the most delicious carrot cake | HNHO - Six Senses Rome | Highlight - Sumosan Crete

WHERE TO NEXT?

Good morning Traveler,

Fresh carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. No nuts. No raisins. That is simple desert perfection for me.

Last week my friend informed me that the carrot cake at Pine, the restaurant at our local Inn at the Dartmouth College campus, that had be eliminated from the menu 8+ years ago was back!

I told my husband we must go. The next night we walked to town after dinner to sit at the bar at Pine for carrot cake. It was exactly how I remembered it – fresh, creamy and delicious!

The next day my dog, Tigger, and I took advantage of the summer weather, which is rare in New England Octobers, and did a fast paced, training hike up Moose Mountain (prepping for Patagonia). We arrived at the summit to the warm sunshine that was also being enjoyed by six others.

Tigger and I took a few moments to rest. Me with my honey crisp apple and Tigger with cold water to quench her panting.

It was obvious the others were mostly visitors and we starting chatting. One of the men was wearing a Dartmouth Dad shirt and I asked if he was visiting for parents’ weekend. Another couple asked me for recommendations on where to go for lunch in Hanover. I suggested my usual spots for a beautiful day (with outdoor seating) – Lou’s, the Nest and Pine. Then I remembered the carrot cake and I told her how delicious it was and that it had just returned to Pine’s menu.

She said “Sold, that is where we are going.” I was delighted to know that someone out there may be as big of a fan of carrot cake as I am.

The family continued the conversation. “Do you have other recommendations?” I said I have a lot depending upon what you are looking for. Then Guillome, from Montreal, but working with the Dartmouth economics department, described a local resource a Dartmouth Econ professor shared that was very helpful.

I thought for a moment and then laughed and said “I know exactly what you are talking about. I actually gave that information to him to share with incoming staff.”

It made me think that perhaps some of you may come to Hanover, NH one day – either with a high schooler looking at or attending Dartmouth or simply to enjoy the beauty of New England. So HERE is the list of weekend ideas. Enjoy!

I love small world stories.

And do you know what else I love? Creative experiential gifts. Circling back to our night out for carrot cake at Pine… I decided I want to learn how to make this carrot cake. So I wrote to the GM yesterday asking if I might be able to have a lesson with the pastry chef. Perhaps inviting a few friends too. I’ll let you know if I end up going. It’s a good reminder that you can create your own peak moments and memories, they don’t have to be designed by someone else.

As I’ve been writing this newsletter every week consistently for 2 1/2+ years, I’ve been inspired to improve my writing technique with workshops and classes. As a business major who never took creative writing, I’ve so enjoyed learning the details of the craft.

For today’s Highlight below I wrote it a bit differently. I have not eaten at Sumosan yet, but rather than describe in in third person, I used my writing skills to take the knowledge and insights I had about it and write the description as if I had. I hope it helps you put yourself right there with me and maybe it inspires your next visit to Greece! And note: if I do this again, I will always tell you that it was not a personal experience.

Are you a fan of the Four Seasons? You may be interested to know that their new yacht debuting in 2025 is invitation only – see details in the article below.

This week’s inspirational articles include adventures to Madagascar, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Japan, UNESCO’s new World Heritage sites, the possible opening of London’s Cold War-era spy tunnels, a floating restaurant, adventuring with teens on safari in the Maasai Mara and an answer to the question – can vacations make you live longer?

You’ll also find information on travel lessons from the summer of ’23 and one airlines’ newest cabins with a double bed!

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s highlight – Sumosan
Hot New Hotel Opening – Six Senses Rome
Inspiration + Information

SUMOSAN

I pull my sweater up over my shoulders as the heat of the day has gently lifted. My glass of citrusy Greek Thrapsathiri (Thrap-sah-THEE-ree) white wine in my hand provides a bit of a chill. The weather is a perfect 71 degrees, the stars are just beginning to peek out of the carbon black sky.

Sitting at a cozy table for two, perched on the edge of a peninsula on top of the sea, we gaze out into the night.

Cheers! We are here celebrating 20 years of marriage while our teens are home happily going about their everyday lives.

We talk about our day. We woke early to adventure around Crete, visiting the Palace of Knossos, the most important archaeological site on the island, providing a rare glimpse into Minoan civilization. While exploring the labyrinth of corridors and rooms, our guide shared the Greek mythological tales that are linked to it. The nearby museum had the most magnificent collection of Minoan art and culture in the world with an exhibition of artifacts, covering a period of 5,000 years.

Dinner tonight is Japanese fusion at Sumosan, the newly opened pop up on Crete of the highly sought after restaurant group already in the most cosmopolitan parts of the world – London, Courchevel, Dubai, Berlin and Doha. Sumosan is described by the international press as the “favorite restaurant of the A-list celebrities.”

Located along the waterfront with extraordinary views of the Aegean Sea, this stunning location offers a perfect setting for summer nights.

We begin by ordering two Ouzitos, the Greek version of a mojito, at the stylish cocktail bar in a picturesque spot. For dinner we enjoy a mouthwatering selection of the freshest sushi and sashimi, and two of Sumosan’s signature dishes, 24-hour miso marinated black cod and wagyu fillet sando served with truffle fries. Their dishes have a unique twist – they incorporate local Greek ingredients, making for an exciting culinary fusion.

For desert, the fluffy, soft marshmallow-like pavlova.

Tomorrow we have a relaxing day – sleeping in, then breakfast on our terrace looking over the sea. The afternoon will be spent at the Six Senses Spa and then dining on Italian food at the Ferragamo family’s famous Il Borro Tuscan Bistro.

In Greece your day can be spent relaxing reading by the pool or luxuriating at the beach, or being active and adventurous on land or on or under the sea.

📷 Sumosan

🌟 In March 2023, Six Senses Rome opened in Italy. This is the first urban hotel under the Six Senses brand.

Why visit Six Senses Rome?

Ideal location. In Piazza di San Marcello and walking distance to the Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon and luxury shopping streets of Via Condotti, Frattina and Borgognona.
360-degree panoramic views. NOTOS, the large rooftop terrace, has 360-degree panoramic views of the city and monuments. An escape from the city, the terrace is full of aromatic herbs, plants and terracotta pottery. Watch the sunset over Rome with a cocktail and appetizer in this relaxing oasis.
The Spa and Roman baths. Including three plunge pools – caldarium, tepidarium and frigidarium – to reduce inflammation and promote overall healing by heating up the body and then cooling it down. Treatments include biohacking, sound therapy, herbal Hammam, sound healing and Roman baths.

Of course it comes with the usual perks and VIP treatment when booking your stay through Truvay Travel.