If you were lucky enough to have a friend who loaned you her house in Italy, your lazy and pizza-filled life would look like this. When Los Angeles food writer Carolynn Carreno was offered a chefs house in Umbria, she jumped.UMBRIA, Italy – For the last few years, I have had the luxury of having a friend whose house in the Umbrian countryside sits vacant most of the time. For years, when I talked about wanting to get away, Nancy would tell

An Italian raised in Paris who now splits her time between Los Angeles and Brooklyn, celebrity stylist and co-owner of Confederacy Ilaria Urbinati fuels her obsession with Americana through country music, back issues of Cottage Living, and long weekends spent exploring the nation. She recently checked Maine off her must-see list. CAMDEN, Maine – In Maine, everyone is from away unless their family has been there for generation

On road trip through Scandinavia, Katerina Alm of Trail of Crumbs (one of Fathoms 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites) spends a weekend of feasting in Charlottenlund, a small seaside town in Denmark.CHARLOTTENLUND, Denmark – Upon receiving invitations for two weddings in Sweden that happened to fall on consecutive weekends, a Scandic road trip was in order. The idea was to drive from Germany up to Öland, the second largest island in Sweden, t

Who knew New York City was so golfy? Its courses are on par (so to speak) with the best around Los Angeles and those worth the journey around the United States.A Course Not to Be RushedVan Cortlandt Golf Course, North BronxThe Lowdown: The oldest public course in the United States is a mere subway ride from Manhattan. Known as Vanny to regulars, the home course of NYCs elite is great for those looking to escape from the city and r

Tee off at the best places around the United States. (And dont miss our Los Angeles and New York City golf guides.)A Once-in-a-Lifetime CoursePebble Beach GolfPebble Beach, CaliforniaThe Lowdown: What hasnt already been said about Pebble Beach? Impressive views, a legendary course, a stunning location. For those making a journey, its the place to be.Caddie Tip: With thick rough and fast greens, the course is meant for skilled play

Brooklyn-based garden writer Katie Mendelson took advantage of a long weekend to get a nature fix in Northern California. She ate, she hiked, she cant wait to go back.Was it your first time? I had driven through on a family road trip up the coast of California when I was a teenager. But even though I remembered the scenery, I really had no idea how dreamy it was. So basically, yes.How long were you there? Three days.Who were you with? My bo

Were all for shipping off to far-flung places. But theres something very satisfying about exploring your own backyard. San Francisco-based writer, blogger, and locavore adventurer Meg Taylor leads the way to Santa Cruz.SANTA CRUZ – Its time for that summer getaway youve been needing but barely have time to plan. If you live in San Francisco, you can find your escape with a day trip to Santa Cruz. The best part about this quick California ro

Fashion and art rep George Miscamble usually runs around with NYCs stylish set, but it never occurred to him to drive. Once he got his license, he took the wheel and headed west.Just back from: Philipsburg, Montana. So, what brought you to Philipsburg? I recently read the journals of Lewis and Clark and was inspired to start my own westward expansion.Was it your first time? Yes, first time in Montana. I hope to go back often.What

Ibiza may get all the attention, but Formentera, the beautiful — and less chaotic — Balearic Island next door, is poised to steal the spotlight. London-based globetrotter Malika Dalamal checks in.FORMENTERA, Spain – Most people who visit Ibiza will tell you the best part of their holiday was a day trip to the neighboring Balearic island of Formentera. So why not just go directly there?Because, until rece

MONTECITO, California – Stories of Spanish soliders and Hollywood legends pack a whole lot of lore into a long weekend in the fabled costal town just south of Santa Barbara.WHERE TO STAYMontecito Inn1295 Coast Village Rd.; +1-805-969-7854Built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin as a refuge for Hollywood types, the mid-size hotel is cozy and convinient.  San Ysidro Ranch900 San Ysidro Ln.; +1-805-565-1700An idyllic destination for lovebirds thr

The remote Italian island may have high celebrity appeal, but otherwise its the anti-Capri.PANTELLERIA, Italy – Somewhere in between Sicily and Tunisia, theres an obscure Italian island of black rock and caperberries, where youd really only go to drop a dead body or hide from real life. Its called Pantelleria, and I just spent a week there wondering what in the world was (rather, was not) going on.Its not that Pantelleria is boring. Wi

Who wants a good ghost story?MURPHYS, California – Who doesnt love a good ghost story? Especially around this time of year. But what about sleeping with ghosts? On a recent excursion to Murphys, one of Californias former Gold Rush towns, I got to spend the night with many ghosts at Murphys Historic Hotel, including Mark Twains.If those walls at this 1856 hotel could talk.Oh wait. They do. Murphys Historic Hotels most frequent phantom,

We sent Kate Donnelly to Belize and Francis Ford Coppolas awesome Blancaneaux Lodge. Not surprisingly, it was a holiday straight out of a movie.CAYO DISTRICT, Belize – Theres something special in the air at Blancaneaux Lodge, Francis Ford Coppolas magically remote, secluded oasis, situated on 70 acres in the northwest corner of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belizes Cayo District. Its the warm familiarity you feel visiting be

Party planner extraordinaire Julia Lake grew up in Napa Valley. Who better to tell us whats fun, beautiful, delicious, scenic, Valleytastic, and worth a detour?THE SCENENapa Valley is part fancy, part country. I guess Id call it rustic chic, though every year it becomes increasingly more stylish. I havent decided if thats a good thing. At heart, its a small community of laid-back people who appreciate good food, good wine, and good weather.

When Fathom founder Pavia Rosati went to Istria in Croatia in early summer, she liked what she saw: charming old hill towns, rocky coves for swimming, lovely people, tranquil landscapes, incredible food. This place wont stay a secret for long.ISTRIA, Croatia – Italy had better not go to Croatia, because its going to get jealous. Especially along the Adriatic Coast in Istria. This is what Italy should be.And, yes, for much of history Istria

Last week we had a cup of hibiscus tea in downtown Manhattan with Paul Linder, the general manager at COMO Shambhala Estate. A man of clear eyes and extreme calm, his description of life in Bali, the spiritual land of 1,000 gods, would make anyone want to ditch their day job and head for the south Pacific. We figured if anyone knows the best places to go to find moments of Zen around the island, its him, so we asked for his little black boo

This week, were traveling to Bali, inspired by an incredible trip to Ubud were giving away with Como Shambhala Estate, Cathay Pacific Airways, and L-atitude. We asked Lara Dunston and Terence Carter from Grantourismo, one of Fathoms 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites, to show us around this gorgeous corner of Bali. They would know: Ubud is one of the places they lived on their ongoing tour around Asia. UBUD, Bali – Serenely located in l

In an abandoned lot wedged between the almost comically toxic Gowanus Canal and a quiet residential street in Brooklyn, something magical happens every weekend: Mister Sunday, an all-day summer dance party. It may be one of the happiest places on earth. The music kicks off around 3 p.m., and in no time the small dance floor is packed with a multi-racial, multi-class, multi-generational crowd. That may sound like a dreamy urban cliché, but t

You fell in love; you broke your heart. You scored a job; your career is tanking. You won the lottery; youre fleeing the feds.There are so many reasons to run away from it all. And when flight is in order, whatever the reason, you may as well do it in  the most remote, peaceful, and gorgeous locations on the planet.

Capri was the place that Fathom founder Pavia Rosati always loved to loathe. Then she found the right hotel, and she changed her tune.CAPRI, Italy – I used to have the loveliest hate-hate relationship with Capri.It made me so happy. Every time I had to go to Capri (had to), my boat guy would pick me up at the end of the dock at Lo Scoglio and sail me over. Id poke into the grottoes (never the Blue Grotto), check out the stalactites, and div