Monica Mendal x OUTLIERS
MEET monica
Monica Mendal is a writer, editor and brand consultant focusing on travel and lifestyle. She is the editor-at-large for Prior and contributes regularly to Vogue, T New York Times Style, New York Magazine, Architectural Digest, and more. Previously, Monica was a fashion editor at Condé Nast Publications, such as Vogue, GQ and Glamour.
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MEMORABLE TRIPS
Lanzarote, Spain
Trancoso, Brazil
La Camargue, France
Île d’Yeu, France
Archachon and Cap Ferret, France
Lanzarote
I think my trip to Lanzarote in Spain's Canary Islands was so memorable because it was unexpected. The island is more unique and evolved than I had anticipated. I've always been inspired by the wild landscapes of volcanic islands (and the wine that the mineral-rich soil often produces!) but Lanzarote is so dynamic that it caught me by surprise.
Beyond the bewitching beauty of its other-worldly landscape and all of the beautiful beaches for swim and surf (Famara is my favorite and it's worth taking a ferry to La Graciosa), there are so many fabulous little boutique hotels, a burgeoning creative community, ceramics to bring back home, and of course the legacy of Cesar Manrique reflected all throughout the island. There is truly nowhere else like it.
I wrote about it for Vogue here.
TRANCOSo
I love Brazil. I love the energy, the people, the music, the food– everything! My trip to Bahia was particularly memorable as I went for New Years with friends many years ago and spent a week in Trancoso, a remote and unspoiled bohemian town anchored by its grassy town square with its white church and colorful houses. We spent the nights dancing into the morning, exploring the surrounding beaches and towns, like Caraiva, eating home cooked lunches served by locals in their homes– it was just pure joy.
I wrote about it for Vogue here.
LA CAMARGUE
Just 20 minutes south of Arles in Provence, it’s a really cool town located on the largest river delta in Europe. It has a rich cultural heritage, home to the French cowboys, known as gardians, and scenic landscape where you'll find its majestic white horses, bulls and pink flamingos.
I got to check out the new hotel Les Bains Gardians this summer which was amazing.
I wrote about the hotel for Vogue here
CAP FERRET
In southwestern France, a short drive from BORDEAUX (I love this city! It's like Paris by the sea!) you reach ARCACHON and CAP FERRET where you can spend days on the Arcachon Bay visiting all of the "cabanes de dégustation" or oyster tasting restaurants... more like shacks!
I wrote about it for New York Magazine here.
ÎLE D’YEU
Having grown up in New England, I don't mind the cooler water of the Atlantic; in fact, sometimes I crave it (especially given how much hotter summers have gotten due to global warming). When I discovered Île d'Yeu, a small, simple island off the Vendée coast of western France in the Loire department, I was in love!
This place is packed with charms: the unassuming beauty of Atlantic beaches, cute little whitewashed villages with colorful doors and shutters and that feeling of summer's simplicity that we so often forget is within our reach.
I wrote about it for Prior here!
FAVOURITE HOTELS
This is always an impossible question for me to answer because I have so many for so many different reasons, but here are some favorites!
Forestis Dolomites — Bressanone, Italy
Hotel du Couvent — Nice, France
Casa de Perainda — Trancoso, Brazil
Pagostas — Patmos, Greece
Posada del Faro — José Ignacio, Uruguay
Gritti Palace — Venice, Italy
Forestis Dolomites
For a taste of luxury– and I mean that in every sense of the word here– Forestis is up there for me. The rooms are designed with admirable restraint, the staff is young, spirited and professional, the spa is probably the best spa I've ever been to in my life (!!!) and the amphitheatre-shaped dining room is– well, chef's kiss!
Bressanone, Italy
Hotel du Couvent
Quickly becoming one of my favorites. It just opened this summer in the heart of old Nice, and what a masterpiece. Set in an old convent, the hotel is grand but not imposing, the design is sumptuous but warm and comfortable. The restaurants on property are fantastic, as is the service. The pool is discreetly situated just above the garden and features incredible views overlooking the city towards the sea.
Nice, France
Casa de Perainda
This bohemian boutique stay located just five-minutes from the quadrado, has to be one of my favorites. It's run by a lovely couple, Virgilio and Alexandre, who make you feel like you're a guest in their home. Breakfasts are served at the same time every morning on a long communal table where you get to know the other guests. It's such a warm feeling and really encapsulates the spirit of travel for me.
Trancoso, Brazil
Pagostas
In Patmos, I love staying at the three-bedroom guest house Pagostas in Chora. Gregoris, Maria and Poppy are such welcoming hosts and make guests feel so taken care of! The spaces are so serene and beautiful and sunset drinks on the roof can't be beat.
Patmos, Greece
Posada del Faro
This is a very low-key, intimate stay within walking distance from everywhere you want to go in José Ignacio. It's beautiful, airy, simple and feels like a home, which is especially reflected through the honesty bar located in the living room and breakfasts that are served anywhere, anytime. Bikes are also provided for guests to get around! It's completely fuss-free and in a place like José Ignacio, it's exactly what you're looking for.
José Ignacio, Uruguay
Gritti Palace
Just a classic! Glamorous, elegant, cinematic, and totally worth the splurge.
Venice, Italy
TRAVEL WISH LIST
SRI LANKA — I'm dying to visit Sri Lanka, specifically its southern coast as I've noticed a ton of creative energy brimming there right now. I'm also a huge fan of the late, great architect Geoffrey Bawa so that too!
ALASKA — There is so much beauty to discover in Alaska and as one of the fastest-warming states, I'm dying to see it in all its glory before it's too late :(
NORWAY — I've never had the opportunity to visit Norway (or much of Northern Europe, for that matter). I'm particularly interested in seeing the northern lights in Tromsø, visiting Oslo and the Lofoten Islands, as well as Bergen and the western fjords!