned by Orient Express, is still serving bellinis and toasting with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

    The one issue on which Democrats and Republicans can still agree.

    Russia for beginners. Hic!!

    When travel makes a difference.

    Beat the crowd to Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

    Antonio Ballatore’s first lesson in sustainability.

    Andy Williams‘Branson: Where it’s always “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

    Match.com for carnivores.

    Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy and Me.

    Turns out Dorothy was looking in the wrong state. The rainbows are in Omaha, Nebraska.

    Celebrate United Nations Day (October 24) at the UN’s alternative location in the Black Hills.

    County Music Awards will feature seriously delicious hand-dipped truffles from Deadwood, South Dakota.

    How they spent their summer vacation: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux do Europe.

    Gnome, sweet gnome.

    Click here for a free performance of Cirque du Soleil.

    Taylor Swift hanging with the Kennedys in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

    The Clint Eastwood of Romantic Fijian Resorts.

    Didn’t win George Clooney’s “Dinner with President Obama,” but did get to meet another Head of State..

    Here’s to Pure Fiji, a South Pacific success story, and three of Fiji’s best spas.

    Rechanneling Justin Bieber’s appeal.

    The only place in America to view authentic one-ton Cuban tinajones.

    Where writers go to walk on the beach, rub elbows with their peers and write.

    Florida Keys define the art of reinvention.

    Forget Easter eggs! Beyonce and Jay Z were looking for peace and quiet in St. Bart’s

    Lancome, Schmancome! Here’s an all-natural anti-aging serum that works. And it’s only $12!

    Portland for art lovers

    Montreal for movie stars and other liberals.

    South Pacific paradise woos the A-list

    Star-watching in Montreal

    Hoping to see the Smurfs and Vin Diesel at Montreal’s all-night Nuit Blanche

    Quincy Jones, Evander Holyfield and Richard Branson enjoy Soweto’s secluded, in-home shebeens

    No wonder Oprah calls her new home paradise.

    New boutique hotel in N’Awlins creating Adele-size waves

    Mardis Gras restaurants worth partying for.

    Tom Cruise skis the Dubai desert

    South African tree older than Betty White

    Vervet monkeys the Juan Valdez of South Africa.

    George Clooney supports yet another cause.

    Finally! Airline food worth getting excited over.

    Who knew Barack Obama was also an artist?

    Stalking game with the producers of “The Bachelor”

    Near his sprawling Kentucky horse farm, Jerry Bruckheimer’s favorite Louisville restaurant.

    When Trace Adkins and Vince Gill both called my room at Gaylord Opryland.

    McCartney marries on what would have been John Lennon’s 71st birthday, honeymoons at Mick Jagger’s Mustique digs.

    When Ozzy wants a little nip, it’s Glengoyne Scotch.

    Bhutan: where GNP stands for gross national happiness.

    Kevin Costner’s Bass Pro baseball cap was earned honestly. He even has a room named after him at Big Cedar Lodge.

    Sir Richard Branson before he started Virgin Mobile

    It may not be an Emmy, but Gift Suite Swag isn’t a bad consolation prize.

    Beach baby blanket bingo for Elton John and family

    Will Smith’s New York digs.

    Even Las Ventanas’ official Department of Romance couldn’t save Sean Penn’s ill-fated romance with Scarlett Johansson.

    Posh spot to earn your elephant driver’s license.

    Paul Newman and Charlie Sheen drove here.

    Elegant sleeps in Quito, Ecuador for daring gringos.

    Deer Valley’s Stein Erickson Lodge pulls down top spa honors

    Maldives, where Sir Paul McCartney does Christmas

    Colorado ghost town provides privacy and luxury for camera-shy celebrities.

    Where the A-list likes to camp.

    Amalfi Coast in the spring is nice, but here’s the same pizza right on Lake Michigan.

    American Club’s new Eau de Vie suite nearly bankrupts touring girl scout troop.

    Palm Desert golf course follows in Justin Timberlake’s green footsteps.

    When turning 50 matters: Six historic resorts

    Lights, cameras, action. Reese Witherspoon and hubby Jim Toth honeymoon at Francis Ford Coppola’s movie set perfect retreats in Belize.

    Where the rest of the British Royal Family stay.

    Beverly Wilshire rings in Four Seasons’ 50th with one hell of a bargain.

    After their surprise wedding last Friday, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian celebrate with brunch at Moonshadows, the Malibu restaurant made infamous by Mel Gibson.

    Kate Hudson and rocker Matthew Bellamy sing karaoke in Sao Paulo.

    Beijing’s 798 Art District welcomes Yi House Hotel and Jessica Alba.

    Baroque chateau in the Czech countryside one of first five-star hotels to win EU’s green Eco Label.

    Brad, Angie and Jen have all sought refuge at this Chicago hotel.

    Hottest ride in Chicago is Four Seasons’ six Radio Flyers.

    Indie hit Trust started at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre thanks to Ross Geller–oops we mean, David Schwimmer.

    R.I.P: Ever the star, Elizabeth Taylor knew how to pick a hotel suite.

    Tommy Lee Jones touts the lures of San Antonio’s famous Paseo del Rio. (That’s River Walk, for you English speakers.)

    Phil Collins may be retiring his drum sticks, but he’ll never forgo his passion for the San Antonio Alamo.

    Where JLO and Marc Anthony go when they want downtime from three-year-old twins Max and Emme.

    Romancing the Cliff: Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal had one of their last romantic escapes at Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn.

    Skating with the Stars shows off cloche hats made from recycled sweaters. Love ya, baabaazuzu!!

    Brad Womack and six remaining bachelorettes endure seismic eruptions in Costa Rica on Episode Six of “The Bachelor.

    Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Cindy Crawford, Dennis Quaid turns heads at the Atlanta St. Regis.

    If Twitter had been around in the early 1900’s, this luxury resort in Manitou Springs, Colorado is what J. Paul Getty and Thomas Edison would have tweeted about.

    Forget the North Pole! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie celebrate Christmas in Namibia with old friends

    Hip rocker Lenny Kravitz parks an Airstream trailer on a beach in the no-frills island of Eleuthera.

    Just two months after their Indian wedding, Russell Brand and Katy Perry take a second honeymoon at Robert DeNiro’s Greenwich Hotel.