Winter Blues

Cures for the Winter Blues: we recommend The Four Seasons Maldives – two scrumptious properties, plus a private island and a private yacht- https://www.gwenbooks.com/2019/10/four-seasons-maldives-hotels-private-island/ https://www.gwenbooks.com/2018/03/four-seasons-maldives-yacht-explorer/ https://www.gwenbooks.com/2018/02/four-seasons-kuda-huraa-resort-maldives/

There aren’t enough superlatives to fully and accurately describe the staggering natural beauty of the Maldives. Nothing prepared me for the beauty of the Maldives, the diving and snorkeling are exceptional, fish to table meals, scrumptious spas, it’s a distance, but beyond worth it! I stayed for two weeks and could have easily lounged/snorkeled for an additional week!

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa Resort Maldives
Four Seasons Kuda Huraa Resort Maldives
Snorkel or dive- this little guy was was in barely 4 feet of water right in front of my beach villa, manta rays hover in deeper seas, turtles may come in close for a peek at your mask!
Ancient Bhutan Kingdom

Brilliant blue skies at dizzying altitudes in the ancient Kingdom of Bhutan, explored village by village with Amankora Resorts. Amankora has five lodges spread through the Kingdom and each lodge is a subtle suggestion of the white walled Dzongs. The Bhutanese architecture is very colorful and replicated in farmhouses, temples and local shops. Amankora has kept it clean and simple, why try to compete with the majesty of the Himalayas, the bedecked local homes and the elaborately painted Temples. See my glorious posts on Bhutan https://www.gwenbooks.com/2019/02/amankora-bhutan-2-by-2/; https://www.gwenbooks.com/2019/01/amankora-bhutan/

We are strong Four Seasons supporters all over the world but for warm water and sizzling sun think of the divine Four Seasons Punta Mita, villas, beach cabanas, tequila tasting, warm water – it’s got it all! The recently opened Four Seasons Cabo is an architectural stunner- if you like a desert environment, absolutely isolated experiences, swimmable beaches then this new resort will speak to you. Our clients seeking winter warmth have visited almost every Four Seasons beach resort: Costa Rica, Bora Bora, Nevis and even the beautiful Four Seasons Athens beach resort in summer. Oh and the multiple Hawaiian resorts: Lanai, Maui, Hualalai, and Oahu Ko Olina, so many choices!

Four Seasons Punta Mita

Farther afield: Fiji, many exceptional properties offering so many water activities, the kiddos will be worn out by the daily options! Exceptional deep sea fishing is also very popular in Fiji.

Laucula Island Resort, Fiji

New Zealand and Australia offer summer warmth when we are chilly. Argentina wine tasting, it’s hot there! Spin the globe, follow the sun!

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Ring us for Winter Warmth Solutions – Cures for the Winter Blues!

Art Today London & Paris

Passing through London or Paris?

Everyone benefits from a measure of art when traveling; museums are frequently some of the grandest architectural structures in a city and contain additional riches inside.

My recent Journey to London and Paris was enhanced by a few memorable hours in museums. Picasso is always an invitation to linger, and London and Paris have a plethora of Picasso’s at the moment. Might I recommend a few hours of wandering?

London’s National Portrait Gallery is one of my favorite museums; geographically accessible in St Martin’s Place, right off Trafalgar Square. When it opened in 1856, it was the first portrait gallery in the world. Primarily housing portraits of historically famous and important British people, it also hosts many traveling exhibitions.

Picasso’s Portraits runs until February 5, 2017. If I were required to choose between several exhibits in Paris at the moment and this exhibition, I would say get thee to Paris on the next plane…however, my schedule delivered me initially to London.

Picasso’s Portraits provide an immense variety of drawings, paintings and sketches of over 80 works focusing on friends, family, his numerous lovers and wives. The body of the work includes realist oil paintings, including many self-portraits from his early career and provides a full representation of his evolving technique and his experimenting with various painting styles. The website has a marvelous video presentation of many of the pieces.

Picasso- Woman in a Hat (Olga)

Picasso- Woman in a Hat (Olga)

Personally, I love Picasso and never tire of seeing an exhibit or visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. His career spanned so many interesting periods and styles…the moody Blue period, seeing his travel influences, in particular I love his perspective change after he saw an African mask exhibit in Paris. The female shape became so angular and descriptive, Picasso didn’t seem to be ruled by fear of change and loved to experiment.

picasso-maya-in-sailor-suit

Picasso – Maya in A Sailor Suit

picasos-self-portrait

Picasso – Self Portrait

PARIS-

Separate blog on the block buster exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton.  But while in Paris also look for ‘Frederic Bazille The Youth of Impressionism’ at the Musee d’Orsay until March 5. Monet and his best friend Bazille shared an Impressionist history, unfortunately Bazille  died on the battlefield during the Franco-Prussian War, his reputation as a significant contributor to the movement has been building. Much of his work and a number of pieces by Monet, Renoir are on display. This show moves to Washington’s National Gallery in April.