Artist Barbara Sansoni launched the brand Barefoot 40 years ago to showcase the island's master textile weavers. Stop by the Galle Road store (it's also a gallery and café) to browse colorful sarongs, scarves, table linens, and shoes. 706 Galle Rd., Colombo 3, 94/(0) 11-258-9305. Photo by Dominic Sansoni/Three Blind Men. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.
If you want to get away from the crowds in Santorini, try Megalochori - one of the prettiest, quietest little villages on the island. The town's location further inland, away from the caldera cliffs, removes it from the typical tourist itinerary. A beautiful bell-tower archway frames the entrance as you drive into town, which is easily accessible by a short car, taxi or bus ride from any part of Santorini. Megalochori features a maze of extremely narrow cobblestone streets passing by hundreds of traditional white-washed houses and churches with accents of bright blue. Let yourself get lost. At the the center of Megalochori is a sleepy town square, with two tavernas and bougainvillea-covered patios. Sit in the welcome shade and order a vibrantly-hued Santorini tomato salad, grilled souvlaki and sesame & honey-coated feta. Try Restaurant Raki (above) in the town square, where the locals go. (Live Greek music at night.) And since Megalochori is the heart of Santorini's wine industry, be sure to visit a winery, where you can meet the local vintners and sample their goods. If you are looking for a very quiet village and a low-key, relaxing day, this is a wonderful place to visit. Sometimes a really lazy day is just what the doctor ordered. www.santorini.com/villages/megalochorivillage.htm
One of the best flea markets that I have ever been to (and I've been to many) is the one in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. What I found as very usual to start with is that everybody seems to be able to set up a table or throw down a drop cloth and set up their 'store' in order to sell whatever they have, including things they look like they found around their houses. Georgia borders Russia and was once a part of the USSR, so there is a lot of Soviet era memorabilia for sale, including Soveit military hats and all kinds of military medals. Another part of the market, in the small park, is an artists market where artists sell their very impressive paintings and sculptures at very reasonable prices..
Visiting Karachi, I try to focus on people who are resilient in the face of numerous challenges. This beautiful and colorful fruit shop amidst of all the hustle and bustle transported me instantly to a calm and peaceful place. Sun was just setting and lights were glowing when I asked this young man to let me photograph his shop.
The Alameda Antiques experience is such a cool way to spend the morning of your first Sunday of any month on the calendar year. It's the largest show in Northern California and it has over 800 dealer booths that are selling items at least 20 years old. Depending on how early you come, the entrance fee per person will change. If you're there at opening hours 6 AM to 7:30 AM, it'll be $15 a person (cash) to get in. If you arrive between 7:30 AM and 9 AM it's $10 and from 9 AM to 3 PM it's only $5. It's tiered this way because the 'getting is good'/better in the earlier hours when the most sought after, big finds are still available. If it's a sunny day, bring a hat or some sunscreen. Make sure you've had some coffee and a bit of breakfast and be sure to have cash if you're seriously looking to shop. The people watching is as good as the antiques and there are some fabulous food carts when your blood sugar starts to dip towards dangerous levels. If you're a photographer, it's a great way to spend the morning inspired by the people and the prizes. If you're looking for that dream dining room table, bedroom night stand or vintage suitcase, you're in the right spot. Be sure to explore the official website for loads of parking, shuttle and logistics. Start a month off right in the Bay Area with a trip to the Alameda Antiques Faire!
The English Market is Ireland's most famous covered food market, and is heaven for anyone who loves food. You can wander the market and ogle the fresh fish piled up in shining stacks, or the colorful iced pastries, or the sausages or the cheese or the organic fruit or the olives or oatmal or pasta. Etc, I bought a corned beef and cheddar cheese sandwich and ginger beer at The Sandwich Stall and a bakewell at M.K. Cakes and took it all outside to a park across the street. There, I sat on a bench and ate it. Come with a lot of time to wander, and come hungry.
It doesn't take long for a visitor to realize that most of Toronto's activities focus around eating and drinking. A visitor may also notice the stark architecture that doesn't seem to work well with each other but rather compete for space in the sky while many of Toronto's older buildings aren't showcased like in Vancouver or Quebec City and are hidden in the towering shadows. It was a relief to have discovered Toronto's Distillery District with the use of my Afar.com app which also helped me weave myself from my Westin Harbour Castle Hotel to unique Toronto spots highlighted on Afar.com. At the Distillery District within these reclaimed industrial buildings you'll find vintage shops, many patios serving beer and wine in the sun and specialty stores featuring chocolate, coffee, house wares and even a leather shaped rhino that can be used as a stool or makeshift desk. Each building also has the year it was built written upon a plaque hung on the exterior and an explanation of what the building's original purpose was. Wander around or go for a distillery tour. Be sure to walk in any door you're unsure of, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Every summer in northeast Italy, the village of Forni Avoltri hosts the Festa dei Frutti di Bosco. For two weekends, the festival celebrates the wild berries that are plentiful in the surrounding forested mountains. On the far side of town across the Degano River, carnival rides attract flocks of children and countless craft booths sell everything from jewelry to woodworking to dried flowers. Most enticing, though, is the festival’s elaborate spread of sweets. Food stands serve up crêpes, biscotti, and frittelle (fritters), with the biggest tent of all holding a vast display of berry-themed desserts. There are cakes and pies of all shapes and sizes, from jellyrolls to fruit-studded tarts, all featuring strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and currants. To cap off the festival, a parade takes visitors on a journey back to medieval times. Dressed in velvet gowns and brocade tunics and brandishing faux swords and shields, townspeople march through the streets accompanied by a band of drummers and minstrels.
Alphonse Mucha, one of the most famous artists of the Art Deco period hailed from Prague, and his influence remains visible all over the city. The Smetana Hall is an exquisite architectural example of the decadence of Deco. Even if you don't get tickets to the symphony, it's worth it to explore the building and marvel at the architecture. There's even a little shop inside with beautiful replica (and some real) Art Deco jewelry. Mucha's legacy can also be seen in several of the beautiful stained glass windows at the Castle, and in numerous signs and advertisements around the city as well. Every bookstore and souvenir shop has magnets, postcards, and art books featuring Mucha's work, if you want to take an Art Deco memory home with you. I suggest tossing out the map and getting lost in the streets around old town and seeing what Art Deco surprises you can find. It worked for me.
Saturdays in Utrecht, stroll through rows and rows of potted plants and brightly colored blooms in Janskerkhof plaza, and then make your way to Oude Gracht (the old canal) and shop for a bouquet to brighten up your apartment or hotel room. Big bunches of roses and tulips seem ridiculously cheap when compared to the cost of buying flowers elsewhere-- 5 euros will easily get you something gorgeous and fresh. Note: Depending on where you fly home to, purchasing and importing live plants or seeds may be illegal. Check it out ahead of time to avoid the heart-break and hassle when you're forced to leave your living souvenir behind, and pay a fee besides.
Kapital is a really cool clothing chain known for its denim. They have two shops in Roppongi Hills—Kapital Duffle and Kapital Legs. I always pick up tabi, these handmade split-toe socks. They are split between the big toe and other toes and are very comfy. —David Myers This appeared in the May 2013 issue.
Dubai is the modern-day mekka for savvy shoppers. Your craving for luxury brands can be satisfied at the world's largest Dubai Mall or the Mall of the Emirates. For a more authentic experience, choose the centuries-old Deira souks instead. Deira Old Souk is Dubai's largest and oldest market. Its narrow alleyways are full of treasures: traditional spices, textiles, and souvenirs trade side by side with Chinese electronics and plastic toys. Spend the afternoon hiding from the sun in this chaotic mix of the old and the new, the useless and the desired. Spend a few dirhams, or spend nothing at all - your treasure chest of experiences is guaranteed to be filled. Getting there: exit at al Ras metro station, then zigzag through the streets until Dubai Creek is at your feet.
Public art found across the street from Powell's. Powell's bookstore, a three story bookstore that covers a city block, marks the entrance to The Pearl District, a former warehouse neighborhood, transformed into chic loft apartments, shops, bars and restaurants.
Chiang Mai: a city filled with creativity, craftsmanship and curry. A visit to Chiang Mai isn’t complete without getting your fill of all three. A hankering for curry is an easy fix; you can easily satiate your hunger for gigantic, fiery bowls at any restaurant a stone’s throw away. Or you can make your own bowl of khao soi or hang ley at one of the many cooking schools in town, such as the Baan Thai Cookery School. While you are going from one curry fix to the next, be sure to appreciate the fine craftsmanship and creativity of the architecture surrounding you. The city is filled with beautiful temples; the Wat Chedi Luang was perhaps one of the most impressive and is particularly stunning at dusk. To experience creativity and craftsmanship in action, look no further than the Sa Paper and Umbrella Handicraft Market, a short drive outside of Chiang Mai. Touring through the market you can watch all stages of umbrella making, from the forming of the wooden frame to the final stage when the delicate illustrations are painted. Of course the gift shop next to the workshop is filled with beautiful finished products for sale. And let’s be honest, a handmade and custom painted umbrella would be a better souvenir than the ill-fitting “Singha Beer” t-shirt that everyone else bought. Even if you have no interest in buying an umbrella, or umbrellas in general, be sure to stop by and admire the skill and creativity of the ladies at the Sa Handicraft Market.
I absolutely loved the houses in Urk. Very charming. You can take pictures, people do not mind it, they are nice and welcoming and the thing that impressed me the most is the everybody says Hello to you.
A romantic garden built around 1853 and organized around a large octagonal lake with a fountain. In its basement, you can visit the Patriarchal Reservoir, designed in 1856 by the French Mary, engineer inspector of Seine’s department. Families with kids playing in the playground, old men playing cards, and couples sit in the shade of the old cypress with more than 100 years, being a spot to visit. If you drop by on a Saturday morning, you will be able to shop fresh fruit and vegetables at Biological Products Market and on last Saturday and Monday of the month, the Urban Craft Fair takes place. After shopping, relax at the esplanade or at the Refreshments’ Kiosk, these Kiosks are being reopened in all Lisbon.
WAY more quaint than Queenstown, this nearby 19th century mining town is the place to buy clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, etc.
On a recent trip to San Francisco I stopped at Four barrel for a cup of Kenyan and to check out the setup. The line was too the door, but moves quickly. The pour over bar near the entrance was a good place to slow down and watch the process and learn about the coffee. On the other side of the bar was the roaster where you could watch the green coffee transformed.
Urk is a charming little fishing village in the Flevoland region. A must see as it is one of the most traditional villages in Netherlands. It's not a tourist destination at all, we were probably the only ones there, at that time. Restaurant prices are great and the food is excellent. One must try the fish when in a fishing village. There are no hotels in Urk but there are people who rent out rooms.
Kilo Fascion, an experiment in shopping, is unique to say the least. Designers sell past seasons clothes, bags and accessories by the kilo! Yes, like buying produce at the grocery store, you pick out what you want and put it on a scale at the register. You may have to be lucky to find something you love and if you do, you're limited to 10 items and the price per gram varies. This shop is worth a visit just for the foreign retail experience.
Distinct in style and concept, 10 Corso Como curates artistic boutique experiences. Part gallery, museum, retail and dining– the complex balances contemporary art and functional shopping. While a modern space, it's far from stark. The classic Italian structure is adorned with mosaics and cascading vines that make it cheerful and comfortable– very Milanese. After browsing the shops, head up to the garden cafe where you can enjoy afternoon tea surrounded by seasonal flowers.
This museum is in Aljustrel, the little hamlet where Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia ( the seers at the Fatima miracle) were born and lived. The museum is set in one of the houses on the same street where the children's homes are located. Several scenes are set up and depict life in the area in the late 19th century and well into the 20th century. There is information available about the site and the village and its residents. I feel that this museum is an informative attraction and has great historical significance. It gives you a feel for Fatima and its miracle. You can almost experience the manner in which the three children lived from day to day in 1917. You are immersed in the lives and every day activities and hardships of the village residents. The museum is small but very well done. When I first traveled to Aljustrel, I visited the children's homes and there was not much else. Today there are shops with handicrafts and souvenirs of the Fatima story. Even though the place gets busloads of tourists, there is a serene air about it and its residents. The hamlet is "spruced up" compared to what it looked like in the 70's but it's O.K. I liked it better in its original state. A stop in Aljustrel is a must for those who want to really experience the story of Fatima. From the Cova da Iria, it is 3km. to Aljustrel. Follow the signs or ask at a hotel desk.
One of the first commercial buildings in Portugal that uses two kinds of material characteristic in Europe in the second half of XIX century: iron and glass. The project was developed by the architect Emiliano Augusto de Bettencourt and it was inaugurated on the 7th October 1877. At the beginning, it was used for fresh food sale; nowadays in the central area of the market, there is a Center for Culinary Arts and at the side stores you can find different types of crafts, antiques, and also some eateries. The market is near S. Vicente de Fora Church and also Santa Engrácia Church (more known as National Pantheon). There is a small park in front with a kiosk where you can seat and enjoy the river views. Also on Tuesdays and Saturdays, the Ladra Fair takes place, just some meters from the market.
As you stroll along 5th Avenue with dinner and drink specials thrown at you back and forth, you might glance and spot aged and tethered hands delicately rolling cigars, or cigarillos. You walk into the shop enticed and curious. The ceiling is invisible due to the abundant amount of tobacco leaves hanging and drying for another day. You're pulled into the back room by a friendly staff member where she shows you the empty, label less boxes, the labels they use to make the boxes, and the bags filled with tobacco leaves that are the size of barrels, if not wider. The Cigar Factory off of 5th Avenue is a tiny "how to" cigar shop with friendly and knowledgeable staff that are eager to show you around. Even if you're not a cigar smoker, the shop is a tiny cigar museum where you can see what it takes to make them. All cigars are hand made on the premises and there are two tables where you can observe staff rolling, the tiny one outside, and the bigger one inside. The owner is an older gentleman that has a fantastic sense of humor and likes to give young 20 somethings deals on cigars for their Godfathers. Tip: Cubans can be bought here but they're not made at the shop. I'm not familiar with what qualifies as "good quality" when speaking on terms of cigars, but either way, the shop is a fun little detour.
“Get out. Go. I won’t sell to you,” cried the shopkeeper, waving his hands. I exited, down the steps. Twice. Each time, the man ran after me, entreating: “Come back, come back.” After two hours, I owned a 2’x3’ Berber carpet. That was in 1972. For a student traveling on $5 a day, the $75 price was rich. Forty years later, I returned to Marrakech. I knew I would buy another carpet. Did the shop still exist? Could I find it? Wandering Souk Semmarine, I spot something familiar: concrete steps leading up into a shop, the only one with steps. My heart pounds with excitement as I recount my story, in French, to the owner of Aux Merveilles de Marrakech. Throwing his head back with a laugh, Saïd exclaims: “Oh, that was grandfather! We don’t do business like that any more. Everybody friend. Big discount.” Perusing the copious stacks of woven art, my wife and I pull several aside. “How much?" Grimacing solemnly at Saïd’s reply, I declare in carefully rehearsed Arabic: “Your carpets are very expensive.” “Big discount for friends. Hillary Clinton bought here,” retorts Saïd, and the haggling continues. In Morocco it is customary to conduct business over mint tea. My wife protests, leery of drinking local water. Saïd claps his hands. A helper rushes out of the shop, returning with bottled water. Impasse resolved. We are soon drinking tea, and complete our purchase of four exquisite tribal carpets.
I was happy to find a very nice, old bookstore just outside the grand bazaar in Izmir. I always look for unique bookstores when traveling because I love the smell, love to look around and also am continuing my quest to find an Ernest Hemingway book in every possible language.
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