Oh hai, Hawaii
If the only “Hawaii” you’ve been to is Sanya, you have to check out the real deal. The American archipelago is home to some of the most pristine scenery in the world, from active volcanoes to dramatic cliffs, hiking trails and black sand beaches. It’s always a good time to go to Hawaii, but just in case you need a few extra incentives, this fall is chock-full of events for adrenaline junkies. First up is the Ragnar Overnight Relay Race (October 14-15, 2016), a 200-mile relay that winds through rainforests and lava fields over the course of two days. And then there’s the 42nd Honolulu Marathon (December 11, 2016), which draws more than 30,000 participants every year. There’s no cut off time and no entrant limit, so there’s still time to snag a bib. Rather just hit the beach? Relax in style at one of the newly opened addresses across the archipelago: Four Seasons Resort Oahu and Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki both opened in June 2016.
Need help planning your trip? Visit www.gohawaii.com for inspiration.
Hop to it
Some people shop compulsively for shoes and clothes – I shop for flights. A couple of months ago, I came upon an app that, for better or worse, enables my addiction. It’s called Hopper – an airfare prediction app that essentially tracks your wish list of flights to let you know whether you’re getting an awesome deal, a normal rate or a total rip off. The app also recommends how to adjust the trip in order to save money, maybe leaving one day earlier or flying into a nearby airport. One of my favorite features is the watch list, where you plug in your go-to destinations and Hopper tracks the prices and alerts you when it’s a good time to pull the trigger. So while I still buy flights compulsively, at least with this app, I am more likely to snag a good deal.
London Calling
What? Yet another amazing restaurant in London? Yeah, okay, this is not news… but Rubedo is worth a special trip. On a recent trip to visit friends, I stumbled upon Rubedo, a tiny gem in the charming North London village of Stoke Newington. It’s owned by two Italians and co-founder Federico Carafoli has a PhD in molecular biology – but don’t worry, there’s nothing pretentious about this quaint bistro. The food is fresh and homey, with a short list of daily dishes that rotates depending on what the farmers’ market has that morning. One of the highlights is the natural wine selection, which is nothing new to Europeans, but is all the rage in London at the moment. No joke, Carafoli’s chemistry thesis was on the antioxidant properties of the polyphenols present in wine – you can bet that these guys are serious. Even with an encyclopedic oenophile at the helm, the prices are reasonable and the service as friendly as they come.
35 Church St., Stoke Newington, N16 0NX, www.rubedolondon.com.