When in Athens

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the Messenger of the Gods. Among other things he protects and takes care of all travelers.

It would only be appropriate then to visit the Hermes boutique at Athens International Airport prior to returning home after your August holiday spent on the Aegean Sea.  

Before diving into the attractiveness of row upon row of silk and leather know-how gird your loins with top drawer spanakopita and Nescafe at "Travel for Everest" cafe just outside the Hermes boutique in the Main Terminal #62.

Once inside Hermes you'll find the famously anticipated collection of the finest silk scarves, ties, leather accessories, watches and perfumes.  What you'll also find inside here is the inimitable, abiding Greek hospitality.  Ask for Natalie.  She will spend a most charitable amount of time showing you how to style and tie your scarfs into innumerable fashions. Never mind if your arrive with said scarves on your person...no purchase required for this lovely hospitality so emblematic of the Greek culture.

h the finest silk scarves, ties, leather accessories, watches and perfumes

Once on board as you sip your first of many Claret in a feeble attempt to dull the pain of your first few hours outside the comfort of an umbrella-shaded sun bed you'll surely take comfort swathed in l'ailes d' Hermes.  Everyone knows Hermes often helped travelers have a safe and easy journey which is the very reason why many Greeks (and now you of course) always sacrifice to Hermes before any trip.  

Great With Casual Salted Snacks

Unlike most French aperitifs, Kina Lillet was perceived by Americans as eminently drinkable on its own and remained well established throughout the 20th century.  Sales were boasted by several of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels, which featured Lillet in its traditional role as an aperitif and as the primary component of the Vesper, Bond's favored cocktail.  (it called for three measures gin, one measure vodka and a half measure of Lillet, shaken and served with a twist.)

But let's be honest...the best thing about Lillet is that both the rouge and blanc are great with casual salted snacks of all sorts-olives, nuts, even a proper potato chip!  Lillet blanc also does wonders for blue cheese or prosciutto with melon.

Some winemaking pursuits, it seems, are more inspired than others! 

L’apéro!

When was the last time you had a Dubbonet on ice? A refreshing splash of Lillet? A bittersweet Suze or decadent absinthe? These traditional aperitifs are so retro they're practically nouveau. With warm weather on the way, it's a great time to indulge in the convivial heure de l'apero. All you need is some glasses, ice cubes, good friends-and the background and tips we'll provide this week.

Let's start with Dubonnet!

With a mix of botanicals that were originally designed to mask the extremely bitter taste of quinine Dubonnet was created by a Parisian chemist-the carefully guarded recipe includes coffee beans, Provencal herbs and citrus.

Pair with a lovely Spanish ham, particularly Seranno which plays off Dubonnet's richness.

The Warm Hospitality of a Multilingual European Trained Staff

http://www.malibubeachinn.com/

Perhaps your nanny is demanding full benefits. Or you've recently learned that you weren't the highest bidder for the Johannes Bosboom's "Rouen, le quai de Paris" you were convinced you couldn't complete the shore house without. Whatever has you under the weather get thee to the sun-kissed setting of lunch al fresco at the Malibu Beach Inn.

After a recent multi-million dollar renovation spending an afternoon soaking in the sun, enjoying the company of your best pal, a crisp Brander Sauvignon Blanc in hand, nibbling on the freshest of fresh crab cakes known to man and the tumbling Pacific surf of the ultra-exclusive Carbon Beach below you too will feel like you've had a multi-million dollar renovation and will depart ready to face the reality that lies beyond 22878 Pacific Coast Highway.

Malibu Beach Inn

22878 Pacific Coast Highway

Malibu, CA 92065

(310) 456-6444

*Reservations suggested

French Revolution

http://www.cazes-rivesaltes.com/

Forget populist rage and the oppressive nature of a monarchical regime. That was passé with the fall of the Bastille and Lehman Brothers.

Today’s French Revolution is taking place between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean, in Rivesaltes. CAZES has become a byword for “pleasure” offering a range of wines that set the table for a substantive social summit.

Surely you’ll soon be opening up the barn at the first signs of Spring where on display will be your appreciation of what this French Revolution can teach us all. Pick up the Le Canon du Maréchal Rose, to serve with fresh asparagas, Rivesaltes Ambré, to serve with foie gras and Rivesaltes Tuilé to serve with aperitif cigars and after dinner fox-trotting, naturally.

A Place in the Sun

http://www.pellicanohotel.com/

"Wake up around ten and have breakfast in your room, brought to you on a tray; or if you are the morning sort you go down to the terrace overlooking the pool. By eleven you are sitting at the pool with your cohorts, rehashing what happened last night; the romances, the wine, the faux pas, any amusing bon mot. You don't have your cell phone, a laptop or an iPod-that would be gauche.

Listen. The birds. The bougainvillea. Nature's stillness. Sweet jasmine."* The glittering pool and glistening Mediterranean.

Il Pellicano

Cala Dei Santi - Località Sbarcatello - 58018 Porto Ercole (Grosseto)
Ph. +39 0564 858111

*copy credit to William Norwich

Bottoms up. Tops off!

Have you ever considered the possibility of skinny-dipping in a moonlit lake? Of course you have and after a few hours under the dappled Como sun flirting with glass after glass after glass of Pinot Bianco and undoubtedly seated next to a mischievous playboy of some note you'll realize anything is possible, even likely.

Tuck yourself into Harry's Bar in Cernobbio and if you're lucky you'll manage to carry out at least five of the seven deadly sins before sundown.

Harry's Bar

1 Piazza Risorgimento

Cernobbio. 39-031-334-7057