Vacanza? per favore?!

Feeling settled and nestled in the year, I would like to bottle some of the calm and drink it in, in a different place. One where you float through the days, close your eyes in the bright light, drift into darkness surrounded by quiet and open your eyes again when it's clean and serene.

The Riva, Florence might just be the place. A melting pot experiment fusing tastes, sense, lifestyle and the experience of Claudio Nardi and his daughter Alice make The Riva a home that is a mix of constantly evolving influences. Filled with a mixture of materials, furnishings, contemporary architectural detail and antique objects, The Riva is claimed as a 'cross-sectional landscape for curious minds'.

8 studios - each with hidden away entrances and built differently. Some with private terraces, gardens, or views of the surrounding areas. Some with furnishings that are deep and warm, others that are neutral and cool. All with access to the metaphysical swimming pool set in white sandstone that sinks into the private garden - what looks to be my favourite part of them all - the places to sink deeper and deeper and be reborn afresh.

RIVA LOFTS FLORENCE
Via Baccio Bandinelli 98, 50142 Florence
P: +39 055 7130272
E: info@rivalofts.com

Topless Serenity

I live a content, guiltless life.

I love my friends and being able to spend endless amounts of guiltless time - drinking wine, or listening to the quiet lap of water against the edge of a pool - while sunning with them.
I love wandering in my own little universe.
I love being able to wear what I want and not worry about someone telling me that I shouldn't wear a fedora, or be the first one up to dance at a party.
I love the beach and being able to take a late night swim with anyone I want.
I love being able to get caught in the heat and crazy feeling of a a moment and wake up entangled in someone elses clean white sheets without feeling terrible that I've committed an ultimate sin.

But then, on the odd occurrence, I feel sad. Sad that those clean white sheets, the heat of those first dances and late night swims, the fedora in the sun, the quite lull of the pool is never with someone I love at hotels like this.

Uxua Casa Hotel sits on a remote stretch of Brazil's Bahina coast, in the sleepy town Trancoso. Tucked gently amongst a secret garden, the Casas range of fisherman houses, made from traditional building methods and recycled organic materials hide extensive attention to detail - making it one of the most luxurious places to holiday in the world. King sized beds, Jacuzzis, private plunge pools - this is a dream. And while I want to share it with you - I think I'd like to share it with someone else more.

And if you have any doubt about how beautiful this location is... get in touch with Terry Richardson or his bevy of beauties... that shot the Pirelli 2010 calendar at the resort.