Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Surrender to the rural charm of cobbled streets, quaint cottages and bucolic vistas of dreamy European villages, which double up as hubs for food, nightlife, culture and art.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

It doesn’t get any more picturesque than the Alpine village, does it? St. Moritz, surrounded on all sides by the snow-capped Engadin mountains in the Swiss Alps, has long been considered the playground of the rich and the famous. Bathed in sunlight for more than 300 days of the year, the tiny village truly is one of Europe’s glitziest and most expensive spots. In addition to being a winter sports centre—snowboarding, bobsleighing, ice skating and even snow polo (the Cartier Snow Polo World Cup)—St. Moritz is also a summer sailing destination. Referred to as ‘the top of the world’, owing to its spectacular location, St. Moritz has played host to a number of food, wine, art and music festivals year after year.

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The hills surrounding the village of St. Moritz have a number of walking and hiking trails, which are set amidst the world-famous Swiss landscapes. A particularly stunning trail is the one along the Corviglia Mountain, where lush green plains roll out before you, while the snow-covered alpine peaks loom dramatically over you. A map of hiking and biking trails can be procured from the concierge of your hotel.

Feast

Since St. Moritz is all about la dolce vita, the restaurants take gastronomic decadence to new heights. La Marmite, stunningly situated on one of the highest points in St. Moritz, seduces its diners with lobster, truffles and caviar. The Michelin two star Ecco on Snow perched high above Lake Maggiore, however, is open only in winter—the original Ecco Restaurant on the lake is open in summer with a nouvelle cuisine menu designed by chef Rolf Fliegauf, the youngest to have been awarded the double-star rating.

Siesta

Check in at the lavish Badrutt’s Palace, which is considered to be among Europe’s finest hotels (it even has its very own Nobu) and a favourite among European aristocracy.

Sitges, Spain

Once a sleepy fishing village about 35 kms south of Barcelona, Sitges has now become a boho-chic hotspot, burgeoning with luxury hotels, nudist beaches, organic groceries, trendy boutiques and a picturesque waterfront. Sitges, along with its 17 beaches, has become a favourite weekend getaway for Barcelona’s swish set. The charm of this little village reveals itself as you walk through its labyrinthine, cobbled alleys. Art enthusiasts will love the evident juxtaposition of old Spanish fishing-village constructions alongside Gaudi-style modernist buildings, quirky facades et al.

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A string of millionaires’ mansions dot the waterfront. Interestingly, Sitges is also one of Europe’s most gay-friendly zones. A little known fact is that Sitges’ most famous son is a certain Facundo Bacardi Massò, who left Spanish shores for Cuba, where he invented and perfected what we now refer to as Bacardi rum. Today, the original Casa Bacardi has been converted into a beautiful museum showcasing the rum’s history. The in-house Bacardi bar even organises private and exclusive cocktail-making sessions, where visitors can learn to perfect their rum-based cocktails like Mojito, Cuba Libre and Daiquiri.

Feast

At the azure waters’ edge, you will spot a crowd of sunbathers, nonchalantly sporting couture swimwear and designer tans. And when the sun goes down, the cobbled streets are home to some of the trendiest nightclubs, wine lounges, champagne rooms and tapas bars. Gorge on brie and mushroom tart, beef carpaccio and Catalan tomato bread at Nem, that even serves desserts in tapas style.

Siesta

The uber-luxe Dolce Sitges is one of Europe’s trendiest design hotels, spectacularly located on a cliff. The hotel boasts a stunning sea-facing gym and spa, as well as a gourmet store that sells its own Spanish olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

St. Paul de Vence, France

A short drive away from the opulent yachts, lavish homes and Brigitte Bardot-immortalised beaches of Cannes, Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, is the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence. Perched blissfully in the Alpes-Maritimes mountains, this stone-covered village is a hip and trendy hamlet in an unapologetically ancient avatar.

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Ever since the ’60s and ’70s, when this citadel was frequented by European socialites and business tycoons, St. Paul de Vence has become a hub for modern artists. Iconic Franco-Russian artist Marc Chagall called St. Paul home, while Henri Matisse spent a lot of his time painting here. Today, there are strings of upscale art galleries and thriving artist communities in every cobbled nook and cranny. At the heart of the village lies the Fondation Maeght, one of the best contemporary art museums in the world, with an unparalleled collection of avant-garde sketches, sculptures, installations and more.

Feast

Visitors enter on foot—this is a car-free village—and are greeted by the sight of one of the most famous cafés, Les Tilleuls, under the shade of an old lime tree. Sit down for a sophisticated lunch here and savour Foie Gras with lightly smoked onion and grape chutney, or one of the many delectable seafood preparations. There are also many shops selling homemade wines and liqueurs, and some innovative bites. Check out trendy local designers and stores selling olives, Foie Gras and absinthe. Do not miss visiting Cave de St. Paul, a wine cellar that dates back to the 14th century.

Siesta

While most visitors are day trippers, discerning travellers choose to stay at a boutique hotel or a French luxury homestay. Some of these luxury homestays at St. Paul are run by local artists and, hence, their homes and hotels are like curated art exhibitions in themselves, something you won't find anywhere else.

From the May 2014 issue of L’Officiel India.