Whether you call them “hidden gems” or “local treasures,” there is nothing quite like discovering a place you’ve never heard of that is authentic and altogether different – one with that inimitable sense of place. On a call today with our client, Gogobot, a burgeoning travel planning tool that empowers people to discover great places to stay, eat and play, we were discussing just that.
And then tonight, my husband and I were at a beach I’ve been going to since I was a little girl, Burying Hill, here in Westport, CT. It’s got that “suchness,” that is nothing like anywhere else to me. I’ve been to Cap D’Antibe’s, and loved the Mediterranean – after all I could finally float in the salt water! Being wiry, with not too much padding, it was always impossible for me – and still is today at Burying Hill Beach tonight.
Another marvelous beach with that enchanting sense of place is in Brittany – the northern coast of France in a little town called Plouescat, which I visited after living with a French family when I was fifteen in Lyons. That was where we rode bareback down the beach and every time I got thrown, which was many, the farmer who took us riding would yell “Magnifique!” Well, it wasn’t exactly so magnificent for my bottom, which was quite sore the next day.
As Head of a NYC PR Agency I Have the Chance to Travel a Ton
As head of a travel PR agency in New York City, I get to travel quite a bit. I was telling a young college graduate today at the beach I have been easily through three passports, visited over fifty countries, from St. Barts, a former client, all the way to Goa in India. I love the water and the sand and collect stones for my garden whether I’m in New Hampshire visiting family in the summer, or Compo Beach, also in Westport, in fall or spring with our dog, Jack. He’s a Springer and loves the water just like we do.
Sailing on the sound this summer has been one of life’s greatest pleasures, and something I did of a lot while growing up. We’ve been sailing an Ensign, if any of you are sailors, a lovely 22-foot boat with a jib, mainsheet and cabin you can actually sleep on. In fact, my father had an Ensign when I was growing up, and one night I recall with fond memories sleeping over with my best friend when I was in ninth grade.
Since my Uncle was the Commodore at Cedar Point Yacht Club, he invited my husband and I to crew with him sometimes, and when I was a kid, I got to crew with him going to Block Island on that seminal boat “race” which essentially is still to this day one giant party in BI’s big Old Harbor.
Our family has been going to Block Island for the past twenty years or so, having picnics on the beach with smoked bluefish. Our youngest daughter, Justine, is still a fan of smoked bluefish and buys it at the local Farmer’s Market; we visit religiously every Thursday at 10 a.m. We know the entire farmer’s market and bring lots of cash and leave with tons of produce.
But this summer we are doing a Staycation here in Westport, sailing and sipping iced tea with mint in the garden. The stars were amazing tonight – the Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt shimmering in the deep darkness. What could be better!