⏰ plan for winter, spring break & summer now | WTN? The Fontenay | Highlight - Casa de Chá da Boa Nova

📷 Casa de Chá da Boa Nova

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

My first weeks back at work have been full!

Finalizing details on your upcoming departures to Alaska, Africa and Europe – Greece, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany and Italy.

Talking with those of you just returning from safaris is always so fun! Lots of upcoming insights to share in our September Safari newsletters.

And planning ahead for next winter, spring break and summer.

For those of you waiting until summer is over to plan a winter holiday or spring break trip – know that if it’s a coveted spot, availability may already be tight. It’s important to get started soon for the best and most options.

Our family is still in summer mode – going to outdoor concerts, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, paddleboarding and outside BBQs with friends. I plan to keep summer going for as long as possible! With two kids to take to college next week, soon our house will be quiet. I’m unsure how I am going to handle this new phase.

In addition to golfing on a picture perfect NH day, I went mountain biking on another sunny day, but after a huge storm the night before – and was covered in mud after my ride. It was worth it!

Last week’s most popular article was How to use the 5-4-3-2-1 method to nail holiday packing every time.

This week’s inspirational articles include how you can witness rhino conservation in action, Time’s world’s greatest places, new hotels with easy access to the national parks, luxury travel’s hottest new trend and others on Sardinia, Sorrento, Sicily, Monaco, South Korea, Brazil and the Orient Express.

The informational articles include how to be more spontaneous as a busy adult, how tight is too tight for a layover, avoiding rental car toll fees and how travel insurance can and can’t help.

Where do you want to go next?

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s highlight – Casa de Chá da Boa Nova
Where to Next? The Fontenay
Articles to Inspire+Inform

CASA DE CHÁ DA BOA NOVA

“The magic of Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, starts with the setting.

It is so close to the water it is essentially IN it, or, at least, it is on the rocks right along the shoreline, as though it were somehow a boat run aground.

The building itself feels like a boat. Everything from the design to the nautical uniforms of the staff to the dishes that are infused with the sea – it is like being on a ship, but without the rocking.

Everything about the meal — you have your choice of three tasting menus, (which, if memory serves were 6, 12 or 21 courses) — is beautifully choreographed. The service is perfect, the presentation both artistic and mouth watering, and while it is a meal and a performance at the same time, the theatrics are never done at the expense of the food.

My favorite was the bread, which was made on our table. It was a seaweed bread, and the yeast was added to the contents of a glass tube which in turn was placed in a container of warm water. It rose while we ate our appetizers. Then the resulting dough was placed in a small stone “oven” which also sat on the table and did its work until it yielded its perfectly baked loaf of salty yeastiness.”

“The food just kept coming, each dish more unpredictable and more perfect than the last. It is almost impossible to describe, but the memories are indelible and will last a lifetime.”

The above description is courtesy of my talented client, Lisa Belkin. We planned her adventure to Barcelona, Porto, the Duoro Valley and Lisbon earlier this summer.

I knew she was most looking forward to dining in this restaurant so I asked her to share some details. Lucky for me she is an incredible journalist and author, so I simply included what she wrote with no edits.

If you are looking for a new summer read, her most recent book is Genealogy of a Murder: Four Generations, Three Families, One Fateful Night. You can see her books here.

Casa de Chá da Boa Nova has 2 Michelin stars and I love this quote in the Guide “Rarely is the concept of “bringing the sea to your table” more apt or authentic than at this restaurant where the waves almost break in the dining room!”

The building was originally built as a tea house (= Casa de Chá in Portuguese) following a competition held in 1956, which was won by architect Fernando Távora. After choosing the site on the rocks overlooking the sea, he handed the project to one of his junior architects who created the building.

Eating in a notable historic site, with spectacular views on the water, a killer sunset and a tasting menu so beautifully prepared is an experience you must put on your list for your next trip to Portugal!

📷 Lisa Belkin
📷 Casa de Chá da Boa Nova

🌟 Last month, our clients traveled to Germany, Switzerland and England. While in Hamburg, they went to the European Soccer Championship and stayed at The Fontenay. Just before their arrival, we found out the teams’ players were also staying at The Fontenay, adding to the excitement of attending a soccer game in Europe!

Why is The Fontenay so special?

The Fontenay is a resort hotel in Germany’s largest waterfront city. The lake and surrounding park make you feel like you are spending time in nature, although the city center is only a short walk away.
The rooftop terrace bar overlooks Hamburg with 320° views of the lake and skyline.
Enjoy the dinner experience at the 2-star Michelin restaurant Lakeside. Chef Julian Stowasser, blends international inspiration with his French roots.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Enjoy swimming in the 65 foot long indoor and outdoor heated pool. Alster Lake and the infinity pool seem to form a common waterline on the rooftop of the hotel.
Borrow the hotel’s e-bikes and discover Hamburg on your own or with a guide.
Jog or walk the 5-mile route around Alster Lake.

‼️ Don’t miss…. visiting the Elbphilharmonie, an architectural marvel and world-class concert hall. Located in the HafenCity quarter, this iconic building offers stunning views of the city and the harbor from its Plaza viewing platform. Attending a concert is a must, due to the venue’s exceptional acoustics and design.