RUSTIC CHIC

Melides is the lesser known and more bohemian sister to Comporta, just 30 minutes away. Artists, particularly of the French variety, love to call this gypset hangout their second home. In addition to its pristine ocean water, the village is dotted with umbrella pines, cork trees and rice paddies along village roads, many of which are unpaved. A short 1.5 hours from Lisbon a favorite pastime is gathering at Canas da Lago and drinking rum-boocha on hay bales covered in burlap while taking in the sunset. It’s a slow down and ground yourself type of place. Do yoga on an outdoor deck overlooking a lagoon with flamingos before a dip in the turquoise waves. Beach days, fresh fish and a night under the stars is what this Lisbon getaway is all about.

STAY: Under the stars at Good Muda

EAT: Funky fresh ceviche from our friend Nico at Ruda food truck

PLAY: Check what’s on at Canas da Lago (the live harpist at sunset is not to be missed)

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SPOT: Staraya Derevnya

SURF'S UP...
Nihiwatu is an eco-lux surf resort on the remote Indonesian island of Sumba. It was bought by financier Chris Burch (Tory's ex) a few years ago and now there are about 20 private villas done up as luxuriously as you can go considering the property is run on generators with its own water purifying system in the middle of the jungle. The main focus is on the private peeling wave outfront that is as consistent and clean as a wave pool.

CHECK IT OUT...
Stay at the Genghis Khan Polo Club.. It's sort of like a Lux African safari meets Burning Man.

SECLUDED UTOPIA
Located on a private, unspoiled beach in Turkey's Datca Peninsula, Bonjuk Bay is an inspired luxury glamping compound. It's a cool scene with organic cuisine, toned and groovy yogis, and beautiful internationals practicing tantra and sound healing. check out their calendar for special events. Check out bonjukbay.com

ECCENTRIC VILLA ALERT!
Count Panza's sprawling 18th century “ville di delizia” (villa of delights) is now a museum containing an impressive collection of art from California's Light and Space movement of the 1960's. Panza was an early collector of James Turrell and Robert Irwin and invited the artists over to do several on site commissions which now are on display.

CHECK IT OUT...
The Trasiera is a bohemian lux family run hotel in a converted, 16th century estate. yoga classes courtesy of gypset daughter Amber Scott.

SHOP
Imogene + Willie a boutique in a former service station is one stop shopping for house brand jeans, cowboy boots and groovy country western ephemera.

ARCHITECTURAL UTOPIA
This architectural utopia about an hour north of Phoenix in the desert is a must for anyone into utopic ideas. the brainchild of Italian visionary Paolo Soleri (a student of Frank Lloyd Wright) the community was begun in the 1970's and never finished. Now there are about 100 residents who make clay bells to survive. Visitors can rent rooms on arcosanti.org try to go in May when the Form music festival takes over with musical talent including Skrillex and Solange. Yes, there are hot tubs.

SLEEP
The Chateau Marmont is the gypset grand dame of hotels. Spanish architecture dusted with decadence. Rock on!

ONE OF THE GYPSET SEVEN WONDERS...
The birthplace of the intellectual New Age Movement in the 1960's, Esalen continues to operate as both a spa and educational center. Perched on the Pacific Ocean. It's outdoor natural sulphur hot tubs are legendary (and clothing optional) and only further the deep sense of healing here. There's also organic gardens that supply the kitchen and a revolving door of renegade progressive types coming through to lecture and save the world. Check in for a few days or months.

REMOTE PARADISE
This remote fishing village in Bahia is mainly inhabited by local Pataxo Indians. There's also the super chic Hotel Vila Naia owned by a Brazilian heiress. It's a collection of luxury beach cabanas, laid back but impeccable service, and a world class restaurant. The town of Corumbau is tiny with a few bars and inspired beach huts made of bamboo and painted in bright Bahian hues. If you want to slip away in a rootsy style, slip here.

SURF'S UP...
Don't forget your moccasins and leather mini! Byron Bay is known for its music scene and surf breaks. Homegrown boutique Spell and the Gypsy Collective carries boho-beach staples from feather headdresses to Native American turquoise.

SPIRITUAL HUB
While the rest of Bali seems to be getting more and more overrun and tacky, somehow Ubub-- perhaps because of its inland location-- just seems to get better and better. It's the spiritual and eco center of the island with progressive cuisine, healing centers, and hotels.

STAY: Bambu Indah (boutique eco hotel run by Green School founder John Hardy)
EAT: Alchemy Cafe (avant garde raw foods cafe)

BEATNIK RAJASTHAN
Jaipur reminds me a bit of the Beatnik scene in Greenwich Village or Tangier in the 1950's. Eccentrics hang out at cafes and bars in secluded courtyards attended by formal waiters. It's very quirky and costumey and everyone has a bit of an edge and murky backstories. It's not really a pretty place-- a dusty desert town with the constant din of traffic-- but the architecture can be grand and there's a lot of romance.

STAY: Niwas Narayan Palace (the sort of chelsea hotel of Jaipur, a run down former palace)
DRINK: Bar Paladio. sit outside with peacocks
EAT: Anokhi cafe

CHECK IT OUT...
Yab Yum hotel, La Plage restaurant, Jade Jagger boutique.

CHECK IT OUT...
Make sure to stay in Shela town (not Lamu town) The Peponi Hotel has the coolest/only bar, tiny with just a few seats, but you can meet everyone. it's a Muslim island: bring a sarong. Katy Barker has a great swahili-modern villa to rent.

SEEKING INFO..
Friends of mine that are into environmentalism and animal conservation tell me that Madagascar is great. If anyone has any info please get in touch info@gypset.com

GULP...

Only kidding!

SEEKING INFO!
I've been hearing positive buzz about Oman.. if anyone has been and has info please get in touch info@gypset.com